Thursday, October 31, 2019 Edition

Thursday, October 31, 2019/ Rabiu Awal 1, 1441 AH

Vol. 32 No. 082 N150

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. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Abuja-Kaduna train: FG generates N100m monthly, says Minister

FEC approves N5.7bn for NDIC projects

Atiku concedes as S/Court upholds Buhari’s election >>>page 4

>>>page 5

>>>page 5

It’s time to move on, says President

PDP in deep shock

L-R; Damola Solanke, Director Public Sector Microsoft Nigeria, Rimini Makama, Government Affairs Director Microsoft Nigeria, Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner Technical Services Nigerian Communications commission NCC, Gafar lawal, Country Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre, Engr Haru Alhassan Director New Media and information Security, NCC and Dr Henry Nkemadu Director Public Affairs NCC, during Microsoft NAfrica courtesy visit to NCC Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Peoples Daily Newspaper bags Merit Award Alleged N2bn fraud: ASUU threatens Gunmen abduct Appeal Maina fails to stall trial strike over IPPIS Court judge, kill orderly pAGE 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

News

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health

18

Business

19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24 L-R: General Manager, Operations, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, Assistant General Manager, Finance of NIMC, Mr. Abolaji Akinola, Director General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz and General Manager, Corporate Services, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, during the NIMC 2020 budget defence, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Refineries: Buhari welcomes Aramco’s partnership with NNPC

By Lawrence Olaoye

R-L: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; SGF, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff, to the President Abba Kyari, and Acting Head of Civil Service, Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan, during the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

IPPIS: ASUU threatens industrial action

Gunmen abduct Court of Appeal judge, kill orderly Page 7

Environment 25 Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

T

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday threatened an industrial action to thwart the implementation of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by the federal government.

The Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Comrade Fred Esumen, said if the federal government sanctions its members and do not enroll for the IPPIS on the October 31, 2019 deadline, ASUU will embark on “no pay, no work”.

He said this after an enlarged meeting of the Zone held on Wednesday at Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Benin.

The ASUU membership in the zone comprises University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma both in Edo State, Adekunle Ajasin University (Akungba, Akoko), University of Science and Technology (Okiripupa) both in Ondo State,

Delta State University (Abraka) and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE both in Delta State.

The Coordinator declared that the IPPIS policy being championed by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) which is a mere directive cannot and should not take precedence over the law.

According to him, the directive “violates the agreement ASUU had reached with the government in the past and the laws establishing Universities via the miscellaneous act as amended in 2003 that gave vested powers to the Governing Councils to take control and manage funds of the Universities including the Staff recruitment and promotion etc”.

“We are waiting Thursday is 31st October 2019, let them not pay. I do not know the policy that they want to implement. Don’t pay, we also have our policy or no pay, no work. That is why the mobilization of our members is ongoing. You know ASUU does not just wake up and commence

and action.

He however ruled out legal option in the pursuit of justice, alleging that “ government does not honour agreement.

“These peculiarities are with the University system as it is in all over the world. So, why must Nigeria things be different?

“Look at the information that even Government is merely awarding contracts to private firm that is handling the so-called IPPIS and that is why they are desperate to catch as many clients as possible.

“With the bureaucracy in the Civil service, the University system does not need such bureaucratic process because the University system is organised to be flexible and pragmatic.

“By that, there could be movement of Staff. You may be an expert in an area and when it comes to the bridge crossroads, you can be asked to go give your expertise in another University, the IPPIS will not take care of you.

“Look at our colleagues, Staff of the University who are

Consultants in the teaching hospitals. Take for instance the University of Benin teaching hospital (UBTH), Benin, IPPIS does not accommodate their roles and functions as Consultants as UBTH simply because the platform recognises one person.

You can’t pay two the same person twice.

Esumeh who admitted that some members unknowingly filled the form that was sent from that office through deceptive processes, clarified that the federal government cannot go ahead with partial implementation of the IPPIS due to non compliance with the directive.

“The majority of our members are not on the platform. So the government threat that those who do not enroll on IPPIS is not to our union. You and I know that the government will come back to us one day.

“Vice Chancellors cannot use this union. This union is an independent union that process issues base on truth and facts”, he said.

resourceful lawyer and farmer has every reason to be thankful to God, considering the many rungs he had to climb, and obstacles he had to overcome to get his education and start a rewarding career that turned out a blessing to many and the nation.

The President commended Babalola’s dedication to equipping

the society with knowledge and skills, and his investments in key sectors of the economy that directly impact on livelihood, especially in health, education and encouraging entrepreneurship.

He urged the philanthropist to sustain the good works that he started over the years, and remain consistent in serving the nation.

Buhari greets Babalola at 90

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with legal luminary, educationist and philanthropist, Chief Afe Babalola, who turns 90, praying for longer life, good health and strength.

According to a statement made available to newsmen

yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President joined Chief Babalola’s family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the nonagenarian, whose life’s story has been a study on focus, discipline and commitment to God, and serving humanity.

Buhari believed the bright and

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, welcomed the commitment of Saudi energy company, Aramco, and Public Investment Fund (PIF) to explore areas of collaboration for investments in Nigeria, including partnership with the NNPC to revive the nation’s refineries.

According to a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President at a meeting with the Chairman of Aramco and Governor of PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, on the margins of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), said Nigeria had a lot to learn from the expertise and professionalism of one of the world’s leading energy company.

Speaking on the need to improve the efficiency of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, Buhari said it was noteworthy that Nigeria’s energy company would soon embark on a diagnostic assessment of refineries, pipelines, depots and other infrastructure across the country to ascertain the level of collaboration with the Aramco. ‘‘Nigerian officials are ready to collaborate with you, they will identify their priorities and invite you for a meeting in the country so that you can go round to inspect the refineries and other oil facilities,’’ the President told Aramaco’s chairman.

In his remarks, Al-Rumayyan affirmed the company’s position to promote business investment opportunities through

technology across the energy sector, noting its interest in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The President instructed the Minister of State, Petroleum

Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and the Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Mele Kolo

Kyari to work with the Saudis and expedite the modalities for investments and collaborations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors.

He also used the occasion to

reaffirm Nigeria’s solidarity with Saudi in the aftermath of recent attacks on Aramco oil facilities, praising the kingdom’s recovery after the incident.

Alleged N2bn fraud: Maina fails to stall trial

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he former Chairman of defunct Police Pension Task Force, Dr Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday, failed to stall the commencement of his criminal trial.

When the matter came up, yesterday, Chief Joe Gadzama SAN announced appearance for the 1st defendant (Maina) while Adeola Adedipe represented Common Input Property and Investment Ltd (2nd defendant).

The prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar had told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the matter was for trial and that he was ready to call witnesses.

However, Gadzama informed the court that he was not ready for the trial to continue.

“I am not ready for obvious reason, and it is principally because I was only briefed last night to take over the existing legal team of the 1st defendant from Ahmed Raji SAN. Delivering a bench ruling, Justice Okon Abang overruled the application for adjournment, saying the matter was adjourned for trial.

“I have considered the application and response of the prosecution, and holds that the 1st defendant cannot by his conduct seeks to control proceeding in a matter adjourned for trial.

“This court adjourned for the

prosecution to call its witness and for Counsel to be briefed by the 1st defendant even the prosecution opposed the application.

“For the defendant not to brief his counsel is the business of the defendant; ample time was giving by the court for the defendant to brief his counsel, and he has himself to blame if he did not.

“The defendant’s counsel on record is Ahmed Raji SAN, and he has not applied to withdraw from the case.

He ought to be in court but no reason was giving for his absence” Justice Abang noted.

Abang held that Raji was in court in the morning before the matter was stood down and wondered why he left because the matter was not adjourned.

The court held that Raji should not have left without its permission.

“Ahmed Raji should not have left except with permission of the court.

Therefore I hold that learned counsel walked out on court. it is unethical and he left to cause problem for the court today.

“The learned counsel, Gadzama is not counsel on record before today.

“The defendant cannot come on a day fixed for trial to ask for an adjournment. Application for adjournment is hereby overruled” Justice Abang held.

Earlier, Gadzama had pressured

the court to adjourn the trial for him to be briefed by Maina.

“My Lord could notice in the morning before this matter was stood down that Raji was dictating what I would do and say. All the documents and processes relating to the case are with him” Gadzama told the court.

“For the first time in my life, I set my eyes on the 1st defendant outside the court and I need to discuss with him so as to keep abreast with the fact of the matter and in that circumstances, I apply for an adjournment” Gadzama pleaded.

Gadzama insisted that “I am now the lead counsel appearing in court for this matter, and it is good enough reason for this matter to be adjourned because I am appearing for the first time in this matter.

In addition, Gadzama said the issue for adjournment was not against the court alone but an issue with the former counsel, Ahmed Raji.

“I don’t know why Raji is not back, he promised to come back. I was briefed last night and I have my letter of instruction.

In his reaction, Abubakar opposed the application for an adjournment on the grounds that the court had on October 25, ordered that trial would begin on Octoner 30, and that it would not entertain any frivolous application.

Abubakar argued that the Federal High Court Practice Direction

provided that an application for an adjournment cannot be made on a date fixed for trial.

The EFCC lawyer submitted that the application for adjournment ought to have been made a day earlier and therefore urged the court to refuse it.

Counsel to the 2nd defendant, Adeola Adedipe did not opposed to the application for adjournment.

Meanwhile, the prosecution went ahead to call its witness by name, Mairo Mohammed, a staff of an old generation bank, who admitted opening naira and dollar accounts for Maina.

She admitted knowing Maina. “Yes my Lord, his name is Abdulrasheed Maina. We have a bank-customer relationship, and also, he is a junior brother to my late husband.

“He is my brother in-law, and I know the company called Common Input Property and Investment Ltd. “I approached Maina when he was chairman Police Pension Task Force and solicited for deposit, and he gave the bank a deposit of N3bn in 2011, ànd the funds were moved to Treasury Single Account with CBN around 2012.

“In a bid to grow my deposit, I also approached Maina for more deposits and I opened about 12 accounts for him and his immediate family” Mohammed told the court.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

News

Abuja-Kaduna train: NRC generates N100m monthly, says Minister

By Albert Akota

T

he Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria has said that the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) generates an average of N100 million monthly.

He disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent

during the Lagos Ibadan railway inspection.

According to him, “it is quite impressive. I can tell you as we speak we have over N100 million a month on the Kaduna-Abuja.

“I don’t have the figure off head but all I know is that we are averaging over hundred million.”

The NRC boss expressed

satisfaction with the increased turnout of passenger at the AKTS, adding that government was making efforts to address the passenger surge on the train line.

He said:” We are happy with the turnout of people and as I said earlier, once we have the coaches and we start rolling a train every hour, the pressure will come down.

“Like I told the Minister, it is not just the number of coaches but the trips we run that will reduce the pressure because different people will have different times to board the train.

“For now, let’s just bear it till November when the new coaches will be available.

“And as I tell people, now we are

Children raising posters to advocate on total stoppage of child abuse and gender based violence in the society, at the International Conference on Gender Based Violence organised by Zaki’s and Gem General Services Limited at Kebbi State School of Nursing, yesterday in Birninkebbi. Photo: NAN

Kaduna govt. shuts down 12 private schools over irregularities From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), said it has shut down twelve private schools in Kaduna metropolis.

The Director-General of the Authority, Hajia Umma Ahmad disclosed this while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to her, the schools were closed for not registering with the state government and for lack of conducive environment for learning.

“One of the mandates of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority is to monitor and regulate the activities of public and private schools in the state.

“Unfortunately, some private schools in the state have refused to register; which makes it hard for the government to regulate their activities”, she said.

Hajia Ahmad stated that education was supposed to be holistic; not only cognitive.

According to her, “A child was supposed to be developed in all aspects.

The DG noted that the authority was not witch-hunting any school noting that, any private school discovered not to follow the standard, would be closed.

Ahmad urged the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to enlighten their members on the need to register with the government.

On his part, the team leader of the assessment team which went round the schools, Ado Usman-Garba, said that the state government was undertaking

reforms in the education sector and private schools were not left behind in the reforms.

He urged operators of private schools to comply with all standard procedures laid by KSSQAA. However, Mr. Emmanuel Alalade, Chairman NAPPS Sabon Tasha zone, stated that the duty of the association was to make sure all regulations, with regards to running schools, were followed.

He mentioned that most of the shutdown schools were not part of the association, and were running their schools the way they please

NCC trains ICT stakeholders in Northeast From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC has organised a two-day capacity building training for critical stakeholders in the ICT sector in the North East zone for enhancement of new technological innovations for tech-entrepreneurship.

Delivering his keynote address at the workshop in Yola Wednesday, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Commission,Professor Umar Garba Danbatta said that the commission in its effort to encourage tech entrepreneurship and innovation in the ICT sector embarked on visitations to various tech startups across the six geopolitical zones to assess their development and challenges.

“We intend to assist the various tech hubs with the right intervention and support to ease their operations “.

Represented by Dr.Chedi Diugwu of the commission,Danbatta stated that as a key policy of president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the meeting has become necessary so that solutions to the challenges facing the sector can be found.

“The ICT innovation Forum has become necessary to promote local content with emphasis on the Tech ecosystem identifying unmet needs and facilitate public private partnership (PPP) based on this premise, we themed our forum ‘Developing Nigeria’s Tech Eco-System: Imperative for improving Local Content’ with the growing pressure of globalisation.

“It is imperative that the right frameworks are developed to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities as well as remain globally competitive”.Danbatta stressed According to him,as mobile network operators have developed infrastructure to support voice services and access to data .it has become expedient for them to unlock new services of value generation and revenue streams in their operations .

Collaborating on the same vein.Executive Commissioner,Technical Services of the commission,Engineer Ubale Ahmad Maska represented by Director Research and Development of the Commission,Ephram Owukunya said the emerging technologies

research and innovation Forum has been designed to advance the commission’s agenda of promoting ICT innovation,tech entrepreneurship to facilitate local content development while leveraging on the power of digital technology to position Nigeria for 21st century digital revolution Earlier in his address before declaring the forum open,Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri pledged to support the move, stressing that any country must strive to meet the global competitive world in area of ICT. Represented by the Secretary to the state Government,Engineer Bashir Ahmad stated the administration of Gov.Fintiri with its top most priority of education all necessary cooperation will be accorded to the innovative drive.

getting the attention and it’s another milestone.

“Four years back nobody was talking about railway; but now everybody, the big, mighty and small are now talking about using the train.

“It is getting popular, people are paying attention and the management, board and staff are gearing up to make sure that we meet the needs and demands of Nigerians. ” On the e-ticketing, Okhiria said measures were also in place to ensure the e-ticketing for the country’s train line met international standard.

He said the e-ticketing platform would not only guarantee orderliness in purchasing of ticket but would address some major security challenges.

He said the e-ticketing would ensure the data base of all passengers boarding the train was captured in case of emergencies.

According to the NRC boss, the procurement process for the platform would soon be concluded and in a matter of weeks the contract for the project would be awarded.

On security, the NRC boss said the corporation had introduced more security personnel and measures that would ensure safety of persons and the trains.

He explained that the management was also trying to introduce some technology into the train operation to ensure proper monitoring of the trains with the signaling solution.

Groups laud peace initiative with Miyetti Allah in Benue From Uche Makurdi

T

Nnorom,

he three Socio- cultural groups in Benue State have lauded the peace initiative between the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and the Secretary General of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, MAKH, Alhaji Alhassan Saleh describing it as a step in the right direction.

The leaders of Mdzough U Tiv , Chief Edward Ujege, Ochetoha K’Idoma, Chief Adoya Amali and Omi Ny’ Igede, Benjamin Okpa, yesterday in a joint statement in Makurdi made available to our reporter, stated that the reconciliatory initiative should be encouraged rather than castigated unfairly by selected persons on social media.

The groups commended Governor Samuel Ortom for doing a wonderful, selfless, brave job for the people of Benue State likening his efforts to Martin Luther King who bravely and peacefully stood for the emancipation of his people.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

By Vivian Okejeme, Lawrence Olaoye and Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The seven-man panel of justices led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit after hearing of the appeal in less than an hour.

The Apex court after the ruling said it will give reasons for the purpose,unanimous dismissal of the petition on a later date.

Justice Tanko said that members of the panel had gone through all the documents and exhibits filed in the case for two weeks and found the appeal to be lacking in merit. ‘’ Having gone through the files for over two weeks, we have come to conclusion, this appeal lacks merit.

This appeal is hereby dismissed,’’ the CJN ruled.

Adopting his brief of addresses, Counsel to Atiku and PDP, Dr. Livy Nzoukwu (SAN), urged the Apex court to reverse the judgement of the tribunal on their petition, on the ground that Buhari, the second respondent is not educationally qualified to contest the election.

“The first name of the second respondent, which is Muhammadu and the first name appearing on his R19 and R21, which is Mohammed.

There is absolutely nothing on record to explain the difference.

“The second respondent, who claimed to have secondary education, could not provide a testimonial from the secondary school where he claimed to have attended, not even a testimonial from the Officer Cadet, all these are speculations.”

Nzoukwu said INEC denied that it has server, it did not call any evidence, where did INEC store card reader data, saying that INEC failed to establish where they stored card reader data and also PVC data.

Driving home his argument, the counsel posited that Section 52 of the Electoral Act 2010 which INEC contended that electronic transmission of election results is prohibited had been amended and replaced by another provision in 2015.

INEC, in its argument through its counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) told the court that the electoral body has no server and did not transmit election results electronically and added that Atiku and his party have

News

Atiku concedes as S/Court upholds Buhari’s election *It’s time to move on, says President *PDP in deep shock failed woefully to prove that they scored majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.

“Out of 191, 000 polling units in the federation, the appellants called only five polling units agents to prove that they scored the lawful majority votes cast at the election. “ By the requirements of the law, , a polling agent must be called to testify in each of the polling units across the country. The failure to call witnesses from all the polling units is vital to the case of the appellants.

“On the issue of server, which they said we have, we don’t have server.

Neither had the appellants proved that we have the particular server they have created in their mind after the election titled, www.factsdontlie.com, through which they claimed election results were transmitted.

“Until the Electoral Act is amended, INEC doesn’t have the powers to transmit election results electronically”, the senior counsel submitted and prayed the court to dismiss the appeal with substantial cost.

Adopting the briefs of the President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who represented him prayed the court to dismiss the appeal which he said, ought not to have been brought before the court.

In his own submissions, counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said the petition of the appellants was Innocent on the crucial averment in the difference of names of the second respondent and added that Buhari is qualified to contest the election.

After listening to submissions. The court dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

Other justice that form the quorum of the panel are Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Olukayode Ariwoola, John Inyang Okoro, Amiru Sanusi, Ejembi Eko and Uwani Aba-Aji. Not satisfied with the decision of the election tribunal, Atiku approached the Supreme Court to upturn the decision of the Presidential Election Tribunal.

Before the tribunal, the appellant argued that Buhari lied on oath about

his educational qualification; they maintained that at that time, the school did not exist.

They also argued that the electoral commission, INEC, manipulated the result of the election and that the result on an INEC server showed that Mr Abubakar won the election ahead of Mr Buhari.

Reacting to the judgement yesterday, President Muhammadu Buuhari called on all Nigerians to allow the country to move on.

The President, in a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, Wednesday thanked his challenger, a former Vice President, and his party for undertaking their campaigns through protestations to the courts.

Buhari, who expressed his appreciation to Nigerians for the mandate given to him to run the affairs of the state for another four years said “The Government – and people of Nigeria – have been aware that the result of the February 23, 2019, presidential election has been settled now for some eight months. “

L-R: Director, Centre for China Studies (,CCS), Mr. Charles Onunaiju, Discussants, Prof. Joseph Goluwa, Vice President, Renmin University of China, , Prof. Wang Yiwei, Chairman of the Dialogue, Senator Shehu Sani, Guest Speaker, from Peking University China, Dr. Jia Yu, and Prof. Nazifi Darma of the University of Abuja, during the Dialogue on China’’s Governance Experience and the opportunities of Nigeria- China Cooperation, organised by CCS, yesterday I Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FEC approves N5.7bn for NDIC projects

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N5.7 billion for the construction of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) zonal headquarters in Bauchi and consultancy for its affiliates in some parts of the country.

The Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also okayed the sum of N574.5 million for insurance special risk for the assets in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria and the perimeter fencing of the Portharcourt airport.

Also yesterday, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said notwithstanding, as a democrat, he fought a good fight for the Nigerian people, adding that he will keep on fighting for Nigeria and for democracy, and also for justice.

He however, said that the nation’s judiciary has been sabotaged and undermined by an overreaching and dictatorial cabal.

The said cabal, Atiku noted with regrets, has undone almost all the democratic progress the PDP and its administrations nurtured for sixteen years, up until 2015.

Similarly, The PDP has expressed shock at the judgment of the Supreme Court.

The PDP in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja also expressed gratitude to millions of Nigerians across board for voting Atiku Abubakar in the election as well as for their unflinching support for the party during the election and throughout the duration of court proceedings.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the NDIC zonal headquarters in Bauhi got N3.239 billion while the contract for twelve consultancy services for the development of NDIC corporate head office annex in Abuja, it’s office in Ikoyi Lagos as well as a training centre in Lekki in Lagos got N2.489 billion.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, told newsmen that the Council approved the sum of N574,311.407 million for insurance special risk for the assets in the Nigerian College of

Aviation Technology in Zaria.

He said “This include also the personnel that will be operating those machines. It’s at the cost of N574,311,407 million This was awarded to Messsr Alliance Nigeria Insurance Plc formerly known as Insure-Insurance Plc this include VAT cost of five percent to cover 10th of June 2019 to 2022. But yearly payment will be made in accordance with the extant laws and regulations.”

The second approval, he added was for the construction of perimeter fencing of the Port Harcourt airport at the sum of N271,862 million. According

to him, the actual cost of the project was N2.97 billion with the new approval representing the variation.

Asked his ministry’s response to AMCON’s call for the transformation of Arik Air into the national carrier, Sirika explained “I think something is not understood very well from the standpoint of the Ministry of Aviation via the intended national carrier. The carrier that I intend to bring is such a carrier that will support national economy, with $450 million GDP for 200million people, very equipped to compete favourably.

He said, “The international airlines that have dominated Africa, 80 percent of those airlines are non-African. In view of the AU Agenda 2063, the Single African Aviation Market, we thought that there will be an airline that will take up that challenge; that will take advantage of it and be able to provide services to our people.”

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said a memo for the award of contract for the supply of one mobile security scanner for the Lagos port complex was approved.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

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News

Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba (4th, R) with other senior naval officers, during the flag-off of the sea exercise “Grand African NEMO 2019”, yesterday in Port Harcourt. Photo: NAN

Governor Mohammed swears in commissioner, advisers, others From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

G SMEDAN, Pan Atlantic Varsity in pact to certify BDSPS in Nigeria

By Ese Awhotu

T

he Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University Lagos and Kaduna Business School towards coordinating and executing the institutionalization process of the Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) Certification and Accreditation programme in Nigeria.

The signing ceremony took place at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Director

General of SMEDAN Dr.Dikko Umaru Radda described the ceremony as historic as this would allow Nigeria to have competent and reliable individuals and firms as business development service providers BDSPs. He said, “We want to have competent individuals and professional bodies to train and commence the certification and accreditation of BDSP under our watch”. He said the choice of Enterprises Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University Lagos and Kaduna Business School Kaduna was not by accident, as their track record is widely known by all and sundry.

Dr.Radda hoped that the two institutions will put in their professionalism and Knowledge

to ensure that both existing and potential BDSPs are trained so that the nation can boast of of a robust MSME sub sector.

He further said that the institutionalization process BDSPs certification and Accreditation was in line with the mandate of the Agency which is stimulating, monitoring and coordinating the development of the MSME sector. In addition he said “We are collaborating with external bodies so that we give quality to MSMEs in Nigeria” The Director General urged the two business schools to work hard and sensitize stakeholders on the development and ensure strict compliance as contained in the memorandum of understanding. He thanked

Mafita an international body for their support to achieve this feat.

Responding, the Director Kaduna Business School, Dr. Dahiru Sani reiterated the two institutions commitment to the success of the project, He added that “we are grateful to Mafita and DFID for their institutional support. We know the importance of BDSPs in the MSME ecosystem” Sani thanked SMEDAN for picking them to execute this very important programme. He said they have started sensitizing stakeholders on the certification and accreditation of BDSPs. Dr. Sani hinted that the essence of BDSPs is to de risk the sector and they were committed to making this work in the interest of Nigeria MSMEs.

Nasarawa to commence payment of N30,000 minimum wage

G

overnor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has promised to commence the process for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage in the state.

The governor gave the promise at a two-day retreat for political appointees in the state on Wednesday in Akwanga, Akwanga Local Government Area of the

state.

According to him, now that agreement has been reached on the consequential adjustment for workers on grade levels 7 to 17, the state will soon commence the process for the implementation.

Mr Sule said he had sworn to obey laws as a governor, adding that the ‘N30,000 minimum wage is a law in the country that must be

obeyed.

“We will engage the organised labour in the state on the consequential adjustment for levels 7 to 17 civil servants as soon as we get the temple from the relevant organs of the Federal Government.

“But the adjustment will be determined by our allocation from the Federation Account and accrual from the Internally Generated

Revenue (IGR).

“We would be very open to the unions and the public in our transaction so that together we would agree on the adjustment based on our financial capacity,’’ Mr Sule stated.

The governor also promised to be transparent in running the state and assured that he would deliver on his campaign promises.(NAN)

Niger records 106 under 5-year deaths in 2018, says NPC From Minna

N

Yakubu

Mustapha,

iger State office of National Population Commission, NPC, has said that a total of 109 cases of under 5- year death were recorded during the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

The Federal Commissioner of NPC, Barrister Aliyu Datti made the disclosure yesterday in Minna

at press briefing to mark the commencement of data collection for the 2019 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) Survey in Niger state.

Datti said that the exercise is a research study to seeks to obtained data to determine the causes and contributory factors to deaths in children aged 0-5 years by ascertaining the infant mortality rate of the State and Nigeria.

He explained that it’s to be carried out as a sample in 19 local

government Areas out of 25 LGAs assured that the federal government interventions will be replicated in all the entire state, noted that those councils not captured includes Agaie, Lapai, Borgu, Wushishi, Agwara and Rijau respectively.

The commissioner hinted that in 2018 NDHS randomly selected death in a household with an under five death was sample has a total of 3,215 under five mortality cases were selected out of which 31% (974) were

Neonate while 69% (2,241) were children hence the regional spread of death was 614 (20%) in the South while North has 2,601 (80%), He further warned the participants to ensure a through and reliable work that begun from 19th October to 18th December, 2019 adding that the objectives of the survey were to provide up to date information on early childhood mortality rate, estimate of the previellence.

overnor Bala A b d u l k a d i r Mohammed of Bauchi State has sworn in the newly appointed Commissioner Adamub Manu and the Acting State Head of Civil Service, Ahmed Abubakar Ma’aji alongside with special advisers and permanent secretaries.

The sworn in advisers are Isa Babayo Tilde, Special Adviser Hajj Affairs, Baffa Haruna Disina, Special Adviser, Political Affairs, Brigadier General Marcus Kokko Yake, Special Adviser, Security, while Hajiya Zainab A.D Rufa’i, was appointed as Special Adviser on Domestic NGO’s and Community Development.

The Permanent Secretaries sworn in are Usman Aliyu Kawu, Engineer Mohammed Binni Abdulkadir, Abubakar Mansur Abdu, Dr Bako Abubakar Mohammed and Saleh Maigana Kafi as Permanent Secretaries.

Speaking at the occasion held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Bauchi, the Governor described the swearing in of the appointees as part of collective resolve to build a viable machinery of government capable of meeting the challenges of repositioning the state.

Governor Mohammed said in order to consolidate and improve on his administration’s achievements, the administration would refocus, rededicate and redirect the resources so as to achieve the set objectives.

He enumerated some of the qualities of the new Head of the Service to include among others, simplicity, humility, and commitment to duties, and challenged him to not only sustain the tempo recorded by his predecessor, but improve upon them.

Governor Mohammed who recalled that, Civil Service is the veritable machinery for the execution of government programmes, observed that, the sector need to be dynamic and keep pace with time and modernity.

To this end, the Governor pledged the determination of his administration to ensure all motivations are provided to the workforce through appropriate incentives and welfare packages.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Court convicts man for N700, 000m fraud From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has secured the conviction of one Salisu Kabiru Abdulsalam before Justice M.T Tukur of Kaduna State High Court, Kaduna, on one count of cheating.

Head, Media & Publicity of the Commission Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According the statement, the convict sometime in October 2018, allegedly approached the complainant, with a proposition to supply a total of 11 tons and 580kg of waste paper carton to Nixin Paper Mill Nigeria Limited, Ibadan on his behalf with the understanding that he will receive payment and remit same to the supplier.

“After the supply, the defendant received the sum of N752,000 from Nixin Paper Mill Nigeria Limited but only remitted the sum of N50, 000 to the complainant and diverted the balance to personal use.

“That you, Salisu Kabiru Abdulsalam on or about the 11th Day of October, 2018 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kaduna State, dishonestly induced one Samzila Boy I to deliver to you waste product of paper material weighing about 11tons and 580kg with the believe that you shall pay the sum of N702,000( seven hundred and two thousand Naira) only as value for the property, which you did not mean to pay and thereby committed cheating, an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code Law Cap.89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.”

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Consequently, prosecution counsel, M.E Eimonye urged the court to convict the defendant in line with the plea bargain agreement between the parties.

The Defence Counsel, E.C Aneme aligned himself with the prosecution but pleaded with the court to be lenient with the convict as he has been remorseful and had started paying restitution to the victim of the crime.

Justice Tukur haven considered all submissions of the parties, sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment with option of N200, 000.00 fine. In addition the convict is to pay the nominal complainant restitution in three trenches. Should he fails to comply with the order, the convict will spend an additional one year in prison.

CRIME News

Gunmen abduct Court of Appeal judge, kill orderly

By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

U

nknown gunmen on Wednesday abducted a Court of Appeal judge, Justice (Mrs.) Nwosu Iheme.

A Police Inspector A. I. Momoh, who accompanied the judge end route Benin Agbor road to Owerri, the Imo State Capital was shot dead by the hoodlums who whisked Justice Iheme away.

It was gathered that, the gunmen numbering four, trailed their victim from Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor road in their Toyota Voltron car and intercepted her black Spot Utility Vehicle (SUV) after the bad spot, near Christ Chosen Church of God International headquarters, when tragedy struck.

A witness who craved

anonymity, said that immediately after intercepting the judge, the hoodlums shot the tyre of her Toyota SUV, forcing it to a halt.

The source, explained that the gunmen also opened fire on the police orderly, killing him at the spot, before hurriedly whisking away the female judge to unknown destination in their car.

The State Police Command spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident.

According to him, “The incident occurred today at about 11.30 am, along Benin-Agbor Express Way, by Christ Chosen Church of God International.

“The victim, Justice Chioma Nwosu was attacked, while the police orderly attached to her, Inspector A. I. Momoh, was murdered and the driver of the vehicle severely injured and was

rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“Immediately, the police operatives of Ikpoba Hill divisional police headquarters, the tactical team of Edo state command and other relevant sections swung into action, but unfortunately, they got away with it.

“Investigation is ongoing and by the grace of God, Justice Chioma Nwosu will be rescued unhurt.”

A staff of the court who craved for anonymity, described the Judge as a good woman.

“She was kidnapped on her way to Owerri in imo State where her husband lives today (Wednesday) at about 12pm.

“The judge was kidnapped at the bad spot after Christ Chosen church of God international headquarters on Benin Agbor

road. Suddenly a vehicle from nowhere blocked the judge vehicle.

“So, her driver attempted to meander through the narrow part of the road, that was how they rained bullets on the tire of the vehicle and in the police orderly who sat in from was shot in his eyes by the kidnapers and took justice Nwosu Iheme was taken away by the gunmen.

“She normally travel to Owerri to see her husband every Friday after court sitting and return back on Sunday. But, she decided to travel today (Wednesday) because there will be no sitting on Thursday), she decided to travel today when the unfortunate incident occurred.

“Her police orderly is dead.

He is a police inspector from Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Commander 16 Brigade, Nigeria Army Brig.-GenValentine Okoro Group Photograph of 16 Brigade Official, invited guests and staff and students of Epie Central School Opolo after the presentation of Educational Materials to the school, yesterday in Yenagoa Bayelsa State. Photo: NAN

Operation Kpochapu 2: Police arrest 115 suspects in Anambra

T

he Police Command in Anambra State have arrested 115 suspects for alleged pick pocketing, hand bag snatching and smoking of cannabis, among other social deviances in the commercial city of Onitsha.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Haruna Mohammed, told journalists at the Police Area Command, Onitsha during the parade that the feat followed the recent launch of Operation Kpochapu 2.

Governor Willie Obiano had two weeks ago launched the operation to support security agencies with vehicles and other

logistics to help stem the tide of crime in the state.

Mr Mohammed said the police in conjunction with other security agencies jointly carried out a raid of black spots and criminal hideouts particularly at Upper Iweka, Aba and Owerri roads.

“A total number of 90 suspects were arrested in connection with cases of pick pocketing, hand bag snatching, cannabis smoking and other social deviances within Onitsha and environments,” he said.

The police spokesperson said 25 other suspects were arrested for alleged illegal revenue collections.

He said the operation was carefully coordinated by the Area Commander Onitsha, John Obuagbaka.

Mr Mohammed, who noted that the security operatives professionally carried out the operations in consonance with the internationally accepted best practices, added that the suspects would be charged to court.

“It was a hitch free operation.

The command will profile and screen the suspects while those found wanting will be charged to court.

“Those who are not will be freed unconditionally and they are all entitled to their rights and privileges as suspects,” Mr

Mohammed said.

He further assured that the underage and adolescent among the suspects would be treated based on the law guiding Children and Young Persons in the state.

“The essence of these operations carried out between Tuesday and Wednesday were to make sure that safety and security becomes the top security priority in the state,” Mr Mohammed stressed.

While commending the state government’s support to security agencies, Mr Mohammed assured that this year’s Christmas and other festivities would be celebrated peacefully.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

PAGE 8

News

Buhari: Agriculture key to poverty reduction

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has said new investments and reforms in the agriculture sector in Nigeria hold the key to the target of his government to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Ptesident while speaking at a panel discussion on the second day of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh underlined his government’s resolve to actualise his promise to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

He joined President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in a plenary session to discuss ‘‘What’s next for Africa? How will

investment and trade transform the continent into the next great economic success story?’’

On poverty reduction in Nigeria, the President pointed to the vigorous implementation of key reforms of his administration in the farming and agricultural sector including soft loans to farmers, availability and affordability of farming inputs and restrictions on food imports grown locally, as some measures that have encouraged agriculture revolution

in Nigeria. ‘‘We have vast arable land in Nigeria. We have encouraged, the young men and able-bodied persons, especially the uneducated ones to go back to the land. ‘‘We have encouraged them by giving soft loans to farmers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and by making fertilizer available and selling at half the prize that it used to be. ‘‘We have also ensured a stop on

the importation of food because we are capable of achieving food security ourselves,’’ he said.

Responding to a question posed to the discussants if Russia is now the new best friend of Africa, Buhari said Russia is ‘‘visibly helping’’ Nigeria in all the priority areas of his government – security, economy and the fight against corruption-, for which he is grateful.

The President added that Russia had remained a committed

The vice chairman, Nigeria union of journalist Kaduna council, Comrade Sabiu Mohammed (right), presenting an award certificate to Alhaji femi mustapha oyelola of peoples daily newspapers on behalf of advocates for violence-free society and peaceful coexistence initiative Nigeria...in Kaduna yesterday

Environmental management: Why we enlist school children -Delta NEWMAP From: Asaba

Nosa

Akenzua,

T

he Delta State Chapter of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project( NEWMAP), has taken steps to enlists school children in public schools across the state.

Coordinator of NEWAP, Isaac Ufiofio who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Wednesday, said that the need to enlist students in public primary schools is aimed at catching them young in environmental best practices in the state, explaining that the interactions amongst the subcomponent of the environment had resulted to major environmental challenges such as erosion and flood, pollution, sanitation and water management issues, deforestation, loss of biodiversity and climate change.

He said that the need to protect, conserve and prevent the environment from further degradation gives rise to the formation of environmental group in schools to make the pupils/ students as change agents, adding that” the formation of the club will lead to sustainable management , improve environmental best practices, and ensuring that pupils/students imbibe environmental consciousness that brings about attitudinal rebirth.”

He, however, commended DTS NEWMAP focal NGO ( Global Peace Development) Officials of Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for their collaborative efforts geared towards the production of the environmental group manual.

development partner to Nigeria, recounting its support during the country’s civil war. ‘‘Those who focus on the progress of developing countries would see what Russia right from its days as the Soviet Union had done for us.

We will never forget that we went over our civil war with the help of Russia and since then politically and economically, the Russians are helping Nigeria in so many ways,’’ he said.

Peoples Daily Newspaper bags Merit Award From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

P

eoples Daily Newspaper has won the 2019 edition of Advocates for Violence-Free Society and Peaceful Coexistence Initiative Nigeria, (AVSAPCIN), for peaceful reportage.

Presenting the award to the Editor-in-Chief/ Chief Operating Officer , Hameed Bello, the National President/Chief Executive Officer of AVSAPCIN, Alhaji Sani

Ibrahim, said Peoples Daily as a newspaper through its reportage has contributed immensely to violencefree society and peaceful coexistence in the country.

He said for the past four years, AVSAPCIN has monitored reports in both print and electronic media in the country and found out that Peoples Daily is among media organizations which, rather than escalate tensions, doused it through its reportage.

He commended the news pattern of the organization, calling on the management to sustain it especially its balanced reports.

“Every morning when I go out I picked a copy of Peoples Daily because it is a newspaper that gives the news without causing damages or raising tension.

“Peoples Daily news is straight to the point making it meaningful to every reader and that is what a newspaper should be,” he said.

Receiving the award, the Editor/ Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Media, publisher of Peoples Daily, Hameed Bello, said the organization is highly honoured to receive the award for the role through journalistic efforts to sustain peaceful coexistence in the country.

Bello who was represented by Kaduna state Correspondent of the Peoples Daily, Femi Oyelola, said the award will spur up his organization to peaceful and unbiased reportage.

Universal Health Coverage passes key global milestone -WHO From Uche Uche, Damaturu

T

he World Health Organization has welcomed a new inter-parliamentary union resolution on achieving universal health coverage, UHC, by 2030. The resolution, adopted at the inter-parliamentary union assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, comes one month after heads of state agreed a high-level United

Nations political declaration on UHC in New York.

According to recent WHO news release online, UHC is increasingly regarded as a cornerstone for sustainable global development as leaders and communities acknowledge that health is both a human right and essential to economic growth.

“Universal health coverage is a political choice. Last month,

the world’s leaders signaled their readiness to make that choice. Now it’s time to turn those commitments into health results,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general.

He added: “Parliamentarians have a vital role to play in making this happen. Because it’s parliamentarians who pass laws and allocate funding. It’s parliaments who keep government

accountable for the commitments it’s made and who forged the partnerships that help countries make universal health coverage a reality.”

The Resolution calls on parliaments and parliamentarians to “take all possible measures to achieve UHC”, stressing the need for robust legal frameworks and the need to allocate adequate resources.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

News

Sexual assault: Group solicits monarchs, religious leaders’ support on awareness campaign From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he sexual assault center of Gambo Sawaba general hospital,Zaria has solicited the support of religious and traditional leaders in sensitizing the public on the activities of the center.

The Center manager Hajiya Amina Umar-Faruk, made the call in Zaria kaduna state ,during the phase one sensitization workshop for religious and traditional leaders on the impact of Violence Against Children(VAC).

The workshop was organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

She said that the center had been doing a lot in terms of awareness creation but needed the assistance of community leaders as they were closer to the people.

She said that the center,popular known as Salama center provides psychosocial cancelling, free medication and legal intervention to survivors of abuse.

The manager noted that the center was supported by four ministries which included ministry of justice, health,human services and education.

Umar-Faruk stated that the center had so far received 88 cases since its opening in February 2019 with 15 cases reported in the month of October.

“Out of the 88 cases, 46 were male while 42 were female with only two cases of physical violence perpetrated by survivors’ relatives.

“Most of the cases received are sexual abuse on minors; either rape or sodomy”, she said.

She decried over the low support from the police in making sure perpetrators were convicted saying only one case of rape was reported to be served justice as the perpetrator was convicted seven years imprisonment.

While speaking, Isah Ibrahim from Save the children stated that timely procurement and distribution of free drugs for victims was needed for the center to be more effective.

He stated that government needed to recruit more manpower to manage facilities in the center and make sure centers run for 24hours and seven days for better service delivery. “ There is also the need for government to set up state child protection law 2018 implementation committee “,he said.

Page 9

Retired UniAbuja health workers stage peaceful protest, demand documents

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he retired health workers of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada on the platform of the Association of Federal Health Pensioners of Nigeria branch on Wednesday staged a peaceful demonstration, calling on the management of the hospital to give the documents to them so as to enable the leadership of Person Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to screen them for the payment of their benefits.

In an interview during the

protest, the chairman of the association, Mr Danjuma Masamo Yaks, urged the hospital management to deem it necessary to issue their documents to them for the sake of outstanding payment.

His words: “We are here today to register our protest because the documents we were asking for, would have been given to us prior to our leaving, because the management did not do their job well we were not given. Now that the payment of person was transferred to PTAD in 2015, the PTAD needs documents to verify us or to screen”.

He expressed with nostalgia that despite the letters wrote to the management of the hospital, they had failed to issue the said documents to the pensioners up till now.

Yaks, however, tasked the authorities of the hospital to swing into action to make the document available to the pensioners to save humanity.

In his reaction, one of the pensioners, Mr Ibrahim K. Isah, said they were forcefully disengaged in May, 2007 by the management of the hospital.

He said: “We were forcefully retired in May, 2007 in the hospital

and that our appointment letters were backdated to December, 2006. It is never done elsewhere anywhere. When you worked and retired and that the same months you enjoy your benefits”.

On his part, the secretary of the association, Mr Isah Abu, said they staged a peaceful demonstration in order to enable the pensioners get the necessary documents for PTAD screening in this year.

Speaking on the development, the Asset ant Director information of UATH, Mr Frank Omagbon, said the arrangement had been concluded to issue the pensioners their documents.

L-R: INEC National Commissioners, Mr. Festus Okoye, Prof. Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine; Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC National Commissioners, Alhaji Abubakar Nahuche and Mr. Adekunle Ogunmola, during the Quarterly Consultative Meeting of INEC with political parties on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Strange’ diseases destroy N1bn onions in Kebbi – Farmers Association

T

he National Association of Onions Farmers in Kebbi says its members have lost over N1 billion worth of onions to two strange diseases affecting farms and storage facilities in the state.

The Chairman of the association, Bello Uba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that, at least, 20,000 farmers were affected.

“We have lost over N1 billion to two strange and unknown diseases that emerged and affected the seeds we used as well as the shells of the already ripened onions that we put in our local storage facilities.

“We have never witnessed such kind of diseases in decades as no fewer than 20,000 farmers are now affected by the bizarre scourge,” he said.

According to him, the farmers

believe that the two diseases, coined Zazzalau and Raba, have no remedy for now.

The chairman, however, said the association had not reported the outbreak to relevant government agencies for intervention but would do so immediately.

The Acting Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, Muhammad Lawal, said the ministry

was not aware of the outbreak.

“We have no information on the outbreak of any strange disease; we don’t have any information in our records on the disease. ” I urge farmers to write to their local government councils of any outbreak of a strange disease for onward transmission to us and we assure that we are going to take necessary action,” Mr Lawal said.(NAN)

Buhari commits to deeper partnership with S/Arabia

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday held talks with King Salman in Riyadh, on the sidelines of the second day of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, during which both leaders committed to deeper partnership for the development of both countries.

According to a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President and the Saudi Monarch reviewed aspects of cooperation between both countries and agreed to advance cooperation in the areas of oil and gas, given the similarities of both countries as big producers of the commodity.

In this regard, King Salman

assured Buhari of the willingness of Saudi Arabia to invest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, thereby strengthening the strategic partnership between the Saudi Energy company, Aramco, and the NNPC. Both leaders also discussed the current regional and global security situation, and Buhari expressed his desire for a quick and peaceful

resolution on contentious issues in the region.

Noting the cordial relations Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the two leaders committed to vigorously enhance and develop relations in several areas – from trade, peopleto-people partnership, technology, education and agriculture, for the mutual prosperity of citizens of both countries.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

PAGE 10

News

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Director General of National Agency for the Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Beatrice JedyAgba on Monday disclosed that about 3 million young Nigerians are held in sexual labour and other forms of slavery internally and in various parts of the world.

The NAPTIP revealed this during the 2019/2020 budget defence held before of the House Committee on Diaspora chaired

by Hon. Tolulope Akande Sadipe.

She disclosed that the fight against human trafficking cannot overemphasized, affirming that it is a wellorganized and versatile crime which is now being used to finance terrorism and drug trade in Nigeria.

According to her, the agency was charged with the responsibility of coordinating all national responses to the crime of human trafficking, including law enforcement, victim protection and empowerment, research into root causes of human trafficking as well as building robust networks among governmental and non-governmental partners.

On the overview of the 2019 budget implementation, the NAPTIP administrator noted that the challenges confronting the agency are quite enormous and have been exacerbated by the current upsurge in migration to Europe from Middle East and parts of Africa, especially Nigeria.

According to Jedy-Agba, the latest estimates indicate that between 3 million young Nigerians are held in sexual labour and other forms of slavery internally and in various parts of the world.

Committed civil service vital for the devt of Delta -HoS From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

M

r Reginald Bayoko, Delta State Head of Service (HoS), has said that only a committed civil service could spur development in any state.

Bayoko stated this on Wednesday in Asaba when he received on courtesy the executives of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel. The HoS said that his office was committed to building that virile civil service capable of delivering on the state government agenda of a “Stronger Delta”.

He noted that the crux of his office was to ensure a public service that would deliver services efficiently and effectively.

He disclosed that the state government has given approval for the furnishing of the newly completed Cabinet Office to enhance its service delivery and decent work place. He said that the clock - in, clock -out device and the training and retraining of the state workers among other Initiatives have boosted their performances.

3m young Nigerians in sexual labour -DG NAPTIP

“This certainly needs a robust response from our government which enjoys enormous goodwill globally and I am sure you all agree with me that N33 million is grossly inadequate.

As stipulated in the N363.195

million Overhead component of the 2020 budget estimates, the agency requested for N2.5 million for telephone charges, N3.6 million for maintenance of plants/generators abd additional sum of N7.4 million for plant/

generator fuel cost; N7.2 million for motor vehicle fuel cost, N9.6 million for maintenance of motor vehicle/transport equipment; N5.480 million for printing of non-security documents; N16 million for security

vote (including operations); N37.750 million for publicity & advertisements; N3.320 million for refreshment; N2.5 million for sporting activities; N1.5 million for annual budget expenses and administration.

R-L: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, Vueng Diah Hue, during a courtesy visit to the House Reps at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja

Diaspora Commission: Dabiri laments paucity of funding

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa yesterday revealed that the commission has nothing with regards to funding to work with , outside the N100m gotten from president Muhammed Buhari as a takeoff grant, even as she stressed that the Agency lack office structure to operate in the last 5 months.

Dabiri who said this before the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday, added that the agency did all that it has achieved so far from the N100 million take off grant approved by the President.

According to her, the commission is the youngest parastatal in the country but has achieved notable milestones in its short existence, despite having enormous funding constraints.

“We’re barely six months old because my confirmation spent 8 months at the Senate and eventually sailed through in May, even though the secretary had resumed work before then. And we have done so much within these six months despite all odds.

“We have nothing with regards to funding outside the N100m we got from Mr president as a takeoff.

“We got N400m in the 2019 budget and nothing has been

released so far, but the minister has promised to do something soon about it, and we are hoping she does that very quickly so that we can tidy up our commitments for the fiscal year”, she said.

Speaking to the zero allocation for overhead due to perceived lack of nominal roll, she said the commission should at least be given a percentage of its total budget as overhead.

“The rules says that for an agency like ours, we should get at least 5 percent of our total budget for overhead. The commission is an agency under the Foreign Affairs Ministry and a zero overhead can’t be appropriate, going by the rules

“So as it is, we don’t even have an office, even though we have a space, we can’t put anything on it structural wise. So if you visit us, we can’t even afford to give you apples that you normally offer your guests”, she said, urging the committee to help review the zero overhead to a workable figure.

On internally generated revenue (IGR), she said the commission is working on modalities which she would brief the Committee in due course, adding that Nigerians and Nigeria are being reaped off by handlers of remittances from diaspora Nigerians who return or send monies home.

Kaduna govt. develops e-platform to ease payment of taxes, revenues From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KDIRS) said it had developed e-platform to ease payment of taxes and revenues by hospitality industries in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Agency Dr Zaid Abubakar, made this known in Kaduna at a training on hotel management information system organised by KDIRS held in kaduna yesterday.

Abubakar explained that the

training was designed to equip the management, finance and account officers of hospitality industry with the needed skills to access the platform and make payments.

He added that the e-platform would enable the industry, including hotels and restaurants pay all taxes and revenues due to the state from the comfort of their offices.

According to him, the goal is to improve revenue generation by easing the business of tax payment in the state.

“This, in the long run will ease the business environment that will in turn encourage the growth of all businesses in the state.

“We are doing all we can to engender voluntary compliance among tax payers in the state and we hope to achieve this through series of stakeholder engagements.’’

The State’s Secretary of Nigeria Hotel Association, Mr Jijiwin Akpovwovwo described the initiative as ‘a welcome development.’

Akpovwovwo said that the

association would encourage its members to embrace the e-payment platform, which he said would remove the stress of queuing in banks to pay tax.

“This is commendable, considering that we are in a digital world where every financial transaction, marketing and other service are being conducted online.

“This will force some of us who are still analog to computerised our payment system in line with current global best practices,’’ he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Stop this siege operation

T

he House of Representatives and create a siege mentality in the has kicked against “Operation citizenry. Worse, he said the risk of Positive Identification”, which abuse was very high.

The House resolved to ask the the army is scheduled to commence Friday, Nov. 1, across the country. army to stand down the operation The aim is for Nigerians to show and in its place “develop a pro their valid identification papers. people strategy in confronting The papers they are asking to see the nation’s security challenges”. include the voter’s card, national It urged President Muhammadu identity card, driver’s licence, Buhari, as the Commander-inChief of the Armed and the international Forces, “to review passport. They hope these the situation and documents would help stop the army from to distinguish between the law abiding citizens and Operation Positive commencing planned operation.” terrorists.

Identification” hasn’t Firstly, let us say The military claimed gone down well with that we at Peoples last month that people many Nigerians.

Daily appreciate of the north-east region Their elected the enormity of the were cooperating with representatives, burden the army has troops by showing their mainly in the House, had to bear in the valid identity documents. have attacked it counter insurgency For that reason, they because there are campaign. As the said the exercise would be conducted nationwide too many negatives. largest of the armed Sept. 25 to “checkmate It said Tuesday that forces, it sees more rather than mete bandits, kidnappers, battles than the others out to Nigerians a and it has suffered a armed robbers, ethnic militia, cattle rustlers treatment meant for high toll in personnel equipment. as well as other sundry “conquered persons”, and the army should Recently, it said the criminals across the various regions of “go on the offensive protracted campaign Nigeria.” Already troops against Boko Haram has compelled it to “spiritual are carrying out crime insurgents.” House consider warfare” in addition fighting operations such Minority Leader, to the conventional as “Ayem Akpatuma” in Ndudi Elumelu, to the the north-central; “Egwu brought up the matter approach Eke” in the south-east as “a point of order of security challenges. and “Crocodile Smile”’ national importance However, much as we encourage thinking in the south-south and outside the box, we southwest. abhor any measures However, “ Operation Positive Identification” hasn’t gone that would turn law abiding down well with many Nigerians. citizens into suspects and infringe Their elected representatives, on their guaranteed right of free mainly in the House, have attacked movement on their own soil. We it because there are too many fear that this is what “Operation negatives. It said Tuesday that Positive Identification” will end up rather than mete out to Nigerians doing, even though unintendedly. a treatment meant for “conquered Secondly, taking on this new task persons”, the army should “go on supposes that the army is ready for the offensive against Boko Haram it in terms of personnel and funds. insurgents.”

House Minority But far from it. During its 2020 Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, brought budget defence in parliament, the up the matter as “a point of order army complained its allocation of national importance”. He wasn’t enough. Thirdly, where said the House should stop the are the police in this, whose main planned military action because responsibility is ensuring internal it would “strip Nigerians of security? OPI begs too many their constitutionally guaranteed questions and should be stood freedom of movement.” According down until it has been well thought to him, it would “militarize society” through.

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Letter to the Editor

Governor Badaru’s appointment of 54 Special Assistants in Jigawa By: Adamu Muhd Usman.

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he entire media has been awash with commentaries on appraisal and chains of criticism on the appointment of 54 Special Assistants by governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa state. Though, I am not governor Badaru’s spokesman or one of his cabinet members, but am a citizen of Jigawa state and the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution accorded me the right and privilege to write and express my opinion on this issue including others affecting my stateJigawa.

Some people, especially those outside Jigawa state condemned the appointment because of the sheer size of the aides, though no law in the land prohibits a governor from making such appointments, and governor Badaru was not the first governor to appoint many aides in his cabinet. Previously, there was a governor who appointed over 150 aides.

Appointing many aides is a political advantage to him and reducing unemployment. Jigawa is a rural state with few opportunities including the culture of extended family, the remuneration of one aide to the governor will have a multiplier effect of hundreds of people especially in the rural areas.

Some observers also criticized Gov. Badaru for appointing one aide each for his 3 wives, but I do not see anything wrong with that, as far as they are capable, and can meet the requirements in their job description as well as having what it take to serve in that capacities. I It is a gender sensitivity; also the appointees will be advising the Governor’s wives, and in return, the wives will advise their husband on feminine issues especially the girlchild-education, maternal and infant mortality. Some pundits are of the view that, this will assist the government to revisit Haifuwa Lafiya Scheme which was introduced by Sule Lamido administration in the state.

Some people, who are mostly apolitical, questioned the appointment of the Special Assistant on streets light. Well, the motive behind those portfolios may be linked to former Governor Sule Lamido’s wisdom on rural development - during the tenure of Sule Lamido administration, he provided the 27 local government headquarters in the state with streets light which made the towns look like big cities.

This also helps security of lives and properties in the towns but because they were neglected and no proper and constant maintenance, most of the streetlight became nonfunctional. The situation is very worrisome and has also put fear in the minds of ordinary citizen in terms of basic security especially in the nights. Appointing an aide to assist the governor to overlook the affairs of the streets light will bring proper inspection, management and regular functioning of the streets lights.

Sometimes, some actions of public office holders may appear irrational from afar, but a closer look of the actions may provide deep and sensible reasons why the action was taken.

To this regard, I extol governor Badaru for the appointment of special assistants on wheat, rice, crop production (other crops), irrigation, cluster and conflict resolution. As governor Badaru promises and preaches agricultural production in the state of small and medium scale, as one of his agendas he will solely concentrate on.

So, we still hope that, farmers in the state will continue to enjoy the maximum support in crop production, including the use of mechanized farming system in order to encourage and support livestock farming system which will go along the way to reduce or stop clashes between the farmers and the Fulani cattle breeders as Sule Lamido did.

Furthermore, Gov. Badaru should be commended for the appointment of special assistant on the desert encroachment. Climate change is a global issue; serious governments are concern about it. Moreover, desert encroachment is one of the hazardous environmental issues facing Jigawa state. The special assistant on Drug Abuse and rape which will go along the way to checkmate, reduce or halt social vices and immorally in the land especially among the young generation. How I wish, the governor has also appointed an aide on flood and water disaster, which is also one of the environmental problem facing Jigawa state both in urban and rural areas, especially farming communities.

In a nutshell, we hope the government will give all necessary cooperation, power and support to all the aides in order to discharge their responsibilities diligently, effectively, efficiently, sincerely and heatedly. We still hope sensitization workshops, seminars and other events would be organised in order to educate, enlighten, entertain, encourage and intimate the general public most times through the media (print, electronics, online and social/new media) on the need to know why Jigawa state require these kind of political appointments and how the SAs will discharge their responsibilities Lastly, we hope and pray the appointees will be God fearing, committed, dedicated, upright and up and doing. What gives people hope and meaning is the pursuit of meaningful and noble purpose. And one of the simplest and easiest ways to change your people and the society is to assist or help others achieve their dreams.

Stephen R. Covey once said “The environment you fashion out of your thought, your beliefs, your ideas, your philosophy us the only climate you will ever live in. The key is not spending time, but in invest it” Jigawa of my dreams Adamu writes from KafinHausa, Jigawa state amu3333@yahoo.com

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Nigerian Railways: Privatization and Malawi’s example

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

‘

There are books to teach you how to build a house, how to repair engines, how to cook a meal. But I have not seen a book on how to build a nation. All that is required is finding out who else had met the problem you face, how they had tackled it, and how successful they had been’-Lee Kuan Yew, Former Prime Minister Of Singapore.

Looking at the list of the recently appointed ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari, it will not be considered a wrong assertion or hasty generalization to conclude that the nation Nigeria has successfully assembled men/ women and placed them in positions of authority as ministers and top public officers to administer the system and be responsive to the needs of the people via prompt infrastructural deployments, supply of stable electricity, provision of adequate and affordable houses, good road networks, effective security and efficient transportation system. What seems to be missing is the willingness of these appointed officials to find out who else had met the problem we face, how they had tackled it, and how successful they had been.

Specifically, the reality of infrastructural gaps, deficit and decay in the countryparticularly in the transport sector, and the inability of the heads of these ministries to find out who else had met the problem we face, how they had tackled it, renders as ineffective Mr President’s recent promise that the minister will be responsible for the development and implementation of policies, programmes and projects in their various ministries, departments and agencies in line with the government priorities; and also ensure that agencies under their ministries are effective, efficient and accountable in their responsibilities,.

Talk about the state of roads and railways in the country. For more than three decades, the nation has serially neglected as well as viewed road and rail transport sector in a unitary form-

forgetting that each has its own laws, strategies both operational dynamics and matrix.

And we have seen lately how the majority of the Federal roads currently cry for attention, and instead of the government acting in this direction, they are preoccupied with how to build toll points on roads currently not motorable.

Conversely, rail systems in Nigeria are finding it difficult to escape from the neglect visited on it by our ‘national political trains’ through vicious circles of under investments, low profitability, and capital scarcity-weakened rail operation in the country.

The strategic implication of the above is that while the current effort by the present administration to build world-class rail facilities with huge capital investments from China is being acknowledged, our ‘national philosophy’ that impeded the development of the sector is still alive and active.

As subsequent paragraphs will reveal, Nigeria’s rail transport system would certainly not be where it is today if the government had all these years, tried to develop it’s operations-technologically, financially or contemplated productive collaboration with the private sectors.

However, even if the above factors are presently considered, it may offer a considerably reduced risk, but the potential rewards will also, or could be, relatively small/low unless government places as a top priority; integration of economic/ agriculturally advantaged towns/cities into the plan in such a way that the distribution of food products and other economic products from advantaged to less advantaged areas will be seamless – as evidence has shown that such towns/cities referred to as disadvantaged often always hold the domestic trade and market prices of such commodities This is not without precedence.

Take Malawi as an illustration, the country going by reports, is a small landlocked country in the south of Africa,

measuring approximately 800km from north to south and 150km from east to west in area size around 40percent, bordering in the North West with Zambia, in the North East with Tanzania and in the south with Mozambique. Its railways were a government corporation that ran the national rail network of Malawi, Africa, until privatization in 1999. With effect from 1 December 1999, the Central East Africa Railways consortium led by Raukroad Development Corporation won the right to operate the network. This was the first rail privatization in Africa which did not involve a parastatal operator.

This feat achieved caught global attention and loaded with lessons to learn.

To support this assertion, Wouter Zante, Associate Professor at the Vrije University and Fellow at the Tinbergen Institute, both Amsterdam, Netherland, while writing on the topic; trains, trade, and transaction costs; how does domestic trade by rail affect market prices of Malawi agricultural commodities?

Noted that; privatization of railways brought resource-saving, guaranteed food security, improve domestic trade and market prices of Malawi’s agricultural commodities.

Comparatively, he pointed out that while high transport cost makes a trade between markets unprofitable and forces farmers into subsistence farming, low transport costs on its part, increase trade, lead to lower prices and lower price dispersion, and offer farmers incentives to commercialize. In the longer run, low transport cost may also increase supply response, improve allocative efficiency, accelerate technology adoption and innovation and enhance economicgrowth.

Submitting that Malawi’s experience has shown that transportation by rail is lowcost and contributes to lower food prices through its impact on the operation of the market, increase the welfare of household and improves food security while leading to a reduction of overall transport prices

The necessity of Nigeria’s IGIS project

By Abu I. Michael

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f for nothing else, socio cultural and political sentiments aside, fairness demands loud applause for the present Administration of Muhammadu Buhari for two major executive propellants: the nudge towards making Nigeria become a knowledge-based economy, and the creation of the Department of Cartography and Geographic Information System (GIS) in the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) are apt.

Over the years, subsequent governments neglected the inevitability of research through which data and information are generated to inform formulation of tangible policies, implementation and execution of projects/ programmes that will induce the various sectors of the economy for growth and sustainable development, and adding values to the lives of the people. It was the realization of this that President Buhari while inaugurating the National Economic Advisory Council asked the members to ensure to generate primary data which will help the Government under his purview formulate policies and projects which would be pragmatic and impactful. This digital

approach to leadership is long overdue for a country like Nigeria; it is a surefooted foundation for future governments to build on in the country’s quest to reach the promised land of milk and honey.

It is this demonstration and show of commitment to positively change the Nigerian System by the Government that has inspired OSGoF under the leadership of the Acting Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Taiwo S. Adeniran to begin aggressive push for the development of an Integrated Geospatial Information System (IGIS) for the country. OSGoF is a repository of critical information, and all its activities and projects are being aligned with the 9 priority areas of the Government which formed the Next Level Agenda of Buhari Administration. Surveyor Adeniran’s leadership search for better service delivery bringing about creativity and thinking outside the box by staff of OSGoF is exemplary for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Nigerian Government. The cause for better service delivery and good governance is a noble one considering the position Nigeria occupies in the scheme of affairs in the continent of Africa and the world at large; arguably, she remains the hope of the West

African sub-region and the whole of the black race. The efforts of the Government for the issues on which this write-up is centered are well prioritized; for me, they are of general acceptability for Nigerian patriots and many who want the country witness unequivocal socioeconomic growth, industrialization and technological advancement. I am always of the view that Nigeria is greater than her trials and the challenges confronting her people.

Our endowments are unrivalled, and as a people, we are capable of surmounting our challenges. With these actions of Buhariled Government we are building a base for a towering economy that will be enviable.

The creation of the Department of Cartography and GIS will give teeth to the development of the IGIS. The department is to enhance the making of maps of whatever need and build a reliable data of geospatial requirements, information on everything virtually on or within the Nigerian space. In fact, experts have buttressed the position of Surveyor Adeniran when he says, “The world cannot boast of where it is today without the enormous contributions of cartographers/ map makers. It is indeed difficult to imagine how life would have been without maps and

through railroad competition.

Clearly, privatization of the rail operation in my views has truly brought resource-saving to Malawi. And Nigerians know about these facts. But the questions are; how can we as a nation build on this awareness? And domesticate the lessons learned from the experience?

As a nation, how can we achieve a fasttracked development in the sector when the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), like other government agencies, is reputed for ineptitude and inefficiency?

Who will make the Federal Government understand that operating a passenger train from Abuja to Kaduna, should not be the critical role of the railway in a country where the agricultural produce are landlocked in a particular geographical location as a result of ineffective distribution mechanism.

For us to achieve the target objective in the rail sector, the government must start thinking of privatization and a rail system that will have a connection of major economic towns/cities as the focus.

Achieving this objective will help the poor village farmers in Benue/Kano and other remote areas earn more money, contributes to lower food prices in Lagos and other cities through the impact on the operation of the market, increase the welfare of household both in Kano, Benue, Lagos and others while it improves food security in the country, reduce stress/ pressure daily mounted on Nigerian roads by articulated/haulage vehicles and drastically reduce road accidents on our major highways.

Achieving this will again elicit urgent need for the government to openly admit and adopt both structural and managerial changes that impose more leadership discipline than conventional, and creating government institutions that are capable of making successful decisions built on a higher quality of information which needs to be granted.

Jerome-Mario Utomi (jeromeutomi@ yahoo.com), writes from Lagos.

geo-information products. Proper planning and development is easier and faster by referring to maps.” He made this statement at the 41st international Conference/ Workshop and Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Cartographic Association (NCA) recently held in Kaduna. It has also been argued that the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would hardly be attained in any of the countries of the world without IGIS. What IGIS will do for the country is beyond imagining. IGIS will help all sectors of the economy to always provide Evidence Based Decision Support System (EBDSS). The IGIS will boost the nation’s defence and security operations hence reducing the ungoverned spaces for criminal activities; agriculture, marine, mining, housing and road construction, transportations, telecommunications, electricity, finance and revenue generation, aviation, spacecraft, robotic activities and among many others require IGIS for general advancement to make conditions of life easier for Nigerians. Therefore, the necessity of the Nigeria’s IGIS Project cannot be overemphasized.

Michael is the Head of Press and Public Relations at OSGoF, Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Stop agonizing motorists

By Adewale Kupoluyi

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major burden placed on motorists is the seeming duplicity of vehicular checks by security agents. This practice has not only become a nuisance but a nightmare as many drivers are not even sure of what they might encounter when plying the roads. Almost at the same time, motorists driving on intrastate and interstate roads regularly confront officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Commission, Vehicle Inspection Office, state road traffic authority, environmental protection agency, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Army, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.

No doubt, the security agencies have different mandates. Some of these operational activities are overlapping but the main issue is that in the course of discharging these responsibilities, they often give unnecessary agony to the people, making one wonder whether their presence is to protect the people or to inflict pain on them; all in the name of safety and security. A few days ago, a taxi driver was flagged down by VIO personnel and asked to produce his car papers. He confidently released the documents not knowing that the certificate of roadworthiness had expired. He had assumed that the lifespan of the certificate, which he processed alongside the vehicle insurance, was for one year and not six months, as he had thought.

For driving with an expired document, he was threatened that he would be sanctioned.

Along the line, someone advised him to ‘settle’ the officer so as not to be delayed unnecessarily but he (driver) declined. Rather, he opted to be fined and pay the official fees. What drew my interest during the driver’s conversation with the officers was that they refused to be lenient

with him on the excuse that he knew that the document would expire after six months. During the argument, the VIO personnel told him that no amount of plea would make a difference because they were given specific targets on the number of erring drivers that must be booked for the day!

At another time, a road safety corps demanded specific car papers from a taxi driver.

Having been able to produce the necessary ones and still not satisfied, the officer requested evidence for the installation of a speed-limiting device. Completely disenchanted, the driver sought to know when it became an issue to be enforced. This led to an altercation and at the end of the day; the driver had to part with some amount of money before he was left off the hook.

The same scenario is played out with other law enforcement agents on our roads.

A more sympathetic scenario involved a Senior Citizen, who was asked to show up for pensioners’ verification exercise in a nearby state. Not being too familiar with the roads, he innocently approached one of the traffic officers on the correct lane to ply, to avoid breaching rules. To his surprise, he was asked to take the inappropriate lane, only for another colleague, who had misled him, to hotly pursue him and charge him for driving on the wrong lane. After appealing to him that it was another staff like him, wearing the same uniform with him that mischievously directed him to take the route, he denied knowing anyone like such and demanded bribe money or risk being arrested. In the end, the old man was forced to give him money so as not to be delayed unnecessarily.

There are other agonising examples that I have personally read, seen or heard about. It is the same problem everywhere. It’s always a case of exploitation, deceit, and high-handedness.

Unfortunately, government authorities do not

PAGE 13

Comment appear to be helping matters, as little or no attention is paid to this plight by motorists. On several occasions, the police high command had announced that it has stopped roadblocks across the country. What happens is that immediately the directive is given, roadblocks disappear, only to reappear, again. Rather than serving as a means of crime deterrence and rapid response, the checkpoints are used to perpetrate bribery, extortion and human rights abuses.

According to the civil rights group; Intersociety for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, a whopping sum of N306 billion had been extorted at checkpoints from Nigerians in the south-south and south-east geopolitical zones alone within a two-year period, an amount that represents the estimated total of security shakedowns between August 2015 and October 2019 at about 6,300 police and 600 military checkpoints spread across the two regions. Intersociety’s report has further revealed that N56 billion was extorted at checkpoints manned by the military.

From the modus operandi of the various security personnel, not much is being achieved on the roads in the name of checking and demanding vehicle particulars. Many innocent motorists have been attacked, brutalised, raped, and killed while resisting the illegality committed by security personnel. Many security operatives are rude, arrogant and act as if they are above the law. Without delay, the respective agencies should call their staff to order, to desist from punishing drivers unjustly. This abnormal operational mode makes drivers engage in sharp and corrupt practices to beat the security agents, who appear to be working to meet revenue targets by collecting money illegally from motorists.

Not only that, prices of goods and commodities become unnecessarily expensive because the fines and bribe monies forced on

commercial drivers are passed on to consumers.

The existing driver’s licence should be upgraded to have more security features such that many documents would not be demanded from motorists simultaneously. It is rather unfortunate that the national identity card scheme has not been developed properly to serve multiple functions unlike what is obtainable in other countries. We have what it takes to have a better and functional system.

It is only hoped that the planned Nigerian military’s nationwide operation to demand identity cards from citizens across the country code-named ‘Operation Positive Identification’, meant to see soldiers accosting citizens on the streets or highways and asking them to produce means of identification on the spot, would not be counter-productive. Apart from the likelihood of exploitation and human rights violation, the operation could be used to victimise citizens, as usual, rather than combating security challenges.

The idea of arbitrarily stopping of people on the highways is likely to be dehumanising, especially when carried out under the present arrangement where there is poor coordination of national identification. People have many economic troubles to contend with. The military should suspend the operation. Amid the prevailing insecurity in the land, we can manage the security architecture better than what is now obtainable. Security chiefs should be more creative and sensitive to the people and the environment. All that is needed is the sincerity of purpose and political will to make things work better not only on security matters but in other facets of our national life.

Kupoluyi writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)

Tackling climate change and health: Why Nigeria can’t wait any longer!

By Oladipupo Ajiroba

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ith the growing concerns over climate change, it has become necessary that world leaders commit to a fair deal.

Nations are working towards a new global climate change agreement later this year in Paris. These negotiations offer governments a critical opportunity to craft a broad, balanced and durable agreement strengthening the international climate effort. There is no more time to waste in our efforts to protect our generation, and those to come after us.

There has been increased call for climate action as disasters hit Myanmar and the Middle East recently. The President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama has joined the world’s leading health experts to support their claim that Climate Change may pose the biggest health risk of the 21st Century.

Extreme climate conditions such as high wind, heavy rainfall, heat and cold can result in wide-ranging scenarios such as tropical storms, floods, landslides, droughts and sea-level rise.

Climatic catastrophes induce populations to be displaced (or decimated by death), which in turn can lead to conflict and civil unrest. As well, the public health infrastructure would be eroded if resources are diverted from its maintenance to disaster recovery. Communities and government would be burdened with having to make reparations to individuals for property damage and loss, unemployment, clean-up, and reduced socioeconomic viability of the communities affected.

As Obama announced that the USA is now taking “unprecedented action” to combat climate change, he also noted that “no challenge poses a greater threat to our future and future generations than a change in climate”. However, his plan is not just about preventing the longer term impacts of climate change. According to health experts across America, his plan to reduce pollution from coal-fired plants will actively

prevent 3,600 premature deaths, lead to 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, and prevent 300,000 missed work and school days. Actions such as this, however, will not be able to reach as far as Myanmar, which recently reported the worst flooding across the country in decades.

According to an update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between 67,000 and 110,000 have been were “severely affected” by floods that look to set the country back years. …human settlements in Nigeria will be affected by climate change in a variety of ways.

Urban and rural population concentrations will be disrupted, particularly along the coastline due to sea-level rise and related phenomena.

Some settlements are known to have already relocated farther inland from their original sites in response to sea incursion over some decades.

Population displacement and migration from, and to, various human settlements will arise from either or both of drought incidence in the Northern states of the country and accelerated sea level rise in the coastal regions.

However, other parts of Central Asia are currently in the midst of one of the hottest heatwaves ever recorded. In the wake of temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius last week, Iraq had to declare a four-day national holiday. Meanwhile, temperatures in neighbouring Iran reached a relative temperature of 74 Celsius today. This comes in the wake of recent heatwaves which have killed upwards of 2000 people in India and Pakistan earlier this year.

In the wake of events such as these, Catherine Thomassan, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility has called Climate Change “the greatest threat to public health in the 21st Century”. This reiterates a growing awareness from the international medical establishment as to the dire impacts that climate change is already having. In fact, it is the central theme of a recent series of publications commissioned by the leading medical research journal, The

Lancet. According to Nick Watts, the head of the commission, “Climate change has the potential to undermine the last 50 years of advancements in public health.” Nick calls “the great localiser of the impacts of climate change,” because the impacts that will be faced “aren’t just in low income countries, they are in middle and high income countries as well”. And these impacts are “especially alarming”.

The impact of climate change on Nigeria is also a great concern and different studies have been commissioned around it.

According to the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), human settlements in Nigeria will be affected by climate change in a variety of ways. Urban and rural population concentrations will be disrupted, particularly along the coastline due to sea-level rise and related phenomena. Some settlements are known to have already relocated farther inland from their original sites in response to sea incursion over some decades. Population displacement and migration from, and to, various human settlements will arise from either or both of drought incidence in the Northern states of the country and accelerated sea level rise in the coastal regions. Rises in sea-level will also threaten urban and rural infrastructure facilities in low lying coastal regions.

According to a (UNDP) 2005 evaluation of Nigeria, alongside other 23 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, projected that meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), particularly with respect to child and maternal health, will elude the country because of climate change and other multiple stresses.

In a research work published by Mobile Health Without Borders, evidence was established that due to climate change, developing countries (such as Nigeria) will have to cope with droughts and/or the growing risk of flooding. In 2012, Nigeria experienced one of the worst flood disasters in its history.

Nigeria, being one of the countries with long coastal regions and many rivers, which previously benefitted from water provided by rivers, seas and oceans, was devastated by the flooding of 2012/3. Without doubt, the flooding was linked to global change. Consequences of the flooding were worsened by poor urban planning, indiscriminate disposal of refuse and public defecation (due to unavailability of toilets for a significant proportion of the population). Expectedly, the flood displaced many communities, human waste (that served as sources of infectious diseases) and led to the death of hundreds of individuals. Therefore, flooding could account for decrease in water quality and reduced access to water because flood water is not fit for human consumption.

Consequently during flooding, communities still need access to clean water. According to a (UNDP) 2005 evaluation of Nigeria, alongside other 23 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, projected that meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), particularly with respect to child and maternal health, will elude the country because of climate change and other multiple stresses.

With the growing concerns over climate change, it has become necessary that world leaders commit to a fair deal. Nations are working towards a new global climate change agreement later this year in Paris. These negotiations offer governments a critical opportunity to craft a broad, balanced and durable agreement strengthening the international climate effort.

There is no more time to waste in our efforts to protect our generation, and those to come after us. In fact, we owe it to future generations to take timely concrete and decisive actions.

Oladipupo Ajiroba is a member of Leak Times Editorial Board and a Nigerian Sustainable Development Expert currently based in Toronto, Canada.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

News

Edo Varsity pledges N5m for best graduating student

By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro,

T

he management of Edo University, Iyamho in Edo State has pledged the sum of N5 million prize for best graduating students in entrepreneurial business ideas.

The Vice chancellor of the University, Engr. Prof.

Emmanuel Aluyor said the motive was to set goal of the institution to enable “graduands go out to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired

while in school”.

Aluyor, who dropped the hint during the maiden edition of the institution’s pre-convocation media briefing at the University Campus, said: “the goal include that students will graduate with entrepreneurial skills that would empower them to be employers of labour”.

The Vice Chancellor, said: “The University Council has approved 100 scholarships each year to indigent students and five undergraduate full scholarships for best applicants to Edo

university irrespective of their State of origin”.

Aluyor further disclosed that 50 graduands found in character and learning would be awarded the university’s degree in their various discipline on Saturday.

A breakdown of the figures showed that five students graduated with first class honours, 26 students bagged second class (upper division), 16 students had second class (lower division) while three students earned third class.

He explained that the

graduands had been found worthy in character and learning by the university’s management.

He also said Godwin Emiefele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will on Friday deliver the Convocation lecture titled: “The Role of Monetary Policy: Towards Economic Growth in Nigeria” .

Aluyor also said Governor Obaseki has approved the appointment of Chairman, caverton offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola as first Chancellor of the University.

Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Adamawa, Dr Elijah Gargah (right), with the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Adamawa, Mr Stephen Maduwa (2nd, R), and other dignitaries during the inauguration of the free medical/surgical outreach to commemorate 2019 Physicians Week, in Michika LGA of Adamawa.

Photo: NAN

NCC trains stakeholders in Northeast on ICT From Umar Dankano,Yola

T

he Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC has organised a two-day capacity building training for critical stakeholders in the ICT sector in the North East Zone for enhancement of new technological innovations for tech-entrepreneurship.

Delivering his keynote address at the workshop in Yola Wednesday,the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Commission,Professor Umar Garba Danbatta said that the commission in its effort to encourage tech entrepreneurship and innovation in the ICT sector embarked on visitations to various tech startups across the six geopolitical zones to assess their development and challenges.

“We intend to assist the various tech hubs with the right intervention and support to ease their operations “.

Represented by Dr.Chedi Diugwu of the commission,Danbatta stated that as a key policy of president Muhammadu Buhari’s

administration,the meeting has become necessary so that solutions to the challenges facing the sector can be found.

“The ICT innovation Forum has become necessary to promote local content with emphasis on the Tech ecosystem identifying unmet needs and facilitate public private partnership (PPP) based on this premise,we themed our forum ‘Developing Nigeria’s Tech EcoSystem:Imperative for improving Local Content’ with the growing pressure of globalisation.

“It is imperative that the right frameworks are developed to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities as well as remain globally competitive”.Danbatta stressed According to him,as mobile network operators have developed infrastructure to support voice services and access to data .it has become expedient for them to unlock new services of value generation and revenue streams in their operations .

“It has therefore become

necessary to innovate on how to access segments of the consumer wallets not presently allocated to communication by providing solutions to consumer needs in other vertical areas of education,health,government services etc made available through telecoms network infrastructure we have to be innovative to make different aspects of our lives work”.

Danbatta explained Collaborating on the same vein.Executive Commissioner,Technical Services of the commission,Engineer Ubale Ahmad Maska represented by Director Research and Development of the Commission,Ephram Owukunya said the emerging Technologies research and innovation Forum has been designed to advance the commission’s agenda of promoting ICT innovation,tech entrepreneurship to facilitate local content development while leveraging on the power of digital technology to position Nigeria for 21st century digital revolution Maska while appealing to all

the participants to contribute intelligently to create new solutions on the ICT driven innovations for development added that it is in fact that ICT will remain the engine of economic growth driving the future of nations and Nigeria has a lot to gain from its far reaching applications and adoption .

“Indeed tomorrow belongs to those who can create and innovate today”.Maska affirmed Earlier in his address before declaring the forum open,Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri pledged to support the move stressing that any country must strive to meet the global competitive world in area of ICT. Represented by the Secretary to the state Government,Engineer Bashir Ahmad stated the administration of Gov.Fintiri with its top most priority of education all necessary cooperation will be accorded to the innovative drive.

Our correspondent reports that participants were driven from the six states of the North East zone in cluding;Adamawa,Borno,Gombe,T araba.Yobe and Bauchi respectively

Int’l OMBUDSMAN Expo will boost nation’s economy, tourism centres

By Paul Efiong,Abuja

M

r Chille Igbawua, Chief Public Complaints Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, says the ongoing International OMBUDSMAN Expo, organised by the commission will boost socio-economic activities and tourism centres at the end of a 3-day event.

Igbawua said this at the opening ceremony of the international OMBUDSMAN Expo on Monday in Abuja.

The PCC boss said participants coming into the country from across other countries in Africa continent will be impressed about the country`s socio-economic and tourism operation after the whole event.

Speaking further, he assured Nigerians that the event would open up the country for investors, adding that it will be an avenue to expose the locally made goods to them as they are not only here to deliberate on their mandates, but also to look into other issues bothering Africa continent.

Speaking also, Mrs Advocazede Mkhwebane, President of AOMA, said the essence of the expo was to expose, exhibit and to reawakening the Africa continent in areas of good governance to its citizens.

Other impacts of the expo, she said member countries would be learning from each other on the different operations and would share the idea on how to achieve best practices in their operations in the continent. ``What we want to have in this Africa OMBUDSMAN is to make sure that we contribute to agenda 2063 of African Union ``How do we assist our government to have good governance, and the rule of law, the issue of having human rights? ``And also, the biggest contributor we want to see in this OMBUDSMANM, is to bring peace in Africa, peace and security especially how to contribute to Africa agenda of silencing the guns by 2020.`` While addressing the OMBUDSMAN executive, Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation tasked the association on key objectives and the mandates given to them.

Mustapha said the OMBUDSMAN foremost mandate was to promote good governance through the entrenchment of administrative justice by promoting the institution of OMBUDSMSN especially for the African Continent as well as the entire globally.

He commended PCC in Nigeria for hosting such a commendable programme in the history of the commission.

According to him, the government of Nigeria places high premium on the idea of good governance through the qualitative service provision by public and private sectors.

In this regard, the PCC which is Nigeria`s OMBUDSMAN institution is a constitutional body entrench with section 135 and 6 of the Nigeria`s constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 as amended.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Supreme Court: Final judgement comes from God -PDP

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has reacted to yesterday’s judgement of the Supreme Court, which struck out the appeal of the PDP and its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, declaring that “the nation’s apex court has ruled but the final judgement comes from God Almighty”.

Secondus, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Ike Abonyinin Abuja, nonetheless saluted Nigerians of all divide for their commitment and support to the party and to democracy.

According to the PDP National Chairman,, “We thank you (Nigerians) for your support for PDP, for your commitment to democracy, we know that you voted PDP, even APC knows that you rejected them on February 23, 2019, international community knows you voted for PDP, if Supreme Court of seven justices says otherwise, leave it to God the ultimate Judge.”

Prince Secondus said that the commitment of Nigerians to democracy and its tenets despite inhibiting factors is worthy of emulation and highly commendable.

The PDP National Chairman, in the statement, insisted that the nation’s apex court has ruled but the final judgement comes from God almighty.

He also commended the press, the fourth estate of the realm for their commitment to democracy and good governance in our land but urged them not to relent in their roles of holding politicians accountable to the people.

Prince Secondus however told the people to remain resolute in their prayers to God since the country is in such an untidy state that only God can bail her out.

Niger Gov swears in 20 new commissioners, gives 15 months assessment timeline From Minna

Yakubu

Mustapha,

T

he Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has sworn in 20 new Commissioners into the state Executive Council who are to assist him in piloting the affairs of the state.

Governor Bello during the swearing in ceremony at government house yesterday gave the commissioners at least 15 months to prove worth to the state He stated that the government would not take excuse for failure

and the new commissioners have to be up and going in improving the welfare of the people in the stage and implementing government’s policies and programmes.

“You have the next 15 months to prove to Nigerlites that they made the right choice by voting APC. In the next 15 months, we want Nigerlites to feel it that they voted the right party.” he said.

Meanwhile, according to the list only three commissioners retained their ministries out of 8 returnees which includes; Finance Zakari Abubakar, Justice Barrister Nasara Dan Mallam and Transport

Hajiya Ramatu Yar’ adua.

However, he than declared that that there is no first class commissioner and noted that it is the Commissioners who will determine how active their Ministries would be especially as he has no intention of interfering with the activities of the Commissioners.

“There is no First Class Commissioner. It all relies on you to make your office first or second class. You can make it active or redundant.

“I assure you that I will not interfere with your activities but I believe should have the initiative

to initiate and carry out what you think is best for Nigerlites.”

He emphasized on the high expectations from Commissioners adding that they were not selected by accident but because of their character, dedication to work, honesty and loyalty hence you are to work for over four million people of the state.

“Unfortunately for you, you are coming at a time where there is high expectation and no resources.

You have to be prudent, efficient and make sure that all government programmes and policies are executed.

Members of the Civil Society Organisation, during their Quarterly Consultative Meeting with INEC, at the Commission’s headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Reps move to empower tourism sector, vow to reclaim encroached NCAC lands

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives has pledged to give all necessary legislative support for the rapid development of the nation’s Culture and Tourism sector because of its critical strategic position to the growth of the economy and national development.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama who gave the assurance in Abuja during the 2020 budget defence of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, before the Committee said that sector remained the only unifying avenue for the country and as such would not be relegated for whatever reason.

He promised that the House under the leadership of Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila would do

everything possible to give high priority attention to the promotion of the sector through adequate budgetary provision in the 2020 budget proposal now undergoing defence before the Parliament.

This came just as the Committee vowed to wade into the disputed landed property of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja said to have been ceded to an individual with a view to reclaiming it for the Council for it operations.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, “as a Committee, we will wade into the matter to retrieve the lanced property from that an individual for the Council, you can not acquire government land and give to an individual rather you can only acquired an individual’s landed property for government use “ We will allow the judiciary

to do its own job, right away, the Committee will pay an on the spot assessment to the site for members to see things for ourselves “If the needs be, the leadership of the House of Representatives will take up the matter up with President Mohammodu Buhari who is fighting corruption from all directions today and we must all be ready to support him for the benefit of all and sundry, this is corruption of the highest order, to take government land and give it to an individual” The Committee also passed vote of confidence on the Director General of the Council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe for his passion in the promotion of Arts and culture in the country which had lifted the image of the country in the comity of the nations .

Earlier, the DG of the Council, Otunba Runsewe had raised the

alarm over the poor funding of the Agency despite its numerous responsibilities, citing the example of the meager N100m allocated to it in the 2020 budget proposal.

According to him, “our financial situation is so pathetic, what can the N100m do for us, from it, we will host the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, this festival started in 1973 immediately after the Civil war, it has been a unifying avenue for Nigerians from different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds to come together to showcase their different cultures, “We just finished this year’s edition in Benin City, Edo State and participants from 30 States of the federation and the FCT, Abuja were in attendance, this helps to promote peaceful coexistence in the country “Even at the Edo festival, over 300 unemployed youths acquired

various free vocational trainings and obtained necessary certificates in their fields, this is the only way we can keep the youths busy from drugs addiction and other social vices ravaging our society “We also have the annual Abuja carnival to counted with from this allocation, it involves all the States of the federation converging in Abuja for the one week cultural display, we are coming to a point that it wll no longer be possible to host the two events due to inadequate funding, we may have to pick one of out of the two” Otunba Runsewe also pleaded with the Committee to assist the Council to retrieve its banded property ceded to an individual despite the Council having all the necessary documents and a huge amount of foreign donation to develop the land.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

PAGE 16

POLITICS Lawan congratulates Buhari, APC on Supreme Court victory

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the indelible judicial seal the Supreme Court on Wednesday put on their victory in the presidential election of February 23 this year.

Lawan rejoiced with President Buhari and the ruling APC for the ringing affirmation of the solid

mandate the Nigerian people freely gave them, as first proclaimed by the Court of Appeal and now finally by the Supreme Court.

Lawan said today’s unanimous verdict of the Apex Court has removed whatever doubt that might have been raised on the integrity of the last presidential election.

“Now that the litigation is over, we should all rally as one people behind the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, in his

commitment to building the great nation of our dream.

“The petitioners should gracefully accept the final verdict of our court of law while the winners should demonstrate magnanimity by extending the hand of fellowship to the opposition with a view to carrying all Nigerians along in the arduous task of nation-building,” Lawan said.

The Senate President urged President Buhari and his

government to continue to focus on good governance so as to deliver on the President’s agenda of improving the lives of Nigerians and putting the nation on the path of sustainable development.

Lawan said the ninth National Assembly will continue to produce good legislation and pursue harmonious relationship between the organs of government and among Nigerians for the unity, peace and progress of our fatherland.

Senate President condoles with journalist Aminu Manu’s family

By Musa Adamu

P

resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has sent his condolences to the family of Aminu Manu, a journalist with Radio France International (RFI), who died on Monday.

He also expressed his sympathy with the Government and people of Plateau State over the untimely death of the frontline broadcaster.

Lawan said he received the news of Manu’s passage with shock and sadness.

“Aminu was a hardworking journalist who exhibited an unbridled passion and patriotism in his work throughout his journalism practice,” Lawan said.

The Senate President also extended his condolences to the Nigerian Union of Journalists,

describing Mr. Manu’s death as a great loss to the pen fraternity and journalism profession.

He prayed for the sweet repose of Mr. Manu’s gentle soul and for the Almighty Allah’s comfort for the family he left behind and all his loved ones.

L-R: APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole discussing with Mr. Tanimu Inuwa SAN and Mr. Ekanemu SAN, during hearing of Presidential Election Petition, at Supreme Court, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Supreme Court Judgement: Wase congratulates Buhari, urges Atiku to join nation building

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed dris Wase, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, describing it as victory for Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, the Deputy Speaker said the Supreme Court judgement shows President Buhari was truly chosen by Nigerians to lead them

during the presidential election.

The Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on the ground that it lacked merit.

Wase, tsaid he apex court has shown once again that the Nigerian judiciary is on the right path and can operate independently without any interference.

He also commended Abubakar for choosing the right path of justice rather than resorting to violence, while urging him to accept his fate and work with the

president for the common good of Nigerians.

“The Supreme Court judgement today has put to rest unfounded claims that the the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) worked with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration and the nation’s security agencies to rig the presidential election against the opposition.

“It is indeed a victory for not only the president but for Nigerians home and abroad in the hope of our nation’s continued growth and development.

“I wish to also commend the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for shunning violence and choosing to seek redress through the right means.

If anything, it shows that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.

“I also urge the former VicePresident to eschew any form of partisanship and work with the current administration in its desire to deliver the dividends of democracy to every Nigerian through positive reforms in all the sectors of the economy”

Reps blast NIMC over misappropriation of diaspora registration fee

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday expressed displeasure over the flagrant disregard to extant financial regulations by the management of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Chairman House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Sadipe who expressed concern over the inability of NIMC Director General, Abubakar Aziz, to justify the imposition of $50 fees on Nigerians in Diaspora against the official fee of $47.

Hon. Sadipe also took the NIMC Director General to task for awarding data capturing contracts to private organizations considering the security implications of such decision.

According to her, “It is a national security issue. A lot of Nigerians refused to get registered because of the sensitivity of the information you’re gathering which you sub-contracted to an outside agency”.

While responding to various queries raised by the lawmaker, NIMC Director General, who disclosed that the commission has not been receiving budget for Diaspora capturing exercise over the past four years except the annual envelope, argued that the commission requires funding to deploy enrollment of Nigerians outside Nigeria.

Mr. Aziz who affirmed that some licensed companies have commenced data capturing of Nigerians in Diaspora, observed that over 1,627 Nigerians have so far been captured.

He also stressed that the Commission has embarked on recertification of the data centres with the view to ensure its security.

According to him, “we don’t have facilities to capture biometrics. We partner with foreign licence companies.

Over 1,627 persons have been captured outside Nigeria. Even in Nigeria, NIMC has not been able to capture all. We require facilities to carry out this capturing “The National Identification Number (NIN) doesn’t confirm citizenship. It’s only for identity,” the NIMC Director stated, adding that the Commission has reduced the data fields from 83 to 10.

He added that Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) is involved in the registration exercises carried out by the Commission and Nigeria.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Politics

INEC says 1,485,828 PVCs collected in Kogi, 889, 308 in Bayelsa

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

A

head of the November 16 governorship elections in two states, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has revealed that a total of 889,308 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected in Bayelsa and 1,485,828 in Kogi as at September 30, this year.

The Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this yesterday at two separate quarterly consultative meetings with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Media Executives in Abuja.

The INEC Chairman explained that the collected number of PVCs in Bayelsa represented 96.3 per cent of 923,182 registered voters in the state, while the number of uncollected PVCs in the state stand at 33,874, representing 3.7 per cent.

Similarly, Prof Yakubu stressed that the 1,485,828 collected PVCs in Kogi represents 90.2 per cent of 1,646,350 registered voters in the state, leaving 160,522 uncollected cards, representing 9.8 per cent of the registered voters.

The INEC Chairman, who described the media as a valuable partner in progress, promised that the electoral body will “make available detailed figures of PVCs collected in each State by Local Government Areas

(LGA) and Registration Areas (RA) as part of our continuing effort to deepen transparency and accountability”.

He added, “Copies will be made available at the Commission’s stakeholders’ meetings in Yenagoa and Lokoja. The same information will also be uploaded on the Commission’s website”.

All uncollected PVCs, he revealed, have been retrieved from the commission’s local government area (LGA) offices and will be deposited at the branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Bayelsa and Kogi for safe keeping pending the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR),’’ he said.

The INEC Chairman disclosed that for the 2019 General Election, the Commission accredited a total of 216 media organisations, out of which 165 were domestic and 51 foreign.

He added, “Collectively, We deployed 2,128 journalists: 1,787 domestic and 341 foreign. This is in addition to other media organisations that operate at State, Local Government and community level nationwide.

“We benefitted from your reportage in reviewing our processes and procedures.

“The purpose of interactive meetings such as this is one is benefit from your insight into aspects of your experience that

may not have been reported but which may be critical to the success of future elections in Nigeria Prof. Yakubu similarly disclosed that the Commission had accredited 135 domestic observer groups and 16 foreign observer groups for the Nov. 16 elections in the two states.

He stated that while 67 domestic observer groups were accredited for Bayelsa, 68 were accredited for Kogi, and eight foreign observer groups for each of the states.

The INEC boss reminded the observer groups of the imperative of submitting their reports in line with their terms of accreditation.

His words, “For the 2019 General Election, the Commission accredited a total of 159 observer groups out of which 120 were domestic and 39 foreign. Collectively, they proposed to deploy 73,562 observers: 71,256 domestic and 2,306 foreign.

“However, seven months after the general election, the Commission has so far received reports from only 72 observer groups representing 45.2 per cent, out of 159”, he said.

Prof Yakubu reminded those that are yet to formally submit their reports to the Commission to do so in earnest, in both hard and soft copies, as required of them under their terms of accreditations.’’

The INEC Chairman disclosed that the commission has already engaged the security agencies to ensure unimpeded access to voting locations and collation centres for accredited observers and the media in Bayelsa and Kogi.

This according to him was in addition to adequate protection for all, including election officials and the voters.

While speaking on behalf of the media executives, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo, who was represented by Mr Amo Dunia, urged INEC to have confidence in the media and carry the practitioners along in their activities.

He also harped on the need for the INEC Chairman to let the security personnel know that journalists have a lot of roles to play in election process and as such should not prevent them from discharging their duties.

Also speaking on behalf of the CSOs, the Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, Mrs Grace Jerry, assured INEC of the organisations continued support towards improving the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

Mrs Jerry nonetheless decried the low number of female candidates contesting Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.

Cross section of members of NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), during the inauguration of NAWORG, yesterday in Enugu State Chapter.

Photo: NAN

NASS will work to ensure justice for the underprivileged –Lawan

By Musa Adamu President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said the National Assembly through its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, will strive to ensure justice for the underprivileged in the society.

Lawan stated this when a delegation of the Continental Executive Committee of the African Ombudsman and Mediator led by Hon. Chile Igbawua, paid a visit to his office in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

According to him, the National Assembly will ensure the protection of Human Rights in the country besides handling petitions from the public.

He noted that the National Assembly’s support for Human Rights in Nigeria will come by way of ensuring the eventual approval of the 2020 budget estimates proposed by the Federal Government for the National Human

Rights Commission (NHRC).

Lawan, who also underscored the importance of intervention and mediation by the ombudsman, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence that is hinged on the provision of justice.

He emphasised that the legislature will work to create the needed atmosphere for the NHRC and the Public Complaints Commission to successfully execute their duties to deliver on good governance.

“Here in Nigeria, the Public Complaints Commission is the institution properly recognised by law, but we have other Ombudsman bodies.

“We want a situation where justice creates peaceful coexistence among our diverse people.

“The National Assembly is the home of all ombudsmen because we represent the people in parliament, and in our own little way as an

institution, we have a committee on public petition.

“Our committee receives many petitions from the public, especially those who find it easier to come through the National Assembly to make their complaints, probably and mostly because they can’t afford to go to court.

“In fact, our committee on public petitions is arguably the most active. That is because over the years we have been able to provide the kind of solutions that make people feel confident and comfortable to make people come to us with their complains, and we will continue to do that.

“The main function of any ombudsman body such as the Public Complaints Commission in Nigeria is to create that peaceful atmosphere of sorting out problems.

“This is to ensure that we have good governance, which is essential for any country to enjoy stability and development”, Lawan

added.

Stressing the roles of Ombudsman in the provision of Justice, he said “what is critical for any country going forward is to have an understanding between the different classes of people, the weak, the disadvantaged and vulnerable having confidence in a system that will give them the opportunity to get fairness and justice.”

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Hon. Chile Igbawua, said the body of Ombudsman and Mediators from across countries in Africa were in Nigeria to attend an Expo that will create a platform for interaction with members of the public.

“We decided to move a step further by exhibiting, so that members of the public can interact with them (Ombudsman) as they operate, and ask questions where there is need.

Kindly, Nigeria was selected to host this occasion,” he said.

Health PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Cerebral Palsy Day: When Engraced Ones march on Abuja to sensitise residents

SON holds symposium on video standards to markworld standards day

L-R: Dr. Chidi Diugwu, Deputy Director New Media and Information Security, Nigerian Communications commission NCC, representing the Executive vice chairman NCC, Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta, Alh. Mustapha Aminu, the Galadima Adamawa, Mr. Bushir Ahmed, Secretary to the State Government Adamawa State, Mr Ephraim Nwokonneya, Director Research and Development NCC, Prof. Mahammadu M. O. Kah, Provost American University of Nigeria yola, during the Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Forum in yola yesterday, at the American university Auditorium (AUN)

By Miriam Humbe

I

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

O

ctober 5th, 2019, the Engraced Ones Prayer Support and Advocacy Initiative organized their 2nd annual Down syndrome and cerebral palsy prayer/advocacy walk.

The walk was meant to educate parents of children with special needs, members of the public and government on the need to provide assistance and care for the children.

The awareness walk which was to mark the world cerebral palsy day took off from Karu Market to LEA Primary School, Jikwoyi, Abuja.

During the March, people were educated in different languages on how to identify a child with down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy condition and the need to contact the Engraced Ones for assistance. Fliers and posters with the same messages were also shared. The same message was carried out also along the major road from Karu market to Jikwoyi.

The peak of the event was the

commissioning of the Engraced Ones’s Special School name; “School of Grace” at LEA Primary School, Jikwoyi Phase 1, Abuja by Air Vice Marshall Nelson Calmday.

The School currently has about 8 to 9 children with conditions, and is looking for more enrollment to set a standard that will cater for special needs children.

Speaking during the March, the Coordinator of the Engraced Ones, Bibora Yinkere called for more support from the government and the general public, saying it is too expensive to cater for children with down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual disabilities.

Yinkere averred that economic empowerment of the parents of these children will go along way towards assisting these children. She cited example with their newly launched school, out of the 9 children with special needs at the school, it is only one child that the parents could afford a little out of the required fees for his education.

“The economic wellbeing of a good

number of the parents is nothing to envy, they can’t afford the health demands of their children not to talk of expensive nature of their education”.

She frowned at some parents who are discriminating against the children living with these conditions.

The Coordinator said that some of the parents don’t even have their children with special needs in the family album, “they don’t want the public to know that they have children with special needs; and as such they can’t even take their children with special needs to school.”

She scolded these parents and reminded them that children with intellectual disabilities deserve good life like others, “they can also excel in life, all that they need is extra support from their parents”.

Also speaking, the representative of National Orientation (NOA), Chinwe Ikaraoha, who is the Assistant Director, Special Duties, National Orientation Agency, FCT Directorate, told the journalists that the government have signed the disability bill into law to give

the persons with disabilities the room to demand for their rights. She said that the rights of the children with intellectual disabilities have been granted by the law and that NOA is working to publish the law in different languages to educate the public about the law.

The 2019 2nd Annual Engraced Ones Down syndrome and Cerebral Advocacy Walk was elaborate and successful through partnership with some other individuals and organizations such as Gbenga Adeleke(CEO, Community and Family Care Initiative), Pastor Augustine Ogbogu(Honey Embassy Church), Francis Morhic( MD, IKE Foundation for Autism), Nnoli Chris(Director, Mary Slessor Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre), Chinwe Ikaraoha( Assistant Director, Special Duties, National Orientation Agency FCT Directorate), Mrs Sophie Too(MD, Even Charity), Air Commodore Marquis(Directing Staff Nigeria Defence College), Agbo Christian Obiora( Publisher, The Qualitative Magazine) and Gospels artists Femi Ajide

n continuation of events to mark the 2019 World Standards Day globally, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has scheduled a Symposium for Thursday, October 31, 2019 in Abuja.

A statement from the office of the Director General, Mr. Osita Aboloma said the symposium is one of SON’s strategies of ensuring the active involvement and participation of stakeholders in issues of standardization in Nigeria.

He disclosed that a paper on the theme of the 2019 worldwide celebrations “Video Standards Create a Global Stage” will be presented by SON at the occasion with discussants drawn from public and private sector operators.

The discussants will include representatives of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), High Definition Film Academy, Nigerian Film Corporation, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Globacom Limited and the National Film and Video Censors Board.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo is to give a keynote address on the theme while the Minister of State, Ambassador Maryam Katagun will be Chairman of the discussion session, according to the statement.

Aboloma enjoined invited guests to the symposium to join SON in deliberating on the advancement of Video standards and technology in Nigeria to gain optimum benefits from global trends.

Wealth Creation: SEC urges Army to invest in Capital Market

By Etuka Sunday

O

fficers and Men of the Nigerian Army have been enjoined to invest in the capital market in a bid to create wealth and save money for their retirement.

This was stated by the Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Mary Uduk at a one day enlightenment programme for the Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps held in Lagos.

Uduk who was represented by the Head, Lagos Zonal office of the SEC, Mr. Stephen Falomo, told the officers that several investment opportunities abound in the capital Market and urged them to take advantage of them in a bid to creat more wealth.

She informed them that the Commission has adequate rules and regulations in place to ensure that their investment are safe.

According to her, “ one of our responsibilities is Protecting the integrity of the capital market from all forms of abuse including insider dealing and market manipulations.

Uduk said the SEC also undertakes development activities to improve investor education and participation, promote new instruments and encourage innovation. “ We also register and regulate securities exchanges, capital trade points, derivative and commodity exchanges and other recognized investment exchange. We register and regulate capital market operators and capital market consultants as well as other functions.

The Acting DG said the Commission is also making efforts at addressing financial literacy and empowerment gaps within the country embodied in various financial inclusion and literacy initiatives in collaboration with other stakeholders.

“This forum, like many others, therefore affords us the opportunity to engage both existing and prospective investors among you, to ensure that the gains of your participation in the capital market will not be lost” he said.

The commission said as the apex regulator of the capital, it was currently implementing various initiatives under its 10-year capital market master plan to protect investors.

Uduk gave some of the initiative as recapitalisation, electronic dividend management system, dematerialisation, and direct cash settlement among others.

She said, “The agenda for this outreach is to enlighten us about the capital market and the attendant benefits while also cautioning us against investing in fraudulent schemes that appear mouthwatering but are actually not capital market products.

“On our part as regulator, we

shall continue to introduce new ideas and policies towards developing and regulating capital market that is dynamic, fair, transparent and efficient to contribute to the nation’s economic development.”

She added that the forum will also afford the participants the opportunity to widen their knowledge of the capital market.

The SEC boss therefore urged them to while working for the peace and security of the country should also work to ensure their financial future.

In his remarks, Major General O.A.Akintade, Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps Commended SEC for bringing the enlightenment campaign to the Nigerian army Represented by Brigadier General M.T. Jinadu, Akintade expresses the hope that the officers and men will gain knowledge that will assist them in making wise investments in the capital market.

AIB team commences investigation into Bristow Helicopters incident From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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team of air accident investigators from the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commence findings into a serious incident involving a Sikorsky 92 aircraft operated by Bristow Helicopters, with registration marks, 5N-BOA which occurred about 2:10pm local time.on the 25th October, the agency disclosed yesterday in Lagos.

The investigative arm of the

country’s aviation industry said it received notification of the incident involving the aircraft, with 13 passengers on board enroute Port Harcourt from GERD, an offshore platform when it declared emergency but there was no fatality.

Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters said it is working with the respective authorities leading the investigation into the incident to ascertain the remote cause of the serious incident.

According to the AIB “ From

the information gathered so far, the pilot contacted the ATC at about 1421 declaring left Engine Failure. The aircraft was cleared left Base Runway 22 for expeditious landing and landed safely.”

It added that a team of safety investigators from it regional office in Enugu were dispatched to the site and has commenced investigation.

The agency appeal to the public to avail it with materials that could aid the investigation noting that

“As the investigating Agency, AIB wants the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence or information any member of the public may have of the serious incident that can assist us with this investigation.”

In a terse electronic statement yesterday, Bristow Helicopters explained that “On October 25 2019 a Bristow crew followed established aircraft procedure (in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority-approved Operations

Manual Part B Checklist) to reduce an engine to idle power on an S-92 during flight as a precautionary measure following a warning in the cockpit.

The aircraft was inbound to land at the Port Harcourt Nigerian Airforce Base from an offshore location with 11 passengers on board. The incident occurred in the Port Harcourt Control Zone with approximately 4 nautical miles (nm) to land. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the hangar without incident.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Energy

NEITI commends Presidency, NASS on amendment to PSC Act

By Etuka Sunday

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he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has welcomed with enthusiasm the passage of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Amendment Bill by the National Assembly.

The Director, Communications and Advocacy, NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji in statement quoted the Executive Secretary of NEITI Waziri Adio to

have described the amendment as long overdue and commended the 9thNational Assembly and the Presidency for breaking the jinx with the prompt action taken to amend the law at record time.

The Executive Secretary noted the development was quite consistent with NEITI’s agitation for urgent amendment of the law to forestall further revenue losses to the federation.

Mr Adio recalled that in March 2019, NEITI published a policy brief titled “the 1993 PSCs: the steep cost of inaction,”

which revealed that Nigeria lost between $16.0bn and $28.61bn within ten years for failure to review the terms of PSC agreement in 2008 as was required by the law governing the PSCs. According to NEITI, the two triggers for reviewing the Act were met in 2004 when price of oil crossed $20 per barrel and in January 2008 after 15 years that the 1993 PSCs. Section 16 (1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act Cap. D3. LFN 2004 stipulates that:

“the provisions of the Act shall be subject to review to ensure that if the price of crude oil at any time exceeds $20 per barrel, real terms, the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue shall be adjusted under the Production Sharing Contracts to such extent that the Production Sharing Contracts shall be economically beneficial to the Government of the Federation.”

The NEITI Executive Secretary expressed confidence that with the amendment, the revenue generation for the federation in the PSC arrangement in the oil and gas industry will witness significant improvement.

The Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act was enacted on March 23, 1999, with its commencement backdated to January 1, 1993.

Power Minister expects timely delivery of Zungeru Hydroelectric Project

METRO

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

Page 21

Man, 27 in Police net for impersonating FCT Minister, defrauding contractors N52M

By Stanley Onyekwere

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27-year old man, Mohammed Bello Kolo, is now in Police net for allegedly parading himself as the “Honourable Minister’ of the FCT”, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in the tune of millions of Naira.

Parading the suspect before journalists yesterday in Abuja, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Bala Ciroma said the alleged imposter has so far defrauded his victims of cash worth of Fifty 52 million, received as installments under pretence of giving them contracts.

Ciroma said the suspect told Police that he had access to classified information while he served at the Federal Capital Territory Administration during his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) attachment.

He revealed that the suspect was arrested following a complaint received on 28th October, 2019 by Police operatives attached to State Intelligence Bureau of the FCT Command.

According to the Police Commissioner, exhibits recovered from the suspect include, “One (1) 206 Peugeot with Reg. No. ABJ 856 SU, One (1) Tricycle wiTh Reg. No. KEF 807 WT, One (1) 55” and 46 inches Samsung Plasma TV, Ione (1) Dining

Set, 10000 watts Fireman Generator set, One (1) Washing Machine, Hisense Deep Freezer, which the suspect claimed to have purchased from the money he received.

He adds that “while efforts are in place to arrest his cohorts, one Simon ‘m’ and one Idris ‘m’ posing as the Director of Procurement FCTA and PA to the Hon. Minister respectively, the suspect will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation to serve as a deterrent to others.”.

Reacting to the development, Special Assistant to the FCT Minister Abubakar Sani, said his Boss does not engage in contract racketeering but is always

transparent in all his official duties.

“The office of the FCT Minister, Mallam Musa Bello is open, you can come to his office and he will tell you whether that contract is genuine or not.

“So we are calling on all Nigerians to beware of fraudsters like this so that they will not be culprits” Sani stated.

Meanwhile, the suspect claimed that he only acted as a middle man to other two persons who allegedly orchestrated interaction with unsuspecting public.

He denied that contrary to claims by Police, only N10.5 million was gotten from the deal and he got just one quarter of funds as a middleman.

By Etuka Sunday

T Oil and Gas Industry

Seplat declares $29m interim dividend to shareholders in Q3

By Etuka Sunday

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eplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (SEPLAT), leading Nigerian independent oil and gas company listed on both the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE), has announced its unaudited results for the nine months ended 30 September 2019 released to the NSE and LSE. The company declared a $29m interim dividend to shareholders and highlighted that its recent £382m cash acquisition of Eland Oil and Gas Plc would create more value opportunities for shareholders going forward.

Working interest production averaged 47,163 boepd for the period (2018: 50,303 boepd) and reflects slippage to the intended production drilling programme as a result of rig mobilisation delays and availability.

Four drilling rigs are now operating across Seplat’s portfolio to drive liquids working interest production to an expected exit rate of 30,000 bopd.Production uptime stood at 91% while average reconciliation losses for the first nine months stood at 13%.

This factor for the third quarter only, stands at 1% while the factor for the first six month period is still under review and expected to be consistent with prior periods when finalised Full year average working interest production guidance has consequently been revised downwards to 45,000 boepd to 48,000 boepd (from 49,000 boepd to 55,000 boepd), comprising 23,000 to 25,000 bopd liquids and 128 to 133

MMscfd gas.

9M revenue of US$495 million (2018: US$568 million) reflects lower production and sales year-on-year together with lower price realisations of US$64.22/bbl and US$2.8/Mscf (2018: US$71.14/bbl and US$3.06/Mscf); gas tolling revenue of US$67 million also recognised in relation to the processing of NPDC’s gas at the Seplat sole risk funded Oben gas plant 375 MMscfd expansion between June 2015 and end 2018 Gross profit of US$265 million (2018: US$306 million) represents a 54% gross profit margin; operating profit of US$211 million (2018: US$264 million) with US$36 million recognised within Other Income (including a US$31 million oil underlift position and US$3 million income generated by third party useage of the Group’s Warri pipeline) and a US$5 million net fair value gain offset by a US$40 million impairment of NPDC receivables Profit for the period of US$185 million (2018: US$91 million) positively impacted by a 37% year-on-year reduction in finance costs reflecting de-leveraging of the balance sheet early in the year when the outstanding balance on the 2022 RCF was ultimately reduced to zero Cash generated from operations stood at US$306 million (2018: US$386 million) versus capex incurred of US$64 million (2018: US$29 million). Full year 2019 capex spend expected to be around US$120 million; gross debt of US$350 million at 30 September consists solely of the 2023 senior notes with undrawn headroom of US$225 million available through the 2022 RCF. Cash at bank at 30 September

was US$455 million resulting in a net cash position of US$105 million.

Commenting on the result, the Chief executive Officer, SEPLAT, Mr. Austin Avuru, said: “2019 so far has seen us make significant progress towards furthering our ambitious growth strategy. Our core business remains highly cash generative and with four rigs now operational in the field we expect to quickly regain momentum. This is reflected in our decision to declare an interim dividend of US$29 million.”

“We have set the next major growth phase of our gas business in motion having taken FID for the large scale ANOH gas and condensate development to position us as Nigeria’s largest supplier of processed gas to the domestic market. In another major step, and inline with our overall growth strategy, we have made a strong statement of intent by becoming the first Nigerian company to undertake a public market acquisition of a London Stock Exchange listed company, and in doing so highlighted our ambitions to be a consolidator within our space.

“The recommended acquisition of Eland for £382 million is a logical continuation of our business model and represents a rare opportunity to secure a well run asset base that lies firmly within our core geographical area of focus and expertise.

Following completion, the enlarged asset base will enhance our inventory of production, development, appraisal and exploration opportunities and enable us to ensure capital continues to be deployed to the most value creative opportunities for shareholders,” he said.

he Minister of Power, Engr Sale Mamman has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project in Niger State.

The project now at about sixty eight percent completion level is scheduled for completion in December 2021, however the first unit is expected to start power generation to the National grid in December 2020..

During an inspection visit to the project site in Zungeru, Niger State, the Minister assured that with the appreciable level of the work, the ministry will avail the contractors its maximum support in delivering the project with its time frame.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister of Power, Aaron Artimas in a statement said, Engr.

Sale Mamman urged the contractors to stick to the contract specification to ensure quality of work.

The statement said, conducting the Minister round the 1.29billion USD project, the project consultant, Engr Tunde Adewunmi assured that the project would completed on schedule, adding that the contractors have no issue whatsoever that may hinder its early completion.

He said, according to the statement, that the Zungeru power project which has the capacity to add about 700 mega watt of electricity to the national grid is being constructed by the leading hydroelectric power contractors in China and the power plant is potentially one of the best in the country.

He said the project is built to last about 100 years.

The Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project which is being financed by the China Exim Bank and the Nigeria government is expected to compensate and relocate over one hundred villages around the dam area.

The Zungeru Reservoir is located immediately at the downstream of the Shiroro Reservoir will become the second largest reservoir in Nigeria after Kanji Dam.

Business activities, at Madalla Market in Zuba Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nyanya gridlock: Attah’s Team clears illegal toilet structures

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n continuation of the effort towards sanitising major roads, FCT Ministerial Task Team onTraffic Control, yesterday cleared illegal toilet structures built on road corridors of Nyanya and Jikwoyi axis of the busy Keffi-Abuja Expressway.

In particular, the Team led by Comrade Ikharo Attah was assisted by the officials of the Development Control Department stormed the area with a bulldozer, and removed the structures, which were still under construction.

Also, Task Team ordered drivers of

Trucks belonging to Dangote Cement, parked under the Nyanya main bridge, to vacate the place as they were obstructing traffic flow.

Speaking during the exercise, Attah, who is the Chairman of the Task Team, said erecting structures on road shoulders and corridors was clearly against the Abuja Master Plan and Development Control regulations.

Attah explained that the measure was part of reinforced efforts to rid the Nyanya road of traffic congestion with a view to easing human and vehicular movement in the Territory.

He therefore warned developers and

operators of such facility in the area to always seek approval from FCT Development Control and other relevant agencies before building any structure.

According to him, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is willing to support any group or individual that is interested in developing the city, in line with the Abuja Master Plan.

Similarly, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the FCT Minister, Rasheed Ahmed, recalled that the land space where the demolished structures were sitting was cleared by the Team, only for some developers to invade the place, and commenced construction without

approval.

Ahmed, who is also the Vice chairman of the Task Team, reiterated that the government will not spare anyone violating the laws of the land, as it would go beyond demolition, to arrest and prosecute offenders.

A trader, who simply identified herself as Mrs William, commended the FCTA for the removal exercise as the Nyanya-Mara Wednesday market already had two toilets, hence there was no need for more.

She equally appealed for the government expand the market to accommodate more traders, since they had been stopped them from selling along the road corridors.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

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world news

Chile cancels climate and Apec summits amid mass protests

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Sebastián Piñera said his government needed to concentrate on “reestablishing public order”

hile has pulled out of hosting two major international summits, including a UN climate change conference, as anti-government protests continue.

President Sebastián Piñera said the decision “caused him a lot of pain” but his government needed “to prioritise reestablishing public order”.

The COP25 climate summit was scheduled for December, while the Apec trade summit was due next month.

The UN said it was now “exploring alternative hosting options”.

Chile’s decision comes amid global climate protests, including a week of strikes led by environmental activist Greta Thunberg last month.

And as the news was announced, a

US-based organisation also separately revealed that millions more people are at risk of coastal flooding from climate-driven sea-level rise within the next century than previously thought.

Fearlessness and anger drive Chile protesters What’s driving Chile’s protests?

Why protesters are on the streets worldwide Meanwhile, it was hoped the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum - due to be held in Santiago from 15 to 17 November - would help ease tensions between the US and China.

White House officials said US President Donald Trump had been planning to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Apec, to discuss a possible trade deal.

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

The two nations have been locked in an escalating trade war for some 18 months.

At least 20 people have been killed since the mass protests in Chile began.

While many protests were peaceful there were also deadly incidents of arson and looting, as well as violent clashes between the security forces and protesters.

They have shown little sign of abating despite Mr Piñera announcing measures to ease Chileans’ discontent with high levels of inequality and other grievances.

More than 7,000 people have been arrested and the response by Mr Piñera’s government to the protests has come under heavy criticism.

He declared a state of emergency and night-time curfews in many of Chile’s major cities but the measures only seemed to further incense protesters.

A rally on Saturday is estimated to have drawn more than one million people to the streets of Santiago, in what organisers said was the largest demonstration since democracy was restored in Chile in 1990.

US House says Armenian mass killing was genocide Belgian police find 12 men alive inside refrigerated lorry

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A motorway in Belgium (file image)

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welve men have been discovered hiding inside a refrigerated lorry in a car park near a motorway in Belgium’s Antwerp province, local police say.

Police were called to the scene on Tuesday night by the driver who suspected that people had climbed inside his fruit and vegetable lorry.

Eleven Syrians and one Sudanese man were found safe and well, and were handed over to immigration officials.

Last week, 39 people were found dead in a refrigerated lorry in England.

The driver of the vehicle, which had arrived in England via the Belgian ferry port of Zeebrugge, has been charged with their manslaughter.UK lorry deaths: What we know It is believed that those who died were migrants from Vietnam or China trying to enter the UK illegally. It is not yet clear how they died, whether they froze or suffocated.

What happened in Belgium?

The lorry was standing in a car park beside the E34 motorway at Oud-Turnhout.

The motorway runs from Zeebrugge to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region.

The destination of the lorry was not given.

Every year, thousands of migrants attempt to enter the UK illegally via European ferry ports, typically hiding in vehicles.

Refrigerated lorries are often targeted because it is easier to bypass heat scanners that way, a spokeswoman for Belgian transport federation Febetra said.

Why do people risk their lives to get to the UK? Febetra has been calling for safer motorway parking to tackle the problem, Isabelle De Maegt told Belgian broadcaster VRT.

he US House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly in favour of recognising the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One as a genocide.

The issue is highly sensitive and comes amid deteriorating US-Turkey relations.

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden said the vote honoured the memory of victims.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the “worthless” vote, which was held on Turkey’s National Day, was the “biggest insult” to Turkish people.

The total number of Armenian dead is disputed. Armenians say 1.5 million died.

The Republic of Turkey estimates the total to be 300,000. According to the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the death toll was “more than a million”.

How did the House vote?

The resolution passed by a vote of 405 to 11. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined her colleagues “in solemn remembrance of one of the great atrocities of the 20th Century”.

Mr Biden tweeted: “By acknowledging this genocide we honour the memory of its victims and vow: never again.”

It is the first time in decades that the full House has considered such a measure. In the past, attempts were thwarted by concerns

that it could damage relations with Turkey, a Nato ally, and intense lobbying by the Turkish government.

Q&A: Armenian genocide dispute The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, whose California district is home to a large Armenian-American population, tweeted: “The House just voted to recognise the Armenian Genocide - a vote I fought for 19 years to make possible, that tens of thousands of my Armenian American constituents have waited decades to see.”

He added: “We will not be party to genocide denial. We will not be silent. We will never forget.”

To become official policy, the resolution needs to be approved by both houses of Congress and then be signed by the president.

But there is no vote scheduled on the measure in the Senate.

The House also voted overwhelmingly to

call on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Turkey and some of its officials over the country’s military offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

Kurdish troops have been allied to the US in fighting the Islamic State (IS) group.

What reaction has there been?

Turkey has strongly condemned the move.

Speaking on television, Mr Erdogan said the Turkish parliament would respond to the House vote, saying: “This step which was taken is worthless and we do not recognise it.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called the vote “null and void”, saying it was revenge for the offensive in Syria.

Mr Cavusoglu tweeted: “Those whose projects were frustrated turn to antiquated resolutions. Circles believing that they will take revenge this way are mistaken. This shameful decision of those exploiting history in politics is null and void for our government and people.”

Armenia’s government, which has long campaigned for international recognition of the killings as genocide, took a different view.

The Armenian foreign ministry thanked US lawmakers for “their overwhelming commitment to truth, justice, humanity”.

Kim Kardashian, an American reality TV star with Armenian heritage, expressed similar sentiments on Twitter.

Peacock Generation: Satirical poets jailed in Myanmar

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hare this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share The five performers were jailed over a show making fun of Myanmar’s military Five members of a satirical poetry troupe in Myanmar have been jailed for making fun of the country’s military.

The group, Peacock Generation, was arrested in April over their “thangyat” - a traditional art form that combines spoken word poetry, comedy and dance.

The performers were found guilty of undermining the military and were each sentenced to one year in prison.

Three members of the group face additional charges for livestreaming the performance on Facebook.

The five poets - Kay Khine Tun, Zay Yar Lwin, Paing Pyo Min, Paing Ye Thu and Zaw Lin Htut - were charged under law 505.A, which controls public statements.

The five performers were jailed over a show making fun of Myanmar’s military Media captionIn May, BBC’s Nick Beake spoke to the jailed thangyat performers They were convicted in a court in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city and former capital.

In the performance, they criticised the army’s share of power in parliament, and showed the audience pictures of a dog wearing a military jacket.

Myanmar accused of fresh war

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

crimes Delivering his verdict, Judge Tun Kyaw said: “It is obvious that this is not unintentional, as they performed in front of the public with those phrases. The troupe is found guilty.”

Speaking after the verdict, Zay Yar Lwin told reporters: “I do not recognise the authority of the judiciary. Whether it is one day or a year makes no difference.”

‘Freedom of expression in a dire state’ Myanmar’s government is increasingly using its powers to imprison people who criticise the authorities, including journalists, artists and dissidents.

The country’s civilian government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, has made very few changes to the draconian laws it inherited from the five decades of military dictatorship that preceded it.

Amnesty International said the verdict against the Peacock Generation poets was “appalling”.

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Tanzania billionaire Mohammed Dewji told kidnapper to shoot him

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anzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji has said that he asked his kidnapper to shoot him six days into being held captive.

His abduction, 12 months ago, outside a hotel gym in the country’s main city, Dar es Salaam, sparked a huge manhunt.

Speaking to the media for the first time about his ordeal, Mr Dewji told the BBC that he was blindfolded and disorientated when he made the plea.

He was released after 10 days and says no ransom was paid.

“I was blindfolded and there were times they kept on threatening me with guns to my head and five days, six days into it I was thinking I was losing my eye sight,” Mr Dewji told the BBC Focus on Africa’s Audrey Brown. “[The kidnapper] was like ‘I’m going to shoot you’ and I was like ‘you can shoot me and kill me’, because I was losing it. You get disoriented, you’re tired, because it’s a form of torture.”

There was a huge investigation after Mohammed Dewji’s was kidnapped in October 2018 He said he could hear people looking for him.

“I kept hearing these chopper noises and thinking that maybe this chopper’s looking for me.”

Ten days after his abduction in October 2018, his company, MeTL, tweeted a quote from Mr Dewji saying that he had “returned home safely”.

intention looked like it was money that they wanted. In the end they left me without the money.”

He believes the kidnappers gave up due to pressure built up from media and political attention.

A Tanzanian taxi driver, Mousa Twaleb, has been arrested and is awaiting trial. But he is the only suspect that is being held.

‘Need to give back’ Mr Dewji believes there were around three or four foreigners from Mozambique and South Africa involved, who he believes have fled the country.

The billionaire says he has made some changes in his life; replacing the lights in his house with brighter bulbs and has stopped jogging alone on the beach.

He said being kidnapped has made him reflect that “you need Financial magazine Forbes says Mohammed Dewji is to give back”. worth $1.5bn (£980m) Mr Dewji is credited with turning his family business from a wholesale and retail enterprise into a pan-African conglomerate.

He has since thanked people for praying for his safety.

MeTL has interests in textile manufacturing, flour milling, ‘No ransom paid’ Mr Dewji told the BBC that his kidnappers had abandoned beverages and edible oils in at least six African countries.

Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at around $1.5bn him in a field, 15 minutes drive away from where he had been (£980m), which would make him Africa’s youngest billionaire. abducted at the Coliseum Hotel.

He intends to invest almost $400m in agriculture in Tanzania The authorities have not established a clear motive for the in the next 24 months, not for profit but to make an “impact”, he abduction and Mr Dewji is also in the dark about it.

“I still don’t know why it happened,” he said. “Obviously the said.

Facebook pulls Aid workers killed Comedian ‘summoned’ in South Sudan ‘Russia-linked for mocking Africa accounts’

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acebook says it has removed three Russian-linked accounts from its sites that were aimed at spreading disinformation in eight African countries.

“Each of these operations created networks of accounts to mislead others about who they were and what they were doing.

“Although the people behind these networks attempted to conceal their identities and coordination, our investigation connected these campaigns to entities associated with Russian financier Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who was previously indicted by the US Justice Department,” said Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cyber-security policy.

The accounts targeted Madagascar, Central African Republic, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Sudan and Libya, Mr Gleicher added in a statement.

South Africa arrests 100 migrants at UN building

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outh African police arrest African foreign nationals outside the Cape Town United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) offices, Cape Town, South Africa, 30 October 2019 South African police have arrested around 100 foreigners during an operation to evict refugees and asylum seekers from a UN building in Cape Town.

The police, who used water canon, were carrying out a court order to remove about 300 people who had occupied the building for the past three weeks in a grievance over a wave of deadly xenophobic attacks.

The group, mostly from other African countries, demanded that the UN repatriate them or send them to a third country.

South Africa, as the continent’s most developed economy, is a magnet to migrants.

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taff from South Sudan’s Health Ministry carry out a dinsinfection excercise during a drill for Ebola preparedness conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) with ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) and International Medical Corps in Juba, on August 14, 2019 Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Aid workers have been involved in efforts to prevent Ebola from spreadingImage caption: Aid workers have been involved in efforts to prevent Ebola from spreading The UN’s migration agency says three of its aid workers have been killed in fighting in South Sudan, near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) volunteers were caught in the crossfire during clashes that broke out on Sunday.

A female aid worker and the fouryear-old son of the woman who died were abducted.

According to the IOM, its volunteers were working at Ebola screening points in the border areas, tracking the spread of the deadly disease.

It’s now suspended five of its screening points.

‘Deadly attack’ on Niger military base

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eports from Niger say about 10 people have been killed in an attack by gunmen on a military base.

It happened near the south-eastern city of Diffa, close to the border with Nigeria.

A local official told AFP news agency that military equipment had been burned and the attackers had not yet been repulsed.

For a decade, the Nigeria-based militant Islamist group Boko Haram has waged a bloody insurgency which frequently spills into neighbouring countries.

The Diffa region of Niger is home to nearly 120,000 Nigerian refugees.

Tanzania’s leader

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opular Tanzanian comedian Idris Sultan has been ordered to report to a police station in the main city, Dar es Salaam, after posting edited pictures of President John Magufuli on his social media accounts, local media report.

The comedian and one-time winner of Big Brother Africa Idris Sultan shared two photos with a face-swap between him and the president.

One picture showed Mr Magufuli’s head atop Sultan’s likeness, complete with braces, arms folded and sleeves rolled up.

The second photo showed the comedian’s face on Mr Magufuli’s body, suited and posed on a presidential chair with the national seal.

President Magufuli celebrated his 60th birthday on Tuesday.

Sultan has more than five million followers across his social media accounts.

Shortly after the posts appeared, an Instagram account thought to belong to Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda posted one of the pictures, with a caption telling Sultan to report to any police station in the city for further instructions.

It added that Sultan “doesn’t know the boundaries of his work”.

Sultan could potentially be charged under controversial cyber-crime legilslation which makes it illegal to impersonate people using a computer.

Many rights activists have criticised the law as infringing on freedom of expression.

South Africa finance minister warns of tough times

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ito Mboweni(C), South African Minister of Finance, walks, with members of his ministry team, to the National Assembly, to deliver his 2019 Mid-Term Budget Statement in the South African Parliament in Cape Town, on October 30, 2019.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni (C) was in jovial mood while walking to parliament to deliver bad newsImage caption: Finance Minister Tito Mboweni (C) was in jovial mood while walking to parliament to deliver bad news South Africa’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has warned that the country faces tough economic times because it is spending much more than it earns.

Mounting government debt, record unemployment and unprofitable state-owned companies have all contributed to the economic malaise in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

Economic growth has been revised down from 1.5 % to only 0.5% this year.

Mr Mboweni, delivering his medium-term budget in parliament, painted a bleak picture of state-owned power utility Eskom and said it would not receive any more bailouts until it showed that its turnaround strategy was proving effective .

Eskom’s debt of $30bn (£23bn) presents the biggest risk to the economy and the government has already provided two bail-outs this year, totalling more than $8bn.

The crisis at Eskom has led to power cuts, affecting both homes and businesses.

The picture at state-owned South African Airways, which is insolvent, is bleaker.

Mr Mboweni indicated that the company is unlikely to ever generate enough cash to sustain itself, and suggested that the company should enter into talks with prospective equity partners.

Ex-world champ doubts Kipchoge’s sub-two hour feat

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ipchoge, 34, covered the 26.2 miles (42.2km) in one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Austria last month, beating the mark by 20 seconds.

Kipchoge said his feat showed that “no-one is limited”, although it will not be recognised as the official marathon world record because it was not in open competition and he used a team of rotating pacemakers.

Comparing the conditions of the Ineos 1:59 Challenge to an athlete who used a performance

bbc.News

enhancing drug, Kiptanui said: Quote Message: When one is caught using these banned substances, the time will be disqualified and the athlete will be disqualified... For me there is no difference...

We want people to win using their own effort naturally.”

When one is caught using these banned substances, the time will be disqualified and the athlete will be disqualified... For me there is no difference... We want people to win using their own effort naturally.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 17, 2019

Outrage over right-wing Euro-MPs’ Kashmir visit

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group of largely right-wing European parliamentarians (MEPs) have visited Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting outrage from local politicians who have not been allowed to go.

This was the first international delegation to visit the region since August, when India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stripped the state of its autonomy, split it into two federally run territories and imposed a lockdown that lasted for weeks.

On Tuesday, the day of their arrival, the MEPs were given a tightly controlled tour of Srinagar - the main city of the region - which included a boat ride on the picturesque Dal lake.

On the same day, five civilians were killed by suspected militants, while clashes with security forces were reported from about 40 locations around Srinagar.

Who were the visiting MEPs? The delegation initially comprised 27 members from countries including the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Poland although four decided not to visit the region and returned to their home countries.

speak to anyone he wanted.

He later told the BBC’s Gaggan Sabherwal that he was “not prepared to take part in a PR stunt for the Modi government and pretend that all is well”.

The visit has been criticised as nothing more than a PR stunt.

But the choice of parliamentarians has been seen as extraordinary by many observers.

More than a third of the delegation are from openly far-right parties in Europe, which are regarded as anti-Muslim.

Among them were MEPs for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and from France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.

More than a third of the delegation are from openly far-right parties in Europe This has led to a slew of criticism from

Indian opposition parties including Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who questioned the point of sending “openly fascist” MEPs to the region.

The EU Parliament has stressed that the visit is not an official one and the MEPs who are visiting are doing so in a personal capacity.

Chris Davies, an MP from the UK’s Liberal Democrat party, said his invitation was rescinded after he expressed a wish to have unfettered access to go anywhere and

What did they do in Kashmir?

The delegation was housed in a luxury hotel by the Dal lake - one of Kashmir’s principal tourist attractions - and was driven around under heavy security.

They met about 15 hand-picked delegations, including traders and students, before being taken on their boat ride.

Some reports pointed out that the meetings were held in a hotel next to a guest house where the state’s former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is being held under house arrest.

Despite the government desire to showcase normalcy, however, correspondents say that the roads were largely deserted and markets shut. The BBC’s Riyaz Masroor says that as soon as word of the visit got out, announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers that there would be “no morning shopping” to protest against the “wrong portrayal of Kashmir’s situation”.

Erdogan: U.S. lawmakers have no right to call armenian deaths genocide

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he Turkish leader said the House of Representatives had no moral standing to adjudicate on the murder of 1.5 million Armenians as the Ottoman Empire was collapsing.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey lashed out on Wednesday against the recognition and denunciation of the Armenian genocide by American lawmakers, deepening a rift between Turkey and the United States.

“We do not recognize this step, this decision you have

taken,” Mr. Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara, at a meeting of lawmakers from his party. “The countries who have stains of genocide, slavery, colonialism in their history have no right to give lessons to Turkey.”

Mr. Erdogan was speaking a day after the House of Representatives designated as a genocide the 1915 killings of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, the precursor to the Republic of Turkey.

The American ambassador

JJ Lin: Nurses suspended over ‘auctioning’ of singer’s drip

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leven staff have been suspended from a Chinese hospital on suspicion of trying to sell medical products used by a popular singer.

A photo of a drip bag and syringe said to have been used by JJ Lin during his recent hospital stay in Jiangsu province were posted online by staff.

He had been admitted to hospital last week with a fever following a concert.

Lin, 38, has released 13 Mandopop albums - pop music sung in Mandarin - since 2013 and won best Mandarin male singer in the Golden Melody Awards.

Among the items posted for sale on Chinese social media platform Weibo were an IV drip, a syringe, and a drinking cup.

JJ Lin is a popular Mandopop singer and won best Mandarin male singer in the Golden Melody Awards

Mandopop singer JJ Lin was admitted to hospital with a fever last week Video of staff lying on the bed Lin was staying in was also shared online, according to Chinese outlet Global Times.

The hospital has since issued an apology to Lin and stated the medical waste had been disposed of in accordance with regulations.

A representative for Lin said his team were “unhappy” and called for a boycott of “star-chasing” behaviour.

Thousands of people on Weibo welcomed the hospital’s decision to discipline staff.

“Do medical professionals have any professional ethics in protecting patient privacy?” asked one user.

Another expressed shock at the incident, writing: “Leaking patient information, and not saying a word of apology,” while another said: “Medical waste should be specially handled - this is illegal.”

In late August, a five-star hotel in China apologised after staff tried to auction off a stay in a recently vacated hotel room occupied by by Hong Kong singer Karen Mok. It was advertised as “complete with her lingering warmth and smell” in the form of dirty hotel sheets and towels.

to Turkey, David Satterfield, was summoned by the Turkish government to explain the decision, which came on the same day that the House voted to impose harsh sanctions on Turkey over its military assault on the Kurds in northern Syria.

Mr. Erdogan’s communications director, Fahrettin Altun, described the sanctions bill as a “direct contradiction to the spirit of a strategic alliance.”

For years, American lawmakers avoided officially describing the Armenian deaths as a genocide, wary of angering Turkey, a NATO ally that has never acknowledged the full extent of the massacres. Mr. Erdogan usually refers only to “deportations” and “events,” which he once said were “reasonable” for the period.

The House’s decision, by a 405-to-11 vote, to reverse its decades-old stance reflects the extent of bipartisan anger at Turkish foreign policy, particularly since Turkish forces began an offensive in northeastern Syria against Kurdish-led forces that had partnered with the United States military in fighting the Islamic State.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers were already frustrated with Mr.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said he would not take lessons from countries with “stains of genocide, slavery, colonialism in their history.”Credit...

Adem Altan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Erdogan’s government, which is growing closer to Russia and has arrested several American citizens and employees in recent years, including a pastor.

The Turkish administration has in turn grown steadily angrier at American support for Syrian Kurdish fighters whom it regards as a threat to Turkey’s national security. Mr. Erdogan is also furious that the United States refuses to extradite Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in Pennsylvania who the Turkish leader says is behind a failed coup attempt in 2016.

American-Turkish relations have been further strained by the recent indictment in New York of a Turkish state-owned bank that

Informant who led US to IS leader likely to receive up to $25 million - report

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ource said to be Sunni Arab, cultivated by Kurdish intelligence, who turned against Islamic State after terror group killed a relative People look at a destroyed van near the village of Barisha, in Idlib province, Syria, October 27, 2019, after an operation by the US military which killed IS chief Abu Bakr alBaghdadi. (AP/Ghaith Alsayed) People look at a destroyed van near the village of Barisha, in Idlib province, Syria, October 27, 2019, after an operation by the US military which killed IS chief Abu Bakr alBaghdadi. (AP/Ghaith Alsayed) An informant who provided crucial details on the movements

of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader killed in a US commando raid, is likely to scoop up some or all of a $25 million reward, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The Post said the informant was a well-placed Islamic State operative who facilitated al-Baghdadi’s movements around Syria and helped oversee the construction of his Syrian hideout.

US special operations commandos struck the hideout overnight Saturday, swooping in on helicopters and chasing the IS founder into a tunnel where he detonated a suicide vest, according to the US account of the raid.

American prosecutors accuse of helping Iran to circumvent United States sanctions. Mr. Erdogan is himself accused in the court documents of involvement in the scheme.

In his speech on Wednesday, Mr. Erdogan suggested that the House vote was a political decision rather than the outcome of a sincerely held belief. “In a sense, it was profiteering,” he said.

The Turkish president also hinted that he was planning an operation targeting the leader of the Syrian Kurdish militia that worked with the United States against the Islamic State, Mazlum Kobani.

“Some countries eliminate

terrorists whom they consider as a threat to their national security, wherever they are,” Mr. Erdogan said. “Therefore this means those countries accept that Turkey has the same right.

This includes the terrorists they shake hands with and praised.”

Since 2014, Mr. Erdogan has watched with loathing as Mr. Kobani’s militia harnessed the chaos of the Syrian conflict to carve out an autonomous area along the Turkish-Syrian border, under the protection of the United States.

Turkish officials consider the militia a terrorist organization because it is an offshoot of a guerrilla movement that has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.

The withdrawal of American troops from the border early this month gave Turkey the opportunity to invade Kurdishheld territory in northern Syria. That forced the Kurdish leadership to turn to the Syrian government and its Russian backers for support, and to retreat from the border.

After an agreement between Turkey and Russia, a buffer zone has since been established along the border, patrolled by Turkish, Russian and Syrian government troops.

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environment

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

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Water Pollution: We must find innovative ways to curb water epidemic -Minister

L:R-Minister of Environment Dr. Mohammade Mahmoud,Deputy Director Press,Sule Oyofo and Director General/Chief Executive NESERA,Prof.Aliyu Jauro, at the 13th National Stakeholders’ Forum organized by NESERA, yesterday in Abuja

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna that the objective of the Forum was to create an occasion for productive deliberation on the he Minister of Environment Dr. importance of curbing the menace associated Mohammade Mahmoud,said there is a with water pollution. need for stakeholders’ to find innovative The minister said the stakeholders should ways and new approaches to solve water also provide a unique opportunity to proffer pollution epidemic in Nigeria . some innovative solutions to the problem with a Dr.Mahmoud made the called at view to averting an impending epidemic. the 13th National Stakeholders’ Forum According to him NESREA being the organized by National Environmental enforcement arm of my ministry has been Standard and Regulations Enforcement working assiduously to control the intractable Agency(NESREA),yesterday in Abuja, with the environmental issues of water . theme”Water Pollution:Innovative Solutions “The agency has developed no less than for Environmental Compliance Monitoring and six national environmental regulations to Enforcement”. check water pollution both from point and While declaring the two days Forum opened, diverse sources. These regulations are being the Minister noted that, the theme for this year’s operationalised across the country through Forum is “Water pollution: Innovative Solutions their field offices and the headquarters”. for Environmental Compliance, was apt saying He said for environmental protection to be

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effective, those who have been entrusted with the responsibility must have the capacity and tools to monitor compliance and enforce the law s,policies,guidelines,standards and regulations.

The minister who urged citizens to join hands with NESREA in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for all Nigerians is achieved by collective responsibility in building and environmental conscious society .

Earlier, Director General/Chief Executive NESERA,Prof.Aliyu Jauro,in welcome address disclosed that this year’s theme was timely, noting that ,it is a common knowledge that water pollution is one of the major environmental issues that confronts us today and water borne diseases are recognized as reasons for the many health challenges that stare us in the face.”

He explained that,NESERA in exercises her mandate has caused the establishment and gazetting of several National environmental Regulations aimed at checking water pollution among other environmental issues .

“These are in addition to the regulations targeted at controlling the effluents from the MAN sectors of the economy. Efforts are made to ensure full operationalization of these regulations with a view to controlling water pollution in Nigeria.

Prof.Jauro pointed out,this stakeholders forum is aimed at exploiting further avenues to bringing solutions to the intractable problems of water pollution in the Nigeria.

He further reiterated the need for synergy with line MDAS and law enforcement Agencies in fighting Water Pollution.

“To denote best practices and encourage

Research on Innovative solutions to curb Water Pollution,to develop strategies that will promote sustainable water management for,improved environmental and human health,to reawaken the consciousness of the regulated community and other stakeholders on the need to promote proper hygiene and reduce water borne epidemics.“ “I hereby urged this impressive gathering to make patriotic and painstaking efforts to add innovative solutions to the efforts already in place to check water pollution in Nigeria”,he stated.

Meanwhile, in his goodwill message, the Chairman Governing Council NESERA,Chief Iyiola Oladoku,stressed that”our water bodies are heavily polluted. Our habits and anthropologic activities have complicated the situation.

“Open defection and agricultural nutrients have made our watersheds unsafe,the integrity of our ground water has been comprised by oil seepage and leachate from our dumpsites.

“Discharge of untreated industrial effluents and sewage have not spared our streams, rivers and lakes from pollution,a combination of hydrocarbon related activities,ship dumping and micro plastic have contaminated our marine ecosystems,”Oladokun emphasized.

He said”it has needed become emergent to be a rescue mission against the menace of water pollution.Therefore all hands to be on deck and team up with NESREA to protect our waters from pollution.This has become very vital for our match towards sustainable production and consumption”.

Adding value to Nigerians lives sacrosanct - Minister

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammed Mahmoud yesterday called on public officers holders to impact positively on the live of Nigerians.

The minister, who said this in Abuja when 40-member delegation of former House of Assembly members paid him courtesy visit in office.

He told the former assembly members that making a different in the lives of others is key, saying that when the job is done well, legacy will speak volumes for any former or present public officers .

“when I go for project inspection in kaduna,I usually see projects built by you people, it made me proud because you people have influence lives and I was part of journey”.

“Iam really happy and astonished,I was not expecting this huge numbers of the former house of assembly members from various tenures,I really appreciate your coming and my ideology here in the ministry of environment is to add values to people and the Nation at large.This is our mandate by the president to improve the standard of peoples lives when we were appointed”,he said .

“It is not easy to be a politician. It is not easy to be a member House of Assembly.

People expect you to do the wall for them.”

According to Dr.Mahmoud, “been in Kaduna State House of Assembly was a political institution that give me a life changing experience and regardless of our different political lines,when the gets tougher we forget our political parties,we blend to work for the people, that’s the good thing about the institutions”.

He said”when the environment is mess up we correct and do everything possible to ensure that people don’t get sick, our environment is our home taking care of

the environment is paramount for us as a ministry “.

Earlier, the Chairman of Former Kaduna State House of AssemblyForum,Abdulzeez Mu’azu,disclosed that the former members were grateful that the president chose one of them to be a minister.

“Dr. Mahmoud is the first person from the assembly to become a minister”.

Mu’azu stated that” the minster outstanding records, excellent, skills has single him out for the appointment.

“We known as our former member,there will be real touching transformation in the ministry for next level activities”.

UNN inaugurates panel to facilitate implementation of environment, development policies

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he University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has constituted an 11-man Policy Advisory Panel (PAP) to facilitate the implementation of relevant environment and development policies in the country.

Prof. Charles Igwe, Vice-Chancellor, UNN, at the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC) Environment for Development (EfD) policy day said recently in Abuja that the environment needed proper management to avert disasters.

Members of the PAP include: Prof Olukayode Oladipo of the University of Lagos, Akoka (chairman); Prof. Chinedum Nwajuiba, Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Dr Peter Tarfa, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment; Hussain Raha, President, National Association of Fish Farmers & Aquaculture; Muyiwa Odele of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Joseph Akpokoye of the World Bank; Mrs Halima Bawa of the Department of Climate Change; Dr Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Director of REPC; Chairman, House Committee on Environment; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Igwe, who was represented by Prof.

Pat Okpoko, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, UNN, said the environment needed to be run in a manner that the

generation coming behind would benefit.

According to him, the university believes that things should be done properly to ensure policy effectiveness for sustainable development.

“For us to move the nation forward the environment must be sustainable and so PAP will interface with issues that have to do with policy development and research initiative.

“We, therefore, want to encourage the panel that UNN will support their initiatives and by so doing the Federal Government can apply the policy initiative to solving our environmental challenges,” he said.

The Minister of Environment, Mr Muhammad Mahmood, pledged the ministry’s collaboration with the research institute on all aspects of research that would positively impact the country.

Mahmood, who was represented by Dr Tarfa, said the issues of environmental challenges cut across many aspects of our livelihood which required synergy with experts.

“We want to see how we will use the available natural resources to tackle environmental challenges facing the country.

“The ministry welcomes the synergy and the door is open for collaboration and value addition to tackle the environmental challenges.

“The terms of reference of panel include to

definitely guiding the focus of the research to be in tandem with national priorities.

“The focus of government for instance on flooding can be solved through collaboration to control and solve the problems in the country.

“Also, the climate change challenge is the number one environmental challenge which must be solved.”

The minister however, said that to generate plants and trees that are resilient to the impact of climate change could only be done through research.

He, therefore, promised to support the research centre to undertake focused research.

Dr Nnaemeka Chukwuone, REPRC-EfD said the aim of the centre was to advance research, capacity building and policy advocacy.

Chukwuone noted that the panel was created as a forum for agenda setting in critical resource and environmental policy issues in the country.

According to him, the panel will look into fishing management in the country which is one of the reasons the panel was set up.

“The aim is to advance the way fishery is managed in Nigeria and to proffer solutions to go about it.

“There are lots of problems, so today, policy makers will discuss the problem based on the research output we are presenting

and then discuss how to improve fishing management in Nigeria.

“We will also discuss other areas like the climate change which are in different areas of agricultural research,” he added.

Prof. Oladipo, Chairman of the panel, said the centre recognised the need to advance policy advisory interface in the country of which research output were used to advise policy and translate them into development.

Oladipo pledged to work as a team to guide the policies of some of the research which could ensure that it translate into development thereby helping the government to take certain decisions.

“A number of times, the policies are not implemented so what we are interested is not a bulky policy document, but two or three pages advise that will be worked on ans used for policy decision making.”

The centre, which is domicile at the university, was established to advance interdisciplinary research, capacity building and policy advocacy on the different dimensions of environmental and resource economics.

Its objective is to support poverty alleviation and sustainable development by building environmental economics capacity in the policy making processes.

Source:environewsnigeria

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, october 31, 2019

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FEATURE

By Salim Umar Ibrahim

I

n what seems like an eternal journey between a Mistress and her servants, one hardly thought of waywardness attributed to the activities of the so-called servant to his master/ mistress. But, in the reality and by virtue of contemporary setting, it’s entirely a different story today - where blackmail, slander are major possibilities any right thinking person living on earth could hardly argue are attributes of a servant.

When facing hardship and trying times, especially that which is connected to insurgency or terrorism, one loses all senses of belonging looking for shelter in the name of securing his life from ironies at large. We all want to live forever despite fully knowing that it takes only time for everyone to leave, prepared or otherwise. God, often sent us saviors from far or near, but less we realize how fortunate we are, those in the custody of a savior.

Fiona Magaret Lovatt, a New Zealander, an educationalist and literacy expert known for humanitarian activities in Nigeria attended the 2nd Pan African Reading Congress that took place in Abuja, 2001, reason of her first coming to Nigeria. Hence, began a project with the Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN) when Mrs. Stella Obasanjo took out a project, ‘BOOKS WITHOUT BORDERS’ as her pet project with UBEC that stocked 190 libraries across the country.

Lovatt then left for New Zealand until November 2011when she applied for a Visa to come back and offer her services as a volunteer with ESSPIN, a DFID funded project where she helped in condensing primary education curriculum from 6years to 3years for students in Islamiyya Qur’anic Tsangaya schools (IQTE), helped in training community teachers in Kano and Jigawa under ESSPIN when her Visa expired, she returned back home; New Zealand, leaving behind a leased house she paid for while living along six Almajirai in a co-operative called ‘Gidan Almajirai’. upon returning back home due to the expiration of her Visa, Fiona applied for a new Visa and returned within few months enjoying a quite life in the old ancient city of Kano, helping community level in 2014. NAPEP then took interest in her activities at grassroots level.

In 2015, Fiona was invited to a meeting in the Abuja headquarters to develop project proposals and by using her presence in the north to report on conditions of IDPs assisting more than 500 IDP families with enterprise grants, annual rents and basic household goods using her network of friends who happily trusted her enough to give alms through her hands knowing that hundred percent of what she received goes to the needy.

In 2015, a group of friends on Facebook wanted to provide a safe haven for children at risk (in response to the Chibok school girls story that affected the world) using her thirty years of experience in New Zealand as educationalist as well as her time with ESSPIN of Almajirai will serve Borno through the local knowledge, rubbing ties with Dr. Ahmad Abubakar to raise enough money as private individuals which by May 5, had enough to rent a house at the cost of four hundred thousand naira, set-up a cost for sleeping mats, cooking pots, gardening tools, seeds, library books and for monthly provisions.

Fiona travelled to Maiduguri by public transport as a guest of Dr. Ahmed Abubakar, selected a suitable house for rent and provided some initial guidelines and training carrying along with her a letter from NAPEP and Poverty Alleviation signed by Mukhtar Tafawa Balewa within 24hours of arrival meeting senior members close to the local government chairman of Bama who were keen to render assistance by looking for appropriate accommodation and was taken to the women’s training college where the man in charge of the camp assigned his personal assistant to select children according to Fiona’s specifications - group of siblings who have no parents, aged between 4 and 12years and mainly girls with their younger brothers.

Two Widows were identified as resident

CLASSIFIED

Fiona Lovatt: How unpatriotic youth slander, blackmail a kind heart

members of the house with their children joining in the household of 24 children, two adults and a visiting teacher for Qur’an and Arabic to go with general studies delivered by the women in a practical and healing setting where diet, language, songs, games and customs were all kept intact.

After a successful completion of all arrangements, Fiona was sent to the ministry of women affairs and social development by the commandant of the camp. Fiona along with the camp commandant personal assistant and Umar Farki sat with a panel of seven listening to the plan, asking questions and offering support.

Fiona was asked to write a letter which she did that fateful afternoon, then was given oral approval while the children were duly released from the camp.

Coming in with change of clothes, barefooted and hungry - the pioneer 24, Fiona thought that her alms will be welcomed by herself believing that it is operating in a way that donors will likely

join in funding the establishment. Perhaps, the model was so effective to the level that it drew the attention of some Borno sons and daughters who wanted to establish something similar.

Through one of these people, Fiona was introduced to Sani Ismail, who she wished to press charges of slander due to some damages he had done to her - facing charges of slander against those who are using these claims for their personal interest.

Fiona Magaret Lovatt believed and indeed

“

In 2015, a group of friends on Facebook wanted to provide a safe haven for children at risk (in response to the Chibok school girls story that affected the world) using her thirty years of experience in New Zealand as educationalist as well as her time with ESSPIN of Almajirai will serve Borno through the local knowledge, rubbing ties with Dr. Ahmad Abubakar to raise enough money as private individuals which by May 5, had enough to rent a house at the cost of four hundred thousand naira, set-up a cost for sleeping mats, cooking pots, gardening tools, seeds, library books and for monthly provisions.

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

was operating legally for the fact that the Police knew about the homes in Maiduguri and the ministry for women affairs is also aware plus the camp released the children following due process.

Sani selected many children for the house at Polo ground and Kinshasa road whom many of them were his relatives and whom are too old and had siblings left behind, mainly boys, although the Children of Borno (COB) Project was primarily for girls. Fiona has to return a good number of these boys to their custodians as the project were never intended to provide for adolescent boys.

In her records, Fiona has phone numbers of all the relatives of the children in the COB Project except for Abbas Saleh, a boy found by one Mallam Saleh who is said to have been found in the Savannah and brought him. Parents and relatives were all allowed to freely visit anytime to which a recent family day exposed a case that ‘Care givers’ had often kept family members away of their own accord.

Sani Ismail, who secured a place in the COB took advantage of his Mistress’s various absences from Maiduguri and indeed from Nigeria. Sani took it upon himself to be a kind of authoritative beyond what he was required to do.

If Sani had wished to keep funding secured by his mistress through Dario Hawat, AUSBELIEF, an Australian NGO that needs to follow highly secure protocols. Sani despite multiple trainings couldn’t deliver on the targets which were listed in a blue exercise book that he photocopied in its entirety when the lease ran out. The house was closed and the book was given to Fiona, which she stored in her quarters at Kinshasa road.

The locked door was broken in her absence and the book was removed from storage with AUSBELIEF Funding finished.

Fiona went into international freelancing work to generate the Three hundred thousand naira (N300,000.00) to cover for the monthly operating cost of the house Sani was mismanaging. His brother had a room in house while many children were put in the Boys Quarters. The standard of care giving demoralized, she had a space for the children at a house at Kinshasa road, but the matter was settled by the police 2-in-C of the police in 2017.

The children were all left with Sani Ismail, by the end of Ramadan, none remained with him. Fiona asked Bello at the police GRA station to follow-up on the whereabouts he seemed satisfied that nothing untoward happened.

Over the years, since 2015, Fiona had dismissed team members from the Borno team for abuse and neglect - after receiving reports, investigations were carried out by a third party and guilty people were dismissed whom among were Rakia, for beating and verbal abuse, Sani Ismail for misappropriation of money and neglect of duties, Nafisa for abuse, Nallama for verbal abuse and neglect and Aisha Umar for misappropriation of funds, harboring her delinquent son, lying, abuse and neglect, Amina Babagana for multiple aspects of neglect and harm. Sani, Nafisa, Nallama and Aisha all took substantial items from the stores.

Today, Fiona, a rare kind heart in a million is facing allegations that warrant charges of slander for all she has offered to the wellbeing of many victims of insurgency in Nigeria, Borno to be precise by these unpatriotic erstwhile members her team who are using unscrupulous claims against her for their personal interest.

And, if this is the price for humanity despite all hook and crook, then it is nothing to write home about, and, alas, if not God has chosen saviors amongst us human, those in the struggle for humanity should have lie down and enjoy the luxury of their comfort zones not minding what and who in their lives.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MURTALA MUSA 2. MUSA ABDUL 3. MUNIR SANI 4. HARUNA ABDUSSALAM 5. IBRAHIM HALIRU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE ARE : 1. To promote humanitarian services and alleviate poverty in the society 2. To care for the less privileged, widows, children and orphans in society.

3. To promote skill acquisition and capacity building among members.

4. To promote of community development and growth .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE JAMESTINA BOC FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. JAMESTINA ADAORA BOC-IFEOBU 2. SOMTOCHUKWU OKWESILIEZE BOC-IFEOBU 3. LOTTANA CHINEMELU BOC IFEOBU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To assist widows, orphans and the less privileged in the Community.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : DANIEL MACHAR ESQ

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE THRONE OF DIVINE MERCY AND GRACE PROPHETIC WORLDWIDE MINISTRY

MOBILE ADVERT COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

BANKOLE DESMOND-EKE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.ABUBAKAR KATAMBA NDARANI - CHAIRMAN 2.ABUBAKAR MUAZU - SECRETARY 3.EMMANUEL OGHENEVWHAZE - MEMBER 4.AKEEM OLANREWAJU - MEMBER 5.CHINDA FERDINAND - MEMBER 6.VINCENT ENOGUE - MEMBER 7.AGU SUNDAY LINUS - MEMBER

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. BANKOLE DESMOND-EKE 2. FRANCIS WALE OMOTOSHO 3. MORENIKE ALICE DESMOND-EKE 4. OLOLADE DESMOND-EKE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.

AMBO MARGARET COBHAN 2.

ADAMU EMMANUEL THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : (1) To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) To bring hope to the people (3) To evangelize the word of God. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To foster peace, unity and progress towards the development of the Association.

2.To promote harmony and mutual understanding amongst members of the Association.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. AHMADU MALIK ALFA TEL: 08036275994.

SIGNED : UZOMA EMMANUEL Esq.

-

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide financial assistance to less privileged students in order to acquire education needed for a lifetime.

2. To assist institutions in meeting some of their needs where possible.

3. To provide any other assistance within the education sector on a need-by-need basis.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : AREMU-COLE BUKOLA, ESQ (08055255983)

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

BELIEVER’S FAMILY FOUNDATION

MORE ABUNDANT LIFE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

TREE OF SHELTER DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OJOGO FLORENCE BULOUS - 2. OGBAJI GODWIN JOHN 3. FATOKI OLUSEGUN STEPHEN 4. ADENIYI ADEYEMI RICH 5. ITANRIN SYLVESTER LUCKY-DADA 6. OJOGO DONALD KIMIKANBOH 7. ADEGOROYE ILEOLA BENEDICT 8. AYELESO TITILAYO MARY

CHAIRMAN

-

SECRETARY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To rebuild Nigeria through Cultural Revolution by consciously cultivating a nation building belief system in the people, most especially, school children, and youths.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.SHONIBARE, GANIYAT MOROUNRANTI. 2.OLOYEDE, KEHINDE JOSHUA 3.OLOYEDE, JUSTINA OLUSESAN. 4.OLOYEDE, SIMEON OYELOLA. 5.CHUKWUNWIKE, CHUKWUDI ENDURANCE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. CHUKS EZEKIEL DIKE- CHAIRMAN 2. LUKE AMAERUCHI- MEMBER 3. EKENE UKAH- MEMBER 4. BLESSING EZEKIEL DIKE- MEMBER 5. IKE FELIX- SECRETARY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To proclaim the good news of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ to the whole world.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : Osmond Eleojo Adejo 08098739401.

SIGNED : UKAH ALBERT ESQ. 08065903522.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOBLE DREAM FOUNDATION

THE FORUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENCE

Ogun catfish and Allied fish farmers Association

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Izomo Sunday (president) 2.Musowo Michael Ayokunle (secretary) 3.Omitogun Ganiu kemi 4.Toyin Benjamin 5.Adebayo Solomon oluwabusuyi 6. Abdul Temitope oladunni 7. Asafa Musediq fayisayo 8. Olowojeunjeje Omolaja

NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. OMEAKU BLESSING BLEIGE 2. OKORO JOHN .

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1 TO DEFEND THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF COMMON MAN 2 TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF THE MASSES ENTITLED TO 3 TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND MINORS.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To provide for welfare of the less privileged.

Protect their rights and privileges.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. Its for economical employment of its members and the society at large.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1Dr Olowoniyi Sunday Rotimi 2 Mrs Olowoniyi Bukola Roseline 3 Mr Akinnuade Temitope Soga 4 Mr Akinadewo Olatunbosun Elijah 5 Mr Omotayo Omolayo Stephen

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Christ International Gospel Apostolic Church Rc:6491

LEGISLATIVE NETWORK FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED ThAT THE ABOVE named has applied to the coperate affairs commision for AMMENDMENTS OF ITS CONSTITUTION AND CHANGE OF ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES under part c of the company and allied matters ACT 1990 Trustees remain the same Aims and objectives remain the same To add “Preamble”.

To replace “Enclosures “C” and “E” with Articles 1 and 2.

To change “Enclosure “A” to “Article 3” and to add seven (7) additional aims and objectives clause 6,7,8, 9,10,11,12.

To replace “Enclosure “B” with Article 4.

To replace “Enclosure “G” with Article 5.

To remove Enclosure “F”.

To replace “Enclosure “H” with Article 6.

To replace “Enclosure “D” with Article 7.

To rearrange and split “Appendix “A” to Articles 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

13 To change word “Appendix “A” to “Article Any objection to this APPLICATION should be forwaded to the registra genetral coperate affairs commision plot 420 tigris crescent maitama abuja withing 28 days of this publication Signed

by Pst Buraimo A. Ademoye secretary

MRS. BAYODE

I, formerly known as OGABI LUCY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BAYODE LUCY. All former documents remain valid.

ICAN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

AYODEJI

I, formerly known as AYODEJI JOSEPH now wish to be known and addressed as AYODEJI JIMOH. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Blessing

I, formerly known as Blessing Owoicho now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Achenyo Godwin. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

ILIYA

I, formerly known as AMOS ILIYAnow wish to be known and addressed as ILIYA AMOS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

ABDULLAHI

I, formerly known as ABDULLAHI INUSA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULLAHI YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

SALE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TIJJANI SALE SALE . NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS SALE TIJJANI .

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

HALIMA

I formerly known as HALIMA MUAZU Now wish to be known and addressed as HALIMA MUAZU ABUBAKAR. All former documents remains valid. The General public should please take note.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAD APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER THE PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTER ACT OF 1990 NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. Senator Doctor Olanrewaju Tejuoso, 2. Dr Abdulgafar Alawode 3. Juliana Aribo-Abude 4. Hon. Mohammed Usman; 5. Mrs Moji Makanjuola 6. Dr Ogu Emejuru; 7. Prof Aliko Ahmed 8. Prof Fatai Aremu; 9. Dr Nihinlola Mabogunje 10. Prof. Tanimola Makanjuola Akande Objective To network with other Legislators across the country in order to promote and agree on an annual agenda for health.

Signed: Barr. Dyane Chioma Ezenwajiaku.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESENT MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE GLORY LAND INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES This is to notify the general public that the above Name has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part ‘C’ of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: (1) IGENE JEFFREY-GENERAL OVERSEER (2) IGENE CELESTINA-SECRETARY (3) IGENE MORRIS OYAKHIRE (4) IGENE KINGSLEY (5) OBHANTAZELE VICTORIA OSEMEAHON. AIMS/OBJective(1) To propagate the gospel of jesus christ to the whole world.

(2) to bring deliverance to those who are bound by the power of darkness.

(3) to promote fellowship among believers (4) to depopulate the kingdom of the devil and his cohorts.

(5) to encourage the weary souls to be strong in the lord.

(6) to affect lives positively by living a christ like life.

(7) to assist less privileged members of the society. SIGNED-OKOKPUJIE ODION EHIS ESQ 08033610598 Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Signed. Secretary

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ALMUSAADAT FIRST FOUNDATION THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAD APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER THE PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTER ACT OF 1990 NAMES OF TRUSTEES: 1. Shuaibu Ibrahim Iliyasu.

2. Salisu Abdullahi Bungudu.

3. Lawal Salisu.

4. Ahmed Rabiu.

5. Abdullahi Ibrahim.

6. Muhammad Bello Alhaji.

7. Bashir Umar Abubakar.

8. Ibrahim Auwal Bala.

Aims.

To assist the less privilege.

Signed. Secretary.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESENT MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed.

Secretary

Adefowoju

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Adefowoju Rolland.

NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Adefowoju Ayodele. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MUJITABA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUSTAPHA KASIM. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MUJITABA KASIM ABUBAKAR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MOHAMMMED

I, Formerly known as DAHIRU ABDULLAHI Now wish to be known addressed as MOHAMMMED ABDULLAHI . All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned FIRST BANK AND the General public should please take note

AHMADU

I, Formerly known as USMAN AHMED Now wish to be known addressed as AHMADU ABDULLAHI LERE .

All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the General public should please take note

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

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thursday october 31, 2019

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29

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

ICPC arrests AFN Secretary-General over alleged $130,000 fraud

Anguwan Rogo Central Concerned Youth Forum This is to notify the general public that the above Name has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part ‘C’ of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Shafi’u Muhammad Abdullahi 2. Yaqoub Abdulhamid Abubakar 3. Usman Muhammad Ishaq 4. Abdullahi Bello Abdullahi 5. Abdullahi Sarki 6. Bashir Abubakar Muhammad

-Chairman -V.Chairman -Sec.General -financial sec.

-P.R.O. -Auditor General.

Aims and objectives (1) To poster peace and unity among members and the entire community (2) To encourage members to be self-reliant (3) To give selfless service to the entire community (4)To educate members on the effect and danger of drug abuse Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Secretary

PIUS

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Pius Alfred. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Pius Hassan Alfred.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Dirisu

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS DIRISU ISAH. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Dirisu Aniemeh ISAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OJO

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Ojo Frank . NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Ojo Elijah Frank.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

John

I, Formerly known as John Gwar Now wish to be known addressed as John Torhemba Emmanuel.

All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the General public should please take note

By Albert Akota

T

he ICPC has arrested the SecretaryGeneral of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Amaechi Akawu, for allegedly misappropriating $130, 000.

The ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, in a statement on Monday, said the cash belonged to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

The agency said Mr Akawu’s arrest followed a petition it received alleging that he had failed to account for $130, 000 mistakenly paid into the account of AFN in 2017 by IAAF.

The ICPC also said its findings revealed that the accused, acted without the AFN Board, got several approvals for the release of the money through a series of letters to the then Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung.

It added that several transactions on the account originated from the Secretary-General moments after the payment of the money. ”On different occasions, he requested and got approval for the release of N30.4 million, N4.9 million and $20, 000, all in the month of July 2017 as expenses for the competition. He also requested for N9.5 million in the same period, but

N5 million was approved by the then Permanent Secretary.

“Mr Akawu is yet to furnish the commission with the evidence of the expenditures, telling investigators that he had submitted all the documents relating to how the $130, 000 was spent

by AFN to the registry in the office of the Minister.”

Mr Akawu, who was detained on October, 22, following his arrest, was subsequently released on administrative bail the next day, to enable him submit some vital documents that were requested by investigators handling the case.

IAAF had in a letter to AFN in March 2017, volunteered to grant $20,000 to the

federation towards the successful hosting of the CAA Grand Prix Competition in Delta State, popularly known as 2017 Warri Relay Competition.

However, the international body for athletics while fulfilling the pledge, mistakenly paid $150,000 to AFN in May 2017, a sum which was far in excess of the $20,000 grant it had earlier pledged.

IAAF quickly wrote to its Nigerian counterpart two months after the payment admitting the mistake and requesting that the excess be returned.

AFN is yet to refund the excess funds.

Mr Akawu claims the entire $130,000 was spent on hosting the competition that held in July 2017.

Rohr recalls Musa, Akpeyi for Super Eagle Benin, Lesotho matches >>>PG32

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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

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Eaglets’ victory against Ecuador lesson in resilience -Buhari

r

t

Rohr recalls Musa, Akpeyi for Super Eagle Benin, Lesotho matches

By Albert Akota

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the performance of the Golden Eaglets in Tuesday night 3-2 win against Ecuador at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Presidential Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, quoted the President as saying, “The fact that the youngsters never gave up, and turned the table against their opponents, is a lesson in persistence and resilience.”

He recommends the can-do spirit displayed by the young boys to Nigerians, urging them to display such in all areas of endeavour, and in national development.

While wishing the Eaglets well in their final group match against Australia, which may well be a formality, President Buhari pledges government support to the team, as they strive to win the Under 17 World Cup yet again, thus confirming Nigeria’s position as a global power at that level.

After a 4-2 comeback win over Hungary in their opening fixture, Manu Garba’s boys showed resilience again to see off the South Americans.

Ibrahim Said was the hero for Nigeria after scoring all the three goals to seal maximum points for the team in style.

L-R: Shehu Dikko, NFF 2nd Vice president; Amaju Pinnick, NFF president and Seyi Akinwunmi, 1st Vice president

By Albert Akota

S Golden Eaglets

Olympics 2020: IOC wants Tokyo marathon switch

T

he people of Tokyo deserve to be “fully briefed” on why Olympics chiefs have switched two events at next year’s Games to a different city.

International Olympics Committee (IOC) coordination commission chief John Coates made the comment at the start of a three-day meeting in Japan’s capital.

The IOC has moved the marathon and race walking to Sapporo because of concerns over the summer heat.

Yuriko Koike, the governor of Tokyo, is against the decision.

“We owe it to the people of Tokyo to make sure they are fully briefed,” said Coates.

Earlier in October, Coates said the decision over the marathon and race walking was final, and partly down to issues at the World Championships in Doha.

Some 28 of the 68 starters withdrew from the women’s marathon, despite the race being run at midnight in an effort to counter the hot and humid conditions.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s marathon at the Rio Games in 2016

uper Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has recalled the trio of Ahmed Musa, Daniel Akpeyi and Mikel Agu for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header against Benin and Lesotho.

Musa, who is the captain of the team has not make an appearance for the Super Eagles since their third place encounter against Tunisia at the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt due to injury.

He missed the Super Eagles last two friendlies against Ukraine and Brazil.

Akpeyi has been overlooked since the AFCON in Egypt where he was first choice goalkeeper. He has been in fantastic form for Kaizer Chiefs in the ABSA Premier League this season.

Defensive midfielder Agu has not been considered by the national team since he missed the cut to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He has since been posting impressive

displays for Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.

Brighton defender Leon Balogun has been placed on standby as he has struggled to break into the first team at the Premier League club.

Other players placed on standby are injured Stoke City midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and Czech Republic-based striker Peter Olayinka.

The Super Eagles will open their qualifying campaign for the AFCON in Cameroon on November 14 in Uyo and three days later travel to Lesotho for second qualifying game.

THE FULL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany) Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William

Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia) Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph AyodeleAribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Standby: Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England)

Taylor favour to win British fighter of the year, says Bunce

J

osh Taylor’s two world title wins in 2019 make him the British fighter of the year, according to boxing expert Steve Bunce.

The Scottish light welterweight claimed his first world belt in May, beating IBF champion Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow.

And Taylor followed up with an epic unification bout against Regis Prograis, edging out the WBA champion in Saturday’s World Super Series final.

“Josh Warrington’s two wins this year don’t compare with the two wins Josh Taylor had this year,” he added.

Bunce’s co-host, Mike Costello, agrees that Taylor’s victory over Prograis in London, by a major points verdict, was the outstanding performance by a British fighter this year.

However, he believes Warrington’s rise to IBF featherweight champion and three successful title defences in the past 24 months puts the Englishman ahead of Taylor in the pound-forpound stakes.

Josh Taylor

PEOPLES DAILY, thursday october 31, 2019

PAGE 31

. . . putting the people first

thursday october 31, 2019

SPACE FOR SALE

SPORTS Niger’s ‘The Bad, the Bad and the Ugly’ (I) latest

PREAMBLE

Zinedine Zidane has insisted Gareth Bale is happy at Real Madrid and had the club’s permission to visit London.

W

ales international Bale travelled to the English capital two days before his club’s La Liga game against Leganes, which he will miss through injury.

The former Tottenham winger reportedly used the trip to meet with his agent, Jonathan Barnett, as rumours surrounding his future started to re-circulate.

Zidane dismisses fresh Bale exit rumours

Svitolina beats Simona Halep to reach semi-finals at WTA Finals

D

efending champion Elina Svitolina beat Simona Halep to become the first player to secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2019 WTA Finals in China.

The Ukrainian world number eight won 7-5 6-3 in Shenzhen to guarantee progression with one group game left.

Halep plays Czech Karolina Pliskova in her final game with the winner qualifying for the semis.

Pliskova beat Bianca Andreescu when the Canadian retired with a knee injury after losing the first set 6-3.

US Open champion Andreescu, who is now unable to qualify for the next round, was leading 2-0 when she landed awkwardly, jarring her left knee and retired despite attempting to continue with heavy strapping.

F

ortune favors not only the brave, but it does also the circumspect. For as they say: ‘it is foolish to keep doing the ‘wrong’ thing over and over and to expect the right result. To have been venomously afflicted, not once or twice, but thrice in a row, and each time to remain unsuspectingly vulnerable to the same source of harm, is to be the quintessential tomfool of the cautionary English saying: ‘Once bitten, twice shy’. You have to be stung only ‘once’ to qualify for the caution to be ‘twice shy’ –meaning to be doubly alert. But what should we be after we have been ‘twice bitten’ already? Or what can a people be said to be, who have not only been ‘twice bitten’ already by their political leaders, but who, in fact, are about to be ‘bitten’ a third time –all in a row?

Should we say that to be ‘thrice bitten’ is to be ‘Forever Foolish’?

Because, this is exactly what is happening to my so called ‘Power State’, Niger. We have been twice bitten already by two previous inept Governments; and we are presently being ‘bitten’ for the third time, by a Government that is itself the epitome of ineptitude.

And need I say that soon, we should qualify to wear the epaulet of dishonor, ‘FF’ meaning ‘Forever Fooled’? Yes, we have every reason, Nigerlites, to claim and to guard this reputation of having been fooled thrice in a row, by the enfant terrible of a progressively degenerate form of governance malfeasance that has –with each passing regime, in three successive democratic eras- worsens from remediable benignity to incurable malignancy. And the question arises: ‘who have Nigerlites offended, that every previous eight years of horrendous misgovernance should still seem benevolently angelic, not because they truly were, but only because every successor-government has managed to horribly up the ante of bad governance in such a manner as to make its predecessor’s malfeasance seem holy and sanctified? From Kure’s ‘do-nothing-but-plunder-andshare’ to Dr. Aliyu’s ‘do-little-andplunder-for-one’, and now we are stuck with the quintessential ‘hear-nothing’, ‘see-nothing’ and therefore ‘do-absolutely-nothing’ government of Abu Lolo that has conquered and is languidly content with just sitting back idly to despoil for kindred’s sake. Yet we all carry on as if all is well. Our tomfoolery is gradually qualifying for preservation in the ‘Museum of the Ignoble’!

THE LAST BATON

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THURSDAY Column WITH Mohammed Adamu (08035892325 sms only)

dankande2@gmail.com In 2015 Abu Lolo from the State’s geopolitical ‘Zone C’ succeeded his predecessor-granduncle-in-law and former Principal, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, from ‘Zone B’ –and who had previously also succeeded the late Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, from ‘Zone A’.

And why did I refer to Dr. Aliyu as Lolo’s ‘grand-uncle-in-law’?

Dr Aliyu is biological uncle to Fati Abubakar Abdulsalami, wife of former Military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

In ‘Family and Customary Law’ he (Aliyu) is an ‘in-law’ of Abdulsalami and can be said to be ‘in-loco-parentis’(that is, in the position of a parent) to both Fati and her husband, Abdulsalami.

The incumbent Governor, Abu Lolo, (who is son to one-time Military Governor of Kano State, Col. Sani Bello), is married to the first daughter of the Abdulsalamis –making him both a son-in law to the Abdulsalamis and a ‘grandson-in-law’ to Dr. Aliyu who, by implication, becomes the latter’s ‘grand-uncle-in-law’. And so, Lolo even before he became Governor of Niger State had three enviable things going for him: he was the son of a former Military Governor, the grandson-in-law of the then incumbent Governor and the son-in-law of a former Military Head of State. By the way, Dr. Aliyu was also Lolo’s ‘former Principal’ because the latter was once a Commissioner in the former’s cabinet. But Lolo had voluntarily resigned midway into Dr. Aliyu’s Second Term allegedly in protest of the grand corruption and poor governance style of his grand-uncle-in-law. And soon the grapevines were agog with, and Nigerlites were in fact excited by, the prospect of a rebellious son of the State’s Powers-that-be, who was bolting away from kindred political line to join the ranks of an emerging APC progressives, to rescue Niger State from sixteen years of plunder and despoliation.

Everyone who genuinely loved Niger State had looked forward to this generational revolution -Lolo being just about his forties- and we had hoped that the advent of a potentially reformative son of the ‘exploitative’ old-order, may soon be the long-awaited Midas Touch required to take the State out of the morass of corruption and mis-

governance, -and to bring it to the Eldorado of development that had eluded it for PDP’S 16 years.

And it was the prospect of that generational challenge which the new APC was about to unleash on the traditionallycaptive PDP State through Lolo –who was already rumored to be the Party’s flag-bearer-inwaiting- that may have forced Dr. Aliyu to mull the idea of fielding an even much younger Umar Nasko, also a Commissioner in Aliyu’s Cabinet and son of retired Military General, Gado Nasko who was one of the longest serving ministers of the FCT. And as Dr. Aliyu was then rumored to take as wife, one of Gado Nasko’s many mind-numbingly beautiful daughters, it was obvious also that PDP’s prospective candidate, Nasko Junior, in addition to being in good stead already to match APC’s Abu Lolo age for age and ancestry for ancestry, he was also being groomed to seize a strategic kindred foothold in the larger political bloodline of the Abdulsalamis, so that he would also be Dr, Aliyu’s brother-inlaw and foster-uncle-in-law to the Abdulsalamis. At the very least, in the very likely event of a political contest, Lolo’s political CV of youthful age, Military ancestry, conjugal affinity and consanguinity to the powers-thatbe in Niger, should not be much longer than the youthful Nasko’s.

Besides, the Abdulsalamis and the IBBs, in spite of their apparent dotting on the PDP, and their foreboding of a nascent APC which was about to unleash on the nation a Buhari that they loved to hate, had no qualms supporting their rebellious Lolo bent on seizing power from the conservative ‘Right’ to a progressive ‘Left’ of the Center. And suffice it to say that Lolo eventually won in 2015 and became the Revolutionary Governor of the ‘Power State’.

THE FIRST JAB Expectedly, Abu Lolo’s rebellious antics did not end with just radically opting out of kindred party line, it continued in his early days in office with a few revolutionary razzmatazz, not the least of which was a public exposé of the sordid entrails of the Government of his grand-uncle-

in-law Dr. Aliyu. This he did to the rousing applause of Nigerlites who were excited that a Daniel had at last come to judgment on The Niger and that the Sword of Damocles was finally falling on a corrupt Talba. And I remember, in a piece titled ‘Talba And The Day Of Reckoning’ (09/15/15), I wrote: “that he (Abu Lolo) defied the inhibition of culture to reveal the unspeakable crimes of his grand-uncle-in-law and by so doing risk hurting kindred feelings along the line of noble and powerful heritage is, to say the least, courageous”. By the way, what did the new Governor say about his predecessor? He said among many other things, that records available to the new APC Government had shown that Dr. Aliyu had claimed he bought a Billion naira worth of rams each year during the Muslim Id’el Kabir Festival –amounting, conservatively at village market price of N25,000 per ram, to about 40,000 rams a year; or at a hundred rams per trailer, a convoy of 400 trailers streaming into the state which no Nigerlites confirmed they ever saw. Plus the records also showed that Dr. Aliyu also claimed he had spent the sum of N1.06 Billion every year disbursing grains to faithful for Ramadan Fasting -even though many who lived as near to the Government House as a street or two away said they had no recollection of a measly bag of guinea corn reaching their ‘domot’! But the worst was when Lolo said that his grand-unclein-law was so corrupt that during his 8-year tenure ‘projects’ as little as ‘pit latrines’ were dug at a whooping sum of six million naira per one!

Let’s face it, Lolo was the one who cast the first stone.

To be continued

DAN Dan GAYE gaye

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