Bank Customers Groan Under Increasing Cost Of Transaction
By Ugochukwu Onyeocha
These are surely not the best of times for some customers of Nigerian
commercial banks. A great number of people have been lamenting the high interest rates and other charges inflicted by Nigerian banks on them,
In recent times, there has been much ey Banks in the country. lamentation among bank customers The customers of different banks concerning the seemingly high trans- have continued to indict the banks, action rates charged by Deposit Mon- saying that the services they get do
DAILTY TIMES SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
NDLEA Clamps Down on Farms, Destroys 50 hectares of Cannabis plantation in Ondo
P10
CBN Lists Criteria For Regulation Of Holding Companies
VOL. 1, NO 6
Dare 2 go fierce
Drinks to Boost Your Immune System
Facts About New ‘European Football King’, Ronaldo
APC Not A Strong Opposition –Ogboli NFF Crisis
Who P 15 burnt the glass house?
Terrorism: P 3
Jonathan Leaves For Kenya on Peace Talks
Yvonne Nelson Finds Love Again! P 17
T
aking a cue from the recent Ekiti state governorship election, and for the fact that all the candidates that contested the governorship race in the state have commended the INEC for a job well done,
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I must say that I have confidence in the electoral body. The body has learnt its lessons considering the shortcomings during the
Anambra governorship election. The one that was recently held
My Beef With President Goodluck Jonathan P 21 –Adebayo Salami
All You Need To Know About Sex
P 13
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SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
news
NDLEA Clamps Down on Farms, Destroys 50 hectares of Cannabis plantation in Ondo By ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure
N
o fewer than 50 hectares of Cannabis plantation have been destroyed by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at Epele Forest Reserve, in Ondo State.
Daily Times Correspondent reports that the destruction was a product of a special operation involving 70 NDLEA officers drawn from the South West State Commands with the help of 50 labourers in the operation. The NDLEA Director of Operations and Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo who led the operation along with the Ondo State Commander, Mr. Walter Nicholas, Assistant Director, Operations, Mr. Fred Ezeora, Ondo State Assistant Commander Operations, Mr. Femi Agboalu and other principal officers said that cannabis farm destruction is a proactive strategy to cut off cannabis supply which affects the image of the
country. According to him, “We achieve more when we destroy cannabis farms than waiting to intercept the drug after it had been harvested by the cultivators. “When citizens get caught for trafficking in cannabis outside the country, the image of Nigeria is affected. Let me commend the officers that participated in this assignment because, they walked for over four hours and worked in the rain all night long. “They crossed over many rivers and surmounted several obstacles to get the job done. Drug control is a hazardous job but we are working very hard to overcome our logistic challenges such as inadequate vehicles and funds” the director stated”. Mr. Ahmadu Giade, Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency vowed to prosecute forest guards who turn a blind eye to criminal activities with in their areas thereby sabotag-
ing governments efforts in all forests reserves. Giade assured of his administration commitment in working with other sister security agencies in arresting anyone who connive with cannabis cultivators, stressing that the act is becoming of many Nigerians mostly the youth. He said the cultivation of cannabis is now a national threat to the security of the country.
“NDLEA will not hesitate to prosecute any forest guard who aids and abets cannabis cultivators. Cannabis constitutes a serious threat to security and we are determined to eradicate narcotic drugs because it can induce rape, unprotected sex, political violence, murder, militancy among others”. Walter Nicholas, Ondo State Commander of the Agency said the raid on forest reserve
would be a continuous process until the criminals have a change of mind and attitude. “This is the second cannabis farm destruction within the past one month and this shall be a continuous exercise until cannabis cultivation is completely eradicated “The first one was 184 hectares while this one is 50 hectares. We are looking forward with optimism to a time
when farmers will abandon cannabis for only food and cash crops”. A suspect, Charles Osanebi, whose farm was destroyed during the operation, told journalists that a friend who is now at large introduced him into the cannabis cultivation. Osanebi added that he would have harvested a minimum of 40 bags of cannabis from his farm if not arrested by the agency.
Ondo Govt Reiterates Commitment To Prevent Possible Ebola Virus Disease By ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure
A
s the spread of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever otherwise known as the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) continues, the Ondo State Government has once again reiterated its commitment to embark on aggressive preventive measures against any possible outbreak of
the dreadful disease in the state.
Lasisi Oluboyo, Commissioner for Agriculture in the state made the disclosure during a special visit to the construction site of a modern Abattoir in Akure South Local Government Area of the state. Oluboyo said the state government had taken
primitive measures by sensitizing members of the general public on the awareness of the virus, which he said is capable of spreading like a wildfire. He revealed that government would not leave any stone unturned and advised the people of the state to adhere strictly to personal
hygiene and all form of awareness already created by the government. While citing that the causes of the disease should be strictly avoided, the commissioner said it was capable of affecting the social economy development of the state if precautionary measures are not put in place.
He also hinted that the construction of the modern Abattoir would soon be completed, as it would enable the people of the state, access hygienic meat for their personal consumption. Ogunsuyi Bankoke, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said when the project is completed; it would definitely
boast the economic prosperity of the state, and value to the Abattoirs Earlier, Mr Akingbade Adebanji, the Director of Veterinary Services at the ministry, urged the public to desist from open excretion and ensure they wash their hands with soap and water always.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
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news
Niger East By-election: We Are Not Deterred by Irregularities, Says Umaru By Lara Adejoro
T Nigerian Army Urges Civilians To Strengthen Fight Against Terrorism ‘By Tosin Ajuwon, Akure
T
he Nigerian Army says it would continue to collaborate other security agencies and members of the public to tackle security challenge mostly on the issue of terrorism that has bewildered the peace of the country.
Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh, Brigade Commander of the 323 Artillery Brigade, Army Barracks, Akure, made the disclosure at the first Tombola Night to formally welcome him to the Artillery of the Barracks in Akure, Ondo state capital. Brig. Gen. Momoh said the Nigerian
Army alone could not tackle the country’s internal security challenges hence the need to strengthening its synergy with other security agencies in the country and the civilians in the society. He revealed that the key to defeating terrorism was gathering
of intelligence, adding that members of the public are not left out in the fight at curtailing the activities of the terror group in the country. “Security is everybody’s business; we have to do our job to assist the Federal Government tackle security
challenges in the country. “You will agree with me that the task of ensuring National security is a collective one and people should always provide security agencies with useful information that would combat crime in the country”, he said
he candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Niger East by-election, Barr. David Umaru, Sunday said the party would not be deterred by the irregularities that marred the Saturday by-election and would mobilise for the September 6 supplementary election.
Addressing journalists Sunday, he said that the party would not boycott the re-run, but would mobilise members to come out en masse for a landslide victory next Saturday against all odds. Umaru said he was optimistic that he would be victorious at the next Saturday’s byelection, and called on his teeming supporters not to despair. Earlier, the Niger East Senatorial by-
election was declared inconclusive by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leading in the interim result released. The INEC national commissioner that supervised the election, Dr Chris Ehimoga, and the returning officer, Prof Wole Morenikeji, when making the announcement at the collation centre, College of Education Minna, said that the interim result showed that the APC scored 84,689 votes, APGA 2,099 votes, PDP 89,640 votes and SDP 460 votes. Morenikeji said that the rerun would take place in some units in six out of the nine local government councils of the senatorial district.
Terrorism: Jonathan Leaves For Kenya on Peace Talks By Lara Adejoro
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resident Goodluck Jonathan will today, Monday, travel to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya to take part in a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council scheduled to hold in that country.
Special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati noted in a statement that the Nairobi meeting, “which is a follow-up to talks by President Jonathan and other African leaders at Pretoria, South Africa in May this year on
joint action against terrorism, will receive and consider the report of the chairperson of the African Union Commission on Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa. “Deliberations at the Nairobi Summit and the adoption of the Af-
rican chairperson’s Report by President Jonathan, President Uhuru Kenyatta and other participating Heads of State are expected lead to more collaborative actions by Nigeria and other African countries to rid the continent of acts of terrorism and
violent extremism,” Abati added. Top on its next agenda is the ongoing Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Nigeria, the insurgency in Mali as well as other terror- related activities going on in the continent.
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
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world news Clash Between Govt and Protesters in Pakistan Leaves Scores Injured
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akistani authorities have confirmed that at least 400 people have been hospitalized in a recent clash between protesters and police.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with top advisers seeking a way to ease the violence, which has raised the stakes in the two-week sit-in led by opposition politician Imran Khan and fiery cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri. They want the prime minister to step down over their allegations of massive voting fraud in
the election that brought him into office last year in the country’s first democratic transfer of power. Sharif’s party was elected in a landslide in which observers found no evidence of widespread fraud. The prime minister has refused to step down, and negotiators have tried to convince Qadri and Khan to end their protests. The military weighed in after a late Sunday meeting, saying that it had “serious concern”
about the crisis and the “violent turn it has taken.” “Further use of force will only aggravate the problem,” military leaders said in a statement that called on political figures to resolve their differences swiftly. The demonstrations were mostly peaceful until late Saturday, when protesters headed toward the prime minister’s residence. When the crowd started removing shipping containers used as bar-
ricades, police fired salvos of tear gas that forced protesters back. Authorities have said they had no choice but to use force on the demonstrators, some of whom wore gas masks. Hundreds of people were arrested, said Islamabad Police Chief Khalid Khattak. There were scattered clashes Sunday morning, and protesters appeared to regroup later in the afternoon. By evening, large groups of protesters
were located in pockets around the parliament and some had spread into other parts of the city, said police official Amir Paracha. He said they had taken shields from police and were wielding iron rods, batons, stones and bricks. The injured included women, children, journalists and police officers who had been hurt by tear gas shells, batons and rubber bullets, said Dr. Javed Akram, who heads the capital’s main hospital.
US Senators Want Obama to Send Weapons to Ukraine
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merican senators have called for the US to send weapons to help Ukraine fight what they say is “a Russian invasion”.
Robert Menendez, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin must face a cost for his “aggression”. Senator John McCain said: “This is not an incursion. This is
an invasion.” Earlier, Mr Putin called for talks to discuss the matter of “statehood” for eastern Ukraine. The conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted in April following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula a month before. Some 2,600 people have died since April. Pro-Russian separatists have been gaining
ground on Ukrainian forces in recent days, in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around the port of Mariupol. In an interview, Mr Menendez, a Democrat, said: “We should provide the Ukrainians with the type of defensive weapons that will impose a cost upon Putin for further aggression. “This is no longer the question of some rebel
separatists, this is a direct invasion by Russia. We must recognise it as that.” He said the issue “may very well be on the table right now” for President Barack Obama. Senator McCain told CBS’s Face the Nation that Mr Putin was “an old KGB colonel that wants to restore the Russian empire”. Mr McCain called for “strong sanctions”,
before adding that Ukraine must be supplied with weapons: “Give them the weapons they need. Give them the wherewithal they need. Give them the ability to fight.” Representative Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News: “If we don’t provide ‘small and effective’ now, you’re going to get very big and very ugly later.”
After Shock of Earthquake Shakes Napa
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significant aftershock from last weekend’s magnitude-6.0 earthquake has rattled Northern California’s wine country.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-3.2 tremor struck 5 miles south of the city of Napa just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Thomas Brocher, director of USGS’ Earthquake Science Center, says it wasn’t the strongest aftershock to rumble the region since the main quake a week ago caused as much as $1 billion in damage and multiple injuries. A magnitude-3.9 aftershock centered 8 miles south of Napa hit early Tuesday morning. The USGS says there have been more than 70 aftershocks recorded since last Sunday’s earthquake. No additional damage or injuries have been reported.
Suspected Case of Ebola in Sweden
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local official in Sweden said in a press conference on Sunday that it is only a suspected case and has not been confirmed to be ebola.
“So far it’s just a suspected case,” the official said, without giving more details. The person fell ill after visiting an area known to be hit by the virus and is now being held in isolation, the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet reported on its website.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
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africa news
Head of Niger’s parliament Seeks Refuge in France
H
ama Amadou, the head of Niger’s National Assembly, who faced questioning in connection with a child’s trafficking scandal, is in France, a source close to
parliamentary immunity would not save him from being quesHe fled to Burkina tioned over the scanFaso last week as ofdal, which has rattled ficials in his home Niger’s political class. country ruled that his The source, who the office of Burkina Faso’s president said Sunday.
spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose Amadou’s itinerary, said Amadou was staying in Paris. Amadou’s wife and
17 other people including the country’s agriculture minister have already been arrested over their suspected links to trafficking babies from neighboring
Nigeria. Amadou and his supporters say he is being targeted because he is a rival to Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou.
Somali Prison Attacked by Islamist
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slamist rebels dressed in government military uniforms attacked a prison in Mogadishu. They found their way through after they set up a car bomb at the gate of a high security prison in Mogadishu on Sunday.
They were Al-Shabaab fighters, and security guards at the prison “foiled the attack” and killed seven of the rebels, Somalia’s Information Minister H.E. Mustafa Duhulow said in a statement. “The attackers exchanged heavy gunfire with prison guards after detonating a car bomb at the main gate,” Mohamed said. “A plume of dark smoke could be seen rising from the attacked complex.” During the assault on the National Intelligence and Security Agency prison three security guards and two civilians were also killed, 15 others were injured, Security Ministry spokesman Mohamed Yusuf told CNN. The attackers tried to free their fellow AlShaabab members held at the prison, who were sentenced to death by a Somali military court tribunal, said police Officer Abdifarah Ali. “We were behind today’s raid on NISA prison in Mogadishu,” Al-Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Abdiaziz Abu Musab said on pro-militant radio station Al-An-
dalus. “Our Mujahideen forces stormed the complex and then sprayed the prison guards with bullets and bombs,” he said. The government praised the security forces, saying it shows that Somalia has improved security. “These terrorists groups are against the security improvements we are currently experiencing here in Mogadishu,” Information Minister H.E. Mustafa Duhulow said in a statement. “We say to them that these foiled attacks strengthen our forces and prove their bravery to the people of Somalia,” he said. The NISA prison is underground and is close to the Somali presidential palace in Mogadishu. Hundreds of inmates, mostly AlShabaab members, are being held there. Al-Shabaab is an al Qaeda-linked militant group seeking to turn Somalia into a fundamentalist Islamic state, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. The group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack at a Kenyan mall last year and is believed to be responsible for attacks in Somalia that have killed international aid workers, journalists, civilian leaders and African Union peacekeepers.
South Africa Invites Metsing Over Lesotho ‘coup’ Crisis
L
esotho’s Deputy Prime Minister Mothet Joa Metsing claims he has been invited by the South African for talks after an alleged coup sent the country’s prime minister fleeing to the same country.
“It is through the invitation of the South African president,” Metsing said, adding that he did not have information about the agenda or who else would attend. Metsing has taken charge of the government after Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled the country, accusing the army of staging a coup, a minister said on Sunday, according to the Reuters news agency. Regional power South Africa condemned the
army’s actions and invited the deputy prime minister to talks there, Lesotho’s Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Selibe Mochoboroane said. He did not specify who the talks would be with. Thabane, who has been in a fractious coalition government with his political rival Metsing, left for South Africa on Saturday after the army surrounded his residence and police stations in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, and gunshots rang out. One policeman was shot dead and four others were wounded during the confrontation, said police senior su-
perintendent Mofokeng Kolo. Prime Minister Thabane told Al Jazeera on Saturday that the army was “all over the streets,” and had taken control of government buildings and key installations before he managed to escape. He added that he suspected Metsing was involved. The army denied trying to force the prime minister out of power, saying it had moved against police officers suspected of planning to arm a political faction in the small southern African kingdom. Metsing also denied a coup. “I would not still be a deputy prime minister; the prime minister
would not still be the prime minister if a coup [had] taken place,” he told Al Jazeera on Saturday. Diplomats in Maseru told the Reuters news agency on Saturday that the army was largely seen as loyal to the deputy prime minister, while the police force largely supported the prime minister.
Metsing
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
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africa
Egypt’s tourism revenues fall after political upheavals
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ourist host pots like the market in central Luxor remain deserted as foriegn visitor numbers have plummeted after two Cairo governments were overthrown in three years.
Revenues from ancient Egyptian monuments such as the pyramids have fallen by 95% since Egypt’s 2011 revolution, the country’s antiquities minister has said. Revenues fell from 3bn Egyptian pounds (£250m) in 2010 to just 125m (£10.5m) in 2014, Mamdouh el-Damaty told al-Mehwar, a private Egyptian television channel. The drop has left the ministry – which derives most of its income
from tourist revenues – struggling to pay thousands of staff. “The current yearly income is good enough to pay the salaries of the ministry’s employees for just two months,” Damaty said in the interview. Tourism in Egypt has been decimated since 2011, with media reports of social unrest coupled with western travel warnings putting off holiday makers from travelling to most of the nation’s famous destinations. Only 9.5 million tourists stayed in Egypt’s hotels in 2013, compared to 14.7 million in 2010. Footfall has started to pick up in Egypt’s Red Sea resorts but visitors to its historic sites in
Cairo, Luxor and Aswan – from where the ministry derives most of its income – are still few and far between. On one night this month in Luxor, which houses the tomb of Tutankhamun among other pharaonic treasures, just 264 foreigners slept in the city’s hotels, according to police. “It’s dead,” said Mena Melad, the editor of the Luxor Times. “It’s even worse than in 1997 after the massacre of the tourists” at the Hatshepsut temple in the Valley of the Kings. “There are lots of people who have given up working in tourism and are trying to find new work.” The tourism minister,
Holiday Destination
By Iyanu- Oni Orisan
M
auritius is a beautiful tropical island that is 500 miles (804.7 km) from the coast of Madagascar. There are many beautiful tourist attractions in the island. Mauritius has natural beaches, tropical forests and mountains, which are awesome.
The Beach in Mauritius is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are many coral reefs around the island and turquoise waters. Some of the ocean has waves large enough, and some parts of which have calm conditions so that water can be a place to swim. Not only used as a place for relaxation but you can enjoy water activities that defied adrenaline such as sailing, scuba diving, wind surfing, water skiing, and diving. All are offered free of charge by the inn-lodging on
Hisham Zaazou, said a rise in Arab visitors had bolstered this year’s figures – but only in the sun and sea destinations.
“There are more Arabs arriving into the country from the Gulf, and from Jordan and Lebanon,” said Zaazou. “But although we’re
hearing some better figures about Red Sea and southern Sinai, we still have a very big challenge in Luxor, Cairo and Aswan.”
Mauritius
the island. Here you can also rent district of Black River, on the island camping gear and spend a few days of Mauritius, east Africa. Here, touron the hill. ists can see a dune with 7 different colours. The dunes are also known Grand Baie as the ‘Seven Coloured Earth’, the Grand Baie is the best and the uniqueness of the dunes in the vilmain tourist attraction in Mauritius. lage of Chamarel is quite popular It is just not for night birds, but also among tourists. best for those who love shopping and spending some time in leisure. Le Chateau de Labourdonnais Grand Baie is the seaside tourist vilLe Chateau de Labourdonnais is lage and large tourist beach of Mau- one of the top tourist attractions of ritius. Grand Baie is famous for the Mauritius. It is a combination of muenchanting quality of its emerald. It seum, garden, distillery and a restauoffers facilities for safe swimming, rant. This was owned by Christian sailing, windsurfing, and water ski- Wiehe and was constructed in the ing, and is also the departure point year 1856 with an inspiration from for helicopter excursions, deep sea the Italian neo-classical architecture. fishing and for boat excursions to the islands, to the north of Mauritius. Black River Gorges Black River Gorges is a national Chamarel Village park in Mauritius spread across an Chamarel is a village located in the area of 16,244 hectares. This is the
best place in Mauritius to watch rare bird species and fauna. Le Morne Brabant Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage site; it is a peninsula in Mauritius. What is so special or interesting about this tourist attraction of Mauritius is the single standing basaltic rock of 1821 feet above sea level. This place is surrounded by lagoons and is home for certain rarest plant species of the world like Mandrinette and Trochetia boutoniana. It has been said that the best time to visit Mauritius for cooler, drier weather is from May to December. If you’re planning to stay on the east coast, we recommend avoiding the months of July and August as this is when the wind is at its strongest on this side of the island.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
politics
7
Onyebuchi And The Politics Of Impeachment Ugochukwu Onyeocha
A
ct One Scene One: On June 23, 1981, Alhaji Balarabe Musa entered into history books as the first governor to be impeached. His offence: He failed to form a cabinet because he refused to nominate members of the leading National Party of Nigeria (NPN) into his cabinet having been elected on the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP). The House largely dominated by members of the NPN grew impatient with him and eventually kicked him out of office.
Act One Scene Two: On Dec 9, 2005, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha popularly called the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation was impeached as governor of Bayelsa State by members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly over corruption charges. The battle leading to his impeachment remains one of the most talked about battles but that is a story for another day. He was a governor under the platform of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) with members of his State House of Assembly. Act One Scene Three: On May 10, 2007, Otunba Femi Pedro was impeached as Deputy Governor of Lagos State over allegations of gross misconduct. It would be recalled that his nightmares began as soon as he declared his intention to gun for the office of the governor of the state against the wishes of his boss, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who had someone else in mind. He later decamped from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the Labour Party (LP) and that was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Act One Scene Four: August 26, 2014, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi was impeached as Deputy Governor of Enugu State over allegations of running poultry in the Government House and refusing to represent Governor Sullivan Chime on two different occasions. Onyebuchi was elected on the platform of the PDP and was also impeached by members of his own political party. However, he did not defect. There had been other impeachments in the history of Nigeria ranging from the office of the Governor to the of-
Onyebuchi
fice of the Deputy Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Reps among others. Some members of this popular club include Mr Ayo Fayose, Mr Peter Obi, Mr Joshua Dariye, Senator Chuba Okadigbo, Hon. Salisu Buhari and many more. The recent impeachment of Mr Onyebuchi has continued to draw condemnation from across the country. For some, it seems childish to impeach the Deputy Governor over running a poultry in his residence. Many Nigerians have encouraged the impeached Deputy Governor to challenge his impeachment in court and most surprisingly is the encouragement from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
It would be recalled that both men were the products of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani’s Ebeano political group. But while the governor severed his relationship with his godfather shortly after taking over power the deputy has maintained a close relationship with Nnamani who has fallen apart with Governor Chime. It is no news that Governor Chime and his Predecessor Nnamani, have been at loggerheads since 2007 and so anyone who has continued to maintain close ties to the former governor is assumed to have signed an enmity pact with Chime. While many would say that Onyebuchi has freedom of choice to associate with the former governor, it is expected that his association with Nnamani would cost him something Closeness To Nnamani and eventually it did. For some political analysts, the reThis romance with the former govercent impeachment of the Enugu State nor has continued to haunt the deputy Deputy Governor Mr. Sunday Onye- governor who for years appeared to buchi might have come as a surprise. have been relegated to a ‘figure head’ Despite the widespread condemnation in the government. that has greeted the impeachment, it was one impeachment a few persons Figure Head Deputy saw coming. The reasons not because What was left of the relationship behe has had the best of relationships tween the governor and his deputy was with his governor, but because both extinguished during the controversial have pretentiously carried on for so lengthy period between 2012 and 2013 many years as though all was well. when the governor travelled abroad on
health grounds. As expected, the governor did not hand over to his deputy leaving the chief of staff Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo to run the government. It took several protests by various individuals and groups to ensure that the Deputy Governor functioned in acting capacity for a fraction of the five absence of Governor Chime. It was a period the whittled powers of the deputy governor were laid bare as he had little or no role to play, just as he struggled to convince close observers that all was well. There were allegations then that he was holding meetings to take over the government, just as his camp claimed that he was being starved of funds and his entitlements seized. That was the first time the rumours of impeachment against him made the rounds However, the impeachment of Mr Onyebuchi which appears to have been sealed a long time ago need any form of excuse to have it presented to the House of Assembly and so it came in form of raising a poultry in the government house and failing to represent the governor in a function. Poultry Demolition The ever quiet Onyebuchi who had CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
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politics
APC Is Not A Strong Opposition –Ogboli Barr Charles Ogboli, a people’s rights activist, is a front-line aspirant to the gubernatorial seat in Delta state in 2015. In this encounter with Daily Times in Abuja recently, he discusses his quest to govern Delta state and his desire for President Goodluck Jonathan to run for presidency in 2015. The excerpts.
By Augustine Aminu
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015 is around the corner. Do you see the Independent National Electoral Commission capable of conducting free and fair elections?
Taking a cue from the recent Ekiti state governorship election, and for the fact that all the candidates that contested the governorship race in the state have commended the INEC for a job well done, I must say that I have confidence in the electoral body. The body has learnt its lessons considering the shortcomings during the Anambra governorship election. The one that was recently held in Osun state has also shown a tremendous improvement from previous elections. I think
the INEC can do well if the stakeholders are willing to cooperate with the electoral body. The electoral matter should not be left entirely in the hands of INEC. The electorate and politicians must also play to the rule. The new biometrics voters’ cards introduced by the INEC will checkmate electoral malpractices that used to characterise elections in Nigeria. There have been calls that you contest the governorship slot of your state Delta. Have you got what it takes to run for the post? In politics, capability is always there, but acceptance is the major issue. My people accept me and they have asked
me to run. I have no option but to accept their request. I don’t have to be a politician to know what is happening. I am a lawyer and I feel that there are a lot to do in my state considering the unemployment and crime rates. I need to be there to empower the youths to realise their potential and contribute to the development of the state What is the zoning arrangement for governorship slots in Delta state? It is now very clear that the next governor of my state will come from my zone. I am from Aniocha north local government area of the state. It is an Igbo speaking area. It is now necessary to say that it
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
is our turn. There was a meeting by the stakeholders and they submitted that my zone is being marginalised in the political equation of the state. So far we have had Felix Ibru, James Ibori and incumbent Emmanuel Uduaghan as governors. We can’t continue deputising them. We are brothers and sisters and I feel that nobody should feel marginalised in the state. The terrain is too hot but I have to come out to tell the people of Delta state that I have what it takes to move
the state forward. Considering the godfatherism factor, describe your relationship with the incumbent governor of Delta state. I don’t have a godfather. My relationship with the governor is cordial. But I want to give you an example of Chief Willy Obiano of Anambra state. Nobody heard about him before his emergence as governor. He is a banker. In the case of my state, I remember that during the travails of Udu-
aghan at the election tribunal, I wrote him and encouraged him not to lose hope. All things being equal, he has done exceedingly well in Delta state. We voted him in and we have been supporting him. I commend him specifically for citing the airport in Asaba with international standards. He has also constructed good road networks. If I am his successor, I will surely continue from where he stopped. Criticisms are in politics – whether you are doing well or not, be
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
politics APC Is Not A Strong Opposition –Ogboli
deliver democratic diviCome 2015, do you rest assured that critics dends to my people. clamour for President must criticise. This is Goodluck Jonathan to because people ask for Do you think the All contest for the presimore in governance. I Progressives Congress dency? have gone round Delta is a formidable oppostate and I give kudos sition to the PDP? I have not seen anyto the governor. He has I don’t think so. The thing wrong in Jonanot let us down. APC is not on ground than running again. I from my own perspec- have also not seen in Under which po- tives. It is not a strong the Nigerian history litical party do you opposition to the PDP. where a president runs hope to actualise your I advise PDP members for one term, and it dream? who defected to the cannot start from JonaIt is the Peoples APC to retrace their than. He became presiDemocratic Party. I steps before it is too dent by the divine will have toured some of the late. There is nothing in of God. Looking at his states under the PDP the APC except crises. scorecard and some and the governors have Buhari is coming out; criticisms against him, I done extremely well. Atiku is coming out. laugh because one can’t So it is the best plat- This makes it crises- expect the president to form for me to actualise prone. The APC is just do what governors and my ambition and also on air and propaganda. local government chairCONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
men should do. That is the essence of delegation of powers. It is true that the head is blamed when things go wrong, but I can assure you that Jonathan has not done anything wrong. Days of fuel scarcity are over; the rail line has started working; look at the electricity sector. But come to think of it, there is no reasonable government that can perform in the atmosphere of what is happening in some parts of the north. It is enough distraction for government not to carry out meaningful development programmes. So
much money is being wasted on security. I advise Jonathan to remain focused. The aspect I am not happy is the education sector. I don’t like the arrangement of JAMB and post UME. In my days, when you scale through JAMB, you go to university. Jonathan should address this. If JAMB has the statutory power to conduct exams, why then is the duplication? During my days, we were begged to go to school, but today young ones get frustrated trying to go to school. Either JAMB or the post UME should be scrapped.
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Frustration in the education sector encourages crime. Coming back to your question, Jonathan should run and I urge northerners to support him considering that he represents the minority groups that have contributed immensely to the development of the country. We are not complaining about that. When Shagari, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha and Yar’adua were there, the Niger-Deltans did not complain. We supported them. Northerners should encourage Jonathan. I am happy that some of them have identified with him.
Onyebuchi And The Politics Of Impeachment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
remained ‘asleep’ all the while, suddenly woke up one morning on January 28, 2014 when his poultry, for which he is now facing impeachment was about to be demolished. The deputy governor who looked ruffled that morning, retorted in an informal chat with reporters; “All this years I decided to become dumb, so that peace would reign. But now they have come to demolish my poultry.” He however pointed out that he vacated the lodge in September 2012 and had remained in his private residence ever since. The renovation work for which he relocated was long abandoned leaving the entire compound unkempt and over grown with grasses. The tone of his reply to a letter from the chief of staff directing him to stop the poultry also gave an insight into the face-off in the seat of power. The deputy governor through the Permanent Secretary in his office Chris A. Eze wrote; “the tone and language of your letter is insulting and shows disrespect to the office of the deputy governor. The haste of the two letters shows a mind filled with malice and bent on making mischief. The two letters were delivered same day one a notice, the other final notice.”
A close source to the deputy governor confidentially revealed he has refused to join commissioners and other government functionaries who genuflect before the chief of staff and has always strived to show that he should be the second in command after the governor. It is this perceived struggle for supremacy between the chief of staff and the deputy governor that sources close to him claim led to the allegation in the impeachment notice that “the deputy habitually refuses, fails and neglects to carry out the functions of his office as directed by the governor.” Our source noted that during most of his travels the governor had always failed to hand over to him a scenario which repeated recently when the governor went on leave. Consequently he refused to take directives from the Chief of Staff to represent the governor during the South East Governors Forum held in Enugu on July 6, 2014. In essence, the second accusation used in crucifying Onyebuchi, which is his refusal to represent Governor Chime at the South East Governors Forum, did not come directly from his boss but from the chief of staff. The begging question remains, why did the governor fail to contact his deputy di-
Chime
rectly even though he had his contact? Senatorial Ambition Just like he reportedly told Governor Chime before the later recently walked him out of his office, political observers believe the Enugu deputy governor is being vilified for his interest in the senatorial position of Enugu East zone the same position pencilled down for the chief of staff in 2015.
There have been expectations that the race will be a straight fight between former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and the chief of staff before the sudden emergence of the deputy governor as an aspirant to the same position. Pundits believe that government is not comfortable with the deputy governors’ senatorial aspiration which is seen as part of the scheming of the former governor to stop Nwobodo from realizing her senatorial ambition. Also, there is a serious gang-up in Nkanu land against Nwobodo ahead of the 2015 elections. All efforts from this quarter are geared towards whipping up sentiments against her candidacy; opening up old wounds in the not-too-cordial relationship between the Agbaja (Udi/Ezzeagu) and Nkanu people. It is therefore believed that these factors were mainly responsible for the impeachment of Mr Onyebuchi as Deputy Governor and despite the evidence presented by Onyebuchi to the panel; his fate had already been sealed a long time ago. Not even his slump while testifying before the panel could save him and to make matters worse, he has been replaced barely 48 hours after his impeachment.
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
business
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Bank Customers Groan Under Increasing Cost Of Transaction By Ugochukwu Onyeocha
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hese are surely not the best of times for some customers of Nigerian commercial banks. A great number of people have been lamenting the high interest rates and other charges inflicted by Nigerian banks on them, In recent times, there has been much lamentation among bank customers concerning the seemingly high transaction rates charged by Deposit Money Banks in the country. The customers of different banks have continued to indict the banks, saying that the services they get do not usually commensurate with the charges. According to investigations by our correspondent, some of these charges differ from bank to bank. Key among these charges, the investigations show include maintenance charges, cost of transactions, charges on Automated Teller Machine cards, SMS alert, overthe-counter charges and withholding tax, among others. A cross sampling of the customers show their frustration. Mr. Nnamdi Ogbonna, a customer of three banks, says, “Most of the time, you only get to know some of these
things after they have been deducted from your account. Sometimes, these amounts may seem too little for you to complain about, but it is only when you compile them maybe at the end of the month that you realise that the amount is actually on the high side. “For instance, last month alone, I received three different alerts in the first week that N355, N575 and N255 were deducted from my account. I did not carry out any transactions on my account during that week, and I was therefore amazed at the withdrawals, but since I wasn’t in town and couldn’t reach my account officer, I decided to hold my peace.” He adds, “By the time I return to Lagos next week, I am going to go to my branch and make so much noise, until
they explain to me why almost N2000 was deducted from my account when I didn’t carry out any transaction during that period.” Another customer with regular transactions with one of the major banks, Mr. Tunde Johnson, says after withdrawing some money from his account to settle some domestic bills last month, his balance should have stood at about N153,000, but what he saw was a different figure. He says, “After that, I had a family emergency two weeks ago, and I needed to withdraw about N150,000. I felt that since I have a current account I could safely withdraw the N150,000 I needed. But to my surprise, after presenting my cheque to the bank, I was informed that I only had N145,000 in my account,
you can imagine my surprise. “By the time I demanded an explanation from the customer service people, I was told that the bank had withdrawn various charges to the tune of N8000 from my account, and this was even reflected in my statement of account. Up till now, I still do not understand why that N8, 000 was taken away from me.” A business man, Mr. Larry Onyema, says that because of such arbitrary charges, he closed his current account with one of the banks early this year. “The rate of deductions was becoming alarming, I got alerts from my bank every other day of one deduction or the other, and I was watching helplessly, and each time I asked for an explanation,
I was given one story or the other”, he says. He explains, “When it became too much for me to handle, I just did the next best thing, which was to close my current account, and now, I run two savings accounts. Although there are still charges on these savings accounts, I think it’s a bit better than the charges in current accounts.” Reacting to this, an executive of one of the leading banks who pleaded not to be mentioned says that high interest rates and charges on loans are usually based on the risks involved. “We cannot adopt a uniform standard on interest rates, it depends on the risk they are taking. Some people are getting interest rates on loan of 15, 12, 11 and 10 per cent. Where the business is very risky, interest rate
is as high as 16 and 17 per cent,” he says. According to him, days when interest rates were as high as 30 per cent are over as banks’ interest rates are now at 20 per cent and below. While some customers are lamenting the heavy deductions placed on their accounts, the apex bank will from today (September 1, 2014) introduce a charge of N65 for remote on transaction on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The charges have continued to attract condemnation despite the series of explanation offered by the apex bank. Although the Central Bank of Nigeria has abolished some charges to lessen their burden, bank customers have, however, cried out against fresh charges introduced by Deposit Money Banks. The customers, who had envisaged low cost of running accounts following the various costcutting measures carried out by the banks and the reforms initiated by the CBN, have complained about fresh and arbitrary charges. Although only few banks have announced publicly their plans to introduce new charges, investigation by our correspondent reveals that some banks had introduced the charges secretly to the detriment of the customers who in business parlance should be treated as king.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
business UBA Launches One-Stop E-Payment Portal
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n its bid to boost Ecommerce in Africa, one of the continent’s leading commercial banks, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has successfully launched an online payments and collections platform which it dubbed U-bills. U-bills, is a collection and bill payments platform that allows sellers to collect payments online or on their mobile devices like tablets and smart phones.
The bank, which made this known in a press release made available to Daily Times Nigeria said that the newly launched Ubills will also create a one-stop platform for customers to make payments for goods and services on their mobile phones, tablets or personal computers as long as they have an internet connection on
the devices. The release further stated that “The uniqueness of the U-Bills platform is that it is a single payment gateway where all forms of payments to different merchants can be made. It is not a singlemerchant platform. All merchants can register on U-Bills to receive payments for goods and services. Also, anyone can go online and register to make payments for goods and services bought”. The bank further highlighted some of the benefits of the U-bills which affords customers the flexibility to make online payments anytime of the day or night or week to sellers for goods bought or
services rendered. “This means, it no longer matters where you are in the world. So far you are African and are from any of the Countries where UBA is, you can now pay your bills, top up phones of your loved ones and still pay for services without moving an inch.” Customers registered on U-Bills can recharge their mobile phones, pay their cable TV bills quickly and easily and pay their utility bills in any of the 19 countries in Africa where UBA has operations. Already, some top merchants that have registered on U-Bills to receive payments include leading telecom operators like; MTN
Banks Begin Enforcement Of N65 ATM Fee Today
C
ommercial banks operating in the country will from today (Monday) commence the N65 charge on RemoteOn-Us Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in 2012 cancelled the N100 fee imposed on any remote-on-us withdrawals, a move which
was hailed in all sectors of the populace. However, the recent announcement of the reintroduction of the charge has continued to generate widespread criticism but the apex bank and the Bankers Committee stated that the decision is in the economic interest of the country, as the re-
moval of the charges had a negative effect on the cashless policy. According to the CBN if a part of this cost goes unabated, the banks may be forced to reject transactions coming from their customers at other banks’ ATMs, thereby frustrating the inter-operability of payment systems.
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(top-up and post-paid), Etisalat, Glo, and Airtel. Customers of these telecom operators registered on U-Bills, can buy air-time or top-up on the U-Bills platform. The U-Bills platform accepts VISA and MasterCard as well as the local Card schemes and other payment platforms in the different countries where UBA has its operations and it is safe to use, the bank said.
CBN Lists Criteria For Regulation Of Holding Companies
T
he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released the criteria for setting up, regulating and supervising financial holding companies in Nigeria.
In a circular to all banks and other financial institutions signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department of CBN, Kevin Amugo, obtained from its website at the weekend, the apex bank said financial holding companies that had been licensed prior to the issuance of this guidelines need not apply for a new licence. It stated that the application for a grant of approval in principle shall be accompanied with a non-refundable application fee of N2 million or such other amount that the CBN may specify from time to time payable to the Central Bank of Nigeria by bank draft or through electronic transfer; evidence of meeting the prescribed minimum paid-up capital as defined in Section 7.1of the guidelines subject to the satisfac-
tion of the CBN. Other accompanying documents are detailed business plan or feasibility report which shall, at a minimum, include objectives of the financial holding company and those of the subsidiaries it intends to establish/acquire; justification for applying for the financial holding company; ownership structure in a tabular form indicating the name of proposed investor(s), profession/ business and their percentage shareholdings; bio-data/resume of proposed investors; indication of sources of funding of the proposed equity contribution for each investor; “where the source of funding the equity contribution is a loan, it shall be a long-term facility of, at least, a 7-year tenor, and shall not be obtained from the Nigerian banking system.” The guideline further indicated that “Pursuant to Extraordinary Gazette No. 38 of December 29, 2011, a financial holding com-
pany is a company whose principal object includes the business of a holding company set up for the purpose of making and managing (for its own account) equity investment in two or more companies, being its subsidiaries, engaged in the provision of financial services, one of which must be a bank.” This arrangement seeks to ring-fence depositors’ funds from risks inherent in noncore banking businesses. A financial holding company shall be a source of financial strength to the subsidiaries. In serving as a source of financial strength to its subsidiaries, a financial holding company shall maintain financial flexibility and capitalraising capabilities for supporting its subsidiaries. It shall also stand ready to use available resources to augment capital funds of its subsidiaries in periods of financial stress or adversity.
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relationships
L
ast week, I was at a seminar and the discussion was “turning your lemon into lemonade.”
The top on the list of ingredients for a happy marriage were: Love, honesty, trust and communication. Yes they normally soar to the top of the list in almost every where marriage is talked about. Equally, Infidelity, abuse, neglect etc all go to the top of the list of weapons of destruction. But wait a minute, what about those things that we don’t necessarily see as instruments of wreck, because they gradually creep into marriages and over time tear them down. Most times, they contribute to husband’s or wife’s rebuff. If you fit into any of the under listed, don’t fret there’s hope and restoration is around the corner if we kill the ‘if nots’ in our character. SELF Constantly looking out for ‘I, me and myself’: to the detriment of the other is a great tonic to unhappiness and breakups.
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
The ‘me’ syndrome Always remember that there is an- always win will be much needful and other in the relationship and both of helpful. you need always to feel loved and be relevant. INSATIABLE Never satisfied and nothing ever TRAP SETTER appears to be good enough. Always Always having to mark or write constantly yakking and complaining. down physically or mentally what This leaves the other partner ever wrong was done and in the process, feeling inadequate. feeling the underdog that needs to Most times you see your ‘ulterior score a point against the other. You self’ in others and it tends to blind will end up hurting both of you you from seeing the good in others. Face it, your spouse has nothing to HAVING THE LAST WORD gain if he/she puts themselves out If you are such a person, your for you. Take it as they offer it; stop spouse will eventually stop trying looking for a gift horse in the mouth. to communicate as a result of never being heard or never having the opNot Exerting Enough portunity to express themselves or Just plain and simply ‘LAZY’; their feelings. Being mindful of your not applying or contributing enough actions and uncovering your need to necessary amount of energy, passion,
dedication and enthusiasm needed to build a solid happy marriage. Always feeling too everything (too good, too classy, too holier than thou etc.,) to bother making an effort of making the marriage work. I advice you wake up to reality, you are not better in any more ways than who you married. The sooner you get your head out of the clouds, the better for you and your marriage. Take a good and hard look at yourself today. Are you giving the best of you to your marriage, or are you indeed working to save your marriage or just waiting for the worst? “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
Are you finding it difficult opening my page, email and tell us. Send us your thoughts and questions. Ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
health
13
All You Need To Know About Sex
By Lara Adejoro
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or those who think sex for the elderly is dangerous, then you need to have a rethink because experts hold that, old or young, men are moved by what they see while women are stimulated by touch from the opposite sex.
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Though, talking sex generally is not common in Nigeria, owing to cultural beliefs, religion, and personal reasons, some still summon the courage to speak. “My wife doesn’t give me attention anymore. Each time I try
to make her know I’m horny, she shies away from me and now I feel I should get another wife,” laments Mr. Emmanuel Ajakaye. According to the 75-year-old man his wife who is 68 years is denying him sex and he is not happy about it.
Sex Myths Cleared
ale child linked to woman’s orgasm: Speaking on this, Dr Gbeleyi said, A woman ‘reaching organism doesn’t preclude chances for a male child.
“Having a male child is a matter of the husband donating a Y chromosome. The X chromosome is stronger than the Y. So the Y chromosome needs good enhancement for survival for a long time such as nutrients, PH, wife reproductive tract, temperature.” Having Albino children: Having sex at noon or during menstrual period do not make for having an albino
child. The medical expert said, “Albinism is an inherited condition of abnormal colouration due to lack of or genetic defect in producing a pigment called melanin. Albinism is a recessive trait. These genes are inherited from the parent. “It could either be oculocutaneous albinism or ocular albinism. Oculocutaneous is when the albinism affects the hair, eyes and skin. While ocular affect only the eye colouration. Ocular albinism is a genetic defect of the GPR143 gene (signalling gene ). This gene is important to pigmentation in the eye and
the gene is found on the X chromosome. “If both parents lack this gene on the chromosome, there is probability that one out of four of the children will be an albino. If only one of the parents lacks this gene, the one from the other parent can cover up and none of the children might be an albino,” he said. Adding, he said, “albinism can affect any race. The melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet ray from sunlight, preventing skin cancer. Hence albinos are predisposed to skin cancers due to lack of melanin pigment.”
“Although the crave for sex has waned compared to when I was younger but I still want to have sex, but the trouble is, my wife is unwilling to oblige me.” The retired public servant admits that while the myth that sex for the aged end s at the first sight of a grey hair, many still enjoy a healthy libido. “The problem is, many don’t want to talk about it because of religion, lack of exposure, educational levels and personal reason. For me, I still enjoy the intimacy which sex provides in a relationship even though; it is no longer so much about sex now.” While speaking with Dr Emmanuel Gbeleyi at the Baptist Medical Centre, Obanikoro, Lagos, he disclosed to Daily Times, “The elderly can enjoy sex at any age. In his words, he said, “Yes they can enjoy sex to some extent. Sex in elderly is not dangerous; there is
no specific age to stop having sex. It is dependent on individual differences and medical fitness. When we talk sex, it doesn’t really mean you have to penetrate. Sex starts from even ordinary eye contact to touching, kissing, fingering etc.” Explaining further, he said, as women get older, there is atrophication of their vagina muscles and the ligaments get lax but they can use lubricant and take supplements. “When women get older, the muscles are losing functions, structure and depreciating. The loss of libido seen in post menopausal women is as a result of decline in sex hormones. Also men have decline in the sex hormones as they age, but you should remember that men are moved by what they see, this stimulate production of a significant amount of the sex hormones. Unlike in women, they are stimulated by touch by opposite sex,” he said.
“Supplementation of these sex hormones can restore the libido in post-menopausal women to some extent,” he added. How Much Of Sex Is Too Much? For the men, Dr Gbeleyi said, sex is energy demanding. “Because of the high energy demand in men during sex, it can exhaust faster and affect the vital organs like the heart, muscles and prostate. Sex is not dangerous but it is needed in little amount like twice in a month, though, it varies by region, genetical influence which expose some to diseases. You know here in Nigeria, by age 70, people are already getting weak while in other parts of the world, at 90, some people are still very strong depending on the stress level, lifestyle and diet. Even within Nigeria, it varies from one state to the other.” Gbeleyi Also said, “Too much of sex is not good for any age.”
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
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health
Tips to Lose Weight Without Diet and Exercise
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ropping a few pounds doesn’t have to involve deprivation or intense workouts. These tricks will help you slim down the easy way
Drinks to Boost Your Immune System
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ne of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your body from illnesses is to consume foods and drinks that contain substances that have immune system boosting qualities. Many fruits and vegetables have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can strengthen the im-
mune system and you can turn them into nutritional juices that are highly beneficial to your health. By ingesting these drinks on a regular basis, you have a chance of experiencing less health problems. Lemon Juice Lemon is one of the cheapest fruits that you can find in the grocery store or market, but it can bring amazing ben-
efits to your health. This fruit contains lots of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can improve the immune system, and it also balances the levels of alkali and acids in the body. As such, drinking lemonade or lemon tea regularly will make your body less susceptible to illnesses. Apple Cider Vinegar The main ingredient
in apple cider vinegar is apple juice, which has a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body, including calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, sulphur, iron and fluorine. This drink also contains vinegar, an acidic liquid that is known to contribute to the efficiency of the immune system.
AfDB Pledges $1m To Fight Ebola Virus
T
he African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged to release $1million under its Emergency Relief Assistance programme to complement Nigeria’s efforts at containing the deadly Ebola virus. It said it would release an additional $60 million to be managed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to strengthen the Health System in the entire West Africa, a facility which it noted Nigeria could also benefit from. The announcement came at a Dialogue Session with the International Development Partners (IDP) which was organised by the
National Planning Commission (NPC) where the European Union (EU) also has assured that it would provide proactive measures against further breakage of the Ebola virus (EVD) by developing the capacity of health workers. It came as international development partners including the World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), EU, African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and DFID also commended the government of Nigeria for its effort so far in containment and management of the Ebola Virus Disease. Speaking in Abuja at
the occasion, Minister, NPC, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman who presided over the dialogue session said the meeting was aimed at fashioning out desirable and workable solution in addressing the spread of the disease as well as solicit their intervention to compliment government’s effort. He noted that the Presidential Committee set up to contain the virus had identified some gaps in some priority areas needing intervention and support of the Development Partners, hence Nigeria would continue to seek for their support to effectively contain the menace. He identified the priority areas requiring
intervention to include procurement of additional body scanners for active surveillance, capacity building for health workers, infection control, hospital medical consumable and as well as public health promotion. Meanwhile, Representative of WHO, Mr. Rui Vaz also commended the country for the efforts put in place by the leadership in the fight against the Ebola disease. Also representative of the EU, Brion O’neil stressed that the union would support Nigeria to take proactive measures against further breakage of the EVD particularly in capacity building for Health workers.
Drink Enough Water There are so many reasons why water is, among other things, good for your waistline. Drinking cold water can help up your metabolism, since your body will work harder to warm up the liquid, meaning more calories burned for you. Drinking water regularly also helps keep you feeling full so you don’t snack on empty calories, and hydrating before you exercise will help release muscle-building hormones in your body — which spells good news for not only your strength goals but also your metabolism. Get Enough Sleep Celebs and doctors alike can’t stop talking about their go-to weightloss secret: one of the keys to losing or preventing weight gain is getting enough sleep. Why? Turns out we end up eating more when we’re sleep-deprived. A recent study, for example, showed that participants who got only four hours of sleep ended up consuming 300 more calo-
ries than when they were well rested. Practice Portion Control Even if you’re not on a diet, being mindful of how much you’re eating is good practice. It can take a few minutes for your brain to recognize that you’re full, so get in the habit of knowing how much an actual serving size is (and how much it takes until you’re full), and you’ll be less apt to pack on the pounds due to overeating. Drink Green Tea Water’s not the only metabolism booster in town. Studies have shown that drinking green tea can give your metabolism a tiny increase — which can add up to over 400 extra calories burned a week! Not only that, this beverage has got some major antioxidant power, so drink up. Use Your Friends Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be much easier with the support and motivation of likeminded friends. Having a healthy support group can lead to better choices for yourself; you may find yourself moving more, skipping more calorie-laden happy hours, and making other lifestyle choices that can contribute to weight loss.
sports
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
15
NFF Crisis:
Who burnt the glass house?
…How AFCON, U-17 Trophies Were Rescued from Burnt Office By Mu’sodiq Adekunle
N
o visitor would have visited Wuse Zone 7, where the Nigeria Football Federation Headquarters was built without conspicuously identifying the Glass House. Indeed, it was a glass house of Gold and honours. MU’SODIQ ADEKUNLE reports The house retained its most distinguished value until about 12 days ago when a ‘mysterious’ fire caught it. The flames, according to eyewitnesses, began with a spark in the accountant’s office about 9.30am. How the fire spread ghastly was one of the questions NFF executives, Fire services and the Police were yet to unravel. When Daily Times Correspondent visited the burnt office on Friday, most of the offices were locked down but there were still traces of flames. Though, the Nigeria Football Federation, Abuja Secretariat, had reportedly declared that no trophies were
rescued, our correspondent investigated that some of the trophies won by the national teams were successfully rescued. Among trophies investigated to have been successfully saved were the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations trophy won in South Africa and the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy won in the United Arab Emirates. It could not be ascertained if the reportedly missing records and financial documents were found. During the outbreak, General Secretary Musa Amadu explained that the fire started from the left wing of the third floor of the NFF Secretariat. He narrated that “the inferno burnt down all the documents in the accountant’s office, swept through the office of the general secretary and destroyed most of the documents in the office and in the offices in the left wing of the building. “I think the fire may have started from a power upsurge that happened at about that time. “We want to assure Nigeri-
ans that the job of the Federation would not be affected in any way, we would continue our normal duties until we get to the root of the whole thing.” It will be recalled that the fire outbreak occurred few days after Maigari returned to work at the Glass House. He had been impeached by the board over fraud allegations but was reinstated under an order by FIFA. Our correspondent gathered that some unidentified members of NFF might have allegedly conspired to set some of the most important part of the building ablaze. Daily Times recalled that members of the NFF board were still at loggerheads when the accident happened. After the outbreak, which a member of the board described as unsuccessful, NFF members went ahead to elect a factional leader, Chris Giwa in a congress last Tuesday held at Chida Hotel, Abuja where he defeated former NFF Vice President Mike Umeh. But in a swift reaction, the football Governing body has declared the Nigeria Football Federation elective congress that produced Chris Giwa as illegal and ordered his board to leave office by Monday,
September 1 (today). In a letter signed by Jérôme Valcke and addressed to NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu and dated August 29, the world football governing body declared the congress held at Bentley Hotel as valid while that of Chida Hotel as not acceptable
as it contradicted the earlier proposed agenda for a nonelective congress. FIFA warned that if Giwa continued to parade himself as the NFF President, it will present Nigeria’s case to its executive committee for likely suspension or ban.
…..Our position will change FIFA’s mind - Chris Giwa
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actional president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ambassador Chris Giwa has expressed his optimism that FIFA would have a change of heart when the body receives response of the Glasshouse on Monday next week. In a press release sent from the media department of factional NFF, Giwa said, “We have seen the letter from FIFA and digested the full content of it. Nothing has changed, as far as we are concerned. We will present our position to FIFA by Monday morning and they will be convinced beyond any reasonable doubt. “We call on Nigerians not to panic. The NFF is not intimidated and we do not expect any sanction because we have done the appropriate
thing. For us, it is not about noise -making. FIFA has admitted in its letter that the General Assembly is the highest decision –making body of any association/federation. That is perfect. “There is absolutely nothing to fear. Our response is ready. FIFA will receive position of the Federation and will be convinced that elections have, indeed, taken place.”
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
16
sports
Golf:
Door to Nigeria Football Was Closed After Our Departure – Sunday Oliseh
Ian Poulter in Promising Start At Deutsche Bank Championship
…Why We Won Olympic 96 And Lost USA 94, France 98
S
unday Oliseh was one of the key players that cannot be forgotten in the history of Nigeria football. The retired but living Nigeria Football Legend in this interview speaks about USA 1994, France 1998, and the Olympic title. Mu’Sodiq Adekunle via fifa.com writes that Oliseh also explains the Nigerian football philosophy and its fall.
Can you talk a little bit about the power of football in Nigeria? Nigeria has a philosophy of football. It’s a philosophy you can’t credit to anybody; it’s not down to an individual or a group. If anyone tries to take credit for it, he’s just telling lies. Nigeria has a philosophy of football. The philosophy is attacking football. Going forward, we’ve always been good. We’ve always played it this way. Nigerian fans seem happiest when the ball is pinging around –
Cup in 1994, is a good one. Love him or loathe How do you view the him, he brought back the current state of football African Cup of Nations in Nigeria? title to the country, and The moment my gen- the last time Nigeria did eration retired, it was that was when we were like somebody just shut playing. the doors. Nigeria didn’t prepare for our departure. When everything The golden generation looked like it is falling just left and that was it. in place, your teams No one thought to bring from ’94 and ’98 stumsome of the young ones bled at the first knockinto the team while we out round? were still there, so they In the group stages could learn from us. They we didn’t have to travel. should have been sitting We stayed still and so on the bench to learn there were no logistical from me, and to learn issues. We just played. from Jay-Jay Okocha and But once we reached the all the others. They could next stage, we had to start have asked us questions moving around and there and we could have told needed to be a plan. Our them answers. We didn’t knowledge of preparado that, and it was a real tions at the time was not problem for the country’s good enough to help us football. Things fell off through. We won our after us. We went onto a groups in both tournawilderness of trial and er- ments, but we had probror for some years. lems to solve after that, But the Super Eagles and it did cost us. are reigning African champions. The current On a brighter note, national team coach Ste- people still talk about phen Keshi, who was the Nigerian Olympicmy captain at the World winning side from At-
I
lanta 1996. What did it mean to win Gold? It was a world title and it’s something no one can take away. You are Olympic champion for all of your life. It was the first tournament ever where we played on a different continent, and we were there in America before everyone. We
an Poulter insists his mind is not on the Ryder Cup after shooting a promising 67 in the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. The Englishman is expected to be a wildcard pick for European captain Paul McGinley thanks to his previous success in the competition. He said: “I can’t do anything about Ryder Cup. It’s someone else’s job.” This week’s Deutsche Bank event finishes on Monday, meaning it does not count towards Ryder Cup qualification for European players, were there a month be- for whom the deadline is fore the competition. We Sunday. worked our behinds off and the team was young. Most of the players had a point to make. We had so much talent and it all came together. We covered for each other and we had the kind of luck we needed to go all the way.
la’s men lifted four of a possible six trophies last season. 1. Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and the late José Dinis Aveiro. 2. He has an older brother, Hugo, and two elder sisters, Elma and Liliana. Liliana is a singer by the stage name
“Ronalda” in Portugal. Cristiano’s second given name ”Ronaldo” is very uncommon in Portugal. 3. His parents named him after former Hollywood actor and U.S. President Ronald Reagan due to his late father’s respect for the man. 4. Ronaldo has superb technical ability. Besides his multiple
quick, one-touch passes.
By Mu’Sodiq Adekunle
C
ristiano Ronaldo has been named as Uefa’s Best Player in Europe for his Champions Leaguewinning heroics with Real Madrid in 2013-14. The Portuguese, 29, scored a remarkable 17 goals in 11 European
games as Carlo Ancelotti’s stormed to the Decima and struck three times en route to Copa del Rey glory as Madrid completed the cup double. The former Manchester United forward was voted as the best player ahead of Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben, who starred as Pep Guardio-
Oliseh
Poulter
step-over moves, he also developed a wide array of skills, making him a tricky and unpredictable winger to come up against. 5. He can also strike powerful shots from outside the box. 6. He is also adept at taking spot kicks and was Manchester United’s first choice penaltytaker.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
leisure
Movie Talk By Judith Frank-Edet
Being Mrs. Elliot Release date: 2014 Running Time: 120 Minutes Cast: Omoni Oboli, Majid Michel, AY, Ime Bishop Umoh , Lepacious Bose, Uru Eke, Seun Akindele, Chika Chukwu, Sylvia Oluchi Produced by Nnamdi and Omoni Oboli Written by Omoni Oboli
T
Directed by Omoni Oboli
his is one of the most anticipated movies for the month of August. Aside starring super talents like Majid Michel and Uru Eke, it’s the first movie in Nigeria to have a presidential screening with President Goodluck Jonathan and the Vice President, Namadi Sambo glued to their seats from the beginning till the end. The Highly anticipated movie is produced and directed by Omoni Oboli, ready to hit the big screen come September 5. Meanwhile, it is already on top list for nomination at the NAFCA – Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards with 9 nominations. The romance comedy drama is about two women whose paths came together by fate. However, their lives soon turned in the opposite direction after meeting two men who were on different life paths‌ until strange circumstances brought them and the women together again...
LUCY Release Date: 2014 Running Time: 90 Minutes Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeeman, Choi Min-Sik, Amr Waked Written by; Luc Besson Director: Luc Besson
T
he movie is visually amazing with fantastic actors and actresses. ‘Lucy’ is about an intelligent, thrill-seeking student who finds herself in a terrible drug and human trafficking situation where her brain was altered permanently by a laboratory tested drug given to her during her captivity. Because the drug was biologically restructured, she began using more than 10% of her brain and has more than 48 hours to live. She discovers a neuroscientist and professor who can help her capture her extraordinary brain phenomenon for the world. However, time is ticking away because the bad guys want to endanger her life in the process.
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At Last: Yvonne Nelson Finds Love Again! By Opeoluwani Akintayo
T
alking about Yvonne Nelson and John Dumelo, words have been making rounds that both are nothing but lovers. Come to think of it, it’s not hard to come to such conclusion owing to the fact that both are always in the company of each other’s hand not to talk of their PDAs. Apparently, to put the rumours to rest again a n d again,
Yv o n n e specifically revealed that what she feels for John, is nothing but “friendshipâ€?‌ nothing romantic! Now, that’s sad news for us and even for fans of Yvonmelo who have been dreaming
of them coming together
someday but who knows? Anything can still happen because they aren’t God!
However, it looks like Yvonne has found love again after Iyanya’s wrecking heartbreak few years ago. That’s because she just gave us a c l u e which we think is true‌ something for us to feast on! “Chill guys.... #wegoodfriends not attracted to each other. #bestfriend! Noteđ&#x;™ˆthere’s someone Else I adore,â€? she wrote on her Facebook wall on Sunday‌ Did you read the last phrase; “Note: there’s someone else I adore‌â€?‌ that is it... she’s in love again! But with who? Only time will tell!
The Groove Is Back!
W
ord on the street is‌ there’s going to be another Gulder Club Ultimate here in Lagos! The star-studded ‘Ultimate clubbing experience’, is another one of Gulder’s thrilling innovations, and with features like magical displays, aerial dancers and DJ battles, it’s usually a scene of wonder. Since it’s debut in 2013, the event has been attended by celebs like Phyno, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Frank Edoho, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Lamide Akintobi, Tee A, Burna Boy, Den-
rele Edun, Kunle Afolayan and a host of others. In fact, it was at the Lagos edition of Gulder Club Ultimate that award-winning actress Genevieve Nnaji was seen in the arms of the Koko Master D’banj, sparking all
those relationship reports. So what can we expect this time around?? We actually don’t know, it’s all still a big secret. But rumor has it that the King of RnB, Darey ‘Art’ Alade is billed to grace the stage.
18
beauty o g 2 e Dar
! e c r e fi
By Aderonke Akinola
I
n case you are tired of the regular lipstick shades, don’t worry cos this time, you can go fierce! Your girlfriends may snarl at you at first but they’ll soon come around and, maybe join you! A little out of the ordinary won’t kill, you know. Exciting colours like red, purple, orange, blue, pitch, yellow are shades you can go bold on...depending on your body tone, you can either decide to lighten or darken, wear them dry or coat with lip gloss. Some lipsticks are creamy, others are dry, glossy and shiny. Some melt easily while some are sticky, thick, and thin. Creamy Lipsticks are the best. To choose a lipstick is based on different factors and also depends on what you are after- you need to choose regarding your skin tone, lasting power, moisturizing power and so on. Dry lips should use moisturizing lipstick, it makes it wet and shiny, creamy lipsticks look nice on small lips, and Gloss lipsticks look beautiful on thin and small lips. …whichever you decide, just go bold!
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
19
metro (lagos)
Amukoko
Shanties where area boys are security men By Joy Ekeke
T
housands of poor people live in the Amukoko shanties and for these lots, life is tougher than they had ever imagined. No doubt, Amukoko is one of the Oldest Slum areas in Lagos.
As it is peculiar with lots of slums in Lagos State, the environment is a far cry from the mega city mantra. Despite the ongoing mega city mantra project, the residents of Amukoko cannot say that they are getting the dividends of democracy in any way as modernity and the basic needs of life is not available to them. The area can be majorly accessed through boats and canoes and they have to cross the water each time to get whatever they need. Lamenting their condition of living, Helen Obong said it is a very frustrating situation for them as they have to cross the waters to get everything they need including good water to drink. She said this situation has made the cost of living in the area very high. “We have to cross the water to get everything we need including drinking water. We buy everything
We have small vigilante groups made up of unemployed youth that defend our territory from threats and violence across the water and this has resulted in high cost of living for those of us who reside here,” she said. The strange thing about this community however, is the fact that area boys whose activities are supposed to be checkmated are the ones who are hired to keep the slum safe. While speaking with Daily Times in an interview, Ibrahim Rilwan disclosed that the security of the slum is in the hands of unemployed area boys who see to the security affairs of the shanties especially when there is a crisis. “We have small vigilante groups made up of unemployed youth that defend our territory from threats and violence. They take care of situations especially when there is a crisis within the neighbourhood.” Another resident of the place John Adeboye said that the security of the area is in the hands of the area boys and they are doing a good job as the
security of the area is very tight. “The security is very tight here because we pay N100 per room. The area boys make sure that there is maximum security in the area and they are doing a good job. Since the last four years I have been living here, I am yet to witness a case of robbery or theft within the neighborhood. We all live like one big family here and majority of us know ourselves.” he said. However, despite their deprivation, they still find a means of making themselves happy. Ayoola Joshua disclosed despite the hardship in the area, life must go on and within the scope of their limitations they have to find a way to relax and enjoy themselves. “Sometimes, I hang out with some of my friends within the neighbourhood to one local joint where we drink some local drinks like burukutu and sometimes we take palm
wine. After all life must go on no matter the situation,” he said. This no doubt brings to mind the song of the Afro beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s song ‘suffering and smiling’. Meanwhile, some of the residents lament the terrible impact of the filthy environment on the residents. “Everything here is very poor, No electricity, shortage of healthcare, no water, we don’t come out when it rains because of the floods, and our means of transportation is canoes. little children play in the lagoon with dirty water and they even fall sick but we still thank God that we are alive, hoping that things will get better one day,” said Bose Adewale another resident of the area. Daily Times further investigations revealed that there are plans by the authorities to demolish the buildings in the area which are said to be illegal and has been identified as constituting environmental nuisance but still people are not ready to vacate the place. People in this neighbourhood live in fear of losing their shelter at anytime as several notices have reached them intimating them to vacate the place.
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metro (lagos)
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
Lagosians Laud Electricity Distribution Services
By Lara Adejoro
R
esidents across Lagos State, have expressed mixed reactions over the recent improved power supply in the nation’s most populous city. While some residents of the state have lauded the power distribution company for the improved power supply, some have said it is politically-driven. It will be recalled that the Federal Government in February gave marching orders to power investors and key operators in the sector to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that there was visible supply of electricity across the country by June this year. The directive, which came from President Goodluck Jonathan, was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, at the inauguration of the Board Chairman of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Waziri, in Abuja. In his words, Nebo said, “I wish to charge all the principal sector players to commit to ensuring that power supply to our customers is significantly and visibly improved by June this year as directed by Mr. President. “Much is expected of us all and the entire nation is waiting for us. Government will no longer tolerate any excuse of non-performance from any of the sector players which include the ministry, and particularly, the new private sector partners.” “Nigerians must enjoy the dividends of the reform programme and none will be allowed to frustrate this vision of Mr. President,” he added. Mr Osita Obiefuna, a resident at Iju-Ishaga, a community at the outskirts of Lagos told Daily Times that the power supply has been impressive. “Power supply has improved, I believe in the moves Prof Nebo has been taking on improving power supply. So, it is the need to increase power supply, no string attached.”
Lauretta Abisoye who stays at Surulere, could not contain her joy on the improved power supply as she said, “power supply has been constant. “Though, we use prepaid metre, so I don’t know if it’s reflecting so much in the bills but power supply has really improved and it should continue. Though I think it’s politically-driven because of the upcoming elections. “We’ve been having light for almost 24 hours for the past two weeks, sometimes two days at a stretch. The light is steady.” Mr Tolulope Isaac, a resident at Ikosi-Ketu who spoke to Daily Times said, the recently improved power supply “is like a
dream. It’s very regular and predictable, though there is slight increase in charges but I don’t mind. President Goodluck Jonathan knows too well what we want from him and I think that is the bottom line.” Sidi Bala who lives in a growing community called Lakowe, about 15 minutes drive from the popular Ajah roundabout decried how they were denied power supply for years. “It started with the usual low current and proceeded to total black out as far back as 2011, I was still in the University and always dread coming home for holidays, especially when I call home and ask if there is light and the response is “for where!”
Continuing, she said, “Later on, the community people rallied together and started soliciting for support and solutions to the problem, but all our supplications fell on deaf ears. The PHCN workers kept saying nothing was wrong with our light or transformers and yet they still brought outrageous bills. “Families like mine were forced into taking costly measures to provide light. We firstly got rid of the local meter and purchased the prepaid meter. We then further went to purchase inverters that will help power basic needs such as light and fan. Later in year 2011, I recall us having power briefly, off and on for some months but in
no sign again in 2012 and nothing in 2013 as well.” Ms Bala said, “in June 2014 we saw a flash of electricity and people practically came out of their houses to be sure they still lived in the same Lakowe community, we thought perhaps we had miraculously being uprooted and placed in areas with more civilization.” With joy, she said, “the Joy did not last as the light was soon gone but since June, this year, we have been having light at least once a week and we are thankful for that, it’s way better than 3 years without sighting electricity at all, even though we still have to pay a whooping sum of N20,000.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
21
people My Beef With President Goodluck Jonathan –Adebayo Salami Adebayo Salami in this concluding part of the interview speaks on the reason he is unhappy with President Goodluck Jonathan and the relationship between the Yoruba movie and African Magic Yoruba among other issues.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
By Opeoluwani Akintayo
S
ome of the Yoruba actors do English speaking movies; why haven’t you tried your hands on some? I don’t know whether my spoken English is not good enough for them. I’ve been on Super Story but if they don’t invite me, I don’t lobby. More so, I cherish my own language because it’s more natural than English. When you invite me and say I should use an English accent, why? Am I an English person? That’s why you don’t see Tunde Kelani going near English movies but he mixes his movies to have 60% Yoruba and 40% English just to carry everyone along. I’m here today, and if I don’t act English movies, I’ve made my name anyway. If I go to Abuja today, which minister, commissioner or even Jonathan will say they don’t know me? The other time my executives and I visited ex President Obasanjo, he appreciated us because it’s a Yoruba thing. So, I’m proud of my culture. Some people say they are scared because they don’t know how much to pay me, well,
I’m not going to lower my standard for them anyway. What kind of relationship does the Yoruba movie industry have with African MagicYoruba? First and foremost, African magic Yoruba has gained enough grounds all over the world but the sad thing about it is that most of our artistes have nothing to show for it. I’m not saying it’s the fault of the marketers. The marketers are just businessmen. If you
carry your product to them and negotiate and if their power of negotiation is more than theirs, they sell their works outright and the marketer also take it to African Magic to sell because it’s all about business, and most artistes have nothing to show for it; although I am not part of that because I know how to deal with them. I always tell my people not to sell out their intellectual properties just like that but they won’t listen because if you get stuck, what will you be feeding
I cherish my own language because it’s more natural than English on? Today, Haruna Ishola and Yusuf Olatunji’s children receive royalties on their father’s works. That’s what I said that on my 50th, I will be re-unveiling my works. It’s because I have total rights on them! I can give you right to my movies for not more than seven years and I retrieve it again. Even if you offer
me millions, it can never quantify the creativity and cost of production. But as many as our movies are, it’s affecting us because we don’t control it. So African Magic is good because they publicize our works but they deal directly with the marketers. What can you say about the fight in
ANTP? There are fractions in the Yoruba movie industry; we have the ANTP, TAMPA which I am part of behind, the one for Ashaolu and the rest of them Saidi Balogun also have his own- fight within the association isn’t peculiar to the Yoruba section alone. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
22
people ‘My Beef With President Goodluck Jonathan’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
Actors’ Guild also has its issues and the cases are even in court. Most of them want power by all means but they don’t understand what a professional body is all about. Most of them are just after the money of the association so that they can embezzle it. The case of ANTP for instance, this Victor Ashaolu has been on our neck fighting to be the president of ANTP for the past 12 years. During my tenure, he even took me to court. We were in court for 9 years. After Jide Kosoko too, there was problem and we were in court for another three and half years. Ashaolu held a kangaroo election then, he went to court that Jide Kosoko shouldn’t parade himself as the president. The injunction for the election was already achieved and it was conducted. One way or the other, the election was upheld and Ashaolu is now the president. But in all the states where ANTP is, majority said they don’t want him because he’s been to each state to arrest them and cases are now in court.
means but I killed the association because it’s uncalled for. We must have a body to carry everybody along. This Ashaolu isn’t a practicing actor and can’t feel what we feel. So, if we have another body and we write a letter somewhere for something that will benefit the body, once he isn’t a member, he won’t have a share in it- that’s why he’s fighting everybody. So that’s why people ended up moving en mass out or ANTP. Yemi Solade is the interim Chairman, steering committee of TAMPA and they are planning at the moment. The registration will soon start and the election too.
Why can’t all the movie practitioners come together under one umbrella? That is the fault of the government. During the tenure of Obasanjo, the federal government set up a body which I happened to be part of, MOPICON. Tunde Oloyede was the Chairman and they drew people from Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba and we used to hold meetings in Abuja. We did a report and sent it to Abuja and I am their leader it was remaining for him and they came to me. to pass it as a law, which Our experience is that was how we didn’t hear wherever we wrote pe- anything about it till tition that we wanted date. something for the body, But the AGN presiAshaolu will write another petition against it. dent, Ibinabor took So, those people have her people to Aso no confidence in him. Rock. Why can’t you Even during my own do same? I already did that betenure, Saidi Balogun and his cohorts took fore she even thought of same step they took it. We went to Aso Rock now when they came up to meet Obasanjo and with Young Movie Pro- we have proof here. ducers (YMP) because That was during he wants power by all
anything. Whatever you see in the movie industry today, is as a result of self effort. Now, if the government wants to help us, they should see the industry as one that can generate revenue for the country. Go to censor’s board and see how much they make every year, it’s more than the government’s subvention. The Yoruba movie industry censor movie on a daily basis and the amount we make is very huge and we pay tax! What are they doing for us in return? Nothing!
Salami
Obasanjo’s regime, what about this Jonathan regime? I really don’t want to talk about it. Everyone has his own motive of going there. Ibinabor and her executive didn’t visit Aso Rock because of ‘God’. It’s not until we go there before we make our mark. The way this present government looks at anything that has to do with the Southwest is different. I won’t say more than that. So are you looking at the possibility of still pursuing that bill passed on to the National Assembly because most people agree that good things don’t come to you because the movie industry is not united That is if the government wants to do it. If they want to do it, they will follow up the MOPICON bill because it comprises everybody and it will stand as the
voice of everyone and will kill so many mushroom associations. Even if others fight themselves, we wouldn’t care because it will be clear that the government supports only MOPICON. Yes because we even have movie makers in the House of Representatives It’s not as easy as you think Talking about government, what kind of assistance does the industry need from them? From my own point of view, the government doesn’t recognize the industry. They put the money down that movie producers should borrow from yet; some major practitioners are yet to receive anything from it. I haven’t received anything. Even Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan haven’t received
If there’s a cinema house in each local government, our movies will sell a lot. When I went to America for the post production of Omo Orukan in the 70s, they asked me how many copies I want, I said two when our contemporaries booked for 1000 copies! Tell me, if you make money with like 1000 copies being shown simultaneously at different times; tell me how the government will not deduct entertainment tax. They don’t look at it because they have nothing to offer us. I’ve never spoken like this in any interview but when you get to a stage, you just have to speak out for posterity sake. I’m not condemning government, what I’m saying is what concerns me, I’m not a politician and I don’t condemn. Is there anything your state, Kwara, is doing with you? Yes, we are doing something together. Femi has just finished with a television series
on Cancer for them under the project of the State’s First Lady. Mine is on the way, a 90 minutes docu-drama. That means your relationship with your state government is cordial? My relationship with all the South-Western state’s government is cordial. We are professionals and because they know our worth, they call us to do something for them and we do it because it’s our job. They know people would listen to us and whatever we tell people, they believe it 90%. Is there any burden you have as a star? Yes, whenever we go out, we meet area boys who always ask for money and can’t hide but give them. What about women? They are our fans and we cope well Any embarrassing moment with any before? I don’t have any because I carry myself well. Women want to be part of you when you are successful, especially when you are a star. You have to know your way. That’s what happened to me when I was young and I couldn’t control it. But now that I’m older, I teach my sons not to go into polygamy. What caused it was that at that time, we do traveling theater and we needed women on stage. So when you train a woman on stage, after she gets married, she would go with the knowledge but if you marry her, she goes nowhere! And it worked.
DAILTY TIMES – SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014
23
arts & culture Hindu culture
T
he notion of grouping the indigenous religions of India under a single umbrella term Hindu emerges as a result of various invasions in India bringing forth nonindigenous religions such as Islam to the Indian Subcontinent Numerous Muslim invaders, such as Nader Shah, Mahmud of Ghazni, Ahmad Shāh Abdālī, Muhammad Ghori, Babur and Aurangzeb, destroyed Hindu temples and persecuted Hindus; some, such as Akbar, were more tolerant. Hinduism underwent profound changes, in large part due to the influence of the prominent teachers Ramanuja, Madhva and Chaitanya. Followers of the Bhakti Movement moved away from the abstract concept of Brahman, which the philosopher Adi Shankara consolidated a few centuries before, with emotional, passionate devotion towards what they believed as the more accessible Avatars, especially Krishna and Rama Hinduism, its religious doctrines, traditions and observances are very typical and inextricably linked to the culture and demographics of India. Hinduism has one of the most ethnically diverse bodies of adherents in the world. It is hard to classify Hinduism as a religion because the framework, symbols, leaders and books of reference that make up a typical religion are not uniquely identified in the case of
Hinduism. Hinduism being the oldest Religion of the world, it is not clearly known of when exactly it originated and some estimates put it as around 5000 years old. Most commonly it can be seen as a “way of life” which gives rise to many other forms of religions. Large tribes and communities indigenous to India are closely linked to the synthesis and formation of Hindu civilization. People of East Asian roots living in the states of north eastern India and Nepal were also a part of the earliest Hindu civilization. Immigration and settlement of people from Central Asia and people of Indo-Greek heritage have brought their own influence on Hindu society. The roots of Hinduism in southern India, and among tribal and indigenous communities is just as ancient and fundamentally contributive to the foundations of the religious and philosophical system. Ancient Hindu kingdoms arose and spread the religion and traditions across Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Nepal, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, and what is now central Vietnam. A form of Hinduism particularly different from Indian roots and traditions is practiced in Bali, Indonesia, where Hindus form 90% of the population Indian migrants have taken Hinduism and Hindu culture to
South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and other countries in and around the Indian Ocean, and in the nations of the West Indies and the Caribbean. The vast majority of Hindus engage in religious rituals on a daily basis. Most Hindus observe religious rituals at home. but this varies
greatly among regions, villages, and individuals. Devout Hindus perform daily rituals such as worshiping at dawn after bathing (usually at a family shrine, and typically includes lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs before
the images of deities), recitation from religious scripts, singing devotional hymns, meditation, chanting mantras, reciting scriptures etc.A notable feature in religious ritual is the division between purity and pollution. Religious acts
presuppose some degree of impurity or defilement for the practitioner, which must be overcome or neutralised before or during ritual procedures. Purification, usually with water, is thus a typical feature of most religious action. Other characteristics include a belief in the efficacy of sacrifice and concept of merit, gained through the performance of charity or good works, that will accumulate over time and reduce sufferings in the next world. Vedic rites of fire-oblation (yajna) are now only occasional practices, although they are highly revered in theory. In Hindu wedding and burial ceremonies, however, the yajña and chanting of Vedic mantras are still the norm. The rituals, upacharas, change with time. For instance, in the past few hundred years some rituals, such as sacred dance and music offerings in the standard Sodasa Upacharas set prescribed by the Agama Shastra, were replaced by the offerings of rice and sweets. Occasions like birth, marriage, and death involve what are often elaborate sets of religious customs. In Hinduism, life-cycle rituals include
Annaprashan (a baby’s first intake of solid food), Upanayanam (“sacred thread ceremony” undergone by upper-caste children at their initiation into formal education) and Śrāddha (ritual of treating people to a meal in return for prayers to ‘God’ to give peace to the soul of the deceased). For most people in India, the betrothal of the young couple and the exact date and time of the wedding are matters decided by the parents in consultation with astrologers. On death, cremation is considered obligatory for all except sanyasis, hijra, and children under five. Cremation is typically performed by wrapping the corpse in cloth and burning it on a pyre. Hindu festivals are considered as symbolic rituals that beautifully weave individual and social life to dharma. Hinduism has many festivals throughout the year. The Hindu calendar usually prescribe their dates. The festivals typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes. There are festivals which are primarily celebrated by specific sects or in certain regions of the Indian subcontinent.
technology Clouds’ Are The Limit 24
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
…Computing and its evolving landscape
By Olatunji Makanjuola
C
loud Computing…. What is it?
Some search engines explain cloud computing as “the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.” This simply means that cloud computing is the way of working with computers, where you save, manage and work with your files and software over the internet, so you won’t have software and files saved on your own computers in the usual way but rather on remote computers being managed by large companies. In cloud computing, what happens is that major workload which used to be your concern as a customer is moved over to a remote network of computers which make up the cloud, so all those problems of having your
computers hang due to software overload will no longer be a problem as usual; the remote computers take care of all the trouble. Cloud computing provides your application services remotely so that all your computer needs to be able to do is to run the interface that connects you to the remote server, and in some cases the interface may just be a regular web browser. And with this, it means you can actually run your computing activities from anywhere in the world. To give you a basic and popular idea of cloud computing systems… your emails are run on clouds, that’s why you can save information and other items, communicate and run certain related business. All you need is your browser from any device. So as a matter of fact, cloud computing has been around for some years, but now it’s taking center stage like
never before.
create the cloud of computing services. Now when we speak of the back end, there can be just about every kind of software or program you know today and beyond… from word processing, to games and file storage, communications and fun to serious business tools and so on; even to the point of customized applications. It is a good practice to run any unique program on a dedicated server of its own. There is also a central server which monitors and administers the affairs of the system for smooth running. This server operates based on guidelines known as protocols which are based on unique software called ‘Middleware’ which serves as a connectivity point for connected computers to communicate together within the network.
Cloud Computing Structure To understand the nature of cloud computing, it should be noted that there are two main areas to it – the front end and the back end. These two parts of the system are connected to each other over a network like the internet. The front end is the area which the client or user sees and accesses, while the back end is the cloud. The front end therefore includes the computer(s) and all other requirements needed by the client or user - including networks and needed applications like an internet browser or other interface which is provided based on the service; sometimes you may even need whole unique applications like in games for example. At the back end of cloud computing systems are the various Using The Cloud computers, servers and After all the hulladata storage systems that balloo, how useful is this
cloud computing and does it apply to me? Well, yes is the answer…. Why? Because many large corporations today are looking into providing this service and forecasts say that 80% of US consumers will be using the cloud by 2020. As noted above, cloud computing would be able to run just about all the programs we know to use on our computers conventionally, given the right middleware and administration. So here are a few reasons why cloud computing would be useful…
the cloud computers will take care of that. •Rental costs are also cut down as businesses will no longer need to have large office spaces due to data storage demands and supercomputing.
•Businesses will no longer need to spend large sums on buying software or licenses for all their computers, they now have the option to pay efficient amounts for cloud access. •Software on local computers are limited in their features as they are delivered but on the •Accessibility of infor- cloud, there is access to mation and other data. updates and a world of The files and every stage features. of their development would be available from •Less costs on IT beany part of the world, cause there will be less rather than being stuck issues with physical in one computer at the computers at premises. office or home. •The power of net•You will no longer worked computers on need to buy systems with the cloud will far outhuge hard discs and pro- weigh what can be cessing power because achieved within.
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early beginings
Past Editors Of The Daily Times
A
lthough the ownership of the Daily Times changed hands, its fundamental policy of independence and astute loyalty to the best interests of Nigeria has never changed in its 50 years of continuous publication.
In its maiden issue of June 1, 1926 the newspaper’s policy editorial said in part: “… Starting, however, as a modest fourpage sheet, we hope for a paper that will compare without a blush with any publication of its kind… “……the Nigerian Daily Times is a national newspaper and will be attached to no particular creed or party. Whatever makes for the healthy progress
and advancement of Nigeria, will have our hearty support and one of our chief aims will be to develop in all Nigerians- a strong sense of sane nationalism and a desire to work with hearty co-operation and singleness of purpose to bring this young promising country to its proper place in the imperial brotherhood.” The individual, who shoulders the task of ensuring that the wishes and aspirations of the directors are carried out and reflected in the news and editorials, is the Editor. The honour done to the memories of past editors of the Daily Times is their position on the long wooden picture frame hanging on the wall of the Daily Times Editor’s office at Kakawa Street, Lagos. First on the honours list is Earnest Sesei Ikoli. He was editor for four years, 1926-1929. Before his appointment as editor of the Nigerian Daily Times, Ikoli edited the African Messenger which he founded in 1921. The second editor of the Daily Times was Mr. C. A. Titcombe. He joined the Daily Times on January 2, 1929 and became editor on January 1, 1930. For 13 years, through economic thick and thin, he directed the editorial policy of the paper. From 1943-1946, the paper was edited by Ayodele Lijadu.; the only man whose picture on the frame shows the
crispness of military outfit. Ayodele Lijadu was Nigeria’s first war correspondent, reporting the Second World War from Burma. For two months, from January-February 1947, Mr. J. S. Ogunlesi edited the Daily Times. Perhaps the shortness of the period robbed him of a place on the picture frame in the editor’s office. The Mirror Group became interested in the Daily Times at a time when J. Oloyede was editor. From 1947 and for four and a half years later until 1951, Mr. Oloyede had the luck to work on a paper witnessing great changes. It was during Mr. Oloyede’s time that Nigerian journalism witnessed heavy investments in machines by the Mirror Group’s installation of the rotary printing press. The sixth editor of the Daily Times (the name “Nigerian” had been dropped in 1948) was Ebun Adesioye. From 1947 until 1951 Adesioye edited a revitalized Daily Times whose technical production was at its best. In 1955 when Adesioye was appointed Managing Editor of the paper, Gabriel Igbonekwu Idigo who in 1954 had become the first Nigerian to win “The Commonwealth Prize” in journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London was appointed seventh editor of the Daily Times. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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early beginings
SEPTEMBER 1-7 2014 DAILTY TIMES
Past Editors Of The Daily Times
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
This post he held until 1957 when Alhaji Babatunde Jose was appointed editor. Five years later, Alhaji Jose was to become the paper’s managing Director and in 1968, its chairman, a post he held until August 1975. When Alhaji jose became managing Director in 1962, Peter Enahoro, who established himself as nigeria’s foremost impressionistic writer and columnist under the pen name of Peter Pan, was appointed editor. This post he held for two years from 1962 to 1964. Alhaji Alade Odunewu, more popularly called Allah Dey, took over editorship of the Daily Times in 1964 and for the later part of the three years he was editor, saw the paper through the first phase
of Nigeria’s experience in military rule. Mr. Aremu Alabi acted as Editor from June 1968 to May 1969 when Henry Odukomaiya became Editor. Mr. Odukomaiya was the eleventh substantive Editor of the Daily Times. He saw the paper through the end of the civil war in January, 1970 and the early years of rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts by Nigerians to live once again as one people and one nation. The dramatic change in Daily Times policy to encourage graduates and put them at the helm of affairs saw Areoye Oyebola who joined the Daily Times in June 1968 as a graduate trainee becoming the second graduate editor of the Daily Times. This post he held from July 1, 1972 until July
30, 1975. On July30, 1975, Segun Osoba, deputy editor, Daily Times, took over the editorship of the paper when Mr. Oyebola became Managing Editor, a revival of Adesioye’s 1955 posting. Mr. Osoba was editor for only four months July 30th1975 – November 30th1975 before he left for Kwara State as General Manager of the Kwara State Printing and publishing Corporation, publishers of the Nigerian Herald. Dipo Alayi, deputy editor of the Daily Times and one-time editor of Lagos Weekend and Daily Times London correspondent, took over as acting editor of the Daily times in December, 1975. In March, 1976, Tony CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
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early beginings
Past Editors Of The Daily Times
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Momoh was appointed acting editor of the Daily Times. Momoh who is a mass communication graduate and a barrister and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria was, before his appointment as acting editor, the editorial training manager of the Daily Times. The Woman Editors Even though no woman has yet been named editor of the Daily Times, the paper has for many years retained the services of able women affairs either on part-time or freelance basis. The trend was broken in 1951 when the first and most controversial of all Daily Times woman editors Miss Theresa Modupe Ogunbiyi (now Mrs. Bowyer) joined the staff. Popularly known as Theresa, she would discuss any subject – politics, fashion, cosmetics, you name it – with the same tenacity and candour as she would attack the dominance of her male counterparts. She was succeeded for a while by another beautiful and able writer, Miss Adaora Ulasi, who joined the company in 1955 after abtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in America. Adaora remained woman editor until 1957 when Mrs. Bowyer returned from her U.K. study leave. Mrs. Bowyer left the service of the company in 1963; she is at present a director of the New Nigerian News-
papers Limited. Other women editors included Mrs. Tokunbo Osemobor (now a magistrate); Miss Victoria Omene (now Managing Director, Cosmos Publicity); Miss Agbeke Ogunsanwo and Mrs.
Adebisi Adebiyi, both currently reading for university degrees on Company sponsorship. These women writers did much to arouse the interest of women in national affairs, and also to bring the men
folk into an awareness newspapers were the of the rights of women. photographers – represented by the indeThe Candid Camera fatigable Peter Obe. Another profession- Joining the Company al group of editorial in 1953 as a junior staff who did much to cameraman, Peter rose promote the growth to the post of Chief in circulation of the cameraman and carved
a name for himself in the world of Press and studio photography. He now runs his private studio – the Peter Obe Photo Agency. Picture shows Peter Obe in action.
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opinion
Zoning And Abia 2015 By Mecha Udo Mecha
T
he beauty of Democracy is that it allows free and unfettered contests amongst qualifying candidates; it further offers the electorate the freedom of choice unrestricted by any man or institution. Democracy opens the political space, gives vent to the concept of one man one vote, and allows unhindered expression of political intentions.
Section 177 (a-d) of The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (the grund norm of the nation’s laws), expressly specifies the qualifying conditions for seeking or running for the office of the Governor of a state. My understanding of section 177 (a) is that a man of Osun extraction will be qualified to contest for the Abia state governorship seat, if he satisfies the other conditions stipulated by the constitution. The sound bites, which we are receiving from Abia, pertaining to the process of presentation of candidates for election into the office of Governor are very worrisome and portend great and grave danger to the well-being of the state. Given the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the politics of Abia since 1999, it is expected that a RIGHT PDP candidate stands more than 75% chance of getting elected as Governor of the state. This assumption is the reason what the party does or fails to do in its selection process is of concern to a lot of stakeholders in the
Abia project. It is important that recent trend in the Nigerian space be taken into cognizance in drawing up strategies for the selection process. At the centre, the death knell of zoning has been sounded. Zoning has been abandoned and overtaken by merit and performance. One of the reasons, the APC lost in the recent Ekiti governorship elections is that the incumbent was seen by a large population of voters as one that was imposed on the people, as the powers that be in the party foreclosed an open and even contest for the party’s governorship slot. In Osun, a performing Governor was returned by the voting public despite the presence of over 73,000 security men (including soldiers) who were deployed by the PDP controlled central government. In Lagos state, there is an on-going review of some state policies that are now perceived as anti- people, an example is the review of school fees in the state owned university from over N300,000 in some cases downward to N25,000. The independent Electoral Commission is perfecting the art of conducting free and fair elections, at least, the incidences of malpractices has been reasonably curtailed. The sitting President has shown a proclivity for allowing the people to have their say in the electoral processes. He demonstrated this in Edo, Anambra, Osun and even in Ondo state, not considering the fact
that his party, the PDP in all these instances was on the losing side. Times have changed and times are changing. Those who fail to align with the tide of these changes will be swept away by the force of the tide. If Abia PDP insists on excluding some of its best contestants on account of an obnoxious zoning proposition, it would have considerably diminished its chances of winning the governorship election in the state. Perish the thought that the Federal forces will be sent down to secure the ticket for the party; it did not happen in Osun. Perish the thought that INEC officials will be compromised to fiddle with the process in order to favor certain candidates; it did not happen in Ondo. Stop imagining that the President’s influence and the people’s support for the President will sway votes in favor of the party at the governorship elections; Lagos voted PDP for the Presidency and ACN for the governorship elections in 2011.
The thought that Abians will stand askance while the electoral process is being manipulated to install stooges will definitely not happen again. Abians will vote for merit, they will vote for persons, they will not vote solely for party and they will definitely not vote for tendencies. The choice therefore before the party is to throw up its very best, regardless of where he or she is from. Abians are eagerly waiting for 2015, they intend to have a say, and they are poised to have their way, they intend to make their votes count as it happened in Edo. The party must align itself with the wishes of those it has been governing and wants to continue to govern. People’s power is in vogue and it is taking root. Voter apathy has suffered dwindled fortunes recently. This is not to talk about the backlash of reactions from those who will be unjustly excluded, as they would most likely work against the party either directly, by con-
testing the elections under another platform or indirectly by withdrawing the support of their political bases, both instances will further reduce the party’s chances of success at the polls. Stakeholders in the Abia project are now interested in what happens to and in the state, you ignore their expectations at your own peril; they have alternatives. In 1999, when the military decided to return power to civilians, the process was met with skepticism by a lot of players. This scenario allowed the few who threw their hats into the ring to have easy rides. Voter awareness, consciousness and understanding of their rights and the processes were limited. INEC was learning the ropes and even the contestants were ill prepared, as they did not indeed know what to expect, they therefore treaded with caution. It is instructive to note that despite this seemingly experimental outing, candidates came from Abia North, South and Central. In all the governorship elections in the state since 1999, candidates have always come from the three senatorial zones of the state. It is extremely unfortunate that despite the advancement and development in the national political horizon, the state is battling tooth and nail to limit itself. There is talk about a certain “charter” that exist in the consciousness of a few, that stipulates that the governorship slot is supposed to be zoned and that it is the turn of
the Ukwa /Ngwa in Abia South to produce the Governor this term. A new twist has been introduced by the zoning of the office to a section of the supposed benefitting zone. A few who have spoken about this charter claim that it was initiated and signed in the times of the class of Dr, M.I. Okpara (1952 to 1964). The question then would be when was Abia created?, was Okpara some kind of Nostradamus to have foreseen the creation of Abia state in 1991, and decided to produce a charter that will ensure Fairness, Justice and Equity in the yet to be created state. The creation of the 105 senatorial zones was effected by Section 48 of The Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. This document came into effect in 1999, fifteen (15) years after Dr. Okpara’s death and 35 years after he left the political scene. It is difficult to follow this trend of thought. Even if indeed that class signed anything, whatever was signed in the age of the Olympia typewriter, when the Postmaster was such a prominent citizen cannot fashion the affairs of today’s dynamic and digital age. If indeed something was signed, it must have suffered obsolescence and as such has become archaic and cannot be relevant in the scheme of things in this burgeoning aggressive political dispensation. I plead that if we cannot build on the legacies of this very Great Nigerian, we should at least allow him peaceful rest. m.udomecha@gmail. com