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$2.1b arms fund probe a hoax – Dokpesi Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎChieftain of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and founder of DAAR Communications PLC, Dr.

Raymond Dokpesi has dismissed the probe of $2.1 billion funds meant for arms purchase under the last administration as nothing but a witch-hunt of leaders and members of his party

by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dokpesi, who made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking at an investiture ceremony where

he was conferred with the honour of “Freedom Fighter of PDP” by the PDP Youth Vanguards, expressed Continued on page 6

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 18

GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 6th January 2016.

WAPCO

96.01

105

8.99%

BERGER

10

10.5

0.5%

DANGCEM

170

7UP

182

188.89

6.89%

NAHCO

3.6

3.78

0.18%

NB

122.74 116

N150

153.43 -16.57% -6.74%

PZ

24.42

23.71

-0.71%

UNHOMES

4.97

4.5

-0.47%

IMF boss warns FG against foreign loans “Nigeria’s debt is relatively low at about 12 percent of GDP, but it weighs heavily on the public purse. Already, about 35 kobo of every naira collected by the Federal Government is used to service outstanding public debt”

Ï nƏ Ɔ ó ƏƗ ƗƆƅƈ ƈ ôè ƄƏ ƗƆ ƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɣ Ƅ Ɔè y j Ə ƐƆ ƈ ƅƏƆ Ɔ Ï ó0ƑƆƋ ƑƄ ƈƗƈƆ Əƌ Ɛ Ɔ ƍƋ ƆƐè ƄƆ ƆƇƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ Əƈƅ ƌ ƏƆô Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÎÎÎVisiting Managing Director of

the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, has warned the Federal government

against taking foreign loans to run the economy now, just as she told Nigerians not to expect an immedi-

ate improvement of the economy amid consistent fall in the price of crude oil at the International mar-

ket.

Continued on page 6

Tribunal B2 adjourns 44 insurance companies case against FIRS ‘Buhari not a tyrant, only driven by 8 passion to redeem Nigeria’ Global outcry over North 13 Korea’s Hydrogen bomb test

GOC, 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade inspecting some weapons seized from members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Kaduna… on Wednesday

Ï 01 ƏƗƆƏ ƑƗƈƐ Ƈ ƏƆƒƆ ƑƆ Ɔ ƆƏ Ɛƈ Ɔ ƅƈƆ

12

Linda Ejiofor:

L1

From Tinsel to stardom

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Curbing high incidence of building collapse

T

he spate of building collapse all over in the country should be a source of worry to all Nigerians. Every day brings with it gory news of such incidence in one part of the country or the other. Most times human lives are involved in such tragedies, including property worth millions of naira.

For long, Nigerians have watched in resignation the inability of the authorities to curb this recurring nightmare. Two weeks ago, the Abu Naima Primary and Secondary School building in Jos, Plateau State collapsed, killing 10 children who were receiving Islamic lectures. In the same week, seven people escaped death in Yaba area of Lagos State when a four-storey building under construction collapsed. In addition, another five people including a 13-year-old girl were crushed to death after a two-storey building crumbled in Surulere area of Lagos State. The building, which was under construction crashed while it, rained.

Experts have attributed the increasing rate of building collapse to a variety of reasons that include the high cost of building materials and the absence of affordable alternative leading to the use of inferior materials. In addition, they posit that quacks have infiltrated the construction industry as they lack the expertise and international best practices for structural designs, among others. They also point accusing fingers at the deliberate downplay on professional advice, inappropriate planning, diversion from plan specifications, poor workmanship, lack of soil investigations, greed and desire to maximise profit. Others include illegal conversion of buildings, which often lead to structural deficiencies and flagrant disobedience to town planning regulations by developers and landlords.

We are therefore calling on the authorities and other stakeholders to intensify actions in order to reduce the increasing incidence of building collapse through passing relevant laws to tackle the menace. For this to succeed we advise that the town planning authorities be adequately staffed and

equipped with professionals to ensure thorough supervision of buildings at all stages. Moreover, government at all levels should provide an enabling law for the training and effective control of artisans and craftsmen in the building industry.

In furtherance to this, clients should obtain approvals before they begin construction and in doing so must work with the approved drawings and specifications while any alterations must get approval before their implementations. It is time the National Assembly enacted a law for the enforcement of the Nigerian National Building Code to ensure effective regulation of the activities. Such document should represent a compulsory requirement before anyone embarks on land development especially at medium and large-scales.

We also urge the government to hasten action on the establishment of Soil Research Institute of Nigeria (SRIN) with zonal branches in response to major ecosystems in the country. The institute will be charged with the responsibility of soil resources inventory, characterisation and classification for matching them to engineering, architectural, aesthetic and environmental challenges in Nigeria.

Many accusations have been levelled against town planning officials for approving building permits to non-professional builders. Such corrupt practice has made the construction industry an all-comers affair. Through the Nigerian Standard Organisations (SON), government must be ready to combat the importation of sub-substandard and unwholesome building materials into the country. Reinforcing and effectively implementing its Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) can achieve this. This will not only protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe and sub-standard building materials, but also discourage the use of inferior materials for construction.

Lastly, government must be ready to tackle the complicated problem of building neglect by the populace generally. The way to tackling the problem should be through legislation, enforcement, support and assistance, publicity and public education.

APC’s warning against ‘insulting’ Buhari Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏThe

unimaginable happened on Saturday when the All Progressives Congress (APC) warned Nigerians in general and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in particular against insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and officials of his administration.

The warning, according to a statement signed by the party’s national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, became necessary due to what it called the PDP’s “unprovoked insults and unguarded statements” on President Buhari and other members of the APC. APC’s warning comes as a rude shock to many Nigerians who have not forgotten how the party and its chieftains while in op-

position rained all manner of insults on former President Goodluck Jonathan and then ruling PDP. The party on many occasions denigrated the office and person of former President, depicting him as clueless and incompetent.

Many chieftains of the party also poured invectives on Jonathan and officials of his administration.

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for instance, while in serving as interim Deputy National Secretary of the APC, in a post on his twitter page during the Jonathan administration, described Jonathan as “lazy, docile, incompetent, clueless, hopeless and useless leader.”

The Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, on one occasion, described Jonathan as a kindergarten president. Several other leaders of the party also took to raining abuses on Jona-

Words On Marble :

than and his administration at every turn.

Fact is that if the APC and its chieftains did not see anything wrong in raining insults on Jonathan and officials of his administration, then the party need not warn the PDP and Nigerians against so-called “unprovoked insults and unguarded statements” on President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the APC. Whether such insults and unguarded statement come from the PDP or other Nigerians, the APC must learn to live by it, after all, what is good for the geese is good for the gander. The party set the pace in abusing the former President and ridiculing his office while it was in opposition. Now that it has found itself in power, the APC and President Buhari should be mature enough to soak in the ‘insults’ as the former occupier of the office of the President and his party did.

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Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Managing Editor Yinka Olujimi Daily/ Online Editor Biodun Durojaiye Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

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Solomon Dalong

Ifie Sekibo

Christine Lagarde

“We cannot dismiss the gains of the NYSC scheme in integrating Nigeria; I will stand firmly for the sustenance of the system, to continue in its capacity-building of Nigerian citizens because it is an indispensable aspect of diversifying our culture.”

“We can’t grow an economy where all we want to spend on are dollar-denominated and foreign goods.”

“Oil prices will remain low and low for a long time. Oil producing countries must factor this in and model their economic policies towards this direction.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

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Ife-Modakeke war: Ooni settles age-long rivalry Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÎÎÎ The Ooni of

Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll, has set up House of Oduduwa Development Trustfund to reconstruct damaged buildings during the communal clash between Ile-Ife and Modakeke.

Oba Ogunwusi said this during a “thank you” visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at Government House in Osogbo, Osun state, on Wednesday.

He called on the governor to support the initiative of the two communities with the setting up of a trust fund

by House of Oduduwa, in order to assist youths and rebuild the ruins of war in the area.

He explained that the people of Ife and Modakeke have resolved that there would no longer be rivalry and war during his reign as the Ooni of Ife and thereafter.

While calling on collective efforts for the development of Osun state, the Ooni said, “Ife youths have renounced violence, they are ready to work. Ife and Modakeke have come together with a resolve that there will no longer be rivalry and war now and thereafter. ”Europeans have been to Ife and they likened us to Roman Empire and other empire of the world, the time has come for all and sundry to see the greatness of Ife and Osun.

“Leaders in Ife are closer

to the people than government, I want to assure you that the change and development that has come to Ife will spread across Osun. I don’t want to believe that it will be difficult for our people in Osun to pay tax, the only way we can help government is by paying tax”.

Aregbesola Governor therefore urged traditional rulers in the state to help government in educating people on the need for the payment of tax.

He also appealed to Cocoa farmers in the state not to sell their produce out of Osun.

Said he: “I urge the Ooni not to oppress the people and to bring together all sons and daugh-

ters of Oduduwa. I am most pleased with the plans to permanently end the war between Ife and Modakeke.

“The boundary razed down and other things would be rebuilt. I want to also ask that traditional rulers should use their position to ensure that farmers are enjoined not to take their Cocoa out of the state because what we have in Osun if properly harnessed, will help the economy of the state.

“We have been able to enumerate 66 million fruit bearing Cocoa trees that can give us 330 thousand metric tonnes as against the 18 thousand metric tonnes.”

Owonifaari Market demolished by Lagos State Task Force on Environment at Oshodi, Lagos… on Wednesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI.

Kwara LGs to audit staff, overheads to checkmate salary delay Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin Local Government Councils in Kwara state are to carry out personnel and overheads audit as part of strategies to check the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries.

This was the resolution in a communiqué issued after the meeting attended by the state governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, local government chairmen and labour leaders, on the salaries arrears to local government staff and teachers.

The Chairman of the Asso-

ciation of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Barrister Abdulateef Okandeji, who read the communiqué said the meeting also resolved that ALGON and other stakeholders will work out modalities on “how future allocations would be disbursed while prioritising payment of salaries of staff from hence forth”.

Barr. Okandeji, who is also the chairman of Ilorin East local government, said the meeting also reviewed state and local government finances as a result of persistent

shortfall in resources and allocation.

The chairman added that government on its part said it is “neither desirous of sacking workers nor reducing the minimum wage. Government, together with Labour Unions, is to explore the best ways to access fund to pay the backlog of salaries arrears – October, November and December – owed the staff of the Local Government, as well as Primary/Basic school teachers in the State”.

The ALGON chairman further noted that the meeting

appreciated that the current allocation can barely take care of few of the financial commitment of the local government which caused backlog of salaries owed the local government staff, local government pensions, primary and junior secondary school teachers.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Joint Negotiation Council, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.

5 News

NAF appoints Group Capt.

Famuyiwa as spokesman Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎ

The Nigerian Air Force has appointed a new spokesman to manage its public affairs activities.

The new Director of Public Relations and Information is Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, who replaces the former Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, who has been moved to the Defence Headquarters as Theatre Information Officer.

Commodore Alonge’s appointment was created recently specifically to

handle media operations with respect to the ongoing counter insurgency in the Northeast zone of the country.

The new office is part of efforts by the military leaderships to restructure the Northeast campaign in order to effectively counter the Boko Haram insurgents and enhance the success of operation LAFIYA DOLE. Until his recent appointment, Group Captain Famuyiwa was Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information at Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Abuja.

Father sells 5-month-old son for N.5m Joy Anyim

ÎÎÎ

A 30-year-old man, Okwuchukwu Ibekwe, father of two have been arrested by the police for selling his five-month-old son for N500, 000 to one Chinelo in Ihiala, Anambra state.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspect before journalists at the state command, Ikeja, on Wednesday, said that the suspect sold the baby to one Chinelo, who is still at large with the baby.

According to Ibekwe, the selling of baby Chidera was an agreement between himself and his wife, adding that he did not just sell the baby on his own.

He narrated how it all happened: “I was working as a motor mechanic at Ladipo Auto market, the building housing my mechanic shop was sold by the owner. I have no other source of living but someone gave me a bus to drive as a public transport, but after a while the bus caught fire and burnt that rendered me jobless.

I don’t have any other means of livelihood to cater for my children.

“At a stage, it became difficult for me to take care of my wife and the two kids. My wife, Oluchi, came up with an idea of using Chidera, one of my children to borrow money from Chinnelo and our agreement with the woman was to give us N500,

Dankwambo talks tough on S’ Court case ÎÎÎ Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe state has stated that the dragging of the court case now at the Supreme Court, over his victory during last year’s polls was a normal democratic process.

According to the governor, the court case should not be misconstrued as offensive action or a deliberate act that can frustrate policies and programmes of the government.

Speaking through his Deputy, Hon. Charles Iliya when members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid the governor Christmas and New Year homage at the Government House, expressed appreciation to

Gov. Dankwambo them for the support accorded him in 2015 which prompted his re-election for a second term.

Governor Dankwambo, who attributed the prevailing peace and unity in the state and success of his government to the fervent prayers being offered by the religious bodies, however, called for calm and more prayers for the success of his administration.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

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Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Lagarde warns FG against foreign loans Continued from page 1 Christine Lagarde, who gave the warning during a meeting with Senators led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the country’s economy is currently in bad shape, and the government needs to build resilience which entails making careful decisions on borrowing.

“Nigeria’s debt is relatively low at about 12 percent of GDP. But it weighs heavily on the public purse. Already, about 35 kobo of every naira

collected by the federal government is used to service outstanding public debt”, she stressed.

The advice is coming against the backdrop of plans by the Federal government to borrow as much as N900 billion from abroad to partly fund the N2.2 trillion deficit projected in the 2016 budget recently presented to the National Assembly

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The IMF boss said with the global financial meltdown, the price of crude oil

is not expected to rise soon, stressing that oil price will remain low for some period of time.

She said Nigeria, however has all it takes to confront its economic challenges, just as she stressed the need for the country’s leadership to launch some belt-tightening measures aimed towards assuaging the impact of the economic meltdown on the citizens.

The IMF Director offered some ways out for the government of Nigeria which she tagged as three Rs; Re-

solve, Resilience and Refrain.

She said Nigeria can immediately resolve to mobilise revenue for its economic growth, while cutting down wastages through the fight against corruption, urging the country also to show Resilience by making careful decisions on how to grow its Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Lagarde said by showing Refrain, Nigeria can guarantee quality and efficiency within its systems, while improving on service delivery

$2.1b arms fund probe a hoax – Dokpesi Continued from page 1 firm optimism that the courts would sooner or later proved that “this coinage” is nothing but a hoax.

This was even as the PDP Youth Vanguards staged a peaceful demonstration at party’s National Secretariat yesterday, calling for the immediate release of the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Dokpesi was recently granted bail after being arrested and arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in connection with N2.1 billion allegedly paid to his company by the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

He noted with regret that the PDP was experiencing

a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta targeted at its leadership, membership and sympathisers by the APC-led Federal Government.

His words, “It is meant to destroy the existence of PDP. The persecution of the former National Security Adviser, the persecution of the National Publicity Secretary, the persecution of our Chairman of Board of Trustees, will fail when we begin defense”.

The PDP Chieftain however refused to make any comment regarding the several matters filed before the courts against him and other members of the party.

According to him, “doing so would be subjudice” Dokpesi, in an apparent reference to the clamp down on politicians during

# ƊƍƆ ƈ the Second Republic, when President Buhari took over as military head of state in 1983, noted with regrets that Nigerians “are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the events of today.”

He said, “so much water has passed under the bridge

since the general elections of April 2015. So much has been said about our members, many of whom have been publicly vilified even without being heard.

“I assure you that we will not be weakened or demoralised in playing our role as the important opposition voice which is a very key ingredient in any democratic state.

“We may be harassed, we may even be bent, but we are resolute and will not be broken! Even as I speak now the relentless pursuit of our members across the country is being intensified and I can say with some measure of certainty that a lot more lie in stock for the PDP and its members”, he Continued on page 12

as well as ensuring budget discipline.

According to her, in view of the low oil price and revenues with concomitant failure on the part of government in delivering the needed public services to the citizenry, there was need for fundamental change in the way government operates.

This, she stated, means that hard decisions will need to be taken on revenue, expenditure, debt, and investment going forward.

She said: “The new reality of low oil prices and low oil revenues means that the fiscal challenge facing government is no longer about how to divide the proceeds of Nigeria’s oil wealth, but what needs to be done so that Nigeria can deliver to its peo-

ple the public services they deserve—be it in education, health or infrastructure.

“This means that hard decisions will need to be taken on revenue, expenditure, debt, and investment going forward” She said in carrying out the hard decisions and acting with resolve, government would have to step up revenue mobilization by broadening its tax base and reducing leakages and improving compliance and enhancing collection efficiency as well as increase VAT rate in the country which according to her, is one of the lowest in the world.

She added that government in exercising restraint Continued on page 12

APC seeks partnership with Chinese Communist Party Ï Ƒ Əƈ Ɛ ƒƈ ƈƐ ƈ Tom Okpe, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎThe

All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, signaled its intention to enter into partnership and cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC), the founding and ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

This is even as President Muhammadu Buhari is to embark on a state visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on a yet to be announced date. The visit is

on the invitation of Chinese President, Xi Jinping.

These were disclosed in a statement released at the end of a meeting held at the APC secretariat in Abuja between the party’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and a Chinese delegation led by the charge d’ affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Qin Jian.

The statement signed by the party’s Assistant Director of Publicity, Odegbe OdewinContinued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Shi’ite/Army clash: Military has no apology to sect – Army VICTOR JIBRIN, Kaduna

ÎÎÎThe

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, MajorGeneral Adeniyi Oyebade, has bluntly said that the military had no apology to members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria – the Shiites.

He stated this in reaction to the bloody clash between the group and soldiers in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday on the 2015 activities of the Command, Oyebade said the army was not repentant for its action

“because the sect formed a parallel government within a constituted authority”.

He remarked that the military had no issue with the Islamic sect, pointing out that even some military personnel were Shiites by faith, but they respected and obeyed constituted authority.

He announced that as the fight against terror intensified, over 21 Boko Haram suspects had been arrested just as over 200 camps belonging to the insurgents and armed bandits were discovered and destroyed across the northeast during the period under review.

He displayed assorted weapons – including locally-

made ammunitions that were recovered, during the period, from the bandits, particularly in Kaduna.

He said from all indications, the ravaged north-east was no longer safe for Boko Haram and other criminals in the zone and called on the people to report any suspicious movement to security agencies for prompt action.

According to him, “the army has paid heavily with the blood of its officers and men to protect this country, and, so, we have no apology to any group, either Shiites Islamic sect, Christian sect, even pagan sect that is threatening the peace of this country.

“We don’t have any issue with the Shiites or any sect at all in the land, as long as they obey the law of the land.

But if any group tends to challenge the constituted authority of the land, it means that such group does not respect the constitution of the land.

“Even in the military, we have Shiites members, but there is no issue with them because they are law abiding citizens but we have issues with those who create a state within a state, and our rules of engagement is very clear, that is, when there is threat to a constituted authority, it must be arrested before it goes out of control.

7 News

Lassa fever: FG releases drug to affected states

Adewole

AKOR EJUMENE, Abuja

ÎÎÎIn an effort to curtail

the reported outbreak of lassa fever in some states, the federal government has released some quantities of ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for the fever for prompt and adequate treatment of affected persons.

It also ordered the deployment of rapid response teams from the Ministry of Health to all the affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases

and tracing of contacts.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who dropped the hint, in a statement he issued, in Abuja, on Wednesday, said that in the last six weeks, Nigeria had been experiencing lassa fever (LF) outbreak which had, so far, affected eight states – Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo. Putting the total number of suspected cases so far reported to 76 with 35 deaths, and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 46%, the minister said the country’s laboratories have confirmed14 cases.

He maintained that the first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November, 2015, followed by cases reported

by Kano State, and subsequently the other states that were affected.

JAF queries appointment into tertiary institutions Kayode Adelowokan

ÎÎÎ

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), receiving the report of Inquiry into the Civil Disturbance at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) from the Chairman of the Tribunal, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, (rtd) (2nd right), on Wednesday. With them are Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right).

Edo 2016: Benin chiefs warn Gov. Oshiomhole Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎA group of people, who

call themselves Benin Leaders of Thought (BLT), have vowed to resist any attempts

by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to foist his successor on the state without general input from the people of the state.

They have also raises the alarm over what they described as “the re-introduction of god-fatherism into the state politics ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

The BLT, under the leadership of the younger brother

of Benin monarch, Prince Edun Akenzuwa, gave this warning in a press conference organised by the sociocultural group in Benin on Wednesday.

The decision of the chiefs may not be unconnected with the governor’s speculated endorsement of the Chairman of Edo Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as his preferred successor in the 2016 governorship election.

They warned that a re-introduction of God-fatherism in the politics of the state would be detrimental to its social, economic and politi-

cal development.

According to Akenzua: “Adams Oshiomhole, like other citizens, has the inalienable right to support any aspirant of his choice even though that right would be exercised in a manner that also respects the right of other people to freely choose who will govern them.

“While not confirming the rumour, BLT’s position on this issue is that god-fatherism in Edo politics is detrimental to the social, economic and political development of the state. God-fathersim is not acceptable to BLT and the people of Edo State.

It should not be reintroduced under any guise.

“The people of Edo State should be given a free hand to determine their next governor. Popular participation bestows responsibility for governing one’s own conduct, develop ones character, self-reliance, intelligence and moral judgment.

“In a democracy, there is no substitute for popular participation. Even if a benevolent despot could govern in the public interest, he would be rejected by the classic democrat. Man can only know the truth by discovering it himself.”

In its bid to save public education system in Nigeria, the Joint Action Front (JAF) has called for total autonomy of tertiary institutions.

The civil society organisation made the call in Lagos following rumours that the Deputy-Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, was planning to upturn the result of interview conducted for the office of the Provost of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.

The General-Secretary of JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, told our correspondent that the state governor was visitor to the campuses and should therefore not influence the appointment of those who run the affairs of the institutions.

According to an unverified result of the interview, Dr. (Mrs.) Omolola Oladele, who is a staff of the college came first while Professor A. Ogunbiyi, an Associate Professor from the Lagos State University (LASU) came second and Dr. (Mrs) Oshodi, third.

Yola Bishop frees 26 inmates Tom Garba, Yola

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Bishop of Yola, Adamawa State, Most Rev Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, of the Catholic Diocese has facilitated the release of 26 inmates serving various prison sentences at the Yola Maximum prison to commemorate 2016 as the Year of Peace set aside by the pontiff, Pope Frances 11 Mamza, who facilitated the release of the inmates met all conditions for 26 of the inmates before their release, on Wednes-

day, said the Church’s compassion and mercy for the needy symbolised the outlook of the Global Catholic Church to commemorate 2016 as the Year of Mercy.

He gave an insight into the release of the inmates to the effect that he was moved with compassion to seek the release of the inmates, some of whom, he disclosed, had been in incarceration for over a year due to their inability to pay the meager fines as option attached to their sentences.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Politics

s

APC eyes communist China for cooperation over ‘Change Mantra’ The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its intention to enter into partnership and cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC), the founding

and ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

This was a fallout of meeting held between the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni and a

Chinese government delegation led by the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Qin Jian. The meeting was held at the APC Xi-Jinping-china

Oyegun

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Buhari not a tyrant, only driven by passion to redeem Nigeria — Ajasin

2016: How workers plot against wasteful spending by Public Officers The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has unveiled plans for immediate reduction in the cost of governance at all levels under the current democratic dispensation.

This is coming against the background of dwindling financial resources to the governments at all levels leading to plans to reduce the minimum wage, sack workers, remove fuel subsidy and a hike in electricity tariff.

NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, referred to the ‘2009 Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) figures,’ which showed that the salaries and allowances of “certain political and judicial office holders,” totalling under 18,000 persons earn an astonishing N1.126 trillion annually.

This development is also coming on the heels of recent report over moves by the Senate to purchase Land Cruiser vehicles worth N4.7 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Buhari Tokunbo Ajasin, son of former governor of old Ondo State and leader of Afenifere, late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin is founder of Atayese, a Yoruba self determination group.

A former member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC) and former chairman of WEMA Bank, in this interview

Ajasin with AKINJIDE AKINTOLA defends President Muhammadu Buhari of allegations of being a tyrant, saying the President is only being driven by passion to redeem the country.

The opposition PDP described President Muhammadu Buhari as a tyrant, following his comments on Media chat on the non-release

of suspects despite two or three bail granted them by the courts.

How do you this?

I think unfortunately, sometimes the President is too frank; he is not a person who speaks diplomatically but speaks about issues the way it is, the way he feels in his heart. And to some extent, I think that’s one of the reasons

people voted for him. Because they want someone who is genuine, someone who speaks his mind; who doesn’t couch his words in language that is politically correct. We have been having people who say things they don’t do but here we have someone who say things as it is, and that’s why he is CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Saraki

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

9 Politics

Why ‘Change Mantra’ is slow —Ajasin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

liable to all accusations. But what he has done or say is not wrong per se because if someone is arrested and granted bail, he can be arrested on another charge. In the past, they put all the charges together and come to court and then the accused gets bail and you are bound to let him go according to the order of the court. Now, that you have been taught lessons, you don’t lump all the charges together. You put some charges first and if he gets bail you put another charge, you don’t let him go. That is what is happening now because they feel that if the accused is granted bail and they let him go, well, he may not come back. This was what the president was trying to say.

The reason they are doing that is because of the past, because they have been taught lessons. Why all of a sudden, immediately you are arrested, you say you are ill and you have medical appointment for treatment abroad. Everybody is doing that, having medical treatment abroad; we know it’s a game they all play. Other people would have replied in a diplomatic manner, but he is not known to talk diplomatically. But he has not done anything wrong, there is still lot in where he is going.

Some people even said he should have simply answered that since the case is in court, he would not like to comment?

That’s true because there were a few questions like that which he declined to answer on account of being still in court. But sometimes, you get passionate about something and you say certain things that may get you into this type of controversy.

The President is over seven months in office now, do you see any change yet as promised?

The changes are not coming as fast as we expect but there is a lot going on underneath from what I understand. The only thing is that his cabinet is a departure from the usual. Unfortunately, the long period that was used to put the cabinet into place was too long and I thought he was going to do something extraordinary, but by the time he announced the cabinet, I felt he didn’t need that much time.

But in any case, those he chose, I believe they are competent people and they would do something especially in an environment everybody is expecting a difference. The change itself is not evidenced yet but I believe looking at the caliber of people, they should perform.

The only other fear I have is that the revenue profile of the country may not be able to achieve what they want to do, but the wastages would be curbed, and the excess spendings.

But in the details of the budget being unveiled, it was discovered that revenue projections for the Presidency in areas like cars, feeding, travels and furniture were much higher than those of former President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015?

I will be surprised, but honestly, I haven’t gone through the revenue profiles of what he has budgeted, so I can’t really answer that question. But in some statements he said they wanted him to buy cars for N400 but he declined saying the current ones are okay for him; he doesn’t need to buy new vehicles as he can use what other people have used. You know civil servants can put you into

Ajasin trouble if you are not careful. He also spoke about the amount the National Assembly is planning to use in buying cars when they already have transport allowance. So, those things are in the budget and obviously, he is not going to entertain that. And there are other things like that in the budget and would be scrutinised and the budget is either passed or there will be a stalemate because from his reaction I’m envisaging

a constitutional crisis where he would refuse to sign and veto the budget while the National Assembly might also override his veto.

Then it would now depend on the public support through agitations of the people. And if the people support the National Assembly on the issue then the country deserves what it got. But if the people maintain their stand that no, this is not what you are supposed to be doing, you already have cars,

you don’t need other cars, then the President might have his way.

But the legislators are defending it saying the cars are for official duties?

That’s what I mean by being realistic as nobody wants to speak the truth about anything. If you want to use cars for official duties, there are cars in the pool, but you don’t ride it around for leisure. Everyone can’t use them at the same time. And in time of austerity, you can even use your personal cars and have an allowance paid for the use of your car for official duties. It has been done before, before we started buying cars for everybody now. When my dad was a member of parliament many years ago, he got a loan from the bank to buy a car; I don’t know how they arranged it then, maybe the government would guarantee it. That was the car he was also using for his personal duties since they gave him a loan for it and he was paying back. And that’s what they did for every member then, and when there was a coup, I remembered that my sister, a legal practitioner with the government was sent to recover some debts of some MPs who were still owing by the time they were removed from office by the coup. If they can do it then, why not now, especially in view of the lean resources at the moment. This is part of the change being expected. That time there was oil, now we have to cut our coat to our size. It also happened to individuals too when they are no more affluent. You have to cut your expenses and live frugally until you recover. So, this people CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

APC eyes communist China for cooperation over ‘Change Mantra’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

National Secretariat in Abuja.

At the meeting, the Chinese chargé d’affaires Qin Jian, disclosed to the APC leadership that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited President Muhammadu Buhari to China on a State Visit on a yet-to-beannounced date.

Mai Mala Buni who was represented at the meeting by APC’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, said: “China is a very important technical and trading partner to Nigeria. Both countries have enjoyed excellent social, economic and cultural relations. As China

is aware, Nigeria recently witnessed a change of government which ushered in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The time for better cooperation between both countries is now as the APC and the President Buhari administration works to deliver on its Change mandate.”

He said healthy relations between Nigeria and China will ultimately be of benefit to Africa. At party level, the APC National Secretary identified capacity building and collaboration as areas Nigeria’s APC and the Chinese CPC can partner.

Meanwhile, Qin Jian report-

ed that following the successful December 2015 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) summit which brought together Chinese senior government officials and most African heads of government to Johannesburg, South Africa, the Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a $60 billion aid package for Africa.

The aid package would finance a broad range of assistance programmes to help Africa industrialise, modernise its agricultural production, boost the skills of its workers, build infrastructure and improve its health care.

Qin Jian said 2016 marks the

45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.

“We (China) have enjoyed positive and beneficial partnership with Nigeria in healthcare, economy, infrastructure development, social/cultural exchange and other areas... Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa and is a very important partner with China.

“The Chinese CPC and Nigeria’s ruling APC will pursue better cooperation which will be of benefit to both nations. Both parties can share experiences on how to develop the economy and protect the environment as well as technical support and

capacity building where necessary.” Qin Jian said.

Oyegun

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

2016: How workers plot against wasteful spending by Public Officers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

billion, while the House of Representatives is keeping its plan to its chest.

However, the members of the House of Representatives might be heading for frosty relationship over the plan to impose Peugeot 508 on them instead of their preferred Camry Toyota worth N12 million each.

Worried by the hard stance of the federal legislators despite the July 2015 engagement with Senate president, Bukola Saraki, by the organised labour, where they called for greater transparency in the budgeting and determination of allowances of members of the National Assembly, Wabba argued that business in the National Assembly, as well as other tiers of government, was continuing as usual with the political elite not willing to make any sacrifices that would impact on their current comfort zone.

“It is shocking that our lawmakers at the national level – Senators and Members of the House of Representatives – would continue

with the bizarrely ostentatious standards they have set for themselves, for spending our collective patrimony.

“The planned purchase of 496 exotic cars costing several billions of naira, after getting car allowances, is not only outrageous but a mark of the manifest insensitivity of our legislators in the period of severe famine in the land.

“How can we, poor working people, millions of the unemployed and the poor masses, be expected to tighten our belts, while those supposedly elected by us to manage and provide succour for our collective wellbeing intend to live like emperors at a time that our economy is facing serious challenges?

“We call on the leadership of the National Assembly to remove this item from the budget for the National Assembly, and in the spirit of accountability and transparency, begin to make public the budget of the legislature,” he said.

Wabba, who decried the level of impunity of state governors in the misappropriation of ‘security votes,’ further alleged, “massive

amount of money is also being squandered in the name of security vote. A typical case in point can readily be found in Bauchi State.

“It is public knowledge that in eight years, the Governor Yuguda administration of the state, for instance, squandered N91 billion in the name of security vote. It is also public knowledge that the entire members of a State House of Assembly in our current economically despondent situation still find it inoffensive to travel out of the country to engage in legislative tourism”, he stressed.

To this end, the NLC chief threatened that the Congress will in 2016, engage relevant stakeholders with the view to “trim down the excessive wasteful spending going on in our public life.

“We will use the Freedom of Information Act to force into public domain how much, for example, our governors have spent chartering private jets and helicopters; how much is spent annually on long motorcades of governors, and the security votes of states, among others,” he pledged.

He added that the workers would

Saraki

NaAllah

also use its agents to monitor all kinds of financial transactions of all tiers of government in order to ensure that wastage and unnecessary spending are curbed or reduced to the barest minimum and shout foul anytime the need arises.

Perhaps it is to forestall this that President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday announced efforts aimed at plugging revenue leakages in the system with a mandate to

all ministers to keep all Ministries, Departments and Agencies under them under close monitoring.

He asked the ministers to be mindful of their responsibilities as enshrined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act and keep the MDAs under check.

Buhari handed down the directive to the ministers at the first CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

How PDP held our Commonwealth for 16 years — Mohammed Agozino Agozino The Lagos State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade (Alhaji) Musa Mohammed has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the steps taken so far to bring back the glory of Nigeria once again.

Mohammed made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Deaconess Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu at the Council’s Secretariat in Festac Town, Lagos.

Comrade Mohammed noted that, “PMB has a very clear agenda of defeating Boko Haram and extremists of all sorts, and of rooting out the corruption that has too often held back the economic growth and prosperity of Nigeria.

“You can agree with me that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal government is different from that of the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which held our commonwealth

Obasanjo for 16 years without any tangible development to show for their rule. We will continue to support the Government of PMB to bring about the necessary dividends of democracy to the governed, ’’ the State Chairman said.

The Chairman further noted that the association is pained with the sufferings the citizens experience daily on road due to traffic gridlock. “We are really

Jonathan saddened and pained seeing the endless traffic gridlock experienced by Lagosians. We will not rest in our oars to assist the Governor of Lagos State in achieving his aims of a free traffic in the state. As we speak, we have deployed our workforce to assist LATSMA in achieving this,” he said.

“Amuwo Local Government is strategic to the State and Nige-

ria. The Executive Secretary has been doing a tremendous job. We need to support her in all ramifications, hence the courtesy call,” he stated.

Comrade Mohammed who has spent one year in office, stated that his administration has built a new secretariat, bought brand new buses for his task force and sensitization committee members and also inaugurated traf-

fic control committee of over 200 men, with the singular aim of assisting LATSMA in controlling traffic in the State.

Deaconess Ajibola-Ojodu, on her part thanked the State Chairman for his visit, noting that she would be more than happy to continue the cordial relationship that exist between the Local government and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The Executive Secretary appealed to the warring factions collecting toll at Durbar Road Junction, Mile 2 to stop forthwith. She noted that anybody caught flouting the order, would be handed over to the law enforcement agencies which will stop at nothing in arresting such persons.

Deaconess Ajibola-Ojodu reiterated that peace is what is needed for development and progress of any society and that any act that would compromise the peaceful co-existence of Amuwo Odofin Local Government in particular and Lagos State in general, would not be tolerated.

11 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

don’t want to sacrifice anything at all? So, I have every faith in him when it comes to our money; that he would spend so much more than Jonathan. I haven’t seen it, but the civil servants make the budget and I’m sure it’s going to be scrutinized further. The civil servants usually pad the budget but you have to be observant to discover their antics and stop them in order to do the right thing or they will just mess you up.

Many top government officials including state governors have said this year is going to be a very difficult one; with hike in electricity tariff, removal of fuel subsidy and likely cut in the salary of workers or sack; how do you see this against the background of the promised change?

I think he should have labeled his budget: Austerity budget. That’s the way I would have tagged because a lot of things have to be cut, there is no way you can live the same way as before.

Look at the states for instance; there are so many states that are still owing salaries. What I see happening is that the government is going to print money, they would just print money and pay and that would increase inflation. So, we are in for a tough time because there is no other way because you have to pay people and there is no source to pay. Money that is not backed by productivity will cause inflation. In terms of the power thing, I don’t know the rational for the increase, but if they can perform with that increase, then it may be okay but if they don’t perform then there is no basis for the increase. Unfortunately, Jonathan had laid a bad precedence in the privatization; I wish he had followed what Obasanjo did in his time; that was the best thing that Obasanjo did when he auctioned the mobile telecommunication system (GSM) licence. It was competitive, it was transparent, everybody saw it, I mean the people bided for it and what you got, you have done your study and you start work. But these people, they just handed things to them because they are big men. Why didn’t they bid the same way it was done with GSM. Yes, we said we want privatization but it was done wrongly. Imagine

Why ‘Change Mantra’ is slow —Ajasin

Buhari

Ajasin

giving licence to a former head state to give electricity, something he couldn’t do when he was in office. For better service, they would have approached foreign experts who are well known in this area and deal directly with them without going through a middleman like they have done or less; picking people on political patronage who will now go out to look for experts because they don’t have the capital to do it and they are now saying the government should give them money again; the government that you took something from; so, why didn’t the government keep it then? So, if increasing the tariff will make things bet-

ter then I’m for it, but I have my doubts because they didn’t choose the right people for the job.

What of the fuel subsidy removal?

There have been so many controversies over that. Some people say and I was one of them with that opinion; when Jonathan raising the issue of cost of a litre of fuel. Of course, we did a study on it when I was a member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), one of our members is a petroleum expert and he led us into a study where we found out that the price we are paying for petrol is too high, much higher than we should be paying.

This was because they based everything on one product; whereas there are many products that came out from crude. So, if you take all those products that come out as by-products from crude into consideration, the price shouldn’t be that high but if you take only one product and discard the other then it is another thing and that’s what they’ve been doing. So, the price is high and I don’t agree that the price should be that high. So, now that the price has dropped considerably, why should we still be paying the same thing whereas it has been established that the subsidy issue is a fraud. I’m sure it would be revealed within the year, people will know whether they are really paying subsidy or it was just a fraud. Like what he has said now that people should pay N86.50 for petrol and if we got it and we are not paying for subsidy so what happens, so we will find out later. If they are producing from the refineries then the balance to be imported would be straight from the producers rather than through middlemen or third parties. Then the price would be minimal. But the refineries are not working to full capacity because the equipment is old and obsolete, according to Ibe Kachukwu (NNPC MD). So, if they are not producing locally, it would be difficult to meet the target they set for themselves. Don’t forget they want

also to reduce transportation cost by transferring it through the depots instead of trucks and the only costs is to police the pipelines. So, if the depots are not working they have to repair them. Its part of the gains, they are not following the old ways, they are doing it differently. These things have always been there but we didn’t consider them, because when you have too much money, you wont consider alternatives.

With all these, do you think Nigerians can have cause to smile at all?

I don’t think so, it will take some time. they’ve wrecked the economy so much so it will take time. it wouldn’t have been so bad if the price of our crude oil was as high as it was before, but now, anybody whoever who you are, whatever you do, if your income is decreased by 50 percent, you have to adjust as it will affect one adversely. So, to that extent, this years has been a tough one for everybody.

The more I look at it especially civil servants and salary earners who are not being paid, how are they able to survive? How do we survive? In fact, we are a very resilient people because if you miss one month abroad, your life would be totally disrupted. In fact people will die, but here, somehow the extended family system will come to your rescue to cushion the effects but for how long?

2016: How workers plot against wasteful spending by Public Officers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

meeting of the Federal Executive Council for the year held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted about an hour.

Adeosun said the Federal Government had discovered that many revenue-generating agencies have not be remitting the revenues generated to government’s coffers.

She added that it was also dis-

covered that some of the agencies spend government money without control.

She said, “The principal discussion in our meeting today was the initiative by this administration to plug revenue leakages in our MDAs that generate revenue. The presentation to FEC was to remind ministers who supervise these revenue-generating boards of their responsibilities under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. “Let me remind you that under FRA, these boards and corporations who generate revenue are supposed to generate and

operate surplus, 80 percent of which is to be credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“But we have discovered that many agencies have never credited anything and never generated any operating surplus including some whose salaries, overheads, capital are paid by the Federal Government.

“In addition to that, they generate revenue which they spend without any form of control.”

Adeosun said one of the initiatives adopted by the government was the directive to all the agencies that they must all submit

budget that must be subject to approval and they must operate within that budget so that the surplus that is meant to come to the Federal Government can be seen to be used as appropriate.

She explained that these are revenues of government in nonoil economies but the government had not been looking in the direction of the MDAs in the past because the country had oil.

She disclosed that a circular had been issued to the agencies in their hundreds in December 2015 requesting that they send their budget.

Bayelsa Poll: Reduce Military presence in Southern Ijaw — Group A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, under the aegis of Coalition Against Electoral Rights Violation, has in Abuja, demanded a reduction of the military presence ahead of the Bayelsa State supplementary election scheduled for Saturday.

Instead of the military, the group

suggested that the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps should take the leading role during the exercise.

They also demanded for a presidential panel of inquiry to probe the unlawful deaths during the last Bayelsa poll.

The position of COAGRIV, was contained in a petition signed by its Secretary-General, John Thompson, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies and copied the National Human a Rights Commission (NHRC) and the leadership of the National Assembly.

While calling on the Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Army Staff to ensure that perpetrators of electoral offences in Bayelsa State were brought to justice, he called on INEC to partner with other relevant authorities to end the unnecessary killings during elections.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

FG orders audit of revenue generating agencies Ï #Ɔ ƈƆ ƓƈƐ ƗƏ Ɠƈ ƾƠơÕ ƄƑƗ ƆƐ ƇƏ ƌ M dd Egena Egena, ƄƑƉ

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday resolved to audit the accounts of all revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government in the country.

Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Ministry of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to commence immediate audit of the affected agencies to stem the tide of fraudulent short-change of the Federal Government in revenue remittance.

Adeosun, while briefing State House Correspon-

dents of the decision by FEC after its meeting at the Presidential Villa, presided over by Buhari said it was part of strategies by the Federal Government to plug all revenue leakages and save monies to fund critical infrastructure as contained in the 2016 budget.

According to the Finance Minister, who briefed newsmen along with his Information and Culture counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, government was concerned about the continued failure of some agencies to remit funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Adeosun pointed out that agencies like the National Communications Commission (NCC) and other Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had in the past generated and spent government revenues without any control.

She stated that under the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act section 107 (8), such revenue generating agencies were expected to remit 80 percent of their total collections to the CRF. Her words: “Let me remind you that under the FRA, these boards and corporations who generate revenue are supposed to gen-

erate and keep operating surplus, 80 percent of which is to be credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“But we have discovered that many agencies have never credited anything including some whose salaries, overheads, capital are paid by the Federal Government.

“We also discussed that in some cases, some agencies have a track record and history of making sure that every Naira they earned is spent. We will go in and audit agencies under Section 107 (8) of the Financial Regulations.

The Finance minister

explained further that the Accountant-General, who is under the Ministry of Finance, has the powers to go in and make inquiries about how public money is spent.

“So we will be sending in auditors to some agencies where we believe that their cost is simply excessive and not in keeping with our expectations,” she declared.

Government, according to her, hoped to raise a lot of savings with which to fund

$2.1b arms fund probe a hoax – Dokpesi Continued from page 6 said.

While stating that the PDP played a key role in the entrenchment of the nation’s democracy, Dokpesi pointed out that the democratic freedom under which the governing APC rode to power was made possible by the PDP government.

The PDP, he said, is at a key stage of development as it embarks on critical reforms to reorganise, rebrand and restructure itself for the challenges of governance.

He, however, regretted that the governing APC is making efforts to “impede

Ƅƈ dƐ ƐƆ #ƆƍƑƐƕ 1 ƒƆƏ Əè `Ɛê 6 ê nƗƆ RƊ ƅ ƑƊƓƑ æƋƆƇƐç ƗƗƏƆ ƈ ƌƆƌƄƆƏ Ƈ L ƒƆƌƆ Ɛ Ƈ Ə Ƅƈ dƐ ƐƆ `ƆƑ ƈ ƗƑƏƈ ƍƆ ƅƆƇƑƋ ƗƆƌ ƐƏ Ɛƈ ƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ Ƅƈ dƐ ƐƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Ə ƈƍ ƍƍƆ Ƌ ƑƏƐ ƉƑƗ ƌƆ Ɛ ƈ nƌƑ ƈ è Ƅƈ dƐ ƐƆČ jƑƆ Ɨ ƕê

^ ƆƆƊ ƍ ƏƐ ƆƏ ƈƍ ƓƈƐ ƈ Ɔ Ɔ ƌƌƑ ƈ Ɛ ^ ƏƐƕ Continued from page 6 gie, said: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has signaled its intention to enter into partnership and cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC), the founding and ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China” (PRC).

Mai Mala Buni, represented at the meeting by APC’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, said: “China is a very important technical and trading partner to Nigeria. Both countries have enjoyed excellent social, economic and cultural relations. As China is aware, Nigeria recently witnessed a

change of government which ushered in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The time for better cooperation between both countries is now as the APC and the President Buhari administration works to deliver on its Change mandate.”

Furthermore, Buni said: “Healthy relations between Nigeria and China will ultimately be of benefit to Africa. At party level, the APC National Secretary identified capacity building and collaboration as areas Nigeria’s APC and the Chinese CPC can partner”.

Meanwhile, Qin Jian reported that following the successful December 2015

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit which brought together Chinese senior government officials and most African heads of government to Johannesburg, South Africa, the Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a $60 billion aid package for Africa.

The aid package, he said, would finance a broad range of assistance programmes to help Africa industrialise and modernise its agricultural production, boost the skills of its workers, build infrastructure and improve its health care.

Qin Jian said: “2016 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ni-

geria and China.

“We (China) have enjoyed positive and beneficial partnership with Nigeria in healthcare, economy, infrastructural development, social/cultural exchange and other areas. Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa and is a very important partner with China.

“The Chinese CPC and Nigeria’s ruling APC will pursue better cooperation which will be of benefit to both nations. Both parties can share experience on how to develop the economy and protect the environment as well as technical support and capacity building where necessary.”

Qin Jian added.

part of the deficit in the 2016 budget.

She said: “We are going to make every Naira count and in order to make every Naira count, we have to know how much is coming in and you control how it goes out.

“All the ministers concerned agreed that enough is enough and they even identified boards and agencies under them where they know that revenue is being diverted.”

our journey to political maturity through the manipulation of the federal system to serve purely partisan interest.”

Dokpesi, who maintained that a free press is as important as other elements that help to check the monstrous power of the state, observed that his media outfit, “DAAR Communications Plc, owners and proprietors of the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Raypower FM, Faaji FM and other subsidiaries, has from inception, been at the forefront of the fight against impunity and promotion of democracy even from the military days in this country.”

Lagarde warns FG against foreign loans Continued from page 6 in her bid to turn the economy around, would need to focus on the quality and efficiency of every naira spent.

According to her, “This is critically important. As more people pay taxes there will, rightly, be increasing pressure to demonstrate that those tax payments are producing improvements in public service delivery”.

She counseled the government to eliminate fuel subsidy on the basis that realities on ground in the country have shown that the advantage of removal of fuel subsidy far outweighed any advantage.

She added, “Indeed, fuel

subsidies are hard to defend. Not only do they harm the planet, but they rarely help the poor. IMF research shows that more than 40 per cent of fuel price subsidies in developing countries accrue to the richest 20 per cent of households, while only 7 per cent of the benefits go to the poorest 20 per cent.

“Moreover, the experience here in Nigeria of administering fuel subsidies suggests that it is time for a change—think of the regular accusations of corruption, and think of the many Nigerians who spend hours in queues trying to get gas so that they can go about their everyday business.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

13 Foreign News

Global outcry over North Korea’s Hydrogen bomb test ÏÏÏIn a surprise and rare

televised announcement over state television KCNA, North Korea said it successfully conducted a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb test Wednesday.

Pyongyang’s announcement was met with widespread skepticism.

“We’ve now become a nuclear state that also holds a hydrogen bomb,” said the KCNA announcer.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Punggye-ri, where North Korea conducted three previous nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

Last month Kim Jong Un’s claim that his country possesses a hydrogen bomb

was widely discounted as unsubstantiated.

The United States quickly condemned North Korea for violating U.N. resolutions and vowed to respond appropriately to this latest provocation, but said it was too early to verify Pyongyang’s claim that it has detonated a hydrogen bomb.

National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement the U.S. has consistently made clear it will not accept a nuclear North Korea.

“We will continue to protect and defend our allies in the region, including the Republic of Korea, and will respond appropriately to any and all North Korean provocations,” Price said.

After North Korea’s third nuclear test in 2013, the United Nations Security Council passed resolutions banning Pyongyang from conducting further nuclear and offensive weapons tests and imposed harsh economic sanctions against the Kim Jong Un regime.

North Korea analyst Shin In-kyun with the Korea Defense Network said Wednesday’s nuclear blast was more powerful than its past nuclear tests. Based on the seismic activity generated he estimated the bomb produced 40 kilotons of power, significantly more than the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.

Iraq joins US, Russia in effort to lower Iran-Saudi tensions

ÏÏÏIraq’s

foreign minister offered Wednesday to act as a mediator between its neighbors Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Those relations became further strained in the past week with the Saudi execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric, angry protesters storming the Saudi embassy in Tehran and Saudi Arabia’s subsequent decision to cut off diplomatic ties with Iran.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said during a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that Iraq’s placement in the region brings a role in alleviating the tensions.

Russia has also offered to act as a mediator, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been speaking with both Zarif and Saudi

Foreign Minister Adel alJubeir.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that Kerry talked by phone with multiple Iranian and Saudi leaders to try to “restore some sense of calm,” urge them to use dialogue and keep in mind there are other pressing issues in the region, including the situations in Syria and Yemen.

“These are sovereign decisions. Countries get to decide for themselves who they’re going to talk to and who they’re not going to talk to,” Kirby said.

“We just think that at this particular time, with all the other issues going on and the progress that we have made, not just against [Islamic State], but towards a political process in Syria,

that it would be detrimental to regional stability if they decide -- if the decisions that they make are to disengage and to shut down avenues for conversation and dialogue.”

Zarif added to Iranian criticism of Saudi Arabia at Wednesday’s news conference, saying the Saudi government needs to stop “provoking tension.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia cannot use severing diplomatic ties with Iran to “hide its crime” of executing cleric Nimr al-Nimr, who was critical of the Riyadh kingdom.

The Iranian government said the diplomatic split with Saudi Arabia “will have no impact on Iran’s national development,” contending that “it is Saudi Arabia that will suffer.”

North Koreans watch a news broadcast on a video screen outside Pyongyang Railway Station in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. PHOTO: Voanews.com

Gambia orders female civil servants to cover hair at work ÏÏÏFemale civil servants

in the west African country of Gambia, recently declared “an Islamic state” by its president, have been ordered to cover their hair at work, a leaked government memo showed.

According to a copy of the memorandum, all female staff within the government ministries, departments and agencies are no longer allowed to expose

Germany registers 1.1m migrants in 2015

ÏÏÏGermany says nearly

1.1 million people registered as migrants within its borders last year.

In numbers released Wednesday, Germany said 428,468 migrants were part of the flood of people exiting Syria. Syrians, fleeing a violent war at home, were by far the largest single group of nationals among the migrants coming into Germany.

The next two largest nations of origin were also places suffering violence

Burundi peace talks postponed ÏÏÏPeace

Nkurunziza

talks between Burundi’s government and opposition groups have been postponed, with no word on when they may resume.

The talks, which opened in Uganda late last month, were set to continue Wednesday in Arusha, Tanzania.

But a senior official in Burundi’s foreign affairs ministry, Joseph Bangu-

rambona, said Tuesday the government will not participate due to the inclusion of those who he said are “supporting violence.”

Also, a leading opposition coalition, CNARED, said they have not received an invitation to the talks.

Jean Minani, leader of the Frodebu political party and a member of the coali-

their hair during official working hours.

“Female staff are urged to use head tie and neatly wrap their hair.”

A senior official in the education ministry confirmed that the note had been circulated among government departments.

The new rule comes hot on the heels of President Yahya Jammeh’s categorisation of the small predominantly Muslim country in

tion, accused the government of stalling.

“It is not about President Nkurunziza to choose with who has to negotiate,” said Minani. “They don’t want to negotiate because they know, they are the causes of all the problems of Burundi.”

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is attempting

-- Afghanistan, with 154,046 migrants registering in Germany, and Iraq, with 121,662. Germany said the number of annual arrivals was about five times more than in 2014.

Authorities Tuesday recovered the bodies of at least 36 migrants, including several children, who drowned off Turkey after their boats overturned in rough waters as they tried to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, officials and news reports said.

to mediate an end to Burundi’s political crisis, triggered

by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement last April that he would seek a third term.

Since then, clashes between police and protesters and series of attacks in the capital, Bujumbura, have killed more than 400 people.

mid-December as “an Islamic state”.

“Gambia’s destiny is in the hands of the Almighty Allah... We will be an Islamic state that will respect the rights of the citizens,” he said. At the time he warned against trying to impose a dress code on women.

“I have not appointed anyone as an Islamic policeman. The way women dress is not your business,” he said.

Algeria proposes new draft constitution

ÏÏÏAlgeria’s government

has released a new draft constitution that would limit presidents to two terms and recognise the language used by Berber minorities as official.

The draft, published in state media on Tuesday, is part of reforms promised

by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his government after Arab Spring uprisings in neighboring countries in 2011.

The constitution, which needs parliamentary approval, would limit presidents to two five-year terms.

Long-ailing Bouteflika was re-elected for a fourth term in 2014.

The charter would also require a parliamentary majority to name a prime minister, currently appointed by the president.

The draft includes Amazigh as an official language in a move hailed by activists who had pushed for recognition for years.

14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

15 Opinion

Buhari: Not much has changed

W Michael Egbejumi-David

atched President Buhari’s media chat on December 30 2015.

It came six months late, but it was useful to hear Buhari unfiltered. Right at the very end of what turned out to be a productive and agile outing, Buhari only went and confirmed what some of us have been banging on about for a while now: true democracy hasn’t passed through the man.

His voice dripping with acid, Buhari averred that the wannabe ‘Biafra’ leader, Nnamdi Kanu and Col. Sambo Dasuki of the $2.1 billion arms-gate allegations will continue to be held illegally by his government even after the courts have freed Kanu and granted Dasuki bail and the retired Colonel had met the bail conditions.

This is worrying stuff. If Buhari can say this in public in a nationwide televised media event, imagine what kind of instructions he is dishing out to the Department of State Security (DSS) and other government officials in private. No matter how aggrieved, we cannot abide a state of affairs in a country, where the President’s word is the law.

I can only imagine how judges across the country felt when they heard Buhari. It is an utter emasculation of the entire judiciary. I am not a fan of Nigerian contemporary judges.

A lot of them grant dubious injunctions and set ridiculous bails. However, once the courts have spoken, the government (especially) must obey. Fixing the general malaise that is the Nigerian judiciary is another matters altogether.

On some level, I can empathise with the government not wanting the duo of Kanu and Dasuki to escape justice. I can understand the desire to hold such people and make them answer to some of the grievous charges levelled against them. However, expressly disobeying court orders is not the way to go. The government could always approach higher courts and restate its case or present further evidence. Alternatively, the government can approach the Bench in camera and present compelling national security concerns. It is completely unacceptable for the executive to be the determinant of whether “people should just walk away like that” or not. Nigeria is not Buhari’s private estate. Our democracy does not work like that. I thought we had

done away with this sort of thing when Obasanjo was eased out of Aso Rock.

Disobeying court orders with disdainful impunity in order to ensure that people do not jump bail is worse than letting them out on bail. This is because it carries a frightening implication for the wider society. It implies that we are still largely a Banana republic where might is right and our various institutions of state are worthless. There ought to be other ways of preventing accused persons from jumping bail. In fact, a credible attempt to jump bail is enough evidence for the government to seek its revocation by the courts.

One of the fundamentals of a grown up society is its adherence to the rule of law even in the face of the stiffest provocation. If the government is unhappy, let the executive send a bill to amend the constitution and setup its special courts to try corruption cases or declare a state of emergency and do its thing unchecked then.

The irony here is that the same government will have no hesitation in approaching the courts it is clumsily undermining for future prayers, redress and justice.

I watched on TV in horror how a former Chief Executive

of NIMASA was physically manhandled in broad daylight at the entrance of the High Court and then bundled into a waiting DSS van after he was granted bail by the court. All this happened while his counsels and family looked on in utter helplessness. This cannot be right and cannot be justified.

If the government is allowed to carry on acting in this manner, it will certainly move on to bigger infringements of citizens’ constitutional rights.

Talking heads and analysts have to be careful how they justify everything government does. I find it curious that some people are quick to point at other countries where governments got away with infringing people’s human and constitutional rights. They tell us gleefully that therefore Nigeria is not doing something new. This is lazy, crazy and is fraught with danger.

We must not allow ourselves to sleepwalk into an era where the government can let loose its security operatives on anyone and simply keep that person locked up at the pleasure of the President. If we do, it would only be a matter of time before the military and other big men will be carting the less privileged off to jail. Moreover, tomorrow it could be you or me...

MEDIA CHAT: Fundamental rights and utilitarian imperatives

I

Otunba Ilemobade

n a liberal democratic state like Nigeria where constitutionalism has been deified, government must find a suitable mannerism, paradigm, or methodology of addressing competing interest and rights of the citizenry.

More importantly, the mechanism at the disposal of government in making choices in respect of processes must be placed on the pedestal of satisfying the requirement of utilitarianism i.e the general good for the generality of the people or the nation Nigeria.

What the generality of Nigerians consider the greatest good as represented or expoused by the government, which is the representative of the people in a liberal democracy, is - THE PUBLIC INTEREST. Law is not an empirical science neither is it autonomous, rather it is a subject matter that is contingent on various other external factors like politics, economic and social-cultural idiosyncrasies of a particular geopolitical entity not forgetting the subjective standpoints, roles of the adjudicators.

An adjudicator has in most cases political/social linkages he/ she might be pro-corruption or anti-corruption, pro-business or

anti-business, etc. Their/his/her judgement (s) would reflect at some point their/his/her linkages.

According to J.Bentham who is a/was legal philosopher of the pragmatist instrumentalism and utilitarianism triangle whose school of thoughts are associated with result-oriented jurisprudence, which focuses more on the consequences of a judicial decision than on how the relevant legal principles should be applied coupled with the utilitarianism argument that law must be for the achievement of the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the society and not for the protection of a few influential or politically exposed citizens.

Here are my viewpoints to the unfolding debate or discourse on the subject matter.

The public interest arguments or what I give the combi “praginstrutilitarianism” is the key to the resolution of Dasuki and Kanu cases in respect of their incarceration vis a vis the arguments in support of their fundamental human rights.

There is no consensus on what constitute violation of basic rights even with the fact that those rights are enshrined in statute this is because when we look at the vari-

ous judicial opinions and political views on the subject matter given by our courts one is left with more fundamental questions, queries, than definitive answers.

Fundamental constitutional rights of citizens can be overridden if there are compelling governmental interest because certain rights are protected in the statute, constitutionally or internationally etc do not make it inviolable. Please note that I am not using the word inalienability.

Where there is misunderstanding/conflict in respect of the role of government as jurisgenerative in contradistinction from its role as jurispathic as we have seen from the various judgements and bail granting frivolous adjudication recently.

The state must have the opportunity to justify its restriction of fundamental rights of an offender in these cases Dasuki and Kanu.

The state must and can use the public interest arguments here to defend the interest of the citizenry as representative of the populace.

Nigeria citizen locus standi can be exercised via the federal government, as our representative and president @mbuhari is the head of that government.

Culprit Dasuki and Kanu must not be allowed to walk free for now until the finality of their indictment by the supreme court, that is my take away from the president’s remark during the media chat and in my view it is justifiable, since the greater good or rights deriveable from government action is more than the rights of those offenders.

In my view we can only talk of abuse of fundamental rights when the supreme court has given its final decision and the state refuses to follow or adhere to such decision, because while a case of this magnitude is still on going in lower courts any bail granted can be overtaken, overturned by a new charge(s) filed by the state.

By emphasising the rights of the accused to freedom, you are indirectly denying the rigths of the greater number of Nigerians who would like to prevent them from escaping the rule of law and want to see justice served.

The Nigerian state is here applying the objective notion of reasonableness in respect of what I give the nomenclature “escapismo de justicium’’ of the offenders.

The life of the law has not been logic, it has been experience,” Holmes wrote in 1881.

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Cleric seeks tolerance among politicians Grand Imam of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide in Ibadan, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, has called for more tolerance among Nigerian politicians in the New year.

He gave the call while addressing journalists in his New Year message in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

His words: “The essence of this revelation is for the political class to imbibe the culture of tolerance, focus on the issue of welfare importance, the religious sector to imbibe the spirit of religious harmony to promote peace and be more dedicated to the service of God to serve the nation through their prayers.

“All Nigerians must also uphold discipline, love and patriotism to move the nation forward. With these conditions met, we may avoid stalemate to save our democracy”, Olagoke said.

He pointed out that rebranding for proper socialisation, correct cultural and ethical value, orientation for promotion of integrity and discipline for all, must be put in place to allow divine intervention in order to revamp our economy as well as promote healthy and stable polity.

In the revelation which covers politics, economy, education, religion and sports, the religious leader said: “Shafaudeen divine revelation for the year 2016, is to guide our leaders and fellow Nigerians on some happenings and avoidable events for excellent promotion of peace, good neighbourliness and good governance” He explained that this was to allow proactive measures in governance for effective socio-spiritual and political administration.

Olagoke who is also the President of Ajagun Esin Consultative Forum (AECF), said that it was revealed to him that in 2016, “Nigerians will experience happy and hopeful year, economic revival, government shall embark on resuscitation exercises for productive programmes and policies,

political drive towards APC or the ruling party, education lifts to glorious status and tides against religion”.

On security, he counseled the citizens to be watchful and prayerful for incidents of fire in the months of January,

March, August, October, November and December and called for security consciousness on the part of all Nigerians adding “security network should be more tightened almost throughout the year”.

“From March, Government will begin to address

peoples’ economic problems, economic recovery is rife. In June, government activities will impact to realize change mantra for good and in December, government dividend of democracy distributed to the masses” the cleric added in the divine rev-

elation made to him.

He called on all Nigerians to use their religions as agents of love, unity, tolerance, harmony and patriotism in 2016 adding “no true religion allows violence and shedding the blood of innocent beings”.

Sabit Olagoke

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Features

s

THE RETURN OF NPFL MATCHES:

Lagos agog as football fans celebrate resurrection of grassroots soccer

Seyi Akinwunmi

The growth of grassroots football in Lagos state is in the limelight again as the Nigeria Professional Football League board has kicked off plans to rekindle the passion for league football that the City of Excellence was known for. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR goes down memory lane with agency report.

The recent promotion of Mountain of Fire and Miracle FC and Ikorodu United FC to the 2015/2016 NPFL was received with jubilation across the state. Daily Times sports check found that football fans around the country are already regrouping to storm league matches to cheer their teams to victory, especially in football-starved Lagos ahead of the kick-off of the upcoming season in 2016.

Boss of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, said that the promotion of the two Lagos sides to the NPFL would once more ignite league followership in the state.

He said further that the remarkable development will spur the growth of grassroots football in the state, and assured that LSFA would assist in preparing the clubs ahead of the new

league season.

“I keep on telling people that if you allow me to jump and roll and scream, I

17

will.

“This is because I have been hounded for the past four years by the press over the absence of Lagos clubs from the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“I told people that when the time comes, it will happen. Now, it has happened in a big way and we’ve been proved right.”

The important thing, the VC said, is

that Lagos clubs are prepared.

“When we were talking about that, all we wanted was for them to run the clubs properly. And between now and the beginning of the season, we are going to do a lot in terms of preparing the clubs by teaching the people exactly what to do to ensure that football returns fully back home,’’ he said.

The lull in Lagos soccer It would be recalled that Lagos used to be the Mecca of Nigeria football in the past on account of the number of clubs that once ruled the nation’s thriving league scene.

At the height of football splendour in Lagos, colourful sides like Stationery Stores FC, NEPA FC, ACB FC, Julius Berger FC and First Bank FC at one time or the order held their football fans spellbound with their magical displays.

But eventually the eminent status that Lagos had in Nigerian football petered out because of challenges culminating in poor performance that saw the high flying Lagos clubs relegated to the lower rung of the Nigerian league.

Fans hostilities during national football team matches and national league matches also aided in dousing the flame of football in the state.

Because of the unruly nature of the football fans, the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) now known as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had to stage matches involving the Super Eagles in Port Harcourt and elsewhere.

The ensuing development gradually turned the National Stadium Surulere into a ‘Ghost Town’ of sorts, in addition to the relegation of the once flamboyant clubs like Stationery Stores et al into obscurity.

Reacting to the restoration of professional league soccer in Lagos, former Super Eagles midfielder, Mr. Friday Ekpo, said that the return of Lagos clubs to the Nigeria top league would spice up football in the state.

Ekpo, who plied his trade with the defunct Abiola Babes FC in the late 1980s, noted that it would redeem the image of

Continued on page 18

Christian Association of Nigeria mourns Dr.Bamgbola The assembly was solemn and sober; a stony reminder of the fragility of life and the ultimate ‘time out’ for all mortals. Late Reverend Dr. Grace Bamgbola (nee Igbokwe) finally joined Mother Earth in her earthen body but rose triumphantly beyond the grave to Her King and Maker One striking quality those who knew the late gospel minister, did not miss out while eulogyising her at the service of songs and funeral service, was that she was a great intercessor.

Little wonder her husband, Apostle

The remains of Reverend Dr. Grace Bamgbola (nee Igbokwe), wife of Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria was recently laid to rest at the VGC cemetery, Lekki, in Lagos.

JOY EKEKE was there for our features desk.

Alexander Bamgbola was frank to share that through her relentless prayers in well over ten years, God showed him mercy and redeemed him from the pit of hell.

Extolling her virtues, Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Grace

Oladimeji, stated that the late Reverend was an intercessor, she led her husband to Christ and stood by God even in her sickness.

She did not deny God that is the legacy we are all praying to have.”

Continued on page 18

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

If you allow me to jump and roll and scream, I will — Akinwunmi Continued from page 17 football in Lagos.

His words: “It is a great development and also good for football growth in Lagos. I vividly remember as a player, how fans usually troop out to watch league matches in the past.

“Football is back to its main arena and I know Lagos fans are happy with the development,’’ he said.

Also, Falade Oyekan, a board member of LSFA said that the clubs’ promotion will boost football momentum in Lagos.

Oyekan said that it would also impact on the grassroots development of soccer, adding that the league had returned to its place of prominence.

“Lagos used to be the home of league football in the past and for a very long time we were starved because of the absence of clubs from Lagos.

“We are happy with this development and we know it will have positive impact on football in Lagos,’’ he said.

Reflecting on the new development in Lagos also, Mr. Nduka Ugbade, who played for the defunct Niger Dock FC of Lagos, said that the newly promoted teams should be given the much needed support to thrive in the league.

Ugbade said that the task ahead of the clubs should be seen beyond gaining promotion to the NPFL, adding that the sustenance of the clubs in the league was vital.

“There was a time when we had more clubs from Lagos State in the league before everything went bad for most of the clubs.

“The promoted clubs will only remain in the league if they are adequately prepared and well funded.”

By so doing, he concluded, more clubs from Lagos will be elevated to the league and reignite passion for football in the state.

Ugbade would be remembered for his captainship of Nigeria’s sensational team that won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 at China. The tournament was sponsored by Kodak (when it was known as the U-16 tournament).

For the records, Nigeria first won the U-17 in 1985 when Major General Muhammodu Buhari was the Military Head of State, and Nigeria won it for the 5th time when Muhammodu

One of the defunct local football clubs

Buharia is the Civilian President.

On the part of the teeming

football fans in Lagos and its environs, expectations are high but stakeholders

caution that the fans must learn to curb their unbridled exuberance and to make the

Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere a veritable Mecca for NPFL matches.

She lived her life with a sense of urgency — Alex-Nosagie Continued from page 17 Prof. Pastor Fola Aboaba, an elder in The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said of her, “She was a wonderful woman of God. We were in the same prayer group of the Business Men Fellowship and she was a fire brand in that group.

We really will miss her as she was an intercessor, a woman of God and was a role model.”

Not only was she said to be an intercessor, she was also described as a firebrand and aggressive evangelist who managed her home front with the ministry well and was never intimidated nor ashamed of sharing the gospel.

As Elder Professor Joseph

Otubu , The General Evangelist of Motailatu Church, Cherubium and Seraphim Worldwide, put it; “She was a great evangelist, she was very aggressive about preaching the gospel and she lived a very pious Christianly life.

The bible states that those who die in Christ are blessed and they will get into eternity.

“She was humble and honest in all that she did and her children are testimony towards that. I believe that she has gone to a better place to rest. I don’t want to sound feminist, I think women should take a cue from her and learn to combine both preaching the gospel and managing their family very well. The message is very clear that you can preach the gospel and still manage your

home very well.”

Meanwhile one of her brothers, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), testified of how she encouraged him to be devoted in his service and commitment to God. “Words will not be enough to describe her; she was a caring, prayerful and devoted woman.

She was the one who encouraged me to be born again; not to be an every Sunday church goer but to serve in the church and the kingdom of God. “She was sold out to Christ, everything about her was Jesus.

Hardly will you converse with her without knowing she stood for Christ. She did it with all boldness; she never was shy about proclaiming the gospel to anyone- including the former

sultan of Sokoto.

“That was the kind of person she was. She taught me the need to be in the Lord and rely on the grace of God to achieve whatever I want to achieve,” Igbokwe stated.

In his tribute, her first son, David Alexander said, “Mom touched so many lives in so many ways. She was a warrior that fought the battle of life till the very end. Even after six years plus of sickness, she remained strong through it all until Christ decided to call her home.”

Her second child, Joseph Alexander said “it was through their mother that the whole family came into the kingdom of God. Mom is such a strong loving and caring woman who loves God with all of her heart.”

Her daughter, Elizabeth AlexNosagie also say that; “We are all created by God to live a life that would bring God glory. Mummy lived for Him and now she is with Him. She lived her life with a sense of urgency about the things of God because she was living a Heavenfocused life. It was very important to her to make heaven and have anyone she came in contact will make heaven also.”

In addition, the last child and son, Samuel Alexander in his tribute thanked God for the wonderful life mummy lived. “She was such a sweet mother to not just her biological children but to many more that had the pleasure of meeting her.”

Daily Times Nigeria j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ ƣè ƾƠơÕ

Crime

19

s

65 year old caught for impersonation ÏƗƑƍƆ ƾÕéƕƆ Əé ƋƗ Joy Anyim A 65-year-old indigene of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Imowo Bassey has been arrested by the police for defrauding one Nwikpo Kanayochukwu, a 26-year-old business man in Shomolu area of Lagos.

Imowo had told Nwikpo that he was General Morgan, a retired army general and currently the National Security Co-ordinator for the Southern Zone. He had promised Nwikpo a contract worth N2.8 million to supply rice to army officers in the Moyon Barracks, Yaba during the Christmas period. The unsuspecting Nwikpo believed him and before he became suspicious when the deal was not going through, Imowo had extorted the sum of N124, 000 from him.

Information reaching Daily Times also has it that the Imowo was earlier in 2015 paraded by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command as a criminal receiver of stolen goods. It was also gathered that the suspect had been in the business of duping and extorting money from unsuspecting citizens through different means.

Police investigation also revealed that the suspect who claimed all his children live abroad had also in 2015 duped a woman in a bank in Port-Harcourt of N35,000.

Imowo was alleged to have shown the woman an alert of N160 million SMS in his phone, but claimed he could not withdraw due to some inconsistency with his account officer; the woman had been convinced and loaned him the sum of N35, 000 which he never paid back.

But Imowo was however unfortunate with Nwikpo as he was caught barely three days after duping him.

The Ebonyi born Nwikpo narrated his ordeal in the hands of the suspect. “He came to my shop on 12th De-

cember last year to buy food stuffs. On the 16th of the same month, he came again, this time he told me he was involved in an accident and that he needed help.

“He started with N5000 and then increased it to N35,000 and N45,000. While asking me to loan him the money, he told me he was a major general in the army; he even showed me an identity card carrying the said rank. I believed him because I did not expect an elder of his age to be lying. I did not even have the N45, 000 but out of pity I went to my neighbour to borrow the money and gave it to him.

“He told me I would supply the army 130 bags of rice during the festive period at Moyon barracks at Yaba and I also believed him. He told me he would go with four bags as sample and that if the officers are okay with the quality, I can then supply the remaining 126 bags on the 23rd of December.

zƆ Ƌƕ ƆƗ Ɛ Ɔ MƾƾƿèƠƠƠ ƅ Ɛ Ɔ ƗƆƍ ƈƐ Ƈ Əƌ Ɨ Ɔ ƅ ƋƋƆƅƐƆƗ ƌƕ MǀƿèƠƠƠ Ɨ ƗƗƆƗ ƈƐ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ MơƣƠèƠƠƠ Ɔ ƅƋ ƈƌƆƗ Ɠ ƈ ƄƋ ƅƊ ƕƋ ƓƈƐ ƈƌê 6Ɔ Ɛ Ɔ ƈƗ 9 ƆƆƗƆƗ Ɛ ƆƐ ƈƗƆ ƐƈƐƕ ƅ ƏƗ Ɨ 9 ƈƌƌƆƗƈ ƐƆƋƕ ƏƑ ƆƗ Ɛ Ɔ ƏƄƕ ƍ Ɛ Ɨ Ɔê z Ɔ 9 ƏƆƐƑƏ ƆƗ 9 Ɨƈ ƅ ƒƆƏƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ Ɔ 9 Ɔ Əƅ ƆƗ ƆƒƆƏƕƓ ƆƏƆ Ƈ Ə ƈƌ ƄƑƐ Ɔ Ɠ Ɠ ƆƏƆ Ɛ ƄƆ Ƈ Ƒ Ɨê 9 Ɠ ƑƏƍƏƈ ƆƗ Ɨ ƅƊƆƗê 9 ƅ ƋƋƆƗ ƈ ƑƌƄƆƏ ƋƋ Ɨ ƕ ƄƑƐ Ɔ ƆƒƆƏ ƍƈƅƊƆƗ ƌƕ ƅ ƋƋê

“I then requested for part payment before I supply the goods, because I did not have that much capital to buy the needed quantity of rice as I was just trying to build up my capital after the recent bugling of my shop.

“The old man promised to help me with some money the next day and I gave him my account details.

“The next day, he called and told me he had gone to the bank to pay in the money as promised but that he was told I operated a savings account so there was no way I could be paid such huge amount.

“He then told me I needed to open a current account. Later that day he came to my shop, he told me I also have to buy drinks for the senior officers who approved the contract. He said he needed three bottles of American Honey, a drink I have never heard of in my whole life.

“He said each bottle sells

for N7,800. I was surprised! I however asked if I could get the drink from my neighbour who sells drinks so that I can pay later, but he refused. He claimed he knows where they sell the original ones and that it won’t be good we buy fake drinks for such high ranking officers. I saw reason with him and gave him N30,000 for the tree bottles.

“Imowo also told me that for the N2.8 million to be paid into my account, I also needed to have 8% of the amount in my account. 8% was N224,000 and I didn’t have such money anywhere. I told him I had no such money and he immediately offered to help me on the condition that once the money is paid into my account, I would withdraw it and give it back to him. I agreed.

“However, the following day, he called me in the morning being the 18th December CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Crime 20 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

that he was only able to get N170,000, that I should raise the remaining N54,000 and that he will not be able to go to the bank because he has a transaction at Ikeja. He told me to come and meet him at Access Bank at Alausa, Ikeja with the money. I rushed to my brother and quickly convinced him to give me the money and he did. I also went to Ikeja to meet him as agreed.

“He brought out an account opening form and a deposit slip. We analysed the N224,000 cash on the deposit form and he collected the N54,000 and added it to the N170,000 he claimed was in a black nylon with him. He then asked if I had an Identity Card and I said no. He said I needed to get one and I immediately rushed to a nearby shop to do one. On getting back from the shop, I discovered he had gone! I searched everywhere for him but he was nowhere to be found. I was surprised and shocked. I called his number all day but he never picked my call.

“I then went back to the bank to ask of his whereabouts but I was told he left the bank premises almost immediately I left. I was really surprised that such an elderly man could act in such a man-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

I did not expect an elder of his age to be lying —Nwikpo ner. I just left him for God. “But on the 21st December while I was sitting in front of my shop, I sighted a Mercedes Benz driving pass and looking closely I discovered he was the one sitting behind. I immediately ran after the car shouting for help. People around joined but the vehicle refused to stop.

But thank God there was traffic and there was an army van coming from behind.

They intervened and took us to the barrack. I explained all that had happened and he was asked if he was an army general but he said no. He was even hiding his identity card he had showed me as an army general but it was found on him. The army then took us to Sabo Police Division from where we were transferred to Area C Police Command and then to the Lagos State Police Command.

“But what even surprised me more is the fact that no family or friend has come for him since his arrest,” Nwikpo said.

Imowo however refused to speak to the press, claiming he would only speak if a judge or magistrate had asked him

to do so. He claimed he had an accident with his car and needed money to put his car in order. So he loaned money

from Nwikpo who is his customer to put his vehicle in order. He denied anything to do with rice and contract.

Mysterious fire razes gospel van, G.O. appeals for help Taofeek Babajide

By It was like a day dream on a Sunday recently at about 7:00 pm after the Thanksgiving Service that marked the end of 19th 2015 Annual Convention of God Is Able Covenant Mission Inc when the Church vehicle MITSUBISHI BUS L.300 with Registration. No. KTU-952-XC conveying members back to their various destinations and on its way back to the programme.

The vehicle engine suddenly scuttled and stopped right on the road. While some members attempted to find a technician to fix the bus, others tried to figure out what had gone wrong.

The ugly incident occurred at Akole, Oke-atta in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was not clear how the fire broke out, but without warning, flames exploded from within the bus as male church members were fiddling with the engine in a trial-and-error bid to get it to start

PHOTOS: Taofeek Babajide again.

An eye-witness told our correspondent that the fire just broke out from nowhere and started burning as if the whole vehicle had been soaked in petrol.

Pandemonium broke loose, and all efforts made by people in the area and other motorists who put their fire extinguishers to use all proved abortive.

In the chaotic situation, nobody remembered a young boy who was fast asleep at the back seat of the bus, but a volunteer spotted the lad and raised alarm.

Bracing smoke and flames, the people battled to rescue the young one from being roasted alive in the ill-fated bus. In a spate of less than 30 minutes, the whole vehicle was totally razed.

When the presiding Pastor Rev. P.O Adeniji with some of the available ministers hastened to the scene, only the badly burnt chassis of the bus greeted them. Daily Times gathered that the Evangelical arm of the Church has witnessed uncommon contention in their bid to evangelise the area, thereby hindering the effective move-

ment of the Church outing. This now is like the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

In a passionate appeal to good hearted Nigerians, the Church is appealing to corporative and individual organisations with passion for spreading the gospel of Christ to assist the church to replace the burnt outreach bus.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT RE-CERTIFICATION AND RE-ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITH FILE No: KN4481 AND NEW FILE No: PL10365, PLOT No. 252 CADATRAL ZONE B10 BELONGING TO DAVID ZINKUR GAMBO’S IS MISSING. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND, CONTACT THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR ABUJA GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM OFFICE. SAFE HAVEN FOR TRAUMATISED PERSONS FOUNDATION) This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE :((1) Abiodun Noibi.

(2) Ibrahim Adekunle Olateju, (3) Fatima Adetutu Olateju, (4) Damian Oladapo awogboro, (5) Kubrat Olayinka Momoh; AIM AND OBJECTIVE To promote the interest and welfare of members Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed by solomonoyakhilomeudueboresq for solomonoyakhilome legal consult 08036411184.

Why Sapele people rejected APC ÏÏÏPoliticians and politi-

Rising from a meeting in Elume, the leaders accused Anirah of engaging in a fruitless campaign against Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya.

Reminding the people to be careful of power-hungry politicians and those working against the interest of

the constituency, the leaders praised Igbuya for injecting best practice into government and translating the actual wants of the people into the vision and mission of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, “Igbuya is devoting his

energies and resources to solving problems in Delta State. He is working so hard to make life meaningful to the good people of Sapele” the leaders said in a statement signed by the Chairman of Politicians and Political Office Holders in Sapele (PPOHIS), Mr. Oghene -Ochuko Abeke.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

MRS. CHIBUZOR JULIET RICKETT

DAUDU UMORU

This is to inform the general public of the loss of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of a property situated along Unity Drive, Paiko Idimu Town, Akowonjo Mixed Development Scheme In Alimosho L.G.A. Lagos State. Registered as No. 23 at page 23 in Volume 2006M at Lagos State Land registry.Belonging to Mr. Bobokeme Theophilus Warri got missing in transit. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please contact Mr.Bobokeme Theophilus Warri of No.18, Kasali Street, Orisunbare, Idimu, Lagos-State General Public Take Note.

I, formerly known as MS. CHIBUZOR JULIET UZUAKPUNDU, now wish to be addressed as MRS. CHIBUZOR JULIET RICKETT. All documents bearing my maiden name remain valid.

The public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR DAUDA OMATA, now wish to be known and called DAUDU UMORU. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

cal office holders in Sapele on Wednesday warned All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the April 11, 2015 House of Assembly Election in Sapele Constituency, Chief Felix Anirah against provocative statements.

TOSIN OLURIN FOUNDATION

KINGDOM- PORTE CENTRE INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: OLURIN MERCY-CHAIRMA IYANAM EDIOMI-SECRETARY OTTONG SAMUEL-MEMBER

TRUSTEES (1) Drokopi John (2) Evangelist peter Ndubusionyebuchi (3) Pst. Jedidayah Onuminya (4) Apostol paul Ojohakwubo (5) Mr patrick Olatunde Olademehin

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To render assistance to widows 2. To promote the interest of widows

21 News

AIM AND OBJECTIVE To preach the gospel of lord jesus christ

CHUKWUNTA CHUKWUDI

LAJA FATIMAH AFOLASADE

I formerly known and addressed as NWACHINAEMREM CHUKWUDI, now wish to be known and called CHUKWUNTA CHUKWUDI. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLOWO FATIMAH AFOLASADE, now wish to be known and called LAJA FATIMAH AFOLASADE . All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

KABIRAT BUKOLA BAWA-OGUNTIMILEHIN

NWOBODO FRANCISCA ANDREA

I formerly known and addressed as KABIRAT BUKOLA BAWA, now wish to be known and called KABIRAT BUKOLA BAWA-OGUNTIMILEHIN. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as CHINYERE FRANCISCA ANDREA, now wish to be known and called NWOBODO FRANCISCA ANDREA. All former document remain valid.

The general public take note.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

I formerly known and addressed as GIFT ADANMA INNOCENT, now wishes to be known and called HOPE ADANMA INNOCENT. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

HOPE ADANMA INNOCENT

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: KAYODE OYEDEJI ESQ 08033598319

Signed. by solomonoyakhilomeudueboresq for solomonoyakhilome legal consult 08036411184

ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED HEADS OF SERVICE & PERMANENT SECRETARIES OF EKITI STATE

GUDU MOTOR SPARE PARTS DEALERS ASSOCIATION

SPORT CHEERLEADERS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. MR OLUYEMI IPINLAIYE 2. MR DANIEL OMOTUNDE AINA 3. BARR. JOSEPH IBUKUN OYEBOLA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: FESTUS ONWUNALI HENRY OKWUDILICHUKWU NNAMANI ALEXANDER AGBO OBINNA MMODOZIE

TRUSTEES 1 OJINNAKA CLARA CHIEMELA-CHAIRMAN 2. MRS THERESA UDOFIA-SECREARY 3. EMMAUEL BASSEY OKON 4. ANIETIE EFFIONG UDOFIA 5. UFOKOBONG PAUL IBARA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CREATE A PLATFORM OF TOGETHERNESS FOR A UNITED AND COMMON FRONT TO PURSUE THE GENERAL WELFARE OF MEMBERS. 2.TO CREATE A FORUM FOR CREATIVE IDEA THAT CAN FORM A THINK TANK WHICH WITH MEMBERS VARIED EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE CAN GIVE THE ASSOCIATION AN ADVISORY ROLE TO PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE AND GENERAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF EKITI STATE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote and coordinate the activities of the association in the area of spare parts business.

2. To promote the interest and welfare of members 3. To promote spirit of oneness, goodwill, love and harmony amongst members 4. To reduce poverty among members

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication

Signed: Secretary

Signed: BARR. UCHE UGWUEGBU FESTUS 08030706626

Signed: Secretary

CHRIST ACHIEVEMENT LIBERATION MINISTRY LAGOS This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No 1. Of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES (1) David Oladipupo Adebisi. (President) (2) Grace Omotola Adebisi (Vice president) (3) Deborah Oyindamola Adebisi (Secretary) (4 ) Samson Olalekan Akafo ( 5) Olaolumide Olayiwola Biodun THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES ARE :(1) Bringing salvation to every soul (2) Outreach Ministry-Reaching all town&villages for the purpose of the gospel (3) A bible school for the purpose of enlightening the world about the gospel (4) Teaching and preaching the gospel through seminars and conferences (5) Establishing homes and marriages (6) Ilumathing the world through the light of the gospel.

REALM’S OF GLORY CHRISTIAN CENTRE

This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied for APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C. of the company and allied matters.

TRUSTEES 1. EFE DANIEL 2. UFUOMA EFE-DANIEL 3. BLESSING OSAMUYI 4. KELVIN OMOREGIE 5. LARRY OSAWARU IDEHEN 6. WILSON ENORIABHEN AIMS (1) To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) To win and discipline souls for the kingdom of God (3) To establish and maintain Christian missions and ministries.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, p.m.b 198, maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed by:SECRETARY

Signed: Secretary

AIMS To promote healthy and active lifestyles amongst our cheerleaders To create a platform where every girls strength and talents can be showcased.

To promote Nigeria football nationally and locally

SOLID ROCK KINGDOM CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named organisation has applied for Change of Trustees and APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES under Part C. of the Company and Allied Matter Act of 2004.

1. APOSTLE DR. JOHN OKORIKO- FOUNDER/PRESIDENT (RETAINED TRUSTEE) 2. PASTOR CHRISTIANUS AKAI (REMOVED TRUSTEE) 3. BISHOP AKPADIAHAM SAMPSON EDOHO – NATIONAL TREASURER (RETAINED TRUSTEE) 4. EVANG. EMMANUEL ISHIAH ESHIET (REMOVED TRUSTEE) 5. ELDER CEPHAS AL-MEGA (REMOVED TRUSTEE) 6. 6. SISTER REGINA EQUERE (REMOVED TRUSTEE) 7. EVANG. EKA JOHN OKORIKO – CHAIRPERSON/WOMEN AFFAIRS (PROPOSED TRUSTEE) 8. PASTOR LINUS UKOENANG – SECRETARY GENERAL (PROPOSED TRUSTEE) 9. ELDER/BARR. EDET INWANG ATADA –PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PROPOSED TRUSTEE) 10.MRS. TRUST OKORIKO-VICTOR –MEMBER (PROPOSED TRUSTEE) 11. MRS. GLORY DANIEL JEREMIAH – MEMBER (PROPOSED TRUSTEE)

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Sylvester U. OkoihueEsq Okoihue, Okoihue& Co No. 6 Arowojobe Street MafolukuOshodi 08033293036

22 News

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

ESUT: Ugwuanyi orders payment for disengaged workers Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏGovernor Ifeanyi Ug-

wuanyi of Enugu state has ordered the full payment of salaries owed to the recently disengaged 153 staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The governor gave the directive while inaugurating the newly reconstituted governing council of the university which has the

Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah as ProChancellor and Chairman.

Governor Ugwuanyi noted that his administration took the decision in line with its promise to alleviate poverty and ameliorate suffering of the people, especially those who were recently disengaged by the institution, adding that it will help to bring to an end the persistent complaints and discontent of the affected staff and concerned mem-

Gov. Ugwuanyi

bers of the society over the matter.

The governor who said that the management of

the institution will provide 50% of the total sum for the payment of the salaries, while government provides the balance of 50%, however, expressed confidence that the members of the council will deploy their proven competence, knowledge and experience to take ESUT to the pinnacle of intellectual and technological excellence.

He reinstated the commitment of his administration to sustain the current momentum of progress of

the institution and assured that the welfare of the students of ESUT will remain the cardinal objective of the government.

In his address, the Chairman of the council, Most Rev. Onah thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in members of the council to serve the state and assured him of their collective resolve to collaborate with his administration to lift the institution to an enviable height.

Other members of the

Ganduje, 125 Kano officials’ assets verified

Robbers kill commercial driver in Ekiti

Yakubu Salisu Kano

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe governor of Kano

ÏÏÏThere

was pandemonium in Ekiti state on Wednesday, as the driver of a 18-passenger bus, owned

by Lafe Ade Transport, Mr. Toyin Philips, was killed by suspected highway robbers along Aramoko-Igede Ekiti road in the state.

The bus was owned by the late Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mr Omolafe Aderiye, who was assassinated in September, 2014 by unknown gunmen, which fuelled suspicion that the driver could have died under similar circumstance.

The incident, which happened few metres away from a police checkpoint along Aramoko-Igede highway at about 7 am, had provoked members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who staged a protest against what they described as alleged police complicity in the robbery.

The visibly enraged drivers, according to reliable sources, were said to have descended heavily on the Divisional Police Officer in the Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Okpaleye, stripped him naked and destroyed two police vans during the rampage.

These angry commercial driver had blocked Aramoko -Igede road thereby causing traffic congestion along the road linking Ado Ekiti, the state capital for hours before intervention of the security men in the state.

council include, Professor Obiorah Ike, His Royal Highness, Igwe Sampson Ukpabi and Lady Jane Udewo Nnamani. Others are Prof. Emmanuel Ezeugwu, Dr. Carol Nwakeago Obayi and Mrs. Patricia Mgbaonyere Nwobodo.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Luke Anike will serve in the council as an ex-officio member, while the Registrar of the university, Mr. Leonard Kama serves as the Secretary.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi (middle); Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (right) and others during a courtesy visit to Aregbesola in Oshogbo… on Wednesday.

‘Metuh should not be denied access to his lawyers’

Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏA

legal practitioner in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Barrister Lawrence Anyia, has said the continuous refusal of Olisha Metuh’s lawyers to gain access to him is unconstitutional as his fundamental human right is being trampled upon.

Anyia stated this in an interaction with Daily Times correspondent on Wednesday, stating that

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson, Olisha Metuh’s arrest will be mis-interpreted if the rule of law is not applied.

Metuh was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, on the grounds that some money running into millions of naira was traced to his company account.

The lawyer stated said if the PDP spokesperson was arrested on the said

ground, the matter should be quickly investigated and charged to court, rather than keeping him without access to his lawyers.

In his words: “Metuh Should not be stripped of his fundamental rights, as the constitution clearly states that he has the right to prepare for his defence at an adequate time, and gaining access to his lawyers will facilitate that adequate time by the constitution. He should be given

the chance of fair hearing and he can only do that by preparing his defence through his lawyers. So the EFCC must not keep him more than constitutionally required.”

Anyia is also quoted saying that if Metuh is kept incommunicado against the law by the EFCC, it will give vent to the previous statement the PDP spokesperson had made earlier, saying that there are grand design aimed at eliminating him.

state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other 125 government officials declared assets, have been verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

According to the Director CCB in the state, Alh. Umar Saulawa, the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof.

Hafiz Abubakar, as well as local government chairmen were among others whose assets were verified.

Saulawa said that the verification exercise was conducted with the bureau’s Federal Commissioner-incharge of North West Zone, Alhaji Ibrahim Manzo.

He stated that the essence of the verification was to make corrections where necessary.

The director, who appreciated the governor and other public officers for their turn out during the exercise called on others to emulate them.

He stated that members of the state House of Assembly, as well as other heads of government boards and parastatal agencies as constituting the next batch in the verification exercise.

Tribunal judgements against PDP expected, says Edebiri Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏAhead

of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Edebiri, has

described recent court judgements against candidates of the party as expected in a developing nation like Nigeria.

He therefore noted that the PDP would dispense with the issue of godfatherism in electing its representatives in future

elections.

Edebiri, who spoke with journalists in Benin said that the adverse judicial judgement against the PDP, would be a thing of the past in the nearest future as the country grow democratically.

“The PDP is going to

give the judiciary a chance to do what it wants to do, whether right or wrong.

The PDP will continue to respect the judiciary, let their decisions prevail and if at the highest level of Supreme Court, they rule against, we will let it be.

“We are watching. My

best advice to President Muhammadu Buhari and his party APC is that, they should concentrate on taking this country economically to the next level, creating jobs for our teeming youths and stop watching anybody” he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

23 News

Niger explains N4.29b budget for education Pita Chikwem, Minna

ÏÏÏNiger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, on Wednesday, said that the N4.29 billion budgeted for education was to improve the sorry state of education in the state.

He told journalists in Minna, the state capital, that, “education is the

bedrock of any nation, if you give people good education you have brighten their future.”

He said the present administration, having seen the problems of education, had decided to rise to the challenges of improving the falling standard of education in the state.

Vatsa said the money would be use to provide basic amenities, train and re-train teachers to meet

up with the world standard, adding that all the schools in the state would benefit from the budget money.

“The Governor has already declared a state of emergency in education sector, and because of the rotten system all hands must be on deck to redeem our schools.”

He commended the Governor for giving the education sector largest

chunk of the budget, adding it would help to reduce the massive illiteracy in the state.

According to him, “the last administration only wasted resources without considering the education sector and the present government cannot but fund education fairly well in the interest of our future generation.

“There are incomplete education projects that

were left over. Our children are almost sitting on a bare floor and we cannot allow this to continue any longer; that is why education got the highest vote in the budget.”

Vatsa said that the 2016 budget was a budget of restoration, while appealing to the people of the state to be patient with the government as things would look brighter soon.

Gov. Bello

TUC lauds Ambode on minimum wage

ÏÏÏThe Trade Union Con-

L-R: General Manager, Eleganza Group, Mrs. Shade Okoya; Chairman, Eleganza Group, Dr. Rasaq Okoya; Justice George Oguntade (rtd), his wife, Modupe during New Year party of Eleganza Group held in Lagos… on Wednesday.

PHOTO: QUADRI OLOWOLAGBA.

Ambode appoints Fagbohun LASU VC ÏÏÏThe Lagos State Gov-

ernor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, approved the appointment of Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun as the 8th Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU). Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, was, until his appointment, Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos.

The appointment was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

According to the statement, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa October 31, 2015, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Fidelis Olisamedua Njokanma, assumed the position of Acting ViceChancellor.

Fagbohun was born on

October 19, 1966 and hails from Akesan in the Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State. He joined the Faculty of Law of the Lagos State University (LASU) as an Assistant Lecturer in January 1991.

He rose through the ranks and, by the year 2004, he was appointed Associate Professor.

He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He obtained his Masters of Law Degree at the University of Lagos and attended the Obafemi Awolowo University for his doctoral de-

Gov. Ambode

gree programme.

At different times, he served as a member of Senate of the Lagos State University; Head of Department of Business Law and later Department of Private and Property Law; Coordinator, Law Centre; Coordinator of the Department of Environmental Law and Allied Disciplines

of the Centre for Environment and Science Education of the Lagos State University, and was, for several years, the Editor-in-Chief of the LASU Law Journal.

Fagbohun is a member of several academic and professional bodies, and a fellow of a number of national and international institutions.

Niger NSIEC ready for LG polls Pita Chikwem, Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), on Wednesday, expressed its readiness to conduct the January 16, local government elections in the 25 local government areas of the state.

The poll was earlier scheduled for November 7 last year, but was shifted for what it described as lo-

gistic reasons.

Its spokesman, Mohammed Ali, told the Daily Times in Minna, that everything needed for the conduct of the election had been put in place insisting that “we are now ready.”

Ali said that no fewer than 3,185 ad-hoc staff had been trained, while the Independent National Electoral Commission was assisting the NSIEC with the voter register, ballot boxes and some technical staff.

gress (TUC) has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for his commitment to continue payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage to workers in the state.

In a statement issued and signed by Comrade Akeem Kazeem, Chairman and Comrade Mike Anochirim, Secretary, a copy of which was made available to the Daily Times, the trade union urged the governor to continue to make the welfare of workers as priority.

The TUC had met with the representatives of the state government led by Commissioner of Establishment and Training.

The statement read in part: “We commend the government of Lagos state under His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on its stand on the current Minimum Wages Saga. Reaffirming and reassuring the continuous payment of the N18, 000 minimum wages in Lagos state.

“That no worker in Lagos state Government employment should be paid less than the statutory N18, 000 ever as usual, contract or whatever name so called.

That, no worker in the employment of Lagos State Government will be retrenched/sacked in the face of the current down-turn in the global economic fortunes of nations and states.

Ex-Osun NUJ chair now Bishop-designate ÏÏÏThe

former Chairman of Osun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Pastor Seun Adeoye, has emerged as the Presiding BishopDesignate of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM).

Adeoye’s emergence as Bishop-Designate was officially announced by Bishop Isaac Ibitayo and Apostle Laolu Oyediran during a Special Church Service on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the SGTM’s National Headquarters, Rehoboth Arena, Oba Road, Okinni in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.

In his message, the President of Liberty International College of Bishops, Bishop Adeyemo-John Ojekunle explained that Adeoye was elected based on his commitment and

dedication towards the work of God. Quoting from the Book of Galatians Chapter 2, he charged Adeoye to use his wealth of experience as a journalist in the propagation of the gospel of Christ and to live an exemplary life of holiness.

Ojekunle described the calling into the office of a bishop as a highly noble and worthy assignment while urging all Christians to honour God’s anointed servants no matter their age or education qualifications.

Adeoye, who is also the founder of SGTM promised to use his elevation as a Bishop-Designate just like Bishop Desmond Tutu of South-Africa to serve God and humanity and to always fight against all forms of injustice anywhere in the world.

24 News

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Ikpeazu vs Otti: APGA holds mega rally in support of A’Court verdict Sunday Nwaksnma Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in Abia State, on Wednesday, held a rally in Umuahia metropolis, in support of its gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, who was declared the winner of April elections by the Appeal Court, sitting in Owerri last week.

Addressing the crowd at Isi Gate, Umuahia, the State Chairman of APGA, Rev Augustine Ehiemere, described the judgment as

a victory for democracy, development and progress for Abia State, and that the party was grateful to God that, finally, justice had been done in the election petition matter.

He expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would confirm the judgment.

The rally, which brought together supporters of the party from the 17 local government areas of the state and professional groups was led by Ehiemere to thank God for the judgment, saw

Ikpeazu

Otti

them march through major streets of Umuahia, the capital city, with placards with inscriptions like, “Abians are free from Economic Bondage,” “Bye- Bye to Un-

employment in Abia,” “Alex Otti, Abians are proud of you,” “Join us to celebrate Alex Otti.”

He said that the rally was organised by a coalition of

pro-groups for good governance in Abia to celebrate the victory of APGA and its candidate in the election, Dr Alex Otti, saying that Abia people were happy that the mandate, which was given to APGA had been recovered through the Appeal Court judgment.

Also speaking, the minority leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Ikedi Ezekwesiri, said that December 31, 2015, would go down in history as the day God manifested himself on behalf of the people,

Crisis rocks Enugu APC

Ambode receives report on LFTZ killing

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

ÏÏÏThe

crisis rocking All Progressive Congress (APC), Enugu Chapter has deepened as the party has called for the suspension of its Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kate Ofor, over what it called issuing of frivolous press statements.

The State Chairman of the party Dr. Ben Nwoye said a three-man committee had been set up to investigate her misconduct.

Nwoye said Ofor was issuing statements on her own as she never consulted nor got approval of the state executive committee (Exco), before going to the media.

Nwoye described the purported press releases as embarrassing to both the state and national leadership of APC. It wondered why Ofor should always be in the comfort of her bedroom to issue sensitive statements that had no approval or authorisation of the party leadership simply because of her selfish interest and that of those whose scripts she was acting out.

L –R: Ministers of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi; Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung and State, Solid Minerals, Mr. Abubakar Bwari at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja … on Wednesday.

Fire destroys another school in Kano Yakubu Salisu, Kano

ÏÏÏFire

has destroyed yet another secondary school in Kano. The inferno which occurred at Government Secondary School Gwarzo was said to have destroyed four

student hostels. The fire which destroyed students’ property worth millions of naira was said to have started while academic activities were going.

Confirming the incidence, Director Kano State Fire Service Department, Mr. Balarabe Kabara, stated that the fire out-

break occurred at about 11:47a.m., while the students were in their classes for lessons, and that it took the timely intervention of his men and some persons from the community to prevent further destruction.

The case of Gwarzo Secondary School is the third

in Kano in recent times.

It would be recalled that seven female students of Government Secondary School, Gezawa lost their lives in a fire outbreak that razed their hostels leaving scores injured, while the other one occurred at Government Secondary School, Kwankwaso.

Fuel price: Labour to clampdown on defiant marketers in Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe organised labour

union in Ekiti State under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has vowed to resort to coercion to compel defiant marketers in the state to comply with the N86.5 per-litre

even when it appeared as if all hopes had been lost and prayers not answered over the election.

“It was a day of transformation, change and liberation were delivered to Abians. Today Abians have trooped out to the streets to thank God for recovering their stolen mandate,” he said.

The pro-groups, Berth Ekeoma, appealed to the people to be patient saying that it was a matter of time before APGA would take over the reins of government.

price, as fixed, recently, by the Federal Government.

The labour bodies said that the hardship being witnessed in the hands of independent marketers in Ekiti is gradually becoming unbearable as “they still sell in the state between N110 and 130 per litre contrary to directive on the new pump price of N86.5 per litre as announced by President

Muhammadu Buhari.”

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the NLC Chairman in Ekiti, Com Ade Adesanmi, said the labour won’t tolerate any form of recalcitrant posture and extortion of the populace by the marketers, just because they wanted to make outrageous profit.

“We from the labour centre in Ekiti are consulting

with NUPENG and other trade unions on the next line of action. President Buhari has given a directive that NNPC should sell at N86 while independent marketers at N86.5 per litre and we expect them to comply.

“But it is rather very disturbing that most of the marketers in Ekiti are still selling between N120 and

N130 per litre. We consider this as an affront on the government and we won’t tolerate such.

“We are appealing to the members of the public to help the trade centres with veracious information on how to deal decisively with this people, because we won’t allow them to hold the people to ransom”, he said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday received a report of the five-man tribunal of inquiry which investigated the civil unrest in IbejuLekki area on October 12, 2015, that led to the death of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

He had on October 22, 2015, inaugurated the tribunal chaired by a retired Lagos State High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, with the mandate to inquire into the origin, factors and circumstances leading to the breach of peace, as well as make recommendations to government.

While describing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) as an important project to the economy of the state because of its strategic importance to the job creation drive of his administration, Ambode said that he was prepared to do everything to ensure its success.

He, therefore, vowed that any issue concerning the success of the project would be treated with dispatch.

According to him: “The report of the tribunal has been submitted and the state government will give serious consideration to its recommendations and take decisions to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

25 Opinion

Nigeria Vision 20-2020 Mirage (2)?

ÏÏÏ

In part 1, we began discussion on this topic. In the introduction, I explained what the Vision 2020 entails, which is government design to make Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world. I then explained what we need to know to understand the possibility of Nigeria attaining that vision. I began my explanation of my understanding of the very challenging present economic situation of Nigeria and its causes.

In this second part, I wish to conclude the description of my perspective of Nigeria’s economic challenges.

As I had argued in the past, the continued appropriation of Niger Delta economic resources, notably oil and gas, to the Nigerian federation account, from the perspective of international law, human rights and justice, national security, economic and political integrity, is an unsafe albeit nationally self-imposed situation. It is unsafe, not only for the Niger Delta minorities but for the corporate existence of Nigeria as a whole. I admitted that the majority theft of Niger Delta oil resources has gone on for many years, beginning in 1969. I further admitted that the length and depth of our collective illegality against the Niger Delta peoples has complicated

the twin issues of peace and development. But I submitted that complexity does not justify continuity. We, majority elites in Nigeria, are wrong. And it is in our long term social, political and economic interest that we stop the constitutional theft of Niger Delta oil and gas.

We must give oil back to the Niger Delta Peoples to secure holistic peace and development, not only in the Niger Delta region but in the nation of Nigeria as a whole. I strongly believe that growth cannot be driven from the centre, Abuja, but from the peripheries/regions/states and, particularly, from the grassroots or local government areas. It is the summation of the growth of the constituent states and local government areas that would translate to national growth/economic development. Nigeria for long has been trying to grow from the centre, first at Lagos when it was the federal capital, and now at Abuja. This probably explains the massive nationalisation of lands, minerals and mineral oils by successive military regimes. I strongly believe that once local peoples’ rights to property and to the economic resources in their land are restored in Nigeria, the country will enter again, at a higher

Buhari

pace than in the mid-50s to mid-60s, a new era of very rapid economic growth.

That, for me, would be the greatest dividend of the change that Nigerians massively voted for on March 28, 2015 when they elected President Muhammadu Buhari, the most visible symbol of the change movement.

The above thoughts and the earlier ones in part 1 constitute and shape my present position and perspective as regards the future growth of Nigeria.

I however have an open mind. Hence the need to undergo the present re-examination of the economic spine of the

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Nigerian nation especially the root causes of the present challenge to economic development and possible solutions to them.

Let us begin by understanding Nigeria’s economic potential. I will do this by looking at different aspects of the economy using a list that I have adapted from BMI Research: Agribusiness; Automobiles; Commercial Banks; Consumer Electronics; Defence and Security; Education; Financial Markets; Food and Drinks; Freight Transport; Information Technology; Infrastructure; Insurance; Medical Devices; Metals; Mining; Oil and Gas; Petrochemi-

cals; Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare; Power; Real Estate; Tourism; Telecommunications; Water; Shipping; Renewables; and Retail.

Before looking at these various aspects of Nigeria’s economy, I would like to restate my belief that Nigeria has no business being poor. Its only business is engendering or rekindling elite patriotism, which births positive sacrifice based on a justifiable pride in the patrimony, similar to what China and UAE have achieved recently and What USA, Japan, Germany and Singapore achieved earlier, to mention only a few. As long as Nigerian elite class chooses to be unpatriotic, only Swiss bankers would continue to know our real worth.

Let us begin this examination of Nigeria’s economic potential from the lens of agribusiness.

One cannot appreciate the potential of agribusiness in Nigeria unless and until one understands the very sad history of agribusiness in Nigeria. In 2014 the then Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala said: “Nigeria remains highly dependent on oil…70 percent of government revenues come from taxes on the oil and gas sector, and oil and gas make up more than 90 percent of exports”. Any student of Nigeria would understand why this statement is damning on the critical mass of Nigeria’s political elite. The minister reported that 90 percent of Nigerian exports are petroleum (oil and gas). It is as good as saying it is a mono-economy. Younger readers would appreciate the economic disaster that

the minister was indirectly reporting when they realize that fifty five years earlier, the minister could not have imagined what she reported. According to A. Ademola et al, agribusiness exports, which were then the most important in Nigeria, were about 97 percent in 1960. They fell to 4 percent in 1980. They now account for just 7 percent. It is an indefensible and unjustifiable fall. And it is not because petroleum income is overwhelming.

In any case petroleum price has been falling.

What would happen if oil price falls to its production and distribution costs, when we can only break even at best? No, it is not the power of petrodollar that has dwarfed agribusiness contribution to the economy. It is rather because we abandoned our primary strength, agribusiness, to share royalty and rents from Shell and Chevron oil and gas production. We now depend on these foreign strengths to stand as a nation. It is not leadership wisdom. It is not even security smart.

And Nigerians are smart, if leadership would lead them aright, which is what has been lacking for going to fifty years, specifically since we destroyed the covenant of fiscal federalism enshrined in the union/ independence constitution of 1960. As I said severally, we committed this sociopolitical and economic suicide when we made the Petroleum Decree in 1969 and retained it in our laws until today, notably the 1999 Constitution.

Next week, in this column, we shall continue our analysis of the potential of agribusiness in Nigeria.

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Health

s

Prof. Adewole, Minister of Health

Dr. Ojo, chairman, Lagos NMA.

Stakeholders demand enforcement of public service rule on retirement age for CMDs

Stories by Lara Adejoro

Stakeholders in the health sector have called on Federal Government to enforce the public service rule on the tenure and statutory retirement age for Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors in tertiary hospitals in the country.

According to a circular from the Head of civil service dated 27th of July 2009 on the interpretation of public service rules on compulsory retirement age/year of service in relation to appointment of serving public officers signed by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Orosanye, stated that the attention of the Federal Gov-

ernment has been drawn to the need to correct interpretation of the public career officers who are serving as Executive Directors or Director-General.

The circular reads: “Chief Executive of parastatals, agencies and government owned companies. For avoidance of doubt, and in other to maintain discipline and integrity of the public service rules, which prescribe 60 years of age or 35 years of service for mandatory retirement should be strictly complied with according to the following guidelines shall apply.

“That career officers who wish to take up tenured appointments should at the point of taking up the appointment, retire from ser-

vice to ensure they run their term uninterrupted. That career officers who may have not retired or choose not to retire from service, before the commencement of their tenured appointment, must leave office on attainment of the mandatory age/year of service for retirement. That career officers who are currently holding tenured appointments are required to retire from the service with immediate effect and continue to run their term. Failure to do so would mean that they would vacate office on attaining the mandatory retirement age or at the expiration of their term whichever comes first.

“The content of this circular should be brought to the notice

of all concerned for strict compliance and uniform application in all federal parastatals and agencies,” it reads.

Commenting, former Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes & Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) LUTH, Mr Kehinde Adegoke said, there is need for the protection of the application of the rule of law, obedience to the rule of service and avoidance of bad precedence.

“We have a situation whereby the former head of service of the federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, stepped down on the attainment of the statutory retirement age of 60 years. Some of the CMDs in our teaching hospitals are over-

Form daily oral care habit, Nigerians urged The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Enahire has appealed to Nigerians to see their “oral health as closely integrated with their general health system as the mouth is the gateway to the body and several oral diseases are related to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.”

He stated this at the National Oral Health Week held in Abuja recently.

The Oral-Care brand of Procter

& Gamble, Oral-B has also restated its commitment to the continual improvement of the overall oral health of the Nation.

Speaking at the Executive editorial debrief session following the 2015 National Oral Health Week in Lagos, the Brand Manager of Oral B in Sub-Saharan Africa, Aliza Leferink, pointed out that healthy teeth and gums are fundamental to overall health and wellbeing.

Leferink said, stronger teeth

comes from forming a great daily care habit, consistency and the right toothpaste use.

“Maintaining healthy teeth can be achieved by following a number of simple principles, and Oral-B wants to help Nigerian consumers on their way to better oral-care-routines. One should brush twice a day. But this is one of the most effective ways of preventing germs, gum disease and tooth decay in the long term.

Brushing at least twice a day will

help to prevent acid build up from the breakdown of food by bacteria.

“To brush the teeth correctly, one should spend at least two minutes using a recommended technique, which includes thirty seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and night. Start with outer and inner surfaces, and brush at a 45-degree angle in short, half-tooth-wide strokes

staying in the office as against the stipulated age requirement and this is not good for a place known for integrity. The CMD is in the cadre of a director and directors come under a permanent secretary; the condition for the director is stipulated in public service rule 020810 section IV.” Adegoke said that teaching hospitals have in abundance qualified personnel to fit in the position of CMD which there was no reason for someone staying in the office arbitrarily.

“Sometimes because this CMD came in through the back door they tend to exhibit high-handedness and who will benefit from their lawlessness? We have a case

Continued on page 27

against the gum line. Make sure you reach your back teeth. Move on to chewing surfaces. Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth along these surfaces. Once you get to the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up-anddown strokes with the tip of brush. Finally, brush your tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and help remove odor-causing bacteria to freshen your breath,” Leferink explained.

The Brand Manager also said, the hygiene and condition of the

Continued on page 27

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Sickle cell clubs, Foundation call for public support for patients

L-R: Programme Coordinator, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Mr. Ebenezer Adeleye; President, Sickle Cell Club, Lagos, Mrs. Ayo Otaigbe and a guest at the end of the year celebration of the club held at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos.

President, Sickle Cell Club, Lagos, Mrs Ayo Otaigbe has called for public support to help improve the lives of people with Sickle Cell Disorders (SCD), adding that more research was also required to aid in the management of the disorder.

Mrs Otaigbe made the call recently at the end of year celebration of the club held at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos.

“The fact that over 150,000 children are born every year in Nigeria with symptomatic sickle cell anaemia while one in every four Nigerian is a carrier of the sickle cell gene is well documented. Many of these children die at infancy due to lack of information and appropriate care.

Over the years, advances have been made to unravel the complex nature of SCD.” However, she said, the disorder is not well understood as expected and it is certainly not amenable to various drugs of unproven efficacy optimistically

marketed in Nigeria.

She said, the club had through its activities continued to increase public awareness and knowledge of the disorder especially through the establishment of sickle cell clubs, partnering with the SCFN and other stakeholders.

According to her, the focus for 2016 will be to consolidate on the successes recorded in 2015 and increase the level of awareness.

Also speaking, Chairman, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Prof. Olu Akinyaju, reiterated the need for Nigerians to support people with SCD. “People should support persons with SCD; they should also support the centre and the clubs; there is a lot to be done in the area of SCD. We do not get enough donations, research has to be done, and workers need to be paid, people with SCD need tests, counselling and medication.”

The don also said, “we have a

programme where we encourage everyone to give N5,000 monthly to the centre, it will mean a lot.”

He said, there would be a lot of capacity building in 2016, “it is very important and it will involve periodic counselling, training for personnel, doctors and nurses for emergency situations.’’

Akinyaju called for the establishment of at least one sickle cell centre in each state of the federation.

Mr Olasukanmi Rotimi, SCD person from the Apapa Sickle Cell Area Club, Lagos, said that people with SCD need a lot of care and attention.

He urged the public to always lend a comforting and helping hand to anyone with the disorder.

Rotimi said that with adequate care, strict adherence to medication and appropriate lifestyle, people with SCD could also accomplish feats just like those who do not have the disorder.

Retirement age for CMDs: ‘No reason for staying in the office arbitrarily’ Continued from page 26 of Prof. Eugene Okpere of University of Benin Teaching Hospital that followed due process and retired upon the statutory age. There should not be a double standard in this regard,’’ he said.

Adegoke maintained that there had been some commission in the past that were asked to look into the matter, but their recommendations never was the light of the day, perhaps because of some underhand factors.

“If Academics Union (ASUU) is clamouring for 65 years, that is for the teaching not administration at the teaching hospitals.

What they fought for and granted was a 70 year extension for professors to retire and if they did not become professor before 65, they retire same year. What we have in LUTH, Neuro-Psychiatric Yaba, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute Meta and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi and other hospitals under the Ministry of Health is that they don’t have a professor in their cadre. Teaching hospital never had the position of professor in its cadre of their service; Ministry of Health did not have provision for such.

“In LUTH, there were about 350 consultants with about 200 out of them qualified to be CMD, this same situation happened in Owerri too. Most of the professors are jostling for the position because the position looks lucrative and as such they would do anything to get it.”

Adegoke however implored the head of service of the federation to intervene in this matter “and protect the integrity of public service rule been decimated by the CMDs.” In his opinion, the immediate past Chief Medical Director, La-

Visit the dentist for regular check-ups, Nigerians urged Continued from page 26

A lady brushing her teeth.

tooth-brush itself is very important for a healthy mouth.

She urged that, tooth brushes should be changed four times a year. “If the toothbrush bristles become frayed and worn, they may lose their effectiveness, and when ineffective, it is not able to get into all of the nooks and crannies of your mouth and clean your teeth and gums as a new

toothbrush does. Some studies have shown the typical toothbrush can harbor up to 10 million bacteria, so a good and frequently exchanged toothbrush will help keep your teeth clean and healthy.

“Good diet and low sugar intake is another habit that need to be cultivated. It is advisable to visit the dentist for regular checkups, preferably every six months to ensure gum and teeth do stay healthy.”

27 Health

Prof. Adewole, Minister of Health

gos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibogun said tenures and conditions of service for all public servants and including those appointed into executive positions are guided by laws establishing those institutions and other rules and circulars emanating from Government from time to time as the employer.

“Hopefully after considering factors of best output in public interest, those laws and rules are in the public domain,” he said.

Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, Dr Tope Ojo said that the law was clear on the situation and that there was no ambiguity in the position of NMA. “What we have here in the civil service policy and Orosanye’s report is clear. We have written to the Ministry of Health on what the law says.

“Dr Rahaman Lawal, Medical Director of Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba was removed based on this law, others should follow and LUTH is not the only one left we have about 10 others. Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Medical Director was removed because there was a massive protest which involved all cadres of workers doctors inclusive, why not apply the law across board,’’ he said.

However, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole said that the issue of the tenure of appointment of the CMD was a case before them.

“It is a challenge we inherited, when we are able to take decision on it we will come out with a policy that will address the matter in a comprehensive manner.

We don’t want to address the matter on ad-hoc basis, the matter is quite receiving attention in the ministry and feedback will be given in January, 2016,” he said.

Etu emerges Warri wolves chair

Etu

Ace sports journalist, Moses Etu has been named the chairman of CAF Champions League campaigners, Warri Wolves after the Delta State Government dissolved the Davidson Owumi-led Seasiders’ management.

Etu who served as the Media Officer in the dissolved Warri Wolves management has risen to become the chairman of the

team and has been saddled with the task of ensuring that the club makes appreciable impact on the continent this year with the team’s CAF Champions League assignment billed to start next month.

Making the news known to Goal, Etu stated that he was elated with the appointment and that he would use the

position to ensure that Warri Wolves return to the pinnacle of Nigerian football.

He added that his immediate preoccupation would be to ensure that the club ends its barren spell both in Nigeria and on the continent after the club has yet to win any silverware since formation some years back.

Page 28

Dalung, Ohaa commiserate

with NFF

29

Thursday, January 7, 2016

2015 CAF coach: Herve Renard ahead of

Amuneke

Etebo

Etebo, Okechukwu

U

-17 World Cup-winning coach Emmanuel Amuneke will most likely surrender the CAF Coach of the year 2015 to Herve Renard, who led Cote d’Ivoire to win a long-awaited AFCON in Equatorial Guinea in February.

The 2015 AFCON win was after 23 years of wait by the Ivorians who last celebrated AFCON success in 1992.

Renard also led unfancied Zambia to win the 2012 AFCON in Gabon, incidentally at the expense of Cote d’Ivoire.

Former FC Barcelona winger Amuneke, on the other hand, led Nigeria to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November in Chile.

Many had written off the team after they

listed for CAF Award Mike Otanwa

N

igeria U-23 star, Oghenekaro Etebo, has been listed for CAF Most Promising Talent award for 2015 alongside his compatriot Azubuike Okechukwu.

Etebo is in pole position to win the award considering his performance with the U-23s and Warri Wolves.

The Warri Wolves forward is a gifted player who has pace, good vision for goals and great ball passer.

His class has been recognised as several foreign clubs now wish to sign him after he emerged as top scorer at CAF U-23 championship with five goals and made the competition’s best XI. Etebo also helped the coach Samson Siasia-led team win bronze at the All Africa Games football event in Congo Brazzaville in September.

The U-23 captain Azubuike Okechukwu is also a strong contender for this award looking at his contribution to the team at CAF U23 championship.

A good ball winner and passer, he was named the MVP of the U-23 AFCON and he is an important member of Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor.

failed to win the CAF U-17 championship in Niger Republic but the former African Footballer of the Year proved his critics wrong by making the team unbeatable at the World Cup. The team showed they are well-coached with their display and Amuneke proved to be a technically sound coach to the extent that the FIFA Study Group noted his tactics.

Etoile du Sahel coach Fawzi Benzarti led the Tunisian club to successful season in 2015 by winning the CAF Confederation Cup and Tunisia President’s Cup. CAF Champions League-winning coach with TP Mazembe Patrice Carteron is also a nominee for this award category.

CP

Inalegwu

Abubakar

Amuneke

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Wilson Inalegwu on Wednesday vowed that the Police would fish out the killers of the Head of Protocol of Nigeria Football Federation, Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar.

Abubakar was killed by unknown gunmen in his house on Oluwunmi Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday.

CP Inalegwu arrived at the house at 8.20am, and after inspecting the scene of the incident and the environment, said the Police would do everything to

vows tA o nab bubakar’s killers

nab those who took Abubakar’s life.

It was a day of mourning and tears at the NFF, as the 43 –year old Abubakar’s death was broken in the early hours. Officials led by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, accompanied the corpse from the National Hospital, Abuja to the late Abubakar’s hometown, Kaduna, where the remains were interred at some minutes after noon.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick was devastated as he got the news on phone, and it took him several minutes to recover his voice. He condoled

Thursday, January 7, 2016

EXTRATIME

Angola hold Eagles

in Pretoria ANDREW EKEJIUBA

A

ngola’s Palancas Negras held the Super Eagles B to a 1-1 draw in a preAfrican Nations Championship friendly in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Midfield Trojan Paul Onobi was an early substitute as he sustained a knock in the 35th minute and was replaced by U-23 ace Usman Mohammed.

The Negras, silver medallists at the 2nd African Nations Championship in Sudan five years ago, tried to pile pressure on the Eagles in the second half, but five substitutions made by Coach Sunday Oliseh kept the 2014 bronze medallists in the ascendancy.

Nigeria took the lead in the 84th minute when Ibrahim Attah Salau was upended in the Angolan box, with midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu making no mistake from the spot.

Angola equalized from a corner kick with only two minutes left in the game.

Dalung

Abubakar:

Dalung, Ohaa commiserate with NFF

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has expressed shock over the shooting of Nigeria Football Federation’s Head of Protocol, Ibrahim Abubakar in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dalung who paid a condolence visit to the NFF on Wednesday in

Abuja in company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa said that it was shocking and sad to hear of the killing of such a hardworking man.

“We received the sad news this morning of the killing of Ibrahim Abubakar and I’m deeply shocked at the shooting of Ibrahim Abubakar in his house today by armed robbers.

We are moved that he had to meet

his end in that gruesome manner.

That adds weight to the level of criminality, high profile killings and insecurity that has characterized our society.

“It’s sad he departed at a time his services were most needed. It is a very sad news not only to us in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, but to the entire football family,” he said.

Dalung also called on the need to beef up security in the country to protect innocent lives and property.

In his response, the Assistant Secretary-General of the NFF Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme thanked the Minister for his prompt visit to commiserate with the Federation over the sad incident.

“On behalf of the board and management of the NFF, I want to sincerely appreciate the Minister for coming to commiserate with us within the short notice with this high calibre delegation. We’ve noted the sentiments expressed concerning the need for security to overcome some of these criminal acts that are being observed in recent times. I left him in the office yesterday at about 6pm so I was shocked to hear this morning that he had been shot to death this morning.

“I join members of the family of the deceased and other Nigerians to pray that God in His infinite mercy grants the soul of the departed eternal peace,” Ikpeme said.

29

Obiano’s football tournament reaches final stage Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka

T

he ongoing Governor Willie Obiano’s Football Tournament has reached the final stages for both the female and male categories.

The competition which kicked off three weeks ago has seen four Local Government Areas emerge from the preliminary stages into the final stages.

Following the charge by Obiano, the soccer fiesta is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Entrepreneur and Sports Development to re-ignite the spirit of oneness among Ndi Anambra.

The final matches will hold on Friday, January 8, for both male and female categories. The final match for the female teams is between Awka South and Ekwusigo LGAs holding by 11am, while that of the male teams is between Ihiala and Anaocha LGAs which will kick off by 1pm at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium.

Obiano

30

Thursday, January 7, 2016

EXTRATIME

l o o p r e v i L e t e l p m o c

Ex-Chelsea

doctor, Eva attends tribunal hearing

F

ormer Chelsea team doctor, Eva Carneiro, attended a tribunal hearing on Wednesday regarding her constructive dismissal case against the club.

Wearing a long, grey coat and holding hands with her husband, Carneiro made no comment to the media as she arrived for the hearing flanked by her legal team in Croydon, south London.

The preliminary hearing at London South Employment Tribunal is being held in private before an employment judge and will outline the timetable for the case.

Carneiro, 42, left Chelsea in September after being removed from first-team duties by manager Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League champions last month.

Mourinho had rebuked her and physiotherapist Jon Fearn for running onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during his side’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City on the season’s opening day, which temporarily left Chelsea with nine men.

Mourinho called Carneiro and Fearn “impulsive and naive”, but the Premier League Doctors’ Group said failure to treat Hazard would have been a breach of their care of duty.

Mutch

‘Palace targeting silverware’

C

rystal Palace have much to play for in the FA Cup and will target the tournament to land some silverware this season, midfielder Jordon Mutch has said.

The Eagles have made the competition’s final just once, losing 1-0 to Manchester United in the 1990 replay – a win that gave Alex Ferguson his first major trophy as manager at Old Trafford.

“The FA Cup is the traditional cup, maybe some clubs do not take it as seriously, but for me it is special and I know the manager will be taking it seriously,” Mutch was quoted as saying.

“As a team, we want some silverware and I think the FA Cup is a great chance to win something.

If we can get past Southampton and get a good couple of draws then who knows.”

Mutch was also looking to feature more in Palace’s games and said he was constantly in talks with manager Alan Pardew in determining his best position in the team.

The Englishman, who was Pardew’s first permanent signing as Palace manager, has seen limited game time this season, starting just three matches in all competitions.

“I want to play more, every player does, but we have got a lot of players in that central area and I want to be playing in that No 8 or 10 role,” Mutch added.

c i j u r G deal Grujic

S

erbia Under-21 midfielder Marko Grujic has completed his transfer from Red Star Belgrade to Liverpool.

Grujic put pen to paper on a deal with the Premier League club on Wednesday, but will return to Red Star on loan for the rest of the season.

Liverpool did not confirm how much they have paid for the 19-year-old, who becomes Jurgen Klopp’s first new signing, but Red Star announced before Christmas that the fee was €7million.

Speaking to his new club’s official website,

Grujic said: “I’m very excited and so proud to be here and a member of Liverpool Football Club. I can’t wait to get started, play at Anfield and train at Melwood.

“I was thinking about my progress in my next period and decided it was good for me to come here and try to be the best I can.

“I want to play in front of one of the loudest set of fans in Europe at Anfield.

“I also like the atmospheres at other stadiums, the crowds are very good. I like to play under pressure and that’s why I’ve

League title our priority - Pellegrini

M

anuel Pellegrini has said he would choose winning the Premier League with Manchester City and being shown the door over continuing as the team’s manager for an extended period without any major success.

Uncertainty has surrounded the future of the Chilean, whose contract at City expires at the end of the 2016-17 season, with Spaniard Pep Guardiola, who will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, being linked with the club.

Guardiola said this week he wanted to work in the Premier League and already has ‘several offers from England’.

come here - because it brings out the best in me.”

Klopp added: “We’re very pleased because Marko is a big talent and we’ve seen him a lot of times.

“When I came here, our scouts showed me some footage of a very skilled player from Red Star Belgrade. We watched it, we spoke to him, we met each other he’s a good boy, a young boy but plays an important role at the moment at Red Star, who are the best team in Serbia.

Newcastle make Lacazette bid Pellegrini

“I do not think my position in the future is linked to titles,” Pellegrini told British media.

“For me, as a manager, it is important to win the title because it is my job. “... if I have the option to renew here (City) for five years more or to win the title and be sacked, I would prefer to win the title.

“If you are the owner of a club, you must have the option to replace the manager if they win the title or if they do not win the title. It just is about your trust in the way you work.”

City are third in the league table, three points behind leaders Arsenal, and still in the mix in all competitions, domestically and in Europe.

N

ewcastle United are making a move for Olympique Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Report says Newcastle have made a play for the forward, with a €25million verbal offer.

However, Lyon reportedly want €30million - a €5million gap which you’d think wouldn’t prove too prohibitive.

The French international enjoyed a magnificent 2014-15 campaign with 27 league goals.

But this season, he boasts just six league goals so far, while Lyon also crashed out of the Champions League.

Bournemouth lose appeal against Francis’ red card

S

Francis

imon Francis will miss Bournemouth’s FA Cup third round tie against Birmingham City after the Football Association rejected his club’s appeal against his red card in the goalless draw against Leicester City on Saturday.

The FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission upheld referee Andre Marinner’s decision to issue a straight red card to the defender during his

team’s Premier League away fixture at Leicester City.

Television replays showed Francis got a touch of the ball before bringing down Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, resulting in a penalty which Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc saved.

“The defender, who was dismissed for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Leicester,

will serve his one-match suspension with immediate effect,” the FA said in a statement.

Currently four points above the relegation zone after 20 matches, Bournemouth will make a trip to Championship side Birmingham City on Saturday as the Cherries seek to progress to the next round of the FA Cup for the third season in a row.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

EXTRATIME

P

ierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be part of the Borussia Dortmund squad flying out to Dubai on Thursday as the attacker has instead travelled to Nigeria to attend the CAF Awards in Abuja.

Aubameyang’s absence from Dortmund’s first full training session of 2016 on Tuesday led to rumours that a transfer to the Premier League was imminent.

Arsenal have been linked with the Gabon international, who Dortmund said had missed the training session with a “personal

appointment,” adding that “in close consultation with BVB” he will fly to Nigeria for the award ceremony.

“We have all our fingers crossed.

And he will directly fly out to the training camp in Dubai after the ceremony,” the club said.

Aubameyang has been shortlisted for the 24th edition of the CAF Awards alongside Manchester City’s Yaya Toure -who picked up the BBC African Player of the Year award late last year -- and Swansea’s Andre Ayew.

g n a y e m a b u A skips BVB camp for CAF trip Inter’s interest flatters

Eder

aaaa

S

Aubameyang

Costa

B

ampdoria attacker Eder admits he feels flattered by rumours that Serie A leaders Inter are interested in signing him.

Roberto Mancini’s side are believed to be keeping a close eye on the Brazilborn Italy international following his fine performances this campaign and he has acknowledged he would be open to a transfer.

Eder has netted 11 goals in 16

Controversy surrounds

Gambo’s Vietnam move

K

ano Pillars s t r i k e r , Mohammed Gambo and his agent have disagreed over why the player failed to fully pursue a move to Vietnam.

Gambo has said he did not have a valid visa to enter Vietnam, while his agent Eddie Nwafor said he could not have been allowed to board flight from Kano without a visa.

“I did not have a valid visa to Vietnam and they refused to let me proceed from Turkey,” claimed the Pillars striker.

However, UK-based Nwafor insisted Gambo had a visa to enter

Gambo Vietnam.

“How will he leave Nigeria without a visa? The visa for Vietnam is a cable visa and Gambo’s name was No.9 of several other people. Vietnam confirmed the visa to the officials in Turkey,” said Nwafor.

“I paid $500 for his visa and I will now demand a refund after what happened.

Zidane pledges to restore Madrid’s attacking prowess

Eder Serie A appearances so far this campaign and has a contract with Sampdoria until June 2020.

“It pleases me to be linked with Inter,” Eder said. “We are talking about a big club here.

“There is nothing concrete at the moment, but if the club tells me there are developments I will sit down with my agent and discuss it.

Zidane

R

eal Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane, says he wants to inspire his team to play with the same attacking flare he displayed as a player.

Bayern over Chelsea because he wanted to play under Guardiola, and he told Sport Bild on Wednesday: “It’s true, I joined Bayern because of Pep. “The first six months with him have been outstanding; the next sixth months will certainly be outstanding too. I have learned a lot from Pep.” He added: “He’s a genius. I can learn more from him in an hour than from others in one year. He not only lifts you to the next level on the pitch, but also in your mind. He has revealed totally new options to me.

Zidane says “football with a personal touch, with attacking play, is what I’ll aim for.”

Zidane was speaking Tuesday at his first news conference, a day after replacing the fired Rafa Benitez.

Earlier, the club said more than 6,000 fans turned out to watch the former France great take charge during Madrid’s traditional open-door first practice session of the year.

It’s an honour to

not leaving Bayern like Guardiola

ayern Munich star, Douglas Costa has praised Pep Guardiola as a “genius” but has no intention of leaving the club when the coach exits at the end of the season.

Douglas Costa, 25, has enjoyed a successful start to life at Bayern following his summer move from Shakhtar Donetsk, and he was this week named Costa the Bundesliga’s best outfield player in kicker’s prestigious in the league -- and scored two player poll. goals.

He has recorded 12 assists The Brazil international said -- more than any other player last month that he opted to join

31

coach Madrid

Benitez

S

- Benitez

acked Real Madrid, boss Rafael Benitez, has said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be given the chance to coach the Spanish giants as he wished luck to his successor Zinedine Zidane.

In a letter published in Spanish and English on his personal website, rafabenitez.com, the 55-year-old said: “I want everyone at the club from the board of directors, executives, workers and all of the fans, know that it has been

an honour and privilege to be in charge at this club.”

Benitez was sacked on Monday night after just seven unhappy months in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving Madrid in third place in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

They were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player in a tie against Cadiz but are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Roma.

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tHuRSdaY, JanuaRY 7, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.18

Price: n150

Liverpool 30 complete Grujic deal

F

IFA has dismissed reports it accidentally published the winners of the 2015 Ballon d’Or early.

A story emerged on Wednesday claiming Lionel Messi and Celia Sasic had been inadvertently revealed as the recipients of the men’s and women’s awards, which are due to be handed out on Monday.

However, a screenshot used in the article could be traced back to the website of European Sports Media (ESM), where an apology read: “Due to a technical problem at transmission, Lionel Messi and Celia Sasic were listed as FIFA Ballon d’Or winners 2015.

“Actually, they won the awards UEFA Best Player in Europe 2015 resp. UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe 2015. We apologize for this mistake.”

And FIFA has now released its own short statement addressing the issue.

“This afternoon, a story 1st posted online in November (false then too) has resurfaced,” read a tweet from FIFA Media. “The winners

of the #BallondOr have NOT been leaked.

“November’s story (also falsely attributed to FIFA’s website) was taken from ESM’s website.”

Meanwhile, the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee has extended general secretary Jerome Valcke’s suspension from all football-related activities by 45 days.

Valcke’s initial 90-day ban came to an end on Tuesday, but investigatory chamber

29 chairman Cornel Borbely called on that suspension to be extended, with the adjudicatory chamber now granting Borbely’s request.

“The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr HansJoachim Eckert has decided to extend the suspension of Mr Jerome Valcke by 45 days, at the request of the investigatory chamber,” a statement read.

“The extension of the suspension starts from Wednesday January 6.”

Valcke has been linked to a scheme that intended to sell tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil at above their face value prior to the contract being cancelled before any were sold, with the investigatory

FIFA

ports issed re lished m is d s b FIFA ha cidentally pu asic c S a a li it e dC that essi an r winners M l e n io ’O L d Ballon as FIFA . of 2015

dismisses , ’ k a e l ‘ r O ´ d n Ballo

extends n a b e k c l Va

Inalegwu vows to nab Abubakar’s killers

chamber calling for Valcke to be banned for nine years over allegations of corruption.

Valcke – the right-hand man to suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter since 2007 – has denied the allegations made against him, claiming FIFA is trying to improve its damaged public image by placing the blame upon him.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Tribunal adjourns 44 insurance companies case against FIRS

Page B2

Agriculture: Unspecified investment may lead to unrealistic goals — Expert Page B5

Stock market index falls by 3.28% Page B6

FAAN set to handle 30m passengers

NERC insists on February 1 for take-off of new tariff

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN says its gearing up towards handling the expected 30 million passengers traffic at the completion of work at the international airport terminal building in Lagos.

FAAN presently handle 15 million passengers but has projected an additional traffic of 15million this year with the completion of CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Opeoluwani Akintayo

L-R: Sales Director, BOSCH Packaging West Africa, Francis Omoniyi and GIZ Head of Value Chain Development Unit, Bauerfeind Horst at the just concluded one-day Stakeholders Consultative forum with farmers held recently in Lagos.

Diamond Bank lists key economic issues that will shape businesses in 2016 Friday Atufe

Diamond Bank Plc has listed six economic variables that would shape businesses in 2016.

The bank stated this in its 2016 outlook yesterday.

According to the bank the year 2016 will no doubt be another challenging year for businesses, given the expectation of lower crude

oil price, naira devaluation, inflationary pressures and low foreign portfolio investments.

“Nevertheless, there are growth boosters coming from expansionary fiscal and monetary policy, coupled with more responsible fiscal regime and a focus on key priority sectors of the economy: Infrastructure, Security, Education and the non-oil sector.

“The bank observed that,

“amidst a slow global growth and the headwinds of higher rates in the US, we present six major events that will most likely shape Nigerian business environment in 2016.”

According to the bank the 2016 “Change” Budget of N6.08 trillion budget shows a clear deviation from the past in terms of capital spend, fiscal discipline and policy priority, adding that budget defi-

cit is to double to N2.2trillion even as the government plans to revive the economy by tripling capital expenditure to N1.9trillion. If properly implemented, the 2016 budget should place the country on a sustainable growth path.

On crude oil, it said there was no end in sight for the global crude oil glut, remarking that crude oil price might fall below CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Fuel subsidy: Buhari should tread cautiously – TUC Joy Ekeke Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has charged the Federal Government to realise that promises made to citizens are tantamount to social contracts between it and the citizens and must be held in sanctity. This is the case with the issue the recent moderation of the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.

The Congress had thought all the promises made during the

Thursday, January 7, 2016

electioneering would be kept, “but little did we know the masses were again going to be disappointed.”

“It is our view that Nigerians voted for the present administration, because it promised to address the following critical issues: challenges in the oil and gas sector, insecurity and insurgency, rescue of the abducted Chibok school girls from the clutches of the Boko Haram sect, rapid depreciation of the naira, payment of token welfare package of N5, 000

to the unemployed, creation of job opportunities for the army of youths, etc.,” the Congress said.

A visibly disappointed Congress was of the view that considering the drastic fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, it had expected that the pump price of fuel would be reduced by at least 40 percent, instead of the unimpressive slash that the Buhari administration announced, recently.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Kachikwu

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has said that the take-off date of the new electricity tariff (MYTO 2015), still remains February 1, 2016.

The Commission stated this on Wednesday in a release.

In view of this, the Commission has told distribution companies to abide by its directive not to connect new customers without first providing them with meters.

“We wish to state that at no time did the Commission change the date of the take-off of the new tariff”, NERC stated.

The acting Head of the Commission Dr. Anthony Akah, said that the removal of fixed charge under the new tariff regime “was in response to electricity consumers’ complaints and a measure to ensure electricity distribution companies improve on service delivery as their income is dependent on the quantity of electricity used by their customers.”

Akah said that the Commission would continue to engage stakeholders including members of the National Assembly, NASS to address their concerns on the new tariff regime.

“NERC holds the National Assembly in high esteem and we are sure that both institutions are working to ensure that the National and consumer interests are CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Fuel subsidy: Buhari should tread cautiously – TUC

NERC insists on February 1 for take-off of new tariff

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

It said that it was most disappointing that the government reduced the price at filling stations owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the independent marketers by just N1 and 50k, respectively.

The Congress recalled that for over a decade it had cautioned against the mono-cultural nature of the country’s economy and appealed to government to diversify it, but to no avail’ adding that “here we are like prodigal sons,” as the economy had grown rather lean on account of naked corruption, especially by those in government.

“Prior to the elections, we were

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

protected.”

He explained that there are inbuilt consumer protection mechanisms and incentives for improved service delivery by the DISCOs and fair return on investment in the new Tariff Order.

The Commission stated that in implementing this cost reflective tariff, it will effectively monitor and enforce all service delivery agreements in the new tariff order.

The new Tariff Order aside from eliminating fixed charge, has a robust mechanism to ensure that electricity distribution companies fully meter their consumers and eliminate “crazy” billing within one year.

NERC in December, unveiled a new increment of average of N9.00 electricity tariff for all classes of consumers of the product, just as it also, announced the abolition of the contentious fixed charges for all electricity consumers.

In the new tariff regime for instance, residential customer classification (R2) in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will no longer pay N702.00 fixed charge every month. Their energy charge will increase by N9.60.

Also, residential customers (R2 customers) in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas will no longer pay N750. 00 fixed charges.

They will be getting N10 and N8 increase respectively in their energy charges. Similarly, the burden of N800.00 and N750.00 fixed charges would be lifted off the shoulders of Kaduna and Benin electricity consumers. These consumers will see an increase of N11.05 and N9.26 respectively in their energy charges.

The Commission added, “The new tariff is also good news for commercial consumers For example, commercial customers’ classification C2 in Ibadan and Enugu will no longer pay fixed charges of N17, 010. 00 and N22, 141.00. Their energy charge will increase by N12.08 and N13.35 respectively.

FAAN set to handle 30m passengers

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Kari

Tribunal adjourns 44 insurance companies case against FIRS Tax Appeal Tribunal on Wednesday adjourned to March 2 for the 44 Insurance companies and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to file their written addresses.

The Acting Chairman of the tribunal, Mr. Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), adjourned the appeal after FIRS closed its case.

Counsel to FIRS Bolanle Oniyangi had at Wednesday’s hearing called one witness, Ahmed Haruna, Manager Tax in FIRS. Haruna was not cross-examined by Counsel to the insurance companies, Mr Abimbola Kayode, who held Prof. Taiwo Osipitan’s (SAN), brief.

Oniyangi, therefore, closed her case and applied for a date to present their written addresses.

The 44 companies had dragged the FIRS to the tribunal to seek for refund of N1.1 billion excess stamp duties.

They alleged that they were

made to pay the excess stamp duties on their respective statements of increase in their share capitals.

They urged the tribunal to direct FIRS to pay them the excess stamp duties and compound interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from January 2003 until date of judgment.

The plaintiffs also urged the tribunal to order FIRS to pay compounded interest of 10 per cent from the date of judgment until all excess were refunded.

Meanwhile, the FIRS told the court that its action was lawful and in accordance with Section 21, CAP 8 of the Stamp Duties Act. The FIRS said that the allegations by the companies were incorrect, adding that the plaintiffs suit was time barred because it had exceeded the 21 days prescribed by law for them to appeal.

FIRS, therefore, urged the tribunal to strike out the appeal for lack of merit.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

seamless passengers’ facilitation.

Dati revealed that FAAN security operatives and other security agencies deployed detective machines such as screening machine, CCTV, full body scanners and personal intelligence to ensure easy facilitation of passengers.

He expressed optimism a more safe and secured airport will be

the terminal in Lagos.

Speaking to aviation correspondents in his office on the activities the agency on traffic management before and after the yuletide period, the general manager corporate communications, Mr Yakubu Dati said except for the Turkish airline’s passengers breach that it was a hitch and

$30pb in 2016 since Iran, OPEC and the US appear convinced that production is still profitable at such a low price but for the Nigerian economy, this will translate to more pressure on government oil revenue and foreign reserves, weaker naira and double digit inflation.

It observed that in a bid to reverse the declining economic growth trend and achieve the 4.4 percent budgeted GDP growth for 2016, the economy has to experience significant policy induced liquidity injections in 2016, adding that this will come in the form of low interest rate environment, more CBN intervention funds in support of the real sector, increased government expenditure to stimulate activities in critical sectors, and increased private finances from public-private partnership initiatives.

It noted that the immediate cost of this will be higher inflation and a shrink in real returns to approximately three percent.

“The economy will experience higher quarterly growth rates of approximately four percent in 2016 relative to the three average growth in 2015. This will be driven by the non-oil sector, particularly agriculture, solid minerals and the SME sectors. A number of businesses and opportunities will be stimulated across the value

in place witnessed this year when the new terminals under construction will be completed and passengers will have that experience they always enjoy outside the shores. “With the completion of the new terminal in Lagos, the terminal will be able to process additional 15 million passengers which means we will able to service about 30 million passengers.

told that there was nothing like oil subsidy. How is it then that the Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu now tells us that the country can no longer subsidise petrol, because of the gargantuan fraud involved in the operation of the policy and the fact that the Federal Government’s earnings had drastically decreased due to fall in the price of crude oil?

The Congress holds the present administration accountable on its promise not to tinker with the subsidy arrangement. It says that “the latest move by the Buhari administration betrays our trust.

Diamond Bank lists key economic issues that will shape businesses in 2016 chain of these sectors,” the bank said.

On lower consumer spending, the 2016 is intuitively a year for austerity measures, noting that the constraints of slow economic growth and low oil prices might imply that some state governments will not be able to meet salary obligations in 2016.

Dozie

All these are things put together to raise aviation to a new level this year” Dati said security has been repositioned across the airports with a view to meeting the challenges ahead adding that FAAN was looking forward to partnering with investors as a result of dwindling resources in line with the minister’s statement.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

B3 Money Market

Buhari re-appoints NDIC boss, Erediauwa ED Stories by Motolani Oseni President Muhammadu Buhari has re-appointed Umaru Ibrahim as the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for a fresh tenure of five years.

Also the President has reappointed Prince Aghatise Erediauwa as Executive Director Operations, Confirming this development, Head Corporate Communications, NDIC, Mr. Haddi Birchi told Daily Times in a text message that Ibrahim and Erediauwa have been re-appointed as the MD/CEO and Executive Director of the corporation.

NDIC, which is a statutory body and a key component of the Nigerian financial safetynet was established under the

NDIC Act No.22 of 1988 with the key role of providing financial guarantee to depositors of licensed deposit-taking financial institutions comprising deposit money banks, including noninterest banks, microfianace banks and primary mortgage bank in the unlikely events of failure.

The corporation is however, responsible for protecting depositors and also promotes public confidence thereby contributing to the financial system stability in Nigeria.

The effective bank examination undertaken by the NDIC under his watch contributed immensely to the healthy state of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs); MicroFinance Bank (MFBs) and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) in the country.

L-R: Representative of Shehu of Borno, Alhaji. Zanna Mutawalli Liberty; Hon. Commissioner of Education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kubo and Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe at the Fidelity Back to School Project for IDPs in Maiduguri... recently.

CBN likely to pursue loose monetary policy in 2016, says Report Azubike Nnadozie

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will most likely pursue a loose monetary policy in 2016.

Diamond Bank stated this in its review of the banking sector in 2016, adding that the MPR will not go higher than the current 11 percent; while the CRR might witness another downward review.

It said banks’ lending rate might however remain at current levels until marked infrastructure improvements and policy initiatives translate to lower cost of doing business for the banks.

It also stated that a number of

NIBOR as @ Jan. 6, 2016 Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

O/N

1.5

0.38 ?

1M

8.4203

0.37 ?

3M

9.8291

0.17 ?

6M

11.2807

0.11 ?

fresh intervention funds by CBN might be introduced to stimulate economic activities in the non-oil sector, while agriculture, solid minerals and SMEs remain key focal points.

It envisaged that pressure on the Naira was not likely to abate as the CBN would continue a “demand focused” management strategy until reserves improves.

A 10%—15% devaluation, it says, appear inevitable.

According to it, inflation should inch towards double digit in 2016, adding our best case forecast gave a 10% average; driven primarily by FX scarcity and increased money supply.

The report noted that the naira came under intense pressure in 2015 as the CBN struggled to cope with an unprecedented slump in dollar inflows due to declining crude oil prices. While rates remained N197—N198 at the of-

CBN Exchange Rates Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

1/5/16

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

POUNDS STERLING

287.7084

288.4424

289.1763

EURO

210.9548

211.493

212.0311

SWISS FRANC

193.8866

194.3812

194.8759

YEN

1.6482

1.6524

1.6566

CFA

0.3056

0.3156

0.3256

WAUA

270.7026

271.3931

272.0837

YUAN/RENMINBI

30.0466

30.1237

30.2008

RIYAL

52.2151

52.3483

52.4816

DANISH KRONA

28.2641

28.3362

28.4083

SDR

270.382

271.0718

271.7615

ficial market, the parallel market experienced greater volatility, trading as high as N260 per Dollar in December 2015.

It added that year 2016 would likely be another challenging year for the Naira as oil price is forecast to slump further. “Nevertheless, we expect more stability and precision in CBN’s FX management policies,” it noted.

In a bid to give the economy some monetary stimulus and stimulate growth, the report stated that the CBN is expected to keep interest rate low in 2016.

The 11% Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is unlikely to go higher, while the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) might witness another downward review. On the flip side, the economy will have to invariably cope with a double digit inflation and a lower inflow of Foreign Portfolio Investments with attendant consequences for real returns and capital market outlook respectively.

Emefiele

Wigwe

Access Bank Plc is partnering with Airtel Nigeria to introduce Smart Savers initiative, an initiative that would enable Airtel customers open bank accounts directly from their mobile phones without the bureaucracy and complexities of traditional banking.

The campaign which just commenced this week will provide all Airtel subscribers the opportunity to open a savings account for customers who sign up.

Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, disclosed that the Smart Savers initiative was designed to enable Airtel subscribers conveniently open and operate a savings account from the convenience of a mobile device.

This is a way of leveraging on the evolution of technology to bring fast and convenient financial services closer to Nigerians.”

“This initiative further reiter-

Access Bank partners Airtel to boost mobile banking ates the bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and promotes the ongoing cashless policy campaign in the country,” he noted.

With the Smart Savers initiative, customers can enjoy real-time mobile banking services such as funds transfer to accounts in Access Bank and other Nigerian banks accounts; as well as make quick airtime purchases, pay bills, view account statements/ account balance enquiry and much more.

In addition to providing customers a convenient platform through which payments of products and services can be made, the Smart Savers account allows Airtel subscribers save towards a target goal.

However, customers are encouraged to save a minimum of N10,000 monthly in their Smart Savers account to qualify for the grand prize of a Hyundai i10 and other consolation prizes.

Brands & Marketing B4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole being received by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and Minister of State, Mr. James Ocholi, during the Governor’s courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja… on Tuesday.

BOSCH, a global supplier of technology and services and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have held stakeholders consultative meeting in Lagos with farmers to discuss the prospect, challenges and marketing widows of cassava production in the country.

Addressing participants at the meeting, Mr. Ghislain Noumbessy, Managing Director of Robert Bosch West Africa said, “ It is imperative for farmers to take advantage of the technological tools and services that could help them proffer solutions to their food loss and perk up their profit. Noumbessy stated that Bosch has been motivated by the search for everbetter technological solutions and fresh approaches that will help tackle the great challenges of today and deliver benefits to her customers.

BOSCH, UNIDO discuss ways to improve cassava profitability “At Bosch, our work is guided and motivated to find solutions to even the most complex technological challenges while at the same time preserving natural resources and making a positive contribution to the society and that is why we decided to create a stakeholders consultative meeting to discuss about the market prospects, challenges and opportunities of agriculture especially in Cassava farming,” he said.

A representative of UNIDO from Austria, Dr. Yvonne Lokko stated that organization is working with Bosch in line

with the United Nations agenda to reduce poverty, facilitate trade capacity building, agribusiness and agro-industry development in Nigeria.

Speaking on the Bank of Industry’s role in Agric-Business development in Nigeria, its Managing Director, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa stated that agriculture is one of the cardinal agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the bank will continue to give adequate necessary supports and loans to farmers to grow their business.

Mr. Olaoluwa who was rep-

resented by the Group Head, Agro Processing Unit of BOI, Mrs. Kadafa Lolo Ruth said farming is a serious business and cassava is a profitable trade but there is a significant need for many farmers to improve on their skills and management structures to enable them improve their farming in 21st century.

She said BOI has noticed that lots of farmers are individualistic and seldom come together as a team to have a registered corporative or association which could enable them to access loans from financial insti-

tutions. “Many farmers come to the Bank of Industry to seek for loans but they do not have any trackable sales record or evidence of market sales, they cannot present convincing workable proposals or a clear thought-out business frame work that could enable them secure loans,” she said.

Mrs. Kadafa therefore charged farmers integrate and collaborate with like-minds, utilize technological tool to improve the quality of the produce and package them as premium brands that consumers will be willing to pay for.

Etisalat urges SMEs to adopt innovative business model Etisalat, has encouraged Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the country to adopt innovative models of doing business to enable them accelerate their growth and increase capacity and profit.

According to the telco, being innovative will help startups and small businesses to grow sustainably in spite of environmental challenges that every business faces.

Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Bidemi Ladipo gave this advice while speaking in Lagos, at the recent Market Access initiative, organised by

Etisalat Nigeria, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University. The networking forum was attended by SME owners and larger organisations to share knowledge that can help businesses grow.

“When you are starting a small business, you have to be unique and innovative. Don’t copy other people’s business ideas; if your idea is based on an existing one, then you have to go the extra mile by adding something unique”, he said.

Ladipo stated further that Etisalat was passionate about the

growth of startups and small businesses because it shared a similar story with them having entered the telecom market that had been fully taken by existing operators.

“When we came to Nigeria, the market had been fully taken by existing operators. Though we came into the market as a small player, today out story is different; we have over 23 million subscribers and we are on our way to becoming the number one player in the industry.

This tells us that every small business has a potential to grow into a big corporation, which

is why we associate with small businesses”, he enthused.

General Manager, Programmes and Partnership at Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Wale Anifowose, highlighted that Market Access Nigeria is a platform that brings together Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and large companies to network, start relationships and create opportunities to ‘buy’ the goods and services of the SMEs. He commended Etisalat for being at the forefront of promoting entrepreneurship through its various initiatives

such as the Market Access and the EasyBusiness Millionaires Hunt among others.

The Market Access platform has seen tremendous success since its inception in 2011. Market Access has aided Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in networking and developing productive relationships with larger organisations. Last year, the platform toured the country to regions including Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with a combined total audience of over 2,000 people for the year. This year, the platform has toured Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

B5 Agric

Agriculture: Unspecified investment may lead to unrealistic goals — Expert L-R: Chief Corporate Service Officer, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc, Kunbi Labiyi; Chief Executive Officer, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors, Mr. Azu Obiayo; Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc, Mrs. Olufunke Osibodu, at the press conference in Lagos... on Wednesday Stories by Isaac Agber Federal Government’s intention to diversify Nigeria’s economy using agriculture as one of the linchpins may hit the rock if there is no specific investment programme for the sector in the 2016 budget, an Associate Director, PwC Tax and Regulatory Services, Kenneth Erikume, has observed.

Erikume said that unlike the 2014 budget that voted only N39.1 billion for agriculture, the 2016 budget proposed N30 billion allocated to recurrent expenditure at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and N47 billion for capital expenditure, totaling

N77 billion.

According to him, this indicates a strong signal of determination in the diversification agenda but if the allocations are not properly channeled for short to medium term goals, there may be no “quick wins.”

He noted that while presenting the budget, President Muhammadu Buhari only made two essential comments on agriculture and solid minerals – “Subsidization of funding of the sectors” and “Capital expenditure on infrastructure and security to support various industries including agriculture and solid minerals.”

According to Erikume, invest-

ment in agriculture cannot be kept at this broad level, “there has to be a clear programme of planned investment specific for the sector if the government is to achieve any quick wins. Once the programmes are not clear, then they cannot realistically be achieved.”

He insisted that for the government to prove its seriousness for the sector, it must give undivided attention to it with a purposeful investment that aimed at reviving the inter-state rail infrastructure system for the easy movement of farm produce to the various places where they are required across the country, including the designated cargo

airports for easy exportation of agro produce. According to him, this will reduce the cost relating to the transportation margins and wastage.

On subsidization, the associate director said: “there has to be a figure attached to it and what it will be channeled to.

There are already some subsidies in place which need to be revisited for effectiveness such as the fertilizer subsidy where there are challenges of the Federal Government owing suppliers and some of the states are unable to meet their 25 percent counterpart funding. There has to be tax free agricultural loans, VAT exemption on tractors,

ploughs and agricultural implements purchased for agricultural purposes etc.”

He added that the government needs to consider whether agricultural companies can be granted indefinite income tax exemption under specific conditions such as pre-validation of the farms or a certain level of the produce being exported, and no other activity within the same entity to avoid abuse. “Perhaps these are some of the issues being considered but they need to be clearly outlined in the policy framework of the government,” Erikume said.

Judging between oil and agriculture on which should be the major source of the economy, Erikume said: “I do not anticipate that agriculture will generate as much revenue for government as the oil and gas sector in a very long time. However, if we look at employment in the rural areas, which, for me, is more important, considering overall contribution to GDP, agriculture would be far ahead in terms of impact.”

He advised the government to initiate a national program for farming so that the middle class can consciously be sensitized and involved in agriculture probably at their various local governments. “We need to come up with a program whereby agric business becomes a way of life in Nigeria and that sort of sensitization programme must be driven by the Federal Government,” he added.

Food for school children won’t be imported— Akande The presidency has stated that the social intervention programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, for which about half a trillion naira has been proposed in the 2016 budget, would not be a one-off scheme.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, who stated this in a statement on Sunday, said the Federal Government would not import food for its school feeding programme.

Akande described the intervention as a combination of several programmes; emphasiz-

ing direct connections with the extremely poor and the needy among other categories of the masses. He added that the plan had taken care of some of the factors that led to the failure of previous poverty alleviation schemes.

His words: “One of the major differences here is that the social intervention programme such as the ‘Conditional Cash Transfer’ would be a direct transfer of N5,000 monthly to the extremely poor among us.

“This is a safety net that several advanced nations have put in place long time in their his-

tory often at times of economic challenges. The money would be paid directly to the people concerned on the condition of school enrollment and immunization. This way, we are expanding school enrolment and also assuring physical well-being.”

Akande explained that the School Feeding Programme, which is another aspect of the social intervention programmes, would be entirely homegrown, unlike previous Federal Government’s plans which relied on importation. “Homegrown school feeding program will commence in public primary schools in the

New Year providing adequate nutrition to schoolchildren, promoting local farming, boost agriculture and create jobs and wealth locally.

“We have experts working in the Presidency, collaborating with experts from global bodies who together will bring to bear international best practices working on how best to implement these programs.

“I can tell you that no sooner had President Buhari resumed work than many of these experts have been meeting and planning on how best to implement these plans.

Buhari

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Stock Market Report Stock market index falls by 3.28% All share index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the market capitalisation capitalization fell by 3.28 percent while the Year-to-Date return stood at -5.10 percent.

The index closed at 27,180.76 against the previous close of 28,102.14 while market capitalization closed at N9.348 trillion against previous close of N9.665 trillion.

However, volume of shares traded increased by 3.45 percent from 195.969 million to 202.724 million, while the total value of stock traded decreased by 21.73 percent from N1.892 billion to N1.481 billion in 3,012 deals.

The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 178.971 million shares exchanged for N0.917 billion. Consumer Goods came next with 8.467 million shares traded for N0.326 billion, Conglomerates, Services, Industrial Goods sectors followed in that order on the activity chart.

FCMB, Access, Zenithbank, FBNH and Guaranty were the most active stocks by volume.

Wapco, Berger, Nahco, Fidson and Ikeja Hotel emerged the highest price gainers on the chart, while Dangcem, Union Homes, Skye Bank, Nigerian Breweries and Union Bank of Nigeria topped the losers chart.

Summary of activities on The Nigerian Stock Exchange Index Deals Volume Value Market capitalisation

28,102.14 2,975.00 195,969,167.00 1,892,189,685.84 9,664,850,357,205.98

‘Economy health will determine equities performance in 2016’ Diamond Bank Plc in its business outlook for 2016 has said performance of the equities market in 2016 would be determined by the health of the domestic economy among others.

Other factors the bank listed are interest rate direction in the US and the UK, the bottoming of crude oil price, direction of the exchange rate, and impact of economic policies on businesses, remarking that these factors will impact on the operating environment of quoted companies in 2016.

The report said banking stocks, consumer goods and industrial goods stocks would be its top picks for the year.

“At the FGN bond market, we expect marginal uptick in yields to an average of 13%. The government will likely borrow an estimated N1trillion from the domestic bond market and can only do so successfully at a relatively attractive yield. We expect the sovereign yield curve to remain inverted with market

activities biased towards the short end as interest rate uncertainties impact on investor behaviour. In addition, further increase in US interest rate remain a major headwind.”

It observed that the stock market lost 17.4 percent in 2015 and maintained a bearish capital market outlook for 2016.

“The FGN bond market was hit by macroeconomic uncertainty that induced a bearish trend seeing yields drop to c.11% by 2015 year end, saying these concerns remain valid for 2016.

“Government is set to borrow an estimated N1trillion from the domestic bond market in 2016, therefore a slight uptick in yields is anticipated even as primary market will remain very robust.

With increase in US interest rates, exchange rate concerns and uncertainties in the domestic economy, Nigerian capital market will remain largely bearish in 2016,” the report observed.

L-R: Assistant Director, Monetary Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria, Musa Jibrin; Assistant Director, Trade, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ali Abubakar; Regional Manager, Enterprise Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Victoria Ibeji and Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Bature Umar Masari at the Market Access Nigeria organised by the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria in Abuja..recently.

CWG elevates Agada, Ayodeji MD/CEO, COO Stories by Friday Atufe Board of directors of Computer Warehouse Group PLC (CWG) has appointed Mr. James Agada as new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the group.

The company secretary of CWG Mr.Okey Ejibe stated this in a letter to the chief executive officer of the NSE, adding that the board also approved the appointment of Mr. Kunle Ayodeji as the chief operating officer (COO) of the company.

He said both appointments became effective on January 1, 2016.

Ejibe said Messrs. Agada and Ayodeji were unanimously by the CWG board following the formal notification by Messrs.

Austin Okere and Philip Obioha, the hitherto MD/COO and COO respectively, of their intention to retire from their positions at the end of 2015, remarking that Okere will remain on the board as chairman of the company.

Agada is an innovative and versatile technology expert.

Prior to his appointment as MD/ CEO he was responsible for the company’s research and development unit. He was the Chief technology Officer and the executive director overseeing the company’s software division,

ExpertEdge.

Agada holds a first class degree in Electronic Engineering and a master’s degree in Electronic Engineering with specialization in Digital Systems from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as well as an MBA from The International Graduate School of Management from Navarra Spain after a preparatory period at the Lagos Business School.

He is a member of the Institute of Directors and a former president of the Nigeria Computer Society, Lagos state chapter.

CWG is a pan African Systems Integration Company and pacesetter in adding value to the operations of diverse clientele through the deployment of Technology, using highly skilled and well-motivated workforce and partnering with world class Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for their best in class products.

CWG has a history of consistency, passion, and innovation for the development and transformation of the financial industry and indeed the African Economy. Worthy of note is the Finacle core banking application which has been successfully deployed for about 55% of Nigerian banks and a few other banks in other Africa by CWG. Computer warehouse Group has

also invented and deployed other software applications for banks including Microfinance banks, Telco, Oil & Gas and other sectors in the economy.

Ayodeji is a seasoned professional with over 16 years’ experience in the fields of banking, financial consulting and private equity. Prior to joining CWG he was an investment principal with Aureos before joining The Abraaj Group as an associate director. Prior to joining Abraaj in 2007, he was a Senior Consultant with the Financial Advisory Services unit of KPMG Nigeria where he was involved with the valuation, due diligence and feasibility studies for various corporations and state governments. He also worked at the Treasury Operations department of Triumphbank Plc in Lagos, Nigeria. He has been instrumental in the investment of over US$45 million of Abraaj Funds, two partial divestments and one full exit of Abraaj’s portfolio companies in Nigeria.

He currently sits on the board of a number of Abraaj’s portfolio companies. Kunle holds a B.Sc. in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria and an MBA from The University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Kunle is a member of both FARCOM and GENCOM.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

B7 Capital Market

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY ( EQUITIES) 06-01-2016

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Experts predict surge in car sales in 2016 Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Experts in automobile have predicted a surge in car sales this year. Here are some of the most important arrivals expected in 2016.

Aston Martin: The latest James Bond film, Spectre, gives a glimpse of the new DB11, which is expected to break cover at the Geneva Show (March 3-13). The replacement for the DB9 gets a turbocharged engine from Mercedes-Benz go-faster department AMG. The DB10 in the movie was a one-off - but what you see in the picture is the track-only, 590kW, seven-litre V12 Vulcan - of which just 24 will be made during 2016.

Audi: Wraps will come off the next A5 in 2016, along with an open Spyder version of the rorty R8. The SQ7 denotes the new uprated version of the brand’s biggest off-roader. A chunky new A2 entry-level SUV is also planned. The remodelled flagship A8 limousine is pencilled in for late in the year; the picture shows the current A8.

BMW: Not to be outdone, the Munich maker is breathing on the M2 to extract 275kW. The rampaging rear-wheel-drive sportster is due in April. Plugin hybrid versions of the 2 Series, evergreen 3 Series and the range-topping 7 Series are also in the pipeline.

Bugatti: The Chiron, a mighty successor to the venerable Veyron, will debut this year.

Power output is around 1100kW

if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it. Don’t expect much change from R40 million.

Citroen. The French marque seems to be taking it easy this year although there will be facelifts for the C3 and Picasso. A revised DS4 is also on the cards.

Expect to see the Spacetourer, a Gallic rival to the VW bus.

Fiat: The Italians are reviving two famous names. The new small family runabout will be badged as a Tipo, while the handsome 124 Spider is sure to be a success - probably because it is based on the tried-and-tested Mazda MX-5 platform.

Ford: Serious drivers will welcome the third-generation Focus RS with up to 254kW. It is due in May or June. A new version of the Ferrari-eating GT supercar set to arrive later is rumoured to have a twin-turbocharged engine with 600 horsepower on tap.

Honda: The all-wheel-drive NSXsupercar marks a return to sporting aspirations. It features a powerful petrol engine mated to triple electric motors and a nine-speed gearbox. The fuelcell Clarity will also enter the fray but is hampered in Europe by a lack of hydrogen refuelling facilities. The bread-and-butter Civic gets a makeover too.

Jaguar: The F-Pace crossover is a first soft SUV from the revitalized British manufacturer, which is riding on the success of its mid-range XF executive saloon. Expect to see the F-Pace in April.

Lamborghini: The thunderingHuracan (450kW) gets a soft-

top sibling and towards the end of the year an SUV is set to enter the off-road fray. It is likely to bear a close resemblance to the Urus concept.

Maserati: Fans of the sporting marque will also be able to order a high-rider, the Levante, which is based on the Grand Cherokee platform from sibling brand Jeep.

Mercedes-Benz: The Stuttgart maker has plenty of new metal lined up for the new year.

The new E Class is a key car for the brand. The SL and SLC roadsters both get makeovers.

A drophead C Class is also new, along with a coupe version of the GLC. Mini: The new Clubman is eagerly awaited and will be joined in March by a next-gen Mini convertible and a larger Countryman.

Opel: The new Astra is the one to watch. It comes with a vast range of engines, including a downsized three-cylinder unit. An Insignia replacement will probably not go on sale un-

til 2017.

Porsche: The VW-owned company will be further refining the iconic 911 and the revised Boxster gets four-cylinder turbocharged engines also being lined up for the Cayman. Expect a second-gen Panamera to bow in by the spring.

Renault: The new Megane is based on Renault’s Common Module Family (CMF) vehicle architecture and the French marque has high hopes for it.

The dynamic styling may lure away many a fan of the VW Golf, which is the car to beat in this segment.

Rolls-Royce: The new Dawncabriolet is the most elegant Rolls-Royce that money can buy.

Basically a Wraith coupe under the skin, the elegant Dawn offers room for four adult passengers. Effortless motive power comes from a twin-turbo V12.

Skoda: The Czech arm of Volkswagen is promising a largeSUV which is likely to have space for six or even seven seats.

Teaser pictures show a sleek off-

roader with the now trademark clamshell bonnet.

Toyota: All eyes will be on the newPrius which is said to be cleaner and safer than the model it replaces. Paris (October 1-16) will showcase the C-HR crossover, which squares up against the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke.

Volkswagen: After a terrible year marked by the diesel emissions-rigging scandal, Europe’s biggest carmaker is putting on a brave face. The new Tiguan sets forth in the spring and both the Up minicar and Amarok pickup are due for facelifts. Taking pride of place in Paris will be the eighth incarnation of the VW Golf, the company’s key earner.

Volvo: The Swedish marque will be taking on the big German trio with its five-metre flagship, the S90. The car arrives with a four-cylinder engine and a plug-in version with a V prefix. The Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and new Mercedes E Class are the benchmarks here.

Life&

TIMES Thursday, January 7, 2016

Linda Ejiofor: From Tinsel to stardom

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

When the right man comes my way, I’ll get married interview with

What was growing up like for you?

It was the best childhood ever. I

ed that she was dumb and sarcastic.

-

now?

and sisters.

What memories of your childhood days do you love the most?

-

– Linda Ejiofor

your getting married soon?

Tinsel over the years has pro-

us stories. He said: “This is what we -

On Tinsel set, we have this Bimpe with sharp mouth; is that the real Linda in real set?

Will Tinsel provide you a man someday?

ries and we learnt a lot from the tor-

What qualities are you looking for? tens and can tell me the truth that

children because I will so love him to -

Would you say at this point in your career that you have arrived?

How did your journey into acting start?

rived.

course in Theatre Arts at the Uni-

your real person in that character? You played it effortlessly like it was you?

joined Nollywood and what the industry is playing now, would you say there are changes?

-

written all over me in character and How did you come to play Bimpe in Tinsel?

front of the camera and the director -

-

Life&

T E A M

and that is not the character I wanted Movie & Music Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

L3 Mixed grill

Rising star

Mutiat Alli

I want to teach dance in classroom-Esimobi, CEO, CEOBOTICS Dance Group

-

ALLI

-

-

-

-

-

-

tag it as what -

-

-

-

-

-

-

that

-

Toni Payne &9ice

was -

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-

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Chris

Music Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Mutiat Alli

Ycee, Lil Kesh, and Adekunle Gold Tosyn Bucknor, Audu Maikori, make Spinlet Sound of 2016 Spinet is pleased to announce the release of its annual listing of upcoming

opment, Spinlet said that, “the artistes are

others announced as jury for Sounds.ng Top 40

-

-

critics.� the most genuine, enthusiastic and pas-

To do this, Sounds.ng has searched

Adekunle

-

Tosyn

to cross-examine Nigerian music.

court.

music. Without further ado, here are the Sounds.ng Top

Among top entertainers that made -

ers.

Jaywon, Malaika,

Between Cynthia Morgan & Davido

others for Q-Dot & Friends concert Fast rising super star and Alomo Meta crooner, Q-dot, is set

Jaywon

Cynthia &Davido other fast rising music acts. The gig comes -

New video Alert:

Sound sultan drops Monsura video

CAPITAL FEMI to drop Tumbo

video

the act, Femi disclosed that plans Sound sultan on set of Monsura Femi Adeyinka

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Mutiat Alli

L5 Movie Gist

AMAA 2016 Entries for awards gets new closing date Organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have announced a new deadline for submission of movies for 2016 edition.

The announcement was Twitter account.

The organisers had previously announced The Academy of Jurors Shaibu Hussein. The 2016 edition of the prestigious awards has been scheduled to hold on April 30, 2016, after unveiling the

nominees on February 28, 2016.

The 2015 edition of AMAA held on Saturday, Elizabeth, South Africa.

The event was attended by top actors like Desmond Elliot, Ini Edo, Koffi

Kunle Afolayan, Chioma Chukwuka among others.

Big winners of the 2015

Kunle Afolayan

Beyond Blood movie gets premiere date to premiere in cinemas all across Nigeria on January 15, 2016. The star studded movie featured the likes of Kehinde Bankole, Shan George, Okey Uzoeshi, Joseph Benjamin, Bimbo Manuel, Francis Onwochei, Marion, Wole Ojo, Uzor Ozimkpa, Ifeanyi Kalu, Bott, Carol King and Deyemi Okanlawon.

Beyond Blood tells the story of selfdiscovery, where a woman, after a series of uncontrollable events, decides to run away from her fears and consequently reaches her breaking point and gets caught in a cycle of unpleasant circumstances.

The movie is however produced by Debbie Odutayo.

Tayo Sobola opens multi-million company

Nollywood screen diva, Tayo Sobola, popularly known as Sotayo, recently unveiled her company, Sotee Entertainment, amidst pomp and glamour at her family and loyal fans. The event which collided as her birthday date attracted crème de crème in the society.

According to Tayo, Sotee Entertainment is a one-stop phy, video editing and also online shopping of quality materials.

She said: “I have tried my hands other businesses but did not really achieve my set out goal but with Sotee coupled with the fact that I am an actress and most of things I am doing here is related, makes it a whole lot better for me and certain that in few years we will have gone far and beyond”.

However, as part of the buzz around her company unveiling cum birthday celebration, the actress treated close associates and colleagues to a private dinner and was later hosted.

Kehinde Bankole

Koffi launches new TV programme Comedian, Musician cum

The magazine programme, which hits various television platforms soon, is a comedy-themed show which will involve interviews, gifts, standup comedy and many other entertainment angles. disclosed that the show was designed to portray celebs in the real self.

“It affords us the opportunity to see some of my guests in their natural The show is expected to begin airing soon on different platforms, including Florida-based ANTV.

Late Dr. Adadevoh family disregards 93 Days movie Things seem fury between the families of late Dr. Stella Adadevoh and director Steve Gukas over the just completed 93 Days movie which centers on en who risked their lives to save Nigeria and West Africa from the epidemic of the Ebola virus.

According to one of the relatives of the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, works of the late doctor, who is popular for curbing the wider spread of Ebola in Nigeria and as such disapproving the entire motive of the movie.

According to the relative, Kwami

Adadevoh, the script was shared with the family only after it was completed.

“The inaccuracies in the movie do a great injustice and a disservice to the life works of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadeare incorrect and Mr. Afolabi Cardoso (husband) and Bankole Cardoso (son) are depicted in the movie without their consent. Further, the use of private information, as it relates to the medical records of the deceased, is morally reprehensible,” he wrote.

93 Days movie is produced by Bolanand directed by Steve Gukas.

Cast of 93 days movie

Event L6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Mutiat Alli

All you need to know about the Headies 2015 It was a gathering of top notch entertainment big shots at the 10th anniversary edition of the prestigious Headies awards held at the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru Lagos. Here are tit bits from the eventful showdown.

The host

Red carpet

At the announcement of the pair host, I was skeptical on the prowess of Kaffy but sure, both compere Comedian Bovi & Kaffy did exceptional justice to the night connecting with the audience at every point in time.

The venue

Bovi & Kaffy

Organisers of the event sure spent quality time setting up the venue, from the red carpet to the stage of the awards!! All was on point, big thumbs to Ayo Animashaun and the entire Hip TV crew on that.

Vector

Best performance of the night He is sure the King Kong of the moment dishing out one of the epic performance of the night of craft on the stage was second to none depicting why indeed he is worth winning the Best rap single

and lyricist on the roll awards.

Other fabulous performances of the night was the duo of Adekunle Gold, Simi & Falz, legendary 2Face Idibia, Ycee, Pepenazi, Harrysong, Timi Dakolo, Kunle Ajayi and Majek Fashek

And the script was when organisers announced Mathe next rated act which did not go well with the YBNL family as Olamide went hard on supposed

YBNL

organisers of the event ranting on live TV. After several hours of rant on social media, the beef was posted pictures and apologized to fans.

About the proposal Eva Alordiah got engaged on national TV, making that the most talked about thing regarding her for a while now.

And even though Twitter sphere might have another opinion about the public proposal, I know I love weddings and I learnt how to kiss with no care in the world in front of a million viewers.

Eva

And Glo ambassadors dominate trophies trophies at the 2015 Headies awards. The brand ambassadors include Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello and Mike Abaga, popularly called MI. The next generation network, has congratulated the four outstanding brand ambassadors for making the brand proud by winning the laurels at the 2015 Headies awards.

In a statement released in Lagos on Tuesday, Globacom described the various awards won by its brand ambassadors as a testament to their popuentertainment industry.

Mi

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

L7 Music Review

Mutiat Alli

Tecno Own When music truly the Stage: hold center stage

With the vivacious Vimbai Mutinhiri now on board as co-host alongside vised karaoke competition, TECNO Own the Stage, the seventh episode of the show had all the excitement and fanfare associated with a Christmas edition.

However, for Nandy, Yubu, Ramar254 and Mary, it was an episode of mixed feelings. They all got evicteviction for the week for Christmas sake? That was what they actually did. the audience a merry Christmas, the M.I. attempt to serenade the live audience and viewers with their rendi-

time since the commencement of the

by Eartha Kitt back in 1953 saved the day. And an enthralled M.I. de“smouldering hot and beautiful.� lowed by another fabulous perfor-

contest.

Next up was Tosin, who performed in a long while, she received plaudits from Yemi Alade who had over the past couple of episodes been unimpressed with the Nigerian.

according to plan.

Movie Review opens with documentation from her birth and takes us through her very eral odds such as adoption, poverty, single parenthood on her way to becoming a social icon.

Apaye shows the life of the central

abandoned her for a small girl. She is left with six children to feed, clothe and cater for. After she toiled relentlessly, the husband of three wives shared their sweat amongst everyone except their children.

Aside from the storyline and praiseworthy production design, the movie is well depicted from the various acting efforts on display by the actors and use of the appropriate props.

Although the movie was set on the line to portray the true life story

It means that all nine contestants low Tanzanian, Zooccu, it was also

White Christmas was nothing like the best she could give, but she still

Christmas song.

Even though it was the season

Shaapera stole the night with her -

had to go home. And Nandy, Yubu, Ramar254 and Mary were all short-

ago as 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. by a somewhat suppressed performance by Ramar254, who attempted to own the stage with his rendition of -

announced that all four of them had been evicted from the show.

It was a pronouncement that was greeted with shock and disbelief by everyone, most notably the remain-

star prize.

Remember to keep up with the contest on Facebook, Instagram and episode on the various Africa Magic channels and on Masha Magic East.

CAT, Africa Magic Urban – Sundays -

in disbelief.

Garland in 1944 and made popular 13 years later by the legendary Frank Sinatra.

The last contestant to take to the stage was Nandy, who nervously

nounced that it had all been a prank and that no one was getting evicted as it was Christmas.

important to state clearly that A-list artiste in the movie did not give all their best. For instance, Kanayo attempts to provide some energy in the interpretation of his role but his good work is relatively undone by his refusal to age as much as his character should have during the course of the which he started as a middle-aged man is what he carries on as years roll by and up until his elimination from the story.

Apaye is a carelessly written piece

does poorly in giving a relevant biopic to the now late woman. There were irrelevant scenes, such as the scene from the forest where very young Apaye was humming a tune and meets a woman who disappears.

and singing. The scene suddenly

than, in real life.

On the whole, the biopic stretches the truth, showcasing western outlaw; a criminal; a great musical composer, a war-time military hero, the pains of a woman and six children. It

Apaye: just there!!

Desmond Elliot loses the spark gets transformed to a church with a choir singing the tune being hummed in the forest.

It is important to bring to the notice

manam, Kehinde Joseph and Vivian

is a story of Elder Irene Yepayeye Amata, and Millicent Jack.

-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, January 7, 2016

Showing on

Showing on

125 FOX Channel

107 M-Net Movie Romance

02:10

02:15

Thur, 7 Jan | 13SL

Thur, 7 Jan | 16SNL

101 M-Net West

118 Telemundo

120 BBC Entertainment

155 AfricaMagic World

154 Africa Magic Family

L8 Television

128 SONY MAX