Daily Times e-Newspaper Issue 14

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P 10

Senate: Retirement Home For Ex-Governors

Stakeholders Decry Nigeria’s Inability To Achieve 2015 MDGs

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2 2014

Buhari Solidarity Group Woos Delegates In Ondo Ahead Party Primaries

OPEC basket price drops to $81.67 per barrel, threatens budget

Study: Black Women Undergoing IVF Fare Worse

Rock The Geometrics!

VOL. 1, NO 14

Falcons Emerges First African Team To Qualify For AWC

Obasanjo Blasts Buhari Over Muslim -Muslim Ticket P2

I’m A Business Woman, No Time For Boys!P 13

NFF Crisis: One Glass House, Two Landlords P 16 Jonathan and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem

Tambuwal and Burden of Defection

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Tales, Joy, Pain And Reality Of Parenting Children With Down Syndrome

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OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

news

Obasanjo Blasts Buhari Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

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ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo Sunday came hard on the former Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential hopeful, Gen. Mohammed Buhari, saying that Muslim-Muslim ticket is not in tune with the present day Nigeria.

The former president was apparently reacting to a statement credited to Gen. Buhari (rtd) in an interview with an on-

line media, TheCable, where he reportedly said he saw nothing wrong with Muslim- Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket.

Buhari had said in the interview that he “had demonstrated to Nigerians that he is not a fundamentalist and “there is nothing more I can do.”

He said “Nigerians will always uncover impossible room for manoeuvre for politicians.

I had to face one of the governors during one of our party’s meetings (over the issue of religion).

“In 2003, I chose Chuba Okadigbo as my running mate.

He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. In 2007, I picked Edwin Ume-Ezeoke. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. And in 2010, I chose even a pastor. Tunde Bakare. “Honestly, what do Nigerians want me to do? If they don’t believe I’m not a fundamentalist, what else can I do?”

He likened his situation to that of Moshood Abiola, a southern Muslim, who picked Babagana Kingibe, a northern

Muslim, as running mate in the 1993 presidential election.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket went on to win an election that is still considered by many as the most credible in Nigeria’s history.

However, former President Obasanjo, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, Sunday and made available to newsmen said, “it will be insensitive to the point of absurdity for any leader or any political party to be toying with Muslim- Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket at this

juncture.”

The former president believed that sensitivity is a necessary ingredient for enhancement of peace, security and stability at this point in the political discourse and arrangement for Nigeria and for encouraging confidence and trust.

He continued, “It will be insensitive to the point of absurdity for any leader or any political party to be toying with MuslimMuslim or Christian-Christian ticket at this juncture”.

“Nigeria cannot at this stage

raise the spectre and fear of islamisation or Christianisation.

The idea of proselytisation in any form is a grave danger that must not be contemplated by any serious-minded politician at this delicate situation in Nigeria, as this time is different from any other time.

“Therefore, disregarding the fact that there are fears that need to be allayed at this point will amount not only to insensitivity of the highest order but will also amount to,” the former president said.

Lagos Speaker, Ikuforiji declares guber ambition, declares 10-point agenda

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peaker, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday presented his 10-point agenda to residents of Lagos State.

Hon Ikuforiji presented the agenda while declaring his governorship ambition to party members at the Lagos Television (LTV) complex in Ikeja.

According to the lawmaker, ``A few weeks ago, I told my friends and staff in the Lagos State House of Assembly that I will be running for governor.

``I am, by the grace of God, the longest-serving speaker, not just in Lagos, but in Nigeria’s history. ``My dear people of Lagos, I believe that the time has come for us to consolidate the gains of good governance. ``The time has come for us to re-articulate the vision of the founding fathers of Lagos, and re-energise the people of this great city. ``I intend to build on the achievements of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola, to make Lagos a truly global city. ``I am also presenting my

2015: APC Holds Emergency Convention On Manifesto

Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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arring any last minute changes, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold an extraordinary national convention on Wednesday, 29 October, 2014, in Abuja to approve amendments to the constitution of the party and also adopt its manifesto for the 2015 general elections.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed, revealed this in a press statement he issued in Lagos on Sunday.

The statement said the proposed amendments, when approved at the national convention, would align the party’s constitution better with the Electoral Act and also allow the APC to function more efficiently.

It also said the convention would adopt the six-point manifesto that have been extracted from the one submitted to INEC earlier for the

purpose of the 2015 general elections.

The release said in parts, “The manifesto to be adopted at the extraordinary convention of our party is specifically for the 2015 general elections. Because of shifting priorities, we do not believe that a party manifesto should be one for all time but a document that will adjust to the changing needs of the people.

“In this regard, we have conducted a survey to find out what Nigerians urgently need

at the moment to raise their standard of living and ensure their security and welfare, which is the raison d’etre of any government. Based on the outcome of the survey, we have come up with a six-point manifesto, which we extracted from the one we submitted to INEC earlier.

“The six broad priority areas for the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections are National Security, Good Governance, Human Capital Development, Economic De-

velopment, Land and Natural Resources as well as Foreign Policy. The issue of job creation, fight against corruption, infrastructural development, health, qualitative education, regular power supply, etc are subsumed under these broad priority areas,” APC said.

The party said once the manifesto has been adopted at this convention it will be made massively available to all Nigerians, complete with the full details, in many languages.

Navy Hands Over 23 Suspected Pipeline Vandals To Police

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he Nigerian Navy (NN) in Lagos says it has handed over 23 suspected pipeline vandals to the Police. The arrested suspects were caught at Majidun area of Ikorodu, in the state.

The information was con-

tained in a statement from the Nigerian Navy Public Affairs Office.

The statement noted that the suspected persons were arrested in connection with the pipeline vandalism in Ikorodu and preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had a

case to answer.

“They were handed over to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP’s) Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, for further investigation and prosecution.

“Handing over the suspect in Abuja was the Commander,

Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Tekeimo Ikoli, who represented the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade.

“Ikoli handed the suspects over to the representative of the

Police Anti Pipeline Vandalism Unit, DSP Empress Omoigue,” the statement said.

The statement also stressed the zero tolerance of the Nigerian Navy for crimes in the nation’s maritime space by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin.

agenda for the transformation of Lagos - My 10-point Cardinal Programme. ``I believe, when implemented, this will consolidate the gains of the past, as well as help us to build a new future that will make Lagos as global city. ``My 10-point Cardinal Programme connects all the critical areas of the political, economic and social lives, and provides a synergy between these different sectors. ``This 10-point-Cardinal Programme is produced by many months of hard work and exchange of ideas with some of the finest brains that our Lagos can boast of,” the speaker said.

Ikuforiji said that in the areas of Job creation and poverty alleviation, full and gainful employment would be approached as an indispensable tool of ensuring good life for the people of Lagos.

He said that his core vision was to consolidate and enlarge the enviable legacy of good governance that Lagos had come to be known for.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker said that he would work hard to make Lagos the African Alpha City, one that would link the African economy to the world economy.

He continued, ``Lagos will constitute the heartbeat of the continent in the 21st Century and I believe that our state has all that it takes to play this role. ``I am convinced that we can make it happen for Lagos, under my leadership.

“As a technocrat and a widely-travelled politician, I will contribute my quota to the charting of a new trajectory for Lagos by ensuring that our politics is devoid of rancour.

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

news

Buhari Solidarity Group Woos Delegates In Ondo Ahead Party Primaries ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

Fayose

PDP dissolves Ondo Exco, constitutes caretaker committee

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upporters of the former military ruler, General Muhammed Buhari, under the aegis of the Buhari Solidarity Group (BSG) have continued to woo delegates in Ondo State ahead of the December 2, 2014, national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The sole aim of the group is

to garner support for the presidential ambition of the former military ruler.

A special adviser to Osun State governor on environment and sanitation and Ondo State coordinator of the group, Mr. Bola Ilori, disclosed that the group was gathering support for Buhari in order for the APC to pick him as the presidential candidates ahead of the 2015 presidential election slated for

February.

Ilori, though claimed that all the aspirants in the party are credible and fit to contest the election under the banner of the APC, but he argued that a popular candidate was all that APC needed to defeat the candidate of the PDP. He revealed that General Buhari has paid his dues and could be regaded as the best candidates among the contenders in

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he National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday announced the dissolution of the Ondo State Executive Committee of the party. In its place, the party has constituted a caretaker committee.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, announced the dissolution in a statement in Abuja.

According to the statement, all structures of the party at the ward, local government and state levels stand dissolved.

The statement says, ``Consequently, a caretaker committee has been constituted to pilot the affairs of the state chapter of the party. ``The committee has Mr Dare Adeleke, as Chairman and Mr Dare Osawu, as Secretary,’’ it said.

The party also enjoined PDP members in the state to continue to work together in harmony for the progress of the party.

The statement expressed confidence that the PDP would move more than ever before, dominate Ondo politics, especially with the rejoining of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to its fold.

the party.

Mr. Ilori, who is also a chieftain of the APC in Ondo State, said an honest man who has a credential of integrity is not only needed for the position but would revamp the country from its current wilderness.

He described General Buhari’s Presidential aspiration as the collective project of the entire country, also maintained that some concerned indi-

viduals have been contributing money to keep the project alive and moving.

Said he, “We are talking about integrity, Nigerians want to see that how much of a man of integrity he is.

Ilori said among the aspirants, Buhari was the only candidate who has proved his strength and popularity by securing 12 million votes in the 2011 Presidential election.

Erosion Threatens Delta Community

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he Otulu community of Delta State in Aniocha South Local Government Area, has called on the state government to rescue it from erosion which had devastated the area.

The Okwabanbi of the community, Chief Paul Eboji, made the call in an interview yesterday.

Eboji said that the erosion had cut all the access roads to the community, adding that the challenge was adversely affecting socio-economic activities in the area.

In the words of Eboji, “We are presently facing a huge

problem from the erosion; we have been cut off from our neighboring communities.

“The link road from UbuluOkiti is in a terrible condition; the Otulu-Issele-Azagba road is being eaten up daily, and so also is the access road from the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

“Even here, you can’t access many villages by vehicle; it is that bad.

“The three major access roads to our community are now death traps due to gully erosion.”

He added that if not checked, the erosion would completely ruin the community.

Awoniyi urges PDP youths to remain faithful to party

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ogi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, has urged members of the People CDemocratic Party (PDP) Youths Vanguard to remain steadfast and faithful to the party.

This was contained in statement issued on Sunday by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, in Lokoja. Awoniyi was speaking when he received in audience the PDP Youth Vanguard, Lokoja II Constituency.

The Kogi deputy governor noted that the state, under the leadership of Governor Idris Wada, had ensured equity, justice and fair play in the discharge of its responsibilities to the people.

He disclosed that Governor Wada had, since assumption of office, worked to ensure that the yearnings and aspirations of the people, especially the youths and women, were made a priority.

Deputy Governor Awoniyi

described the PDP as a party that was rooted in the state, and urged the youths to remain unflinching in their loyalty to the party and the present administration in the state.

He also noted that emphasis had been placed on revamping agriculture toward creating employment opportunities for the youths.

He said that the Youth Advancement and Development Programme of the state government had so far employed

close to 10, 000 people.

He assured that issues relating to the youths would continue to remain cardinal in the present administration’s agenda.

The deputy governor also called on the youths to shun violence even as the general election approached, noting that the state governor abhored violence and thuggery related activities.

In his speech, Chairman of the group, Mr Yahaya Mu-

hammed, appealed for Lokoja II Constituency to be allowed to produce the next House of Representatives member for Kogi/Lokoja Federal Constituency.

Yahaya pledged the unalloyed support of the people of Lokoja II Constituency to the PDP administration, and described Governor Wada as a humane and God-fearing leader who should be encouraged to seek another term in office.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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news

Uduaghan Lauds Olejeme, Thanks Delta Elders For Support

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irector General of Olejeme Campaign Organization, Mr. Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan has described Dr. Mrs Ngozi Olejeme as focused in vision, efficient in delivery and transparent in official conduct.

Mrs Olejeme is Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and also aspiring to succeed Governor Emmanuel

Uduaghan as Delta State governor come 2014.

The Director General of Olejeme Campaign Organization also praised Mrs. Olejeme for making Nigeria, particularly Delta State, proud by her achievements in NSITF, Trustfund Pensions Plc and other institutions.

According to Uduaghan, “Dr. Olejeme occupies a special place in the hearts of the people. Her contributions to

human capital development, governance and pension schemes in Nigeria, particularly Delta State are impossible to estimate, to measure and to quantify” he said.

At a well-attended meeting of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Asaba, Uduaghan praised Dr. Olejeme for setting high standards in pension matters and management of public finances.

He continued, “Some politicians and journalists are just executing a carefully designed plan to discredit the aspirant and destabilize the campaign organization to further their selfish ends” Uduaghan said.

He appealed to office and money seeking politicians and journalists to temper ambition and greed with concern for public good and genuine welfare of the people.

“Misguided attacks by some politicians, self-acclaimed journalists and their backers will never deter Dr. Olejeme from repositioning NSITF or becoming the next governor of Delta State”.

Uduaghan, who further thanked the people for the confidence reposed on the aspirant said the Mrs. Olejeme would continue to work for the good of Nigerians.

Regretting that the country was yet to fully tap her wealth of experience and knowledge, Uduaghan says, “We are determined to work assiduously towards installing Dr. Olejeme as the next governor of Delta State.”

He urged Dr. Olejeme to keep up the good works, irrespective of the antics of some detractors who peddle false stories about NSITF.

Delta LG Polls: DSIEC To Conduct Run-Off Elections In Ethiope East

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he Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has announced that it would conduct run-off elections in eight wards in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

Chairman of the commission, Mr Moses Ogbe, made this known in Asaba while announcing some results of the local government polls conducted across the state.

The Returning Officer of the election in Ethiope, Rev. Oke Akokotu, had declared that polling in the area was inconclusive.

He said that elections held in 12 wards out of the 20 wards in the area, adding that the re-run elections would be conducted on a date to be announced later.

Ogbe said that the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) won chairmanship seats in 15 local government areas out of the 16 councils, including Ethiope East, whose results had been declared.

He said that among the victorious PDP chairmanship candidates were those for Patani and Ethiope West councils, respectively, who were returned unopposed.

Similarly, he said that 96 PDP councillorship candidates across the state were also unopposed.

He added that the election was and successful in spite of some skirmishes recorded in few places.

The chairman said that the success recorded in the election was due to early preparations and availability of funds.

According to him, the positive development made it

easier for the commission to deliver all election materials at various wards in all the local government areas on time.

“To ensure integrity, we have to engage persons of reputable character as local government Returning Officers for this election,” Ogbe said.

Some of the local governments where chairmen had emerged as announced by the commission’s chairman were Warri North, Ika South, Okpe, Udu, Ndokwa West, Aniocha South and Oshimili North.

Others were Warri South West, Oshimili South, Ughelli North and Warri South.

He said the PDP won all the declared results, adding that collation of other results was ongoing and they would be announced when completed.

APGA Guber Aspirant Unfolds Agenda To Develop Imo

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governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State, Mr Okey Ezeh, has unfolded his agenda for the development of the state.

Ezeh, who tagged the blueprint, ‘Imo Marshal Plan,’’ disclosed the action plan during an interactive meeting with representatives of various professional groups on Sunday in Owerri.

The aspirant said if elected in 2015, his agenda would focus on job creation, human capacity development, agricultural transformation and industrialisation.

Ezeh added that he would give attention to health and social services, as well as tourism, cultural and techni-

cal re-orientation, housing, environment, transport and infrastructure renewal.

He said that priority would be given to qualitative education, youth development including sports, women empowerment and security as well as good governance.

Ezeh said that he would establish five cottage industries in each of the 27 local government areas of the state within his first term in office.

“For instance, I will establish cashewnut processing plant and chalk production plant in Okigwe among others,’’ he said.

According to him, the growing rate of unemployment presents a big problem to, not only Imo, but to the country at large.

He observed that high un-

employment rate had resulted in the security problems plaguing the country.

Ezeh lauded the free education policy of the present administration in the state but expressed reservations in the importation of school uniforms and foot wears.

He opined that indigenous artisans could be trained by the government to produce the materials with a view to boosting employment.

The meeting was attended by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Also in attendance were the political associates of Ezeh, including Mr. Charles Oputa, a.k.a Charley Boy, among others.

Olejeme

2015: Oshiomhole Urges Attitudinal Change Among Politicians

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do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged politicians in the country to change their attitude and work for the good of the country ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Addressing All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters at a rally in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government of the state yesterday, Governor Oshiomhole said that it was imperative for the political class to adopt better attitude in their activities.

Said he, ``We must change

the face of our politics and we must rebuild the future by laying good foundation”.

The Edo governor assured aspirants to various elective positions of a level-playing field during the party primaries, and pleaded that those who would emerge as candidates from the process should be supported by others.

He continued ``I am happy to see many posters, but remember that there is only person that would contest in each of the various positions. ``It is turn by turn; at the party’s primaries it is only one

person that will emerge and we must please, support whoever emerges,’’ he said.

He promised that his administration would continue to deploy resources for the development of the state, assuring that that in the remaining years of his administration, the government would provide massive infrastructure.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Charlton Mogaji, said that the rally was to sensitise the people and let them to know aspirants who would be involved in the party’s primaries.

Cleric Sues For Peaceful Coexistence, Warns Against Violence

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riest in charge of Saint Francis Daudu Mission, Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima, has called on Nigerians to embrace peace and promote togetherness despite their differences.

Rev. Fr. Ukeyima gave the charge on Sunday in a homily to mark his 10th priestly ordination and fundraising for the building of a clinic in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The clergyman, who admitted the relevance of soldiers in the state, however, insisted that peaceful coexistence was paramount in achieving sustainable development in the society.

He decried the clandestine killings in Daudu, and explained that peaceful coexistence was the answer to the conflicts.

He called on politicians to play politics with the fear of God by being law abiding citizens, adding the hallmark of

Christianity is the love of God and the neighbour.

According to him, if you love your neighbour as yourself, you will not plot evil against him in the guise of politics.

The thanksgiving mass was attended by dignitaries including, Sen. Joseph Waku, Rep. Emmanuel Jime, representative of Sen. George Akume and a former Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Board, Mr Andrew Ayabam.

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

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africa news

Tunisia Holds First Election Under New Constitution

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unisia has voted in elections to its first parliament under a new constitution, part of political changes under way since the “Arab Spring”.

There are no opinion polls, but the moderate Islamist Ennahda party is predicted to do well.

Turnout reached 65 per cemt an hour before the close of voting, state TV reported.

A series of democratic changes have taken place since the authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in 2011.

Tunisia is seen as the birthplace of the Arab Spring - the pro-democracy movement which sought to replace auto-

cratic governments in several Arab countries.

Tunisia is considered to have had the most successful outcome, with relatively low levels of violence.

Despite a rainy and damp start to the day, there were queues outside this polling station in the Tunis 2 district, with some carrying the Tunisian flag.

In this district, voters have a choice between 45 candidates.

The entire process is being tightly observed by around 800 international, as well as more than 10,000 national, election monitors across the country.

The security presence is visible at the polling stations

and on the streets.

Today marks the end of the political transition period from dictatorship to democracy. It’s a milestone, the expectations are high, not just in Tunisia but abroad as well.

Ennahda’s main rival is likely to be the liberal Nidaa Tounes (Tunisia’s Call), although it has promised to seek a coalition government even if it wins the most seats.

Most of the major parties have vowed to tackle Tunisia’s high unemployment and to reinvigorate its economy.

More than 50,000 security personnel and nearly 20,000 soldiers were ordered to be deployed on Sunday to ensure safe voting.

Radical groups within Tunisia have threatened to disrupt the elections and on Thursday militants shot a policeman on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis.

Earlier Mr Jomaa warned that extremist groups could attempt to attack polling stations.

“We know that this [election] will be a target because it is unique in the region. It brings hope,” he said, during an inspection of troops near Tunis.

Around five million Tunisians were registered to vote, with overseas residents having already cast their ballots on Friday.

Ennahda, which currently

Egypt Activists Jailed 3 Years For ‘Illegal Protest’

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n Egyptian court has sentenced 23 activists to three years in jail for breaching a controversial protest law.

The activists include Yara Sallam and Sanaa Seif - prominent civil rights campaigners.

There have been increasing complaints about restrictions on civil liberties since President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi came to power last year.

The protest law requires special permits from the authorities for any protest involving more than 10 people.

The defendants were accused of holding an illegal demonstration on 21 June to call for the release of detainees and the annulment of the

protest law itself.

They are also being fined $1,400 (£870).

Campaigner Sanaa Seif is the daughter of the late Ahmad Seif al-Islam, one of Egypt’s leading civil rights lawyers and campaigners who died in August.

Sanna Seif’s brother, the prominent blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah, was released on bail in September while he appeals against a 15-year jail term for violating the same protest law and assaulting a policeman.

Prominent Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah”s mother, Laila Soueif, a university professor who is an also an activist, background left, his sisters Sanaa Seif, wearing eyeglasses at center, and

Mona Seif, at right, cheer after his release on bail at a courtroom in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 Sanaa Seif (wearing glasses) celebrates in September as her brother Alaa was released on bail Amnesty International says that Ms Sallam, a lawyer Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, was not even participating in the protest for which she is being imprisoned.

The law has been widely condemned as repressive, says the BBC’s Orla Guerin in Cairo, and the verdict comes at a time when human rights activists in Egypt feel increasingly under threat as restrictions tighten.

Former US President Jimmy Carter recently closed his

sanaa-seif

Cairo election monitoring office, expressing doubts about Egypt’s transition to democracy, our correspondent adds.

After large protests led to the military’s overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the army began a crackdown on his Islamist supporters and further restrictions followed.

rules in coalition with other parties, has promised to pursue a unity government even if it wins the most seats.

Tunisia is set to hold a presidential election on 23 November, which will deliver the country’s first directly elected leader since the removal of Ben Ali in 2011.

Protests which began in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid in late 2010 later gathered pace and spread across much of the Arab world the following year.

Botswana’s Ruling Democratic Party Wins General Elections

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he ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has won the general elections in the world’s largest diamond producer.

It secured at least 33 of the 57 parliamentary seats being contested, the national electoral commission says.

A party needs 29 seats to take power. Opposition group Umbrella for Democratic Change has won 14 seats.

The BDP party of President Ian Khama has been in power since Botswana gained independence in 1966.

But it has been battling to gain support in urban areas where opposition parties have made recent inroads.

Botswana is seen as one of Africa’s most stable and democratic countries.

Three parties competed to win over the 824,000 registered voters who directly elected the 57 members of parliament.

A further four members of the 63-member assembly will be chosen by the new parlia-

Ghana Workers Continue Strike Over Pension Concerns

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John-Dramani-Mahama

eneral Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association says public sector workers will continue their indefinite strike action this week to pressure President John Dramani Mahama’s government to address their concern about their pensions.

Public sector workers on strike include, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers and other civil servants. Hospitals and health centers across the country have been reportedly deserted, due to the labour action.

The government said the

ongoing strike is illegal and has launched a legal challenge in court.

But, the GMA secretary general, Dr. Justice Yankson said the administration is to blame for the strike.

“The strike is still in force and is going to continue until we’ve come to such a point that we’ve been able to resolve the issue,” said Yankson.

Officials have said the workers should trust their pension with the government.

But Yankson disagreed, saying the administration has yet to win the confidence of pub-

lic sector workers about their pension.

According to Yankson, the government is not respecting the law, which stipulates that the second tier of pensions be privately managed with guidelines provided by the National Pension Regulatory Authority “What we are saying is that government should give all those monies that have accrued, since the year January 2010 to the scheme that has been set up by the workers and their management in accordance with the laws of the land. So, that is where the

Ben Ali

bone of contention is,” said Yankson.

“People are going to retire this January, [and] each of them is entitled to pension benefits from this new arrangement. But, these people have no idea where to go for their pensions, who to go to, or how much are even accrued to them,” Yankson said.

“Government should wash off its hands from our funds and let the ... system that the regulatory body has put in place function properly.”

He insists the strike will proceed, despite the government’s legal challenge.

ment, with the president and the attorney general filling the remaining two seats.

Preliminary results for local council elections also showed a strong showing for the two opposition parties in Botswana’s urban centres, including the capital of Gaborone, Associated Press reports.

Once elected, the MPs will then choose the leader. President Khama, the son of the country’s first president, is likely to get a second term in office.

He has faced challenges in urban areas, amid a worsening economic climate.

Despite being a middle-income country, Botswana continues to grapple with unequal distribution of wealth, high levels of poverty, unemployment and HIV, according to the African Development Bank.

The unemployment rate stands at 17.8% and it has an HIV/Aids prevalence of 23.4%, it says.

A survey this month by the research group Afrobarometer reported that 58% of people in Botswana considered unemployment the most important problem facing the country.

Ian khama

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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world news

UK Ends Afghan Combat Operations

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ritain formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan on Sunday, lowering the Union Jack for the final time before handing over its last remaining base to Afghan forces.

According to Prime Minister David Cameron, “I made a commitment that I would get our Armed Forces out of Afghanistan by 2015, and today sees the end of combat opera-

tions in the country.”

American troops also took part in the ceremony at the Bastion-Leatherneck coalition base in Helmand province, marking the end of 13 years of UK military operations in the country.

Britain’s military presence moved to Helmand in 2006 to tackle an insurgency together with troops from the United States and other countries. A total of 453 UK troops have

died in service in Afghanistan.

“We will always remember the courage of those who served in Afghanistan on our behalf and never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Cameron.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Afghan National Security Forces will take over the bases and all operations. The United Kingdom will continue to support them in their development.

Already, the country’s military is handling most of its security needs.

“In June 2013, the 330,000-strong ANSF took assumed lead responsibility for security across Afghanistan and since then they have been responsible for 99% of operations,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, two rocket attacks hit the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood of Kabul, home to the American Embassy, re-

ported Pajhwok News Agency and Tolo News, a CNN affiliate that cited Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai. There were no known casualties.

Also, two rockets landed outside the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, confirmed ISAF spokesman Mike Hartnett, speaking to CNN by phone. Hartnett said the attacks resulted in no ISAF casualties.

Hong Kong Protesters Scrap Vote On Govt Proposals

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rotesters in Hong Kong have abandoned plans to hold a ballot over whether to accept several government concessions.

Protest leaders said they decided to “adjourn” the vote after disagreements over its format and apologised for a “lack of discussion” with protesters.

The vote was to be held electronically and was cancelled just four hours before it was meant to start.

Tens of thousands of protesters have joined a sit-in calling for full democracy in Hong Kong since September.

Last Tuesday, student protest leaders and government officials held talks for the first time, but made little progress towards ending the impasse.

Masked protesters stand at the barriers dividing the police from the crowds in Mongkok October 25, 2014 in Hong Kong Protesters have continued a sit-in in central Hong Kong, but their numbers have dwindled The government, represented by deputy leader Carrie Lam, offered to send a report to Chinese government officials reflecting the protesters’ views, and set up a platform to facilitate dialogue on future constitutional changes.

Protest leaders initially rejected the government’s offer before pledging on Friday to hold the now-cancelled vote.

“We feel we have been conducting the vote hastily,” said Benny Tai, one of the founders of the Occupy Central protest group, “We decided to adjourn

Syrian Airstrikes Kill 29

A

the vote at the square but it doesn’t mean the movement has stopped,” he told AFP. In a statement, Occupy Central said: “We apologise to the public for the lack of discussion among the participants before making the previous decision.”

Though numbers have fallen significantly since the early days of the protests, a hard core of demonstrators - mostly students - have said they will not give up their occupation of central areas until China changes its mind on the rules for Hong Kong’s 2017 election.

They also want Chief Executive CY Leung to stand down.

More Than 800 Killed In Kobani – Rights Group

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urdish refugees watch from a hilltop as thick smoke rises from the Syrian town of Kobani during heavy fighting between Islamic State and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, seen from near the Mursitpinar border crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border, October 26, 2014.

Syrian activists said more than 800 people have been killed in ground fighting in Kobani in the six-week battle between Islamic State militants and Kurdish fighters for control of the Syrian town just south of the Turkish border.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday that nearly 500 jihadists and more than 300 Kurds have been killed.

That total is in addition to an-

Cameron

other 550 or more killed by U.S.-led airstrikes in the last month, most of them Islamic State fighters.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iraqi Kurdish forces said they will not engage in ground fighting in the Syrian town of Kobani but provide artillery support for fellow Kurds fending off Islamic State militants there.

Islamic State fighters have been trying to capture Kobani for over a month, pressing on despite U.S.-led airstrikes on their positions and the deaths of hundreds of their fighters.

The Kurdish region’s parliament voted last week to deploy some of its peshmerga forces, which have been fighting their own battle against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq, to Syria.

“Primarily, it will be a

back-up support with artillery and other weapons,” Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesman Safeen Dizayee told Reuters. “It will not be combat troops as such, at this point anyway.”

Also Sunday, U.S. military forces conducted five airstrikes against Islamic State targets near Kobani, and with the help of partner nations another 12 separate strikes in Iraq, the U.S. Central Command said.

In Iraq nine airstrikes were made around the strategic Mosul dam and three airstrikes southeast of Fallujah.

“Among the coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq are the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in

Syria include the U.S., Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Bahrain,” Central Command said.

At Kobani, the rights group said 21 civilians have been killed during the ground fight, but most of Kobani’s population has fled to refugee camps in Turkey, with more than 200,000 streaming across the border.

The jihadists tried for the fourth straight day to seize a border crossing from Turkey into Syria but were thwarted by the Kurdish fighters.

The location is a key passage as Iraqi Kurds prepare to send 200 well-trained peshmerga fighters through Turkey and into the battle for Kobani.

Some of those new fighters could head to Kobani as early as this week.

Syrian watchdog group says two Syrian government airstrikes on the central province of Homs have killed at least 29 people, including 13 children.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, with a network of sources inside Syria, said Sunday that 16 members of the same family were among 22 killed during the aerial bombardments in the town of Talbisa.

Another seven were killed in the Wa’er district outside Homs, including a child.

More than 180,000 people have been killed during three and a half years of fighting in Syria, as several groups seek to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Nearly half the country’s population has been forced by the violence to flee their homes, many to refugee camps in neighbouring countries

Bashar al-Assad

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

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politics

Tambuwal and Burden of Defection

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

A

s the 2015 general elections in Nigeria inches closer, political stalwarts have long begun the politics of consultations, negotiations and most recently endorsements, even before the electoral umpire INEC officially lifts the ban of political campaigns.

One of the many political gladiators who has been consulting over the last few weeks is no less a person that the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal. Activities surrounding the nation’s number 4 citizen have become intense of late with speculations over his purported defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Tambuwal has suddenly found himself in a dilemma. His constant hobnobbing with leaders of the opposition APC and utterances has placed him under watch by his current party. Despite his recent admission that he remains a bonafide member of the PDP, his body language and recent attendance of the opposition party’s meeting in his home state of Sokoto gives credence to the rumours making the mill and it is believed that his defection is only a matter of time.

For Tambuwal, the politics of defection has suddenly become a burden. Despite assurances of a safe landing by his associates in the APC, the eventual process and decision to defect to the APC might not come easy after all, due to a combination of factors that might have dire consequences on his political career, if he eventually decides to defect.

It was previously speculated that the speaker was interested in the office of the President after a series of consultations with prominent Northern leaders and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and was choosing the APC as the platform to achieve his purpose. With age and a lot of goodwill on his side, it did seem that the coast was being cleared for him within the opposition party to contest.

However, those speculations might have been consigned to the political trashcan following the declaration of other notable political stalwarts including a

Tambuwal

former Head of State, former Vice President and a current Governor. Also, the talks of a possible consensus presidential candidate by the APC might have put paid to that ambition.

Following the recent turn of events, it is most likely that Tambuwal might be forced to test his popularity in his home state (Sokoto). A credible source from Sokoto State revealed that the state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wammako, has succeeded in convincing the speaker to “shelve his desire of contesting for the presidency, but come home and contest for the governorship of Sokoto State under the APC.” This probably influenced the decision of the Sokoto State APC stakeholders to zone the gubernatorial slot to Sokoto South senatorial district where Tambuwal comes from.

The heightened rumour of his defection reached a crescendo last week when Wamakko told the APC members that the speaker had been in support of the party’s activities since its formation.

“I want to inform all stakeholders of the APC gathered here that Tambuwal has been with us since formation of our great party. We told him to remain in PDP until the day of nomination of the party’s governorship candidate. And today is the day,” Wamakko said.

Among a couple of reasons that might haunt the speaker should he decide to defect to the APC include the on-going court case at an Abuja High Court, in-

stituted by the PDP, seeking to have the seats of the lawmakers that defected from PDP to APC vacant. The contention of the ruling PDP is that since the lawmakers were sponsored and had won election on the platform of the party, the court should declare their seats vacant since they have moved to another party.

Even though the case is still pending at the lower court, a source very close to the speaker did reveal that the endless possibilities of how the PDP could work with the court against him are making him cautious on how and when he defects.

“The truth of why the speaker has still not formally defected is basically because of the fear of how the court could be used against him. Forget about the fact that the court case against the defected lawmakers is still in the court, if the PDP decides that they want to get him through the court when he defects, I am assuring you that you will instantly see judgements flying left and right against him and all those lawmakers who defected to the APC,” he said.

It would be recalled that a high court had in a previous judgment delivered held that there was no division in the PDP to warrant the lawmakers defecting to the APC. Another issue that might be standing as a stumbling block to Tambuwal’s defection is the fact that the ruling party backed by the Presidency might do all within its powers to frustrate

his chances at the polls should he defect. A wrong move might signal the end of his political career and so he might be applying caution to his planned defection. He might not want to suffer the fate of Mr. Ghali Umar Na’Abba a one-time vibrant speaker in the House of Representatives, whose career came crumbling due to his disaffection with the Obasanjo Presidency.

Another issue hindering the immediate defection of the speaker, according to our source, is pressure from certain key northern elements asking him to stay put. Their reasoning is that his position as the speaker of the House of Representatives strategically confers on him a position to ensure that the PDP doesn’t engage in any attempt to illegally tamper with the constitution of the country and confer an extended tenure to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also, the issue of moral implication of the speaker defecting from a party that sponsored him and ensured he became the speaker of the house to another party is another reason making the speaker to carefully weigh the implication of his defection.

The source said, Tambuwal being a morally upright politician feels he might loss some of his credibility by simply abandoning the PDP that made him a speaker.

Despite the fact that the PDP does not boast of a huge majority in the house that could pose an impeachment threat if the

speaker (Tambuwal) eventually decides to defect, it is believed that the ruling party would do all within its power to ensure that he spends the rest of the tenure battling for survival instead of campaigning for the forthcoming elections. The possibility of what the PDP could do, even without a two-third majority requirement to facilitate his removal, could go a long way in taking out some pounds of flesh from him.

Despite the ongoing political calculations and permutations, the PDP caucus within the House of Representatives has remained diplomatic on the matter, even refusing to confirm or otherwise, reported moves to begin impeachment proceedings against Tambuwal if and when he decides to defect to the APC. The Deputy House Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, in his reaction to the question of the PDP rep’s next line of action should Tambuwal defect last week said, “I will tell you that, as a caucus, we are not bothered.

His defection doesn’t change anything in the party. Therefore, we are not having any sleepless night. This is time for politicking. People are taking their personal decisions. It is about your political future.

Continuing, Ogor said, “I cannot tell you the caucus will do this or do that when the speaker has not informed anybody that he has defected. This speculation has been on for months, and really, I get tired.

“All I can say is, we cannot place the cart before the horse.

Whenever we get to the bridge, we will cross it.”

Findings from the House of Representatives Standing Order, which lists out the various procedures and practices of the house and its committees, does not expressly provide for the impeachment of its speaker.

The House Standing Order does not, in any of its section, provide for the speaker’s removal from office on the grounds of defection and antiparty activities; allegations that have been thrown on Tambuwal in some quarters.

It does not even spell out removal procedures in the event of “gross misconduct”.

Section 7 Rule 26(a) of the House Standing Order is the closest the rule book gets to the removal of the speaker.

The section states that, “In the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker without any communications to the Clerk of the House within a period of three consecutive days or where both have either been certified or incapacitated, the House may elect for that purpose, someone who shall preside. Such member shall be known as Speaker Pro-tempore”.

Hence, reported moves by PDP and the presidency to remove the speaker may prove futile if and when he defects.

The 1999 constitution (amended) in section 68 (1) says: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if; (g) Being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that house was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored”.

However, the PDP has consistently denied the claim by some of the decamped lawmakers that there was a crisis within the PDP. Consequently, the speaker might not lean on that alibi when he eventually defects.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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politics

Senate: Retirement Home

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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olitics is a game heavily laden with twists and intrigues. The last couple of weeks have witnessed high level intrigues and power play among politicians and parties as the race to the 2015 elections heats up across the country. While the ruling party has continued to adopt consensus candidates from the office of the President, State Governors et’al, the race to the national assembly has also been laden with manoeuvres and power tussle.

At the last count, no fewer than 13 state governors whose second term in office expires next year are believed to be eyeing the Senate. The decision of the current governors to contest for senatorial seats have continued to raise eye brows in the states and this has pitted some of these governors against the senators currently occupying these honourable seats.

The ambition of these governors

has already begun to cause disaffection in the state pitting the loyalists of these governors against those of the senators. While the ambition of the governors is not out of place, what is most amazing is the way and manner in which the Senate which is expected to be a hallowed ground for distinguished and mature leaders to make meaningful laws and deliberations that would lead to the progress of the country, has become a dumping ground or a retirement gift to former state governors.

As previously noted, it is not wrong for governors to aspire to be senators but at a time when the nation is trying to build institutions for the advancement of our democracy, turning our Senate to a retirement home for governors, including those who have abysmal records of service in their states, cannot be the right way to go. The question on the lips of many is how we can develop expertise and knowledge on legislative matters when institutional memories

are easily dispensed with on the altar of unbridled ambition, essentially in promotion of self?

It is noteworthy that what is fast becoming a tradition actually started in 2007 when after their second term in office, many of the outgoing governors decided to run for Senate. Six of them succeeded. The successful ex-governors are: Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), George Akume (Benue), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau). Adamu Aliero who won in Kebbi moved to the Federal Executive Council as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister while the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu was defeated in Bauchi State. More governors would later join their colleagues in 2011 and today we are looking at a situation in which another batch of 13 could end up in the red chambers by next year.

For the current senators, the battle against the current governors would

be a tough one most especially if the current governor hails from the same political party as the senator.

This is because, the governor is the leader of the party in the state and as such would muscle the existing senator out of contention using the state machinery which is firmly under his grasp.

In Akwa Ibom state for instance, the ambition and recent declaration of Governor Godswill Akpabio to contest for the senate means that the days of his former ally, Senator Aloysius Akpan Etok, who is representing Akwa Ibom North-West, in the senate are almost over. Akpabio, it would be recalled once admitted publicly to have rigged Etok into the senate because his area had not yet produced a senator despite the fact that he lost the primaries In Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam (who incidentally was in the House of Representatives for eight years before becoming governor) is determined to send former

PDP National chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade into political exile. With Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan declaring his ambition for Delta South, it is almost likely that Senator James Manager will be preparing his handover notes and Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State’s ambition means that Senator Nkechi Nwaogu’s days in the senate chambers are almost over.

Even Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State (who many Nigerians hardly hear about) has his sights fixed on the senate as a retirement gift. In the case of Cross River State, Governor Liyel Imoke (himself a former Senator) has publicly declared that he would not run but he may also have “zoned out” Majority leader, Senator Ndoma Egba, SAN. However, the most sinister in all the plots is perhaps brewing in Enugu State where Governor Sullivan Chime is taking no prisoners in his bid to wrest the Enugu West senatorial seat from Deputy Sen-

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

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politics

e For Ex-Governors

ate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Already, the governor has conscripted the traditional rulers in the senatorial district to become his canvassers while he has the party structure firmly under his grip. It would be recalled that one of the casualties of this raging storm was the former deputy governor of the state, Mr SundayOnyebuchi, who it was reported to be sympathetic to the deputy Senate President.

What is most distressing is that some of these governors have spent the last seven and a half years in office without making any significant pronouncements on even the state of their states let alone national issues.

To therefore expect them to make any serious contributions to the work of the senate is mere daydreaming.

But beyond that, Nigerians all ought to be worried about the democratic style of their governors. Findings have shown that some governors rule over their states like emperors.

They lord it over their state legislators, determine who represents their states at the National Assembly and literally dictate who succeeds them while stifling all opposition to their own ambition.

It’s pretty obvious that Nigerians cannot legislate against the governors aspiring to the Senate or to any office for that matter. But the way and manner in which the legislature

is being treated in our country will have long-term consequences on our democracy. According to available records, once they get to the Senate, many of these former governors are hardly ever around for any serious legislative work aside the fact that there is even a moral/ethical issue that is being ignored.

There is an interesting article on the website of the Dirksen Congressional Centre written by Betty K. Koed, an associate historian at the United States Senate Historical Office, which highlights why the Senate is a critical legislative institution.

The point was driven home by a story of an interesting encounter between Thomas Jefferson and George Washington as captured by the writer: It is said that on his return from France after the framers had completed the U.S. Constitution, creating two houses of Congress, Thomas Jefferson called (George) Washington to account for having agreed to a second chamber, the Senate, in the U.S. Congress. “Of what use is the Senate?” he asked Washington, as he stood before the fire with a cup of tea in his hand. As he asked the question, Jefferson poured some of the tea into his saucer, swirled it around a bit, and then poured it back into the teacup.

“You have answered your own

question,” Washington replied.

“What do you mean?” Jefferson asked.

“Why did you pour the tea into your saucer?”

“To cool it,” said Jefferson.

“Just so,” said Washington, “that is why we created the Senate. The Senate is the saucer into which we pour legislation to cool.

The Senate, according to Koed, serves as the “cooling factor”. To that extent you need maturity as well as experience that comes from years of service in the legislature and that explains why the term for a US Senator is six years as opposed to two for House members. That also explains why much premium is placed on seniority determined by the length of continuous service. For instance, Patrick Leahy will be 40 years in the Senate by the 3rd of January next year on a day that would mark Senator Orrin Hatch’s 38th. No fewer than five of the senators have spent more than 30 years while ten have spent 20 years and above and I am not counting the years that many of them had spent in the House of Representatives before reaching the Senate.

In a sharp contrast, only two Senators from the class of 1999 in our country are still in the senate. They

are Senator David Mark, current Senate President and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, Senate Majority Whip. Of the class of 2003, only six are still in the Senate. Yet as mentioned earlier, the biggest culprits for this state of affair are the governors, many of who have scant regards for democratic principles. First, they lord themselves over the legislative arm in their states by emasculating assembly members who in most cases are treated like errand boys. And then, they ensure that those who go to the National Assembly are “loyalists” since whatever the governors want, the governors get.

It is common knowledge that virtually all the governors are on scandalous life-long financial packages from their states. Yet they are still entitled (and the current ones are collecting) their remunerations from the Senate. Since it is only in our country that you can literally eat your cake and have it, it is no surprise therefore that these executive distinguished senators can be collecting pension and still be earning salaries from public treasuries! Such things can only be gotten from our dear Nigeria.

One major source of concern to most Nigerians is the way and manner in which the legislature which is a critical institution in a representative democracy is been degraded. It

is not an accident that lawmakers do not have term limits. It is because experience and institutional memories are vital qualities needed for such assignment. In the case of the Senate that has onerous responsibilities, it is important we look at what obtains in the United States from where we borrowed the idea of presidential system of government.

That point was underscored most eloquently by President Goodluck Jonathan in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital on Tuesday week when he said: “I always tell our party that until we change our delegates’ pattern, the governors must dictate what happens. Under the present delegates we have for national elections, any governor, who is fit to be a governor, has control of about 70 percent—whether we like it not.”

It is therefore no surprise that at every election cycle since 1999, many senators, including the exceptional ones like Udo Udoma of Akwa Ibom and Olorunnibe Mamora of Lagos have been played out. The immediate consequence of this high turn-over of senators is its toll on the quality of debate and legislation for good governance in our country while the ultimate victims of this unfortunate state of affairs remain the people who are denied quality and effective representation at virtually all levels.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

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business

Stakeholders Decry Nigeria’s Inability To Achieve 2015 MDGs

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha

A

s the deadline set by the United Nations for the attainment of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) inches closer, prominent stakeholders have berated the government at all levels over its failure to take necessary steps towards achieving the goals set by the UN in eradicating poverty among other issues.

In the month of August 2001, the United Nations poised to address a couple of challenges plaguing the human race came up with eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with 2015 as the target year for their attainment.

The set goals are made up of core development benchmarks, geared towards addressing developmental issues ranging from poverty, mother and child mortality, water and sanitation, education, environmental concerns and disease control among others.

The desire was that that by 2015, the challenges plaguing the developing world would have been addressed or, at least, significantly reduced.

Although, the document was neither a legally binding instrument nor a formal UN resolution, the framework has

however, in practice, acquired a politically and morally compelling character the world over.

Nigeria was not an exception, with an MDG office established in the federal capital territory.

While some African countries have recorded success stories in their attainment of the goals, Nigeria, the giant of Africa, stall has a long way to go. Poverty still walks on four legs in the country; not much has been achieved in the area of disease control; availability of clean and potable water is still out of the reach of many; public schools are deficient in many aspects.

A presidential summit on MDGs and post 2015 agenda was held in Abuja recently to fashion out the next step after the expiration of the deadline for the attainment of the MDGs. A parallel session on Promoting Inclusive Growth, Job Creation and Human Capital Development, chaired by Dr Clement Iloh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity with six member panellists drawn from ministries, development partners and labour movement, were on ground to discuss how Nigeria could be industrialised.

Addressing the failings of the country in addressing the MDGs, Mr Ugochukwu Agu, a Ministry of Labour/Internation-

al Labour Organisation (ILO) Consultant illustrated the shift occasioned by the end of the first round of the MDGs, which he said has compelled the world to look towards the post-2015 development agenda and find ways for sustenance.

His words: “The country has the potential for a transformational shift towards an inclusive and job rich growth. However, fulfilling this potential for the benefit of Nigerians in the post2015 era is neither assured nor automatic, especially in the absence of the appropriate stock of human capital. Admittedly, investment in human development is a prerequisite for inclusive and job-rich growth in Nigeria in the post-2015 era.

With respect to inclusive and job rich growth agenda, discussions and efforts within the post- 2015 milieu in Nigeria should be focused on sustaining and expanding the achievements made in the past couple of years. In order to use human capital investment to promote inclusive and job rich growth in Nigeria, the government through policy interventions must create the right environment. Such interventions will include the provision of the following essentials: skills in demand in the labour market; improved productivity through innovation in industry; uncon-

ditional social protection measures; and provision of critical infrastructures.

“The provisions of these elements of human capital will no doubt complement non-human capital essentials, such as good governance, the rule of law, coupled with the collaborative partnership with international development agencies, such as the ILO, UNIDO, UNDP, and the World Bank.

“With a fast growing population and consumer market, the Nigerian economy has the capabilities to produce consumer goods and services at scale for domestic consumption. Therefore, the post- 2015 challenge is the ability of the Nigerian economy to generate growth and development paths for Nigerians. Making inclusive growth a successful development agenda in post-2015 era in the country will require not only the political will, but also a coherent macroeconomic, employment, trade, industrial, environmental and social policies. This underscores the imperative of investing in the human capital needed for such transformation”.

Comrade Eustace James, the Assistant General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said Nigeria workers need to be happy and fulfilled at their workplace for them to be productive. He frowned

at the way foreigners misuse Nigerians under their employment and called for a review of government policies in favour of Nigerian workers.

He said: “We have to look at our employment policies and how investors treat our people under their employment. Are we continuing in a situation where investors come in, invest and treat workers as if they are not human beings? We must reconsider our policies in the interest of workers.”

The Deputy Director, Social Economic and Labour Affairs (NECA), Mr. Timothy Olawale, said the private sector should be provided with infrastructure and the enabling environment since they are the core drivers of the economy.

He averred: “Over the years, it has been established that there is the need for us to enthrone the private sector as the driver of employment creation, wealth creation and economic prosperity generally. If the private sector is actually supposed to drive this process of wealth creation, poverty reduction and employment creation, it means the content of inclusive growth and its principles will actually be achieved from this sector.

“Equal access to infrastructure has continued to be the challenge of most private investors. Taking the agriculture

sector for instance, the facts on ground had shown that over 70 per cent of farmers’ products in farm settlements are destroyed, especially during rainy season because of lack of accessible roads.”

He said discussions on inclusive growth should not exclude infrastructural spread in any segment of the society.

“Most employers have constituted themselves into governments of their own, providing every infrastructure. It is not as if they have not even attempted to construct roads, but there is a limit to where their capital can take them. So, equality of opportunity, with access to finance is also very essential, because access to capital is an issue with regard to business funding, which means you cannot really create jobs effectively and it is gratifying to know that about 91 per cent of jobs created in 2013 were from the private sector. The private sector would do more when they receive appropriate support, especially with the focus on diversification of our economy. We have also said it over the years that the end users of outputs from our tertiary institutions should be involved in the designing of the curricular used in schools.

These are the people that would employ graduates after they CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

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Stakeholders Decry Nigeria’s Inability To Achieve 2015 MDG must have left school. They should be involved in the planning of school curriculum, that way, they would be able to tell the kind of graduates they desire instead of tertiary institutions just churning out unemployable graduates year in, year out. Some private employers have even taken it upon themselves to train graduates again, in order to bridge the gap between what it is being taught in the classroom and the things they actually require.”

Mrs Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, Director, ILO talked about the all-encompassing nature of the goal 8 of the MDGs, which she said speaks to all other goals. She said it is the core area the ILO is interested in assisting countries with comparative advantages, where such countries can create employment for their young population.

She continued: “Nigeria is a wellendowed country and if we cannot create employment in Nigeria, I don’t see how it can be created in other African countries. If we are talking of inclusive growth, then the kind of employment that can put food on peoples’ table, give them decent accommodation, enable them to send their children to good schools, give them access to good health services and ensure they have a good wage should be considered. Lack of employment opportunities had made some young people take up arms. We should focus on how to create employment for young people in all sectors of the economy”.

She posited that people should change their attitudes towards vocational training adding that the notion that such trainings are for the backward in the society would continue to make youth avoid taking up technical education.

“If we are sincere about industrialising this country, we should begin to teach our children that they cannot enter the Nigerian labour market without a technical skill,” she said.

Comrade Musa Lawal, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in his remark affirmed that the major challenges of Nigeria were corruption, attitude and the lack of willpower to face and address the challenges.

He said: “Our policy makers and other top government officials all have their children schooling abroad and they want our tertiary institutions to be okay, is it possible? This is the problem we are having. The country does not have water and individuals have bore-holes in their houses and so the attitude is ‘as long as I have water in my house, it does not matter what my neighbour is going through as regards water.’ We need to change our attitude.”

Patrick Kormawa, the UNIDO Representative in Nigeria said Nigeria should key into the inclusive and

sustainable industrial development agenda of the organisation in order to diversify the economy of the country and move the nation towards industrialisation.

He said: “Inclusive growth, job creation and human development cannot be done in a vacuum. You cannot promote inclusive growth without creating decent jobs. You cannot have good human capability if we do not focus on the real issues. From our perspective, the real issue is that Africa and Nigeria had missed over the years in industrialisation. What is the difference between Nigeria and the US? What is the difference between developing countries and developed countries? This is a unique opportunity for African countries to now address the real issue, which is industrialisation.

“If we do not have industries, we cannot manufacture machinery, we cannot have fertilizers to ensure food security, now we have terror issue in the country and we are looking to the United States of America to provide us with drugs. If our pharmaceutical sector were developed, we would be having those drugs here. HIV/AIDS is in Africa but we do not manufacture the drugs for its treatment yet.

“So, we submit that Nigeria should push as much as possible for the inclusion of inclusive growth, job creation within the context of what we refer to as inclusive and sustainable industrial development. You have more than 100 Universities in this country, but have you trained people to have the skills to serve the industrial need of this country? No. Only five per cent of the population of America are into agriculture, so everything has to centre on industry. If Nigeria misses it this time, please don’t come back in 20 years, 40 years to start blaming others. We have been talking of poverty and hunger for the past 40 years, now is time to move to industrialisations.”

Neglect of the youths, lack of synergy between different government agencies and parastatals vis-a-vis duplication of roles which had not made any one accountable for the funds spent on same programmes were some of the views expressed by attendees.

Others are of the view that Nigeria had drawn good policies in the past but implementation was usually the problem. Others called for the return of the Grade 2 teachers’ model of education, which had professionals in the field of education. Such professionals, they argued, were usually very passionate and committed to their jobs, which would have a long way in influencing the education sector positively. Some said for Nigeria to be industrialised, made in Nigeria goods must be patronised by the government and the citizens. This they said would stop the syndrome of job exports.

OPEC basket price drops to $81.67 per barrel, threatens budget

By Our Correspondent

T

he price of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has crashed from $81.94 per barrel to $81.67 over the weekend, showing just about $4 in excess of the $77.5 per barrel reference of the 2014 budget.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Global oil market watchers said any further crash in price could affect the ability of Nigeria and other OPEC members to generate adequate foreign exchange for the implementation of the budget.

They attributed the reasons for the lull in the market to low demand and increased production and export of the product to the global market.

For instance, the group coordinator, corporate planning and director of transformation in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Timothy Okon stated that the budget could be affected should price continue to slide below the 2014 budget benchmark.

“There is no need to panic at the moment as the price of crude has

been excess of the budget reference throughout a greater part of the year, “he stated.

He stated that on the average the price would still be in excess of the 2014 budget price, meaning that the Federal government would be able to meet projections.

“The year 2014 is almost gone.

I think we should pay more attention to 2015. The state governments should cooperate with the Federal Government in order to agree on some vital issues, “he stated.

The Chief Executive of BIC Consultancy Services Limited, Dr. Boniface Chozie stated that there was a great need for regulators to let the present global market situation reflect on the domestic market.

“The domestic market does not exist in a vacuum. Developments in the world market often impact on the domestic market, “he stated.

Chozie said under the 2014 price regime, there were strong indications that consumers deserve to pay less for fuel.

He said there were no justifications for the sustenance of a relatively high price of petrol in the domestic market because the government which takes the subsidy bill was also earning less foreign exchange from crude oil export.

A Lagos-based consultant, Mr. Gabriel Ogbochie stated that the government should be careful in adopting a new oil reference price for 2015 as the proposed $78 per barrel seemed to be unrealistic.

“The Federal Government should

be careful in adopting a new reference price for the 2015 budget because the oil market may not show immediate signs of improvement, “he stated.

However, OPEC stated in its latest report that expectations for world economic growth in 2014 and 2015 remain unchanged at 3.2per cent and 3.6per cent respectively.

“The OECD is seen growing at 1.8per cent in 2014 and 2.1% in 2015, with the US experiencing a continued acceleration, while growth in the Euro-zone and Japan remains sluggish, “it stated.

It stated that China’s figures remain unchanged at 7.4per cent in 2014 and 7.2per cent next year.

Growth in India is also unchanged at 5.5per cent this year and 5.8per cent in 2015.

“Global oil demand growth in 2014 is anticipated to reach around 1.05 mb/d, unchanged from the previous report. Growth this year has been supported by positive performance of China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, offsetting lower-than-expected growth in some OECD regions, “it stated.

“Non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2014 is forecast at 1.68 mb/d, in line with the previous report. Growth was seen coming mainly from the US, Brazil and Canada, while Mexico, Indonesia and the UK are expected to see a decline. Non-OPEC supply is expected to increase by 1.24 mb/d in 2015. OPEC NGLs is seen growing by 0.2 mb/d in 2015 to average 6.03 mb/d, “it stated.

12

fashion

Rock The

Geometrics!

Y

es colour blocking and stripes are still rocking the fashion scene but, one design capable of making you look smart and slimmer are geometric patterns.

It’s highly street yet classy and can be used to sew everything from tops, to skirts, to pants, name it!

According to Icelandic designer, Sruli Recht who took his design further, he explains that it’s “The simplified disastery of polygonal geometry - breaking the body down into a pixelated memory.”

The clothes are made from “walnut wood material on a wool base.

Once grown, the wood is deconstructed into pieces, and then attached to a textile base, creating a material that is half wood, half textile, and completely fragmentary.”

Geometric patterns mostly come in silk prints, sometimes stretchy materials, Chiffon, Velvet, Wool, including cottons, and are good for every skin tone and body mass.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

13

people

I’m A Business Woman, No Time For Boys!Stephannie Okeke (Youngest Designer, 2013) with African prints, and they ordered for more than twenty pieces. We’ve gotten a lot of orders it’s hard to say how many.

There’s been a lot. Thank God.

No, she’s not Stepanie Okereke the popular Nollywood actress! Hers is Stephanie Okeke, the young, beautiful and talented youngest designer 2013. Stephannie Okeke is an 18 year old designer, and the Creative Director of the Sally Intiego label design, and her work is that unique that it won her The Youngest Designer, 2013. In this interview, she talks about her brand and how she started, how she won the award, her plan for school and fashion label among others. Read on:

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

W

here did you grow up?

I grew up both in Lagos and London.

Although I also have the Nigerian culture imbibed in me, my mentality is different because of my experiences. My childhood was good; I grew up with my mum and my grandmom and cousins.

So at what age did you leave Nigeria?

I left when I was 9 and came back at 14.

How did you come about your fashion sense?

When I was younger, my grandfather would always laugh at how every other child would look really nice with their cute hairstyles but I would always have a big Afro with beads on it. Everything about me was different. I liked to watch fashion TV. In fact, I had thought I would be a model but as time went on, I grew out of it and realised I was more fascinated by designing clothes than modelling.

And you started building your brand?

Honestly it was God because I was just talking to my mom about my career after I finished from secondary school. I told her I wanted to be a fashion designer and go to a fashion school. It was just a random talk then, a family friend of ours was having a fashion show

How do you get your materials?

I go to markets and whenever I travel out of the country, I shop for fabrics and sewing materials.

Where do you sew them?

I have a small factory where we sew. I have five tailors who sew after I’m through with designing. I also consult and make sure they sew it to my satisfaction.

to unveil her brand and she said I could come showcase at her fashion show. So I showcased and that was my first show. I met a lady that really liked my designs and that was how she started inviting me for fashion shows in Lagos; people started noticing me and started inviting me to do different shows. I’ve showcased my designs in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

Your hair is huge. How did you come about it?

It’s my style and I’m very unique with it. If you see me on a regular day, I’m a very quiet person but there must be one thing that’ll be glamorous about me. Like whenever I go out with my Ankara hair and people see my hair they complain it’s too colourful or they ask themselves if it’s Ankara.

As a young girl, how did people accept you in the fashion world?

It was difficult at first because a lot of people expect me to be a certain age before going into being a designer, and even till now, people still discriminate. Some people have heard about my brand name and whenever they meet me, they are surprised. Some even doubt my age and I used to get messages just to get me to prove my age because they think I’m older. But after getting several messages about my age and I kept talking and talking, one day, I got tired of trying to prove my age. I just left everyone to thoughts and faced my job. I am who I am.

PHOTO By Terna Iwar

What about the acceptance of your brand?

It wasn’t easy either because there are many brands which are also growing. So people ask why my own brand should survive the competition and went to be the best young designer in Nigeria. I think it was just God. I won the Young Designer of The Year 2013 and loads of designers ask why they should bring me to their show instead of a main designer. So I tell them that I’m unique and God has blessed me, and when they

get to see my designs, they end up accepting me.

So how many people have ordered your designs?

I get orders. I have an outlet in Lekki and people buy upfront or they call and order. So I send it to them depending on what they want. My orders always take 3-5 working days depending on what it is. I’m based in Abuja and for instance, I got an order from a lady who got into the country and basically wanted just jackets and trousers

How do you feel whenever you see your friends getting into school while you’re busy with fashion?

Sometimes I feel like stopping and going to school. But I feel fortunate to be able to start my career before getting a degree. I am grateful to God for the success of my career. I’ve actually been going back and forth London College of Fashion and my career. I currently have two certificates from the courses I took. I intend going back soon. I also plan on doing short courses on other topics aside fashion. Remember that not everyone’s path is the same. Our very own Folorunsha Alakija doesn’t have a university degree and is the richest woman in Africa. If people take time out to research on business moguls who don’t have a university degree and yet have dominated the business world they’ll be shocked as to how many well known names will show up. These people chased their dreams and didn’t let go when they had it. It paid off greatly. I am not saying I don’t want a university degree, and I am not encouraging people to forsake higher education. I love education and I definitely intend getting a degree in Psychology later in the future.

So how does your mother feel about you not going to school?

Like every mother she would have preferred I go get a degree first but the success of my brand has been her encouragement and also I’ve explained to her that I’ll definitely get a degree soon. She has been very under-

standing and has been a huge support I thank God for that.

Do you look this elegant all the time?

Not always although I like looking good, and different. My image matters and I don’t want to be seen not representing my brand well all the time.

You are just 19 and you look all grown up. Don’t you feel older and how do guys react whenever they meet you?

No I don’t feel older. I tell them I’m a business woman and don’t have time to be wooed by guys. So I just keep a straight face and be nice.

Whenever I meet guys and they pass complements, I just smile and say thank you. Whenever they ask for my number, I give them my complimentary card. I am generally a very nice person but I have boundaries.

Don’t you think guys would perceive you to be proud?

I don’t think so, but its fine if they do.

And you don’t care what they think about you?

It’s not that I don’t care but at this age, I have a lot to achieve so I can’t dwell on things like that.

So you don’t have a boyfriend?

No. Aah, tell that to the birds.

Better don’t deny your boyfriend in public I don’t just want to talk about my personal life here.

What’s your future plan for your brand?

As a brand, we are working towards owning a flagship store in Nigeria and other retail stores across the world so our customers will have better accessibility to our products. We are also working on going into more menswear, children’s wear and accessories.

How does it feel being the young designer of the year 2013?

It’s a fulfilling feeling. I was elected for it. Someone just sent me a text and told me they would like to give me the award. I was proud of myself because I knew I deserved it.

health

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

14

Tales, Joy, Pain And Reality Of Parenting Children With Down Syndrome

I

t is a challenging life for parents who have children with Down Syndrome.

Besides the task of having to devote maximum time to care of them because they are special children, the slowness of the child’s growth compared to other kids is nothing compared to the medical, social, name-calling and societal challenges. Lara Adejoro writes As she came for this year’s awareness week organised by the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, (DSFN) recently, Mrs. Oluwakemi Titilola Fasuyi, was hopeful she is not alone in the fight. To her, she has a new family to encourage her and she had to assure herself that she has no regrets that Praise Oluwajomiloju Fasuyi was given to her as a gift from God. Narrating her story to our reporter, Mrs. Fasuyi said, she was taken aback when she could not observe any biological and behavioural development in her seven-month-old baby, she sought for help from a nurse whom she considers her confidant but referred her to the hospital she had Praise.

“I gave birth to her in March, 2014 and when she was 3 months-old, I expected some changes in her, her neck could not be controlled and it didn’t come even on). I had a friend who is a nurse and I complained to her and she told me to see my doctor and the doctor told me she has Down syndrome.”

The word ‘Down Syndrome’ was a bolt from the blue to her and weighed her down, “That day, I thought heaven and earth was coming to an end.”

With tears rolling down her cheeks, she explained that from that day, life has never been the same as there are challenges of having to cater for her and three other siblings. “As a special child, taking care of her is demanding, I’ve not been doing anything since. I’ve been at home with her for 6 months without doing anything.

“I was told that she is a special child and I should not expect her to grow like every other child. I have to take appropriate care of her, clothe her properly.

“It’s been challenging fi-

‘‘

...People look at them as strange. When I’m with him, people stare and I stare back. I’m not embarrassed to be seen with him, he is my child and he was given to me for a purpose. I’m only sorry for those who do not understand. A lot of people blame it on juju, witchcraft and all kinds of superstition nonsense, it

,,

happens and God does not make mistakes... nancially but God is faithful.

Someone introduced me to DSFN and seeing people here is encouraging despite the disapprovals I get from people. People keep asking why she’s not growing like every other child and I tell them not to worry that everything will be fine. With this new family, I am relieved.”

For Mr Muyiwa Majekodunmi, father of BJ Olumakinwa who just turned 26, he was already prepared for the task ahead.

“When I was in the university, I had a friend who had a brother with DS and each time

I go to the house, I relate well with him not knowing that somehow, I was going to have a child with DS. God has prepared me for this.”

Relating his experience, Mr Majekodunmi said, “BJ was born in October 24, 1988 at Duro Soleye Hospital, Ikeja. I can’t really remember what my initial reaction was but I was only surprised not shocked. He looked differently and a doctor told us there was a condition called Down syndrome because God gives you and you just take it like that.”

For him, BJ is unique, there

is none like him and none can be compared with him.

“I can’t compare him with other children because he has his own unique characters, features, purpose and mission and he brings me so much joy.”

Though, it has been challenging but he said, “Despite medical, social, societal challenges, I have learnt to live in it and hope for the best. It’s not been easy but I thank God.” Stigmatisation The proud father of BJ is never embarrassed about people seeing him with his son.

“People look at them as strange.

When I’m with him, people stare and I stare back. I’m not embarrassed to be seen with him, he is my child and he was given to me for a purpose. I’m only sorry for those who do not understand. A lot of people blame it on juju, witchcraft and all kinds of superstitious beliefs, it happens and God does not make mistakes.”

There Is Hope Giving hope to those who think having a child with DS is the end of the road, Mr Majekodunmi said, “you can only get

yourself in God and not man. I know it’s tough but with God all things are possible. I’ve lived my life on the support of God. “The parents of these children need to accept them, they are not strangers, if you don’t accept your child, how do you expect the society to accept him or her? Challenges will come, we just need to be stronger in faith and be sure that these children have a better future.”

Down syndrome is also known as trisomy 21. It is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability.

DS is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide.

Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

Early intervention, proper care and awareness have been shown to improve quality of life.

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

15

health Study: Black Women Undergoing IVF Fare Worse

B

lack women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) are only about half as likely as white women to become pregnant using the popular assisted reproduction technique, new research indicates, and the racial disparity persists even when donor eggs are used.

In the study on MedlinePlus, about 31 percent of white patients became pregnant after IVF, compared to about 17 percent of black patients.

Analyzing more than 4,000 IVF cycles over two years to tease out the impact of race, scientists from University of

Chicago also found that miscarriage after IVF -- where eggs and sperm are joined in a lab and implanted in the woman’s uterus -- occurred twice as often among blacks than whites.

These racial differences remained even though the researchers controlled for factors affecting pregnancy such as age, body-mass index (BMI, a measurement of weight vs. height), hormone levels and smoking. Asian women also experienced somewhat lower live birth rates than whites after IVF, but rates among Hispanic women were comparable to whites.

“We were just struck by these outcomes,” said study author Dr. Eve Feinberg, an assistant clinical professor at University of Chicago Medical Center and a physician at Fertility Centers of Illinois.

“They had been reported previously in other studies, but our study, which is quite large, really confirmed those other findings.”

In another study being presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting, researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York found that racial differences for IVF success persisted be-

tween white and black women even when donor eggs were used.

In that research, led by Dr. Lisa Carey Grossman, uterine conditions such as fibroids or prior cesarean surgery were taken into account. Because black women have higher incidences of such conditions, the scientists compared black and white egg donor recipients who had similar uterine histories.

Despite that, black women still experienced significantly lower embryo implantation rates than whites -- 30.4 percent compared to 36.3 percent, Grossman said.

Sleep Apnea Gear Doesn’t Squelch Sex Life, Study Says

Y

our sex life is unlikely to suffer because of sleep apnea treatment, according to a new study.

People with sleep apnea experience periods of disrupted breathing throughout sleep.

This can lead to daytime fatigue, high blood pressureand other health conditions.

The gold standard of sleep apnea treatment involves going to bed wearing a mask or nosepiece with a hose that’s attached to a machine that provides a steady stream of air to keep the airways open during sleep. This is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Infants Cries Linked With Cocaine Exposure During Pregnancy

A

new study on Science Daily has shown the first known evidence of how a similar acoustic characteristic in the cry sounds of human infants and rat pups may be used to detect the harmful effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on nervous system development.

The study was conducted

by University of North Carolina School of Medicine researchers as part of the Cocaine Affects MotherInfant Dyads (CAMID) research initiative.

“These findings are important because studies of prenatal drug exposure in humans are always limited by not knowing if infant nervous system damage was

due to the effects of a specific drug, such as cocaine, or the effects of other associated factors, such as maternal depression, poor prenatal care and other drug use, that are often linked with maternal drug use during pregnancy,” said Philip Sanford Zeskind, PhD, lead author of the study published in the journal PLOS ONE. “The discovery of the similar spectral characteristic in rat pup vocalizations will allow for translational analyses that can be used to detect the isolated effects of cocaine or similar drugs on brain limbic mechanisms common to humans, rodents and other mammals,” said Zeskind, a researcher at Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center

in Charlotte, North Carolina and a research professor of psychology and pediatrics at UNC. The CAMID project’s principal investigator, Josephine

M. Johns, PhD, professor of psychiatry and psychology at UNC, is a senior author of the PLOS ONE paper. The CAMID research group focuses on how drug abuse affects the

mother infant dyad on multiple levels. The work is funded in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Many patients who use CPAP believe it makes them less sexually attractive, which may make them less likely to comply with treatment, according to the researchers from Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago.

To find out more about how CPAP affects patients’ sex lives, the researchers surveyed 52 patients who were prescribed the treatment. Of those patients, 27 were compliant (meaning they used CPAP more than four hours a night on 70 percent of nights) and 25 were not compliant.

All were asked 10 questions related to physical and emotional aspects of lovemaking, the researchers said.

After adjusting for other factors, the investigators found that compliant and noncompliant patients had similar sexual quality-of-life scores.

The findings, published in the journal Chest, will be presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Austin, Texas.

“This study suggests that CPAP compliance does not impair sexual quality of life in patients with sleep apnea,” Dr. Mark Rosen, medical director of the college, said in an association news release.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Facts on Causes, Pills and Pumps is common in men with sleep apnea, but previous research has shown that CPAP improves erectile dysfunction in these patients, according to the college, MedicineNet.com reports.

sports

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

16

NFF Crisis

One Glass House, Two Landlords I t is uncertain whether or not the Super Eagles will have a single, double, or no coach against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their African Confederation Cup qualifier. MU’SODIQ ADEKUNLE mirrors new dimension taken by the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation.

At a point when sports enthusiasts’ calculated that the NFF was good to go and reshape the dwindling image of soccer in the country, another stroke hit through an injunction granted through a Federal High Court in Jos. Justice Ambrose Alagoa of the Federal High Court in Jos had on Thursday annulled the September 30 NFF election in Warri, Delta State.

Alagoa also declared as null and void the NFF Elective Congress on that day, thereby restoring to power the Chris Giwa-led board, which was elected in Abuja on August 26, meaning the board led

by Amaju Pinnick should vacate office.

Justice Allagoa said, “I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September.

“Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. It’s not enough to say that the order of court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox it’s subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains law and must be respected.

“Defendants in this matter have not filed any counter affidavits in this court to contest the facts. There is neither motion nor Memorandum of Appearance. This is a court of Record. On this note, the court has no option to protect the integrity and sanctity of court. Court orders are not tea party. Nobody is above the law. Impunity must be stopped.”

Some persons had on behalf of Chris Giwa, who maintained he was elected NFF president on August 26, took the matter to court even though FIFA statutes forbid football matters to be deliberated in a civil court.

At present, the original owner and controller of the NFF Glass house (headquarters) is undecided. The two factions share its command with different backings. It would be recalled that FIFA did not recognise the election of Giwa and warned his supporters to vacate the NFF office in Abuja. In July, Nigeria was suspended briefly after another Jos court sacked the NFF then led by Aminu

Maigari and the country’s sports minister appointed a civil servant to run the federation.

After the suspension, Nigeria was warned not to put itself into danger of FIFA ban but seems to have jettison such it engaged in another risk. World football governing body FIFA has warned that “should anything hinder the newlyelected NFF executive committee led by Pinnick from operating, they will move for an automatic ban for the country till the next FIFA congress in May”.

However, the crisis rocking the country’s football administration took another dimension on Friday when the Ambassador Chris Giwa-led faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board dissolved all the committees set up by the Amaju Pinnick executive committee and constituted new team to run the different sections of the federation.

The Giwa board also took over the NFF secretariat following Thursday’s ruling by a Jos Federal High Court, which ordered the return of the status quo before the September 30 election that brought in the Amaju Pinnick led board in Warri.

This came despite Pinnink-led board’s appeal and application for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Jos High Court, claiming that it had no jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first place.

In a communiqué issued by the board at the end of the meeting, the board said it has nullified all decisions taken by the Amaju Pinnick led board whom they accused of usurping the NFF since September 30.

The Giwa faction in a statement signed by Yahaya Adama also declared as illegal all the appointments made by Pinnick and his team, noting that they have all been dissolved with immediate effect. Among the decision it rescinded was the sack of Coach Stephen Keshi.

With the decision and the confusion created by it, it is not likely that Super Eagles will have a coach against South Africa. Sources confirmed that Keshi has open talk with Ethopian Football Federation to take a coaching job. “If the job succeeds, Keshi may find it hard to return to Nigeria because he does not like how he is been treated in Nigeria,” the source said.

Also, Amodu may not be able to proceed with Eagles job as his employers have been sacked. If he proceeds, strong indication emerged that he will not be recognized and paid unless the court accepts the prayer of the Pinnick led NFF on Wednesday.

Again, Edo, Zamfara, Others Shun National School Sports Festival

By Mu’sodiq Adekunle

F

or some years, states like Edo, Enugu, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Benue, Bayelsa and even the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have not been represented at the annual festival.

This was revealed by the President of Nigeria School Sports Federation, Ibrahim Mohammed while expressing concern over the continuous refusal of the seven states’ governments to sponsor their students to the annual NSSF sports festival.

He regretted that most of the people depriving the present students the opportunity of taking part in the event were beneficiaries during their time.

“I don’t know the reason these same leaders, who benefited from this scheme during their own time, are today denying the students the opportunity to experience the same thing. It is wrong to

throw away the ladder after climbing up.

“We must not deprive the youths of Nigeria the opportunity to mix with their counterparts from other parts of the country. The right of the children to play must not be taken away from them by adults,” he said.

He disclosed that the event, which is slated to take place in Oturkpo, Benue State, from November 6 to November 16, was tagged ‘Mark of Excellence Games’ in honour of the Senate president, David Mark, for his interest and contributions to developing the youths.

The president, who disclosed that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved N25 million to help the federation organize the games, stated that the organizing committee has received enormous response from some states’ governments, who have assured of the presence of their students, adding that a total of 8,000 students will take part in 19 sporting events.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

17

sports

Falcons Emerge First African Team To Qualify For AWC Stories By Mu’sodiq Adekunle

T

he Super Falcons has emerged as the first African team to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada after beating South Africa 2-1 in one of the semi final matches at the ongoing Africa Women’s Championship in Namibia.

The Falcons also booked a place in the final of the competition as a first half brace from Asisat Oshoala earned the Nigerians the win in their ninth meeting with the Bayana Bayana before a controversial Nompumelelo Nyandeni’s goal reduced the tally.

To this end, President of world football governing body Sepp Blatter congratulated Nigeria’s senior women’s team for being the first African team to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The FIFA boss wrote the message on twitter after the Falcons’ 2-1 win over South Africa in the semi final of the ongoing African Women’s Championship in Namibia.

Two goals from 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup highest goal scorer, Asisat Oshoala, berthed the six-time African champions in Canada for their seventh consecutive appearance at the event.

Nigeria Registers 16 Athletes For Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship

P

resident of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, has said the Federation has registered 16 athletes for the sixth edition of the championship,

He said he was sure the country will win medals at the maiden Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship holding next month in Edinburgh, Scotland.

He said, “It is a big festival for Commonwealth nations; the 64 nations that are known to be affiliated with Commonwealth Taekwondo Union and we expect a large turnout particularly from the big ones, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and of course, the various parts of the British Isle i.e.

Scotland, Wales and England.

“So, Nigeria will be one of several countries. The number of expected competitors this year is 500 plus, which makes it extremely competitive.”

The NTF boss said the country has athletes experienced enough to excel at both the senior and junior events of the championship.

He added, “We have Uche Chukwumerejie, current African Games champion and the captain of the national team.

We have Chika Chukwumerejie, who himself is still the top rated athlete in the country according to the World federation rating.

“We have people who are potential medalists mixed with the junior team for the first time. We are building up this team to replace the old athletes. I may make bold to say that I expect medals in particular from the junior team because of their antecedent.”

Who Will Be The FIFA Women’s World Player, Coach?

F

IFA and France Football have announced the names of the players and coaches on the shortlists for these awards. The final decisions will be made, as usual, by the captains and head coaches of the women’s national teams as well as by international media representatives selected by FIFA.

The shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or (best male player) and the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s

Football awards will be revealed in four days’ time on 28 October 2014.

The winners of all the awards will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 12 January 2015, during which the FIFA FIFPro World XI, the FIFA Puskás Award (for the most beautiful goal of the year), the FIFA Presidential Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented.

The list of ten female players has been drawn up by experts from FIFA’s

Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ as well as a group of experts from France Football.

The list of ten coaches has been drawn up by experts from FIFA’s Football Committee and Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football.

Women’s shortlists for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014: Nadine Angerer (Germany), Veronica Boquete (Spain), Nilla Fischer (Sweden), Nahomi Kawasumi (Japan), Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Aya Miyama (Japan), Louisa Necib (France), Lotta Schelin (Sweden), Abby Wambach (USA).

Contenders for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2014: Philippe Bergeroo (France/ France national team), Peter Dedevbo (Nigeria/Nigeria U-20 national team), Laura Harvey (England/Seattle Reign FC), Ralf Kellermann (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team), Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/Sweden national team), Asako Takemoto Takakura (Japan/Japan U-17 national team), Jorge Vilda (Spain/Spain U-17 national team and U-19 national team), Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany/ Switzerland national team).

18

leisure

Rasaq Okoya Shows Affection To Sade In Public

By Isaac Oguntoye

S

aying that Sade Okoya is the undisputed numero uno of Alhaji Rasaq Okoya’s heart is like stating the very obvious fact. But the news here is that the prominent society lady and her jewel, Alhaji Rasaq Okoya, couldn’t keep their hands off each other even in public view and glare, making it clear that the duo are not ready to compromised their love for anything despite Alhaji Okoya’s old age.

Looking through this shot, this isn’t the regular of what you have seen of the notable socialite especially in public.

Ever since Shade replaced the first and second wives, Alhaja Kuburat and Wosila,t she has been his most favourite as they both attend every

hot gig in town together. Recently the romeo and juliet were spotted at Landmark event centre during the holy solemnisation of Anuoluwapo Atinuke and her heartthrob of many years, Nosike Chukwudi, holding and gazing at each other without minding whether or not anybody was staring.

Alhaji was all over the mother of two girls, Olamide and Aminat, even dragging her to meet and take pictures with his old time friends.

As you well know, the Okoyas are one of the most prominent families within the Nigerian social establishment. They have very visible and conspicuous landmark projects across the length and breadth of Lagos. But in recent years, they have made more headlines purely because of their social lifestyle than for their economic significance.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

Does Tosin Bucknor Have A Perfect Bikini Body?

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

T

his is the first time we’d seen popular on air personality, Tosin Bucknor go

so daring!

Apparently she’d conquered her shyness and decided to flaunt what her mama gave her...which is good because you just have to be a Tosin Bucknor to pull this kind of pose.

But, while we are happy that she’d overcome her shyness yet, we disagree about this body she flaunted...sharing such a pic is un-African so, we are going to judge her by the standard of the oyinbos (the white).

Yes, her boobs are on point, likewise her tummy; as flat as a slate. Yet, her waist is not curvy enough, it’s just straight and so, it’s a no no! Meanwhile, let’s not forget that smile...

FAZE: Can He Pose With Nigerian Cameramen Like This?

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

W

hat’s with Nigerians and our preference for anything white?

Well, it’s no longer news that Nigerian celebs now prefer to feature coloured and white girls than blacks in their videos.

Faze is presently in South Africa shooting and he wants us to know that the people in charge are white guys. What difference does it make anyway? God help him and the video comes out perfect for the song else, it wont matter whether it was shot by a white man from the space or a black man from Jupiter.

We got this picture from Faze’s DP and we were like, so? Can he also pose with black cameramen and use it as his DP like this?

These guys are cameramen! just that they are white.

Come to think of it, he’s shot several hit videos with black cameramen and he didn’t pose with them for pictures not to talk of using them on his DP like this!

Nigerian artistes and their wahala!

Rita Dominic Wins Best Actress GIAMA 2014

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

S

unday, Oct.26, was perhaps one of Rita Dominic’s happiest day as the actress woke up into the waiting arms of a good news.

Rita was among those nominated in the ‘Best Actress’ for the 2014 Golden Icons Movie Academy Awards (GIAMA) for the movie, ‘Iyore’. She was nominated alongside the likes of Nse Ikpe Etim for the movie Purple Rose, Chioma Akpotha – Accident, Omoni Oboli – Being Mrs Elliot, Jackie Appiah – Sisters at War, Ini Edo – Nkasi the village fighter, and Clarion Chukwurah – Apaye.

From the pack of the nominations, Rita won and the actress has been over the top for the win!

Tweeting through her Twitter handle she wrote; “Woke up to good news that I won the Best Actress award at the 2014 GIAMAs last night in Houston for Frank Raja’s IYORE

movie. I’m honored”.

She then went ahead to thank the organisers and congratulate others who were also nominated and won; “Thanks to the organizers of GIAMA. Had hoped to attend but was unable to.I’m excited nonetheless. Congrats to all the winners and nominees”.

Congrats to her!

What You Can’t Take Away From Hon. Abike Dabiri

By Isaac Oguntoye

H

on. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri Erewa has continued to distinguish herself as a virtuous, respected, trustworthy woman with strong values, ability to achieve results and a woman worthy of emulation.

The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora is fast becoming a more respected socialite as we’ve discovered she now takes time to honour virtually every invitation despite her busy schedule.

Her weekends are now fully booked as she’s always spot-

ted at one event or the other.

But one thing you can’t take away from the three-time member of the lower legislative chambers, is her husband’s presence at every gig she attends.

Another thing is that, they most times adorn themselves in the same attire and make sure they sit side-by-side, chatting and laughing, giving no room to intruders.

Our paparazzi’s lens caught up with the duo penultimate weekend at the traditional wedding of Chief Samuel Adedoyin’s daughter, and we were wowed at the way the duo felt comfortable in each other’s presence.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

19

holiday destination

Zimbabwe

By Iyanu- Oni Orisan

Z

imbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.

It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. The capital is Harare.

Zimbabwe achieved de jure sovereignty from the United Kingdom in April 1980, following 14 years as an unrecognised state under the conservative white minority government of Rhodesia, which unilaterally declared independence in 1965.

The name “Zimbabwe” is based on a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, an ancient ruined city in the country’s southeast whose remains are now a protected site.

The country is mostly savannah, although the moist and mountainous east supports tropical evergreen and hardwood forests.

As one of Africa’s most beautiful destinations, Zimbabwe has been off the mainstream tourism radar for years.

Tourism collapsed when white farmers were driven from their land, and famine and hyperinflation ensued.

Since adopting the U.S. dollar as its currency in 2009, economic healing has slowly begun, with foreign investment driving much of the recovery.

Now, the country’s stunning natural and cultural attractions are recapturing the attention of both foreign travelers and investors keen to capitalize on that interest.

Here are some spots that have attracted tourists the most in the last five years Harare Harare is a busy working African city but it’s also a city that is attractive and well designed with wide avenues and numerous open spaces and parks.

Flowers, shrubs and trees are in abundance and when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom (September and October) the city is full of purple blooms.

Situated high on Zimbabwe’s central plateau the air feels crisp and clear and whilst many will not want to spend extensive time in the city, it is certainly pleasant for an overnight stop.

There are various places of interest to explore, such as the Botanical Gardens which have

‘Great’ Zimbabwe more than 900 species of trees and shrubs from all over the country.

The National Gallery has Shona soft stone carvings as well as exhibits from all over the world whilst the National Archives houses notebooks, diaries and more from some of the most famous African explorers.

Zimbabwe is known for its beautiful craft work and a fun way to spend an afternoon is browsing through the curio stalls admiring the basketry, carvings and intricate beadwork on offer.

With a collection of comfortable hotels and guesthouses and some excellent restaurants a night in Harare is invariably an enjoyable experience.

Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe is located southeast of the town of Masvingo and is one of the best preserved stone cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The site itself is 722 hectares and the name is derived from Shona words meaning houses of stone.

The ruins have been the subject of heated debate over the years from the early Europeans believing Africans could not have built them to Cecil Rhodes attributing the ruins to the Phoenicians. Historians believe that the first structures were erected around AD1100 and these were added to up until the 15th century with the purpose being more religious and political rather than for fortification.

The city was developed over the years as a tribute to a long succession of rulers whose

kingdom stretched far and wide and was situated at a key trading position which lead to great wealth.

At its peak it is thought to be home to some 18,000 people who traded in cloth, beads and ceramics from Arabia and China, via traders from East Africa, for gold, ivory and copper.

Lake Kariba By volume, Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world; it is over 140 miles long and up to 20 miles in width.

It is located on the Zambezi River, about halfway between the river’s source and mouth, about 800 miles upstream from the Indian Ocean, and lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 following the completion of the Kariba Dam, flooding the Kariba Gorge on the Zambezi River.

Before Lake Kariba was filled, the existing vegetation was burned, creating a thick layer of fertile soil on land that would become the lake bed.

As a result the ecology of Lake Kariba is vibrant, including fish such as the kapenta and tiger fish, crocodile, hippopotamus and abundant birdlife such as the fish eagle and cormorant.

A particularly atmospheric and beautiful lake, Lake Kariba will no doubt enchant you with spectacular sunsets and dramatic vistas.

Victoria Falls The small town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is less than two kilometres south of the

Zambezi River and the border to Zambia.

Until Zimbabwe’s political problems surfaced, it was the place to stay to see the waterfalls and the town was buzzing and vibrant.

Whilst the past few years saw troubled times for the country, Victoria Falls Town was one of the few areas that managed to retain a semblance of a tourism industry.

Recently the town has really begun to come to life again with hotels receiving refurbishments and new restaurants opening. The streets are now busy and everything from washing powder to wooden curios are readily available in local shops and stalls.

The town has a number of hotels, including the famous Victoria Falls Hotel which was always was, and still is, the place to have tea on the terrace.

You can walk to the Falls from many of the hotels and enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the rainforest pathways with the backdrop of chattering monkeys.

Easily reached from the parks in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, Victoria Falls Town is once again, a wonderful start or end to any safari.

Hwange National Park Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe.

Located on the border with Botswana, its 1.4 million hectares are home to a rich variety of different habitats, vegetation and wildlife.

The park’s mopane and teak woodlands, grasslands and scrub areas provide a true wil-

derness experience and some fantastic game viewing opportunities.

Hwange was proclaimed a national park over 75 years ago and is known for its herds of buffalo and elephant and a huge diversity of over 100 different mammal species.

Black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, baboon, porcupine, aardwolf, spotted hyena, caracal, leopard, African wildcat, lion, southern giraffe, hippo, warthog and Burchell’s zebra are all found in Hwange to name just a few!

The large numbers of plains game and antelope in the park provide a rich source of food for the predators. A number of white rhino have also recently been reintroduced to Hwange.

The park boasts superb birdlife. Kalahari birds are found here including red-billed spurfowl, crimson-breasted shrike, Kalahari scrub-robin, cut-throat finch, red-eyed bulbul and southern pied babbler.

The plains are alive with pipits, larks and wheatears while raptors including the martial eagle are also plentiful. In the summer months the bird list is greatly increased by migratory species like southern carmine bee-eaters, black kites and broad-billed rollers.

Mana Pools National Park On the middle reaches of the Zambezi River, a hundred kilometres below Lake Kariba is the Mana Pools National Park situated in the heart of the Zambezi Valley.

It is a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, floodplains, the tree canopy and the

mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment over the border in Zambia. The park covers 2000km² and much of it is inaccessible except of foot making it a truly unspoilt habitat.

This stretch of the Zambezi River is famous for its four pools: Main, Chine, Long and Chisambuk, which are remnants of channels of the river which stopped flowing years ago. These and smaller seasonal pools dotted further inland hold water all year round, drawing a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. Riverine forest fringes the river and pools and huge old acacia trees provide a shady canopy for the vegetation below. This beautiful area is Zimbabwe’s second world heritage site.

The area is renowned for large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the dry season when they concentrate along the river. The protein rich seed pods of the ana trees provide vital sustenance for many species and are a favourite food for elephant.

Predators are regularly sighted and the birdlife is superb, particularly for both mopane woodland and riverine species with numerous local specials like collared palm-thrush, racket-tailed roller, purple-banded sunbird and black-throated wattle-eyes.

Mana Pools has large tracts of wilderness with no roads and therefore only accessible on foot. Walking safaris here are lead by some of Africa’s most experienced guides and reveal big game as well as many smaller things such as animal tracks, insects and brightly coloured birds.

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

20

news metro

PONMO: Eating Your Exportable Shoes

By Joy Ekeke

T

he reactions to the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria may have concluded plans to stop the sale and widespread consumption of hides and skins, popularly known in Nigeria as ‘ponmo’ which is a delicacy to most Nigerians even more than beef was sharp.

Federal government’s intention became obvious when the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who was represented by the Director, Animal Production and Husbandry in the Ministry, Dr. Ademola Raji, called for competent regulations that would check the consumption and sale of ponmo.

He made this known during the 3rd joint anniversary of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and Nigeria Institute of Animal Science held at the University of Ibadan.

He noted that if this idea is achieved in the country, livestock farmers would be able to get awesome dollars in return, stressing that if the hides and skins are tanned into leather, they will become more useful. ‘’I commend NIAS for its advocacy and public enlightenment programs on Radio and Television that promote value addition in Livestock, as against sale and consumption of primary products alone, particularly with the issue of curtailing the widespread consumption of hides and skins as ponmo which ought to be tanned into leather for a very high dollar return to the farmer and Tanneries. ”I expect that competent regulations acceptable by all stakeholders will be developed so as to give credibility that our set standards for food safety are being implemented which will boost value.

He said, “I am confident that the satisfactory production levels achieved in the poultry and swine segments will soon stretch to reach other commodi-

ties such as beef, dairy, micro livestock and animal by products such as leather, bones, hides and skins. ”The drive to turn Agriculture into business and not merely a way of life is now in full gear, with the use of mobile phones and e- wallet for input distribution directly to farmers, farmer’s registration with biometric identity cards and the Growth Enhancement Support scheme.

“We have all seen the revolution in Rice production and processing; in cassava, sorghum and cotton that have increased output per hectare, through the supply of high quality raw materials to revive industries that have hitherto closed down”, he added.

However, the social media went agog with the news that the Federal Government is making moves to ban the consumption of animal hides (ponmo), as it is called.

Few really know or care why this measure has been embarked upon, it was turned into politics as the opposition party accused the government of insensitivity and the intention to further stifle the poor in the country.

Mrs. Victoria Edeth popularly known as Mama Calabar, a food vendor at Ajegunle, Lagos said, “Me sef hear am say them wan ban ponmo because of leather, dem wan spoil business for the food sellers be that oo. Most customers like eating their food with ponmo, some may even buy little food and plenty ponmo. Na only meat and fish we go come dey sell? Make government no try am o. Na from that ponmo we dey make our money and even sef my pikin no dey play with ponmo at all!”

It would be recalled that the move to ban ponmo has been under deliberation for quite a while, and the reason for this is simple: Nigeria is losing potential revenue because its citizens would rather eat ponmo rather than process it into something of far more commercial value.

Basically, the Federal government

wants the hides of animals to be converted into leather, which will fetch more revenue for animal farmers as well as contribute to the country GDP. That was the message of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.

In his reaction to the news, an okada rider, Babatunde Yinka said that, “anytime I go out with my friend at weekend, at our local beer joint, the first thing we do is to eat ponmo sauce with pepper before taking our beer. Does the federal government want us to be eating leather while drinking our beer now?

A woman selling ponmo at Suru/ Alaba Market, Lagos simply called Mama Bomboy asked, “If thousands of Nigerian women and the poor ones are displaced from their jobs with this ban, are there provisions to put them to work in other related industries. As they are thinking of banning it, they should also be thinking of providing job for us.

“This is what I know how to do best, if they take the business from us, how are we going to survive as an old woman, you mean I should start looking for another business to engage myself at this age?,” she lamented.

Madam Bukola Olawale who buys ponmo from abattoir in a large quantity and sell to retailers said, “In this ponmo business, I have trained my two boys to higher institution, and I still have three children to train as a widow. If it is now banned, how will I raise my other three children as well as take care of the other two in higher institution? It will be good

if the government also consider our plight before taking that step.

A Medical Doctor at St Joseph Hospital, Dr Jim Ebhomien said, “Ponmo is not really dangerous to human health if properly washed and cooked. The major issue there is that if it is not well washed and cooked, it can harbour all this micro organism like tape worms because it is more like leather and it takes a longer time to cook.

“It does not have any form of nutrition. It really does benefit the body, other than helping to moves the bowel, to help human to patch faeces. It cleans the stomach; again, I repeat that it is not beneficial in human body.

The Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) also argued that scientifically ponmo does not have any nutritional value to human health.

Damilola Aphary, a graduate stated that, “once I wash my ponmo and boil it very well, it is good to eat. It has no nutrient but I just love the feeling when I chew it as it absorbs soup and sauce very well.

It is a great delicacy and an important ingredient in the preparation of several stews in various cultures in Nigeria. For example, it is a core component in Edikaikong and efo riro.

Dr Kennedy Uzodima agreed that ponmo contains mainly collagen which is mainly protein found in skin, but not rich in protein, compare to muscles.

Speaking further, he said, “if ponmo is properly prepared, it is very safe, it’s even safer than red meat, what makes it dangerous to human health only de-

pends on what is used in preparing it.

Well, it may just be related to the way they wash it but if however the end users (eaters) wash and prepare them well on their own, I don’t see any hazard in eating it.

However, a nutritionist, Mrs Chika Uruakpa said, “Let me give you the nutritional analysis of a 40 gram piece of ponmo: Calories (150g); Total fat (4g); Saturated fat (1g); Poly saturated fat (0g); Mono saturated fat (0g); Trans fat (0g); Cholesterol (0g); Sodium (0mg); Potassium (0mg); Total carbohydrate (0g); Dietary fibre (0g); Sugars (0 per cent); Proteins (0 per cent); Vitamin A (0 per cent); Vitamin C (0 per cent); Calcium (0 per cent); Iron (0 per cent).

From this analysis, you will see that ponmo is completely lacking in all nutrients.

“In addition to this, during the production process of ponmo, the hides and skin are usually subjected to naked flames so as to enable the hides to burn off the skin. During the burning process, a lot of different unhygienic substances such as trash, wood, charcoal, rubber tires and so on, are thrown into the furnace to sustain the blazing heat.

As the furnace burns, the combusting wood, gas, or charcoal emits chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which finds its way into the smoked food and contaminates it.

“All these particles are, in fact, an irritant to our digestive systems because we are not naturally intended to inhale or consume smoke particles. Just as you wouldn’t want to eat cigarette ends, eating smoked foods puts you at similar risks as smoking and also contains many of the same chemicals found in cigarettes.

“Yes, ponmo is a delicacy, but the nutritional values and the health implications of consuming smoked foods may begin to make us look in another direction”, she said.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

21

metro (north)

Tunga Malam Hassan: Still Awaiting FCTA’s Intervention

By Augustine Aminu

H

istory shows that Tungan Malam Hassan, meaning the town of Malam Hassan, came into existence about 100 years ago. The father of the community, Malam Hassan who died 50 years ago found the place and named it after himself.

He had first settled in Tunga Tsaka before he decided to look for a more comfortable and conducive area to settle down and raise his family.

Stories has it that Malam Hassan had three children, Salihu, Kande and Dikko but before he died made it known to all that his relation, Malam Mohammed Abdullahi should take over the mantle of leadership when he is gone.

However, 100 years after he founded his very own town, Tunga

Malam Hassan and 50 years after his death, the settlement was yet to have a taste of true civilisation.

Though few kilometers from Zuba, situated near the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the people of Tunga Malam Hassan still yearn for the good things of life, which makes life comfortable and enjoyable.

The village head, Malam Mohammed Abdullahi, said that the challenge being faced by the community can be solved through government intervention.

He said he believes that the problem of the village can be solved with the provision of basic amenities like access road, portable water and health care facilities.

Abdullahi, who proudly says that his community and those around him can be called food baskets of the FCT, said his people were predominantly farmers who cultivate

yam, guinea corn, soya beans, cassava and even rice, adding that an access road to bring the farm produce to the city pose the greatest challenge to the farmers.

“We are not hungry; we are farmers; we like to work; we cultivate so many things; we have the energy to work; we don’t complain when we see work. We just need accessible road to take our products to Zuba and its environs, places where these produce are truly needed. Sometimes, we will have our produce worth N5, 000 but motorists may demand about N3, 000 because of the bad roads which leaves us with almost nothing at the end of the day.

Abdullahi believes that with accessible road, their produce will be taken outside to people that need it, and that many who wants to buy whole sale can have access to the village to get the farm produce straight from the farm.

The leader of the village also posited the issue of education as another challenge that the village was facing.

Abdullahi said that there was no school within the community, saying that children of school age in the community have to trek for kilometers to go to school.

He said, “The children in the community have to trek to the nearby village, Shenegun, to get their primary school education and all the way to Zuba for their secondary school education. “ Some of the children rear cows, but even as they do, they are so eager to learn but there are no places that can meet the need of such children like nomadic education.’’

Another issue the village head mentioned was the issue of electricity. He said that the village has never had electricity.

“We have to go to Zuba to charge

the phones we have. Some people can’t afford to buy generators but with the removal of fuel subsidy, I hardly hear the sound of generators now,” Abdullahi said.

The people in the community have to rely on a single bore hole for the water need of the community which makes many wonder what would be their fate if the bore hole suddenly packed up.

“We get our waters from streams too. We have tried to dig well around our community but it seems we are not destined to have wells because our environment is surrounded with stones which makes it difficult for digging and for water to come out, ” Mohammed, one of the youths in the community said.

Daily Times also observed that the people of Tungan Malam Hassan take care of their security needs by organising youths to form vigilante groups for the community.

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relationship

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

Like A Good Bra Like A Good Husband

By Ngozi Ndubisi

A

s I was thinking about what next to put up, I came across this BMWK’s article in my mail and have to share it with you.

A wife once described to her church, her love for her husband and some thought she was crazy, while others, especially the man I sat next to and I quote him “if its anything near how much I spend on my wife’s bras and how wonderful she looks in them, I don’t mind being in his shoes moreover, the great pleasure we husbands derive from that quarters, needs to be safe-guarded a million times over.” He whispered to his friend, his mistake, my family hears whisper clearer than loud talks, most of the time.

So husbands we need your constructive comments, which if good we will put up, or do a write-up doing likewise with the wives, will be most appreciated.

Anyway, have a good read and laugh.

Get A Good Bra And A Good Husband Will Never Stab You In The Back.

The metal under the bra is meant to provide support. When it stabs and pinches pieces of your flesh and make you wish you never put it on, you know it is time to get rid of the bra.

Similarly, a good husband never betrays your trust and is there for you to

lean on when you feel overwhelmed.

When you notice that your husband goes out of his way to make you feel less, that should tell you that your ideas and dreams are dumb, or that you can’t be who you are, then it may be time for some counselling or time for you to take him to a higher Judge - GOD. A Good Bra And A Good Husband Make You Feel Sexy.

When I put on my favourite bras, I know that I linger a bit longer in the mirror, add an extra puff of my favourite perfume, and feel like I can take over the world. The same should occur with a good husband. A good husband tells you what he loves about you without prompting. He compliments you and makes you feel desired. In addition to his words, he shows that he believes you are sexy: a fondle, a booty smack, a long kiss, a poem, a serenade.

A Good Bra And A Good Husband Make You Look Good.

One of the reasons that you love your best bra is because it does an excellent job of making you look good, whether you are trying to round out, push up, smooth out, or minimize your girls.

When it comes to marriage, you know that you have a good husband when he protects and praises you in company and when you aren’t around.

He will tell family members to stay out of your business in the same way that

he will brag about you to his co workers and friends.

A Good Bra And A Good Husband Are Built To Last.

You probably had to do some significant bra shopping to pick the brand that works for you. And more than likely, your best bras are not made from cheap flimsy material. When you take care of your delicates, they don’t disappoint. The lace stays intact, the straps stay firm, and the material doesn’t pucker (crumple). As for a good husband, you probably had to date a lot of losers before you find your prince. He possesses all of the qualities that you need for a happy and meaningful life. And when you pour into him, you can be sure that he will be your partner in everything including crime for the rest of your life.

A Good Bra And Husband Will Never Embarrass You In Public They both will give you: a Good composure, boost you up when you are down, show you at an advantage and will always uplift you and not show you up sagged. A good husband like a good bra will give you the courage to carry on Remember, as good bras are hard to come by, so are good husbands, keep yours and faithfully be his help mate.

We await your response, send to: ngozindubisi@yahoo.com

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

23

relationship

B

efore you lose him or wonder what has happened to you or where years have gone; or who you have become; or develop a complex from losing your feminine power, then reclaim yourself.

Check yourself and retrace your steps. Instead of blaming your husband or motherhood for what has happened to you, do a self examination and get back on track.

In time past, most women lost themselves after one, two, three children on top of that, they have to juggle with home management like brain storming: what to set on the table every meal time, how to keep the house liveable, lovable and presentable, handle each child according to their needs and still play their ‘help meet role.’ It’s no wonder some end up looking like ‘what the cat dragged in.’

Balancing life, family, career and husband is a thankless endeavour that if not properly managed and handled, could push you over the edge. Consequently, most women forget to actually slow down and take the necessary time needed to find themselves. The honest truth is, if a woman focuses on herself for just a breath, the whole family benefits. When and if she feels good with herself everyone around her is sure to benefit.

Remember, married mothers also have personal goals and desire to live a life that includes a little time to love themselves (after all, they are humans). This type of self-love is universal and should be a priority even for mothers. Whether you feel as though you are lost or have given too much of yourself caring for your children and spouse and have lost touch with who you are; take some time off and attend to yourself before you become a stranger to even your own self!

Sadly you’re not alone, but you can pick yourself up again and be that soft, feminine, sexy, playful and fun person you once were.

Reclaim Yourself: Feel Sexy Again

Here are some steps to being that sexy and wonderful mother again without thinking “is this it?”

You Need To Take the Lead Have a purpose and life goals; create an action plan for your life and get busy. Remembering you will be of no good to anyone if you are burnt out and used up. It’s not at all about looking perfect or having nice hair. It’s about learning to juggle several roles and enjoy them all.

rejuvenation time and you deserve it. (It’s like the husband’s ‘boys night out’)

Pencil Yourself into Your Daily Planner Let your family know that you need time out once in a while, and when you are all done in, Take your time out and use it as you see fit and don’t feel guilty about it. It’s your

Find Out What Makes You Feel You’re Sexiest This will help gain confidence in yourself and show the world you’re loving you.

Another great way to show your husband you are in the mood could

be in music. Like ‘a woman needs love’ by Ray Parker JR; when you feel neglected in the bedroom department.

Do a Make Over Your husband saw you as a well dressed, manicured person and loved you enough to marry you. So why have you suddenly become that wrapper tying wife all of a sudden;

why dress like his grandmother.

Bring the zest back, spend sometime in the saloon, do your hair, nails, dress simple and well again.

This is not everything, but it’s something.

Pain and suffering Pain is bearable. Suffering for no reason is devastating. If you ask any woman about child labour and

if she would do it again, most reply will be ‘it was painful, but I didn’t suffer. I would do it again.

This is the key to surviving marital problems and making it through to a new love and peace with your spouse, when you see what you are going through now as needful and not just a waste, you will find peace and happiness at the end of that tunnel.

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arts & culture

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

Calabar Carnival: 10 Years After

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

T

alking about Africa’s biggest street party, the Calabar Festival can well pass for it.

The festivity was created as part of the vision of making Cross River State the number one tourist point in Nigeria and so far, it has become second to none.

Both indigenes and non indigenes of the state, tourists alike, look forward to the onemonth packed full festivities, as indigenes resident in the state who are also civil servants, get to rest their nerves from the work hustles through out the month.

Since the Governor of the state, Donald Duke created it in 2004, the festival has entertained millions of spectators both within and outside the state, boosting the internally generated fund for both Cross River and the country at large.

And according to OsimaDokubo, “the carnival aimed to include more aspects of local heritage and culture and at the same time strengthen the capacity of the locals to participate in an economically beneficial way” .

Its programme of event changes each year depending on the focus of the state government which is drafted by the committee in charge of tourism and cultural activities. In December 2009, the carnival’s Committee organized “Carnival Cup 2009”, a football competition amongst the five competing carnival bands - Seagull, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Bayside and Freedom.

The Festival also includes music performance from both local and international artists, the annual Calabar Carnival, Boat regatta, Fashion shows, Christmas Village, traditional dances and the annual Ekpe Festival Other activities lined up for the year according to their work plan, include the second edition of Essay Writing Competition involving secondary and tertiary students.

These competitions are aimed at reviving the reading culture amongst the youths of the state.

No wonder Nollywood ac-

tors and actresses, including international artistes and politicians alike, troop to the state

for a feel of its rich culture which includes colourful costumes, assorted dishes, hospi-

tality and all.

Aside local celebrities who always make the carnival a

date, international acts like the late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin and others have been invited to thrill guests.

In 2013, the carnival tagged “Aint no stopping Us” was unveiled by the Governor of the State, Sen.Liyel Imoke.

Unlike other years when international acts headlined the festivity, 2013 came with a difference as our very own entertainment acts played head following the observation by the Festival Planning Committee that Nigerian headliners consistently pull larger crowds than their international counterparts.

The 2014 festival has been unveiled already by the governor, Donald Duke and confirmed that private sector has now taken its full ownership for onward sustainability.

Tagged ‘’Celebration

Time’, its ownership by the private sector would open more window of opportunities for all sectors of the economy.

Display will be made by five competitive bands; The Bayside Band (Blue), Passion Four (Green), Seagulls Band (Red), Master Blasta (Orange) and Freedom Band (Yellow).

The bands are expected to work hard to interpret the theme of the carnival comeDecember 27, 2014, through their dance, float, and costumes as it affects the people of the state.

Marking its 10th year anniversary and the last carnival to be witnessed by the present administration while in office, the State Government has promised that the 2014 Carnival Calabar would leave participants and viewers across the world with many surprises.

DAILTY TIMES OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

technology Motoring Safety;

by Man and by Machine Pedestrian Detection in Cars ery often, road accidents are caused by pedestrians being oblivious or distracted while crossing a road.

Many motor vehicle manufacturers are doing a lot to introduce safety features for pedestrians. One of these is the ability of vehicles to detect pedestrians by themselves.

Some automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are spearheading infrared night vision systems that produce an infrared view of the road at night.

The systems are able to detect humans on foot, on bicycles, standing, and even animals displaying them on the LCD in the instruments panel.

V

Ford Ford is introducing a system called Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection which combines radar and visual technology (by means of a camera).

It is expected to debut first, later this year on the 2015 Ford Mondeo.

In most of the scenarios, while vehicles are moving slowly, they gather more time to detect a pedestrian during fast motion.

Honda Honda has a Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System said to be able to relate safely with pedestrians and vehicles that are close by this is tagged as an umbrella term ‘Honda Sensing’.

The system runs by a millimeter wave radar in the car’s grille and a monocular video camera in its windshield which help to sense pedestrians in front of the vehicle and along the road.

The smart thing about this system is that, in any case of pedestrians being too close, the car will swerve away from them, though this would be after making sure there’s no other oncoming vehicle.

Honda says that will be on the Honda Legend.

Furthermore, pedestrian detection functions better during the daytime. Weather conditions can affect the systems.

Certain statistics are still not determinable by automakers, like the max speed that still has the pedestrian’s safety assured.

The champion of pedestrian safety technologies is Volvo, as since the 2014 model year, any Volvo model comes with standard pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Automakers are projecting to offer some form of pedestrian detection within 2-3 years based on various determining factors.

Driving Safely in the Rain Driving in wet weather and environments are not the same as in dry. Here are a few tips to take to mind to help make the journey easier…

Just about everyone who has taken the road transport systems would know that rain reduces visibility.

Rain also reduces the level of grip that the car’s tyres have and this means that stopping distance increases. *One thing that may stand out as good advice is: don’t drive if you don’t have to.

This is the surest way to prevent a road accident in wet weather. If there is nothing important or urgent, you can simply avoid driving until the weather is dry. * You should use your headlights. Some very heavy rains can also turn the sky dark. Check that your headlights are working and use them. It is advisable that you be diligent to turn on your lights and not to assume they are already. Not only does the light turned on help your own vision and driving, but it helps other road users to see you too.

The use of headlights also needs to be done wisely… there are different kinds of headlights and they project differently, and in some cases, they are too bright for other road users. Be wise in assessing which is best to use. *Use your windscreen

wipers. Turn them on slowly in light rains and have them running faster in heavier rain.

When another vehicle splashes against your screen, compensate with increased wiper speed. *Drive with sanity. When driving on wet conditions, remember you will need more distance to stop. Hence, you will need greater distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Remember there are higher chances of accidents or sudden stops, so you need space to negotiate a stop. In case there is an aggressive driver close to you, do not attempt to retaliate to their manner of driving, also don’t provoke rough actions while driving. *Be aware of your environment. Watch out for objects, humans and anything else whether they are moving or not. *Avoid sharp or sudden moves. In the rain, sharp steering or sudden braking can more easily unbalance your car. *If you are faced with a flood, before driving into it, you must be sure that it is absolutely safe for you to do so.

Even when you determine that it is safe, you must also remember that floods can damage your car in different ways. Considering also that there may be dangerous objects hidden in the water, and a fast-flowing flood could wash cars away..

You may have had the privilege to see other cars drive through the flood… be sure you study their progress well and follow suit if they are successful. It could be advisable that if there are no other cars around and you are unfamiliar with the route, don’t risk it.

Allow other vehicles to get out of the flood so in case any gets stranded you won’t be trapped.

Altogether, you may simply want to take another route.

When you get to the other side of the flood, drive out of the water carefully, and test your brakes before continuing your journey.

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26

dtn early beginnings

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

Group Services

T

he Company Secretary’s Office was reorganised in 1970 to perform all statutory duties for the DTN Group. The department is at present responsible for ensuring that all the statutory requirements are met and through adequate liaison with the accounting function ensures that all the books of the company and its subsidiaries are kept and updated.

Apart from issuing notices of meetings, the Company Secretary records minutes of all meetings of the Group Board, the Annual General Meeting, the Group Executive Committee and the Finance Committee, while maintaining secretarial liaison with the Lagos Stock Exchange on matters pertaining to the issue of dividend warrants and the transfer of stocks and shares.

The office also maintains the Register of Ordinary Stock and Company Seals.

(1976) The Company Secretary is Mr. A A Igbokoyi and his office is situated in the Group Executive Suite at Kakawa Street, Lagos.

The Legal Department was established three years ago to provide the Daily Times newspapers with prompt and reliable professional legal service and to ensure that the objectives of the company are carried on within the framework of the law.

The Department has now been enlarged to provide legal services for the varied and diversified interests of all the divisions in the Group.

It is headed by Dr Olu Onagoruwa and is accommodated in the Group Executive Suite, Kakawa Street, Lagos.

London Branch Office was established in March, 1975 to perform the buying and representation functions which for many years had been provided on behalf of the DTN Group by a subsidiary of the International Publishing Corporation — Overseas Newspapers Agencies Limited (later Newspack Services).

The office represents all the Group’s operating divisions — the Newspaper and Magazine Divisions, Nigerpak Limited and the Times Press Limited.

The branch office is headed

by Mr Olabisi Fabusoye as General Manager and has a staff complement of 15, eight of whom are Nigerians and is

situated at C. P. House, 9 7/107 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5TL. The Group Internal Auditors Department is responsible for instituting and operating internal audit systems for monitoring and controlling financial procedures and transactions.

In this regard, he maintains close liaison with chief executives and divisional accountants while assisting the heads of operating departments in planning their audit control systems for operations that generate cash, costs or other assets and liabilities of the Companies.

The present head of the Group Internal Audit Department is Mr O. A. Soboyede.

POWER OF THE PRESS Until 1947, with the introduction of the Richards Constitution, Nigeria could not claim to be a really united country.

Between 1914 and 1947, a Nigerian Legislative Council was formed, but there was not one representative from the North.

It was the West African Press delegation to London in 1943 that brought the northern elite, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Imam, then Editor of GASKIYA TA Fl KWABO, and that of the South represented by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, founder and Editor -in-Chief of the West African Pilot as well as editors of other newspapers from Ghana, Sierra–Leone and the Gambia.

While in the boat that took them to London, Dr. Azikiwe drew up a memorandum on post-war reforms to which a few of the delegates, excluding Mallam Abubakar Imam, appended their signatures.

When the memorandum was published in the West African Pilot it attracted considerable interest and support from Nigerian progressives, and when these groups learnt that Mallam Abubakar Imam did not sign the document, he met with individual and press hostility on his return to Nigeria.

In order to clear the air, Mallam Abubakar Imam published the memorandum in his paper—the Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo, and his reasons for refusing to sign it. This provided the first opportunity for the readers to know that Nigeria as of 1943, was far from being one country.

Dr. Azikiwe, in that memorandum, had suggested two basic stages for the handover of power from the British to

Nigerians.

By 1953, he said, Nigeria should be a self-governing territory and five years later (1958) it should be completely independent. This meant, said Mallam Abubakar Imam, that all whitemen would leave Nigeria by that time.

Since he was a press delegate representing Northern Nigeria, he did not feel mandated by the Northerners to accept such a resolution. He wrote: ‘’You (Northerners) never told us that you are worried by the whitemen living in this country, so that I should sign and say that you want them to go after 15 years.

“However”, he continued, “you ought to know, if we send away the ‘red’ whitemen surely we will get “black” whitemen (Southerners) who went to England and learnt that kind of work done by the ‘red’ whitemen. If we haven’t got one here in the North, we shall have to seek one in the south”.

Thus, the whole attitude of the North at that time towards the independence of this country stemmed from the ideas expressed by this powerful individual who influenced Northern thinking and political awareness through his popular paper, Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo.

It is not surprising therefore that when Chief Anthony Enahoro. then an Action Group Member of Parliament, tabled a motion in 1953, that Nigeria demanded independence in 1956, two years earlier than Zik proposed in 1943, the North rejected it outright, proposing that independence should come “as soon as practicable”.

Regarding the freedom of the press, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe wrote in his memorandum that Nigerians should be allowed to install printing presses without obtaining permission to print their newspapers, and write what they like in them, so long as they do not break the law.

Malam Imam’s reply to this

was short and cryptic.

He wrote: “No one up here in the North ever complained to us that the whitemen or government had prevented him from buying a printing press”.

On minimum wages, Dr. Azikiwe suggested in his memorandum that every labourer ought to receive a salary of not less than £6.00 a month: a skilled and literate worker, who knows his job, should receive not less than £6 a month.

Again, Malam Imam had an answer to this.

He wrote: This suggestion is correct. We all want it so. We may even be glad if it were more than £6.00”.

But reflect carefully” he wrote: “With us here in the North, at the moment, a person receiving a salary of £6 a month is among the highly ranked workers.

“Well, if a labourer is raised to £6 the highly ranked workers will, without doubt, say

they want salaries to be raised to £15, up to £20.

“The reason is because the office workers or highly ranked workers, will most probably, not agree to see a labourer who sweeps their offices receiving £6.00 and they themselves being paid £2.00, £3.00 etc.

“You should also note that for every salaried worker you come across, there are 100 who receive no salaries.

‘Well, are we to increase the taxes of the non-salaried workers so that the salaried may have increases in their pays?

“And would the farmer agree to be pinned down labouring for one year on the field so as to sell his produce for £3.00 whereas the labourer gets £6.00 in one month”.

That was the Northern view point. The dialogue between these two newspaper giants suggested that the two areas they represented had at that time been thinking differently, and it would take the newspapers to bring closer these disparate areas of one country.

Most Nigerian newspapers had been political in their nature.

The earliest of these was Nigeria’s first regular newspaper, ‘Lagos Daily News’, founded

by Herbert Macaulay. This paper served as the organ of one of the earliest political parties, the Nigerian National Democratic Party, founded by Herbert Macaulay. By using this paper, Macaulay’s domination of the Lagos political scene was assured.

By the mid-thirties, the Nigerian Youth Movement was founded as an effective national political organisation. By 1938, its newspaper, the Daily Service had been established It carried the objectives of the organisation into all corners of the country. It even attracted a large northern following, principal among them, Malam A. Jumaru of Zaria.

Because of his extremist ideas regarding reforms in the Zaria emirate traditional political system, he felt so uncomfortable that he had to resign.

He came to Lagos and joined the editorial staff of the Daily Service in 1942.

Although Nigerian newspapers played an intergative role, by bringing Nigerian peoples closer to one another, there were occasions when they helped fuel the embers of trib-

DAILTY TIMES – OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014

27

dtn early beginnings

Group Services CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

alism and sectionalism.

In June 1938, when Mr. Ernest lkoli, first editor of the Daily Times, became editor of the Daily Service, his relationship with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, founder and Editor-in-Chief of the West African Pilot in 1937 cooled. Both were executive members of the NYM. In 1941, the relationship worsened when Mr. lkoli, an ljaw, was selected to succeed Dr. K. A. Abayomi, as president of the NYM over another candidate, Mr. Akinsanya, an ljebu Yoruba. His failure to secure the post alienated both the ljebus as well as the lbos from the movement. Thus, a press war ensued between the official organ of the Nigerian Youth Movement, the Daily Service, and Dr. Azikiwe’s paper, the West African Pilot.

Meanwhile, the West African Pilot, had begun to champion measures to promote unity among the lbos and how to combat the relative backwardness of lboland as compared to some parts of Yorubaland. This led the paper to champion excessive lbo chauvinism. Since it was being read all over the country, it succeeded in bringing the lbo people together into a body known as the lbo State Union.

The Pilot played a very crucial role in the development and popularisation of the only political organisation which had a national outlook, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, when the party was founded in 1944 under the leadership of Herbert Macaulay and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as the President and secretary-general respectively.

The Richards Constitution was introduced by Sir Arthur Richards (later Lord Milverton) to the Nigerian Legislative Council in 1945, a year after NCNC was founded. Certain provisions in the Draft Constitution provided the NCNC with enough ammunition to fight a national cause. And, the Pilot was used in carrying the message to the Nigerian people.

Four ordinances were especially unpalatable to the NCNC. Dubbed as the “four obnoxious Ordinances”—the Minerals Ordinance, the Public Lands Acquisition Ordinance, the Crown Lands (Amendment) Ordinance and the Appointment and Deposition of Chiefs

(Amendment) Ordinance— they were seen by the party and sold to the Nigerian public through the West African Pilot as an attempt by the British to consolidate their power in order to lengthen their stay in Nigeria.

By 1947, opposition to these “four obnoxious ordinances” had become so strong as to warrant an official protest by the NCNC to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London.

Several leading NCNC leaders undertook a countrywide tour of Nigeria to drum up both moral and financial support to enable them carry out the fight to its logical conclusion. As always, the West African Pilot was the main instrument used to mobilize the people. Daily banner headlines and pictures were splashed across the pages of the

paper showing how the NCNC delegation was received wherever they went.

At last, enough money was gathered to send a seven -man delegation to London to present Nigerian people’s protest against those “four obnoxious Ordinances”.

The anti -colonial and anti -white stance of the West African Pilot helped it to mobilize the Nigerian educated youth within Nigeria and overseas who had heard of the struggle for independence. The educated youth of the North were not left behind.

These Northern youths first began, at their own risk, to read the West African Pilot.

Later they wrote letters to the editor and finally became correspondents. One of those who went through these stages was Sa’ad Mahmud Zungur. Others

were Malam Raji Abdallah and Abubakar Zukogi.

Malam Zungur, because of his political awareness, succeeded Zik as the second General Secretary of the NCNC, while Malam Raji Abdallah became the national president of the Zikist Movement. A scholarship fund which should have been collected through the West African Pilot, for the benefit of Malam Aminu Kano and one other Northerner did not materialize.

It can thus be shown that the West African Pilot was foremost among Nigerian newspapers in bringing the Nigerian potential leadership from the north and south together so as to understand one another.

Hitherto, the two sections, the north and south, were drifting aimlessly in different directions. The rise of political par-

ties in the North can be traced to the people mentioned above.

Between 1940 and 1950, the role of the Press, especially the West African Pilot and other provincial papers of the Zik Group centred on discovering Nigeria and its mobilizable elements.

In the North, the Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo, the Hausa Vernacular news weekly had emerged as the most important instrument for mobilising public opinion. The Editor Alhaji Abubakar Imam, moulded the ideology—(BA ‘YAN AREWA JAN AREWA’) NORTHERNISATION POLICY—which later political leaders had to accept as the desire of the people of the Region. The creation of a solid Northern block was the singular handiwork of the editor of the Gaskiya and his school mates who contributed articles in the paper. The editor, later became the chairman of the Northern Nigeria Public Service Commission, an opportunity for him to put into practice the policy which he had so eloquently and consistently supported.

For all Nigerian newspapers, 1950-1960, was the crucial decade. This was the period during which four principal political organisations came into being. The Action Group (1950) the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU, 1950) and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC, 1955).

This period also marked the involvement of Nigerians in the art of making their own constitution. The essential role of the press at this time was that of educating the public politically.

A number of Regional as well as Federal elections were held during the period and it was the role of the press to enlighten the electorates as to which party stood for what policies or which party was being dominated by which tribal groupings. Political manifestos were published in full to allow the independent electorates make a choice.

Voting procedures which were relatively new then to unsophisticated people, had to be explained.

The press also played a significant role in publishing the demands for states as presented to the Willink Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the demands for states by different

communities in this country.

During the first six years of the civilian regime 1960-66, the press helped in exposing misuse of office by government officials and indulgence in corrupt practices at all levels of officialdom.

Because of these exposures, various attempts were made by the civilian administration to muzzle the press arid curtail the liberty of the individual.

A bill to muzzle the press was proposed.

This law would have made any attack on a minister a criminal offence. The press put up a stiff fight and won some form of concession from the government. (Case Study 1).

The Preventive Detention Act would have been enacted but for the vigilance and still opposition of the press and those of other groups as expressed in the Nigerian Newspapers. (Case Study 2).

The Nigerian press must take credit for pressing two important issues in addition to exposing corrupt practices whenever they reared their ugly heads: the original 1976 deadline for return to civil rule and the change of governors.

Few newspapers, including those owned by the government, remained silent over the return to civil rule. Thus, when the deadline was pushed to infinity, most newspapers lamented that the then head of state found it necessary to have taken such an action.

His lack of consistency as to when his governors would go was again eloquently criticised by the press. The press, on these two issues, portrayed the then head of state as irresolute, and by implication incapable of instilling the proper leadership qualities which Nigeria had been bereft of since independence.

This write-up on the impact of the press does not pretend to be an exhaustive study of the press in the period covered. It is a general survey of the contribution of the press to national integration, political awakening, the preservation of the freedom of the individual and the fight to maintain a society free from abuse of power by those in authority. Let us now deal with two Case Studies to amplify the contribution of the press to national development.

28

for the records

OCTOBER 27 – NOVEMBER 2, 2014 DAILTY TIMES

The Crimes of Buhari (II)

Contd from Last week

By Prof. Wole Soyinka

B

uhari 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 permission, 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 administration 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 to-

wards 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.

Nothing was supposed to move in or out, not even cattle egrets.

Yet a prominent camel was

allowed through that needles eye. Not only did Buhari dispatch his aide-de-camp, Jokolo later to become an emir- to facilitate the entry of those cases, he ordered the redeployment as I later discovered – of the Customs Officer who stood firmly against the entry of the contravening baggage.

That officer, the incumbent Vice-president is now a rival candidate to Buhari, but has somehow, in the meantime, earned a reputation that totally contradicts his conduct at the time. Wherever the truth lies, it does not redound to the credibility of the dictator of that time, General Buhari whose word was law, but whose allegiances were clearly negotiable.

On the theme of double, triple, multiple standards in the enforcement of the law, and indeed of the decrees passed by the Buhari regime at the time, let us recall the notorious case of Triple Alhaji Alhaji Alhaji, then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. Who was caught, literally, with his pants down in distant Austria.

That was not the crime however, and private conduct should always remain restricted to the domain of private censure.

There was no decree against civil servants proving just as hormone driven as anyone else, especially outside the nation’s borders.

However, there was a clear decree against the keeping of foreign accounts, and this was what emerged from the Austrian escapade. Alhaji Alhaji kept, not one, but several undeclared foreign accounts, and he had no business being in possession of the large amount of foreign currency of which he was robbed by his overnight companion. The media screamed for an even application of the law, but Buhari had turned suddenly deaf.

By contrast, Fela Anikulapo languished in goal for years, sentenced under that very draconian decree. His crime was being in possession of foreign exchange that he had legitimately received for the immediate upkeep of his band as they set off for an international engagement. A vicious sentence was slapped down on Fela by a judge who later became so remorse stricken at least after Buhari’s overthrow

that he went to the King of Afro-beat and apologized.

Lesser known was the traumatic experience of the director of an international communication agency, an affiliate of UNESCO. Akin Fatoyinbo arrived at the airport in complete ignorance of the new currency decree. He was thrown in gaol in especially brutal condition, an experience from which he never fully recovered. It took several months of high-level intervention before that innocent man was eventually freed.

These were not exceptional but mere sample cases from among hundreds of others, victims of a decree that was selectively applied, a decree that routinely penalized innocents and ruined the careers and businesses of many.

What else? What does one choose to include or leave out?

What precisely was Ebenezer Babatope’s crime that he should have spent the entire tenure of General Buhari in detention?

Nothing beyond the fact that he once warned in the media that Buhari was an ambitious soldier who would bear watching through the lenses of a coup-detat. Babatope’s father died while he was in Buhari’s custody, the dictator remained deaf to every plea that he be at least released to attend his father’s funeral, even under guard. I wrote an article at the time, denouncing this pointless insensitivity. So little to demand by a man who was never accused of, nor tried for any crime,much less found guilty. Such a load of vindictiveness that smothered all traces of basic human compassion deserves no further comment in a nation that values its traditions.

But then, speaking the truth was not what Buhari, as a self-imposed leader, was especially enamoured of enquire of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor both of whom, faithful to their journalistic calling, published nothing but the truth, yet ended up sentenced under Buhari’s decree. Mind you, no one can say that Buhari was not true to his word.

Shall tamper with the freedom of the press swore the dictator immediately on grabbing office, and this was exactly what he did. And so on, and on, and on………