Monday, August 29, 2016 Edition

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Monday, August 29, 2016 Zul-Qaadah 26, 1436 AH

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N150 Vol. 23 No. 83

Again, Buhari warns militants to embrace peace or face war l Says

Chibok girls issue politicized

page 5

News Senate to probe IDPs hunger protest pAGE 18

US diplomat warns of Boko Haram attacks in Kano, Lagos pAGE 2

Budget padding: Dogara accuses media of sensationalism pAGE 15

Court remands woman for killing own child in Kano pAGE 9

L-R : FISON President , Dr. Olajiden Ayinla and Senator Rabiu Kwankwoso (award recipient) during the fisheries society of Nigeria‘s awards ceremony, recently in Abuja.

Nigeria’ll be among top 100 economies by 2019 - FG 873 Days after:

pAGE 5

Will the abducted Chibok schoolgirls ever be rescued?

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

News

CONTENTS

News 2-10 Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12 Letters 13 Politics 15-18 Business Stockwatch S/Report

19-22 23 24-25

Education 28 Health

30

Sheriff aided, abetted Boko Haram violence, says Borno Attorney General

By Ali Alkai

T

he embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was challenged by the Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan, to prove his innocence beyond insisting that Boko Haram attacks preceded his administration as governor of Borno State from 2003 to 2011.

In a statement made available to Peoples Daily yesterday, Kaka Lawal listed 40 ways in which Sheriff, as governor of Borno State, “aided and abetted Boko Haram violence.”

“Ali Modu Sheriff’s likely

desperation for power in 2003 and his arrogance is what led us to the violence of the Boko Haram insurgents that has led to the deaths of over 20,000 persons, displacement of over 2.5 million citizens and destruction of property worth 3 trillion naira.”

According to the attorney general, “Prior to the 2003 Governorship elections, Ali Modu Sheriff as the candidate of the then ANPP was in a comparatively weak position because he was contesting against a sitting Governor Mala Kachalla who was seeking reelection under the Alliance for Democracy.

“It wasn’t clear whether Ali Modu Sheriff as Governorship candidate,

desperate to defeat a sitting Governor might have approached Muhammad Yusuf for support of his followers in exchange for introduction of Sharia law after winning the Governorship.

Shortly after winning the 2003 elections, Ali Modu Sheriff created the Ministry of Religious Affairs under a pioneer Commissioner, Buji Foi, who was later found to be one of the financiers of the sect under Yusuf.”

Sheriff’s failure to introduce Sharia in the state, like many other states in the north, according to Kaka Lawal, made the sect felt beyrayed, and late Muhammad Yusuf was quoted saying that he was betrayed by Borno State Government led by Ali Modu Sheriff

No plans to shut down AIT, Raypower in Bauchi- Gov Abubakar From Ahmed Kaigama Bauchi

G

overnor Abubakar Mohammed of Bauchi state says he has no intention whatsoever to shut down operations of African International television (AIT) and Ray Power Radio stations in Bauchi owned by Daar Communication Plc. Abubakar, who gave the indication while receiving

Bauchi NUJ officials during a courtesy visit, weekend said, “The fact of the matter is that I have not close down AIT, I’m just taking back what belongs to Bauchi state”.

It would be recalled that the immediate past administration in the state allocated the Tirwun radio premises now being operated by Daar Communication, owners of AIT and Ray power which initially

belonged to Bauchi state.

The Tirwun premises which houses broadcast equipment with structural buildings and other facilities was shortly after the December 31, 1983 military interregnum that ended the second republic handed over to Bauchi Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) now Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) as its first site of operations.

The governor said that the

Towards curtailing the menace of frequent fire outbreaks Page 4

Metro 31-33 Money Sense 34 Strange World 35 Digest 36 Vogue 39-40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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and they would fight the government.

Also, “when on June 11, 2009, a detachment of Operation Flush near the Customs market in Maiduguri intercepted a group of members of the Boko Haram sect then known ‘Yan Yusufiyya’ and 17 of the sect’s members were injured “The Borno Government under Ali Modu Sheriff completely disregarded that incident.

The Government did not issue statement to condemn the shooting; sympathize with the victims” or conduct any inquiry on the shooting.

“The Government neither visited the shot sect members in the hospital nor did it care to pay for the medication of the 17 injured sect members.”

• Gov Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara (R)with South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria ,, the visit which is to offer the Gov the South Korean readiness to invest in Zamfara state , during the Envoy visit to the Gov’s residence, yesterday in Abuja.

revocation of Right of Occupancy of Tirwun station being used by Daar Communication followed the report of Public Assets Recovery Committee set up by the government to recover all public assets inappropriately allocation, swindled or siphoned by past officials in the state.

This, he said, brings to limelight the need for the Government and Daar Communication Plc to sit down and agree on parameters under which AIT and Ray power stations will operate through the Tirwun radio station owned by the state government.

“We will cost our property, giving it a commercial value, if Daar Communication is willing and ready it can buy off, so that we could put the money in the coffers of government of Bauchi state,” the governor said.

Abubakar said alternatively, however, if Daar Communication prefers to pay rent, the commercial rent will be determined so that it will continue paying the rent, be it monthly or annually.

According to him, this is the true situation of the matter at stake which, he observed, critics of the government gave different connotations applicably to satisfy their whims and caprices, and compounded by the media for lack of facts cross-checking.

US diplomat warns of Boko Haram attacks in Lagos, Kano

F

ormer United States ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has reportedly warned of Boko Haram attacks in Lagos and Kano.

Reports said that, the ex envoy said terrorists will regroup, becoming more radical, violent and

may attack Kano and Lagos states.

According to reports, Campbell said that the division in the terrorist group may not degrade its ability to stage deadly attacks.

“It should be anticipated that attacks on government and Western facilities will continue but not

necessarily centred in the NorthEast. Instead, the two factions are likely to carry out attacks further afield, in Kano, possibly Lagos, and almost certainly in Cameroon and Niger. There may well be greater co-operation with the various criminal networks that are active

across the Sahel,” Campbell was quoted as saying.

Campbell was reported to have stated this during his recent visit to Nigeria where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa.

Page 3

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

News Ag News Editor Ese Awhotu Agriculture’ll get more resources in 2017 budget, Buhari assures

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has asid that his administration will sustain concrete measures to diversify the economy by devoting more resources to agriculture in the 2017 budget.

In a statement made available to newsmen by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity,

Lagos issues ultimatum to owners of illegal structures, in Ikoyi, V/I, Lekki

Garba Shehu, Buhari gave the assurance while speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Kenya at the weekend on the margins of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI).

The President said African countries had a lot to learn from Japan on developing agriculture. ‘‘This year, in Nigeria, we started an aggressive farming programme that entails organising farmers into cooperatives in the second and third tier of government. ‘‘We intend to put more resources

in our 2017 budget, especially in the procurement of machinery for land clearing, fertilizers, pesticides and training of less-educated farmers, as farm extension instructors. ‘‘We have already registered some success this year in a number of states, we identified some 13 states that will be self-sufficient in rice, wheat and grains before the end of 2018. ‘‘We are very positive that soon we will be able to export these food products. We are also lucky that the farming season in the northern

part of the country has been very good and we are expecting a bumper harvest this year,’’ the President said.

On his expectation for TICAD, Buhari said Japan’s story of rapid economic growth, hardwork and advanced technology should encourage Africans to strive harder and solve its development challenges. ‘‘Japan has greatly advanced in technology, particularly in solar power, infrastructure to spur growth in medium and small-scale industries.

‘‘Because of the advanced use of technology, farming and agriculture can become competitive. ‘‘Japan has the knowledge, technology and capital to assist African countries to develop and Japanese firms are in a very good position to successfully compete for the development of infrastructure in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The President then requested for increased participation of the Japanese government and the private sector in the Nigerian economy.

T

he Lagos State Government on Sunday issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of illegal structures, shanties and street hawkers in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas.

The Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, who gave the ultimatum in a statement ordered that they should remove them or face the law.

It also ordered those who had converted walkways into commercial use in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and the Lagoon Front of Lekki area of the state to remove such them.

Mr. Bello warned that after the expiration of the ultimatum, the state Special Task Force on the cleanup of the areas would move in to enforce the laws.

He said that owners of all abandoned buildings in the areas harbouring prostitutes, miscreants and “unwanted elements” must clear such structures immediately.

He urged “the owners of all illegal structures, shanties, abandoned buildings and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses to comply.

“This is, especially, meant for those in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki, and they have between today and two weeks’ time to comply or have the Special Task Force to contend with,” Bello said.

He specifically warned owners of property on the Lagoon fronts of Lekki Phase 1 who had littered the areas with compactors and dead weight equipment to remove them immediately.

According to him, the state government is concerned about the conversion of the frontages of property and abandoned houses to kiosks and trading points by maids and guards.

He said the state government was also concerned about unregulated activities of horticulturists who had turned setbacks to hide outs and selling points.

Mr. Bello said the government was determined to restore the original master plan of the areas by checking the activities of roadside automobile repairers who had converted the dual carriage to single lanes through indiscriminate parking..(NAN)

• Senate Leader. Sen Ali Ndume; Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Mr Paul Hewson of the UNHCR; Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji Mamman Durkuwa and Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno at the inspection of the new Dangote village for IDPs, yesterday in Maiduguri . Photo: Borno Govt House

We’re committed to IDPs welfare in Borno-NEMA

By Mashe Gwamna

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has assured of its commitment to support Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Borno state.

NEMA, said in a statement

by Sani Datti of the Media and Public relations unit of the agency that a total of 55, 950 bags of rice, 30, 214 bags of maize and others assorted food and non food items were handed over to the Borno State Government by for distribution to various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri between February and July this year.

Also supplied to the state government within the period were 10, 400 bags of beans, 10, 135 bags of sugar, 100 bags of millet, 1, 200 bags of maize grits, 2,100 cartons of tomato paste, 2, 100 cartons of Maggi cubes, 1,500 bags of salt, 180 bags of flour, 2400 jerry cans of vegetable oil and 2,400 jerry cans of

palm oil. These items, were supplied by the Federal Government through NEMA in fulfilment of an existing MoU with the state government.

NEMA said the last tranches delivery of relief items to the state government was on Tuesday 12/7/2016 when the North east zonal coordinator of NEMA, Mohammed Kanar, handed over 8, 000 bags of rice, 3200 bags of beans, 1000 bags of millet and 1, 200 bags of maize to the Borno State Emergency Management Agency.

The next delivery is this week, once the supplies are completed.

The statement reads; “This month (August), the agency delivered additional 3,100 bags of rice, 3000 bags of beans, 1850 bags of Guinea corn, 650 bags of millet and 1200 bags of rice (50kg) in the few days based on request from the state government to augment the regular supplies which were presented to the SEMA Chairman, Ahmed Satomi, and Chairman

Monitoring/ Distribution of Relief Items to IDPs in Borno state, Alhaji Mohammed Sani.

“Similarly, NEMA has delivered relief materials directly to the IDPs in the satellite camps and IDPs camps in Maiduguri, comprising of 4, 367 bags of rice, 1, 330 bags of beans; 1, 508 bags of millet, 2, 600 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 100 jerry cans of palm oil, 46 cartons of milo beverage, 150 cartons of tomato paste and 1, 850 pieces of nylon mats from March to July.

“Others were 850 pieces of mattress, 1, 140 cartons of macaroni noodles, 5, 150 pieces of blankets, 900 pieces of mosquito nets, 1, 358 bags of guinea corn, 100 bags of maize, 390 cartons of “Garin danwake”, 239 cartons of powdered milk, 1, 600 pieces of guinea brocade, 2, 115 Wax prints, 180 Cartons of toilet soap, 100 cartons of detergents, 200 pieces of plastic cups, 350 pieces of plastic plates, 1, 900 pieces of plastic buckets and

640 packets of zinc nails.

“In addition to the humanitarian intervention in Borno State, the agency has also been unwavering in its commitment to the provision of supports to IDPs in Yobe, Adamawa states and other locations across the country.

“The MoU stipulate amongst others that NEMA supplies raw food to IDPs while the Borno state government provides additional condiments and maintains the camp environment. There are 113, 398 IDPs living in 13 camps in Maiduguri town and its environs. The satellite camps have 306, 380 IDPs located in 16 liberated communities and towns.

“A part of coordination role, the agency has been collaborating with other organizations in carrying out medical outreaches to the IDPs in the camps as well as providing medical consumables for camp clinics and referral hospital within Maiduguri.”

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page 4 Report

Towards curtailing the menace of frequent fire outbreaks

By Ochiaka Ugwu

A

part from ailing economy and insecurity, one problem that seems to be getting out of hand and have deferred all solutions is the frequent fire outbreaks all over the nation. Findings conducted so far

by Peoples Daily have shown that the calamities are caused largely by accidental and careless handling of vehicles, cooking wares, naked fires in our markets, homes, offices, bushes and industrial areas.

Cases of fire outbreaks in Nigeria, which always leave a lot of destruction in its wake both in human lives and property, abound in recent time. Not long ago, the popular Westminster market located in the Trinity area of Apapa, Lagos, was gutted by fire. This incident led to destruction of property worth over hundreds of millions of Naira.

Witnesses confirm that the fire engulfed 12 containers used as warehouses at the market where all kinds of items are sold. The shop owners affected by the disaster are unaware of the fate of the goods in their shops and their hope is hanging on the balance.

The majority of the shop owners are of the opinion that the fire broke out as a result of electricity, which was, perhaps, not switched off by some shopkeeper at the end of the working day, though the market management had urged them to do it on numerous occasions.

This came after about a month ago, when a fire outbreak at the Kirikiri axis, where a Sara Foam industry building was burnt to a very terrible degree. The incident was reportedly caused by an electric surge.

Also in the ancient city of Kano, fire raised Sabon Gari market. Reports disclosed that the Kano fire destroyed completely, goods worth billions of naira. The cause of the fire at Sabon Gari which sources say broke out at about 7pm on the evening of Thursday, December 3, remains unspecified.

In Abuja, a popular shopping mall was also raised by fire. But the most disturbing part of it was that the fire raged for more than 30 minutes before firefighters arrived at the scene. If the fire fighters can take all this long to respond to a disaster in the Federal Capital Territory, what will be the fate of the non capital territories? Your guess could just be as good as anybody’s.

There were speculations that the inferno was caused by power surge.

However, officials say the rumours are unfounded. The director of the state Fire Service, Alhaji Balarabe Kabara, who confirmed the incident, affirmed that no lives were lost in the fire outbreak.

Also, at the eve of Christmas, over eight people lost their lives during the gas plant explosion in Nnewi town of Anambra State. The fire was said to have started around 6:20am, and

Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd)

would have been controlled with the timely arrival of fire fighters. Many of the victims were trapped inside the Inter Corp Oil Limited (LPG Gas Plant) factory, a subsidiary of Chikason Group, located along Nnewi-Okigwe road, behind Innoson Motor Manufacturing Industry.

Most of the victims, who had gone to the gas plant to get a refill ahead of Christmas, were burnt beyond recognition, while some others, who were in the neighborhood and surroundings of the gas plant also got caught in the inferno.

The few lucky victims, who were severely burnt, were still battling to survive at Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi.

The fire destroyed the depot and its surroundings, including some buildings and cars around it. Workers, customers and motorcyclists are among those feared dead. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Based on these frequent fire outbreaks, The Minister of Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), has resolved to professionalize fire service for effective and efficient service delivery. Dambazzau made this known when he led a delegation to Nnewi that was gutted by fire on the eve of Christmas day and killed tens of people.

He said the ministry had made provision in the 2016 budget to make the fire service department proactive.

“In addition to providing equipment to the service, we also plan to carry out training of staff to make the service highly professional. Every local government should have fire institution up to the various wards; and we are looking at the best way to approach this,” he said.

As we are on a verge of recording higher economic growth with new administration on board, there is the need to take steps to stem the tide of fire outbreaks through preventive means to

“

The idea of establishing a public safety desk in all the 774 Local Government Areas of the country to work on fire prevention, by educating people in the neighborhoods and industrial layouts on how to prevent fires may not be a bad idea.

avoid possible setbacks resulting from loss of lives and property. Dambazau should walk his talk. It shouldn’t just be one of those promises that have been made over and over again.

Apart from frequent fires at markets and homes that have caused considerable damage to market wares, many communities and industries across nation continue to have had their share of havocs from fires. It appears that if the trend of fire outbreaks continues this year, the number will exceed the number recorded last year.

Indeed, fire outbreak is never a pleasant incident. When fire breaks out, there are serious problems for the residents of the particular property, as quenching fire isn’t an easy task to do.

There are many causes of fire outbreaks, but there are also many ways to prevent such events. Also, even when a fire has destroyed a property so much, the property can be restored by hiring fire restoration experts. However, the wisest thing to do is to stop the fire before it gets to the important assets of your property. People should be properly educated on how to handle setting things that could cause fire outbreak.

Experts have revealed that countless things can set a house or building on fire. Sometimes a fire occurs because of a person’s carelessness, but other times it’s just fate for which nobody can be blamed. Nigerians should be educated properly on how to avoid this problem and save their property from a fire situation.

Well acknowledged that fire service has been doing their bit in dealing with disasters, but could not do beyond their capacity. However, because their mandates are on disaster management, there is the need for a strong preventive measure to deal with fires in our homes, markets and schools.

There is need to bring together all institutions concerned with fire prevention and controls, including the fire service, police, army and the academia to embark on the measures that will curtail incessant fire outbreaks.

They should be given the mandate to study and review the trend in fires, and their causes, with the view to proffering solutions to them through preventive measures, taking into account the best practices in other parts of the world.

The idea of establishing a public safety desk in all the 774 Local Government Areas of the country to work on fire prevention, by educating people in the neighborhoods and industrial layouts on how to prevent fires may not be a bad idea. Public safety guard must also be formed at the community level to make sure all neighborhoods, industrial set layouts and public places conform to laid down principles in electricity, gas and naked fire use. This will surely go a long way in reducing the spate of fire outbreaks in our society.

PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

News

Again, Buhari warns militants to embrace peace of face war

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned the Niger Delta militants to either

embrace dialogue with the Federal Government of be prepared for war like the Boko Haram militants.

According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday

by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President issued the warning at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on

the sidelines of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi, Kenya.

He also assured existing and

• President Chartered Institute of Taxation Ghana (CITG) Nii Ayi Aryeetey, FCIT presenting a Certificate of Honorary Fellow of CITG to Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), Tunde Fowler (R), at the 6th Annual International Tax Conference, Accra, Ghana, on 25th August 2016

Chibok girls’ issue politicised, says President

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammad Buhari has said that issues around the release of the Chibok girls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents have been politicised.

The President, according to a statement made available to newsmen by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, made the assertion yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya, in an interview with journalists.

He said his administration was open to dialogue with the bona fide leaders of the terror group with knowledge of the whereabouts of the girls.

Buhari said “I have made a couple of comments on the Chibok girls and it seems to me that much of it has been politicised.

‘‘What we said is that the government which I preside over is prepared to talk to bonafide leaders of Boko Haram. ‘‘If they do not want to talk to us directly, let them pick an internationally recognised NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), convince them that they are holding the girls and that they want Nigeria to release a number of Boko Haram leaders in detention, which they are supposed to know. ‘‘If they do it through the ‘modified leadership’ of Boko Haram and they talk with an internationally recognised NGO then Nigeria will be prepared to discuss for their release,’’ he said.

Buhari, who spoke to the media on the margins of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), warned

that the Federal Government will not waste time and resources with ``doubtful sources’’ claiming to know the whereabouts of the girls. ‘‘We want those girls out and safe.

The faster we can recover them and hand them over to their parents, the better for us.’’

The President maintained that the terror group, which pledged allegiance to ISIS, has been largely decimated by the gallant Nigerian military with the support of immediate neighbours from Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin. ‘‘Some of the information about the division in Boko Haram is already in the press and I have read in the papers about the conflict in their leadership. ‘‘The person known in Nigeria as their leader, we understand was edged out and the Nigerian members

of Boko Haram started turning themselves to the Nigerian military. ‘‘We learnt that in an air strike by the Nigeria Air Force he was wounded. Indeed their top hierarchy and lower cadre have a problem and we know this because when we came into power, they were holding 14 out of the 774 local governments in Nigeria. But now they are not holding any territory and they have split to small groups attacking soft targets.

On the militancy in the Niger Delta region, the President said the Federal Government is also open to dialogue to resolve all contending issues in the area. ‘‘We do not believe that they (the militants) have announced ceasefire.

We are trying to understand them more. Who are their leaders and which areas do they operate and other relevant issues,’’ he said.

Easy of doing business: Nigeria’ll be among top 100 nations by 2019-FG

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration will make the country one of the most investment friendly nation by 2019.

The President gave the assurance while speaking at a plenary session on “Dialogue with the Private Sector” at the sixth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD VI), according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu.

He said Nigeria will be among top 100 countries of doing profitable business by 2019 According to Buhari, his administration was implementing policies and measures to create right and enabling environment for business and investors in Nigeria.

Nigeria is currently ranked 169 out of 189 countries by the World Bank, according to the Bank’s 2016 Ease of Doing Business report.

Buhari told the session attended by several African leaders, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and international business executives

that his administration’s vision and objective was to make Nigeria one of the top investment destinations in the world, within the shortest possible time. ‘‘We believe government has a particular responsibility to create right and attractive environment for businesses and economic activities to thrive. ‘‘In furtherance of this vision, we have launched the Presidential Enabling Environment Council, PEEC and Inter-Ministerial Council to oversee the efforts of government to remove various

bottlenecks that stifle businesses and economic activities and thereby create economic activities and the right enabling environment and investment climate in Nigeria. ‘‘The secretariat will include strong private sector representation that would be led by experienced business professionals from the private sector. ‘‘We are committed to moving up the ranking of the World Bank’s ease of doing business index 20 places in first year and be in the top 100 within the next 3 years,’’ the President said.

prospective foreign investors that their investments in Nigeria will be fully secured and protected.

Buhari outlined several steps taken by his administration to secure the country and ease doing business in Nigeria.

He told the Japanese leader that with the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists by the military, the attention of the administration is now focused on stopping the destruction of the country’s economic assets by militants in the Niger Delta region.

“We are talking to some of their leaders. We will deal with them as we dealt with Boko Haram if they refuse to talk to us.

“As a government, we know our responsibility, which is to secure the environment. It is clear to us that lenders won’t fund projects in insecure environments.

“We realize that we have to secure the country before we can efficiently manage it,” the President said.

The President told the Japanese Prime Minister that security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is greatly affected by piracy and armed robbery at sea, was a priority for the Nigerian government. ‘‘We have provided funds to our Navy to buy new platforms, train and effectively organize the personnel to protect the area. We are looking forward to support from developed nations for satellite surveillance covering the Gulf,’’ the President said.

Recalling his audience with G7 leaders in Germany, which was attended by the Prime Minister, President Buhari thanked Japan for responding positively to the requests

by Nigeria for the rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and rebuilding of infrastructure in the North Eastern part of the country.

The President however said there was still more to do on education, health and other infrastructure to ensure quick and voluntary return of displaced persons to their native communities.

On the United Nations Security Council reform, President Buhari agreed to work with Japan for the reforms, stressing that the case for a permanent seat for Africa on the Council was a moral one.

He equally expressed Nigeria’s support for Japan in their bid for a UN resolution on the problems in East China and South China as well as the “uncontrolled nuclear tests by North Korea.”

“The UN system is sufficient for the resolutions of all disputes and no nation should be above the United Nations.

“This has to be made absolutely clear and I assure the Prime Minister that I will meet as many leaders as possible at the forthcoming UN General Assembly concerning the issues.”

In his remarks, the Japanese Prime Minister congratulated President Buhari “for courageously tackling Boko Haram terrorism.”

He said Nigeria and Japan must work together to improve the investment climate in view of the many Japanese companies wishing to invest in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to rapid development in Nigeria through quality delivery of ongoing projects in the country, including Jebba hydro power scheme and the Lagos railway project.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

PAGE 6

News

Group drums support for NAHCON over pilgrims electronic wrist band

By Albert Akota

A

group under the umbrella of Civil Society Group for Good Governance has condemned in strong terms allegations of corruption circulating in the social media against Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON), Alh. Abdullahi Muktar Mohammed.

The President of the group, Mr. Dominic Ogakwu who disclosed this at press conference, described the allegations as nothing but an attempt to tarnish the good reputation of the NAHCON boss.

Making clarification on purchase of electronic wrist band for pilgrims and other issues, he said the use of wristband was aimed at addressing the challenges experienced during the 2015 Hajj Muna stampede in Saudi Arabia and that the use of electronic wristbands by all intending Hajj Pilgrims in 2016 was agreed upon by all stake holders and the management of the commission for 2016 Hajj operations. ‘’Our detailed investigation reveals that neither the Chairman of NAHCON nor any management staff has any link with the four companies awarded the contract for the supply of the e-wristbands.”

Furthermore, our findings revealed that the wristbands are been given to pilgrims at the sum of N8,400 as against the N25,000 alleged.

Nigerian Army launches Niger Delta offensive, kills 5 militants

T

he Nigerian Army says at least five suspected members of the Niger Delta militants group were killed in Rivers State and a large cache of arms recovered by troops involved in “Exercise Crocodile Smile”, which commenced on Saturday.

Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said at least 23 of the armed militants were seriously injured in a shootout between the troops and the militants in their hideout in the creeks. Various calibres of arms, including a speed boat, were also recovered during the exercise, he said.

“The 133 Special Forces Battalion of Nigerian Army

troops have carried out a precursor operation to Exercise CROCODILE SMILE aimed at getting rid of all forms of criminal activities in the Niger Delta geopolitical region of Nigeria.

“In the course of the operation, five militants that attacked the troops were killed in action, while numerous others were injured and 23 suspects were arrested,” Mr. Usman, a colonel, said..

He said the operations, carried out by Special Forces on Friday, led to the recovery of an abandoned engine boat; two AK-47 rifles with 199 rounds of ammunition; 11 pump action guns, a locally made revolver

pistol; 292 cartridges of live ammunition; four electricity generating sets and a camp gas cooker.

Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, also confirmed the killing of the five militants and recovery of arms while addressing troops in Sapele, Delta on Saturday.

Mr. Burutai said apart from those killed, there were other suspects arrested when they attempted to interfere with the training conducted for formations and units in the Niger Delta.

He urged the troops to exercise professionalism in their operations and conduct as they

move into the creeks for the exercise, and strive to minimize collateral damage to citizens’ lives and critical national assets located in the area.

The Army Chief urged the troops to respect the rights of members of the communities while discharging their duties, urging them not to spare any criminal found in the creeks.

He said the training was an exercise and operation geared at recovering the nation’s economic base and restoring normalcy in the region, assuring them of government’s commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers and officers.(NAN)

Former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke( SAN), third from left on the second row, with his colleagues during his Graduation on Saturday for the Advanced LLM in Public International Law with specialization in International Criminal Law at Leiden Law School, Universitiet Leiden in The Netherlands. >

Lassa fever: Lagos commences operation kill rats, make money

I

n a bid to avert incidences of Lassa Fever and other vector-borne diseases in Lagos State, an NGO, Phosguard Fumigant Ltd, in partnership with the state government, has introduced a bounty: “Kill rats, make money.”

Under the project, rodents multiplying ubiquitously across the state are to be exterminated from residential places and markets using hi-tech chemicals and equipment that will make their decomposing bodies noninfectious.

Oluwasegun Benson, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that the bounty would help to de-rat the state.

Vector-borne diseases are infections transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod

species, such as rats, mosquitoes, ticks, triatomine bugs, sandflies and blackflies.

The World Health Organisation says vectorborne diseases account for more than 17 per cent of all infectious diseases, causing more than 1 million deaths annually.

“As part of efforts to de-rat the state and prevent epidemic from Lassa Fever and other diseases, a bounty has been placed on rats in the state.

“We will buy off at least 20 rats for a yetto-be determined amount; in Lagos now it is operation kill rats and make money.

“A rat has 28 days gestation period and in the past years, there has not been any solid structure on ground to curb them from infecting humans with diseases.

“We are already approaching an epidemic level which can lead to a pandemic level with Lassa Fever and we must be proactive and launch a more coordinated approach to control them.

“It is war against rodents and pests in Lagos State,’’ he said.

According to him, the company is also collaborating with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to either incinerate or bury the rats.

“Incineration is no longer in practice because of world climate control, however, we can incinerate one ton of waste at a time or bury.

“We bury with chemicals to ensure that the water from the dead rats does not sip into ground water that people drink.

“Everything is going to be water-tight as we are not just going to kill the rats, we are going to collect them using our trained and well-kitted personnel,” Mr. Benson said.

Describing rats as destructive and hazardous to nature, the company’s CEO added: “We cannot completely eradicate rodents, but we can control it to a minimal and tolerable level.

“Although, the decomposing rats can also be important to the ecosystem but not in urban areas, they are destructive nature.“Rats had caused fire in offices and homes by eating electricity cables’’.

Mr. Benson said the project which would be launched in October would be the first of its kind in the country.

Edo 2016: Obaseki’s wife make case for women

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

W

ife of Edo state governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), in the September 10th 2016 election, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has pledged better welfare package for

women, especially widows and other vulnerable groups in the state.

She said 100 widows in the state would be empowered within the first four years if her husband’s administration in APC is given the mandate in the September 10th 2016 poll.

Mrs Obaseki made the pledge

on behalf of her husband when meant with a criss session of Yoruba women group living in Egor Local Government Area of the state as part of her campaign tour.

“I am happy that every one of you have taken the patience to wait for us and we are glad we are meeting you all. “I will

support my husband to make sure that small businesses owned by women are supported with loans to thrive.

“My husband has the biggest agricultural plans for farmers under his agricultural policy and I will ensure that women are factored into his plans because so many women are into farming

and I know what it means for them to be empowered”.

She said the unblemished record of her husband in the past seven years working with governor Adams Oshiomhole, was an indication that Godwin Obaseki has learnt the art of governance and prudent manager of men and resources.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

News

Army kills 4 bandits, recover 100 cows in Bauchi From Ahmed Bauchi

Kaigama

,

T

he 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army Forces Bauchi, under the Operation Forest Kunama has killed four armed bandits and arrested seven suspected kidnappers and two others at an ongoing operation to flush out criminals in the forests of Bauchi State.

The Deputy Director, Public Relations Officer, 33 Artillery Brigade Headquarters, Bauchi, Major Joseph Afolashade, who

disclosed this while parading 3 suspected kidnappers before the newsmen at the weekend, said that the operation code named “Operation Forest Kunama”, which commenced over 10 days ago is yielding positive results.

He said the troops killed the armed bandits during an operation along Angwan Dabo, Rumbu Stream and Dogon Ruwa adding that over 100 cows were recovered.

Afolashade explained that the troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers and recovered the sum of N439, 000 at Badiko Village

along Gumau road in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “During the period under review, Mohammed Idris, Musa Bature and Ibrahim Adamu were arrested by our troops while on fighting patrol at Rimin Zayam and Mai Turare villages. The suspected bandits confessed to be criminals fleeing from the LameBurra forest due to the ongoing Operation Kunama.

“The troops entered the forests through Ningi-Burra and came in contact with the suspected armed bandits. The llant troops killed the

bandits and recovered over 100 cows, which have been handed over to the owner through the Dakachi of Kwange village,” he said.

“Also, at Takanda-Giwa-Yuga, the troops that advanced through that axis arrested Muhammed Idris, who was a kidnapper operating in Jenge. The suspect has since been handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation.”

The Army Assistant Director Public Relations said that the troops also recovered 19 cows, 6

Niger Police recruitment screening holds from 29 August

sheep and two horses from cattle rustlers while on patrol AF DaboGuddirawa village in Gwange in Ningi Local Government Area.

“Apart from these successes, the troops also successfully cleared many criminal camps and locations inside the Lame Burra forest. Many stolen cows were recovered.

“The gallant soldiers deterred the difficult terrain by using motorcycles to advance deep into Lame Burra forest.

“The ongoing operation will continue till the last criminal in Bauchi State is wiped out,” he said.

L-R; Chairman BOT Armiyau Foundation, Justice Mamman Nasir, (Galadiman Katsina) with Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika at the 8th Engr.

Armiya’u Memorial Lecture and Awards, held at the Arewa House, Kaduna. At the Weekend. Photo: Bashir Bello

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna.

T

he Niger state police command in continuation with the process of recruitment of 10,000 has scheduled for special applications physical screening exercise.

According to the press statement issued in Minna by the 2i/c Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ado Abdullahi disclosed that the Special Cadet ASPs is fixed for 29th August, 2016 while the Special Inspectors holds on 30th August, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Special Recruitment Constables is scheduled for 31st August, 2016 all the exercises holds at the Police Officers Mess, Government House road ,Minna by 8am each day.

The statement added that only shortlisted candidates will be screened during the exercise.

He noted that the candidates were to appear in white short/ shirt and white canvas and were expected of come along with their original and photocopies of their credentials as well as the printed out of the message inviting them for the screening.

Suspected killer of Kwara doctor still at large -Police From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola E. Amore has disclosed that the primary suspect that was linked to the widely reported assassination of a Medical Doctor, Tunde Abdulrahman is still on the run.

Late Tunde who worked at the General Hospital, Omu- Aran was declared missing more than three weeks ago by the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on August 15,2016 .

It was leant that the medical doctor was killed by his assailants in his father’s GRA residence in Ilorin at about 1:00 am on July 24, 2016, the exact day he was declared missing.

It was gathered that the leader of the suspected three-man gang, Jamiu Mohammed, said to be an ex-convict, went into the room of the deceased with his members to machete him to death.

It was also gathered that the suspects put the corpse of the medical doctor in the booth of his Toyota Corolla car and took it to an unknown destination.

Investigations also revealed that father of the lead suspect, a Beninoise, pretended not to know anything about the death until detectives discovered his involvement in the dastardly act.

While confirming the primary suspect still on the run during a press conference with Journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, the Commissioner of Police said the primary suspect has not been arrested.

Amore said since the Police has not been able to arrest the suspect who can lead them to where the missing body of the doctor could be

found, the case under investigation remain a case of missing person.

Beside, a reliable source among the missing Doctor’s family informed our Correspondent that the father of the primary suspect has told investigators that only his son could confirm where the missing doctor’s body could be found.

“We have been moving from one Spiritual home to another, what they are telling us is that the primary suspect had run away far from Nigeria and he may not be found”.

Missing child scandal hits Edo hospital

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he alleged missing child scandal has hit Central hospital in Benin City, the Edo state Capital.

The alleged disappearance of the sexually assaulted minor by yet to identified persons and taken to the hospital for treatment, has heightened tension among the Management staff of the hospital.

The victim was said to have

been rescued and taken to the hospital by a vigilant police woman sergeant (name withheld), on August 3 2016.

The girl believed to be about 8-year-old child with deficient health status which she had lived as a foundling, was while wandering around King square in Benin City when some randy miscreants took advantage of her condition.

At visit to the state-owned medical facility, revealed that

the missing patient was initially admitted at the gynaecology ward of the hospital before she disappeared.

This was however after she had been transferred to the Children’s ward, until Friday, August 19, 2016 when the Matron on duty (name withheld), declared her missing to the hospital Management where she had suffered “clinical negligence in the hands of some Medical personnel”.

The situation, prompted the hospital Management alerted the Police.

A top Management staff of the hospital who pleaded anonymity, confirmed our reporter’s findings, but were swift to deny allegation of clinical negligence.

“The police that brought the child told us the history of rape, our own is to treat, we are not investigating officers.

“We have commenced a search for the child, the main thing

now is that the child does not communicate, we don’t have a name for the child.

“We are hoping that the woman who has acted as a mother to the child throughout the admission will surface with the child because on some occasions she took the child out and brought her back. One the sources said.

Meanwhile, ttwo persons including a nurse in the hospital have been arrested by the police in connection with the incident.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

News

Register for Social Intervention Scheme, FG tells jobless Nigerians New Nigeria

T

he Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has called on unemployed Nigerians to register at the online job portal of the Social Intervention Scheme of the Federal Government.

Ngige’s call is contained in a statement issued by Samuel Olowookere, the Deputy Director, Press in the ministry on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister made the call over the weekend, while inaugurating the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) School-toWork Programme in Calabar.

He said it was imperative for all unemployed Nigerians to register at the online job portal in order to benefit from different categories of programmes which government was offering.

“You must register to benefit from the Social Intervention Scheme. Unfortunately, as we speak, by last week, the portal has only recorded about 1.2 million persons.

“We expect more persons to

have been registered in the portal before our screening exercise; the registration on the portal is Npower.ng.org. The portal closes Aug. 31, which is just few days away.

“For those who are not computer literate, we advise state governments to encourage them by using local government chairmen to move into local government areas to register the unemployed persons there.

“So that they can qualify to be considered for the scheme. Each state of the federation is expected to recruit about 1, 500 persons,’’ he said.

Ngige, however, said that the School-To-Work programme was a renewed vigour by the ministry to catch them young.

The minister said it was also a bold attempt to build a future Nigeria where white-collar jobs would be unattractive.

“We are building a generation of Nigerians where creative thinking, self-confidence and dignity of labour will challenge the

prevailing unemployment scourge.

“We are building a generation of Nigerians who will not only create wealth with their hands, but are proud employers with skills from hands that God has given them, ‘’he added.

Mr. Ngige said the programme which was a two-month vacation creative job learning scheme, was organised for students in JSS 1 to SSS 2 classes in order to provide them with early skills.

He added that this set of students would graduate to higher skills training during the next vacation, while others succeed them.

“By this, we are re-thinking a university education system where graduates fold hands and wait for food on their table,” Ngige said.

He said 150 persons would be trained yearly from each of the states of the federation under the scheme.

He said the headquarters for the six zonal training centres were Calabar, Anambra, Bauchi, Katsina, Kogi and Ondo.

The minister said the programme was built with enough provision for decent work in line with the International Labour Organisation to foreclose the possibility of child labour.

Earlier, Kunle Obayane, the Acting Director-General, said the NDE was constantly preoccupied with providing initiatives that would address the ever changing forms and patterns of unemployment in the country.

Mr. Obayan said the programme was designed to provide diverse vocational, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills training for secondary school students during long vacations.

He said the age grouping was the best peak to tackle youth unemployment with acquisition of skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ngige had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Ben Ayade, who commended the minister on his innovative approach to tacking unemployment.(NAN)

L-R: A participant of Senior Executive course 38 of National Institute for Policy and strategic studies (NIPSS), Dr Ishaku Aliyu; National President, National Union of textile, garment and tailoring workers of Nigeria, Mr John Adaji and the General Secretary, Mr Issa Aremu, during the visit of the group one senior executive course 38 of NIPSS to the National Union of textile, garment and tailoring workers of Nigeria headquarters, yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN

Niger Delta: Community urges FG to rescind military option in resolving crisis

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

O

bagie Nunuamen, an agrarian Community in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo state has slammed N1 billion suit against the Management of PRESCO Nigeria Plc in connection with alleged trespass of a disputed land measuring 14,436,823 hectares.

The claimants are been represented by Mr. Femi Stephens A iwansedo, Itoje Emmanuel and Madam Rachel Enagbare.

Besides, Edo State Government, Edo State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Attorney

General of the State and the Registrar of Deeds, Edo State Ministry of Lands and Survey are joined in the suits.

The claimant is claiming the sum of N1billion jointly and severally from the defendants for trespassing over their land, battery and on account trauma, profound pains, psychological stress and depression which they individually and collectively caused and continues to cause them.

They prayed the court to declare that the action of the defendants for their oppressive, arbitrary, unconstitutional, naked and outrageous exercise of power against them was a flagrant viola-

tion of their constitutional rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

The community in the suit filed by its Counsel, Dele Igbinedion wants a declaration by the court that prior to and the commencement of the Land Use Act of 1978, they held and continued to hold the aforesaid parcel of land as if they were the holders of the Customary Rights of Occupancy over the entire land.

They want a further declaration by the court pursuant to the provisions of the Land Use Act of 1978, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants lack the power to issue a Certificate of Occupancy

No ESSR/17448 dated 11th June 2013 over the their land to any person particularly the 1st defendant and wants the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the 2ND Defendant null, void and of no effect over their existing Right of Occupancy.

The claimants also prayed the court to set aside or cancel and or revoke the said Certificate of occupancy No EDSR/17448 and dated 11th June 2013 issued to the 1st defendant just as they want the court to direct the 5th defendant to re-register the aforesaid parcel of land in the name of Obagie Nunuamen community.

Conversation commends Rights Commission on anti-impunity report

By Ese Awhotu

T

he New Nigeria Conversation has commended the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, for its recent launch of End Electoral Impunity which is designed to fight against electoral crimes and impunity that often violate human rights of Nigerian voters.

The group, a media-centered organization comprising senior editors, gave the commendation yesterday in a statement released in Abuja while condemning the un-necessary attacks against the Commission’s officials, especially the Executive Secretary, Professor Bem Angwe, by some disgruntled politicians and lawyers who alleged that the Commission acted outside of its power by indicting them.

The statement reads; “Like many concerned Nigerians, we are miffed. How can the NHRC report that merely gathered judgements of election tribunals and appellate courts that showed that there were proven cases of criminal violations of electoral and criminal laws in its publication become an indictment pronounced on anybody?

“This amounts to trivializing a serious issue raised by the report which borders how to conduct and have free and fair elections in Nigeria, stop election rigging, stealing of voters’ mandate, lying under oath, among other criminal activities during elections. “ As a group committed to promoting democracy and human rights in Nigeria, we are convinced that the report can be used as a guide and a campaign tool in the fight against election malpractices perpetuated by corrupt and greedy politicians, compromised electoral officials, security agencies and other relevant groups and individuals that participate in elections in Nigeria.

“From all indications, any genuine patriotic Nigerian is interested in free an fair election in Nigeria. We are therefore surprised that instead of commending the Commission, it is being criticized by agents of politicians that are afraid to face prosecution.”

The group urged the Federal Government, especially the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to take appropriate action on recommendations of the report by commencing prosecution of suspected electoral offenders so as to serve as deterrent to others in subsequent elections in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

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News

Kano: Court remands housewife for killing co-wife’s infant

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

A

n upper Shariah court sitting in Gwarzo Local Government, Kano State has remanded one Barira Yusuf of Fafawa village, Shanono Local Government area in prison

custody for allegedly killing her cowife’s newly born baby on Friday.

The Police prosecutor, Sergeant Ibrahim Abdullahi told the court that on 18th August, 2016, Badiya Yusuf, mother of the deceased baby reported that about six weeks ago, she gave her 4-day old baby to her co-wife before she

went to take bath, alleging that she negligently allowed the baby fall down to the floor.

He added that as soon as the baby fell down, blood started gushing out of his mouth and died later at midnight.

The judge, Faruk Ahmad, charged the accused for negligent

conduct contrary to section (96) of Kano State Shariah penal code law.

“That you Barira Yusuf of same compound with Badiya Yusuf, you negligently allowed your cowife’s baby to fall down to the floo which resulted to his death.

You are hereby charged to court

IDPs queuing to collect relief material at the Marte IDPs camp during the official commencement of the household feeding by the Borno State Government , yesterday in Maiduguri . Photo: NAN

for negligent conduct , contrary to section (96) of the Kano State shariah penal code. You will now be remanded at prison custody.”

Meanwhile, the accused pleaded not guilty of the offence.

Mr. Ahmad then adjourned the case to 5th September, 2016 for continued trial.

Group lauds Buhari over SMEDAN DG’s appointment From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

G

Gender inequality costs Africa $95bn annually – UN

T

he United Nations on Sunday urged African nations to close a gender gap that is costing an estimated $95bn a year in lost economic potential.

“Where there are high levels of gender inequality, societies are missing out,” UN Development Fund director Helen Clark told AFP. “They are not harnessing the full potential of women, and that

costs economically, at the family level, community level and the national level.”

Citing agriculture as an example, Clark said that in many African nations, women are banned from owning or inheriting land, making it hard for them to borrow money.

“They then don’t have the finance to buy the best seeds, the best fertilisers. So women, de-

spite working very, very hard, end up producing less, being less productive,” she said in Nairobi, where she was attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

The UNDP said in a statement that male-female inequality in sub-Saharan Africa costs the continent some $95bn each year in lost economic potential.

In 2014, the cost was higher,

at $105bn, it said.

“Gender equality is a good thing in its own right, and it’s the right thing to do, but often it’s not until you start talking about economics that people think my goodness, it has implications if we don’t do something about this,” said Clark, former New Zealand prime minister and a candidate for UN Secretary General.

Invest in agriculture, Wamakko tells rich Nigerians

By Lawrence Olaoye

I

mmediate past governor of Sokoto State, Senator Magatakarda Wamakko has called on rich Nigerians to invest in agriculture.

He urged the people to embrace agriculture at subsistent levels in order to cushion the effects of the current harsh economy.

According to him, in order to fast-track the growth of Agriculture in Nigeria, those with means and wherewithal including exgovernors, lawmakers, retired government officials, retired military personnel, owners of thriving businesses and others should begin to invest in production of cash and food crops with targets on export.

The Senator, a large scale farmer said this when some agriculture experts visited his farm in Sokoto, contending that agriculture has the potentials to generate huge foreign exchange to the tune of $150 billion for Nigeria yearly if the right targets are set for export by the government through mechanized farming.

He said current efforts by the government towards economy diversification is anchored principally on agriculture to ensure self sustaining growth in all the sub-sectors of agriculture and the structural transformation necessary for the overall socioeconomic development of the country.

Government’s policy on agriculture, Wamakko reasoned, is to largely encourage diversification

of the country’s export base and sources of foreign exchange earnings, describing it as the right step towards improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

He said for the policy to work, and for Nigeria to move away from its comfort zone of overdependence on oil resources, the citizens must trace their steps back to agriculture in which case, every family with means must tend farms to grow food, at least for their consumption as the case was before the advent of oil.

The Senator described availability of food as the first victory any family could attain over poverty, stating that those who learn to practice subsistent farming would later grow to be mechanized farmers and earners of foreign exchange for Nigeria.

He said, “We (farmers) are already looking toward to very good harvest this year. This will give us food and in addition, leaves us with the chance to generate funds. Farming is good. It strengthens the body and soul. It is a provider of fortune. I recommend farming to Nigerians, most especially those in the public and private sector who should be contributing to the plans to re-grow national economy.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Education, however, urged the Federal Government to partner with established farmers in Nigeria, while laying emphasis on research aimed towards mordernisation of agriculture production, storage and distribution with improved technologies and management.

roup under the auspice of Nigerian Concern Citizen(NCC) yesterday lauded President Muhammad Buhari’s administration for appointing Dr Umar Dikko Radda as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN).

According to the group, Dr Radda’s appointment was a best decision made

by President Buhari due to his vast experienced in job creation.

This was contained in a statement signed by the group’s Chairman Haruna Bature made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

Dr Radda they said within short time initiated a new Small Medium Enterprises(SME) which will create 1.5millon jobs in six month and also organized a retreat which come up with lot of ideas but most important the idea was conditional Grant Scheme(CGS) for micro enterprises. “ Under Dr Radda leadership SMEDAN introduce guarantee loan award. It main target is to produce and identifying at least 550 enterprises in each local government of the country for grant, SMEDAN will access the performance of each and every enterprise in the nation.

“After accessing the performance will now pick the best 10 percent, which is 55 enterprises and then be given a loan of 250, 000 naira to improve on their business.

SMEDAN under Dr Radda protect beneficiaries from high interest which there will be percentage meant from each commercial banks for SMEs,” he said.

The group further called on federal government with a louder voice to fund the agency with necessary funds for effective and smooth service delivering.

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News

CAN crisis: Gowon urges unity among Christians From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

A

s crisis deepened in the leadership body of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, appealed to all Christian groups

across the country to unite themselves and forget their individual differences, saying that such unity would unleash blessing for the country.

The former Head of State who was represented by the former Deputy Governor of Taraba State Dr. Gani Samuel made the appeal

on Friday in Jos during delegates meeting of CAN of northern region held at the Plateau State COCIN headquarters.

According to Gowon, without love and unity, no human or spiritual community can survive including the church, adding that “unity from different backgrounds

is crucial as all believers are all equal in worth in God’s sight .

“God has called us leaders in the Church to promote unity, it is therefore incumbent on us as leaders to emphasise things that unite us rather than things divide us, “ he added.

PFN urges action against killings in Kaduna, Enugu, Zamfara By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

T

he Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has demanded the prosecution of suspected extremists behind the killings of eight students of the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Zamfara State, and a Catholic seminarian

in Enugu in separate attacks.

PFN, President, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, in a statement in Benin City, condemned the murderous act and tasked security agencies to step up intelligence to ease the frustrations of Nigerians.

It condole with the relatives and families members of the hurt and appealed to Christians to

remain calm and show respect for the faith of others, respect and appreciate their values in thier respective locale at all times.

“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria receives the news of yet another round of brutal attack on innocent Nigerians in Kaduna and Zamfara, with eight people reportedly killed, with utter

shock.

“It is becoming more difficult, with each attack, to find answers to the seeming helplessness on the part of law enforcement agents to rein in the extremist elements who insist on these barbaric, riotous and criminal acts, while claiming to be acting in the name of religion.

UATH medical director calls for provision of facilities in hospitals

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Abubakar Haruna, has called on the government to provide enough facilities in the public hospitals in order to prevent the people from travelling out of the country for medical treatment.

He also charged the government to accord priority to the capacity building of the health professionals so as to put in their best at work.

Haruna, who made the call in an interview with newsmen during the National Executive Council meeting of Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) held at the UATH over the weakened in Gwagwalada, pleaded with the health professionals to always give the necessary attention to the patients at their respective hospitals.

The Acting Chief Medical Director therefore, said that his administration would not hesitate to put smiles on the faces of the entire staff in the hospital.

Also speaking, the former Chief Medical Director of UAT, Dr Nandul Durfa who was the chairman of the occasion, urged the government to carry the Chief Executive Officers, CEOs of the public hospitals along in the scheme of things.

On his part, the chairman of MDCAN at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, called on the government to provide the needed equipment in Nigerian hospitals for the benefit of the patients.

Baamlong, however, asked the government to place emphasis on the life insurance of the health professionals to boost their morale at work.

Meanwhile, the ceremony featured papers presentation by the resource persons.

Suspected cultist and kidnappers paraded by troops of 2 brigade, Nigerian Army, yesterday in Port Harcourt . Photo: NAN

UNICEF seeks media partnership in fight against malnutrition From Raji Bello, Sokoto

T

he United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has called for robust partnership between the media practitioners and other stakeholders in the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria.

Its Nutrition Specialist, Sokoto Field Office, Mr. Paul Mudzongo gave the charge in Sokoto, during a roundtable meeting on nutrition discourse.

He raised alarm over the continued increase in number of

malnourished children in Nigeria especially in the Northern part of the country.

Mudzongo urged the media to wake-up to their responsibilities by holding public officials accountable as they discharge their duties, as to ensure transparency in the utilisation of funds allocated to children-related issues.

He also charged them to be in the front burner through their reportage in getting government committed to the fight against malnutrition in the country.

Mudzongo, however advocates

for a renewed commitment and immediate attention by governments at all levels in Nigeria to curb the trend of malnutrition by adopting a comprehensive state, multi-sectoral nutrition strategic action.

According to him, “governments should ensure adequate funding and timely release of funds for nutrition budget line; increasing the nutrition budget allocation and to fully integrate nutrition in revitalization of Primary Health Care.”

In his remarks, the Commis-

sioner for Health in the state, Dr. Shehu Balarabe, disclosed that the State government would soon start producing Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a nutrient used for treating malnutrition.

He said the government can no longer afford to continue to spend on the importation of RUTF which is produced from groundnut paste.

His words: “In the past, imported Ready to Use Therapeutic Food from South Africa and United States. However, we’re

now working to stop that. We will soon start producing it right here in Sokoto.

“RUTF is highly nutritious and is made from groundnut paste.

We also thank God that Dangote is investing in the production of the drug here in Nigeria, so we commend him for that. This is the first step of boasting nutrition to have intelligent children.”

Balarabe also explained that if proper measures are taken, all that is needed in Nigeria for proper nutrition is available and would cost nothing.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

NIGERIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Plot 447 / 448 Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja E-mail: info@ndic.gov.ng Website: www.ndic.gov.ng INVITATION FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL TENDER TO EXECUTE PROJECTS UNDER THE YEAR 2016 APPROPRIATION 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) wishes to procure the under listed Goods, Works and Services in its financial year 2016 appropriation. In compliance with Public Procurement Act 2007, all interested reputable Suppliers and Contractors with good track record of performance and experience are hereby invited to bid as follows:

completion Certificate).

Company profile indicating qualification and experience of key

staff for the project (Attach Curriculum Vitae and Certificates). xii) Evidence of registration with relevant Professional bodies.

5.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested companies should obtain the tender document for Categories A & B from the Administration Department, 2nd Floor, NDIC Headquarters, Plot 447/448 Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja upon payment of the tender fee of N10,000.00 for each lot made payable to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Abuja using Remita platform via www.remita.net. xi)

2.0 PROJECTS FOR TENDER CATEGORY A: WORKS LOT A1: Upgrade of Water Sprinkler at the Head Office, Abuja.

LOT A2: Supply and Installation of Door access Control at the

Corporation’s Enugu Consolidation Centre.

LOT A3: Provision of right wing and back perimeter security light at the 6.0 SUBMISSION OF BID DOCUMENTS FOR CATEGORIES A & B

Head Office, Abuja.

Five (5) bound copies of the ‘Technical’ and ‘Financial’ tender docuLOT A4: Supply and Installation of Renewable Energy sources ments must be submitted in separate sealed envelopes clearly marked

(Solar Power System) for the Corporation’s Kano Zonal Office.

“Technical Bid” and “Financial Bid” respectively, both put in a third (3rd) LOT A5: Supply and Installation of Renewable Energy sources (Solar envelope sealed and marked on the right hand top corner ‘’TECHNICAL

Power System) for the Corporation’s Sokoto Zonal Office.

AND FINANCIAL TENDER’’ for any project(s) of your choice(indicate LOT A6: Supply and Installation of Renewable Energy sources (Solar the lot number) and addressed to:

Power System) for the Corporation’s Benin Zonal Office.

LOT A7: Supply and Installation of Renewable Energy sources (Solar Director of Administration Department,

Power System) for the Corporation’s Enugu Zonal Office.

Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Plot 447/448 Constitution Avenue, CATEGORY B: GOODS Central Business District, LOT B1: Supply and Installation of Furniture Items for the Head Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Abuja LOT B2: Supply and Installation of furniture items for Lagos Office.

7.0 CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION LOT B3: Supply of Photocopying Machines for the Head Office, Abuja.

The closing date for submission of Tender for Categories A and B. is LOT B4: Supply of Photocopying Machines for the Lagos Office.

Monday, 10th October, 2016 by 11:00 am . The tender is to be dropped in LOT B5: Supply of Photocopying Machines for Enugu and Sokoto Zonal the Tender Box on the Ground floor, Reception Area at the Head Office Offices.

Building. Companies submitting tenders are expected to sign the tender register on the 2nd floor, Administration Department., before dropping 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK the tenders.

The scope of work for all projects under categories A & B are detailed in the bidding document which shall be issued to prospective bidders.

Any tender submitted at the designated location after the stipulated date and time shall be considered late and non-responsive.

4.0 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CATEGORIES “A” & “B” Interested bidder (s) for any of the above projects are required to provide 8.0 OPENING OF TENDERS the following bidding requirements for the project(s) of their choice.

Opening of tenders for all projects classified under categories A & B All bids must be accompanied with the following: shall be on Monday 10th October, 2016 by 11:00am. The venue for the i) Evidence of Company Registration with Corporate Affairs Bid Opening exercise is NDIC Conference Hall, Fourth Floor, NDIC

Commission (CAC) in Nigeria.

Head Office, Plot 447/448 Constitution Avenue, CBD, Abuja. ii) The current 3 years Tax Clearance Certificate of the Company (2013, 9.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2014 and 2015). i) Failure to satisfactorily fulfil the conditions as requested above iii) The Company’s audited accounts for the last three years (2013,

will result to invalidation of such tender.

2014 and 2015). ii) NDIC shall reserve the right to verify the authenticity of claim(s) iv) Interim Registration Report as evidence of Registration with BPP

made by the tendering parties.

National Database of Contractors, Consultants and service iii) NDIC shall reserve the right to reject any submission based on providers.

unverifiable information. v) Valid Certificate of Compliance with Pension Act issued by the iv) All bids/proposals must be paginated and items required under

National Pension Commission (PenCom).

eligibility criteria to be arranged in the order of sequence. vi) Certificate of Compliance with Industrial training Fund (ITF) v) Technical and financial bids enclosed in one envelope that will

Act, 2005.

expose the technical and financial bid at the time of opening shall vii) Certificate of compliance with National Social Insurance Trust

be disqualified.

Fund (NSITF) Act. vi) Due diligence exercise shall be conducted to verify all the claims viii) Sworn affidavit to indicate that the Company is not in Receiver

made by bidders.

ship and none of its Directors was ever convicted of fraudulent vii) Further requisite information required can be obtained through activity.

the following e-mail address: info@ndic.gov.ng ix) Evidence of Financial capacity to execute the project(s); letter of .

commitment to provide funding from a bank or bank statement w

for the immediate past six (6) months. x) Verifiable evidence of having successfully carried out similar

works in the last five (5) years (please attach letters of Award and job

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Is it really good night for PDP?

By Muhammad Ajah

I

n mathematics, especially in geometry, Pythagorean Theorem is a fantastic numerical combustion that I found very interesting. It is quite long experiences in the secondary classes.

There, our mathematics teacher pronounced theorem so fast in such manner that once he started to solve any, all the students would await was Q.E.D. which are initials of the Latin phrase quod erat demonstrandum, meaning “which is what had to be proved.”

The theorem of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has to be proved in context of the geometric reality of Nigeria today. For a party that super-powered the affairs of the largest population of the black race on earth for nearly two decades, to accept a parting handshaking cannot be as easy as ABC. But with the happenings in the party and predictions by the key founders of the party, is its swan song nearby?

For 16 years, the PDP, founded on the premises of military-civilian partnership by prominent Nigerian patriots maneuvered the leadership of the country, inconsequentially, on the twisted scale of popularity and sympathy.

There was quite no better option for Nigeria by that time as all of us and the world needed our return to democracy. A lot of Nigerians then were meek political animals being told what to do even against their own will. Nigerians were dragged from 1999 to 2003, until: “Like a loyal child; Feeling the pain of torture and denial; We staggered and stood on our feet; And looked into the eyes of the master; And shouted, freedom, freedom, freedom! This is culled from my poetic book on Nigeria titled: Sing to me, Nigeria.

The crisis rocking the PDP, some analysts hold, reveals of a group of persons who have never believed or practiced democracy; a cluster of kleptomaniac marauders who sucked Nigeria without recourse to reckoning and a bunch of opportunists whose intents were selfish, parochial and self-centered. Recall 60 years was a projected span for its leadership.

And throughout the 16 years, much filth, official

abuses and intellectual fallacies weakened and rendered it unpopular. This is to the extent that almost all the erstwhile political bulldozers are on the run; either openly bidding the party farewell or covertly disassociating themselves from it.

To some other analysts, PDP is still leading.

Diehard could be a mild abstraction. Within the 16 year race or match against Nigeria, it defeated Nigerians 4-0. In March 2015 or to be precise on May 29, 2015 the results changed to 4-1 with difficulties and uncertainty. Its strength remains in power energy – money. They are still heavy with stolen commonwealth. Most of the PDP elders were contractors who collected money and never delivered a tinge. The few other contractors who probably were not fullcard carrying members had to get below 30% of the contract amount after the figures have been mutilated or padded. The 10% contract discount used to appease those who cooperated in the contract approval was no longer a reality. Who cared and who checked who?

The national assembly was dominated by its members who padded the nation’s wealth into their pockets. The executives were demigods who distributed, at freewill, resources meant for security, infrastructure, et al. Large chunk of those monies is still with them and still the reservoir they recline on. In just five years, the exact whereabouts of 51 trillion US dollars is unknown. Yet, “We borrowed 473 billions to pay salary every month”, revealed former Minister of Finance and economic coordinator, Dr. Ngozi Iweala. Though popularity and pedigree played serious role in the last general polls, politics remains capital intensive. And that has been the gunner for the PDP. An option heaped upon the party is to change its nomenclature. A known criminal cannot change his clothes and expect acceptance by the neighbourhoods. The truth is that Nigerians are tired of the faces in the party, not on the grounds of esthetic. The faces have become gloomy, dummy, fussy and filthy for concerned Nigerians to glance at with awe as before. At least for the repentant ones who are now associating with

reality, Nigerians are humans who believe that to forgive is divine. But most politicians are chameleons.

Otherwise, by 2019, 2023 and 2027, if the equalizer is scored to make it 4-4, the PDP will accept defeat. For now, the fight continues.

The deceit increases. And its hanged hope and surprises thicken. After all they are Nigerians and still constitute certain percentage of the incumbent government tagged: “Go-slow administration”. They have helped in slowing the government the more, though slow and steady wins the race.

The PDP has fallen apart and the founders have lost interest in it. Former Governor, Modu Sheriff and former Senator, Ahmed Makarfi are at their jugulars over the leadership of the party, dancing the tunes by the courts. What equation the Sheriff versus Makarfi faceoff will produce is palpable. The zoning formula of the party has ever been a case study. Grouping and regrouping have become the party’s resort. The party’s failed August 17, 2016 convention in Port Harcourt cannot write a report of progressive people. Comments from the party’s current and former leaders are revealing.

Troubled National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, at a press conference on Monday, May 4, 2015 declared that some members of PDP including ambitious aides and associates of President Goodluck Jonathan used their perceived closeness to him to further their heinous agenda of injecting crisis in the party with a view to highjacking the structure for their selfish interests. Part of the agenda, he claimed, was to create an impression of division and crisis and pave the way for members’ decamp to other parties in view of the Supreme Court ruling on defection in the event of leadership crisis at their party’s national level.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo noted that the party’s crisis heralds its end. “You cannot say ‘good night’ and come to say ‘good evening’ in the same place. So for me, it is good night for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that’s all,” he said. This is the one time Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party who

tore his membership certificate before the 2015 elections in the presence of party loyalists. .

A backbone of the party, Bode George fumed after the failed convention. He sees an already divided party subsumed by disintegrated blocs within. To him, the Yoruba equalizing strength is threatened. The marriage between Rivers and Ekiti governors to him is a betrayal of the Yoruba interest. “Wike will now tell Yoruba people who should represent them? That is madness. I think he is under a spell or something. Yoruba will never go to Port Harcourt for any convention again. Quote me, Wike is too small to summon Yoruba leaders. We will not allow him to rubbish us. We will not leave the PDP for him. It is now crystal clear to us exactly what Sheriff suffered in their hands. May God forgive us, Sheriff is a saint compared to Wike or Fayose. Sheriff understands exactly their antics. Fayose told us he burnt his fingers the first time, now he has burnt his whole body”, Bode squealed.

To former president Jonathan, the party is merely running after his shadows. He rejected PDP’s offer to chair its Board of Trustees, a seat that is supposed to be occupied by ex-president of the party. The party’s former BoT chairman, Tony Anenih, seems to be chewing his words.

He claimed to have resigned his position to pave way for Jonathan before Haliru Muhammad Bello, a former defence minister and acting chairman of the party took the full mantle.

Others like Jerry Gana and Ibrahim Mantu as well as Raymond Dekposi are carefully sorting on the murky waves of the party. Sources said the former Borno governor rescued the party from its financial difficulty and used his personal funds to run the party, yet some founding fathers regrouped to disband him in favour of Makarfi. These two groups, and probably a third unpronounced one, will revive the party or bury it by 2019. Let the game continue.

Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo. co.uk.

The aftermath of the Coup in Turkey

By Fethullah Gülen

O

n the night of July 15, Turkey went through the most catastrophic tragedy in its recent history as a result of the attempted military coup. The events of that night could be called a serious terror coup.

Turkish people from all walks of life who thought the era of military coups was over showed solidarity against the coup and on the side of democracy. While the coup attempt was in progress, I condemned it in the strongest terms.

Twenty minutes after the military coup attempt surfaced, before the real actors were known, President Erdogan hastily blamed me.

It is troubling that an accusation was issued without waiting for the event’s details and the perpetrators’ motives to emerge. As someone who has suffered through four coups in the last 50 years, it is especially insulting to be associated with a coup attempt. I categorically reject such accusations.

I have been living a reclusive life in self-exile in a small town in the United States for the last 17 years. The assertion that I convinced the eighth largest army in the world – from 6,000 miles away – to act against its own government is not only baseless, it is false, and has not resonated throughout the world.

No one is above the rule of law, myself included. I would like for those who are responsible for this coup attempt, regardless of their identities, to receive the punishment they deserve if found guilty in a fair trial. The Turkish judiciary has been politicized and controlled by

the government since 2014 and, consequently, the possibility of a fair trial is very small. For this reason, I have advocated several times for the establishment of an international commission to investigate the coup attempt and I have expressed my commitment to abide by the findings of such a commission.

Hizmet movement participants have not been involved in one single violent incident throughout its 50-year history. They haven’t even taken to the streets to confront Turkish security forces while they have been suffering under the government’s “witch hunt,” to use Mr. Erdoğan’s own words, for the last three years.

Despite being subjected to a smear campaign and suffering under state oppression for the last three years in the hands of a politically controlled law enforcement and the judiciary, Hizmet movement participants have complied with the law, opposed injustices through legitimate means and only defended their rights within the legal framework.

Turkey’s legal and law enforcement agencies have been mobilized for the last three years to investigate and reveal an alleged “parallel state” that they claim that I run.

The administration called the 2013 public corruption probe an organized attempt by Hizmet sympathizers within the bureaucracy to bring down the government. Despite detaining 4,000 people, purging tens of thousands of government employees and unlawfully seizing hundreds of NGOs and private businesses, authorities were unable to find a single piece of credible evidence to prove their claims.

Turkey’s prime minister called an opportunity to meet with me “heaven-sent” in May 2013; however, after the public corruption probe emerged in December 2013, he began using hate language such as “assassins” and “blood sucking vampires” when referring to Hizmet movement participants.

After the treasonous coup attempt of July 15, the attacks have become unbearable. Turkish government officials also began referring to me and people sympathetic to my views as a “virus” and “cancer cells that need to be wiped out.” Hundreds of thousands of people that have supported institutions and organizations affiliated with the Hizmet movement have been dehumanized in one way or another.

Their private properties have been confiscated, bank accounts taken over and their passports cancelled, restricting their freedom of travel.

Hundreds of thousands of families are living through a humanitarian tragedy due to this ongoing witch hunt.

I’ve witnessed every single military coup in Turkey and, like many other Turkish citizens, have suffered during and after each one. I was imprisoned by the order of the junta administration after the March 12, 1971 coup.

After the coup of September 12, 1980, a detention warrant was issued against me and I lived as a fugitive for six years.

Right after the February 28, 1997, postmodern military coup, a lawsuit asking for capital punishment was filed against me with the charge of “an unarmed terrorist organization consisting of one person.”

During all of these oppressive, militarydominated administrations, three cases accusing me of “leading a terror organization” were opened and, in each case, I was cleared of the charges.

I had friendly relations with leaders from various political parties, such as Mr. Turgut Ozal, Mr. Suleyman Demirel and Mr. Bulent Ecevit, and genuinely supported their policies that I found to be beneficial to the larger community.

They treated me with respect, especially when recognizing Hizmet activities that contribute to social peace and education.

Emancipating Turkey from the vicious cycle of authoritarianism is possible only through the adoption of a democratic culture and a meritbased administration. Neither a military coup nor a civilian autocracy is a solution.

Unfortunately, in a country where independent media outlets are shut down or taken under government custody, a significant portion of Turkish citizens were made to believe – through relentless pro-government propaganda – that I am the actor behind the July 15 coup. However, world opinion, which is shaped by objective information, clearly sees that what is going on is a power grab by the administration under the guise of a witch-hunt.

I openly call on the Turkish government to allow for an international commission to investigate the coup attempt, and promise my full cooperation in this matter.

Fethullah Gülen is an intellectual, preacher and a social advocate.

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Comment

Gender equality: Is the giant of Africa on the global stage?

By Abang Dove

I

n the past few weeks, a lot of things trended in Nigeria including the unsuccessful passage of The Bill For An Act To Incorporate and Enforce Certain Provisions of The United Nations Convention On The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, and Other Matters Connected Therewith for second reading.

This gender equality bill was sponsored by Distinguished Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti-South Senatorial District with the aim of achieving equal treatment legislation, gender mainstreaming (integration of the gender perspective into all other policies), specific measures for the advancement of women, equal access to education, the strengthening of laws on violence against women, ending abduction of girls, sustenance and promotion of entrepreneurship opportunities among others.

Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.

When this bill was turned down as a result of disparities exhibited with the votes, only a few legislatures stood their ground to make sure it was stated clearly to their colleagues and the general public that their position was not totally in line with the decision made by the Nigerian Senate.

The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Princess Stella Oduah who happens to be the Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Women Affairs also made her points clear on the gender equality bill. The Senator released a statement analysing the importance and value of women in the society, listing out points in support of the bill and also insisted that the bill had to be represented in the Senate.

As an observant Nigerian lady, I was really impressed by this profound support given to Senator Olujimi by her colleague and friend Senator Oduah.

This togetherness and spirit of cooperation should be imbibed and encouraged by women from other factions of the society. And I believe Nigerian women will see the realisation of this gender equality bill if they work together, support each other and chant ‘Equal Rights’ with the same voice for the future of Nigerian girls depend on it.

Meanwhile, the number three (3) citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senate President Bukola Saraki also went ahead to call a private meeting with the sponsor of the bill Senator Olujimi and the number one critic of the same bill Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South). The aim of the meeting was to come to a reasonable conclusion and find a mutual ground for both parties.

The Senate President came to the aide of women by making sure the decision was made and agreed upon by both parties for the gender equality bill to be represented in the floor of the Upper Chamber.

Equality between women and men is one of the European Union’s founding values. It goes back to

1957 when the principle of equal pay for equal work became part of the Treaty of Rome.

The European Union’s achievements in fostering equality between women and men have helped to change the lives of many European citizens for the better.

Nigeria, which is the giant of Africa, just like most countries of the world needs to make gender equality a priority. Women need to be adequately represented in the Upper and Lower Chambers, and in every other arm of government and government institutions.

Womens voices need to be heard.

Although inequality cannot be totally abolished, Nigeria can still make significant progress in bettering the lives of women in years to come if we can start now.

This progress will be seen in the increased number of women that will then be in the labor market and also increased chances in securing better education and training.

Gender equality can be measured by looking at the representation of men and of women in a range of roles. This will help the nation understand the number of women represented at only low income jobs, number of women that are illiterates and so much more.

A country where women and girls are discriminated against in health, education and the labor market with negative repercussions for their freedom is no giant to me.

Abang Dove writes from Abuja, she tweets @ abangdove

US Presidency: Trump is on a mission impossible!

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

T

here are many ways you can discover that it is dangerous to jump off a ten-story building: You can read about the law of gravity in a book. You can learn from the sad experience of someone who tried it. You can listen to the wise counsel of a physician about the dangers of such a fall. Or you can jump. Each provides information you need; the only difference is the amount of pain involved in gaining that information.

The chances of Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner winning the presidency is as good as a man who survives after jumping from a ten-story building. The growing resistance and controversies surrounding Trump’s nomination from the GOP and from the majority of Americans is a clear indication that he cannot and he will not win the general elections. Apart from the fiery opposition to his nomination, there are many other compelling reasons why Trump will fall in the general elections.

Trump’s credibility is zero among Americans and even so among Republicans. Republicans believe Trump isn’t credible as a proponent of Constitutional liberty, prosperity, and security. GOP believes Trump was a praise singer and lifelong donor to Democrats including Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Rahm Emmanuel the Chicago Mayor and Bill de Blasio the New York Mayor. Trump is a supporter of abortion and Planned Parenthood. Remember, Republicans rejected Rudy Giuliani and his New York abortion values. GOP sees Trump as a cronyist who opposes property rights. Trump believes government should be able to take property from ordinary Americans in order to give it to well-connected land developers like himself. This was the issue in the Supreme Court case Kelo v. New London.

How do the rest Americans see Trump? Trump is an eccentric. That’s putting it mildly. In fact, he’s an insane boor, sexist, rude, crude, primitive, insensitive, childish, and a bigot. As evidenced all through his campaigns, Trump has demonstrated that he’s unstable, raw, dirty, and always being ignited by erratic behavior. All these and more make him unsuitable for the highest office in the world.

Trump is a womanizer. He has a history of serially marrying, sleeping around, then divorcing his wife to marry his mistress. According to Buzzfeed, Trump said that his ex-wife, Marla Maples, whom he

has a child with, has “nice tits” but “no brains.” In his book, “Trump: The Art of The Comeback, Trump disgracefully bragged about sleeping with “happily married” women. “If I told you the real stories of my experiences with women,” says Trump, “often seemingly very happily married and important women, this book would be a guaranteed best-seller,” brags Trump.

Trump, who leads with Evangelicals, made a sexist remark in an interview with Esquire in 1991 that any heat from media was outweighed by a “young and beautiful piece of ass.” “You know,” Trump explains, “it doesn’t really matter what they write as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of ass,” says Trump. According to New York Magazine, Trump told a friend that you have to “treat (women) like shit,” seemingly to get what you want out of them.

After Megan Kelly took Trump to task during the first Republican presidential debate regarding his past sexist comments towards women, Trump fired back by implying that Kelly must have been menstruating for her to ask such “unfair” questions. “…

She gets out there and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions, and you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her … wherever,” says Trump. Speaking of actress Nicollette Sheridan, Trump told Howard Stern back in 2005 that women, whom apparently grades on a numeric scale on their appearance, will have a hard time earning a “10” grade if they are “very flat-chested.” “A woman who is very flat-chested,” Trump derisively mocks Sheridan, “is very hard to be a 10,” says Trump.

Trump drew criticisms for apparently making fun of a reporter’s joint condition. Speaking at a South Carolina campaign rally, Trump referred to an article

by Serge Kovaleski of the New York Times. Kovaleski wrote the article while working for The Washington Post in 2001. “It was written by a nice reporter,” remarks Trump. “Now the poor guy – you ought to see the guy …” says Trump. Trump jerked his arms and body and held his hands in a claw-like manner reminiscent of the disease’s symptom that affects Kovaleski.

His birtherism and conspiracy theory reveals Trump as detached from intelligent, rational thought, and analysis. He champions birtherism and conspiracy theory. As a conspiracy theorist, he pushed the insane, ignorant theory that President

Barack Obama’s birth certificate was faked. With repetitive lunacy, he gave similar birther attack to Ted Cruz.

Trump is a plain old racist. There is no doubt that he’s a devoted White Nationalist. He proudly and ceaselessly panders to the Nazis. His “Mexican rapist” rhetoric was fine-tuned to appeal to White Nationalists who make sneering attacks with demeaning stereotypes of rapacious dark-skinned people.

Trump appeals to the White Nationalists by indulging in offensive racial slur and other sexual, ethnic, and religious bigotry. He tapped into the fears and hate of eWNuchs a group within the White Nationalists, to boost his candidacy and acceptance.

Trump wants to prevent all Muslims from entering America. Trump is not talking of Muslim terrorists. Not just people from certain Muslim countries.

But all Muslims from everywhere. He wants to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. Trump promises to build a great wall along the 2,000-mile US-Mexican border and make Mexico pay for it.

The analysis how groups voted in 2012 presidential election between Obama and Romney published by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research located at Cornell University, one of the world’s leading archives of social science data, specializing in data from public opinion surveys, indicates that Trump will never become the US President.

Trump is on a winning streak and if the momentum and surge continued, Republicans cannot stop Trump and he’ll win the Republican nomination.

But who is going to vote for Trump come November 8? He has alienated every voting group : Women, Mexicans, Asians, Africans, Muslims, the disabled, Gay and Lesbians. Trump’s candidacy is a political disaster, moral failure, and danger to America. Going by the analysis above on how the groups voted in 2012 presidential elections, despite the fact that Romney got 59% of the White votes, he didn’t win the election. The incontrovertible conclusion is that Trump cannot win the presidency with only White votes. He’ll need the votes from other groups. Trump will never become US President, he’s on mission impossible! Barring any unforeseen political surprise, either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders will crush Donald Trump.

Bayo Oluwasanmi can be reached on bjoluwasanmi@gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

PAGE 14

News

Probe diversion of IDPs relief materials, CITAD urges EFCC From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

n Nongovernmental Organisation, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seriously investigate diversion of relief materials meant for various IDPs camps across the Northeast sub-region of the country.

The Centre Executive Director, Ya’u Zakari Ya’u said in a statement made available to newsmen at weekend in

Bauchi, that those needy and unfortunate Nigerians referred to as IDPs are victims of Boko Haram insurgents.

“We like to reiterate that corruption cannot be corruption by mere official declaration, it can only be fought when government embrace openness, transparency and demand accountability from its officials and agents,” Ya’u said.

The CITAD director explained that it is only when government embrace openness, transparency and accountability that Nigerians could view the promise it made of

ridding the country of endemic corruption.

Ya’u therefore wondered why the federal government lacks proper instrument or institution to deal with issues of IDPs which he attributed to failure of the government to domesticate the African Convention on the Protection of IDPs, otherwise known as the Kampala Declaration.

“Without such, government has been relying on adhoc structure and diversion of relief materials and corruption is the results. This therefore is the time that

government must put in place a proper IDPs policy”.

He recalled that on several occasions both the states and federal governments have been alerted on the issue of relief material diversion, but they often either dismissed or make noises and let the matter to continue unabated.

According to the centre, this is not the way a government elected on the basis of its promise to stem out corruption in the country should respond to the unscrupulous acts of corruption.

Niger Commission of inquiry begins sitting Wednesday

Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Retired brig.Gen. Paul Boroh (M), addressing a news conference on activities of the amnesty programme’s office, recently in Abuja, with him are media consultant to the PAP, Mr Owei Wakemfa (L) and unit head, broadcast and documentary, PAP, mrs Stella Inameti. Photo: NAN

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

Niger NHIS enrolls 99,000, registers 171 hospitals From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he Niger State Coordinator of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi disclosed that it has so far enrolled 99,000 people under formal sector of the federal government and registered 171 hospitals, laboratories and pharmacists in the state.

Abdullahi who appreciated the Niger state government for its necessary support and assistance towards the success of the scheme however charged for its legislative support by the government through

the state House of Assembly as well sensitization of the people.

He stated that the benefit of the scheme was numerous to the beneficiaries who will be treated without money hence about 60,000 had benefitted through MDG maternal and child health in the state while he appealed to state government for its maximum support to actualized the Universal Health Coverage UHC in Niger state.

The Coordinator further said that 7 Tertiary institutions had enrolled in the Social Health Insurance Program while 12 communities have been

identified, sensitized as approval for the take off of two in Suleja and Borgu local government areas of the state.

He explained that the employers are to contribute 10% while workers to pay 5% but the federal government up to date paid the entire money for all uniform security workers in the country just as NHIS was established by the Act 35 of 1999 Federal government constitution to provide health care services for Nigerians at affordable cost.

Abdullahi charged the state civil servants to take the advantage of the already established office in Niger

state to ensure efficient and qualitative health services at affordable rates through the ‘Social Solidarity Program’ as every beneficiary were treated equally.

He noted that NHIS comprised informal, formal sectors, community and voluntary contributory health insurance program that will pay N15,000 per annum with the same benefits just as membership of 1,000 community people under informal sector as well to be extended to primary pupils where NHIS and government to pay 40% and 60% respectively at no cost on any pupil.

he Judicial Commission of inquiry inaugurated recently by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State to look into the clash between some villagers in Bosso Local Government area of the State and the Nigerian Army and Air force will commence first public hearing.

This was contained in a statement issued by Musa Rogo Ibrahim, Secretary of the Commission who said that the public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 31st August, 2016 at the Education Resource Centre, Minna by 11:00 am.

Ibrahim however reminded Nigerlites that submission of memorandum is still open and anybody with meaningful contributions should forward to the Commission.

The Secretary intimated that the Commission of Inquiry will among other things examine the immediate and remote causes of the clash and assemble a factual and authoritative account that Government can study and act upon.

It could be recalled that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has earlier assured the people of the State that his administration is committed to securing the State and upholding the rights of every citizen regardless of socio-political or ethnic affiliations.

Emma Ezeazu memorial lecture holds tomorrow

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

E

mma Ezeazu Mandate Unity Group (EE-MUG) has concluded plans to hold a one year remembrance lecture in honour of the Civil Right Activist, the late Comrade Emma Ezeazu in Abuja tomorrow, Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja at the weekend, the head of planning Committee, Comrade Echozona

Asuzu said the lecture was organized to remember their fallen comrade who did all he could to promote a just society through his activities while on earth.

He noted that given Ezeazu’s humble and passionate approach to issues on humanity and unity of purpose which he preached while alive, they the group members cannot just afford but keep his memory alive with the lecture.

According Asuzu, the lecture with the theme “Advancing the Frontiers of Progressive Governance” will be delivered by the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Prof.

Abubakar Momoh as guest lecturer while the Minister of FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello will be the chairman of the occasion.

Speaking further, Asuzu, stated that Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Hon.

Chibuike Amaechi will serve as Special Guests. The discussants include, Sen. Olurunimbe Mamora, Comrade John Odah, Prof. Jibo Ibrahim, Salihu Mahamud Lukman, Bar. Amanda Pam and Dr. Otive Igbuzor.

Continuing, he said the lead tribute will be given by the Chairmen of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and Bwari Area Council, Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido

and Hon. Musa Diko (Sarduana Maitama) respectively, noting that politicians, civil society groups and the general public are all invited to the event.

He concluded by informing that memorial prayer will be held on Friday September 2 with a special thanksgiving at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Church Utako on Sunday September 4 to crown it all.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Budget padding: Dogara accuses media of sensationalism From Umar Dankano,Yola.

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has said that allegations of budget padding against him and the House leadership in the Green Chamber are being sensationalized by the media in the country.

Dogara, who spoke in Yola weekend while commissioning constituency projects of Barrister Ibrahim Sadiq Dasin

Edo 2016: IzeIyamu’s ally, SDP members join APC

representing Fufore/Song Federal Constituency in Adamawa State stated that “what we are witnessing today are proceeds from the funds been referred to in the budget as padding”.

He described the monies been regarded as padding in the budget as allocations to members for their constituency projects.

Represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Alhaji Alassan Ado Doguwa, explained that their electorate that voted them into office still believed in them since

constituencies are witnessing projects.

“All these provisions, which runs into millions of Naira provided for the people of Fufore and Song Federal Constituency by their representatives is what people are regarding as padding in the budget. People refuse to understand that the so called padding in the budget are provisions to bring succor to our electorate who are in dire need of these amenities.

“These mischief makers

accusing the House leadership of budget padding connive with the press to write negative stories and analysis to confuse the public”, the speaker maintained.

Dogara accused the Nigerian press of over sensationalizing the budget padding issues, describing the issues surrounding budget padding as uncalled for and unfortunate as portrayed by the media.

Governor Mohammed Jibrilla of Adamawa State, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony,

lauded the efforts of the member for talking into cognizance his constituency members.

Jibrilla, while advising other House of Representatives member from the state to emulate Hon. Dasin, called on the beneficiaries to make the best use of items provided.

The ceremony held at Ibrahim Dasin foundation school Fufore attracted 16 members of the House of Representatives cut across the six geo-political zones of the country.

From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

T

he candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the September 10 governorship election in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu yesterday lost one of his dependable ally, Alhaji Usman Shagadi.

Shagadi led scores of Social Democratic Party members in Edo north Senatorial district of the state to join the All Progressives Congress, vowing to vote Godwin Obaseki, the APC standard bearer in the forthcoming poll.

Shagadi, was formerly a staunch member in the northern part of the state before he jumped ship to SPD which fielded Abubakar Momoh, who came third behind the APC Senatorial Candidate representing Edo north Senatorial Candidate of the state.

At a rally in Auchi, at the weekend, State leader of the SDP, Shagadi, described SDP as a divided House, saying that that APC would win the poll.

“For the past two years, I have stayed in a house which is not my home. I was in a house which is not my home. I have now come to my home.

I want to announce for the purpose of publication, that henceforth, I drop the name of SDP. I am no more a member of SDP. I have now returned to my party, APC. “We will win this election by the grace of God. So, as we are going round the state, I will be showing you all our members that we will be declaring one by one. Many of them are not here. As we are moving round, I will be going round with the state campaign team, and I will be declaring my people all over the state”, he said.

Responding while receiving the defectors from the SDP to the APC, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said described the return of Shagadi and SPD members as home coming, assuring his supporters to vote APC in the forthcoming poll.

• Founder Arewa Creative Industry and Special Assistant on Creative Arts to the Governor of Kaduna State , Hajiya Halima Idris presenting Books and clothes to the displaced persons at Barakallahu, yesterday in Kaduna . Photo: Bashir Bello

Botched PDP national convention: Blessing in disguise-Prof.-Adedoja

By Ahmed Abubakar

A

leading contender in the failed National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the office of the National Chairman of the party, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has said that the botched convention in Port-Harcourt ,Rivers State was a blessing in disguise for the former ruling party contrary to fears being created in some quarters that this would further deepen the crisis rocking the party.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday on his message to his supporters nationwide and other party members, when the coordinators

of his campaign team from the six geopolitical zones paid him a solidarity visit which was led

by Mallam Ibrahim Mustapha, the former Minister of Sports and Special Duties advised them not to be disheartened over the cancellation of the exercise which he said would allow for further consultations on the final resolution of the crisis in the party.

According to him, “the cancellation will allow opportunities to explore wider consultations by the leaders of the Party with a view to resolving outstanding key issues that may affect the future of our p arty, we should not entertain any fear at all. To me it is a blessing in disguise to us, it is a good omen”.

Prof Adedoja expressed early resolution of the crisis in the party based on his interactions with the party’s stakeholders across the states of the federation and Abuja during his nationwide tours campaigning for the office of the National chairman of the party.

“Nigerians still believe in the ability of our Party to take the nation the greater height”.

“There is nobody who is above mistake in life, we made mistake as the ruling party and we lost power to the APC. They too are messing up, we are going back to see how we can reorganize ourselves as a party and go back to the electorate, plead with them so that we can have their mandate again. This exactly what we are

doing now, we will surely get it right once again”, he stated.

Responding, leader of the delegation, Mallam Mustapha expressed satisfaction with the tremendous goodwill and support enjoyed by Prof. Adedoja particularly in the19 northern states in his aspiration of becoming the National Chairman of the party According to him, “Our brother, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja is regarded as one of us in the entire North. He is someone we trust and who relates very well because of his long association with our people. A man with integrity who has the fear of God will receive our votes anytime the PDP convention holds”

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Politics

Jingir urges Ganduje, Kwankwaso to embrace peace From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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he Chairman Ulama’u Council of Jam’atul Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, Sheik Sani Yaha Jingir, has cautioned the governor of Kano state, Dr Ahmad Ganduje and his predecessor, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against any form of political suicide, calling on both to resolve their differences amicably.

The Islam cleric who expressed worry over the misunderstanding that ensued between the two angry leaders gave the warning in Jos in an interview with Journalists.

According to him, if care was not taken to address the feud, the crisis might lead to serious political crisis between the supporters of the gladiators that would eventually be regrettable.

He said, “Put interest of Kano state first before yours. I believe

this is something that can be resolved. Remember that Islam has emphasised the need to live in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of any personnel interest. I urged you to shield your sward and allow peace to rain. My fear has been

that supporters of two sides may engage in free for all fight and that would not be good for the people of Kano the northern region as a whole.

Also at the briefing, the Islamic cleric called on business men and women and traders

to stop exploiting the Nigerian masses with the unnecessary increase of price of goods and services, saying the current hardship in the country was also contributed hugely by business people and other traders.

Edo Guber: Vote your conscience, Speaker tells electorate From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

do state House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Justin Okonoboh, has asked electorate to vote their conscience, leaving his supporters and kinsmen guessing about where his loyalty lies.

Okonoboh, made the remark while responding to questions at an interactive session with newsmen at the legislators quarters in Benin City, the state capital.

The event was part of activities to mark the state’s silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations and honour some outstanding living and dead Edo born Nigerian citizens, including late Chief Anthony Enahoro.

“We have been able to maintain peace here. I want to tell you that since Adams Oshiomhole came, I think we have been moving forward. I am appealing to Edo people that in this coming election, they should vote their conscience for us to continue to move Edo state forward”.

The All Progressives Congress legislator, representing Igueben Constituency, read the 1953 text of Enahoro motion for Nigeria’s Independence, stressing that that explains the naming of state’s House of Assembly complex years ago after the late “Anthony Enahoro” for contributing to the Nigeria project.

He also paid tribute to the former military and civilian governor of the defunct Bendel and Midwestern region, Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd), stating that aside the relative peace, Edo state has evolved from the status of civil service state to a better status.

According to him, “The journey from 1999 till date has been a progressive one, except for isolated skirmishes from neighbouring states”.

Edo state was carved out of the defunct Bendel state on 27th August 1991 by the former Military Head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).

• L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Babatunde Ajakaiye; Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammed Bello; National President, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Comrade Waheed Odusile and Chairman, NUJ Abuja Council , Comrade, Paul Ella, during the NUJ special congress in honour of the FCT minister, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Gov. Jibrilla, commissioners observe peace walk to mark Adamawa’s silver jubilee From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he Adamawa state executive council led by Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla observed a six kilometers peace walk in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the state’s creation which was created out of the defunct Gongola state on August 27, 1991.

Speaking after the walk which started from Yola Police Roundabout to Doubeli junction Saturday morning, Governor

Jibrilla sued for peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the state.

Jibrilla urged for more support for his administration to enable it continue to deliver on its campaign promises.

He declared his administration’s resolve to resuscitate the monthly sanitation exercise to keep the newly constructed and rehabilitated township roads and drainages in the state clean.

Also speaking, state

Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmed Sajoh, said activities lined up for the silver jubilee include special prayers, lectures, cultural display and sanitation exercise.

Dignitaries that participated in the walk include: Deputy Governor Martins Babale; Secretary to the Government, Dr Umar Bindir and the Vice Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Dr Moses Zaruwa.

Our correspondent in Yola reports that a special prayer service

was also observed yesterday in various churches across the state for more love, tolerance and peace among the people in the state and country at large.

Commenting on the line up of activities for the anniversary, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr.Ahmad Sajoh said traditional and cultural dances would be observe next coming Saturday enjoining all to be at peace with one another for more development.

NGO rallies EDO youth for peaceful governorship election From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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head of the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, an NGO, Coalition for Change and Development Foundation (CCDF) is organising a sensitisation programme aimed at engaging the youth for peaceful participation at the polls.

The sensitisation programme

tagged: “Edo Youth for peaceful election: crusade against political Violence” holds on Wednesday, 31st August, 2016 at the Civic Centre, Benin City with notable public figures and inspirational speakers billed to address the assembly of youth drawn from across political interest groups and platforms.

A statement by the Executive Director of CCDF, Olanrewaju

Oretoluwa indicates that the sensitisation programme will receive a keynote address from the representative of the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Highness, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Other dignitaries expected to deliver goodwill messages at the event include Edo State Police Commissioner, Director of DSS, Edo state, Commandant, Civil Defence Corps in Edo State

and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Representatives of youth groups and platforms across Edo State are expected to participate in the sensitisation programme aimed at facilitating peaceful political engagement and nonviolent governorship for popular participation in good governance in Edo State.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Politics

Groups fault CAN’s position on Kerry’s visit to Nigeria From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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ollowing the statement credited to the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Ayosupo Ayokunle that the visit of the American Secretary of state, John Kerry to Nigeria was indiscriminate and “favourable to Northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of Christian’s community”, Christian groups popularly known as Concerned Nigerian Christians and Northern Nigerian Christians have faulted the position of the President, saying such statement might further sectional differences between the northern and southern part of the country.

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Pastor Luke Shehu and made available to journalists said, “ the statement credited to CAN president on Thursday, 25th August 2016 concerning the visit of John Kerry the U.S secretary of state to Northern Nigeria leaves much to be desire of his knowledge, exposure and understanding of diplomacy, International politics or the nature of insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

“It is sad and unfortunate that Rev. Ayokunle could further describe the U.S Secretary of State visit to Nigeria and by extension to the Sultan of Sokoto as, “discriminatory, personal and divisive.

“The president depicts his lack of knowledge and grasp of the politics surrounding the challenges of insecurity and threats to both the Christians and Muslim of the North with the peculiarities of diversities of cultures and value within a vast geopolitical Northern region.

“We do know that the visit of American Secretary of State, John Kerry is intended for the interest and promotion of security of the Northern Nigerian People

and Nigeria as a Nation. We are surprised that perhaps as result of misinformation or lack of knowledge Rev. Ayokunle could assert that the visit by the secretary of state

was “favoring Northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of Christian’s community.

“For Rev. Supo Ayokunle to have spoken on behalf of CAN and

calling on the U.S Secretary of state to, “stop interfering in Nigerian affairs” and also query the secretary of states’ meeting with Northern states governors without visiting the

southern governors is rather sad, unfortunate and the least expected of a clergy of his status. Rev. Ayokunles’ statement smacks of sentiments and mediocrity, “it added.

• L-R: Former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Samuel Gani; representative of Plateau state Governor, Mr Jonathan Nawiyan and Chairman, Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev Yakubu Pam at the delegates meeting of Christian Association of Nigeria Northern Region with prominent church leaders , yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

Edo 2016: Ize-Iyamu campaign reports attack on convoy From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he campaign organisation of Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 2016 governorship election in Edo state yesterday reported an attack on their campaign convoy.

A statement from the campaign organisation said the

attack allegedlyoccurred at Jattu, a village near Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government by youths believed to be supporters of the ruling party in the state.

It added that the attack occurred after the party’s rally by youths in two branded APC vehicles, including two vehicles, a Mercdez Benz C class and a Toyota Sienna, were said to have been destroyed during the attack.

The statement said attempt to prevent confrontation with the attackers was resisted by the suspected APC youths.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu was said to have reported the incident to the Nigerian Police Area Command in Auchi.

According to reports, Ward 2, Coordinator of the PDP in Auchi, Mr. Emma Musa said his apartment has been set ablaze

by yet to be identified persons while his younger brother, Orbo Johnbull Musa, suffered mild burns on his two legs.

Divisional Crime Officer in charge of the Nigerian Police station at Iyuku, Mr Imasuen, which is a walk from the residence that was set ablaze, ordered that the matter be properly recorded pending investigations.

Saraki: Senate will investigate IDPs hunger crisis

By Ali Abare Abubakar

P

resident of the Senate, Bukola Saraki weekend stated that the Senate will investigate the severe hunger and nutrition crisis in the IDP camps in the North East.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President.

It would be recalled that last Thursday, hundreds of women from camps in Borno State took to peaceful protest and barricaded the Maiduguri-Kano/Jos Road.

While reacting to the protest, Saraki described the development as desperate and reiterated his calls

for better coordination amongst government and international aid agencies.

He again emphasized the need for Nigeria to quickly operationalise a more effective and efficient humanitarian response infrastructure to address the dire situation.

“It is important that we all focus on eliminating the coordination, access and food supply issues hindering us from successfully feeding the millions of IDPs. “This is particularly important for the many children who are dying daily from starvation. It should break every Nigerians heart to know that our own women and children are enduring such horrendous

hardships”, he stated.

The Senate President further called on the Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to quickly move to investigate the diversion of food aid deliveries, stressing that government officials and contractors should be held to account for how truckloads of provisions intended for the IDP camps mysteriously went missing.

“Anyone that is found to be diverting the food aid deliveries should be investigated and brought to book if investigations prove their participation in these vicious schemes. Profiting from a complex humanitarian crisis is unacceptable.

“The people of the North East have suffered enough indignities in the past four years from the marauding Boko Haram terrorists.

Stealing food meant for starving children is beyond the pale and only adds insult to injury”, Saraki stated.

Saraki had recently called for an International Summit on the North East - similar to the one held in London for Syria which raised about $10 million.

He also plans to offer a motion on the situation in the North East when the Senate reconvenes from recess next month.

The motion specifically calls for the establishment of a Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the North East. Additionally, the motion will

call for the conduct of a public hearing for the purpose of the Senate to use its oversight powers to review Nigeria’s humanitarian policies, better understand the current humanitarian coordination infrastructure and hear testimony from witnesses representing the government, humanitarian experts and the IDPs themselves.

“The situation in the North East has been underreported and under resourced for far too many years. In terms of scale and complexity, the situation in the North East is dire than South Sudan. Yet, apparently the crisis appears not to be sexy or star-studded enough to attract greater international attention and support”, he stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

L-R: Commissioner of Finance, Taraba State, Dr. Adi Jesse Ashumate, Commissioner of Finance, Katsina State, Alh. Mukhtar Gidado Abduladir, Commissioner of Finance, Adamawa State Alh. Mamood Sali Yunusa and Commissioner of Finance, Sokoto State, Alh. Saidu Umar during the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo.

FAAC allocation falls, as FG, States, LGs shared N443.6bn

By Etuka Sunday

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total of N443.6 billion was shared among the three tiers of governments; Federal, States and Local Government at the end of the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.

The amount is 11 per cent less than the N559 billion that was distributed in the last meeting.

Rolling out the figures at FAAC Meeting, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said that N443.6 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue realised in July.

Adeosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse,said the distributable statutory revenue for the month was N268.7 billion.

“The sum of N6.3 billion was refunded to the Federation Account by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“There is a distribution of N1.3 billion excess bank charges recovered from 2008 to 2012.

“Also, there was the exchange gain of N70 billion for the current month and N36.4 billion arrears for May which were also proposed for distribution.”

While giving the breakdown, she said the Federal Government received N129.2

billion, representing 52.68 per cent while states got N65.5billion, representing 26.72 per cent.

The local governments, she said, received N50.5 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She said N12.8 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

The Minister also said that during the month under review, the country generated N119.4 billion as mineral revenue and N168.4 billion as non-mineral revenue, showing a decrease of N250.9 billion from both sources.

The minister said that the country’s

Excess Crude Account stood at 3.03 billion dollars.

She explained that the main cause of the decline in revenue was mainly attributable to the reduction in the quantity of petroleum sold due to the activities of vandals in the Niger Delta.

Adeosun also said that Lagos State had not started receiving the 13 per cent derivation from the sale of crude oil.

“Lagos state has not started receiving the 13 per cent derivation because the money has not started coming in yet; it is after the actual export that the money would be realised and it would be given the derivation.’’

Adeosun advises Deltans to look beyond oil, invest on locally made products From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

T

he Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has called on Deltans to explore the ingredients beyond oil to tackle the poor economic challenges, rather than trading blames on the fall of oil prices.

While urging them to invest on locally made products, the Minister said “Delta has everything it needs to succeed. It has educative people, natural resources, population, arable land, infact; there is nothing really you don’t have. The only thing we need now is to execute on the potentials. And, that is easier said than done, but we will get there. So, the real potential of Delta State clearly lies beyond oil”.

She said that looking at the big names from Delta who have made headway in the nation, none of them made their money through oil, noting that all the ingredients of success was with Deltans, but the problem was how to unlock the potentials.

Adeosun, who disclosed this during the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba on Wednesday noted that economic challenges was no unique to Delta as a state also with Nigeria adding that. “If we solve Delta problems, we have solved the problems of Nigeria, Nigeria has the same constituency as Delta. You have a wide range of people with different languages, cultures, natural endowment, and lots of people among others. The question is, how do we get growth? And the answer is that paradox lies in having a clear vision of what is possible as well as a clear eye in our rich historical antecedents”.

She added that “development of projects that can engage people in productive economic activities is critical to growth. The current challenges of revenue created by the fall in oil prices are much an opportunity as they are a disadvantage. I’m convinced that the worst thing that can happen to Nigeria now is rapid recovery in oil price because we will go

back to the same laziness that brought us to our knees, which is, where we are now”.

The Minister stated that Nigeria needed to see current economic crunch as an opportunity to revoke, noting that if Nigeria had worked concertedly as a nation, we wouldn’t be in the condition we are today’ we wouldn’t be looking inwards and thinks about some of the things we are thinking about now”.

She said some of the opportunities Nigeria was currently embracing which included aqua-culture, manufacturing among others were unattractive compared to, “Going to government, getting a contract and making a lot of money very quickly. Now, we are going back to the basis.

And those fundamentals outlived oil because those are skills that will be transferred from generation to generation, and therefore, more valuable than oil”.

Adeosun explained that the states challenges looked similar to the kind of challenges she encountered when she was a com-

missioner in Ogun State, while recalling that at that time many persons were residing in Ogun, but working in Lagos, “and were not paying their taxes, and so, so I ensured that we told them to tell their employers to pay their taxes or else they will pay twice. At the end, we were able to grow our revenues from 700 million to 8billion a month by the time 1 left”.

Mrs. Adeosun urged Governor Okowa to place premium in the collection of taxes from people who are residing in Delta State, but working in neighbouring states, asserting that one of the ways the government of the state could improve and sustain it’s economy was by being aggressive and unapologetic in the collection of taxes from neighbouring states even if it meant engaging in a fight.

She also advised the state government to look inwards with a view to blocking all leakages in governance, while assuring that such move would go a long in ensuring sustainable revenue base for the state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Money Market

FirstBank, NBCC hosts MSME development workshop this week

Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos First Bank of Nigeria Limited said it is collaborating with the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) to host a Micro, Small & Medium Size Enterprises (MSME) workshop The workshop with the theme: “Fundamentals of Building a Sustainable Business”, according to FirstBank, will take place in Lagos.

The workshop was designed to boost participant’s capacity and creating value for MSMEs given the pivotal role they play in modern economies in areas of job creation and significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

FirstBank has over the years emphasized the fact that Africa’s economies cannot move forward if MSMEs and budding entrepreneurs are continuously starved of the right knowledge and skills set to grow

their businesses.

Explaining further, FirstBank said: “As a nation builder, the Bank is intensifying support for MSMEs through a number of initiatives geared towards raising their level of competitiveness in a challenging business environment.

The Bank added:“Key areas of discourse at the workshop will include financial windows available to MSMEs and how to access them, strategy development

and implementation for small businesses, sustainability opportunities for small businesses, and financial management for growing businesses among others.

FirstBank would also provide facilitators from senior members of staff who are proficient in the business of MSMEs to proffer practical solutions on business growth and development”.

According to Mr. Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director,

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, “The SME market segment is one of FirstBank’s strategic platforms to stimulate economic development and we would continue to support activities geared towards the sustainable development of the segment even as it remains our business to foster the growth and development of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria in sync with our position as the nation’s Number 1 SME Bank in Nigeria”.

CBN decries NPL high rate of increase

A

L-R: Chairman, National Tax Policy Review Committee, Prof. Abiola Sanni, Director, Technical Service, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Larai Shuaibu and Partner, West Africa Tax Leader, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele at the 1st stakeholders engagement on review of the national Tax policy document, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Elumelu at NIPSS, tasks policy makers on poverty reduction

T

he Chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Tony Elumelu, has identified entrepreneurship as a veritable solution to achieving poverty reduction in the country.

Elumelu made the observation while delivering a paper at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in Kuru, Plateau State.

Dwelling on the titled: “Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility and Africapitalism: The Role of The Private Sector In Fighting Poverty in Nigeria”, Elumelu said there is the urgent need to

tackle the menance.

He addressed a distinguished guest list of 67 participants “from top government constituencies including the police, the military, national planning, works, and the presidency, debating ways to move the country forward in light of the present economic challenges”.

In his lecture, the chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, acknowledged the efforts of the Institute in constituting the gathering of think tanks, hailing it as a timely event in paving the way for engineering the country’s socio-economic

development.

He expressed optimism that with the right policy reforms, Nigeria could be well on its way to rising above its present challenges.

Elumelu reiterated his long-term conviction on entrepreneurship as a solution to arresting the economic challenges facing the country.

He stated that past governments had not been successful in eradicating poverty in Nigeria in spite of the various entrepreneurship schemes that have been introduced over the past 30 years.

Explaining further, he said:

“Governments alone do not have the capacity to provide the basic daily needs or employment for the millions of young Nigerians entering the job market every year.

Therefore, the private sector must be an integral part of our national poverty eradication and development strategy.”

An advocate of Africapitalism, Elumelu explained that entrepreneurship and not philanthropy, is key to achieving poverty reduction and empowering Nigerians “as we strive to solve our challenges without dependence on aid from outside the country”.

s banks Non- Performing Loans currently hit N649 billion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decried the rate at which it increases, saying there was need to curtail the trend.

Expressing worry over the issue while making a presentation at the third National Credit Reporting Conference organised by the Credit Bureau Association of Nigeria (CBAN) in Lagos, the Governor, CBN, Godwin Emefiele decries the rate of NPL increase which records 78 per cent from May 2015.

Emefiele, who was represented by the Branch Controller at CBN Lagos Office, James Iyari, Emefiele said: “All Banks are required to obtain credit report from at least two credit bureaux before granting any facility to their customers whilst quarterly portfolio checks must also be carried out to enable them determine borrowers’ current exposure to the financial system.”

He explained that the apex bank had also approved the payment of one-off sign-on fees with credit bureaux for all the microfinance banks and other micro financial institutions licensed by the CBN. He also warned that bank customers who continuously issue dud cheques to their clients will have their cheque booklets withdrawn by their banks, adding that they have the right to withdraw them from customers who record three defaults.

He said after the defaulting customer records the third dud cheque issuance, it would have become clearer that such a person is unfit to have cheque books and will have the booklets withdrawn – in line with the provisions of the Dishonoured (Dud) Cheques Act of 1977.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Capital Market L-R: Director General, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Is’haq Modibbo; Former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Pro. Atahiru Jega and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr. Ayo Adeshugba during 2nd NBC annual lecture, 2016 , recently in Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NSE listed equities dip by 0.72% Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, million shares valued at N7.739 billion traded in 9,612 deals; Lagos thus contributing 82.07% and ransaction on the floor of 55.92% to the total equity turnover the Nigeria Stock Exchange volume and value respectively. The (NSE) last week recorded Consumer Goods Industry followed depreciation as market indicators with 113.395 million shares worth N4.680 billion in 2,689 deals. The ended red.

Specifically, the NSE All-Share third place was occupied by the Index depreciated by 0.72% to Conglomerates Industry with a to close at 27,450.91 basis points turnover of 42.988 million shares from 27,650.32 basis points it worth N60.763 million in 610 deals.

Trading in the Top Three opened with while the Market Capitalization of listed equities as Equities namely – Guaranty Trust well decreased by 0.72% to close Bank Plc, FBN Hodings Plc and at N9.428 trillion from N9.496 Diamond Bank Plc(measured by trillion recorded the previous week. volume) accounted for 434.979 Meanwhile, a turnover of 1.124 million shares worth N5.236 billion shares worth N13.839 billion billion in 3,490 deals, contributing in 15,625 deals were by investors in 38.71% and 37.84% to the total contrast to a total of 1.375 billion equity turnover volume and value shares valued at N12.940 billion respectively.

Similarly, four other Indices that exchanged hands in 16,915 finished lower during the week, deals the previous week.

The Financial Services with the exception of the NSE Industry (measured by volume) Main Board,NSE 30, NSE Banking, led the activity chart with 922.145 NSE Insurance,NSE Consumer

T

Goods, NSE Oil and Gas and NSE Pension indices that rose by 1.93%,0.33%,0.86%,0.04% 0.93%, 6.74% and 1.21% respectively while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index decline by 199.41 basis points to 27450.91 points from 27650.32 recorded the previous day, NSE Premium Index fell by 82.31 to 1694.28, NSE Lotus II index down by 4.65 to 1,824.48 and Industrial Goods index sheds 20.94 to 1,827.88.

Review of activity in the market showed that Twenty-seven (27) equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than twenty-five (25) equities of the previous week. Twenty-five (25) equities depreciated in price, lower than thirty-nine (39) equities of the previous week, while one hundred and twenty-eight (128) equities remained unchanged higher than one hundred and sixteen (116) equities recorded in the preceding

week.

Seplat Petroleum Development led gainers table, growing by 14.58 per cent or N35.00 to close at N275.00, Forte Oil Plc followed with a gain of 10.56 per cent or N16.50 kobo to close at N177.00, while transnational Corporation of Nigeria added 10.48 per cent or N0.11 kobo to close at N1.16 kobo.

Other companies appreciated in price were Cap Plc 10.22 per cent, Presco Plc 9.55 per cent, International Breweries Plc 7.45 per cent, Fidson Healthcare Plc 6.92 per cent, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc 5.93 per cent BOC Gases Plc 4.85 per cent and Guaranty Trust Bank 4.12 per cent.

On the other hand, FCMB Group topped losers chart, dropping by 14.96 per cent or N0.19 kobo to close at N1.08 kobo, A.G. Leventis Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss of 10.10 per cent or N0.10 kobo to close at N0.89 kobo, Academy Press Plc dipped by 9.52

per cent or N0.06 kobo to close at N0.57 kobo. Other companies that recorded price depreciation were Skye Bank Plc 7.81 per cent, Unity Bank Plc 7.69 per cent, May & Baker Nigeria Plc 7.34 per cent, Dangote Flour Mills PLc 6.99 per cent, Fidelity Bank Plc 5.83 per cent , Airline Services and Logistics Plc 5.48 per cent and Champion Breweries 5.43 per cent.

Also traded during the week were a total of 16,397 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N1.961 million executed in 37 deals, compared with a total of 57,828 units valued at N766.162.96 transacted last week in 37 deals.

A total of 1,650 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N1.690 million were traded in 3 deals compared to a total of 3,127 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N3.057 million transacted last week in 6 deals

UBA posts N40.270bn PBT in half year

U

nited Bank for Africa Plc has posted N40.270 billion profit before tax for its half year ended June 30, 2016.

This indicated a growth rate of 3.1 per cent from N39.046 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

Profit after tax equally rose from N31.999 billion in 2015 to N32.621 billion with the directors recommending an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share.

Breakdown of the report showed that UBA recorded gross earnings

of N165.5 billion, indicating a marginal fall from N165.7 billion in 2015. Net interest income stood at N107 billion, down from N14.9 billion, while net impairment charges rose from N2.211 billion to N6.8 billion. Fees and commission income grew from N30.357 billion to N36.936 billion, just as net trading and foreign exchange income improved from N18.217 billion to N19.637 billion.

The lender equally recorded a significant growth in total assets, rising 20 per cent to N3.3 trillion,

crossing the three trillion naira mark. Following the sterling performance, the bank’s Board recommended the payment of N0.20 interim dividend on every ordinary share of N0.50 each.

UBA achieved several strong positives in its performance for the half year.

Its net loan position rose 29 per cent to N1.29 trillion partially boosted by the depreciation in the value of the Naira.

In addition, it recorded a significant 16 per cent growth in

deposits to N2.41 trillion already surpassing the 15 per cent target growth in deposits set at the beginning of the year.

Reacting to the report, the group managing director of the bank, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said the results have been achieved amid waning economic fundamentals.

“We delivered profit in excess of N40 billion and grew balance sheet by 20 per cent, with our onbalance sheet total assets crossing the N3 trillion mark. Even as Naira

depreciation and inflationary pressure increased the cost of doing business in Nigeria, we leveraged our economies of scale, enhanced operational efficiency and Group shared service structure to moderate our cost-toincome ratio by 90 basis points.

“UBA will sustain its culture of keeping a healthy balance sheet, with strong liquidity and capitalisation, as reflected in the liquidity and BASEL II capital adequacy ratios of 45 per cent and 18 per cent respectively,” he said.

Page 22

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Business

N5, 000 Tax enough to save a child from Malaria-FIRS boss

F

ive thousand Naira, (N5, 000) may seem too little to do a buffet at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja or at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, but a tax of N5,000 is enough to save the life of a child who has malaria from death,Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, has said.

Fowler observed thus in Accra on Wednesday as he stated that every kobo contributed by a taxpayer – even as little as N5,000-is enough to stop the death of a child from malaria.

DC denies alleged vandalism in Issele-Uku Community From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

F

ollowing the recent incident that threw the Issele-Uku community in Aniocha North Local Government Area into total darkness, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has clearly stated that the alleged ‘vandalism was not true, saying it cannot vandalize its property.

Engr. Albert Esenaohalu, who led the BEDC team at the meeting held at the obi Palace Issele-Uku on Monday, said that the law allows BEDC to take any components/equipment from one station to the other.

“We want to correct an impression that we vandalized Issele-Uku electricity. How can we vandalise our property? , what we did was removing the panel unit from the sub-station that was not functional with a view to replacing it when the need arises and which the law allows us to take from one component to repair another”.

“We are sorry for the action. There is a misstep somewhere which was not

followed, but today we are here to resolve the issues,” he apologized.

He also apologized to the council Chairman and the entire Issele-Uku community for swinging into action without their consent.

Responding, the regent of the Issele-Uku, Diokpa Dominic Egbune condemned the activity of BEDC for neglecting the council chairman and the palace before carrying out the act.

The Regent, who pleaded to the council chairman, Hon. Chuks Oseme for dragging his name in vain, condemned the rumour and urged the community to always verify their information to avoid defamation of character.

On his part, the council boss Hon. Chuks Oseme said that he has forgiven those who dragged his name into the issue, noting that it took him much effort to restore electricity in Issele-Uku. He called on Issele-Uku community to be peace loving and support the present administration to ensure infrastructure development in the local government.

It was at the Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana, (CITG) where Fowler was also given an award as an Honourary Fellow of CITG for his contributions to the tax institute.

Fowler, who delivered the lead paper at the Conference: “Strategies For Revenue Mobilisation, in Contemporary Times: Challenges in Tax Legislation” said his success in establishing a connect between tax contribution of as little as N5000 and the life of a child who may die from malaria, touched the hearts of some taxpayers in Lagos who turned a new leaf and became compliant taxpayers.

He told tax practitioners and administrators, from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cote D’ivoire and other parts of the West African sub-region, that beyond deploying the law, enforcement, technology and mobilization, tax administrators must deploy a medley of psychology, persuasion and being firm to convince their fellow countrymen to pay tax and fund their country’s development.

Said the FIRS Executive Chairman: “When you ask people to pay tax, they ask you: “Why? But when you tell them that a tax of N5000 is enough to safe a child from dying from malaria, their attitude about tax begin to change gradually. As a tax administrator, you have to become a teacher to save the life of a child.

“The point is that as tax administrators, we must see the work that we do, not just as another job, but as nation building. Tax collection is nation building. It is serving your nation. It is serving God. When you convince a taxpayer that the tax he/she pays could save the life of a child who has malaria from death, you could begin to touch the taxpayer’s heart.

“We can still do a lot with the laws we have now. Before the law changes, tax administrators, need to wear the hat of a teacher, a psychologist, a friendly person and a firm upholder of the law.

“I urge all of us stakeholders to be conscious of our roles in ensuring that Africa catches up with the rest of the world in moving away from dependence on resource revenue towards dependence on taxation as the primary source of funding for our development.

The FIRS Executive Chairman noted that in 2015, South Africa collected $57 billion USD. Nigeria with its oil wealth and population of over 140 million people and about 60 million taxable citizens, collected $27 billion dollars.

The FIRS chairman noted that it was curious that no member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC---- with all their wealthis in the league of developed countries. Today, he noted, Venezuellans queue for food. “It can be argued that the extent

to which an economyis able to grow sustainably and develops depends to a large extent on its ability to generate tax revenue to finance its expenditure and the efficiency if its tax system.

Even in Nigeria, Oil, Gas and Mining sector (6.48) is not the biggest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product of $422.59 billion dollars. The sector, he noted, takes the third place after Trade (19.15) and Agriculture (19.0).

Fowler, who stated that governments fund budget either by levying taxes or borrowing, noted that whatever taxmen do must still be within the ambit of the law. He observed that though it is tasking, it is still possible to collect taxes with existing laws.

He, however, still reckoned that obsolete laws and challenging law amendment processes were some of the challenges to tax legislation in Africa.

He said the situation is not bleak as tax administrators must be innovative, purposeful, dedicated and result oriented.

With their conduct, tax administrators could convince legislators and elected office holders of the direction that tax legislation should go.

Once this is clear and lawmakers and power holders are convinced that tax administrators are pushing for those changes for collective good, changes in tax legislation will not be difficult to advocate.

Power outage at Lagos airport, airlines, passengers urge FAAN to seek lasting solution

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

O

L-R: Chief Excecutive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Mr JamesTiigah and Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) Mr Olusegun Awolowo , during a recent crossborder collaborative meeting to improve Intra-African trade., recently in Ghana. Photo: NEPC

perations of airlines and others at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos were disrupted following power outage that threw the terminal into darkness at the peak period outbound flight were carrying out passengers facilitation.

The situation, witnesses told our reporter resulted in passengers having to disembark already boarded aircraft among others.

The unfortunate situation was said to have occurred at 10 pm Saturday and lasted up to Sunday evening even as engineers battles to effect repairs and restore power back to the terminal.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), lamented the situation but said efforts is being geared towards finding a lasting solution to the incessant power failure.

FAAN spokesman Mr. Yakubu Dati explained, that ”There was a power outage from the Power Company and the airport was on

our independent power supply.”

“However, when power was restored, the surge adversely affected the K16 Transformer that serves the Air-bridges and rendered them unserviceable.

This adversely affected operations of departing flights.”

Dati further explained “The heavy rainfall further delayed attempts by engineers to effect repairs immediately.”

Reports indicated that airlines affected include KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Arik Air’s London and United States flights, Air Maroc and Delta Air Lines as well British Airways, Air France, South African Airways.

Meanwhile airlines and passengers has call on the federal government to find a lasting solution to such incidents at Nigerian airports.

The FAAN spokesman apologized to affected travellers saying ”FAAN wishes to apologize to passengers, airlines and the general public for the inconvenience caused by this development as efforts are being made to find a lasting solution.”

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Stock Watch: Friday, August 26, 2016 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price

185.06

184.5

Opening Price

184.5

High

Low

184.5

Close

184.5

Change

Trades

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

233,796

43,137,315.02 MAYBAKER 1.26 - - - 1.26 5 26,078 32,955.18

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

ABCTRANS 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 4 505,000 252,500.00

MCNICHOLS 1.2 - - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62

ACADEMY 0.59 - - - 0.59 0 - ACCESS

4.46

4.46

4.64

4.46

4.5

0.04 321

28,060,764

126,589,999.78

ADSWITCH 1.63 - - - 1.63 0 - AFRIK 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - AFRINSURE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

MOBIL 138.99 - - - 138.99 20 6,378 854,115.18 MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 0 - MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 1 500 23,590.00 MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 0 - MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

AFRIPRUD 2.65 2.7 2.7 2.61 2.61 -0.04 35 553,581 1,479,349.55 MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 AFROMEDIA 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 550,000 275,000.00

NAHCO 4.38 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 -0.21 19 203,175 850,145.97

AFRPAINTS 2.59 - - - 2.59 0 - -

NASCON 7.18 7.5 7.3 7.16 7.3 0.12 26 1,031,170 7,479,398.60

AGLEVENT 1.02 0.97 -

-

1.02

8 48,971 46,330.44

AIICO 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.01 18 983,972 898,207.23 AIRSERVICE 1.91 - - - 1.91 3 1,505 2,918.35 ALEX 9.84 - - - 9.84 0 - ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00 ANINO 0.25 - - - 0.25 0 - ARBICO 5.04 - - - 5.04 0 - -

NB 135 135.2 135.2 129.51 129.51 -5.49 105 1,220,085 161,842,702.19 NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

NEM 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.01 16 1,774,600 1,241,859.00 NESF 552.2 - - - 552.2 0 - NESTLE 814

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

NIG-GERMAN 4.91 - - - 4.91 0 - NIGERINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

ASHAKACEM 22.5 - - - 22.5 16 55,698 1,233,876.58 NIGROPES 7.46 - - - 7.46 0 - ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

AUSTINLAZ 2.09 - - - 2.09 0 - -

NPFMCRFBK

AVONCROWN 1.52 - - - 1.52 0 - BECOPETRO 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - BERGER 9.6 9.61 9.61 9.61 9.61 0.01 9 379,696 3,674,398.56 BETAGLAS 48.51 - - - 48.51 0 - -

0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0

6

174,000 170,510.00

NSLTECH 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - OANDO 8.5 8.92 8.92 8.48 8.48 -0.02 364 7,671,197 65,761,034.51 OKOMUOIL 28.82 - - - 28.82 21 108,772 3,056,214.60 OMATEK 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

BOCGAS 4.18 - - - 4.18 0 - PAINTCOM 1.14 - - - 1.14 0 - CADBURY 20.1 - - - 20.1 15 82,240 1,655,764.64 PHARMDEKO 2.14 - - - 2.14 1 5,000 10,850.00 CAP 38 39 39 39 39 1 16 166,666 6,492,031.87 PORTPAINT 3.53 - - - 3.53 0 - CAPHOTEL 4.07 - - - 4.07 0 - -

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - 2.95 0 - -

CAPOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

PREMPAINTS 10.93 - - - 10.93 0 - -

CAVERTON 2.63 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 -0.13 7 145,913 366,122.50 CCNN 8.73 9.16 -

-

8.73

7 51,560 458,087.60

CHAMPION 4.17 4.17 -

-

4.17

11 146,282 587,170.36

CHAMS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CHELLARAM 3.76 - - - 3.76 0 - -

PRESCO 30.5 - - - 30.5 6 32,910 1,045,950.40 PRESTIGE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - PZ 25.5 25 25 25 25 -0.5 33 567,539 14,195,538.05 RAKUNITY 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - REDSTAREX 4.2 - - - 4.2 2 19,785 83,097.00 REGALINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

CILEASING 0.5 - - - 0.5 2 4,000 2,000.00

RESORTSAL 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 100,000 50,000.00

CONOIL 27.41 26.04 -

ROADS 6.6 - - - 6.6 0 - -

-

27.41

8

13,350 330,799.00

0.6 - - - 0.6 0 - 1.06 1.01 1.06 1.01 1.06 0 11 3,520,635 3,661,166.09 ROKANA ROYALEX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CORNERST 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - RTBRISCOE 0.5 - - - 0.5 3 78,164 39,082.00 COSTAIN 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 5,000 2,500.00 CONTINSURE

COURTVILLE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CUSTODYINS 4.1 - - - 4.1 6 16,101 64,845.03 CUTIX 1.45 - - - 1.45 1 26,666 38,665.70 CWG 2.67 - - - 2.67 0 - DAARCOMM 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 4,000 2,000.00

SCOA 4.16 - - - 4.16 0 - -

SEPLAT 230.04 225 225 225 225 -5.04 20 77,862 17,490,790.00 SIMCAPVAL 103.24 - - - 103.24 0 - SKYEBANK 1.9 1.9 1.99 1.9 1.99 0.09 75 2,020,105 3,920,083.45 SKYESHELT 100 - - - 100 0 - SMURFIT 0.98 - - - 0.98 0 - -MAY-

DANGCEM 162 163 163 163 163 1 33 156,759 25,532,904.96

BAKER 1.26 - - - 1.26 5 26,078 32,955.18

DANGFLOUR 2.31 - - - 2.31 16 31,484 75,328.68

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

DANGSUGAR

- - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62 6.52 6.32 6.51 6.32 6.51 -0.01 26 343,221 2,210,542.55 MCNICHOLS 1.2 MOBIL 138.99 - - - 138.99 20 6,378 854,115.18

DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - -

DIAMONDBNK 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.74 2.74 -0.13 43 1,315,800 3,645,250.00 IPWA 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 JBERGER 39.5 - - - 39.5 4 1,180 44,879.00 JOHNHOLT 0.96 - - - 0.96 0 - -

MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 0 - MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 1 500 23,590.00 MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 0 - MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00

JOSBREW 1.51 - - - 1.51 0 - -

NAHCO 4.38 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 -0.21 19 203,175 850,145.97

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

NASCON 7.18 7.5 7.3 7.16 7.3 0.12 26 1,031,170 7,479,398.60

LASACO 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1 300,000 150,000.00

NB 135 135.2 135.2 129.51 129.51 -5.49 105 1,220,085 161,842,702.19

LAWUNION 0.54 0.53 0.53 0.52 0.52 -0.02 14 910,610 481,548.30

NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - -

LEARNAFRCA

0.68 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 -0.03 10 1,074,871 699,416.15

LENNARDS 3.15 - - - 3.15 0 - LINKASSURE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - LIVESTOCK 1.4 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.41 0.01 9 134,400 192,410.51 MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - MANSARD 2.62 2.55 -

-

2.62

8 37,850 99,859.50

Top Gainers Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

NEM 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.01 16 1,774,600 1,241,859.00 NESF 552.2 - - - 552.2 0 - NESTLE 814

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

NIG-GERMAN 4.91 - - - 4.91 0 - NIGERINS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - NIGROPES 7.46 - - - 7.46 0 - -

Top Losers Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price

Opening Price

High

Low

Close

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

FORTISMFB 5.42 - - - 5.42 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

UNHOMES 5.23 - - - 5.23 1 3,750 18,637.50

MCNICHOLS 1.2 - - - 1.2 5 154,383 176,896.62

INFINITY 1.42 - - - 1.42 0 - -

UTC 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

UNIONDICON 11.84 - - - 11.84 0 - -

MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00

MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - -

ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

CADBURY 20.1 - - - 20.1 15 82,240 1,655,764.64

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

Feature

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Were investors conned into buying rare manuscripts?

A

bout 18,000 people in France are believed to have been defrauded in one of the biggest ever arts-market scams.

They bought shares in rare manuscripts and letters to a value of nearly 1bn euros, before the company behind it was shut down by regulators. Now the victims of Aristophil want to know what is left of their investment.

Up until a few months ago you could visit a place called the Museum of Letters and Documents, on the Boulevard SaintGermain in the heart of literary Paris.

Even this morning, Wikipedia English said the museum - with its stock of 130,000 rare manuscripts - was open for business.

It isn’t. What was once the haunt of dreamy youth is now a branch of Bang and Olufsen. The documents are in a warehouse in Seine-Saint-Denis.

The closure followed the disgrace of a businessman and enthusiast, who over a decade turned the fusty world of French manuscripts and autographs on its head.

Gerard Lheritier was - for a time - a visionary. He saw in the world of rare letters and documents a market that was seriously undervalued.

As his lawyer Francis Triboulet puts it, “Lheritier spotted before anyone else did that people adore old documents - anything that lets them come into physical contact with their heroes of the past.”

But today his fortune has been confiscated, his company put into liquidation, while across the country thousands of angry investors are baying for his blood.

The son of a plumber from eastern France, Lheritier was a self-taught outsider in a field dominated by a handful of Paris dealers.

About 15 years ago, he enlisted the help of one of these experts, and began buying.

One of his early acquisitions was a document called the Einstein-Musso 54 pages of calculations on the theory of general relativity - which he bought for just over 500,000 euros.

Lheritier’s next step was to become his business model. He divided the EinsteinMusso into 400 “shares”, which he sold on to investors.

The fact that the total value now amounted to 12m euros - 24 times the amount he had spent - was easily explicable: the market was growing, the investors were in early, and everyone wanted a piece of Einstein.

Over the years Gerard Lheritier developed his system to become king of the market. His presence at a sale set prices soaring.

His company Aristophil employed hundreds of sales staff across France, giving “independent” advice about the huge returns awaiting those willing to make the jump.

Aude Nehring’s father was one of those who fell for the lure. Looking for an investment for his children, he was approached by a broker and placed his 35,000 euros in part-shares in seven Aristophil documents.

Gerard Lheritier was offering returns 40% over five years - which he knew were unattainablePhilippe Julien, Lawyer He never saw the documents, but he was assured a return of 8% a year. In the contract, Aristophil reserved the right (but significantly not the obligation) to buy back the shares at the appreciated value.

Aude’s father died two years ago, never realising that his investment was a dud.

“It makes me so angry to think what Aristophil did,” she says. “My father was not a fool. He was a businessman himself. But somehow they managed to persuade him.”

Something about the cachet of owning historic documents kept the punters coming.

And behind the hype there was some

Gerard Lheritier holding the “political testament” of Louis XVI, in 2009 reality. Gradually Lheritier was amassing a huge collection of manuscripts - some of which were indeed very valuable: Dead Sea Scrolls, Mozart scores, a Marquis de Sade original.

France’s best-known newsreader Patrick Poivre d’Arvor joined the roadshow, lending the scheme - in the eyes of the public - an adamantine kudos.

And there were the museums - first in Paris and a second in Brussels - pushing the notion that documents and letters from the past are intrinsically possessed of value.

But - as the French expression goes - the worm was in the fruit. In November 2014, financial regulators stepped in. Aristophil was defined as a Ponzi-style pyramid scheme, built on false advertising and illusionary market values. Lheritier was charged with fraud, and his vast collection put under lock and key.

Arguing his defence, lawyer Francis Triboulet told me that yes, things had taken a bad turn in 2013-14 - but it was wrong

“

About 18,000 people in France are believed to have been defrauded in one of the biggest ever arts-market scams. They bought shares in rare manuscripts and letters to a value of nearly 1bn euros, before the company behind it was shut down by regulators. Now the victims of Aristophil want to know what is left of their investment.

to say the Aristophil model was inherently fraudulent.

“The fact is that the investors were acquiring actual items of value - the documents. And still today, they are the owners of those documents!

They closed down Aristophil on the basis of a hypothetical fraud that might happen in the futureFrancis Triboulet, Gerard Lheritier’s lawyer “So no-one can even say for certain that they have lost money, because the documents have not been put on the market - and who can say what they are worth?”

Triboulet says the prosecution of his client is like something out of the science fiction film Minority Report, where crimes can be predicted.

“They closed down Aristophil on the basis of a hypothetical fraud that might happen in the future. At the time, not one

investor had lodged a complaint. I think in court the charge will be very hard to stand up.”

But lawyers representing victims say that the fact of there being assets - the documents - is irrelevant.

“Gerard Lheritier was offering returns 40% over five years - which he knew were unattainable. But he needed the investment to keep coming in,” says lawyer Philippe Julien.

One bizarre twist in the story is that in 2012 - well before the collapse of his company - Gerard Lheritier was the biggest ever winner in France of the EuroMillions lottery, scooping a 170m euro jackpot.

Absurd though it sounds, there is no evidence to suggest that the win was not genuine. (Initially there was speculation Lheritier was proclaiming a jackpot in order to mask the origin of part of his wealth).

According to Francis Triboulet, Lheritier put 40m euros of the new money straight into Aristophil - proof that it was legitimate (otherwise why would he invest so much of his own cash?)

Meaningless, says the prosecution.

Pyramid schemes depend on appearance, so the guilty always spend a fortune.

Image copyright iStock Based around half a dozen galleries in the modish Saint-Germain quarter, the world of French manuscripts is today gradually recovering its poise - so rudely shaken by the irruption of the Aristophil parvenu.

“From the start I suspected a fraud. The vulgarity of the publicity was glaring. Hugo up 5% in a year! Baudelaire up 10%!” says dealer Frederic Castaing.

“But the point is there is no set value for a Victor Hugo letter. It depends on far too many variables.

“Anyway real collectors aren’t that interested in the pecuniary value of a document. They love the touch of it, the sense of communing with a personage who is normally shut up in an encyclopedia.

“What Lheritier did was turn part of our cultural heritage into stocks and shares. It was detestable.”

Manuscript of The 120 Days of Sodom written by the Marquis de Sade

P A G E

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Education

City College is recognized by NCCE, says Proprietor

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he City College of Education Mararaba Gurku in Nassarawa State was recognized by the National Commission for

Colleges of Education (NCCE), the Proprietor/Chairman Board of Trustees of the College, Evangelist Gabriel Amu, has said.

Amu who stated this in an interview with Peoples Daily in

his office at Mararaba Gurku, said that the management of the college always recruit qualified tutors to impact knowledge on the students.

He pointed out that the college was established to

enable Nigerian children have access to education.

He assured the students that the management of the institution would continue to put in place infrastructural facilities at the college in their

interest.

He disclosed that the leadership of the institution had graduated a good number of students since inception of its existence.

R-L: Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hameed Bobboyi , Assistant Director Press, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abubakar Adams and Comrade Abdul Onuh, at the inauguration ceremony of the new UBEC chief Executive, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

No justification for same marriage -Varsity Don From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

A

Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin,Professor Badmas Lanre Yusuf has said there was no justification for anyone to want to engage in same sex marriage as it is forbidden by Allah.

Yusuf, who is the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies in the institution, stated this at the Nikkah ceremony between Abdullahi Dare Akogun, son of the Deputy Director Information (DDI) of the University, and his heartthrob Hafsat Bola Lawal held at the weekend.

The university teacher said Allah had created men and women for them to choose among themselves and marry each other.

He said there is no justification (s) for anyone to say he or she want to engage in same sex marriage.

Speaking on the “significant of marriage�, the Islamic Scholar said Allah created men and women to marry themselves leave together as husbands and wives

and re- procreate.

He admonished the newly wedded couple not to shark their responsibilities and lived together according to the dictates of Islam.

Yusuf also cautioned the couple against allowing third parties to meddle into their marital affairs.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu

KEBBI STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ALIERO P.M.B. 1144, BIRNIN-KEBBI, KEBBI STATE (OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR)

ADDENDUM

Sequel to our earlier advertisement on pages 38 and 11 of Daily Trust & Peoples Daily Newspapers of Monday, July 25, 2016 respectively. We wish to make corrections on the Prequalification requirements as follows: i. Requirement for VAT registration Certificate is no longer part of the requirements ii. PENCOM & ITF Compliance Certificate shall replace item ix & x of the advert in compliance with section 16(6)(d) of the PPA 2007; iii. Additional requirement of Interim registration Report (IRR) as evidence of registration on the BPP National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers; shall form part the requirement; iv. All other contents of the advertisement still stand; v. The general public should note that the submission of pre-qualification documents has been extended by 2 (Two) weeks from the initial 6 (Six) weeks. The new deadline for opening of documents is therefore 19th September, 2016 at 12:00pm prompt.

SIGNED Dr. (Mrs.) Hajara Mairukubta Ag. Registrar and Secretary to Council

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

New Extral

Kebbi@25: We’ve nothing to show-Senator Yahya From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

S

ince the dawn of this democratic dispensation in 1999, Kebbi state has collected over N200 billion from the Federal Account yet there is nothing to show in terms of development.

In a paper titled “Kebbi State At 25: The Journey so Far” at the lecture event that was organized by Kebbi State government to celebrate the silver jubilee of the state, Dr Yahaya Abdullahi submitted that the state, since the beginning of the present democratic dispensation in 1999 has collected about N200 Billion naira from the federation account yet no progress was seen to have been recorded in the health, education and other sectors of the

state.

The silver jubilee lecture which was attended by stakeholders, royal fathers, elders and concerned indigenes of Kebbi State took stock of the developmental activities in the state since its creation in 1991 and concluded that successive governments in the state have not done much to record meaningful development in different sectors of its economy particularly education, health and infrastructure.

Dr. Abdullahi posited that the Muhammadu Adamu Aliero administration which lasted for eight years earned a total of 196,197,469,130.88 billion naira from 1999 to 2007 as revenue from the federation account and the Usman Dakingari

administration received a total of 626,975,843,900.88 billion naira from 2007 to 2015 but not much impact was achieved in the real sectors of its economy.

“I will not fail to mention two outstanding technical reports on education led by Professor Attahiru Jega and the one on health led by Professor Hamidu Ahmed. These reports provided the government with excellent base line information and concrete suggestions on the way forward.”

He argued that four fundamental issues such as wrong perception of what development entails, lack of planning, failure to adhere to extant laws, rules, regulations of budgets, too much concentration of power in the hands of the governors and

above all corruption was the bane of the state’s low pace of development since 1991 and was responsible for the sub-optimal performance of governments in Kebbi State.

“To most of the people who had been privileged to have access to its power and spoils, their perception of development was limited to the creation and building of things, objects and not people or value.

Mere construction of road is not development, the same goes for hospital if it does not lead to improved community health and well-being of the people” he said.

Dr Abdullahi who is representing Kebbi South Senatorial District in the Senate, observed that except the state has attained a level of infrastructural and social

• Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Amb. Ahmed Umar (L), with the acting Uganda high commissioner to Nigeria, mr Nelson Ocheger, at the maiden meeting of the Permanent Secretary, ministry of foreign affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye with members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja. Photo: NAN

development that are desirable and commensurate to the resources that have been expended in the last 25 years or at least in the last 16 years of democratic restoration, improved the human condition and measured up to the yearnings, aspiration and expectation of its people there was no reason to celebrate the silver jubilee for Kebbi State.

Responding, Governor Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who disagreed with the views of Dr Abdullahi on development in the state said the non -commitment of the past administration on vital areas of its development was responsible for the decay in the state’s educational system.

“We are in this mess today because our elites and stakeholders have shied away from getting involved in the development of education in Kebbi State”.

He said his administration would see to how much manpower it could get from outside the state to bring back its educational system on a sound footing.

Bagudu called on emirs, elders and concerned people of the state to come and help in the restructuring of the local government system in the state.

“Though there are challenges facing the state we have witness some level of progress but more could still be achieved if there is stakeholders’ consensus,” he said.

Other speakers at the silver jubilee celebration such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, former minister of women affairs, Hajiya Salamatu Oseni, former military administrator of the state, Mr. Paul Ubah, Dr Musa Yauri, Professor Bello Bada and Professor Suleiman Khalid Jega harped on the need for concerted effort on the part of the government and stakeholders to accelerate development in Kebbi State.

We are running a progressive govt. in Niger – Gov. Sani Bello

By Umar Muhammad Puma

N

iger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has said his administration is running a progressive government in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and in tune with the needs and aspirations of people in the state.

Governor Sani Bello stated this during an interview with news men shortly after 4th Progressive Governance Lecture series organised by Progressives Governors’ Forum in Kaduna.

The governor disclosed that his administration is premised on the “Restoration Agenda” with its key priority areas geared towards boosting socio-economic activities in the state.

According to the governor, “Based on the manifesto of our party and the need to provide quality, accessible and affordable services for

the good of Nigerlites, we set out to reposition the state in line with our Restoration Agenda which is premised on the following priorities: Agriculture, health, education, youth and women empowerment, peace and security, value re-orientation and industrialization.”

He noted that the cardinal priority of his administration was in line with the core commitments of the ruling party which include relief, recovery and reform.

“The change mantra of APC is about the people. And all steps taken by our administration has been people-centred and focused on service delivery in qualitative and affordable manner.

We are determined to continue to provide purposeful leadership despite the paucity of funds” Governor Sani Bello revealed that his administration took off with a major reform in the state civil service in order to reduce the cost of governance.

“We started with a major institutional reform in the state civil service. We reduced ministries from 25 to 15. We also reduced permanent secretaries from 54 to 25. We have started implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy to curb corrupt practices.”

“Through reforms, we are creating the enabling environment for both local and foreign investors to see Niger State as a preferred destination”.

Governor Sani Bello who frowned at dependence of states on FAAC allocations, said: “We are putting in place new policies to boost IGR of the state. We will take advantage of our proximity to the federal capital to increase IGR. We want to achieve this by looking at the avenue of taxable income or property”.

He said that to deliver to the people the dividend of democracy, the present administration is engaging one hundred thousand farmers in the N220 billion Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Anchor Borrowers’ programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund.

He said the effort is to alleviate poverty especially in rural areas and fight food insecurity in the state.

Sani Bello added that the government has also taken measures to reposition the educational sector by establishing Senior Science Schools in the three senatorial zones of the state to improve the quality of education.

He said that the rehabilitation programme for some state-owned media outfits would soon kick off to make them operational and functional for information dissemination in nook and crannies of the state.

The governor disclosed that four hundred youths have also been engaged in skills acquisition programme to equip them for selfreliance and reduce youth restiveness in the state.

Page 29

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Health

Singapore confirms 41 locallytransmitted Zika cases

• None of those infected had traveled recently to Zika-affected areas [Daniel Becerril/Reuters]

S

construction site. Seventy-eight people tested negative and five cases were pending, while 34 patients had fully recovered.

All but seven of those infected had fully recovered, the country’s health ministry and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a joint statement on Sunday.

Four Singaporean men had developed symptoms of the virus in the past week and were hospitalised on Saturday. It was not clear where the foreign workers were from or when their cases were detected. Singapore hosts a large contingent of workers from the Asian subcontinent.

ingapore has confirmed 41 cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus, mostly among foreign construction workers, and says it expects more incidents to be identified.

The seven patients remained in hospital, the statement added.

What is the Zika virus?

On Saturday, authorities had confirmed a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in southeastern Singapore as the city-state’s first case of a local transmission of the virus - which has been linked to a rare birth defect.

The authorities said they tested 124 people, primarily foreign workers employed on a

Living with Zika in Brazil None of those infected had travelled recently to Zikaaffected areas. “This confirms that local transmission of Zika virus infection has taken place,” the statement said.

Zika virus: Human trials for vaccine to begin The ministry “cannot rule out further community transmission since some of those tested positive also live or work in

other parts of Singapore”, the statement said.

“We expect to identify more positive cases.”

Singapore, a major regional financial centre and busy transit hub, which maintains a constant vigil against the mosquito-borne dengue virus, reported its first case of the Zika virus in May, brought in by a middle-aged man who had been to Brazil.

All medical services in Singapore had been alerted “to be extra vigilant” and immediately report any Zikaassociated symptoms to the health ministry.

Singapore deployed around 200 NEA officers to clean drains and spray insecticide in the mainly residential area early on Sunday to counter mosquito breeding grounds, and volunteers and contractors handed out leaflets and insect

repellent.

Regional cases Singapore said there were “ongoing local transmission” cases in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Other countries in the region to have detected the Zika virus since 2013 include Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives and the Philippines, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

US declares emergency in Puerto Rico over Zika outbreak Malaysian authorities said on Sunday they had stepped up surveillance at main transit points with Singapore - handing out leaflets on Zika prevention and having paramedics ready to handle visitors with potential symptoms of the virus.

US health officials caution Zika spread beyond Florida In Thailand, where close to 100

cases of Zika have been recorded across 10 provinces this year, the department of disease control was screening athletes returning from the Olympic Games in Brazil, but was not otherwise changing its prevention measures.

Vietnam has to date reported three cases of locally-transmitted Zika infection.

Zika, carried by some mosquitoes, was detected in Brazil last year and has since spread across the Americas. The virus poses a risk to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects. It has been linked in Brazil to more than 1,600 cases of microcephaly where babies are born with small heads.

The WHO has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause GuillainBarre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.

Source: Agencies

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page 30

Healthy

Coffee: Study reveals why some of us need five cups a day while others can manage on one

By Stephen Matthews

Y

our desire to grab coffee from Starbucks could be written in your genes, scientists claim.

New research has found people with a certain variation of a gene don’t need to consume as much coffee to get a caffeine hit - quelling their urge for more.

The gene in question is called PDSS2 - and the variation reduces the body’s ability to break down caffeine - causing it stay in a person’s system for longer.

Those without the variation metabolise caffeine more quickly and as a result, are more likely to have an extra cup each day.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Trieste, Italy, studied the DNA of around 3,000 coffee drinkers in the Netherlands and Italy.

Participants were asked to complete a survey about how many cups of the hot drink they had each day.

They found Italian people with the

DNA variation tended, on average, to consume one less cup of coffee a day than those without it.

However the DNA difference affected the drinking habits of adults from the Netherlands slightly less.

Experts believe this could be because of the different styles of coffee that are drunk in the two countries.

In Italy, people tend to drink smaller cups such as espresso, whereas in the Netherlands the preference is towards larger cups that contain more caffeine overall.

Dr Nicola Pirastu, from the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘The results of our study add to existing research suggesting our drive to drink coffee may be embedded in our genes.

‘We need to do larger studies to confirm the discovery and also to clarify the biological link between PDSS2 and coffee consumption.’

The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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People without a variation in their PDSS2 gene are more likely to have an extra cup of coffee each day, researchers found

A mother’s milk contains sugars which protect babies from deadly meningitis, blood poisoning and pneumonia

By Fiona Macrae

A

sugar found in breast milk protects newborn babies against a deadly bug, scientists believe.

The naturally occurring compound wards off group B streptococcal infection, new research suggests.

Also known as GBS, it is the most common life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK, causing meningitis, blood poisoning and pneumonia.

It claims the life of one baby a week and many others are left with long-term disabilities.

Many pregnant women naturally carry the bug and the number of infections in babies is rising.

However, it hasn’t been understood why some newborns pick up the bug and others remain healthy.

Researchers from Imperial College London studied 183 women in the Gambia and their babies.

They tested the mothers’ DNA for a gene that is linked to blood group and also plays an important role in determining the type of sugar that her breast milk contains.

Tests were also run for GBS. The team found women with the gene were less likely to have the GBS in their gut, and their babies were also less likely to be infected at birth.

Around half of women are thought to produce the sugar lacto-N-difucohexaose I.

Breast-Fed Babies Are Better Behaved Babies who are breast-fed until the age of six months are better behaved as children, researchers have found.

Experts monitored the behaviour of 1,500 children aged between seven and 11.

They found those who had only been breastfed for the first month of their life, or less, were twice as likely to display behavioural problems than those who were breastfed until six months.

The research, led by Glasgow University experts and carried out among children in South Africa, suggests breastfeeding has benefits that extend beyond physical health.

Finally, tests in a dish in the lab showed that breast milk containing the sugar was better at killing the GBS. Lead researcher, Dr Nicholas Andreas, ‘Although this is earlystage research it demonstrates the complexity of breast milk, and the benefits it may have for the baby.

‘Increasingly, research is suggesting these breast milk sugars may protect against infections in the newborn, as well as boosting a child’s “friendly’ gut bacteria.’

It is thought that the sugar allows ‘friendly’ bacteria to flourish and out-compete any harmful bacteria that may be in the youngster’s gut, such as Group B streptococcus.

The sugar is also thought to act as a decoy which fools the bacteria into thinking it is a type of human

A naturally occurring sugar in breast milk may help prevent Group B streptococcus infection - a common cause of deadly meningitis, researchers from Imperial College London found

cell that can be invaded.

The bacteria latch onto the sugar, only to be excreted by the body.

This may help protect the baby from infection until their own immune system is more mature to fight off the invaders at around six months of age.

Should you keep breastfeeding your baby?

Experts say yes!

It may also be possible to add the ‘right’ sugars to formula milk, but lead researcher Dr Nicholas Andreas said it could be hard to get the recipe right It may also be possible to add the ‘right’ sugars to formula milk, but lead researcher Dr Nicholas Andreas said it could be hard to get the recipe right In future, pregnant women could be tested for the blood group gene during pregnancy. Those found to be lacking them could be given specific supplements when pregnant and breastfeeding.

It may also be possible to add the ‘right’ sugars to formula milk, however Dr Andreas said it could be

hard to get the recipe right.

The NHS advises that breastfeeding gives babies the healthiest start in life, saying it cuts the odds of stomach bugs, chest and ear infections and constipation.

It says that breast-fed babies have lower odds of being obese and while every little helps, it recommends babies are fed exclusively on their mother’s milk for the first six months.

It adds that breastfeeding also benefits women, by cutting their odds of breast and ovarian cancer and helping them bond with their baby.

Despite the advice, Britain has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding Europe, with a quarter of new mothers never attempting it and just one in 100 managing to give their baby nothing but breast milk for the recommended six months.

Dr Andreas’s research is published in the journal Clinical & Translational Immunology.

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PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

International evaluators score FCT high on disease surveillance

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) has done a good job in keeping to global best practices in the surveillance and investigation of diseases in the Territory, which are usually very robust, according to International evaluators.

This was disclosed when the

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) Atlanta, United States of America, World Health Organisation accompanied by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has visited FCT Health facilities, as part of effortsto keep FCT disease surveillance at certification standard.

The leader of the Five-Man

delegation and head, Global Immunization Division (CDC) Dr. Steven Wassilak, gave the commendation while briefing the Acting Secretary FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) in her office at the end of a one-week evaluation exercise In a presentation made to the management of the Health and Human Services, Dr.Steven,

gave a report of the External Surveillance review in the FCT which covered primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils respectively.

He said at the Immunization clinics, the team observed that Safe injection practices are in place in the health care facilities

• An over loaded pick-up van with plastic product along Karu-Yikwoi road, yesterday in Abuja

Kuje chair charges appointees to be good diplomats

By UsmanShuaibu

T

he executive chairman of kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. AboullahiGaladima, has charged newly appointed supervisory councilors as well as Special Advisers (SA) to be good ambassadors of their respective wards for the

overall development of the Area council.

Galadima, gave the charge while addressing a gathering during the inauguration of the supervisory councilors/special Advisers at the council chamber last week in Kuje,.

The Council boss specifically urged all political appointees to do their best in moving the council forward in terms

development.

He said: “Today, having unanimously examined some committed and capable individuals in our council, I am quite convinced that the cabinet members we are inaugurating today will not disappoint us, nor will they sabotage our efforts in ensuring the success of the change agenda of our party”.

He however thanked

the people of Kuje and its environs for their patience and endurance accorded to the administration of the council since its inauguration barely three months ago.

Earlier, the Head of Administration in the Area Council, pleaded with the residents of Kuje to give the necessary support to the present administration of the council.

that were visited, observed that Storage monitoring was intact and where relevant in all the facilities.

Dr. Steven added that the team was impressed with the strong knowledge of the staff on vaccine vial monitor stages while commending the good storage of vaccines in separate areas of fridge.

He further added that the level of documentation of surveillance, the report indicated that FCT was rated high because the report showed that supervisory visits were well documented at all levels, separate log books were kept for different case reviews and clinical registries were duly signed showing the relevant focal persons carried out their reviews.

Dr. Steven said the evaluators have given the following recommendations to ensure that measles surveillance is fully integrated with AFP surveillance, area council surveillance officers should regularly review IDSR data to ensure that no cases are being missed by the case-based surveillance system.

He added that the problems with the WHO server should be remedied so that case verification data are available and government ownership of the surveillance system, including financial support for active case searches and specimen transportation, should be increased to ensure sustainability of the surveillance system.

Responding, the Acting Secretary FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. OdeyAchuassured the visiting team that the government would ensure that all the identified gaps will be closed.

She specifically pointed out that the FCT Administration is working hard to ensure that the resident of the territory get only what is good for their health with provision of health facilities to reduce maternal mentality.

NANTMP scribe makes case for allocation of land for trado-medicine dealers in Abuja

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he traditional medicine practitioners on the platform of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), FCT Chapter have appealed

to the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello Musa to allocate a piece of land to erect their offices.

A prominent member of NANTMP in the FCT, Dr.Hassana Mohammed, who made the appeal in an interview with peoples Daily over the

weekend, in Gwagalada, also urged the FCT minister to take traditional medicine practitioners along in the scheme of things in the territory.

She further urged the minister to expedite action to summon all the traditional medicine practitioners for

meeting in order to know the genuine ones in the territory, pointing out that the leadership of NANTMP would continue to cooperate with the FCT Administration anytime of the day.

She advised other members of NANTMP to shun any a

capable of tarnishing the image of the association, noting that association has since been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

She, however, appealed to the members to cooperate with the officials of the association, so as to achieve their objectives.

PAGE 32

Photo Splash

One of the deplorable road at Yikwoi village, in Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Scavenger going about looking for useful items from dusts bin, yesterday at Area 2, Garki, in Abuja

Nyanya-Maraba road fill with beggars and waste, yesterday in Abuja

Keke NAPEP over loaded with yam, yesterday at Apo, in Abuja

A middle-aged man waiting for alms, recently in Central Area, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

PAGE 33

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Metro

Bello vows to strengthen institutions to right all wrongs in FCT Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the resolve of the current administration to work assiduously to strengthenits various institutions to do their work, in order to ensure that all wrongs in the FCT in the past are made right.

Bello, who disclosed this at a special congress of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, in honour of the FCT Minister on Saturday, stressed that institutions would not only

be allowed to do their work, but maintain extant rules in carrying out all its statutory activities within the Territory.

He emphasized that Abuja is the only city in Nigeria that is a creation of the law and in administrating it; the rule of law would also take precedence to instill discipline in all facets of its life.

According to him, “we need to strengthen the institutions to eradicate individual or selfish interests in our actions and inactions while in the position of leadership”.

“I want the Federal Capital

Territory and indeed the entire Nigeria to get to a stage where for instance, the Director of Urban & Regional Planning will tell the Minister or any political appointee that the plot of land you are asking me to earmark cannot be allocated because it is a green area meant for aesthetic, beautification or relaxation points for generations yet unborn.”

He also revealed that the ongoing Abuja Light Rail project has now attained 70 percent completion and that his Administration intends to keep faith with history by completing and making it operational by

December 31, 2017.

The Minister however expressed worry over the activities of vandals that have been destroying and carting away public facilities like covers for storm water drains on the highways, streetlights electrical cables and bulbs as well as traffic lights equipment.

Bello therefore, enjoined FCT residents to have passion of the city by always reporting suspicious persons to the law enforcement agents to reduce the activities of vandals that have been negatively affecting municipal management.

The Minister appreciated the media for the support his

Administration has been receiving from the members of the fourth estate of the realm and appealed for continuous understanding.

Earlier, while welcoming guests to the congress, the Chairman of the Abuja Council of the NUJ, Paul Abeche Ella remarked that since 1976 when FCT got its first Minister, none of the other 16 Ministers had thought it fit to attend the NUJ Congress.

He noted that Abuja Council of the Union is 30 years but without a permanent secretariat, and therefore appealed to the Minister to assist in completing the ongoing work at the Secretariat.

• Trucks loading for take -off , yesterday at Apo round about, in Abuja

Again, GGSS-Abaji students glow at global entrepreneurship competition

F

or the umpteenth time, some students of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Abaji under the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) Management have again brought the FCT into limelight of global recognition in entrepreneurship when they took the first position in the Socially Responsible Business Category (SRB), at the 2016 Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) World cup competition.

The GGSS Abaji as Nigeria representative Team to the 2016 SAGE competition, held in Manila, in the Philippines last week, by this feat sustained its many victories in entrepreneurship competition both at the state, national and international levels, according to a statement by the PRO, FCT-SEB Odugbo Sarah.

The 2016 SAGE World cup competition which was competed for

by twenty-two countries in attendance witnessed Team Nigeria competed in SRB with Russia, Iran, South Korea and Philippines as they put up an impressive practical performance and advanced to the final rounds.

During the final rounds against all international odds, the Team Nigeria in a keenly contested competition consistently showcased a highly technical entrepreneurship skill and carried out enriched and well experienced presentations which cannot be ignored as they emerged 1st position in the SRB category.

Also, the Nigeria contingent was adjudged the Gold Medal winner in the Grossman Family international Award for the sustainable Development goal 12.

Other activities to add colour to the SAGE competition included display of various cultural activities, Business games for the participating teenagers,

special presentation from the SAGE Team of Ukraine and performance from the junior SAGE Team of Philippines.

The countries in attendance includedU.S.A, Canada, Chile, China, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Russia, Kenya, South Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Pakistan, Latvia, Bulgaria and Philippines the host Country among others.

As expected, expressing her delight for the feat recorded, the Director, FCT Secondary Education Board, HajiaRakiatDaniya, said “the Team Nigeria has made FCT and Nigeria proud again adding that, the victory shows the present Administration’s commitment to providing enabling environment to showcase students’ potentials as they engage in profitable and healthy competitions.”

This, according to her will enhance the teaching and learning process in pursuance of their intellectual

endowment. She commented the team for flying the Nigeria flag high in Manila, Philippines It would be recalled that the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. BabatopeAjakaiye made historic visit to the School recently for its many victories where the FCT Administration invested N1million into its entrepreneurship project as a way to diversify the economy while creating jobs rather job seekers.

The same FCT School, as Dynamites took 1st position both at the zonal and National levels and also in Gabon among 28 Africa countries put together by NonGovernmental organization named junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) and later in June 2016 as Amazing Amazons SAGE Team won the 2016 National SAGE Entrepreneurship competition, which earned them the ticket to represent Nigeria at Manila, Philippines in August 11-19th, 2016.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Money Sense

Record low deals on offer to homeowners but will Brexit mean rates start to go up?

By SIMON LAMBERT

M

arkets went into turmoil following the momentous decision by the British people to leave the European Union on 24 June 2016.

Investors panicked, sending share prices spiralling downwards, gilt yields collapsed and the Bank of England said it will consider extraordinary measures to protect the finances of British citizens.

But what does all of this mean for mortgage rates, which have been steadily falling over the past month to record lows?

In reality, fairly little - for the moment.

Some are predicting that rates will remain at rock bottom for the foreseeable future while others caution that lenders may start to hike rates if market volatility sticks around.

Fundamentally, competition among lenders continues to drive down mortgage rates at all deposit levels, but borrowers will find a potential big difference in the size of the loan that banks or building societies will offer them.

This makes shopping around and speaking to a good mortgage broker a wise move. You can check best buy tables and the best mortgage rates for your circumstances with our calculator powered by London & Country. What are the best deals?

It is currently possible for those with the biggest deposits to fix for five years below 2 per cent, while those with 10 per cent to put down can fix for five years at just under 3 per cent.

For two-year fixes, the lowest rates are now less than 1 per cent if you have a big deposit and 2 per cent if you have just 10 per cent.

Until fairly recently economists and markets were pricing in the first interest rate rise in the UK in late 2017 but following Britain’s decision to leave the EU, many are now predicting that the Bank of England could now cut the base rate below 0.5 per cent where it has been since March 2009.

Those looking to buy a home or remortgage will find that now is a good time to look for a home loan, with record low mortgage rates on offer.

Many are still being nudged by brokers into taking out two-year fixed rate mortgages, yet it is wise to question if this is the best move.

The attraction of a two-year fix may be lower rates now and extra flexibility, but that comes at the expense of needing to remortgage in two years to avoid slipping onto a more expensive standard variable rate.

That is particularly relevant in light of recent events. Post-referendum experts are predicting that lenders will leave standard variable rates on hold but are likely to cut longer term fixed rates in the coming weeks.

A five-year fix gives the opportunity to lock into a low rate for a longer period and avoid extra fees and higher rates in a relatively short time.

What is happening with rates?

Poll How long would you fix your mortgage for?

Two years Five years Ten years Don’t take a tracker Prospective rate rises have been

pushed into the distance by overwhelming uncertainty following the shock result of the EU referendum.

This is on top of already low inflation, slowing world growth, the oil price slump, the eurozone’s continuing woes and lots of other things that keep central bankers awake at night.

On the flipside, the US raised interest rates in December last year, and the Bank of England’s deputy governor Ben Broadbent has warned people not to rely on market forecasts that have pushed a first base rate rise way into the future.

A gloomy start to 2016 saw stock markets slide and stalled further expected US rate rises. In the UK, uncertainty over the Brexit referendum and the troubled outlook for Europe’s economy has kept rate expectations down.

Just days before Britain voted to leave the EU, US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said fears over Britain’s exit had factored in the decision to keep US rates on hold a signal that the outlook now looks more uncertain.

What next for interest rates? Our look at when the Bank Rate may rise Can you get a mortgage?

Banks and building societies have broadly

“

You need to check the bumper arrangement fees are worth paying – if you don’t have a big mortgage you may be better off with a slightly higher rate and lower fee.

got to grips with the tougher new mortgage rules introduced in April 2014.

These produced a marked slowdown in lending and home sales but transactions have now risen back towards the level they were at previously.

Getting a mortgage is tougher though.

You will need to get your finances in order and be prepared for the lengthier application process and in-depth affordability interviews getting a mortgage requires nowadays.

Lenders also apply different standards to what they will lend.

Weigh up the above, check the rates below and in our best buy tables, have a scout around what the best deals look like – and speak to a good independent broker.

There are a couple of things to look out for if you do decide to fix.

You need to check the bumper arrangement fees are worth paying – if you don’t have a big mortgage you may be better off with a slightly higher rate and lower fee.

It’s wise to also think carefully about whether you expect to move home soon. A good five-year fix should be portable, so you can take it with you.

But your new property will need to be assessed and you might need to borrow extra money, and so your lender could still say no. Getting out of a fix typically requires a hefty hit to the pocket from early repayment charges.

Today’s low rates may stick around, they may even inch a little lower, but they may also be swiftly axed.

If you think you’d kick yourself if you miss out on one, then set aside some time to consider what to do.

Fix vs tracker: where are the best rates?

Borrowers should have a quick look at the rates below, these are regularly updated by This is Money’s mortgage team. If you spot a deal you think has been pulled or should be in there, email us via editor@thisismoney. co.uk with mortgage rates in the subject field.

Dailymail.com

world news

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Burkini ban: New wave of French ‘mission civilisatrice’ analysis

By Rachel Shabi

W

hen Aheda Zanetti invented the burkini, it was about fitness and fun, she says. This was in Australia in 2004, and the idea was to find a way for Muslim girls and women to participate in and enjoy the country’s beachy, sporty lifestyle.

This was the sunny, hopeful origin of a garment now banned in 15 French coastal resorts - a ban that was enforced in Nice last week by four armed male police officers compelling a conservatively dressed Muslim woman on a beach to remove layers of clothing.

As her daughters cried and bystanders cheered, the 34-year-old woman was fined for not wearing “an outfit respecting good morals and secularism”.

French ‘burkini’ ban: secularism or security?

Mainstreaming far-right This militant enforcement of “good morals” sparked widespread condemnation and France’s highest court has since suspended the ban - although some mayors have already said they intend to ignore this decision.

The French Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls defended the ban, enforced in over a dozen coastal cities, describing a “battle of cultures” and denouncing the swimwear as symbolising the enslavement of women.

Meanwhile, former President Nicolas Sarkozy launched his new presidential election campaign days ago by calling for a full burkini ban, warning that minorities and migrants were threatening to destroy French identity.

And so we have a European country that prides itself on being liberal-minded now focusing its politics, across the spectrum, on telling women what to wear.

Which, by the way, is what happens when you pander to the far-right, as French politicians are doing mainstreaming outright racism instead of holding a line against it.

Wave of terrorist attacks Of course, none of this is happening in a vacuum: France has been shaken by a devastating wave of deadly terrorist atrocities.

The country is collectively mourning 86 people horribly killed when a truck was deliberately driven into Nice’s Promenade des Anglais on July 14.

Later that month, an 86-year-old priest was stabbed to death in an attack claimed by the Islamic State

Some French politicians and feminists see veiled Muslim women, by definition, oppressed and in need of saving, writes Shabi [Reuters] of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

Rather than being about an equality-driven, French Republic commitment to secularism, the burkini ban seems to derive more from ideas percolated around French colonialism in North Africa where so many of its Muslim citizens have roots.

France suffered its worst terrorist attack in November last year when more than 100 people were killed in a series of coordinated shootings and suicide bombings, including 90 killed during a siege of the Bataclan concert hall. In January that same year, 12 people were murdered in an attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

Burkini-banning officials have cited security concerns, viewing the beachwear as part of the violent assault on France from Islamist extremism.

The ban is also on a continuum of measures taken in the name of laicite - the French-style secularity underpinning the country’s political and cultural identity: The full Islamic veil, for instance, was

banned in 2011.

Built-in assumption of superiority When people are still reeling from horrifying acts of violence, when extremist recruiters are on the prowl and when community cohesion is so strained, it is more important than ever to examine the motives behind such bans.

French history - the necessity of keeping the Catholic Church out of politics - is typically cited as the context for its commitment to laicite, but is this what actually informs the current debate?

Far-right feasts on France’s unchecked Islamophobia Listening to Nice’s deputy mayor Rudy Salles talk about the issue on BBC radio last week - and his words echo those of other French politicians - it’s hard to believe this is the case. Describing the burkini as a “provocation from Islamists”, he claimed to be fighting for the freedom of women, while wanting to help people “to be integrated [into] this society”.

“

Rather than being about an equality-driven, French Republic commitment to secularism, the burkini ban seems to derive more from ideas percolated around French colonialism in North Africa - where so many of its Muslim citizens have roots.

But the problem with this approach, of forcing citizens to choose between identities - are you French or Muslim? - isn’t just that it suggests an intolerance of difference, or represents a false binary.

It’s that such demands carry a built-in assumption of superiority: You would only dictate such terms if you thought that the obvious, sensible preference would be for French values over a communitarian Muslim identity.

Colonial stigma Rather than being about an equality-driven, French Republic commitment to secularism, the burkini ban seems to derive more from ideas percolated around French colonialism in North Africa where so many of its Muslim citizens have roots.

The hijab, at that time, was derided, seen as a symbol of Islamic oppression and a part of what made North African countries so inferior.

Hello and welcome to the hijabi Olympics That was the logic that underpinned and justified French colonisation of the region - but more than that: The hijab was as much a fixation then as it has become now. In Algeria, for example, the unveiling of women was a way of showing how France was liberating its female subjects from the repressive tyrannies of Islam - and so, keeping the veil on, in mirror image, in some cases became a symbol of resisting colonial rule.

This “mission civilisatrice” saw a moral duty in colonisation: A self-

elevating sense of responsibility to educate and liberate populations across North Africa.

And there are unmistakable echoes of this sentiment in the words of some French politicians and feminists, who see veiled Muslim women as, by definition, oppressed and in need of saving.

It’s also there in the irony of wanting these apparently “oppressed” Muslim women to be visible, to have a voice - but not actually giving the same women a voice or any agency in this debate.

France is not unique in its reluctance to absorb the realities of its past; nations with older legacies of empire, settlement and occupation are still struggling to do so.

But this may account for what, from the outside at least, looks like a clear case of bad wiring: A failure to acknowledge that colonialism, not secularism, is driving so much of this debate over women’s clothing today.

And it’s also in part the reason that the “secular” justification for and enforcement of the burkini ban comes over as fundamentalist in a way that arguments premised purely on a commitment to religion-blind equality could not.

Equality and freedom, after all, are not rights that you impose upon people against their will.

Rachel Shabi is a journalist and uthor of Not the Enemy: Israel’s Jews from Arab Lands.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.

Source: Al Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page 36

News From Africa

Gabon Sierra Leone Lacks Medical election: Facilities to Treat Kidney Disease Jean P Ping lays claim to presidency win

G

abon’s opposition presidential candidate Jean Ping has claimed victory over incumbent President Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the oil-rich African nation for nearly half a century.

“As I speak to you, the trends indicate we’re the winner of this important presidential election,” Ping told supporters on Sunday at his campaign headquarters in the capital Libreville, according to Reuters news agency.

Ping, 73, made his declaration despite warnings by the country’s interior minister against candidates giving results ahead of their official announcement on Tuesday. Ping also distributed figures that claimed to show him easily beating 57-year-old Bongo.

“I have been elected. I am waiting for the outgoing president to call to congratulate me,” Ping said, according to the AFP news agency.

“You have foiled the congenital fraud of this regime which we are finally going to see off,” he added.

Bongo said later on Sunday that he was “calmly” waiting for the results, while his campaign said they were confident he will hold on to power.

“We respect the law ... so we are waiting calmly for Cenap (the national election commission) to announce the results of the election,” Bongo told a crowd of supporters, according to AFP. Official results from Saturday’s vote are not due out until 1600 GMT on Tuesday and candidates are prohibited by law from making announcements on the likely outcome.

Igor Simard, Bongo’s spokesman, said that nobody could claim victory when votes were still being counted by the authorities.

“The fight is tight but we are confident our candidate will win,” Simard told Al Jazeera.

“What gives us confidence is that the remaining constituencies to be declared are traditionally our strongholds,” he said.

The head of the Pan-African Democracy Observatory, an NGO based in neighbouring Togo, downplayed the significance of Ping’s declaration.

“We should not be surprised if one or the other declare victory.

It’s all part of the game,” Djovi Gally told reporters.

eople are dying in Sierra Leone of kidney disease, due to the lack of available treatment. Patients have to fly to other countries and many cannot afford it.

Frederick Garber is just 15 years old and is suffering from a kidney infection.

He is currently on medication to try and control it but often is in pain. He needs a kidney biopsy to diagnose exactly what the problem is. And may also need dialysis treatment. Neither of which can be done in Sierra Leone.

It is a tough situation for his father Joseph. “It is very frustrating, for me to at least get the treatment for him, the treatment is not done here, I have to find ways and means to take the boy out of this country and I am not financially strong,” he said.

Since 2012 a dialysis unit has been at the Connaught hospital in

A Palestinian man awaits treatment by dialysis inside the kidney section at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, Oct. 27, 2008. In Sierra Leone, people are dying of kidney disease, due to the lack of available treatment.

Freetown. The Israeli government donated it.

But it needs a water treatment plant installed to properly function according to Nyama Kamara. She is a dialysis consultant working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone. No one is qualified to install it in the country and so everything is on hold until a technician can come

from Israel.

One was supposed to come, but when Ebola crisis hit Sierra Leone, the trip was cancelled, said Kamara. “We have a lot of cases coming to Connaught hospital, that need dialysis, but what do we do?The machines are here and people are dying ... and we need the machinesto work ... this is the only unit.”

Zimbabwe anti-Mugabe protest: Police fire tear gas

Tunisia parliament approves unity government of Youssef Chahed

T

he Tunisian parliament has voted to approve a new government, which will take office in the next few days.

The unity government, led by prime minister-designate Youssef Chahed, was backed by 167 members of the 217-seat parliament.

The government includes Islamists, leftists, unionists and independents.

Youssef Chahed, 40, will become Tunisia’s youngest prime minister since the country won its independence from France in 1956.

Mr Chahed warned in parliament that an austerity programme, with public-sector job cuts and tax rises, would be inevitable if Tunisia does not overcome its economic difficulties.

He was named as the next prime minister after his predecessor, the US-trained economist Habib Essid, was dismissed in a noconfidence vote last month.

Gender Inequality Hampers African Human Development, Economic Growth

A

Police used batons to beat opposition protesters

P

olice in Zimbabwe have fired tear gas and water cannon at opposition supporters who had gathered for a protest march in the capital, Harare.

They have also beaten up people wearing red T-shirts, the colour of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC), a BBC reporter at the scene says.

Protesters are calling for electoral reform ahead of polls in 2018.

President Robert Mugabe, 92, says he intends to stand again.

More on this and other African stories What is behind Zimbabwe protests?

Leaders from 18 opposition

political parties called for Zimbabweans to march through Harare as part of a so-called “mega demonstration”.

The High Court ruled on Friday morning that the planned opposition march could go ahead, a day after police warned that unauthorised demonstrations would not be tolerated.

Police with batons clash with protester in red t shirtImage copyrightAP Image caption Police used batons to beat opposition protesters Public protests have proliferated in recent months, focusing on the dire state of the country’s economy.

Most of these have come

under the banner of the #ThisFlag movement, inspired by charismatic pastor Evan Mawarire, who has urged non-violent protest over perceived corruption and economic mismanagement The country’s economic crisis has worsened recently, leading to a chronic cash shortage and delays paying civil servants.

Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo blamed a demonstration that ended violently on Wednesday on foreign elements.

“We cannot sit idly while our country is being torn apart by unruly foreign-sponsored agents,” Zimbabwe’s state-run Herald newspaper quotes him as saying.

new report finds economic and social discrimination against women is costing Africa more than $100 billion a year. The U.N. Development Program’s 2016 Africa Human Development Report argues closing the gender gap would be a boon for the Continent’s economic and social prospects.

The report finds African women across the board are denied the same kind of economic, social and political opportunities men enjoy. It says women lose out when it comes to education, work and health.

It notes fewer girls than boys go to school, women earn less money than men for paid labor, harmful traditional practices affect their health, and certain cultural norms act as a hindrance to women moving ahead in society.

The report finds practices, such as child marriage and sexual and physical violence adversely affect women’s health and result in high maternal mortality.

Ayodele Odusola is U.N. Development Program chief economist for the Regional Bureau for Africa.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Turkish Airstrikes in Syria Kill 35 Civilians as Rebels Seize Territory Under Militant Control

S

yrian rebels supported by Turkey have taken control Sunday of at least four villages and one town from Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria amid reports that Turkish airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 35 civilians in the area.

Monitors from the Britainbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say 20 people were killed in the village of Jub-al-Kousa. Fifty people were wounded in the attack in an area controlled by militia allied with the Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Observatory says another air strike killed 15 civilians and wounded 20 others near the town of al-Armana.

Separately, the Turkish military said Sunday that it carried out airstrikes in northern Syria that killed 25 Kurdish militants. The Turkish military, along with its Syrian rebel allies, is in the fifth day of a campaign designed to drive U.S.-allied Kurdish forces and Islamic State militants out of the frontier town of Jarablus, which borders Turkey.

Turkish tanks stationed near the Syrian border, in Karkamis, Turkey, Aug. 27, 2016.

Turkish tanks stationed near the Syrian border, in Karkamis, Turkey, Aug. 27, 2016.

Turkey’s state run Anadolu news agency says the “terrorist members” who were killed were members of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD).

The campaign, called Euphrates Shield, is a dramatic escalation of Turkey’s involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The clashes bolster Western concerns that Turkey’s military incursion into Syria is intended, in part, to target U.S.-supported Kurdish forces known as the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, the YPG militia. The U.S. has described the YPG as one of its most effective allies in the fight against Islamic State, while Turkey is demanding a YPG retreat from all border territory seized from IS jihadists.

Elsewhere, the Observatory says Syrian government helicopters dropped two explosive-packed barrel bombs on a funeral Saturday just minutes apart in the Maadi district of eastern Aleppo, killing at least 23 people.

Asia&Middle-east

Afghan Forces Readying to Launch Offensive to Retake Eastern District

A

fghan security forces are preparing to launch an operation to retake an eastern border district a day after it fell to the Taliban, officials said Sunday.

The Islamist insurgency overran and captured Janikheil district in the eastern Paktia province on Saturday, and local authorities confirmed that dozens of Afghan forces were killed in the fighting.

A spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, Dawlat Waziri, told VOA Sunday “enough” forces are in the area under the leadership of the regional crops commander and preparing to stage a counteroffensive to take back Janikhil.

“It is not difficult to retake the district from the Taliban but security forces are moving carefully because the insurgents have heavily mined roads in the area,” Waziri noted, adding teams of experts are currently engaged in clearing the explosives.

District governor Abdul Rahman Solamal told Afghanistan’s Tolo TV Sunday a prolonged presence of the Taliban in Janikheil would improve its mobility to threaten security in neighboring provinces.

He blamed provincial authorities and security institutions for failing to take timely steps to prevent the

Fukushima’s surfers riding on radioactive waves

O

Afghan National Army soldiers guard at a checkpoint on the way to the Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. collapse of the district, saying it had 1,200 Taliban insurgents launched been under Taliban siege for about a decisive assault on Friday night.

Janikheil sits at a key transit a month, causing severe shortages of food and weapons for the security r o u t e t h a t i n c l u d e s l i n k s t o neighboring Khost province and forces.

The governor insisted his Pakistan.

The Haqqani network of repeated calls for urgent help were not responded to, leading to the terrorists fighting along side the fall of Janikheil and he confirmed Taliban in Afghanistan has been killing of at least 30 Afghan security active eastern and southeastern forces in fierce battles after around provinces.

Philippines: IS-linked Maute group inmates freed in ‘raid’

n 11 March 2011, at 2:46 pm, Japan was hit by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake which generated a tsunami along the coast.

The casualties of the disaster included 18,500 dead, 90 percent of whom drowned in the tsunami wave. The bodies of 2,561 people were never recovered.

The tsunami hit the Daaichi nuclear power plant as well, a level-7 catastrophe that was the equivalent of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown disaster.

Over the course of five years, nearly 50,000 people have worked to decontaminate the plant and stop leaks according to government press releases. They remove between 5 and 30 cm of contaminated soil every day and place them in plastic bags, which are stored on the outskirts of town, pending a better solution.

In Tairatoyoma beach, a prefecture of Fukushima and some 50km from the nuclear plant, was among the most popular areas for Japanese surfers prior to the nuclear accident.

Police in Spain dismantle ‘illegal Chinese immigration ring’

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Soldiers arrested eight members of the Maute group last week

E

ight Islamic militants linked to so-called Islamic State (IS) have been freed from jail in the Philippines in an apparently “staged raid”.

Police said at least 20 fighters from the Maute group had turned up at the Lanao del Sur jail in the southern city of Marawi, but no shots had been fired.

A military source told the BBC they believed the men had been allowed to escape.

The militants were held last week after being caught with homemade

mortars.

At least 15 other inmates - who faced murder and drugs charges - also walked free, but it is not clear whether this was agreed.

The Maute group has carried out several bombings and kidnappings in the southern Mindanao region.

Marawi Philippines map The Philippines has faced separatist movements for decades in Mindanao, which is majority Muslim - the rest of the Philippines is mainly Catholic.

The Maute group carries the black

flag and insignia of IS, and has attacked army troops, beheaded a soldier and beheaded two local workers earlier this year.

The militants kidnapped the two workers and made them wear orange shirts similar to those worn by IS beheading victims before they were killed.

Several armed groups in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to IS, although the country’s military says there is no evidence of active cooperation with foreign militants.

panish police say they have dismantled a nationwide network that illegally regularised the working status of Chinese immigrants in Spain.

They arrested 57 people in Barcelona, Valencia, San Sebastian and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Chinese nationals illegally living in Spain reportedly paid the ring €8,000 ($8,960; £6,820) each to obtain fake contracts as domestic workers.

In return they were given residency permits.

“They would return to Barcelona once they obtained a residency permit to work in the textile sector, without ever carrying out the job they were hired for,” a Spanish police statement said.

The ringleaders, a Chinese couple, allegedly paid employers between €1,500 and €2,000 for the contracts.

Most of the employers allegedly involved are linked to the hotel trade in Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.

Chinese immigrants are the fifth biggest foreign community in Spain with almost 170,000 people as of 2015, according to the National Statistics Institute.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page 38

Europe & Americas US elections: Trump details plans to track illegal immigrants

Prosecutors Investigate Builders After Italy Quake

A

T

he US Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, has said he will develop a tracking system to help authorities control immigration.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Iowa, he outlined what he called an “entry-exit” programme, which would track those who overstay their visas.

He also reiterated his support for building a wall along the southern border with Mexico.

And he said he would stop illegal immigrants getting welfare benefits.

“I am going to build a great border wall, institute nationwide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing welfare and entitlements, and develop an exit-entry tracking system to ensure those who overstay their visas are quickly removed,” Mr Trump said.

“If we don’t enforce visa expiration dates, then we have an open border it’s as simple as that,” he added.

How could you deport 11m people?

How might Trump’s screening plan work?

Trump’s shock troops: Who are the ‘alt-right’?

Immigration was a central issue in Mr Trump’s primary campaign.

Earlier this week, he signalled he would soften his immigration plans.

Erdogan Renews Call for the Death Penalty

An Italian army soldier walks past rubble in Villa San Lorenzo, near Amatrice, central Italy, Aug. 27, 2016.

I

talian officials have opened an investigation to focus on different structures that collapsed after Wednesday’s powerful quake, devastating four towns in the mountainous heartland of the country and rattling the central agricultural regions.

Regional public prosecutors say they will not only investigate why recently constructed public buildings, including a schoolhouse renovated in 2012, failed to withstand the quake’s force, but they are threatening also to file charges against private-property owners who may have altered their houses — most very ancient — in ways that breached current building codes and anti-seismic engineering regulations.

“Everyone suspects such a tragedy was not just a question of destiny,” said the chief prosecutor of the province of Rieti, Giuseppe Saieva, “Our duty is to verify if there was also responsibility, human culpability,” he added.

Italy marked a day of national mourning Saturday for the nearly 300 people confirmed killed.

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, left, comforts a woman at the end of the state funeral service for some of the victims of the earthquake that hit central Italy last Wednesday, in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, Aug. 27, 2016 Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, left, comforts a woman at the end of the state funeral service for some of the victims of the earthquake that hit

central Italy last Wednesday, in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, Aug. 27, 2016 The prosecutors’ threats are enraging survivors and relatives of the dead. Residents stress that renovation work seldom observes the country’s notoriously complex building regulations, which more often than not are bypassed by homeowners with a bribe or a fine agreed with their local commune (town) officials.

“Our houses are hundreds of years [old] and it is impossible or prohibitively expensive to make changes within the regulations that are drawn up by the government in Rome without any regard to our economic circumstances,” said Perluigi, a retiree from Amatrice, the worst-hit of four towns devastated by the midweek quake.

Russia: Moscow warehouse fire kills 17 Kyrgyz workers

T

urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for the death penalty, saying its reinstatement would fulfill the wishes of the Turkish majority.

At a rally Sunday in the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, Erdogan told hundreds of people his remarks were also directed at members of the Turkish parliament.

“I am now conveying your request once again,” Erdogan said of the death penalty. “They should assess this issue and make a decision. I would approve that decision.”

Erdogan, who traveled to Gaziantep to express condolences to the families of the 54 people who were killed last weekend at a Kurdish wedding, has pushed to reinstate the death penalty in the wake of last month’s failed coup against him.

Erdogan’s calls for its reinstatement have become more frequent since the July 15 coup attempt as he carries out a massive purge of those suspected of taking part it in it.

The purge has mostly targeted members of the military, police and intelligence services, journalists, and academics belonging to the outlawed movement headed by cleric Fethullah Gulen, a U.S. resident.

US: Maccabee Task Force denies funding anti-BDS posters

Authorities have started a criminal investigation [Maxim Shipenkov/EPA]

A

fire has killed 17 people in a Moscow printing warehouse, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has confirmed.

“Sixteen bodies were found in a room, four injured were brought to hospitals in Moscow,” a ministry spokesman said. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, a seventeenth person later died in hospital.

All victims were originally from Kyrgyzstan, the ministry said, adding that they were in the country legally.

Emergency services were able to rescue 12 people from the fourfloor warehouse located in an industrial zone in Moscow’s north.

In total, more than 30 people were present at the time of the fire.

“The incident happened when people were changing shifts at the printing house. It is very hard for us,” Abdygany Shakirov, the Kyrgyz representative told the Reuters news agency.

Authorities have started a criminal investigation to see if fire safety regulations were followed.

The head of the Moscow

branch of the emergency ministry, Ilya Denisov, said the fire was thought to have been caused by a broken lamp in a room containing large quantities of flammable liquids and paper products.

“The fire spread from the first floor through the elevator shaft to the room in which the people were killed,” Interfax quoted Denisov as saying.

About 500,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan are working in Russia.

They often live in appalling conditions.

Jewish fund belonging to an American casino tycoon, Sheldon Adelson, has denied it financed a poster campaign targeting pro-Palestine groups across US college campuses.

Reports published earlier this week claimed that the “Stop the Jew Hatred on Campus” campaign, which labelled student activists as Palestinian “terrorists”, was funded by the Maccabee Task Force (MTF).

The activists targeted told Al Jazeera that the campaign left them shocked, scared and feeling uneasy for weeks.

At least one said he does not believe the MTF had no idea where its money would be used.

Launched by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the MTF provides grants to organisations which want to end the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

“We did not ask for, nor approve, the poster campaign that targeted student activists, and were not aware that our money had been used to support it. It should not have been,” the statement said.

“We have not, and will not, support public attacks on student activists who behave in a civil fashion.”

An MTF spokesman later told Al Jazeera that he had been “assured that the grant was not used for the campaign, but rather for speaking engagements and the production of a research report”.

The MTF was created last year to “grow the pro-Israel movement” while combating BDS activities on campuses, the spokesman said.

“We believe that the number one non-military threat to Israel and the Jewish people is the BDS movement,” he said.

The poster campaign was launched across five college campuses in California in April, in an effort to combat the activities of pro-Palestine student groups.

The poste rs de clared BDS a “Hamas-inspired genocidal campaign” that aims to “destroy Israel”, and listed the names of students and faculty members involved in pro-Palestine groups and activities, affiliating them with “Palestinian terrorists”, and accusing them of perpetrating “Jew Hatred”.

One of the targeted groups was Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which comprises students, faculty, and community members working on college campuses.

Yacoub Kureh, a graduate involved in SJP at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), was among those named on the flyers.

“When the posters with my name came up this year labelling me a ‘Jewhater’, I felt nauseous,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that he was “shocked and scared”.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Strange

Page 39

world

Heartbreaking story of the brothers battling a cruel genetic disorder that’s left one disfigured and the other with no memory

By Madlen Davies For Mailonline

A

s babies, Adam and Neil Pearson looked so similar that their mother often mixed them up.

Now, they look so different it is hard to believe they are identical twins.

Adam’s face has been left disfigured by non-cancerous tumours that began growing uncontrollably when he was a child.

Despite 33 operations to remove them, the 31-year-old has been left blind in one eye and is losing his vision in the other.

His appearance meant he was called ‘quasimodo’ and ‘scarface’ at school but he has since grown up to be a TV presenter and campaigner for people with deformities.

His brother Neil also suffers from the same genetic condition but tumours did not grow on his face.

Instead, he battles epilepsy and memory loss so severe he can’t remember what day it is.

The twins suffer from type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) , which affects just 1 in 3,000 people.

They have left the medical community baffled - so much so a paper has been written on their case alone.

Tonight, they tell their story in a documentary, Horizon: My Amazing Twin, which follows them trying to find out whether there is any way to stop the disease tearing their lives apart.

Adam has become a well-known figure on TV, producing and starring in shows such as Beauty and the Beast and The Undateables.

He then starred alongside Scarlett Johansson in the film Under The Skin, in order to raise the profile of people with facial disfigurements.

And last year, he was asked by a Slovakian director to star in the band Ciste Tvary’s latest music video.

He has also become a TV personality, calling for more roles for people with disfigurements and campaigning against discrimination on the grounds of looks.

The brothers grew up in Croydon, south London, where they live with their parents Marilyn, 66, and Patrick, 63.

Mrs Pearson, a retired local government officer, said she had no clue they were suffering from a genetic condition when they were born.

In fact, she once got them mixed up while feeding them.

WHAT IS NEUROFIBROMATOSIS? Neurofibromatosis the name for a number of genetic conditions that cause swellings or lumps.

Although many people who have the condition inherit it from one of their parents, up to 50 per cent develop it randomly from a gene mutation before they are born.

There are two types of neurofibromatosis Adam Pearson suffering from type one, Dr Anand Saggar, a London-based genetics expert, told MailOnline.

Despite their alarming appearance,

the growths and swellings - called neurofibromas and caused by a growth of cells - are not cancerous or contagious.

Other symptoms of neurofibromatosis type one include flat, light brown spots on the skin.

These harmless marks, also called cafe au lait spots, are common in many people. People who have more than six spots that are bigger than half a centimetre wide should get investigated for NF1.

NF1 is a condition someone is born with, although some symptoms develop gradually over many years. The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person.

People with NH1 are more likely to suffer from learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

Around 10 per cent of people with NF1 will have vision problems, high blood pressure and a curved spine.

They are also more likely to develop a type of cancer known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours.

She told the Mirror: ‘I couldn’t understand why Neil was crying and Adam wasn’t interested. And we were looking at some old photos recently and I couldn’t tell them apart in some.’

The brothers were diagnosed before their fifth birthday after Adam fell over and bumped his forehead - but the lump never went down.

Eventually, he was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where a scan showed there was a tumour in his neck blocking his windpipe.

This marked the start of many operations to remove the growths, including stints in intensive care Mrs Pearson said were ‘scary’.

Neil did not show any symptoms immediately, and his family believed he may have escaped the condition marring his brother’s face.

At school, Adam was bullied, enduring being called cruel names including Elephant Man, Scarface and Quasimodo.

Dailymail.com

Adam has been left facially disfigured as tumours grew all over his face due to the condition

Adam and Neil Pearson, 31, are identical twins but are radically different in appearance. They both suffer from the genetic condition neurofibromatosis - but it affects them in different ways

Neil, meanwhile, battles short term memory loss so severe he cannot remember what day it is as well as epilepsy

Adam went on to be a TV personality and in 2015 flew to Slovakia to star role in rock band Ciste tvary’s new video. He is pictured with the rest of the cast

Page 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Digest

Father with terminal brain tumour claims high-fat diet of meat and dairy is the reason he’s still alive

By Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

A

father-of-two who was given a year to live claims ditching carbohydrates and eating 2,200 calories of fat a day has shrunk his terminal brain tumour.

Last July, Dave Bolton, 35, was given 12 months to live with treatment - or three months without - when doctors informed him of his cancer.

The former police officer, from the Wirral, Merseyside, had a Glioblastoma Multiform 4 brain tumour (GBM4) – known as ‘The Terminator’ for its low survival rates.

But in June this year, doctors told him there was not much of the mass left - and he claims his change of diet is responsible.

He decided to cut out carbs, sugar and most fruit and vegetables from his diet, opting instead chose to eat more meat, dairy and fats.

The theory behind his decision was to follow a ketogenic diet – which some believes stops feeding tumours, despite many doctors saying there is no evidence the diet will help the battle against cancer.

Consultant oncologist Professor Karol Sikora told MailOnline: ‘There’s no evidence alternative therapies work. A lot of people believe they work and that is the problem.

‘I would recommend having conventional treatment, and then by all means, have alternative therapies as well if you really like, but don’t replace the former with the latter.’

Combining both is the route Mr Bolton, a former world champion kickboxer, has chosen.

He said: ‘After my diagnosis all these thoughts were running through my head - I wondered whether I would ever be able to walk my daughter down the aisle or watch my son grow up.

‘I believe the diet, my attitude, supplements and a host of other alternative treatments alongside conventional treatment have reversed my cancer.

‘I shouldn’t be here now, but at my last scan the tumour had all but gone apart from a few cells.

‘When the doctors told me the tumour had almost disappeared I came out and cried - but for once they were tears of joy.

Mr Bolton knows he hasn’t been cured – but believes he will still be

Dave Bolton, 35, was diagnosed with a Gliobastoma Multiform 4 and was given 12 months to live last July. But he claims cutting out carbohydrates and sugars is the reason his mass had dramatically shrunk when doctors scanned his brain in June this year alive in 10 years time.

He added: ‘People always ask me how I stay so positive, but for me it’s the only way to live.

‘Although it may shock some people, in a way I am thankful for this tumour as it has given me a better outlook on life.

‘I have more time with my family - before I thought I needed to make money so my kids could have whatever they wanted, but really they just wanted me at home.

‘It has taught me not to take life for granted as it can all be taken away from you in a blink.

‘All I want to do now is use my horrific situation to help others and give them hope you can beat a terminal diagnosis.’

Mr Bolton is father to Josh, 11 and eight-year-old Halle and married to 34-year-old Sam. Despite being extremely fit and healthy, in May 2014 he suffered a violent 15-minute seizure in the middle of the night.

After being rushed to hospital, doctors discovered a sizeable tumour in the frontal lobe of his brain.

He jokingly named his tumour ‘Terry’, and underwent surgery a month later at The Walton Centre for Neurology in Liverpool to remove as much of it as possible.

But in July 2015, a routine scan revealed the mass had not only returned but had become a GBM4 - one of the most aggressive brain tumours known to doctors.

Mr Bolton underwent a second nine-hour brain operation to remove as much of the tumour.

He then underwent six weeks of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

This was followed by six monthlong cycles of intensive treatment at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Birkenhead.

And after his treatment ended in December last year, he began following the ketogenic diet.

He agreed to take part in The Walton Centre’s clinical feasibility study on the effects of the regime on four patients already undergoing chemotherapy.

The diet, developed in 1924 for epilepsy patients, meant forgetting

Many cancer patients are switching to the ketogenic diet - which involves eating lots of protein, fruit and vegetables but cutting out carbohydrates - in the belief it will help treat their disease

his diet in favour of meat, full-fat dairy products, nuts, lettuce and tomatoes.

Mr Bolton now consumes a minimum of 120g of fat a day totalling 2,200 calories - 90g to 130g of protein and just 20g of carbs through fruit and vegetables only.

And he claims the ketogenic diet has even given him more energy than he had before his diagnosis.

It is believed to work by fuelling the body with ketones, a by-product of the fat converted in the liver, rather than carbohydrates and blood sugars.

Mr Bolton also claims regular exercise and keeping calm helped him to beat his prognosis.

While he also believes supplements such as frankincense oil and myrrh oil aided his treatment.

He said: ‘It completely changed my diet as I used to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and love bread - the rest of my family still eat a normal diet, and our food bill has definitely rocketed.

‘But what I have realised is that you still have to live your life and once or twice a month if it is a special occasion I will eat what I want.

‘As long as I don’t go crazy I can get back into ketosis within one or two days.

‘I don’t believe there is one cure for cancer but a multitude of approaches are needed to defeat it.

‘This is what has worked for me, but everyone is different and no cancer is the same.’

A spokesman for The Brain Tumour Charity said the charity does not currently campaign for the ketogenic diet to be more widely available as a treatment for brain tumours because its efficacy is yet to be proven in a robust clinical trial.

But they said it welcomed any new findings on how diet can have an impact on the treatment of a brain tumour or the quality of life of those with a brain tumour.

Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of The Brain Tumour Charity, said: ‘We are delighted to hear that Mr Bolton is doing well.

‘We know there are not enough effective drug treatments for glioblastoma, which is why we are committed to investing millions of pounds in research into the disease.

‘But we would urge anyone who is considering the ketogenic diet to talk to their doctor first, to ensure there are no reasons why it might cause them further health problems.’

A spokesperson for The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘There is no evidence to suggest the diet will cure brain tumours.

‘With the support of our dietician we ran a feasibility clinic for four brain tumour patients in addition to conventional treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.’

WHAT IS THE KETOGENIC DIET AND CAN IT TREAT CANCER? The ketogenic diet is being used experimentally to help a few adult brain cancer patients control their seizures.

Many cancer patients also switch to a diet high in fruit and vegetables in the belief it can help them fight the disease.

DailyMail on Facebook

The father-of-two, from the Wirral, Merseyside, underwent a nine-hour brain operation to remove as much of the tumour as possible

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page

41

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Siasia shuns contract renewal, fires at NFF, NOC, sports ministry

Nigeria’s Men’s Football Team

S

amson Siasia, who coached Nigeria’s men’s football team to a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, is quitting the game in his country because of what he describes as “a disrespectful system”.

Siasia, the most decorated African football coach at the Olympics having also won a silver medal in Beijing in 2008, claims to have gone unpaid for five months by his employers – the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

He says he has quit football in Nigeria after “a turbulent and incredible campaign in Brazil.”

“I have reached that point where I have to say I have had enough,” Siasia, whose contract expires at the end of the Olympics, told BBC Sport.

“I’ve gone several months without getting paid, years of being derided and disrespected by the sports authorities in Nigeria but I am done already.

“It’s sad that after all we went through to get to

Brazil and end up winning a bronze medal, the players, coaching and backroom staff never received a ‘thank you’ in appreciation despite a turbulent time at the Olympics” Siasia added.

Before arriving in Rio, Nigeria’s ‘Dream Team VI’ were held up in Atlanta, USA, because of a problem with the payment for their flight, and they only landed in Brazil just hours before their opening 5-4 win over Japan.

Nigeria also had a troubled build-up to their quarterfinal against Denmark after the players boycotted a training session in a dispute over pay.

Amid all the problems that blighted their campaign, the team showed courage under adversity to clinch the country’s only medal at the Rio games.

“First we had the minister deride us for camping in Atlanta and even denied our existence as a group before the flight problems,” recalled Siasia.

“Players had to embark on a strike to be heard, then the boys kept a good spirit to win an incredible medal, only to be publicly criticized for speaking to the Japanese surgeon who supported and rewarded the team for their brave spirit.

“I’ve taken a deep look at everything and concluded that things need to change for us to progress as a country not just in football but our general lives.

“I have fulfilled my obligations as a citizen, footballer and coach; right now I do not want to be involved in the Nigerian football system anymore,” said Siasia.

Nigeria, the 1996 Olympic football champions, are now the most successful African country in Olympic men’s football, and the first African country to complete an Olympic medal sweep having won a silver medal in Beijing in 2008.

Super Eagles open camp Sterling seals win as Man City to beat West Ham for Tanzania today >>Pg 42

>>Pg 43

PAGE 42

Sport

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Siasia must explain to Nigerians Japanese surgeon money- Kingsley A

n Abuja based sports consultant Dr Ben Kingsley has charged Coach Samson Siasia to explain where is the 200 thousand dollars that was given to his team by a Japanese surgeon in Brazil.

This according to the vastly travelled sports consultant is very imperative following news making around that Siasia has resigned his appointment as the coach of the Nigeria Olympic tea m.

Dr Kingsley said he does not have any problem with Siasia resigning but Nigerians want to know how far with the money that was given and signed in his name by the so called Japanese philanthropist.

“I strongly believe and know that there is more to that money given by that Japanese and now that am hearing Siasia has resigned he must explain to us where is that money given to him,” Kingsley stressed.

Coach Samson Siasia

FC Ifeanyiubah overcomes league leaders Wikki Tourists

I

vorian import Pascal Seka produced a superlative performance to help FC Ifeanyiubah nick their top four contests against Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Nnewi.

Seka who was a thorn in the flesh of the erstwhile table toppers provided assist for the solitary goal of the game when Jimoh Oni acrobatically volleyed home the Ivorian’s lob with twenty minutes left to play.

Going into game in Nnewi, the visitors made a whopping five changes to the team that beat MFM at home, three of those were in the back four and it can be argued that it helped the visitors who remained organized and resilient for the most of Sunday’s play.

In fact, it was the visitors that almost got an unlikely lead in the 11th minute when Idris Guda broke down the left flank but his effort from inside the box was saved by the returning Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

Seka was at the centre of every good thing that Ifeanyiubah produced in the game. The Ivorian set up in-form Chijioke Alakwe on 25 minutes but the forward miscued his effort from 12 yards.

Alakwe almost made amends with nine minutes left in the first half but his effort was denied by desperate defending from the visitors. Both centre backs Abdullahi Musa and Gidado Mohammed combined to block Alakwe’s effort and clear off the line.

The hosts went into the second half with a renewed vigour as they launch sporadic wave of attacks which resulted in four successive corner kicks at a point. Defender Olamilekan Aniyikaye had an effort comfortably saved by Nwabulu nine minutes into the second half as they continue to look for a curtain raiser.

The lone goal of the game eventually came on 70 minutes. Seka latched on to a through ball, beat the on-rushing Emeka Nwabulu with an untidy flick but was presented with a second bite of the cherry after Nura Mohammed failed to clear. The Ivorian kept his composure and lobbed Nwabulu with a cross which Jimoh Oni volled in off the post from six yards.

Super Eagles open camp for Tanzania today

N

FF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme arrived in the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday as a one-man advance party, ahead of the team’s assistant coaches.

Home boys Emmanuel Daniel, Ikechukwu Ezenwa (goalkeepers) and Jamiu Alimi (defender) are also expected in Uyo on Monday alongside a number of overseas –based professionals, including defender William Troost-Ekong and forward Odion Ighalo.

Team captain Mikel John Obi, fresh from leading the Nigeria U23 to Olympic bronze in Brazil, is expected to arrive at the team’s Le Meridien Hotel on Tuesday.

Both the Super Eagles and Taifa Stars have little other than pride to battle for in Saturday’s game, as Egypt’s Pharaohs have already picked the lone

ticket from the group to Gabon.

But the Eagles and their new Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr will use the match as a rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 1 clash with Zambia in Ndola on 8th October.

The result at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Saturday will not count, but the outcome of the encounter at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola five weeks later will set the tone for the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying campaign.

Team officials confirmed yesterday that Franco-German Rohr, who keenly followed Nigeria’s campaign at the Rio 2016 Olympics and travelled to Spain to see the country’s domestic stars in a couple of friendly matches against Spanish La Liga sides, will also be in Uyo today.

Super Eagles will open camp in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State today for Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania.

Permanent secretary urges civil servants to embrace FEPSGA

T

he permanent secretary of the federal ministry of Women Affair and Social Development, Dr. Mrs Amina Mohammed has urged civil servants to embrace Federal Public Service Games (FEPSGA) sporting activities for efficient and service delivery.

Mohammed who disclosed this over the weekend during monthly walking and jogging exercise at the Abuja national stadium said civil servants with good health, mentally and physically sound will render exceptional services.

She called on civil servants across the country to make use of FEPSGA sporting activities in order to fully support the President Mohammadu Buhari change agenda that require mentally and physically sound Nigerians for the interest of all.

“I want all civil servants to embrace sporting activities organize by the Federal Public Service Games because it create avenue to interact with one another both juniors and seniors staff, doing sports activities will help civil servants to face the herculean task of the present administration.

“Sporting activities will go a long way in support the President Mohammadu Buhari change agenda, we must be alert at all times because health is wealth, “she said.

Speaking earlier, the national president of the Federal Public Service Games comrade Hassan Dahiru lauded the participants for coming out amass in spite the downpour.

He promised to work assiduously to ensure he set unprecedented record in FEPSGA added that the association has already secures Plateau state as a host state for 2016 annual games.

National Security and Civil Defence Corps emerged first in attendance, federal ministry of Women Affair won best behaved, federal ministry of Power, Housing and Works went home with best kitted while ministry of Defence took first in highest attendance.

Page 43

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Sport

Sterling seals win as Man City to beat West Ham

Fernandinho’s goal was the 15th of his Manchester City career in all competitions

M

anchester City continued their 100% start to the season with a victory over West Ham that took them to the top of the Premier League.

City scored first when Raheem Sterling finished off a superb team move and Fernandinho headed in a second from Kevin

de Bruyne’s free-kick.

West Ham pulled a goal back in the second half when Michail Antonio nodded in Arthur Masuaku’s cross.

Sterling added his second late on when he stroked home from a tight angle.

The season may be in its infancy but already the title

contenders have put down a few markers with three games gone.

Chelsea and Manchester United both secured victories on Saturday, which turned the focus on Pep Guardiola’s side before the international break, and they responded with a determined display.

Hazard back to his best, says Alan Shearer

West Ham complete Zaza loan from Juventus

W

est Ham has announced the loan signing of Juventus striker Simone Zaza on loan.

The Italy international joins on an initial season-long deal with the option of a €20 million permanent deal automatically triggered after an unspecified number of Premier League appearances.

The Hammers have embarked on a wide-ranging search for attacking reinforcements this summer, and the club intensified efforts to recruit a striker following injuries to fellow summer signing Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll.

Zaza is the Hammers’ 11th summer signing, with Slaven Bilic keen to restructure his playing squad ahead of their first season at the London Stadium.

“I want to thank everyone for welcoming me including the fans and everyone at the club. I wanted to start a new experience and I feel this is the right choice for me,” Zaza said.

“I have been fortunate

C

Ruud Gullit, who helped Chelsea win the FA Cup in 1997 as player-manager, also said Hazard had rediscovered his best form.

“This was Hazard at his best, when he’s facing players one-on-one,” the Dutch Euro 1988 winner added.

The former Fifa world player of the year suggested that the signing of defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante from Leicester has allowed Hazard to focus on attacking.

“Kante is like [former Chelsea midfielder] Claude Makelele. He’s always there when you need him,” added Gullit.

Zaza

Joao Mario to Inter Milan for record deal

P

ortugal’s international midfielder Joao Mario has joined Inter Milan from Sporting Lisbon for a record €45 million, the Lisbon club announced.

In a statement the club said on Saturday the deal was “the record figure for a transfer of a Portuguese premier division

Eden Hazard

helsea forward Eden Hazard is back playing his best football, says Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer.

The Belgian, 25, the PFA’s player of the year in 2015, scored the opening goal in the 3-0 win over Burnley and produced a superb all-round display.

“We are seeing that guy from two years ago,” former England and Newcastle striker Shearer said.

Hazard found the net on 13 occasions during the 2014-15 season as Chelsea won the title. However, he lost form during the first half of the 2015-16 season as the Blues underperformed, leading to the departure of manager Jose Mourinho.

enough to have already played at the new Stadium with a different shirt. It is a beautiful stadium and I felt the warmth of the fans and this was a big reason why I wanted to join the club.

Joao Mario

player,” exceeding previous deals for Renato Sanches, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao.

Mario, 23, an attacking midfielder, helped Portugal to win the European Championship in France in July and has been capped 18 times for his country.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

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GOD FATHER AND FAMILY CHURCH

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR DAX UZU 2.DR (MRS) ISOKEN OGBORO 3.PROFESSOR JUDE OHAERI 4.MRS CHINWE UZU 5.DR ALEXANDER OTAKPOR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE OF GOODWILL IN NIGERIA AND EVERYWHERE TO ESTABLISH RIGHT HUMAN RELATIONS BETWEEN ETHNIC GROUPS, RACES, RELIGIONS, NATIONS AND CLASSES. 2.TO ASSIST PEOPLE OF GOODWILL IN THEIR STUDIES OF NATIONAL AND WORLD PROBLEMS AND IN THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION TO THESE PROBLEMS, OF GOODWILL, CO-OPERATION AND SHARING FOR THE COMMON GOOD. 3.TO CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTING TO NATIONAL AND WORLD UNITY, STABILITY AND RIGHT HUMAN RELATIONS. 4.TO MAKE AVAILABLE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON CONSTRUCTIVE CURRENT ACTION IN THE MAIN AREAS OF HUMAN LIFE THROUGH REGULAR PUBLICATIONS ON ISSUES OF NATIONAL AND WORLD INTEREST. 5.TO AID IN ESTABLISHING GOODWILL AS THE KEYNOTE OF THE EMERGING NEW CIVILIZATION ON OUR PLANET. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ME-FURTUNE ORGANIZATION

GEMOLOGISTS AND JEWELERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADENAIKE BOSUN LANRE 2.OLADIPUPO MICHEAL ADENAIKE 3.MRS. OPEYEMI DEBORAH ADENAIKE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.LOTANNA AMINA EGWUATU 2.ADERONKE NEDD 3.ANNA MAZHOVA MOMOH

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To provide financial empowerment of rural business.

2.To help small scale business to grow.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO ACT AS JEWELERS, GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS DEALERS IN NIGERIA.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE VIABLE HELPERS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named ORGANIZATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. (MR) OLUSESAN AYODEJI MAKINDE 2.MR. WILLIAM ANDERSON COBHAM 3.MRS. YEWANDE CECILIA OYEKAN 4.BARR. (MRS) ABIMBOLA BUSHIRAH SALAMI 5.MR. OPEYEMI OLUGASA 6.DR. (MR) OLALEKAN OLALEYE 7.DR. (MRS) CHIOMA FRANCES EZOMIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To provide free medical care for the needy in the communities.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed : Bright Egualeona

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Ekpobomini Baptist Jide 2.Olajumoke Ekpo-Jide 3.Mrs. Akerele Lucy 4.Mrs. Ogidan Obuine 5.Engr. Ashamo Ayodele Linus 6.Mr. David Adegboyega 7.Mrs. Olawale Adegboyega THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the word of our Lord Jesus Christ worldwide.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

SIGNED: OMOWAYE OLUSOJI ADEREMI SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE Pillar of Grace Gospel Church This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1999.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1.

1.Prophet Ikechukwu Obasi 2. Pastor Rebecca Otache Obasi3. Barr. Joshua Esim Alobo 4. Pastor Joshua Ejechabo -

President/Founder Vice President Legal Adviser Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To empower the populace through the word of God .

3. To build vibrant and successful personalities with proven integrity and impeccable character.

4. To nurture and bodily and blissful homes as catalyst for all round success 5. Helping individuals release their purpose and destiny in life by imparting them with skills to maximise their potentials.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Page

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE BRILIANT LIGHT HOUSE CHURH

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Arewa Pastors Peace Initiative

COMMERCIAL OSTRICH FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED church HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED initiative HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO.1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Audu Ayo Joseph 2. Mrs Audu Ayo Beatrice.

3. Mrs Andrew Agnes.

4.Caroline Moko Esse.

TRUSTEES: 1. Most Revd Pinot Ogbaji- National Chairman.

2. Bishop John Richard- Deputy National Chairman.

3. Barr Danladi Ochekpe- National Secretary.

Aims To preach the gospel of jesus christ.

Aims.

To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

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

SIGNED : Barr. Evelyn Nathan.

SIGNed: Secretary.

PUBLIC NOTICE Commonwealth Society of Nigeria

PUBLIC NOTICE Igala Education Foundation

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Muhammad Lawal Augie 2. Abubakar Muazu Lamido.

Aims: 1. to promote social and economic interest of its members.

2. To help and assist ostrich farmers in Nigeria 3. To inculcate in members the benefit of ostrich farming in Nigeria.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE Believers Transformation Centre

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED society HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED foundation HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Hon Engr Abdullahi Umar faruk.

2. Prince Musa Abubakar Abutu.

3. Abutu Abubakar Hashim.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku- Chairman.

2. Senator Alex Kadiri.

3. Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane.

4. Achenyo Idachaba. 5. Ileanwa Idachaba.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. owoicho emmanuel sunday ejeh 2. owoicho happiness emmanuel 3. godwin emmanuel asuquo, 4. AMANDA EJIMOFOR

Aim To provide general support for the education of all igala.

The Aim and Objective: 1 To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all nations of the world.

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

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

SIGNED: Secretary.

SIGNED: Barr kayode lawani

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Aims; to promote understanding, cultural values, belief and unity among commonwealth countries.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: Chukwuemeka Uchenna Esq. 08033458678.

PUBLIC NOTICE AMENDMENT OF COSTITUTION EVERGREEN G6 CLUB [ CAC/IT/NO.48579 ]

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES UNDER PART C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EBENEZER D. ADEBISI .... RETAINED 2. AYO ADENIYI ........ RETAINED 3. FASUBA TEMITOPE ....RETAINED 4. ADESOLA ADEWOLA ....RETAINED 5. OLUJOBI BAMIDELE .... RETAINED 6. GBOLAHAN AJAGUN ....RETAINED 7. BAMISE OLAKUNLE .... RETAINED AIM AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR- GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED ELIZABETH IDU AKPA ESQ

MRS PRECIOUS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS PRECIOUS NDIDI ANAETO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS PRECIOUS NDIDIAMAKA CHIDI-EKWUILO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

DR UCHEGBU

I, formerly known as DR OSAZUWA IMAYUSE GLORY now wish to be known and addressed as DR UCHEGBU IMAYUSE GLORY. All former documents remain valid.

All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

HABU

I, formerly known as ZUWAIRA ZANWA ABDULLAHI now wish to be known and addressed as HABU AHMADU. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned, FCMB,CBN and the general public should please take note.

LEND A HELPING HAND FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Kenneth Arinze Okonkwo 2. Ifeoma Faustina Ken-Okonkwo Aim To Help The Less privilege Any objection to this registration must reach the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Singed Secretary

MRS BLESSING

I, formerly known as BAWA BLESSING ANDEH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING ANDEH JOE NUKUEYE. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

IFEOMA

I, formerly known as MRS AUGUSTINE IFEOMA LOVENA. Now wish to be known and addressed as IFEOMA LOVENA CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

HAUWA

I formely known as HAUWA IBRAHIM now wish to be known and called as HAUWA IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR. ALL FORMER DECUMENTS REMAIN VALID. SKY BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED centre HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

MARAD MASSIAH FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. BAYO NANETTE OLOHITA 2. PASTOR UWABOR PRINCESS SARAH 3. PASTOR FOLORUNSHO SOLOMON ABUMERE 4. MRS AGHAYEDO FAITH OSARO 5. DR. IMONICHE ADEOYE-SUNDAY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. PHILANTHROPY Any objection to this registration must reach the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publicatiion SIGNED: SECRETARY

AZI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AGO MONICA MUSA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AZI MONICA MUSA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

HASSANA

I, formerly known as HASSANA SALLAU now wish to be known and addressed as HASSANA YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid.

All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

YERZOMYA

I, formerly known as CHRISTIANA YERZOMYA BAVUGA DANJUMA now wish to be known and addressed as YERZOMYA DANJUMA BAVUGA. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Page

USMAN

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

MRS. AISHA

This Is To Notify The General Public Of The Missing Documents, Certificate Of Occupancy Belonging to Dr. OLUSEGUN AGAGU ( DECEASED ) covering PLOT NO. 3437, located at CADASTRAL ZONE A06 WITH FILE NO. OD 10013 and PLOT NO. 715 located at CADASTRAL ZONE B06, MABUSHI respectively. If Found, Contact The Nearest Police Station Or Mr A. S. Anyebe At 08096571575 All Authorities Concerned And General Public Take Note Signed: ANYEBE A. SAMUEL ESQ for Feyisayo Agagu and Oluwasolape.

I, formerly known as AUWALU USMAN AHMED now wish to be known and addressed as USMAN AHMED. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I formely known as AISHA NASIRU UBA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AISHA ABBA LILI GABARI all former documents remain valid. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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ISAH

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS MOHAMMED L ABUBAKAR NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ISAH AHMED ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID ACCESS BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

jibrin

I formely known as jibrin garba abdullahi now wish to be known and addressed as jibrin garba aliyu all former documents remain valid. NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

abdul

I formely known as nuhu harunanow wish to be known and addressed as abdul nuhu haruna all former documents remain valid.

NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

Some Interesting Facts 24.) Mandela and 150 others were arrested on December 5, 1956 and charged with treason.

They were all acquitted in 1961.

25.) During his years of hiding, to evade arrest, Mandela adopted different forms of disguises that earned him the title of the “Black Pimpernel”.

26.) Although he started and wanted to achieve independence through non-violence approach he moved to armed struggle as a last resort.

27.) The MK guerrilla wars waged against the apartheid regime resulted in numerous civilian casualties.

28.) Mandela admitted that the ANC, in its struggle against apartheid, also violated human rights.

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Page 47

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29.) Nelson Mandela was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges in 1962.

30.) He was imprisoned for 27 years and was released in 1990, 18 years of which were spent in the Robben Island – that eventually came to be so-called “Mandela University”.

31.) In prison, Mandela never compromised his political principles and was always a source of strength for the other prisoners.

32.) Mandela was as a D-group prisoner, the lowest classification, where he was allowed one visitor and one letter (often made unreadable by the prison censors) every six months.

33.) Mandela was offered his freedom in 1985 by President Botha but turned it down and released a statement saying “What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned?

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.”

34.) It was President De Klerk who announced Mandela’s release in February 1990. This historic event was broadcast live all over the world.

35.) He was the very first South African president to be elected in a fully democratic election.

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The battle between the squirrels for the cone. A pair of squirrels jump and tussle.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

QUOTABLE QUOTE “We have so far reunited 23 families from North Eastern Nigeria after they were separated and lost contact due to Boko Haram conflict”.

MONday, AUGUST 29, 2016

SPORTS latest

How Japanese Surgeon money tear NFF, Siasia apart

F

ollowing Samson Siasia announcement that he is quitting his post as coach of the Nigeria U23s that won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics, press gathered that the cash donation made to his team by a Japanese surgeon was the genesis of his issues with his employers.

Billionaire Japanese surgeon Katsuya Takasu, gave the Nigerian team a total of $390,000 (N78.8m) for their bronze medal feat at the Rio Olympics, after falling in love with the team after their 5-4 victory over his country despite their late arrival in Brazil.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who are presently cash strapped tried to hijack the donation meant for the players, coaches and backroom staff of the team, insisting it belongs to the federation.

Siasia resisted their orders to remit the money, much with the support of his captain Mikel who also told the NFF that any attempt to temper with the cash gift will lead to a boycott of the bronze medal game against Honduras.

The NFF at that point got angry and threatened to deal with the coach, which they started by firstly collecting the official car given to him from his wife even shortly before the bronze medal match against Honduras.

They also abandoned the team upon arrival in Nigeria with only the NFF president addressing the boys, and even at that Amaju Pinnick made no mention of the backlog of bonuses the players are owed.

On his part, the coach of the team has also not been paid for several months, and his resignation could be the start of a legal battle between him and the football house over his entitlements.

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. . . putting the people first

— Red Cross

Nigeria new oil fields and economic recovery

T

he oil hub of Nigeria, presently concentrated in the Niger Delta, is constantly faced with unrest and militancy.

This is a major economic region for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and a major source of foreign income.

Because the region has been dogged by unrest and disruption from militants seemingly demanding for a fairer share of revenue, the entire economy has been subjected to both this internal unrest and global fluctuations in the price of the oil commodities. In addition to unrest in the region there are frequent reports of pipeline attacks and unknown number of illegal refining, called locally as bunkering, which have made recorded output far below what OPEC ‘ s allocation to Nigeria. Therefore the hope of Nigeria’s continuous reliance on oil revenue for its economy, especially from the Niger Delta region’s crude earnings, has been depleted drastically by this domestic untest, the slump in global prices and the discovery of new technologies in energy productions. The future of the hirtherto black gold economy, and where OPEC used to be dominant, remains fluid, uncertain and demanding new economic models for countries like Nigeria Following this incessant Niger Delta unrest various economic sectors have been looking for other options including new oil fields and economic diversification. There are reports of the availability of several oil fields in Nigeria notably in Lagos, Sokoto, around Lake Chad, amongst others. Development and production are at different levels in these new fields, some only at exploratory stage, or at refinery building stage, others at actual production stage. In fact it is no longer speculation in Lagos oil field where Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Co Ltd is at work. Similarly the Northern Nigeria Development Company, NNDC, is at an advance stage in her effort to join the oil production states in Nigeria through their efforts in Lake Chad areas. By the first quarter of 2017 it is hoped that significant productions may be recorded in some of these new fields.

The real argument is not more of new oil fields, because of regional agitators, but rather fashioning a new and a robust economic model to head off regional agitation and provide jobs for our youths in a healthy and competitive economic climate. Nigeria may need new oil

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

Monday Column

By Prof R. A.outcome.

Ipinyomi Pleasing

fields but not because of reasons other than economic empowerment of each region in a united Nigeria.

Unfortunately the 16 years of PDP was probably spent sharing national wealth and pleasing godfathers and godmothers’ appetites. They were never probably concerned about a possible raining day. Nevertheless the past can be put to rest by a proper National Probe and Punishment Board, while the nation moves on. Already, the APC government of President Buhari can also be accused of not doing enough to improve the economic environment because after 15 months in office. For example, the biggest index of economic recovery, unemployment, is still running high. Famine and cash scarcity are being predicted to happen by December 2016. The blame of how we get here is in several folds; the non – unified effort of the three arms of government on a particular focus, the inability of government to identify which essential area(s) of the economy to bail out instead of doling huge amount of money to failed states, the ministers who are attempting to please President Buhari not to see them as corrupt instead of taking decisions that could assist the economy and it’s people.

We need to state here that Ministers only need to carry President Buhari along by convincing him thoroughly; that is the Buhari we knew in 1984.

His ministers are independent but they need to carry him along. Our President is pricipled but people and programme oriented. He is failure shy too; whereas life is risk taking with failure a possible

Nigerians is pleasing Buhari, hence ministers and advisers should take informed decisions for the people rather than godfather’s opinion in their daily pursuit. Perhaps it is time to ask godfathers to unmask and be people oriented.

It was encouraging when the rice production programme was lunched in Kebbi State at the onset of the administration of president Buhari with the backing of Nigeria Central Bank. We had expected a similar programme replicated in other regions and other economic sectors. We could have programmes for cassava, palm oil, cash crops, cotton and fabric industries, mining etc. The money already given out to failed states could have been sufficient. It should be iterated that the states got to where they are for their on private agenda, possibly corruption and wrong priorities of governors. They should be allowed to swim the ocean on their own or be drowned.

A more glaring problem besetting the APC administration is not just our suspecting unpreparedness to govern but a gross lack of unified approach to rule by the three arms. In this we would like to fault Mr President again for claiming to “belong to no party but belong to every party”. He belongs to APC and was elected by APC. Hence it was either that he got his own choices to lead the houses or he calls in the choices of the houses and securing their unalloyed cooperation. Once you are in politics you are in it, and if you want to be an Imam or a Pastor, be one. It is not

The ministerial team select by Mr President is brilliant on the surface but heterogeneous on in – depth analysis. They were simply contributors to either Buhari’s or APC emergency, whereas the nation needs focused and problem solvers, not ego seekers

too late to call the leadership of APC in the national assembly to order for national service. It is not also too late or too dangerous to ask the “government within a government” to do some restraints for the sake of the nation. Our thesis is that should APC, PDP, and others decide to cooperate the Nigeria economy will grow much faster. All hands need to be on the deck, and campaigning for 2019 should wait till we get there.

The ministerial team select

by Mr President is brilliant on the surface but heterogeneous on in – depth analysis. They were simply contributors to either Buhari’s or APC emergency, whereas the nation needs focused and problem solvers, not ego seekers. The team is brilliantly selected because in truth most of them are success stories as individuals. If the nation has great expectations from the administration it is simply because of the Buhari’s myth rather than his ministers, each of who also qualifies to be president. It shouldn’t be so.

We should like APC either because of its president, or its appointees, or both.

Therefore the newly found oil fields may assist in reducing agitation but it will only lead to more global slum. If anyone has any connection with the Niger Delta agitators they should be advised to fight for regional consolidation auprove. States should not be forced to move at same speed by dragging some down or forcing others to overspeed.

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi is of the University of Ilorin

DAN GAYE Journalists escape lynching in Zamfara -News

Where is press freedom?

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