Monday, January 30, 2017 Edition by Peoples Media Limited

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Monday, January 30, 2017/ Jamada Awwal 1, 1438 AH

1022 Days after The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

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$1.2bn Kano Kaduna railway coming - FG pAGE 6

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Vol. 25 No. 30 N150

APC cautions NW govs against disunity

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Buhari speaks from London...

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Am hale, hearty, will return to work soon SE govs support President for 2nd term - Okorocha â&#x20AC;˘ Vacationing President Muhammadu Buhari with His Wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, during the First Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the President, yesterday in London.

Fire guts NNPC depot in Suleja pAGE 9

Nigeria signs AU convention for peace in Africa pAGE 3

Poly lecturers begin warning strike today

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 111 Op.Ed 13 Letters 14 Politics 15-18 Business

19-22

Stockwatch

S/Report 24-25 Property 27 Motoring 28 Arts 30

Curbing the menace of exam malpractice Pgae 4

Metro

Int’l 39 S/World

Digest 40 Sports 41 Columnist 48

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Engineers blame 80 percent of collapsed buildings on quacks From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

embers of the Nigeria Society of Engineers have decried the increase in building collapse across the country attributing it to the actions of quacks who pose as professionals. A member of the association, Engineer Oginni Muraina Alade who is also a consultant, stated this at the weekend in Kaduna while presenting a paper on the alarming rate of building collapse in Nigeria. He said the persons pose as contractors and cut corners to get the jobs which are sensitive and should be handled by professional engineers who are trained to construct buildings.

He identified other factors responsible for building collapse in the country to include, poor workmanship, use of substandard building materials, illegal alterations of design and faulty construction methodology among others. “It is disheartening to state that quacks and non professionals are “evil collaborators” with the cooperation of “some ignorant and arrogant” client in seek of cheap labour, have taken up the services of Architects and engineers in the building industry. Hence resulting to erection of buildings susceptible to collapse. “It is disheartening to see that even professionals E.g Quantity Supervisors, Estate managers, Business managers, Land surveyors

and even Architects present themselves to clients as Engineers hence the responsibility to ensure serious structural work in some cases (for multi-rise structures) are place in the “wrong hands”. Inter-professional interaction can help by campaign or better place enacting punishment to confirmed defaulters. “Any client or project owner confirm to have defaulted by engaging non professionals or found to have refused to adhere to approved design specifications should be charged for non compliance or stiff penalty meted on such client as this will serve as deterrent to others. “All development control agencies of Federal Development Control Agencies, State Development

•Vice Chairman, Presidential Committee on the North East, Alhaji Tijjani Tumsa (r) condoling one of the victims of the recent accidental bombing at Rann in Borno, at the Specialist Hospital Maiduguri , yesterday during a visit to Maiduguri . Photo: NAN

Control Agencies, Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, Nigeria Institute of Builders, NIOB, Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, NBBRI, Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG and Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON should be more empowered by stiffened legislative backing to not only close a site confirmed to have defaulted in carrying out standard building practices, but be empowered to prosecute or raise alarm to the appropriate bodies, prosecution of defaulting client or professionals. “The regulatory bodies will only succeed when the key implementation tools, the supervising and monitoring team, professional stand the grounds to ensure that all building constructions are in accordance with the laid down bye laws and procedures,” Engr Alade said. Another fellow, Engr. Ganiyu Mustapha on his part faulted the non existence of legislation to check building constructions saying “No law exacted to build. People build without approvals. They build foundations and go as far as six floors without approval. “In advanced country, you get your foundation approved before continuing with building,” Engr Mustapha said. Earlier, Engr. Isa Emoabino said 80% of the building collapse experienced in Nigeria was as a result of quacks.

Nigeria, Chad seek $50bn to recharge shrinking Lake Chad

igeria and Republic of Chad have called on the African Union, AU, and international donors to assist in raising $50 billion dollars for recharging of drying Lake Chad. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the two countries made the call at the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) alongside of the ongoing 28th AU Summit. He said there was also an agreement by the two countries to have a formal international donor conference on recharging the lake, as well as having a direct engagement with possible sponsors. The minister explained that the

APRM consisting 33 countries was a self-monitoring policy through peer review mechanism to ensure social, economic and political development among member states. Mr. Onyeama said the peer review mechanism was a process where the member states submit themselves to review each other, where Nigeria had peer reviewed Republic of Chad. He said that the two issues that came up on the Chad review were the impact of Boko Haram and shrinking of the Lake which affected about 30 million people around the lake basin. “We recognised the role that Chad has been playing in the framework of the International Joint Task Force and we pointed out the impact of the Boko Haram on the task force. “On the question of Chad, we

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pointed out that the Lake had shrunk to about 10 per cent and has had catastrophic effect on the people living in that area. “And the challenge is how to address such situation, I pointed out that what Nigeria is looking at in that context is the possibility of recharging the lake from a river from Central Africa, the Rangin River,” he said. He said that Nigeria had already paid about $5 million towards a study on recharging the lake. Mr. Onyeama added that it was going to cost about $15 million or more to do a comprehensive feasibility study on recharging of Lake Chad. “The cost of recharging is in the neighbourhood of $15 billion to 20

OUR PEOPLE Chairman Malam Wada Maida, OON, Fnge Chief Operating Officer Ali M. Ali Editor, Daily Hameed M. Bello Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

billion. I pointed out that we are looking at the possibility of organising international donor conference to look for fund to addressing this issue. “The environmental impact and the negative aspect. The President of Chad, Idriss Deby, followed up with us also elaborated on the issue, calling on the world to assist us in addressing the Lake Chad issue. “Because there is ecological issue, there is environmental issue, social and of course we have seen that we can also have illegal migration of the youth and also war within the area.’’ He said that after the discussion, it was agreed that to have a formal international donor conference “and that is why we were really engage directly with possible sponsors”. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News

Ag News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Nigeria signs AU convention on cross border cooperation

igeria on Sunday signed the African Union Convention on Cross Border Corporation as part of the side line events at the ongoing 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. The Niamey Convention, which was adopted in 2014, is to promote Cross Border Corporation at local, sub-regional and regional levels with the aim of ensuring peaceful resolution of border disputes. It is also to ensure efficient and effective border management.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfery Oyeama, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, said the action was a demonstration of the country’s commitment to ensure peace on the continent. “We do so by signing this agreement to join the list of countries that have appended their signatures to the convention. “Hopefully we believe that as we appended our signature, the convention would soon come into force within shortest period as possible and all these in the

interest of member states. “On the part of the Nigeria Government, I will like to assure that we will do everything possible on our side to abide by the rule of this convention,” he said. He noted with satisfaction that the convention would help member states settle boundary disputes. He expressed belief that this would be done with manner of fraternity and without any recourse to force. “This occasion also marks another milestone in our efforts to

reinforce, strengthen and support the African Union to move towards peace. “As we say, once we stand united Africa can achieve anything and when we are divided this is every chance that we will fall and will fail so we will continue as a country to work for the progress of peace and stability on the African continent,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Nigeria is the 11th country to sign the convention, which has been ratified by two countries so far.

In another development, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Ibrahim, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s election as the Chairperson of AU Peace and Security Commission would be successful. The event is scheduled to hold on January 30. She said the country had done its homework effectively in that regard. The minister expressed satisfaction with the deliberations so far held at the summit. (NAN)

S/Kaduna: Apostle Suleman seeks FG’s help over alleged herders’ inducement

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

eneral Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has asked the Federal Government to compel Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to produce Fulani herdsmen to whom money was paid so as to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that Christians are not the target of President Buhari’s administration. Apostle Suleman’s statement came ahead of the invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS) to report at their office in Abuja on Monday, for reportedly asking members of his church to defend themselves if the Fulani herdsmen attacked them. The cleric in a statement by his Communications Adviser Pharank Shaibu in Abuja, said failure to compel El-Rufai to produce the herdsmen who purportedly collected money from the Kaduna State Government is an indication of the insincerity of the Buhari administration. “The Governor of Kaduna State confessed that he paid money to some Fulani herdsmen as compensation to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna. That means he knows those who have committed atrocities against Christians. He must be made to produce them to answer to charges of murder and other crimes”, he declared. “El-Rufai can be safely regarded

as an apologist of the herdsmen, and with a fact. On July 12, 2012, he tweeted the following: “We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.” The governor’s response to the killings in Southern Kaduna has been consistent with this mindset. In a recent chat with newsmen in Kaduna, the governor made different remarks to

substantiate his love the herdsmen and their activities. “First, he said when he became governor, he traced the attackers to Cameroon, Chad, and Niger and sent a message to them that one of their own, a Fulani like them, was now governor. This comment displays a dramatically bigoted mindset. A governor of a state in Nigeria was making appeals based on ethnic kinship and brotherhood

to a group of foreign killers of people in his state! In other words, he was appeasing his murderous foreign kinsmen at the expense of indigenes of his state who are not his ethnic kinsmen but whose safety and interests he swore to defend. The governor shocking statement indicates that ethnic solidarity trumped his constitutional obligations to protect Southern Kaduna citizens from the external

threats of foreign Fulani herdsmen” But the General Overseer, through his communications adviser said the Federal Government would be engaging in double standards by asking the DSS to invite him while allowing ElRufai to move about scot free, while adding that the fact that the latter has immunity does not preclude him from investigation.

• Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, (right) with Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, (left), during the laying foundation of 4.128-Capacity Shopping Mall for Small Scale Textile Traders, at Kwari Market, recently in Kano.

Improved FCT traffic control excites media group By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Media Network Against Corruption has commended the Acting Director of Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Wadata Bodinga for stabilizing the traffic situation in the territory. In a statement released in Abuja yesterday by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the group noted that their action was induced by the giant strides recorded by Mr. Bodinga within a short period of time. The statement stated that “The

role of government in every civilized society is the regulation of the activities of the people without which that society becomes a jungle. The

Directorate of Road Traffic Services is saddled with the responsibility of regulating road traffic service in Abuja and with the upsurge in the

population of the FCT, so has the need to enhance service and safety in road traffic management in federal capital territory increased”.

It praised Bodinga for improving the traffic situation in the FCT by making the roads conducive for both human and vehicular traffic..

Borno accidental bombing: Presidential C’ttee settles victims bill

he Presidential Committee on the North East on Sunday announced its decision to settle the medical bill of victims of the recent Air Force accidental bombing in Borno. Over 200 people were buried after the accidental bombing of the Rann camp for internally displaced persons,

IDPs, by a Nigerian jet targeting suspected Boko Haram members. Tijjani Tumsa, the Executive Vice Chairman of the committee who disclosed this when he visited the victims on admission at the Specialists’ Hospital, Maiduguri, pledged N20 million to the hospital to cover the medical expenses.

Mr. Tumsa said that the committee would also give N10,000 to each of the victims on admission to take care of their personal needs. “We have come here to commiserate with the victims and their families and see what we can do to help them. “On behalf of our chairman,

retired General Theophilus Danjuma, we are pledging complete payment of their medical bills. “We are going to pay N20 million to the Specialist Hospital to cover the cost of their treatment. “This is to ensure that none of the victims pays for any treatment or medication,” he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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Curbing the menace of exam malpractice T By Ochiaka Ugwu

he truth remains that the quest to be educated in Nigeria has literally taken a new dimension. This is due to the fact that acquiring certificates has become the in thing as it qualifies one to any position it aspires to attain within the society. Some acquire it if not for anything, ego strip. That is why it is common to see one addressing himself as Professor, Doctor so, so. This best explains why people are just stoping at nothing to acquire degrees without due regard to it foundation. Our children are studying today, but not learning given the fact that quest to pass anyhow is the order of the day. Stories abound on how parents and relatives try to give external help to their wards in an exam situation. The strong desire by parents that suppose to be model of ideas in directing their children to the right parts in life to descend so low by passing cheat sheets to their children have left authorities in despair and society in confusion. Irrespective of the stringent provisions of the law, examination malpractice has continued unabated. According to the immediate former, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Mike Omeri, “Nigeria currently occupies the number one position in the world’s examination malpractice index. Unhappy Omeri said that examination malpractice has been elevated to the level of organised crime in Nigeria that must be halted from spreading. The exam fraud incident has been reported many times. But the most recent was the outcry by the Head of Nigeria Council; West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Charles Eguridu that Nigeria has the highest number of examination irregularities among the five member countries of the West African Examinations Council. Eguridu while speaking at a Road Show on Examination Malpractices Sensitization held in Abuja recently noted that WAEC has not introduced stricter measures and the use of advanced technology in its bid to curb malpractice in the country. He warned candidates and schools that engage in organised examination malpractice of dire consequences including prosecution Even before Eguridu’s revelation, examples of cheating incidents are not hard to find in our clime. But, even compared to previous events, this seems to be unprecedented in its openness. But the fact is that children won’t learn if they’re constantly helped by family members. WAEC, JAMB and other examination boards can only hold fair examinations with the help of the parents, society and the candidates. Curbing examination malpractice in this part of the world is a collective responsibility. In a developing economy like Nigeria, education has suddenly become a precious commodity. Over reliance on paper qualifications did not help matters either. With more than 160 million people, proper schooling could hold the key for much of the population to get out of a vicious cycle of poverty. This is compounded by

the fact that certificate is the yardstick for promotion and placement in jobs both private and public jobs. The shortcomings in Nigeria’s education system are well known and documented. The country has a low literacy rate when compared with developed countries like United States. Women are at the receiving end of this mismatch. They suffer particularly badly here; only few have formal education. In 2005, the then Nigerian leader, President Olusegun Obasanjo launched a nationwide campaign urging parents to send their children, especially daughters, to school and properly educate them. According to research, Nigeria has the largest youth population in the black world, with more than a quarter of citizens aged between 10 and 24. This issue is further fueled by the fact that some teachers who are to tame the monster are allowing it to fester. I went to a certain public secondary school where teachers were writing for student in one of the external exams. When I confronted the principle on why he should allow this anomaly to happen in his school unchallenged, he told me that the issue is beyond him as he will not

“

be able to stomach the backlash that will visit his refusal both from colleague staff and the students as well. He helplessly stated that many teachers and officials of the State Education Department were neck deep in the conspiracy to engage in exam fraud. He maintained that many of the teachers seem to be unaware of the stringent norms prescribed against exam malpractices, saying that most of them just see it ordinarily as helping the student and nothing more than that. This reality calls for the need to organize a high level sensitization and awareness by government and stakeholders alike, for the teachers and officials of the Education Department on the evils and prevention of exam malpractices. Our lawmakers without hesitation should step up to enact a workable law different from the previous one that will prescribe a certain jail term for people committing exam fraud. The bill when passed into law should call for punishment up to three years imprisonment and fine up to N500, 000 for exam malpractices. Accepted that examination malpractice is undoubtedly a cankerworm in the educational system of Nigeria, it

In a developing economy like Nigeria, education has suddenly become a precious commodity. Over reliance on paper qualifications did not help matters either. With more than 160 million people, proper schooling could hold the key for much of the population to get out of a vicious cycle of poverty.

also happen everywhere in the world irrespective of their kinds or nature. This is because students, teachers and the examination body are reluctant to change their minds and attitudes towards examinations. I cannot lie that we are all culprits to this menace called examination malpractice in the way we approach educational issues. Also, the thriving nature and the mitigation of examination malpractice largely depend on the students, teachers and parents as well. The reason being that candidates of the examinations no matter where they are coming from are children of someone who should always dissuade him or her from engaging on the fraud, it calls for caution. However, the teachers and the examination bodies are also to blame for this educational problem. Again, the students have suddenly become lazy and do not undertake quality learning to ensure they write their examinations on their own to pass well. The teachers too do not fully empower the students to face examinations and pass well. And the examination bodies like WAEC and NECO have corrupt officials who cause the leakage of question papers. I therefore propose that the students should strive to do comprehensive and in-depth learning at all times. For some subjects would seem too difficult to pass and pass well until you master them. Many have followed that part and it worked well for them. They end up passing in flying colours. Also, the teachers should fully empower the students towards examinations. And the corrupt officials at the examination body should do us a great favour by shunning the leakage of question papers. This will give every participant the level playing ground to operate.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News

Buhari speaks from London... I’m hale, hearty, will return to work soon By Ese Awhotu with agency report

ollowing widespread speculations regarding his health, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday broke silence saying that he was hale and hearty and would return to his duty post at the end of his 10 days vacation. This is even as the Federal Government yesterday released photographs of the president with his wife in United Kingdom while on vacation. The photographs showing Buhari and his wife came after an earlier one released on Friday showing Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and some persons with the President. The two photographs were released by the Special Assistant to the President’s Wife on Media, Adebisi Olumide-Ajayi. The photographs showed the president and his wife standing in one, while they were sitting down in the second photograph. Buhari wore a brown pair of trousers, a sweater and a white skull cap in the pictures. The President was reported to have dismissed speculations about his death and ill health during different meetings he had with well wishers who paid him visits in London. An exclusive report by Newspot said that a close friend of the Buhari’s family who is also in London, disclosed that the President has been reluctant in granting interviews on his condition because such would amount to setting up chains of needless reactions, since according to him, a doubting Thomas will always raise petty issues. The President, he said, had taken speculations on his health conditions with philosophical calmness, regarding all as part of the burdens attached to being President. The source said critics and peddlers of false reports about President Buhari would have their mouths sealed when after his vacation, the President returns to Nigeria hale and hearty to resume his work as scheduled.

•S/East govs support president for 2nd term-Okorocha The report recounts that past Nigerian Presidents had, at different times, been reported to have died suddenly for no just reason by rumour mongers who had veiled their nefarious intents using the media. False speculations about death of past Nigerian leaders started from the days of the late first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who reacted by cursing those behind such speculations, averring that he would outlive all of them. His curse came to pass. Also, false reports and speculations had been peddled that former President Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Olusegun Obasanjo, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and now President Muhammadu Buhari had died.

Meanwhile, Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has disclosed that three South-East Governors are preparing to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and they are going to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term reelection bid. He said: “We are going to support President Muhammadu Buhari for the eight years he is going to lead the nation. “This is the time for Ndi-Igbo to come and work together. We are also going to use the Anambra election to show that APC has arrived Southeast. “The Igbo played bad politics in 2015. Today we have lost a lot. We are not anywhere because of our bad politics.” Reports said that Okorocha stated this at a meeting of all APC leaders in

the zone, which was held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) at the weekend. Those present included Ken Nnamani, Emeka Offor, Ifeanyi Araraume, George Moughalu, Tony Eze, Ebuka Onunkwo, Jombo Offor, Eze Madumere, members of the National Working Committee of the APC, as well as other prominent politicians from the zone. Okorocha revealed that the governors have been speaking with him and are set to decamp. He said: “Now that Igbo leaders are together in APC, Nigerians will hear us. “There is a vacuum of leadership in the South-East APC. I am a governor. My brothers Chris Ngige and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu are ministers.” Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who recently joined the

party was named as leader of the APC in the South-East. Okorocha added: “Hence the importance of Ken Nnamani coming at this time. I declined leadership of NdiIgbo in APC. “With Ken Nnamani, the question of who is the leader of APC in the Southeast has been answered. Ken Nnamani is the leader of APC in the South-East. “Senator Nnamani should then work with other leaders like Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Jim Nwobodo and a host of others to give Ndi-Igbo Political direction. “Those who have joined the party, or want to join, should do so to build the Party and not to cause confusion. APC is the right Party for the Igbo and the only Party that can guarantee Igbo Presidency”.

• L-R: Vice Chairman Kaduna Capital School old Student Association Dr. Abduladir Rafinafi, Governor of Kaduna state Malam Nasiru El-rufai, Emir of kano Malam Sanusi Lamidu Sanusi 11 and Professor Ango Adullahi during the 60 years anniversary of Kaduna capital school in Kaduna. Photo: Bashir Bello

APC cautions North-west govs against disunity

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on governors in the north-west zone to play the role of statesmen and provide fair leadership to all, regardless of outlook or affiliation. Inuwa Abdulkadir, the APC National Vice Chairman, Northwest zone, made the call on Sunday in Katsina at the party’s Stakeholders Consultative meeting. He said that has become imperative to achieve cohesion and unity of purpose among party supporters without which the quest for consolidation would be hampered. “There is more to gain from expanding the support base of APC as one solid progressive political movement than getting engrossed in divisive ‘crisis management’ of intraparty squabbles. “By their singular positions of political leadership, our governors have the wherewithal to cultivate the goodwill, understanding and

loyalty of all shades of affiliation in and outside the APC, to buttress their mandate and neutralise any opposition mischief. “I strongly appeal to APC leaders and supporters in the zone to put all hands on deck in this midterm session so that we can together forge ahead with higher performance ratings and indisputable record of tangible

achievement. “Once we put party interest which is comparable to national interest above any other political consideration whether as leaders or members, all causes of party crises can amicably be resolved,’’ he said. He said that the party leadership at the zonal level intends to visit all states in the region with the message

of mobilisation, consolidation and progressive transformation to revitalise their structures and promote party cohesion, solidarity and victory. In his remarks, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State stressed the need for all stakeholders to forge ahead for the success of the party. Mr. Masari said that would

assist to eradicate poverty and other problems that hampered the development of the zone. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that members of the National and State assemblies, party leaders at state levels and other stakeholders were among those who attended the meeting. (NAN)

Poly lecturers begin warning strike today

By Paul Efiong

he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has declared a one week warning striking beginning from today to press home their demands. ASUP bemoaned the Federal Government’s adamancy to the plight of polytechnic education in the country.

ASUP’s South-South/SouthEast Coordinator, Dr. Chika Ogonwa, who disclosed this to journalists in Asaba on Sunday on behalf of the national body, said its members would embark on an indefinite strike if the outstanding issues confronting body were not resolved within one week by the federal government. He said the warning strike was

targeted at redeeming Nigeria’s education sector from total collapse. Ogonwa decried over FG noncommencement of renegotiation of the ASUP/Government agreement of 2010 on the review of the Federal Polytechnics Act. Recall that the union had during its 86th meeting of the National Executive Council in August 2016 shifted the strike to January 2017

to give the current administration sufficient time to resolve the various lingering disputes with the Federal Government. He said, “Effective from today (Monday), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has lifted the ban on its deferred industrial action against the near collapse of the sector in Nigeria. The one week warning strike ends February 5th.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News Support govt programmes, NIMASA DG urges professional bodies From Lucky Lawal Lagos.

he Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has urged professional bodies in the country to support government programmes aimed at revamping the nation’s economy. This charge was given when members of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) led by its Chairman Mr. Olusegun McMedal paid a courtesy call on him at the Agency’s headquarters. Dr. Dakuku Peterside who was represented by the Executive Director Operations, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin said that at this trying times when the nation is diversifying its resources towards ensuring a virile economy, all professionals must rise up to the task by synergizing with Government in rendering professional advise where necessary. He further stressed that NIMASA as an Agency of Government is open to collaboration with professional bodies on how to reposition the Maritime industry as a major contributor to the national economy. He urged them to always help to portray a positive image of the Agency by highlighting its achievements and programmes. He said with the approval of Government, NIMASA is being restructured for effective discharge of her mandate evident by the recent redeployment exercise in the Agency. “We will empower our Zones in order to allow Stakeholders carry out their activities instead of coming to the headquarters. This is to fast track Government business to meet the yearnings of the public for better service delivery”, the DG assured. The Dakuku Peterside led Management recently commenced a restructuring exercise to refocus the Agency towards achieving its core mandate which amongst others is the provision of enabling environment for safe and secure shipping.

$1.2bn Kano-Kaduna railway coming -FG From Edwin Olufu Kano

resident Muhammadu Buhari has approved the construction of the new Kano – Kaduna railway at the cost of $1.2 billion, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi has announced. Already, the federal government is negotiating with China EXIM Bank and it is expected that the negotiation would end this year, to pave way for work on the project to commence. According to a statement by Salihu Tanko Yakasai DG Media & Communications, Government House Kano released to journalists over the weekend, the Minister disclosed this during a visit to Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano

state explained the rationale behind the project saying: “I think the President is doing that because the economy of Kano is also large in the country and between Kano and Lagos, we have about a total of 30 million tons of freight, and that will help in conveying some of them to Abuja, while we extend the construction to Lagos”. Mr. Ameachi further revealed that the Lagos – Kano rail (narrow gauge) would have more locomotives, before June 2017, stressing that “we are trying to bring in about 100 locomotives to move between Lagos – Kano – Funtua and Port Harcourt – Gombe”. The flurry of activities around this initiative, he noted, would greatly impact on Kano and reverberate on the national

economy. The minister then commended the government of Kano state for embarking upon the construction of several new roads and other infrastructure, despite challenging economic conditions, to such an extent that some states cannot pay salaries of workers, describing the effort of the Ganduje administration as very encouraging. He also praised Governor Ganduje, who served as Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on the recent re-run elections in Rivers state, saying his leadership has given the APC in the state the courage to confront the PDP in terms of votes and personal safety of the party members. In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who

acknowledged the importance of the rail project explained that his administration is also fine tuning moves to commence the Kano intra city light rail project. The total value of the project, entailing four routes, which will all terminate at Bata roundabout in the city, near the Kano Central business district, is the sum of $1.85 million. 85 percent of the total contract sum would be sourced from China EXIM Bank while the balance of 15 percent would be offset by Kano state government. “The rail project would save our roads and improve movement of goods and services in Kano, which is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria, and parts of West Africa”, the governor enthused.

• Representative of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam Yobe/Deputy Governor, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu (right), receiving the Executive Director, World Food Programme, Mrs. Ertharin Cousin, during her visit to Yobe state, at the Government House, recently in Damaturu,

Kebbi records outbreak of whopping cough, measles From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

ebbi State has recorded 83 whooping cough and 35 measles outbreak in Yauri Local Government Area of the State. Confirming the outbreak disease to newsmen yesterday in his office, the Sole Administrator of Yauri Local Government Council Alhaji Musa Mohammed Yauri said that the incident which

occurred in four villages under Rukubalo ward claimed no lives but affected the 118 children. He explained further that outbreak which was discovered Friday early morning when the eyes of a 6 years old girl change to green along with whooping cough and with other symptoms of the diseases and later took her to hospital for medical examination. “After confirming the

outbreak I then mobilized my health personal to the villages for further medical action which I order for the vaccine and other drugs for the curing and curtailing the disease in the area” he added. Mohammed pointed out that the villages affected are Rukubalo, Hinan biro, bha, Gungun Sarik as well as Yelwa west where 83 children from 3 to 9 years were affected with the

whooping cough and 35 people were affected with measles. He urged parents to be conscious in terms of closing of door and provide the ventilation in the room and also lack of environmental sanitation also among the causes of the outbreak. Yauri also appealed to the State Government to assist the victims, described the disease as deadly one which always affected the children once in a year.

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Why Customs seized 2 armoured helicopters imported by Rivers Govt – Wike

he two armoured Bell helicopters seized by Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and given to the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, were ordered by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, when he was at the helms in Rivers State, an official has said. His successor Nyesom Wike made this known on Saturday contradicting the claim of the NCS that the owner of the aircraft was not known. Mr. Wike made the clarification in a statement released by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu. The governor said he officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to hand over the helicopters to the Air Force. The governor said he took the step because of the high custom duties the helicopters attracted and the refusal

of the Federal Government to grant waiver on the helicopters. According to him: “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration; and when I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal Government that the helicopters were strictly for security use. “I went to the Federal Government to give me waiver for us to clear the helicopters but they refused. “Thereafter, I wrote to President Buhari to assure him that the helicopters are meant for security purpose and that it should be handed over to the Nigeria Air Force. “We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use; but to monitor the creeks and track criminals.

“In any case, where will the Rivers Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters to which the previous administration imported because it had money (at the time). “I’m surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters. “What am I going to use armoured helicopters for; what kind of country are they turning Nigeria into?” he asked. Mr. Wike said it was unfortunate that some security agencies would allegedly resort to political propaganda and outright lies when facts of the seized armoured helicopters were known. He said it was shocking that NCS would turn around to claim that it impounded the helicopters rather

than telling the truth. He claimed that the chief of staff to the president commended the Rivers government when the letter was delivered to the president. On Friday, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of NCS handed over two civil model Bell helicopters imported into the country by ‘unknown persons’ to the NAF. The Service said the aircraft were seized on November 7 2016. It explained that the aircraft were handed over to NAF because of the failure of the yet-to-beidentified importers to produce end user certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser. The Customs said the action contravened the Customs and Excise Management Act.(NAN)

• L-R: Commandant of Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Maj.Gen. John Malu; Chief of the Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, at the 2016 Army Headquarters Garrison West African Social Activities (WASA), on Saturday in Abuja

Monarch raises concern on increasing cult-related war in Delta From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

he traditional ruler of Okpanam Kingdom, Oshimile North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Michael Mbanefo has raised serious concern on the increasing cult-related war in his domain, alleging that over 441 cases are currently pending in court. The Monarch who spoke to journalists yesterday on why

Okpanam community still thrive in cult-related activities, disclosed that the situation was getting out of hand as no day passes by there will be no recorded case of cult war and alleged killing during rival war. Noting the alleged killings of farmers in the area by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the Monarch who is the Ogoani of Okpanam Kingdom, said “My community, Okpanam is seriously under siege of cultism, we have over 441 cases

in court that are related cultism, in all the cases in court, cultism takes the lead, and we cannot pretend all is well in such development.” He said that the fight against ills and societal vices in Okpanam will continue inspite of the alleged supportive efforts by some group of individuals in the community who stand benefiting on the nefarious act of the perpetrators, adding “Although, I have not seen any society where crimes have reduced

drastically without hitches, but in my reign as the Ogoani, I will not relent in fight against the vices.” The monarch also alleged that following his fight against social vices, he had incurred more enemies who see him as tyrannical ruler, disclosing that over thirty persons have been arrested in connection with cult-related activities, and are currently facing litigation in court.

S/ Kaduna: State Security Council warns against false stories, images of attacks From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

aduna State Security Council at the weekend reviewed the situation in three local government areas that are under curfew in Southern Kaduna as it warned that anyone spreading false stories and images of attacks is liable to be prosecuted. The council noted that the security agencies have taken actions that are preventing attacks, and stabilising the situation in Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon-Kataf local government areas. The council welcomed the efforts of the security agencies in thwarting attacks and helping to foster a growing sense of safety. However, the council also received reports of a spike in false stories of attacks and killings. “These appear tailored to promote panic within communities, create fear and provoke a spiral of reprisals and vengeance. “If any individual or community is attacked, the correct and lawful procedure is to report to traditional rulers and the police, who have the statutory duty to record the incident, investigate and ascertain its veracity and take steps to establish the identity of victim and perpetrator, amongst others,” the Council said. The security council said that everyone must reject fictitious reports and exaggeration which needlessly complicate the sober and serious efforts being exerted to advance peace and security.

Boko Haram: Yoruba monarch commends Nigeria military From:Femi Oyelola, kaduna

he Chairman ,Councils of Yoruba Traditional Chiefs and Obas in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Ambassador Mohammed Arigbabuwo has commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their recent strides against the

Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. He stated this while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday. According to him, the liberation of Sambisa Forest by the gallant troops especially the capture of Camp Zero is a welcome development that has restored peace and security in

the area. Oba Mohammed Arigbabuwo expressed dismay that the conflict in the Northeast has taken time before the Buhari government is making it a thing of the past. The Monarch however called on the citizens to cooperate with the security operatives especially in the area of information and

movement of suspicious persons. He also commended the GOC 1Division Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade for his quick response to tackled the crisis in the Southern kaduna region. The Monarch extended his sympathy to the Emir of Jama’a Isa Muhamadu Isa on the recent attacked on his convoy.

Oba Arigbabuwo called on various Religious Leaders to always preach peace and Unity rather than preaching hate among their subjects. He called on all Nigerians to pray for the success of Buhari led administration and other Governors in their various States.

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Rights Commission declares emergency on complaints By Albert Akota

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has declared emergency in the treatment of complaints bordering on human rights violations in Nigeria. Mrs. Ovrawah who stated

this during a meeting with staff of the Commission at the headquarters in Abuja noted that the geometric increase in the number of complaints now being received by the Commission and the statutory responsibility of the Commission to ensure prompt and diligent consideration of all

cases, have necessitated the recent redeployment of more staff to the Department of Protection and Investigation. She also noted that this development is due to the fact that the Commission is now more trusted by the Nigerian public and that there is need to strengthen

the existing assets and resources in the Department of Protection and Investigation so that the Commission can scale up its efforts in dealing with this upsurge in the number of received complaints. The Acting Executive Secretary declared further that, “the Commission owes the

public a statutory duty to ensure institutional integrity in the discharge of its mandate so as to retain public confidence and public legitimacy”. “She therefore urged all staff to rededicate themselves to their duties and work towards a better National Human Rights Commission.

Lai Mohammed: FG’s partnership with Lagos to revamp National Theatre By Umar Muhammad Puma

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the partnership between the Federal Government and Lagos State on the renovation of the National Theatre will breathe life into the national edifice. Speaking after an inspection tour of the National Theatre in Lagos on Saturday, ahead of the renovation to be carried out by Lagos State, the Minister described the theatre as a valuable national asset that cannot be allowed to become derelict. ‘’We are here today (Saturday) to take physical stock of what the Lagos State Government has offered to help us with - that is the rehabilitation of the National Theatre. ‘’I want to use the opportunity to express my gratitude and that of the Federal Government to the Governor, the Government and the people of Lagos state, who have graciously offered to assist to renovate the main bowl of the National Theatre, two cinema halls, the exhibition lobby and the banquet hall as part of the collaboration between the Federal Government and the State, especially as the state turns 50 this year,’’ he said. Alhaji Mohammed said ‘’with the hand of friendship that the Lagos Government has extended to us, we are very hopeful that we are going to get the main bowl, two cinema halls, the exhibition lobby and the banquet hall renovated and ready for the Lagos at 50 celebration’’. ‘’The National Theatre is an asset we can boast of, and what we need to do is to bring it back to a working condition,’’ he said. The Minister promised that after the renovation, the national edifice will not be allowed to go into a state of disrepair again. ‘’I know that the question on the lips of many people is that what happens after the renovation. But I want to assure Nigerians that it cannot be business as usual. The National Theatre now has a new management that is in tune with reality and we will simply not allow the National Theatre to

degenerate to the level we met it today,’’ he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said Lagos State will benefit massively from

the renovation of the theatre, ‘’because it is going to give the

necessary impetus to the creative industry’’.

• L-R: Head of Operations, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Anambra Command, Assistant Corps Commander Anthony Okoye, Rev Fr Charles Maduekwe, Sector Commander of the FRSC Anambra, Mr Sunday Ajayi, officiating priest, Rev Fr Basil Ucheonye and state Coordinator of FRSC Special Marshals in Anambra, Barr Ben Osaka, during the command’s thanksgiving service for the successful 2016 activities at the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Chaplaincy, on Sunday in Awka. Photo: NAN

War on terror: NERI exhibits positive photos from Borno

etermined to rebrand the North-Eastern Nigeria in a positive narrative on developments against the negatives on insurgency, the North-East Regional Initiative (NERI) has hosted the Bit of Borno Photo Exhibition by acclaimed Photographer, Fati Abubakar. Speaking at the occasion, the Manager of NERI, Albert Pam disclosed that the Bits of Borno Photo Exhibition was conceived as a platform to showcase the beauty, culture, traditions of people living in Borno State. He said that the state which was traumatized for several years has the tendency to be viewed from the angle of despair and

destruction in the media. Pam said: “The media have portrayed an image of Borno as a place of death and destruction. We are happy that a photojournalist is using her pictures through various platforms to challenge misconceptions about her hometown. Most of the pictures demonstrate the resilience of the peoples, especially women and children who are still proud to carry on their day to day activities with joy and happiness. “The beautiful pictures show the faces of cheerful children and proud mothers in unusual environment trying to live a normal life outside the negative portrayal of Borno as state of insurgency.”

Pam said: “The media have portrayed an image of Borno as a place of death and destruction. We are happy that a photojournalist is using her pictures through various platforms to challenge misconceptions about her hometown. Most of the pictures demonstrate the resilience of the peoples, especially women and children who are still proud to carry on their day to day activities with joy and happiness. “The beautiful pictures show the faces of cheerful children and proud mothers in unusual environment trying to live a normal life outside the negative portrayal of Borno as state of insurgency.”

PRNigeria reports that the exhibition which was organised by Borno State Government in collaboration with Centre for Arts and Creative Talents provided a counter narrative to the negative headlines by displaying the resilience of the people to rebuild their lives after insurgency, hence the photo exhibitions is tagged bruised, not broken. The photo Journalist, Fati Abubakar, is a visual storyteller born and raised in Maiduguri, Borno State. She developed a passion for photography and is the creator of Bits of Borno, a visual portrayal of the lives of Borno State residents after insurgency.

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• L-R” Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop John Onaiyekan; Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, Bishop Anslem Umoren; Parish Priest of Pope John Paul Papal Ground Parish, Rev. Fr. Christ Sylvanus and Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, at the Ground Breaking of Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles Papal Ground, Kubwa in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Fire guts NNPC depot in Suleja

he Niger State Fire Service has confirmed an early morning fire outbreak at the NNPC depot in Suleja. Mohammad Kwale, the officer in charge of the service in Suleja, told the News Agency of Nigeria

on Sunday that the outbreak affected the loading section in the depot. “The outbreak started around 4:30 a.m. when we were called. By 5:00 a.m. we have put out the fire. “An articulated vehicle was

burnt while the loading canopy and some pipes were damaged. No life was, however, lost in the incidence,” he told NAN. A resident of Maje, Garba Magaji, a settlement few metres away from the depot, said that

a loud explosion woke up the residents this morning, adding that they later understood it was from the depot. “The explosion was like bomb. But a colleague of mine later informed me that it was the tyre

of an articulated vehicle that bust at the loading bay. “The depot has been sealed and fire service officials and the road safety are at the scene,” another witness said. (NAN)

…Fire incident won’t affect petroleum products supply-NNPC By Etuka Sunday

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has assured motorists and other consumers of petroleum products in the Federal

Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Nassarawa states and other parts of the Country. NNPC said, the fire incident which affected a truck at the Suleja Depot at about 4am yesterday would not affect

adequate supply of petroleum products in the areas. Speaking on the incident, the Nigeria Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), Managing Director, Barrister Luke Anele, said a team of NNPC and Niger State Fire

Service officials rapidly put off the fire, affirming that no depot equipment was damaged during the inferno. The truck was burnt at the sump pit of the Suleja Depot while evacuating mixed products meant to be decanted to

the slop tank. Barrister Anele clarified that the fire incident did not affect the loading section of the depot, assuring that normal loading, bridging and dispatch of products have continued.

S/ Kaduna crisis: CAN alleges plot to Islamize northern Christians From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

he Christian Association of Nigeria {CAN} has in strong terms described the killings in southern Kaduna as calculated effort to forcefully Islamatize the entire Christians and to destroy their economic stems across the middle-belt by yet to be identified militias. This was heralded by the CAN Youth Wing Chairman of the 19 northern states including the Federal Capital Territory {FCT}, Evangelical Musa D. Misal Saturday in Gusau Zamfara state capital shortly after NEC meeting of the association lamenting that, 8,082 innocent Christians were consumed by the nasty act of unidentified gunmen in Kaduna recently. Misal further informed that, the meeting has recommended the need for the interior minister, who according to the association could not claim ignorant to such a security lapses, to gear up in ensuring the perpetrators are identified and brought to book for justice. According to him, “We also called on Kaduna state governor to treat both religious adherences with equal rights and privileges as dividend of democracy, Nigeria security should step up proactively

rather than benefitting from the check points nefarious activities are currently going on the southern Kaduna highways”. “The meeting has strongly called on the Jigawa state governor

to rebuild the demolished redeem church and lord chosen charismatic. Also the demolishing of St Stephen Anglican Church, St Dominic College and Nigeria Christian Corps Fellowship’s lodge

all in Gusau, Zamfara state,” Misal stated. He, however, expressed the association’s immediate demand for the federal government to hasten the rebuilding of all Churches being

demolished in the north-east and entire 19 states of the federation, adding that, all Christians should henceforth, resist any attempt to forcefully take away their lands, faith and values.

Islamic preacher who married 86 wives buried in Niger From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

he controversial Islamic preacher and super polygamist, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Masaba who married 86 wives and died on Saturday was buried

yesterday at Bida, his home town in Niger state at the age of 93 years. His Personal Assistant, Alhaji Mutairu Salawudeen Bello, who confirmed Masaba’s death, said that the preacher died in his residence in Bida, Niger State,

last Saturday, after a brief illness. According to him, “From Allah we come, to Him we shall all return; we announce the death of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bello Masaba this afternoon. He was aged 93, and died after a brief illness,” he stated.

He added that the preacher had a premonition of his death and prepared for it. “Baba (Masaba), told us that his time was up; he personally told me that he had completed his divine assignment and was ready to meet his creator.

Akwa Ibom gov, Emmanuel champion of education - NOUN

he National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has commended the accomplishments of Akwa Ibom state governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, in the area of education, describing him as a champion of education. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, stated this at the weekend during a brief ceremony for the relocation of the NOUN study centre to its permanent site in Uyo, the state capital. A statement by Ibrahim Sheme,

Director of Media and Publicity, said the ultra-modem site was donated recently to NOUN by the state government in order to boost the activities of the institution in the state, especially in the area of enrolment of the citizens and other residents into the university. The erstwhile Special Study Centre, located at No. 3, Mbaba Afia Street, has formally moved to the new facility at Udo Udoma Avenue in the metropolis. At the ceremony to declare the centre open for occupation by NOUN staff and students, the Registrar of

the institution, Mr. Felix Edoka, who represented the vice-chancellor, said, “The purpose of our visit today is to ask the director of the Uyo Study Centre, Dr. Angela Abaa, to move into this facility recently donated to the university by the government of Akwa Ibom state. I wish to seize this opportunity to express the gratitude of the university to the governor, His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel, for this wonderful gesture.” He revealed that the university has decided to make Uyo the operational hub of the university in the South-south

region. Also speaking on the occasion, the Director of NOUN’s Learner Support Services (LSS), Professor Stanley Ngoa, described Governor Emmanuel as a large-hearted leader who is passionate about the education of his people. Earlier, the acting director, Uyo Study Centre, Dr. Angela Abaa, expressed delight and gratitude to God and the state government for resolving the endemic accommodation challenge that had plagued the study centre for years.

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News

Emir Sanusi calls for unity, religious tolerance

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

he Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi has called for unity and religious tolerance among Nigerians especially the Muslim Ummah while emphasizing on oneness to enhanced development. Sanusi made the disclosure at the weekend in Minna after commissioning a Multi-Million

Naira Juma’at mosque built by the Muslim Ummah of Federal University of Technology, Minna as part of the activities to mark its 34th Founders Day and 26th convocation ceremony at the Main Campus, Gidan Kwanu. He urged Muslim faithful to always refered to the Holy Qur’an in their daily activities if they must carry out what would be appealing to the Creator (Allah).

The Royal father applauded the commitment of the Muslim Staff who for- fitted 2.5% of their salaries in the past three years used for the construction of the mosque and prayed God to reward them accordingly. According to him “it is sad that some people use mosque to divide people (Muslims). He therefore advised them to have fear of God in their dealings

and be rightly guided by the Holy book, hence mosque must be kept clean for Allah. The Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Professor Musbau Adewumi Akanji in his address disclosed that the edifice was built by the Muslim staff of the university from funds contributed in the last three years to the sum of N107,210,065 million.

• Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaiman H. Adamu (Middle) . His Excellency, Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Datuk Lini Juay Jin and Dr. E. A. Adanu, Executive Director National Water Resources during the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of a workshop on Inter-Regional Workshop on South-South Cooperation for Up scaling Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Ecohydrology as Tools for Achieving Water Security in Africa in Abuja

IFAD to train 3000 rice farmers in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

n a bid to boost rice production in Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, has enlisted over 3,000 Benue rice farmers for training and financial support. IFAD-VCDP State Project Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Igbaukum who disclosed this at

a one day town hall meeting for rice farmers organized by the IFAD-VCDP, Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Makurdi, said the training would focus on good agronomy practice. “Igbaukum expressed satisfaction at the success so far recorded by the programme in the state, explaining that this necessitated the enlisting of more farmers for training in order to

sustain the gains of the programme in the state. He said, “six new local government areas considered as outreach areas were selected in this batch, each will give us 500 farmers, the beneficiaries will eventually be linked to the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for funding.” “Earlier, Team Leader of the Rural Finance Institution Building

Programme, RUFIN, Mr. Adamu Ibrahim said Nigeria was bridging the shortfall in rice production by importing N1billion worth of rice daily. “Two million out of the six million metric tonnes of rice required daily in the Nigeria is imported, our farmers should take up the challenge to bridge that gap from within by fully keying into this programme”, Ibrahim said.

Saraki urges youths to harness benefits of agro finance law

By Christiana Ekpa

enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the Agriculture Finance Bill recently passed by the 8th Senate to further their engagements in agriculture business. He also expressed his happiness that youths have taken to agriculture as a means of livelihood instead of waiting endlessly for non-existing white collar jobs. The Senate President spoke when the executive committee members of the Tomatoes and Orchid Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) visited him at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. According to the Senate President, “the youths should take advantage of the recently passed Agro Finance Bill by the 8th Senate and access the benefits of agriculture on the small and medium scale financing and agro allied jobs. This bill, if properly harnessed by the youths would create jobs and ensure food security for the country and help grow the economy, especially in the time of recession in the country”. Saraki assured members of the Tomatoes and Orchid Producers of the willingness of the 8th Senate to partner and work closely with them to ensure the realisation of the added value of agriculture to the economy. The Senate President also expressed his happiness that the youths are gradually tapping into agriculture, especially through the use of high yielding seedlings and it’s benefits. Earlier, leader of the tomatoes and Orchid Producers, Oyeleke Baba Job said that members encouraged massive production of tomatoes and orchids by offering training and technical assistance to producers in the rural areas. By so doing, he said the association contributed immensely in improved and quality production of tomatoes and orchids as well as creation of jobs for the unemployed youths.

Gov. Bello condoles Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has commiserated with the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, the immediate family, relatives and entire people of the emirate over

the death of Alhaji Lawal Umar, Dan-Malikin Kontagora who died in Kaduna. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace , the Governor expressed deep pain and sadness over the loss of the elder statesman, describing him as a

‘Philanthropist extraordinaire’ whose kindness and generosity had no boundary. “The Dan-Malikin Kontagora, until his death, has remained one of the most notable, highly generous individual who has pragmatically contributed to the development of Kontagora

Emirate in particular and the state in general, we are proud of him and we will miss him, surely”. Governor Bello, while acknowledging the inevitability of death, also noted that the emirate has lost a unique personality whose lifetime was devoted to serving his creator and helping

the needy in the society. “Our sympathy goes to the immediate family and relatives, the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora and the entire people of the emirate. We pray Allah to grant his soul eternal rest and make Aljannah Firdausi his final home”.

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GOMBE STATE NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION GOMBE, GOMBE STATE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE MATTERS OF: The Deceased Persons

WHEREAS the Person/Persons whose name is set out in the First Columns hereunder died intestate on the date and at the place stated in the column. AND WHEREAS the Person/Person whose address and claimed relationship to the deceased Person/Persons is set out in the Second Columns hereunder has Applied to “High court of justice, Gombe for grant” LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION’’ of the property/ies of the said Deceased NOTICE is hereby given that “LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION’’ will be granted to such Person/Persons unless NOTICE TO PROHIBIT the grant thereof is filed in the Probate Registry High court of justice, Gombe within Twenty One (21) days from the date of publication of this Notice.

SCHEDULE

SN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Deceased Abubakar Keldima of Dadin Kowa Town, Y/Deba L.G.A., who died on 23/3/2014 at Gombe. Tela Buba of NPF Abuja, who died on 3/11/2016 at Hinna. Samuel Sunday Daniel of Gombe High School, who died on 23/6/2012 at Gombe. Mohammed Alfinti of PHC Kaltungo L.G.A., who died on 15/4/2016 at Kaltungo. Waziri Solomon of Nigerian Navy Ilori, who died on 16/10/2015 at Kogi. Waziri Solomon of Nigerian Navy Ilori, who died on 16/10/2015 at Kogi. Paul Liman of Fed. Min. of Agric. Gombe, who died on 25/10/2013 at Gombe. Lami Umar of NPF Cham, who died on 14/1/2015 at Billiri. Adamu Bello of GSADP Gombe, who died on 12/7/2016 at Gombe. Mohammed Musa of Gombe State Investment, who died on 24/9/2016 at Gombe. Buba Siddiki of Special Duties Affairs Gombe, who died on 13/10/2016 at Gombe. Alhaji Bulami of NPF Borno, who died on 14/4/2016 at Borno. Ahmadu Yahaya Idah of NPF Hadeja, who died on 18/7/2015 at Hadeja. Manu Garko of Fed. Min. Of Agric. Gombe, who died on 7/11/2016 at Gombe. Abdulhamid Aji of NSCDC Gombe, who died on 3/11/2016 at Gombe. Yidi Ali of F.C.E (T) Gombe, who died on 6/3/2015 at Gombe. Ibrahim Adamu of NSCDC Gombe, who died on 7/11/2016 at Gombe. Alhaji Muhammadu Gaini of Bajoga Quarters, Gombe, who died on 23/11/2016 at Gombe. Joseph Sabo Yaro of NPS Gombe, who died on 4/9/2016 at Gombe. Zara Yerima of MOE Gombe, who died on 25/10/2016 at Gombe. Isah Dalhatu of NCS Lagos, Who died on 3/7/2015 at Gombe. Gabriel Maiyamba of Tunfure Quarters, Gombe, who died on 24/9/2016 at Gwandum.

Probate Registry, High Court of Justice, Gombe, Gombe State.

Application For Grant Fatima Abubakar Keldima of PHC Y/Deba L.G.A., the Daughter of the said Deceased Ibrahim Buba Kulani of Dadin Kowa Town., The Son of the said Deceased Sarah Samuel of Yelanguruza Quarters, Gombe, the Mother of the said Deceased Alfinti Ngale Mohammed of ECWA Church, Kaltungo, the Son of the said Deceased Mrs. Matitiya Solomon of Pantami Quarters, Gombe, the Widow of the said Deceased Mrs. Matitiya Solomon & Joshua Solomon of Pantami Quarters, Gombe, the Widow & Son of the said Deceased Rita Paul of Jauro Kuna Quarters, Gombe, the Daughter of the said Deceased Mubarak Sulaiman of Hausawa Quarters, Billiri, the Son of the said Deceased Mohammed Adamu of Jekadafari Quarters, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Abdulmalik Mohammed of Tudun Wada Quarters, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Sadiq Abdullahi of Tudun Wada Quarters, Gombe, the Grand Son of the said Deceased Habu Danbe Zakari of the Brother of the said Deceased Muammad Jibrin of Bamusa Quarters, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Tukur Manu of Riyal Quarters, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Binta Yusuf of Admin. Dept. Billiri Local Gov’t, the Widow of the said Deceased Aishatu Rufa’i Aliyu of T/Wada Quarters, Gombe, the Grand Daughter of the said Deceased Solomon Adamu of Mallam Inna Quarters, Gombe, the Brother of the said Deceased Mu’azu Mohammed of Bajoga Quarters, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Kayinu Joseph of Popondi, Kaltungo, the Son of the said Deceased Danjuma Adamu of Kanoyel Bogo BCGA, Gombe, the Son of the said Deceased Mohammed Isah & Aishatu Isah all of Nafada Town, the Son & Daughter of the said Deceased John Gabriel Maiyamba of Gwandum town, Shangom L.G.A., the Son on the said Decesead

Dated at Gombe this 23rd January, 2017 Mohammed Auwal Haruna, Esq Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Gombe.

SAIDU 1, I formerly known as MUSA USMAN Now wish to be known as SAIDU USMAN All former documents remain valid. Authority concerned, and general public to please take note. ISHAKU Y. I formerly known as ISHAYA Y. YAYA Now wish to be known as ISHAKU Y. YAYA. All former documents remain valid. Authority concerned, and general public to please take note.

change of name

Mercy I, formerly known as Sophia Mbong Omo-Ojugo now wish to be known and addressed as Mercy Sophia Mbong Mgbe. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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Mrs EFEKOMWAN I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss ODEDE OSARIEMEN DIANA now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs EFEKOMWAN OSARIEMEN DIANABRIZ All documents, affidavits, school results and certificates whatsoever relating to me and bearing my former names remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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RECONCILIATION OF NAMES I, EFEKOMWAN UWAIGIAHANO KENNBRIZ wish to state that I am the same person known as EFEKOMWAN UWAIGIAHANO KENNETH and that I now wish to be known, called and addressed as EFEKOMWAN UWAIGIAHANO KENNBRIZ. All affidavits, school results, certificates, International Passport and documents whatsoever relating to me and bearing my former names remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

WHEREAS THE persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the dates and at the stated places. AND WHEREAS the persons whose names and addresses claim relationship(s) to the deceased are set out in the second column hereunder have applied for letters of Administration (Without Will) of the personal properties of the deceased: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that letters of Administration (Without Will) will be granted to such person(s) unless NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE grant(s) thereof is/ are filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State of Nigeria, Lafia within TWENTY ONE DAYS (21) from the date of the publication of this legal Notice.

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Deceased Mwagitdang Fwenshiwe late of Lafia Died on the 27th day of December, 2005 at Lafia. Auta Mada late of Akwanga Died on the 7th day of November, 2016 at Lafia Kitka Datau Late of Lafia Died on the 18th day of May, 2005 at Lafia Lahu Tela late of Ugah Died on the 12th day of December, 2014 at Lafia Mohammed Ahmed Sarki late of Abuja Died on the 24th day of April, 2011 at Abuja. Silas Ombugu late of B.A.D Died on the 12th day of February, 2014 at Lafia Abdullahi Nuhu late of Abuja Died on the 11th day of December, 2016 at Abuja Maga Danlami late of Lafia Died on the 2nd day of February, 2006 at Lafia Osu Ebbe I. John late of Mararaba Udege Died on the 14th day of December, 2014 at Mararaba Udege. Envadu Danjuma A. late of Sarkin Noma Died on the 4th day of September, 2015 at Lafia Koina Maikeffi late of Nasarawa Died on the 13th day of December, 2016 at Nasarawa. Achile Suleiman late of Mararaba Died on the 24rd day of November, 2007 at Mararaba Usman Hashim Baba late of Lafia Died on the 29th day of October, 2010 at Lafia. Makama Yahuza late of Kwandare Died on the 13th day of June, 2016 at Lafia. Ibrahim Ismaila late of Doma Died on the 23th day of March, 2016 at Doma GAmbo Abu late of Nassarawa Eggon Died on the 30th day of October, 2016 at Nassrawa Eggon. Onuminya A. Danjuma late of Agbashi Died on the 6th day of August, 2015 at Lafia. Caleb G. Anduwish late of Wamba Died on the 4th day of December, 2016 at Wamba. Mumuni Ibrahim late of Keffi Died on the 3rd day of April, 2015 at Keffi Liam Lucy late of Ombi I Lafia Died on the 15st day of December, 2016 at Lafia. Mr. Danlami Amos Agbo of Lafia Died on the 17th day of August, 2016 at Keffi Gwamna Mercy Usman late of Keffi Died on the 27th day of November, 2016 at Keffi Ochechema Andrew late of Lafia Died on the 20th day of August, 2006 at Asaba. Abubakar Zainab late of Keffi Died on the 23rd day of December, 2016 at Keffi Haladu Danlami late of Keffi Died on the 20th day of May, 2016 at Keffi. Obetta Innocent Thomas late of Garaku Died on the 5th day of February, 2016 at Garaku. Godwin Emmanuel late of Toto Died on the 5th day of September, 2016 at Lagos Uwauave Daniel Ihongo late of Kaddarko Died on the 14th day of May, 2016 at Kadarko Hassan Bala Nagora late of Doma Died on the 1st day of April, 2016 at Abuja. Muhammad Nuru Ahmed late of Toto Died on the 4th day of November, 2016 at Toto. Atanda Moses late of Nasarawa Died on the 1st day of January, 2017 at Nasarawa. Daudu Yusuf Victoria late of Lafia Died on the 14th day of October, 2016 at Jos. Dogon Yaro Usman late of Gadabuke Died on the 20nd day of April , 2014 at Toto Moses Adaoboyi late of Doma Died on the 1st day of June, 2009 at Obi Dennis T. Ingbiar late of Doka Died on the 3rd day of October, 2016 at Kwara Jerome K. Amos late of Tanga Panda Died on the 19th day of March, 2001 at Kafanchan Rikici Kuje late of Ruttu Died on the 9th day of October , 2015 at Doma Zainab Musa late of Obi Died on the 23nd day of August, 2015 at Lafia. Silas Adanu late of Lafia Died on the 30th day of April, 2016 at Lafia Echuku Baba late Akwanga Died on the 29th day of November, 2016 at Akwanga Audu Bala late of Lafia Died on the 21th day of May, 2016 at Lafia Ibrahim Tukura Tajibe late of Abuja Died on the 5th day of November, 2016 at Abuja Magaji Danladi late of Agwatashi Died on the 15th day of August, 2016 at Agwatashi Haruna Ahmed Tanko late of Nasarawa Died on the 6th day of July, 2013 at Nasarawa Musa Safiya Agabi late of Doma Died on the 22th day of January, 2006 at Doma Musa Adamu late of Nunku Died on the 3rd day of March, 2016 at Akwanga SGT Gideon Fadah Shabayan late of Akwanga Died on the 7th day of May, 2014 at Alakio Abinku Adamu late of Lafia Died on the 10th day of October, 2015 at Lafia Dauda Ozigi late of Akwanga Died on the 21th day of February, 2016 at Akwanga

Applicant Rebecca Fwenshiwe of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Habila Auta of Abuja, the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Esther Kitka of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Tina Lahu of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said Deceased. Umar Mohammed of Abuja the lawful Brother of the said Deceased. Kuje Silas of B.AD Lafia the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Hauwa Abdullahi of Nassarawa the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Grace Danlami of Tudun Gwandara, Lafia the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Osu Obed John of Mararaba Udege the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Agnes Raymond Envadu of Sarkin Noma the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Moses Chulo of Gidan Zakara the Lawful Nephew of the said Deceased. Musa S. Achile of Mararaba the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Usman Hashim Usman of Lafia the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Ibrahim Yahuza Makama & isa Yahuza Makama of Lafia the lawful Sons of the said Deceased. Zainab Saidu Akabe of Doma the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Esther Jacob of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Daughter of the said Deceased. Onuminya Usman Danjuma of Agbashi the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Ladi Caleb of Wamba the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Yahaya Abdulmumuni of Keffi the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Stephen Christopher Ombi I, Lafia the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Amanu Adeshi Agade of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Ezekiel Umaru Gwamna of Keffi the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Mirabel Blessing Ochechema of Tudun Amba the lawful Daughter of the said Deceased. Hadiza Zakari of Keffi the lawful Sister of the said Deceased. Fatima Idris of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Joy Obetta of Enugu the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Martha Godwin of Toto the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. IHongo Tartor Ezekiel of Kadarko the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Hassan Bala of Doma the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed of Toto the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Moses Elijah of Nasarawa the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Samson Yusuf Daudu of Shabu the lawful Brother of the said Deceased. Musa Dogo of Gadabuke the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Peter Osoje of Doma the lawful Widow of the said Deceased.

Igye Shimsenge of Kadarko the lawful Brother of the said Deceased. Christiana Amos of Kwarabe the lawful Daughter of the said Deceased. Laoya Rikici of Ruttu the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Hassana Ibrahim of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said Deceased. Solomon Silas Adanu of Lafia the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Justina Alex of Akwanga the lawful Mother of the said Deceased. Hussaini Abubakar of Lafia the lawful Cousin of the said Deceased. Abdullahi Ibrahim Tukura of Abuja the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Dalhatu Danladi magaji of Agwatashi the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Aliyu Ahmed Tanko of Nasarawa the lawful Brother of the said Deceased. Abdulaziz Musa Agabi of Doma the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Zainab Musa Ayah, Murjanatu Musa Nunku & Abubakar Sadiq Musa all of Nunku the lawful Widows and Son of the said Deceased. Sarah Gideon of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said Deceased. Joshua Adamu of Ombi II, Lafia the lawful Son of the said Deceased. Monday Ozigi Innocent of Akwanga the lawful Brother of the said Deceased.

Signed (Sunday B. Bawa Esq) PROBATE REGISTRAR NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA, LAFIA

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Kaduna killings: Between sentiment and decisive action By Muhammad Ajah Nigerians should not comment on what they do not really have detail reports of, as this is largely responsible for the escalation of the situation. My findings so far show that everyone is talking from the position of strength. People are not talking from knowledge of what they know and this is not helping. We must be able to dump all our sentiments to overcome the challenges. Just like other cases of injustice around us, we need peace; it is only peace with justice that can solve all these crises. Genuine peace is what everyone is craving for and this can only come when there is justice,” former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, speaking on Southern Kaduna crisis. he crises that have engulfed the southern part of Kaduna state are worrisome and must be stopped to forestall the spread of ethno-religious upheaval across the country. Troubled by this ugly development and to confirm the reality on ground, I had called at least two of my friends who are from the area. Both of them gave impressive reports. Summarily, the media is blowing the happenings out of proportion. In addition, the press has not been fair to the efforts by the state and federal government to resolve the crises. Just like Boko Haram was faceless for a long time in the northeast, herdsmen alleged to be from outside Nigeria are now used to terrorize the northwest. Historically, herdsmen are believed to have entered Nigeria since the 11thcentury from Futa Toro in Senegal. These herdsmen, as Prof. Ishaq Akintola puts it, have been killing Nigerians across the country including Bauchi, Niger, Kano, Zamfara and states of the southern Nigeria. The Prof. seeks a candid answer on why Kaduna’s case is so special. The government must step up measures to guard the north-central against any attempt of terrorism. There have been claims and counter claims over the causes of the crises. The postulations made by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) are very intriguing. According to NSCIA’s Director of Administration, Ustaz Christian Isa Okonkwo, historical record has it that in 1810, Mallam Usman Yabo, the son of Sarkin Kabin Yabo, Muhammadu Mayijo lorded over the area, thereby establishing since then a contact between Islam and that part of Nigeria. This approach to Kaduna history has led to violent struggle in identity politics and the assumption among the people of the state that Southern Kaduna belongs to some people. In other words, the conflict is nothing but a virulent contest for space and place or more appropriately contestations over history and geography.

Some citizens say the area belongs to Nigeria and by extension to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious differences; others see it as belonging to a particular ethnic and religious group. It is all interwoven in ‘settler-indigene dichotomy’. He recalled the aftermath of the onslaught in 1987 in Kafanchan when a commission of inquiry led by Rivers-born Justice Karibi Whyte sentenced the troublemakers in Southern Kaduna to death resulting from misquotations of the Qur’an by one Rev. Bako. But that was never executed. The same thing happened in 1990 at Zango Kataf leading to the destruction of at least 50 Fulani settlements. The Christians, on the other hand, have claimed heavy losses of lives and property, thus every religious group claiming oppression by the other. The most recent crisis has consumed lives. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced that 204 people were killed while the Catholic Church claimed 808 deaths. Ethno-religious crises in the area can be traced as far back as 1981. That has continued from time to time especially after general elections. In Southern Kaduna, Muslims are said to be in the minority. That is one of the strongholds of Christians in the core northern states. In other areas where Christians and Muslims are equal in number or the Muslims predominate, relative peace prevails. The question now is why are these conflicts reoccurring in the Christian majority area of the north? Christians of the area feel marginalized. The political class has used the area to promote personal interests and cause violence when aspirations are not actualized. Simply, they feel denied in the political opportunities in the state. Efforts put up to restore lasting peace and order are growing and commendable. President Buhari has ordered the introduction of a drilling exercise codenamed Operation Kunama 11 in the place. After a meeting with all the service chiefs as well as the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Security at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, told the press that the operation would be extended to parts of Plateau and Kano States. “So, it is part of our strategy for this year to continue all the exercises we have had before. We will be having exercise Kunama 11 which will come into Southern Kaduna State and parts of Plateau and Kano States; (Operation) Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta and indeed the Python Dance. But we are going to rename the Python Dance for the Southeast this year also. Operation Lafiya Dole is continuing operations in the northeast as they are still moving all over the Sambisa forest.”

About 100 soldiers of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) presently in Plateau State are part of security men for the operation. OPSH Commander, Major General Roger Nicholas said long-range patrols have begun in the villages of Southern Kaduna and that 60 men have been stationed around the Saminaka axis bordering Kaduna and Plateau. The federal government has also announced plans to establish military and police formations in the area. Notable Nigerians led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, have been gathered to end the communal misunderstandings and clashes. The group made up of the Archbishop of Abuja John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto has met in Kafanchan Unity Choice Hotel and Kagoro Town hall with religious clerics, traditional rulers and community groups. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Jama’atu NasriI Islam (JNI), Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna (MYOFOSKA), Jama’a Foundation, Catholic Diocese and Anglican Communion of Kafanchan made very useful presentations. The committee had held similar meeting with Governor Nasir el-Rufai. Abubakar said: “Nobody from outside can teach you how to live in peace. You are the people living together and you know yourselves more than anybody, we have nothing to do more than what you can do yourselves to maintain peace. We are just doing initiatives that will help restore peace.” The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche has urged the media to accurately report the crisis without exaggerating it because “the peace of Kaduna State was paramount and must be pursued with dialogue and peace-building”. While giving a sermon at the inauguration of an ultra-modern Mosque at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, (FUTMINNA), the emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, warned Islamic clerics in Nigeria to stop hate messages when preaching to Muslim faithful. “Hate preaching is against the tenets of Islam” The emir asked the Islamic clerics to work towards having harmonious co-existence with people of other religions. Chairman of the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Borno State Kashim Shettima said managing multiculturalism is a major challenge and indeed a litmus test for leadership, good governance and progress not just in Northern Nigeria but in the entire global society. He identified poverty as the number one monster dragging Northern Nigeria backward.

New National Carrier: The way forward By Godbless Ozegbe

oward the end of 2015, Nigerians were overjoyed by the news that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation, had set up a Ministerial Committee that is saddled with the responsibility of supervising the birth of a new national carrier. This was sequel to an earlier directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the ministry to quickly initiate the process of reestablishing a national carrier. Clearly, this is highly welcomed. Some years ago, the erstwhile national carrier, the Nigeria Airways, embarked on a journey of ‘no return’ through a combination of factors that were largely induced by government. The operations of the airline finally ground to a halt when the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration refused to grant the management an approval to renew its insurance premium payment. The problems facing the airline at the time were unrestricted stealing, interference from the Federal Government and gross mismanagement. The International Finance Corporation provided the principal advisory services to the National Council on Privatization and the Bureau for Public Enterprises in order to ensure that the exercise was successfully carried out to the benefit of the country and

its people. But, instead of implementing the best of the three options as prescribed by the IFC, the Ministry of Aviation and the Bureau of Public Enterprises chose to work at cross purposes by creating a stalemate, which led to the formal withdrawal of the IFC. The airline was liquidated on May 31, 2003 by executive fiat. Technically, Nigeria Airways is still very potent. Sadly, the Federal Government was unmindful of or did not contemplate the huge pensions that it was going to incur at the time. The then Minister of Aviation, Dr. Kema Chikwe, acting on behalf of the government did everything humanly possible to establish a brand new national carrier that would befit the country. The evidence of such attempts were the Airwing Aerospace Limited deal and the Triaton AG deal, which also proposed to bring about a new national carrier that was to be named Nigerian Global. Later, former Aviation Minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Stella Oduah, entered the stage with the intention of floating a new national carrier to be named Nigeria One. She eventually acted upon the advice of industry stakeholders who told her that she should immediately address the issue of paying the Nigeria Airways pensioners in order to pave way for the smooth take-off of the proposed airline. However, her dream of realising this objective was short-lived by her

sudden exit from office. No doubt, re-establishing a new national carrier that is operating under a new paradigm would go a long way in addressing the outrageous unemployment problems in the country. It will also bring back or restore our long lost national honour and prestige. The economy of Ethiopia, as a country, depends on its aviation sector as represented by Ethiopian Airlines, the same way that the Nigerian economy sits on the price of crude oil. But quite sadly, in the case of Nigeria, this oily business has brought with it an enduring pain, ever increasing population of poorly educated people arising from the drop in standards, suffocating poverty, absence of basic amenities and infrastructures; not to mention a degraded and poisoned environment. The fact that the President Buhari has shown and will continue to demonstrate unparalleled patriotism and commitment on the subject matter should give the implementers of this project enough encouragement to go the whole hog. Eleven years ago, the Nigerian Government decided, in an uncivilised manner, to voluntarily liquidate Nigeria Airways Limited by forcefully ejecting all the staff of the airline from their homes and offices. The government used four lorry-loads of mobile policemen, who beat up the staff

In June, 2013, a good number of poor persons were recruited for as little as N5,000 to spy on soldiers, report their vulnerability to insurgents, attack and set schools ablaze. Poor old women were paid similar amounts by insurgents, to either keep arms in their huts or smuggle arms from one point to another. One Musa Grema, a 13 year old boy revealed that he accepted N5,000 to set three primary schools ablaze and also spy on soldiers, because his parents relied on him for their feeding. Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna state urged traditional rulers to guide their subjects in ensuring security in their domains. NSCIA recommended holistic approach to determine the causes, scope and victims of the conflict with punishment on deserving perpetrators as well as mandating National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on national campaign that would promote national integration, peace-building and give full effect to constitutional provisions that guarantee the survival of all citizens of Nigeria anywhere in the country no matter their ethnic or religious affiliations. The Kaduna state government should uphold equity and justice in political and social representation. In other words, the state government should put into full effect the plurality of the state in all matters such as appointments into public offices, recruitment into civil service and location of development projects. A former governor of the state, Senator Ahmad Makarfi enlisted the people of Southern Kaduna against politicizing the crisis. He believes that the matter was a serious criminal issue that may have to do with other things that may not be seen as criminality. “We must not politicize the matter. Even those outside the state must never politicize this crisis because, if we attempt to politicize it, then the crisis will spread beyond Kaduna and that would be a disaster,” he said. “I welcome the Abdulsalami committee. We need a body of arbitrators composed of both sides of the divide that the people can have confidence in to try to stem the tide, broker some peace and listen to all sides and come up with ways and manners that we can re-establish stability and lasting peace in that area,” he added. All that is required is justice for every citizen in Southern Kaduna and all Nigerians living in any part of the country. Southern Kaduna has unfortunately become a bad reference point. Every minority group in Nigeria groans over sociopolitical exclusion, even as the majorities seem snug in perpetrating injustice. Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk. and tear-gassed them, to carry out the action. Unfortunately and quite regrettably, successive governments appear to have resolved to deny the pensioners their hard earned entitlements, leaving them instead to wallow in abject poverty and untold hardship. This is not only cruel; it amounts to gross brigandage and arbitrary use of power. The delay in the payment of the pensioners’ due entitlements also amounts to a flagrant violation of their fundamental human rights. And it has placed the country at the bottom of civilised existence. It is only logical to opine here that if there is any group of Nigerians that urgently needs a bail-out from their present condition; it should be the traumatised Nigeria Airways pensioners whose legitimately earned entitlements have been withheld for too long. The condition of the pensioners, numbering more than five thousand, is better imagined than experienced. Since they are in dire straits, this unhealthy situation must be remedied with dispatch and in good faith in order to save their lives. Finally, the payment of the pension due these embattled ex-staff of the defunct airline will pave the way for the re-birth of a new national carrier, thereby putting Nigeria once again on the map of global aviation players. More so, this country’s detractors from within and abroad will be shamed forever. God bless Nigeria. Ozegbe sent in this piece from Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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Comment

Fact and appearances I By Abubakar Fari

was just thinking about what subject to write for the Dailies when combing my files in the office. I don’t know, something flashed. Just like that something stroke as if lost but found. What was it? It appeared in the memory like what about writing on appearances and facts. Sometimes the body languages of my friends in the media are such that they need to cool the body heat with the lighter in the mood articles. They have as well good senses of humor. One retired but not tired journalist told me in their days they had a popular slogan. It goes like this; “YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE MAD TO WORK HERE, BUT IT HELPS”. The human body is a constant temperature device. In mechanical engineering, a machine is akin to the human body. It has limits and boundaries within which it can function, optimally. We should not let it over heat like an old car. One will be bedridden or asking for panadol or antimalarial. Or seek a special treatment against the dreaded typhoid fever that has become arecurring household problem. With the flow cash in the system, it requires tough mind to deal with the challenges. When one can deal with starvation, the others will be taken care of accordingly. On appearances, is what you are seeing really what it is? For facts and delusions differ. Is it actually what you are getting when you are that close or the dream turned true? Is what most people say really what manifests. That is the beginning of 419.Largely, there is a big gap between what you expected and the outcome. If you get below expectation, trouble. If you get average, manage. If you get much higher, wow! Is it the more you see the less you get? Or the less you even understand? The right attitude is to thank Allah (SWT) and make the best out of the situation. In the corridors of power, palaces, judicial functions, banks, exotic buildings, extravagant weddings, beautiful women, celebrities, between Mr and Mrs, the First Ladies, mosques and churches, political parties, academia, worldly travels, media houses, the United Nations,

war fronts, radio and television, WHATS AP and the struggles to face life in particular. Don’t believe an Nigerian till you see it on the ground. It helps. The first episode in appearances and facts is in the various situations listed above remains what goes behind closed doors. On the face of it one may get intimidated, envy, presuppose that all that glitters is gold or believe that there is happiness in the whole drama. Time, however, is the greatest enemy to what would appear bed of roses, if at all. The famous poet, late Dr Mamman Shata says in a stanza that “yawon duniya mafarki ne a tahi a dawo”. Life is like a dream Shata says it must come to pass under any circumstance. Nothing makes it much clearer than the Hausa saying “laifin dadi karewa”. The four years term for instants in the villa or government houses flies as if it never happened.Editors come and Editors go. Soldier comes and so soldier also goes. So why raise so much dust when, there are changes of guards. After all before one was born lots of water have passed under and over the bridge. In sickness when the senses come back to their heads, oh! Man recoils to the beastly roles that he has been warned against by the Scriptures. The second episode revolves around the First Ladies and high class women whose husbands hold the horn while they milk the cow. The cash cow madams with similar characteristic as stated above are no angels. In every rule, of course, there could be exceptions. Yours sincerely wrote a piece in the Weekly Trust of September 22, 2007 on First ladies. When the husband is old or the pressure of work dominates, the lighter side of the First Lady may be ignored. With more than a wife, it may be a house of divided loyalties. The Hausa say that if there is no woman in a house, there is no house. But if many, it becomes the house of commotion. Even with the Oyibo that distressed African and third world countries endanger their lives to migrate is unfortunate. The fantasy islands they see in the TV and magazines deceive them. Life is not as rosy as it appears even to these citizens of the so-called “rich nations”. The socially engineered

moral decay in the West is worst than HIV. In 1978 I was away in the United States. The wife of the Canadian Prime Minister flew to New York and was in a discotheque dancing like crazy and the newscrew and TV cameras were flashing all over her as hot news. It may not be surprising if he might have expressed his love for his dog more than for her. The way they love dogs more than human beings is the bizarre part of the so-called civilised West. The US President, Trump will love his dog more than all Africans and Mexicans and the rest of human beings in the third world. In Africa, may be the fortune tellers and spiritualists will make brisk business with some first ladies and other big madams. The way such scenarios are shown in the TV channels is not one to dismiss as heresy. My advise to them is that any woman no matter how beautiful that walks on the mother earth is not heavens. Even though some poets mislead them to think they are the sunshine or the moon light The third episode is with respect to illegal sexual misconduct. Both Islam and Christianity and all major religions prohibit such. The socially engineered moral decay takes roots for here. Do not come near it at all is explicit in the Quran 17:32. In Christianity the Virgin Mary model is the case to entrench with believing Christians. The Virgin Mary is extolled in Quran 66:12. In the minority Muslim enclaves one sees and virtually most of Christian communities women appear as if competing with prostitutes. If Virgin Mary were to come to earth in the West-US-Zionist axis where the so-called Christian values are touted Virgin Mary will weep. So it would be in any of the so-called Muslim minority enclaves without hijab that emulates Virgin Mary. If Virgin Mary visits Muslim societies without hijab that the Western politicians and their errand boys in Nigeria and elsewhere in more than 70% in the globe terrorise or vilify, she will not hesitate to recognize them as more of associates of prostitutes. If she visits most of the churches and sees her pictures the Virgin Mary but see them in sexy dresses will be confused and flee immediately.

While if she goes to Islamiyya schools and goes round town and see women in hijab will embrace them as hers. The fourth episode is on society and the messages that the entertainment industry convey about the rich. There was one Hausa drama I watched. It was dramatizing the way the poor view the rich. It was the case between the wash man of a big and swinging type oga with pet belly and riding a flashy jeep. The wash man in dialogue with a colleague was telling him why all the trousers of maigida are with rubber bands not the strings you tie round the waste. It was nothing but because of the frequency of going to toilet or “yawan kashi”. So for ease and to avoid complications, Maigida changed strategy to avoid quick handling and removing his trouser for ease. In the final episode, yours sincerely on facts and appearances drew a lesson from one Book that makes interesting reading. The title is “The Profound Truth-Understanding Perfection” by Golim Gozali PK. He dwells intensively on the Qur’anic Sciences. He talks about “The Seen and The Unseen, The Evident and The Hidden” detailed in page 17. Upon reflection, if one has a random thought will say in the next 200 years all the humans alive today will have been dead. This includes the new born today! What we see including the writer and you the reader will be unseen. The late so, and so are gone. All the arrogant Trumps, Netanyahu’s and other so-called who is who will get old, retire and die. The monies in the US and Zionist treasuries cannot help. No escape when the fact death comes. All the empty threats and wild statements will fizzle and they follow them to their graves. The heavens and earth when they die will not cry. Nor will they collide and seize to exist because they are unseen and no more. The fact is that all must obey Allah (SWT) the Lord and Creator of all things. In effect no condition is permanent is the lesson man must learn and accept. All that appears on the surface of the mother earth is transient and flimsy. The fact or the salvation is to return to Allah (SWT) to get things right. Otherwise man will only be shooting in the dark. Engr Abubakar Fari is a Public Policy Analyst.

As Nigerians await Presidential Assent on Peace Corps Bill By Rogers Edor Ochela

hursday, 24th November 2016, will forever remain indelible in the minds of Staff Officers/Volunteers of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in particular and Nigerians in general. On that memorable day, the Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) was unanimously passed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That passage effectively terminated an agonizing period of endless wait by Nigerians, especially the youths, which form the major fulcrum of its corporate existence. The harmonized version of the Bill, which was laid and approved by both chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, 19th January, 2017 will eventually be transmitted to President Mohammadu Buhari for his assent. In all, differences in twelve (12) clauses of the Bill were observed and appropriately harmonized. It would be recalled that right from when the Bill was sponsored by Hon. Umar Farouk in the House of Representatives and Senator Ali Ndume in the Senate, a lot of needless controversies where whipped up; the situation got so bad that some of its critics, especially those who do not like the face or guts of the founder, Amb. (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, even went to the ridiculous extent of calling for its discontinuation through negative sponsored newspaper editorials/articles. The point must be stressed and even pointedly orchestrated that the journey of 18 years that took PCN to its present enviable status and earned it nay its founder glowing accolades was not paved with gold. Rather, it was strewn with all manner of thorns and temptations that were capable of testing the will-power of even the most astute and courageous leader.

Happily, Amb. Akoh’s unyielding spirit and legendary determination to succeed against all odds ensured that he endured the stiff opposition, a development that eventually culminated in the breasting of the tape of victory. Several times over, he had been vilified, hounded and even thrown into detention over flimsy excuses, all with the premeditated intention of weakening his iron-clad resolve to pursue his pet project to a logical conclusion. But God frustrated all these evil motives for an organization that has as its central goal the empowerment of the most disadvantaged segment of the nation’s population—the youths. Founded in July 1998 in Kaduna and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the Companies Allied Act Cap-------------------, PCN has over the years earned the plaudits of serious-minded individuals, corporate organizations and the international community, including the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU), both of which have affiliated the PCN to its Economic and Social Councils. Since then, the PCN, which has suddenly become the rave (toast) of the moment, has not wavered from its abiding fidelity to catering to the needs of the teeming youths of the nation, believing rightly that the youths are the most vulnerable nay productive segment of the population. And that has remained the cardinal focus of its operation all these years that it has weathered diverse storms of staggering proportions, engineered principally by its fastvanishing tribe of detractors. To say that the passage and transmission of this Bill to Mr. President for his assent is coming at a most auspicious moment in the annals of the nation’s history is simply to state the obvious.

With the economy contracting on virtually all fronts and unemployment growing at a geometric progression, this Bill, no doubt will reinvigorate PCN in its drive to stem the burgeoning tide of unemployment nibbling at the souls of our youths. Opponents of the Bill had premised their opposition on the over-flogged argument that since the revenue accruing to the government is dwindling at a fast pace, it will be lack of economic wisdom to add another additional ‘‘burden’’ (read PCN) to its already over-stretched budget. Sound logic no doubt. But this flies in the face of the reality of alarming unemployment crisis that is threatening to sink the ship of Nigeria’s democracy. First and foremost, considering this present administration’s, frugality and admirable husbandry of resources, sparing a little that will help the Corps in executing its mandate targeted at taming the rampaging monster of youth unemployment will go a long way in not only curbing insecurity in the land, but also reduce the current tension that is threatening the corporate existence of the nation. Nobody in his/her right sense would say that creating jobs in this era of recession is a bad idea. At this juncture, it is pertinent to aver that it will amount to a monumental injustice of epic proportions if appropriate recognition is not accorded the founder and incumbent National Commandant, Amb (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, especially his efforts in ensuring the sustainability of this child of necessity called the PCN. In spite of the erroneous impressions created about him and, the myth of unpredictability woven around him, Amb. Akoh, a humble man of fearless disposition, rare sagacity and an epitome

of excellence with a deep passion for youth empowerment, has over the years, resisted undue distraction targeted at making him to abandon this noble project, which is gradually turning out to be a gigantic hope to the seemingly hopeless youths in the country today. In addition to the sponsors of the Bill, Hon. Umar Farouk and Senator Ali Ndume, other persons cum corporate organizations deserving of commendation are: Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Federal Ministries of Youth Devt and Education; National Orientation Agency (NOA); Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN); National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Civil Society Organizations and a host of others too numerous to mention here, due to time and space constraints---all for their wonderful support when the Corps was in the trenches negotiating its way through the labyrinth of series of needless troubles. Not to be left out in this gale of commendation are members of the Corps management team for their unwavering loyalty and support for Amb. Akoh in the midst of the countless crises that has consistently dogged the path of the Corps all these years and trailed the Bill since it was introduced in the National Assembly. Judging from the foregoing, Nigerians are eagerly waiting for Mr. President’s expeditious assent to this Bill. In the next write-up, I intend to dwell on the essential features of this Bill with a view to enlightening the Nigerian reading public. Ochela, a Media Consultant is based in Abuja and can be reached via edorochela@yahoo.co.nz.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News

We’ll restore normalcy to IDPs in N/East, Osinbajo assures By Lawrence Olaoye

he Federal Government has assured of its commitment to restore normalcy to the lives of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast. Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, have this assurance yesterday during a visit by the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Ms. Ertharin Cousin to the State House, Abuja. “We are working on how people can get back to their normal lives,” the Vice President stated adding that the Federal Government is also working on how to help the children especially regarding education

Niger clashes: Miyetti Allah calls for govt intervention

and housing. So many people are in need, it’s a tough challenge, but we are committed.” Osinbajo affirmed while also appreciating the collaboration of international agencies like the United Nations in the effort. He said the Federal Government will continue to secure the places where the peace had been restored, stressing that

the dealing with the security challenges is an ongoing task for the FG. But he added that the threats will reduce hopefully even though the nature of asymmetric warfare is also well understood. He appreciated the visit of the World Food Programme Executive Director and her delegation, while acknowledging the agency’s assistance in the Northeast region especially regarding children

and families. He pledged more cooperation from the government. Earlier, the World Food Programme Director, Ms Etharin Cousin noted that she came to brief the Acting President, extend the greetings of the Secretary General of the UN as well as commend the Federal Government for the support WFP is enjoying in Nigeria. The Executive Director

expressed appreciation that since the establishment of a FG inter-ministerial committee which the Vice President coordinated, there has been a significant improvement in the implementation of the UN agency’s work providing assistance in the Northeast. The Minister of State for Budget & National Planning Zainab Ahmed led the inter-ministerial panel.

Dogara empowers 750 constituents on self reliance skills From David Hassan, Gombe

peaker and member representating Dass, Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa constituency in the House of Representatives Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara has empowered 750 beneficiaries in different skills acquisition programme. The speaker who was represented

by Aminu Tukur disclosed this during graduation of the beneficiaries at the Federal College of Horticulture in Gombe said the aimed of the programme was to enable the beneficiaries be self reliance in the society. He enjoined them as matter of urgency to take their businesses seriously even as he said doing so

would help in nation building. According to him the beneficiaries were drawn across three local government areas in Bauchi state. While commending effort carried by the management and staff of Federal College of Horticulture Gombe during the training he appreciated good report from the college concerning the conduct of the

beneficiaries when they engaged them in the training. Also speaking during the event, the Provost Federal College of Horticulture Gombe Prof. Fatima Sawa said there is need for citizens to embrace Agriculture instead of depending on oil, adding that over depending on oil will not help in boosting our economy.

From Yakubu Mustapha,Minna

he Niger State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Social Cultural Association, Mallam Muhammad Abubakar Tukur has appealed to the state government to as a matter of urgency intervene to resolved the continued clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and Gbagyis. Tukur gave the charge yesterday in an interview in Minna while speaking to some journalists. He said it has become necessary sequel to continued clashes that has resulted into lost of lives on both sides. He confirmed that 14 Fulani herdsmen had been killed in the recent clashes between them and regretted that they have been together for quite sometime in a peaceful manner, wondered about the recent reoccurrence. He therefore charged the state government to quickly call on the leaders from both parties for a round table discussion and dialogue so as to settle the matter once and for all to allow peace to reign in various communities of the state. Tukur pointed out that both Gbagyis and Fulanis shared same occupation of farming and cattle breeding hence needed to leave together harmoniously for the development and progress of all by settling their differences that has resulted in to loss of innocent souls in the process. The Sarkin Fulani mentioned some of the villages where such clashes occurred that claimed lives to include Gunu, Lambata, Sabon Daga and others added that they were issues that can be resolved without blood shed described the situation as very unfortunate.

• L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos; His Wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; and a Partner of SMO Contemporary Art, Miss Taiye Idahor during the Rasheed Gbadamosi Art Exhibition in Lagos. Photo: NAN

Religious leaders use S/Kaduna crisis to enrich selves- Group From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

group under the aegis of Southern Kaduna Patriotic Front, (SKPF),at the weekend declared that some religious leaders are spreading false information on the unfortunate Southern Kaduna attacks and killings to collect foreign donations to enrich themselves. The group while warning that such Southern Kaduna

religious and political leaders should immediately stop using the blood of innocent people to make money stressed that they will soon release evidence to back their claims if the wicked acts continue. In a statement signed and issued by the National Coordinator of Southern Kaduna Patriotic Front, SKPF, Magaji Kazzah, in Kaduna, the group explained that as many people of different faith were

expressing genuine concern and suggesting ways to stakeholders and government on how to end the killings in parts of Southern Kaduna. Some leaders used malicious and false narratives to get dollar foreign donations on behalf of the victims which was diverted into private pockets. The group alerted all relevant security agencies and financial institutions to beam its search light on some Southern Kaduna

clerics whom one among is a high ranking official of religious association to unravel their dirty deals over the killings. They also warned some politicians in Southern Kaduna to desist from using the blood of people to launch their selfish ambition in 2019 elections, saying they should join people of good will irrespective of tribes and religion to bring an end to the prolonged carnage in the area and wait for the time of campaign.

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Saraki urges youth to take advantage of Agro-Finance Law T he President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on youth to take advantage of the Agriculture-Finance Bill recently passed by the 8th Senate to further their engagements in the agriculture business. Saraki made the call on Sunday in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr. Chuks Okocha, when the executive members of the

Tomatoes and Orchid Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN) visited him. According to him, youths should take advantage of the recently passed Agro-Finance Bill by the 8th Senate and access the benefits of agriculture on the small and medium scale financing and agro allied jobs. He however expressed his happiness that youths had begun

to take to agriculture as a means of livelihood instead of waiting endlessly for non-existing white collar jobs. “This Bill, if properly harnessed by the youths, would create jobs and ensure food security for the country and help grow the economy, especially, in the time of recession in the country,’’ he said. Saraki assured members of

the association of the willingness of the Senate to partner and work closely with them to ensure the realisation of the added value of agriculture to the economy. He also expressed his happiness that the youths were gradually tapping into agriculture, especially through the use of high yielding seedlings. Earlier, the leader of the association, Mr Oyeleke Job,

had said that the members encouraged massive production of tomatoes and orchids by offering training and technical assistance to producers in the rural areas. Job said that the association contributed immensely to improving the qualities of tomatoes and orchids, as well as creation of jobs for unemployed youths.

Senate will fast-track Diaspora Commission Bill - Saraki By Christiana Ekpa

enate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has pledged that the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission Bill currently before the National Assembly would be given accelerated passage to enable Nigerians living outside the country the opportunity to participate in events within the country. The Nigerians In Diaspora Bill, when passed, would facilitate the establishment of the Diaspora Bond for the in-flow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into Nigeria among other benefits. Saraki assured that the Nigerians in Diaspora Bill would be passed as soon as possible saying, “though the Senate has suspended its plenary session to February 21 to enable the quick passage of the 2017 budget, your April 2017 deadline could be met as the Senate would pass the bill by March 2017. The Senate President made the pledge when he received a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora led by its Worldwide Coordinator, Dr. Camillius Konkwo, at the National Assembly. He told the NIDO delegation that the bill has already passed its first reading at the Senate. “On the NIDO bill, the National Assembly will partner with you as it is part of the Made in Nigeria Campaign, which is to patronize and prioritize the purchase of Made in Nigeria goods by the Ministries, Department and Agencies

(MDAs). “Government agencies spend as much as N2.1 trillion annually; and if the MDAs spend up to 30 percent of their expenditures by patronizing Made in Nigeria goods, it will go a long way to stabilize the economy and grow the Naira,” Saraki said. On their request that the electoral act should be amended to enable Nigerians

in the Diaspora vote during elections, the Senate President told the delegation that the Electoral Act is almost 95 percent concluded, but said since the amendment of the act is an ongoing process, the National Assembly would still look into their request to vote during elections. Earlier, leader of the delegation, Dr. Konkwo, told the Senate President that

official statistics showed that Nigerians in the Diaspora contributes over $35 billion to the economy through remittances; but unofficially the remittances are three times more than the official figure. He appealed for visa waivers for foreign investors coming through Nigerians living outside the country, advocating that there should be an official data of Nigerians in the Diaspora

by directing the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) carry out a data capturing of Nigerians outside the country. He commended the Senate President for his leadership intervention, especially in championing bills that would help grow the economy and exist Nigeria out of the present economic recession.

• The Publisher Authority Newspaper, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah (right) with the Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the Authority Newspaper Annual Award ceremony for Distinguished Nigerians in Abuja. Photo: Justin ImoOwo

LG Polls: We will not accept e-voting in Kaduna State, says PDP

From:Femi Oyelola, kaduna

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State Chapter has vowed to reject any attempt by the party in power to introduce the use of electronic voting in the forthcoming local government elections in the state. Chairman of the party in the state, Hassan Hyet, stated this in his speech, shortly after witnessing the swearing in ceremony of the Kaduna North PDP ward executives. Hyet, who was represented at the occasion by the party’s secretary in the state, Ibrahim Wusono, stated emphatically that, “if the information we are gathering concerning the anticipated and long over-due local government elections in the state is anything to go by, that is, the introduction of electronic voting for local government polls, we will reject it.” “We are hearing that the state government

is planning to introduce electronic voting in the forthcoming local government council polls in the state. Although we have not been officially communicated to, we the entire members of PDP in the state and other political parties will not accept it. “We are going to challenge that; even if they introduced it, election results must be announced immediately at each polling units.” He, therefore, called on party members to get set more than ever before to ensure that the party gets back that which rightfully belong to her, stressing that “the leadership of the party both at the national and state level is working relentlessly to bounce back in 2019, and in all elections before then. So we urge you at the local government and ward levels to key in. “We are proud of your commitments, and we are witnesses to the pains and sufferings the

present government had subjected Nigerians to. That is why we are calling on all and sundry that all hands must be on deck to ‘Change the Change’ come 2019’,” Hyet stated. On the security challenges in the southern part of the state, he said, the government needs to be more proactive in addressing the situation holistically, without necessarily playing politics with the lives of citizens. Similarly, in his remarks at the occasion, the guest of honour, Senator Ahmed Mukhtar Aruwa also noted,” Now we must speak with one voice to avoid mistakes of the past and in order to re-build the party especially at state and local governments levels.” Aruwa lamented that “We played a role in destabilizing our party in the past,” adding that losing elections is not the end of PDP, saying, “it will be back in full force.” He however warned against any form of

imposition of candidates on people, saying, rebuilding the party, particularly in Kaduna State can be achieved. In their respective speeches, the Zone 11 Chairman of the party, Hon Shehu Ahmed Giant, Hon. Hussaini Muhammad Jallo, and Hon. Umar Sani, all disclosed that the PDP re-conciliatory committee chaired by former Minister of Finance, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, has recorded significant successes, stressing that many aggrieved members have now decided let go of the past, forgive and forget; and now ready to work towards the success of the party in the state and at the national level. Earlier, the Kaduna North local government chairman of the party, Alhaji Hamisu Dantajiri congratulated the newly inaugurated ward executives and urged them not to disappoint their members or let down the confidence reposed on them.

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Politics

Kogi Gov in trouble, as APC alleges N220bn misappropriation, gives 4 weeks ultimatum By Christiana Ekpa and Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he party leaders of Kogi State All progressives Congress (APC) yesterday gave Governor Yahaya Bello 4 weeks ultimatum to reconcile the ongoing staff audit in the state. They also accused the governor of spending and lavishing over two hundred and twenty billion naira in one year. At a press conference in Abuja yesterday to appraise the state of affairs in the State, the stakeholders said having took stock of events in the last one year in Kogi State, they have concluded that the incumbent governor has brought hardship to the people. Sen. Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West), who spoke on behalf of the party, accused Bello of maladministration and highhandedness resulting in system failure in education, security and economic sectors of the state. The press conference was also attended by the Kogi State chairman of APC, 20 out of 35 of the state executive committee members, local government party chairmen, Senator Alex Kadiri, former House of Representatives members, among other prominent party men and women. “This has led to gross public financial failure and reckless spending by the government as we have it on record that Governor Bello has wasted and lavished over two hundred and twenty billion naira in one year. “This represents thirteen months Federal Allocations to the state, ten billion naira infrastructural development funds, thirty billion naira bailout fund, over eleven billion naira Parish Club excess refund. We also have the sixteen billion naira refunded for Federal Government roads built by the past administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, seven hundred million naira ecological fund. “All these above exclude an average of six hundred million naira internally generated revenue monthly. Flowing from the above financial scenario, Nigerians will agree with us that Kogi State has not had it so good financially,” they said. They, therefore, issued a fourweek ultimatum to Governor Bello to reconcile the on-going staff audit in the state with the realities on the ground, pay civil servants, pensioners

and others all their entitlements for the past one year, saying that the N30 billion bailout fund was primarily meant for the purposes while part of the N11.2 billion Paris Club refund was also aimed at ameliorating the

sufferings of the people of the state. “Any attempt by Yahaya Bello to think otherwise in this regard, after 4 weeks from today, will be met with stiff resistance and peaceful revolution across the 21 local

government councils. We urge our civil servants to be patient and be very law abiding till the next four weeks. “We also call on the state government to re-order the priorities of state in line with the needs and

aspirations of our people as the solar street light, the Revenue House and SDG Office being celebrated for 1 year in office for example, have no tangible value and cannot put food on the table of our people,” they added.

L-R: Wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar (second left), receiving official notification letter for the most valuable governor’s wife award from Chairperson, The Most Valuable Governor’s Wife Award (MVGWA), Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, while Member, award committee, Mrs. Pauline Kadiya-Daze and Team Leader/ Chief Executive Officer (MVGWA) , Mr. Tom Obulu keenly watching during the presentation in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Boko Haram: Zoro faults N45bn budgeted for North-East re-construction From Mustapha Maiduguri

Isah

Kwaru,

hairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Refugees and Presidential Committee on North-East, PCNE, Aljahi Sani Zoro, has faulted the sum of N45 billion appropriated by the Federal Government in the 2017 budget for the re-construction of structures ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East. Alhaji Zoro, who spoke to newsmen in Maiduguri shortly after sympathizing with victims of the recent air strike accident in Rann town, Borno State, said the amount set aside for the reconstruction of the region was too meager. According to him, people of the region were plunged into massive economic lose caused by the activities of the insurgents, saying reasonable amount of money should have been

earmarked for the reconstruction of restructures and revival of their economic activities. He noted that the amount budgeted should rather be seen as a counter-part fund which will be joined with ones realized from international donor agencies for the revival of the zone. “The General Theophilus Danjuma-led Presidential Committee on North-East, PCNE, had earlier declared that it was expecting to realize over three trillion naira from donations to be doled out by individuals and corporate organizations for the rebuilding of the zone. So going by this figure, Federal Government ought to have appropriate sufficient funds to meet the needs of the project. I hope the government will later revisit this issue as quickly as possible,” he urged. The lawmaker further restated the determination of the lower chamber of the National Assembly to map out effective mechanism to cushion the

negative effects of the insurgency being faced the affected residents. “We, in the House of Representatives, will do everything possible to ensure that we appropriate whatever amount the region requires for its general re-construction, so that innocent civilians who became refugees in their country returns to their respective areas to start a new life,” he assured. Commenting on the plights of the IDPs, the lawmaker vowed that the legislators will support the Federal Government to tackle such issue through legislation, emphasizing that the plight of IDPs can be addressed only through viable legislation. “The house is helping with respect to the plight of IDPs by way of lawmaking because we are lawmakers. Already, I have sponsored a bill that will amend the act establishing the National Commission for Refugees, NCR. It is to provide for National Commission for Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs), Refugees, Migrants and Stateless People, because these are people categorized as people of concern. Similarly, there is the need for the Federal Government to establish Federal Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs,” Zoro said. He called on the Federal Government to adopt a national policy on IDPs, adding that this would further boost efforts already being made to evolve a permanent solution to the problem of IDPs. “We, as lawmakers, are also encouraging the executive arm of government to adopt officially a national IDP policy. “Nigeria has, by our efforts, been developing an IDP policy since 2009. In 2012 it was reviewed even in 2015, it was reviewed but it has not been adopted by government. “This is one of the ways we will support and jump start the attainment of a durable solution through legislation,’’ he further added.

Lagos endorses Fayose’s election as PDP Gov’s Forum Chairman From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party PDP has expressed satisfaction and support for the emergence of Ekiti State governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose, as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. The state chapter opines that the onerous task to rescue the party now partly resting on the governor is one that any genuine member of the party who is truly interested in the

return of PDP to Presidency should support with all that is possible. Sharing the party’s opinion is the Lagos State chairman of the party and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Moshood Salvador. Salvador however recommends to the governor to take advantage of this new role to facilitate genuine long lasting mobilization, reconciliation and structural dynamism in the party to meet up with the modern challenges of

nation building, and to particularly override the assumed superiority of the APC in the nation’s politics. In achieving this objectives, Hon. Salvador advised governor Fayose to infuse the party state chairmen into an extended forum where party issues can be shared first-hand, especially with states where the PDP is not in government. The state chapter prayed for the success of the governor and entire forum. “We are pleased with the

emergence of Dr. Ayodele Fayose as the new chairman of PDP governors’ forum. We are convinced that this emergence will radically reposition the party. We particularly rely on his doggedness, long term experience as Oldest serving governor in the nation and his love for popular say & way. He should immediately begin the reconciliation of members, elders and youths alike. He should not be demoralized nor distracted by hate speeches against him, many of which will be sponsored by his

detractors within and outside the PDP. “In Lagos State, we expect that he will use his new leadership and role to get closer to our leaders and elders who have at different times and levels served the party and nation meritoriously. He should shun any side talk or blackmail to ignore these elders and leaders. Indeed he needs their experience to add up for his best success,” Salvador said.

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Politics

Adamawa lawmakers boycott town hall meeting From Umar Dankano, Yola

he Town Hall Meeting organized by the Jimeta Progressive Association (JIPA) for the elected lawmakers representing their constituency in the federal and state levels to tender their individual score cards before their stakeholders in Yola was frustrated by absence of the legislators. Our correspondent in Yola, who was at Universal Basic Education Board, Venue of the meeting held weekend reported that the organizers (JIPA) claimed to have invited Senator Abdul-Azeez Nyako of Adamawa Central Senatorial District, Rep. Lawal Abubakar Garba representing Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency and Hon. Sulaiman Alkali representing Yola North constituency in the State Assembly. Despite the representatives sent by the legislators to the occasion, both the organizers and many stakeholders expressed disappointment, noting that their action was a bad precedent to their constituents whose people gathered to listen and ask questions where necessary. “When they wanted our votes they came themselves; and now that we want them to account for the support we gave them, the best they can do is to send us representatives. I believe if this is a solidarity rally or 2019 endorsement rally, they would have been here physically,” one Baba Yakub who witnessed the meeting told newsmen.

APC beats PDP to win Etsako Reps seat

ohnson Oghuma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged winner of the Etsako Federal Constituency byeelection in Edo. The bye-election was conducted following the election of the former holder of the seat, Mr. Philip Shuaib, as Deputy Governor of the state. Oghuma emerged winner with 39,876 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Jude Imagwe, who polled 18,193 votes. Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Shola Omotola, who announced the result early Sunday morning said the APC candidate won having scored the highest number of votes cast. Omotola said that a total of 59,301 votes were cast with 58,427 being valid votes and 874 rejected. After his declaration as winner, Oghuma assured the people of the constituency of effective representation. “I want to assure Etsako people that I will not fail them. I will represent them well and their voices will be heard; and I will not disappoint them,” he said.

•As Female lawyer faults Constituency Projects by legislators Yakub said that it’s high time elected office holders change their attitude to the electorates by treating them with some respect, pointing out that if Senator Abdulazeez and Rep. Garba who are based in Abuja could be excused for missing the event, what excuse could Hon. Alkali who is based in Yola give? “Can you imagine that Alkali is in town but deliberately sent one Ibrahim Suleiman, a local government councilor to represent him? What does this mean?” Yakub queried. In his speech at the town hall meeting, the President of JIPA, Comrade Jafaru Baba Girei, said the essence of the town hall meeting was not to ridiculed anybody but to create a platform that would enable the electorates have access to first hand information in respect of activities and other development strides made by the

elected legislators. “The town hall meeting will also serve as avenue for the electorates to press home their demands, grievances, advices, etc. as the case may be. It can be a tool for evaluating and assessing the performance of their representatives. “The town hall meeting is not avenue for ridiculing anybody but to serve as veritable platform that will further deepen our democracy process,” Girei said. He lauded the legislators and other elected office holders in the zone for their score cards so far, and urged them to do more. Meanwhile, a female lawyer and activist, Barrister Hafsat Abdullahi, has described Constituency Projects by lawmakers as an action that violated provisions of the constitution. Hafsat Abdullahi in her paper

titled “The Legality of Constituency Projects in Nigeria” presented at a Town Hall meeting, said that constituency projects violated section 1 of the constitution. “Constituency projects are obviously not in accord with the doctrine of separation of powers as contained in the Nigerian constitution. To allow the operation of constituency projects under our budgets is as good as making lawful, the violation of the spirit of Section 1 of the constitution,” she insisted. Barr. Abdullahi called for the amendment of the constitution to forbid the legislature from increasing any appropriation recommended by the executive in the Appropriation Bill. She stressed the need for the legislative arm to be encouraged to concentrate on its core legislative and supervisory roles in order to maximize the gains of

democracy. She also stressed the need to enlighten the electorate on the role of legislators as lawmakers who had no business in construction of projects. “Conscious effort should be made to sensitize and remind the constituents/electorates on the roles of the legislators as lawmakers and not the executors of policies and projects,” she added. She noted that the idea of constituency projects came into being in the Fourth Republic when legislators, in the quest to bring visible evidence of dividends of democracy to their constituencies, introduced the idea. “Consequently, the legislators at the federal level and various states of the federation, developed the practice of inclusion of funds for constituency project in the budget, albeit with no enabling constitutional or legal framework in almost all the cases.”

Governor, Ayo Fayose Cross section of party members during the All Progressive Congress (APC) membership reregistration at AwadaObodo Amankwo-Eke ward of Enugu State yesterday . Photo: NAN

2019 guber: Yewa group hails Obasanjo’s endorsement of Ogun West By Ochiaka Ugwu

roups in Ogun West Senatorial Disctrict of Ogun State, under the aegis of Yewa Connecting minds (YCM), an umbrella body that comprises both youth and elders in liberation movement of Yewaland have welcome endorsement from former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his public expression of support and endorsement for Ogun Governor of Ogun West extraction. While speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital when the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogun State chapter visited him, Obasanjo said; in the interest of justice and fairness, Ogun west senatorial district in Ogun state should be given the slot to produce the next governor of the state. According to him, If Ijebu and Egba have produced the governor; it is only fair and just to allow the Yewa or Ogun West to also produce governor. Or else, one day, they will also stand up and take up arms against this injustice against them. That is my personally position on this. In a statement signed by Prince Ekunola Gbenga Abraham, coordinator of the group said: YCM was satisfied with the endorsement by the Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the issue of governorship in the state, including that of zoning of the seat to Ogun West district of the State.

Abraham claims that Ogun West is the most marginalized of the four sections in the political arrangement and calculations, because over 40 years after the creation of the state, the district comprising the Yewa/ Awori people remains the only section that has yet to produce the governor. Their counterparts–the Ijebu, the Egba and the Remo have within this period had their fair share. The Ijebu and Egba have had their turn in the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo in the Second Republic and Chief Olusegun Osoba, who at two different periods, during the regime of military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and between 1999 and 2003, occupied the

office. The Remo had their turn with the eight-year two-term tenure of the immediate past governor Gbenga Daniel. The Egba are currently having another turn with the re-election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The closest the Yewa/Awori has ever got was Alhaja Salimot Badru as deputy governor in the administration of Daniel. Since then, all attempts by Ogun West to have one of its own as the governor have so far resulted in political miscalculations and loss occasioned by intrigues and betrayal by certain elements from the area. Ekunola also commended the Governor of the State, Senator

Ibikunle Amosun and others who are strongly in support of Ogun West agitation for governor of the state ahead of 2019 governorship elections. YCM also implored other elder statesmen to take similar steps in supporting the call for a competent Ogun Governor of Ogun West extraction. The coordinator therefore said; since other regions in the state have held the governorship position for long periods while Ogun West have not even tasted it once, it is only fair if some concession were made across parties line to give all a sense of belonging.

Nigerians should pray for President Buhari, says Hon. Agbonayinma

member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ikpoba/Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State, Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, yesterday called on well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari. Agbonayima’s call came amid widespread speculations that President Buhari’s ill-health might have worsened. He said some persons had irresponsibly instigated and reported the rumour that the president might have died,

pointing out that such rumour would not do Nigeria and Nigerians any good. According to him, “We should pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, and other persons in positions of authority, rather than wish them dead. We should be our brothers’ keepers. It is a sin to God and to mankind to wish anybody dead. “We should pray for the success of our leaders and the progress of our nation, especially now that we are passing through economic recession that has brought untold hardship to Nigerians, particularly

the poor masses. “Nigerians must manifestly show love to President Buhari. He is the one God has enthroned to direct the affairs of this nation at this time. If President Buhari succeeds, it’s Nigeria’s success. The progress of our nation should be of utmost priority to all of us. “We must endeavour to shun partisan interest and ethnic nationalism and join hands together in support of the president to rebuild our nation and redirect our economy on the path of recovery and sustainable growth.”

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Stock Watch: Friday, January 27, 2017 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

185.06

184.5

High

Low

184.5

Change

Trades

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

High

Low

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

4.64

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

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

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 - -

- - - 1.2 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 DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 DIAMONDBNK 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.74 2.74 -0.13 43 1,315,800 3,645,250.00 MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 IPWA 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 JBERGER 39.5 - - - 39.5 4 1,180 44,879.00 MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 DANGSUGAR

JOHNHOLT 0.96 - - - 0.96 0 - -

5 154,383 176,896.62 20 6,378 854,115.18 0 - 1 500 23,590.00 0 - 0 - 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

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

Company

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

High

Low

Change

Trades

Volume

Value

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 - -

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

CBN condemns unwarranted attacks on its policies By Etuka Sunday

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed with great concern the continued and unwarranted attack on its policies by a group of Nigerians, whose real interests, findings have shown, are anything near altruistic but rather self-serving and unpatriotic. While we respect the rights of every Nigerian or stakeholder to their respective views, we find it curious that certain interests have remained persistent in their move to misinform the larger public, with the intention of discrediting genuine efforts at managing the economy, thereby creating public distrust and panic within the financial system. Indeed, self-centered individuals, who have failed to assail our patriotic position, have resorted to the sponsorship of serial propaganda to misinform

...urges Nigerians to join efforts to recover the economy and mislead the public on the objectives of our policies. Intelligence reports at the disposal of the Bank reveal the involvement of some unpatriotic elements funding the push to have the CBN and the Federal Government reverse its FOREX policy, which is aimed at conserving foreign exchange, stimulating agriculture and manufacturing and also promoting exports. The present economic challenges that we face have been worsened by our past practice of frittering away huge earnings made from oil sales, over the years. As we have explained severally, our decisions on FOREX management are prompted by the challenge posed by the level of depletion of the country’s reserves, arising from issues such as a drastic reduction

in oil earnings, speculative attacks and round tripping. It is pertinent to note that pressures on the country’s foreign reserves have persisted due to a huge fall in the monthly foreign earnings, which fell from over US $3.2 billion sometime in 2013 to below $500 million per month sometime in 2016, when the demand for the US dollar, particularly by importers, continued to rise considerably. In spite of the challenges and the basic economic fact that countries earn dollars from international trade, we have ensured we meet the genuine demand of importers to pay for eligible imports and other transactions within available resources. Furthermore, the Bank has continued to ensure that there is liquidity and transparency in the FOREX market.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to: Ensure that inflation remains within manageable limits; Intervene in critical sectors of the economy, through injection of much-needed capital to promote growth and employment; Promote export-driven industrialisation; Provide access to credit to farmers and small scale entrepreneurs at single digit rates, to create wealth; Protect the interest of Bank customers in Nigeria; and above all, Ensure that the masses of our country’s low income earners are protected from the vagaries of high naira depreciation. A statement by the Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor said, “despite our

positive efforts, some persons and groups have chosen to play to the gallery by focusing on negativity that does the country no good. “Nevertheless, in line with our mandate and working with the fiscal authorities, we will continue to ensure monetary and price stability as well as maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the Naira. “While leaving our doors open for genuine partnership with all our stakeholders, we will only take economic decisions that will impact positively on the lives of all Nigerians. “We therefore urge all concerned to be more patriotic and contribute to the soundness of the Nigerian economy; rather than engage in acts capable of undermining the efforts being made at moving the country out of the current economic situation,” the statement said.

L-R: Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Bashir Jamoh, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Olusegun McMedal and the Executive Director, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, Mr. Gambo Ahmed when the Lagos NIPR team paid a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the Agency in Lagos.

Investor receives N1.5m for illegal sale of shares-NERC By Etuka Sunday

he investor protection initiatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received a boost last weekend when an investor, Rev. Fr. Samuel Ukeje Ikechukwu received a cheque for the sum of N1.5m for his shares that were illegally sold. According to Ukeje who is resident in

Italy, he bought the Guaranty Trust Bank shares eight years ago through Cashville Investment and Securities but was surprised to learn that the shares had been sold by the company without his knowledge. Ukeje said he became suspicious when he was not receiving any dividend warrant nor bonuses like others who invested in the shares adding that upon further investigation, he realised that the shares

had been sold without his knowledge. The complainant said he lodged a complaint with SEC in January 2015 and after thorough investigation by the Commission, the money was recovered and he was called by the SEC police Unit on January 4th to pick up his cheque. Although he is happy with the efforts by the commission and commended them for their investor protection initiatives, he

wants the company to be further penalised to serve as deterrent to others. He said “ I believe the company should be penalized further because the value of my money when I bought the shares and what it is today is not the same thing as the nation’s currency has greatly depreciated”. He expressed his gratitude to the Commission for how the matter was investigated and a solution reached.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Page 20

Business Fidelity Bank CBN clarifies alleged wrong appoints Charles Aigbe Divisional FOREX purchase figures Head Brand, Communications

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

idelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading banks has announced the appointment of Charles Aigbe as Divisional Head, Brand and Communications. Following Fidelity Bank’s recent rebranding and positioning for its next growth phase, the appointment of Charles, according to the Fidelity Bank CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo is part of concerted efforts to realign the communications function of the bank to the strategic vision of being number 1 in select markets. “We welcome him to the Fidelity Bank family. We will work together, leveraging on our combined experiences to actualize all our growth initiatives and grow the Fidelity brand,” said Okonkwo. A vastly experienced professional, Charles was Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations at PanAfrican financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) prior to joining Fidelity Bank. He started his career in the investment-banking end of the Nigerian financial industry, with defunct Kapital Merchant Bank before moving into broadcasting when he joined DBN Television in the mid 90s. left as News Controller/ Business Editor in late 2001 to take up an appointment with UBA in January 2002. Through hard work, determination and continuous pursuit of excellence, Charles soon established himself as a go-getter and team player at UBA, rising to head the overall communications and CSR functions in the entire Group. With a career spanning over two decades in financial Services, media, brand management, public relations and communications, Charles was called into the leadership of the association of communications managers in the industry in 2015 when he was elected as 1ST Vice President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB). Charles Aigbe is an alumnus of the University of Jos, where he studied Economics. He is chartered stockbroker and member of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing (NIM). He is widely travelled and has attended several trainings both locally and internationally.

...says sale of FOREX under new policy most transparent By Etuka Sunday

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday clarified the media reports alleging irregularities in the rates at which foreign exchange was obtained by some individuals and companies from Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) under its new Foreign Exchange Policy. The Apex Bank clarified that it recently observed, however, that some DMBs forwarded inaccurate data, which were erroneously published and gave a wrong impression of disparate rates. CBN said, the DMBs involved in providing inaccurate data have since been issued queries accordingly. Some

have returned a response indicating that some of the figures were related to formatting errors, which do not affect the true rates of the affected transactions. CBN in a statement by its Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor said, “following media reports alleging irregularities in the rates at which foreign exchange was obtained by some individuals and companies from different Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) under the new Foreign Exchange Policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which prioritises FOREX sales to manufacturers, agriculture, plant and machinery, critical raw materials, among others, we wish to make the

following clarifications: The Central Bank of Nigeria neither allocates foreign exchange nor does it deal directly with bank customers; “The CBN does not fix FOREX rates for transactions by individuals or companies; In line with our principle of transparency, we directed DMBs to forward to us evidence of FOREX sale to end users and to advertise same in national dailies; “Since the introduction of the new FOREX Policy in 2016, we have published, monthly, the evidence of sale from DMBs, as received from the banks and without any alteration by us in the spirit of transparency. “We have recently observed,

however, that some DMBs forwarded inaccurate data, which were erroneously published and gave a wrong impression of disparate rates; “The DMBs involved in providing inaccurate data have since been issued queries accordingly. Some have returned a response indicating that some of the figures were related to formatting errors, which do not affect the true rates of the affected transactions. “As the constitutionally authorized industry regulator mandated to manage the FOREX market, maintain external reserves and to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency, we wish to state unequivocally that the CBN has a duty to perform and would not indulge in acts capable of discrediting the FOREX market.

From Left His Royal Highness(HRH) Alhaji Abdullahi ISA Dasong, the newly appointed Amna Shellang, of Adamawa State with the Dangote Group’s Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Garga Senior General Manager -Government Relations when he visited HRH to Congratulate him on his appointment as Amna Shellang at the weekend in Adamawa State.

Investors wealth up 0.40% From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

riven by activity in the financial services sector, equities listed on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) last week ended on a bullish trend as the twin market indicators gain momentum. Specifically, the NSE All-Share Index appreciated by 0.40% to close at 26,328.22 points from 26,223.54 basis points it opened with while the Market Capitalization of listed equities as well increased by 0.40 per cent to close at N9.059 trillion from N9.023 trillion recorded the previous week. Meanwhile, a total turnover of 990.584million shares worth N18.823 billion in 14,917 deals were traded by investors in contrast to a total of 1.340billion shares valued at N8.903 billionthat exchanged hands in 15,733 deals the previous week.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led theactivity chart with 664.647 millionshares valued at N3.896 billion traded in 8,056 deals; thus contributing 67.10%and 20.70% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 133.641 millionshares worth N2.602 billion in 2,653 deals. The third place wasoccupied by Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 63.189 million shares worth N88.834 million in 635 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely – Zenith International Bank Plc, Champion Breweries Plc and Diamond Bank Plc (measured byvolume) accounted for 252.189 million shares worth N1.822 billion in1,841 deals, contributing 25.46% and 9.68% to the total equity turnovervolume and value respectively.

Similarly, all other Indices finished higher during the week with theexception of the NSE Premium Index that depreciated by 0.13% while the NSE ASem Index closed flat INDEXThe Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (ASI) appreciated 104.68 basis points to 26328.22 from 26223.54recorded the previous week. The NSE Main Board index gained 8.56 to 1,180.23,NSE 30 Index surged by 5.74 to 1,172.86, NSE Banking index increased by 0.32 to 284.16 points, NSE Insurance index wentup by 0.03 to 126.94, NSE Consumer Goods index added 0.49 to 670.00, NSE Oil and Gas index grew by 11.07basis points to 303.24 points, NSE Lotus II rose by 8.89 to 1,738.09 points NSE IndustrialGoods index advanced by 7.32 to 1551.57, NSE Pension index 0.80 basis points to819.30 points. Review of activity in the market showed that Twenty-nine (29)

equities appreciated in price during theweek, lower than thirty(30) equities of the previous week. Thirty (30) equities depreciated in price, higher thantwenty-seven (27) equities of the previous week, while one hundred and sixteen (116) equities remainedunchanged lower than one hundred and eighteen (118) equities recorded in the preceding week. Unity Bank Plc led gainers table, growing by 15.63 per cent or N0.10kobo to close at N0.74 kobo, Oando Plc followed with a gain of 12.47 per centor N0.57 kobo to close at N5.14 kobo while Stanbic IBTC Holdings gained 8.57per cent or N1.38 kobo to close at N17.48 kobo. Other companies recorded pricedepreciation were Champion breweries plc 8.26 per cent, Forte Oil 8.09 percent, Wema Bank Plc 7.84 per cent, NPF Micro Finance Bank 6.67 per cent.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Kick-Polio campaign: FCTA targets 744,000 children for immunization

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

o ensure the quick eradication of Polio myelitis in the country, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Primary Health Care Board (PHCB) is targeting 744,000 children for vaccination within the period of

Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) subnational immunization-plus days, this year. PeoplesDaily reports that the first phase of the immunization exercise slated for four days, which had kicked off January 28 till 31st (tomorrow), is expected to be strategically followed by another four rounds before the

end of the year. Speaking at weekend, while flagging off the 2017 First round sub-national Immunization-Plus Days programme in FCT, at the Family Health Clinic, Area 2-Garki, Executive Secretary of PHCB, Dr. Rilwan Mohammed, explained that only children under-five years will be

immunized during the period. He disclosed that apart from support from National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) UNICEF, WHO and other partners, the FCT Administration under ledership of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has invested about N7.9 million to carry

• The Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Dr. Rilwan Mohammed administering an oral polio vaccine to a child, during the kick-off of the first round of 2017 Polio Outbreak Response Sub-National Immunization Plus Days exercise in FCT, on Saturday. Photo: Stanley Onyekwere

out the campaign in the Territory, so as to enable the Board meet up with the target. According to him, the Area councils had simultaneously flagged off the programme last Friday, and their activities are going to be monitored by seventy supervisors from the Board. He further disclosed that the goal post for the revived kick polio out campaign in the country has shifted from 2018 to 2019. “One child with polio has the tendency of infecting two hundred and fifty children. That’s why we need to vaccinate children anywhere they are: in the markets, motor parks, Airport, railway station, worship centres and 22 health camps set up for special population within the FCT. “We have received about 929 doses of vaccines from National Primary Healthcare Agency, so as to enable FCTA meet up with the target,” he stressed The PHCB boss therefore appealed to parents to cooperate with the trained vaccinators deplored for the exercise, in order to ensure all eligible children are immunized during the period, which will help to ultimately eradicate the menace of polio from FCT and Nigeria at large. He added that people should maintain high level of personal and environmental hygiene by particularly practicing proper hand washing and avoiding open defecation.

AMAC-IPDC boss heads committee on establishment of Council’s Micro-finance bank

n a bid to further boost economic activities, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adau Candido has unveiled an eleven-man committee on the establishment of proposed AMAC Micro Finance Bank, with a seven terms of reference, and four weeks deadline to submit its report for consideration. Candido, while inaugurating the Committee under the chairmanship of Managing Director, AMAC Investment and Property Development Company (IPDC) ltd, Hon. Yakubu Adamu, listed its terms of reference to include: looking at the viability or otherwise of the council establishing micro finance bank; and liaising with relevant regulatory body to ascertain the conditions to be met for its establishment. Others are; to identify suitable site (s) for the location of the proposed bank’s Head office and other branches; ascertain the

share capital of the council and that of the other shareholders/ investors; and ascertain the initial capital to be injected in the short term and in the long run; as well as identify other investors that can partner with the council in the venture. He added that the committee

is to prepare an Executive Bill, stating the entire modus operandi of the proposed bank for presentation to the Legislative Council for enactment in the Bye-Laws on the Establishment of AMAC Micro Finance bank. Responding on behalf of the committee, the AMAC-

IPDC boss assured that the committee will vigorously follow the terms of reference given to it, and ensure that it churns out a comprehensive report within the time limit given to the committee, so as to enable the council establish and run micro finance bank.

He said when the Microfinance bank is established, the people and staff of the council as well as traders will feel the impact, as it will further open up access to soft loans needed to facilitate economic activities within the municipality and FCT at large.

Governance: FCT Youth back Tuface with 10,000 T-shirts for protest

ome indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared support for the planned protest against bad governance in the country recently announced by the popular artist Tuface Idibia, as a youth group, FCT Citizens Against Bad Governance (FCTCABG) has printed over 10,000 T-shirts in support of the event. Recall that Tuface had announced that come next month (February) he and others well known artists will lead a nationwide protest against bad

governance in the country. While declaring support in a statement signed yesterday, in Abuja by the coordinator of FCTCABG, Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf, said it will support Tuface, who is the National coordinator of Citizens Against Bad Governance with 10,000 T-shirts with inscription “FCT Citizens Against Bad Governance”. Yusuf also condemned the recent move made by the FCT Minister to use the FCT traditional rulers to cause disunity among the FCT youths”, which it added

could cause a huge setback to the FCT administration. He noted that the desperation of the government to scuttle the plan collation of 10,000 signatures “is a reflection of bad government” and said further attempt to use other means to intimidate such peaceful exercise in the Territory “would stir the adherents of the FCT indigenous youths”. “ I have risk my life in the fight against bad governance for the sake of my people, recently about 56 indigenous community

organizations gathered together and elected me as their spokesman and I stand elected. “And nothing will stop us we will present our own side of bad government to the national coordinator of bad government and anybody thinking that we are being sponsored by any politician is very far from the truth. We will stand by the truth and fight for the right of the FCT citizens against margnilsation from the FCT administration down to the House Representatives members and the FCT Senator “he stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Trump’s Muslim ban is a dangerous distraction analysis

By Suad Abdul Khabeer

n January 27, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to make good on his promised Muslim Ban. One of the primary provisions of the order is a ban on visas to the US to nationals from seven countries: Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, which are all Muslimmajority nations. There is something peculiar about this list. The draft of the executive order begins by citing 9/11 as a failure of the “visa-issuance process”. It blames the state department for preventing “counselor officers from properly scrutinizing the visa applications of several of the 19 foreign nationals who went on to murder 3000 Americans.” The overwhelming majority of those individuals were from Saudi Arabia, yet, Saudi Arabia is not on the list. Furthermore, when it comes to “homegrown terrorism” of all the Muslims accused, charged, convicted and killed, some of them are from these seven countries in Trump’s list and some are not, some are immigrants and some are American citizens, and a number of them have been entrapped by federal law-enforcement agencies. This either means that the list needs to be much longer or there is something more than national security concerns at play. The Muslim ‘bogeyman’ rump promised a “Muslim Ban” as part of his election strategy. He got support for his unlikely candidacy by fomenting the already seething tide of anti-Muslim racism in the US. The way anti-Muslim racism works is that Islam and Muslims are a bogeyman, hated and feared because of how they are “different”, i.e. by how they look and what they do. Muslims are bogeymen not solely because some Muslims are guilty of violent acts against Americans. As was reported not too long after white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine black Americans in Charleston, white Americans cause the largest

numbers of American deaths by terrorist acts on US soil. Yet unsurprisingly, Trump has not signed any executive orders specifically targeting white Americans. This is because Islam and Muslims have been “othered” - made to be seen as distinctly and most despicably bad and evil in the popular imagination. Violence against women, honour killings in particular, is cited two times in the draft as something from which the US government is obliged to protect Americans. This specific practice of violence against women has been sutured to Arabs and Muslims in popular conversation. It builds on a broader narrative that Muslim women are oppressed by the men in their lives, their families and the religion they follow, and they need saving - by the US.

The Muslim as a ‘Manchurian candidate’ ecall, Laura Bush’s call to support the invasion of Afghanistan to save Muslim women. By explicitly including honour killings, Trump is basically telling his supporters “I told you I’d do something about this bogeyman and look, I am.” And this something is doubly significant for people who believe we need to “make America great again”, because it is not only standing against the evils of “Islamic extremism”, but it is allegedly standing up for democracy and freedom. It feeds into an idea that violence against women is a particularly Muslim thing, due to their backwards culture. Yet in the US, every minute nearly 20 people, the majority of whom women, are victims of intimate partner abuse. However, Trump is not ramping up protections for violence against women here at home. In fact, while he is marking himself the anti-honour killings crusader abroad, he is cutting funding for the Office on Violence Against Women. This means cuts to programmes around the country that try to prevent domestic violence and provide services, like transitional housing and legal aid - services that would surely be of benefit to the white and working-class women among Trump’s supporters.

Trump got support for his unlikely candidacy by fomenting the already seething tide of anti-Muslim racism in the US, writes Abdul Khabeer [Olivier Douliery/EPA]

Smoke and mirrors rump also promised jobs and to that end, he signed an executive order to push forward the Dakota Access Pipeline. But of all the jobs he promises, only about 40 will be permanent, which is peculiar considering Trump supporters presumably want permanent work. He also promised to protect Americans from the scourge of illegal immigration by building a wall. He signed that executive order this week and missing from much of that fanfare is the small detail that taxpayers, and not Mexico, will be footing

part of the bill. And while there has yet to be an executive order, Trump’s recent declaration that he would send the “feds” to Chicago to stop what he called “American carnage” at his inauguration, only thinly veils the real objective: militarisation on the home front. And while that will initially target those living in the ‘scary’ inner cities, it will ultimately compromise the liberty his supporters hold so dear. Sexual assault in the time of Trump o, what is at play here? Trump is continuing what

“

In this way, these moves are a bunch of smoke and mirrors, for which Trump has become pretty famous. However, that doesn’t mean these distractions aren’t dangerous. Indeed, they are. They are a danger to the communities of colour they target.

he started on the campaign trail. He is tapping into the fear that breeds the kind of xenophobia that gets folks excited about walls and bans, only to distract them from all the promises he won’t be keeping. In this way, these moves are a bunch of smoke and mirrors, for which Trump has become pretty famous. However, that doesn’t mean these distractions aren’t dangerous. Indeed, they are. They are a danger to the communities of colour they target. Likewise, they are dangerous for Trump supporters who will find that even with bans and walls, they will still be left behind. Suad Abdul Khabeer is an assistant professor of Anthropology and African American Studies at Purdue University, founder and editor of sapelosquare.com and the author of Muslim Cool: Race, Religion and Hip Hop in the United States. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial policy.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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News From Africa

AU Summit Agenda Obscures the Real, Off-Book, Work of African Summit A

s is often the case at African Union summits, the ambitious official theme, this year it’s “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth”, is not the main draw. As is often the case, Africa’s messy, exciting politics is. This year, there is a lot to watch. This summit is an African debut of sorts for Gambia’s new president Adama Barrow, triumphant from a bruising election that nearly ended in bloodshed after the longtime president initially refused to vacate the seat he had held for 22 years. On the other end of the spectrum, this is the umpteenth summit for Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled since 1980 and recently announced he would stand again in the next elections, at age 94. Many issues The continent has other, longer-simmering political issues that leaders may hash out behind closed doors, breaking

Madagascar: Truck crash kills 47, including newly-weds

t least 47 people, including 10 children and a newly-wed couple, have been killed in a traffic accident north of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, according to police. The incident took place early on Saturday when a truck carrying wedding guests deviated off the road and plunged into a river outside the town of Anjozorobe. Police spokesperson Herilala Andrianatisaona told AFP news agency on Sunday that at least 22 people were also injured in the accident. The police have blamed the driver for carrying too many passengers on a truck that is only meant to transport goods. “According to our hypothesis, the truck driver, cognisant of the offence he was committing, which was transporting too many passengers in a vehicle meant for carrying goods, drove fast to escape traffic police checks,” Andrianatisaona said. “The driver lost control of his vehicle after having negotiated a wrong turn and ended up in the Mananara river,” he said. The truck was reportedly transporting guests who were celebrating a wedding a day earlier. The island nation off the southeast coast of Africa has a population of about 24 million people.

A general view shows the headquarters of the African Union (AU) building in Ethiopia

through a political impasse and scheduling overdue elections

in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Rwandan

president’s decision to change the constitution to run for a third

Fake Leopard Skins used in South Africa to Save Live Cats

t least 1,200 men in ceremonial attire danced at a mainly Zulu gathering in South Africa on Sunday, wearing a mix of hides of illegally hunted leopards and Chinese-made, spotted capes designed by conservationists to reduce demand for the real thing. The phalanxes of dancers with shields, headgear of ostrich feathers and other regalia on Sunday evoked the proud traditions of one of South Africa’s main ethnic groups, as well as the piety of the participants, whose Shembe religious movement blends Christian and indigenous beliefs. The event in Ebuhleni, north of the coastal city of Durban, also testified to an openness to change because roughly half the men were wearing fake leopard skins rather than genuine pelts, symbols of power because of the predator’s grace and lethality. In fact, leopards are vulnerable on a continent with a rapidly growing human population, their numbers diminished by habitat loss, illegal hunting for their skins and other factors. “It’s like abusing the animals if they’re hunted to get the real skin,” said 67-year-old Msoleni Manqele, who collected a manufactured copy of a leopard hide from a Shembe distribution office, which had in turn received a batch of fake pelts from the Panthera conservation group. The white-bearded Manqele

spoke in awe of the leopard, describing it as a “king of the jungle” that fights with its claws, teeth and hind legs. He said he knows leopards “personally’’ because he lives near a wildlife park, but acknowledged with a laugh: “I’m also scared of them.” One dancer, Madoda Zungu, wore a real leopard skin but said he also had one of the fake samples, first handed out in large numbers by Panthera in 2013 after years of negotiations with Shembe leaders, some of whom were resistant to shaking up an old custom at the behest of outsiders. “It’s very important to know where we are coming from. This symbolizes our tradition,’’ said Zungu, a municipal councilor. The leopard, he said, “is one of the animals that actually has got power in terms of the strength, in terms of thinking, in terms of doing and being a leader.” Another man, Kholwali Nxumalo, said he had settled for a fake fur, but still hoped to buy a real one despite the expense. While the replica pelts, called “amambatha,” have been distributed for free or a small levy, vendors near the dance site were selling real leopard skins for about $370, as well as the tails of monkeys, genets and serval cats worn by dancers, often around the waist. A few skins of cheetahs, another imperiled species, were also on display.

The imitation leopard skins, besides being a free or cheap alternative to the real item, are more durable in the rain. The mock versions generally look shinier and neater than their real counterparts, which need to be replaced after about a decade. Learning about fashion was a challenge for Panthera’s “Furs for Life” project, which modeled imitations on a haul seized from a poacher and used a complex weave technology that wasn’t available in Africa. “We took those skins, we photographed them, we then digitized them into the pixels that the machine needs and then we sent that into the factories to try and make it exactly as that original fur,” said Tristan Dickerson, the project manager. Dickerson also navigated the Shembe movement’s divisive politics, saying it was sometimes hard to tell “if you were speaking to the right faction.” A permit is required to own a leopard skin, but authorities don’t crack down on Shembe dancers, mindful of cultural and religious sensitivities. Sunday’s pageantry followed a pilgrimage to a nearby mountain and is one of the group’s biggest occasions in the year, drawing followers from across South Africa, as well as neighboring Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

presidential term this year. On Sunday, the leaders met for a retreat, safely ensconced from the public and journalists by a cordon of security at AU headquarters. The agenda said the leaders were discussing reform of the African Union. Liberian Minister of Youth and Sports Saah Charles N’Tow was in many of the off-limits meetings and spoke to VOA on the sidelines of the summit. He acknowledged the leaders’ private meetings do not send a message of openness and transparent governance to the African people they serve. “I wish I could come out and say it, you know, out here,” he said. “But I think there are things, that, that they have closed meetings because they want to rule out whatever the outcomes are at the time that they decide, so I can’t really tell you.” Leaders will make a secret vote to choose their pick for the new head of the African Union commission, after they failed to choose a successor for Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the last summit six months ago. Old summit hands say the agenda doesn’t always tell the full story. Former AU peace and security commissioner Said Djinnit spoke to VOA on the sidelines of the summit. He no longer works for the African Union and his issue, as U.N. special envoy for the Great Lakes region, is not officially on the agenda. But he came for the summit, because he said many of the important issues happen on the sidelines. “But this is usual,” he said. “I mean, the AU is very important this year, you know, because there a number of very important decisions to be taken by the summit. ... But as the special envoy, I came here because I took advantage of the summit to have a meeting of the guarantors of the peace, security and cooperation framework which is an agreement which was signed by the countries of the Great Lakes plus South Africa and a few others in 2013, essentially to provide peace, security and development in the Great Lakes because of the history of the Great Lakes as you know, the Genocide in Rwanda, the wars in the DRC, and the crisis, the successive crises in Burundi.” The heads of state begin to meet officially on Monday in a pomp-filled opening ceremony that will pay homage to their official theme. But how much of their business has been hashed out in private meetings beforehand? Only they know.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Asia&Middle-east

International Reaction to Trump’s Refugee Ban Begins

nternational reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order banning entry to refugees and citizens from seven mostly-Muslim countries has begun. In addition to barring residents of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days, the Trump executive order put a permanent ban on admission of Syrian refugees and a 120-day ban on all other refugees entering the U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2017. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2017. The president said that only people who support the United States should be allowed into the country. The executive order he signed discussed identification and verification procedures that U.S. consular officers should use in extensive detail. “We want to make sure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people,” Trump said in announcing the ban.

The toll could rise further as many people were trapped [Reuters]

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday that Merkel “is convinced that even the necessary, resolute fight against terrorism doesn’t justify putting people of a particular origin or particular faith under general suspicion.” German Chancellor Angela

Merkel delivers a speech at a local meeting of her Christian Democrats, CDU, in Grimmen, northern Germany, Jan. 28, 2017. German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech at a local meeting of her Christian Democrats, CDU, in Grimmen, northern Germany, Jan. 28, 2017.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has been slammed by her fellow politicians for not condemning Trump’s ban when she was in Ankara meeting with her Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. May said in Turkey, “The United States is responsible for the United States’ policy on refugees.

British Official ‘Deeply Concerned’ by Somalia

he British secretary for International Development says she is “deeply concerned” at the worsening drought situation in Somalia. At the end of a visit to Mogadishu Saturday, Priti Patel said the drought is affecting millions of people and Britain plans to step up providing support to Somalia. “Millions of people in Somalia are currently living in desperate conditions as drought threatens lives and instability, which is why the UK is stepping up support to save lives and provide basic food, clean water and nutrition,” she said in a statement. “Building a secure, stable and prosperous Somalia is a top priority for the UK and while great progress has been made, significant challenges remain,” the statement said. Patel announced that London will provide several million dollars in support for the people affected by the drought. She said the money will be delivered through three U.N. agencies: the World Food Program, U.N. Children’s Fund and the Food

and Agricultural Organization. Several days ago, the international community appealed for $864 million to help 3.9 million Somalis who needed urgent life-saving assistance, a statement said. Delayed and insufficient rainfalls have been blamed for

the drought. The Somali government warned against possible famine in parts of the country unless urgent humanitarian deliveries are made to the regions in the northeast, central Somalia, southwest and Somaliland. The government said this is

the worst drought in 25 years. The drought has affected nomadic communities and farmers, according to the government. She said Britain will host a conference for Somalia in May attended by members of the international community to offer future support for Somalia.

Women carry jerry cans of water from shallow wells dug from the sand along the Shabelle River bed, which is dry because of drought in Somalia’s Shabelle region, March 19, 2016.

The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom’s policy on refugees.” Back in England, May said that Britain does “not agree” with Trump’s ban on Muslims, adding that the approach was “not one we will be taking.” British lawmaker Heidi Allen said on social media that “Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they’re wrong ... I don’t care how special the relationship is - some lines just shouldn’t be crossed.” Another lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn said, “Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning [Trump’s] actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to ... After Trump’s hideous actions and May’s weak failure to condemn them, it’s more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety that they will always be welcome in Britain.” Trump is scheduled to visit Britain later this year, but British lawmaker Sarah Wollston said the U.S.leader should not be invited to address Parliament, adding that “those who wish to fawn over him” could do that someplace else. French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault said of Trump’s ban, “Welcoming refugees, who flee war and oppression, is part our duty.”

Pakistani Court Acquits Suspects of Burning Christian Homes

defense lawyer says a court has acquitted all 155 of his clients who were accused of torching homes in a Christian neighborhood. Ghulam Murtaza said Sunday that anti-terrorism court judge Chaudhry Azam acquitted his clients due to a lack of eyewitness testimony against them. An enraged mob torched dozens of houses in the Joseph Colony neighborhood in Lahore in March 2013. Prosecutor Waqar Bhatti said the government will appeal the verdict. The mob torched the houses following allegations of blasphemy against a Christian man who was accused of insulting Islam’s prophet at a barber shop. No one was hurt in the attack as Christian residents had already left their homes in fear. The government quickly rebuilt the homes and compensated the residents.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

PAGE 25

Education

From Ayodele Samuel,Lagos

esidents of Ilasan, a rural settlement set against the background of the Lekki Expressway and posh high rise buildings in Lagos State, got two sets of toilets at its Ilasan Primary School donated by Dhikrullah Gbolahan Agberemi, a young banker and social entrepreneur. Pupils of the 26-year-old school said the school was desperately in need of toilets to end open defecation within the school premises. When the 450-pupil and teachers of the school resumed

Gwagwalada: School boss restates commitment to education

Lagos: Young entrepreneur donates toilets to primary school on the 9th of January, they were pleasantly surprised to see that thhey have clean toilets to use. The toilets were built to reverse the perennial trend of open defecation and unsanitary behaviour amongst pupils in the school. The school now have water closet toilets with complete wash bowls and sanitary products. Gbolahan believes the development will kick start a revolution of cleanliness and discipline amongst the pupils. Gbolahan said, “’Project Build A Toilet’ is a Social Entrepreneurship Initiative founded in the year 2008. He said the organisation’s vision is to achieve the dearth of poor toilets and inspire a new revolution of modern toilets in

Nigeria. “To commemorate the World Toilet Day for 2016, we embarked on the upgrade of toilet facilities in several public schools in Lagos State including Ilasan primary school. It gives me great joy to see these new facilities put in place. The pupils of this school had never experienced running water in their toilets. The boys and girls used the same toilets, snakes and rodents even used the school toilets as their hiding place due to non existent windows. I am glad all these are now in the past due to our intervention. “All the taps are now running with water, we installed the sliding window glasses in all the 9 toilet windows, fixed all the dilapidated toilet seats and bowls, installed new urinary bowls for the boys”,

he added. According to him, for the first time in the history of the school boys and girls now have separate toilets, a development he said gived him personal joy and fulfilment. He expressed his gratitude to other donor, the La Roche Leadership Foundation for their support. Project Build A Toilet Enterprise” adopts Ilasan primary school, Jakande Estate Lekki, as one of its focal centres towards scaling up sanitation and hygiene to meet the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). At the commissioning of the toilets were, Mrs Marina Osoba, sole administrator of La Roche Leadership Foundation; Princess Abiodun Elegushi,

the sole administrator of Eti - Osa Local Government; and Mr. Lanre Luqman, Education Secretary of SUBEB Eti Osa. Other community stakeholders included representative of Dr. B.O.Babalakin, Founder of Slum to School, women, children and well meaning individuals and Volunteers of Project Build A Toilet. Mrs. Osoba encouraged the young entrepreneur to continue in the path of providing solutions to social problems and advised the school management to maintain the facilities provided. She also called on affluent residents of the area to follow in Gbolahan’s path and give back to the community, insisting that true change can only come from citizens - led action.

By Usman Shuaibu

Principal of Junior Secondary School Sabon-Gari in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Florence Okonkwo, has said that she would place a greater emphasis on the education of the children in the school. Okonkwo stated this while presenting her speech during the 3rd general meeting of Parent Teachers Association (PTA) at the weekend in the school. She said she would not hesitate to checkmate the activities of the students in the school for the sake of their academic pursuit. She said her administration would work in partnership with PTA in the school to arrest some pending challenges facing the school, while commending the leadership of PTA for its contributions toward the education of the students in the institution. She called on parents and guardians to deem it necessary to monitor the activities of their children and wards at home and in school. Speaking earlier, the PTA chairman of school, Malam Sanayi Yunusa, said plans are underway to erect a multipurpose hall where PTA general meetings would be taking place, adding that a bus will also be purchased to arrest problem of transportation facing the students in the school. The chairman and some parents applauded the principal for her efforts towards the progress of the school.

• R-L: Founder Bilmor Technical and Vocational Centre (BTVC), Dr. Bilikisu Magoro;, Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu receiving gift from one of the children with learning disabilities during Dr. Zainab visit during the Dr. Zainab visit to the school of children with learning disabilities (BTVC), recently Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Rector appeals to Gov.Yari to redeem 8km road promise From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

ector Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Engineer Ahmad Abubakar Lugga has call on Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state to redeem his 2016 promise to construct an 8kilometer road to ease movement within the institution. The rector said the promise made by the governor was part of efforts to provide conducive atmosphere for teaching and

learning. Lugga made the call Saturday during this year’s matriculation ceremony of 1307 new intake. He said lack of road network in the institution has contributed immensely towards giving room for neighboring communities to trespass the institution premises which poses threat to the safety of the students. He said the institution has recently began the construction of two most important projects comprising a 500 seat capacity

lecture theater located adjacent to the School of General Studies complex and the construction of befitting laboratories and workshops for Electrical Engineering Technology Department. “Hopefully, we shall soon begin the construction of modern office structures around some existing departments to further reduce the challenges of decent office accommodation for academic staff members. “There is no doubt we are

moving forward and in the right direction. We cannot thank TETFUND enough for funding so many projects critical to the development of our institution, Lugga stressed. Earlier, the Rector lamented that management of the institution have recorded admission entry of 5000 applicants seeking for admission into the Polytechnic but only 1307 were able to come back for registration for the commencement of their various courses.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017, 2016

Digest

Blind people CAN be racist too •The small study by University of Delaware professor Asia Friedman found the blind are not ‘absolved from being a racist’

study that asked visually impaired people about their experiences with race has concluded that even the blind are capable of racism. Asia M. Friedman, an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at University of Delaware, asked 25 blind people how they perceived race and how that perception affected how they felt about an individual. Friedman found that, even in those participants who’d been blind since birth, the visually impaired can and do still harbor racist stereotypes. ‘In all cases it takes them longer to categorize people by race and there is more ambiguity,’ Friedman clarified to CNN. According to her findings, the blind use mental calculations based on nonvisual clues about race including voices and names. And those calculations sometimes lead the blind to conclusions about an individual’s socioeconomic status or race. ‘I think blind people are inculturated into ideas about class and race,’ said Friedman, who presented her findings on Tuesday at the American Sociological Association annual meeting. Friedman’s isn’t the first study to come to such a conclusion. In 2013, California law professor Osagie Obasogie was inspired to undertake a larger study after seeing the Ray Charles biopic. That study became the book Blinded by Sight: Seeing Race Through the Eyes of the Blind, in which Obasogie argues the blind and sighted are socialized to view race in a particular way that may be separate from the actual color of one’s skin. Mailonline

Color blind? A study that asked visually impaired people about their experiences with race has concluded that even the blind are capable of racism

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Plateau United remain top as Rangers, Rivers United draw at home P lateau United continued their impressive run in the Nigeria Professional Football League with a hard fought 2-1 win against Abia Warriors at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos yesterday. It was the Kennedy Boboyeled side’s fourth win of the season and it helped consolidate their position at the top of the standings. Elisha Golbe set his side on the road for the win when he scored the curtain raiser on five minutes. It was the forward’s third goal of the campaign. Godwin Zaki drew the visitor’s level with his third goal of the season in the 35th minute, while Philip Azango netted the winner for United two minutes before the break. MFM FC also enjoyed a 1-0 win against Kano Pillars at the ‘Soccer Temple’ Agege Stadium, Lagos. Debutant Adebayo Waheed netted the winner in the 66th minute. In Port Harcourt, Rivers United endured a disappointing evening as they were held to a barren draw by a spirited Lobi Stars team who earned their first away point of the campaign. The Pride of Rivers dominated from start to finish but was thwarted by Lobi goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah, who put in a top class performance. It was also a frustrating day for champions Enugu Rangers who were held to a 1-1 draw at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium by Niger Tornadoes. The hosts went in front through Godwin Aguda five minutes before the break but were pegged back two minutes into first half added time when Bolaji Adeyemo hit the back of the net. The Flying Antelopes have now recorded a win in five games this season. Enyimba recorded a slim 2-1 home victory against at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar. The Peoples Elephant got off to a perfect start when Captain Mfon Udoh converted from the spot on 13 minutes. Adamu Hassan stunned the home supporters when he restored parity 11 minutes after the restart. Udoh scored the winner in the 66th minute, his third of the campaign. It was celebration galore at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi as home team Wikki Tourists trounced FC Ifeanyiubah 3-1.

Godwin Zaki (left) of Abia Warriors The visitors took the lead courtesy of Prince Agrreh’s fine finish in the fifth minute, while the Bauchi Elephants rallied back through goals from Richard Johnson (brace) and Idris Guda. In another fixture, ABS dimmed Shooting Stars 2-0 in Ilorin.

when he scored the second five minutes after the break. Two late goals by substitute Sanusi Sani and Manir Ubale also gave Gombe United a 2-0 win against Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium.

Plateau United 2-1 Abia Warriors Remo Stars 2-0 Elkanemi Warriors Wikki Tourists 3-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah Rivers United 0-0 Lobi Stars MFM FC 1-0 Kano Pillars

>>Pg 28

Results ABS FC 2-0 Shooting Stars Enyimba FC 2-1 Nasarawa United Enugu Rangers 1-1 Niger Tornadoes Gombe United 2-0 Sunshine Stars

Mohammed Mohammed and Ebuka Anakwe got the goals for the Saraki Boys. Remo Stars also beat El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 at the Shagamu Stadium. Onuoha Chukwujekwu put the Sky Blue Stars ahead in the 2nd minute, while Oche Salefu made the points safe

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017, 2016

Sport

Ghana in semi-final clash with Cameroon

he Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, were the goal scorers as the Black Stars secured qualification to the semi-final of the 2017 AFCON tournament after beating DR Congo 2-1 on yesterday at the Stade d’Oyem. After firing blank in the first half, Ghana broke the deadlock three minutes after the hour mark. It was Jordan that sent his side in front as his effort went past Ley Matampi in the Leopards goal. Paul-Jose M’Poku equalised for DR Congo with a sensational long-range strike from outside the box. West Ham’s Andre Ayew then coolly dispatched a winning penalty following a foul on Christian Atsu in the Congo 18-yard area, sending Matampi the wrong way to seal the win. The victory for Ghana means Avam Grant’s men will now take on Cameroon in one of the two semifinal clashes on Thursday. Cameroon beat Senegal to a place in the final four.

Black Stars of Ghana celebrating victory against DR Congo

Federer beats Nadal to win 18th Grand Slam title at Australian Open

Frampton loses rematch to Cruz

oger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and first for five years with a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final. The 35-year-old Swiss won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title and extend his lead at the top of the alltime men’s major winners’ list. Nadal, 30, remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams following his first final since 2014. Federer’s previous major title came at Wimbledon in 2012. “I’ve been coming here for almost 20 years now,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed it and now my family does too. “Thanks again for everything, to everybody. I hope to see you next year. If not, this was a wonderful run here and I can’t be happier to win. He becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events - five Australian Opens, five US Opens and seven Wimbledons. Nadal was also on the way back from injuries that curtailed his 2016 season, but the Spaniard could not improve his winning record against Federer - the Swiss has now won 12 of their 35 matches and three of nine major finals. Federer beat Nadal in a Grand Slam final for the first time in 10 years The return of one of the great tennis

Frampton and Santa Cruz

Federer beats Nadal to win 18th Grand Slam title rivalries to the Grand Slam final stage led to huge anticipation, and it lived up to the billing over three hours and 37 minutes. A match of wild momentum swings ended with a purple patch from Federer that saw him win the last five games, and clinch the title thanks to confirmation from a Hawk-Eye challenge.

arl Frampton lost for the first time in his professional career as Leo Santa Cruz beat him on points in Las Vegas to regain the WBA featherweight title. Mexico’s Santa Cruz, 28, got a deserved verdict in an all-action contest, and afterwards promised to fight Northern Ireland’s Frampton for a third time. One judge scored it a draw, but the other two favoured Santa Cruz 115-113. Thousands of fans had travelled from Northern Ireland to help create a feverish atmosphere at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. They saw Santa Cruz, a three-division

champion; get off to a fine start, making better use of his height and reach advantage than he had when he lost to Frampton in July. Frampton, who had won all 23 of his previous fights as a professional, warmed to his task more after a slow start. But he found Santa Cruz, relentless with a productive jab, in determined mood to avenge that point’s defeat in Brooklyn. Frampton, from north Belfast, suffered the first defeat of his professional career Frampton won some rounds back and finished strongly in the 12th, but Santa Cruz held firm to take the belt.

Balotelli on target as Nice return to top of Ligue 1 table

ario Balotelli’s ninth league goal of the season helped Nice beat Guingamp 3-1 at the Allianz Riviera as they returned to the summit of the Ligue 1 table. Lucien Favre’s men had dropped to second place following four draws in their past five games, but they went one point clear of Monaco again ahead of yesterday evening’s encounter between the Stade Louis II side and Paris SaintGermain. Alassane Plea ensured his side got off to a fine start when he opened the scoring in the 11th minute after being set up by Valentin Eysseric. Nice continued to dominate proceedings in the first half and Jean-Michel Seri doubled his side’s lead seven minutes before the break with a right-footed shot from inside the area. Jimmy Briand pulled one back for Guingamp at the hourmark following some good work from Nill de Pauw, but there would not be a comeback as Balotelli restored his side’s twogoal lead in the closing stages of the game.

•

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

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LIFT ABOVE CANCER ORGANISATION

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) IRONOMAN AGHAHEKOKIAN JACOBS ; CHAIRMAN (2) CHRISTIAN OJAIMONI ONOVUGHE; SECRETARY (3) GALSTON ERONMWON ROBERTA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1) TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR CREATING AWARENESS FOR EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER. 2) TO PROMOTE RESEARCH ON CANCER.

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THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Miss Omoyiwola Akinfolarin, (2) Mr Bioye Augustine Akinfolarin, (3) Omobolanle Olubamidele Fabusoye, THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : Rendering rehabilitation and welfare services to internally displaced persons, youth empowerment, maternal and child healthcare.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.APOSTLE JAIYEOBA OYEBANJI JOSEPH 2.LADY EVANGELIST MRS JAIYEOBA ADENIKE ABOSEDE 3.MRS OYAKHIROME ADAEZE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

ANY OBJECTIVE TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION NO 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198 MAITAMA DISTRICT ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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PRIEST JOSHUA OGHOANINA MINISTRY

THE REVEALED PROPHETIC & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY INT’L

Any objection to the amendment of the constitution should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

No 314, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Edo State THIS IS TO NOTIFY 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, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: a. Priest Joshua Oghoanina Chairman b. Mr. Idanabo David Oghoanina Secretary c. Mrs. Idanabo Rosemary Iweghai Member d. Mr. Erhabor Osarodion Uyi Member THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To promote love, charity, care and serving of Christ 2. To train, ordain and license candidate for work of gospel ministry ANY OBJECTIVE TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION NO 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198 MAITAMA DISTRICT ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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SIGNED : Chairman

SIGNED: BARR. LOUIS UDO ITIBA 08063534609.

loss of document

ABIGAIL

AMEH

I, formerly known as ABIGAIL UMUEMUFO now wish to be known and addressed as ABIGAIL BLESSING ABIRO. All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known as AMEH-MICHEAL ANITA ODO, now wish to be known and addressed as AMEH ANITA MICHAEL. All documents remain valid. The public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has notified the Corporate Affairs Commission for amendment of the constitution under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990. The amendment of the constitution comprises the following: Amendment of Articles 1 to 6 and Articles 8 to 12. Removal of Article 7. Addition of some provisions (Articles) in the Constitution. Alteration of the numbering of the Articles.

This is to inform the general public of the loss of original Offer Letter and Statutory Right of Occupancy in respect of plot No. 111 with Old file No. KT 747 and new file No. AN 10780 located within Katampe District in Cadastral Zone B07 Abuja belonging to Chuka Joseph Eze. All effort to trace the said documents proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest Police Station. General public should please take note. Elizabeth

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Motor cycle dealers and sellers association Daura emirate

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Abba Yusuf-Chairman 2.Abdullahi Adamu-Member 3.Maigari Sani-Member 4.Lawal Haruna Danauta-Member 5.Sabiu Ahmad-Member 6.Rabiu Abdul’Aziz-member 7.Salisu Ahmadu-secretary THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To foster Unity, love, harmony and understanding amongst its members. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WETIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

CALEB DANJUMA I, formerly known and addressed as DANJUMA C. RIKWENTAN, now wish to be known and addressed as CALEB DANJUMA RIKWENTAN . All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD take note.

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THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Joshua Tom Umoh 2. Prophetess Emeh Joshua Umoh 3. Eld. Monday Danson 4. Pastor Asuqwo Bassey Effiong. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTIVE TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION NO 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET PMB 198 MAITAMA DISTRICT ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, january 30, 2017

Some Interesting Facts 1. Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do. This is largely due to the fact that a majority of the machines and tools we use on a daily basis are designed for those who are right handed, making them somewhat dangerous for lefties to use and resulting in thousands of accidents and deaths each year. 2. Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren’t. 3. Koalas and primates are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

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Leisure

4. Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears. 5. The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the air. 6. It is impossible to lick your elbow (busted) 7. A crocodile can’t stick it’s tongue out. 8. A shrimp’s heart is in it’s head. 9. People say “Bless you” when you sneeze because when you sneeze,your heart stops for a mili-second. 10. In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand. 11.It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky. 12. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. (busted?) 13. More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call. • Rats and horses can’t vomit.

Say what?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Cossacks help a boy to take a bath in the icy waters of a lake

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monday, january 30, 2017

SPORTS latest

Giwa condoles with Dalung on wife’s death By Albert Akota

he president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ambassador Chris Giwa has joined millions of Nigeria to condole the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung on the unfortunate death of his wife. Giwa who hails from Plateau state, the same state with the minister expressed deep shock on hearing the unfortunate news while praying to the Almighty God to comfort him and most importantly give him the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. “The minister is my brother and I am deeply sad on the news of the death of his wife. What can I say, because we are not in a position to query God? But we pray that the Almighty God extend His mighty hand to comfort him at this hour of his grief,” “I also call on Nigerians to rally round the minister because it is such a painful thing to lose a partner you have stayed with for a long period of your life,”

Suarez rescues point for Barcelona after goal line controversy

ruguayan striker, Luis Suarez, rescued a late draw for FC Barcelona at Real Betis yesterday, with the champions not being allowed a goal which crossed the line. Betis dominated and hit the woodwork through Dani Ceballos and Ruben Castro before Alex Alegria put them ahead. But Barca were furious not to be level when Aissa Mandi hooked the ball away from about a foot behind the line, with La Liga not having goal line technology.

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QUOTABLE QUOTE

“The Igbo played bad politics in 2015. Today we have lost a lot. We are not anywhere because of our bad politics. This is the time for Ndi-Igbo to come and work together. Now that Igbo leaders are together in APC, Nigerians will hear us.”. - Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha

Nnamani panel on electoral reforms: What next?

t was three days well spent – December 12-15 2016. Members of the Presidential Committee on Constitutional and Electoral Reforms were locked up in the reclusive and intellectually stimulating ambience of Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo, AkwaIbom State for their second retreat. They were supported by consultants, resource persons and secretariat staff. And after three days of intense brainstorming, they came out reassured that they are on the right course to sanitize the much abusedelectoral process in Nigeria. The Uyo retreat was the second of its kind since the Committee was appointed by President MuhammaduBuhari in October 2016. The first was a one day event held on the 1st of November 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. At this first retreat and with representatives of the DFID and NDI in attendance, some crucial presentations were made. One was a discussion of judicial issues in pre-election matters between 2007 and 2015. It was established that Section 31 (6) as provided for in the Electoral Act of 2010 is very deficient. There was also an exploration of how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms can be used to settle election matters. There were also discussions on the procedure to be adopted by the committee in producing the report; technology and elections; certain lapses in the Legal framework particularly the Constitution and the Electoral Act, as observed by the INEC representative hence the need to incorporate new areas of development in the legal framework and other related issues. The second retreat held at Uyowith the support of NDI and USAID was something else. By this time, the Committee had split into four clusters – A,B,C and D with each cluster assigned an aspect of election to study and report back on. Additionally, the Judiciary which plays a critical role in election disputes was represented by Justice Mohammed LawalShuaibu who presented a paper on judicial issues in the election process. From the legislature came the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presented a paper on the challenges of electoral reform in the National Assembly. The Nnamani committee even went far out of the shores of Nigeria to gain from the knowledge of other African countries at this retreat. From South Africa came the Vice Chairman of South Africa Elections Commission, Mr Terry Tselane

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with a well-researched presentation of the South African experience in alternative resolution of election disputes. As the discussions got heated up, it became clear to all that the initial skepticism which had greeted the setting up of Nnamani panel were premature and misplaced. The criticisms were based on the premise that the committee was one too many since the government had not gathered the nerve to implement the reports of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Committee which submitted its report in 2008. To be sure, all participants agreed that the Uwais committee was composed of members with impeccable character and that they did a good job. But as the discussions went on, it was clear that fixing election problems in Nigeria is a task that requires not only clean men and women but men with field experience. This last requirement was just not there in the Uwais committee. Secondly, since Uwais committee submitted its report, no concerted effort has been made to codify the recommendations through legislative action. Professor AttahiruJegaa member of the Uwais panel later became the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.As a member of the august committee, he was thoroughly grounded in the motivations for most of the recommendations - like the biometric registration of voters. He made sure some of these amendments and recommendations were captured in the 2010 constitution amendments and the Electoral Act used for the 2011 general elections that were

“

considered an improvement on the 2007 ‘election like event.’ But Justice Uwais himself is not happy with thispiecemeal implementation of his report. Speaking at an electoral reform review session organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), he noted that the crisis of the electoral system in Nigeria is traceable to the failure of the government to implement the report of his committee in a holistic manner. The “pick and choose” style of the government was negatively affecting elections in the country. In his words: “As we know, the bill that was produced by the National Assembly though reflected some recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, but not all of these recommendations were adopted. As far as the Electoral Reform Committee was concerned, the recommendations were intended to be in tandem with one another.” At the inauguration of the Nnamani committee on October 5 2016, AbubakarMalami SAN, the Minister for Justice urged it to review the extent of the implementation of the recommendations of the 2008 Justice MuhammedUwais Election Reform Commission and advice on outstanding issues for implementation. But even if the Uwais report were implemented holistically as he advocated, it would leave a lot of problems unsolved. A lot has happened between 2008 and today that needs attention. Suddenly because the fight for elective offices has become very competitive, there is hardly an election won with landslide victory. Consequently, “inconclusive

At the inauguration of the Nnamani committee on October 5 2016, AbubakarMalami SAN, the Minister for Justice urged it to review the extent of the implementation of the recommendations of the 2008 Justice MuhammedUwais Election Reform Commission and advice on outstanding issues for implementation.

elections” have entered the political lexicon of Nigeria. Again, the Uwais report never quite produced an answer to the problem posed in Kogi when a gubernatorial candidate who was on a clear road to victory suddenly dropped dead. One of the cluster groups of the Nnamani Committee presented a thorough xray of the Uwais report – chapter by chapter -and made a presentation at the Uyo retreat. An added advantage of the Nnamani committee is that a significant number of key stakeholders in this committee were active players in politics having contested several elections and won, with experience and knowledge of the issues requiring reform. We hail the government that gavethem this chance to put their deep knowledge to positive use. Even then, Mr. Malamiat his inaugural meeting advised the committee to consult far and wide and in particular with the National Assembly and the Judiciary in order to make recommendations that would stand the test of time. This process has already started with the participation of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review and Justice Mohammed LawalShuaibu from the Judiciary at the Uyo retreat. Chairman Nnamani revealed at the event that contacts with the two important arms of the government will be deepened preparatory to the submission of its final report. With the highly successful Uyo retreat behind us, the question for the Nnamani Panel is: What Next? The panel will soon hold public hearings in the six geopolitical zones of the country in conformity with the Malami mandate to consult widely. After that, a report of its findings will be compiled and handed over to the President.

DAN GAYE

Adamawa lawmakers boycott town hall meeting – News

Can they also boycott rallies for re-election?

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