Daily Times Newspaper 11th August 2015

PDP, APC in war of words over economy, policies

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏAfter a brief

lull, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) returned to the trenches again on Monday.

This time, they argued on the direction of the party in power and its economic policies.

While the PDP claimed that many of the projects and policies being executed by the governing party, the APC declared that it would not be distracted by the antics of the

former ruling party.

The PDP, in a statement by its national spokesman Olisa Metuh, urged the APC to stop appropriating the achievements of past administration as theirs.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.167

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 7th August 2015.

MOBIL

165

5.00

3.03%

7UP

194

1.50

0.77%

FO

204

-4.00

-1.96%

PZ

33.05

-1.46

-4.42%

DANGCEM

185

4.00

2.16%

PRESCO

32

1.00

3.13%

NB

131.5

-3.50

-2.66%

UACN

36.25

-0.75

-2.07%

Palace imposes day curfew over Ooni g6

Ï dƐ ƕ ƇƇ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƏƆƆƐ ƇƏ ƌ Ö ƌ Ɛ ƿƍƌè Ɔ Ɨ Ƈ Oro cult tells men, women

(L-R) Prof. Pat Utomi, Founder/CEO, Centre for Values in Leadership and Chairman, Panel of Judges for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative; Mr. Victor Famuyibo, Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., and Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of the company at the inauguration of the panel of judges for the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in Lagos ... at the weekend

Ministry diverted $1b foreign loan g 4 – Perm Sec

Tafida: Obasanjo’s aides were corruptg

4

Truck kills couple, four others in Ondo g7

Deputy Speaker, Lasun absent at summit on Osun’s crisis g12 UK student who stabbed Nigerian teacher jailed 11 years g 6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial The Proposed Return of a National Carrier

L

ast Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation to step up action on the establishment of a new national carrier. The directive came during a briefing of the President at the State House by officials of the ministry.

According to Buhari, a country like Nigeria, touted as the largest economy on the African continent, should have a national air carrier. And without doubt, owning a national carrier should be something of pride for Nigeria.

It would be recalled, however, that the country had a national carrier known as Nigeria Airways, which was established in 1958 to replace the West Africa Airways Corporation (WAAC).

Unfortunately, the Nigeria Airways went the way of many great Nigerian project, and became defunct in 2003 following mounting insolvency, mismanagement, inefficiency, corruption and poor safety record. At the time of liquidation, the airline was left with a debt of $60,000,000 and only one aircraft flying domestic routes as well as two leased planes operating on the international network. From a fleet of 32 aircraft in 1979, only two were operational by 1999. Nevertheless, while the airline flopped, some of those who managed it over the years prospered obscenely.

Critics have accused past administrations of liquidating the airline through controversial a privatisation exercise that enabled some top government functionaries to acquire the company’s upscale properties in some major cities of the country and Europe.

Much as we see that liquidation exercise as shady and contrived to feed the rapacious greed of those in power at the time, it is in order caution against any haste to bring back a national carrier.

This position is informed by the belief that government lacks the business acumen to run airlines profitably. For example, ministry officials at the briefing session admitted that private airlines were facing a huge cash crunch despite N300billion Central Bank intervention

fund. If private airlines that are supposed to be profit oriented still labour to stay afloat in the Nigerian skies, one may justifiably question how a carrier established solely for national prestige would turn in profits to maintain its operations, without going cap in hand to government for subventions.

We must also ask: when operational, will the carrier still face the same regulatory regime as is presently the case, or will it operate under a different legal framework? Furthermore, will it be run on a strictly commercial basis with profit motive that will allow the airline to fly on its own wings, or be grounded if that be the case? For example, it was common knowledge that almost all top government functionaries such as state governors, ministers, federal and state legislators, top military personnel, directors and board members including members of their families and hangerson never paid for flying on the defunct Nigeria Airways. It was not out of place to see some of the company’s planes carrying passengers holding complimentary tickets issued to them by airline officials.

Such underhand dealings constituted a huge financial drain and negatively affected the operations of the carrier.

Perhaps the President had the success of such venerable carriers like Ethiopian, Kenyan and South African airlines in mind in giving the directive. It must be emphasised that those airlines are run strictly along commercial models that emphasise profit, and without government interference. Anyone boarding planes belonging to those airlines must pay the prevailing rate like everyone else no matter how highly placed in government or society.

We are yet to be convinced that a new airline at this time would change the way government owned businesses are run in Nigeria. One viable option, perhaps, is for such a carrier to be run in partnership with competent private investors from any part of the world.

This would help instil the discipline that is imperative in such an enterprise.

Lessons from Cameroun, Niger and Chad Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎImagine

what would happen in Nigeria if in an effort to checkmate the Boko Haram insurgents, the Federal Government bans the wearing of full face veil (Hijab) by Muslim women or shuts down mosques?

Hell will be let loose, of course! Many innocent Nigerians will be sent to their untimely graves, courtesy of the crisis that would follow, with property worth billions of Naira going up in flames. In fact, the chaos that would follow such action is better imagined than experienced.

But that is not what has

happened in Cameroun, Niger and Chad, Nigeria’s neighbours.

Camerounian authorities recently ordered all mosques and Islamic centres to be shut in its northern part. The region had earlier banned the wearing of full face veil (Hijab) by Muslim women.

Authorities in Diffa area of Republic of Niger, which shares borders with Nigeria, also last week banned the wearing of Islamic full face veil following suicide attacks in the region by women wearing the religious garment.

Also, Chad, another of Nigeria’s neighbours, not long ago restricted the wearing of full face veil by Muslim women.

The three countries took the actions and their citizens have taken them

Words On Marble :

in their strides. They realise that such actions by their governments are necessary and temporary steps to stop the Boko Haram insurgents from over-running their territories. They understand that their governments mean well; so do the Muslim population in the three countries.

But not so in Nigeria where people are fixated in their ways and opinions and ready to go to war over moves seen to be against their religion. This is unfortunate. So, Nigerians need to take a cue from citizens of Cameroun, Niger and Chad who have elected to live with the actions of their governments, acknowledging that humanism is the first law of God for man (and woman)!

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Segun Osoba

Philip Asiodu

Ojo Maduekwe

““Nobody can claim to be the only hero in any society. Society is a team.”

“What we need in this country is not to have all corrupt people in court; rather two or three cases should be focused on and positively pursued to get justice.”

“Whatever we do should be to the benefit of Nigerian citizens.

If it is not about the benefit of Nigeria citizens, then what are we doing?

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

‘Finance Ministry diverts $1b loan’ Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammed Buhari on Monday demanded explanations from the Ministry of Finance on the diversion of foreign

loans obtained for rail projects to other purposes.

Buhari said that it was disappointing to find that the loans, obtained in line with signed agreements, were moved from one

project to another.

He spoke after a presentation on the Ministry of Transport by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to

Outgone Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, receiving gifts from the Nigerian Council of Elders in the UK at a farewell ceremony held in his honour in London ... at the weekend. Photo: ADE OMOLOJA

a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

“I hope that due process was followed before such diversions were carried out,” Buhari was quoted as saying, adding: “Taking money from one project to another has to be done properly.”

The statement noted that Buhari was reacting to an instance of diversion of a substantial part of the loan of USD1.005 billion from the Chinese Exim Bank, obtained for the construction of a standard gauge rail line linking Lagos and Kano but which was moved elsewhere.

It said the Permanent Secretary had informed the President that only USD 400 million of that loan remained with the Ministry

Obasanjo’s aides were corrupt – Tafida Ngozi Okafor, London

PDP, APC in verbal war over economy, policies Continued from page 1 In reaction, the APC’s spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the record of the PDP as the party in power for 16 years was so appalling that nobody in their right minds would want to copy what he described as the former administration’s discredited policies.

The opposition party stated: “For instance, how do we explain APC’s spirited effort to make the public believe that the equipping of the country’s military for the fights against insurgency; the turn-around of the nation’s oil refineries; and the poliofree certification of Nigeria were products of their government, even when it is common knowledge that they have not been able to find their bearing for governance since their election into office.”

It continued: “If the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki had not been courageous enough to release those incontrovertible facts that the Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration actually fortified the country’s military before leaving office in May, the APC would have succeeded in its propaganda against that administration and led Nigerians to believe that the equipping was a product of President Buhari’s recent diplomatic shuttles.

“It is an obvious fact that before the May 29 handover to the APC, the Nigerian armed forces, using these equipment sourced under the watch of the PDP government, had already pushed the insurgents to the verge of surrender in the Sambisa forest, only for them to now resurge under the APC-led government due to apparent lack of direction and confusion that have characterized this administration.

“In the same way, this government has positioned itself to claim credit for the turn around and resuscitation of some of the nation’s oil refineries without reference to the past administration that initiated and executed the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the facilities years back, which dividends the nation now enjoys and which we expect will result in steady supply of petroleum products in our nation.

“Similarly, informed Nigerians note with dismay how the APC administration has been celebrating the certification of Nigeria as polio-free in the last one year by the World Health Organization (WHO) without giving credit to the PDP-led government under whose watch the feat was achieved.

“While the PDP well understands the nervousness of the APC and its government in the challenge of fulfilling their bogus promises upon

which they rode to power, such does not in any way rationalise the resort to deceit and flagrant appropriation of another’s achievements, a thing no serious, credible and honest government will do”, it said.

The PDP added that instead of trying to poach achievements to earn an undeserved praise, the APC and its government should brace up, articulate a precise economic policy, assemble an economic team and urgently commence the delivery of their promises for which they were voted.

The party said it finds it unacceptable, not withstanding the reasons being adduced, for a government, in a democratic setting, to run for almost three months without a cabinet and any policy direction whatsoever.

It said, “This is the first time since independence that our nation has stayed without a complete composition of government for three months. Unfortunately, the negative effect of this anomaly, which has taken a huge toll on the country’s economy and the welfare of Nigerians, will be with us in the coming years.

“We express this concern against the backdrop of information that unpatriotic persons close to governContinued on page 6

of Finance.

President Buhari, the statement said, regretted that government had, over the years, failed to meet its counterpart funding obligation on some projects, leading to such projects being left uncompleted or abandoned.

He added that there was a need to streamline, harmonize, and prioritize on-going projects in the transportation sector.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry also briefed the President on other challenges facing the transport and maritime sectors such as encroachment on railway land, lack of security on inland waterways and the confused nature of agreements between the Nigeria Ports Authority and ports concessionaires.

ÏÏÏFormer

President Olusegun “Obasanjo was not corrupt, but the people around him were.”

Those were the words on Monday of the outgoing Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, in an interview with the media at the Mission in London on Monday.

He, however, declined identifying the aides of the former President whom he believes ought to face corruption charges.

Also, although Tafida refrained from specifically mentioning his predecessor, Dr. Christopher Kolade, he scored the tenure of his predecessor as below par.

Tafida, a former physician to Second Republic President Shehu Shagari, also spoke about former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as well as the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and Obasanjo.

A former senator during the Second Republic and the Director -General of the presidential election campaign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011, Tafida also disclosed that derogative comments by the former First Lady about Northerners might have contributed to the loss of the then ruling party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Asked what in his opinion

caused his party to lose the presidential election to APC, Tafida said: “Our dear First Lady rubbished us – northerners – with the comment that “do the northern women just want to be bearing children for their husbands to then pick up the pieces?”

Tafida added: “That one - derogative comment - alone could have contributed to the failure.”

He noted that it was impossible for the party to expect to win the North with such uncomplimentary comments.

But he went further and described President Jonathan did his best for Nigeria.

He said: “Jonathan was a workaholic. He was a hard-working man,” an attribute he said, people didn’t know about the former president.

He described former President Shagari as “decent, quiet and incorruptible.”

On the state of the Mission when he assumed office, he said: “Nothing was working when I came in, in 2008, and even though the then Minister of Foreign Affairs was informed, “nothing happened for one and a half years.”

Tafida also said that when he took over, not only did he have to contend with a leaking roof, “the vehicle the former ambassador was using in 2008 was purchased in 2000.”

Moreover, “when I came, we were in the red by more than £3 million.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

ǣʹͲͲͺ ͳ Ͳ Ͳ ͻ

5

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Palace imposes day curfew over Ooni Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏIn a test of wills between mo-

dernity and tradition, the Ile Ife palace has declared a 9am to 4pm curfew for Wednesday (tomorrow) to conclude the rite of passage of the demised foremost Yoruba traditional ruler, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

The death of the monarch, which had for about two weeks been denied by the palace, will be formally announced by the cult after the curfew for the dreaded cult known as “oro.”

Two legal practitioners who spoke to the Daily Times on Monday night declared that the day curfew is a breach of the people’s constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of movement. They also wondered how such a proclamation could be made in this age, particularly if a medical emergency arises during the period.

The Daily Times had reported on Monday the fears of the residents that an important ingredient for the burial rites was missing, a phrase they interpreted to mean the Aboba

ku, one who dies with a monarch.

The Yoruba tradition believes that a monarch cannot embark on the journey to the great beyond unaccompanied.

During the lifetime of the monarch, a person is named for the role and is said to enjoy immense benefits with the monarch.

At the demise of the traditional ruler, the Abo ba ku meekly surrenders to death.

Although unconfirmed, residents of the town were on Monday reported by the Daily Times to be afraid that the unidentified person had gone underground.

An aide of the Osun State Government, who spoke under anonymity denied knowledge of the curfew. The aide told the Daily Times: “The Governor has been busy with the Osun summit and he also made a dash to Ilesa over Sunday night’s market fire. We have no hand in any curfew.”

Meanwhile, the official proclamation of the demise of Oba Sijuwade will be made public on Wednesday (tomorrow), according to the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti.

Oba Adereti, who is also the head of the Oro cult in Ile Ife, made the disclosure on Monday while speaking on the preparation of the burial of the monarch who was said to have passed on at the Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

According to the traditional ruler, who spoke for the first time on the reported demise of the foremost monarch, the Oro festival is the final rite of passage for an Ooni.

He stated that 9am to 4pm on Wednesday has been fixed for the final pronouncement of the demise of Ooni.

Additionally, Oba Adereti informed all residents, male and female, to remain indoors during the rite.

He declared that after the Oro and proclamation, subsequent rites would follow.

The monarch added that though only females are normally barred when Oro festival is being held, this time round, it has no respect for any gender.

The monarch added: “This is an official statement from the palace

of Awara of Iwara-Ife who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday 12th August 2015, there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife. The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife. “The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro deity will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay in-door for the period when the Oro will be out.”

Two Lagos State-based legal practitioners, Messrs Tunde Popoola and Chris Okorocha told the Daily Times that the day curfew contradicts section 41 of the constitution.

It reads: (1) “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society(a) imposing restrictions on the

residence or movement of any person who has committed or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence in order to prevent him from leaving Nigeria; or (b) providing for the removal of any person from Nigeria to any other country to:(i) be tried outside Nigeria for any criminal offence, or (ii) undergo imprisonment outside Nigeria in execution of the sentence of a court of law in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty: Provided that there is reciprocal agreement between Nigeria and such other country in relation to such matter.

Popoola said: “Nothing in these provisions allows any group of Nigerians to impose restrictions on other citizens, particularly at day time. What happens in an emergency? If a woman falls into labour, or someone suddenly falls critically ill? What about travelers from villages who may not have access to radio and newspapers and may have cause to visit Ile Ife during the period?

“This curfew is a test case whether Nigeria is in the 21st Century or is still locked in the 13th Century.”

PDP, APC in war of words Continued from page 4

Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mohammed; Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 at a stakeholders conference in Abuja… on Monday

ment are already hounding civil servants for inflated concessions, allocations, jobs and other favours being unduly granted, making the system fertile for heavy financial sleazes in the absence of appropriate statutory supervising officers.

UK court jails student who stabbed Nigerian teacher Ngozi Okafor, London

ÏÏÏA

14-year-old pupil who stabbed his 50-year-old Nigerian teacher, Vincent Uzomah, early in June, was on Monday sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by a Bradford Crown Court in the United Kingdom.

The crime was committed at the Dixons Kings Academy, Bradford, where Uzomah a Nigeriatrained Engineer was a supply (temporary) teacher.

The convict could be released on license in three years.

The court heard that the student - who cannot be named being a minor- not only discussed the stabbing with a friend a day before the incident, but also boasted

about it on Facebook and got at least “69 likes.”

Judge Durham Hall described the conduct of those who liked the crime as sick, noting further that “it’s an appalling reflection on a small microcosm of our society that within minutes or hours after posting, 69 people liked. How sick?”

Jailing the boy of Asian descent, Hall told him: “You boasted about it before, you boasted about it after when you had stabbed him.”

The judge added: “What you did to Vincent Uzomah was of such shocking seriousness that this man sitting in court, a God-fearing gentleman, first of all thought he was going to die.”

He specifically noted that, “you have, by your actions, changed his life.”

The prosecutor, Jonathan Sharp, told the court that “the Crown’s case in consequence is that the attack was, at least in part, racially motivated.”

Sharp said that prior to the day of the attack, the teenager had told a friend that he was planning to stab a teacher and then followed this up by taking a knife with a “substantial blade “ into school on June 11, when he then knifed the teacher in the stomach, after the latter asked him to bring his mobile phone - to prevent causing disruption in the science lesson.

Sharp said also that on the morning that Uzomah was

stabbed in the classroom , the boy , according to witnesses , was “getting angry, red in the face and putting his head down and muttering the words bastard ,” among others.

Speaking after the boy was jailed, the Nigerian who was in court with his wife, said: “As a Christian, I have forgiven this boy who inflicted this pain and trauma on myself and my family.”

The boy, meanwhile, yawned as the sentence was being read.

Uzomah , in a prepared statement, said he prayed that the boy would use the opportunity presented to him to change his life.

Prior to stabbing Uzomah, the boy already had a criminal record.

“This is in addition to the avoidable economic downturn now manifesting in the abandonment of ongoing infrastructural projects, crippling of foreign and domestic investments and continued slide in the money and capital markets.

“Finally, we want to reiterate our earlier call on Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, who for obvious reasons is surrounded by people whose divergent personal interests have become a huge burden on our dear nation, the integrity of this government, the health of our economy and sustenance of our democracy”, it declared.

But Mohammed, in a statement entitled: “Buhari Administration will not be deterred by orchestrated distractions,” declared that the “distractions being orchestrated by certain elements in the polity would not deter the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from its avowed determination to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of those who areholding the country by the jugular.”

The party said that the people, “including fringe elements, who have frenetically engaged in fault finding with the Buhari Administration,” were those who either had skeletons in their cupboards or were acting at their behest, “for a fee.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11 , 2015

Truck kills couple, four others in Ondo accident Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏ A road accident has claimed

the lives of a couple along Isikan road, in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It was learnt that the road crash was caused by a timber truck whose driver lost control of his vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Friday Ambrose, hit the couple who were on a motorcycle.

The reckless driver also knocked down two other victims who were said to be at the roadside. ”The timber truck with the registration number Lagos XN 968

AKD, was coming from Arakale area of the town when it swerved off its lane and faced the opposite direction, while hitting the victims” a source said.

The source disclosed that the driver of the truck came out uninjured while the victims of the incident died instantly. Although, their identities could not be immediately confirmed.

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, confirmed the crash and said the cyclists whom he identified as Damilola Babutunde died, while the passenger of the bike was injured by the truck.

“The accident occurred when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle and ran over the motorcycle that was parked beside the road, initially injuring the driver and the passenger.

Crisis brews at Alvan Ikoku varsity over alleged college proposal Val okara Owerri

ÏÏÏThe atmosphere at the Al-

van Ikoku University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, was tense, on Monday, when the staff and students staged a peaceful protest over purported Federal government plan to revert it to a college of education.

The protesters blocked the ever busy Orlu-Owerri Road to the restricting of vehicular movements.

Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read: “No to change our University, Senators and House of Representation Members uphold our University Status. Nigerians plead with Mr President to allow our University stand. Federal College of Educa-

Buhari tasks elite on Nigeria's challenges Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari, Monday, in Abuja, called on Nigeria’s elite to be prepared to contribute more meaningfully towards helping the country overcome its current challenges.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari threw the challenge at an audience with the out-going President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Donald Kaberuka, at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari, according to Adesina, said that privileged and influ-

tion No, University Yes! Forward ever, backward never, Mr President don’t take away our University from us”.

Addressing the demonstrators, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union (ASUU) of the institution, Mrs. Ukachi Wachukwu, said that the action of the staff and students was in response to available information that the Presidency had concluded plans to revert the University to its original position as a College of Education.

Wachukwu who is also the Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the University noted that the protest was to nip the alleged plan in the bud, as she dismissed those behind the plan as self-seeking individuals. ential citizens clearly had to do more now than in the past to help the country deal successfully with its economic and security problems.

“With the shock of falling oil prices, lack of revenues, and insecurity, the Nigerian elites must now wake up and provide the right guidance in their communities, and also lead the economy on the right path more than they used to do,’’ the President said.

President Buhari also told Kaberuka that his administration would welcome more support from the AfDB for projects in versatile sectors like agriculture that could easily be explored to create more jobs for unemployed Nigerians.

"An impression has been erroneously created that we are a rich country but looking at the economic profile of the country today, you will see that that is not necessarily the case" he said.

7 News

Outgone General Officer Commanding, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.Gen. Tamunomieibi Dibi (left) handing over the insignia of the division to his successor, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet during the handing and taking over ceremony held at the headquarters of the division at Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos... on Monday

Anti-graft war: Sagay heads 7-man Presidential Advisory Panel Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, named a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption with Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist, as the head.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the committee was to advise the Buhari administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, adding that it was also expected to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms.

Other members of the anti-

corruption team are Prof. Femi Odekunle, Professor of Criminology, Ahmadu Bello University; Dr. (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu, Associate Professor of International Law, University of Jos; Prof. E. Alemika, Professor of Sociology, University of Jos and Professor Sadiq Radda Professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano.

Also in the committee are Hadiza Bala Usman, Civil Society Activist and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, who is the Executive Secretary of the Committee.

“In support of the Federal Government’s efforts, an Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners namely the Ford

Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.

"The $5 million fund is to assist in the implementation of key components of the Action Plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.

“The fund will be managed by Trust Africa, an international development civil society organisation with programme presence in more than 25 African countries,” Adesina said.

Buhari

Benue urges residents to vacate water-prone areas ahead opening of dam Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏ

Following repeated warnings by the National Emergency Management Agency that the Lagdo Dam in the Cameroon shall release water which would affect four states in Nigeria – including Benue, its Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Hon. Nicholas Wende, has appealed to those living by the banks of River Benue to vacate their homes to avoid a repeat of the flood disaster that rocked the state in 2012.

He said the government had been informed that the water had already been released, saying a team had been set up to

monitor the water level on daily basis with a view to advising those living in flood-prone areas to vacate their houses at the appropriate time.

Hon. Wende, who gave the charge recently during an inspection of flooded areas, in Makurdi metropolis, said that residents of Makurdi and other towns in the state, whose houses had been constructed on waterways to expect demolition soon.

According to him, “the obstruction of free flow of water on waterways, as well as proper drainage system and meandering of waterways by illegal structures are responsible for the problem of flooding in the

state.”

Wende identified residents which could be affected by the flood to include Egume Street, Tyo Demekpe and Ahmadu Coomassie Street all in Wadata area, as well as Hanti Hotel, Idye, Vandeikya Street along Ishaya Bakut Road, amongst others, but solicited the co-operation of those living in flood-prone areas, in order to tackle the problem of flooding.

He insisted that: “The construction of illegal structures on drainage channels was 85% responsible for the problem of flooding in the state but the ministry under me would adopt a holistic approach in finding a permanent solution to the problem.”

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Politics

Æs

Octogenarian takes a swipe at OBJ for castigating Awo Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr

Adio Mosanya

Awolowo

Obasanjo

One of the founders of the radical Action Group Youths Association, AGYA (Railway Station, Mushin) in the early 60s and Awoist for life, Comrade Jacob Adebayo Adio Mosanya has reacted to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s constant swipe at the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The octogenarian who spoke with Daily Times at his residence in Agege area

of Lagos wondered why Obasanjo cannot forget Awolowo even in death, saying he should be ashamed that the legacies of both military and democratic rule he is leaving for posterity is one of high grade corruption and disregard for the rule of law.

Adio Mosanya who is still fiery and radical at 86 said: “It is 28 years now that Awolowo died; still Obasanjo is always

Buhari will deliver on his campaign promises – Arthur Eze Prince Arthur Eze, a Nigerian oil tycoon and a philanthropist in this interview with AUGUSTINE AMINU says Nigerians should in the shortest time expect the change promised by the Buhari-led administration. He also cleared the air on the issue of his alleged debt to WEMA Bank. Excerpts: Nigeria was once described as a land of promise, were did we get it wrong?

Like the words of Chinua Achebe, things actually fall apart, but we are lucky now that we have somebody like Buhari (President Muhammadu) who God has sent to come and liberate our country, Nigeria.

Nigerians in no time will understand that God sent Buhari to change Nigeria. If you observe now, corruption has stopped, electricity is working for three weeks and our refineries are now working.

The name Buhari rings a bell; he is a man of honesty. Anybody who hears about Buhari, including myself, tries to put everything in order. Nigeria needs this kind of leadership to grow and regain its lost glory.

Do you think this present administration has what it takes to fight corruption, given the fact that some persons alleged he is selective…

(Cuts in…) Forget about what the criminals are saying, is he arresting anybody now? If you are corrupt, he doesn’t care who you are, he arrests you; you have to go and answer questions, because the money we are talking about is money for Nigerians, and some people stole and put in their pockets. Some, five billion, two billion or one billion or three

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Osun: Why Aregbesola is Jittery Over Justice Oloyede’s Petition – Rights Activist As controversy continue to rages over the petition authored by a serving Judge of an Osun State High Court, Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede, a human rights activist in the State and Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO), Comrade Adeniyi, Sulaiman has wondered why the State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has become jittery over the petition.

According to him, Governor Aregbesola has started running from pillar to post because he knew all the information and allegation raised in the petition are truth and correct.

Aregbesola had at the weekend declared that the allegations against him in the petition was baseless and also took a swipe at Journalists for celebrating the petition in the media.

But Comrade Sulaiman insistCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Arthur Eze billion, just one person; somebody’s money, people’s money.

It is my belief that God brought Buhari to show them, to teach them a lesson.

It is surprisingly that God kept him alive for 12 years fighting for the poor and for the needy. God doesn’t make mistake, Buhari would catch them even if I am involved let him jail me. My advice

is that we should all work for legitimate money.

What difference do you think Buhari will make…

Cuts in… Buhari will change the economy, because the investors are coming to Nigeria now, big oil companies are coming back. They have confidence in the man in charge of affairs now.

The international communities

see Buhari as a man with direction, he doesn’t give, he doesn’t take.

The Europeans, the Americans are happy, Buhari would change Nigeria and there will be total stability in the country. Like I always say, if Buhari doesn’t change Nigeria, nobody would CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Aregbesola

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

9 Politics

Corruption war: Buhari not selective – Eze

Arthur Eze CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

change Nigeria in our lifetime again. The change he promised, he is working on them already, so we should not be in a hurry, he is doing it and I believe so much in him that he will change this country and he has started already.

Now all of us have to support him. He is fighting for the new generation. I am an old man that is why you have to support him and change your life. He has started changing the lives of Nigerians, the widows, the orphans and the needy. That is the will of God. By the grace of God, I believe we will see a significant change in so many areas very soon especially in the areas of security.

President Buhari’s visit to the United States, what your views?

Doors of opportunities for Nigeria. The visit will reaffirm solid economic ties between the United States and Nigeria. The visit has come a long way to prove that America and Nigeria will work together for the benefit of all. This is time for Nigeria and the entire Africa to begin to realise the good things that the person of President Buhari has attracted. It is my belief that if we utilize these golden opportunities, Nigeria will begin to witness great developments.

Towards the end of the last administration, there was this struggle and agitation for oil licenses; what is the true situ-

ation of the things?

The fact is Diezeani is greedy, she didn’t give oil block to anybody; she was busy giving it to her friends.

She and others like her caused the problem in the oil industry in Nigeria but you know what?

General Buhari has been President of Nigeria and also a former oil minister; he knows the oil industry very well; he is a man who has ability to take the decision as it affects Nigerian oil sector.

He has been in the system for a very long time, that is why God brought him back. Every one of us is supporting him because God has given him power.

Why do you like doing business across Africa?

I think God was pushing me.

God has pushed me to about 11 or 13 countries in Africa; God is the secret. I don’t want to commit fraud. Forget all the nonsense they publishing on newspapers, that I am owing one WEMA Bank. In my entire life and as a businessman I’m not owing any bank.

If any bank says am owing them, let them show me letter of application for loan. I never borrowed any money from WEMA Bank.

The company that borrowed money from them is Genesis Electricity, Genesis Electricity borrowed money from them, I didn’t borrow, I am Chairman of Genesis Energy, they want to use my name to make money, but I am going to sue them all so that all these small banks will be closed.

What is responsible for dwindling price of oil and how can Nigeria reposition itself ?

The fact is that oil has been discovered everywhere; almost everywhere in Africa, there is oil and America is using their own, that is why oil price is down.

Look, the embargo against Iran is now lifted, now oil from Iran would start coming up into the market. The price of oil will continue to fall since it is everywhere now. It is not only peculiar to Nigeria. Nigeria can regain its stand by diversifying into agriculture and other natural resources that we have.

Can you give an insight into your philanthropic exploits?

You know I don’t actually understand what you are talking about; this giving, God makes it possible; I don’t like discussing it.

God made it possible, otherwise, He would take it away from me; that is the way I see it.

‘Aregbesola should come clean with facts’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

ed that all the information in the Justice Oloyede’s petition were correct, intact and truth and that was the reason why the State government was using all the means, including engaging Mrs. Folanke Solanke, SAN and Professor Itse Sagay, SAN with a huge sum of money to ensure that the petition did not see the light of the day.

In a statement, Comrade Sulaiman faulted Aregbesola’s response to the petition for blaming of Journalists for performing their constitutional role to the society, saying it was bad a development for Governor Aregbesola to be an ingrate to media practioners in Nigeria, for what Journalists have done for him to reclaim his mandate in 2010 and as well to stabilize his government.

Disagreeing with Aregbesola over claiming of #204 billion funds accrued to the State from Federation Account,as against #508 billion alleged in the petition, rights activist maintained that Aregbesola forgot to explain what happened to the other funds like; SureP, Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC) fund, Excess Crude Oil, Ecological Fund, that came to the state for a period of four years in his first term in office, from Federation Account.

He stressed that Aregbesola should be bold enough to also tell the whole world how he spent other funds like; Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federal Lawmakers Constituency allowances, Workers Pension Contributory Fund, Workers Cooperative Deduction loan, Bond fund and ComCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

What does OBJ want from Awo again? – Adio Mosanya CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

castigating his memory. The way he has been talking ill of Awolowo, none of the Northern generals have talked that way.

Why is he behaving like that?

To cut the head off and then hack the limb, (or) like rat in death and heavy afterwards?” the St. Gregory’s College alum-

nus quoted from Shakespeare, and admonished OBJ: ‘let us be sacrifisers, and not butchers...’

“So what else does Obasanjo want from Awolowo again that the sage from his heavenly abode is preventing him from getting? The way Nigeria is, its a big shame to Obasanjo and his group that corruption is rife everywhere.

Mosanya read out one of the sage’s famous quotes: “Look at the books which I have written, the lectures which I have given and the many speeches and statements which I have made; you will find that there is no problem confronting or about to confront Nigeria to which I have not given thought and for

which I have not proffered intelligent and reasoned solutions.”

“This is a quote from Chief Obafemi Awolowo while he was campaigning for election to be president back in July 1979; while Obasanjo has declared that the best candidate will not win in the election he (Obasanjo) was conducting later. We re-

member too well also that the same Obasanjo in his infamous charge to Nigerians during the election in 2007, said that ‘winning the election was a do-or-die affair’. Invariably what he was saying to his people is to either rig the election or die with it.”

Pa Mosanya went down memCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Osun: Nothing can save Aregbesola – Group CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

mercial banks loan.

According to him, “Let us use this opportunity to tell the public that we have done series of private investigations into all the funds that accrued to the State and have discovered that Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is economical with the truth on funds the State obtained so far, which led the State to the present financial quagmire. We have been saying it that only the truth from Aregbesola can proffer lasting solution to the problem facing the State presently, not from any kangaroo summit. There are so many funds accrued to the State which Mr. Governor did not declare.

“But, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has began digging his government’s grave by launching a serious attack against Journalists in the land over publicity given to the Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede’s petition at the weekend .If Aregbesola is not jittery over the courageous jurist’s petition,

Aregbesola

why is he now attacking the men of pen profession that helped him to reclaim his mandate and stabilize his government over the publicity in the media accorded the petition”? He asked.

CSCEO boss insisted that Mr. Aregbesola should let the public know what happen to other fund accrued to the State, if he wants the people to accept his acclaimed #204 billion allocations to the State and local government areas of the State because anybody that is preaching equity, must come with clean hand and described Aregbesola as a pathological and serial liar, who would never say the truth about the funds that accrued to the state.

He cautioned Governor Aregbesola to stop blaming former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan over his (Aregbesola) government woes, stressing that Aregbesola should stop pretending as if President Muhammadu Buhari administration was not releasing the monthly due allo-

Buhari can’t fight corruption alone – Adio Mosanya CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

ories preceding the civil war: “Awolowo fought tooth and nail that there should be no war between Ojukwu and Nigeria; he did everything humanly possible, yet Ojukwu decided to go to war; and when he decided to go to war, what do you want Awolowo to do? Awolowo is a Nigerian like Ojukwu and Obasanjo.”

Reminded that every Ibo man of age remembers that Awo’s counsel to the Nigerian military government (that hunger is also a weapon of war) caused foodstuffs and essential commodities to be cut off from the East, resulting in the hunger that devastated the Eastern Nigeria, Adio Mosanya had this say: “They are quoting Awolowo out of context, upside down.

Awolowo first warned Gowon that if by any act of omission or commission he allowed the Eastern region to go, then there

would be no more Nigeria because then the Yorubas as one group in that Nigeria reserves the right to ally with anybody in or outside the former Nigeria; but inspite of that Ojukwu decided to go to war.

“At that time, Yorubas had no significant soldiers; what we had were only mechanics and drivers in the Nigerian army. I was a member of the Constituent Assembly called in Ibadan on July where we moved a motion for ten demands: The first was that Gowon should take the number of soldiers sufficient to protect the federal Lagos and himself; that every soldier should go back to his or her home states; that Yorubas who had only drivers and mechanics in the Nigerian army would protect themselves the way they could.

“As a result of that declaration, Yorubas were recruited massively into the Nigerian army from

Abeokuta; they rushed them through about three or four weeks training and rushed them to the battle fronts. They formed the backbone of the famous 3rd Marine Commandos (3MCDO) led by now late General Adekunle, and they broke the backbone of the war. So what more does Obasanjo want from Awo? “Now on the allegation, you are fighting with a people and you are sending them foods; the foods did not reach the Easterners, so Ojukwu’s soldiers were being well fed than their generals, even including Chinua Achebe who said Awolowo hated the Ibos. Is that hatred? The Nigerian government sent foods to help the people so that hunger and kwashiorkor will not kill the children but soldiers were hijacking the foods, so what do you expect Awo, as a reasonable man to do? Yes he (Awo) told the CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Adio Mosanya

cation in the last three months to the State from Federation Account as being claimed.

He reiterated the position of the Coalition that Mr. Aregbesola has been a curse to the state and her citizens, because the governor has destroyed economy of the state beyond redemption which made it difficult for the people to eat three square meals again.

He declared that Mr. Aregbesola has goofed for saying that the indomitable Justice Folahanmi Oloyede has lost her integrity, saying that Aregbesola was the person that does not have any integrity to protect again for dubiously siphoning the meager resources of the state into his personal purse, adding that Aregbesola might think that he has won the battle because the State House of Assembly gave him a clean bill but the fact still remains that facts and figures contained in the petition would continue to haunt Aregbesola, even after leaving office.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

11 Politics

Achieving a united, strong, peaceful Plateau, by Speaker The Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Peter Azi, has assured the people of the state that the eighth assembly would work towards achieving a united, strong and peaceful Plateau.

“We want to assure the people of Plateau that we will not fail; and that we shall bring positive development to the state,” Azi said in Jos, the capital.

He gave the assurance when the Laity Council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos paid him a courtesy call.

According to him, the people that made up the current assembly were experienced and would not enact laws that could dent their image and that of the state.

“The calibre of people here

are not only experienced personalities, but people who are ready to die if that is what is required to keep one indivisible entity,” he stressed.

The speaker said that members were working with the executive arm of government toward policies that would help Plateau to attain its optimum potential, and called for support from all.

“We, in the House of Assembly, have decided to consider Plateau first despite our political differences.

“We have dropped our political parties at the gate, and resolved to face the real business of enacting good and people-oriented laws”, he said.

Azi also assured the council

that that the assembly would do everything to ensure that the executive did not toy with the welfare of the workers in the state.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Boniface Gwotbit, had charged the speaker and other lawmakers to match their words with action urg ing them not to disappoint the church and the people of the state.

He said that they would one day be called upon by God to give account of how they handled the public trust reposed on them and tasked the assembly to plug all leakages through which the state resources were being siphoned so as to minimise waste but ensure adequate funds for development and growth.

Gov. Lalong

Buhari, a saint amongst sinners – Mosanya CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Nigerian government: you are fighting with soldiers and you’re giving them food? The move was against Ojukwu’s soldiers, not against the Ibos.

“Check the records: even the Americans who organised foods from abroad for the Easterners; one American consul in the Biafra government; when he observed this and could not do anything about it, he had to resign from Ojukwu’s government because of the situation.

“Also, the Roman Catholic Pope organised the world to donate food to ease hunger in Biafra but Ojukwu did not allow the food to get to the people. Then as a sensible man, Awolowo reasoned that if you continue to feed these people, that is, the Biafra soldiers, they will be strong and fit to continue the war. That was reasoning as a godly man so people need not take him to task because of that.”

He also defended Awo’s part in the change of the Nigerian currency when he was finance minister: “Ojukwu was getting money to buy arms through the Nigerian foreign reserve abroad. Awolowo considered the situation and decided that the best way to check that was to change the Nigerian currency. Getting wind of this, Ojukwu carried 20 tons of currency load to Switzerland to buy ammunition, but by the grace of God, that arrangement made by Awolowo which was only known to Yakubu Gowon and Atta

Adio Mosanya the then Permanent Secretary, failed. If the 20 tons currency had arrived Switzerland earlier, could you believe what would have happened?” he asked.

Pa Mosanya also castigated OBJ for birthing corruption in the military and in politics: “OBJ should feel ashamed that what they planted in Nigeria has failed; it’s full of corruption, and corruption started with OBJ. “When Awolowo as finance minister, directed that the then (new) Nigerian currency should not be sent to the war front, but they sent it and were using it under OBJ’s command. That is why he could not forget Awolowo even in death.

Awolowo “But I want to put it to him (OBJ) in a Yoruba adage he can understand: Tolotolo to bagunje, omo tobi ko dagba (the loathing turkey, the child the loathing turkey hatched and brought home did not mature).

“So the Nigeria he brags that he headed, fought and did everything for, is full of corruption. Can you divorce or execrate yourself from that corruption?” he challenged OBJ and tasked him to look back to history.

“The corruption of Greek generals during their coup d’état is still affecting Greece to date, and that can be said of Nigeria. The National Assembly that could have been helpful put the first

Obasanjo foot in the river and the crocodiles snatched the foot.”

Beside himself with anger, the octogenarian declared: “If OBJ has any grouse with Awolowo, let him die and join Awolowo to continue the fight either in heaven or in hell. We are tired of his bellyaching!” Mosanya hissed.

When asked President Buhari’s chances of recovering Nigeria from the security and economic chaos before us. Hear him: “Buhari is a saint among sinners; everybody attest to that, but what can one clean man do among a million rogues?”

What then is the way out for Nigeria?

“Have you ever seen the type of peace that happened when we elected Buhari as the man capable of solving the problem of Nigeria? Only for people like Saraki and his people to thwart the House: for two months the House could not sit; then what are you applying? Where is the hope?”

Are you saying Nigeria is doomed forever?

“Only God can say because the signs I am seeing now in my old age, with my early participation in Nigerian politics, especially in Lagos and environs and in Yoruba land generally, I don’t see possibility of going far in success.”

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Dep Speaker shuns Osun summit on financial crisis Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ The Deputy Speaker

of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf, on Monday, failed to show up at a summit organised to brainstorm on the way forward to end the financial crisis rocking Osun State.

The submit, organised by the Osun Legislators’ Forum, comprising of lawmakers at home and those from Abuja, was to resolve Osun State’s inability to pay salaries among other challenges.

Apart from Lasun, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, and Senator Isiaka Adeleke were also absent.

It was however gathered

that Lasun's absence may not be unconnected with his denial by the Osun State All Progressives Congress, Elders Forum, when he emerged as Deputy Speaker.

It would be recalled that Lasun's emergence was against the arrangement of his party.

However, the summit was attended by Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal, Oluseyi Petinrin (retd), monarchs and other prominent leaders in the state.

However, a human rights activist in Osun State and Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO), Comrade Sulai-

man Adeniyi, has asked the State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, not to be jittery over the petition by a serving Judge of an Osun State High Court, Justice Folahanmi Oloyede.

He alleged that the governor was running from pillar to post because "he knew all the information and allegation raised in the petition are true and correct".

Reacting to Governor Aregbesola’s position in the media last weekend that the allegations against him in the petition was baseless, Sulaimon also took a swipe at Journalists for celebrating the petition in the media, saying that all the information in Justice Oloyede’s petition were correct.

He alleged that the State

government was using all the means, including engaging Mrs. Folanke Solanke SAN and Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) with a sum of #100 million to ensure that the petition did not see the light of the day.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed

by Comrade Sulaiman and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Monday.

The CSCEO boss insisted that Mr. Aregbesola should let the public know what happened to other fund accrued to the state, if he wants the people to accept his acclaimed #204 billion allocations to the State and local government areas of the State because anybody that is preaching equity, must come with clean hand.

Ex-Servicemen want Buhari to review payment of pension’s allowances

Remi Oladoye

ÏÏÏEx miliitary men un-

der the aegis of Military Pensioners Pressure Group, on Monday, in Ibadan, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the payment of pensioner’s salaries latest by 25th of every month, saying deferring it to another month is another corruption.

The chairman of the association, Chief Gabriel Oaikhena, in a press statement, also implored the President to extend the same gesture given to the federal and state workers to military pensioners, by paying their four years arrears owed by the former President Goodluck Jonathan

ÏÏÏDiageo, parent compa-

ny of Guinness Nigeria Plc and the world’s leading premium drinks business has kicked off its 2015 Master Bar Academy Programme in Nigeria. Through, the Master Bar Academy Programme (also known as MBA), Diageo aims to help Nigerian bartenders learn world class bartending techniques they need to build successful careers.

The programme also highlights viable career prospects bartending offers Nigerian youths who wish to pursue a career in the field.

Akor EJumene

ÏÏÏPermanent

Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe

bodies of the three travelers who were missing on Sunday afternoon around Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State was on Monday recovered by security agents.

Daily Times gathered that the trio of Magaji Sirajo, Tukur Sirajo and Hassan Ibrahim had left Saminaka LGA in Kaduna State to visit one Nuhum Yakubu in Barkin Ladi town when they met their death. The bodies were mutilated.

Yakubu said, "I was speaking with them on

phone and they told me they were between Hipang and Kasa, then later, one of them flashed my phone and when I called back, Magaji picked the phone but a stranger snatched the phone and told me that they will kill them. I asked them why and pleaded with them but they switched off the phone."

He said he reported the incident to the Barkin Ladi police station on Monday.

Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emmanuel Abu confirmed the incident but said the police was still trying to verify the identities of the victims and where they were coming from.

The Master Bar Programme is the brainchild of Mark Barrett, Spirits Capability Manager for Diageo Africa, who created the academy after visiting bars and clubs in Africa and constantly getting the incorrect serve or bad service. To help address this skill gap in Africa, Diageo launched Africa’s largest bartending programme -The Master Bar Academy.

Since its inception, this Academy has helped to train more than 26,000 bartenders across 14 African countries with 1,000 bartenders already equipped with world class skills.

Science Ministry to sign UNESCO framework Abuja

Military discover three mutilated bodies of abducted travelers in Jos

Buhari

Diageo empowers 1,000 Nigerian bartenders

Mutiat Alli

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje (right) and State Comptroller of Prison, Ahmed Abubakar during a courtesy call on the governor in Kano State… on Monday

administration.

According to him, "The good hands of fellowship you extended to federal and state workers by paying their bulk arrears owed them should also be extended to military pensioners by paying their four years of arrears owed them by Jonathan administration.

Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita has reiterated the commitment of government to sign and consolidate the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) framework as a follow up to the determination of the present administration to support the nation’s science and technology sector.

She stated this when she received Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate at UNESCO, Mrs. Mariam Katagum in her office in Abuja.

According to the permanent secretary, the inability of the ministry to sign the framework before now was due to the general paucity of funds, assuring that the National Scientific Fund will soon be re-invigorated to propel the ministry’s activities at the UNESCO. She stressed that the existing relationship between the Ministry and UNESCO has impacted positively on the development of the new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, especially the flagship project of SHESTCO Silicon Valley (SSV) Park among other projects.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday August 11, 2015

12 dead in Mali as soldiers end hostage standoff ÏÏÏMalian soldiers have raided

a hotel in central Mali, freeing four hostages and ending a standoff with Islamist militants that left at least 12 people dead.

Defense officials did not give the nationalities of the hostages freed in the early Saturday operation, which they said was backed

by French soldiers.

The jihadists stormed the Byblos Hotel in Sevare, about 600 kilometers (375 miles) northeast of Bamako, early Friday. The militants killed a U.N. staff member and five Malian soldiers and took other guests hostage. At least three militants were also killed.

Officials said at least three more bodies were found at the hotel following the Saturday raid, though their identities were not clear.

The standoff had lasted for about an entire day, after the jihadists were able to fight off several initial attempts to dislodge them.

A source told the French news

ular Front (FPI) is boycotting the upcoming October 25 presidential election, because it says the prevailing political and security conditions are not conducive for a peaceful, transparent and credible poll.

Former Ivory Coast president

Quattara

Egypt rejects Qatar offer to mediate in Muslim Brotherhood ÏÏÏEgypt

has rejected an offer by Qatar to mediate with the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, focus of a government crackdown since the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president in 2013.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu-Zeid said on Sunday that Egypt does not accept any external interference in its internal

Africa investments top priority for MCC ÏÏÏ The Millennium Challenge

Several members of the UN peacekeeping mission were staying in the hotel [AFP]

agency AFP that a Russian man "hidden inside the building" had supplied "useful information" to Malian forces during the siege.

The hotel was used by U.N. staff and had guests from France,

South Africa, Russia and Ukraine.

The attack underscores the threat posed by Islamist militants who remain active in northern and central Mali despite the presence of U.N. peacekeepers.

A French-led military force ousted Islamist groups from power in northern Mali in 2013. The groups had seized power in the north after a military coup in Bamako in 2012.

I’Coast opposition party to boycott election

ÏÏÏThe opposition Ivorian Pop-

13 Africa

Laurent Gbagbo’s party is also split, according to FPI spokesman Boubakar Kone, who is rejecting reports Pascal Affi N’Guessan would lead the party into the election.

Kone says N'Guessan was disqualified from leading the party in the poll at an April meeting, “Mr. N'Guessan is no longer part of the FPI, so he cannot be our candidate.”

“We haven’t decided yet to participate in the election for many reasons," Kone added. "The first one is that the gentleman who is our current president is not eligible. He needs to withdraw his candidacy. The second thing we have to say is that the conditions are not good for a fair election in Côte d’Ivoire.”

Kone says the FPI seeks direct

negotiations with President Alassane Ouattara’s government in a bid to ensure a fair playing field for future elections.

“Our next line of action is to act we have to force the current president to start discussions with us so that the conditions can be fair.

We have to sit and talk and decide in the [consensus] way what the conditions are going to be for this coming election,” said Kone.

“Former president Gbagbo’s party is not taking part in this election in the current condition in the sense that the electoral commission is unbalanced, the Constitutional Court [is] ... made up of Mr. Ouattara’s friends and cannot be fair, the census for the voters is biased. There are so many problems, we have to solve first.”

affairs, underlining that authorities have declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation.

Speaking by telephone, he says that "any third-party intervention or mediation is not acceptable”.

Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah told AlAraby al-Youm TV last week that Qatar is ready to act as a mediator "to bring viewpoints closer”.

He added that Doha does not consider the Brotherhood to be terrorists and sees their status with the government as "a political dispute" that will delay the country's path forward.

Cattle dying as seasonal rains fail in Ethiopia ÏÏÏSeasonal

rains have failed to materialize in some parts of Ethiopia, causing deaths of many cattle and other animals. Witnesses say hundreds of cattle are dying daily, especially in the Afar Region.

Wondimu Filate, a spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry, told The Associated Press that: "The

But supporters of the ruling Rally of the Republicans party have rejected the opposition’s accusations as without merit.

They contend the FPI boycotted elections for the fear of losing to President Ouattara, who they said has transformed the economy, stabilized the country and created jobs for the youth since the end of the 2010-2011 post-election violence.

They insist Mr. Ouattara would win the upcoming presidential vote with a landslide.

The FPI has boycotted presidential and legislative elections since former President Gbagbo was sent to the International Criminal Court for trial. He faces charges that include crimes against humanity in unrest following the disputed October 2010 elections.

government has enough food stock and it is assisting farmers to continue their farming practices with improved seed items and drought-resistant crops." The government says there is no risk of a food shortage and it is stockpiling food.

Adamu Kebede, a truck driver, told AP he has seen hundreds of cattle lying dead along the main road that stretches from Addis Ababa to the Afar Region's capital, Semera, adding that he has seen dozens of trucks unloading emergency food aid.

Corporation, MCC, recently announced a $70-million commitment to bring one billion dollars in public-private investments to developing countries over the next five years.

A large portion of the grant money will go to Africa and is expected to generate $750 million in investments in Africa from the private sector.

“MCC is typically going to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects,” said Kyeh Kim, Deputy Vice-President of Compact Operations for the MCC. “It’s about twothirds of our portfolio.

“Within the infrastructure portfolio we will help prepare some of the projects for the market such that private companies would find them attractive and be interested in investing along-side some of these projects.” The anticipated result would be public private partnerships that increase the effectiveness of the operation and the maintenance of the investments.

“An example of this would be something that we did in Jordan with the waste water treatment plant, where MCC came in with about $93-million dollars in grant financing and we were able to partner with a private sector consortium that contributed about $110 million. And so with over $200-milllion we were able to expand a waste water treatment plant providing increased water supplied to the Jordanians,” explained Kim. Similar infrastructure projects are taking place in Africa. The MCC is investing heavily in the continent’s energy sector.

The deputy vice-president said pre-existing compacts and future compacts of $52 million will be invested in Malawi, Benin, Lesoto, Liberia, Tanzania, Ghana and Morocco. “There are other countries that we are investing as well and those countries that I just listed probably have the largest opportunities for public-private partnerships.” The ultimate goal of these partnerships is to reduce poverty, increase economic growth and attract more investors. Kim said the partner countries are already taking steps to make their countries more attractive to meet these challenges.

Kim

Africa14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Argentina: Governing party ahead in primaries

Daniel Scioli celebrates as the results came in

ÏÏÏThe

presidential candidate for Argentina's governing coalition has won a comfortable majority in primary elections held on Sunday.

Analysts say the primaries are a good indicator of who may win the presidential elections later this year.

With 93% of the votes counted, governing coalition candidate

Daniel Scioli had a 14-point lead over his conservative rival, Mauricio Macri.

The first round of the presidential election will be held on 25 October.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who has been in power since December 2007, will not be able to stand again as the constitution limits presidents to two terms

in office.

She was preceded in office by her late husband, Nestor Kirchner. Their combined 12 years in office have been dubbed "the Kirchner era" and opposition candidates have been campaigning on a promise of change.

Mr Scioli, who is currently governor of Buenos Aires province, is the only candidate for the gov-

Six Turkish forces killed, US consulate attacked in Istanbul

Kurdish militants, Turkish media said. In a separate incident, one Turkish soldier was killed when Kurdish militants attacked a military helicopter with rocket launchers as it was transporting personnel in Sirnak's Beytussebap district, the Dogan news agency said.

However the violence also spread to Istanbul, with the authorities blaming an attack on the US consulate on the outlawed Marxist Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and an attack on a police station on the PKK. Ankara has on occasion linked the leftist-orientated PKK to the DHKP-C. A suspected suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives at a police station in the Sultanbeyli district on the Asian side of Istanbul just after midnight, wounding ten people, three of them police, the governor's office said in a statement.

Clashes with police then continued throughout the night as other militants fired on the police station. Police took cover behind walls and behind their armoured vehicles to engage in pitched battles with the militants, television pictures showed.

Beyazit Ceken, head of the police bomb disposal department, was wounded in the clashes and died of his injuries in hospital, the governor's office said. Two militants were also killed in the clashes, it added.

Netzpolitik: German treason inquiry dropped amid furore

ÏÏÏSix members of the Turkish

security forces were killed and the US consulate in Istanbul hit by a gun attack in a day of violence on Monday blamed on Kurdish and Marxist radicals as the government pressed on its air campaign against militants.

Turkey's largest city Istanbul was shaken by twin attacks on the US consulate and a police station that killed one senior officer, while five police were killed in the south-eastern Sirnak province in an escalating cycle of violence.

The government is waging a two-pronged "anti-terror" offensive against Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists and Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants following a wave of attacks in the country.

But so far air strikes have overwhelmingly focused on the Kurdish militants, who have struck back by attacking the Turkish security forces and leaving a 2013 ceasefire in tatters.

Four Turkish police officers were killed in a roadside bomb attack in the south-eastern Silopi district of Sirnak province bordering Iraq and Syria blamed on

ÏÏÏGermany's

chief federal prosecutor has dropped an investigation into two journalists at the Netzpolitik website suspected of revealing state secrets.

The case sparked a huge political row about freedom of speech.

Last week the Justice Minister, Heiko Maas, sacked chief prosecutor Harald Range.

The chief prosecutor's office said it now accepted the justice ministry's assessment that Netzpolitik did not leak state secrets.

But German media said investigations against unnamed state officials bound to secrecy were continuing in connection with a suspected breach of confidentiality. In February, Netzpolitik alleged that Germany's domestic intelligence agency wanted additional funds to increase its online surveillance programme.

A later article in April investigated the spy agency's plans to set up a special unit to monitor social networking websites.

In the high-profile case, Netzpolitik founder Markus Beckedahl and blogger Andre Meister were accused of treason.

The decision to drop the investigation had been "long overdue",

erning Front for Victory coalition.

His main rival is Buenos Aires mayor Mauricio Macri of the conservative Cambiemos (Let's Change) coalition.

With 93% of the votes counted, Mr Macri had won 24.4% compared to Mr Scioli's 38.3%.

Third was Sergio Massa, a congressman who broke away from the Front for Victory coalition to form his United for a New Alternative party.

Voting in the primaries is compulsory and is not restricted to party members but open to all those eligible to cast their ballot in the presidential polls.

Whoever wins is therefore seen as a favourite for the presidential polls on 25 October.

The primaries were introduced in 2009 to cut down on the number of candidates running in the presidential elections with contenders having to win a minimum of 1.5% to be eligible to stand in the first round on 25 October.

If no candidate wins 45% of the vote or 40% with a 10-point margin over the second-placed person, a second round will be held on 24 November.

Beckedahl said on Monday, but added that "this doesn't go far enough for us".

"We want to know concretely whether, as part of the almost three-month-long investigation, we were victims of surveillance.

And we want clarity about who knew what, and when, in the German government," German media quoted him as saying.

He called the investigation into his website "a judicial misjudgement".

"We hope that the intimidation attempt against us and all other journalists who cover surveillance activities... has collapsed big-time," he said.

Many Germans were outraged by the scale of US National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropping exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, who is now a fugitive in Moscow. Data protection is always a hot topic in Germany, because of the abuses inflicted by the Nazi dictatorship and the former communist regime in East Germany.

Maas

Israel releases Jewish radicals detained in West Bank

ÏÏÏ

Several suspected Jewish militants, detained for questioning by Israeli police on Sunday, have been released.

At least seven were detained amid a crackdown on Jewish extremists in the wake of a deadly arson attack in the West Bank, which Palestinians have blamed on Jewish settlers.

The injured father of the family whose home was firebombed died on Saturday. His 18-month-old son died on 31 July.

There have been no arrests yet in direct connection with the attack.

His mother and four-year-old brother remain in critical condition.

Ali's father, Saad, 32, died in an Israeli hospital where he was being treated for second-degree burns to most of his body. The suspected extremists were held in raids on settler outposts - wildcat settlements not authorised by the government - in the West Bank.

Swedish Ikea knife attack in Vasteras leaves two dead ÏÏÏ Two people have been killed

and another seriously injured in a knife attack at an Ikea store in Vasteras in Sweden, according to police. The dead are a man and a woman, police said in a statement.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Ikea spokeswoman Anna Pilkrona-Godden said that the Erikslund shopping centre containing the store had been closed.

The injured victim is a man of about 35, Swedish television reported, citing eyewitnesses.

Officers were called to the store at 13:00 (11:00 GMT) and found three people with knife injuries in the kitchenware section, police spokesman Per Stromback told reporters at the scene.

"The suspect had stabbed three people, of whom two died at the scene and one is very seriously injured and is being operated on," Mr Stromback said.

"We do not have a motive at the moment," he added.

The Ikea and adjacent shopping centre were cordoned off by police The injured victim arrived at Vasteras hospital with life-threatening injuries, head nurse Lena Moren told Sweden's SVT public broadcaster. The victims were "ordinary shoppers", Mattias Johansson, the store manager, told local newspaper VLT. They were known to one another, police said.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

15 Opinion

Ekweremadu and APC change rhetoric

T Prof Nick Eze

he All Progressives Congress, APC, came to power on the promise of change in both style and quality of governance for which it consistently and trenchantly criticised the previous PDP administrations. Believing in its trumpeted change rhetoric, Nigerians gave it a chance to prove itself in governance. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

So far, disappointment has been the key word. Worse, the party is stewing in its own juice. Thus while the Buhari/APC government is still in its infancy, an objective analysis of some of its domestic activities nevertheless portrays it as a party that is still stuck in the past.

Nowhere is this more evident than the wholly contrived leadership crisis currently rocking the National Assembly in general and the Senate in particular. What is happening in the National Assembly, especially the Senate is a disgrace and national embarrassment, to say the least, and speaks to a lawless ruling party without honour.

For the avoidance of doubt, and to put matters in clear perspective for the Nigerian public, the Senate is a creation, not of any political party, but

of the Constitution. It is equally worthy of note that nothing in these provisions requires the leadership of the Senate to come from the victorious political party at the elections. There is, in fact, no legal or constitutional requirement for that. This is to ensure the independence and co-equal status of the three branches of government to-wit: the legislature, executive and the judiciary.

In accordance with these provisions the senate duly constituted its leadership as it deemed fit having regards to other weighty constitutional provisions as provided under 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.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP minority party and veteran of the senate emerged deputy senate president representing the South/East geo-political zone. The Senate, with fully staffed, competent legal department does not need the presidency or the ruling party to dictate; lecture, let alone arm-twist it on how to satisfy these constitutional requirements in constituting its leadership.

To be sure, concerning the Ekweremadu issue, APC is injecting itself into the internal affairs of the senate for purely political reasons and seemingly so for wholly diabolical purpose of marginalising the Igbos in the present scheme of things.

The revelation by Senator Joseph Waku of APC that EFCC is being used

by APC to intimidate and pressure Senate President Bukola Saraki into ditching his deputy is, if true, highly disturbing. Still, regrettably, APC leadership appears hell bent on nullifying the election of the deputy senate president, who happens to be the only high ranking public official representing the South/East in the entire National Assembly.

President Buhari doubled down on this retrogressive APC mindset when he let it slip out in a recent interview during his visit to the US that he would give preferential treatment to the sections of the country that voted him into power. He called it “fair”. No, it is not. It can only be fair to a narrowminded individual and partisan leader rather than a statesman, who does not understand the role and function of government.

APC needs to be educated that the federal government is not the property of the political party in power at any

given time. It represents the genuine and legitimate interests of all Nigerians and sections thereof, regardless of their political affiliations or ethnicity.

This is indeed worrisome development in the polity that must be nipped in the bud before it becomes standard operating procedure in Nigerian politics. No ethnicity deserves to suffer governmental neglect, marginalisation or victimisation because of its political leaning. Primitive politicking encourages and promotes such mindset and outcomes. Unfortunately, it seems the present APC is incapable of delivering on that promise.

Would Buhari or Tinubu tolerate this kind of victimisation if circumstances were reversed? This should stand condemned by all well meaning Nigerians, not just Ndigbo alone.

Ironically, and quite interestingly, the much despised PDP government under Obasanjo appointed individuals from other political parties into office, including notably, late Chief Bola Ige and Alhaji Mahmud Waziri respectively of then AD, and NPP, which is worthy of emulation by the APC. Thus, if APC is serious about change, it should quickly retrace its steps, because it is rather too early to show its hands as a retrogressive political outfit masquerading as progressive party.

To your tents ‘Oh’ South East?

Law Mefor

President Muhammadu Buhari is a very frank man. Frankly, he appears to be telling Nigerians to their face that he can afford to alienate a significant portion of his constituency and still leave a legacy that is truly rational and national. This could prove to be a gross error of Judgement and ill advised.

The actions and utterances of Buhari are all pointing to the fact that the sections of the country that did not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in for a barren four years and possibly beyond.

Speculations were rife on it for quite long before the President proved the pundits right by stating that much in faraway USA. For whoever missed the rather illstarred statement, when Buhari was asked by a white journalist how he intended to deal with issues in the Niger Delta, particularly Amnesty, bunkering and inclusive development; he Said: “Going by election results), constituencies that gave me 97 percent cannot in all honesty be treated, on some issues, with constituencies that gave me five percent.

I think these are political realities.

While, certainly there will be justice for everybody but the person who voted, and made there votes count, they must feel the government has appreciated the effort. I think this is really fair.” If there is anything that should have been left unsaid about governance in a pluralistic environment, even if it were the policy, it is this one.

Those who claim the President was stating the obvious or shunning people angling to reap where they did not so, argue amiss. In presidential and constitutional democracy as Nigeria claims to be practicing, the entire country is the President’s Constituency; and once he or she emerges, the President leads the entire country.

Some of the people conveniently gloss over this reality to make the matter worse.

Come to think of it, in the 2015 Presidential election, the number of registered voters were 70,383,427.

This means that having won with 15 million votes, less than 20 percent of the registered voters actually wanted Buhari to be President and over 12 million wanted Jonathan to return, while over 140 million Nigerians never voted at all, probably for lack of interest, age limit, and other forms of technical disenfranchisements, including INEC’s refusal to make permanent voters card available.

So, only clusters of 15 million Nigerians will now decide the thrust of national development, which the President has inadvertently admitted in foreign land that it would be based on patronage.

Starting with the appointment of service chiefs, which should be the most apolitical, the South East may have been deliberately sidestepped also, andit is about the only zone that is not represented in the National

Council of State. President Muhammadu Buhari appointed new service chiefs: Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General T.Y. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff. Others include Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan as Chief of Defence Intelligence. The president also appointed Major-GeneralBabagana Monguno (rtd.) as the new National Security Adviser taking over from Sambo Dasuki who was out of office a week before.

As many thought that one slot had at least reached the South East, another‘good’ reason was once more found within 72 hours why Callistus Nwabueze Obi, earlier appointed as the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), should hand over to Haruna Baba Jauro (North). Although the Acting Director General is expected to be in charge until a substantive Director General is appointed, it appears that the policy being interrogated precludes a Southeasterner from acting so that the caterpillar will not grow into a butterfly.

The APC did not even put the South East in the remotest equation in the distribution of principal officers in the House of Representatives where there are two APC Members from Imo State.

So also, unlike what mostly obtained under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, where development of nation Nigeria was based on equity and justice, APC Federal Government is going strictly on political patronage or selective justice as is the emerging trend in present dispensation. APC and Buhari should be driven by patriotic mindset carefully aimed at enthroning social justice and even development.

In a democratic dispensation too, efforts are made by winners to woo those who may not have supported them, in view of the next election.

The continued marginalization of the South East is only confirming the fear of many people from the Zone that there is nothing for them in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Government. The South East has been told in unmistakable terms that it has no share in the APC government.

“When all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, what portion have we in David? And what inheritance have we in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel”. * Mefor is an Abuja-based Forensic Psychologists, Author and Journalist

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

We'll keep Lagos safe from terrorists, criminals - Army Segun Adio

ÏÏÏ

The Nigerian Army has said that it would ensure that the city of Lagos and its environs were protected from crimes – including terrorist attacks.

The assurance was made by the immediate past General Officer Commanding, 81 Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Tamunomieibi Dibi, while addressing officers and men

of the division, at the 65 Battalion, Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He also used the occasion to introduce his successor Maj.-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet to the division.

Dibi, who acknowledged that suspected terrorists were arrested in Lagos, during his 18 months sojourn in the state, urged the troops to remain loyal to the Fed-

eral Government and the Commander-in-Chief, while extending the same support to him to Edet.

Said he: “The fact that you are not serving in the North East does not mean you are not in a war front.

As you are serving here in Lagos, you are also fighting the war because they (terrorists) can operate anywhere. But we thank God

that in the last 18 months, we were able to throwback untoward acts by criminals and terrorists.” Edet was handed the insignia of officer by Dibi in the full glare of all commanders and Commanding Officers of army formations under the division, at ceremony at the Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island headquarters of the division.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) in handshake with India High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjampur Rangaih Ghanashyam at Lagos House, Ikeja Lagos… recently

No FG delegation to this year's hajj – Buhari Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏAs

Muslims in the country prepare to depart for the annual Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca, President Muhammadu Buhari has ruled out the appointment of a Federal Government delegation to the spiritual exercise.

The decision is believed to have been informed by the current stance of the government on reducing expenditure as much as possible, Indications had emerged at the weekend from the Hajj Commission that this year’s Hajj would not have a government delegation.

Government is expected, by this decision, to save about one million U.S Dol-

NSCDC parades 72-yr-old, 12 others for vandalism the suspects, stated that five Joy Anyim Ndudi

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Security

Expert raises the alarm over uneducated IDPs in FCT Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Director of

Federal Capital Territory, Department of Mass Education, Alhaji Musa Maikasuwa Yakubu, has said that education should be a yardstick for dealing with the psychological state of the victims of insurgency in the North East and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the nation.

He said this, on Monday, in Abuja, while considering the danger inherent in allowing uneducated and psychologically harmed minds within Abuja without a me-

Women more vulnerable to STDs, says expert

thodical approach to deal with the situation.

He said that the huge task, however, had falling on his shoulder being the director in charge of non-formal education in the FCT, irrespective of its financial status. His words: “This is an unfortunate situation, which means that there is an urgent need for this people to be educated and they needed special attention and as we know, the FCT is the centre of national unity and, so, we cannot send people away, rather we do something possible to accommodate them.”

He said that his office had

the mandate to educate individuals who do not have formal education and to make them have a sense of belonging, without discrimination.

He said that in doing so, his office already is overstretched, having to provide succour for an army of the IDPs with little funds.

Maikasuwa said that his office was presently taking stocks of the IDPs centre in the FCT and identifying those among them with little or no knowledge in education to know how to put them to classes according to academic curricula.

He said: “We will start with our part-time teachers

and facilitators and once funds are readily available, we will put up some tents according to groups and on how to handle their cases.”

On the teacher to be used in educating the IDPs, he said that his office was going to make use of already trained teachers, on parttime basis, in the FCT with a stipend of N10, 000.00 monthly. While regretting non availability of funds, he reminded that the little available fund in pursuit of the emergency programme was never budgeted, and called on private sectors and the chairmen of FCT area councils for support.

Okerafor Athanatius

Disease Control, Taraba State Ministry of Health, stated this while speaking exclusively with our correspondent in his office at the State Secretariat, Jalingo.

Apake, who attributed the reason for the global trend to the nature of women’s reproductive organs, ex-

plained that the areas exposed to sexual contact in women’s reproductive organs are much wider than that of men.

“Naturally, you find out that women are much at risk of contracting infections, that is probably the only reason why in some

Jalingo

ÏÏÏWomen

are more vulnerable to sexually-transmitted diseases than their men counterparts.

Dr. Ebenezer Apake, Director, Primary Health on

lars and N30m in local expenses.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said on Monday night in Abuja that government will carry out its duty to Nigerians on the annual pilgrimage by extending to them consular, medical and welfare support as expected of it.

Shehu said the decision by the President is for both procedural and economic reasons and not one aimed at any group or individual.

“The states can deal with tha (meaning appointment of own delegations) but this year at the Center, we will not be involved” the President has said.

of the suspected vandals had been handed over to the NSCDC by the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft (NNS Beecroft). According to him, “on August 5, the Navy that was in partnership with us handed over five suspects to us, found on the high sea with vandalised products, we are however in the process of prosecuting them.

“Also on August 7, at about 4:00 am, our men on the high seas at Badagry, intercepted about seven men with 706 jerry cans of 25 litres each.

Their mission was to cart away the products from the Lagos axis straight to Benin and Ghana for sale.

and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, on Monday, paraded a 72-year-old grand-father and 12 other suspected vandals, who were arrested while trying to move stolen petroleum products to neighboring countries of Benin, Togo and Ghana.

Daily Times gathered that four of the suspects were Ghanaians, three were from Benin Republic and five were Nigerians.

The suspects were identified as Jacob Apaloo, Kwame Tola, Amayon Sisieli, Senaya Edo, Micheal Dansu, 72, Moses David, Nfon Alaka, Maton Nge, Felix Obogun, Oluwasegun Tinsika and Simon Akinmuleya.

Items recovered from them included 706 kegs of 25 litres of petroleum motor spirit, 81 drums of 250 litres each of petroleum products and 10 drums of diesel.

The State Commandant, Gabriel Abasi, who paraded

Abasi

sexually-transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and HIV, women appear to be the most vulnerable, because they have a wider reproductive surface for exposure to the germs that cause these diseases”, he said.

While commenting on necessary measures to

avoid contracting any form of sexually-transmitted diseases, Apake advised that indiscriminate sexual activity, especially with multiple partners should be refrained from or people should learn how to protect themselves with the aid of condoms.

Business Times Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

17

Avoid panic measures energy expert tells FG as oil prices plummet Opeoluwani Akintayo Following drop in oil and gas prices last week, President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics, Professor Wumi Illedare, has called on Nigerians to put pressure on government to implement fiscal discipline and responsibility instead of undue panicking.

Last week, crude oil price dropped to around $50 per barrel while gas fell to $2.81mmbtu on Friday.

With the fall, experts say natural gas prices are expected to fall further.

But, Iledare, at the 29th conference of Nigerian Society of Petroleum Engineers said Nigerian government should look into the opportunity offers by the declining prices by think more on hydrocarbon derivatives rather than oil.

He said government should enhanced local participation in the oil and gas industry through incentives.

“Glut in the gas market has led to low gas prices in the United States and this has made natural gas very competitive like other fuels such as coal. The US has suddenly become less attractive to natural gas as every producers struggling to seek buyers”, he said Also speaking, managing director, Frontier Oil, Dr Dada Thomas said in the years to come, Nigeria gas ultilisation would be driven by indigenous companies, hence the need to intensify gas production in order to encourage more investment into the sub sector “Nigeria is the 18th countries with largest gas reserves in the world. 48 per cent of the reserves is associated gas with 50 per cent of it located offshore.

Fidelity bank earns SME lender of the year award

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo & Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Keystone Bank Limited, Philip Ikeazor at a meeting on collaboration with Corporate Lagos…weekend

FIRS to increase VAT from 5 to 10 per cent Opeoluwani Akintayo

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has hinted on its plan to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 10 per cent soon. Its Acting Executive Chairman, Mr Sunday Ogungbesan, disclosed this in Lagos at the weekend.

According to him, the Federal Government would have increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 10 per cent in July, but this was postponed because of the need to consult stakeholders widely.

Ogungbesan, however, said that the Federal Government was not even implementing the

Adesola Akindele The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) one of the foremost bi-lateral Chambers in Nigeria has adjudged Fidelity the SME Lender Bank of the year 2015. The declaration was made at the weekend in Lagos at an

classical VAT system.

Speaking further he said, FIRS generated N1.97 trillion in revenue in the first half of this year.

He said that the figure represented 98 per cent of the targeted revenue of N2.28 trillion between January and June 2015.

Ogungbesan said the Federal Government gave FIRS a revenue target of N4.57 trillion for the whole of 2015 adding that Nigeria had the potential to generate more tax revenue if there was a better tax administration system in the country.

The FIRS boss said that his agency was just one of the 37 tax authorities in the country. He

said the FIRS were administering tax at the federal level, while each state administered its own.

He however, called for more collaboration among all the tax authorities in the country.

He said that while the FIRS had 6,900 workers across the country, tax authorities in the states could also strengthen their workforce instead of depending on consultants. He expressed regret that while there were 450,000 registered companies in the country, only about 125 were actually contributing taxes.

Ogungbesan said that the rest were portfolio businesses whose promoters were still probably in

government services. He said that there was the need to review some complex laws inhibiting tax administration in the country.

The FIRS boss also called for a centralised tax administration system, stressing that his agency was already discussing the issue at the level of the Joint Tax Board. He also called for a strong database on all tax payers as obtained in developed economies.

Ogungbesan said there were myriad of other problems bedeviling tax administration in the country which included the large informal sector and false tax declarations.

award ceremony to recognize deserving corporate organisations that have made significant contributions towards the advancement of the economy.

The organizers of the award said that Fidelity Bank came tops in all the measuring parameters after a rigorous selec-

tion process involving competing SME focused banks in the country. “This award is the outcome of a painstaking selection process from entries received for this award and backed by feedbacks from industry/ market monitoring and regulatory bodies”.

Receiving the award, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the award underscores Fidelity Bank’s role in the SMEs space which completely aligns with the government’s goal of ensuring rapid economic development using the SMEs as the catalyst.

Labour 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

carrier, and fight corruption to a stand-still.”

On the NNPC, the statement added: “The war against corruption should be comprehensive, lest it be viewed as mere witchhunting. While we applaud the sanitisation that has commenced at the NNPC, we also insist that it be extended to the ministries and other agencies of government.

There is no patriotic Nigerian who is not bothered by the administrative and financial anomalies we have encouraged and accommodated as a nation.”

The move to revive the national carrier is a welcome develop-

ment, the statement reiterated, noting that it is a shame for Nigeria, a nation with a population of over 170 million people, not to have a national carrier at a time when smaller nations like Ethiopia operate airlines that are major sources of prestige and foreign exchange to them.

The statement further noted that British Airways and other foreign airlines earn substantial revenue from flying Nigeria’s airspace, taking advantage of the large vacuum created by the ineptitude of our leaders over the years.

“Apart from the thousands of Nigerians who go on medical tourism to Britain and other foreign nations, good percentage of the millions of Nigerians who live in those nations come home at least twice yearly aboard their airlines.

Just imagine how much we would earn if they flew our own national carrier instead? A lot of foreign exchange is involved here! Suffice to say that all those countries are having a field day making aviation money that we should be the ones making. And this is aside the massive employment potentials that we have denied ourselves,” lamented the TUC. The statement concluded by charging President Buhari to remain focused on revamping the nation’s economy, and cautioned that organised labour is poised to contend with any person or group that tries to hinder any positive initiative of the government.

Odusile

New NUJ president to ensure GL10 entry for Journalists into civil service

of others in other departments. ``The federated chapels, that is journalists working with the Federal Government should seat down and put together all they need from the government. ``Those in Lagos should seat with the Lagos State Council and draw up all they know they should earn. They know what they want.

We can use it as a working tool to talk to the government. ``While all other employees of government closed at 4p.m., the journalists are on duty till bed time, on public holidays and weekend,’’ Odusile said.

The NUJ president, who commended members of the Lagos council for their support and for

conducting themselves maturely during the election, urged them to be good ambassadors of the union.

He advised against unprofessional conducts that would bring the union and his administration into disrepute; stressing that any wrong done by Lagos members would send wrong signal to other states.

Odusile assured the members that all his promises during his electioneering campaign would be fulfilled.

He said that the plan to have an NUJ radio station was on top gear, adding that the license to operate the station would be collected in no distant time.

TUC commends FG for revisiting Ogoniland oil spill, national carrier Kaigama

Stories by Joy Ekeke The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has commended the Federal Government over its planned clean-up of oilpolluted Ogoniland, resuscitation of the national carrier, appointment of new Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and sack of some of the Corporation’s executive directors.

The Congress views these moves as steps in the right direction if the change mantra espoused and canvassed by the ruling party is to yield positive

results.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, the labour centre advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to expedite action on the mentioned areas and other items on its developmental agenda, because time is not on the government’s side.

According to the statement, successive governments’ insensitivity to the plight of the people is the major cause of most unrests and insurgencies in the land.

“The Niger Delta agitation, for

Okowa tasks NLC to sustain dialogue in advocating workers’ rights Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to always explore peaceful dialogue instead of being confrontational in securing the rights of workers.

The governor, who promised not to unduly delay workers’ salary, also said that his administration would work maximally to make the labour movement successful during his tenure.

While acknowledging the struggle of the congress for a renewed workers’ welfare and good governance, the governor disclosed that he has put machineries in place to support labour aspirations in the state.

Through his Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Mike Okeme, when the executive of the state wing of NLC, led by its chairman, David Ofoeyeno, visited the Governor’s Office in Asaba, Okowa, who said labour movement should make all affiliated bodies a united family,

flayed the crisis usually generated by unions’ elections across the country.

He said, “Always use dialogue to get what you want from the government of the day instead of confrontation. The union is expected to make its members one united family, so while you struggle for better welfare package for workers and good governance, don’t do anything that will bring shame to your state and the government on the saddle because peace is better than war.”

Okowa

instance, started as a result of failure to address the grievances of the people, which include the destruction of their farmlands by oil spillage, gas flaring, etc.”

The labour chiefs noted that the initiative to clean up Ogoniland will help give a sense of belonging to the Niger Delta people.

“Our country, being one with a mono-economy, cannot afford to neglect the goose that lays the golden egg. The present administration should go ahead and also diversify the economy, revive other sectors as it has planned to do in the aviation industry through the reintroduction of the national

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Waheed Odusile, said his administration was working out plans to ensure that fresh journalists going into the Federal Civil Service would start from GL10.

Odusile said this on Saturday during the Lagos Council Congress at Alausa, Ikeja, where he paid a thank you visit to journalists in the state after his emergence as president of NUJ in Abuja.

Odusile, a Managing Editor with the Nations Newspaper emerged the president of NUJ on July 25 at the 5th triennial delegates’ conference in Abuja after defeating five others.

Odusile said that journalists working with the Federal Government deserved better welfare in view of their all days working activities.

According to him, journalists neither have closing time nor public holidays, unlike their colleagues in other departments in same ministries or parastatals. `` Our plan as entering point for graduates into the federal service as journalist is grade level 10, so that they will be two levels ahead

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

19 Maritime

Seaport

Forex policies take toll on Customs revenue at Apapa Stories by Funmi Coker The Apapa Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service said it generated N167 billion revenue between January and June 2015.

Area Controller of the command, Charles Edike who gave the figure at a stakeholder’s forum in Lagos said the figure was 4.51 per cent higher than the N158.8 billion collected within the same period last year.

He said although the amount

generated in the first half of 2015 showed an increase as against what it collected in 2014, the command would have generated more than the amount it recorded but for the decline in importation into country.

Some of the factors responsible for the low import into the country according to Edike were the rise in inflation as a result of devaluation of the naira, lower oil price and economic slowdown and the central bank policy which restricted forex to 41 import commodities among others.

“If there were vessels and containers, we will collect more revenue but where there are no importations, which will also affect the revenue collected. These are the reasons adduced for the low import and certainly we are hoping that in no time when this tide changes, there will be more import and the revenue will also rise,” Edike said.

On the number of seizures recorded by the command, Edike said a total of 159 containers were detained for various offences during the period under

review.

He said out of the 159 containers, owners of 153 containers had so far paid the prescribed penalties while six containers were still in custody.

Edike said goods exported through the Apapa port in the period under review is valued at N220 billion.

On the issue of the faulty scanners used for goods examination, Edike said the equipment were undergoing maintenance and that approval had been given for re-routing.

SON seeks return to seaport for cargo inspections The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said lack of presence of its personnel at the nation’s seaports to check containers bringing goods into Nigeria accounts for a 200 per cent rise in the volume of substandard goods in the country in the last four years. The agency is consequently seeking to return to the ports.

The Director, Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate, SON, Bede Obayi said since the agents of the organisation were withdrawn from the seaports, the agency had not been able to effectively monitor and control the influx of substandard goods into the country.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, had in October 2011 ordered SON and eight other agencies and various units operating at the nation’s seaports to vacate the place.

According to the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the exercise was aimed at

reducing the number of agencies at the ports and facilitating clearance of cargo as well as maximisation of Federal Government’s revenue.

Prior to the time the order to vacate the ports, agencies at the seaports were the State Security Service (SSS), SON, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Directorate of Naval Intelligence (DNI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), the Port Police alongside its Bomb Disposal Unit; Plant Quarantine with Veterinary Quarantine; Nigerian Immigration Service, Port Health; Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

All the agencies were subsequently mandated to leave the ports except NPA, Customs, Ports Health, NIS, Port Police,

SSS, NIMASA and the NDLEA. Obayi said the situation had hindered the work of SON and posed a lot of danger to the economy since almost 80 per cent of goods coming into the country were coming through the seaports.

“It is very bad for us to allow these goods to be coming in without SON being physically present to check them because importers may present fake certificates to other agencies that do not have the facilities to cross- check like SON would do,” he said.

According to him, in order to control the influx of substandard goods into the country, the agency had to undertake warehouse monitoring and interception of containers on the highways.

He said, “What we do in warehouse monitoring is intercept the goods as they are being brought into the warehouses.

“But since warehouses are not identified like offices, one person who lives in Ikoyi can own seven

warehouses in Kirikiri and will not even disclose this fact to the agency.

“So all this lack of transparency on the part of importers makes our work challenging.

“We also intercept containers along the highways but it is not all containers that the agency is able to intercept.

“Out of 10 containers in a consignment, the agency may be fortunate to intercept only one.

“At that point, 90 per cent of the substandard products had already entered the Nigerian market.”

Obayi said because of corruption, whereas the Federal Government had said SON should be contacted when there were issues of standardisation at the ports, the agency had not been receiving such summons.

He said, “We don’t receive invitation from the ports and we cannot keep waiting for such invitations while containers are flying in everyday with substandard products.

NIMASA reactivates social windows, disclaims online sponsorship ad Following the recent changes in the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the agency’s public relations unit has reactivated its social accounts, according to the Deputy Director/Head of Public Affairs, Hajia Lami Tumaka.

Tumaka said the reactivation was aimed at ensuring that stakeholders are well informed about the activities of NIMASA “via effective information dissemination, using modern day technology”.

“Stakeholders can therefore like the NIMASA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NIMASAOFFICIAL), follow the agency on Twitter (@nimasaofficial) and always visit the website on www. nimasa.gov.ng for authentic information about the agency’s activities”, Tumaka stated.

The agency also disclosed that its attention has been drawn to recent publications in the social media entitled “2014/2015 NIMASA scholarship form finally out” with contact numbers as 08052873989, 07064847811.

The Agency said as a result it has also been inundated with calls by well-meaning Nigerians on their authenticity.

“It has therefore become imperative to state that this information is not from NIMASA. Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard such information concerning any scholarship by NIMASA, which is clearly the handiwork of scammers.

Money 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11 , 2015

FirstBank sponsors sustainability workshop for SMEs

L – R shows Mr. Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mrs. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, Head, Legal Department, NSE; Ms. Tinuade Awe, General Manager, Head, Legal and Regulation Division, NSE, and Mrs. Cima Sholotan, Lead, CSR, NSE at the LCCI 2015 Commerce and Industry Awards where NSE received the Award for Promoting Best Practice Reporting and Corporate Disclosure. The event was held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Buhari orders NPC, others to harmonize biometric data Egena Egena, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday ordered government agencies to harmonize the collection and usage of biometric data in the country, rather than duplicate efforts in that direction.

The President gave the charge after receiving a briefing on the activities of the National Population Commission from the Chairman, Eze Duru Iheoma (SAN), who led other National Commissioners to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He wondered why every agen-

cy would gather its own biometric data, when such could easily be shared, according to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

Buhari said: “It will be more cost effective if you work together. It helps even the credibility of the election process, as Nigerians of voting age can be identified easily.”

Government organizations that currently collect biometric data include the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, among

others.

President Buhari added that all the agencies should work collaboratively, instead of going in different directions, stressing that adequate data was necessary for planning and development in any country.

Eze Duru Iheoma had briefed the President on what would be required for the commission to conduct a national census next year, 10 years after the last exercise, as stipulated by the United Nations.

A national population census, the chairman said, would cost about N273 billion, while about N10 billion of the amount would be needed immediately.

He told the President that a biometric-based census was being proposed because it would eliminate multiple respondents, and ghost respondents, while making the outcome easy to audit.

Buhari

Sterling Plus cash reward promo produces first millionaire A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ojigwe have jointly won One Million Naira in the special holiday draw of the Sterling Bank Cash Reward Promo, a new proposition from the Bank. The elated couple who run a joint account with the Bank received the prize money at a ceremony held at the corporate headquarters of the Bank at the weekend.

Similarly, Mr. Adams Joshua Terna who won the prize of N500,000 in the quarterly draw also received his prize money

at the event. It would be recalled that the Bank two weeks ago rewarded 40 customers selected via an electronic raffle draw.

The New Sterling Plus is a hybrid offering with the promise of many goodies and freebies such as free Lenovo smartphones pre-installed with Sterling Mobile banking application and loaded with ‘cool’ financial and entertainment apps and cash rewards amongst others for customers. The promo started in June this year and is

aimed at rewarding customer loyalty and encouraging a savings culture among Nigerians.

Speaking after the presentation, the Bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Abubakar Suleiman congratulated the winners and assured that “Sterling Bank will continue to demonstrate its commitment to building an enduring relationship with its customers and in the process enrich their lives”.

He explained that the pre-

sentation of the prize money was in fulfillment of the Bank’s promise to reward customer loyalty and encourage a savings culture among Nigerians.

Mr. Suleiman who called on more Nigerians to embrace the product described the New Sterling Plus as the perfect solution for individuals interested in enjoying the benefits of both current and savings account offerings, without the associated costs of running a current account.

Nigeria’s most valuable bank brand, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, through its Sustainability Centre, FirstBank Sustainability Centre (FSC) has partnered with the Lagos Business School to host a Sustainability workshop for SME practitioners in Nigeria. The objective of the workshop is to drive home the need for SME entrepreneurs to embed sustainable practices into their operations.

In a statement the bank said. the two-day workshop, will hold at the Lagos Business School – Km 22, Lekki-Epe Expressway Ajah, Lagos, explaining that it is designed to enlighten participants that sustainability is not just about the environment, but an important step towards an efficient business model that reduces waste, cuts costs and increases profit.

“It will be a veritable platform to discuss how sustainable practices can improve SME practitioners’ bottom line as well as elaborate on ways to assess and implement more sustainable business methods. The workshop will also explore various funding options that support sustainability & innovation in small businesses,” the statement added.

FirstBank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, describes the workshop as one of the Bank’s initiatives that aim to engage and support the business enterprises of its stakeholders towards ensuring optimum performance. “We believe that SMEs are at the heart of national development, contributing greatly to the gross domestic product (GDP) of our country.”

“As Nigeria’s leading SME bank, we are focused on empowering SMEs and SME entrepreneurs towards capacity building and development to contribute to the growth of our economy in providing employment to people, adding to our GDP and repositioning the national economy for sustained growth”, she says.

The Sustainability workshops for SMEs is a Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability initiative of the FirstBank Sustainability Centre, established in collaboration with the Lagos Business School to create, disseminate and apply knowledge, build capacity and promote best practice in Sustainability in Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

I remain a “party less” Nigerian –Obasanjo

ÏÏÏ

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday declared that he would continue to embrace any Nigerian who has the good intention and exemplary leadership qualities irrespective of such person’s political lining.

The former Nigerian leader maintained that he remained party less, but would rather continue to carry the toga of a statesman.

Obasanjo, while quitting partisan politics prior to the last general election had ordered a

EMPRESS LADIES FORUM THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIAMAKA JACINTA UMEUKEJE -COORDINATOR 2. KOSISOCHUKWU ESTHER UMENDU -SECRETARY 3. ONUIGBO GLORY CHINASA 4. OBIAKOR VIVIAN CHIAMAKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster the development of the members, and every other women out there.

2. To see the educational training and empowerment of the girl child in the society.

3. To assist the less privilege women in the society in every form.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: COORDINATOR

public destruction of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card.

Chief Obasanjo who is the former chairman made the declaration while playing host to a delegation from Kogi State led by Governor Idris Wada, who visited him at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

While addressing his guests, the former president says, “everybody is welcome. But, they must be with good leadership

21 Public Notice

traits, with genuine intention to improve the country.”

He noted that contrary to the praises being showered on him for his performance as President under the PDP platform, it was important to emphasise that personality comes before the platform one represents to achieve desired goals.

Said he, “We should understand first that, not the party made the person, but the person makes the party. It is who you are that you bring into the

LOIS ZACCH FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

Trustees.

1. ZACCHEUS ANNA. 2. ZACCHEUS OLUWAYEMI. 3. ZACCHEUS LOIS.

Aim and objective.

1. To promote education.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

party. Though for now I remain a “party less” Nigerian, but, I will continue to welcome any Nigerian with good leadership qualities.

“It does not matter which party you are, either, PDP, APC, Labour, APGA any party at all, as long as you a are committed, sincere and a purposeful leader, I am ready for you. And that is what our brother is doing.

I pray that this country will never be short of this type of people,” he said.

THE MEGA CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for CHANGE OF TRUSTEES under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004 THE FORMER TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Ifeanyi Igwe-Retained 2. Pastor Mrs. Njideka Igwe-Retained 3. Mr. Alexander Ekwe-Retained 4. Engr. Simeon Ejesieme -Removed 5. Pastor God’s Power Ebue -Removed 6. Engr. Benjamin Raphael Jimo- Removed 7. Mr. Ndubuisi Okolo -Removed THE NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEE IS:-Pastor Godwin Igwe REASON FOR REMOVAL: Unavailability and absenteeism from meetings.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: Remain same.

Any objection to the Re-registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

SIGNED: BARR. UMAHI DAVID (Solicitor)

POWER TOOLS AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

BLOSSOM CITY CHURCH INT’L

THE OLOROGUN ENGR ENOCH OVUEMERENUO EJOFODOMI FOUNDATION

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. FERDINAND UMENWALIRI 2. CHIEF SIR JAMES UMEZULORA 3. SIR ISAAC AKUBUILO 4. CHIEF DIOGU INNOCENT OBILO 5. AMBROSE M. OKONWKO 6. MICHAEL OGBONNA 7. AHANONU SYLVESTER I. 8. PRINCE DIM OSITA 9. SIR ROBERT OZIGBO 10. EMMANUEL ANAGOR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To take care of the members welfare 2. To promote the members trades and businesses

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTORS JOHN GREAT EZE 2. PASTOR (MRS) IFEOMA GREAT EZE 3. PASTOR MOSHEL GREAT EZE 4. PASTOR ELIJAH JOHN OBAKA 5. EVANG. KINGSLEY MABH

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF (DR.) MRS. CHRISTIANA TITENE EJOFODOMI- PRESIDENT 2. MRS OMESIRI ADEGITE-SECRETARY 3. MRS OGOGOME EKPECHAM- PROVOST 4. MISS OCHAMUKE EJOFODOMI- TREASURER 5. MRS. MICHELLE ERUMU NWOSU 6. MR. ESERE EJOFODOMI 7. MR. EFE EJOFODOMI

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: NWIGWE STEPHEN, ESQ. 08137852445

Signed: INNOCENT SUNDAY, ESQ. 08032669149

DIAMOND FRIENDS CLUB OF NSUKKA

SHONUBI AT-TAOHEED FOUNDATION

UMUABA DEVELOPMENT UNION, OBA, ANAMBRA STATE

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Nnaemeka Ugwuanyi –Chairaman 2. Ezema Abuchi –Secretary 3. Ugwu Uchenna –Treasurer 4. Agbougo Obinna –Financial Secretary 5. Okwor Sunday –Member 6. Pastor Moshel Great Eze 7. Pastor Elijah John Obaka 8. Evang. Kingsley Mabh

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ To evangelize and win souls for god’s kingdom To help the poor and the needy in the society To conduct deliverance, healing and breakthrough crusades and seminars in order to win souls for Christ.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Taoheed Folasodun Adebisi Shonubi 2. Muhyibat Olufunmilayo Morenike Shonubi 3. Abdul Mojeed Folasodun Adebisi Shonubi 4. Isiaka Temitope Oladipupo Shonubi 5. Saidat Temidayo Adebanke 6. Abdul Fattah Bida Mabadeje 7. Shuaib Adejoke Oyolola

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To promote the welfare of registered members

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To engage in philanthropies and charitable activities To engage in promotion and propagation of Islamic deals

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: J. E ANAEKWE & CO

Signed: Barr. Yomi

LIFE TIME AID INITIATIVE ON PSYCHIATRIC

ENUGU TIMBER UNION IT/CAC/9282

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for CHANGE OF TRUSTEES under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004 TRUSTEES: 1. IBRAHIM SHEHU BASHAR. 2. Hauwan muktar Abdulkarim.

3. Mariya ibrahim shehu.

4. Maryam ibrahim shehu.

5. Sakina ibrahim shehu.

6. Hafsat ibrahim.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To eliminate stigma and misconception associated with people suffering from psychiatric illness.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: Secretary

This is to inform the general public that the above named Union has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for Certified True Corpy of Certificate (IT) under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

(1) Application for Certified True Copy of Certificate of ENUGU TIMBER UNION which was destroyed by fire.

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

Signed: Barr. George Ihejirika 08037035205.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To sponsor less privileged students through academic grants and scholarship programs.

2. To establish and sustain an honorary chair in engineering sciences at chosen reputable and accredited Nigeria universities which would reward excellence in academic performance either in research or high cumulative grade point achievement.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja Signed: ABDULWAHAB ARAOYE (ESQ.) 08035785288

TRUSTEES: (1) APOSTLE SUNDAY CHUKWUANU (2) MR. IKECHUKWU ANYAORA (3) MR. EMMANUEL CHIGBO (4) MR. UBADI OSITA (5) MR. UBADI CHARLES AIM ND OBJECTIVE: (1) To foster unity and progress among members of the union.

(2) To cater for the welfare of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed: Barr. Egwu C. Josephat. 08062427121.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Nigeria Police Plateau State Command is calling on the general public whom have lost properties to hoodlums to come forward to the Area Command Metro Jos, Plateau State, for Identification and collection of the under listed items within 2 weeks of this publication as it will be auctioned to members of the public.

1 Toyota Camry 98 Model 1 Toyota Camry 2002 Model 1 Honda Civic 92 Model 1 Toyota Camry 94 Model 1 Honda one door Prelude 1 Toyota Corolla And other items.

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Ganduje launches free eye care services in Kano Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏAs part of

its effort at alleviating the suffering of the poor, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has launched the state Free Eye Care /Eye Camp Programme, aimed at treating at least 44,000 patients across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Under the program, patients would be given drugs/

medicaments, medical glasses and undergo cataract and lid repair surgeries free.

Speaking during the launching at Sir Sanusi General Hospital, Yankaba, in the state capital, Governor Ganduje said present administration has initiated the free eye care programme, as part of its human development agenda, to save people from visual impairment or total blind-

ness.

Noting that empirical evidence has shown that at least three million Nigerians are suffering from different kinds of eye problems while one million are blind, the governor explained that with the state government’s intervention, many people with visual challenges would be saved from imminent blindness.

“We are aware of the economic and social reper-

cussions of blindness. Cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness among our people, is treatable.

Yet, many people lack the money to treat it and other eye problems, which lead to blindness” the governor lamented.

Governor Ganduje stated, thus, that the program was initiated to save the people from blindness and avoidable visual impairment free, assuring that the govEbonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi (3rd left); Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Sen. Emmanuel Onwe (left); Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Bernard Odoh (2nd left); United Nations Population Fund Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ratizai Ndhlove; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe; and Reproductive Health Specialist of the UNFPA, Yakubu Aliyu, during a visit by the UNFPA officials to the governor in Abakaliki… on Monday.

Osun crisis: Pro-Aregbesola group seeks cooperation Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

Omoluabi Progressive Association (O-PA) has called on the people of Osun State to pray for a robust economic stature as it also seeks for the people’s cooperation and understanding with the state government.

O-PA, a political pressure group made up of personal assistants and young professionals in the state made

Aregbesola

this appeal in a communiqué signed by its coordinator , Comrade Lekan Odediran after their activities to commemorate a year anniversary of August 9th, 2014 gubernatorial election.

The group also alleged that the incessant daily theft of over 400,000 barrels of crude oil, fall in oil price in international market and massive corruption and mismanagement of national resources during the PDP led government at the centre led to the recent economic woes in the country.

“The Ogbeni led administration has been transparent, open and forthright in spite of the current economic challenges and the governor is back on the

strategic board to make life better for the entire people," it added.

The group however lauded the workers in the state for calling off the strike as a way of finding common platform to solve the financial challenges facing the state.

O-PA enjoined the good people of Osun to be wary of the campaign of calumny against the state by the promoters of conflict and chaos to score cheap political gains.

According to the group, August 9th, 2014 has become a day to be celebrated for every progressive minded person in Osun and Nigeria at large.

The communiqué read

in part, “August 9 2014, was a day to be remembered in the political space of the country, especially the State of Osun. It was a day the common man’s wish prevailed over crass impunity, harassment and intimidation.

"It was indeed a date with destiny for the progressives and its leaders as the day revealed that the then opposition (APC) can rise against all odds to wrest power from the unpopular power at the centre, it said".

It would be recalled that a few days to the August 9, 2014 polls, there was massive deployment of armed security personal (Army, Police, Civil defense, DSS to the state.

NMA to honour Saraki at NEC meeting in Ilorin Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏ

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will honor the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki as part of activities marking its six-day National Executive Council Meeting in Ilorin, Kwara state. The associa-

tion's NEC meeting will hold between August 25 and 30, 2015.

The Senate President is billed to be honoured on August 29 at a dinner to round off the week long NEC meeting.

The chairman, Kwara state branch of the NMA,

Dr Abubakar Ayinla made this known during an interactive session with newsmen in Ilorin on Monday.

Ayinla said the formal opening ceremony of the event will take place on Thursday,August 27, at the Banquet Hall, opposite Government House, Ilorin.

According to him Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State is expected to be the special guest of honour, while the keynote speaker would be the Registrar, National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor Wole Atoyebi.

ernment would focus attention on preventing and curing eye diseases.

Consequently, he announced that the state government plans to procure and install specialized equipment in some hospitals across the state and provide surgical consumables to treat eye related problems.

The governor expressed appreciation to UNICEF, WHO, M4H, CHAI and oth-

er development partners for their support to the state government especially in the area of health services.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Getso Ibrahim said that eye patients are expected to receive various degrees of treatment at several centers across the state, explaining that at the Sir Sanusi Hospital centre, 7,000 people from seven local government areas would benefit.

Research Institutes, WAAPP to boost aquaculture

clude NISPR and Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR), Lagos.

The third institute, Prof Peter said was National Institute of Fisheries and Fresh Water Research (NIFFWR), New Bussa, Niger State.

The NSPRI boss said the three Institutes were mandated to find cost effective ways of mass production of fingerlings and fish meals locally in order to cut down costs of importing same into the Country.

Peters added that the Institutes were also tasked to fashion out cost effective and more hygienic ways of drying and packaging local fish in order to increase its shelve life without losing its original tasteand add value to it.

Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThree

Research Institutes in the country are in active collaboration with West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme, WAAPP, to boost aquaculture and improve fish production.

Prof Olufemi Peters, Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin made this known on Monday in Ilorin in an interview with Daily Times According to Prof Peters, the Research Institutes in-

Politicians caused rot in NNPC – PENGASSAN Bidemi Bekerley

ÏÏÏWorkers in the oil and gas industry have accused political leaders in the country of causing the rot in the nation’s oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

In his remarks during the Addax Petroleum Branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Abeokuta PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, alleged that high level of political interference by political leaders in the country was a major stumbling block to effective and efficient performance of the NNPC. The conference witnessed a change of guard at the branch as new execu-

tive were elected to lead the branch for another three years. Comrade Chris Ogiemwonyi was elected the chairman, while Comrade John Omojefe and Comrade Gerald Agwu emerged Vice Chairman and Secretary among other executive council members’ elected.

Comrade Johnson urged the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to include in the ongoing reforms in the oil and gas industry to halt political interference in the operations and activities of the NNPC. He said that this step will make the corporation to be efficient, effective and enable it to compete favourably among its peers in the world, such as the Saudi Armco of Saudi Arabia, Petronas of Malaysia and Petrobras of Brazil.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Adamawa teachers sue govt over unpaid salaries Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏ For unpaid 29 months’ salary, the Adamawa State Government has been dragged to court by a group of over 600 teachers it employed, in 2012,

Jibrilla

Joined in the suit are the Ministry of Education, Post-Primary School Management Board and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents, respectively.

It will be recalled that Adamawa State Government had stopped the teachers who were recruited under Batch D1 by the state’s Post Primary School Management Board after declaring that they were recruited illegally.

In the suit filed by the 659 affected teachers before the Yola Division of the National Industrial Court, sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, because of the security situation in the North

East, the teachers, through their counsel, Barrister A.B Babakano, sought a declaration that their appointment was valid, lawful and not illegal having worked for a period of 29 months.

They also sought a declaration that having worked for the defendants for 29 months they were entitled to the payment of their salaries/wage, allowances and entitlements for the 29 months totaling N638, 966, 400.00.

A spokesman of the teachers, Mr. Fredrick Mbashi, said they resorted to a legal action after all efforts – including peaceful demonstration to have government pay their salaries for the months they had worked had failed.

“We were shocked when the government which recruited us through the board and issued us subhead numbers PSN on grade level 07/01 and also gave some of us laptop on loan to be deducted in tranches from our salary turned around to say our appointment was illegal.

“We are not saying that we must be retained, what we want is our entitlements for the period we have worked for the government.

“We are ready to settle out of court and hope this new administration of Governor Bindow Jibrilla, which preaches change for the people of Adamawa State, will look into our plight as citizens of the state,” Mbashi said.

Court arraigns four armed robbery suspects Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏ

A four-man gang was, on Monday, arraigned before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, before by Justice Atinuke Ipaye, for armed robbery and illegal possession of dangerous arms.

The accused persons: Raman Salawudeen, Olapada Ayo, Franklin Akpobuwa, Sese Demide; were arrested on June 16 for attempting to rob one Mr. Okpor Sylvester around Peace Estate, Market bus-stop, Badagry, Lagos.

Part of the charge against the accused persons indicated that, dangerous arms and weapons –including locally made pistols – were found in their possession, which they used to rob people of their belongings.

According to the state prosecutor, Mr. Afeez Owokoniran, the alleged offence was contrary to Section 297 and 296 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Led-in evidence by the defence counsel, A.O Omodele, one of the suspects, Raman Salawudeen, told the court that, he knew nothing about the allegation levelled against him by the police. He said he only hid on the roof of his house when the police came to arrest him at midnight, because he thought those who were banging his door were robbers.

Salawudeen, further told the court that he met Franklin through his mother, who is one of the clients he repairs their generator set before he led the Police and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to his house that night, and that he has never committed robbery.

23 News C’River Police parade suspected kidnapers, cultists Emma Obi Calabar

ÏÏÏ The Cross River State Police

Command, in Calabar, on Monday, paraded four suspected kidnappers and other criminals.

Parading the suspects before newsman at its headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, the state Police commissioner (CP), Henry Fadairo, said the suspected cultists and kidnappers were arrested at various locations.

He said that on August 4, 2015, one Mr. Afaghaene Onuka of community Road, Jebbs, in Calabar South Local Government Area, reported that a gang of armed men invaded his compound and whisked away his two female wards aged 17 and 18 years to an unknown destination and policemen immediately swung into aggressive manhunt for the suspects, which resulted into the arrest of four of them at No. 55 Afokang Street, Calabar.

Kogi guber:

Ex-Gov Audu, Ocholi, 23 others jostle for APC ticket Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏNo Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at their camp in Maiduguri, Borno State… On Monday

Lagos restates commitment to check sexual, domestic violence

Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏThe Lagos State Government

has reiterated its commitment to ensuring total eradication of sexual and gender-based violence, saying that the Ambode administration has zero tolerance for perpetrators of such crimes.

The Co-ordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Titilola VivourAdeniyi, said on Monday that the state government had enjoined victims of sexual and genderbased violence to speak out as the state government was ready to fight all such causes and ensure justice was done.

It would be recalled that the state government inaugurated the DSVRT in September 2014 as a response to the increase in incidents of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect and maltreatment in the State.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode met, last month, with the team where he charged them to go all out and increase victim safety and offender responsibility, by providing a cross jurisdictional response that is uniform in approach in the way sexual and gender-based violence cases were handled.

Vivour-Adeniyi said that in the past one month alone, the team had attended to about 50 cases.

She said that at least 30 of the cases had to do with victims of domestic violence, adding that the team was also currently monitoring over 20 cases, which included child abuse, defilement and rape with key evidential medical and police reports. This, however, is excluding the total number of cases the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting at the High Court.

“In terms of advocacy, DSVRT

has trained over 800 mandated reporters who are State Government employees that have been dealings with children on how to detect signs of child abuse and steps to take in reporting such cases. Furthermore, over 2, 000 school children have been empowered through our rape prevention workshops on how to avoid being a victim of sexual abuse, self defence and how to preserve evidence when physically or sexually assaulted,” she said. According to her the DSVRT comprises top level representatives of the Nigeria Police, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Public Defender, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Office of Youth and Social Development, Ministries of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Health and Education, civil society organisations, and the media.

fewer than twenty-five aspirants are currently jostling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi State.

The governorship election is billed to hold on November 21, this year.

The state is presently under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Mr. Idris Wada as governor.

Already, the screening of the 25 contestants for the primary election has been scheduled to commence on August 29.

Among the aspirants are former governor of the State, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Clarence Olorunfemi, erstwhile National Assembly member, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, a prominent lawyer, Chief Ocholi (SAN), Senator Nicholas Ugbani, Mr. Suleman Baba and Timi Nda Diche, amongst others.

One of the aspirants, AbatemiUsman has, however, reiterated his commitment and determination towards securing the ticket of the party.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Features

Æs

The protesting traders at the local government

Katankowa Traders cry for help ...Protest imposition of high levies, extortion

Miffed by what they termed as extortion, traders at the Katankowa market last Wednesday, took to the streets to protest alleged high-handedness of officials of the Agbado Oke-odo Local Council Development Area, JOY ANYIM NDUDI reports.

For traders in Katankowa market, Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, their ordeal started nine years ago when the Local Government contracted the payment of the rates to one Mr. Sylvanus, (other names withheld). The traders were previously making their payments directly to the Oke-Odo Local Government Council. With the change came unexpected hardship.

Mrs. Okafor Blessing took Daily Times through the hardship they allegedly suffered in the hands of the man and his staff, “Formerly, we were paying N1200 yearly but, things changed when

the Local Government contracted out the payment of the rates.

“We do not know the criteria for his selection; he was just imposed on us by the Local Government as the one to act as the intermediary between us and the local government in terms of rates collections. That was about nine years ago.

“His very first move on assuming duty was to increase the rates from a monthly fee of N100 to a daily fee of N100.

“We were not comfortable with this, so we went to complain to the Local Government and also pushed our complaints further to Alausa,” she disclosed.

As though that was not enough, the man allegedly imposed a mandatory N200 fee every market day Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). For the rest of the days, excluding Sunday, the traders were mandated to pay N100.

Speaking further, Blessing revealed “We went to the Local

government for the second time to complain this development; he was directed by the Local Government to stop the N200 fee every market day. In April, he again increased the fee to N200 for ordinary days. We were told that the order for increment was from the government and he buttressed it with a letter purportedly from the government.”

To ascertain the veracity of his claims, the market chairman, Mr Elvis Okwutoha was asked to confirm this from the Local government: on getting there, he discovered that the claim was not true.

Mrs Blessing is not alone in this predicament, Yomi Folorunsho, from the central section of the market spoke of his experience in a chat with Daily Times. He recounted how his goods worth N80, 000 were seized by the man’s aides because he did not comply with his directives.

Continued on page 25

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

25 Features

He was selected through a bid— LCDA The traders were paying N1200 yearly but, things changed when the Local Government contracted the payment of the rates to the man— Blessing Okafor

The protesting traders at the Lagos State House of Assembly

Continued on page 24 Said he, “We usually pay N10, 000 for every six months. Later he increased it to N20, 000; while we were complaining about the increase, he raised it to N25, 000 and when I refused to pay, he ordered my goods worth N80, 000 seized, for added measures, I was driven away from my shop. Since that happened, I have been living off friends,” As it is with Folorunsho, so it is with Gabriel Nwosu. He was chased out of the market by the man and his boys for failing to part with N25, 000 as against the N15, 000 he was previously paying for the little space he occupied.

Traders kick Having had it full, the traders marched in their hundreds to the Council Secretariat of Agbado Oke Odo Development Area, Lagos to protest the arbitrary increments in the various levies claimed to be ticket monies remit-

ted to the local government.

They were seen carrying placards bearing slogans like, ‘We want peace to return to the market’, ‘we don’t want the man because he is corrupt’, ‘Traders are not slaves to pay levies above what they get out of their trading,’ etc.

Daily Times gathered that the traders had gone through nine years of hell, ranging from extortion, torture and imposition to arbitrary increment of rates from Odus.

So, it was with joy that the traders received the news of the termination of the man’s appointment on May 20, 2015. However the joy was short-lived as he was reinstated almost immediately.

To register their displeasure at the reinstatement of the man and other nefarious acts allegedly perpetrated by him, representatives of the Katankowa Traders Association on Friday marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly in a peaceful protest.

Bearing placards and singing, they converged outside the gate of the State Assembly to get the attention of the legislators.

Although the House was on recess, to resume in September, Honorable Modashiru Obasan however addressed the traders.

He commended the traders for conducting themselves peacefully while assuring that their complaints would be looked into. In his words “the local government has authority over markets. It is a constitutional matter. But then, there is need for a good relationship between traders and the local government. It is only when there is a cordial relationship that we can maintain peace.

“We will look into the petitions as assembly members who have your interest at heart. We will invite the Executive Secretary and your representatives, so that we can look into the matter,” the lawmaker said.

The traders also submitted a copy of their petition to the Gov-

ernor’s office and the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The Council’s reaction The Executive Secretary of the Council, Engr. Dapo Famuyiwa David who listened to the traders’ grievances, gave reasons why the man was reinstated. He said, “when I came into office in January, I discovered they were short changing the council; I also discovered they were making only one million naira. I asked him to step aside to do a test running which Chief Elvis handled.

At the roads where the man was collecting N52, 000, I reduced it to N40, 000, even with Chief Elvis in charge; the man’s people also came to protest.

“So we decided to make it an open bid where all the parties who were interested in collecting the revenue for the local government from the market would come with their plan and bid. We divided the market into two and 30 bidders came, but after much screening, they were reduced to three - Elvis, the man and Olawole. Elvis bidded for one side for N1.3 million, bidded for the same side at N1.5 million and the Olawole group bided for both sides at N2 million. The highest bidder which is the man got it. So that is why he came back.”

JUST HUMAN 11.02am. Drunk and out on a pavemement on Awolowo Way, Ikeja. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/047

The engineer further said the man has been warned not to collect any extra charge. Also, that the Private Sector Participation (PSP) levies should not be collected by the contractor except the local government.

The way forward To find a lasting solution to the imbroglio, the ‘First Lady’ of the market, Mrs. Chidimma Egwu, popularly known as Mega C, was asked to come up with a ten-man committee for a round table discussion with the Executive Secretary by 2pm same day to map out the way forward.

The first lady who also spoke to Daily Times said what the traders want is the total removal of the man. This is because his tenure is characterised with extortion, illegal levies and charges, imposition of illegal fines, illegal seizure of traders’ wares, etc.

Other charges levelled against the man include high handedness, sexual harassment and causing disaffection among traders.

She also stated that this is not the end as the traders are ready to fight endlessly for their right and rather get someone who would feel the pains of the people as a contractor, than the man whose sole aim is exploiting the traders.

11.45pm. The key board, the music and a sound sleep. By Isheri Round About, Lagos. Photo God’s Covenant Snr 048

26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Law Chijioke Okoli read Law at the University of Jos and was called to the Nigerian Bar almost three decades ago. Chijioke, a principal partner in Ilo and Okoli law firm was the former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos branch. He told PETER FOWOYO, the legacies of his administration, the stamp and seal for lawyers and sundry other issues.

As a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos branch, what are the legacies left behind by your administration?

If you talk about legacies, I think the question would be best answered by some informed members because if I go on about the legacies there could be some element of accusation or self -praise but, I would tell you that the most lasting things more often than not, are things that you cannot feel or touch, those things will not be destroyed. When the Americans talk about within the heart and mind, you don’t see the heart, you don’t see the mind, you can destroy a building but what is internalized you cannot so, that is the angle I am coming from.

As Chairman of the Bar I promised that I would take the Premier Bar to the next level and with all due deference to modesty, I did that splendidly because I was clear in my mind what I was going there to do, I wasn’t a run of the mill candidate so to speak. If you followed the debate prior to the election, the thinking was that I was something of an outsider even though I was a member of the exco but I was not seen as a professional bar politician who has spent years holding different offices.

When you come for meeting, you will see scanty crowd meanwhile we say we have by far the largest number of members so what I did was that I challenged and inspired membership particularly those members of big commercial law firms where you have the large clusters of lawyers who thought that participation in Bar activity was just a waste of time for those lawyers who didn’t have much doing which is a very erroneous view.

Because I also had a commercial law background, it was relatively feasible for me to get them to buying and said you can’t sit in your office and say that those people don’t know what they are doing because whatever decision that is taken there would bind you.

I promised and delivered. When I came in, I raised the membership capacity tremendously. I got so many people who never bothered to come for meetings to start coming to meetings and you cannot talk of any legacy or capacity when

Æs the members totally ignored the organization. We built capacity in terms of human right and then we got very serious and committed lawyers to come in and assist.

We had somebody like Biodun Owonikoko SAN putting his money in the Human Right Committee.

Fabian Ajogu SAN was heading the Continue Legal Education and we were doing wonderfully well.

For the first time at that stage we had senior advocates heading sub committees without minding that the Chairman is not a SAN. A lot of senior advocates, credit to them, where doing things and they did it with passion.

Whenever Judges are to be appointed the list is sent to the Chairmen of the branches to comment but for me, it wasn’t personal. What I did in my time was to set a benchmark which people would look at with objectivity.

When the list of those to be made Judges came, before then I had set up a committee, which we called the Judiciary Committee of the NBA Lagos branch headed by Wole Akanni SAN, Kemi Pinheiro SAN was the alternate Chair. I had a committee of people who I could not even influence to do their job. I set up structures that were not personalized and that was unprecedented. The committee was undoubtedly some of the Lagos finest practitioners There is the legacy of none personalization of power. As chairman of the Bar, I said the two years was too short for anybody to start looking for who supported him and who did not, I brought everybody including known violent opponent because everybody has something to offer. I came into office, Lagos was hosting the Annual General Conference of the Bar after so many years and in spite of so much oppositions from others who said Lagos is in perpetual log jam, I make bold to say that the members of the Bar who came for the Annual General Conference in Lagos in 2009 didn’t want to go in fact, after that many of them said they were looking forward to next time Lagos will host it.

We must mention accountability.

As NBA Lagos branch, a whole lot of invitations I honored was not because I am so rich as a lawyer but, I like to think that I am rich in terms of integrity, I was travelling to places with my money, you can ask the treasurer and members indeed, when we were leaving, the late Eze Obi SAN said it is good what Mr. okoli has done but let us not put it there because somebody who is serving the branch the expenditure should be made from the branch. I bear both my hotel and fare details. One thing my harshest critics would tell you is that I ran such an accountable open system and I was able to raise the largest sums of money left behind

OKOLI:

We can’t rule out executive’s role in appointment of judges

Okoli

by any Chairman, I left close to N30 million. I told my committee they had to be prudent in running affairs whenever money that belongs to others was in their care.

Were you not criticized by young lawyers for using senior advocates to head most of the committees?

Yes, I was. My very good friend and our uncle, pa Gomez turned round, the thing that was supposed to be a big accomplishment for me, he said you’re handing chairmanship

of committees to senior advocates but, there was a method to that.

Most committees needed money to function properly so I picked up lawyers who were successful and committed to run these committees so that they would not come back to say Mr Okoli left a huge debt when he was leaving office. I got people spending money but I also made sure the debit side reduced. Fabian Ajogu SAN spent over N1million running Continue Legal Education, we had Wole Akanni SAN running

his own committee too. Apart from all the financial input, we employed a Youth Corper, the salary was on Mr. Biodun Owonikoko SAN. They all helped us with their own money.

If I had given these committees to be run by some other people, the truth of the matter is academic now whether these people would have made success than these other people did but, one thing for sure is that it would also have cost us more money.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

The NBA has introduced stamp for lawyers in other to reduce the number of fake lawyers in the noble profession. Can this feat be achieved?

Yes, it’s even working and apart from even the feat being achieved, it is legal with all due deference to the body of senior advocates, under the Rules of Professional Conduct, pursuant to Legal Practitioners Act, you will find out it has legal backing but apart from it having a legal backing, it is a sure way of checking activities of quacks and we have so many of them who have integrated themselves into the system like the one found in one of the branches in the South West, she went on to hold a position. With the stamp and seal your name will be verified, you will show your certificate and they now go to the Supreme Court where the list and everybody’s names are kept those stamps comes with individual enrolment number so, to a certain degree it’s foolproof. It’s a step in the right direction, it’s long over- due and credit must go to the present NBA President, Austin Alegeh SAN, he’s done quite a lot, the stamp introduced is a major credit to him when we talk about his own legacy.

Section 271 sub-section 3-5 of the constitution states the guidelines for the appointment of Judges in the state. Are you comfortable with this mode of appointment?

For me, you can’t really rule out the participation of the executive, the issue for me is to ensure that the individuals who are appointed Judges are fit and proper people.

Who says the governor cannot appoint fit and proper people to be Judges? Administration of justice is the number one social infrastructure, people are talking about roads being built and every other thing but those things can be damaged overnight. If you’re able to build a proper ethos, way of life and you cannot have a sustainable ethos, a sustainable system that is not founded on the administration of justice to that extent the executive ought to see that the administration of justice perform optimally and you cannot talk about optimal performance of the administration of justice without the personnel.

In Nigeria we are talking about economic diversification and we are clueless. I ask you: when last did you pick anything, big or small and you see made in Britain on it?

It’s either China or any other place but Britain is a top economy, it is running on services and one of the biggest inflows of money is the administration of justice in England.

Yes, because they have built such a system that has earned the trust of the whole world, a lot of arbitration even some people when they are doing international contract and no British party is involved they would tell you that in the event of a conflict that English law will apply, in the event of a conflict they will go and

27 Law

AREGBESOLA:

Justice Oloyede erred –Okoli do arbitration in London, we haven’t sat down to think about it.

You can’t talk about business without talking about administration of justice because there will be commercial dispute and this dispute will be resolved by court.

So, if a governor decides to have substandard people to be Judges then people will run away from that place. It’s not that the governors will just hand pick anybody, there is a process. Each state has its own Judicial Service Commission, there’s a scrutinizing process including asking members of the Bar for their views. There have been cases where the Bar made an issue of some particular appointees. Appointment of a person to the position of a Judge shall be made by the governor of the state and with the recommendation of the National Judicial Council so, you also now have intermediation of the National Judicial Council even though the judiciary is to a certain degree unitary.

Under the 1979 constitution, it wasn’t like that, the state Judicial Service Commission will deal with appointment of Judges, if you’re now appointing a Federal Judge like a Federal High Court Judge or Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.

We now have a situation where the High Court Judge cannot be appointed unless you’re cleared by the NJC. There are some checks and balances but I would not go into how that is offensive to our purported federalism that is peculiar.

How do you see the call by the panel set up by the Osun House of Assembly to discipline a Judge over corruption allegation leveled against the governor and his deputy?

I must tread carefully, it’s in the public domain but, I do not know the exact specifics so, whatever I would say is tentative. I would say the issue of a judge coming directly to make that allegation is uncommon if not strange because by the nature of the work judges are seen, not heard in public. It’s some of this consideration that made some of us say we don’t want to be judges. The views of the judges, yes, are almost entirely to be distilled from their judgment. It is usually when a case come before you, for instance, a case comes up before a judge and maybe it’s a criminal matter, somebody has been charged for theft and in the allocutos after the person has been convicted, the defense counsel will plead a sinuating circumstances the Judge take into consideration before pronouncing judgment, the person may say:” I am supposed to be a worker but my parents have

been out of job or they have a job but they’ve not been paid salaries for six months.” Depending on the mindset, a judge could now criticize the system or maybe the government that he can’t understand why people would go to work for six months and they are not being paid but it comes within that confinement of a judgment.

It was Justice Eso in the election petition of Ono and Nwobodo, the Supreme Court particularly Eso took time to tongue-lashed Bishop Eyitene who was the Commissioner of Police in the old Anambra state.

He was alleged, and Eso found sufficient grounds to believe that he was more or less an agent of the NPN who committed mayhem.

Though he wasn’t before the court but from the evidence led by the parties that what the police did in Anambra state under the control of Commissioner of Police, Bishop Eyitene, the Supreme Court thoroughly tongue lashed him and when Buhari and Idiagbon came in,

“For me, you can’t really rule out the participation of the executive, the issue for me is to ensure that the individuals who are appointed Judges are fit and proper people. Who says the governor cannot appoint fit and proper people to be Judges?” it was based on that judgment that he was one of the first people that were sacked.

The Supreme Court Justices were not writing petition to the Senate or to anybody, obviously, they waited for an opportunity in a case before them to now do that. To that extent, I don’t know the whole details but a judge writing a petition against a government official on a public matter is unusual. Whether that is now enough to say the judge should be dismissed from service is another thing altogether because we are dealing with a philosophical

Okoli

issue, Judges usually don’t say much even where the condition of service of the judiciary is not the best but, you won’t hear the judges complain so much.

If a judge is making statement criticizing on a number of things, if a case comes before that judge, the government would now say no, you’re biased because I know what your views are. It’s not a particularly palatable situation where a case comes up and parties are now saying no, I think this judge is bias but a party can have the proper cause to say you’re bias when you’ve gone public in criticizing that person.

Again, I don’t know the veracity of those allegations; it’s a serious issue if they found out that those allegations are not factual. The more we delve into this and different aspects of it, you find out that it is uncomfortable why a reasonable

person, a true practitioner of law, I don’t know the judge, I am not from Osun state but I find it a bit unsettling because it has the tendency to bring the administration of justice to disrepute.

To the best of my knowledge, Osun state is not the only state owing salaries. I think Benue is in a worst situation. Before the last election, Benue state owed close to one year salary and I was watching the governor, he owned up that he made the issue when minimum wage came up that we cannot pay but there was a surge in income so they went on. Osun state is not peculiar and I also don’t think that Aregbesola is one of those you can accuse of frivolity, I’ve lived in Lagos and he was Commissioner for Works in Lagos and in my view, he was one of the more serious minded public officers.

28

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

EXTRATIME

Gabala express grief after jour nalist’s murder

A

Messi

UEFA SUPER CUP:

KROHN-DEHLI READY TO BATTLE MESSI!

S

evilla midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli is expecting to face a motivated Lionel Messi in today’s UEFA Super Cup. Europa League holders Sevilla take on Champions League winners Barcelona in the curtain-raiser to the European season in Tbilisi with the Catalans aiming to win the first of six possible titles in 2015/16.

Key to that ambition will be the form of Messi, who comes into the Sevilla clash still smarting from the criticism he received following Argentina’s failure to win the Copa America last month.

Messi’s desire to play for his country was questioned after Argentina’s final defeat to hosts Chile, with some pundits even calling for him to be

dropped from the next squad.

Krohn-Dehli has no doubts about Messi’s quality and is expecting a backlash at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena.

The 32-year-old told Spanish media: “Messi doesn’t need any additional motivation and I imagine he’s annoyed about what’s been said about him in Argentina after the recent Copa América.

“As he’s the best player, he doesn’t need any time to find his form again and this is what we’ll be up against.”

Today’s game will give Krohn-Dehli the chance to line up against Luis Enrique, who converted the Denmark international into a central midfielder when the pair worked together at Celta Vigo.

zerbaijani football club Gabala have expressed their grief after a journalist died following an alleged attack by a group of supporters.

The incident is said to have happened after reporter Rasim Aliyev suggested Gabala skipper Javid Huseynov should be banned for waving a Turkish flag in front of visiting Apollon Limassol fans following a UEFA Europa League qualifying clash last week.

A cousin of Huseynov is reported to have been detained by police, who are now investigating the incident.

Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, along with the country’s football association have condemned the alleged violence, while Gabala have confirmed Azerbaijan international Huseynov will not play again until further notice.

“News of the death of the journalist Rasim Aliyev has been met with great sadness by every member of the club,” read a Gabala statement.

Buhari congratulates Nigeria’s special athletes Egena Egena Abuja

P

r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commended the performance of Nigeria’s team at the just concluded Special Olympics in Los Angeles, United States.

A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said President Buhari commended the team for their diligence, dedication and wonderful performance at the games in which they won a total of 71 medals, including 34 gold medals.

“The President applauds the special athletes’ inspiring victories in Los Angeles which, he believes, epitomize the true Nigerian spirit and his personal conviction that whatever challenges we face as a nation,

Buhari we can overcome them through dedication, hard work, perseverance and rise to the highest possible levels of accomplishment.

“President Buhari assures the athletes that the Federal Government and all Nigerians are very proud of their exhilarating and dominant performance at the Special Olympics in which they won medals in all featured events.

“The President looks forward to receiving members of the team at the Presidential Villa to celebrate their brilliant victories in Los Angeles,” the statement added.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

EXTRATIME

29

Salami

happy to play under OLISEH W L-R: Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria; Afolabi Kasomo, Assistant Brand Manager, Guinness; Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport, West Africa and Koye Sowemimo, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa during the Live Screening of the English Premier League new season held at Landmark event center, Oniru, Lagos on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Multichoice hosts football fans at EPL season opener Andrew Ekejiuba

L

overs of football were treated to a full day of unforgettable football action as leading video entertainment provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, hosted them at a live screening of the first group of matches of the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, 8 August, at Landmark, Victoria Island in Lagos.

The event teemed with football enthusiasts, including DStv and GOtv subscribers, football analysts and media guests who witnessed a high definition broadcast of the matches alongside live studio commentary and analysis from SuperSport on-air personalities.

General Manager Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said “the new football season kick-off event has become an annual occurrence. It is designed to bring the

Ibe

to make Eagles’ decision in 2016

Mike Otanwa with Agency Report

L

game of football closer to viewers while creating a convivial atmosphere of fun and excitement which sets the tone for the season”.

“DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a bumper soccer season with SuperSport as the Barclays Premier League commences on Saturday.

Throughout the football season, SuperSport will showcase over 900 live international matches, an offering unmatched anywhere on the continent”, he said.

Mabutho also thanked broadcast sponsors Guinness, Glo and Samsung for partnering with MultiChoice and for their contributions to making the SuperSport live screening of the 2015/2016 European football season kickoff event a memorable one.

The season got off

iverpool winger Jordon Ibe has told Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, he will take a decision on his international future in 2016, when he will be 21 years old.

Oliseh is a big fan of Ibe, who he believes will fit nicely in the type of football he plans to play with the Super Eagles and so has gone ahead to sound out the exciting winger in England. It was further gathered that the player has also spoken with his 42-year-old Nigerian father, David, on the prospects of featuring for the three-time African champions.

“He has consulted with his family and he now wants to wait a little longer till when he’s 21 and that will be in 2016 before he decides on the direction of his international career,” a top source said.

Observers have suggested this position could also buy time for the Liverpool ace to establish himself at his EPL club as well as leave the door open for the England Three Lions.

to a roaring start with Manchester United in an early kick-off with Tottenham at the Old Trafford stadium.

Other matches of the day were between newcomers Watford, in a fierce battle with Everton, Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth respectively. The lads of Sunderland had their season opener with Leicester while defending champions, Chelsea locked horns with Swansea City.

From this season onwards, the drama of the Barclays Premier League will unfold majorly on SuperSport 5 (225) which is now Africa’s new 24-hour home of the EPL. SuperSport 3 (223) will also host a good number of the EPL matches, even as it becomes home to other international football competitions such as the La Liga and UEFA Champion’s League.

arri Wolves goal poacher Gbolahan Salami says he is ready to play under Nigeria’s new coach Sunday Oliseh after he was listed among the 23 home-based players for camping beginning next week.

His hard work and impressive form has not gone unnoticed with national team handlers as Oliseh handed him a call up.

Salami has scored nine goals from 22 games this season and also added five goals in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup before the Seasiders crashed out.

He netted over 15 goals in the top plight last season.

He was a prominent figure under former Coach Stephen Keshi and

scored the opening goal in June’s 2-0 victory over Chad in Kaduna.

Salami further revealed that playing for the Eagles has always been very exciting and ensuring that the maximum points is secured against the Taifa Stars would be the ideal tonic for the Eagles’ quest to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after the team’s failure to play in the 2015 edition held in Equatorial Guinea.

“I am always happy to be invited to the national team and another call up to the Super Eagles won’t be an exception,” Salami said.

The Wolves goal sensation promised Nigerians that the Eagles would be competitive and be poised to record an impressive result in Dar es Salam.

Salami

ARS 5: Team Rivers reach national finals Andrew Ekejiuba, Sports Editor

I

t was all excitement at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, as the male and female teams from the state emerged winners of the Regional Championship at the on-going Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 football tournament.

Rivers State boys clinched the ticket after defeating Delta State

counterparts by 2-0 in an encounter that was full of action. The two goals were scored by the captain, 15-yearold Tari Ogidi, who eventually won the Highest Goals Scorer Award in the regional tournament.

In the female category, the girls from Akwa Ibom were in top form and played so well to hold the Rivers State girls to a 1-1 draw, but lost in the penalties 5 – 4 as the Rivers State goalkeeper made a brilliant save to send Rivers to the national finals.

Jubilation and songs of victory took the air at the end of the matches when the winning teams were presented with medals and trophies in a very colourful ceremony.

Regional Operations Director, Airtel, South Region, Veronica Onoja, was in company of other staff of the telecommunication giant namely; the Zonal Business Manager, Gozie Njoku; Regional Head, Commercial, Ranti Awoborode; Regional Marketing Manager, Lawrence Odediran and ARS 5 technical adviser, Etim Esim.

30

Monday, August 11, 2015

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

PREMIER

SHIP RESU

LTS

ham 1 - 0 Totten Man United n Villa th 0 - 1 Asto Bournemou 2 Watford Everton 2 and - 2 Sunderl Leicester 4 lace 3 Crystal Pa Norwich 1 2 Swansea Chelsea 2 2 West Ham Arsenal 0 ampton 2 - 2 South Newcastle l - 1 Liverpoo Stoke City 0

DEMICHELIS tips Man City for EPL title M

anchester City are favourites to reclaim the Premier League title this season, according to centre-back Martin Demichelis.

City celebrated Manuel Pellegrini’s first season as manager with a double

of the Premier League and League Cup in the 2013-14 campaign.

They failed to match the same standard last term and finished eight points adrift of Chelsea but, Demichelis is confident Man City will return to the top of the pile.

“There are tough teams every year involved in the fight and what we want to do is beat them so we know that teams such as Chelsea, United and Arsenal are going to be there,” the Argentine said.

“We will fight against them and

Wenger in ls e v e r S R E G D RO rules out debutants displays panic buys

L

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to the contribution made by his five debutants in Sunday’s seasonopening 1-0 win at Stoke City in the Premier League.

Rodgers started with four of his close-season recruits as Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez lined up in defence with James Milner among the midfielders tasked with providing chances for £32.5million man Christian Benteke.

Roberto Firmino came off the bench to add attacking impetus with the game goalless late on, but it was one of Liverpool’s existing stars – Philippe Coutinho – who snatched the points with a long-range stunner.

Already well aware of what Coutinho is capable of, Rodgers directed plenty of praise towards his new faces.

“The players that we brought in have that character,” Rodgers said.

“Look at Benteke up front; people talk about him only being a player that

A Rodgers can play off a long ball, but you saw his quality today – his set-up of the game, his movement, his strength, his power and that ability in the air.

“Of course you should have that at 6’4”, but he was outstanding today.

“Young Joe Gomez, at 18 years of age, playing against a really good player in Jonathan Walters, I thought he handled it and as the game wore on he became even stronger.

“Nathaniel Clyne has been outstanding since he came in, James Milner with that experience.

rsene Wenger has ruled out rushing into the transfer market after Arsenal’s shock defeat to West Ham unless he can bring in an “exceptional” new signing.

Petr Cech is the only new face to arrive at the Emirates Stadium during the transfer window and the goalkeeper endured a miserable Premier League debut on Sunday for his new club following his switch from Chelsea.

Cech flapped at a Dimitri Payet free-kick just before half-time to allow West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to nip in front of him and head into an empty net.

The Czech Republic goalkeeper was then beaten too easily at his near post by a long-range Mauro Zarate strike in the second half, as West Ham ended an eight-year wait for a win over Arsenal by securing a surprise 2-0 victory.

our intention is to win, yes, we are favourites.”

Demichelis, who penned a oneyear contract extension in March, says the whole team is desperate to be more consistent this term.

“We left in a way we didn’t like, we

could have made it, we weren’t as regular as we were in the previous season,” the 34-year-old added.

“We have the quality and we are a good squad and we want to bring all this energy back onto the pitch this season.”

: O H N I R U MO

Chelsea don´t miss Cech!

C

helsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted the Premier League champions do not miss Petr Cech as back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic prepares to make his full debut.

Cech ended his 11-year association with Chelsea by joining London rivals Arsenal after being consigned to a bench role behind Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge last season.

Begovic was recruited to fill the void left by Cech and the BosniaHerzegovina international is set to be thrust into action against Manchester City following Courtois’ red card during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City on Saturday.

And Mourinho has complete faith in Begovic in the absence of Chelsea’s regular number one.

“We don’t miss Petr,” Mourinho said. “We’ve got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent

Cech keepers.

“Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31.

“If my club gives me a keeper on August 31, then we have a problem not just for today but also for the next match. Unless the people understand that it’s not a red card and they clear the suspension.”

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

EXTRATIME

31

EURO

ODEGAARD

to decide on future after pre-season

R

eal Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard said he will make a decision on his future after the club’s pre-season campaign.

Odegaard, 16, has been linked with a loan move away from Real in order to gain first-team experience.

The Norway international made his La Liga debut last season, though he spent most of the 2014-15 campaign playing for Real Castilla - the club’s reserve team.

Asked about his future following Sunday’s goalless friendly draw against Valerenga, Odegaard said: “First we have to come to the end of the pre-season and then we’ll see. I’m very happy in Madrid and that is all I

W

Lucas signs new Atletico deal

Atletico Madrid teenager Lucas Hernandez has penned a new deal with the Liga club until 2019. The French centre-back, who joined Atleti’s youth set-up as an 11-year-old in 2007, has made just one appearance for the first team - as a late substitute in their 4-1 victory at Athletic Bilbao last season. The 19-year-old had two years left on his old deal, but he has extended his stay with Diego Simeone’s men for an extra two years.

West Brom sign Rondon in record deal

Salomon Rondon has joined West Brom from Zenit on a four-year deal, after the Premier League club broke their transfer record to secure his signature for a fee in the region of £12million.

Odegaard can say at the moment.

“I do not have any specific goals for next season but I want to improve my football, it’s as simple as that.

“I’ve learned a lot every day, from the players in the matches, I’ve been training well and I feel good.

le a B in no rush to

leave Real, says Coleman

BRIEFS

Bale

ales coach Chris Coleman Manchester Madrid. insisted Gareth Bale target Bale’s national team boss Coleman United d.

Madri ted the forward’s desire to stay Real reitera leave to is in no rush United are on the hunt for additional put in the Spanish capital.

“Bale is in no rush to leave Real pace and a marquee signing after Angel ain Germ SaintMadrid,” Coleman said on Sunday. di Maria left to join Paris a with linked be to “Manchester United are who they are, ues contin and Bale leave move to Old Trafford, despite repeatedly but why is he going to want to in n Madrid? stressing his determination to remai

Depay

“It’s always difficult, but I’m only 16, I’m handling things as I can and I have many years to develop as a footballer. I don’t have to be in any hurry and I can play without any pressure or stress.”

Real kick-off their La Liga season at Sporting Gijon on August 23.

“I know he came in for a lot of criticism and was seen as the president’s boy because of the huge transfer fee and he was targeted.”

Bale came in for criticism from all quarters in 2014-15, with pundits and Real fans alike venting frustration at his performances.

The 26-year-old, however, has been one of Real’s standout performers in a more central role under Coach Rafael Benitez during pre-season.

Coleman added: “I watched a lot of Madrid’s games and Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco were having bad times, but ‘Balely’ was targeted for sure and they left him out in the cold.

“The newspapers gave him a hard time when most of the players were having a tough time. But he is strong enough and will come through that and I think he will have a good season with Benitez.”

Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva has penned a one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2020. The Portugal international moved to the Stade Louis II on an initial loan deal from Benfica ahead of the 2014-15 season, before making the switch permanent in the January transfer window. Silva has scored 11 goals in 46 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, and expressed delight at the new deal.

Morel: Bielsa resignation a ‘blow’ to Marseille

Lyon defender Jeremy Morel was shocked by Marcelo Bielsa’s resignation as Marseille coach and believes it will be a blow to their Ligue 1 rivals. Bielsa sensationally announced his resignation after overseeing Marseille’s 1-0 loss to Caen in their league opener on Saturday. Morel, who left the club to join Lyon in June, said the Argentine had helped improve Ligue 1 – and his loss would be felt at the Stade Velodrome.

Niang set for Milan lay-off

Milan forward M’Baye Niang is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fractured metatarsal. The Frenchman went under the knife to treat the injury to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

A Milan statement revealed that Niang will have an X-ray in six weeks’ time in order to establish a “more accurate recovery time”.

Police investigating Hertha bus shooting

Police have started an investigation after Hertha Berlin’s team bus was shot at on Sunday. Hertha’s players were not aboard the vehicle at the time of the incident, as it was being driven to collect the squad. The club, who are due to play Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB-Pokal first round on Monday, confirmed that no one was harmed in the incident while director of football Michael Preetz said the bus driver “got off with a fright”.

M´Vila available for Norwich clashf

Sunderland have confirmed Yann M’Vila is available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Norwich City at the Stadium of Light. France international M’Vila was sent off in his first appearance in Sunderland colours at the weekend, seeing red for a headbutt on Canaries striker Jamar Loza in the Under-21 Premier League. However, the Wearside club have confirmed his suspension will not apply to first-team matches.

ready to shine in Red Devils’ shirt

M

emphis Depay is co nfident he can live up to expectations iconic number seven in the shirt at Manchester United.

Depay asked to wear the famous number for Paris Saint-Germ after Angel di Maria ain, following in the left footsteps of United Ronaldo, David Beck legends Cristiano ham, Eric Cantona an d George Best.

The Netherlands int ernational forward is ready to make the following his debut shirt his own in United’s 1-0 Prem ier League win over Saturday.

Tottenham on “Yes, of course I’m aw are of the pressure an d the history,” Depay “I appreciate the his said. tory, but I want to be my own man. It’s an the number seven an honour to wear d I will wear it with pri de.

“Last year I played wi th seven on my back for PSV and I scored I am confident with a lot of goals so that number.”

Depay, who toppe d the Eredivisie go alscoring charts wi champions PSV last th 22 goals for season, added: “I wa nt to bring creative thi to play with disciplin ngs, goals. I have e in midfield.

“I can’t lose the ball too much, but I can make risks on the sid come into the third ph es and when I ase, then I can make my tricks and take ris ks.”

Silva pens Monaco extension

Berahino should stay at WBA –Pulis West Brom manager Tony Pulis believes Saido Berahino would be best served spending another Premier League season at The Hawthorns, amid reported interest from Tottenham and Manchester City. Berahino is a player in demand after scoring 14 goals in 38 league appearances last term, with speculation linking the 22-year-old forward to Tottenham and City.

Koeman welcomes Rodriguez return Depay

Southampton assistant manager Erwin Koeman praised the performance of Jay Rodriguez after he made his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury against Newcastle United on Sunday. England international Rodriguez had not played in a competitive fixture for 16 months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a Premier League fixture against Manchester City in April 2014.

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TRANSFORMATION With

Reno Omokri ÎÎÎAfter six years study-

We keep on deceiving ourselves that Nigeria is a genuine Federation and that where you come from does not matter but we all know that is not true.

ing a four year course (ASUU strikes are more common than thunder strikes in Nigeria) you graduate, serve your country for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps and then try your luck with the civil service.

You go to your commissioner at the Federal Civil Service Commission’s Head Office in Abuja where you find out that your state has no more quotas.

At this point your understanding of Nigeria is complete. You know where you fit. You know the cards Nigeria dealt you. From that point on, when you hear the current set of leaders mouthing the usual platitudes that ‘it does not matter where you come from in Nigeria’, you roll your eyes and mutter a barely audible puh-leeze!

You are now wise to the fact that their moral compass does not always point in the same direction.

This is the reality of Nigeria. I can say this because I am not angling for any political position. I am content with where God has put me. If anybody is foolhardy enough to investigate me for financial misappropriation I will open all my accounts to them.

Many others know that this is the truth, but because it is not politically expedient, they will never

Who will federate Nigeria? (II) say it.

We keep on deceiving ourselves that Nigeria is a genuine Federation and that where you come from does not matter but we all know that is not true.

A friend of mine had a case with the police and he would go to his local police station only to be told they were waiting for Abuja.

That same scenario plays itself out in multiple government agencies across the country.

Governors are deceived into believing they are some sort of Chief Security Officers of their state when they cannot even command the most junior police officer in their domain.

The central Government does not even trust the states with vehicle registration.

Even the term ‘state’ is a misnomer when applied to Nigeria because how can you call a geographical area a state when its financial dependence and existence are tied to central government?

A state that does not have the power to exploit the minerals within its domain is no state. Nigeria’s states are little more than liaison offices of the central government, if truth be told.

States that do not have any ability to enforce state laws beyond an appeal to a central police force, are no

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states. They are completely at the mercy of the centre.

Go through our federal constitution and search out where a state governor is entitled to police protection. It will surprise you that there is no such provision!

State governors merely enjoy the protection they do at the mercy and pleasure of the President.

If the President chooses, he can legally withhold police protection from a governor and no court of law can compel him to restore it. It’s his prerogative and not the governor’s right.

Even a unitary system like the United Kingdom does not function in this manner. Local boroughs in the UK have more powers and authority than a Nigerian state, not to talk of towns in the United States of America. Yes, it might surprise you that every American town has its own police!

And it was not always this way in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians do not have a sense of history and as such are surprised to learn that before the military struck in 1966, the regions enjoyed many of the freedoms that today’s states have not even begun to dream of.

The regions also had their own police. They were known as Native Authority Police. It was not until the 1960s that these

police formations were first regionalised and then nationalised.

But most surprising to present day Nigerians is the fact that until the military coup of 1966, it was the regions that gave money to central government not the other way round!

As a matter of fact, each region kept 50 percent of its revenue and paid 25 percent to the central government, then paid the remaining 25 percent into a common account which was then shared among the three regions (four after the creation of the Midwest Region in August of 1963).

Our Founding Fathers knew what a truly Federal Government should look like and bequeathed that to us at independence. It is no mistake that Nigeria made her most appreciable economic progress in the period between 1957 when two of the regions attained self government and 1966 when the military struck and introduced a unitary system, which they later christened a Federal Government, while leaving the unitary structures in place till today.

I am sure Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe would be turning in their graves every time they hear of this system of governance being called a

Federal Government.

Alas, we prefer to keep pretending than look ourselves in the face and speak the truth.

We import food because our population exploded after the discovery of oil.

Now that a world without oil is becoming more than a possibility, do we have the courage to ask ourselves what would happen to us?

The United States has reached a deal with Iran and it is only a matter of time before the erstwhile pariah nation is allowed to sell its oil to the West without restrictions.

What does this mean for Nigeria? What does this mean for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)?

Reverend Thomas Malthus in his magnum opus, An Essay on the Principle of Population, warned of what would happen in a nation in which population grew faster than resources.

An even worse scenario is when those resources face a sudden loss of value rather than a gradual one.

But we keep pretending that all is well without considering that if the mould is not reshaped it will keep producing the same vessel no matter whose hand pours the fillers into the mould.

Yet we keep pretending.

How long will that last?

Your guess is as good as mine.

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Life&

Times Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Solomon

Oyeniyi Music producer extraordinaire

L2

P

Interview L2 Stephen Adeniran and Edema Ayokunle Known famously as K-Solo, he is one of Nigeria’s most prolific musician, producer and music video director whose contributions in the burgeoning music industry cannot be overemphasized. K-Solo it was who made dancehall singer, Timaya and Paul Play Dairo, popular with his dexterity at music production.

The Electrical Engineering graduate of Ilaro Polytechnic sheds more light on his work, life and sundry issues.

Life&

T E A M

What have you been up to these days?

I have been working not just as a producer and musical director but also as a recording artiste. I am currently shooting the musical video of the much talked about single, Yayi with indigenous rapper, Sodiq Yusuf, also known as CDQ. Plans are in top gear towards the release of the video once we are done with the shooting.

What has been the reception of fans since the major release of the audio version of the song?

The response has been very encouraging which is the more reason why we are bent on shooting a quality musical video that will match up with fans’ expectations since the audio was released.

With several indigenous rappers around, why did you choose of CDQ? I felt he was the best man for the job having listened to his rap verses in the different songs he has done.

Besides, he is a cool headed artiste.

How did music start for you?

I started out in church with the support of my father who is a devoted Christian and a lover of good music especially the gospel genre. So it sort of rubbed off on me.

I grew up listening to good quality music and that in a way paved the way for my musical career. I never envisaged that I will be this popular doing music, in all, I give thanks to God Almighty and my father for giving me the platform to express myself. His my greatest inspiration.

Although he is late now, but outside my father and God there is nobody I can lay my fingers on that inspires me. Perhaps I may get inspired by your thoughts and works if I am able to learn something worthwhile from you because I love learning and I learn from the most awkward places you can think of.

What has been your experience so far since joining the music industry?

There were so many obstacles climbing the ladder of success but thank God we are finally there now. So many experiences, ups and downs, terrible experiences, good experiences growing up in

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

the industry that has already been saturated. The good aspect of my experience in the industry is the fact that I made money, I drive my dream car. But the down sides are numerous. As a young man trying to put one naira and two naira together to make ends meet and you get robbed off it, is to say the least, heart breaking.

How did you come about the alias, K-Solo?

My father gave me the name, he calls me Oba Orin; Solomon ObaOrin. The ‘K’ is the King and my real name is Solomon that is where the Solo came from, so I coined out the name K-solo from there.

You have worked with quite a number of great talents in the industry. Who do you look forward to working with for your next project?

The industry is currently blessed with the best talents now but for me, I love exploring new talents because they are the real talent.

I have so many of them on my production outfit but currently, I have my eyes on a particular person that I am planning to groom since he has shown interest in music. For the already made artistes, I have a good relationship with most of them therefore, getting them for any collaborative effort is easy.

Beside music, what other businesses are you involved in?

I handle some of my family business but we have always had issues of not been committed to it since I had 100 per cent attention on my musical career and production outfit. I supervise most of our family businesses since I am the only male child.

W i t h several years

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

in the industry, w h a t will you say are major achievements so far?

Reading the bible has actually made me to start to count my blessings so that I can get more of them. Before now, I didn’t think that I had achieved anything. I used to think achieving anything in the music industry means that you must have an endorsement deal and all that but I found out that it is not about endorsements, your achievements in life is beyond endorsements. One of my biggest achievements since joining the music industry is the fact that I have been able to groom people who were nobody. God used me to make something out of them. There is this guy called Prince who I groomed and today, he is Timaya’s manager. Like it or not, he is bring home the bacon. That to me is an achievement. All Prince needed to do was to devote six months of his time to Timaya’s career and that made his career as an artiste manager to blossom and today, he drives a car. The same thing is applicable to Clever-J. Those are major achievements for me, grooming people to the point where they can put food on their table. That makes me happy. Every other achievement is by the way. I also give back to society in the way I can.

How do you let off steam?

By playing games, chilling out with sensible

people that I can learn from. Outside of these, I would rather be in the studio cooking up nice beats.

I don’t do club like others do and indulge in all sorts of social gatherings unless I am officially invited.

Where would you like to see yourself in the entertainment industry, five years from now?

The music industry isn’t static, it is developing everyday. I am also trying to meet up with its rate of development as well.

t n e m e v e i h c A isn’t about s l a e d t n e m e s endor i y i n e y O n – Solomo Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

L3 Relationship

Daily Times Nigeria jƑƆ Ɨ ƕè Ƒ Ƒ Ɛ ơơè ƾƠơǀ

What Do You Feel

–Love Or Infatuation?

Omena Daniels

Love and Infatuation are both intense emotions that one feels for another person. These feelings are most often confused for each other by many people. But the two feelings differ in their actuality of love, intensity and final outcome.

Differences In Dictionary Meaning As a noun, love is described as: Ï A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Ï A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. Ï A sexual passion or desire. Ï A person toward whom love is felt; a beloved person Ï Used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like: ‘Would you like to see a movie, love?’

As a noun, infatuation is described as: Ï A foolish and usually extravagant passion or love or admiration. Ï A temporary love of an adolescent. Ï An object of extravagant shortlived passion.

Symptoms Of Love vs Infatuation The foremost symptom of being infatuated by a person is wanting to be around that person. This may sometimes also be sexual desire. Other symptoms may be anxiety, panic, jealousy etc. Love, on the other hand, may start with infatuation or lust and then become love. Symptoms of love are emotional attachment with

someone, feelings of confidence, and affection.

Differences In Attributes Love can happen without conscious intention and hence pure love doesn’t expect anything in return. Infatuation, though, comes with a feeling of passion. It may start with physical attraction and may render excitement to be around a person. Love comes with passion as well as intimacy. Love is also tolerant and forgiving while Infatuation may invoke jealousy.

Infatuation induces impatience while Love is patient.

Reasons People Fall In Love Or Be Infatuated There may or may not be any reason to fall in love. It comes with mixed emotions and may be caused by physical attraction, intellectual and emotional compatibility. Infatuation, on the other hand, may start with physical attraction and gives a feeling of being in love.

Differences In Feelings Infatuation feels like being in love but it is not. The intensity of the emotion is strong but not pure like love. Love is the quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfection.

Love is always associated with connection between two souls that goes beyond the self. Infatuation may make the other person selfish if the opposite person’s reaction isn’t the same. Infatuation isn’t pure like love and may be accompanied by lust. It is about thinking about oneself and not the

other person.

Differences In Effects Of Separation Infatuation is weakened by time and separation whereas real love is strengthened by time and separation. Separation in both emotions causes great pain but infatuation may get weak and cause the feeling to lessen over time. Love develops more with time and separation.

Commitment In Love vs Infatuation While true and pure love between two people can often develop into long term commitment, infatuation may only in very few cases lead to any commitment.

True love induces a feeling of close bond towards the other person that is mutual. While infatuation may produce feelings of closeness, because they are typically one sided real, lasting commitment by both parties isn’t possible.

Age As A Factor Infatuation is generally in the context of teenage or adolescence. There is generally no age associated with love.

Anyone can be in love at any age, but most love stories before the age of 20 is considered infatuation or “puppy love”.

Comparison chart The chart below distinguishes in clear terms, the difference between infatuation and love.

Study the chart closely and figure out where your emotions lie.

InfatuatIon

Love

Definition

The state of being completely lost in the emotion of unreasoning desire.

A decision to commit oneself to another and to work through conflicts instead of giving up.

Associated with

Selfish uncontrollable desire.

Physical chemistry over a fairly long period of time.

Sub-Categories

Short lived physical desire, crush, lust, hormonal activity, or addictive chemical reactions in the brain. Not revived with the same person without a deeper feeling.

Intimacy, commitment, security, the desire to please and help the other person.

Symptoms

Urgency, intensity, sexual desire, anxiety, high risk choices, reckless abandonment of what was once valued.

Faithfulness, loyalty, confidence, willingness to make sacrifices for another, working at settling differences, able to compromise so that either both win or at least give the other person’s opinion a chance.

Person to Person

Reckless commitment to satisfy one’s all consuming lust.

Commitment to another, genuine intentions, think about the other person’s feelings before acting.

Feels like

All-consuming euphoria similar to recreational drug use (addictive chemical reactions in the brain), stupidity (cupidity). Can risk everything for the next hit of adrenalin.

A deep affection, contentment, confidence.

Partners communicate and negotiate appropriate expectations. Requires a lot of selflessness and polite assertiveness.

You are loving your best friend.

Result

Emptiness, consequences of choices made while under the influence of mind numbing temporary lust.

Security, peace, a solid partnership which can provide the ideal atmosphere to raise confident secure children.

Effect

Being controlled by brain chemistry, not the heart, loss of ability to make rational evaluations of what is true, valuable and worthy.

Contentment, stability.

Interdependency

Cannot be sustained without some portion of love and physical attraction.

Desire to be always close to that person at any cost.

Time period

Takes off fast and furious like a spark in dry grass, burns out quickly and can leave feelings of emptiness.

Partnership. Can lead to co-dependency if not tempered with selfawareness and selfguidedness.

It will deepen with the passage of time.

This is permanent commitment and stays

Commitment

This is temporary in life and goes off after some period.

throughout the life.

Bottom line

Infatuation is delusional.

Not real.

Love is unconditional and the real deal.

Patience

Infatuation is of the now.

Love is a gradual process. It happens over time.

Additional information from eharmony.com and the book, ‘Love: Making it last’ Omena Daniels is the CEO of avenue3 Media Company, Brand Architects, Media Consultants and Publishers of BLOKE and blokeonline.com

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Eyola

Eyola@aol.com

L5 Beauty

–One product, multiple uses

The multiple benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to its high saturated fat content.

Whether you use it as an alternative to cooking oil or apply it directly to the skin, coconut oil, in its virgin unrefined state, can be an inexpensive addition to your beauty and diet routine.

Moisturiser: Coconut oil is an affordable face and body moisturiser for all skin types. It controls excess oil produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. The accumulation of excess oil often leads to blackheads and pimples.

Coconut oil also hydrates the skin by improving moisture and lipid content as well as reducing water loss when the skin is extremely dry.

Radiant skin: Applying a thin layer of coconut oil to your entire face immediately after applying makeup will give your skin a healthy glow.

Hygiene: Coconut oil can be used to improve oral health.

Simply use it as a mouthwash to effectively kill harmful bacteria.

This oral cleansing procedure reduces bad breath, whitens the teeth and keeps the mouth generally healthy. Coconut oil also kills bacteria and yeast that causes unpleasant odour in the armpits and therefore is great to use as a deodorant.

Hair care: When used as a deep conditioner, coconut oil will give your hair a beautiful glossy shine. Simply apply and massage the oil into the hair before bedtime then wear a shower cap over your head and place a towel on top of your pillow to protect it from oil stains. In the morning shampoo your hair as usual. This process of deep conditioning hair overnight locks moisture in, keeps the hair

looking healthy and reduces frizz.

Makeup remover: Coconut oil is a natural makeup remover keeping your skin hydrated, nourished and soft. Also great for removing eye makeup, even stubborn waterproof mascara, coconut oil has a great track record for treating the skin gently while removing makeup.

Health benefits: Coconut oil’s antibacterial properties can help heal wounds such as cuts and scrapes. Studies have also shown that eating coconuts as part of your regular diet - whether using the oil

for cooking or eating as a fruit could help reduce the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.

Weight loss: A number of studies have shown that by adding coconut oil to your regular diet you will burn more fat. Additional benefits include an increase of energy and the unique properties of coconut oil inducing sustained reductions in appetite, making you less hungry and have less cravings. All in all, a coconut-rich diet will help you lose weight and will also help you to maintain your ideal body weight.

Lipstick shades for every occasion Ebony skin is perfect for all lipstick shades from the palest colours to the brightest tones. The key to wearing an outstanding (bright, dark, pale) color is confidence. Take advantage of having a skin tone that allows you to enjoy the impressive range of lipstick shades available.

Ï Purple is known as the shade of sophistication and also the shade of maturity because it draws attention away from lines and wrinkles.

This lip colour is slowly beginning to catch the attention of the younger generation, proving that purple is a lip colour for all ages. The perfect shade for golden skin tones and ebony complexions, darker purple shades such as berry and wine are great for office dinner parties.

Ï Pink is the most versatile of all lip Ï Natural nudes are ideal for conservative meetings such as a job interview or meeting a client.

shades. Wear it to a dinner party, to run errands or on a girl’s night-out. Most of all pink, the colour of romance, is the perfect lip colour to wear on romantic dates.

Teen’s World L6 Ƌƈƌƈ ƌƆƗ School refusal among teenagers is a problem that poses a lot of challenge for families who have had to resort to both conventional and unconventional means for its total eradication.

Failing to attend school has significant negative effects on a teenager’s social, emotional, and educational development.

Life and Times x-rays some of the causes of this problem in teenagers as well as possible solutions that can help ameliorate the situation. Before then, one needs to understand what school refusal is, its symptoms and warning signals.

What is school refusal?

It is the refusal to attend school due to a number of reasons. One of which is emotional distress. It is quite different from truancy because with school refusal, teenagers generally feel anxiety and fear towards school whereas with truancy, it is the outright refusal by teenagers to go to school for no reason whatsoever.

Teenagers generally have no feelings of fear towards school, but often feel angry or bored at the thought of school

Ï Symptoms of school refusal Symptoms of school refusal include but not limited to a teenager saying he or she feels sick often. It could be a headache, stomach-ache, sore throat etc. If the teenager stays at home from school, these symptoms magically goes away, but will be back at the thought of going to school. Some may resort to have crying spells or throw temper tantrums.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

School refusal among

teenagers

Warning signals of school refusal These include but not limited to include frequent complaints about attending school, frequent tardiness or unexcused absences, absences on significant days (tests, physical education class), frequent requests to go home for flimsy reasons, excessive worrying about a parent when in school, frequent requests to go to the sick bay because of physical complaints, and crying about wanting to go home. It is important for parents to keep trying to get their teenager to go back to school because the longer they stay out of school, the harder it will be to return. However, it may be hard to accomplish, as when they are forced, they are prone to temper tantrums, crying spells, being panicky and threats of self-harm. These problems quickly fade away if the child is allowed to stay home.

Causes of school refusal Factors that can cause reluctance to attend school in teenagers can be divided into four categories. Some students may be affected by several factors at once.

Ï They may possibly want to avoid school-related issues and situations that cause unpleasant feelings in him or her, such as anxiety, as mentioned earlier, depression, learning disability, or panic. Ï They may want to avoid tests, presentations, group work, specific lessons, or interaction with other children.

They should be assessed for learning disabilities if academic performance is average or low. Ï They may want attention from significant people outside of school, such as parents or older acquaintances. Ï They may possibly want to do something more enjoyable to them outside of school, like practice hobbies, play computer games, watch movies, play with friends etc. or join a bad gang. Ï School refusal may arise as a result of bullying. Ï Shyness or a social phobia can contribute to school refusal in a teenager. Ï They may worry about parents or siblings, who is a drug addict or who physically abuses other family members.

What can parents do Keep your teenagers in school. Missing school reinforces anxiety rather than alleviating it. The following tips will help you and your teenager (s), develop coping strategies for school anxieties and other stressful situations.

Ï Expose your teenager (s) to school in small degrees, increasing exposure slowly over time. Eventually this will help them realize there is nothing to fear and that nothing bad will happen. Ï Talk with them about feelings and fears, which helps reduce them. Ï Emphasize the positive aspects of going to school; being with friends, learning to become something in life Ï Arrange an informal meeting with your teen’s teacher away from the classroom.

Ï Meet with the school guidance counselor for extra support and direction. Ï Encourage hobbies and interests. Fun is relaxation, and hobbies are good distractions that help build selfconfidence. Ï Help your teen establish a support system. A variety of people should be in your child’s life; other children as well as family members or teachers who are willing to talk with your child should the occasion arise. Ï Take your teen to the doctor to rule out any possible illness that may be causing any of the problems mentioned above. Ï Avoid threats or pressure so that the situation doesn’t escalate and undermine internal motivation and a sense of self-control, self-worth and self-responsibility.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

L7 Movie & Music Chart

Blessing Dada

Top 10 movie chart

International

1. Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation 2. Fantastic Four (2015) 3. The Gift (2015) 4. Vacation (2015) 5. Ant-Man 6. Minions 7. Ricki and The Flash 8. Train wreck 9. Pixels 10. Southpaw

Top 10 music chart

International

1. Mariah Carey ft French Montana, Justin Bieber and TI –Why you mad 2. Talk that shit ft aka and ice prince –Dream Team 3. R. Kelly – Backyard party 4. Dr.dre ft. Eminem, Candice Pillay and Anderson Paak –Medicine man 5. Ja-Rule –Nah 6. My next bitch [remix] 7. Ja- Rule ft Lil mo –The Memoir 8. Teedra Moses ft Rick Ross – Cognac and Conversation 9. Diamond – Cut like a diamond 10.Ja -Rule –The memoir (You, me and her)

Top 10 movie chart

Yoruba

1. Ipe 2. Eniburumo 3. Ewe Aje 4. Onigba Aje 5. Jagaban 6. Kokoro Aje 7. Ipadabo 8. Pakute Gbemisola 9. Teni Teka 10. Baleku

Top 10 movie chart

English 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10

Tempting Fate Unblissful Code of Silence Mummy Dearest My Number One Fan Yaws N Myn If Tomorrow Never Comes Silence Unforgiveable Mirror Boy

Top 10 music chart

Nigeria

1. Orente – Adekunle Gold 2. Laye- Kiss Daniel 3. Sakiti bobo – Olamide 4. Ashimapeyin – Wandecoal 5. If I fall – Praiz 6. The banger – Runtown ft Uhuru 7. Low – pepenazi 8. Applaudise – Iyanya 9. My woman, my everything – Patoranking ft Wandecole 10. Godwin - Korede Bello

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, August 11, 2015

L8 Television

Showing on

Showing on

153 Africa Magic Urban

162 Magic World

00:09

12:00 Tue, 11 Aug | PG

Tue, 11 Aug | PG16

‘S2/E292 - 2/292’. Maxine is delighted to discover that her business meeting with Itumeleng has caused more ructions in his relationship with Marang. Faye Peters, Amber van Rensburg, James Alexander.

When a millionaire’s daughter is kidnapped, he hires the best journalist to uncover the story. However, he doesn’t know that his daughter and the journalist staged the kidnapping.

101 M-Net West

00:20 The Calling 02:10 Sabotage 04:00 The Voice 04:47 Behind The Scenes...

05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Big Bang Theory 06:30 Arrow 07:30 My Story 08:30 Bernie 10:30 The Middle 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Elementary 14:00 Mysteries Of Laura 15:00 Grey’s Anatomy 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Odd Couple 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Chicago PD 19:30 American Crime 20:30 Battle Creek 21:30 Elementary 22:30 CSI: Cyber

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love

154 Africa Magic Family 00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Star Gist 01:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Parent’s Anniversary 08:30 Tenant 09:20 Mashariki Mix 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Nowhere To Be Found 14:30 Comfort Zone 15:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:00 Prem 16:30 Tenant 17:30 Mary Slessor 18:00 Jane And Abel 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 19:55 The Outlaws 21:05 Family Ties 21:35 Jara 22:05 Living With Trisha

00:42 The Weakest Link

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:27 Scott And Bailey

12:20 Top Gear

02:17 Come Dine With Me

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:09 EastEnders

14:10 Total Wipeout UK

03:39 QI

15:05 The Weakest Link

04:09 Top Gear

16:00 EastEnders

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:25 QI

17:10 The Cube

06:00 Miranda 06:30 EastEnders

18:05 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 Friday Night Dinner

08:00 The Weakest Link

19:35 QI

08:45 The Cube

20:05 Would I Lie To You?

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:40 The Graham Norton Show

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:10 Only Fools And Horses

11:00 My Family

22:45 QI

21:35 Mrs Brown’s Boys

155 Africa Magic World

00:00 Music Block 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA 03:00 Music Block 04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 The Great Messenger 07:55 Star Gist

08:25 Star Gist 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal 12:00 Deal Or No Deal 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Star Gist 14:30 Star Gist 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Lies That Bind 16:00 The Dzigbordi Show 17:00 So Wrong So Wright 17:30 So Wrong So Wright 18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 19:00 Through The Eyes Of An African 19:30 Through The Eyes Of An African 20:05 The Mastermind 22:00 Music Block

128 SONY MAX

00:15 Most Shocking 01:05 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:30 1000 Ways To Die 01:55 1000 Ways To Die 02:20 Primal Force 03:45 Most Shocking 04:35 South Beach Tow 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 What Went Down 07:35 Caught On Camera 08:35 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago 09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers 12:05 Video Zonkers 12:35 What Went Down 13:05 Caught On Camera 14:05 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago 14:35 South Beach Tow 15:00 Primal Force 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Video Zonkers 17:30 Caught On Camera 18:30 What Went Down 19:00 South Beach Tow 19:30 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago 20:00 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal 20:30 Hip Hop Squares 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:30 Most Shocking

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,August 11, 2015

Tech Times Æ s

TT 1

Inye Kemabonta, Editor, Tech Times inye@technologylaw.com.ng

Broadband access market revenue to reach $12bn by 2019-Dell’Oro Group Dell’Oro Group said broadband access market, including PON, DSL and Cable, is expected to achieve revenues of almost $12 billion by 2019.

The group report indicated that there will be continued growth from both the Cable and PON markets through 2019, while the DSL market will decline over

Tamboli

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) have concluded plan to collaborate to improve on the level of ICT intervention in tertiary institutions across the country.

The two agencies met when the Director General of NITDA Mr Peter Jack led a delegation to TETFUND headquarter in Abuja to deliberate on the essence to form a synergy for the country to become knowledge driven economy and to position ICT as catalyst for Innovation, Research and Development.

Director General NITDA, Mr Peter Jack while briefing his host on the objectives of the meeting, said the mandate of his Agency is all encompassing and pervasive which requires collaboration with Agencies that proffers intervention projects in Nigeria’s higher institution of learning like the TETFUND. The DG stated that, NITDA has been working with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to enhance the development and deployment of ICT tools in all facet of our national life, adding that, “our mission here today is to explore how we can form a synergy to work together and increase the intervention programmes the two Agencies are doing in Nigeria’s tertiary institution.”

“Part of our mandates includes intervention in tertiary institutions and this makes the visit imperative.The meeting is going to avail us the opportunity on how we can come up with memorandum of understanding that will spell out area of collaboration,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Su-

laiman Elias Bogoro, described the meeting as not a mere “coincidence” as both Agencies need each other to deepen the level of ICT intervention in tertiary institutions, adding that in the 6 point agenda of the board of trustee of TETFUND, ICT was crucial and for this reason.

Prof. Bogoro stated that the TETFUND Board of trustee in “its 6 point agenda made a crucial item that requires special intervention of the Fund, hence the need for collaboration with NITDA, an agency that has ominous mandate in ICT development.

“It is obvious that we definitely need NITDA, we could not afford to miss the opportunity to ensure that ICT stages our national life,” he noted.

He recalled that in the last management meeting of the Fund, the head of ICT unit identified NITDA as an Agency that the Fund should partner with to advance its intervention programmes in ICT tertiary institutions.

Reflecting on the benefit the partnership would bring to the society at large; Prof. Bogoro stated that the end of the administrative frame work of the MOU, the TETFUND would “take the liberty of our deeper thought to National University Commission (NUC) for its contribution. We will define the parameter for the partnership and proceed further. The document will deepen our relationship to the advantage of our stakeholders.”

He commended the DG NITDA for leading a higher delegation for the courtesy call describing it as a sign of seriousness he attached to collaboration and partnership to move the nation ICT sector forward.

Meanwhile, the two Agencies have nominated a 12 man committee to develop the framework for the partnership.

this period.

Growth in the Cable market, it said will be driven by DOCSIS 3.1 upgrades while strong demand for PON will continue to come from service providers in China.

BSNL broadband users in addition to China, service providers in other countries have to significantly increase their consump-

tion of PON technology going forward.

Senior Analyst at Dell’Oro Group, Alam Tamboli, said “PON technologies are also expected to push demand, as TWDM-PON will likely be used for applications beyond residential broadband, including mobile backhaul and business services.”

NITDA, TETFUND to collaborate on ICT intervention in tertiary institutions

Jack

Tech Times TT 2 Bindir urges FG to engage First Class graduates on local tech development As the country continues to drift due to the export her First Class brains to other countries, the former Director General of National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), Engr.

Umar Bindir has called on the Federal Government to retain its first class graduates and challenge them locally on technology development, rather than exporting them to foreign countries.

Bindir made this statement in his key note on the concept and content of Industrial Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) at the recent launching and presentation of NOTAP Industrial Technology Transfer Fellowship

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,August 11, 2015

IIM boss attributes Nigeria’s economic woes to inadequate data sourcing, storage

Bindir, former DG, NOTAP

(NITTF) in Abuja, adding that any country that continues to export her First Class brains to other countries is at the risk of not realising its developmental goals.

According to the former DG of NOTAP, the trend portents great danger to Nigeria’s aspiration to attain her vision 2020 goals, if the government fails to checkmate the trend and assuage the mentality of the prospective aspirants.

He argued that there is no way the country can develop its potentials in research results on technology innovations and inventions without engaging its best brains for their technology

prowess in its local fabrication and development.

“If you don’t put your first class to be challenged in Nigerian soil, you will not develop infrastructure. You will not develop the local taste in terms of research and development and the capacity of even the supervisors cannot be enhanced dynamically. These young people are the highest energy in terms of research. So, we need to keep them through. That is why we made them local,” he said.

Bindir advised that Nigerians must stop intellectual property theft and protect it, so that it can actually become asset for them.

President /Chairman, Governing Council of Institute of Information Management, IIM, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole has attributed Nigeria’s economy woes to inadequate data sourcing and storage.

Oyewole made the assertion during a press conference as a prelude to the just concluded IIMAfrica’s annual lecture, Induction / Investiture ceremony 2015.

He said that the organisation is strategically located to assist the government, economic planners, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders at making informed decisions through the data available before them.

He explained that the availability of this data in the country goes a long way in assisting the state towards making functional policies that will be of great benefit to the masses, stating that the success of the new administration critically depends on good information networking and governance.

He debunked the claim by many organisations and public

that having access to this data bank will lead to sabotage in the industry, thereby giving up sensitive information to illicit authorities both within and outside the country.

The chairman advised Government to pay good attention to information management in the country as Nigerians are anxiously waiting to feel the impact of good governance while delivering on the numerous campaign promises made by the government.

Oyewole harped on the need to develop the Information Management industry, stressing that successful nations and organisations in the future will depend on how well they enable information to be appropriately managed by professionals thereby ensuring confidentiality, integrity, completeness, and preservation of Information for better decision making and use.

He stressed the importance of proper data keeping as solution to helping firms make robust decisions.

EMP CEO visits CWG facility, lauds data centre &cloud services

L-R: Mr. James Agada, Group Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc; Mr. Hany Fawzy, Chief Information Officer, EMP; Mr. Austin Okere, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc; and Mr. Adetoyese Oyerinde, Data Centre Manager, CWG Plc at the corporate head office of CWG Plc, in Lagos,recently

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Markets Payments Group (EMP), Mr. Murat Ozulku, led a delegation of the Company’s executives on a recent working visit to the corporate head office of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc in Lagos with a view to deepening the partnership be-

tween both firms.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Austin Okere, the founder and Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc observed that in line with her Cloud Services offering under the new CWG2.0 business model, CWG Plc operates a Data Centre for her use, as well as the use of her customers.

The Data Centre, he explained,

is a state of the art category 3 facility manned by a complement of experienced and certified technical personnel.

According to Mr. Okere, “CWG adheres strictly to a Standard Operating Procedure and provides a checklist for all clients’ equipment to ensure that they meet best practices including dual power and network sources for all

devices. This is further complemented with Managed Services for Level 2 and level 3 technical supports. With this facility, we have been able to offer EMP the platform they require to support their customers in Africa and the Middle East with unparalleled payment services”.

Mr. Murat Ozulku, the Chief Executive Officer, EMP Financial Payments Solutions pointed out that the visit aimed to strengthen the relationship between the two companies and build upon mutual aspirations.

According to him, “CWG is a recognized brand in the Data Centre and Cloud Services management sector, and a strong partner that has given us the technical backup we need to support the rapid growth in our clientele across Nigeria.”

“Our visit today gives us the unique opportunity to discuss ways in which our collaboration can be further exploited as we seek to expand our range of innovative solutions, and enable us to better cater to the needs of the fast growing payment industry in Africa and beyond”, he said.

EMP delivers electronic payments services to more than

130 banks and 30,000 merchants across 45 countries. The company is committed to supporting the rapid and secure expansion of the payments industry in these fast growing markets. It is noteworthy that EMP was the first processing company to introduce cutting-edge Europay, Mastercard and Visa chip-and-pin technology to Africa and thus making the African payments industry more secure.

True to her mission of deploying technologies that enable growth, CWG boasts of technology innovation and services that have improved the operations of financial institutions in Nigeria. It will be recalled that CWG recently powered the migration of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Associated Discount House (ADH) to the Finacle 10 banking solution.

She also champions the course of financial inclusion in West Africa using her FinEdge Financial Platform to power products such as MTN XaaS in collaboration with MTN for Microfinance banking, and the Diamond Yello Account, in collaboration with Diamond Bank and MTN for Mobile Money applications.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,August 11, 2015

Director Public Affairs NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo (left) welcoming the New NCC, Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umaru Damabatta at the NCC Headquarter, Abuja, recently.

Danbatta, new NCC helmsman resumes, promises to tackle QoS Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Professor Umaru Damabatta, newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has resumed duty and promised to tackle the quality of service issues in the industry.

Professor Danbatta made this disclosure while addressing a

cross section of top management and Staff of the NCC at the headquarters in Abuja, adding that he will bring his experience to bear in confronting the challenges of the telecom industry in Nigeria.

“I want to pledge that I will bring to bear, my wealth of experience in tackling the issue of quality of service in order to meet the expectations of the public that we are servicing’ he said.

The Professor of Electronics engineering, said he would focus on those internationally acceptable ideals in telecom regulation, as stipulated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that makes quality of service a compelling attraction for the achievement of universal service.

“The concept of universal access is premised on three ‘A’s, as the hallmarks of universal access

TT 3 Tech Times

and they include Availability of service, Accessibility of Service, and Affordability of service.

Those will dictate at all times what we do, and I am sure those were the dictating parameters for improvement in the quality of service”, he said.

Professor Danbatta acknowledged that there are challenges in the telecommunications industry but noted that they are not insurmountable.

He called for the support and cooperation of the staff of the Commission to succeed, affirming that NCC still reckons as the number telecom regulator in Africa and harped on the need for the staff to brace up for sustenance of the prime position in the interest of the nation.

“We will judiciously use the resources of the Commission to ensure that we maintain this position in a manner that will enhance the image and prestige of the Commission as well as serve as a reminder to government of the important role that this agency can play in improving the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This we can only do if all of us live up to our responsibilities as ambassadors of the Commission, and in these I urge everybody’s cooperation to enable us accomplish this very important task for the country”, he informed the staff.

Prof Danbatta’s experience in the telecom regulatory sector spans the academia, as a university don and the industry where he once serviced as Vice President of the NCC-owned Digital Bridge Institute (DBI).

Professor Dambatta, who specialized with a Ph.D in Electronics Engineering, is not new to

the telecom industry and telecom regulation and was until recently, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil before his appointment as the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC. He takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah, whose five year tenure at the NCC ended July 28, 2015.

Professor Dambatta an accomplished academician of repute, has served as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology Bayero University, Kano for 28 years, where he taught courses in telecommunications engineering, and electronics and held academic positions of Dean of the Faculty and Head of Department at different times.

The new NCC boss was born in Danbatta Local Government Council of Kano State, obtained his Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Science, and Ph.D degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland, and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology UK, respectively.

The new NCC helmsman has also held high profile administrative responsibilities, including Chairmanship of the Implementation Committee of Kano State University of Science & Technology, and subsequently became its pioneer Deputy, and Acting Vice-Chancellor when it took off in 2001.

He had served two terms of five years as a Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), is also a COREN registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Youth skills development tops agenda at opening of SAP Auditorium Robert Enslin, President of Global Customer Operations and Executive Board member of SAP, at the inauguration of the SAP Auditorium at the Cape Town Science Centre has stressed the importance of science and technology education in building a globally competitive modern economy and the need to address the scarcity of skills among the youth.

“Africa’s large youth population and positive economic growth potential primes the continent to play a leading role in the Digital Economy. However, successfully navigating the complexities presented by vast amounts of data in today’s hyper-connected world requires excellent Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills. We urgently need to address the scarcity of STEM skills among our youth,” Enslin said.

Enslin was joined in a panel

discussion by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor who stressed the importance of science and technology education in building a globally competitive modern economy, adding that “Science and technology matter because the world needs to devise new solutions to sustainable development, so as to provide food, energy and security to our communities. We are short of skills and must fill the gap.”

According to data from the World Economic Forum, Africa has the largest youth demographic in the world, with the continent’s working-age population expected to double to one billion people over the next 25 years.

However, less than 1% of African children leaving school have basic mathematical and science skills.

Enslin said it is critical for forward-looking businesses invested in the future to partner with government and educational

institutions to foster a culture of learning and skills development among youth.

“We need to collectively start addressing the serious skills shortage by creating opportunities for youth to learn new skills that will make them marketable when it comes time to seek employment. For the next decade, Africa will add 11 million people to its workforce every single year.

As the fastest-growing digital consumer market, and with a wealth of young labour, Africa is perfectly poised to take a lead in the Digital Economy – but we need to ensure our youth are properly trained, especially in the ICT sphere, and prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that the Digital Economy can offer,” Enslin added.

A group of children from West Riding Primary School in Cape Town also showed off their newCONTINUED ON PAGE TT 4

Enslin, President of Global Customer Operations and Executive Board member of SAP

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,August 11, 2015

NgREN set to improve standard of Nigerian Universities Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), said that the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) will help to improve standard of Nigerian universities.

Prof. Okojie, made this remark at this at the opening of the just concluded two-day workshop on African Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project Post-Effectiveness in Abuja, but lamented that the problem with Nigerian universities was low Internet presence.

He revealed that Nigeria has 10 out of 19 African Centres of Excellence, adding that the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) is solving the problem of Internet connectivity in Nigerian universities which will in turn improve global presence of Nigerian universities.

“What has happened in NgREN is a big boom because of Internet connectivity to 27 universities; you can almost share resources, knowledge and findings. The people that do the ranking do not really visit universities; they go to the Internet and find out what you are doing.

“Whatever research we are doing should be sent to the Internet.

Money is going into the system for research. I am not disturbed; my concern is whether Nigerian universities are meeting local and national needs; whether we are number one or not does not matter,’’ he said.

The NUC helmsman listed some of Nigeria’s universities’

achievements to include the Redeemer’s University Centre of Excellence feat that helped to tackle the problem of Ebola and the developed rapid response diagnostic test that could detect the virus in 15 minutes.

He explained that Nigeria could not have solved the Ebola issue if not for Redeemer’s University’s research; a feat which he said ought to have risen Nigerian universities up in ranking.

“Ebola is an international problem. We have made breakthrough whether they rank us or not; but let us concentrate; we have to rebrand our universities, they are good. Challenge our students with students from any part of the world and they will always prove themselves,’’ Okojie said.

He also disclosed that the ACE World Bank-sponsored project had disbursed more than N1.4 billion to the 10 ACEs in Nigeria, adding that the first tranche would be shared equally among the 10 ACEs to avoid delays in implementation due to low liquidity.

According to Okojie, the Project Development Objective (PDO) of the ACEs is to support the recipients to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in areas that address regional challenges.

He said the objective also included strengthening the capacities of these universities to deliver quality training and applied research and to meet labour market demand for specific skills.

Okojie, Executive Secretary, NUC

Youth skill tops agenda at SAP programme

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ly-learned technology skills at today’s event with a live Africa Code Week coding demonstration.

Director of the Cape Town Science Centre, Julie Cleverdon, said these kinds of interactive experiences help to foster a strong passion for maths and science among the youth.

L-R: Sven Beckmann, Regional Director South and Sub-Saharan Intel Corporation, Olubunmi Ekundare, Country Manager Nigeria, Intel Corporation, Hitenda Naik, Director of Innovation Sub-Saharan Africa Intel Corporation at the Intel Developer Day Nigeria 2015event held in Lagos, recently.

Intel flags off Developer Zone in Nigeria at IDDN 2015 Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Intel Corporation has flagged off the Intel Developer Zone (IDZ) program in Nigeria to local developers at its just concluded Intel Developer Day Nigeria (IDDN) 2015 in Lagos.

The event provided a platform for software developers to interact with Intel software experts and enjoy live training on how to use various Intel software tools on the Intel Developer Zone (IDZ) platform which supports Independent Software Vendors (ISV), app developers and maker communities with information and tools.

In his welcome address, Country Manager for Nigeria, of Intel Corporation, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare, said that Intel was trying to help local developers achieve their best, adding that “We want to create the right type of technology and also provide appropriate training to get the best out of this technology.”

Software and Services Lead, East Africa, Agatha Gikunda subsequently introduced Intel’s developer offerings to the participants, and offered them advice on how to monetize their software applications.

“The Centre offers a platform for science and education awareness that is used by many other organisations and NGOs that are involved with educating our youth. We have enjoyed SAP’s invaluable support since 2011 via a host of initiatives, including volunteering, sponsorship and mentorship,” Cleverdon said.

The event also saw the launch of the Intel Student Partnership Program which confers the status of on-campus ambassadors on the student partners and also help the budding developers acquire knowledge about Intel technologies.

Intel disclosed that the program would run in three Nigerian universities including, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife ,and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt.

Speaking on the occasion, the Regional Director, South and SubSaharan Africa, Intel Corporation, Sven Beckmann said, “It is good to come to Nigeria and see how interested these young developers are in our programs, and we are open to partnering with them. We want to see the next Einstein coming from Africa. Students need to be mentored and we want to help guide them, so that they can better tap into their innovative ideas.”

The event which also had Director of Innovation, Sub-Saharan Africa, Intel Corporation Hitendra Naik in attendance peaked with the pitch session

where participants were asked to propose their software app ideas to a panel of Judges.

30- year old software engineer, Adetunji Adelakun, emerged as the first prize winner and was awarded with $5, 000 worth of marketing from Intel with his software idea; ‘Scantranx POS, an Android Cloud based POS system that supports multi-sale channels.’ The second place winner won a Samsung Galaxy Tab, while the third prize winner received encouraging remarks.

Adetunji Adelakun said, “I know I created a good solution and I put in a lot of hard work. I am happy that Intel recognized my potential and even decided to invest my idea with $5, 000, which is a good beginning that will help me scale my business.”

Intel Developer Zone is expected to offer Nigerian developers a place in the ecosystem of global technologies, tools, developers and partners. It will also offer Nigerian developers the opportunity to explore Intel’s crossplatform productivity suites for creating applications targeting Android and Microsoft Windows devices with native performance and exposure to unique platform capabilities.

Enslin explained that SAP recognises the need to contribute towards up skilling the youth of Africa and is working with governments, schools, science centres and other businesses across the continent to provide access to solid STEM education that will help contribute towards building a sustainable future for the African continent.

To this end, SAP also recently announced Africa Code Week that will take place across 15 countries from 1 to 10 October.

The programme, which is a foundation for SAP’s Skills for Africa initiative, will see an estimated 20 000 children across the continent, ranging in age from 8 to 24 years, participating in software coding workshops.

SALAMI

HAPPY TO PLAY UNDER OLISEH g 29

Poster!

AGALI VICTOR

UEFA

SUPER CUP:

KROHNDEHLI READY TO BATTLE MESSI! g 28

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set to shine in Red Devils’ shirt

DEMICHELIS tips Man City for EPL title g 30

Victor Okechukwu Agali

December 29, 1978 (age 36)

Okpanam, Delta State,

1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)

Full name:

Date of birth:

Place of birth: Nigeria

Height:

Marseille

Toulon

Hansa Rostock

Schalke 04

Nice

Kayseri Erciyesspor

Ankaragucu

Hansa Rostock

Skoda Xanthi

Anorthosis Famagusta

Levadiakos

Jiangsu Sainty

1997:

1997–1998:

1998–2001:

2001–2004:

2004–2005:

2005–2006:

2006–2007:

2007–2008:

2008–2009:

2009:

2009–2010:

2010:

2000–2004:

Nigeria

Nitel Lagos

1996:

National team

Princess Jegede

Free agent

1995:

Senior career

Current team:

Playing position: Striker

Victor Agali

Name:

Personal information

AGALI Victor

Agali has played for Nigeria at a number of occasions, including the 2000 Summer Olympics.

He moved in summer 2010 to the Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Sainty.

After a season with Greek club Skoda Xanthi the Nigerian striker signed for Anorthosis Famagusta.

At Rostock Agali did not do well, after just one goal in 23 league matches, thus he was given a free transfer to the Greek club Skoda Xanthi FC.

From 2005 to 2007 he played in the Turkish Premier Super League and later returned to German Bundesliga team Rostock in August 2007.

In 1997, Agali joined French club Olympique Marseille and finding it hard to establish a first team place, he quickly moved to Sporting Toulon Var. He later went to Germany, where he played in Hansa Rostock and Schalke 04.

Victor Okechukwu Agali (born December 29, 1978 in Okpanam, Delta State) is a Nigerian footballer who last played for Jiangsu Sainty.

About

Agali

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EXTRATIME Tuesday, August 11, 2015

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INTERVIEW

Traditional wrestling coach of Team Rivers, Dickson Tompreye Idowu Omoro, has opened up on the plight of coaches and athletes ahead of the National Sports Festival in Calabar. Speaking exclusively to Extra Times duo of ANDREW EKEJIUBA and KENNETH ADEYEMI, the highly travelled former Chairman of Traditional Wrestling Referees Association talked about his career rise, pains, expectation for Team Nigeria at the upcoming All Africa Games in Congo and the future of the sport in Nigeria. Excerpts:

H

ow prepared is Team Rivers ahead of the upcoming National Sports Festival holding in Calabar, especially in the traditional wrestling event?

I will say for now, there’s no preparation because of the current situation in Rivers State. This is because they have not paid us our salary since last year. And it is almost 16 months now since they stopped paying our wages.

We pray that since Governor Wike Nyesom is a good man, I hope he’ll pay us as soon as possible so that we can commence the full training of the athletes.

What is the mood of the Rivers State governor towards your plight?

For now, I don’t have anything to say. Although we pray that he should assist us because he has been assisting other sectors since he emerged as the governor of the state; he has settled the salaries of Sharks FC and Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt, even the pensioner are also smiling.

We, the coaches and the athletes are pleading for his assistance because he’s a loving person. I believe he is God sent and a man for the people. He loves sports and we are ready to serve and support him. We believe that for this upcoming National Sports Festival, we are ready to maintain our first position again, especially in traditional wrestling.

In the last National Sports Festival which was held in Lagos in 2012, how did the Rivers State fair?

We came finished second position, but at the same time we are not happy with that because of some reasons.

Like Delta State, they had about five sports consultants ahead of Eko 2012 National Sports Festival, while we had only one. But that one we had till date, I believe is the best sports consultant in Nigeria. He is Mr. Fatula Samuel; a very hardworking person.

I believe with his assistants, we are a formidable entity and that we are going to emerge victorious at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Calabar.

Why are you so optimistic this time?

It is because, since other states have not entered camp; we in Rivers State have entered camp once before the athletes were decamped. And when you look at the caliber of athletes we have in all other sports, you will believe that what I’m saying is true.

Till date, Team Rivers are having a large number of experienced coaches in the team who are ready to impact positively on the athletes. No shaking!

Let’s go back to your experience in Ghana as their traditional wrestling coach. Can you share with us your

experiences over there before your journey to Rivers State?

Actually, when I went to Ghana, we discussed on the issue of handling their wrestling team, but we could not be reach an agreement. So I decided to come back home.

But this time, I have received several calls from them inviting me for negotiations and possibly handling their national team towards the All Africa Games. I may join them if I have the chance, but if I’m not able to reach a reasonable agreement with them, I will stay put.

The All Africa Games is around the corner, what are Team Nigeria’s chances in wrestling? And can you beat your chest and say Nigeria will come tops in the wrestling competition in Congo Brazzaville?

I believe Nigeria will come tops overall in Congo Brazzaville, especially in freestyle wrestling. With the caliber of wrestlers we have in Nigeria, I am sure we are going to emerge first position in Congo with the likes of Amas who is fighting in the 60kg, Melvin in the 74kg, Sosu from Delta State and some females from Ondo and Bayelsa States. I believe all these wrestlers are going to emerge first position in Congo Brazzaville.

One of your wrestlers Sinivie Boltic; have you heard anything about him recently?

Yes, he is based in Bayelsa State.

He featured in the last trials we held in Abuja and he came first position in Super Heavy Kilogramme class. I think he is still going to represent our country at the All Africa Games.

Can you let us know some of the wrestlers that have passed through you?

Most of this wrestlers that have passed through me are from the traditional wrestling event and not in the freestyle. We have somebody like Friday Agumenei Owei who is based in London; at the same time we have Sunday Opiah who is based in London as well, but back in the country. We have Patrick Agada and Lucky Opiah representing Delta State in traditional wrestling.

Other of my athletes are Godfrey Jacob who is representing Team Rivers and Jonathan Undoku. I have a lot of my products representing other states in the trado wrestling event.

Why is it that some of the products which you raised from the grassroots end up in other states?

You know I cannot handle them alone, since I brought them from childhood I had nobody to help. So what I do is that, if a state requests for any of

Idowu Omoro (left) led Team Rivers traditional wrestling squad to a victorious outing at the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival in Lagos.

NSF: Omoro makes case for Team Rivers

them, I don’t have any other option than to release them. That’s why you will see most of them representing other states like Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa and many other states in Nigeria. Even some of them are in Northern part of the country and that is why we have fewer people in our team right now.

Can you tell us some of your experiences while you were an active traditional wrestler?

Ever before I became a wrestler, my father was a great traditional wrestler.

So when I was a little boy, my father use to take me to watch the event. That was how I picked interest in traditional wrestling.

Though my father is late, but I want to say that in those days traditional wrestling was popular in Ajegunle here in Lagos. So, my father use to take me down to the arena and wears me his costume at the arena and brings out my age mate to fight with me. At the end of it all, I developed the love of the sport.

That was how I started wrestling!

It got to a point that even if I am sleeping and I hear the sound of the wrestling drum, I will quickly wake up and join them at the arena. As far as I’m concerned, I take wrestling as the best sport in the whole wide world.

I became a champion while representing Lagos State; I started from 62kg and then I later went up to 75kg and I retired from the 75kg.

On retirement, I went for my coaching course at NIS here in Lagos. Then, I now decided to have my own traditional wrestling club, which is in Niger Delta Wrestling Club. This club is a well-

known wrestling club in Nigeria!

We have been going to places for traditional wrestling engagements, so from there, we got so many champions that are now representing many states.

Some are also abroad wrestling.

What are the challenges you went through as a wrestler?

When I was a wrestler, nobody assisted me. Sometimes from Ajegunle I will trek down to Rowe Park at Yaba for training. After training, we’ll have to trek back again just because I love this sport.

But I doubt if the present day wrestlers can make such sacrifice.

If you tell our present day wrestlers that they should trek to Rowe Park for training, they will tell you that since there’s no money they will not go.

In our days we don’t do that. We did it for the love of sport and that’s what made me a champion.

What are you expecting from the Rivers State government?

As I said earlier, the governor is a God sent governor. We believe the governor will make things better according to the way it should be.

Why I said so is that, Governor Wike Nyesom loves sports and he has shown this by paying those football clubs which the former governor owed; so I’m still hopeful that God will touch his heart so that he can remember to pay the athletes and coaches that represent the state.

Nothing much is being done in promoting traditional wrestling in the country. What actually is the problem?

It has been two years now since traditional wrestlers stopped travelling

for competitions. When we wanted to travel to Republic of Niger, we were stopped because of the Ebola epidemic.

So they later postponed the competition.

At the same time, last year, the same issue now came up when we are to go to Senegal for another competition; so we are not opportuned to travel because of Ebola crisis.

That was why our traditional wrestlers did not partake in any event for some years back now.

But this year, we were told that we are going to represent the country in Dakar in October. That’s the competition we are looking forward to right now.

Is there any room for women in traditional wrestling?

Yes. We have women too in our wrestling club. I have been putting pressure on the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria to allow female competitors at the sports festival, but up till now, it has not yielded a favourable result. If they can just include three classes in the female category, I think it’ll be better.

Just in a few word, who really inspired you to take to wrestling?

The person that inspired is Coach Kali Agogo. He’s the person who made me the person I am today. In terms of traditional wrestling, my role model is Hon. Daniel Igali.

The reason I said this is that, he has a lot of skills. Igali wrestles like a cat, because he is very strong and agile.

I like his wrestling skills; he was into traditional wrestling even before he switched to freestyle wrestling where he ruled the world.