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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.18

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We’re patriots, not hooligans – Jonathan

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R-L: Buhari, Osinbajo, Oyegun at the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt on Tuesday

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INSIDE XT Exclusive

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CRISTIANO RONALDO

CAF AWARDS: FEARS OVER ENYEAMA –SHORUNMU SHARAPOVA STARTS 2015 WITH DOMINANT WINX8

L-R: Anenih; Sambo, Mu’azu and President Jonathan at the Inauguration of the Goodluck-Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation’s headquarters In Abuja on Tuesday

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Andrew Orolua ÏÏÏSix years after two oil spills destroyed thousands of livelihoods in the Bodo area of Ogoni land, legal action in the United Kingdom has driven Shell Petroleum Development Company to make an out-of-court settlement of about N15 billion (£55 million) as compensation to the af-

fected community.

Two oil spills occurred at Bodo in 2008, the first in August and the second in December from Shell pipelines, but the company denied responsibility for the spills.

A statement on Tuesday by Amnesty InternaCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial Let there be light...

T

hat Nigeria continues to suffer from lack of reliable electricity supply is no more news. But what has continued to rile is the penchant of the Ministry of Power to always tell consumers of the never ending plans to increase electricity supply to meet the demands of the country in the shortest possible time. Even in the face of these untruths, we know that rather than improve, the quantity of electricity generated by the existing power stations has continued to fall. For more than five years now, the Federal Government has been announcing plans to generate more than 16,000Megawatts of power to meet the ever growing demands of consumers. Unfortunately, the statistics show that the total power supply as of today is a miniscule 3,000 Megawatts. This situation, according to the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo is the result of inadequate gas supply to power stations and the ever recurring pipeline vandalism.

Definitely, Nigerians are tired of excuses over the inability of government to provide them with enough electricity. On July 7, 2014, the Presidential Task Force on Power estimated that electricity demand in the country stood at 12,800 Megawatts, while it was only able to produce 3,400 MW. Today, rather than improve, the quantity of power supply continues to deteriorate.

According to World Bank estimates, only 48 percent of Nigeria’s 165 million population has access to

electricity. Contrast that with South Africa’s electricity output of 36,000 megawatts, and with a population of less than 50 million. Lack of generating capacity, blackouts and voltage variations have resulted in many residential and commercial customers in Nigeria resorting to producing their own power with private generators.

A 2011 World Bank survey of 3,000 Nigerian business revealed that the biggest problem facing them was unreliable power supply. They reported that they experienced average power outages of eight hours per day. Eighty eight percent of retail and manufacturing businesses reported owning private generators.

The manufacturing businesses surveyed reported that approximately 69 percent of their total electricity usage was produced by private generators. The expenses incurred running private generators cost the average business the equivalent of more than four percent of their sales. Even so, those lucky enough to be on the grid are always plunged into darkness.

It is quite unfortunate that Nigeria cannot supply up to 10 percent of her national minimum electricity requirement.

The country and its citizens have waited for too long to have adequate electricity supply, one of the things taken for granted in other more organised countries. Nigerians are tired of excuses; all they want from their leaders is adequate and constant power supply.

Military coincidence

Two former military rulers with yet-unexplained stupendous riches, who both live in controversial hilltop mountains after public office, threw verbal darts at President Goodluck Jonathan the same day, on the same topic – corruption.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while apparently enjoying the company of women – mar-

ket leaders, they called themselves – found an opportunity to make his political son, with whom he no longer enjoys a chummy relationship, look absolutely bad in the eyes of his fleshy audience.

Nigeria’s foreign reserve, which his administration had painstakingly built to a considerable level, has been depleted, Obasanjo told his audience and advised them to vote wisely in the coming election.

General Ibrahim Babangida, who had lived more like a hermit all these years, and who just recently played host to Jonathan

and spoke glowingly about the incumbent, found his voice in an interview with the in-house press crew of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He also threw jabs at the Jonathan government, saying that from what he had learnt, his much-criticised junta was composed of angels compared with the current holders of the presidential levers.

The ultimate beneficiary of this undisguised war by the two former military rulers may be a certain former military ruler too.

What a military coincidence, you would say?

Olusegun Obasanjo

Olisa Metuh

Marwan

Yinka Olujimi ÎÎÎWhat a coincidence!

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head, Sales & Marketing

Managing Editor

Head of Operations

Head ICT (Shared Services)

Editor

Online Editor

Head Graphics

Deputy Editor

Business Editor

Deputy Head Graphics

Noel Anosike

Gabriella Osamor Yinka Olujimi Yemi Ogunsola

Bisi Abidoye

Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Moses Ebong

Banjo Ayorinde King Ododoru

Afeez Odeseye

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.

Nigeria does not deserve to be where it is today, we need to change our attitude.

I can follow anybody that is ready to bring that change; there is serious corruption and impunity in the land

That a state man, leader, former president, former BOT chairman has made a comment against the presidential candidate of his party, I can’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes.

This judgement was delivered in January 2014. Since then, government has engaged us in discussions about 20 times. We entered MOU seven times and the office of the Accountant General refused to obey the court judgement.

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

5 News

Oyo APC candidates, executives brainstorm on February Elections ÏÏÏ

Oyo State Labour Party Chairman, Mr Gbenga Olayemi; the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Chief Abiodun Ali; governorship candidate and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, at the party’s rally in Ibadan, on Tuesday

Elections will hold as scheduled, says INEC Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), on Tuesday assured that there is no going back on conducting the forthcoming general elections on February 14 and 28.

The Professor Attahiru Jega-led body similarly assured that elections would be held in the North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa... “if the coast is clear.”

The assurance was given in Abuja at a training workshop for security personnel, who would participate

in the general elections.

The Commission specifically dismissed rumours to the effect that there were plans to postpone the polls.

Jega, who was represented by one of the operatives of INEC, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, at the workshop, assured that there was no cause for concern over funding of INEC for the conduct of the February general elections.

According to him: “Anytime there is election in Nigeria, there is always some tension. I have been around for a while and I don’t think it is something new. I don’t think people should be afraid.

Jega “But it is also essential that we get ready, just in case. It is also very important that we have peaceful election, just as it is also important that voters should come out to vote without fear. It is also essential that

the environment itself is peaceful.

“And for it to be peaceful, it is important for security agencies to be on the alert and ensure that they do what they are supposed to do,” Igbani said.

He revealed that a minimum of 50 security personnel were being trained at the workshop, stressing that: “We call this cascade training. After this training of trainers, they will now go to their various security orgnisations to train others and so forth and this will go down the line. In that way, more will be trained in a cheaper way”, he said.

Anenih begs Nigerians to join hands with PDP to crush election violence ...Says Jonathan will defeat Buhari, others

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Five weeks to the conduct of presidential and National Assembly elections, the National Campaign Adviser of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Tony Anenih, has called on all Nigerians to join hands with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to crush any

planned pre- and post-election violence in the country.

This, he said, was imperative bearing in mind the unity and stability of the nation.

Anenih, who is also chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, stated this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign organization in Abuja.

He declared that the PDP’s presidential candidate for the February 14 election, President Jonathan, would defeat the presidential candidates of the all the leading opposition parties easily.

He specifically pointed out that Jonathan had performed similar feat in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, stressing that the 2015 election

would not be different.

“We have travelled through this familiar path before, specifically in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. In the last three elections, our candidates had defeated the leading opposition candidates.

“Therefore, as we do the needful, I am confident that we will defeat them again,” Anenih declared.

In a bid to ensure that its candidates emerge victorious in the forthcoming February elections, the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state have meet to brainstorm on plans to win the elections.

The meeting, which had in attendance senatorial candidates of the party, Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Hon. Rilwan Adesoki Akanbi (Oyo South), and Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central), also had House of Representatives candidates Hon. Abiodun Awoleye (Ibadan North), Hon. Saheed Akinade Fijabi (Ibadan North-West / Ibadan South-West), Hon. Sunday Adepoju (Ido /

Ibarapa East), Engr. Taiwo Akintola (Egbeda/OnaAra), Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (Afijio/ Atiba / Oyo East/ Oyo West), Hon. Mathew Abioye (Surulere/Ogo Oluwa) and Barrister Bosun Oladele (Irepo/Oorelope.

Others were State Assembly candidates Hon. Waliu Ganiu (Atiba), Mr. Adediran Alao (Ogbomoso South), Segun Olaleye (Ibadan North 11) and Bolanle Agbaje (Ibadan North 1).

The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, at the South-West zonal headquarters of the party, Alakia, Ibadan, capital also had in attendance chairmen of the party in the 33 local government areas of the state.

DISCOs not happy with phased tariff increase, says NERC Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the Electricity Distribution Companies, otherwise known as DISCOs, are not happy with its decision to freeze tariff increase for residential consumers until June 2015.

NERC had approved a revised Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.1), which came into effect on January 1, but insisted that while the scheduled increase would apply to other classes of consumers from January 1, 2015, it will not affect residential consumers until after June 2015.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, made the clarification at a press conference, on Tuesday, in

Dickson denies rift with First Lady Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has denied the alleged rift between himself and wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, noting that he has always maintained a close relationship with the first family.

The governor stated this in a reaction to the recent sack of two political appointees in the state which was said

Abuja.

He stated that the freeze was designed, primarily, to protect and promote the interests of the consumers, as well as stimulate operators to serve customers better, stressing that the bulk of consumers fall within residential class residential consumers, who constitute about 80 per cent of the electricity consumers.

“Let me state upfront, and for the sake of clarity, that NERC has not increased tariff for residential consumers for now. I need to emphasise this point because it seem lost in the swirl of things. While the scheduled increase will apply to other classes of consumers from January 1, 2015, it will not affect residential consumers until after June 2015. to have been aimed at witch hunting perceived loyalists to Mrs. Jonathan.

In a statement, signed and issued out by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of the State, Mr. Daniel Iworiso, noted that government described as a deliberate propagation of falsehood and the handiwork of mischief makers, reports in some sections of the Nigerian media attributing the recent minor cabinet shake-up in the State to rifts between Governor Seriake Dickson, President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Shell pays oil community N15bn Continued from page 1

Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Alimi Samotu; Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori during the launching of 2015 Emblem of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at Government House, Osogbo... on Tuesday.

We’re not hooligans – Jonathan Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident Goodluck Jonathan has declared that his administration’s credible performance is his unique selling point as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, begins full-blown campaign for the February 14 and 28 general election.

Jonathan pointedly declared that his government has recorded more achievements in the last four years than all his predecessors.

He stated these yesterday during the inauguration of members of his presidential Campaign Organisation, PCO, headed by Chief Tony Anenih.

In an apparent reference to the Monday’s statement credited to a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that Jonathan’s regime had squandered the country’s foreign reserve which he and the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua left behind, Jonathan questioned what the past regimes did while in office.

According to Jonathan, “Let them tell us what they have done; if they were able to build secondary schools when they were serving this

country.

“Our credible performance in the last four years should be our selling point.

In all parts of the country, tell the story of all we have achieved. Let the fact and figures be heard in every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

“When the election comes, we will tell the world what we have done,” he declared.

The president also tasked the campaign team to go round the country to propagate the message of transformation which, he claimed, has manifested in various sectors of Nigeria’s national life.

He pointed out that the 2015 elections was only another opportunity to legitimately seek the mandate of Nigerians for further service, consolidation and continuity of progress.

The PDP candidate enjoined the members of his Presidential Campaign Committee not to engage in any primitive act.

He challenged the opposition parties to undertake issue-based campaign to enable them prove their worth to the electorate.

Pointing out that his administration is fully aware

of the global attention on the outcome of the forthcoming general election; Jonathan assured that the election would be free and fair.

He nonetheless warned that anybody who foments trouble before, during or after the election will be decisively dealt with.

“I have repeatedly promised Nigerians and the international community that as long as it is within our powers, the forthcoming elections will be free, fair, credible and violence free.

“I make that pledge with all seriousness, and I fully intend to fulfill it,” he said.

The president however offered this piece of advice to the members of the PCO, “Some other politicians and campaigners are threatening fire and brimstone. Do not join them.

“Some other parties are pulling down other people’s posters. That is primitive.

Please, do not join them. Every Nigerian must be free to campaign anywhere.

“Thuggery, violence and malpractice or rigging must have no place in our campaign and electoral activities.

“We must place our hope

for victory in nothing else but the support and confidence of the great majority of our people, and the blessing of Almighty God,” he added.

The President insisted that he has not disappointed Nigerians with the level of developmental successes made in critical sectors of the economy, including transport, agriculture, health and the aviation sectors among others.

“In the last four years, despite the security challenges we have had to contend with, Nigeria, under our watch, has made significant strides in every aspect.

“Our economy today is the largest and the strongest in the African continent, and a preferred destination for foreign direct investment,” he declared.

Meanwhile, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday said his administration would assemble a competent team to efficiently manage and correct the damage already done to the country.

The retired army general said this in Port Harcourt,

the Rivers State capital, at the inauguration of the party’s presidential campaign.

Dressed in a typical Niger Delta attire, Buhari told the mammoth crowd at the Adokiye Amieseimaka Stadium that he has the energy to lead at 72.

Buhari also said that his administration would tackle the numerous problems confronting the nation.

Said he, “I am Muhammadu Buhari, and I am running for President to change this country, for good. The problems facing Nigeria are insecurity and (poor) economy, made worse by corruption.”

He also promised to lead ”One Indivisible Nigeria. ``The fundamental issue facing this country is insecurity and the problem of the economy, which has been made worse by corruption. ``I assure you that we are going to finally assemble a competent team of Nigerians to efficiently manage this country. `` The damage that has been done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, the level of insecurity is intolerable.

tional said the organisation and Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) have worked on the Bodo spills case since 2008 trying to secure compensation and clean-up for the community.

It recalled that in 2011, the people of Bodo, represented by UK law firm, Leigh Day, began court proceedings in the UK against the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.

Although, Shell had repeatedly blamed illegal activity in the Niger Delta for most oil pollution, its claims have been discredited in research by Amnesty International and CEHRD. According to the out-of court settlement the £55million will be split as £35m for 15,600 individuals and £20m for the community.

“While the pay-out is a longawaited victory for the thousands of people who lost their livelihoods in Bodo, it shouldn’t have taken six years to get anything close to fair compensation,” Mr. Audrey Gaughran, Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International, said in the statement.

“In effect, Shell knew that Bodo was an accident waiting to happen. It took no effective action to stop it, then it made false claims about the amount of oil that had been spilt. If Shell had not been forced to disclose this information as part of the UK legal action, the people of Bodo would have been completely swindled,” he added.

The wait has taken its toll on Bodo residents, many of whom had their fishing and farming livelihoods destroyed in the spill. Throughout this time, they have had to live with the ongoing pollution and, without compensation, many have faced grinding poverty.

“The compensation is a step towards justice for the people of Bodo, but justice will be fully achieved when Shell properly cleans up the heavily polluted creeks and swamps so that those who rely on fishing and farming for their income can begin to rebuild their livelihoods,” said Styvn Obodoekwe, Director of Programmes of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD).

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Oshiomhole plans cut in public spending Titus Eguaoje - Benin

ÏÏÏ

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the state government would further renew its commitment to cut costs and block leakages as part of measures to survive the expected drop in the revenue accruing to the state as a result of the crash in the price of crude oil.

Speaking Tuesday at the state’s first executive council meeting for the year, he said that 2015 would be very difficult, but that his ad-

ministration would sustain the progress made on the development of infrastructure, adding “it is how the little resources available are managed that matters and not how much a state earns”.

He said: “I know we had to go through a very difficult period last year, there is no question that there is a huge gap between our revenue projections and actual receipts from the Federation Account arising from alleged oil theft but also a huge gap between our pro-

Oshiomhole jected local revenue and what was actually realised.

“With the sustained general reforms, we have decided that some of the gains of this government be con-

solidated. It is very clear we are going to face very serious challenges this year.

As at the time we passed our budget, it was based on about $78 per barrel and the Federal Government, which acted later, had to review the figure downwards twice and at the last count, had chosen to adopt $65 per barrel.

“It is not clear whether this unstable market price is going to continue on a downward trend or whether we have seen the worst of it or whether we are likely

Two bank officials remanded over alleged theft of council salaries

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Kenneth Mimimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Real Admiral GE Okoi arriving the Presidential Villa for a security meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House Abuja on Tuesday.

Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ

An Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered two bank staff, remanded in prison custody for allegedly stealing N2.5 million meant for the salaries of workers in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The accused are Kasali Fajana and Ajayi Dauda while others are at large.

Police Prosecutor, Sunday Adejuwon told the court that the offence was committed around 11 a.m. in Arigidi Akoko along Oke Agbe road adding that the money was meant for the payment of salaries of local government workers.

He alleged that the accused and others at large, broke the windscreen of a vehicle with stones and stole the money.

Their offence contravened sections 6(6) and 1 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision Act) Cap R 11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Counsel to the accused, O.P Daramola, had earlier urged the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms with an assurance that they would not jump bail.

to experience a marginal increase in price but what is obvious is that this year’s revenue will be far less than expected and, for me, it is not to overstress the issue whether the volume of oil theft is avoidable or unavoidable.

“Whether we know the thief or we do not know the thief, whatever is the case, the receipt from the Federation Account is likely to suffer a huge fall. There is nothing anyone can do about that. It is beyond our control”, he said.

7 News Briefs Ogun PDP slams Bankole over defection ÏÏÏ

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, lacks any electoral value that could earn him victory in any election in the state because he is a paper-weight politician, whose status in Ogun politics poses no threat to the party.

State chairman of the party, Engr. Bayo Dayo stated this yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital while fielding questions from journalists during the inauguration of a 35-man Governorship Campaign Committee.

Bayo, who was reacting to the news of the defection of the ex-Speaker from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), described Bankole as nothing but a paper-weight politician whose status in Ogun politics posed no threat to his party’s electoral fortunes in the forthcoming February general elections.

Lagos CP denies operating Facebook account Kingsley Ndimele

Jigawa council residents give condition for voting PDP Dutse Mohammed

ÏÏÏ

Inhabitants of Katsinawa village in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State have resolved not to vote for the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the forthcoming general elections this year until the party addresses their immediate needs.

Their demands include the immediate and urgent repair of the 50-bed

cottage hospital, which had its roof blown off by strong winds over eight months ago, and the dilapidated primary and junior secondary schools in the area.

In a chat with Daily Times, the community spokesman, Shehu Katsinawa lamented how ”the PDP abandoned us, we lack proper hospital and potable water, since the only water tank in our area had broken down for

over a year.

The cottage hospital, according to him, was abandoned by the Kazaure local government area, and the Jigawa State government, leaving only ants and cockroaches taking control of the facility while medical facilities were lying waste since its roof was blown-off by wind over eight months ago, leaving workers of the hospital rendering skeletal services.

Lamido

ÏÏÏ

The Lagos State Police Command has rebutted the claim that the Commissioner of Police, CP Kayode aderanti operates a Facebook account.

In a press release it issued yesterday and made available to the Press, the command stated that it had uncovered a fake Facebook account bearing the name of CP Kayode Aderanti.

The command, therefore, informed members of the public that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Kayode Aderanti, did not, in any way, operate a Facebook account either officially or privately, warning members of the public and, in particular, Facebook users to ignore the said account.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Times search

with Sarah Odede

Delay in payment of pension I would be grateful if the TIMESEARCH could help find out from the Federal Ministry of Transport Lagos why the processing of my pension was yet to be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Establishments for processing to enable me receive my pension from the Federal Ministry of Transport.

I was a driver for 21 years with the Federal Ministry of Transport, before my retirement from the service and before that time, I did not obtain any loan from the Ministry, and there was never a time I was indebted to the Ministry, before my retirement.

To my surprise, I was meant to understand that my entitlements would not be paid until the Ministry is satisfied that I was not indebted to them during my years of service.

If I may ask, for how long would I have to wait? It is more than a year that I have been told to wait for the outcome of the processing.

I was retired September two years ago, and up to the time of writing this letter to the TIMESEARCH, I am yet to hear from the Ministry of Transport in Lagos where I last served concerning when I should come for the collection of my entitlements.

I am beginning to sense something funny, and I would not take it easy with them because I did not owe them while in service.

Please let me know what is responsible for the delay in the payment of my entitlements and to know the next line of action to take.

Mr. Anu Filani, 75 Hawley Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.

The complaint of Mr. Anu Filani could not be handled with the Federal Ministry of Transport Lagos, as the official who was contacted advised the TIMESEARCH to call on the Federal Ministry of Establishments, Abuja, being the headquarters of the Ministry and in a better position to comment on the issue.

Getting to the Federal Ministry of Establishments (FEDESTAB), Abuja (Pensions and Gratuity Section), the official who was contacted said she could not comment on the issue because the complainant failed to produce his file number while in service, and without his file number, the Ministry would be unable to know the where about of his file to ascertain if or not the department where he last served while in service of the Ministry had forwarded his file for processing.

“That is the very first thing he should know from his department, instead of writing to the Press for solution” Filani stated.

The official at this point, advised the complainant to contact his last place of work, and find out if or not his file had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Establishments for processing, thereby producing his file number and the date of dispatch to the Ministry to enable trace his file.

Despite the aforementioned information, the complainant was also advised to furnish the Ministry about himself while in service, by producing the date of his retirement, his designation while in service, the department he last served and his file number to enhance easy investigation.

Criteria for promotion in Federal Civil Service I would be happy if the TIMES SEARCH could help find out from the Federal Civil Service Commission Headquarters Abuja what it takes to be promoted these days while in the civil service.

I am tempted to ask this question because I was last promoted six years ago, despite the fact that I upgraded my Cur-

riculum Vitae two years ago, at least to boost my present position.

In August 2013, the Ministry I am serving, (name withheld ) promoted some staff but to my dismay my name was not included in the promotion list, meaning I was not promoted along with my other colleagues who joined the service with me

the same time.

I am not happy about this, and it would be recalled that many years ago, when a civil servant upgrades his/her Curriculum Vitae, he/ she would be enlisted for promotion whenever it is time for such, but it appears the reverse is now the case.

I would want to know

what it takes to be promoted while in the civil service at this present time because I believe upgrading of CVs as well as the number of years in a particular position should at least merit a promotion.

Mr. Christopher Agu, P.O. Box 6624, Abakaliki.

Eboyin State.

*At the Federal Civil Service Commission Headquarters Abuja, the enquiry of Mr. Christopher Agu, was taken up with a top official in the Administrative Department of the Commission, who on hearing the nature of the enquiry blamed the enquirer and said without hesitation that he was not a civil servant as claimed in his letter of enquiry to the Press.

According to the official who craved anonymity, told the TIMESEARCH that since four years ago, the Ministries had been advised that promotions and appointments in the civil service would no longer be based on number of years spend on a position but on

performance, productivity, competence and integrity.

“So what is this civil servant insinuating” queried the official.

He continued, “This enquirer should note that the conditions for promotion in the civil service is part of this present administration’s resolve to strengthen the civil service like other institutions of government. We did not take the laws into our hands as regards the issue of promotion.

“It is a directive from the President, and there is nothing the Ministries could do in this aspect.”

In answer to a question, the official told the TIMESEARCH that the

transformation agenda of the government could not be attained.

“In a situation where hard work, integrity and productivity were played down” he added.

According to the official, this period, promotions and appointments are no longer based on how many years somebody has been sleeping somewhere, but it depends on how productive the person is, how competent the staff is, and the degree of integrity, not just upgrading your CV alone, it is not enough to promote anybody in service without hard work.

He added, “the transformation can only come from the people and that is why

we are emphasizing that our institutions must be strengthened and for you to strengthen our institutions, it means that the key actors in these institutions, the civil servant and the public servants working in these places must all consider themselves as agents of transformation and facilitators of government businesses. (“These were the words of our President concerning this issue of promotion in the civil service”.)

The complainant was advised to work harder to attract promotion from the Ministry, and not just upgrading his CV, the official concluded.

MEND endorses Buhari, rejects Jonathan’s re-election bid Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ

The Niger Delta militia group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Tuesday endorsed the candidature of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari, saying he is the right man for the job to revamp the failing state of the country.

“We challenge every Niger Deltan to ask themselves if the region is any better under Goodluck Jonathan than it was under the late President, Musa Yar’Adua.

We are convinced that the people of the Niger Delta have woken up to realise that voting Goodluck Jonathan simply because of tribe, was the biggest mistake they made” MEND stated.

The Movement for the

Buhari

Jonathan

Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has therefore urged Nigerians to ignore the empty threats and provocative comments from political thugs parading themselves as “ex-militants” and “Freedom Fighters”.

“These spineless cowards want Nigerians to believe that there will be no peace if Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected into office despite the billions of dollars spent on the “Amnesty Pro-

gramme” to reform these miscreants” it noted.

The MEND, in a statement issued Tuesday via e-mail and signed by its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, said the decision to throw the full support of the group behind General Mohammadu Buhari stems from the pathetic state in which the country has been put by the government of Goodluck Jonathan.

The MEND in the state-

ment stated that “our strong believe is in General Mohammadu Buhari as the man that will change the country. President Goodluck Jonathan does not deserve a second more in the Presidency as soon as his tenure expires as he has continuously and blatantly disregarded the very people who voted him into office. A President that told Nigerian to their faces that he does not “give a damn” when asked to declare his assets.

A requirement that is constitutional on assuming the office of the President.

“President Jonathan, since assuming his office, has set up countless number of “Committees”, none of which their reports has ever been implemented. From the Nuhu Ribadu report to the KPMG and Fuel Subsidy reports, just to mention a few.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

9 News

Hoodlums attack UNIBEN lecturers Chief Arthur Eze (left), greeting the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu Community, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, at the first Dunukofia Cultural Day celebration in Anambra on Tuesday.

UNIBEN gate

Titus Eguaoje Benin

ÏÏÏMayhem was let loose

Suswam wins N2.5m defamation case Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏWith

less than five months to the expiration of Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State’s tenure in office, a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, the state capital, has ordered a former governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Terver Kakih, to pay N2.5 million as damages to the governor.

The amount was in respect of smearing the governor’s character during a media briefing.

Kakih was an aspirant under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party

(PDP) during the 2011 elections in the state.

Mr Kaki, during the 2011 electioneering campaigns spread several allegations against Suswam in the media which prompted the governor to seek justice in the court of law.

Justice Samson Itodo while delivering judgement in the suit yesterday, said the statement made about Governor Suswam at the media briefing by Mr. Kakih were not only untrue, defamatory and libelous, but a gross political irresponsibility intended to lower the governor’s reputation in the estimation of the right thinking members of the

society.

The court, therefore, directed Mr. Kakih to withdraw the statements and tender unreserved apology to the governor in the front pages of three national dailies including The Guardian, The Nation and ThisDay as well as two magazines including Newswatch and TELL for seven consecutive days in same font and size.

Justice Itodo further issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Kakih) from further publishing and printing defamatory and libelous statements against the governor.

on Tuesday along Airport Road, Benin-City when lecturers of the University of Benin were beaten to pulp by thugs.

The lecturers, who were protesting the destruction of their colleagues’ buildings, belonging to the university, were descending from their vehicles to inspect some of the demolished houses when they were attacked by gun-wielding hoodlums.

Trouble started when some men with guns con-

Group protests relocation of Ibaka seaport Eno-Obong Okon Uyo

ÏÏÏA

Suswam

group, Conference of Niger Delta Youths Representatives has criticised the Akwa Ibom State government over the relocation of Ibaka Deep Sea Port, in Mbo local government area of the state to Ibeno.

Spokesperson and Presi-

fronted the lecturers, telling them to leave the area, and claiming to be police officers. When they (lecturers) demanded for ID cards, they descended on them with stones, sticks and sand, breaking the windscreens of the buses and cars the lecturers came in.

Some of the drivers had driven off for safety but others not so fortunate ran away, leaving their vehicles.

Consequently, the vehicles were broken into, and items belonging to the protesters were stolen. About 10 lecturers, including professors were injured. dent of the group, Mr. Harry Johnson, said in Oron on Tuesday that the conference was calling on the Presidency to intervene in the matter to avert what can escalate into bloodshed between brothers.

According to him, some key players in Akwa Ibom government had bribed the Minister of Transport as well as other people who claimed to have contacted foreign consultant and transaction advisers, FELAC Concept and Marine and Transport Business Solutions of Netherlands, to relocate the proposed seaport.

Bad electoral system responsible for voter apathy in Enugu State – REC Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏThe

Chukwuemeka Onukaogu

new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Enugu State, Prof.

Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, has blamed the voter apathy in Enugu State on the absence of a sound electoral system.

Prof. Onukaogu, who formally took over the mantle of leadership of the electoral umpire from the former REC, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, told journalists at INEC headquarters, Enugu, on Tuesday that Nigeria had not been having it fine because the electoral system had not allowed credible, free and fair election that

would usher in the right people.

Onukaogu was of the opinion that if the people were allowed to vote for the people of their choice, things would begin to work well.

While blaming the absence of a sound electoral process as a reason for voter apathy, he cited Enugu

State as an example where apathy was on the high side to the extent that only about 65% of voters had accessed their permanent voters’ card, PVC, till date.

To correct the anomaly, Onukaogu said he would employ multi-sectoral approach to ensure that the people obtained their voters card and come out to

vote during elections.

He said part of the efforts would be to sensitise the people through mosques, churches and even markets.

Onukaogu, who expressed worry over the number of registered voters in the state, said he could go to sleep if only about 80% of the voters collect their voters’ card.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 7, 2015

Buhari lacks administrative capacity to rule Nigeria - Duke Ugochukwu Onyeocha

ÏÏÏ

Nigeria’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, has described General Buhari as one who is limited in administrative capacity and also in education and who is technically out of touch to lead a country like Nigeria in this era of technological advancement.

He also described the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), as a party that is in dire need of an agenda, saying that it is the lack of an agenda for the party that has led to its con-

tinuous attack on the person of President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), instead of telling Nigerians what they intend doing.

Duke, who stated this in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in Lagos, faulted the comparison between Jonathan and Buhari, saying that there was, indeed, no basis for comparison between the leading presidential aspirants for the February 14 election.

He further added that a Buhari presidency would only bring ridicule to Nigeria Said he: “The quality of

the person and personality of Jonathan are miles ahead of the quality of the person of Buhari.”

“A Buhari presidency would only ridicule Nigeria before the rest of the world.

To see that a Nigeria that hopes to lead the emerging tigers would now be led by a man who is still looking for his certificate is unimaginable,” he said.

Speaking on the chances of the PDP in the forthcoming elections, Duke urged Nigerians not to be swayed by recent comments by desperate politicians, but rather look at the back-

ground and administrative capacity of the candidates, while insisting that the PDP remains the party with an agenda that would guarantee the unity and progress of the nation.

“If Nigerians go back and read about the background of Buhari and, of course, the recent comment, in which he said that the dog and the baboon would swim in blood and the comments of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in which he said that the APC would set up a parallel government, it goes to show that this party’s (APC) agenda is the disintegration

of Nigeria and that is very worrisome”.

Duke blamed the governors of the APC for failing to make meaningful contributions to the nation by deliberately absenting themselves from the Council of State meetings with the president, where issues of national importance were extensively discussed and resolutions taken.

“Do you know that for the past three and half years, hardly do APC governors attend the Council of State meetings but at the end of the month, they send their accountant-general to col-

lect money from federation account but the statutory meetings where they are members and are expected to make contributions that would aid in the development of the country, a meeting where they are expected to bring diverse views that would help strengthen our democracy and improve governance, they don’t come”.

“If they refuse to contribute, how then can they accuse the government of failing, since they have failed to play their part in national development”?, Duke queried.

Flights cancellation: NCAA backs airlines Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ

The spate of flight cancellations and delays, being experienced by passengers at the nation’s airports, have been attributable to adverse weather conditions.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in a statement in Lagos, on Tuesday, advised all passengers to show understanding and exercise caution, when airlines were rescheduling and cancelling flights.

The statement added that airline operators were

Ibrahim Momohjimoh, lokoja

ÏÏÏThe

Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution,(CHRCR), in Kogi state, Idris Miliki Abdul, has expressed fears that the 2015 appropriation bill presented by the state governor, Captain Idris Wada, may not guarantee stability in the state.

But, in a swift reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, said the activist was only seeking attention, as he lacked knowledge of the workings

strictly adhering to the regulatory guidelines enshrined by the NCAA in the interest of air safety.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued a weather alert, recently, to sensitise all pilots on the hazards associated with harmattan haze in flight operations at this time of the year.

The alert also served as a warning to aircraft captains to be aware of the obvious threat harmattan dust haze pose to aircraft, particularly in the areas of low visibility.

Rights activist carpets Wada over 2015 budget of government.

Abdul said, in Lokoja, that the N110 billion budget as presented by the state government was full of inconsistencies.

He stated that the proposed budget for 2015, which was about 18billion naira less than the 2014 appropriation showed clearly the decline in revenue accruable to the state from both the Federal and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

L-R: Member, Ibadan Foundation, Chief Abayomi Sanu; President of the Foundation, Chief Bayo Alugbin; Representaive of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Prof. Femi Lana and Chairman, University Press, Dr Lekan Are, at the Annual Ibadan Foundation Luncheon and Awards in Ibadan.

Ikedioha assures Imo citizens of 10,000 jobs Val Okara, Owerri

ÏÏÏ

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has promised to call back the sacked 10,000 youths employed by former governor Ikedi Ohakim, if elected as governor of the state in February.

He made this assertion yesterday after a road show with PDP supporters in Owerri. He regret-

ted that those sacked by Governor Rochas Okorocha had continued to wallow in economic pains, since they were thrown into an already saturated labour market.

He said: “I will create sufficient jobs for our people mainly by reactivating our technical colleges and I have already started this in my capacity as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and my government will be one that you all will be proud of.”

He explained that the

Ihedioha road show was meant to enable him ascertain the level of mismanagement in the state by the All Progressive Congress (APC) government.

Ihedioha gave an assurance that he

would restore the people’s value through the provision of qualitative education and which would be matched with the installation of a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The PDP governorship candidate accused the state government of shoddy execution of projects without adherence to due process, while lamenting that the sum of N43 billion loan secured by the state government from a new generation bank was wasted on frivolities.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Gombe CAN, sector chairmen back Dankwambo Audu Michael, Gombe

ÏÏÏThe

second term election bid of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo Tuesday received Gombe State Christian community and the Chairmen of 12-sector based committees’ endorsement.

They expressed satisfaction with Dankwambo’s performance within the last three and half years of the administration.

It would be recalled that the governor on assumption of office in 2011, fashioned out developmental guideline for his administration.

Also, members of People’s Democratic Party and friends of the governor raised over N150 million for his re-election campaign.

State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Abari Kalla, made the position of the Christian community known by endorsing Governor Dankwambo for second term when he led his members to Government House Banquet Hall, to pay Christmas and New Year homage to the governor.

Kalla said the Christian community in the state had given pass mark to the governor for giant strides his administration recorded within three and

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun state has called on the leadership of the party in the state and the state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to respect the outcome of the House of Assembly primary election held in Egbedore state constituency of the state.

The party also appealed to Governor Aregbesola and all the leaders of the party in the state to ensure that the winner of the House of Assembly Primary election in

S’East Governors condole with Jonathan From Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: President, Civil Right Congress, Mr Shehu Sani; former chairman, Kaduna north local government council, Alhaji Rabiu Khalid and secretary general, Jama’atu Nasir Islam, Sheikh Khalid Aliyu, during a visit to Jama’atu Nasir Islam headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday

half years and decided to support the governor’s second term bid.

The CAN said the governor’s performance since assuming the mantle of leadership in 2011, was unprecedented, saying that the people of the state were now enjoying good governance.

In his Words: “We vote for carry go; we vote yes to continuity,” while adding that the decision to support the governor for another term in office was based on the fact that he

had proven to be a governor for all.

Kalla disclosed further that the leadership of the Christian body in the state and Christians were in the Government House to felicitate with the governor on the New Year and declared that, “The church in Gombe State has given you an excellent score card.”

According to him, during the last Christmas celebration, Muslim leaders visited Christians to felicitate with them, saying that this was made pos-

sible by the governor’s efforts aimed at creating religious harmony among the people of the state.

On their part, Chairmen of 12 sector based committees setup by Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo disclosed that their reports and recommendations were fully implemented beyond their expectations saying that the performance of the Governor within the three and half years has exceeded the recommendations of their various committees.

the constituency was given the ticket of the party.

In a letter addressed to Governor Aregbesola and signed by Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao and Alhaji Imran Mojeed on behalf of the leaders of the APC in Egbedore state constituency of Osun state, the party therefore called on the governor to allow Hon. Akeem Alao who won the primary election to vie for the election.

According to the party chiefs, Hon Alao polled 11 votes in the primary election to defeat Hon Abiodun Awolola who polled six votes.

Hon Awolola, who is the cur-

rent representative of Egbedore state constituency in the State House of Assembly is said to be the choice of the governor, while Alao who won the primaries was said to be the favourite of the leaders of the party in the constituency.

The APC leaders in the area also informed that the party had held two primary elections for the House of Assembly aspirants and Alao emerged the winner in the two elections.

The party leaders maintained that imposition of Awolola on the party members in Egbedore Local Government Area would

South-East Governors’ Forum has condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan over the sudden death of his younger sister, Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei in the early hours of Sunday at a hospital in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

According to a statement by the chairman of the Forum and Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, the governors expressed shock at the news of the death of Mr. President’s sister at the age of 52 years.

The statement said the Forum was pained by the untimely death of Mrs. Jonathan-Olei and urged the President, his wife and the entire Jonathan’s family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

Governor Orji, who noted that the late Mrs. Jonathan-Olei passed on despite all efforts to save her life, regretted that her death at this time apart from destabilizing the President would create a big vacuum in the Jonathan’s family.

He conveyed the condolences of the governments and people of the South-East to Mr. President and family and urged the President to bear the loss with equanimity.

Kwara NLC boss launches six books

Osun APC begs Aregbesola to honour outcome of primaries From Michael Bamigbola, Osogbo

11 News

ÏÏÏThe

Aregbesola

affect the chances of APC in the forthcoming House of Assembly election and urged Aregbesola to right the wrong in the choice of the party’s candidate.

Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu will today in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, make a public presentation of his six books.

The books to be presented were written on labour and trade unions, good governance and development, industry and economy, media and gender issues, Africa and global affairs and trends, comrades and theories.

In a statement, Aremu said eminent Nigerians would be in storm Ilorin to witness the launch and presentation of the books.

Africa 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Two Algerians indicted in France over civil war torture ÏÏÏTwo

Jammeh

Libya appeals for weapons to battle militia ÏÏÏLibya’s

internationally recognised government on Monday appealed for weapons to combat militias which have seized parts of the oil-rich nation, at an emergency meeting of the Arab League.

“We call on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities and to arm, without further delay, the Libyan army,” said Libya’s representative to the Cairo-based Arab League, Ashur Bou Rashed.

More than three years after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a Natobacked revolt, Libya is awash with weapons and powerful militias, and it has rival governments

and parliaments.

The internationally recognised government and the parliament elected in June have been based in the remote east since an Islamist-backed militia coalition, Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn), seized Tripoli last year.

Fajr Libya also controls third city Misrata, while much of second city Benghazi is also in the hands of militias.

Bou Rashed insisted on the need to score a “military victory over the brutal militias to prevent them from further expanding their influence across Libya” and help reach a political solution.

His comments came as the

United Nations postponed peace talks it was hoping to hold Monday between Libya’s warring factions.The talks were originally slated for 9 December but have been repeatedly delayed amid fighting in Libya.

In mid-December, Fajr Libya launched an assault to try to seize key oil terminals.

At least 22 pro-government forces were killed in fighting with the militias who fired a rocket that set ablaze tanks at AlSidra oil terminal. The military retaliated by raiding Misrata.

Arab League chief Nabil alArabi voiced regret at the postponement of the UN-brokered talks.

Gunmen kill two policemen outside Cairo church ÏÏÏTwo

policemen guarding a church in Egypt’s Minya province, south of Cairo, were killed by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday, security sources said.

According to eyewitnesses and security sources, the two policemen fell dead immediately after the masked men showered them with bullets. The security sources added that the attackers have stolen all the weapons in

the security men’s possession.

The attack took place one day before the Coptic Christmas, ahead of which security had been intensified.

Following the attack, dozens of security forces have cut the road in front of the church to protest the killing of their colleagues.

The victims included Eid Fahim, a 57-year-old Coptic, who

President Assisi

Algerian men accused of committing torture during the country’s civil war in the 1990s are to be tried at a court in France, plaintiffs in the case said on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the French Human Rights League (LDH), the brothers were indicted on Dec. 26 by the Nimes Tribunal in southern France.

Both organisations filed a complaint in 2003 against the brothers, Hocine and Abdelkader Mohamed, prompting a judicial inquiry.

Over the following decade, the court took testimony from people who claimed to have witnessed the brothers conduct executions.

They said the brothers also tortured people during bloody clashes between Islamist insurgents, state-sponsored militias and security forces. ``This is the first time ever that Algerians are going to be judged for crimes committed during the ‘black decade’ in Algeria,’’ FIDH President Patrick Baudouin, said in the statement.

While Hocine and Abdelkader Mohamed both reside in France, the case is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction under the UN torture convention.

The statement cited similar cases as a basis for the complaint, such as a 25-year sentence handed down to Pascal Simbikangwa by a French court in March for crimes against humanity committed during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

One dead in Madagascar protests over electricity cuts ÏÏÏA

protester in Madagascar was killed when police put down a demonstration against recurring electricity cuts in the eastern city of Toamasina, the victim’s family and police said on Monday.

The death, which happened on 3 January, was the second arising from protests in the port city of Toamasina over repeated power blackouts, after an aggressive police response to a violent demonstration on 23 December left one person dead.

According to family members of the man killed on Saturday, his death was caused by a beating from special police forces deployed to contain the display

of anger. Madagascar police confirmed to AFP that a protester who had been arrested died in hospital, but denied any beating had occurred.

“It was the shoving that took place as he was getting into the [police] car that was fatal,” said General Njato Andrianjanaka, adding that at the time of his arrest the deceased was in “an advanced state of intoxication” - a claim the victim’s family contests. The unrest began after the latest in what has become a regular series of blackouts in Madagascar, where power supplies remain insufficient with only 15% of the island electrified.

had only two months left to finish his service, and Mohamed Yazid, a 40-year-old Muslim.

The officials from the Minya Forensic Department told Xinhua that over 32 bullets have penetrated their bodies.

Coptic Christians, coexisting peacefully with the majority Sunni Muslims in Egypt, make up about 10 per cent of the country’s total population of 85 million.

Following former President Mohamed Morsi’s removal by the military in July, 2013, a number of churches and public property were burned and destroyed.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

13 World

Bulgaria to admit 3, 000 rejected asylum seekers ÏÏÏBulgaria has agreed to take

back more than 3,000 asylum seekers who tried to settle in other EU countries, Bulgarian media report.

In 2013 Bulgaria struggled with a surge of refugees fleeing the Syria war and its reception centres are overcrowded.

Other EU countries have asked Bulgaria to take back nearly 8,000 asylum seekers, Novinite news website reports.

The EU country where migrants first arrive is supposed to handle asylum claims, under controversial EU rules.

Bulgaria and neighbouring Greece have complained that the EU’s Dublin II Regulation on asylum claims is unfair. They have urged EU partners to share the burden of asylum claims more equitably, as have Italy and Malta - Mediterranean countries that are also experiencing an influx of migrants.

Novinite reports that Germany, Austria and Hungary are among the countries that want to send migrants back to Bulgaria. So far Bulgaria - the poorest country in the EU - has agreed to the return of at least 3,163.

In 2013 Bulgaria beefed up security on its land border with Turkey, building a 32km

(20-mile) fence there to keep migrants out. Bulgarian officials are now considering extending the fence to more of the border zone.

Hundreds of extra police have been sent to the border, but a proposal to send troops there too was rejected by President Rosen Plevneliev.

Refugees in Bulgaria, 3 Dec 13

Korean military’s “cyber army” has boosted its numbers to 6,000 troops, the South Korean Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, double Seoul’s estimate for the force in 2013, and is working to cause “physical and psychological paralysis” in the South.

The new figure, disclosed in a ministry white paper, comes after the United States, South Korea’s key ally, imposed new sanctions on North Korea for a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment. Pyongyang has denied involvement in the attack.

For years, North Korea has

authorities fail to stop violations of human rights norms.

US-based rights group Human Rights Watch also strongly criticised Bulgarian border “pushbacks” in a report.

Under international law asylum seekers have a right to an individual assessment, to determine if they are genuine refugees from war or persecution.

ÏÏÏTwo commuter trains collid-

ed in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state, injuring 158 people, authorities said on Tuesday.

The accident occurred Monday around 20:20 (22:20 GMT) when one of the trains, which had stopped at a station, was rammed from behind by another train on the same track at Mesquita, 34km outside Rio de Janeiro, Rio state transportation chief Carlos Osorio said.

Rescue authorities said most of those hurt had suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruises.

A spokesperson told AFP that seven people remained in hospital but their condition was stable.

Rio’s Supervia train service is the target of regular criticism from users who deride its often dilapidated infrastructure while its carriages do not have air conditioning even in the stifling heat of a Southern Hemisphere summer.

Afghans divided over unity govt ÏÏÏAfghan

S’Korea alleges Pyongyang boosted ‘cyber forces’ to 6,000 troops ÏÏÏNorth

file pic Refugees in Bulgaria: After the 2013 influx there is little state accommodation for migrants.

Last April the European Commission opened an infringement procedure against Bulgaria and Italy over reports that Syrian refugees had been “pushed back” by border police. The procedure can be escalated to fines if national

158 injured in Brazilian train collision

been pouring resources into a sophisticated cyber-warfare cell called Bureau 121, run by the military’s spy agency and staffed by some of the most talented computer experts in the country.

Its long-term target may be telecoms and energy grids in rival nations, defectors from the isolated state said.

“North Korea is currently running its 6,000 (-member) workforce for cyber warfare and performing cyber attacks for physical and psychological paralysis inside South Korea such as causing troubles for military operations and

national infrastructures,” the South Korean Defense Ministry said.North Korea has denied involvement in the recent hack into Sony Pictures, which distributed a comedy film featuring an assassination plot against its leader Kim Jong Un and slammed the fresh U.S. sanctions, calling them hostile and repressive policies by Washington.

The reclusive country is also suspected to have carried out a series of other cyber attacks against South Korea, which it is technically at war with.

In 2013, South Korea blamed the North for crippling cyberattacks that froze the computer systems of its banks and broadcasters for days.

The two Koreas have remained technically at war for more than six decades as the Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

President Ashraf Ghani marked his first 100 days in power on Tuesday, still struggling to form a government as a new political stalemate threatens to fuel the Taliban insurgency.

The deadlock over senior cabinet positions has underlined the challenges of running a “unity government”, which was formed after an election mired by fraud and disputed results.

Ghani was eventually inaugurated on September 29 after agreeing to a power-sharing deal with his poll rival Abdullah Abdullah, who was appointed “chief executive” - a new role similar to prime minister.

The deal was seen as saving Afghanistan from the risk of imminent civil war, but it was soon bogged down in disagreements over which side’s loyalists would take key roles such as interior and defence minister.

Ghani has repeatedly missed his own deadlines on forming the government and asked Afghans to show patience.

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Jega, register me as an independent candidate, please!

N

Abitunde Taiwo

igerians should have a choice not only to jump from poverty to starvation, but also an opportunity to choose the prospect of prosperity, full employment, free tuition, freeways, and a full health care system in a functional democracy. That is the promise of my candidacy as an independent presidential candidate with policies and programmes for socio-economic progress, not the pedestrian propaganda on personalities of the major political parties.

My programmes will be paid for, not from the continuation of the exploitation of minorities in the oil producing states, but from income tax. Income tax is a shared financial sacrifice that will empower the people and motivate them to demand transparency in how their taxes are to be spent and will deepen democracy through this active involvement in the affairs of the nation.

I have offered various helpful ideas in the public arena in the past with no adoption of any of them by the government. I am left with no choice but to run for the presidency as an independent candidate. At a minimum, some

of these ideas could gain traction and raise the consciousness of Nigerians and politicians on the corruption and injustice of the 50-year exploitation of the minorities of the oil producing states. The adoption of taxation and an end to the exploitation of minorities by the eventual winner of the presidential election will be a wonderful outcome of this endeavour.

Foreign heads of state have at various times reinforced the imperative of we Africans solving our problems. Income taxation as the primary and major input into the government budget will enable this.

Today, the federal, states, and local governments of Nigeria meet their budgetary obligations, not from taxes of the incomes of the citizens, but principally from the sale of oil and gas and through borrowing from third parties plunging the nation into deep debt.

And the global oil prices are plummeting causing a serious budgetary crisis in the country.

In 2014, the total income from oil and gas was about a paltry $70 billion US dollars that all went to meet the obligations of the three tiers of government. This is approximately equal to the budget of Singapore, a small island nation of less than 6 million people. It is also

approximately equal to the budget of the city of New York with a population of 8 million people. Remember that Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people with security challenges in the north and south.

Nigerians are enterprising people who are eager to work and 20 million have left the shores of the country in search of work overseas. The level of unemployment is so high in Nigeria that a daily throng of people besiege foreign embassies looking for an escape from the country to find work. Any government with a serious socioeconomic policy and with adequate resources will create opportunities for its people to work and through this reduce poverty induced desperation and despair in the nation.

Nigeria, a $500+ billion US dollars economy, should be able to raise from $100 billion US dollars to $200 billion US dollars at an average tax rate of 20% to 40% which is within the range of income tax rates worldwide. Add to this, Nigerians in Diaspora have an estimated annual income of about $500 billion US dollars. If Nigerians abroad are persuaded to pay taxes to the federal government of Nigeria at a rate of 5%, an additional revenue of up to $25 billion US dollars can accrue to the federal

government of Nigeria.

Imagine what the federal government of Nigeria can do with an income-tax-based budget of $225 billion dollars which is approximately ten times the federal budget for 2015 based on the sale of oil and gas. With a budget like that, the oil producing states can be allowed to keep up to 100% of the oil revenues for their own budgets which will remove the threat of youth revolt in those states or worse, civil war.

A huge budget affords a carrot and stick approach to tackling the insurgency in the Northeast region by providing the resources for both security measures and proactive socio-economic programs that can be helpful in curbing insurgency in the region.

My independent candidacy will change the tone and tenor of the last few weeks of the current election campaign from the milieu of propaganda, bellicosity, threats of mayhem, bullying, and blackmail to constructive debate and discourse. The outcome of the presidential elections will be at least grudgingly accepted by the losers, reducing the post election threat of violence, mayhem, or a civil war.

the basic issues such as, better infrastructure: roads, schools, hospitals, electric power, those elements that signify that the stability of the building blocks of the state is assured and the goals to be pursued are quality of life …

Today the core matter is not just the sanctity of the state, but its sanity. In the face of problems that include security and the economy Goodluck Jonathan’s inability to get a handle on any single issue is frightening and forebodes ill for the future.

This is why what Buhari has going for him is, anything but Jonathan and the PDP again. This party has been in power for 15 years and where are we? Boko Haram continues to seize territory and protection from crime really only belongs to those who can pay for it.

Seven years ago with Jonathan, among the reasons leading to his election victory was, let’s give the Delta its chance.

Today is should be clear there is actually no percentage in this busi-

ness of zoning leadership, or giving every ethnicity its turn to ‘chop’.

What are the clearly articulated issues of the general election that is presently slated to take place in three months? Certainly not the two that have been mentioned here, security and the economy.

The issues that party supporters are arguing about rest again on personality and character. The contention is that since corruption is at the root of Nigeria’s problems the APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari will be able to fight corruption because he is clean and either incorruptible, or uncorrupted. Well, that is just another prayer, based on the evidence of things, not seen.

Buhari has been head of state before. He seized power on New Year’s Eve, 1984 from a profligate civilian government, declaring that his mandate was to set the ship of state on a straight course. He did not succeed and it is my opinion that he did not understand how to do so.

Mr. Abitunde Taiwo is an Independent presidential candidate for 2015

New year, new birth

I

Amma Ogan

t is nine months since the Chibok Girls were abducted and the question is: Will some Chibok couples be grandparents without knowing it?

It is a harsh, even cruel question to confront a grieving and traumatised parent with, but we are past such considerations. After nine torturous months our eyes should be wide open, no looking to the Aso hills from whence no change has come.

BBOG (Bring Back Our Girls) issued a statement on December saying it is now apparent that Jonathan is not looking for the Girls.

This is probably for the record, for the day of reckoning when the story will have to be told and each person will have to state where they stood, because, what happened to 279 teenagers nine months ago will be a watershed in Nigerian history if for nothing else but the way the country responded to it. There may yet be more events that will eclipse it in violence and tragedy because

that seems to be the path on which we are met, but as a dateline in Nigeria’s history, this event is set in stone.

Two hundred and seventy nine young schoolgirls, ready to make their mark in a community where the struggle to educate women is still a current reality, and the only ones rescued are those who took it on themselves to escape? This is an indictment on any entity that calls itself a nation.

BBOG is still meeting and peacefully protesting nine months later?

Not a story you see often in Nigeria.

Like the advent of Boko Haram, the Chibok abductions are an indication of a level of dysfunction and disintegration in our nation state. It is no longer merely a lack of ability to organise ourselves to provide the basic amenities of power and water but seems to have reached a level of an inability to conceptualise ourselves as people capable of thinking through their own problems and embarking on a solution.

Time was when we focused on

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

15 Opinion

Wise voting will change 2015 permutations

E Joe Femi-Dagunro

very Nigerian surely knows who to vote for and why they have to vote. Not because of the sweet stories and promises that we read and hear every day, but because Nigerians take their political decisions based on previous and present actions taken by the candidates and their character.

Unfortunately, we cannot judge them based on the people they surrounded themselves with, at least for now, otherwise, we may not vote anyone of them. If only the presidential candidates will concentrate on dishing out facts and figures on issues relevant to the yearnings of the people of Nigeria and stop unhelpful campaigns of insults and hate speeches. I believe we should blame ourselves for seeing this coming and not avoiding it. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi founded the National Conscience Party and we did not trust him with our votes, not even

at a local government level! We all know what he stood for, his sufferings to make life bearable for us as a people, his brilliant and courageous performances, his uprightness and steadfastness. At the end of it, we lost him. Today, most of us are beginning to appreciate the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti for the revolutionary lyrics he composed and rendered beautifully to fight oppression, corruption and other maladies in our society. He formed a political party called the Movement of the People but we did not trust him with our votes until we lost him. The 2015 voting pattern will change the permutations of politicians in this country and many of them will never come back into the “industry” again.

Nigerians are coming up with a voting pattern that will not be based on religion or ethnicity; they will take good decisions that will change their lives not because of what the professional politicians are telling them. Not because of some endorsements by some celebrities and entertain-

ment superstars. Not because of any godfather or godmother. Not because of internet presence. Not because of friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter. Nigerians are now wiser. All candidates should be prepared to face the

Today, most of us are beginning to appreciate the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti... people of this nation with their plans to govern and be ready to answer questions. Nigerians will not condemn you for being rich, but they will want you to simply declare your assets. Nigerians will like the candidates to tell them how they will create jobs and not just to say “we shall create jobs for our youths”. They have heard that before and to most youths,

it makes no sense to them again.

Nigerians will want to know how much their leaders are earning as senators, representatives, local government chairmen, and state Houses of Assembly lawmakers. Nigerians will like to know how they will fight corruption, knowing full well that members of political parties are not immune to corruption. Nigerians will like to know how the budget deficit will be corrected. Besides, Nigerians will want to know how the candidates will fix the bad and dangerous road networks in the country if elected and fix the decaying educational system as well as address health care issues.

Nigerians will like to know how their leaders will pay the pensioners regularly while in office.

Nigerians will like to know how the national security challenges will be addressed. You can now see why our voting pattern will change our calculations. We shall support only the best candidates to win the 2015 elections at all levels. So shall it be.

The end of the beginning?

L

Eugene Enahoro

egendary British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill carried his nation on his shoulders at the lowest point in their history during the Battle of Britain. He achieved this feat by the sheer power of his oratory, stirring the hearts and minds of his people to patriotism when the all-conquering German Third Reich Armies swept across Europe, and his country was next in line for enslavement. After the German air force had been decimated and Britain was no longer under threat from invasion, Churchill was asked if their victory signalled the end of the war.

Knowing full well that more lives would be lost in the planned invasion of Germany, yet realizing he had to give people hope for a better tomorrow he replied “it is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning!” As the 2015 elections approach, predictions that our nation won’t survive the outcome are being called to mind.

Pessimists speculate that the end of our latest democratic experiment may be in sight. Even the op-

timists realize that all is not well.

Christmas 2014 was not the best of times for many civil servants.

The economy is unravelling as a result of the sustained mismanagement of our resources and this “festive season” government workers all over the nation were not paid, despite being owed several months’ salary. Sadly there is worse to come in 2015. Even this administration’s “star” ministers with their much touted success in agriculture and road building failed to pay their workers’. While this was going on at the federal level, indolent, attention seeking State Governors donated their state’s resources to the re-election campaign despite also not having paid salaries. Other top government officials simply flew out of the country to enjoy their holiday in places where there is security, constant light, running water and good roads. Throughout the end of year activities political leaders attended places of religious worship with much pomp and fanfare even while mindless materialism, executive arrogance and political intrigue ruled their thoughts and actions. Consistently failing to practise the temperance and consideration for others expected of devout people, they continue

to profit from collective misery.

2014 surpassed all previous years in the display of spiritual poverty which prevents our leaders from even noticing much less sympathizing with the sufferings of the common man. Ensuring fairness in a society such as ours plagued by cultural diversities and economic inequalities appears to be a seemingly intractable problem.

The principle of federal character was introduced in an attempt to frame a socio-political structure that prevents problems of interethnic rivalry and the dominance of government by one or more ethnic groups to the exclusion of others. It was the product of the post-civil war era when minorities who had sacrificed much for national unity and “One Nigeria” began to question whether they really had a stake in Nigeria, or indeed whether they needed a country of their own before they could prosper. Federal character was adopted to counteract the ethnic nationality question because lack of adequate representation by the federating states was thought to be the greatest threat to national integration and economic development. It was a deliberate plan to ensure the proper distribution of amenities and govern-

ment projects in the country, and an attempt to build a nation in which every individual has equal chance to participate without bias of ethnic affiliations. Critics of “federal character” principle mistakenly believe that it means vacancies are filled based upon the tribe of the candidate rather than on merit. They cynically describe “catchment areas” as places where most applicants who merit neither admission nor employment they enjoy come from.

But in truth claims that federal character undermines merit can be discountenanced because the minimum requirements for admission and appointments mean that merit cannot be completely sacrificed. Enforcing the principle is an attempt to ensure widespread development despite the disparities in income, social and economic opportunities traceable partly to natural endowment, and partly to historical legacies of colonial administration.

Regrettably its enforcement in political appointments, revenue sharing, education, employment, location of industries and other development programs has not brought about the expected levels of national integration, stability and widespread development.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Today in History

s

Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

1789 First U.S. presidential election

1789 First U.S. presidential election On this day in 1789, America’s first presidential election was held. Voters cast ballots to choose state electors; only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. As expected, George Washington won the election and was sworn into office on April 30, 1789.

As it did in 1789, the United States still uses the Electoral College system, established by the U.S. Constitution, which today gives all American citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote for electors, who in turn vote for the president. The president and vice president are the only elected federal officials chosen by the Electoral College instead of by direct popular vote.

Today political parties usually nominate their slate of electors at their state conventions or by a vote of the party’s central state committee, with party loyalists often being picked for the job. Members of the U.S. Congress, though, can’t be electors.

Each state is allowed to choose as many electors as it has senators and representatives in Congress.

The District of Columbia has 3 electors. During a presidential election year, on Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November), the electors from the party that gets the most popular votes are elected

in a winner-take-all-system, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska, which allocate electors proportionally. In order to win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes out of a possible 538.

1953 Truman announces U.S. has developed hydrogen bomb In his final State of the Union address before Congress, President Harry S. Truman told the world that that the United States

1999 1999 Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial begins On this day in 1999, the United States Senate began its impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives since Andrew Johnson in 1868.

The impeachment trial was the culmination of a slew of scandals involving the president and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton that included investigations into allegedly improper Arkan-

Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial begins sas real-estate deals, suspected fundraising violations, claims of sexual harassment and accusations of cronyism involving the firing of White House travel agents.

Independent counsel Kenneth Starr was appointed to investigate the Paula Jones sexual harassment case; the investigation led Starr to Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern who had been accused of having an affair with Clinton. In 1998, the scandal broke to the press and

has developed a hydrogen bomb.

It was just three years earlier on January 31, 1950, that Truman publicly announced that had directed the Atomic Energy Commission to proceed with the development of the hydrogen bomb.

Truman’s directive came in responds to evidence of an atomic explosion occurring within USSR in 1949.

1959 United States recognizes new Cuban government Just six days after the fall of the

Clinton vehemently denied the relationship. A year of federal grand-jury testimony from various individuals in both camps followed, while Clinton continued to refute the allegations and invoked executive privilege when subpoenaed. Clinton later admitted to the affair, but his initial attempts to cover it up enabled House Republican leaders to begin the impeachment process for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Though Democratic leaders preferred to merely censure the president, a divided House of Representatives impeached Clinton on December 19, 1998.

The issue then passed to the Senate. After a five-week trial, Clinton was acquitted.

Fulgencio Batista dictatorship in Cuba, U.S. officials recognized the new provisional government of the island nation. Despite fears that Fidel Castro, whose rebel army helped to overthrow Batista, might have communist leanings, the U.S. government believed that it could work with the new regime and protect American interests in Cuba.

The fall of the pro-American government of Batista was cause

1989 Emperor Hirohito dies

1989 Emperor Hirohito dies Showa Tenno Hirohito, the 124th Japanese monarch in an imperial line dating back to 660 B.C., died after serving six decades as the emperor of Japan. He was the longest serving monarch in Japanese history.

Made regent in 1921, Hirohito was enthroned as emperor in 1928, two years after the death of his father, Emperor Taisho.

During his first two decades as emperor, Hirohito presided over

for grave concern among U.S. officials. The new government, temporarily headed by provisional president Manuel Urrutia, initially seemed chilly toward U.S. diplomats, including U.S. Ambassador Earl E. T. Smith. Smith, in particular, was wary of the politics of the new regime. He and other Americans in Cuba were suspicious of the motives and goals of the charismatic rebel leader Fidel Castro.

one of the most turbulent eras in his nation’s history. From rapid military expansion beginning in 1931 to the crushing defeat of Japan in 1945, Hirohito stood above the Japanese people as an absolute monarch whose powers were sharply limited in practice. After U.S. atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it was he who argued for his country’s surrender, explaining to the Japanese people in his first-ever radio address that the “unendurable must be endured.” Under U.S. occupation and post war reconstruction, Hirohito was formally stripped of his powers and forced to renounce his alleged divinity, but he remained his country’s official figurehead until his death in 1989. He was succeeded as emperor by his only son, Akihito.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Politics

s PASEDA

Rotimi Paseda

17

I’ll be guided

by Awo’s mission to govern Ogun

Prince Rotimi Paseda is the governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, (UPN), for Ogun State in the forthcoming February general elections. In this chat with some journalists, he outlines his agenda. LATEEF IBRAHIM, of our Abuja Bureau was there.

Excerpts: How do you intend to administer Ogun State if elected governor?

I do not plan to be ‘an all-in-

all governor’, instead, I will remain focused on the four cardinal programmes of our party and empower others. I will allow our local governments have autonomy. I am not interested in witch-hunting anyone or condemning the good works of a government but will continue and give credence to hard work.

Which areas will you focus on in terms of programmes?

Gifted by God, there are

many things I can do, but I shall narrow them down to education, health, employment generation and rural integration and development in the first instance. These, I believe, will better the lot of the good people of Ogun State. My competence in these areas will define my success as a governor.

Devoting a little of yourself to everything means committing a great deal of yourself to CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Despite the fact that the opposition had never governed Benue State since inception in 1976, this contest appears dicey and too close to call.

Can opposition snatch Benue In 2015?

Freddie Adamgbe, Makurdi It is an undeniable truth that for any democracy to thrive and be effective, the opposition parties have a significant role to play by putting the ruling party on its toes through actions aimed at checkmating abuse of power and the non-performance of the ruling political party, especially, in advanced democracies.

In such a system, the ruling party, indeed, becomes cautious and meticulous in its activities and programmes, living up to its duty of rendering responsive services to its citizens as it is being constantly challenged on its poli-

cies. Thus, it cannot afford to take the electorate for granted, rather, it must ensure that they are always on its side by ensuring fairness through an equitable distribution of resources and projects.

However, the case is quite different in Nigeria’s democracy, where the ruling parties, since the return of democracy in 1999 remained largely unchallenged and completely ignored the role of the opposition which is rather considered as the voice of the enemy.

As a result, it devises all forms of dubious strategies to render it irrelevant.

This not-withstanding, the opposition parties, despite the frustration from the rul-

David Mark, Senate President

PDP is doomed to lose - Oyo PDP aspirants

The electorate will always be victims if the electoral process is broken and opaque. My advice is participate and vigilantly ask questions where things are unclear CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

The Forum of Oyo State Governorship Aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has alerted the National Headquarters of the party of its imminent defeat in the forthcoming general elections.

At a recent meeting, the forum deliberated on the implications

Suswan

of the last governorship primaries on the fortune of the party and concluded that unless urgent action was taken, the party was doomed in the next elections.

“We are, therefore, calling the attention of the party leadership to this looming defeat of the PDP in Oyo State if urgent corrective

action is not taken to restore confidence and trust in the party by immediately reverting the illegalities of the discredited primaries and ensure an acceptable solution to this mockery of democratic process and party discipline”, the forum, comprising of eight of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Paseda: I’m a committed Awoist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

nothing, hence the compelling need for me to delegate authority to my cabinet, advisers, assistants, local governments and communities including the traditional rulers. Our government will be all-embracing where responsibilities will be shared among the various segments of our state.

When you said you will continue with programmes of previous administrations, are you not, invariably, saying you are okay with the status quo?

Accepting the status quo or running the government as business as usual is equivalent to accepting death sentence for the good people of Ogun State.

Where there’s no progress, there’s no growth. If there’s no growth, there’s no life. Environments devoid of change are eventually devoid of life.

Presently, Ogun State seriously craves for change in education, healthcare delivery, employment and rural development. I know I will, at times, find myself in a precarious and often career-jeopardising position of being the one to draw attention to the need for change, real, factual needs of our people. Consequently, courage is a non-negotiable quality that I have. Our administration will

Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Jonathan’s campaign men at a glance; Anenih, Ali, Obi on the list

be very ambitious in service delivery within the four-year tenure.

What other things would you do differently so as to stand out?

I will courageously say publicly what everybody else is whispering privately. It is not this insight that will set me apart from the crowd. It is my courage to act on what I see, to speak up when everyone else is silent, challenge what needs to change and pay the price than remaining silent and allowing the good people of Ogun State to continue to suffer.

I will courageously walk in the dark. The darkness here is the uncertainty that always accompanies change. The mystery of whether or not a new policy will pan out, the reservation everyone initially feels when a new idea is introduced, the risk of being wrong. Many who lack the courage to forge ahead alone yearn for someone to take the first step, to go first, to show the way. Like my role model, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did solve many socio economic issues; I will definitely follow his foot-path, guided by his thought and vision. After all, if the pathway to the future were well lit, it would be crowded.

Fear had kept many governors on the sidelines, while good opportunities to do well

Paseda

“Where there’s no progress, there’s no growth. If there’s no growth, there’s no life”

by our suffering masses paraded by. They didn’t lack insight.

They lacked courage in the right direction, for example, on free education and free health.

I may not always be the first to see the needs of the good people of Ogun State, but I will be the first to act, moving boldly into the future in spite of un-

Like my role model, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did solve many socio economic issues; I will definitely follow his foot-path

Ogun State seriously craves change in education, healthcare delivery, employment and rural development

The presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed key party chieftains to coordinate his campaign ahead of the presidential election on February 14, 2015.

According to a statement by the Political Adviser to the President, Prof Rufai Alkali, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief

Tony Anenih is the Campaign Adviser while the campaign is headed by a former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali. With him are three Deputy Directors-General, including a former Minister of Education, Prof Tunde Adeniran, who heads the campaign head office at the Legacy House, Maitama; Special

Anenih

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

certainty and risk.

You can’t make a good governor without taking risk. You can’t take risk without courage. Courage and the fear of God are all I can offer the good people of Ogun State and all I need to be an egalitarian governor with God in the corridors of our government.

Ibukunle Amosun, Ogun state

Fani-Kayode

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

ing parties remain resilient in their quest to form a new government in every dispensation by fielding candidates to contest for all the available elective positions.

In Benue, particularly, even marginally recognised parties like the Labour Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Accord Party and others, whose offices and officials could hardly be located/seen have also joined the 2015 elections by fielding candidates.

The fact, however, remains that the battle will be a straight contest between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leading opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), considering the calibre of chieftains they parade.

Indeed, despite the fact that the opposition had never governed Benue State since inception in 1976, this contest appears dicey and too close to call.

In 1979, little known Aper Aku of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) slugged it out with the popular and rich Barrister Paul Belabu, a Director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and was able to coast home to victory partly due to his performance as a former Chairman of the then Kwande Local Government Council and the strong backing of the late J.S Tarka, considered as the emancipator of the Middle Belt people of Nigeria.

When Governor Aku wanted to seek a second term in 1983, he met stiff opposition from the NPP, led by its National Secretary, Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo. The campaign war chest of Chief Unongo was intimidating compared with that of Governor Aku. An orator and crowd puller, Unongo was able to buy into the people’s conscience by telling them to reject the NPN government which owed workers’ salaries for many months and had an accumulated state debt profile running into billions.

As colorful and soul touching as the electioneering campaign

Can APC upstage PDP in Benue?

Akume

Gemade

Orton

was, Aku still got a second term despite the allegation of massive irregularities that attended the polls.

In 1990, when the ban on partisan politics was lifted by the Ibrahim Babagida administration, Benue joined the league of states controlled by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under the governorship of Rev.

Fr. Moses Adasu as against the National Republican Convention (NRC) represented by Prof Ignatius Ayua.

Again in 1999, Benue was seen as the home of the PDP, producing two national chairmen; Chief Barnabas Gemade and Audu Ogbeh with Governor George Akume and Gabriel Suswam each having two terms as governor on the party’s platform.

However, the PDP had it tough in securing victory in the 2011 general elections, particularly, as it concerned the governorship. With the defection of notable and influential founders of the party like Audu Ogbeh, George Akume, Prof Daniel Saaror, Col. Jeseph Akaagerger, Isaac Shaahu, Gen. Geoffrey Ejigah amongst other bigwigs, coupled with the entry of an America based Professor of Entrepreneurship, Steven Torkuma Ugbah who is a nephew of Wanteregh Paul Unongo, the ruling party, it was widely believed, rigged itself into the Makurdi Government House and survived through the expiration of the 180 days

stipulated by the Constitution and the Electoral Act for the hearing and determination of all election petitions.

One interesting scenario in the 2015 governorship contest is the marriage of convenience solidified by former chieftains of the ruling PDP with the mega progressive fold to wrest power from the incumbent government for the first time.

It is no exaggerating the fact that with the defection of Senator Barnabas Gemade and former Minister of State in charge of Industries, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the APC, the PDP in the state had been unsettled and could be dealt a deadly blow by the opposition.

Again, there is no denying the fact that the calibre of candidates paraded by the APC against the PDP in many positions are more sociable, grassroots accepted and men of impeccable qualities who can surprise the ruling party during the election.

Although, the APC also has problems within its ranks per-

“The fact, however, remains that the battle will be a straight contest between PDP and the leading opposition party, APC, considering the calibre of chieftains they parade”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Jonathan’s campaign men at a glance

19 Politics

Duties Minister, Kabiru Tanimu (North) and former Governor Peter Obi (South). The committee was inaugurated on Monday.

Also, the various directorates are headed by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode (Media and Publicity); a former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana (Contact and Mobilisation);

Jerry Gana

Aliyu Umar (Administration and Logistics); and a former Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman (Finance).

Others are Nimi Amange (Planning, Research and Statistics); Emmanuel Imohe (Security and Intelligence); Abdullahi Maibasira (Youth Mobilisation); Nick Eze (Civil Society and Support groups) and Becky Igwe (Women Mobilisation).

taining to the emergence of candidates, particularly, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who, from the blues, was awarded the party’s governorship ticket, it is believed that whenever the issues were amicably trashed out to the satisfaction of members, the party would give the PDP a stiff contest at the polls.

Speaking with the Daily Times, former Minority Leader in the 6th Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Tergu Abari said the opposition was more organised and focused now than in the past to capture the Makurdi Government House.

According to Abari, who was a delegate at the recently concluded presidential primaries held in Lagos, Benue people, who have been turned into slaves by the policies of the ruling PDP would reject them since their strategies were made known by the APC. But to an ex-Officio of the PDP from North Central Zone, Dr Jonah Ogbaji, “all the noise being made by the APC will come to nought because the ideologies of Jonathan had been tested, assessed and acceptable by the people and only an opposition with a superior manifesto can unseat his government. ‘’Besides, the PDP is well organised in implementing her programmes, more especially, that Goodluck Jonathan has performed so spectacularly that no gang-up, in form of opposition, can stop his re-election and victory of the PDP in 2015’’, Ogbaji stressed.

It is only a matter of time to see how the opposition will break the age long jinx which appears to have afflicted them for over three decades now.

Peter Obi

Politics 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Michael Bamigbola, Osogbo The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced intensive efforts to bring back into its fold, some of its former chieftains now with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kano State Governor, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso.

National Secretary of the Party, Prof. Wale Oladipo who disclosed this to newsmen in Ile-Ife, Osun State hinted that the party had reached out to many of its aggrieved members, especially, those who have defected to other political parties.

He noted that the party’s reconciliation committee, recently set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, would meet with all the former members of the party in the APC and other political parties before the next general elections to ensure that the PDP won the elections in all parts of the country.

This, he said, would enhance the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the February presidential polls and also brighten the chances of the PDP in other elections.

He expressed optimism that those who have left the PDP for personal and political reasons would soon return to the party, going by the reconciliation efforts of the leadership of the party.

He specifically stated that the crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the party had been resolved, adding that there were no more factions as both factions have agreed to work together.

Oladipo who condemned the antecedents of the APC presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, urged Nigerians to support President Jonathan in his second term ambition, saying that Jonathan meant well for the nation.

He stated that “General Buhari is too old to rule Nigeria. He cannot be compared with President Jonathan. He is too strict and harsh for Nigerians, while Jona-

Jonathan

Jonathan, meek, dedicated to govern Nigeria- PDP “I will advise Nigerian youths to tell the world through their votes that the young ones can perform better”

than is meek, humble and dedicated to the cause of democracy and good governance.”

“The 72-year old man who retired from the Nigerian Army has nothing to offer this nation.

His age will not even allow him to give Nigerians what they deserve.

I am sure that no youth in Nigeria

‘PDP is doomed to lose in Oyo’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Teslim Folarin

aspirants said.

They included a former minister, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Professor Soji Adejumo, Engineer Femi Babalola, Dr. Babalola Owolabi, a former deputy governor in the state, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarunmi and Dr. Azeez Adeduntan.

According to them, the national leadership of the party, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Wadata Plaza,

Abuja directed that Senator David Mark convene further meetings to resolve all pending issues within the party in the state.

“To our utmost surprise, and despite the several meetings at the instance of Senator David Mark, a deliberate kangaroo primary was conducted subverting all laid down procedures of the PDP as contained in the party electoral guidelines. It is instructive to

note that this concocted primary took place barely 48 hours after the meeting with Senator David Mark was put in abeyance.

“The purported Oyo primary of 8 December, 2014 was, therefore, not only procedurally wrong but illegal”. They alleged that the kangaroo primary, conducted without stipulated delegates, came up with an aspirant with very limited mass appeal in the

will vote for Buhari. I will advise Nigerian youths to tell the world through their votes that the young ones can perform better,” he said.

He cautioned Nigerians against violence in the next general elections, stressing the need for peace to reign in all parts of the country before, during and after the polls.

person of Senator Teslim Folarin.

They claimed that as at today, majority of PDP members in Oyo State believe that Senator David Mark was the architect of the emergence of an unpopular aspirant as the PDP flag bearer in Oyo State.

The consequence of the said primary they said, has been the mass defection of several aspirants and followers at all levels into opposing parties, culminating in disenfranchised party delegates challenging the process and outcome of the purported primary in court.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Inside Niger Delta Urhobo’s Uvwiamuge declaration

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Isokos’ bargain for deputy failed through Obuh

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How Ijaw’s bargain for deputy in Okowa’s camp scaled through

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State house, Delta state.

Delta 2015

The tango over positions intensifies Political scheming over who gets what in the next dispensation has become intense in oil-rich Delta State, reports JOE OGBODU. One thing is clear as the next election date draws near: all the ethnic nationalities in Delta State are scheming for one position or the other. So, it is now a game of interest.

While in other parts of Nigeria the electorate is expected to vote on the basis of party ideology and suitability of the candidate for the position of chief executive officer, most ethnic groups in the state are preparing to vote based on what they get in the next dispensation.

Political geography divides Delta State into three senatorial

districts, namely: the Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South Senatorial. All, except Delta Southern senatorial districts, are scheming to produce the next governor of the state.

The ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) gave its ticket to the Delta North after Senator Ifeanyi Okowa emerged winner of a keenly contested primaries. The Northern senatorial district, going by the original calculations, is the only zone yet to produce a governor in the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) gave its ticket to Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who is from the Delta Central District while the Labour Party (LP) gave its ticket to Chief Great Ogboru who also

is from the Delta Central District.

All the governorship candidates are expected to pick their deputies from Delta South to balance the political equation and their chances of winning in the main election but Emerhor may likely take his deputy from the Northern senatorial district since the PDP candidate, Okowa is from the North and has picked a deputy from the South.

The desire of the Isoko ethnic nationality to produce the deputy governorship candidate on the platform of the PDP was dashed with Kingsley Otuaro, an Ijaw cousin of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) who now wields strong influence in the political arena in the state, emerged as Okowa’s deputy.

Political analysts say the emergence of Otuaro has unsettled the political calculation in the state as it relates to the Delta South Senatorial District. The district is made up of three main ethnic groups: Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko.

The Isokos were expected to produce the deputy governorship candidate, while an Itsekiri man would head to the Senate.

Senator James Manager, also an Ijaw man, retained his seat and scuttled the Itsekiri’s chance of producing the senator representing the Delta Southerners. The hope of the Itsekiri to have the senate ticket on the PDP platform was dashed when incumbent Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan quit the contest in the last minute.

An Itsekiri, Prince Yemi Emiko

“The Isoko political class goofed during the last PDP primaries when they backed a wrong horse”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Inside Niger Delta 22 Urhobo’s Uvwiamuge declaration

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Who gets what in next

Urhobo mask The Urhobos are bargaining for the governorship seat and their apex social/cultural body, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has been at the forefront of the agitation after its now acclaimed “Uvwiamuge Declaration” which states that the Urhobo people would only rally round any political party that fields an Urhobo man as its governorship candidate.

From 1999 to 2003, an Urhobo man in the person of jailed former governor, Chief James Ibori was in the helm of affairs in the state and made a Delta Northerner, Sir Benjamin Elue his deputy. When in 2003, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri from the Delta Southern district took over the mantle, another Urhobo man, Prof Amos Agba Utuama was made the deputy in a bid to balance the political equation.

Other positions were zoned accordingly. Currently, Ogboru and Emerhor are causing so much bickering in the Delta Central Senatorial District of the state over who should be adopted as the consensus candidate of the Urhobo ethnic nationality against Okowa of the PDP.

Alexander CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

of the APC is in the race. Don’t be in doubt if some PDP elements join forces with Emiko to pull a surprise in the general election in favour of Itsekiri man.

As it is now, and with the emergence of Otuaro, an Ijaw, as deputy governorship candidate, the Isoko and Itsekiri of the Delta South Senatorial District will have no outstanding electable position from 2015 should the PDP sweep the polls.

IDU on rescue mission Sensing that the Isoko would be further endangered in the next dispensation if they continued to fold their arms and watch the political class dictate the pace of the polity, the leadership of the IDU and other prominent leaders in the ethnic nationality began a rescue mission. Watchers of political events say the Isoko elders believe the ‘political class’ were their problem and they were no longer prepared to further mortgage the future of the land on the altar of self-imposing politics being played by the political class.

It is no news that the Isoko political class comprises those representing the area in government like the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Comrade Ovouzoria Macaulay; Delta state PDP Scribe, Solomon Ogba; House of Representatives Deputy Majority

Ogboru Leader, Hon Leo Okuweh Ogor, Hon Johnson Erijo and a host of others who hold elective and appointive positions from the Isoko nation goofed during the last PDP primaries when they backed a wrong horse and couldn’t use their voting strengths to bargain like others.

So, when the Isoko ethnic nationality gathered at the weekend in a ceremony that was christened; luncheon for the Executive of the Isoko Development Union (IDU), held at the residence of the President General of Isoko apex socio/cultural organization, the Isoko Development Union (IDU) Worldwide, General Paul Ufuoma Omu (rtd), after much horse trading and bickering over the deputy governorship position lost to Ijaw, no doubt everyone now knows that the Isoko people would not rest until they get a meaningful political position.

Understandably, they were the least marginalized people in the Delta Southern senatorial district but with their voting strengths they still have the bargain power and can scuttle the chances of the ruling PDP if they decide to move to the opposition party to actualize their desire of producing the next deputy governor. Not knowing the kind of game their kinsmen who hold elective positions had played prior to the PDP primaries, the Isoko leadership under IDU, had threaten to dump the

“We have different languages, cultural values but we are one people, ... whatever has happened in the past was because of exigency of politics” party like the UPU if the deputy governorship position is not left for them.

It was learnt that the Labour Party of Ogboru and the APC’s Emerhor had latched on this development and sensing the Isoko as the beautiful bride, hawked the deputy governorship position to them but two or three of the Isoko personalities including High Chief Iduh Amadhe, a well-known son of Isoko land and former IDU President General rejected the offer, preferring to remain with the PDP and realising the Isoko dream in the party.

No wonder, at the Igbide event at the weekend, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos

Utuama, an Urhobo who graced the occasion to honour his agelong friend, Omu who had within a short period built a formidable IDU, practically begged the Isoko people never to leave the PDP saying the Isokos were among the people who built the party and should not be seen as dumping it for failing to clinch one position when there are other good positions they could get from the next dispensation.

The event which was originally planned to reappraise the IDU leadership and forge a common front for 2015, was however stolen when the PDP Governorship candidate arrived at the arena with his enlarge entourage few hours after the state Deputy Governor, Prof Utuama had departed the ceremony.

Although nearly all in the political class in Isoko were conspicuously absent at the event even though they were invited, sources said the event which is unprecedented in the history of IDU attracted prominent Isoko sons and daughters, as well as notable Deltans.

Dignitaries at the event included the PDP flag bearer, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Information Minister, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, onetime governorship aspirant, Chief Ufuoma Obule, Chief Moses Odibo, PDP ChairCONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

23 Inside Niger Delta

dispensation?

Isokos’ bargain for deputy failed through Obuh

Isoko mask Ibori

Arthur-Okowa

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Mike Okenini, for making reference to the need to build bridges with the Urhobo nation as they are brothers of the Isoko people.

Okowa said the UPU advice was timely and needed by all Deltans.

“We have different languages, cultural values but we are one people. The partnership the UPU advice is what we would build upon and we would represent each other’s interests...whatever has happened in the past was because of exigency of politics”.

While giving his goodwill message, Okenini said that the UPU President-General, Chief Joe Omene was happy with the Isoko leadership, adding that being brothers to the Urhobo, the Isoko should continue to build bridges of unity with the Urhobo nation apparently referring to the need for the Isoko nation to support the Urhobo aspiration of producing the next governor either through Ogboru or Emerhor.

Okowa’s Campaign Director General, Prof Oyovbaire earlier thanked the Isoko nation for standing by Okowa during the primaries, saying that the candidate is a man who means well for all Delta people.

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Alexandra Ogomudia, an Isoko, spoke on the need for the leaders of the nationality to create a better future for the next generation. “We need to create a better future for our

man Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Tom Amioku, former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Moro Reginald Donbraye, member of the Public Complaints Commission, Hon Mathias Eto, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Alexandra Ogomudia (rtd), former PDP state chairman, Elder Emma Ogidi, pioneer Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Okoro, Hon Victor Nwokolo, Hon Sam Obi, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Chief Askia Ogieh, Barr Mike Edegware, Chief Joshua Uturu, Chief Charles Akeni, Chief Dennis Etaluku, General Amarie, Chief Judith Anamutor, the Ovie of Igbide, Odiologbo of Owhe, Ovie of Ellu among others.

Okowa, who said he came merely to wish the IDU President General, Gen Omu and his wife Senator Stella Omu, happy newyear, was astonished with the large attendance which turned out to be the gathering of the Isoko nation.

“I am glad I met the whole of Isoko nation in Omu’s place. I am a lucky man because I have people advising me in the right path to follow. I know the IDU President is no longer a politician but his wife is a politician so I would pass my messages through his wife,” he said.

Okowa assured the Isoko of a better deal in the next dispen-

“Dialogue remains the key to every political problem so we are still in dialogue but we now know why Ijaws got the PDP deputy governorship ticket”

sation if he is voted into office, pledging that his administration would partner with Isoko nation for the betterment of the state and the ethnic nation.

“From May 29th, there would be a great partnership between IDU and government of Delta State.

I can assure you that my father, General Omu doesn’t have to come to Asaba, if he puts a call across to me, I will come and meet him here.

I will partner IDU and government of Delta state come May 29th, and we will build bridges across ethnic groups…” he pledged He thanked the Public Relations Officer and representative of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at the occasion, Chief

children. We must be careful in doing that so that we don’t lose everything… the IDU leadership must ensure that the accreditation at Oleh Engineer Faculty is done…We don’t have excuses for the university to close down.”

Ogomudia was corroborated

by Chief Dennis Etaluku, another frontline politician and PDP chieftain in the area who appealed to the Isoko nation to give Okowa their support. “The leadership of Isoko was drifting at a time so we rallied round to ensure the boat did not sink... we rallied round and convinced Omu to take up the job... the Isoko have got a grounded focus now. Omu is a member of the IDU party now... there was fuss about this or that but only one man takes up a position at the time...

“We have got a good man in Okowa and we should rally round him...Isoko people will not be the same by the time Okowa leaves office.

“We (Isoko) have extracted enough promises from Okowa to make the Isoko nation great”, Etaluku said, adding: “Let’s not allow others wrest Okowa from us….Omu is not a politician now but we are begging him to take Isoko people on the winning boat....and we shall all berth successfully at the Government House in May 29th.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Like a game of gambling, when other ethnic nations were bargaining and negotiating votes-for- positions to herald the concluded primaries of the political parties, the Isoko elements rooted for Tony Obuh, a neophyte in Delta politics and one of the PDP aspirants who was taunted around as anointed by Uduaghan but was dumped for Olorogun David Edevbie at the last minute following game of interest by the Urhobos. With their permutation, Obuh would have picked his deputy from Isoko and Macaulay had position himself for the job. Ogba also schemed for the position believing that his closeness to former governor, Chief James Ibori who they believe was also behind Obuh alongside Uduaghan could do the magic.

Again, Deputy Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon Johnson Erijo who is flying the PDP flag bear in Isoko South Constituency II also wanted the Speakership with Obuh on the saddle.

Erijo’s permutation was that once Obuh is in, he would be made Speaker even when Isoko people were at the same time questing for Deputy Governorship position. So, the Isoko’s political class had put all their eggs in one basket and when the Obuh game failed, all of them fell like a pack of cards. They were thoroughly drenched and are still in shock.

Inside Niger Delta 24

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

How Ijaw’s bargain for deputy in Okowa’s camp scaled through

Ijaw mask Daily Times learnt that Ijaw people bargained for the deputy governorship position through their vote and financial support for the Okowa candidacy of the PDP when they rallied round their new ‘political strong man’, Tompolo who dictated the direction his people should follow and was said to have swayed the votes for Okowa during the primaries. Both Tompolo and James Manager were said to have used the old Ibori structures built in Warri South, Warri South West and Warri North to deliver Okowa who again had built a virile grassroots support over the years.

Like the Isokos of the Delta South, the Ijaw has not produce either a governor or deputy but has had office of Speaker of the State House of Assembly in person of Rt. Hon Frank Enekorogha, deputy Speaker in the person of Hon Solomon Funkekeme as well as incumbent deputy Speaker in the person of Hon Basil Ganagana. Ganagaga who has set a record as longest serving member of the House, having been first elected in 1999.

He is the only legislator who has held the two leading positions of Speaker (Acting) and Deputy Speaker from the first session of the Delta State House of Assembly, to date. In 2011, political watchers had earlier anticipated that the deputy Speakership position would go to the Isokos of Delta South District but again Ganagana was re-elected while the Isokos only had it in person of Rt. Hon Young-Daniel Igbrude of blessed memories who was elected Speaker on June 2003, but was impeached before he could complete his tenure in May 2006.

Uduaghan

We are still negotiating a better deal for Isoko nation -Omu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Omu, who rose from a closeddoor meeting with Okowa later told newsmen after the luncheon that it was now understood why the Isoko lost out on the agitation for the Delta State PDP Deputy Governorship candidate seat.

While declining to give details of the meeting held with Okowa, Omu merely assured that Isoko would get better deals in the next dispensation.

But what are the dreams and aspirations of the Isoko nation toward the next dispensation, he was asked? In his reply, he said: “First and foremost, everybody knows that the Isoko have been marginalized for years because we have not been given our own share of the national cake. This has been on for a very long time now. We just hope that the new administration will give the Isoko a better deal. What has happened has dismantled the old era

and the new era will better our lot…”

He said that the ceremony was originally planned to host his executive members only but was expanded after his wife who co-organized it had to ensure that his friends, and colleagues in other ethnic nationalities in the state were included in the plan.

He said: “ The deputy governorship’s agitation was in the mind of everybody but all political issues must be subjected to dialogue and dialogue remains the key to every political problem so we are still in dialogue but we now know why Ijaws got the PDP deputy governorship ticket…”

Omu said that the Isoko could get something better than the deputy governorship position it was questing for, adding that the Isokos’ earlier stance that any political party that did not field an Isoko as deputy would lose the ethnic nation’s support and vote was based on the ground that

her people were so marginalized but since the ethnic group now knows why it lost that of the PDP to an Ijaw, a more solid bargain is currently on for the Isoko nation.

When reminded that political analysts had argued that Isoko people didn’t vote for Okowa during the primaries as such couldn’t have got the deputy ticket which the Ijaw bargained for prior to the primaries of the PDP, Omu said it was not true.

“Your source is not correct and at the time we made our press statement, our source was not also correct, but now we have our facts and it is not true the Isokos didn’t vote for him. They voted for him but the people regarded in politics as representing the opinion of Isoko people didn’t fully represent the opinion of Isoko people and they were the people who gave Okowa the wrong impression that Isokos were not behind him but on the day of the primaries it became obvious that

Isokos were behind Okowa and those who were fighting Okowa, giving the wrong signals, are those who are now sidelined and not the Isoko nation, though we are still endangered, we would negotiate a better deal for the Isoko nation and we are still open to negotiations”.

When asked what he would do to convince the Isoko nation to vote for Okowa now that it was settled that the candidate means well for the Isoko nation, Omu said his people do not need further convincing.

“The facts are clear. The Isoko do not need convincing. They are discerning. Okowa is a friend of all. He respects elders and blends well with people. In all the years before now, he has been doing his homework and one does not need gospel in a pulpit to convince Isoko people”, Omu said and therefore tasked the his people to vote wisely and for a candidate that can truly win.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Education

HAFP

s

The polytechnic is a technical school needs 70% technical manpower that; it will go a long way to develop their curriculum. Polytechnic education will take Nigeria to its technological heights.

Better polytechnics will boost technology ÏÏÏHow Senator Onyeka Okoroafor is the chairman, Governing Council, Hussein Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa State. He spoke with JOSEPH ALI

25

is your profession related to your present position as the chairman, Governing Council, Hussein Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Jigawa State?

The polytechnic is a technical school and as an engineer, I am a technical man which means my expertise is highly needed.

Polytechnics needs 70% technical manpower that will go a long way to develop their curriculum.With my engineering background, be sure that Hussein Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure will excel.

Having held this position for years, what do you think

are the challenges facing polytechnic education?

Polytechnics are where researches are carried out. In Nigeria, the challenge is that first, research is being neglected.

Second, funding is not there to encourage those that want to go into research. Third, corruption is eating deep into our education system. If these three things are tackled by government, polytechnic education will soar high.

Do you think the falling prices of crude oil will affect funding of education in Nigeria?

Nigeria is an agriculturally based economy despite the crude oil. So, Nigerians should go back

to agriculture if government wants the economy to thrive.

As to affecting education, it will, since it’s the source of our revenue, but the government should start diversifying the economy in order to sustain key and critical areas of the economy --- like education.

Even before the fall in oil price, was funding of educational establishments better?

No, it wasn’t. Corruption was taking a large portion of education funds. But with check on corruption the little that is given to education will make meaning.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Group seeks release of MOCPED result ÏÏÏEducation

Rights Campaign, a group of stakeholders, on Tuesday called for release of results and certificates of some former students affiliated to Ekiti State University (EKSU) by Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija, Epe. Mr Hassan Taiwo Soweto, the National Coordinator of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Fayose

Education 26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

New laws for LASPOTECH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

The Hussein Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, is a new institution, what is the Governing Council doing to sell the school to the public?

First, we have introduced 13 new courses this session and we are about to introduce more. Second, our fee is one of the cheapest in Nigeria, about N20,000. Third, the polytechnic has all the modern equipment and facilities needed for the 21st Century training of graduates of a polytechnic to be able to stand out anywhere in the world.

When I was made chairman of the Council of Idah Polytechnic, the population of students was about 4,000 but while I was leaving, it had grown to 10,000 and now they are about 17,000.

So, I will replicate what I did there in order to place Hussein Adamu Federal Polytechnic in its pride of place in the county’s polytechnic education system.

Some are calling for the scrapping of polytechnics or upgrading them, what is your view?

People calling for the scrapping of polytechnics are not aware of the role of the institution as the bedrock of industrialisation of any nation. For example, China or Russia operates the polytechnic system and we can see how technically developed they are. So, if we can see such example, why scrap ours? But if they are saying some should be upgraded, okay, those ones that have the manpower and all it takes to compete with the university should be upgraded.

Group seeks release of MOCPED result CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

group, made the call in a statement in Lagos.

The group recommended adequate punishment for anyone, no matter how highly placed, whose actions or inactions were responsible for the delay in the release of the results.

The statement called for an independent committee to probe the administration of the Provost, Prof. Olu Akeusola. ``An education institution is meant to mould lives, but this is not the case with MOCPED. ``Rather than mould lives, the college seems hell-bent on destroying the future of youths unfortunate enough to gain ad-

First, we have introduced 13 new courses this session and we are about to introduce more. Second, our fee is one of the cheapest in Nigeria, about N20,000. Third, the polytechnic has all the modern equipment and facilities

ÏÏÏThe

Okoroafor

Even before the fall in oil price, was funding of educational establishments better? No, it wasn’t.

Corruption was taking a large portion of education funds.

Polytechnic education will take Nigeria to its technological heights.

almajiri education that has been improved in the northern part of Nigeria, just to mention a few.

State. The people are agitated and need a person that will take them to the Promise Land.

What is your assessment of the present administration on Education?

The present administration has done wonderfully well not only in education but in all sectors of the economy.

The government has set up 10 more universities all over the nation. This shows the commitment of the present administration to tackling the problem of education, like the

As a front line Politician in Abiriba, which camp are you aligning yourself vis a vis the 2015 election?

Aligning myself with the path of truth.

Are you saying that zoning is of no consequence in Abia PDP? Zoning is undemocratic.

Every zone has people that can govern a state; so why Zoning?

Zoning kills the sportsmanship in politics. It makes politicians lazy. Zoning is for lazy politicians. A good political man that loves democracy will kick against zoning.

mission into its EKSU-affiliated degree programme. ``We charge the public to join us in calling on Prof. Akeusola to order the college to release the results and certificates of its degree students. ``The college is running a degree programme affiliated with the Ekiti State University (EKSU), but no student under the programme, has been issued results or certificates since the programme started about eight years ago. ``As a result, many lives have been shattered and dreams crushed with unemployment rising in the country, those without certificates have no hope of getting gainful employment,” it lamented.

It called for adequate funding of the college and good running of the institution with the involvement of elected representatives of staff and students in all decision-making organs of the college.

Which one is the path of truth?

The path that will bring development to Abia State.

Check how Aba is, the city that is the industrial hub of Abia

Lagos State polytechnic now has a new Enabling Law. The law makes for the appointment of two deputy rectors-one for Academics and another for Administration.

The new law also provides for the election of two representatives from the congress into the Governing Council and the expansion of the Governing Council to include alumni representatives, as well as representatives from the three geo-political zones of Lagos State, five in number. Also included in the new law are the new retirement age for academic staff and non-academic staff which according to the new law Academic staff will retire at 65 years while non- academic staff will retire at 35 years of service.

The New Enabling law also adjusted the tenure of office of all the Principal Officers of the Polytechnic, except the Deputy Rector, to a single term of five (5) years. The new law impeaches the power of Governing Council to make law for the Polytechnic; it can now only approve regulations for use in the Polytechnic, in consultation with the Academic Board.

Sokoto SUBEB donates motorcycle to head teacher ÏÏÏThe

Wammakko

Sokoto State Universal Education Board, on Tuesday donated a motorcycle to a headmaster, Muhammad Altine, who obtained a personal bank loan to purchase learning materials for pupils of Gidan-Bunga primary school.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Altine had obtained N106, 000 bank loan which he used to purchase the materials for the school located in Shagari local government area.

The Chairman of the board, Prof Musa Maitafsir, handed over the motorcycle to the elated headmaster at a brief ceremony in Sokoto.

``The token is to show appreciation to the efforts and magnanimity of the headmaster. ``He is number one among many, and his gesture is worthy of emulation by all his colleagues and all of us,’’ Maitafsir said.

He urged the people of the state to emulate the patriotic effort of the headmaster by contributing positvely to the development of the state.

According to him, the era when communities will solely depend on government to provide all their needs is over.

Responding, Altine commended the board for the donation and pledged to continue supporting the proper education of pupils under his care.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 7, 2015

Our heritage Ben Okri wins Bad Sex in Fiction Award Okri

s Nigerian born British writer and Man Booker Prize winner, Ben Okri has been named the winner of the Bad Sex in Fiction Award (2014) for the worst, according to the jury, description of a sexual act in his novel, The Age of Magic.

The award, first introduced in 1993, highlights “crude, badly

written or perfunctory use of sexual description” in modern books.

A release from the organisers provides the extracts, which secured the novel’s first prize.

“When his hand brushed her nipple, it tripped a switch and she came alight. He touched her belly and his hand seemed to burn through her. He lavished

on her body indirect touches and bitter-sweet sensations flooded her brain. She became aware of places in her that could only have been concealed there by a god with a sense of humour”.

In his reaction, Okri, who was unable to collect the prize himself, stated “A writer writes what they write and that’s all there is to it.”

Scene from some the carnival participants with their customs

Calabar’s Christmas of colour, pomp Agozino Agozino Dubbed Africa’s biggest street party, the 2014 edition of the Calabar carnival held people spellbound with its thrilling music and dance.

Coming with the usual festival tree lighting ceremony in November, the 32-day jamboree reached a climax on December 26 and 27 as five bands competed for supremacy, each with thousands of costumed revelers with their kings and queens decked in resplendent attires. The carnival, which was in its 10th year, had grown in leaps and bounds, attracting millions of tourists and fun seekers from across the globe annually.

The carnival held in Obudu, a tourist centre of international standard, that keeps attracting international and local tourists.

This was followed by a festival

displaying the rich culture of the people from all the municipalities of the local Cross River State.

Now an integral part of the Christmas season and boosted by visiting international artistes, participants get to savour the life and culture of the Efik people of South-South Nigeria to the effect that Christmas in Calabar is exquisite and incomparable. The just ended edition was no different. Parading beautiful dancers dressed in their hot bikinis, sequins and feathers.

They were the sexy showstoppers of the Africa’s biggest street party. Swaying to beats of pop music, the revelers displayed spectacular costumes from all of the five carnival groups, complete with everything they have got to show to the world.

In 2004, the State government decided to maximise the Efik

27

welcoming charm to its advantage by developing its tourism sector into a world class centre with beautiful beaches, historical sites, stunning flora, waterfalls, lakes and numerous festivals throughout the year, Cross River certainly, has a lot to offer the first-time visitor.

Beyond the natural tourism assets such as Awa Falls, Afi Mountains, Canopy Walkways, Ikom Monolith, Drill Monkey Sanctuary and the State’s natural parks, there are several manmade attractions, including Tinapa business and leisure resort, the Obudu Mountain resort and an annual marathon race.

Visibly elated, Governor Liyel Imoke and his wife, Obioma, dressed in ancient Egyptian costumes, led other dignitaries to the Millennium Park take-off point of the carnival.

Ladies from Cross Rivers State at the carnival

Our heritage 28 E-mail Please do not hesitate to send us your feed back: agozinoagozino@yahoo.com

Goethe-Institut hosts photo workshop The Nlele Institute will, from Monday, January 12 to 16 hold a workshop on the framework of the 10th anniversary of the Bamako Biennale. The Bamako Encounters is making a comeback to the African photography scene after a short break due to the conflict in Mali. The theme of the workshop is Time Factor, a Factor of Time. Time: 10.00 to 2.00pm daily. Venue: Goethe-Institut, 30 Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island.

Oyelowo, N’yongo star in Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah British actor of Nigerian descent, David Oyelowo has been selected to star alongside Lupita N’yongo in the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel Americanah.

Although, his role in the movie is still unknown, Oyelowo is making waves and getting Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Martin Luther King in Selma. The story is centered on young Nigerian immigrants, who face a lifetime of struggle while their relationship endures. There is no production date set as they are still searching for a writer and a director.

Norrd Phenomenon opens in Terra Kulture A one-week art exhibition entitled Norrd Phenomenon is on-going at Terra Kulture , Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibitor is Nissi Ogulu, a 20year old second year student of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Warwick, UK. The over 20 special pieces are that of an artist who one would consider, an old soul.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 7, 2015

In Osun, Adeniran puts Iresi on global stage ...Institutes Oyeladeniran Heroes, Ambassadors Agozino Agozino It was a festive season for the people of Iresi in Boluwaduro local government area of Osun State, when the initiator of the Iresi socio-cultural festival, Ogbeni Debo Adeniran and the organisers of the annual festival hosted its fourth edition.

The initiator also said that champions of an event he would soon institute, would be referred to as the Oyeladeniran Heroes while other participants would be known as Oyeladeniran Ambassadors.

Adeniran, speaking on the motive of the festival, said he was irked by the persistent relegation of the rich Yoruba cultural heritage, which had paled into insignificance, so he took the bull by the horns to redress the situation and initiated the festival, which also serves as an avenue to imortalise his late parents, Pa Adeniran and Madam Victoria Oyeladun.

While speaking on behalf of the organisers, Adeniran said the festival was to also teach the youths about moral uprightness, shun corruption and turn them into good ambassadors of the town. The festival also serves as a platform to showcase the cultural heritage of the community. To him, culture is a way of life, the way one eats, dress-

Year 2011: es, works and dies and should, therefore, not be relegated to the background.

Oba Sikiru Adeseun Ibiloye, Oluresi of Iresiland expressed gratitude to the organisers for sustaining the annual event.

“We thank God and the organis-

The Oyeladeniran Foundation for Community Development was founded in 2011. ers for hosting this event every year. It has helped to change and empower our youths”.

The three-day event was kicked-off with a street carnival, to create awareness for the festival. The carnival, which comprised of officials of the

Oyeladeniran Foundation and residents of Iresi town, took off from Oke-Isedo and proceeded through Oke-Ode, Boluwaduro, Ayegbaju area, Ogbon-Oyo by Ile- Ajere to Isoke, through IleOgan to Palace ground and to Ile Olowoye.

Chris Ofili returns, renewed in New York Gallery Recently, America’s frontline gallery, the New Museum Gallery in New York opened a show featuring the latest works of Nigerian-born British artist, Chris Ofili.

Entitled Night and Day, the exhibition was a showcase of works spanning the artist’s career from paintings to drawings. Throughout Ofili’s career, he had worked with a variety of styles, all of which were on display. Prominent among his works is his controversial The Holy Virgin Mary (1996) which attracted a lawsuit in 1999, and No woman, No cry (1998) a

portrait of Doreen Lawrence, a mother whose black son, Stephen Lawrence was sacrificed on the altar of racism in London. Others include: Afro Green (2005), Ovid-Actaen (2011/12) and more recently, Blue Devils (2014).

His works draw inspiration from sources including classical writer, William Blake, Catholicism, Rap, Racism and Greek mythology, among others. From reviews, it seems that despite the furore generated by the 1999 painting which depicted a blackcomplexioned Virgin Mary surrounded by images from pornographic magazines and el-

The Holy Virgin Mary by Offili

ephant dung formed into shapes reminiscent of the cherubim and seraphim that drew the ire of some Christians, Ofili is still very much into controversial masterpieces.

Though now resident in Trinidad and Tobago, following the tension he faced in U.K. and U.S.A, the painter, whom influential America’s art critic, Bernard Goldberg, once ranked among the 100 people who are screwing up America, had only changed medium from elephant dungs to fresh paints but had opted for lesser contentious themes and concepts.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

9ice’s state of health allegedly deteriorates

Isaac Oguntoye For some time now, fans of Alapomeji record label owner, 9ice, have been worried about his present state of health.

According to those who have sighted him recently,

29 Society

complaints have filed in that he doesn’t look his usual self any more.

This has got tongues wagging, saying this may be due to his loss at the just concluded Ogbomosho primary elections.

Eye witness account says

Patoranking: What’s up with the grinding these days?

Opeoluwani Akintayo From Nigeria to South Africa, D’banj is going all the way!

Just when we thought Kokomaster, D’banj was going to work out something with Genevieve Nnaji, the duo simply moved apart from each other.

Next we heard was that he was back with his one time lover, Adana and that she even attended his mother’s birthday gig last year. So, we’d concluded they’d finally walk down the aisle maybe this year? Yet, that wish also didn’t live to see the light of the day.

And now, words are making the rounds that D’banj has moved on from Nigeria unto the international front.

He’s now rumoured to be dating South African TV and radio personality, Bonang Matheba.

Rumours first start swirling after choreographer Somizi Mhlongo posted a picture of Matheba cosying up to Nigerian musician D’Banj on the back seat of a luxurious black Bentley on New Year’s Eve. In the picture, the 27-year-old Bonang was seen locking eyes with the Oliver Twist singer .

Minutes after posting the picture, Mhlongo deleted it but it was too late as speculations already gained ground.

Reacting to the gist, a Twitter user, @Yaya_wxlf wrote: “But Bonang and Dbanj actually look good together.”

Another twitter user, @Se-

9ice is now shrinking- something which has got fans and family worried beyond the ordinary.

9ice, we heard, doesn’t allow photo journalists take his picture at events instead, he always covers his face against their lens.

Opeoluwani Akintayo

REVEALED

D’banj on the match again!

D’banj’s new girlfriend’s face! maki also wrote: “I had to buy data, reset my password and log in on insta. Yup, Bonang is dating D’Banj. She looks so happy.”

According to findings, Bonang and pals, Mhlongo and make-up artist, Nthato Mashishi were said to have been on holiday since December 30 and have been living it up as guests in D’Banj’s house.

Bonang also confirmed ur

guess after posting a black-andwhite picture of herself and D’Banj gazing at each other .

However, Bonang maintains she is “single” likewise her publicist, Zoe Msutwana also said: “Bonang is single; she and D’Banj are just close friends.”

But we doubt this claim as Bonang herself hinted on her Twitter wall that she and her

We are yet to come to terms with Patoranking’s new dancing style these days.

All we can tell is that paparazzi’s camera lenses have caught him like twice now, grinding against two female celebrity artistes during their perfomances on stage.

First, it was with Tiwa Savage during their rendition of ‘Girlie O’ remix at the Channel O Music Video Awards in South Africa in December 2014 .

Next on the line was sexy Seyi Shay as they performed hit song, ‘Murda’ at the Lagos Countdown gig on Jan. 1st.

Patoranking stormed the stage dressed like a secondary school student to perform hit songs like Alubarika, Girlie O, Emergency, amongst others.

friends were on their way to Lagos, Nigeria to have fun and that she’s starting 2015 with love.

“My friends and I are going to Lagos for one hellava weeekkkeeeeendd! Popping bottles from Jozi to Lagos...good bye 2014!!!My 2015 starting with LOVE!!!,” she tweeted.

However, D’banj has remained silent over the matter.

Patoranking and Tiwa Savage

Quincy Ayodele

Quincy Ayodele, others bid Iyalode Adunni farewell

Isaac Oguntoye This is not a good time for Ogun State’s SDP guber candidate, Demeji Bankole as the notable politician just lost his stepmother, Iyalode Adunni Bankole to the cold hands of death.

Iyalode Adunni Bankole who was one of Nigeria’s

high society ladies and a friend of the media, we learnt, was ill for days before the sad incident took place.

In fact, we were told she was in coma for 5 days before she finally gave up the ghost on January 3, 2015.

The colourful Lagos-based socialite, died early Saturday morning on her daughter, Mopelola’s wedding day.

Other socialites such as Quincy Ayodele, Hajia Aisha Guobadia and others who are close friends of the deceased have been crying their eyes out as they wish her a smooth journey to the great beyond.

And as you read this, many of them already used her photos as their profile display pictures just to show how much they will miss her.

Television 30

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

MTV Base Street Quest features casts of ‘Shuga Season 4’

FOX 125 00:15 - CASTLE 01:00 - GREY’S ANATOMY 01:45 - MEET THE RUSSIANS 02:30 - CASTLE 03:35 - COPS 04:00 - MEET THE RUSSIANS 05:20 - THE LISTENER 06:25 - SMASH CUTS 06:50 - MONDAY MORNINGS 07:35 - GREY’S ANATOMY 08:20 - BONES 09:25 - COPS 09:50 - THE LISTENER 10:35 - CASTLE 11:40 - THE SIMPSONS 12:05 - MONDAY MORNINGS 12:50 - GREY ANATOMY 13:40 - BONES 14:30 - COPS 14:55 - CASTLE 16:15 - SMASH CUTS 16:37- SMASH CUTS 17:05 - THE LISTENER 17:50 - THE SIMPSONS 18:40 - GREY’S ANATOMY 19:30 - THE WALKING DEAD 20:20 - THE WALKING DEAD 21:10 - THE SIMPSONS 21:35 - THE SIMPSONS 22:00 - GREY’S ANATOMY 22:45 - THE WALKING DEAD 23:30 - THE WALKING DEAD

MTV 130 00:15 - SCRUBBING IN 00:55 - ALL NIGHT SESSION 05:05 - HAPPY HUMP DAY 08:20 - PRANKED 09:05 - PUNK’D 09:30 - THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON 10:15 - SLEEPING WITH THE FAMILY 11:05 - TEEN MOM 2 12:10 - AWKWARD 12:35 - PUNK’D 13:00 - PUNK’D 13:25 - RIDICULOUSNESS 13:50 - RIDICULOUSNESS 14:35 - TEEN CRIBS 15:45 - PIMP MY RIDE 16:10 - AWKWARD 16:35 - AWKWARD 17:25 - RIDICULOUSNESS 17:50 - THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON 18:40 - JERSEY SHORE 19:30 - VIRGIN TERRITORY 20:15 - FINDING CARTER 21:05 - GEORDIE SHORE 21:55 - THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON 22:45 - GEORDIE SHORE 23:30 - ARE YOU THE ON

Fans of the Shuga series should get ready for the fun of their lives as popular television music channel, MTV Base Street Request will this week give them a sneak peak into the unveiling of popular TV series, Shuga Season 4.

AIT

00:00 - AIT MIDNIGHT NEWS 00:30 - MOVIE 02:00 - ALLISON’S STAND 02:30 - THIS LIFE 03:00 - FOCUS NIGERIA 04:00 - WHAT LIFE TOOK FROM ME 05:00 - OREMU 06:00 - KAAKAKI 09:00 - UNCOMMON TRANSFORMATION 09:30 - TRUE NIGERIAN 10:00 - FOCUS NIGERIA 11:00 - THE MONEY SHOW 12:00 - AIT REPORTS 13:00 - SPORTS EXTRA 13:30 - THIS LIFE 14:00 - GLOBAL BUSINESS

15:00 - MATTERS ARISING 15:30 - BUSINESS/ INITIATIVE AFRICA 16:00 - WORLD NEWS 16:30 - THE EAGLE 17:00 - CARTOON 17:30 - S.U.R.E.-P TV 18:00 - SPORTS TODAY 18:30 - SHAKATAWA 19:00 - SO WRONG SO WRIGHT 19:30 - NECTER 20:00 - AIT NEWS HOUR 21:00 - DESPERATION 21:30 - MTV BASE 22:00 - WHAT LIFE TOOK FROM ME 23:05 - DEMOCRATIC LICENSE

CHANNELS

The sneak peaks will feature exciting interviews from cats of Shuga and of course, hot shots from the event.

Catch the fun as MTV Base VJ, Stephanie Coker speaks with the casts and crew of Shuga 3 about what to expect in the next season.

E 124

00:00 - DR. 90210 01:00 - KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS 02:00 - GIULIANA & BILL 03:00 - DR. 90210 04:00 - DR. 90210 05:00 - BIGGER, BADDER CELEBRITY FEUDS 06:00 - THE E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY 07:00 - EXTREME CLOSE UP 08:00 - GIULIANA & BILL 09:00 - KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS 10:00 - ERIC AND JESSIE: GAME ON 10:30 - ERIC AND JESSIE: GAME ON 11:00 - E! NEWS 12:00 - RICH KIDS OF BEVERLY HILLS 12:30 - RICH KIDS OF BEVERLY HILLS 13:00 - KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS

14:00 - KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS 15:00 - E! NEWS 16:00 - RICH KIDS OF BEVERLY HILLS 16:30 - RICH KIDS F BEVERLY HILLS 17:00 - KOURTNEY AND KHLOE TAKE THE HAMPTONS 18:00 - KOURTNEY AND KHLOE TAKE THE HAMPTONS 19:00 - E! NEWS 20:00 - ATTACK OF THE CELEBRITY BIKINIS 20:30 - RYAN SEACREST WITH SELENA GOMEZ 21:00 - FASHION BLOGGERS 21:30 - HOUSE OF DVF 22:30 - THE GIRLS OF THE PLAYBOY MANSION 23:00 - THE GIRLS OF THE PLAYBOY MANSION

STV 01:00 - SUNRISE DAILY 03:00 - NEWS TRACK 03:30 - CHANNELS BOOK CLUB 04:00 - NEWS TRACK 04:30 - ONE CUBED 05:00 - NEWS @ TEN 06:00 - NEWS TRACK 06:30 - TURNING POINT 07:00 - SUNRISE DAILY 09:00 - NEWS TRACK 09:30 - SPORTS THIS MORNING 10:00 - BUSINESS MORNING 11:00 - NEWS TRACK 11:30 - WINNING WAYS EXPRESS 12:00 - NEWS TRACK 12:30 - DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL

13:00 - NEWS TRACK 13:00 - WALK THE TALK 14:00 - NEWS TRACK 14:30 - SPORTS PALAVA 15:00 - NEWS TRACK 15:30 - DATELINE LAGOS 16:00 - NEWS TRACK 16:30 - AVIATION THIS WEEK 17:00 - NEWS TRACK 17:30 - THE WORLD TODAY 18:00 - SPORTS NEWS 18:30 - WINNING WAYS 19:15 - STRAIGHT TALK 20:15 - FACE OFF 21:00 - SPORTS TONIGHT 22:00 - NEWS @ TEN 23:00 - MOVIE

00:00- LEGENDS OF NOLLYWOOD 00:30- HOLLYWOOD ON SET 00:00- MUSIC AFRICA 02:00- BOOMTOWN 02:30- STV SPORTS CAFE 03:00- LOCAL MOVIE 05:00- SYMPHONY 06:00- GOSPEL RHYTHMS 06:30- HOLLYWOOD BEST DIRECTOR 07:00- BOOMTOWN 08:00- NICKELODEON 09:00- BRIGHTS 11:00- CRACK IN THE WALL 11:30- UAC SPORTS LAFF 12:00- MUSIC, VIDEO AND MORE 12:30- KIDS ZONE

13:30- THE LOLA SHW 14:00- LONDON BOY 14:30- ONE MUSIC 15:00- DAWN OF THE CREEKS 15:30- IGNITE 16:00- FACE TO FACE 16:30- GLASSHOUSE 17:00- FAMILY TIES 17:30- TWO SIDES OF A COIN 18:00- MTV BASE 19:00- STV NEWS @ 7 19:30- LOCAL MOVIE 20:30- SECRETS AND SCANDALS 21:00- LOCAL MOVIE 22:00- STV NEWS @ 10 23:00- MTV BASE

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE THE REFUGE ALLEVIATION CENTRE The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Adebowale Adeleye 2. Chief Mrs. Mosunmola Adeleye 3. Mr. Olagoke Jobi 4. Miss Aderonke Adeleye 5. Dr. Mrs Omotola Ajayi 6. Miss. Oyinlade Adeleye 7. Miss. Ibilola Adeleye 8. Mr. Adebowale Bankole Adeleye (Jnr) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To help relieve or prevent poverty and or prevent poverty and or financial hardship among people living in Nigeria by providing basic human needs such as clothes, food, water, shelter etc.

To promote and support education as well as award scholarship(s) to deserving people especially children and young persons.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Aderonke Adeleye Miss.

APOGEE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (Legal Consultants and Practitioners) No 36, Agboyi Road, Ogudu, Lagos Nigeria

PUBLIC NOTICE ABUNDANT LIFE HOLY GHOST APOSTOLIC MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Adeoye Dada 2. Oke Obabunmi Victoria 3. Ogundaini Oludolapo Oludare 4. Adeyemi Oluwadiya Peter 5. Ogundaini Adejumoke Elizabeth AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE THE DWELLING OF THE LORD CHURCH OLORUNTEDO The General Public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bishop Albert Olusegun Ogundairo -General Overseer 2. Snr Apostle Ogundairo Olusoji -Secretary 3. Snr Leader Osho Adeniyi -Asst Secretary 4. Most Snr Apostle Gabriel - Deputy G.O 5. Snr Evang Osho -PRO 6. Snr Deacon Olatuyi L. -Treasurer AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF AUDIT EXECUTIVES OF BANKS IN NIGERIA The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1) JOSEPH ESENWA 2)BOLA DAWODU 3)UDOCHI NWAODU 4)ABIODUN ADEROJU 5)DR. (MRS.) CHINWE BASIL-EZEGBU AIMS & OBJECTIVES: a)To sustain high ethical standards in the banking industry b)To promote inter-bank co-operation. c)To educate members on emerging issues and technological challenges in the industry.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: EKENE OKWUBANEGO, ESQ. (SOLICITOR)

PUBLIC NOTICE SESAME SEEDS TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION ABUJA The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

TRUSTEES: 1. ALHAJI IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR. - CHAIRMAN. 2. ALHAJI ABDULYEKINI HASSAN - VICE CHAIRMAN. 3. MR SUNDAY AMOLA. - SECRETARY. 4. SHUAIBU. YUSHA GALA. - ASS- SECRETARY. 5. ALHAJI AUWAL USMAN. - Public Relation Officer.

6. ALHAJI YAKUBU SANI. - TREASURER. 7. Mr. Yemi Alabi. - Financial SECRETARY. 8. ALHAJI ABUBAKAR SULEMAN. - Welfare 0fficer.

9. Madam Laraba da allah. - assist - Treasurer.

10. Mr. Jibril Abdullahi. - assist welfare.

Aim and objectives: 1. To promote the interest of members.

2. To mobilise and engage in peaceful dialogue with members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed; CHANCERY CHAMBERS. 08035920449.

PUBLIC NOTICE GALACTICOS FOOTBALL CLUB 86. Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Omorojoh, Dennis -Chairman 2. Adeyemi, Abayomi – Secretary General 3. Okafor, Chris -Treasurer 4. Chiedu, Jude -Member 5. Adeosun, Opeyemi Williamson -Member 6. Obruthe, Onome -Member 7. Onyia, Okey -Member 8. Arisekola, Idowu - Member AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To develop talent footballers in our society 2. To set up modality by which the footballer can achieve their dreams 3. To foster unity among the members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Chairman

PUBLIC NOTICE MOUNT OF GOD’S SOLUTION AND POWER INT’L

31

PUBLIC NOTICE GIRL TALK EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

TRUSTEES: a. MRS. ESTHER KOFOWORADE. b. PASTOR JOEL OLALEKAN OLALEYAE c. MRS YEWANDE ZACCHEAUS d. MRS FADEKE ADEPETUN e. DR PAMELA AJAYI f. MRS OLAMIDE BALOGUN g. ABIOLA LAMIKANRA h. CHINYELO OGUNFERE Aim and OBJECTIVES: 1. TO HELP THE GIRL CHILD ATTAIN THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN EDUCATION. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Barr Kehinde Ijilade.

Litigation & Corporate Commercial Law Department Temple Stone & Graeys LP Central Business District, F.C.T, Abuja

PUBLIC NOTICE DYNAMIC ASSOCIATE CLUB OF NIGERIA The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Adeyemi Nasir Tunde - President Othman Tajudeen Adeshina-General Secretary 2. Adebayo Kazeem Adeniyi -Treasurer 3. Yusuf Shakiru Taiye -Financial Secretary 4. Omotosho Nasir Omobolanle - Social Sec 5. Gaffar Abdullateef Olanrewaju Alabi -Member 6. Alabi Rafiu Tunji -Member AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To foster unity among members. 2. To enhance the spirit of community development among our children.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE ARK OF SALVATION PENTECOSTAL MISSION

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

TRUSTEE: 1. Prophet Pastor Oluwaseyi Solomon Adekahunsi – General Overseer 2. Pastor mrs adenike Deborah Adekahunsi --Asst. General Overseer 3. Pastor John Jesugbamila --- Member 4. Mr Rotimi Aruleba ---- Member 5. Mr Arinola Ariluba ---- Member 6. Pastor Samuel Balogun --- Member 7. Mr Olajide Owowa ----- Member 8. Pastor Mrs Nike Coker -Member 9. Elder of Gbeke Oyeniyi (JP) Adviser Aim and objectives. To Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ

TRUSTEES ARE: 1) PASTOR DAVID IHEKWOABA MATTHEW - President/Gen. Overseer 2)ELDER NNAMDI ODIONYENMA-Vice President 3)MADAM RITA UKACHI MESARAWON-Treasurer 4)MR. OBINNA VICTOR IHEKWOABA-Secretary 5)EVANG. NGOZI JESSY-RITA DAVID-Member 6)REV. EMMANUEL NWACHUKWU-Provost

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: ELDER GBEKE OYENIYI FCNA FCTI, 08023078539

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within TwentyEight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: MR. OBINNA VICTOR IHEKWOABA (Secretary)

PUBLIC NOTICE RHEMA WORLD GOSPEL CENTRE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: a)To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

PUBLIC NOTICE ELPO CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

Trustees: 1. OKEY CHIDIEBERE SAMUEL. 2. AWU NNENNA AKU. 3. GEORGE EKURI EJI NDIFON. Aim and objective: 1. To help the needy and women empowerment at the grass root level.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Julius O. Ewa - (Snr Pastor) 2. Pastor Mrs Chinwe O. Ewa - Asst Senior Pastor 3. Sister Felicia Edet - Secretary 4. Bro. Kyrian Otu -Secretary

32

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Money

33

s

Sheraton forces over 200 shareholders to hold EGM outside …this is the beginning of the end, say shareholders Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Shareholders of Ikeja Hotels Plc, were yesterday morning January 6, forced to hold their Extraordinary General Meeting AGM outside the hotel’s premises as the gates were shut against them despite paying N500,000 for a hall space in the hotel.

The shareholders were shocked on arrival at Sheraton hotel Ikeja, venue of the EGM, to find a banner displaying a court injunction from an Abuja high court barring them from holding the EGM, prominently displayed on the gates of the hotel and security personnel on orders preventing them from entering the premises.

Daily Times gathered that the shareholders decided to call for an EGM to address gross irregularities by the management and Board of Ikeja Hotel Plc, which includes, Sheraton Lagos, Sheraton, Abuja, Federal Palace Hotel and Airport Hotel both in Lagos.

It was gathered that the aggrieved shareholders obtained a court injunction giving them the authorisation to hold the EGM, which obviously did not sit well with the management, who then sought to vacate the initial court injunction by going to the Abuja high court.

However according to the interpretation given by a legal practitioner, Barrister Olumide Braithwaite, the court injunction issued by the Abuja high court was invalid based on the premise that the injunction it sought to vacate was issued by a parallel and not a lower court.

“Only a higher court has the jurisdiction to vacate an injunction and in this case it can only come from the appeal or supreme courts and not the high court from another city, because the injunction we have was obtained from a Lagos high court,” he said.

Daily Times gathered from some of the shareholders that the conglomerate has not been forthcoming with the true picture of their investments as they alluded that no AGM has been called by the management for the past 10 years.

The over 200 aggrieved shareholders felt that the EGM was necessary for them to address some of the perceived internal leakages, misappropriation and even pilfering which may be responsible for an assumed profitable business concern like the Ikeja Hotels Plc not able to make good returns to its investors.

Daily Times also gathered that the Bank of Industry BoI, sent a high powered delegation for representation to the venue, as the bank had some very significant stakes in the entity.

Jarmakani

Nigerdock applauds Chevron over local content development Ugochukwu Onyeocha

Shareholders outside Sheraton

Formulate textile industry development policy, MFBs tell FG Ugochukwu Onyeocha The need to revive Nigeria’s moribund textile industry has been brought again to the front burner by the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), who yesterday called on the Federal government to formulate a policy that would enhance the development and

sustained growth of the nation’s textile industry.

The NAMB President, Mr. Valentine Whensu, told newsmen in Lagos that such a policy would to a great extent curb the large scale of textile dumping and smuggling that is prevalent in Nigeria.

He said that the increasing activities of textile smugglers

Whensu

were scaring numerous investors and mortgaging national effort toward expanding employment opportunities.

The NAMB boss also urged Federal Government to overhaul the extant policies that would reinvigorate the efforts of microfinance banks in poverty alleviation nationwide.

The Group Executive Director of Nigerdock Plc, Lagos, Mr. Mansour Jarmakani, yesterday hailed Chevron Nigeria Plc for its steadfastness in implementing local content capacity development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Nigerdock’s commendation is contained in a statement issued by the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Jarmakani while commending the company said that Chevron Nigeria Plc had recorded significant milestones in the accomplishment of its Meren Gas Gathering Compression Platform (GGCP) and Sonam Development project objectives for 2014.

According to Jarmakani, Nigerdock is proud to associate with the GGCP and Sonam Development project, one of the biggest Non-Associated Gas (NAG) projects in Nigeria. ``The Meren Gas Gathering Compression Platform (GGCP) and Sonam Development project created jobs, trained thousands, and is being delivered safely and on time,” he said.

He also said that through mentorship and the training of many Nigerians, “the project has substantially contributed towards addressing the paucity of manpower”, a key challenge in the industry.

an

Money 34

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A scene at Wuse market, Abuja.

Special Report

Low December sales continue into January Augustine Aminu and Ugochukwu Onyeocha The festive season has come and gone but for so many traders in Nigeria, the memories of the yuletide season hasn’t been pleasant as many of them would have hoped.

Usually, business is slow in January and for most businesses especially in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) segment, it used to be nothing to worry about after a robust end of year business.

However some of the traders Daily Times spoke to are lamenting that the turnout by customers was low towards the end of the year as compared to what was obtained in previous years.

Lagos is home to some of the biggest markets in Nigeria and the whole of West Africa. For a state that undeniably possesses the largest population in the nation that is regarded as the world’s largest black nation, the festive season has always been a beehive of trading activities, one which many traders look forward to with real expectation.

Experts tell FG to convert flared gas to domestic use

However, recent findings by our correspondent has shown that the festive season did not live up to the expectation of many traders.

And prices of items have maintained their gradual, upward climb with traders blaming the current slump of the naira on the slow market activities.

Mr. Ogechi Onyekachi, a rice dealer at Ikotun market, said the turnout for the purchase of foodstuff for the celebration was discouraging.

“Customers did not really come out to purchase foodstuffs as before despite the fact that the prices of these commodities remained stable,” he said.

Speaking to our correspondent, Onyekachi lamented the poor sales recorded during the Christmas season.

“Since I opened for business this morning, I have not sold half a bag of rice as you can see,” he told our correspondent at the market.

He said a 50 kg bag of rice was being sold for about N8, 000 on the average depending on the type while a bag of beans was

being sold for N22, 000.

He attributed the low turnout of customers to lack of money in circulation. He also attributed the low turnout of customers to late payment of workers’ salaries.

For Mrs Olamide Adeshina, a civil servant with one of the federal ministries, the lull in shopping during the festive season could also be attributed to the delay in payment of salaries.

When our correspondent met her at the popular Suru Alaba market in Lagos a few days after Christmas, she narrated her displeasure at having to mark Christmas holiday without the usual pump and pageantry with her children.

“This Christmas is the worst I have experienced. I couldn’t do my children’s usual shopping and also could not buy my foodstuff in time because of the delay in salary payment. It was indeed a boring Christmas in my household and I did not enjoy it”.

For some traders, the christmas season is usually characterised with an unprecedented large turnout of visiors. This

Ugochukwu Onyeocha

lars (about N289.60billion) lost annually to gas flaring was too enormous to be ignored.

It would be recalled that the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. George Osahon, said in December 2014 in Lagos that the Federal Government loses about N289.6 bil-

A group of oil and gas experts on yesterday called on Federal Government to put an end to gas flaring and harness it for domestic use.

They told the journalists in Lagos that the 1.79 billion dol-

is a development that is experienced once every year. And prices of items during the Christmas season would witness an upward climb.

At the popular Balogun market, the usual hustle and bustle which the market is known for was in its full swing, attributable to activities of retailers from other states who come to buy goods from Lagos in preparation for bustling end of year business. From Apongbon, the entrance into the market was heavy with human traffic. Load carriers made brisk cash as they hauled goods in and out of the market.

There was also the fear of being robbed by thieves who masquerade themselves as customers and traders too. Everyone had this look of apprehension and as such dealt carefully with unknown faces. From the wrapper section through the footwear, clothes and other areas, the market was very busy. People were seen pushing, pulling and tearing through the human maze.

“The market, is always like this once Christmas is ap-

proaching,” a trader in Dimeji, told our correspondent. “You know that at times like this people come from other adjoining states to make their Christmas purchases here.”

But even in the face of the chaos, he maintained that the market was not half as busy as it used to be in the past three to four years. “It used to be far busier than what you are seeing now. And for this reason, some of us are not experiencing bumper sales. Although people are trooping into the markets, some of them are not doing real shopping. I believe they are coming for window shopping. Some of the customers are complaining about lack of money and rising prices of goods. We gather that our colleagues selling imported, fairly-used shoes and clothes are making it; maybe because those items are cheaper,” he said.

He admitted that prices of goods had gone up in the market, blaming the trend on the falling naira. “What do you expect,” he queried. “The naira has been devalued in recent times. And so,

Continued on page 35

lion annually to gas flaring.

Osahon said at the 14th Annual General Meeting and Business Forum of the Nigerian Gas Association that the figure came from the 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas flared by multinationals on daily basis.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

35 Money

NTDC partners eight countries to promote in-bound tourism Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor

Stories by Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Deputy Director, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Annette Ibe, said the organisation had concluded arrangements with resident diplomatic communities in eight countries to promote in-bound tourism.

Ibe said this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos yesterday.

She listed the names of the countries as: Mexico, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Cuba, Gambia, Turkey, Venezuela and Israel.

She said under the arrangement, Nigerian students could go to any of these countries for tour purposes, likewise students from these countries could come to Nigeria. ``This arrangement is an unprecedented milestone in collaborating with the diplomatic community. ``This in essence will pave way for the development of inbound tourism which is lagging behind because our tourism potential is not well marketed. ``This collaboration will bring about great development in the tourism sector and immense revenue will be generated from the foreign tourists,’’ she said.

Ibe urged the government to install the needed basic infra-

Entrepreneurs task FG on revival of comatose industries

Mbanefo, NTDC boss structure at tourists’ sites to help the NTDC in achieving the set goals for the development of the sites.

She said that the roads leading to most of the tourists’ sites were dilapidated and could discourage tourists from visiting them.

``Government should repair these roads and build new ones around the sites to encourage both local and foreign tourists,’’ Ibe said.

According to her, Nigerian tourist sites, if well developed, could be the most preferred haven for tourists in the nearest future.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector yesterday in Lagos made a passionate appeal to Federal Government to take a critical look on manufacturing and formulate policies that would favour business growth in 2015.

The entrepreneurs in a chat with newsmen said that favourable financial policies would revive many industries now in comatose because the third quarter of 2014 was hectic for industries.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, at its Monetary Policy Committee’s meeting in November 2014, devalued the naira from N155 to N168 against the dollar.

It also increased Monetary Policy Rate from 12 to 13 per cent, and increased the private sector Cash Reserve Ratio from 15 to 20 per cent, among other policy decisions.

Mr. David Emokpae, Publicity Secretary, Association of Small and Medium Plastic Manufac-

turers, said that the high rates before they were further increased impacted negatively on businesses in 2014.

Emokpae noted that doubledigit interest rate executed by the CBN in 2014 prevented many entrepreneurs from accessing financial facilities to expand their businesses.

“Interest rate on bank loan was too high for businesses to strive.

“Many businesses could not break-even in the face of various challenges due to inconsistent power supply and inadequate infrastructure.

“Repayment of loans acquired with high interest rate was difficult for majority of operators,” he said.

Mr. Adams Tonye, Secretary, Association of Micro, Small and Medium Business Owners, urged specialised banks to increase lending to MSMEs in 2015 as the bedrock of the nation’s economic growth.

‘Traders lament poor sales’ Continued from page 34 that has continued to push up the exchange rate. Goods which hitherto sold for N5,000 for instance, are going for N6,500.

That is the situation we have to deal with,” he said.

A woman simply identified as Mrs Oluchi, who visited Alaba Rago market, Lagos told our correspondent that although people kept complaining that

Ankara Alley, Balogun market, Lagos

they had no money, the market was extremely busy as traders and their customers made brisk business buying and selling. “Even when people were complaining that there was no money yet the market was very busy. Movement within Idumota market when I visited was near impossible.” She, however, said that the rush was concentrated more on areas where goods which people needed to cele-

brate Christmas were sold.

“My customers dealing in babies’ wears were all lamenting over poor sales. They said customers coming into the market were concentrating a lot more on what they needed to celebrate Christmas. And for that reason, they were recording poor sales,” she said.

The survey in some markets in Abuja revealed that the prices of foodstuff have increased and the residents are complaining as many residence have not received salaries.

The increase was almost beyond the reach of the average Nigerian, however, traders complained of low patronage in the new year.

Respondents attributed the hikes to high transportation

cost, high inflation and lack of salaries by the government and some private companies.

Some people also believe that the festive season provides the opportunity for traders to make huge profits, maximise profit, necessitating the price hikes.

Some commodities that have witnessed noticeable increases include rice, chicken, beef, tomatoes, groundnut oil, palm oil , pepper, yams, onions and potatoes.

In Dutse Market in Bwari Area Council ( AMAC), and Wuse Market in Abuja, a bag of rice which initially sold for between N 9,000 and N9, 000 now costs N 11, 200, N 12, 500 depending on the brand.

A big basket of tomatoes now

sells for between N 5, 000 and N6, 000 as against N2, 500 and N3 ,500 previously , while a bag of big pepper which previously sold for N1, 500 now costs N 3, 500. A bag of the hot red pepper has also increased to about N 4, 500 from N2, 500 .

Similarly, a 25- litre jerry can of palm oil which sold for N 6, 300 at the beginning of November now costs about N7, 800 . Ten big tubers of yams that were initially sold for N 1, 000 but now goes for N 2, 000 while the price of small tubers has increased from N700 to N1, 000 .

Mrs. Hasana John, a yam seller, said that the hike in food prices had more negative impact on the dealers than the consumers.

Agric 36

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

2015 promises positives for sugar sector Emmanuel Ogbonnaya The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) launched early 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan highlighted the sugar sector as one of its primary areas of focus in bringing to the fore the competitiveness of Nigeria’s natural resources especially in the agricultural sector which constitutes the bulk of raw materials for industries.

The quantum of national revenue that has been going into sugar importation is without doubt unsustainable, particularly in the context of dwindling oil fortunes and devaluation of naira. Therefore, it has become glaring that the transformative efforts that have started in the sugar industry needs not be reversed or allowed to idle.

Already in order to boost the value chain and establish backward integration, Root & Tuber Expansion (RTEP) and National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) have been contracted to multiply and distribute 5,600 industrial seed cane to 3,398 Sugarcane farmers in 14 states around existing sugarcane mills in 2015 farming season through GES. Also RTEP was supported to develop network of seed cane out-growers in Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun states initiating community based seed cane outgrowers.

The Sugarcane Value Chain in collaboration with National Sugar Development Council

Augustine Aminu

Sugar plantation (NSDC) also supported Oyo State Sugarcane Farmers Association to establish 20 hectres of foundation farm to expand Sugarcane Estate in the five locations in the state, where 100 Tonnes Capacity per Day (TCD) cottage mills were proposed in for each location, and the process of their procurement is ongoing.

When the estates and mills are in full operation, it is estimated

5,600 seed cane distributed to 3,398 farmers in 14 states for 2015 farming season

that they will employ up to 1,500 direct employees.

In 2014, the Value Chain in collaboration with National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) supported Honey Gold Global Resources Nigeria Ltd partnering with Costa Negocoios in Sao Paulo, Brazil to secure 120,000 hectures in Adamawa State, Also seeking support of Federal Ministry of Agriculture through the Value Chain to

initiate the process of securing more farmland in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Ekiti and Osun and map out strategies to secure the buying-in of hosting communities and the authorities in these States.

The value chain is supporting Sugarcane Cooperative Farmers and Investors to acquire six 100 TCD (Tons Capacity per Day) Mills for efficient and profitable brown sugar and ethanol

FG approves N4.5bn to create 800,000 direct farm jobs Augustine Aminu

Adesina

UNESCO urges FG to invest in agro-tourism

THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said implementation of farm mechanisation policy under the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise, AEHE, will create 800,000 jobs.

Adesina also disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved N4.5 billion to implement an intervention scheme that will serve as a model for replication of the AEHE. He explained that the 800, 000 jobs were for unemployed youth, and will serve as direct and indirect employment nationwide under the AEHE.

According to him, the network of AEHEs will provide mechanisation services for 1,200,000 hectares of farmland, add an additional 4,800,000mt of food to national food production, while 10,000,000 Nigerian farmers will have access to mechanisation through the AEHE. He further stated that the first phase of this intervention will make available 590 units of tractors, 500 power tillers, and various harvests and postharvest equipment to set up 118 AEHE centres.

The minister also expressed optimism that when fully these centres were come on stream,

the on-going mechanisation scheme will provide 1,230 units of tractors, 2000 power tillers and 3400 units of various harvest and post equipment such as rice reapers, grain threshers, cassava planters and harvesters, boom sprayers among several other equipment to set up 246 units of AEHEs in demand driven locations across the country.

However, the new mechanisation policy will be a Public Private Partnership, PPP, where the government will provide 35 per cent of the finance, financial institutions will provide 35 per cent, Agro-machinery Vendors provides 20 per cent, while Service Providers Operator (SPOs) makes available 10 per cent.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) yesterday urged the Federal Government to invest in agro-tourism.

Dr Osuji Outi, UNESCO National Professional Officer, made the call, adding that agro-tourism was a form of niche tourism considered a growing industry in many parts of the world. ``Agric-tourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include: picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses and tasting honey. ``Others are: wine making, cheese making, or shopping in farm gift shops where hand-crafted gifts both local and regional can be purchased, `` Outi said.

According to him, agricultural tourism or agro-tourism is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities.

He expressed optimism that agrotourism could contribute to building a successful programme that could enhance a community, create employment opportunity and alleviate poverty.

The UNESCO official also stressed the need for basic standard to be set in the hospitality industry, adding that it would bring about growth and development in the sector.

He said that there was also the need to train and retrain staff in the hospitality industry. ``Part of the standard in the hospitality industry is to have adequate and modern facilities and to train and retrain staff to give customers good services, `` he said.

Outi urged the three tiers of government to provide good roads, security and basic amenities for hospitality industry to flourish in the country.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

37 Global business

Price may slump further, Canada, Saudi oil set for showdown As a test of wills between OPEC nations and U.S. shale drillers fuels a global oil market slump, a brewing battle between Canadian and Saudi Arabia heavy crudes for America’s Gulf Coast refinery market threatens to drive prices even lower.

While the stand-off between the oil cartel and U.S. producers of light, sweet shale oil has captured the limelight in recent months, the clash over heavier grades - playing out in the shadowy, opaque physical market may put even more pressure on global prices that have halved since mid-2014.

Two factors will come into play over the next few weeks: From the North, new oil pipelines will pump record volumes of Canadian crude to the southern refineries, many better equipped to process heavy crudes than lighter shale oil.

From the Middle East, top exporter Saudi Arabia is offering crude at discounted prices in an attempt to defend its remaining share of the important regional market, which has shrunk by more than half in recent months.

“So far, the Gulf Coast has suffered from an oversupply of light oil, but now there’s competition for heavier crude,” said Sandy Fielden at RBN Energy.

With the Saudis already facing

Taken together, the average 10-year bond yield of the U.S., Japan and Germany has dropped below one per cent for the first time ever, according to Steven Englander, global head of G-10 foreign-exchange strategy at Citigroup Inc. That’s not good news. The rock-bottom rates, which fall below zero when inflation is taken into account, show “that investors think we are going nowhere for a long time,” Englander wrote in a report yesterday.

More broadly, bonds in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Broad Market Sovereign Plus Index had an effective yield of 1.28 percent as of yesterday, the all-time low, based on data starting in 1996.

The former Federal Reserve Bank of New York economist sees two possible reasons for the free money.

First, it could be secular stagnation, a term popularised by

former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers. He contends that rich nations are suffering a persistent lack of demand and should take advantage of the low bond yields to boost spending.

Growth Warning Even with the U.S. accelerating, the world economy is not “out of the woods,” Summers told a weekend conference of economists in Boston.

Englander

Asian shares fall

Saudi crude installation fierce competition for their light grades, the arrival of Canadian crude “could add insult to injury”, he said.

On Monday, Saudi Aramco stepped up its counteroffensive,

Euro zone growth falters The euro zone economy ended 2014 with its worst quarter for over a year, according to surveys of activity that highlighted continuing downturns in France and Italy and a stuttering performance by paymaster Germany.

Britain, outside the currency union, experienced a similarly gloomy end to the year, with growth across services companies weakening to its slowest since mid-2013. That underscored a wider loss of pace in the economy as an election approaches.

Italy’s service sector shrank for the first time in three months in December while overall business activity in France contract-

Free bond markets money shows global economy struggling

cutting its monthly U.S.-bound price for Arab Medium for a sixth straight month, putting it at the deepest discount against the regional sour crude benchmark since December 2013.

Japan’s Nikkei .N225 dropped three per cent, its largest fall in almost 10 months, while South Korean shares fell 1.7 percent to a one-and-a-halfyear low. Even high-flying mainland Chinese shares .CSI300 pulled back after hitting 5-1/2year highs earlier in the session.

MSCI’s broadest index of AsiaPacific shares outside Japan fell 1.4 per cent.

The rout in oil markets has resumed strongly since a Christmas lull, prices plunging by as much as six per cent on Monday

Hyundai to invest $73 billion by 2018

ed, Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Indexes (PMIs) showed.

With fears cheap oil will tip the now-19-country bloc into deflation prompting calls for urgent action by the European Central Bank, firms across the euro zone again cut prices, as they have been doing for nearly three years. [EUR/PMIS]

Draghi, ECB boss

South Korea’s Hyundai on yesterday announced its plans to invest 80.7 trillion won ($73 billion) by 2018 in bolstering overseas production and developing next-generation cars.

The auto giant said it would over the next four years invest 49.1 trillion won on expanding

corporate infrastructure and an additional 31.6 trillion won on research and development.

That means the firm - South Korea’s top carmaker - would spend an average of 20.2 trillion won each year, more than the annual record of 14.9 trillion won last year.

and by another 1.8 percent yesterday.

A slew of factors were maintaining the downward pressure on prices, analysts said, pointing to concerns about the Greek economy, high oil output from Russia, Iraq and the United States, and a stronger dollar.

“Falls in oil prices are going beyond many people’s expectations. This will put pressure on the earnings of U.S. energy firms,” said Hirokazu Kabeya, senior strategist at Daiwa Securities in Tokyo.

GCPL acquires South African hair extension business Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has announced the acquisition of the hair extensions business of Frika Hair in South Africa for an undisclosed amount.

Frika Hair, which enjoys a premium position in the South African market, has particular strengths in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng, and is the market leader in key accounts in organised retail, GCPL said in a statement.

In 2014, net sales of the company was approximately South African Rand or ZAR 73 million (approximately Rs 40 crore).

Capital Market 38 Adesola Akindele

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

DAILY MARKET SUMMARY

Financial services sector boosts equity transactions, trades over N3.6 billion worth of shares ÏÏÏ413,764,177 shares worth 5.31billion naira were traded on the Nigerian Stock exchange on Tuesday of which 309,488,227 shares worth N3.6 billion were from the financial sector. A 67.7 percentage contribution of the total value traded. This is a sector plagued by myriads of challenges, but has continued to thrive and contribute immensely to the capital market. The 413,764,177 shares were sealed in 3,764 deals.

At the top of trading activities is ETI retaining its Top Trade spot from Monday with a sale 96,943,244 shares worth N1, 773,462,251.82, Transcorp trades 64,876,105 shares worth N206, 832, 423.27. In like manner, Guaranty trades 33,197,058 shares worth N819, 949,746.50.

FBNH trades 29,669,574 shares worth N247,506,193.03 and Sterling trades N26,229,173 shares worth N61,116,266.21.

RTBRISCOE leads equity gainers with the highest percentage gain of 9.52

per cent gaining N0.08 from its preceding N0.84 to close at N0.92. However, Cadbury and Mobil gains the highest in naira terms with a gain of N2.00 and a percentage increase of 5.00 per cent and 1.27 percent to close at N42.00 and N160.00 respectively.

Nigerian Breweries led the losers chart by a 9.71 per cent loss to close at N147.17 from its previous N163.00. Nestle further lost N49.78 a 5.00 per cent loss, to close at N945.82 from its previous closing price of N995.60.Other heavy losers are Seplat which lost N17.57 to close at N333.93 from its previous closing price of N351.50 and Dangote Cement which lost N9.50 to close at N180.50 Market capitalization declined by N471 billion to close at N10,766,895,489,591.26 (N10.766 trillion), while the NSE AllShare Index lost 1420.98 points or 4.19 per cent to close at 32,522.31 from the 33,943.29 recorded on Monday.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 7, 2015

39 News

Kogi APC kicks against LGs caretaker committee public and the judiciary of a clandestine move by the state government to constitute caretaker committees for all the 21 Local Government Councils in the state before the end of this month. We are already before this very court over this same

issue.” He said He, therefore, appealed to the judiciary, which he said is the last hope of the common man, not to subject itself to bow to pressure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has made lawlessness and impunity

as habits.

Ametuo, who described 2015 as a year of transformation and final destruction of every administrative misfit in Nigeria, especially Kogi state, called on the people to take their destiny in their hands by voting APC in

SAHCOL boss wants zero tariffs on equipment

Ametuo

ÏÏÏ

The All Progressive Congress (APC), Kogi state chapter, has kicked against the proposed setting up of caretaker committees to run the local governments in the state as illegal and against the constitution.

The State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, who said this, yesterday, in Lokoja, while addressing members of APC on the forthcoming general election, stated that there was an earlier judgement on the issue of constitutionality of caretaker committees for the councils by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, where he pronounced any form of caretaker committee under any guise as illegal.

“We are hereby alerting the

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), his running mate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (2nd right), Speaker, Ogun State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi (right), and Senator Iyabo Anisulowo (left) at Ilaro, during the governor’s tour of Ogun West Senatorial District of the state... recently.

Strike paralyses Judiciary activities in Ondo Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏJudiciary workers in Ondo

state have joined their colleagues in the ongoing nation-wide strike to press home for their demands.

The workers, under the auspices of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), are demanding the implementation of the January 13, 2014 judgment of a Federal High Court, in Abuja, that ordered the Accountant-General of the Federation to make deductions of amount standing to the credit of states’ judiciary in Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The fund was to be remitted to the National Judicial Council, which will then disburse it to various heads of courts.

In July 2014, the courts had embarked on strike to press home for their demand but it was suspend-

the forth-coming general elections.

He further stressed that the general election would usher into the country new leadership with a lot of development and called on voters to be prepared to effect a positive change.

ed after stakeholders had promised that their demand would be met.

Our correspondent reports that, on Tuesday, judiciary and administrative activities were paralyzed.

Also, most of the administrative offices in the courts were locked.

Many lawyers and their clients were seen around the court premises discussing the issue.

The state chairman of the union, Mr. Femi Ogunde, disclosed to Daily Times that all members in the state have complied with the directive of the national body.

“The strike is indefinite and our members have complied, while all courts in the state have been locked,” Ogunde said.

But, the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), in

Akure, Dare Lawrence told the Daily Times that the strike was illegal and uncalled for.

He said: “You cannot go on strike on a matter that is not relating to an industrial dispute. The court has passed a judgment and the matter has been resolved.

“If you need to ensure the implementation of the judgment, you return to the court and perhaps sue for contempt. The strike action is illegal, null and void,” he said.

Dare further said that it was a contradiction that the court that gave judgment in favour of JUSUN has been closed down as a result of the strike.

“If the courts were closed down when they wanted to seek an interpretation of the provisions of the constitution, how would they have done it?,” Dare demanded.

JUSUN strike affects project inauguration in Abia Ifeanyi Onwuneme – Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

Chief Theodore Orji’s plan to inaugurate some of his major projects before vacating office, in May, this year, may be unrealistic, following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

Orji’s chosen project expected to be inaugurated is the ultramodern court complex built in appreciation of his romance with the judiciary, way back 2007, when he had his victory to become the governor of the state from prison.

The directive on the strike, which was endorsed by the National President of JUSUN, Marwan Mustapha Adamu and the National Assistant Secretary, Barrister Philip Nnamani, to all Heads of Federal courts and state judiciaries, stated clearly that “in the face of the failure to implement the judgement of the Federal High Court.

As a result of high cost of the purchase of heavy duty equipment by the Skyways Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), the managing director, Mr. Olu Owolabi, wants government to grant them zero tariff on the importation of machines.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Times, in Lagos, Mr Owolabi noted that since government granted zero tariff on aircraft spare parts, same ought to apply to the heavy duty machines used by handling companies in order to ensure rapid growth in the aviation sector.

“Government meant well for the industry, when it said it was embarking on the upgrade of airports and, at the same time, it should be supportive when handling companies are buying airline’s needs”.

New AAUA VC assures of continuity Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ

The Vice- Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in Ondo state, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has promised to consolidate on the enviable tracks and achievement recorded in the past five years by his predecessor.

He made the promise on Tuesday in a telephone interview with Daily Times in Akure, shortly after he assumed office.

The Ondo state government had, on Monday, announced Ajibefun’s appointment, in succession to Prof. Olufemi Mimiko, whose tenure lapsed last week.

SPORTS

Mercedes, Mclaren to change colours PX7 in 2015

Politics

Can opposition snatch Benue In 2015? P17

Can opposition snatch Benue WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

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Nigerdock applauds P33 Chevron over local content development

shareholders to hold EGM outside electoral process opaque. My advice is participate and questions where

Bonaventure Melah

Mbaka, Milingo and deviant Catholic priests ÎÎÎReverend Father Ejike

If he was in my archdiocese I would have sanctioned him long ago for the kind of things and utterances that he makes,” the Cardinal added

Camillus Mbaka was friends with Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani when the latter was governor of Enugu State. Then things went bad between the two of them towards the tail end of Chimaroke’s first tenure in 2002. As the 2003 governorship election drew near, Father Mbaka made a ‘prophetic declaration’ having ‘heard from God’ concerning Governor Chimaroke.

According to Mbaka, God Almighty revealed to him that He (God) was finished with Chimaroke and had spat the governor out of His mouth. He told his congregation at Adoration Ministry not to vote Chimaroke, boasting that with a 75 percent Catholic population in Enugu State, there was no magic that would bring the governor back to the Government House. Mbaka was so sure of his divine revelations that he promised to remove his cassock should Chimaroke win the election. But Chimaroke had a landslide victory when result of the 2003 election was declared.

On Thursday last week, Father Mbaka made another ‘prophetic declaration.’

He said the President has failed the people and was therefore rejected by God, calling for ‘Change’ through the 2015 presidential election. A few weeks ago, when the President’s wife visited his Adoration Ground, Mbaka had endorsed Jonathan as the President of Nigeria, saying there was no vacancy in Aso Rock. But following Mbaka’s attack on Jonathan, there were insinuations that he was speaking the mind of the entire Catholic Church leadership in Nigeria, which allegedly has been nursing grudges against the President for showing favouritism to the Anglican Church.

The leadership of the Catholic Church has condemned Mbaka’s preachments describing it as unguarded and un-priestly.

The Archbishop of Jos who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Ignatius Kaigama said it was completely out of place for a Catholic priest to be

partisan especially on very serious national issues like the 2015 general election, adding that even the Canon Law forbids a priest to engage in partisan politics.

On his own part, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, John Onaiyekan, while distancing himself from Mbaka’s outing, said given the rules of the church, the priest ought to be sanctioned. “I wouldn’t be surprised if most people are not happy with the statement he made. From my reactions, you should see that I do not agree with him. I don’t believe a priest should be doing that. If he was in my archdiocese I would have sanctioned him long ago for the kind of things and utterances that he makes,” the Cardinal added.

The Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Province and Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev (Dr.) Emmanuel Chukwuma did not only condemn Mbaka, but also asked the Catholic Church to summon and sanction the Adoration priest for his unguarded statements.

Mbaka calls himself priest, prophet and king.

He says he was ordained priest after the order of Melchizedek and with that self-assurance, Mbaka spits fire every week at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry in Enugu where he makes kingly pronouncements and declarations from the ‘throne of heaven.’ When he was attacked by armed robbers a few years ago, he said it was the then Governor Nnamani that sent killers after him, calling the governor a ‘murderer.’ The priest is neck deep into partisan politics. But Mbaka is not alone. There are many deviant priests in the Catholic Church who while remaining under the banner of the Vatican Holy See have refused to submit themselves to the Canon Law that guides the behavioural pattern of the Catholic order.

Some of them have been punished through excommunication and lesser sanctions by the church’s highest authority. One of them was Emmanuel Milingo of Zambia.

Milingo was ordained

a priest in 1958 and later founded Zambia Helpers’ Society as well as the Daughters of the Redeemer. He was consecrated bishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka. But Milingo soon began to conduct public religious services of healing and exorcism which attracted huge crowds but was opposed by his fellow clergy for using elements of traditional African religion in his healing sessions. He was summoned to Rome for an investigation but the Charismatic movement supported him. As a consequence he was heard by Pope John Paul II and was given permission to continue his healing sessions in Italy where he became a celebrity and had the support of large groups of young people. But his activities became a strong headache for the church as he continued to act outside the rules of the church.

TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK

Email: melahbonaventure@yahoo.com Tel: 08036062975

The phoenix

rises

BREAKING NEWS | POLITICS | BUSINESS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI

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COPA DEL REY: HOLDERS OUT TO SPOIL TORRES RETURN X3

Poster!

CRISTIANO RONALDO

CAF : S D R A AW R E V O FEARS A M A E ENY U M N U –SHOR SHARAPOVA STARTS 2015 WITH DOMINANT WINX8

X4,5

LPGA 2015 season preview X7

Mercedes, Mclaren to change colors in 2015

X2 X7

NTTF

TO INVESTIGATE EDUOK TRANSFER SAGA X3

X2

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

R E V O Y T N I A T R E C UN

ENYEAMA’S

CAF AWARD U M N U R O H –S

Shorunmu

Mike Otanwa

S

Enyeama

uper Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has expressed doubts over Vincent Enyeama’s chances of winning the 2014 CAF African player of the year.

He said Enyeama would have won the award easily but for the opposition from Yaya Toure.

Enyeama, alongside Gabon’s Pierre Emerrick-Aubameyang and current holder Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast are the three finalists for the 2014 edition of the awards that will hold in Lagos, on January 8.

“Of course I want Vincent to win the award, but it’s going to be difficult, especially with Yaya Toure in the mix, he said.

“He is the current holder of the award and it will be difficult to beat him to it because he has done well for his club and country.

“But that is not to say Enyeama hasn’t done well, because he has and it will be great if he wins it,” Shorunmu stated.

Yaya Toure is strongly tipped to win the award again, having won it in 2013 but it is believed in some quarters that Enyeama had a better calendar year for both club and country in 2014.

The 32-year-old Nigerian was recently named the best goalkeeper in France for 2014.

But it is also believed that being a goalkeeper may play to Enyeama’s advantage.

Last season, Vincent Enyeama became the first goalkeeper to be named French Ligue 1 African Player of the Season after playing all 37 league games for Lille and conceding only 25 goals. He narrowly missed out in the

French Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year Award. The Lille shot stopper was the only goalkeeper nominated for the 2014 BBC African Footballer of the Year Award following his superb form for the Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup Brazil and the French Ligue 1. Kunle Adewale in this report asks if the University of Calabar graduate will crown his glowing career by winning the Glo/ Africa Footballer of the Year Award with Cote D’Ivoire/Manchester City of England star, Yaya Toure as his major stumbling block After making his debut for the national team against Kenya in May 2002, Enyeama was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea as a cover for the more experienced Ike Shorunmu. He made his competitive debut in that tournament, keeping a clean sheet against England in Nigeria’s last group match. Since the retirement of Shorunmu, he has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, helping the Super Eagles to third place finishes in the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and as stand-in captain, he led the Super Eagles to victory of in the 2013 edition. He also participated in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and the 2013 Confederations Cup. Enyeama’s performances for both club and national team did not go unnoticed as he was named French Ligue 1 African Player of the 2013/14 season, becoming the first Nigerian and indeed the first goalkeeper to achieve such feat.

The Super Eagle goal tender played all 37 league games for his club Lille last season, conceding only 25 goals. He also kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in Ligue 1 matches during the first half of the 2013-14 Season.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

NFF TO

E T A G I T S E V N I

EDUOK TRANSFER SAGA T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will open an inquest into the transfer imbroglio involving Super Eagles winger Emem Eduok.

The 20-year-old has been caught in the web of two clubs, Sarpsborg 08 and Esperance, after he reportedly signed for both clubs.

The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, is dismayed by the happenings and said the federation “will investigate this matter and come up with recommendations.”

“Look at the cloud of controversy over the transfer of one of our brightest stars, Emem Eduok. That is a shame and should not happen. We will investigate this matter and come up with recommendations. Whoever is found culpable will have questions to answer,” said Pinnick in a statement.

The Eduok transfer controversy comes just more than a year after Sunday Mba was caught in the middle of his ownership between two Nigerian clubs, Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves.

Eduok was one of the standout performers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season. He scored 20 league goals for Dolphins.

NTFF president, Pinnick

COPA DEL REY: HOLDERS OUT TO SPOIL TORRES’ RETURN

Torres

F

ernando Torres could make his first appearance since returning to Atletico Madrid in today’s mouth-watering derby against Real Madrid.

Atleti fans’ favourite Torres last week rejoined his boyhood club on loan from Milan until the end of next season.

The 30-year-old striker scored 91 goals in 244 games for the Spanish champions after making his debut at the age of 17 before moving to Liverpool back in 2007.

Torres lost his way after leaving the Merseyside club to join Chelsea, but he is still worshipped by Atleti fans and over 45,000 fans were at Vicente Calderon to welcome home their former captain on Sunday.

The Spain international was given a rapturous reception on his homecoming and he must now turn his attention to rediscovering the form that made him one of the most feared strikers in world football.

Diego Simeone revealed he will assess Torres in training before deciding whether he will don the red and white stripes once again in the Copa del Rey last 16 first leg clash with Real at Vicente Calderon.

With Antoine Griezmann having scored five goals in his last two games, it would be a surprise to see Torres dislodge the France international or Mario Mandzukic in the

starting line-up.

Simeone’s side have already beaten Real 2-1 in La Liga this season, having also defeated the European champions over two legs in the Supercopa de Espana back in August.

Real knocked their neighbours out of the Copa del Rey en route to winning the competition last year, but they come into the game on the back of seeing their long winning run come to an end on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had won 22 games on the bounce before heading to Valencia and that club record was brought to an end as they suffered a 2-1 defeat in their first game of the year.

Barcelona’s surprise 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad later in the day ensured Real remain one point clear of Barca and Atleti at the top of the table, with the champions having beating Levante 3-1 on Saturday.

Brazil defender Marcelo, who returned from injury to face Valencia, is confident Real can put their defeat at the Mestalla behind them and spoil what could be an emotional return for Torres.

He told Real’s official website: “I don’t think that this defeat will affect the team going into Wednesday.

That’s another match and we’ll be all out to win it. We’re going to give our all to win, just like in every game.”

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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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do l a on R o n a i ist r C

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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

Cristiano

R

onaldo onaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and the late José Dinis Aveiro. He has one older brother, Hugo, and two elder sisters, Elma and Liliana.

Liliana is a singer by the stage name “Ronalda” in Portugal. Cristiano’s second given name ”Ronaldo” is very uncommon in Portugal. His parents named him after former Hollywood actor and U.S. President Ronald Reagan due to his late father’s respect for the man.

DOB: POSITION: HEIGHT: WEIGHT:

February 5, 1985 Forward 6’0” (1.84m) 174 lbs (79 kg)

AGE:

29

Ronaldo is a two-footed player, this allowing him to play anywhere up front: right, left or through the middle. This has enabled Ronaldo and left winger Ryan Giggs to switch wings occasionally, allowing Manchester United to further confuse their opponents. Ronaldo has superb technical ability. Besides his multiple step-over moves, he also developed a wide array of skills, making him a tricky and unpredictable winger to come up against.

Ronaldo’s pace and blistering runs, either down the wings or cutting into the middle, has further established him as an important player to Manchester United. He can also strike powerful shots from outside the box. His unique playing style is a far cry from traditional wingers of the past and he can best be described as a winger and a striker rolled into one.

Ronaldo is extremely good in the air and has scored a fair number of headed goals as well.

In addition, his ‘pin ball free-kicks’ are also noted for their swerve and dip. He is also adept at taking spot kicks and was Manchester United’s first choice penalty-taker.

In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo completed a record breaking €94 million transfer to Real Madrid. During his first season at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 26 goals.

The season was not very successful however as Barcelona won La Liga and Real Madrid fell out of Champions League at the hands of Lyon.

Cristiano Ronaldo played in his second FIFA World Cup in 2010. The Portuguese traveled to South Africa with high expectations after beating Bosnia to qualify for the World Cup. Portugal advanced to the knockout stages despite a poor showing during the group games.

Portugal was knocked out of the World Cup in the round of 16 by a far superior Spanish team.

Real Madrid announced that Jose Mourinho would take over as manager for the 2010-11 season. Together with Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo’s expectations for the upcoming season are at an all-time high.

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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

PUYOL

LEAVES BARCELONA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ROLE C arlos Puyol has announced he will leave his role as assistant sports director at Barcelona with immediate effect.

The former Barca captain follows director of football Andoni Zubizarreta out of the door at Camp Nou – the latter sacked on Monday after four years in the position.

Puyol was appointed in May 2014 after calling time on his playing career due to persistent knee problems hampering his time on the pitch.

And he has now ended his 20-year association with the 22-time La Liga champions, though the 36-year-old did hint a return to the club he joined two decades ago.

“I want to announce that I have decided

to terminate my employment relationship with the Football Club Barcelona,” he said in a statement released on his official Facebook page.

“These three and a half months have given me the opportunity to see the other side of the club. I have learned so much, I am very grateful, and now, I would like to experience other things from a different perspective and from other places.

“I want to grow both personally and professionally so that, in the future, I wish to return to this club and give back everything that you have given me during these unforgettable years.

“I am enormously grateful to employees, managers, president for the trust and helping me in this transition that was not easy

to me.

“And above all, to the fans, [to whom], since my retirement, I feel close, much more still.

“I would have liked to be able to leave with my boots on, but life is not always as one wants.”

Puyol won six La Liga titles during his long Barca playing career and also won the UEFA Champions League three times.

Police Chief warns Oldham against signing Evans

G

reater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner believes Oldham Athletic should not sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Reports in the British media suggested that the League One club are set to sign Evans, whose future has been the topic of fierce debate since his release from prison in October last year.

Evans was convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman and was sentenced to five years in jail back in 2012, before being released halfway through his term.

The former Wales international striker subsequently published a video online pleading his innocence and vowing to continue to fight to clear his name.

The likes of former club Sheffield United have distanced themselves from signing the 26-year-old, amid a storm of

public disapproval.

Oldham manager Lee Johnson concedes it is a “difficult situation”, while Mecca Bingo, one of the club’s sponsors, has threatened to end their association should Evans be offered a contract.

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has unequivocally underlined his stance on the matter, citing Evans’ “lack of remorse” as a major sticking point.

“Oldham Athletic Football Club should not sign Ched Evans,” he said in a statement.

“Ched Evans is a convicted rapist and, whilst I strongly believe in the principle of rehabilitation, it will send out entirely the wrong message if they offer him a contract.

‘Hernandez has no future at Old Trafford’ Manchester United have already decided Javier Hernandez has no future at Old Trafford, even if Real Madrid decide not to make his loan spell permanent at the end of the season.

Hernandez has scored three goals in eight La Liga appearances since joining Madrid on a season-long loan spell, with

the Spanish giants agreeing to take on his £90,000-a-week salary for the entire campaign.

The 26-year-old is still hoping to earn a full-time deal with the Champions League holders, although regardless of his performances during the second half of the season United will try to sell him for the highest possible fee this summer.

Hernandez

Puyol

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

FORMULA ONE

GOLF

LPGA

MERCEDES, McLAREN TO CHANGE COLOURS IN 2015

2015 R season preview Ko

W

ith Lydia Ko’s grand finale tromp through the CME Group Championship and her eclipse of Stacy Lewis and Michelle Wie as she claimed the Race to the CME Globe victory now consigned to golf history, with Brittany Lincicome engaged and Paula Creamer newly wed, with Lexi Thompson eager to debut her shift from blonde to brunette and with a new rookie class stepping up to the tee, I’m more than ready for the 2015 season to begin. While we start the countdown to the last week in January and the inaugural Coates Golf Championship in Ocala, Florida, let’s take a look at three seasonlong dramas that are likely to play out in the coming months.

The season-long, 2-way battle between Inbee Park and Stacy Lewis for the top of the world rankings that kept all of us on the edge of our seats during 2014 season is going to be much more complicated this year.

Although Suzann Pettersen, who’s still in the number 4 slot in the rankings, is unlikely to mount a viable charge for the top, going into the 2015 season there are at least 5 players with a realistic chance of claiming the top of the Rolex World Rankings at some point this year.

Inbee Park’s going to start the year at the top of the rankings, but can she hold on to the top spot? Stacy Lewis, 2014 LPGA Player of the Year and winner of the Vare Trophy, is coming into 2015 sitting on the top of the money list. She’s at the peak of her playing power, she’s utterly focused, and she wants to reclaim the top of the rankings. She’s starting 2015 in 3rd place, behind Lydia Ko, but

that’s a statistical artifact. In total points, Lewis is ahead of Ko and trailing Park by less than 50 points. I see her playing her way right back up to the top of the rankings very quickly. But will she be able to hold on to the top once she gets there?

Lydia Ko’s starting her 2nd year on the Tour in an enviable position. She had an stunning rookie year and now the 2014 Rookie of the Year is starting the season from a position of enormous strength.

But can Ko finish the job she started in her rookie season and take over the top of the rankings? She’s already shown that she can outplay the best of the best, and I look for her to take the top of the rankings at some point, perhaps early in the season. However, I don’t think she’ll be able to hold the top spot, not yet.

What about Shanshan Feng and Michelle Wie? They’re lurking just below Pettersen in the rankings, Feng at 5th and Wie at 6th. They both played terrific golf in 2014.

After losing her first real shot at a major championship to Lexi Thompson, Wie outplayed her perennial competitor and good friend, Stacy Lewis, to claim her first major at the US Women’s Open last June. Injury stalled her momentum in the latter half of the 2014 season but if she stays healthy Wie will be a serious challenger this year.

Shanshan Feng, China’s top golfer, meting her personal goal of three 2014 victories by pulling a final win out of the fire at the LET Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in December.

eports say Mercedes will switch to a chrome, mirror-like paint scheme for the 2015 Formula One season.

At least two top Formula One teams will enter the 2015 season with fundamentally different color schemes.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo reports that new reigning champions Mercedes intend to switch from silver to a striking mirror-like chrome paint job this year.

The report said the special chrome paint for the 2015 livery is called “Kromo,” and will also be supplied to wheel supplier OZ for the title-defending W06 raced by world champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The same Spanish sports newspaper reports that with Mercedes stepping up its iconic silver look, Woking-based McLaren is tipped for a complete livery U-turn in 2015.

Report Mercedes set for 50 hp engine boost in 2015FORMULA ONE Report: Mercedes set for 50-hp engine boost

Kumar

in 2015Delaying a start-of-season engine freeze may be nowhere near enough for Mercedes’ rivals to catch up in 2015.Although the rule “loophole” championed by Ferrari and Renault will now ...

McLaren turned silver in 1997, at the height of its works collaboration with Mercedes, but now the famous British team is kicking off its new era with Honda.

El Mundo Deportivo reported, “Honda does not want [McLaren] to continue with silver because it is a color immediately associated with Mercedes and the ‘Silver Arrows.’

“There are rumors the [2015] car could be orange, McLaren’s traditional color, for testing. But it could also be white, in a double-tribute: to Honda and also because McLaren’s first F1 car was that color” in 1966.

“The final choice could depend largely on whether McLaren has a major sponsor in 2015 or not,” the report added.

X7

CRICKET

Broad

Broad backs Morgan to shine

E

ngland fast bowler Stuart Broad is confident new ODI captain Eoin Morgan will rise to the chal-

lenge.

The Irishman replaced Alastair Cook as skipper in the limited-overs format last month and will lead England at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins in February.

Broad, who is spending his winter recovering from a knee injury, said: “Everyone enjoys watching Morgs when he plays - he’s a free spirit and he’ll want the players to express themselves.

“That’s a great thing for us because a run a ball in one-day cricket almost isn’t good enough now. Teams are scoring over 350 so we’re going to need players to play with freedom and not get down on themselves if they do get out playing aggressive shots.

“We saw players like Moeen Ali in Sri Lanka play some unbelievable knocks and really go expressively from ball one.

“But then he got stumped playing a big shot and a lot of pressure came on him - it was all, ‘oh you can’t play shots like that’.

“We need an environment where that kind of play is backed, where players are told to go and play their way, to take the game away from the opposition.

“That’s the one-day game now and Morgs can bring us that.”

“The first thing that will help Morgs with the captaincy is the extra responsibility. His mind will change away from his technique and what he’s been doing with the bat to more about how the team is working.”

“The first thing that will help Morgs with the captaincy is the extra responsibility. His mind will change away from his technique and what he’s been doing with the bat to more about how the team is working.

X8

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME A V O P A R A H S S T R A ST H T I W 2015 T N A N DOMI WIN Maria Sharapova opened her 2015 season by winning nine straight games in a 6-0 6-1 win against Yaroslava Shvedova in the second round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

Top seed Sharapova wrapped up the first set in 23 minutes and led 3-0 in the second before Shvedova held serve, raising her arm in mock triumph. Shvedova had a break-point opportunity in

the next game, but couldn’t put away an overhead and Sharapova responded with a backhand winner down the line.

“I wanted to get off to a good start.

Wanted to be as sharp as I could,” said Sharapova, who advanced to the quarter-finals.

Third-seed Angelique Kerber advanced earlier with a 6-3 7-5 win against Daria Gavrilova. Varvara Lep-

Messi Vows to follow Chelsea on Instagram

Ozil Set For Gunners’ Return this weekend

BRIEFS

Pillars in search of quality keepers

chenko progressed with a 6-4 6-4 win against Madison Keys, who had ousted Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova in the first round.

In Auckland, at the ASB Classic, Venus Williams made short work of her first match of the new year by sweeping past Jana Cepelova of Slovakia 6-4 6-0 in 52 minutes. Williams, seeded third behind Caroline Wozniacki and

Sara Errani, appeared fit and served 10 aces.

Top-seeded Wozniacki had to work hard to subdue qualifier Julia Glushko of Israel 6-3 6-2. Urzula Radwanska beat former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4 7-5 and another qualifier, Lucie Hradecka, toppled fifth-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4.

Ex-Chelsea player Gavin Peacock issues religious marriage advice

Neville’s wife reveals ex-footballer is “not domesticated”

Kano Pillars are looking to sign Benin Republic international goalkeeper Olaniyi Emmanuel Fabiyi, who is currently a free agent after he left Sunshine Stars.

According to reports packaged by SL10 sources, the Nigeria Professional Football League giants have sent their scouts to watch Fabiyi play on several occasions.

The NPFL champions are also thought to be keeping their options wide open, with Nasarawa United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye believed to be on their wanted list.

“Both players looked good with their performances in the 2013/14 NPFL season, and they should get feedback from Pillars soon,” a top official told SL10.

“It is expected that by the end of the week the scout reports on the two players will be decided,” the source added.

Fabiyi, a Nigerian-born goal minder, has also played for Bayelsa United and Abia Warriors in the past.

Ajiboye won the 2007 U17 FIFA World Cup and has also defended the colours of Shooting Stars SC and Prime FC in his football career.

Pillars are in search of a quality goalkeeper to give Theophilus Afelokhai a big run for his money following the club’s qualification for the 2015 CAF Champions League.

Joseph Onwuoga is the back-up goalie for Afelokhai and he has been decent in goal for Pillars, but there are doubts over his ability. The signing of Moses Ocheje in the second round of the previous season didn’t convince the coaching crew of the club to hand him a new contract.

Great pity that athletes lobby to receive awards’ Ozil Messi Lionel Messi has fuelled talk of a move to Chelsea after following the Blues’ account on Instagram.

The Barcelona superstar was benched for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad, before missing an open training session on Monday.

He also began following Chelsea stars Thibaut Courtois and Filipe Luis.

The Argentine has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge as early as November, but manager Jose Mourinho dismissed the speculation at the time.

However, the four-time Ballon d’Or winner also follows Manchester City, Newells Old Boys and Argentina on the social networking site.

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is in line to make his return from injury against Stoke City this weekend, according to reports.

Ozil has been out of action since October with a knee injury but he is back in full training and is targeting Sunday’s game as a chance to make his eagerly awaited return.

The Telegraph says that it is more likely the 25-year-old will start amongst the substitutes, with the following weeks trip to Premier League champions Manchester City in mind.

Arsene Wenger could also have midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey fit for the visit of the Potters, while Danny Welbeck is considered a doubt and Mikel Arteta is definitely ruled out.

Gavin Former Chelsea player Peacock has left a number of his Twitter followers bemused after posting his thoughts on marriage.

According to reports, the 47-year-old, who retired from football in 2002, is an Elder and Pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Canada.

Peacock took to his Twitter page to write: “Husbands: one of your primary duties in loving your wife is to feed her with the Word of God daily.

“Wives: one of the primary ways you are to respect your husband is by gladly submitting to and encouraging his leadership.

“God’s divine design for marriage in male headship and female submission is complementary not competitive.”

Neville Former Manchester United and Everton footballer Phil Neville struggles with everyday chores and has no idea how to turn on an oven, according to his wife Julie.

During an interview with the BBC, Neville revealed that he made his first cup of coffee at the age of 37 and it appears that his domestic talents don’t stretch too far.

Julie Neville told the Daily Mail: “Ironing? Oh gosh no, he wouldn’t even know where we keep the ironing board. He wouldn’t know how to turn an oven on.

“I’ve never known anything else and I’m super-domestic so I don’t really mind. Phil is an amazing father and husband, just not domesticated in any way.”

Taking a jibe at pugilist Vijender Singh and badminton ace Saina Nehwal after the duo advertised their names for the Padma Bhushan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said it’s a great pity that the Indian athletes feel they have to lobby and threaten to receive awards.

He took to Twitter to express his views in this regard, saying the criteria for the coveted award should be based on merit.

“It’s a great pity that our athletes feel they have to lobby and threaten to receive awards, criteria based on merit should be all that decides,” Omar tweeted.

“There is something rather offputting seeing our most accomplished sportspersons jostling each other to jump the “Padma” award queue,” he said in another tweet.