NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 5th May 2015.
EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 5th May 2015. Currency
Buying(NGN)
Central (NGN)
GAINERS
Selling(NGN)
LOSERS
US DOLLAR
196
196.5
197
TOTAL
157.4
7.07
4.49%
NESTLE
935.75
-14.25
-1.52%
POUNDS STERLING
295.8424
296.5971
297.3518
CONOIL
38.02
1.81
4.76%
NB
157
-1.00
-0.64%
169
-1.00
-0.59%
11
-0.58
-5.27%
EURO
217.9324
218.4884
219.0443
ETI
22.28
1.06
4.76%
GUINNESS
SWISS FRANC
209.8052
210.3404
210.8756
WAPCO
95
1.00
1.05%
CCNN
https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR
www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr
NIGERIA
ABUJA Low 26°C High 39°C
https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts
dailytimesng
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.101
ENUGU Low 26°C High 35°C
KANO Low 25°C High 47°C
LAGOS Low 27°C High 35°C
MAIDUGURI
N150
P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 33°C
Low 29°C High 45°C
FG: Nigeria broke, takes
loans to pay salaries
4
We have serious challenges, things have been tough since the beginning of the year and they are likely to remain so till the end of the year – Okonjo-Iweala
President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), (middle); Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (5th left), National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (4th left) and others when the President-elect met with the APC Governors and APC Governors-elect at the Defence House, Abuja… on Tuesday
I’ve proof Mu’azu sold out PDP to APC – Fayose
Niger Speaker, others removed after 4 bid to sack governor 4 Ï d ƕ è ó9 Ɛ MƢƠƌè Ɛ MơƠƠƌ ƇƏ ƌ Mz ô Ï Jonathan: Stop the blame game Champions League: Juventus 2 – 1 Real Madrid
I’ll buy Arsenal FC one day, Dangote X2 assures
Smoked fish dangerous to health, says NSPRI 31
2
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
s
Editorial Nigerian children and road accidents
A
ny one going through the statistics of accidents involving children on Nigerian roads will not but shudder at the mindless waste of the country’s future generation. Recently, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) revealed that 1,903 children died in road accidents from 2010 to 2014. According to the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Imoh Etuk, another 8,667 children were also injured in 61,806 reported cases during this period. A breakdown showed that a total of 1,138 male and 765 female children died in the past five years, while 5,426 male and 3,241 female children were injured in the period under review. Definitely, the entire picture reflects the poor state of our road infrastructure and the low premium placed on human lives, especially those of children. Even at that, the FRSC says the country loses an average of 11 persons every day from road accidents. Incidentally, while an adult is capable of taking some evasive actions in the event of an accident, children are often helpless and will always rely on the assistance of those around them. Such assistance in times of emergencies falls within the purview of parents and guardians who are responsible for making sure their children travel safely. It has been established that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children, and more kids die in automobile accidents than in any other type of unintentional injury. For those traveling in private vehicles, it is imperative to use child safety seat, because it reduces the risk of a potentially fatal
injury substantially for kids. In all, it is worth rehashing that the increasing road accidents involving children are alarming. We therefore condemn such wanton and senseless loss of lives on our roads. Those charged with construction, maintenance, policing, licensing vehicles and drivers ought to declare a state of emergency on our roads with a view to reducing the carnage that is killing our children daily. Surprisingly, the FRSC is also constituting a hindrance in the management of vehicular movement in the country because its traffic education and enlightenment unit has not lived up to its responsibility of checking reckless driving on our roads. We therefore ask that they engage in planned investment in improving the quality of the traffic system. Traffic management strategies recognise that speed management is central to an effective road safety management. However, we are yet to see or hear that the FRSC has procured breathalysers, speed cameras and vehicles to improve road safety. Yet, road accidents are largely preventable. The campaign must start with drivers who should realise that they endanger their own lives and others’ when they drive recklessly, break traffic rules or use telephones while on the steering. Moreover, the authorities should enforce the rules on tyres, smoking vehicles, over-speeding and use of seat belts. In addition, all agencies charged with road safety should intensify efforts at raising considerable public awareness on highway safety. This way we can reduce the untimely deaths of our children and save their future.
More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR
House divided within itself? Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏWhat
perhaps serves as a signpost to the future that awaits the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come May 29, 2015 when it officially takes a back seat in the governance of the country at the federal level, happened on Monday when the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) threw caution to the winds and washed its hands off the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the recent election. Olisah Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the
party, made the NWC’s position public while addressing newsmen in Abuja, saying the hate campaign strategy of the President’s handlers was reason his loss. He added that the advice and suggestions of the NWC were ignored by the President’s handlers, insisting that the NWC cannot be held responsible for Jonathan’s failure to win the poll. Though the PDP NWC can go on in the blame game, many Nigerians are amused as they see the NWC’s action as washing the party’s dirty linen in the public which not only is uncalled for, but provides ammunition to the party’s opponents. The NWC’s position also goes to show how divided the PDP
Words On Marble :
dailytimesng
is which the loss of the Presidency has accentuated. It is easy for the NWC now to lay blame for Jonathan’s loss on his handlers, but would this have been the case if Jonathan had won? If Jonathan had secure reelection, the singsong of the PDP’s NWC would have been different. They would have clinked glasses, ascribing the feat to their hard work and political sagacity. So, enough of the vituperation. Rather than the blame game, the NWC should put the loss the party suffered in the 2015 general election behind them, focus on rebuilding the PDP, be a responsible opposition and work towards winning the next election.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr
Publisher
Fidelis Anosike
Group Managing Director
Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects
Associate Editors
Tunji Okegbola
Isime Esene Remi Ogunkoya
Chief Commercial Officer
Editorial Director
Group News Editor
Group Managing Editor
Deputy Editors
Editorial Page Editor
Noel Anosike
Doyin Awomosu
Gabriella Osamor
Editor
Yinka Olujimi
Chude Jideonwo Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh
Acting Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Lateef Ibrahim
Segun Adio Okay Osuji
Sports Editor
Andrew Ekejiuba
Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo
Online Editor
Adetayo Adelaja
Business Editor
Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde
Head Graphics King Ododoru
The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Angela Davis
Barbara Jordan
Malcolm X
Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary’s life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime.
Fairness is an across-theboard requirement for all our interactions with each other ...Fairness treats everybody the same.
Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
‘Nigeria broke, pays salaries with loans’ Mathew Dadiya Abuja
ÏÏÏOil revenue is currently 50
percent, creating a stifling cash crunch that Nigeria is that may remain with the country till the end of the year 2015, according to the Federal Government. The government has had to engage in borrowing, it added. Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okojo-Iweala made these disclosures on Tuesday while briefing finance correspondents in Abuja on the finalized 2015 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly. The revenue challenges are so enormous that “there has been no
capital budget release so far this year,” she added. Okonjo-Iweala noted that as a result of the 50% decline in oil revenues, Nigeria has faced a difficult cash crunch and the Federal Government has focused on keeping the economy stable and the government running through a series of measures such as borrowing, to manage the cash crunch in the economy. She revealed that out of the N882 billon budgetary provision for borrowing in 2015, the government has borrowed N473 billion between January and May to meet up with recurrent expenditure, including salaries and overheads. She said: “I have been honest
with you since the current economic problems started. I would like to repeat: we have serious challenges, things have been tough since the beginning of the year and they are likely to remain so till the end of the year. We have serious challenges but we also have strengths and if we do the right things we can keep a steady course and emerge out of the current situation.” Okonjo-Iweala continued: “I just want to clarify that there has been some misinformation that the National Assembly passed the budget without the fuel subsidy. It is important to note that the National Assembly approved N100 billion provision for PMS (petroleum motor spirit) and N45.52 bil-
L-R Engr Rotimi Fashakin, Paul Ibe, Mrs Gloria Adagbon, Ayobami Oyalowo, Mallam Garba Shehu, President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari, Ms Lauretta Onochie and Alaba Yusuf during the presentation of a congratulatory card by the Media Team to the President-elect at the Defence House, Abuja ... on Tuesday
lion for kerosene. “We’ve received the budget Act just last week from the National Assembly and we just want to share with you some of the parameters on what is the difference so that you can be up to date with us on where we are on the budget.” “In spite of this challenge, government has managed to keep the economy stable to the point that the Nigerian economy which is projected to grow by 4.8% this year is, according to respected analysts, doing much better than many other oil producing countries,” the minister added. She observed that one positive feature despite the clear challenges was the fact that food prices, though inching up were still quite stable and inflation was still in single digits noting that, this has helped to reduce some of the pressure that Nigerians are going through. However, she said “We also have the advantage that we are an asset rich country and that is a definite strength.” According to the minister, it is a challenging time and requires daily, weekly and monthly management to keep the country going and that’s what we have been doing. She stated that the National Assembly passed a benchmark oil price of US$53 per barrel ($1 higher than the budget proposal; generating an extra revenue cost of N54.25 billion for FGN). The legislators retained the oil production volume of 2.2782mbpd and exchange rate of N190/$, which according to the minister Continued on page 6
Niger Assembly Speaker, others removed after bid to sack governor Pita Chikwem Minna
ÏÏÏActivities
of Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday were nearly paralysed following the impeachment of the Speaker, Barrister Usman Adamu. All roads leading to the Assembly complex were closed to both human and vehicular traffic with over 200 armed policemen and other security agents keeping vigil at the complex and preventing people from coming in. But the Assembly members who defied the presence of the armed security men at the gate, forced their way into the Assembly complex after damaging the key and the chain used in locking it. They threatened to resist any attempt by the security agents to prevent them from gaining entrance into the chamber and after a hot exchange, the lawmakers forced their way in. After about an hour, the mace arrived and the lawmakers settled down for the business of the day with 21 out of the 25 members present. The member representing Agaie constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Akwanu, who is the House chairman, Business and Rules, told the lawmakers that after the House executive meeting on MonContinued on page 6
I’ve proof Mu’azu sold out PDP to APC – Fayose Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Eķiti, Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
ÏÏÏ“I am even more particular
about the National Chairman because he sold the party to the opposition. I have cogent evidence of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections and if they go any further, I will expose all his underhand deals.” Those were the words of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose on Tuesday, accusing the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deny President Goodluck Jonathan reelection.
The President has, however, asked members of the party to stop the blame game. Jonathan lost the recent presidential election to Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and will hand over power on May 29, the first time that the opposition will successfully wrest power at the centre from the PDP since the return of democratic governance in 1999. But, Mu’azu, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, denied allegations that he worked for the Buhari candidature. He pledged to remain in the PDP and strengthen it for future elections. Fayose, who insisted that the Mu’azu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party
must be dissolved, said his call was in good faith, and in the overall interest of the PDP. He also faulted the NWC’s claim that it gave N100 million to each of the PDP’s governorship candidates in the last election, or the party’s leaders in states where it didn’t have a sitting governor. Fayose said he got “only” N30 million. The Ekiti Governor declared: “I have no apology for my position on the NWC because their responsibility as a party does not take away their failure in the last general elections.” Fayose said: “Only N30 million was received for the last two elections and to the glory of the
Almighty God and support of Ekiti people, we won all elections outright. I therefore demand for the mode with which money was released to me by the NWC.” In a release issued in Ado-Ekiti by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, Fayose reiterated his commitment to the PDP, pointing out that if it remained only him in the party, he would continue to defend its cause. “If it remains only me, I will continue to defend the cause of this party because some people are born to stand up at difficult times, and I believe I am one such people born to stand up for the PDP at this difficult time,” he
said. Reiterating his call for the dissolution of the NWC, Governor Fayose said; “In saner climes, when a war commander leads his troop to an embarrassing defeat, such commander does not need anyone to tell him that he needs to leave the war front for another commander to take over.” While describing the attack on his person by the NWC as unfortunate, the governor said it was sad that the NWC members, including the National Chairman, were refusing to allow new people to run the party after managing it into its first national electoral failure. Continued on page 6
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
5 News
Ministry of Finance assures staff of improved welfare Matthew Dadiya Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) in a group photo with members of the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations after breakfast meeting in Abuja… on Tuesday
Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that the ministry was committed to improving the welfare of its staff. She said this on Tuesday, during the inauguration of staff welfare facilities, including a creche and staff clinic at the Ministry’s headquarters, in Abuja. Okonjo-Iweala assured them that the ministry would not relent in ensuring that its staff carried out
their assignments in a conducive environment. Said she: “We want to show that we are a family-friendly ministry. We want to ensure that all staff working here, especially, nursing mothers or those who have children below two years, are not prevented from coming to work. “We need the clinic, because the amount of pressure we pass through in the Ministry of Finance, is unbelievable.” She urged the staff to make proper use of the clinic to improve their health and ensure the maintenance of the facilities.
2015 polls: Nigerians should be grateful to Jonathan –Anyaoku Egena Egena Abuja
ÏÏÏFormer
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Tuesday, said Nigerians owed President Goodluck Jonathan a debt of gratitude for his roles in the conduct of successful elections this year. Anyaoku, who is chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations,
spoke after a breakfast meeting with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He noted that Jonathan’s magnanimity in calling the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on the telephone to congratulate him, even before the final results of the presidential election was announced, was highly commendable. According to him, that singular act earned Nigeria a great
deal of global admiration and respect. Anyaoku explained that the meeting would be the last that Jonathan would hold with members of the Council. “We had an excellent valedictory meeting. It is the last for our Council. It is the last we are meeting with the out-going President. “We told him that our nation, Nigeria, owes him a huge debt of gratitude, for what he has done,
Presidential Amnesty programme divides ex-militant groups Akam James Yenagoa
ÏÏÏEx-freedom
fighters in the Niger Delta region, are squabbling over the Presidential Amnesty programme by the Federal Government to repentant militants, just as some say the programme was a waste and the country was running a huge budget in funding it. While some sections of the ex-militants vowed to resist any attempt by the in-coming Federal Government to scrap the programme, others claimed the programme had only benefitted a selected few and should be scrapped.
Driver quizzed over death of friend
Mr. Eyiri Emami, an ex-warlord, protested the continuation of the programme and called on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to scrap the programme on claims that it was not beneficial to the Niger Delta region. The exmilitants, who stated this under the auspices of Leadership, Peace & Cultural Development Initiative, led by its president, Pastor Reuben Wilson, also called on all the beneficiaries of the programme to be on red alert for any eventuality. They warned Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignore calls by mischievous people, who tend to
Joy Anyim Ndudi
ÏÏÏA trailer driver, with a com-
pany in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, identified as Tunde Azeez, is being interrogated at the state
in terms of the success of the elections and, above all, in terms of the gesture of picking up the telephone and congratulating the President-elect, even before the final results of the elections were announced. “That singular act has earned our country a great deal of admiration and respect abroad. We thanked him and congratulated him and wished him well in his future endeavour”, he added.
Anyaoku
Xenophobia: Senate urges Jonathan to recall Perm Sec
misinform the in-coming Buhari administration by creating conflict in the region. Wilson explained that Emami is an ethnic warlord, who is trying to encourage trouble, and is not even an ex-freedom fighter. According to him, he was not among those who surrendered their arms to the government in the interest of peace. He further stated that Emami’s call was based on his pathological hatred for the Ijaw people and his misconceived idea that they were the major beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, based on their population, and participation in the agitation of the emancipation of the region.
Sunday Isuwa
dent Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision to sack the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, over his poor handling of the xenophobic incidents between South Africa and Nigeria. This was part of the resolutions arrived at by the Senate, after debating the decision taken by Jonathan, as was raised on the floor of the Senate by the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi. Sheni was recently relieved of his duty due to his poor handling of diplomatic issues between Nige-
ria and other countries, including the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the alleged phone calls to the Moroccan monarch by Jonathan. In a move to save Sheni from total dismissal from service, Ningi, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Bauchi Central, had raised the matter, calling on the President to temper justice with mercy. Ningi, who raised the matter through Order 43, requested the Senate to plead with Jonathan to forgive Sheni, a request to which the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, said would be forwarded to Jonathan.
Criminal Investigation Department over the alleged death of one Lukman Ayedun, said to be his colleague. Daily Times gathered that
the suspect and the deceased allegedly had an argument over food bought by the suspect. The argument, however, allegedly resulted in a fight which led to the
death of Ayedun. The incident, which happened on May 3, 2015, at about 8:42 p.m. was first reported at the Festac police division.
Abuja
ÏÏÏThe Senate has urged Presi-
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
‘I’ve proof Mu’azu sold out PDP to APC’ Continued from page 4 “How do we explain the PDP losing so scandalously in Bauchi State, despite the presence of the National Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Minister and the State governor? “I am even more particular about the National Chairman because he sold the party to the opposition. I have cogent evidence of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections and if they go any further, I will expose all his underhand deals.,” he said. Fayose added: “I want to say it again that I have no apology for
calling for the resignation of the NWC members, especially the National Chairman. After all, someone resigned his position as the National Chairman for Alhaji Mu’azu to assume office. “Lastly, let me say it categorically that they can only attempt to destroy this party for the moment, not forever. Sooner or later, they will all fade away and PDP will rise again.” President Jonathan has, however, directed members of the PDP to stop trading blames and making any form of accusation regarding the loss of the party in the last general elections. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has also urged
PDP members to drop all forms of “anger, recriminations and blame trading”. Rather, Ekweremadu reasoned that what the PDP members needed to do now is to focus on serious issues that would help to re-invent the party with a view to taking over from the APC in 2019. The directive by the president and the advice by Ekweremadu were made at the inauguration of the party’s Post Election Review Committee in Abuja on Tuesday. The committee is headed by Ekweremadu. The President noted with regrets that rather than carry out a thorough post mortem of the general elections, his party members
were trading blames and abusing themselves. The South West zone of the party has publicly called for the resignation of all members of the Mu’azu-led NWC and to account for billions of Naira they were accused to have embezzled. The NWC on its part, on Monday, denied embezzling money but blamed members of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee for the poor electoral fortunes. It emphasized that it was the hate campaign of the committee
Niger Assembly Speaker, others removed Continued from page 4
President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), (middle); Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (5th left) National Chairman APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun (4th left) and others when the President-elect met with the APC Governors and APC Governors-elect at the Defence House, Abuja… on Tuesday
day, it was agreed that the House should sit for business yesterday (Tuesday) but surprisingly no leader of the House, including the speaker was around. He therefore drew the attention of the House to Order 8 of the House Standing Rules which provides that in the absence of the speaker from the House without any reason, a speaker pro-tempore be appointed to guide the proceeding of the House. Consequently, a motion was moved by Hon. Usman Dada, representing Bosso Constituency for the appointment of a speaker protempore and this was seconded by another member. Hon. Isah Kawu, representing Bida 1 was immediately nominated for the position of the speaker pro-tempore by Hon. Abdullahi
Govt takes loans to pay salaries Continued from page 4 was because the interbank rate now is about N197 to the Dollar. “But the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked us to use the N190/$ because of their feeling about how the exchange rate would move for the rest of the year,” she said. The minister noted that while other components of non-oil revenue were also retained as proposed, the Federal Government’s independent revenue was raised by N39.294 billion, from N450 billion to N489.294 billion. The Coordinating minister also revealed that Gross Federally Collectible Revenue increased by N169.845 billion, from N9.61 tril-
lion to N9.78 trillion, as a direct result of raising the benchmark price, while the FGN Budget Revenue is pegged at: N3.452 trillion, up from N3.358 trillion. The aggregate expenditure passed was N4.493 trillion, N67.43 billion higher than the proposed aggregated expenditure of N4.425 trillion. Debt service remains unchanged N943.62 billion, statutory transfers was increased by N9.34 billion, from N366.28 billion to N375.62 billion while NASS allocation was raised by N5 billion, from N115 billion to N120 billion. Based on formula driven by the increase benchmark oil price, NDDC’s budget was increased from N45.78 billion to N46.72 billion (an increase of N940 mil-
lion), while UBE increased from N67.30 billion to N68.38 billion (an increase of N1.08 billion). These are strictly. According to her, the budget for Public Complain Commission (PCC) was raised by N2 billion, from N2 billion to N4 billion and Human Rights Commission (HRC) was raised by N316 million, from N1.2 billion to N1.516 billion. Aggregate capital expenditure (inclusive of transfers and SURE-P) was increased to N722.20 billion, from N663.67 billion (an increase of about N58.57 billion). This comprises of an increase of N37.77 billion in MDAs’ capital and N20.80 billion for MDGs under capital supplementation. IPPIS capital (N5 billion) was completely removed from the Ap-
against General Buhari that cost the PDP the presidency and other positions. While inaugurating the post electoral review committee, the National secretary of the party, Prof. Adewole Oladipo, who represented Mu’azu, passed President Jonathan’s message to the members in attendance. He said: “Mr. President has given a definite instruction that all acts of unwarranted attacks on the members and leadership of the party must stop forthwith’’.
propriation Bill, while Capital development of National Institute for Legislative Studies was increased by N4 billion (from N2 billion to N6 billion), and N1 billion was provisioned for a new project, National Assembly Clinic The provision of N20.78 billion for SURE-P capital spending was retained; however, Fiscal deficit was decreased from N1,067.12 billion to N1,041.01 billion (a decrease of about N26.11 billion) as a percentage of GDP decreased from 1.11% to 1.09%. “Traditionally the first part of the year witnesses low revenue because tax receipts come in from the middle of the year. This has compounded the challenges caused by the steep drop in revenues due to the oil price fall.”
Akwanu and this was seconded by Hon. Jacob Maggi Gana, representing Lavun Constituency. Thereafter, Gana told the House that the refusal of the leadership of the House to show up after it was agreed from its executive meeting on Monday had caused some level of embarrassment and therefore moved for the removal of the leadership. His motion was seconded by member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Kure. After sacking the leadership of the House, the speaker pro-tempore then called for nomination for the new leadership of the House. Hon. Gana immediately nominated the speaker pro-tempore Hon. Isah Kawu, as the new speaker of the House, Hon. Bello Ahmed (Agwara) Deputy speaker, Hon. Yusuf Kure (Paikoro) Majority leader, andHon. Sa’adatu Kolo(Mashehu) as Chief Whip. The new speaker was immediately sworn-in by the Clerk of the House, Mallam Adamu Kagara Meanwhile, the embattled Speaker, Usman Adamu, said the purported impeachment was null and void and of no effect. He said: “We are still the leaders of the House of Assembly. I am happy they did not accuse any of us of financial mismanagement. “Since January 2015, we have never received overhead cost because of problems associated with federal account. Everybody is aware. I do not control finance, as it comes, I disburse. So, the impeachment beats my imagination. “Whatever you see today is illegal because the mace is under my custody. So whatever decision they took today (Tuesday), it is illegal. “I as the Speaker, my deputy, Abdulraham Bala Gambo, the Chief Whip, Abdulahi Lawal and the Majority Leader, Haruna Labaram, are still in charge.”
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
7 News
Reps consider passage of PIB next week Farmer Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu Abuja
ÏÏÏThe Deputy Speaker, House
of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has said that the House will commence the consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) next week. Ihedioha disclosed this at the plenary on Tuesday announcing that clean copies of the report of its ad hoc committee on the bill have been forwarded to the lawmakers. The ad hoc committee, led by the Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Mohammed Bawa, had presented the report in March, 2015 after almost three years. The committee scrutinised the 363 sections and
annexures of the original bill and made some amendments and recommendations. The 23-member committee held public hearings in the six geo-political zones, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which gave stakeholders and the general public the opportunity to contribute to the law. The original bill covered salient areas such as establishment of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, incorporation of National Gas Company, establishment of Petroleum Directorate and National Asset Management Company as well as imposition of a new tax regime such as the Nigeria Carbon Tax. In the report, the committee recommended the “complete removal” of section 191 of the bill that gives the President discre-
tional powers to grant petroleum licences and lease and instead proposed biddings for the award of licences. On the powers of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the committee retained the conventional powers of the Minister under section 6 of the bill, but, recommended the removal of powers of the Minister, either to serve as chairman or to recommend to the President the appointment of chairmen of boards of such agencies. The committee also amended section 174 recommending that 30 per cent of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) shares be sold through public offers at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as section
185 proposing that 49 per cent of Nigerian Gas Company shares be sold through public offers at the Stock Exchange. The report recommended the creation of Frontier Oil Services Agency in sections 193 to 217 to step up exploration activities in various Frontier Acreages of Nigeria’s oil industry which comprises, among others, the Anambra, Sokoto, Benin, Chad and Benue Basins. The Frontier Oil Service is to be funded through taxes from oil producing operations as well as National Budgetary allocations in a dual funding strategy aimed at strengthening the Agency’s and its operations so as to broaden government’s revenue base. This is captured in section 209.
US envoy urges media to remain unbiased Joy Ekeke
ÏÏÏThe US Consul General, Jef-
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, (middle) hands over the key to the Hearing Room Complex to the President of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN),(right) during its commissioning at the Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. With them is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (left)… on Tuesday.
Tribunal grants Agbaje leave to inspect election materials Titilope Joseph
ÏÏÏ The tribunal on the gover-
norship election has commenced sitting in Lagos State and granted leave to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje, to inspect all polling documents and devices used for the April 11, 2015 election in the state. Tribunal chairman, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, granted the prayer of the petitioner, while ruling on an application filed by Agbaje through his counsel, Clement Onwuenmonor. He also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from card reader machines in each polling unit in the state. The orders were among the five prayers filed by the petitioner. The tribunal had earlier taken the submissions of Onwuenmunor and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) represented by Ademola Sadiq. In his reaction to the ruling, counsel to APC, Sadiq, did not object as he noted that the ruling was made on point of law. Oriji warned lawyers against delaying the hearing and determination of election petitions before
it, adding that the tribunal would not tolerate strategies aimed at delaying the expeditious hearing and determination of petitions by lawyers. He issued the warning during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal which has Justices K. Dabo and Kadi Yusuf as members. The judge noted that election petitions were delicate and sensitive to handle because they must be heard and determined within 180 days as specified by Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution. He said it had been established that any judgment delivered by an Election Tribunal in an election petition after 180 days from the date of filing was a nullity.
frey Hawkins, has said that the US government will continue to support capacity building and defend the freedom of the Press all over the world. Hawkins, who said this during the 2015 World Press Freedom Day, on Tuesday, commended journalists for playing a constructive role in ensuring successful and peaceful general election in Nigeria. The event, with the theme "Assessment of the News Media's Performance covering the justconcluded 2015 General Elections", was held at the Multi-Purpose Room, United States Consulate General, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos. Hawkins however, challenged journalists to continue playing an effective role in amplifying important issues that affect the citizenry. “We all know that a free press is essential to a healthy democracy. Not only during elections, but, every day, every week, every month, and every year, the news media must remain focused and engaged. The news media can be a powerful force for change", he added.
Hawkins
docked over alleged theft of Daniel's property Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏA
Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, granted a 34-year-old farmer, Ariyo Fadipe, a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum over alleged theft of items valued N500 million, property of a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Fadipe, who appeared before the magistrate on account of stealing of Daniel's property, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Famous Edigbue, told the court that the offenses were committed sometime in April, 2014 at about 6:00p.m. at the Golf Resort Hotel, Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta. He said that the accused burgled a building belonging to Daniel and stole several items valued at N500 million. He added that the accused stole 300 pieces of 32-inch plasma television sets, two gold-plated coffee tables, 40 pieces of threehorsepower air conditioners, 30 pieces of B205 swivel chairs and 20 C63 bar tables. "The accused, a farmer, whose farm is close to the golf resort, burgled the building, where all the items were stored and went there, from time to time, to cart away the items. The police, through "tip-offs", traced the accused and caught him in the act with four 32-inch plasma television sets," he said. Edigbue said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 410, 411 (2) and 390 (3) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006. The accused of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of burglary and theft. The defence counsel, Barr. Adebayo Ogungbemi, applied for bail of the accused on liberal terms. The Magistrate, Mr Babajide Ilo, granted the accused a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the accused be remanded in the Ibara prison till the perfection of bail. Ilo adjourned the case to May 19 for further hearing.
8
Daily Times Nigeria zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕè L ƕ Õè ƾƠơǀ
Politics
s
Why Ojudu should continue with Fayose’s impeachment project – Group Ï6Ɔô Ɔ ƐƈƒƆ ƈ ƇƋƑƆ ƅƆ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɛ ƐƆ 1 ƒô ƈƗƆ
RƉƑƗƑ
The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), a coalition of 35 civil rights groups, has called on Senator Babafemi Ojudu to intensify the campaign for the impeachment of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. The group said in a statement that the impeachment move is an historical calling that has the backing of the progressives across the world. According to the group, it is
unfortunate that the Ekiti State Government under Fayose has dedicated huge sum of funds to malign, blackmail and destroy the reputation of one of NigeThe group which expressed solidarity with Ojudu, representing Ekiti Central, who is being maligned for leading the campaign to sanitise distressed Ekiti State, the small agrarian CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
LAGOS SPEAKERSHIP RACE:
Abiru set to succeed Ikuforiji?
Tejuosho
Ikuforiji: ^ ƍ ƏƐƕè ƈ ƆƔƅƋƑ ¸ƒƆƋƕ ƐƆƗ Ƈ Ə ƅƆƋƆƄƏ Ɛ¸ Ɨ ¸ƒ¸ ƍƏ¸ Ə¸Ɛƕ Ɛ ƌƆƏ¸Ɛè ƅ ƌƍƆƐƆ ƅƆ Ɨ Ƅ¸Ƌ¸Ɛƕ Ɛ ƗƆƋ¸ƒƆƏè Ƅ ƒƆ ƋƋ Ɛ ƆƏ Ɔ Ɛ¸ƌƆ Ɛ
Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly
Alade Tasma
Abiru
the State as well as endorsement of the next Assembly.
the Lagos Assembly under the -
the Lagos State House of Assembly and the only returning
turned Lagos Assembly to a model and envy of other states platform of the party would
emerge Speaker of the 8th Assembly. the head of the next Assembly
the State Assembly. His words:
-
for the good of the state when
next Assembly, therefore, shall remarkable
works
embarked
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
9 Politics Group wants Northern Christians in leadership positions
CƆ
Ïd Ə Ɗƈ ƈ ƐƏ ƐƆ ƈƅ Ƌ ƄƄƕƈ
ƌ Ɔƅ ƈ
E
zƈƊƆ
N600m bribe allegation against Rivers REC ruffles feathers The N600 million bribe allegations against the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, is now causing ripples in the states with the All Progressives Congress (APC) which made the allegations wondering why no action is being taken on the allegation. In the countdown to the general elections in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), trounced the ruling APC with a wide margin, the APC had petitioned chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) that PDP bribed INEC REC in Rivers State with a sum of N600 million to buy its victory. But since the submission of petition, the APC is pained that the commission has not done anything to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the allegation. Indeed, the party was taken aback when INEC again allowed the REC to conduct the rescheduled elections fixed for April 25 despite the pending allegations against her. Accordingly, the party has again appealed to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to, as a matter of urgency and in the
interest of the public, investigate the Commission’s REC in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, over allegations that she received a N600 million bribe from the PDP, in the state. The investigation, APC argued, will help INEC determine the level of rot Mrs. Khan has superintended as INEC Boss in Rivers State. In a statement in Port Harcourt signed by Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, APC Chairman in the state, the party argued that the allegation alone is sufficient to disqualify Mrs. Khan from holding such a sensitive public office, or, in fact, any other office of trust. “Mrs. Khan ought to have resigned her appointment longtime ago when it became obvious to her that she lacked the confidence of the APC, and other political parties in Rivers State in her dealings as the electoral supervisor for INEC in Rivers State. If for no other reason Mrs. Khan ought to have cared enough about Nigeria to resign her appointment in order to preserve the integrity of the electoral processes in Rivers State as well as their outcome”, APC said. Mrs. Khan, APC alleged is an
ƅƅ ƏƗƈ Ɛ ^ è ƈ ƑƐƏƈ Ɛ ƅ ƐƏ ƒƆ Ɛƈ Ƈ ƆƏ Ɛ Ƈ ƇƇƈƅƆè LƏ ê E ƍƋ ƕƆƗ ƍ ƏƐƈ ƈƍ Ɨ ƋƋƆ ƈ ƅƆ Ɛ ^#^ Ɠ ƈƋƆ Ɨƈ ƍƋ ƕƈ ƐƈƋƈƐƕ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ^ è Ɨ ƈƐ ƒƆƏ Ə ƈƍ ƅ ƗƈƗ ƐƆ ƓƆƋƋ ƍƆ Ƌƕ Ɨƈ ƍ Ə ƈ APC indisputable hatchet-man for PDP in Rivers state, and is obviously blinded by the ungodly gift from an interested party in the general elections in the state. According to APC, in outright contravention of her oath of office, Mrs. Khan has played par-
tisanship and allegiance to PDP while displaying hostility to the APC, and its governorship candidate as well as openly disparaging APC. Besides, according to APC, “Mrs. Khan has invented every tactic in hell to frustrate the APC from obtaining necessary and relevant, statutory Certified True Copies, CTCs, of electoral materials to use in her petition to the Election Petition Tribunal aware of the time-bound status of election petition matters. The APC said if she had no skeleton in her cupboard, why had she barred APC and her governorship candidate, Dr. Dagogo Peterside, from obtaining the materials despite several letters and complaints?” The APC further argued that justice will be grossly impaired if Mrs. Khan continued in her incumbent office while she faced an investigation saying that it would amount to being the investigator, judge and jury in her own case. APC Rivers state challenged Prof. Jega to a moral test in the hope the allegation will not be CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
As the jostle for the Senate Presidency hots up, a political pressure group, Arewa Progressive Front for Change has called on leaders from the North to consider the choice of a Northern Christian for the position. The group which made the call in Abuja lamented the marginalisation of Northern Christians in the polity, whereby Christians are only remembered as part of the north during the agitation process but forgotten after the battle. The call is coming as top contender for the post, Senator Bukola Saraki has commenced strategic lobbying of key groups in the senate with a view to clinching the post. But in a statement signed by the group’s Albanian Ibrahim Abubakar and Comrade Isaac Ikpa, National President and Secretary General respectively, the group called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the elected members to ensure that the zoning formula accommodates all interests most especially religion. According to the group “the consideration of a Christian candidate will further quell rumours and insinuations that the APC is an Islamic set up to foster a monoreligious agenda in Nigeria”. “There have been rumours that the All Progressives Congress (APC), is an Islamic party and as such we believe that the party leadership will do well to disperse such allegations by allowing and supporting the choice of a CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Saraki
Politics 10
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Who succeeds Ikuforiji? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
be expected of the 8th Lagos Assembly, a member-elect
group of House corresponrents
aka Barometre, as the next Speaker of the 8th Assembly
stands out the Lagos Assembly
allowed to freely chose among
the House.
of
His words: “The pupose governance at any level
character at the top comes from
9ƊƑƇ ƏƈƉƈ
of the current assembly where
achieve the best for the state and
same as the deputy governor and the state has been the
of another arm of government
Lagos House under competent
Asked what happens if the
`ƈƍƍƋƆ ƒƆƏ MÕƠƠƌ ƄƏƈƄƆ ƋƋƆ Ɛƈ ƈ Ɛ `ƈƒƆƏ `& CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 swept under the carpet. “We challenge Jega to a moral test, how he will sweep this one under the carpet. We challenge him to prove to the world that there is nothing “special” about Khan that is yet hidden from others. The party expressed dismay
that Prof. Jega had retained Mrs. Khan in Rivers State with the excess baggage on her head. “We wonder why Jega has allowed REC Khan to remain in Rivers State as she is an antithesis of democracy and asked her to stand aside as REC while investigations last as the practice worldwide.
The party called on Jega to take this step to reaffirm INEC’S stance as an impartial umpire and in justification of the testimonials of him as an honourable man and an incorruptible judge in order not to allow Mrs. Khan soil his hard earned reputation. “And should Jega decline to in-
vestigate her, he would stand eternally accused of being an accessory after the fact of a democratic coup d’état”, the party stressed. Politics Wednesday page 1 brief, contd page 2. Pix- Saraki, Ahmad Lawan, Goje Jostle for National Assembly leadership hots up.
Ïd Ə Ɗƈ ƈ ƐƏ ƐƆ ƈƅ Ƌ ƄƄƕƈ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Former Governor of Kwara
Ekiti State Governor
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Group demands leadership position for Northern Christians
Saraki:
Fayose:
Northern Christian for the position especially the North Central which has been largely believed to be marginalised politically by the Hausa – Fulani dominated North,” it said. The group hinted that the President-elect has passed virtually all the acid test to prove to Nigerians that he is a repented democrat and needs to cap it once and for all in the choice of his party in who administers the affairs of the national assembly. The group stated that even though their clamour for the zon-
ing of the position was borne out of genuine love for the nation and unity of all the component units of the Nigerian state in view, “there should be consideration based on ranking and contribution to the building of the party in the region as this will in itself serve as encouragement for other party members”. However, Senator Saraki, a former Governor of Kwara State, in a move to strengthen his quest has brokered a deal with Senator Danjuma Goje from Gombe State, to block Senator Ahmad Lawan from becoming the next Senate President.
Ojudu should continue with Fayose’s impeachment project – Group
Last Thursday, 20 senators from the northwest geo-political zone unanimously endorsed Lawan, a senator from Yobe State, North east get-political zone, as their preferred candidate to lead the Eighth Senate. But barely 24 hours after the supposed endorsement by the northwest senate caucus, Goje, former Governor of Gombe State, told Senate correspondents that Lawan wasn’t the consensus candidate of his northeast zone. Lawan’s endorsement by the north west caucus had greatly
state thrown into turmoil following the June 21 election that saw Fayose emerging as the governor, praised Ojudu for his long-standing record as a tireless defender of truth and liberty, a trait that has won him global fame. According to the statement, signed by the NHRC Director of Publicity, Akinola Gbadamosi, the urged Ekiti people not to be distracted by the conscious efforts of Fayose to discredit one of the most outstanding icons in the battle for liberty in Ekiti State and in Nigeria at large. “Senator Ojudu has a clean
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
11 Politics
Ojudu, a negative influence in the state – Fayose’s aide
Ojudu
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
absolve him”, it stressed. The group said the right violations of Fayose are being documented and would soon be presented to judicial authorities in Nigeria and within the framework of the United Nations. But Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka carpeted Ojudu, describing him as a negative influence on the state. Olayinka said; “even though I respect Senator Ojudu because of his age, truth must be told; he was responsible for the political instability in the state, which resulted in the state having 10 governors in 16 years, and Ekiti people will not let him (Ojudu) have his way this time around.” He said: “If Ojudu thinks that the way he used falsehood, propaganda and fake security men to remove Governor Fayose in 2006, he can do same in 2015, he is making a mistake.” He said apart from waging war
Fayose
against democratically elected governors of the state, Ojudu’s other contribution to the state was the Miss Ekiti Beauty Pageant that he alongside his E-11 people used to indulge young ladies in the state in prostitution. The governor’s aide said; “It is on record that Ojudu wagged war against Otunba Niyi Adebayo, using his Tempo and The News Magazines, he did the same against Governor Fayose during his first tenure, using PM News, despite being among those who urged Engr Segun Oni to contest the governorship and that he played prominent roles in the formation Oni’s campaign organisation, the Ekiti Development Agenda (EDA), Ojudu still wagged war against Oni. “The only governor he, (Ojudu) did not fight openly was Dr Kayode Fayemi and it was because of his position as a member of the APC and a senator. Even at that, Fayemi Ojudu clandestinely wagged war against Fayemi,
record spanning over three decades. He was the journalist that exposed Fayose during his first term in 2004. Senator Ojudu did not only write an investigative story that exposed the killing of a pregnant woman for rituals, an unspeakable crime involving top government officials in the administration of Fayose, he went the extra mile to ensure the arrest of those involved. The stories were published in The News Magazine. “The horrendous crime was swept under the carpet by the then authorities. From that moment, a seed of discord was planted between Ojudu and Mr Fayose”, the group said. It added: “Senator Ojudu was detained for several years on his account of being opposed to the late Gen Sani Abacha who persecuted Nigerians. It is a subject of disgrace that Mr Fayose with all the atrocities he has committed against humanity finds himself at the helms of Ekiti’s moral order.
When he came to power last October, the first thing he did was to discredit his predecessor through lies and propaganda about the amount spent on the Oke Ayoba whereas within a short period he occupied the house he spen over N200 million on renovation. At present, Mr Fayose is awarding contracts to his cronies without due process while he has refused to release the money meant for workers salary. “We are following with keen interest the developments in Ekiti State. Mr Fayose wants to do everything to destroy Mr Ojudu’s richly deserved reputation built with sweat and from the ruins of the battle for human freedom. This task will fail. We in the human rights community support Mr Ojudu’s current crusade against despots in power in Ekiti State. It is a right step in the right direction. No amount of blackmail should stop Mr Ojudu because his battle is righteous and just. History will definitely
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Saraki in strategic lobbying
unsettled Saraki, who is one of the frontrunners for the Senate Presidency job, hence the deal with Goje. But an inside source said “Goje’s press conference was to create the false impression that the northeast is not united and create an excuse to zone the Senate Presidency out of the zone to the northcentral. “Claims that Lawan was imposed on the zone are lies. Who imposed who? If there is any imposition, it is Goje who wants to impose his godfather so that the northeast can continue to be political vasals,” he declared. Meanwhile, a group, Muhammadu Buhari Legacy Foundation,
has urged Senators-elect to elect Sen. Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate for the 8th National Assembly. In a statement signed by the Coordinator of the North Central Zone of the association, Mr Bode Towoju, the group said Saraki had the necessary skills and intellectual capacity to pilot the affairs of both the Senate and the National Assembly and will help to stabilise the parliament for efficient and effective performance. It said Saraki had the necessary skills and intellectual capacity to pilot the affairs of both the Senate and the National Assembly. It said that Saraki’s leadership
was needed at this critical time when the country was yearning for true independence of the legislature. “We are soliciting the cooperation of all Senators-elect and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure the emergence of the former Kwara State Governor as the President of the Senate. “Saraki will not be a rubber stamp President of the Senate where no robust debate will be allowed. “Saraki has got all the nationalistic qualities and cognate experience to be trusted with the position,’’ it said.
“We are soliciting the cooperation of all Senators-elect and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure the emergence of the former Kwara State Governor as the President of the Senate.
Fayemi
causing division in the APC with his Action Group caucus. “The reality is that Ojudu will wage war against anybody just to achieve his personal ambition and this he did immediately Fayemi left government. Ojudu started destroying Fayemi to the extent that he allegedly took a recording of what Fayemi said to Senator Bola Tinubu, and it was on that note that he (Fayemi) almost lost his relationship with Tinubu. “Leaders of the APC can come to Ekiti to find out why Ojudu is the most hated politician in the state today, with people calling him names like Senator Asemo, Senator Maa rie later, etc because he did nothing in terms of developing the Central Senatorial District that he represents. When the Vice President-Elect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo came to Ekiti to campaign, Ojudu was not allowed to speak. He was openly booed by members and supporters of the APC. Was Governor Fayose responsible for that as well?”
Saraki
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Ekiti APC slams Fayose over unpaid salaries
‘Delta owes pensioners trillions of naira’ Monday Osayande
ÏÏÏ
Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏFollowing the complaint by
the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that there had been serious shortfall in the financial allocation from the Federation Account to the state, which may cause a delay in the April salary of workers, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had said that Fayose had no reason for non-payment of workers’ salaries, saying all excuses for the delay were stunts of an insincere administration out to fleece Ekiti money for personal benefit. Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that what Ekiti workers were experiencing in non-payment of salaries was a systematic fraud. He asked workers to reflect on their experience, while Dr. Kayode Fayemi was the governor and ask themselves how the former governor was able to pay them regularly, while at the same time servicing debt and implementing capital projects, but, Fayose could not do either of the two even when he was not servicing any debt since the past six months. Wondering why the governor could not pay salaries, Olatubosun said: “Governor Fayose has not paid one kobo of Ekiti debt since he assumed office. He sought moratorium of six months within which there would be no deduction in Ekiti federal allocation. That means Fayose saves N500 million that Fayemi was paying in debt when he was the governor. Therefore, the weather-beaten tale that Fayemi left a huge debt behind is boring and unconvincing.”
L-R: PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; PDP National Secretary, Prof. Adewale Oladipo; Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu with the Committee Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Waziri during the inauguration of Post-Election Review Committee of PDP in Abuja… on Tuesday PHOTO: DANIEL MATTHEW
Rivers APC accuses Jonathan of setting traps for Buhari Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Rivers State, has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of setting traps for the in-coming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), by embarking upon ‘unnecessary last-minute appointments’ as well as the removal and immediate replacement of heads of strategic government parastatals. It made the accusation on Tuesday, in a statement issued and
ÏÏÏA 17-year old student from
Kwara crisis: Saraki donates N3m to five families
signed by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. The party declared that it was appalled and disappointed by the plethora of appointments, sacks and replacements by Jonathan, who was, hitherto, known for his inability to remove erring public officers and to replace ministers and heads of government agencies, who either retired or resigned their appointments. The last-minute rush by Jonathan to remove and replace heads of strategic government departments and agencies, the APC
said, was nothing but an attempt to set traps for the in-coming Buhari administration, in the hope that reviewing these illegal actions would result in the loss of goodwill by the Buhari administration. It added: “To us, this high rate of sacks and appointments, apart from unnecessarily over-heating the polity, is also distracting the in-coming administration. “We wonder why all these late sacks and appointments at the twilight of this administration that has caused our nation a lot
of hardship, which will take the Buhari administration much time and efforts to mitigate,” it said. The APC, however, advised the in-coming administration to reverse “some of these vindictive sacks and unwarranted appointments”, aimed at planting mediocre elements that will undermine the lofty ideals of the APC and present it in bad light for the 2019 general election. “We should not accept this in the interest of both our great party and future of our dear nation”, the party said.
Teenager, HND II student, arraigned for fraud Titilope Joseph
Fayose
Asaba Pensioners in Delta State, on Tuesday, protested the non-payment of their money, running into trillions of naira. The pensioners, who were at this year’s annual lecture series with the theme: “Our experiences, our expectations”, decried the way and manner the state government was treating them and running the pension scheme in a style that was inimical to their well-being. According to them, the pension scheme was a bad omen, as majority of them were facing hardship because they had not receive their pension money since 2010.
Alowonle Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ojosipe Adedayo, was, on Tuesday, arraigned before Justice Atinuke Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a two -count charge of “possession of a document containing false pre-
Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin
ÏÏÏThe
Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, donated N3million to heads of five families, whose residential buildings were torched during the recent fracas in Ag-
tences and forgery.” According to the charge: “Ojosipe (a.k.a. Marty Jason and Candice), on or about May 8, 2014, in Lagos, had in your possession a document in which you represented yourself to be a single lady, called Candice from Trenton, New Jersey, United States, who helps the needy to organise charity concerts and also help the homeless to get funds for
Motherless Babies Homes, which representations you knew to be false.” According to the prosecution, the accused was alleged to have confessed to receiving $2,000 from one American, Adam Denborsky, His accomplice, 24-year-old Owolabi Ahmed (a.k.a Candice Skye), an HND II Electrical and Electronics student of Moshood
barere and Ita-Ajia areas of Ilorin, Kwara State. At Agbarere quarters, the heads of the five families that were affected in the crisis, which claimed three lives and led to wanton destruction of property, were given N500, 000 each, while the head of the family that was affected in Ita-Ajia area also re-
ceived N500, 000. The former governor of the state also donated N250, 000 to the Magaji-Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Subair, whose vehicle was also vandalised by hoodlums. Saraki, who was represented by a team, led by Alhaji Oba Olabintan, attributed the cause of the crisis to animosity.
Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State, was also arraigned on a threecount charge. He was alleged to have “represented yourself to be a single girl called Candice Skye from the U.S.A., who lost her parents in a car accident, currently engaged in gemstome business and needed $2,500 to enable you obtain an authorisation letter required by the customs and excise services to clear your goods, which representations you knew to be false.” According to the prosecution, E. A. Jackson, the offence was contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. No. 14 of 2006. Justice Ipaye, however, directed that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned their case till May 21, 2015.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Kerry in surprise visit to Somalia ÏÏÏUnited States Secretary of
State, John Kerry, made a brief unannounced trip to Somalia Tuesday, in a bid to show support for the progress made by the country’s government and to thank regional nations for their contributions to AMISOM, the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. It marked the first time a sitting secretary of state has visited Somalia. In Mogadishu, Kerry held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the country’s prime minister. He also met with three regional presidents and a civil society group. After greeting Kerry at the airport, the Somalia president said: "This is a great moment for us... thank you for the time to be with us." "I am glad to be here," responded Kerry, who also expressed hope that Somalia could make further progress in the future. Kerry also expressed hope Somalia will make further progress, saying "The next time that I come, we have to be able to just walk downtown." The Somali president said downtown Mogadishu "is very different than it was two years ago," and that the roads have improved and the city has traffic
Al-Shabaab kills three at police station ÏÏÏSomalia's
al-Shabaab militants stormed a police station in the country's semi-autonomous region of Puntland and killed three policemen late on Monday, police said. Several militants from the Islamist group were also killed during the brief siege of the police
jams. Prior to his arrival, a senior State Department official said, "I think it (Kerry's visit) will send a strong signal to al-Shabab that we are not turning our backs on the Somali people and that we will continue to engage with Somalia until we bring al-Shabab's terror to an end." In a VOA interview, President Mohamud called al-Shabab an
of southern Zimbabwe will suffer "significant" food shortages this season, the US-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network warned on Tuesday. Some homes in rural areas in the south of the country have produced "next to nothing", partly due to the late onset of rains and then a prolonged dry period, FEWSNET said in its latest report. If no food aid is forthcoming, these households will likely
uted troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Kenya also hosts thousands of Somalis at its refugee camps. After the Garissa attack, some Kenyan political leaders called for the repatriation of Somali refugees at the Dadaab complex in northeastern Kenya. They accused the refugees of playing a role in Kenya's insecurity.
U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry (L) meets with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, second from left, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, fourth from right, and regional Somali leaders at the airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Tuesday.
station in Yalho village, near the port town of Bosasso, police said. "Al-Shabaab attacked us with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns last night. They briefly captured the station and killed three of my colleagues," Major Ismail Aden, a local police officer, told Reuters on Tuesday. "We later came with reinforcement and recaptured the station, and we killed several of the militants," he said. Al-Shabaab's military spokesperson confirmed the group's involvement in the attack, and said it had killed five police.
Zimbabwe faces food shortage ÏÏÏParts
"enemy that has no dignity." He commented shortly after the Somali-based militant group attacked Kenya's Garissa University College, last month, killing 147 people. Kerry traveled to Somalia from Kenya, where he discussed counterterrorism efforts with the country's leaders. Kenya is one of the countries that have contrib-
be in crisis as early as July, the report said. President Robert Mugabe's government has acknowledged that this year's harvest of the staple maize crop is about half of last year's. It has dropped by 49%. Agriculture Minister Joseph Made told the official Herald on Tuesday that 700 000 tons of maize would now have to be imported. He urged farmers to grow potatoes and cassava in the coming months.
Senegal to send 2,100 troops to join Saudi-led alliance
ÏÏÏSenegal
will send 2,100 troops to Saudi Arabia as part of an international coalition combating Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, the West African nation's foreign minister said on Monday. Senegalese President Macky Sall said, after returning from a visit to Saudi Arabia last month, he was considering a request to deploy troops in the Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthi, a Shi'ite Muslim group allied to Iran. Saudi Arabia - the world's top oil exporter and the Sunni Muslim regional rival of Iran - said Houthi forces posed a threat to its security after they captured Yemen's capital and began advancing across the country in September. "The international coalition is aiming to protect and secure the holy sites of Islam, Medina and Mecca," Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye told parliament. "The president...has decided to respond favourably to this request by deploying a contingent of 2,100 men in the holy land of Saudi Arabia," he said. The coalition, which wants to re-
store Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, includes eight other Arab states and is receiving logistical support from the United States, Britain and France. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said in a statement on Monday the alliance was considering halting airstrikes in specific areas in Yemen to allow in humanitarian supplies. The United Nations says the humanitarian situation in Yemen has grown desperate after weeks of bombardment. Senegal deployed troops to Saudi Arabia as part of the U.S.-led alliance during the Gulf War against Iraq, when 92 of its soldiers were killed in the crash of a Saudi transport plane in 1991.
Sall
13 Africa Uganda leads in curbing child mortality
ÏÏÏ Inside the second busiest
hospital in Uganda, a Somali refugee gingerly paces up and down the maternity ward to ease her labour pains, passing a Congolese woman resting in bed after a Caesarean section. "I am happy because they welcomed me here. They help everyone, even if you are a refugee," said Esther Kabumo from Democratic Republic of Congo. "If you don't have money, it's not a problem." On a continent known for poor healthcare and high infant mortality rates, the Ugandan capital is an exception. Child deaths in Kampala fell faster than in any other African city between 2006 and 2011, despite a large influx of refugees from war-torn neighbouring states, Save the Children said in a report on Tuesday. In the five years to 2011, child mortality in the East African country fell to 65 deaths per 1 000 live births from 94 deaths per 1 000 live births. Uganda has cut child mortality by 4.3% a year between 1990 and 2013, just below the 4.4% annual reduction needed to achieve a Millennium Development Goal on lowering the number of deaths of under-fives. Its neighbours Rwanda and Tanzania are among 12 African nations on track to meet the goal, according to the UN children's agency, Unicef. "Kampala is actually a success story," said Carolyn Miles, chief executive of Save the Children USA, which focuses on urban health in its 2015 State of the World's Mothers report. Kisenyi health centre in Kampala, which delivers 600 babies a month, symbolises the shift in Uganda which has seen the country invest more money in the healthcare system to make it accessible for the poorest, Save the Children said. Educating women about the importance of seeking medical care while pregnant, in labour and for newborns, has also helped save the lives of mothers and infants, the charity said. Healthcare has been free in Uganda since 2001. Notices stuck on Kisenyi's walls give patients several numbers to call if staff ask them to pay for services. "It can be very dangerous for a mother when there is no money and you have to pay bills," said Tracy Neema Twinomugisa, aged 27, whose three-day-old son was diagnosed with jaundice and taken to the neonatal unit.
World 14
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Aleppo attacks may amount to war crimes, says AI
A man holds an injured boy after what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and hit a school and a residential building in Seif al-Dawla neighborhood of Aleppo, May 3, 2015.
ÏÏÏSyrian
government forces and opposition fighters have carried out attacks in Aleppo, the country's largest city, that may be war crimes and crimes against
humanity, Amnesty International said in a new report Tuesday. Basing its findings on interviews with more than 100 people who lived or worked in Aleppo,
Amnesty described military attacks since January that included dropping "barrel bombs and other imprecise explosive weapons" on markets, mosques, hospitals and
schools. The report also cites mortar attacks by rebels, as well as abductions and mistreatment of prisoners by both sides, but says government forces are responsible for most of the rights violations. "Widespread atrocities, in particular the vicious and unrelenting aerial bombardment of civilian neighborhoods by government forces, have made life for civilians in Aleppo increasingly unbearable," Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Director Philip Luther said in a statement. "These reprehensible and continual strikes on residential areas point to a policy of deliberately and systematically targeting civilians in attacks that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity." Amnesty called on all fighters in Syria to end attacks on civilians, as well as the use of any imprecise weapons, torture and abductions. It also reiterated calls for the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
Another human trafficking camp found in Thailand ÏÏÏ A second suspected human
trafficking camp has been discovered in southern Thailand, police said on Tuesday, following a search by authorities of a mountain where 26 bodies were found in shallow graves at the weekend. The 26 bodies are believed to be illegal migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh and were found at a suspected human trafficking camp hidden deep in the jungle in Thailand's southern Songkhla province near the Malaysian border. Illegal migrants, many
Yemen civilian death toll reaches 646 - UN ÏÏÏ The conflict in Yemen has cost the lives of at least 646 civilians since a Saudi-led coalition
of them Rohingya Muslims from western Myanmar and from Bangladesh, brave often perilous journeys by sea to escape religious and ethnic persecution. Every year, thousands arrive in Thailand, brought by smugglers. Many are taken by road to camps in the jungle, where traffickers demand a ransom to smuggle them south across the border to Malaysia. On Monday, Thai police announced charges including human trafficking and holding people for ransom against a Rohingya
man and three local government administrators. They said another four Thais were being sought. Police Colonel Triwit Sriprapa, deputy commander of Songkhla Provincial Police, told Reuters on Tuesday a second camp had been found on the same mountain. It housed eight bamboo shelters, including three sleeping tents, two makeshift kitchens and a rudimentary toilet, No graves have been found at the second camp so far. Authorities found three people near the camp on Monday looking
malnourished and exhausted, he said, adding that the camp looked like it had recently been abandoned. "Looking at the state of the camp it was probably evacuated recently and looking at some of the wood cut in the camp it was probably cut in the last seven days," Triwit said by telephone. "We think this camp probably moved from a different location once the traffickers were tipped off that authorities were searching for more camps on this mountain range."
began air raids against Houthi rebels who control much of the country, the UN said on Tuesday. Some 131 children were among those killed since the start of the coalition air campaign on March 26, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR) said. The UN agency also warned that some three million Yemenis with disabilities are at risk, with some of them unable to flee to safer areas due to the impact of fuel shortages on transport services. Three hundred organizations
providing services to people with disabilities have closed and some disabled people are no longer receiving necessary medical treatment, the OCHCR said. The warning comes a day after the Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres slammed Saudi-led airstrikes on Sana'a and Hodeida airports, saying they had blocked vital food and aid supply routes. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel alJubeir on Monday mooted the possibility of humanitarian pauses to the air campaign, which is supported by Yemeni President Abd
Rabu Mansour Hadi, now in exile in Riyadh. But his remarks were overshadowed by the announcement that Senegal would contribute 2 100 troops to the Saudi-led coalition, further raising speculation about a possible ground assault. Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye told parliament that the decision was aimed at combatting the threat posed by terrorism to Saudi Arabia and the Islamic shrines at Mecca and Medina, the Senegalese Press Agency reported on Monday evening.
Metro trains crash in Mexico City, 12 injured
ÏÏÏTwo metro trains carrying
passengers crashed in Mexico City on Monday, leaving at least 12 people injured, authorities said. City Fire Chief Raul Esquivel told the Televisa network there were no deaths from the accident, adding that 40 fire-fighters were on the scene. The Mexico City Metro System said via its Twitter account that three of the 12 injured were hospitalised. The accident occurred in the Oceania station on Line 5 near the city's international airport. The Mexico City metro has 12 lines. Media reports showed two cars crashed together and said that one train ran into another that had stopped at the platform.
Dozens feared dead in new migrant boat tragedy
ÏÏÏThe Save the Children aid
group reported another migrant tragedy on Tuesday, with survivors saying "dozens" of their fellow passengers fell out of their rubber boat and likely drowned in the Mediterranean as a rescue vessel neared. Save the Children's Giovanna di Benedetto said from Catania, Sicily, that the exact toll wasn't known. But she said that survivors, in their first interviews with aid officials once they reached shore, reported that many people fell into the sea and couldn't swim. The incident is believed to have occurred on Sunday in the sea between Libya and Sicily when a commercial vessel approached to rescue the migrant boat. The vessel arrived in Catania on Tuesday and the survivors disembarked. The weekend saw a dramatic increase in rescues as smugglers in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather to send thousands of would-be refugees out into the Mediterranean in overloaded rubber boats and fishing vessels.
Benedetto
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
15 Opinion
Migrants and African peer review mechanism
T Emmanuel Onwubiko
he executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the sub-Chairman, codes and standards of the National Steering Committee on the 2nd peer review of Nigeria under the Africa Peer Review Mechanism, Professor Bem Amgwe graciously invited me to attend a one day workshop on the African peer review standards and codes for the 2nd peer review of Nigeria on May 4th 2015 in Abuja. What struck me when I received this invitation was the fate of thousands of African migrants who have perished trying to get to Europe through the notorious Mediterranean Sea. These migrants branded by Western media as African boat people are running away from a range of man-made economic and political impediments in their homelands. The situation of economic adversities in most African countries characterised by high youth unemployment, dysfunctional infrastructure and the high crime, including the vicious circles of impunity marked by mass killings are caused largely by poor leadership standards which these peer review mechanisms have failed to satisfactorily addressed.
The interrogatory that immediately hit my subconscious was ‘what really is the essence of the entire exercise of African peer review mechanisms if majority of Africans are fleeing the continent due largely to abysmal failure of leadership? This question on my mind was thrown at the Nigerian official, Mr. Pius Otteh the Director of international law department of the Ministry of Justice who stood in for the Solicitor-General but he spoke in favour of continuation of this processes. But the fact that emerged from the first major paper delivered at that workshop was that most government officials from ministries that interface with some international bodies do sign treaties and instruments without a comprehensive comprehension of the imports of what they have signed. For instance, Nigeria once acceded to the terms of World Trade Organisation but even before the ink could dry, the Nigerian Customs went ahead to enforce a ban on importation of some products covered under these agreements. Again, many government ministries are in the habit of failing to deposit copies of signed agreements with the office of the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice as provided for by the national legislation governing international treaties and instruments.
Putting this African peer review mechanisms side by side with the emerging scenarios of Africans flooding into Europe through the risky venture of offering themselves to human traffickers in Libya, one can easily dismiss the peer review mechanisms as African Leader’s peer deception gambit. For many years that this process started most African countries have witnessed cases of poor governance dominated by corruption that have rendered the economies of these states incapable of engaging in proper and appropriate redistribution of their wealth. Because of economic corruption by most African leaders, the required environment for self -fulfillment is no longer there, thereby compelling many of the youth to seek for greener pastures in other continents of the World. It is a fact that nearly 80 percent of university graduates produced yearly in Nigeria will not find jobs either in the public or private sectors. This piece is basically an advocacy for a fundamental tinkering and restructuring of the entire gamut of the peer review mechanisms to ensure that the benefits are not only written in papers and kept in government offices but that the pragmatic impacts of the transparent implementation of the review process improves the living condi-
tions of Africans. African youths will stay back in their countries and contribute meaningfully only if they are sure the regime of impunity, lawlessness, arbitrariness, wanton looting are brought under control. Institution building in Africa is therefore imperative because there is just no way that the capital flight affecting many African countries can be checked if the internal legal law enforcement institutions are not operationally and financially independent. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by the member states of the African Union (AU) as a self-monitoring mechanism. It was founded in 2003. The 37th Summit of the Organisation of African Unity held in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia, adopted a document setting out a new vision for the revival and development of Africa—which was to become known as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). In July 2002, the Durban AU summit supplemented NEPAD with a Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. According to the Declaration, states participating in NEPAD ‘believe in just, honest, transparent, accountable and participatory government and probity in public life’.
Green Revolution 1983 which were initiated by both regime of Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Shagari respectively were as a result of personal interest towards these projects. According to World Bank report 1989 the rise of oil price between 1973/ 1974 and 1979 saw Nigeria increase in foreign earning which agriculture was less prioritised. The money realised on excess crude oil within those periods of years was not channelled on capital projects and infrastructures but rather on hosting World Black Festival Arts and Culture tagged “FASTAC 77”. It was also a repeat performance of waste between 1984 and 1988, when $12.4 billion oil windfall proceeds that was accrued to the federal government during the Gulf war era was not accounted for. Since crude oil was discovered in the 1950s, the product has enriched some few highly placed individuals, especially within the political class. Both past and present governments have amassed enormous wealth through this product. The heist of oil-block by the so-called ruling class shows a clear narrative of how moral bankrupt the political leaders have been. Last year, a retired general was so proud to inform the nation on the vast proceeds he made from his
oil blocks and on how confused he was to spend the money. Corruption has become part of Nigeria daily lifestyle. According Transparency International Nigeria, is believed to have lost more than $400 billion as a result of corruption between 1960 and 1999. The endowment of oil wealth has been a curse to the nation since the product was discovered in the 1950s. The question is where did Nigeria get it wrong. For years many had blames on the era of military hegemony which has constituted about 85 percent control of leadership since the country gained independent in 1960. However, some critics argued that 16 years after the country returned to democracy much has not been achieved. The leaders have failed in all facet of development in infrastructures, power and educational sectors etc. In the 60s to late 1970s, Nigerian educational system in tertiary institutions was among the best in the world. University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Lagos, University of Ife now (Obafemi Awolowo University) and University of Ibadan were the academic pride of the nation. Today; these universities are now shadows of their eminent past.
Nigeria’s dwindling wealth
“ Lucas Anuforo
If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.”... Abdul Kalam Nigeria is a country blessed with natural resources but unfortunately becomes poor in the midst of vast wealth. In 1950s and 60s prior to Nigerian independence various regions in the country were predominately engaged in comparative production ranging from food baskets, cash crops to timber and also solid minerals. The then western region was known for cocoa, kola nut, cashew nut production etc, the north for herds, skin, dairy products, cotton and groundnut. Also in the east were palm produce. At Ibadan a high rise building was built and called “Cocoa House.” This building signifies the hegemony in power of production and comparative advantage enjoyed by western region in cocoa production. It was the tallest building in Africa in the 1960s. The regional administration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was proud to tell the world, that Cocoa
House was built entirely from proceeds of international trade. Even after the civil war; the country was still making a decent living on foreign exchange through these products. On solid minerals, Enugu in eastern region those days were known for coal mining and was named Coal city while Jos was known for its tin production. Lagos, Port- Harcourt, Calabar and Warri were well known for foreign merchandise with lots of fleet vessels owned by then Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).It was huge foreign earnings for the country and also created employment opportunities for many Nigerians. But when oil was discovered the country gradually abandoned these avenues of wealth. No country survives on a single product for export especially in a corrupt society where many see the nation’s wealth as a national cake. The country’s drift from agriculture to oil was a sign of lack of commitments on the side of previous government to invest and promote agriculture. Farmers were not given the required supports and incentives needed to increase production. The failure of the two major national agricultural programmes the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) 1975 and
16
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
At Acorn Petroleum, we remain committed to delivering unrivaled products and services to our customers. Acorn Petroleum Plc., your new energy
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Education Times
s
17
Rubies Ink wraps up 3 months rape sensitizing workshop Mutiat Alli Organizer of the College Acquaintance Rape Education (C.A.R.E) has announced the wrap-off of its three month sensitization interactive workshop in secondary schools. The event which is usually led by trained Peer educators, who have massive experience on gender relations, socialization, dating violence and sexual violence prevention kicked off on the 18th of February 2015 at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa and moved to the six Education district in Lagos, ended on the 29th of April at Dolphin High School, Lagos Island According to the coordinator, Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye disclosed that the college acquaintance rape education is a social advocacy tilted towards lending voice to sexually abused women,
most especially students in the society, taking them from a stage of self denial to self determination. Mr. Ade Ipaye (Attorney General and Commisioner for Justice Lagos State), Mrs. Omotola Rotimi (Director, Office of the Public Defender), Valentine Peter-Nkwo (Mirabel Center), CSP Monday Agbonika and Nollywood Actor and Lawmaker ;Desmond Elliot are some of the facilitators who sensitized, enlightened, encouraged and educated several primary and secondary school students in Lagos state on Rape and the need to speak up. C.A.R.E is a Rubies Ink Initiative in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and the Domestic and Sexual Violence response team (DSVRT) , and the follow up plan for the annual Walk Against Rape Campaign. Rubies Ink coordinator, Esther Ijewere-Kalajaiye flanked with partipants of the the College Acquaintance Rape Education (C.A.R.E)
ACE: 10 Nigerian varsities sign performance contract Sam Nzeh Ten Nigerian universities that are among Africa Centres of Excellence (ACEs) have signed Performance Contracts with the Federal Government and the World Bank, marking the last hurdle to be crossed before the release of the first tranche of funds to them. The ceremony, witnessed by the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, was held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, recently. A regional higher education project, ACE was instituted in 2013, by the governments of Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Senegal and Nigeria, with support from the World Bank. The project was designed to promote regional specialisation within the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Agriculture and Health areas that address particular common regional developmental challenges as well as strengthen the capacities of participating universities to deliver high-quality training and applied research.
In his remarks, Shekarau noted that the nation was in an era where the lives of the citizens were, to a great extent, defined by innovations in the world of technology. He stated that the ACE project was a call to action to tackle national and regional challenges and that the centres had been entrusted with the responsibility of meeting the demand for skills required for the development of the nation and the sub-region, while strengthening their capacities to deliver high-quality training and applied research. Following the signing of the contracts, Shekarau said that the NUC would work with the World Bank to release 10 per cent of the Centres’ approved funds, to enable them to commence work on their projects. He challenged the centres to justify the huge amount of resources that the Federal Government had invested in the project and expressed hope that results would be evident in no time. In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, NUC and Chairman, ACE Steering Committee, Professor Julius A. Okojie, stated
that the event was a great one for the Nigerian University System (NUS) because it was celebrating a success story. He noted that for some time now, Nigeria had suffered a lot of criticism of its standard of education. He said the fact that universities in the country won 10 out of the 19 ACEs, in a process that was strictly meritbased, was evidence that, though the system had suffered a great setback when it lost a significant number of faculty to the diaspora in the past, it has survived and is doing well. In her remarks, the World Bank Education Specialist, Himdat Bayusuf, congratulated the Centres for scaling the last hurdle before the release of funds. She announced that the Centres had been working very hard since their selection and some were already breaking grounds in their fields, like the Redeemer’s University, Mowe, which diagnosed the first case of Ebola in Nigeria. Each university was represented at the signing ceremony by its Vice Chancellor and the Centre Leader. Each Centre is eligible for a grant award of a maximum of $8 million.
Sam Nzeh The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has given Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, approval to run five new programmes. The programmes are Welding and Fabrication, Public Administration, which are at National Diploma level, while Mass Communication, Banking and Finance and Metallurgy Engineering are at Higher National Diploma level. The approval followed a rigourous accreditation visit to Yaba College of Technology by the NBTE. Commenting on the NBTE approval, Rector of the institution, Dr. Margret Kudirat Ladipo, expressed gratitude to God for the feat, adding that while some approvals were being awaited, “our dream of expanding access to higher education for the nation’s youths is gradually being achieved. She applauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), governing council and staff of the institution for their support in the drive to sustain Yabatech as the institution of first choice in technological education in the country. With the accreditation of the programmes, Ladipo said the horizon had become brighter for youngsters who want to combine their brains with their hands to make a living,
NBTE gives Yabatech nod to run five programmes “The era of theoretical education is past. This informs our concentration on creating industry within the system, and the emphasis on entrepreneurial education to ensure our products go out there to make a difference as job creators and not job seekers. Even the few that may search for jobs would have been baked for the challenges in their chosen industries,” she added. The Yabatech rector said she was still expecting further approvals from the NBTE, insisting that the results from the accreditation visit did not yet cover the courses evaluated by the accreditation panelists.
Ladipo, Yabatech rector
Education Times 18
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Indecent dressing in secondary schools Tunde Atobatele According to Experts, environments stimulate learning, as those things that are physically seen or observed. Essentially therefore is the relevance of teachers’ conducts and modes of dressing for an impactful learning to students. Students tend to take a cue from teachers both in the areas of academics and moral values. A close observation of Nigerian secondary schools in recent times, leaves much to be desired in the perspective of teachers’ modes of dressing and physical appearances. The roles in environments to learning are somewhat very
germane such that determine the height and levels of teaching learning effectiveness. It largely shapes and supports the residual knowledge of the learners/students in a designated set up. According to Dr. Adesina Kojeku, a psychologist, based at Iseyin, Oyo State, “environments serve as the bedrock of learning effectiveness. In fact, a good teacher often begins his subject or task by first introducing it through the physical environments he sees around”. However, the uncomplimentary and uncharitable modes of dressing of most teachers in our schools these days, relegate this fact and have turned it to a negative experience hence the untoward develop-
ment that has cascaded down to the students. A visit to most secondary schools will reveal an alarming trend of this indecent dressing amongst students. School uniforms are now being sown to depict Western fashion with slim fitted uniforms, which are devoid good morals. In the words of Dr. Kojeku, “our students now stink with bad morals which emanate from both parents and teachers. A student will definitely reflect what his or her parents /teachers do, particularly, in the area of dressing”. Also is the act of “sagging” that now characterizes students dressing. It is now very common to come across stu-
dents who will put on a sagged school uniform in respect of male students and a slim fitted blouse or skirts among the female counterparts. If the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, what kind of future leaders are we breeding? “When the values of today are lost, nothing is left for tomorrow”, according to Dr. Kojeku, who vehemently spoke against this ugly development amongst the school age pupils. As panacea Kojeku was very quick to add that, all school owners must as a matter of urgency , begin to return moral values and discipline to the school system. His words: “In the clamour for a better learning environments, the school owners must
MATHEMATICS MADE SIMPLE THE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS PROJECT FOR THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE FOR YOUNG MINDS MOTTO: HAPPY IS HE WHO IS ABLE TO KNOW THE CAUSES OF THINGS AND ABLE TO USE THAT KNOWLEDGE WISELY
first wield the big stick against the bad influencing teachers and workers within the school, who often dress immorally . “The firmness of school proprietors to project good dress culture amongst the teachers and students shall stem this negative development” Kojeku concludes. On the second hand, according to the expert, the government must rise up to their duties in the area of discipline in the public schools. “Government must ensure stiffer discipline in schools and extend very serious sactions against teachers who mislead students with immoral dressing. Dr. Kojeku affirms.
By OGUNSHOLA , SHINA SAMUEL SEYI ogunsholashina@gmail.com
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
19 Education Times
20
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Inside Campus
s
Inside Campus Editor: Mutiat Alli mutiat.alli@dailytimes.com.ng
Unilag students protest outages Babatunde Kawthar UNILAG
Ajimobi
FOSSU Lagos congratulates Gov. Ajimobi Fagbemi Ademola, Lagos The Federation of Oyo State Union, Lagos State chapter, has sent a congratulatory message to the governor of Oyo State, Gov. Ajimobi, over his re- election as the governor of the state. In the letter signed by the President of the union, Babalola Davies, and delivered to the Office of the Governor in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, it urged Ajimobi to work hard in order to justify the mandate given to him by the people of state as he prepares for his second tenure.
Ajimobi defeated the two former governors of the state, Senator Oladoja and Alao Akala as he broke the jinx for winning the election for two consecutive times. However, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Solomon Olaniyonu, who received the executive members of the union on behalf of the Governor, appreciated the effort of the students for the courtesy visit to Governor’s office. Meanwhile, the students also appealed to Gov. Ajimobi to come to their aid in terms of giving out bursary allowance, scholarship and other benefits enjoy by the students within the state.
Last weekend, students of the University of Lagos took to the streets of the campus decrying continual lack of power supply. It was about 7:50 pm when students from hostels around Faculty of Education area came out in multitude with chants of ‘we want light’. The students had spent the whole day with electricity being supplied only for few minutes. About fifteen minutes into the protest, electricity was restored in all hostels on campus but that did not stop the protesters from taking their complaint to the Senate building of the university. In the previous week, the student union body (ULSU) had through its PRO announced to the students that electricity will only be supplied to halls of resi-
Unilag students protesting over low power supply
dence during the hours of 7 in the evening and 10 in the morning. But this arrangement has not been honoured by the school authority as electricity supply became more erratic over the week. One of the protesters said what prompted the protests was that electricity was usually supplied to halls of residence on weekend but that particular Sun-
day was different ‘being a weekend we can’t buy food, we should at least be able to cook’. The ULSU president, Martin Abiodun, in his address, urged the students to be calm as the union was ‘working diligently’ to have the issues resolved. The protest which ended peacefully saw some students harassing car owners and forcing them to turn off their headlights
LASU inaugurates 25th SUG president
Adeyemi
The new auditorium of the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo was filled last Friday for the inauguration of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). The well attended event
was graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa; his deputy for Academics, Prof. Sena Bakare, Dean, Student Affairs Unit, Prof. Kabir Akinyemi and students. After taking the oath, Adeyemi said the occasion marked a new beginning for students’ unionism on the campus, praising the courage of students for electing him as their leader. He praised his predecessor for keeping the tradition of the union, noting that the outgoing executive led by Nurudeen Yusuf raised the bar of performance.
He said he would implement good programmes that would ensure a stable academic calendar. “I promise to also maintain a cordial relationship between management and students. I believe it is time for us to create together a new union we will all be proud of. We must see strength in our weakness and wisdom in our mistakes. Together, we will all have smooth academic calendar. Adeyemi Onikoro is a 400-Level Law student and the 25th union president of the institution.
Students show drawing skills at Free Sketch competition Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN Students of the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin trooped at en mass to participate at the maiden edition of the campus Free Sketch competition organised by Osemudiamen Etiobhio, a final year student of Medicine and Surgery of the institution who doubles as the
CEO of Magnum Arts. Osemudiamen disclosed that the Campus Free Sketch is a drawing competition/ Exhibition and a live art exhibition on Nigerian campuses aimed at promoting the best artistic minds by creating a professional platform to showcase and groom young talents with a twist of fashion, music, dance, exhibitions and other creative tools to
make an electrifying show piece. With over 60 entries which were uploaded via Instagram social media platform, a total of 11 participants made it to the final with the task of creating a sketch of popular actress, Omoni Oboli, which lasted for an hour and thirty minutes. Jideoffor Akunne popularly called JPen emerged winner clinching the coveted $300.
Jideoffor, the overall winner wit the cash prize certificate.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
21
Daily Times Advert Rates Colour
Vat
Vat
Vat
F/PAGE
409,500.00
17,403.75
10”X6
389,025.00
16,533.56
6”X3
87,749.87
3,729.37
H/PAGE
233,415.00
9,920.14
10”X5
324,252.34
13,780.72
6”X2
58,499.95
2,486.25
Q/PAGE
125,716.50
5,342.95
10”X4
259,401.87
11,024.58
5”X5
121,874.89
5,179.68
14”X5
397,215.00
16,881.64
10”X3
194,551.41
8,268.43
5”X4
101,415.24
4,310.15
14”X4
317,772.00
13,505.31
10”X2
101,415.24
4,310.15
5”X3
73,124.89
3,107.81
14”X2
158,886.00
6,752.66
9”X6
350,122.50
14,880.21
5”X2
48,749.95
2,071.87
FPS 6”X3
671,835.94
28,553.03
9”X5
291,827.10
12,402.65
4”X2
38,999.96
1,657.50
FPS 6”X2
447,890.63
19,035.35
9”X4
233,461.68
9,922.12
3”X3
43,874.94
1,864.68
BPS 6”X3
652,640.63
27,737.23
9”X3
161,635.50
6,869.51
3”X2
29,249.98
1,243.12
BPS 6”X2
435,093.75
18,491.48
8”X6
311,282.25
13,229.50
2”X2
19,499.98
828.75
ROP2”X6
152,382.01
6,476.24
8”X5
259,401.87
11,024.58
1”X2
9,749.99
414.37
FPS 2”X6
447,890.63
19,035.35
8”X4
207,521.50
8,819.66
1”X1
4,875.00
207.19
BPS 2”X6
435,093.75
18,491.48
8”X3
143,693.55
6,106.98
BPS 2”X2
268,734.38
11,421.21
13”X5
368,842.50
15,675.81
8”X2
95,786.12
4,070.91
13”X2
126,749.88
5,386.87
7”X5
226,976.64
9,646.51
EARPIECE 2”X2
281,531.25
11,965.08
11”X5
356,677.57
15,158.80
7”X4
158,886.00
6,752.66
CENTRE SPREAD
1,151,718.75
48,948.05
11”X4
285,342.06
12,127.04
7”X2
68,249.93
2,900.62
DOUBLE SPREAD
1,023,750.00
43,509.38
11”X2
107,249.90
4,558.12
6”X4
143,693.55
6,106.98
DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2)
511,875.00
21,754.69
S/N
Vat
Black & White
S/N
Vat
S/N
Vat
1
F/PAGE
309,684.38
13,161.59
16
10”X2
73,734.38
3,133.71
31
6”X2
44,240.63
1,880.23
2
H/PAGE
176,520.09
7,502.10
17
9”X6
264,780.15
11,253.16
32
5”X5
92,160.88
3,916.84
3
Q/PAGE
95,073.11
4,040.61
18
9”X5
220,687.29
9,379.21
33
5”X4
73,734.38
3,133.71
4
14”X5
300,393.28
12,766.71
19
9”X4
176,566.55
7,504.08
34
5”X3
55,300.74
2,350.28
5
14”X4
240,315.08
10,213.39
20
9”X3
119,483.60
5,078.05
35
5”X2
36,867.18
1,566.86
6
14”X2
121,533.92
5,165.19
21
8”X6
235,399.77
10,004.49
36
4”X2
29,493.75
1,253.48
7
13”X5
278,936.62
11,854.81
22
8”X5
196,185.05
8,337.86
37
3”X3
33,180.45
1,410.17
8
13”X2
95,847.32
4,073.51
23
8”X4
156,948.04
6,670.29
38
3”X2
22,120.32
940.11
9
11”X5
269,728.90
11,463.48
24
8”X3
108,668.25
4,618.40
39
2”x6
48,173.99
2,047.39
10
11”X4
215,783.12
9,170.78
25
8”X2
58,987.50
2,506.97
40
2”X2
14,746.87
626.74
11
11”X2
81,107.81
3,447.08
26
7”X5
171,661.92
7,295.63
41
1”X2
7,373.44
313.37
12
10”X6
294,200.16
12,503.51
27
7”X4
121,533.92
5,165.19
42
1”X1
3,686.72
156.69
13
10”X5
245,208.10
10,421.34
28
7”X2
51,614.05
2,193.60
43
DOUBLE SPREAD
774,210.94
32,903.96
14
10”X4
196,185.05
8,337.86
29
6”X4
108,668.25
4,618.40
15
10”X3
147,138.80
6,253.40
30
6”X3
66,360.90
2,820.34
44
DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2)
387,105.47
16,451.98
Political
Colour 532,350.00
22,624.88
H/PAGE
303,439.50
12,896.18
Q/PAGE
163,431.45
6,945.84
PHOTO SPLASH 100,000.00
4,250
Pictures & Captions 1
F/PAGE
35,437.47
1,506.09
Classified Advert 1
Black & White
Vat
F/PAGE
3,675.00
24,500.00
1,041.25
2
71,662.50
-
Vat
1
F/P
262,756.26
11,662.81
17,110.06
2
H/P
158,581.13
7,038.85
H/PAGE
229,476.12
9,752.74
3
Q/PAGE
85,411.25
3,791.10
Q/PAGE
123,595.04
5,252.79
4
10”X2
55,476.05
2,357.73
5
8”X2
44,380.56
1,886.17
6
7”X2
38,832.99
1,650.40
7
6”X2
33,282.11
1,414.49
8
5”X2
27,736.42
1,178.80
9
4”X2
22,187.85
942.98
Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Color)
1
F/P
Colour
2 3
Vat
10
347,446.29
15,421.90
H/P
209,694.05
9,307.57
Q/PAGE
112,940.48
5,013,02
PLEASE CONTACT LAGOS Moses-08169118913 Helen-08035208749 Rolland-08055086970
ABUJA Femi-08033550468
Vat
402,589.69
-
1
S/N
F/PAGE
S/N
Loose Insert
Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Black & White)
11
3”X2 2”X6
16,640.27
707.21
33,283.03
471.54
(BOTTOM STRIP)
12
2”X2
11,094.96
471.54
13
1”X2
5,547.58
235.77
14
1”X1
2,773.79
117.89
OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA
22
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
s
Cartoons from our Archives
1937 Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey On this day in 1937, the German airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built, exploded as it arrived in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Thirty-six people died in the fiery accident that has since become iconic, in part because of the live radio broadcast of the disaster. The dirigible was built to be the fastest, largest and most luxurious flying vessel of its time. It was more than 800 feet long, had a range of 8,000 miles, could carry 97 passengers and had a stateof-the-art Mercedes-Benz engine. It was filled with 7 million cubic feet of hydrogen, even though helium was known to be far safer, because it made the flying ship more manoeuvrable. The Hindenburg had made 10 successful ocean crossings the year before and was held up by Germany’s Nazi government as a symbol of national pride. Flying at a speed of 85 miles per hour, the Hindenburg was scheduled to arrive in New Jersey at 5 a.m.
on May 6. However, weather conditions pushed the arrival back to the late afternoon and then rain further delayed the docking at Lakehurst. When the dirigible was finally cleared to dock, Captain Max Pruss brought the ship in too fast and had to order a reverse engine thrust. At 7:20 p.m., a gas leak was noticed. Within minutes, the tail blew up, sending flames hundreds of feet in the air and as far down as the ground below. A chain reaction caused the entire vessel to burn instantly. The nearly 1,000 spectators awaiting the Hindenburg’s arrival felt the heat from a mile away. Some on the blimp attempted to jump for the landing cables at the docking station but most died when they missed. Others waited to jump until the blimp was closer to the ground as it fell. Those who were not critically injured from burns often suffered broken bones from the jump. Fifty-six people managed to survive.
1954 First four-minute mile In Oxford, England, 25-yearold medical student Roger Bannister cracked track and field’s most notorious barrier: the fourminute mile. Bannister, who was running for the Amateur Athletic Association against his alma mater, Oxford University, won the mile race with a time of 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. For years, so many athletes had tried and failed to run a mile in less than four minutes that people made it out to be a physical impossibility. The world record for a mile was 4 minutes and 1.3 seconds, set by Gunder Hagg of Sweden in 1945. Despite, or perhaps because of, the psychological mystique surrounding the four-minute barrier, several runners in the early 1950s dedicated themselves to being the first to cross into the three-minute zone. Roger Bannister, born in Harrow, England, in 1929, was a top mile-runner while a student at the University of Oxford and at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London. In 1951 and 1953, he won British championships in the mile run. As he prepared himself for his first com-
petitive race of the 1954 season, Bannister researched the mechanics of running and trained using new scientific methods he developed. On May 6, 1954, he came to the Iffley Road track in Oxford for the annual match between the Amateur Athletic Association and Oxford University. Conditions were far from ideal; it had been windy and raining. A considerable crosswind was blowing across the track as the mile race was set to begin. At 6 p.m., the starting gun was fired. In a carefully planned race, Bannister was aided by Chris Brasher, a former Cambridge runner who acted as a pacemaker. For the first half-mile, Brasher led the field, with Bannister close behind, and then another runner took up the lead and reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 3 minutes 0.4 seconds, with Bannister at 3 minutes 0.7 seconds. Bannister took the lead with about 350 yards to go and passed an unofficial timekeeper at the 1,500-meter mark in 3 minutes 43 seconds, thus equalling the world’s record for that distance. Thereafter, Bannister threw
Daily Times May 6, 1961
in all his reserves and broke the tape in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. As soon as the first part of his score was announced--”three minutes...”--the crowd erupted in pandemonium. Bannister went on to win British and Empire championships in the mile run, and the European title in the 1,500-meter event in 1954. At the end of the year, Bannister retired from athletic competition to pursue his medical career full time and in 1955 recounted his experiences in the book The Four Minute Mile. He later earned a medical degree from Oxford and became a neurologist. In 1975, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. His world record in the mile did not stand long, and the record continued to be lowered with increasingly controlled climatic and surface conditions, more accurate timing devices, and improvements in training and running techniques. A “subfour” is still a notable time, but top international runners now routinely accomplish the feat. Because a mile is not a metric measurement, it is not a regular track event nor featured in the Olympics.
1992 Gorbachev reviews the Cold War In an event steeped in symbolism, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev reviewed the Cold War in a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri—the site of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech 46 years before. Gorbachev mixed praise for the end of the Cold War with some pointed criticisms of U.S. policy. In 1946, Winston Churchill, former prime minister of Britain, spoke at Westminster College and issued what many historians have come to consider the opening volley of the Cold War. Declaring that an “iron curtain” had fallen across Eastern Europe, Churchill challenged both Great Britain and the United States to contain Soviet aggression. Forty-six years later, the Soviet Union had collapsed and Mikhail Gorbachev, who had resigned as president of the Soviet Union in December 1991, stood on the very same campus and reflected on the Cold War. Gorbachev declared that the
end of the Cold War was the “shattering of the vicious circle into which we had driven ourselves” and a “victory for common sense, reason, democracy, and common human values.” In addressing the issue of who began the Cold War, Gorbachev admitted that the Soviet Union had made some serious mistakes, but also suggested that the United States and Great Britain shouldered part of the blame. He decried the resulting nuclear arms race, though he made clear that he believed the United States had been the “initiator” of this folly. With the Cold War over, he cautioned the United States to realize the “intellectual and consequently political error, of interpreting victory in the cold war narrowly as a victory for oneself.” Gorbachev’s speech, and particularly the location at which he delivered it, offered a fitting closure to the Cold War, and demonstrated that scholarly debate about those years would continue though the animosity had come to an end.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Reps oppose removal of fuel subsidy ÏÏÏ The House of
Representatives has voiced its opposition against the removal of fuel subsidy. Rather, the federal lawmakers asked the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), to sustain the subsidy regime. This was the decision of the House, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha on Tuesday. A motion seeking the removal of subsidy as a permanent solution to perennial scarcity, failed in a majority voice vote on the floor of the House. The present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan
had voted N145bn for subsidy in the 2015 budget, a slash from the N970bn appropriated for subsidy in 2013 and 2014. Out of the N145 billion, subsidy on petrol was N100 billion, while the balance of N45 billion was for kerosene. There have been speculations that the cut in subsidy was part of the government’s plan to remove it completely, had Jonathan won his re-election bid. Also, there have been calls on Buhari, since he won the election, to remove the subsidy when his government is inaugurated on May 29. The sponsor of Tuesday’s motion, Mr. Karimi Sunday, sup-
ported the removal of subsidy, as he argued that the policy had been abused. Sunday, a Peoples Democratic Party member from Kogi State, stated that only a “few persons” enjoyed the subsidy, while the Nigerian masses that the policy was meant to help, never got products at subsidised prices. He argued that the industry should be fully liberalised to allow investors import products on their own without waiting to abuse the subsidy regime. He cited the endless queues at filling stations across the country in a subsidy regime and a booming black market as evidence that the policy had been
abused. “Petrol is sold for N150 per litre, depending on where it is available, as against the official price of N87. ”Young men and women have taken to fuel hawking as a quick money-making venture. ”The administration of Buhari should be courageous enough to abolish subsidy,” he stated. Sunday also noted that the removal of subsidy would address the resort of marketers to hold the country to ransom over subsidy claims. When he put the motion to vote, it was defeated in a majority voice vote.
PDP’ll bounce back in 2019, says Iwuanyanwu Val Okara Owerri
ÏÏÏ
A frontline politician and member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has advised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be wary of the influx of defectors from the PDP, describing them as a bunch of impostors. Iwuanyanwu, who gave the warning, on Monday, while
briefing newsmen, after a crucial meeting of the Elders Council of Imo State, attributed the outcome of the governorship election in the state to lack of sincerity and betrayal of trust by some members of the PDP who pretended to be working for the success of the party, but were actually bought over by the APC to pull the party down. He accused a chieftain of the party from the Ikeduru Local Government Area, who had all along paraded himself as a
NUWAUPIAN YASAR INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
political disciple of the party’s governorship candidate, but was later discovered to have collected a gargantuan sum of money to work for the APC. “We have known those who are not reliable and who should not be trusted. Some of them left us immediately after the presidential election and the APC should beware of the chameleons that they are, because they were the same people who shamelessly destroyed the PDP,” Iwuanyanwu said.
Iwuanyanwu
HOME OF GOD’S GRACE ORPHANAGE
The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.
The Trustees Are: 1. George Drayton Jr. 2. Gene Alton Carr Jr. 3- Oluropo Olusanya Komolafe
The Trustees Are: 1. Boluwajoko Grace 3. James Ola Solomon 5. Rev. Ezekiel Adeleye
Aims and Objectives: 1. Feeding the homeless. 2. Helping elderly people.
Aims and Objectives: To take care of helpless and disadvantaged children.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: seccretary
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: Boluwajoko Grace
GOD’S WORLD HARVEST TABERNACLE
UMUAGA WELFARE ASSOCIATION LAGOS BRANCH
The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Revd. George Olatunbosun Ogundare (JP) - General Overseer 2. Deaconess Rachael Aduke Ogundare 3. Pastor Ebenezer Olaoluwa Ogundare
2. Ade-Olatujoye Oluwakemi 4. Olaide Olufunke 6. Elizabeth Funmilayo Adeleke
The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Mr. Cornelius Eneh 3. Mr. Charlie Ude 5. Mrs. Nancy Obiageli Nwachukwu
2. Apostle Sunny Onyia 4. Mrs. MaryTheresa Ifeyinwa Ude 6. Mr. Johnnie Eze
Aims and Objectives: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Aims and Objectives: 1. To foster increased understanding among members, 2. To cater for the wefare of members, 3. To champion the course of development of education and provision of social amenities in Umuaga.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: Trustees
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: B.C. UDE ESQ (Solicitor) 43, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
23 News ONICCIMA calls for end to fixed charges on electricity tariff Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha
ÏÏÏ Worried by the fixed elec-
tricity charges imposed on Nigerians by private power providers across the nation, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), has called on the in-coming administration to put an end to such exploitative tendencies by electricity distributors. The call was made by its President, Sir Tim Anosike, in an address presented at the 27th Annual General Meeting and conference of ONICCIMA in Onitsha, on Tuesday. Anosike stated that the chamber was demanding an immediate intervention by the Federal Government as the monthly fixed charges imposed on the consumers was a gross act of injustice. since consumers are made to pay for services not provided. The chamber, however, called on the Federal Government to force the power providers to withdraw the fixed charges. The chamber while commending the government for its National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) initiative, which aims at diversification of the economy through agriculture, however, argued that, if properly implemented, it would boost the nation’s industrial development.
HARVESTIME CHRISTIAN MISSION The general public is hereby notified that the above named mission has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Farounbi John Adeola 2. Soetan Ola Gbolahan 3. Farounbi Kudirat Ibironke 4. Aderounmu Thompson Adelere 5. Emmanuel Dickson Obot 6. Ajayi Adeniyi Omotayo 7. Okereson Hannah Udodirim 8. Chaplain Oladejo Isaiah Olayiwola Aims and Objectives: 1. To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Planting New Testament churches wherever possible. 3. Training of Christian workers for the evangelistic fields. 4. Publishing of gospel literature. 5. Establishing of vocational training centres, schools and orphanages. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: CHAPLAIN OLADEJO ISA
ADETOMISIN MODUPE OSHUNKOYA
OLUYELU OLALEKAN OLAJIDE OLUWALONIMI
I formally know and addressed as Miss Adetomisin Modupe Oseni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetomisin Modupe Oshunkoya. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. The General public should take note.
I formerly known as Oluyelu Olalekan Olajide now wish to be known as Oluyelu Olalekan Olajide Oluwalonimi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHIOMA AKUNNAYA ANYANWU
PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Chioma Akunnaya Okoroji, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Akunnaya Anyanwu. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
SAND MINERS ASOCIATION OF LAGOS STATE, LEKKI CHAPTER LOSE OF CERTIFICATE
The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Certified True Copy (CTC) of Certificate of its Incorporation under part C of Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990. Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Chairman GOOD FRIENDS FAMILY CLUB OF LAGOS 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 Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Umoh Idongesit Sunday - President 3. Effiong Hanson Akpan - Financial Sec. 5. Otobong Willie Samson - Secretary 7. Effiong Ben Udoh 9. Ekarika Isong Anietie
2. Nkereuwem Victor Edet - Vice President 4. Obong Usen Veronica 6. Antia Godspower Emmanuel 8. Ephriam Udofia Achibong
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To foster love/unity among members and cater for their interest/welfare 2. To assist the poor and less privileged in the society 3. To promote the physical and spiritual growth of its members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street,Maitama, FCT, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED BY:- OTOBONG WILLIE SASAMSON Secretary
LINCOT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Mr. Obioha Oliver 2. Mrs. Obioha Pauline 3. Mr. Obioha Uchenna Jude AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1. To prepare learners for the future. 2. To provide learners with variety of opportunities in order to broaden their choosing and acting space. 3. To prepare learners for greater challenges of tomorrow. 4. To imbue in learners a great sense of commitment to national unity and objective. 5. To provide learners with a worthwhile but affordable education. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: C. N. ADINNU ESQ 29B Rumuola Road Port Harcourt
FORTHRIGHT GARDENS RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION MAGBORO OGUN STATE NIGERIA This is to inform the General Public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Dr. Oludara Mobolaji Adewale President 2. Air Cdr Fisher Emmanuel Babatunde (Rtd) Vice President 3. Okoloh Peter Adimabua Secretary 4. Pastor Adeniran Joseph Oyeyemi Treasurer 5. Mr Ezeilo Greg Ugochukwu (FCA) Financial Secretary 6. Mr Agagu Babatunde Odunayo Public Relations Officer THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To foster Unity among members 2. For the development, progress and welfare of residents of the estate. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication. SIGNED BY: SECRETARY
DE PEACE OF GOD GLORIOUS CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Kieniabere Deinma - President 2. Kieniabere Tammy Tamuno - Vice President 3. Okito Odafe Simon - Secretary 4. Nwawueze Sylvester - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. To rescue the lost souls through prophetic words. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: KIENIABERE DEINMA President
HIAB AND CRANE OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF OGUN STATE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. TRUSTEES: (1) Alh. Taiwo Oloyinde. (2) Chief Samuel karunwi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To foster mutual relationship among members of the association. 2.To create wealth among members of the association Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: Secretary
GOD’S COMMANDING ARMY GOSPEL CENTRE
STORE TO STORE OWNERS WELFARE FORUM, WARRI
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named forum has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above name ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Change of its Trustees under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Act, 1990.
Trustee. 1. Pastor Mrs Tessy Juliet Uyeh 2. Evang. Lucky Tony Uyeh 3. Stanley Sanco 4. Mrs. Priscilia Odogun 5. Mrs. Joy Itsekiri
Trusteee. 1. Offor Leonard Adindu. 2. Nwankwo Ireayi. 3. Onyedum Theodour Ebele. 4. Emuka Emmanuel Uchenna. 5. Elechukwu Paulinus.
Trusteee. 1. Amb. Prophet Ugochukwu Ugokwe Prince - Founder / General. Overseer 2. Sis. Chioma Light Ugokwe. - Secretary 3. Prohetess Mrs. Nkechi Ugokwe, - Ass. General 0verseer. 4. Rev. Chiamanda David Great Ugokwe - Treasurer. 5 Deacon Jumbo Anemikaye. - Member 6. Deacon Belema Ogwama. - Member.
Aim and objection 1. To Preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To spread the gospel to all nations of the world in accordance with the word of our Lord Jesus Christ 3. To help the less privileged in the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed. BARR. AUSTIN NWAROH SOLICITOR
THE HOUSEHOLD OF TRUTH INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
Aim and objective To foster unity among members. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed. CHIGEMEZU CHIGBU 08059237090
THE STEWARD VESSEL INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE:1.Pastor John Onuche Alfa 2.Pastor Emmanuel Attah 3.Pastor Isaac S. Salifu 4.Pastor Sunday S. Ogboji 5.Mrs. Victoria E. Alfa
Trustees: 1. Wole Oladiyun 2. Wale Adebayo Odusami 3. Chinenye Mabel Achinonu 4. Christopher Okechukwu Achinonu 5. Chidinma Nnennaya Uzowulu
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1.To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2.To win souls for Christ. 3.To organize Evangelism, Church seminars and crusade.
Aim and objective 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. To evangelize in prisons and police station.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Secretary
OCHIMANA CALEB FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Ochimana caleb Agboni Yunusa (chairman) 2. Ochimana Ojochenemi Helen (secretary). Aims and Objectives : 1. To build healthcare centres to provide free medical service to poor and indigent people and less privileged . 2. To facilitate health awareness campaign in rural communities. 3. To provide scholarships to the less privileged and educational materials to school in rural communities. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: Secretary.
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed : MADUKA OKOLI ESQ 8/10 Broad Street, Lagos (08033127357)
CHARITY OF PEACE FOR IDLE HANDS AND GENDER EQUITY INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above name initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES: 1. Adesida Titilola. A 3. Agunbiade Jaiyeola Moruf
2. Bukola Onibiyo 4. Ademayowa Adesida
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. Community development research. 2. Promoting all forms human right for peace, health, education, economic empowerment, sports, gender equity, socio economic, arts and culture and good governance Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Trustees
YOKE BREAKER’S PROPHETIC MINISTRY
Aim and objective 1. To preach and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To plant vibrant churches and engage in training, mentoring and ordination of ministers of God. Any objection to this change should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. Signed: Secretary
CHRIST APOSTOLIC POWER AND MIRACLE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Odebiyi Kolawole 3. Ajibade Augustine 5. Micheal Oluwatosin
2. Solape Olajide 4. Abayomi Adeoye
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ within and outside Nigeria 2. To propagate Christian Education, outreaches, Seminars, workshops etc 3. To deliver the oppressed and set the captives free through praying and deliverance, demonstration of the power of God Wroughting signs and wonders like the apostolic days Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication
SIGNED BY:- THE TRUSTEES
OKE COURT TEXTILE TRADERS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees Are: 1. Odebiyi Mohammed Muyideen 2. Babatunde Peter Adelaja 3. Adeyemi Wosilat 4. Tayeshe Kabir 5. Akintoye Abike Suwebatu 6. Buriji Moriamo Oju-Olape 7. Abdul Ganiyat 8 . Bello Fausat Omotola 9. Alayunde Kudirat Folashade 10. Shokoya Kudirat Aims and Objectives: To foster unity among members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off aguiyi ironsi street, maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication. Signed: seccretary
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Ejigbo torture: Market leader, others remanded in prison Titilope Joseph
Ă?Ă?Ă?
Ten persons were, on Tuesday, arraigned by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, in connection with the torture of three women for stealing pepper, at Oba Morufu International Market, in Ejigbo, on February11, 2013. They were arraigned on a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty. The accused are the mar-
ket leader, Isiaka Waidi, Buhari Yusuf, Abdullahi Haruna and Saheed Adisa. Others are Lateef Tijani, Ahmed Adisa, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Adekunle Adenuga and Oloruntoyin Dauda. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the accused “had tortured the trio of Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo, for allegedly stealing pepper at the market.� Alakija said the women “were beaten up, stripped and pepper was rubbed over their bodies by the suspects, who are members of the Oodua Peoples Con-
gress (OPC).� The defendants were also alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women's private parts, while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone. They were also accused of obtaining the sum of N50, 000 from one Fima Agomo, who is a relative of the victims by claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper had been stolen. According to her, their offences contravened Sections 44, 127 (1) 171, 228 (2), 241, 243, 259, 270, 312, 408 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
6
$ 3 & # # 0 % ( ( % ! 4 5 3 &&
2
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty, when the charge was read to them. The judge ordered them to be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications fixed for May 21.
Gov. Fashola
APC group predicts doom for Ekiti PDP Ado Ekiti
Ă?Ă?Ă?A
#$ % ! & ' ( ) *
) # % ( ) )
+ , $ - $ ( $ # )$ . . $ % ! & /0
1
!!! "
# " $ % & " "' (" ) * + $,- , . /" " + /. " 0 1 2, ) " 3 ,0 4 /"
!"
Ă?Ă?Ă?The
safety and security of air travellers using the Asaba Airport, in Delta State, cannot be guaranteed anymore, the Federal Government has said. As a result, the government, on Tuesday, downgraded the facility from being used for commercial flight operations. It said the airport’s safety and security concerns were due to the failure of the Delta State Government to fix key infrastructure at the airport. It said the state government refused to comply with directives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, mandating it to fix some of the airport’s
group in the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), known as Ekiti Restoration Group (ERG), has predicted doom for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, and vowed to galvanise all resources to ensure that the party reclaimed the state from the PDP during the 2018 governorship poll. The group equally expressed deep concern over the state of affairs in the state, under the Fayose administration, saying there was an urgent need for the party to stand up and rescue Ekiti, in the midst of the crisis trailing the various arms of government. Rising from its meeting of May 1, 2015 in Ado Ekiti, the ERG specifically praised Nigerians for making it difficult for the PDP to rig the outcome of the presidential election, which produced Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the APC, whom it expressed confidence in, as someone capable of turning around the country's fortune.
Asaba airport not safe, says FG
facilities, such as making repairs on its undulating runways, providing perimeter fence, as well as other issues. The Federal Ministry of Aviation, in a statement made available to our correspondent, in Abuja, said: “The Federal Government has downgraded the Asaba Airport over the failure of the Delta State government to put in place measures that would guarantee the safety and security of passengers using the airport.�
Group pushes for Iriase as Reps Speaker Titus Akhigbe
Gbenga Sodeinde
25 News
Benin
Ă?Ă?Ă?A group known as the
South-South Equity Forum, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to let a top member of the House of Representatives from the South-South geo-political region to occupy the speakership position in the incoming lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly. Speaking during a press briefing held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre, Benin, the leader of the group, Sir. Harrison Omagbon, said: “Considering the economic importance of the SouthSouth geo-political zone, as the goose that laid the golden eggs, has to be factored into the distribution of high political offices. “This will further suppress opportunistic agitation, part of which led to the Niger Delta militancy. The APC, as a party can ill-afford the crisis that will arise from the mismanagement of her victory, which was the same reason the PDP roundly lost the elections.� Omagbon stated that, of all the states in the SouthSouth, it was only in Edo, “in spite of the blatant military brutality against the APC leadership and the virtual arrest of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole�, that General Muhammadu Buhari scored 45 percent votes, which was above the mandatory 25 percent as re-
quired by the constitution. It is based on these that the group called on the leadership of the APC to consider Edo State-born politician and a member of the House of Representatives – Pally Iriase – who is also a former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, for the exalted position. According to the group: “We are calling on the leadership of our great party to consider the person of Hon. Pally Iriase, a chartered accountant; a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo State; a former Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; a former Secretary to the Edo State Government and a two-time member of the House of Representatives for the speakership of the National Assembly. “We appeal to the leadership of the APC, and the President-elect to be on the side of fair play, equity and justice in the larger interest of our great party and the country. This is pertinent in view of the fact that election will still take place in 2019 and every part of the country is needed to move the nation forward.�
Iriase
26
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Features
s
Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. Email: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng
Victims awaiting burial
Corpses everywhere
HORROR IN PLATEAU
Blood, tears on the Plateau, again
Woman bereaved of her family wailing
GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reviews the bloodbath unleashed by members of the State Task Force (STF) in Plateau State last Saturday and reports a pain and fear of a people waiting for deliverance. So much blood have been shed, most times, recklessly and without provocation since the past five years; even the bloods of uniformed men whose wives and children have been rendered widows and bastards. It has never been this bad in the history of any nation not at war; and now, just as Nigerians heave a sigh of relief and praying the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to restore sanity to a nation raped, bludgeoned and dehumanised by those in government, and pock-
ets of dissatisfied people who resorted to insurgency to vent their grievances, what appeared to be the deadliest blow befell the nation last Saturday, May 2, 2015 in five Taroh settlements at Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. If you missed the horror in the last few days, then it doesn’t matter whatever else you didn’t miss, but because voices of the bloods of over 500 native dwellers who were no party to politics or security conflicts will never seize to cry for justice, Daily Times here presents a recap of a living version of Alfred Hitchcock Hour’s ‘Tale of the Unexpected’, perpetuated by a coordinated army of a nation whose head is neither mad, nor the army of debased men: An eyewitness who escaped only by a miracle, relived how people in Saku, Wadata Kasuwa, Wadata Missin, Kurmi and
Kadarko towns and villages, all in Wase Local Government of Plateau State, went to bed on Friday May 1. Then a squadron of the Nigerian Army came over the people accompanied by 18 armoured tanks, with over 5,000 men, dressed in Nigerian army uniforms. They split into different camps. Some of the soldiers came through Taraba State, killing anything in sight, including men, women and children. They killed, maimed, destroyed and burnt houses with people inside, and nothing that has breath escaped their eyes. Mark you, this is not connected to the Islamist militants or any other group called by any name: they are a contingent of the Nigerian Army, in a supposed democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria. Some of the fleeing residents said that the mass murder was
carried out by members of the State Task Force (STF) and soldiers from the 3rd Armoured Division in retaliation over a recent killing of four soldiers by militia men in the area. The organised army which has a spokesman for the STF, Capt. Ikedichi Iweaha, denied the allegation that security personnel carried had out such killings, declaring that ‘it would be unthinkable’ that soldiers deployed to keep the people safe would turn their weapons against them and in the manner claimed. But on the allegation of a reprisal attack, Iweaha admitted that members of the STF and soldiers from the 3 Armoured division had been deployed to keep the area safe from militiamen who he said had been carrying out daring raids around the Taraba Plateau border. When Daily Times contacted
the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mohammed Badu, he declined comments, saying it was the duty of the STF to speak on the operation. Senior Adviser to the Governor, Jonah Jang, on Media who is also the Media officer of the STF, Pam Ayuba, ignored telephone calls made to his office. The traditional ruler of Taroh, in Wase, Mr. Lot Nden, confirmed the death toll which he believes to be well over 500. He said the gun men came in large number, wearing army uniforms and attacked major Taroh settlements. Daily Times gathered that the week before, six soldiers were killed and mutilated by tribesmen - reportedly members of the Tarok tribe - who were allegedly involved in cattle rustling. CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
In Lagos, it’s women fuel hawkers all the way Women and their children have left the comfort of their homes to hustle in the roadside fuel business also known as black market, RITA OWOLEOR and JOY EKEKE filed in this report. Petroleum products, usually sold in filling and gas stations, can now be bought just
about anywhere, even along by the roadsides as you drive along Lagos streets. This is not completely out of place in a city where you can buy a multi-million Naira jeep under the bridge, along the road, just as you call a hawker and buy cold mineral, fruit or snacks. But the worrisome trend in the petroleum hawking is that the
business is besieged by housewives, single parents, young girls and boys. A motorist, who just bought five litres from one of the hawkers at Orike in Lagos, told Daily Times that absolutely nothing is surprising anymore in Lagos. “This is the group of women and children who used to hawk fruits, snacks and cold drinks;
now they are into this dangerous petrol business.” Walking along Badagry expressway by Barracks bus stop, countless women both young and old and their children are seen with gallons of fuel in rows, in order to make ends meet, at least for that day. It is rare to see a matured man CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Fuel hawkers at work
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
27 Features
Wase: ‘Our enemy now is not Boko Haram’ – Survivors Jang CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
Addressing a news conference in the Plateau state capital, Jos, community leader Comrade Jangle Lohbut said he had documented at least 38 deaths at the hands of troops before this massacre. “Soldiers stormed some villages in Wase. Villages belonging to Tarok and other tribes were razed and many lives, men, women and children, were lost,” he said. Local traditional ruler Chief
Jessie Miri said he believed that up to 80 people had been killed in that attack by military men. Last year, Amnesty International accused the Nigerian army of committing atrocities in the north-east in its fight against Boko Haram, but the army had denied the allegation, promising that it would investigate any illegal killings in the area. As the nation looks forward to the swearing in of Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, 2015, the people of the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State and indeed all the troubled areas of the North continue to live in fear; the enemy now has gone beyond insurgency, this is Nigeria’s own
government, coming down heavily against innocent men, women and children with the Nigerian military might. Nigerians are watching, the people are waiting. From records, this nation is not ruled by base men. Someone in Jonathan’s government, even Jonathan himself must give account of this: 5,000 soldiers and 18 armoured tanks sent to overrun civilian settlements is a question that outgoing President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan must address before he leaves Aso Rock. Let his findings and punishment be included in the notes he will hand over on May 29th. You owe that to yourself. You owe that to humanity.
Jonathan
Child survivor, neighbour lament.
‘Policemen always demand petrol or cash from us’ – hawkers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
selling fuel in this area; rather it is a trade for the young boys and girls who come to assist their mothers after school hours. Daily Times correspondents observed that the roadside grocery traders don’t have shops to differentiate each trader from another. Immediately a vehicle or bike drops by in front of the gallons of fuel, they rush at the customer and it is usually the smarter ones that make the sale. Mrs. Blessing Eze, a fuel hawker who sells in rows of jerry cans was very straight in her response when she spoke to Daily Times. And “I buy directly from any filling station I like, and I resell anywhere I like; whatever I make on top is what sustains my family. My husband was retrenched from Afprint without pay, so my children and I have to help out.” In her response to why she chose to sell petrol, Blessing told a story familiar to traders in Lagos: “I had a shop where I sell foodstuffs wholesale and retail; the constant increase in the rent was a problem, but though I was managing to pay, one morning council people came and demolished shops in the areas. “Looking for money to rent another shop was out of the ques-
tion, so with the little left, I had to start selling fuel by the roadside instead of being idle. I am strong and healthy by the grace of God and I will support my family until God will change this country so that our husbands will start to work again. That is my story.” Amaka Obi, a single parent confided to Daily Times that she has been taking care of her little girl alone with the profit makes daily. “I have been fending for my child alone with the profit realized from sales.” Hallima Bello is only 13 and a primary six pupil. She was assisting her mother hawking fuel when our correspondent spoke with her. “When fuel price was normal, we used to sell at N150 per litre and N700 for a gallon; without gallon, we can take 600 compared to filling stations where it is sold for 87/100. Presently, fuel has jumped up and we sell according to how my mother gets it to buy.” Our correspondent was able to deduce from the child where mother buys her stock. “My mother buys directly from the distributors because it is cheaper than the filling stations. She has been in this business for more than five years and she is not planning to quit now.” Another hawker, Bukky Olay-
inka says she was introduced into the trade by her friend and since she started the business, she has never lacked anything because anytime she makes sales something reasonable goes home with her. “I began this business in 2010 and since then I have never regretted it because I have been fending for myself. I resume sales from 5 pm and sell till night.” Bukky said apart from some challenges she faces when she goes to buy, she is comfortable with the business because it is very profitable. After speaking with a number of the hawkers, Daily Times discovered that the business is both demanding but very profitable and it requires some measure of guts. Our correspondents also noticed that there is always a large turnout of female traders in the evenings and night hours than during the day, for two main reasons: The sun would have set and heat reduced considerably, and many sheds are found to be closed, so they use available space there for their jerry cans. Motorists and motorcyclists prefer to patronize the women because it eliminates the long queues they face at the filling stations.
Fuel hawkers at Orile
28
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Business Times
s
Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
NSE market activities closes on negative note Adesola Akindele
Mr. Oscar Onyema
All share Index in the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a negative note Tuesday declining by 0.41 per cent or 49.05 basis point to close at 34,600.33 as against Monday’s closing basis point of 34,649.38. TOTAL rose from its loss of N5.17 yesterday to lead the gainers chart in a gain of N7.07 and closed at N157.4, following this trail was CONOIL with a gain of N1.81 to close at N38.02 per share.
ETI also gained N1.06 from its previous closing balance of N21.22 to close at N22.28. While WAPCO and VITAFOAM recorded appreciable growth as they closed with a gain of N1 and 53 kobo to close at N95 and N5.85 respectively. On the other hand, NESTLE led the losers chart with a staggering loss of N14.25 to close at N935.75. Guinness lost N1 to close at N169, NB also lost one 1kobo more from yesterday’s gain to close at N157.
CCNN and MOBIL also lost 58 kobo and 5 kobo to close at N11 and N150 respectively. The financial (banking) sector dominated the equity market as Tuesday’s top five traders are UBA, ACCESS, ZENITH, STERLING, and GUARANTY. A total of 40.6 million shares worth N211.05 million were sold by UBA. Access bank traded N29.3 million shares worth N176 million, Zenith bank also traded 18.1 million shares worth N386.6 million.
Insurance brokers fault bidding condition for services
BoI records improved loans performance, N5.6billion profit Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Bank of Industry (BoI) has announced a significant improvement in its loan performance record and an impressive Profit before Tax (PbT) of N5.6 billion, made possible by strategic and technological upgrade of the development bank’s processes and service delivery platforms, within the last financial year. Specifically the bank’s profit after tax rose by 138 per cent yearon-year, representing an increase of N3.01billion from N2.2billion in 2013 to N5.2billion in 2014, according to the financial results
released by the bank. Similarly, the Bank grew its profit before tax by 233 per cent from N1.7billion in 2013 to N5.6billion in 2014. The growth in profitability, according to the Bank, is attributable to an increase in its loan portfolio in 2014, and a decrease in its overheads. According to the bank, the decrease in other overheads was a result of conscious cost-optimisation measures adopted by the Bank. Indeed, the Bank’s loans and advances grew by 10.2 per cent from N517billion in 2013 to N570billion in 2014, while its total assets hit N612.1billion, and
Sterling and Guaranty traded 15.3 million shares worth N32.7 million and 15 million shares worth N430 million. In all, a total of 247.4 million shares worth N4.25 billion as against Monday’s 324.5 million shares worth N6.42 billion exchanged hands on the floor of the Nigerian stock in 4,848 deals as against Mondays 4,845, which reduced market capitalization by 0.14 per cent or N16.6 million to N11.750 trillion from yesterday’s closing value of N11.767 trillion.
Joy Ekeke
shareholders’ fund closed at N162.2billion. According to the Bank’s MD/ CEO, Rasheed Olaoluwa, “The Bank’s results for 2014 represent the outcome of our deliberate revenue and cost-optimisation strategies as well as improved staff productivity. We’re focused intensely on our core mandate as a development bank. “New loans processed exceeded N127billion to companies in various sectors such as agro processing, metals, gas distribution, plastics, pharmaceuticals, general manufacturing, creative industry, and SMEs generally. We continue to make developmental impact in key economic sectors.
“We’re re-engineering and automating our core processes and we’re already seeing improved efficiency levels and a significant reduction in our operating expenses. He added saying: “The productivity of our staff has improved considerably; we are hardworking and are embracing modern work tools for greater efficiency”. Furthermore, “we thank all our development partners, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Automotive Council, and various State Governments for their support during the year”, he added.
The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance of Brokers (NCRIB), on Tuesday faulted the collection of bidding fee from operators for the offering of insurance brokerage services. Mr Ayodapo Shoderu, President of NCRIB said in Lagos that the charges were not only exploitative but inimical to the growth of insurance nationwide. He said that some companies and government institutions were charging members before they could render services. According to Shoderu, insurance brokers provide professional service like their counterparts in other sectors of the economy. “Insurance brokers should not be also placed under burdens and unprofessional practices that hinder insurance growth,” he said. He said that the council had directed members to stop entertaining the payment of such unscrupulous charges. “The council management had already dissuaded members from paying such exploitative fees. “The companies and government institutions should be craving to get our services not the other way round. “This council have resourceful members that must be compensated optimally. “The NCRIB–NIA Joint Technical Committee is working on the vexatious issue and it will soon be nipped in the bud, he said.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Etisalat modifies data plan with new option Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo Customers on Nigeria’s telecommunications company, Etisalat, can now enjoy a more superior data experience at an affordable price; following the introduction of Etisalat 2GB for N2000 data plan option. The data plan which is available to all Etisalat customers with no restrictions in terms of its usage; would enable users browse longer and better as well as enjoy more value at affordable rates. According to the Director, Consumer Segment, Oluwole Rawa, the data plan is a demonstration to Etisalat’s commitment to provide quality and affordable services to its customers. In his words, “At Etisalat, we are always on the lookout for creative and innovative ways to improve our value proposition. With the new modified data plan, our customers can conveniently stay connected with their associates and loved ones without feeling a strain on their pockets.’’ He added that, given Etisalat’s reputation for unrivalled speed and quality, the telecommunica-
Rawa
tions company was confident of providing reliable internet connectivity to current and prospective customers interested in taking advantage of the amazing offering. The Etisalat 2GB for N2000 plan
currently offers a market-leading value for money and a more enhanced internet experience. To subscribe to the plan, current and potential Etisalat customers simply need to dial *229*2*8#.
MTN promotes mass apps utility for Nigerians
Iweanoge
In line with the Better Me campaign, telecommunication company, MTN, has launched a new app called, APPtitude, that would help promote the use of mobile apps by Nigerians. The app was launched at a press conference at Best Western hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The APPtitude campaign is geared towards the urgent need to simplify access to the internet in order to grow uptake and consumption. Giving the opening remark,
was MTN’s General Manager Consumer Marketing, Mr. Richard Iweanoge, who hinted that the MTN APPtitude campaign, is a build-up on the Better Me app introduced earlier in the year. According to him, the app will expose Nigerians to the power of the internet to make them better people. “MTN is proud to announce to you that the democratisation of the internet created by the people and for the people is here. The app is what everybody can use whether you are literate or illiterate. It’s free depending on which area you are interested in,” Iweanoge said. Through APPtitude, MTN subscribers can download free apps of their interests from a pool of apps gathered by the telecommunication company. Consumers can download apps ranging from sports, to entertainment, socials, religion, news, media, banking, using zero-rated access. APPtitude apps can be downloaded starting from May 1 to May 30. Interested consumers can text APP to 131. A link which leads to
the app place will be sent to them, and they can download as many apps as they want for free within the stipulated period. Again, Nigerians and business owners who have created apps and want to promote them, are free to visit any MTN office to get them registered and available for downloading. In a bid to also enlighten Nigerians about the new app, MTN representatives will be going from house to house to teach and help with downloading on mobile phones. The APPtitude campaign, will also give opportunity to website owners to visit any MTN office, and get their websites converted into apps for free. Present at the launch were MTN’s Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer (CMO), Bayo Adekambi, General Manager Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, Godfrey Adejumobi, Ademuyiwa Ashiru, M.D Jumia, Jonathan Doerr, representatives from OLX, Hello Foods, Chelsea Nigeria Fan Club, WeChat, CC Hub, Kaymu and others.
29 ICT
APP TO WATCH
Periscope gets ‘unpopular’ on boxing’s big night
Periscope, the Twitter livestreaming app, barged its way onto sports’ biggest stage on Saturday as Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, serving as best new app for piracy. How many thousands of people watched the bout via Periscope is not easy to calculate, but for those who did, the rogue approach to viewership represented saving a pay-per-view fee of as much as $100 — and a potentially worrisome moment for rights holders. Using Periscope requires nothing more than holding up a smartphone to a screen and streaming a live event to countless others in real time. The picture is second-hand, and certainly not as clear as that on a 50-inch HD screen, but that is a small sacrifice to get the socalled fight of the century for nothing. A tweet from one such viewer summed up the appeal: “Arena seats at the MGM? $32K. Paying for PPV? $100. Streaming via #Periscope? Priceless, literally.” But bothersome, certainly, to broadcasters, like HBO and Showtime, which jointly televised Saturday’s fight, and to the promoters responsible for the participants’ nine-figure paydays. It’s hard to look at Mayweather, Pacquiao or cable operators as sad-sack victims of thievery, but Periscope’s mere existence certainly enabled the piracy: Just point your camera and you’re a de facto broadcaster, having paid no rights fee or production costs. Surprisingly, Dick Costolo, the chief executive of Twitter, used his company’s own service to proclaim after the fight that
Periscope was “the winner.” Without any elaboration, it appeared to have been a big corporate cheer for piracy in fewer than 140 characters. But a Periscope spokesman said in a statement Monday that it was not the intention for the app to engage in illegal activity. The company, the statement said, follows the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and it pledged to respect intellectual property rights and work “to ensure there are robust tools in place to respond expeditiously” to violations. On Saturday, the company said that it was notified of 66 Periscope streams of the fight from its rights holders and that it took action against 30 of them. The other live feeds ended before any action could be taken. In 1996, the promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was so fed up with black-box thievery that he dropped plans to sell an Oscar De La Hoya-Julio César Chávez fight on pay-per-view in favor of a fading option that grew popular in the 1950s, closed-circuit TV. “We’re always going to chase technology,” said Todd duBoef, Arum’s stepson and the president of Top Rank. He added: “They can hack the White House. Of course they can hack us.” DuBoef said that Top Rank, Showtime and HBO planned to meet soon to discuss how to protect themselves in the future. They do not rule out legal action. “We were violated,” he said. It is easy to imagine a network like NBC feeling violated if for instance, the opening ceremony of the Olympics were shown by Periscope hours before NBC showed a taped version in prime time.
30
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
FiiRO Mandate
s
Industrial profile on fruit juice production INTRODUCTION
LABOUR REQUIREMENT
Fruit juices are produced from raw fruits. Fruit has been defined as the ripened ovary of the flower, with or without other associated parts. It can be classified broadly into two, namely, juicy and pulpy fruits. Juicy fruits include: orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, tangelo, pumelo, and so on while pulpy fruits include pineapple, mango, pawpaw, banana, cashew, guava, breadfruits, avocado pear and so on. Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) defines fruit juice as the unfermented but fermentable natural juice intended for direct consumption obtained by a mechanical process from sound, matured fruits preserved by physical or chemical means. The juice may be turbid or clear (as in the case of clarified juice). Fruits are grown abundantly in many parts of Nigeria but most of these fruits are lost after harvesting. To reduce post harvest losses of fruits, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi has developed and perfected process technology for fruit processing into fruit juices (clarified and unclarified; carbonated and uncarbonated), fruit concentrates, fruit wines, fruit cordials, fruit purees, fruit pastes, fruit chutney, fruit flakes & candies, dehydrated fruits and so on from Nigerian fruits with the overall objective of conserving foreign exchange, stimulating industrial development, creating employment and reducing poverty.
The required manpower for successful operation of this venture consists of both skilled and unskilled personnel. These consist of the production, administrative/account and marketing personnel. Staff matters, finance/account, store management, security, purchasing and other administrative functions are handled by the administration/account division, while the production division takes charge of production. Marketing activities are the responsibilities of all the staff especially the marketing division staff. About fifty (50) personnel are required for the project to take off.
MARKET INFORMATION There is enormous demand for fruit juices in Nigeria. Fruit juices are served at occasions such are naming, wedding, burial, house warming, seminars, workshops, and so on. The national demand for fruit juices is estimated in excess of 550million litres while current supply is less than 25% of the demand. Popular brands of fruit juices in Nigerian markets are: Frutta, Edge, 5 Alive, Chivita, Fumman, Dansa, Fan juice, Chi Exotic, Lloyd’s fruit squeeze, Dudu, Cyway natural drink, etc. Common packagings are tetra pak, can, bottle (plastic and glass) and pouches. The average retail price per L Tetra pak juice is N220.00 while that of 50cl (500ml) in similar pack is N100.00. RAW MATERIALS
Major fruits in Nigeria are: Orange, Mango, Cashew, Tomato, Pineapple and Banana, Guava, Water melon and Pawpaw. The common preservatives used in fruit juice production include citric acid, sodium benzoate and sodium metabisulphite while sugar or other alternatives could be used as a sweetener. Table 1 shows production outputs of fruits in Nigeria in relation to some other Countries in the world. MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT The major machinery and equipment for production of fruit juices are: Juice Extractor, Pasteurizer, Homogenizer, Hydraulic press, Juice crusher, Filling machine, Filter press, Stainless steel storage tank, Weighing machine and other accessories. FIIRO has designed and fabricated complete process line machinery and equipment for fruit juice production available at micro, small and medium scales. The Institute can deliver the complete process line on turnkey basis within six weeks of commissioning by the investor/ entrepreneur. The cost however, depends on the capacity which could vary from 1,000L/day to 5,000L/day.
Mixing Filtering Filling Pasteurization Cooling and Packaging Pasteurized juice is cooled at room temperature, labeled and packaged in cartons ready for sales. PRODUCTION PROGRAMME Production programme for a small to medium scale fruit juice plant is shown below: Production Days/Annum - 300 Production Volume/Day - 5,000L or 15,150 Bottles (33cl) Production Volume/Annum 1.5million L or 4,545,000 Bottles (33cl)
Projected 5- Year Production Plan Year
Quantity (L)
Quantity (Bottles, pcs)
1
900,000
2,727,000
2
975,000
2,954,250
3
1,050,000
3,181,500
4
1,125,000
3,408,750
5
1,2000,000
3,636,000
FIIRO Small Scale Fruit Juice Plant PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Production of fruit juices includes the following simple unit operations: Fruit selection Washing Weighing Peeling/Trimming/Crushing Extracting Formulating
FIIRO Small Scale Fruit Juice Plant
TOTAL INITIAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT Initial Fixed Capital N19,781,000.00 Initial Working Capital N9,466,670.00 Pre-production Expenses N1,448,440.00 Contingencies N1,280,383.50 TOTAL N30,888,053.50
NB: The initial fixed capital includes factory building, machinery and equipment, generator, project vehicle, office furniture and equipment and bore hole.
PROFITABILITY INDICATORS Return on Investment (Year 1) 75.8% Return on Equity (Year 1) 189.4% Net Profit to Sales 16.4% Gross Profit to Sales 11.5% Profitability Index 3.4 Breakeven Point (Year 1) 34% Payback Period 1.4Years Net Present Value @ 25% N19,640,690.00 SERVICES AVAILABLE AT FIIRO 1 Technology Transfer Training on Fruit Juice Production. 2 Fabrication and Installation of production Machinery and Equipment. 3 Preparation of Bankable Feasibility Report/Business Plan on Fruit Juice production. 4 Quality Control Services 5 Technical Assistance Services (including machinery and equipment installation, commissioning and personnel training on installed plant).
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: The Director-General/CEO, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) 2, FIIRO Road, Cappa Bus Stop, Oshodi, P.M.B. 21023, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Website: http://www. fiiro.gov.ng E-mail Address: info@fiiro.gov.ng, technoentrepreneurship@ fiiro.gov.ng. deleoyeku8@yahoo. co.uk, bukkyadesegha@yahoo.com Telephone: +234-703349-3395, +234-80-38010362, +234-80-2365-3752.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Suspected cultists invade Calabar, kill two
Emma Obi Calabar
ÏÏÏTwo unidentified men
were allegedly killed on Monday evening when rival cult members engaged in a supremacy war at Iboku near the popular Ambo Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of
Cross River State. An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said the two died as a result of gun shots when policemen drafted to the area, arrived to quell the cult war. Cult-related activities are prevalent in the Calabar South area, causing sleepless nights for indigenes
and residents. In a telephone conversation with Daily Times, State Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident, adding that the police were on the trail of the alleged killers. Another group, identified as the 'Idang Boys', at the weekend, allegedly paraded
the streets of Calabar with dangerous weapons, throwing a challenge to other suspected cult groups, it alleged, trespassed in their domain. On Sunday night, suspected cult groups, identified as the Scorpions and Black Cats, engaged in a gun battle on Idang Street near Ibesikpo.
Volunteers at the 2015 World Asthma Day walk sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in collaboration with Elias Nelson Oyedokun Foundation (ENOF) held in Lagos… on Tuesday
31 News
ÏÏÏ
The Nigerian Indigenous Ship-owners Association (NISA) on Tuesday condemned the establishment of a parallel association. The association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ilori, condemned the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. NAN reports that a group of 22 aggrieved indigenous ship-owners, following the outcome of the association’s election in 2014, formed the Ship-owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) in April, 2015. Meanwhile, President of the parallel body, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, told newsmen, at a briefing, that the association’s members were still members of NISA. He also said that the new association was established to facilitate the participation of indigenous ship owners in the international circle through effective representation at such meetings.
Ship owners condemn new parallel body
Ilori, however, countered that the claims by SOAN in championing the cause was only an excuse as NISA had provisions to take care of such needs. He said that the development was not in any way good for the ship owners and the larger maritime industry. ``We have been told that they still remain members, but, then, there is provision within the constitution to address some of the issues that they claim they are now championing. ``This is going to cause a division among the Nigerian ship owners and, for the Nigerian maritime industry, such division is not necessary at this time."
NSPRI boss warns against smoked fish consumption Ola Yekeen Ilorin
Be concerned with workers’ welfare, union tells Buhari Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏThe
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, (rtd), has been urged to ensure that the welfare of Nigerian workers get adequate attention from the Federal Government from May 29, 2015. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, (SSANIP) which made the call through a release signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Adebanjo Ogunsipe, noted that
Yuguda dissolves boards, sacks 33 DGs
the country's education system should be overhauled for better performance. It noted that while political office holders earn fabulous salaries and allowances when compared with their counterparts across the world, Nigerian workers are among the least paid globally. The association congratulated Buhari, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osibajo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the success recorded in the general election and urged them to be
ÏÏÏGovernor
of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on Tuesday, dissolved the boards of 20 agencies and sacked 33 directors-general. According to a statement, the affected establishments included the state’s Muslim and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sharia Consultative Council, Bauchi
ÏÏÏThe
magnanimous in victory. It noted that the antecedents of the President-elect, especially in the area of anti-graft crusade, actually, endeared him to Nigerians and called on him to maintain the integrity, transparency and patriotism which are his hallmarks. SSANIP, whose members have been on a nationwide strike since March 24, 2015, observed that "the Nigerian workers have great hope in the President-elect" and, therefore, urged him to "tackle, head on, the issue
of corruption which has eaten deep into our socioeconomic and political fabrics. "If you can win the war against corruption and general indiscipline, a broader way will be opened for Nigeria's accelerated development", SSANIP pointed out. It commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his courage, love of the nation and belief in oneness of Nigeria, which he exhibited by his acceptance of the verdict of the presidential election.
Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Professor Olufemi Peters, has warned against the consumption of locally smoked fish so as to avoid health hazards. Peters, a Professor of Chemistry, who gave the warning on Tuesday in an interview with Daily Times in Ilorin, said that regular consumption of locally smoked fish, contained Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon, could cause cancer. “One of the main disadvantages of the way peasant farmers smoke their fish is the presence of what we call Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon in the fish. “Because they don’t
Radio Corporation, Bauchi State Television and Bauchi State Water Board, Bauchi Development Board, Bauchi State Library Board, Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company and Bauchi State Tourism Board. Also affected were Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency and
Bauchi State Hotels Board, Yankari Transport Corporation, Bauchi State Sports Council, Poverty Alleviation Agency, Bauchi Fertiliser Company, Bauchi Meat Factory and Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, College of Education, Azare, and A.D. Rufa’i College of Legal and Islamic
Studies, Misau, Interim Supervisory Council and Management Committee of the Yankari Game Reserve. ``Consequently, the governor has ordered that the Management of the Yankari Game Reserve be reverted to the state’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture, '' the statement added.
know the side effects of this method, they allow the substance to go back to the fish they smoked,” Peters added. He said it was because of this hazardous substance that made West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria to commission three research institutes to design environmentally friendly smoking kiln. Peters said NSPRI, Nigerian Fisheries and Fresh Water Research Institute (NFFRI), New Bussa, Niger State and Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos, were mandated to design the cost-effective kiln. According to him, the aim of the smoking kiln was to reduce post-harvest loss, especially, in fish production.
Yuguda
Education
Features
News
NBTE gives HORROR IN PLATEAU Aleppo attacks Yabatech nod to run Blood, tears on the may amount to five programmes Plateau, again war crimes, says
P17 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015
VOL. 1. NO.101
www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr
P26 AI
Politics
LAGOS SPEAKERSHIP RACE: Abiru set to succeed Ikuforiji?
P14
P8
Price: N150
https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR
https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts
dailytimesng
Now that the elections are over…
Yinka Olujimi
ÎÎÎ The 2015 presidential
election in Nigeria has been concluded; the winner has emerged and the loser has conceded defeat. What is left is for the nation to pick up the pieces of the brutally-prosecuted electoral war, and move on. It is that simple, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. The truth is that the real work has only just begun. The victorious party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, will soon realise that dislodging the humongous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sweeping its elephantine feet off power, was actually the easiest
part. Now is the time for the big job of fulfilling electoral promises. That was one department in which the APC was fully equipped during the campaigns. Many of the promises were obviously motivated by noble intentions: a meal a day for pupils, one-year post-NYSC allowances for unemployed graduates, social security for the elderly, free education, free health and so on. The challenge is that the electorate believed those promises – they were made by the man of integrity, remember? It does not matter that fulfilling those pledges requires cash, a large cache of it, in a shrinking economy. And that is where the problem lies. For far too long, Nigerians have been made to believe in effect without cause. They have not been told the bitter truth that free education is not free; that it is paid for, one way or the other. The same goes for free health and public housing.
Many Nigerians have for donkey years been fed with stories of how education is totally free in the United Kingdom, ditto for health; how nursing mothers get regular social security payments; how the unemployed are given weekly allowances and council flats at rockbottom rents, or no rent at all; and so on. The stories are not false, but they are also not true; at least not in the fashion that Nigerians have been made to believe. The massive support that the APC got, I strongly suspect, was because it was the closest approximation to the idyllic life in Europe that they have been made to believe. In the Buhari brand, Nigerians have clear expectations: Corruption will be stamped out, those who have fed on the tears of the citizens will be made to face the wrath of law. And there will be free education, free health; petrol price will be reduced to N40 per litre, the Naira will be at par with the dol-
lar, and so on. The question is: How can the people be told that all these promises can be fulfilled only if there is enough funding, and that oil wealth on which much of Nigeria’s economy depends, is fast dwindling? Nigerians need to be told that in the UK, many parts of Europe and in the United States, tertiary education is funded through a National Insurance or tax scheme. They need to be reminded that when Obafemi Awolowo introduced free education in the First Republic, he also introduced the Head Tax, which was very strange to the South West people and led to the farmers’ uprising. Like Nigeria, the United Kingdom also has crude oil in Scotland, but its economy is run on tax. Public officials do not gather every month to share oil proceeds to enable them pay civil servants, build roads, fund free education and health, and so on. When any Nigerians
complain that none of the country’s universities is in the world’s first 500 list, kindly ask them to take a second look at the list and point at any of them that is run for free or on a tuition fee of N17,000 like some federal universities in Nigeria. If tuition fees for home and European Union students in UK universities are about N1.2 million per session and about N3 million for foreign students, and if it goes for as high as N5 million and N7 million in the United States and Canada, why should we expect Nigerian universities to compete favourably with those of UK, US and Canada? Under the UK National Insurance scheme, working adults make regular contributions into a pool which then provides education loans to students, as well as social security to nursing mothers, the elderly, the infirm and the unemployed. The US tax scheme also creates the in-state and out-of-state dichotomy in
tuition fees regime. Similar programmes fund the education and health schemes in several European states. Broadly put, a scheme by which Nigerians may pay, say, N1,000 monthly will in a short while create such a large pool of funds that education and health will be removed from Chapter Two of the Nigerian constitution and become fundamental rights of the citizens. That way, nobody will complain if Nigerian public universities charge as high as N1 million, since the money to pay will come from the scheme and not from parents. That way, strikes by members of the academic community will end, since they will be properly funded through realistic tuition fees. Those who fear that such a scheme could be abused by thieving public officials should remember that the incoming government will be headed by a no-nonsense corruption fighter. His name: General Muhammadu Buhari.
Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528
Life&
TIMES Wednesday, May 6, 2015
It’s time to put your legs on display L4,5
P
Emmy
Collins Pushing the boundaries of fashion L2
P
Beauty practises that sabotage your skin L6
P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
I am not easily impressed by petty things
- Emmy Collins
Nkarenyi Ukonu
He is different things to different people; eclectic, avant garde, highly opinionated, overly
can wear for a certain time and retire them for months or even a year. However, when you decide to wear them again, they will still not look out
might be expensive but in the end, it works out cheap because they serve you for a very long time. They are not in any way trendy.
I have been living in the United Kingdom for about 15yrs now. The well established fashion industry in the UK was very attractive to me and necessitated my relocation from Amsterdam where I was living before and where I am also a citizen.
Who are your designs made for
to be in your face. He loves to have details incorporated into his pieces but subtly. Over the years, I have studied an average Nigerian fashion
You are now more visible in Nigeria. Any particular reason for this? Well because apart from doing a lot more fashion wise, here, there are a few other things that keeps me staying longer in Nigeria. However,
his pieces made. This sort of client
England yet.
loring and fabrics and all these are what I am famed for.
What is your take on the Nigerian fashion industry as it is today? I am very passionate about our fashion industry. This is one land that is awash with a lot of talents but we are unfortunately not maximizing the full potentials of the talents that abound here. I noticed these short comings awhile ago but now I am happy to say that I am doing whatever is within my power to help nurture these talents. We need more people, government, corporate entities to invest in upcoming designers whom I refer to as the future of the Nigerian -
For the Nigerian individual who
How did your love for fashion evolve? It began from high School when my best friend and I used to travel from Government College Umuahia to Aba just to purchase unique pieces that couldn`t be seen anywhere in Umuahia town. Most students who loved fashion back then used to buy their pieces from a store in Umuahia but we decided we were too cool to be seen wearing what everyone else was wearing hence we went to then. The last time my mother bought clothes for me must have been in my second year in high school because by the time I was 12, I had already talked her into letting me buy fabrics and then taking them to a local tailor who would make garments for me. Of course I initiated the designs to be made by the tailor and my mother loved the designs and never complained. The trend to cloth myself in pieces designed by myself continued up until I decided to set up my label during a chance meeting with popular American artist, Prince in the year 2000 in New York. At this meeting he complimented a piece I wore and encouraged me to set up my own line when I told him that I designed the piece myself.
Life&
T E A M
How exactly would you describe your kind of designs? They have been described by some as being avant garde and daring with a predilection for retro, but I say that the Emmy Collins London pieces are timeless pieces that you
And your muse? Like all designers, I do have a few muses in Nigeria some of who are; Tony Elumelu, Eyimofe Atake, Musa Danjuma. They are the sort of individuals I am inspired to design for because despite being in the business world, they love to push the envelope when it comes to fashion and I quite appreciate that. I don`t believe there is any Nigerian designer catering for that niche crowd so my aim is to bridge that gap. I am not all about male clothing. I have in fact made a few feminine pieces in the past and designed and brought many more female pieces to Nigeria than most people realize. Where do you get your inspirations from? I am a dreamer and my imagination can actually run wild. So I get inspiration for most my designs through dreams and imaginations. Serenity is very motivating for me in try to initiate designs while in Nigeria because serenity is such a luxury out here. What prompted you to relocate
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
own way of contributing to the growth of the industry has been ongoing for about two years now and I have borne all the stress and expenses to ensure that the attendees will at least be acquainted with most of the basics in fashion. However, I have realized that it is not sustainable to offer these courses free of charge unless we receive help from somewhere. The focus of these courses is mainly about fashion business and the quality of tailoring as I believe that most of these upcoming designers regard fashion as a hobby rather than as a business. Also, while the designs of their garment might be superb, the quality of the tailoring lets them down. So in that regard, I want to facilitate bringing down what is obtainable in Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
international standards in order to convince Nigerians who constantly shop abroad to shop here. But before they do that, we (the designers) must offer them the quality they are used to as they would not be inclined to shop locally based only on sentiments. Finally, I must say we have potentials to rule the world but mindsets need to be drastically altered for us to get to where we need to be. Your blog, diarybyemmycollins. com, before it was shut down, attack, so to speak, on celebrities both home and abroad, regarding their style and choice of clothing. What did you hope to achieve with the blog? The blog was simply an avenue to voice out my opinion on anything but mostly about fashion and offer correct anomalies or to personally attack individuals like most people think. Of course I am aware that Nigerians are not used to someone voicing out their opinion, so we will always misconstrue opposing views for personal attacks or what the polithe oldest trick in the book and I am well experienced enough to recognize that and I must categorically
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
state that I am not fazed by that all. How would you describe your personal style? My style has evolved over the years but presently, I am at the phase where what inspires my perquality of tailoring. I am not as quirky as I used to be. I used to be this afro haired guy who even had long white scarf tied and knotted around my afro hair. I guess age calms you down a few notches. Presently, I am most comfortable in suits when in United Kingdom but in Nigeria, I am good in my short sleeves shirts due to the humid weather. What is your fashion fetish? overly attached to material stuff. But I am a lover of vintage cars. I am an old school sort of dude so the new timate dream car would be a Bentley
How do you let off steam? I unwind by observing people. I know it sounds weird, but it is actually inspiring to me. The strangest people have actually inspired my pieces in the past. But my dream destination to unwind after a long period of work is Brazil. The reason is quite obvious.
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
L3 Global Fashion & Beauty News
Donatella Versace is the new face of Givenchy
Taiwo and Kehinde Okunoren in a N5Million prize for innovation in fashion competition and mentorship -
-
-
-
-
Ricardo Tiscsi
Donatella Versace
Osas Ighodaro is brand ambassador for Gold fashion line
Taiwo and Kehinde Okunoren
Afro Diva, Yemi Alade, stuns as she poses for Bland2Glam’s Collection as its muse
Yemi Alade Osas Ighodaro -
Models now tie weights to their hair to make minimum weight requirements -
Shoe designer, Christian Louboutin unveils new nude collection for all skin types
-
-
-
-
Skinny model
Christian Louboutin
Fashion & Style L4
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The
short
Nkarenyi Ukonu
The rompers
Note
Toke Makinwa-Ayida
Temitope
Caroline Danjuma
of it all
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
L5
Fashion & Style
Fade Ogunro Toun Mayne
Dolapo Oni
The short-suit
Yetunde Babaeko
Short shorts
Beauty L6
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
7
beauty practices that sabotage your skin
Nkarenyi Ukonu
Exfoliating too often
Many think exfoliation is the holy grail of glowing skin, but while skin with dirt and bacteria looks less than desirable, scrubbing away at your swer. Exfoliating too often with micro beads or natural granules like sugar can actually injure your skin. This tion, destroying healthy cells and promoting skin hyper pigmentation while stripping away natural oils. Instead you should exfoliate your face and body no more than once or twice a week. This allows you to remove the dead skin without those other harmful effects. Opt for products with beta hydroxy acids over those with alpha hydroxy acids as they sting and irritate less than the latter.
Slathering on thick eye creams
Eye cream commercials with the models dotting concoctions that look like yogurt under their eyes, abound everywhere because they provide a false sense of hydration. Besides, beauty companies are always updating their formulas to be thicker and supposedly more effective. Unfortunately, many heavy eye creams typically contain heavy oils, like mineral oil or petroleum jelly which are not easily absorbed by the skin. They can sit on top of the skin, to an extent suffocating it. What one is actually feeling is grease, not moisture. Even ing eye creams, just opt for a lighter formula that sinks into the skin while still keeping it soft and moisturized. A good eye cream should feel more like a serum, as the delicate skin overabundance of creams.
Putting acne medication all over your face Most of the month, our skin is normal, but on the week around our period, Mother Nature sometimes gifts But instead of applying acne cream to the exact spots, you put it all over your face. Big no-no. Acne medication should only be used on spots. It can actually dry out your skin and cause overproduction of oil, which can in turn cause more breakouts. If light exfoliation is needed to remove dry skin cells, unclog pores and help fade those post-breakout marks. Disinfect the area with a natural astringent like witch hazel to eliminate bacteria and help prevent the spread of breakouts. Finish by hydrating with a water-based moisturizer to keep your skin cells healthy.
Using your fingers as make up tools
venient for a quick swipe across your contaminating the product with the bacteria from your hands. Use clean brushes to apply your eye shadows and lip products that come in jars. Synthetic brush works well on both cream and powder shadows.
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
L7 Beauty
Cheap, unsanitary manicures and pedicures
Using cleansing wipes instead of face wash Reaching for your facial wipes after you come home from a party may seem like a better option than sleeping in your makeup. However, these wipes only remove some of the dirt and makeup from your face, leaving behind irritating residue than
are on a budget especially on the non-essentials. One thing that you should never skimp on is when you get a manicure and a pedicure at the salon otherwise, you end up with one of the following if your nail treatment
the makeup with a cleansing wipe than not wash.
Overloading on skin care products
be: herpes, nail fungus, warts or bacterial infections.
Most ladies are beauty-product junkies; using creams and cleansers for acne, dry skin, hyper pigmentation and every other skin condition they can think of. But by over-treating mation. Forget about all those complicated serums and treatments! Simplify your routine to two steps: cleanse and moisturize. She also recommends trying a BB cream for an easy way to get everything your skin needs makeup-wise on a busy day.
-
Luxury Have your pick from the collection of world’s most expensive diamond rings
Vivid blue diamond ring This dazzling ring was
Nkarenyi Ukonu -
The pink diamond ring It was sold off Hong Kong auction for a record $10.8 million, this is the most expensive diamond ring in the world.
whopping $7.9 million. The beautiful blue diamond weighs six carats and the ring is made of platinum. Emerald cut diamonds complete the picture on each side of the central gem.
Novo yellow diamond ring
Oval-cut diamond ring
At 1.35 million, this piece is different from most diamond rings due to its special color. It weighs 25.27 carats and is also set in a platinum ring. The
Priced at $4.2 million, this pure white diamond ring boasts an oval-cut VVS2 diamond with E color clarity, weighing 46.51 carats. The ring itself is made of platinum.
De beers platinum diamond ring The De beers platinum diamond ring boasts a nine-carat gem placed on a perfectly polished platinum ring. It is priced at $1.83 million.
Elizabeth Taylor diamond ring The central diamond weighs 5.98 carats and the round diamonds surrounding it weigh another 3.96 carats. This gorgeous ring used to belong to the beautiful actress and is valued at $1.3 million.
Daily Times Nigeria
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Showing on
150 Magic Africa
11:00
Showing on
139 M-NET Movie Zone
01:00
Wed, 6 May | 16
101 M-Net West
118 Telemundo
161 Mzanzi Magic
L8 Television
Wed, 6 May | 16
120 BBC Entertainment
155 AfricaMagic World
128 SONY MAX
FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP
Poster!
Flying X2 Eagles score Brazil
MICHAEL UCHEBO X4,5 Wednesday, May 6, 2015
INTERVIEW
Abidal: Messi is the bestX6!
U E I H T A M to miss Barca, Bayern clash
MADRID OPEN
X8
Sharapova books X7 last 16 ticket
X2
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
Dangote insists on buying Gunners
Palace set to axe Ameobi N
Ameobi
igeria striker Shola Ameobi may be shown the exit door at Crystal Palace when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Club boss Steve Parish has told manager Alan Pardew that he needs to trim down players due to wages burden and as many as eight firstteam players could be on their way out of Crystal Palace this summer. Although, Pardew was told his overall budget will be increased, the wage bill must be managed carefully alongside it. Ameobi has played just four matches for Palace since joining them and may not be offered a new deal when his contract finishes at the end of the season. Ameobi, who featured for Nigeria at last year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer in January after he ended his deal with Turkish second division team Gaziantep BB.
African champions, Flying Eagles of Nigeria, celebrate after conquering the continent at the Africa Youth Championship.
Flying Eagles will cause us problems, admit Brazil
F
ive-time U-20 World Cup champions Brazil have admitted they expect African champions Nigeria to cause them some problems at the tournament in New Zealand. Brazil open their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign on June 1 against the Flying Eagles in New Plymouth. “Nigeria always cause us problems,” Gallo said. “They’re a strong team, technically good with good players,” remarked Brazil coach Alexandre Gallo.
The two teams last clashed at this tournament in 2005, when the group game ended in a draw. Gallo also commented on his team’s other first round opponents, Hungary and North Korea. “Hungary have a typically European style – direct football, tall players. North Korea don’t have very technical players, but they close you down a lot, they have speed and counter-attack intensely,” he said. Brazil placed fourth at the
South American qualifiers and will begin training camp on May 16 when they fly out to Australia. Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira and Real Madrid forward Jean Carlos have been named on a 26-player provisional squad. Other interesting names in the squad are Marseille prospect Alef, Atletico Paranaense’s prolific attacking midfielder Marcos Guilherme and Fluminense trick machine Kenedy.
A
frica’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said he is still working towards buying Arsenal Football Club, despite the fact that his bid to acquire a stake in the club was rebuffed by the owners in 2010. Dangote expressed hope in a recent interview that his new strategy will work and he will buy the north London club at a price the owners won’t want to resist. “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team. I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy,” Dangote, a known fan of the north London club, said. Dangote is worth $15.7bn, and has interests in cement, sugar and flour. He is currently investing $11bn in a 650,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery near Lagos, and $2.5bn in gas pipelines running from Niger-Delta to Lagos. He however noted that his new bid for the control of Arsenal would likely come in a few years after he was done with current investments and had taken his business to a certain level.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
X3
FEDERATION CUP FIXTURES/VENUES WOMEN’S COMPETITION Thursday, May 14, 2015 Moje Queens v Golden Babes (Warri) 13:00 Oginni Queens v Rising Queens (Ilorin) 16:00
s e v l o W
s d r a p o e L C A le t t a to b Andrew Ekejiuba
N
igeria’s Warri Wolves FC will clash with AC Leopards of Congo-Brazzaville in the play-off round of the CAF Confederation Cup, following the draw conducted in Egypt on Tuesday. The Dolisie-based club, eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Smouha FC of Egypt, will host the first leg on the weekend of May 1517, with Wolves, who stunned MC Etancheite from the other
Congo (DR Congo) to reach this stage, entertaining the Leopards in Warri on June 7. Tuesday’s draw combined the successful teams from the Confederation Cup with the eight losers from the CAF Champions League, with the losers hosting first leg matches of fixtures that will see winners going into a group stage. There are two interesting all-North African duels, with Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, eliminated from the Champions League by holders
Ndidi joins Flying Eagles squad in Germany
Ndidi
Entente Setif on penalties, taking on Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel, while Tunisia’s Club Africain visit eight-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt. CS Sfaxien of Tunisia host ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, reigning African vicechampions AS Vita of DR Congo visit Stade Malien in Bamako and Sanga Balende of DR Congo, thrown out of the premier competition by Al Hilal of Sudan, taking on Zamalek of Egypt. Orlando Pirates of South Africa are away to AS Kaloum
D
efender, Wilfred Ndidi, will join the Flying Eagles squad in Germany on Monday according to team’s secretary Ibrahim Aliyu Auwal. Eighteen-year-old central defender Ndidi from Belgian club Genk is one of four Europe-based stars expected to team up with the African champions, Nigeria, ahead of the U-20 World Cup, which begins in New Zealand on May 30. Isaac Success (Granada, Spain), Moses Simon (Gent, Belgium) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester
T
Margarita Engono Abang and Juliana Onva Okomo will serve as 1st and 2nd Assistant Referees, while Mrs Fatou Seye Ndeye from Senegal will serve as Reserve Referee. Mrs Delly Mankou Elise from Congo Brazzaville will be the Match Commissioner. The match is the opener to the African qualifying
campaign for the Women’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and has been brought forward by two weeks as a result of a special appeal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The NFF had appealed on the ground that the African champions must depart for
Enyimba v Nasarawa Feeders (Oshogbo) 16:00 Cardinal FC v Remo Stars (Warri) 16:00 Junior Spotlight v Lobi Stars (Abuja) 16:00 Zabgai FC v Niger Tornadoes (Kaduna) 16:00 Heartland FC v Bizi Cashless (Abuja) 16:00
Super Falcons in training ahead of this weekend’s 2016 Olympics qualifying match against the Female Eagles of Mali. Star of Guinea in the first leg, while Esperance of Tunisia that were eliminated by Al Merreikh are to play Ghana’s Hearts of Oak. In the CAF Champions League, all three Algerian clubs that made history (holders Entente Setif, USM Alger and MC El Eulma) are entrenched in Group B, alongside Al Merreikh of Sudan, while Smouha of Egypt, Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco, TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Al Hilal of Sudan play in Group A. City, England) are the other overseas-based players expected to join the team at their training camp in Nurnberg, Germany. Ndidi’s Genk are involved in the UEFA Europa League playoffs and are currently tied with Group A leaders Mechelen on 12 points apiece after five rounds of matches. They will play their last match in the playoffs on Saturday at Zulte-Waregem. This will be Ndidi’s second U-20 FIFA World Cup outing as he also featured at the 2013 tournament in Turkey.
Rio 2016 Qualifier: Guinean officials for Falcons, Mali match
he Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Mrs Maniyela Edu Okomo from Equatorial Guinea as Referee for this weekend’s 2016 Olympics qualifying match between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Female Eagles of Mali. Okomo’s compatriots
MEN’S COMPETITION Wednesday, May 13, 2015
a training camp in Toronto, Canada by May 19 in order to prepare adequately for the 7th FIFA World Cup finals starting on June 6. The Mali Football Federation (MFF) did not object, and CAF gave the go-ahead for the first leg to take place in Abuja on Saturday, with the return in Bamako a week later.
NFF
releases venues for Fed Cup Round of 64 Farouk Soyoye
T
he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made known the venues for all 32 matches of the Round of 64 of this year’s Men’s Federation Cup competition, as well as the two first round matches of the women’s competition. A release signed by Head of Federation Cup, Ruth David, showed that Moje Queens of Ilorin will play Golden Babes of Abakaliki in Warri, while Oginni Queens of Osogbo will tackle Rising Queens of Akure in Ilorin. Both matches will come up on Thursday, May 14. In the men’s event, the Enyimba Stadium, Aba will host the clash between eight-time winners Shooting Stars of Ibadan and one-time champions Plateau United of Jos, and one-time winners Kaduna United and five-time champions Enugu Rangers will trade tackles in Lokoja. The all-Bayelsa clash between Nembe City and Bayelsa United will play out at Neros Stadium, Anambra, and Giwa FC will lock horns with Kukuruku Dragons of Benin in Minna, while FC Abuja and Wikki Tourists are up for battle in Katsina.
FRSC FC v Sharks FC (Ibadan) 16:00 Idah United v Spotlight FC (Jos) 16:00 Kurmi Market v BJ Foundation (Ilorin) 16:00 Kano Pillars v Zara FC (Gusau) 16:00 Plateau United v Shooting Stars (Aba) 16:00 Akwa Starlets v Kwara United (Enugu) 16:00 ABU FC v Ajiroba FC (Lokoja) 16:00 Giwa FC v Kukuruku Dragons (Minna) 16:00 Kaduna United v Enugu Rangers (Lokoja) - 16:00 Makwada Warr. v Jigawa Stars (Gombe) 16:00 El-Kanemi Babes v Abia Warr. (Lafia) 16:00 Gabros FC v Chuson FC (Owerri) 16:00 Nembe City v Bayelsa United (Neros) 16:00 J. Atete v Sunshine Stars (Benin) 16:00 Christ Ambas. v Prime FC (Abeokuta) 16:00 FC Abuja v Wikki Tourists (Katsina) 16:00 Tornadoes Feeders v Shinkafi United (Kano) 16:00 Doma United v Jalingo FC (Bauchi) 16:00 Inter FC v Dolphins FC (Calabar) 16:00
Thursday, May 14, 2015 Binani FC v Gateway FC (Abuja) 13:00 Peacemaker FC v New Stars (Minna) 13:00 El-Kanemi Warr. v Kwara Academy (Kaduna) 16:00 Nasarawa United v New Vision (Aba) 16:00 Caliphate Warr. v Crown FC (Minna) 16:00 Papilo FC v Gombe United (Makurdi) 16:00 FC Taraba v Akampa United (Lokoja) 16:00 Akwa United v Dallatu United (Abuja) 16:00
X4
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
Uc
Michael
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
chebo About Michael Uchebo
Michael Okechukwu Uchebo (born February 3, 1990) is a Nigerian footballer, a striker who was a free agent after his contract with Belgian Pro League club Cercle Brugge expired at the end of June 2014. He signed now a contract with Boavista for the next 2 seasons, with the option to extend for another year if both the player and the club want it. He began his career in Enugu Rangers, before moving on to sign a three-year contract with VVV Venlo in October 2009. Venlo’s football director Mario Captien described him as physically very strong striker who is a target man at the front, while Dutch Voetbal International, referred Uchebo as the new Kanu Nwankwo. After saving Venlo from relegation with a late goal in extra time of the Eredivisie relegation playoffs second round match against SC Cambuur, Uchebo revealed that he won’t renew his expiring contract at VVV and on May 29 Venlo announced that they had reached an agreement with Cercle Brugge. Uchebo subsequently signed a two-year deal with Cercle Brugge. On October 11, 2014, Uchebo signed for Boavista on a three-year contact. He scored his first goal on his first match, against Paços de Ferreira, in a 2-1 home loss. Uchebo was a member of the Nigeria U-20 team and in August 2008 he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a match against Togo in the West African Football Union tournament. He also played at the U-20 2009 African Youth Championship tournament, scoring one goal in three matches. In June 2011, Uchebo was called up by then National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen for the crucial return leg of the Olympic qualifiers against Tanzania. In October 2011, U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen visited the Netherlands and met with officials of VVV Venlo to secure the release of Uchebo to participate the inaugural edition of the CAF U-23 championship in Morocco. He received his first call-up to the Nigeria national team in February 2014. Uchebo earned his first senior cap on March 6, in the 0:0 draw with Mexico in a friendly match, playing the first half before being replaced by Leon Balogun. In the next of Nigeria’s matches, a 2-2 draw with Scotland at Craven Cottage, Uchebo played 55 minutes of the match. After Scotland had taken the lead, Uchebo equalised before the break with a mid-range deflected effort. He was however replaced by Peter Odemwingie.
Personal Information Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Senior career 2008–2009: 2010–2012: 2012–2014: 2014–Present: National team 2008–2009: 2014–Present:
Michael Uchebo Michael Okechukwu Uchebo February 3, 1990 (age 25) Enugu, Nigeria 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄ ) Striker Boavista 75
Enugu Rangers VVV-Venlo Cercle Brugge Boavista Nigeria U-20 Nigeria
X5
X6
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
INTERVIEW
!
Abidal: Messi is football’s greatest phenomenon Everybody knows the Eric Abidal story. In 2011, while at the top of his game with Barcelona, the French defender was diagnosed with a liver tumour and had to suspend his career to pursue treatment. Then, incredibly, after a liver transplant and a 402-day fight against illness, he made his comeback for Barça on April 6, 2013, which earned him widespread admiration. Abidal was not just content to be back on a pitch again, however. Ending the season by claiming a fourth Liga title with the Catalan giants, he went on to help Monaco finish Ligue 1 runnersup in 2013/14, his last full season as a professional also featuring a return to the France team. The 35-year-old eventually called time on his career at the end of 2014, following a six-month stint at Olympiacos, leaving him free to look back in pride at his achievements. In addition to his quartet of Liga crowns, he also clinched three French titles with Lyon and won the UEFA Champions League twice with Barça, not to mention his runnersup medal with Les Bleus at the 2006, 2014 FIFA World Cup. FIFA.com met up with the iconic full-back for an exclusive interview. Excerpts: Eric Abidal, how does it feel to be retired? Have you found time for old hobbies or taken up any new ones since ending your career? At the start, I was very happy to be able to do my profession and make a career of it. Now that I’ve stopped, I’ve rediscovered a sense of freedom that you just don’t have as a player – a calmness in your daily life. There’s less stress and less to get worked up about. You have more time for family and friends, and to do things at the weekend. Real life, basically. It’s a huge advantage to have the choice to retire, rather than Abidal
having to stop because of injury or something else. I really needed to retire to be able to feel fulfilled. Do you miss any of it? Yes and no. My profession was a team sport, meaning that you share your daily life with the staff and other players. I miss that side of things because you form very strong and intense bonds over a number of years. Nowadays, it feels different when I go back to clubs to see somebody. There’s still just as much passion and friendship, even if I don’t get to experience that on a
day-to-day basis. Do you have any plans to take up a new profession? I’m not under contract, but I do a little work as a pundit on television, I help out Olympiacos on the sponsorship and marketing front and I also do some work for UEFA. On top of that, there’s also my foundation, which is named after me and fights against cancer. That’s something I’m well placed to speak about. It was important for me to be able to help out in my own way, even if it’s a difficult fight.
What is the goal of your foundation? The goal is to raise money, finance treatments and raise awareness about the need to donate organs. Not everyone has access to social security and medicine is expensive. We want to help children and adolescents, and we also want to help families by ensuring them a level of comfort at hospital via psychological and material support.
11 v 11 matches during training. It’s more about small games on 30m pitches, where players shoot much more than they dribble. For me, Messi is still the best. I also trained with Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. Each of them was different and had his own strengths, but all of them were tough to tackle or mark. That’s what helped me grow and prove myself as a defender.
After retirement, players are often able to look back and take stock of their careers. What are you proudest of? It’s not necessarily a moment from my career, but what I tried to put into practice on the pitch were the lessons I learned from my parents. That’s what helped me grow and adapt at all my clubs, in a number of different countries. Ultimately, that’s what makes you who you are, as opposed to anything else. My parents taught me respect, politeness and to be good in every sense of the word.
What are your thoughts on how Messi has evolved this season? Leo is a very intelligent player. He started out very young at Barcelona and reached a new level each season. He’s still a true goalscorer but he’s also a fully rounded player who can drop back into midfield to make the difference or go on a spectacular 40m run and either provide an assist or score a goal. For me, he remains and will always be the greatest phenomenon there.
You are one of the few French players to have been successful at Barcelona. Have you been surprised by what Jeremy Mathieu has achieved this season? No, I’m not surprised because he’s a good person and well educated. I know him well, and now that he’s at Barcelona we see each other more often. He’s had a typical career journey, progressing step by step, and moving from Valencia to Barcelona took him to a new level. His goal was to play for a big club and tie down a place in the national team, and I think that he’s not too far from that now. He’s a versatile player, which is always very useful for a coach. You rubbed shoulders with some excellent players at Barça. How do you rate the current attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez compared to the talents you played with? In my six years there, I saw that the club always wanted to have a high-quality attacking trident, with each player ending the season with excellent statistics. The difficulty is getting three players of that quality to function well together. I’m pleased with what I see now because these three perform together very well and every defence in Europe is frightened of them. They’re all different and each player does his job in his own way for the good of the team. You played with some fantastic forwards, but who impressed you the most in your role as a defender during training? You don’t often get to have real
Turning to the France team, Patrice Evra said recently that “the old man won’t give an inch” and that those hoping to replace him at left-back needed to “wake up”. What advice would you give to Gael Clichy, Lucas Digne, Benoit Tremoulinas and Layvin Kurzawa in their attempts to dislodge him? (Laughs) I don’t necessarily have any advice to give them because I think that transition will happen naturally. It’s good that he’s said that and it could be good for the youngsters, forcing them to raise their game in order to take over from him in style. Modern football is very demanding on full-backs, who cannot afford to let anything get past them while also being asked to contribute in attack. Is it a thankless role? (Laughs) Thankless, no, because if you ask any full-back if he’s happy to play in that position he’ll say yes. Before, defenders were there to defend. For a few years now, fullbacks have needed to be able to get forward and make late runs to finish off moves. It’s exciting to be a defender and have stats worthy of a midfielder at the end of a season. Physically, you need to be ready and you must never forget that your priority remains to defend. Who gets your vote as the best full-back in the world today? I’ll go for Phillip Lahm of Bayern Munich. He’s incredibly versatile: he can play on the right, on the left and even in midfield. Otherwise, at left-back David Alaba is very strong, as are Jordi Alba and Kurzawa. But, for me, the most complete player of them all is Phillip Lahm.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
X7
Madrid
Open:
Tennis
Sharapova reaches last16
D
efending champion Maria Sharapova continued her return to form as she swept past Colombia’s Mariana Duque-Marino at the Madrid Open. Sharapova, 28, had lost early in her last three tournaments but beat Duque-Marino 6-1 6-2 to reach the last 16. Czech fourth seed Petra Kvitova came through a testing encounter against American Coco Vandeweghe 6-4 2-6 6-3. Victoria Azarenka beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3 6-3 to set up a third-round meeting with American top seed Serena Williams. Third-seeded Russian Sharapova broke Duque-Marino’s serve four times while saving three break points on her own serve. In the men’s event, 13th seed Gael Monfils thrashed Serb Viktor Troicki 6-2 6-0, while Bulgarian 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov led Donald Young 6-4 3-0 before the American retired.
Athletics Sharapova
World Relays: British Athletics defends absent sprinters
B
ritish Athletics’ performance director Neil Black has defended the sprinters who did not compete at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas at the weekend. Richard Kilty said he felt “let down” by absent members as Britain’s 4x100m team missed out on a chance to qualify for Rio 2016 via the World Relays.
Cricket
E
Among those missing were Adam Gemili, James Dasaolu and Chijindu Ujah. Black said: “That one event will be forgotten in a few weeks’ time and there’s loads of time to qualify.” Britain came ninth in the heats in Nassau, narrowly missing the A final and an early shot at Rio qualification. World indoor 60m champion Kilty
said the team would have challenged for gold had Britain taken their best team to the Bahamas. The reasons given for Britain’s best sprinters skipping the trip ranged from minor injuries to permitted absence due to university exams and summer outdoor plans. “Our focus is towards the World Championships in Beijing, it’s towards
the Olympics in Rio. “With particular reference to Adam who was focusing on university exams and James, they are on the world-class performance programme as individual athletes and, as a result, we allow them a degree of preference and planning to their individual programme,” Black stated.
‘Untouchable’ Cook angers Boycott
ngland captain Alastair Cook believes he is “untouchable”, according to former Test skipper Geoffrey Boycott. Boycott was angered by Cook’s comments about incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chief Colin Graves after the 1-1 series draw in West Indies. Cook criticised Graves for calling the West Indies “mediocre” before the
tour, adding: “That’s a Yorkshireman for you - they’re happy to talk a good game.” Boycott said: “Every time Cook opens his mouth, he sticks his foot in it.” The 74-year-old, writing in the media, continued: “We lose a Test and fail to win a series, and he blames Colin Graves. He is going to be his new boss on May 15, yet it is unbelievable that Cook talks disrespectfully about him.
Cycling
Cavendish
Cavendish
wins Turkey green jersey
“Cook acts as if he is the best captain England have ever had. He is living in cloud-cuckoo land about his captaincy ability. He thinks he is untouchable.” Test Match Special pundit Boycott, like Graves a Yorkshireman, was also critical of the ECB’s reported intention to appoint former captain Andrew Strauss, who opened the batting with Cook during his international playing career, as its new director of cricket.
B
ritain’s Mark Cavendish has won the sprinter’s jersey at the Tour of Turkey after finishing second in the 121km final stage in Istanbul. The Manxman, 29, won three of the race’s eight stages and accumulated 60 points to take home the green jersey for a second year. He said: “I’m super happy with getting the green jersey at the end.” Meanwhile Chris Froome was third overall in the Tour de Romandie. The Team Sky rider was aiming for a third title in a row but was 35 seconds behind general classification winner Katusha’s Ilnur Zakarin after Sunday’s final stage, a 17km time trial. The short stage was comfortably won by time trial specialist, three-
Cook time world champion Etixx - QuickStep’s Tony Martin. In the Tour of Turkey, Croatian Kristijan Durasek won the overall race, with Spain’s Lluis Bonet Mas claiming the final stage. “I would have liked to win the stage today, but we tried our hardest,” Cavendish, who rides for Etixx - Quick-Step added. “Luis went really strong at the end and I’m pleased we could finish on the podium.” Cavendish now plans to race the Tour of California, the Tour de Suisse and British Championships before this year’s Tour de France. He has 25 Tour stage wins to his name, which is third on the all-time list, nine behind Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx and three off France’s Bernard Hinault’s 28 victories.
X8
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
F
Barca focused ahead of Guardiola’s return –Enrique
A
head of Pep Guardiola’s return to Camp Nou, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has played down the potential impact on his
players. Guardiola’s Bayern Munich travel to Catalonia for the first leg of the sides’ UEFA Champions League semi-final today, in what will mark a special occasion for the Liga leaders and their former coach. During his four-year spell with Barca, Guardiola forged one of the most successful sides in the club’s history with many of those players now among Luis Enrique’s ranks. However, Luis Enrique says the return of his former team-mate will not preoccupy Barca players’ minds. “For the players I think it will be great for them to face the man who coached them for four years,” he told reporters. “But I think they’ll understand that what’s more important is this game. There are other things that are nice to talk about but the most important thing is the match. “I don’t think Pep has any doubts about what we are going to do today. We both want possession and we shall see who is in better condition. I respect them of course, but other than that, we are motivated and feel we can win tonight. “Pep knows every one of my players very well, but I don’t think it’s a determining factor for the match. This type of game is resolved by minor details. “Guardiola and I had agreed to meet at the final in Berlin but that won’t happen now. Whoever wins, we will wish each other luck.”
ormer Brazil international Mazinho says he has no preference as to who wins between Thiago’s Bayern Munich and Rafinha’s Barcelona on Wednesday. Mazinho’s sons could meet in the first leg of the sides’ UEFA Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou. Rafinha has featured more often off the bench in Europe for Luis Enrique while former Barca boss Pep Guardiola has regularly called on Thiago since his return from injury. However, Mazinho says it is more a case of pride for him, with the World Cup winner saying: “I support both, I sit on the fence. For me, without any doubt it’s a huge source of pride.” With Thiago’s contract due to expire in 2017, the former Celta Vigo midfielder also said his son may be offered a new deal at the Allianz Arena. “About his contract issue, I have no idea. I have my player there, he is not just my son, I’m his legal agent,” Mazinho added. “When you have the opportunity to play with the manager who brought you to Germany it is important and I want his new contract. I believe they can renew the contract. I hope so. “Thiago has a unique quality. In my time as a player, I was different, even in the same position. He’s a midfielder with great technical skills, and when playing one on one he has an easy solution. “He’s more creative and I was more defensive but with the ball I used to play well. Thiago has these skills, he’s defensive as well and know how to play one against one. I don’t have this ability.”
B
Mathieu
proud ahead of Barca, Bayern clash
Guardiola
Injured Mathieu ruled out of Bayern clash arcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has been ruled out of today’s UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich due to an Achilles problem. The Frenchman has complained of discomfort in his right Achilles tendon and will therefore miss the first leg of his side’s semi-final. Luis Enrique had initial fitness doubts over Jordi Alba after the full-back trained alone on Monday. However, Mathieu is the only absentee for the Barca boss ahead of the clash against his former team-mate Pep Guardiola’s Bayern. Ex-Barca boss Guardiola spent four years in charge at Camp Nou, winning 14 trophies, and will make his return tonight.
MAZINHO
I have ‘no problem’ with Enrique, says Messi
L
Messi
ionel Messi said he has no problem with Barcelona coach Luis Enrique as he prepares to try and ensure Pep Guardiola endures a miserable return to Camp Nou. Argentina forward Messi reportedly had his differences with Luis Enrique earlier in the season, which led to talk of the coach being relieved of his duties early in his reign. The Catalan giants have since taken on all comers and are in contention to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in the former Spain international’s first season at the helm. Speaking ahead of Barca’s Champions League semi-final first leg clash today against Guardiola’s Bayern Munich side, Messi stated that any discontent between himself and Luis Enrique is in the past. He said: “In that moment I cleared up what had happened, today our relationship is good, normal, there is no problem.” Guardiola won 14 trophies during his time with the Catalan giants before opting to take a sabbatical three years ago. Messi reflects on Guardiola’s time in charge as the period in which he took his game to a different level, but revealed he does not keep in touch with the Bayern coach. “We played against each other once but of course we had a fantastic relationship here. Since we left, I’ve seen him a few times but we don’t have any kind of relationship,” Messi said. “All the things I learnt from the start to today, I kept growing. At that stage we had Pep and we won a lot of titles. “I grew a lot during that time. That’s when I grew most.” Messi does not believe Bayern will have the edge due to Guardiola being in charge.