Aisha Buhari to APC: 0ƑƋƇƈƋƋ ƕ ƑƏ MǀèƠƠƠ ƍƏ ƌƈ Ɔ Egena Egena, ƄƑƉ
ÎÎÎWife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday admonished the All Progressives Party (APC)-led Feder-
al Government not to back down on its campaign promise to pay unemployed youth in the country N5,000 monthly allowance. She said the APC should also make
good its promise to provide one free meal to school children. These were contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by her Media Adviser, Adebisi
Olumide-Ajayi. The statement, which did not disclose the occasion where the Continued on page 6
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.228
GAINERS
N150
LOSERS
NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 10th November 2015.
NESTLE
814
822.99
8.99%
CAP
38
39
1%
FO
290
282
-8%
GUINNESS 143.25
138
-5.25%
UNILEVER
33
36.38
3.38%
DANGCEM
162
163
01%
NB
135
129.51
-5.49%
SEPLAT
225
-5.04%
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230.04
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APC Reps in disarray Ï jƓ ƌƆƌƄƆƏ ƆƔƅ Ɔ Ƌ ƍ ƒƆƏ 6 Ƒ Ɔ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ ƅ ƌƍ ƈƐƈ Ï 1Ƅ Ɖ Ƅƈ ƌƈƋ Ƌ ƕ Ƌƈ Ɛ ƅƅƑ Ɔ # Ə Ƈ ƇƋ ƑƐƈ ^ ƋƆ ƗƆƏ ƈƍô ƗƈƏƆƅƐƈƒƆ Henry Omunu, ƄƑƉ
ÎÎÎBarely a day after the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, inaugurated the 97 House standing committees, tension among House members boiled over Tuesday morning as
two lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanged blows at the lobby of the National Assembly.
The two House members, Rep. Herman Hembe (APC -Benue), who is the Chairman, House Committee on the FCT and Rep. Magaji Aliyu
(APC-Jigawa), who is a loyalist of House Leader, Rep. Femi GbajabiContinued on page 6
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2
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11 2015
3
Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Easing traffic gridlock at Apapa Port
T
wo days ago, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, appealed to the Federal Government to direct the contractor handling construction of the container trailer park and the Port link road in Apapa to return to site. In addition, he gave a 90-day ultimatum to the 57 tank farm owners in the area to build loading bays for their trucks or they would be compelled to shut down operations. Ambode’s plea and ultimatum is coming against the background that lack of access road is responsible for the perennial traffic gridlock in the Apapa port area. We admit that lack of loading bays and parking lots is forcing petroleum tankers to park along the road, leading to the traffic jam usually experienced in the axis. It is imperative to note that Apapa port is not only the country’s busiest, but more so the largest with more than 70 percent of maritime borne cargoes passing through it. Due to the importance and intense economic activities going on there, all manner of tankers, trucks, trailers and Lorries arrive there for evacuation of goods for onward delivery to other parts of Nigeria. A situation where more than 1,000 trucks enter Lagos daily to lift petroleum products to various parts of the country is a clear invitation to traffic chaos. Unfortunately, the poor state of the roads and bridges, which have been neglected over the past two decades, is creating a nightmarish experience for those commuting to work or living in Apapa. The incessant gridlock has shut all economic and other activities in Apapa, besides inflicting untold hardship on
residents and businesses in the area. That is why we join the Lagos State governor in calling on tank farm owners to relocate in order to create access for road users while ensuring the safety of lives and property. Unfortunately, the horrible state of the road is responsible for the unwholesome activities of hoodlums who take advantage of the confusion to rob commuters and snatch vehicles. Recently, the Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) lamented that the nation was losing more than N5 billion daily due to the chaotic state of affairs at the Apapa port. Much as we consider the gridlock at the Apapa port as an issue of topmost importance, it is imperative to state that all past administrations lacked any comprehensive policy to ameliorate the situation. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Federal Government, should as a matter of urgency, commence the reactivation of rail lines at Apapa ports for evacuation of petroleum products. Moreover, other ports such as Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri should be dredged and developed to allow large ocean going vessels to berth there. That would help ease the pressure on the Apapa port. Before then, it is advisable that the governor immediately set up a task force to clear the road of heavy duty and articulated trucks. In addition, he must stick to the 90-day ultimatum for the relocation of tank farms if there is any hope of redeeming the near hopeless situation at Tin Can port. In spite of this, the Federal Government should intervene and end the trauma motorists and residents are facing in Apapa axis.
LG caretaker committees: Are governors ready to obey? Sam Nzeh
ÎÎÎThe
ruling by an Igbosere High Court in Lagos recently which declared as illegal and unconstitutional the appointment of caretaker committees over local government councils in the state has once again heightened the need for state governors to allow democratically elected officials run the affairs of the third tier of government. The court presided over by Justice Abdulfatai Lawal held that no governor is empowered by the constitution to take over the administration of local governments through sole
administrators or caretaker committees. Many had hoped that Lagos State government which claims to be at the forefront of promoting democracy and rule of law would swiftly comply with the judgement. Curiously, however, and to the disappointment of many, the Lagos State government hours after the ruling said it would appeal the judgement. It had since taken the matter to the Appeal Court. Clearly, the Lagos State government is entitled to appeal the ruling, but fact remains that the practice of appointing caretaker committees to run the affairs of local government councils by state governors is unknown to the 1999 con-
Words On Marble :
stitution (as amended). Many state governors, Lagos inclusive, in a bid to circumvent the constitution, and with the active connivance of the House of Assembly in their domains, have enacted legislations that legitimised caretaker committees at local government councils. But such enactments, to the extent that they are at variance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), remain null and void and of no effect. So, rather than continue in the path of illegality and unconstitutionality, state governors need to obey the ruling by the Igbosere High court in Lagos and allow democracy take root at the local government councils.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim
Group News Editor Segun Adio Politics Editor Akintola Akinjide Business Editor Friday Atufe Head, Graphics/Design King Ododoru
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Ibrahim Babangida
Aisha Buhari
Alani Bankole
“I have no intention whatsoever to run for any office again in Nigeria.”
“Nigerians should be patient with the APC government as the change they had been yearning for has come to stay.’’
‘’As long as you have military president supporting himself with military people like this one is already doing, we shouldn’t compare it with the Second Republic.’’
4
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
2019: IBB turns down PDP’s overtures ...Says he has no plan to run again Lateef Ibrahim Northern Bureau Chief
ÏÏÏ
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has turned down the request to participate in the re-branding conference of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a partisan manner. Babangida, who turned down the request in a statement, personally signed by him and titled, “PDP rebranding Conference: Count Me Out”. He explained that he had since called it quit with partisan politics since 2011. The Minna, Niger state born former Military President, pointedly declared that he has no intention, whatsoever, to run for any office again in Nigeria. According to him, “I have heard whispers from dif-
ferent political arenas that one of the rationales for the re-branding of PDP was to prepare me for future elections in 2019. How ridiculous? “God’s willing, by 2019, I will be 78 years old. If I called it quit in 2011, why would PDP contemplate fielding a 78-year-old man in a presidential election in a country that parades very vibrant men and women of lesser age? “I have no intention whatsoever to run for any office again in Nigeria”, he said. Continuing, he said, “It is on the score of this that I have elected to turn down this request to participate in the re-branding conference of the PDP in a partisan manner. “My fulfillment in life is further bolstered by the
emerging scenario that is evident in our present political reality. “First, the idea of a twoparty system which has always been my desire; and the stack reality that, incumbents can be defeated at various levels of election as a function of growing awareness and consciousness on the part of the electorate. These to me, present interesting dimensions in our political evolution as a country grappling with so many challenges. “I wish to make some clarifications concerning the invitation extended to me on the scheduled PDP Rebranding Conference slated for Thursday, 12 November, 2015, aimed at repositioning the party after its poor outing at the last elections. ”While I welcome the invitation to the event
as a mark of respect as one of the founding fathers, I want to be excused on the grounds that I have long bid bye to partisan politics. “Four years ago at an elaborate event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja, I announced my retirement from partisan politics after my failed attempt to contest for President and having attained the gracious age of 70, in a society where life expectancy stands at a ridiculous 47 years. “In appreciating what Allah has done for me in life, seeing me through many challenges, stabilising me during periods of tribulations and safeguarding me through the thick and thin of political risks, I did state at that event that Journalists would not push me around again.
5 News
Customs nets N747bn revenue
ÏÏÏThe Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS), on Tuesday, said it generated over N747 billion as revenue between January and October, 2015. Comptroller-General of the service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), made this known while addressing officers and men at Illela border post in Sokoto state, as part of his two-day visit to formations in Sokoto/ Zamfara/ Kebbi Area Command. ‘’The target given to the
service by the Federal Government is N944 billion and we can meet it or surpass it. ‘’We cannot meet it unless we can generate N100 billion monthly. ‘’ If all the leakages are blocked and everybody does the right thing, the service can generate over N1.2 trillion during the year,’’ he said. Ali stressed the need for the officers and men to uphold discipline, integrity, honesty and transparency.
Kebbi gov investigates 2 traditional rulers over alleged kidnapping, armed robbery suspended them from ÏÏÏThe governor of Kebbi had office.
State, Atiku Bagudu, has set up a seven-man committee to investigate allegation of criminal activities against two traditional rulers in the state. The Chief of Fakai, Alhaji Hudu Dan-Mallam and that of Danko Wasagu, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, were accused of rudeness, dishonesty, cheating and conniving with kidnappers and armed robbers. Already, the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sani Sami, had issued the two traditional chiefs with a query, while the sole administrators of their local governments
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Babale Yauri, in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, said that the committee, chaired by a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Aliyu, was given two weeks to submit its report. Other members included representatives of the SSS, Police, Zuru, Gwandu and Yauri emirate councils, as well as Alhaji Alhassan Dugu, Director, Inspectorate Services, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who would serve as Secretary.
Pro-Biafra protest moves to Rivers ÏÏÏOngoing
L-R: Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Chairman Leventis Plc, Mr. A.P Leventis and Rev. Mrs. Tola Oyediran during a courtesy visit to late H.I.D Awolowo’s residence at Ikenne, Ogun State… on Tuesday. PHOTO: DAVID IDOWU
Pro-Biafra protest against the arrest of Director of Londonbased Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government on Tuesday, spread to Rivers, paralysing socio-economic activi-
ties in Port Harcourt. Confirming this in Port Harcourt, spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said that the protesters came into the state from Aba on Monday night.
FG arraigns ex-Gov Suswam, Okolobia over N3.1b fraud Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏ
At last, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned Gabriel Suswam, the former governor of Benue State and his Commissioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, on nine counts criminal charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja, for theft of the sum of N3, 111,008,018.51 belonging to the state. Suswam and Okolobia, who were to be arraigned late last week, pleaded not guilty to each of the counts
and denied the N3.1b theft charges brought by the federal government. Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, admitted both the accused persons to bail on N100m surety each and one surety of grade level 12 on the employment of federal, state or local government, or person with National Award each in like sum. This followed a bail application that was unopposed by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs. Justice Mohammed also ordered the accused persons to deposit their International Passports with the deputy
registrar of the court as part of the bail terms. However, both accused persons are to be remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission if they failed to meet the terms of the bail before the closing hour. It should be recalled that a horde of photo journalists had on November 4, laid siege at the court premises in anticipation of Suswam’s arraignment, following wide publicity the EFCC gave it but turned out to be a hoax. Suswam, who served two term as governor of Benue state and his Commis-
sioner for Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, were said to have committed the offence while in office. Part of the charge read thus: “that you Gabriel Suswam and Omodachi Okolobia, while being Benue State governor and Finance Commissioner between August 8 and October 30, 2014, in Abuja, took possession of the sum of 15.8million dollars from Abubakar Umar of Fanffash Resources Worldwide, a Bureau de change dealer which sum you knew to be proceeds of unlawful activity to wit theft of the sum of N3.1 billion, which form part
of the N9.4b realised from the sale of shares own by Benue State government and Benue Investment and Property Company , an offence contrary to section 15 (2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act. That you Gabriel Suswam and Omodachi Okolobia, while being Benue State governor and Finance Commissioner between August 8 and October 30, 2014, in Abuja, entrusted with Dominion over N3.1b being part of the sum of N9.4b realised from the sale of shares own by Benue State
government and Benue Investment and Property Company, did conspired among yourself to commit criminal breach of trust by diverting the sum into the account of Fanffash Resources Worldwide, a Bureau De Change company to enable you receive the dollar equivalent, that you hereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 of the panel Code Act, cap 532, volume 4, law of the federation of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under section 97 of the same Act. The matter has been adjourned to Dec. 8, 2015 for trial.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
APC Reps in disarray Continued from page 1 amila, allegedly exchanged slaps in the lobby apparently over issues related to the contentious distribution of House committees. Both lawmakers belong to the majority APC, but while Hembe is in Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s camp, Aliyu is a staunch supporter of Gbajabiamila. Our correspondent at the time of this report couldn’t ascertain what triggered the disagreement between the two lawmakers that later resulted in them slapping each other before they were separated by other House members. However, eye witnesses informed the Daily Times that the two House members involved in the fracas were at the lobby of the National Assembly discussing in two separate groups when Rep. Hembe declared publicly that he could die over “this
particular matter”, in apparent reference to the sharing of committee positions. Upon over-hearing Hembe’s comments, Rep. Aliyu reportedly challenged him as to why he should publicly express such sentiment over such a sensitive matter involving House members. In reply, Hembe told Aliyu that he was not talking to him, prompting Aliyu to give a hurtful response, which allegedly prompted Hembe to slap him, while Aliyu responded in like manner. But, before the altercation between the two lawmakers could degenerate further, the Deputy Speaker, Yussuf Lasun, who chanced to arrive at the lobby stepped in to restore peace and subsequently, brokered peace between the lawmakers at a meeting held in Hearing Room 1 between the two lawmakers. Contacted for comments, Rep. Magaji said Hembe and himself had a verbal
exchange. He denied that he was slapped and that he retaliated. The meeting called by the Deputy Speaker was later expanded to include all members of the APC House Caucus. One of the lawmakers who spoke under condition of anonymity, noted that the caucus meeting chaired by the Deputy Speaker was aimed at deliberating on the actions of the Majority Leader and his allies. Abdulmumin Jibrin, chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, who was contacted via phone, rushed passed Mohammed Munguno, chairman, House Committee on Agriculture at about 11:11 am, to the venue of the caucus closed door meeting. Ado Doguwa, chief whip, who looked tensed, also left the venue of the meeting at 11:21am and returned at 11:25am.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Rep. Ahmed Kaita (Kano), a Gbajabiamila loyalist vowed that the group would resist any move by the opposition (PDP) to be in control of the House. Rep. Kaita, who also alleged that there was a plot to remove Gbajabiamila as the House Leader, said that such a move would be resisted, adding Dogara skewed the composition of the House committees in favour of the opposition and failed to adhere to the APC’s instruction over the matter. ``The APC as a party has given Dogara a clear cut instruction five days ago and he was to report back to the party by Monday. But, it was the same Monday, he decided to flout the rules of the party. ``While we were having a meeting in the National Headquarters, text messages were flying by the same group of people that do not want APC to succeed in this
L-R: Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane; Vice President, Microsoft Middle East and Africa, Burak Gokmen in a handshake with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo during a courtesy visit to the Aso Villa, Abuja… on Tuesday.
Aisha Buhari to APC: Fulfill your N5,000 promise Continued from page 1 President’s wife spoke, also quoted her as saying the integrity of the party would be at stake if those campaign promises were not fulfilled. She, however, urged Nigerians to be patient, noting that the change they voted for had come to stay. Aisha Buhari’s plea may have been a direct appeal to the members of the ruling
party in the Senate who recently rejected a motion on the subject matter to compel the Federal Government to commence payment of the said sum. The APC senators hinged their position on the dwindling economic fortunes of the nation in recent times as well as fears that the exact number of unemployed persons could not be ascertained in a hurry. Aisha Buhari’s statement
read: “The wife of the President, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari has appealed to the ruling party All Progressives Congress, APC not to renege on their campaign promise of paying N5,000 to 25 million unemployed Nigerians and giving school children one free meal a day. “This comes after the senators from the party voted against the senate moving a motion calling on the Presidency to pay the N5,000 al-
lowance. “Speaking further, Mrs Buhari said The APC is a party of integrity and had assured Nigerians during the campaign that it would pay 5,000 Naira each month to 25 million most vulnerable citizens. “The wife of the president asked Nigerians to be patient with the APC government as the change they had been yearning for had come to stay.”
House, that Gbajabiamila was going to be removed. ``And they actually planned it. So we came and they couldn’t do nothing because they know we hold the party and we have the majority and as long as the House is not going to be dictated by PDP, we will resist it”, the lawmaker said. Kaita further alleged that Dogara was not aligning himself with the manifesto of the APC in piloting the affairs of the House, adding that it was crucial for the speaker to have the support of all APC lawmakers. Furthermore, Kaita said: “If Dogara wants us to be with him, fine and good; he is one of our own and we don’t have any problem with being with him. Only if he can align himself with our party manifestos, he will have a smooth ride because he has the majority in the House. ``But as long as he will be flouting the orders of the party and as long as he will be instigating some unscrupulous members to say that they will remove our preferred candidates from office, we will resist him”. However, countering the claims of the Gbajabiamila camp, the Chief Whip of the House, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa (Kano) dismissed allegations that there was a misunderstanding among the leadership of the House. ``I want to tell you on behalf of the leadership that the leadership has no crack as far as I’m concerned. Ni-
gerians are tired of this waiting. We were elected to come and do our work, as members of the House of Representatives and by extension the National Assembly. “I want to tell you precisely that by what we have done yesterday (Monday), the flight of the 8th House of Representatives has taken off. It has not only taken off, it has taken off very successfully and it is a flight that is a four-year bound air flight, with Dogara as the pilot. “Femi as leader is also on status-quo. We have maintained status-quo for now, and Femi is our leader in the House of Representatives and even speculations made earlier on that there is any move whatsoever to remove Femi as leader, it’s unfounded and not from the leadership. It is not from the APC and I also want to tell you that this (Tuesday) morning I had a very close consultations with the leaders of the party, specifically Senator Lawal Shuaibu who is the deputy leader of the APC in Nigeria and we have told them that there is no cause for alarm in the House of Representatives and we are moving as one. “There is no two way about unity, this party was founded on the basis of unity and the House of Representatives as it is today is very much poised and ready to work with Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, to deliver the change mantra we have promised Nigerians,” Doguwa said.
One day to cabinet inauguration:
Obasanjo meets Buhari Egena Egena, Abuja
ÎÎÎFormer
President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, sparking speculations that the visit might not be unconnected with the expected inauguration of the Federal cabinet and assignment of portfolios to ministers today. Journalists were prevented from getting close to the President’s office where the meeting, described as private, took
place. Obasanjo arrived the Presidential Villa in a black Sport Utility Vehicle at about 11.45am for the meeting scheduled for noon. He was received by some protocol officials who led him upstairs to the President’s office. The former President emerged from the meeting about an hour after, clutching an office file. Some officials again saw him off to his car before he was driven out of the premises at about 12.50pm.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Deposed Akure monarch appears in court, seeks reinstatement ’Tosin Ajuwon, Akure
ÏÏÏ
The deposed Deji of Akure Kingdom, Prince Adesina Adepoju, on Tuesday, made a surprised public appearance on the major streets of the town. He was dethroned by the Ondo State Government on June 10, 2010. The Daily Times gathered that Adepoju had been in the United Kingdom since the past five years and had always been in touch with many of his supporters, sympathisers and lawyers. He is challenging his removal and the instal-
lation of the new Oba of Akure, Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, at the State High Court. He was forced out of his palace for allegedly dehumanising and assaulting his estranged spouse, the late Olori Bolanle Adepoju. Adepoju, who appeared personally in court said that he was unduly removed from the Deji stool and sought for an order of the court declaring him the authentic king of the ancient town. At the State High Court, his counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, argued that he had the right to the Deji throne and
wondered why a new king was installed. The Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP), S.A. Salami, told the court that he was not properly served the court case by the counsel. The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, adjourned the case for further hearing till December 8, 2015. But, the atmosphere in town was tensed up immediately after the court case, as supporters of the deposed Deji took to the street amidst dance and praises, thereby sending a wrong message that Prince Adepoju had been reinstated as
the Deji of the town. Adepoju’s supporters, who were in a buoyant mood, trooped from the court premises through Oba Adesida Road, causing slight vehicular gridlock, as they moved down to his family residence at Odo Ijokea Street in the heart of the town, where they were addressed on the outcome of the court. “I am very optimistic with today’s sitting that I would surely get back my mandate. I know by your support and God’s help, I would be reinstated”, Adepoju told the swarming crowd.
7 News
Eaglets: Buhari to redeem 30-year old pledge
ÏÏÏPresident
Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured the batch of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets who first won the Under-17 World Cup in 1985, that his administration would fulfill the promises made 30 years ago during a reception held at Dodan Barracks with the players, in celebration of their outstanding victory. In a press statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mal. Garba Shehu, President Buhari said it had been brought to his attention that a directive which he gave to the state governments at the time had not been complied with.
Missing $4m: Imo lawyer demands release of police officer Val Okara, Owerri
ÏÏÏ
R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Commissioner for the Environment; Dr. Babatunde Adejare and Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, during the governor’s inspection of Ladipo canal… on Tuesday.
Police wives raise the alarm over sexual abuse Yakubu Salisu
ÏÏÏ
The Police Wives Association, Kano branch, on Tuesday, raised an alarm over the increasing rate of sexual abuse cases among little girls and sodomy against boys, during a courtesy call to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The Chairperson, Mrs. Saliha Muhammad Katsina, stated that a lot of girls and boys had been infected with various deadly diseases as a result of sexual abuse. According to her, as mothers, they could no longer fold their hands and watch men old enough to be their children’s grandfathers end up defiling
them without shame and fear of God. She stated that the association had decided to embark on a very serious public campaign against the hideous act and to sensitise the general public, particularly the rural area parents to be more vigilant about whom their children mingled with and not to hesitate to report to the appropriate authorities concerned. The need for the public enlightenment, she said, “is to discourage the old practice among people that exposing such incidence will prevent a girl from getting married when she is matured.” This she said
had been one of the major factor that had aided and encouraged those in the habit to continue, but that the body would do all in its powers to see to it that no one caught in the act was spared. She also emphasised a need for the state government to double its efforts towards the fight against drug abuse which had had assumed frightening dimension in the state. “Young men and old men as well as young girls and married ones have adopted the habit of abusing drug in the state and that if not properly tackled would degenerate into something else,” Katsina
said. Ganduje promised the group his full support and a new bus to help ease their movement and that his administration was working hard to rid the state of any form of social vices.
Arase
“It is a pity that those promises were never fulfilled.” “It is unfortunate that our players, who did us proud on the world stage went unrewarded for their efforts, despite a presidential directive to the state administrators that they be honored in their home states” President Buhari was quoted as saying The statement noted that, of the various promises made to the players at the time, only the Federal Government fulfilled its own commitment--by sponsoring the players on a trip to watch the 1986 World Cup, which took place in Mexico.
A human rights lawyer and the director of Kingdom Foundation, Mr. Kingdom Okere, has formally demanded for the unconditional release of a police officer, Mr. Gift Udenwoke, who is currently detained at the Imo State Police headquarters, Owerri, over a sum of over $4 million, missing at the house of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Chief Uche Nwosu. Udenwoke was among the four policemen posted to Nwosu’s house when the alleged money got missing. In a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lekanu, dated November, 2015, and copy made available to Daily Times, Okere stated that
the continued detention of the police officer (Udenwoke) was a gross breach of his constitutional right. “Relying under the Freedom of Information Act, I also demand to know the nature of felony said to have been committed by my client, Gift Udenwoke, following the admission of one Inspector Casmire of D4, criminal investigation department of the Nigeria police, Imo State Command that felony was committed in the House of the Chief of Staff, where my client, Gift Udenwoke, was posted on duty”. Although, the legal practitioner did not mention any specific date for the release of his client, he threatened court action if the police failed to set him free on a record time.
Medical council to review punishment for erring doctors Akor Ejumene-Abuja
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Any medical doctor who fails to conduct him or herself well in an ethical and professional manner may no longer find it easy with the regulatory body. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) said on Tuesday that the review of the law governing the conduct of medical doctors in the country had commenced. Its Registrar, Dr. Abdulmunin Ibrahim, said a greater part of the work had been concluded by the Board, which was dissolved
recently by President Muhammadu Buhari. The review is aimed at ensuring commensurate punishment for erring medical doctors. The current law only stipulates between three to six months suspension for any medical doctor who runs afoul of medical ethics. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ibrahim said the act setting up the Council was obsolete and weak as it could not mete out strong punishment on doctors found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Politics
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Umar Duhu: APC is setting the pace as change agent Dr Umar Duhu is the immediate past Interim National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North- East. He was instrumental to the establishment of APC structures in the North East states. In this interview with SUNDAY ISUWA, the former ANPP Chairman in FCT and Adamawa State speaks on important national issues. Excerpts:
As the First North East Interim National Vice Chairman of the APC, who also setup structures that led to the victory of the party, are you satisfied with those appointed as Ministers in Buhari cabinet? I am absolutely satisfied. Their choice is perfect and I am confident too that, they will perform optimally, as there will be leadership that is incorruptible and will provide supervision while in office. If you X-ray the personality and character of those appointed so far, from the Secretary to the Gov-
ernment of the Federation (SGF) to the least person, you will agree with me that, they are indeed, persons of deserving character, versatile in their disciplines, and desirous of rendering service to Nigeria. I am not oblivious of the fact that, with the kind of leadership Nigeria has today, no one needs a reminder to the fact that, it will not be business as usual. Any Nigerian appointed by President Buhari too, must know that, the era of condoning impunity which subsisted in the previous government,
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Taraba State tribunal judgment: Mathematics of a judicial victory
Ishaku
Mohammed
Alhassan
Stories by Akinjide Akintola & Suleiman Adedeji Expectedly, reactions have been varied and diverse over last Saturday’s verdict of the Taraba State Governorship Elections Tribunal which sacked Governor Darius Ishaku from office and proclaimed Sen. Aisha Alhassan as the winner of the last April election. Ishaku is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Alhassan, now a Minister is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). If the verdict is upheld, she will be the first elected female governor in the annals of the country. Apart from politicians giving mixed reactions over the development, legal luminaries also contradicted themselves over the legality or otherwise of the judgment. Indeed, Ishaku, told a news conference in Jalingo on Saturday
immediately after the judgment that he would appeal the verdict, adding that he believed that the Court of Appeal would reverse the judgment and give him back his victory. In its judgment delivered last Saturday, in Abuja, the tribunal sacked Governor Darius Ishaku, on the premise that he failed to secure sponsorship of a registered political party as required by law. Consequently, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, in a unanimous judgment, ordered that the petitioner, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan be sworn in immediately as governor. As to be expected, Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, was one of the first critics as he condemned the tribunal judgment describing it as a ridiculous politi-
cal judgment that can never stand before men of good conscience and God. His words: “How does the emergence of party candidate, which is the clear internal business of the party and a pre-election matter concern the APC and the Election Tribunal? “Isn’t it funny that it is no longer about election rigging, but technicality of how PDP candidates emerged even when no one in the PDP went to court to challenge how Governor Ishaku emerged as the PDP governorship candidate? “If insecurity could make Taraba State Tribunal sit in Abuja and not in Jalingo, how then can it be justified that the same tribunal that sat in Abuja nullified the governor’s election because the primary election that produced him too was held in Abuja?
“Is it not being manifested in this President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government that what is good for some people may not be good for others even though we operate the same constitution? “To me and the teeming supporters of the PDP, this judgment is one that must not be allowed to stand. It is a clear miscarriage of justice and we will seek redress from the court of men and the court of God. “If everybody is persecuted and intimidated to submission, I will remain resolute in my resolve to always say the truth before men and God”, he stressed. In a similar vein, the PDP said the judgment was another evidence of executive interference in the judiciary, adding that the TaraCONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Curbing military incursions in election process At long last, the Nigerian Army appears to have taken allegations against some of its men during the past electoral processes strongly by choosing to probe the allegations. Consequently, last Monday, it inaugurated a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct of its officers and men in the 2014/2015 Ekiti, Osun, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom governorship elections as well as the 2015 General elections in the country. The General Officer Commanding the One-Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Adeninyi Oyebade, inaugurated the panel on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai at the division headquarters in Kaduna. According to him, based on CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
9 Politics
Why APC should hold mini convention now- Umar Duhu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
will no longer prevail under President Buhari. It is the vibrant APC leadership structure which saw to the land slide victory of all the APC candidates, from President Buhari to all the House of Assembly members at the polls. These set of party leadership have truly remained resolute with the ideals of the APC from their election to date. I achieved this giant stride due to the democratic and transparent process that saw to their emergence inline with the change mantra. Their commitment and collective goal to keep faith with APC and ensure the victory of all its candidates is a justification that, they are disposed to the enthronement of true democracy, unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, wherever they reside. With the people you are familiar with, are you confident that these people will perform to the expectation of Nigerians? It’s true I am familiar with some of the people appointed in this government. Like I said earlier, they are people we can trust. It is said, to whom much is given, much is expected. Nigerians expect much from all of them. And, if anyone appointed thinks he has gotten a safe heaven by picking
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appointment in Buhari’s government, he or she should better think twice. They will face the judgment and wrath of the people, talk less of President Buhari’s rebuke. Nigeria and indeed Nigerians have passed the stage where impunity will be condoned over rule of law and social justice. With the sophistication of information drive mechanisms, and the freedom of information in guaranteed, Nigerians will not shy away from calling a spade a spade this time around. It is therefore incumbent on all lead-
ers appointed to be weary of any actions they will take, as it beholds on them to always remember the covenant they entered with Nigerians. Nigerians expect more from them, and they must strive harder, to live up to the expectations of the majority of Nigerians. Why have you been quiet concerning the government of APC? There is time to talk, and time for reflection. We nurtured a political party, launched it, Nigerian entered covenant with the party, and
today a new government is formed. Expectations and demands are enormous. As leader who invested heavily into the concept, growth and execution of the ideals of the party to success at the 2015 general election, it is indeed time to reap from our hard labour. You do not expect me to follow the path of noise makers, whose aims is to pull down this people oriented government? This does not also suggest that, I am an introvert, I usually CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Taraba State Tribunal judgment: Mathematics of a judicial victory CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
ba State tribunal ruling brings to the fore the organised plan by the President Buhari-led APC Federal Government to deploy all unorthodox means to decimate the
Mohammed
Curbing Military incursions in election process
opposition. The party said the reason given by the tribunal for arriving at the bizarre decision is intriguing and further exposes the contradictions and double standards inherent in most tribunal rulings against PDP interests recently. The PDP said if the tribunal is faulting the party primaries as basis for its decision, it then means that no APC gubernatorial candidate can stand the test, as their party never had acceptable primaries in any of their states. “Evidence that Taraba ruling was a product of Presidency manipulation can be deduced from the fact that few hours before the judgment was delivered, the APC had arrogantly announced their victory on the new media”, it said. Also, some lawyers were of the opinion that the panel overstepped its bound as what it ought to have done was to order a re-run
in accordance with section 140 (2) of the Electoral Act. Others were, however, of the opinion that the section has been overtaken by a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Usman vs Dangana. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa said the judgment could not stand in law and reason, as the tribunal had no power to transfer the votes of Taraba people willingly given to PDP to APC. “It cannot stand in reason because the tribunal didn’t find out if Alhassan scored higher votes than Ishaku. Its finding is that the primary election that produced Ishaku was supervised by INEC. If that is the reason, I can’t see why that can benefit Alhassan.” There is no way the tribunal can transfer PDP higher votes to APC. It is left for PDP to go to its house and put things in order,” Adegboruwa stated.
Another lawyer, Fred Agbaje, described the judgment as ‘a judicial legislation,’ saying that it was not the duty of the tribunal to enact law but to interpret it. Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN) maintained that issues like the Taraba debacle stressed the essence of the hierarchical nature of the judicial system; where the aggrieved party can go further to seek redress. There have also been allegations that the APC and the Presidency armtwisted the tribunal to give the judgment in its favour. They alleged that this was why it took the tribunal to sit in Abuja, the federal capital instead of in Jalingo, the state capital. However, the APC rebuffed this stating that the PDP should blame itself for its gross impunity with regards to the conduct of primary CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
the weighty allegations against the Army in those elections, the COAS, whose vision was to reposition the army professionally in accordance with its statutory mandate, instituted the panel. Oyebade said the authority was deeply concerned about the alleged misconduct of officers and men before, during and after the elections. He therefore urged members of the public, especially those who feel offended by the alleged misconduct of the army personnel, to come forward with concrete evidence of such allegations. He noted however, that the panel, whose assignment terminates in two weeks time, had no power to penalise offenders but to recommend its findings to appropriate quarters. The GOC, who is also the president of the panel, named four other members to include Brig. Gen Sunday Araoye, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kabuk, Brig. Gen. Baba Ibrahim and Col. Danladi Salihu who will serve as the Secretary. He gave assurance that the military would ever remain apolitical and neutral in the conduct of elections in the country, adding that the vision of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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Taraba State Tribunal judgment: Still varied reactions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
elections for Taraba. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, its National Publicity Secretary said that the Presidency did not manipulate the judiciary in Saturday’s judgment of the Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. His words: “President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the APC are strong believers in the rule of law, as against the rule of impunity, hence will never manipulate the judiciary for whatever reason. “From the judgment of the tribunal, it is clear that the impunity of the PDP cost it the election. “Not only did the party breach Section 78 (b) (1) (2) of the Electoral Act concerning the organisation of party primaries, it was not even deemed to have participated in the April 11 governorship election in Taraba State in the eyes of the law. “Apart from not complying with the Electoral Act, the election of the PDP candidate, Mr Darius Ishaku, in the purported primaries in Abuja was done after the stipulated time for party primaries had elapsed. “According to the tribunal, it is thus clear that the election result in Taraba was not annulled for any other reason but the impunity and recklessness that permeated
Curbing Military incursions in election process CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Chief of Army staff was to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles. Elections after elections, in different states of the federation, we’ve had stories of alleged atrocities committed by armed uniformed men, who most often than not appeared to have been sent by the powers that be to truncate the genuine wishes of the people. There have been a lot of talks about some tapes alleged to have detailed the excesses of some of
the life and times of the cadaverous PDP. “It is noteworthy that this is not the first time the court is ruling against PDP’s impunity of violating its own constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act with regards to ensuring internal democracy in the conduct of primary elections. “The first landmark judgment came from the Supreme Court when it ruled against PDP’s impunity in 2007 and ordered that
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the officers but without any official corroboration or probe into the circumstances surrounding the incidents. Calls for probes of such incidents have largely gone unheeded by previous administrations while the perpetrators went scot free. It is therefore a good development that the new government is taking positive steps to look into all these allegations with a view to putting an end to these ugly scenes at elections. However, one disturbing aspect is that the panel set up has no power to punish any officer found wanting. What then is the usefulness of the panel if it cannot punish those found culpable? What is worth doing at all is worth doing well, thus, no effort should be spared in ensuring that anyone found culpable is punished appropriately in order to serve as deterrent to others during forthcoming polls. Thank God, President Muhammadu Buhari has advocated punishment for any electoral offender. We hope the army would not be an exception to the rule.
Rotimi Amaechi be installed as governor of Rivers instead of Celestine Omehia who was illegally imposed by the party. “Secondly, the Supreme Court had also ruled against PDP in the case of Ifeanyi Ararume when the party took his mandate as validly elected governorship candidate and handed it over to another aspirant. “It is instructive to note that these judgments took place while the PDP was in control of the
Presidency. “The opposition parties then never questioned the integrity of the judiciary by making wild and weighty allegations as the PDP is doing now,’’ the party stated. The APC stated that the PDP should blame itself for its gross impunity with regards to the conduct of primary elections for Taraba. “If all political parties, including the APC which was then in opposition could hold their pri-
Alhassan
maries in the state, why would the PDP that was in control of the state government come down to Abuja for its primaries against the provisions of the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution? “The impunity was not only in the case of Taraba State because the PDP also moved its governorship primaries for Borno and Adamawa States to Abuja in breach of the Electoral Act. “The irony is that, whereas the PDP claimed that the primaries where shifted to Abuja because the capitals of Taraba, Borno and Adamawa States where not safe for primary elections, it held Presidential campaigns in the same capitals of the affected states,’’ the APC stated. It is noteworthy that apart from the Celestine Omehia and Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers 2007, there was also the Osun case at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan in 2009, where the entire votes in 10 local governments councils in the state considered to be strongholds of the PDP were cancelled which led to the sacking of then Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, paving the way for Rauf Aregbesola. The Taraba Tribunal is another mathematical judgment which only the superior courts can decide its legality or otherwise, especially since the governor has indicated his intention to appeal.
SGF represents the downtrodden - Umar Duhu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
make contributions only on issues that are truly nationalistic. It is also expected that, as a leader who has paid his dues in the enthronement of this government, both in my state and nationally, political actors are supposed to be consultative on state issues and appointments made into government. In the event government feels too comfortable to consult with you, you should not expect me to go viral on same issues I know as of fact that, it will not stand the test of time. If after cultivation, weeding, and during reaping, others are not relevant; it speaks volumes. I am only keeping mum to give peace a chance, and to give this government ample time to pickup and stabilize. Government is wide and large, with patience, and the goodwill the leaders we elected, there is enough to go round all those who stake their lives for the party. Have you been sidelined? It is very difficult under a democratic setting to sideline any conscious political leader, as gover-
nance is tenured. With patience, four or eight years is nothing in the life of a nations democracy. No one has and can sideline me; but I and many others political leaders are watching. What is regrettable in the polity is for a government you invested substantial in, to refuse to even consult you on issues that ordinarily must be brought under your consideration. What is your relationship with the APC stakeholders from the North East especially the SGF? I enjoy the highest support and confidence of not only the leaders in the North East, but across the Country. My leaders are people I respect and I have tried my possible best, not to slight any one of them, irrespective of political affiliation. The SGF Engineer Babachir David Lawal is one leader I respect greatly. He is one individual who has supported me tremendously during my aspiration to represent my people at the green chamber. His supports are indeed
immeasurable. I only hope, I will be opportune to have the ability to reciprocate his gestures, as life itself is about reciprocity. Let me also take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November11, 2015
PDP apologises for misrule of 16 years The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has apologised for mistakes it may have made during its 16-year rule in the country. The Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, Mr Raymond Dokpesi, offered the apology on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja ahead of the party’s National Conference slated for Thursday. Admitting that the party might not have met all the expectations of Nigerians while in power, he said: “on behalf of PDP, I tender our apologies”. He disclosed that the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s report on the outcome of the general elections showed that factors that affected
the party included abandonment of its laws and internal wrangling. “We tender unreserved apology to Nigerians for the mistakes and to party members for abandoning the zoning principle of the party. We apologise to people whose toes were stepped upon”, he added. The committee chairman admitted that the party deviated from the dream of its founding fathers, adding that members operated without recourse to the rule of law. He, however, gave an assurance that the party would do all it could to woo its founding fathers back to its fold. “We are going to have Adamu Ciroma, Alex Ekwueme and some of the founding fathers who were
Jonathan
hitherto alienated from the party at the conference to chart the way forward for the party. “The party in 2010 and 2011 made the first fundamental mistake for not allowing the North to complete its term, but special recommendation were made to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan to complete it. “The party came again, because they were not courageous enough to allow zoning and they supported the former president, and the party suffered defeat,” he said. Dokpesi said that the era of allowing a clique to control the party was over, maintaining that the party would decide its future by allowing the people to own it, irrespective of status.
He said that the committee’s mandate was to restructure the PDP by allowing the youth to take ownership of the party in driving national growth. He explained that sequel to the 2015 general elections, the party deemed it fit to have a conference that could help correct the error it made in the past in order to aid its return to power. Dokpesi emphasised that for the party’s national conference to be meaningful, it must have youth representation comprising a male and a female from each local government area across the country. According to him, youths whose age must not be more than 30 years, with a minimum of a degree or its equivalent, will take ownership of the party.
Umar Duhu: APC is setting the pace as change agent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
for finding it worthy to appoint him as the Secretary to the Federal Government. I am particularly proud of Engr. BD Lawal. He does not only represent us, the political class in Buhari government, but he also represents the down trodden. The SGF inaugurated a committee that will work out modalities on appointment into over 6000 Board positions in all the federal establishments. What is your advice to them concerning appointments to be made? The constitution and inauguration of the committee is indeed a good development. It is a testimony of the fact that, President Buhari and the SGF are truly party men. If you take a look at the list, it is evident that, the APC leadership is adequately carried along and taken into confidence. The six or seven man committee is composed of the six National Vice Chairmen of the Party and the National Secretary. It is instructive to state at this stage, never has the previous government ever involved its party structure and leadership in the choice and composition of chairmen and membership of the over 6,000 Boards and Parastatals in Nigeria. APC is setting the pace as a truly change party and is leading by example. Suffice to state at this stage, it is incumbent on the cream of loyal party leaders saddled with this responsibility, to judiciously fish out and all the loyal party faithful who have put in their very best for the enthronement of the Buhari led government, and compensate them accordingly.
From the National level to the state its like the APC party’s leadership has vacant positions. Will you suggest ways on how to fill them? The National Chairman of APC has made a pronouncement to this effect. Said he; ‘the APC Constitution does not allow for anyone to unilaterally replace or act for any office so declared vacant as a result of death, resignation or appointment’. This means, a mini Convention in the case of national position or Congress for state positions, must convene to elect and field in all such positions. So it beholds on the national leadership, to as a matter of necessity to immediately convene a mini convention to elect loyal officers to occupy the vacant positions at the national level. As an opposition member from 1999 until May 2015, are you satisfied with the way and manner the government is being run? It is true, I have lived all my life as an opposition party leader, and I enjoyed it greatly. Being an opposition leader, I have contributed significantly in putting the ruling party on check, by offering constructive criticisms. The opposition party helps to put the party in government on check, by providing eagle watch on all anti democratic stance of party in government. I started active politics in 1991 as a National Republican Convention (NRC) member. I became a Member and the Adamawa State Organization Secretary of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1996. In 1998, I joined in the formation of All Progressives Congress
(APC), first as the Adamawa State Youth Leader, and later became the State Treasurer, when the party merged to become All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). I was elected the Deputy National Auditor of the ANPP and later became the Adamawa State Chairman of the ANPP, the position I held before the consummation of the merger which gave birth to this present vibrant All Progressives Congress (APC), and I became its pioneer National Vice Chairman (North East). As the National Vice Chairman (NE) of the APC, It was under my leadership that, I constituted the present vibrant and dynamic APC leadership structures which did not only ensure the victory of President Buhari at the polls, but also won elections despite all encumbrances, into the various elective positions in the States of: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe,
Odigie-Oyegun
Taraba, and Yobe. It was indeed a Herculean task bringing some notable APC leaders to a round table in some states, before the official constitution of the party leadership structure in some states of the North East. But with my experience and application of wisdom, it did not take much of my precious time to overcome such threat. I am proud to say, it is all history today, particularly, in some states in the North East, where the APC is not only the governing party in the state, but has also won virtually 100% of all the elective seats in the state. What is your advice to President Buhari? President Buhari is not only an experienced leader, but a totally committed Nigerian whose passion is to unite all Nigerians to feel safe where ever they reside in Nigeria. With the recent confirma-
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tion of Ministerial nominees, the president should hit the ground running as he inaugurates and assigns portfolio to them, as Nigerians expect a lot from them collectively. On the subsequent appointments yet unannounced, it is my expectation that President Buhari will further extend such gesture to those who have served the party diligently to this height. The greatest expectation of loyalty is recognition and compensation. It will be absurd if after putting your everything in a project, at the end of the day, nothing commensurate to your efforts comes your way? Let me equally call on all Nigerians to pray fervently for President Buhari for longer life, perseverance, and more wisdom to pilot the affairs of Nigeria, and take it to an enviable height in the committee of Nations. I am absolutely confident, under President Buhari, Nigeria will be great again.
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Rumblings in Senate over 65 committees announced by Saraki Olufemi Samuel, Abuja
ÎÎÎThe Senate may soon
begin to reel into another session of rancour, this time around, over the composition of its standing committees, as core opponents of the leadership, Senator Kabiru Marafa and Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi faulted the selection process, saying it did not follow due process. It all began shortly af-
ter the kickoff of Plenary when Senator Marafa raised a point of order, alluding to Sections 62 (2), 60 of the Nigerian constitution and order 97 and 197 of the Senate Rules, contending that the leadership of the Senate erred in the process of constituting the Committees. Marafa said the Senate leadership had perpetrated illegality by increasing the number of Senate Commit-
tees from 57 to 65, contrary to the Rules of the Senate and the provision of the Nigerian constitution. He said besides, the Senate leadership Select Committee saddled with the task of constituting the Committees was illegally constituted and in contravention of section 62 of the House Rules. He said the constitution of the Select Committee of the Senate also amounted
to a willful disregard for Order 100 and Order 1 of the Senate’s Rule on the basis that the Senate did not approve the Committee before select committee released them. Marafa also alleged that even the Senate Committees so far constituted were defective because they flouted order 3 Rule 2 of the Senate Standing Rule on Ranking. He said the Committees
Former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar (left) being received by Adamawa State Governor, Umar Bindow on arrival at Yola International Airport ... at the weekend.
did not reflect seniority, noting that some Committees as constituted are headed by non-ranking members, while their senior colleagues were made deputies or ordinary members. He noted also that the principle of balancing was not also followed in constituting the committees as some states got more than one chairmanship committees, while others got none. He said as far as he was concerned, the Committees so constituted amounted to a nullity, noting that with the illegality involved in the composition of the Committees, they were as good as not constituted yet. He, however, said the Senate President, Bukola Saraki owed Nigerians some apologies for flouting the Constitution and the Senate rules in constituting the Committees. He said Nigerians reserved the right to charge Saraki for contempt in the event of his failure to reconstitute the Committees to reflect the rule of law. The Senate President, while responding told the aggrieved Senator that he had noted his observation, just as he called on the Select Committee headed by Senator Ibn Na’Allah to also take note.
As the disquiet over the Senate Committee Composition was calming down, another Senator, Kunkuyi from Kaduna also raised a point of order to corroborate the position earlier canvassed by Senator Marafa. He said it was wrong for the Senate President to have referred the protest by Marafa to the Select Committee, which integrity he said remained in doubt. Saraki, however, interjected him, calling the attention of Senator Hunkuyi to Section 64 of the Senate Rule which states that decision on Committees is the prerogative of the leadership and the Committee of the Whole of the Senate and not that of any individual Against this background, Saraki ruled the Senator out of Order. Addressing the media after the plenary, Senator Marafa said it amounted to legislative tyranny for the Senate leadership to constitute the Senate Committees without recourse to the plenary for approval. He said, “Everything we do in this Senate has been forged,” alluding to the alleged forgery of the Senate Rules which paved the way for election of Saraki as the Senate President.
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs; Mr Istifanus Fuktur, Ministry of Solid Minerals; Mr Christian Ohaa, Min of Youth and Sports and Mr A.G. Magaji, Ministry of Works and Housing. Others include Mr Louis Edozien, Ministry of Power; Mr Jalal Arabi, State House; Mr Mohammed Bukar, General Services Office, OSGF; Mr Abbas Mohammed, Ecological Fund Office, OSGF; Dr. Ugo Roy, Council Secretariat and Mr Aminu Nabegu, Special Services Office, OSGF. Amb. Bamgbose Akindele is now Permanent
Secretary, Political Affairs Office, OSGF; Mr Alo Nwankwo, Economic Affairs Office, OSGF; Mrs Obiageli Nwokedi, Special Duties Office, OSGF and Mr Innocent Ogbonnaya, Career Management Office, OHCSF. The statement said Mr S.K.Y. Adelakun would serve as Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, OHCSF and Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, Service Policy and Strategies Office, OHCSF. According to the statement, the new appointments and deployments are with effect from November 10.
Buhari appoints 18 new Perm Secs Egena Egena, Abuja
ÎÎÎPresident Muhamma-
du Buhari has approved the appointment of 18 new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the president also approved the deployment of all the 36 Permanent Secretaries, including the new ones. The new Permanent Secretaries include Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, Mr Taiwo Abidogun, Dr Bukar Hassan, Mrs Waka-
ma Asifieka, Mr Jalal Arabi and Mr Sabiu Zakari. Others are Mrs Obiageli Nwokedi, Mr Aminu Nabegu, Mr Bamgbose Oladele, Mr Alo Nwankwo, Dr Shehu Ahmed, Mr Ogbonnaya Kalu and Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa. The new Permanent Secretaries also include Mr Christian Ohaa, Mr Bassey Apkanyung, Mr Louis Edozien and Dr Ugo Roy. It stated that Dr Shehu Ahmad had been deployed to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Mr Sunday Echono, Ministry of Communications; Alhaji Sabiu Zakari, Min-
istry of Transportation and Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, Ministry of Information and Culture. According to the statement, Mr Danjuma Sheni is now Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence; Dr Shade Yemi-Esan, Ministry of Education; Mrs Fatima Mede, Budget and National Planning; Alhaji Mahmoud Dutse, Ministry of Finance and Amb. Bulus Lolo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Amina Shamaki is now Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Mr Aliyu Bisalla, Ministry of Industry, Trade &
Investment; Mr Bassey Akpanyung, Ministry of Internal Affairs; Mr Taiwo Abidogun, Ministry of Justice and Dr Habiba Lawal, Ministry of Science and Technology. Others are Dr Clement Illoh, Ministry of Labour and Productivity; Dr Jamila Shu’ara, Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Mrs Binta Bello, Ministry of Women Affairs; Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, Federal Capital Territory and Mrs Rabi Jimeta, Ministry of Water Resources. Dr Bukar Hassan is now Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment; Mrs. Wakama Asifieka,
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
13 International
Cameron calls for EU reforms
A helper distributes fruit to migrants in front of the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo), in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 3, 2015.
ÏÏÏBritish Prime Minister David Cameron called Tuesday for the European Union to make a number of reforms ahead of his country's referendum on whether to leave the 28-nation bloc. Among the demands are protections for the one-third of EU
90 face human trafficking charges in Thailand ÏÏÏA senior army general was
among 88 suspects who appeared in a Thai courtroom Tuesday to face charges of human trafficking. The suspects are accused of trafficking Rohingya Muslims who undertook dangerous sea journeys to escape religious persecution and marginalization from Myanmar and Bangladesh. The trafficking took place between January 2011 and May of this year. They were arrested after Thai authorities launched a crackdown that led to the discovery of dozens of bodies of migrants buried near a detention camp in a jungle near the ThaiMalaysia border. Prosecutors say the migrants were held for ransom in the camps or at sea, where they were starved, beaten, raped and murdered. Around 600 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants arrived at the coast of North Aceh with this Dragon Boat in early May. (Htike Htike/The Equal Harmony Together Foundation) Around 600 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants arrived at the coast of North Aceh with this Dragon Boat in early May. (Htike Htike/The Equal Harmony Together Foundation)
nations that do not use the euro currency. Cameron said if the EU becomes a "single currency club" then it would not be one for Britain. He discussed the creation of a mechanism to allow for groups of countries to jointly block EU legislation that is not in their national
interest, and for the EU to make a clear and irreversible agreement that ends Britain's obligation to "work for an ever closer union." "We believe in a flexible union of free member states who share treaties and institutions, working together in a spirit of cooperation
to advance our shared prosperity and to protect our people from threats to our security, whether they come from home or abroad," Cameron said. The prime minister said he supports the free movement of labor among EU members, but that he wants a more fair system and for governments to have more power in controlling immigration. "As we've seen so spectacularly across Europe, with the questions posed by the migration crisis, countries need greater controls to manage the pressures of people coming in," he said. European Commission spokeswoman Margaritas Schinas said that aspect of Cameron's demands is "highly problematic as they touch upon fundamental freedoms of our internal market." She listed issues involving the euro as "difficult," while calling the prospect of finding ways to better involve national parliaments as "feasible." Cameron, who backs Britain remaining in the EU, has promised to hold a referendum by the end of 2017. He said Tuesday if voters choose to leave the EU, then that decision will be final and Britain will not be open to any kind of renegotiation or second referendum.
Myanmar in post-election limbo ÏÏÏ Myanmar was trapped in a
post-election limbo Tuesday with official results barely trickling in, although opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party claimed a victory massive enough to give it the presidency and loosen the military's grip on the country. In an interview with the BBC, Suu Kyi said her National League for Democracy expects to win 75% of the seats contested in the 664-member two-chamber Parliament. By Tuesday afternoon, the Union Election Commission had announced results only for 88 lower house seats, giving 78 to the NLD and five to the ruling party from Sunday's vote. It has given no explanation for the slow results. Later, Tin Oo, a senior colleague of Suu Kyi, went a step further, saying the party will receive "nearly" 81% of the votes. "That is the preliminary calculation," he told The Associated Press, without elaborating. Official results for 33 upper house seats, released Tuesday evening, supported the NLD's optimism - 29 went to the opposition party. But the delay has raised concern, with NLD spokesperson Win Tien telling reporters that the election commission has been "delaying intentionally because maybe
they want to play a trick or something." "It doesn't make sense that they are releasing the results piece by piece. It shouldn't be like that," he told reporters after a party meeting at Suu Kyi's house. "They are trying to be crooked." The surprising accusation added a worrying twist to what had been an amicable election, with the ruling party appearing to be taking its expected loss gracefully. It is also disconcerting because Myanmar's former military junta, which had called elections in 1990 after 28 years in power, refused then to recognize the NLD's overwhelming victory. It continued its brutal rule for two more decades, keeping Suu Kyi under house arrest for much of that period. Faced with intense international pressure after becoming a Southeast Asian pariah, the junta finally gave up power in a choreographed transition to democracy, being replaced in 2011 by the Union Solidarity Development Party, largely made up of former junta members. The government, which remains beholden to the military, is led by President Thein Sein, a former general who has been praised for initiating political and economic reforms to end Myanmar's isola-
tion and jump-start its moribund economy. In the BBC interview, Suu Kyi was asked why, given the events of 1990, things will be different this time. "They've been saying repeatedly they'll respect the will of the people and that they will implement the results of the election," she said. She also said the people are far more aware now than in 1990. "The times are different, the people are different ... very much more alert to what is going on around them. And then of course there's the communications revolution which has made a huge difference. Everybody gets on to the net and informs everybody else of what is happening, and so it's much more difficult for those who wish to engage in irregularities to get away with it," she said.
Suu Kyi
Al-Shabaab video shows executions of AU troops ÏÏÏThe Somali Islamic extrem-
ist group al-Shabaab has released a video showing its members executing African Union soldiers during an attack on their base in Somalia in September. The video, reported on Tuesday by SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi activities, shows armed fighters rampaging through what looks like a camp for Ugandan troops. Al-Shabaab says it killed more than 50 Ugandan troops in the attack on a base for peacekeepers in the town of Janale. Ugandan officials have reported only 19 deaths. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said after the attack that al-Shabaab may have taken some prisoners and blamed commanders for being "asleep" when the attack happened. The video shows an alleged Ugandan prisoner in handcuffs and other soldiers being shot at close range with an AK-47 rifle.
Prince Charles arrives in Australia amid renewed monarchy debate
ÏÏÏPrince Charles touched town
in Adelaide Tuesday, the first British royal to visit Australia since staunch republican Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister, amid a revived debate over whether Canberra is ready to ditch its monarchy ties. Turnbull, who ousted royal supporter Tony Abbott in a party coup in September, is a former head of the Australian Republican Movement and campaigned passionately, but unsuccessfully, to ditch the monarchy in a 1999 referendum on the issue. The six-day royal visit follows a move to remove knights and dames from Australia's national honours system, which the ardent republican leader said were "not appropriate" in the modern age. Charles and Turnbull will meet Wednesday to mark Remembrance Day, which commemorates those who died or suffered in war. On Tuesday, opposition leader Bill Shorten repeated calls for Australia to become a republic and break away from the monarchy. "It's long overdue and now we have a republican as prime minister, a republican as leader of the opposition, I'm certainly keen and look forward with Malcolm Turnbull, to working with him to provide much needed momentum," said Shorten.
News14
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
AU Standby Force: Nigerian contingent returns home Oyetubo Olabimpe
ÏÏÏThe
second batch of the Nigerian military contingent to the African Union Standby Force have returned from training in South Africa. The contingent comprising 41 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and the Air Force, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport with assurance of a prepared African Union Force to combat insecurity in the continent. According to Navy Commodore Uche Onyia who received the Nigerian contingent, the effort is to operationalise the African Union resolution of 2013 to establish a standby African Union Force that will respond to security emergen-
cies in the continent. The idea behind the African Standby Force is to present a continent that is united in preventing and acting against conflicts and the plan moved a step further towards its realisation with the completion of the Amani Africa II combat training in South Africa. Military, police and civilian personnel from the five regional economic blocs on the continent, participated in the 3-week programme in South Africa. South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, who was at the closing ceremony, commended the participants and the continent for moving forward with efforts to solve its own problems.
“This exercise demonstrates that Africa is serious about peace and that the continent is also serious about investing in peace,” he said. The African Union Standby Force is supposed to be 25,000 strong men, requires about 1 billion US dollars to become functional and expectedly deployable within 14 days as against nine months in more global operations. Nigeria, Algeria and Angola were commended for strategic airlift capabilities at short notice during Amani Africa II exercise, and Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, also commended his men. “Your participation in this exercise is highly commend-
ÏÏÏThe buck passing be- Dasuki files Ogunyemi Esther
able. So I want you to know that the President is happy with it,” he said to them. He also told Channels Television in South Africa that the Director of the exercise is a retired Nigerian MajorGeneral, an indication that “Nigeria is committed to the peace, stability and security of our continent”. With Mali, Libya, Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria still facing security challenges, there would be expectations that the ASF could come in handy but the Defence Attache, Embassy of Niger, Col. Mamou Souley, said that this would still take some time as the different troops would need to develop better synergy.
ComptrollerGeneral, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali rtd) (right) addressing officers and men of various Para-Military Organisations from Nigeria and Niger Republic, at the Illela Border Post in Sokoto State… on Tuesday
100,000 women die of Cervical Cancer annually in Nigeria -Expert Abiodun Taiwo
Abeokuta A Professor of Pharmacology and also Head of Department of Pharmacology of Benson Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Professor Oladapo Walker, on Tuesday, revealed that not less than 100, 000 Nigerian women die annually from the dreaded cervical cancer disease. Professor Walker, who is also a consultant Clinical Pharmacology and thera-
ÏÏÏ
peutic said the disease spread due to the poverty of ideas and mind of the victims. The Professor who spoke at the annual Resident Doctors week of Babcock University, held at the Institutions main campus, said the assistance from government and wellmeaning Nigerians can save the situation. His words: "I can tell you for sure that every year, more about a 100,000 women in Nigeria have died of cervical cancer. Globally about a million women have the
disease. With the population of Nigeria, saying that about hundred thousand women have the disease is a gross under-estimation". He said, "The problem with cervical cancer, like you have heard is that the latent period is very long, it start with a chronic infection of a virus, the Human Papilloma Virus, type 16 or type 18, which are the casilogenic ones. “After about 20 years when the symptoms start, bleeding, foul smelling of the vir-
ginal discharge, but by the time the symptoms start, it will be too late. "That is why we say people should go for screening so as to ensure early detection. Once they notice that there is activities in the cervix then they just do a cone biotic to remove that part that is active and believe me, it is a cure. So it is a disease that is easily cured when women do it, they should do it at least once in five years, once in five years after the age of 21 years. "They can also do it in between when they go to baby clinics, they can also do it any time they go for a checkup. It is so important that it has to be part of a routine medical checkup.”
tween former National Security Adviser and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) continues with Colonel Dasuki dragging the DSS to court to protest his continued detention. Colonel Dasuki is asking the court for a mandatory order directing the Depart-
Dasuki
suit against DSS ment of State Services to remove all human and non-human barricades laid around his residence. He said that this has hindered the accomplishment of the orders of the court which gave him permission to travel abroad for medical attention. Colonel Dasuki is also asking the court to extend its order which allows him leave to travel as the said time has been breached by barricades laid by the DSS.
FAAN gets nod to employ 720 new staff Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Tuesday, disclosed that it has received the federal government permission to boost its workforce with additional 720 staff. The agency said the new intake will be mostly deploy in critical areas around the airside of the airports runways in order to boost safety around the facilities across Nigeria. FAAN Managing Director, Mr. Saleh Dunoma represented by Capt. Henry Omeogu, Director Operations, said as a result of increase in threat to airports and flight operations, the airports management authority is putting appropriate measures and equipment in place to forestall any threat
Oshiomhole’s wife fetes IDPs Titus Akhigbe Benin
ÏÏÏIt was fanfare and cel-
ebration on Tuesday at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Uhogua, near Benin City, as Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State , celebrated with the IDPs as part of activities to mark her husband's 7th year anniversary as governor. Mrs. Oshiomhole, who got to the camp as early as 10:00am spent several hours with the internally displaced persons, as she joined them in the several exciting games and other
to aircraft operating in and out of the airports. Dunoma, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop to mark the 2015 Safety Week of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), explained that FAAN places premium on safety and urged participants to plan ahead to avoid accident. The FAAN MD said the safety week is to provide awareness to stakeholders and travelers on the need to observe safety culture at the airport environment. He, however, frowned at the indiscriminate posting of untrained personnel by the airport authority and airlines to the airside, saying they constitute hazards which may cause serious and regrettable accidents. interesting activities she organised for them. Speaking to the displaced persons, she said: “It is my pleasure to be here with you. I am very happy to be back and to see you all again. "As I promised the last time I was here, I promised to come back and to get to know the children a little bit better. Today is that day and that is exactly what we are doing. Our goal for today is just to have fun, talk with the children, play with the children and enjoy ourselves. "We are here to celebrate my husband's 7th year anniversary in office”, assuring the displaced persons of government’s continuous support and commitment to their welfare.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
15 Opinion
BIAFRA: Time to right the wrongs
I Sam Asoluka
t is amazing that 45 years after the Biafra-Nigeria civil war, Biafra came back alive ‘big time’ without a gunshot. In this second coming, there were no war fronts. Nobody heard war commentaries from Ikot Ekpene, Owerri, Asaba or Abagana sectors. Soldiers were not told to capture Owerri (Awuri) for ‘double pay’. More important too, no body heard news like Port Harcourt had fallen into the hands of the enemies. However, the sad news is the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) for broadcasting the plight of the Biafrans. No doubt, the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu on October 18, 2015 triggered the upsurge in the agitation for the Republic of Biafra. That shows there is something wrong with the structure of Nigeria and now is time to do right the wrongs that were mercilessly inflicted on the ‘Biafrans’ by some individuals or groups in Nigeria using the deceptive slogan ‘TO KEEP NIGERIA ONE IS A TASK THAT MUST BE DONE’. As at today, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still held by the Department
of Security Services (DSS) for ‘wrongs’, which they have not told the world. The DSS took Nnamdi to a competent court in Nigeria and he was granted bail, yet he is still to be released. Rather than the government coming out to address the issue, some of those who benefited from the ‘wrongs’ meted to Biafrans stepped forward to call protesters miscreants, irresponsible and other unprintable names to cover up their genocidal actions in the past. For a peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu should be released, as his arrest and detention are unlawful and unconstitutional. The unfortunate thing for those holding Nnamdi is that they have made him a global Icon for all Indigenous Peoples of the world fighting for freedom. He is now known all over the world for the excellent work he has done to unearth the hidden but unresolved issues of the Nigeria-Biafra war. Today, Biafra is back on the agenda whether Nigeria likes it or not. And if the issue is not resolved now, it’s only a matter of time, Biafra will surely come back to haunt Nigeria until it is resolved in one way or another. For the Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB), this is a beautiful time to harvest as more and more people are joining the group. The Nigerian Government should understand that its high-handedness, torture and the killing of unarmed Biafra agitators could set the cities on fire and quicken the dissolution of Nigeria. Nnamdi Kanu did not just wake up and began the campaign for Biafra. Like other people from the former Eastern Region (Biafra), he saw injustice, marginalisation, poverty and iniquitous distribution of resources and many other ‘wrongs’ visited on his people by successive Nigerian governments since the end of the civil war. That is in part the history, the story and the reason why Biafrans want out. What calls for concern is that the majority of the people agitating for the Republic of Biafra were born after the war? If this situation does not worry the Nigerian government they should continue to detain Nnamdi Kanu. Nigeria should also worry because, unlike the old Biafra, members of IPOB have worked hard and established more than 88 branches all over the world. The arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu is a huge disaster for Nigeria and a recruitment cam-
paign for the Indigenous People of Biafra. The arrest and incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu is definitely not the solution. It can only exacerbate the issue. Former Presidents of Nigeria knew about Radio Biafra but looked the other way as if it does not exist. However, as soon as President Buhari came into power Biafra became an issue. Nigeria should rethink her policy, attitude toward the former Eastern Region. Even fellow Nigerians see them as Biafrans. These same people they see as Biafrans have worked very hard, done everything possible to be accepted in Nigeria but they remain excluded. That some of them got invited to diner in Abuja or Lagos does not mean inclusion. The world and other Biafrans are keenly watching and waiting what President Muhammadu Buhari and his government will do with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Biafra is not the problem with Nigeria. The problem of the country is the faulty structure, injustice, iniquitous distribution of resources and the engrained mentality and belief of some people that they alone own Nigeria. Buhari release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu now unconditionally.
Saro Wiwa: The tears will never dry
A Fegalo Nsuke
s I sat down to write this piece, I visualized how the Nigerian state has treated the Ogoni with so much disdain and how Shell, the oil giant that thrives on lies and dishonesty continues to make efforts to return to Ogoniland and resume oil operations not minding the atrocities against the people. I remember vividly, the dark shadows cast on Port Harcourt on November 10, 1995 when the BBC reported that Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogonis had been executed by the Abacha government. It was great shock for as I felt helpless, unable to confront the government and realizing that Saro-Wiwa was no more. Tears flowed not just for Saro-Wiwa but for the other eight including, Dr Kiobel, John Kpuinen and six others I knew committed no crime other than supporting Saro-Wiwa’s campaign to save the Ogoni from a strangulating political, economic and environmental clutch of the Nigerian Government and the Shell Petroleum Development Company. The stain from Saro-Wiwa’s blood continues to haunt Nigeria where no real efforts are being made to correct the past mistakes of social injustice. The Ogoni, whose contri-
butions within the Nigerian states are persistently downplayed, and their identity not recognised by the government, makes more contributions to the economy than some 20 states put together. Within Ogoni are two oil refineries, two seaports, two electricitygenerating plants, a fertiliser and a petro-chemical complex, an oil and gas free zone accommodating over 500 companies. Yet, the Ogoni do not have a state of their own within the so-called Nigerian federation. The federal government to support the multiple states created for the dominant three ethnic groupings including the Igbo, Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba shares the revenues generated from Ogoni territories. Unfortunately, the Ogonis have chosen not to adopt violence. During the period preceding SaroWiwa’s murder and the immediate period after, one Major Paul Okuntimo had been deployed to Ogoni as head of a special military task force, which unleashed terror on the people. The only safe place became the bush. The Ogoni know that the government that will simply kill the entire population under the guise of ending an uprising will appreciate a violent approach. Nigeria’s choice not to reward non-violence by ensuring justice for small and oppressed groups as the
Ogoni is costing her enormously in money and prestige. The Nigerian government under President Goodluck Jonathan initiated payment for militants in the Niger Delta region who took arms against the state urging them to allow the continual flow of oil from the region. The government has on several occasions made offers to Boko Haram to stop violence in the Northeast. Government reward for violence and delays in addressing the Ogoni problem is undoubtedly a time bomb as frustrations rise daily among an already dehumanised and poor population. Twenty years after Saro-Wiwa, the Ogonis are constantly reminded of a system that has been very brutish and unjust, a system that has killed an entire generation of leaders and still seek to suck the people of every resources they have been naturally endowed. Rather than address the issues and improve the people’s living conditions, government rather seeks to worsen their frustrations. In 2012, the Rivers State Government embarked on a massive land grab around Sogho and Ueken and Khana and Tai local government areas. Resistance against this move led to the killing of 40 persons by the Nigerian security forces. Shell still lobbies to return to Ogoniland while the Ogoni battle
to overcome Nigeria’s suppression and inhuman treatment. Shell has not only killed more Ogoni people but has sustained its dirty posture as a lying and evil company totally irresponsible and uncommitted to the good of the people from whose land the company has carted away billions of dollars from crude oil sales. Suffice to say that testifying before the Human Rights Commission headed by late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Brian Anderson, then Managing Director of Shell told the commission that spillages in Ogoni were mere incidences that were not significant to cause any damage to the environment. Some 11 years later, a U.N report has exposed the company’s lies by revealing that the pollution will take 30years to clean up. After aiding the hanging of SaroWiwa and over 4,000 Ogonis killed under the supervision of Major Okuntimo, Shell still contemplates returning to Ogoniland. November 10 is a call to stand up for justice. Though we have lost so much, the spilled blood not is allowed to go in vain. The Nigerian government must acknowledge the injustice of hanging Ken Saro -Wiwa and address the Ogoni problem as as contained in “The Ogoni Bill of Rights”.
16
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Business Times Æ s
17
FG cautions workers against truncating development with strikes Stories by Joy Ekeke The Federal Government has expressed concern over the prevalence of strike actions within the health sector which have the potential of truncating the attainment of our national goals and aspirations. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh made this assertion in Abuja at the formal presentation of the report of the fact-finding committee into the industrial crisis that paralysed activities at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri for the substantial part of 2014 and middle of 2015. Dr. Illoh stressed that if various
actors in the industrial disputes could embrace social dialogue in resolving their differences, the developmental agenda of government would be realized. He added that all management and union officials should see social dialogue as an indispensable tool in the resolution of disputes. He said, “Resort to strikes and disruption of work processes remains inimical to the overall development of the country and more importantly as in the case of Federal Medical Centre Owerri (FMCO) jeopardize the lives of Nigerians who need the services of the Centre in order to stay alive.” He explained that the committee was set up in response to
a letter from the Presidency by the three Joint-House Unions of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANMM). Dr. Illoh explained that what led to the industrial action was the alleged introduction of Public Private Partnership (PPP) by the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri Dr.(Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem and allegations of gross financial misconduct and highhandedness against her. He said that towards the resolution of the industrial crisis, the Ministry of Labour and Pro-
ductivity in performing its statutory conciliatory role, set up a fact-finding committee to resolve the crisis at the Medical Centre, Owerri adding that the committee made far reaching recommendations that could end the industrial crisis. He assured that the ministry, as part of its statutory duties, will monitor the implementation of the report of the recommendations as well as set up a tripartite monitoring committee that will monitor the progress. In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute noted that the report of the fact-finding committee is the best thing that has happened to the health sector.
Buhari
In his words “We are going to do the needful to make sure that actions are taken based on the recommendations of the report that we are going to do believing that we are doing so in the best interest of the nation’’. While calling on care givers to justify the salaries they earn, he condemned the incessant strikes embark by health workers which he described as detrimental to the progress of the nation.
PENGASSAN urges FG to stop IOCs from downsizing Senior oil workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have said that major international oil and gas companies are cashing in on the prevailing instability in crude oil prices to lay off Nigerian workers. The workers, under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have warned that such development would not be tolerated by it. They have therefore appealed to the federal government to intervene and ensure that such mass retrenchment of Nigerian workers by the IOCs was stopped. According to the National President of PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson who spoke with reporters at the 4th Triennial Delegates Conference of NNPC Corporate Headquarter (CHQ) branch of the union, the union expects the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to immediately come out with a clear policy statement on the development. Johnson said: “Most of the IOCs are just trying to hide under the guise of fall in crude price to retrench workers, because definitely the price keeps fluctuating. All over the world, oil companies are facing the same situation but are they also resorting to mass redundancy.” “That is why we
are saying NAPIMS should come out with a clear policy statement on this because we know that for every redundancy, NAPIMS must also be involved. “And so if NAPIMS does not approve and suggest other ways, alternatives will be sought. Because there are alternatives and no one should say because there is fall in crude oil then people must lose their jobs. Price can go up to $70-80 anytime and so workers must be retained.” Johnson further stated that such redundancy is, “causing severe pain on job security of our members and this is at variance with the job creation plans of the federal government.” He thus added that the impacts of such situation on Nigeria’s economy would be harsh. “Redundancy can never and will not be an acceptable way out of this situation as all the stakeholders need to have a common front as a way out of this unacceptable redundancy quagmire bedeviling the industry,” Johnson explained. While commenting on the government’s expected composition of a board for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Johnson asked the government to restrict its appointment of board members for the corporation to experts, adding political considerations in the
R-L: Mr. Grama Narasimhan, Executive Director, Retail Banking, Sterling Bank Plc; Mr. Umezinwa Philip Nonso, winner in the ongoing New Sterling Bank Cash Reward Scheme and Mrs. Oluwatoyin David of Delloitte at the presentation of N1 million prize money to Nonso in Lagos.. yesterday
ECOWAS sets to establish EBH Charles Okonji
The technical committee of the new born baby of ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Business House (EBH), a regional trading unit of the member states are on the top gear, nearing conclusion of the modalities for a smooth take off. This was disclosed at the press conference, held last week in view of its smooth kick off, at NACCIMA headquarters in Lagos Nigeria.
The EBH which its overall goal was to foster intra-regional trade, promote ECOWAS exports and deepens market penetrations for MSMEs in the region has some of its objectives to be; facilitate bulk creation, high quality regime and standardisation in the region, reduce cost of business for the SME companies, promote the establishment of relevant trade infrastructure, including quality infrastructure in the region and to increase the
availability of trade and business information/data in the region amongst others. It is expected that within the five years of EBH establishment, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the region would not only be boosted, but the regional economies would also flourish as made in ECOWAS States products would be viable and visibly present for business in the regional market and the companies involved would be exposed to reaping the proceeds of international trade.
Labour 18
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Union cautions FG on railway privatisation Federal Government has been cautioned against taking hasty decision on the planned privatisation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, which may further deplete the fortune of the organisation. The Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) who have the advise asked the givernment to formulate, for guided implementation, a long-term rail transport investment policy that
would achieve for the nation integrated transport development, which ultimately would guarantee major future infrastructure renewals. The Nigerian Union of Railway workers, NUR, stated these in a letter signed by its General - Secretary, Comrade Segun Esan to President Muhammadu Buhari, copied the Vice President Yemi Oshinbajo and made available to journalists in Lagos. The
TUC worried over looming downsizing in construction sector
Kaigama
letter warned that the privatisation of the railway system by the government would only achieve increasing inequalities in the redistribution of wealth, which would deepen gap between the rich and poor. Esan insisted that privatisation of railway negates the great expectation of the citizenry and the “Change your great political party, All Progressives Congress, APC, promised Nigerians.” He
Stories by Joy Okere President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Bala Kaigama, has expressed worry over impending mass layoff of workers in the construction sector as a result of inactivity in the industry following the change of government at the centre. Kaigama tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to make job and food security his major priorities, as such would form the basis for assessing his four-year administration by Nigerians. Kaigama, who was obviously reacting to imminent job loss in major construction firms, such as Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, said Nigerians are yet to see the ‘Change mantra’ of the Federal Government over five months since the administration came on board. At the flag-off of the 10th Trienniel Delegates Conference of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) in Abuja, he said that it was not enough for Buhari to go after corrupt individuals, he must also feel the pulse of Nigerians concerning their job and food security.
explained that privatisation was consistent with standard economic analyses where new private owners raise productivity and reduce costs in response to harder budget constraints and stronger drive for optimum profit generation and relegate safety to the background. The letter further informed the government that despite the global spread of the privatisation doctrine, some countries still run their railway system as public transport, citing New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom.
Buhari
He said: “TUC sympathises with those of you working in the construction industry because you are usually the first victims in any change in government, new government when they come on board will launch verification into all contractual arrangements. “President Buhari should know that the change mantra should not be limited to going after corrupt individuals only, but also providing jobs and protecting workers, providing social security and then we will know change has come. “We are prepared to support the government to ensure that we have good governance, to ensure that our members retain their decent jobs, to ensure that Mr. President moves to fight corruption, and to also ensure he fights insurgency.” Meanwhile, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Detlev Lubasach, said at the occasion that massive job cut was inevitable because of huge debts owed the company and other construction firms. Beyond the current economic constraints, Lubasach said that the immediate past administration was unable to meet pay-
ments even for jobs already completed and handed over to government. “Our industry is in dire straits, occasioned by non-payment for ongoing and already completed jobs. As you all know, the construction industry is majorly engaged by the government, Federal, State and Local, with little patronage from corporate entities and private individuals. “In view of this, any distortion in the income equilibrium of our major clients will definitely affect the income and cash flow of the construction companies. As a consequence of this, construction companies are unable to sustain the existing structures in terms of meeting its obligations to staff and sub-contractors. “lt therefore became imminent that there must be staff reduction as well as other cost saving measures. It is only to keep the industry afloat currently, most companies are working far below their capacity, which is neither healthy for the Industry nor for the country. “In such a very difficult situation, you will agree with me that all hands must be on deck to salvage our industry,” Lubasach stated.
Delta LGAs’ to get salary arrears this week – Gov Okowa Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has disclosed that the bailout funds for local governments would be released to them at the Joint Account Committee meeting this week. The governor disclosed this when he received chairmen and members of organised labour led by the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade David Ofoeyeno on a solidarity visit in Asaba weekend. Okowa stated that the state government would set up a committee to monitor the effective use of the bailout funds by the Local Government for the payment of salary arrears to workers. According to him from the bail-
out funds we have been able to clear some outstanding debts and we hope that by the time we sit at the Joint Account Committee Meeting next week we will also be able to release some funds to the Local Government Councils to address part of the salary arrears and we will also be setting up committees to monitor the fund that will be released principally for the payment of salaries and to make sure that not a kobo is going to be diverted outside salaries. “Obviously it may not be able to take care of all the backlogs but it will bring a cushioning effect now that we are very close to the Christmas season,” he said. While commending the Organised Labour for their support and
solidarity, Dr. Okowa promised to always partner with Labour on issues affecting workers in the state adding “ we will always keep you informed of our challenges and expectations as you are a stakeholder who will take this message to the grass roots, we will partner with you always, hoping that this partnership will lead the state forward as you constitute a major stakeholder in the state.” The governor disclosed that a committee to work out modalities on the payment of some of the pension arrears owed pensioners would soon be set up stressing that the state government would ensure equity and fairness in the payment of the arrears.
Okowa
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
19 Aviation
NAPA calls for review of aviation parastatals’ Act Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo National secretary of Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association NAPA, Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu has advised the in-coming minister of Aviation to address the Acts establishing all parastatals by reversing them to ensure productivity. Saidu in an interview said some of the parastatals have more than 75 general managers and over bloated work force giving way for redundancy. He blamed the politicians for using the political will to bastardise the agencies. According to Saidu, the ills in the aviation industry could only be corrected by reversing the Acts establishing some agencies which only gave room for four parastatals as against eight and above as obtained in some agencies today. Saidu said there were approved conditions of employment and government should avoid over bloating of workforce, adding that the ugly trend began in the early 2000. He noted that services of NCAA have diminished, remarking that none of the country’s airports have been certified and urged the in-coming minster to as a matter of urgency address the issue of efficiency to save the aviation industry. Saidu urged the in-coming
minister of aviation to look into the infrastructure at the airports to ensure that those structures not in line with ICAO standards should be jettisoned in order not to lose the category one status of the country. The NAPA secretary queried why it has taken the government years to construct one airport adding that passengers were bearing the brunt. He also called for immediate payment of accumulated debts by airlines and other concessionaires to enable agencies meet their responsibilities. Saidu decried the level of lawlessness in the system adding that withholding of money collected by a concessionaire was criminal. “Aviation can never be stable without asking where is Nigeria Airways. It’s the edifice of the nation, Nigeria Airways did not owe what they claimed the airline owed. They must publish how much the properties of the airline were sold and those that bought if the change must start in aviation,” He noted that domestic airlines in the country no longer train pilots and engineers but depends on the Nigeria Airways old hands. Saidu condemned the way the military has taken over civil airports in the country as against the FAAN aviation security saying that it was not proper to see the military all over the airport under a democratic process.
NAMA assures of air safety Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Engr Ibrahim Abdulsalam, has affirmed the adequate safety arrangements put in place for air passengers. The NAMA boss gave this assurance when he appeared before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Aviation to explain efforts being made by his agency to make the nation’s airspace safe for airline operators and travellers. Despite the recent rating of the nation’s airports as being among the worst in the world, he said his agency had acquired a central radar system stationed in Lagos and Kano to monitor aircraft in the nation’s airspace. He noted that from the Lagos Radar Centre, the operators could view what is happening
at the Kano Centre and vice versa, adding that the radar was of two types, one civil and another military but clarified that it was not as if the military would use its own alone. The NAMA boss said, “For now, the whole of Nigeria airspace is covered but the aircraft operators had to cooperate with us. Abdulsalam also said that calibration had been outsourced because Nigeria abandoned its aircraft that was configured for calibration for over 20 years, which had become unserviceable,” He said, “We used to have the facility for calibration but the aircraft was left unserviceable for 20 years,” noting that though his agency needed to calibrate, there is no local company to calibrate, hence it had to go outside the country.
From left, Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr. Christophe Penninck; Chief Operating Officer, Misterich Limited, Mr. Sunday Idoko; Financial Analyst, Office of the President, Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Gibrilla Sesay; Senior Financial Analyst, Mr. Abubakar Sesay; Chief Financial Officer, BASL, Mr. Olushola Olayinka; and Group Head, Internal Audit, BASL, Mrs. Yosola Popoola, during a study visit by a Sierra Leonean government delegation to the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, on Monday.
Sierra Leonean senior officials visit MM2 A high power delegation from the Public Private Partnership unit of the office of the President of Sierra Leone has paid a study visit to the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL). The delegation, which visited recently, comprised Senior Financial Analyst, Mr. Abubakar Sesay and Financial Analyst, Mr. Gibrilla Sesay. They were accompanied by Mr. Sunday Idoko, a consultant in Public Private Partnership. The visit was to enable them learn from BASL’s experience in airport development and operation, having successfully developed and operated MMA2, which they described as the most successful PPP project in Nigeria
and the best airport terminal in the sub-region. The duo, who had been in different parts of the world in the course of their study, said it was the view of the Sierra Leonean government that their search for knowledge would be incomplete without visiting MMA2. They disclosed that Sierra Leone is currently engaged in the construction of an international airport in Freetown, the country’s capital city, in partnership with a Chinese firm, under a PPP arrangement and the government wanted to ensure the project adopts the best model of the PPP available. The delegation engaged in extensive discussion with the BASL’s team that included the Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Christophe Penninck, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Olushola Olayinka, Group Head, Internal Audit, Mrs. Yosola Popoola, Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Remi Ladigbolu and Business Analyst, Mr. Adeleke Ajose. They rounded off their visit with a guided tour of the facilities at the airport.
Expert seeks fresh policy to grow aviation in Nigeria A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Roland Iyayi has advised government to enact policies that would support the growth of the sector, including the establishment of a strong national carrier like the liquidated Nigeria Airways. Iyayi who bemoaned the low passenger traffic, stressing that Nigeria currently boasts of 15 million travelling passengers out of a population of 170 million which accounts for only 10 per cent. Due to cash crunch and relatively poor financial status of many Nigerians, very few people
take to air travel. The situation has made people to embrace road transportation despite the bad state of roads in the country that has claimed several lives. The situation has made aviation to contribute a paltry 0.4 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to South Africa whose aviation sector contributes more than two percent to the nation’s GDP. He made the disclosure while speaking at a conference on “90th Years of Aviation in Nigeria.” The conference was part of activities to mark the first flight in Nigeria which flew from Cairo to
Kano on Nov 1, 1925. Iyayi, who is the Managing Director, Top Brass Aviation, stated that out of the 26 airports in the country, 80.2 per cent of the total traffic passes through the Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt airports. His words, “I scarcely see any major airline in the country today that will survive the next three years except that there is a major injection of capital.” “The promoters of airlines don’t take time to study the market. So, they need to think outside the box and find new ways to make the industry to grow,” he added.
ICT 20
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Airtel partners Unilever, NDA to promote oral hygiene among students Airtel Nigeria, leading telecoms operator, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has partnered with manufacturer of home and personal care goods, Unilever and the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) to promote oral hygiene among students in Nigeria. The telco and its partners through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) health awareness programme, which kicked off Thursday, November 5 at Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos are educating primary school students across Nigeria on how to stay healthy through oral hygiene. Students and teachers of Oremeji Primary School II, one of Airtel’s adopted schools in Nigeria, gladly received the awareness campaign team comprising Airtel’s staff and representative from the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA). Speaking on the initiative Mr. Adedokun Oye, regional operations director, Lagos Region, Airtel, noted that the telco has taken a step further to care for Nigerian children by ensuring their health and well-being through proper oral hygiene in
order to bring out the best in them. “Airtel and Unilever are providing kids in schools with gift items like tooth brushes, toothpastes and leaflets that offer tips on oral hygiene. When children stay healthy, it will be easier for them to learn,” he said. David Okeme, brand building Director, Unilever Nigeria, said that Unilever’s global oral care social missions is to improve the oral health of 100 million people by 2020 by convincing them to brush day and night to stay healthy and happy, and live a more enjoyable and fulfilled life. “In partnership with the Nigerian Dental Association, Universal Basic Education Board and the Federal Ministry of Health, Pepsodent is committed to improving the oral health of 10 million children in Nigeria by 2020 through the Brush Day & Night schools’ programme, and one million school children will be reached directly in 2015. We believe kids can change the world by adopting healthy oral habits and they can convince their parents to do same,” he added.
Konga Tips Secured “KongaPay” As Morale Booster for e-Commerce Users Konga.com, Nigeria’s leading online marketplace, has tipped its e-payment solution- KongaPay which is made available to all users on Konga as morale booster for e-commerce market buyers and sellers in the country. The revolutionary online payment platform allows customers pay for their orders without using the debit cards or having access to the internet, thereby reducing their dependence on “payment on delivery” and restores “trust” among users. J. R. Kanu, vice president, Payment and Digital Goods for Konga. com, made the remarks while speaking to journalist at the weekend, adding that the product unveiled by Konga.com on June 2015 brings convenience to users. According to Kanu, through a partnership with Nigerian banks, KongaPay would change the face of online shopping in Nigeria by removing the uncertainties customers associate with pre-paying for goods and services they are yet to receive. He attributed the main reasons Nigeria prefer “payment on delivery of goods” to include, the inability to access items ordered; refund of fund should a user decides to cancel transaction; low rated
merchants approach to delivery, among others. Kanu explained that trends were taken into considerations while developing the platform that also allows users to perform oneclick payments on the Konga marketplace, using the codes to their KongaPay accounts. “The customer who wants to use KongaPay will sign in to create his or her own account which will be linked to his or her bank account through a code that will be generated and delivered to his or her mobile phone. “This code will be used to authorize future transactions initiated by the customer anytime he or she triggers a transaction. ”KongaPay is unique in the sense that on the KongaPay platform all payment made are safe and secure as they are held in escrow until the transaction is satisfactorily completed and payments for unsuccessful or cancelled transactions are reversed and refunded immediately,” he said. He further explained that unlike other online payment platforms, KongaPay eliminates the need for customers to enter sensitive personal information such as credit or debit card details or Internet banking passwords.
L-R: Lion Blessing Umebali, immediate past President, Ikeja Metro Lions Club; First Vice District Governor, Lion Taiwo Adewumi; District Governor, District 404 B-2 Nigeria, Lion Dr. Funke Adebajo and Lion Bridget Smith, newly installed President of Ikeja Metro Lions Club during the investiture ceremony of the Ikeja Metro Lions Club held in Lagos recently.
Nhleko leads talks with NCC on MTN $5.2bn fine ÏÏÏ ƃƈ ƒƄ ƕ ƉƄ MƆ ƄƍƆ Ɗ ƄƊƄ Ǝ Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Phuthuma Nhleko, acting executive chairman of MTN Group said that his top priority is the resolution of issues concerning $5.2 billion fine imposed on the Nigerian subsidiary by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to deactivate 5.1-million unregistered SIM cards on its network. Nhleko also said that his second priority would be to find an appropriate Chief Executive Officer to take MTN forward and then reverts to the Non-executive Chairman role. MTN Group said on Monday that Nhleko had agreed to act as executive chairman for a maximum period of six months while the company identified a successor for Mr Sifiso Dabengwa, the erstwhile CEO who resigned following the $5.2 billion fine and other unfolding events. “I will assume responsibility as Executive Chairman for the next 6 months as I proactively deal with the Nigerian regulator and will continue to work with them in addressing the issues around unregistered subscribers as a matter of urgency,” Nhleko commented. Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscrib-
ers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Nhleko is no stranger to the business as he served as Non-executive Director and Chairman of MTN from July 2001 until June 2002 and thereafter as an executive director, Group President and CEO until March 2011. He has subsequently chaired the Group in a Non-executive capacity for the past two and a half years (29 May 2013). To ensure compliance with King III, Mr. Alan van Biljon will continue to serve as the Lead Independent Director on the MTN board of directors (“MTN Board”) whilst Mr. Nhleko takes over executive responsibility. “Together with the MTN Board, my second priority will be to find an appropriate Chief Executive Officer to take MTN forward. I will then revert to my Non-executive Chairman role,” Nhleko said . However, indications have emerged that the MTN Group may this week call for the resignation of some management staff of its Nigerian subsidiary over the $5.2 billion fine imposed on it by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) industry regulator. Sources close to the MTN group hinted that the firm having reached advanced negotiations with the Nigerian Communica-
tions Commission about reducing the fine had taken a decision to sack the management team of the company. The sources indicated that Mr. Michael Ikpoki, MTN Nigeria chief executive officer, and other principal management officers would be axed from their positions “for others to clean up the mess.” Mr. Wale Goodluck, corporate executive, MTN Nigeria, declined comments on the matter when contacted. However, Funso Aina , Head of Public Relations MTN Nigeria said: “We cannot officially speak or issue a statement on this matter except on the directive of the MTN Group (South Africa). However, it has become pertinent to state here that we are on the brink of resolving the matter with the NCC as regards the fine.”
Nhleko
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
EDO DYNAMIC CLUB
21 Public Notice
CHRISTINE WRIGHT FOUNDATION
LIVING MANNA CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
The general public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The trustees are: 1. IKIAROKHALE GODWIN EBHOZ. 2. OSAROBO AIMIENOHO. 3. UAGBOR EHIABHI ORIABURE. 4. EKANIYERE FRIDAY OSEGHALE. Aims and objectives: 1. TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY AMONST MEMBERS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Secretary
The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Bamidele Grace- Chairperson 2. Bamidele Ayomide Philip- Secretary 3. Adebisi Adekunle- Member 4. Bamigboshe Bilikisu- Treasurer Aims & Objective: 1. To help the less privileged people. Empowerment of unemployed youths. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Chairperson
The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.
TAMUNOKURO ADOKIYE IBANIYE FOUNDATION
ARUNNE AZIA FOUNDATION
WINGED-WHEEL WOMEN CHARITY INITIATIVE
Trustee are: 1. Tamunokuro Adokiye Ibaniye 2. Appolos Idasefiema 3. Innocent Kumanwe 4. Basoene D.J. Ogaji 5. Tamunokun Ige Idoniboye 6. Wellington Tuboalabo Atubonengi 7. Daniel .A. Cromwell 8. Lolo Tamunokuro Ibaniye 9. Konteirirobo-Ofori Adokiye Ibaniye Aims and objective. 1. To engage in educational support scheme 2. To engage in health care support outreach, 3. To give support to older people and the less priviledged 4. To encourage youth development., Signed: Chairman
CHRIST SOLUTION DELIVERANCE AND SALVATION CHURCH THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED Church HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 Trustees: 1. Prophet Isaach Ilesanmi 2. Pastor Clement Ayonyemi Ogunremi 3. Doris Adetoun Ilesanmi 4. Mrs. Queen Bassey Aim and objective 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Secretary
WORD BREED MINISTRY
THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 Trustees: 1. CHRISTOPHER SHALOM – (President) 2. FILDELIA. SHALOM – Secretary 3. REMILEKUN HAMBOLU – Member Aim and objectives 1. To preach the gospel of our lord jesus christ. 2. To win souls for our lord Jesus christ. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed. Secretary
Trustees: 1. Orajiaka John Obiora 2. Orajiaka Nkeiruka Uzoamaka 3. Orajiaka Margret Urekwerenwa. Aims & objective: 1. Assisting and promoting the welfare of the less privileged in the society 2. To give moral and financial support to the poor and destitute. Signed: Trustees SUNDAY ADEWUSI HOUSING ESTATE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION DAKWA, DEIDEI FACT, ABUJA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED association HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 Trustees 1. Kadiri babatunde junaid - Chairman 2. Pastor Abdul o Usman - Vice Chairman 3. Lenti elisha - Patron 4. Felix ideh 5. venerable Fakunle oluseun 6. Mr nwosu onyekachi 7. Barriers Dickson sofiyegha 8. Mr Taiwo adegboyega Aim and objective 1. To foster unity among members ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Secretary
The Trustees are: 1. Adesina Adeola 3. Enyene Okpon Efiong Imeh 5. Olugbuyi Babatunde
2. Sileola Fasan 4. Ola Bolarinwa 6. Olugbenga Najeem
Aims & Objective: 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Secretary
THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 The Trustees are: 1. Mrs Nancy Effa 2. Mrs. Agnes Duke 3. Mrs. Gertrude Ogbeche 4. Mrs. Nanu Modey 5. Mrs. Rachael Owan-Enoh The aim and objectives: 1. To assist the unemployed and economically challenged women through enlightenment and empowerment programmes that will mould them into becoming entrepreneurs 2. To support and empower widows through the provision of basic education and skill acquisition projects 3. To sensitize women through awareness creation as well as mentor the girl-child on good conducts and morals that will discourage violence and other social vices in the society ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Godwin Offiono, Esq. 07034968990
PLATINUM MALL OWNERS AND OPERATORS ASSOCIATION , IKOTA , LAGOS THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED association HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 Trustees: 1. ARJUN CHARANDAS KHATRI 2. OLUKAYODE AKINBOLA 3. KUNLE OLOYEDE 4. BIODUN ADEYEMI Aim and objectives 1. To make the platinum plaza conducive and peaceful. 2. To promote the welfare of the members of the association 3. To promote the image and interest of the association ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: Barr. Abiodun Lawrence Adeyemi
GREAT FRIENDS ROYAL DIAMOND ASSOCIATION
COVENANT CHOSEN FELLOWSHIP
THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 Trustees: 1. NWANKWO UCHENNA. E 2. NNABUIKE MADU TRINITY 3. UZUEGBU. UZOMA 4. ONUIGBO CHINEDU 5. EZEH IFENNA Aim and objectives 1. To promoting unity , peace and prosperity among friends 2. To promote unity and harmonize peaceful co- existence among members ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Signed: UJUNWA CHIBUGO OJIKAH 08036044808
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named FELLOWSHIP has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. TRUSTEES 1. PRINCE OBINNA MARTINS 2. MARTINS LIONNELL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the second coming of Jesus Christ 2. To preach salvation and love Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY
UNAAMA GLADYS EDOGHOGHO PAULINUS
OGUNTAYO ELIZABETH OMOGOR
MRS JULIANA IGNATIUS EKERETE
CHUKWUDI NNAM JOHN
OLANREWAJU SOLOMON BOLAKINWA NIYI
MRS MAKINDE MODINAT FUNSHO
I, formerly known and addressed as IYOHA GLADYS EDOGHOGHO, now wish to be known and addressed as UNAAMA GLADYS EDOGHOGHO PAULINUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as OKWUVARA ELIZABETH OMOGOR, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNTAYO ELIZABETH OMOGOR. All former documents remain valid. OPRA Nursery/ Primary School and General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JULIANA EDEM CHRISTOPHER OKON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JULIANA IGNATIUS EKERETE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as AKPA CHUKWUDI NNAM, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI NNAM JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU SOLOMON NIYI , now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU SOLOMON BOLAKINWA NIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUKAIYE MODINAT , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MAKINDE MODINAT FUNSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
NZE LOUISA LINDA
MRS. ALAEGBU GINIKA RITA
UBA IBRAHIM ISMAILA
MRS. ANTHONY OSITA EGWUATUONWU
OLANREWAJU ELIZABETH FOLUWAKE
MISS OBISI VIRGINIA NGOZI
I, formerly known and addressed as NZECHUKWU CHIKA LOUISA, now wish to be known and addressed as NZE LOUISA LINDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss ONODU GINIKA RITA, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. ALAEGBU GINIKA RITA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as SAMAILA SOJA, now wish to be known and addressed as UBA IBRAHIM ISMAILA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss ANTHONY OSITA EJEBIONU now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. ANTHONY OSITA EGWUATUONWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH ELIZABETH FOLUWAKE now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU ELIZABETH FOLUWAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I formerly known and addressed as MRS. NNAMAGA NGOZI VIRGINIA now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OBISI VIRGINIA NGOZI. All former documents bearing my name remain valid. The general public should please take note.
News 22
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Kebbi gov sacks two traditional rulers Abubakari Abdul, Kebbi
ÏÏÏGovernor
Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has ordered the removal of two third class traditional rulers following a confirmed allegation of indictment, corruption and connivance levelled against them. The removed traditional rulers are, Alhaji Hudu Dan Malam, who until his removal was the Chief of
Fakai and Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Ala’aje, the Chief of Danko both of Fakai and Danko-Wassagu Local Government Areas of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State. The two former royal father were found guilty of misconduct and criminal activities ranging from aiding criminals to unleash terror on their people such as armed robberies and cattle rustling.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Abubakar Muazu Dakingari, and made available to newsmen, it was stated that sequel to the queries issued to them by the Emir of Zuru and suspension letters by their respective local government Sole Administrators, the governor ordered their removal. The statement also
quoted the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, as saying the allegations ranged from connivance with known criminals, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and armed robbers, as well as involving in fraud , cheating , dishonesty, rudeness and involvement in illicit drugs use. A seven-member investigative committee set up
to look into the allegations against the two men was chaired by the former Deputy Governor of the State and a Senior Councillor in Argungu Emirate council, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Augie, (OFR) while other members were Galadiman Yauri, Sarkin Kudun Gwandu, Majidadin Zuru and the representatives of State Security Service (SSS) and the Police.
Ambode names new security trust funds chiefs ÏÏÏLagos
Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan at the Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged allegation of corruption. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN
NAMA develops e-software for airmen Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
ÏÏÏIn
its drive to comply with modern trend in technology and to digitalise air traffic management services in the country, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has developed an application software intended to enhance the dissemination of aeronautical information, also known as Notice
To Air Men (NOTAM) electronically to airspace users. To this end, a three-day train-the-trainer workshop designed to educate and sensitise airline operators, service providers, aviation agencies, the Nigerian Air Force and other stakeholders on the migration from manual to digital NOTAM was organised at the agency’s headquarters, in Ikeja, Lagos.
Declaring the workshop open, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, noted that “aviation globally is moving away from manual to digital operations and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind,” stressing that “the agency’s determination to provide safe, efficient and economic air navigation services has challenged us to deploy new technologies
that would ease service provision, save time and reduce operational cost for the airlines and aviation agencies/organisations.” He expressed confidence that “the deployment of e-NOTAM would make for ease of access to online real-time aeronautical information by doing away with paper work, and bureaucracy that characterised the old system.”
MRS. OFIAGU UCHENNA JULIE
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I formerly known and addressed as MISS.OZIOKO UCHENNA J and UCHECHUKWU J. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OFIAGU UCHENNA JULIET. All former documents bearing my name remain valid. First Bank and the general public should please take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as follows: LUKE O. OGUNMOKUN, ADEKOYE OGUNMOKUN, and LUKE OGUNSAKIN OGUNMOKUN. Any documents with any of the above names refers to the same person and all former documents remain valid. Access Bank and the general public take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as OGBODO CHRISTIAN ONYEKACHI whereas others bear BELOVED CHRISTIAN ONYEKACHI. Any documents with any of the above names refers to the same person and remain valid. Access Bank, ECO Bank and general public take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as EBUO LAZARUS ARINZE and EBOU KINGSLEY ARINZE. Any documents with the above names refers to the same person and remain valid. First Bank, Pension Board and General public take note.
State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of Mr. Oye Hassan –Odukale as the new Chairman of the State Security Trust Fund Board of Trustees subject to the ratification of the State House of Assembly. He succeeds Chief Remi Makanjuola whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees has expired after serving two terms. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, the Governor also named a former Deputy Majority Leader in the State House of Assembly, Dr. Abdulrasak Mobolaji Balogun, as the Executive Secretary of the body following the resignation of Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey. The Governor also approved the appointment of other members of the Board of Trustees of the LSSTF to include, Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Mr. Yemi Idowu, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Managing Director of UBA, Mr. Philips Osuoza and DIG Israel Ajao (rtd), among others.
Ambode
IDRIS TENIMU
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
MRS KOROMA VICTOR OLUMA
I formerly known and addressed as ALFA IDRIS MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as IDRIS TENIMU. All former documents bearing my name remain valid. First Bank Ltd and the general public take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as OKEY SUNDAY CHUKWU and in another document my name as written as OKEY SUNDAY EMMANUEL. Any documents with any of the above names refers to the same person and remain valid. ECO Bank and the general public take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as DAVID OKORO ALAGU, DAVID O. CHUKWU and DAVID OBASI CHUKWU. Any documents with the above names refers to the same person and remain valid. General public take note.
This is to inform the general public that on some of my documents my name was written as ANIOZOR ROSELINE CHINENYE and PATRICK ROSELINE CHINENYE. Any documents with the above names refers to the same person and remain valid. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and General public take note.
I, formerly known and called MISS JOHN PATIENCE KOROMA now wishes to be known and called MRS KOROMA VICTOR OLUMA. Members of the public and NYSC please note.
Don advocates vocational studies in varsities Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
ÏÏÏOne of the surest way
to fight unemployment in the country is through the introduction of vocational studies in the nations tertiary institutions. The Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State, Professor Oluyemisi Oluremi Obilade, said this, on Monday, while addressing the press on the activities marking the institution’s ten years’ anniversary. Obilade also said that TASUED had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mt. Sierra College, California, United States of America, on how to train some of its undergraduates on different vocations. Obilade explained also said that the MoU would entail sharing of ideas, researches and also streamlining of curricula with the institution.
HIV patient to contest Adamawa LG polls Dan Kurama Garu, Yola
ÏÏÏA man called Mr.
Abraham Mamman, is living positively with Human immune virus (HIV) that causes Acquired immune deficiency Syndromes (AIDS). As he has defeated the scourge of stigmatization, he said that he was set to contest the forth-coming local government elections in Demsa LGA of Adamawa State. The healthy-looking Abraham boasted that he had what it takes to take the entire people of Adamawa State into greatness. For the love he had for his community, he said that he decided to give his best, in terms good leadership. According to him, his international connection with the outside world had strategically positioned him to lure investors to his area having worked with United Nations.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Bailout fund: APC slams Kogi govt’s claims ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as cheap blackmail the decision by the Kogi State government and the PDP Governors’ Forum to blame political interference for the delay in releasing bailout funds for the state. In a statement issued, in Abuja, on Tuesday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it had no business with the release or otherwise of the bailout funds to Kogi State. “This accusation is in line with the new-found propensity of the PDP to blame everyone but itself for the woes that have befallen the party
in recent times. If the opposition party is not accusing the APC of colluding with the judiciary over the election petition cases, it is accusing the ruling party of colluding with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over bailout funds. This is sickening,” it said. The APC said the Kogi State Government should go and sort itself out with the CBN, if, indeed, it wants to get the bailout funds. “Our investigations have revealed that the Kogi State Government has not been able to justify the over N50 billion it is asking for as bailout funds. It is curious that the chunk of the funds, which the state is asking for,
over N40 billion, is for the payment of the salaries of local government workers. “The state is saying the backlog of salaries owed to these categories of workers dates back to 2011. How can that be, when Nigeria was not even broke in 2011? How can the state be owing local government workers when it has been collecting N2.2 billion monthly in allocation for local governments, amounting to over N100 billion in four years? What happened to the Local Government allocations collected by the state if it is owing its workers since 2011? “The figures and explanations tendered by the Kogi
23 News
Ilorin youths task Nigerians on tolerance Kehinde Akinpelu
State Government to justify the request for N50.8 billion in bailout funds are not tenable, especially because only N4.9 billion of the amount is for the payment of workers in the state civil service. Nigerians should bear in mind that the bailout funds are not for anything beyond the payment of workers’ salaries. The onus is, therefore, on the Kogi State Government to justify its request for N50.8 billion, and to assure the CBN that the state is not seeing the funds as slush money. It is the failure to do just that, rather than any so-called political interference, that has denied it access to the funds so far,” the APC said.
Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his wife, Olukemi; Deputy Governor, Alh. Lasisi Oluboyo and his wife, Alhaja Fatimat, at the presentation of awards of excellence to outstanding students of Ondo State held at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, in Akure… on Tuesday.
Ilorin
ÏÏÏNigerians
have been advised to always imbibe the spirit of tolerance, patriotism and perseverance in order to foster peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups and religions across the country. This was contained in a felicitation message issued by the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA), and signed by its National President and National Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Salaudeen and Mallam Uthman Jagunma, respectively, marking the 20th coronation anniversary of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari. The group said that, “It
Moses Oyediran
Enugu ÏÏÏThe Enugu State Government has said that it was taking urgent steps to ensure a speedy completion of a new bridge across the Ebonyi River, following the collapse of the one in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area. The Commissioner for Works, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa, who inspected the site of the collapse, on Tuesday, explained that it was in view of the weak state of the bridge that the state government had commenced the construction of a new one to
MASSOB protests against detention of members
Ex-Ekiti Assembly Speaker seeks reversal of impeachment
Jacob Ogodo
Gbenga Sodeinde
Abakaliki
ÏÏÏThe Movement for the
Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), on Tuesday said that it had mobilised over two thousand members to protest indiscriminate arrest and detention of its members by the federal government. Factional leader of the group, Uchenna Madu, who made this known to newsmen, in Abakaliki, said that it would be a peaceful protest. “We are on stoppable in this nationwide protest. No amount of intimidation, harassment, arrest
and detention will prevent us from showing our grievances over the action of the federal government and the police. “They have been arresting us and we want to let them know that there is a limit we can endure all their actions. We have been very peaceful but the federal government and security agents are pushing us to the wall”, he said. Madu said the body had received information that police, in Ebonyi, had taken over strategic positions in the state to stop the planned protest. The police cannot stop us from protesting in Ebonyi.”
Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏFormer
Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Adewale Omirin, has written a letter to the incumbent law-makers to reverse his impeachment by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) law-makers last year. The seven PDP members of the Fourth Assembly claimed to have impeached Omirin, on November 20, last year, and elected Hon. Dele Olugbemi, who was recognised by Governor Ayo Fayose. To form quorum for such an exercise in the House which has 26 members, the
lawmakers require at least 18 members, which is the two-third of 26, but contrary to this, the seven PDP lawmakers went ahead with their impeachment under the speakership of Dele Olugbemi, who sat on the Speaker’s chair until June 4, when the tenure of the Fourth Assembly expired. Though Omirin had earlier gone to court to the Federal High Court, Lagos to challenge what he called his unconstitutional impeachment, but he later withdrew it and was subsequently struck out by the same court Omirin, in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, dated October
19, 2015, and entitled: “Reversion of Unconstitutional Impeachment”, urged the House to reverse the impeachment which, according to him, violated the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution. He said: “The legislative arm is put in place to make laws for peace, order and good government in pursuant to Section 4(7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and if an institution that is supposed to make laws seems to be violating the laws, the effect will be disorderliness, for which the action taken on November 20, 2014, should be reverted and all
is only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that the nation can witness significant growth and desired development. There is no doubt that the Ilorin Emirate had in the last 20 years developed, harboured people of diverse ethnic and religious background without rancour. “It is with profound gratitude to God that we all rejoice and celebrate with our father on this historic occasion. "As an outstanding Justice of the Court Appeal before he ascended the exalted throne as the 11th Emir of Ilorin on 11 November 1995 following the demise of Mallam Aliyu Abdulkadir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has continue to protect the interest of the people of Ilorin and Kwara State at large.”
Enugu govt to rebuild collapsed bridge replace it. He said work on the new one had gone quite far, and that at the moment the bridge’s abutment was already in place. According to him, pillars had been constructed and this meant that piling had been done, adding that what was left were the beam and bridge desks which were the last stages.
Fayose
records bearing Hon. Dele Olugbemi be obliterated.” Addressing a briefing alongside his colleagues, on Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti, on Omirin’s letter, Oluwawole said the lawmakers lacked the constitutional powers to reverse the impeachment and obliterate Olugbemi’s record as Speaker. Reading a reply written by the lawmakers to Omirin to reporters at the briefing, the Speaker said the resort to the court of law by Omirin made the request very difficult to consider.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11 2015
Bayelsa guber: INEC reads riot act as candidates sign accord Akam James
Yenagoa ÏÏÏEighteen candidates in the December 5 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state, including the two major contenders, Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressive congress (APC), on Tuesday, signed a peace accord at the Creek Motel, in Yenagoa, the state capital. The peace accord was witnessed by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, represented by INEC National Commissioner representing NorthWest, Mrs. Amina Zakari, Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State, Mr. Nasiru Oki, State Director of Department of State Security
(DSS), Ade Olusheso, state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Baritor Kpagih, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. The pact was signed at a high level peace summit for political stakeholders in Bayelsa state and organised by INEC. Earlier, Governor Dickson, had said everyone knows the character of the kind of government he runs, which he described as an open and transparent one, promised to be committed to the bond signed by all candidate. He emphasised that post-election violence was not necessarily caused by electoral malpractices but rather by politicians’ provocative utterances and actions, adding that the use of federal might to attack and disrupt elections was an-
other factor. Dickson, noted that he doesn’t need violence to win election in the state, while appreciating INEC for organising and bringing all candidates to sign the bond. In his speech, Chief Timipre Sylva, said he had always advised all parties to embrace peace before and after elections, adding that the opposition always claim that they have capacity to manipulate, or hack, or clone, and so on, because they know they don’t have what it takes to win elections. He mentioned that members of his party in the state have recently falling prey to attacks in the state capital, noting that APC has never attacked anyone since they started their campaigns. “We must stop these hate preaching, instigating cri-
ses, threatening others, provocative and inflammatory statements by people, we ought to desist from violence, elections is not a door-die affair” According to the lawmaker representing Brass Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Israel Sunny-Igoli, the peace pact is important as we have gone into the electioneering period, adding that it now left for the stakeholders of the various parties to call their people to order.
Mathew Dadiya Abuja
ÏÏÏCoalition Sylva
Govt denies Guinea Worm infection in Ebonyi Abakaliki ÏÏÏEbonyi state government has debunked the claim that there was an outbreak of guinea worm in the State, stressing that there was no incidences of guinea worm infection in the state. Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike stated that the case being peddled was not a guinea worm case, but rather an infection caused by the outburst of boil in the leg of the victim.
Dr Umezuruike noted that every disease has a chain of definitions and no trained medical expert would raise such a claim. He added that medical examination carried on the wound found on the woman's leg showed no case of guinea worm. Recalled that the victim, Mrs. Katrina Ogwuda from Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state was wrongly diagnosed last week by a private clinic of being infected with guinea worm, even as the rumour of the
disease went viral across the state. The Commissioner, who cautioned journalists against publication of unconfirmed reports in the state, noted that the news report about guinea worm outbreak was false and do not portray the state in a good light. According to him, the scourge has since been eradicated from the state a long time ago. "There is no guinea worm case in the state. We were worried over this rumoured
Abuja ÏÏÏThe Chairman, House of Representatives' Committee on Rural Development, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has harped on the need for the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to rural development in Nigeria. Adebutu maintained that particular attention needs to be paid to the national special programme for food security, the rural finance institution building programme and Fadama programmes. The federal lawmaker expressed the firm belief
Rep tasks FG on rural devt that these initiatives, when implemented, will undoubtedly uplift the lives of rural populace and Nigerians in general. Speaking immediately after the inauguration ceremony of his committee along with others in Abuja, Adebutu also expressed the need for federal government to pay attention to agencies established to support agriculture namely; the Department of Co-operatives, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Cooperation.
Ex-militants commend amnesty boss on establishment of offices
L-R: Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Michael OlawaleCole; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sarah Sosan and Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, during BoI Special Day at the Lagos International Trade Fair, in Lagos… on Tuesday
Jacob Ogodo
Lateef Ibrahim
case. It is a very bad signal. We have done all our investigations and discovered that it is not a guinea worm case. The victim only had blisters, boil and there was no worms in the leg" Umezuruike stated. Meanwhile, the report made available to newsmen on the rumoured case of guinea worm outbreak in the state by the Project Manager, Emmanuel Ogharu of Nigeria Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (NIGEP), stated that the case was not that of guinea worm disease.
of Niger Delta Ex-Militant Leaders (CONDEL) has applauded the Special Adviser to the President/Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul T Boroh (rtd) over his plans to establish state amnesty offices for effective coordination of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. State Chairman of CONDEL, Mr. Ebisintei Stephen said that the ex-agitators in the Niger Delta have been monitoring activities at the Presidential Amnesty Programme and reached the conclusion that the peace building initiatives of the new amnesty boss are commendable.
Mr. Stephen pointed out that the plan by the Amnesty office to collaborate with universities in the country to run programmes in security, peace/conflict management studies, speaks volumes of the pedigree of Gen. Boroh in security and peace/conflict management, adding that the walking tour of the affected states by the new amnesty boss will afford him firsthand information on the challenges the delegates are going through in the states. The coalition chairman according to a statement, also applauded the federal government on the payment of stipends and in-training allowances to beneficiaries under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, particularly offshore students.
Senate lauds Lagos govt over utilisation of World Bank loan ÏÏÏThe
Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Development Policy Operation, has commended the Lagos State government for judiciously utilising the first two tranches of World Bank loan, DPO I and DPO II that was approved for the state in 2010 and 2013. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, who led other members of the Committee to inspect some capital projects in the state to which the loan was deployed, expressed satisfaction with the work done so far, urging other states to borrow a leaf
from Lagos. The Committee took time to inspect the 1.36km Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, popularly called the Cablestayed Bridge, the Cardiac and Renal Centre located within the Gbagada General Hospital and the Light Rail Project along the Mile 2- Orile corridor. Speaking shortly after the inspection, Gaya said, “I believe, like other members of the team are impressed and if other states can be like Lagos, I believe it’s easier to get this kind of loan and this loan can be utilised for such purposes.
Education Times Æ s
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
25
Ugwuanyi pledges to provide facilities for accreditation of COE Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has promised to provide necessary facilities for the accreditation of Enugu State College of Education (Technical) by the National Commission for Colleges of Education. Ugwuanyi made the promise in Enugu on Monday while inspecting facilities at the College ahead of the visit by the accreditation team from the National Commission for Colleges of Education. He assured the management and students of the college of his administration’s preparedness to fast track the ongoing building and road projects in the school. He also assured them that the dilapidated sick bay at the college would be rehabilitated before the visit of the team to the institution within the month. ``College of Education Technical as an institution that nurtures future leaders will continue to be assisted by the state government through the provision of conducive environment to facilitate teaching and learning. ``As governor of Enugu State and visitor to the college, this request is hereby granted. ``In addition, government will consider alleviating the suffering of students as what I saw in the institution is not befitting at all,’’ he said. The governor thanked the students for their support to his administration and promised to continue to uplift the institution. Earlier in her address, the Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Mrs Fidelia Njeze expressed delight at the governor’s visit to the institution, 21 days after the inauguration of the new governing board. She said that the visit was a manifestation of the governor’s commitment to repositioning the college to live up to its objectives. She said that the visit would boost activities in the college through the provision of modern infrastructure and equipment required for conducive learning environment. The chairman informed the governor that the institution was unable to issue certificate to its graduates since inception in 2006 due to non-accreditation for National Certificate on Education (NCE) programmes.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Middle); His wife Martha (right) and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, University of Uyo Governing Council Prof. Kimse A. B. Okoko during the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State... recently
FMBN to launch housing scheme for varsity lecturers Mathew Dadiya Abuja As part of efforts to enhance learning, performance and living standard in universities, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, has disclosed that it has concluded all necessary arrangements to launch a housing scheme for university lecturers in the country by January 2016. Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo, disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Times in Abuja. He said the institution realised that lectures in universities and polytechnics don’t have houses and that has affected their movement and inputs in service delivery and has con-
11 professors for Dutse varsity VC’s job
tributed to fallen standard of education in Nigeria. According to Kumo, the programme is going to be a pilot programme in the six geopolitical zones of the country starting with the federal universities. Before the year runs out, the product would have been properly developed and tested before launch in January 2016, the FMBN boss stated. “We realised that most lecturers in our universities and polytechnics don’t have houses and that has affected their movement and inputs which has to do with service delivery and has also contributed to the fallen standard of education in Nigeria. Students also don’t have adequate houses, so there is a programme we are coming
The Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, said the council had shortlisted 11 professors out of the 24 who applied for the post of ViceChancellor of the institution. Adedoja disclosed this on Sunday in Dutse while speaking with newsmen after inspecting ongoing projects in the university. The News Agency of Nigeria
up with known as housing for Lecturers. We are discussing with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and we are coming up with a pilot programme that is going to be in the six geopolitical zones of the country. ‘’We will start with the Federal universities first because we will have access to their funds to us directly. When that works very well, then we will now replicate it in other universities and other higher institutions of learning and to also see how we can address the issue of hostel accommodations for students. These are some of the programmes that are in the pipeline”, he said. Kumo also revealed that the bank has suspended construction financing due to issues of
(NAN) reports that tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jibrila Amin, will end on February 16, 2016. Adedoja said that the process for shortlisting the applicants was rigorous; adding that at the end of the exercise the best candidate will emerge. He noted that the outgoing pioneer Vice-Chancellor had laid a solid foundation which the next
corruption which was not limited to developers or the housing sector alone. He said: “We discovered instances particularly where developers would take money from us and divert it to a different thing. That made us to suspend the construction finance and concentrate on mortgage finance pending such a time when we come up with new underwriting standard whereby you will not have openings to divert the funding from this place.” Furthermore, Kumo said: “What we do at the moment is that if we are disbursing like N100, apart from the land, the developer will first of all make 15 per cent equity commitment on the project before we disburse our 15 per cent.”
VC would build upon, pointing out that the council was particularly happy with the system and the structures in the new university. The chairman said that the outgoing VC had within a short time moved the university to the permanent site, graduated its first set and also established a Faculty of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Education Times 26
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Girl child education: UNICEF targets 1m from five states The UNICEF has set a target of attracting additional one million girls to school in five northern states under the third phase of its Girl Child Education Project. The Chief Field Office UNICEF Kaduna, Mr. Utpal Moitra, stated this at the flag off of the 2015 Enrolment Drive Campaign in Minna, Niger State recently. “Let me emphasize that the GEP 3 project has a target of atrracting additional 1 million girls to school from the 5 GEP states of Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Bauchi.
“One of the mechanisms of achieving this target is through the yearly enrolment drive campaigns done under the auspices of the ministry of education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB),” he said. Moitra noted that the overall goal was to improve social and economic opportunity for girls in northern Nigeria. “The overall goal of the Girl Education Project is to improve social and economic opportunity for girls by attracting more girls in target states in northern
Nigeria. “It is my belief that with commitment of the state government, all education stakeholders would be more committed to this exercise,” Moitra said. He called on the Niger State Government to invest heavily in girl child education so as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). In his remarks, the state deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, who flagged off the campaign, restated the state government resolve to an improved and all inclusive access to quali-
tative education at all levels. “I wish to re-affirm the commitment of this administration in prioritizing the provision of accessible and quality education. “This administration shall continue to collaborate with international development partners and other key stakeholders towards building one of the most viable educational system in the country by 2020,” he said. NAN reports that the Girl Education Project, being implemented by UNICEF, with DFID support, was introduced in 2005.
Moitra
Suspended Nasarawa varsity VC allocated 2,483 admission slots to self, Assembly told
L-R; Busar, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Lateef Odekunle; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academic), UNILAG, Prof. Babajide Alo; Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Ganiyu Ishola Lawal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Bello, during Inaugural lecture by Prof. Lawal in Lagos... recently
NYSC to assist corps members to secure business loans – DG National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said it would assist corps members to secure soft loans ranging from N500, 000 to N2 million to start their own business. Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi announced this to newsmen during a visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Kwara, recently. He said the scheme had entered into partnership with the Bank of Industries and Heritage Bank. He added that arrangement with Bank of Industries had been finalized while that of Heritage Bank would soon be finalized. The DG said 1,000 corps members would be trained in six locations across the country on skills
acquisition. “Within the training period, corps members would be taken through whatever skills they have already and given better training on how to submit business plans/proposals”, he said. Olawumi said the conditions attached to the loans were very favourable and would attract nine percent interest. According to the DG, the loan would be payable between three to five years with a moratorium of six months to allow the business to develop. “More importantly, corps members don’t need to bring any landed property, it is a special package for them, the only collateral they need to display is their NYSC Certificates which we will
hold on to until they finish payment”, he said. Addressing the corps members, Olawumi charged them to always be patriotic and loyal to the country as they have no other country except Nigeria. “Nigeria is our country, you must guide it jealously; no other country to call our own, Nigeria is going to be great. “You must remain loyal and patriotic, take pride to respect the National Flag and the National Anthem, you must be proud of your country”, he added. Olawumi assured them that their security was very paramount as the scheme would do everything to ensure that they were adequately secured at all times.
The chairman of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Adhoc Committee on Education, Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazy, on Monday, told the lawmakers that the embattled Vice Chancellor of state university, Professor Mainoma Mohammed Akaro, allocated 2,483 admission slots to himself. Hon. Ogazy disclosed this on the floor of the assembly while presenting his committee report on admission irregularities in the university. Recall that the Assembly while setting up the committee to investigate admission saga for 2015/2016 session, had recommended that the Vice Chancellor should step aside pending the outcome of the investigation. According to the report, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akaro, side-lined the Registrar of the university, Dr. Dalhatu Mamman
and other principal officers in the admission process. The report also noted that the Vice Chancellor expelled 17 law students of the institution without following due process. On the process of admission, it was discovered that non-indigenes were offered admissions using indigene certificates of various Local Government Areas of the state. The committee therefore, recommended that desk officers should be appointed to the university from the various Local Government Areas to ascertain the indigeneship status of the candidates from the state seeking admission into the University. Hon. Ogazy assured that the full report would be released to the public ahead of the release of the supplementary admission list.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
27 Education Times
TETFUND should fund private varsities — Prof. Kwanashe The Vice Chancellor of VERITAS University, Bwari Abuja, Professor Michael Kwanashe, recently took questions from Education Correspondents under the aegis of Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN). AUGUSTINE OKEZIE was there. Excerpts: The National Universities Commission (NUC) is insisting that the governing councils of universities should not just be limited to the Catholic priests only but to others. How do you see this and what is your reaction? The governing council of this university is not limited to priests. Let me start on that angle. Eighty percent of the members of my governing council are not priests. So we meet very clearly the requirements of the UNC on that. We have statutes which they approved. We follow those statutes very closely. I am the Vice Chancellor, and this is why I gave you my antecedent earlier on. They represent different constituencies and because it is a university, of course the university is properly represented in the council. If you want to manage university, then you better make sure that there are enough university persons in the council to know how university is supposed to be run. The regulatory body, NUC reposed a lot of confidence in the private universities in quest to revive the University Education in Nigeria. On a general note, can you say that private universities are making the desired impact? My answer again is yes. In principle, if they are faith based, they must make that impact or else they cannot be faith based. The theme is learning and character. We are all know what learning and character has become in Nigeria, we all know. Then we have these people who are saying yes, learning and character, yet we have this crisis
we have in Education system. People are coming out of the system and don’t even know what you are getting out. Yes as a parent, I am happy that my child is graduating and he is coming home with a certificate but two months after that, I am looking at that child and I am saying, hello? If you take one of the reasons why many parents are now bringing their children from abroad, and restricting them from going abroad is because most of these children who went there and came back, what has happened to these children? Parents are beginning to say wait, we are paying so much money to send them there, especially those who had gone to Western countries, Britain, etc. But those who had gone to the East European countries came out with slightly different problem but the ones who have come out with cultural disorientation. For some parents, it’s so bad and is so traumatic for them that they started saying, and proprietors say you know what? Don’t send the child there; I will create the same environment here. I believe the child has no idea that there is nothing the child will get in terms of learning and character over there that he will not get here. If he said the public universities are too big and nobody is looking after the children, now we can create an institution where it is not too big and every child matters, every child counts. So let us build that institution, but unfortunately that institution is very expensive. That is why I mentioned the other challenges. Yes, I can list some of the very
older faith based universities and they have done very well everywhere. Even some of them are not faith based, I don’t want to start picking names of institutions so that it doesn’t look as if I’m saying the rest are not doing well. But look at the records of these universities; I think they have done well. Their products have performed excellently well, academically.
Private varsities are considered to be elitist in their school fees; do you subscribe to that? I don’t agree that fees charged in the private varsities are too elitist, rather the proprietors are primarily concerned on how to ensure that their institutions are self-sustaining, and to meet up with the challenges before us .Take VERITAS University for example; we don’t just teach,
we form the students based on universal principle, and this at a cost. Recently proprietors of private varsities advocated that TETFUND should extend their activities to them; do you support this agitation? Yes, I agree with their agitations because TETFUND’s resources should go round and not just limited to federal universities alone. The child in private university deserves equal attention. I further advice that in other to attract public funding, private universities must open themselves proper auditing and accountability. If TETFUND cannot extend their intervention to private universities, the government should establish a loan scheme for every child that thinks he or she should be trained in a private university.
UN Ambassador advises corps members on skills acquisition
A UN Peace Ambassador, Mr. Olaniyi Sogo, has advised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to develop themselves in some skills to become employers of labour after their service year. Sogo gave the advice on Tuesday in Lagos while speaking at a one-day Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development
programme for 2015/2016 Batch ‘B’ corps members at NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja. He charged them to set for themselves, achievable and useable targets. He said that research had shown that many youths had resorted to acquiring certificates after their first degree out of frustration and desperation.
Sogo, an entrepreneur, said that a lot of youths were confused about what to do after NYSC, because they failed to acquire a skill during the one year service period. ``The period of NYSC is to prepare you outside all that you have learnt in school; it is a time to rediscover your passion, talent and skill.
``Do not dwell on your certificate because in present Nigeria, certificate will not put food on your table but your skills and talents will open doors for you. ``Opportunities come every day, but how prepared are you to maximise it. There are no job securities anywhere, than your skills and the trade you have mastered.
Kwanashe
‘‘If TETFUND cannot extend their intervention to private universities, the government should establish a loan scheme for every child that thinks he or she should be trained in a private university.’’
28
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Inside Campus Æ s UNIBEN inducts Medical Doctors, Dental Surgeons Eddy Uwoghiren The University of Benin (UNIBEN) inducted her newly qualified Medical doctors and Dental surgeons last Wednesday with an advice on them to shun unethical behaviours and be guided by the rules of the medical profession. The induction ceremony which held at the Akin Deko main auditorium saw 90 medical doctors and 14 dental surgeons swearing to the Hippocratic Oath. Vice Chancellor of the univer-
sity, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, commended them for successfully completing their training. While calling on them to show compassion when attending to their patients, he stated that UNIBEN has successfully discharged her duties by training them to the present level. He emphatically told them to be proud considering the fact that they trained in one of the best medical schools in Nigerian and Sub Saharan Africa. He later encouraged them to go into the medical field and perform exploit
like alumni of the university are currently doing. Prof. Moses Mommoh, Dean of the College of Medicine, who commended the new doctors for making their parents proud by finishing the medical training, said they must be guided by the ethics of the profession, else the law will catch up with them. He further charged them to seek ways of improving the health sector rather than compounding the loads of issues currently bedevilling the sector. Mommoh used the occasion to
Cross section of the new doctors
Journey ahead of Prof. Sani Abudulkadir as Kogi varsity VC L-R: Representative of Minister of Environment/ Federal Controller, Federal Minstry of Environment, Lagos, Mrs. Agbenla Oluwatoyin; Dean, College of Environmental Resources, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Olabintan Adeofun; Retired AIG of Police/ representative of Senator Boroffice Ajayi, Chief Ade Ajakaiye; Chief Launcher/Chairman/CEO, Adran Homes Limited, Barrister Emmanuel King; Royal Father of the day/The Olubaka of Oka Land, HRH Oba (Dr.) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye; Author, Mr. Benard Omoyeni and his wife, Mrs. Uzoma Omoyeni, during the official Launch of the book titled: ‘Principles and Application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Lagos…recently. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Mohammed Yaba Kogi Public Administration seems to be the toughest job in the country. To effectively run a large organisation, an administrator needs to combine sagacity and diplomacy to survive the intricacy of public office. These attributes, perhaps, came handy to Professor Hassan Isah, the immediate past Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyigba. Isah left with a record as the institution’s longest serving VC. He spent seven years in office.
Prof. Isah saw the good, the bad and the ugly. He was, sometimes, frightened by the enormity of challenges of the university and fought several battles to stay afloat. He won some; he lost some. Professor Muhammad Sani Abdulkadir has succeeded him. Beyond the euphoria of his appointment and congratulatory messages, the new helmsman must know that he has a herculean task of sustaining the successes of his predecessor and bringing out new ideas on how to solve the multi-faceted challenges facing the school. The Isah-led management
was faced with several challenges- both academic and nonacademic. But, he mapped out strategy to tackle the challenges head-on. The notable achievements recorded by his administration include provision of key facilities, which led to the full accreditation of many academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC). This led to an increase in students’ enrolment, which in turn boosted the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of the institution. Prof. Isah-led management also introduced electronic examination by upgrading the
computer centre. Despite the feats, some berated the former VC on his handling of internal strikes by the lecturers. The local chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was at loggerheads with the government over the non-remittance of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), which amounted to over N1 billion. Some lecturers accused the former VC of frustrating the ASUU’s efforts to have audience with Governor Idris Wada on the matter, which remains unresolved. However, expectations are high on how the new VC would resolve this knotty issue.
Involve more Medical Social Workers in hospitals, AMSWON urges FG, states, LGAs Musliudeen Adebayo Ibadan The involvement of Medical Social Workers in the management of tertiary, secondary and primary health centers across the country has been described as an antidote to the array of psychosocial problems confronting many Nigerians. The employment and engagement of the experts in the area who will help the affected patients and those who would need professional advice according to the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria, (AMSWON) will help to reduce the rising cases of psycho-social problems; divorce, poverty, malnutrition, juvenile delinquency, rape, examination malpractices, cultism, violence and prostitution among others. AMSWON National President, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan Bichi, who made this call in his acceptance speech shortly after he emerged as the National President of the association at its Annual General Meeting at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi recently, declared that most of these problems does not require medication but professional advice of trained and certified Medical Social Workers.
Features Æ s Spirited efforts to solve Nigeria’s power problem may be found in the solar energy sector. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s recent talk with British firms is pointing to that direction. Our features desk reviews the journey into adequate power supply with agency reports. Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on October 22nd informed the Nigeria High Commission in London that the country has a little more than 4,000 megawatts of electricity now, “but we are hoping we can get up to 5,000 megawatts by the first quarter of next year.” The VP was explaining the focus of the Federal Government’s policy on solar power to the staff of the Nigeria High Commission. “All the same, 5,000 megawatts of power for Nigeria is completely ridiculous but we cannot move faster than we are moving; so, we have to go off the grid and look for other ways to generate and supply electricity,’’ said the VicePresident, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. He made the declaration after signing an agreement with the UK government for the commencement of a massive solar power development programme in Nigeria. On that day, UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) launched the Energy Africa Campaign and Nigeria signed an off-grid solar power agreement with Britain on the use of solar power to light up millions of homes in the country. A report by Donald Ugwu of the News Agency of Nigeria stated that Osinbajo signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Mr Grant Shapps, the Minister of State for International Development, signed on behalf of the British government. At the event, Osinbajo underscored Nigeria’s commitment to regional and national efforts to improve the citizens’ accessibility to electricity via enhanced use of other energy sources, particularly solar power. The vice-president, who noted that the Energy Africa Campaign was a great opportunity to expand the access of Africans to electricity, pledged the Federal Government’s commitment towards boosting the supply and consumption of solar power in Nigeria. “This aspiration would have been virtually impossible 20 years ago because of the high cost
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
29
Expanding Nigerians’ access to electricity via solar power
Powering tomorrow vide solar energy.
The sustained use of kerosene has created a lot of safety and environmental challenges for the people, so a default energy source should be solar. The option was not available for so long but now it is cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly. Also, the Energy Africa Campaign would provoke investments in solar power projects, just like what obtained in the telecommunications sector. — Osinbajo
Buhari
of solar power at that time but with the recent innovations in solar technology, the low cost of solar power has now made this all the more possible. “This is an incredible opportunity in Africa, especially for Nigeria with over 96 million citizens who do not have access to power,’’ he added. Emphasising that the sus-
tained use of kerosene had created a lot of safety and environmental challenges for the people, Osinbajo said a default energy source should be solar; the option was not available for so long but now it is cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly.’’ The Vice President believed that the Energy Africa Campaign would provoke investments in so-
lar power projects, just like what obtained in the telecommunications sector. “However, the challenges are probably as clear as the prospects, but thankfully enough, they are surmountable,’’ he said. It was gathered that Nigeria’s partnership with DFID in the solar power project had been successful with the utilisation of solar power systems in several schools, hospitals and primary healthcare centres, particularly
in Lagos State. One of the companies working on the solar power project in Lagos State, Adam Smith International, described the project as ‘very successful.’ “Our company intends to connect 2.8 million residents, 500,000 households and 183 schools and clinics in Lagos State to electricity supply via the solar project,’’ said Mr Kristofer Gravning, its Manager, Infrastructure DevelopCONTINUED ON PAGE 30
Features 30
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Solar panels on the roof top
This is an incredible opportunity to over 96 million people in Africa - VP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
ment and Climate Change. Mrs. Uju Hassan-Baba, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), who witnessed the agreement’s signing, underscored the need for Nigeria to look for alternative sources of power. She commenting on Nigeria’s solar power development agreement with Britain, “Definitely, Nigeria is squarely on board in this campaign to light up Africa and the NIPC will definitely facilitate investments coming into Nigeria by ensuring the review of regulations and incentives to support the Africa Energy Campaign,’’ she said. Also speaking, Gov. Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State, said that the application of solar power technology in Nigeria would expand the citizens’ access to electricity, particularly in the rural areas. His words: “This is a great opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog from where we are now to the latest, state-of-the-art solar power technology. ``Many people think that the only way to get electricity to everyone is by building huge power stations with transmission lines and distribution infrastructure. ``However, in the last three to four years there has been a remarkable advancement in solar power technology and this has
made it possible for us to execute our plans to democratise electricity.’’ ``I think it is a great step and it reminds me of how we leapfrogged from having half a million land lines to 150 million mobile phones. ``There is an opportunity here to leapfrog from having centralised power stations and transmission lines to a situation where 60 million Nigerians can generate electricity through solar power in their own homes and pay for it on a pay-as-you-go basis. ``If we are able to follow the project through, we will be able to take electricity to the poorest and remotest parts of Nigeria without having to make huge investments, just like the resources we sank into NEPA and PHCN without achieving the desired results.’’ El-Rufai emphasised that the gains of the solar power projects would be seen almost immediately, adding: ``In Kaduna, we are already financing the use of solar power in 40 primary health care centres.’’ Osinbajo had attended a solar power trade fair organised by DFID at Trafalgar Square in London, where he reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to initiate a solar power revolution in Nigeria within the next one year. “Nigeria will no longer watch as millions of its citizens con-
tinue to lack access to electricity. This is the time to jump in and use solar power to solve the problem; we are all set to do that,’’ Osinbajo said. For Shapps, the British minister, the Africa Energy Campaign would bring justice to more than 600 million people in Africa with no access to electricity. “Many Africans do not have light in their homes, their children are unable to do their homework, while others die of household pollution arising from the use of kerosene and charcoal,’’ he said. At the Nigerian High Commission, Osinbajo was asked certain questions on why Nigeria could not use its vast coal reserves to generate electricity. Responding to such questions, Osinbajo said we know that coal is available in some states like Kogi and Enugu but the main issue is that solar power, which entails the conversion of sunlight into electricity, is available everywhere. “You don’t need to transport it; you don’t need to put it in a grid. It is much cheaper to buy some of the solar power equipment with about 200 dollars, which is about N50,000, and use it to provide electricity. “The cost of using the grid is quite expensive and of course, very time-consuming. Consider the time you need to fix all the
Osinbajo
transmission lines and all of that; and we have 96 million Nigerians who have no access to electricity. “If we want to deliver electricity quickly to that number of Nigerians at a relatively cheaper cost, we must take the solar route.” The Vice President recognised that that all of our solutions must be a mix, pointing out that if Nigeria should rely on grid power alone, it can take us forever and it is going to be too expensive. He continued: “Other countries of the world, which do not have as much sunshine as we have, still use solar power to their advantage. I think we should also use it and when we start manufacturing our own solar panels and be creative about it, the prices will even drop.’’ Concerned observers however declare that the energy challenges facing Africa have reached an alarming proportion; compelling experts to insist that the prompt
adoption of solar power is the only way out the crisis. For instance, Shapps argued that “Africa may not be able to achieve universal energy access until 2080 - 200 years after Thomas Edison invented electricity. “We are, therefore, signing up for the Africa Energy Campaign so that everyone should have access to energy by 2040. “For businesses to thrive in Africa, we need a whole range of energy sources. A few individuals can access Africa’s rich energy wealth but the sun is abundant in that region,’’ Shapps added. The minister acknowledged the initial skepticism of the people concerning the adoption of solar energy, saying that the cynicism was borne out common complaints such as ‘the solar cells are too expensive’, while the appliances require too much power. “Nowadays, that situation has changed,’’ Shapps concluded.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
31 Opinion
Elders Behaving Badly
ÏÏÏWhat
a month October 2015 was! Kicking it off was the release of the ministerial list to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, as we were ringing off September. And then we saw the Senate President in the dock for alleged false asset declaration. In a show of solidarity, almost all the senators accompanied the Senate President the day his case came up before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. So the Senate didn’t sit. It was in October 2015 that Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka (known to us all as Wole Soyinka), Nobel laureate, presented his latest opus, ‘Interventions: Between Defective Memory and the Public Lie - A Personal Odyssey in the Republic of Liars’. Of all the events or activities that marked October 2015, these ones discussed here-below will certainly trend till ‘thy kingdom come’. A 41 year-old private sector man, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was selected as the 51st Ooni of Ile-Ife, cradle of the Yoruba. In the same month, Afenifere, the pan Yoruba group run by Yoruba elders, threatened secession from Nigeria. In the month of October 2015, E.
K. Clark, the most vocal of the ‘Re-elect Jonathan ... or else’ campaign, had ‘a most stunning conversion on the way to political Damascus’ and chose to dissociate himself from his godson, former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Chris Omeben was Deputy Inspector General of Police 29 years ago when the charismatic journalist, Dele Giwa, was murdered - 19 October to be precise - by a parcel bomb. He is now an Archbishop at Jesus Families Ministries, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Omeben celebrated his 80th birthday and granted an interview to the News Agency of Nigeria. He was quoted to have enumerated the stumbling blocks he met while conducting the investigation into Dele Giwa’s murder and expressed regrets at his inability to bring the case to a conclusion. Days later, Ray Ekpu, an associate of late Dele Giwa and Abubakar Tsav who was the Officer in Charge of General Investigations at the Force CID Lagos the year Dele Giwa was murdered, came out to say that Omeben never conducted the investigation into Dele Giwa’s murder. Tsav even suggested that if Omeben
Saraki
insisted he (Omeben) carried out the investigation, the press should invite both of them ‘to thrash (out) the matter so that the world will know who is telling the truth’. Would it be that Dele Giwa’s ghost has come back to haunt all those (still alive) involved in forcing his sun to set at noon? Also in the month of October 2015, Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State, warned of ‘looming danger’ ahead for the Nigerian youth. He therefore called on ‘leaders, parents and guardians’ to play their roles judiciously. What’s it with the age
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of 80 years? Seems to be the age when our elders choose selective memory. They therefore twist and bend history to suit their purposes (vainglorious and otherwise). A contributor to a live radio programme said, our ‘Elders have failed and keep failing the youth’. Which of the elders quoted above can the youth choose as their role model? Would it be the one who disowned his ‘son’ less than six months after the latter lost an election or the one that’s distorting the facts of history right before our eyes? Any sensible youth would keep his/her dis-
tance from these elders behaving badly. Though one of the drawbacks of old age is forgetfulness, words uttered by these senior citizens would go down in history as infamous because of the despicable behaviour of those who spoke them. Ebenezer Obey titled one of his early songs ‘A nki awn agba’ - we render homage to the elders. But which elders would one pay homage to now that we have elders behaving badly? I have a confession to make. I keep quiet when we get to that line in the National Anthem - ‘The labour of our heroes past ...’ What a better nation Nigeria would’ve been if the founding fathers of Independence had bequeathed a water-tight Constitution to future generations. The Constitution left by our ‘heroes past’ was cast on paper. Democracy handed to us is so wanky! It therefore became like a house built on sand with no solid foundation. Since then it has been trials and errors in all our endeavours. We still find flaws in the political class and ways, some of which could have been managed and fine-tuned in the early years of independence. But elders of yesterday were more interested in acquiring fame and wealth instead of leaving a worth legacy. One of those elders still with us says he ‘should be able to advise the younger ones on the interest of Nigeria’. Why has it taken this elder 55 years to know that he could mentor the younger ones? I agree with Wole Soyinka. We’re living in a
‘Republic of Liars’. Dogara and his 96 Committees October was the month that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, created his 96 committees. Is Dogara a Johnny-Just-Come at the National Assembly? Buhari can’t pay his 36 ministers, so how would Dogara remunerate members of his 96 committees? Where’s the money coming from? Wake up civil societies. In October 2015, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, declared he wouldn’t ‘tolerate any officer ... growing obese’. He believed obesity ‘would be counter-productive for the service’. You’re right sir. Obesity shows lack of discipline in the army and we need a disciplined army. We hope our cops are listening to you because some of them can’t even lace up their shoes. Too much pepper soup! PMB’s Yabis Baba if you’re listening, know that Nigerians are very unhappy with you. We can’t understand why you see nothing positive to say about us whenever you go abroad. You did it in the US, France and India in the month of October. We don’t like it. Please don’t make this a habit. If you’re mad at us tell us, don’t wait till you travel out of our shores and then ‘diss’ us. We wish you well and we want you to succeed. So prophesy into Nigeria. You need our prayers - and we’ve been giving you that since your ascension into Aso Rock - we too need yours. Ubuntu!
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WEdnESdaY, noVEmBER 11, 2015
VOL. 1. NO.228
Burgess
Price: n150
Russia
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not alone in doping, says Warner
quit rugby union, joins rugby league over criticism
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erman football great Franz Beckenbauer is behind an agreement drawn up with disgraced former FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner before the World Cup vote in 2000 won by Germany, according to a media report on Tuesday. The document was ‘possibly a bribery attempt’ and signed by Beckenbauer as head of Germany’s 2006 World Cup bid committee and later president of the World Cup organising committee. Bild columnist Alfred Draxler wrote ‘my long-standing friend Franz Beckenbauer’ signed the draft document, which was initialed by Beckenbauer confidante Fedor Radmann, later a vice president of the organising committee. It was not clear whether the deal ever came about. Beckenbauer’s management did not wish to make an immediate comment on the report. In its print edition on Tuesday, Bild said information about the document led to the resignation on Monday of German football federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach, who was reportedly unaware of its existence. They cited another daily which first reported on the draft agreement with Warner, without mentioning Beckenbauer as its signatory. According to the report, the proposed deal with Warner was dated four days before the FIFA executive voted on July 6, 2000 on the 2006 World Cup hosts. Germany edged South Africa by 12-11 in the vote. Warner, former president of the Central American and Caribbean confederation CONCACAF and a former FIFA vice president, has been banned for life by football’s world governing body. He is one of 14 people indicted in the U.S., on racketeering and corruption charges. In German media reaction to Niersbach’s resignation, another media report said in a commentary that it `is only the first step’ and that legal action should follow. A number of questions remained including the role Beckenbauer and other members of the organising committee played in the affair. “The decisive question is: where did the money go which the Germans say was to finance a World Cup opening gala which never took place?’’ it wrote. Another German magazine, which first
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Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer reported that the German federation could have had a slush fund to buy World Cup votes, said Niersbach’s resignation presented the DFB with a `difficult task’ in finding a long-term successor. Former Germany international and current national team general manager Oliver Bierhoff is a possible candidate, it
linked with ‘possible br iber y attempt’ said. The two current interim presidents, German Football League (DFL) president Rainhard Rauball and Rainer Koch, as well as federation treasurer Reinhard Grindel are also possible candidates, it reported. The DFB had said on Monday that it was no longer considering taking legal action
against Spiegel over its reports. It meanwhile urged Beckenbauer to give more details on his knowledge of payments made while he was in charge of the 2006 World Cup organising committee. Interim co-president Koch told the German media on Monday that it was `high time’ Beckenbauer made a statement.
Life&
TIMES Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Koker:
Beyond Creative art
L2
P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
I am not a Fuji Artiste
Life &
T E A M
– Koker
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye
He has been in the game for a while but the industry light beamed on him when he got signed up with Nigeria’s leading entertainment outfit, Chocolate City. Olayiwola Kokumo, better known as Koker, is one young lad that has taken the industry on a roller coaster with the release of his club banger, Do Something. Koker’s dexterity can be seen on MI Abaga’s chairman album. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Mr. Koker, a creative arts graduate of the prestigious University of Lagos revealed his journey to Chocolate City, music and other issues.
First of all, how did the signing to Chocolate City happen? I always say this, before we put anything on legal papers and documents, I always love being part of the family. It was a gradual process, but my first official contact was when I did ‘Eleto’ with Pryse when I took the chorus. After that we made a video for it and it did pretty well. After that we started going for shows together. I had a single I asked our head our graphics guy, Tunde, to help me make an art for. The next morning, Tunde told me he listened to it all night and he loved it, he also played it for his close friends at the label and it got to the right ears, and they called me to say they are interested. The song Do something how did you come about it? Very simple, people ask me this question and I always laugh when I tell them the story, I don’t believe it happened by mere chance or by manpower; I believe that God inspires us to write these things. Then, how it came about was, my cousin came to see me at home and I was going to drop him off to get a taxi then he was like; ‘Ahan, how far? Won’t you do something? ‘And I realized I could do something with it. And I went to a producer and that was how Do something so that’s how do something came about. Often time you have been tagged a Fuji Musician, are you truly one? Firstly I will say am not a Fuji artist, if you listen to the song well you will see it has a mixture of juju, highlife and Fuji that’s the new song am trying to introduce. At the end you will even listen to a bit of R and B today go be my lucky day. You can’t hear that in juju music. I will call it a contemporary sound mixture of everything. To be honest it was big
Photography Quadri Olowolagba
Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel
risks for me to drop Do something because at the time of recording it, there was no target market for it and here we are with everybody falling love with it. You recently revealed that you will be trying hands on fashion with target to the Danshiki clothing pattern, are there still plans for it? Of course, the business is in the pipeline and underground work going on, with the fashion line, I want to create an imaginary impression in the mind of people when they see my outfits with the brand name KK which means Koker. When would you say music started for you? I recorded my first song while I was in secondary school – JSS3. The feedback was very encouraging, it made me want to work more. I have been doing music ever since, writing music and putting in work. After Secondary School my mum asked me what I wanted to do, I told her music. She decided to get a producer that would teach and groom me. Trust me, on that same day; we went to the studio to begin learning and later that day my name came out on the admission list for the University of LAGOS. I just had to put music on hold and focus on school In the entertainment industry we have several artists that toll the same line of genre of music that you are doing how will you make yours different from others? Firstly I think everybody has his own unique selling point and I think everybody is doing his or her best to get out there. What I am trying to do with my brand is from my look, what I wear and for my sound. Am trying to be unique with that and I think it’s a gradual process with time am going to grow. Any future collaboration plans with top Fuji artiste in Nigeria? Yes, for my sound I will like to work with Pasuma What’s your unique selling point? Like I said earlier, I believe my sound and my image those are my selling point.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
L3Global fashion and beauty news
Mutiat Alli
H&W beauty out with new collections
Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Orlandi and Ghanaian/French football star Marcel DeSailly have been named the brand ambassadors of ‘Scent of Africa’, an African luxury fragrance by Ghandour Cosmetics. Oluchi will represent the ‘Scent of Africa’ woman while Marcel will represent ‘Scent of Africa’ man. They will both be featured in the ‘Scent of Africa’ ad campaigns, and host an exclusive product launch event on14th November in Accra, Ghana.
Oluchi & Marcel
Oluchi Orlandi & Marcel Desailly unveiled as ‘Scent of Africa’ Ambassadors Rihanna Puma Collection breaks record
Nike Art Gallery for exhibition Owner, Nike Art Gallery and foremost Nigerian adire maker, Nike Okundaye and former Ondo State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Tola Wewe are set to host an exhibition this November. The duo will present a collection of their new paintings titled Stitches of Partnership from November 4 through to November 17 at the Nike Art Gallery. The exhibition which has been described as a way to round off the year while offering collectors the opportunity to collect their works will see each of them feature 20 paintings. The works, which will be juried,
will mirror individual artist’s studio traits to daily happenings in the society, ranging from culture to environment and other social issues. The exhibition which is being held due to popular demand will have an opening event featuring dance performances, Nigerian cultural food and wearable arts. According to the gallery, “the exhibition will feature paintings that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland and Nigeria. Works are drawn from the archives of the two artists and they are paintings that will thrill any art lover”.
Rihanna’s first ever collaboration with PUMA has sold out in a record breaking three hours! The Creepers (as the footwear is called) collaboration with the athletic/casual wear brand is turning out to be a success as the pieces for the initial launch sold out in just three hours according to Footwear News after the release of the ad campaign featuring Riri and her rumored boo, Travis Scott. The pop star was announced as women’s creative director and face of the women’s training collection late last year where she was invited on board to develop existing clothing and shoe styles as well as help come up with new designs for the brand. The singer unveiled an update of PUMA’s classic black and white suede. The creepers are set at a retail price of $120… Would you own it?
Annie Idibia stun in new photo shoot
Top fashion and now beauty retailer who collaborated with Balmain for a collection recently rolled out over 700-piece beauty range featuring a beauty category with eighty- three eye shadows in different palettes, lip stains makeup bags and more. The beauty campaign for ‘Conscious’ collection featured Russian top model Sasha Pivovarova. The collection also features foundations in powder and liquid assortment, pressed powder, concealer, and highlighter with hair care range boasting of a full hair range, beauty tools and more. Sasha Pivovarova wore different makeup looks using products from the ‘Conscious’ collection as she chose natural looks and bold looks with smudged eye shadows in some of the images.
Whoops!!! Kanye West spends $500 on haircut daily
Pivovarova
International musical act, Kanye West is a successful musician and also very rich as he can afford to look as expensive as he wants and that includes paying his barber $500 every single day for a fresh look.
Kanye hair
Fashion & Style L4
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Abstract symmetrical obsession Olabimpe Oyetubo & Zaheenab Abdullahi
Black and white is known to be constant staples in the fashion world and is sometimes hardly noticeable as trends. But when you put them together into bold, graphic, geometric patterns, they end up becoming eye catching. Tips on pulling off this trend 1. The key to wearing the graphic black and white trend is to be bold. 2. Your body shape is of utmost importance when considering this trend. Look for eye-tricking patterns to slim certain areas and draw attention to others. 3. Be a master of the trend by mixing and matching contrasting patterns. 4. Add eye catching accessories for a well put together look. 5. Play with print sizes. 6. Add a pop of color, think of a bright pair of pumps or an eye catching bag.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
L5 Fashion & Style
Fashion & Style L6
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Combating that razor bumps Esther Ogunyemi There is nothing quite as frustrating as cleaning up with a close shave, only to suffer from razor bumps. But, if you suffer from razor bumps and ingrown hair, there are ways to combat this unsightly and uncomfortable condition. Razor bumps occur when the skin gets irritated or when it starts itching after you have shaved. Finding a solution to this condition is always a difficult task. Nevertheless, there are several ways to combat these tiny ugly monsters. By adhering to the following rules, one could minimise the effects of razor and shaving-related skin irritation.
V
Best shaving tips: Omobolaji Afolabi Opera pumps or court shoes are the elaborate formal footwear for men.They are usually made very low, in keeping with the historical shape, to better display the feet.Some pairs also have a decorative quilted lining, while most are leather-line. The upper leather in opera pumps is usually laced with the whole cut method, so it only has one seam behind the heel, and this seamlessness makes the shoe type seem ever daintier and cleaner. Opera pumps are the most difficult form in occasional dressing because they are not made by too many factories, the fit must be exact, and the shoe cannot be appropriated to everyday wear. They are polished to perfection and befitting of the most elegant black-tie affairs.
Men’s Affair
Trendy opera pump for men
Ò Rinse your blade with hot water before you begin to shave. Ò Use quality shaving cream. The best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather and do not foam up. The less foaming in the shave cream the better, as it is what is in contact with the skin and beard that matters. Ò Scrub your face with a facial scrub lotion. This will help remove dead skin, bring out ingrown hair and reduce razor burn rashes. Ò According to a school of thought, the best time to shave is after you must have taken a shower or after washing your face in warm water. So one of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut Ò Use new razor blades always. Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. Be sure the blade is sharp.
You’re not just cutting off hair, you are also removing two layers of surface skin when you shave. A dull blade is more traumatic to the skin, making your face feel scratchy and look blotchy. A dull razor is one of the contributing factors to razor burn and shaving rash. Ò If you are using an electric clipper, be sure to clean and sterilize the blades regularly. Ò Brush off hair on the blade after each stroke. Ò After you must have completed shaving, wash your face and head in cold water with antiseptic soap. Ò Lastly, finish off with an after-shave lotion or balm. Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin. There is no other regular activity that does this, which is why it is so important to use a good quality moisturiser after shaving. An after-shave lotion, designed as an after shave balm and moisturiser in one, is the ideal way to replace lost moisture and soothe the skin. Be sure to use one made just for guys.
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Easy tips in wearing
L7 Fashion & Style
a red pout Zaheenab Abdullahi
Red lipstick is classic, elegant and versatile. And everyone can wear it. But if you have been having difficulty trying to pull off a red pout, fear no more with these guides.
Ò Consider the lighting: If you’re going to be outdoors, pick a softer shade. For evening, go bolder, so your features stand out. Ò Avoid deep reds if you have thin lips. They tend to make lips look smaller. Ò Experiment with intense shades if you have strong coloring. Ò Don’t play up your eyes. Pair red lipstick with the lightest possible eye makeup. Ò Don’t top a red lipstick in a shade that doesn’t work, instead top it with a gold gloss to warm and
soften it, or add a pink gloss to take it to the bluer side. Ò Be precise. That means whether you’re using a brush or applying lipstick straight from the tube. Ò Red lipstick should never be applied casually in the back of a taxi. Ò Don’t use red lip liner if it doesn’t match your lipstick perfectly and chances are that it won’t and you’ll end up with a two-tone effect. If you like using liner, find a shade that’s close to your natural lip color and use it to outline your lips. Ò Prevent bleeding by applying a little concealer around the border of your mouth. Ò Avoid getting lipstick on your teeth. After applying, put your finger in your mouth, purse your lips around it, then slowly pull it out to remove excess color.
Red lipstick
Spark up your look with face primer Ann Izedunor Face primers are most commonly used to help prepare your skin for foundation application by smoothing out the texture of your skin. It helps you apply foundation easily and smoothly as well as help eye shadows, blush, and lipstick lasts longer. So many people make wrong use of this wonderful face makeup. They apply it wrongly and it ends up messing up their makeup. Face primer works to even your skin’s texture and give you a smooth base over which to apply your foundation. It also helps your foundation stay on longer. It should be applied only where you need it - where you have any small lines or open pores. When using a face primer, always remember to take little quantity. When you apply the amount you weren’t supposed to apply, your face becomes too oily and it will ruin your foundation and your powder and as well as your makeup! A make-up primer is used as a base layer before you put on your make-up. Primers can help by reducing the look of large pores, filling in fine lines, and preventing foundation from looking cakey.
They also help with evening out the skin tone and making your makeup last much longer throughout the day! Just in case you are having trouble applying your face primer, this little tip can really be of help: How to use face primer: Use them after you apply your moisturizer, allowing at least five minutes for the moisturizer to settle into the skin. Using a pea size amount of the primer and apply gently to the skin, paying attention to the under eye area. This will allow any under eye concealer to glide on smoothly. Then apply your concealer, foundation, or face powder as you normally would. Some people might be wondering why face primer is so important. It’s simple, face primer is unique on the face, it boasts up the beauty of your makeup. Importance of face using a primer: Makeup stays on longer: The main reason for using a face primer is because it helps your makeup stay on longer. Face primers help decrease sweating through the pores, which makes your makeup stay in place longer. They also act as a natural shield for dust water and
debris that might make your makeup wears off. Easy to apply: Another reason to use a face primer is, they are incredibly easy to apply. They go on almost exactly like lotion on your face, but they are much lighter and not greasy at all. They go on as liquid, and then quickly dry after that. Don’t worry; it’s nothing like glue on your face, or anything like that. Instead, it will make you feel comfortable. Light: Face primer creates a nice, soft finish to the skin that’s almost like a velvety, super soft lotion. And it is light on the skin.
Television L8
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Showing on
Showing on
125 FOX Channel
107 M-Net Movie Romance
02:10
02:15
Wed, 11 Nov | 13SL
Wed, 11 Nov | 16SNL
‘S3/E4 - Full Moon Fever’. Bobby falls for Travis’ photography professor, but Travis refuses to introduce them. Laurie falls for a guy she’s never met when she begins a romance via Twitter.
In this introspective film, a young man has everything one could possibly want, but still isn’t happy. When he meets a woman from his past, he wonders if she is the missing piece. Rachael Taylor, Josh Lawson. (2012) Rob Sitch.
101 M-Net West
118 Telemundo
120 BBC Entertainment
128 SONY MAX
00:00 New Worlds 01:00 Time Of Death 02:05 Hours 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Goldbergs 06:30 Mysteries Of Laura 07:30 Grey’s Anatomy 08:30 Stranded In Paradise 10:30 Mike & Molly 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 NCIS: Los Angeles 14:00 Elementary 15:00 Chicago Fire 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Middle 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 Modern Family 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Blacklist 20:30 CSI: Cyber 21:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 22:30 Gotham 23:00 Twelve Monkeys
00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 QI 23:35 Top Gear
00:20 Most Shocking 01:10 Kenny vs Spenny 11:00 My Family
01:40 Freakshow
00:25 The Weakest Link
11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA
02:10 Poorman’s Bikini Beach
01:15 Silent Witness
12:20 Top Gear
02:40 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal
02:10 Total Wipeout UK
13:15 Come Dine With Me
03:10 Hip Hop Squares
03:05 EastEnders
14:15 Hell’s Kitchen USA
03:40 Most Shocking
03:35 QI
15:05 The Weakest Link
04:30 South Beach Tow
04:05 Top Gear
16:00 EastEnders
05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak
05:00 Spy
16:30 Deal Or No Deal
05:30 Exposed
05:25 QI
17:10 The Cube
05:55 Exposed
06:00 The Thin Blue Line
18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
06:20 Video Zonkers
06:30 EastEnders
19:00 Dragons’ Den
06:45 Repo Games
07:00 Antiques Roadshow
20:05 Top Gear
07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos
07:55 The Weakest Link
21:05 Hell’s Kitchen USA
08:45 The Cube 09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
22:10 Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow
08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol
10:20 Deal Or No Deal
23:45 So You Think You’d Survive?
155 AfricaMagic World
154 Africa Magic Family
00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:30 Family Ties 02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Evanescent 08:35 Living With Trisha 09:25 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa
11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 14:30 Jara 15:00 Family Ties 15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Airtel Touching Lives 20:35 Evanescent 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 23:35 53 Extra
00:05 Noose Of Gold 00:35 Good Morning Africa 01:40 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Johnbull And Rosekate 08:35 Prem
09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara 12:30 Jara 13:00 Series TBA 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:30 So Wrong So Wright 20:00 Market Sellers 22:25 Series TBA 23:30 The Tracker
09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking 10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne 20:30 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Freakshow 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny 22:30 Tool Academy 23:20 The Real
Benzema
takes legal action against French g X6 radio
Balotelli to see specialist
over groin problem g X6
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Yahaya-Kwande extols Amuneke, Eaglets
g X3
MESSI
‘on course for Clasico’ g X6
Elite Basketball Classic dunks off in Abuja g X3
Euro 2016:
Montolivo hopeful on Pirlo’s place
g X6
MFM FC salute Enaholo, George over NPFL win g X3
Sampdoria sack Zenga
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
EXTRATIME
EaglEs’
Nigerian Sports Editors task NFF, NSC on Eaglets’ triumph
N
camp bubblEs ahEad of swaziland clash ANDREW EKEJIUBA SPORT EDITOR
S
uper Eagles camp is agog as preparations were intensified ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland in Lobamba on Friday. As at Tuesday afternoon, Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, was expecting only three players in the Eagles camp. In camp are captain Ahmed Musa; goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu; defenders Efe Ambrose, Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Jamiu Alimi, Kalu Orji, Godfrey Oboabona, Wilfred Ndidi and Elderson Echiejile; midfielders Paul Onobi, John Mikel Obi, Sylvester Igbonu and Rabiu Ibrahim and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ezekiel Bassey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
Portugal–based defender Abdullahi Shehu, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and US–based attacking kingpin Obafemi Martins were being expected on Tuesday night. The strike embarked upon by workers of Lufthansa Airlines delayed the arrival of most of the players, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had to quickly rebook the players on British Airways. Officials of the National Football Association of Swaziland confirmed to the NFF on Tuesday that landing permit for the chartered flight, which will fly the Nigeria delegation to Swaziland, has been secured. The ARIK Air Boeing 737800 aircraft is expected to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 7am on Thursday, and will land at the Matsapha International Airport by 2pm same day. Super Eagles’ players
and officials will stay at The Sun Hotels, while the official training at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba, has been set for 7pm on Thursday. The match between the Super Eagles and the Sihlangu Somnikati will kick off at 7pm on Friday, November 13, with Germain Koole of Benin Republic as the centre referee. He will be assisted by compatriots Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will be the referee assessor with Zambian Joseph Nkole as match commissioner. The Nigeria delegation will depart Swaziland immediately after the match and fly direct to Port Harcourt. Both teams will clash in Port Harcourt on Tuesday,
Returnee Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, expected to lead Nigeria’s attack against Swaziland in Lobamba on Friday.
igerian Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of the managers of sports of the country’s media outfits, has congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) over Golden Eaglets’ victory at the just-concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Guild, which described the victory as a ‘testament of the enormous talents available in the country, as well as the tenacity of the Nigerian spirit,’ urged both bodies to see the triumph as the beginning of the revival of the nation’s football. According to the statement signed by the Guild’s President, Mr. Tony Ubani, “the Golden Eaglets’ success will become meaningless if those saddled with the responsibility of growing Nigerian sports did not leverage on the talents that won the cup in Chile to build a strong senior national team. “We have seen instances where previous triumphs were mismanaged such that the senior national team did not benefit from the talent pool thrown up by the U-17 World Cup. “We are of no doubt that the current leadership of the NFF and the NSC would build on this success and others of the recent past to give Nigerians the national team of their dream. The recent developments in the NFF and the NSC point to a new direction for the nation’s football and we pledge our willingness to help in actualizing the Nigerian dream.” The Guild also urged the NFF and the NSC to ensure the members of the team were not lured by unscrupulous agents into signing bad contracts with clubs in obscure leagues, adding that “the career moves they make now would determine their football future and their usefulness to the country.”
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
EXTRATIME
X3
Yahaya-Kwande extols Amuneke, Eaglets C
hairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande has heaped encomiums on Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and the triumphant Golden Eaglets following their success story at Chile 2015. The ranking member of the House of Representatives, who is also serving a second term as member of the NFF Executive
Committee, on Tuesday supported the position of NFF President Amaju Pinnick that Amuneke has earned his respect and should continue in the post. “Coach Amuneke has proved that you don’t need to be a noisemaker to achieve. He was perhaps one of the most under–rated National Team coaches until Chile 2015. “I fully align with the position of the NFF President that Amuneke should continue in the post. He has
done a marvelous job to bring honour to this country, and did his work quietly without throwing tantrums,” he said. Yahaya-Kwande also praised the players and other members of the technical/backroom staff, saying they all deserve more than a pat on the back. Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets and their officials are expected to arrive in Abuja today aboard an Emirates Airline flight from Dubai.
Elite Basketball Classic dunks off in Abuja T he Nigeria Basketball Federatin (NBBF) in collaboration with Alpha Plus Mega Concepts has concluded arrangements to hold an elite basketball championship for schools around the FCT between November 14 and 23 in two phases. The competition which will hold among 15 elite schools within the FCT to begin with, will see the first phase dunk-off on November 14-16 while the second phase takes place between November 21-23. The championship powered by US-based Alpha Plus Mega Concepts and sanctioned by the NBBF is aimed at talent discovery and also tailored towards bridging the gap between talent, education and good health. The NBBF President, Tijjani Umar stated at a press briefing at the Indoor Hall Package B of the Abuja National Stadium on Monday to herald the Abuja Elite Private Schools Basketball Classics said the Federation is supporting the initiative because it wants to build on its recent successes in age grade tournaments so as to build a lasting basketball dynasty in Nigeria to dominate the continent. He said with the continuous and sustained effort from the National Sports Commission (NSC) the federation was already reaping gains in the development of the game at the age grade level. He said plans are already on ground to work with
MFM FC salute Enaholo, George over NPFL win Samson Dada
M
NBBF boss, Alh Tijani Umar. secondary schools across the country to nurture and bring talents t o the national stage hence the support to the initiative put together by the US-based company. According to the NBBF boss, the best place to invest in basketball in Nigeria is in secondary schools. The chief executive officer of Alpha Plus Mega Concepts, Tony Ujadughele, organizers of the “Abuja Elite Private Schools Basketball Classics” said it is time to take the game of basketball back to secondary schools. He stated that Nigeria was a country with abundant of talents begging to be discovered and nurtured to stardom.
Amuneke
Enaholo
ountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos has congratulated former players, Joshua Enaholo and Ifeanyi George for winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with Enyimba Football Club of Aba on Sunday. While George joined the Aba Millionaires at the start of the season, Enaholo who was the Nigeria U-20 first choice goalkeeper at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand left for Enyimba in July. A delighted Enaholo was the first to put a call through to his former coaches and colleagues after his new
Judo deserves attention—Ahmed Idu Jude, Abuja
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orried over the dwindling state of Judo in Nigeria, Board member of the FCT Judo Association, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu, has cried out to stakeholders to help repackage the game for Nigeria’s greater glory. Aminu, while speaking to reporters
on the state of Judo in Nigeria, with reference to the recently concluded All Africa Games, were it managed to win three bronze medals highlighted the problems of Judo in the Nigerian sports industry and the possible things to be done to rescue the game from going into oblivion. The man who has spent over forty years as a Judoka, however, noted
team won the league crown at the end of a pulsating goalless draw with Warri Wolves at the Aba Township stadium. MFM FC coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu was elated that less than three months at Enyimba, Enaholo has a Premier League medal to his credit. “It was difficult watching Enaholo leave for Enyimba, but he had to move up in his career. I am happy today that he is a champion. I am also happy for Ifeanyi George. But for injury, he would’ve been playing regularly for his new club,” Ilechukwu said. Speaking on behalf of his team mates, MFM FC captain, Nelson Kenedinum said: “Everyone is happy for Enaholo and George. How I wish they can come back and help us take the Premier League by storm next season,” he enthused.
that several issues, has contributed immensely to the games backwardness in the recent times. Pointing out significantly, Aminu said that the just concluded All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, has become an eye opener to the level of neglect. “The three bronze medals came from women and this has to show that something drastic needs to be done to rescue the sport from going down, either at the state level or at the national level,” Aminu said.
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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 11 2015
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
X6
EXTRATIME
Benzema
takes legal action against French radio R
‘MESSI on course
eal Madrid striker Karim Benzema will lodge a complaint for violation of judicial confidentiality after a French radio station published extracts of phone taps that could incriminate the France international. Benzema was placed under formal judicial investigation last week in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow-French soccer international Mathieu Valbuena using a sex video. “Which extracts were chosen? The worst,” his lawyer Sylvain Cormier asked on Tuesday. “We’re done playing now and we are announcing that we will file a complaint for violation of judicial confidentiality.”
for Clasico’ L
ionel Messi is on course to be fit for Barcelona’s La Liga clash with rivals Real Madrid next month, according to club president, Josep Maria Bartomeu. Messi suffered a knee injury in the win over Las Palmas in late September and was ruled out for up to two months, putting his involvement in the November 21 encounter in jeopardy. But reports in the Spanish press say the Argentina international has now stepped up his rehab by doing ball-work at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva training ground and Bartomeu has revealed he is indeed on track to feature at the Bernabeu. “I hope he can play as his recovery is within the timeframe we had set ourselves,” Bartomeu said. “I hope all of our players get through their trips with their national teams without injury and with great strength. We will then give our all to beat our rivals.” Barcelona have won seven of their nine games without Messi and sit top of La Liga - three points ahead of Real before the crucial meeting after the international break. Neymar and Luis Suarez have scored all 17 of Barcelona’s league goals since Messi’s lay-off but while manager Luis Enrique is relishing his forward’s return, he has been coy over whether the Clasico will come too soon. Speaking after a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday Enrique said: “Messi is neither ruled out nor certain to play.
Euro 2016: Montolivo hopeful of Pirlo’s place I
taly’s Riccardo Montolivo says Andrea Pirlo embodies the sport of football in the country, adding that he hopes the midfielder is given a place in Antonio Conte’s Euro 2016 squad. The 36-year-old was left out of Italy’s squad for this month’s friend-
lies with Belgium and Romania, with Conte suggesting on Monday that the New York City midfielder may not feature at the European Championship. With the MLS season having drawn to a close, Pirlo’s lack of match action appears to have cost him, amid rumours of interest from
Cormier has previously said that Benzema was “totally innocent” and “played no part in any blackmail or attempted blackmail”. Benzema has been ordered to not make contact with others linked to the case.
Benzema
Balotelli to see specialist
over groin problem
M
ario Balotelli has been sent to see a specialist in Denmark in the hope of curing his persistent groin problems. Balotelli, currently on loan at AC Milan from Liverpool, has not
Messi
Serie A side Inter. And Montolivo remained hopeful Pirlo could feature for the Azzurri again, telling a news conference: “To say Pirlo you mean football and I hope he will be part of the squad. “It is hard to imagine a national team without him, for all he has given in recent years. The decision is up to the coach to make the best choice for Italy. “There are many assessments that are not mine to make, but if he is not part of the group, it will not be for a lack of quality. “In the national team I’ve been there with him, so I do not see myself as an alternative.” After injury struggles curtailed his season with AC Milan last term, Montolivo has started 10 of 12 Serie A games this term with his fitness troubles seemingly behind him.
Balotelli
featured for the Serie A side since late September. He has one goal in four appearances for AC Milan this season after returning to the San Siro following a £16m move to Anfield last summer. “AC Milan announce that Mario Balotelli has undergone further consultation,” a club statement read. “He has travelled to Copenhagen and will be treated by Professor Per Holmich. The medical staff of Milan and Liverpool will agree on a new short course of treatment for the player.” Balotelli, 25, scored just four goals in 28 appearances for Liverpool last season.
Sampdoria sack
Zenga S
ampdoria announced the sacking of head coach Walter Zenga on Tuesday after only five months in charge. The Serie A side finished seventh in the table last season, with the 55-year-old appointed in June to replace Sinisa Mihajlovic after he landed the AC Milan job. However, Zenga has struggled with Sampdoria winning just one of their last seven Serie A games
Zenga
and suffering an embarrassing loss to Serbian side Vojvodina in the Europa League qualifiers. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina – which left the club 10th in the table and caused fan protests was the last straw for President Massimo Ferrero. “Sampdoria announces that Walter Zenga has been relieved from the role of first-team coach,” read a club statement.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
EXTRATIME
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iverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been ruled out for eight weeks after sustaining a knee ligament injury in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League
Sakho
LIVERPOOL
suffer Sakho blow
WENGER, VARDY SCOOP EPL OCTOBER AWARDS
Hazard can decide on his future —Wilmots
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rsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for October, while in-form Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy scoops the Player of the Month award. The Gunners won all four of their league games last month, defeating Manchester United, Watford, Everton and Swansea City to move level with Manchester
Hazard
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elgium head coach Marc Wilmots insists he will not intervene in the debate over Chelsea winger Eden Hazard’s future. The 24-year-old’s club boss Jose Mourinho was unhappy with Wilmots earlier this season after reports suggested the national team coach had privately advised his player to move to Real Madrid. Wilmots, though, is not keen on getting involved in a club versus country row on Hazard’s future as Chelsea continue to struggle for results. “Eden is big enough to make choices - I do not intervene in there,” Wilmots said. The 46-year-old also admitted the Chelsea manager was one of his coaching inspirations, along with recently appointed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Wilmots continued: “My inspirations? Jurgen Klopp, for his energy. As a player you are going to go out all guns blazing for such a guy. “Also Mourinho, due to his record. However, as a coach, your decisions only impact five to 10 per cent of a result, no more than that.” Wilmots was also asked who the first name on his Belgium team-sheet was at the present time. “For now, it is Toby Alderweireld,” he added. “He has improved a lot, he is versatile and has become one of my most consistent players.”
home defeat by Crystal Palace. The club initially feared Sakho had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, but scans on Monday eased fears that the 25-year-old France international’s season could be in jeopardy. However, the knee injury is serious enough to sideline Sakho for the busy Christmas and New Year period. Sakho landed awkwardly in the first half following an aerial challenge with Palace’s Yannick Bolasie as the Reds were handed their first loss under Jurgen Klopp. The news will come as a blow to Klopp as Sakho had established a steady centre-back partnership with Martin Skrtel in recent games. Croatia international Dejan Lovren would be in line to play in Sakho’s absence. After Sunday’s defeat, Klopp suggested losing Sakho was a more damaging blow than losing the match, claiming: “I would prefer to lose 4-1 and keep him in the team.” Liverpool’s next assignment is the league clash away to Manchester City on Saturday, November 21. After the busy festive period, the Reds have key back-to-back home games against Arsenal on Tuesday, January 12, and Manchester United on Saturday, January 16, and Klopp will hope to have Sakho back in the fold by then.
City at the top of the table. Wenger feels the award is a nice reminder of how well Arsenal have been performing, particularly after their damaging 5-1 Champions League defeat at the hands of Bayern Arfa Munich last Wednesday. “It is always good because it just reminds you that especially after a defeat like we had on Wednesday night - we have not done too badly in the last month,” he said. “You worry as well about maintaining the run for coming months. That is what we want to do always. “The 3-0 win over United was the highlight because there are very few matches in your life where it all clicks perfectly in the first 20 minutes and that is one of the games.” ice winger Hatem Ben Arfa has spoken Vardy, meanwhile, continued his brilliant out on his enforced exile to the reserves goalscoring start to the season in October, during his time at Newcastle United, netting five times in four matches to help describing the period as “hell”. Leicester to within one point of the leaders. Following an initial loan spell, Ben Arfa was signed on a permanent deal by Newcastle in January 2011 and quickly became a fans’ favourite at St James’ Park. However, his Newcastle career came to a ergio Aguero is nearing a stagram page to provide an update bitter end, a fall-out with then manager Alan return to Manchester City’s of the progress he is making in his Pardew leading to the Frenchman being banmatchday squad after re- recovery. ished to the reserves. suming training following a ham“Giving it my all on recovery A loan move to Hull City followed in Septem- string injury. work. There’s still more to go but ber 2014, but his spell at the KC Stadium was The 27-year-old forward has getting better by the day,” Aguero brief as Ben Arfa fell out of favour with boss missed City’s last seven matches wrote in his post. Steve Bruce, with Newcastle then terminating and has not played since sustainCity manager Manuel Pellegrini his contract in January this year. ing a hamstring injury in Argentina’s said following his side’s goalless Ben Arfa joined up with Nice that month, only 2-0 defeat to Ecuador on October 8. draw with Aston Villa on Sunday to see his contract cancelled as it was ruled he Aguero has not featured for City that he hoped to have Aguero back was ineligible to play for the Ligue 1 club having since scoring five goals in the 6-1 available for the clash with Liveralready featured for Newcastle’s reserves and thrashing of Newcastle United on pool at the Etihad Stadium on Nothe Hull first team in the 2014-15 season. October 3, but took to his official In- vember 21.
Newcastle exile was hell –arfa
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S
Vardy
Aguero back in training
Aguero “We will see in the way Aguero improves this week but I think he can be fit after the international break. It will be easier for us to have a striker,” Pellegrini said.
Wednesday, November 11,
EXTRATIME
FOOTBALL
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ATHLETICS
Russia
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ormer Barcelona, Ajax and Netherlands star Johan Cruyff said it is “all hands on deck” as he battles to overcome lung cancer. Cruyff was diagnosed with cancer last month and the 68-year-old has since undergone treatment. Writing in his column, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner said football helped take his mind off the serious illness. “We are well underway with my illness. It is all hands on deck,” said Cruyff. “Thinking and talking about
CRICKET
Buttler can rediscover for m, says Morgan
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ormer England centre Sam Burgess returned to rugby league because his “heart wasn’t in” rugby union and because he was also stung by criticism from ex-players. “No matter what I did, I always felt I was fighting a losing battle,” he said. But Burgess said he had not been badly treated by England and refused to blame Coach Stuart Lancaster. The 26-year-old, who joined Bath last October, re-signed for the South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. He was part of England’s squad for the Rugby World Cup, in which they were eliminated at the group stage, and played in the hosts’ crucial 28-25 defeat by Wales.
: f f y u r C
Football gives me joy amid cancer battle! football gives me a lot of joy and takes my mind of worrying about the illness. “The exceptional medical staff have finished their preparations and we are now going into a new phase, knowing that a lot of
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ngland wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler can put his struggles in the Test arena behind him when the one-day series starts against Pakistan, according to captain Eoin Morgan. ODI vice-captain Buttler was dropped for the third Test in Sharjah after scoring 156 runs in his past 12 innings at an average of 13. “I am confident he can recapture his form,” said Morgan. The first ODI of the four-match series takes place on Wednesday in
excellent work has been done.” Cruyff helped Barca and Ajax to trophies as a player and a coach throughout his illustrious career. As coach, Cruyff led Barca to four consecutive La Liga titles between 1990 and 1994.
not alone in doping, says Warner R
ussia is not the only country with systemic doping problems, says UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner. A World Anti-Doping Agency commission report has accused Russia of running a “statesponsored” doping programme. Commission chairman Dick Pound said Russia’s athletics federation should be banned from the Rio 2016 Olympics. Warner said: “I suspect that there are probably four, five or six nations that athletics really has a problem with.” He also said athletics’ world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), must be restructured to combat the problem. Warner revealed that he had spoken to IAAF president Lord Coe since Monday’s publication of WADA’s
Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the three-Test series 2-0. Buttler, who averages 32.60 in 61 ODIs, made 38 off 37 balls in England’s 169-run warm-up victory over Hong Kong on Sunday. “In the last four years, he’s been outstanding and has shown glimpses of world-class ability,” said Morgan. “He plays a formidable role within our squad, he holds some fantastic records, and he’s keen to come out
Burgess
quit rugby union, joins rugby league over criticism Burgess said criticism directed at him following his performance in that match had contributed to his feeling of unease in rugby union. “A lot of people outside the England camp had an agenda against both England and, in some circumstances, me,” he said. “This was an upsetting factor to me, that people who are supposed to love the game are actually tearing it to shreds. “Some ex-players just kept let-
ting rip. It’s almost like they don’t want anyone else to do well in the jersey. I didn’t want to stay in a sport like that.” Burgess also said he had not found the 15-man code as enjoyable as rugby league. “I want to spend the rest of my career playing the game that’s in my heart,” said Burgess, who played 21 games for Bath as a blind-side flanker after switching codes last year.
Burges
independent commission, which examined allegations of doping, cover-ups and extortion in Russian athletics, and also implicated the IAAF. Coe revealed that the Russian athletics federation, ARAF, has been asked to respond to the allegations by the end of the week. The 59-year-old said that after reviewing the feedback the IAAF “would look at a range of options, including sanctions”, which could result in Russia’s suspension from the sport. Russia’s sports ministry has said it will work more closely with WADA, although the Kremlin has described the report as “groundless” and sports minister Vitaly Mutko told state TV: “Doping is not the problem of Russia. Russia shouldn’t be singled out. It’s a world problem.” And Pound told a news conference in Geneva on Monday: “It’s probably the tip of the iceberg. Russia is not the only country and athletics is not the only sport with a doping problem.” The 323-page report said that “acceptance of cheating at all levels is widespread” in Russia and suggested that neither ARAF, the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA), nor the Russian Federation can be considered antidoping codecompliant.