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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 VOL. 1. NO.5

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Boko Haram on the rampage again g6

•Kill 35, abduct 185 women, kids near Chibok

Residents inspect rubble at Gamboru market burnt by suspected Boko Haram members in Gamboru Ngala district, Borno State in May this year.

God made me president, says Jonathan •Pro-Buhari rally holds in UK tomorrow g6

Monday Agu Jnr, Abuja; Ngozi Okafor, London

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resident Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday attributed his rise to Nigeria’s Number One seat to God and pleaded for prayers from Nigerians to enable him succeed in the task of governing the country.

However, more support comes tomorow and Sunday for his opCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

PHOTO: FILE, AFP

Court upholds right of prisoners to vote g 7

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Editorial

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Mutinous soldiers: A plea for mercy

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he lives of 54 Nigerian soldiers may soon be terminated by firing squad. These soldiers were recently found guilty by a General Court Martial for mutiny and cowardice in the line of duty. The combatants, attached to the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri were convicted for failing to fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in North east of the country. They include two Corporals, nine Lance Corporals and 49 Private.

According to the charge sheet, they conspired to commit mutiny against the authorities of the 7 Division on August 4, at the Mulai Primary School, Maiduguri, Borno State. According to the prosecution, the soldiers had refused to join the 111 Special Forces Battalion troops, commanded by Lt. Col. Timothy Opurum to fight and recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa all in Borno State from the Boko Haram. And for this, they were guilty under section 52(1)(a)of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

While the sentencing falls purely under military jurisdiction, we call on the authorities to take another look into the issue with a view to softening the capital punishment. By their calling and training, soldiers are expected to be brave in the face of danger, especially when such involves defending the country against any external or internal aggression. These convicted soldiers cannot claim ignorance of the hazards of the profession they willingly chose. Soldiers the world over foreswear loyalty both to the authorities and their countries at any time and in any circumstance, even at the risk

of losing lives. That is why the state treats them with respect.

It therefore smacks of utmost betrayal of the same society which has sacrificed a lot for their wellbeing when they shirk the responsibility of protecting it against threats from any quarters.

Under no circumstance should soldiers abandon their posts in the face of terror and give up weapons to Nevertheless, there is a pervasive perception that junior soldiers are merely scapegoats for the incompetence of their superior officers. That is why we are insisting that those at the helm who have stolen billions of naira set aside for barracks development all over the country and yet , have failed for five years to conduct a true and professional war against Boko Haram terrorism be brought to book for their misdeeds.

This is because some of these soldiers have for long complained of lack of sophisticated equipment to confront an enemy armed to the teeth. To ‘err is human to forgive divine’.

While we do not justify the actions of these soldiers, we believe the authorities could still reform them into patriotic citizens who would put the interest of the country above theirs.

That is why we plead that the conviction which carries the death penalty be commuted to life jail terms. A life sentence with parole after some years, would not only have reformed them but it will enable them appreciate the folly of their action. The country cannot afford to waste the lives of 54 citizens at this time that everyone is yearning for national reconciliation and unity against the forces of violence and disintegration.

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Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Deputy Editor

Deputy Head of Operations

Managing Editor

Head of Operations

Head, Sales & Marketing

Editor

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Gabriella Osamor Yinka Olujimi

Yemi Ogunsola

Innocent Nwankwo Bisi Abidoye

A voter’s card is a ticket of hope, a symbol of possibility and a confirmation of liberty.

Your voter’s card is much more powerful than your international passport because it cannot be withdrawn by any Government.

Never fail to register to vote, you have no electoral say without it.” – Lai Labode.

Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.” – Ibrahim Babangida

When old people speak it is not because of the sweetness of words in our mouths; it is because we see something which you do not see.” – Chinua Achebe

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Publisher

Noel Anosike

L-R: Daughter of the Chief of Naval Staff, Miss Sarah Jibril; wife of the Minister of Interior, Mrs Ori Abba Moro; National President, Naval Officers Wives Association, Mrs Lamin Jibrin and wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, during a Christmas Carol at the Senate President’s Residence in Apo, Abuja...yesterday.

Mark-Anthony Oshilaja Moses Ebong

Head Graphics King Ododoru

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

For some part of the country education is everything and parents would go hungry in order to send their ward to school. For some other part, education is “foolish” and something to be rejected. For some part, religion is a matter of choice and does not debar cohabiting with those of differing religious bent. For some other part, religion is everything and it is righteous to kill those who do not share of your religious value – Tunde Fagbenle

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Amaechi heads Buhari’s campaign

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Rivers State governor, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi as the Director-General of its Presidential Campaign Organisation.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary,

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Lagos said that this would drive its efforts to win the 2015 presidential election.

It said the announcement followed the success of its convention at which its presidential candidate, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was democratically

elected and the follow-up successful choice of his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The party thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers toward the success of the convention.

It said it believed it had lived up to its promise to Nigerians to ensure that

2015: Religious body wants defaulting politicians jailed Augustine Aminu

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hairman, AnsarUd-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN), Northern States Council, Dr. Bashir Adeniyi Omipidan, has called on law enforcement agencies in the country to make sure that politicians who fail to play by the rules during the 2015 general elections are sent to jail so as to serve as deterrent to others.

Addressing the press Thursday in Zaria, as part of preparation for the association’s annual conference coming up this weekend, Dr. Omipidan, noted that if politicians don’t play the political game according to the rule, it may cause the repeat of 2011 post elections violence.

Said he: “As we approach the 2015 general election, ADYAN is appealing to all concerned, politicians, In-

dependent National Electoral Commission [INEC], Ad-Hoc staff and voters to kindly play the game according to rules so that we can choose leaders of our choice.

“Any politician who fail to play according to the rule should be made to face the music, the electoral law must take its cause and no defaulting politician should be allowed to go scot-free.

“Youth, on the other hand should never allow themselves to be used because the future of this great country lies in our hands. We must ensure that 2015 was a clear departure from 2011, where violence erupted in some parts of the country, after the Presidential election.

Voters are advised to vote and defend their vote so as to allow their votes to count.

“The association being a

youth organization is seriously concerned about the security situation of our dear country, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency. We commiserate with families and relatives of all that have died since the incident began. More worrisome is the Chibok Girls who are still held captive.

We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action at ensuring that these girls reunite once again with their families.

We commend the courage of the Nigerian Military and the local hunters and urge them not to relent in their effort at protecting the people.

“We equally call on the Federal Government and states concerned to ensure that displaced persons are not only well catered for, but are given the opportunity to participate in the 2015 general election, irrespective of their locations.

the choice of its presidential running mate would be made within the context of the best democratic ideals.

“We must confess that the choice was a tough one, considering the array of eminently qualified and outstanding candidates that we had to choose from.

Monday Agu, Jnr

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he National Council on Privatisation (NCP), chaired by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, has ratified the sale of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited and Mobile Telecommunications Limited to NATCOM Consortium.

Speaking after Thursday’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, Chairman, Technical Committee of the Council, Atedo Peter-

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he death has been announced of a devout Islamic and Community leader and politician in Lagos State, Alhaji Prince Jimoh Kareem – Laka Orelope He was aged 101. He was born to Akeja Oniyanru and Olugbede Royal fami-

lies of Lagos State on the 25th of February, 1913.

Pa Jimoh Laka would be remembered for his philanthropic gestures to the less privileged and his commitment to community development and the propagation of the Islamic faith.

A politician of high

repute, he is survived by wife, children, grand- children and great grand- children among whom is the incumbent deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Pa Laka will be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites.

shortage of the very best human resources,’’ it said.

According to the party, Osinbajo is an awardwinning professor of law, a legal luminary, a gentleman, a much-sought-after public speaker, a tested administrator, an author and a man of great ecclesiastical standing.

NCP validates sale of NITEL, MTEL side, said with the ratification, documentation and payments now follow.

“At the end of the privatisation exercise, there was one bidder. Two were prequalified initially but only one attained the passmark.

That was NATCOM Consortium with $252million.

“The NCP has confirmed the process. We now have a

preferred bidder ratified by the NCP. “Usually, what follows now are documentation and payment,” he said.

Also speaking, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, said the council also reports on the monitoring and evaluation of the entities so far privatised.

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR YEAR 2013 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND SPECIAL INTERVENTION 1.

INTRODUCTION The University hereby invites competent/ qualified Contractors to submit Technical bids for execution of the under listed projects under year 2013 Tetfund Special Intervention.

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Lot 1: Proposed Construction of Academic Staff Office Block for Faculty of Science.

2.

PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Each Contractor is required to enclose copies of the following pre-qualification documents.

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Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years.(2011, 2012. 2013) Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) Registration, Tax payer Identification Number (TIN) and evidence of Remittance for the last three years (2011, 2012, 2013).

Evidence of necessary financial capability backed by reference from a reputable Bank.

Evidence of relevant verifiable experience on recent similar projects in Nigeria in the last three years, (2011, 2012, 2013) Company’s Audited Account for the last three (3) years.(2011, 2012, 2013) Verifiable List and Evidence of necessary equipment and facilities for project execution Evidence of Compliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform ACT;2011 Evidence of Compliance with the provisions of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Amendment Act 2011 A sworn Affidavit indicating that none of the Directors has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety.

Indication of Professional, Technical and Administrative staff strength with academic/professional qualification and years of experience of key personnel available for the project.

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Lagos dep. gov. loses dad

‘’Yes, we were spoilt for choice but, in the end, we picked as running mate a man whose pedigree, nationally, sub-regionally, regionally and globally, attests to the fact that our party is a repository of high quality leadership materials.

“The fact is that our country, Nigeria, has no

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A declaration or sworn affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable.

SUBMISSION GUIDE The Technical Document should be sealed in an envelope marked at the top and labeled “PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR…………” Any of the projects Lot 1or Lot 2 above on the left hand corner.

The complete package should be addressed to: THE REGISTRAR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE, P.M.B 126, YENOGOA, BAYELSA STATE. The document should be dropped in the Appropriate Tender Box stationed in the office of the Registrar on or before 12.00 noon on the closing date, that is Wednesday, 7th January, 2015.

5.

OPENING OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS The submission will be opened at 12.00 noon on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 at the Council Chamber of the University, in the presence of all bidders who choose to attend.

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Lo Co Lo 2.

PR Ea co do

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Ev Aff Ev las Ev Re Nu for Ev ba Ev on las Co th Ve eq ex Ev of Ev of Am As Di for fin Ind an ac ye av

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NOTE: • Only the bids of those who fulfill the prequalification criteria would be considered and invited to submit financial bid. The University is not duty bound to accept the lowest or any bid.

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The University reserves the right to reject any or all pre-qualification packages.

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This announcement does not constitute an offer by the University to transact with any party, nor does it constitute a commitment or obligation on the part of the University to procure works or goods.

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The University will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to this invitation.

Signed Registrar.

IN Th qu bid pr Int

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A th an

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

God made me president, says Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ponent in the coming general election, General Muhammadu Buhari, as a group of Nigerians living in the United Kingdom plan to hold a two-day rally to back his fourth-time bid for the seat.

President Jonathan spoke at the 2014 Christmas Carol held at the State Banquet Hall, Abuja. He lamented that he had been under immense pressure at every critical moment whenever he had to take a decision on national issues.

The president admitted getting contradictory suggestions from different persons and called on Nigerians to keep praying for him to be able to take good decisions at all times.

Jonathan insisted that he was chosen by God to lead Nigeria and expressed confidence that God would use him to heal Nigeria of all her troubles.

He said: “We pray that God should give those of us who are in charge the grace to do things with the fear of God. If we begin to do what is right in our own little way, this nation will survive.

“God knows why we are here. Nobody will place himself in any position without God. So God that gives all of us the opportunity will see us through.”

The President said further: “For me your servant today, I will continue to request for your prayers that God should give me the wisdom to do what is right in His sight.

“Because it is quite challenging for a leader.

For every subject that you want to take a decision, you will have multiple suggestions, some contradictory, some to the left, some to the right, some to the centre. But you must take a decision.

“It is only God that can guide you to take the rightful decision that will not bring suffering to your people.

“We will try our best and we will continue to do our best. We promise that any opportunity given to us, we will use it to serve mankind,” the President said.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians in the diaspora will on Saturday hold a solidarity rally to support the candidacy of Gen. Buhari

Book presenter, Lateef Fagbemi SAN (left); chairman of the occasion, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour; wife of Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, Adetoro; and Justice Olorundahunsi at a book launch on ‘’Oiling the wheel of Justice’’ in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

(rtd.) and Professor Yemi Osibajo, as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress , APC, at next February’s presidential elections.

The group, “ Buhari: Hope 2015 movement for

a new Nigeria,” will hold the two-rally at the Trafalgar Square, beginning from noon. One of the organisers, John Omotola, told Daily Times: This is the beginning of a programme of activities lined up to support the duo.”

He added: “This is a group of Nigerians in Nigeria and Diaspora passionate to see a new Nigeria through Buhari.

They believe in him as an embodiment of the values and integrity capable of taking Nigeria to the

promised land. “ Prominent community leaders in the UK will gather at the Trafalgar Square to address some of the problems that have held us back as a nation over the years.

Boko Haram kills 35, abduct women, children near Chibok •Herdsmen kill baby, parents, four others in Kaduna Augustine Aminu Abuja

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slamic militants have again attacked Gumburi, a town, 20 kilometers from Chibok. This time 35 persons were killed while 185 were abducted.

Most of those kidnapped in the attack which occurred on Sunday were young women, children and members of a civilian defence group that is fighting Boko Haram, residents said.

The news took days to filter out because the militants had destroyed communications masts

in the area.

In yet another killing spree, a one-year-old baby, his father, mother and four others received mass burial yesterday following a terrorist attack on Unguwan Dauda in Aboro District in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack was blamed on suspected Fulani herdsmen.

A teenager, Aji Ibrahim, who survived the Gumburi attacked told The Associated Press: “No doubt they were Boko Haram members because they were chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God

is great) while shooting at people and torching houses.”

A security official and a local government officer, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, confirmed the attack.

The leadership of Miyetti Allah in Southern Kaduna led by its zonal chairman, Alhaji Haruna Usman, condemned the Kaduna State attack, describing it as a ploy by the enemies of the state to disrupt the peace process in the communities.

Sanga has been suffering devastating attacks

since April, with over 1,500 deaths so far.

The police in Kaduna has not issued any official statement on the latest killings.

The Kaduna State Police spokesman, Aminu Lawal, could not be reached but Acting Chairman of Sanga Local Government and also Director Administration and General Service, Alhaji Nasiru Harande, told Daily Times that all those killed have been given a mass burial.

A resident in the area, Mike Karshi said the gunmen struck in the wee hours of Wednesday.

National President, Ninzom Progressive Youths in the southern part of Kaduna State, Bezah Wuyah, said several houses were also burnt.

Wuyah said Fulani herdsmen stormed the village from a hill and opened fire on the sleeping residents at about 4am on Wednesday.

“The Fulanis have been herding their cattle into rice farms here resulting in several quarrels between them and the villagers. But I can assure you that not a single Fulani man was hurt in the entire times they have

been provoking our people,” Uyah said, wondering why such a barbaric attack would be carried out on innocent people.

“They came without warning, swooped on this village. Seven people were given a mass burial, including a one-year-old baby from this Unguwan Dauda”, he said.

Meanwhile, Cameroon’s army killed 116 Boko Haram militants on Wednesday when the militants attacked a base in the Far North region of the country, said defence ministry spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

7 News

Court upholds right of prisoners to vote Titus Eguoaje Benin

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federal high court sitting in Benin, Edo State, has ruled that inmates of prisons in Nigeria have the right to vote in all elections conducted in the country.

The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Lima, ‎which gave the ruling in a suit instituted by Victor Emenuwe, Onome Inaye, Kabiru Abu, Osagie Iyekepolor, Modugu Odion (for and on behalf of inmates of Nigeria Prisons), against theIndependent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Controller-General of Nigeria Prisons Service, also directed the defendants to ensure that the applicants are not disenfranchised.

The plaintiffs had in an amended originating summons, asked the court to determine among others “whether having regards to the provisions of Section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended in 2011, and Section 12 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, the plaintiffs are not entitled to be registered as voters by the 1st defendants”.

Other reliefs sought by

the plaintiffs were that the court should determine whether having regard to the provisions of Section 77 (2) ‎of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Section 12 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, the plaintiffs are not entitled to cast their votes at any election; and whether the failure of the 1st defendant to make registration and voting provisions for the inmates in the custody of the 2nd defendant does not constitute an infringement on their rights as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as enshrined in

Section 14 (1) (2) (a) (b), Section 17 (2) (a), Section 24 (b), (c), Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Article 13 (1) and Article 20 (1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

In his judgment, Justice Lima declared that “any act by the 1st defendant to deny inmates the right to vote is unconstitutional, illegal, irregular, unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever; that the defendants do not have the constitutional right to deny the claimants their voting rights; that being an inmate is not an offence

that impedes their registration and voting right under Section 24 of the Electoral Act; and that‎ the exclusion of inmates in elections conducted in Nigeria is illegal, ultra vires and null and void.”

The judge thereafter made an order of mandatory injunction directing the 1st defendant to update and include in the national register of voters names of citizens in the custody of the 2nd defendant and an order of mandatory injunction directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, a body totally known to the Constitution, have the constitu-

tional mandate, capacity or authority to include the Plaintiffs and make the environment comfortable for them to exercise their franchise.” ‎ Counsel to the plaintiffs, Aigbokhan President, lauded the judgment saying that the erosion of inmates’ rights to vote creates a dangerously fragile environment for overall human rights in the country.

He added that “the judgment is a wedge on the slippery slope of creating second-class citizens in Nigeria.”

Court issues bench warrant against Federal Medical Centre ,CMD Ayodele Olaitan

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Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has issued a bench warrant against the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Dr Olufemi Omotoso for evading arraignment in a bribe case.

Omotoso and his alleged accomplice Ayo Owoka, who is a lawyer, were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy, offering of gratification and giving false information to a public officer.

The duo allegedly conspired to offer a N1.2 million bribe to operatives of the commission on 27 February 2014. Owoka, 47, was arrested as he allegedly tried to bribe the officers. On being questioned, he was said to have confessed that the money was given to him by Omotoso to compromise the investigation into a case of contract inflation, abuse of office, stealing, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Lawal-

Akapo expressed dissatisfaction that the arraignment could not take place due to the absence of Omotoso.

He therefore ordered operatives of the EFCC to arrest Omotoso and produce him in court on 26 January 2015 for the arraignment.

The anti –graft agency in a similar development has arraigned a Lagos business woman and legal practitioner, Stella Achebe, before Justice S. S. Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, on onecount charge bordering on issuance of dud cheque.

Achebe allegedly issued a bank cheque for the sum of N2, 000,000.00(Two Million Naira), in favour of one Daniel Ebinoh of Leinadibanie Nigeria Limited, but was dishonoured on the ground of insufficient funds.

When the charge was read to her, Achebe pleaded not guilty.

After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Ogunsanya granted her bail in the sum of N1million and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must be her relative, the other must have a landed property in Lagos and both gainfully employed.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cornelius Kayode Aderanti (middle) fielding questions from State House Correspondents shortly after the State Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN at the State House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, December 17, 2014. With him are: Commander 9 Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General David Lubo (left), Commander Airforce Base Ikeja, Group Captain Lere Osanyintolu (2nd left), Commander NNS BeeCroft Olokun Apapa, Navy Commodore David Ikoli (2nd right) and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox rtd .

Fashola urges focus on funding of education, health

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agos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN has called for greater attention to modalities for funding the two vital sectors towards arriving at a workable consensus.

The Governor spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received members of the Faculty of Education of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who were representing the Obafemi Awolowo Free Education

Order, on a courtesy call.

The team had come to invite him to be the guest lecturer at this year’s edition of the Obafemi Awolowo Free Education Order.

According to the Governor, he considers it an honour to have been invited to participate in an event about a programme that was not only a very audacious idea at the time but one whose relevance continues to reverberate not just locally here but across the world.

He explained that all over the world today, funding of education and funding of healthcare which lie at the heart of human capital development have become a big challenge for governments.

The Governor who backed up his assertion with reference to a documentary film on the United States’ education challenges titled, “The Ivory Tower” which he has watched, said he would recommend the documentary to the team

from OAU. He stated that the issue of education is not about whether it is free but about the challenge of funding because ultimately to the students who are the beneficiaries, the education is free but the service that delivers it free is not free.

“It is paid for somehow because lecturers do not teach for free in a free education system. So we must first understand and that was the big issue during Chief Awolowo’s time.It was, can you afford this?

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Absence of judge stalls trial of pro -Biafra activists Chukwuka Nweze, Enugu

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earing on the treason case against 12 members of the Biafra Zionists Movement, BZF, before a Federal High Court, in Enugu, was, yesterday, stalled because of the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Dorothy Agishi.

Expecting a possible break down of law and order, as early as 8 a.m., the court was surrounded by over 50 stern-looking policemen.

The suspects were later

brought to the court 30 minutes later by prison officials, who were equally well armed.

The case had earlier been adjourned to enable the counsel to the suspects, Olu Omotayo, argue a motion he had filed seeking for the bail of the Biafra activists.

Omotayo, who was not happy with the turn of events, later informed journalists that: “The judge is not in court, so we have no option than to take a new date. The court is already going on vacation to resume on January 19.

We shall come back on the February 9 to argue our motion for the bail of the suspects”.

“We were here last on December to argue our bail application but we couldn’t go on because the Federal Government filed a counter affidavit. Consequently, the court adjourned to allow us file a further affidavit in response to that. We have done so and we are ready to argue our motion for bail”.

It would be recalled that trouble began for the BZM leader, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, and eleven

others, who were arrested along with him when they made a failed attempt to make a live broadcast at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, in June, this year.

Subsequently, the suspects were later moved to the Force Headquarters from the Enugu State Police Command.

They were detained for several months before the Federal Government moved them to Enugu, where they were slammed with treason charges before the Federal High Court.

Aregbesola laments violence, thuggery in Osun schools

CJN tasks judges on alternative dispute resolution

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hief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed has urged judges to employ alternative dispute resolution processes to ensure speedy justice delivery and court decongestion.

The CJN made the call at the Supreme Court, Abuja, while swearing in five new judges of Federal Capital Territory High Courts.

The new Justices are Baba Idris (Taraba), Bello Kawu (Gombe), Ogbonnaya Nwamaka (Enugu), Aniete Ebang (Akwa-Ibom) and Udukwu Umar (Ebonyi).

He said that the benefits of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration, mediation and conciliation to speedy justice delivery and case backlog reduction in the system could not be over-

emphasised.

Said he, ``Although, you are all aware of these benefits, alternative dispute resolution can reduce the time and cost of justice, which simultaneously reduces the burden on litigants and case backlog. ``We need to explore innovative ways to speed up the administration of justice and measurable progress. ``That is why, as judicial officers, I urge you to imbibe best practices in court and case management, to be implacable in the face of corruption and to be unimpeachable in your manners,” he said.

Mohammed announced that cases disposed through utilization of alternative dispute resolution processes would henceforth form part of judicial officers’ performance.

Sodiq Adekunle

in the state, kindly desist from violence and acts of UNIVERSITYthuggery OF PORT HARCOURT, , which are on theRIVERS STATE, NIGERIA overnor Rauf FOR FOR YEAR 2013 increase inPRE-QUALIFICATION schools in the A r e g e b s o l aINVITATION TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND SPECIAL INTERVENTION state.” of Osun state, His wife, Alhaja Sherion Thursday, 1.

INTRODUCTION SUBMISSION GUIDE fat Aregbesola,4. expressed warned children in the The University hereby invites competent/ The Technical Document should be qualified to submit Technical concern over thesealed non-in an envelope marked at the state to desistContractors from viobids for execution of the under listed top and labeled “PRE-QUALIFICATION release of the over 200 lence. projects under year 2013 Tetfund Special FOR…………”

Any of the projects Lot 1or Intervention.

Lot 2 above on the left hand corner. in It would be recalled that Chibok girls kidnapped The complete package should be April.

Construction of addressed to: pupils Lot of 1:St.Proposed Saint AngliAcademic Staff Office Block for Faculty of She wondered what the can and Ansar-Ud-Deen, Science.

THE REGISTRAR, FEDERAL be UNIVERSITY OTUOKE, Osogbo had recently en- kidnapped girls would 2.

PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS P.M.B 126, undergoing, Nigegaged Each in a Contractor clash thatis left required to enclose urgingYENOGOA, copies of the following pre-qualification BAYELSA STATE. rians not to relent in their about ten people injured. documents.

The document should be dropped in the It took the interven- prayers for the girls.

• Evidence of Registration with Corporate Appropriate Tender Box stationed in Said she: “As the tion ofAffairs security officials Commission (CAC) theyear office of the Registrar on or before of Tax Clearance is Certificate forto an end, 12.00 noon on the closing date, that is running I apto •stopEvidence the fight, in which the last three (3) years.(2011, 2012. 2013) Wednesday, 7th January, 2015.

• Evidence Value Added Taxto(VAT) peal Nigerians not to Aregbesola matchetes andof charms Registration, Tax payer Identification 5.

OPENING OF PRE-QUALIFICATION in their prayer towere used.

Number (TIN) and evidence relent of Remittance DOCUMENTS the last three spoke years (2011,wards 2012, 2013). will be opened at 12.00 to ensure the healthiness seeking the The facesubmission of The forgovernor • Evidence of necessary financial capability noon on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 at and joy ofof their children for the releasethe of the duringbacked the bycelebration reference fromGod a reputable Council Chamber the University, Bank. in the presence of all bidders who choose at all times.

Chibok girls kidnapped by of •2014Evidence Children Day, orof relevant verifiable experience to attend.

“We should also train on recent similar projects inthe Nigeria in theHaram terrorBoko ganised in conjunction last three years, (2011, 2012, 2013) NOTE: them towhoinculcate the ists. with State Ministry of • the Company’s Audited Account for the last • Only the bids of those fulfill the prethree (3)Children years.(2011,Af2012, 2013) qualification criteria would considered virtues andbethe culture “Although we are celWomen and • Verifiable List and Evidence of necessary and invited to submit financial bid. The our bound people.

Mostthe imfor project University not duty to accept here today , let is of fairs atequipment Osogbo. and facilities ebrating execution lowest or any bid. portantly , I urge you to us individually pray for He lamented that un• Evidence of Compliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform ACT;2011 • The reserves right to rejectof thetheeducation the children, who areUniversity at make lawful acts were becom• Evidence of Compliance with the any or all pre-qualification packages. moment, denied the our children a top priority. provisions the state, Industrial the Training Fund ing rampant inofthe (ITF) Amendment Act 2011 • This announcement not constitute isdoes no excuse for any of byThere adding that Affidavit such indicating acts comfort • A sworn that noneand of company an offer the University to transact child to school the Directors has been convicted in any with are any party, nornot doestoit go constitute a their families.

These were not in conformity Country for any criminal offence relating commitment or obligation on the part of any longer in Osun state, the Chibok girls who have with the reason for his to fraud or financial impropriety. the University to procure works or goods.

• Indication of Professional, beenTechnical kidnapped and are given the comprehensive, massive in strength and investment Administrative staff with • The University will not be responsible for education academic/professional qualification andreleasedany expenses incurredpolicy by anyof yet to be forcosts a orfreeeducation. years of experience of key personnel interested party in connection with any the state government.

We long time now. We response should to this invitation.

Aregbesola maintained available for the project. should understand that that the students’ sup- pray for their safe release • A declaration or sworn affidavit indicating education paves way for in our nation.” that all documents arepeace genuine Signed port was needed for submitted the and and verifiable.

Registrar. living standard in The wife of the Gover- better growth of his administration, saying: “As children nor counselled parents the world,” she added.

G

USMAN DANFODIO UNIVERSITY, SOKOTO, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR YEAR 2013 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND SPECIAL INTERVENTION 1.

INTRODUCTION The University hereby invites competent/ qualified Contractors to submit Technical bids for execution of the under listed projects under year 2013 Tetfund Special Intervention.

Lot 1: Proposed Construction of ICT Complex.

Lot 2: Proposed Furnishing of ICT Complex.

2.

PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Each Contractor is required to enclose copies of the following pre-qualification documents.

•

Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years.(2011, 2012. 2013) Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) Registration, Tax payer Identification Number (TIN) and evidence of Remittance for the last three years (2011, 2012, 2013).

Evidence of necessary financial capability backed by reference from a reputable Bank.

Evidence of relevant verifiable experience on recent similar projects in Nigeria in the last three years, (2011, 2012, 2013) Company’s Audited Account for the last three (3) years.(2011, 2012, 2013) Verifiable List and Evidence of necessary equipment and facilities for project execution Evidence of Compliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform ACT;2011 Evidence of Compliance with the provisions of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Amendment Act 2011 A sworn Affidavit indicating that none of the Directors has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety.

Indication of Professional, Technical and Administrative staff strength with academic/professional qualification and years of experience of key personnel available for the project.

• •

• • • • • • •

•

•

A declaration or sworn affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable.

4.

SUBMISSION GUIDE

The Technical Document should be sealed in an envelope marked at the top and labeled “PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR…………” Any of the projects Lot 1 and Lot 2 above on the left hand corner.

The complete package should be addressed to: THE REGISTRAR, USMAN DANFODIO UNIVERSITY, P.M.B 2346, SOKOTO, SOKOTO STATE. The document should be dropped in the Appropriate Tender Box stationed in the office of the Registrar on or before 12.00 noon on the closing date, that is Wednesday, 7th January, 2015.

5.

OPENING OF DOCUMENTS

PRE-QUALIFICATION

The submission will be opened at 12.00 noon on Wednesday, 7th January, 2015 at the Council Chamber of the University, in the presence of all bidders who choose to attend.

NOTE: •

Only the bids of those who fulfill the prequalification criteria would be considered and invited to submit financial bid. The University is not duty bound to accept the lowest or any bid.

•

The University reserves the right to reject any or all pre-qualification packages.

•

This announcement does not constitute an offer by the University to transact with any party, nor does it constitute a commitment or obligation on the part of the University to procure works or goods.

•

The University will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to this invitation.

Signed Registrar.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

Uduaghan tasks FG on pry school teachers’ wages Sodiq Adekunle

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elta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged the Federal Government to remove payment of primary schools teachers’ salaries from the local government burden.

Governor Uduaghan emphasised that for local government councils to survive, the Federal Government should remove payment of teachers’ salaries from the burden of local government councils or in the alternative, increase their revenue allocations from the Federation Account.

He spoke at the declaration of a two-day orientation workshop for newly sworn-in local government chairmen, vicechairmen, secretaries, heads of personnel management and treasurers of the local government councils in Delta State.

According to him, a situation whereby salaries of primary school teachers gulp more than 60 per cent of revenues accruing

9 News

PDP may not field candidate in Enugu Fred Ede, Enugu

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s the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) closed submission of candidates by political parties Thursday, there is great fear that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may after all not field valid governorship candidate for Enugu state.

The fear arose out of yesterday’s report from PDP headquarters in Abuja that there were two different result sheets for

the December 8, 2014 PDP governorship primaries conducted in the state.

The state chairman of the PDP, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa yesterday petitioned the police, alleging that one of the governorship aspirants, Senator Ayogu Eze, forged a result sheet of the primary and gave himself victory.

Asogwa asked the police to arrest Senator Eze with immediate effect.

Victory obtained from Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, venue of the primary elec-

tion declared Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as winner of the election and authenticated by the primary electoral committee led

by King Asara Asara but Senator Eze held a parallel election at a hotel in Enugu where he declared himself winner.

Compounding the matter in different law suits filed by both Ugwuanyi, Eze and another aspirant, Sam Onyeishi, respectively, and were all asking that the PDP field them as candidates of the party.

Daily Times source in Abuja who confided in our reporter said that the situation is dicey but that the party may after all had submitted Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the Enugu state governorship candidate for the PDP. The source also said that some of the aspirants may not be resting in their oars as they may have made alternative arrangements to be candidates of other political parties in case their schemes don’t work.

In a petition dated December 17, 2014 and signed

by the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa, the PDP raised an alarm over the plot by Senator Eze to truncate the party’s successful primary election in the state with forged documents.

Narrating the alleged criminal act committed by the aspirant, Asogwa said that the PDP primary election to elect a governorship flag bearer for Enugu State took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu on December 8th, 2014.

L-R: Justices Obafemi Adamson, Olabisi Ogungbesan and Adeola Akintoye taking the oath of office as new High Court Judges in Lagos

MDGs: Ondo has met its target- Mimiko Tosin Ajuwon,Akure

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ndo State has surpassed its 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target through eradication of poverty, provision of job opportunities for the youth and reduction in maternal mortality.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko made this disclosure in Akure, Thursday at the declaration of 5th South-West MDGs conference organized by the United Kingdom Depart-

ment for International Development.

Governor Mimiko said his administration has massively invested in all sectors of the state’s economy mostly the health sector in realization of the various MDG’s This is the second time the conference would be held in Ondo state.

Represented by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Dr. Kola Ademujimi, noted that government commitment in providing more qualitative livelihood to the people of the state remains unwavering.

Ekiti monarchs, youths protest relocation of Army base GBENGA SODEINDE, ADO EKITI

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ollowing the relocation of parts of the Army Brigade Headquarters from Aaye Ekiti to Ipoti Ekiti, traditional rulers from Ido/Osi Local Government Areas of Ekiti State Thursday protested the decision.

Ipoki-Ekiti is the home town of the former Mminister of Police Affairs,

Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd).

The protesters, who also demanded a probe into the N431.9 million allocated and released for the execution of the project in 2013, urged the Presidency and the National Assembly to probe the cause of failure of execution of the barracks in Aaye-Ekiti as directed in the Federal Government.

The protesting traditional rulers were led by

their chairman and the Olojudo of Ido, Oba Ayorinde Faboro. They accused the former Minister of Police Affairs of masterminding the relocation to his home town in IpotiEkiti.

Other protesters included the youths in the town who also took to the streets alongside the traditional rulers as early as 7a.m and blocked the AdoIfaki-Ido highway thereby forcing many commuters

to take alternative routes while carrying placards with various inscriptions including, “We are ready to defend what belongs to us”, “Olubolade is behind the illegal relocation,” and “Olubolade come off Aaye-Ekiti Army Barracks project.”

Efforts by the stranded travelers pleading with the protesting youths were rebuffed as the protest paralyzed business and vehicular movements in the town.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

A’Ibom guber primary: Udoedehe threatens to dump APC

By Eno-Obong Okon, Uyo

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L-R: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of Secretary to Federal Government, Dr Habiba Lawal; Managing Director, Aso Savings, Mr. Hassan Usman; National President, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bode Afolayan and Project Co-ordinator, Ebenezer Adebisi, during the unveiling of FRSC 20,000 Housing Project in Abuja. PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Ex-militants protest unpaid allowances Emmanuel Addeh

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x-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Phase Two in Delta State on Thursday shut down business activities at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) in Warri, over unpaid allowances.

The agitators argued that the oil commission had at various times flouted an agreement with the body to pay them a certain amount of money every month.

Led by Mr Augustine Ogedegbe, Speaker, Amnesty Phase two, the group noted that state government agency which was saddled with the responsibility of empowering the youths, had continually shirked its responsibility.

Wielding placards with inscriptions like, ‘’Enough is enough, we are tired of poverty’’, ‘’Ex-militants decry total neglect by DESOPADEC’’ among others, the protesters said that they had written series of memos to the management of DESOPADEC on the need for dialogue

on the issue. ‘’DESOPADEC was created to provide empowerment for the youth in Delta. We, under the presidential amnesty, nothing has been coming to us.

Over four years now, we have not received anything from DESOPADEC. ‘’They know that we need empowerment since we laid down our arms, we have been working with the security agents by giving useful information regarding criminal activities in the Niger Delta region. If you do not tell them that you are

here, nobody will know that you are here’’ Ogedegbe argued.

However, before they could take full control of the premises of the commission, they were resisted by the combined efforts of the police and the military operating in the area.

Speaking outside the premises of the agency, Ogedegbe, contended that DESOPADEC was supposed to have included the ex-militants in their payroll to augment the N65,000 monthly amnesty allowance from the Federal Government.

Ekiti Election Tribunal: Fayose confident ahead of judgment

By Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

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s the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja is set to deliver judgement on the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to contest the June 21, 2014 governorship poll, the State Government yesterday expressed confidence in the judiciary to do what

is just and fair.

The Governor who spoke through his Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi at a parley with journalists yesterday in Ado Ekiti said the state government is neither alarmed nor rattled by the pending judgment.

Shortly after the election that threw up Fayose as the validly elected Governor, the Ekiti State chap-

ter of the All Progressives Congress, had approached the Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti, querying Fayose’s eligibility to stand for election on the basis of his impeachment in 2006.

The party, which filed the petition on behalf of its candidate and ex-governor Kayode Fayemi, also challenged the authenticity of the Higher National Diploma presented by Fay-

ose , which he acquired from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said: “We are neither alarmed nor bothered by this judgement because this government is God-ordained. Fayose enjoys divine arrangement because it is not easy for somebody to leave a government and came back to win in all the 16 local governments areas, eight years after.

over norship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John Udoedehe has said that he could move to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) if the party remains adamant to the situation on ground.

Udoedehe,

who

dis-

closed this on Thursday said there were options provided by the APC which he would take advantage of but would take a decision to leave the party if the party did not come fair in decision.

According to him, former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Umana Umana’s defection from PDP to APC was with a violent intention to destroy the party and since he did not want a repeat of what happened in 2011, he had to walk away from the governorship primaries.

He said the constitution

of the APC did not make provision for option A4 used during the primaries that saw Umana emerging the governorship flag bearer of the party, adding that what he did with his supporters was to peacefully ask that the process be stopped.

“I will pursue all internal mechanism to resolve the problem but if the party remains adamant to corruption and fraud, I will make a decision to leave.

“I am not moving to PDP for now. It’s not going to be a personal decision; a lot of our followers will meet and decide for the interest of our group and a way forward.

“The way forward will mean moving to PDP and it will also mean that we have to choose between one evil and another evil.

It will mean that there is no difference between APC and PDP. “I believe that APC has the ability to solve internal crisis and Akwa Ibom State cannot be an exception.

Kogi FRSC sanctions 42 erring motorists

T

he Kogi State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has prosecuted 42 motorists for traffic violation on the Lokoja-Abuja Highway.

The Kogi state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Godwin Omiko disclosed this on Thursday during the ember months briefing and decoration of newly promoted officers of the command.

He said that the motorists were found guilty of overloading, reckless driving among other offences by a mobile court, adding that they were convicted with an option of fine.

Omiko explained that

due to surge in traffic volume along the Abuja -Lokoja -Okene highway during the Christmas period, the command would embarked on 24 hour patrol on the road with ambulances on to ensure traffic flow and reduce road crashes.

He said that traffic gridlocks always resulted from the impatience and recklessness of motorists, urging them to exercise high degree of patience and courtesy and avoid temptation of route violation which he said caused unnecessary gridlock. “ Kogi state is a gateway to 23 other states of the federation hence a melting point for vehicular traffic.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Enugu Assembly throws out LG autonomy Chukwuka Nweze, Enugu

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nugu State House of Assembly, yesterday, at a plenary session

on the voted against the inclusion of Local Government Autonomy in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is undergoing amendment.

Ten, out of 17 members of the House, who participated in the debate voted against the amendment bill. They posited that Nigeria was not yet ripe for local government autonomy because to do so will arm the council bosses to behave like overlords thereby making primary education to suffer.

Before the floor opened for debate on the issue, the Deputy House Leader, John Kevin Okuta, had vehemently posited that autonomy would bring about irresponsible local government administration

without the control of the state government and pleaded that his colleagues supported his views.

Okuta maintained that apart from bringing about maladministration, some stakeholders like the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT and the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ESUBEB were averse to including local government autonomy in the constitution.

The two organisations, according to Okuta, wrote to Governor Sullivan Chime, who, in turn, wrote to the House and asked them to look into the matter properly.

Said he: “It will not be fair if stakeholders reject it, while I support it.”

When the matter was put to vote, the House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Mike Onyeze, was among those who voted against autonomy for the local governments.

Arguments put up by honorable members, like John Anichukwu Nwankwo, representing Nkanu East and Dame Nkechi Omeje Ogbu, representing Nsuka West that autonomy would help the local governments to develop and that it might help the creation of additional states, could not make the House to vote otherwise.

Niger gov proposes N80.8bn budget for 2015

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overnor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has forwarded a budget of N80.815 billion for 2015 to the State House of Assembly for consideration.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Israel Ebije, said the capital expenditure was put at N38.5bn or 47.83 per cent and recurrent expenditure put at N42.6 or 52.17 per cent.

Tagged: ``Budget of Shared Vision and Unlimited Opportunities”, the statement said it was a realistic budget based on current oil prices.

The statement added that the expenditure proposal was N18 billion less than that of 2014 and that

50 per cent increase had been projected as Internally Generated Revenue.

It stressed that the 2015 estimate was in line with the state’s Revised Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) recently adopted by the House of Assembly. ``The proposed increase in recurrent over capital expenditure is due to the fact that recurrent items are held as first line charges which the state cannot compromise in ensuring the welfare of our people. ``Thus in the face of current limitation of funds, after settling personnel emoluments and related overheads, the state has prioritised completion of ongoing projects during the first five months of 2015.

11 News

2015: Pastors hail Buhari’s choice of Osinbajo Augustine Aminu

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he Pastors Council of Northern Nigeria yesterday described the choice of Professor Yemi Osinbajo as running-mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as a good omen.

After days of serious deliberation between APC governors, national leaders and other stakeholders within the party, on a running mate, the former military ruler, Buhari, settled for Osinbajo, who is a

senior lawyer and a pastor of Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Speaking to journalists, convener of the Pastor’s Council, Bulus Yahaya, cautioned Nigerians to insist that the best leadership emerged in the 2015 general elections.

“We are happy and satisfied to no end that our colleague, Pastor Osinbajo was chosen as the running-mate to a presidential candidate in one of the political parties.

The integrity, intelligence, humility, fear of God and dedication of Pastor Osinbajo to the cause of a better Nigeria is a clear

identity he carries as a breast-plate and it is not in doubt that it is a wise decision,” Yahaya said.

The clergies agreed that Osinbajo’s choice heralds hope for a new Nigeria in view of his experience in public and private sectors.

“With this development, it is a good omen and taking Nigeria’s democracy to a greater height in view of quality and positive credence to our fledgeling democracy.”

“His credentials are intimidating and clear attestation of hard work, knowledge and of moral standing. He is an erudite

scholar having excelled as a university don, and also a distinguished lawyer with the privilege rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a successful man of God, being a pastor.”

Yahaya who warned against manipulation of religion in the 2015 elections said Nigerians must vote people on the basis of what they can offer.

“We must strive hard to run issue base political process, non-combative campaigns, so that we will, at the end of the day, get viable leadership at all levels,” the pastors said.

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega (left), discussing with the Inspector General 0f Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, during a strategic level discussion on securing 2015 general elections in Abuja.

Ajimobi inaugurates N3.8b abattoir in Ibadan

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, yesterday, inaugurated a N3.8 billion ultra-modern abattoir at Amosun village in Akinyele local Government area of the state, with a pledge that his administration would continue to create conducive environment for investment.

The central abattoir,

which is meant to serve all the 11 local government areas in Ibadan land, is sited on 15 hectares of land, with provisions for manual and mechanical slaughtering of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep.

Besides, the abattoir has a road network covering about five kilometres, with a parking space that can accommodate over 200 smaller vehicles and 50 ar-

ticulated trucks.

Speaking at the ceremony, witnessed by butchers in all the 11 council areas in Ibadan land, Ajimobi said the construction of the central abattoir for the state capital was in line with his administration’s transformation and repositioning agenda.

He pledged his government’s readiness to con-

tinue to provide all the necessary logistics for the smooth operation of the abattoir.

The representative of the partnering firm, Engr. Kehinde Ahmadu, said the operations of the abattoir was designed in line with best practices to ensure proper animal slaughtering and handling in the most hygienic environment.

Genesis Of Our Times 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Past editors of the Daily Times

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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 four-page 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.

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,

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 18, 2014

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

took over as acting editor of the Daily times in December, 1975.

In March, 1976, Tony 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 Newspapers 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 of the rights of women.

The Candid Camera Another professional group of editorial staff

13 Genesis Of Our Times

Past editors of the Daily Times

who did much to promote the growth in circulation of the newspapers were

the photographers – represented by the indefatigable Peter Obe. Joining

the Company in 1953 as a junior cameraman, Peter rose to the post of Chief

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.

Africa 14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

28 killed in CAR militias clash

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t least 28 people have died and dozens more injured in the latest clashes between rival militias in the Central African Republic, which was ravaged by a monthslong sectarian bloodbath, police said Thursday.

The fighting in the diamond-rich but dirt poor former French colony pitted the so-called “antibalaka” militia formed by the Christian majority against mainly Muslim Seleka rebels who led a March 2013 coup, a police official said.

“Violent clashes broke out on Tuesday in the centre of Mbres,” an official from the armed police told AFP, adding that the death toll had been given by the local Red Cross.

The unrest came days after a reconciliation ceremony between ex-Seleka fighters and anti-balaka forces was held in Mbres, about 300 kilometres (190 miles) from the capital Bangui.

The official said the fighting sent hundreds

of residents fleeing to the bush on Wednesday, less than a week after the peace bid organised by the UN peackeeping mission in the unstable country.

On Thursday, the former Seleka rebels were “in control of the centre of the town and imposing their will”.

“Things are still tense on Thursday morning,” the official said, adding that there was “sporadic gunfire.”

Anti-balaka forces were meanwhile “holed up around the edges of the town and in surrounding caves,” he added.

Local officials had fled Mbres for Bangui, the police official said. Mbres has been the scene of several clashes in recent weeks.

Central African Republic has suffered numerous coups and bouts of instability since independence in 1960, but the March 2013 toppling of Francois Bozize’s regime by the Seleka rebel coalition triggered the worst emergency to date.

11th Sierra Leonean doctor dies from Ebola

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bola has killed more than 350 health workers in West Africa, depleting the ranks of doctors and nurses in countries that already had too few to begin with.

Because Ebola is spread through bodily fluids, it is only transmitted through close contact. It is often called the “caregivers’ disease” because those infected are typically family members caring for the sick or health workers treating them.

Dr. Victor Willoughby tested positive for Ebola on Saturday and was being treated at a clinic near the capital run by the medical charity Emergency, said Dr. Brima Kargbo, the country’s chief medi-

cal officer.

“Dr. Victor Willoughby was a mentor to us physicians and a big loss to the medical profession,” said Kargbo. “He has always been available to help junior colleagues.”

The 67-year-old died Thursday morning, just hours after an experimental drug arrived in the country for him. The arrival of ZMAb, developed in Canada, had raised hopes for Willoughby’s survival. But he died before a dose could be administered, said Kargbo.

ZMAb is related to ZMapp, another experimental drug that has been used to treat some Ebola patients.

The drugs’ efficacy in treating Ebola has not yet been proven.

A man sharpens his machete as young people, who created a self-defence committee for their district Benz-vi, meet before leaving for a patrol in their district, on March 12, 2014 in Bangui (AFP Photo/Sia Kambou)

Cameroun kills 116 Boko Haram militants, says defence minister

C

ameroon says its army had killed 116 Boko Haram militants last Wednesday when they attacked a base in the Far North region of the country, said defence ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck.

Militants ambushed a column of army vehicles using an improvised explosive device and then hundreds attacked in the

region of Amchide, 65 km (40 miles) north of Maroua, at around 10.30 a.m. local time (0930 GMT).

“The response of our forces was swift and appropriate. The attack was repulsed and the attackers neutralised,” Badjeck said on Thursday, adding that 116 militants died.

One soldier was killed and at least two vehicles lost.

Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people this

year, mostly in northeastern Nigeria, as it continues a campaign for an Islamist state.

Most of the killings have been in northeastern Nigeria, but the group has attacked other cities and stepped up cross-border incursions into Cameroon, prompting Cameroon to deploy troops to its northern region.

A senior official in Cameroon’s Far North region

confirmed Wednesday’s attack and the toll and said it was followed by another attack overnight for which casualties are unknown.

The army determines death tolls either visually, or by counting the number of vehicles it destroys and estimating how many militants each vehicle carried, said the official, who declined to be identified.

Kenyan lawmakers in free for all over Security Bill

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enyan lawmakers have traded blows and the deputy speaker had water thrown on her amid a chaotic parliamentary session called to push through a tough new security bill.

Opposition MPs shouted and ripped up copies of the bill, warning that Kenya was becoming a “police state”.

Four lawmakers were assaulted and another two engaged in a fist-fight.

Parliamentary officials adjourned the debate twice, only for the chaos to

Uhuru Kenyatta continue when it resumed a third time.

The government says it needs more powers to fight militant Islamists threatening Kenya’s security.

The al-Qaeda-linked alShabab group has stepped

up its military campaign in Kenya, killing 64 people in two attacks in the northeastern Mandera region since last month.

Policemen arrest a man protesting about controversial new security legislation outside parliament 18 December 18 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya Some people protesting about the bill were arrested by police At one point, live television broadcasts of the debate were cut as the session degenerated into chaos, reports the BBC’s Emmanuel Igunza from

outside parliament.

A group of pro-government MPs accosted opposition senators who were in the public gallery and tried to eject them, he says.

In the ensuing commotion, one of the senators had his shirt torn, while outside the parliamentary chamber an opposition and pro-government MP threw punches at each other, he adds.

Opposition MPs threw water on Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso and she ordered two of them to be thrown out, our reporter says.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

15 World

Mexico vigilantes in deadly shoot-out, 14 killed

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t least 11 people have been killed in clashes between rival vigilante groups in Michoacan state, western Mexico.

The two groups confronted each other in the town of La Ruana.

The vigilante groups were created almost two years ago by locals who said the security forces had not done enough to protect them from drug cartels.

Earlier this year, the government tried to gain control of the vigilantes by integrating them into a rural police force and registering their weapons.

Michoacan Security Commissioner Alfredo Castillo said the clashes were triggered by a “his-

toric rivalry” between their leaders.

During Tuesday’s twohour shoot-out, five members of a group led by Hipolito Mora and six followers of his rival, Luis Antonio Torres, were killed.

Hipolito Mora in La Ruana on 5 November 2013 Hipolito Mora is founder of one of the “self-defence groups” in Michoacan Mr Mora’s son Manuel was among those shot dead, officials said.

The “self-defence groups” were set up in February 2013 to fight a drugs cartel calling itself the Knights Templar.

Earlier this year, they took control of a number of towns in the western state and drove out the Knights Templar, who

UN receives Palestinian draft peace plan

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draft resolution setting out a Palestinian timetable for a peace deal with Israel has been submitted to the UN Security Council.

The document, presented

by Jordan, calls for a deal within one year and Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories by the end of 2017.

Jordan has indicated it will not seek a quick vote, allowing further talks and a possible bid to secure US support.

The US has vetoed previous resolutions it considers hostile to Israel.

The text of the draft says a negotiated solution should be based on several parameters including the boundary between Israel and the West Bank that existed before the 1967 Six Day War, security agreements, and “Jerusalem as the shared capital of the two states”.

It urges both parties “to abstain from any unilateral and illegal actions, including settlement activities, that could undermine the viability of a two-state solution”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought reassurances that the US - Israel’s ally - would block any efforts to adopt the resolution.

Palestinian officials say their new initiative at the UN’s most powerful body marks a “strategic shift” in the way they’re dealing with Israel.

Earlier this week, former negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh told journalists that armed struggle and more than 20 years of onand-off bilateral talks had failed to secure an independent Palestinian state.

“Now we are going in a completely different direction, which is the internationalisation of the issue,” he said.

had been extorting money from local businessmen and farmers.

But tensions soon

emerged between the different groups, which accused each other of having been infiltrated by

the very same drugs gang they were set up to fight.

There were also disputes as the groups seized

ranches and land previously held by the Knights Templar.

An Israeli soldier stand at the scene where a Palestinian attacked civilians with a chemical substance near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Neve Daniel, part of the Gush Etzion bloc, recently.

Putin blames ‘outside influence’ for Russia’s economic crisis

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resident Vladimir Putin has sought to ease fears over Russia’s economy, insisting that the dramatic fall in the rouble will stabilise.

Speaking at his endof-year news conference, which lasted over three hours, he blamed “outside factors” for the currency hitting an all-time low.

But he admitted Russia’s central bank could have acted more swiftly.

Russia is on the verge of recession due to falling oil prices and sanctions over its role in the Ukraine cri-

sis.

However, the president denied pursuing an “aggressive” foreign policy and accused the US and EU of conspiring to weaken Russia.

Mr Putin accepted Rus-

sia had failed to diversify its economy for the past two decades and relied too heavily on its oil and gas exports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual press conference in

Shoppers leave department stores in Russia in droves after a panic-buying spree Thursday sparked by warnings of huge price hikes due to start from today.

Moscow - 18 December 2014 The Russian leader took questions from journalists in Moscow on several topics for more than three hours But he insisted the nation’s currency reserves were sufficient to keep the economy stable, saying the central bank should not “burn” its $419bn reserves.

“I don’t believe you can call it a crisis - you can call it what you like,” he told a packed conference hall.

If the economic problems persisted, he said, the government would have to “reduce social spending and future growth”.

Dutch cabinet crisis deepens

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he Netherlands’ prime minister has canceled plans to attend a European summit in Brussels in order to focus his full attention on a domestic political spat

that is threatening to cause the collapse of his 2-year-old governing coalition.

The crisis was precipitated by the failure of a health care reform law to pass the upper house of parliament,

where Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD party and left-leaning junior coalition partner Labor lack a majority.

Several Labor senators declined to pass the law,

which would restrict patients’ choice of doctors to those approved by their insurance companies. The VVD believes the measure is vital to restrain rising health care costs.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Politics

Æs

Kuku

Truce with Boko Haram intact

Cabal frustrating peace process with Boko Haram - Kuku Despite the belief in many circles that the peace deal between the Federal Government and Boko Haram is a ruse, Special Adviser to the President on Niger/Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku told VICTOR AYODELE in this interview that the peace deal is real and that Nigeria is fortunate to still remain a country despite the insurgency. Excerpts: The Federal Government announced a ceasefire with the Boko Haram; but it seems it is not working again going by the series of attacks carried out by the insurgents?

No, I don’t think it is not working. There is a need for

Nigerians to understand the truth about insurgency. I have been managing one for the past four years in the Niger Delta, some level of agitation; very strong one and almost violent.

Sometimes, very militantly agitation was on in the Niger Delta and the government of

Yar’Adua/Jonathan was able to come to terms with the ordeal we were all passing through.

There was a truce and it has been maintained till now.

Similarly, the ceasefire between the federal government and Boko-Haram is intact, what we really need to understand is

that: it is not everyone involved in every form of militancy or insurgency that is interested in peace. Even when you talk of Boko-Haram, it might be a sect and there are sub-sects within the sect; a few people Continued on page 17

Defect to another party? not me, says Obanikoro

Pages 18, 19

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

17 Politics

Jonathan has stabilised Nigeria Continued from page 16 might have agreed and a few persons who will definitely love the situation where there must be no peace so they can begin to benefit from the lack of peace in the north eastern part. And of course, in their own vision and dream which will never happen, the whole of this country will definitely do everything to truncate every day the peace effort by the group called Boko-Haram and the federal government. And that is exactly what is happening; a few people are trying to frustrate the process from within the BokoHaram sect and that is exactly what the federal government is dealing with now.

What are the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 considering the security challenges in the country and other issues affecting the wellbeing of the nation?

Yes, the country has a lot of problems; there have been problems before he got elected and he has been dealing with these issues. Most importantly, it is pertinent for Nigerians to understand that most of the problems inherited by President Jonathan were not created under his government. They were not created by him. Insurgency and crises have been in existence in so many places; in fact, when he came in; that was when the Niger Delta crises got properly resolved.

All these that we are talking about, let us imagine that the North East is boiling, the North West is boiling, the way it has been boiling; the way people want it to boil, even some political elements are inciting crises in those areas to continue. Let them not forget and let us all carefully not forget; imagine that the Niger Delta crisis the President has been able to handle has not been handled, and it is added to the crises in the north, what would have become of Nigeria?

In fact, the 250 million barrel per day, that Nigeria is producing today in the oil sector as declared by the NNPC and ministry of petroleum, which is being used to take care of this country today because our economy is almost an oil-based economy; imagine that the Niger Delta crisis

handled by the President has not been handled, the northern crisis is on, the Niger Delta crisis is on and oil barrel has fallen to about 700 barrel per day as it were in 2009, there wouldn’t have been Nigeria anymore. So, let us give kudos to the President; as much as politically incited crises are on in other parts of the country, he has been able to hold the Niger Delta together.

He has been able to implement the amnesty programme and outside the amnesty programme, he is also relating with major stakeholders in the Niger Delta and the Niger Delta people. He has been able to put intact the economy, the community, the peace in the area and that is the reason we are talking about Nigeria today: the main reason why the economy of the country is stable. Let me give you an analogy all over the world, when your economy and your polity is under tension, or sometimes bad, and the security is threatened; throughout history, such economy cannot be stable.

President Jonathan again has broken a jinx, it is another test. I remember it happened in Italy some long years ago, when the Italian government had to change nothing less than seven prime ministers within two years. At that time it was very unstable politics, the economy was not stable and they also had security problems. The security problems they had then in Italy was not externally influenced, they were internal security crises.

But let me tell you, for the first time in the history of the world, everybody who understands the expertise of economics are surprised and amazed at what is happening in Nigeria. Our polity is under tension with insensitive opposition, you also have a security situation politically motivated and motivated communally by people who do not like the faces of other people to lead in this country.

Despite all these, our economy is not down; the economy is stable. Terrible security situation, bad politics and they never affected the economy of this country. I have never seen this kind of thing before and only a Jonathan can get this done. Mark this and study this if you have never noted it in the world; bad security, bad politics can never lead to stable economy anywhere but it is Nigeria all over the world that you can see a polity under tension, a security situation

Kuku

...our economy is not down; the economy is stable. Terrible security situation, bad politics and they never affected the economy of this country. I have never seen this kind of thing before.

that is deteriorating in some parts of the country, very challenging security situation that our economy has been stable under Jonathan.

That means that if all these had not happened, Nigeria would have been by far better than it is today. So I do want to say and appeal to those who are concerned with this, be it splinter groups, or splinter sects of Boko-Haram, allow peace to reign in the north east. They are killing their people, they are destroying their communities and

economy, there are a lot of people from the north east who have moved into Abuja, some are even moving into Lagos; some would have moved into Akure for fear of staying in their environment is very difficult for them. I do believe this President means well as he declared on the eleventh of November, Nigerians are anxiously waiting and we are ready to go the hog to ensure that he gets re-elected and stabilizes this country better for the next person that will take over from him in 2019.

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Defect to another party? not me, says Obanikoro Former Minister of State, Defence and a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro spoke with JONATHAN EZE, on the contending issue of the governorship primary election and cleared the air on recent speculations that he would defect to another party. Excerpts

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our Excellency, having attained top positions in the country and most recently, a Minister of the Federal Republic, why do you want to govern Lagos State?

My vision is to salvage the citizens of Lagos from bondage. My passion for Lagos is limitless. We experienced the Lagos of Mobolaji Johnson and Alhaji Lateef Jakande. It was a period of selfless service to the people. That I have to sacrifice my personal comfort as a Minister tells you how passionate I am about Lagos.

It breaks my heart when I see the focus of government and major infrastructural upgrade in the areas harboring the rich and privileged. We have seen billions spent to link Ozumba Mbadiwe Road with Falomo Bridge; we have seen billions spent to link Lekki with Ikoyi; we have seen billions spent in sand filling our waters in order to construct so-called Low Cost Housing; we have seen billions spent on Bourdillon road and so on. I believe it is time for a new direction. I believe it is time for government to spend billions on upgrading the infrastructures in Alimosho, in Somolu, in Epe, in Agege, in

I’m a loyal party man. There are procedures for seeking redress even when you have been cheated and I was confident that whatever the outcome, we would approach the relevant channels as stipulated in our party guidelines

Mushin, in Ikorodu, in Kosofe, in Ajeromi. It is time to focus on the masses and majority of Lagosians, for only when the masses are catered for, only when the masses thrive in Lagos can we truly say Lagos is working. That is the Lagos of my dream and that is why I want to govern Lagos State.

Before the governorship primary election held last week, it was obvious that the leadership of the party in the state didn’t want you from their actions and utterances. Why were they Continued on page 19

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Politics19

Jonathan will beat Buhari by landslide Obasanjo’s govt Continued from page 18 not comfortable with your emergence?

It is simple. Obanikoro stands for justice and the truth.

The likes of Bode George and Ogunlewe cannot stand my guts for truth and standing by what is right. The fear that if Obanikoro is allowed to run, he will win and then they will become irrelevant is what this is all about. Nothing more. They know I am a nononsense person when it comes to standing for the right thing. The only reason they are kicking against me is to perpetuate themselves in power so that anyone who will become anything in Lagos PDP must bow to them and lick their feet. It is unfortunate.

Did you anticipate that you won’t win?

Of course, we were prepared for the primaries, we worked very hard and put in all that we needed to throw into it but I also knew something could go amiss if the atmosphere was not free and fair. In a free and fair process, I am confident that I would win any day anytime. What I did not envisage however was the brazen manipulation of the process in collusion with some elements from Abuja who were supposed to stand as unbiased umpires in the process. The moment the number of votes exceeded the number of accredited delegates, even a child in kindergarten knew the sensible thing to do was to cancel and rerun because the process had been tainted. But what we saw was the delivery of a tainted and fraudulent victory to Jimi Agbaje.

process was moving towards a premeditated outcome, I maintained my cool still trusting on the ability of the Electoral Committee Chairman to do what is right. More so, I’m a loyal party man. There are procedures for seeking redress even when you have been cheated and I was confident that whatever the outcome, we would approach the relevant channels as stipulated in our party guidelines, which is what we have done.

Does the fact that you appealed the outcome of the election and the party didn’t act accordingly portend any danger for our democracy?

It is too early to make a sweeping assessment. I want to give the party the benefit of the doubt. In every system run by humans, there are bound to be imperfections here and there.

I want to believe that at the appropriate time, the party will do the needful. We are waiting and the world is watching to see how committed our party is to democratic principles.

I suppose there was an understanding that no candidate should drag the party to court. Don’t you think the party hierarchy may frown at your action?

In the midst of the manipulations that translated 806 accredited voters to 866, you were so comported and calm. Why did you chose to be quiet in the face of such irregularity?

I spoke when I needed to. I made my point. You will recall that I raised an objection when after 806 delegates were accredited, votes were cast and delegates had left the voting arena, Rahman Owokoniran, the Director General of the Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organisation came into the venue demanding to vote. When it became clear that the whole

Obanikoro

I haven’t dragged the party to court. I have only gone to the court to compel our party to take a decision on our appeal as stipulated by the PDP Electoral Guidelines considering the fact that the 48-hour timeline required for them to respond has elapsed.

You have publicly accused Chief Bode George and Senator Ogunlewe of supervising the electoral sham. Do you see any reconciliation in future?

It’s beyond me.

It’s not about what I am capable of doing or not doing. The two of them have crossed the Rubicon on anything morally upright or honorable. They are irredeemable in terms of character and trust.

Do you have plans to defect to another party to realise your governorship ambition?

Not at all!

General Muhammadu Buhari and President Jonathan have emerged as presidential candidates for their parties. What are your expectations?

I see President Goodluck Jonathan winning by a landslide!

opened the floodgate of corruption – Falae Continued from yesterday Do we blame our leaders both past and present for the current mirage of problems facing the country?

I entered the civil service in 1963 after I graduated from the University. I spent few years as a senior civil servant before the military came in January 1966.

During that period, there was order; there was healthy competition among the regions for development. There was accountability. If a minister traveled and took touring advance, within 48 hours of returning to his ministry, he must give account of how he spent the money with receipts. If there is no receipt, there must be honour certificate signed by him.

But once the military came in, they introduced their own culture, the tendencies is to give orders and to ride rough shod over regulations which they regarded as bureaucratic and with the commencement of civil war, things got worse. During the war, there was lots of confusion; people who were messengers became army officers and got married to graduates and after the war all kinds of crisis ensued.

There was status war, a colonel during the war now came back to sergeant after the war, all these created a lot of confusion and helped to destroy the order and stability that we had.

When the military left in 1979 and Shagari government came in, I was in civil service and saw what happened. That was when matters started to get worse, there was less control of the ministers, minister of commerce was issuing import licenses, he issued more licenses that foreign exchange was able to earn per year. The breakdown of law and order started during the Shagari regime. When he left and Buhari came, he introduced stringent conditions; the level of corruption was minimal. But in 1999 when Obasanjo took over, that opened the floodgate of corruption. President Obasanjo was the first president to pass anti corruption law but when he did so, I made a statement, congratulated him for having the courage to pass that law but I was sure that he was not in position to implement it because his party and ministers were beneficiaries of

corruption. If he wanted to fight corruption sincerely, he would be undermining himself as a government and therefore what he did was just window dressing. What happened was that everybody was helping himself, you started to hear about stealing of billion of Naira, that was when contract for electricity supply was awarded and there was nothing to show for it.

Turn around maintainance of refineries was awarded and nothing to show for it. EFCC as you remember was busy pursuing those regarded as Obasanjo’s political enemies, it was a very selective war and that was how the rot started, civil servants were taking money, they were giving money to parliamentarians before budgets were passed, some ministers were arrested and up till today their cases were not concluded. The bureaucracy who was assisting these political officers was also helping themselves. Obasanjo was not out to fight corruption but to fight his political opponents.

Do you think that we should change the federal structure, if yes, what are the changes that you are proposing?

Again, I will say read the report of the National Conference, number one is to end immunity.

Our presidents and governors are immune; they cannot be arrested or prosecuted while in office even if they commit rape, arson or murder, this is one thing that helps increase the breakdown of law and order. I even praised the governors and President for showing much restrains, they are empowered by the constitution to do what they like. Those who put immunity in the constitution destroyed Nigeria that was why the Conference removed immunity from the constitution whether in civil or criminal matter. We recommended special anti corruption court which special provision is specially designed to deal with corruption and no trial should last than 12 months and anybody found guilty should go to jail not less than 20 years and what he has stolen should be taken from him 100 percent. These are special prescription in the reports if well implemented would make impact in Nigeria society.

Concluded

Opinion 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Make preparations for the new fiscal Year •Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance– author unknown

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Personal Finance with

Tunde Oyedoyin

ith less than just ten days to the end of the year, the average person doesn’t think much of 2015 , until perhaps the night of December 31, when they then start making some new year resolutions. If your aim is to make the most of your money and also be on top of your personal finance, then you cannot leave it till the last few hours of the last day of this year before joining the Joneses in making some half-hearted declarations and expect to improve your financial wellbeing next year.

Folks, you cannot expect to make more money nor make your money work harder that way and neither will you be able to stop the leakages you may have experienced this year. It just won’t work, because it doesn’t work that way.

If you’ve not already made any plans, now is the time to start preparing for the new -financial -year that is just round corner.

2015 will be another long 12 months and unless you make

preparations, you will take a lot of hits in your pocket and opportunities will slip past you. In fact, not only will your personal finance suffer, your banks will teach you lessons and so also will the airlines . I remember being late for a flight to Nice (France) some years ago and had to pay some money to get on the next one. I’ve not missed another flight since then. If you do not want friends, families and situations to also continue to teach you valuable and sometimes, painful lessons in 2015, make the plan by doing an inquest of your personal finance.

For instance, you may have been running a current account whose service charge is not worth its weight in gold. Just go to a branch of your bank and ask to switch accounts or move your money to another bank offering the same account for less. You may belong to a social club and maybe no longer meets your need. Why continue paying membership fees for nothing? Perhaps

you have a subscription for some magazines you never read, that subscription fee may as well be deployed to another area that will give you more mileage for your money. December is usually an ideal time to wake up and smell the coffee in terms of your personal finance. Who knows, you may sniff it and then discover it’s gone stale and its used by date

important both in the medical and footballing worlds, among others and they don’t do it just for the fun of it. When the English Football season ends in May, the managers and club chairmen don’t just pack their bags and baggage and head towards some sunny destinations in Florida or

Just go to a branch of your bank and ask to switch accounts or move your money to another bank offering the same account for less.

finally over, one key thing they do before the new one starts in August is to prepare.

Even though the break period is about three months, the players and their managers don’t spend all that time holidaying about. Part of the break is used

long gone. Don’t spend your hardearned cash or Christmas bonus anyhow.

Preparation time is very

the Bahamas. Of course, they do put their feet up and find time to relax that the long season is

to prepare for the season ahead.

Pre-season training starts at least three weeks in advance.

Around that time, they sell some players and also bring in some new faces. They don’t wait till the second week of August to get ready, hence you too cannot wait till February to start to figure out what areas of your personal finance needs attention.

Love has no boundaries

ONLY IN AMERICA Fayth Deleola

E

very day, on TV, if the news is not conservative, the anchorperson covering the news would make it sound like you are in a class being fed with what must be freaking told.

No one cares about what you want to hear. Now listen, Only In America will bring to you all the hard-hitting stories you have been craving! Weird news from America and other parts of the world; some, we will learn from, some will open our eyes to where the world is turning and mostly, we would be ultimately entertained. It is going to be a bimonthly column but if you find it interesting, why not, it could be weekly, after all, we are not going to confine ourselves to an ethicalstraight-jacket journalism. One thing we are promising you: our stories are going to be true life and nothing but verifiably true.

Got it? No bull Shit! Let’s roll it!

Love has no boundaries Sometimes when jealousy

pushes you to start looking for what’s not, you will surely find what’s not. Otherwise, how would one describe a wife who was searching the computer when her husband was not home, looking for stuff on the web history where she found out the surprise of her life. What Beatrice found out was more than her expectation. Of course, her husband was cheating on her. So daring and stupid of her husband, he was recording his escapades and you know what? He was also posting it on YouTube and that was one of the posted videos his wife found while consulting the web history! Who da hell takes pleasure posting videos of himself groaning while digging another hole that would put him in a hole-up? Only-in-America, hen?

Yeah this Alabama, USA couple is a simple and quiet-natured family who keeps all sorts of animals in their farms. Turkey, lamb and emu are all kinds of assorted animals that they keep.

Unfortunately, because of the

YouTube post, this dude will be spending time in jail for cheating on his wife. That is America for you, once you are caught cheating, if your wife agrees to press charges, your ass is onward marching to jail. Again, this guy is so callous; he’d been digging it down with this particular

ground for divorce and it is a key value that can be a bar to spousal support. Many Nigerians are in such hole today because of cheating and being caught.

“He was so fond of animals, I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes” said his wife, apparently in shock. What didn’t she believe?

“I hope the goat is able to get counselling. He might need financial assistance as in spousal support’’

This fella on the YouTube video was having sex with the family’s goat. I don’t know what else to call this bizarre act other than to say, different ‘holes for different folks’ or better put, if you want; call it ‘love has no boundaries’.

The most inspiring of this news is the typical American comments. A commentator asked “I hope the goat is able to get counselling. He might need financial assistance as in spousal support’ and another “I hope the goat didn’t get any sexually transmitted diseases from the he goat”…

Only-In-America! http://worldnewsdailyreport. com/alabama-man-cheated-onhis-wife-for-a-goat/

individual for two years! Just as it is at home, it is called adultery.

It might not be a biggie in Naija, adultery is a crime in America.

The Commonwealth’s (State) Attorney will prosecute you particularly if it is weird. It is a

TOURISM A decade after, Calabar carnival P waxes stronger

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Olive oil and P your hair

Weekend Times I once had Coconut and Corn for christmas

PRAIZ 27

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Taiwo Ajai Lycett

Our Politicians need schooling on speech making

Entertainment 22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

My relationship with King Sunny Ade Taiwo Ajai Lycett

Taiwo Ajai Lycett is an acclaimed international actor born on the 3rd of February 1941. Having contemplated acting as a full-time profession after being spotted at the Royal court Theater London in 1967, she launched into an intensive training programme in singing, dance, voice production and acting technique at the City Literary Institute, the Actors forum, the Dance center and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, all between 1968 and 1974.

Since her stage career resumed in 1971 at the Bublin Theatre Festival with her appearance in Conor Cruise O’Brien’s Murderous Angels; Taiwo Ajai Lycett also pursued a varied stage and Television Career in the U.K. Some of the world’s famous theatres she appeared included the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden; The Hampstead Theatre Club; The Palace Theatre, Westcliffe; The Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the Bristol Old Vic. Enjoy this outpouring interview with her:

Opeoluwani Akintayo How does it feel to be over 70 because you don’t look or act it Thank you. I’m alive. I’m living my life and enjoying living. it would never occur to me that I act differently at over seventy. I was 73 in February and I enjoy being alive and having young people around me.

You went into acting over forty years ago. Can you say you’ve really lived your dream?

All our lives, everybody wants recognition for what they stand for. I’ve had this recognition for forty years and that’s extraordinary. In Weekend Times in like 43 years ago, I was interviewed when I just

Lycett

was born in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State in 1958. He attended the St. Michael’s Primary School, Ilawe between 1963 and 1968

came from England enjoying success in some plays I’ve done. So, I’ve done well in life and in a career and people have consistently recognize me and that’s major for me.

Even at over seventy, Tinsel still came for you.

How does it feel acting on same set with younger people?

It’s energizing and fulfilling. It makes me very proud that I’m still relevant in the business and can still work with the team. Working with them makes me learn from them and they learn from me.

But you went into acting by accident.

My life is an example of how our lives are already destined. Nothing we do is through our power. We were given gifts to rule our world so I just surrendered. I have no doubt I would be a cracking good lawyer if God had chosen me to do Law. But then, God pushed me into acting.

What made you want to study Law in the first place?

When we were young and that was during the pre and post colonial eras, anybody who had a look into something back then were lawyers and so I wanted to read law. I liked that people like Awolowo was a Lawyer who

had a commanding presence. And I thought that at post colonialism, we were going to need more lawyers because things were complicated and we were going to unravel so many things. But then, it was decided for me that acting was what I would do and to tell you the truth, if I came back in another life, this is what I’ll do again.

So did you go to any acting school as soon as you decide to act?

Yes I had to go for training so some people wouldn’t look down on me as an unprofessional actress. So I attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, between 1968 and 1974 which is one of the top drama schools. And in fact, I had pri¬vate tutors who taught me voice training, singing and dancing. I danced at the Royal Opera House. It was huge. I also attended City Literary Institute, the Actors forum and the Dance centre.

Obviously you started with stage acting. Which was you first play?

It was Wole Soyinka’s ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ in 1967. Later I did ‘Some Mothers’, Do ‘ave Them’ Again, and as at that time, I was working. They contacted my agent, Alan Jeffery then checked my profes¬sional diary and saw that I was qualified.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

23 Entertainment

You were once a journalist too. Didn’t you find the profession interesting?

Oh yes why not! I enjoyed Journalism as much. My journey into journalism is like my journey into acting.

I did voice-overs and modeling for the BBC and writeups. The late publisher of ‘Africa maga¬zine’, Chief Ralph Uwechue called me after a stage play and told me to join his team of writers as an Associate Editor.

Then, ‘Sunday Times’ was owned by the Thomas family. That was in 1975. Africa Magazine is an economic, political, and social journal, based in Lon¬don.

That same year, I launched ‘African Woman’, a political, economic and social magazine for Black and African men and women in the Diaspora. I covered the in¬augural Conference of the International Women’s Year in Mexico and the then Germany’s East Berlin, as a photojournal¬ist, for both Africa magazine and African Woman. Then, I interviewed great person¬alities like the former British Prime Min¬ister, Harold Macmillan, it was a wonder¬ful experience.

There was a time you didn’t want to join Nollywood.

That was because I had issues with their standard.

There was a time they called me to come over but I didn’t want to because their stories are too stereotyped and you can know the end from the beginning.

They started with fetish stories where juju and shrines were involved. Also, the love sto¬ries are not psychologically balanced. Some of the love stories try to copy their Hollywood counterparts and they don’t do it well.

They don’t spend enough time to research and gather good scripts and the technicalities in their pro-duction were just below average.

They think it is just about com¬mercialisation. Professionalism is key! When I was on set for ‘Some Mothers Do ‘ave Them’, they provided all the costumes from my head to my toes, including bras and panties. All the costumes were in my hotel room waiting for me.

But you are now with

Iretiola Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Omonor Somolu, and Dakore Akande. Mr Rasheed Gbadamosi, the owner of Ragolis water came to watch me.

So what’s the solution to all the mess in Nollywood?

The government of Nigeria should see that art is very important to the world at large. If the United States of America wants to project a par¬ticular image about them, they use art. The government needs to do more by investing in the sector and pushing the art sector to the fore because we have the voice.

Noll y wood!

Yes, that’s because ‘Tinsel’ is one soap opera I give credit to and they just know how to treat their actors and actresses. It’s an international standard soap.

Since you are a Nigerian with a wide range of acting experiences, why didn’t you try to impart in Nollywood instead of criticize them back then?

But that’s why I’m here now. Yes, I have some problem with those bad producers who don’t know their right from their left but then, we have producers and directors like Kunle Afolay-

an and Tunde Kelani a n d they are doing excellently well.

I personally give credit to those that are trying their best to change things in the Nigerian film industry. That’s why I also starred in Tunde Kelani’s new film, ‘Daz¬zling Mirage’. These are people who have decided to come up with brilliant ideas over the years. I don’t blame this brilliant director, Kunle Afolayan for wanting to re¬locate to the United States. He has worked so hard to produce wonderful evergreen films, but the Nigerian system and pirates haven’t made life easy for him. Sincerely too, I actually wanted to wait to change some irregularities but some years back, robbers came to my house and carted away everything I had. I was devastated and

got tired of everything. I had to relocate to the United Kingdom. It was ‘Tinsel’ that brought me back to Nigeria and I have decided to stay.

‘Hear Word’ is another very won¬derful theatre performance I featured in. I co-starred with Joke Silva,

All our lives, everybody wants recognition for what they stand for. I’ve had this recognition for forty years and that’s extraordinary.

Personally, what steps are you taking to ensure changes?

That’s why I now have a foundation which is doing very well at the moment.

It’s called TAL House Academy where we are training people in acting. I’m getting very good responses. Professor Segun Ojewuyi who recently came back from the U.S. He’s been on ground.

The aim is to bring people from across the world to take seminars, workshop, master classes for the young people that we have been training.

So Prof. ojewuyi is teaching in an American university and knows everybody. He’s also a member of the board of our director. I also have prof. Uduka Ochionor the Poet and a Professor in Canada, Professor J.P Clark, Sir Steve Omojafor, and Barr.

Mc Anthony Nduka-Eze. We are training people who will be able to go home and abroad to speak clearly and eloquently. People who use words very beautifully to persuade people and command attention. People who use words to elucidate and illuminate issues. A lot of our politicians just go around mumbling, screaming and shouting. A lot of them don’t know how to put their views across. I’d like to be able to grab one or two of them in order to teach them how to inspire people with their words.

Is that why you went into motivational speaking, how did you get into it?

People call me to come and speak from a long time even abroad. I talk on Nigeria, marriage, health- my favourite is talking to people about how their thinking

affect what they do and how they feel. I talk to people on how to receive issues and see things from other people’s point of view, and that’s what acting has afforded me; the ability to put myself in other people’s shoes and not get too apathy and fraught about everything. Incidentally, king Sunny Ade is also an investor, and that’s wonderful.

Why do you like wearing hats most of the time?

Because it’s elegant and finishes off your dressing, the same reason why I don’t wear minis. I think for a woman, it’s much more elegant to be covered from head to toe, not for any morality or religion. It’s just that it’s nice and fluid- whether it’s a gown or trouser you wear, just to remain and retain the dignity. So I am traditional like that and the way I dress is old fashioned but elegant because the thing with fashion is that it goes up and down and if you are consistent, it will meet you where it left you.

What else do you do aside acting and the foundation?

I write out my mind all the time as I see my life and exploring it. I have a big place at Ikotun Egbe under rehabilitation for the schoolwe are going to be making television and film, and I’m hoping to eventually have a television station myself. So I’ve only just started.

So how have you been fairing since you returned to Nigerian from England?

I’ve never been alone. No big deal. All the people I act with take me and treat me like their mother so I don’t feel like I don’t have a family. So all these young people take me like their mother and grand mother so, I’m not alone. I’m on Facebook, twitter, name it. I’m also computer literate. So I share life with younger people and see life through their eyes. I left everything over there and came and since then, I’ve had no reason to regret it .

You once said you’d give marriage another try. Are you still willing to do so?

I wouldn’t say it can never be possible because I’m still alive. After I lost my husband, I could have remarried if I found someone worthy of my attention but things happened differently.

Entertainment 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

Stories by Isaac Oguntoye

Godwin Anabor denies rift with Kwam 1

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Gospel star, Tope Alabi speaks on achievement

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o say Tope Alabi is a multiplatinum Nigerian Gospel Singer, film music composer (Sound Track) and actress whose music dexterity stands her out amidst her contemporaries is to say the least of her several achievement in the music industry.

In celebration of her 14th year in music, the singer attributes her achievement to the “ anointing of God upon her life”.

According to her, her songs have affected the lives of people positively that she ever thought.

“This is my 14th year in ministry, the anointing of God in my life has increased and my album have impacted lives greatly beyond my imagination and I know it is the hand of God and my only prayer is that nothing in life will take me out of his presence. I’m believing more manifestation in my ministry in the year to come if Jesus tarries.”

ell known socialite and publisher of the rested Hearts Magazine, Chief Godwin Anabor, has come out to deflate the alleged rift he had with acclaimed King of Fuji music, K1 The Ultimate.

The socialite who once ruled the social firmament like a colossus said his alleged rift is nothing but a creation of the writer’s imaginations.

He further tagged the writer a “magician who can conjure stories where there is none”.

Anabor who has been on a self imposed sabbatical from the social sphere for some time now, said he has not even been to Quilox not to talk of having any encounter with the music star.

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r. Taiwo Afolabi who is the owner of Safax Group, is a business tycoon who has contributed well in the freight business. According to the popular saying that “a goldfish has no hiding place”, as rumour mongers in the social circle have been reading meaning to the relationship that exists between the agile businessman and Nigerian star actress, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde.

Rumour has it that the two have been seen together frequently of

Rita Emerhor celebrates 50th birthday in style emerhor

I

t was a warm and calm environment at the prestigious Eko Hotel penultimate Saturday as one of Nigeria’s finest in terms of his contributions to national development, and a governorship aspirant in Delta State under APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor’s beautiful wife, Rita Emerhr, celebrated her 50th birthday.

Mrs Rita Emerhor was full of life as she stepped into the hall amidst pomp and music with everyone cheering her on on her jubilee.

In a statement, her husband said “My Margarita (Mgie, Mgie May) my baby! Words can’t fail me in talking about the

What is between Sifax Boss and Omotola Jalade?

love of my life! I met you at the tender age of 16, sweet sixteen, I was also a young lad of 23! That is some awesome 34years ago! She was a slender, vivaciously beautiful young girl, and at fifty today, she’s still slender, so beautiful, so lovely and so sumptuous! I have said once, I have said twice and I will say it again and again, God bless the day I met you for you are my one best decision I ever took, the smartest move I ever made! How can I imagine who and where I would be today if I did not have the raving luck of meeting you my love”, the industrious man recounts his love for his wife Rita is the managing

late and that they might be lovers. But we’re told that the duo are mere close pals.

According to what we gathered, the relationship that exists between them is like a father and daughter type.

What also brings them together is because they have a working relationship, something related to doing business together but, we are yet to lay our hands on what that business is all about.

Laide Bakare’s husband, Tunde Orilowo still on EFCC’s wanted list

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director of Heroes Furniture Ltd. Her husband is the CEO and Vice Chairman of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc. Two years ago, the society couple held their 25th wedding anniversary in Lagos, a ceremony that had almost all the society topnotchers in attendance.

t is no longer news that the husband of Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare was declared wanted recently by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, the new gist is the fact that the actress cum producer is back into the country after she put to bed of a bouncing baby girl in America.

Laide Bakare returned into the country after the christening of her baby and one fact remains, her husband who has been on the wanted list of the EFCC, was conspicuously absent on the day of his baby’s

naming.

We gathered that Orilowo is presently on the run which is a major reason he was absent at his baby’s christening.

Tunde Orilowo social rank reduced immediately after he was declared wanted by EFCC for an alleged 419 case with one of the leading telecommunication company, MTN. Right after Orilowo was declared wanted, Laide Bakare’s Boutique was also shut down by the EFCC. Now that Laide is back in the c o u n t r y, she’s been spotted at movie locations, apparently hustling to care for her three children all alone.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

25 Entertainment

Rihanna signs up as

creative director of Puma Stories by: Judith Frank-Edet

T

here were speculations last month that Rihanna would be signing a mouthwatering deal with mega sportswear company Puma.

Well its official.

Rihanna has been named the creative director for P u m a .

Her new role puts her in charge of Puma’s women’s wear fitness and training line and will help with the designing and customizing of Puma’s classic models. In addition to that, she will also be instrumental in creating new designs to keep Puma trending.

And who better to endorse their Puma women’s line than an awardwinning fashion icon?

Yup, as well as “creative director,” Rihanna has also been named Puma’s global brand

ambassador and will be the face of their Fall 2015 ad campaign.

According to Puma CEO Bjørn Gulden, he said that partnering with a charismatic and ambitious singer and fashion icon like Rihanna for a multi-year deal was a natural choice for the company.

‘Signing Rihanna is a fantastic step for Puma.

Her global profile, her charisma and individuality, her ambition – all these things make her a perfect ambassador for our brand. With a strong portfolio in football, running and motorsport, finding an inspiring partner for women’s training was very impor tant.

Khloe

Bill Cosby’s wife,

daughter break silence

A

s legendry comedian, Bill Cosby’s rape allegations continue to escalate, he wife and daughter are finally breaking their silence in other to do something to salvage the choking situation.

After just recently finding out that he wouldn’t be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on Tuesday, his daughter in addition defending

Kardashian going ahead with Lamar Odom’s divorce

Mel B’s marriage hits the rocks!

B

efore speculations stirred up that former “Scary Spice” Mel B was the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her 2nd husband Stephen Belafonte, the singer had hinted on her marital strife during a recent interview with the UK’s Grazia magazine. Mel B told the magazine she had

got into a heated argument with her husband of seven years.

“I walked in pissed off because I had a big row with my husband about stupid stuff,” she told the mag.

“Sometimes he pisses me off like no other, but he gets me.”

Now the rumors swelled up on Sunday, 14th of when

Mel missed the semi-finals of the UK X Factor the night before due to an undisclosed illness. There had been no explanation from the 39-year-old Girl for her hospital admission, but concerned viewers pointed out that she appeared to have ‘a swollen face’, a bruise on her cheek and scratches on her upper arms.

Also many fans were quick to speculate that Stephen Belafonte, her husband of seven years, was involved as Mel wasn’t wearing her wedding ring.

her father against the rape claims against him says her father has been falsely accused and it is a mere attempt to destroy an innocent person’s life.

Evin Cosby took to her Facebook page to make a statement in her father’s honor, saying: “He is the father you thought you knew. The cosby show was my today’s tv reality show.

Thank you. That’s all i would like to say rape is a serious allegation

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t’s been one year since Khloe Kardashian filled for a divorce from her husband, Lamar Odom on the 13th of December 2013 and she, may finally be ready to move on. The ‘keeping up with the Kardashian star’ took to social media to tell the world including Lamar that she is not ‘afraid’ to go through with her divorce Despite being in a clearly

and it is suppose to be taken very seriously but so is falsely accusing someone. When someone rapes a person they go to prison. That should also happen to the person that has wrongfully accused an innocent victim. They are not only destroying innocent people’s life they are also making it hard for the men and women to find justice when they have been raped.”

Does being a good father give him immunity from doing bad things?

Meanwhile his wife Camille Cosby, in a statement issued on Monday, dismissed the accusations. She suggested that her husband, not the women, is the party being harmed.

“None of us will ever want to be in the position of attacking a victim, But the question should be asked – who is the victim?” She also lashed the media for not properly handling the situation.

toxic relationship with Lamar, Khloe has struggled to make a decition weather she should leave him for good or still hold on. However it actually infuriates her family. According to Hollywood life, her family is furious with her. ‘To them, they see the writing on the wall. They feel Khloe should be done with him the minute she had papers in hand’

Wiz Khalifa’s sex tape co-star says it’s for private viewing

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s he rightly admitted, rapper Wiz Khalifa did make a sex tape with one of the girls of the playboy, Carla Howe.

Wiz Khalifa acknowledged that he was in the footage but he was not aware that it was being filmed. That rather sounds unbelievable.

According to enter-

tainment tabloid, TMZ , that the rapper’s explicit home movie was being shopped around popular pornography companies for a distribution deal. It was reported that Carl had almst released the footage bit the only problem was that without Wiz Khalifa signing it, it would never be released.

Entertainment 26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

I like homely hairstyles on my wife

Olive oil and your hair

–Mr. Raw

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live oil o r i g i n a t e s from the Mediterranean and has been used for years.

Its uses are many, from cooking, to the body, and for health purposes.

Also, when it hair treatment, Olive oil has been discovered to be a moisturizer you can depend on instead of grease which clogs scalp.

Olive oil can be used

Nigga Raw turned Mr Raw is a lady’s man any day any time. He came into the Nigerian music scene with his unique fusion of Igbo, English and Pidgin English into his rap, a move which endeared him to all a sundry.

Mr Raw is our celebrity guest on today’s Hair Ways.

Read on.

Opeoluwani Akintayo Your hair is full and black and it looks nice Thank you ( gushes) I’m sure you must have taken the hair after one of your parents Nobody. I used to cut it all off until I later decided to let it grown out a bit.

But I’ve never known you with skin cut Right from my childhood days, skin cut has always been my best.

Why did you say you didn’t take your hair after anyone the other time?

That’s because I’ve never really taken out time to observe my mom’s hair.

The only person’s hair I took notice was my father’s and that’s because he’s a man like me.

Why didn’t your mother’s hair catch your attention? You don’t like her that much or what?

It’s not like I don’t like my mom. It’s just that women these days always have their hair relaxed and permed. So since she wears relaxed hair, I wouldn’t know whether or not the relaxer boosted her hair growth. So, I’ll just assume my hair looks like that of my dad.

You sound like if you have your way you’d

s t o p women from relaxing their hair No, that’s not what I meant. Every woman should be free to do whatever makes her happy with her hair. Why will I stop the women folk from what we know adds to their beauty? I won’t that.

What crazy thing have you ever done to your hair?

I’m not a loud person so wearing weaves hasn’t even come to my mind yet. The only thing I’ve ever done which I won’t call crazy was when I was trying to trim my beard and mistakenly shaved part of it. And because of that single mistake, I had to shave both my mustache and beard all off. It gave me another look different from what I used to have and I practically was a shadow of myself until it grew back. I can’t forget the look it gave me back then, like a civil servant.

Were you married then?

No I wasn’t.

So which type of hairdo do you prefer on your wife?

My wife is an adult and has her likes when it comes to beauty so, I can’t choose for her. It all depends on anything that

soothes her. Whatever she wants goes for me.

So what if she shows up with bright colours in her hair someday?

I don’t like loud things.

For me, I prefer homely hairstyles but most times, I allow her make her choices because women can be stubborn when it comes to beauty and fashion.

What about if your wife shows up with a low cut.

Will you still love her?

Sure, why not! I love low cut on women and in fact, I admire women who wear low cut. But most women don’t like low cut, and they’ll always be quick to remind you what the Bible says about hair being a woman’s glory.

But on the contrary, I prefer it longer.

Has you wife ever made a hairstyle you didn’t like?

Yes! There was a time she made a blonde hair.

I didn’t like it because it made her look darker and dirty. I had to advise her that I prefer her without such crazy coloured hairstyles.

So what did she do after she complained?

When she noticed I didn’t like it and I made her see reason why it didn’t fit her, she took it off. I didn’t force her to take it off though.

to improve hair shine, to repair split ends and for chemically treated hair.

It can also be used to repair damaged and flaky scalp. When used as a hot oil treatment, Olive oil makes your hair incredibly soft and shiny.

Depending on what you want, you can either shampoo it out of your hair after use, or even use it as a leave-in conditioner.

If you don’t want to use it as a leave-in conditioner, after heating some of it for 20mins or until warm, apply some amount on your scalp and massage.

Place hair loosely on your head and cover it with a plastic shower cap. Relax

for at least 30 minuites while olive oil is treating your hair.

Shampoo it out with a mild shampoo. Give a light condition with a light conditioner. Rinse it out completely. Your hair will comes out softer, shiner and more manageable.

If you prefer as a leavein conditioner and moisturizer, after washing your hair, towel it dry and apply it to your scalp.

Then proceed to blow dry it or wrap it up with a silk scarf. It can also be sued to detangle your child’s hair by combing it with a spray bottle, spraying and combing the hair at the same time.

Eva

Hairpick of the week

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

EXCLUSIVE:

Star breaks world’s record: unveils biggest Christmas tree!

I once had coconut and corn for Christmas

“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches!”

Christmas is here again and Nigerian Breweries is the first to throw such a huge surprise our way this year.

Have you ever seen a Christmas tree built with bottles, especially the green bottles? We bet you haven’t seen such in Nigeria because this is the first of its kind, built with 8000 bottles of Star.

This is most thrilling because it beats China’s record for building a Christmas tree with just 1000 Heineken bottles .

The Star Bottle Tree, situated at Star Beer Village, Bar Beach Stretch Victoria Island Lagos, is made with 8,000 bottles and is the largest bottle tree in the world.

The fun part is that Lagosians took part in the record-breaking feat by submitting empty Star bottles, which were put

- Praiz Opeoluwani Akintayo

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hoever said sensational singer, Praiz hasn’t had it rough before fame should think well because what you are about to read which shock you to your bones.

The Mercy star just dropped his debut album and we are already losing it after settling down to hear the piles of songs.

Titled Rich and Famous, it’s one of its kind for a Nigerian act to drop two separate CDS as first album with each containing its own songs.

And guess what, it isn’t going to be just Iyanya you saw transitioning from R&B to dancehall, Praiz has also shown the more

27 Entertainment

versatile part of him in this new body of work.

For the ‘Rich’ part of the album with the white jacket, the album swallows 14 tracks like A Woman’s Need, I Miss You, If I Fall, Super Hero and otherd, and it’s for those of you who like R&B any day any time.

The ‘Famous’ album which comes in a black jacket, has 12 songs like Sisi, Sweet Potato, Mercy and others.

Of course, there are line up of A-list acts featured on the two albums from Patoranking to Wizkid, Iyanya, Chidinma, Awilo, Sheydee, Sheyi Shey, Bez, Sound Sultan, Kayswitch, Skales, Morelli, Iceberg Slim, King Sammy and Wande Balouy.

Rita Dominic, Joke Silva, IK Ogbonna, others for 2015 AMVCAs

While the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) is just around the corner, the list of nominees has already been released by organizers of the awards.

Announcing the nominees was popular on air duo, Nick Mutuma of Mashariki Mix and Sika Osei of 53 Extra during a special live broadcast on all Africa Magic and Maisha Magic channels and the likes of Rita Dominic, Joke Silva, IK Ogbonna, Mike Ezeruonye, Nse Etim and others made the list.

In the ‘Best Actor in a Comedy’ category, the following were nominated.

together to build the tree.

“This is another achievement by Nigerian Breweries Plc, which has become a forerunner in creativity and innovation over the years. Star Lager is an exciting brand, which strives to reach its consumers on enthusing platforms such as the Star Beer Village and also with the Star Bottle Tree. It’s the

The Interview (Frank Donga) - Kunle Idowu, The Meeting - Femi Jacobs, Meet the Adebanjos - Wale Ojo, Horn Free Day- Kelechi Udegbe, Fundi-Mentals - Gerald Langiri, and The Last 3 Digits Nonso Diobi In the ‘Best Actress in a Comedy’ group, the list goes thus; Folly - Joke Silva, When Love Happens - Weruche Opia, The Meeting - Rita Dominic, A Letter from Adam - Lydia Forson, I Come Lagos - Nse Ikpe Etim Other categories included, Best Actor in a Drama, Best Actress in a Drama, Best Art Director (Movie tv) , Best

festive period; season of fun and unlimited excitement and Star Lager has put everything in place to ensure fun seekers are relaxed, entertained and refreshed.

The Star Bottle Tree is a first of its kind in Nigeria. The enormous size is perhaps a first of its kind in the world.

We are very excited about the Star Bottle Tree; People can enjoy the tree, which stands as an iconic landmark in Lagos, Nigeria and across the world shining into 2015” Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr Walter Drenth said at the Star Bottle Tree unveiling.

Other guests present at the event include Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Edem Vindah, Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg & Export NB PLC Mr. Tokunbo Adodo, Brand Manager Star Lager Obabiyi Fagade, Comedian Lafup among others.

Cinematographer (Movietv), Best Comedy Writer (Movietv), Best Costume Designer (Movietv), Best Documentary, Best Drama Writer (Movietv), Best Lighting Designer, Best Local Language Hausa, Best Local Language Igbo, Best Local Language SWAHILI, Best Local Language YORUBA, Best Make-Up Artist, Best Movie (Comedy), Best Movie (Drama), Best Movie Director, Best New Media-Online, others.

Best Movie, Best Short Film, Best Sound Editing, Best Video Editor, Best Supporting Actress , Best Supporting Actor and Best Television Series.

Jonathan praises Nollywood for promoting Nigeria’s

2Face, Madinga to host 2014 AFRIMA Awards

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended Creative Professionals for using their works to promote the country’s global image.

Jonathan gave the commendation at an audience meeting with a delegation of the Creative Professionals which include movie and music artistes, producers, writers, makeup artists, among others, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recently.

One of Nigeria’s finest, Tuface Idibia will be teaming up with Republic of Congo’s beauty, Madinga Sona to host the All Africa Music, AFRIMA 2014 awards.

The two are the co-host of AFRIMA award ceremony holding in Lagos Nigeria on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the prestigious grand ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking about the

He said the nation’s creative professionals represent a blessing to the country, adding that they use their themes to promote good values. ``You promote our culture and that is why Edem Duke has always been passionate about you. ``You even bring value reorientation which I appreciate so much in some of the films you act and some of the music you play.

``So, you are much more than entertainers to people who want to relax but you are also changing the psyche of the youths.

He said government would continue to encourage film production through provision of funds and other forms of support.

The president said that the creative industry was key to economic diversification, hence government’s passion about developing it.

collaboration between the two popular hosts, Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada, said, “The award ceremony is going to be explosive with 2Face and Madinga Sona Maria, two accomplished creative Africans, holding sway and guiding our distinguished guests and nominees through the programme…It is going to be a spectacular show!”

Fashion 28

8 How to increase Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

Series

8 8 Eyola’s of

longevity of your jeans

J eans,

for most people is easy to wear on almost all kinds of occasion: you can wear it to work, dates, church, walkabouts- the point is that; it is convenient for those who want to look simple yet stylish.

However, even as we all like to slide into those pair of jeans and just walk away, I can bet that not even five percent of us know how to care for our jeans to make them serve us well and last longer.

Here are some tips to help us out.

1

ne To zap odours and freshen up your denim in-between washes, hang your jeans in the bathroom when taking a bath or shower. The steam is a certified way of keeping jeans smelling fresh (thanks to the wonderful aroma of your bath or shower wash) and as a bonus gets rid of any creases.

2

wo Whether you hand wash your jeans or throw them into the

washing machine, it’s important to always turn your jeans inside-out before washing. Another tip is to always wash your jeans with cold water. A third tip is to always wash the same denim tone together. So avoid mixing lighter tones with darker tones. A fourth tip, for luck: When you buy a brand new pair of jeans, wash it on its own for the first time as excess dye could “bleed”.

3

hree Contrary to the above-mentioned jeans faux-pas, if you actually want to fade your jeans so that they are a lighter shade in colour, then wash your jeans with hot water but just the once.

4

our Prevent drying your jeans using the washing machine’s tumble dryer. Tumble dryers pose a threat because the heat they produce causes shrinkage, which in turn will cause unnecessary wear and tear to your jeans. Unless you’re a fan of replacing your jeans regularly, avoid the tumble dryer. Instead, dry your jeans outdoors hanging upside down on a washing line or flat on the floor (preferably indoors so that your jeans don’t wind up dirty again).

5

ive To slowdown the fading process of dark jeans, add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to cold water and let your jeans

soak for about an hour. Fret not, the smell of vinegar does not linger, once dry the smell completely vanishes.

Vinegar is also proven to keep dark-coloured jeans darker for longer.

6

ix Although this may be an expensive option for some, dry cleaning is the best way to make your jeans last longer. Alternatively, take your designer jeans to the dry cleaners to remove any stains or dirt to ensure your jeans come out looking as good as new.

7

even If steaming in the bathroom doesn’t quite get your jeans looking as smart as you would like, then ironing them could be the only other option. Make sure to iron your jeans inside out, ironing them whilst they are still slightly damp. This way your jeans will keep its shape over time.

8

ight It is not a wise idea to fold jeans in a crowded closet, or any other types of clothing for that matter, because denim needs to breathe.

If your closet space will allow, it is always better to hang your jeans.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Tourism

Æs

A decade after,

Calabar Carnival waxes stronger

Tayo Adelaja

T

he Calabar Carnival often referred to as Africa’s biggest street party has become for Cross River State and its people, an veritable tool for tourism and ultimately socio-economic development.

Ten years after it was introduced into the state by the former governor, Donald Duke, the private sector has now taken full ownership of the annual event.

According to the state’s Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, while unveiling the 2014 Carnival theme which is ‘’Celebration Time’’ at the Millennium’s Park in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, ownership by the private sector would open more windows of opportunities for all sectors of the economy.

The first dry run was introduced to this year festival ahead of the main event. There were three mock rehearsals on different occasions along a 12km route to get the floats ready and in shape for the mega show.

According to Paul Chukwuemeka, a frequent visitor to the city at this period, “the Carnival is always a time I look forward to. It is a time of the year I fix my leave and come to Calabar to enjoy the originality and content of the carnival as

usually displayed by the five competitive bands; The Bayside Band, Passion Four, Seagulls Band, Master Blasta and Freedom Band.”

The Bayside Band is represented with colour Blue; Passion Four, Green; Seagulls Band, Red; Master Blasta, Orange and Freedom Band,Yellow.

The bands are expected to work hard to interpret the theme of the carnival come December 27, 2014, through their dance, float, and costumes.

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

In 2013, the crowd went into an overdrive of ecstasy and frenzy as they harried, screamed, and fell over one another to touch and have a glimpse of their favourite stars which included Nkem Owoh, (Osuofia), John Okafor, (Mr. Ibu), Fred Amata, Funke Akindele, (Jenifa), Tonto Dikeh, (Poko), Ime ‘Bishop’ Umoh, (Okon Lagos), Uti Nwachukwu, Uche Jombo and Emeka Enyiocha.

Many of the stars had to go into the CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

29

Tourism 30

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

The Calabar carnival has been described in various terms but one apt description is that it has evolved to become the peoples’ carnival

crowd, shake hands with their fans and take photographs. The street party terminated at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, with another fanfare and glamour.

“The Calabar carnival has been described in various terms but one apt description is that it has evolved to become the peoples’ carnival. The people own it, they celebrate it and they are passionate about it. The carnival has become a way of life of the people of Cross River State and culture has become our soul,” Vera Abang, a banker in Calabar, enthused.

During the street parade, beautifully attired colours swarmed the park and a sea of heads of of all tribes and races trooped through the street. They wore on their faces excitement, passion as they revelled in the spirit of the carnival.

The festival was first held in 2004 and has grown to become Nigeria’s most viable tourism product. As everything Nigeria, it has been copied by other states in the country but none has been able to transform into a tourism product. It is a 32-day festival that runs from 1st December to 31st December in Calabar.

The city of Calabar is noted for its clean streets and serene atmosphere and has been described as Nigeria’s cleanest city.

The carnival was created as part of the vision of making the state the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and other tourists from all over the world. The carnival has boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigerians while entertaining millions of spectators within and outside the state and boosting the industry for all stakeholders.

The carnival presents a perfect plat-

form for, brand visibility and market awareness.

Over the past years, the Cross River State Government has used this carnival to drive its tourism sector and provide exposure for its citizens, as well as develop its vast tourism sites and infrastructure such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort, the Tinapa Business Resort (though under-used) and Marina Resort.

This festival usually begins with the declaration of a one-month holiday for civil servants in the state during the month of December. Thereafter, local government areas are allocated days to show-case their unique cultures through foods, drinks, folklore, and dances.

The climax of the month-long festival is the carnival procession which involves a colourful parade through the major streets of Calabar with costumes, masks and masquerades. Notable African musicians are always invited to add colour to the occasion. The music is exceptional, accompanied with great vibrations and so it enjoys high patronage by youths especially.

The people of Cross River State are noted for their hospitality and love for peace, cleanliness and ‘good cuisines’.

Calabar town itself, apart from being the cleanest city in Nigeria has an antihypertensive effect on the inhabitants and visitors alike. In the south-south geopolitical zone, Calabar is the city with the lowest crime rate and total absence of militants. Undoubtedly, the town has lived up to its acronym “Come And Live And Be At Rest” or ‘Canaan city’ or ‘paradise city’ as she is also known.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 12, 2014

31 Tourism South Africa emerges world’s leading safari destination for 2014 Tunde Atobatele

S

Mare festival

waxes stronger, sets Ondo aglow Remi Oladoye

T

he mountains and hills of Idanre recently danced to the rythm of music in celebration of a new status injected to their domain by the government of Ondo State who is transforming it to a preferred tourist destination.

The festive mood enveloped all and sundry, up to the Owa Of Idanre and his chiefs during the just concluded 2014 Annual Mare Festival which also witnessed the official commissioning of the Idanre Mountain Resort and Relaxation Center, an initiative that has transformed Idanre Hill to a resort of international standard.

Mare festival is an annual mountain climbing and sporting events used to celebrate the cultural heritage of the people of Ondo State. It started five years ago with the aim of exposing the culture and tourism potentials of the state, particularly the uniqueness of the conference of mountains to the world. It is also an avenue to develop local mountaineers and other talents in the sport and entertainment industry.

The fifth edition kicked off with an opening event attended by the chief tourism promoter in Nigeria, the Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Develop-

ment Commission (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo and other stakeholders in the industry as they witnessed the official commissioning of the Idanre Mountain Resort and relaxation Center.

While commissioning the resort and the habitat, the governor of the state represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, in his address, said the resort was part of the agenda of his administration to make Idanre a tourism destination in the country: “Nigeria cannot rely on oil alone as a source of revenue, we are tapping this natural wonders and resources in our state to generate revenue, and at the same time create employment opportunities for our teeming youths, also to boost the creative industry.

“Ondo state is blessed with a lot of potential and we cannot but continue to develop these potentials and maximize it for the growth of our economy and promotion of our natural resources, culture and heritage.

Mrs Sally Mnabefo expressed her satisfaction at the ongoing development in the state. In an elated mood, she told the gathering that Ondo State was one of the best among the states and advised the people to key into the promotion of her policy of domestic tourism.

She said, “I feel at home anytime I come to Ondo State

outh Africa has emerged the World’s Leading Safari Destination at the 21st World Travel Awards, as voted by travel agents worldwide.

The awards, held in Anguilla in the Caribbean on December 7, 2014, further entrenched South Africa’s reputation as a sought-after destination.

South Africa edged out last year’s winner, Kenya, as well as the other nominees: Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Apart from South Africa itself being recognised as a country at the awards, the following South African establishments won World Awards in various categories: •World’s Leading Safari Resort 2014: Legend Golf & Safari Resort

Ondo state is blessed with a lot of potential and we cannot but continue to develop these potentials and maximize it

because of the large deposit of tourism potentials and how the government is working on them to make them functional for the economic benefit of the state.

“Within my short stay in the office as the Director General of the NTDC, I have toured over 20 states and participated in many festivals; but south West particularly Ondo state is the best.

The development of tourism, particularly the resort is an awesome and amazing experience. It is quite fascinating and makes one’s visit to the state a memorable one. This resort is another testimony to the transformational work of the state government and the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his entire cabinet deserve commendations for this talking about Ondo State

•World’s Leading Eco-Lodge 2014: Shamwari Game Reserve – Eagles Crag Lodge. This is the second consecutive year that this establishment has claimed the prize.

•World’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2014: Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa. This is the 15th consecutive year that this establishment has claimed the title.

•World’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2014: Thanda Private Game Reserve •World’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2014: Shambala Private Reserve. This is the second consecutive year that this establishment has claimed the title.

•World’s Leading Luxury Safari Company 2014: & Beyond.

This is the second consecutive year that this establishment has claimed the title.

Tourism 32

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Mare festival, a unique experience as the people are hospitable, the environment is good and they have an amazing sites. Their festival particularly Mare is one of the international festivals that is recognized by the NTDC. “The local participation is very encouraging and I want to encourage the government not to allow this vision to die as Ondo State is gradually taking a lead in the tourism in Africa.

Mbanefo said, adding, “I will continue to partner with Ondo on Mare and other events that will positively affect the growth of culture and tourism in the state.

Mrs Mbanefo also announced the success of her negotiation with Overland Airways, which will now connect Akure- Abuja, and Akure-Lagos.

This, she said, would enhance the movement of tourists and fun-seekers to Idanre and other tourism sites in the state.

Indeed, the NTDC director general joined the traditional dancers to dance the local beats a development that cheered the crowd to no end.

The participation of local artistes made this year’s festival more interesting as it showcased budding talents in music and other sports events.

Dr Wanle Akinboboye while welcoming guests to the events said, “The essence of celebrating the festival is not just to dance and celebrate alone, but also to create a platform that will showcase and encourage talents in Ondo State. In all the sports, we have young ones actively participating and doing wonderfully well. The budding artistes are also discovered and encouraged and this will be a continuous exercise.

While addressing the crowd

I have no doubt in my mind that with the best of our creativity we shall bring Idanre to global attention and MARE will be the best in the world at the grand finale, the state governor, Dr Segun Mimiko said, “This is a realisation of our dream to make Ondo State the number one tourism destination in Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that with the best of our creativity we shall bring Idanre to global attention and MARE will be the best in the world. “ He however commended the people of Idanre and their traditional rulers for their support in the building of the resort. He assured the participants that the coming year would be better, “as there will be new dimensions and introduction of other things into the festival. By next year, the Atosin Golf Course would have been ready with staff clubs and hotels while more wooden edifices would

have been erected here for the convenience of our tourists,” he said.

While receiving the award of Brand Domestic Tourism for the year 2014 from The Guild of Tourism Journalists Association of Nigeria (GTJ), Mimiko said, “We will continue to do the needful to promote domestic tourism In Nigeria having realized that tourism is a veritable tool in promoting our economy and engaging the younger generations.”

President of the GTJ, Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre, in an interactive session with journalists shortly after the presentation of the award, said the recognition was buoyed by the consistency of the governor in the celebration of Mare Festival and other cultural events in the state.

He said, “Mare is becoming a festival that will soon be drawing participants from all over the world because of the consistency and the introduction of innovations into the programme. It is now a brand in mountaineering.

“The governor’s effort in creating a tourism hub in Ondo State is acknowledged and we use this award to appreciate and encourage him not to relent while imploring other governors to emulate him.”

Not many people who have visited the base of Idanre Hill before could identify the hitherto bushy place as it has been turned into a resort of international standard with all the components therein. The resort has a functioning bar, open stage, swimming pool, indoor game centre and a wooden house which displays immense creativity of the tourism impresario Ambassador Wande Akin-

Menu For Tourists

R

io de Janeiro launched a new app that translates menus for multiple languages and helps tourists to choose restaurants in the city.

The Menu For Tourists application found the perfect formula for tourists to find the ideal restaurant: break the language barrier. To solve the problem with foreign tourists and professionals who work in bars and restaurants, Menu For Tourist developed an app that provides detailed menus of establish-

ments in Portuguese, English and Spanish --- and the houses can also choose to purchase the service in several other languages like German, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian and Italian.

To access the application (available for free download in the App Store and Google Play), the geolocation system points out the restaurants that are nearby. Thus, just choose the language and look at all the menus.

In the restaurant, waiters will have a tablet with the menu just

as available in the app --- which facilitates the choice and the performance of the application of the dish you want to eat.

The search for bars and restaurants can also be made only by language.

The key is that the menus are explanatory, taking into account the peculiarities of each language, avoiding literal translations which further confuse tourists.

Even before the official launch on December 15, over 60 Rio restaurants are already registered.

Fun-seekers set to enjoy Beach Carnival in Lagos Tunde Atobatele

T

ravelogue Beach Carnival, an annual beach carnival conceptualized to promote beach tourism in Nigeria is scheduled hold at the expansive Lekki Beach, Lekki, Lagos on December 26th– 28th, 2014. Every year people gather worldwide to celebrate different festivals. Rio carnival is synonymous with Brazil, likewise Notting Hill Carnival to London or the Tomato Festival in Spain.

The Travelogue Beach Carnival has emerged as a flagship signature of Travelogue Communications with a passion to promote beach activities in Nigeria, where the rich and diverse natural endowment of motherland are exhibited along the month gapping and mesmerizing beach lines among a bevy of African beauties. No beach is complete without the presence of the people, hence our motive is to encourage the beach culture in Nigeria and break new grounds in the annals of tourism propagation.

The carnival is a beach leisure funfair schedule for beach lovers, tourists to visit with a 3 – day activities at Lekki Beach which includes sporting activities, Musical Show, (Miss Beach Beautiful) Pageantry,

Surfing & Boating, Exhibition& Products Sampling, Beach VolleyBall,kids Amusement Attractions, Corporate Mascot & Exhibition, Creative Villages,and Raffle draws. It is conceived to pack lots of fun, glitz and entertainment for beach tourists and participants alongside mouth-watering prizes, it offers a unique opportunity for beach lovers to relax, unwind and be close to nature in an ambience of serenity and tranquillity. This will also generate massive awareness for beach tourism and expand its capacity to generate more revenue for the private and public sectors as well as sustaining an under explored relaxation in Nigeria which will indirectly contribute to the general wellbeing of the people.

This combination of activities no doubts is to creatively mobilize the youths, upwardly mobile middle age people as well as the young-at-heart in a stress free carnival like ambience. This will definitely impact positively on various brands and services of would-be sponsors and partners of this novel activation. Hence we desire to approach a powerful brand like yours to partner with us to sponsor this unique Beach Carnival.

It. The carnival is expected to attract over 100,000 fun-seekers.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

33

Law Extra Æ s Anini The Law!!

The reign of an armed robber The complicity of the police is believed to have enhanced Anini’s reign of terror in 1986.

Mustapha Ogunsakin

L

awrence Nomanyagbon Anini, Nigeria’s most notorious armed robber, was born sometime in 1960. He terrorised the old Bendel State, especially its capital, Benin City in the 1980s.

By 1986, his robbery exploits had reached such a terrible level that it became a national issue. He operated along with his lieutenant, Monday Osunbor, and others.

However, one striking feature in the Anini reign of terror was police complicity. It was soon discovered that the Anini gang had insiders within the Police hierarchy. George Iyamu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was their arrowhead.

Anini, dreadfully called ‘The Law’ or ‘Ovbigbo’, was born in a village about 20 miles from Be-

nin City. He migrated to Benin at an early age, learned to drive and became a skilled taxi driver within a few years. He became known in Benin motor parks as a man who could control the varied competing interests among motor park touts and operators.

He later took to criminal acts in the city and soon became a driver and transporter for gangs, criminal godfathers and thieves.

Soon after, he decided to create his own gang. They started out as car hijackers, bus robbers and bank thieves. Gradually, he extended his criminal acts to other towns and cities far north and east of Benin.

The complicity of the police is believed to have enhanced Anini’s reign of terror in 1986.

Early that year, two members of his gang were prosecuted over an earlier under-the-table ‘agree-

ment’ with the Police to destroy evidence against the gang members. The incident, and Anini’s view of Police betrayal, is believed to have spurred retaliatory actions by Anini. In August, 1986, a bank robbery linked to Anini was reported in which a police officer and others were killed. That same month, two officers on duty were shot at a barricade while trying to stop Anini’s car. During a span of three months, he was known to have killed nine police officers.

In an operation in August of 1986, the Anini team struck at First Bank, Sabongida-Ora, where they carted away N2, 000.

But although the amount stolen was seen as chicken feed, they left the scene with a trail of blood. Many persons were killed.

On September 6, same year, the Anini gang snatched a Peu-

geot 504 car from Albert Otoe, the driver of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Christopher Omeben. In snatching the car, they killed the driver and went to hide his corpse somewhere. It was not until three months later that the skeleton of the driver was spotted 16 kilometers away from Benin, along the Benin-Ag-

bor highway. A day after this attack, Anini, operating in a Passat car believed to have been stolen, also effected the snatching of another Peugeot 504 car near the former FEDECO office, in Benin.

Two days after, Anini’s men killed two policemen in Orhiowon Local Government of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Kogi dissolves 21 local govt councils Oyewale Adebayo, Lokoja

I

n compliance with a court order, all 21 local government councils in Kogi State have been dissolved.

The order was carried out by the state government, following an order

to that effect by Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye of a State High Court, Koton Karfe.

The dissolution was contained in a statement from the state’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in Lokoja.

An order was given on

Monday 8th December, which the court considered not to have been effected. On Wednesday, 17 December, the court ordered the government to ensure compliance within 24 hours.

The statement directed the council chairmen to hand over the affairs

of their councils to their respective directors of local government with immediate effect, pending when another election is conducted for that tier.

Justice Omolaiye- Ajileye delivered the judgment in respect of a suit instituted against the

State Government and the State Electoral Commission (SIEC), declaring that the constitution of the SIEC that conducted the 4th May, 2013 Local Government election was violated some provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

The judge declared

that the chairmen and the councillors who were elected under the void election had thus lost their posts.

Following the court order, the governor through the statement on Thursday called on all concerned to ensure strict compliance.

Law Extra 34

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 state. Still in that month, three different robbery attacks, all pointing to Anini’s involvement, took place. They include the murder of Frank Unoarumi, a former employee of the Nigerian Observer newspapers; the killing of Mrs. Remi Sobanjo, a chartered accountant, and the stealing of the Mercedes Benz car in Benin, of the Ughelli monarch, the Ovie.

Before September 1986 drew to a close, Anini, now an elusive dread, struck at a gas station along Wire Road, Benin, where he stole a substantial part of the day’s sales. He shot the Station’s attendant and gleefully started spraying his booty along the road for people to pick.

The height of Anini’s exploits, however, took place on October 1, 1986, the Independence Day when the state’s Commissioner of Police, Casmir Igbokwe was ambushed by the gang in Benin, followed by a hail of bullets. The police boss survived the attack with serious injuries. Earlier that day also, the Anini men had gunned down a police man within the city Also, on October 21 of same year, the Anini gang terminated the life of a Benin-based medical doctor, A.O Emojeve. They gunned him down along Textile Mill Road, in Benin. Not done, Anini and his gang went and robbed the Agbor branch of the African Continental Bank and carted away about N46, 000. A day after the operation, Anini, The Law, turned to a ‘Father Christmas’ as he threw wads of naira on the ground for market men and women to pick at a village near Benin.

Anini’s image thus loomed larger than life, dwarfing those of Ishola Oyenusi, the king of robbers in the 1970s and Youpelle Dakuro, the army deserter who masterminded the most vicious daylight robbery in Lagos in 1978, in which two policemen were killed. Anini spear-headed a four-month reign of terror between August and December 1986. He also reportedly wrote numerous letters to media houses using political tones of Robin Hood to describe his criminal acts.

Worried by the seeming elusiveness of Anini and his gang members, the military President, General Ibrahim Babangida then ordered a massive manhunt for the kingpin and his fellow robbers. The police thus went after them; combed every part of Bendel State where they were reportedly operating and living. The whole nation was gripped with fear of the robbers and their daredevil exploits.

The reign of an armed robber However, Police manhunt failed to stop their activities; the more they were hunted, the more intensified their activities became. Some of the locals in the area even began to tell stories of their invincibility and for a while, it felt like they were never going to be caught.

However, at the conclusion of a meeting of the Armed Forces Ruling Council in October 1986, General Babangida turned to the Inspector- General of Police, Etim Inyang, and asked, ‘My friend, where is Anini?’. At about this time, Nigerian newspapers and journals were also publishing various reports and editorials on the ‘Anini Challenge’, the ‘Anini Saga’, the ‘Anini Factor’, ‘Lawrence Anini – the Man, the Myth’, ‘Anini, Jack the Ripper’, and ‘Lawrence Anini: A Robin Hood in Bendel’. The Guardian asked, emphatically, in one of its reports: ‘Will they ever find Anini, “The Law”?’

His arrest Finally, it took the courage of Superintendent of Police, Kayode Uanreroro to bring the Anini reign of terror to an end.

On December 3, 1986, Uanreroro caught Anini at No 26, Oyemwosa Street, opposite Iguodala Primary School, Benin City, in company with six women. Acting on a tip-off from the locals, the policeman went straight to the house where Anini was hiding and apprehended him with very little resistance. Uanreroro led a crack 10-man team to the house, knocked on the door of the room, and Anini himself, clad in under-

Shortly after the arrest of Anini and co, the dare-devil robbers began to revealthe roles played by key police officers and men

pants, opened the door. “Where is Anini,” the police officer quickly enquired. Dazed as he was caught off guard and having no escape route, Anini all the same tried to be smart. “Oh, Anini is under the bed in the inner room”. As he said it, he made some moves to walk past Uanreroro and his team. In the process, he shoved and head-butted the police officer but it was an exercise in futility.

Uanreroro promptly reached for his gun, stepped hard on Anini’s right toes and shot at his left ankle. Anini surged forward but the policemen took hold of him and put him in a sitting position.

They then pumped more bullets into his shot leg and almost severed the ankle from his entire leg. Already, anguished by the excruciating pains, the policemen asked him, “Are you Anini?” And he replied, “My brother, I won’t deceive you; I won’t tell you lie, I’m Anini.” He was from there taken to the police command headquarters where the state’s Police Commissioner, Parry Osayande, was waiting. While in the police net, Anini who had poor command of English and could only communicate in pid-

gin, made a whole lot of revelations. He disclosed, for instance that Osunbor, who had been arrested earlier, was his deputy, saying that Osunbor actually shot and wounded the former police boss of the state, Akagbosu Anini was shot in the leg, transferred to a military hospital, and had one of his legs amputated. When Anini’s hideout was searched, police recovered assorted charms, including the one he usually wore around his waist during “operations”. It was instructive that after Anini was captured and dispossessed of his charms, the man who terrorized a whole state and who was supposed to be fearless suddenly became remorseful, making confessions. This was against public expectation of a daredevil hoodlum who would remain defiant to the very end.

Shortly after the arrest of Anini and co, the dare-devil robbers began to revealthe roles played by key police officers and men, in the aiding and abetting of criminals in Bendel State and the entire country. Anini particularly revealed that Iyamu, who was the most senior police offi-

cer shielding the robbers, would reveal police secrets to them and then, give them logistical supports such as arms, to carry out robbery operations. He further revealed that Iyamu, after each operation, would join them in sharing the loot. It was further exposed how Iyamu planned to kill Christopher Omeben, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Intelligence and Investigation. But Iyamu was later to be disappointed as the assailants dispatched to eliminate Omeben were only able to kill his driver, Otue, a sergeant.

Iyamu, whom the robbers fondly referred to as ‘Baba’, reportedly had choice buildings in Benin City; proof of how he invested the loot he obtained from men of the underworld.

Due to the amputation of his leg, Anini was confined to a wheelchair throughout his trial.

Iyamu, on his part, denied ever knowing and collaborating with Anini, but Anini The Law furiously retorted, “You are a shameless liar!” Anini had accused him before Justice James Omo-Agege in the High Court of Justice in Benin City. Of the 10 police officers Anini implicated, five were convicted. The robbery suspects, including Iyamu, were sentenced to death. But in passing his judgement, Justice Omo-Agege remarked, “Anini will forever be remembered in the history of crime in this country, but it would be of unblessed memory.

Few people if ever, would give the name to their children.” Their execution took place on March 29, 1987.

35

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Business Æ s Briefs Breach of trust: Businessman gets two-year jail term

A

Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, yesterday sentenced a 32-year-old businessman, John Daniel, to 24 months imprisonment for breach of trust and cheating.

The presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, convicted the businessman after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating.

Maga, however, gave the convict an option to pay N6,000 fine or remain in Keffi Prison for 24 months and also ordered him to give N140,000 as compensation to the complainant.

Scarcity of dollars hits forex market

B

ureau De Change operators in Kano have complained over the scarcity of dollars from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, the Treasurer of the Forex Dealers Association.

“For the past 10 years, this is the worst year of high scarcity of dollars since people now prefer to do business and save money in dollars.”

R-L: Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro; Director, Information Communication Technology, Representing the Minister of Education, Mr. Orji Kalu; Chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Board of Trustee, Dr. Musa Babayo; and Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Education, Hon Aminu Suleima; during TETFUND 2014 Taxpayers Forum in Lagos. Photo: Bolaji Olasunkanmi

Agric exports rise, farmers laud government Moses Oyediran, Enugu

T

he Director General of Unique Farmers Association, UFAN, Chief John Paul Adama has said the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, of President Goodluck Jonathan led administration is favourable to rural poor farmers, adding that the scheme has eliminated intrigues implored by political farmers in denying them their entitlements.

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda was launched at the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan administration to grow the agricultural sector and make farm inputs accessible to farmers directly at subsidised rate.

Adama while speaking with Daily Times in Enugu on Thursday said the era where the ministry of agriculture was in the hands of politicians ended with the coming of ATA. ‘ATA is so organised that even rural poor farmers

can attest to the fact that they get direct farm inputs supplies from the ministry. ATA has eliminated all forms of corruption practices by godfathers in the ministry of Agriculture’, he said.

Adama urged government to sustain its entire programme in the sector as it is already placing the country tops among other comity of nations.

‘My prayer is for federal government to sustain all this innovations that are already easing the bur-

FG awards N12bn contracts for two sea ports Funmi Coker With Agency Reports

T

he Federal Government on Wednesday approved a 59-million-dollar (N9 billion) contract for the construction of Berth 21 at the Terminal ‘E’ of the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa.

Also approved was a contract for the construction of the Inland River Port at Makurdi at the cost of N3 billion.

These were some of the outcomes of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Council

Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The supervising Minister of Information, Mr Nurudeen Mohammed, briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting alongside his transportation counterpart, Sen. Idris Umar.

Mohammed explained that the approvals of the contracts were based on a memo presented to the council by the Minister of Transport.

The Lagos port contract, he said, was awarded to Greenview Development (Nigeria) with a completion period of 18 months.

dens suffered by farmers ‘This year alone e-wallet already there are evidence system which is electronic that Nigeria is now among driven has captured 14milthe top global exporters of lion farmers as against large foods to other coun- the 10 million last year. We tries of the world’, he said. hope that every farmer in He commended other the country get certified innovations introduced so that they also get benby the minister of Agri- efit from these incentives. culture, Dr. Akinwunmi All that was expected Adesina. of any farmer he stressed ‘The Growth Enhance- was to get enlisted by ment Support Scheme is registering his name and another laudable innova- phone number in other to tion that brings fertilisers get certified and thereafdirectly to the doorsteps ter go to any redemption TH DECEMBER, of the farmers through centre collect 2014. subsiCBN EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 15and Electronic Wallet. dized fertilisers, seeds.

Currency

US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO SWISS FRANC YEN CFA

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

167 261.4552 207.5142 172.7348 1.4049 0.2979

Selling(NGN)

167.5 262.238 208.1355 173.252 1.4091 0.3079

NSE reviews sectoral indices for 2015 Pg 38

Market Capitalization and All Index Shares trend Index Trend for Equities Market Capitalization and All Shares for Equities Day

Friday 12/12/2014

Monday 15/12/2014

Tuesday 16/12/2014

Wednesday 17/12/2014 Thursday 18/12/2014

Market Capitalization (N)

Index value

10,066,952,548,320.79

30,492.30

10,156,447,994,566.03 9,834,953,619,664.58 9,561,620,497,003.35 9,677030520039.71

30,763.28 29,789.59 28,961.67 29,311.25

168 263.0208 208.7568 173.7691 1.4133 0.3179

Auto 36

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

While it clearly shares its form factor with BMW’s X4 and X6, the GLE Coupe’s styling is all Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz GLE N

ot until Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new GLE Coupe, the BMW X6 was unarguably without a contender in its class, until now.

For those luxury wheel enthusiasts, who may have had it in mind to go for the formerly unrivalled BMW X6, Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe has obviously forced a halting screech out of you, because you really need to take a look at the just arrived option before signing that cheque.

No matter what the choice boils down to, it all depends on what gives you the kick, it may be power under the hood, it may be agility or aesthetics, but in whatever category that may be prime to you, trust me it is definitely going to be a tough call on this one.

And so, years after the polarizing BMW X6 originally hit the market, Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled its slope-roofed challenger, and much like

AUTO CLINIC

That air inside your car maybe killing you slowly

Munich’s Sport Activity Vehicle, the new GLE Coupe will split opinions rather dramatically.

While it clearly shares its form factor with BMW’s X4 and X6, the GLE Coupe’s styling is all Mercedes, borrowing the

R

oadside air especially along busy roads and highways contains high levels of pollen, dust, soot and smog whose harmful effects are

more organic shapes used on the company’s most recent new model, the AMG GT. Strips of chrome and the iconic silver arrow logo bisect a large, rectangular grille, while the fascia on the GLE 450 shown above features three rather dra-

well documented. And children, with “young lungs”, are more sensitive to the effects of air pollution than adults.

So if you are taking the kids to school or soccer practice with

matic lower air intakes. The headlights, meanwhile, fit in with MB’s latest styling language. In back, slim, wraparound taillights share some resemblance with the new S-Class Coupe.

The cabin is recognisable and looks

the windows rolled up the air quality inside a car often can be worse than the air outside especially in heavy traffic.

To protect against the dangers of these pollutants, mod-

ern vehicles utilise a cabin air filter, which acts much like the filter in the home’s heating system – trapping dust, dirt and grime from the road and pumping clean air into the passenger

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

37 Auto

the BMW X6 was unarguably without a contender in its class, until now

Coupe: A sportier choice?

to be of extremely high quality, with the featured vehicle showing off quite a lot of carbon-fiber trim. A thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel dominates the driver’s area, while a large, tabletlike display crowns the center stack. The

compartment. Over time, however, the cabin air filter can get clogged and actually multiply the dangers associated with these pollutants when the vehicle’s

same sort of touch-controlled interface and input dial found on the new C-Class controls the information on that screen.

Under the chiseled hood of the GLE 450 AMG, the first of Mercedes’ AMG Sport models, sits a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo-

heating and air conditioning system blows them into the closed interior with no avenue for escape.

“An increasing number of vehicles are now

equipped with cabin filters – even though most motorists don’t even know they have one,” says Kevin O’Dowd, Director of Marketing & Communications

charged V6. Unlike the 329-horsepower unit in the C400 and E400, the force-induced V6 generates 362 hp and an equally robust 384 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated up to a new nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ 4Matic all-

at MANN+HUMMEL Purolator Filters NA LLC. Recent data shows that more than 40 million vehicles on the road are equipped with cabin air

wheel-drive system. A new version of the popular Airmatic suspension is being offered with the ADS Plus continuously variable dampers while Mercedes is also fitting its Active Curve System, complete with active roll stabilisation.

The model gets sporty styling inside and out, changes to the suspension and gear ratios for a sportier drive, and five different driving modes - Individual, Comfort, Slippery, Sport and Sport+ that make changes to the chassis, engine, suspension and steering systems to make for a softer or sportier drive. It gets four-wheel drive as standard.

Also new is the AMG Sport version, which is a first for Mercedes. This is a new sub-brand of models that are sporty but not as performance focused as full-blown AMG versions. Think of AMG Sport models to AMG as M Performance models are to BMW M cars.

filtration systems. Refer to your owner’s manual or check with your repair shop technician to see if your vehicle is equipped with one.

The cabin air filter is often referred to by various other names – pollen filter, interior air filter, air-conditioning filter, passenger compartment air filter.

Capital Market 38

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

NSE reviews composition of market indices Adesola Akindele

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced that it was putting final touches to the Year End review for the NSE 30, NSE 50 and the five Sectoral Indices of The Exchange - the NSE Banking, the NSE Consumer Goods, the NSE Oil & Gas, NSE Industrial and the NSE Insurance.

According to the announcement, the composition of these indices after the review will be effective on January 1, 2015. The review will witness the entry of some major companies and Exit of others.

As the Index Committee explained, The NSE-30, NSE-50 and NSE Industrial Indices are modified market capitalisation index with the numbers of included stocks fixed at 30, 50 and 10, respectively.

The numbers of included stocks in the NSE-Consumer Goods, Banking, Insurance and Oil/Gas Indices are 15, 10, 15 and 7, respectively.

The Stocks will be picked based on their market capitalisation from the most liquid sectors. The liquidity is based on the number of times the stock is traded during the preceding two quarters. To be included, the stock must be traded for at least 70 per cent of the number of times the market opened for business.

The Committee further stated that the exchange was not oblivious of the fact that the number of the stocks that will be included in some of the indices may be inappropriate for optimal portfolio diversification; however, the numbers

Oscar Onyema would be reviewed as sector conditions change.

The Nigerian bourse began publishing the NSE 30 Index in February 2009 with index values available from January 1, 2007. On July 1, 2008, the NSE developed four sectoral indices and one index in 2013, with a base value of 1,000 points, designed to provide invest-

able benchmarks to capture the performance of specific sectors.

The sectoral indices comprise the top fifteen most capitalised and liquid companies in the Insurance and Consumer Goods sectors, top ten most capitalised and liquid companies in the Banking and Industrial Goods sector and the top seven most capitalised and liquid

companies in the Oil & Gas sector.

The indices, which were developed using the market capitalisation methodology, are rebalanced on a biannual basis -on the first business day in January and in July.

The compiler of the indices maintains the right to modify the circulated selection above in connection with any mergers, takeovers, suspension or resumption of trading or any other company structure changes during the period before the effective date of the annual review.

Under the NSE 30 index the likely incoming companies are 7-up Bottling Co. Plc, Seplat Petroleum Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Mobil Nigeria Plc. While those likely to be outgoing are Total Nigeria Plc, GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ashaka Cement Plc and FCMB Group Plc. Under the NSE 50 index, those likely coming in are: Seplat Petroleum, Beta Glass Co. Plc, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc and Ikeja Hotels Plc. And those likely to exit are WAPIC Insurance Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc and Cement Co. of Nigeria Plc. In the NSE Consumer Goods category, likely incomers include DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, Vono Products Plc, Union Dicon Salt Plc and Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Plc. Those likely to exit are Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Champion Breweries Plc, National Salt Co. of Nigeria and Dangote Flour Mills Plc.

Finally, All Share Index rises by 1.21 per cent

A

fter three weeks of trading at a loss, the Nigerian stock exchange market has recorded a positive trend in its trading activities as 1.21 per cent was gained on the trading floor yesterday bringing All Share Index (ASI) to 29,311.25 points in contrast to its previous 28,961.67 points recorded on Wednesday.

Thursday’s market activity shows that a total of 302,406,685.00 shares were traded by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). This shares traded are worth 3.7 billion naira and they were sealed in 5,199 deals, thereby bringing Market capitalisation to N9.67 trillion a welcome raise from its previous price of N9.56 trillion.

Amongst Thursdays top gainers (24 in number) NESTLE gains an impressing N38.53, closing off sales at N809.14 as against its preceding closing price of N770.61. On the other hand WAPCO gains the most in terms of percentage as its shares increases by 7.25% gaining N4.82 by closing off sales at N71.32 as against its preceding N66.50.

Of the 28 equity losers at Thursday’s trade activities, SEPLAT loses N13.31 with its current closing price being N252.93 as against its preceding price of N266.24. CONOIL tops the equity loser’s chart as it reduces by 9.73% dropping to N44.44 as against its preceding price of N49.23

Exchange takes listing drive to Ogun state industrial clusters Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange has put machinery in motion to enlighten medium companies and entrepreneurs in Ogun state on the need for them to get listed on the stock exchange.

NSE also educated investors and company owners on the procedures and benefits inherent in listing of companies and businesses on the Stock Exchange, in a road show programme held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, canvassed for companies’ to get advantages in assessing other means of funding

rather than financial institutions The Nigerian stock Exchange’s team was led by Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, in sensitisation programme tagged: “Southwest Road Show on Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), went round the main business hubs in Ogun state targeting medium-scale businesses for listing.

Speaking at the concluding event held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Jalo-Waziri, disclosed that the organisation devised ASeM mainly for medium-scale enterprises to avail the benefits and advantages

of capital market to the operators of medium-scale enterprises and other businesses that are qualified for listing at the Stock Exchange.

Jalo-Waziri, who was represented by Taba Peterside, General Manager, Listing, Sales and Retention disclosed that ASeM train was moved to Southwest, having successfully completed Southeast edition of Road show, saying that since the launch of Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) in Nigeria, eleven companies, including Omoluabi Savings and Loans have been listed on Stock Market.

He said, “ASeM was a platform where we want to encourage SMEs

to enter the Capital market where they can access long-term capital to grow the businesses and where they can also take advantages of some other benefits. The idea is that we don’t stay in offices in Lagos and talk about this, but we actually go out to where these companies are.

“Last year, we also had a successful road at Southeast as we know we have many businesses concentrated around that axis. So, yesterday we were in Agbara, we know that there is a lot of businesses there, we also know that Ogun state government has been doing a lot to establish and encourage industries

in this part of the country.”

“As we were driving from Agbara down here, it was just solid, there is one business, one enterprise or the other.”

“So, today we are in Abeokuta and our aim really is to bring advantages of Capital market to the people of this part of the country.

We are really looking at larger end of MSMEs, we are considering more of the medium-scale enterprises in ASeM that is why we have Designated Advisers that will serve as guide to issuers on their responsibilities during the application process and maintaining their status once listed, “he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Adesola Akindele

39 Capital Market

DAILY MARKET SUMMARY

Global Business 40

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

Olam’s cocoa buy-over raises supply, price volatility concerns

O

lam’s $1.3 billion deal to buy rival Archer Daniels Midland’s cocoa processing business may reduce liquidity in the niche cocoa bean trade, raising concerns about volatile prices and a potential shake-up of customer relationships.

In the biggest deal to roil the cocoa trade in recent years, Olam scooped up a larger rival’s business and catapulted into the top league of cocoa merchants and processors behind Barry Callebaut and Cargill.

For Olam, the reasons are clear: its vast bean sourcing operations stretching from Ivory Coast to Indonesia will feed newly acquired bean processing assets.

This gives it more control over prices of beans, the butter that gives chocolate a melt-in-themouth taste and the powder that goes into cookies and drinks such as hot cocoa.

For merchants and processors

who buy beans from Olam in an already tight-knit market, the reshuffling of the pack is unsettling as it removes a major supplier from the market.

Olam buys around 500,000 tonnes of cocoa annually, and it said it will increase its processing capacity to more than 700,000 tonnes, or 16 percent of world supply, with this deal.

They worry that a big portion will likely go to feed its newly acquired eight processing plants that produce powder, butter and liquor as it becomes a net buyer in the 4-million-tonne market.

It could create opportunities for new dealers to fill the void left by the Singapore-based commodity trade house.

But the additional buying could add strain to prices.

This could force users supplied

by Olam, including chocolate manufacturers like Mars and Nestle and processors such as Blommer, to look elsewhere for

many of their beans.

“It puts the grinders in a sticky situation as they will have to buy larger quantities from smaller firms, thereby increasing their risk,” said John Palabrica, president of MJMB LLC, a private commodity trading company in Newark, Delaware, a supplier of ADM. Still, the deal brings uncertainty to merchants such as MJMB, suppliers of beans to ADM’s processors, which will become part of what traders said would likely be a more self-sufficient operation, Palabrica said.

Other industry sources noted Olam does not source enough beans to depend solely on its own supply.

Wooing ADM was an opportunity Olam could not miss, but convincing its executives who had only recently decided to hold onto the business, which had turned into profitable after a round of cost cutting, took some doing, ac-

cording to Gerald Manley, Olam’s managing director and global head of cocoa.

ADM sold its chocolate business to Cargill, which had also been interested in its cocoa processing operations, in September.

The deal underscores the bullish outlook for cocoa, with more market participants moving downstream.

Some say it is a risky business with margins often squeezed by volatile bean prices and competition increasing on a boon in capacity in Asia.

The deal is the latest in a consolidation spree that has seen volatile prices squeeze margins for dealers, raising questions about the viability of a cocoa trading business lacking any downstream processing or production assets.

“On a combined business, we can even out the volatility,” said A. Shekar, Olam executive director in finance and business development.

Cocoa

German business confidence, pointer to better Q4

G

erman business morale rose in December for the second month running, a survey showed on Thursday, adding to signs that Europe’s largest economy is on course to pick up in the fourth quarter after narrowly avoiding a recession in the third.

Ifo’s business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, increased to 105.5 in December from 104.7 the previous month.

That was the highest reading since August and compared with the Reuters consensus forecast for 105.4.

Ifo President Hans-Werner Sinn said falling oil prices and the weaker euro were “seasonal gifts” to the German economy, which has traditionally been driven by exports, though it has recently been hit by a slowdown in key euro zone trading partners and the West’s confrontation with Moscow over Ukraine.

Firms became more optimistic about their prospects for the next six months while their assessment of the current situation was unchanged from last month.

“German business confidence confirmed the decent rebound of the economy in the final quarter of the year,” said Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING, adding that some worries had faded.

“The Ukraine crisis has calmed down, without being solved; the rest of the euro zone should continue to recover, albeit at a too low pace; and the negative impact from the timing of the summer vacation has finally disappeared,” he said.

The German economy shrank in the second quarter but managed to skirt a recession in the third thanks to a strong rise in consumer spending and a small boost from foreign trade.

Cloud business enjoying “breakthrough year” – IBM

I

BM aims to expand the number of data centres it offers clients around the world by 25 per cent to meet fast-rising demand for internet-based services, after what a company executive said has been a “breakthrough year” in 2014 for its cloud computing business.

IBM has quadrupled the number of cloud data facilities it offers around the world to 49 in the past 18 months, responding in part to laws

requiring the local retention of data following revelations over U.S. government Web surveillance as well as increased corporate compliance rules.

The company said on Wednesday it has now struck a partnership with data centre provider Equinix Inc for nine more cloud centres in Australia, France, Japan, Singapore, The Netherlands and the United States.

In addition the company is open-

ing up three new cloud computer facilities of its own in Germany, Mexico and Japan.

The information technology giant, which is contending with a change in its classic business mix of software and outsourcing services as corporate clients focus on reaching their customers via the Internet and mobile phones, said its own cloud business is having a banner year.

IBM’s cloud revenue amounted to $4.4 billion in 2013 and was up by 50 percent in the first nine months of this year, it reported in October, making it one of IBM’s fastest-growing businesses, although it still accounts for only a fraction of the $94 billion in total revenues which IBM is expected by analysts to generate this year.

The company’s cloud computing services let companies mix classic

computing jobs with new ways of working, a twist on the largely consumer-facing cloud services made popular by Amazon’s Web Services, Google and Microsoft.

IBM, along with rivals HewlettPackard and EMC’s VMware, offer “hybrid cloud” services that let customers run key business data on private, internal networks along with consumer-facing public cloud systems.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

41 News

Kaduna dep gov lauds INEC over PVCs distribution

K

aduna State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth and successful distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state despite challenges that almost hindered the exercise.

Bajoga gave the commendation on Thursday shortly after he collected his PVC at his polling unit in Jaba local government area of the state.

He said, despite some hitches at the beginning of the exercise, INEC kept

its promise of ensuring that voters obtained their PVCs within the time stipulated and called on the electorate to use the card appropriately during the 2015 general elections.

He cautioned eligible voters not to misplace the PVCs before the election period, saying it is the only instrument that they can deploy to elect good leaders that would represent them adequately.

The deputy governor further advised those who could not obtain their permanent voters’ cards at their polling units to visit INEC offices at the local governments to collects theirs.

Niger launches eight Almajiri schools in January

E

ight integrated Almajiri schools are to become functional in the three senatorial zones of Niger State by January, the state Ministry of Basic Education has said.

This was disclosed in Minna, Thursday.

The schools which will have a total intake of 400 students will be sited in

Change of Name I, formerly known MARK CHINWE FAVOUR (MRS) now wishes to be known and addressed as EZIUBOCHI CHINWE FAVOUR (MRS) . All documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

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All documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

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Pago near Minna, Oduoye quarters in the Niger State capital, Suleja, Mokwa, Gulbin-boka, Kontagora and two in Bida town.

The Commissioner for Basic Education, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhamid told newsmen at the end of the state executive council meeting that the special committee set up by the government and headed by the Emir of Suleja, Malam Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim recommended the location of the schools to the government.

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From Left: Chairman, Technical Committee on National Council On Privatisation (NCP); Mr Peterside Atedo; Minister Of Mine and Steel Development, Mr Musa Sada; NCP’s Head of Media, Mr Benson Upah and Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publication, Mr. Umar Sani briefing newsmen after an NCP meeting in Abuja recently.

Ogun workers issue ultimatum to over 50-month pensions ...Crisis not peculiar to Ogun, says Amosun Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

T

he Ogun State chapter of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Thursday, issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Ibikunle Amosun over deductions on pensions in the last 50 months.

The Union, in a letter dated 16th December, 2014, and addressed to the state

governor, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, also asked the state government to address unwarranted staggering of salaries in the public service.

The letter was signed by the acting Chairman and the Secretary of the Union, Abiodun Olakanmi and Modiu Akanbi Bello, respectively. The Union said immediate solution to issues raised will avert

palpable industrial unrest in the state.

It said the government has refused to react to various letters written to the governor adding that the government was clearly not interested in the welfare of its workers.

“The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, Ogun State, is heavily constrained and concerned that in spite of its

several letters ending with the latest dated 2nd December, 2014 has painfully, yet elicit any positive reaction from the government.

“The refusal of Government to acknowledge our letter let alone, call for dialogue to jointly resolve the issue is a clear manifestation that the government, unfortunately, is not interested in the welfare and future of the entire public servants in the state.’’

Benue APC guber candidate denies EFCC arrest Freddie Adamgbe, Makurdi

T

he Campaign Organisation of Chief Samuel Ortom, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives

Congress (APC) in Benue State has refuted allegations making the rounds on the social media that the former Minister of State for Trade and Investment has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

A press statement by the Media Adviser to Chief Ortom, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, and made available to Daily Times, described the allegation as “false, malicious, mischievous and (a) campaign of calumny fabricated by detractors

to smear the good name of the APC governorship hopeful.

Agerzua urged the teaming supporters of Chief Ortom and the party to disregard the rumours.

He maintained that the rumour lacks substances and would soon fade away.

News 42

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

MURIC seeks improved security around Kano Emir Lara Adejoro

A

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle) commiserates with Miss Bolutife Adebiyi (left), widow, Mrs Biodun Adebiyi (2nd left), Miss Victoria Adebiyi (2nd right) and Miss Opeyemi Adebiyi (right) during the Governor condolence visit to the family over the passage of their beloved father and Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, Reverend Adetunji Adebiyi at their Ijaye Residence, Lagos

group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Thursday, called on Nigerian security agencies to beef up security around the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. The group made the call against the backdrop of the recent video clip released by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau threatening to attack the emir.

In a press statement made available to the Daily Times, the MURIC’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged the security agencies to take the threat seriously and make the emir’s palace impregnable, saying that the threat is not an

Yuletide: FCT secretariat gives gifts to the needy Augustine Aminu

T

he Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), yesterday poured out love and affection to some physicallychallenged persons in Abuja, apparently in commemoration of the 2014 Day of Physically Challenged Persons.

This, according to the officials of the Secretariat, was targeted at providing them with food items, and clothing materials in the spirit of Christmas celebration.

In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary, FCT

Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, explained that the Secretariat embarked on the gesture to discourage the physicallychallenged from engaging on street begging, which she said, has hazardous effect on their lives.

While noting that it’s the obligation of the Social Development Secretariat to carter for the people with disabilities, Onuh told them that, even if they engage in begging for a whole year, the proceeds from such business, can neither buy them a bag of rice nor a good clothing material.

“You can attest to the fact

that some of your friends have lost their lives as a result of carelessness of drivers, who ran-over by such drivers. So I encourage you not to engage in street begging because it is not good for you, and the FCT Administration is totally against it,” she advised.

On the need to equip them with skills, Onuh encouraged them to always make good use of the opportunities provided by the Social Development Secretariat to acquire necessary skills and knowledge that will make their lives meaningful.

“The form to enroll in the skill acquisition centre is free

of charge. Just few months ago, some people graduated from one of our skill acquisition centre located in Bwari Area Council, and each of them were given N100, 000 to start life” She said.

She, however, solicited the contribution and support of well-meaning Nigerians, both government and private, who have the resources to join hands in a philanthropic reach out to the needy with food items, clothing and other cash donations to help them.

On advisory note, Mrs. Grace Adogo the Chairperson and Co-ordinator of War Against Prostitution and

Street Begging in the FCT warned them to desist from street begging, as the social development secretariat will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the street begging.

“Remain in your various homes and camps, and I promise you that we will be visiting you periodically with all that you need to make life better for you” Adogo said.

In his response, one of the leader of the association of the physically-challenged in Abuja, Suleiman Ahmed, expressed his gratitude to the Secretariat for remembering them with food and clothing materials, ahead of Christmas celebration.

Stakeholder okays reduction cost of NYSC online registration Mary Mbadikanyi

T

he management of the National Youth Service Corps has stated that the cost for the on-line registration introduced recently for prospective corps members will be reduced from the stipulated N4, 000.

The resolved to reduce the

cost, according to a press release, came about after a conference by the stakeholders of the scheme recently.

It added that the stakeholders have also agreed for more sensitization on the online registration at the various Corps Producing Institutions, which will offer full understanding, workability, as well as acceptability, of

the package to the students, who are the direct beneficiaries of the programme.

It would, however, be recalled that the on-line registration is expected to facilitate easy printing of call-up letters for the comfort of prospective corps members convenience without necessarily going to their institutions of learning.

The package would be beneficial to On-line application and relocation of corps members from one state to another. The package is expected to save corps members from unnecessary road hazards in pursuance of NYSC issues, it said.

The on-line registration was recently introduced to reduce the challenges ex-

perinced by using manual method, and also help checkmate fake corps members and fraudsters aiming to dupe unsuspecting corp members.

The introduction had also save prospective corps members of the stress and challenges that usually accompany the manual processing of mobilisation.

empty one.

“By the same token, we see a need for the security agencies to be more proactive by providing adequate security for all top religious leaders in the country. This should include, at least, the Presidents and Secretaries of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).”

It would be recalled that the mosque where the emir worship was attacked on Friday, November 28, 2014, where more than 100 lives were lost in the deadly assault, which involved the detonation of multiple bombs and sporadic shooting of worshippers.

“For terrorism to be defeated, the first rule is to ensure that terrorists fail in their stated goals. This is why the Nigerian security outfits must give their best to ensure that they thwart all attempts made by the terrorists. Finally, we appeal to members of the public to co-operate with security agents in the fight against terrorism.

NCPC boss commissions e- library

T

he Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, has formally commissioned a brand new e-library for the apex regulatory Christian Pilgrim body in Nigeria.

Speaking on the occasion, Opara urged the users of the library to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the new e-Library. He prayed that as many as possible that come to use the library, that the Lord would bless the work of their hands.

His words: “I am very encouraged by what I see today, I didn’t know that the library has advanced to this stage”. He further added: “This is the starting point”.

In her remarks at the event, the Hon. Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, who unveiled the library commended Opara for his hard work, dedication to duty and proficiency.

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday December 19, 2014

sÆ

43

Sport

FIFA clears Ukoh to play for Nigeria Steven Ukoh (left) on the prowl for Biel-Bienne FC of Switzerland

Uche extends Villarreal’s contract Page 45

NFF secures Egypt test games for Dream Team Football Page 45

Carlos tips Ronaldo for Ballon d’Or glory

Balotelli banned at last!

Football Page 46

Football Page 46

Sport 44

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

Dejected Super Eagles players end 2014 as the 43rd best team in the world and ninth in Africa in latest FIFA ranking.

Nigeria drops to 43rd in latest FIFA ranking

N

igeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, has dropped a place to end 2014 as the 43rd best team in the world and ninth in Africa according to the latest FIFA world ranking released on Thursday.

Stephen Keshi’s men began the year on a shaky note as they dropped four places to 41st in the January no thanks to their 2-1 defeat to Mali in the

African Nations Championship game, a tournament that has been upgraded to ranking status by FIFA. In February, they continued their slow and steady fall as they dropped six places to 47th.

Super Eagles maintained the same position in March thanks to their goalless draw with Mexico in an international friendly.

For the first time in the year, Nigeria moved up the ladder

as they were rated 45th in the April standing.

This rise continued in May as they moved a spot upward to climb to the 44th spot in the world and sixth in Africa – a mark they held on to going into the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and also in the June version of the grading.

Nigeria’s biggest progress came in July as they climbed ten places to 34th spot following their impressive showing

at the FIFA World Cup despite their second round dismissal

by France.

In August, the African champions continued to mount northward as they were placed 33rd.

Things got worse in September as they crashed four places to 37th position in the world and declined five spots in October and maintained the same position in November 2014.

World champions Germany topped the final ranking of the year for the second time since 1993, while South American giants Argentina and Colombia finished in second and third place respectively.

Algeria ended 2014 as the best team in Africa followed

by Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire while the Black Stars of Ghana were adjudged the fifth best team in Africa and are also ranked 37th in the world.

FIFA refs test physical fitness in Abuja Niyi Omo-Okiri

N

igeria’s FIFAgraded referees take their turn at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja today as the curtain falls on this year’s physical fitness exercise for the country’s arbiters.

The exercise, which started on Monday, has seen about 500 referees test their physical fitness in different ways NFF’s consultant on refereeing, Linus Mba as designed by world football

–governing body, FIFA. The FIFA–graded referees, including the likes of Opeyemi Amao, Ferdinand Udoh, Abubakar Ago, Abdullahi Shuaibu, Benjamin Odey and Henry Ogunyamodi (referees), and Peter Edibi, Abel Baba, Isah Usman, Tope Orowole, Efosa Igudia and Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referees), will be doing the final quarter exercise for the year.

It would be recalled that Udoh, Shuaibu, Us-

FIFA clears Ukoh to play for Nigeria

W

orld football –governing body, FIFA, has cleared former Swiss U-20 international Steven Archibong Effiong Ukoh to represent Nigeria at senior level.

The versatile midfielder, born on June 19, 1991 to Nige-

rian parents in Berne, Switzerland, currently plays for Biel-Bienne FC in the European country.

Ukoh represented Switzerland at U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels between 2006 and 2010, but had a change of mind thereafter and opted to wear the green-white-green at senior international level.

His father, Archibong Effiong Ukoh and mother, Helene hail from Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

By the decision of a single judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on December 4, 2014, Steven Ukoh was cleared to switch his nationality from Switzerland to Nige-

man, Orowole, Igudia and Pwadutakam were in the delegation of Nigeria referees that traveled to the United Kingdom for a two–week capacity enhancing programme recently.

Sani Zubairu, Secretary of the NFF Referees Committee, said: “The exercise has been very successful, and we are grateful to God that there has been no casualty. We are concluding the programme today with the final quarter exercise of the FIFA–graded

referees.”

NFF’s Consultants on Refereeing, Linus Mba (also FIFA Referee Advisor) and Daniel Olojor, former FIFA– graded referees Bolaji Okubule, Olufunmi Olaniyan and Professor Babatunde Asagba, President of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude and Chairman of NFF Referees Committee Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh have been supervising the exercise with a view to ensuring global best practices.

...Ajayi, Akpom keen for Abu Dhabi cracker ria.

Meanwhile, Arsenal FC of England’s youngsters Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi have expressed interest in being part of the Super Eagles’ international friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next month.

The three–time African

champions play Cup of Nations-bound Elephants on January 9 before facing Mali’s Les Aiglons, also heading to Equatorial Guinea, on January 13.

Highly–rated duo Ajayi and Akpom could be called up

by Coach Daniel Amokachi for the trip, alongside Steven Ukoh.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

45 Sport

Uche extends Villarreal’s contract Nigeria international striker Ikechukwu Uche has extended his contract with Spanish club Villarreal CF. Uche will now play for the Primera División club until 2017 and he duly took to Twitter to announce the development.

“Proud to defend this shirt until 2017! Thanks to the club, fans, teammates and coaching staff Villarreal CF,” he wrote via ikeuche9.

Uche joined Villarreal from Granada in 2011, initially on loan before the deal was eventually made permanent.

He scored 14 league goals in his first full season (2012/13) with the Yellow Submarine and followed it up with another 14 last season.

The 30-year-old has already scored four goals in 13 league matches this season.

Flying Eagles

thrash Ace Academy in friendly

Battles Highlanders FC of Kaduna today

N

igeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, coached by Manu Garba stepped up their preparation for the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal after they defeated Ace Academy of Kaduna 3-0 on Wednesday.

A brace from Mustapha Abdullahi and strike from Billy Auta, who netted four goals in the team’s 12-0 spanking of

Garba

Standard FC were all the Flying Eagles needed to continue their unbeaten run.

Auta opened scoring for Manu’s side mid-way into the first half, while Abdullahi got a brace for his team in the second half.

Ace Academy gave a good account of themselves in the keenly contested match but again they fell to a more focused and organised op-

position.

Goalkeeper Abdallah Sulaiman saved a penalty to ensure that the Kaduna-based grassroots side finish the game without a goal after two-goal hero Abdullahi fouled an opposing player.

Meanwhile, the country’s U20 national team will play Highlanders of Kaduna today before going for Christmas to return on December 27.

NFF secures Egypt test games for Dream Team The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to arrange tune up matches against the Junior Pharaohs for the Dream Team VI ahead of crucial qualifiers next year.

NFF secured four international friendly matches with the Egyptian U-23 team in both Uyo and Cairo next month.

The country’s U-23 players are currently in camp in Abuja preparing for the February 2015 All African Games quali-

fier against Gabon with both home and foreignbased players sweating it out under the watchful eyes of the team’s head coach, Samson Siasia.

The NFF, which also announced a series of friendly matches for the Super Eagles, has lined up friendly games with the Egyptian U23s scheduled to take place in Uyo on the 15th and 17th January before the other two matches in Cairo on the 20th and 22nd.

The team will then depart for Turkey after the

four friendly matches for another round of rigorous training exercises before another proposed trip to Dubai and Malta for more test games.

Siasia has commended the board of the NFF for arranging the top grade friendly games.

He said the friendly games would afford the home-based players the opportunity to get the necessary experience and exposure ahead of the All Africa Games and Olympics qualifiers slated for next year.

Meanwhile, four more foreign-based professionals have stormed the camp of the Dream Team VI. The new arrivals are Iroha Chinazom from AD Oliveirense, Portugal; Ovoke Benard from KAA Gent, Belgium; Gomo Onduku from Iasi, Romania and Adedapo Adeniyi from the USA. These new arrivals thus brings the number of foreign-based players who have reported to the Dream Team screening process to 23.

Siasia

Ebimobowei named OWU brand ambassador Nigeria’s leading indigenous sportswear producer, OWU, has named League Bloggers Award (LBA) Player of the Season nominee Peter Ebimobowei as its first-ever brand ambassador.

Tunji Brown, CEO of OWU, revealed this during the official inauguration of its first-ever retail outlet on Thursday.

Brown applauded Ebimobowei for scoring 18 goals without a penalty and described the partnership as “a perfect fit,” at a time the brand is expanding its frontiers.

“We’re excited to open our outlet and begin a relationship with a brilliant striker like Ebimobowei, who finished among the best four players. Ebimobowei is as active as our brand.

“Innovation is the key word at OWU and we are expanding into other parts of the country. We service clients in 13 states and no fewer than two Premier League teams will join us soon,” Brown said.

Brown stated that the OWU brand is not just about football.

“OWU produces kits for other sports like volleyball, basketball as well as rugby and have just added ready-to-wear T-shirts.”

Sport 46

Daily Times Nigeria Friday December 19, 2014

Balotelli banned at last!

Euro Briefs

De Boer coy on Ajax exit rumours

•Fined £25,000 and set to miss

Arsenal clash on Sunday

L

iverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been handed a one-match suspension over a controversial post on social media.

The Italian was deemed to have committed an aggravated breach of Football Association Rule E3 [2] after posting

a picture on Instagram and Twitter containing potentially offensive language referring to “ethnic origin and/ or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief ”.

Balotelli has also been given a £25,000 fine and ordered to attend an education programme.

Alonso, Lewandowski out of Mainz clash

Alonso

B

undesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be without Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski for today’s encounter with Mainz.

Bayern have yet to taste defeat in the German top flight this term and head to the Coface Arena aiming to finish the first half of the season with that record still intact.

Pep Guardiola’s men, who are already 11 points clear at the top of the table, will be heavy favourites to claim three points against a Mainz side with just three league wins to their name.

However, Bayern will have to cope without midfielder Alonso and

star striker Lewandowski after both picked up knocks in the 2-0 win over Freiburg on Tuesday.

The duo will be sidelined together with defender Mehdi Benatia, who was already a confirmed absentee, and midfielder Sebastian Rode.

Regardless of the result versus Mainz, Bayern are sure to hold a healthy lead at the summit going into the midseason break.

However, Guardiola is refusing to take anything for granted and highlighted the struggles of Borussia Dortmund, who sit 16th after finishing second in each of the last two seasons, as an example to heed.

Former Milan striker Balotelli received criticism for the picture that contained video game character Super Mario and a series of racial stereotypes.

The image was later taken down and Balotelli issued an apology for his actions, stating that the post was intended

to be “anti-racist” and in good humour.

The 23-year-old has been struggling with a groin problem, but the punishment means he will definitely miss Sunday’s Premier League fixture at home to Arsenal.

Balotelli has been warned as to his future conduct.

Carlos tips Ronaldo for Ballon d’Or glory

Hughes keen for Crouch’s stay Mark Hughes is keen for Peter Crouch to remain at Stoke City amid rumours of a possible swoop from QPR in January. The 33-year-old has not always been a first-team regular at the Britannia Stadium this term and has started just nine of Stoke’s 16 Premier League matches.

Naismith signs Everton extension Scotland international forward Steven Naismith signed a three-year extension with Everton on Wednesday. Naismith, who joined Everton from Rangers in 2012, will remain at Goodison Park until 2019.

R

oberto Carlos claims that Cristiano Ronaldo should be selected as the Ballon d’Or winner ahead of Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo won the coveted prize, awarded to the player recognised as the best in the world for the calendar year, in 2013 and is among the three contenders for the honour this time around.

Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer are the Portuguese’s challengers for the award, but former Real and Brazil left-back Carlos believes it is the former Manchester United man who is most deserving of the accolade.

“I am a big fan of Lionel Messi, but Cristiano Ronaldo has been more impressive,” Carlos said.

“Everything he does goes right. He is a leader.

“I am not saying that because he is a Real Madrid player. This is

Ajax coach, Frank de Boer has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move away from the Amsterdam Arena. De Boer has led Ajax to four straight Eredivisie titles and, as a result, is regarded as one of the leading coaches in European football.

Palace surfer’s Chamakh blow Ronaldo

not the point here.

Messi is incredible and his history in football is marvellous. But we have to choose the best player in the season and that was Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Neuer was one of the stars of Germany’s successful World Cup campaign, yet despite the shot-stopper’s achievements, Carlos feels that Messi’s Barca team-mate Neymar should have been the other candidate for the prize.

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has confirmed that Marouane Chamakh is set to miss the next few weeks due to injury. The Morocco striker was withdrawn in the second half of last weekend’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Stoke City at Selhurst Park, having picked up an apparent hamstring injury.

Jardim wary of Monaco fatigue Leonardo Jardim has conceded that it will be a tough physical test for Monaco to face Metz just three days after their midweek cup exploits. Jardim’s men progressed to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday as they beat Lyon on penalties after extra time ended with the scores level at 1-1.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 19, 2014

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oing by the last birthday celebration of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, he was 90 years old, and the second oldest serving Head of State in the world, closely following President Shimon Peres of Israel. If serving Presidents can be as old as that, it would not be valid to say that at 72, General Muhammadu Buhari is too old to aspire to be President of Nigeria. The point, though, is that when Mugabe first became Head of State in 1980, he was a “young man” of 56 years old.

In modern times, and with advances in the medical sciences, the assumption that younger people are physically and mentally stronger than older people no longer holds. It follows that the correlation between age and effective leadership has no validity. Indeed, neither the supporters nor opponents of Buhari are concerned with the science or logic of the matter. It is all political, which explains why the bulk of Buhari’s supporters, especially in the North, are rabid and fanatical youths who have little or nothing to do with reason. For the opponents, men of Buhari’s age, whether strong or weak, should quit the scene for the younger ones, period.

Whichever way, the plain truth is that age is not on Buhari’s side.

In moving towards 2015, it would be wrong to say that age is Buhari’s heavi-

est baggage. To be an effective leader in a society as complex as Nigeria, the man or woman must be of a strong political will and be prepared always to act and take personal responsibility for his actions. It is on this score that General Muhammadu Buhari is lacking

in what it takes to be the President of this country.

The facts in support of the evidence against Buhari are numerous and can be drawn from the General’s records of public service.

As Military Head of State (1984-85), General Buhari exhibited all the traits of a weak leader,

who had little or no control and for whom decisions were taken and actions executed. For the entire period, Buhari ceded much of the powers of government to his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon, who was known to be the de facto leader of the regime. The main achievement of that government, namely the effective enforcement of discipline through the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) was generally acknowledged to be the handiwork of Idiagbon and credited to General Buhari.

In a similar vein, when Gen. Buhari was appointed by Gen. Sani Abacha, as Chairman of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) (1994-1999), he did not take personal charge of much of what happened throughout the period. Instead, he ceded his authority to a firm of Consultants, Afri–Projects Consortium (APC), a firm owned by his relative.

APC was given exclusive powers to initiate projects, assess and approve their probable costs, execute the projects, assess the quality of execution, all without any higher supervision.

After Buhari’s stint at the PTF, the general impression that he has never been involved in any corrupt deals collapsed. The management audit that investigated the affairs of the fund revealed that over N181 billion was released to it and that most of the projects were awarded to Northern con-

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. www.dailytimes.com.ng email: www.dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI

tractors, at the expense of contractors from the South. More damaging, it was found that APC overcharged PTF to the tune of N2 billion.

Once again, Buhari’s lack of capacity to take responsibility was amply demonstrated when, after his election as the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he couldn’t immediately choose a running mate. The information was that in his characteristic manner, he ceded the responsibility to another leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The cause of Buhari’s prolonged delay in announcing his running mate was the same that led to the change of venue of the convention that produced him as the APC Presidential candidate.

The decision to take the venue to Lagos was Tinubu’s and Buhari had no choice but to comply.

That is the extent of the lack of political will of the APC presidential candidate.

On the whole, even if the issue of age were to be resolved in favour of Buhari, granting that at 72, he can still be the president of this country; his past records in public service still do not support his candidature. He has been a serial failure.

He is a man who would seek power but abdicate responsibility when he gets it.

Gen.Muhammadu Buhari deserves a good rest.