Tuesday, October 31, 2017 Edition

Tuesday, October 31, 2017/ Safar 10, 1439 AH

Vol. 27 No. 46 N150

1294 Days after

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

FG to spend N88bn on civil war compensation >>>page 3

Buhari sacks Babachir, Oke page 5

Appoints Boss Mustapha new SGF

Protesters storm APC secretariat, want Oyegun removed

By Umar Muhammad Puma

H

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with APC Chieftain, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, during his visit to presidential villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

undreds of protesters under the aegis of Save APC and Democracy Youth Vanguard yesterday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling for the immediate resignation of the party’s National Chairman, John Oyegun.

The youth group displayed various placards with inscriptions such as, “Audit APC account now, No to non-elective convention, APC must support anti-corruption” among others.

Speaking to journalists, leader of the group, Peter Oyewole, said since 2015 APC won the presidential election, the party’s finances has not been audited and made public as stipulated by the law. >>>page 5

Policeman Army redeploys Yobe attack: Air Force 6 top generals, not behind death of 8 arrested over rape of 14-year old girl others soldiers -DHQ pAGE 6

pAGE 5

pAGE 2

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stockwatch Business

18 19-20

Metro

21

World Analysis 22 Africa New

23

World New

24

APC NEC: Buhari meets Oyegun, Saraki, Dogara, Yari

By Lawrence Olaoye

A

head of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for today, President Muhammadu Buhari met with the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun and other notable leaders behind closed doors yesterday.

Other leaders at a separate parley held before the caucus meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the governor of Zamfara state, Abdulazeez Yari.

Immediately after the first meeting with those led by the APC National Chairman, Buhari entered into another with the former Lagos

...as Tinubu denies rift with president

state governor and a national leader of the APC, Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Asked to clear the air on the speculations that he was not in good terms with the President, Tinubu said such was fake news declaring that he had confidence in Buhari’s leadership.

He said “Fake news. I have confidence in this President. There is no doubt about that. We worked hard to bring about the government.

There are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lean itself to gossips, insinuations and all of that. But once you create leadership and is functioning, you don’t have to babysit that leadership unless there is a loss of confidence and I don’t have that.

He continued “You know me.

I’m not known to shy away from

talking my mind and rebelling if it is necessary and taking charge of things that I believe are necessary. What is the myth in this leadership thing?

What is cabal? It’s a myth. We are the party of the people for the people and by the people and this is a democratic environment.

Each of us have our roles to play and that is why we are playing it. I don’t believe in the myth. I believe in confidence building, the trust that we have in the president. In the journey of democracy you are going to have twists and turns, you are going to have conflicts. Conflicts resolution mechanisms is inbuilt on how you handle your party and the governance and the party are joined by the hips.”

Asked to respond to insinuations that there was a panic ahead of the APC NEC meeting today, Tinubu

queried “Did I tell you that? Why do you want to know? Are you a member of our party?”

On whether he believed that the ruling party was still on course, the APC chieftain said “Can you go back to the history of 16 years of the PDP? APC government is on course and will remain on course and we will remain focused to those necessary things about development, welfare and progress of our people. It’s not easy to face the challenges and the well that was dug, sinkhole that we inherited. But we are sorting that one out gradually so few steps we will find happiness and development in the future of our country.”

On different groups sprouting to call on Buhari to run for second term in 2019, he said “Don’t discuss that one with me.”

The man Boss Mustapha, new SGF Pgae 4

Eucation

25

Feture 26 Sports 27-28 Leisure 31 Back Page

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Pupils sit in a Pre-Nursery Class of Felende Model Primary School, yesterday in Kebbi State.

Photo: NAN

Policeman arrested over alleged rape of girl, 14

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he Police Command in Anambra has confirmed the arrest of a Police officer, Cpl. Bara’u Garba, who allegedly abducted and defiled a 14-year-old girl.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar, said at a news conference in Awka on Monday that the incident occurred recently.

According to him, the suspect abducted the minor near her residence at Hausa Quarters, Asaba, and kept her in custody for two days at Okpoko in Onitsha.

He said the suspect was attached to Mobile Squadron in Sokoto, but deployed to

Anambra on special duty.

“The erring police officer was arrested and detained accordingly; and is currently facing police internal disciplinary procedures.

“The suspect confessed to have seen the girl wandering about in Asaba because she had lost the money with which she was sent on an errand by her parents.

“He used the opportunity to lure and kept her in his custody, but denied having carnal knowledge of her.

“However, we will soon confirm whether he had carnal knowledge of the minor

or not because investigation is ongoing, while the minor is also undergoing medical examination. ”I can assure the public that the Corporal will be arraigned as soon as the criminal investigation is concluded,” the commissioner said.

He said the arrest followed an allegation leveled against the suspect at a police station, but said the action did not reflect the core values and ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.

He assured that justice would be done in the matter. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

News

Edo Police set to arraign killers of 3 Cops

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

P

olice in Benin on Monday disclosed plans to arraign the suspected killers of three Cops, paving the way for the abduction of the Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park on Sunday September, 24th 2017.

Ehanire, younger brother to the Minister of Health (state), was yet to regain his freedom in captivity when a popular social critic and music Maestro, Mr. Osayomore Joseph was kidnapped by gunmen in Benin, prompting outrage and calls for the deployment of the the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Haliru Gwandu.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, disclosed this during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state Council in Benin City.

He said plans have reached advanced stage to secure the release of Osayomore unhurt and unconditionally soon.

He further stated that plans were on to engage Marine police to secure waterways in the state.

According to him, “very soon will secure Osayomore’s release by the grace of God. Kokumo who assumed duty as the 38th Commissioner of Police in the state on 23rd September 2017, however declined to comment on the strategy put in place by the command under his watch to track the hoodlums.

“At Ogba zoo where three policemen were killed, Dr. Andy Ehanire was kidnapped. Four suspects have been arrested. The suspects have told us how they went about it, how the policemen were killed, how they went away with the weapons of the policemen and how Dr. Ehanire was kidnapped.

He said police also obtained the statement from the suspects on “where he (Ehanire) was taken to and they have confessed to the crime. And very soon, the law will take its cause. This is to attest to the fact that no crime committed in this state will go undetected.

He said the Police leadership in the state has “embarking on inhouse cleansing” with a view to fish-out corrupt policemen from the service.

“And I say this again, it is not only criminals that will be sent out from Edo state. “Corrupt policemen who have no respect for the rule of law and Human Rights.

According to him, “I am saying this without missing words that that they do not have a place in my Command,” he said.

Ag News Editor, Ese Awhotu

FG to spend N88bn on civil war compensation

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he federal government has agreed to pay N50 billion as compensation to families of victims maimed or killed by abandoned mines during the Biafra war.

The government also agreed to take positive action by removing the remaining unexploded military ordinances such as landmines, locally fabricated weapons and a stock

pile of bombs spotted in about 1, 317 identified locations in the three zones.

Areas affected included: 11 states, parts of which are in the South East, South South and parts of the North Central that became battle grounds during the Nigeria civil war of 1966 and 1970.

Apart from settling the N50 billion claim, the government also agreed to pay the contractors handling the projects a separate

N38 billion to carry out total de-mining, destruction of bombs as well as rebuilding of public structures destroyed, conclude mine center activities including provision of alternative classrooms in communities where schools were used as storage areas for mines.

This was part of the settlement adopted at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja yesterday, in the out of court settlement reached in a suit filed by Chief Vincent Agu

and nineteen others against the Federal Government with five others as defendants.

Before the matter was brought to the court, the government through the Ministry of Defence had commissioned a landmine clearing firm to pick-up the left-over military ordinances but work stopped midway as a result of the large number of abandoned unexploded bombs discovered and the initial refusal of the government

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari receives in audience APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, Speaker RT Hon Yakubu Dogara and Zamfara State Governor Abubakar Yari, yesterday in State House. Photo: State House

ALGON to boost agric-business with C-LAP

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n a bid revolutionize agricultural activities in the country, the Association of Local governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has unveiled an initiative aimed at promoting agribusiness especially in rural areas.

The plan christened Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) designed as an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of LGAs in agriculture and allied sectors, was unveiled last week, in Abuja.

Speaking at the project unveiling, the C-LAP organising Secretary, Dr. Tanay Joshua, disclosed that it is aimed at transforming economic growth of the country, improving

production and also enhancing farming tools in across Nigeria.

He said the project aimed at providing 24,768 farming tools to help improve the agricultural situation in the country.

He noted that over 3000 job applications have been received from across the country within the first 24 hours of the publication.

According to him, “we all know that Nigeria is a country filled with self sufficient individuals, that is why we want to focus on the major transformation of the economic growth.

“We wish to strengthen the agricultural sector and also make sure that the farmers interest are attended to. What matters most is having the right source and technology for

farming.

“We want to maintain the balance and the efficiency of agriculture on the long run. We won’t be able to give out the financial permutations now, we need to categorize the financial considerations.

“When we first categorize them, then we can be certain, but I’m sure and confident the project will benefit the entire country as well as the people.”

Also speaking, the immediate past National Deputy President of ALGON, Itiako Ikpokpo, urged various leaders of the local government to key into the project, stating that the project will bring food and money to the door step of every person in the local government.

“When C-LAP approached us and told us about their plan to

develop agriculture in the 774 local government in Nigeria, we felt it was wise and there was need for it.

“Food creates employment and so we felt that there was need for us to participate and ensure this program comes to light. I think the foundation is important; we key into what is good and agriculture is good.

“We also expect that every chairman of a local government that wants money and food for their people will key into this project.

“So ALGON’s role is to create a platform, which we have done.

We have brought in people who want to develop and mechanise agriculture, and I think it is the responsibility of everything chairman to participate in this,” he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Profile

The man Boss Mustapha, new SGF

By Lawrence Olaoye

*Profile* Born in Adamawa State, Mr Mustapha attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa state and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state in 1976.

He bagged his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980.

From 1980 to 1981, Mr Mustapha did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, – Directorate of Legal of legal Services at the Army Headquarters and was in charge of review of Court Marshall Proceedings.

After his National Service, he joined Sotesa Nigeria Limited, an Italian consultancy firm, as an Executive Director in charge of Administration, leaving in 1983 to join the prestigious law firm Messrs Onagoruwa & Co in Lagos.

With his law practice fully taken off, the MD was appointed Principal Counsel in the firm Messrs Mustapha & Associates, His legal interests and expertise included privatization commercialization and Liberalization of Public Companies/Corporate and Government Parastatals. He was also involved in preparation of varied and miscellaneous banking documents such as Debentures, Guarantees, Mortgages, Bonds and Loan Syndications.

One of Mr Mustapha’s career highlights was his appointment as a member of Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, PTF, serving meritoriously from 2000 to 2007.

At the PTF, he was responsible for production of an up-to-date comprehensive project and programme report, including location, coverage and whether performed, performing or abandoned production of final report of Assets and Liabilities, examination of the Administrative structure and cost effectiveness of pf Projects and

News

Buhari sacks Babachir, Oke

By Lawrence Olaoye and Umar Muhammad Puma

P

B

efore his appointment as the new Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha is popular more in political circles than in national political discourse. Until his new appointment as SGF, Mustapha has been the Managing Director/ CEO of the National inland waterways Authority, NIWA. The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, is a lawyer, management consultant, business man and politician.

Mr Mustapha was a Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, one of the legacy parties that formed the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Before the appointment of Babachir Lawal as SGF, Mr Mustapha was one of the likely candidates for the plum post.

On June 23, 2016, the president approved Mr Mustapha’s appointment as the Managing Director/CEO of the National inland waterways Authority, NIWA.

Boss Mustapha

Services among other duties.

Mr Mustapha also played key leadership roles at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) serving as Social Secretary and Chairman at the Yola branch.

After his stint at the PTF in 2007, Mr. Mustapha was appointed Principal Partner of the law firm, Adroit Lex. His law practice and the burning desire to serve the larger society conspired to attract the MD into politics, at various times, he was member Federal Republic of Nigeria Constituent Assembly (19881989), Chairman People’s Solidarity Party-Gongola State (1989-1990), state chairman, Social Democratic

Party-Gongola State (1990-1991); he was even a gubernatorial candidate for SDP in Adamawa state in 1991. He was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria from 2010 to 2013. In 2007, he again played a prominent role, serving as the Deputy Director General of the party’s Presidential campaign Organization.

His services remained in high demand after the fusing of CAN joined forces with other parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was a member of NCC and Secretary APC Presidential Campaign Organization Mobilization (2015) and member, APC Transition Committee (2015). He is

“

After his stint at the PTF in 2007, Mr. Mustapha was appointed Principal Partner of the law firm, Adroit Lex. His law practice and the burning desire to serve the larger society attracted the MD into politics, at various times, he was member Federal Republic of Nigeria Constituent Assembly (1988-1989), Chairman People’s Solidarity Party-Gongola State (1989-1990), state chairman, Social Democratic Party-Gongola State (1990-1991); he was even a gubernatorial candidate for SDP in Adamawa state in 1991

also a member, APC Board of Trustees.

In addition to the NBA, the MD is a member of various professional bodies including African Bar Association (ABA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association, International Bar Association (IBA) and Human Rights Institute (HRI). But Mr. Mustapha’s accomplishments go beyond politics and the Bar; he is respected boardroom guru, having been appointed into the boards of several companies in the manufacturing financial services as well as oil and gas sectors. He is the National Vice President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship international Nigeria.

The MD has travelled extensively visiting no fewer than 30 countries, and always taken interest in how waterways assets are managed in those countries.

His address to management staff on assuming office set the tone style and direction of his administration. He stressed teamwork and the need to focus on the Authority’s vision and mission. He is also said: “Just call me Boss, there is no need calling me Manager; I don’t have nicknames.”

Married with children, Mr Mustapha enjoys golf, lawn tennis, travelling, documentary films, charity work and meeting people. *Source: NIWA*

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

resident Muhammadu Buhari has terminated the appointments of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke. According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari gave the axe in line with the recommendation of the probe panel chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, which investigated allegations of corruption against the men.

The President has appointed Mr. Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) with immediate effect.

Buhari apart from accepting the Osinbajo panel’s recommendation to terminate the appointment of the suspended NIA boss also approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations.

The sacked SGF was found culpable in allegation of corruption for awarding a contract of over N200 million grasscutting contract to a company he has interest in by the Presidential Initiative for the North East.

Oke, on the other hand was also indicted by the Osinbajo’s panel for the $43 million hidden and found in an Ikoyi apartment but was later declared to be owned by the NIA under his leadership.

The newly appointed SGF, Mustapha is a lawyer, management consultant, politician, business man and boardroom guru.

Until his appointment, the Adamawa born Mustapaha was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

He attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa state and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980. From 1980 to 1981, Mr Mustapha did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Directorate of Legal of legal Services at the Army Headquarters and was in charge of review of Court Marshall Proceedings.

After his National Service, he joined Sotesa Nigeria Limited, an Italian consultancy firm, as an Executive Director in charge of Administration, leaving in 1983

•Appoints Boss Mustapha new SGF

to join the prestigious law firm Messrs Onagoruwa & Co in Lagos.

With his law practice fully taken off, Mustapha was appointed Principal Counsel in the firm Messrs Mustapha & Associates.

His legal interests and expertise included privatization commercialization and Liberalization of Public Companies/Corporate and Government Parastatals. He was also involved in preparation of

varied and miscellaneous banking documents such as Debentures, Guarantees, Mortgages, Bonds and Loan Syndications.

One of Mustapha’s career highlights was his appointment as a member of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) from 2000 to 2007.

After his stint at the PTF in 2007, Mustapha was appointed Principal Partner of the law firm, Adroit Lex. At various times, he

was member Federal Republic of Nigeria Constituent Assembly (1988-1989), Chairman People’s Solidarity Party-Gongola State (1989-1990), state chairman, Social Democratic Party-Gongola State (1990-1991); he was also a gubernatorial candidate for SDP in Adamawa state in 1991.

He was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from 2010 to 2013. In 2007, he again played a prominent role, serving

as the Deputy Director General of the party’s Presidential campaign Organization.

His services remained in high demand after the ACN joined forces with other parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was a member of NCC and Secretary APC Presidential Campaign Organization Mobilization (2015) and member, APC Transition Committee (2015). He is also a member, APC Board of Trustees.

Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello (M), and other judges during the commencement of the 2017/2018 Legal Year of the FCT Judiciary, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Protesters storm APC secretariat, want Oyegun removed Cont. from page 1 “Since 2015, the budget of APC has not been made public. Since 2015, the ruling party has not hold a single meeting. These are enough to remove the National Chairman. We demand the removal of Oyegun now.

“We are also saying enough is enough to imposition of candidates at all level by Oyegun led NWC that is currently going on in this party, because in any

party where there is imposition there cannot be fairness, any party where there is imposition there cannot be equity, the imposition in APC today is just rubbishing the anti corruption war of President Buhari.

“So, the current National chairman we are having in APC cannot work in support of APC agenda and President Buhari. If Oyegun is not removed he will continue to rubbish the efforts of the President, especially in

fighting corruption because you cannot give what you don’t have.

The high level of corruption and imposition going on under Oyegun is alarming.

“If Odiege-Oyegun is not removed within the next one month, the APC youths will picket this national Secretariat and make a no go area to everybody; both staff, the officials and even the security staff will be chased out of the Secretariat and none of them will be allowed to come in here.”

When asked to justify the allegations he made against the national chairman, he said: “the man (Oyegun) cannot manage success. Since 2015 that the APC won the Presidential election, tell me a single NEC meeting that has been held? This man cannot galvanize support for the president.

“What we are saying is that if Oyegun continues like this, we are going to have imposition at all levels in APC come 2019.”

Yobe attack: Air Force not behind death of 8 soldiers-DHQ

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Defence Headquarters has exonerated the Nigerian Air force of any blame during the Boko Haram attacked that killed some army officers.

It would be recalled that media reports blamed the Nigerian Airforce, saying its inaction led to the death of an army officer and 8 soldiers, in Yobe Boko Haram

attack.

Debunking the report, the Director Defence Informational, Major John Enenche said “the ill motivated news against the Nigerian Air Force in particular and the Military in general should be disregarded by the general public as it lacks merit.

“It should be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force conducted operation RUWAN WUTA 1 in

September this year in support of the Nigerian Army, which recorded massive successes in further eliminating remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East. As a result, the Air Force re-strategized and embarked on operation RUWAN WUTA II which is ongoing alongside clearance operations with the Nigerian Army, all under operation LAFIYA DOLE. Hence,

it is not possible for the Nigerian Air Force to refuse to provide air cover to the Nigerian Army at this moment of its peak air activity.”

The statement added that the Nigeria Army, Navy and Air Force have always been operating jointly and equally synergized in their common spheres of influence to bring the necessary force to bear, on all targets in operations and battle field.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PAGE 6

News

Northern youth leaders caution Buhari against sacking Idris, Magu From Umar Dankano, Yola.

D

isturbed by the way critics are after the down fall of the inspector General of Police,IGP Ibrahim Idris, Northern Youths Leaders Forum (NYLF) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of those close to him in the presidency.

The forum observed with dismay that the ongoing travails against the IGP s are handiwork of some cabal in the President Buhari’s led administration who are held bent in the removal of the police boss from office for their selfish interest.

National Chairman of the Forum,NYLF,Comrade Elliot Afiyo made the position of the Association public in Yola while talking to journalists, weekend, insisting that

all hands must be on deck to ensure fairness and justice takes its rightful place.

Comrade Afiyo said that the forum is appealing to the president not to fall into the traps of this cabal adding that the removal of the IG without any justification will discredit his government. “ We are aware of the plans by some people in Buhari government straitening to give the president every reason to remove the Inspector General of Police from office and as a forum we cannot let that happened . “ Therefore, we are warning the cabal to stop their plans or we will be forced to come publicly to expose them and some of their clandestine activities in the past “ We worked tirelessly for this government to come on board and

we cannot fold our hands to allow some people in the name of cabal to discredit this government because certain people in government refused to do their whims and caprices,” he fumed Afiyo said they have more than five million members scattered across the country and there is nothing going on in the country that they are not aware.

“We will not allow them to do what they want, simply because some people say no to them,” Afiyo dared.

Similarly, the Forum appealed to President Buhari to confirm the appointment of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) , Ibrihim Magu noting that it was still the cabal that are working against Magu’s confirmation.

Afiyo further explained that,the NYLF has been watching with keen

interest the activities of the cabal on Magu’s case to make sure , he is not confirmed as the substantive chairman of the EFCC because they feel,he might expose some of their shady deals.

Commenting on the embattled former Chairman Presidential Task Force on Pensions, Abdulrasheed Maina,the Forum opined that a thorough investigation should be conducted by government and whatever findings are found, culprits should be punished as provided by the laws of the land.

Afiyo said,Maina’s statement might help the federal government to unveil more concerning his case explaining that,some people might had aided alleged wrongdoing in handling the affairs of pension when holding sway then.

R-L: Director General, Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Okauru, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler and Representative of the Country Director, World Bank, Yue Man Lee, during the 2017 National Peer Learning Event on Achieving Effective Administration organised by NGF, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Former Abuja National Hospital boss named varsity VC

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he Federal University Birnin-Kebbi (FUBK) governing council, has approved the appointment of Bello Shehu as the new vice chancellor of the university for a single term of five years.

This approval was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the registrar of the university, Ibrahim Mungadi.

Mr. Mungadi said the appointment of the new vice chancellor was approved by the council at its 9th meeting held on October 26.

The new vice chancellor, who was born on February 13, 1958 in Birnin-Kebbi, would replace the acting vice chancellor of the institution, Sahabi Jabo.

Until his appointment, Mr. Shehu was the provost of the university’s College of Health Sciences, the statement said.

He was at various times, the Chief Medical Director of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja and Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin-Kebbi.

Mr. Shehu, a neurosurgeon, is a fellow of several professional institutions including the West African College of Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, American College of Surgeons and National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria. (NAN)

Army redeploys six top generals, two others

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he Nigerian Army has redeployed eight top officials including six generals, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

Those redeployed include a majorgeneral, five brigadier-generals and two lieutenant colonels.

Top military insiders told PREMIUM TIMES that those redeployed include I.O. Rabiu, a major general, who was formerly military secretary at the army headquarters, He was redeployed to defence headquarters as director, technical and equipment.

F. Yahaya, a brigadier general, was

posted from the army headquarters, department of administration, and appointed as acting military secretary.

A.O. Abdullahi, a brigadier general, was posted from the army headquarters to the headquarters of 3 Division where he is to serve as the Chief of Staff.

O. J. Akpor, also a brigadier general, was deployed from the army’s operation centre to become the Commander, 1 Division of the army.

O. C. Ajunwa, a brigadier general, was posted from the headquarters of the 3 Division and appointed as deputy military

secretary at the army headquarters.

Also, G.U. Chibuisi was deployed from the 1 Division Garrison to become the deputy director, training and doctrine department of the army headquarters in Abuja.

A lieutenant colonel, H. Isa, was deployed from a posting at Coventry University in the UK to the army headquarters garrison for jurisdiction (court martial). His offence is unknown.

The last redeployed officer is L. Dabo of 145 battalion who was also posted to army headquarters garrison for jurisdiction. His

offence is also unknown.

The redeployments are to become effective from October 31.

The Nigerian Army has been at the forefront of the battle to defeat the Boko Haram extremists in the North-east. Efforts by the army and other security agencies have ensured that the Boko Haram which once controlled several local governments in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, are now limited to sporadic attacks on largely civilian targets.

Community builds hospital to tackle maternal mortality From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

D

ue to high maternal mortality experienced in Gwauro community, in Igabi- Local government Area of kaduna state, the residents has constructed seven bedroom hospital to salvage the situation.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mallam Umaru Galadima a traditional ruler in the area

said numbers of pregnant women who lost their lives along the road before reaching the next available health center is worrisome . ”We lost so many pregnant women and children as a result of the distance between our village to near-by town ,which is about 25-30 kilometer from the village get medical attention.

Umaru said, we have completed building the hospital but our greatest challenges is the little

money to complete the roofing of the hospital ”We are tired of our women, sisters and mother dying due lo lack of hospital, that is why the entire community put our resources together to build the hospital ,in other to support government and non –governmental organization in the fight against maternal mortality and infant death in the area Umaru says, the population of the resident

of the area is about 5000 peoples ,and they are mostly farmers and has been in the area for many years, pointing out clearly that politician usually visit the village during their political campaign ,and they always promises helping them to provide all the basic amenities that could improved their lives.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

CRIME News Air Force intensifies aerial bombardment of B/Haram locations

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it has intensified intensive day and night aerial bombardment of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) locations within the Northeast.

The Air Force, in a statement issued Sunday by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said “on 26 October 2017, the fourth day of the ongoing Operation RUWAN WUTA II, the NAF conducted air interdiction on some structures in Dure, a BHTinfested location, 12km east of Sambisa. Reports from NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms had revealed the gradual resurgence of BHT activities in the settlement, particularly at the targeted structures, which were hideouts for the terrorists.

“Five aircraft namely 3 x Alpha Jet aircraft and 2 x F-7Ni aircraft conducted the air interdiction missions. The Alpha Jet aircraft and the F-Ni aircraft took turns to attack the location with bombs, destroying the targeted structures and killing the terrorists. The Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the strikes revealed that some of the structures were set ablaze by the bomb explosions.”

The statement added that “on the same day, the NAF conducted air interdiction missions on a BHT-infested settlement in Mangusum.

The location was attacked, in succession, by 2 F-7Ni aircraft and 3 x Alpha Jet aircraft. The F-7Ni aircraft and some of the Alpha Jet aircraft attacked the targets with bombs, destroying BHT structures in the location and sending a few BHT survivors fleeing”.

Thereafter, the statement said “another Alpha Jet aircraft followed up with rocket and cannon attacks in the target area, strafing the fleeing terrorists in the process. Subsequent BDA of the attack indicated some burnt structures and significant casualties inflicted on the BHTs. “Operation RUWAN WUTA II, which was initiated by the NAF leadership, as a followup to the hugely successful Operation RUWAN WUTA, has so far proved to be even more successful.”

Insecurity: Reps seek ways to tackle illegal arms import

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he House of Representatives said it would collaborate with traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders at the local councils to curtail the proliferation of arms and for proper monitoring of security across the country.

Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, stated this Monday at the opening of a two-day capacity development training organised by the House committee on national security and intelligence in Abuja.

Declaring opened the training with the theme “managing security and security challenges for grassroots transformation in north west Nigeria”, the speaker stated that “there is no way we can properly monitor security without

engaging stakeholders at the local government level” Represented by the chairman of the committee, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, Dogara said the time has come for both traditional and religious leaders to start showing more than passing interest in the security of the people.

“I want to use this opportunity to urge traditional and religious leaders to take more interest in defending the nation’s unity. We cannot move forward without becoming one; and we cannot become one without working together.

“The problem of people smuggling illegal arms into the country through the borders cannot be properly addressed if leaders at the grassroots are not taking into consideration. We are ready to join hands with them and

ensure that our borders are freed from the manipulation of illegal arms smugglers”, he stated.

He said “these are extra ordinary times in the life of this nation as we are experiencing both security challenges and economic issues. There is Boko Haram, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, kidnappings, But we strongly believe that we must not allow these difficulties to overwhelm us” The lawmaker stressed the need for communities to work in harmony with their neighbours as a way of building up a strong ally to fight against security threats from enemies.

Speaking further, Hon. Jaji said the House was committed to strengthening the laws on firearms and other illegal weapons to ensure the security of the nation by mopping up illegal arms.

In a paper presented at the training by Dr. A.D. Umar of Yakamata Development Initiative (YADEIN) titled “conflict resolution in a conflict situation”, the resource person outlined five steps to conflict resolution, which include identifying the source of the conflict, looking beyond the incident, requesting solution, identifying solution and agreement.

Other papers presented at the training were local governments and security challenges in Nigeria

by Prof. Mohammed Kabir Isa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and ‘dispute resolution at grassroots level through traditional justice system” by Ibrahim Barkindo.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor, Paul University, Prof. Uche C. Isiugo-Abanihe, Chairman, National Population Commission, Eze Duruiheoma, and representative of the Minister of Health, Dr. Kayode Afolabi, during the 5th annual population lecture series and interactive session. yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Forgery: Court adopts documents against Plateau lawmaker From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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he Federal High Court sitting in Jos has adopted documents against the Plateau lawmaker, hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan who has been standing trail for submitting alleged fake diploma certificate during the 2015 general elections.

Hassan who represent Jos North-North constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly was taken to court by Abdul Nasir who contested against

the lawmaker during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the 2015 election.

During the sitting on Friday, presided by Justice Musa Kurya admitted the payment of receipts presented by plaintiff’s counsel, Ahamad Garba, which was said to have been obtained from the university on the request of whether or not Hassan has graduated from the university.

The counsel to the defendant Nanfwang D Gwaison had earlier argued that such latter and receipts

by Garba were faked.

Another written document issued by the Deputy Registrar of the University of Jos, Calep Mwansat, which stated that the alleged document presented by Plateau lawmaker during the last election didn’t emanate from the university.

Recalled that during the sitting on 12th October, 2016, the Registrar of the University of Jos, Monday M. Danjem during his oral statement told the court that Hassan didn’t graduate from the University and affirmed that the

certificate didn’t emanated from the university.

In his ruling, the Justice Kurya ruled out the objection of the defense counsel for lack of merit affirming “the University of Jos is the only University of Jos in the Nigeria and its Registrar is the one and only Registrar of the institution and thereby admitted the documents against the lawmaker.

Kurya adjourned the sitting to 13th November for the presentation of the remaining witnesses by Unijos registrar.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PAGE 8

News

Quattara commends Buhari over Nigeria’s recession exit

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resident Alhasan Quattara of Cote d’voire on Monday in Abuja commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking Nigeria out of recession.

Mr. Quattara gave the commendation when he addressed State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

He said they discussed how to strengthen existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and cote d’I voire.

Mr. Ouattara also said that President Buhari had accepted to be part of the African Union summit slated for the end of November in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire.

He stressed the need to deepen democratic governance in the subregion, saying his meeting with Buhari focused on political situations in Togo and Liberia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two presidents met officially for the first time since the inauguration of the Buhari administration on May 29, 2015. (NAN)

Oil spill: Victims drag Shell to UK court over $3.6bn compensation From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he concerned victims of oil spill, otherwise called Oil Spill Victims Vanguard (OSPIVV) has dragged the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), a venture of RoyalDutch Shell (Plc) to court in the United Kingdom over its alleged failure to pay $3.600, 191, 206 compensation to 168, 000 persons and 350 communities affected by the Bonga Oil Field spill of December 20, 2011.

Executive Director of the group, Mr. Harrison Jalla who confirmed the move of the group in a press release he signed, a copy made available to our reporter, stated that the group was moved to institute legal action in United Kingdom (UK) court for accelerated hearing, and unbiased justice.

The statement reads: “we have failed a pre-action notice on September 21, 2017in the TCC High Court of Justice in London through our lawyers, Johnson & Steller Solicitors of Handover Square Mayfair on behalf of the victims and communities affected by the Bonga Oil Field spills of December 20, 2011 when Shell Nigeria Exploration and Product Company (SNEPCO) due to equipment failure in their Bonga Oil Field discharge over 10, 000 barrels of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean which negatively affected over 168, 000 persons in over 350 coastal communities in Nigeria by the spillage”.

The statement further claimed that the pollution from the discharge which covered a distance of 185 kilometers along the Nigerian Coast Line compelled fishermen to desert the sea, polluted farmlands,

vegetation and contaminated the environment in Ekeremo, Southern Ijaw, and Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Warri South-West, Warri North, and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State, and some riverine areas in Ondo State.

“After due process, the House of Representatives and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) levied SNEPCO, the sum of three billion, six hundred million, one hundred, and ninety one thousand, two hundred and six United States Dollas be paid to the affected shoreline communities, victims, and the Federal Government of Nigeria within 14 days in a letter dated December 19, 2014, with reference number NOSDRA/DFA/131/VOLU/409/.

The statement alleged that in its usual ways of being

insensitive to the environment in which it operates, its consistent distain, deliberate contempt for constituted authorities in Nigeria since it started exploration several decades ago, SNEPCO has failed and completely refused to pay the recommended compensation, adding, the group was in court to get justice for the victims and the affected communities.

It therefore blamed Shell for causing pains and agony to the lives of the affected communities, and expressed hope that the UK court based on international best practices would deliver justice to the affected coastal communities.

But in a swift reaction, an official of Shell who did not want his name in the print described the illegal action by the group as frivolous, adding that Shell had severally compensated to the people and the communities affected in the recent times.

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News

Don’t relent in ridding Nigeria of criminals, students urge IGP

By Albert Akota

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igeria Students, yesterday, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris not to be deterred in his efforts to rid the country of criminal elements.

The students under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Students said the call became imperative owing to moves by some political figures to discredit the IGP for their selfish interest without a recourse to his achievements in reducing crime rate in the country.

Arising from their Congress

in Abuja, the group said the “indivisibility of Nigeria is nonnegotiable, as the strength of a diversified nation fat outweigh the seductive messages of hate speech propagators.”

Presenting their resolutions, in Abuja, the President of the Coalition, Com. Omoba Michael said it was so unfortunate that some have resulted to blackmail the IGP office over some issues without looking into merit and demerit of the matter.

He said the appointment of the IGP Idris by President Muhammadu Buhari was to advance the cardinal points of

this administration which hings on security, anticorruption and economic diversification.

Rolling out the successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force under his able Leadership, the group said that “current attempts to soil the name and reputation of the IGP, are rather worrisome in nature and dimension.

“We condemn these clandestine schemes that are targeted ultimately at the person of our selfless and we’ll loved president, Muhammadu Buhari, over the upcoming elections by the usual political actors

that feel for the first time in the history of this country that their status and unhindered access to our collective patrimony is being threatened by a sincere government.

“The laws permit anybody to aspire to the office of President or any other political office for that matter, however we will resist any attempt to pull down the edifice called Nigeria due to Nigerinas rejecting their offers.

“We urge IGP Idris to carry on in his stated mission of relegating criminality in Nigeria to the status of unattractiveness by bringing criminals to justice

and enlisting the cooperation of Nigerians.

“We urge Mr. President to continue to support and empower the police to protect lives and property in Nigeria, so that the work of development can continue in a rancour-free environment.

“We call on those behind these unpatriotic schemes to set our country back to turn a new leaf and contribute actively towards building a Nigeria worthy of bequeathing to future generations, or face the full weight of the law and wrath of Nigerians.”

Restructuring: Cleric seeks God intervention From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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L-R; Chief Host, Hon Adedamola Kasumu, Member, House of Representative Hon Abiodun Balogun, Representative of wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs Aderonke Adele, Representing the Governor of Lagos State/Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communication, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, Author of the book, Omotayo Aderinola and Lagos State APC vice Chairman, Chief Funsho Ologunde at the presentation of Iyaloja Play Book for Scene As Movie to Commemorate Late Alhaja Abibatu Magaji on her 101st Posthumous Birthday in Lagos,

FG provides 330 laptops for girls in Federal Unity Schools he Federal Government has provided a total of 330 laptops to some selected Federal Unity colleges in the country.

Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, made the distribution at the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ICT programme for girl-child in the selected colleges in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six schools from each of the geopolitical zones of the country were presented with 55 laptops each.

They are Federal Government Colleges (FGC) in Minna, Niger state; Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom and Kano.

Others are FGC in Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti state; Azare, Bauchi and Ohafia in Abia.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, ICT, Ike Orji, said the provision of laptops was to be carried out through the SDGs fund.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

He noted that a total of 44 principals and 44 ICT teachers would also be trained on classroom management using ICT toward ensuring effective use of the laptops for learning.

He expressed the hope that the programme will fast-track the achievement of SDGs Universal Basic Education and gender equality, by attracting more girls to school.

“Our goal is to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning and gender equality, by attracting more girls toward the attainment of the National Vision and MDGs. “Our goal is to see the entire education sector embrace the use of new technologies to meet the human resource requirement of the nation, for attaining sustainable socioeconomic development and global competitiveness.

“The task ahead of us is enormous.

The attainment of this goal must be

the responsibility of all.”

Mr. Adamu, however, solicited for stakeholders’ collaboration to implement the programme, towards the attainment of sustainable development.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Adejoke Adefulire, said the distribution of the laptops was in line with the present administration’s goal to enhance the education of girl child in the country.

Mrs. Adefulire, who was represented by Lamimu Waziri, a director, advised students to take advantage of the laptops, as it would facilitate classroom learning and encourage active participation of the learners.

She said that the office, in partnership with the ministry of education, was committed to investing and supporting high impact interventions targeted at improving girl-child education and gender

equality.

Mrs. Adefulire listed some of the interventions to include the provision of laptops to girl’s unity colleges in 2010, political and empowerment of women 2011-2016, girl-child education programme 2006-2007 and capacity building of teachers among others.

She, therefore, charged stakeholders to contribute to the development of the girl-child education, as one of the major tools to ensure the attainment of SDGs in Nigeria.

Also, Uwen Asomugha, Desk Officer, ICT SDGs, said the organisation identified specific gaps in the schools, which prompted an appeal for support to provide laptops in the FGGC’s.

She explained further that most of the schools do not have ICT teachers hence the need to develop the capacity of the teachers, who would pass the knowledge onward to the students.

“With the intervention of SDGs, we are able to train 73 computer teachers and these teachers were able to record 88 per cent certified rate in ICT. “We have requested for the laptops. All Federal Government Schools have benefited since inception in 2010.

“The target now is Federal Government Colleges which we are happy it is coming to fulfilment, and we have also incorporated the training of principals and ICT teachers. ” Grace Ihuoma from FGC Minna, who commended the government for the gesture, said this would bring hope to the youths of the country.

Ms. Ihuoma said the gesture was timely, as it would afford the students the opportunity to learn with ease.

(NAN)

he Deeper Life Bible Church, Kaduna region has called on God to intervene in the clamour for restructuring in the country so that the will of the Almighty will prevail in the situation The Church which congregated at the Palace of the. Chairman of Yoruba Council of Obas in the 19 northern states and Abuja, Ambassador Muhammad Arigbabuwo , said for peace and unity to reign in the country, there is need to call on God guidance.

The leader of the delegates who is also overseer of Deeper Life Church, Kaduna Pastor Columbus Okpara said there is need for prayers against what he called evil opposition , capable of destabilizing the country’s polity, Okpara tasked religion leaders to preach fear of God because this is the sure way to wisdom.

The Church further asked God to grant state governors strength, wisdom Knowledge and understanding to manage meager resources allocated to them, calling on God to make Nigeria’s government as agent of change.

In his remarks, Ambassador Mohammed Arigbabuwo said peace is pinnacle for development and Nigerians must embrace it.

Protesters, at the national Secretariat of APC calling the resignation of Party Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Minister hails AFRIFF for lifting movie industry

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has hailed the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) for providing the platform for film-makers in Africa and the rest of the world to exhibit excellent movies and also engage in creative conversations that will improve the

profession.

The Minister made the commendation on Sunday night in Lagos at the opening of the 7th edition of AFRIFF “Standing here and gazing at this great gathering, I can feel the confluence of passion and creativity and the promises and possibilities that the future holds for the global

movie industry,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who commended Nollywood for inspiring the movie industry in Africa, said the Federal Government of Nigeria is constantly engaging the stakeholders towards growing the industry.

“The object of our gathering tonight, the platform on which we celebrate African and International film-makers, is one of the great

stories of Nollywood, for AFRIFF the festival with a vision to inspire and indeed create an ecosystem for the global movie community - was birthed because there is Nollywood,’’ he said.

The Minister disclosed that the government is pushing for a single-digit interest on loans for infrastructure

Kaduna to host 2018 NASFAT women int’l peace conference From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna State will host Nasril Lahil – Fathih Society of Nigeria,( NASFAT) forth-coming ‘Women Biennial International Conference’ scheduled early next year.

According to the organizers, the three day international conference will boost economy of the state and help clear misconception that there is no peace in the north.

Chairman of the branch , Engineer Muyideen Yusuf who led Members of the group to office of Director Kaduna State Bureau for Religious Affairs Engineer

Namadi Musa said renowned Islamic Scholars from different parts of the world would open up areas of collaborations with regards to the peace agenda of the Governor Nasirul El –Rufai.

The Chairman explained that the visit became necessary to intimate the state government of its hosting rights and seek the necessary collaboration to make the conference a success.

In his remarks, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman Alhaji Adekunle Adesanya said everything is in top gear for the hosting of the event.

“It is an event that we cannot host without involving the government .Any

event like this is an opportunity for the state to be presented to the world in its right perspective. We are expecting not less than 1000 participants from within and outside the country. it would help change their perception that Kaduna and the north is not secured”.

While commending NASFAT for the initiative, Engineer Namadi Musa said Governor El-Rufai’s administration is very much in support of peace building programs.

He added that his office would do all it can to lend its support to see that Kaduna state is portrayed in its proper light, saying the Bureau takes religious matters

seriously as it is an avenue to enhance peaceful coexistence.

“This Bureau for Interfaith if l may say, probably is the first of its kind in the country because the problem in Kaduna had made it possible for our governor to see that there is no need to have a structure that is predominantly Christian or Muslim.

“We have to stay together and stop the division in Kaduna whereby across the river is for Christians and the other side for Muslims. Why can’t we create an opportunity whereby the Christians and the Muslims would stay under the same roof?

That was what brought about the creation of Interfaith.”

News

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

NPC to spend N399m in 4th phase EAD

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he National Populations Commission (NPC), said it will spend 399 million naira in the 4th phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), which commenced yesterday.

The Chairman of the Commission, Eze Duruiheoma stated this yesterday during a press conference at the

headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

Duruiheoma said that the last phase captured 37 local governments with 775 million naira.

He said that the EAD were done in phases owing to pausity of funds.

“At the end of the EAD phase 4, the commission would have successful demarcated 87 LGAs and the remaining

687 LGAs will be covered under the subsequent phases of the EAD. “A 52 person demarcation team consisting of 40 demarcators, 10 supervisors and 2 quality control assistants have been recruited in the 12 states and the FCT and will be trained from 30th to 1st November and thereafter work starts immediately till 19th November 2017.

“This team will immediately be

deployed to 13 LGAs, 2 LGAs in each goe -political zone.”

While emphasizing the importance of the EAD, the NPC boss said “to us at the commission, the significance of the EAD exercise goes beyond the conduct of census. We plan to establish and sustain a national framework including locality lists and house numbering for future censuses and surveys in line with the mandate of the commission.”

He added that the commission continue to deploy sophisticated technology in carrying out the EAD. The NPC boss further called on traditional rulers and states government to assist the field officers, warning that such help should not be used to compromise officers, “as officers will not count imaginary houses but only what they saw on ground at the time of the exercise”.

Group urges Kaduna govt to institute policy on teachers recruitment, deployment From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria Initiative (EDOREN), a DFID funded project, has called on the Kaduna State Government to institute a policy on teachers recruitment and deployment.

EDOREN’s Principal Investigator, Dr Hafsat Kontagora made the call , at a One-day Research Dissemination Workshop, on teachers gap, recruitment and deployment held in Kaduna .

Kontagora attributed the lack of quality teachers in primary schools in Kaduna state to absence

of standard policy on teacher recruitment and deployment in the state.

She said that EDOREN research findings revealed that teachers are recruited based political affiliations with no consideration on professionalism and effectiveness.

She added that some are even

recruited without physical presence, with no form of vigorous screening.

According to her, the development is affecting the effectiveness of teachers in the state.

“There is no standard structure for teacher recruitment and deployment in Kaduna state. Ad hoc committee for recruitment are set

L-R: Director, Basic and Secondary Education Department, Ministry of Education, Mohammed Karage, Secretary of Programme, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) office, Waziri Lamino, Director ICT, Ministry of Education, Mr Ifegwu Kalu, Director Library , Ministry of Education, Mr LB Ogundana and the desk officer, ICT of the Ministry. Uwem Asomugha, during the Launching of Laptops for Girl- Child in selected Federal Unity Colleges, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

only when the need arises.

“Also, teachers are not deployed based on need but other considerations, and as such, you find excess teachers in urban areas and inadequate teachers in rural areas.

“We therefore recommend that, the should design a policy that would guide teacher recruitment and deployment in the state to ensure quality of teaching and learning.

“Teachers must be vigorously assessed before they are recruited, and must also be deployed based on need and nothing more.”

She explained that the objective of the workshop was to communicate the findings of the research to relevant stakeholder for their imputes.

“It will also provide an opportunity to get feedback from stakeholders on strategies to facilitate the uptake of evidencebased education policy and practice of teacher recruitment and deployment in Kaduna state, “she said.

Also speaking, Malam Bashir Mohammed, Director, Kaduna State Bureau of Public Service Reform, noted the absence of policy on teacher recruitment in the state.

Mohammed described the policy as crucial in addressing the challenge of quality teachers in the state’s primary school.

It would be recalled that Gov Nasir El-Rufai had recently announced plan to disengaged about 22,000 unqualified primary school teachers in the state.

Delta govt, contractors at logger heads over N100bn debt From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

F

resh trouble is currently brewing between contractors and the Delta State Government over unpaid executed projects.

The Delta State Government had last week through the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Edevbie told journalists at a news conference that the State Government owed contractors a neighbourhood of N100 billion, adding that the debt was accumulated as a result of alleged negligence and described the payment methods as disheartening.

According to him, “I am not happy with the payment system at all if I am allowed to speak my mind. The payment method is disheartening hence the accumulated debt and I have

not been happy about it at all especially the unnecessary delay” but the contractors who claimed to be under the umbrella of “Unity Contractors” described the N100 billion unpaid debt by the State Government as untrue, saying that the State Government since 2007 to date had refused to pay a total sum of N450 billion for executed projects.

One of the contractors who spoke to journalists yesterday in Asaba on behalf of aggrieved others, Mr. Afam Joseph alleged that successive administration from 2007 to date had shown no traces of payment even on the face of some of their members’ death, adding “we have been carrying file from one office to another after we have completed the job on specification, the State Government has refused to pay us our money instead it shifts

blames, we shall soon embark on protest to press home our demand and disrupt ongoing projects in the State until our money is paid.”

Expectedly Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had recently blamed the high profile debt in the State apart from the contractors being owed, on paucity of funds and attack on oil facilities by militant groups in the State and the Niger Delta region, disclosing that on assumption of office, irregularities as regards payment of contractors, others confronted him.

He however assured that the State Government would do everything possible within its limit to ensure payments are made to various creditors in the State. He said “on assumption of office I was confronted with high profile burden of debt, but I can assure Deltans that the State

Government would do everything possible within its limit to ensure payments are made to our creditors, unfortunately the State has been facing financial crisis until recently that peace has returned to Niger Delta where we can breathe the air of freedom to meet our financial obligation.”

Investigation revealed that most contracting firms operating in the State from 2007 to date had closed shops after allegedly taken huge sum of loans that could not be returned, especially in anticipation of payments by the State Government on projects executed but proved abortive.

While some officials of various ministries in the State handling the files of the contractors are alleged to be “neck deep” in bribe takings, sources said that the high profile debt in the State might cripple infrastructural developments if

urgent steps are not taken by the State Government to address the situation.

Speaking further, Mr. Afam Joseph said “we borrowed money to execute most of our contracts, now we are hungry, our rents have expired, this Government of Okowa is insensitive to our present situation” but in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Aniagwu dispelled the allegation of insensitiveness on the part of the Government saying that Governor Okowa is committed to the yearnings and development of the State.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba presided over by Justice T. B. Adegoke has struck out two suits filed by anti corruption integrity forum against the Accountant General

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Opposition politics and national interest

A

fortnight ago, a public health alarm The military’s medical outreach provided the PDP opposition in the region with more went off in Bayelsa state in Nigeria’s ammunition in its political face off with the south-south zone. A number of people ruling APC at the centre in Abuja. In the lead had gone down with a strange illness that was governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, health authorities later would say was caused who alleged that the military was infecting by an unheard of virus called monkeypox. A school children with the monkeypox virus week later, 10 other states across the country as part of the federal government’s plot to had reported cases of monkeypox. Luckily, depopulate the entire south of the country. no deaths were reported all round. But as He asked his commisioner of information expected, federal health authorities responded and comunication Mr. Emma Okah to put promptly to the alarm, and the Senate’s health out a statement “RSG did not authorize the committee summoned the health minister to explain what was happening and how prepared was the nation to handle an epidemic should one occur.

Coinciding with the time the alarm was raised, the Nigerian military was carrying out security exercises in parts of the southeast, south-south and south-west. These exercises were complemented by medical outreaches which the military regarded as its corporate social responsibility. This public health campaign is as old as the military and is largely welcome by the public.

However, the difference this year is the timing of the security exercises that come with different code names such ‘Operation python dance’ and ‘Operation Crocodile smile’. The military chose to conduct them at the same time as the security forces were cracking down on IPOB, an infantle secessionist movement in the south-east.

Opposition party leaders condemned the exercises as a virtual military blockade of the region by the APC federal government which had in September labelled IPOB a terror group and subsequuently proscribed it.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PAGE 10

We admit that this country needs a strong opposition for our democracy to grow; a one party government, no matter its vaunted demcratic credentials, is inimical to building a truly demcoratic tradition and culture. However, for the opposition to gain legtimacy it must purge itself of the ‘bringdown syndrome’ -something that the PDP or some its leaders are incapable of doing military to inoculate school children” on state radio and TV as well as social media.The statement added that Rivers government “did not authorize the Nigerian Army or indeed any other body or person to enter into school premises to administer forced medication or vaccination on any child in any school...

Inoculation is personal and consent of the Rivers State Government and parents must first be sought and obtained before it can be

OUR PEOPLE Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Chief Operating Officer (Ag) Editor, Daily

Hameed M. Bello Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

administered on any school child in a school premises”.

We admit that this country needs a strong opposition for our democracy to grow; a one party government, no matter its vaunted demcratic credentials, is inimical to building a truly demcoratic tradition and culture. However, for the opposition to gain legtimacy it must purge itself of the ‘bringdown syndrome’ -something that the PDP or some its leaders are incapable of doing.

We find it abhorent that the party’s governor in Rivers chose to play ‘dirty politic’ with a national health challenge like the monkeypox virus. It was more distasteful when he told a blatant lie that the vaccination was already happening in his state whereas it had not.

It is unforttunate that Wike chose to bring a purely national issue into his personal fight with his immediate predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, now a minister in the APC federal governement.

If his goal was to discredit the military and, therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari who used the PDP’s massive political applecart to win the 2015 presidential election, Wike succeeded only in part; even that was ephemeral. His false alarm spread like a bush fire in the south-south and southeast. Schools hurriedly shut down as parents rushed back to collect their children and wards. However, it was only pyrrhic victory.

The lie was soon discovered and dismissed just as Wike’s public image lay in tatters.

However, the military must take a warning from this experience: never take anything for granted, no matter how well intentioned.

They must learn to communicate well with the target communities in the exercise of their corporate social responsibility.

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PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Religious intolerance, ethnic cleavages, bane of our dev’t

By Abdulsalam Jubril

T

he recent tirade by a certain pastor brought to the fore once again the salient ethno-religious gulf that is and has been tearing us apart as a nation.

The pastor’s malignant rant as usual, elicited condemnation and acquiescence from various quarters within our clime. In many instances, many of our comments on the issue sentimentally tilted towards our ethno-religious background.

However, objectively and discerningly perusing the pastor’s harangue, in any sane and unbiased society, such a statement would be seen as inciting as well as seditious.

Also, for a preacher who should be seen as an epitome of peace, to be seen and heard making such statements does not portend well for our religious institutions. However, with unobjective and prejudicial comments over the issue thus far, perhaps ours is not a sane clime.

Without dwelling too much on the pastor’s comment as more supposedly religious men and women of the two major faiths in our country would continue to make such seditious comments, the underlying problem is our ethno-religious divide. Since pre and post-independence years, ethnic and religious sentiment has always been an obstacle to our progress as a nation and stunted our growth and development.

On topical national issues, we tend to look at them based on our ethno-religious discernments. We look at speakers on such issues by what tribe or religion they belong to rather than the issues they are raising or critiquing or the solutions they

are proffering. “Oh na Ibo man that’s why he is supporting his brother. Na Hausa man and they like to support themselves. Na Christian, na Muslim…” are some of what you hear when topical national issues are brought to the fore. I wouldn’t be surprised if this piece is similarly looked at based on ethno-religious sentiments.

While everyone has a right to their opinion, prejudicial and biased opinions/ comments have led us to the dismal state we are as a nation presently. The political elites have since recognized this and most have been using it to advance their own selfish interest and agenda. They have been subtlety fueling such ethno-religious comments and crisis in other to remain relevant and at the helm of affairs. Curiously, when “Ghanamust-go-bags” is shared especially among them, ethnicity and religious is relegated and hardly ever pops up. The money (in most case ours as a nation) is secretly and judiciously shared and as it is said in our local parlance, “dem go chop clean mouth”.

Yes, the colonialist lumped us together without recognizing our tribal and religious differences. However, they have since gone and we have sadly not been able to truly forge ahead as a nation. We prefer especially when it is convenient for us; see ourselves more as ethnic and tribal entities rather than as a nation. Hit the streets and ask people what it is to be a Nigerian, you will hardly get an articulate answer. The answer you will get is that they see and identify more with themselves as “an Urhobo man, a Yoruba man, an Ijaw man, etc.” Curiously also, within many of our ethnic groups, prejudice still exists; however, I wouldn’t

want to dwell on that.

Most of us do not know this, but religion, religious strife and religious differences has been the leading cause of deaths since the world began as we know it. People have been committing atrocities and killings all “in the name of God”. In our clime, there is a burgeoning superiority battle between the two major religions. Hence, we seem to dwell more on the few dissimilarities and dwell less on the many similarities of both religions. I have always maintained that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the religions. What is wrong however is us the human beings who practice and interpret their teachings and laws to suit our selfish interest. We tend to see and ascribe the title of “very religious” to ourselves and certain persons, forgetting that it is God that knows who is religious. Essentially, we have somewhat become “more religious” than the folks who brought the religion to our shores.

Instead of dwelling on ethno-religious sentiments, what we need to be clamoring for and demanding as a people from our leaders is infrastructural development and viable institutions. Presently, the lack of power supply we have been facing since time immemorial doesn’t discriminate based on tribe and religious. If no matter what tribe or religion the person at the helm of affairs is able to fix the power situation once and for all, every region, area and tribe would be lighted up. Entrepreneurship will pick up.

Industrialization would take-off and small and medium scale industries will begin to flourish. This on its own is a long-term solution to our perennial unemployment problem.

If the roads in all 774 local government areas are paved and motorable, and the economy is truly diversified with agriculture, rather than the lip-service successive governments have been playing to the gallery with, there would be food sustainability within the country and the movement of food and cash crops from one part of the country to another. Export such agriculture produce translates to foreign exchange earnings that could be used to develop other sectors within the country. If the anti-corruption agencies are strengthened and severe penalties meted out to erring individuals, this pervasive corruption that is currently bedeviling our country will be curbed to the barest minimum.

Likewise all other institutions that have been dilapidated over time needs to be strengthened. We need to begin demanding “as one” for these institutions to be fully operational. We need to begin to see ourselves first as Nigerians before our ethno-religious proclivity. The Nigeria project should be the foremost in our consciousness, utterances, actions and comments. Just like the story of the Tower of Babel, if we can come together as one people, one nation, regardless of our ethnoreligious differences, then we can achieve anything we want to achieve as a nation.

We constantly pride ourselves as the most religious nation on earth, however, most of our actions and utterances say otherwise.

Abdulsalam Jubril is a Public Policy Analyst.

A renewed commitment to lift the North out of poverty

By Idayat Hassan

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orthern Nigerian governors, upon the invitation of the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), met for three days in Washington DC. The symposium was attended by the governors of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Taraba, Kwara, Zamfara, Plateau, and Deputy Governor of Kano.

The governors were led by the Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Forum, Governor Shettima of Borno State, and they met with Senior US government officials, including US Secretary of State, John Kerry and, Head of USAID, Condoleezza Rice. The meeting was declared open by Deputy Secretary Anthony Blinkey, who emphasised the importance of local leadership and local solutions to national challenges. He charged the governors to work closely with President Buhari. According to him, Nigeria is not just important to West Africa but the world, and he promised that the Government of the United States would continue to partner with and support Nigeria.

He called on the governors to partner with necessary stakeholders, in particular the civil society, and to harness Nigeria’s youth bulge positively. According to him ‘Nigeria can grow only when the states grow’.

In a very fruitful meeting, the governors had the opportunity to place a wish list before Secretary Kerry. At the top of the list was education, in particular education for the girl child, as well as agriculture, healthcare and electricity. They also had the opportunity to meet the National Security Adviser to President Obama; Head of USAID, Condoleezza Rice; and businesses in the US. My only hope is that the governors commence immediate follow up on all the promises made.

Aside the special meeting, the members of the Senior Working Group – a group of twelve set up by the USIP comprising Nigerian elder statesmen and women – had the opportunity to

interact with the governors. During the meeting, the governors demonstrated significant levels of commitment to the development of their states, Northern Nigeria, and Nigeria as well. I only hope this is matched with political will.

The governors identified poverty as the main unifier in the North. Therefore they all agreed that there is an urgent need to lift the North out of endemic poverty, which is also the driving force behind the incessant conflicts in the region. While violent conflict is prevalent in the majority of the states, conflict dynamics vary from state to state. They linked the conflicts to perceived marginalisation, alarming inequality, unemployment and low literacy rates.

Improving access and quality of education dominated the discussion throughout the three-day meeting. One of the identified challenges was the over 10.5 million children out of school, a number the governors believed to have increased by at least another million with the Boko Haram insurgency in the NorthEast. According to the governors, if nothing is done immediately to improve enrollment and retention in schools, the prospects for the region over the next ten years will be bleak.

The governors agreed that all the states are working assiduously to ensure the girl child is at the top of their agendas. According to them “unless girl child education is prioritised, the human development indices of the North will continue to decrease”. They believe that education of the girl child will reduce child marriages and vesicovaginal fistula and lead to increased development outcomes, politically and economically. One of the ways they identified to immediately improve educational outcome is cooperation: let states jointly establish and manage institutions.

What I found most fascinating about the discussion was the fact that the governors recognised that their citizens have little or no trust in them. They acknowledged that this is a result of the bad governance previously

experienced in several states. To redress this, some states are working very hard on building trust and accountability. Some of the measures they mentioned are through radio town hall meetings, budget monitoring and implementation, passage of the Public Procurement Act, establishment of the Bureau for Peace and Reconciliation, and establishment of a Zakat (alms-giving) Board to collect and redistribute money amongst the poor.

The governors identified the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as a window of opportunity that they are keying into to bolster development.

The early part of the third day was dedicated to an open webinar on Northern Nigeria beyond Boko Haram; during this session, the public had the opportunity to ask the governor questions online. Two questions struck me the most: one on state police was answered with a general consensus that state police forces have become necessary considering the security demands in the country. Another question about women in politics was answered by several of the governors identifying culture as a challenge. However, they also explained that they are surmounting the challenges by reserving appointive positions for women in their cabinets.

In a meeting with civic business leaders, the governors had the opportunity to learn about initiatives which they can tap into immediately. One such opportunity is the U.S African Development Foundation (USADF), a five year MOU collaborative platform to economic development scheme for vulnerable communities. The scheme requires a $500,000 matching grant from the state. The governors were also advised to coordinate better with local and international partners.

The issue of improving the business climate for domestic and foreign investors also came up for discussion during the three-day forum. It was agreed that buying into the Federal Government Ease of Doing Business Agenda would engender

much needed economic opportunities for citizens.

The meeting didn’t end without focus on the North-East. The ongoing humanitarian situation in the region is dire, with 1,000 children dying on a weekly basis. If not urgently addressed, over 10,000 children may die by December. The governor of Borno displayed much dexterity and mastery of the matter at hand. According to him, over 1,450,000 IDPs are living in host communities in Maiduguri alone. He called for immediate attention to be given to IDPs in host communities to avert a humanitarian crisis.

A key take away from the meeting is the leadership question. Until good leadership is in place in the region, the North cannot develop and, without the states, Nigeria cannot develop.

On a lighter note, I was really impressed by the governors and their demeanour throughout the meeting. On arrival at Washinghton DC, I saw governor Tambuwal wheeling his own suitcases. At the opening itself, the Chairman of the Governors Forum, Shettima, made it clear that it was a difficult decision to attend the meeting as Nigeria is in recession and citizens may not understand the need for governors to participate.

All the governors attended the meetings throughout: participating every day from 8am often until as late as around 7pm. In a complete departure from previous years, the governors either attended alone or with just one aide. I also had the opportunity to arrive or depart from the venue with some of the governors, and nobody travelled in a limousine but instead used the everyday taxis of Washington DC. I can only hope the commitment displayed by the governors to lift Northern Nigeria out of poverty and ensure the region’s development are matched with equal action in their states.

Idayat Hassan is the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Comment

Incorruptible judiciary as catalyst for an equitable society

By Gado Ageh Gado

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he hope of that common man, the future of the societal values and norms, the peace and stability of the Country, the conscience of the interpreters of the law and the watch of the watchers is being threatened by a dangerous and incurable (but controllable) infection in the guise of corruption with its widespread tentacles ready and willing to kill justice and to hinder the just progressiveness of the society by making justice a purchasable virtue. There is no denying the fact that no society is devoid of corruption but its surveillance is what matters in any given society of ours. For corruption is as old as creation itself. Therefore, corruption cannot be completely wipe out in any given society, sector and judiciary is not an exception. Corruption has been an issue which has equally become an obstacle to the achievement of a better, efficient and effective economic development and virile democracy globally. Corruption is not exclusively economic phenomenon but manifests in every facet of our life, in political, and other sectors like industries, banks, government establishments/ institutions, law enforcement and judicial system, legislative assemblies, that is to say in both private and public sectors.

Nigeria as a country is progressively being destroyed by a weapon of mass destruction in the guise of “corruption”. Not surprising, Nigeria is commonly referred to as the headquarters of the Advanced Fee Fraud otherwise known as 419. This suggests that for all rhetorical emphasis successive governments since 1999 have not placed emphasis on combating corruption.

Nigeria Judiciary is a reflection of the problems in Nigeria. It is trite that justice sold is justice killed. And in the words of Seneca, “fidelity purchased with money, money can destroy.” At this juncture, it is of pertinent to define the term corruptionCorruption is the abuse of power by a public official for private gain or any organized, interdependent system in which part of the system is either not performing duties it was originally intended to, or performing

them in an improper way, to the detriment of the system’s original purpose. The abuse of public offices for private gain is paradigmatic of corruption.

The role of Judiciary in nation building and in combating corruption globally cannot be over-emphasized, especially in Nigeria with its experience of long period of Military Rule and historical evidence of corruption in government. The Judiciary has a vital role to play in stabilizing and catalyzing the other two arms of government on its toes and by extension, itself. This is because the fate of the masses lies in the Court. As a mother, her arms are always open to the cries of the oppressed especially when the weather of the Executive and the Legislature seems unbearable. It is not a gain-saying that the citizens enjoyed little or no dividence of democracy in a Country like Nigeria in spite of the abundant resources at her disposal. This is due to the fact that there are no viable laws or judicial pronouncements to address their yearning plight. Yet, the political class and those that are on the corridor of power enjoyed some kind of privileges and still swooped upon even the crumbs left for the masses or the electorates to their detriment. Painfully to say that our Judiciary find itself in a state where the rich-class get away free even after diverting billions of naira whereas the poor masses rot in jail for misdemeanor offences.

As if to say that there is a conspiracy among the three arms of government. The question is, is this Court still the hope of the common man? For corruption adore is destiny abort. To a large extent, all Organs of a State submit to the Judiciary. To this end it is being regarded as the last hope of the common man and by extension the society at large.

To understand the law is to understand the interpretation therein. Law is not law until being tested by the furnace of justice.

And the judiciary is vested with this sacred duty of interpreting the laws enacted by the legislatures. Therefore, acts or omissions committed by the legislatures, executive and the citizens of the society must conform to a given existing law in order not to invoke the wrath of the law through the

pronouncement of the judiciary. Hence, the need for such an Organ of government, that is, the judiciary, to set itself apart as a vessel unto honour ready and willing for the implementation of the cause of justice to its end. That is why there is no civilized society even in the ages past that existed without this Organ in whatsoever names it had been or is being called. Be it the council, council of elders, council of chiefs, king(s), arbitrators or judges. Where this organ of government is paralyzed, the whole society, paralyzed. Its corruption corrupts the society. It (judiciary) is the light or doom of a given society depending on the state it is in a given time. It is trite a saying that the Executive Arm are the Watchers of the Law. As it ensures the implementation or execution of an existing law in its proper order. It dictates and apprehends offenders.

However, with all these vested duties of the executive arm of government, to me, I will say, the judiciary is the “watch of the watchers” as she is constitutionally bound to see that all acts and omissions conform to the law without which the person in breach will be made to face the wrath or music of the law. That is why in any given circumstance the legislatures enact laws that are not practicable by the members of a given State, the judiciary usually declare such a law enacted null and void to the extent of it inconsistency with an existing law or way of life of the people. As law does not compel the doing of the impossible.

Indeed, law is the collective conscience of the society.

The need for the judiciary to remain incorruptible cannot be over emphasized.

As justice and corruption are offspring of different mothers and each having it unique bearing fruits thereof. Corruption and justice cannot walk together or even come into an agreement. And if they do, justice suffers. Therefore, a judge cannot serve the cause of justice and corruption at the same time. As seen in the Jesus’ saying in the Holy Book of Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (KJV).

To this end, judiciary must be seen to be administrators of justice as they are trained and sworn to be-reading and willing to say no to corruption and all it proceeds. Judges are debtors to the societal conscience.

Discharging the debts is by discharging justice. And that such justice must conform to equity and law. Judges are knowledgeable men and law presumed them to know the laws to a substantial amount for the sake of justice and the society. This is because their very acts and/or omissions influence the society negatively or positively. Jesus Christ of Nazareth acknowledged this aura of theirs when he said in the Holy book of Luke 11:52 “Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (KJV). Therefore, the right or wrong interpretation of the provisions of the law bound the society (and when a wrong interpretation is given, it will be bad for both-as it paralyzed justice and the progressiveness of the society) and such “key” of unlocking (interpreting) the intents of the legislatures is being vested in the judiciary. Moses recognized this vital role played by the judiciary and began by calling for incorruptible judges who would be impartial in their rulings. These judges must be committed enough to law and equity. And an alleged offender can only be convicted upon sufficient evidence of the existing crime. And this he said in Deuteronomy 16:18-20 “Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city that the Lord your God is giving you. They are to judge the people fairly. Never pervert justice. Instead, be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes bind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right. Strive for nothing but justice so that you will live and take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

(God’s Word). Looking at the foregoing, the progressiveness and stability of the society depends upon the administration of justice free from any external interference.

Gado, Ageh Gado is a legal practitioner.

Agbero: Menace to the transportation system

By Ibironke Oluwatobi

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ransportation is an important element of any community, especially if it serves a population in excess of 21 million people. It is sure for these people to access different quarters of the area for commercial and personal purposes.

This system is best maintained without obstruction of the free flow of movement.

More so, extortion of people in the process of locomotion or transportation of materials is an erratic thing to do. Not only would it have a responsive extortive effect on individuals, it would lead to an imbalance in the economy of that area. Since a few black marketers would be enriched at the expense of the general populace.

The operation of hoodlums on the roads, which has become a culture especially in Lagos, is a veritable example of this lamentable picture. The sad bombardment of roads with hoodlums, popularly called Agberos remains a mainstay in the list of problems facing the traffic system in Lagos.

They have become popular members of the road administrative team. The allowance their establishment has enjoyed over the years, has given reason for suggestions that

they have the nudge of the government.

This idea seems wild but with the present system, it is difficult not to think of it that way. It becomes right to ask, has the government of the state been so occupied not to have observed this long-living menace?

Agberos have been allowed so much space that their tentacles have spread to other states across the country, which now have similar illicit structures in their quarters. The mission statement of the hoodlums has been spelled around administration of parks and regulation of traffic, but I write to dispel that guile. Their true actions are extortion of road users, both drivers and passengers by sporadically changing bus fares. In some areas in Lagos, Agberos collect as much as a thousand naira daily from individual bus drivers, who in turn increase the fares for passengers. They are responsible for exploiting social issues such as traffic congestion, scarcity of fuel to make financial gains. They increase fares at the whiff of petrol scarcity or the sight of bottlenecks. It has become so rampant that commuters find it difficult to predict the sporadic nature of bus fares, owing to their actions.

This group alter bus fares based on mood and interest, holding commuters to ransom by making them pay exorbitantly.

The situation has now degenerated to a point that, a trip which initially cost #100 could be made as expensive as #300 when returning, which could result in an unsuspecting commuter being stranded.

This problem bearers are responsible for deliberately causing hold-ups on the road in their bid to collect their illicit charges from reluctant bus drivers. They delay buses at the bus-stops and layby at the same time, leading to traffic situations which sometimes extend to the road.

Though different policies have been adopted to improve the system of transportation, the impact has so far been light. Several indecent factors have clawed these intended life-easing policies. The hoodlums and their cohorts are major players in the act of frustrating beneficial policies. They do not represent any good to the state of affairs. It is expected that the present government should seriously investigate the activities of these extortion agency. If the Agberos are beneficial to the ambience on the road, why don’t countries with enviable transportation system

tolerate Agbero-like structures?

A good suggestion is that the activities of these black hats should be checked by the government. Direct supervision by the state government would be necessary for the effectiveness of this process, as it has happened overtime that some government parastatals have shared the assignment of traffic management with them, sometimes complimenting each other. It would be a welcome idea to engage the Agberos in more productive areas since complete abolishment might cause them to devise other social vices. It is noteworthy to mention that an economically fair transport system to commuters, profitable business to bus drivers and effective road utility to the government is the ideal transportation system. Therefore, hindrances such as the increasing menace of the Agberos, the exploitative tendencies of commercial buses and their administrators are all elements that need to be swept away in an attempt to make the traffic situation better.

Increased level of welfare and tactful adoptions would give long-lasting answers to this disturbing issue.

Ibironke Oluwatobi ibironkeoluwatobi@gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PAGE 14

News

NAFDAC cuts registration fees by 50% - Ag DG says

From Minna.

Yakubu

Mustapha,

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he National Agency for Food Drugs and Control NAFDAC have reviewed the payment of registration fees by fifty percent (50%) as part of new measures to ease businesses in Nigeria.

The Acting Director General, Mr Ademola Mogbojuru disclosed the decision of the agency yesterday in Minna at NAFDAC Stakeholders Consultative Forum for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises

(SMSE) in support of the Federal Government initiative on ease of doing businesses.

Mogbojuru hinted that, the free waivers on inspection, laboratory analysis and expert license granted to exporters of regulated products as well reduction in fees charged for registration of locally manufactured regulatory products.

He further said that, the agency has begun the listing of products for a period of two years renewable afterwards hence some minor and small businesses are to be registered

at zonal levels to ease the bottleneck experienced in the past.

Represented by the Director Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, he said that the measures were aimed at promoting Small and Medium Enterprises and assist businesses to grow in the country.

He emphasized that the agency has keyed into the Federal Government’s change agenda as to assist in the diversification of Nigerian economy.

He warned the staff of the agency to avoid frustrating registration

process by the clients hence the registration of packaged water has now been reviewed to 90 days while bakery now 30 days and called for the cooperation of all to succeed.

In his remark, the Niger state Coordinator of the Agency, Mr Isah Ibrahim stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to enable the issue of health safety to succeed.

He assured that he would operate an open door policy to achieve greater height.

R-L: Director General/CEO, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda , Minister of State Industry ,trade and Investment Hajia Aisha Abubakar ,and Representative of Logic Triangle, Abba Mustapha, after the Signing of contract for the study on the Viability for the conversion of IDCs to industrial clusters held at the Ministers office, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nasarawa HoS denies signing of vouchers without salaries From Gambo Ahmed, Lafi

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he Nasarawa state Head of Service, Mr Abari Nicholas Aboki has debunked insinuation padding around by mischief makers that the state government has compelled civil servants in the state to sign vouchers without salaries.

Mr. Abari who asserted this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the issue in his office in Lafia,

the state capital; added that nobody was compelled to sign any voucher without salary.

According to him, “ I don’t think that someone was compelled to sign any voucher.

What government is doing now is verification of staff in all the ministries. Because we have reoccurrence problem. People are dying or retiring and there is no drop in the state wage bill” He continued, “ Government

wants to authenticate what is happening. We identified there are lapses where people retired or died and such cases are not reported officially to government. That is what government want to known whether you are a staff or not” Mr. Aboki further maintained that the issue of signing vouchers does not even arise because all those civil servants that completed their verification in time were all paid their salaries and are waiting

for October salaries now.

The Head of Service, however, admonished civil servants in the state to excel by contributing immensely to the development of the state as well as the nation at large. “ We all belong to Nasarawa State.

Let us compliment government effort by exhibiting the spirit of hardwork for our children to emulate”. he added.

Senate Mourns Senator Danjuma Goje’s Wife

By Christiana Ekpa

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he Senate has commiserated with one of its members, Senator Danjuma Goje, who lost his wife, Hajia Yelwa Danjuma Goje, in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement personally signed by the President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Senate expressed shock and sadness over Mrs. Goje’s death, and described the deceased as an exemplary pillar of support, a dedicated partner and mother to the community.

“On behalf of the entire Senate, I commiserate with our brother, friend and colleague, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, on the loss of his dear wife, Hajia Yelwa Mohammed Goje.

“Over the years, Mrs. Goje served as an exemplary pillar of support to her husband and played the role of a dedicated mother and mentor to many in her community.

“As we join the Goje family to mourn her passing today, we pray that the Almighty Allah (SWT) grant her soul a place among the righteous ones in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

“We also pray that Allah grants the family of Senator Goje the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Amin.”

Yelwa Goje, according to the family statement died in a Hospital in the United States of America.

Aged 55, She is survived by her husband, Senator Goje, six children, 10 grandchildren, many relatives, supporters and admirers.

According to the family, the date and time of the funeral prayers in Gombe would be announced later.

Benue: Nov. 1 take off of anti-open grazing law sacrosanct-Group From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

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arely two days to the implementation of the AntiOpen Grazing Law in Benue State, a religious group, Nongo U Kristu U I Ser U Sha Tar (NKST) also known as the Reformed Christian Church has insisted that the law must take effect from November 1.

President of the Church, Rev. Ayohol Ate who made the insistence at a press conference held at the NUJ House, Makurdi, yesterday maintained that nothing should be done to reduce its full force of prosecuting defaulters of the law.

He lamented that the Tiv land had suffered a great deal of destruction of lives and property worth billions of naira since the Fulani crisis began in 2011.

Represented by Rev. Kurugh Antiev of NKST, Yina, the NKST President who condemned in strong terms what it described as ‘hate speech’ and inflammatory war language by the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, noted that only last week, MAKH leaders, Abdullahi Bodejo and Saleh Alhassan had in a chat with newsmen in Abuja declared that Fulanis must converge in Benue

from November.

He averred that the statement credited to the leadership of MAKH was suspected to have a hidden agenda to destabilize the state, just as he condemned the act of exterminating innocent farmers in their homelands.

“Our attention has been drawn to the speedy unfolding security challenges being experienced by Benue people especially among the Tiv nation. The NKST is suspecting an cutie agenda to enthrone sharia in the country through jihad, especially in the north central region under the auspices of the herdsmen, he said.

The NKST President appealed to the federal government to approve the establishment of Benue State Relief Levy to be collected from all those carrying out economic activities in the state to help rehabilitate those who were displaced and have lost everything as a result of the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

He said the church is in support of every peace move by the government to stabilize the integrity of the Benue farmer through the Anti Open Grazing Law, stressing that nothing should be done to reduce its full enforcement and prosecution of

defaulters as from November 1.

The church also stated that it is opposed to any agreement or resolution soliciting for the creation of grazing reserves for herdsmen in the state pointing out that the settlement pattern of the Benue people was already a militating factor.

Responding, state Chairman of the NUJ, Kris Atsaka posited that the entire Benue had been in disarray due to the activities of suspected herdsmen and assured that the media would continue to do its best in giving the NKST adequate publicity.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Protesters in hundreds storm APC headquarters, demands Oyegun’s removal

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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undred of protesters on the aegis of Save All Progressives Congress and Democracy Youth Vanguard, yesterday stormed the National Headquarters of the APC, calling for the immediate resignation of the National Chairman, John Oyegun.

The youth group displayed various placards with inscription,

“Audit APC account now, No to non-elective convention, APC must support anti-corruption” among others.

Speaking to journalists, leader of the group, Peter Oyewole, said since 2015 when APC won the Presidential election, the party’s finances has not been audited and made public as stipulated by the law.

“Since 2015, the budget of APC has not been made public.

Since 2015, the ruling party has not held a single meeting.

These are enough to remove the National Chairman. We demand the removal of Oyegun now.

“We are also saying enough is enough to imposition of candidates at all level sby Oyegun led NWC that is currently going on in this party, because in any party where there is imposition, there cannot be fairness, any party where there is imposition,

there cannot be equity, the imposition in APC today is just rubbishing the anti corruption war of President Buhari.

“So, the current National chairman we are having in APC cannot work in support of APC agenda and President Buhari. If Oyegun is not removed, he will continue to rubbish the efforts of the President, especially in fighting corruption because you cannot give what you don’t have.

The high level of corruption and imposition going on under Oyegun is alarming.

“If Odiege-Oyegun is not removed within the next one month, the APC youths will picket this national Secretariat and make it a no go area to everybody; both staff, the officials and even the security staff will be chased out of the Secretariat and none of them will be allowed to come in here.”

Delta lawmakers flay housing challenges facing civil servant Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Delta State Housing of Assembly has flayed the housing challenges facing civil servants in the state and assured of its readiness to assist in the creation of effective and efficient housing policy that will tackle the challenges.

The Chairman of the Committee for Housing, Orezi Esievo, who spoke to journalists yesterday in Asaba, however promised that her committee would address the hindrances that had been militating against the progress of the ongoing state government housing project in Issele-Azagba Housing Estate, even as she called for the sitting of the housing units in ideal location, devoid of political consideration to save cost.

Esievo explained that the committee will work assiduously to encourage cordial working relationship between the state Ministries of Justice, and Housing to produce a financial housing policy, just as she expressed surprise over the revelation that there is absence of a workable housing policy in the Housing Ministry by the Commissioner, Arc Joseph Ogeh.

She said that the discovery of the State’s Housing property in London, Ibadan, Kaduna and Kwara, including the problem of housing units in the state, would be seriously tackled soon considering the effective handling of the bill of Quantity Bill before the House, and assured Deltans of the state government’s preparedness to construct more housing units across the state, especially the building of 1, 000 housing units in two years.

The State Commissioner for Housing, Arc Joseph Ogeh, had last week noted the impact of nonexistence of a functional housing policy to the growth and development of the housing sub-section of economy in the state over the years.

He had disclosed that the state government was working round the clock for the effective construction of a new secretariat, capable of housing the 28 state government agencies currently operating in private housing units.

The Commissioner observed that

the state government’s partnership with the Africa Development Bank (ADB) would enhance the progress of the housing units, adding that the state’s collaboration with Shelter Afrique for the construction of 1, 000 housing units would soon yield positive result.

He said “The ministry’s two years intensive documentation had paved the way for the discovery of many hidden state government assets (housing property) in London, Ibadan,

Kaduna and Kwara”.

Meanwhile, President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Delta State Chapter, Elder Eugene Jacob, has admonished farmers in the state to avail themselves of the various incentives provided by government to improve their lot, promising his committed to the improved welfare of farmers in the state having been returned unopposed for a second term.

Disclosing this in his acceptance

speech during the 2017 Convention of the association held at the weekend in Asaba, the newly returned President commended the farmers for finding him worthy to remain in office and see the fruition of his desires for the association, stressing that the improved welfare of farmers in the state is at the core of his agenda.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Jacob had urged farmers in the state to appreciate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme,

adding that the programme had been designed to accommodate all categories of people who are ready to invest in agriculture.

While encouraging farmers to key in to the initiative, he said that one of the benefits of the programme is that it has been insured against natural disaster such as flood, adding that issues which pose huge threat to farmers such as land and finance have largely been addressed for the scheme to meet desired expectations.

NASS L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Security and Intelligence, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, Chairman, Josun Jossy Multinational Resource Ltd, AIG (rtd), Ephrain Amakulor, Representatives of Traditional Rulers, Mr. Domic Gambo Yahaya and Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, during the 1st two days conference on peace and security for grassroots transformation, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

2019 elections: Cleric urges S/Kaduna people to obtain voter cards From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he people of Southern Kaduna have been enjoined to obtain their voter cards ahead of the 2019 general election to enable them perform their civic responsibility in the elections.

The Dean Academic of Saint Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, Fadan Kagoma, Reverend Father Williams Abba made the call in his sermon at thanksgiving service for the released former Vanguard reporter, Luka Binniyat, held at Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Zaman Dabo,

Zangon Kataf, Local Government Area.

He added that failure to obtain voter cards and refusal to vote, means such individual have automatically become the Judas Iscariot of southern Kaduna.

Reverend Father Abba also advised the people of the region to be politically conscious and determine who governs them because the days of lethargy are far gone.

“We must be politically conscious and involved. The days of lethargy are far gone. We are all suffering now because of the lackadaisical

attitude of some of us. Prior to the 2015 elections, it was drummed into our ears to vote wisely as the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. We were accosted and called names.

“Every grown up person of Southern Kaduna extraction must have his or her voter’s card. If you don’t have a voter card and you refuse to vote, you have automatically become the Judas Iscariot of Southern Kaduna. Whatever it takes to get to the polling unit, you have to do it. Whatever it takes to go and obtain voters card, you have to do it.

We have no choice. Being politically involved also means that we are up to speed with events happening around us.

“Do not be intimidated by a certain demented governor who referred to Southern Kaduna as merely constituting only 30 per cent. It is a ploy already to rig us out. We must never succumb to this blackmail and narrative. Those who have boasted about winning elections without votes from Southern Kaduna will have a taste of their pudding in the coming elections and we will see how that pans out”, he said.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

POLITICS

PDP chair: NEC jettisons consensus, fixes Dec. 9 for convention

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the position of the National Chairman of the party have on Tuesday arose from a crucial meeting with party stakeholders with a consensus decision to all fight it out at the forthcoming national convention of the party in December 9 and to allow the best candidate to emerge.

The eight aspirants for the party’s chairmanship spent part of last weekend and Monday meeting with members of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Senate Caucus of the party and National Executive Committee (NEC) members; after which they met the Senator Ahmad Makarfi-

led National Caretaker Committee at the party’s headquarters Tuesday afternoon.

Briefing the press after meeting with Makarfi, one of the aspirants, Chief Olabode George, said “We have decided to allow every aspirant contest and let the best man win.

There is no quarrel between us. You can see all of us now holding hands because we decided to go to the convention and contest and let the best man win.

“That is the spirit of the party.

That is the spirit we are sending to the public. We want to show the people that we are better managers. If we can manage ourselves and our party, we

will be able to manage this country on their behalf.”

The eight chairmanship aspirants of the party who have been campaigning vigorously recently are: Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Chief Olabode George, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Otumba Gbenga Daniel, Prof Taoheed Adedoja and Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Jimmy Abaje and Uche Secondus.

At the 76th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which lasted for six hours, from 2 to 8pm, the party had fixed the National Convention for December 9, 2017.

Among the issues discussed at the NEC meeting were scrutinizing

all legal and constitutional provisions of the party in order to have a smooth and legally binding results at the convention and approval of guidelines for 2017 Congresses and national convention.

Others were waver for candidates in Anambra and Oyo PDP and submission for approval of the forthcoming national convention.

Party leaders such as former President Goodluck Jonathan and former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, were among the frontline stakeholders and power brokers approached by all the contenders for endorsement and support.

Some aspirants have also

contacted former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who served as Nigerian president on the party’s platform for eight years, but later tore his PDP membership card in dramatic fashion prior to the 2015 general elections to show his displeasure over how the party conducted its affairs.

Receiving some of the aspirants, Jonathan said this is the toughest chairmanship contest since the PDP was instituted in 1998, noting however that it is a healthy development for Nigeria’s democracy and the party.

Babachir’s sack: We have been vindicated - APC

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

L-R: Chairman Kpakpando Foundation Senator Osita Izunaso, leading the chorus singers with his Saxophone While Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state, minister of science and Technology Chief Ogbonaya Onu and Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredolu applaud, during the celebration of 12 years of fulfilling a consuming passion to care for persons with disability by the Kpakpando foundation, at the international conference centre, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Tinubu refuses to discuss Buhari’s re-election bid

A

national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday said journalists should not discuss the current clamour for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election with him.

Tinubu said this in an interview with State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed doors with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

When asked whether he

agree with different groups and individuals calling on Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, Tinubu simply responded, “Don’t discuss that one with me.”

He said his discussion with Buhari which was about the country and leadership was fruitful and productive.

Tinubu described the claims that he is not happy with the President because he has been sidelined by a cabal as a fake news.

He said he had confidence in

Buhari, hence, he did not have to be babysitting him.

The party chief, however, admitted that in democracy, there could be twists and turns as well as conflicts.

He said, “I have confidence in this President, there is no doubt about that.

“We worked hard to bring about the government. There are certain things that are unpredictable and those are things that can lean itself to

gossips, insinuations and all of that.

“But once you create leadership and it is functioning, you don’t have to babysit that leadership unless there is a loss of confidence and I don’t have that.

“You know me. I’ve not known to shy away from talking my mind and rebelling if it is necessary and taking charge of things that I believe are necessary. What is the myth in this leadership thing?

What is cabal? It is a myth.”

Buhari condoles with Goje over wife’s death

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday expressed sadness over the news of the death of of Hajiya Yalwa, Senator Danjuma Goje’s wife.

In a statement by his Senior

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said he was deeply touched by the demise of Goje’s wife.

According to President Buhari, the death of a wife shakes the

foundation of the family unit because of her role in the upbringing of the children and in keeping the family happy.

“The President, while extending his condolences to the Senator and

his entire family over the tragic loss, prayed to Allah to bless the soul of the deceased and grant those she left behind the fortitude to overcome this irreparable loss,” the statement read.

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the party has been vindicated by the sacking of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this yesterday in Abuja, while reacting to the sacking of the suspended SGF, saying the President has done the needful.

According to him, “few days ago when the President directed the dismissal of Abdulrasheed Maina, some people say that is right but what about the suspended SGF, BD Lawal but we as a party said look, the President is the only person who has all the information.

All of us can only have one side of the story or the other.

“But the President by the virtue of the position he occupies is the only one who has all the information and he would do what is necessary at the right time, now we have been vindicated and it shows that the President has not in any way waivered in his commitment not to tolerate corruption at any level no matter who is involve,” the APC spokesman stated.

Also reacting on phone, Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, said the sack was long overdue.

According to him, “I think there has been a consensus on this and that was overdue. There has been too much delay. Although I will like to put a caveat that government usually have a lot more information than the rest of us as the delay might have been discretionary due to the information they had. I was patient and I definitely endorsed the final decision that has been taken.”

On the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the substantive SGF, Prof.

Sagay said, “Boss Mustapha has a very long history of political activities and my impression on him is that, apart from being a lawyer with a very good reputation in terms of integrity, he has always been a consistent person in whatever course he pursues. So, I think that we should look at it as a positive development,” he said.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Ohaneze Ndigbo targets 2023 for presidency

A

n Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged its people living in the north to court more friends so as to actualise the Igbo’s quest to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023.

The call is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the 19 northern states and Abuja.

The meeting, held in Minna, ended Sunday night.

The communique restated the group’s resolve to promote one indivisible Nigeria with equal opportunities for all and urged Igbo people resident in the north to live in harmony with their host communities.

It lauded the contributions of John Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, toward a united and prosperous Nigeria, and urged him to continue to defend the interest of the people.

The cultural group extended its hands of fellowship to other Igbo associations the world over and called for more unity in the pursuit of Nigeria’s presidency in 2023.

44 chapters of the group, drawn from across the 19 states of the north, attended the meeting. (NAN)

POLITICS

Buhari meets APC caucus members in Presidential Villa

By Grace Danjuma and Hafsat Abdullahi

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday evening presided over a meeting of the national caucus of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Presidential Banquet Hall inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Those present at the meeting were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; the newly appointed Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; others members of the party’s

National Working Committee, state governors elected on the platform of the party and some ministers.

The meeting was held ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party holding today at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ahead of the national caucus’ meeting, Buhari had earlier in the

day met behind closed doors with Saraki, Dogara; Odigie-Oyegun; and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

He also met separately with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

PDP chair: South-West group rejects George, others backs Secondus

A

former National ViceChairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, said on Sunday that he was in the race for the party national chairmanship to correct the immunity experienced in the past by the party.

George stated this when he met members and leadership of the party in continuation of his nationwide consultation at the North-West Secretariat of the party along Issa Kaita Road in Kaduna.

But a South-West group in the PDP, the Oodua PDP Alliance, has expressed its support for Uche Secondus, saying the geopolitical

zone should ask for another position because the zone was not the base of the PDP. In a statement signed by the leader of the group, Hakeem Ogunsola, who is one of the party leaders in Osun State, the group said it would back Secondus, who served as the chairman of the PDP National Working Committee between 2015 and 2016.

Ogunsola stated, “We want to note that rebuilding the PDP and winning power back in 2019 demand a chairman with solid home base, deep experience and capacity to face the power of incumbency, we need Secondus to lead these electoral and

political battles to rescue Nigeria and change the fake change.

“How can you be going for chairmanship when there are better bargains to strike? How can you hope to lead the party when your zone is not a stronghold of the PDP? We don’t want party chairman in the South-West. Let Secondus have it,” the statement read in part.

The group said that it had commenced advocacy and mobilisation for Secondus’ emergence as the PDP chairman, urging the South-West aspirants to drop their ambition and bargain for better positions in government.

However, George insisted that by

the experience that he had garnered over the years, he remained the best candidate for the position.

“We operate before with impunity without recourse to the constitution of the party. This time, God willing, we will respect the constitution. Our members should rest assured that the era of impunity is over.

“Anybody who intentionally disobeys the party’s constitution should be shown the yellow card.

We have to be committed and loyal to the party’s constitution,” George said.

Sack looters in your govt – Melaye tells Buharti

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack persons he described as “wrong pegs” in government.

Melaye said this in his reaction to the sacking of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, by the President on Monday.

While the senator described Lawal’s sacking as “belated,” he, however called for extension of the

“sack drug” to the “wrong pegs” in Buhari’s administration.

Melaye said, “Excellent move

by Mr. President, though coming late. Boss Mustapha is a decent man; intellectually mobile and administratively sagacious. This ‘sack drug’ must extend to other

indicted public officials, including the wrong pegs in this government.

“There is urgent need for a rejig.

We must use the less than two years remaining to fulfill our campaign promises because we are poles away from our promises.”

R-l: President Muhammadu Buhari received his Cote D’ivoire counterpart President Alassane Ouattara, during his visit, at the state house, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: state house

PDP asks NASS to impeach Buhari over Babachir, Oke

T

he Peoples Democratic Party has called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari over the way he handled the cases involving former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke. The party accused the President

of double standard.

Spokesperson for the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Adeyeye, commenting on the sacking of the two top officials of the Buhari government, described the decision of the President as a slap on the wrist of Nigerians.

He said, “The statement on the sack of Babachir Lawal, the former

Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Ayo Oke, the former Director-General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency is a slap in the face of Nigerians.

“It is an insult to the-collective intelligence of our people who have waited patiently for the President’s reaction on the humongous act of corruption by two of his principal aides and this is totally unacceptable.”

Adeyeye said that the party had earlier disagreed with the setting up of the panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to look into the corruption allegations against the two government officials.

He said such cases were better handled by either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences

Commission (ICPC).

He said, “First and foremost, we had disagreed with the President last year when he decided to setup the panel headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to investigate the matter because we thought that was the wrong course of action to take. “

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Stock Watch: Monday, October 30, 2017 Company

7UP

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

185.06

184.5

184.5

High

Low

184.5

Close Change Trades

184.5

-0.56 25

Volume

Value

Company

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

High

Low

Close Change Trades

Volume

Value

233,796

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

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

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

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

ACADEMY 0.59 - - - 0.59 0 - ACCESS

4.46

4.46

4.64

4.46

4.5

0.04 321

28,060,764

126,589,999.78

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

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

By Etuka Sunday

MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

N

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

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

AFRPAINTS 2.59 - - - 2.59 0 - -

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

AGLEVENT 1.02 0.97 -

-

1.02

8 48,971 46,330.44

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

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

126,800 124,264.00

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

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

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

ASHAKACEM 22.5 - - - 22.5 16 55,698 1,233,876.58 NIGROPES 7.46 - - - 7.46 0 - ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - AUSTINLAZ 2.09 - - - 2.09 0 - AVONCROWN 1.52 - - - 1.52 0 - BECOPETRO 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - BERGER 9.6 9.61 9.61 9.61 9.61 0.01 9 379,696 3,674,398.56 BETAGLAS 48.51 - - - 48.51 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - NPFMCRFBK

0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0

6

174,000 170,510.00

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

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

PREMBREW 2.95 - - - 2.95 0 - -

CAPOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

PREMPAINTS 10.93 - - - 10.93 0 - -

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

-

8.73

7 51,560 458,087.60

CHAMPION 4.17 4.17 -

-

4.17

11 146,282 587,170.36

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

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

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

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

CONOIL 27.41 26.04 -

ROADS 6.6 - - - 6.6 0 - -

CONTINSURE

-

27.41

8

13,350 330,799.00

0.6 - - - 0.6 0 - 1.06 1.01 1.06 1.01 1.06 0 11 3,520,635 3,661,166.09 ROKANA ROYALEX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

CORNERST 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

COSTAIN 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 5,000 2,500.00 COURTVILLE 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - CUSTODYINS 4.1 - - - 4.1 6 16,101 64,845.03 CUTIX 1.45 - - - 1.45 1 26,666 38,665.70 CWG 2.67 - - - 2.67 0 - DAARCOMM 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 4,000 2,000.00

RTBRISCOE 0.5 - - - 0.5 3 78,164 39,082.00 SCOA 4.16 - - - 4.16 0 - SEPLAT 230.04 225 225 225 225 -5.04 20 77,862 17,490,790.00 SIMCAPVAL 103.24 - - - 103.24 0 - SKYEBANK 1.9 1.9 1.99 1.9 1.99 0.09 75 2,020,105 3,920,083.45 SKYESHELT 100 - - - 100 0 - SMURFIT 0.98 - - - 0.98 0 - -MAY-

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

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

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

MBENEFIT 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

- - - 1.2 6.52 6.32 6.51 6.32 6.51 -0.01 26 343,221 2,210,542.55 MCNICHOLS 1.2 MOBIL 138.99 - - - 138.99 DEAPCAP 0.58 - - - 0.58 0 - MORISON 1.73 - - - 1.73 DIAMONDBNK 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.74 2.74 -0.13 43 1,315,800 3,645,250.00 MRS 49.66 - - - 49.66 IPWA 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - MTECH 0.91 - - - 0.91 JAPAULOIL 0.5 - - - 0.5 1 10,000 5,000.00 MTI 0.5 - - - 0.5 JBERGER 39.5 - - - 39.5 4 1,180 44,879.00 MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 JOHNHOLT 0.96 - - - 0.96 0 - MULTIVERSE 0.5 - - - 0.5 DANGSUGAR

5 154,383 176,896.62 20 6,378 854,115.18 0 - 1 500 23,590.00 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 10,000 5,000.00

JOSBREW 1.51 - - - 1.51 0 - -

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

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

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

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

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

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

NCR 11.02 - - - 11.02 0 - -

LEARNAFRCA

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

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

-

2.62

8 37,850 99,859.50

Top Gainers Company

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

High

NEIMETH 1.03 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 -0.05 6

126,800 124,264.00

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

822.99 822.99 822.99 822.99 8.99 73

115,282 94,401,035.72

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

Top Losers Low

Close Change Trades

Volume

Value

34 Firms bid for security services at NNPC depots, pump stations nationwide

Company

Previous Closing Price Opening Price

High

Low

Close Change Trades

Volume

Value

ALUMACO 7.75 - - - 7.75 1 200 1,474.00

MULTITREX 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

FORTISMFB 5.42 - - - 5.42 0 - -

NNFM 8.99 - - - 8.99 0 - -

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

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

INFINITY 1.42 - - - 1.42 0 - -

UTC 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

OMOSAVBNK 0.92 - - - 0.92 0 - -

UNIONDICON 11.84 - - - 11.84 0 - -

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

MANDRID 5.35 - - - 5.35 0 - -

ASOSAVINGS 0.5 - - - 0.5 0 - -

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

ABBEYBDS 1.25 - - - 1.25 0 - -

JULI 1.75 - - - 1.75 0 - -

o fewer than thirty-four (34) security firms participated at the bid opening of Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to safeguard its critical assets nationwide.

This, NNPC said, was part of efforts to consolidate on the successes recorded in the steady supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

NNPC spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu in a statement quoted the Managing Director of the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), Mr. Luke Anele, stated that the bid opening exercise for the selection of firms to provide security services at the company’s depots and pump stations across the country.

Represented by the NPSC’s Executive Director in charge of Pipelines, Mr. Danladi Ahmed, the MD stated that the NPSC was desirous of engaging reputable and competent security firms to safeguard its critical assets to ensure unimpeded operations and efficient service delivery.

“This particular exercise avails us the opportunity to identify competitive offers from companies that are competent and ready to secure our assets such as depots and pump stations at competitive rates. The NPSC assets are wide spread nationwide, which means security is important, if you have anything of value, you must provide security to safeguard it,” Mr. Anele stated.

NPSC is a midstream subsidiary of the NNPC in charge of depots and pipelines.

The MD stated that the bid opening was conducted openly in the full glare of representatives of the bidding companies to demonstrate the NNPC’s commitment to transparency and due process in all its activities.

He assured the bidders of a level playing ground that would guarantee the emergence of the best companies among them.

A cross section of participating companies who witnessed the event expressed their

satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing the Corporation as a transparent company that operates according to the dictates of best global standards.

Mr. Dozie Tassie who represented Pentagon Securities Ltd, described the bidding process as credible and satisfactory, adding that everybody was given the opportunity to compete fairly.

“NNPC demonstrated that it was committed to global best practices. Now that everybody has

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he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele has declared Nigeria’s business environment fertile and safe for investors to come in.

Emefiele told the investors that the nation’s Return on Investment (ROI) in all sectors of the economy are among the best in the world.

He made the call while addressing capital and money market players, investment bankers, treasurers and other fund managers at the London Stock Exchange over the weekend.

At a forum organised by the London Stock Exchange, in collaboration with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Emefiele, who drew intermittent applause from the gathering, told the story of how Nigeria emerged from what was its worst recession in decades, revealing the ongoing reforms and the huge opportunities available to investors in several sectors notably agriculture, solid minerals and infrastructure.

The CBN was particularly lauded by participants for its ingenious management of the foreign exchange market which saw

GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the Managing Director of Goldlight Security Ltd, Chief John Eke, stated that he saw transparency and due process in action during the bidding exercise.

“What I have seen today gladdens my heart.

There is due process and transparency in place.

The GMD and the MD, NPSC and those involved in the entire process deserve commendation. In fact, it shows that the NNPC is going places” a highly elated Eke stated.

L-R: Director General/CEO Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, Chairman Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF), Mr. Sulieman Ndanusa, and Member Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, Mrs. Ify Ejeizie, during launching and Inauguration of the NCMDF Board, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

We paid N30bn unclaimed dividends so far – SEC

By Etuka Sunday

...Extends Free Registration Period

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has so far paid the sum of N30b to investors in the Nigerian capital market from the

Emefiele to Investors: Nigeria is ready for Business

By Etuka Sunday

been given the opportunity to verify that the documents they submitted were not tampered with and the names of participating companies are made known, there won’t be cases of people raising eyebrows when winners emerge because they have witnessed the process and could testify that no company was smuggled in. NNPC is doing a fantastic job, it is a step in the right direction,” Mr. Tassie enthused.

While applauding the efforts of the NNPC

the recovery of the Naira as well as the reforms in the funding of agriculture as demonstrated in the success of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) and the establishment of the highly successful Investors and exporters window of the foreign exchange market.

Present at the occasion were the British Minister for International Development, Hon. Priti Patel; Governor of Edo state Dr Godwin Obaseki; Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Mr. Nikhil Rathi; CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema; DG of Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO), Mrs Patience Oniha; and Mr Ik Chioke, Group CEO of Afrinvest.

Also at the occasion, the Nigerian Banking sector report conducted by Afrinvest was launched and it shows that Nigerian banks remain resilient and profitable in spite of the headwinds emanating from the current economic situation in the country.

Part of the highlights of the occasion was the honour given to Emefiele to ring the opening bell for trading last Friday at the London Stock Exchange.

backlog of unclaimed dividends.

The Commission said, as a means to further reduce the unclaimed dividends profile and curb its growth in the country, it has notified the investing public that it will continue to underwrite the cost of E-Dividend enrolment till 30th June, 2017.

According to a statement by the SEC “With a view to ensuring all investors benefit from the E-Dividend programme free of charge, the SEC had committed to pay the cost of enrolment throughout the year 2016, and had resulted in getting about 48% of investors to enroll for the e-dividend payments. Arising from this exercise, over N30 Billion which was hitherto unclaimed have so far been credited to respective Bank Accounts of Investors.

Therefore, the advantage of the e-dividend is not only to enable investors collect subsequent dividends electronically but it allows all accrued dividends be credited to investors’ Bank Accounts.

“The Commission has however observed with concern the challenges being experienced by investors in the course of the e-Dividend registration and therefore commits to further defray the cost of registration till June 30th, 2017 to enable investors continue to enjoy the free registration” the SEC stated.

The SEC also reminded the investing public that at the expiration of the free registration period, Dividend warrants will no longer be issued as it would be replaced with electronic dividend payments.

This decision underscores the Commission’s strong focus on market development and enhancement of investor confidence. All investors in the Nigerian Capital Market are therefore advised to take advantage of this extended grace period by approaching their Bankers or Registrars for enrolment before the deadline.

E-dividend payment platform was introduced to address the rising incidence of unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market.

It is also expected to address the lingering problem of unclaimed dividends, which the market had sought solution for the past 20 years.

SEC DG, Mounir Gwarzo had recently said that efforts made by the commission to ensure that the era of stale dividends and huge unclaimed dividends in the market become a thing of the past was already achieving result with the e-dividend registration system.

“When we started the e dividend, the major challenge was for people to key into the e dividend mandate. There are unclaimed dividends that have not been claimed, the registrars have been compelled to pay all the arrears of unclaimed dividends.

“In this country, we have never had this kind of initiative that has reduced unclaimed dividends like we had today.

Apart from the investor getting his dividends where ever he is, that investor will be able to get dividends that in the last five years he has not been able to get.

The e-dividend is for the interest of retail investors” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

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BUSINESS

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Karmo: Respite for motorists as FCTA moves to construct link road Stories by Onyekwere

Stanley

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esidents and road users on the Gwagwa – Karmo are set to heave a sigh of relief as the FCT Administration looks to construct the road connecting the Jeremiah Useni Way Lifecamp, Gwarimpa with the Karmo Fish Market Road.

The project which would break the recurrent gridlock on the road during rush hours

L-R: Managing Director/CEO NPF, Mr. Akin Lawal, Managing Director/CEO LAPO Microfinance Bank Plc, Mr. Godwin Ehigismusoe, CEO NDBN, Mr. Tony Okpanachi, and Managing Director/CEO Fortis Micro Finance Bank Plc, Mr. Tiko Okoye, during the commencement of DBN lending activities, yesterday in Abuja.

External reserves hit $34bn -CBN T

he Central Bank of Nigeria has disclosed an increase of the nation’s external reserves from $33.6billion attained on October 25, to $34billion.

The reserves have been appreciating very fast after hitting $32bn on September 18.

The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, who disclosed the latest figure in Lagos on Saturday, said the exchange rate stability achieved so far by the apex bank had come to stay.

He expressed confidence that the usual end-of-the-year rush would not push up the

naira-dollar exchange rate contrary to some people’s expectations.

The CBN deputy governor said this while fielding questions from journalists at a forum organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Nnanna was among the chief executive officers of companies who were conferred with the CIBN Fellowship Awards.

Asked if the exchange rate would go up as the end of the year was approaching, Nnanna said, “No, the rate will not go up, take it from me. We have achieved stability and the stability is here to stay.

“The sustainability is already evident, the reserves are growing. As I speak, the reserves are $34bn. When we had volatility, the reserves were as low as $20bn. But let me say one thing: Nigeria can make do with a reserve level of $20bn but it is the press who gives the impression that if the reserves fall below $30bn, then there is a problem.

“No, there is no problem. All we need to manage the economy and manage it properly is reserves that can cover at least three months of import. And in fact, as it is, $10bn or $12bn can give us reserve coverage of four months.”

Delta Communities’ Youths protest Oil Coys alleged non-payment of salaries From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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o fewer than 2000 youths of Okpaile, Osa families communities in Ozoro Kingdom, Delta State at the weekend protested against alleged non-payment of salaries by Oil Companies operating in the area.

On the heel of the development six of the youths were alleged to have been arrested by the joint military task force operating in the area for obstructing vehicular movement and economic activities but the Chairman of the youth in a swift reaction, Mr. Fidelis Avoura explained that the reason for the protest was informed by misleading communication

created by the various contracting agencies between the Akpeile youths and the Access Management Team (AMT), stressing that the company had employed the youths in various aspects of the jobs they are currently empowered to do.

He said that the Access controlled workers were mobilized in August 2017 to site but were not given induction to resume duties immediately when the trucking duty workers started and since then the Youths have not been paid their salaries as the contractors allegedly brought false act of not having a written contract between the youths and the oil company.

According to the Youth Chairman, it

was also alleged that the leaders and the operators started work in September 2017 but had not received any payment before the commencement of the contract with the company had a negotiation with the youths leading to the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) that spelt out the amount they would be paid as N150,000 monthly and weekly.

But an official of the oil company who did not want his name in the print dispelled the claims of the youths chairman as untrue saying that the youths took laws into their hands against the MOU signed.

Nigerians to process UK Visa with ease

By Johnson John

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he United Kingdom (UK) has publicised the super priority Visa Service to Nigeria, allowing all her customers to process their applications within 24hrs.

This statement was posted on the official website of the commission as a form of awareness to the general public.

The British commission said the new service was brought up to particularly meet the needs of many requesting urgent travelling service.

Mr. Paul Arkwright, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria said he hails the introduction of the super priority visa service in Nigeria as a welcome development to meet the urgent travelling services in Nigeria.

“This comes with an additional cost, but is designed to give greater flexibility to our customers and underlines our strong commitment to improving the visa service to be particularly useful for business. We understand that business opportunities and urgent requirements can rise at a very short notice.”

He also said the commission recognises the rigorous process and wants to facilitate such travels to the United Kingdom (UK) with the new super service in Nigeria.

and peak time on weekends is designed to alleviate the stress encountered by travellers on that road.

It is also expected to help release traffic from the Obafemi Awolowo Way as it would serve as an alternative bypass on the JT Useni Road.

According to thehe Director of Engineering, Hadi Ahmad, the road construction was in compliance with a directive by the FCT Minister, Malam

Muhammad Musa Bello.

He said: “The Minister had witnessed, first-hand, the trouble residents encountered on their way to and from work and market and had decided to do something about it.”

Ahmad disclosed that the 500 meters stretch of arterial would significantly reduce congestion on the road as it will divert some traffic off the Lifecamp Junction, thereby cutting off a significant portion

of the Karmo road.

He also pointed out that the project is a first resort solution as the FCTA is working to revoke the contract for the expansion and modernization of the Old Keffi Road running from Karmo, across Idu to DeiDei. He further revealed that thehe contract had been awarded to a contractor who had abandoned the work for a long time now, leaving the

Community leader cries out over dilapidated roads in Deidei livestock market

Youths from Bwari Area Council protesting over alleged imposition of a non-indigene as Chief of Bwari, at the entrance of the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja

A

Bello confers Honorary Citizenship of Abuja on Ivorian President

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he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday handed the key to the Federal Capital City to President of Cote D’Ivoire, Alassane Gramane Ouattara, who is on official visit.

Making the presentation to the Ivoirian President, on behalf President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, the FCT Minister, declared that the token conferred on the Ivoirian President, Honorary Citizenship of Abuja with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.

He also noted that it was a testament of the strong friendship and cordial relationship existing between the people of Nigeria and Ivorians.

Receiving the key to the City

Administration no other option than to revoke and re-award the job to a more reputable company.

The Karmo otherwise known as Old Keffi Road is a very significant network which leads to FCT’s major fish market as well as to the Idu Train station.

Similarly, road maintenance works were seen going on in the Gwarimpa 2 District (Lifecamp) entailing drainage works and repair of road shoulders.

of Abuja, President Ouattara, asked the FCT Minister to convey to Mr. President, his sincere appreciation for the kind gesture.

To further bear testimony to the bond of friendship between the two countries, a throng of Ivoirians resident in Abuja were on hand in the airport to welcome their President.

President Ouattara’s plane touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by exactly 11.02 am Nigerian time.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs. Toure Maman Nee Kone said her country’s President was in Nigeria to felicitate with his Nigerian host, President Muhammadu Buhari, on his recovery and

return from London where he went on a medical vacation.

This visit, she remarked, is the third in the life of this Administration and buttresses the strong economic, cultural and political relationship between Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire as members of the Economic Communiy of West Africa States – ECOWAS. A leader of Ivoirian people resident in Abuja and a staff of ECOWAS Dr. Guevera Yao noted that the Ivoirian people resident in Nigeria are happy with the country. Said he, “Nigeria is a great country; it’s a beautiful country. I’ve been here for almost eight years and Nigerians are a very warm people, a welcoming place. We are here to work and to contribute our effort to the

integration of West Africa.

“ECOWAS is a very big and very vibrant institution. As you know, we have 15 countries in ECOWAS. Each country taken individually does not have the strength that it actually requires.

So, putting ourselves together is actually very good. It gives us more opportunity to face the outside world. The ECOWAS is actually a very good institution.

A lot has been done and we still have more to do.”

Another Ivoirian Yusuf Doso disclosed that many of the Ivoirians in Nigeria in their private capacity were are into various kinds of works especially as fashion designers and tailors.

He said Nigerians have been welcoming

community chief (Sarkin Zago) in charge of Dei-dei International Livestock Market in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammadu Salisu Kusada, has called on the FCT minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello to repair dilapidated roads in the market, to enable the motorists have ease access to the place.

Kusada, who made the call in a recent interview with Peoples Daily in Dei-dei, also urged the minister to rehabilitate the damaged culverts in the market in the interest of the butchers doing business there.

Equally, he appealed to the government to consider building a bank in the market to enable the butchers to keep their money there.

He solicited the co-operation of the government’s officials to buy their rams in the market during the festivities, instead of travelling to the far North to purchase the rams.

He however called for the total upgrading of the market, in order to attract more patronage from both Nigerians and foreigners, to purchase the cows as well as goats in the market.

Also, the Sarkin Zago appealed to the various associations in the market to join hands with him to move it to the next level.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Page 22

world news Sudan US sanctions: Cancer patients

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

and businesses hopeful

By Charlotte Attwood

S

Hawa Mohammed Adam’s fans, friends and family paid for her cancer treatment abroad elections since, is still subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He denies the charges of ordering a genocide the country’s western Darfur region.

But the US believes working with the government is more productive than continuing isolation.

“We want Sudan to be a partner and an ally, not an adversary or a negative force,” says Steven Koutsis from the US embassy on the outskirts of Khartoum.

Sudan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mubarak Elmahdi acknowledged that the government had “seized the chance of the geopolitical changes”, especially over the West’s worries over illegal immigration and terrorism, to secure better relations.

Sudan does remain on the list of state sponsors of terror, which means Khartoum will not yet be able to purchase US weapons and also faces restrictions on access to US aid.

But the move effectively ends Sudan’s isolation from the global financial system.

Presentational grey line Why #MeToo won’t stop Sudan’s sexual predators

‘We Sudanese feel like pariahs’ Sudan’s rulers ‘shirking cholera action’ ‘Big and beautiful’ pills for women However, Mohamed Eljak believes the economy is in a mess because of chronic mismanagement by a government that favours “the rich rather than the poor”.

The academic also says the cost of war is a major factor behind the economic hardship.

More than 70% of the annual budget is spent on the military and security, which has been “devastating for the economy”, he says.

Sudan has fought multiple rebellions for decades including in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan, as well as the war with South Sudan before it seceded in 2011. While Khartoum says it has made efforts to resolve these conflicts, the main rebel movements remain active and the prospects for renewed violence are high.

The government blames sanctions “to absorb the anger of the people”, Mr Eljak says.

He works at the University of Khartoum, which has been home to some of the strongest government critics, in a country where free speech is limited.

“

President Omar al-Bashir, who seized power in a 1989 coup and has won several elections since, is still subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He denies the charges of ordering a genocide the country’s western Darfur region

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Some students, who have only known life under sanctions, agree with his analysis.

“The problem is not sanctions, the problem is our government,” says Sadig, sitting in front of the university’s library drinking tea with four friends and speaking under the watchful eye of our government assigned security adviser.

His friend Nazer adds that the “disease” in Sudan is “corruption”.

“The government people will use the benefits that come from the US to improve themselves,” he says.

Desert wonders But the lifting of sanctions could be a boost for tourism - the country has more pyramids than its neighbour Egypt.

As dawn breaks over a cluster of Nubian pyramids in Meroe, three hours’ drive north of Khartoum, five young men in their early 20s clamber up the dunes armed with GoPro cameras.

Some feel ending sanctions is a chance to show a different side of Sudan to the world “We came here to see our history. You have to see it with your own eyes before you tell it to other people,” says Mohammed Abdalla, who like many of his friends grew up in one of the Arab Gulf countries and only returned to Sudan five years ago.

They are keen to show off the ancient wonders of the desert and showcase a different side to the country to the world - away from bombs and war.

The friends also want the lifting of sanctions to usher in some things they enjoyed while living abroad.

“We hope we’ll get a Big Mac,” two of them say in unison.

Source: BBCNews.com

e w s

Ethiopia: ‘Red Terror’ war crimes trial begins at The Hague

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ANALYSIS

udanese music star Hawa Mohammed Adam hopes the lifting of US trade sanctions means she will no longer have to travel to Egypt to receive life-saving treatment for cancer.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and her extended family, friends and fans raised the money to send her to Cairo.

Her cancer initially spread because old scanning machines in Sudan had failed to detect the seriousness of her condition.

“I discovered that I did not only have one tumour, but several tumours,” says the musician, who also teaches piano at the University of Sudan and is looking forward to returning to work.

“Despite the fact that that we have very competent doctors, we do not have devices, equipment and tools. We do not have anything.”

‘Easy to destroy, harder to build’ The legacy of more than two decades of sanctions is most visible when you drive through the industrial area of Khartoum North city.

The streets are lined with abandoned, boarded-up factories and the skeletons of dumped machinery.

Twenty-five years ago, the Kobani factory used to produce 100 tonnes of groundnut and sesame oil a day.

But for the past five years it has not made a drop, as the company was unable to import spare parts from Europe because of trade embargoes.

A dozen buses that used to transport Kobani’s more than 100 employees are lined up outside the factory, their shattered windscreens and flat tyres watched over by the only remaining employee - the security guard.

“Only 40% of the factories in Sudan are functioning - and those are only operating at 20% capacity,” says Motalib Dirar, director of Amgad Tomorrow Enterprise, who started his import-export firm in the 1970s.

He is excited by the prospect of new business opportunities after the US government’s announcement on 12 October that most economic sanctions were being lifted.

They were imposed in the 1990s for harbouring fugitives such as al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, and included the freezing of all Sudanese government assets in the US and a ban on Washington’s allies trading with Khartoum.

However, Mr Dirar’s optimism is tempered by the realisation that “it’s easy to destroy” but much harder to rebuild.

Sanctions ‘absorbed people’s anger’ Officials in Washington say their decision was influenced by Sudan’s improved human rights record and its co-operation in the fight against terror.

President Omar al-Bashir, who seized power in a 1989 coup and has won several

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

he war crimes trial of an aide to Ethiopia’s former communist ruler has begun in the Netherlands.

Eshetu Alemu, 63, is accused of ordering the execution of 75 people during Ethiopia’s “Red Terror” purges in the late 1970s.

The former aide to then ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam is also accused of torture and inhumane treatment. He denies all the charges against him.

More than 300 victims have been named in four war crimes charges.

Ethiopia has sentenced him to death in absentia.

Prosecutors allege that Alemu, a dual Ethiopian-Dutch national, was a henchman for Mengistu in the northwest Gojjam province.

As his trial opened at a domestic court in The Hague, Eshetu Alemu said that prosecutors had “the wrong person”.

“I was really shocked when I heard what prosecutors are accusing me of doing, that I could behave like that as a human being. I deny the charges against me,” he told the four judges.

Marxist strongman Mengistu Haile Mariam ruled Ethiopia between 1977 and 1991 following the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974.

There was significant repression under his communist regime. This became known as the “Red Terror”.

Mengistu was ousted in 1991 after a series of revolts by insurgent groups.

He then fled to Zimbabwe where he still resides.

In 2007, Mengistu was found guilty in absentia of genocide.

In a statement, prosecutors said that Alemu “allegedly ordered the killing of 75 young prisoners” in a church.

The bodies were then dumped in a mass grave, they said.

Alemu is also accused of “arbitrary detention and cruel and inhuman treatment of civilians and fighters who had laid down their arms” .

It is alleged that he tied prisoners up, suspended them in mid-air and beat their bare feet with sticks.

It is expected that a number of his alleged victims will give evidence during the trial.

Alemu testified in Dutch and told judges that he was a senior member of the Marxist-Leninist regime which governed the country. He said he was “responsible for propaganda” and had been targeted for assassination by other political groups.

In a statement read by presiding judge Mariette Renckens, Alemu said that “terrible things happened”. He responded “no” when asked if he had “ever signed an execution order”.

But the judge told Alemu that his signature was on an August 1978 order saying that “revolutionary measures” had to be be taken against more than 70 prisoners.

Orders of this kind, she said, usually meant “execution without trial”.

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Uhuru Kenyatta wins controversial Kenyan poll rerun

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enya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has been re-elected in a presidential poll rerun that was marred by violence and a boycott by the main opposition coalition, electoral officials said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Monday said Kenyatta won 98.2 percent of the votes cast in the October 26 election, according to results from 265 out of 290 constituencies, plus votes from the diaspora.

Raila Odinga, leader of the National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition alliance, received 0.9 percent of the votes, according to to the IEBC. There were other six other candidates who received the rest of the vote.

The election was marked by a low turnout with many voters not showing up to cast their ballots.

According to the IEBC, 38.84 percent of the registered voters turned up to cast their ballot - that is 7.6 million of the 19.6 million registered voters.

The poll was not held in 25

constituencies across four counties - Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori - following a boycott call by NASA saying that the election would not be free and fair.

The electoral body postponed the rerun election in the opposition strongholds because of “security challenges” following violent protests that left at least eight people dead and 30 others wounded.

Earlier on Monday, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said the boycott in the four counties did not have an impact on the poll.

“The results of the election shall not be affected by voting in the electoral areas where the election was postponed,” Consolata Nkatha, deputy chairperson of the IEBC, said.

The East African country held the presidential poll rerun after the Supreme Court annulled the result of an August 8 poll following a challenge by the opposition.

Kenyatta, leader of the ruling Jubilee alliance, had been declared the winner of that election. Odinga, his closest challenger in the annulled

Mr Kenyatta is the son of the country’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta vote, withdrew from the October 26 rerun, saying that opposition demands for reforms at the electoral body had not been met.

In the August polls, more than 15 million cast their vote for the top two candidates - Kenyatta and Odinga - alone.

Analysts said the low turnout at the rerun was expected following

court battles and heated political rallies leading up to the polls.

“The country is deeply divided and the boycott call by the opposition led to this very low turnout,” James Gondi, a Nairobi-based political analyst, told Al Jazeera.

“Even in Jubilee areas, turnout was lower than in August election because of fatigue,” Gondi said.

South Africans divided over smacking ban

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s it true that parents are not allowed to spank their children any more?” came the question from my 10-year-old step-daughter at the dinner table.

I had barely swallowed my food or gathered my thoughts before she continued: “It hurts you know, children don’t like being spanked.”

And there it was, my chance to regain my footing and win back this little exchange: “Well it’s punishment dear, you’re not supposed to like it.”

But it was true, she had heard the news at school and wanted to make sure her friend had not been lying to her.

A court in Johannesburg recently ruled that physical discipline in the home was not in line with the constitution, meaning parents who smack their children could be jailed for assault.

It didn’t take much for social media and comment pages of online websites to be flooded with parents criticising the ruling.

Abrie Botha posted on local TV channel ENCA’s website: “Spanking taught me good manners, respect, high work ethics, drive to perform at my best, loyalty, determination. It made me a very

A recent court ruling has got South Africans of all ages discussing the merits, and otherwise, of smacking children. successful human being. What is this nonsense? @Chief Inspector Felix agreed: “Good! Spanking is clearly abuse, the perpetrators of this horrible abuse should be thrown into jail.”

Who decides what is reasonable?

Corporal punishment was outlawed in South Africa two decades ago but if you were a parent and had hit your child to discipline them, you could use the defence of

“reasonable chastisement” to avoid prosecution.

Parents could be acquitted if they could prove that the punishment was moderate and reasonable - that is no longer allowed.

Ann Skelton of the Pretoriabased Centre for Child Law, who argued on behalf of children in the case, said the previous law was too vague: “One parent might think that

smacking with the hand on the bottom is not very serious and therefore reasonable, whereas another parent might think that hitting with a cane or even with a sjambok [whip] is still within the bounds of reasonable chastisement,” she told the BBC. But not everyone is pleased.

Terry Raphadu, the mother of a seven-year-old girl in Johannesburg, told me:

Haley’s Blunt Diplomacy Targets South Sudan, Congo

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n a mountainous camp for displaced Congolese, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley wrapped her arm around an inconsolable woman who recounted being raped twice.

“It only makes me more passionate, it makes me more determined,” Haley told a small group of reporters traveling with her during her first trip to Africa.

“I’ll carry the voices of the women that I met and things that they said.”

Dispatched by President Donald Trump to Ethiopia, South Sudan and Democratic Republic

of Congo, Haley’s trip was one of the first tangible signs of interest in Africa by the nine-month old administration.

Her challenge: how to show the United States is actively engaged in Africa, where humanitarian and political crises are often overshadowed by more urgent conflicts elsewhere and at the same time honor Trump’s avowed “America First” policy which puts U.S. economic and national interests ahead of international commitments.

As Africa struggles to win Trump’s interest, U.S. policy is more likely to be increasingly focused on

countering militant threats. Washington also has a financial interest at stake as it tries to cut U.N. peacekeeping costs, for which it pays more than a quarter.

Trump has made a point of saying he would not impose U.S. values on others, raising concerns among activists that human rights issues could take a backseat.

Nowhere is that more in focus than in Niger where a deadly ambush killed four U.S. troops who were there to assist local Nigerian forces fighting a local Islamic State affiliate this month.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Ex-Trump aide Manafort charged with US tax fraud over Ukraine D onald Trump’s former presidential campaign manager, Paul Manafort, has been charged with conspiring to defraud the US in his dealings with Ukraine.

The 12 charges brought against Mr Manafort and one of his business associates, Rick Gates, include conspiracy to launder money.

Mr Manafort and his lawyer have arrived at an FBI office in Washington.

The charges are the first to stem from an inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US 2016 election.

However, they do not relate to Mr Trump’s campaign but to the two men’s Ukrainian business dealings up to 2015.

An investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into any links between Russia and the Trump campaign. Both sides deny any collusion.

Responding to news of the charges, Mr Trump tweeted to point out that they did not concern his campaign and asked why “the focus” was not on alleged wrongdoing involving his presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton, instead.

For years Paul Manafort operated on the fringes of power, a once-influential Washington player who worked with some less-than-savoury international characters because his services were no longer in high demand domestically.

Then, like many other politicos in Donald Trump’s orbit, he was thrust into the spotlight

Ex-Trump aide Paul Manafort (left) arrives at FBI offices because more established hands wanted nothing to do with the upstart’s presidential campaign.

Mr Manafort got his big break but it may end up breaking him. That resulting spotlight has drawn attention to Mr Manafort’s past dealings and raised questions about his actions while in at the top of the Trump campaign.

The good news for Mr Trump is these charges

stem from Mr Manafort’s past business dealings, not his campaign efforts. He is being accused of working for years for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians and laundering millions in subsequent payments.

It certainly makes Mr Trump’s decision to cut Mr Manafort loose last August after details emerged of his Ukrainian ties seem a wise one.

Catalan independence: Spain’s top prosecutor calls for rebellion charges

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pain’s chief prosecutor has called for charges including rebellion - which carries a maximum 30 year jail term - to be brought against Catalan leaders.

José Manuel Maza said they should also face sedition charges following the region’s declaration of independence.

It comes as Spain acts to take direct control of Catalonia, replacing senior officials.

Meanwhile, former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is reported to be in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Mr Puigdemont is with other dismissed Catalan ministers and will meet Flemish politicians, Spanish media report. Belgium’s state broadcaster also reported that he would meet lawyers in Brussels, and a journalist tweeted (in Catalan) that the former president was in a “safe and secret” location.

Spanish authorities sacked Mr Puigdemont as regional leader on Friday, and suspended Catalan autonomy.

Speaking at a press conference earlier, Mr Maza, the Spanish attorney-general, called for Catalonia’s leaders to be charged with misuse of funds over the independence referendum they held in October, after it had been declared illegal by the constitutional court.

Under the Spanish legal system, Mr Maza’s requests will be considered by a judge.

There appeared to be no major disruption in Catalan government offices on Monday morning, despite some officials defying instructions from Madrid not to turn up for work.

Any ministers who arrived at their offices were given hours to leave under threat of “action” by Catalonia’s regional police force, Mossos.

Madrid’s temporary move to impose direct control by invoking Article 155 of the constitution - a first for Spain - will see as many as 150 of the region’s top officials replaced.

Mr Puigdemont and his vice-president Oriol Junqueras reject the central’s government’s

moves, arguing that they can only be removed from office by the citizens of Catalonia.

Madrid has called for fresh regional elections on 21 December.

A spokeswoman for Mr Puigdemont’s PDeCAT party said it would field candidates “with conviction”. The ex-president could run in new elections if he has not been jailed by then, according to Spain’s Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis.

On Monday, Mr Dastis said he hoped the forthcoming elections would help to “restore legal governance and rule of law in Catalonia”.

The pro-union Barcelona-based El Periódico says the protest was the “start of the election campaign”. It adds that “the new regional elections should serve to move Catalonia out of its current impasse” The pro-independence Catalan language Ara suggests in an editorial that it would be an “error” for the pro-independence parties not to contest the 21 December elections.

Trump adviser George Papadopoulos lied about Russian links

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n election campaign adviser to Donald Trump has confessed to lying to the FBI about the timing of his meetings with alleged go-betweens for Russia.

George Papadopoulos admitted the meetings happened while he was working for the campaign, and not before, unsealed court documents reveal.

He said he had been told the Russians possessed “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has been charged with tax fraud in an unrelated case.

The 12 charges brought against Mr Manafort and one of his business associates, Rick Gates, include conspiracy to launder money.

They do not relate to Mr Trump’s campaign but to the pair’s Ukrainian

business dealings up to 2015.

An investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into any links between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Both sides deny any collusion.

It has the potential to damage the US leader because it relates directly to his campaign.

According to the court documents, Mr Trump’s former foreign policy adviser admitted on 5 October to having impeded the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion with Russia.

When he was interviewed by the FBI this January, he falsely claimed that he had met two figures with Russian connections before joining the Trump campaign in March 2016. In fact, he met them after joining the campaign.

One was an unnamed Russian

woman who, Mr Papadopoulos believed, had connections to Russian government officials.

He admitted seeking to use her connections in an effort to arrange a meeting “between the Campaign and Russian government officials”.

The other person was an unnamed, London-based professor who was said to have “substantial connections to Russian government officials”.

The professor only took an interest in Mr Papadopoulos because of his status within the Trump campaign, the statement says.

Russian “dirt” on Mrs Clinton, in the form of “thousands of emails”, was allegedly mentioned by the professor at a breakfast meeting in a London hotel on or around 26 April 2016.

Palestinian presidency rejects Haaretz report

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he Palestinian presidency has refuted a report quoting Israeli politicians as saying that Mahmoud Abbas told them he would not appoint Hamas figures to his cabinet if they did not publicly recognise Israel.

Abbas’ alleged comments were made in a meeting with 12 ex-Israeli members of parliament who visited him on Sunday in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, the Israeli daily Haaretz said in an article published on Monday.

In response, Abbas’ Fatah party later in the day issued a short statement on its social media platforms, which noted: “The presidency denies the remarks attributed to the president by ‘Haaretz’”.

The statement by Fatah also pointed to reporting by alMayadeen news channel, which quoted sources in the Palestinian presidency as saying that Abbas assured the delegation that “the Palestinian government is abiding by international agreements”.

The developments come after Hamas and Fatah signed a breakthrough reconciliation agreement in the Egyptian capital Cairo earlier this month, following a decade of division between the two political parties.

Hamas has been the de-facto ruler in the Gaza Strip since 2007 after defeating Abbas’ long-dominant Fatah party in parliamentary elections.

When Fatah refused to recognise the vote, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in an armed conflict, after which Israel imposed an airtight siege on the territory.

US Pledges $60M for Sahel Counterterror Force

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George Papadopoulos

he United States has pledged up to $60 million to support counterterrorism efforts by nations in Africa’s Sahel region.

The funding, announced Monday by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, will support the Group of Five Sahel Joint Task Force, a military unit set up by Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger earlier this year.

“Defeating terrorism depends on making sure terrorist organization cannot have safe havens on any continent,” Tillerson said. “This money will boslter our regional partners in their fight to ensure security and stability in the face of ISIS and affiliated groups and other terrorist networks.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Digest

Vegetarian diets really DO lower your cholesterol

By PHOEBE WESTON

P

lant-based diets really do lower cholesterol, according to a review of nearly 50 studies.

Vegetarians generally eat more greens, fruits and nuts which means they have a lower intake of saturated fat, researchers found.

These foods are naturally rich in components such as soluble fibre, soy protein, and plant sterols (a cholesterol found in plants), all of which lower cholesterol.

High cholesterol is particularly dangerous as it often goes undiagnosed and therefore untreated.

It is associated with increased risk

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL? High cholesterol is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, strokes and vascular diseases.

If cholesterol builds up in your arteries it can result in reduced blood flow which causes angina or even a heart attack if a blood vessel gets blocked completely.

If a vessel carrying blood to the brain gets blocked you could have a stroke.

It has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.

of coronary heart disease, strokes and vascular diseases.

The authors suggest eating more greens could be a good preventive care for people who might be concerned about their cardiovascular health helping them to address the problem before it’s too late.

Vegetarians have lower cholesterol Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance, is present in every cell in your body.

Research led by Dr. Yoko Yokoyama, from Keio University in Fujisawa found vegetarians had 29.2 milligrams less of total cholesterol per decilitre (one tenth of a litre) than meat-eaters.

For the review, researchers took ‘vegetarian diets’ to mean a diet that includes eating meat products less than once every month.

For meat-eaters following a vegetarian diet could lower cholesterol by 12.5 milligrams per decilitre.

The findings were compared with an omnivorous, meat-inclusive diet.

If cholesterol builds up in your arteries it can result in reduced blood flow which causes angina or even a heart attack if a blood vessel gets blocked completely.

If a vessel carrying blood to the brain gets blocked you could have a stroke.

It has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.

Vegetarians have healthier body compositions The study looked into controlled trials and studies that looked at

the effects of at least four weeks of vegetarian diet.

Of the 8385 studies identified, 30 observational studies and 19 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria.

‘Those [individuals] who have followed vegetarian dietary patterns for longer periods may have healthier body compositions as well as better adherence to a vegetarian diet, both of which may have an effect on blood lipids’, researchers wrote in the paper published in Medical News Today.

‘To make any form of health care work and to truly power economic mobility, we have to get healthy,’ said co-author Susan Levin, director of nutrition education at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) — or ‘bad’ cholesterol, as it’s known — forms larger particles and collects in the lining of the arteries, potentially blocking them.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or ‘good’ cholesterol, is a smaller particle that has a positive role carrying away cholesterol from the peripheral tissues and helping to excrete it from the body.

Build meals around plant-based foods Dr Levin said she encourages people to start being careful about nutrition as early as possible.

‘The first place to start is by building meals around nutrient-packed, plantbased foods, which fit into nearly every cultural template, taste preference, and budget’, she said.

‘As a dietitian, my take-home

message is to encourage anyone to start making dietary changes early on in his or her life’, Dr Levin told Medical News Today.

‘It’s easier to maintain optimal health than it is to change your diet at age 60 or 75, although, to be clear, it’s never to late to make healthful lifestyle changes’.

DailyMail on Facebook

CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance, is present in every cell in your body.

There are two main types of cholesterol.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) — or ‘bad’ cholesterol, as it’s known — forms larger particles and collects in the lining of the arteries, potentially blocking them.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or ‘good’ cholesterol, is a smaller particle that has a positive role carrying away cholesterol from the peripheral tissues and helping to excrete it from the body.

Vegetarian diets were associated with 29.2 milligrams less of total cholesterol per decilitre (one tenth of a litre).

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PAGE 26

Feature

A look at Governor Gaidam’s achievements in the Yobe state health sector From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

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ince his assumption of office as the governor of Yobe state, Alh. Ibrahim Gaidam has shown avid desire to turn the state health sector around for improved services for the wellbeing of people of Yobe state, by especially ensuring that the system meets the national criteria of having three tiers of health services delivery institutions; primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals.

To meet this need, the governor embarked upon the construction and equipping of a multibillion naira 200 bed capacity Ultramodern hospital, now renamed Yobe state university teaching hospital, along Potiskum road, in Damaturu the state capital, which is a tertiary hospital, equipped with the latest state of the art medical equipment and cutting edge diagnostic facilities like the 1.5 Teslar MRI machine and 65 slide CT Scanner which are found in very few places in Nigeria today.

This project has been completed 100% and has started giving medical services waiting formal commissioning.

The Gaidam-led administration has also established a state primary health care management board to effectively coordinate primary health care activities in the state in line with the national health policy, the national health act, as well as the resolution of the northern governors’ forum in 2007.

Other policies and programs put in place by the administration geared towards promoting the health condition of the citizenry include provision of free maternal, neonatal and child health services and giving free medical treatment to accident victims for the first 48 hours and the program has equally, on several occasions, supported emergency services during insurgency and other suicide attacks in the state.

However, when the governor took an inspection tour of health facilities in the state on the 24th of May, 2013, he was appalled and utterly dissatisfied with what he saw on the way and manner the health sector was being run, in terms of governance, services and supervision, which were at the lowest level, contrary to his vision and aspiration, thus moving him to declare a state of emergency on the sector, with good results.

Consequently, there was an immediate adjustment in the ministry of health which led to reassignments at the directorate levels, followed with appointment of core professionals to preside over the activities of the ministry and its agencies, appointment of new chief executive officers to head the ministry, the health management board, the state primary health care management board and the state action committee on Aids respectively, as well as the training institutions.

Following that declaration of the state of emergency in the health sector, the governor embarked on massive infrastructural upgrading of health facilities such as the General Sani Abatcha specialist hospital, Damaturu which was turned from 150 bed capacity to about 400 bed capacity hospital and equipped with modern modular operation theatre, intensive care unit, central supply and sterilization department, modern laundry, accident and emergency complex, pharmacy unit in accordance with modern hospital best practices, this, in order to meet the rapid expansion and urbanization of the state capital, Damaturu.

The government has also renovated, rehabilitated and expanded the three zonal general hospitals in Potiskum, Gashua and Geidam, and contract was recently awarded for the installation, commissioning and user training of assorted medical equipment to these hospitals, this is in addition to the upgrading of several dispensaries to the status of maternal and child welfare clinics with the provision of ambulances to them.

Employment of personnel and health professionals was pursued with vigour with over 342 staff nurses and midwifes in addition to 200 primary health care staff were being engaged as birth attendant nurses and midwives were also employed and trained.

To further improve the people’s access to quality and affordable healthcare services, on 21st December 2016, the Governor approved the first batch recruitment of 158 doctors, nurses, and other staff for the new teaching hospital. 17 expatriate doctors were also recruited from the Republic of Egypt.

The latest recruitment of 228 additional medical personnel follows interviews conducted by a special recruitment committee headed by YSUTH Chief Medical Director, Baba Waru Goni.

This includes medical doctors, consultants, nurses and other categories of specialists and professional medical workers for the newly established Yobe University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH), which has begun to provide medical and clinical services to the public.

Of this number, there are six medical consultants, 30 medical officers, seven dental officers, 22 nursing officers, seven skilled nurses, 66 general duty nurses, 10 pharmacists, six radiographers, two X-Ray technicians, five pharmacy technicians, 13 health management information officers, 29 HIM technicians, two dieticians, five physiotherapists, one audiologist, two optometrists, two opticians, three dental therapists, nine dental technicians, one plaster technician, and two medical lab technicians.

The Yobe State Government did these recruitments to further improve the people’s access to

management brought in to address the challenges facing the college and reposition it as an excellent training ground for nurses and midwives with the knowledge, skills and characters befitting of any properly trained nurse and midwife.

Attention was also given to facility improvement in the area of renovation of existing structures and the construction of a multipurpose hall, library with an e-library section, hostels, and laboratory in the college which was accredited and commenced midwifery training in March, 2015.

There is also the school of health technology in Nguru town, the headquarter of Nguru local government area and the state which was established in 1999, now upgraded to college of health sciences and technology in 1st January 2017 by the effort of the Gaidam-led administration.

The institute was designed primarily to address the lower and middle level human resources for health requirements of the state.

However, because it was then operating in a temporary primary school structure with limited space and structure, it was very difficult to expand and put in place ideal learning materials.

In response to this, the state Governor, Alh. Ibrahim Gaidam approved a new location and went ahead to invest in its infrastructural upgrade and expansion in addition to equipping it with laboratory equipment, demonstration

“

European authorities consider the return of some of the estimated 6,000 European foreign fighters a major security concern. To date, fewer than one in five individuals involved in attacks on the West since the “caliphate” was declared in 2014 had experience as foreign fighters, according to research by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) and the George Washington University’s Program on Extremism.

materials and office furniture with a view to making learning and skill acquisition easy and qualitative.

It is thus poised to commence other courses such as health information management, pharmacy, medical laboratory and dental technician courses respectively, and other middle level courses much needed in the state facilities that are currently in short supply in both the primary and secondary health facilities in the state, to ensure optimum operations.

The polio eradication initiative of the administration of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote foundation, has paid off contributing to the eradication and subsequent declaration of Nigeria a polio free nation.

It is very important to note that these milestones of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, which are inexhaustible, were achieved at the most trying times in the history of Yobe state when security was at its lowest ebb, resources are virtually not available and the little that comes to the state was being used to support the security agencies who were fighting to contain the insurgents.

The Gaidam led administration has also paid attention to the provision of good and befitting accommodation for medical and health professionals in order to raise staff morale and improve their efficiency and to this end, well-furnished accommodation has been provided for the use of doctors and other health professionals that includes about 100 new units of 3 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom transit camp in different locations within Damaturu the state capital and other places within the state.

Because of the political will displayed by the governor in the health sector so far, one can be sure that in the near future, he may be able to achieve the feat of universal health coverage in Yobe state.

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Yobe university teaching hospital quality and affordable healthcare services.

To further make specialist health care services easily accessible at minimal or no cost to Yobeans, the state government has concretized engagement of the services of visiting, locum medical consultants, especially at the General Sani Abatcha specialist hospital, Damaturu and, focusing in the nearest future to make available the much desired medical officers, the state government has taken upon itself the sponsorship of over 370 medical students within and outside Nigeria.

The Yobe state government did not stop at engagement or employment of medical staff, but places emphasis on training and retraining of medical and health professionals within and outside and as a further step forward, established a relationship for retraining and capacity building of medical and health professionals with the Apollo hospital in Chennai, India which is among the top 5 hospitals in the world.

All these efforts were geared towards the goal of improving the quality and address the manpower gaps in the state human resource for health department.

The state government has also established training institutions within the state that includes the Shehu Sule college of nursing and midwifery in Damaturu the state capital which recently received an uplift in standard with a new top

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The Trustees are: 1.IZEDOME ANITA FATIMA 2.AKHARAME STEVEN EFEMOEDE 3.OJOBOR CHINEDU 4.SHODIPO ADEWUNMI ADETUTU 5.SALISU GARBA ALHAJI 6.IBRAHIM SULE MALGUL 7.DADA BAWA MARTHA 8.IKEJI UGOCHI Aims and objectives: To help in mobilizing and educating Nigerian youths on the need for their active participation in leadership affairs.

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2.Rev. Thomas B. Ashin Signed: Aliat T. Shamang secretary

IBRAHIM I, formerly known as SALE IBRAHIM Now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM SALEH. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

james I, formerly known as james omaye idajili sule luka Now wish to be known and addressed as james omaye. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

danladi I, formerly known as danlahi abdullahi Now wish to be known and addressed as danladi abdullahi gabarin. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

ugwueke I, formerly known as felicia ugwueke innocent Now wish to be known and addressed as ugwueke felicia akunede. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

CHange of name

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

Motoring

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

Is this the future of commuting? We test the £2,400 Super Soco – an electric motorbike with a removable battery

By ROB HULL

W

ith the Government adamant that conventional petrol and diesel new cars will be banned from sale in 2040, we’re all having to come around to the idea of electric vehicle ownership in the not too distant future. Put it this way: the walls are rapidly closing in on the internal combustion engine, and they all have plug sockets attached to them!

I’m just as hesitant as the next person about making the electric switch. However, I may have stumbled across something that – on paper – could convince me that plug-in power is a logical next step.

It’s called the Super Soco and it’s an electric motorcycle that costs £2,349 and has a claimed range of 40 miles.

Not sounding that impressive so far, right?

But it does have a stand-out party piece. The battery is detachable. That means you can simply remove it from the bike, take it into your home or office and plug it into the mains to charge it.

Could this be the practical solution to voltage-only commuting many of us have been waiting for?

Electric vehicles - they’re useless to me and many other Britons at the moment There are four major critiques I have about the current electric vehicle situation.

The range offered is too short.

The charging time is too long. There aren’t enough public plug-in posts.

And prices – even with a little help from Government grants – are too steep compared to a petrol-powered alternative.

Even for someone like me who lives in a big city with a 14-mileround commute, life with an EV is almost an impossibility.

I live in an apartment block with no parking facilities. Unless I run an extension cable the length of a fire hose out of my sixth-floor window, there’s nowhere within reasonable walking distance for me to charge one at home.

It’s a similar situation at work.

There are zero plug sockets at the car park under our building and every nearby charge post is occupied with a ‘death-trap go-kart’ G-Wiz. The last time I booked an £80,000 Tesla in for a review I had to take it to the nearest fast-charger. That was at Westfield shopping centre, two-anda-half miles from the office - and that’s not a quick journey round here. Is the future really shuttling backwards and forwards by public transport to your £80k electric car that’s topping up its batteries? I hope not. And I hate shopping!

There is no question in my mind that the pure electric vehicles on sale today are not feasible for my needs. And I can’t help but think that ministers have a monumental job on their hands to convince the nation’s 45 million licence holders to switch from petrol to volts. That was until last week...

Step forward the Super Soco...

The unique selling point of this svelte – almost scrawny-looking – little Chinese-made bike is the charging solution it offers.

Hidden beneath the faux fueltank cover is a 60-volt lithium battery, which is about the same size as a desktop computer that’s been sliced in half.

As with any electric vehicle, this is the heart beat. But unlike any other EV I’ve tried, you can perform a transplant on it by lifting the power pack straight out of the body.

It takes a matter of seconds – flip a switch to turn off the electrics, remove the power cable from the battery, unlock the pack from its mount in the bike and the power source is completely disconnected.

It’s now free for you to carry away and charge from a conventional mains socket at a location that’s convenient to you. No more hunting around for vacant plug-in points or struggling with extension leads. It’s an ideal resolution, in theory.

But there are a few issues.

The first you’ll notice instantly as you hoist the battery from inside the bike. It’s not particularly light.

Tipping the scales at 12kg, it’s the equivalent of carrying a medium-size

A removable battery means you can charge it anywhere there’s a mains socket. This means you can charge it at your place of work (left) or at home (right)

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29

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

tuesday, october 31, 2017

NUT boss want FG to close down private schools without field

By Amaechi Agbo

T Charging on the move: deputy motoring editor Rob Hull spent a week with the Super Soco electric bike. With its innovative removable battery charging solution, is it the ideal vehicle for urban commuting?

With the battery in place, the Super Soco weighs 78kg – the battery alone makes up 15% of the total weight

he Federal Government has been advised to close down private schools without sporting facilities.

The advice was given by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Municipal branch, Abuja, chairman, Comrade Umar Makusidi.

Com Makusidi who handed the advice in an interview with our correspondent, bemoaned lack of sporting facilities especially football field among private schools.

He also called on the education management boards not to grant approvals to private schools that do not have enough space for sporting activities stressing that sports are a key component of a child’s growth.

Comrade Makusidi who spoke on the back of dwindling sporting activities across all levels of education in the primary and secondary schools, commended the government for doing its best in facilitating sports development in the FCT, reiterated that inter-house sports completion still holds in public schools.

“Sport is part of school activities which is very important. It is as important as classroom activities. Any child that grows without physical activities may not grow very well. The child will lack a lot of things in life.

“Lack of sporting activities or field is most prevalent in private schools because many of them do not pay attention to sporting facilities generally. They don’t have enough space for their staff to park their vehicles and other activities.

“Formerly we have a department called Department of Policy Implementation, DPI in the FCT which was in charge of accreditating private schools and even the public schools.

“One of the criteria before a school is accredited is that there must be a lot of facilities in place. One of them is school field. If there is no field in the school, it does not qualify to exist. The DPI, now called Department of Quality Assurance, needs to do more in that aspect. Most of the private schools, even the standard ones that collect thousands of naira per term, don’t have school field which is not very germane for our pupils and students.

Comrade Umar Makusidi, NUT Abuja Chairman “But in terms of public schools, the government is trying in that aspect. You hardly see a public school without field. They have sporting equipment but government van do more to improve them. It is based on lack of facilities that it appears that sports are dying in our schools.

“This month, we had our grassroots sports programme for the junior students - the Grassroots Athletics Championship 2017. It held from 9-12 October. The purpose was to create awareness, encourage, discover and train hidden talents from the grassroots.

“NUT is making a serious impact in our schools not to abandon sporting activities. These activities have a lot of advantages; they help in physical growth of the child. They keep the child busy all the time. After school activities, the child can go for sport. An idle mind, they say, is a devil’s workshop. When a child closes from school by 2pm and has nothing to do than to go home and watch films of join bad groups.

“But if we impact the knowledge of sports in them, after school

bag of fertiliser. If you’re leaving the bike a few strides from your front door or office, that’s not an issue, but it’s a mini workout if you’re walking half a mile or so (trust me, I did it).

It also takes quite a long time to charge, despite the compact battery scale. A full replenishment of electricity takes between seven and eight hours. That’s on par with many electric cars on sale today when plugged into a standard mains socket.

The charging adapter – which can also be carried in the battery compartment of the bike – isn’t quiet,

either. In fact, co-workers complained when I decided to give it a boost of electricity in the office, leaving me no choice but to hop between vacant meeting rooms out of earshot of keyboard-hammering journalists.

To avoid further upsetting the This is Money workforce, I opted to charge the battery at home. It usually completed a full charge in the time between returning from work to getting some shut-eye.

Source: Dailymail.com

activities, they can go and engage in sports and it will keep them busy throughout the day because once they are done with sports, they would go home, bath and sleep. This is why we took it upon ourselves to initiate the competition.

“Already, we have programmed the competition to hold every year. For instance, the last one was organised for only Junior Secondary Students although in the closing ceremony, we invited some senior schools to participate. But in 2018, God willing, we will be organising it for the Senior Secondary Schools. Then we may invite either primary or junior secondary to be part of the closing ceremony.

“Right now we are making it an annual competition. We will be holding it every year in collaboration with the Athletics Federation if Nigeria, AFN. They have booked us for 9 - 12 of October next year. AFN has promised us that the national stadium will be released for the programme. They also assured us that they will make it part of their yearly calendar. I believe that they are working towards that.

“And what this means is that by the same time next year, by God’s grace, you will find us there with another edition of the competition.

“As I said earlier, the FCT government is doing their best, they are trying. In so many of our schools now we have sporting activities. In every school annually, we use to have inter-house sports competition most especially in junior and senior secondary in the FCT and the primary schools are coming up.

“Inter-house sport is part of our action plan each year. Any inspector going to any school, the first thing the person will request from the school authority is the action plan. In the action plan, the sporting activities must be reflected.

“The private schools should take Physical Education very serious for every child. I equally advise the Department of Quality Assurance to take their time and check all the private schools that do not have fields for sporting activities to do so or they should close down the schools,” the NUT boss, who is also the Head teacher of LEA Primary School, Jabi, concluded.

Odieke commends NUT for grassroots sports development in FCT

T

There are four big problems with electric vehicles on sale today: the range is too short, they take too long to charge, there aren’t enough public charge points and they cost too much. So is the Super Soco any different?

The battery compartment has enough room to carry the charger with the battery.

There’s also enough room for a supplementary battery to double the range, though it will cost an extra £799

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

PAGE 28

he management of the Universal Basic Education Board, UBEB, FCT Abuja has commended the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Abuja Municipal branch for hosting a successful junior secondary schools grassroots sports competition.

The commendation was given by Mrs Odieke Theresa Nkechi, Deputy Director, Core Curricula Activities, UBEB, Abuja in an interview.

Mrs Odieke who described sports as vital activities in a child’s growth, advised the NUT to expand their scope in next year’s edition and start preparations early stressing that UBEB will give maximum support to the wellbeing of pupils and students.

“I monitored everyday’s activity of the competition to the end.

For us to give permission for that event to hold, the Director must give approval based on our recommendations which took into account the safety and benefits of the events to the children.

“That event captured 27 schools. It was like a talent hunt; we want to catch them young and build up athletes for the FCT and the nation in general.

My Director went there on the last day and gave out prizes.

He encouraged and commended them for their participation. He promised them that the board would take it up from there while schools should conduct their respective sporting activities.

“The NUT requested for 47 schools but 27 were approved and they all participated. NUT did a good job in organising the competition. Perhaps, in their next preparation which they said would be for Senior Secondary Schools, they may have to expand their scope and plan it better and capture so many things. They did not have long planning for the first edition as most of the sponsors could not come in as expected. So we advise them that to capture large pupils and students, they need good time for planning, good sponsors and the children will enjoy it more.

On the issue of reduction or lack of inter-house sporting activities in the school, Mrs Odieke said it is never true that interhouse sports competition has been downplayed in the school. She stressed that her department is in full control of all core activities in junior public schools and stated that the schools have been holding their inter-house sports and extracurricular activities such as cultural week.

Mrs Odieke Theresa Nkechi, Deputy Director, Core Curricula Activities, UBEB, Abuja “It is not true that inter-house sport has gone down the drain in our schools, especially public schools. Our public school organise inter-house sports. Last week, we endorsed and sent out letters to all the 165 schools under our watch, directing them to forward their proposals and dates when they are going to have their inter-house.

We do it every year. We send out the information so that we don’t have clashes.

“Inter-house competition is not done without our supervision.

Deputy Directors, Senior Officers as well as Personal Assistants are

assigned to go round and oversee which school is doing inter-house sports and what they are doing. Reports are also submitted.

“When the schools send in their proposals, we give have schedules for and them dates. If we have clashing dates, then we will rearrange so that we have space for our officials to be able to be in one school or the other depending on the area that they are. We can assign senior staff who lives around there to oversee the activities.

“Every year we give out the schedule and as soon as they bring in their proposals, the Director will assign the supervisor to go there and see what they are doing.

“Inter-house sporting activities happen every year. It has not died down. Remember that activities have increased in the schools too. Now we have cultural days, department weeks. Sometimes they merge them such that within the cultural week, they will have interhouse sports. Inter-house still holds, it is an annual event.

On the importance of sports in a child’s growth and development, Mrs Odieke stated “sports help a child in mental, physical and allround build up. There is a saying that all works and no play make Jack a dull boy. You cannot do all academies without exercising the body. When you exercise the body, it keeps you alert; keeps your body fit. It helps in building the child physically.

“As I told them in the stadium (during the Grassroots Athletics Competition), it keeps the mind busy all the time. Today we have cultism and all kinds of social vices in the school. A child who finishes academic works and goes into sports, what time does the child has to go to a bush meeting? The child will be tried and be looking for time to rest.

“Sports also have a place even in our family and societal lives.

It curbs a lot of vices. It helps us in every way not only the children.

“As an individual, I engage in exercise every morning before going to work. It makes me feel good and alert. Even as adults, we need exercise talk more of children who are growing up. Sport is allrounder and it is good for us both physically, mentally, emotionally and in keeping them away from social vices that are prevalent in our society,” she concluded

FIFA to cancel international friendlies, ponders New ‘World League’ >> Pg. 30

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, october 31, 2017

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Federer edges Potro to win Basel Open S

FIFA to cancel international friendlies, NFF to introduce appearance-minute-based ponders New ‘World League’

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IFA is considering replacing international friendlies with a new ‘World League’.

According to the proposal the implementation would last a whole year and divide nations into first, second and third divisions.

The proposal comes with FIFA conducting a broad review of international tournaments ahead of next summer’s World Cup. Friendlies have proved increasingly unpopular given the focus on club football and there is a growing perception that they are nothing more than

a distraction.

The ‘World League’ appears to have similarities to the ‘UEFA Nations League’, which is how European countries will qualify for the 2020 European Championship.

That has led to complaints from South American nations such as Argentina and Brazil who are finding it harder to play lucrative games against European opposition.

FIFA is now discussing the idea of the ‘World League’, which would likely be introduced in 2019 and involve sides from different continents.

The divisions would represent the quality of the countries involved using the world rankings as a criteria, and would be played over the duration of a year.

It might not be the only overhaul planned by football’s world governing body. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that all competitions in men’s and women’s international football will be evaluated to make them more attractive to a wider audience, and that the review will be completed by March next year.

Why I joined Enyimba - Austin Oladapo

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nyimba FC’s new signing Austin Oladapo reveals he made the decision to join the Aba side in order ‘to grow more as a player and also taste how it feels like playing on the continent’.

The striker had a decent 201617 season for Gombe United scoring ten league goals before the People’s Elephants secured his services, on a two-year deal.

“I am a player of Enyimba. I

have signed a two-year contract and I am delighted to be here. The club tracked me during the second round last season when I played against them and after sending scouts to monitor me they made their interest public when they approached my representatives. It gives me great delight to work with Enyimba,” Oladapo stated.

“I won’t feel any added pressure of playing for a bigger club because

I played with Gombe United with my whole heart and I justified myself last season. I want to grow more as a player and also taste how it feels like playing on the continent.

“I have been told that the club will contact us before the end of the week to inform us when we are going to resume for the commencement of the preparations for the season,” he concluded.

bonus for Eagles

T

he Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is proposing a sharing formula that will see the Super Eagles benefit from the FIFA World Cup money only based on the number of matches and total minutes played by each member of the national team in Russia.

The Super Eagles, who remained unbeaten in the continental qualifying campaign, will make their sixth World Cup appearance in Russia in June next year, hoping that money related disputes will not distract their participation.

It has been reported that NFF officials are keen to resolve the bonus arrangement with the players, including what they stand to reap from the FIFA money, by the end of the year.

But it is gathered that as a departure from the traditional flat rates across board, NFF is considering paying the Eagles only based on the number of matches and minutes played by each player.

The implication of this according to an official privy to the negotiation is that not all the players will receive equal payment in Russia.

In line with the plan, players who make more contribution in terms of number of games will be paid more than the bit players and those

only going to Russia as mere squad members.

The FIFA windfall is aside the structured and approved match bonus which the NFF will offer the players for every match apart from the graduated bonuses for advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Nigeria is entitled to a $12.5 million cheque from FIFA for qualifying for Russia 2018.

The African federation stands to get more pay-out according to how successful they are in the latter stages of the World Cup. But sharing the FIFA money has always generated row leading to national embarrassment between players and officials.

At the last World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the Eagles skipped a training session in Brasilia before their round of 16 game with France following row with NFF over money.

They only agreed to play after government hurriedly sent $5million cash by a private plane to Brazil.

It was further understood that NFF will only share the net fee received from FIFA to the players as the football body will deduct some percentage as tax and sundry expenses on accommodation, security, transport and feeding which will be transferred to the federation.

wiss tennis legend, Roger Federer defeated Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in three sets to win his seventh title of the year after falling behind in the first set.

The World no 2, lost the first set 6-7 but rallied back in the second and third set to win his eighth Swiss title by 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Federer had previously lost his last two finals at the Swiss Indoors to Del Potro in 2012 and 2013, but denied the Argentine a hat-trick of final wins in his hometown with this win which means the 36-yearold edges Novak Djokovic as the tennis player to have won the most prize money in tennis history.

Werder Bremen sack manager Alex Nouri

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erder Bremen have sacked manager Alex Nouri after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Augsburg.

He is the third Bundesliga coach to be sacked this season.

Florian Kohfeldt, who coaches the club’s under-23 team, will take charge of the first team for Friday’s league match against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bremen are second bottom of the table

on five points from 10 games and are yet to win a top-flight match this season, scoring just three goals.

After his appointment in October last year, Nouri led the side out of the relegation zone to finish eighth but fans chanted “Nouri out” after Sunday’s loss, the team’s fifth in the league this season.

His departure follows the sackings of Andries Jonker (Wolfsburg) and Carlo Ancelotti (Bayern

F

ormer Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has expressed concern over what the current Super Eagles squad would become after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The former Inter Milan and AC Milan player, who was a

guest on Channels Sports in the weekened, urged the Ministry of Sports to look beyond the 2018 World Cup qualification and begin to make developmental plans for the team.

He said, “The problem with us is that we don’t have the foundation in the Sports Ministry or a vision, after the World Cup

what next?

“So these young boys (Super Eagles) are going to play, we thank God they qualified in ranking of our flag as Nigeria flag barrier, the ranking has gone up, our value also has gone up.”

West also said although he is not aware if the Ministry of Sports has a visual manifesto for

the Super Eagles, an adequate plan needs to be put in place for Nigerian footballers across the globe to ensure that after 2018, the Super Eagles team still exists.

“I don’t know if the people at Sports Ministry or Sports Association as a visual manifesto for what next.

“We don’t have that kind of

structure on ground or men who have the capacity who knows how to bring it down, how they can work with the ministry and also work with our footballers across the globe to make sure that after 2018 we still have a team.”

year and successfully mastered it. For that we’d like to thank him.”

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland request to wear poppies

We don’t have foundation in sports ministry - Taribo West

By Amaechi Agbo

Munich).

Bremen CEO Klaus Filbry said: “Alex took over during a very difficult situation last

E

ngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will request permission from FIFA to wear poppies during November’s international matches.

It comes after the law was changed last month, allowing

the home nations to wear a poppy if opposing teams and the competition organiser agree to it.

The football associations of the four nations said in a statement they jointly “welcomed” the revised law.

Each nation was fined for displaying poppies during games in November 2016.

England and Scotland wore the emblem on black armbands during their World Cup qualifier at Wembley, while Wales and Northern Ireland were fined for displaying it in their stadiums as FIFA deemed it to be a political symbol.

Northern Ireland host Switzerland in the first leg of their play-off for the 2018 World Cup while Scotland faces the Netherlands at Pittodrie in a friendly, also on Thursday, 9 November.

England take on Germany at Wembley and Wales travel to France on the Friday.The nations intend to wear a poppy

to “remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars”.

The statement added: “It was important that clarity was brought to this issue as it affects many football matches/competitions throughout the world and is particularly helpful in relation to remembrance and poppies.

“In any year when there are international matches in the week leading up to and including Remembrance Sunday, it is the intention of all four home nations to seek permission from the opposition team and FIFA to display the poppy on armbands.”

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Dosu Joseph to NFF: Super Falcons is suffering

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igeria’s Super Falcons hold the record for most titles (10) won in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nation and have dominated the continent for years but, the team is suffering according to ex Eagles goalkeeper Dosu Joseph.

The Super Falcons have not played a competitive match since winning their most recent AWCON title in 2016.

Players were owed match bonuses and they marched in protest to the National Assembly and Presidential Villa.

The champions also refused to turn in the trophy or check out of

their designate hotel rooms during the period, as part of their sit-in protest; causing a major fallout between the NFF and some players.

Dosu Joseph, who won Olympic gold medal with the U23 in 1996, scored the NFF high in certain areas, explained that the neglect of the female national team has been insufferable.

“The Federation has been doing well lately; you could hardly fault them over anything. Anything but the way the Female team has been.

“The Nigerian female team is suffering and they (NFF) need to give them something,’ Dosu stated.

Rohr calls Mikel, Uzoho, 22 others for Algeria, Argentina

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aptain Mikel John Obi, forward Ahmed Musa and midfielder Ogenyi Onazi top the list of 24 players that Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited for next week’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Algeria, and the prestige friendly with Argentina in Russia four days later.

Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi also made the cut, as well as defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo.

There is a first call for impressive Deportivo La Coruna of Spain safe hands Francis Uzoho, as well as former U17 World Cup winner Chidiebere Nwakali. Russia -based Brian Idowu has been placed on

standby only for the friendly with Argentina.

2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo is on standby for both matches, alongside former junior international Alhassan Ibrahim, who now plays in Austria.

All invited players are expected to arrive in a camp in Morocco on Monday, 6th November, before the delegation flies to Constantine on Thursday, 9th November.

On Saturday, 11th November, a 45 –seater chartered aircraft will fly the Super Eagles from Constantine to Krasnodar, the Russian city that will host the international friendly against Argentina on Tuesday, 14th November.

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)

Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway)

Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

THE FULL LIST

Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD

STANDBY: Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia)

QUOTABLE QUOTE

. . . putting the people first

tuesday, october 31, 2017

At 81, I will say I feel great and I thank God for everything. But, I am not completely fulfilled because we are yet to have the country of our dreams. “We are yet to have a country where there is equity and respect for rights and dignity of all citizens.

“We are yet to have a country where the governed are good followers and leaders think first think about the people and not the other way round. “I desire a better Nigeria where everyone will feel the impact of governance that is my birthday wish for the country.

- Balarabe Musa

SPORTS Villa and NASS comedy errors latest

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Troy Deeney: Watford captain charged with violent conduct

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atford captain Troy Deeney has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following a clash with Stoke midfielder Joe Allen.

Deeney and Allen were booked after squaring up in injury time of the Hornets’ 1-0 league defeat on Saturday.

Allen reacted angrily when Deeney appeared to attempt a cross, rather than pass the ball back, when Stoke kicked the ball out after an injury.

Deeney has until Tuesday at 18:00 GMT to respond.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said after the Vicarage Road game that striker Deeney, who appeared to grab Wales international Allen’s face, should be punished.

“Clearly we kicked the ball out and the right thing to do in the spirit of the game is throw it back,” he said.

“Deeney, the captain of the club, should know better but he shaped to play it into our box and that’s why Joe reacted.

“More often than not those situations get revisited by people in authority and decisions are made as a consequence.”

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

Advert: business: news: lagos:

see that columnists, commentators and analysts have been feasting on what is now tagged as “Mainagate”, lamenting on how this sordid affair came to pass. It is a serious matter that would give patriotic Nigerians cause for real concern and lead to headache. I do not wish to add more to your headache lest it becomes a migraine. Rather, I think we should take a step back to have a good laugh at ourselves; not to make a laughing stock of ourselves but to joke about it somewhat and relax our already taut nerves.

So I present to you some other happenings in the Villa and National Assembly.

You are aware that occupants of the Villa a.k.a.

Aso Rock and the National Assembly a.k.a. the Red and Green chambers are about the most powerful and influential in the earthly sense in Nigeria as the decisions they make impact significantly on our earthly lives for good or ill. Ensconced in them in imperial majesty with all the accoutrements of public office (paid for by millions of taxed Nigerians) and seeming impenetrability that earthly security can buy, are the number one, number two and number three citizens of our country of nearly 200 million people. How privileged they are! And although they are supposed to exercise their exceedingly powerful authority on our behalf as our servants, being human, they sometimes get carried away by the allure of office that they begin to see themselves as a demi-god.

And their numerous officials that are meant to service the principal heads of those edifices, because they bear the name of these principals as a prefix or suffix to their own very names, also catch the bug and sometimes want to show off their ‘power’ to the faces of their fellow human beings.

Examples are ‘Cook to His Excellency, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, Gateman or security man at the Villa, House of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, and so on and so forth.

To see Mr. President for a chat or a meeting is not

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tuesDAY Column

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VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 a tea party, it has to be by special invitation arranged over months; thus the villa is a fortress where the ordinary man/woman on the street cannot just walk in, even though during the campaigns when they were begging us for votes, they mingled freely with us, shaking our hands, literally not minding whether we were infected with leprosy or ebola. Even open affairs like conferences, seminars, talk shops and weddings involving the President and the First Family where the average Nigerian could saunter in and get to see Mr. President or his family at close quarters are no longer open to the public but to a select few with specially marked invitations. Such get together are no longer held in public places in the city centre but in the secured gates of Aso Rock for which social events there are special halls of varying sizes inside the Villa’s expansive bowels.

Some cabinet ministers and governors are now complaining that they do not get to chat up Mr. President under a relaxed atmosphere with drinks or even play some sporting games with him amidst roaring laughter of light hearted jokes as was the case in the days of yore. Now they have to communicate officially in writing with Mr. President via a third party, namely the Chief of Staff to His

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Excellency the president of the federal republic; and then wait for an official invitation date to meet with the president on official matter which usually lasts between 45 minutes and two hours, no more than that and no side talks.

They remember with nostalgia those by-gone days starting from 1999 when they, other acolytes, businessmen, religious and opinion leaders and even some foreigners used to converge in numbers the then presidents’ large sitting room to banter over men’s issues with him as well as ‘gossip’ from midnight to the wee hours of the morning.

Here the presidents get to hear who said/did what or did not do/said what and little gossips about town.

You may disapprove of this but through this informal means, the president gets to be aware of other happenings around, away from official communication.

Our current president apparently does not have time for this, weighed down obviously by the enormity of challenges confronting our country. He is fighting several battles on many front, viz, the war in the north eastern part of the nation against Boko Haram terrorists; the war against corruption for which some looters are deploying their own war chest to give him a bloody fight if not a bloody

Even open affairs like conferences, seminars, talk shops and weddings involving the President and the First Family where the average Nigerian could saunter in and get to see Mr. President or his family at close quarters are no longer open to the public but to a select few with specially marked invitations

nose; the war within his own party in which some chieftains are poised to remove the carpet from under his feet due to loud lamentations and misgivings by party faithful across board that they are not being carried along, that appointments are not being channelled through state APC chapters but by direct lobbying in Abuja by individuals; the deafening grumblings by the south east region about perceived marginalisation and injustice against them with the youths pushing for self-determination, a euphemism for secession; ever-present threat of militancy in the Niger Delta zone with potentially harmful consequences for crude oil exports, the nation’s major source of revenue; internecine communal/herdsmen/farmers bloody clashes that has apparently claimed the second highest number of victims after those of Boko Haram; youth restiveness as a result of growing unemployment; falling price of crude oil in the international market, since tenure of Buhari’s administration its revenue is averagely that of the previous government which means it has not been able to deliver as much of the dividends of democracy as it and the citizenry would have liked. Gargantuan as these problems are our president should not allow them to overwhelm and suffocate him to the extent that he hass no time to relax his overworked nerves. For, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

TO BE CONTINUED

DAN GAYE

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Wahala dey!

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