Daily Times e-Newspaper Issue 13

Ponmo And Its Multiple Opportunities

Rotary: Polio End Is In Sight

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DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 - 26 2014

Boko Haram’s “Representative” In Ceasefire Talks An Impostor, Says Salkida

Ponmo And Its Multiple Opportunities

Exercise Three Times A Week, Reduce Depression By 19%

How I Started Celebrity Styling –Moses Ebite

VOL. 1, NO 13

Good-Bye Big Boss!

Welcome Siasia

Tension In Edo Over Alleged Explosion At Government House

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Why Funke Akindele, Omawumi, Others Opt For Secret Marriage!

Banana Peels That Felled Keshi

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P 18

Genevieve Nnaji is a sweet girl -Hakeem Kae-Kazim

2015: Obasanjo The Beautiful Bride

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OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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Boko Haram’s “Representative” In Ceasefire Talks An Impostor, Says Salkida

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hmad Salkida, a journalist with access to some top leaders of Boko Haram, has alleged that a man named Danladi Ahmadu, who reportedly represented the Islamist group in ceasefire negotiations with the Nigerian government, is bogus and an impostor.

Mr. Salkida, who is currently in self-exile, asserted that Mr. Ahmadu was not authorized to speak on behalf of Boko Haram or the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. He added that the Nigerian government was caught in the hoax of negotiating with an impostor.

According to him, it is the Islamist sect that ought to an-

nounce a ceasefire and not the Nigerian government since it was Boko Haram that declared war on the Nigerian state.

Mr. Salkida made these assertions in a series of tweets in his twitter. “Where in the world will a government say they killed Shekau, two weeks later, met a delegation sent by the same Shekau to discuss a ceasefire? If we are Chinese, some people claim Shekau is a title and ‘Boko Haram’ always finds his look-alike to assume Shekau each time they kill him? Haba! When we said Shekau was alive two weeks ago, we were nearly crucified here. Now the Federal Government agrees Danladi Ahmadu speaks for Shekau? Is Shekau mutating?” he wrote on twitter.

Mr. Salkida continued: “I challenge Danladi Ahmadu to an open debate if he has the interest of Nigeria at heart. Who is he? Where was he pre-2009?

Why is he leading this? The name Danladi, based on ‘Boko Haram’ ideology, is ‘filthy.’

It refers to ‘someone born on Sunday,’ unlike the norm of picking strictly Muslim names.

Sadly, no town taken by Boko Haram has been reclaimed [by Nigerian troops] beyond media-derived hype. Show us the video or pictures. Take reporters there. Simple.

“I don’t care if it is Idriss Deby or whoever; Danladi Ahmadu is NOT part of ‘Boko Haram’ Shura [governing council] [nor] speaks for them as far as I know. It also appears

that govt is more interested in shadows and bubbles, than in substance and clearheaded engagement with the ‘Boko Haram’ ideology.”

Mr. Salkida explained that his parents were displaced because of the insurgency, adding that he was speaking based on facts. He advised the government to desist from tagging

Nigerians ‘APC’ members for daring to state the facts.

He tweeted that the present rhetoric about a ceasefire with Boko Haram showed that the Nigerian government and military had no clear understanding of the sect’s ideology and principles.

Less than 24 hours after ostensibly agreeing to the cease-

fire, Islamist terrorists carried out two attacks on communities in Borno State. More than 15 people died in the separate attacks, with houses and other property destroyed as well. The timing of the attacks seemed designed to undermine the spreading news that Boko Haram had inked a ceasefire deal.

PDP Governorship Aspirants In Benue Reject Elders Selection Exercise

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leven PDP Governorship aspirants in Benue have rejected the recent selection of four of their colleagues by a coalition of PDP elders caucus, as being the only candidates recognized to contest the parties primaries.

In a press release signed by them and issued to newsmen in Makurdion Sunday, the aspirants dismissed the selection exercise as “biased and lacking in credibility and transparency”.

The aspirants are Prof. David Ker, Mr Hingah Biem, Dr.Tivlumun Nyitse, James Mbachiantim, David Iorhemba and Mrs. Veronica Shimave.

Others are Dr. Eugene

Aliegba, Andy Uwouku, David Nongo, Simon Anchaver and Mrs. Janet Jila-Agbo.

The aspirants appealed to their supporters to ignore the selection and intensify their consultations to ensure victory at the primaries.

“We reject the exercise as totally unacceptable, invalid and not binding on us; we therefore appeal to our supporters to remain committed to their campaigns and continue their loyalty to the PDP.” “Our rejection of the exercise is on the grounds that the position and action of the Elders Forum failed in a very basic sense, to be premised on any foundation of credibility and transparency. “ The criteria adopted by them in selecting their pre-

ferred aspirants remains unknown to us, thereby keeping the whole exercise shrouded in mystery, and therefore, totally unacceptable to us,” they said.

PDP elders from Makurdi, Guma,Gwer West and Gwer East Local Government Areas, under an umbrella association referred to as MINDA PDP Elders Forum, had on Friday, trimmed down the number of the party’s governorship aspirants, from 15, to four.

The four aspirants selected were former Trade and Industry Minister, Samuel Ortom; an Engineer, Felix Atume; immediate past Attorney General of the state, Mr Alex Adum and a former Speaker in the State Assembly, Terhemen Tarzoor.

Niger APC, PDP Disagree on Caretaker Committees For Councils Pita Chikwem,Minna

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday said it would not accept the appointment and inauguration of caretaker committees to run the affairs of the 25 local government areas of Niger State, saying it was unconstitutional.

This is contained in a statement signed by the party spokesman Jonathan Vatsa made available to our correspondent in Minna The party said that the action of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of Babangida Aliyu was not only unconstitutional

but also a naked show of impunity.

The APC spokesman said : “We view the excuse of closeness to 2015 general elections advanced by Governor Aliyu as the reason for the nonconduct of elections into the 25 local government councils (as) untenable and unacceptable.

“We challenge the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), the statutory body saddled with the duty of conducting the elections into our councils to come out and tell Nigerlites why it cannot conduct local government election having known that councils’ life span is only three years. What is

Jonathan Expresses Sadness Over Numbere’s Death

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resident Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday expressed sadness over the death of Apostle Geoffrey Numbere, the Founder and General Overseer of Greater Evangelism World Crusade Ministries International in Abuja.

Numbere died on Oct. 15 at the age of 45.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan said Numbere had made positive impact on the moral and social development of Nigerians.

Abati said ``President Goodluck Jonathan received with sadness, the news of the death of Numbere.

``On behalf of his family and the Federal Government of Nigeria, Jonathan extends his heartfelt condolences to Apostle Numbere’s wife, Nonyem. ``He also commiserates with his children, relatives and members of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade Church.

``The President’s condolences also go to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the people of Rivers State on the loss of Numbere. ``Jonathan joins them in mourning the revered spiritual leader and former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the South-South

Zone.’’

He said Numbere would greatly be missed for the enormous impact he made on the moral and social development of millions of Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

He prayed that Almighty God would receive Numbere’s soul and grant him eternal rest.election.

NSIEC doing that it cannot conduct the election now?

NSIEC like the PDP government has again failed Nigerlites.”

Vatsa said the jamboree called inauguration of caretaker committees on Thursday in Minna was another of the wastage and plundering of the government’s scarce resources in the face of many un-met needs of the masses of the state.

“Governor Aliyu is afraid of going into Local Government elections for fear of defeat, hence the appointment of an unconstitutional caretaker committees to continue to do his bidding and to use them for rigging 2015 general elections but he should be told that he will meet his political waterloo at the polls as the people of the state have come to realize that the last seven and half years has been deceitful.”

APC is ready for local government election and we demand that NSIEC should do what is right by conducting elections in 274 wards in Niger in 25 local government councils of the state .

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

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news

Tension In Edo Over Alleged Explosion At Government House

By Mu’Sodiq Adekunle

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ension and fear were on Sunday high in Edo State over an alleged bomb attack.

It was gathered that a prominent indigene of the state, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, raised the alarm that of the allrgred explosion.

Ize-Iyamu alleged that the bomb was aimed at him by some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

But Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Louis Odion described the allegation as reckless.

The commissioner insisted

that there was no bomb explosion and faulted claims that Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole masterminded the alleged attack.

He said in a press statement: “The claim of a bomb attack and subsequent reckless press statement by a selfstyled “Pastor”, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is another phase in what clearly has become the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to spread falsehood and sow fear in the minds of the people of Edo State with a view to simulating a crisis.

“No sooner had the purported “bomb attack” been reported by an online medium with further claim of

bomb explosion within Government House, than Mr IzeIyamu quickly called a press conference to point fingers at the Governor, Comrade Adams Eric Oshiomhole, as the mastermind of the explosion at the clinic owned by his wife.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that the report of bomb explosion at the Edo Government House is patently false.

“By Ize-Iyamu’s ludicrous account and his haste to accuse Comrade Oshiomhole of culpability for a supposed crime yet to be investigated, we are persuaded to believe he is merely acting out a script. It is laughable indeed

Oshiomhole

that any sane man will be targeting an obscure clinic that is, at best, now moribund.”

Imoke Flags Off 10th Carnival Calabar

By Mu’Sodiq Adekunle

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reparatory to the 10th edition of the Africa’s Biggest Street Party, Calabar Carnival, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has flagged off the mock event with the theme, “Celebration Time”..

Speaking at the ceremony which was recently announced as the “Best Event in West Africa” by tourism observers, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham stated that this year’s event is significant to life of the administration as it will serve as a hallmark celebration to usher in the next government.

“Ten years is no mean feat.

For us, Carnival Calabar has grown bigger and bigger as we promised Cross Riverians and Nigerians when we came on board in 2007. With our

Imoke

vision of institutionalizing the event, by allowing private sector to be the main drivers while government regulates, there is greater hope that this Carnival will grow in leaps and bounds,” he pointed.

He averred that the institutionalization of the annual festival which is still being test run follows the formation of the Carnival Calabar Band Associations who are now

the main drivers of the event, restating that, “Last year you said it was the biggest, this year is going to be extra ordinary.”

While thanking the private organizations who have discovered the event as one of the major brands in the country to invest in, the governor maintained that, “There is no other mega brand than the carnival, if you want to enjoy visibility in your business then carnival is the best deal.”

Chairman Carnival Calabar Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, said, “Today the private sector has taken full ownership of the celebration with the band enjoying enormous sponsorship. He added that this year’s event will be fireworks.”

Chairman, Carnival Calabar Bands Association, Sen. Florence Ita who was excited about the level of sponsorship the association has enjoyed

so far following the legal framework put in place by the government, said that she was particularly challenged to observe that despite the financial challenges the state has faced over the years, It has remained consistent and committed to the actualization of its tourism drive.

Announcing the fruits of the private sector participation in the event so far to be about N15 million donation from the Nigerian Port Authority and a brand new Hilux van, donated by the SCOA (Nig) Ltd, Ita Giwa said that the proceeds and other donations were used in acquiring a befitting office for the bands which is a normal practice by any standard carnival organizers globally.

Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke later presented the utility vehicles donated by the SCOA to the Carnival Calabar Band Association.

The commissioner accused Ize-Iyamu of raising such allegation to justify the PDP thugs attack on the state house.

He added, “Mr Ize-Iyamu’s wild allegation fits into PDP’s jaded style of stage-managing assaults on its agents to be used as pretext by its thugs to attack officials of Edo State Government and agents of the APC. “Again, Mr Ize-Iyamu’s reference to cultists being engaged against PDP is ironic and laughable. Even as fulltime president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Oshiomhole was known for his non-violence philosophy. On the contrary,

Edo people know those with the history of cultism and violence dating back to their school days.

“Against the backdrop of this latest purported attack on his wife’s clinic, which we believe was stage-managed, we wish to alert the Police to put Pastor Ize-Iyamu and his close-travelers under close watch as allegations of this nature had always been the prelude to staging an attack on APC members in the state in the past.”

He, however, called on the Police to probe top leaders of the PDP for the attack on the Edo state Legislative Quarters penultimate Saturday.

Nigeria May Go Down The Drain If PDP Is Re-Elected In 2015-Buhari

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ormer military Head of State Gen. Mohammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria may go down the drain if the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is re-elected again in 2015.

“Every Nigerian is tired of incompetent leadership; another four years of PDP will send this country down the drain,” said Buhari on Saturday at the Northern stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kaduna.

Buhari, a Presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, who has failed in his bid to become president thrice, urged leaders of the party to ensure that the people are not disenfranchised in the forthcoming election.

“I tried to be a President three times; three times I failed. I challenged the election up to the Supreme Court.

Buhari

Who were the judges of the Supreme Court? What were their decisions? The most interesting one was in 2007 where three of the seven-man panel of judges said the election was not done according to the law.

“This time around we have to be extremely careful because whether we like it or not, 2015 would be a year of extreme concern for this country. The reason being that now, we must try to make sure INEC is well prepared.

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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news

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he Lagos State Government on Sunday said it was finalizing arrangements to deploy some health workers who had helped in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state to Sierra Leone.

The Governor, Babatunde Fashola, made the announcement in Ikeja while speaking at a programme to commemorate the 2,700 Days of his administration in office.

The governor said the health workers were to replicate the state`s virus containment strategies in the Sierra-Leone with a view to assisting the Ebolahit country overcome the health crisis.

Fashola said although Nigeria was, as of now, free from the disease, there was still the risk of new infections from cross-border movements.

He, therefore, said the state`s planned mission to Sierra Leone was not only to assist the country to overcome the great health challenge, but also reduce the risk of the disease to countries within the sub-region.

Sierra Leone accounts for a substantial number of the over 4,000 global Ebola deaths. ``Lagos is free from Ebola, Nigeria is free from Ebola. .But that does not mean there cannot be another case. For as long as people are moving from countries to countries, the risk of infections is still there.

Lagos To Deploy Health Workers To Sierra Leone ‘That is why I appeal to the Federal Government to continue to scrutinise people travelling into Nigeria from land, sea and air from regions where the problem is still ravaging. ``That is why some of the things the commissioner for health will be announcing very soon is the arrangements we are making to send some of our health workers and volunteers to go and help out in Sierra Leone.

“That is the only way we, the whole of Africa and the World can be safe.”

Fashola expressed optimism that EVD, just like other infectious diseases like Cholera that had once ravaged humanity without remedy, would soon get a cure.

He said Nigerians needed not live in fear of the disease coming back into the country but urged them to take precautions that would guard against new infections in the country.

Fashola said the state government had taken a number of initiatives to prevent a return of Ebola in the state.

Some of the strategies, according to him, include the deployment of screening equipment to schools and hospitals and the construction of sanitary facilities in schools.

Others are training and retraining of personnel on infec-

tious diseases diagnosis and the sensitisation of residents on how to be safe from the problem.

Fashola also announced that he had appointed Dr Oluwakemi Sekoni his Scientific Adviser as a move to enhance better response to Ebola disease and other infectious ailments.

The governor said the responsibilities of the new adviser would include providing public information about infectious diseases for effective response.

Others are actions and coordinating science-based research on food sufficiency, air pollution and helping in all

We’ve Executed Projects With Direct Bearing On People - Ajimobi

By Mu’Sodiq Adekunle

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that his administration, has since its inception, been executing projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people of the state.

He said this while receiving the Country Director and executive members of African Development Development (ADB) who were on a courtesy visit to him in his office at the weekend.

The governor said that his government would partner with the bank in the area of provision of social infrastructure to enhance living standard of the people of the state.

While acknowledging the contributions of the bank towards the provision of pipe borne water for the people of the state, Governor Ajimobi said that his administration

had successfully rehabilitated the Asejire Water Plant which had been moribund for over 17 years.

With the inauguration of the rehabilitated water plant, he said that water supply to the city of Ibadan and its environs had improved drastically. ``Since we have rehabilitated the Asejire Plant which is now working at nothing less than 80 per cent capacity, so many areas that had not had water for the past 17 years are now having water.

Thanks to a background laid

by ADB. ``It is our belief that the purpose of governance is to provide the enabling environment for the people and businesses to thrive in order to improve their living standard,’’ he said.

Governor Ajimobi said that his administration had repositioned the state to meet the challenges of the modern world through its urban

renewal programme, saying it had created conducive environment for both local and foreign investors to invest in the state. ``Since we came on board, we took advantage of our corporate background to approach governance, using what I call the strategy applicable in the business world to identify the critical success factors of good governance,’’ he said.

other things that were likely to improve the general wellbeing of Lagos residents. ``Today, I am announcing the appointment of Dr Olu-

wakemi Sekoni as my Chief Scientific Adviser. She would be presented at a formal induction ceremony shortly, ``he said.

Reeling out some of his achievements in the last 100 days, Fashola said the Mainland Power Plant which would supply interrupted power to government facilities in mainland area was completed within the period.

He said the government also inaugurated a Power Academy that would train people on all aspects of electricity generation, distribution and transmission and help improve the power sector.

Fashola said the government also trained no fewer than 3,000 farmers on various aspects of agriculture and sup-

N70bn Needed To Complete East-West Road Project- Says Rep

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he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Rep. Warman Ogoriba (PDP-Bayelsa), said on Sunday in Abuja, that about N70 billion would be needed to complete the East- West road.

Ogoriba told newsmen that work on the road had suffered some setbacks because of paucity of funds and the difficult terrain.

He also said that the annual budgetary allocation for the project was inadequate to execute it at the required speed.

Ogoriba, however, said that the intervention of Ministries of Niger Delta and Finance who secured loan from African Development (ADB) Bank had boosted the project.

The lawmaker added that the project also received support from SURE-P. ``With 2015 budgetary allocation, SURE-P contribution and the ADB funds, I doubt if by the end of 2015, the EastWest road will not be completed.’’

Ogoriba explained that apart from other sections of the work which had attained 80 per cent, ``only section 2.2 in Bayelsa area is a major challenge with 60 per cent completion.’’

He blamed the slow pace of work on section 2.2 on the effect of militancy which forced the earlier contractors, Julius Berger to quit. The work is currently handled by Setraco.

Ogoriba pointed out that the depth needed to be filled in the

2.2 was high. ``So they found it difficult to fill the road, but as at today, they have done about 80 per cent of the filling of the road, and because it is a road after filling you need to wait for a while before asphalt. ``And I think that during the dry season of this year, Setraco will go and start asphalt and I think that before the end of this year all aspects of the road will hit about 70 or 75 per cent,’’ he added.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru in a recent interaction with the committee said that the road was awarded in four sections to three contractors and scheduled for substantial completion by the end of 2014.

He promised that progress of work would be much higher in the dry months ahead.

“Out of the total length of 676 km (338X2) carriage way, about 535.13 km of earthworks, 470.32 km of asphaltic binder course and 398.36km of wearing course have been completed to date.

“Also completed are 921 culverts out of the 1013 numbers. ``Thirty seven bridges have been substantially completed out of the 41 bridges which include the second Imo River Bridge (850M long) and Okoso bridges (288m long) in the zone,’’ Oru said.

He said that the ministry planned to extend the East-West road from Oron in Akwa Ibom to Calabar, Cross River.

ported them with items to support their businesses.

He said work was speeded up at the 70-gallon Adiyan Water Works to improve water supply in the state.

Kano State Govt Empowers 6, 620 Women

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o fewer than 6,620 women have benefitted from the Women Empowerment Programme of the Kano State government within 10 months of the commencement of the programme.

The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Binta Tijjani, stated this on Sunday in Kano.

She said beneficiaries of the programme included less privileged women, those who tested positive to HIV, divorcees, widows, VVF patients, as well as those deserted by their husbands due to economic hardship. ``The programme, among other things, provides for training, aimed at making the women to be self-reliant in the society. ``They were trained on liquid soap making, shampoo, baking, spices making, and tie and dye,’’ Tijjani said.

The commissioner explained that after the training, they were given N10, 000 each to enable them start trades of their choice.

She said another batch of the beneficiaries were indigent mothers, who were given N30.000 each.

Tijjani disclosed further that another special programme captured 4, 400 women, mostly young girls and spinsters. ``These groups were taught how to live with their husbands and cook different dishes of food. ``At the end of the training programme, they were given wrappers, textbooks and the money,” she said.

The Commissioner further said the government had also trained 220 young girls in video recording and photography.

She said the girls had already been assisted with cameras and printing materials, worth N64 million, as working

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

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africa news Africa’s Richest Man Offers Liberia a Helping Hand to fight Ebola

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igerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has expressed desire to assist Liberia in the fight against the spread of the Ebola virus disease.

Dangote, a Nigerian multi investor and an industrialist made the commitment in a telephone conversation with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Friday, according to a statement by the Liberian gov-

ernment Sunday.

The Nigerian volunteered to assist Liberia with medical personnel and other human and material resources aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

He promised that his charity organisation, the Dangote Foundation, will work with the Liberian government to determine what assistance can be provided ranging from medical personnel as well as other pro-

fessional healthcare workers.

President Sirleaf thanked Dangote for the promised assistance and praised the Nigerian businessman for reaching out to the government and people of Liberia.

U.S. And Four European Countries Call for An End to The Violence in Libya

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he United States and four European countries jointly called on Saturday for an end to violence in Libya.

The governments of France, Italy, Germany, Britain and the United States said in a statement that they “agree that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis” and expressed dismay that calls for a ceasefire had not been respected.

Dozens of people have been killed in Benghazi in days of fighting between Islamic militant groups, including Ansar al-Sharia, and pro-government forces led by former General Khalifa Haftar, who began an offensive on Wednesday.

The joint statement voiced concern over Haftar’s offensive and said Libya’s “fight against terrorist organizations can only be sustainably addressed by regular armed forces under the control of a

central authority.”

Libya has failed to build up state security forces and disarm former rebels who helped remove Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the country for 42 years until his downfall in 2011.

The United States and its four European allies also condemned Ansar al-Sharia and said “Libya’s hard fought freedom is at risk if Libyan and international terrorist groups are allowed to use Libya as a safe haven.”

The statement threatened sanctions against individuals who “threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya or obstruct or undermine the political process.”

Libya also is struggling with two competing governments vying for control after armed groups from the western city of Misrata seized the capital of Tripoli in August, forcing the government of Prime Minister Abdullah alThinni to withdraw to the east.

Liberian leader Seeks Support In Fight Against Ebola

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he Ebola outbreak in West Africa risks unleashing an economic catastrophe that will leave a “lost generation” of young West Africans, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said on Sunday, urging stronger international action.

The worst epidemic on record of the deadly virus has now killed more than 4,500 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Eight people have also died in Nigeria and cases have been reported in the United States and Spain.

Johnson Sirleaf said the international reaction to the outbreak, detected in March deep in the forests of southern Guinea, was initially “incon-

sistent and lacking in clear direction or urgency”.

She said the international community had woken up to the global health risk posed by the epidemic but called for help from every nation with the capacity to do so, either in funding or medical staff and supplies.

“We all have a stake in the battle against Ebola,” she said in an open letter read on the BBC World Service.

“It is the duty of all of us, as global citizens, to send a message that we will not leave millions of West Africans to fend for themselves against an enemy that they do not know, and against whom they have little defence.”

Johnson Sirleaf, a former

senior World Bank executive, said Ebola was having a dire economic impact in the worst affected countries, with harvests missed, markets shut and borders closed.

She said the outbreak had undone much of the recovery achieved in the wake of Liberia’s 1989-2003 civil war.

“Ebola is not just a health crisis across West Africa, a generation of young people risk being lost to an economic catastrophe,” she said. “The time for talking or theorizing is over. Only concerted action will save my country, and our neighbours, from experiencing another national tragedy.”

Concern over the spread of Ebola in the United States where two nurses contracted

the disease after treating a sick Liberian man has buffeted financial markets in recent days. President Barack Obama has appealed for Americans not to give in to hysteria or fear.

A former Nobel peace prize winner for her work on women’s rights, Johnson Sirleaf said the whole world had a stake in fighting the virus.

“This disease respects no borders. It is the duty of all of us, as global citizens, to send a message that we will not leave millions of West Africans to fend for themselves against an enemy that they do not know, and against whom they have little defence.”

Strip, as well as near Egypt’s Suez Canal.

Security officials say Sinai-based militants are inspired by Islamic State, the al Qaeda offshoot that controls parts of Iraq and Syria and wants to redraw the map of

the Middle East.

A senior commander from Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, Egypt’s deadliest jihadist group, has told Reuters that Islamic State has provided instructions on how to operate more effectively.

Blast Kills Six Security Forces in Egypt’s Sinai

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t least six Egyptian security force personnel were killed by a remotely detonated roadside bomb in the Sinai Peninsula on Sunday, medical and security sources said.

The bomb exploded as a patrol responsible for protecting a natural gas pipeline passed by, the sources said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast occurred southwest of provincial capital Al-

Arish where two policemen were killed when their patrol car was struck by a rocketpropelled grenade three days ago.

Security forces face a jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds of soldiers

and policemen since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last year after mass protests against his rule.

Most attacks occur in the Sinai Peninsula, which borders Israel and the Gaza

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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world news Blood Bath in Benghazi, 75 Dead

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ine people have been killed in new violence in Benghazi where pro-government forces have launched an offensive against Islamist militias, raising the toll to 75 dead in five days, medics said.

In the latest violence Sunday, a woman was killed in

a bomb attack that targeted the vacant house of former general Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the offensive launched Wednesday, a military source said.

The woman was walking past the house with her daughter, who was wounded in the bombing, said the Benghazi Medical Centre, adding that

it had also received the bodies of eight other people including two soldiers.

Fierce fighting raged in several parts of Libya’s second city between pro-government forces led by Haftar and Islamist militias.

Air raids carried out by units of the air force loyal to Haftar pounded Islamist posi-

tions.

On Saturday the United States joined Britain, France, Germany and Italy in calling for an “immediate” end to long-running violence there between government forces and militias.

Since a 2011 revolution that toppled Libya’s longtime leader Moamer Kad-

hafi, interim authorities have failed to establish a regular army and had to rely on statebacked militias.

The European powers and the United States said they were “concerned” by the operations carried out by Haftar, although he has the backing of army units while civilians too have taken up arms.

“We consider that Libya’s security challenges and the fight against terrorist organisations can only be sustainably addressed by regular armed forces under the control of a central authority which is accountable to a democratic and inclusive parliament,” a joint statement said.

Floods Kill 24 in Nicaragua

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ISIS bodies Piling Up At Syrian Hospital, Opposition Says

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SIS has apparently taken a heavy hit over the past several days. The bodies of at least 70 fighters for the terror group have been dropped off over four days at a hospital in the Syrian town of Tal Abyad, a Syrian opposition group said.

Tal Abyad is on the Turkish border and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Raqqa.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria took control of Raqqa last year. ISIS uses the once-liberal city as a kind of

headquarters where it applies its hardline interpretation of Islamic law, terrorizing the population.

Kurdish and Iraqi forces have been battling ISIS on the ground. With the help of airstrikes from an international coalition led by the United States, the foot soldiers are now focused on pushing ISIS back from its relentless attempt to take Kobani, a Kurdish town on the Syrian-Turkish border.

It’s unclear who dropped

the bodies of the ISIS fighters off at the hospital, but it was likely other fighters from the militant group, because they control Tal Abyad.

Sources who work in local medicine confirmed the events to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that promotes ending the longstanding regime of Syrian President Bashar alAssad. The group is based in London and first formed when violence broke out in Syria in 2011, much of it geared to-

ward ousting al-Assad.

Kobani now is the scene of an unrelenting battle. On Sunday, the brief moments of calm were punctuated by sounds of firing from both sides. ISIS has shelled the city at least 16 times, sources say, while coalition planes fly low overhead.

The strategy against ISIS is working, said U.S. Central Command Gen. Lloyd Austin on Friday. He also said that Kobani could fall.

U.S. warplanes struck only

Catholics Bishops: No Agreement on Gays And Lesbians

C

atholic bishops ended a tense, two-week summit in Rome on Saturdaywithout agreeing on how to minister to gays and lesbians or whether divorced and remarried Catholics should receive Holy Communion.

An interim report issued

on Monday, and greeted with great fanfare from liberal Catholics, was heavily revised by Saturday. Sections were removed that had praised the “gifts” gays and lesbians offer the church, as well as the “precious support” same-sex partners give to one other.

Even the revised sections, though, failed to garner a two-thirds consensus from the nearly 200 bishops meeting here, revealing deep divisions in the highest levels of the Catholic Church.

The bishops were summoned by Pope Francis to figure out how present the

church’s teachings on sexuality and family life, which is seen as outdated in many parts of the world, according to polls.

But more difficult issues, especially homosexuality, eluded agreement, and led to an unusual amount of public bickering by bishops.

twice Friday and Saturday in the city, Central Command said, both times targeting ISIS fighting positions.

That’s far fewer strikes than days before. U.S. jets flew at least 14 missions near Kobani on Thursday and Friday, the military reported. It will take “strategic patience” to beat ISIS, Austin said.

The U.S. has generally downplayed the importance of Kobani as a key city in the battle against the militants.

riving rain that has swamped most of Nicaragua for days has killed 24 people, authorities said, sparking fears of a potential health crisis in some areas.

The flooding has left more than 33,000 people homeless and many are cramming into shelters around the Central American nation, government spokeswoman and first lady Rosario Murillo said yesterday.

The government has rushed 5,000 emergency food kits to an area on the Caribbean coast near the Honduran border where mostly Miskito indigenous people have been cut off by the overflowing Prinzapolka and Coco rivers.

Local officials are worried the over-soaking could boost mosquito populations, therefore increasing the risk of mosquitoborne illnesses.

And “with the degree of saturation we have, the earth is so wet that any light to moderate rain” could cause more mudslides in this mountainous and largely poor country, Murillo warned.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

7

politics

Buhari In The Shoes Of Abraham Lincoln

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

I

t was Richelle E. Goodrich in one of her favourite quotes that said “Do it again. Play it again.

Sing it again. Read it again.

Write it again. Sketch it again.

Rehearse it again. Run it again.

Try it again. Because again is practice, and practice is improvement, and improvement only leads to perfection.”

General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, in Abuja, formally declared his intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the 4th time since 2003 under the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Unsurprising Move For one who has been on this same path for three times in the last eleven years, it is believed that he has amassed enough experience to make things right this time. Buhari would still have to go through the hurdle of party primaries before he can be presented as the official candidate of the APC for the forthcoming presidential elections.

The decision of Buhari to contest for the forthcoming elections did not come as a surprise to many following his role towards the successful merger of a group of political parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. Buhari, it would be recalled put a lot of his political might and goodwill as one of the principal factors behind the proposed mega opposition party back then to ensure that the dream of producing a mega opposition party that will challenge and defeat the ruling PDP that has held sway since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

Broken Promise For some persons, Buhari’s declaration and ambition is inordinate having promised in 2011 that he would not contest for the position of the president after the 2011 elections. A few months after his declaration in 2011, at the grand finale of his campaign in Abuja, Buhari promised that the 2011 presidential contest would be his last as he would not contest for the position again.

“This campaign is the third and last one for me. I will not offer myself again for election into the office of president,” he said.

The gap toothed Fulani Army General had in 2003 and 2007 contested the presidential elections and lost to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Yar’Adua. He came second on both tries and had a lengthy legal battle to prove his perceived victory at the polls. However, he lost on both occasions even though it will be recalled that the Supreme Court verdict for the 2007 elections was one of the toughest in the history of the country as three Supreme Court Judges supported Buhari’s case as against four for the President.

This prompted the former Head of State on December 9, 2010, while formally declaring his intention to run for president in the 2011 election, to say that he would not contest the result of the election in court if he lost.

His position was hinged on the fact that he had approached the court to adjudicate on his petitions challenging his loss in the elections, but was denied justice. He said it would be a waste of time to return there again.

“The common feeling was that the judiciary was not acting independently,” Mr. Buhari, who was then running on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, lamented at a news conference in Abuja.

“Even though we disagreed with the rulings, we accepted them as a decision of the highest court of the land so that people do not lose faith in the overall democratic system. This time we are not going to court.

Once bitten…..but in our own case twice bitten.”

Although, he lost to the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan in that election, with 12,214,853 votes to the president’s 22,495,187 votes, Mr. Buhari did not renege on his promise not to go to court. But his party felt otherwise. It filed a suit challenging the declaration by the Independent National Election Commission that Mr. Jonathan won the election.

Both the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and the Supreme Court, in their rulings, rejected the CPC’s claim that the April 16 election was marred by irregularities and upheld the president’s victory.

In the main, not a few Nigerians had hoped that Mr. Buhari’s lamentation and decision not to go to court as well as his promise not to run again for president would truly mark his exit from the nation’s political terrain.

That was not to be.

He had contested twice, but lost. In 2003, the former military strongman contested on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party,

ANPP, but lost to the then incumbent, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who ran on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He got 12,710,022 votes representing 32.17 percent to Mr. Obasanjo’s 24,456,140 or 61.94 percent.

In 2007, Buhari threw his hat into the political ring again on the same party’s platform.

Again, the PDP candidate, Umaru Yar’Adua floored him in an election that he (Yar’Adua) even faulted. He polled 6,605,299 or 18.72 percent to Mr. Yar’Adua’s 26,638,063 or 69.82 percent.

The APC leader, who will be 72 in December, is again back in the fray. Two weeks ago, Mr. Buhari, Nigeria’s leader between 1983 and 1985, declared that he would seek the ticket of his party to contest the February 2015 presidential election, the fourth time since he joined politics in 2003.

“With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice,” he announced to about 60 groups of supporters at a forum on September 30.

Change Of Heart

without a concerned group or individuals visiting me and arguing that I was wrong to leave competitive politics.

“The stock answer I have always given is that we should first build a bigger party, a viable political platform before I could summon the courage to change my mind. In the meantime, all the indices of good government have deteriorated: insecurity, unemployment, power, failures, educational standards, health standards, the justice system etc. Wherever you turn, governance has taken a turn for the worse. Above all, corruption has taken a life of its own eating into every institution and every sector.”

The decision to contest again came due to the level of intense pressure from his supporters to join the race. Buhari Vanguard, a group of his supporters organised a rally in Lagos and urged him to run. The leader of the group, Jasper Azuatalam, described Mr. Buhari as the only aspirant who could make a promise and keep it. AccordKnowing that his decision ing to him, Mr. Buhari does not to contest will pit his words have oil and is therefore not against his actions, Buhari has corrupt. also tried to clear the air on why he would be contesting Like Buhari, Like Lincoln the 2015 elections. In a letter to Some concerned individusome prominent Nigerians, the als and followers of history former head of state explained have likened Buhari to the 16th that he decided to contest again American president, Abraham because he was concerned Lincoln, who like Buhari lost about the nation’s deteriorating several elections before finally economy and security situation, winning the presidential elecwhich he would want to fix if tion in 1860. History they argue elected. will aid the retired general as he He also said since he ancontests this time around. nounced his plan not to run again, he came under tremenObstacles dous pressure from groups askIt is pertinent to point out that ing him to reconsider his stance. despite the impressive preparaAccording to Buhari, “Just tions and massive support, before the 2011 elections, which Buhari is certain not to have I contested, I said publicly, in a it smooth. The reasons are not fit of pique, that that was my far-fetched. The presence of last outing as a presidential canother formidable aspirants on didate. Days after that statement the platform of the opposition torrents of delegations, starting party might be his undoing. with one from Niger State led Among the aspirants are a

by Alhaji Umar Shu’aibu, then former vice president, Atiku chairman of CPC, including a Abubakar; Kano State Goverserving senator, three members nor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso; and of each House of RepresentaPublisher of Leadership Newstives and Niger Sate Assembly paper, Sam Nda-Isaiah. expressing strong opposition to Others that may likely join my intentions. the race are Governors Rochas “Another delegation from Okorocha of Imo State, his Edo Kano State, led by General AbState counterpart, Adams Osdulmalik Jibrin, consisting of hiomhole and an Information delegates from most of the local Technology consultant, Barngovernments in the state, came abas Akwenuke. to express similar views. Since It is not certain if the Speakthen, hardly a week passes CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

8

politics

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

W

ith the 2015 general elections drawing closer each second, stakeholders in the political cycle have begun the process of consultations across the country. The leading political parties in the country namely the leading Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have begun series of consultations and endorsements to ensure electoral victory in the forth coming elections.

Political permutations have begun in earnest between the PDP and the APC ahead of 2015 with both parties ensuring that no stone is left unturned in a bid to win the general elections.

One of such political permutations was in the form of a visit to Otta to consult and seek the endorsement of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is tipped to be a key figure in determining who wins the presidential elections.

Leading the team of APC leaders to the retired army general, one time nemesis and national leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, according to a reliable source visited Obasanjo to obtain his advice on who should become the presidential candidate of the opposition party if it must defeat the leading PDP. It must be stated that the former president “is still” a member of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and until recently was the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party.

The visit of the APC chieftains to the former president might have decided who will get the party’s nod according to some political observers and also that same visit may have nailed the political aspiration of some other candidates within the party.

It is a well known fact that Obasanjo and Atiku were at logger heads while Obasanjo was serving his second term as President and the latter was vice president. Obasanjo advised the party to choose a candidate with a clean track record. That statement is a clear indication that Atiku might not be favoured due to his antecedents.

For the records, it is a well known fact that Obasanjo’s vice during his 8year run as president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the former president parted in unpleasant circumstances and despite recent meetings by both men, the bad blood may still be in place.

Atiku had some cases of corruption as a vice president of the country hanging on him. The APC in recent times has been taking advantage of the rift between Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan to further the party’s interest. Obasanjo has made it clear times without number that Jonathan said he would run for only one term, but now he wants to break his promise.

Time is not on the side of either party so they feel Obasanjo who is a major political player must be brought in to assist.

Most political observers have opined that any party that ignores Obasanjo

2015: Obasanjo The Be

in the scheme of things does so at its own peril. Obasanjo is not holding any official post but his political might cannot be ignored. Before Buhari / Idiagbon’s government was toppled in 1985 by Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd), Obasanjo was consulted at Otta farm.

There was hardly a coup in Nigeria, either successful or abortive that Obasanjo does not know of. This fact is why many people are of the opinion that the late dictator, Gen Sani Abacha, ordered for the arrest of Obasanjo on phantom coup plot.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his defence to the visit of Tinubu and other leaders of the party to Obasanjo stated, “In politics, you cannot ignore anybody that can help you.

The leader must have his reasons for visiting the former President; he is doing it for Nigeria.

“What is at hand in 2015 is about Nigeria, it is not about the APC alone.

Whoever we can talk to and can assist us to change this clueless government we will meet.” It would be recalled that the APC leaders, including Tinubu; the interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, had in December, 2013, visited Obasanjo as part of moves to solicit the former president support for the party.

For the members of the ruling PDP,

the influence of the former president cannot be ignored. The party leadership also sent a high powered delegation led

by Senate President David Mark to represent the party. The reason why Mark was chosen is because of his rosy relationship with Obasanjo.

According to reports, the meeting between Mark and Obasanjo lasted for about four hours. The meeting centred principally on the need for the former President to lend his support to efforts being made by the party to fully reintegrate all aggrieved members back into its fold.

He said, “The Senate President is playing a crucial rule in the current integration efforts by the leadership of the PDP to bring back the aggrieved leaders of our party into the mainstream again, and Obasanjo is very key to the success of the team’s assignment. So, that is why we went to him.

“The 2015 elections are around the corner and the leadership of the PDP is determined to ensure success in all the geo-political zones.

This will be a little bit difficult if the aggrieved leaders and members are not integrated back to the system.”

“Apart from the Senate President being the chairman of the South-West PDP reconciliation committee, he enjoys a father/son relationship with Chief Obasanjo. He went to see former

President Obasanjo as part of his assignment.”

On details of their discussion, the Senate President simply said: “They are discussions that would move this nation forward. You know his passion for this nation is unquantifiable, so we have really had a good discussion with him.”

According to a South West member of the PDP who pleaded anonymity, said “For Obasanjo to support PDP, they must do one of two things.

It’s either they endorse a Northern candidate or they do his bidding by abiding to his advice.

Obasanjo has lost control of South West PDP to Kashamu Buruji who we all know is not in good terms with Obasanjo. Jonathan’s administration must not shove aside the grave allegations on Kashamu by Obasanjo in that 18 page letter. If the allegations are true, then we can’t have him parading himself as a chieftain of our great party.”

He further said that Obasanjo must be appeased if they really need his undivided attention. It was gathered that the former President had not changed his position on Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

On Sunday 12 of October, the former President broke his silence by saying he bore no grudge against anybody in the PDP. He, however, insisted on his earlier stand on Mr. Kashamu as the Chair-

man, mobilization and organization committee of the party in the SouthWest.

It would be recalled that Obasanjo made mention of Kashamu in his 18 page letter to Jonathan. He reiterated his unhappiness about Kashamu being a PDP chieftain, while reacting to the plea made last week by the PDP chairman, Adamu Mu’azu and the Senate President, Mark.

He said, “I have had occasions to say to the President (Jonathan), the Senate President (Mark) and the party chairman separately that I have no quarrel with any individual or group in the party. There are, for me, issues of principle, morality, honour, integrity, commitment, and character which are paramount.”

Obasanjo added, “For instance, as a former President of Nigeria, the Chairman of West Africa Commission on Drug and a member of the Global Commission on Drug, I cannot accept that the zonal leader of my political party and, worse still in my zone, will be an indicted drug baron wanted in America.

How do I explain that to friends outside Nigeria? This is only one of the many issues that I have pointed and still pointing out.”

He said he had a “national and international standard to maintain and reputation to keep and sustain.” And for

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

9

politics

eautiful Bride

these reasons, he had opted to remain active only at the ward level of the party till the leadership did the needful.

He further said, ‘Today, Nigeria needs all hands on deck to deal with our pressing problems of security including the issue of Chibok girls, widening inequality, infrastructure, impunity, corruption, poverty and youth education, skill-acquisition, empowerment and employment. These are issues of concern to most Nigerians. We all need to join hands to move Nigeria forward. I don’t need to be begged for that.

Rather, I beg and appeal to those who are begging me to realize that we must put Nigeria’s interest above politics, party or personal interests otherwise, we will all be judged at the bar of history if not the bar of current affairs.

In addition, we must preserve, sustain and deepen democracy and democratic practices.”Obasanjo said.

However, Obasanjo’s statement did not go down well with the PDP chieftain, Kashamu who countered Obasanjo soon afterwards by saying ‘it’s all lies.’

According to Kashamu, “First, his statement is yet another cocktail of lies served with his legendary deceit as shall be shown shortly. He said he was displeased at my allegedly being made the leader of the party in the South West. First, it should be noted that as against his earlier assertion that I am “a wanted habitual criminal, for whom extradition has been requested by the US Government”, he has now described me “as an indicted drug baron wanted in America. The indubitable fact of history that Baba Obasanjo has not told

the world is that it was during his first tenure as President that he and former Beninoise President Matthew Kerekou directed the relevant security agencies to give truthful evidence that exonerated me.”

He further said, he (Obasanjo) is against the second term ambition of Jonathan and he had wanted to use the erstwhile National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the former National Auditor, Bode Mustapha and the exNational Vice-Chairman, Segun Oni, to thwart Mr. President’s re-election.

The almighty Allah Subhana wa tala used me to stand up to him and the rest is history.

“Before his very eyes the PDP in the South West is on a rebound and we are winning elections free and square unlike what obtained during his reign when contrived electoral victories were being easily upturned.

Despite working for the APC which he had ordered his followers to join, the PDP is waxing stronger in the zone.”

Although the PDP has endorsed Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate, there are some aggrieved members who must be consulted ahead of the 2015 general elections, PDP members have suggested.

The presidency is desperate and their best bet is to choose Obasanjo over Kashamu. According to the opinion of some respected political analysts, Kashamu would be sacrificed in order to please Baba (Obasanjo) in the long run.”

On the other hand, the APC will choose between former Atiku and Bu-

hari at its national convention on December 2, 2014.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, party primaries will hold between December 2 and December 11. However, supporters of former Head of State Buhari are pushing for his adoption as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.

They are putting pressure on the APC leadership to drop its plan of a Modified Direct primary adopted by the National Executive Council, saying the PDP would infiltrate the primary.

In his opinion, the former governor of Kwara State and chieftain of the APC, Senator Bukola Saraki, faulted the opinion of dumping the presidential primaries describing such insinuations as cheap propaganda from the opposition.

Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, he said: “This is propaganda from the opposition.

I assure Nigerians that the primary would not disintegrate the party, but unify it. After the primaries of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party did not disintegrate but became stronger.

“In the early days of the PDP, Obasanjo and Chief Alex Ekwueme contested a primary and the party did not disintegrate. I have sat with Buhari, Atiku and Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso and there are assurances from them that whichever way the primary goes, they will support the party.

When we merged with the legacy parties, the opposition said the party would disintegrate. After that, they said it would disintegrate at the national convention.

“The party will not disintegrate because we are all making sacrifices every day. It is not easy to come together to take on a government with this level of impunity. We are doing this because we truly believe is the best for Nigeria. I have utmost confidence that everyone would rally round whoever emerges as the presidential flag bearer.

Also in the league of political party leaders who have consulted with Obasanjo in recent times is the national leader of the Accord Party (AP), Senator Ibrahim Ladoja. The former Oyo State governor it was learnt had gone to consult the former president for the forthcoming general elections and what party to team up with as the elections gets closer.

It is no longer in doubt that former president Obasanjo has become the beautiful bride for all political parties as the 2015 general elections draws nearer. However, many Nigerians are waiting to see who the Owu born warlord will endorse and the level of influence his endorsement will carry.

Buhari In The Shoes Of Abraham Lincoln CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

years.

er of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, will quit the ruling PDP to battle for the APC presidential ticket, although his body language is suggesting so.

Finance might also be another obstacle to realizing his ambition. The former Nigerian leader is not as financially buoyant as most of the contenders. Of a truth, unlike the other contenders, the former Nigerian leader does not have the financial muscle to lobby delegates, who, when they attend the convention, must be settled, accommodated and given pocket money.

The APC leader alluded to this fact two weeks ago. “We may be the most underfunded project in the history of this country, but by the grace of God and your support, we are the greatest crowd puller in the nation today…,” he told his supporters.

Another factor that might scuttle the chances of General Buhari is Age. Buhari is the oldest among APC presidential contenders. Atiku is 68; Kwankwaso 58; Akwenuke is 57; Nda-Isaiah 52; and Rochas Okorocha 52. Tambuwal is 48. The age of Mahmood Aliyu, the ABU professor, who also joined the race last week is not immediately known.

President Jonathan, the man one of them will challenge will be 57 in November. Although some would say there is no correlation between age and performance, some party members are already kicking against his emergence on this premise.

Besides, Mr. Buhari had run for the office consecutively on three previous occasions. This to some of the party faithful, is a minus for him. As a serial presidential hopeful, some are already asking what new things he would bring to the table that will make a difference in the opposition’s bid to oust the PDP from power. Others say Buhari lacks the political energy to confront Mr. Jonathan who has built political bridges in the last four or so

Strengths However, despite the numerous challenges listed, not a few members and indeed Nigerians believe that only Buhari can present a formidable opposition to the PDP in the coming presidential election.

First, none of the aspirants can match the former head of state’s popularity across the country. He is believed to have a cult-like followership in the North. The followers are ready to vote Buhari without being influenced with money as evidenced by the mammoth crowd that thronged to the venue of his declaration chiefly the who is who in the party.

Another factor in favour of Buhari is his role in the merger of the parties that merged into the APC. Many of the members say it is payback time for a man who played crucial role in the merger of three opposition parties and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. The members believe the former military strongman should be compensated with the presidential ticket because other contenders such as Atiku and Kwankwaso merely want to reap where they did not sow as both men defected from the PDP to the APC. One prominent factor that might be in Buhari’s advantage is his alleged discreet backing by another leader of the party and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, who is not only being suspected to be positioning himself as his (Buhari) running mate, but also aiding him financially to block Atiku and others.

Despite all of this, what is certain is that this is the last chance for the retired Army Major General. If he wins the ticket and the presidential election despite several failings like Abraham Lincoln, he will conclude his fouryear tenure at age 77 and if he fails, age would be a huge disadvantage for another shot as he might be too old to run again in 2019.

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

10

business

Ponmo

And Its Multiple Opportunities

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

T

he recent decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ban the consumption of ‘Ponmo’ has continued to elicit reactions from across the country.

While many wonder the rationale behind the recent decision of the government, others wonder why the government which is supposed to look out for the interest of its citizens would impose such a law without considering the persons it swore to serve and protect.

Everywhere you go in Nigeria, ‘Ponmo’ has become a staple food for human consumption. For some Nigerians, it is one essential feature in our daily meals. From Lagos to Port Harcourt, Kaduna to Umuahia, it is often common to find women and even kids hawking ponmo with the local herbs and varying concoctions on our streets and in our suburbs.

‘Ponmo’ as it is popularly

called in most bukas and restaurants, including ‘shepe’ (local gin) joints, comes from the hide and skin of cows and goats; another way in which our nation is throwing away its economic viability and settling for it as food. Ponmo has today become a delight in most households in Nigeria. “I can’t do without ponmo. Ponmo is very cheap and affordable, and my family likes it very much”, a housewife did say when chatting with the correspondent.

When the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, called for competent regulations that would check the consumption and sale of the product, many at first thought it was in reaction to the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease that was gaining grounds then in the country. It would be recalled that the government through its various agencies had announced a ban on the sale and importation of bush meat, bats, monkeys among others.

In fact, many Nigerians willingly left off the consumption of

bush meat as they feared dying from Ebola, replacing it with ponmo on their menu. Thus, the sales of bush meat suffer very low patronage, and many of those who engaged in the business have withdrawn as it had suddenly become a period of doom for their business.

However, clarifications by the government soon revealed that the ban on ponmo was not related to the deadly Ebola virus as previously thought. The Agriculture Minister Adesina, who spoke through Ademola Raji, Director, Animal Production and Husbandry in the Ministry at the 3rd joint anniversary of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and Nigeria Institute of Animal Science at the University of Ibadan, said that the banning of the product would ensure that livestock farmers would stand good chances of making high dollar return if the hides and skins are tanned into leather.

That clarification was just one among the others made that soon

triggered the multiple responses faulting the ban. All over the markets, canteens and even on the social media, people went on to show their displeasure over the ban on the popular item. For some, the ban was unjustifiable and as such, could not be binding on most Nigerians.

For some traders who do business on the popular product, the decision of the government was callous and insensitive. For Mama Abiola, a trader who sells ponmo at the popular market in Ikotun, a suburb in Lagos, the decision was not in the best interest of Nigerians. She further condemned the decision of the government to remove her only source of income from her.

“On a day that there are good sales, I make up to seven thousand naira on my ponmo, which I cut into pieces of different sizes. People of different classes come here to buy it; some can even buy up to N500 and take it away, Mama Abiola told the correspondent.

Findings have shown that there is

a growing demand for ponmo as it has skyrocketed over the years and contrary to popular belief, ponmo is not only consumed by the poor in the society. And when, sometime ago, Fuji musician Pasuma said that it is absolute poverty to eat ponmo, little did he know that he was not forecasting well, and that the people would eventually settle for ponmo, poverty or no poverty.

This is evident in the rate of people who make high sales from the ponmo business.

Ponmo comes in different preparations; in Yoruba land it is commonly called ‘ponmo alata’ because it is usually prepared with a pepper sauce. In the North, especially Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto, the popular ‘mai suya’ also have their way of garnishing the ponmo that makes it very soft, delicious and peppery. There is also the brand of ponmo called ‘agemawo, ‘ meaning ponmo cut with a little beef, and this is more popular in the eastern CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

11

business

Ponmo And Its Multiple Opportunities CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

part of the country where the locals have also gone gaga for the love of ponmo.

Ponmo has become a consistent staple food in our kitchens, bukas, restaurants and drinking joints, to the extent that people now prefer it to fish, red meat or chicken.

However, this is a very painful development too. For all the economic prospects that it portends, Nigeria’s love for ponmo is costing the Nation $35 million of the global leather and leather goods market.

At a stakeholders’ conference in Abuja in January 2002, participants identified five Nigerian products that held the potentials for export growth. The nation’s hide and skin produce was identified as a viable export product. All the resources for tanning and producing leather products are available locally, including a large domestic and regional animal population.

With strategic utilization of those resources, Nigeria was expected to significantly increase her market share of the global leather and leather goods market. Rather we decided to eat it.

The Nation’s shoe market gave a clearer illustration of the anomaly. As at 2002, Nigeria imported over 20 million pairs of shoes annually despite its manufacturing capacity which could meet local demands and even have enough for export.

Alhaji Lawan Sule Garo, chairman, Nigeria Tanners Council (NTC), admitted that there is the urgent need for government to assist both local and foreign investors to establish manufacturing companies that would use locally processed leather for the production of highquality goods currently imported from Europe and North America.

The nation’s leather industry, he argued, is performing remarkably well particularly in Kano, the hub of the industry.

Currently, the estimated national demand of leather for shoe manufacturing is over four million sq meters (43 million sq ft), while the total demand for leather products is 5.33million sq meters (57 million sq ft) It is however amazing to note that the local tanners supply less than 10 percent of the national demand for the shoe manufacturing sector. Instead, the hide and skin is processed into ponmo, which is now a daily delicacy.

As at 2002, only 16 of the Nation’s 41 tanners were in full operation. Today, Kano state plays host to about 26 tanners operating at minimal level. According to Festus Iloegbuna, an investment

risk analyst and clothier, resuscitation of Nigeria’s leather industry will help diversify the foreign exchange earning capacity of the nation and reduce imports.

Marcus Udoh, an agricultural economics lecturer, notes that there is the greater possibility of job creation and employment generation in our leather industry within the expansive and judiciously run cattle feed lots. It is believed by experts that skins and leather industry is worth over $4.4 billion, $14 billion in rough-tanned and finished leathers of all types and $25 billion for footwear with leather uppers.

Developing countries, however, expect over $19 billion worth of tanned leather, a burgeoning industry Nigeria is expected to seize advantage of. To do this, government should establish careful firm level feasibility studies, technical assistance, sustainable support and infrastructural support. This will also require astute forecasts and alleviation measures against efforts by competitors to enter into the complex global trade in leather products.

However, as many continue to argue on the pros and cons of the ban on ponmo, further reports have shown that ponmo has aided the socio economic growth of some states that understands its importance.

Recently, an agricultural economist, Agama, while delivering a report stated that the ban on ponmo was not actually in the best interest of the nation. The notable agricultural economist said that the report, which was a product of methodologies developed and used to discover the socio economic contribution to Lagos state of ponmo versus leather, included interviews, focused group meetings, visits to abattoirs and markets, and a public opinion poll.

He said that the findings were that ponmo contributes to the economy of the state more that leather, and that most respondents kicked against the proposed ban.

Part of the report said, “The volume and value of the ponmo value chain is higher than that of leather in Lagos, that if ponmo is banned and the hide is diverted to leather, substantial value in monetary terms will be lost. More people are employed in the ponmo value chain than the leather value chain in Lagos state.

“More women and the poor are engaged in the ponmo value chain than the leather value chain, and if banned and diverted to leather, most of the women engaged in the value

chain will be displaced.”

The research found out that, for instance, 5000 hides taking from 5000 cattle slaughtered daily, with an average sale of 11,200 from one hide means, making N56million, compared to an average of N275 from the sale of one square foot leather(20.5) making a total of N28,187,500.

According to Agama, “About 7 million cattles are slaughtered annually in Lagos, with majority of hides used as ponmo, Given the high price that hides fetch in the food market, estimated to be as much as five times the price paid

by tanneries, there is little incentive for producers to sell their hide to the leather industry.”

The report further said “Even if ponmo has little nutritional value, it is a harmless delicacy that people enjoy eating and action could be regarded as anti-poor policy”.

Bolaji Shogbeni, managing director, Metromart services limited, a meat contractor that supplies meat to enterprise consumers in the state, said that hide from the slaughtered animal is usually presold for N15,000 to N20,000 to ponmo processors before slaughter. “The company will not support the poli-

cy because it will reduce profitability, disrupt the family livelihood of ponmo processors which has been passed from generation to generation, cause industrial unrest at the abattoirs.”, Shogbeni said.

However, it is expected that the government through its ministries and agencies would meet with relevant stakeholders to properly discuss its positions before a logical conclusion on the matter is reached.

Whatever the agreed position is, it is believed that the overall interest of majority of the citizens of the country must be at the centre of the decision.

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

12

fashion How I Started Celebrity Styling –Moses Ebite Moses Eboyou Ebite is a young entrepreneur from Bayelsa State who dumped the regular 5am-9pm job for a fashion consulting business. Being an only child of his parents didn’t stop him from leaving them back in Port-Harcourt for Lagos after which he set up his own thriving fashion consulting firm called, Moashystyling.

He spoke on how it all began.

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

W

hy did you decide to go into celebrity

styling?

I have always been passionate about helping people put outfits together from a friend going for a wedding, a cousin going for a job interview and want to make a statement. So, the only thing I did was to put a name to

my passion recently after I realized I could make a living out of it.

Were you doing something else before now?

Yes. I was working as an assistant marketing manager in a firm called Sidoni Nigeria Limited in Port-Harcourt.

After having the urge to start my own thing, one morning, I just went to the office and dropped my letter of resignation. After reigning, I moved

to Lagos and the rest is history.

How challenging was this job since you started?

Every job I get called on to do is a whole new challenge for me. Getting paid to do what I love doing makes me consider myself as blessed. But then, we have the “Nigerian factor” in terms of people’s attitude to work, how to get raw materials, availability and all.

Was it easy or hard getting celebrity to trust your styling?

It was pretty much easy for me because I have friends with great style and fame. So, I just used that as an opportunity to get contacts to most of the celebs.

And since I started, it’s been great as I get to style my clients for either red carpet events or personal styling.

Oh Wow, This Makeup!

B

eauty has become good business as every woman wants to always feel and look good.

Stumbled on this make and we were like, wow! Clean and perfect, especially with the play on colours.

However, is that purple/blue eye pencil shade on her brows? Except for the purpose of art, who wears such combination of colours anyway but, still looks nice.

Again, the tone of the powder is way too bright for her complexion...the powder shade made her faces brighter than the rest of her body…look at her hands!

Who among the celebrity do you style now at the moment?

I’ve worked with quite a number of people including the likes of Miss Nigeria, Anna Banner, Mr Nigeria, Osas Ighodaro, Miss Tourism 2014, and I’m a freelance stylist for Complete Fashion Magazine and Hello Nigeria.

When did you start styling?

It all started last year when I was called up by a friend, Adaeze Obiozo to help work on Maltina Dance

All Season 7. After doing that job, everything went well and that enencouraged me to continue with the job.

What informs your style and how do you determine what style fits a celebrity at a particular time?

I do researches a lot. As a stylist you need to do a lot of research and not just buying back to back covers of vogue or GQ. You need to know their body types and colours your clients are comfortable with, and then you go back to your drawing board and create a look.

How do you relax?

I shop a lot, party a lot and hang out with close friends.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

13

people

Genevieve Nnaji is a sweet girl

she’ll definitely be recognised.

What other reason brought you to Nigeria?

Aside the Etisalat advert, I’m also working on partnering with some Nollywood movie directors on how to raise the standard of Nollywood movies to meet with international taste. So I’m working on setting up a movie academy where our people can be trained.

So you’re not planning to star in any Nollywood movie soon?

No. Why, are our scripts not good enough for you?

Nollywood is still growing and is yet to meet international standard in terms of directing and production.

But there are few Nollywood directors who have my kind of mind set and I’ve worked with them in the past. I’ve worked with the likes of Tunde Babalola in Last Flight To Abuja produced in the UK and he’s a great guy with a great mind. I also acted in Half Of A Yellow Sun. So if I get more people like him with good scripts, why not?

It’s time we start doing movies that tell our stories and history. We don’t have to wait for others to tell our story for us because they’ll end up telling it wrongly. We have the likes of great people like Sango, NnamdiAzikiwe, Awolowo and others- we need to do historical movies like that.

-Hakeem Kae-Kazim

Born October 1, 1662, Hakeem Kae-Kazim is a British Nigerian actor who is best known for playing the character of Georges in the 2004 blockbuster movie, Hotel Rwanda. He also starred as Colonel Iké Dubaku in season 7of 24 and the TV film tie-in24: Redemption.

Coming to Nollywood, he’s starred in movies like Last Flight To Abuja and Half Of A Yellow Sun. Hakeem Kae-Kzim talks about growing up, career, family and other issues.

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

W

hat’s it like growing up outside Nigeria?

Well it’s great, feels normal. Nothing really special anyway and as you know, I am a Nigerian and I bear our name. But I don’t think I missed anything actually because until the last two years I always spent my Christmas here in Nigeria, I love local dishes, I love our traditional wears too.

So you come to see your family during Christmas?

Yes I come here to see my mum because I was almost two years when my parents took my elder brother and I to the UK and we’ve been there ever since. But my dad is late now and my mum shuffles between here and the UK but my elder brother is based there with his family. I’m from Abeokuta so I always go there to see my mum.

How did acting start for you?

I started off studying drama and from there I started doing a lot of stage plays and theatre in the UK. From the UK, I moved to South Africa and did a lot of films and commercials on South African Television. From South Africa, I moved to the US where I am now, still doing what I have always loved to do-acting.

Actors are always moving from one place to another. How do you make out time for your family?

I have a very understanding wife and three lovely kids. She understands the kind of job I do and helps out most of the time.

You’ve taken part in a lot of blockbuster movies like Hotel Rwanda, 24, which one of the movies was your big break?

Each one of them is unique is their own way. ’24′ was quite awesome and then, ‘Hotel Rwanda’ which I was very glad to be part of. Then I have done ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

Doesn’t she complain?

Yes she does because I’m away most of the time. She’s from South Africa and that’s where I met her. We got married and I took her to the US. Funny enough I now shoot more in South Africa and my last kid is not even two yet. But I get to see her and speak with her on Skype whenever I’m not home.

I’m sure it wasn’t all rosy. What were the challenges you faced as an African breaking into Hollywood?

Yes it wasn’t all sweet at the beginning because there were times when I was broke and it was hard to put food on my table. Getting movie roles was also a challenge because here in Nigeria you’re sure to keep getting scripts but it’s not like that in the UK, if you get a movie role today, you might not get another until like 2-3 months time.

But all in all, it’s been a good experience.

I’m sure you’d have loads of female fans. How do you cope with them?

Yes I have loads of them but there’s time for everything. I have spaces for my friends, family and fans in my heart so I don’t let anyone of them interfere with the other. I always let my female fans know that I’m married and so, I don’t bring them closer than necessary.

You came into Nigeria sometime ago and shot the Etisalat advert with Genevieve Nnaji. What is it like being on set with her?

Yeah, Genevieve is a sweet girl and she’s quite good at whatever she does.

So, it was awesome working with her.

If she’s that good, do you think she stands a chance getting into

Hollywood?

It depends on the kind of opportunity comes her way and how prepared

she is to grab it. If she gets a good and international standard movie role and she rises up to the expectation then,

Have you had any embarrassing moment with a female fan before?

Yes, there was one when I got into a train and a lady saw me. She started screaming and shouting my name, she almost passed out letting everyone know I was Hakeem and acted in so, so and so movie. It was quite embarrassing.

health

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

14

By Lara Adejoro

I

n 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO), together with Rotary International, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention passed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, with the goal of eradicating polio by the year 2000.

The Initiative inspired by Rotary International’s 1985 pledged to raise $120 million toward immunising all of the world’s children against the disease, with 350,000 cases per year, the infectious disease was paralysing 1000 children each day in 125 countries but now, we have 176 cases in just three countries-Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

However, with concerted efforts from Rotary International, WHO, UNICEF, US CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and some states in Nigeria, the incidence of polio has decreased by more than 99 per cent with immunization reaching about 2.5 billion children, but there are new grounds to cover to ensure total eradication of polio especially in Nigeria.

To this end, the Nigerian

National Polio Plus Committee (NNPPC), in commemoration of the 2014 World Polio Day in October 24, have called on parents to ensure their children are fully immunised against polio.

According to the NNPPC chair, Dr Tunji Funsho, “the end is in sight for polio but no child is safe in Nigeria until no child has polio for 3 years.

“Polio is everywhere as long as polio is in one environment.

It is only one bus ride away and the southern part of the country should always be on guard.”

Statistics polio cases in Nigeria made available to Daily Times as at October 3, there were only 6 confirmed cases of WPV1 in Kano and Yobe States in Nigeria compared to 49 cases in 9 states for the same period in 2013.

Funsho said, date of onset of latest WPV case is 24 July, 2014. “There have not been any confirmed WPV3 since November 2012 while there have been 20 confirmed vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) in two states compared to 1 case in 2013 for the same period and the date of onset of latest cVDPV2 case was August 17, 2014.”

Why We Must End Polio Dr Funsho said, polio must

Rotary:

Polio End Is In Sight come to an end because it has caused so much devastation in our world and it is affecting those who are least able to protect themselves.

“Polio can be totally eradicated because it is the only disease that can be wiped out totally from the face of the

earth,” he said.

Globally, it is estimated that $50 billion would be saved if we eradicate polio today “and you can imagine how much that can do in other areas, for other diseases, for education, sanitation, other basic infrastructure and the economy. After polio

is gone, we have resources to put on malaria, that’s also another major killer disease for children. There will be a lot of saving and also, some of the infrastructure we have put on ground for vaccine, particularly in the country, will now serve to better improve immunization of other diseases like measles,” Funsho added.

Challenges The NNPPC Chair said the major challenge facing the total eradication of polio in Nigeria is essentially insecurity.

“It will be recalled that last year in Borno and Kano States, 8 health workers were killed but that is being controlled gradually. Another challenge is that some parents are refusing their children to be immunised especially religious sect who don’t believe in the administration of any kind of drug at all and this cut across both Christians and Muslims.”

Other challenges are ignorance, lack of commitment of political leaders at some state and LGA levels and funding.

He however said the challenges are been tackled.

“There has been strong political commitment from the federal level and that has helped

tremendously to ensure that every child is immunised.”

He also said there has been strong commitment from traditional/religious leaders, increased security in the security compromised areas, evolving new strategies to overcome missed children and increased commitment to funding.

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It leads to permanent paralysis (usually in the legs). The poliovirus is silent. This means that polio can be widespread in a community before it is seen in a case of paralysis and can be deadly, if it paralyses the muscles used for breathing. In Nigeria, polio mainly affects children under three years of age.

Wild poliovirus (WPV) enters the body through the mouth, in water or food that has been contaminated with faecal material from an infected person. The virus multiplies in the intestine and is excreted by the infected person in faeces, which can pass on the virus to others.

Initial symptoms of polio are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs.

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

15

health

Exercise Three Times A Week, Reduce Depression By 19%

By Lara Adejoro

P

articipating in physical activity three times a week reduces the risk of depression by 19 per cent says a research led by Dr. Snehal Pinto Pereira of the Institute of Child Health at University College London (UCL) in the UK which analyzed 11,135 individuals born in 1958, following them until the age of 50.

When the participants were aged 23, 33, 42 and 50, they self-reported their physical activity levels, and any depressive symptoms were measured through their responses to the Malaise Inventory - a questionnaire that assesses psychological distress.

Dr. Pereira and her team found that across all age groups, the more physical activity an individual engaged in each week, the lower the risk of depression. In detail, increasing physical activity from 0-3 times a week reduced the risk of depression by 19 per cent.

Every additional physical activity session reduced depression risk by a further 6 per cent.

Commenting on these findings, senior study author Christine Power, professor of epidemiology and public health at the Institute of Child Health at UCL, says: “If everyone was physically active at least three times a week we would expect to see a drop in depression risk, not to mention the benefits for physical health, as pointed out by other research, including reduced obesity, heart disease and diabetes risk.”

“Importantly,” adds Dr. Pinto Pereira, “this effect was seen across the whole population and not just in those at high risk of clinical depression. The more physically active people were, the fewer depressive symptoms they reported. Just as someone might be a little overweight but not clinically overweight or obese, many people who are not clinically depressed could still experience some depressive symptoms.”

Overall, the researchers say their findings emphasize the importance of physical activity in preventing and easing depressive symptoms, noting that depressive symptoms before midlife could stop individuals from engaging in such activity.

“From a clinical perspective, our study suggests that practitioners helping patients to recover from depres-

sion might address activity within their treatment plan for lifestyle factors,” they

T

had eye injuries from encountering the liquid from burst pods. In that same period, another 21 children were treated after ingesting the liquid in the pods.

All of the children with eye injuries recovered after being treated with irrigation of the eye and antibiotic ointment.

The recovery period was about four days, according to the study. No further information was available on the children who ingested liquid from the pods.

The study appears in the October issue of the Journal of the American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

The brightly coloured pods, which have been available in the United States for about four years, can attract kids who want to play with them, the study authors said.

Some manufacturers make note of the risks in warning labels and by making it hard for kids to open containers. However, “these safety features are

whereas depressive symptoms could be considered a potential barrier to activity.”

Sugared Soda Linked With Cell Aging

S

ugar-sweetened soda consumption might promote disease independently from its role in obesity, according to UC San Francisco researchers who found in a new study that drinking sugary drinks was associated with cell aging.

The study revealed that telomeres -- the protective units of DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes in cells -- were shorter in the white blood cells of survey participants who reported drinking more soda. The findings were reported online October 16, 2014 in the American Journal of Public Health.

The length of telomeres within white blood cells -where it can most easily be measured -- has previously

Detergent Pods Pose Risk to Kids’ Eyes, Researchers Warn

he popular “pods” that hold liquid laundry or dishwasher detergent can pose a danger to kids, especially to their eyes, according to a report onMedicine.Net.com Researchers say parents should keep the pods away from children because if kids squeeze or bite them, the liquid inside can squirt out and enter the eyes, mouth or nose.

Within just a few months in 2012, the study authors saw 10 children, all under age 4, who

note. “Strategies to maintain and promote physical activity at all ages are warranted,

not always present . . . particularly with off-brand or generic laundry pods that might be sold at discount stores,” Dr. Constance West, paediatric ophthalmologist and associate professor at Cincinnati Children’s and University of Cincinnati department of ophthalmology, said in a journal news release.

The liquid can cause more damage than typical liquid dishwashing and laundry detergent because the chemicals are more concentrated, according to the researchers.

been associated with human lifespan. Short telomeres also have been associated with the development of chronic diseases of aging, including heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

“Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened sodas might influence disease development, not only by straining the body’s metabolic control of sugars, but also through accelerated cellular aging of tissues,” said Elissa Epel, PhD, professor of psychiatry at UCSF and senior author of the study.

“This is the first demonstration that soda is associated with telomere shortness,” Epel said. “This finding held regardless of age, race, income and education level.

Telomere shortening starts long before disease onset. Further, although we only studied adults here, it is possible that soda consumption is associated with telomere shortening in children, as well.”

The authors cautioned that they only compared telomere length and sugar-sweetened soda consumption for each participant at a single time point, and that an association does not demonstrate causation. Epel is co-leading a new study in which participants will be tracked for weeks in real time to look for effects of sugar-sweetened soda consumption on aspects of cellu-

lar aging. Telomere shortening has previously been associated with oxidative damage to tissue, to inflammation, and to insulin resistance.

Based on the way telomere length shortens on average with chronological age, the UCSF researchers calculated that daily consumption of a 20-ounce soda was associated with 4.6 years of additional biological aging. This effect on telomere length is comparable to the effect of smoking, or to the effect of regular exercise in the opposite, antiaging direction, according to UCSF postdoctoral fellow Cindy Leung, ScD, from the UCSF Center for Health and Community and the lead author of the newly published study.

The average sugar-sweetened soda consumption for all survey participants was 12 ounces. About 21 percent in this nationally representative sample reported drinking at least 20 ounces of sugarsweetened soda a day.

“It is critical to understand both dietary factors that may shorten telomeres, as well as dietary factors that may lengthen telomeres,” Leung said. “Here it appeared that the only beverage consumption that had a measurable negative association with telomere length was consumption of sugared soda,” Science Daily reports.

sports

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

16

Despite breaking the odds and bringing Nigeria back to the limelight of football in Africa, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has been fired by the newly elected board of the Nigeria Football Federation. In this report, MU’SODIQ ADEKUNLE gives insight into the possible causes of Keshi’s sack.

S

HOCK and disbelief. Those words best describe the reaction of Nigerians to the sacking of former Eagles coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi by the newly elected board of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) late last Wednesday, just hours after his squad had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, signaling their return to winning ways.

Not a few believe that the “principled attitude” of Keshi aided his sack.

Many of those present at the NFF meeting disclosed that Keshi was becoming too powerful for the Board to control.

According to the insider, Keshi “is too strict and does not allow any input from the members of the board and sometimes you may need to help someone but Keshi won’t allow that.

We also detected that he was too proud and had issue with almost every top players in the team.

“Our belief is that we must build a strong team and give new players opportunity to play, but not by disengaging and spoiling the profile of our old boys.”

Another board member, who does not want his name mentioned, attributed Keshi’s sack to his demand for increase in salary.

“Some of us believe that it is not worth it to pay so much for a Nigerian coach whose performance is fluctuating and who has refused to understand or heed the call of the populace on critical invitations. We see no reason why we should be doing trial and errors in important matches. We feel we cannot continue to permutate in every competition,” he added.

Speaking on the cause of sack, the NFF President Amaju Pinnick said that Coach Keshi was sacked to safeguard him from the wrath of Nigerian fans, who were on the brink of lynching him during Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Sudan.

Pinnick and other NFF Execu-

Banana Peels That Felled Keshi tive Committee members said they watched with awe, as fans pelted Keshi with water bottles and stones, demanding for the head of the 2013 AFCON winner at the Abuja National Stadium, venue of the match, which Nigeria won 3-1 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Chants of “Keshi must go:, “sack Keshi” and “we don’t want Keshi again” rent the air as fans went overdrive in their bid to get their voices heard by the NFF. “It was too much to bear. The fans were coming for him and it was going

to be a security risk for us as people had run out of patience and were prepared to break the law to achieve their aim. Keshi’s personal safety was paramount in our decision to relieve him of his duties”, Pinnick said.

But the minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo seems not to be part of the politics and intrigues that caused the sack of Keshi.

This accounted for his summoning of Pinnick and his board to explain why they decided to hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

Danagogo revealed that he was not

privy to the sacking of Keshi even as he explained that he would meet with the board on the idea of getting a foreign coach.

The minister, who apparently did not like the decision to employ a foreign coach for the country, said that the NFF plan runs contrary to the ideology of the NSC which, he said, is aimed at empowering and developing indigenous coaches.

“I will say I was surprised to hear the sack of Keshi early this morning. I must tell you the truth I do not believe in most of the decisions they took. I am aware that there has been

this continuous call for the sack of Stephen Keshi. I am also aware that it is actually the responsibility of the NFF to hire and fire any coach they want.

“In as much as I know that what they have done is their responsibility; I am still looking at it. Sincerely I woke up this morning to hear the shocking news. I expected that he would have been sacked after the loss in Sudan.

From the way they were reacting before I spoke to them against taking such a decision. But with the good result of Wednesday’s match, I was not expecting anything like sack from the NFF,” he added.

Meet The ‘Considered’ Foreign Coaches For Eagles

A

s Stephen Okechukwu Keshi finally paid the price after ignoring ominous dark clouds, two World Class coaches are already in the race for the job of the Super Eagles.

Jorge Luis Pinto and Jose Pekerman, two international coaches who were outstanding with their teams in Brazil 2014 World Cup are being considered to take over the Super Eagles.

Daily Times learnt that officials have approached the two coaches and are weighing up on their demands before sealing up the deal.

It was learnt that former Costa Rica coach, Jorge Luis Pinto who took Costa Rica to their most successful World Cup ever in Brazil is admired by the Nigerian officials because of his love for young talents.

Costa Rica reached the last eight for the first time before losing out on penalties to the Netherlands at the Mundial. The team who were ranked outsiders in the World Cup began the tournament with a stunning 3-1 upset victory over twice champions Uruguay in their opening Group D match.

They followed up with a 1-0 win over four-times World Cup winners Italy before drawing 0-0 with England. ‘Los Ticos’ then beat Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Pinto’s contract ended after the World Cup. Also, Colombian (Argentine) coach Pekerman is admired too for the job because he is a firm advocate of free-flowing, entertaining football based on intricate

passing. Pekerman guided Colombia to beat Greece 3-0, Cote d’Ívoire 2-1, before flogging Japan 4-1.

In the second round, Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 before succumbing to hosts Brazil 2-1. Pekerman moulded a team of young players in Colombia dictating possessions and quick interplay to earn respect in Brazil.

The two coaches are World Class and would be expensive but an official of the NFF said that they would not be bothered by the cost. ‘’We want the best for Nigeria. We are not going for journeymen as it were in the past. Things are going to be done the right way’’, the source insisted.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

17

sports

Good-Bye Big Boss! Welcome Siasia

S

tephen Keshi has been sacked as Nigeria coach and he will be replaced by the country’s former coach Shuaibu Amodu, according to an official statement by the Nigeria Football Federation.

This followed an emergency meeting of the NFF Thursday morning in Abuja.

Part of the communiqué, which was signed by executive committee memeber Sulaiman Yahaya-Kwande, read that Amodu has replaced Keshi.

“The Committee, unanimously, praised the excellent contributions of the technical crew of the Senior national team, Super Eagles, led by Mr. Stephen Keshi, to the glorious ac-

complishments of the team in the past three years, and hailed Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes.

“However, in the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect.”

The statement further announced, “Committee also, unanimously, approved the appointment of a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for ONLY the two concluding matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series (against Congo in Brazzaville and against South Africa in Uyo), after which an

expatriate Coach will be appointed.

“The consortium, led by Amodu Shaibu, also has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu. The team also has a new Coordinator in former international Garba Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye is the new Media Officer and Godfirst Chike is the new equipment manager. Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, is retained.”

Amodu has returned to the saddle as Nigeria coach four years after he was booted and stopped from leading the country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

This will be Amodu’s fifth stint with the Eagles having first taken charge of the team in 1994.

The 56-year-old Amodu will be as-

Chievo sack Corini

E

ugenio Corini is the first managerial casualty of the 2014-15 Serie A season after he was sacked as Chievo head coach on Sunday.

The 44-year-old was initially in charge of the club between October 2012 and May 2013 before leaving at the end of the 2012-13 campaign. He made 134 appearances for Chievo as a player, was first handed the reins in October 2012 and, after leaving at the end of that season, returned four months later to replace the departing Giuseppe Sannino However, Corini returned in November last year and guided the team to 16th as they narrowly avoided rel-

egation to Serie B. Chievo have failed to build on that escape this season, losing five of their opening seven league matches, including a 3-0 reverse at Roma on Saturday.

The Serie A club confirmed the news of Corini’s departure in a brief statement on Sunday.

“AC Chievo Verona announces that it has relieved as coach of the first team Eugenio Corini,” it read.

“The company expresses to the coach warmest thanks for his commitment, professionalism and dedication always being made and best wishes for the rest of his career.”

Chelsea v Maribor: Mourinho to resist urge to chop and change

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helsea boss Jose Mourinho will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes ahead of Maribor’s UEFA Champions League visit on Tuesday.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have made a blistering start to their Premier League campaign, winning seven of eight matches to claim a five-point lead at the summit.

And while Saturday’s 2-1 success at Crystal Palace was not as convincing as some of Chelsea’s other wins this season, it was achieved in the absence of the injured Diego Costa.

Costa has made a stunning start to his Premier League career, netting nine goals in seven matches, but his on-going hamstring problem forced him to miss out.

Mourinho hit out at Spain’s treatment of the forward on international duty and he will be without the striker again for the Group G fixture against Maribor.

That could mean Loic Remy may

lead the line again or Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

Chelsea top the group with four points from two matches and, ahead of a Premier League blockbuster at Manchester United on Sunday, Mourinho could be forgiven for rotating his squad.

Maribor’s two gritty Group G draws have caught Mourinho’s attention, though, and the Portuguese - aiming to be the first coach to win the Champions League with three different

sisted by El Kanemi Warriors coach Salisu Yusuf, who worked under Samson Siasia both with the Flying Eagles and Super Eagles, and Gbenga Ogunbote.

The immediate task for the coaches is next month’s 2015 AFCON qualifier away in Pointe Noire, Congo.

Nigeria needs to win this match to stay in the reckoning for a place at Morocco 2015.

They are third on the table with four points, while Congo are second with seven points.

The African champions will also welcome Group A leaders South Africa to Uyo next month to conclude their qualifying campaign for Morocco 2015.

Siasia

TRANSFER Real Madrid to replace Casillas with Begovi Real Madrid are planning to replace goalkeeper Iker Casillas with Stoke shot-stopper Asmir Begovic who has two years left to run of his current contract.

Tottenham eye Toulouse keeper Ali Ahamada Tottenham are eyeing a move for Toulouse keeper Ali Ahamada, with Hugo Lloris wanted by several top clubs. The Toulouse shot-stopper is valued at £9m and is ready to leave the French side.

Ribery hoping to get back to best

F

ranck Ribery is feeling no ill-effects after playing his first game for Bayern Munich in over a month following a knee injury.

The France winger came on as a second-half substitute as the Bundesliga champions thumped Werder Bremen 6-0 on Saturday.

That appearance marked Ribery’s first for the Bavarians since he scored in the 2-0 win over Stuttgart last month.

And, in news that will come as further disappointment to those looking to challenge Bayern’s dominance of German football, the 31-year-old is now looking to get back to his best after coming through 29 minutes against Bremen.

“I felt good,” Ribery said. “Now I need to string together games to regain my rhythm and thus quickly reach my best level.

“The fact that we can play every three days can be beneficial to me.

“My knee is holding firm. Now I hope to really play, play and play.”

Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points clear at the summit and are still unbeaten in the league this season.

Glen Johnson to leave Liverpool and move abroad Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season and move abroad. The full-back has rejected a contract extension and is willing to listen to all offers Real Madrid plan £23m Januzaj bid Real Madrid are planning a £23m bid for Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj. The Spanish giants have turned to the teenager after losing hope of signing Raheem Sterling Liverpool to snap up Ayew Reports suggest The Reds are confident of wrapping up a £75,000-a-week deal for the Marseille forward when his current deal expires in the summer transfer window Man Utd to move for Khedira Manchester United have joined the queue of Premier League clubs interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, with Arsenal and Chelsea also considering an offer.

Berahino to cost Spurs £30m West Brom will demand £30 million for in-form England Under-21 striker Saido Berahino, with Tottenham linked with a January move for the young striker.

Schneiderlin is Arsenal’s top January target Arsene Wenger has made Morgan Schneiderlin his top January transfer target. The Gunners’ boss has been handed funds to spend and is keen on the £25m-rated midfielder

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OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

leisure

Why Funke Akindele, Omawumi, Others Opt For Secret Marriage!

Judith Frank Edet

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ne can only try to understand why most Nigerian female now prefer to tie the knot away from the prying eyes of the public, the media especially!

This development is fast becoming a trend as this year has witnessed several of them toeing such solemn path, with many shunning even their closest friends and family members.

Worthy of note is the quiet nuptial of the likes of Emem Isong, Omawunmi, Jide Kosoko, Karen Igho, and Ronke Odusanya (Flakky Ididowo) and Stella Damasus. Although the last two have vehemently denied it however, we all know there’s no smoke without a fire!

Come to think of it, we are yet to see the face of Karen Igho’s husband, and of course, Jide Kosoko’s newest wife.

However, our investigations dug out some reasons why most celebs now prefer to shock us all with the news of “I’m now married!” rather than call attention to themselves before their weddings.

Dirty past This is a major reason why some female celebrities love to keep it quiet. Some female entertainers get married privately so that they can be called ‘Mrs’ before their husbands realize their dirty past. There’s no doubt that some actresses have opened their

legs wide for movie producers in exchange for movie roles. They also date top politicians who shower them with money and gifts. Haven’t you wondered why some actresses own luxury cars and living in high brow areas, while their male counterparts who earn same amount as they do still live in low cost houses? Sources revealed that a certain controversial actress who has a ‘U’ in her name got secretly wedded her UK based lover mainly because of this reason but she has since walked out of the marriage.

Obviously, these actresses get scared that once they publicize their marriage plans, the media and some haters might throw up things from their sordid past, including rumor that could eventually thwart their plans.

Once Bitten Twice Shy Most Nigerian female entertainers have been bitten by the bug of bad luck when it comes to relationships and marriages. Some of them have had to endure lots of painful breakups or divorces and have sworn to themselves that it would never happen again. For example, actress Uche Iwuji who got divorced this year is said to be quite unlucky with men. Before she got married to her oil magnate husband who she has since divorced , there was a guy she dated and co-habited with in Spain but nothing came out of it. She later moved on to footballer Joseph Yobo who dumped her for ex-beauty queen, Adaeze Igwe.

Later, Uche met Juwon Lawal in London and decided to keep the marriage super private in a court wedding.

Marriage on controversial circumstances Nollywood ladies are known to get married under very controversial circumstances. It is either they snatch someone’s husband or the man is already married and they want to be wife number two or three, or they marry an over-aged man.

For instance, Stella Damasus who before her first husband died, used to be one of the most loved actresses, ended up snatching her colleague, Doris Simeon’s husband and married him secretly. Stella first got married secretly to Emeka Nzeribe in 2009, then after ten months of marriage, it crashed after allegations of infidelity on her part. She then moved to the UK with Daniel Ademinokan who is the estranged husband of Doris Simon – another Nollywood actress.

Daniel Ademinokan actually left his wife for her and that has stirred so much rancour in the industry. Though she has denied being married to him that they are just best friend, the duo are living together as live-in lovers in Brooklyn, US, away from the prying eyes of Nigerian media. Sometimes celebrity marriages come with lots of family opposition but just because they can’t stand being single while their colleagues are getting hitched, they prefer to do it secretly without

the knowledge of their friends and family. Plus it is easier to divorce when you do a secret wedding.

Let’s look at some female celebrities who recently tied the knot secretly or are the verge of doing so.

Funke Akindele Daily times can boldly confirm to you that Funke Akindele is planning a secret wedding in the UK with her Uk based lover whom she has refused to disclose. She is currently staying in his mini duplex in Chevron estate, Lekki, and her new boo is said to be currently heads over heels in love with her. It is only wise for us to assume that she is keeping it hush hush so that what happened in her first marriage wouldn’t happen again.

Reports have it that it is going to be a court wedding. The private weeding will be seeing just few family members and close friends in attendance. The newly engaged suffered depression after her bitter divorce from Kehinde Oloyede. Considering the first painful experience after her lavish and widely published celebrity wedding that packed up only a few months after, she wants to keep this one private.

Omawumi The ‘bottom belle’ singer has secretly married her beau and father of her daughter, Tosin Yusuf in a low key ceremony that had close members of her family present, including her best friend Waje and manager,

Sunday Are. The ceremony took place on the 13th of September 2014 at her late father’s compound in Warri. You would recall that Omawumi is a super private person because when she got pregnant in 2011, she kept the identity of her baby daddy a secret. Even when there were lots of media pressure on her to reveal the identity of the father of her now 3 year old daughter; kamilah, she refused. When she got engaged and posted a photo of her family she wrote “I’m of the opinion that I don’t owe anyone any explanation. Just as I’m not prompted by pressure to reveal, I’m also not prompted pressure to be discreet’. Although it was her best friend, Waje who announced the news and however, she confirmed the stories on her secret marriage at a show in Warri where she even flaunted her wedding ring.

Emem Isong Veteran producer Emem Isong, has also confirmed that she has secretly walked down the aisle with her Cameroonian lover, Akama Misodi.

Her secret wedding came as a shock to some of her colleagues most of who just woke up to here the news that she got married in a court at Ikeja Lagos without their prior knowledge.

Our source has revealed that her family was not aware of it and aren’t happy with such an arrangement. Emem Isong when contacted confirmed the story but pleaded her privacy be respected.

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

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leisure

Annie Idibia Scares Ghanaian Girls Away From Tuface!

Stories By Opeoluwani Akintayo

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ove in here Ghana girls, Annie Idibia doesn’t want you anywhere near her man!

The mother of two went all the way to Ghana with

her husband to scare Ghanaian girls away. We observed her attitude all the way as she jealously protected her man with that ‘he’s taken’ attitude, as she also flaunted her ring for all to see.

Tuface Iidibia and Wizkid were headliners at the Hennessy Artistry concert in Ac-

cra, Ghana, and his wife, Annie was there live and direct.

The actress wore a sequined pattern top and midi skirt as she danced and cheered him on during his performances.

2face gave her a loving shout out during his performances which made other ladies who may have thought him as

prospects shiver in their seats.

Annie was all over, dancing, cheering loudly and uncontrollably, and even when she was on her seat, she was seen moving to the beat. Obviously, she had a nice time hanging out with her boo.

We like her, sharp woman!

Juliet Ibrahim Back With Ex Husband?

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Uti Nwachukwu; I Am Born Again But I Still Fornicate

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ti Nwachukwu revealed in a recent interview that he is born again but still commits fornication which he wishes to stop but it is very difficult for him. He made it known that he wishes he could stop having sex until he finds the perfect woman but that task would be too cumbersome for him. Read; “Of course, I am born again, I found Christ in 2006, I have always believed in Christ. But I must tell you I am not still perfect. Being born again, means accepting Christ as your Lord and personal saviour. He didn’t come to the world for the righteous,

Christ came for the imperfect ones like me and you. I genuinely want to change, Christ is right there soliciting and interceding for me, because he is the way, the truth and the life. People fail to see that it is we, the imperfect, that Christ came for. I am extremely imperfect. I am not the stereotypical type of born again, I am the type that is aware of the love and grace” he explained.

When asked what he meant by being imperfect, he said; “Personally, I would not want to have sex before marriage but sometimes you fall and when you fall, you repent and beg God for forgiveness; it’s not easy.

Father Behold Thy Daughter, Something Like That!

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e’d never pictured Seun Kuti being this soft in centuries if not for the birth of his daughter 10 months ago.

More like since he’s an Afro Beat singer, a protest singer for that matter, how can he be this soft?

But yes, he’s a father, a caring one for that matter!

The singer took some time out to play some nice tunes to his 10 months old daughter, Adara.

We love that part where she pulled those groomed beard of his.

And the next photo, that could have been me...how adorable!

e can only imagine what would be going through Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim and her ex husband when they met at a recent event.

To add salt to injury, the fair-skinned beauty was made to sit side by side with her ex, Kwadwo Safo Jnr . Although sources close to the duo revealed that the duo still meet occasionally because of their son however, we are confused how they ended up sitting side by side- was it pre planned by the couple or a case of co-incidence?

However, our source who sent us pictures of the couple at the event, relayed how awkward onlookers thought it would get between them, as much expectations tended towards a tense atmosphere.

But alas, the couple shocked everyone, as both, especially Juliet was seen whispering severally into his ears while they stylishly giggled away.

The two were also said to have, at intervals, stole glances at each other with side eyes as everyone

watched on. But surprisingly, they left the event at different times.

With the current public display, tongues have started wagging as to a possible reunion between the two.

We are watching because anything can happen!

Nigerians Shocked As Lillian Gets Evicted From The BBA House

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he road has ended for one of Nigeria’s representative at the Big Brother Africa hotshot; Lillian Afegbai as she was evicted today alongside Sabina from Kenya and Esther from Uganda. Lillian who was one of the be most confident Housemates in house once told big brother during their Nomination Diary sessions that she was ‘go-

ing nowhere’, unfortunately that didn’t happen. During the live eviction, the popular twerker said that she was very shocked to be evicted tonight!

She had time to have a look at her video footage from the opening day and during her two weeks stay in the house.

This would be the first time a Nigerian will be evicted so early in the show as opposed to last year which saw Bev-

Denrele Supports Chika Ike’s Reality Show

C

hika Ike is coming up with a Reality show, ‘African Diva Reality Show’ for young ladies and a lot of celebrities have been going to the house to talk to the girls.

Denrele was there to talk to the girls too and the actress really appreciated his presence and took to Instagram

to express this; @denrele_edun is one of the people I have have so much respect for . He brings life to the industry,a professional to the core. Thanks for supporting@africandivarealityshow .the contestants learnt so much about hosting and how to shine on the red carpet .#africandiva #africandivarealitytvshow

erly and Melvin get to the grand-finale. Nigerians have since taken to the social media to vent their anger on her eviction. Lillian who people may have believed was over confident described herself as a very jovial person ,what Nigerians are now asking is, what happened?

Resa and Mira also left last week. This will make 5 ladies leaving in 2 weeks.

Nigerian’s second representative who just became a father, Tayo is the only hope Nigeria has to win the grand prize money. The eviction of the 5 ladies now leaves the battle to 22 housemates who are to live in the Big Brother House for the next 49 days.

Guessing Game: Whose Dogs Are These?

1...2...3, let the guessing game begin!

These two cute little dogs obviously make our jaws drop.

Just look at them and you’d guess how well kept they arethey sit on their owner’s sofa, have their own clothes, even their own fizcaps and head bands...oh wow! Wish we were them...not as in like we becoming dogs actually but we could do with getting adopted by someone with a kind heart, and that someone will pamper us like this.

So back to our game. Who can guess the owner of these cuties? Let’s help.

Their owner is a female American rapper, a very good one for that matter. However she’d taken a break from rapping few years back because of health reasons.

Her stage name is two words- the first starts with ‘M’, the other with ‘E’. And lastly, the rapper recently showed up looking hotter than ever after losing a whooping 70 pounds!

Who, who, who? .....................Missy......Elliot!

We bet you couldn’t figure that out. Did you?

Toke Makinwa Looks Divine At The Genevieve Pink Ball Event

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n-air-personality, Toke Makinwa is one of the most stylish women in

showbiz. It is really not surprising that she looked so gorgeous in her pink gown designed by AprilbyKunbi. Go Girl

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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news metro

Day Without Horn In Lagos?

What A Joke!

L ast week Thursday was a day set aside by the Lagos state government as the Horn Free Day. Vehicle operators were told not to use horn while driving. Daily Times took a tour round the state to see how it was observed.

It was about 2pm on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the traffic at the Ikeja Allen Avenue roundabout was tensed as the commercial bus operators were driving recklessly and parking indiscriminately along the road causing obstruction on the road. Horns were blowing to alert the inconsiderate drivers to stay off the road for other road users.

Kazeem Abdullahi, a commercial bus operator who shuttles Ikeja to Ojota blew the horn intermittently in frustration from his long stay in the traffic caused by some of his colleagues. “Oga you are not supposed to use horn today because today is horn free day” a passenger reminded him. “Horn free day indeed” he retorted adding “what am I supposed to do in this kind of mad environment where you have deaf and insensitive people on the road who does not care about other road us-

ers. That horn free day thing cannot work here because majority of Lagosians are deaf and will not yield unless you shout and the only way the shout can be effective is through the use of horn,” he said.

Amidst the hustling and bustling in Festac Town, Lagos State, the Horn-free Day appears elusive to most residential car owners, not forgetting truck drivers, okada riders and commercial bus drivers.

Sounds of blaring horns could be heard even right from inside residential homes, giving a clear indication that observance of the sacrilegious day is far from being adhered to.

This is especially shocking as the festival city, could be said to house a large percentage of civil servants and the enlightened.

Investigation gathered through vox pops from vehicle users in the city, saw the largest number of vehicle owners not aware of the Hornfree Day. The next group claimed they knew however, couldn’t do without their horns as it’s already part of them.

Others tried to defend why the Day may not be plausible in Nigeria

at large, as the Horn-free day is still perceived to be a strange culture, and until enough awareness is made about it, the possibility of the Day passing like the regular days, is imminent.

Ahmed, a truck driver expressed a high level of shock cum ignorance when confronted with the ‘holy’ rule guiding the Day. To him, he wasn’t in the know of such a day of driving without his touching his horn.

When asked why he still used the horn despite the Day’s nature, he thundered; “wetin you mean(what do you mean?). Dis our government no serious o. So out of all our prob-

lems, nah make we no use horn be their own problem. Anyway, I’m not aware of such a day o!(the Nigerian government isn’t serious. We have serious national issues to combat than a Horn-free Day). “ A car owner, Justine who was on his way to work acknowledged being aware of the Day but says he doesn’t think such is practicable yet in Nigeria.”Yes, I’m aware of the Day but, I’m afraid, as much as I tried to observe it, what about others like the okada riders, danfo drivers and even private car owners like me who are not aware? It’s impossible not to use my horn because it may

cause an accident. It’s even dangerous for pedestrians who may be trying to cross the road and a car just runs him down because he or she didn’t hear the horn!”

Approaching a bus commercial driver, Chima, who at the sight of the reporter, shivered for fear that he might get traced and arrested as he already evesdropped the conversation with Justine, at first, refused to give audience.

However, after much persuasion, smiled sheepishly and gave in, said enough awareness was not given to commercial drivers to stay clear of their horns. According to him, it’s even more dangerous to drive on the expressway without making use of the horn in Nigeria as more fatal accidents occur on expressways than on other roads.

“I can assure you that most bus drivers here don’t even know of such a day. Besides, even if I try to drive without my horn within festac, what about when I get outside the estate, on the express specially?

Nah him be say I go dey kill people go like fowl (that means I’m likely to knock down more people today than ever)”.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

21

metro

Ignorance, Apathy As Lagosians Mark Horn Free Day

Other investigations also showed that the Horn Free Day was not realistic as one of our reports stated; “It didn’t work. Right from my suburb in Ikorodu to my place of work on the mainland, it was hooting as usual. The BRT drivers (maybe other NURTW drivers too) were placed under a sledge hammer penalty of N15k if they foul the law today. For every other motorist it was horning as usual. My candid opinion is that the Fasola’s govt. is just putting the cart before the horse. If the roads are good and the road furniture are properly installed you can then introduce such gesture.

For Morenike Odutayo, it was a tiring experience. “I really tried not to but those Lagos demons will not allow you observe anything. I had to horn from Alausa to Ikeja hard as I tried not to. Lagos is too crazy a city for this to work but I sincerely hope it does! Anyway na no horn dem talk dem no talk say don’t be horny” Although she stated that the idea actually appears to be working but not so much. “I made efforts and only had to use it when it was absolutely necessary, if you compare the noise level from horns today to other days it’s a bit eerie if you ask me, so far so good, don’t know what the rest of the day will be like but I believe with more awareness it may actually work in the long run” Ola Pius also believe that with enough awareness, the horn free driving could work. “Yes it can and people are more conscious of tapping the horn unnecessarily. As of now, no road accident here in Ikorodu, only few illiterate drivers are making fun of it since some knee-jerks find it pleasurable to horn even while greeting their friends at the road side. If

there could be a day for this every month, there will be a change!

However for Eniola Murphy, the horn free day seems not to be working as he said the drivers have been using the horn indiscriminately at Onikan area of Lagos.

“Dem dob blow horn tire fo here o! One bus driver nearly ran a LAWMA woman down. It is better to use the horn than to kill people” For Paul Iweke, he opined that the manufacturers of the vehicles could not have put the horn for fun if there is no need for it. “ I think those people who make cars and put the horn there didn’t put it for decorations.”

For those plying Ojuelegba to Mile 2 Orile, they said there was not enough awareness for the Horn Free Day exercise.

While speaking with Daily Times, a commercial bus driver plying Ojuelegba to Orile says, he is not aware of the horn free day. “I’m used to horning and you expect me not to horn for a day? It is not possible because of the busy and noisy nature of this environment” Yet another bus driver Rasheed

Ibrahim, who just came back from a trip, said he uses the horn to communicate with his friends while on the road. “If am coming or going from Ojota To Mile 2 I horn almost every time and you expect me not horn. I did horn today when I was coming back from ojuelegba to tell my friend if he had gone for the second trip” For Kingsley Deji who is about going for a trip and busy taking a small sachet of dry gin he said it is not almost impossible not to use the horn in Lagos stating that most youthsm even some adults go around the road with ear piece on them playing loud music and will only get off the road when they hear the sound of a loud horn.

“Most youths put ear-piece on and listen to music on their way and you expect me not to horn for such people, sometimes I even have to horn for the market women almost ten times before they will leave the road” Along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, motorists woke up to business as usual as most drivers failed to observe directive of the

state government.

At the Lagos State University (LASU) campus in Iyana Iba bus stop, most drivers continued to flout the order of the government claiming that the law was not tenable in such a busy city like Lagos.

In a chat with the correspondent, a commercial driver who identified himself as Yekini said that he was not aware of such a directive and as such was not bound to observe it.

When asked why he was making use of the horn against the directive of the state government, he retorted in Pidgin English “who make that kind yeye law”?

Yekini is not alone in this category as some other drivers who spoke to the correspondent revealed that they were not informed while others wondered why such a law was made considering the huge population of human and vehicular traffic in the state.

For Josiah, a car owner who spoke to the correspondent along the popular Volks bus-stop, the initiative is good but not feasible in the current day Lagos. When asked if he was in full compliance with the no horn directive, he responded in the affirmative but revealed that the directive was having no effect in the state as most drivers’ mostly commercial drivers had continued to flout the order.

However, while many welcomed the initiative, some concerned individuals predicted the racket would resume on Thursday. “If the intention is to reduce the noise, it’s good,” said Philip Njemanze, 35, a commercial driver. “But after today, I don’t see people complying with the policy.”

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who pleaded anonymity, said that the initiative was necessary considering the amount of noise pollution in the state but stated that more would need to be done in the level of awareness and drivers training if the initiative would achieve any measure of success.

Emmanuel Abayomi Oyewole, a consultant ear surgeon, believes the horn-free initiative is long overdue. “Exposure to noise should not be greater than 90 decibels for eight hours per day and five days a week,” said Oyewole, warning that anything above that level can lead to permanent hearing loss.

Bomb blasts and military shelling can cause permanent deafness instantly but Oyewole said there had to be greater awareness of gradual loss of hearing, with many people exposed to loud noise day and night.

“Noise pollution is a very serious

problem in developing countries such as ours, where laws against noise pollution are either non-existent or not enforced,” he said.

However, as hours continued to roll by, more drivers became aware of the directive and that led to a decrease in the noise level for the day.

More drivers began to adhere to the directive and that led to most drivers using their horns sparingly from 12noon.

The minimal success of the directive in the area could be attributed to members of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and the Nigerian Police.

Traffic police have been advertising “horn-free day” on their high-visibility vests and can enforce existing legislation against unnecessary horn use. Anyone caught tooting near schools, hospitals and security zones risks a 20,000-naira.

“The objective of the day is to reduce noise pollution,” Lagos state government’s transport commissioner, Kayode Opeifa, said. “The exercise will create awareness that horn misuse and abuse is very dangerous to health and the environment.”

The horn-free trial is the first in Nigeria but follows similar noise-reduction initiatives around the world, such as in Mumbai, India. If successful, the event could take place every year, said Opeifa.

Cars, battered danfos (minibuses), okada motorcycle taxis and lorries use the horn as punctuation before, during and after every manoeuvre – and when stuck in traffic.

But added to the thumping beats of loud music, the noise of generator engines and 20 million people talking and shouting, residents can barely hear themselves think.

More than 60% of the vehicles in Nigeria are in Lagos and Opeifa said attitudes needed to show more consideration about how the horn is used. The government plans to take the campaign to churches, mosques and parks, where loudspeakers pump out religious messages and music, also shattering the peace.

Doctors around the world have increasingly warned about the effects of prolonged exposure to loud noise, saying it can cause illnesses such as epilepsy and cardiovascular disease.

While commenting on the initiative, Governor Babatunde Fashola stated that reducing noise pollution would improve residents’ quality of life and life expectancy. He called for Nigerians to tackle the problem in the same way that citizens took on board advice to combat the threat from the Ebola virus.

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

22

holiday destination

Nigeria

Tourism in Nigeria –The Reawakening

By Iyanu- Oni Orisan

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ourism is the travel for recreation, leisure, religious, family business purposes, usually of a limited duration. Tourism is commonly associated with trans-national travel, but may also refer to travel to another location within the same country. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people “travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes” Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity.

Tourism can be domestic or international, and international tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country’s balance of payments. Today, tourism is a major source of income for many countries, and affects the economy of both the source and host countries, in some cases it is of vital importance.

In recent years, with international arrivals scaling 7, 000 daily, Nigeria is said to lead the sub-Saharan Africa region in terms of appreciable growth in the tourism sector of the economy. This figure, of course, is relatively boosted by the oil and gas industry in addition to marginal improvements of growth in the service sector.

The increase in international arrivals has provided the platform which has driven growth in the hospitality sub-sector of the nation. In the third quarter of 2011 alone, Nigeria attracted 3,937 rooms, according a release by Lodging Econometrics, out of Africa’s total hotel construction pipeline figures of 190 projects and 37,141 guest rooms and only came second to Morocco.

Indeed, Nigeria is turning into a hub for the West African market. However, it must also be admitted that the partial growth experienced in the tourism sector is not far reaching and all-embracing as other sections of the industry like the domestic tourism industry including the inbound leisure tourism market still ache for attention and improvement.

As observed by stakeholders in the industry, local tourists’ sites in the country are in dire

need of attention as part of a general infrastructure facelift needed to attract tourists into the country for leisure since it is now obvious that the rising figure of international visitors streaming into the country are business travellers.

On the issue of infrastructure itself, as much as some have acknowledged an appreciable improvement in the power sector which the tourism industry itself leverages on to deliver affordable services in terms of reasonably priced room rates, the need to improve further cannot be over stated.

A lot of fluff appears in the press about various attempts by the government to create a viable tourist industry in Nigeria. The problem is, tourism doesn’t come naturally to most Nigerians.

The idea of travelling for

trade or shopping yes (or ‘study trips’ for civil servants) but the idea of travelling to stare at things or simply do nothing and relax, no. One is tempted to think that internal tourism only takes off given a certain stage of socio-economic; however, this argument falls flat when we consider the levels of internal tourism in places such as India and Morocco. It has been in the press that the magical sacred forest of Osun Grove in Osogbo has been made a UNESCO World Heritage. However, how many Nigerians know that Osun Grove is actually the second World Heritage site in Nigeria?

In fact, the first such site is at Sukur, off the beaten track in the North East. Adventurous travellers long to visit Papua New Guinea, walk among the Wodaabe or the Dogon and ex-

Top Six Africa Countries for International Tourist Receipts (US$M) COUNTRY

2008

2009

2012

2011

2012

Egypt

10,958 10,755 12,528

8,707

9,940

South Africa

7,925

7,543

9,070

9,547

9,994

Morocco

7,168

6,557

6,703

7,281

6,711

Tunisia 2,953 2,773

2,645

1,914

2,183

Tanzania

1,289

1,160

1,255

1,353

1,564

Mauritius

1,449

1,117

1,282

1,488

1,477

perience human communities from another more sacred era when humans knew how to revere and respect nature; or they long to visit pre-historic monuments or walk in pristine landscapes. Nigeria has all of these and more, including ancient cities that are yet to be explored by archeologists. Until the immense value of what is here is appreciated, it is hard to see how internal tourism will get off the ground, apart from the odd trip to the beach or Obudu for those that can afford it.

This in addition to coming

up-to-date with policies and programmes of the international tourism community by way keying into these projects to bring local industry practitioners at par with their foreign counterparts.

Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, noted that the improvement in power supply was a major foundation for the success of the government’s Transformation Agenda.

“It is now an unarguable fact that this government is delivering on its promise of power to

the people; that is the truth. It is incontrovertible. When the opposition now wants to speak they must now find something else to talk about. It is no longer reasonable, sensible, logical, to talk about performance in the area of power. It simply doesn’t make sense. There is now an increase in supply from the NIPP which had not been working.

According to the UNWTO, the theme of the World Tourism Day celebration recognises the fact that tourism has remained one of the world’s largest economic sectors which has taken important steps towards the future by improving energy efficiency and increasingly using renewable energy technologies in its operations.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) worldwide arrivals in 2012 exceeded the 1 billion mark for the first time in history with 1,032 billion tourists crossing borders and staying overnight, up from 995 million in 2011. Many of these visitors arrived from emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe that lead growth in tourism demand. While Europe continues to be the most popular destination worldwide, Asia and the Pacific recorded the strongest growth in arrivals, followed by Africa. In fact, in 2012, Africa recovered well from its setback of the previous year when arrivals declined, largely due to a reduction in tourists travelling to North Africa. Whereas Africa attracted just 17.4 million international visitors in 1990, this rose to 63.6 million in 2012.

We definitely have a lot of work to do in terms of boosting our economic growth in Nigeria through tourism. The government, both at federal and local level could give tourism a priority position in their economic development.

The government could allocate resources to training of manpower and the use of experts for the exploration and exploitation of numerous tourism resources.

A lot of tourism potentials are in our country untapped.

The tourism board should embark on the enlightenment programmes with emphasis on tourism potentials.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

23

relationship

Steps To Ending Premature Ejaculation

By Ngozi Ndubisi

H

i Readers, This question has been coming over and over, that I need to answer it now. For husbands and wives like Joseph, here is hoping this article will help improve your love life.

Adekunle is 41yrs and has this to ask, Hi, I have been reading your posts and it’s has been helpful to me.

Thank you so much. But I have a question that needs an urgent and immediate answer please. I hear people talk about 2,3, even 4 rounds in love making, is it true? Considering I get tired after my first. Please help me.

Am 41 and married late (2yrs ago), I need to do more for my wife. Thank you Yes! A man can last very long and can equally go for more than a round. How? Read this.

It’s common knowledge that there is something known as premature ejaculation and a good number of menhave this challenge. Most cases of premature ejaculation do not have a clear cause. With sexual experience and age, men often learn to delay their orgasm for their wives to enjoy love making. Psychological factors such as anxiety, guilt, or depression can cause premature ejaculation.

In some cases, premature ejaculation may be related to an underlying medical stuff, such as hormonal problems, injury, or a side effect of certain medications The condition is characterised by the male consistently reaching orgasm within the first few minutes of sexual intercourse. Many men feel embarrassed about suffering from premature ejaculation and are reluctant to discuss it. Luckily, this problem is also one of the easiest sexual disorders to solve, according to our research.

With the help of your partner and these suggestions that have been thoroughly researched, you can have a more fulfilling sex life.

Sexercise Sexercises are exercises done during sex, sexual foreplay or exercises in preparation for sexual activity designed to tone, build, and strengthen muscles. While normally this is a partner-assisted exercise, masturbation might also be considered a form of sexercise, if done athletically with a mind for health and fitness.

Sexercise ranges from Kegel exercise to aerobic and cardiovascular routines. Most often is the spreading of the legs during missionary style copulation and arching of the back for doggy style in women but since we’re discussing men here we’ll have to concentrate on exercises that apply to both sexes such as Kegel.

This you do by practicing with your urine flow first. That is starting and stopping your urine flow repeatedly.

Once you have mastered this exercise you can then practice anywhere: at your desk, behind the wheel.

Tighten your muscles and hold for a count of 10 then release.

Learn To Relax The most common cause of premature ejaculation is performance anxiety, nervous that you might perform poorly for your partner. Learn to relax and have sex more often, especially if you and your partner have been having some troubles with intercourse.

Often, men who wait too long between sexual encounters mentally build up pressure, so when they do have sex, ejaculation happens quickly. To have fun and last longer, have sex more often and extend foreplay.

This will help you and your partner relax a little and get to know each other’s body better.

Also talk during foreplay to your partner to find out what they like, and learn to read their body signals well.

Once you know how to arouse her and relax yourself, the rest is history Try different positions Many men get overly stimulated

in the traditional, “missionary” position. By changing positions (for example, the woman on top or the man behind the woman), you might provide less stimulation to the penis, thus delaying orgasm.

Stop Thinking of Your Orgasm The area of the brain responsible for triggering orgasm is engaged whether you’re trying to have one or halt one. The more attention you give it, the more likely it is to arrive.

Focus on what’s happening.

Change his diet. As men age, their fat and cholesterol can begin to affect the time an erection can last.

When an erection begins to last less time, the brain might try to achieve orgasm quickly. When this occurs, a

pattern of premature ejaculation can develop.

until she is ready then go for the deep.

Squeeze If you’re overheating during sex, stop and squeeze right below the head of your penis, focusing the pressure on the urethra (that is the tube running along the underside of the penis). This pushes blood out of the penis and momentarily represses the ejaculatory response and Press, Don’t Thrust: Press the end of your penis into her clitoral head. Linger in her vaginal entrance, where the most sensitive nerve endings are. When you do have intercourse, focus on small, shallow movements that penetrate the first 2 to 3 inches of her vagina

Warning The most important thing to remember: Make sure you are both relaxed. Premature ejaculation is best solved in a comfortable environment.

Don’t stop having sex or feel embarrassed by this problem. The more embarrassed a man feels, the more likely the problem will grow worse.

Talk about it with your wife, she is your help meet that might hold the answer to solving this.

Keep the questions coming.

Send your emails to: ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com

24

arts & culture

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

Dance:

An Art Integral To Any Culture

By Desola Akindele

O

ne of the foremost pictures that forms in the mind of any one asked to describe certain things about the Nigerian Culture is ‘Dance’.

Dance is what our feelings look like. It is the art of expression with coordinated body movement which aims to serve the purpose of communication.

Nigerian dancing has been often described as rich, energetic and magnetic. In Nigeria, dance is popular, widespread and may be practiced by all, regardless of age/sex and social status. The social and cultural occasions at which dances are performed have to do with individual or group celebrations. For example, most rite of passage dances deal with individuals who move from one status of life to another. It may be accompanied by friends and relation. Also, at Naming ceremonies’ coronation, festivals, feasts, communal purification and cleansing, title takings etc.

Dancing, which is one of the most dynamic and popular art forms in Nigeria serves a vital function in human society in order to achieve social cohesion or togetherness,

causing us to feel a deep sense of communion with each other.

It is a means by which people reflect on their current conditions, divine or re-invent themselves and their social world.

Dance forms could be classified and analyzed in varying categories -those that survived and thrived within the communities (traditional) that are raw, those making waves in the academic environment (modern oriented) and the prototype of the western world that is in vogue now - which is the medley of both traditional and modern, as embraced by our youth today.

Religious or ritual, which is one of the major sources of dance in Nigeria, regulates the relationship between the members of the society and the supernatural powers in which there is strong belief that they are in control of human activities.

Such could be exemplified in the famous Osun Osogbo festival dance, Olojo festival dance in Ile-Ife, Sango (god of thunder and lightning) worship, Obatala worship, Egungun (masquerade) festival dance etc. All of these most popular in the western part of Nigeria, home of the Yorubas.

Social dances on the other hand change with time, based on the cre-

ative ability of the various dance artists. In its function as an expression of social organization, dance safeguards the traditionally established social and political hierarchy and equally emphasise the standard of behaviour and instructs on moral within the society. Such examples are dances that are purely restricted to the royal personalities, elder dances and age grade dances. It is often performed by groups or teams of dancers, which clearly states their status in the enabling society. It may be a part of a festival performance or simply for entertainment.

Moreover, re-creative process dance are informally a free for all affair to the members of a particular community. It could be an expression of talent or display of expertise.

The dance gives room for improvisation, while such dancers are usually found at various relaxation centres and social functions, or in their private homes and at times on disco floors of hotels in the urban centers.

With Nigeria having over three hundred (300) ethnic groups, there are large varieties of ethnic dances.

This is because dance reflects the socio-political, religious, economic, philosophical and art/aesthetic life/ ways of a people. Traditional dance

formed a major part of society’s religious, social, ancestral and existential reality.

Many of these dances are most fascinating in the teaching of social patterns and values that help people work, mature, praise or criticize members of the community while celebrating festivals and funerals, in competitions, through the recitation of history, proverbs and poetry; and to encounter gods.

My personal favorites are the Bata Dance from the South West Region and the Etighi Dance which originated from Cross Rivers.

The Nigerian dance and its uses has transformed over the years with its music and steps gradually making way for more modern dance moves, and better global recognition. The likes of famous Nigerian musicians such as Iyanya who popularised the ‘Etighi’ dance that originated in Calabar made a total transition for the Nigerian dance.

The energetic shoulder withering movements accompanied by the ever constant smile of the bata dancer is prominent in the western region of Nigeria, home of the Yoruba tribe and associated with the God of Thunder “Sango”. The bata steps are often responses given from the

bata drum also known as the talking drum. Music from this drum is so interesting in that each sound made from the drum has a distinct meaning that is understood and interpreted by the dancer and audience.

It is rather safe to say that the rhythms and dance steps of modern dances are products of African music and dance. From acrobatic dance groups that is available for feature performances, workshops, festivals, and dance lessons to more subtle dancers that perform during mourning.

It is extraordinary aesthetic and adventurous to see native Nigerians perform their dances. The rich creativity of the humour of Nigerians showcased in our heavenly moves portrays the Nigerian culture as an enviable one.

The dance steps and gestures are agile, graceful, admirable, and elegant. They are distinguished by unrivalled charm and harmony in the lines of both torso and limbs.

I long to see a Nigeria, endowed with more passionate and record shattering dancers like the Popular Kaffy making significant contributions to modern music through traditional dance and music, preserving it as the soul of Nigerian culture

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

25

technology

The Worlds Of One Operating System

By Olatunji Makanjuola

T

here seems to be a trend in the realm of Operating Systems. Let’s take a look at the recent events with two main players in Operating Systems (OS) - Google for Android and Microsoft for Windows.

Android Lollipop Google has unveiled the next version of the

Android OS tagged “Lollipop” being version 5.0, and marking its official debut, Google has also set up the official “Lollipop” statue at its Mountain View headquarters in California.

Android is better known as an operating system for mobile devices but what I want to highlight is something written in a blog post

by Sundar Pichai, Google’s senior vice president for Android, Chrome & Apps where he wrote that:

“Lollipop is designed to be flexible, to work on all your devices and to be customized for you the way you see fit.”

Android is ambitiously being pushed as the platform of the future for every connected device.

Windows 10 The successor to the Windows 8 OS is Widows 10.

Microsoft skipped Windows 9, a move which indicates the significance of this release after much unfavourable market response on Windows 8, which had its intent on touch enabled devices while it was also made available on mouse and keyboard based computers.

Though Windows also has mobile based operating systems, it is much better known in the marketplace for running on computers.

Note that Microsoft is rolling a campaign on Windows 10 - One Product Family, One Platform, one store. This is similar to the statement made

by Google’s senior VP above.

One OS, All Devices These two giants are going in the way of making one operating system to run across all devices – speaking of smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, notebooks and hybrids alike.

On the Android Lollipop, Technewsworld.com tells us that Google is reflecting an approach it calls “Material Design,”... saying Lollipop features a consistent experience across devices.

Techtimes.com reports that “Microsoft wants its latest operating system to build on what Windows 8 tried to do

-- delivering an experience that’s “agile” enough for mobile devices and complex enough for desktops in an enterprise environment, says Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft’s operating systems group”.

Following user feedback and trends these major software makers are moving into device environments where they have been a little less formidable and are unifying their presence across all of them.

Concerning Windows 10, Microsoft spokesperson Eri Mizobe, said in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld “It is not an incremental change, but a new Windows that will empower the next billion users.”

It should be noted that the practice of having a consistent OS across devices is not a new thing as Apple and BlackBerry have done similar before.

More On Android Lollipop Notifications Control The software lets users determine how and when they want their notifications displayed. They can be limited by user, time, importance or settings such as while in a meeting.

Important notifications can be shown even while the phone’s screen is locked.

Battery-Saving Feature

In Lollipop is a battery-saving feature that extends device life by as much as 90 minutes.

- The Android 5.0 is one which promises a cleaner and friendlier user interface and simplicity in design and usage to be enjoyed by users. It represents another large update since that seen in Android 4.0 Ice Cream in 2011.

More On Windows 10 Start Button Returns Windows XP and 7 were massive success stories and one of the features that users loved was the Start button.

Windows 8 moved away from the beloved Start button and it’s clear that that was a costly mistake.

The button returns to Windows 10.

Touch-screen Functionality This was a focus of Windows 8 and is definitely the way to go. Expect a better adoption of this feature.

Personalization There are many personalization features like: Customizing the Start menu with your favourite apps, programs, websites and more; resizing of apps and placing them on the title bar; switch between desktops as a multiple desktop feature is being introduced and snapping different apps on the screen, just to name a few.

The familiar desktop experience of Windows 7 is being restored while also maintaining features which will work into the future.

“Microsoft is combining the traditional feel and comfort that users had with Windows but is still bringing in the newer technology that Windows 8 offers,” said Craig Stice, senior principal analyst for compute electronics at IHS. Courtesy: technewsworld.com bbc.com

26

dtn early beginnings

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

The Company (II)

By Olatunji Makanjuola

I

n April 1962 Mr L. N. Namme was appointed Business Manager of the company and in December of that year he joined the Board of Directors. He was promoted General Manager in December 1964 and Group Deputy Managing Director in January 1970. Before his transfer to the management side of the company, Mr Namme had previously served in various editorial positions: as News Editor 1954 – 1956; Western Region Editor 1956 – 1959; Deputy Editor Daily Times 1959 – 1962.

Alhaji Jose was appointed Managing Director of the company in December 1962 in succession to Keith Davenport. It was clear at this point in time that Mr Davenport had accomplished his assignment and was now ready to return to UK for reassignment. A new era had dawned on the company as Nigerians were now in full control of top management, although Cecil King still held the chairmanship of the company until June 1968 when that position also was taken over by Alhaji Jose.

In November 1963, Mr. W. H. Batterberry joined the company as Chief Accountant and arose to become Financial Director of the Group from November 1967 to August 1975. He retired from the company’s services in December 1975. Mr Batterberry made valuable contributions in the development of sound financial and accounting policies in the company. The company’s growth leaped ahead.

Alhaji Jose and his colleagues on the Board pursued relentlessly the goal of Nigerianisation and they began the search for new talents within and outside the company for career development. It was in this process that the Jajas, the Ayans, the Odunewu’s etc., were identified for career development.

Emmanuel Adagogo Jaja had, like Namme and Jose before him, started his professional career as a journalist, and he moved from the editorial to management in 1965 when he was appointed Personal Assistant to the Managing Director (Alhaji Jose). He served in that capacity for a

year before assuming the post of Executive Editor magazines 1966 – 1968. He was appointed Chief Executive, Newspaper Division January 1970 – December 1974; Assistant Managing Director January 1975 until August 1975.

Pius Ayan started his career as a printer, having first had his training at St. Paul’s catholic Press, Lagos, 1945 – 1952 and later at the Daily Express, Manchester. Joining the Daily Times in 1958 he became the Deputy Production Manager in 1959. He rose through the ranks, becoming Production Manager in 1965; Deputy General Manager, Times Press, January 1968; General Manager, Times Press, 1st January 1970; Deputy Chief Executive, Times Press, 1st January 1972; and Chief Executive, Times Press, 1st June 1973. He remained Chief Executive for 2 ½ years before being appointed to Group Administration as Web Offset Project Coordinator on 1st January 1976.

Alhaji Alade Odunewu became Editor in Chief of the newly created Editorial Division of the company, having previously served in various capacities: Editor Sunday Times 1964; Editor Daily Times 1964 – 1968; Editor In Chief 1968 – 1969; Chief Executive – Magazine Division, January 1970 – July 1973. There was a break of 2 ½ years during which he served as Commissioner for Information & Tourism in the Lagos State Government.

He returned to the company in November 1975 as Chief Executive, Special Duties, for a brief four months and later became head of the newly created Editorial Division.

Vincent U. Ogbunuju Acting Group Finance Controller, joined the company in June 1964 as Senior Accountant.

He was promoted Assistant Chief Executive, Newspaper Division, October 1971 and Group Chief Accountant October 1973. He later became the Group Finance Controller.

Oluremi Aderibigbe Aofolajuwonlo left the company’s service in October 1975 after a career in the financial function lasting eleven years. He joined the company as Secretary/Accountant August 1964;

became Group Chief Accountant January 1970; Group Finance Controller October 1971; Group Finance Director July 1974 – August 1975.

Bethel C. Njoku came to the company on 15th February 1971, to fill the newly created position of Manpower Development Controller. He served in that capacity for one and a half years and then moved to line-management as Deputy Chief Executive, Nigerpak, 1st July 1972. Mr Njoku was appointed Chief Executive, Magazine Division, 1st January 1974. The division was later to be incorporated as Times Leisure Services Limit-

ed, to handle leisure activities and entertainment.

Dr Omotosho Ogunniyi joined the company in April 1972, taking over as Manpower Development Controller in July of that year when Mr Njoku transferred to Nigerpak as Deputy Chief Executive.

But, like Mr Njoku before him, he was soon to move into line management. He was appointed Chief Executive, Newspaper Division, January 1974.

Anthony Ibazebo joined Nigerpak as Work Study Engineer in May 1971. From that position, he moved on to become Deputy Production

Manager on 1st November 1971; Production Manager on 1st January 1973; Deputy Chief Executive July 1974 and Chief Executive January 1976.

Scores of other Nigerian young men and women were identified and advanced from within whilst others were engaged from outside for career positions in the company as the volume of business grew in all directions. Group turnover leapt from below N3million in 1968 to more than N17 million in 197, whilst profit before tax rose from N401,000 in 1968 to N1.9million in 1975.

The expansion in the com-

pany’s activities pointed to the need for decentralisation of the administration and steps were taken by the Board to introduce a divisionalised administrative structure, with subsidiary companies serving as profit centres.

On June 26 1963, Times Press Limited was incorporated to take over the commercial printing activities of the parent company. Chief A. B. Osula was appointed Chairman of this subsidiary with Leslie Coates as Managing Director.

In March 1964, a packaging subsidiary – Nigerpak Limited – was established, a joint venture with the Nigerian Tobac-

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014

27

dtn early beginnings

The Company (II)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

co Company, the equity capital being originally shared in the ratio of 51% DTN to 49% NTC. The ratio later went to 74% DTN to 26% NTC. Also incorporated during the period were an investment company, Naira Holdings Limited and Naira Properties Limited, jointly owned by DTN and Lagos Stock Exchange.

The process of decentralisation was by no means limited to new subsidiaries alone; the main publishing company itself was split into Newspaper and Magazine divisions, as separate profit centres, each with a chief executive, while in March 1975, the company established a branch office in London to handle purchasing of raw materials and machinery.

That was the state of the company when in August 1975, the Federal Military Government announced its intention to acquire 60% of the equity capital thereby becoming its majority shareholder.

Thus, a new chapter in the evolution of the Daily Times began on September 1, 1975.

The acquisition, the third in the history of the company, was made through the national Insurance Corporation of Nigeria which bought a

total of 1,074,985 shares from existing shareholders and 721,960 unissued shares of the company.

All non-indigenous firms holding shares on behalf corporate bodies or individuals were requested to surrender all such shares which totalled 729,332 units; shareholders holding over 100,000 units surrendered (75%) 114,665 units; 82,000 units (60%) were recovered from persons holding from 1,001 to 10,000 shares.

Consequent upon this acquisition, the company’s old Board of Directors was dissolved and the system of executive directors was abolished.

A new Board of Directors was announced comprising the following: - Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, Chairman - Alhaji Babatunde Jose, Managing Director - Lady Ayodele Alakija - Alhaji Abba Jiddum Gana - Mr Vincent C. Ike - Mr P. D. Cole - Mr Paul Belabo - Dr Graham Olufemi Douglas-Briggs - Malam Ali Al-Hakim In November, the Federal Military Government on the advice of the Board, appoint-

ed an Investigation Panel to inquire into the affairs of the company. The panel comprised Mr Mike Gbegbaje, Accountant-General of Kwara State, as Chairman; Mr Idris Sulaimon, Mr Jerry Okoro and Mr O. O. Somorin.

The terms of reference were: To examine the structure, organization and staffing of the company.

To investigate all allegations levelled against any staff or employee of the company.

To investigate any other matters that may be raised before it relevant to the success of the operation of the organisation.

To make recommen-

dations on all matters raised before it.

The panel submitted its report on December 4, 1975, and after due consideration, the Board of Directors took certain decisions affecting the future of the company.

Among the decisions taken was the restructure of the company along functional lines.

On March 8th 1976, the new chairman announced the voluntary retirement of Alhaji Babatunde Jose from the services of the company.

In his letter to the Board, Alhaji Jose said: “My Dear Chairman, I have for the past few months been reviewing my position with the company. As you are

aware, I have served for a total period of nearly 33 years: April 1941 to May 1946; and September 1948 to date.

I was 50 last December; the company was 50 last June and I was involved in its activities for most of the time, including 18 years in policy making positions as Editor, Editorial Director, Managing Director and Chairman.

“With the acquisition of the controlling interest in the company by the Federal Military Government, the company has opened a new chapter in its service to the nation. It is, in the circumstance, with something more than reluctance that I have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of the company and

mine that I should now retire from the service of the company.

“Please accept this letter as one year’s notice of retirement in accordance with the terms of my contract service.

“In accepting this notice, please convey to my colleagues on the Board and, in particular, to all employees of our Group of companies, my profound thanks and appreciation of their cooperation and support throughout the years we worked together as a team for the progress of the company. Without them the company would not have been the great success that it is today.

“I am most grateful to God, the shareholders, Directors and staff of the company and other men and women of goodwill outside the company, all of whom assisted me in various ways throughout my years of service to the company.

“Please be assured that even in retirement, I shall continue to do my utmost to advance the company’s interest. I wish the company continued success and you, my dear chairman and all the directors and staff, continued happiness.

“Very sincerely yours, Alhaji Babatunde Jose.”

The Board expressed regret and much reluctance in accepting Alhaji Jose’s letter of retirement and decided to waive the retirement of one year’s notice.

In a glowing tribute, the Board placed on record its recognition of the immense contributions which Alhaji Jose had made to the development and growth of the company. He had been a tower of strength and inspiration to the practice of journalism in Nigeria as a whole, and there was no doubt, the Board felt, that he had carved for himself a place of honour in the history of this country.

A new management structure was now emerging. The former management of executive directors was replaced with a Group Executive Management Committee vested with authority to administer the day-to-day affairs of the company. The chairman of this committee is the Group Managing Director (or Group Chief Executive) who reports to the Board

OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

28

for the records

The Crimes of Buhari

By Prof. Wole Soyinka

T

he grounds on which General Buhari is being promoted as the alternative choice are not only shaky, but pitifully naive.

History matters. Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as guides to the future. Of course, we know that human beings change.

What the claims of personality change or transformation impose on us is a rigorous inspection of the evidence, not wishful speculation or behind-the- scenes assurances.

Public offence, crimes against a polity, must be answered in the public space, not in caucuses of bargaining. In Buhari, we have been offered no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change.

On the contrary, all evident suggests that this is one individual who remains convinced that this is one ex-ruler that the nation cannot call to order Buhari? Need one remind anyone – was one of the generals who treated a Commission of Enquiry, the Oputa Panel, with unconcealed disdain. Like Babangida and Abdusalami, he refused to put in appearance even though complaints that were tabled against him involved a career of gross abuses of power and blatant assault on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizenry.

Prominent against these charges was an act that amounted to nothing less than judicial murder, the execution of a citizen under a retroactive decree. Does Decree 20 ring a bell? If not, then, perhaps the names of three youths – Lawal Ojuolape (30), Bernard Ogedengbe (29) and Bartholomew Owoh (26) do. To put it quite plainly, one of those three Ogedengbe – was executed for a crime that did not carry a capital forfeit at the time it was committed.

This was an unconscionable crime, carried out in defiance of the pleas and protests of nearly every sector of the Nigerian and international community religious, civil rights, political, trade unions etc.

Buhari and his sidekick and his partner-in-crime, Tunde Idiagbon persisted in

this inhuman act for one reason and one reason only: to place Nigerians on notice that they were now under an iron, inflexible rule, under governance by fear. The execution of that youthful innocent for so he was, since the punishment did not exist at the time of commission – was nothing short of premeditated murder, for which the perpetrators should normally stand trial upon their loss of immunity.

Are we truly expected to forget this violation of our entitlement to security as provided under existing laws? And even if our sensibilities have become blunted by succeeding seasons of cruelty and brutality, if power itself had so coarsened the sensibilities also of rulers and corrupted their judgment, what should one rightly expect after they have been rescued from the snare of power. At the very least, a revaluation, leading hopefully to remorse, and its expression to a wronged society. At the very least, such a revaluation should engender reticence, silence.

In the case of Buhari, it was the opposite. Since leaving office he has declared in the most categorical terms that he had no regrets over this murder and would do so again.

Human life is inviolate. The right to life is the uniquely fundamental right on which all other rights are based. The crime that General Buhari committed against the entire nation went further however, inconceivable as it might first appear. That crime is one of the most profound negations of civic being. Not content with hammering down the freedom of expression in general terms, Buhari specifically forbade all public discussion of a return to civilian, democratic rule. Let us constantly applaud our media those battle scarred professionals did not completely knuckle down.

They resorted to cartoons and oblique, elliptical references to sustain the people’s campaign for a time-table to democratic rule. Overt agitation for a democratic time table however remained rigorously suppressed military dictatorship, and a specifically incorporated in Buhari and Idiagbon was here to stay. To deprive a people of volition in

their own political direction is to turn a nation into a colony of slaves. Buhari enslaved the nation. He gloated and gloried in a master-slave relation to the millions of its inhabitants.

It is astonishing to find that the same former slaves, now free of their chains, should clamour to be ruled by one who not only turned their nation into a slave plantation, but forbade them any discussion of their condition. So Tai Solarin is already forgotten? Tai who stood at street corners, fearlessly distributing leaflets that took up the gauntlet where the media had dropped it. Tai who was incarcerated by that regime and denied even the medication for his asthmatic condition? Tai did not ask to be sent for treatment overseas; all he asked was his traditional medicine that had proved so effective after years of struggle with asthma! Nor must we omit the manner of Buhari coming to power and the pattern of his corrective rule. Shagari’s NPN had already run out of steam and was near universally detested except of course by the handful that still benefited from that regime of profligacy and rabid fascism. Responsibility for the national condition lay squarely at the door of the ruling party, obviously, but against whom was Buharis coup staged? Judging by the conduct of that regime, it was not against Shagaris government but against the opposition. The head of government,

on whom primary responsibility lay, was Shehu Shagari.

Yet that individual was kept in cozy house detention in Ikoyi while his powerless deputy, Alex Ekwueme, was locked up in Kiri-kiri prisons. Such was the Buhari notion of equitable apportionment of guilt and/or responsibility.

And then the cascade of escapes of the wanted, and culpable politicians. Manhunts across the length and breadth of the nation, roadblocks everywhere and borders tight as steel zip locks. Lo and behold, the chairman of the party, Chief Akinloye, strolled out coolly across the border.

Richard Akinjide, Legal Protector of the ruling party, slipped out with equal ease.

The Rice Minister, Umaru Dikko, who declared that Nigerians were yet to eat f’rom dustbins – escaped through the same airtight dragnet. The clumsy attempt to crate him home was punishment for his ingratitude, since he went berserk when, after waiting in vain, he concluded that the coup had not been staged, after all, for the immediate consolidation of the party of extreme right-wing vultures, but for the military hyenas.

The case of the overbearing Secretary-General of the party, Uba Ahmed, was even more noxious. Uba Ahmed was out of the country at the time. Despite the closure of the Nigerian airspace, he compelled the pilot of his plane to demand special landing per-

mission, since his passenger load included the almighty Uba Ahmed. Of course, he had not known of the change in his status since he was airborne. The delighted airport commandant, realizing that he had a much valued fish swimming willingly into a waiting net, approved the request.

Uba Ahmed disembarked into the arms of a military guard and was promptly clamped in detention.

Incredibly, he vanished a few days after and reappeared in safety overseas. Those whose memories have become calcified should explore the media coverage of that saga. Buhari was asked to explain the vanished act of this much prized quarry and his response was one of the most arrogant levity. Coming from one who had shot his way into power on the slogan of discipline, it was nothing short of impudent. Shall we revisit the tragicomic series of trials that landed several politicians several lifetimes in prison?

Recall, if you please, the judicial processes undergone by the septuagenarian Chief Adekunle Ajasin. He was arraigned and tried before Buhari’s punitive tribunal but acquitted. Dissatisfied, Buhari ordered his re-trial. Again, the Tribunal could not find this man guilty of a single crime, so once again he was returned for trial, only to be acquitted of all charges of corruption or abuse of office. Was Chief Ajasin thereby released? No! He was ordered detained indefinitely, simply for the crime of winning an election and refusing to knuckle under Shagari’s reign of terror. The conduct of the Buhari regime after his coup was not merely one of double, triple, multiple standards but a cynical travesty of justice. Audu Ogbeh, currently chairman of the Action Congress was one of the few figures of rectitude within the NPN. Just as he has done in recent times with the PDP, he played the role of an internal critic and reformer, warning, dissenting, and setting an example of probity within his ministry. For that crime he spent months in unjust incarceration.

Guilty by association?

Well, if that was the motivating yardstick of the adminis-

tration of the Buhari justice, then it was most selectively applied.

The utmost severity of the Buhari-Idiagbon justice was especially reserved either for the opposition in general, or for those within the ruling party who had showed the sheerest sense of responsibility and patriotism.

Shall I remind this nation of Buhari’s deliberate humiliating treatment of the Emir of Kano and the Oni of Ife over their visit to the state of Israel? I hold no brief for traditional rulers and their relationship with governments, but insist on regarding them as entitled to all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any Nigerian citizen.

This royal duo went to Israel on their private steam and private business. Simply because the Buhari regime was pursuing some antagonistic foreign policy towards Israel, a policy of which these traditional rulers were not a part, they were subjected on their return to a treatment that could only be described as a head masterly chastisement of errant pupils. Since when, may one ask, did a free citizen of the Nigerian nation require the permission of a head of state to visit a foreign nation that was willing to offer that tourist a visa? One is only too aware that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. To inculcate discipline however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary structures imposed on the overall polity, especially on any issue that seeks to establish a policy for public well-being. The story of the thirty something suitcases it would appear that they were even closer to fifty – found unavoidable mention in my recent memoirs, YOU MUST SET FORTH AT DOWN, written long before Buhari became spoken of as a credible candidate. For the exercise of a changeover of the national currency, the Nigerian borders air, sea and land had been shut tight.

TO BE CONTINUED