Monday, September 30, 2019 Edition

Monday, September 30, 2019/ Muharram 30, 1441 AH Vol. 32 No. 060 N150

1998 Days after

Safar: Sultan tells Muslims to monitor new moon >>>page 3

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Katsina records 36 new cases of yellow fever

>>page 5

Nigeria @59:

God has taken away power of our enemies -Osinbajo

>>>page 5

Says freedom of Nigerians has come

(From front row) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ; His Wife, Dolapo (middle) Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (right) ; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; (left), National President, Chjristian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, (2nd left) from back row FIRS Chairman, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godwin Akpabio, Former Governor of Imo State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha during Independence Day Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, yesterday Abuja.

Photo: Justin Inmo-owo

NBA slams DSS, calls INEC loses Taraba Buhari: Illicit financial for Sowore’s release REC, Yusufu flows impeding devt. pAGE 7

pAGE 15

pAGE 6

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

News

CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial Op.Ed

11 12-13

Politics 15-17 Feature Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Health Minister tasks philanthropists on support

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Federal Government has called on philanthropists and wealthy Nigerians to continue to support the federal government through humanitarian intervention in all sectors of the country.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made the call at the flag-off of the first batch of 14 containers of medical equipment/ supplies from MedShare Atlanta and 11 containers of books/ educational materials from Books for Africa Atlanta Warehouse, USA. The medical equipment and educational materials are set

for shipment to Nigeria to aid the actualisation of health and educational programmes of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.

A statement by a member of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Sir Tony Obi, made available to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, disclosed that within the next 12 months, the Foundation will facilitate the procurement, shipment and distribution of 100 (40ft) containers each of Medical equipment/supplies and books/educational materials to Nigeria.

The materials and equipment are meant for distribution to federal, state, military/police hospitals on one hand and

schools, colleges, universities and public libraries on the other hand.

Speaking further, the minister noted that President Muhammed Buhari was delighted with the humanitarian interventions of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, especially in the areas of health and education.

According to Ehanire, the various interventions by the Foundation will, no doubt, impact positively on the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare initiatives of the federal government of Nigeria.

He, therefore, applauded Sir Emeka Offor Foundation’s overseas partners including MedShare Atlanta and Books

for Africa for their various roles in facilitating the shipment of healthcare and educational materials to Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Emeka Offor reiterated that as long as God continues to keep him alive, he will continue to intervene in critical areas of humanity to touch the lives of challenged communities.

He called on wealth Nigerians and corporate organizations to continue to support major areas of the Nigerian economy in order to provide succor to the less privilege in all nooks and crannies of the country, maintaining that the government cannot do everything alone.

N90bn alleged scam: Why we support Osinbajo -CAN Page 4

Digest

25

Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Safar: 2019 UTME: Over 100,000 candidates Sultan tells got varsity admission – JAMB Muslims to T monitor new moon

T

he Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the new moon of Safar 1441AH from Sunday, September 29.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the sighting of the moon will usher in the second month of the Islamic Year.

Abubakar made the call in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Sokoto

by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Sunday, September 29, 2019 which is equivalent to 29th day of Muharram 1441AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Safar 1441AH. “Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” it said The Sultan prayed for Allah’s help to all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties.(NAN)

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says over 100,000 candidates who met admission requirements have so far been offered placements into Nigerian universities for the 2019/2020 academic session.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, Spokesman for JAMB, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos that the board hoped to utilise 80 to 90 per cent of the available spaces for this year’s admission.

Benjamin stated that the board’s projection for this year’s admission was to ensure that candidates utilised more available

spaces unlike in 2018 where about 40 per cent of spaces were not utilised.

“We will continue to adhere to our admission deadline.

“The first choice admission for public universities commenced from Aug. 21 and would last till Nov. 16 and for private universities, it will be from Aug. 21 to Feb. 15, 2020.

“The second choice admissions for public universities will be from Nov. 17 to Dec.17,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the board had distanced itself from a recent advertisement placed on what it described as ‘roque website’,

urging unsuspecting candidates and other concerned stakeholders to subscribe to, ahead of the 2020 UTME. According to Benjamin, the board knows nothing about such advertisement.

“It has come to our notice that some mischievous persons are trying hard to use the name of the board to defraud innocent candidates and the general public ahead of the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board (UTME).

“These fraudsters are urging interested candidates or persons to forward their names and telephone numbers to the rogue website, as

well as pay subscription fees to acquire past questions and answers and a copy of the literature novel ahead of the board’s 2020 UTME. “We want to state that these are mischievous persons who are out to cause pains to the public and therefore urge candidates to disregard the information and the perpetrators of this evil in their own interest.

“JAMB operates with set standards and it is not ready to compromise such standards. We have an authentic website for all official information. Do not be deceived,’’ Benjamin warned.

(NAN)

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Sen. Danjuma Goje and former Minister of Transport, Sen. Abdullahi Idris Umar during the wedding reception of Sen. Idris’ daughter, Zainab with Alhaji Sani Dauda’s son, Muhammad S. Dauda, at the weekend in Gombe

Sowore: Judiciary cautioned against trivializing national interest R-L: Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, the Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, Justice Saddik AbdulLahi Mahuta (rtd), the Danejin Katsina and District Head of Mahuta, Alhaji Bello AbdulKadir and Dr. Rabe Nasir at the Galadiman Katsina palace when the Governor went to condole with him over the death of his brother, Dr. Tukur AbdulLahi Mahuta, yesterday.

Fake Kaduna Islamic school: Police urge parents to pick their wards From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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arents of students that were recently evacuated from Ahmad Bn Hambal Islamiyya School in Rigasa, Igaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been called upon to rescue their wards because they are victims and not suspects.

The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO of the state Police Command, Yakubu Sabo Abubakar made the call while speaking to our correspondent in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, the over

300 students were placed in dehumanizing conditions, cramped in rooms, with some of them in chains while others had big scars and injuries on their bodies which must have been as a result of torture.

The Command spokesperson added that there was also allegations of sexual abuse on the students.

He further disclosed that the school is not registered to provide Islamic teaching or a reformatory house.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Aji Janga, while briefing journalists after the

raid, said they acted based on information that something is going on at the rehabilitation centre.

“So, I sent my DPO there to check what was going on. On getting here, we discovered that this is neither a rehabilitation centre nor an Islamic school.

You can see it yourself that they are small children, some of whom are brought from neighbouring African countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and others and from across Nigeria.

Most of them were even chained.

“The man operating this

home claimed that parents brought their children here for rehabilitation. But, from the look of things, this is not a rehabilitation centre. No reasonable parent will bring his children to this place.

“So, we are going to investigate them and get to the root of the matter. We will find out the real motive behind this centre, and if they are found wanting they will be charged to court.”

The police said the proprietor of the centre, Malam Ismaila, will be charged to court after investigation.

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

A

Warri based public affairs commentator, Ishmael Rufus, JP, has cautioned the judiciary not to sacrifice national interest on the altar of freedom of expression.

Rufus insisted that the judiciary must accord due priority to national security interest in considering bail for capital offence suspects.

He was reacting against the recent bail granted to the Sahara Reporters publisher and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 election, Omoyele Sowore, by a Federal High Court Abuja.

“The judiciary should not play to the gallery of media hype and other populist posturing in considering cases involving national security

issues”.

Rufus stated this in a press briefing, held in Abuja, Sunday.

“National interest should not be trivialized” he said.

The issue of Sowore, according to the public affairs commentator, “Should raise genuine concerns whether the gravity of the offences for which he has been charged justified his release on bail”.

Sowore is being charged by the Federal Government with a capital offence, conspiracy to commit treason.

“Unfettered expression of ideas may cause serious harm, hatred or contempt or excite public disaffection or incite or instigate violence or threats within or against the State.

“Any government that delays action against the mismanagement of public space in an attempt to allow

freedom of expression does so at its own peril” Rufus submitted.

“That is why it is provided in S.39(3) and S.45(1) of the Constitution that the provisions of S.39 would not invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

“Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom or other persons.

“It is instructive that the Abuja court held that since the charges of terrorism had already been filed against Sowore, he must deposit

his international passport and other travel documents to the court to guarantee his availability for trial, an indication of the risks to national security and evasion of justice.

“Yet it went ahead to hand him over to his lawyer” he stated.

Rufus recalled what happened in the cases of leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, and leader of Shiites, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, when they were granted bail and leave respectively.

“This recalls the Nnamdi Kanu bail episode and the granting of medical leave to IMN leader, Ibrahim El Zakzaky when courts caved in to undue pressure to grant supposedly justified bail only to end up in fiascos.

“Although the Constitution

in Section 39 provides for the freedom of expression, such freedom is not absolute and it comes with its own limitations” he posited.

He further argued that “Whether the actions of Sowore fall within such limitations will be decided by the court in due course.

“However, if freedom of expression is left unfettered, it is certain to be abused” he argued.

Recall that Sowore had been in the custody of the DSS for 45 days following his arrest on August 3, for planning a nationwide protest tagged “RevolutionNow”.

A day before the expiration of the ex parte order, the DSS charged him with offences of treasonable felony, money laundering, terrorism and plots to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

News

N90bn alleged scam: Why we support Osinbajo -CAN

By Albert Akota

C

hristian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the weekend threw its weight behind Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the N90 billion fraud allegation leveled against him by a former chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Timi Frank saying he can never indulge himself in such illicit and ungodly venture.

The National President of (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle who disclosed this in Abuja after leading its members to visit Osinbajo over the alleged N90 billion fraud said the association will continue to pray with him for the genuine works he’s doing for Nigerians.

Frank had alleged that the Vice President collected N90 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) to fund the

2019 election.

Ayokunle, who spoke with reporters at the Christian Ecumenical Centre where he held a meeting with top members of CAN, said Osinbajo is innocent of the allegations, describing it as falsehood.

He told newsmen that the church and all Nigerians are proud of the VP and would continue to pray for him.

On whether Osinbajo would

step down to be probed, the CAN president maintained that it was left for him (Vice President) to determine, saying: “We are not in his position. If the allegations are not true and the people who alleged it cannot prove it, then the church will be very proud of him and will continue to be proud of him, and we are praying for him.”

He warned peddlers of the false allegations against toying

with the innocent that have faithfully served Nigerians for whatever reason, noting that the whole of the country would rise up to fight such people if they don’t desist.

Ayokunle urged Nigerians to team up to fight and overcome the challenges facing the country, saying: “If we resolve to fight the challenges with the will power within us, in the Name of the Lord we serve, we will overcome.

From Uche Makurdi

T

Nnorom,

A

young man identified as Ezekiel Odeh, yesterday allegedly committed suicide in Otukpo local government area of Benue State.

It was learnt that Odeh, who is about 35 years, from Igbeji Akpa, Otukpo took a poisonous substance known as ‘Goodbye’.

A source within the community who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the deceased had before now threatened to take his life but was prevented by family members and loved ones.

“He has been threatening to kill himself before now. Then yesterday morning, he locked himself in the room and took the substance”, the source said.

He described him as a gentle and easy-going man who is connected to most politicians in Benue.

When contacted on the incidence, the State Police Command Public Relations’ Officer, DSP Catherine Anene said she is unaware of it.

Minister of Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire (third from left); Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Aishatu Aliyu Musa (extreme left); Vice President MedShare, Mrs. Nell Dialo (second left); Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Sir Emeka Offor (fourth from left); his wife and Vice-President, Emeka Offor Foundation, Barrister Adaora Offor (fourth from right); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abdulazeez Mashi Abdullahi, (third from right); President/CEO MedShare Mr. Charles Redding (second from right); and Mr. Chris Ezike, Chief of Staff, Chrome Group at the commissioning of 14 containers of medical equipment and other supplies at the MedShare, Atlanta, USA destined for Nigeria by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation over the weekend. Source: SEOF

Flood: NEMA advises four Imo communities to relocate

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a notice to four communities in Imo State to relocate to safer sites over possible flooding which it said might occur any moment from now.

The four communities are Eziorsu, Afiaofu, Orsuobodo and Ossemotto all in Ohaji/ Egbema and Oguta Local Government Area.

The Head of Imo/Abia Operation Office of NEMA,

Evan Ugoh, issued the notice on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Ugoh said communities within the Orashi bank of River Niger might also be affected by the likely flooding.

He said the early warning alert became necessary, following the recent prediction

by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) that Imo was among the states in Nigeria likely to be affected by

flooding in 2019.

The NEMA officer said against the prediction, floodprone communities must remain alert and also take bold steps by relocating to safer areas.

He also cautioned against building houses on waterways and urged the state government to muster the political courage to demolish all houses built along the waterways.

Over 60 houses, including

farmlands, were submerged in some communities in Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Areas of the state recently by flood with no fewer than 2,000 people displayed.

Mr Ugoh said the best international disaster approach was to prevent emergency than to let it happen.

He expressed concern that some communities were in the habit of not taking NEMA’s early warning alert seriously.

“People are usually not serious when it comes to early warning prediction, but we will continue to educate them on the need to always monitor the sea level around them and report same to authorities,” he said.

He said NEMA and other stakeholders in disaster management were alerted on the development, saying, “We are aware of the prediction and we have mobilised well in case of any emergency.”(NAN)

Kaduna begins measles immunisation in October

From Mohammed Ibrahim Kaduna

K

aduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency Executive Secretary, Dr Hamza Abubakar said the agency will commence measles immunisation across the state in October, 2019.

According to him, the measles immunization campaign is in line with the Federal Ministry of Health

FG commends Emeka Offor over humanitarian intervention in health, education

By Ese Awhotu

Man, 35, commits suicide In Benue

and other partners efforts to protect children in the state and country in general.

He said already the vaccines for the commencement of the exercise in October are ready and said the exercise will last for only six days.

He appealed to parents to be ready to provide their children during the immunisation exercise as soon as it begins, saying the vaccines are safe.

The Executive secretary who

disclosed this at a news briefing didn’t not give an exact date for the commencement of the exercise but said the exercise has been scheduled for next month October.

“We have all the vaccines available, we also have all the support from the State Government and our partners.

So we are hoping the media will help sensitise the members of public to ensure that their children of 9 - 5 years are

available for the measles immunisation come October, “ he said He also attributed the outbreak of measles cases in a communities of Igabi Local Government Area of the state few weeks back to the attitude of some community members towards immunising their children.

The Executive Secretary also added that by November this year the agency will

equally carry out meningitis A campaign across the state so as to protect the children from killer diseases.

In her remarks, a Liaison Officer for the Immunization Programme Dr Halima Tafida said it’s very painful to see children dying from preventable diseases as she urged stakeholders to do everything possible to educate the people on the importance of the immunisation.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

he Federal Government has commended a foremost philanthropist, Sir Emeka Offor for his humanitarian intervention, especially in the areas of health and education.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire made the commendation in Atlanta, USA when he commissioned one hundred 40ft containers of Medical Equipment and other supplies as well as books, computers and other educational materials donated by the Sir Emeka Foundation and its overseas partners, MedShare Atlanta and Books for Africa.

A statement by a member of the Sir Emeka Offor Board of Trustees, Sir Tony Obi, said the medical equipment and educational materials will be distributed to public hospitals, military and police hospitals, public universities, secondary schools and public libraries across Nigeria.

Dr. Ehanire said the interventions of the Foundation will impact positively on the primary, secondary and tertiary health care initiatives of Federal Government.

In his remarks, the Philanthropist, Sir Emeka Offor pledged to continue to intervene in critical areas of humanity in order to impact positively on the lives of people particularly the under-privileged and those living in challenged communities.

The occasion was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abdulazeez Mashi Abdullahi, the Consul General of Nigerian Mission in Atlanta, Aishatu Aliyu Musa, former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani, Ambassador Howard Jeter, Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, top executives of MedShare Atlanta and Books for Africa, officials of the US Centre for Disease Control led by Alison Thompson among other dignitaries.

The highpoint of the events was the cutting of the tape to send off the first container of Medical Equipment and Supplies by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire and the cutting of the tape and endorsement to certify the pallets of books ready for shipment.

News Nigeria @59: God has taken away power of our enemies -Osinbajo Says freedom of Nigerians has come

By Lawrence Olaoye

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigerians’ day of freedom has come as they celebrate the nation’s 59th Independence anniversary tomorrow.

In his speech at the interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja yesterday, Osinbajo said “the noise we hear are last gasps of our nation’s defeated foe.”

He said “God had promised, through the mouths of His trusted prophets, that He is giving us a New Nigeria! May I announce to you today that God is ready to take us into the Promised Land,

the new Nigeria.

And we must remember that God, the Almighty God is the builder of nations, that God controls the destinies of nations and its people. Psalms 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein.”

God promised the children of Israel that He would take them from bondage, suffering and slavery into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, he said.

By the hand of Joshua, God brought His promise to pass. They got to the Jordan and as their feet touched the water, the Jordan was separated and they walked on dry land all across the Jordan, the

Vice President said.

He said they got to Jericho, a well-fortified city and they did not fire a shot, they brought down the walls of Jericho by a shout. Thereafter, when they were about to take the Promised Land, after Moses had asked that some go and spy out the land, some of those who went to spy said that it would be impossible to take the city, impossible to enter the Promised Land.

However, Caleb and Joshua had a different spirit, and they said that because God had promised and because He could do it, all the problems were just bread, mere bread to be eaten by the children of Israel.

He said God has promised us

a new Nigeria, a peaceful Nigeria, a prosperous Nigeria, a Nigeria where justice and equity shall prevail, a united Nigeria, where the different tribes and tongues are not wedges of separation, but the joyful textures of our togetherness. God is ready to fulfill His promise.

He continued: “The new Nigeria is here, and each and every one of us, our families, our friends, all of us, will eat the pleasant fruits of this land.

“God Almighty has taken away the protection of the enemies of this nation. He has taken away their powers, the noise we hear, the turbulence we experience, are the last gasps of a defeated foe.

The day of freedom is at the door.”

R-L: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; President of Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mahmud and Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, during the Independence Day prayers at the National Mosque, on Friday in Abuja

Katsina records 36 new cases of yellow fever From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

N

ot fewer than 36 cases of yellow fever outbreak have been recorded in Katsina

State.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony of yellow fever vaccination in Katsina, the Deputy Governor, Mannir Yakubu who confirmed the cases, said the vaccination exercise is targeted at vaccinating 7 million population of the state.

Yakubu represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabir Mustapha said the 36 cases were recorded mostly in Danmusa and Kankara Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him, “These emerging cases are the reason I

am standing here before you to ensure the commencement of the preventive campaign against this potentially life-threatening disease with free vaccines.

“Yellow fever is a serious infectious disease transmitted by specific kind of infected mosquitoes.

“This is a great opportunity for all caregivers to have their children from the age of 9months vaccinated and for other individuals up to the age of 44 years. This age range is chosen because they are found to be most affected,” Dr. Mustapha said.

The Permanent Secretary, however, appealed to the heads of households, individuals, traditional and religious leaders to engage with their community members to guide against vaccine refusal, hesitancy and ensure that all eligible targets

population were captured in the vaccination which will last for 10 days.

He equally called on all local government chairmen to attend evening review meetings to provide an oversight function during the exercise while noting that for the success of the exercise it has supplied distribution of vaccines, syringes, and data tools to all the LGAs. The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib said the exercise will be extended to schools, mosques, churches, markets and motor parks among others where the eligible could be found.

Shuaib represented by his member, National Technical Coordinating Committee, Shehu Usman called on all to mobilize their

families, friends and communities for the yellow fever vaccination.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya urged the people not to hesitate in reporting to health facilities any suspected cases of yellow fever.

Dr. Yahaya further said plans are also underway to carry out vaccinations on maternal and neonatal tetanus targeted at women of 15-49 years, measles targeting 9months to 5 years and meningitis for children 1-7 years.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Head of Communication Specialist, Musa Rabiu in his goodwill message expressed its readiness to support the state government while noting that it doors are open for support and intervention.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

PAGE 6

News

Buhari: Illicit financial flows impending devt.

By Ese Awhotu

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has bemoaned the continued loss of public funds through illicit financial flows, saying it remained an impediment to development and effort by developing countries to scale up resource mobilisation.

President Buhari made the lamentation at a high-level dialogue on “Financing for development” with the theme: “Putting resources to work for more equal, sustainable societies, including combating illicit financial flows” at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York at the weekend.

The President was represented by the Minister of State for Budget

and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba.

Recall that the President returned to Abuja last Saturday.

The President said that multilateral efforts at resolving the problems of illicit financial flows should be comprehensive and holistic with the active engagement of the origin and recipient countries.

“In this connection, my administration has demonstrated the required political will to ensure the independence of all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and reviewed enabling anti-graft laws,” he stated.

He encouraged member states to join “our efforts to strengthen the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and support

the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiatives of the United Nations and the World Bank.”

President Buhari also said that, “Nigeria recognises the importance of Diaspora Remittance, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) in providing further channels to fund development projects.

“As a result, we call on our development partners to live up to their commitment to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/Gross National Income (GNI) and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries.”

He said the meeting provided for him a veritable platform to highlight some of the policies and

achievements of his administration in the last couple of years.

According to him, “We have mobilised significant domestic resources to finance critical projects aimed at addressing inequality, ensuring social inclusion and sustainable development.”

He declared that four years after member states committed to the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “the question on how to finance such an ambitious agenda remains.”

The President said: “We believe that achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda is a task for all nations; however, it should be recognised that many Developing and Least

Developed Countries are in dire need of financial assistance far and above what they can mobilise within national boundaries.”

He told the gathering that, “As part of my Administration’s effort to implement the SDGs by the year 2030, we have identified and implemented several policies to diversify the revenue base.

“The Single Treasury Account (TSA), Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Executive Orders on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) and Ease of Doing Business have all been introduced.

The objective is to ensure efficiency in resource mobilisation and avoid overreliance on revenue from crude oil.”

NEMA distributes inputs to 12,243 farmers in Niger From Minna

Yakubu

Mustapha

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has flagged off distribution of farm inputs to 12, 243 farmers whose farmlands were washed away by 2018 flood in the state.

The distribution took place at the Niger state Agricultural and Mechanisation Development Authority in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Minna Operation Office, Mrs Lydia Wagami who said that the farmers were verified during an enumeration exercise carried out by the agency to identify victims whose farmlands were washed away by flood in 15 local government areas.

She said that the distribution of farm inputs to farmers was part of the Federal government efforts to ensure food security in the state and the country as a whole.

“This is the second phase of the agricultural emergency intervention programme with the distribution of fertilisers and chemicals to farmers affected by 2018 flood disaster.

“Each farmers is entitled to the input based on the type of crops they farm, rice farmers are entitled to nine bags of fertilisers and chemicals,” The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello commended the Federal government and NEMA for the provision of the inputs to farmers that suffered loses during the flood.

Represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, advised the farmers to make judicious use of the inputs, adding that government had put in place monitoring and evaluation team to monitor farmers with intention of selling them.

In same vein, Alhaji Ahmed Inga, Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said that the agency would monitor the farmers to ensure that they use the inputs judiciously.

A beneficiary Malam Garba Barde, however, commended the Federal government and the agency for the gesture and said that the inputs would assist farmers to record bumper harvest.

L-R: Mr. Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Mr. Baker Magunda, Vice Chairman Beer Sectoral Group (BSG); Mr. Jordi Borut Bel, Chairman, Beer Sectoral Group (BSG); Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Otunba Micheal Daramola, Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries PLC. during The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of MAN ‹DON›T DRINK & DRIVE› Campaign in partnership with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Presentation of Breathalyzers to FRSC, at the weekend in Lagos.

NCPC applauds Buhari over 2019 pilgrims’ medical welfare

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the 2019 Medical Welfare Services for pilgrims during holy pilgrimage in Israel, Greece and Rome.

The director in charge of the commission, Mrs. Esther Kwaghe showered this commendations on the President over the weekend during the opening ceremony of a three day medical orientation Programme organized by the commission and the Federal Medical Committee for the Federal

Medical Team at Goshen in Nasarawa State.

He said the gesture will help in ensuring zero motility.

Mrs Kwaghe noted that the orientation was necessary as it would afford the federal medical team the opportunity to learn more about the mandate of the commission, especially for those who were participating for the first time and even those who had participated before would also learn new trends and innovations that had evolved over time.

She congratulated them for their selection and success in the federal medical examination, adding that

they were selected strictly on merit.

Earlier, the Head of Operations of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Amos Yohanna, stated that the Commission would continue to ensure zero mortality and morbidity for pilgrims during pilgrimage.

Rev. Yohama emphasized that the orientation programme afforded the commission, the Federal Medical Committee and Federal Medical Team the opportunity to interact and strategies in order to have a hitch free medical care for the pilgrims.

It would be recalled that earlier this year, the Commission in

conjunction with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) organized Medical Selection examinations for the Federal Medical Team.

A total of 65 medical personnel participated in the 2019 NCPC Federal Medical Orientation programme.

The Federal Medical Team comprises medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory scientists.

They will accompany pilgrims to the Holy Land and take care of their medical needs during pilgrimage.

Nigeria @ 59: Okowa calls for sacrifice, rebuilding

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to embrace selflessness and sacrifice to rebuild Nigeria.

He made the call an interdenominational thanksgiving at the Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Bishopscourt, Asaba, to mark

the country’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

The governor said that building of a nation required the participation of all.

He said that the process should begin at the homes, with the rebuilding of the family structure where parents could direct children aright.

Okowa also Nigerians in the

Diaspora to be part of the re-building of the nation, challenging them to emulate Prophet Nehemiah in the Holy Bible.

He recalled that from his comfort zone abroad, Nehemiah who was concerned about the problems in his native Jerusalem, prayed and assembled follow citizens and friends to return and rebuilt the city.

He congratulated Nigerians and

urged that in spite of the challenges facing the nation, they should not despair Earlier, the Bishop of Asaba, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Justuce Mogekwu, had in a sermon, urged leaders to look up to God for wisdom to govern the people.

Special prayers were offered for the country and its people at the church service.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

NSCDC arrests suspected kidnapper in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

T

he Niger State Command of Nigeria Service Civil Defense Corps NSCDC, has arrested a suspected kidnapper, one Mohammed Lawali from Kebbi State who demanded for N2 million random from his victim.

The Command Public Relations Officer, AAC1 Nasir D. Abdullahi while parading the suspect at its office in Minna, said that the Command received a distress call from one Salisu Saidu from Suleja Emir’s palace of a threat to kidnap him or pay a ransom of N2 million.

He noted that the Commandant, George U. Edem being a proactive officer, directed the Detective Department to swing into action by freezing the account of the suspect whom his victim had earlier agreed to pay N200.000:00.

According to him, the suspect is from Yawuri in Kebbi State was apprehended when the owner of the frozen account want to the bank for transaction who told security about his innocence explaining that the suspect only told him that his uncle will sent him money to boost his business.

Consequently, upon the arrest of Lawali he confessed to the crime and pleaded guilty of the offence.

Speaking with the suspect Mohammed Lawali, a 25 years old, an indigene of Sokoto State who is a scrap business man said that he regretted his action and pleaded guilty while urging those intending to do same to desist from it before the law will catch up with them.

Meanwhile, the commandant in the state, Geoge Edem has warned the general public on the ongoing fake appointment letters issued by some criminal individuals to innocent citizens who are desperately looking for jobs.

News

NBA slams DSS, calls for Sowore’s release

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday, condemned the Department of State Services(DSS)’ various acts of impunity and disobedience to court order for the release of the publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omowole Sowore.

The legal body, had in a statement, signed by its National Publicity Secretary Mr. Kunle Edun, called for the immediate release of Sowore and other citizens being illegally detained by the agency.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Edun said the DSS’ act of disrespect for court orders by holding Sowore for more than 50 days “is unacceptable in a country where there are laws”, describing it as unfortunate.

The Association maintained that such actions by the DSS could

not be condoned in a country where its Head of State, in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari, professed at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly to respect the human rights of citizens.

The statement reads in part, “The Nigerian Bar Association has become aware of the unfortunate and flagrant disobedience of the order of Hon. Mr. Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja directing the release on bail of Citizen Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Security Service of Nigeria on September 24, 2019, of which the bail terms have long been perfected by the detainee’s counsel.

“The NBA recalls that the DSS found it convenient to approach the Federal High Court in ensuring the detention of Omoyele Sowore for more than 50 days but has since comfortably refused to

comply with the order of the same Court directing the release of Citizen Omoyele Sowore.

‘This is unacceptable in a country where there are laws and a nation which Head of State recently professed at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly to respect the human rights of citizens.”

Calling for the release of Sowore, the NBA noted that.

Further in the statement, the NBA said that “the Department of State Security is cutting for herself the notorious image of an agency that enjoys treating judicial process with disdain, particularly as it pertains to obeying orders of courts enforcing the fundamental rights of Nigerians.”

“The continued detention of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in spite of various court orders readily comes to mind. ‘’The NBA therefore, condemns the continued detention of

citizen Omoyele Sowere by the Department of State Security, as same amounts to violation of his constitutional rights to personal liberty and that no one person shall be deprived of his liberty without a valid court order, as provided for in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). By virtue of the provisions of Section 1(1) of the Constitution (afore-referred) the Nigerian “Constitution is supreme and shall have a binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ‘’The Nigerian Bar Association, therefore, calls for the immediate release of Citizen Omoyele Sowore in terms of the order of the Federal High Court made on the 24th September 2019, and other Nigerians who have been languishing in DSS detention centres without any charge,’’ it concluded.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas presenting a souvenir to the MD, ENI Nigeria Ltd, Mr Lorenzo Fiorillo during his courtesy visit to Naval Headquarters, recently in Abuja. Photo: DINFO

Kidnap: Masari moves to rescue 20 Katsina victims in Burkina Faso From Lawal Funtua, Katsina

G

Sa’idu

overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has initiated the process of rescuing 20 indigenes of the state that were kidnapped and sold to agents of modern day slavery in Burkina Faso, a West-

African country.

Our Correspondent in Katsina reliably gathered from a source that the governor’s Special Adviser on drugs, narcotics and trafficking, Alhaji Hamza Brodo has this weekend left for Burkina Faso to negotiate for their release.

When contacted by our

correspondent, Brodo said “ Yes I will be traveling to Burkina Faso this weekend.

But I won’t give you details until I return.”

Further investigation by our correspondent revealed that, the victims were allegedly picked in Kankara Local Government Area of the state and sold to a

woman in Cotonou who in turn sold them to another slave merchant in Burkina Faso.

The Special Adviser said, “I will only get to know if the 20 victims were indigenes of Katsina after meeting them and their captors.”

It could be recalled that Katsina State had initiated

dialogue with the dreaded bandit groups in the state which led to the release of hundreds of kidnap victims in the state.

The state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari personally visited the bandits camps inside the state forest and encouraged them to embrace peace.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

News

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Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Directorate (PTAD), Dr Chioma Ejikeme (L) addressing pensioners during the on-going pension verification, yesterday in Kano State . Photo: NAN

T

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commenced the rehabilitation of the runway at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos State on Sunday.

NAN reports that FAAN had on August 24, announced the closure of the airport, which is the only international airport in the South East region, for the reconstruction of its runway.

Yakubu told NAN that work has finally begun at the airport ahead of the December 2019 deadline set for the completion of the runway repairs and other renovation works.

NAN reports that following the closure of the airport, international flights have been diverted to the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers by Ethiopian Airlines.

Similarly, domestic flights were diverted to the Sam Mbwkwe Airport, Owerri, the Port Harcourt Airport and the Asaba Airport in Delta.

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had in a meeting with South-East governors assured them that the Enugu airport would be reconstructed to meet the Abuja International Airport standard.

Sirika had also disclosed that the runway repairs and other renovation works would be completed by December 2019.

(NAN)

News

FG tasks magistrates on human rights violation, prison oversight

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

FAAN begins rehabilitation of Enugu Airport runway

Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Nasarawa govt, NAFDAC, SON to partner on portable water From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

T

he new leadership of the Nasarawa southern zone of the Association of Table Water producers, ATWAP, has promised to collaborate strictly with NAFDAC and the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, in order to render effective service delivery to humanity.

The newly elected chairman of the zone, Mr. Daniel Ajegena who made the assertion in his acceptance speech after he was sworn in to spear head the affairs

of the Association at the Science School Lafia, venue of the election held Saturday.

According to him, “We are going to work hand in hand with NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies in the state. I urged you all water producers to comply with the guidelines of water business by strictly adhering to the regulatory bodies.”

Ajegena continued, “Don’t sink borehole (s) where there is cemetery, Refuse dump, dirty environment or sewage area.

Never you engage production

staff that don’t have the required certification.”

The chairman who further assured his members his commitment to transform the association through uniting all members in order for them to speak with one voice aimed at moving the Association to the Next Level as well as called for their co-operation at all times.

“I promise that under my leadership, we shall soon acquire a Land for our Secretariat complex.

Let us work hard to actualize our set goals for the progress of

our great Association” Ajegena maintained.

The election which had Daniel Ajegena as chairman owner of Novel Table Water, Hajiya Suzab Osuza owner of Suzab Table Water as vice chairman. The position of Secretary went to Uban Suzab, Abubakar Agyina backed the position of Financial Secretary.

Others are Mohammed Ibrahim owner of Al-Ushafa Table Water as the public relation officer and the position of Treasurer went to Okey Ignetius owner of Best Table Water among others.

Entrepreneurship: Nigeria seeks membership of World Skills Competition

By Stanley Onyekwere

N

igeria has indicated strong interest in the membership of World Skills Competition, a global body established to promote quality acquisition of employable skills, in line with international standards.

The Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Sir Joseph Ari made this known when the Technical Delegate of World Skill Italy, Mr Thomas Pardeller visted him at ITF Corporate Office, in Abuja.

Ari said Nigeria’s membership of the global body became necessary

to further boost capacity building and skills acquisition for teeming unemployed youths and women in the country.

According to him, it would complement the efforts of ITFs programmes and enable the Agency to further realizability its goals and objectives for the country.

The Director General, who described vocational training and skills acquisition as key to youth empowerment said ITF would effectively harnessed necessary opportunity in World Skills Competition to create jobs and reduce poverty in line with the agenda of

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He stated that the Agency had already identified six major sectors in the nation’s economy that would add value to the country’s national economic development.

He explained that ITF was already collaborating with other stakeholders to filled skills gaps been identified

by Agency in major industries in the country.

The Director General called for more synergy with the organised private sector towards reducing unemployment across the cou try.

Responding, the Technical

Delegate of World Skill, Italy, Mr. Thomas Pardeller promised the Organisation’s technical support to Nigeria in the areas of vocational training and skills development of her teeming populace.

Pardeller while noting that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely as member of World Skills Competition, however advised government at all levels to give priority to more funding of vocational training towards addressing unemployment in the society.

Adamawa constitutes Governing Council for state varsity From Umar Dankano,Yola

A

damawa state Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has approved the constitution of the Governing Council of Adamawa state University Mubi(ADSU) .

Members of the council includes: Barrister Auwal D.Tukur as chairman,Mr Zira Maigadi,Alhaji Kassim Njidda,Mrs Mary sawa ,Alhaji Zubairu Gabdo Toungo.

Others are one representative each from Ministries of Justice

and that of Higher Education .

This development was contained in a press statement signed and issued by the Director General Media and Communications to the Governor,Comrade Solomon Kumangar stressing that the

appointments are with immediate effect.

In a related development,the state government has approved scholarship opportunities to sixty(60) students from the state to study professional courses in an Indian university.

he Federal Government, has reiterated the need for Magistrates across the country to conduct periodic oversight of police stations and other places of detention within their domains other than prisons.

According to the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), the call is with a view to uncover cases of human rights violation in various detention centres.

He said this at the opening of Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee two-day sensitization workshop for the South East geo-political zone on the implementation of sections 29, 33 and 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 in Owerri, Imo State.

Speaking as the Chairman of the Committee, Apata noted that Section 34 of ACJA, posited that magistrates should conduct the oversight on detention centres as a way of addressing prison congestion and cases of abuse allegedly taking place in detention centres across the country.

The workshop, which was attended by magistrates, legal practitioners and various security agencies including the police, prisons officials, Civil Defense and officials of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), aimed at reforming the criminal justice administration and promotion of the rule of law.

The exercise was the aftermath of the validation and adoption of the report of 2018 workshop, which saw the need to train those saddled with the responsibility of implementing the ACJA. The provisions of the identified

sections were also explained to the participants.

Further in his speech, the SGF said section 29(1) of the Act provides a mechanism for interface between the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation on one hand and the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General of the State on the other hand.

“The section requires the Inspector General of Police to remit quarterly to the Attorney General of the Federation a record of all arrest made with or without warrant in relation to federal offences within Nigeria.Section 29(2) of the Act requires the Commissioner of Police of a State or head of agency authorized to make arrest to remit quarterly to the Attorney General of the State records of arrest with respect to state offences.

“Also, section 33 of the Act stipulates that an officer in charge

of a police station or an officer in charge of an agency authorized to make arrest to, on the last working day of every month, report to the Magistrate, the cases of all suspects arrested without warrant within the limits of their respective stations or agency whether the suspects have been admitted to bail or not.

“Section 34 of the Act requires a chief Magistrate or a Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge of the State to conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.

“The above provision also requires the Chief Magistrate to submit the report from the officer in charge of a police station to the criminal Justice Monitoring Committee who is expected to analyze the reports and advice the Attorney General accordingly”, he said.

According to Apata, the magistrate also has the right to direct the police station on the arraignment of suspects, advise on bail and grant bail where necessary, work towards improving public perception of security agencies and compliant with ACJA provisions as well as promote accountability and transparency in criminal justice administration.

Concluding, he expressed appreciation to Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for hosting the workshop, as well as stakeholders and development partners for their support and collective effort at reforming the justice system.

Ihedioha, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Gerald Irona, expressed appreciation to the Federal government for the collaboration, saying it would enhance justice delivery for the common good of the citizenry.

Buhari felicitates with Osun gov., Oyetola, at 65

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday y his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President joined the Oyetola family, friends and people of goodwill in wishing the governor good health, sound mind and more years of purposeful and visionary leadership for the good people of Osun State.

The President commended Governor Oyetola for his determination to improve infrastructure, social services, human and capital development in the State, urging him to execute all the programs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and fulfill his campaign promises to the electorate.

He charged the governor to use the special occasion of his 65th anniversary as another privileged opportunity to rededicate himself to do more service to God and humanity.

Assistant Director Youths, Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President, Ms Patricia Aniebue(3rd R); Convener/Project Coordinator of DEAN Imitative, Semiye Michael (R); Head of Projects, DEAN Initiative, Tracy Okoro(3rd, L) and others at the National SDGs Story Summit in Abuja.. Photo: NAN

Buhari felicitates with Osun gov., Oyetola, at 65

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

According to a statement made

available to newsmen yesterday y his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President joined the Oyetola family, friends and people of goodwill in wishing the governor good health, sound mind and more years of purposeful and visionary leadership for the good people of Osun State.

The President commended Governor Oyetola for his determination to improve infrastructure, social services, human and capital development in the State, urging him to execute all the programs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and

fulfill his campaign promises to the electorate.

He charged the governor to use the special occasion of his 65th anniversary as another privileged opportunity to rededicate himself to do more service to God and humanity.

Gov. Sule has good intention for Nasarawa people, says Aide

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

T

he Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Murtala Lamus has opined that the current pragmatic solar electrification and rural roads amongst other projects embarked upon by Governor Abdullahi Sule is a clear manifestation of his vision

and good intention to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

He therefore called for maximum support from the citizenry in order to enable him actualize his dream.

Lanus who made the assertion in an interview with our reporter said that, the ongoing road and electrification projects in the state is commendable.

“it will create job opportunities for our youths, boost economic activities and reduce hardship of rural dwellers,” He said.

The Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties who is the son of the soil from Wamba Local Government Council of the state emphasized that the Farin Ruwa road leading to the water falls which is the first of its type in the world will attract foreign

investors as well as generate income to both local and state governments when completed.

According to him, “The road projects in the state will motivate a lot of youths to engage on farming activities across the state. This will reduce youth restiveness in the state. It will also boost the rural farmers in the state.

Lanus further admonished

benefitting communities of the ongoing road and electrification projects to co-operate with the constructing firms in their domains in order to enable them carry out their contract without molestation or harassment; adding that the communities should see themselves as stakeholders in the projects by protecting contractors and their equipment.”

PAGE 10

News

Immigration officer, 14 others bag Merit Time Magazine awards

By Usman Shuaibu

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superintendent of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Umar Abubakar has been conferred with the distinguished “Merit Leadership Humanitarian Ambassador” award alongside the fourteen personalities by the management of Merit Time International Magazine on Saturday at Nigeria National Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Superintendent of Immigration Mr Nura Adamu who is also the Superintendent of Immigration, said the award bestowed on his colleague was a step in the right direction.

Adamu charged the awardees of the day to see the honour done to them as a motivation to continue to do good in the society.

He called on the management of Merit Time International Magazine to continue to award people who have been contributing positively in the society, while applauding the organizers of the event for their initiative.

The superintendent, however, used the award ceremony to advise the officers of Nigeria Immigration Service to remain committed to duties.

Speaking at the occasion, the National Coordinator of the Magazine, Mr. Sunday Okwu Ojor, said the awards were conferred on the recipients based on their outstanding contributions in the society.

Ojor, charged Nigerian leaders to give top priority to the citizens of Nigeria first, noting that leadership was about service to humanity.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, Sir Alor Chukwuemeka, called on the awardees to support the Merit Time Magazine to actualise its dreams for Nigerians.

The theme of this year’s event was “Leadership and Service: The Missing Link in Africa.”

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Nigerians urged to report cases of missing persons to Police

By Usman Shuiabu

A

lecturer in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Abuja, Prof.

Samuel Abayomi Asala, has urged Nigerians to deem it necessary to report the case of missing persons to the police.

He also charged the relatives of missing persons to provide detailed information to the police for the necessary action.

Asala, who made this known while delivering the 38th inaugural lecture of the University of Abuja which tittled “From the living Gut to the Speaking Dead Bone: A Journey Through Human Body” on Thursday at the permanent site of the University.

His words: “The Police must recognize that the issue of identification of missing persons requires multiple approach which must bring all forensic experts of all disciplines together as necessary”.

He said: “The bone of an individual that has been buried or hidden away for many years may be dead and dry, but they still speak certain diagnostic languages that only the experienced anthropologist can understand in the effort to identify him”.

While fielding questions from newsmen, Asala, who is a Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, however, used the inaugural ceremony to call on both medical doctors and doctors working in Nigerian Hospitals to join hands to work in the interest of

the country.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor in charge of Administration, Prof. Sani Muhammad Adam, noted that the topic of the inaugural lecture would be useful to Nigerians as well as security agencies for the purpose of investigation.

Na’Allah who was the Chairman of the ceremony opined that the inaugural lecturer should be recommended to deliver lectures on forensic anthropology in the military institutions.

In an interview with newsmen, the Provost of College of Health Science, University of Abuja, Prof. E. S. Garba,

urged the students to develop more interest in reading Anatomy.

The Provost also appealed to the government of the day to provide scholarship for the students to encourage them to study Anatomy.

On his part, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Raymond Ugochukwu Okolo, expressed with dismay that many countries in the world had not recognised the significance of Anatomy.

Okolo who is an Associate Professor of Anatomy said that Anatomy is very important in the field of medicine.

Meanwhile, a plaque was presented to the inaugural lecturer by the representative of the ViceChancellor.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete (right) with Cross Section of Service Chiefs during the Independence Day Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, yesterday in Abuja.

Justin Imo-owo

Activists task anti-graft agencies on transparency, accountability

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

H

uman rights activists in Edo State have demanded transparency and accountability from the various anti-graft agencies in the country in order to win public trust.

They stated that the measure will engender sincerity in the fight against corruption and discourage corrupt practices, adding that leadership is not about attributes but, result.

The Coordinator-General of Edo Civil Society organizations, Leftist Omobude Agho, and the President and Founder, Faculty of Peace Organization, Comrade Kelly

Osunbor, spoke at the 2019 World Peace Day Conference in Benin City, Edo State Capital.

The 2019 theme for the 6th Edition of the World Peace Day Conference organised by the group was tagged, “Corruption: Threat to National Peace and Development”.

In their separate remarks on the occasion, Leftist Omobude Omobude, said Nigeria is not working due largely to the leadership structure while, Comrade Kelly Osunbor, tasked government to strengthen institutions.

Omubude while appraising Nigeria performance index in corruption under a Democratic government, called for a

consciousness national rebirth that would phase-out geriatric leaders in both appointive and elective positions in government which would pave the way for good governance.

According to Osunbor, the time has come for every Nigerians to wake up from their sleep and face reality of life is now.

In a remark, the Benin Zonal Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Muktar Suleiman Bello, corrected the erroneous impression of some Nigerians and groups against the Commission, a development which tend to undermine the efforts of the

Commission.

Muktar who was represented by the Media unit Head of EFCC, Benin, Mr Oseghale Williams, said between January and September 2019, the Commission under the watch of the Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, has secured 63/ convictions and have recovered properties which were proceed of corruption.

Niger College, Benin and Oredo Girls College both in Benin City took first and second positions respectively in the quiz competition at the event, which featured meritorious service award on female Traffic Official, Sergeant Patience Uhunamure.

Okowa hails Coe on his re-election as IAAF President

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Sebastian Coe on his re-election as President of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Coe, 62 was re-elected for a second term at the 52nd IAAF Congress in Doha on Wednesday.

In a congratulatory message

by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Friday in Asaba, Okowa said Coe was a sports administrator per excellence, adding that his overwhelming re-election stemmed from the confidence reposed in him by IAAF Congress.

He urged him to use his office to fight doping in sports, and make athletes to truly earn their laurels.

The governor recalled that Coe was at the Africa Athletics Championship hosted by Delta State Government at Asaba in August, 2018, and said that his presence was motivating.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Sebastian Coe on his re-election for a second term as President of the International Association of Athletics Federations IAAF.

“Your overwhelming reelection was as a result of your outstanding and legendary contributions to the growth and development of athletics globally.

“You have remained above board since you took the reins of the world athletics body in 2015, and worthy of note is your drive for gender equality which culminated in the election of

Ximena Restrepo as first female Vice-President in IAAF’s 117-year history.

“I urge you to work harder in your new tenure to stamp out incidence of doping in sports,” he said.

Coe, a Briton, was a former Olympic and world champion middle-distance runner, who became head of the world athletics’ governing body in 2015.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

A UN double for Nigeria

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igerian President Muhammadu Buhari was the fifth world leader, Tuesday, Sept. 24, to address the 74th United Nations General Assembly’s General Debate. His address came after those of the presidents of Brazil, United States, Egypt and Turkey in that order. The theme of the General Debate this year is: “Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion”.

Before the honour done to Buhari, Nigeria had one of her own, professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, elected the president of the ongoing UN General Assembly in June. He is Nigeria’s current permanent representative in the UN. A rare double indeed!

turned full cycle, from multilaterism to crass nationalism. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa whose compatriots last month unleashed waves of xenophobic attacks on immigrants, conveniently avoided this year’s UNGA. The next issue Buhari took up was the imperative of poverty eradication.

He lamented the widening gap between the very rich and the abjectly poor. “We must admit that as the world grows richer, there are regrettable signals in the World Economic and Political Order. Millions in Africa and around the world remain in abject poverty”, he said.

He sought the help of the rich world to take Africa out of poverty.

“A developed Africa will not be antagonistic to industrialised countries but will become friends and partners in prosperity, security and development. A prosperous Africa will mean greater prosperity for the rest of the world. A poor Africa will be a drag on the rest of the world. Is this what the international community wants? A coordinated multilateral effort should be set in motion to utilise and maximise use of the enormous resources on the African continent for the benefit of all nations. Investing partners will be able to recoup their investments manifold over time.”

“

Buhari observed that “current attempts to help develop Africa by industrial countries are un-coordinated and plainly incrementa

This year’s theme stresses “multilateral efforts”.

Incidentally, the year marks the first anniversary of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Buhari noted that while multilateral action served the world well in the post World War 11 era, today it is being threatened by negative tendencies.

“Multilateralism, symbolised by the UN system, has brought immense benefits to the peoples of the world.

It has saved lives, prevented wars, restored peace and stability as well as generated economic and social progress in many countries”, he said. Regrettably, today, “we are witnessing a backlash against multilateralism in the shape of rising tide of racism, xenophobia, resurgent nationalism, populism and tendencies towards protectionism and unilateralism. The pristine principles of the United Nations appear threatened.

Buhari refrained from pointing fingers. However, promoters of those tendencies undermining multilateral action, such as the United States’ President Donald Trump must have swarmed uncomfortably in their seats.

The Nigerian leader noted that after World War 11, the United States was “one of the greatest” proponents of multilaterism. The US, “in one of the greatest selfless undertakings in history, decided to revive Europe through the Marshall Plan and uplift and restore Japan economically. This generous policy catalysed a great economic revival globally. This action of the United States not only benefited Europe and Japan but the United States as well through vastly improved trade and cross investments.”

However, today that country has

OUR MISSION

Buhari observed that “current attempts to help develop Africa by industrial countries are un-coordinated and plainly incremental. We have the skills, the manpower and the natural resources, but in many instances, we lack the capital – hence my plea for industrial countries to take a longterm view of Africa, come and partner with us to develop the continent for the benefit of all. Africa charges you with the singular task of initiating the effort we are calling for. The United Nations has in place processes for promoting collective action to combat global threats. No threat is more potent than poverty and exclusion”.

A good case for Africa and ably made by a leader eminently qualified to put it across. Those pessimists who had predicted Buhari would fail in his UNGA outing must be rubbing their heads in shame.

OUR PEOPLE

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Blame not Buhari on Sule Lamido

By Adamu Muhd Usman

S

ule Lamido, the former Jigawa state governor, has been attending his court case in Abuja Federal High Court after he was first arraigned in Kano. He used to arrive the court very early before anyone else, and he never absconds for once since the beginning of his trial in June 2015. He has appeared in the court for over forty times. This shows that Sule Lamido is law abiding citizen, he respects the rule of law, he is a leader who leads by example and wants a true democracy in place. This proves that he wants Nigeria to be efficient and great. His attitudes towards legal aspects, shows Sule Lamido obeys rules and regulation and he is not guilty of the offence (Charges) against him until it is proven by the court of law.

It beats the imagination why Lamido is facing trial despite his laudable achievements in Jigawa from 2007-2015? Some or many people may think it was the coming of president Buhari as the president in 2015 that dusted Lamido’s case to showcase the anti corruption war on Sule Lamido being his brother (Muslim, Fulani and a northerner), but some see Lamido as a strong PDP pillar in the north, while others viewed Lamido as the most vocal or radical among the top PDP chieftains in the country. Some others examine him as the best presidential material in PDP, but all these are on the contrary.

Sule Lamido’s case started far back in 2013 during the PDP government and when he was the governor of Jigawa state. What brought about the case was that Sule Lamido was seen as a good material for 2015, but Lamido thinks otherwise.

According to him, “Denying the then President, Goodluck Jonathan, a second term ticket was tantamount to passing a vote of no confidence in the president, insisting that no serious party does that. But those working for the government then were uncomfortable with him. That is why, each time he is asked about his case, he tells you it was a fallout of the ‘civil war’ within the PDP in the build up to the 2015 election”. But does Lamido deserve all these from whom he, Lamido suffered for? Lamido was called all sort of names (Reverend. Pastor, Anti-north, etc) because of President Jonathan and the PDP, his factory in Kano was burnt down etc, all instigated by the party he laboured to build.

When Lamido and Sen. lyorchia Ayu, Prof.

Jerry Gana, late Chief Alex. Ekwueme, late Mallam Adamu Ciroma, late Chief Solomon Lar, late Chief Bola Ige, late Sen. Ella, and late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, confronted late Gen. Sani Abacha of blessed memory on the need to vacate the stage and allow democracy to flourish, Lamido, may perhaps never know a day like this will come. Himself and Rimi were picked and locked up in DSS cells, in Ilorin and Maiduguri respectively. They were only released after the sudden demise of the late Head of State.

For God’s sake, How can a person who made all these sacrifices be humiliated because of ambition? and his son be accused of laundering just 30, 000USD for the father? How can a governor’s son travelling with his wife and daughter for the daughter’s medical treatment be arrested for money laundering? I leave you to cross-examine that. As if that is not enough, several investigations on contracts and finances of Jigawa were carried out with the sole aim of getting Lamido prosecuted, but they could not find any fault.

Disappointed, they went into forensic transactions of companies that were working for Jigawa state and found two or three that did some transactions with two or three companies whose Directors are Lamido’s sons. But they would not file criminal charges against him because he stood his ground of not contesting against President Goodluck in the PDP or jumping ship to contest under a different political party”.

“None of the charges alleged that Lamido and his sons took any money from Jigawa State coffers, none of the charges alleged Lamido gave his children contracts as government’s publicity against him showed, none of the charges alleged that Sule Lamido inflated the costs of any of the contracts awarded, particularly to the companies that gave contracts to the sons’ companies.

Rather the essential elements of the charges alleged that Lamido as Governor influenced some two or three private companies to award contracts to two or three companies whose Directors are himself and his sons. But they are telling Nigerians that Lamido and sons milked Jigawa dry as being insinuated, will there have been money to build the gigantic infrastructure put in place in Jigawa by the Sule Lamido

administration?”

In spite of the fact that he met huge debts, upon assumption of office in 2007, he did not borrow from any financial institution; yet, he was paying the debt and at the same time building a new Jigawa, with the meagre resources of between N2.3 billion and N2.4 billion, as monthly allocation, from the federation account.

Like the University, School of nursing and midwifery, school of gifted and talented Bamaina, many primary and secondary schools, over 2000 kilometers standard road, airport, state secretariat, Malam Aminu event venture, Yakubu Gowon NYSC orientation camp, Radio and Television house, Many housing estates, G9 quarters, construction of many clinic, comprehensive health centers, specialist and general hospitals, establishment and equipment skills acquisition and empowerment centres, provision of enough scholarship, workers welfare and good working environment, High court, the official residences of the Speaker, his deputy, the deputy governor, Chief Judge and Grand Khadi, in Dutse, are second to none in the entire country, residences of all the 5 emirs in the state capital, built by government. and good and organized pension scheme, just to mention but few.

So, Buhari shouldn’t be blamed for Lamido’s EFCC/ Court case. It is but a purely self centered hate enterprise incubated within the PDP government. The story of struggle, commitment. traumas, nightmares, disappointments, betrayals, consciences, sacrifices, tribulations, successes and the future of this case and what relates to it, is just left for God alone to judge.

And in that regard, In-Sha-Allah (God willing) Lamido and his sons will emerge not guilty and free. As the whole case is beeing viewed and perceived for what it actually is; a badly scripted political witchunt!!. What Lamido needs to do, is to keep thanking Allah for everything and Lamido should as well take solace. Oh! Allah See Lamido through..

Lastly, I want to use this medium to appreciate and eulogize Sule Lamido for fulfilling his promise, believing in Nigeria and respect for the rule of law. When Lamido sought permission to travel to Germany for medical checkup because it was part of his bail conditions then, his international passport was to be seized and that he be banned from travelling abroad. Since then, Lamido has spent four years without even going to Niger Republic.

When Sule Lamido filed an application seeking for the release of his international passport in order to travel to Germany for his medical checkup which he has not done since 2015, there was an anxiety by the court to release his passport to travel and there were media commentaries and gossip around that, if Lamido was permitted to travel, he will abscond or refused to return back home, Nigeria. As others did. Incredible!

As God made it, the court was convinced and permitted him to travel and he made the trips to Germany, U.K, and Dubai and even proceeded to Saudi and performed his Hajj (pilgrimage).

In short, Sule Lamido is back to home, Nigeria on Thursday, August 15, 2019. His return has generated a lot of surprises and commentaries but earned him a lot of appraisal and conviction on him from the general public.

One thing they don’t know about the man, Sule Lamido is, his love and passion for his country, Nigeria also Lamido is patriotic and uncompromising when it comes to the infusing, maintaining and abiding by the law and order because he is a law inculcating and abiding citizen. Sule Lamido has never and will never betray the trust of his people and his country Nigeria whom they have honoured him.

Sule Lamido is not like other Nigerians or politicians who abscond simply because they have a case with Court, EFCC, mistrust conduct in the land or they exhibited any unpatriotic attitude.

Lamido must be seen as a pacesetter, law abiding citizen, peace loving individual, nation political bridge-builder and a good and committed leader and a true and a reliable Nigerian politician.

Sule Lamido is simply a pacesetter of positive things and should be a rallying point and should be emulated especially by the young generation.

Thank you Lamido for believing in Nigeria.

Thank you Lamido for reciprocating the trust given to you by Nigerians and Nigeria. Thank you Lamido for being law abiding citizen.

Thank you Lamido for keeping history alive.

Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa Jigawa state amu3333@yahoo.com

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

CGPA, illusion of success in Nigeria tertiary institutions

By Adeyinka Ademola Abdulrasheed

O

n a silent night after a long day activities, trying to check through my social media space for new things, Some message pop up on my whatspp class group I guess another funny message by friends or special announcement by the class rep,alas! on this day it was about our first year CGPA results list, everyone start commenting . The comments revealed how some students were saddened by the potential mass failure in a departmental course and how their ‘CGPAs’ are on the verge of a possible decline. The feelings that came with this was very much nostalgic. It inspired me to review my first year in the polytechnic of Ibadan; with a view to dissect the values that have been added to my life, and if a Degree is really even worth the strive.

The reflections of my sober moment are not far fetched. I will try to make this not too lengthy.

The Nigerian educational system has passed through some facets. Over the past decades, what has proved to be a subject of passion, zeal, desperation and extremism in Nigerian tertiary institutions is the CGPA. Upon admission into the Institution, the goal of every student is to graduate with a Distinction. Majority of such dreams, more often than not, dies in the second year on campus Obviously, the CGPA(Cumulative Gradient Point Average) massages ego, it inspires smile and induces tears. Why does a decimal point carries so much weight to an extent; people commit suicide for not making a targeted Gradient Point? The society has made us to believe albeit erroneously; that, not making a good CGPA means not making it in life. More worrisome is the fact that; there is this delusion among many undergraduates that a ‘4.0’ CGPA will automatically earn you a wealthy life in the outside world. This is false and quite delusional! Although, it gives you a cushion, but there is far much more needed to navigate through the storm of the outside world.

Instinctively, there are three categories of students on campus. The first being the so called “book worms or scholars”. The second being the “average or normal students” and the third category being a conglomeration of misled elements, who surely have no business in a sane school Environment. After taking a deeper observation, I pointed out other group within these categories. Time won’t permit me to digress that much but

these observations will be integrated into the analysis of the larger groups.

Using the overemphasized CGPA as a yardstick, the first category, to be frank, are predominantly students whose cgpa falls between 3.4 to 4.0(on a scale of 4.0). These are the revered ‘geniuses’ on our campuses.

They are the ‘living and moving books’, as the society has taught us to believe. However, there is something paradoxical about this category of people. Many of them are aided by the way the system is structured and their academic success is not necessarily a product of invincibility. The system has made little room for innovations but it has rather strongly maintained a high level of conservatism. The system also encourages cramming.

Hence, a student who crams a lecture note and gives it back to the Lecturer; verbatim in the exam is more likely to have a distinction than a student who made an indepth research or even have a better in depth knowledge of the course. There are empirical facts to back this up. The reason being that, most lecture notes images the sentiments of a lecturers about a concept or topic. Once a student toes the same path in answering his examination question, he will be on the same wavelength with the lecturer who would then key into his answers. Most times, when students go ‘too deep’ into a course by unraveling so many things that were not taught in class and flaunts such ‘new knowledge’ in his answer booklet, such students are most likely to get a C. The ‘verbatim givers’ are much more likely to have an A. Little wonder why some students can read a singular course material 10times before exam – the system rewards such approach, the verbatim givers, I choose to call them. I do not hold any grudge against the ‘genuises’, what I find quite bewildering about most of them is the tradition of studying the same set of materials from the beginning of the semester till the end all under the auspices of getting As. Why should I study a course material(which was probably used by the ancestors of my department) all through the semester? This is very crazy.

A high CGPA without the initiative to solve societal problems is a WASTE. I once met had a conversation with one of the distinction Student in my school, who can recite all the theories and laws in engineering concept. I was stunned and mesmerized by such enormous knowledge. However, when I challenged this great friend of mine to apply all his knowledge towards proffering a solution to a national crisis I posed before

him, he stuttered. His initial eloquence that poured out the theories suddenly went into oblivion. Apparently on paper, he is a genius.

But in practice(the most important aspect), he evidently appears to be impotent. If the materials you study doesn’t propel you to ‘think out of the box’, my brother, shelve them and go on a journey of self discovery.

I’ve seen so many ‘scholars’ who starts a sentence with “Am”, who doesn’t even know when to use “Have and I’ve”. Some can’t even properly spell the basic things related to their course and you begin to wonder how they attained such Cumulative Gradient Point.

Truly, no man is an island and everyday, to me, is a new day to learn new things.

However, when you dedicate all your time on pursuing a singular goal, you are very much unlikely to learn anything new in life, other than the materials, you’ve confined your brain to. The tertiary institution is not a place to pursue a singular goal. It shouldn’t be a one-way traffic where all you pursue is “GP, GP, GP, GP! “. The outside world will demand far much more than that ‘decimal point’ you hold high like an oxygen. Self development they say is the key to greatness.

The greatest and richest men in the world barely graduated with a high CGPA. In fact, they even dropped out of the University. I’m talking about the likes of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. What makes them great was their ability to identify a societal problem, think about a possible solution, expand great possibilities and here they are today. Problem solvers mostly ends up being the greatest acheivers. Are you investing in yourself?

How well do you spend your time? Do you spend all your day clinging to your books?

My brother, you are not an undergraduate if all you do is to romance those books – 24/7.

Being an undergraduate is an opportunity to explore other possibilities apart from your academics, it is a time to learn new things, discover your ever changing world, meet new people, network and if possible, learn new skills. How often do you learn new things? By new things, I do not mean the next topic on your course outline. No. I’m very much far from that. Rather by new things, I mean : the needed soft skills, continuous improvement of your communication and public speaking skills, understanding your ever changing world and how you intend to navigate through the stormy way to your career.

The world is changing. The society now demands much more than CGPAs and similarly, academic brilliance is not just enough. We are in a century of CLASH OF

IDEAS”. The thing is, in the labour market, there are thousands of four-point(4point) graduates. In fact, majority of graduates made either a Distinction or a 2’1. What will distinguish you from the crowd won’t be your result but rather your ability to understand, anayse and proffer intelligent solutions to problems. A good result surely gives you an edge, but it’s not just enough. , I do not celebrate mediocrity. In fact, as an undergraduate, who knows the reasons for being in the tertiary institutions, your CGPA – no matter how political, religious or busy you are, should NEVER fall below 3.4 or at worst, 3.0! Anything short of that is most likely a lack of seriousness and misplaced priorities.

Although, I also do not particularly blame the people that are even below 2.0. The reason being that : many of the students on campus have no business in the tertiary institution in the first place. Many would have been better productive as photographers, event planners, musicians, technicians etc after leaving various skill acquisition or training centers (as I mentioned earlier). Some are even born business men and women. Meanwhile, even majority of the ones that have the traits of a typical undergraduate are studying courses they never dreamt of studying. Hence, the whole system is distorted. There is no equal level playing ground. Apparently, there is a need for a rejig and review of the nation’s curriculum.

Consequent on the foregoing, I hold no intention to hurt the feelings of anybody.

Rather, I intend to awaken the consciousness of my readers to their ever changing world.

The world keeps transcending and it’s really disturbing when I see my fellow students pursue a singular goal as undergraduates.

More stinging; is the reality that your stay on campus is also very short. Shockingly, some live it as if life ends in on campus The 4 years is nothing. Before you know it, you are already out of the system – facing the shock of the outside world. Most Importantly, I do not intend to portray myself as an invincible or immortal human. Having a massive CGPA is good, it gives you an edge to some extent.

However, it is never a free meal ticket in the outside world. Finally, graduating with a Distinction is great, but going through the rigors of self development, deep thinking and networking makes you a quintessential graduate.

Adeyinka Ademola Abdulrasheed is a Public Policy Analyst.

“PMB vs Africa’s greatest looting empire”

By Muhammad Lawan Salihu

T

he scourge of the devastating impact PMB’s Government as voiced out by naive Nigerians with no knowledge of the complexities of government bureaucracies nor the intrigues of government in a country with “special needs” as Nigeria which is Africa’s most populous country and has one of the largest aggregation of ethnic groups in Africa. There are more than 300 Nigerian tribes and among the largest include HausaFulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Kanuri, Annang, Tiv, Ibibio, Etsako, and Efik. But courtesy of “serial and celebrated looters who prey once the innocence of these gullible Nigerians and are the founders,major stakeholders and policy makers of “The largest and most sophisticated looting empire in Africa”,an empire whose track record of financial recklessness solely aimed at enriching their families and friends,using Multinational Nonexistent Companies to defraud hardworking Nigerians to an extent of Nigeria being described as fantastically corrupt by a leader of one of the most developed countries in the world.

An empire who has robbed Nigerians

blind in its 16years power of in the pretence of running a democratic government where the opposition has never been tolerated. An empire where even politically elected offices were transformed to appointments strictly for prospective looters who could do the bidding of the empire. These prospective looters have now turned to using foot soldiers to advance the cause of their bosses who are still hell bent on having another taste of the national cake.

An empire which almost turned the dollar $$$ into a legal tender in Nigeria not minding its economic and financial implication to our own currency.

An empire that has practically sold Nigeria to its cronies through privatisation of strategic national assets,allocation of whirlwind contracts to their companies through proxies and fellow looters.

An empire where political thugs, militants,armed forces and police officers have turned to billionaires overnight.

The list is just endless!!!

But my plight here is with average “hardworking” Nigerians who are being deceived and preyed upon by the outrageous

claims and campaign of calumny against the present government by these “retired but not tired looters” who enjoy their ill-gotten wealth stolen stolen from the nation’s coffers while they did nothing to improve the livelihood of the masses in their 16 years of power.

Any God fearing,rational thinking and patriotic Nigerian devoid of any political,religious or ethnic sentiment will attest to the fact that the present government has done an excellent job in terms of stirring the affairs of the country which was at the brink of collapse due to the monumental atrocities committed by the looting empire in all matters of state.

And unapologetically, I will categorically state that looters and their cohorts even with their degrees,phds with intricate knowledge of working of a government who engage in a campaign of calumny against the present government are just educated fools after their personal interests not the interest of the Nigerian populace, thus rendering all their certificates and experience worthless in service to the state as it is devoid of any form of civility with regards to understanding the value and purpose of human life and work unflinchingly

towards that goal.

There have also been allegations of corruption in the present government,civil service,armed forces,NNPC and other government parastatals being used as leverage by mischief makers to tarnish the reputation of PMB. But come to think of it all these organisations were here even before the coming of Pmb; and the civil servants both honest and corrupt have worked for decades in the employ of these organisations under previous governments and were also major accomplices of the looting empire.

If the present government would fish out all those corrupt civil servants wailers will surely cry “witch-hunting” by using all available media outfit at their disposal to further advance their selfish interest to which they are known for.

As Nigerians In the spirit of patriotism, our allegiance to Nigeria should come first before any political party if we are to reap the dividends of democracy and live in a Nigeria we all dream about!!!

Muhammad Lawan Salihu is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

PAGE 13

COMMENT

Africa’s development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

By Li Yong

W

hen world leaders gathered in New York for the 70th session of the General Assembly in 2016, and proclaimed the period 2016-2025 as the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa, it reaffirmed the importance of industrialisation in supporting Africa’s own efforts towards sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and accelerated development. Since the launch of this Decade, and the call for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, to develop, operationalise and lead the implementation of IDDA III together with our partners, the African Union Commission, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the Economic Commission for Africa, much has evolved in the region.

The continent’s collective GDP is expected to stand at $2.6tn, and consumer spending estimated at $1.4tn in 2020, with 50 per cent of Africans living in cities by 2030. These figures show the astounding prospects for a continent that is the most youthful. Digital transformation is also growing – the World Bank has estimated that digital transformation will increase growth in Africa by nearly two percentage points per year and reduce poverty by nearly one percentage point in sub-Saharan Africa. The potential of digital technologies for socio-economic development is being taken up and has led to many technology-based start-ups and tech hubs in Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area, the largest free trade area in terms of participating countries, is expected to lead to greater exports, higher value-addition in manufacturing and services, and to bring about a more diversified intraAfrican trade opportunity for the continent with benefits spilling over to small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa.

Despite growth rates in Africa still not having reached the seven per cent that would

be required to pull the continent’s populations out of poverty, optimism for Africa has not diminished. Extreme poverty in Africa has started to decline, and it is anticipated that if the trend continues, the number of Africans living in extreme poverty will reduce by 45 million by 2030.

The rapid deployment of advanced technologies through the Fourth Industrial Revolution provides a window of opportunity to help transform the landscape of manufacturing in Africa.

At the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, we believe that it is crucial for Africa to be prepared to address its digitalisation challenges and to seize the opportunities brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution in pursuing inclusive and sustainable industrial development to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UNIDO Industrial Development Report 2020, a forthcoming flagship publication on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to be launched in November will show that advanced digital production technologies applied to manufacturing production offer huge potential to advance economic growth and human well-being whilst safeguarding the environment. This study taps into existing knowledge on the priorities for digitalisation for Africa and highlights a two-pronged approach for manufacturing to remain a valid and feasible development path: one of which refers to the need for Africa to enhance readiness for the more digital future, whilst building industry capabilities, through improved access to broadband and developing technical skills and technology hubs.

The limitation in basic infrastructure, including access to clean, reliable and affordable energy, human capacities and skills will need to be addressed. Autonomous

systems in manufacturing are likely to bring about higher demand for human capital qualified in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Such growing demand polarises the labour force by increasing the share of employment in high-wage jobs and decreasing the share of employment in middle-or-low wage jobs. It can deprive Africa of job opportunities, where low-paid jobs are concentrated and human capital with strong digital skills is in shortage. Due to the lack of access to new technologies, knowledge, information, and infrastructure, the technology and skill gaps between Africa and developed countries could be widened with the rapid onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, potentially implicating local small and medium-sized enterprises that will also require more support in technological training and enterprise innovation to be competitive in the global market.

UNIDO will aim to support its Member States in Africa to transform into “more diversified knowledge-based economies” through cooperation in technology transfer, innovation, and infrastructure development.

We will further leverage on our ongoing Programme for Country Partnership to mobilise resources for inclusive and sustainable industrial development. This includes supporting the development of necessary physical information and communications technology infrastructure, which is pivotal for the digitalisation requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

As we support the development of Africa’s industrial base, working in collaboration with our partners in the United Nations development system, such as the FAO, ILO, ITC, UNCTAD and UNEP, we will continue to support the creation of green and decent jobs through initiatives such as the Green Job Programme. Drawing on our knowledge base and expertise in industrial development, there

is scope to further explore the application of digital technology and mini-grids to support clean, reliable and affordable electricity access in Africa, which will not only serve electricity demand for households but also for productive use.

We will also learn from our experiences in digital learning platforms to support human capital development. In Southern Africa, UNIDO and the Government of Finland have piloted programmes in virtual reality training, which are being replicated in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. By using mobile 3D teaching platforms, virtual reality is helping forestry students learn to operate chainsaws in a safe environment. In Liberia, UNIDO, with the support of the Government of Japan and in partnership with the Japanese company Komatsu, has deployed connected technology and innovation in its production facilities, which has enabled labour market-oriented training programmes in excavator operation and basic service training to be provided, particularly for youth and women.

As world leaders gather in New York again for the General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, alongside the historic SDG Summit, to take stock of where we are and what we need to do to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNIDO together with its key development partners, the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, the Afro Champions Initiative, the African Export-Import Bank and the International Telecommunications Union will leverage its partnership to support innovation and infrastructure development in Africa.

Yong is the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

Gun control in the US: How the tide is turning

By David A Love

I

n what would have been inconceivable just a few years ago, the ground is shifting in the United States on the issue of gun control and halting the proliferation of firearms. The once omnipotent gun lobby is now weakened, if not dying, and the public support for gun restrictions is increasing beyond party lines.

For now, the movement for gun control still appears to be focused on half measures, such as universal background checks, that are grossly inadequate to address the scourge of gun violence in the US. Nevertheless, the evidence for a sea change in attitudes on this issue is still encouraging.

The signs that public attitudes in the US are shifting on this uniquely American problem are clear. For example, the retail giant Walmart has ceased all sales of handgun ammunition and has requested that its customers not open carry their weapons into its stores.

Other businesses have followed suit, as the chief executive officers of 145 companies wrote a letter to the US Senate, proclaiming the country is experiencing a public health crisis, and saying it is “simply unacceptable” to take no action on gun violence and mass shootings. The CEOs added that new laws mandating background checks for gun purchases “are a common-sense solution with overwhelming public support and are a critical step toward stemming the gun violence epidemic in this country”.

The students in Parkland, Florida who experienced the horrific February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people, have called for a sweeping legislative package called“A Peace Plan for a Safer America”.

The bold and audacious plan includes, among other measures, halving the rate of gun deaths in a decade, raising the national standards

on gun ownership, including a national registry system and a ban on weapons of war. The plan also demands accountability for the gun lobby, investigations into the National Rifle Association, overturning the Supreme Court’s reinterpretation of the Second Amendment to the US constitution, and a National Director of Gun Violence Prevention reporting to the president.

Even the typical red-state conservative Republican lawmakers are showing a change of heart on gun control, if not sensing a change in the political winds. Following two deadly shootings in his state in August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed eight executive orders designed to prevent mass shootings through better reporting, while Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick expressed support for background checks for person-to-person sales.

In the aftermath of the deadly mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, also in August, state’s Governor Mike DeWine proposed a 17-point plan, including a “red flag law” to confiscate guns from those who pose a threat to themselves and others.

A recent NPR/PBS Newshour Marist poll found there is widespread support among gun owners and people across all party affiliations for gun restrictions. For example, more people believe it is more important to control gun violence (55 percent) than protect gun rights (39 percent). Some 57 percent of people support a ban on assault weapons such as the AR-15 and AK-47, while 61 percent support a ban on highcapacity ammunition magazines; 72 percent believe in a mandatory licence before buying a gun, and 83 percent support background checks for gun purchases.

According to a Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans support stricter gun regulations – reflecting an increase in recent years from a record low of 44 percent in 2011, and a record

high of 78 percent in 1991.

“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” said presidential candidate and former member of Congress Beto O’Rourke at a recent Democratic debate in Houston, reflecting a political landscape in which politicians, unafraid of a waning gun lobby, are emboldened to call for aggressive antigun prescriptions.

This lobby – which spent $54m in the 2016 election, including $30m on the Trump campaign – has peddled for years the arms manufacturers’ agenda of unbridled gun proliferation, fomenting violence by promoting vigilante “stand your ground” laws, and promoting racial strife through its now-defunct propaganda arm NRA TV. For decades, it has sponsored election campaigns of lawmakers so they look the other way as gun-related deaths have soared.

While the transformation of public opinion in the US, brought about by years of activism by the families of gun violence victims, is heartening, it is not nearly enough. Stemming the tide of mass shootings from assault weapons is crucial, but it does not address the myriad issues concerning gun violence. For example, of the more than 36,000 people who die from gun violence each year, under 13,000 are murdered, while more than 22,000 commit suicide.

Guns in the US are linked to a culture of toxic masculinity domestic abuse and misogyny. Over half of women who are murdered in a domestic partner homicide are killed with a gun. Further women in the US are 21 times more likely to die from a gun than are women in other highincome nations.

Mass shooters and domestic terrorists tend to be more often than not white men.

Communities of colour are disproportionately impacted by guns, which are the leading cause of death for black children. Further, unarmed black men are four times more likely to be killed

by police than their white counterparts.

Ultimately, the country must confront and liberate itself from the culture of the gun, which is wrapped up in notions of patriotism and white supremacy and which ultimately has its roots in this country’s colonial practices of enslavement of Africans and the dislocation and genocide of Native peoples.

Educating the public, particularly school children on the national legacy of racism and the history of oppression, subjugation and violence must be part of the solution. Schools must teach children alternatives to violence and instruct them in conflict resolution and learning to resolve their differences through communication and cooperation rather than the use of force.

Public health research must study the economic, social and other factors behind America’s high suicide rate, and consider implementing programmes to stem the tide of gun homicides in economically distressed and traumatized populations.

The country should determine why young white men are turning to domestic terrorism, and promote initiatives to counter the rise of white supremacist violence. Arms seizures and gun buyback programmes are necessary and inevitable, but society must also utilise iniatives, which enable young men to confront their toxic masculinity and its impact on their incarceration and life of violence.

Any effort to end gun proliferation is doomed to fail if it does not take such a holistic approach in addressing the underlying and interconnected social conditions, above and beyond easy access to the weapons themselves.

David A Love is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

PAGE 14

news

Provision of agric infrastructure responsibility of govt, says Gov. Ayade

By Lawrence Olaoye

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ross River state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has said that government must provide infrastructure and agricultural hard wares to encourage the people to return to farm.

The governor gave this advise yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari at the weekend.

Ayade said he decided to provide seedlings and machineries to make farming easy for his people.

Asked what he had done to improve rice production in his state, Ayade said “Cross River is just leading the continent on new technology and the new way to go; any person who cultivates rice either at commercial or sustenance quantity using seeds is analogy , old fashioned. I am a digital governor, and as a digital governor, I give seedlings with a digital technology; with a press of button.

“What is there difference between seed and seedlings?

The press has the responsibility to educate CBN, AfDB and all the people associated with the development of people; that governance is not about skyscrapers; it is not about super highways; it is not about deep sea port; it is about the people; so when you still have your have old parents going to the farm and throwing seeds; going back to those days; seeds have a lot of internal dormancy ; when you are using seedlings, your yield is going to be four times more.

“So, why would you expect your parents to use the same tonnage of rice seeds and cultivate in two hectares for example and get a value that a quarter of that hectare will get if you use seedlings.

“Therefore, Cross River State is the leading the direction to say look, if Nigeria must continue to lead and feed itself, it is time for every single farmer in Nigeria to migrate from seeds to seedlings.”

Independence Day: Don’t panic over gunshots, army urges public

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he Nigerian Army Guards Brigade has urged the public not to panic over the firing of field artillery guns during the 2019 Independence Anniversary Parade.

The army gave the assurance

in a statement by Haruna Tagwai, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Tagwai said the 59th Independence Day Anniversary Parade was scheduled for October 1 at the Fore Court of the

Presidential Villa Abuja.

“As part of the ceremonial activities for the anniversary, there would also be traditional firing of artillery gun salute during the occasion.

“Members of the public

especially those living within Asokoro, Maitama and its environs are hereby alerted.

“They are urged not to panic on hearing the sound of firing of weapons during the aforementioned period,” he said.

Tug of war game , during the closing of 1 Div. Nigeria Army Inter Brigade Sport Competition , yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN.

UNICEF: Adamawa govt. pledges to pay counter funding in all sectors From Umar Dankano Yola

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he Adamawa state government has pledged to henceforth be paying its counterpart funds in all sectors that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is supporting projects in the state.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri made the pledge in Yola Thursday while receiving the Head of UNICEF Bauchi Field office,Mr.Bharu Pathak and his team,who were on courtesy call at Government House Yola.

Governor Fintiri who was noticed visibly glad with the visit applauded the efforts of the UN through its agency (UNICEF) for most the supports rendering to the people in the state especially in Health and education sectors promising to ensure the state pays its contributions promptly. “ We appreciate that you have come to help us and we must do our part. I assure you that you will not experience the disappointment of the past. ”Fintiri assured Fintiri revealed that although his government doesn’t believe

in the figure of out of school children ascribed to the state, his government was currently working to send 38,000 street children back to school. He said the state would be engaging the Mallams to sensitise them on the imperative of ensuring that every child was in school.

Fintiri further revealed that his government would renovate all primary schools in the state to provide a conducive learning environment to children; noting further that similar infrastructural development in the education

sector would also be carried out in secondary schools.

Earlier, Mr. Pathak told the governor that from 2014 to 2019, with funding support from donors, UNICEF has provided cash support to the Adamawa State government through ministries, departments and agencies worth 8 billion Naira; and supplies totalling 11 million dollars; noting that the support was in the sectors of health; nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene; education and child protection; including emergencies.

Developing solid mineral sector’ll eradicate poverty, says NMSG

From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society ,NMSG, Kaduna chapter has urged the Federal Government to place priority on the opportunities in the solid mineral sector to tackle the spiral decay and poverty in the country .

Engineer Benjamin Nwude made the assertion in his speech at

the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive members of Association held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him , the development of the solid mineral sector is one area that has been rightly identified as deserving priority.

He added that there is need for action for development of the sector must be taken now, if

Nigeria wants to break the spiral of decay and poverty in the midst of plenty.

Nwude ,who recalled that one of the cardinal campaign promises of Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria is to develop the solid minerals sector and make it a major income earner for the economy, explained ,” In doing this, the relevant professionals in the sector have an important role to play in

shaping the minerals sector and the way and manner they play this role is equally important.

He, however, emphasised on the need for “Professionalism in Nigerian Minerals Sector” stating that ,” Professionalism can be simply defined as the conduct, behavior, attitude, and ethics or honest practice of professionals in their work and as individuals in the society.

Gov. Makinde makes case for welfarist govt. in Oyo From Lagos

O

Idowu

Abdullahi,

yo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Sunday that his government is strong on welfare issues because of his determination to turn around the standard of living in the state.

He disclosed this while speaking at a a special service to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary, held at the St. Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.

According to a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Governor, was represented by the Secretary to the State

Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, at the occassion.

He added that his government has so far emphasised the welfare of the people in order to create a good life for all.

While delivering a sermon titled “Righteousness exalts a nation,” Provost of the Church, the Very Rev A.A. Adebiyi said that

nations of the world must learn from the good and the bad deeds of three kings recorded in the Bible including Ahab, Jeroboam and Ahaziah, who kindled the wrath of God against the people of Israel at different times.

He said that righteousness refers to general moral integrity, being pure and truthful in all

dealings both in public and private lives.

He said that the opposite of righteousness is unrighteousness, which he said degrades a nation.

He said that Nigeria had sunk into a state of depreciation in moral fibre because of the lack of truthfulness and moral integrity.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Lawan wants legislation for budget cycle

By Musa Adamu

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resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has underscored the need to have a budget reform that will include a law on timeliness in budget passing.

“We can reform our budget cycle if there is a law on timeliness for budget passing,” Lawan said.

He spoke on “Reforming the Budget Cycle: The First Step in Our Journey to the Next Level” at the “Government Meets Business Dinner” of the Institute of Directors Annual Conference.

The senate president said timeliness and deadlines will give leaders focus and make more definite on deliverables.

Reports, according to the Senate President, have shown that countries like the United States of America, Canada, Austria, Brazil, France, and India have more definite budget cycles through legislation.

“We have resolved to be reform-minded in the ninth National Assembly and improving the budget cycle is one area of focus.

“Our attention will be on the areas where enhancements are needed and we are surely not going to look away from them in the interest of national growth, development, and wellbeing of our people,” Lawan said.

The Senate President said it is also important to improve on database showing the socialeconomic conditions of the country.

He stated that a database would be more helpful for the appreciation of financial projections notwithstanding the current efforts by the National Bureau of Statistics and some multilateral agencies showing the sectoral performances of the economy.

The Senate President called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 adding that “We are of the firm belief that the Act has not provided the intended efficacy it should produce.”

“Related to this is the need to match budget projections with fund release if accountability is to be appreciable.

“Proper documentation of financial activities and reduced political Interventions in the budgetary process are additionally important steps to follow.

“We should try to reduce frivolous items on the recurrent expenditure list to increase our disposition to produce, ensure judicious expenditure process and to guarantee value-formoney,” Lawan said.

INEC loses Taraba REC

By Lateef Ibrahim

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lost one of its most experienced Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, Alhaji Baba Abba Yusuf.

The death of Abba Yusuf, who was the REC for Taraba State, was announced yesterday in a statement By the Secretary to INEC, Rose Oriarian Anthony.

The statement showed that the Taraba State REC died last night (Saturday night) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, where he was on admission for sometime.

The REC was billed for burial yesterday, Sunday 29th September 2019, at 4pm in Maiduguri.

Alhaji Yusuf had served as REC in Benue and Adamawa.

The statement by the Commission’s Secretary reads, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regrets to announce the death of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Taraba State, Alhaji Baba Abba Yusuf.

“He died last night (saturday night) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, where he was on admission for sometimes.

“He will be buried today

(yesterday) Sunday 29th September 2019 at 4pm in Maiduguri.

“The Commission will be represented at the funeral by a delegation of National and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

“Alhaji Yusuf was one of the most experienced RECs in the Commission, having been appointed in 2010.

“He had served as REC in Benue and Adamawa States. His experience has been invaluable to the Commission over the years.

“May God grant him eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss”, he said.

L-R: Former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Catholic Arch Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Arch.

Bishop Gabriel Abegunrin; and Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, during the presentation of a meritorious service award to Ajimobi by the Catholic Church, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

SERAP urges Buhari to implement report on financial autonomy for judiciary

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ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his good offices and leadership position to “urgently publish and fully implement the recommendations of the report on financial autonomy of state legislature and judiciary submitted to you in June 2019.”

SERAP said: “In the context of a growing attack on the country’s judiciary by the authorities and politicians, the full implementation of the report will contribute to improving judicial independence, and respect for constitutional principles of separation of powers and systems of checks and balances designed to prevent political interference and ensure respect for the rule of law.”

In the letter dated 27 September 2019, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Equal treatment before the law is a pillar of democratic societies. But when judicial financial autonomy and by extension, independence and sanctity is

undermined, the scales of justice are tipped, and ordinary Nigerians suffer.

In fact, when judicial autonomy and independence is under siege, everyone loses, as the voice of the innocent goes unheard, while the guilty continue to act with impunity.”

The letter read in part: “The failure to publish the full recommendations of the report and to begin to implement them has continued to undermine the country’s judicial systems, and deny citizens’ access to justice and basic human right to a fair and impartial justice system.”

“Ensuring the financial autonomy and independence of the courts would improve the ability of our judicial systems to deliver justice effectively and efficiently. It would also allow the court to jealously guard the rights of innocent men and women, and ensure that the guilty receive a fair and impartial hearing, as well as remove the dangerous possibility of summary justice.”

“We urge you to ensure full respect for the rule of law and due process in words and actions.”

“A financially autonomous

judiciary is crucial for the effectiveness and success of your anticorruption agenda, and important for the realization of citizens’ human rights. Unless the report is fully implemented, trust in the court’s impartiality and independence will continue to be eroded, and the core judicial functions, access to justice, and the broader accountability function of the judiciary, will continue to be undermined.”

“A weak judiciary would mean that impunity for corrupt officials will remain, as the ability of your government and anti-corruption agencies to prosecute grand corruption, as well as public trust and confidence in institutions of government and public officials, will continue to be undermined.”

“SERAP is extremely concerned about the growing attack on the independence of the judiciary and the sanctity of our justice system, particularly the repeated failures by your government, state governments and politicians to respect and comply with court decisions and orders.”

Maritime Security can blossom economy – Amaechi, Dakuku

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he Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the new maritime security infrastructure being built by the Federal Government, the Deep Sea Project, would be a major economic trigger for the country.

Amaechi stated this in Lagos, while speaking with the media during the World Maritime Day celebrations, with the theme, “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”, in an occasion which 10 women were also honoured for their pioneering contributions to the maritime sector.

Ten students, who excelled in an essay competition organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as part of the activities in commemoration of the Day were awarded the Agency’s educational grants at the occasion.

Amaechi said the Deep Sea Project, which aims to secure the country’s territorial waters up to the Gulf of Guinea, would inspire greater investors’ confidence in the Nigerian maritime sector and boost the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

“With this security infrastructure, the revenues of the agencies in the maritime sector will increase and the revenue to the country will also increase,” he stated.

“Currently, maritime sector is returning less than N100 billion; they should be doing more than that. They should be returning above N300 billion. But in terms of the economy, the maritime industry is contributing quite a lot,” the minister said.

He also spoke on the government’s plan to link the railway system to the seaports, as a way of integrating the maritime sector into the rail master structure as planned to make movements of goods to and from the ports more effective to boost the economy.

“All seaports in Nigeria must be connected by rail; that is a policy of government,” Amaechi said, adding, “We have put in place a 25-year modernisation programme for the rail system. With the master plan, we have taken rail from where the past government stopped into the seaports.

“For instance, the current LagosKano rail line began from Ebute Metta.

But when we came, we started another line from Ebute Metta to Apapa seaport.

With this, when you bring in your goods, you turn them to the rail that takes them to the hinterland. The one from Lagos to Calabar will link the Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Onne seaports, and so on.”

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who made a presentation on the measures by the Federal Government to tackle maritime security in the country, expressed the hope that the female gender will play a major role in the execution of the anchor security scheme, the Deep Blue Project.

“We have various components in the coordinated maritime security solution and the female gender is already part of the project,” he said.

Dakuku said, “Aside land, air, and marine-based assets being acquired, we have an intelligence gathering component where the women are already playing a major role. We recognise gender equality as one of the key platforms on which we can build a sustainable solution to security challenges in Nigerian maritime sector.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

politics

Cashless Policy: Reps denies Summoning CBN

By Christiana Ekpa

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he Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo (PDP, Delta), has disowned media reports that his committee had summoned the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele over the bank’s recent controversial directives on new bank charges.

Nwokolo, on Sunday insisted that what the committee did was simply to request that the CBN boss interfaces with the committee to see how the effects of the cashless policy can be reduced to enable Nigerians enjoy the benefits

therefrom.

Recall that the House of Representatives on Tuesday, last week responded to public outcry by passing a resolution rejecting the new policy which charges 2 and 3% of any deposit or withdrawal that’s in excess of N500,000(Five Hundred Thousand) naira.

The House also resolved to get the CBN to explain the rationale behind the policy which some lawmakers argued was aimed at enriching bank owners at the expense of ordinary accounts holders in the country.

However, some news outlets reported that the House issued a summon to the CBN helmsman

demanding appearance and explanations to justify the directive.

But Chairman of the committee in charge of Banking and Currency, Hon Nwokolo, who represents Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State said what the House resolved to do was invite the governor for an interface aimed at clearing misconceptions surrounding the policy and how the resultant effects on ordinary Nigerians could be reduced.

“The motion simply asked the CBN governor and the bankers committee to interface with us so that we can find ways and means to curb the hardship of the policy on Nigerians.

“We need to know how they arrived at the charges and the indices used to arrive at the conclusion too. Our intention on this issue is simple and it simply aims at the possibility of Nigerians using the policy to their advantage.

“By so doing, we’ll know where it bites most through the proposed interface with the governor and his officials.

“There was no place that we mentioned in the motion that the House is summoning the arrowhead of the Apex bank of the country.

“The CBN governor has been the vanguard of how our various economic policies can get the

right direction for the progress of Nigeria.

“If you say he was summoned, it simply connotes he has a query to answer but in this case, he is interfacing with us to alleviate the situation as it is.

However, the CBN governor, according to the committee chair couldn’t honour the said invitation for the scheduled interface as he was away on an official assignment with both the Finance minister, Zainab Ahmad and the minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami over the controversial $9.6 billion judgment debt to Private and Industrial Development (P&ID) limited in the United Kingdom.

Kogi Polls – PDP tells voters happy days coming again

By Lateef Ibrahim

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he Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organization for the November 16 gubernatorial poll in Kogi State, T.J. Yusuf, has called on the people to vote for the candidate of the party, Musa Wada.

Yusuf make the call in a statement at the weekend by the Head, Communications and Strategy, Musa/Aro Campaign Organisation, Faruq Adejo.

He said, “The long, tortuous four years of hunger, poverty, violence, collapsed public infrastructure and services, insecurity and violence is coming to an end.

“Happy days are coming

again.”

He said that the party would declare a state of emergency in education, health, agriculture, and rural and urban development if elected.

Yusuf decried water scarcity in Lokoja and other parts of the state, adding that his party would provide water if elected.

He said, “It is worrisome that after collecting close to N400bn in less than four years, the present government has not only failed to embark on any project that will improve the lives of the people, but it’s abandoning functional critical infrastructure inherited from the PDP administration to rot away.”

L-R: Bishop Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev’d Wisdom Ihunwo; his wife, Mercy Ihunwo and Deputy Governor of River State, Mrs Ipalibo Harry-Banigo during an Interdenominational Church Service to commemorate 59th Independence Day anniversary at St. Luke’s Anglican Church Rumuadaolu Parish,, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: NAN

Develop local drugs to fight diabetes – Omo-Agege tells pharmacists

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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eputy President of the Senate, Ovie OmoAgege has called on pharmacists in the country to intensify efforts at research that will lead to the development of local pharmaceutical drugs to replace imported ones in the fight against diabetes and other forms of endocrine and metabolic disorders.

This, he emphasised, will not only boost the Nigerian economy by creating jobs for citizens but also save the country huge sums of money spent on importing foreign drugs.

Omo-Agege stated this in Abuja at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON).

In a paper titled, ‘The Role of Education in Preventing Diabetes Complications’, OmoAgege, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Otive Igbuzor, expressed concern over the frightening statistics of over 4 million Nigerians suffering from the disease.

According to him, considering the huge health implications of the ailment on the nation’s

economy, it has become pertinent for EMSON to come up with revolutionary reforms that will change the narrative and reduce the menace of the disease to the barest minimum.

He stressed the need for strong diabetic education advocacy by individuals, institutions, public and private sectors to stem the tide of the ailment in the country.

The lawmaker expressed the willingness of the 9th Senate to look at requisite laws that will help the people on the need for healthy life habits.

According to him, education programmes must inculcate in patients the opportunities which the 2017-2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) holds towards better health management.

Omo-Agege, who drew the attention of the pharmacists to the rising incidence of the disease in the country to pandemic levels with its attendant negative impact, said it was a deep source of concern to the National Assembly in particular and the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in general.

He therefore called on Nigerian pharmacists to make the best use of the abundance

of natural plants that nature has bestowed on the nation and come up with medicinal brands that can compete favourably with imported ones.

He noted that such enlightenment “will help cover the most mileage in the war against diabetes mellitus. This is so because, most of the essentials in life-style issues have to do with body mass control; the latter which is a highly implicit cause of type-2 diabetes. For juvenile or type-1 diabetes, which is more or less hereditary, your organisation needs to do more work in terms of research and education, to counsel parents with diabetesgenetic history on how to better manage the lifestyle habits of their offspring. It is a matter of education. On our part in the legislature, we will continue to look at appropriate and requisite laws that will help advance your work and also help general consciousness among our people on the need to live with healthy life habits”.

A statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Deputy President of the Senate, stated that the senator expressed concern that the menace of

chronic ailments have further compounded the short life expectancy of Africans.

Omo-Agege said the healthcare component of the ERGP is expected to raise primary healthcare delivery coverage from 12.6percent which the present administration met in 2015 to 45percent in 2023.

“Through adequate education and campaigns, it is expected that by 2028, we will hit the 98% target coverage for primary healthcare delivery throughout the country.

“When the present administration came to power in 2015, it began to address the issue of deficiencies in primary healthcare delivery by different intervention programmes.

For instance, the present administration is employing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and a compulsory health insurance scheme which exempts 40% of the poorest Nigerians from financial contribution, among others, to drive the process,” he added.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion Professor J.A. Otubu decried the changing lifestyle of Nigerians which have contributed to the emergence of

strange illnesses in the country.

He enjoined Nigerians to stick to African indigenous food and refrain from the consumption of foreign processed food to engender a healthy population in the country.

The keynote speaker and globally acclaimed medical practitioner, Dr. Kamaiya Kaushik submitted that the rate at which the disease is spreading globally was frightening.

Kaushik put the figure of global victims of the disease at over 425million people of more than 16 million sufferers of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria accounting for over 4million, the highest in the region.

On the way out, he advocated strict lifestyle monitoring, diet control, physical exercise, regular medical check-up amongst others.

Women Affairs Minister, Dame Pauline Tallen; Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe and other dignitaries who graced the occasion were unanimous in enjoining Nigerians to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to halt the diabetes pandemic ravaging the Nigerian population.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

politics

Passage of PIB will revolutionize economy, says Rep Olatubosun Hon Olajide Olatubosun representing Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo in this interview bares his mind on social and political developments in Nigeria as the country clock 59. While warning against permanent closure of the nation’s land borders as he maintains that doing won’t be in the best interest of the country, the lawmaker calls for accelerated passage of PIB Bill. Lawrence Olaoye was there. Excerpts; Nigeria will be 59 in a few days, how has the journey been so far?

We thank God for if a man is 59 years old, no matter the challenges, he has to look back and say God I thank you for making me alive. Having said that the journey has been very challenging.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has not been able to achieve her potentials because at 59 Nigeria should by now be a prosperous nation that the citizens are having a good standard of living and enjoying their lives. But we don’t have that.

So, it’s still work in progress and a lot needs to be done.

distortion. The average person for which the subsidy is meant is not enjoying up to 10 percent of it.

Nigerians smuggle subsidized fuel to neighbouring countries. That has been confirmed because since last few weeks that our borders have been partially closed, we’ve had figures of 10 million liters of petrol (PMS) per day that have been saved. So look at subsidy on 10 million liters everyday for 365 days in a year for all these years!

So, we’re not doing the right thing. It’s high time we began to do something so that in the next eleven years when Nigeria will be 70, we have another story to tell.

Nigeria is progressively becoming insecure, what are those things that you’ll suggest the government do to reverse the tide?

The strategy has to be in the short, medium and long term.

We need to address security.

But before we address physical security, we must address social insecurity. There are lots of challenges; a lot of our people are unemployed. People are becoming poorer by the day. But we should not say it’s the fault of this present government. I think it is the fault of the system that we run. As a matter of urgency, we need to go back to federalism. At least fiscal federalism. We must also ensure that we take the commanding height of this economy from the government to the private sector.

With that we will be able to create corporations, small businesses to ensure that our people are employed. For instance, look at our budget, a country of about 200 million people every year we have about N2 trillion capital expenditure. What can that do? For us to grow at about 6-7 percent, we must be doing like 15 percent of our GDP to build infrastructure. We have to start from that. Even the N2 trillion, we don’t have the resources to finance it. So, as a matter of urgency, we need to redirect this economy.

As a legislator, I hope and pray that the Ninth National Assembly will quickly resolve the issue of PIB because we know that this economy depends largely on the oil sector. If we can get PIB right and that sector is deregulated, government can get a lot of cash to fix roads, education and have safety net for the poor. Look at the issue of subsidy, it’s a major

In your view, what should the Ninth Assembly do now to change the narratives?

I’ll say we should quickly pass the PIB. There are four bills: the Host Community Bill, Fiscal Bill, Administration Bill and the Regulatory Bill. Once we can do that, it means immediately the NNPC will be a commercial entity.

This means that it’s going to be free from bureaucratic bottlenecks and be able to run like other oil corporations. If that is done, government is going to have more money. We also need to pass other laws to ensure that more government assets are sold. In other words, government should leave business for the business people because the more they are involved, the more to leverage capital, expand their business, employ more people and if we can do that, in ten years from now, everything being equal, we’ll be telling a different story.

Kidnapping is fast becoming a hyra-headed challenge.

When the kidnappers were dislodged from Abuja-Kaduna route, they relocate to Abuja-Lokoja road. How do you think they can be stopped permanently?

I don’t think there are quickfixes because what we’re seeing today is a manifestation of so many years of bad governance.

There is an adage in Yoruba land that a household that is peaceful is because the bastards are not yet grown. Unfortunately, those children that can be referred to as ‘bastards’ have grown in Nigeria.

So, as a matter of urgency, I’ll advise that we start community policing framework immediately.

What this means is that policemen

the neighbouring countries to ensure that they don’t allow their ports to be used for such illegal activities. But closing the borders permanently or for a very long time is not in our best interest.

Hon Olajide Olatubosun that will serve in a place will be recruited from that community and not be transferred to another place. It means they are recruited for the sake of their own people.

I think the challenge we have now is failure of intelligence. We need more intelligence than the police officers wielding guns on the road. In the medium to long term, we need to fix social security.

The youth need to be gainfully employed. Unfortunately, how many people can government employ? Job creation is largely for the private sector in an enabling environment. Government should hands-off business. When we’re talking of railways, airports, owning airlines, power, oil sector, government should leave them to the private people. Within the next five to ten years, we can get private capital coming in to the country to expand these businesses, employ our youth and gradually insecurity will die down. In the issues of our borders, they are very porous and through it people smuggle all sorts of things. Fortunately, in the last few weeks, they’ve been partially closed. The question is for how long are we going to do that. Is it the sustainable solution? The

“

answer is no. So, it’s just a fire brigade approach. It’s working now but in the next one year, trust Nigerians they’ll find a way around it. So we need to do something that will be more enduring and sustainable.

But Nigerians along borderlines are groaning, complaining that their businesses are being affected.

Even Nigerian neighbours are pressurizing the government for a review of the border closure, what are the prons and cons of this decision?

As I talk to you, government decision to close the border is affecting my constituents because they are near Nigerian-Benin Republic border. Most of them are being seriously affected even people that are into legitimate business. So, I’m calling on the government to look at the issue with a view to resolving them and reopen the borders. Because my constituents are suffering a lot.

The gains is that the government has been able to reduce the inflow of illegal items like arms and ammunitions. So the challenge now is how can we work with

As I talk to you, government decision to close the border is affecting my constituents because they are near Nigerian-Benin Republic border. Most of them are being seriously affected even people that are into legitimate business

President Muhammadu Buhari recently set up an Economic Advisory Council, what in your opinion should be the agenda of this council?

It has to be to advise the president to become more promarket. I know the President is patriotic; he loves Nigeria; he doesn’t want Nigerians to suffer.

But holding unto government assets is not the way to go because that breeds corruption. The new Council made up of eminently qualified Nigerians, brilliant economists and financial experts, should ensure that we have fiscal and monetary policies that will create enabling business environment. Tax holidays for investors in certain sectors of the economy and things that will ensure that Nigerians invest their money in Nigeria and they don’t take it to Dubai and other places and also to encourage foreign direct investment. If we can do that and ensure that investment is safe, I think that they would have done a very good job.

How will you assess the fight against corruption by the Buhari’s administration so far?

In fairness to the government and the EFCC, they’ve done well considering the prevailing circumstances and environment.

But it’s a very tough job because the legal system we practice is that of presumption of innocence.

Until someone is proven guilty by a law court, you cannot say he is corrupt. What you have in most cases is allegation. Cases could go as far as ten years and they are still on it. You can’t get evidences that you can use to convict the suspects. They’ve done well but if we can have a paradigm shift, like entrenchment of fiscal federalism, better governance structure to promote openness, transparency in government finances and government handing-off all those commercial ventures, it will be better. Look at the issue of the P&ID scandal, if the federal government owns only 20 percent of the equities, we can’t have these mess that we’re having now. It means it just have to sit on the Board and other shareholders will not open their eyes and allow someone enter into a nonsense contract. If we’ve done that we don’t need to report to an EFCC that somebody had signed a contract that has put the country into trouble. They’ve done well but I think in the long run, to reduce the burden and to put our energy in a place that can advance the prosperity of our people, let us conduct government business in a private sector driven way.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

PAGE 18

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Stock Watch: Friday, Septmeber 27, 2019 Low

OPEN Volume Close High

4.80 1.15 0 2.94 1.94 0 1.27 0.27 0 1.64 0.64 0 6.60 4.60 0 57.00 48.30 0 5.79 2.21 0 9.65 40.05 0 31.50 64.00 0 1.90 1.92 0 18.45 18.45 0 1.72 1.84 0 23.25 23.25 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.20 0.20 0 6.10 6.10 0 1.75 1.75 0 186.00 186.00 0 6.00 6.65 0 14.60 14.55 0 1.80 2.00 0 3.37 3.37 0 4.30 4.70 0 14.00 14.00 0 7.35 7.80 0 1.62 1.65 0 1.91 1.96 0 4.95 4.95 99 0.33 0.33 0 21.85 21.85 0 29.60 30.70 0 0.20 0.20 0 12.20 13.05 0 32.60 32.95 0 72.00 72.00 0 1.18 1.18 0 1.53 1.53 0 31.50 31.50 0 0.51 0.54 0 0.20 0.20 0 23.25 23.25 0 0.44 0.44 0 0.30 0.30 0 1.36 1.36 0 0.72 0.72 0 0.52 0.49 0 1.83 1.83 0 2.45 2.45 0

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Stock Close Gain UPL 2.14 0.03 LIVESTOCK 0.42 0.08 SOVRENINS 0.28 0.13 OKOMUOIL 20.00 0.90 GUARANTY 43.50 0.25

Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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0.21 0.21 0 0.21 0.21 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 0.63 0.43 0 0.43 0.43 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 1.15 2.05 261 2.05 2.05 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 0 24.80 184.80 0 184.80 184.80 MOBIL 0.00 0 1.20 0.20 970 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE 0.00 0 6.50 3.50 0 3.50 3.50 NAHCO 0.00 0 12.00 18.00 0 18.00 18.00 NASCON 0.00 0 68.50 78.70 0 79.50 79.50 NB 0.80 0 1.78 0.78 0 0.78 0.78 NEIMETH 0.00 0 1.60 2.60 0 2.60 2.60 NEM 0.00 0 52.20 552.20 150 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 NESTLE 0.00 0 1.60 1.65 0 1.60 1.60 NPFMCRFBK -0.05 0 4.60 4.80 0 4.60 4.75 OANDO -0.20 0 80.00 76.20 0 80.00 80.00 OKOMUOIL 3.80 0 64.00 64.00 0 64.00 64.00 PRESCO 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 PRESTIGE 0.00 0 12.30 12.30 0 12.30 12.30 PZ 0.00 0 4.20 4.20 0 4.20 4.20 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.21 REGALINS -0.01 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RESORTSAL 0.00 0 0.21 0.23 0 0.21 0.22 ROYALEX -0.02 0 640.00 640.00 405 640.00 640.00 SEPLAT 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.21 0.21 SOVRENINS 0.01 0 46.50 46.00 0 46.50 46.50 STANBIC 0.50 0 102.00 102.00 122 102.00 102.00 STANBICETF30 0.00 0 1.97 1.96 0 1.97 1.97 STERLNBANK 0.01 0 203.00 203.00 0 203.00 203.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 6.10 6.10 632 6.10 6.10 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 1.15 1.21 0 1.16 1.18 TRANSCORP -0.05 0 9.60 9.60 0 9.60 9.60 UACN 0.00 0 1.74 1.92 0 1.74 1.74 UAC-PROP -0.18 0 7.60 7.80 0 7.90 7.95 UBA 0.10 0 6.00 6.05 0 6.00 6.05 UBN -0.05 0 2.89 2.94 0 2.89 2.91 UCAP -0.05 0 36.30 37.00 0 36.30 36.30 UNILEVER -0.70 0 0.27 0.27 0 0.27 0.27 UNIONDAC 0.00 0 1.00 0.99 0 1.00 1.00 UNITYBNK 0.01 0 2.04 1.97 0 2.14 2.14 UPL 0.17 0 0.23 0.23 0 0.23 0.23 VERITASKAP 0.00 0 4.50 4.99 0 4.50 4.50 VITAFOAM -0.49 0 11.30 11.50 0 11.30 11.65 WAPCO -0.20 0 0.40 0.40 0 0.40 0.40 WAPIC 0.00 0 0.59 0.61 0 0.59 0.61 WEMABANK -0.02 0 21.20 22.70 0 21.70 22.50 ZENITHBANK -1.00 0 Copyright © 2019 NgTradeOnline

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SEC recognises Private Sector as key driver of economic growth -Uduk

By Etuka Sunday

P

rivate sector activities have been described as key drivers for economic growth and development as they create jobs and pay the taxes that finance services and investments.

This was stated by Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk during the inauguration of the SEC Private Equity Committee in Abuja, weekend.

Uduk who was represented by Acting Executive Commissioner Corporate Services of the SEC, Mr. Henry Rowlands, said the inauguration of the SEC Private Equity Committee is ahead of the planned National Private Equity Summit.

Uduk said the event is an epoch making one for the country as it underscores one of its objectives of facilitating proper understanding and appreciation by government of the importance of private sector activities as key drivers of private sector led economic growth.

She said the Nigerian government recognises the importance of private sector-led economic growth, hence it has put in place several partnerships and initiatives between the private sector and the government with a view to achieving optimal economic growth.

According to her, “The private sector remains the key driver of economic growth with the federal government providing enabling framework to galvanise and support private sector investors and participants through such vehicle as private equity funds.

“A McKinsey report highlights this fact by its data that reveals that private equity net assets grew as much as 70% from 2002 till 2018 and twice as fast as public equities.

This underscores the high growth rate of private sector investment through private equity funds operations” she stated.

The Acting DG said that with a provision for allocation of $250 million of the pension assets under management of private equity investment, there lies huge potential for the sector to drive economic growth potentials of the Nigerian economy.

“I seize this opportunity to sincerely appreciate Henshaw Capital and Partners for this initiative and all the institutions and agencies that have accepted to participate in this working committee” Uduk added.

In his remarks, Mr. Efiok Ekpenyong Efiok, Head, Investment Management Department, SEC said the SEC Private Equity Committee is a SEC driven Committee based on Private sector initiative led by Henshaw Capital Partners in collaboration with key financial sector stakeholders, Federal Government and private sector Institutions.

Efiok said the institutions include Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, National Pensions Commission, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and Nigerian Association of Securities Dealers.

According to Efiok, the work of the Committee is geared towards organizing the Nigerian Private Equity summit with the objective of galvanizing the private equity ecosystem in Nigeria to proactively articulate, expand and harness the private equity opportunity in Nigeria.

“In line with this principal objective as articulated in the proposal document, the Summit aims among others to raise awareness of the private equity opportunity to meet a significant portion of the financing needs of Nigeria’s exponential growth Companies,” he added.

FG blocks remaining 2.2m incomplete registered SIM Cards

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Federal Government has confirmed the deactivation of all improperly registered SIM Cards in the country.

This was done by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) following the directives of the Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami that no improperly registered SIM card number should remain active beyond 11:59pm of Wednesday, 25th of September, 2019.

The Deputy Director/Head Information/Press & PR Unit of the ministry, Mrs Philomena

O. Oshodin in a statement said, a report submitted by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC on Thursday, 26th September, has it that a total of 2,277,311 improperly registered lines have been blocked.

Recall, as earlier reported, 6,830,249 lines have been revalidated since the directive was given.

Dr Pantami, according to the statement has reiterated the need for all improperly registered SIM cards to remain blocked until they are properly registered.

The statement described as unprecedented the achievement

within 36 days of Dr Pantami’s assumption of office.

The statement said, “the Minister wishes to sincerely appreciate the Regulator and the Telecom Operators for working hard to carry out the directive in record time.

“He urged them to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the momentum is sustained.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications is collaborating with the relevant parastatals and security Agencies to ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the security of lives and property in the nation is not

compromised through the use of SIM card numbers.

“Pursuant to this, Dr Pantami has directed that the profiles of persons linked to crime, aided and abetted by the use of SIM cards, should be promptly provided to the relevant security agencies when requested and a copy be sent to him for monitoring.

“The Ministry will continue to work with relevant parastatals and security agencies in the background to ensure that SIM card numbers are not used as a platform for committing crime,” the statement said.

L-R: Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Silva and Founder Belema Oil, Mr Jack-Rich Tein Jr during the inauguration of Belemooil portable water project at Kula and the stakeholders visit to OML 25 communities and its Facilities at Kula in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area,on Saturday in Rivers State .

Photo: nan

NCC urges 175m Telecom subscribers to use intervention channels for protection

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again urged the about 175 million telecom subscribers in the country to use the available consumer intervention channels to protect themselves from being short-changed by their service providers.

NCC made the call during a Consumer Conversation programme organised by its Zonal Operations Department at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa State.

Two of such consumer centric interventions include the 622 Toll-Free Number for escalating unresolved complaints or complaints that were not satisfactorily resolved by service providers.

Officials of the Commission also enjoined telecom consumers to utilise the Do-Not-Stop (DND) 2442 Short Code to manage the challenges with unsolicited text messages.

Addressing telecom consumers at

the programme, the Director Zonal Operations, NCC, Amina Shehu, restated the commitment of the Commission in ensuring fairness and protection for the telecom consumers.

“The consumer is very important to us as a Commission because without them, there cannot be a booming telecom industry as we have it today. That is why we need to protect them and protecting consumers has correlation with industry protection.

So, we don’t take consumer issues lightly at the Commission,” she said.

Shehu, who was represented by the Principal Manager, Zonal Operations, NCC, Umar Lamido, affirmed that “telecom consumers deserve to get value for their money, and be treated as very important stakeholders as regards service delivery.”

“We, therefore, urge the consumers to take advantage of NCC’s consumer protection initiatives such as the DND 2442 and the 622 TollFree Numbers so that no service provider would take advantage of

you,” she said.

The Director said, the Commission conceived in details the idea of the consumer conservation to educate, protect and empower consumers towards making informed choices of ICT products and services in order to ensure sustainable growth and further development of the sector.

She noted that NCC, operators and consumers have a role to play in ensuring good quality of service, just as she added that the protection of Telecom infrastructure from Vandals was also the collective responsibility of all.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Dr. Yusuf Hussaini demanded for an e-Library to aid the Polytechnic in the computation of results.

“We need an e-Library as it was established in ABU, BUK, and other institutions, whether it is going to be NCC or telco sponsored.The Academic Staff of the Poly need E-Library itself

because every semester we produce results.

“Why can’t we have NCC award for best students in physics, chemistry, and microbiology. It will encourage them to read more.

“The government has tried, we need PPP. Education is not what it used to be but we can make it what it ought to be. These multi-nationals are not only breaking even but repatriating profits.

“It will make the student better in research and studies.The best thing we can do is to add value to our communities. This community has been peaceful and deserves the best,” he said.

The well-attended programme had many students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa in attendance and it provided an opportunity for all the participants to express their concerns as well as the challenges they face with their telecom providers and with telecom service provisioning in general.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Page 20

BU$IN€SS

Technology: LG targets 5G for smarter homes

By Etuka Sunday

T

omorrow’s homes are becoming smarter and more personal. And the rollout of 5G will accelerate the evolution of the connected home. This evolution brings with it a level of anticipation for how our homes will change the way we live and what new tech-infused devices and appliances will adorn our kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms over the coming years. An exciting time for industry and consumers alike, but not one without its challenges as consumer expectations become even more difficult to meet.

The best home appliances deliver maximum convenience while also adding something exciting to the home. Builtin artificial intelligence has transformed normal appliances into smart ones that can learn residents’ usage patterns and utilize them to improve performance. AI not only enhances convenience, but the technology also makes appliances safer and more energy-efficient, perfect for the growing concerns over the environment and the seemingly ever-increasing utility bills.

LG is committed to creating a consumer-centric smart home ecosystem with the ultimate aim of allowing homeowners to control all their appliances and devices from one spot. A combination of long-lasting, premium appliances and the unrivalled the intelligence of LG ThinQ will position LG as a trendsetter in this fiercely competitive market.

According to Mr. Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, “Today’s smart speakers can keep everything in order in the home by turning lights on and off, adjusting the temperature of the room or reading the news, all with a voice command. Smart speakers can now recognize voices for a more personal experience and can act as an individual’s personal assistant by reading that day’s agenda, offering a reminder to pick up milk on the way home and even recommending the fastest route to get to work in the morning. With such technology in the home, it’s easier now than ever to multitask and save time.”

“Life is about more than having the latest technology. It is about the experiences technology creates.

From TVs to home appliances and computer products, LG delivers

M

arketers of petroleum products must display prices of products in their retail outlets even at night or face sanctions, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has said.

Speaking while leading a monitoring team to some retail outlets in Abuja yesterday, Spokesman of the Agency, Apollo Kimchi explained that the directive

FCT Task Team urged to sustain traffic flow at AYANyanya Road

By Stanley Onyekwere

T LG for smarter homes consumer electronics that let you embrace life and prepare you for its greatest moments. We’re committed to providing electronics that work best for the way you live and to keeping you updated with the latest technological advances.

After all, life’s better when you’re prepared”, he said.

LG has continued to take a leadership role in advocating the beneficial role of AI in consumers’ lives.

Since its launch in 2017, the company’s AI brand LG ThinQ has seen its portfolio grow rapidly to include air conditioners, washing machines, TVs, smartphones and robot vacuum cleaners.

“AI is just one-way appliances are being personalized to meet the lifestyle needs of today’s consumers”, Mr Elluru averred.

A big push to tap markets with single-door refrigerators, semiautomatic washing machines designed for rural consumers is in the offing. LG already has 20,000 retail touchpoints and a vast aftersales service network.

Speaking at the CES 2019, LG’s president and CTO Dr I.P. Park outlined the company’s vision for the future in his keynote, titled AI

for an Even Better Life. According to him, the three key pillars of artificial intelligence – Evolve, Connect and Open – could deliver a robust AI ecosystem with diverse solutions for the real world.

LG’s ambition is to unlock the potential of AI technology in a much larger scale by connecting hitherto individual units into intelligent systems.

LG Electronics believes that life can be “Made Better with LG ThinQ,” its contribution to the AI ecosystem. With products such as the LG TV AI ThinQ, LG InstaView ThinQ refrigerator, LG TWINWash ThinQ and LG XBOOM AI ThinQ smart speaker, LG is delivering personalized, proactive, efficient and easy solutions to today’s consumers.

From cooking a Sunday morning breakfast to planning a last-minute trip, LG ThinQ makes each step as easy as possible.

LG TV AI ThinQ LG TVs with AI ThinQ have the Google Assistant built-in, bringing higher intelligence to your living room. You can find the best entertainment, or ask the Assistant to change the light settings, adjust

the room temperature, and more.

The included remote control has an onboard microphone, so if you don’t have a compatible device, you can use the Google Assistant integrated into the AI ThinQ OS. However you choose to do so, you can tell the TV to play your favourite shows on Netflix, look up funny pet videos on YouTube, and more.

LG InstaView ThinQ refrigerator Want a refrigerator that will recommend recipes, create shopping lists and play music for your meal? LG InstaView ThinQ can. The refrigerator lets you create and share shopping lists between your smartphone and refrigerator, or check on the contents of your refrigerator, anytime, anywhere.

The company first showcased the smart refrigerator at CES 2019 and have received great reviews ever since.

LG TWINWash ThinQ LG’s Award-winning and revolutionary TwinWash washing machine comes with some interesting features including the ability to simultaneously wash two

separate loads of laundry and of course the much talked about LG ThinQ technology. It is a dream come true for those that may experience some anxiety around washing clothes and choosing the right settings. TWINWash will not only give you recommendations for which wash cycles to choose based on the clothes you’re cleaning, but also send you alerts when you’re running low on laundry detergent using their AI smarts.

LG XBOOM AI ThinQ smart speaker The Xboom AI responds to voice commands, and you can use the 8-inch touchscreen to watch videos, make video calls, check the steps of a recipe and control your smart home. It also has a camera for making video calls, along with a physical shutter. It’s HighResolution Audio at 24bit/96kHz is capable of reproducing HighQuality sound from the original recordings, including formats like ALAC, WAV and FLAC. The company has also reinforced it’s committed to making life better for everyone through its smart home innovations.

PPPRA to sanction Petrol Retail Stations over failure to display prices

By Etuka Sunday

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

became necessary to prevent sharp practices by petroleum marketers in the country.

While explaining that the monitoring exercise is an avenue for the PPPRA to gauge the market response to supply dynamics with a view to effecting policies that will improve supply efficiency, he emphasised that the exercise affords the PPPRA the opportunity to ascertain first-hand the activities at the end of the value chain in the petroleum downstream sub-

sector.

He also stated that the exercise revealed that price competition amongst marketers is intensifying with some selling at N143 per litre while others sold for N145 per litre, he further explained that the Agency is focused on ensuring that the competition does not lead to under-dispensing where marketers will hide under the guise of low price to underdispense products to unsuspecting customers.

All these discoveries will be fed into policy direction and will also reflect in our collaboration with relevant authorities to know areas that need strengthening and the signs to look out for.

Apollo, who is also the General Manager, Corporate Services explained that the information gathered during the monitoring exercise authenticates the findings made public few weeks ago that the penetration of Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) is actually becoming

very popular amongst Nigerians especially for domestic cooking purposes and that this has also led to the decrease in the consumption of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).

In conclusion, he stated that the PPPRA is collaborating with DPR to ensure that erring petrol stations get sanctioned.

The PPPRA appeals to all stakeholders to ensure they operate within the law and stipulated guidelines in order to avoid sanctions.

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has charged the Special Ministerial Task team on the current free flow of traffic on the AYA-Nyanya axis of the AbujaKeffi road to ensure that the exercise is sustained.

The chairman of the team , Ikharo Attah disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the weekend.

According the Attah, “ the Minister stated with all seriousness that residents living in the area and those traversing the road should not be allowed to go through what they experienced before the team was set up.”

“The Minister tasked us to be dynamic and innovative in studying the situation to always ensure that the exercise is not only improved upon but properly sustained.”

Also, the chairman of the committee noted that the team for now has ensured that movement time from Abuja city centre to Nyanya is between 10 and 20 minutes.

He however assured that his team is working to make vehicular and human movement in the area much more better. the words of the chairman, “ One thing I can assure residents of the FCT is the unwavering commitment of the FCT minister towards addressing traffic challenges in all areas of the Territory particularly during peak periods.”

Meanwhile, on the gridlock at Mararaba, a densely populated area, in neighbouring Nasarawa state, Attah pleaded for understanding saying his operations does not cover the area which is part of neighbouring Nasarawa state.

METRO

Page 21

Dunamis Pastor charges parents to quit encouraging exams malpractice

By Stanley Onyekwere

R

esident Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Masaka Central, Pastor Johnson Ameh has cautioned parents against condoning and encouraging all forms of examination malpractices especially among children, so as to ensure a solid educational foundation for their offsprings.

Ameh, attributed the increasing cases of examination malpractices to the unwarranted desperation on the part of parents to accelerate the educational pursuit of their children.

The cleric, who gave the charge on Sunday, while addressing the congregation during a special Thanksgiving service, to

mark the end of the month of September, noted that the menace of exams malpractice not only has devastating effects on the perpetrators, but the society in general.

Delivering a sermon on the topic, Foundations of Righteousness, the clergyman noted that foundations are very critical to life and destiny.

According to him, the foundations of lives must be built on righteousness and uprightness, because for lives to be solid, the foundations would have to be very solid as well.

Reading from the Bible, in Psalm chapter 7 verses 14 and 17, the Dunamis Pastor said educational pursuit must be done with all integrity.

“Exam malpractice must be avoided in life, so parents should desist from assisting children to pass exams.

“As parents, don’t be putting teachers under pressure to pass your children in schools. Quit manipulating things in the name of educational pursuit of your children.

“You are establishing a faulty foundation for your children, and if the foundation is destroyed, what is the future of your children in life.

“Don’t show children that exam malpractice is the way, rather show them to always be upright.

“It’s always better to fail exams than to manipulate it.

“What I’m saying today may

not be popular, but the truth must be told. We need to go back to those when you said you’re a Christian, then people know that you are a person of sound character,” he stressed.

He continues: “We need to go back to those when you said you’re a Christian, then people know that you are a person of sound character.

“We must come to the point where we are more concerned and commited to laying solid foundation for our lives.

“The future is in complete jeopardy if the foundation is not in order. It is easier to do right thing than to correct the wrong deed, and it’s easier to groom children than to correct an adult in the society.”

CROSS Section of CAN Choir, during Independence Day Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, yesterday Abuja.

FCTA launches E-health policy, strategic implementation document

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) launched eHealth Policy and 2018-2022 Implementation Strategy Document for healthcare in the Territory.

According to the Director Administration & Finance (DAF), Alhaji Musa Abduraheem, who is overseeing the affairs of HHSS the eHealth adoption in the health sector has a great

potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness of both service delivery as well as clinical, operational and administrative aspects of healthcare.

He noted that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is rapidly replacing manual paper-based systems in all sectors across the globe with its numerous benefit and advantages.

The Secretary, who was represented by the Director , Special Duties Dr Mathew Ashikeni said commitment to the development of the first full-fledged eHealth policy and

strategy document in Nigeria, the FCT Administration led by the Honourable Minister Muhammad Musa Bello has demonstrated strong political will towards the use of eHealth to produce rapid transformational change in the health sector and better the lives of people in the Territory.

He reiterated that the FCT is playing a leading role in the integration of technology into healthcare in Nigeria.

According to him, the document which has been aligned with the National eHealth Strategic Framework

2015-2020 will provide an enabling environment for eHealth to thrive and help consolidate the delivery of Universal Health Care across the FCT in line with the vision and mission of the Health and Human Services Secretariat and the FCT Administration.

“Currently, we have deployed electronic medical records systems to six of our General Hospitals, and plans are at advanced stage to expand this to the remaining facilities including the Primary Health Care facilities, also there are over 112 eHealth initiatives currently being implemented

across both public and private health sectors in the FCT. “Despite relative successes recorded so far, there are still some challenges in implementing eHealth which include resistance to change amongst health workers, low capacity of health workers on basic ICT skills and competencies, lack of sustainable funding, weak governance and regulation, poor state of ICT and supporting infrastructure including computer equipment, internet connectivity as well as irregular power supply,” he stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

Page 22

world news

White House restricted Trump call transcripts - US media

T

he White House has restricted access to transcripts of some of President Donald Trump’s calls with foreign leaders, US media report.

Officials said notes about calls to leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and the Saudi crown prince had not been handled in the usual way.

They say aides severely curtailed who saw them in a bid to stop leaks.

The White House has not so far commented on the claims, which follow the start of an impeachment inquiry.

Democrats launched the inquiry after the transcript of a July phone call revealed that President Trump pushed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

On Friday the White House confirmed that the transcript had been placed in a separate system for highly classified information.

What’s the Trump-Ukraine story about?

How easy is it to impeach a president?

What happened to the phone transcripts?

According to officials quoted

in various US media outlets, the policy of restricting access to transcripts of some of the president’s calls with foreign leaders began more than a year ago.

White House officials are said to have decided to act to prevent embarrassing leaks, such as when Mr Trump’s conversation with then-Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull went public in 2017.

Even tighter restrictions came into place after his conversation with Russia’s foreign minister appeared in the news.

This included limiting who was given a copy of the notes from the call, and also reportedly filing notes on certain calls away into classified information storage reserved for foreign surveillance and covert operations - rather than the usual system widely accessible to National Security Council officials.

For example, aides and officials who would normally see a rough transcript of the president’s conversations reportedly never saw one for Mr Trump’s call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi royals.

The New York Times reports that the call came after the

Impeachment proceedings against President Trump began earlier this week killing of Saudi journalist Jamal one conversation with Russian Khashoggi in October 2018. An President Vladimir Putin was also official told the newspaper there curtailed. was no evidence of improper In a complaint filed last behaviour by the president. month, a whistleblower from the Access to a transcript of at least intelligence community reported

Austria votes in snap election after video sting scandal

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ustrians are voting in a snap general election after a scandal caused the previous coalition government to fall.

Opinion polls suggest the conservative People’s Party led by former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is on track to win the most votes - but it will again need to form a coalition.

Social Democrats, Greens, liberals and the far-right Freedom Party - Mr Kurz’s initial partners are also standing.

Coalition talks are widely expected to be difficult, and may last for weeks.

Polling stations across Austria opened at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and are set to close at 17:00.

After casting his ballot on Sunday, Mr Kurz, 33, briefly addressed reporters.

“I hope that as many Austrians as possible will exercise their right to vote, take part in the decision making process. I’ll be watching it closely and I’m hoping for a good result for the People’s Party,” he said.

What was the scandal about?

It began in May when German media outlets published a video involving Vice-Chancellor HeinzChristian Strache - then leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ).

The sting video had been secretly recorded before the 2017 election at a villa in the Spanish island of Ibiza.

In it, Mr Strache is seen

A coalition between Sebastian Kurz’s conservatives and Pamela Rendi-Wagner’s Social Democrats looks unlikely promising government contracts to and the liberal Neos party - a first in a woman posing as the niece of a Austria.

Russian oligarch.

A grand coalition with the Social A Vienna lawyer who says he Democrats (SPÖ) is considered was involved in the sting described unlikely because of the bad relations it as a “civil society-driven project between Mr Kurz and the centre-left in which investigative-journalistic leadership, the BBC’s Bethany Bell approaches were taken”. in Vienna says.

The “Ibizagate” scandal forced The son of a secretary and a Mr Strache to step down and led Mr teacher, he became active in the Kurz to end the coalition between ÖVP at the age of 16. his centre-right People’s Party As a law student in Vienna he (ÖVP) and the FPÖ. was elected chairman of the party’s The country has been led by a youth wing. He quit his studies in caretaker government since June.

2011 to become a junior interior But despite the fallout, Mr Kurz minister, rising to foreign minister appears to have emerged largely in 2013 at the age of 27. unscathed from the scandal.

Two years later he presented What are the options? a 50-point plan to improve the The FPÖ, under new leader integration of immigrants. However, Norbert Hofer, is hoping to renew he was full of praise for Hungary’s the coalition with Mr Kurz. populist Prime Minister Viktor But while Mr Kurz shares a Orban, and claimed credit for tough anti-immigration line with the closing the Balkan migrant route in FPÖ, the former chancellor may opt 2016. for a three-way pact with the Greens Source: BBC

his “urgent concern” that the president had used his office to “solicit interference from a foreign country” in the 2020 US election.

A rough transcript of the conversation, released by the White House this week, shows that the president urged his newly elected Ukrainian counterpart to investigate discredited corruption allegations against Mr Biden and his son Hunter.

Democrats accuse Mr Trump of illegally seeking foreign help in the hope of smearing Mr Biden a frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Mr Trump is also accused of using military aid for Ukraine as a bargaining tool.

President Trump has dismissed the proceedings as a “hoax” and “another witch-hunt”.

On Saturday he accused leading Democrats of “presidential harassment” and branded them “Democrat Savages”.

On Friday, three House committees subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents about the administration’s dealings with Ukraine.

Kurt Volker, US special envoy to the country, resigned on the same day.

Boris Johnson denies wrongdoing over Arcuri link

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oris Johnson says there was “no interest to declare” regarding links with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri.

It is alleged Ms Arcuri received favourable treatment due to her friendship with Mr Johnson.

The police watchdog are deciding whether to investigate the prime minister for a potential criminal offence of misconduct in public office while he was London mayor.

Mr Johnson said everything had been done “with full propriety”.

The allegations, first reported in the Sunday Times, claim Ms Arcuri joined trade missions led by Mr Johnson when he was mayor of London and that her company received several thousand pounds in sponsorship grants.

The paper has also reported Ms Aruri told four friends that she had an affair with Mr Johnson while he was mayor of London.

On Friday, the Greater London Authority’s monitoring officer referred the prime minister to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) - whose job it is to oversee the conduct of the mayor and other members of the GLA. Asked on the Andrew Marr show if he had declared any interest, Mr Johnson said “there was no interest to declare”.

“I was proud of everything I did as mayor of London,” he added.

He also attacked Sadiq Khan,

the current mayor of London, saying the Labour politician “could possibly spend more time investing in police officers than he is investing in press officers and peddling this kind of stuff”.

Mr Johnson added that someone in his position “expects a lot of shot and shell”.

Who is Jennifer Arcuri?

The woman at the centre of this story is Jennifer Arcuri, who describes herself on Twitter as an entrepreneur, cyber security expert and producer.

She began her career as a DJ on Radio Disney, before moving into film - where she wrote, produced and directed a short film that went on to be sold at Cannes Film Festival.

Ms Arcuri then brought in her tech skills to create a streaming platform for independent film makers.

But it was her founding of The Innotech Network in London that saw her path cross with Boris Johnson.

The network hosts events to discuss tech policy, and Mr Johnson was the keynote speaker at the first of those in 2012.

Since then, Ms Arcuri has also founded another company called Hacker House, which uses ethical hackers to find tech solutions for businesses.

Speaking on Sky News, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the prime minister did not have questions to answer regarding alleged links with the US businesswoman.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

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News From Africa

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he Duchess of Sussex has described meeting one of the founding members of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement as an “incredibly powerful moment”.

Sophia Williams-De Bruyn was 18 when she led about 20,000 women on a march against racial segregation in 1956.

Meghan met the activist, now 81, and other campaigners for gender equality, during an event in Cape Town to honour South Africa’s female leaders.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a 10-day tour of southern Africa.

Ms Williams-De Bruyn is one of the last remaining survivors of the march - which was one of the most influential demonstrations against the apartheid regime.

Thousands of women assembled in the capital Pretoria - despite a ban on unauthorised gatherings - in protest of a law which forced black people to carry passbooks with them at all times.

Many were arrested, before the group finally amassed outside the official seat of government, the Union Buildings, to demand change.

The demonstration was recreated in 2006 in protest at South Africa’s high rate of domestic violence.

The Duchess of Sussex’s visit comes as a recent spike in violence against women has again ignited protests in many areas of the country. Approximately 2,700 women and 1,000 children murdered by men in the country last year. At least 100 rapes were also reported daily.

In an post on the Sussexes’ official Instagram account, the duchess said Ms Williams-De Bruyn was “a symbol of those who fight for fundamental human rights”, adding “for her it is simple - she fights for what is right”.

During the event on Sunday, Meghan also spoke with the anti-apartheid activist, doctor and former managing director of the World Bank, Mamphela Ramphele.

Also present were politicians Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, of the African National Congress - one of the youngest women ever to serve in the country’s parliament - and Lindiwe Mazibuko, the first nonwhite leader of the Democratic Alliance party.

At the meeting, Meghan said that hearing about their exploits on the news had not been the same as “being able to truly understand what it’s like on the ground”.

“Much of my life I have been advocating for women and girls’ rights, so this has been an incredibly powerful moment to hear first-hand from all of you,” she said.

“The leadership and strength shown by these women is remarkable, and at a time when the issue of gender and genderbased violence is at the forefront of people’s minds, I hope their voices will resonate and not only give comfort but also create change.”

Meghan added that gender violence was a “global problem” and a solution can only be found “with the attention and work of everyone”.

Meghan meets ‘remarkable’ female leaders in South Africa The duke and duchess are on their first official overseas trip with their four month-old son, Archie.

The 10-day visit will see the royals celebrate the continent’s people and culture.

The duke and duchess spent the first three days together, meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, visiting South Africa’s oldest mosque and meeting young people in a deprived township in Cape Town.

Harry then travelled on to Angola, where he followed in the footsteps of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to highlight continuing efforts to remove landmines.

The duke is visiting Malawi on Sunday, where he is scheduled to meet the country’s President Peter Mutharika and pay tribute to a British soldier who was killed

Meghan met guests at an event to honour South Africa’s female leaders by an elephant during a counter-

poaching operation earlier this

year.

Berlin Marathon: Kenenisa Bekele misses world record by two seconds

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thiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele fell two seconds short of the world marathon record as he won in Berlin in two hours one minute 41 seconds.

The former Olympic and world 5,000m and 10,000m champion, 37, missed out on Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:01:39, set in the same race last year.

Bekele’s run is the second fastest marathon in history.

“I am very sorry. I am not lucky.

But I still can do this. I don’t give up,” Bekele said.

Kipchoge was absent as he prepares for his sub-two-hour marathon attempt in Vienna on 12 October.

Bekele, who set his previous best time 2:03:03 at the 2016 Berlin Marathon, was a second ahead of world-record pace at the halfway point.

He slipped to more than a minute behind after 30km of the 26.2-mile (42km) race, and fell narrowly short of Kipchoge’s time despite a sprint finish.

Birhanu Legese finished second 1min 7secs behind Bekele in the third fastest time in history - with Sisay Lemma was a further 48 seconds behind to complete an Ethiopian clean sweep.

Ashete Bekere won the women’s race in 2:20:14, beating fellow Ethiopian Mare Dibaba by eight seconds in a sprint finish.

Bekele won Olympic 10,000m gold at Athens 2004 and 5,000m and 10,000m gold at Beijing 2008

Mugabe funeral: Zimbabwe ex-president laid to rest in Kutama

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imbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe has been laid to rest in the rural village where he was born, three weeks after his death at the age of 95.

He was buried in the courtyard of his home in Kutama, about 90km (55 miles) west of the capital Harare.

Mugabe died in a Singapore hospital on 6 September, nearly two years after a coup ended his 37 years in power.

The Mugabe family decided on a private burial in Kutama after weeks of argument with the government.

Ministers had wanted the body to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.

A mausoleum for the former president was being constructed at the site, which is reserved for heroes of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

But Mugabe’s family said he had

wanted to be buried at his rural home, close to his late mother Bona.

No senior government officials were among the audience at a pre-burial service in Kutama on Saturday, which was attended by hundreds of mourners.

A sparsely attended state funeral was held for Mugabe in Harare on 14 September.

In Kutama, Mugabe’s widow Grace and his children accompanied the coffin, which was draped in the green, yellow, red and black flag of Zimbabwe.

Mugabe, a guerrilla leader who fought against white minority rule in what was then Rhodesia, took power after independence from Britain in 1980.

Initially lauded as an icon of African liberation, his rule became steadily more repressive as he clamped down on political opponents.

Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

China anniversary: The deep cuts of 70 years of Communist rule

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hina’s extraordinary rise was a defining story of the 20th Century, but as it prepares to mark its 70th anniversary, the BBC’s John Sudworth in Beijing asks who has really won under the Communist Party’s rule.

Sitting at his desk in the Chinese city of Tianjin, Zhao Jingjia’s knife is tracing the contours of a face.

Cut by delicate cut, the form emerges - the unmistakable image of Mao Zedong, founder of modern China.

The retired oil engineer discovered his skill with a blade only in later life and now spends his days using the ancient art of paper cutting to glorify leaders and events from China’s communist history.

“I’m the same age as the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” he says. “I have deep feelings for my motherland, my people and my party.”

Born a few days before 1 October 1949 - the day the PRC was declared by Mao - Mr Zhao’s life has followed the dramatic contours of China’s development, through poverty, repression and the rise to prosperity.

Now, in his modest but comfortable apartment, his art is helping him make sense of one of the most tumultuous periods of human history.

“Wasn’t Mao a monster,” I ask, “responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of his countrymen?”

“I lived through it,” he replies.

“I can tell you that Chairman Mao did make some mistakes but they weren’t his alone.”

“I respect him from my heart. He achieved our nation’s liberation. Ordinary people cannot do such things.”

On Tuesday, China will present a similar, glorious rendering of its record to the world.

The country is staging one of its biggest ever military parades, a celebration of 70 years of Communist Party rule as pure, political triumph.

Beijing will tremble to the thunder of tanks, missile launchers and 15,000 marching soldiers, a projection of national power, wealth and status watched over by the current Communist Party leader, President Xi Jinping, in Tiananmen Square.

Like Mr Zhao’s paper-cut portraits, we’re not meant to focus on the many individual scars made in the course of China’s modern history.

And, on face value, the transformation has been extraordinary.

On 1 October 1949, Chairman Mao stood in Tiananmen Square urging a war-ravaged, semifeudal state into a new era with a founding speech and a somewhat plodding parade that could muster only 17 planes for the flyby.

This week’s parade, in contrast, will reportedly feature the world’s longest range intercontinental nuclear missile and a supersonic spy-drone - the trophies of a prosperous, rising authoritarian superpower with a 400 million strong middle class.

It is a narrative of political and economic success that - while in

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weeks.

Turnout is thought to have been low, but one voter said she would cast her vote even if it meant standing in long queues for hours.

“Bravery is defined when one musters the courage to cast their vote in Afghanistan,” said Roya Jahangir, a doctor based in the capital, Kabul.

“We hope this time there is no fraud - otherwise voters will feel cheated once again,” she told Reuters news agency.

Authorities extended voting hours to ensure those queuing would have a chance to cast their ballot.

It is perhaps a sign of how bad security has become in Afghanistan that officials hailed today’s election as success because there was no major Taliban attack. Those that voted did so in defiance of the militants’ threats.

But many people appear to have stayed away out of security concerns or because they’ve lost faith in a process that has previously been mired in vote-rigging.

The official results will not be known for several weeks.

But if the candidates do not

25

China’s version of its past is a story of prosperity, progress and sacrifice for the common good large part true - is incomplete.

New visitors to China are often, rightly, awe-struck by the skyscraper-festooned, hi-tech megacities connected by brand new highways and the world’s largest high-speed rail network.

They see a rampant consumer society with the inhabitants enjoying the freedom and free time to shop for designer goods, to dine out and to surf the internet.

“How bad can it really be?” the onlookers ask, reflecting on the negative headlines they’ve read about China back home.

The answer, as in all societies,

is that it depends very much on who you are.

Many of those in China’s major cities, for example, who have benefited from this explosion of material wealth and opportunity, are genuinely grateful and loyal.

In exchange for stability and growth, they may well accept - or at least tolerate - the lack of political freedom and the censorship that feature so often in the foreign media.

For them the parade could be viewed as a fitting tribute to a national success story that mirrors their own.

But in the carving out of a new China, the knife has cut long and deep.

Mao’s man-made famine a result of radical changes to agricultural systems - claimed tens of millions of lives and his Cultural Revolution killed hundreds of thousands more in a decade-long frenzy of violence and persecution, truths that are notably absent from Chinese textbooks.

After his death, the demographically calamitous One Child Policy brutalised millions over a 40-year period.

Afghan presidential election: Tense wait after day of attacks

eople have voted in Afghanistan’s presidential poll amid heavy security and deadly bomb attacks from militants.

Low turnout was widely reported, as many voters were worried about security following threats from the Taliban.

The twice-delayed vote on Sunday took place after Taliban-US peace talks had collapsed earlier this month.

The two main candidates are the incumbent, Ashraf Ghani, and chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, who shared power since 2014.

More than 70,000 members of the security forces were deployed across the country to protect voters.

Despite the increased security, at least four people were killed and 80 wounded in bomb and mortar attacks on voting centres.

But in the southern city of Kandahar, women were seen standing in queues to vote, despite a bomb attack on a polling station.

Women voters make up 35% of the more than nine million Afghans registered to vote.

The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan expects to announce the results in three

education

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, September 30, 2019

accept them, they could trigger a political crisis that crushes this country’s fragile democracy.

Why does this election matter?

Afghanistan’s next president will lead a country devastated by four decades of war. The conflict continues to kill thousands of people every year, drawing in forces from around the world.

Nearly two decades since the international community intervened, the US has been trying to negotiate an end to the conflict with the Taliban.

The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, and there are thousands more from countries part of a Nato mission to train, advise and assist the country’s security forces.

Whoever is elected president in the fourth election since US-led troops ousted the Taliban in 2001 should have a key role to play.

However, the Taliban currently refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government, saying it is illegitimate. They say they will only talk to Afghan authorities after a deal with the US is agreed.

Who sits at the head of Afghanistan’s government matters

Security is tight at polling stations throughout Afghanistan to the people caught in the crossfire between the army, the Taliban and other insurgents.

BBC research found an average of 74 men, women and children died in the conflict every day during the month of August across Afghanistan. A fifth of those killed were civilians.

According to the United Nations, more civilians were killed

by Afghan and US forces in the first half of this year than by insurgents.

What are the other issues?

Five years ago, the presidential election was mired by allegations of fraud and vote-rigging. It took

months to reach a result, with a deal between the two main contenders negotiated by the US ending in a “national unity government”.

Hopes are not high that things will be better this time.

Has the war cost America $500bn?

Out of a population of about 37 million, fewer than 10 million are registered to vote - and even fewer are expected to cast a ballot. A poll carried out by the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan found more than half of respondents were not planning to vote.

Source: BBC

L-R: President-General, Ibadan City Academy Old Students’ Association (ICAOSA), Chief Richard Titiloye; Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Kehinde Sangodoyin; Chairman of Governing Board, Ibadan City Academy, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju; Vice-President General, Dr Segun Aina, during the inauguration of the renovated laboratory blocks of the school, on Saturday in Ibadan Photo: NAN

Sokoto approves N300m for WAEC, NECO exam Fee Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

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he Sokoto State Government has approved N300 million for payment of Sokoto State pupils who sat for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO).

In a statementd by the Public Relations Officer, Sokoto State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Nura Bello Maikwanci, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal noted that the essence of the payment was to ensure prompt release of the results of its indigenes.

The sum covered part of the cost of the 2018/2019 examinations for both bodies.

“The amount is meant for the payment of examinations fees for students who sat for the two examinations as it is expected that with this development the results of the students would soon released,” the released stated.

The government urged parents and candidates to exercise more patience, adding that” Sokoto State government is doing everything possible to ensure the release of their results in good.

FG committed to boost basic education, SDG - Minister Maryam Abeeb Abuja

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he Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has said the Federal Government is committed to actualising basic education, life-long learning and other components of the Sustainable Development Goals before the 2030 deadline.

Nwajiuba said Nigeria must achieve the SDGs in order to avoid the “terrible” consequences of the neglect of our youths,” adding that education had always been central in the fight against ignorance and

disease.

He said this during the maiden International Conference of the Faculty of Education, National Open University, Abuja.

The conference was themed, ‘Revitalising education for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.’

The minister said, “The challenges of social and economic development in Africa are multifaceted, complex and highly intricate. The fact that education, technology, teacher education and training are so central to achieving sustainable economic development

cannot be over-emphasised.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria could not fulfill the criteria set out for the Millennium Development Goals. It is our hope that the current SDGs will reach the targets before 2030.

The SDGs address new problems and strengthen the overall education system.

The Federal Ministry of Education will support the attainment of these goals. The future of this continent depends on the attainment of the SDGs. In order to avoid the terrible consequences of the neglect of this generation dominated by the

quality of research output from the university.

“The equipment will improve the department’s research productivity while enhancing the training of both our undergraduate and postgraduate students,” he said.

Principal Investigator, Prof. E.O. Odebunmi, said the department won the grant based on two research proposals on Cancer and Cosmeceuticals it submitted to the organisation, Seeding Labs, which helps scientists make discoveries that improve life and the planet. The grant was funded under Seeding Labs’ instrumental access

programme, which is focused on removing barriers to research and science teaching by making laboratory equipment available to universities in low and middle-income countries.

Atolani said the university was inspired to apply for the grant when it learnt that a private university, Redeemer’s University, got the grant.

However, he said the department’s first application for the grant in 2016 was unsuccessful.

The lessons learnt from the attempt, as well as the support from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Sulyman Age Abdulkareem,

youths, all hands must be on the deck.”

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Abdalla Adamu, in his remarks, said that, of all the 17 SDGs, goal number four, which focuses on qualitative and inclusive education, stands out above the rest.

An inclusive and quality education is one that focuses on the whole child – the social, the emotional, mental, physical and cognitive development of each student regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status,” the VC said.

UNILORIN bags N120m equipment grant

Maryam Abeeb Abuja

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he Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has attracted N120 million worth of seeding laboratory equipment from a US-based non-governmental organisation.

Secretary of the Seeding Labs Grant Committee, Dr. O. Atolani of the Department of Chemistry, said the equipment include a Mass Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), consumables and some others.

He said it would improve the

Dean and others helped the team get the grant this time around.

“The first trial was a lost out but lessons and experiences were gathered. We then reapplied in the 2017/2018 session.

Adjustment of the previous application was improved and looked into,” he said.

Atolani, a Medical Chemist, said the equipment had already arrived the Lagos Sea Port.

With the equipment, he said researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students would no longer need to send their samples outside for analysis at a great cost.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, September 30, 2019

26

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s our everyday world moves increasingly online, the digital landscape presents new challenges for ensuring accessibility for the blind. A recent court challenge against Domino’s pizza may be a watershed case guiding the rights of disabled people on the internet, writes James Jeffrey.

Each swipe 17-year-old Maysie Gonzales makes on her smart phone is accompanied by what sounds like the famous Stephen Hawking voice barking out orders at a relentless pace.

“Sometimes I speed it up to 350 words a minute, it depends what mood I am in,” says Ms Gonzales, who lost her sight when she was two years old through retinal cancer.

Screen readers translate on-screen information into speech or Braille. They have broken open the internet for people who are blind or visually impaired, and for those with other disabilities.

But the device only works effectively on websites that are compatible.

“Sometimes it can be horrible, it depends on how the website has been set up,” says Ms Gonzales.

If a website’s digital infrastructure hasn’t been correctly labelled, a blind person can be met with a barrage of “button! - button!

- button!” or “link 1,752! - link 1,752! - link 1,752!” from that hyperactive mechanicalsounding voice.

Hence the case Guillermo Robles, who is blind, brought against Domino’s Pizza after he was unable to use his screen reader to use the company’s website and mobile app.

A federal court agreed with him, and now Domino’s has petitioned the Supreme Court to hear Robles’ case, in what could prove a landmark battle over the rights of disabled people on the internet.

“This isn’t just about ordering the likes of pizza or surfing Amazon,” says Chris Danielson, a representative with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). “People are doing everything online nowadays, so it’s about blind people being able to access the likes of online banking, applying for employment and doing the necessary online tests, accessing cloud-based tools in the workplace, and all the rest.”

It’s estimated that 7,600,000 Americans are technically blind - about 2.4% of the population - according to the NFB. “We’ve even been told by businesses before that they understand, but the fact is blind people are not a very big market,” Mr Danielson says. “That’s what we are dealing with.”

Nowadays signs designating access for shoppers with disabilities - from parking spaces to restrooms to dressing rooms - are a ubiquitous part of the retail landscape.

This is thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 29-year-old federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.

But ADA requirements that are relatively clear when applied to physical stores - such as determining where ramps should go and what height grab bars should be - become much more difficult to discern with a website.

“The online environment was never intended to be covered by the ADA,” says Stephanie Martz, senior vice-president and general counsel for the National Retail Federation (NRF), which along with other business groups like the Chamber of Commerce and the Restaurant Law Center has come out supporting Domino’s.

“The ADA took effect before the internet as we know it today existed, and more than 25 years later there is no clear objective guidance on what constitutes an ‘accessible’ website.

There’s not enough clarity in the law to know what is accountable.”

But advocates like Mr Danielson counter that if one follows that logic then the whole US Constitution could be undermined. “If a 30-year-old law is deemed out of date and not applicable then that applies to a whole lot of

Feature

Why much of the internet is closed off to blind people

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

UGWUMBA WOMEN WELFARE ASSOCIATION

LEAGUE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES INDIGENT OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

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.

MRS. BEN-EWA CAROL 2.

MRS. UKPA ROSELINE N. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote peace and tranquility amongst the members.

2. To cater for general welfare of the members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BY EKIGBO SAMPSON NNAMDI, Esq. 08066432565.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. CHIEMELA PETER JOSHUA - CHAIRMAN (RETAINED) 2. MR. NWOGU NGOZI CHRISTAIN - (OLD) SECRETARY (REMOVED) 3. MR. NWOSU KENNETH ARMSTRONG - (NEW) SECRETARY (APPOINTED).

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Maysie Gonzales using the internet on her laptop laws.”

As e-commerce has grown, retailers are increasingly faced with ADA lawsuits over lack of accessibility, particularly for the blind or visually impaired.

Website accessibility lawsuits hit a record high in 2018, with retail being the most frequently targeted industry. More lawsuits were filed in court in the first six months of 2018 (1,053) than in all of 2017 (814), according to the NRF. The likes of Visa and Target have lost such lawsuits, and earlier this year a class-action was filed against Beyoncé’s official website, alleging that Beyonce.com violates the ADA by denying visually impaired users equal access to its products and services.

“To be fair to businesses,” Mr Danielson says, “there are lawyers taking advantage of the situation, but cutting the legs from under the ADA is an overcorrection… and stops the flow of legitimate plaintiffs.”

Ultimately, those pushing for digital accessibility argue that businesses have no excuse for dragging their feet over it.

“It’s not hard to do, it should just be part of best practice, not an additional line item, just like making sure a website loads quickly is,” says Laura Kalbag, a website designer and

author of Accessibility for Everyone.

“It basically just involves HTML coding, which even a blogger can do. If it is a huge website, it might take some time, but the work itself is not complicated.”

She adds it is a myth that making a website accessible makes it ugly, there is no correlation - you can still have snazzy images and graphics.

Ms Gonzales says that because she is also gluten intolerant, she likes to use Domino’s as it offers gluten-free pizzas, and she has managed to use its online site. But selecting toppings is tricky - and sometimes she has had to get her mother to step in.

That the courts are also stepping in is part of the problem, Ms Martz explains. “This should be dealt with by government and Congress amending the ADA.” Any discussion of accessibility should look at the whole picture - a blind person can always ring Domino’s toll-free number and order that way, she adds.

“As a teacher who has to speak all day, sometimes, like everyone else, I don’t want to get into another conversation and just want to do it online,” Jeff Molzow, a blind instructor at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center which trains blind people to compete in the work

It’s estimated that 7,600,000 Americans are technically blind - about 2.4% of the population according to the NFB. “We’ve even been told by businesses before that they understand, but the fact is blind people are not a very big market,” Mr Danielson says. “That’s what we are dealing with.”

force, says about why that toll-free number doesn’t always appeal.

“Also, I want time to peruse the menu and make up my mind - you can’t do that if you are speaking to someone on the phone.”

The Domino’s case is symptomatic, say many working with the blind, of the wider problem of how blind people, or anyone with a disability, are still not fully on society’s radar.

“All the info is out there about digital accessibility. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the internet, was discussing it in the mid-90s, and we have pushed it for years,” says Jim Allan, an accessibility coordinator at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

“But people still have low expectations of what blind people can do and don’t use their imaginations about the possibilities - until they are hit with the fire hose of info from the likes of us, after which they get it.”

The awareness of businesses and companies is improving but still slowly, says Mr Allan, noting that only federal and state websites are mandated to be fully accessible by all users. This despite digital accessibility being required by a much larger segment of society, especially as people age and start to lose sight and hearing.

“We treat disabled people as if they are different but that isn’t the case, as digital accessibility affects all of us,” says Ms Kalbag.

“If nothing else, you should see it in a selfish way, as one day you will probably need this type of accessibility.”

It is the same in the physical realm, where the likes of wheelchair access ramps are gladly embraced by mothers with prams and cyclists.

But even when digital accessibility is achieved, challenges remain for blind people that are familiar to all.

“Sometimes I worry about using social media too much, like everyone else,” Ms Gonzalez says.

“But without my phone I would be very lost - I wouldn’t be able to do much and would be very dependent on others, when I prefer to do it on my own.”

Source: BBC

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

CLASSIFIED IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE PROBATE DIVISION

esther I, formerly known as esther ibrahim now wish to be known and addressed as esther ibrahimjoseph. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date place stated in the said in the column.

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aliyu

2

I, formerly known as SARKI ALI FULANI Now wish to be known and addressed as ALIYU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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ADAMU

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ABDULAKEEM

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I, formerly known as KRENI ADAM JAFARU now wish to be known and addressed as KRENI JAFARU YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid.

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NAME OF DECEASED PERSON Ibrahim Danyaro Tanko late of Nasarawa, Died on the 14th day of March, 2019 at Keffi Vincent Agyia late of Lafia, Died on the 3rd day of September, 2019 at Nassarawa Eggon Odo Anthony late of Lafia Died on the 28th day of July, 2019 at Lafia David Barki late of Akwanga, Died on the 26th day of June, 2019 at Akwanga Umar Salihu late of Gadabuke, Died on the 9th day of October, 2012 at Keffi Dadeok Moses late of Akwanga, Died on the 27th day of August, 2019 at Akwanga Shigaba Sokwo (Titus) late of Keffi, Died on the 12th day of November, 2017 at Keffi Chikwzie Nicholas late of Lafia, Died on the 26th day of January, 2019 at Lafia Audu Sunday Anthony late of Lafia, Died on the 20th day of August, 2019 at Lafia Ismaila Yusuf late of Nasarawa, Died on the 12th day of August, 2019 at Nasarawa Nehemiah Ogah late of Lafia, Died on the 21st day of August, 2019 at Lafia Dashik Pannan late of Lafia, Died on the 28th day of August, 2019 at Lafia Hussaina Ahmed Tukur late of Keffi Died on the 3rd day of June, 2019 at Keffi Elizabeth Mohammed late of Lafia, Died on the 12th day of April, 2019 at Gambe Avre Umbugadu late of Agyaragu, Died on the 15th day of September, 2018 at Lafia Ambi Taruwa late of Agyaragu, Died on the 7th day of April, 2015 at Agyaragu Linus Aje Ikpe late of Lafia, Died on the 7th day of August, 2019 at Lafia Bello Yahaya Audu late of Sabo - Gari Died on the 25th day of February, 2019 at Lafia Zainab Yakubu Zabairu late of Kwara, Died on the 18th day of June, 2019 at Akwanga Suwaiba Abubakar late of Karshi, Died on the 20th day of March, 2019 at Karshi Salihu Baba late of Gadabuke, Died on the 9th day of May, 2019 at Toto Ozegya Abdulrahman late of Keana, Died on the 3rd day of April, 2017 at Obi Allu Dagara Ayaka late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 19th day of June, 2019 at Nassarawa Eggon Dalhatu Umar Izi late of Akwanga, Died on the 26th day of September, 2017 at Akwanga Bala Adamu late of Angiri Died on the 23rd day of March, 2017 at Alushi Ladan John late of Akwanga, Died on the 24th day of December, 2017 at Keffi Caroline Nwad Ogbah late of Lafia, Died on the 1st day of December, 2014 at Lafia John Nimrod Bala late of Kwara, Died on the 16th day of June, 2019 at Keffi Aliyu Ezekiel late of Bukan Sidi Died on the 10th day of October, 2017 at Lafia Iliya Danlami Ogara late of Lafia, Died on the 9th day of July, 2013 at Lafia Ayih Oho Sylvester late of Garaku, Died on the 2nd day of August, 2017 at Juth Kwaji Laraba late of Karu, Died on the 19th day of October, 2006 at Nasarawa Abalaku Anzaya late of Akwanga, Died on the 29th day of May, 2019 at Akwanga Ayeni David Hekeem late of Lafia, Died on the 18th day of August, 2019 at Lagos Beni Danjuma late of Gadabuke, Died on the 15th day of August, 2017 at Keffi Abimiku Na’omi late of Lafia, Died on the 30th day of August, 2018 at Lafia John Yahaya Yakubu late of Doma, Died on the 29th day of June, 2019 at Doma Abubakar Danwasa Abdullahi late of Lafia Died on the 1st day of August, 2019 at Lafia Usman Mohammed late of Doma, Died on the 20th day of May, 2019 at Doma Ogogu Janet late of Lafia, Died on the 14th day of August, 2019 at Lafia Aishatu Emeshi late of Assakio, Died on the 1st day of September, 2017 at Assakio Pius M. Ekomki late of Keffi, Died on the 29th day of January, 2019 at Keffi David E. Kigbu late of Lizzin Keffi, Died on the 12th day of December, 2018 at Nassarawa Eggon Machu Udoji Moses late of Wasa, Died on the 20th day of February, 2019 at Alushi Abayi Catherine Milat late of Lafia, Died on the 28th day of September, 2018 at Jos Mohammed Sidi Afoku late of Lafia, Died on the 28th day of July, 2018 at Lafia Mathew Ari Gbaje late of Shabu Died on the 10th day of January, 2019 at Lafia Hassan Monday late of Lafia, Died on the 20th day of April, 2015 at Alushi Dantoro Wamfara Richard late of Lafia Died on the 20th day of February, 2015 at Lafia Aliku James Amos late of Abaagu, Died on the 18th day of November, 2017 at Lafia Fatimo Musa Nasiru late of Doma, Died on the 21st day of May, 2019 at Doma 16/NA/75/5938 PTE Usman Bashiru late of Gunduma, Died on the 1st day of August, 2019 at Dikwa Aliyu Dalhatu late of Keffi, Died on the 9th day of September, 2018 at Keffi Halilu Inusa late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 18th day of December, 2003 at Nassarawa Eggon Danjuma Agu late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 26th day of December, 2006 at Nassarawa Eggon Tafawa M. Envulanza late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 14th day of January, 2008 at Nassarawa Eggon Ismaila H. Envulanza late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 30th day of April, 2004 at Nassarawa Eggon Zainab Halilu late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 7th day of May, 2017at Nassarawa Eggon Ayiwulu Eku - Anza late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 1st day of July, 2003 at Nassarawa Eggon Aya Keneth Ezhim late of Ombi I, Died on the 26th day of March, 2018 at Lafia Abel E. Stephen late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 16th day of February, 2017 at Nassarawa Eggon Rafkatu Rogers late of Akwanga, Died on the 8th day of September, 2017 at Akwanga Sgt. Anzaku Udoji late of Yobe, Died on the 9th day of January, 2015 at Yobe

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF Abdulrahman Rukaiya of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Benjamin Saaondo Agyia of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Nwodo Henry Obinna of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Nehemiah David of Abuja the lawful Son of the said deceased Musa Maiwada of Gadabuke the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Naandi Peter of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Dr. Danjuma Shagaba of Keffi the lawful Nephew of the said deceased Favour Chikezie of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Lami Sunday of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Umar Aishat of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Joshua Ogah of Keffi the lawful Brother of the said deceased Anita Daniel of Jos the lawful Widow of the said deceased Mohamed A. Tukur of Keffi the lawful Brother of the said deceased Adebisi Opera of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Umbugadu Moses Esther of Agyaragu the lawful Widow of the said deceased Francis Taruna of Agyaragu the lawful Son of the said deceased Ikpe Ene Hannah of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Kyauta Gift Audu of Sabon - Gari the lawful Widow of the said deceased Hamza Yakubu Zabairu of Kwara, the lawful Son of the said deceased Abubakar Jibrin Karshi of Karshi the lawful Widower of the said deceased Danlami Gomina of Gadabuke the lawful Son of the said deceased Aisha Abubakar Ozegya of Keana the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Jummai Alu of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Widow of the said deceased Hassana Eyandi Ewuga of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Martha Adamu of Bassa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Krenkre Titus Sule of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Sunday Chukwuma Ogbah of Lafia the lawful Widower of the said deceased Kenas Nimrod Chullan of Kwarra the lawful Son of the said deceased Alice Ezekiel of Bukan Sidi the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Rachael Iliya Ogara of Keffi the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Florence Ayih of Shabu the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Hon. Rabiu Saleh of Karu the lawful Son of the said deceased Daniel A. Anzaya of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Ayeni Elizabeth Timitope of Gboko the lawful Widow of the said deceased Yusuf Isa Abdullahi of Tashara the lawful Son of the said deceased Victor Abimiku of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Lantana Yahaya of Doma the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Suleiman Abubakar Maina of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Haliru Musa Maiwada of Doma the lawful Brother of the said deceased Ogogu Isaac Adole of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Danlami Dogara & Ramatu Liman both of Assakio the lawful Son of the said deceased Pius Akpomushi Ekomki of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Andrew David of Lizzin - Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Solomon Sheriya of Wasa the lawful Brother of the said deceased Abayi Augustine of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Abdullahim Muhammed Sidi of Lafia, the lawful Son of the said deceased Mercy Adeck of Shabu, the lawful Widow of the said deceased Laraba Hassan Babajika of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Nozo Richard Dantoro of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Aliku Patrick James of Abaagu the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Fatimo Mohammed of Doma the lawful Mother of the said deceased.

Maliyo Yakubu Adamu of Gunduma the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Sirajo Maikasuwa of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Godwin Akwashiki of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Nephew of the said deceased.

Grace Keneth of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Friday Stephen of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Rogers Usman & Kato G.T Rogers of Akwanga the lawful Widower & Son of the said deceased respectively.

Tsaku Obadiah of Mada Station the lawful Brother of the said deceased

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

Sports monday, September 30, 2019

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PEOPLES DAILY

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

IAAF reinstates Okagbare, Odudduru after appeal at World Championships

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigerian duo of Divine Oduduru and Blessing Okagbare has been reinstated to compete at the ongoing World Championships after initially being disqualified.

The two top athletes have now been given a spot at the starting line for the 200m at the World Championships and by extension the Relays.

Okagbare revealed to the Associated Press that the track’s governing body, the IAAF, has approved their appeal and reinstated them into the meet after a paperwork mix-up led to them being disqualified.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria had entered both runners in the 100m races, even though neither intended to compete at that distance.

When they did not show up, they were disqualified from the rest of the meet, including their main events, the 200m, and the 4x100m relays, based on IAAF rules.

But after learning more about the mix-up, an IAAF appeal panel reinstated them.

Okagbare had expressed her displeasure at the supposed mix up which saw her labelling the Nigeria athletics federation as incompetent.

This development does not go down well with Okagbare who has laid the blame on AFN officials who allegedly chose to register her for an event she had told them she was not interested in taking part in.

“It’s not the first time they’ve (AFN officials) done a thing like this,” Okagbare was quoted as saying in an interview with the Association Press.

“They deal with the African Games and national championships, but this is not Africa.

“We’re not running at national championships.

She continued: “People here take the rules seriously and we keep bending them. It’s wrong. It’s incompetency.

“I feel like they’re wasting my world championships. I don’t know how many more I have. I’m 30.”

While Okagbare is obviously livid on the sad turn of events in Doha, she has served a hint suggesting that there could be light at the end of the tunnel for her and her embattled teammate Oduduru.

In the interview with the Associated Press, Okagbare said an appeal to IAAF was in the works and that federation president Sebastian Coe had called her and told her the case was being reviewed.

“He told me he understood what was going on, and to get some sleep,” Okagbare said. “My hope is that they get the appeal on time.”

The IAAF rules clearly state that, unless they’re injured or sick, athletes who withdraw after a certain deadline become ineligible for the rest of the championships.

While the AFN is yet to clear the air around the embarrassing development, the Minister for Youth and Sports has also demanded an explanation from the federation.

Doha- the Prestigious World Athletics Championships kicked off today in Doha. Nigeria is represented there my 25 talented athletes. The outcome from Doha will largely signpost our chances at the 2020 Olympics. I wish Team Nigeria the very best.

He wrote on his twitter handle on Saturday: Doha-all day I have followed the developments around two of our Athletes, Divine and Blessing. Our officials are at the IAAF Technical Information Center as we speak. Nigerians deserve an explanation.

Blessing Okagbare

How Siasia’s mother regains freedom from Kidnappers

>>>PG 30

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

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How Siasia’s mother regains freedom from Kidnappers

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Minister recalls AFN technical director Adeleye

By Albert Akota

M

adam Ogere Beauty Siasia, mother of former Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia, has regained her freedom after spending over two months in kidnappers den.

The octogenarian according to reports was freed yesterday morning by her abductors.

Madam Siasia was taken away at dusk from her house in Yenagoa, Bayelsa on July 15th, 2019.

The family recently paid N1.5 million ransom to the abductors who refused to release the octogenarian few weeks ago, rather they released on of the in-laws who was abducted along with the aged mother.

By Albert Akota

A

thletics Federation of Nigeria and Nigeria sports circle have confirmed that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare may have directed the immediate recall to the country of the technical director of the AFN Sunday Adeleye over glaring administrative lapses and violation of the rules and regulations of the IAAF. The duo of Divine Oduduru and Blessing Okagbare, both medal

hopefuls, stand disqualified for not showing up for the 100m they have been entered for albeit the athletes had informed the AFN they would not be running in the blue ribband race.

The Minister who had followed developments In Doha till the early hours of Sunday morning is said to have given the order of recall and probable immediate investigation of Adeleye, to establish the extent of negligence and administrative lapses that have brought international embarrassment to the country.

Olympic Eagles to know opponents on Wednesday as CAF changes draw date

By Albert Akota

T

he U-23 Eagles will now know their group opponents for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, October 2nd after the Confederation of African Football announced a new date for the draw.

The draw, which was supposed to take place initially on the October 3 was brought forward a day ahead following a decision taken in consultation with the Local Organising Committee which was due to logistic reasons.

It will take place at the Haramlek Palace, inside the historical Montaza Complex,

Deontay Wilder, left and Luis Ortiz in March 2018

Alexandria.

The magnificent Cairo International Stadium and Al Stadium Stadium, also in Cairo will host matches in the competition.

Aside from Nigeria and hosts Egypt, six other countries; Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, South Africa and Zambia will will be in attendance.

The U-23 Eagles won the last edition of the competition four years ago in Senegal.

The final tournament is scheduled for November 8 to 22.

The top three finishers will qualify to represent Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

U-23 Eagles

Ortiz vows to finish Wilder in rematch

L

uis Ortiz is planning on making sure he finishes the job when he hurts WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in their rematch on November 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) was unable to put Wilder (41-01, 40 KOs) last year in March in their previous fight after having him teetering on the brink of a knockout in round 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Ortiz, 40, was foiled by the delay of the 8th round. This time, Ortiz plans on getting Wilder out of there by fighting at a faster pace. Wilder looked like he was on weak legs at the start of the round, but Ortiz couldn’t connect with anything clean enough to get him out of there.

If Ortiz’s stamina didn’t give out on him, he would have won the fight. Ortiz punched himself out in round 7, and he didn’t have enough left in the tank to score a

stoppage in the subsequent rounds. Once he recovered, Wilder was then able to come back and knockout Ortiz in the 10th.

Earlier on Saturday, the Wilder-Ortiz 2 rematch was officially announced for November 23 on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View.

The chief support is super featherweight Leo Santa Cruz facing Miguel Flores for the WBA title. Santa Cruz is a good fighter, but this isn’t much of a match-up.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 30, 2019

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monday, September 30, 2019

SPORTS latest

Norrie, Evans reach main draw at China Open

C

ameron Norrie and Dan Evans reached the China Open main draw by winning their second-round qualifying matches.

They join fellow Britons Andy Murray and Kyle Edmund in the first round.

Norrie, 24, beat Ukraine’s Damir Dzumhur 1-6 6-3 6-4 to set up a first-round meeting with Chile’s Cristian Garin. The winner could face Murray in the second round in Beijing.

Evans, 29, defeated Canada’s Vasek Pospisil 3-6 6-3 6-4 and will next play China’s Zhe Li.The tournament starts today.

Perez wins maiden Tour event at St Andrews

R

ookie Victor Perez says his maiden European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship has “proved” he can “do it at this level”.

Dundee-based Perez, 27, claimed first place in his 29th appearance after posting a final-round 70 at St Andrews.

He narrowly missed his 12foot birdie putt at the last but a close-range par was good enough to see him win by one shot to edge out England’s Matthew Southgate.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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October 1 1982

I

joined the New Nigerian Newspaper as a Correspondent at the head office in Kaduna, 1982. My first major national assignment was to cover the Independence Day celebration of that year. This was the first time this event was to be held outside Lagos.

President Shehu Shagari had lined up a week of activities in Abuja for a build up to the D day.

The New Nigerian Newspaper, the only newspaper in Nigeria owned 100% by the Federal Government at the time was ecstatic and planned to give it maximum publicity. I remember A. B Ahmed, one of the best essayists on our editorial team at the time writing a beautiful article captioned ‘Abuja – The Heart Begins to Beat’.

I became part of the efforts by the New Nigerian to give the 1982 Independence Day Celebration in Abuja full publicity almost by accident. The newspaper had sent a reporter, Shitu Saude and a photographer, Joshua Ebene, to ensure full coverage of the preIndependence Day activities and those on October 1 itself. Much to the disappointment of our Editors, they received weak and or stale reports, allowing other newspapers to take the shine out of the novel experiment by President Shagari.

That was how I was drafted in, given a vehicle driven by an elderly man we called Baba Abbas to meet Mike Reis, our reporter in Minna, Niger State, come to Abuja and reinforce the weak team that was giving our Editors sleepless nights. We drove from Minna into Suleja.

Lo and behold, the first people we saw was Shitu Saude and Joshua Ebene exchanging blows in a fierce boxing duel. We separated the combatants and established some truce. There was no need asking the pugilists what led them to box each other on the streets. The stench of alcohol was everywhere in the boxing arena.

The god of Bacchus had taken over their journalistic commitment to their employer. We could now see the wisdom of our Editors in sending us to Abuja.

But Joshua volunteered an explanation. Mr Shittu Saude woke up early in the morning and took him to a beer parlour where they started enjoying beer. When the beer there was exhausted, they proceeded from one to another and to another and on. By the time we met them, he was stone drunk but Shitu was convinced that there were still some green bottles somewhere and their liquid contents to be taken care

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Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

of. We ended the fight and the aimless wandering abruptly. Mr Shitu with his sagging trousers looked very much like a FRELIMO freedom fighter. Where he got the strength to box remains a mystery to me. But he threatened to give Joshua a query when we got back to Kaduna.

By 1982, Abuja was still a thick bush – a building here and there but largely undeveloped.

Downtown was a sprawling ghetto called Suleja. That was where there was some little life.

I sought an interview with Alhaji Ibrahim Dodo who was then the Emir of Suleja. A vivacious but gracious monarch, he granted me audience and we had a wonderful, newsworthy chat.

On the D day, we all turned out for the event, held at what is now known as old parade ground. To his credit, Shagari brought all the big wigs, all those who fought for Nigeria’s independence and were still alive were at the ceremony: The Great Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief

“

Obafemi Awolowo, Mallam Aminu Kano, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim.

Even Tunji Braithwaite was there as Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Advanced Party, NAP. We were hosted by the President at a sumptuous lunch in that Presidential Palace which he started and had reached an advanced stage of construction but was soon abandoned after the military booted Shagari and the civilians out of office. A man of some rare humour, Shagari took us all by surprise when he complained to his audience that four years was too short a period to complete all his plans for Nigeria; he had not even completed building his official residence. He thus urged Nigerians including the other presidential aspirants present to drop their ambitions and support him in the elections coming up in 1983. Shehu Shagari’s performance on October 1 1982 was not only state manly, it was stellar.

At the elections of mid1983,

By 1982, Abuja was still a thick bush – a building here and there but largely undeveloped. Downtown was a sprawling ghetto called Suleja. That was where there was some little life.

Shagari emerged the winner and was sworn in, again on October 1 1983. But the military did not think much about his reelection.

Three months after the swearing in, General Muhammadu Buhari moved in his troops to sack Shagari who was in Abuja to enjoy the end of year holiday on December 31, 1983. His government was accused of ineptitude, corruption, election rigging etc.

Back to the beat again with Shittu. The day I was dispatched to join the team in Abuja to cover Shagari was a Saturday.

I was not given money for my accommodation or feeding. We were promised money early in the next week. As the days dragged on and we began to feel the pangs of hunger, we sent Sittu back to Kaduna go and come down with our money. He got the money but lost his way to Abuja.

The old Press Centre in Kaduna used to be on the other side of the road, directly opposite the New Nigerian. With our travelling allowances in his pocket, Shittu headed straight for the Press Centre. After a good bout of alcohol, he membered that he left us hungry, stranded and without a kobo. In his frantic efforts to reconnect with us, he hired a taxi to take him Abuja.

Eventually, late in the evening, he got us. We were very happy to see him since he was expected to bail us out of our hunger. Amazingly, he confessed that after enjoying himself with our money at the Press Centre, he hired a car to look for us and that he was comfortably balanced at the owner’s corner of the car.

By the time he connected with us, our money had already finished and Shittu was as poor, if not poorer than me and Mike Reis.

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