DTN Abuja 10-9-15

Donu Kogbara: A plea to her abductors Abdul Mahmud

ÎÎÎ It is more than a week now she was

forcefully snatched from her Port-Har-

court home. Donu Kogbara, the quintessential writer, columnist, editor and patriot, must be going through dreadful times, unimaginable nightmares, no one

can wish on others, even one’s enemies, at the hands of her abductors. I dread to imagine what she is going through, the pain inflicted on her body and on her soul

by her abductors, the dreariness of living each hour not knowing what mindless seizure her abductors could suffer in one Continued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.188

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 9th September 2015.

GUINNESS

131.48

6.26

4.76%

NAHCO

4.45

0.14

3.15%

NESTLE

802

-18.00

-2.24%

DANGCEM

163.06

-6.94

-4.26%

FIDSON

3.36

0.16

4.76%

TRANSEXPR

1.21

0.10

8.26%

MOBIL

142.5

-7.50

-5.26%

NB

123.18

-4.87

-3.95%

For the Donu Kogbara family, it’s been...

10 days of hell Akam James Yenagoa

ÎÎÎTen

days after she was abducted in a gangster-style, Donu Kogbara appears a fast receding memory save for occasional press statements from colleagues.

Kogbara, an international journalist and female columnist with the Vanguard newspapers,

was abducted at her Nkpogu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State residence on August 30 by yet unknown gunmen.

To date, the kidnappers are yet to contact her distraught family, just as the Rivers State Police Command has appealed for patience with an assurance that they are on top of the situation.

The nation appears un-

moved by the incident and has joined her to the list of national mishaps.

Kogbara runs a column ‘Sweet and Sour’ in the newspaper.

When the Daily Times visited her home in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, it met a people who lived for hope however forlorn it might be.

Continued on page 6

EDITORIAL

When silence is not golden...

...Over

a week since veteran Writer, Broadcaster and former Director of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority Board (GPHCDA), Donu Kogbara, was reportedly kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the nation is yet to know her whereabouts. According to reports, Ms Kogbara was kidnapped from her home in the Nkpogu area of the state capital on August 30, 2015, by armed men dressed in police uniforms, who made their getaway in a CRV SUV. Up till now, the kidnappers are yet to give any reasons for their heinous act, neither

have they been in touch with the journalist’s family to make any demands.

Definitely, we join all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the kidnapping of the Vanguard newspaper columnist, as we also call on all relevant security agencies to launch a massive manhunt for the perpetrators of this crime, with a view to bringing them to justice and securing her release.

Ms. Kogbara who had worked for the BBC, UK’s Channel 4, The Sunday Times (London), and also as Chief Executive Continued on page 3

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Kogbara: When silence is not golden...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ened and physically attacked, while 87 were kidnapped and 77 fled their Officer (CEO) of African Access countries of origin. As at December Limited, a public relations outfit 2013, 178 journalists were in prison, among others, is a well known huwith a total of 37 kidnapped or disman rights activist and anti-corrupappeared. Combating such impunity tion crusader with a reputation for must be a priority for Nigerians, exposing injustice, discrimination given that the UN Security Counand maladministration in governcil Resolution 1738 guarantees the ment and the society at large. Those safety of journalists in the course of holding her should know that the their duty in all parts of the world. entire country is scandalised at this brazen, retrogressive act, which goes In addition, we call on the National Assembly to enact a law making to show the disrespect and contempt deliberate attacks on journalists, they have for those who want to media workmake Nigeria a better ers and place for present and KIDNAPPED associated future generations. personnel a With the increasing crime punfrequency of such inishable with cidents, Nigeria joins the harshest the infamous league sentences of countries where possible in journalists are an enthe courts. dangered species, with The risks to their lives in journalism the course of their profession duties. Before now, is not only Nigerians have been sacred; it reading and hearing places on of journalists being itself the kidnapped, tortured burden of and killed, especially informing in the Middle East, and eduAsia and Latin Amercating the ica by fringe groups citizens on and even governments their duties too scared to live with and responinconvenient truths in sibilities to their societies. Sadly, the society. such distant stories It is theremay become a reality fore painin Nigeria if nothing fully ironic when these purveyors is done immediately to cut out the of news who serve as the conscience cancer of kidnapping which is fast of the society are put in harm’s way spreading all over the country. for no justifiable cause. Kidnapping According to ‘Reporters Without and other crimes against journalists Borders’ (RWB), a total of 66 jourviolate an unwritten social contract nalists were murdered worldwide stipulating that such persons dein 2014, bringing to 720 the numserve protection because they are ber killed in connection with their witnesses to history, not state actors. work in the past 10 years. Also, 119 We demand the immediate release journalists were kidnapped in 2014, of Ms. Donu Kogbara, as her continan increase of more than 35 percent ued trauma makes a mockery of the on 2013, even as 40 of them are still country’s guarantee of freedom to being held hostage. In 2013, 71 jourits citizens. nalists were killed, with 2160 threat-

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Group Managing Director

Fidelis Anosike

Noel Anosike

Group Managing Editor

Chief Operating Officer

Editor

GM Operations

Molara Wood Yinka Olujimi

Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎMore

than 100 days after former President Goodluck Jonathan left office, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has refused to make public Jonathan’s handover notes.

The administration has kept mum on the issue despite clamour by a section of the populace for the publication of the notes.

Not long ago, ministers who served under Jonathan joined the train, challenging Buhari to publish the details of the notes he received. The House of Representatives had earlier passed a resolution

asking Buhari to publish the notes in the official gazette of the federation.

This non-publication of Jonathan’s handover note has fuelled speculations that the Buhari administration wants to shield Nigerians from the contents therein. The action casts a pall on the extent the Buhari administration will go to promote transparency in governance.

No doubt the handover notes are classified documents, but the Buhari administration will not be violating any known law if at least non-sensitive aspects of documents are made public. After all, Nigerians are entitled to know how the nation’s Balance Sheet stands at the end of every tenure, that of Jonathan inclusive.

Words On Marble :

Fact is that making public at least the nonsensitive aspects of the handover notes will enhance transparency in governance. It will enable Nigerians know how the state of the nation’s treasury as at the end Jonathan’s administration.

Certainly, the publication will put a check on the yet unsubstantiated allegations against the outgone administration.

In view of these, therefore, the continued nonpublication of Jonathan’s handover notes by the Buhari administration certainly does not serve the public good. Those insisting that the handover notes be kept far away from the populace should realise that they do not love President Buhari, Nigeria and Nigerians.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08054934941 Konnie Agu 09033765031

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Ambassador Robert Perry, VP of CCA and Publisher of Daily Times, Fidelis Anosike at a presentation of Dailytimes at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja

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Chukwuemeka Ezeife

Ibukun Awosika

Timi Dakolo

“When he (Buhari) said he belongs to no one and he belongs to everyone, Nigerians rejoiced. But with what we see today, he seems to belong to the North only. He doesn’t seem to belong to Nigeria”.

“I am a woman who believes in doing the best always. Gender is not the issue.”

“Whichever way you look at it, life is a competition. It’s the man that knows a lot more that stands the test of time”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

RC 103022

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Osinbajo canvasses UN security seat for Nigeria Egena Egena Abuja

ÎÎÎVice

President, Yemi Osinbajo, has advocated a permanent membership status for Nigeria in the Security Council of the United Nations.

He said the country deserves it because of its contributions to interna-

tional peace keeping , the size of its population and economy.

Delivering a keynote address on Wednesday at the Africa launch of the Global Commission Report on the theme: “Confronting the Crisis of Global Governance” at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Vice President. Osinbajo

said: “Nigeria fully shares the views expressed in the Report, that the United Nation’ Security Council should be expanded including the call in the Report for restraint on the use of veto by the five permanent members of the Council.’’

He continued: ‘’in addition, we take the position based on our peacekeeping

role in the United Nations, the size of our economy, and the fact that we have the largest population in the continent to say that Nigeria deserves a permanent status in the Security Council’’.

The Vice President said that since Africa is the only continent without a permanent seat in the UN

Donu Kogbara:10 days of hell Continued from page 1 While her family members, colleagues and wellwishers are anxious to see her release, the state Police command, has expressed resolve not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring just that.

In a chat with Daily Times, the spokesman of the Rivers State Police command, DSP Ahmad Mohammad, said that the force is doing everything possible to ensure that she is safe and that the abductors are arrested and brought to book.

Mohammad said: “I want to assure you and Donu’s family that we are doing all that is possible to rescue her to reunite with her family. We are more worried than you on this issue. We feel the abduction of your colleague the way you feel it. Her abduction is a challenge to all of us.”

However, he emphasized that the police, “will not disclose details of our operations to the public for our safety and the safety of the victim”, adding that the force is also providing adequate security to the family members of the kidnapped journalist.

In the meantime, there has been public outcry over the incident with various individuals and groups coming out to condemn the abduction, demanding her immediate and unconditional release.

Though elders of the family declined speaking with the our correspondent on the issue until her release is secured, a distant relation who granted our correspondent a brief response, said: “since the Rivers State government,

which was one of the first to describe the abduction as an act of the devil, claims to be working tirelessly, we are waiting to see their success..”

He stated that the immediate families have been praying to God for her safety where ever she is being kept.

While uniformed men were seen around her Port Harcourt residence, most of the family members were sitting closely and discussing with each other. Every unfamiliar face around her residence was met with stare and questions.

According to a source at the compound, the action of the dare devils was unfortunate because she was a friend to all. A neighbour told the Daily Times: “The government and security agencies should please work together to ensure that every resident enjoys adequate security, because if a journalist could be kept for this long without any ransom or unconditional release then I wonder the fate of an ordinary man on the street” He continued: “The kidnap is roundly condemned and we believe that by God’s grace, she will come out alive. By God’s grace, she will be released in good health.”

Our correspondent gathers that sources from the family are of the belief that abduction is politically motivated as the abductors are yet to demand ransom conduct of the forthcoming elections in the state even as it accused the opposition of being behind the abduction.

In a statement by the

Security Council, Nigeria has the strongest profile to represent Africa and therefore balance the membership composition of the Council.

On good governance, the Vice President said: ‘’It is clear that the crisis of global governance has deeply contributed to and continues to engender insecurity, corruption, injustice, insurgency, violent extremism, terrorism, piracy, cyber-crime, underdevelopment, climate change fears among many vices.’’

Concerned that Africa is at the centre of this crisis, Prof. Osinbajo stated that ‘’for instance, the Report highlighted the issue of intersection between justice and insecurity. It opens up the question of the place of social justice in ensuring security’’.

He added that ‘’ there are those who believe that the absence of social justice in parts of our continent is partially responsible for the insecurity experienced in many of the countries in this continent’’.

Donu Kogbara: A plea to her abductors Continued from page 1

group’s Publicity Secretary, James Ere, the group said Wilson’s kidnap was politically motivated and asked the security organs to step in and arrest the situation immediately.

Warning that the consequence of inaction was dangerous, Ere said the state could become a theatre of war, insisting that the leaders of the opposition in the state were known for violence and they should be properly monitored to avert breakdown of law and order.

The statement said, “As a group, we condemn the resort to violence and sponsored kidnapping by the opposition. As many are aware, some of the socalled opposition leaders, who are today parading themselves as aspirants have a record of political violence and a penchant for blood-letting.

Ere said the recourse to violence was the only means the opposition could be relevant in the state and as such bent on doing harm to peace and stability as a way of intimidation.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the abduction.

Butswat, said “On September 9, 2015, at about 0400hrs, five unknown gunmen went to the residence of Mr. Fyneman Wilson at Sagbama Town, in Sagbama LGA, and abducted him with his Personal Assistant, Mr Fred, to an unknown destination.

“The Marine Police, Joint Military Task Force and the anti-kidnapping unit of the police have been alerted.”

moment of bestiality or in that singular instance of darkness seizing the hearts and minds of her abductors who might end up doing nasty and the most unthinkable. God forbids.

Losing one’s freedom, in the circumstances in which Donu Kogbara has lost her freedom to young men (and perhaps women) who wreak violence on human bodies, hearts and minds, who hurl up all that is wrong with our humanity today as a badge of honour, and go about ruining the happiness of homes, the joy of those who see our humanity as the boundless habitation of goodness, and hurting members of her family, friends and associates who keep endless vigil at the doors of humanity, always expectant yet hopeful of her safe return home, is painful. We all have been at this point of loss of our freedoms and liberties; that loss that can be recovered by law, by advocacy and by appeal to the moral force of what binds us as human beings. But, I speak of the temporary loss, this loss of freedom, subjected to the insufferable whims and caprices of her abductors-yes, we wait endlessly on them and time, while hoping that they would be touched by love to let her go-the temporary extinction of love by violent young men (and women) who choose to keep a harmless patriot under inscruta-

ble and inhuman condition and against her will. Donu Kogbara doesn’t deserve this inhuman treatment, neither does she deserve to be held against her will nor be held incommunicado by her abductors.

Donu Kogbara is a mother who deserves the serenity of her home, that home only a mother makes a home-the real home that is walled by a mother’s endless love, tiled by tenderness and roofed with care, the kind only a mother shows- where her son waits, hopes for and keeps vigil for mother’s safe return. The mother’s heart is not like Oscar Wilde’s gaol- built with bricks and shame and bounds with bars- the mother’s heart is that home, named by the many pet names she calls her child. Donu Kogbara’s home is not that hellhole her keepers dug for her; it isn’t that hideous, abandoned pit where her heartless abductors keep watch over her in turns, keep watch over time and over that small space that should remind her abductors of their ultimate place of rest; still, they keep watch from the tower of fear they have erected over their own fear of a patriot whose only sin, as it appears, is her outspokenness; Donu Kogbara’s home is our humanity, the homes where we spend the night singing songs of her freedom, her pain and her anguish, the sanctuaries of our hearts of prayers! GOD, LET DONU BE FREE!!

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏGovernor

of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, has called on the workers in the state who have been on a warning strike to return to work.

He said any worker who did not heed his appeal would not be paid.

Speaking while swearing-in newly appointed local government caretaker committee chairmen, their vice- and secretaries at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki,

DDI seeks improved civilmilitary relations Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe new Acting Director of

Defence Information (DDI), Colonel Rabe Abubakar, has called for an improved civil-military relations and an excellent media ties.

He said that an excellent relation would hasten the defeat of Boko Haram terrorists and reduce other violent crimes in society.

Abubakar, who stated this in his maiden media interactive sesseion with Defence Correspon-

Umahi calls on workers to call off strike

Umahi said attendance registers had been provided for workers in their offices to record their names whenever they came to work and that it would be used to pay them their salaries.

Said he: “Our workers should return to work because our position on the Dr. Sam Egwu led committee salary structure is irreversible.”

dents also stressed that the military needs a credible alliance and formidable partnership among all stakeholders.

The country needs such an atmosphere to completely “root out terrorists and criminals from their camps and hide out.”

He said that his office, therefore, looked forward to “an effective collaboration based on mutual understanding that can make a clear difference and demonstrate a paradigm shift in management and dissemination of information.”

He claimed that the current military disposition in various operations nation-wide had been driven by absolute determination and commitment to root out terrorists and criminals from their camps and hideouts.

Pray for Ambode’s second term, not me –Remi Tinubu Efetobo Enitan

ÏÏÏThere was a mild drama at

the Muson Centre, in Lagos, on Wednesday, when Archbishop Magnus Atilade prayed for Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly and wife of National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluremi Tinubu that she would soon be crowned Governor of Lagos State.

It was during the 15th edition of the town hall meeting.

The respected clergy had, midway into the programme, prayed that the female federal legislature would soon be crowned the Chief Executive of the state, siting that he once prayed for her to be senator, which the latter laughed off, but today she a senator.

Atilade then prayed that in the same vein, she would be governor of the state before long.

Tinubu promptly rejected the idea of her being a governor.

Instead, she urged the clergy to direct prayers for a second term for incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Her words, “My Archbishop, I

7 News

appreciate your support for what I stand for and for believing in me, but I will urge that prayers regarding being a governor should not arise. I urged you, sir, to direct your prayers for the second term in office of Governor Ambode. I do not have any governorship ambition.

At the event, Tinubu also cleared her name regarding unholy activities of federal lawmakers during the seventh National Assembly. She maintained that she did not mismanaged money, because she was comfortable before she became a senator.

Stills Business Manager, CocaCola, Vincent Emokpaire, and CEO, Teragro Commodities Ltd, Dupe Olusola during launch of Five Alive Pulpy Orange held in Lagos… on Wednesday

Ohanaeze youths warn Keyamo over comments on Buhari’s appointments Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏFor dismissing the outrage

by Ndigbo over their exclusion in federal appointments as “noise making”, human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has been lambasted by the youth wing of the pan Igbo socio-cultural association, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The body has therefore warned Keyamo against the dangers of fighting a whole tribe, while demanding an unconditional apology from him, who had, while defending President Muhammadu Buhari against allegations of deliberate exclusion of the South East in his political appointments, so far, said those criticising him were political job seekers.

Keyamo had said Ndigbo were the greatest beneficiary of Buhari’s appointments, so far, and

Ohaneze Youth Congress (OYC), Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Keyamo only resorted to attack Ndigbo for cheap public notice, adding, in Umuahia, that “the likes of Keyamo will shamelessly deny obvious truths for selfish interest and political patronage.”

The body said “We would not like to join issues with the likes of Keyamo, as doing so will dignify him, but we only want to warn him against the dangers of fighting a whole tribe. It is a pity that a lawyer like Keyamo who should know better has decided to see nothing wrong with the deliberate exclusion of a whole geo-political zone from the over 30 key political appointments so far made by Buhari since he assumed office.” It warned Keyamo to tread with caution over his remarks on issues affecting the Igbo nation.

No election in Tai LGA, army tells Rivers tribunal ÏÏÏAn

Remi

had no justification to allege marginalisation, stating: “We the elite should not be moved by this noise and selfish agenda. Imagine a whole ethnic group campaigning for a position. Initially, they said Chief of Staff, then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“Now, with all the noise they have been making, since May 29, imagine if one person from that region is appointed to that position. That person will then see himself as a champion of his ethnic group and his kinsmen will descend on that office in the area of contracts and gifts.”

Ohanaeze described Keyamo as “a desperate political psycophant, who sees insulting Ndigbo as the fasted way to get the attention from Buhari for a political appointment.”

The National President of

army officer, Captain Garba Sani, told the Rivers State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, that he never saw where election was conducted in Tai Local Government Area, where he and his men were deployed to maintain peace and order on April 11, 2015, the day the poll was scheduled to hold.

The Mohammed Ambrosa-led tribunal overruled the objection

by Governor Nyesom Wike, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Indepen-

dent National Electoral Commission (INEC), before Sani was allowed to give his oral evidence on Wednesday.

Sani, a subpoenaed witness, who said he led 37 other soldiers on a patrol of the entire Tai LGA, which is one of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, said he appeared before the tribunal on the directive of army authorities.

The soldier, who is of the Bori Camp, Army Barracks, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said he received the directive of

the army authorities through the Directorate, Legal, of the Nigerian Army, after his unit received “a signal” about the subpoena served on the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The subpoena served on the Chief of Army Staff was obtained upon a request by the petitioners – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the April 11 poll, Dr. Dakuku Peterside – who are challenging the declaration of Governor Wike as the winner of the election.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

8

Politics

s Clamp down on MASSOB begins

Uwazuruike

Arase

Fresh facts have emerged on why the Federal Government revoked the diplomatic and official passports of former elected officials, political office holders and retired public servants.

The police said four suspects were apprehended in Anambra, six in Imo, 11 in Delta and one in Abia States.

A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, (FPPRO) Olabisi Kolawole, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the arrests were sequel to the order by the Inspector– General of Police, Solomon Arase, for a clampdown on persons or group of persons inciting violence and social CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Revealed: Why FG revoked diplomatic, official passports of ex- govs, ministers, others

Buhari

Stories by Akinjide Akintola

With the voluntary surrendering of self to the Police Authorities last Monday by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the stage appears set for a major clamp down on the organisation.

Barely 24 hours after, the police in simultaneous raids in the South East states have arrested no fewer than 22 members of the movement in some parts of the country.

Reliable sources said many of the former Governors, Ministers, Senators, Reps, Presidential Aides and many others were still making “unauthorized” use of the blue and red passports despite having left office more than 10 years ago.

The blue passport is official passport for those on government business abroad while the red one is the diplomatic passports for those who are accorded envoy’s status like governors, ministers, etc.

Unlike the green passports which ordinary Nigerian carry

about, holders of the other two are treated specially inside and outside Nigeria.

This, the sources explained why holders often keep them even after leaving office or retirement instead of submitting them at the end of their tenure or retirement.

The Nigeria Immigration Act 2015 as amended stipulates that: Altering existing travel documents renders the holder on conviction of a Two Million Naira fine and/or imprisonment for a term of CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

9

Politics

MASSOB to be caged?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

disorder across the country.

The police said all the persons so far arrested for inciting violence, irrespective of their class or status in the society, would be charged to court.

The statement reads: “The Inspector–General of Police has ordered an immediate clampdown on persons or group of persons inciting violence and social disorder across the country.

“This directive becomes imperative owing to recent activities of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign States of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra in some parts of the country.

“This operational order empowers the police to arrest anybody fomenting any act of violence or disorder, or any act inimical to the security of the nation”, the statement stressed.

Last Sunday, the police had stormed the Owerri, Imo State home of Uwazuruike where they arrested no fewer than 20 members of his movement.

They were later released on Monday after Uwazuruike had given himself up to the police.

Upon his arrival at the State Police Headquarters in Owerri, he held discussions with the State Police boss, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu for almost one hour before he was moved to the Zone 9 Headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State under very tight security, where he also discussed with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone.

His invitation to the Zonal Command was sequel to the order of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase over the criminal activities of his group which was one of those designated as outlawed groups. Though details of his discussion were not made known, he was later allowed to go home, possibly on personal recognition.

It would be recalled that MASSOB had for years been engaged in armed struggles against the country, declaring an Independent State of Biafra.

It had also set out a Pirate Radio Station known as Biafra Radio which has been used as propaganda tool against the Federal Government while boosting the activities of the movement.

“MASSOB had for years been engaged in armed struggles against the country, declaring an Independent State of Biafra. It had also set out a Pirate Radio Station known as Biafra Radio which has been used as propaganda tool against the Federal Government while boosting the activities of the movement.”

Since July, the Federal Government had announced that it had been able to stop its illegal broadcasts, but it has still continue to be on air with its hate campaigns against the Nigerian State and activities of the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari despite government claims that it has been able to block its irritating broadcast.

At its inception, MASSOB concentrated on organising rallies and peaceful protests which culminated in hoisting Biafran flags at different locations in the South East.

In recent years, this practice has been reserved mainly for celebrating key dates and events or in commemoration of dead members.

In 2005, MASSOB reintroduced the old Biafran currency into circulation. This sparked a lot of excitement at the time especially as one Biafran pound was said to exchange for two hundred and seventy naira at the border communities of Togo and the Republic of Benin.

In his reaction, then President Olusegun Obasanjo, likened the Biafran pounds to a collector’s item and attributed its high exchange value to its relative rarity.

MASSOB was to later launch the Biafran passport in 2009 as part of the program to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

MASSOB leader, Uwazuruike, said the introduction of the Biafran passport was in response to persistent demands from Biafrans in diaspora.

MASSOB protest

Fayose doesn’t have mud houses, cattle herds as assets –Aide

Fayose

Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has counselled the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State to tell President Mohammadu Buhari to make his assets public properly as he promised Nigerians, rather than asking Governor Ayodele Fayose to declare his assets publicly, saying; “Governor Fayose was comfortable before he became governor, he is not a deceitful person who goes about parading mud houses and cattle

herds as assets for cheap political publicity.”

Olayinka, who reacted to a statement issued by the APC, asking the governor to publicly declare his assets said, “Governor Fayose has declared his assets as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and whoever that is not satisfied can approach the Court or the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for copy of his assets declaration form.”

He said the APC was only raising issues on the governor’s already declared assets because of his critical stance on President Buhari, adding that; “unlike President Buhari, Governor Fayose will never shy away from what he owns, he will never deny his assets because he acquired them legitimately. The governor does not need the easy and cheap excitement of declaring mud houses or herds of cows as assets for the applause of the gullible.”

Olayinka said further; “We know where everybody, including President Buhari’s, wealth are (sic) hidden and the APC should not provoke the governor to such an extent that he will begin to reveal their hidden assets.

“Nigerians demanded that President Buhari must declare his assets publicly because that

was what the President promised when he was seeking the people’s votes.

“It was part of President Buhari’s electoral promises that his assets will be declared publicly and up till today, he has not done that. We have only been told that the President, whom they said was poor to the extent that he had to take bank loan to buy his party’s nomination, is now the owner of a mini estate in Asokoro, Abuja that is worth over N3 billion.

“The APC should rather explain to Nigerians how a man they said had no houses anywhere apart from Daura and Kaduna suddenly become owner of houses and landed properties in Kano, Abuja and PortHarcourt?

“They should also tell Nigerians what happened when President Buhari headed Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and why they lied to Nigerians that the president was poor, thereby obtaining Nigerians votes by trick.”

Speaking further, Olayinka said Governor Fayose was more than clean, having been cleared by all courts in the land, and most importantly secured judgment against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for trespass and intrusion of his properties.”

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Why diplomatic, official passports were revoked CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

three years.

The Nigeria Immigration Service had last month asked those officials holding such passports to surrender them, a directive that appeared largely ignored by those involved.

However, further to that directive on the withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports held by unauthorized persons the Service again on Monday directed all affected persons to comply forthwith.

According to a statement personally signed by the Comptroller General of Immigration, M.K. Abeshi, the affected persons include, among others, former: I) State Governors; ii) Senators; iii) Members of House of Representatives; iv) Members of State Houses of Assemblies; v) Ministers; vi) Commissioners; vii) Special Advisers/Special Assistants; viii) Chairmen/Deputy Chairmen of Local Governments Areas; ix) All retired Heads of Parastatals and x) Retired Public Servants.

“These categories of persons are hereby informed that these passports which were previously held by them have been revoked and they should return them to the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters Sauka, Abuja with immediate effect.

“Failure to comply with this directive will amount to an offence under the Immigration Act 2015. Such unauthorized possession will be impounded at our control posts on arrival or departure,” he warned.

“The withdrawal of diplomatic and official passports held by unauthorized persons the Service again on Monday directed all affected persons to comply forthwith” Buhari

Is Nigeria sliding into dictatorship?

Governors under the umbrella of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday alleged that Nigeria is sliding into dictatorship under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors, under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum, made the allegation after rising from a two-hour meeting of the forum held at the chambers of the Bayelsa State Governor’s office in Yenagoa.

The governors, led by their chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, condemned in strong

terms, the alleged invasion of Akwa Ibom State Government House by operatives of the Department of the State Security (DSS).

Mimiko, who read the communique said the invasion was against the spirit, ethos, values and fundamental tenets of democratic norms and tradition, more so with the existence of a duly elected and sworn in governor of the state.

He said: “We insist that the trend must stop henceforth. No democracy survives without a viable opposition in any part of the world and we must also remember to remind the

APC that they are the real beneficiaries of the liberal democratic ethos of the PDP. “We once more advise the DSS to preoccupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and desist from daily harassing and intimidating members of the opposition.

“We implore the international community, the civil society organisations and human rights activists to caution the All Progressives Party-led Federal Government and to insist that it respects the well entrenched democratic tradition.

“We all have a duty to prevent what looks to us like a steady

slide of this country into dictatorship”, he said, adding that PDP governors were worried, alarmed and shocked by such desecration, noting that it was an assault on democracy.

He said situation like what happened in Akwa Ibom spelt doom and posed serious danger to the country’s fledgling democracy adding that the action was one of the continuous attempts by the APC-controlled government to stifle the opposition.

Of the 13 PDP governors in the country, only two governors and four deputy governors were present at the meeting while

seven governors neither turned up nor sent representatives.

They were: Governors of Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Benue, Ekiti and Taraba states.

Those present were Mimiko, host, Seriake Dickson, while the deputies who represented their bosses were: Delta, Kingsley Otuaro; Abia, Chris Akomas; Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe and Kogi, Yomi Awoniyi.

A recap of this story was necessary in order to fully analyse and understand the whole implication of the issue CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Following the rush by the underage to register for the forthcoming elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would end all transfer cases of voters in Kogi and Bayelsa on October 6 and october 20, ahead of governorship polls in both states, respectively.

The commission stated this in Abuja stressing that the deadline was necessary following its directive that all transfers of voters must be concluded 45 days to an election.

Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections have been scheduled to hold on November 21 and December 5, respectively.

The commission explained that the 45 days deadline was to enable it to effect the integration of the transferred names into the register of voters in each of the states.

According to the commission, the register of voters is to be certified and published not later than 30 days to an election.

“A person who has relocated

11

Politics

Rush by underage: INEC closes PVCs/transfer in Kogi, Bayelsa in October to another place outside the (polling) unit in which he/she registered cannot vote in his/ her new location unless he/she transfers his/her registration,” it said.

The commission therefore advised any voter who intends to transfer his/her registration to write an application to INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi or Bayelsa.

“The application should be

written through the Electoral Officer of the local government area where he/she is currently residing.

“Such an application should contain the current address of the applicant. This will assist the commission in allocating the Polling Unit (PU) nearest to him/her,” it said.

It added that the applicant should attach a photocopy of his/her Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to the application.

INEC boss, Amina Zakari

Is Buhari govt dictatorial?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

involved and put it in proper perspective.

Its like the PDP governors have answered the question themselves in the negative. How? Out of the 13 governors that they have been reduced to, only two of them attended the parley while four sent their deputies to represent them.

Seven of them which represented the majority were absent and did not send any representatives. Among those absent was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom whose state was alleged to have been invaded by operatives of the DSS. If the alleged ‘victim’ and six other colleagues were absent at a meeting called by 13 of them to discuss an issue as weighty as the country sliding into dictatorship, then there is something

Buhari

fishy somewhere. Its like we are not being told the whole truth.

From reports so far, the house invaded, though, the government house, was not where the governor was living at that point in time; it was the former governor, Godswill Akpabio who was staying there. And he is no longer the governor of the state but a serving Senator who has no immunity. And if the truth must be told, he has no right to stay in the place after all.

His stay there is a sort of security risk and I think the governor himself should know this. Perhaps, this was why he was absent at the PDP governors meeting.

Perhaps, this was why Akpabio himself rushed out of the country in such a manner as to be involved in an accident which almost claimed his life.

It should be noted that the DSS has

statutory role to play in intelligence gathering in order to foil any threat to internal or external security. This is what it did when its operatives stormed the house obviously to confirm the information at its disposal.

During the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, between 2004 and 2005 in Ekiti State, former governors Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti, Segun Osoba, Ogun, Niyi Akande, Osun and others were at a ceremony in Ado Ekiti, the state capital during Governor Ayo Fayose’s first coming.

When Fayose got wind of the gathering, pronto, he got in touch with Obasanjo who immediately ordered the Brigade Commander in the town to disperse them which he did in not too tidy a manner.

This and many other impunities,

“During the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, between 2004 and 2005 in Ekiti State, former governors Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti, Segun Osoba, Ogun, Niyi Akande, Osun and others were at a ceremony in Ado Ekiti, the state capital during Governor Ayo Fayose’s first coming.

When Fayose got wind of the gathering, pronto, he got in touch with Obasanjo who immediately ordered the Brigade Commander in the town to disperse them which he did in not too tidy a manner.”

disregard for the rule of law and brazenness were the hallmark of the Obasanjo-led PDP government before he left office in 2007 when the late President Umaru Yar-Adua took over and tried to restore a semblance of rule of law.

During the Obasanjo era, it was no doubt a sort of dictatorship that could not be compared to what is happening in the Buhari era, though, it is just few months yet.

However, while not totally dismissing the PDP governors’ allegations, the Buhari government must be mindful of its actions and inactions in order not to be labeled as dictatorial since this is a democratic government.

It will be in their interests and that of the country to maintain an atmosphere of democratic ethics and ethos. No to dictatorship; that age in long gone.

Obasanjo

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

BoT: Tinubu denies feud with Atiku, Akande Egena Egena Abuja

ÎÎÎA

prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu on Wednesday denied a report (not in Daily Times) that he is locked in a fierce battle with two other chieftains of the governing party for the chairmanship of its Board of Trustee (BoT).

He also rose to the defence of President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of slow pace of governance and dictatorship.

Tinubu, also a former Lagos governor denied reports that he was in the race against a former acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He addressed State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu described the report of a power struggle among his party men over the BoT chair as ridiculous, saying that their preoccupation at the moment was to help the President concretize on

his goals, principles and vision for the country.

He said: “Don’t listen to rumours. There is no struggle. Our party is not even looking at the direction of power struggle or anything of such.

“The support structure is to encourage and support the President as you have heard from Chief Bisi Akande, to help him institutionalise his goal, principle and vision for a

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle), welcoming Senator Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande to the Presidential Villa, Abuja... on Wednesday.

new Nigeria.”

On the criticisms of delay in the appointment of ministers, Tinubu noted that rushing would bring pitfalls, while slowness could bring glory and recover.

His words: There is pitfall in rushing, quick fix, depending upon the depth of the rot. And that rush can cascade into mistakes of unimaginable magnitude. There is equally glory and recovery in slowness, when you have a slow fix of a bad foundation.

“So to me, I would rather take the one that will last the country and endeavour for a longer period of time than the rush hour shopping”.

Tinibu would also not have the accusation of dictatorship levelled against Buhari by the Peoples Deocratic Party (PDP), as according to him, the President had upheld the principle of rule of law in the governance of the country.

He said if the opposition didn’t have anything to say, it should honourably keep quiet.

“I disagree with that,” he added.

Tinubu said further: “He (Buhari) was elected on a platform of democ-

racy, he has adhered to rule of law so far. What is dictatorship about what he has done?

“He has helped to stimulate the economy in the various states and that is where the people are. So what is dictatorship?

“And the institutional paralysis had occurred in the country. It is very important for a steady man like the President to really help the nation recover from the paralysis and that is what he is doing, so I don’t see what is dictatorial about that.

“If they don’t have anything to say, they rather be quiet. They created what is wrong here today and we can’t sweep that under the carpet. There must be rule of law.”

Akande who spoke before yielding the floor to Tinubu said their meeting with Buhari was centered on how to clear the rot left by successive governments since 1999.

He said: “Since Obasanjo’s first term, and I understand that President Buhari inherited piles of rot in the Villa and I say let me see him, talk to him and report to my party with a view to knowing how to encourage him to change the rot to good.”

FG allays fears over JP Morgan delisting of Nigeria Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Business Editor

ÎÎÎThere

is nothing to worry about over Tuesday’s announcement by international financial adviser, JP Morgan, to phase out Nigeria from its Government Bond Index for Emerging Markets (GBI-EM), the Federal Government declared on Wednesday.

The government gave assurance that the decision would not have negative impact on foreign investment decisions, adding that it is confident that Nigeria has a solid domestic investor base that can absorb the shock of foreign capital flight.

The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),

and the Debt Management Office (DMO), in a joint statement contested the conditions upon which the organization based its decision.

According to Ibrahim Mu’azu, the Director, Corporate Communications of the CBN who signed the joint statement, the right of J.P. Morgan to make this decision must be respected.

However, the Federal Government disclosed that complying with some of the demands of the organisation would have resulted in an indeterminate depreciation of the Naira.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government sees Nigeria and the interest of Nigerians as paramount. It will therefore only continue to take

economic decisions that will impact positively in the lives of all Nigerians,” the statement read.

It continued: “While we would continue to ensure that there is liquidity and transparency in the market, we would like to note that the market for FGN Bonds remain strong and active due primarily to the strength and diversity of the domestic investor base.

“In our continuous bid to strengthen the Nigerian financial market and enhance our status as a preferred destination for investors, we took measures to improve the market. Despite the fact that oil prices have fallen by nearly 60 per cent in one year, which should expectedly reduce the amount of liquidity in

the market, the CBN ensured that all genuine and effective demands were met, especially those from foreign investors” The statement recalled that Nigeria was included in the index in October 2012, based on the existence of an active domestic market for FGN Bonds supported by a Two-Way Quote System, dedicated Market Makers and diverse investors.

However, in January 2015, J.P. Morgan placed Nigeria on an Index Watch as a result of their concerns in the operations of Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange (FX) Market, namely: Lack of liquidity for transactions lack of transparency in the determination of the exchange rate; and lack of a fully functional two-way FX

Market.

In its defence, the CBN explained that on transparency, it mandated that all FX transactions were posted online in the Reuters Trading Platform so that all stakeholders can easily verify all transactions in the market, stressing that, “In addition, the Official FX Window at the CBN was closed to ensure a levelplaying field in the pricing of foreign exchange.”

Secondly, it noted that a functional two-way FX market already exists in Nigeria – “However, given the high propensity for speculation, round tripping, and rent seeking in the market, it became imperative that participants are not allowed to simply trade currencies but are only in

the market to fulfil genuine customer demands to pay for eligible imports and other transactions.

“In the light of this, we introduced an order-based, two-way FX market, which has resulted in the stability of the exchange rate in the interbank market over the past seven months and largely eliminated speculators from the market.

“Despite these positive outcomes, the J. P. Morgan would prefer that we remove this rule; even though it is obvious that doing so would lead to an indeterminate depreciation of the Naira. With dwindling oil prices, we believe that an order-based two-way market best serves Nigeria’s interest at the moment,” the government said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday September 10, 2015

Sierra Leone records three new Ebola patients ÏÏÏThree

more people have tested positive for Ebola from the same village in Sierra Leone's northern Kambia district of the country where a 67-year-old woman died last week from the virus, Sierra Leone health officials said.

Chief medical officer Dr. Brima Kargbo told VOA on Tuesday the three new patients came from among the 50 high-risk persons identified as close relatives of the deceased woman.

Sierra Leone has had nearly 14,000 cases of Ebola and about 4,000 deaths since the outbreak began in 2014. But Dr. Kargbo said the latest outbreak is containable because its origin is traceable.

“These are people who stayed in the same community because, of course, when the woman died neither knew that it was Ebola.

So most of them stayed home and some even participated in washing of the corpses. So that is why the entire village was quarantined to avoid transmitting the infection from one place to another,” he said.

The latest outbreak temporarily dashed the country’s hopes of being declared Ebola-free following the release from the hospital late last month of the country’s last known Ebola patient. But Dr. Kargbo said Sierra Leoneans should not fear a widespread out-

Republic of Congo's highest court on Tuesday told election authorities to take a fresh look at the country's voting timetable, raising the prospect of a delay that would enable President Joseph Kabila to stay in office beyond 2016.

The court ordered the national election commission to re-evaluate its calendar, saying that budgetary and political constraints had made it untenable.

Critics say Kabila intends to hold on beyond the election set for November 2016, when he is due to step down, and delay the first peaceful handover of power in a country whose eastern regions

Medical staff working with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) prepare to take food to patients in the isolation area of an Ebola treatment center in Sierra Leone's Kailahun district, recently.

break like a year ago.

“Ebola is not coming back to Sierra Leone because now we can actually trace the origin of the infection. If it had been from an unknown source, that would have been another matter. But this is from a source that is known, in the same village and same community,” he said In addition, Dr. Kargbo said,

they have begun administering the experimental “Guinea ring vaccine” to people in the community.

“We have actually vaccinated more than 130 people in that same community to protect them, but also to prevent those who may have come in contact with the deceased woman from actually getting the infection,” Kargbo said.

have endured years of conflict.

At least 40 people were killed in January in protests over a plan to revise the electoral code. Kabila has ruled Congo since his father's assassination in 2001, and he won disputed elections in 2006 and 2011.

Analysts say the 2016 timetable for more than a dozen local, provincial and national elections is in jeopardy because of the $1.1 billion price tag and difficulties establishing 21 new provinces created in July as part of a decentralization initiative.

The court said this process, in which the new provinces have yet to establish executive committees,

had created "anarchy" in the absence of viable local governance.

The court "orders the National Independent Electoral Commission to evaluate, in complete independence and impartiality, the entire electoral process," its president, Luamba Bindu, said from the bench.

Governors must be in place before polls for new provincial assemblies, now set for Oct. 25 this year, can occur, he said. A postponement of that vote could delay the whole timetable.

The court also ordered the government to take "exceptional transitional measures" to restore order and security in the new provinces

Hague Judges deny Laurent Gbagbo release ÏÏÏAppeals

judges at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday rejected a request for the temporary release of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo weeks before the start of his trial.

Gbagbo, 70, is accused of plunging his country into civil war rather than relinquishing power after losing a presidential run-off

Algerian troops clash with Islamist gunmen

ÏÏÏAlgerian soldiers killed two

He said authorities are looking for the deceased woman's niece because they consider her a highrisk.

“The niece was the first person to become infected after the woman because she was more likely the caregiver of the deceased woman.

So all those who became positive are those who were closely related to the deceased woman,” he said.

DR Congo court orders review of election schedule

ÏÏÏDemocratic

13 Africa

election in 2010. His trial is due to begin Nov. 10.

He has been detained in The Hague since November 2011, after being arrested in April of that year in Ivory Coast.

In Tuesday's ruling, the ninth review of his detention by the court, a panel of three judges rejected all grounds of appeal lodged

by Gbagbo's lawyers against a lower court's decisions to extend his custody.

It said that the trial chamber had properly weighed the reasons to extend his detention, including possible flight risk.

"The appeals chamber found that it was not unreasonable for the trial chamber to find the ex-

and accelerate the elections.

That order could be interpreted as allowing the government to appoint interim governors, but government spokesman Lambert Mende said it was too early to say how Kabila might respond.

Kabila

istence of Mr. Gbagbo's support network posed a risk to abscond or obstruct investigation," it said.

In June, judges confirmed four counts of crimes against humanity against Gbagbo for post-election violence in which around 3,000 people were killed.

The court has also ordered Ivory Coast to hand over Simone Gbagbo, the former first lady, to stand trial on charges of crimes against humanity.

Islamist gunmen on Wednesday during an ongoing operation against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb group, the defence ministry said.

The two were killed near Ain elHamra village in the Boumerdes region, some 50km east of Algiers.

Troops also recovered a Kalashnikov assault rifle and ammunition.

The ministry said the operation against AQIM in the area was still under way.

Algeria still bears the scars of a brutal war between the state and Islamist insurgents in the 1990s.

Despite the adoption in 2005 of a peace and reconciliation charter that was meant to turn the page on a conflict that claimed 200 000 lives, armed Islamist groups are still active.

In July, at least nine soldiers were killed in an ambush southwest of Algiers, an attack claimed

by AQIM, which said more than 14 died.

Child mortality falls by 50% since 1990 - Report ÏÏÏChild mortality has fallen by

more than 50% since 1990, a report by the World Health Organization and UN children's agency Unicef says. It says that 25 years ago 12.7 million children under five died, but this year the figure is projected to drop below six million for the first time. But aid agencies warn that huge challenges remain.

They point out that the UN target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 will not be met. The rate fell by 53% over this period, the report says. "We have to acknowledge tremendous global progress," said Unicef's deputy executive director Geeta Rao Gupta.

"But the far too large number of children still dying from preventable causes before their fifth birthday... should impel us to redouble our efforts to do what we know needs to be done".

Luxemburg and Nordic countries including as Iceland, Finland and Norway are among those with the lowest deaths among under fives with less than three per 1,000 births Oil-rich Angola has the highest rate of child deaths up to 254 per 1,000 births, followed by Somalia, Chad and Central African Republic. The report says that 16,000 children under the age of five still die every day.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

NNPC mustn’t be killed, says Kachikwu Victor Jibrin Kaduna

ÏÏÏThe Group Managing

Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has disagreed with critics of the corporation who are calling for its outright scraping.

Apparently reacting to a paper presentation made by the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai in Abuja where the latter advocated the killing of the NNPC as a result of perceived corruption rock-

ing the nation’s oil revenue generation base, the GMD said it was unwise to kill the petroleum industry as recently suggested.

Kachikwu was on a familiarization tour of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) on Wednesday. Affirming his position on the suggestion to do away with NNPC, he said doing so would amount to throwing a healthy baby with the bath water.

“That stuff of killing NNPC was historical before I came in, but we are working hard to justify why

it shouldn’t be killed. So what I am trying to say is that you don’t throw away the baby with the bath water, there is bath water that needs to be thrown away, and we are doing that, but there is a healthy baby sitting there that we are going to nurture it.

“But I am a business man, if we get to a point where we are not doing well enough, and it needs to be killed, we look at what alternatives that are there.

Today, whether we like it or not, let’s be realistic here, irrespective of the fact that negatives gets a lot of

more publicity than the positives, this organisation has kept this country going for the last 30-40 years. It has built and sustained the refineries, it has delivered fuel the moment our refineries don’t work, it has delivered retails in a very difficult terrain.

“My impression at touring KRPC is that there is a lot of work to be done, and like I saw in Port Harcourt and Warri, there is a lot of resilience and determination by engineers and people who run these plants.

“Obviously, we need new modules because with this

module it won’t get us to where we need to be very rapidly. Three out of the six units of the plants were down, some of them for a very long gestation periods, we need to sit down and see what modules, how do you turn around the new refinery. How do you work on emergency basis components of the ones that are there?

“Kaduna has a very unique place in my heart like I said because I grew up in Kano and I used to come here often. It is so

Stowaway arrested at Lagos airport chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏA 25-year-old man who

L-R: Executive Secretary, Information Marketing and Management Institute, (IMMI), Dr Ekene Aloefuna; representative of Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Steve Ogboli; representative of the Stastician General of the Federation, Dr Leo Sanni and MD, FEMAZ Microfinance Bank, Mrs.Sandra Nwugo at the Public Policy Information Dialogue organised held in Abuja… on Wednesday.

PHOTO: JOHN BABA

Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

falling prices of crude oil at the international market incapacitated the Federal Government from funding the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

Managing Director of the Fund, Mr. Uche Orji disclosed this on Wednesday when he led other management staff of the organisation to brief President Muhammadu Buhari of the current status of the Fund.

The Federal Govern-

key for the survival of the economy of Kaduna state and the rest of the North that we really focused on getting these things work and getting it to expand.

“Without them we are not going to get out of problems of fuel supply, power supply and all that.

So we are going to have a gone whole commercial structure, gone whole engineering structure. A lot needs to be done different from models we are pursuing right now. For me, it is truth time.”

attempted to hide under the tyre carriage of a Medview aircraft on a domestic flight was apprehended on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos.

The man whose name could not be immediately verified, succeeded in gaining access into the tyre compartment of the aircraft which was ready for taxing and hid himself there.

An inside source said a final inspection round the plane by the pilot led his eagle eye to notice some strange movement and object inside the compartment.

He was later handed over to the police at the domestic airport where he confessed he had nursed the ambition

of carry out the act for two weeks and had been hole up around the airport while perfecting his plan.

The stowaway was said to have confessed that he took the action out of desperation to leave the country in the quest for greener pasture.

When asked how he found his way into the tyre compartment of the aircraft, the man disclosed that he jumped through the fence that demarcated the VIP from the tarmac where the plane was waiting for clearance for takeoff.

A police officer at the domestic wing confirmed the incident but declined to comment further. He said that the stowaway had been handed over to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.

Oil price slump stalls funding of SWF ment had three years ago establish the SWF with $1billion.

The fund is supposed to be funded from the Excess Crude Account, with the Federal Government approving a specific ammount for movement into the fund annually.

In an interview with State House Correspondents, the SWF boss said with the current crude oil prices, government cannot afford to make additional contribution to the

fund.

“Oil price is below benchmark and because we are supposed to be funded when the oil price is above benchmark, it will not make any sense for the government to make any contribution now when the oil price is still low,” he stated.

Orji said from the take of grant, its management has been able to invest the funds into profit yielding ventures which, according to him had handsome-

ly paid off.

Last year alone, he said, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), operators of the fund recorded a turnover of about N15.77billion for its 2014 operating year.

The fund records in the 2013 business year also showed a turnover of N525 million, he said.

The managing Director explained that “We met with the President to brief him on the activities and the investments

of the NSIA. We also discussed the commitment of the NSIA on the second Niger Bridge, health care, agriculture and power. We also sought his support where his intervention is required and it was a successful meeting with the President.”

He added that “We have hired African Finance Cooperation as our lead financial adviser and engaged successfully with about five or six lenders so far and some of them have

commitment.

“There are presently 84 SWFs managing assets worth over $7 trillion globally.

“African SWFs account for around 2.3% of all SWF assets globally (Algeria and Libya account for more than 80% of African SWFs). In the last four years, Nigeria, Ghana and Angola have established SWFs, managing $1 billion, $480 million and $5 billion respectively.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

15 Opinion

Let’s be realistic about the ‘agriculture boom’

W Onye Nkuzi

e do like our booms. We fondly remember how we came upon sudden wealth in the 1970s. So when we talk about “agriculture being the next big thing”, we have visions of an agriculture boom catapulting us to instant wealth like during the 70s.

Reality check: it does not work that way.

Rudimentary subsistence farming is the quickest guaranteed way to longterm poverty (please ask “Okada riders” who leave their farms in millions to seek work in towns like Lagos, Port Harcourt etc.) Modern agriculture, on the other hand, is a capital-intensive activity that requires a portfolio of deep skills like agronomy, project management, agricultural economics and financing, mechanical and chemical engineering, food processing etc.

Modern agriculture also requires a lot of critical infrastructure, which we do not presently have.

Modern agriculture is like modern industrial activity; and if a nation is not ready for modern industrial activity, it is not ready for modern agriculture.

When the British came to Nigeria, they came with the intention of running a cash crop economy, so they spent the first few decades building the

railway network and ports required to evacuate agricultural products.

There is a lot of wishful thinking around an “instantaneous switch to agriculture” in the wake of an oil glut, but a lot of the critical infrastructure does not exist and will not conjure itself by magic.

The easiest way to understand the challenges in agriculture is by looking at the value chain; from the input providers, to the producers (farmers), to the aggregators, to the processors, to the marketers and distributors.

Farming inputs like high quality seeds, farm mechanisations and agricultural extension services are important. Inputs determine the quality of harvest and farm revenues (low quality produce will be rejected by processors who will opt for higher quality imports,e.g. fruit juice producers). Farm mechanisation results in significant productivity gains, but it is scandalous that while a vibrant market for commercial tractors existed in the 1970s, it no longer exists today.

The producer (or farmer) is the most important node in the agricultural value chain. The small holder, with a few hectares under cultivation,rudimentary cultivation practices, poor record keeping, poor access to finance, poor storage and very cyclical cash flows, basically

feeds Nigeria. More than 90% of all agricultural production is from small holders.

If we want to small holders to improve productivity and adopt more modern agricultural methods, we need to understand their challenges.

They need financing for inputs and they do not have cash inflows until harvest period. Since they lack proper storage facilities,they quickly have to sell their produce, usually at a discount to aggregators (who sometimes provide financing during lean periods and often take advantage of them).

For example, tomato farmers have to sell their produce within a few days or lose the entire harvest.

Commercial banks generally do not lend to smallholders because the risks are high (what collateral can a vegetable farmer present to a bank and does he have title deeds to his land?). Even if commercial banks were willing, the relatively high interest rates will make it almost impossible for most to repay loans.

Emerging large and medium scale farmers make news headlines, but we must remember that large scale commercial agriculture is relatively new and new players have a learning curve to overcome before they settle on a sustainable business model. Having said that, this class of players has the potential to “upgrade”smallholder farmers through “out grower

schemes”.

The greatest value add along the agricultural value chain is in processing, but processing is the most technology intensive activity in agriculture. It requires the same inputs as modern industry such as electricity, machines, skills and fuel. Moreover, these are currently in short supply.

Tomatoes rot within a few days, but processed tomato paste can last for several months. For a tomato processor to be in business, he/ she needs a steady supply of fresh tomatoes of guaranteed quality, a sterile processing facility with access to purified water, access to electricity or diesel etc. Since this is not easy to come by in Nigeria, we end up importing most of our tomato paste.

There are other topics for discussion like enabling legislation, public or private sector market boards, weather insurance and roads/rural infrastructure. It will require decades of planning, investment and implementation.

Thankfully, the previous administration (anchored by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture) went a long way in articulating the way forward for agriculture in Nigeria. I think we should build on that administration’s vision.

Buhari: President and assets declaration fraud

A Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

s the days go by, President Muhammadu Buhari is turning out to be the most deceptive leader in Nigeria’s history. Almost everything he said in the course of the campaign has turned out to be lies, while some others like his most prominent campaign manifesto “my 100 days covenant with Nigerians” has been roundly denied by his spokesmen and party chairman. The document detailed his pledge and the first steps and initiatives to be taken in such cases as corruption, insurgency and insecurity, Niger-Delta, Diversity, Health care, Education, Agriculture, Economy, Power, Youth and ICT development. The document laid out the chief thrusts of his administration and the benchmarks it set out to achieve within a 100 days.

While the document is loaded with hypes, as was characteristic of the APC campaign, in the area of insurgency it specifically promised to rescue the Chibok girls within the 100-day timeline. As would be expected, this document was widely circulated in the print, electronic and social media and formed part of the most fundamental drive of the Buhari/APC campaign.

Curiously, Buhari never denied nor

disowned the document that he purportedly signed as it went viral, but fast forward to September 2015 just as the 100 day timeline was about to be reached and all of a sudden a flurry of denials is coming from the presidency and the party. Buhari now claims he never saw nor authorised the document, that some out of control APC apparatchiks were behind the document.

How strange? Buhari went to rallies where posters of the same manifestoes were emblazoned on, walls and vehicles, he read newspapers were headlines screamed with his 100 days covenant, he watched television programmes where APC leaders serialised the covenant and in all that period Buhari kept quiet only to now tell us he was never aware of those campaign promises.

How about the assets he hurriedly declared after public opinion began mounting against him. We recall that Buhari had also previously denied promising to publicly declare his assets, a promise that was included in the 100 days covenant.

As the upsurge of negative opinion began, he made an asset declaration that was purely as deceitful as it was a propaganda document.

Again not only did the assets

contain a lot of semantics intended to hoodwink the gullible it was filled with inconsistencies that starkly contrasts with what Buhari had previously said with regards to his assets.

During the presidential campaign, Buhari had said barely had one million naira was in his account and had to borrow money from his bank to buy the presidential nomination form. Few months later, we learn there is close to N30 million in his account, Buhari had also said he owned only two houses, one in his hometown of Daura and another in Kaduna.

His landlord had reportedly kicked him out of an apartment in Abuja because he could not afford to pay the rent. Now we learn that Buhari has five houses including one in Abuja of all places. When these are added to the acres of land in Port Harcourt that was previously not disclosed, the humongous shares in three banks that were also never disclosed and the number of cows that have jumped from 150 before the campaign to 270 and his inability to tell us how many vehicles he actually owns because they are too many, you get the full picture of a deceptive 419 President.

While Buhari has tried to deceptively push his cash stock of 30 million in our face, his total assets

when his property in Abuja, acres of land in Port Harcourt, 270 cows and millions of shares in banks are factored in are possibly more than N1billion. This does not include other possibly hidden or diverted assets we might never know of, including those in the name of his wife, relations, in-laws and siblings. Essentially, Buhari is a manipulative smooth operator. From his certificate scandal all through to the presidency, he has laid his way to power, pulling off the most elaborate fraud in Nigeria’s history. He used the campaign promises and a carefully cultivated image of honesty and probity to deceive Nigerians while bidding for time. As soon as he got the presidency, he started unmasking, not intending to fulfill any of his campaign promises he went on a denial binge.

Buhari not only deceived Nigerians, he also deceived the enablers who made his presidency possible.

Bola Tinubu and the party henchmen are already licking their wounds having been ostracised

by Buhari who used and dumped them. We have been conned and duped. Brace up for the bumpy ride that is sure to come with it.

Auto 16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

The BMW 3 Series:

Economically stylish

Now with an even slicker auto box and better refinement, the facelifted BMW 3 series deserves its default status in the executive saloon class more than ever ’Tunde Fatoyinbo

ÎÎÎThe BMW 3 Series is some-

thing of a godfather in the executive saloon class. It was one of the first of the breed, and has remained one of the most popular. Now, with new competition from other brands in its class, it has been facelifted with subtle changes to the exterior and a smattering of material changes in the cabin.

Options / Availability The BMW 3 series combines the joy of driving and practicality for daily use, ranging from the BMW 3 series Sedan, BMW Touring and BMW 3 series Gran Turismo to the BMW 3 series Convertible.

The BMW Hybrid 3 represents the next generation of hybrid ve-

hicles. The BMW M3 sedan is a genuine high-performance sports car that promises unadulterated driving pleasure with each of its 431hp.

Exterior Design The exterior design systematically continues the design tradition and features of the BMW brand. The sportingly elegant exterior of the sedan creates the effect of coming from a single mould and conveys aesthetics and dynamics at first sight. Even in its sixth-generation, it is the most frequently sold BMW in the world while it sets standards.

Interior Design The BMW 3 series Sedan impresses with its high-quality selection of materials. It encloses

the driver with classical drive guidance and creates a cockpit feeling. The skilful space design gives optimum access to all the important control functions of the instrument display.

Functionality / Performance Design and functionality need not be opposites. The best example of this is the interior of the BMW 3 series Sedan. The contactless opening of the tailgate helps you to open the boot when you hands are filled with different luggage. Innovative functions and ergonomically positioned details leave room for what is most important: sheer driving pleasure.

With the high torque, low emission, flexible steering and sports driving dynamics that meets the

maximum comfort in a car gives you the desired feel that it is the power-heart in all BMW 3 series variants. iDrive Many functions just a few buttons: With the idrive system, you have the full control over all functions of the BMW 3 series Sedan, from navigation system to integrated standard in every BMW 3 series Sedan model.

Chassis It has a supreme driving comfort while maintaining handling, agility and accuracy. These requirements may seem to be almost mutually exclusive, yet the chassis of BMW 3 series sedan solves the contradiction with ease.

Lagos truck ban: NANS urges FRSC to restrict trailers’ movement on highways

ÎÎÎThe National Association of

Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to emulate the Lagos State Government on its newly introduced policy on the restriction of trailers and long vehicles’ movement between 6am to 9pm.

The students, who recently staged a protest along IleshaAkure expressway over the incessant killings of travelers, particularly students on the highways by the truck drivers, commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode for banning truck movement during the day time.

The Union, in a statement issued and signed by its Vice President on National Affairs, Mr. Gbenga Ayenuro lamented over the numbers of people the Truck drivers had allegedly killed due to their reckless driving.

The student body stated that it will not resist resorting to another nationwide protest to press home its sacrosanct demand.

KIA partners with UBER to provide easy transportation ÎÎÎ KIA partners with UBER to

provide easy transportation Kia Motors Nigeria, in its bid to provide a stress-free transportation system in the country as well as provide investment opportunities for its numerous customers, has into a strategic partnership with an American internationally acclaimed technology company, UBER. The technology company is to provide lead generation software connecting commuters to drivers in an area.

To make this technology a suc-

cess in Nigeria, UBER is leveraging on the low maintenance cost of Kia vehicles to increase the adoption of its services in the cities in which it has presence across the country.

The Managing Director, Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani stated that “UBER’s technology continues to transform the way millions of people move around their city and our partnership with the company is to give people the best-in-class Kia model range that gives exhilarating

experience to passengers on the go.”

KIA extends dealership network with WG Motors In a related development, KIA Motors has appointed W G Motors as its dealer in Minna, Niger State to increase its franchise portfolio in Nigeria.

According to Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director, KIA Motors Nigeria, “This new outlet gives us a foothold in Niger state and

we believe our deep-rooted commitment to offering outstanding customer service, coupled with Kia’s stylishly designed product range will make it a success.”

“The new dealership is aimed at offering a very personalized experience to the ever evolving buyers preferences and we think W G Motors is an ideal partner to give Kia’s exceptional experience at the region”, added by the Vice President, Kia Motors Nigeria, Sanjay Tatpati.

The new Kia’s extension in Min-

na is expected to meet the increasing demand in the northern Nigeria for Kia vehicles. According to the Managing Director of W G Motors, Mr. Iyiolawale Olawale “We have a great new outlet to display the model range together with dedicated workshop facilities and as part of our commitment to improving quality and standards across the board, we will, of course, continue striving to deliver consistent and impressive all-round experience for our customers.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Business Times

s

17

Dangote Cement’s price slash kindles competition

Charles Okonji

The recent price slash of cement by Dangote cement, Nigeria’s largest producer has put other cement manufacturers in the country on their toes Daily Times gathered.

Dangote Cement, which is also Africa’s largest producer of the building material, slashed prices of its 3X cement brand by N6 000 ($30.23) per metric tonne, translating to N300 reduction per 50kg bag, in its home market of Nigeria in an attempt to boost cement consumption.

According to Onne van der Weijde, CEO Dangote Cement, the company is still well positioned to achieve strong returns despite the price reduction.

Meanwhile, a survey across the country revealed that distributors and retailers are beginning to implement the new price regime, resulting in gradual decline in the price of cement across the country.

A retailer in Benin City, Edo State, Sebastian Iwemgiwe, noted that the essential building material which was sold at N1,850 per 50kg bag has, since last week, come down to N1,650 per bag and is likely to decline further.

The claim of price reduction was corroborated by other retailers, including Opeloyeru Eniola in Ojodu area of Lagos State, who said: Although I am still selling his old stock, I am aware that the price for the next supply has been reduced.

While observers are of the opinion that the ongoing African operation expansion must have given Dangote cement a leeway to bring down domestic price of the product, the cement giant is also reportedly hoping the lower prices will help increase export sales to neighbouring nations where it has no presence yet.

Team head, Chapel Denham, Tajudeen Ibrahim, had in reaction to the reports of price reduction by Dangote Cement said: “We expect the other cement producers such as WAPCO, UNICEM and AshakaCem in the Lafarge Africa Group and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, to cut cement prices, being price-takers in the industry,” “The sales volumes of the cement industry may however

not rise on the back of the price cut, as the relationship between price and consumption is weak,” said Ibrahim.

According to the analyst, the drag in infrastructure developments due to government’s weakening fiscal strength and pressured consumer wallets will slow down the demand for building materials, industry watchers say.

“Competition has no choice but to bring down the price because Dangote is the market leader,” said Pabina Yinkere, head of research at Lagos-based Vetiva Capital Management.

The latest earnings update showed the four major players in the industry are in a growth spurt, despite the economic doldrums bedeviling consumer goods firms.

The cumulative revenues of the four dominant cement makers (Dangote, Lafarge, Ashaka and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria), as reported in their (H1) 2015 results, rose by 13.02 percent, to N378.40 billion, from N334.79 billion last year.

The cumulative net profit of these firms increased by 24 percent to N156.94 billion in June 2015 as against N126.17 billion last year, as alternative cheap source of energy continues to cut costs and bolster bottom line.

Industry players expect the rapid urbanisation to increase the demand for building materials.

Dangote Cement has announced its intention to increase its cement production capacity in Nigeria by 20 per cent to 35.25mn tonnes per annum from 29.25mn tonnes per annum currently. The new fully integrated plant, which will be completed within the next 30 months, will be located in Itori, Ogun State, close to Lafarge Africa’s cement plant at Ewekoro.

The plant will have two lines each of 3.0mn tonnes capacity.

Dangote Cement, controlled

by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is seeking to grow sales and protect market share in Nigeria, while rapidly expanding elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. The company has grappled with fuel shortages in its home market this year that have hurt demand.

NDIC MD/CE Alh. Umaru Ibrahim (centre) presenting the most recent in-house publications to the President / Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun when the President paid a courtesy call on NDIC’s Senior Management with other CIBN Council Members. On Otunba (Mrs) Osibogun’s right is the CIBN 1st Vice President, Deacon Segun Ajibola while the CIBN 2nd Vice President, Dr. Uche Olowu (2nd Left) and CIBN Registrar / Chief Executive, Mr. Seye Awojobi (extreme left) look on.

ITF, NIPC to boost women, youth entrepreneurial capacity Joy Ekeke The Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) and the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, (NIPC), said both agencies are set to sign a memorandum of understanding that will facilitate the training and development of women and youth entrepreneurs in the country.

This development is coming even as the ITF said it was set to host the first ever National Skills Summit that will revive the manpower sector of the nation’s economy andchange the face of training, skills development, job creation and entrepreneurship for Nigeria.

Director General and Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF), Dr. Mrs. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, made this disclosure while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, (NIPC), Mr. Uju Hassan Baba in Abuja.

The ITF Director General said that the agency was mindful of President Muhammadu Buhari’s disposition towards youth empowerment and job creation in order to address the unemployment challenges facing the country, pointing out that ITF has realigned some of its activities to

make sure the agency is driving change in that direction.

She said capacity building for women entrepreneurs was one of the areas of focus of the ITF, noting that the Fund will also continue to train women and youths in the areas of book keeping, business decision making, and the identification of markets for products.

Pledging to broaden the synergy for general manpower development particularly in the nonoil sectors of the economy, the ITF Director General and NIPC Executive secretary further noted that the collaboration was critical to an effective local skills and manpower development that can drive the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda.

According to the ITF director general, the agency is working with the agenda of shifting focus away from the nation’s dependence on oil revenue. She insisted with the abundant manpower deposits in the country that Nigeria can go on to become one the most industrialized nation in the world.

According to her, the ITF has put in place a business training team that can handle the training of women and youth entrepreneurs. ITF, she disclosed, has

over 1,000 trainers that provide services in basically all sectors of the economy.

She further stressed the need for local skill development in other sectors of the economy that was of comparative advantage to the country. The ITF have come up with many initiatives, this aspect of empowering women is critical in our agenda as well, saying both agencies have agreed to collaborate on capacity development for women entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain.

According to her, “the ITF will design specific capacity building programmes to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs operating along the agricultural value chain”.

Juliet Chukkas Onaeko, DG ITF

Brands and Marketing 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

MTN gifts subscribers free incoming international calls

L-R: National President Prime Women Builders Foundation, Mrs Olofinkua Adekemi, Assistant National Sales Manager Nobel Carpets and Rugs Mrs. Bunmi Odunoye and Mr. David Akai at the just concluded PWBFN Empowerment Day where Nobel carpets was presented with a Recognition Award for its outstanding support for women empowerment..

Subscribers on the MTN network can now enjoy free incoming calls and SMS while roaming in fifteen countries across the world. The selected countries for the free incoming calls are: United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Netherlands and Belgium. Others are: Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya and Ghana.

This service requires no registration as the customers’ MTN SIM automatically connects when they switch on their phones at any of the selected des-

Lafarge Africa wins best HSE award for 2015

Stories by Godwin Anyebe

For its high standard and commitment to health, safety of workers and the environment, Lafarge Africa Plc. has been awarded the best health, safety and environment (HSE) Practice in the Manufacturing sector at the Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence Hall of Fame 2015.

Also known as 9Ja Safe Awards, the prestigious event which took place recently in Lagos was a convergence of HSE professionals in the country, as well as top players from the Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Property and Construction,

Telecommunications, Power, Banking, Finance, Insurance, Maritime and Aviation industry among others.

Lafarge Africa Plc. won the award in the category which had other manufacturing giants in Nigeria as nominees.

Lafarge Africa Plc. is an advanced building materials and construction solutions company.

Its operations in Nigeria cover Ashaka Cement in Gombe State, Atlas Cement in Rivers State, UniCem in Cross River State and WAPCO in Ogun State, as well as Aggregates and Readymix Sites across the country.

Mr. Loren Zanin, Managing Director, Concrete & Aggregates Readymix (an arm of Lafarge) received the award on behalf of Mr. Peter Hoddinott, the Group MD/ CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc. While receiving the award, Zanin commended the organisers of 9ja Safe Awards for raising the standard of health and safety in Nigeria through the initiative. He words: “We are very thrilled to be part of the evening. We are not doing health and safety because of awards, but we strongly believe in health and safety that is why we look after our workers and we ensure that families of our workers

have safe working places. Awards are nice but what is more important to us is being a good health and safety provider always. Every organisation has got the responsibility to look after its workers and we are doing what we know is morally right.

“With this award, the management board of Lafarge Africa Plc. has been given recognition because we are going in the right direction when it comes to health and safety, which shows we are committed to what we are doing.

This award, therefore, stands a big uplift to our people because we are being recognised as leader

tinations; preferably they have phones and gadgets that allows roaming.

To enjoy free incoming calls, MTN customers are expected to recharge with a minimum of N2000 (cumulatively or as a single recharge) within the same calendar month of travel or spend N2000 or more the previous month before travel. Postpaid customers who have a credit limit of N2, 000 and above will automatically enjoy the offer.

While the new package will afford all subscribers on the MTN network an opportunity to enjoy free incoming calls and SMS in fifteen selected countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, subscribers will also be able to make calls for as low as N60 per minute whenever they are in these selected countries. in health and safety in Nigeria.

We are proud of that. We urge all Nigerians never to stop thinking about health and safety at work, on the road and at home. Health and safety is 24 hours a day.” He noted.

According to the organizers of Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence Hall of Fame 2015, Lafarge Africa Plc. made exceptional and outstanding contribution in HSE towards national development, achieved ground-breaking innovations in HSE and also made outstanding contribution to its environment. The Chief Coordinating Officer, 9Ja Safe Awards, Femi Da-Silva said award was not ceremonious but prestigious because the companies and individuals who emerged winners in the Nigeria Safety Award for Excellence Hall of Fameall merited the awards “as nominees were carefully selected by reputable safety stakeholders.

Nobel Carpets empowers women entrepreneurs The role and contribution of women to the economic wellbeing of a society cannot be overstated. To this end, one of Nigeria’s number one rugs and carpets brand, Nobel Carpets, has demonstrated its unalloyed commitment to support and encourage Nigerian women entrepreneurs. The company reaffirmed this at the just concluded 2015 Empowerment Day event organized by Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria which took place in Badagry, Lagos.

With the theme; An Enterprising Heart, the aim of the event is to assist women in communities to acquire needed skills to selfrealization and empowerment in their chosen area of endeavor.

Nobel Carpets and Rugs from

the stables of Lucky Fibres plc was also presented with the Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria Recognition Award for its outstanding support for women empowerment.

Speaking at the event which was sponsored by Nobel Carpets, Assistant National Sales Manager, Mrs. Bunmi Odunoye encouraged women to become self-sufficient by acquiring entrepreneurial skills which will go a long way in empowering them economically. She also urged the women to take advantage of empowerment opportunities provided by Nobel Carpets.

She said, “As a company, Nobel Carpets understands the role and contribution of women in the society. We are also aware

of some of the economic challenges women face and we are motivated to empower them to overcome them”.

She added that “Women can start a centre rug business with as little as N20, 000 and make good margins on every investment. As a company, we would assist women entrepreneurs in acquiring our products at very affordable prices and also deliver it to them at no cost so they can maximize profit”.

Also speaking at the event, National President Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria, Mrs Adekemi Olofinkua stated that this year’s event was aimed at encouraging women to go after and create opportunities rather than wait for them.

She said, “This year’s theme,

R-L: Legal Adviser Africa Quality Assurance Institute, Barrister Christian Akpotohwo presenting the award for Best Carpet and Rug Brand to General Manager, Lucky Fibres Plc. Mr. Jitesh Pamnani at the Africa Quality Achievement Awards held at Sheraton Hotel Lagos recently.

‘An enterprising heart’ reflects a heart that is creative, enterprising and willing to take challenges, a heart that goes after opportunities rather than wait for them.”

Mrs. Olofinkua also expressed her gratitude to Nobel carpets and Rugs for their continued partnership and support for the foundation in empowering women.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

19 Brands and Marketing

Lack of legislation, big barrier to pay-TV development — Orkeh, CEO, ACTV The number one challenge in the industry is that there is no regulation, NBC is doing its best but there is no act of law that backs it up to penalize.

Orkeh

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of African Cable Television (ACTV), Mr. Godfrey Orkeh in this interview with selected journalists speaks on the need for federal government to create enabling environment for other operators to thrive in the pay TV industry. GODWIN ANYEBE was there.

Talking about innovation in the Pay TV industry, how do you create valuable content?

There are two types of content we buy in the industry, you either develop the raw content or you buy the linear content.

The linear content is already a channel that someone has put together. The linear channel is a ready-made content; they determine the schedule like the BBC, the content there is controlled by the BBC. The other aspect, which is the raw content, is for us to buy the materials and put them together.

How much does a content cost?

It varies depending on the content; some are more expensive than others because they have so much clout like the Discovery Channel. Content price varies from $1 to $100,000, there is no fixed price for content, depending on how desperate the owner wants to sell and how desperate the buyer is.

Who are your target audience?

Our offer is an all-inclusive, addressed to all the demographic of our customer base, because we are pushing innovation and making it available at a very convenience price we are actually addressing all our customers. This is different from the tradition which is a trend in the industry; we are targeting every member of the demographic groups in Nigeria, the high income earners to the middle income earners and to the lower earners. Looking at our subscription packages they are structured in that way, we will deliver across all of demographics. Our objective at the initial stage was targeted to the middle class but our experience has shown that the upper class and lower classes are also interested in our service.

If you have to make a head way in this industry, you have to break into the compe-

tition and penetrate into the market, how do you intend to achieve this?

We knew there is a monopolistic tendency in the market, the existing structure in the legislature of Nigeria allows a dominant player to take advantage of the environment, before we came to the market. There was no pay TV offering PVR for the middle class and for you to get decoder with PVR you have to cough out about N70, 000 but we are saying with N15, 000 you can have a PVR. In content wise there was a lot of exclusivity which is going to be difficult for one person to break. Beyond this, we will develop the market for our self, develop a niche for our self because right now the tendency is also thriving in the industry, Nigeria with a population of about 170 million, 26 million households with television, but the market is so huge. There is still a huge market that is not being addressed, we are here to capture that niche market and grow it.

How do you want to address the attitude of Nigerians who believe in foreign products than local products, your organization looks like a Nigeria company?

Looking at the entertainment industry now, without Nigeria music, the party will not rock unlike what we had in the seventies and nineties. There is a shift and 40 to 50 per cent of Nigeria adults now watch Nigerian content. Can you believe that Channel TV after CNN in Nigeria has one of the highest rating and it is a Nigerian channel just because people are connected to the station? We believe the mind-set is changing.

What measures have you put in place to prevent piracy and secure your platform?

The issue we have regarding hackers, the solution we chose is that we are the first paid TV platform in Nigeria that is cardless. We have put away that element that can encourage hacking. Also the software we use is an active anti-virus, it is actively monitors any form of tempering and we deal with accordingly. We are not saying our platform is 100% tamper proof, but what we have done is to reduce it to the barest minimum and make hacking as difficult and challenging as it could be to deter them.

Do you have the capacity to satisfy your customers?

We have the capacity, as it works the technology does not require physical presence everywhere; we only need one physical presence to deliver the service. What we have done is to partner with dealers who make commitment by keeping data in the regions, installers and retailers. We have been recruiting nationwide; we are creating jobs and adding value to our customers. We cover the whole country and beyond in terms of the capability to receive our signals, so any customers anywhere in Nigeria can receive our signals.

What are the challenges you are faced with in the area of legislation?

The number one challenge in the industry is that there is no regulation, NBC is doing its best but there is no act of law that backs it up to penalize. Before the last government handed over there was a bill that was being pushed, anti-competition

bill like what we find in Europe that nobody can own 100 per cent of an industry, if you grow beyond a particular size, for instance when Microsoft, Google among others grew beyond a certain size, they were stopped to allow room for other players. There is no such law right now in Nigeria so it is a big barrier; it is only legislature that can change that. The other challenge that is affecting our business is foreign exchange (forex), 80 per cent of what we buy are international content: CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, we buy in dollars. Apart from these, other challenges can be dealt with. However, as more players become part of the ecosystem of buying and distributing, the market will grow and there will be several players that will get access and customers will have more options to choose from and it is a good thing that such facility is not limited because it will enable Nigerians to benefit by have more options. This is good for the economy and the customers.

What are your plans for the nearest future in terms of innovation and growth?

Before the end of the year, we will be releasing one of our most innovative products into the market to change the entertainment world; we will be doing more of local content, funding local content and building local capacity and platforms for game shows to drive the industry. Nigeria is ripe to have its own movies that can compete anywhere in the world just like what we have in the music industry today. We see ourselves meeting all the expectations of all Nigerians, in an affordable and consistent manner.

Maritime 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Naval Chief unveils new strategy to tackle maritime crimes

L-R: Commander Shaun Quinn of the Royal Navy and Acting Director General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, when the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) paid a courtesy visit to the Agency recently.

NIMASA to partner British military on capacity building The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed its readiness to partner with the British military in the area of human capacity building for the development of the Nigerian maritime sector.

Receiving a delegation from the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) led

by Commander Shaun Quinn of the Royal Navy during a courtesy visit to the agency, the Acting Director General, Haruna Jauro stated that capacity building is vital to the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector.

Jauro further said that the relationship between the British

and the Nigerian government dates back to the pre-colonial era and that the agency is willing to consolidate on the already existing relationship, especially in the area of training for the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector and the nation at large.

“The agency is willing and ready to collaborate with the British Military in the area of training of our personnel because training is part of capacity building and capacity building is key to the growth and development of the maritime sector,” Jauro said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is also the BMATT Staff Officer Maritime, Commander Shaun Quinn noted that

the reason for the visit was to know some of the functions of NIMASA and to also discuss possible areas of collaboration with the agency as regards the training of its personnel towards enhancing a virile and safer maritime sector.

Commander Quinn also said that the British High Commission is busy refreshing relationships with the country since a new administration took over and that the British Military will always be ready to build a closer working relationship with the Nigerian government where the interest of both countries is put into consideration to enhance trade facilitation and security on the nation’s waterways.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, in one of his first major policy and administrative decision, has unveiled Navy Strategic Directive 2015-1, aimed at providing adequate security in the maritime sector, ensure effective monitoring of the nation’s waterways and sustain its effort to maintain credible presence at sea.

The Naval Chief made the disclosure at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja where he stressed that the consultations and interactions he had with the Principal Staff Officers, Flag Officers Commanding, Commands of Autonomous Units, and all strata of the Navy, coupled with various briefs formed the foundation upon which the strategic Directive 2015-1 was based.

According to him, “this strategic Directive is set out to guide

Ibas

the attainment of Nigerian Navy (NN) goals in areas considered critical to effectiveness of NN operational, logistics and administrative process and procedures”.

The CNS noted that, “having identified where the challenges are, I thought I should come out with a directive which will guide all the commanders in ensuring that if the NN goals are to be achieved, we have to have certain direction”.

The Naval Chief said among other objectives it set to achieve include; ensuring naval operations conform to standard operating procedures and global best practices, and promoting NN manpower develop to achieve optimal professional capability of personnel.

He explained further that the navy would deepen collaboration with maritime stakeholders, other agencies and international partners to ensure the laid out objectives are achieved. Ibas also revealed that one of the areas critical to the Navy’s effectiveness was the operational area.

He stressed: “The ability to maintain credible presence at sea and of course if we have to maintain credible presence at sea we have to use ships, we don’t have money to buy ships, the few ships we have we are to make sure that they are able to move, and they are able to fight if necessary.”

Due to the fact that revenue accrued to the various MDAs are on the decline, the CNS emphasised the need for the navy to reprioritise its goals, and also to change the way it do things.

Customs destroy 1,583 cartons of seized poultry products stories by Funmi Coker With the continued onslaught against importation of frozen poultry product by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operation ‘Hawk Descend’, the Western Marine Command destroyed 1,583 cartons of frozen poultry products valued at N9.8million Addressing journalists shortly after the destruction of the products, Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Yusuf Umar said the products were

intercepted within Badagry Yekeme and Idiroko axis.

Umar explained that the seizure was achieved with the support of personnel of the Nigerian Army who assisted the officers in intercepting the products when they met with resistance from the smugglers.

While expressing his appreciation to the Nigerian Army, Umar said the command will continue to partner with other security agencies in order to nip smuggling activities in the bud.

He said since the launch of

operation Hawk Descend, the command has intercepted and destroyed the largest number of smuggled poultry products totaling 6,668 cartons.

He said the command will continue to run smugglers out of the illicit trade adding that the command is aiming at impounding 10,000 cartons of the product before the end of operation.

“The command under my watch will not tolerate smuggling and other vices that are inimical to the economic and industrial growth of the nation

thereby leading to unemployment, loss of jobs, closure of factories and increase in crime rates.

“We have been networking to make sure that we nip smuggling in the bud but we still have some unscrupulous element that are not patriotic enough to make sure that the country move forward.

“Since the introduction of operation ‘Hawk Descend’ two months ago, Western Marine Command has been on the forefront of fighting smugglers on

waters. In this new administration, the Nigeria Customs Service cannot be left behind and we must be alive to our responsibility,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the seizure, Umar said that on the 6th of September, a total of 278 cartons valued at N1,668,000 was intercepted in the morning while 300 cartons valued at N1,800,000 were seized in the latter part of the day. He said day two had 1,000 cartons of frozen products seized estimated at N6, 300,000.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

21

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Shake up in Nigerian Navy Segun Adio

Transformation, moves to the National Defence College as Commandant.

Rear Admiral Andrew Dacosta, formerly at Defence Headquarters, now moves to Naval Headquarters as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, Rear Admiral Kenneth Ati-John was named Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Babatunde Egbedina, formerly FOC Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), was named Chief of Administration, Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral MM Salami resumes as Director of Policy Naval Headquarters.

Also, Rear Admiral Obiorah Medani, formerly Chief of Training and Operations is now Director, Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the Nigerian Navy; Rear Admiral Goddy Anyankpele, formerly Chief of Administration Naval Heaquarters, was moved to head the Logistics branch of the force as Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, former Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command was named Chief of Training and

Group News Editor

ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Navy

has announced the appointment of four new Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs) to man its four command across the country.

A statement from Naval Headquarters said the new appointments was among 61 redeployment approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas.

The appointments affected 28 Rear Admirals and 33 Commodores.

The statement, signed by Naval Spokesman, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, said Rear Admiral SU Chinweuba, formerly Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Lagos, resumes as Chief of Naval Engineering, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Peter Agba, formerly Chief of Logistics, was appointed Chief of Naval Transformation.

Similarly, Rear Admiral JA Ajani was moved from Defence Headquarters to Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre as Admiral Superintendent, while Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, formerly Chief of Naval

LIVING PROOF TESTIMONY MINISTRY

Operations at the Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik resumes as Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command.

The redeployment also affected Rear Admiral AL Akintola, who is now the Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Ltd, Lagos.

Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command resumes as Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral JD Michika resumes at Defence Headquarters as Director of Logistics. Rear Admiral JO Okojie formerly Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Plans. Similarly, Rear Admiral JO Oluwole, resumes as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Navy Holdings Limited and Rear Admiral AA Osinowo, moves from the Defence Headquarters to Naval Training Command as Flag Officer Commanding. Rear Admiral AS Abdulkadir is now the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command.

Additionally, Rear Admiral Ralph Osondu, former-

ly Admiral Superintendent Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre, is now the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, while Rear Admiral AO Odeh, formerly Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited, resumes at the Naval Shipyard Limited as Admiral Superintendent. Rear Admiral UE Essien resumes at the Naval Headquarters as Director of Operations from the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral SO Paul resumes as Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot.

Rear Admiral AO Suleiman, formerly Chief Staff Officer at Naval Training Command is now the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa.

Other senior officers affected include Rear Admiral BEE Ibe-Enwo, Deputy Commandant, AFCSC Jaji; Rear Admiral SAG Abbah, Director of Logistics, Defence Intelligence Agency; Rear Admiral T Dick, Director of Training, Defence Headquarters, and Rear Admiral DO Ajatoye, Commandant, Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Sapele.

AFRICA SPORTS SUPPORTERS CLUB

James Akam Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ

Dare-devil kidnappers struck again on Wednesday, abducting the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State governor on Political Matters, Mr. Fyneman Wilson, just few hours after the governor, Seriake Dickson declared intention to run for a second term in office.

Wilson, a close confidant of the governor, was abducted in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state around 4 am by five unknown gunmen.

Though, reasons for the abduction of Wilson and his Personal Assistant (PA) are yet to be known, but government sources said the abduction was politically motivated.

According to a community source, Wilson and his PA were seized at gunpoint by their assailants and dragged to a waiting speed-

Gunmen abduct Gov Dickson’s aide boat by their captors, who escaped through the river to an unknown destination.

A ranking official of the government, who did not want his name mentioned, said the kidnap of the governor’s aide had political undertones, claiming that some people were getting jittery as the December 5 governorship election in the state drew nearer.

He said, “There is definitely more to this abduction. I can tell you without fear of contradiction that the kidnap of Wilson is politically motivated. With the governorship poll just a few months away, some people are getting really scared of the overwhelming support the governor is receiving on a daily basis from Bayelsans and outside.

CITY OF DOMINION & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY INT’L

FRESH TOUCH FAMILY NETWORK INTERNATIONAL The general public is here by notified that the above named has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named minisrty has applied for registration under part”C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1, Pastor Akhagbemhe Chris Divine 2, Bro Peter Osuya Azubuike 3, Bro Ejeogwu Michael Chuks.

The Trustees Are: [1] Ibironke Terry Ebenezer [2] Fawohunre Anthony [3] Ajayi Elijah Olawole.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1, Preaching and teaching the good news of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ.

2, Saving the lost souls and raising them through the word of faith.

The Aims and Objectives Are: [1] To create awarenss about indigenous african sports amongst all africans at home and in diaspora [2] To encourage support for the growth and development of african sports.

Aims and Objectives.

1. To promote family values in Nigeria 2. To promote discipline among Nigerians starting from homes.

3. To promote proper parenting in Nigeria

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, and Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Folorunsho Shobaki ESQ

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off AguiyiIronsi Street, Maitama, and Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Trustees

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

EXCEEDING GRACE CARE FOUNDATION

PETER UGBAJA TRUST

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Trust has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of NO I 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Iheoma Konyeaso - President 3. Mercy Bamitale Ayorinde 5. Maureen Ada Offor - Secretary 7. Konyeaso Obinna Noel

TRUSTEES: (1) Kevin Ngana Ugbaja (2) Godwin Ekene Ugbaja (3) Sawyerr Henry Olawale (4) Olulegan Yetunde Oluwatoyin (5) Abdulsalami Mohammed Obio

2. Paschal Konyeaso 4. Angela Ebagua 6. Dr Afadapa Maria 8. Ajibola Oluwatoyin Osanyinlusi

Aim and Objective: To cater for the welfare of less Privileged and indigent members of Society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Trustees

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To award scholarships, educational grants and bursaries to support and promote educational excellence.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Barr. Tomilola Agboola

The Trustees are: 1. Okereke Chima Candidus 2. Okereke Maureen Okiemute

EGWUONWU NKECHI MIRIAM

NSIKAN OMILODI

I, formerly Miss Okoye Nkechi Miriam now wish to be known as Mrs. Egwuonwu Nkechi Miriam.

Former document remain valid. Public take note

I, formerly called Miss.

Nsikan Affia now wish to be known and called Mrs. Nsikan Omilodi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLAOLUWADUNJOYELO ISAIAH OLUNIYI

CONFIRMATION/ CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Kehinde Isaiah Oluniyi now wish to be known and addressed as Olaoluwadunjoyelo Isaiah Oluniyi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mrs. Ugochi Chioma Onwukwe now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ugochi Chioma Nodebechukwu. All former documents remains valid. FCMB, UBA and the general public please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Ask your govs to declare assets first, PDP tells Ekiti APC Gbenga Sodeinde

Ado-Ekiti ÏÏÏFollowing the demand by an opposition party – the All Progressives Party (APC) in Ekiti State – that Governor Ayo Fayose should declare his assets, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has asked the state chapter of the APC to, first of all, compel all its governors to declare their assets before “shamefully demanding same of Fayose.”

The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said, Ado-Ekiti, that “until the opposition party do this they should remain in the wilderness of foolishness, where their likes belong,

as it’s expected that a party peopled by intelligent persons should know that you can only ask question on what you are not guilty of.”

The PDP asserted that the declaration made by President Muhammadu Buhari contained many loopholes, which no sensible being should be proud of, adding that the declaration could not be compared to the one made by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which till date, had been adjudged as a perfect declaration by any Nigerian president.

Adebayo said that the APC should ask its 23 governors, to, as a matter of urgency, declare their assets before coming home to de-

mand such from Fayose.

“The APC controls 23 states in Nigeria at present, the Ekiti chapter of the party would have been taken serious and responsible it had its governors to come out with the details of their assets to justify their demand from Fayose, because he who wants to remove the speck in another person’s eyes must first of all pluck out the logs in his.”

The PDP, which stated that the opposition party lacked the intelligence to discern between good or bad, right or wrong and normal and abnormal said that “sometimes one would not feel like reacting to their irrational vitupera-

tions but, in putting the record straight, we find it wiser to let the public understand the demented level at which the APC reasons, especially in any matters that concerns Ekiti State and its people.

“In as much as we are not opposed to declaration of assets by public officers, governors inclusive, we believe that the exercise should be based on sincerity and responsiveness, rather than turning it into a political brickbat in the face of sentimentality.

“The demand by the APC would have enjoyed maximum popularity if it had been directed to all the governors and President Mohammadu Buhari.”

PDP postpones Kogi guber primary Lateef Ibrahim

L-R: Opeoluwa Onido of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose; Chairman, Lagos State All Progressives Party (APC), Chief Henry Ajomale; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; Lagos State APC Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson and Leader, APC Lagos Central Senatorial District, Prince Tajudeen Olusi during the 15th Town Hall Meeting with Constituents of Lagos Central Senatorial District, organised by Oluremi Tinubu held in Lagos…on Wednesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Abuja ÏÏÏThe National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the Kogi State governorship primary, earlier scheduled to on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

The postponement, according to the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, was with regard to some logistic issues pertaining to the exercise.

The Committee gave an assurance to the effect that members of the party and other critical stakeholders, particularly the gubernatorial aspirants, of a transparent, credible, free and fair primary election.

It has approved a new date of Monday, September 14, 2015 for the primary election and directs all members to be guided by it.

The Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada and two others are in the race for the gubernatorial ticket.

Edo 2016: Group makes case for Edo dep gov

Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏA

socio-political organisation, known as N’Edoghe ria’, has called on the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, to con-

Oshiomhole

test the 2016 governorship election.

The group said Odubu’s political experience and record, as one of the longest serving political office holder in the history of Edo State, placed him on a “higher pedestal above other aspirants that have indicated interest in succeeding the Governor Adams Oshiomhole.”

The Co-ordinator of N’Edoghe ria’, Agene Patrick, told journalists, on Wednesday, that Odubu, as a loyal chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), possessed the requisite criteria to run for the office of the governor.

He said the support was necessitated for people to tap into his

wealth of expertise to develop the state.

“Odubu, a lawyer and a twotime member of the House of Representatives from Orhionmwon Federal constituency and Deputy Governor of the state, convinces us that the job of who to pilot the affairs of the state, at this point in time, requires that of a man who has been tested; a man with experience, and having looked round we found out that Dr. Odubu has the competence, exposure, education, wisdom, energy and experience, which are needed to pilot the affairs of the state at this crucial time,” he said.

The group called on Odubu to be courageous to make himself

available for the task ahead.

“We, therefore, call on all wellmeaning individuals, groups and institutions to provide the necessary incentives and motivation to make this vision come to pass. We are supporting Dr. Pius Odubu’s governorship ambition because we believe he is the best man to turn around the fortunes of Edo people and consolidate on the gains recorded by the present administration, in which he has also played a major and significant role.

“He is a thoroughbred administrator, highly charismatic and resourceful politician, who is widely accepted by all – in all nooks and crannies of Edo State.

23 News Bank donates 10 Hilux vans to Adamawa govt Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏAs part of

its corporate social services, Zenith Bank Plc, on Wednesday, donated 10 security Hilux van to the Adamawa State Government.

In appreciation of the gesture, Governor Jibrilla Bindow, urged all corporate organisations based in the state to improve upon their corporate social responsibility, so as to better the living condition of the people.

He urged companies operating in the state to support the state with some waste evacuation trucks to augment the environmental sanitation in the state, because the government cannot do all alone.

Mr. Karl Akwarandu, Assistant General Manager in charge of North East zone, who made the presentation commended the governor for providing adequate security for the state.

According to him, the new administration had provided a secured ground for more investments in the state.

Ebonyi to set up joint security guards Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏA joint security guards will

soon be put in place in Ebonyi State.

Governor David Umahi disclosed this in Abakaliki, while receiving the Commissioner of Police for the State Command, Mrs. Peace Abdallah.

Umahi, who lauded the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Maigari Dikko, said the aim was to ensure that his administration achieved the needed peace in the state.

He said, "I am very impressed with the Nigeria police of today.

There is nothing as good as helping people to resolve their differences. There is nothing as good as honesty and uprightness.”

The governor pledged the commitment of his administration to fully partner with the police in the state to ensure a free-crime society, especially now that the year is gradually drawing to a close.

Umuahi

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Doctor urges FG to formalise herbal medicine practice Remi Oladoye

Ibadan ÏÏÏThe Federal Government has been urged to formalise and regulate the activities of the providers of the herbal medicine practice for effective service delivery to the populace.

A Director at the Federal Secretariat, Ibadan, Dr. Noah Olasehinde, gave this advice while delivering the monthly lecture of The Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research

(NISER).

Olasehinde, while speaking on the topic "Healthcare seeking behavior of Nigerians" decried the low patronage of professional healthcare service providers by Nigerians.

He said most Nigerians patronise unqualified service providers due to their low income, urging the governments and stakeholders to extend the healthcare services to low income areas and remote places for rapid

development.

Olasehinde declared that a healthy nation translates to a meaningful development, noted that an healthy nation makes a meaningful development, because it will bring "more productive at work, spend more time in the labour force, invest more in their own human capital and save more in expectation of a longer life" He also implored the governments at all levels to regulate and ensure the

training of Patient Medicine Vendors (PMVs), by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, (PCN).

According to him, “there is a need to formalise and regulate the herbal medicine practice which government should look into.”

He also suggested the standardisation and regulation of the faith centers and clinics by the government, noting that some of these clinics were usually patronise by women who consti-

L-R: Group Pastor, Ketu Group of Districts of Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), Pastor Kapde Dada; General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William F. Kumuyi; Lagos State Moderator of DLBC, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi and Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of Lagos City-Wide Crusade, Pastor Olusegun Babatope at the city wide crusade venue which is being organised by DCLM in conjunction with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN) at Ketu, Lagos, State… on Wednesday

Dabiri advocates diaspora commission, database Remi Oladoye

ÏÏÏA

former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advocated the creation of Diaspora Commission and Database to know the number of Nigerians abroad.

Dabiri made this known on in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while delivering a joint Distinguished Personality Lecture, at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

Abike, a former broadcaster with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who represented Ikorodu between 2003 and 2015, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to enact good policy on Diaspora, ascent to the Diaspora bill and approve

the creation of the Diaspora commission.

Said she: "There is no database of Diaspora in Nigeria, we are only dealing with estimate, there is need for a proper Database, and I challenge the university and the department to find a way for this.

"There are many Nigerians suffering and doing well in the Diaspora, half of Sudan is Nigeria, Nigerian are doing well in Sudan, so there is a need for Diaspora Database which I hoped this government will do.

"The best professor anywhere in the world is a Nigerian, it is annoying that what you hear about Nigeria is bad, prostitution, drugs, etc”.

Dabiri, who lamented the hardship many Nigerians were facing abroad,

declared that, "We have 600 Nigerians in India, China is uncountable, there are many examples, in Libya, Ghadaffi was killing Nigerians like chicken, and our people have been dying like chicken.

"We brought back 24 Nigerians from Libya prison, we brought them back, one of them was a graduate of University of Nigeria with his two children, even in South Africa, Nigerians are the largest in South Africa commission, some of them are not supposed to be in the prisons, the Nigerian government and the embassies should rise up.

"Even in Ghana, 40 % of foreign students in Ghana are Nigerian”.

Dabiri, however, implored President Muhammadu Buhari led-government to do

what he can to arrest the situation where Nigerians abroad would be suffering unnecessarily.

She declared that Nigerians in Diapora have many potentials, noting that only in 2014, Nigerians in the Diaspora remitted about 21 billion Dollars apart from the domestic finances.

Dabiri also implored Nigerians to support her move to ensure Diaspora Database, and also to know the number of Nigerians abroad for proper planning.

She said this will also allow them to vote abroad.

Titus Akhigbe

Those affected in the exercise, which is in line with government's commitment to strengthen the system towards optimal performance are: Chief Lucky James, Commissioner for Local Government and Chief-

Oshiomhole ÏÏÏGovernor Adams Osof Edo State has sacks hiomhole terminated the appointof four CommissionCommissioners ment ers in the State Executive Benin

Council.

tute a significant proportion in the country.

In his words: "Standardising, coordinating and regulating the healing activities of the faith centres run by churches and mosques will be of great help for the nation, poor households are more sensitive to income changes, their income should be protected.”

Olasehinde also warned against self-medication among the citizens, noting that it is better to patronise

professionals instead of patronising quacks.

The guest lecturer who decried the shortage of health facilities in the country, most especially in the southern part of the country, called on stakeholders to ensure the establishment of more health facilities to ensure that more people have access to it. He said that government and all stakeholders should also work to extend health insurance services to other sources.

Okey Lucky Okey

New Lagos AIG talks tough, warns criminals

ÏÏÏThe

new Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 command, Lagos, Mr. Bala Hassan, has promised to bring crime lower than the current level in the zone.

Hassan made the promise of tackling crime proactively when he took over office from the former AIG, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, in the office.

The AIG was received at the Zone 2 headquarters by the Lagos State commissioner of police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni and his Ogun State counterpart, Mr. Muhammed Ali, who are the two principal officers in the zone 2 police command.

Hassan said he was going

KSU commissions Anatomy complex

to check crimes in the two states through regular visits of policemen in all areas, saying that the InspectorGeneral of Police new Safer Highways patrol vehicles would be used to compliment the effort of the zone in all its highways. ``In line with the trust of the Inspector-General of Police, we shall do all that which is possible to ensure improvement in crime level in the zone. ``The IGP, on assumption of office, made it a point that there would be zero tolerance to corruption and that would be carried out to the letter” he said.

Dabiri

Vice Chancellor, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Professor Hassan Isah, has said that the commissioning of the fully equipped Anatomy complex of the College of Medicine, will facilitate timely completion programmes by medical students of the university.

He said that the 2015 National Universities Commission's result on the accreditation visit carried out, the Kogi State University, Any-

igba, was ranked the 12th best University in Nigeria, out of the 125 Universities inspected, while the university was rated the 1st best among all the existing State universities in Nigeria.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed this at the 5th pre-convocation press conference held on the campus as part of the activities to mark the convocation ceremony for graduates of 2012, 2013 and 2014 sets slated for Saturday, 19th September, 2015.

The Vice Chancellor also told journalists that out of the 32 Programmes offered by the University, 24 of them have received full accreditation, while eight got interim accreditation and no course was denied by the NUC.

taincy Affairs; Mrs. Maigida Blessing, Commissioner for Women Affairs; Mr. Patrick Aguinede, Commissioner for Basic Education and Mr. Chris Ebare, Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources. They are directed

to hand over all government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries. The governor expressed his appreciation to the former Commissioners for their services to the

state and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

According to a press statement, signed by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser to the governor on Media Affairs, the termination is with immediate effect.

Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏThe

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Adamawa Gov’s wife urges support for orphans

L-R: Former NLC, President, Hassan Summonu; President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah; Edo State Governor, Com. Adams Oshiomhole and President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Com. Ayuba Wabba at the Commissioning of Ayuba Wabba House, MHWUN, National Secretariat Complex in Abuja… on Wednesday

Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe wife of

Aregbesola: NJC gives Osun judge 14-day ultimatum to respond to petition Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo ÏÏÏThe National Judicial Council (NJC) has queried Justice Oloyede Olamide Falahanmi of Osun State Judicial Commission over a petition written to it by a coalition of civil societies in the state.

A letter, which was personally signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, is expected to be answered within 14 days by the judge.

Justice Oloyede, who has since been in the eye of the storm, had earlier petitioned the state House of Assembly requesting an immediate commencement of impeachment pro-

ceedings against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Deputy, Otunba Titi LaoyeTomori, for alleged mismanagement of the state resources.

A committee that was setup by the House of Assembly to look into the petition dismissed it for abandonment and lack of evidence against the respondent.

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition later petitioned the NJC alleging that the Judge over stepped her limit as she failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office; it being an impartial and independent organ, thereby exposing the judiciary to ridicule and

disrepute.

The petition, which was signed by the Coalition chairman, Comrade Waheed Lawal, was forwarded to NJC on July 28, 2015, along with a page verifying affidavit requesting for an investigation into the judge’s allegations of impropriety against the governor.

The petition reads “the Judge’s action is certainly meant to incite the residents of the state against the State Government and its elected officers; the magnitude of the impropriety and concealed message of the petition written by her violates the ethical standard expected of a judicial

officer. . . .”

It said, “Oloyede’s act constitutes gross misconduct that runs contrary to the Code of Conduct for judicial officers and will impact negatively on the judicial system if appropriate sanction is not meted out to her and also makes other judiciary officers to become an instrument for the purpose of partisan politics.” It further reads, “that the content of the petition embodies copious political statements, unsubstantiated allegations and accusation aimed at deriding, demeaning and undermining the Government, the person and character of the governor, his deputy and aides.”

Pastor in court over child trafficking in Niger

Pita Chikwem and Saka Bolaji-Salawu Minna

ÏÏÏThe

police in Niger State, on Wednesday, dragged a new generation church pastor in Maikunkele, Bosso Local Government Area of the state to a Minna Chief Magistrate Court 1, for alleged child trafficking, rape and unlawful compulsory labour.

The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arraigned Pastor Adebayo Eyitayo following a written petition forwarded to the then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Olusola Amore, by the Ministry of Gender Affairs, in collaboration with Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), alleging that

25 News

Eyitayo was in possession of some teenage girls in his house and subjecting them to all sorts of inhuman treatment..

The SCID was immediately directed by Amore to arrest Eyitayo for interrogation.

It was learnt that WOTCLEF, State Co-ordinator, Hajiya Habiba Halilu, had approached the Ministry for Gender Affairs for partnership in forwarding a petition against Eyitayo when a series of complaints against his suspicious activities inundated her office.

Halilu later visited Eyitayo’s house at Maikunkele, where she discovered some teenage girls.

The Police Prosecution Officer (PPO), Inspector Hassan Zakari, told the court that Eyitayo was

charged to court on a twocount charge of unlawful compulsory labour and rape, punishable under Section 280 of the Public Penal Code.

According to the First Information Report, (FIR), against the defendant, made available in court on 9th August, 2015, one Fatima Abubakar of the state Ministry for Gender Affairs, Minna, forwarded a written petition to the Commissioner of Police that “you, Adebayo Eyitato, of Maikunkele area of Niger State, decisively went to different villages to get some young girls from their parents under the guise of putting them into school and engaging them in learning a trade.

But, instead, you put them to work and distributed them to different homes

as house helps, thereby compelling them to engage in compulsory labour. And that on several occasions, you, Adebayo, had sexual intercourse with the following, namely: Peace Emmanuel, Hanatu Ganafi, Rachael Samuel, Victoria Daniel and Deborah Babangida, as a result of which you impregnated Deborah Babangida, who gave birth to a baby boy and you named the boy Elisha Adebayo.”

When the charges were read to him, by the Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Hamid Bima, Eyitayo pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Zakari objected to bail application on the ground that the police was yet to complete its investigation, meaning the accused could interfere with investigation if granted bail.

Adamawa State Governor, Hajiya Maryam Muhammad Umar Jibrilla, has called on the public and organisations to support orphanages in the state.

She made the call while inaugurating the rehabilitated Karewa Orphanage Home in Yola.

Jibrilla observed that supporting orphans who were among the down-trodden in the society was a duty that deserved unwavering support. “There is an increasing need, especially in a democratic dispensation, as

Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏA professor of Geology

from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, has been named as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

The institution’s ProChancellor and the Chairman of Council, Dr. Umar Musa Mustapha, made this known, on Wednesday, at a press conference, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

On the occasion, Mustapha urged President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to grant more funds to aid teaching, re-

ours, to constantly improve upon the well-being of the down-trodden in our midst, especially the abandoned and unaccompanied children,” ibrilla said.

She noted that the state government’s respect for the core values for life, liberty, justice and equality, among others, prompted it to intervene in rehabilitating the orphanage. While commending the state Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development for its supervisory role for a quality job in the orphanage, she urged the staff of the orphanage to observe a strict maintenance culture.

Olayinka succeeds Adewole as UI VC search and learning in the institution.

He declared that out of the 13 candidates that jostled for the post, only six professors were short-listed, noting that the screening committee recommended the candidates for the post.

Buhari

Group enlightens public on rape Oshaniyi Eniola

ÏÏÏA body known as The

Counselling Ambassador Organisation (TACO), on Wednesday, held a programme of transfiguration experience, which was mainly about rape at Weston Hotel at Ikeja, Lagos. The event was to sharpen public awareness to what should be done when rape issues occur. The meaning, causes, effect and observation of rape were fleshed out during the programme.

Participants were briefed on different types of rape – cultural rape, ritual rape, animal rape, marital rape etc. and what parent should do shield their daughters, just in case from rape.

A Professor of Adult Education, University of Lagos, Mrs. Oladapo, to journalist that: “I believe in preventing something from hap-

pening. The responsibility of a mother as regard taking care of her children, in preventing rape is very paramount. If mothers have a qualitative time for their children, there will be less number of rape cases.

Women are now trying to make money the way men do, that may explain the soaring and alarming cases of rape, mostly because mothers don’t have time for their children.

The President of TCAO, Mrs. Regina Obasa, said: the body was focusing on rape because those who has been victimised were unable to have a normal relationship to move on with their life. “We intend to achieve enlightenment of the participant, so that they would be aware that rape is just next door; even within their house.”

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Features

s

MASS PROTEST IN ANAMBRA:

SON ... and the local standard organisation poser

A section of the protesters in front of the SON office, Awka

Major Onitsha and Awka based industrialists recently staged a mass protest at the premises of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria demanding an end to alleged intimidation, harassment and bribery by SON among other grave allegations. DILIONYE DILIBE reports from Onitsha.

Anambra indigenous industrialists and petty manufacturers took to the streets recently and occupied the premises of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), protesting denial of MANCAP Certificate and deliberate frustration of local industries that refused to part with millions of naira alleged bribe being demanded from SON. The protesters who own manufacturing facilities in Onitsha

Odumodu, SON DG

AFTER 13 YEARS WITHOUT A HEAD..

Amanuke community set for war Ï ƑƐ è Ɠ ƌƆ protest imposition of traditional ruler Two people of the same kindred are at the forefront of a controversy that may cause anarchy in Amanuke community in Anambra North, except government moves in to nip the storm in the bud. State

correspondent NKIRU NWAGBO reports.

The peace at Amanuke community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State was recently jolted when irate youths and village women embarked on a mass protest over the issuance of certificate of recognition to one Alphonsus Chijindu Ezebuilo as the traditional ruler

of the town.

On the fateful day the protesters chanted war songs at the village square, calling for the recognition of Dennis Ezebuilo who they insisted is their traditional ruler.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, ‘We reject the forceful and unconditional recognition of Chijindu Ezebuilo’; ‘The imposition of Chijindu is to

‘‘SON is hiding under that footmat to move into Nigerian markets to cart away products, and in many instances criminally cannibalise machinery of indigenous manufacturing companies that refuse to do business as usual with them. In most cases some of these carted away products under the disguise of fake or sub-standard according to them are later sold by the same SON to their cronies.’’ and Awka in company of their workers numbering over 250 stormed the SON office at Awka the Anambra State Capital as early as 9.20 am, with various placards and barricaded the entry and exit gates of the regulatory agency, chanting provocative songs in mimic of SON’s alleged bribery and intimidation which attracted the attention of motor-

ists and pedestrians plying Enugu/Awka/Onitsha Express way.

Road users had hectic moments struggling to get to their destinations as vehicular moment was disrupted due to heavy movement of the protesters which compelled motorists to wait for several hours before they could pass through.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

cause great anarchy and lawlessness’; ‘We are not with Chijindu Ezebuilo to be our Igwe’; ‘Amanuke community is not for sale to an individual’ and ‘Chijindu is a threat to Amanuke and entire Awka North LGA.’ Two other placards read, ‘Stop deceiving our dynamic Governor, Anara Chikodi’ and ‘His Excellency, warn Mr Chikodi Anara to stop intimidating his people’, among other things.

It would be recalled that the former traditional ruler of AmaCONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Chief Zebrudaya Oyedozie

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Govt should step in now that the community is boiling — Anakwue

Amanuke people at the protest ground

Continued from page 26 nuke, Igwe Willie Ezenwa died in 2000; after 13 years without a head, the community took counsel and enthroned Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo in 2013 as the successor to the late traditional ruler.

Ironically, Dennis was not issued with a certificate of recognition by the then government of Anambra State; but recently, Alphonsus, the other Igwe in contention was issued with a certificate, and this drew the wrath of the community members.

Speaking during the protest, a member of Amanuke council of elders, Chief Nnobu Okoye told Daily Times Alphonsus never emerged as their traditional ruler. “Some desperate people in our land went behind us to government and told lies that convinced them to recognise Alphonsus.”

Spokesman of Amanuke Community, Chief Zebrudaya Oyedozie told reporters that there was no vacancy in the traditional chieftaincy throne of Amanuke.

“Our Igwe is Dennis Ezebuilo whom we elected to rule us. This was a position we held since 2013 and it is binding on all of us.

There is no name like Alphonsus Ezebuilo as the Igwe of our town and we urge the state government to take note of this and revert its action in the interest of peace in Amanuke. Our people have spoken and anybody that goes against it would have the community to contend with,” Oyedozie said.

The protesters further accused one Chikodi Anara and officials

of the local government authorities of master minding the crisis in Amanuke . “It is Chikodi Anara and his gang in Awka North LGA that are creating this problem here. They deceived government to believe that Alphonsus is our chosen Igwe, but of course they know its consequence of what they have done. We are waiting for them to come to Amanuke to present Alphonusus and I must tell you, the outcome will be grave,” the protester warned.

Anara in his response dismissed those allegations as false and of no effect whatsoever. “Alphonsus Ezebuilo went through the due processes of the screening and was crowned by the oldest man in the community, Chief Ibegbe Okeye in full glare of the people of Amanuke. ‘’The impostor that is causing trouble as a matter of fact has no secondary school certificate and his father is still alive which is against the provisions of Amanuke community.

“There was no occasion where he (Dennis Ezebuilo) was presented and crowned by the town union and the elders. People go about parading as Igwe when they are not. Ask the chairman of the screening committee, Shedrach Anakwue what happened about the screening and how he tried to impose Dennis Ezebuilo on our community.”

Anara accused Anakwue of collecting bribe of N500,000 from Dennis in order to enthrone him as the Igwe of the community, “but we resisted it, yet he has

been going about parading Dennis as Igwe,” Anara said.

But Anakwue described the allegation as untrue, adding that Anara is only misplacing facts about the traditional stool of the community.

“We had a screening committee for the Igwe and I was the chairman. We had our terms of reference which included academic qualifications, marital status and contributions to the development of our community. On the day of interview and screening, Alphonsus Ezebuilo did not come because he had no basic qualification to be our traditional ruler.

“Even on that day, I was not at the said meeting when they presented Dennis Ezebuilo as the Igwe elect of Amanuke. I went for a political party meeting outside Anambra State and told the rest of the committee members to carry on. When I came back the elder’s council and the committee presented their reports before the entire community and announced that Dennis Ezebuilo is the traditional ruler of the community. Anara and Alphonsus Ezebuilo did not object or protest against this until now.

“Those that presented Alphonsus as Igwe are those that want to cause anarchy in the land and they are being led by that Anara of a man. I, as the Chairman of the screening committee, my members and the elders were to present our traditional ruler Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo to the state government; the elders were not CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

27 Features

SON is usurping the statutory duties of Registrar of Trade Marks – Lawyer Continued from page 26 Some of the placards displayed by the protesters had various indicting inscriptions, such as ‘Standard Organization of Nigeria’ (SON) is corrupt’, ‘SON stop frustrating indigenous industries for personal gains’, ‘With SON as presently constituted there is no hope for successful campaign against substandard goods’, “President Buhari your government cannot comfortably work with the present leadership of SON’.

If you thought that was all, there were more, like: ‘President Buhari do not allow SON as it is presently constituted to destroy your good plans for indigenous industries’; ‘Millions of naira are being demanded by SON as condition for issuing MANCAP Certificate’, ‘Indigenous industries cannot survive under the present leadership of SON’ and ‘Pay bribe to SON or face frustration out of business’.

Some of the protesters who chose to speak on condition of anonymity, however, advised President Muhamadu Buhari to investigate the activities of SON or have his campaign against corruption dragged to the mud.

Some of the industrialists interviewed charged Nigerian industrialists to rise up to their rights and say no to SON’s outrageous extortion.

They also accused Standard Organisation of Nigeria of being sponsored by foreign companies to destroy our indigenous industries, adding that SON must bring back the industrial machines which it uprooted from various factories belonging to D & K Golden City Invest-

Anambra State

ment Limited.

Addressing newsmen in front of SON office, spokesman of the companies and Managing Director of D & K Golden City Investment Limited, Mr. Benjamin Nwaizu revealed that a Director of SON came to Anambra State and demanded some millions of naira as a condition for them to be given the MANCAP Certificate, adding that if his company failed to comply, that an undisclosed South Korean company which produces same product would take its place and be issued with MANCAP certificate.

“We suspect that our company’s refusal to offer bribe to Standard Organisation of Nigeria is the reason why we are being haunted and intimidated by the regulatory agency. He kept requesting the amount, but I said we cannot afford it; then he threatened that in the next four months that I would see how our company will go down.

“He also threatened that noncompliance with the payment of the bribe would subject our factory machines being uprooted and evacuated in their next visit, coupled with all the raw materials and finished products such as shaving sticks, hair brush, tooth brushes, and other personal effects.”

Nwaizu further alleged that because his company failed to pay the alleged bribe, the SON director on 28th and 29th October last year invaded his factory with some police men numbering over twenty and evacuated and uprooted all the machinery found in company premises to an unknown destination.

“Despite the 8th December 2014 Onitsha Magistrate Court CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

No vacancy in the traditional chieftaincy throne of Amanuke — Oyedozie Continued from page 27 even there during the presentation.”

“Because Chikodi Anara is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, he went and misled the Governor into believing that Alphonsus is the Igwe of Amanuke. I had earlier protested against this but some forces at the corridors of power stood against it. Now that the community is boiling, I hope that government would come into the matter and address it properly,” Anakwue concluded.

Presently, security has been beefed up in Amanuke community and the divisional police station in the area has commenced patrol of the major flash points in the town.

Efforts to speak with the SA to the Governor was unsuccessful, and Awka North Local Government Authorities, when our correspondent visited, kept mu; neither the council chairman nor any other official in the area was ready to comment.

Amosun

Ijoko-Alagbole road

As Agbado, Ogun State gets Amosun’s focus Residents of Agbado community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have cried out to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun over the lack of basic infrastructures in the border communities. OGUNTADE ISMAILA presents their case.

For the people of Agbado Community Development Council (CDC) area is made up of Agbado, Oke-Aro/Ibaragun, Akute/Ajuwon, Suren/Ososun

and Isheri/Ojodu communities, life had, until recently, been unreasonably difficult.

The people complained that for many years, they had been deprived of the basic benefits of democracy from successive governments; this has prompted the leadership of the community to seek the timely intervention of Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun on the backwardness of the people in the rural communities.

A visit to the communities

will show an area totally devoid of any form of government presence.

Chairman of the Community Development Council, Mr. Kunle Onifade lamented that since 2003, all efforts to get the local government to support the communities in the area of development had remained unsuccessful. This is evident in the backwardness of the communities especially for those living in the border towns of Lagos State.

While decrying the level of degradation suffered in the area, Onifade said even though rural depopulation creates urbanisation, it is sad that the communities have been totally neglected. In his words “The local communities are the grassroots and fourth tier of every government; but our communities have been denied of even manageable access roads both in Agbado and its environs right from Gbenga Daniel’s AdCONTINUED ON PAGE 29

We want President Buhari to investigate the activities of SON— Nwaizu Continued from page 27 ruling that ordered SON to return all the seized machines, SON has refused to abide by the court’s decision which stated that it was not in their power to uproot factory machines.

“SON attitude to my company became unbearable when despite its disobedience to court’s decision, the director still went ahead to cart away Dorco Shaving Sticks and other goods worth over 190 million naira from my Lagos warehouses.

“He also went to some of our distributors warehouses and shops and seized the goods they bought from us, and invited them to come to their office where they told them to stop selling our goods including disposable shaving sticks and once they agree to do that by signing undertaking with them SON, their goods will be returned to them and told them.”

Mr. Nwaizu who is also the Managing Director of BENDUSCO International Agency Limited, manufactures toothbrushes, shoe brushes, and hair brushes told Daily Times what prompted

Another section of protesters at the SON office, Awka.

their protest. “It was the same SON Director’s threat after the invasion and breaking into our warehouse in Lagos two weeks ago and his consistent threat to return to Onitsha and remove the remaining products in my

factory.

“We have learnt to take his threat seriously these days. He said he would sweep the factory and make sure nothing is produced in the factory, he always make good his threats that is

why we decided to protest to let the government and the public know what the indigenous industrialists are facing in the hands of SON because of their selfish interest.

“We want President Buhari

to investigate the activities of SON, they are highly corrupt, we have written more than ten letters to the Director General of SON from 2011 complaining about these intimidation, harassment and abuse of office and position of his officials that are involved in the corrupt demands of bribe before they will do their work but he never replied any of those letters; even last two week’s invasion of our warehouse in Lagos, we wrote to him but he did not do anything.”

Nwaizu stated.

Reacting to the protest, Mr. Omeje Veginus Okwudili, an engineer in SON said that “SON does not do anything hideous; this is a public office, and the office is here to serve Nigerians, the office is here to serve you and I, and what we here are doing is to drive standards to ensure that quality of products and services are delivered to Nigerians including myself ”.

Okwudili further said what his friend Nwaizu is saying they are protesting that the operations of SON are not in line according to his expectations.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

SON will look into the allegation— Okwudili

Past governments have failed the electorate in rural developments – Sikirulai Olowo

Continued from page 28

A bad portion of the Ijoko road.

Continued from page 28 ministration” he lamented.

Onifade further stressed that erosion has consumed the major roads and threatening to sack parts of many communities for decades but nobody in government seems to care.

“Agbado Community Development Council generates the highest revenue in votes in Ifo Local Government Area.

The real threat is the danger of floods destroying the major roads linking the communities especially Agbado-Ishaga road, RAFCO and Kola roads with the rest of the Local Government Area.”

Also lending his voice to their plight, the grand patron and former Chairman of the CDC, Alhaji Sikirulai Olowo pointed out facts and challenges facing the communities. He told our correspondent that people failed to speak the truth, government

29 Features

tagged him an antagonist because of community issues.

“The newly appointed Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Lukumon Kiadese had invited the communities for a meeting recently when he heard that the communities will mobilise their people against local government contractors who were coming to collect revenue. The meeting was to plead with us to cooperate and we did. Though he promised to do his best but nothing has happened.”

Olowo lamented that governments in the past have failed the electorate, especially in the rural developments. “Our community is ripe for both residents and government to live up to their responsibilities. Our communities do not depend on government before we embarked on projects through our personal contributions.”

Olowo also commended the chairman Mr. Benjamin Ad-

ekunle and members of the planning committee of Imodoye Group under Agbado area Community Development Council (CDC) for their selfless efforts on the Jas Ojo pipeline road project that will link them to Agbado/Oke-Aro area. The project worth N3.5million is to save embattled residents from flood.

The Chairman of Akera Community Development Council Otunba Oladimeji Abiola also stressed the need on road development particularly on Aboro Jesu O seun road. He also appealed to local government council to use the internally generated revenue (IGR) for the purpose of development and not to divert it for personal use.

Although Governor Amosun has embarked on a multi-faceted project from Sango Ijoko road down to Agbado Ojodu to link to Ibadan Expressway, work has so far been slow on the project.

JUST HUMAN

10.20am. Agidingbi, Ikeja. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/068.

“I want to assure you and your staff and others that since you have come here peacefully to register your anger and grievances, SON on her own is ready to listen to you and act according to the enabling Act that established it.

“I further want to assure you that the management of SON will listen to all your complaints.

But however, I will assure you that our individual interests do not supersede the public interests, so I want to assure you that what SON is doing is in line with the enabling Act that established it and we have been empowered by the constitution to carry our duties of saving lives and properties”.

On the grave allegations of bribery and corruption, Okwudili said he would not like to delve into the allegations and the core complaints about money being demanded by a staff of SON. “It is still an allegation, but I will only ask you people to calm down, follow the normal procedure, record your anger and write to the Director but, however, I will convey your complaints and allegation to the management of SON and I assure you that justice will be done,” he concluded.

Lawyer to BENDUSCO and other companies that partici-

pated in the protest, Mr. Chike Onyali said SON appears to have abandoned their statutory roles and decided to resort to blackmailing indigenous industries in Nigeria by refusing to process and issue them with appropriate MANCAP Certifications, because they lack laboratory indices with which to carry out laboratory standardisation.

“They hide under that footmat to move into Nigerian markets to cart away products, and in many instances criminally cannibalise machinery of indigenous manufacturing companies that refuse to do business as usual with them. In most cases some of these carted away products under the disguise of fake or sub-standard according to them are later sold by the same SON to their cronies.

“A typical example of such product that was later found in the markets is that of one Chike Adiole, a trader based in Onitsha whose products were carted away by SON and was later found in the markets. The products were produced in Lagos, but because the producer was having rivalry with another company and the other party went to SON and compromised them. SON is usurping the statutory duties of Registrar of Trade Marks and that of Nigerian Customs Service Duties”, he argued.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Health

s Nursingworld trains students on airway management

NMA tasks FG on universal health coverage The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has charged the Federal Government to make reforms in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to achieve health coverage within a milieu of robust and standard health system.

Chairman of the state chapter, Dr Tope Ojo gave the charge at a press briefing held recently to herald the association’s Annual General Meeting & Scientific Conference holding from Monday 7th September to Saturday 12th September, 2015.

According to Ojo, the need for a universal health coverage cannot be over emphasized particularly when the NHIS has not achieved the set agenda since inception till date, as a large majority of Nigerians still lack access to decent and affordable healthcare.

Speaking further, the NMA chair appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to holistical look at issues of trade dispute and settlements in the health sector and other sectors.

“The state of the health sector today remains as poor as ever with falling standards of education (medical education inclusive), lack of modern equipment coupled with a poorly motivated and highly unspecialized manpower.

“No wonder the culprits (political office holders) that created this scenario based on gross mismanagement of public funds and lack of political will (to develop all sectors including the health sector) over the years continue to jet abroad for medical treatment,” Ojo said.

He therefore challenged President Buhari to direct all political office holders to henceforth seek medical attention in Nigeria and ban them from oversee medical treatment, as this will be taken as the first signal of seriousness of this regime to reform the health sector.

Ojo

Nursing students undergoing AHA Airway management training

In a bid to develop competence and clinical proficiency amongst nurses, Nursingworld Nigeria recently trained students of the Post basic Accident and Emergency Programme at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching hospital (UPTH), Rivers State on “Airway Managment”.

The Airway Management, a trademark course of the American Heart Association (AHA), is a unique programme designed to give healthcare professionals the opportunity to learn, practice and demonstrate their ability in applying many airway skills used

Continued on page 31

16,000 children under 5 years old die each day— Report

Children under 5 years old

Stories by Lara Adejoro Child mortality rates have plummeted to less than half of what they were in 1990, according to a new report released today. Under-five deaths have dropped from 12.7 million per year in 1990 to 5.9 million in 2015. This is the first year the figure has gone below the 6 million mark.

New estimates in Levels and Trends in Child Mortality Report 2015 released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank Group, and the Population Division of UNDESA, indicate that although the global progress has been substantial, 16,000 children under five still die every day. And the 53 per cent drop in under-five mortality is not enough to meet the Millen-

nium Development Goal of a twothirds reduction between 1990 and 2015.

According to the UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Geeta Rao Gupta, there is need to acknowledge the tremendous global progress, especially since 2000 when many countries have tripled the rate of reduction of under-five mortality, “but the far too large number of children still dying from preventable causes before their fifth birthday – and indeed within their first month of life – should impel us to redouble our efforts to do what we know needs to be done. We cannot continue to fail them.”

The report notes that the biggest challenge remains in the period at or around birth. A massive 45 per cent of underfive deaths occur in the neonatal period – the first 28 days of life.

Prematurity, pneumonia, complications during labour and delivery, diarrhoea, sepsis, and malaria are leading causes of deaths of children under 5 years old. Nearly half of all under-five deaths are associated with undernutrition.

In Nigeria, malnutrition contributes to the deaths of about half a million children each year or about 1 out of every 2 child deaths.

In an interview with Daily Times, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu said, an undernourished child has lower resistance to infection and is more likely to die from illness.

He added that, poor nutrition in the first two years of life leads to stunted growth, which is irreversible and associated with impaired cognitive ability and

reduced school and work performance.

However, most child deaths are easily preventable by proven and readily available interventions.

The rate of reduction of child mortality can speed up considerably by concentrating on regions with the highest levels – sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia – and ensuring a targeted focus on newborns.

“We know how to prevent unnecessary newborn mortality.

Quality care around the time of childbirth including simple affordable steps like ensuring early skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding and extra care for small and sick babies can save thousands of lives every year,” noted Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General at WHO. “The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, to be launched at the UN General Assembly this month, will be a major catalyst for giving all newborns the best chance at a healthy start in life.”

The report highlights that a child’s chance of survival is still vastly different based on where he or she is born. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest under-five mortality rate in the world with 1 child in 12 dying before his or her fifth birthday – more than 12 times higher than the 1 in 147 average in high-income countries.

In 2000-2015, the region has overall accelerated its annual rate of reduction of under-five mortality to about two and a half times what it was in 1990-2000. Despite low incomes, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania have all

Continued on page 31

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

31 Health ‘Many countries have made progress in reducing child mortality’ Continued from page 30

NGO enlightens youths on HIV/AIDS

NGO enlightens youths on dangers of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure A Non-Governmental Organization, Development Initiative for Young People International (DEVIYOP), has enlightened the youths mostly students on the dangers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and drug abuse.

Speaking at a programme held in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the Executive Director of the organisation, Kemi Orunko disclosed that the objectives of the programme was to reduce to minimum level all sorts of unproduc-

tive habits like drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, cultism, armed robbery and other risky practices among the youths.

“The organisation assists and moulds the life and characters of the youths, creates and brings to the awareness of our youths the effects of HIV/AIDS and other abuses in our society,” she said.

She revealed that the organisation has two staff, 20 vulnerable children, two orphans and five partial orphans who are now undergoing various formal education, training and rehabilitation services.

Orunko stated that her experience when growing up spurred her to establish such humanitar-

Group trains nurses on airway management Continued from page 30 in resuscitation.

Major highlights of the training include hands-on practice on various maniqins using various airway adjuncts like the bag valve mask, laryngeal mask airway, esophageal tracheal tube, endotracheal tube etc.

This training was organized at no cost to the students as part of the Nursingworlds’ Social responsibility to contribute its own quota to the growth of the profession.

Recall that the Department

of Nursing of the University also benefitted from the Nursingworld Nigeria Sponsored Justina Ejelonu Scholarship for Nurses.

Speaking, the school coordinator, Mrs Dorcas Maxwell expressed her immense gratitude at the opportunity afforded the students.

Mrs Maxwell said, “not only the students benefited from the programme but the lecturers who came with them too. We’ve not had this opportunity especially hands-on practice.”

ian gestures to reach out to the poor and indigent ones in the society, iterated that her special interest is on the young one so as to ensure they give them the wherewithal for a bright future of the society and nation at large.

She enjoined the members of the society that are more privileged to extend hands of fellowship and support to the disadvantaged and needy in the society.

The Guest Speaker at the event, Debo Okunrinboye, who also represented Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA) enlightened the students and youths on the dangers of the virulent disease, its causes and prevention measures.

He noted that it can be transmitted through transfusion of infected blood, unprotected sexual contact, sharing of unsterilized sharp objects like razor, blade, clipper, needle.

He emphasised that the most common transmission is unprotected sexual intercourse with affected persons.

DEVIYOP presented cash gifts, scholarship and educational materials worth hundreds of thousand naira to the beneficiaries to further their education at various levels.

The HIV/AIDS awareness programme, that took place at St Thomas Aquinnas College, Akure, had over 500 students in attendance.

Arthritis may increase risk of falling into poverty New research suggests developing arthritis may increase the risk of falling into poverty especially for women, for whom the increased risk was found to be three times that of men.

The researchers, from the University of Sydney in Australia, report their findings in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Although the word “arthritis” means joint inflammation, the public health world uses the term to describe more than 100

rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint and other connective tissue.

The pattern, severity and location of arthritis symptoms varies, depending on the specific type. Typically, the symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly and include pain and stiffness in and around one or more joints.

Some forms can also involve the immune system and various internal organs of the body.

met the MDG target.

Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, however, continues to confront the immense challenge of a burgeoning under-five population – projected to increase by almost 30 per cent in the next 15 years – coupled with persistent poverty in many countries.

“This new report confirms a key finding of the 2015 Revision of the World Population Prospects on the remarkable decline in child mortality globally during the 15-year MDG era,” said UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr. Wu Hongbo. “Rapid improvements since 2000 have saved the lives of millions of children.

However, this progress will need to continue and even accelerate further, especially in high-mortality countries of sub-Saharan Africa, if we are to reach the proposed child survival target of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

“Many countries have made extraordinary progress in cutting their child mortality rates.

However, we still have much to do before 2030 to ensure that all women and children have access to the care they need,” said Dr Tim Evans, Senior Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group.

“The recently launched Global Financing Facility in Support of Every Woman Every Child with its focus on smarter, scaled and sustainable financing will help countries deliver essential health services and accelerate reductions in child mortality.”

Among the report’s findings: Roughly one-third of the world’s countries – 62 in all – have actually met the MDG target to reduce under-five mortality by two-thirds, while another 74 have reduced rates by at least half.

The world as a whole has been accelerating progress in reducing under-five mortality – its annual rate of reduction increased from 1.8 per cent in 1990-2000 to 3.9 per cent in 2000-2015.

10 of the 12 low income countries which have reduced underfive mortality rates by at least two-thirds are in Africa. 5 in 10 global under-five deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and another 3 in 10 occur in Southern Asia.

45 per cent of all under-five deaths happen during the first 28 days of life. 1 million neonatal deaths occur on the day of birth, and close to 2 million children die in the first week of life.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.188

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Why Kogi Can’t Pay Salary

ÎÎÎ Kogi State was one

of the many states in Nigeria that could not pay staff salaries for months, recently. The state’s inclusion among debtor states is both fascinating and frustrating. The Federal Government had identified commercial deposits of 37 minerals in the country as at 2010. Eighty percent (80%) of these mineral types are found in Kogi State alone, in commercial quantities.

Kogi has deposits of a total of not less than 29 minerals in commercial quantities, including: coal, dolomite, feldspar, bauxite, iron ore, tar, limestone and gold. Also, each of the 21 local governments of Kogi State has at least two minerals in commercial quantities. Kogi has more minerals than Kaduna State; Kano State; Katsina State; Kebbi State; Kwara State; Abia State;

Adamawa State; Akwa Ibom State; Anambra State; Imo State; Benue State; Borno State; Bauchi State; Bayelsa State; Cross River State; Delta State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State; Enugu State; Jigawa State; Lagos State; Nassarawa State (“The Home of Solid Minerals”); Plateau State; Ogun State; Osun State; Oyo State; Ondo State; Rivers State; Taraba State; Zamfara State; Yobe State. By the time one has to list every state, you get the idea.

In short, Kogi has more mineral types than all the other states of Nigeria, and the Federal Capital Territory.

What I found most interesting is the mindboggling value of just two (2) of these minerals found in this state alone.

In Kogi State, one local government area; more stunningly, one district in a local government,

the Okaba District in Ankpa Local Government Area, holds reserves of 99 million tons of coal.

This means Kogi State alone, nay, one local government area in Kogi State, nay, one fraction of a local government in Kogi State, has enough deposits of coal to supply all of Nigeria with electricity for four hundred years. The value of this, even by current installed capacity, could be as much as 1,226,400,000,000 naira (N1.23 trillion) per annum. In 400 years, that would be N491 trillion. Secondly, Kogi State alone holds enough limestone to keep three giantsized cement factories (with over 15 million tons annual capacity) operational for an unbroken stretch of 99 years.

This translates to a value of N1,800,000,000,000 naira (N1.8 trillion) per annum. In 99 years, it would be N178.2 trillion.

Any fresh MBA could easily show that this is corporate/generational prosperity that Kogi State has sat on for hundreds and thousands of years. Kogi State has no business being poor; being broke, unable to pay salaries.

But Kogi State cannot pay salaries. And, indeed she has become notorious recently for not be-

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ing able to pay salaries.

Before going into all that, let me yet mention a further backdrop to the state’s inability to pay her staff salaries. Kogi State earns monthly, literally free money. Just for being a state in Nigeria. This free money is the State’s constitutionally guaranteed allocation, running into billions of Naira, every month. In February 2015, for example, it received more than 3.7 billion naira as its share of federally distributed revenue allocation in Abuja.

So, why can’t Kogi State pay staff salaries? In June, a Nigerian website, citing a national newspaper, reported that in Kogi State, the strength of the staff is 22,000, while the monthly wage bill stands at N3.2 billion; the staff strength in her local government areas is 26,542, with a monthly wage bill of N1.5 billion. Additionally, 33,000 teachers earn N1.3 billion wage monthly. Simple arithmetic would add up the total wage bill, which comes to N6 billion. And basic economics may erroneously follow up and conclude that the state bites more than it can chew. It has too many workers, so many that not only would the state constantly end up in debt, it would have

no money for any meaningful infrastructural development. This would lead to further underdevelopment and lowered income. Our simplistic economist would also likely support the state’s approach to her inability to pay wages.

Again, the news website reporting in May provides a backdrop: Kogi Sate Government cut by 40 per cent salaries of workers in Grade Level 7 and above. The same applied to state commissioners, special advisers and all appointed officials. The report further explained the challenge currently faced by Kogi, to justify its inability to pay salaries and the need to cut salaries: the state received the sum of N3.7 billion from federal budget in March, while in April it got only N2.5 billion. And this was because Nigerian government revenue fell 21.5 percent of total expected revenues to N315.04 billion in March 2015. This meant that one fifth of the expected revenues didn’t come into the state’s treasury because of pipeline shutdowns.

There is of course also the dwindling price of crude oil, which determines most of the country’s and constituent states’ earnings. All gov-

ernments in Nigeria, as a rule, depend on earnings from crude oil, to pay salaries and carry out basic infrastructure development and maintenance.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kogi State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively are N2,217,504,390.25; N2,848,556,782.15; and N3,185,459,549.72 respectively. It meant that, consistently, the state only generates a tiny fraction of its income internally, roughly 5%. The figures are similar to current earnings of all Local Government Areas added together, from federal allocations, using the December 2014 sharing as a point of reference.

Local Governments in Kogi State received N2.5 billion in January 2015 for December 2014. One could not get any figures for IGR of local governments at the time of writing. The point one can however conveniently make is that the state’s inability to pay salaries shows that her revenue is inadequate at all levels.

Next week, we shall examine further why Kogi State cannot pay salaries, and if Kogi State would ever be able to pay salaries.

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Life&

Times Thursday, September 10, 2015

Rukky

Sanda

Effervescent Nollywood actress-cum producer L2,3

P

Interview L2 Born Rukayat Akinsanya but known as Rukky Sanda by her movie lovers, Rukky Sanda is the entertainment industry with seventeen movies to her credit as a producer which includes Gold Digging, Love Lorn, Keeping her man and the most recent, Dark. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Rukky Sanda reveals her love for acting, why she will never be involved in politics among other issues.

How did you come up with the concept of the mysterious name, Dark?

The movie starred several super stars, among which were Adunni Ade, Monalisa Chinda and co; what informed the choice of your cast?

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Rukky Sanda: I’m p the business aspe you do, which do you fancy the most?

Virtually all your movies are relationship based; looking at movies like Keeping My Man, Gold digging, is there a reason for that choice of yours?

I love writing about relationships and I really Dark

What steps do you take to look this good?

What then is Dark movie all about?

The movie is about a strange woman who

her son in when we needed a teenager for a Given that your real name is Rukayat Akinsanya, how did Rukky Sanda come about?

With several movies to your name; how come you delved into movie production so early in your career?

Knowing that life has its things that keep you going in life?

given that one has to have a

we eventually surmounted

Knowing full well that this is your seventeenth movie, when will you be producing a Yoruba movie?

I have it in I

am

an

The usual trend is when a Yoruba lady delves into the movie industry, she starts to carve her acting teeth from the Yoruba sector before she crosses over, but your story seems different; why was it like that?

Do you cook, and what is your favourite food?

How did piercing appeal to you?

How were you able to hide it from your parents, given that you would still be in school then?

How many businesses are you into?

I love doing different things; I also love anything related to

You seem very close to your mom, what is the relationship like?

You do not seem to always put on native attire; does that mean you do not like it?

Life&

T E A M

Among all the businesses

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

Continued on

Pfromfrom

L7

P

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

L3

Music Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Terry G

D’banj, Bono, Omotola, Selmor and Banky W

set for Totori Europe tour

Flavour flanked by Fans

PH residents relish sublime entertainment at Glo Slide n Bounce

Wizkid, Sarkodie to perform in Germany next month

Ojuelegba

New video alert: Jaywon’s ‘Back to sender’ Ft.Vector

MI keeps mum on relationship status

Terry G

Chidinma drops lorry Lorry Back to sender

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

L5 Movie Gists

Mutiat Alli

NDI, USAID name Stephanie Linus as Ambassador

Femi Adebayo becomes Trophy Ambassador

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a US-based International Agency, recently announced actress, producer and director, Stephanie Linus, as Ambassador for the Stop Violence against Women in Elections Campaign.

Held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the event was attended by the Acting INEC Chairman, Hajiya Amina Zakari, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, the NDI Country Director, Jasper Veen, Team Leader of Democracy and Governance, USAID, Blair King, a representative of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, among others.

Funded by the USAID in partnership with the NDI, the Stop violence against women in election campaign (Stop-VAWIE) is a project that seeks to create public awareness on various forms of violence against women before, during and after elections in Nigeria. Ahead of the Kogi and Bayelsa states gubernatorial elections, Stephanie as an ambassador will create awareness around the project and elicit the support of different segments of society to report cases of violence against women and bring an end to the menace.

Stephanie, who is very passionate about the cause and happy to be an ambassador, pledged her full support to the campaign, noting that she will do everything in her capacity to make sure the issues are brought to light.

Known for his comic role in Jelili, Femi Adebayo, has clinched a mouth watering deal with Trophy lager beer.

Excited Jelili as he is known took to his social media account to announce the new addition, saying made for the trophies, trophy ambassador, .

It is important to note that Femi Adebayo has now joined the league of celebrities with endorsement deal.

Hajiya Amina Zakari and Stephanie Linus

Ojo’s Funke Akindele, Kemi Lala star Iyabo Beyond Disability in London life, Lagos living hits cinema

Photo speak

Make it happen, is set to keep her audience on the edge of their seats with yet another extravaganza as it presents the stage adaptation of Bobo London Life, Lagos Living.�

Directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the movie parades stars that include Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindele, OC Ukeje,

Kemi Lala Akindoju, Lami Phillips, Patrick Diabuah and Adebola Williams amongst others.

The producer, Kemi Lala-Akindoju, noted that the stage play mirrors the experience of Nigerians who lived in London and moved back home. The play is expected to be staged at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, between October 1-4, 2015.

Light-skinned actress and mother of two, Iyabo Ojo, has hinted that her latest body of work, Beyond Disability, as directed by actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot, will be hitting cinemas across Nigeria this September.

Beyond Disability features Femi Adebayo, Ini Edo, Ireti Osayemi, Priscilla Ojo, Festus Ojo, Kola Olaiya, and Gbeminiyi Adegbola among others.

The movie tells the story of a struggling young girl who, despite her disability took to painting as a means of survival.

Femi Adebayo

AY to hold GIAMA award In its 4th edition, comic actor, Ayo Makun, (AY) has been revealed as the host Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) billed to hold in Houston, Texas, USA. Top acts who were nominated for the award include Jim Iyke, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Jackie Appiah, Uche Jombo, Majid Michel, Faithia Balogun, Eniola Badmus, OC Ukeje, Ini Edo among many others.

The award is however slated for October 17, 2015.

Omoni Oboli returns with First Lady Nollywood actress and Anchor baby star, Omoni Oboli, has returned to the on October 1, 2015.

The new movie is a story of a street girl and her pimp with intrigues, twists and turns of street elements.

It stars Alex Ekubo, Joseph Benjamin, Yvonne Jegede, Chinedu Ikedieze, Anthony Monjaro and Omoni Oboli. The story which was written by Omoni Oboli was also directed by the Delta-Born French graduate.

Jim Iyke and Lithuanian girlfriend welcome first child

big shot in Nollywood.

AY

Music & Movie Gists L6

NEA

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Mutiat Alli

awards

Edema Ayokunle Kenzo Pasuma, Simi, Kiss Daniel shines at NEA awards Top celebrities that include

Olamide, Phyno and Flavour

Simi Best Music Video:

dropped his hip hop album,

Galaxy

the 10th

Here are the lists of the winners: Best Female Artist: Yemi Alade Best R&B: Praiz

Mind Entertainment

Pasuma Surprisingly: Pasuma beats Phyno, Olamide and Flavour

Kiss Daniel

Osas Ighodaro-Ajibade and Ice Prince

Praiz

Jaywon

Juliet Ibrahim, Makonnen-Pongo and Sonia Ibrahim

Simi at the event

Sonia Ibrahim

Sheyman

Yemi Alade

Fally Pupa

DJ Cuppy

Ruth-Kadiri

Simi

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

L7 Interview

particular about ect of movies Continued from

Pfromfrom

L2

P

Do you have any project you are doing with your state government?

wear it.

You are one of the few celebrities who are still off scandal; what is the trick?

Tell us about your love for tattoos.

A lot of people with no tattoos always say they do not have, simply because they cannot stand the pain. How do you stand the pain?

As part of giving back to the society, what projects are you doing to give back to the society?

Some people are of the opinion that you are an arrogant person, how true is that?

actress, like how much were you paid?

Talking about your background a bit; are you a devoted Muslim?

in 2004.

be caught wearing? out without?

How many times do you pray daily?

A lot of ladies subscribe to waist trainer; do you?

How would you describe your fashion style, personally?

Do you do the mandatory fast?

Will you marry a Muslim?

There has been this rumour that you did plastic surgery; was that true, and how did you feel when you heard it?

If you have to pick someone international to work with, who will it be, and why?

What is weakness?

your

Are your recommended?

fashion

contacts

What do you look out for in a man; I mean what strikes you when you see one?

Do you think Nigerian men are romantic?

Back to your movie career; do you have a dream role?

Is Rukky in a relationship now?

Have you ever been heartbroken?

colleagues delve into music and politics; what should we expect from your platform?

You were naturally born fair, but there is a lot of the ladies now who go to the extent of bleaching their skins; what do you have to say to that?

What advice do you have for young people who see you as a mentor?

What was it like?

If there was something you could do to change the hands of time, what exactly would you do?

Should we expect you at the politics scene?

What is your best drink?

Are you governor?

close

to

your What dresses do you believe suits you the best?

Don’t do anything you will eventually regret; it’s not worth it. There is no point in having something that will frizzle away.

– Rukky Sanda

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, September 10, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

140 AMC Channel

152 Africa Magic Epic

14:35

17:03

Thu, Sep 10 | 16

Thu, Sep 10 | 16

Three short stories (Morella, The Black Cat and The Case Of M Valdemar) based on the works of horror writer, Edgar Allan Poe, featuring Vincent Price in the starring role. Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Joyce Jameson, Peter Lorre, Debra Paget. (1962) Roger Corman.

101 M-Net

118 Telemundo

L8 Television

Two missionaries arrive at a kingdom to introduce Christianity.

Single, Ogbonnaya Okereke.

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

On Sunshine

On Patrol

155 AfricaMagic World

Patrol

John Oliver

154 AfricaMagic Family

Patrol

Patrol Kingdom

Kingdom

AMBODE X2 S GE ED PL INVESTMENT IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Poster!

FRANKIE FREDERICKS X4,5 Thursday, September 10, 2015

I’LL MISS BARCA, MESSI

Eagles plan 3-match assault in Europe X3

X8

– PEDRO

FEDERER TOPS WORLD’S WEALTHIEST TENNIS PLAYERS X7

X2

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

EAGLES WILL BE BETTER AGAINST EGYPT- MUSA

Andrew Ekejiuba

I

n furtherance to his campaign promise of increased investment in sports development, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has reiterated that sports remains one of the avenues to develop the younger generation and encourage social integration among people of different race or tongue, pledging that his administration remains committed to the development of sports and sporting facilities in the state to encourage greater participation.

The Governor noted that while efforts is on going to reduce crime and criminal activities in the state, attention will be given to the provision of modern sports facilities and encouragement of young sports men and women in order to turn the vulnerable youths away from criminal activities, using sports as a veritable alternative.

Governor Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule was speaking in his office while receiving members of the Green Team Nigeria, an international basketball organization that promotes the development of the game amongst children in Nigeria, praised the team for doing Nigeria proud at the international competition held recently in the city of Matera, Italy.

Governor Ambode enjoined the team not to rest on its oars but continue to strive for excellence in the game of basketball, pledging government’s support for the team and other similar groups in the state committed to the development of the sporting prowess

Stories by Mike Otanwa

S

AMBODE

pledges investment in sports development of Nigerian children, especially of Lagos extraction.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the Green Team Nigeria, Jerry Frankie Aigbede thanked the government of Lagos State for receiving the team, which he said had represented Nigeria and Africa at the Mini International Basketball International tournament, held in Matera, Italy.

Aigbede stated that the Green Team

Nigeria is the first African team to participate at the competition since its inception in 1993, adding that the children were delighted to participate at the competition, which he said exposed them to the spirit of competition and cultural exchange with other children from other countries.

“In order to address the societal disadvantage, marginalization and discouragement which the youths face

Lagos State deputy governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, receiving a trophy won by Green Team Nigeria from their coach, Adams Igio, when the team visited the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode. With them is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Social development, Mr Hakeem Muri- Okunola (right) and the Founder of the Green Team Nigeria Mr Jerry Frankie Aigbede (left).

today, government at the local, state and federal level must use sports to develop the youths and take them out of their present state of despair to sporting greats, that will continue to do the country proud at international competitions”, Aigbede stated.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of awards won by the team in Italy to the governor, which the deputy governor received on his behalf.

uper Eagles stand-in captain, Ahmed Musa, has said that Nigeria should expect a much improved performance from the team in their next 2017 AFCON qualifier against Egypt in March.

Nigeria will first welcome the Pharaohs between March 23 and 26, before they then travel to Cairo between March 26 and 29.

Musa, who opened scoring for the Eagles from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Mena of Niger on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, said the new team coach Sunday Oliseh is building will strike a better understanding before the double header against Egypt.

“I am very happy that we beat Niger Republic and played better than we did against Tanzania. Though it was a friendly, I am sure it served the purpose of getting us to player better as a team,” CSKA Moscow star, Musa said.

“Nigerians should therefore expect to see a better Eagles by the time we play against Egypt in our next Nations Cup qualifiers next year.

“We are on track and improving as a team.”

On why he celebrated his goal with Oliseh, the flying forward said: “Just to say congratulations to the coach that we are on our way to our first victory for the new coach.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

Eagles plan 3-match assault in Europe

Oliseh

Stories by Mike Otanwa

I

t has been learnt that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working on an ambitious threematch friendly series in London and Belgium, which will involve Cameroon, Ghana and Congo, next month.

The matches will be played between October 5 and 13.

The discussions have reached an advanced stage for the Super Eagles to take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon next month in a FIFA-friendly window next month.

And now the proposal has taken on

two more countries, Ghana and Congo, with London and Belgium being proposed as match venues.

There are two FIFA friendly windows left for this year – 5-13 October and 9-17 November.

The NFF have swung into action to make the most of these openings so as to fast track the rebuilding of the Eagles under new coach Sunday Oliseh ahead of a 2017 AFCON double header against Egypt in March.

“We are still working on this plan, but we will give it our best shot because we need to get the new team to be ready for the decisive AFCON qualifiers against Egypt next year,” a top official said.

The Super Eagles have recorded four points after two matches, two points behind Egypt, in the race for an automatic place for Gabon 2017.

Nigeria will first welcome the Pharaohs of Egypt between March 23 and 26, before they then travel to Cairo between March 26 and 29 in what many consider as the games to determine the overall winners of this AFCON qualifying group for Gabon.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 09/09/2015 No.

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1.

Man City

4

4

0

0

10

0

10

12

2.

C.Palace

4

3

0

1

8

5

3

9

3.

Leicester

4

2

2

0

8

5

3

8

4.

Swansea

4

2

2

0

7

4

3

8

5.

Man Utd

4

2

1

1

3

2

1

7

6.

Arsenal

4

2

1

1

3

3

0

7

7.

Liverpool

4

2

1

1

2

3

-1

7

8.

West Ham

4

2

0

2

9

6

3

6

9.

Everton

4

1

2

1

5

4

1

5

10.

Southampton

4

1

2

1

5

5

0

5

11.

Bournemouth

4

1

1

2

5

6

-1

4

12.

Aston Villa

4

1

1

2

4

5

-1

4

13.

Chelsea

4

1

1

2

6

9

-3

4

14.

Norwich

4

1

1

2

5

8

-3

4

15.

West Brom

4

1

1

2

3

6

-3

4

16.

Tottenham

4

0

3

1

3

4

-1

3

17.

Watford

4

0

3

1

2

4

-2

3

18.

Stoke

4

0

2

2

3

5

-2

2

19.

Newcastle

4

0

2

2

2

5

-3

2

Akpan 20.

Sunderland

4

0

2

2

6

10

-4

2

Fit-Again, Eyes Fulham Clash

BAN REPORT: OKAGBARE REMAINS QUIET

N

A

frica’s fastest woman, Blessing OkagbareIghoteguonor, has said that she will prefer to stay quiet over reports of her ban by Nigeria.

The media in Nigeria reported that the country’s sports commission, which also acts as the sports ministry, has slammed a ban on the African 100m and 200m women’s champion for her alleged refusal to run for the West African nation in the IAAF World Championship in Beijing, China and the ongoing All Africa Games (AAG) in Congo.

But Okagbare-Ighoteguonor wants to remain quiet until she finds out the “reasons” for her ban from the Olympic Games billed for Rio de Janeiro in August 2016.

“I am not saying anything now until I get to the bottom of this and their reasons,” Okagbare-Ighoteguonor simply responded to supersport.com when asked about her reported ban.

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Al Hassan Yakmut, believes that Okagbare’s refusal to run at the IAAF World Championship and All Africa Games, and later featuring at the Diamond League as “rubbishing our country before the international community.”

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor had withdrawn from the 200 metres of the IAAF World Championship in Beijing citing a sore hamstring.

But she later honoured the Diamond League in Zurich, Switzerland, where she finished second behind Jamaica’s Ann Fraser-Pryce in the women’s 100 metres in a time of 10.98 seconds.

X3

Okagbare

igeria midfielder Hope Akpan has returned to fitness as he trained with his club Blackburn Rovers ahead of Sunday’s game at Fulham.

Akpan missed the goalless draw with Bolton before the international break due to an ankle injury, but he trained with the team on Monday as they prepare for the clash with Fulham.

“I was upset about not being able to participate in the Bolton match, but that’s just part and parcel of the game,” Akpan said.

“I’ve been back training during the international break so I’m just trying to get back fully fit and be ready for selection against Fulham on Sunday.”

Akpan joined Blackburn Rovers from Reading this summer and debuted in a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town, showing good qualities on the pitch.

The Nigeria midfielder, however, promised his team will see more of him as the league goes on.

“I think I’ve done okay,” said the 24-year-old, whose final full season with Reading was disrupted by a serious

shoulder injury sustained while on international duty.

“I wanted to try and hit the ground running and I feel I’ve done okay.

Akpan

OLISEH HINTS AT MORE HOME BASED PLAYERS INVITATION

S

uper Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf has hinted there could be more home based players in the main Super Eagles team the next time they converge for a competitive fixture.

Six home based players were selected for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, even though only one - Solomon Kwambe - got to feature.

But Salisu has said that they are happy with the progress shown by the home lads, and may be including more than six of them for their next competitive game.

“I feel great and happy for the home lads because the league

has been ongoing and they have been working hard.

“Everybody now has the opportunity to exhibit his quality and talent and in the nearest future, maybe we will see more than six in the team,” Salisu told News24.

However, three players - Solomon Kwambe, Chima Alas and Usman Mohamed started against Les Mena of Niger Republic in the international friendly at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

100 metres, 200 metres

World Cup Gold medal – 1st place 200 m Silver medal – 2nd place Silver medal – 2nd place Bronze medal – 3rd place 4×100 m relay

Commonwealth Games Gold medal – 1st place Gold medal – 1st place Silver medal – 2nd place 100 m Bronze medal – 3rd place

All-Africa Games Gold medal – 1st place 100 m Gold medal – 1st place 200 m Silver medal – 2nd place 200 m

100 m

200 m 1994 London 200 m 2002 Madrid 1998 Johannesburg

1998 Johannesburg

1994 Victoria

200 m 1994 Victoria 2002 Manchester 200 m 1998 Kuala Lumpur

2003 Abuja

1991 Cairo

1991 Cairo

World Championships 1993 Stuttgart Gold medal – 1st place 200 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1991 Tokyo 200 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1995 Gothenburg 200 m 200 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1997 Athens World Indoor Championships 1999 Gold medal – 1st place 200 m Maebashi 60 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1993 Toronto

Competitor for Namibia Olympic Games Silver medal – 2nd place 1992 Barcelona 100 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1992 Barcelona 200 m 100 m Silver medal – 2nd place 1996 Atlanta 200 m a Atlant 1996 Silver medal – 2nd place

Event(s): Medal Record

Name: Frankie Fredericks Namibian Nationality: October 2, 1967 Born: Windhoek, South West Africa 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Height: 72 kg (159 lb; 11.3 st) Weight:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4

EXTRATIME Thursday, September 10, 2015

FREDERICKS

Frankie

F r e d e r i c ks

Commitment

Biography

Frank “Frankie” Fredericks is a former track

About

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

X5

X6

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

FEATURE

VASQUEZ: LET’S KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE

R

eal Salt Lake’s Guatemalan centre-half Elias Vasquez grew used to rejection in the early stages of his career, which he began as a versatile forward capable of both dropping into the hole and leading the line.

When he failed to make the first team at Aurora one season, his dejection was such that he decided to turn his back on football and devote his energies to becoming a car mechanic.

Then, one day, he heard on the radio that domestic giants Comunicaciones were organising a trial for players his age. Initially reluctant to go along, but encouraged to do so by his brother, Vasquez duly presented himself along with 600 other youngsters all sharing the same dream.

When the hopeful trialists were asked if they were forwards, 400

of them raised their hands. Despite it being his position, Vasquez kept his arms by his side and also decided against raising them when the call for midfielders went out, one answered by 150 of his colleagues that day.

Taking up the story in an interview with FIFA.com, the centre-half said: “When I saw how few players were defenders, I realised that was where I had the best chance of getting a place.”

So what was the secret behind him ultimately earning a deal with one of the biggest clubs in Guatemala?

“Putting myself in a defender’s shoes,” replied the 6’0-tall stopper.

“I used to be a forward and that helped me when it came to trying out as a central defender because I was always analysing defenders, the movements they made, their thought processes and the leadership they showed on the pitch. And it worked out

well for me, thank God.” He added: “Once they’d decided to put their faith in me, I began to grow as a professional. I began to feel comfortable in my new role as a central defender, which is the position I’ve played in ever since and where I feel most at home. To be honest, I don’t miss playing up front now or scoring goals.”

Adapting to circumstances It did not take long for the newly converted defender to show his ability to read the game, adapt to situations and get the edge over opposing players. His promotion to international football soon followed. Appointed captain of Los Cremas for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, he made his full international debut that same year, and though still only 23, he now has more than 30 caps to his name.

As focused as ever in spite of the success that has come his way, Vasquez is currently devoting his energies to Guatemala’s push for a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and their upcoming third-round tie against Antigua and Barbuda.

“I think our minds are set on making it to the World Cup. It’s what everyone in Guatemala is dreaming about,” he said. “The country is going through a lot of political problems right now and the team wants to give the people something to smile about.

“Qualifying matches are very tough. We don’t have an awful lot of information on them, but we’ve studied what material has come our way very closely. They’ve got some players who are playing second-tier football in Europe so we know that they’re going to make life difficult for us.”

Brimming with confidence Turning his attention to Guatemala’s preparations, the No3 had this to say: “We worry about ourselves and not about our rivals and I think we have a lot of ability. It’s 180 minutes and it’s going to be a very tough tie.”

As the Guatemala City-born player confirmed, Los Chapines will be drawing on their strengths on and off the pitch: “One of the biggest things we’ve got going for us is the unity in the

team. We all know what we want to achieve, and though there’s been a bit of a transition, with lots of new faces coming in and people playing in their first qualifiers, there are still some big and experienced names around, like Marco Pappa and Carlos Ruiz.

That blend of youth and experience is an advantage for us, as is the fact that we’re all pulling together and that we want to succeed and to fight to the end to make our dream come true.”

Though the responsibility on Guatemala’s shoulders is great, Vasquez is determined that there should only be one outcome to the tie against the Caribbean islanders: “We know we have to get through, no matter what. If we get knocked out here, it’ll be a failure to all intents and purposes and a step back for Guatemalan football.”

Voicing his side’s determination to succeed, the grounded Vasquez had this to say as he signed off: “It’s up to us to keep our World Cup dream alive.

The objective is very clear and we’ll be giving our all on the pitch to make it a reality.

“We’re not underestimating our opponents. We know it will be tough and we know we have to be fully focused on the job. We’re going out there with the aim of succeeding and making it to the next round.”

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

CORNISH

g

xin o B

g oxin

B

VOWS TO KNOCK OUT UNBEATEN

JOSHUA G

ary Cornish believes he will defeat Olympic champion Anthony Joshua and lift the Commonwealth title in London.

Cornish acknowledges Saturday is the biggest fight of his career and faces an intimidating atmosphere at the 02 Arena, in front of a crowd expected to exceed 12,000.

Despite being the underdog, the 6ft

7in Highland-based fighter believes he is a match for his opponent.

“He’s never fought anyone my size,” Cornish said.

“He’s never fought anyone with my power. We’ll be ready.

“I reckon if I fought the fighters he fought I would have stopped them.”

Both fighters are unbeaten professionally and while Joshua has

c

At

Cornish and Joshua

the superior profile, their records are both strong.

Cornish has 12 knockouts from 21 wins, while Joshua boasts 13 knockouts from 13, with none of his fights going past three rounds.

“We’re both big punchers so I can’t see it going the distance,” he continued.

“I’m a lot different to anyone he’s

fought. I’m there to win and that’s what I’m going to do.”

World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko recently described Joshua as the most promising boxer he’s seen in 25 years.

Despite that praise, Cornish’s trainer Paul Geddes concedes neither fighter has been tested to their limit so far in their careers.

s

ti e l h

i Tenn

Tour of Britain: Genesis reveals 2016 Zero Cycling

FEDERER E TOPS WORLD’S WEALTHIEST TENNIS PLAYERS

Radcliffe

Doping Scandal: Radcliffe defends reputation

P

aula Radcliffe’s physical therapist has defended her reputation after she said that she had been “effectively implicated” in the recent blood-doping scandal.

Gerard Hartmann said: “I would bet my house and all that I have that Paula Radcliffe never took a performanceenhancing drug in her whole athletics career.”

He added: “Between 2001 and 2008 I worked with her almost exclusively and in that period, I never in my life saw anything but an athlete who deplored and fought against performanceenhancing drugs in sport. She was very against anyone who’d take advantage.

Her principles are for clean sport.

“I lived with her in a house in Font Romeu and in the same apartment in Albuquerque. I would absolutely

swear on my life that Paula Radcliffe is the most sincere, genuine, antiperformance-enhancing drug athlete I have ever come across.”

Radcliffe has insisted she has never cheated “in any form whatsoever at any time in my career”, following a parliamentary select committee hearing into doping allegations that she said implicated her by making allusions to a British winner of the London Marathon.

“These accusations threaten to undermine all I have stood and competed for, as well as my hardearned reputation. By linking me to allegations of cheating, damage done to my name and reputation can never be fully repaired, no matter how untrue I know them to be,” said Radcliffe, who in 2003 set the marathon world record of 2hr 15min 25sec in London.

X7

W

ith the US Open Tennis Championships underway in Flushing Meadows, a Wealth-X list of the top 10 wealthiest tennis players shows Roger Federer is way ahead of his peers with a net worth of US$330 million.

The fortune of the five-time champion and second-seeded star, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time and the first male player to win 17 Grand Slams, is more than double that of Maria Sharapova, the wealthiest female tennis player on the list.

Sharapova has dropped out of this year’s tournament due to a lingering leg injury, clearing the way for overwhelming female singles favorite and top seed Serena Williams. The American is ranked third on the Wealth-X list with a US$130 million fortune. She has won the US Open for the last three years and a title at Flushing Meadows would give her a clean sweep of all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2015 – and the US$3.3 million singles prize money.

Her older sister, Venus Williams, has amassed US$70 million, and is the sixth

wealthiest tennis player on the list.

Below is the full list: Rank Name Net Worth * Age Home Country 1. Roger Federer 330 2. Maria Sharapova 160 3. Serena Williams 30 4. Novak Djokovic 110 5. Rafael Nadal 80 6. Venus Williams 70 7. Andrew Murray 70 8. Victoria Azarenka 30 9. Caroline Wozniacki 30 10 Ana Ivanovic 25

34 28 33 28 29 35 28 26 25 27

Switzerland Russia US Serbia Spain US Scotland Belarus Denmark Serbia

Ï nd ƌƈƋƋƈ Wealth-X is the global authority on wealth intelligence, providing sales, marketing, strategy and compliance solutions to clients in the financial services, luxury, not-for-profit and education sectors. Its award-winning research and thought leadership are regularly cited by the world’s media such as CNBC, Financial Times, Thomson Reuters and BBC. Following the acquisition of London-based Ledbury Research in February 2015, Wealth-X now has more than 250 staff in 10 global centers, including Singapore, Hong Kong and New York.

agle-eyed spectators at the Tour of Britain may have spotted team Madison Genesis’ new bikes. The updated 2016 Genesis Zero was debuted on Sunday and features new forks and less weight in a British-designed package.

Although visually similar to the 2015 model, the new Zero is produced from a higher grade of carbon, dropping a claimed 120g in the process to 960g.

The grade in question is 30/40-ton high modulus unidirectional carbon, and as with other bikes in its range Genesis offers the same frame quality from entry level models to top-of-the-line builds.

Forks are one area where those in the know will spot a difference, with Genesis producing a much more tapered form with an aero profile, which again drops weight and reputedly increases comfort.

The forks retain the same crown profile though, so can be fitted to previous years’ frames – another option for weight saving as Genesis claims a 90g saving in the new design.

The Zero Z.i model, as ridden by the Madison Genesis team, comes complete with full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and PRO Vibe carbon finishing kit including handlebars, stem and Di2-compatible seat post. You can watch the Genesis Zero Z.i in action over the course of September in the Tour of Britain.

X8

Thursday, September 10, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Transfers…Transfers…Transfers…

Roma splash 3m Euros on Nigerian youngsters I Umar

t has been revealed that Italian Serie A side Roma are committed to splashing three million Euros on Nigerian youngsters Sadiq Umar and Nura Abdullahi.

Both players have signed for Roma on a year’s loan from modest Spezia and will sign permanent long-term deals should they impress thereafter.

Striker Sadiq Umar will cost Roma 1.7 million Euros, while fullback Abdullahi

TOMKINS

will cost 1.3 million Euros, according to a source familiar with this transaction.

Umar, whose physique and style reminds one of Nwankwo Kanu, scored a record-breaking 26 goals in 27 games in the Italian youth league, while Abdullahi has shown great quality as a defender who loves to join up with the attack.

The players were farmed out to Europe by the Abuja Football College a year and half ago.

hails Moses and Song arrival

W

est Ham United defender James Tomkins has hailed the arrival of Nigerian Victor Moses and Cameroon’s Alex Song, who will both spend the 2015/16 season on loan at the London club.

Song has arrived at Upton Park for the second season running and Tomkins is excited to work with the former Arsenal player again.

“If we can get him playing like we did when he started here last year he was unbelievable,” Tomkins said.

“He comes here with massive experience and hopefully he can do the same with us. He knows the club and it is a great for us that we managed to sign him. The squad is looking much bigger and stronger now.

The Hammers also secured the services of Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season on deadline day.

“I know Victor Moses well fairly well from our time playing together

for England [at youth level].

“He was brilliant for Stoke last season and is a nightmare to mark.

The lads have already seen that in training. He can be a match winner o n his day and I will try and help him settle in as I know him well.

Moses

Cardiff City to ship out AJAYI

F

o r m e r Nigeria youth international Semilore Ajayi, who joined Cardiff City from Arsenal, may be sent out on loan to gain more experience, City boss Russell Slade has disclosed.

Cardiff City have 11 players out on loan and Ajayi may join this list soon.

Nomadic Uche moves to India

F

ormer Nigeria international, Kalu Uche, has teamed up with Indian Super League team Pune City FC, the club have announced.

This will be the eighth country the ex-Nigeria World Cup star has played in.

The former Kasimpasa forward will play under Ex-England legend, David Platt.

The 32-year-old striker who last played for Levante in Spain will play alongside Andria Mutu, Didier Zokora and Sanli Tuncay.

He has played for Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Now Heartland), Espanyol, America, Levante (all Spain), Wisla Kraków (Poland), Bordeaux (France), Neuchatel Xamax (Switzerland), El Jaish, Al Rayyan (Qatar) and Kasimpasa (Turkey).

“I have watched Semi in a couple of matches and he’s done really well. I’d like him to play league matches,” said Slade.

“We allowed Rhys Healy to join Dundee FC to gain experience and it may be that Matty and Semi will benefit from similar opportunities.”

The towering 21-year-old defender was part of the Nigeria U20 squad ahead of the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

He has played for Charlton Athletic.

I’ll miss Barca and Messi – Pedro

P

edro Rodriguez admits he will miss his former Barcelona team-mates, and Lionel Messi in particular, following his off-season move to Chelsea.

Pedro had been strongly linked with Manchester United throughout the recently-concluded transfer period, but eventually joined the Blues in a £19 million transfer.

After scoring on his debut against West Bromwich Albion, much is expected from the three-time Champions League winner as Jose Mourinho’s men look to gain momentum after a stuttering start to the defence of their Premier league title.

And, despite the forward hitting the

ground running in England, Pedro admits it is a strange feeling not to be surrounded by the Barca players he shared a dressing room with for most of his career.

“Imagine on the pitch, after so much time, not being able to find Messi, [Jordi] Alba, Busi [Sergio Busquets] or Andres [Iniesta] it was strange,” the 28-year, who won 20 trophies in all competitions with Barca, told El Pais.

“Luckily, if [Vicente] Del Bosque wants, I will be able to continue playing with them for Spain, but Leo I’m going to miss a lot.”

Pedro, who made his debut for Barcelona is 2007, scored 99 goals in 321 appearances before his move to Chelsea.

Uche

Pedro