Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Edition by DailyPost Nigeria

Stop hating other Nigerians if you want to produce President

pg.8

– Okorocha tells Ndigbo

Buhari receives list of confirmed Ministers from Saraki pg. 2

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Wednesday, November 4 - Tuesday, November 10, 2015

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Intelligence gathering:

Boko Haram better than Nigerian military - TY Danjuma blasts

Comedy changed my life – Akpororo

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I don’t regret campaigning for buhari – Osita Okechukwu page16 Enugu Police declares man wanted for beating wife to page6 death inside

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R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, receiving the list of confirmed Ministers from Senate President, Bukola Saraki in Abuja, Tuesday. Photo: NAN

Court orders release of ex-NSA, Dasuki’s int’l passport page 6

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Boko Haram gathers intelligence more than Nigeria’s Military - TY Danjuma By Sylvester Ugwuanyi

arely two months to the December deadline for the nation’s Armed Forces to defeat the Boko Haram sect, one-time Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), has described the ability of the Boko Haram Islamic sect to gather intelligence as 100 per cent better than that of the nation’s security agencies. Speaking in Sokoto on Tuesday at the opening of the new secretariat for the Catholic Diocese built by Bishop Matthew Kukah, Danjuma stressed that the fight against Boko Haram was entering its most critical stage and Nigerians “must brace up” to weather the new challenge. He explained that following Nigeria’s successes in the territorial war, the insurgents have now devised a strategy of disappearing into

Danjuma

wider civilian population and setting up sleeping cells who wreak havoc on softer targets.

He said this new strategy has not only bolstered the intelligence capability of the terrorists but has made

Buhari receives list of confirmed Ministers from Saraki By Adoyi Ali

ll may now be set for the inauguration of the new Federal Executive Council as the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday formally presented the list of 36 ministerial nominees screened and confirmed by the Senate to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Saraki arrived at the seat of power around 3:00pm on Tuesday accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Suleiman Kawu. Saraki also confirmed this development on Tuesday, using his Twitter handle where he tweeted: “Today, I presented the confirmed list of ministers to Mr. President.” DAILY POST recalls that the President had on September 30, submitted the first list of ministerial nominees containing 21 names to the Senate President. Days later, in October; he submitted another list containing 16 names to Saraki. On October 14, he however withdrew the nomination of Musa Ibeto from Niger state on the ground of an administrative error. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed all the 36 nominees as ministers after a screening exercise that stretched for five days. The following are among those confirmed as minister: Lai Mohammed, Babatunde Fashola, Kayode Fayemi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Audu Ogbeh, Ibe Kachikwu, Amina Mohammed and Chibuike Amaechi. Others are Heineken Lokpobiri, Cladius Daramola, Adebayo Shittu, Shehuri Mustapha, Ocholi James, Adewole Folorunso, Bawa Bwari, Geoffrey Onyeama, Zainab Ahmed, Mansur Dan Ali, Usani Uguru, Okechukwu Enelamah, Anwuka Anthony, Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim and

Aisha Abubakar. However, the President, while receiving the confirmed list, again reiterated his earlier position that some of his Ministers will operate without portfolios as the government cannot afford to fund 36 ministries due to limited funds. It would be recalled that while addressing a press conference after the India-Africa Summit, in New Delhi- India, Buhari, while reacting to the claim that his administration is slow in the development of the nation’s ailing infrastructure said, “Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government had to help 27 of the 36 states to pay salaries. “Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The Federal Government itself had to summon the governor of the Central Bank to see how it would pay salaries not to talk of the agreements we signed with foreign countries, counterpart funding and so on.” The President pointed out that, “This country was materially vandalized and morally so and you are in a position to know even more than myself unless you are testing my knowledge whether I know it or not.” He insinuated that there had to be 36 ministers because his government “cannot work outside the constitution” which stipulates that “there must be a cabinet representative from each state.” He affirmed further that, “Yes, there used to be 42 ministers. I think we will be lucky if we can have half of that now because we cannot afford it. “Others may not be substantive ministers, but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot operate outside the constitution.” When asked specifically whether he will reduce the number of ministers, Buhari said, “Of course! Unless you can volunteer to be paying them (ministers).”

them have superior surveillance techniques than Nigeria’s security agencies. “When Boko Haram openly denounced all religions, Muhammadu Buhari called them terrorists and urged all Muslims to consider them as such,” he said. “Later, some who chose to remain on the fence realized the threat posed to all and reluctantly joined in condemning Boko Haram. “Having sleeping cells among the generality of the population has made them have intelligence capability that is 100 percent better than that of our security agencies‎,” the Chairman of Boko Haram Victims’ Support Fund stated. Also speaking at the event, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said that ‘’Nigerians must not let the activities of Boko Haram sow the seed of doubt and mistrust among themselves as allowing

such will be detrimental to the peaceful coexistence of various religious and ethnic groups in the country’’ He said now is the time for leaders to close ranks and work for the stability and progress of the country. The Governor said the unity of Nigeria has been threatened by the emergence of Boko Haram; a tragedy which he said has deepened anxieties across the country. According to him, all Nigerians must learn to put the nation and the survival of the citizenry first before any consideration. “Because if there’s no nation, there will be no space to practice our faiths,” he stated. Similarly, the host, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said religious harmony was the only panacea to a peaceful country.

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N2bn fraud: Oronsaye’s trial Kogi: DPR warns marketers against selling above adjourned to November 25 approved pump price J F ustice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned till November 25, 2015, the trial of a former Head of Service, HoS, Stephen Oronsaye, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for a N2 billion fraud . This followed the amendment of the 24 count charge earlier preferred against him and other accused persons by the EFCC. The amended charge contains 35 counts bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretence. It was gathered that further investigation into the fraud had necessitated a need to amend the 24-count charge initially brought against Oronsaye, on July 13, 2015, in which along with his co-accused, Osarenkhoe Afe, and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, he is alleged to have been found wanting in several biometric contract awards during his tenure as HoS. At the resumed sitting on November 3, 2015, prosecuting counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, told the court that three additional defendants that are corporate bodies had been included. He gave the names as: Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment and Construction Company Limited. “We attempted to serve Cluster Logistic Limited with the amended charges, but observed that the address at the location of the head office did not correspond with the

Oronsaye particulars we had,” he said. He further told the court that efforts were being made to get the charges across to the company and the other two defendants. He therefore requested the court for a new date, in order for the accused persons to be served. Justice Kolawole in acceding to his request adjourned till November 25, 2015. In one of the counts in the amended charge dated November 2, 2015, Oronsaye is alleged to have in connivance with Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina (now at large), Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited in July 2010 “collaborated in disguising genuine nature of the sum of N161,472,000 derived from an illegal act to wit con-

ducting procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act on the contract extension of biometric enrollment purportedly awarded to Innovative Solutions Limited by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, without following due process, an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004”. Cluster Logistic Limited and Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, were also alleged to have connived with Maina (alias Abdullahi A. Faizal now at large) in February 2014 to “transfer the sum of N33, 800,000 to West Waves Bureau De Change from the account of Cluster Logistic Limited maintained by Maina.”

ollowing shortage in the supply of petroleum products to Kogi state, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Tuesday warned filling stations in the state to desist from selling petrol above the approved pump price of N87 or face the wrath of the law. Kogi State Acting Operations Comptroller of DPR, Mr Hassan Haruna, who gave the warning in Lokoja, said its inspection team had been moving round the state and will continue to do so to ensure compliance from oil marketers in the state. He explained that fuel stations caught selling above the approved pump price for the first time will pay a fine of N100,000, adding that second offenders will be blacklisted, while third offenders will have their licenses revoked.

Haruna noted that the long queues witnessed at filling stations in the state in recent time was due to shortfall in the supply chain of products from depots in Lagos, and not hoarding as speculated, assuring that the situation has started improving. “Presently, very few of the depot owners are willing to sell the product at the regulated price and that is why only few stations are having the product. We will make sure that those that have the products sell at the approved pump price”, he said. The Acting Operation Comptroller, however, encouraged the state government and other interested private investors to build refinery in the state as that will go a long way in boosting the supply of petroleum products to the people of the state and other neighboring states.

Opinion

Jude Ndukwe: Saraki - Loyalty on trial

oyalty is a key ingredient in power. It is an ingredient that requires believers in a cause, institution or person to stay true to the cause at all times by thinking, talking, walking and working for the realisation and promotion of the cause, institution or person. It is easy to remain loyal as long as there is absence of friction and clash of interests. However, situations can arise and circumstances can develop that might lead to the testing of one’s loyalty at any point in time. When such occasion arises, the position one takes goes a long way in determining whether the person being tested is loyal or not. So, in the test of loyalty, one is usually torn between two extremely burdensome decisions: to remain true to one’s principles and beliefs which would eventually advance the cause of the whole or to blindly follow the whole even when one knows that the road being followed could eventually plunge the whole group into perdition. Loyalty is not to follow blindly, loyalty is to stand out and take decisions that help the whole even when it seems incorrect to others initially. With time one’s position would eventually come to be appreciated. It is like that everywhere. Many leaders have been reviled and mortified even by their own people only for them to be canonised later and the cause for which they were denigrated beatified. It is in light of this that one must commend the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for the way he handled the recently concluded ministerial screening by the Senate.

Despite the diverse powerful interests that piled pressure on him, the Senate President seemed to have applied uncommon wisdom in handling the screening to the admiration of a majority of Nigerians. Surely, it was not an easy task, nor could it have been for anybody, yet, he successfully concluded the exercise admirably. Having emerged Senate President despite opposition from some leaders of his ruling party, and enjoying the overwhelming support of the opposition PDP senators, Saraki has since been and remained in the eye of the storm. To punish him for his “sin”, he was immediately dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for various offences. His trial, no doubt, has been conducted with palpable vindictiveness, vendetta and an atmosphere devoid of judicial sanity. Although the APC continues to deny it, everyone has come to the inevitable conclusion of what everybody knows but only few are bold enough to say it: Saraki is being persecuted for emerging the Senate President. Simple! One of the arguments against him was that he was not going to be loyal and that having emerged president of the Senate with the full support of opposition PDP Senators; he would work to frustrate the government of president Buhari and be an impediment to the implementation of the party’s manifesto. No one would blame the ruling party for entertaining such fears really. It is their right to do so, but with events of recent days, it

Saraki is obvious that Saraki would not jettison the programme or manifesto of the party on whose platform he rose to the height he occupies today. The recent ministerial screening was the biggest test of his loyalty to both President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Having suffered extreme humiliation, harassment and embarrassment at the CCT trial, one would have thought that Saraki, just like any other person, would pull all the plugs in his power to fight back especially when he knew that no singular party could muster enough numerical strength to get him impeached. One would have expected him to deliberately set in motion processes that would either embarrass some of the president’s ministerial nominees or cause their outright rejection by the Senate. And just with a hit of the gavel, Saraki could easily have had his

way. But rather than seek vengeance, Saraki proved an extremely loyal party man by not only ensuring that all the nominees were cleared, he also shielded the nominees from embarrassment that could have arisen from the opposition senators. A clear but equally contentious case in sight was the case of former governor Rotimi Amaechi against whom the PDP senators came all out to stop his confirmation. Risking flaks from the vociferous PDP senators, Saraki went as far as ensuring that the report of the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee which obviously had indicted Amaechi was not tabled for debate before he could be screened. Allowing that report to be tabled for debate would have sounded a definite death knell on President Buhari’s favourite nominee. Saraki tactfully prevented that from happening to the chagrin and consternation of the PDP senators who staged a walk out immediately in protest. What else can a party ask from its Senate President? The reason another candidate might have been preferred was because the party wanted loyal party men to occupy such positions for them. This, Saraki has shown he can do in abundance, both for them and for Nigerians. Having stabilised the Senate since its inauguration in the current dispensation, especially after the storms that followed, it would be absolutely unwise for the party to keep thinking of upsetting the apple cart. With the number of opposition members in the senate,

it would be better for the party to allow Saraki some peace as he has been able to win the trust and understanding of a majority of his fellow APC senators and enjoy the camaraderie of PDP senators. For APC to succeed with matters that need two third majority of the senate to scale through, they need a man who already has the capacity to pull this through, and with the benefit of hindsight, that man is Dr Bukola Saraki. He is not going to prove it, he has already proven it. To continue to persecute him will amount to being politically naive and unnecessarily bellicose. And to think that replacing him as Senate President would lead to a stable Senate needed to support the president and the party would amount to living in a fool’s paradise. The reason for Fashola’s prayer never to have his loyalty tested is that no one can actually predict his reaction when his loyalty is tested except the one who has actually been tested. Saraki’s loyalty has been severely and severally tested, and on all occasions, he has proved himself a loyal party man, a patriotic Nigerian and a mild-tempered Senate President who will not allow his personal interests to influence his official functions or decisions. The saint one has come to know is better than the angel one does not know. An Igbo proverb says that when sleep becomes enjoyable, we snore. Let Saraki be. Let the Senate function. Let Nigeria work, so that we can all keep snoring. To do otherwise is to turn our sleep into a nightma

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Enugu Police declares man wanted for beating wife to death By Emmanuel Uzodinma

he Enugu State Police Command yesterday said it has launched manhunt for one Charles Oyibo for allegedly beating his wife to death. Police spokesman in Enugu State, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident to DAILY POST said the police had commenced detailed investigation on the matter. Amaraizu said the victim “identified as one Angela Oyibo, was beaten to death by the husband, also identified as Charles Oyibo.” He added that, “the husband had on 30/9/15 at Aku town in Igbo-Etiti local Government Area of Enugu State beaten the wife over a yet to be established issue, which left her in a state of unconsciousness.” He further stated that, “She was later rushed to a nearby hospital by sympathizers. “However, all efforts intensified to revive her could not yield positive fruit as she later died on 22/10/15. “Meanwhile, the husband has taken to his heels just as operatives have intensified manhunt on the fleeing husband. “According to further information received, the suspect is always in the habit of using the wife as punching bag.” In another development, the police in Uwani Division of the State have nabbed an alleged notorious armed robbery/cultist, who has been terrorizing Uwani and its environs with his gang members. Amaraizu said the suspect, identified as Christian Chukwugekwu Oduche of Ebony Paint Road, Gariki, and a native of Amakpu Obinagu Uwani, Akpugo in Nkanu West local Government Area of Enugu State had allegedly on gun point attempted to rob a female victim of her bag, handset and wallet at Amokwe street, Uwani in Enugu before a distress call was raised. He listed items recovered from the suspect to include a locally made single barrel pistol with a live cartridge.

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Court orders release of ex-NSA, Reps Dasuki’s international passport commence investigation by Ali Adoyi

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the release of the international passport of a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, to allow him travel abroad for medical check-up. The judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, granted this permission Tuesday on the grounds that prosecuting counsel was not able to prove why he should be stopped from travelling abroad for medical treatment. Dasuki’s lawyer, Joseph Daodu SAN, had on MDasukinday prayed the court to grant his client a three-week “leave” to travel abroad for medical check-up, arguing that Dasuki had earlier failed to keep an appointment with his doctor, owing to the seizure of his travelling document. He went on to assure that the former NSA as a public figure would not attempt to evade justice. But the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Diri, urged the court to dismiss Dasuki’s request on the ground that the three-week absence of the defendant would stall his trial. He further noted that the former NSA was still being investigated for money laundering by the Department of State Services, DSS, hence his temporary departure might hamper the investigation. Diri stressed that the release of the travelling document to Dasuki would mean that there was no condition attached to his bail. In his ruling, Justice Ademola held that the defendant was granted bail on self-recognition on September 1, which meant he was granted bail without conditions. After dismissing the arguments of the prosecution, he ordered the immediate release of the travelling document to Dasuki on the grounds that his counsel must sign an undertaking, agreeing to produce him on the date of trial. He, however, adjourned ruling on the application of the prosecuting counsel for a secret trial of Dasuki to November 26. DAILY POST recalls that the

Dasuki

Justice had on Monday last week expressed surprise at the decision of prosecution counsel to bring additional charges against Dasuki (rtd) on a day set aside for definite hearing on the one count charge preferred against him. On September 1 this year, prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, had told the court that Dasuki was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms, which Dasuki pleaded not guilty. Justice Ademola then granted Mr. Dasuki bail on self-recognition but ordered that his passport and other travel documents be deposited with the deputy court registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for the hearing. When the court sat on Monday last week, M.S. Labaran, appearing for the prosecution announced instead that the one-count charge was being expanded to include additional charges bothering on illegal possession of various amounts of local and foreign currency in his Abuja residence and family house in Sokoto contrary to Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. He also requested that the trial be conducted in secrecy by providing special cover for witnesses from using public routes, use of private witness

room, use of facial masks, and also that only accredited members of the press be allowed to cover the trial. Surprised with the wave of new motions, Justice Ademola asked Labaran if he was aware that Monday October 26 and Tuesday October 27, 2015 were clearly set for definite hearing of the case. In a counter motion, one of the counsels to Dasuki and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Mr. Joseph Daudu objected to the request for special cover for prosecution witnesses in the case on the ground that the case was harmless within a democratic setting that did not warrant secret trial. Daudu said that even during military rule, trial of that nature was held openly. He insisted that in a democratic era, the entrenchment of rule of law will be the greatest casualty if trial of that nature was made in secret. “In a criminal trial, the ability of defence counsel to confront the prosecution witness is pivotal,” he told the court, adding that “if the defence counsel is not allowed to have a direct confrontation with the prosecution witnesses and interrogate the witness as per his background and the like, it will weaken the strength of the defence.” He said: “We consider the trial as harmless to the witnesses. If you make the witnesses anonymous then we may lack the ability to conduct background checks. Even in trial of treasonable felony and coup de’tat, the witnesses are not hidden and we are in a democracy. “Also, there has not been cases in this court where witnesses are being molested and in this cases it will be a case of injustice if the defence counsel and witnesses are known and the prosecution witnesses who are armed and can protect themselves are shielded. I think all the motions and counter-affidavit have been ex-changed and this is purely an academic exercise.” Daudu also asked the court to release the travel documents of the accused to him so that he would be able to travel abroad for medical check-up.

Thugs attack Governor Dickson’s convoy in Bayelsa By Comrade Ameh ome hoodlums believed to be working for the All Progressives Congress, on Tuesday, allegedly attacked the campaign train of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson. The attack happened at the popular Swali market in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the timely intervention of security aides attached to the Governor’s convoy prevented the thugs from causing more havoc. Describing the attack as barbaric and undemocratic, the Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organization, Jonathan Obuebite, said in a statement made available to journalists that the attack lent credence to what the people of Bayelsa have always known that, “the APC is a violent party.”

The statement reads, “Clearly, the APC in Bayelsa State is not prepared for any election. They are prepared for war but as a disciplined party, as a peaceful party and with a governor like Seriake Dickson who came to restore peace in Bayelsa, they will not succeed. “We advise all our supporters not to allow themselves to be provoked by the APC and its brand of violent politics. We must preach peace at all times and maintain law and order because we are people of peace.” But the APC in a swift reaction, described the alleged attack as false. In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, the APC said that on the contrary, it was PDP thugs that attacked the APC members and burnt one of the trucks they hired to

transport refuse to the dump site at Tombia area of the state. He alleged that the windscreen of some of the trucks were smashed by the rampaging PDP members. Egba stated, “It has come to the attention of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State that incumbent Governor, Seriake Dickson, directed his supporters to attack APC women and youths who were on a rescue mission to evacuate refuse at different dump sites in Yenagoa. “The reports emanating from Obuebite that APC members attacked the convoy of the Governor at Swali market were false and childish, constituting a diversionary tactics. “Everybody in Yenagoa knows that APC women came out since 7a.m today (Tuesday) clearing the rubbish dumps the Dickson administration had ignored over time.’’

into JTF activities

By Seun Opejobi

he House of Representatives on Tuesday commenced investigation into activities of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta. The House is said to be investigating the alleged burning and destruction of equipment seized from illegal refinery operators in the area by the task force. Speaking with journalist on the investigation in Abuja, Mr Sule Garo, Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Illegal Refineries, noted that the House was worried about the environment. He stated that the intention of the House was to bring to an end the despoliation of the Niger Delta environment through burning of equipment confiscated from illegal operators of refineries. Garo, further disclosed that stakeholders in the oil sector like, JTF, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, as well as affected communities have been invited to testify during the investigating hearing.

Bring out my mother and I will forgive you

– Sylva’s runing mate, Igiri tells kidnappers By Comrade Ameh

hief Wilberforce Igiri, the running mate to the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has explained why his 105-year-old mother, Madam Ebifeighe Dikoro was abducted by some gunmen. Igiri said the kidnappers were victims of the poor youth empowerment and development policies of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party led-administration in the state. Speaking at an APC Workshop on the development of locally-based agenda for the Sylva-Igiri administration if voted into power, the politician said the abduction of his centenarian mother had brought to the public domain, the poor security, social and youth policies of the current administration in Bayelsa State. The deputy governorship candidate said, “Let me say I want to thank the youths involved in the abduction of my mother. The incident was timely. It shows that those youths were not encouraged by the present administration. “I don’t blame them. Let them bring out my mother and I will forgive them. I have discovered that if they had been engaged and empowered through proper education and youths empowerment policies, they would not have done what they did. I believe my mother is coming back.” He also called on supporters of the APC in the state to avoid campaign of calumny and name calling. He insisted that the Sylva-Igiri campaign would be issue-based.

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N1trillion fine: How Boko Haram insurgency made MTN incur Buhari’s wrath By Wale Odunsi

ad telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria, foreseen the situation it is going through, the company would have taken its host country and industry regulator more seriously. For years, many customers have accused the MTN of acting above the law. According to them, the company, which is Nigeria’s most patronized and also has the largest coverage, was untouchable. MTN remains the most valuable telecommunication company in Nigeria. Checks by DAILY POST on MTN Group financial results released in March 2015 shows that it made $12.43billion in 2014 from its 22 operations in Africa and Middle East. $2.6billion (N510billion) of that figure was made in Nigeria where MTN has around 60million, its highest subscriber base. Despite the impressive track record, the MTN brand has been accused of many anomalies. At the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), complaints about MTN are in thousands. Some recent petitions against its South African compatriot, MultiChoice, owners of DSTV was like an eye opener. So bad this has got that the CPC recently stormed the pay TV company. But for MTN, the days of being a ‘sacred cow’ are over. Last week, the Nigerian Commu-

nications Commission (NCC), the nation’s telecommunications regulator, slammed excess of N1trillion fine on the company for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered SIM cards bought before January, 2012. From that date, anyone buying a SIM card in Nigeria has had to register it under their name by law. With warning of sanctions, phone companies were ordered to register their existing customers’ SIM cards. While others complied, MTN failed to do so. That slight has now earned it the largest fine in the history of telecom infringements in West Africa. Many Nigerians are excited over the news, saying it would force foreign countries making billions of Naira act responsibly. They now think MTN is not untouchable after all. Interestingly, since the news broke, MTN has not given any official position yet. A sign of admission; guilt perhaps. MTN shares continue to drop, while loss declaration for 2015 is already an expected outcome. Findings by DAILY POST at the weekend revealed that the Nigerian government was furious that MTN, rather than be “partners in progress”, would for want of more profit keep subscribers that ought to have been deregistered. A source within the security circles told DAILY POST that the

Bailout: Adamawa Assembly summons Commissioner for Finance A damawa House of Assembly has directed the state Commissioner for Finance to appear before it on Wednesday to brief it on the utilisation of the state’s N7.2 billion bailout fund. The directive followed a resolution of the state House of Assembly on Tuesday. The resolution, which came under “Matters of Urgent Public Importance”, was raised by Alhaji Abubakar Abdulrahman

(APC-Mubi South) Abdulrahman, who is the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Budget and Finance, said that the ministry had not responded to earlier resolution passed last week that the ministry should furnish it with the details of the disbursement of the fund. “The Governor should direct the commissioner to come and explain the disbursement to the House within 24 hours,” Abdulrahman said.

company should blame itself for the penalty. “They engineered their own predicament. How would any one or company at a time we are battling to defeat Boko Haram, keep millions of subscribers active? “Reports got to the presidency via the office of the National Security Adviser. MTN was indicted and a directive was forwarded to industry regulator, NCC, to take immediate action. “In recent months, whenever we arrest Boko Haram members, we find phones and SIM cards with them. MTN SIMs are more; we never find any data when checks are run. This is unacceptable and we hope the fine will make others sit up. The era of impunity is over.” Confirmation of federal government’s anger was the ultimatum by the NCC to MTN to pay the fine by mid-Novermber or risks its license. NCC had consistently engaged Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs) to strictly adhere to the regulations and its business rules in the registration of their subscribers. Tony Ojobo, NCC spokesman, before the weekend told Reuters that MTN had until November 16 to make the payment, but that the two parties were in talks to resolve the matter. Ojobo, however, disclosed that aftermath of the discussion, which has the presidency and security agencies involved, may affect the

Other members, who contributed during the plenary included Mallam Abubakar Atiku (APC-Uba/Gaya) and Mallam Aminu Aliyu (APC-Song) who declared support to summon the Commissioner. “APC represents change and we need to take action that will bring change the operations of government by ensuring accountability,” Atiku said. Speaking after the motion was passed unanimously in a voice vote, the Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, directed the clerk to communicate to the Commissioner to appear before the House on Wednesday by 10.00 a.m. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House at the plenary also received verbal report on alleged harassment of a lawmaker, Mallam Isa Yahaya (APC-Maiha)

Buhari seeks $200m loan for Lagos state By Wale Odunsi

T Shekau date. Meanwhile, MTN may have agreed to the fine as it pleads for staggered payment model. Vanguard reports that this follows series of meeting held between MTN management team from South Africa and Nigeria with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Industry sources disclosed that, “There have been series of meeting at the Presidency between the Vice President Osinbajo and MTN team both from South Africa and the Nigerian arm. “MTN wanted a waiver considering their level of investments in the country, but government did not buy the idea of waiver. Instead, I think there will be concession, but certainly not a waiver. “At the conclusion of the meeting, the MTN people negotiated on how to stagger the payment. The Presidency is even angry because MTN was a signatory to the regulation, but they are failing to comply with rules.”

by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mallam Hassan Umaru. The Majority Leader of the House, Alhaji Musa Mahmood (APC-Mayo-Belwa), who presented the report, said the Commissioner had appeared before the committee on ethics and apologised for harassing the lawmaker with a promise never to do so again. “He showed great remorse for his action and begged for forgiveness,” Mahmood said. The House resolved to forgive the Commissioner due to his remorse and for the fact that the Commissioner was a former member of the House of Representatives. It will be recalled that the House on Monday summoned the Commissioner for rural development to appear before its committee on ethics for harassing a lawmaker.

Man bags 18-months jail term for currency counterfeiting

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Nura Musa for dealing in counterfeit currency. The 30-year-old convict was arraigned before Justice M.G. Umar of a Federal High Court, sitting in Bauchi, Bauchi State on July 3, 2014 on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and currency counterfeiting.

He was arrested by officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, at Jahun Quarters in Bauchi State, while trying to purchase sachets of Bournvita from a provision store with a fake N1, 000 note. The convict was, thereafter, handed to the EFCC for further investigation. Investigation by EFCC revealed that Musa and one Usman( now at large) had con-

spired to utter the Naira note. Count two of the charges reads: ‘‘That you, “Nura Musa on or about the 12th day of December, 2013 at Bauchi, Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did utter one piece of counterfeit 1000 Naira denomination, having purchased 3 sachets of Bournvita along Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi, Bauchi State knowing it to be counterfeit and thereby committed an offence contrary

to and punishable under sections 6 (2) (b) and 5(1) (a) of the counterfeit currency (special provisions) Act Cap. C35.’’ While delivering his judgment, Justice Umar found the accused person guilty on both counts and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment. The sentences are to run concurrently, starting from when he was arrested on December 12, 2013.

he Senate on Tuesday received a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking it’s approval for US200 million loan for Lagos state development policy II. Moving the motion by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume moved that , the Senate ‘’consider the request of Mr President, Commander-in-Chief, for special approval of Lagos State Development Policy Operation (DPO) loan (Budget Support) of US200 million from the World Bank.” After deliberations, the request was referred to Ad-hoc Committee on Foreign and Local debt headed by Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano State.

Police warn Kogi workers against blocking roads

he police on Tuesday warned Kogi striking workers to avoid blocking roads as a way of pressing their demands with the state government. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said police recognized the workers’ rights to stage lawful protests but said extending the protests beyond the purview of the law was illegal. “Information available to the Nigeria Police indicates that workers’ leaders in Kogi State are planning to block highways leading in and out of Kogi to advance their labour disputes with state government. “While the Police recognize and respect the constitutional rights of labour force in Kogi, to peaceful assembly and lawful protest in furtherance to their dispute with their employers, the Nigeria Police wish to state categorically that extending their protest to blocking highways/roads in the state, in a manner that will cause major traffic and security threats, is not only overreaching the extension of their grievances but also intolerable. “As such, the Nigeria Police hereby warns striking workers in Kogi State to desist from hatching such inciting and provoking plans and restrict themselves to due legal and labour procedures that will not in anyway, cause discomfort to innocent citizens,” the police spokesperson said. The police therefore expressed its resolve to deal with the workers who failed to adhere to the directive. “Failure to adhere strictly to this warning, the force will mobilize maximally to deal decisively with anyone or group trying to threaten the security or public peace under any guise of protest, and will not hesitate to bring such persons or group to justice,” Ms. Kolawole, an acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, said.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Stop hating other Nigerians if you want to produce President – Okorocha tells Ndigbo By Sylvester Ugwuanyi

he Imo State governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has advised people of the South-East zone to refrain from harboring bad blood against people of other parts of the country, if they are serious about producing the country’s President in the future. Okorocha, who made this known yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri, the Imo state capital, declared that he has been vindicated by the eventual victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 election. According to him, “I appeal to Ndigbo to avoid unnecessary bickering and antagonism with the North, West and other parts of the country, so as to brighten the prospects of a president of Igbo extraction in future.” While noting that Rivers

Okorocha

and Akwa Ibom states are very strategic to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and that the electorate in the two states

voted overwhelmingly for the APC in the last election, he alleged that, “their votes were stolen by the Peoples Dem-

ocratic Party, PDP, through various forms of electoral malpractices.” Although he refused to disclose the strategies his APC political platform intends to use in sacking PDP in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, the APC bigwig however noted that plans were on to actualize the target. On why his administration was yet to appoint commissioners and special advisers, the Governor said it has enabled him to save money for the state, for capital projects, explaining that, “If I appoint them now, they will start demanding for impress, traveling allowance, hazard allowance and this is outside their monthly pay. This has enabled me save some money for the state, for capital projects.” Asked why all public taps in the state have dried up, he noted that he preferred sinking water boreholes for communities instead of procuring chemicals, maintaining machines and other facilities.

Boko Haram, other societal ills are encouraged by corruption – UN T By Sylvester Ugwuanyi

he United Nations, UN, Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday observed that terrorist attacks in Nigeria and some other affected countries in the world as well as other ills such countries are facing are facilitated by corruption. The UN scribe who stated this while briefing participants at the ongoing Sixth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption holding in St. Petersburg, Russia asserted that other crimes, including human and illegal wildlife trafficking are also encouraged by corruption. Mr. Ban, who was represented by the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Yury Fedo-

tov, underlined that ending corruption and bribery was crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September by Member States to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years. Stressing that no country is immune to the problem posed by corruption, he declared that the malicious impact of corruption makes people’s lives more expensive and that the scourge erodes consumer confidence and business credibility. To him, it also depletes public funds and destroys prospects for a fair society. While urging world leaders to take bold decisions and act decisively to strengthen the global fight against corruption and bribery, the United

Change of Name I, formally addressed as Miss OGBOBI ELE RUFINA, now wish to be addressed as Mrs AYODELE OGBOBI ELE RUFINA. This should serve as a public notice on this change.

Nations chief said ending corruption was vital to efforts to achieve sustainable development His words: “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain the promise of a better collective future for people and planet, and they address the potential challenges that can impede our progress. One such threat is highlighted in Goal 16, which calls for substantial reductions in corruption and bribery in all its forms. “Our ultimate goal must be to turn hands thrust out in hope of payment into hands joined together against these pernicious crimes. Let us forcefully convey the message that when bribes are paid, everyone counts the cost.” Mr. Ban, who reiterated that corruption and bribery dev-

Ban Ki-moon

astates lives across the globe, emphasized the need to ensure that public resources go where they are supposed to go. He equally underscored the convention’s strength as a solid platform for engaging the private sector as a key partner in the fight against corruption and in global action to achieve sustainable development out-

Boko Haram insurgency: Senate to send delegation to Adamawa By Samson Atekojo Usman

President, Commander-in-Chief, for special approval of Lagos State Development Policy Operation (DPO) loan (Budget Support) of US200 million from the World Bank.” After deliberations, the request was referred to Ad-hoc Committee on Foreign and Local debt headed by Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano State.

INEC to distribute PVCs in Kogi, Bayelsa from November 6

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would commence the distribution of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to eligible voters in Kogi and Bayelsa on Friday. Deputy Director of Publicity in the commission, Mr Nick Dazang, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. Dazang said that the exercise would commence in Kogi on Friday and end on Nov.11, and run from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19 in Bayelsa. He said that the distribution would take place at ward level and would be for only registered voters, running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. ``The distribution of PVCs is for voters whose data were captured during the just-concluded Continues Voter Registration (CVR) by INEC in the two states. ``It is also opened to those who registered before but are yet to collect their PVCs,’’ Dazang said. He therefore urged registered voters in both states, who were yet to collect their PVCs, to use the opportunity to do so before the election date. He stressed that nobody would be allowed to vote without PVCs. ``We also call on our stakeholders, including the political parties, media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sensitise people on the exercise in the two states. ‘’There is the need for eligible voters to collect their cards as well as participate fully in the elections. ``On the part of INEC, we are putting in place all the machinery to educate the people on the collection date, and every other thing expected of them before, during and after the election,’’ Dazang said.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Battered economy:

When PDP identifies Buhari’s truth as scarecrow to investors By Sylvester Ugwuanyi

residential spokesman, Femi Adesina’s response to a seemingly altruistic and veritable advice given by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to his principal is one that some conscientious Nigerians believe did not promote the goodwill of President Muhammadu Buhari but rather portrayed him as the broken record which his handlers had always ascribed to the PDP. The verbal exchange has also brought to the fore the need for the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity to avoid reacting to every supposed dart thrown at the person he is shielding, particularly, like a radio caller said, “when such statements have the semblance of the truth.” This is as Nigerians on their part are intelligent enough to decipher when the now-voluble PDP is making sense, playing to the gallery or seeking to score cheap political point. The bone of contention It all started last Friday when President Buhari while addressing a press conference after the India-Africa Summit, in New Delhi, India, averred that he inherited a country that was vandalized materially and morally to the extent that the government could not afford to pay workers’ salaries. When asked to be categorical on whether the country was broke or not, Buhari chose a different course from the erstwhile Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had told CNN’s Richard Quest in an interview dated April this year that Nigeria is not broke but was merely having cash flow problems. The blunt Buhari rather affirmed that, “Of course, Nigeria is broke.” Not yet done, the newsmen sought what would be Buhari’s reaction to the claim that his administration is slow in the development of the nation’s ailing infrastructure. He responded thus, “Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government had to help 27 of the 36 states to pay salaries. “Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The Federal Government itself had to summon the governor of the Central Bank to see how it would pay salaries not to talk of the agreements we signed with foreign countries, counterpart funding and so on.” The President who pointed out that, “This country was materially vandalised and morally so and you are in a position to know even more than myself unless you are testing my knowledge whether I know it or not,” insinuated that there had to be 36 ministers because his government “cannot work outside the constitution” which stipulates that “there must be a cabinet representative from each state.” He then continued, “Yes, there used to be 42 ministers, I think we will be lucky if we can have half of that now because we cannot afford it. “Others may not be substantive ministers, but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot operate outside the constitution.” When asked specifically whether he will reduce the number of ministers, Buhari said, “Of course! unless you can volunteer to be paying them (ministers).” PDP goes to town Of all the benefits from the

Buhari India trip which reportedly attracted about 42 African heads of government, the President’s candid remark was all the Peoples Democratic Party could hold onto to pontificate. The gains, no matter how a little above the cost to Nigeria, meant nothing to them compared to the purported verbal faux pas from a down-to-earth President. Considering that the presidential declaration did not in any way favour the PDP which has held power for the past sixteen years, but was a further attack on the opposition party’s beleaguered image, the party responded by capitalizing on what some see as the ‘gaffe’ in the President’s honest assertion about the country being broke. In a manner of speaking, the party slyly played down on the statement which says the country was materially vandalized and drew the attention of Nigerians to the supposed flaw in the President’s statement that “Yes, there used to be 42 ministers, I think we will be lucky if we can have half of that now because we cannot afford it...” A school of thought thinks that the party saw a leeway through which it could extract its proverbial pound of flesh for the potshot taken at them and took advantage of same to the ignorance of unsuspecting Nigerians. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party wrote, “Mr. President’s recent announcement to the world that the nation, with its abundant human and natural resources, is broke and cannot pay cabinet ministers, not only sends a discouraging signal to the domestic and international business community, but also exposes the ineptitude of the present administration to meaningfully and sincerely exert itself and work with industrious and innovative investors to create and manage wealth. “We ask how can any reasonable investor still have the confidence to invest in a country where the President himself continues to alert that his country reeks of corrupt people and that the government is broke to the extent it cannot pay cabinet ministers? “Is the President not directly

advising investors against having confidence in Nigeria and the system, and that they risk not being paid for jobs awarded by government at any level? “More worrisome is the fact that Mr. President makes his damaging comments in international fora with potential investors in attendance. It reminds one of the proverbial father who, in the presence of potential suitors, often portrays his daughters as wayward and yet constantly complain of their inability to find husbands.” Femi Adesina does his job The foregoing position of the PDP did not just attract the attention of the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, but his reaction as well, wherein he declared that the President will not shy away from telling Nigerians how the immediate past administration plundered

“Those who insult and call us enemies for advising the president and governors to focus on delivering results instead of blaming don’t love

Nigeria”

the economy, irrespective of anyone’s feelings. Speaking on Sunday, Femi Adesina claimed that Metuh’s attempts to distract the President from focusing on his job would fail, maintaining that he was a broken record, which some believe his principal’s resolve to keep mouthing how the country was ran aground would amount to. The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the latest statement by the PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh, alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari is ‘demarketing Nigeria’. “We restate for the umpteenth time to Mr. Metuh and his ilk that their attempts to distract President Buhari from the job he has been elected to do will fail. “President Buhari will remain true to the virtues of honesty, integrity, sincerity, incorruptibility and plain-speaking, which endeared him to Nigerians and made them prefer his leadership to that of a lying and deceptive PDP administration. “The President will not, in the guise of ‘marketing’ the country, refrain from telling Nigerians and the world, the emerging truths about the abject state in which years of plundering by a PDP leadership has left the Nigerian treasury and economy. “President Buhari will not in the name of ‘marketing’ or ‘attracting’ investors, follow in the footsteps of the ousted PDP administration and its discredited officials, who shamelessly lied to Nigerians and the world about the buoyancy and vibrancy of an economy they had bled dry for personal gain, when it was very obvious to the discerning, that the Nigerian economy was headed for serious trouble.”

Why Buhari cannot help but highlight the poor economy he inherited As if the statement issued by him was not enough, Mr. Adesina also reacted to the matter on RayPower’s Political Platform programme where he explained that “there is a difference between saying the truth and just painting a picture that is not correct. What our President is doing is saying the truth and truth in whatever part of the world remains the truth. Whether you say it at home, whether you say it in Asia, whether you say it in Europe, it remains the truth. Our President is just saying the truth about the Nigerian nation, about the Nigerian economy. I think the best thing for us is just to accept that truth. On whether such truth amounts to washing Nigeria’s dirty linen in public, the spokesman said, “No! If for instance you keep pretending that all is well with the economy and capital vote were not released for three quarters in the last administration. The last two quarters of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, capital allocations were not released. That’s why you have all the major roads in the country abandoned; the contractors have left the sites. Every major road project has been abandoned. That is the truth because capital votes were not released in the last three quarters. And then you are pretending that all is well with the economy, who are you fooling? You fool nobody except yourself. “One quarter capital allocation has been released by this administration. But you still have those three quarters outstanding. That’s why most of the capital works cannot continue. And you know what

oil that sold as high as $120 per barrel is now $48/49 per barrel. So where will the money come from?” he asked. Buhari can’t keep whining about the malfeasance of Jonathan’s government But if one feels that these are enough reasons for the President to keep saying the ‘truth’ about the battered state of the economy bequeathed to him by the PDP-led past administration, the senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce, has something to say regarding that. Stressing that President Buhari must take responsibility and devise strategies geared towards transforming the country, Murray-Bruce tweeted, “You can only blame your predecessor for your problems for so long. After six months, so long becomes too long! “Six months is one-eighth of a four-year tenure. If you are still blaming your predecessor after six months, when are you going to ever deliver the goods? “Blaming others is a sign of helplessness. A ‘numero uno’ should not blame. He must take responsibility for leading us out of troubled waters. “Those who advise Buhari to make hay while the sun shines are his friends. It is unwise to make blame while the sun shines,” he wrote, challenging the likes of Adesina to “Go ahead and attack me, I don’t mind. I am not the president or a governor. I’m just a Nigerian who loves Buhari enough to tell him the truth!” “Those who insult and call us enemies for advising the president and governors to focus on delivering results instead of blaming don’t love Nigeria,” the lawmaker added. Conclusion Feeling in the streets as captured in a couple of vendors visited by DAILY POST in Abuja shows that Nigerians are no longer impressed by the continued laying of blames on the erstwhile ruling party by the President, his handlers and the ruling party. Kehinde Adebayo told this writer that the President need not keep rehashing to Nigerians what they know too well as it was their understanding of the ineptitude and corruptive tendencies that made them vote the PDP out of power in the first place. Ahmodu Joseph would rather want the President’s handlers not to repeat the same mistakes made by former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s numerous “attack dogs and lion” who more like competed to be the first to react to every criticism no matter how insignificant the issues are. “The President has all it takes to punish all those who made the country this terrible. He should go after them and save Nigerians this embarrassment of telling the world how bad the country is,” he asserted. Meanwhile, reports of President Buhari holding a secret meeting on Monday with his immediate predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, is one that is fuelling hopes that the former may henceforth soft pedal on his resolve to keep telling the ‘truth’ about how the later left him with an economy that is at best ailing. It’s highly probable that both gentlemen reached an understanding on terrible nature of what was inherited even though the meeting was said to have lasted just 10 minutes.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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business Bauchi exceeds N8.49bn revenue target for 2015

he Bauchi State Board of Internal Revenue has said that it generated more than N8.49 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) spelled out in the state’s 2015 budget. The Acting Chairman of the board, Alhaji Yakub Isa, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday. Isa said, ``I don’t want to give you figures, but I want to categorically tell you that we have generated more than the target assigned to us going by the budget.’’ He attributed the successes of the board to his long stay and experiences within the various departments of the board. ‘’My understanding the terrains and as director for over five years and having gone through all the departments, therefore, I use same to block all loopholes that existed. ‘’I equally introduce payment of tax through banks than through collectors and I abolish revenue account and replace it with pay through direct system. ‘’I establishes taxpayers enlightenment forum, no coercion except in exceptionally cases, reformed auditing strategies and back duty assessments and we are able to excel,’’ he said. Isa said in spite of the successes recorded, the board was still facing challenges such as lack of database, tax enforcement laws and awareness on the part of payers. The others, he said, included no tax revenues from boards and parastatals, internet tax and high tax evasion in the informal sector of the economy as they lack records. The chairman said in spite of the success recorded, the board was mapping out strategies to explore more avenue where it could boost its revenue. He called on taxpayers in the state to voluntarily pay their taxes and not to wait till they were coerced by officials of the board. (NAN)

44 companies sue FIRS over N1.1bn excess stamp duties

orty-four insurance companies have dragged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Tax Appeal Tribunal to seek for refund of N1.1 billion excess stamp duties. The companies alleged that they were made to pay the excess stamp duties on their respective statements of increase in their share capitals. They are asking the tribunal to order FIRS to pay them the excess stamp duties and compounded interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from January 2003 until date of judgment. The plaintiffs also urged the tribunal to order FIRS to pay compounded interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until all excess were refunded. Meanwhile, the FIRS has said that its action was lawful and in accordance with Section 21, CAP 8 of the Stamp Duties Act. It said that the allegations by the companies were incorrect, adding that the plaintiffs suit was time barred because it had exceeded the 21 days prescribed by law for them to appeal. It, therefore, urged the tribunal to strike out the appeal for lack of merit.

BVN customers besiege bank after deadline

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the matter came up for hearing, Counsel to the insurance companies, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), closed his case. Also, Counsel to FIRS, Bolanle Oniyangi, applied for a date

CBN to raise N123bn via treasury bills

he Central Bank of Nigeria is to raise N122.95bn ($617.90m) via treasury bills with tenors ranging from three months to one year on Wednesday, documents from the bank have revealed. The CBN said on Monday that it would raise N45.17bn in the three-month bill, N23.43bn in the six-month and N54.35bn in the one-year, using the Dutch auction system. Reuters quoted money market traders as saying that yields on the papers were expected to be lower than the returns at the last

auction held on October 24, when yields on the three-month paper were 8.49 per cent, the six-month debt attracted 10.15 per cent and one-year paper fetched 10.81 per cent. The expectation of lower yields was based on the prevailing returns on the secondary market and the high level of liquidity in the money market. Meanwhile, yields on Nigeria’s local currency- denominated bonds are expected to rise this week as offshore investors and some local investors sell holdings. “We are anticipating a massive

NCC renews MTN’s operating spectrum, licence for $94.2m

outh Africa’s MTN on Tuesday said the Nigerian regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has renewed its operating spectrum and extended the operating licence for Africa’s biggest mobile firm to 2021 at a cost of $94.2 million. MTN, which had a $5.2 billion fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communication Commission last week for failing to deregister SIM cards in its largest market, said it received confirmation from the regulator that its operating spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands had been renewed.

to enable her field the defence witnesses. The Acting Chairman of the tribunal, Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), adjourned the appeal till Nov. 30, for further hearing. (NAN)

MTN’s operating spectrum and its digital mobile license were issued in 2001, and both were due to expire in February 2016. Both have now been extended to August 31, 2021, the firm said. “We view this extension as a demonstration of confidence in MTN’s capacity to continue to provide ground-breaking and innovative services to its customers,” MTN’s Corporate Affairs Executive Akinwale Goodluck, said in a separate statement. Shares in MTN, which earns 37 percent of its revenue from Nigeria, have dropped 25 percent since the fine was announced last

week, and South Africa’s bourse on Monday suspended trading in its stock for a few hours, reports Reuters. The firm’s shares recovered somewhat in early trade on the bourse, advancing 0.9 percent to 149.50 rand by 0728 GMT. The company’s largest shareholder, South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation, said it was concerned about MTN’s alleged non-compliance with telecommunications regulations of the country and the allegations that MTN’s management did not immediately disclose material information to the market.

sell off this week from some offshore investors still holding their positions in the market,” one dealer said, adding some local pension funds could follow suit. JP Morgan was expected to remove Nigerian bonds from its emerging market government bond index by the end of October, prompting the shift out. Yields on the benchmark, 2024 paper dropped to 13.49 per cent on Friday from 13.60 per cent the previous week, but are seen rising above 14 per cent level this week. “A sell-off either by the remaining offshore investors in the market or pension funds ahead of the auction on November 11, would lead to increased yields in the near term,” a senior treasurer said.

Emefiele

OPAs cancellation:

NNPC saves Nigeria N41bn

igeria will save over N41.4bn in six months as a result of the recent cancellation of the offshore processing agreements with some international oil companies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said. The NNPC, in its latest monthly financial and operations report for September 2015, stated that the cancellation of the OPAs was one of its key interventions in the month under review. In the OPA, the NNPC undertakes to allocate a dedicated volume of crude oil for refining at offshore locations in exchange for petroleum products at pre-agreed yield pattern. Outlining some of its key interventions as of September, the corporation said, “The OPA contracts (were) cancelled; $207m savings to be realised in six months. (The) engagement of key security agencies to boost pipeline security (is) ongoing.” On August 26 this year, the NNPC announced the termination of the OPAs entered it into in January with three companies, Duke Oil Company Incorporated, Aiteo Energy Resources Limited and Sahara Energy Resources Limited. The national oil firm had stated that the agreements were not in the interest of Nigeria and the corporation, a development that led to their cancellation. “However, after detailed appraisal of the operation and its terms of agreement, the NNPC is convinced that the current OPA is skewed in favour of the companies such that the value of the product delivered is significantly lower than the equivalent crude oil allocated for the programme,” it had stated.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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dailypost property 07032259691, 08075752220, 08092259691, 08095886632, 08095886468 E-Mail: elijahogunsanya@yahoo.com Website: www.elijahogunsanya.com Head Office: Suit 4, Plot 1248, Standard Plaza, No. 2, Kutsi Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja. DESCRIPTION: 5 units of 5 bedroom ter granite raced duplex with all rooms ensuite, and finished with granite tiles. Its situated in a secured & serene environment. LOCATION: Guzape by Asokoro Extension Abuja PRICE: N1.8 Billion. LAND SIZE: N4000sqm (C of O) FACILITIES: • Swimming pool of 12 by 18sqm • Ample parking space for minimum of 50 cars • Fitted Kitchens • Serene Green Garden Areas • Fitted Air conditioners in all areas • Standby 150k VA Generator and water treatment plant DESCRIPTION: 3 units of 5 bedrooms terraced duplex with all rooms ensuite, finished with marble tiles. It’s located in a secure & serene environment. LOCATION: Guzape by Asokoro Extension Abuja PRICE: N900 Million LAND SIZE: 1,450sqm (C of O) FACILITIES: • Swimming pool • Ample parking space • Secure & Serene • Fitted Kitchens • Standby Generator • Fitted Air conditioners in all areas • water treatment plant DESCRIPTION: 5 units of 5 bedroom terraced duplex with all rooms ensuite and finished with granite tiles LOCATION: Utako District Abuja PRICE: N750 Million LAND SIZE: 1,350sqm (C of O) FACILITIES: • Granite finished • Secure & Serene environment • Ample parking space • Fitted Kitchens • Standby Generator • Fitted Air conditioners in all areas

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Ameh Comrade Godwin comrade.ameh@dailypost.ng

I cried when I was paid money that changed my life – Akpororo His brand of comedy is infectious, a reason he has gradually become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian comedy industry. In this riveting encounter with DAILY POST, Akpororo, whose real name is Bowoto Jephta shared the story of his rise to fame in the highly competitive industry, including his plan to quit bachelorhood in few months from now. Briefly tell us about yourself My real name is Bowoto Jephta, popularly known as Akpororo. I came into limelight in 2008, shortly after I emerged winner of the keenly contested AY Open Mic comedy competition. Before then, I really never knew I would be a comedian. Prior to emerging winner of the competition, I was more into music. I also played football. I can equally swim as well. But in all, it’s comedy that has brought me where I am today. I think without comedy, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Comedy has given me name and prominence. Have you gotten to where you want to be in the comedy industry? I won’t say I’m at the top right now because I still have a lot to offer but I thank God for everything. Things have really changed compared to when I started. I still have lots of unrealized dreams. I still have a target I want to attain in years to come. On the other hand, it’s only by God’s Grace that I am where I am; it’s still by His grace that I will get to where I want to be. God gave me the gift of life; the gift to sing, dance and make people laugh. What is the greatest thing you’ve achieved so far through comedy? Comedy has opened a lot of doors for me. At the moment, I get access easily into areas I couldn’t before now and easy access to top and influential personalities too. What are your winning principles? It’s been the grace of God. When I started comedy, I just prayed to God to give me the anointing most of these men of God have. I know some men of God that do preach during the weekly services and Sundays as well and you enjoy their messages in all. So I told God I want to be like these anointed people and he just said I should keep praising Him and I kept praising him and he did it for me. As a young comedian, one of the things I’m looking forward to is to win souls and also to see myself on top. Anytime they call my name anywhere around the world, people should easily recognize who I am. What inspires your jokes? I have always told people that I am a church boy. So the word of God inspires my jokes. I’m in the choir and I

have a mass choir like 80-90 people in Okokomaiko. I don’t joke with the word of God which explains why most of my jokes are about men of God and the church. Tell us how comedy started for you I started music before I ventured into comedy. My

greatest challenge then was how I would get the platform to showcase my talent. It got to a point where I said I needed to go for comedy competitions which I don’t really like in the first place. So I went into the National Comedy Challenge by Opa Williams and I won the Calabar zone. We came to Lagos for the final but I wasn’t picked as the overall winner. Later, I heard about the AY Open Mic, I went there the first time and I came second. I tried my luck the second time and I won. I was also at Basket Mouth’s Laff and Jam in Ikoyi. Since then, it’s been a story of grass to grace. What informs your ‘swagalicious’ looks? I’m called the comedian with too much swagger and too much anointing. One of the things I want to bring out is that you can still serve God and have swag at the same time. I always wanted to do something new and different and that’s why I do dress like an artiste. I tell the musicians too that anything they wear, I will wear. If that’s what is bringing them money, then I will follow suit (laughs). How would you define a real comedian? You define real comedians by their personalities; what they have to offer and the contents of their jokes. In the industry, what they look out for is your second line of jokes. If you come out with five new jokes and people like it, they will wait for your second line which is the next five jokes. That’s when they will know your quality. Same thing happens with some musicians too. They will drop singles and then drop an album but after that, you might not hear from them again. So, a real comedian is known by what you have to offer, the contents of your jokes, how you create and deliver them. We would like to know how the stage name, Akpororo came about? There was a day I was abusing a guy in the church and I said ‘you wey your head look like Akpororo’. My Bishop just looked at me and said why don’t you change your name from Holy Son to Akpororo? I didn’t argue and since then it has been Akpororo. The last time you cried, what was the cause? I hardly cry. God doesn’t allow things that will make me cry to happen. Even when my heart was broken by my ex-girlfriend, I didn’t cry. When I lost my grandfather I didn’t cry; so what else will make me cry? The time I cried was when they paid me money that changed my life. Right there, I shed tears because I was overwhelmed. It was tears of joy.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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entertainment

Entertainment Industry: Osinbajo pledges FG’s support to curb piracy V

ice President, Yemi Osinbajo, in a bid to fight against piracy in the entertainment industry, has said that a law would be enacted to provide a comprehensive protection of rights as well as stringent penalties for violations. During the 2015 Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON lecture with the theme, ‘Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Economy’ held in Lagos, the Vice President, represented by Mr. Afam Ezekude, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, pledged the support of the government to the fight against piracy in the industry. According to the Vice President, “The law will provide sanctions that are directly proportional to the unlawful profit made by those that infringe on the intellectual property of others.” He stressed on the need for a review of copyright laws, noting that the law will also create a seamless transition from analogue to digital modes of exploitation. “The review of copyright laws is critical to the survival of the copyright system in Nigeria and, especially, given the need for the nation to diversify its economy,” Osinbajo said, urging Nigerians to respect the rights of creators and shun acts of criminali-

ty with respect to creative works. “The potential of the creative industry as economic drivers cannot be overemphasized. Their wealth creation and employment generation prospects are very significant,” he stressed. In his opinion, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, the guest lecturer, said the entertainment industry will improve significantly if the requisite facilities were put in place. Sodipo, in his lecture, urged the Federal Government to improve infrastructure, encourage local hardware production and also to promote digital literacy. Commending the efforts of the NCC in its fight against the pirating of intellectual property in the industry, Sodipo called on Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the copyright bill that was recently sent to the National Assembly. He also added that the bill on the review of copyright laws must be approved and signed into law to protect intellectual property right of owners. Subsequently, the chairman, COSON, Mr. Tony Okoroji, said that his organisation would continue to create good atmosphere for creative works to thrive in the industry.

Why I’m now a musician - Prophetess Nonnie

igerian Women in Clergy President cum Prophetic Minstrel, Prophetess Nonnie Roberson has stated that a lot of humanitarian crisis can be solved just with the fusion of religion and entertainment. Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the recent ‘1MillionManWalk’ against Cancer put together by the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab S. Bagudu, through her foundation, Medicaid Cancer Foundation in collaboration with the Nigerian Women in Clergy, the Prophetess avowed that a symbiotic relationship between religion and entertainment must always be maintained, stating that a lot of humanitarian crisis in the country can easily be tackled if the two are effectively used. Responding to why she chose to become a musician almost at the peak of her religious career, she said, “ Both entertainment and religion are similar vehicles for expression. Sensitization against certain things, such as this campaign against Cancer will achieve better result with the fusion of the two. I can’t see any man or woman of God achieving the best result in his or her calling without the marriage of the two. That’s why we have choirs in churches. Many learn and get inspired more through entertainment. I’m into music today because I want to reach out to more people that God wants me to touch for him. Through my latest single, many lives have been saved. I tell you, we have not started just yet. When God asks

you to do certain things, you can’t just resist. It’s like when Samuel was called. I didn’t know what God wanted until I dropped the song. God has performed his work through the song, I must say.” Prophetess Nonnie who was with many Nigerian artistes including ‘Godwin’ crooner, Korede Bello, said she would be featuring some of the artistes in her subsequent releases so as to churn out more universally accepted songs. She said “You can see me with most of these young artistes. They are my children, but we will do things together as children of God. May be, one or two of them will join me subsequently in passing God’s messages to the people. That’s why I said religion and entertainment are one and the same. The only difference is in the style. I have my style though,” Nonnie said. Speaking on why most diseases linger without solution, she said, “The bible says, my people perish for lack of knowledge. Most children of God have refused to accept reality in the name of religion, and that is very wrong. We need to accept the fact that we could be victims of certain ailments at any time, so we shouldn’t shy away from knowing about any kind of disease. Most women will tell you ‘God forbid, I can’t contact Cancer. It’s not my portion’ so they won’t even bother to be educated on the effect and solutions. We

don’t need to be too religious to our own detriment. That you are a child of God does not mean that you should ignore your health. God works in mysterious ways and that could even be why he wants to educate you on some diseases. Don’t shy away from learning about them.” The Pastor further affirmed that she will work more with entertainers in other campaigns in just to ensure healthy lifestyle in the country. She said. “It’s not only about Cancer; there are other diseases and humanitarian crisis that need our attention. I will continue to work with spirited Nigerians and entertainers in order to tackle them head-on. On the whole, entertainment and religion are vehicles for peace in every nation.”

Why local soap operas are not creating waves – Nollywood actor, Femi Branch

ollywood actor, Branch Babafemi Femi, has shared his opinion on why soap operas produced locally are not creating waves like those produced abroad. The actor who is the author of 409 page Anthology of fifty poems and three plays, recently spoke to journalists in Abuja, attributing the reasons to lack of stability and professionalism. According to Femi, “Soap opera should be produced by people who have the skill and know about the industry, not people that stumble into the industry due to lack of job in the country. “Artistes who are not professionals should endeavour to acquire training by going back to the University or relevant institutions to acquire the relevant skill.” “The different associations in the industry: Actors Guild of Nigeria, Directors Guild of Nigeria and Association of Movie Producers should be involved in screening the casts according to their areas of specialisation before production. Citing some of such soap operas to include ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’ and “Ripples’, the actor stated that soap operas produced locally should not be completely written off, noting that there was a time when qualitative soap operas were produced in Nigeria. He, however, commended Theatre and Motion Picture Association of Nigeria for scrutinising the industry and removing those who are not fit to be actors, producers or directors.

metro

Police foil attempt to steal twoweek-old baby in Abia

peratives attached to the Abia State Police Command have foiled an attempt to steal a twoweek old baby by two yet-tobe-identified men in Amaede village, Isiala Ngwa South local government area of the state. It was learnt that the men invaded the residence of one Uzoma Nweze, inflicted machete cut on the baby’s mother simply identified as Gloria while attempting to whisk the baby away. Both men however fled the scene without the baby as neighbours alerted the police who rushed to the scene of the incident. Nemesis however caught up with one of the hoodlums as he was identified to be residing in the neighbouring community of Umuokoro village. Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, said one of the suspects was arrested with his house searched. Onyeke disclosed that the police, during the search, recovered two locally made single barrel guns, a live and two expended cartridges, an iron rod and a photographed portrait. According to the PPRO, other items recovered include: one locally made double barrel gun, one machete, two expended cartridges, a mask, two handsets, a pair of rubber slippers and two sets of head torch. He further revealed that the mother of the baby has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the second suspect.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Seun Opejobi seun.opejobi@dailypost.ng

Five police officers arrested over death of father of two in Sokoto T

he Sokoto State Police Command has arrested five officers in connection with the alleged murder of a 25-year-old Shehu Yahaya for criticizing an illegal checkpoint erected by some police officers along Isa-Sabon Birni road in the state. Yahaya, a father of two, on October 25 accosted some police officers while on an errand for his sister and made a comment about checkpoints that have been banned by President Muhammadu Buhari and the illegality of the one erected by the officers. His comment, which did not go down well with the police officers, reportedly led them into trailing the vehicle he was in. A fellow occupant of the vehicle and friend to the deceased, Bashar Nahantsi, while narrating what happened said after the deceased made the comment that angered the police, they trailed the vehicle in

Yahaya

which they were commuting and ordered the driver to stop. Nahantsi continued that, “The policemen ordered the two of us to come out of the vehicle, claiming that they suspected that we were on illegal drugs. We came down and they arrested us, but my late friend freed himself from their grip and ran away, leaving me with them. They stripped

me and tied my hands from behind, using my vest. They asked if I had anyone who could stand for me. I said yes and called one of my elders. They did not see him, but they said I should not worry. They tied my hands and feet. “Later, my friend who ran away came back. I was put under the custody of two mobile policemen under a tree. They asked me to lie low in the grass so they could arrest my friend. They arrested him, but he later escaped into a farm. He was chased by the two mobile policemen. “By then, they had come back with my friend in an unconscious state and dumped him on the ground. At that time, he could not even sit properly. I had to support him with my feet before he could sit down. “After collecting N1, 500, they ordered that I should carry my friend to where we could get a vehicle home.

Police made me write statement at gunpoint – Graduate A 30-year-old graduate, Daniel Yosua, who was paraded by the Lagos State Police Command, along with some hoodlums said he was made to give his statement at gunpoint at a police station when he went to report a street fight. Yosua, a native of Okpara, Delta State, stated that he was arrested and detained at the Mile 12 Police station after he had gone to report the fight on Sadiku Street in the Mile 12 area where he resides. It was learnt that Yosua and two others were arrested by the police on Friday before they were moved to the Ketu division for onward transfer to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba, for further investigation. Yosua who spoke with newsmen while been paraded for robbery, said police officers held gun to his head while forcing him to write the statement at the station, shortly after he went to report a fight.

He said, “It was on Friday, October 9, on my street in the Mile 12 area. The street fight started at about 8pm. My friends and I were in a shop discussing when we heard bottles breaking a few metres away. We quickly ran inside the compound of one of my friends. “That was where I hid while the thugs fought on my street. After about 10 minutes, I came out and found out that one of my friends, Bisi Olateju, was injured. I then told others that I was going to the police station to report the fight. I went to the Mile 12 Police Post to make the report. “When I was going back home, one of the police officers, a woman, said I should be on the lookout, and bring anyone who was among those fighting. “I then rushed my friend, Olateju, to the hospital. As I stepped out of the hospital premises, one of the hoodlums, who learnt I went to the station to report,

came around to make trouble. “After much noise, he was beaten by some other persons, and we all went to the police station. The hoodlum was slightly injured in the mouth. When we got to the station, to my surprise, I was arrested and detained. “I told the policemen that I was the one who came earlier to report the street fight. One of them just pointed a rifle at me, and said I should begin to write a statement. That was how I was detained. “Later on, I was transferred with the hoodlum to Ketu division and then to SDCI, Panti. I had never been involved in violence. I made a mistake of going to the police to report the incident. “A policeman, Adeyemi, who is attached to Ketu division, is the mastermind of my ordeals. My family members had gone to explain to him on several occasions, but he would not listen.

Man in court for inserting finger into two-year-old’s private part

21-year-old man identified as Justice Seun was on Monday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly inserting his finger into the private part of a two-year-old daughter of his father’s tenant. Seun, who resides at No. 2 Abebi Street, Ogudu area of the state, is standing trial on a one-count charge of child defilement, to which he pleaded not guilty. The prosecuting officer,

Inspector Simon Imhonwa informed the court that the offence was committed on September 7 at noon at the accused’s residence. Imhonwa told the court that the accused, who is a son of the Landlord, lured the daughter of his father’s tenant into his room where he inserted his finger into her private part. The prosecutor said the case was reported to the police after the child’s mother raised the alarm after the victim

complained of discomfort in her private region. According to Imhonwa, the offence contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. It was learnt that the father of the victim, Mr Umoh, however told the court that he would like to withdraw the case as the family of the accused had pleaded for forgiveness. “I don’t want a court case. The family has begged for for-

giveness,” Umoh said. In her response to the plea, the Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi noted that the matter can no longer be withdrawn. “This case cannot be withdrawn; it is not in your jurisdiction any more. It is the state’s. The case will go to trial,’’ Osunsanmi ruled. She then granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Osunsanmi adjourned the case to November 30, for trial.

When I realised the condition they had subjected my friend to, I told them I couldn’t do anything. “I managed to get away from them. It was two days after the encounter, while I was at a village that I got to know of my friend’s death. The police killed him.” Also commenting on the incident, Yahaya’s father, Alhaji Shehu said “I was at Birnin Gwani when the incident happened on Sunday. I came back home on Tuesday to find out that my house was filled with people. Upon enquiry I was told that my son Yahaya had died. I asked if he was sick and the people told me that it was policemen who killed him at Teke market.” The deceased father further disclosed that those who washed and dressed his son’s corpse said his neck was fractured and that he had bruises on it as though he was strangled.

Police arrest kidnapers, robbery suspects in Zamfara

he Zamfara State Police Command in a bid to flush out crime from the state has arrested some suspected armed robbers and kidnappers. Disclosing this to newsmen, the State spokesperson, DSP Sanusi Amiru said the suspects, Bello Adamu, Lawali Dan Hajiya and Ahmed Abubakar, were alleged to have been involved in culpable homicide, cattle rustling and armed robbery. Amiru also noted that two suspects, Baban Gida Ibrahim and Shehu Dogo, were also arrested for allegedly kidnapping and strangling one Abubakar Ibrahim before fleeing with his motorcycle. The State Police Spokesperson further stated that following a tip-off, officers of the command arrested seven other suspects in connection with terrorism, Sara-Suka.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Court sentences businessman to 10 years in prison for trafficking cocaine A

38-year-old businessman, Chibueze Onedigbo, on Monday was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos for drug trafficking. Onedigbo, was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one-count charge of drug trafficking on August 29, 2013. Delivering judgement, Justice Musa Kurya, said that the sentence was in line with the sentencing guideline recently released for Federal High Court judges.

“I have considered all the above, and I am of the view that the prosecution has discharged its burden of proof. “I have listened to the plea for leniency by the accused, and have taken into consideration all that has been said. In any case, the court is duty bound to sentence the accused having found him guilty. “Moreso, the court is guided by the sentencing guideline recently released for Federal High Court judges. “Consequently, I hereby sen-

tence the accused to 10 years imprisonment, from the day of this judgment. “The drug exhibits in custody of the NDLEA are to be destroyed within 30 days, if there is no appeal against this judgment,’’ Kurya said. The NDLEA Prosecutor, Mr Linus Nor, while testifying in court said the convict was arrested on April 7, 2013, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport with 210 grammes of cocaine during clearance of passengers on board a Qatar airline flight.

Nor told the court that the convict had concealed the substance in a black leather bag. The prosecutor said the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 11 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004. When the charge was read, the 38-year-old pleaded not guilty. The NDLEA called two witnesses to prove its case against the convict. Justice Musa Kurya consequently sentenced Onedigbo to 10 years in prison.

Police arraign TB Joshua’s ‘anointing water’ reportedly cleaner for curing Ebola in Sierra Leone car theft By Seun Opejobi

he police on Tuesday arraigned a cleaner, Emmanuel Kunle, 34, of CBN Quarters, Durumi, Abuja, in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja over allegation of theft. The prosecutor, Sgt. Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that one Suleiman Abubakar of Durumi, Abuja, reported the matter at Maitama police station, Abuja, on Aug. 19. He said that sometime in June, 2015, the complainant engaged the accused person to clean his apartment for him. Ahmed said that when the complainant traveled to Ibadan much later after he had engaged the cleaner, the accused went to his house and stole his black Toyota Camry car, using the spare key. The prosecutor said that when the complainant returned to his house from his trip, he could not find his car and the spare key. He noted that all efforts to locate the accused person failed, until he was recently located and arrested at Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe in Abuja, saying the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and the Senior Magistrate, Folashade Oyekan, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties, who should reside within the jurisdiction of the court. He adjourned the matter until Nov. 26 for trial.

prominent Sierra Leonean politician, Mrs. Kargbo Fatmata, has alleged that the arrival of 4,000 bottles of TB Joshua’s holy water to her nation was the key to the eventual decline of the alleged incurable disease, Ebola. Fatmata, who reports say is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sierra Leone, gave the ‘startling’ revelation in Lagos, Nigeria, at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, SCOAN, on Sunday, 1st November, 2015. According to a prophecy disclosed via SCOAN’s television station, Emmanuel TV, the prophet had allegedly prophesied in August 2014 that his ‘Anointing Water’ had the ability to cure the deadly Ebola virus which had ravaged several West African countries. According to Fatmata, “I am very disturbed and have had sleepless nights for not giving this testimony. “When T.B. Joshua announced his desire to send Anointing Water to the countries affected by Ebola, I immediately contacted the presidency,” she explained, adding that, “after the government accepted his offer, she was appointed to head the team that would receive the blessed ‘water’ with alleged healing powers. “I received the Anointing Water at the airport and submitted the consignment to the President,” Kargbo revealed. However, the devil fought hard and we faced a lot of opposition and obstacles,”

she added. According to the civil servant, even after obtaining presidential approval to begin distributing the ‘Anointing Water’ to the most affected zones, strong opposition from ‘internationally renowned medical organizations’ severely delayed the allotment. “Medically, they said there was no scientific proof that it could cure Ebola. Some of the water bottles were even ‘confiscated’ by medical personnel,” Fatmata noted. “The patients who received the Anointing Water testified that the symptoms disappeared almost immediately,” she sensationally claimed. “In the South East region where we were finally allowed to minister the Anointing Water, there was no new case of Ebola recorded from September 2014 onwards,” she further added. “It was only the regions where Joshua’s ‘holy water’ failed to reach that Ebola’s spread continued, eventually beginning to decline in early 2015.” Fatmata lamented that if not for the strong opposition, Ebola would have been conquered much earlier. “If we were allowed to use the water as directed by the man of God at that time, Ebola would have been rid from my country within weeks,” she proclaimed. A BBC report says if no new cases are recorded, Sierra Leone is expected to be declared Ebola free this week. In the same vein, two offshore oil rig Sedco workers, Chukwudi Onah and Ebiejuara Dolu, following their survival in the tragic incident that saw a Bristow Sikosky S76 C+ helicopter crash into the lagoon in Oworonshoki, Lagos, had appeared in the church last week to testify that it was Joshua’s water that saved them from

the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, T.B. Joshua alleges that his controversial water, newly branded as ‘Morning Water’ is anointed by God. According to the controversial prophet’s website, “It is not the water that heals but God Himself since the anointing is done in Jesus’ name.”

Unemployed man arrested for impersonating MOPOL, extorting money from motorists

olice officers attached to the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 33-year-old man, Abah Arome for impersonating a mobile police, mopol, officer and extorting money from unsuspecting motorists in the state. Arome, was allegedly arrested at Iyana-Ipaja wearing a mopol uniform while extorting money from motorists, thereby causing gridlock. The suspect was arrested by a patrol team after he could not give a satisfactory explanation regarding the unit or division he was attached to. Following his arrest, Arome was taken to Area ‘M’ Police Command, Idimu where he was subsequently detained. Confessing to the crime, the 33-year-old suspect said he was not a policeman, adding that he stole the uniform from his brother who is a serving mopol officer. He added that joblessness led him into the act of using the uniform to extort money from motorists as he has to survive. Arome was charged with impersonation and extortion under the criminal code. When the charges were read to him, he however pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum. Fashola however ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody pending when he perfects his bail conditions. The case was consequently adjourned to November 23.

Four persons arrested in connection with matron’s abduction in Ondo

he Ondo State Police Command has arrested four persons for allegedly kidnapping a 53-yearold matron, Mrs. Eralkhuemen Unulkiere who works with Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited located at Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. Those apprehended in connection with the abduction include, Tosin Adenikiju,Abiodun Olabowale, Omoniyi Akinsoyimi and Olatunji Igbekele. Disclosing this, the state Police spokesperson, Mr. Femi Joseph said the suspects made confessional statements after they were arrested and the victim rescued. According to the police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested by detectives deployed to the creek by the state police command.

He noted that the victim was rescued through what he termed, “a well-coordinated intelligence gathering,” adding that no ransom was paid. “The woman was rescued last night unhurt and without any ransom paid by the anti-kidnapping squad led by DSP Onabanjo Adekunle,” Joseph disclosed. The image maker pointed out that detectives are on the trail of others still at large. It was learnt that the kidnappers had kidnapped Unulkiere while going to church along Alaye- Araromi road last Sunday. Upon her abduction, the suspects demanded a ransom of N35M from the management of the company and her family. The police was said to have swooped on the kidnappers at their hideout while they were negotiating with the victim’s family.

16 feature

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I don’t regret campaigning for buhari – Osita Okechukwu Mr Osita Okechukwu is a former governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Enugu State in the 2011 elections and one of the allies of President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview with journalists, he spoke on the complaints of marginalisation that trailed the ministerial list across the country.

ome people had expected you to make the ministerial list, representing Enugu State, as a core loyalist of President Buhari. What happened? To be candid with you, my unalloyed support for President Buhari in the presidential campaign elections of 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 was more than personal. I mean sincerely that it is more of national than personal interest. Are you saying you would have rejected the ministerial offer if you were listed? Far from it, one would have accepted it as an assignment by Mr President. However, what I’m saying is that from the onset, our single and fundamental objective is that President Buhari has the capacity and capability to change the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians for the better. Does it mean you are not interested in public office? Is that why Enugu State ministerial nominee is relatively unknown to your people? I am interested in public office. That’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that my devotion to Mr President is primarily based on my passion to be part of the crusaders who will fix Nigeria. How many Nigerians rejected ministerial appointment? Very few, if there is any. Are you saying you are part of the crusaders who are fixing Nigeria when you’re not in government?

Yes, for the truth of the matter without being immodest is that one remains the foremost Buhari man in Enugu State, minister or no minister. One has been like President Buhari ‘s District Head in Enugu for over a decade. Therefore, winning the presidential election on the fourth attempt is the true manifestation of our passionate commitment to Mr President. Many left in droves after the 2003 election. One is happy to be enrolled in the hall of those who made today possible. This is the golden trophy we all share. Don’t forget that my joining the Buhari political family in 2002, then called The Buhari Organization (TBO), was a decision reached after rigorous debates under the caucus of Rt. Hon. Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory. Where did Senator Okadigbo fit into this? That’s a nice question. Few months after Okadigbo was impeached as Senate President, he relocated to his private residence at Asokoro and the traffic of his visitors thinned out. So, it was only few of us who held night sessions with him, brain storming on the fate of our fledgling democracy. It was around this time that President Buhari made his entry into partisan politics. Senator Okadigbo’s thesis was that the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was constructing a one party state, that if care is not taken, Nigeria will

Okechukwu end as a one party state in the midst of multi-party democracy. His solution was that we should all decamp to the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and join the new entrant, for he has the capacity to follow through the marathon race of deconstructing Obasanjo’s pet idea of one party state. What do you mean by a former president constructing a one party state? It’s a historical fact that immediately Chief Obasanjo emerged as president he started emasculating the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the only two opposition parties then. He first lured the chairman of the APP, late Alhaji Mahmud Waziri and made him Special Adviser and used carrot and stick to stymie the AD. The rest they say is history. This is what Oyi observed from his political observatory as a Political Scientist. He also pointed out that Mr President’s integrity

quotient is an asset Nigerians will harvest from when the time comes. I’m happy that Oyi is vindicated? In spite of your narrative, there seems to be a lot of complaints and noise across the country over the lopsided nature of President Buhari’s appointment. What’s your take on this? I had answered this question in several fora and media, permit me to restate that at the end of the day, Mr President, I know will balance out his appointments. For one does not believe that he will deliberately marginalise any section of the country or breach section 14 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Which aspect of the Constitution are you referring to? Section 14(3) which states that, ‘The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need

to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic; or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.’ Outside lopsided nature of the appointment, members of your party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are openly grumbling that they are also marginalised. Which excuse do you have for this bleeding injury? I’m not Mr President’s spokesman, however one can add that naturally members of our great party have the right to complain of marginalisation, for every scripture I read, especially the saying in the Holy Bible which, states clearly that the labourer is entitled to his wages. The saying of Prophet Muhammad even goes further to caution that the sweat of the labourer should not be allowed to dry. However, as I mentioned somewhere, there are over 500 appointments to be dispensed by Mr President, which invariably will be used to placate many. It can never go round for in the pyramid of support, Mr President’s support is at the base, where the masses are found. All said and done, the party chieftains strongly hold on to the view that the ministerial slot is the prime trophy of the APC’s victory? Yes it’s. But minister is not the only useful office in assisting Mr President to uphold the goodwill and confidence of the good people of Nigeria. To be candid, what I’m afraid of is any appointment or policy, which has the potential to erode the goodwill of the citizenry on Mr President. For we are taught in Political Science class that goodwill is like gas in a cylinder, which if not guided jealousy and carefully may evaporate without the holder knowing until when it’s time for cooking. The cylinder will ever remain heavy, so is state power, but not same with goodwill.

Directive on rice importation legal – Senator Wakili S enator Wakili Mallam Ali has said that the Comptroller General Customs’ directive that land boarders be opened up to rice importation as opposed to only Seaports which has been in use since 2011 by only rice importer cartels is an action within the ambit of the law and as such was not wrong in anyway. He made this statement while granting exclusive interview to DAILY POST in Abuja. He stated that in the last few years, land boarders have been automated like that of seaport, hence, it is appropriate now for rice importers to bring

in their goods through land boarders provided they will comply and cooperate with the Nigeria Customs. “If you look at Customs and Excise laws in line with the circular issued by the Comptroller General of Customs that rice can be imported through land boarders, which is the subject of contention, it is not wrong provided the needed duties are paid, “he noted. He added: “If you look at the Act that established the Board of Customs and Excise Duties, CAP 45 of the Laws of the Federation, the Minister of Finance is the Chairman of Board while

Comptroller General is the Vice Chairman, but where the Minister is unavailable as it is now, the Comptroller General presides over the board in decision making,” he said. According to him, not only would it generate more rev- Wakili enues for the government, but, it would curb ugly inci- er areas, but now those dences of smuggling which machines have been providCustoms authority spends ed and installed, hence the so much human and materi- service providers can now al resources to grapple with. make use of them. Highlighting on the chal“The automation has lenges of land importation taken place across boarders of rice, he recalled that it which can handle smuggling was stopped because there of rice, frozen chicken and were no scanning machines all forms of restricted goods for the routes across board- from being brought in, so

there is no way government can be sabotaged anymore,”, he maintained. He reasoned that the APC government has promised job creation and other welfare of citizens and as such, the opening of land boarders will also go a long way in job creation

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Wike’s Judgment, Amaechi’s confirmation:

A state coated in uncertainty By Victor Ezeama

ivers state is witnessing uncertain apprehension as a result of the recent judgements of the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal that nullified the election of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike and that of twenty members in State House of Assembly. The judgment of the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly election may not have gone down well with the Governor Nyesom Wike-led PDP in the state, the victorious petitioners are also not celebrating. The tribunal nullified the election of 20 House of Assembly members including the Speaker, Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani. The Defendants have since gone to appeal the judgements. Ordinarily, the petitioners, the APC and its candidates led by Dakuku Peterside were expected to be basking in the euphoria of their victory. Unfortunately, it is not so. The APC openly celebrated their victory at the tribunal but it lasted for just 24 hours. As a first time visitor to Rivers state, it would be quite easy to notice that the heart of the state is beating faster than normal. Adding more salt to the injury, the Rivers state caucus of the PDP were thrown off balance after

the ‘controversial’ confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi as Minister by the Senate after many weeks of horse-trading. Though Wike said he is unperturbed by the nomination of Amaechi as a Minister, inside reports has it that he contributed immensely to the delay in Amaechi’s clearance. Wike at a thanksgiving programme held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt said, “See how some people have made a Ministerial position a big deal. Celebrating just because somebody was screened as if some of us have not been Ministers before. Danagogo here was a Minister, kenneth Kobani was also a Minister.” Politics in Rivers state has been termed by many as priced ego and pride. The rift between the then Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and his one-time subject and incumbent Governor, Nyesom Wike has escalated to the level of bitterness and hatred. For almost three years since the beginning of the Amaechi-Wike grandstanding, the average Rivers’ citizen has been the worst hit. The level of insecurity spiralled from bad to worst. The IGR of the state which was pegged at more than N8b monthly as April, 2015 (2nd to Lagos) has now dropped dras-

tically to less than N5b. Investors are no longer keen on investing in the state. The economy of the state which is knitted to government cum politics is almost grounded. In the wake of the announcement of the outcome of the tribunal and the subsequent confirmation of Amaechi, newsmen got feelers that some prominent politicians in the state have started negotiating with leaders of the APC in the state. Some are already planning to pitch tents with the APC. Local media in Port Harcourt reported that a meeting of political leaders from the riverine part of Rivers State have resolved to shun the candidature of Nyesom Wike in the forthcoming Governorship re-run election in the state. The elders were said to have risen from the crucial meeting with a resolution that the ousted Rivers state governor failed to keep to his part of their plan for appointment and infrastructural development. In the same vein, reports also has it that some elders statesmen are making moves to meet with Amaechi in his Abuja residence. Meanwhile, Market Women under the aegis of Rivers state Market Women Association staged a protest in the heart of the city questioning the rationale for nullifying Wike’s elections. The women

Wike

Amaechi

in their number marched through the popular Aba road in Port Harcourt, chanting solidarity songs in support of the Governor. Youth groups and government affiliated organisations have also taken to the media to declare support for Wike. Military checkpoints have been stationed in major locations in the state. Obviously, to stem any breakdown of law and order. The Police on the other hand has been up and doing, raiding criminal hide-outs to reduce the proliferation of arms. Feeling the pulse of the people of the state, while some strongly hold on to the belief that Wike will return re-elected, others insist Wike lacks the capacity to rule the state. A few others are indifferent. One of the pro-Wike respondents, Emmanuel Cookey said, “They should leave Wike alone. Why will they remove him. He was the one we voted for. After All, when Jonathan lost, he did not fight back. Wike will win even if they do this election hundred times.” For him, one Granville Sotonye believes that Governor Wike

will meet his waterloo if elections were re-held. He said “we have heard information that this Governor wants to sideline us, the Kalabari people. We have been praying for this day to come. We supported him before because of our brother but it cannot happen again. Our eyes are now open.” A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers state, OCJ Okocha has boasted that the PDP will defeat its closest rival, the All Progressives Congress, APC if elections are held. OCJ Okocha who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has been a strong advocate of Governor Nyesom Wike. OCJ Okocha said, “I have not gone through the judgment per se, but I have read and heard from others who have read the judgment and from commentators, that the main ground upon which the judgment was delivered was that INEC officials did not comply with their regulation which stipulated that they should accredit voters with the card reader machine.’’

Opinion

Saraki: How the messy past haunts the moment T By Samson Ate’kojo Usman

he tremulous pressure oozing from nooks and crannies against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki can pass him as one of the most disturbed Senate President Nigeria has ever had. History was. however, set to reckon him as such. The son of late Abubakar Saraki of blessed memory who is a benefactor of his father’s political dynasty has unarguably played into the murky waters of Nigerian politics for sure. His emergence as Senate President on June 29th had let loose hierarchy of deSaraki mons who have refused to leave him alone to preside over Nigeria’s 8th Assembly, appeal court in an attempt to stop the Order, to defend thus, he has been movhimself. ing from one Court to the None of these legal fireother, battling with cases works ever ended in his and sometimes the National Assembly has to close down favour, thereby creating a against legislative timetable woe situation of things for him. This has negatively because he must appear in affected his coordination person. That happened on of plenaries as the sagacity September 16th and Nowith which he is to manage vember 21st, when Justice the Assembly was yet to be Danladi Umar’s led Code of Conduct Tribunal asked that seen. For instance, on the 21st he be produced in person of September, 2015 when he having lost injunctions at

had to unavoidably confront a litmus test of an envisaged stormy but controversial screening notably because of a well publicised Amaechi saga, expectedly, Saraki would have acquainted himself with relevant laws (Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended) and extant laws - Standing rules of the Senate which is an instrument used to coordinate legislative activities into a workable system. But to the consternation of all discerning minds, and in the face of stiff opposition to Amaechi’s screening by the minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, Saraki was bereft of invoking the necessary sections of standing rules so as to rule Akpabio out of order. It was Senator Omoworare that later did the job, but before then, the red Chambers had become a theater of confusion before PDP Senators staged a walkout, something that never happened before. It falls within the purview of this assertion that Mr. Senate President should retreat to read all relevant instruments, package himself psychologically and

be in his frame of mind to traverse with precision the art and science of governing plenary. Saraki’s trouble stand on tripod: (1) 13-count charges of corruption, false declaration of anticipatory assets and abuse of office where he enriched himself against public trust, (2) managing his opposition colleagues the Peoples Democratic Party Senators on whose back he rode to Senate Presidency, and, (3) those of his APC households who prefer Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President to him. They swore to take his pound of flesh and to see him (Saraki) fall like an Iroko tree. What obviously played out regarding Amaechi, was conflict of interests that eventually define Saraki’s loyalty and for doing what he did after all were said, he deserves to be applauded. Standing between the devil and deep blue sea, Saraki’s plea and show of magnanimity to the camp of Lawan to sooth Sword was continually seen as an aberration and the body language of the way he is treated. But the Saraki we know will not succumb to

the coward’s alternative by throwing in the towel Midway.

Once again, the Appeal Court has thrown out his case “suo motu”, and said the Code of Conduct Tribunal has jurisdiction to try him. He might have not envisioned as at 2003, that trauma would be waiting in the wings on account of those weighty allegations been pounded by CCT. What he should stop doing at this moment is not the retinue of Senators on empathy once he is to go to the Tribunal, for mere empathy has no impact on the force of law in trial of this matter, but to get set to defend himself so as to maintain the integrity of office he currently occupies. He should let go the impression of putting number three man in the dock which used to be considered as an aberration and a sacrilege in the past, but brace up with the reality of today’s change mantra where administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 has criminalised false declaration of assets.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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I’m not desperate to be Governor, but I remain the flag bearer of Labour Party – Tonye Princewill The candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Prince Tonye Princewill, in the April 11 gubernatorial election in Rivers State has spoken up on diverse issues thrown up by the annulment of the election of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State by the State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja. In an interview with DAILY POST, Princewill shed light on why the decision of the LP to suspend his membership of the party will not stand. He equally bared his mind on the controversy generated by the former Rivers Governor, Chibuike Amaechi’s nomination as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the noise the decision has generated among lawmakers. Excerpts:

fter everything, the Rivers governorship election has been annulled by the Tribunal with an order for the conduct of fresh election within 90 days. How do you feel about this judgment? Any lover of true democracy and justice who witnessed what happened will not be surprised with the judgment. I belong to that group. The elections were neither free nor fair nor credible, so they can’t stand honest scrutiny. I have said this repeatedly. The APC won the case for all of Rivers State, kudos to them. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and the same people in the APC today were the beneficiaries of my fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the state. I did not say I am celebrating the judgement. I said I am not surprised by it. But in Rivers politics, the analog politicians cannot understand the difference. People were confused as to which side of the divide you belonged after Wike was declared winner in the election, because you didn’t contest the outcome in court. Won’t your support of the judgment raise questions? Why? In my Post Election Statement in April, I clearly highlighted my displeasure in the outcome of the elections. I said it is no longer in doubt that the election in Rivers State was neither free nor fair nor credible. I added that rather than the Jubilation of a victory or the recriminations of a defeat, I and my team prefer to keep searching for peace. I lamented on the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who will be left to lead. This did not only show my disappointment in the conduct of the election, but also my concern over peace in my state. It is not about taking sides with PDP or APC, it is about the truth. Both parties were violent. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount to aligning with the PDP; going to court would be tantamount to aligning with the APC. There was no additional value in my going to court. I didn’t steal money so I will not spend hundreds of millions on lawyers like my people do not need help for other more important things. But my views were clear, even if my actions were too strategic for some to grasp. Leadership of your party – the Labour Party in Rivers State has disassociated itself from your statement praising the Tribunal’s judgment, on the premise that you are on suspension. How would you react to this? To the best of my knowledge, we have freedom of speech and right of opinion in Nigeria. My statements have always been my opinion and until recently, my party has always fallen in line with my thinking. From what I gathered, the state party Chairman dissociated the party from my recent comments on the outcome of the tribunal; but it baffles me that the party’s position is in line with the same comment they are now disowning.

They after all submitted a petition to the same election tribunal. It’s also funny to note that a chieftain of the party condemned the judgment only a few days ago, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the Party Chairman. This is not just an embarrassment to my party, but a clear indication of poor leadership. I’ll leave him to his conscience. I have mine. No matter how much inducement you put in front of me, I cannot say black is white. People need to realize we are now in a digital world. Black and white TVs have been replaced by colour. Does this in anyway pose a threat to your being fielded again as the party flag bearer in an event there get to be a rerun election? No it doesn’t. I am the Flag Bearer of the Labour Party. A court has ruled and given judgement to that effect. But let me tell you, it is the fear of my candidature that is causing these waves. They need not bother. I’ve not said I will contest and for now based on PDP’s refusal to heed my advice, there is no vacancy. I am not at all desperate to be Governor. I just gave my opinion on the judgement saying I was not surprised. Now they say I am celebrating. Why all the fuss? I understand you dragged the party leadership to court over your suspension. What is the status of the case at the moment? Yes I did. I saw no justifiable reason for the purported suspension, so I simply took my concerns to the court. If people have been induced to kick me out of the party, the attempt should be made properly, not based on baseless allegations. He claimed anti-party activities. Tell me. Are his current actions not anti-party? My lawyers have briefed me that the Party leadership has severally snubbed the court proceedings. I know the court will soon come up with a position on that matter, like they did on my candidature. Till then, I remain a proud member of the Labour Party and the movement. He remains in contempt of the court. Do you see yourself doing better than you did earlier should you partake in the anticipated re-run as LP candidate? I am yet to take a position on the role to play in the rerun; but even if I do partake, it’s really not about me. It’s about the decision of the people. They all know the political players in the state. They all know the possible after effect of a PDP or an APC victory. Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a looser. I am comfortable with either, because I am not desperate to be Governor; PDP and APC are. How that will produce a peaceful Rivers State, I am yet to find out. If Rivers People want Unity, Peace, a Government they can reach and believe that their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a better chance. PDP and APC need to adopt it. If they do, I may even support one of them. What matters is for the state to move forward. What if your party insists you are not its candidate? Will there

Princewill be other options? That’s really not possible, and the court will confirm that shortly. People shouldn’t be distracted by irrelevant issues. The truth is, democracy is here to give everyone a stake in governance, our primary concern is a better Rivers State. I know the Labour Party members are well grounded on honesty and the rule of law. A few distracted individuals, moved by short term thinking, will not change that. Amaechi was expelled from the PDP in 2007. What happened next is there for all to recall. You said after the election that you were not aligning with either APC or PDP as allegedly requested by some people in your party. Do you still maintain your non-alignment stance, despite the Tribunal judgment that sacked Wike and others? Yes I do. I stand outside the PDP and the APC box and with the peace loving, forward thinking people of Rivers state. Not a popular position for many of our politicians, but it is here I find comfort. My opinions may help APC today or PDP tomorrow that is not my problem. I do not speak for them. What remains consistent is my commitment to the comfort of the common Rivers man. I believe that the hate for Amaechi or APC because of what they did to Jonathan should not cloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth. If PDP is the beneficiary of this sham today, APC should know that they can’t try it tomorrow. Will I not complain if that happens? Of course I will. If electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrow. Are you optimistic that a rerun will not experience violence like it was in the last election? I wish it was in my power to determine that. But it’s not. It will take a lot of sacrifice from both the PDP and the APC and efforts from us all to have a rerun free of violence. Like I said, they are both desperate for victory, I am desperate for a safe and secure Rivers State, so it’s left for them to decide whether or not to sacrifice their supporters for political victory.

Having said that, please note what I have said. If there are no consequences for electoral violence, electoral violence will continue. And sons, daughters, mothers and fathers will die. The truth is what will free us from this. If our leaders looked at people as Rivers people and not APC people or PDP people,

“The ideology of the APC at that time was, “Bring Down Jonathan”, and I was on a totally different wavelength. So regretting is not a possibility. I am also happy I left the PDP. You can’t mistreat a man with a mandate and expect him to stay silent and clap for you. Not me.”

we will make progress. The state belongs to everyone not PDP or APC or GDI. The politics of winner takes it all is killing us. The price of losing is way too high. Any word about President Buhari’s ongoing cabinet formation, particularly the inclusion of your former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi? We’ve waited so long for this, and are eager to see the difference it will make. And like I always say, President Buhari is the President, whether his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus more on helping him, than pulling him down. I know Amaechi; and I know his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC and if he missed the VP slot and the SGF slot, why should PDP lose sleep if he becomes a Minister? I was praying we don’t disgrace ourselves before the world. I am glad we did not totally disgrace ourselves. I am not sure his inclusion did the President any huge favours in perception ratings, but perception is subjective to the individual and so we will leave each to their own. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people are watching. I believe though that with the right motivation, cross party support and a little prayer, he can be a useful tool in Buhari’s cabinet. Let us leave it to God. What can you say about the controversy that surrounded Amaechi’s ministerial screening at the Senate, particularly from Rivers Senators? Let me just say I hope it is over. After a while it became too much, I lost interest. I advise the PDP senators, they should let it be – they have made their point. I am happy that the amusement for some has been cut short. I was abroad and I know what people who matter are saying about us. Do you regret not defecting to the APC way before the 2015 elections? Why should I? The ideology of the APC at that time was, “Bring Down Jonathan”, and I was on a totally different wavelength. So regretting is not a possibility. I am also happy I left the PDP. You can’t mistreat a man with a mandate and expect him to stay silent and clap for you. Not me. I have supporters. I have a caucus and I do not act alone. We listen and we learn. Of course, we make mistakes. That’s why pencils have erasers. But in all we do, we do it not for ourselves but for Rivers people. What is your take on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign? The anti-corruption campaign was the foundation of the Buhari campaign, so it is expected that a lot would be happening in that area. So far so good, but it is yet to enjoy the confidence of all sides. The reason for this is obvious. Not a lot of APC people are in the dock. I suggest we stay tuned, there is still plenty time for that. No man who is just settling in will fight on too many fronts. Besides, it is for the agencies charged with these responsibilities to do their work, unless there is evidence to show, the Presidency is interfering, let us await the results. He’s only just begun. The nation is watching. And they will pass judgment in a few years. Your message for Rivers people Do not be disillusioned. Rivers state is too big to be forgotten. God is at work here and this is something we must go through to reach our very own promise land. The times are divided along artificial lines. Political parties come and go. But our people will remain. Talk of another election is still far in front of us. A week is a long time in politics, so let us focus on what we can do now. For me, let us find peace. Because without it, we cannot get investment, jobs, development and empowerment.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

s a former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly before becoming a federal lawmaker on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, how would you react to outcry of the ruling All Progressives Congress that Speaker, Yakubu Dogara was misguided in the allotment of Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of House Committees that was constituted last week? Thank you very much . My name is Goodluck Nanah Opiah, I represent Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru federal constituency of Imo State. The Speaker just got through with House Committees. First and foremost, I want to commend him for that aspect of legislative leadership. I’m sure you know that since inauguration, we are just having House Committees being constituted and you also know the importance of committees in our oversight legislative functions. For me, the House of Representatives will be able to discharge its functions comprehensively now in terms of oversight functions, in terms of lawmaking, in terms of representation. As per reactions of members, we are 360 members in all. The Committees used to be 89 in number, but the Speaker through his own ingenuity was able to increase the number to 96. It is not possible that all the 360 members chair the different Committees. It is not possible that all 360 members would be Vice Chairmanship of House Committees. Mr. Speaker has done the best he could within the available number of offices. Sincerely speaking, I cannot condemn him, for me, he was fair, the constitution of Committees covers all political parties in the House including parties with smaller representation like Social Democratic Party, APGA and so on. Every geopolitical zone is covered, every States of the federation is covered. For me, he did a good job. But in an exercise of this nature, you will find people who are happy and those who are not and believe me, you will find people who will never be satisfied no matter what you do to please them and that is the way I see this exercise, but I will rather advise everybody to be calm and get prepared to carry out their functions because everybody

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House Committee leadership:

Dogara has been fair to all parties - Hon. Opiah Opiah is a member of one Committee or the other. We should be prepared to excel in our oversight functions which is core legislative functions and by so doing, the House will be happy for it, the nation will be happy and as well, the Speaker will be happy that he put committed people to various Committees. More so, nothing is permanent. If opportunity comes, he would leverage on shortcomings anywhere. As I speak with you, he is working hard to further recognize those who for some reasons are not happy in order to make up in one way or the other. There are other legislative assignments to be done, there are so much to be done and no one can do everything at a time and as time goes on, there will be Ad-hoc Committees, there will be legislative delegations and all manner of things that require to be handled by the House. He has been able to put round pegs in round holes. I am not saying this because I’m a Chairman of a Committee, because if I’m to assess and analyse, I wish I had been a Chairman of one other Committee or the other.

Reacting to the controversy trailing the House Committee leadership which was constituted last week by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, member representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru federal constituency, Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah, has absolved the Speaker of any blame. In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST’s Atek’ojo Samson Usman in Abuja, With Committees leadership shared almost equally between the ruling and opposition parties, do you think, the opposition will discharge its functions in line with the manifesto of the ruling party? I hope you know that political parties were the vehicles that brought us to National Assembly. It is just like boarding a vehicle from here to Kano and after arriving at a garage, passengers would disembark and the vehicle goes away. Political parties are the vehicles that brought us here as Parliamentarians and we are no longer playing party politics, but we here to legislate for good governance premised on welfare of Nigerians. What we are out for is to execute our legislative agenda for the 8th Assembly which has been our focus since it was adopted on the floor of the House. It is not about philosophy or agenda of any political party, what we have now is the agenda of Nigerian people. There was no problem with PDP members heading any Committee, when PDP was in Power in the last

the lawmaker urged the aggrieved members to overcome political sentiment and get prepared for governance which Nigerians expect from the 8th National Assembly. He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had not been fair to the Igbos in his appointments so far while also calling on him to assign grade ‘A’ ministries to Ministers from that zone. Excerpts:

16 years, members of other political parties also chaired Committees as well. So we cannot as PDP members interfere with manifesto of the ruling party. What we do is legislative which is common to all of us irrespective of party differences. As elected members of the House of Representatives, we are here to protect the interest of 360 federal constituencies across the federation. We are now in the last quarter of the year. What can you boast of since the inauguration? What will be the guarantee to your constituents that you will pursue their interest? Since June after our inauguration, I have been able to raise my voice on array of issues, through legislative agenda. I have been able to incorporate those things that directly impact on my constituents and I have moved motions of urgent national interest. Sincerely speaking, the only area we have not done well is the area of oversight functions because of the inability of the Executive to be properly constituted to enable us go into Ministries, agencies and parastatals and as a

result of this, there has been inactivity on part of the government. Things are standing still. No award of new contracts, those awarded by previous administration are not funded. There are federal roads in my constituency that are bad which the Federal government is not doing anything about and the state government is not helping matters and everything is lying comatose so to speak. I hope that in 2016 the interest of my constituency will be properly captured to be able to provide infrastructure for the people and I do hope that the President should realise that the people who voted for us also voted for him to take action in a manner that things should be different from what it used to be. We are hopeful and be rest assured that it will not be business as usual for my federal constituency. We cannot continue to be neglected, we cannot continue to be marginalised, my constituency is the only oil producing federal constituency in Imo State.

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OGWASHI-UKU: A Community under Siege by Kidnappers, Cultists By Valentine Franco

erpetual fear and apprehension may have become the lot of the people of Ogwashi-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha South local government area of Delta state, following the evil winds of kidnapping and cultism that have enveloped the community in recent times. DAILY POST investigations revealed that over the past six months, kidnappings and secret cult violence have claimed no fewer than twenty lives in the community, leaving the residents to scratch for answers to many of the puzzles that have remained unresolved. Although, Ogwashi-Uku have recorded countless cases of cult killings and kidnappings for ransom over the past three years, events of the past two months have seen a major resurgence in the wave of criminality in the ancient community. Only last Monday, October 26, 2015, a gang of five kidnappers abducted Mrs. Ifeoma Anwuzia, wife of the chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area. Hon. Isaac Anwuzia and her 3 year-old daughter, Miss Goodness Anwuzia at their family home along Agidiasei road in Ogwashi-Uku. DAILY POST gathered that the kidnapping of the chairman’s wife and daughter caused apprehension when the news filtered into the community, marking the high point of the tension and fear that had gripped residents of the community over the past two years. Community sources said the kidnappers stormed the chairman’s home Sunday night, held the guards hostage till Monday morning before they swooped on their target, as she made to drop her daughter in school. The kidnappers reportedly forced the woman and her daughter into the victim’s car, and drove away, before information filtered into the community, prompting a quick intervention from the police and community vigilante group, who gave the hoodlums a hot chase. A police source in the community, said police patrol teams and local vigilante pursued the kidnappers along the bushy Edo road, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victims mid-way and fled into the forest. “However, the police and vigilante youths mobilized and comb the forest and arrested two suspects, one Pascal Kure and Chinedu Obiazu, while three other suspects managed to escape,” the source said. During interrogation, the suspects told the police that a former driver and aide of the chairman, known as Aniekan, organized the kidnapping in order to obtain a ransom of ten million naira from the chairman. Also, last August, a 90 yearold grandmother, Madam Helen Ojeogwu was kidnapped in her family home at Azungwu village, in Ogwashi-Uku by hoodlums and held in captivity for five days, before the family secured the release of the old woman. Just like many other cases of kidnapping, the police said no ransom was paid for the release of the old woman, but many close

observers of the happenings in the community, believed many families pay ransoms in millions to secure freedom for their relatives. As kidnappings boom, so also secret cult killings have continued to intensify in the community, with bloodletting and chaos, amid violent attacks and executions among members of warring cult groups. During the peak of the crises, many youths of the community suspected to be involved in cultism and kidnapping, were killed, some by warring cult groups, and others, by the police and other security agents. Notable among those killed during the crises, which rocked the community between June and October, 2015, were over seven prominent cultists in the community, many of whom have been on the wanted list of the State Police Command. One of the kingpins, known as Odita, a final year HND student of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, who many people in the community feared, was executed alongside his close ally, one Chidi by the police in the heat of the unwarranted cult killings. The event that compelled the police to declare Odita wanted and his subsequent capture, followed a deadly shooting at a late night burial wake-keep in Azungwu village, which left three persons seriously injured. Community sources said the target of the shooting was a rival kingpin, popularly known as ‘Atuma’ who was seriously injured in the attack. After the attack, Atuma was reportedly taken to a nearby Ubulu-Uku community for orthodox medical attention, but his assailants traced him there and shot him dead. Following the killing of Atuma, the hitherto silent war degenerated into a full blown warfare between the rival cult groups, as reprisal killings enveloped the community and darkness descended upon the community, leaving in its trail, sorrows and blood. In response to the killings, the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr.Usman Baba Alkali gave a marching order to the police in the community to hunt down the cultists disturbing the peace of the community and bring them to book. With the support from military patrol teams and Police Dragon Squads from the state capital, the police nabbed Odita, who have been on the run, along with his ally, Chidi and executed them before displaying their corpses for the public to view. After the killing of Odita, more killings followed as the rival groups refused to sheath their swords, forcing many residents to stay indoors, just as many youths, suspected to be cultists, fled the community to avoid the consuming heat. A community leader, Chief Uche Okolie told DAILY POST in an interview that the deplorable security situation in the community has become worrisome and a source of concern to many indigenes of the community, both at home and in the diaspora. He argued that the wave of crime and criminality in the community if not checked, may force many sons and daughters of Ogwashi-Uku to

Okowa stay away from the community, most especially as the Christmas and New Year festivals drew closer. “The wave of criminality in Ogwashi-Uku is becoming alarming. As it is now, no one is safe because both the community leadership and the police are not doing enough to arrest the situation. “Without mincing words, not less than ten persons have been killed in the community in the past two months, majority of them, youths who are supposed to channel their energy into productive ventures. “It is so sad that many of our people are now afraid to visit the community, and with the Christmas and New Year approaching, the

“After the

killing of Odita, more killings followed as the rival groups refused to sheath their swords, forcing many residents to stay indoors, just as many youths, suspected to be cultists, fled the community to avoid the consuming heat”

community may be a ghost town, because many sons and daughters will stay away for fear of falling victims. Also, a youth leader in the community, Mr. Jossy Uzoechina, who expressed dismay at the deplorable security situation in Ogwashi-Uku, attributed the prevailing challenges facing the community to the agelong communal disharmony in the community. Although, Uzoechine, also blamed the police in the community for not doing enough to curtail criminality in the community, the youth leader however maintained that communal divisions among the natives have left the community helpless. He said: “The situation we find ourselves today is quite regrettable, because Ogwashi-Uku had never been so unsafe in the past. This present happenings in the community is as a result of failure of our community to stand as one. “With what is happening these days, I want to believe that we have all failed as a community. This is what you get when there is no unity, because we have factionalized our communal life to the detriment of our future.” Since the coming of kidnapping in the community, kidnappers have over the past five years taken prominent and wealthy members of the community hostage, causing daily apprehension for politicians and businessmen in the community. Some indigenes of the community who have tasted captivity in the hands of kidnappers include, Mrs. Mary Oduah, a proprietress of a private hospital in the community and Prof.(Mrs.) Kanene Okonjo, wife of the community monarch, and mother of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former federal minister and World Bank Vice-President. Others are Mr. Chiedu Mekoma, an oil tycoon, Mr. Afam Nduka, a past vice-chairman of the caretaker committee of the local government council, Pa Ranger Okafor, a prominent community leader, and Mrs. Regina Dainty, who was killed by her abductors for identifying one them.

The list which seems endless, also include Mr. Osita Ukwandu, an electronics merchant, Mr. Philip Okeleke, a Lagos-based businessman, Engr. Uzor Obi, a building contractor and a female school principal, whose name could not be ascertained. Though the police authorities in the state have insisted that the situation in Ogwashi-Uku is ‘under-control’, many of the community folks have cast doubt on the preparedness of the police in the community to arrest the situation. Recently, the State Police Command organized an interactive meeting of security stakeholders and community youth leaders and groups to dialogue together for a way forward in tackling challenges of criminalities in the communities. At the meeting, which had in attendance the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin-City, Mr. Musa Daura, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Alkali Usman, Divisional Police Officers(DPOs) and youth leaders from across the state, Mr. Emmanuel Nwani, the President-General of the Ogwashi-Uku Youths Association(OYA) called for a shake up in police formations in the community to strengthen the force in the discharge of its obligation to the people. He argued that many policemen in the community have become lenient due to their long-stay in a particular place, saying that those who have stayed over ten years and above in a place, have become counterproductive in the fight against criminality. The youth leader called on the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase to as a matter of urgency, redeploy any officer or rank and file who have stayed over ten years in a place in the course of his police service. “We have come to discover that when a policeman stays too long in a community, he is no longer active in the performance of his official duties, and he tends to be too lenient in the discharge of his duties. “We want the police authorities to look into this issue because many of them who have stayed up to ten years or more in a place are not helping matters in the communities they are policing.” Nwani argued that transferring such policemen would help to strengthen the operations of the police and improve the relationship between the police and the communities for the security and well-being of the people. The police commissioner, Mr. Alkali Usman, who acknowledged the challenges of manpower facing the command, however called for support and cooperation from community youths, which he said was key to efficiency in police intelligence work and execution. The police boss lauded the existing working relationship between the police and youths in the state, noting that the partnership have helped to achieve results. “Here in Delta state, there is community policing, the communities, youths and vigilante groups are supporting and complementing the efforts of the police in crime fighting and prevention. “Because the police cannot do it alone, I urge you to continue to support and assist the police with useful information, just like many of the vigilante groups are doing at the moment,” Usman said. As a major step towards a better working relationship, Usman called on the Divisional Police Officers, (DPOs), to hold regular interactive meetings with youths and community leaders in their domains to build confidence in them and in the people. The police boss said such working relationship, when properly harmonized would be of immense benefit in the collective efforts towards checkmating the activities of criminal elements in communities.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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dailypost.ng

Lifestyle

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

with Danielle Ogbeche danielle.ogbeche@dailypost.ng

Shed off all that weight! T

here are basically real but surprising reasons you’re not losing weight and you say ‘I’m not fat, I only have issues with my tissues.’ Despite your unyielding efforts to follow a strict yet healthy eating plan, have you hit a wall when it comes to weight loss? Counting calories and watching what you eat are essential to weight loss, but there are other factors that influence whether you drop pounds. Factors you haven’t even considered could be contributing to your lack of progress, but there is a big difference between just ‘trying’ and applying true as well as realistic methods of battling them head-on and getting back on your path to personal development. You’re chronically stressed: During periods of stress, the hormone cortisol is secreted from the adrenal glands. This hormonal imbalance can sabotage weight loss. You’re not getting enough sleep: Set a regular bedtime and wake time: Make sure to go to bed at around the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every day. Keep this consistent to get in sync with your body’s natural wake and sleep cycle. The reasons you have to work on that heavy weight are not far-fetched, however, you need to: Reduce risk of Cardiovascular problems, risk of Diabetes, Cancers and back Pain, respiratory problems, risk of Reproductive problems (for women). Eat at least, 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, daily. Keep your carbohydrates low to moderate when trying to lose weight. Drink at least a gallon of water per day. Keep away from junks. Meditate: Sit in a quiet place for several minutes each day and focus on one thing, such as your breathing, a phrase, or a peaceful scene. Exercise: Just 20 minutes a day can lower your stress hormone levels. Try walking, yoga, or biking to dissipate any extra energy.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

sports

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Holland drop Van Persie, Depay

Amir Khan confident over talks with Pacquiao

mir Khan is hopeful that he will still get a chance to face Manny Pacquiao in the spring, after revealing his camp was in negotiations with the Filipino. Pacquiao is expected to take the ring for his final fight on April 9 and Khan believes he is in the front-runner to face the multiple division world champion. Last week, Pacquiao claimed he was still hopeful of tempting Floyd Mayeather Jnr out of retirement, before he retires into politics. Khan had previously pulled out of talks with Pacquiao, but he has now confirmed negotiations are ongoing. “Talks are going really well,” Khan told The Hindu. “They (Pacquiao’s team) are speaking to my team, I have just left it to my team. “I fight anybody who is brought in front of me. If it’s Manny Pacquiao, it’s Manny Pacquiao. If not, then somebody else. “But we are still waiting for response on what’s going to happen. That’s why I took a little break and came to India just to get away from all that because negotiating for a fight is not easy.”

olland coach, Danny Blind has left out Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay for the upcoming friendly matches against Wales and Germany. The Dutch national team failed to qualify for Euro 2016 either via an automatic place or a spot in the play-offs. Both Van Persie and Depay were reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up, but Blind insists that it was not the reason he dropped both players. “I think he needs to improve, to get better at kickoff,” Blind said about Van Persie at a news conference. “Potentially, he is still the best striker.” Van Persie lost the national team captaincy to Wesley Sneijder in August and scored an o w n goal i n the 3-2 defeat t o Czech Republic in October. Depay recently lost his starting place in the Manchester United team and Blind has re-echoed Louis van Gaal’s remarks about the player doing more for the team. “In football you must function in a team. He doesn’t always do that.” Holland play Wales on November 13, before travelling to Hanover four days later.

FIFA presidency: Odegbami’s failure is his fault - NFF

Lampard urges Chelsea not to sack Mourinho F

ormer Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard has advised the club not to get rid of current manager, Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese is under pressure following a miserable start to this season and defeat to Liverpool over the weekend, which sees the Blues in 15th place with 11 points. There has been talk that some players are not willing to make an effort for Mourinho and Lampard says it would only reflect badly on the player himself. “Well, it is nonsense if it is happening - and I don’t believe it is,” he said. “I don’t think players at the top level can down tools. Your first responsibility as a player is to yourself - if you are downing tools, the only one who looks stupid is yourself. “This is not a great moment, this is not a time to flick the ball around the corner and have great games. This is a time for players to knuckle down and win games, maybe the hard way. These rumours around big players... the problem is when you are having a hard time, these stories become bigger. I don’t think those words would have been spoken, but it’s not great that they’re coming out.”

Lampard also spoke about stability at Stamford Bridge and pleaded with the club’s hierarchy not to sack Mourinho, who he insists is the best manager in Chelsea’s history. He added: “When you look at it, it is crazy [the numbers of managers Chelsea have had in the Roman Abramovich era]. But Chelsea is a unique club. I think there’s such a desire to win and a pressure to win. The owner, the board, they have taken the decisions to win, and to be fair to them, as Chelsea people we can’t complain. “We have had a lot of managers, and it might look messy, but we have got a lot of Premier League titles and a Champions League. What has been said recently is they want stability, so that’s the interesting thing to see now.”

castigating the leadership of he NiFIFA and CAF, which he brageria zenly copied to these eminent Football Federa- figures. “We consider Chief Odegba(NFF), has tion mi an elder statesman in Nislammed geria football, but he has been Odegbami for Segun throwing a lot of tantrums st again aign his camp lately. He has been accusing other the federation and very prominent and illustrious prominent Nigerian persons of so many things, and football figures, after he pretending to be a saint.” for slot a win failed to Yahaya-Kwande, also insist. the FIFA presidency that it was up to Odegbami ed Odegbami was to get the five nominations he unable to secure the needed apart from the NFF’s required five nominaendorsement. the on tions needed to put him “The NFF is aware that ballot for next year’s election bami reached out to the Odeg the with us furio been and has all Associations of GhaFootb Orji and u NFF, Dr Amos Adam Benin Republic and Togo, na, Uzor Kalu. Zambia. How is his failure the “We are thoroughly disapfault of the NFF? pointed at the conduct of Chief They told him to his face bid,” failed his Odegbami since they were opposed to that anHon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kw him because of his statements de, Chairman of the NFF Meagainst the President of CAF, dia and Publicity Committee, who is now Acting FIFA Presstated. ident. “He was his own big problem, with the letter he wrote

daily post sports Everyone is against us - Sunshine Stars captain, Sunday

aptain of Sunshine Stars, Abe Sunday has claimed that everybody is against his team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The Akure Gunners have slumped to sixth place on the table, despite showing early promise and are no longer contenders for the title. Sunshine were beaten 1-0 at home by Lobi Stars on Sunday, a result, which ended their chances of playing in next season’s CAF Champions League. “I’m really sad because this is not the position we bargained for at the beginning of the season. Honestly, I’m very sick,” Sunday told Goal. “Our current position is not a true reflection of our strength. We give our best and play great football but the results have always gone against us. This gives us lots of worries. “Everyone, especially the referees seem to be against us since the second stanza of the season and that has not helped our course. The same happened when we hosted Lobi Stars and went a goal down before the game was abandoned. “Having lost the chance to win the league title or pick a ticket to play in the CAF Champions League, we will try very hard to win the rest of our matches to stand a chance of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup. “And should we fail to play on the continent, we will review what went wrong with the hope of doing well next season.” Sunshine Stars have 53 points from 35 games and will face Bayelsa United in their next league game.

with

‘Ifreke Inyang

ifreke.inyang@dailypost.ng

“When you reach my level it’s difficult to learn from others, you have to learn from yourself. I learn day by day.” - Jose Mourinho dailypost.ng

Wednesday, November 4 - Tuesday, November 10, 2015

N100

ONLY ONE WAYNE OUT by ‘Ifreke Inyang

lan Pardew is not everyone’s cup of tea. But the Crystal Palace manager always seems to figure out things. At least, in the opposition team. It was Pardew, who identified Branislav Ivanovic, as the weak link in Chelsea’s defence ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge in August. “We doubled up on him a little in the first half, with Sako and Wilf (Zaha),” he said after the game. His tactic worked a treat. Palace won 2-1. Last weekend, his team held Louis van Gaal’s expensively-assembled team to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park. And there was more interesting soundbite from Pardew. “We didn’t give Martial an inch today. Not an inch,” he declared proudly. “It was a big target for us to stop him and we felt that if we could stop him we could stop their creative angle. And when you take into account his age, that’s some recommendation.”

The problem here, is that Van Gaal does not rate the young French striker this highly. Martial operated from the left wing and never threatened the Palace goal. Alongside him in attack, was captain Wayne Rooney, who endured another anonymous performance. The England man failed to touch the ball inside the opposition penalty area and the pair managed just one shot on target between them. Let’s face it. Rooney is no longer the explosive force he was. Rooney announced himself to the world, with a thunderous strike against Arsenal. But Martial is a new kid on the block. Although his arrival was overshadowed by the big transfer fee United will potentially pay for him, he made us sit up and pay attention with a stunning strike against Liverpool on his debut. That goal summed up the former Monaco player’s abilities. He is quick, elusive and a potent finisher. With Van Gaal’s philosophy centred around heavy possession these days, United can make do with some spark and individual

I am better than Messi - Ronaldo R

eal Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has declared he is the best player in the world ahead of Lionel Messi. The Portuguese captain won the Ballon d’Or prize in the last two years ahead of Messi and has been in good form for the La Liga team. Despite the Argentine being the favourite for the next award after winning the Treble with Barcelona, Ronaldo insists he is the best. When asked about his rival’s achievements, Ronaldo told El Pais: ”It doesn’t bother me. “If you look back over my past eight years, I’ve always been at the peak; and that is difficult. Name me someone else who has done it? After that, being No.1 or No.2 is a matter of small details, such as if you win trophies or not. “Perhaps for you, Messi is the best; in my head, I am the best – and everyone should think that about ourselves. That is why I have been able to achieve so much

in my career. “It was hard for me to watch Messi picking up several Ballon d’Ors. I’d be thinking, ‘Why should I go to the gala?’’

brilliance. Rooney used to bring that and more. But he has lost a yard of pace and his first touch makes you wince. There has been talk of him moving into midfield as a ‘10’. It is quite interesting that Van Gaal tried to switch things in the second half, by trying Martial in the central position, while Rooney was shifted out to the left. Although it did not yield any positive, surely that has to be the way forward. Afterwards, Van Gaal admitted he does not know the 19-year-old’s best position. “We don’t know yet because he played always in Monaco as a left winger,” he said. “As manager, I have to see what is the best balance in the team. That’s not so simple, so I have to decide every week dependable on the game plan and qualities of opponent, and so on.” This sounds as if the Dutchman is not eager to sacrifice Rooney upfront. But that is a decision that now looks overdue every passing week.

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Golden Eaglets to face Mexico in semi-final

igeria will take on Mexico in the semi-final of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile on Thursday. Two-time champions Mexico, qualified for the last four with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador and will be seeking their pound of flesh, when they take on the Golden Eaglets. The North Americans were defeated by Nigeria twice in the competition two years ago. First, the defending champions hammered them 5-1 in a group game, before winning 3-0 in the final. African champions Mali, will take on the winner between Belgium and Costa Rica in their semi-final.

Fury ‘may retire’ after Klitschko bout

ritish heavyweight, Tyson Fury has admitted he may retire after his world title fight against Wladimir Klitschko this month. Fury, who is currently undefeated, will take on reigning champion, Klitschko for his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in Dusseldorf on November 28. “After this fight, I won’t have anything else to achieve and I’m on to a new part of my life,” Fury told BBC Sport. “If I’ve not got the motivation to carry on anymore; then, what would be the point?” The bout was initially scheduled for last month, but Klitschko pulled out with a calf injury. Fury says motivation could also be an issue for the Ukrainian. “He’s got tons of money, he’s been successful for 11 years as a champion. What more does a man need? That’s what’s going to let him down on the night,” he said. “But you’ve got to give him credit where credit is due because to take on a young, ambitious guy like myself who’s taller, bigger, faster, younger is a challenge in itself.”

Published by Daily Post Media Limited, 308B, Murtala Mohammed Way, Yaba, Lagos. Email: newsdesk@dailypost.ng, advert@dailypost.ng. Phone: Newsroom: 07085753069, Advert hotline: 07062594490. Website: dailypost.ng. Social Media: facebook.com/NigeriaDailyPost, twitter.com/@dailypostngr Vol 1 Edition 11 ISSN:2449-1128