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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.45

Chaos, as rigging mars NLC’s election Ï MƿƄ Ƈ ƈƋƆƗ Ƒ ƈ ƅ ƆƌƆ ƐƆ Ə Ɠ ƏƊƆƏ ƍ ƏƐ

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I blocked Atiku’s ambition to avoid God’s wrath – Obasanjo

INSIDE

Life&

TIMES Friday February 13, 2015

Stella Damasus on another pregnancy Truth about the Abuja deal - Ruggedman L2 P

Ngozi Okafor G Ɨ Juliet Ibrahim hints of first directorial L4 movie

L4

P

ÏÏÏFormer

President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo declared on Tuesday evening that God would not

have forgiven him if he had not tactically blocked the presidential ambition of his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

The former president also urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

P

L4

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Valentine yummy for two!

D’banj & Bonang tango: No affair!

L7

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Female suicide bomber kills six in Borno

6 CBN allays fears on price shocks 28

INSIDE MATHIEU ready to shine at Barca X8

Poster!

KOBE BRYANT

X4,5 Friday, February 13, 2015

INTERVIEW

X6

KERR:

IVANOVIC

BALE can challenge MESSI, RONALDO in future!

escapes FA

hammer!

X2

OLIVEIRA wants PISTORIUS

back in action X7

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial

That NLC election fiasco

T

he disruption of the election of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday in Abuja is shameful. According to reports, the International Conference Centre, venue of the election was virtually turned into a war zone as delegates, contestants and observers scampered for safety.

In the end, the election organised to elect new leaders for the union following the expiration of the tenure of the current leadership ended in a disgraceful fiasco.

Before then,the battle for the union’s presidency featured the General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajaero; National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MHWUN), Ayuba Wabba; and National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese.

Trouble was said to have started when some aggrieved delegates alleged that electoral officials wanted to tamper with the ballots in order to favour a particular candidate.

We are scandalised at the turn of events at the congress, given that the NLC has for years been at the forefront of criticising politicians for not only being unruly but also undemocratic in their behaviour.

They are always the first to remind Nigerians that elections are not a door-die affair and should be conducted in an atmosphere of devoid of rancour and acrimony.

Incidentally, officials of the union

have never missed any opportunity to take to the streets to protest any acts of misdemeanour by government officials of at all levels. With such posturing, the NLC has unwittingly if not deceitfully created an impression that it is always in the vanguard of fighting and protecting the interests of the ordinary citizens.

Sadly, the recent debacle has exposed the selfish interests of its members who are only out to grab the spoils of office.

For whatever reasons, Nigerians expected that the union would have used such rare opportunity to prove to our politicians that elections can still be free and fair in this country.

Now, Nigerians will find it difficult to take the members seriously in matters that have to do with national orientation and development.

This is because their action at the election has shaken peoples confidence and trust in seeing them as the voice of reason in a polity that sorely needs political redemption.

Our stand is that the NLC should put its house in order if it wants to be taken as a serious partner in the country.

With Nigerians watching in disgust the campaigns of calumny and brigandage by politicians in the run up to the March 2015 election, the NLC should have seized the moment to bring a breadth of fresh air into politicking by conducting an election that would be a reference for politicians.

Incidentally, it lost the opportunity and would be hard pressed to redeem this image in the foreseeable future.

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Help, desperados on the loose!

Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏOne

thing that the abrupt ending of the 11th National Delegates’ conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Thursday has thrown up is the level of desperation among office seekers which is gradually but steadily becoming part of the polity.

The venue of the conference, the International Conference Centre Abuja, was thrown into confusion as delegates ran for dear lives after some aggrieved contes-

tants and their supporters suddenly became violent, hijacking and destroying ballot boxes even while voting was still under way.

This is not only sad but also reveals the extent contestants in election(s) in the country and their supporters are prepared to go to win.

Before now, the Congress and its officials had roundly condemned politicians who, long before campaigns for the 2015 general election began, had been over-heating the polity using all sorts of tactics.

Now, with the NLC and its officials being caught by the desperation bug, one wonders if there is any hope for

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

the masses. This crisis has shown that most unionists whose stock in trade is lampooning politicians are no different from politicians. At best, they are only pretending. If the same tactics that politicians deploy is what they (unionists) also use to get power, then these unionists have no moral right to condemn politicians.

This culture of desperation among office seekers whether they be politicians, unionists, students, clerics, etc, ought not to continue.

We must as individuals and a people repudiate desperation as a route to power. For not only can desperation destroy individuals, it can tear institutions to shreds.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Deputy Editors Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Sports Editor

Group Managing Editor

Bureau Chief, Northern Operations

Head of Operations

Head ICT (Shared Services)

Online Editor

Head Graphics

Noel Anosike

Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Celestine Okafor

Yinka Olujimi

Group News Editor

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects

Editorial Page Editor

Tunji Okegbola

Segun Adio Okay Osuji

Andrew Ekejiuba Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Business Editor

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Head, Sales & Marketing Moses Ebong

Banjo Ayorinde King Ododoru

Deputy Head Graphics Afeez Odeseye

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

Martin Luther King jr.

Steve Biko

Mohammed Ali

If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.

It becomes here necessary to see the truth as it is if you realise that the only vehicle for change are those people who have lost their personality.

Inside the ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down.

It’s staying down that’s wrong.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

NLC’s election ends in chaos over alleged rigging Akor Ejumene & Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏPandemonium

broke out on Thursday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) could not conduct a free and fair election to usher in a new leadership for itself.

Also, during the adoption of financial report as presented by the National Treasurer of the umbrella organ-

isation, the case of its failed housing scheme through which workers contributed over N4 billion, caused an uproar.

The democratic process, which would have produced the new president and other executive members of the Congress, was marred by irregularities which was alleged to have been orchestrated by the leadership of workers body to favour

the President of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Comrade Ayuba Wabba.

The disagreement however resulted in the hijacking of the ballot box and other election materials, thus throwing the venue of conference into confusion, as a result of the perceived injustice been done to Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Prior to the election, the

President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese had formally announced that his was stepping down to support Ajaero.

Daily Times gathered that the alleged deliberate irregularities in the printing of the ballot papers sparked uproar among the delegates who felt cheated, thus resulting in the cancel-

Members of physically challenge during a solidarity rally for President Good luck Jonathan at the Eagle Square in Abuja... on Thursday

Photo: Temitope Balogun

I blocked Atiku’s ambition to avoid God’s wrath – Obasanjo Continued from page 1 people not to forget the kidnapped Chibok girls and to also ensure such a situation never happens again in Nigeria.

Speaking to a packed audience of over 100 guests at the Royal Society of Medicine, near Oxford street, venue of the launching of his autobiography , My Watch, when a member of the audience asked why he didn’t groom his then Vice - President, Abubakar, to succeed him, Obasanjo instinctively gave a metaphorical yell “Eeeeeh,” while the name popped out of the mouth of the questioner.

On his very harsh criticism of his two successors, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and current Presi-

dent, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in the book, the former President explained that it was out of genuine concern for Nigeria and that having been “wounded in the civil war for that country and being imprisoned unduly,” he could not have kept quiet “when you see people filtering away all the goodwill” you have laboured for.” Obasanjo, responding to another question, said:” I’m not just an armchair critic, I know what can be done, and I know what is being done. As I go round the world and people say Nigeria’s not at the table ,” so “when I hear that,” you expect me to come back home and say, ‘well done, chaps?”

On corruption allegation against him, which Wikileaks revealed was the subject of a conversation

between the then US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Obasanjo wondered how Ribadu could have said that. Reason being “I gave Ribadu freehand to operate and never stopped Ribadu from investigating me or anybody.”

When an Oxford doctoral candidate , one Zainab, asked him: “if you had wanted the continuity of your legacy,” you could have groomed your deputy, Abubakar to take over, Obasanjo responded with that metaphorical “eeeeeeh,” causing an eruption of laughter from the audience.

On the continuity of his legacy and Atiku, Obasanjo

ling of the election, which at the time of the uproar had reached 80 percent completion.

Addressing newsmen on the sidelines of an emergency meeting of the National Administrative Council (NAC) at the Bolton Hotel, Abuja on Thursday, Achese alleged that the outgoing NLC leadership of Abdulwaheed Omar orchestrated the failure of the delegates conference, in a bid to extend the tenure of the incumbent.

Achese told journalists: “I don’t know what to call it, mistake, manipulation or well-articulated effort to rig the election in favour of a particular candidate.

Imagine a situation where Comrade Ayuba Wabba appeared on a ballot booklet twice or thrice. It’s obvious that NLC wanted Comrade Wabba to win the election against the choice of other delegates”.

Achese said that the outgoing executive violated the NLC’s constitution by not dissolving the council. He also alleged that the Omar leadership had prior knowledge of the irregularities but failed to address them.

“They knew that the election would be inconclusive

and that is why they rejected a motion for the executive to be dissolved, which would have signalled the commencement of election of new executive,” he said, adding: “They argued that the dissolution is not in the constitution of the congress but I know for sure that it is captured in the constitution”.

Achese admitted that the General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, would be in-charge of running union pending the resolution of the crisis, particularly the earlier noticed irregularities in the balloting system.

As some were demanding further clarification on the housing scheme from the officials, others were shouting down the speaker, resulting in a free for all, as plastic seats and water cans were thrown from one end to another.

Subscribers paid 10% of their choices of houses, which were however not delivered as agreed in the contract agreement.

The development led to the subscribers demanding a refund, a matter that had become touchy between the Continued on page 6

AON boss lauds recapitalisation of aviation sector ÏÏÏChairman

Obasanjo then said afterwards, that no incumbent could guarantee that his successor would carry out their legacy to the letter, but more importantly, “with what I know about Atiku, if I had put Atiku forward, God would not have forgiven me.”

Asked what he thought of the current economic situation and the dwindling oil prices, Obasanjo said: “If we can stop the leakage, even at $50 per barrel, we can manage the economy.”

of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, has commended the impending move to recapitalise the nation’s airline sub-sector.

He described the move as “a welcome development, which would boost safety in the sector.”

The AON boss argued that since safety is a continuous process, the exercise would further put the operators on their toes, saying that there was nothing wrong with such exercise for the operators.

He said this yesterday in an interview with aviation correspondents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport,

MMA, Lagos.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in April 2007 carried out similar exercise in the sector as a part of regulatory measures to restore confidence in the local airlines following the spate of crashes that occurred especially in 2005 and 2006.

Airlines flying domestic routes were compelled to have N500m capital base minimum while regional operators were required to have N1bn while N2bn capital base was set for airlines having international flight operations.

At present, a ministerial Continued on page 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Don’t drag military into politics, Oshiomhole warns Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏGovernor

Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has pleaded that the military be left out of politics as the consequence of doing so could be dangerous.

Speaking while flagging off the reconstruction and dualisation of the 3.6km 2nd East Circular Road in Benin City, Oshiomhole said he was happy that the world

had denounced the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for the postponement of the general election from February 14 to March 28.

He said: “Those who said they were helpless over Boko Haram have said in six weeks, they would do what they could not do in six years, which means somebody knew what should be done and failed to do it so that they could postpone elections.

“All around the world, the PDP Federal Government is being denounced. I am happy that the world is with Nigeria, from America to the UK and Europe, the PDP Federal Government is being denounced for postponing the election.

“We are warning them not to drag the military into politics because that could be very dangerous.”

Hoodlums set suspected suicide bomber ablaze in Gombe ÏÏÏA suspected man said to be

carrying explosives round his body was killed and set ablaze by hoodlums in front of Kampala Hotel, in Herwagana area of Gombe metropolis on Wednesday night.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe State Police Command, Fwaje Atajiri (DSP), who confirmed the incident in a release to newsmen, however condemned the action of the hoodlums and warned the general public especially the youths to desist from taking the law into their hands.

An eye witness had told our correspondent that the young man who refused to be searched by security men in front of the hotel and ran away around 7:30 pm on

Wednesday, was however unlucky as the hoodlums got hold on him and set him ablaze after seeing what they suspected to be explosives tied all around his legs.

But the Police in reaction to the incident said it is poised to deal decisively with any form of hooliganism and violent crimes according to the rule of the law.

It said, rather than carrying out jungle justice on any suspect, the suspect of any crime or offence should be reported to the nearest police station for prompt action.

The statement said, “The Gombe State Police Command wishes to make it categorically clear that it is poised to deal decisively with any form of hooliganism and violent crimes according to the rule of law.”

Ekiti govt to empower 240 indigent women Gbenga Sodiende Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏNo

fewer than 240 indigent widows across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State will soon be empowered

by Ekiti State Government.

Wife of the state governor, Mrs Feyisitan Fayose, said this in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during a meeting with Caretaker Chairmen and Women Leaders across the 16 Local Government areas of the state.

Mrs Fayose pointed out that her office had been flooded with a number of requests by some less privileged members of the society requesting for one assistance or the other.

Out of 15 widows who are

to be beneficiaries, Mrs Fayose advised the caretaker chairmen that a substantial number should come from villages and farmsteds in various parts of the state.

The Governor’s wife stressed that the caretakers should ensure that the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme are widows who are really in need.

She warned that the selection should not be based on any political or family consideration, stressing that the governor does not believe in discrimination before doing things.

“We all know our governor, he is a person who does not believe in discriminating people before doing his things,” she told the gathering.

5 News

Police vow to arrest govs with convoys on election days Abiodun Taiwo

ÏÏÏThe

Police have been ordered to arrest any governor or other highly placed personality that goes about on election days with convoy.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Lagos and Ogun, Joseph Mbu, gave this order in Abeokuta, during a visit to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Mbu said the governors, like every other Nigerians, are supposed to go to the polling booths without any fanfare or paraphernalia of office.

His words: “When they come there, if you like you can salute the governor, if you like you don’t salute him. He’s coming there to vote. He votes and he goes away.

Anybody who comes there with an entourage of vehicles, you arrest them immediately”.

He added: “Even if the governor comes there with an entourage and with policemen by his side to come and intimidate people there, you call your senior because you don’t have the power over them. You call your senior to come and disperse them. The governor will come quietly, may be with his ADC to vote and walk away quietly.

“Anybody who goes there with people jumping down, don’t be intimidated. Stop them, even if he’s the governor, you have the power to say stop there and he stops there. Your Excellency, I don’t like your conduct. You call your senior officers around.

“You must make sure that whatever is in the Electoral Act, whatever is against the Electoral Act, you are there to stop it. You are not there to start greeting honourable or Oga, how are you? No. That is your day. Everybody there is coming to line up. No governor, no president, no AIG, no IG. Everybody is lining up to vote and go his way”.

L-R: All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential running mate Prof. Yemi Osibajo; APC Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd); Chairman Northern Christian Leaders Eagle Eye Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu; and Bishop Daniel Oboni, during a visit to northern Christian leaders forum in Abuja... on Thursday Photo: Temitope Balogun

Niger Deputy Gov begs to be absent at Council meeting Saka Bolaji

Minna The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Honorable Ahmed Musa Ibeto, has sought permission of Council to stay away from meetings on moral grounds. He said unless on very sensitive state matters, he has nothing to offer the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government of the state when discussions are hinged on political matters of the party.

This was confirmed by Mr. Israel A. Ebije, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The deputy governor who has decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC), cited moral reasons when he asked members

ÏÏÏ

of council to excuse him from Wednesday’s council meeting.

Ebije said: “The Deputy Governor, Ahmed Musa Ibeto asked council to excuse him from Wednesday meeting when issues concerning the general elections was presented. ‘’He is now in the opposition and the right thing to do based on moral grounds was to leave the meeting.”

“The Deputy Governor is smart enough to realize he cannot sit in council and listen to political strategies of the PDP and be seen either as a mole for the APC or as unnecessary distraction. It is clear he cannot operate within the reasoning of the PDP led council, hence he had to take the most hon-

orable decision.”

The spokesman to the state governor however stated that the deputy governor could always contribute to the progress of the state where and when necessary adding that his privileges and rights as a deputy governor remained intact.

He insisted that Ibetos’ decision to stay away from “sensitive” council meetings was strictly that of the deputy governor based on moral grounds which council had obliged him the permission.

He said despite party difference, the relationship between Governor Aliyu and his deputy remained very cordial, adding that nothing had affected his official duties.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

FUOYE workers protest, seek recall of 10 sacked colleagues ÏÏÏFor

the second day running, aggrieved workers of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) yesterday disrupted academic and other activities in the institution over sack of 10 of them.

The aggrieved are demanding the recall of their sacked colleagues. They insisted that academic activities would not resume at the institution until the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Azuzu, rescind the decision.

They said the 10 workers were sacked on Wednesday for their involvement in the protest in the institution on December 18, 2014, over

their demand for confirmation of appointment, outrageous tax, illegal National Housing Fund and pension deductions.

The institution was deserted by staff and students yesterday as the workers obstructed the roads leading to the institution.

The aggrieved workers also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the problems in the institution.

According to them, “We are suffering here. This school should not be a oneman show. I have never heard of where workers were sacked for embarking on peaceful protest”.

Leaders of the protesters and sack victims, Mr Foluso Ojo says, “We are calling on President Jonathan and the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, to ask the management to rescind its action in the interest of peace because the workers will not resume until this ill-treatment and illegality is reversed.”

But the Vice Chancellor said the 10 workers were sacked on the recommendation of the committee set up to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the disturbances in the school since December last year.

According to Azuzu, “the committee met and forwarded its recommendation to the management that those who did not want the university to be at peace should leave.”

The vice chancellor, who said the workers could not have demonstrated in the first place since they were on probation, lamented the lawlessness among the affected workers.

His words, “What I am seeing here is lawlessness.

A situation where a few people work outside the law and regulations and want to have their way is lawlessness. No responsible leader will allow lawlessness”.

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting a gift to Assistant Controller General of Prisons, Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘F’, Ibadan, Mr. Emmanuel Ogundele during a Courtesy visit to Aregbesola in Osun… on Thursday. With them his Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori

AON boss lauds recapitalisation of aviation sector Continued from page 4 committee on aeronautic and non-aeronautic revenues also recommended recapitalization exercise for the airline sub-sector.

He emphasised that all over the world is not static and that the country’s aviation industry could not op-

erate in isolation from others.

Said he, “Aviation is an ongoing thing. When FAA came to Nigeria some years back, they did not come here to shoot down Nigeria aviation, but to correct anything that was wrong. It is part of the industry.”

On the call for merger and acquisition for the

indigenous airlines, Meggison said this would be almost impossible as the airlines have different focus, feasibility studies and modus operandi, stressing that if this must work, it must be seriously driven to ensure the survival of the airlines after merger.

Meggison also concurred with the Aviation of Minis-

ter, Chief Osita Chidoka on the directive for all airlines operating in the country to have at least a Nigerian pilot in their cockpits.

He posited that apart from the fact that it would create jobs for the pilots and the industry in general, the policy if well followed would also take some pilots out of the streets.

NLC’s election ends in chaos over alleged rigging Continued from page 4 NLC and the contractors, Kriston-Lally.

The Managing Director of the firm, Mustapha Madawaki, once disclosed that the issue would be resolved as soon as the strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers was over.

Kriston Lally said it was making effort to arrange for the safe return of deposits and had approached the courts for an independent third party to take responsibility for the safe return of monies, directly to the depositors.

The firm said that it took the court option because it was concerned that the NLC was seeking to move the funds into another construction project, which officials of the NLC were allegedly promoting.

It said: “This is totally illegal and in violation of the agreements signed with Kriston Lally. We are fully aware that NLC is making frantic efforts to remove us as signatories to the account by force in order to have free access to the funds despite the service from the Courts.

This however is not possible as the accounts are Kriston Lally’s and only the Courts can decide that.”

The company also hinted that it was concerned about libel originating from the NLC, which had accused its management of forging signatures so that funds could

be released from the bank.

Madawaki explained: “There are several witnesses to the fact that Mr. Abdulwahed Omar countersigned payment orders to the bank, which allowed for the transfer of money as preliminary deposits for the payments for land on which houses were to be built. The receivers of each deposit have legally acknowledged direct receipt and committed themselves to returning the funds received and these funds are not at risk.”

Few hours before the election, one of the subscribers to the housing project, Mike Chukwu said there was no way the NLC would go away with their money when the houses had not been delivered to them.

He said: “This leadership of the congress must refund our money. This is fraud.

They claim to be fighting for the workers, but see what they have done. We believe in the NLC and that was why we subscribed, we must get our money back.”

Earlier, Achese had accused the congress of not giving accurate report about the housing project to the subscribers, maintaining that the outgoing executive must clear the air on the project.

“We need to get this clear, it is important before we move on,” he said.

Ajaero also said that the outgoing executive had to put their house in order for the congress to succeed.

Female suicide bomber kills six in Borno ÏÏÏA

suspected suicide bomber blew herself up in a market in Biu, Borno State on Thursday, witnesses and a community leader said, killing at least six people and wounding 17 others.

A nurse at the Biu General Hospital said six dead bodies were brought in, adding that three of them were “burnt beyond recognition”. Ahmadu Saleh, a witness said the bomber had strolled into Biu Central Market at about 3:30 p.m.

“She was wearing a hijab and nobody was suspicious of her intention until we heard a loud sound,” he said.

Community leader Ali Mai Biu and a security source said two other women had been arrested at the scene. The community leader added they were also suspected suicide bombers.

The state’s Police commissioner Samuel Aduda did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

7 News

Security agencies warn Osun politicians against violence Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo Security agencies in Osun State have said that political parties need to ensure absolute control of their members and prevent violence during and after the forthcoming elections.

The State Security (DSS), Police and Prison Service said that loss of control was responsible for the incessant

ÏÏÏ

political violence and crisis in the state.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, Osogbo, where a peace accord was signed by all the parties, the state director of DSS, Mr. Andrew Ioraka, frowned at the violence caused by politicians in the state.

He said, “Leaders of political

parties are not in control of their members, and anytime the establishment called a meeting, majority of them would not respond to the call.”

He, however, assured the people of the state that any perpetrator of violence would face the wrath of the law.

Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone XI, comprising Oyo, Ondo and Osun, Mr. Ikemefuna

Okoye, called on the politicians contesting in the 2015 general election to be law-abiding.

He warned that “all the political parties should control their supporters and desist from any act of violence”.

Assistant Comptroller of Prison Service, Mr Kayode Adelakun, noted that the prison gate would be opened for anybody who did not abide by

the laws of the land.

He emphasised that “all party leaders must ensure that their supporters are not involved in any violent act in this coming general election”.

The political parties, after signing a peace pact, commended the security agencies for the initiative and assured that they would ensure a peace election.

Fashola tasks women on nation building L-R: APGA House of Assembly candidate for Onitsha North 1, Hon. Chugbo Enwezor, , Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and Special Adviser on Special Duties to Governor, Mrs Tonia Tabansi-Okoye during the flag off of a road project in Onitsha… on Thursday

Eberechi Obinagwam

ÏÏÏLagos State Governor, Baba-

tunde Fashola (SAN), has urged women in the country to partner more with their male counterparts in building Nigeria.

The governor added that the state government had done a lot in terms of women empowerment and building of women’s status. He said that “building women, in the state, is a way of life”.

Fashola said this at the Pens – Down Ceremony, in honour of the out-going Head of Service,

Jonathan’s Lagos-Abuja high speed rail line, a hoax – APC Augustine Aminu

ÏÏÏThe Director of

Media and Publicity, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), Malam Garba Shehu has described as a hoax, claims by President Goodluck Jonathan’s government that a high speed Abuja-Lagos rail service would commence running in three years’ time.

Shehu, in a statement on Thursday, said that, although, the envisaged Lagos-Abuja line, as proposed by the Minister of Transport, was most desirable and would provide an alternative means of travel between the Federal Capital City and Lagos, it was the height of irresponsibility for a senior member of government to tell such outlandish lies and give false hope for cheap political points.

Shehu disclosed that a PPP agreement to build and operate a rail line takes, at least, two years to negotiate and bring to financial closure, adding that the Jonathan government had not even started negotiations with anybody yet on the project.

“Before they can start construction, they will need to secure the right of way and pay land compensation along that corridor.

This could take years to accomplish.

“Then they will have to construct the line. But a look at the government’s record, only confirms that this is nothing, but, a pipe dream. Just a 186-km Abuja to Kaduna, an ordinary standard gauge line, had taken six years to construct and it is not even finished yet, regardless of their false claims of completion.

“Ajaokuta to Warri has taken

ÏÏÏA Chieftain of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Badagry Local Government and former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Lagos State, Hon. Philip Aivoji, has said that the polls shift saved Nigeria from embarrassment.

In a chat with newsmen at the Badagry Local Government PDP Secretariat on Thursday, Aivoji stated that considering the reasons advanced by INEC, the postponement was in order, as anything that would make the election less credible must be avoided.

Aivoji noted that millions of

Josepine Oluseyi Williams.

According to the governor, “Building women is not an achievement, because in Lagos, building women is our way of life.

“Today, is a great day to honor a public servant who had demonstrated a remarkable flexibility for change, change that has earned the public service respect that we deserve”, he added.

Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, had, earlier, described the celebrant as an excellent civil servant who brought virtue to the civil service.

Polls shift in nation’s best interest – PDP chief Nigerians, who had not collected the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), would have been disenfranchised if the elections were not postponed.

He lauded the move by INEC, considering the fact that almost 35percent of the electorate had not collected their (PVCs), coupled with security challenges and other inadequacies that ought to have been addressed by INEC before the polls shift.

Benue lecturers shun govt’s call for strike suspension Jonathan

the government nearly 30 years.

Just the last 27km had taken this government six years and it is not finished yet.

“Rehabilitation of existing rail lines, which they promised would take 10 months, took them four years and they are still not finished yet.”

Archibong Sammy

Makurdi The Academic Staff union of Tertiary Institutions in Benue (ASUTIB) has refused the call by the state government to suspend its eight months strike.

The governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam had urged lecturers in the five tertiary institutions: the College of Educa-

ÏÏÏ

tion Katsina-Ala and Oju, College of Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS) Makurdi, Benue State Polytechnic Ogbokolo and Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture Yandev, to suspend the strike and pave way for negotiation.

However, four of the institutions except College of Advance and professional Studies (CAPS) rejected the plea of the state government.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

1.9m PVCs distributed in Rivers, says REC Faith Faithful, Port Harcourt

L-R: Commissioner for Agriculture, Kaduna State, Mr Isaac Bodams; Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Mukhtar Yero and Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Mr Babatunde Sadiku at the launch of the Kaduna State and Bank of Agriculture N1billion Agricultural loan scheme in Kaduna… on Thursday

Let’s ensure Nigeria’s freedom, Buhari tells Christian leaders Augustine Aminu All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, has called on true patriots to have a deeper reflection of ‘‘our common freedom, peace and unity, as we approach a crucial election in the history of Nigeria.’’

According to him, such reflection became more relevant in the face of the illegal postponement of the general election.

Buhari stated this in Abuja after being endorsed by the Northern Christian Leaders Eagle’s Eyes Forum on Thursday.

“We must, at all time, hold the unity, peace and progress of

Nigeria above other considerations, especially, politics”, he said.

“Those who, deliberately, disseminate divisive information and attempt to stoke primordial sentiments, using religion or ethnicity to create fear in the minds of our people, have failed the standard of patriotism that Nigeria demands of them”, Buhari added.

He accused the Jonathan administration and PDP of having adopted this divisive and false narrative as “their strategy to prevent the inevitable change that Nigerians desire.

“They have succeeded in making some of us victims of

the tales which they invent, propagate and sell as the gospel truth to gullible listeners, while it is all nothing, but, a tissue of lies.

“I would like to solemnly declare that, despite what our detractors say, I am not a religious fanatic, of any sort, and I have never been. In all my life, I have never supported extremism of any kind, and, nowhere in my record of service to this nation, can this false toga that political opponents have tried, so hard, to put on me, be substantiated”, he explained.

Chairman of the Northern Christian Leaders Eagle’s Eyes Forum, Pastor Aminchi Habu,

said the group resolved to support Buhari to enable him bring the desired change in the country.

“Buhari possesses all the qualities required of a leader, as he had been tested and trusted,’’ he said.

Habu declared that the forum’s decision to pitch tent with Buhari and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, was premised on the track record of the presidential candidate as the only one that could deliver the nation from the “shackles of corruption imposed on it, by those who had been leading it for the past 16 years”.

A total of 1.9 million Permanent Voter’s Cards have been distributed in Rivers State, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gelisa Khan has said.

Gesila stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.

She pointed out that the state has 4,442 polling units, 319 registration areas, 20 LG collation, 32 State House of Assembly Constituency collation, 13 Federal House of Representatives and three senatorial collation centres.

A’Ibom school seeks FG assistance on encroachment Eno-Obong Okon, Uyo Federal Government Girls’ College, Ikot Obio Itong, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has called on the Federal Government to help the college reclaim parts of its land, which the host community has encroached upon.

The principal, Mrs. Emma Obot, who spoke with journalists in Ikot Obio Itong, on Thursday, stated that the community had insisted that it would not release the remaining part of the land to the college, unless the FG paid compensation for the land.

She said that the college had been having series of meetings with stakeholders on how to resolve the issue.

Bauchi teachers protest non-payment of 10 months’ salary Daniel Jolly, Bauchi Over 2,000 newly recruited teachers in Bauchi State Have protested the non-payment of their salary for 10 months by the government.

The teachers, who were employed in April, 2014, appealed to the state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, to intervene and ensure the payment of their salary because they have gone through untold

hardship.

Leader of the protesters, Tijjani Abubakar, told Daily Times that they have not been paid for ten months, when they started working.

“We have made several attempts to see the Commissioner for Education, but, they always tell us that they were working on it or they would look into the matter.

“Some of us got two months’ salary paid to us, while some were yet to get one month, since April last year”, he added.

The teachers, who were carrying placards, with inscriptions like 10 Months, No salary, who is with our money? Pay us our salaries! chanted songs of solidarity, while they marched to the Government House, where they were stopped at the gate by security men.

Chief of Staff, Government House, Tanko Dutse, told our correspondent that the protest was born out of selfishness.

He added that all those who have not been paid, have not done their proper documentation and called on the demonstrators to return to the Ministry and finish their documentation, collect their PSM numbers, which would enable them to collect their salaries.

Akpabio

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

9 News

Lawyer urges govt to decongest Ondo prisons

Japanese Deputy Head of Mission in Nigeria, Mr Masaya Otsuka (left) and Chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education, Alhaji Umar Ningi during the inauguration of one block of four Classrooms at Lea Primary School, Kotongora Estate in Gwagwalada, …on Thursday

Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Prison Service,

Ondo State Command has solicited the support of the Ondo State government in helping to decongest Prisons across the state.

The State Legal Officer of the Command, Mr. Tunde Ogundare, who made the call in an interview with Daily Times Correspondent in Akure, the State capital.

Ogundare said the decogestion will help make life comfortable for the inmates and also relief many innocent prisoners awaiting trial

in the court.

“Most of the prisons are filled up already. Let the state government intervene and help in the decongestion of these prisons becuase it would also give opportunity to innocent prisoners awaiting trials to re-unite with their family members”, he said.

He commended the State government for building a high court with the Olokuta prison, to fast track dispensation of justice said prisons are supposed to be a corrective and a not punitive measure and as such should not be over populated.

We want Presidency back in the North – CAN chair Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe Northeast Zonal Chair-

man of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Shu’aibu Byal, has enjoined Northern Christians and Muslims to join hands together and ensure that the leadership of the country returns to the region in the forthcoming election.

Rev. Byal, who was speaking while receiving members of Arewa Citizens Action for Change (ACAC), during a courtesy visit to his office on Wednesday, re-

‘Nobody can rig election in Ogun’ Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏOgun State Governor, Sena-

tor Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday said it will be difficult for anybody or party to rig the forthcoming general election in Ogun State.

Amosun who described the sixweeks extension of the 2015 general election as an opportunity to bury the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state also warned any political party with the idea of rigging the polls to bury the idea.

The governor, who barred his mind while speaking with newsmen at the end of his ward-to-ward campaign tour of all the 236 political wards in the state, spoke on the postponement of the election, say-

called that their fore-fathers did not put a bedrock that will move the Muslims and Christians in the region towards togetherness.

Said he: “In the North, we have a challenge, our parents and great grand parents have left a legacy that has not helped our youths, and they have not promoted our young people. Today, the leadership is not in the North and we want to bring it back in whatever means possible.

“I pray for the North and its unity. In the North, we cannot rule ourselves alone, we must

ing the poll extension is “a blessing in disguise”.

His words, “They can’t rig in Ogun State. I have said it repeatedly, they can’t rig in Ogun State.

They should bury that evil thought that they want to rig here. People’s will is more than anything they will bring here. Ogun people are ready for them, the governor warned’ He noted that all original members of the PDP had decamped the the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Let me tell you, I don’t know who or which kind of the PDP that is not with us. All the PDP are with us fully. If there were anyone in the PDP, they are not real owners of the PDP. All the real owners of the PDP are with us. Don’t forget that I was a member of the PDP. I know the party inside out. All the major arms of the PDP are now with us”, he added.

also partner with the South to be able to have one governance that will propel goodness in the society that we are all after.

“The challenge we get from the Southern people who are predominantly Christians so to say, is because we want to believe that we are more Christians than they are in the South.

Theirs, they got on a platter of gold, our own we got it out of intense persecutions, but we stood our ground and say this is the religion we want to embrace”.

Byal explained that adherents of the two religions are tired of

being used by politicians that often left them in problems, and warned people particularly the youth to desist the temptations of politicians who will simply waste them and darken their future.

He further stated: “I want to challenge all of us that whatever we have done and lost in the past, we should also blame our elites who have not helped matters”, the Northeast CAN chieftain said.

The Arewa Citizens Action for Change (ACAC) National Chairman, Barrister Sadiq Abubakar

Ilelah said the association which comprised of Christians and Muslims, has the sole objective of promoting peace and unity among adherents of the two major religions in the country.

Ilelah recalled that in the 70s and 80s, peace prevailed among the Northern people regardless of their religions and tribes but that has now become past glory.

“We want to revive that position, we want the Northern people to look at themselves regardless of their differences or tribes or religions as one and the same thing” Ilelah said.

Endorsement of Buhari by Obasanjo, Soyinka, a big surprise, says PDP Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe national leadership of

the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), for the March 28, 2015, presidential election as a very big surprise.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, who said this on Thursday in Abuja, also expressed surprise that Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who has been in and out of jail houses because of his oppo-

Muazu

sition to military dictatorship, is also singing the change anthem of the APC. Muazu, however expressed the firm optimism that PDP will emerge victorious at the general elections billed for March 28 and

April 11 this year.

The PDP National Chairman, in a statement titled, “The APC propaganda has lost steam, PDP must seize chance to win again”, charged all members of the PDP at all levels to, in the next five weeks to the March 28th, 2015, presidential election, gird their loins and tighten all loose ends.

In Muazu’s words: “The biggest surprise is the endorsement of the opposition by our own former leader and former president, whom we supported for eight years and who wanted more years to continue the leadership of Nigeria and which we refused in order not to kill our constitution.

Now, he is a fanatic of change”.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, Feburary 13, 2015

Taraba youth group declares for Darius

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu (middle), addressing police officers on the forthcoming election at the Ogun State Police Command Eleweran, Abeokuta on Thursday. With him are Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Mr.Haliru Gwandu (right) and Commissioner of Police, Medical Mrs. Stella Udosen Akintade.

Mathew Dadiya

ÏÏÏA socio-political group, Tara-

Photo: DAVID IDOWU

Bayelsa cholera outbreak claims nine, UNICEF donates materials Akam James Yenagoa

ÏÏÏAs part of

efforts to curb the recent outbreak of cholera in Bayelsa State, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has sent free medical items to communities in Southern Ijaw and Sagbama Local Government Ar-

eas. However, the outbreak has claimed nine lives.

Some of the drugs include Chloramphenicol injections and capsules, Paracetamol syrup for children, Amoxicillin capsules, emergency health kits and 20,000 packets of Oral Rehydration Source (sachets).

State Director of Pharma-

ceutical Services, Mr. Reuben Ewoh, who received the intervention drugs from UNICEF, expressed gratitude for the gesture.

He expressed belief that the drugs would help people in the affected communities, stressing that the state would overcome the cholera menace very soon.

Dickson

ba Voters Watch (TVW), has assured the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Arc. Ishaku Darius of his victory in the April 11 gubernatorial election in Taraba State.

The group, in a statement signed by some of its coordinators, Ismaila Inusa and James Bauka stated that the people of Taraba had in 2011, agreed that Taraba South Senatorial District, from where Darius hailed, would produce the governor for the 2015 election.

It added that Taraba North had served for 10 years while Taraba Central, where the incumbent Gov. Dambaba Suntai hails from, will complete eight years in power

by May 29, 2015.

Court to determine Borno PDP’s gov candidate Feb. 17 Andrew Orolua

Ogun PDP guber candidate pledges 500,000 jobs

Isiaka

AD backs polls shift, disowns presidential candidate

ÏÏÏOgun State governorship can-

for reversing the policy of of its predecessor that had returned the schools to the missionaries.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship hopeful, Senator Akin Odunsi, who also agreed to return schools to the missionaries, disclosed that he attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos and was still contributing to the development of the school, wondered why Amosun did not allow missionaries to run their schools.

Other candidates at the debate included Dr. Benjamin Onafadeji

of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Prof. Olufemi Bamgbose, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Reverend Olufolabi Adebayo of KOWA Party.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was absent.

State chairman of CAN, Reverend Timothy Ajibola, said the debate was to interface with the Christian community so they could know the agenda of those seeking to govern them.

Augustine Aminu

he should be supported by Nigerians to conduct credible and transparent polls.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Gombe State chairman of AD, Alhaji Magaji Kwairanga, read the address on behalf of the national officers. He noted that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on January 28, 2015, voted against Mr Rafiu Salau as its presidential candidate by 39 votes, while

six voted in favour. The party also resolved to suspend him, as National Secretary, indefinitely for taking unilateral decisions in violation of the party’s constitution, among others.

While expressing confidence in the leadership of its National Chairman, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, the party backed the indefinite suspension of Abdullah Ibrahim as Vice National Chairman by the North West Zone.

didate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has promised to create 500,000 jobs within four years, if elected into office.

He also pledged to return missionary schools to the original owners to improve the standard of education.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Wednesday at a gubernatorial debate organised by the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Isiaka blamed the Ibikunle Amosun administration

ÏÏÏThe Alliance for Democracy

(AD), has supported the postponement of the general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) stating that it would be impossible for the commission to conduct free and fair elections without security back-up.

The party also expressed confidence in the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, saying

Abuja

ÏÏÏA

Federal High Court in Abuja will, on February 17, determine the governorship candidate of the Borno State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 11 election.

The legal battle is to determine the authentic PDP gubernatorial candidate between Alhaji Gambo Lawan and Alhaji Mohammed Iman.

The Federal High Court, sitting in Maiduguri that ought to handle cases of this nature had been shut due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Alhaji Gambo Lawan, who is seeking a court order to pronounce him as the candidate, instituted the action against Alhaji Mohammed Imam, whose name had been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as PDP candidate.

Jega

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Osun APC, PDP trade blames over assaults on members Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏOsun State chapter of

the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, disagreed over the increasing attacks unleashed on their members.

While the APC alleged that its members were being assaulted by the opposition party, PDP claimed more harassment had been carried out by APC. The Acting Chairman Campaign Committee of APC in Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Mr Idowu Korede, in a press conference on Thursday alleged that

members of PDP were running illegal detentions.

The assaults, according to him, included illegal arrest, harassment of members and destruction of bill boards and posters.

He specifically mentioned that the attack was escalated by the affirmation of the governor, Rauf Aregbesola, at the election petition tribunal, noted that the case had been reported to the police.

He accused Fadahunsi, the candidate of the PDP in the zone of being behind the series of attack on the supporters of the APC. Said he: “Despite all the attacks and assaults, we will remain peaceful. But security agencies in

the country should remain nonpartisan and apolitical in the discharge of their duties especially during the election period.

“The Osun State Police Command of the Nigerian Police Force should intervene in the matter and find a lasting solution to it.”

When contacted, the state secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr Bola Ajao, faulted the allegations.

He described them as “unfounded and baseless”, saying “any party which has a problem with other should approach the security agencies for necessary measure”.

11 News

Army to construct roads in Onitsha

Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Army Engineering Corps (NAEC), has been engaged by the Anambra State Government to reconstruct four major roads in Onitsha metropolis.

The dilapidated roads which are to be reconstructed by the Nigerian Army are: Ajasa/James Streets and Ezenwa/ Sainez Streets, all in Onitsha North and South Local Government. They are expected to cost the state government, N1.1 billion.

While Ezenwa /Saniez streets in Odoakpu, Onitsha South Local Government will cost the government N500 million. Ajasa and James streets would gulp about N600 million.

Heavy machinery belonging to the Nigerian Army Engineers were seen along Old Market Road and Ajasa area of Onitsha which indicates that work would soon commence on the project. While some soldiers, however kept vigil on the heavy equipment stationed in the area.

Obiano Speaking at the flag-off of the road projects on Wednesday, Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano, who grew up in one of the streets with his parents, said that the road, Ajasa, kept on reminding him of his childhood days and hence decided to reconstruct the dilapidated road with other adjoining streets of Cole, Akor, James and Allen.

The governor remarked that the contractor has been given a three month period to complete the project, adding that he decided to award the contract to the Nigerian Army Engineer Corps, knowing that their ability to deliver quality job was not in doubt.

While thanking the state government for awarding the road contract to the Army, Corps commander, Nigerian Army Engineers, Major –General S.J Davies, assured that the project would be completed in three months and according to specification.

C’River Immigration Service nabs 40 illegal aliens Emma Obi Calabar

ÏÏÏNegerian

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Raji Fashola (SAN), (right); Out-going Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Josephine Oluseyi Williams (middle) and her husband, Engr. Mobolaji Williams at the Pens-Down Ceremony of Oluseyi in Lagos…on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Group rates Jonathan best Nigerian President ever Eno-Obong Okon Uyo

ÏÏÏA

socio-cultural group, South-South Solidarity Forum, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is Nigeria’s best president since Independence in 1960.

According to the group’s national president, Dr. Bassey Umoh, the President’s transformation agenda has indicated that he is a man with focus and vision.

Umoh, in a chat with journalists at Uyo, on Thursday, reacted to the political situation in the country, saying that the President

should be allowed to do a second term in office.

“Jonathan’s transformation agenda in agriculture, education, power and railways had placed him as the best president Nigeria ever had since independence.

“The SURE-P and YOUWIN programmes of the Federal Government under his leadership have provided jobs for the teeming youths of this country,” he said.

He stated that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme introduced by the Federal Government has ensured the availability

of quality agricultural input to grassroots farmers instead of being hijacked by politicians.

The group leader also said that members of the SSSF had earlier pledged their support for President Jonathan’s re-election to enable him to complete the transformation process of the country.

On the postponement of elections by Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) from February to March 28 and April 11, Umoh urged political parties and all Nigerians to be patient with the electoral body.

He added that since the postponement was meant to perfect election plan and conduct free, fair and credible election, postponement should be seen in positive light.

Immigration Service (NIS) in Cross River State, has arrested 40 illegal immigrants.

Mrs Funke Adeuyi, Comptroller of Immigration in the state, made this disclosure while parading the illegal immigrants before journalists at the state Immigration office in Calabar.

Adeuyi said that the arrest was part of the activities of the NIS in

mobbing out illegal immigrants out of Nigeria. ``These illegal immigrants were arrested on Monday Feb. 9, by the intelligence group of the NIS at different locations in the state. ``We have thoroughly screened and profiled them. We have also identified those ones that are not here with their valid traveling documents. ``At the end of the day, we have been able to identify 40 of them, and they will be repatriated soon”.

Imo farmers back Ihedioha Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏThe Deputy Speaker, House

of Representatives and Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has been endorsed by Imo farmers as their sole candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the State The group, under the aegis of Imo Farmers Association, made this known at the closing ceremony of their Annual Prayer Session to mark the beginning of this year’s farming season and exhibition of various farm

products held at the All Saints Cathedral field, Egbu, Owerri, Imo State.

The President General of the Association, Okenze D.N. Keke, in his speech, enumerated the Deputy Speaker’s support for farmers in Imo State which according to him, had impacted their business very positively.

In his words: “Chief Emeka Ihedioha is a farmer and his manifesto as it affects agriculture, accommodates all we need to contribute to the development of Imo state. With him as governor, farmers believe that bumper harvests and food sufficiency will be assured.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

PDP govs not working for Buhari, says Akpabio Onyekachi Eze Abuja

ÏÏÏGovernors

on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) have described, as mischievous and scandalous, the claim that some of them from the North East and North West geo-political zones, are working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The governors, who spoke in Abuja, vowed to return President Goodluck Jonathan to the Presiden-

tial Villa on March 28.

Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio, at a press conference addressed by the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, on Thursday, described the claim as part of the rumours being peddled by the opposition.

According to him, “That is a rumour, it is falsehood, it is baseless, it is evil and it is scandalous”.

Akpabio explained that the PDP governors took cognisance of Jonathan’s

track record and the fact that, in the past years, no president had achieved his level of success across the country.

“The PDP governors, across Nigeria, have resolved to return President Goodluck Jonathan to Aso Villa. This is a fact and that was why we endorsed him for a second term in office, Akpabio added.

He pointed out that it was due to the achievements the president recorded that made no PDP governor to contest the presidential primary against him.

Don’t promote interim govt, FG warns Nigerians Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja

ÏÏÏWorried

by calls in some quarters for the composition of an Interim National Government, (ING), for the country, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, has said that the contraption is alien to Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

Adoke advised, therefore, that the arrangement should not be promoted by well- meaning Nigerians under any guise.

The AGF, in a press statement signed by him on Thursday in Abuja, pointed out that it had become necessary to correct “this misconception” and refocus the citizenry on

the path of constitutionalism and democratic tenets, consistent with the quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

His statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to recent calls in the media, by some Nigerians, for the constitution of an Interim National Government to, ostensibly, midwife the 2015 general election to usher in a new democratic government.

“While I recognise and appreciate the inalienable right of Nigerians to freely express themselves and proffer solutions to perceived national challenges, I am deeply concerned that some undiscerning Nigerians are being, unwittingly, led to believe that a certain prescription, which is, totally, alien

to the Constitution, can be adopted as viable solution to our national challenges.

“It has, therefore, become necessary to correct this misconception and refocus the citizenry on the path of constitutionalism and democratic tenets, consistent with our quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is pertinent to state that the framers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, did not envisage the constitution of Interim National Government to superintend over the affairs of Government.

“It is, therefore, not surprising to observe that no provision for Interim National Government was made in the Constitution.

Plateau First Lady lauds MDGs scheme Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏPlateau

State First Lady, Ngo Talatu Jang, has commended the poverty alleviation drive of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the state.

Mrs Jang also lauded the MDGs initiative at empowering co-operatives, engaging women to serve

as village health workers and the conditional grants scheme.

She made the commendation on the occasion of the flag off skill acquisition training programme organise by the state MDGs office in collaboration with Women for Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE), a pet project Mrs. Jang for over

170 women in the state.

She also commended the synergy between the Federal Government and Plateaus State on empowering the less privileged in the state especially in the areas of construction of schools, hospitals, provision of safe drinking water, books, drugs and improved access health care delivery.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

13 International

Ceasefire agreement reached in Ukraine

Rebels are surrounding Ukrainian government troops in the flashpoint town of Debaltseve

ÏÏÏAn

agreement aimed at ending the fighting in Ukraine has been reached, following marathon talks in Belarus.

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France announced that a ceasefire would begin on 15 February.

The deal also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner exchanges, but key issues remain to be settled. The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have signed the agreement. Thousands of people died in almost a year of fighting in the region.

Yemen on brink of civil war, says UN envoy ÏÏÏThe United Nations’ special

envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, has warned that the country is on the brink of civil war and accused all sides of contributing to the political and economic turmoil.

Yemen is slipping further into chaos as the Houthis, an Iranianbacked Shi’ite Muslim militia from the north, consolidate their grip on power after seizing the capital in September and sidelining the central government.

The fighters have been advancing into southern territories, confronting Sunni Muslim tribesmen, other groups and the local branch of al-Qaida.

The BBC’s Richard Galpin in Minsk says the deal is very similar to a ceasefire agreed last September, which unravelled very quickly.

French President Francois Hollande said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would ask their European Union partners to support the deal at a summit later on Thursday.

Ms Merkel said there was now a “glimmer of hope” but big hurdles remained.

Rebels fire a mortar towards Ukrainian government troops

“We believe the situation is very dangerous. Yemen is on the brink of civil war,” Benomar said in an interview with television channels al-Arabiya and alHadath late on Wednesday.

Al-Qaida-affiliated fighters seized an army base in southern Yemen and held soldiers prisoner on Thursday. The United States, Britain and France have closed their embassies in Sanaa, citing security concerns.

Houthi

north-east of Debaltseve, 11 February Rebels are surrounding Ukrainian government troops in the flashpoint town of Debaltseve If the Minsk ceasefire failed last September, then how is this different and could it work?

If both sides follow the deal, heavy weaponry will be hauled further back from the front line - not 15km (nine miles) as before, but rather 50km to 140km, allowing for longer-range weapons.

This would take civilians in Donetsk beyond the range of big

Egypt court overturns 36 Brotherhood death sentences

ÏÏÏA court in Egypt has over-

turned death sentences given to 36 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, including its spiritual leader Mohammad Badie.

They were among 183 people condemned in connection with a 2013 attack on a police station in the central province of Minya that left two policemen dead.

The Court of Cassation gave no reason on Wednesday for ordering a retrial.

Hundreds of people have been sentenced to death since the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi two years ago.

The mass trials, along with a

guns, as well as residents in government-controlled Kramatorsk.

The new ceasefire line is the same as the old one for the rebels - but for government forces, it is the current front line, so territory lost by government forces is confirmed as lost but not gained by the rebels, although they keep Donetsk airport. They would keep Donetsk airport, but there is no deal yet on the fate of Debaltseve, a major town where government forces are under siege, and that could prove significant.

crackdown on Islamists that has seen more than 1,400 killed, have drawn widespread international criticism, with the UN describing them as “unprecedented”.

Mr Badie has been sentenced to death in three other cases, according to his lawyer. He is serving a life sentence in a Cairo jail given in a fifth case.

The Brotherhood’s general guide was first convicted over the attack on the police station in the village of Adwa along with 682 others in April 2014, after a lightning trial that activists said severely violated the defendants’ due process rights. An Egyptian woman tries to stop a military bulldozer from going forward during clashes around Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque in Cairo (14 August 2013) The Minya police station attack was triggered by the violent dispersal of two Cairo sittings in August 2013

Sudan challenges rights group’s rape report

ÏÏÏA Sudanese government of-

ficial has accused the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) of trying to tarnish Sudan’s image after the group accused the army of raping more than 200 women and girls last October in the Darfur town of Tabit.

A report released Wednesday called the rape a crime against humanity.

Information Minister Ahmed Bilal said the rights report was released as the government of President Omar al-Bashir is trying to improve relations with the West and launch a national dialogue on the future of the country.

Bilal said the report should not be believed because interviews with alleged victims were conducted by phone without seeing them, and added that Sudanese culture forbids the rape of women.

“There is now a serious talk with the American administration and there might be some sort of improvement in relations.

There is [a] Sudan national dialogue going on. Then they (HRW) came out with such allegations.

Should anybody believe somebody that talks on the phone with 60 girls? He didn’t see them. He didn’t recognize their identification and take this seriously as a document against the government of Sudan,” he said Bilal said his government can make available as many as 5,000 women from Tabit to disprove the report. “Who can believe this? A respectable organization can go in such a way just to deny what has been happening in Sudan,” he said.

Japanese chopper missing ÏÏÏJapan’s military is search-

ing for a naval training helicopter that went missing with three people on board on Thursday, a spokesperson said.

Ground commanders lost contact with the chopper at about 11:00, when it was in the air above Kagoshima prefecture in southwestern Japan, a spokesperson for the maritime self-defense force, Japan’s navy, told AFP. “We are searching for an aircraft with three crew members including a trainee on board, and are investigating the cause of the incident,” he said.

The crew is part of a unit that trains pilots, he said.

14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE

t

MOUNTAIN OF GREAT SALVATION EVANGELICAL 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, 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Emmanuel Yemi Zaccious President 2. Olatoye Ezekiel Oluwakayode Secretary 3. Ogundeji Gbenga 4. Adeyemo Debora Bose 5. Emmanuel Kemi Bose 6. Adeyemi Olukemi Adeola The aims and objectives are:1. To preach the gospel of Christ 2. To congregate as Christians Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed By: Akintunde Olaniran

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHIEF GORDON BOZIMO FOUNDATION.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE;

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

1. Chief Ben Obinali.

2. High Chief Dr. Henry Uche Kanu.

3. Chief (Dr) Clement Ofoma, KSM, JP. 4. Chief Uchenna Okokoba.

5. Chief (Barr.) Obinna J. Chukwu.

6. Chief Simeon Nwoye, JP. 7. Eze Akalaka Nweze.

8. Eze (Dr.) Anene D. C. Ukachukwu, JP. 9. Chief M. P. S. Ngini.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; 1. To propagate and instil in the Igbo Speaking people the Igbo Culture.

2. To sensitive the Igbos into studying and speaking Igbo language.

Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication.

HEALTH FREEDOM AFRICA AWARENESS INITIATIVE

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

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

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: POLUFUNKE VICTORIA ORHEWERE ( PRESIDENT).

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Trustees Are : 1- Ikechukwu Pasty Ohuma- Chairperson 2- Alizor Hollins Humphery - Secretary 3- Solomon George Osagwena

4- Gere Bawo Benson

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1- to give free health services to member of public 2- to provide fair and accurate health news free from kick backs and fraud.

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.

THE CITY OF THE MIRACULOUS MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1- Ms. Lola Aboderin- Chairman 2- Oluwakemi Atilola - Founder 3- Very Rev. Omisakin Ominiyi Olabanjo 4- Pastor Ekpenkhio Edekin Ezekiel 5- Rev. Olanrewaju Michael Awumi 6- Pastor Makusota Emmanuel Owolabi 7- Pastor Yeside Stavely

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Alliu Agajo Abibatu Josephine- General Overseer 2. Eromosele Timothy Egbedion Prince 3. Timothy -Eromosele Abigail - Princess 4. Nyam Kajere Christopher 5. Salami Faith Deborah 6. Bodunde Ezekiel Olugbenga - Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1- To help mainly children between the ages of 0 to 12 years who have eye problems.

2- To provide free eye test to affected children

AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To preach the gospel of Christ all over the world.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from The date of publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE THE SPRING OF FAITH EVANGELICAL MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 Trustees: 1. Prophet Clement Bamidele 2. Aliche Victor AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To preach the gospel of the 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: Amah Johnson 0803046281

Aims And Objectives; 1. To advance and assist in the education and literacy of indigent children/persons in Nigeria.

2. To render medical aid/assistance to the less privileged persons in Nigeria.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed : Barr. Okoro Kalu Emmanuel

PUBLIC NOTICE THE SERVING HANDS SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LESS PRIVILEGED PERSONS FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to corporate affairs commission under part c of the Companies and allied matters act no. 1 Of 1990 Trustees Are: 1- Anite Senan 3- Chandra Gopinath 5- Abha Khurana

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: General Overseer

PUBLIC NOTICE TWENTY FRIENDS OF JESUS CLUB OF NIGERIA. The general public is here by notified that the above name CLUB has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under part c of the companies and allied matters Act 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Okechukwu Godson - Chairman. 2. Okorie Emenike Ethibelt.

3. Nwabufo Ikechukwu Godwin. 4. Jude Okorie - Vice Chairman.

5. Ejemba William Nnabuifo.

6. Ugwu Oliver Enechukwu.

7. Asogwa Christian Chijindu.

8. Ezeribe Ugochukwu .

9. Okoro Nkem Felix Aims and objectives.

To foster peace and harmony amongst its 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.

2- Nisha Bansal 4- Sindhu Ramesh Kurup

Aims and objectives : 1- To provide upliftment in living standards of the needy 2- To provide medical aid for the needy 3- To improve educational methods for the poor.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

YASHUA HAMASHIAC EYE CARE FOUNDATION

The Trustees Are; 1. Gordon Bozimo - Chairman. 2. Tari Judith Bozimo 3. Ayibaemi Bozimo 4. Tonbra Bozimo Lawrence-Nemi -Secretary.

5. Biraibi Ogoloma.

6. Yinebi Dike.

signed; Chief M. P. S. Ngini.

RISEN CHRIST’S LOVE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY.

Aims and objectives; 1. To preach the word of God.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IGBO TITLE HOLDERS FORUM OF NIGERIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Trustees Are; 1. Olufunke Victoria Orhewere - President.

2. Michael Osaimi Orhewere - Secretary.

3. Anthony Oiwoh.

4. Barr. Bamidele Friday Job. 5. Mr. Roland Orhewere

t

SIGNED : Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jessie Ijeoma Christiana Ihunweze addressed Mrs Jessie Ijeoma Christiana Nzurike. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Road Safety Corps and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Miss.

Ikennemefuna Nwachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Amarachi Ekeke. All former documents remain valid.

Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and the general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Modesola Akinfesola now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Modesola Isiolaotan. All former documents remains valid .

General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Ikoabasi Akpan Samson now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Ikoabasi Daniel Usip. All former documents remains valid.

General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Imelda Agbugba, now wish to be known as victoria Imelda Igbokwe. All former documents remain valid. The general public should note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Miriam Omoesiri Owwumi now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Miriam Omoesiri Macaulay. The General Public, should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Nkiru Clementina Nwugha now wishes to be addressed as Nkiru Clementina Olalokun. All former documents remains valid.

General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Miss Ifeoluwa Temitayo Ogundele now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Ifeoluwa Temitayo Lawal .

All former documents remains valid. General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as Miss Iwu Pauline Oluchi now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Oluchi Pauline Eric C. Asomugha. All former documents remains valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known as Oladapo Afolashade Quafilat now wishes to be addressed as Mrs. Odoom Afolashade Quafilat. All former documents remains valid.

General Public take note.

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

15 Opinion

Why ‘Buhari for Change’ mystique is farcical

T

James Uzondu

he first key to understanding General Muhammadu Buhari, (GMB) is his temperament. Many GMB narratives fixate on his perceived sectarianism, the misguided utterances that make him such a lightning rod in Nigerian politics. Few, if any, deal in any depth with the underlying cholericism that informed many of his actions.

As Head of State, GMB sanctioned the execution of three young Nigerians under a retroactive decree.

The young men were convicted of trafficking in illicit drugs, but it was the general’s sheer willfulness in seeing through the execution, in the face of intense protestations from civil societies and the international community, his absolute lack of remorse in later years for deploying executive fiat to perpetrate the obscene savagery, that not only hints at the inflexibility of the man’s will but also shows him up as someone who believes in his infallibility.

GMB truncated a nascent democracy to come to power, saw no priority in restoring the country to civilian rule, even when living

standards were falling and acts of gross human rights abuses perpetrated under his dictatorship were at an all-time high. Yet the belief in the inerrancy of his methods, even years after shedding his military toga, remains undiminished. ‘The military came in when it was absolutely necessary and the elected people had failed the country,’ the ex-soldier turned politician said in October 2002.

In 1995, the late General Abacha approached GMB with an offer of helping to reinvest the excess money accrued from the draconian increase of fuel price from N3 to N11 through the Petroleum Trust Fund. Buhari however, would only accept the offer if he was given the carte blanche to run the organisation as he deemed fit. Of course, the large scale corruption perpetrated under the Buhari-led PTF has been well documented, even when GMB has continued to distance himself from this.

This choleric characterisation may be grotesquely misleading, the clutch of instances reductionist at best, but they give a bit of insight into how the man seeking to be elected president sees himself.

Not just as someone privileged to be serving his country – for that

could be anyone of the millions of desperate Nigerians at home and abroad – but as the only one with the wand, knowledge and the rectitude to do so.

As GMB and his supporters continue to retain the belief that the septuagenarian is one incorruptible Nigerian, so generations of Nigerians have unquestioningly lapped up this belief. Since the restoration of democracy in the country, the fact that General Buhari is the only one with the necessary qualification and the ‘anti-corruption’ will to transform the fortunes of the nation, has simply been taken as gospel. Despite committing acts at variance with this reputation, Nigerians are made to believe GMB is the reference point against which all are judged.

Even the staunchest of his rivals are queuing up to anoint him as the Messiah. From El-Rufai to Atiku Abubakar to Obasanjo to Tinubu, these are all recent converts to Buharism – a movement of thought that promotes the political ideology and economic principles of GMB. Paradoxically, some of these converts have had one or two things to say against the man in

the past. El-Rufai, wrote in 2011 that Buhari remained unelectable, saying further: ‘His insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are already well-known. In 1984, Buhari allowed 53 suitcases belonging to his ADC’s father to enter Nigeria unchecked at a time the country was exchanging old currency for new.’ So what has changed about the ‘unelectable’ GMB that now makes him the overnight solution to the nation’s myriad problems?

Granted, the ex-soldier looks rather dapper for a bespectacled septuagenarian in a well-tailored suit and a matching bow tie in a recently taken picture – the picture has since gone viral, further magnifying the man’s mystique, his reinvention as a leader who has seamlessly embraced western values, a progressive. But being a progressive is not all about wearing a trendy black suit and clutching a tablet at a public function. Indeed, the clamour for a GMB-inspired transformation is one that should be tempered with realism. Rather than drifting off into some form of vague mysticism and glorification of the man’s personality, Nigerians should focus on what really matters.

An open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan

P

Adeolu Oyebode

ermit me to share this heartfelt letter via this medium and for general public consumption.

Mr President, I will be modest in all my letters but with all sense of patriotism, truth and precise situation of things as it is. Not minding our political ideological differences, my choice of sharing these thoughts with you is because you are my President and one that will love to complete his constitutional tenure and leave the saddle unscathed.

The burden of this epistle is to ensure that you do all things possible that you are not the last President of Nigeria.

Unlike some youth of this great nation, who would rather prefer to join the wagon of demeaning our collective value as Nigerians, I took pains to digest the reasons why the electoral body, INEC, took a decision to shift the general elections by six weeks from 14th and 28th February 2015 to 28th March and 11th April 2015.

Although it is evidently clear that there are inconsistencies in the earlier positions of the INEC

before/just-immediately after the Council of State meeting on the need to shift the elections hanging on security when compared with a status report published before then. The report which cited sources revealed that training manuals for ad hoc staffs were not ready, presiding officers are also yet to be trained, 700,000 ad hoc staff not recruited yet, PVCs still being printed abroad, no full complement of ballot boxes, fake printing ink sent to states from headquarters rejected, Many states yet to get balance of Card Readers.

It is a statement of fact that this is a sharp contradiction to the position of INEC in expression of its readiness for the general election as presented in the Council of State Meeting which was said to have an applause for positive preparedness ahead of the election, except for the uncollected Permanent Voter’s Card.

The summary of my presentation to the National Council of State meeting is that, for matters under its control, INEC is substantially ready for the general elections as scheduled, despite discernible challenges being encountered with some of its processes like the collection of Permanent Voter

Cards by registered members of the public.

In addition, INEC has been doing everything it can to facilitate the collection of the PVCs by registered members of the public.

As at 5th February 2015, the total number of PVCs collected was 45, 829, 808, representing 66.58% of the total number of registered voters.

In the delivery and deployment of electoral materials, INEC is also at a comfort level in its readiness for the general elections as scheduled. The commission’s preparations are not yet perfect or fully accomplished. But our level of preparedness, despite a few challenges, is sufficient to conduct free, fair and credible elections as scheduled on February 14th and February 28th. Compared with 2011 when, within a short time, we conducted general elections that were universally adjudged free, fair and credible and the best in Nigeria’s recent electoral history, our processes are today better refined, more robust and therefore capable of delivering even better elections.

Other variables equally crucial for successful conduct of the 2015 general elections that are outside the control of INEC” had prompted the deferment of the general

election. One important variable is security for the elections. While the commission has a very good working relationship with all security agencies, especially on the platform of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) since its inception in 2010, it has become pertinent for it to seriously consider the security advisory presented to it by the security and intelligence services.

My inference herewith is that the shift was fairly reasonable if on the basis of the uncollected voter’s card which could lead to disenfranchisement of large chunk of the electorates at the poll, but it still amounted to higher political undertone and the post-play of rationalising the need to shift on INEC unpreparedness as stated above. Your Excellency, will thus agree with me that assuming you aren’t a principal player in this game, you will agree that it was highly political to favour a political dynasty. But whether it is for you, from you, or at the mercy of your camp, on whatever reason, let that date not change, or else we may encounter a political crisis beyond anyone’s imagination. The May 29 handover date must stand.

16

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Politics

Dasuki

17

s

Wungari

Jega

Polls postponement, national embarrassment – Wungari The Director General of Dr. Ahmed Moddibo’s Campaign Organisationin the forthcoming gubernatorial polls in Adamawa State, Barrister Sunday Joshua Wungari has said that other contestants in the race have nothing good for the state insisting that Moddibo is the Messiah. Wungari, a constitutional lawyerhad earlier led some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) top shots to purchase nomination forms for Gov. Bala James Nggilari in the controversial primaries which produced MalamNuhuRibadu as the party’s candidate. Wungari in an interview with select journalists inYola spoke on the 2015 general elections. WALE AKINTUNDE was there. Excerpts:

Sani

ÏÏÏThe Independent National

take place is a serious disappointment. I will call on every Nigerian to remain resolute and believe that change must come; we shall ensure that on 28 March and April 11 Nigerians will speak with one voice.

Political parties are counting down on the big day of 2015 general elections especially the Presidential polls. How prepared is the PDM? PDM is very much prepared for the Presidential election even though as a political party, we don’t have a Presidential candidate. But as an individual we have reached a stage where we cannot afford folding our arms and playing the ostrich. As a person in my capacity as Sunday Joshua Wungari,

I have a presidential candidate and my choice of cause is General MuhammaduBuhari(APC) Presidential flag bearer. We do not need anybody to come and tell us that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today,GoodluckEbele Jonathan lacks the capacity to govern Nigeria. He has messed up all the goodwill and every of the votes the good people of Nigeria purportedly gave him in 2011. And in this circumstance, we are left with no option, we are left with no choice than to vote devoid of sentiment, tribe attachment or whatever divides. Because most of the mistakes we made in 2011 was because we voted based on sentiment, primordial interest anchored on as-

sumption. But elections as far as we are concerned this time around is beyond sentiment and primordial interest. Why? If you make a mistake with your vote, you pay a very high price. We have paid the price especially in the North East by way of insurgency that has eaten up virtually all the states in North East region.

Few months back, Barrister Sunday Joshua Wungari name rang a bell across Adamawa State as one of the PDP chieftains championing the cause of Barrister Bala James Nggilari for Governor come 2015, why the sudden change?

Well as a chieftain of the PDP then, we believe in the PDP as a

Alex Momoh Shema is Katsina behind stoning ÏÏÏChairman and governorship candidate of the National of Jonathan in Conscience Party (NCP) in KatState, Abdulmuminu Shehu Katsina-Abdul Sani sina Sani has accused Governor Ibra-

him Shema of being responsible for what happened to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during his recent visit to the state.

According to him, this was because of the governor’s previous inhuman speeches which gave thugs freedom to express them-

selves more freely and directly than ever in every part of the state.

He explained that the youths have been planning to carry out participatory and peaceful democracy campaign but have been

Electoral Commission (INEC) recently announcednew dates for the general election, what is you take on this?

I am not happy with the postponement. As far as I am concerned, the postponement is uncalled for and it has indicted INEC, the federal government and the leader of PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan. The security agents are also indicted for complicity. The time table for the election had been out since Jan 2014 only for INEC to come out a week to the polls to say the election cannot take place thus ridiculing the nation on the international scene. To say that within six weeks, every other thing will

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

2015: We won’t allow military to intimidate us CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

political party and its ideology. We joined PDP because we believed that Chief Joel Madaki, the state chairman of the party had a good purpose, a good intention and his Secretary, Barrister A.T. Shehu.

We believed in their crusade championed by Alh. Bamanga Tukur then, that there will be change, change for democracy to be rooted in the nation’s political landscape.

We can testify, because we all know that these people did a very good job to sanitize PDP. But as usual the hawks have taken the advantage of an incompetent president who is the leader of the party and his lack of comprehension of the political situation in Nigeria. They misled him; they took over; they mismanaged all the goodwill. Even the governor himself, with all due respects, we championed the cause for him to emerge or to contest the governorship of the state without consulting anyone believing that having passed through Baptism of fire, having seen the effect of mismanagement of goodwill and the government that came on popular demand and support of the good people of the state. He became something else. He involved himself in many issues that made us uncomfortable. He refused to be a Governor. He refused to be a champion of Democracy.

He went alone; at the end we discovered that this man cannot safe us. This man cannot lead.He lacks the basis for leadership. He could not fight for the good people of Adamawa State. He was only thinking about himself as you have seen now. He never contested for the senate but now the candidate of senate. He is not a democrat. I have respect for him as a person, as an administrator he has failed us.

So we have to look at a leadership that can take us to the promised land and the leadership lies in Dr. Moddibo.

What is your principal’s position to speculation going around in the state that Dr Ahmed Moddibo connived with

Moddibo

Badeh some elements in the EFCC, to declare Abdul-Azizi Nyako a senatorial aspirant wanted to pave way for his wife, Hon AishatuBinaniDahiru in the central senatorial race?

Well as a Director General of Moddibo campaign organisation, this allegation is laughable, it is funny in the sense that for somebody to forge such story for political capital that DrModdibo has a hand in the purported declaration of Abdul Azizi and His father wanted by the EFCC. Then we thank God that Dr. Moddibo controls all the government agencies in Nigeria. It shows that we do not have a government or this agency do not know what they are doing.

For somebody to come to say that Dr. Moddibo is doing this because Abdul Azizi is contesting against his wife, I wonder what will happen to other gubernatorial candidate contesting against Moddibo.

So, by and large, I will want to debunk thestory that Dr. Moddibo is behind Nyako and his son’ ordeal.

Moddibo is a gentleman, a man of proven integrity, he does not

know anything about the declaration. However, as far as we are concerned, the contest for central senatorial zone is between Eng. Ishatu Ahmed Binani and others, not between Abdul Azizi Nyako.

As much as we can say authoritatively, the race is for only one candidate, which is Binani but the others are just there to run the race and not to win. They are just there to fulfill all righteousness. We all know, even you that is not from Adamawa State you don’t need any soothsayer to tell you that Binani is the only serious candidate in the contest whereas the others are just there to participate for records.

As a constitutional lawyer don’t you forsee any danger ahead in regard to BalaNggilari’s senatorial ticket considering the fact that it was Barrister Ahmed Gulak that was declared by the PDP as the winner of the party primary?

Luckily for the two of them,they are all lawyers. Gulak is a respected lawyer; Governor Nggilari is CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

“So we have to look at a leadership that can take us to the promised land and the leadership lies in Dr. Moddibo”

Tukur

Shema waging war against youths CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

restricted by the Government, adding that such a trend is still nascent but can be detected in some LG’s of the state where opposition movements are on the retreat in favor of more moderate democracy oriented movements.

He said decisions taken by government in Katsina State exert direct influence on the life of youth throughout the state while the use of media advocacy is the only way youth increasingly develop their capacities for cooperation in order for them to participate in State political process and actions so as to strengthen their role in devising, implementing an integrated, effective and sustainable Campaign Mobilisation Network.

He stated that youths have made extensive use of internet as a tool for expression, organization and mobilization, saying that “In recent years, Katsina State has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of mobile phone and internet users and a parallel expansion in the number of email groups, twitter, Facebook and whatsapp users, most of the youth as the new technology have provided youth with new public spaces that are less subject to state regulation and control by Shema’s administration as a law or denial of rights for the youth which have made full use of He opined that the use of media as a tool for mobilization and organization will be demonstrated by youth for the movement of 2015 forthcoming general election is going to be one of the largest youth led movements in Katsina State and across the country.

“This youth movement has begun as a virtual movement formed on internet by youth mobilization network, serving as the starting point for the subsequent creation for the youth participatory and peaceful democracy at community level which is going to form an integrated campaign network ever for youth, including many leading political figures ”, he said.

He noted that youth in Katsina

Shema

are mobilizing because they have multiple grievances; and because new opportunities and resources for mobilization have become available over the past few years, as shown in many studies and reports, the grievances suffered by youth in Katsina are acute.

“Youth suffer multiple forms of exclusion and marginalization both on the economic front, they suffer from inadequate social services, education, healthcare services, wide spread unemployment and job insecurity. Embezzling of public funds though it is not corruption as mentioned earlier by Mr. President, maybe it’s a hobby. On the social front, government is preventing youth from fulfilling their needs through conference and events organizing,” said Abdulmumini.

According to him, on the political front, all channels of formal political participation including political parties, community organizations, student unions, syndicates, and to a lesser extent NGOs, are strictly controlled by the government or by a narrow circle of elites co-opted by the government, forcing youth to withdraw completely from formal political participation.

He noted with dismay that after 2011 election, the state waged a war of repression on many of these movements, which will significantly raise the cost of par¬ticipation in these types of movements, adding that the political advocacy Campaign continues through the media CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

“We believed in their crusade championed by Alh. Bamanga Tukur then, that there will be change, change for democracy to be rooted in the nation’s political landscape”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

19 Politics

Hunger looms in Adamawa if…

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

also a lawyer. Gulak and others went and conducted their own primaries in Abuja rightly or wrongly. Although I am not part of the PDP now, so in my own view I believe Barrister Gulak as a lawyer, who is having a certificate of return given to him by the party can go to court. Luckily the court has called of its national strike. Federal High Court is open, so he can file his own case against the PDP for unlawful substitution of his name with Nggilari. It is a matter of fact thatNggilari did not contest in the PDP senatorial primaries which INEC and PDP claims he emerged the winner. If Gulak is ready to sell his mandate, fine and good, that is their own headache.

The political popularity of PDP and APC has put the two political parties at advantageous position in the mind of the electorate. How will PDM sell its candidate in a political environment dominated by these two giant parties?

The two political parties Presidential candidates vying for the office of number one citizen of this country came to us in Adamawa State of recent. President Jonathan came to us as a sitting President and Flag bearer of the PDP, in the presidential contest.

We have seen how empty Ribadu Square the venue of his rally was despite the fact that he is a sitting President. Also, General MuhhammaduBuhari, the Presidential candidate of APC came in, he has general goodwill and support that cut across all political parties including people that have no affiliation with any political party.

Because of Buhari’s credibility, his wide acceptance make them adopt him as their candidate that

was why a lot of people went for his rally, that does not translate into total and complete support to APC in Adamawa State.

Based on the security situation in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, do you foresee elections taking place in what is regarded asa dangerous zone?

As far as I am concerned, I am saying this with all sense of responsibility, if any insurgent attack happens in any part of Adamawa State right from today, it’s because the government refuses to carry out its responsibility. What we are made to believe when President Jonathan came here for his rally was that Michika has been recaptured. Truly if Michika had been liberated as Mr. President says, what we expected is that the Nigerian troops will move to their next destination and recapture Madagali. Any attack from the Boko Haram insurgents anywhere in the state will make us believe that the government is making attempt to thwart the democratic process. We are convinced that every attempt you see PDP making is to ensure that they kill the spirit of ordinary Nigerian who is eager to go for the poll and exercise their civil right. PDP is more dangerous than danger, and more devilish than Devil itself.

How do you intend to reach out to the IDPs since they constitute considerable voters in the elections?

I am also IDP as I am talking to you. Members of my immediate family are all IDPs. I am from Mubi North, we left our homes because the insurgents sacked us. My father lost his life in this struggle of Boko Haram attack. The IDPs are my family; we eat food in the same plate. We drink from the same cup.

“Truly if Michika had been liberated as Mr. President says, what we expected is that the Nigerian troops will move to their next destination and recapture Madagali” Jonathan

So if I myself as IDP speaking to you now, you should know that we have a meeting point despite the fact that I sleep in a place I call a home. Anyway my house is also IDPs camp as well. There are IDPs camps in my house so we should know that the IDPs are my family.

There are big names in the Guber contest in Adamawa State such as MalamNuhuRibadu, Senator BindowJibrila, Engineer Markus Gundiri, what quality do you think your principal has that these political actors do not have?

I have respect for all the flag bearers of various political parties who are contesting for Adamawa Government House.NuhuRibadu, before now is somebody that was projected as an honourable man, a man of honour, man of principle, an upright man. But we are all witnesses to what transpired in the PDP that led to his emergence as candidate of the Party.

If truly, truly, NuhuRibadu is a man of Honour, integrity, he will never, never be part of such fraud that characterised the PDP prima-

ries in the state. What happened in PDP primaries is the greatest fraud ever frosted on the people of Nigeria by any political party.

With this,Ribadu at this point has lost all sense of integrity, decorum and really, if he has conscience, it should have been pricking him.

And if trulyRibadu is a man of principle, he would have come out to tell the peoplehe cannot become a party candidate under this circumstance if he believes in doing things in the right way. Hon BindowJibrila is gubernatorial candidate of APC. Governance is about capacity and ability. If you X-Ray him clearly you find out that he lacks the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual capacity to lead Adamawa State. Specifically in this precarious era, anybody that will be the governor of the state after the 2015 election is not a lucky man, he is an unfortunate person. The person is coming to grapple with a lot of challenges.

Firstly the insurgency taking over seven local government areas and it has completely destroyed the economics of seven local gov-

ernment areas out of the 21 local government areas of the state.

The seven local governments constitute 54 percent of land mass of Adamawa State; the seven local governments constitute 45 percent of economy of the state. And it constitute almost 75 percent of the population of the state. With this, there is no doubt that the government that will come in must have to think and work about resettlement, habitation, road construction, bridge and reunite people.

People that were divided because of the irresponsibility of the government in the sense that there is mistrust because of the way government handled the issue of insurgency. Now the people need to be reconciled, reunited, and resettled. Every government agency as far as these areas are concerned have collapsed.

We all know what Nigeria as a country is relying on as its foreign exchange earns which is the oil.

Oil now is 52 dollar per barrel; the nation’s budget has been affected by the price of crude oil. We must accept the fact that our economy is running on deficit. The so called foreign reserve is no more there.

These people in government have stolen all. This country is broke we should stop looking at allocation from the federation account; somebody must look at what he will generate internally to pay salaries, to fine-tune infrastructure and look for international support. Most of the people in APC in Adamawa State are Nyako people who are responsible for part of our problems formed part of our division.

They started from the PDP to APC. APC, in the state is constituted by people of questionable characters and integrity. Definitely, we have challenges, the only person who CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

‘Blame Shema for Jonathan’s stoning’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

to have a support base among youth, particularly among university and college students, and recent graduates and no longer represents the only or preferred vehicle for youth mobilization to avoid being crushed as earlier addressed as cockroaches by the governor Shema which he saw is inhuman.

“If really a renowned lawyer and a serving state governor in Katsina State will say this out of his consciousness definitely he need counseling. But I am still

wondering if he was the Shema who said and I quoted: “Since 1999 PDP has been ruling Katsina State comparing with other states politics, and PDP constructed roads, ok I agree since it is PDP funds not public funds but if people of Katsina State voted for him to become the Governor without rigging, so definitely Mr. President will explore the Hospitality of our state without any hindrance of political cockroaches; and I blame Shema before and has provided them with new resources to build networks and

to organize for violence that are less subject to state control and repression,” he said.

However, he said whether this trend continues to grow would depend primarily on how youth in the state respond to growing demands for inclusion and participation, adding that as ruling elites continue to block peaceful and democratic channels of political participation, youth are likely to revert to withdrawal or to more radical forms of mobilization if on the other hand, LGA’s in the state create broader opportu-

nities for youth mobilization and participation, their energies could be harnessed to create more peaceful, democratic and developed societies.

“It is thus necessary to assign a due cultural orientation to the use of new ICT campaign and to devise strategies in order to promote participatory and peaceful democracy at community level and the positive side of those technologies for all the youth in the country that uses them as PDP member`s actions will cause negative effects”, said the NCP governorship candidate.

Sani

Politics International 20 In Ukraine, It’s still Putin’s Game

Putin

ÏÏÏHis country’s oil export reve-

nues and currency have slumped.

Its economy is shrinking, and some of his own allies in Moscow have questioned where he is leading them. Yet when President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia sat down Wednesday in the Belarussian capital of Minsk with the leaders of Ukraine, Germany and France to discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine, he still held the decisive cards.

For months now, Europe’s often fractious leaders have spoken

with one voice on Ukraine, ruling out a military solution and pleading with all parties to find a way to resolve the dispute diplomatically.

But in Minsk, they confronted the reality that Mr. Putin retains the upper hand precisely because he is prepared to use military force to get what he wants in diplomacy.

In a sign of Europe’s commitment to diplomacy, both Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the Continent’s most powerful political figure, and President François Hollande of France, the

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

leader of Western Europe’s biggest country, traveled to Minsk on Wednesday in a last-ditch attempt to revive a moribund peace process begun in September with a truce deal, which was also negotiated in Minsk. They did so despite what Ms. Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said was just “a glimmer of hope.”

However, in Minsk, Europe’s faith in a “political solution” — a mantra repeated over the past year at every meeting in Brussels of leaders and foreign ministers — confronted the hard reality created by Mr. Putin, whose support for separatist rebels gutted the last Minsk agreement, empowered their quest for a clear military solution and amplified voices in Washington calling for military aid to Ukraine.

“Putin has got everyone spun up over what he is up to in Minsk, but he is playing a long game,” said Fiona Hill, the United States’ top intelligence officer on Russia from 2006 to 2009. “He plays on multiple fronts. We start talking

about a military response, and he starts talking about diplomacy.”

Ms. Hill, now director of the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution and co-author of “Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin,” predicted that any new cease-fire accord would “only be temporary like the last one” because Mr. Putin constantly shifts between diplomatic and military options, depending on which he sees as giving Russia the most advantage.

The West, she added, assisted Russia’s tactical maneuvering by making it clear what it wanted while Mr. Putin constantly keeps everyone guessing. “You can win on a weak hand if your opponent is always showing you their hand,” she said.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday during a meeting of European foreign ministers that again reaffirmed the sanctity of diplomacy over force, the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, stressed that Wednesday’s

talks in Minsk between the leaders of France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists needed to strengthen, not rewrite, September’s so-called Minsk Protocol.

Continue reading the main story But he acknowledged that fully putting it into effect was no longer an option because of what he called “certain evolutions on the ground,” namely a steady advance by pro-Russian fighters that has extended the territory they control by more than 200 square miles since September.

In the weeks preceding Wednesday’s Minsk summit talks, proRussian rebels, fortified by fresh supplies of Russian weapons, seized the ruins of the Donetsk airport and launched a determined offensive against the town of Debaltseve, an important rail junction and the last pocket of Ukrainian-held territory in a wide swath of territory north of Donetsk.

Wungari: People can force govt to get free fair polls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

has the capacity among the various candidates fielded by various political parties to fix things in the state; who has the zeal and who is spiritually prepared and has demonstrated good leadership; who believe it is the people that should choose their leader and not somebody else and has been consistent democratically is Dr. Ahmed Moddibo. I am not speaking this because I am his DG campaign.

You know I am the convener of Adamawa Progressive Movement after the botched PDP primaries.

As a movement that believe in the future of the state, we have made a decision that having studied all the candidatesand their antecedents and pedigree, we believe that Dr. Moddibo is the right choice for Adamawa people because no other candidate has compassion for Adamawa. None of them is humble enough or prepare spiritually for the task ahead.

Why blaming Ribadu when President Goodluck Jonathan at his rally in the state said that he is the brain behind the emergence of Malam Ribadu?

The President claimed during his rally in Adamawa State that he is the brain behind Nuhu’semergence , thank God that he came here and told us that.

We all know that a failure cannot groom a success. President Goodluck as a President is lacking capacity to rule this great nation;

“Therefore when it comes to enforcing our rights, no military man should stand in our ways, so we will not be afraid of anybody.

It’s either we live and live comfortably or die as heroes” Jega

he is a failure in all ramifications.

Look at our nation, the fabric that has been keeping us as a nation is no longer there. Nigeria is a divided nation under the eye of Jonathan today. It has manifested clearly under his leadership that the nation has been brought to its knee. If this same person will groom someone to take charge of Adamawa affairs, every responsible person, every patriotic Nigeria must distance itself from such a person, because such a person can never bear any good fruit because a tree is known by its fruit.

The military command has promised to assist INEC during the general polls don’t you think their presence may intimidate electorate?

Ordinarily, military presence

may have been a kind of intimidation, but not now based on our experience. Because we know our military, the military which ran away during the insurgents attack.

They were running faster than civilians, so if any military man is to intimidate any person in Adamawa State, having seen what we have seen, then we must be ready for anything. No military man as I am talking to you can intimidate me today. I am better than them; the difference between us is that they have arms. I am telling you based on our experience in Adamawa State. Nobody is afraid of the arms now if miscreants who called themselves Boko Haram carrying nothing will chase away military men with sticks, do you think they will be used againstNi-

gerians. No military man will allow himself to be used by anybody.

Greatest casualties of irresponsible government are the police, the military, the security agents are the greatest casualties of an irresponsible government and I am sure they know better that under President Goodluck Jonathan.

They should not allow themselves to be used during the election and we will resist any attempt to be used against the people of the state. We have recorded many deaths, some of us lost our beloved ones and properties because of irresponsible of government including the military during the insurgency. Therefore when it comes to enforcing our rights, no military man should stand in our ways, so we will not be afraid of anybody.

It’s either we live and live comfortably or die as heroes.

Do you foresee free and fair election in the country?

As far as I am concerned, free and fair election is just a name.

It is people that will force the government to have free and fair elections. And we are ready to force the government to ensure that there is free and fair polls.

If people of Adamawa State, the people of Nigeria fail to sacrifice their lives because of this 2015 elections. We should be ready to die in misery if our present crops of leaders continue in leadership. They care not about our children, they care not about our well being, all they care about is their pockets, our continue suffering even our death, they don’t mind. Whoever does not feel the pangs of the insurgency should tell us truly he is living in a different continent. People are dying of hunger and there are greater hunger ahead. For instance, from Madagali to Gombi no one can able to make a good harvest this time around after investing much on our faming. Hunger is looming, nobody is talking. People will die of hunger from Zakibia to Jalingo there are no farms, no yam, no beans, no maize, nothing.

This, our green reserve in Yola, is empty, nothing is there. People must not be misled, people are going to die of hunger if PDP is to remain in power. A vote for PDP is a vote for crisis and death.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Features Political thugs shoot woman, rob shops in Lagos

Unaware that the February 14 election has been postponed, there was chaos from supporters of warring political parties in Ajegunle, Lagos. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON met with some of the people who narrowly escaped death and filed in this report.

21

s Widow and mother of two, Madam Aladi Akor was lighting up fire to start her bean-cake (akara) business along Olayinka and Sanusi Street in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos when pandemonium broke loose about 3.30 pm last Tuesday.

“I just saw people running from Olayinka Street towards Sanusi Street where I sell along the road, and I joined the race

for life even though I didn’t know why people were running.

This is Ajegunle; if you wait to find out before you run, it may be too late.”

But while running for safety, she stumbled and fell, and people running behind her also stumbled and fell on top of her too. Just then, she felt a sharp pain in her throat.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Mrs. Aladi Akor

Going...going... Efik’s fattening room culture

Photos by Courtesy of Israel Ophori

A maiden stepping out of the fattening room Time was when Efik maidens of Akwa Ibom State were known to possess the alluring poise and charms of making prospective suitors go on their knees… until it was discovered that the art of winning a man’s heart was part of what they learnt in the fattening room.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR discovered this on a visit to the state but regrets that the culture is gradually dying out. His report.

The original purpose of keeping an Efik maiden in an isolated place for proper domestic grooming was not to make her fat. It was to incul-

cate and teach her the culinary art of cooking and taking care of her husband; understanding the culture and politics of the immediate and extended family,

and especially the art of love making. The essence of keeping her at home for months is to make her add on more flesh.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Features 22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Photographs of Efik ladies taken shortly after a fattening room ritual

Celebrating the fattening room experience CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Those involved in this domestic tutorial are women who are known to have made successes of their marriages and have raised grown–up children who will become in–house companions to the new maiden. Since she will be leaving a sedentary life without distractions, she is expected to put on more flesh.

In all, the idea of ‘Fattening Room’ is to prepare a maiden to become a good wife, and mother. She is taught to prepare all types of local dishes and get acculturated into the immediate

Where the bullet pierced her throat

and extended family. Usually, the training schedule is rigorous, even though she is taken proper care of and made to look beautiful.

This culture originally belonged to the Efik but over time it exported to the Ibibio and all other parts of Akwa Ibom State.

There is the always this wrong notion, especially among nationalities outside the old Eastern region, that the average Efik and Ibibio lady has a natural proclivity for snatching husbands of other women. But scholar in Efik tradition, Aniedoabasi Inyanguwem disagrees

‘I escaped death by the special grace of God’

The Efik girl begins her marriage lessons from a very young age.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

“I thought I had hit my neck on a stone, but when I felt the sharp pain in my throat, I touched the spot trying to remove the stone, then I felt blood gushing out of my neck area. It was when I heard sounds of gunshots that I realized I had been shot.”

Aladi told Daily Times how she was helped by some boys in

with such notion. He took Daily Times into a journey into the origin of the culture: Efik mothers are known to be very thorough in teaching their daughters everything they should know about womanhood and motherhood, even the manner a lady should walk, talk and carry herself.

You will hear her rebuke the daughter for sitting carelessly, saying ‘come on sit properly, don’t you know you’re a girl?’ It was something a girl looked forward to knowing about motherhood, womanhood, and love making, that the mother and

grandmother will teacher her.

Those hard but inconvenient truths were expected and accepted. From the day she is circumcised, they’ll let her know why it is being done.

From the moment of the first menstruation, she is let into the world of how to handle such and its significance. When her breasts are fully mature, she is told of the uses and challenges they will and pose in her maturity stage. They will tell let her appreciate and know what love-making is all about and how to please her husband.

“I was told that there had been a fight in the neighbourhood between some boys over APC candidates and that my mother was shot in the process”.

her area who took her to the hospital. “It was a traumatic day for me; I escaped death by the special mercy of God,” she added.

Aladi’s daughter, Monica who was at work at the time of the incident told Daily Times she was away at work when someone called her on phone.

“I was told that there had been a fight in the neighbourhood be-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

23 Features

The culture teaches the maidens all about child-bearing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

You know the saying that when a man is sent from other parts of Nigeria to Efik and Ibibio land, he’ll not come back home because these girls will take over his heart. That notion was due to the home training.

The Efik girl begin her marriage lessons from a very young age. It’s only now that young girls are staying away from parents, thereby making this part of their culture look strange.

There’s no Ibibio of Efik lady who would go out of her way to prepare charms to take over a man’s heart.

It is due to her training and comportment, including the knowledge and skill received from the training.

There is an example; one man went to work in Nigeria Ports

Authority (NPA). When he leaves his house, the girl friend will replace the bed sheet, wash his panties, and pedicures the sole of his feet with rough stone.

She was all over the man with care and attention. When he is eating and even sneezes, the girl will be there to attend to his needs. Unless such a man’s heart is made of stone, there is no way he won’t give in to such a lady. Every man needs attention and genuine love. There’s no magic to it.

The Efik lady will blow your mind in all aspects of domestic chores and romance.

Another aspect of the culture teaches the girl everything about child bearing. When the girl gives birth, she is taken to her mother’s home where she is advised on how to be a mother.

When she gets back to the hus-

band, she then becomes a wise and caring mother. In those days, being fat was a sign of wealth and affluence.

Sadly, the fattening room culture is facing some challenges w brought about by the rejection in modern times. When you’re taking your daughter to the fattening room all the diabolical attacks of the family, community and of enemies come to play because they don’t want it to be a success.

Many now die while undergoing fattening. The mortality rate is getting so high that families are now abandoning the ritual. A culture that began solely to prepare young maidens to be good wives and mother is taking a dive, because participants are getting involved in fetish rituals to protect themselves against perceived evil attacks.

Another problem was the distance; nobody was prepared to take a pregnant wife to the village to be delivered of babies. It is no longer in vogue, especially now that no one wants a fat wife anymore.

Also, the relationship between the young girls and their mothers is not as close as it used to be and that goes for men who later become in-laws.

In the past, marriages are contracted between known families. Today, our children marry complete strangers. So for that girl to come to your family and you send her to the fattening room won’t be acceptable.

When you want to show how wealthy you are, it is determined by the cultural group you belong and type of food you CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Monica Akor

Political thugs go berserk in Lagos, shoot woman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

tween some boys over APC candidates and that my mother was shot in the process.

“I was scared and confused at the same time because I knew how I left home that morning. It was so bad for me because there was no money; in fact we ate the last grain of rice before leaving home that day with the hope of feeding in the evening from whatever she was able to make from her Akara business. I was so shattered.”

Daily Times learnt that Monica’s story reveals the condition many families in Ajegunle live with. Every meal is the last one until the next meal will come by faith, wits and a lot of hassle.

“But I can only thank God for preserving her life,” Monica concluded: supposing she had died?” she asked, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I had to go and borrow from a friend to pay the hospital bill.”

Mrs. Constance Zibe, another resident who has been living in the area for over thirteen years told Daily Times it was a bloody evening.

“I was not around when the fight started; I was at the Boundary market when my daughter called me to inquire where I was. She told me that there had been a serious fight in the area and that they have been shooting sporadically and injuring Old order

New order

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Features 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

‘They entered many shops and collected handsets and money’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Mrs Aladi

people with knives and cutlasses and robbing them of their mobile phones and money.”

Her daughter, Miss Blessing Zibe, confirmed that it was a gory sight as unknown men

came and started shooting into the air and robbing people of their phones and money.

“I saw people running from Olayinka towards Sanusi and so I hurriedly packed and locked the shop where we sell outside our house. The people shot

severally into the air, injuring people. In broad daylight, they entered some shops and collected their handsets and money. A lot of people were injured from stray bullets. I thought to myself that it cannot be real; it was such a horrible day.”

Mrs. Zibe recalled that it was not the first time such fights had happened in the area. Noting that majority of the boys around them in Ajegunle are notorious, she feared that the forthcoming election has even made issues worse.

Husbands don’t need that kind of shape nowadays CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

eat, including the lady girl you are about to marry. During the traditional marriage ceremony, she comes with members of her age grade age, while the father will show off with his own group as well; the mother too will not like to be outdone also.

It’s also a way of announcing their survival potential since any time a young girl goes into the fattening room, there was always fear she might not come out alive. “See, we have made it: our daughter has survived the three months period’, so all the dancing, and rejoicing are part of the culture.

Some traditionalists still engage in the rituals; they see it as an achievement for their daughter to undergo such rigours successfully. In those days girls look forward to going into the fattening room, these days no girl wants to go there. It is no longer popular.

Would you send your daughter to the fattening room?

“There is no more the necessity for doing so because as the girl is growing up she is taught all the basic things she needs to know. Now we have girls who may spend all her school days away from home. These days some children are closer to their fathers than their mothers, so everyone must get involved in teaching their children what they are likely to face in the real world.

For the records: There’s no particular place designated as ‘fattening room’.

It could be any room in the home of the bride’s parents or relation.

The fattening room stemmed from the social line that says, if you must eat a chicken at all, you should eat one that has more flesh’; meaning that if you must marry a lady, look out for one that is all flesh and plump. According to Mr. Emmanuel Daomon, chief executive of Galaxy Group, Edet Akpan Avenue (4-lane), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the time men were looking at the physique of the woman. “You know the type of ladies called ‘ajebo’ or ‘orobo’; that is the kind you can generally call ‘agric’ children.

“Though the desire is no longer in vogue but the women who nurtured girls through the fattening room are still there and women who passed through the experience are alive. Nearly the whole of Akwa Ibom were involved but particularly the Ibi Ono, Ikono, even part of this Uyo and Etuk Local Government.

“But husbands now don’t need that kind of shape because most of husbands of today have gone to school and come back and they prefer what they are seeing outside; even those who didn’t go to school, they look at television and see models, all slim with their figure 8 doing catwalk; even school girls are doing the same everywhere and men like them so and it is what people want that you give to them.”

Emmanuel also points to another dying vogue: “Before now after the fattening room experience, when the woman delivers her first child, her mother will come and take her and baby and nurse them; she will start another round

How wealthy you are is determined by the cultural group you belong and type of food you eat, including the lady you are about to marry of teaching of what a woman should know and do after childbirth; but many things have made people don’t do it anymore. One of them is distance; some husbands work far from home, some even abroad so sending your wife back home after first delivery is does not make economic sense; then there is the issue of safety and caution too: people become cautious because when you send your wife and first child to the village you are not sure what they will give to your baby to eat because there are certain things new born babies don’t eat again; then the fear of evil attacks that is rampant in the villages now, etc.”

Apart from fear and safety, Emmanuel is convinced that exposure to western culture made that tradition and culture not to hold any appeal anymore.

Celebration of culture

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Chronicle

25

s

Cartoon from our Archives

Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

1915 ASCAP is founded

Daily Times February 13, 1961

Today in History 1976 General Murtala Mohammed Assassinated The dynamic and purposeful administration was shaken to the roots by an abortive military coup that took p place on this day in 1976. General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated on his way to work that day. Lieutenant Colonel B.S Dimka. Thereafter, Dimka went to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to broadcast his first speech. Later on, the planners and executioners of the coup attempt were rounded up and executed by firing squad.

1920 League of Nations recognizes perpetual Swiss neutrality The League of Nations, the international organization formed at the peace conference at Versailles in the wake of World War I, recognizes the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland on this day

in 1920.

Switzerland was a loose confederation of German-, French-, and Italian-speaking communities until 1878, when the French, under Napoleon Bonaparte, unified the country as the Helvetic Republic and imposed a constitution, which was enforced by French occupation troops. Bitterly resented by the Swiss people, the French occupation ended in 1803, when Napoleon agreed to a new Swiss-approved constitution and withdrew his troops.

The Congress of Vienna in 1815, which would determine Europe’s borders until the outbreak of World War I nearly a century later, recognized the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland.

The Swiss considered preserving this neutrality essential to

Switzerland’s economic and political development. A new constitution, adopted in 1848, reinforced the neutrality principle by outlawing Swiss service in foreign armies or the acceptance of pensions from foreign governments.

Neither the unification of Italy in 1861 nor the birth of the German empire in 1871 shook the loyalty of the nation’s Italian or German population to Switzerland. With industrialization, fuelled largely by hydroelectric power, and the construction of an efficient railroad network, Switzerland’s economy continued to grow, spawning a thriving tourism industry by the end of the 19th century.

Though Switzerland maintained its neutrality during World War I, with German, French and Italian Swiss standing firm to

preserve their country’s solidarity, a costly military mobilization to protect the Swiss borders diverted most of the working population to war-related work and brought economic hardship.

After the war ended, membership in the League of Nations—the international organization established at the Versailles peace conference—was narrowly approved

by Swiss voters after a federal council opposed it. In February 1920, the League voted to recognize the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland. The League also established its headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva, a tribute to the country’s neutrality as well as its relative economic and political stability, which has continued to the present day.

1915 ASCAP is founded “If music did not pay, it would be given up.” So wrote Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1917. Holmes wasn’t referring to musicians themselves in that statement, but to places of business in which copyrighted musical works could be heard, whether such music was live or recorded and, critically, whether or not it generated direct revenues. “Whether it pays or not,” continued Holmes, “the purpose of employing it is profit and that is enough.” Narrowly speaking, the decision in Herbert v. Shanley Co. forced Shanley’s Restaurant in New York City to pay a fee to the American songwriter Victor Herbert for playing a song of his on a player-piano during dinner service. The case represented a much broader victory, however, for the new organization of which Herbert was the head: the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), which was founded on this day in 1915.

Among the founding members of ASCAP were the musical giants of the day: Irving Berlin, James Weldon Johnson, Jerome Kern, John Philip Sousa. Circa 1915, songwriters like these made their living primarily from fees earned through the sales of sheet music. Protection from unauthorized printed reproduction of their compositions was a right clearly established under U.S. copyright law, but it was a novel contention at the time that the composer had a further right to a share of any other revenue stream to which his work was a contributing factor. This was the claim made by ASCAP, which said that its fundamental goal was to “assure that music creators are fairly compensated for the public performance of their works, and that their rights are properly protected.”

In the wake of the successful Shanley decision, ASCAP adopted the royalty-payment mechanism that is still in use today: the “blanket license.”

26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Tourism

s

Argungu festival in full swing

Argungu Fishing Festival: A nation’s pride in limbo Tayo Adelaja

About a year ago, many people were happy when the Kebbi State government promised to revive the internationally acclaimed Argungu Fishing Festival. It was last held in 2009, and, eventually, was rescheduled for February, 2014 with people having high expectation.

But, that hope was dashed!

In 2010, the event could not hold.

The official reason was that, due to President Umar Yar’Adua’s illhealth and subsequent death, on May 5, the state could not hold such a major event.

Likewise, in 2011, the festival date clashed with that of the elections.

In 2012, the festival could not hold because the state was preparing for the re-run of the governorship election, following the Supreme Court cancellation.

The festival started, initially, as religious rites preceding the reign of Surame Gungu of Kebbi Kingdom, since the 16th Century, the festival, as we know it today, has become more elaborate and stylish.

Active government participation, however, came with the establishment of a Northern Regional Government when, for the first time, a substantial grant of £500 was made to the Argungu

Native Authority.

In 1969, the then North Western State government decided to involve itself directly with the general development and restructuring of the festival. The Federal Military Government supported it with a substantial donation of £10, 000w each in 1970 and 1977.

In fact, in February 1977, the Argungu Fishing Festival was organised, specifically, as a major side event of immense cultural

value.

In recognition of the value of the festival in reviving the state heritage and enhancing the development of tourism, subsequent administrations in Sokoto State drew up a multi-million naira master-plan for the festival village.

In terms of attendance, before 1934, the attendance to the earlier rites remained a local affair.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

INDABA 2015: S’Africa hosts biggest travel, trade show Ebun Dosunmu INDABA 2015 is all set to hold at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, South Africa, from May 9 to 11, 2015. Over 400 travel and tourism products and services would be exhibited at Africa’s biggest trav-

el and trade show. They include a variety of African travel products from both the private and public sectors of the industry.

Among the companies that have already confirmed their exhibiting spaces are; andBeyond; Fair Trade Tourism; Tanzania Tourist Board; The Blue Train;

Tourism KZN; Hilton Worldwide; MalaMala Game Reserve; Cape Town Tourism; Tsogo Sun and British Airways (operated by Comair).

South African Tourism is set to make sure that INDABA 2015 exceeds the business expectations of exhibitors and buyers.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thulani Nzima said: “Every single INDABA element must give exhibitors an unrivalled and effective platform to showcase their products and services and to do business. INDABA belongs to them.”

Nzima

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Beyond tourism, Olumo Rock goes spiritual

A shrine under Olumo Rock

Tunde Atobatele The ancient and famous Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State is known to many, as a tourist centre where thousands of tourists visit regularly.

It is historic monument with deep roots in the history of Egbaland, from which the name of the ancient city, Abeokuta, under the rock is derived. The symbols of the rock, to the local indigenes, are poignant, hence, the yearly sacrifice usually being undertaken by the worship-

27 Tourism

pers, who are mostly women, living within the cave.

However, the transformation of the rock to a modern tourist centre, equipped with essential infrastructure to a global status now seems secondary as experienced by several visitors.

Many recent visitors to Olumo Rock no longer visit for mere relaxation or to behold the glamour of its beautiful views, rather, they now visit seeking spiritual help from some traditionalists on the rock.

Daily Times’ visit to the tourist centre, showed that visitors

who came for spiritual reasons ers, and this prompted a chat with some of the visitors, who preferred anonymity. They confirmed that they, actually, visit for spiritual consultation with the traditionalists based on the recommendations of friends.

The traditionalists, according to some visitors, are versed in history and various traditional healing methods. Also, an unconfirmed story had it that the traditionalists, mostly women,

are aged between 84yrs and 100 years, yet one cannot disperse their strong physical health and youthful looks.

According to one of their patrons, he visited the rock to thank them because “I was told to meet with them when I couldn’t get a job, after attending many interviews. I’m sure that you won’t expect me to reveal what they gave me. Anyway, less than three months after my visit, I got a good job. I’m here to thank you.”

Under Olumo Rock

Tourism ministry should revive it CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

However, after 1934, the festival became, not only a community affair, but, essentially, a national event being witnessed by the international community.

Indeed, after the memorable visit of Sultan Dan Mu’azu, the festival began attracting such a growing followership from all over the country. Tourists and guests for the occasion trooped in large numbers from Europe, Britain, United States, Russia, South East Asia and neighbouring African countries like Niger, Benin Republic, Cameroon, etc.

By 1970, the attendance figure to the festival had exceeded 100,000. The first visit by a Nigerian Head of State was also recorded in 1970, with the visit of Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his counterpart from the Republic of Niger, Alhaji Diori Hammani.

In the same year, fishermen

from Rivers State and cultural troupes from the South, Western and Eastern States of Nigeria began participating.

In fact, by 1979, Rivers State had established a permanent camp for its fishermen and cultural troupes in the Fishing Village. The festival was used by the Federal Government, during the period, to heal the wounds of the Civil War and build confidence and mutual respect among Nigerian people.

In contrast, 1977 marked the beginning of the attendance of high-profile international guests to the festival. Notable amongst the visitors were American Secretary of State, Andrew Young, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria and the Consul-General of the Saudi Arabian Embassy.

Cultural troupes and Heads of Missions of most nations that attended the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977 also

witnessed the festival.

All Nigerian Heads of State and presidents had witnessed the festival, with the exception of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has a record attendance of four visits to the festival.

To date, more than 200 traditional rulers have witnessed the festival from all over Nigeria and neighbouring African countries, with the sultan and many others making it a duty to attend annually, until the end of their individual reigns.

Aside fishing with hand-held nets on the river, other events during the week-long festival, are agricultural shows, exhibition of crafts, traditional wrestling, boxing and cultural entertainment.

Others are traditional symphonies, wild duck catching, diving, canoe race, motor rally, durbar

Fish catches ....

and Kabanchi traditional display.

The festival celebrates life. It is a precursor to modern day fishery management programmes and a way of conserving natural resources and preserving traditional ways of living. It is valuable to the life of the community because it draws on historic local

knowledge.

It is time for the relevant authorities, especially, the Federal Ministry of Tourism, headed by Chief Edem Duke, to ensure that this internationally acclaimed festival is resuscitated to earn some foreign exchange for the country.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Business Times

s Capital Market Investors lose N262 billion as bearish trading continues Adesola Akindele

L – R: The President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema and 1st Vice President, NSE, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo at the Closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange on Thursday in Lagos.

Monetary authorities ready for price sh0cks- Emefiele Adesola Akindele The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has asked Nigerians not to fret over global commodity price instability as the nation’s monetary authorities have buffers in place such as expected N150 billion from non-oil revenue to cushion fiscal shocks.

Speaking on Thursday, at the closing gong ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Emefiele said: “Today the world and indeed Nigeria by extension is no doubt faced by certain vulnerabilities and challenges arising largely from the drop in commodity prices and this includes crude oil, gold and other forms of commodities in the world.

“We have seen the price of gold drop from over 3,000 dollars an ounce to just over 1,200 dollars an ounce recently, the same way we have seen the prices of crude oil drop from as high as about 110 dollars a barrel to below 50 dollars per barrel and now stabilising to about 59 dollars a barrel.”

Emefiele noted that the instability had effect on the activities of the Nigerian stock exchange, which was evident in the drop of

the All Share Index from as high as 42,000 in July of 2014 to as low as 28,000 Wednesday 11th February 2015.

He sasid it was rather unfortunate that this has happened and that there were a number of factors which contributed to this, such as the dropping of price of commodities, including oil, the tapering that has happened and of course to some extent the hostilities in Ukraine that has resulted in the world focusing on Ukraine and the activities of Russia in Ukraine, these has had its own effects on the Nigerian stock exchange.

“But what I really need to say is that: “There is no need for anybody to panic, the Nigerian economy remains in our view, very resilient, with gross domestic product GDP growing at a rate of 6.5 per cent, we do expect that unfortunately it would drop to as low as about 5.5 to 6 per cent in 2015, but this sill ranks amongst some of the growth rate that we have seen particularly high in the margin of one tier market in the world today.

“The Nigerian Monetary authorities as well as fiscal authorities are doing everything that

it could to respond to those vulnerabilities. A lot of models and scenarios have been put in place where we look at some of those actions that the monetary and Fiscal authorities would kick in as we attain various levels in the price of crude.

“I think it is important of me to at least commend the Fiscal authorities in 2014 for instance, as some of these unfortunate events started. The ministry of finance invited the McKenzie group to look at our long haul sources of revenue. In 2014 we have over 75 billion naira in increased non-oil revenue in the country. We are expecting in 2015 this would be ranked up further high to over 1 billion dollars i.e 150 billion naira.

Those are some of the activities that have been put in place.”

On the current political situation in the country leading to the general elections, Emefiele said: “We have seen people responding also as a result of political situations in Nigeria, and all I can say is that the Nigerian Economy remains resilient. In 1993, June 12, we had an election that is adjudged to be the freest and best

election ever conducted, unfortunately what happened, happened in 1993 June 12.

“Nigeria has survived. Since then we have had the 1999 election that went on smoothly. We have had 2003 election as well as 2007 and 2011, and naturally we find that before an election happens and of course there must be disagreements one way or the other, but I am very confident that the spirit of Nigeria that sometimes we find as we are approaching such difficult times, we pull back and realise that this is Nigeria and this is one nation and that is the reason why we all need to have faith in Nigeria.”

He was upbeat that the elections would come and go, Nigerian activities would remain the same and the economy would improve.

“So to Nigerians and also our foreign investors and partners who are working with us- Retain and Increase your level of confidence in Nigeria, this economy is resilient and so many things we are doing to diversify the structure of the Nigerian economy and in due time we would begin to reap the benefit of these efforts,” he said.

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday recorded another loss of N262 billion from value of their investments.

The market value which opened at N9.6 trillion closed at N9.3 trillion. Similarly the AllShare Index which opened at 28,721.27 points lost 214.5 basis points to close 27,935.77 points.

Market price movement chart showed 42 equities participated in the day’s trading with five gainers against 37 losers.

Flour Mills Nigeria Plc led the pack of losers with N2.51 or 8.23 per cent to close at N28.00 per share.

It was trailed by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc with N1.05 or 5.55 per cent to close at N17.86 per share, followed by Dangote Sugar Plc with N0.34 or 5.00 percent to close at N6.46 per share.

Diamond Bank Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc suffered 19 kobo and four kobo to close at N3.61 and 76 kobo each.

Despite the bearish run, five stocks recorded gain with Cable Company of Nigeria (CCNN) Plc topping with 46 kobo or 4.91 percent to close at N9.82 per share.

It was followed by Air Services and Logistic Plc with Nine kobo or 4.84 per cent to close at N1.95 per share, while Fidelity Bank Plc was up with four kobo or 3.39 per cent to close at N1.22 per share.

Okomu Oil Plc gained four naira or N1.45 per cent to close at N27.90 per share, while Forte Oil Plc added N2.00 or 1.00 per cent to close at N202.00 per share.

In all, investors traded 4.483 million shares valued at N411.56 billion exchanged in 3,491 deals.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

29 Maritime

Expanding job frontiers through shipyard development Many youths today roam the streets of Nigeria in search of meaningful jobs and careers, their efforts impeded by scarcity of opportunities to meet demand. FUNMI COKER sought the opinion of stakeholders in the maritime sector on viable solutions to the unemployment debacle.

Stakeholders in Maritime sector are unanimous in their positions that an effective strategy to tackle the nagging problem of unemployment lies in establishing additional shipyards in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria.

Chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2015 Planning Committee, Prince Ayorinde Adedoyin, said the establishment of more shipyards in Nigeria would solve the problem of unemployment because of the large workforce required for operations by shipyards.

Adedoyin suggested that Nigeria could adopt the Brazilian example, which, according to him, required ships meant for longterm contracts to be built in the country.

“Let me use Brazil as an example. The law says categorically that any vessel that would do a long-term contract in Brazil must be built in Brazil. See how many shipyards in the world that ran to Brazil to go and set up shipyards.

See how many thousands of jobs that they’ve created.

“Why do we find it very difficult to enforce the law that we have written? If we enforce it, it would be beneficial to us. If there is a shipyard, you will have direct workers. You will have suppliers to supply. You would have food vendors. See the chain and it goes on,” he said.

Adedoyin, who made a strong case for the enforcement of the Nigerian Cabotage Law, said that many trained seafarers were jobless due to lack of vessels in which they could work.

On the plight of Nigerian ship owners, he lamented that the average ship owner in the country had been reduced to begging for jobs that are theirs by right.

Meanwhile, policy makers and key economic players are expected to form part of the discourse on economic regeneration at the 2015 Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX), according to the NIMAREX 2015 Planning Committee.

The Coordinator of the Intellectual and Strategy Sub-Committee of the NIMAREX 2015 Planning Committee, Dr. Omogbai OmoEboh, said: “We are looking at seeing principal actors in the economic landscape in Nigeria.

Those that formulate economic policies for the country like the Minister of Finance, who is the

A shipyard

head of the Economic Team. We are looking at seeing the Governor of the Central Bank or his representative.

“We are looking at those industry stakeholders who have already invested a lot in this industry and who have the capacity to do more to grow the industry even further, for the benefit of Nigerians.”

Omo-Eboh, who is also the President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), said that the paper presentations would cover the need to reposition the nation’s econo-

Customs nab 18 over N179.5m contraband in Owerri The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, the Imo State capital, has arrested 18 persons in connection with 37 seizures valued at N179, 523,600.

This was higher than the seizures recorded in January 2014 which was N93 million.

The seized goods include 636 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, 800 bags of cement, 800 pieces of used tyres, 2,155 cartons of foreign soap and creams, 13 cars, 14 jeeps, five trucks, four buses, 274 bales of second hand clothing and stockings as well as 17 pieces of Tarpaulin, 12 pieces of PVC rubber carpet and 51 bags

Dikko, Comptroller General, NCS

of 50 kilogrammes rice.

The Area Controller of the Unit, Victor Dimka, attributed the feat accomplished by the unit to series of innovations put in place by the management of

NCS under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

The controller commended Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Services, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and the media for their cooperation in the fight against smuggling.

He added: “We have been trained and conscientised under the management of the Customs Comptroller General to meet our challenges and it is left for those still entrapped in smuggling to desist forthwith or be prepared to face the consequences of their act if arrested.

my for multiple revenue sources.

“We have identified the papers and topics and built them around the theme of this year’s NIMAREX, and the theme we have selected is ‘Regenerating Economic Growth through the maritime sector.

“And we believe that this theme is quite apposite because we need to realign the Nigerian economy. The economy has been for too long, a mono-dependent economy, in the sense that we have depended largely on our oil revenues. Now, the price of crude

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has said that training of its members is one of its cardinal points of putting the association on the world map.

National President of the association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, disclosed this in Lagos recently.

He said: “The nature of operation of ANLCA must change to meet international standard. It is a deliberate thing for us and I can tell you that our people go for training and if not for this election now, we are preparing to go to South Africa and also in October we are going to Jeddah and in the same year, we will be in America.

“All this travelling is to train our members because what you learn cannot be taken away from

oil is taking a nosedive in the international market and that has the consequence of affect ting the government’s income stream, its revenue profile and its budget.

“Therefore we are looking, and we believe the government is also looking at other sources of generating income and we think the maritime industry presents a very good opportunity for this,” Omo-Eboh said.

It was important, according to him, to regenerate Nigeria’s economic growth through the maritime sector, which the papers and topics were aligned to address.

ANLCA to train members in US, South Africa you and no matter how knowledgeable you are, you still need to train yourself.”

Shittu stated that the association had created a new face for licensed Customs agents from the old way of “dirty and nylon bag agents” to a professionalised industry.

“I can tell you that we have about 15 PhD holders in ANLCA who are doing this job. We can no more be seen as touts or as disgruntled elements, we have professionalised the industry,” Shittu stated.

Auto 30

Daily Times Nigeria FRiday, February 13, 2015

Best cars of 2015

Niyi Omo-Okiri With new car transaction prices rising each month, it might be tempting to go for the car with the lowest price tag. That can end up costing you in the long run, however. A cheap car is no bargain if you don’t enjoy owning it. A low price tag also doesn’t always translate into low ownership costs, so you may end up paying more in the long run. The U.S. News Best Cars for the Money awards combine data from the Best Cars rankings with data on transaction prices and long-term ownership costs to highlight cars that are not only good to their owners, but also good to their owners’ wallets.

The awards cover 21 different categories, and the Best Cars winners show that great cars and great values often go handin-hand.

For the seventh year in a row, the Lexus RX 350 takes home the Best 2-Row Luxury SUV for the Money award. Auto journalists love how smooth, quiet

and luxurious the RX is, and that same formula, plus low ownership costs in its class, keep the RX in the winner’s circle. Another repeat winner is the Mazda5, which has won Best Minivan for the Money a total of four times. Though it’s much smaller than most other minivans, reviewers like how sprightly the Mazda5 feels on the road. Its smaller size also means owners save on fuel and other ownership costs, though the Mazda5 still seats six.

Newly redesigned cars did well in this year’s awards, winning in nine categories. With the latest tech features, freshly updated cars have the infotainment and connectivity features consumers demand.

Redesigned cars also take advantage of the latest in engine technology to save on fuel, lowering ownership costs. The newest models also tend to have the best residual values, which also helps make them great values.

The Honda Fit is all-new for

2015 and won both the Best Subcompact Car for the Money and Best Hatchback for the Money awards. The Nissan Murano is newly redesigned and won best 2-Row Midsize SUV for the Money. The Chevrolet Colorado returned for 2015, and the all-new truck won Best Compact Truck for the Money. Volkswagen took home two awards with fresh models: The Volkswagen Golf is the Best Compact Car for the Money and the GTI is the Best Sports Car for the Money. The all-new Audi A3 snagged Best Upscale Small Car for the Money, and the redesigned Subaru Outback is the Best Wagon for the Money. The Acura TLX is the Best Upscale Midsize Car for the Money.

Though newly redesigned cars did well, there are also some older models among the winners, which shows that a tested and true design still appeals to automotive critics. The Honda CR-V is the Best Compact SUV for the Money, and

the Ram 1500, the Best Full Size Truck for the Money, still has a ride that reviewers say is the smoothest in the class.

The Acura RDX continues to impress with its satisfying driving dynamics and excellent ownership costs; it’s the Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money. The Chevrolet Impala is the Best Large Car for the Money, and the Hyundai Sonata

is the Best Midsize Car for the Money.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid won each of the Hybrid categories.

Though models from American brands were finalists in many classes, only three awards ended up going to domestics: the Chevrolet Colorado, Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Impala.

Daily Times Nigeria FRiday, February 13, 2015

CWG acquires CBN’s e-payment licence Tony Nwakaegho Computer Warehouse Group Plc (CWG), a PanAfrican Information Communication Technology Company, has acquired licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to perform the activities of Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) to Point-of-Sale terminals (PoS) in Nigeria.

This is a fallout of the visit by a delegation of the apex bank to CWG late last year to assess the company’s preparedness and ensure that the company has fulfilled all conditions necessary and is therefore qualified to be licenced as a Payment Terminal Service Provider in the country.

In a letter signed by Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, the apex bank noted that CWG “has successfully passed through the various stages of evaluation. These include an inspection of the company’s facility and processes, an allowance of a test period, during which the company’s products were carefully examined for quality and standard.

“CWG is hereby licenced to perform the activities Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) for Point-of-Sale terminals (POS) in Nigeria.”

The PTSP license certifies that a company has the infrastructure to competently deploy, maintain and provide support

for POS terminals in Nigeria.

According to the CBN, “A PTSP shall offer services to acquirers covering all aspects relating to terminal management support, including but not limited to purchase and replacement of spare parts, provision of connectivity, training, repairs, and development of value added services, amongst other things.”

Reacting to the development, Mr. Austin Okere, founder and chief executive officer, CWG, noted that the licence is a testimony to the capability CWG Plc to competently deploy functional PoS terminals to the market at a time when CBN is vigorously pursuing the ideal of making the Nigerian business clime a cashless model.

Although the number of POS terminals increased to about 125,000 as at June last year and the value of PoS transactions increased to about N138 billion during the same period, statistics from the apex bank also indicate that about 46 percent of adult Nigerians have no access to financial services.

Said Okere: “Our track record in the financial services sector as indicated in the deployment of our Finacle core banking application to foremost banks in Nigeria, our technical platforms for Firstmonie and Diamond Yello account, are pointers to our capacity to be instrumental to the actualisation of a truly cashless economy”.

L-R: Mr. Amir I. Adamu, Senior Supervisor, Banking & Payment System, CBN; Mr. Sadiku Yakubu, Assistant Manager, Banking & Payment System, CBN and Mr. James Agada, Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc during the PTSP Licence audit in Lagos, recently.

On his part, Mr. James Agada, chief technology officer, observed that CWG’s quest to deploy POS terminals is an integral part of her new business module christened CWG 2.0.

Agada said: “The deployment of our POS terminals is inclusive of our business package for SMEs. We believe that there should be 17million terminals if there are over 17 million existing SMEs in the country.

This would aid in the growth of smaller businesses and consolidate the cashless economy ini-

tiative of the government.

“Our terminals are going to be tailored to suite the specific peculiarities of SMEs. It can work anywhere. It will also allow merchants do more since it has multiple payment option.

This means that a merchant can receive payments for bills, sell JAMB pins, airtime and importantly, keep inventory of sales using the same POS terminal.

This will be our quota to enabling inclusive growth in the economy.”

31 ICT

Kaymu expands operations to Warri and Benin Adesola Akindele Nigeria’s online marketplace, Kaymu.com.ng, has expanded operations to Warri and Benin. This comes hot on the heels of its expansion to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.

In a statement released by the Managing Director of Kaymu. com.ng, Evangeline Wiles, said the company which started with one hub in Lagos has since grown in two years to establish hubs in six geo-political regions in Nigeria.

‘We aim to improve the efficiency of our service and satisfy our customers by opening more branches in other states of the federation’, she added.

The expansion is in line with Kaymu’s vision to bridge the gap between buyers and small and medium scale enterprises across Nigeria.

There are no limits to what the online marketplace can achieve with plans of further expansion within the country.

Wiles’ Managing Director, Kaymu

Policy, security critical for broadband spread- Ogunsanya Tony Nwakaegho

Ogunsanya, CEO, Airtel Nigeria

Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, has listed critical factors for accelerating the mobile broadband revolution in Nigeria.

They include partnership amongst key government agencies, legal protection, and security of telecoms infrastructure, elimination of multiple taxations and proactive implementation of the Smart States Initiative.

Ogunsanya made this asser-

tion while sitting on the panel of discussantS at the recent Nokia Connect Nigeria ICT forum themed: Exploring ICT potential for growth: Opportunities and challenges for operators in the Nigerian market through 3G/LTE held in Lagos.

He opined that the availability of spectrum for mobile broadband will help change the current narrative of a myriad of activities and businesses in Nigeria; from providing an access pipe and database of customers for advertisers to have prompt access to their markets

to giving consumers necessary information they require at the click of a button.

“We are moving from the use of mobile broadband for e-commerce to m-commerce which strongly supports the development of interconnectivity of devices within an ecosystem.

The future is already here and the time saving benefits in the use of 4G broadband connectivity is enough to encourage rapid 4G/LTE rollout,” Ogunsanya said.

He advised that the key to ensuring the wide spread use

of interconnectivity is to make mobile devices available and at affordable prices whilst ensuring transparency in providing access to the networks.

The conference which had several corporate leaders and CEOs drawn across the ICT sector in attendance was chaired

by Chief Leo Stan Eke, Chairman of Zinox Group, while other discussants on the panel were Mr. Matthew Willsher, CEO Etisalat Nigeria; Mr. Bernard Najm Head, EMEA Nokia Networks; and Mr. Wales Goodluck, Corporate Services Exec-

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Features

s

Features 28

Political thugs shoot woman, rob shops in Lagos

Unaware that the February 14 election has been postponed, there was chaos from supporters of warring political parties in Ajegunle, Lagos. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON met with some of the people who narrowly escaped death and filed in this report.

Widow and mother of two, Madam Aladi Akor was lighting up fire to start

Daily Times Nigeria her bean-cake (akara) business along Olayinka and Sanusi Street in Ajeromi Friday, February 13, Ifelodun 2015Local Government Area of La-

for life even though I didn’t know why people were running.

This is Ajegunle; if you wait to find out before you run, it may be too late.”

But while running for safety, she stumbled and fell, and people running behind her also stumbled and fell on top of her too. Just then, she felt a sharp pain in her throat.

21

Business

News

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

13 International

Politics

PollsSudan Going...going... Monetary Ceasefire challenges rights Business Times Ceasefire agreement postponement, ready agreement Efik’s fattening authorities group’s rape report national for price sh0cks reached in Going...going...

Efik’s ÏÏÏ reached in Ukraine room culture embarrassment Emefiele Ukraine Capital Market 28 L21 culture fattening room P13 Investors lose– Wungari P 17 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.45

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Politics s

Mrs. Aladi Akor

dailytimesng

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N262 billion as bearish trading continues

Price: N150

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gos when pandemonium broke loose about 3.30 pm last Tuesday.

“I just saw people running from Olayinka Street towards Sanusi Street where I sell along the road, and I joined the race

Adesola Akindele Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday recorded another loss of N262 billion from value of their investments.

The market value which opened at N9.6 trillion closed at Rebels are surrounding Ukrainian government troops in the flashpoint town of Debaltseve N9.3 trillion. Similarly the AllShare Index which opened at Photos by Courtesy of Israel Ophori A maiden stepping out of the fattening room points lost 214.5 in gov11 Feb- guns, as well as residents ÏÏÏAn agreement aimed at The BBC’s Richard Galpin in north-east of Debaltseve,28,721.27 Time was when Efik maidens of Akwa Ibom State were known to basis points to close 27,935.77 The original purpose of cate and teach her the culinary and especiallythe the fighting art of love in Ukraine Minsk says the deal is very simi- ruary Rebels are surrounding ernment-controlled Kramatorsk. ending possess the alluring poise and charms of making prospective suitors keeping an Efik maiden in art of cooking and taking care making. The essence of keepgo on their knees… until it was discovered that the art of winning troops The new ceasefire line is the points. has following mar- lar to a ceasefire agreed last Sep- Ukrainian government an isolated place for proper of her husband; understanding ing her been at home reached, for months is to a man’s heart was part of what they learnt in the fattening room. domestic grooming was not to the culture and politics of the make her add on more flesh. tember, which unravelled very in the flashpoint town of Market Debalt- same as the old one for the rebGBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR discovered this on a visit to the athon talks in Belarus. price movement make her fat. It was to incul- immediate and extended family, CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 state but regrets that the culture is gradually dying out. His report. quickly seve Officer, NSE, els42 - but for government The leaders of Russia, L – R: The President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Governor, Central Ukraine, Bank of Nigeria (CBN),. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Chief Executive chart showed equities partic- forces, it French on President If the Minsk ceasefire failed is the current front line, so terriMr. Oscar N. Onyema and 1st Vice President, NSE, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo at the Closing Gong Ceremony at the Exchange ThursdayFrancois in Lagos. HolGermany and France announced ipated in the day’s trading with that a ceasefire would begin on lande said he and German Chan- last September, then how is this tory lost by government forces is five gainersconfirmed against 37 losers. cellor Angela Merkel would ask different and could it work? as lost but not gained 15 February.

Flour Nigeria Plc led they keep their European Union partners If both sides follow the deal,Mills by the rebels, although

Monetary authorities ready for price sh0cks- Emefiele The deal also includes weapon withdrawals and prisoner ex- to support the deal at a summit changes, but key issues remain later on Thursday.

Dasuki Ms Merkel said there was now to be settled. The pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine have a “glimmer of hope” but big hursigned the agreement. Thou- dles remained.

Rebels fire a mortar towards sands of people died in almost a Ukrainian government troops year of fighting in the region.

heavy weaponry will the be hauled airport. would pack of Donetsk losers with N2.51They or further back from the 8.23 frontper linecent keep to Donetsk close at airport, N28.00 but there Wungari - not 15km (nine miles) as before, is no deal yet on the fate of Deper allowshare. baltseve, a major town where but rather 50km to 140km, It was trailed

by Guaranty ing for longer-range weapons. government forces are under This would take civilians in Doand that could Trust Banksiege, Plc with N1.05 orprove signetsk beyond the range of big nificant.

A Sudanese government official has accused the U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) of trying to tarnish Sudan’s image after the group accused the army of raping more than 200 women and girls last October in the Darfur town of Tabit.

A report released Wednesday called the rape a crime against humanity.

Information Minister Ahmed Bilal said the rights report was released as the government of President Omar al-Bashir is trying to improve relations with the West and launch a national dialogue on the future of the country.

Bilal said the report should not be believed because interviews with alleged victims were conducted by phone without seeing them, and added that Sudanese culture forbids the rape of women.

“There is now a serious talk with the American administration and there might be some sort of improvement in relations.

There is [a] Sudan national dialogue going on. Then they (HRW) came out with such allegations.

Should anybody believe somebody that talks on the phone with 60 girls? He didn’t see them. He didn’t recognize their identification and take this seriously as a document against the government of Sudan,” he said Bilal said his government can make available as many as 5,000 women from Tabit to disprove the report. “Who can believe this? A respectable organization can go in such a way just to deny what has been happening in Sudan,” he said.

Jega

Polls postponement, n 2015: Of ethnic and tribal jingoists Adesola Akindele

Ayo Akinyemi ÎÎΓ….Who made you a

prince and a judge over us….”

The title I intended for this piece originally was – NIGERIA BETTER ON THE NATURAL TRIPOD. For quite some time, I have been bothered by the frightening dimension the accentuated recourse to the North/South Dichotomy is assuming in the Nigerian polity again.

It is indeed worrisome that an issue that was coffined and buried in 1914 by the Colonial Masters, sequel to the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, could be rearing its head, so menacingly, in our national life today. Incidentally, the Centenary of the historic action, which marked the end of a chapter in the history of our dear country, was

lavishly celebrated by the Jonathan administration in 2014. It is indeed pronouncedly saddening that, today, there are so many groups of myriad shades and colours, dressed in the North/South garb of all sorts.

One wonders, if at this stage and age we should still be watering the North/South divide, predicating our actions and decisions on the stale geographical identity foisted on us by the Colonialists for their own economic and administrative conveniences, and political interest as well. It is heartrending and head shattering that those who should know better, are the ones hoisting the divisive flag, exploiting the dichotomy, at will, for selfish interests – political, pecuniary, and social relevance, as the case may be. Hence there are the Northern Governors Forum, the Southern Governors Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Southern Elders Forum, etc.

The well-advertised communiqué issued by the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) at the end of its 5th General Conference held in Enugu a couple of weeks ago, inspired the change in the title of this piece and the re-direction of the thought process. It is on record that the Assembly had had four previous meetings, the thought-provoking resolution made public at the end of the latest conference, left no one in doubt that the main agenda of the 5th conference in question was to trumpet support for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

Elder-statesmen in the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, no doubt have the inalienable constitutional right of association and are entitled to hold personal opinions, it cannot be ascertained how much influence they wield in their respective localities, and how many of their kinsmen would

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has asked Nigerians not to fret over global commodity price instability as the nation’s monetary authorities have buffers in place such as expected N150 billion from non-oil revenue to cushion fiscal shocks.

Speaking on Thursday, at the closing gong ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Emefiele said: “Today the world and indeed Nigeria by extension is no doubt faced by certain vulnerabilities and challenges arising largely from the drop in commodity prices and this includes crude oil, gold and other forms of commodities in the world.

“We have seen the price of gold drop from over 3,000 dollars an ounce to just over 1,200 dollars an ounce recently, the same way we have seen the prices of crude oil drop from as high as about 110 dollars a barrel to below 50 dollars per barrel and now stabilising to about 59 dollars a barrel.”

Emefiele noted that the insta-

which was evident in the drop of

Egypt court overturns 36 Brotherhood death sentences

Yemen on brink of civil war, says UN envoy

Japanese chopper missing

embarrassment – Wun ÏÏÏJapan’s military is search-

ing for a naval training helicopter that went missing with three people on board on Thursday, a spokesperson said.

Ground commanders lost contact with the chopper at about 11:00, when it was in the air above Kagoshima prefecture in southwestern Japan, a spokesperson for violated the defendants’ due pro- the maritime self-defense force, Jaleft two policemen dead. fromstock the north, consolidate theirwe have over 75 ria and this is one revenue.

In 2014 It was followed

by Air Servicown effects on the Nigerian nation and that The Court of Cassation gave no cess rights. An Egyptian woman pan’s navy, told AFP. grip on power after seizing the exchange. is the reason allWednesday need to for billion naira in The increased non-oil General Director of why Dr.we on take place“We is a esordering and Logistic with Nine bulldozer tries toPlc stop a military reason areserious searchingdisappointfor an aircapital in September and sidelinThe Independent National “But what I really need to say revenue in the have faith in Nigeria.” country. Moddibo’s We are clashes I will a retrial. craft call with on three crew members kobo or 4.84from pergoing cent forward to closeduring at ment.

Campaign every Nigerian ing the central government. Ahmed Commission (INEC) is that: “There is no need for was upbeatHundreds that Electoral theofelecaroundwhile Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque including a trainee on board, and people N1.95 have been The fighters have been ad- this would be the He expecting inOrganisationin 2015 per share, Fidelity forthcoming to Minremain resolutetheand believe anybody to panic, the vancing Nigerianinto southern territotions would come and recently go, Nige-sinceannouncednew 2013) The sentenced to death the mili- in Cairo (14 August are investigating cause of the dates ranked up further high to over polls 1 Bank Plc was up with four attack kobo was ya police station trigtary overthrew President Mohamgubernatorial in Adamawa that change must come; we shall incident,” he said. economy remains in our view, rian activities would remain the ries, confronting Sunni Muslim for the election, what is dispersal of billion dollars i.e 150 billion nai- same and the med geredtoby the violent or 3.39 per cent close at N1.22 Morsi two yearsgeneral ago.

The crew is part of a unit that very resilient, with gross domes- other economy would tribesmen, groups and the State,Houthi Barrister Sunday Joshua ensure that on 28 March and April The mass along a two Cairo sittings in August 2013 trains pilots, he said. youtrials, take on this? local al-Qaida. perwith share. tic product GDP growing at abranch rate ofra. on the brink of civil war and ac-

on Thursday. The United States,

members of the banned Muslim

a fifth case.

the tapering that has happened thorities in 2014 forBritain instance, be have disagreements one way or the five stocks recorded gain with general and as France closed Brotherhood, The Brotherhood’s including its spiricused all sides of contributing to and of course to some extent the and but I am very that Cable their embassies Sanaa, citing guide wasoffirstNigeria convicted over the tual confident leader Mohammad Badie. Company someeconomic of these turunfortunate events inother, the political security concerns.the spirit of Nigeria hostilities in Ukraine moil. that has started. The ministry They that weresomeamong 183 people attack on the police station in the of finance (CCNN) Plc topping with 46 in connection with a village of Adwa along with 682 othresulted in the world focusing onis slipping further into times we find ascondemned we are approachYemen invited the McKenzie group to percent close in Aprilto 2014, afterata lightning 2013times, attack we on apull police kobo stationorin4.91ers Ukraine and the activities of Rusing such difficult chaos as the Houthis, an Iraniantrial that activists said severely central look at ourmilitia long haul sources of N9.82that per share. backed Shi’ite Muslim sia in Ukraine, these has had its back and realisethe that this province is Nige- of Minya

heed the call to vote for their favoured Candidate Jonathan in the presidential election. It is however amazing, disheartening and surprising as well, that the respectable men of means, stature and enviable credentials, in their 70s and 80s, with ample knowledge of our nation’s history could be twisting and colouring same for whatever reason, fanning embers of disunity and fueling divisive tendencies at this critical moment and time in our national life.

Little surprising, that the convocation of the National Conference (a rehabilitation centre of some sort for some of the members), is one of the planks for the elders support for re-election of President Jonathan. For beneficiaries of the National Conference largesse, it is pay-back time. Do not blame them outright for their leaning. As a Yoruba parlance says; ENU TO JE DODO KO LE SO ODODO. (It is difficult for the mouth that has eaten DODO - fried plantain – to tell the truth – ODODO. As we know, fried plantain is sweet and truth is bitter.

In all honesty, at critical times and situations like bility had effect on the activities of the Nigerian stock exchange,

5.55 per cent to close at N17.86

per share, followed by Dangote the All Share Index from as high it could to respond to those vul- election ever conducted, unfortuwith N0.34 or 5.00 as 42,000 in July of 2014 to as low nerabilities. A lot of models and thenately whatishappened, happened Sugar Plc crackdown “We believe situation on Islamists that has percent to seen close at N6.46 per as 28,000 Wednesday 11th Febru- scenarios have beenvery putdangerous. in place Yemen in 1993 is June on the12. more than 1,400 killed, have ary 2015. where we look at some “Nigeria has survived. Since share. brinkofofthose civil war,” Benomar drawn widespread international said in an and interview with with the AIIUN describing He sasid it was rather unfortu- actions that the monetary then wetelevihave had the 1999 elecDiamond criticism, Bank Plc and sion channels andwent al- on smoothly. We themPlc as “unprecedented”. nate that this has happened and Fiscal authorities would kick inal-Arabiya tion that CO Insurance suffered 19 on Wednesday . 2003 election as well as Mr Badie has been sentenced to that there were a number of fac- as we attain variousHadath levels late in the have had kobo and four to close at accordAl-Qaida-affiliated fighters deathkobo in three other cases, Nations’ special tors which contributedÏÏÏ to The this,United price of crude.

2007 and 2011, and naturally we seized an army base in southern ÏÏÏA court in EgyptN3.61 and 76ing kobo each. to his lawyer. He is serving a has overto Yemen,“I Jamal Benomar, such as the dropping envoy of price think it is important of me find that before an election hapand held soldiers prisoner turned death sentences given in a Cairo to 36 life has warned country is Yemen Despite thesentence bearish run,jail given in of commodities, including oil, that to atthe least commend the Fiscal au- pens and of course there must

these, there is a justified front burner again, taking tendency to ask the elders: a centre stage in our poI have a presidential ca ÏÏÏ and my choice of cause eral MuhammaduBuha Who gave you the mandate litical discourse. It is still Presidential flag bearer. not need anybody to co to advance our cause and very fresh in our memory, Wungari has said that other con11 Nigerians will speak with one tell us that the President I am not happy with the postin the race have nothing voice.

Federal Republic of ponement. As far as I am con- issue almost made be ourtestants voice?

Apart from that the good for the state insisting that Political parties are count- today,GoodluckEbele Jo cerned, the postponement is unModdibo is the Messiah. Wungari, ing down on the big day of 2015 lacks the capacity to gov called for and it has indicted INEC, the fact that lawyerhad we have re- mess of general the elections 2014especially National a constitutional earthe geria. He has messed up the federal government and the lier led some Peoples Democratic Presidential polls. How pre- goodwill and every of the v leader of PDP, President Goodluck spect for age in tothis Conference, but for the Party (PDP) top shots purchaseclime, pared is the PDM? good people of Nigeria p Jonathan. The security agents are nomination forms for Gov. Bala PDM is very much prepared edly gave him in 2011. And also indicted for complicity. The James Nggilari in the controverfor the Presidential election even circumstance, we are left the elders in the SNPA lasthadminute horse-trading time table for the election been sial primaries which produced though as a political party, we don’t option, we are left with no out since Jan 2014 only for INEC to MalamNuhuRibadu as the opinion parhave a Presidential candidate. than to vote devoid of sen are not, per se, and hereButand come out a week to the pollscompromise to say ty’s candidate. Wungari in an as an individual we have reached tribe attachment or what the election cannot take place thus interview with select journalists a stage where we cannot afford vides. Because most of t ridiculing the nation on the inter- ironically, leaders or decision makthere, in the inYola spoke on the 2015 general folding our arms and playing the takes we made in 2011 was national scene. To say that within elections. WALE AKINTUNDE ostrich. As a person in my capac- we voted based on sentim six weeks, every year other thing we will ers, recognized were was there. Excerpts: as such by ity as Sundaycelebrating Joshua Wungari, mordial interest anchored their people. They could 100th year of the amalgaat best be put in the pres- mation Alex with suffocating Momoh him Shema of being resp Shema is for what happened to Pr sure group bracket. Since fun-fare.Katsina Goodluck Ebele Jonatha behind stoning ÏÏÏChairman and governor- ing his recent visit to the the unanimous choice of The crux of the matAccording to him, this ship candidate of the National of Jonathan in Conscience Party (NCP) in Kat- cause of the governor’s p State, Abdulmuminu Shehu inhuman speeches whic Chief Obafemi Awolowo ter is thesinaSix-Geo-political Katsina-Abdul Sani Sani has accused Governor Ibra- thugs freedom to expres Sani as, Leader of Yoruba, by Zone contraption – a crea very unique gathering ation of 1994/95 Confab of Yoruba leading obas convoked by General Sani and leaders of all shades Abacha, which reduced of political opinion, at the two of the three legs into Western Hall, Ibadan on half, each, thus discarding 12 August 1966, there has the stabilizing third leg not been any of such, till of the tripod in the subsedate. Even at that, in spite quent configuration and of the largely represen- nomenclature. tative assemblage, there The country’s natural were still oppositions to tripod is NORTH, EAST Chief Awolowo’s voice, and WEST. It is a divine pronouncements and posi- natural laceration or detions on issues. Naturally, marcation by River Niger all cannot sleep with our and River Benue. I could heads in the same direc- remember that the late tion. That is the beauty of Chief Bola Ige roared life and democracy. then, wondering what was North/South Dichoto- meant by SOUTH-WEST. my and the Natural Tri- That WEST is WEST. By pod disfiguring the natural As I stated at the outset, configuration, we are not it is an issue of immea- only sailing against the surable concern, that the current but ventilating North/South geographi- instability, inequality and cal nomenclature is on the injustice.

of 6.5 per cent, we do expect that unfortunately it would drop to as low as about 5.5 to 6 per cent in 2015, but this sill ranks amongst some of the growth rate that we have seen particularly high in the margin of one tier market in the world today.

“The Nigerian Monetary authorities as well as fiscal authorities are doing everything that

Those are some of the activities that have been put in place.”

On the current political situation in the country leading to the general elections, Emefiele said: “We have seen people responding also as a result of political situations in Nigeria, and all I can say is that the Nigerian Economy remains resilient. In 1993, June 12, we had an election that is adjudged to be the freest and best

improve.

“So to Nigerians and also our foreign investors and partners who are working with us- Retain and Increase your level of confidence in Nigeria, this economy is resilient and so many things we are doing to diversify the structure of the Nigerian economy and in due time we would begin to reap the benefit of these efforts,” he said.

Okomu Oil Plc gained four

naira or N1.45 per cent to close at N27.90 per share, while Forte

Oil Plc added N2.00 or 1.00 per cent to close at N202.00 per share.

In all, investors traded 4.483 million shares valued at N411.56 billion exchanged in 3,491 deals.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR FRIDAY 12-02-2015 JOS

Partly cloudy

ZARIA

YELWA

BENIN

CALABAR

Clear

Clear

Chance Tstorm

Chance Tstorm

87F. Winds

34 |17 °C 94 |63 °F

41 |22 °C 105 |71 °F

34 |24 °C 93 |76 °F

32 |24 °C 89 |75 °F

ENE at 10 to

0% Chance

0% Chance

40% Chance

60% Chance

15 mph.

Precipitation

Precipitation

Precipitation

Precipitation

skies. High

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

Life&

TIMES Friday February 13, 2015

Stella Damasus on another pregnancy Truth about the Abuja deal - Ruggedman L2 P

Juliet Ibrahim hints of first directorial L4 movie

L4

P

P

D’banj & Bonang L4 tango: No affair!

P

Valentine yummy for two!

L7

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Ladies take advantage of me a lot

Zack Orji, Bimbo Manuel to headline Ojez Val Party

Ruggedman

music because there was a time you said you were quitting…

I just said that for saying sake jare, is this not entertainment? People didn’t allow me to stay off music. I actually tried to slow down, but, I kept having to do collabo here and there. I’ve also been in the studio with my artiste and I could be there with him and might hear an instrumental I like, so, we’ll just mess around with it and before we know it, we’ll record a song. Playfully, I now have songs with Wande Coal, Tuface, Reminisce, Wizkid and I can’t let those things waste. So, l released the one with Reminisce first and now, the one with Wande Coal is out. Basically for me, most of the songs I’m releasing now are to push the clothing line because you’re going to be seeing us wear them in the What has been happening to you videos. lately?

I’m good. Basically, I chilled a bit to How far have you gone with work on my artiste, Embryo. We’ve been Embryo’s music career? shooting for a while and I’ve been doing He’s doing well, actually. We’ve more research into my clothing line. dropped a couple of videos and singles.

Right now, I have a new song out, with Now I want to up the ante of his game.

Wande Coal called Agidi.

That’s why I went as far as getting I’m about to re-launch my clothing Patoranking on for one of his songs, line. Although, I’ve been working on it and then Olamide. Everything will go for years, the major issue I had back together. Once my new video drops, then was sales and distribution, but his new song drops, my video comes now, thanks to the online stores we in again and then the clothing drops. have now, I’ve already sealed a deal I’m going to do my tour too. Back then, with one of them that will be handling I used to have fashion parties, where the sales and distribution. All I’ll do is the it’s all about the clothing. I did it for the manufacturing. I have someone here shoes and watches, about three years who makes some for me and another ago, and earlier was when people first manufacturer abroad. knew Karen Igho, who later went for Big Brother Africa. She came for one of my What happened to your shoe line? shows then and took off her top and That was just a test-run thing. It was wore the one I gave her and that also in the process of looking for where I created a lot of buzz on Facebook back could make good shirts back then that then. So, a lot of my plans will go handI stumbled on where shoes were being in-hand. made. So, I thought, female shoes will cause more buzz, so, I decided to try it Since you started the fashion thing, out. I did a few of the female shoes and how has the acceptance been? sold them. But I’m not really into shoes, Everybody likes it. Tiwa Savage got so the excitement died. I want to take a hers last week. I have artistes who are step at a time, that’s why I’m starting ready to model for me, even actors. with T-shirts, vests, jackets, face caps You’ve already seen Monalisa Chinda, and hoodies. What I intend to do is, I Joseph Benjamin, Ice Prince, Chidinma have a song I did with Reminisce called and Reminisce.

8 Figures. We shot the video and in it, we were both wearing the 8 Figure hoodies. And you’re going to pay them?

It’s between us, we know how we Seems like you can’t really stay off settle one another. They support me Ruggedman is no stranger in the Nigerian music industry, where he had held sway since when he launched himself in 1999, ev entually becoming the most featured rapper in Nigeria. His albums are released on his personal label, Rugged Records and had performed worldwide alongside international acts like KC & Jojo, Guru, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Wayne Wonder, Ja Rule, Kevin Little, Maxie Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Nas and Nelly.

In this chat with OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO, Ruggedman opens up like never before, from his career, fashion line, personal stuff, controversies to relationship with 9ice.

Oresanya

and I support them.

You still sing, but, we hardly see you at shows…

I slowed down and started pushing my clothing line. I’ve been around in the music industry for so long, it’s not a must that I run around for shows, because I didn’t, really, release music.

It’s when you have music out there that you go for shows. What I want now is to push my artiste to do all that because he’s new, I want him to leverage on my platform.

Why were you in Abuja recently?

Business waka (laughs).

So you have other businesses, aside fashion and music and you’re hiding it from us?

(Laughs) No that’s not it. I could have gone there to meet with some investors.

I’m not saying that’s what I went there to do. That’s why I just said business waka.

I guess your trying to promote Embryo was what led to the fracas with the Abuja-based show promoter?

Oh that! Exactly. I was trying to get Embryo out there.

The whole fight revolved around just N100 000. We thought you’d already grown big to be charging such a ridiculous amount for a show?

My sister, I tire o! That amount was too small for my person. Why would I charge N100,000 for a show in Abuja?

The money was for Embryo and that’s because I was trying to push him out there. If the worst happens, I’ll do a show for free than charge such an amount.

I’m not new in the game, so, why would I charge such an amount? He knew he was at fault and messed up, big time.

And, maybe, I just came out and said the whole thing the way it was. But being a typical Nigerian, he tried to make me look funny, instead for him to publicly accept his fault, he had to turn the whole story around by saying I asked him for N100,000.

But he said you begged him to be on his show…

How was that possible? If, truly, I begged him for a show, why did he pay for my flight and accommodation? If it was true I begged him then, he could have used me and even charge me to be on the show. It was my artiste I was pushing and I’ve been doing it a lot. This whole fashion thing that I’m doing costs me a lot! How can someone, who has been begging for shows afford to put such huge amount of money on fashion business? Does he know how much it costs me to produce just the cap? It’s just laughable.

So have you settled with him?

I don’t have to. Is it everybody you have issues with that you settle with?

Meanwhile, his show is not Ben Bruce’s MBGN o! It’s just some guy that does an Abuja beauty pageant in Abuja. It’s his personal thing. I met him when I was in Abuja for an event. In fact, one of the Continues on page 3

Mutiat Alli

Top Nollywood practitioners led

by Zack Orji, Bimbo Manuel, Leo Mezie, Ejike Asiegbu, and Charles Inojie and singers Art- Quake among others will tomorrow storm the popular celebrity hang-out O’jez for this year’s edition of its annual Valentine Party.

“Our yearly O’jez Valentine Party will now hold on Saturday, February 14, its traditional date at our National Stadium, SurulereLagos outlet, celebrity restaurant’s C.E.O Chief Joseph Odobeatu said in a statement signed by his media Company, MIM. With a lot of crazy and entertaining acts on the bill this year, Odobeatu is optimistic that this year’s O’jez Valentine Party will turn out to be an unforgettable Valentine for fun seekers and lovers as guest will be thrilled by the O’jez Band team.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

L3 Interview & Gist

Basketmouth, others arrive in London ahead of show

Omawunmi

pregnant with baby no. 2

Mutiat Alli

Comic act, Basketmouth has arrived the UK, alongside other comedians, ahead of his anticipated show entitled Basket Mouth live in Apollo Centre billed to hold tomorrow February 14, 2015.

Billed to perform include Wizkid, Olamide, Patoranking, Buchi, Salvador, David Kalu and a host of others. The event is also expected to tour Manchester, London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Aberdeen.

Austine Agbovi

It’s no longer news that Omawunmi Megbele was alleged to have secretly carried out her traditional wedding rites last month with Tosin Yussuf, her three year-old baby dad.

A recent picture of the ‘Megbele’ singer has shown that indeed, there might be a baby bump rapidly growing was one

of the celebrities present at the interactive session between the President, Goodluck Jonathan and other entertainers earlier this year.

The Delta State-born singing sensation welcomed her first daughter, Emmanuella Kamillah Yusuf on Saturday, June 18, 2011 in the U.S and it might not be long before Kamilah gets a baby sister or brother

Ladies take advantage of me a lot connect with the whole world.

Continued from page 2

How much did he pay you for those people who worked for him had to put roles? out a press release that she was there It was N2,000 back then. My first when he was begging me to come on show I ever did as Ruggedman was in his show. But I don’t want to dwell on it. Ogun Poly. Guess how much I got?

Are you trying to say you are a private person outside of the public glamour?

Yes I am.

Is that why you didn’t go abroad with your family?

Because this is where my work is. In fact, I went to primary, secondary and university here in Lagos, Nigeria. I can’t leave here, since I have a lot doing. If I go there, I’ll have to start all over again.

Then, I was becoming Ruggedman so, I couldn’t just leave.

But it was bad press at that time…

Babe, the point is that once a Nigerian wants to go stupid like that, there are many Nigerians who would roll with it.

Like if you go on Twitter and someone insults an artiste, before you know it, everything is everywhere. So, it’s not bad press because I’m still doing my thing and my business is still growing.

Tell me…

I was paid N250. And that was because it was a lot of us with the like of DJ Lanre Falana who later became the DJ’s association president. I know a lot of people o. So he took me, and some other people there and funny enough, we used the money to buy soft drinks on the spot. Then, the second show I did at Pyramid Night Club for Ibinabo You’ll make a good actor with this Fiberesima, I got N2,000. demonstration…

(Laughs) I’ve been told that a lot. But, From N250 to N2,000. I can back then, when I was much younger, imagine, that must have looked like I played a waka pass (extra) role in a big money to you…

Francis Agu movie. I played an extra in Ah, I was very happy o. From then, I two of his movies and I’m always proud got another one for N5,000 and I was to say it was even the like of Genevieve, feeling like a big boy.

Tonto and Halima that came on board.

So, I’m a veteran waka pass actor Most entertainers are always (laughs). The funny thing is that I met surrounded by associates. I can’t Francis Agu back then when we used to see any of yours around here or live on the same street. I just woke up are they hiding somewhere in the one morning and thought that the only rooms? thing I haven’t done was act. So I went No I don’t do that. I’ve never done to him that same day and told him I’d that, because I hate packing people like to act. He told me he was having everywhere. Even, whenever I go for an audition and the like of Tony Umez, shows, my dancers already know the Jumai Joseph also came for the audition. venue, so, we meet there for rehearsals.

Imagine me meeting those people at the But, there will always be someone on audition! So I acted in Devil’s Disciple. I ground to make sure they get their tags can’t remember the second one. After at the venue and when I get there, we do that, I went straight into serious music. our thing and there’s a car to take them

wherever they want to go afterwards.

Unless we go somewhere and it’s late and they can’t go home, it’s either we check into a hotel or they come to my house. And once it’s morning, everybody leaves.

That means you must be feeling a lot lonely in this big house…

If you step into my room, I have my computer, my phones, X-Box 360, DSTV and everything to make me

There was a time you shared an opinion on the anti-gay bill passed into law by the Federal Government on Twitter. It caused a lot of buzz, more like you didn’t like the way the bill was passed into law…

The people saying that are those who don’t know how to read tweets. All I said was that passing the anti-gay bill wasn’t the next thing that was supposed to be on the list, out of all the problems Nigeria has. We’ve not had light since 1960, no good road, no good healthcare, pensioners are not being paid for ages and some have died but they quickly faced the anti-gay bill, the other time, it was about lesbianism bill that was why I was bothered why they had to focus on sexual matters. Now that they’ve settled those bills, why haven’t they passed the good light bill?

So what’s your stand on the anti-

gay bill?

Of course, gay or lesbianism is not our way. I don’t want anything to do with either, because I’m not gay. It’s not a Nigerian thing, so I’m okay with them passing the bill.

If you’re not gay then, who is your girlfriend?

I don’t have to put her in your face.

What about the model, Olaogun or what’s her name?

We broke up.

So who’s the lucky girl now?

I face my work, besides, I’m not going to talk about my personal life, even if you try to force me.

You’re not getting any younger.

I’m sure mama wants to carry her grandchildren…

My family is not like that o. like I said, marriage isn’t a fashion statement. You don’t do it because every other person is doing it. Marriages are breaking up everywhere, but, that’s not to say I won’t get married. So, when it happens, you will know.

How did you get to be made a United Nations’ Peace Ambassador?

It happened, because I’ve been doing a lot of charity work underground. And the organisation that honoured me and myself have been doing a lot of secondary school tours, talking to the kids and giving them things.

Buzz Byte L4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Bonang Matheba denies D’banj’s dating rumour If you’re still among those thinking that Kokomaster, D’banj is dating South African model and radio host, Bonang Matheba, you better think twice, because you’re about to read the most shocking news of your life!

Life & Times can, authoritatively, tell you that Bonang is single and seriously searching.

As you read this, Bonang had, publicly, denied ever having anything to do with the Agriculture Ambassador.

Being just one day to Valentine season, Bonang took to Instagram to show off her new car, a Mercedes Benz CLA 45 AMG and, No, it wasn’t a Valentine gift from D’banj or any other man, for that matter.

Bonang is very much single and decided to spoil herself silly with the car gift.

‘Bought myself a Valentine’s Day gift. Single girl problems’, she wrote after sharing the photo of the car on her Instagram page.

“Single girl problems”?

That leaves us with the question; Who is D’banj’s girlfriend?

Well, that’s a story for another day, but, we hope that wasn’t a trick she pulled on us!

Rita

Juliet Ibrahim

makes directorial debut Mutiat Alli

Number One Fan star actress, Juliet Ibrahim has made her first debut as a director in a yet to be released film titled, ‘Ewhas’.

The actress disclosed to Life & Times that she is excited about her directorial debut after so many years as an actress and producer.

Speaking about her excitement she said, “My directorial debut! I can’t wait to share my work with the world. Thanks to everyone who believed in me and accepted to a part of this project and my dream. My fans should watch out for ‘Ewhas’. It’s coming soon on your screen”.

Stella Damasus pregnant?

Opeoluwani Akintayo

o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng

If news reaching us is anything to go by, it means, by now, popular Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus is about to become a mother for the third time!

Hope y’all know who she’s married to now?

In case you don’t know, the actress is married to Doris Simeon’s ex-husband, Daniel Ademinokan

and they both relocated to the US. Close sources to the actress hinted Life & Times that she is now about four months gone. Stella and her protruding baby bump were reportedly recently spotted on the movie set of her husband, Daniel Ademinokan.

This is Stella’s third marriage while Daniel is in his second marriage. Daniel also has a son with ex-actress-wife, Doris Simeon.

Juliet

One Mic Naija to host Korede

Bello, others

Mutiat Alli Plans are in top gear for the Valentine edition of the One Mic Naija celebrity show down as it plays host to acts like Korede Bello, Tonye, Kiss Daniel, Ayo, Tjan and EME first lady, Emma Nyra.

The event is expected to be hosted

by Kunle Bello, Kel, and Sensei Uche.

This edition of One Mic Naija billed to hold on February 22nd, 2015 at the prestigious celebrity hang-out Ember Creek, Ikoyi Lagos, is expected to attract other entertainers in the music industry.

Don Jazzy Mutiat Alli

CEO Mavin records, Micheal Collins fondly known as Don Jazzy, has been spotted in Cape Town alongside the duo of P-square and Jude Okoye.

Life & Times can authoritatively tell you that the music acts and producer are in South Africa for the shoot of P-square’s much acclaimed ‘Collabo’ video featuring Don Jazzy. The crew are also seizing the opportunity of recording more hits.

To create awareness of their new work, music director and brother to the Square team, Jude Okoye who is also in South Africa with the group, has been sending appraisals to Don Jazzy since their arrival in Cape Town.

jets out to Cape Town

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

L5 Extra

Angelina Jolie opens British first women academy

Bobbi Kristina’s

family: no plans to turn off life support Bobbi Kristina Brown’s family has revealed they have no plan to end her life because they believe she’s getting better’.

The 21-year-old aspiring actress, who was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Atlanta home on January 31, is reportedly ‘’progressing’’ despite still being in a medically-induced coma at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Speaking at a candlelight prayer vigil in Riverdale, Georgia during the week, Bobbi’s cousin Shayne Brown said: ‘’She’s getting better. We just ask for people to continue to pray.’’

Asked how Bobby, 46, is coping, he told Entertainment Tonight: ‘’Uncle’s in good spirits.

It’s just family issues right now. Uncle just wants his privacy. The family wants its privacy.’’

The R&B star’s lawyer, Christopher Brown, also poured cold water on reports his daughter will be taken off life support on the third anniversary of her mother Whitney Houston’s death tomorrow. He added: ‘’This is a criminal

Jolie

Pix- jolie Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie said she hoped Britain’s first academic centre devoted to women, peace and security studies would benefit millions of girls, like an Iraqi teenager she met who had been kept as a sex slave by Islamic State, Times Live says.

Opening the centre at the London School of Economics - the first of its kind - on Tuesday, Jolie recalled the 13-year-old girl she spoke to in Iraq three weeks ago, who was held captive by Islamic State militants and repeatedly raped.

The girl may never finish her schooling, get married or have children because rape was considered shameful in her society, Jolie said.

“There is no stable future in a world in which crimes committed against women go unpunished; in which young girls are unable to reach their potential, where

Miley Cyrus investigation and the integrity of that process requires silence.’’

Meanwhile, Shayne and his mother, Tina Brown, also insist their recent physical altercation in a hotel room ‘’was blown out of proportion.’’ Tina, who is Bobby’s sister, explained: ‘’I was upset. You know, I’ve been dealing with my niece and her being in the hospital. It was just a lot of emotions and I had a drink and I was frustrated and I was trying to make a point and I threw a glass. Unfortunately, it hit my son.’’

withdrawn from porn festival

Kyile Jenner

shows off her big booty gene!

Finally, we now get to know it’s not just Kim and Khloe Kardashians who have the big butt gene, their youngest sister, we’re also looking forward to see Kylie Jenner’s springing forth any time soon.

While attending the GQ and Giorgio Armani Grammys After Party at the Hollywood Athletic Club weekend, the 17-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was photographed flaunting her bodacious bum.

Kylie looked super-glam in a sheer and silver floor-length gown during the bash. As she posed for pics with sisters Kendall and Khloe, Kylie stuck out her curvy booty while also arching her back. Nice view!

In addition to her body-hugging dress, Kylie accessorized with a white clutch.

Kylie also took to Instagram to share a bootylicious pic of herself from behind. The sexy pic shows off Kylie’s bum and the very low-cut back on her skin-baring gown.

Miley Cyrus’ film has been withdrawn from a porn festival as her representatives claim they were misled about the nature of the event.

According to Times Live, Miley Cyrus’ film which features the scantily-clad star in a number of suggestive poses while wearing bondage gear, was removed from the NYC Porn Film Festival, insisting the singer didn’t personally agree to the footage being submitted.

Her spokesperson said: ‘’Miley was proud to make a film with acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Jones. She did not instigate this festival submission and is not participating in any way.’’

Organiser Simon Leahy had previously said Cyrus submitted the film after hearing about the event

through mutual friends, and showed proof of an email exchange with production company Cadence allowing the footage to be used. However, her representatives said the emails presented the festival as a ‘’shorts screening at the artist-ran space Secret project Robot.’

“Simon has complied with the request to remove the film from listings, but insists it still would have fit well with the festival as it isn’t a seedy event. He told the New York Post newspaper’s Page Six column: Basically they didn’t do their due diligence. We asked to show it at the festival. ‘’Obviously the story went totally viral that freaked everyone out. We don’t want to cause any harm to Miley and her image. It’s like we are an art festival. Even though we’re using the work porn, we’re not some cheap LA porn award festival.’’

Mixed Grill L6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

e r e h W ’ ‘N hen W

Celebrity Quotes

Lyrics

Happiness is the ability to move forward knowing that the future will be better Ibinabo Fiberesima

One Mic Naija @ Ember Creek, Awolowo road, Ikoyi, Feb. 22nd, 2015 Even if you know what’s coming, you’re never prepared for it feels

Naija FM Valentine Karaoke groove with Timi Dakolo, Waje & Praiz @Shaun Bar Victoria Island Feb. 22nd, 2015

Kunle Ayeni

The secret of getting ahead is getting started

Jackie Appiah

Social Media Week with theme “The Blogger, the law and brand” @ Landmark event centre, VI Feb. 26th, 2015

A murderer will kill you, a thief will steal from you, but you’ll never know where you stand with a liar

Beat FM Music conference @ Land Mark Event Centre, Feb. 25th, 2015

Susan Peters

CHARLEY BOY

Poem

In your darkest hour

During the time in life when it’s your darkest hour Put your trust in God because He is the almighty power Lift your head up for there will soon be a brighter day Joy is sure to come and chase the gloomy clouds away.

Believe in Him, He will bring you through the storm Keep the faith, trust in God, that is how hope is born Let the Father into your heart, take it all to Him in prayer He will never leave you, day or night, He is always there.

During the time in life when troubles seem hard to face Put your trust in God and be saved by His amazing grace Know that even in your darkest hour there is forever light The light from our Heavenly Father shines with His might.

Angela Sellers

Artiste Name: Falz Song Title: Marry Me ft Yemi Alade, Poe Classic Alright Yemi Alade….Poe…Effyzie baby See ah, i talked to friends, cousins You guys have said different things But i could understand one thing from what you guys are telling me Let me know if i am correct Ah… Verse 1 (Poe) I’ve met so many babes. Jealous of their friends.

Used to the heartache So they’ve give up on men But, what is depressing is the older they’re getting.

Whenever they meet a man they’re already planing out the wedding Ha! See the pressure from their nosy family members “Bisi when did you last date? I’m trying to remember “ She too would front, like “what difference does it make?”

But she’s always at receptions and she catches the bouquet.

Asking me if it’s fate. I don’t know what to tell her.

She told her pastor she’s lonely. He told her to go and pray.

Ah ah! Guy! That’s the problem that we face.

U want to skip girlfriend and go straight to fiancé So I pray for my sister, cousins, ex-lovers. This girl. That girl. Even divorced mothers.

May you smile, and toast with some Chardonnay.

I hope I see you when we’re spraying on a Saturday.”

Chorus (Yemi Alade) See me see Trouble! brother you go Marry Me oh!

See me see trouble! when you go marry me oh?

See we’ve been dating for many years now you want to leave me follow Fola See me trouble! You go marry me oh Today Today eh Today Today Today Today eh Today Today Eh eh eh eh eh (x2) Verse 2 (Falz) She say mi o gbo yen! No I no want no story I can’t befriend you if you don’t propose to me If you didn’t know, wo, Aburo mi ti marry Mi o young Moti fe d’arugbo physically You know I’m not a small girl You know my age Even Bola wey no fine sef She don engage It will not work, aww! Shey emi l’o n korin fun?

Don’t call me honey if we will not go for honeymoon If you don’t pick a date we might not get to date Don’t get it twisted it’s not like I’m desperate

I just have a life plan and it’s getting late I want to be a Mrs by the time I’m 28 Brother John said the Lord said his wife is me But that vision is for only his eyes to see I want a man that is handsome and Godfearing If he can love me with his heart and I’m not sharing Chorus (Yemi Alade) See me see Trouble! brother you go Marry Me oh!

See me see trouble! when you go marry me oh?

See we’ve been dating for many years now you want to leave me follow Fola See me trouble! You go marry me oh Today Today eh Today Today Today Today eh Today Today Eh eh eh eh eh (x2) Bridge (Yemi Alade) You don’t wanna Marry Me, you just wanna friend me Brother you dey dull me oh Shebi you dey tell me We go go Miami When we go see mummy oh?

Why you dey do me so All of my friends dem don marry go Right now my brother I’m 28 All of the boys no dey come my gate Verse 3 (Falz) Baby I’m loving all the love that u’ve shown Everytime you call me and we talk on the phone See man cannot be a boss on his own You need somebody to give you support on the throne Oh if you ready pop the question then go!

I’m like what do you mean? She say stop jor you know!

Are you saying I no fine reach so?

Emi High Class, ehn, Omo lepa Siringo See me and you was just a incident We can’t be sleeping together because we dream different I’m even thinking that you’re still decent You’re irritating, inyama! I’m seeing vincent My last boyfriend, it’s still recent, I was happy and love was a ingredient.

So for me this dating thing is dead He broke my heart, you’re repeating all the things he said.

Chorus (Yemi Alade) See me see Trouble! brother you go Marry Me oh!

See me see trouble! when you go marry me oh?

See we’ve been dating for many years now you want to leave me follow Fola See me trouble! You go marry me oh Today Today eh Today Today Today Today eh Today Today Eh eh eh eh eh (x2)

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

L7 Nutrition

Judith Frank-Edet

Romantic

recipes for two

Jo-Love Rice

Red Velvet Cake

Light some candles, put on a crooner’s tun and serve a meal for two: These recipes are sure to win the heart of someone special.

Chocolate Kiss Cocktail

This is the most loved Nigerian rice and it can be served with fried plantains, vegetable salad, or moinmoin. It naturally goes with fried chicken but you can use other meats. This is the recipe; Ingredients ÏƟ ƎƂ Ƌ ƉƆƐƄ ƍ ƐƄ ƄƎ ƂƉƄ ƆƉ ÏƼ Ɖ ƍ Ƅ Ɔ è ƉƆƃƄƕ ÏƼ ƒ ƽƞƞ ƁƟƽ Ɣ ƃ ƋƉƏƊ Ǝ Ɗ Ǝ Ƅ ÏƟ ƍƄƕ ƋƄƋƋƄƍè ƕƆƃƄƕ Ïƽ ƎƂ Ƌ Ǝ Ɗ Ǝ ƋƏƍ§Ƅ Ïƥ Ǝ Ƌ ƃ ƓƄ Ƅ ƋƄƋƋƄƍ ƍ ƃ ƆƉƉƆ Ƌ ƑƕƄƍ ÏƟ Ǝ Ƌ ƃƏƍƍƓ Ƌ ƑƕƄƍ ÏƟ Ƃ Ɠ ƉƄ ƅ Ï ƋƍƆ ƅƍƄ Ǝ ƓƊƄ ÏƟ Ǝ ƃƈ ƃƏƂƄ ÏƼƼƾ ƁƢ Ɣ Ɖ é ƍ Ɔ ƍ Ƃ Ɗ ƎƆ ƍƆƃƄ Ï ƉƎ ƕ ƅƍƄ ƉƓ ƍ Ə ƕ ƂƉ ƃƈ ƋƄƋƋƄƍ Ï ƍƄƄ ƋƄ æ ƋƎƆ Ɖç Ï ƋƍƆ Ɔ æ ƋƎƆ Ɖç Pre-cooking instructions Preparation of the Stock Ïz ƎƄƐƄƍ ƊƄ Ǝ Ɠ Ə Ɔ ƎƄ ƕ Ə Ɔ è whether its beef , chicken or turkey, place it in a pot and season the meat with salt, pepper, seasoning cube, curry, thyme and ground ginger, chopped onion and garlic. Ï ƆƉ ƎƆƉƉ ƎƄ ƕƄƍê # Ǝ ƕƕ Ƒ ƎƄƍ Ə ƎƆƉ you notice that the water is getting dry. Remove the meat from the stock and fry in and fry pan. You could also choose to grill it in an oven. ÏdƄƎ Ǝ Ƅ Ǝ ƃƈ ƆƕƄ ƄƋ ƍ ƎƄƉƓ ƕ Ǝ Ƅ oil used in frying separately. You’d need these later.

Preparation of the rice As far as jollof rice is concerned, you must parboil it or soak it in hot water for some minutes before washing so that all ƄƒƃƄƉ Ǝ ƍƃ ƑƆƉƉ ƂƄ ƍƄƊ ƐƄƕê j Ɔ Ɔ ƋƍƄvents the rice from being soggy and sticking together. After parboiling, wash the parboiled rice with cold water, drain and set aside.

Preparation of the Tomato-Pepper Puree Ïz Ǝ Ƅ j Ɗ Ǝ Ƅ è dƃ Ǝƃ Ƃ ƄƎ ƋƄƋƋƄƍ æ Ǝ ƍ ƕ çè Ɔ ƕ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅê L ƈƄ sure to remove the seeds from the tatashe then blend everything to a smooth puree. Ï^ Əƍ Ǝ Ƅ ƋƏƍƄƄ Ɔ Ǝ Ƌ Ǝ ƕ Ƃ ƆƉ ƎƆƉƉ there’s no water left making it concentrated.

Preparation method Ïn Ɔ Ǝ Ƅƍ Ƌ Ǝ Ƅ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ ƍ Ə ƕ ƏƎ oil in the pot and cook the onions over a gentle heat until translucent. Also fry your canned tomatoes. ÏdƎƆƍ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ ƃ Ƅƕ Ǝ Ɗ Ǝ Ƅ è ƍƄƕ ƋƄƋƋƄƍ ƕ Ǝ Ɗ Ǝ ƋƏƍ§Ƅè Ǝ Ƅ Ƅ ƑƆƎ salt, freshly ground black pepper and the cayenne or chilli. Add the curry powder, bay ƉƄ ƅ ƕ Ǝ ƓƊƄè Ǝ Ƅ Ƌ Əƍ Ɔ ƾƾƞƊƉƁƟÖƅƉ Ɣ ƅ Ƒ ƎƄƍ ƕ ƃƍƏƊƂƉƄ Ɔ Ǝ Ƅ Ǝ ƃƈ ƃƏƂƄê Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƕƍ Ɔ Ƅƕ Ƌ ƍƂ ƆƉƄƕ ƍƆƃƄè ƉƎ ƕ pepper to taste. Ï ƐƄƍ Ǝ Ƅ Ƌ Ǝ ƕ ƉƄ ƐƄ Ǝ ƃ ƈ Ɖ Ƒ Ǝ ƊƄƕƆƏƊ Ƅ Ǝê L ƈƄ ƏƍƄ Ǝ Ƅ Ƒ ƎƄƍ ƉƄƐƄƉ is the same with the rice or slightly higher.

0 ƍ Ǝ Ƅ ƈƄ Ï ƟƁƼ ƃƏƋ n ƉƎƄƕ ƂƏƎƎƄƍ ƍ Shortening Ï Ɵ ƟƁƼ ƃƏƋ z ƆƎƄ dƏ ƍ Ï Ƽ & Ï Ƽ ƎƂ Ƌ ƃ ^ ƑƕƄƍ Ï ƟƁƼ Ǝ Ƌ d ƉƎ Ï Ɵ ƃƏƋ ƏƎƎƄƍƊƆƉƈ ƍ Ɗ ƈƄ ƆƎ æ ƕƕ ƟƎƂ Ƌ Ƒ ƆƎƄ ƐƆ Ƅ ƍ Ǝ Ɵ ƃƏƋ ƅ 0ƍƄ ƊƆƉƈ ƕ Ǝ ƕ ƅ ƍ ƠƞƊƆ ç Ï Ɵ Ǝ Ƌ y ƆƉƉ &ƒƎƍ ƃƎ Ï Ƽ ƟƁƼ ƃƏƋ 0Ɖ Əƍ Ï Ɵ Ǝ Ƌ ƈƆ d ƕ Ï Ɵ Ǝ Ƌ z ƆƎƄ yƆ Ƅ ƍ 0 ƍ Ǝ Ƅ 0ƍ ƎƆ Ï Ƽ ƃƏƋ n ƉƎƄƕ ƏƎƎƄƍ Ï Ƽ ƃƏƋ ƅ ƍƄ Ɗ ƄƄ Ƅ Ï Ɵ ƎƂ Ƌ y ƆƉƉ &ƒƎƍ ƃƎ Ï Ơ ƃƏƋ 9ƃƆ dƏ ƍ L ƈƄ Ǝ Ƅ ƈƄ Ï ƍƄ Ɗ Ǝ Ƅ d ƍƎƄ Ɔ ƕ Ǝ Ƅ Sugar till it is well blended Ï ƍƄ ƈ Ǝ Ƅ & ƕ ƕƕ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ ƊƆƒƎƏƍƄ

Ï L ƈƄ Ƌ ƎƄ ƏƎ ƅ ƃ ^ ƑƕƄƍ ƕ `Ƅƕ 0 ƕ Ɖ Əƍ Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ Ƌ ƎƄ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ Ƃ ƎƎƄƍ ƕ ƊƆƒ Ƌƍ ƋƄƍƉƓ Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ d ƉƎ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ 0Ɖ Əƍ Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ 0Ɖ Əƍ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ Ƃ ƎƎƄƍ ƉƎƄƍ ƎƆ ƑƆƎ Ǝ Ƅ ƏƎƎƄƍƊƆƉƈ Ï LƆƒ ƈƆ d ƕ ƕ Ǝ Ƅ yƆ egar and Stir properly Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ d ƕ ƕ yƆ Ƅ ƍ ƊƆƒƎƏƍƄ Ǝ Ǝ Ƅ Ƃ ƎƎƄƍ ƕ LƆƒ L ƈƄ Ǝ Ƅ 0ƍ ƎƆ Ï n Ƅ ƄƉƄƃƎƍƆƃ ƊƆƒƄƍ Ǝ ƃƍƄ Ɗ the butter until it is light and fluffy Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƃƍƄ Ɗ ƃ ƄƄ Ƅ ƕ ƊƆƒ until the butter and cream cheese are well combined Ï ƕƕ 9ƃƆ Ə ƍ ƕ ƊƆƒ ƊƄ more Ï ƕƕ Ǝ Ƅ Ɛ ƆƉƉ ƅƉ Ɛ Əƍ ƕ ƊƆƒ well Ï dƋƍƄ ƕ Ǝ Ƅ ƈƄ

The Chocolate Kiss is a wonderfully spiked hot chocolate drink that will get you warmed up in no time. It’s a variation of the simple Adult Hot Chocolate that adds a touch of coffee liqueur for a deeper flavor profile.

Ingredients Ï Ɵ ƟƁƼ Ɣ ƋƄƋƋƄƍƊƆ Ǝ schnapps Ï ƟƁƼ Ɣ ƃ ƅƅƄƄ ƉƆƌƏƄƏƍ Ï 6 Ǝ ƃ ƃ Ɖ ƎƄ Ï z ƆƋƋƄƕ ƃƍƄ Ɗ Preparation Ɵê ^ Əƍ Ǝ Ƅ ƉƆƌƏƄƏƍ Ɔ Ǝ ƊƏ or Irish coffee glass. Ƽê 0ƆƉƉ ƑƆƎ Ǝ ƃ ƃ Ɖ ƎƄê 3.

Stir well. ƽê RƋƎƆ ƉƉƓè Ǝ Ƌ ƑƆƎ Ƒ ƆƋƋƄƕ cream and a chocolate.

L8 Television

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 13, 2015

Showing on

Showing on 112 Studio Universal

103 Movies Premiere

05:15

07:30

Fri, 13 Feb | PG

Fri, 13 Feb | 13 SL

Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) learns that you really can’t escape your family in this zany comedy about a woman forced to move back home after her life falls apart.

Annette Bening, Kristen Wiig, Natasha Lyonne. (2012) Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

101 M-Net West

00:00 Gotham 00:30 CSI 01:15 The Paperboy 03:00 Suits 04:00 The Bling Ring 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Restaurant Start Up 08:00 2 Broke Girls 08:30 The Lottery 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Valentine's Date 12:30 Modern Family 13:00 Restaurant Start Up 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Blue Bloods 16:00 The Fixer 17:00 Marvel's Agent Carter 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 The Millers 19:30 Restaurant Start Up 20:30 Marvel's Agent Carter 21:30 Mind Games 22:30 Jack Taylor: The Pikemen 21:10 The Queen Of The South

128 SONY MAX

02:10 Bruce Lee: Martial Arts Master

08:40 QI

04:00 Botched

00:25 Top Gear

09:15 Would I Lie To You?

05:00 A-List Listings

01:15 Scott And Bailey

09:45 Hell's Kitchen USA

05:30 Fame In The Family

02:00 Come Dine With Me

10:35 Deal Or No Deal

06:00 Brooke Burke-Charvet

02:50 EastEnders

11:15 My Family

07:15 Celebrity Style Story

03:20 The Weakest Link

11:45 My Family

08:00 Giuliana & Bill

04:10 Top Gear

12:20 Top Gear

09:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

13:15 Come Dine With Me

10:00 Fashion Bloggers

05:25 QI

14:10 The Cube

10:30 Fashion Bloggers

05:55 Friday Night Dinner

15:05 The Weakest Link

11:00 E! News

06:25 EastEnders

16:00 Casualty

12:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On

06:55 Antiques Roadshow

17:00 The Chase

12:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On

07:50 The Weakest Link

135 BET

01:00 Nellyville

13:30 Let's Stay Together

04:30 Unbeatable Banzuke

02:00 Vindicated

14:00 Being Terry Kennedy

02:30 Vindicated

14:30 Being Terry Kennedy

05:50 Cheaters

03:00 BET Now

15:00

06:40 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

03:30 BET Now

08:25 I Bet You Will

04:00 Late Night Heat

08:50 Most Shocking

06:00 Soul Sessions

10:45 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

01:40 Poorman's Bikini Beach

00:00 The Cube

04:00 Unbeatable Banzuke

09:50 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

01:15 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago

03:00 Botched

13:00 Let's Stay Together

07:30 World's Wildest Police Videos

00:45 Unbeatable Banzuke

02:00 Giuliana & Bill

00:30 Vindicated

05:25 Ninja Warrior

00:20 Unbeatable Banzuke

01:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

12:00 Being

05:00 Ninja Warrior

07:00 Soul Sessions

11:45 Cheaters

08:00 Soul Sessions

12:45 World's Most Amazing Videos

09:00 The Sheards

13:40 World's Wildest Police Videos 14:40 Video Zonkers 15:10 Video Zonkers

124 E!

00:00 Fashion Police: The 2015 Grammy Awards

00:01 Vindicated

03:05 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

00:00 Cheaters

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:00 The Queen Of The South 00:30 Aurora 01:20 Fearless Heart 02:10 The Queen Of The South 03:00 Labour Of Love 03:50 Broken Angel 05:20 Where Is Elisa?

06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labour Of Love 08:40 Broken Angel 09:30 Where Is Elisa?

10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00 Labour Of Love 12:50 Broken Angel 13:40 Where Is Elisa?

14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 Labour Of Love 17:00 Broken Angel 17:50 Where Is Elisa?

18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart 20:20 Labour Of Love 21:10 The Queen Of The South

A jobless single woman is given the chance to turn her life around, thanks to the kindness of a neighbor. But there is a condition to his ki nd offer.

Bruce Davison, Kari Hawker, KC Clyde. (2009) Brian Brough.

10:00 Hell Date 10:30 Hell Date 11:00

Show

The Wendy Williams

Show

The Wendy Williams

16:00 Being 17:00 Let's Stay Together 17:30 Let's Stay Together 18:00

Show

The Wendy Williams

19:00 The Sheards 20:00 Run's House 20:30 Run's House 21:00 Comics Unleashed

Real Husbands Of Hollywood 21:30 22:00

Show

The Wendy Williams

21:00 Jara 21:30 Tinsel 22:00 The Dzigbordi Show

MATHIEU ready to shine at Barca X8

Poster!

KOBE BRYANT

X4,5 Friday, February 13, 2015

INTERVIEW

X6

KERR:

C I V O IVAN

BALE can challenge MESSI, RONALDO in future!

A F s e p esca

hammer!

X2

OLIVEIRA wants PISTORIUS

back in action X7

X2

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

IDEYE

earns Fletcher’s praise West Bromwich Albion skipper Darren Fletcher has praised Nigeria striker, Brown Ideye, after scoring in their 2-0 win over Swansea City in the English Premier League.

The former Manchester United midfielder has also praised Burundiborn England forward, Saido Berahino, who also scored in the win at the Hawthorns.

IVANOVIC

ESCAPES FA HAMMER! C

helsea’s Branislav Ivanovic will not face any further action in relation to an incident involving Everton’s James McCarthy during the match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

However, both clubs have been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour.

The flashpoint occurred in the 86th minute, following the dismissal of

Gareth Barry, as players from both sides confronted each other. Ivanovic grabbed McCarthy around the neck before appearing to move his head towards him; the Everton man was booked his part in the fracas but Ivanovic was not.

In Premier League matches, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel of former elite referees will be asked by the Football Association to review it and advise what, if any, action they believe

the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.

For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence; in this instance, the panel did not believe the conduct was worthy of a dismissal.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to discuss the issue after his side’s 1-0 win, threatening to walk out of his press conference when asked about Ivanovic’s role.

However, Everton boss Roberto

hana Manager Avram Grant has played down talk linking him with a return to the Premier League, saying he is happy with his current job.

The former Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham boss is fresh from leading Ghana to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations and has been linked with the vacant Aston Villa

post, following the sacking of Paul Lambert on Wednesday night.

However, even though noted Villa fan Prince William is apparently keen for Grant to take charge at Villa Park, the 60-yearold says he is not a contender.

“I feel lucky because, through football, I have been to so many places,” Grant enthused.

–

ONYEDINMA

There are concerns that preparation for the African champions might be a little late, with the Falcons yet to be called to camp, but Dilichukwu Onyedinma, chairperson of the Nigeria National Women’s League and executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said their preparation are right on schedule, adding that the players will be called to camp next week.

Ivanovic

Martinez was more forthcoming, stressing that he felt Ivanovic should have been sent off.

He said: “If you look at the images, Ivanovic’s behaviour is wrong. That shouldn’t be allowed. He grabs James McCarthy around his neck in a very forceful manner, then he puts his head against him when James McCarthy never reacted one single bit. If you want to be on top of the laws, that’s a red card. We got nothing out of that moment.”

Ronaldo

GRANT

to remain with Ghana G

Falcons’ hit camp next week

Ancelotti hails

RONALDO’S

leadership skills Avram Grant (right) led Ghana to the final at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea “Aston Villa is a great club, with great fans and it is an honour to have my name mentioned with them, but I want to continue with Ghana for the next two years, until the end of my contract. I enjoy managing Ghana very much.

“I met Prince William and he asked me ‘why don’t you come to Aston Villa?’. I said ‘when you become the

chairman, I will come’.

“As long as my name is mentioned, I feel good with this, but not more than that. I want to continue with Ghana.”

Ghana came agonisingly close to winning the Africa Cup of Nations but, after the final against Ivory Coast finished 0-0, they lost a dramatic penalty shoot-out 9-8.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has underlined the importance of the Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo in the Madrid dressing room and expects him to keep playing at the highest level for many more years. The 30-year-old is among the Champions League holders’ most experienced players and Ancelotti has stressed the prolific attacker finds himself right at the top of the dressing room hierarchy.

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

AYC: CHUKWU tells Flying

EAGLES to stay focused Mike Otanwa

F

ormer Super Eagles coach and former technical committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Christian Chukwu has advised Flying Eagles to stay focused as they enter the last phase of preparations for the Africa Youth Championship (AYC).

Chukwu, a former Nigeria captain described the Flying Eagles as a

Chukwu ‘wonderful’ team, but says they don’t need too much praise at this point so that they don’t get carried away.

“I have never problems with our junior teams because they have always performed well. The U-17, the U-20 and the U-23, they have all won trophies for Nigeria in the past and I don’t think this Flying Eagles team should be an exception.

“They also played very well at the Super 6 and I think they are a wonderful team with very good players. But we should not let them get carried away before the main tournament,” Chukwu said.

Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

T

he General Manager of Osun State Sports Council, Akin Adio has said that the leadership crisis that rocked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not ended.

He spoke in an exclusive interview with Extra Time on Thursday in Osogbo.

According to him, one of the indications that the crisis is still fresh was the case taken to FIFA to form an arbitration committee to look into the crisis.

The sports administrator linked the crisis to the composition of committees and the previous administration of the Federation.

“The problem the present NFF has is from the Electoral Committee and the Appeal Committee. The Electoral Committee flaunted some instructions in the statue of NFF. Starting from the election, how can we say that the President and Vice President should be from the South?

Check the federal character, is it like that?

“There are other problems like having two NFF committee members from a state. And in the statue,

Danagogo

DANAGOGO

NFF

crisis not over yet!

–Akin Adio

Do Nigeria proud,

charges EAGLETS

Andrew ekejiuba

NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick. you should not at any point in time have two people from a state in the NFF board. These all show that internal crisis is still very potent,” he said.

Adio also alleged that the last election of NFF was rigged, adding that some administrators were being sidelined.

He explained that tribalism and favouritism are part of the factors frustrating the restoration of peace in NFF. He added: “Even when want to rig an election, you should rig it perfectly! What we have done is that they did not carry some people along. And those who they did not carry along won’t fold their arms and that’s why they are finding it difficult to hold meeting with stakeholders in football.

“There are some people that the former NNF President kept there.

He said he does not want to see the faces of some people, how will he say so, when Nigeria is for everybody, and that’s why they are having problem. The problem has actually started from the Maigari’s administration. Maigari started it and that is why the problem is lingering on.”

A

s the Golden Eaglets land in Niger to begin their campaign in the 2015 Africa U-17 Championship, Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has charged the team to be focused and do Nigeria proud.

Danagogoin in a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Patrick

Omorodion, said as the world champions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the Eaglets should not only aim to qualify for the world event holding in Chile later in the year but strive to reclaim the African title.

He commended the team’s technical crew led by Emmanuel Amuneke for the preparation of the team which involved a series of friendly matches to fine tune them for the rigours ahead

and assured them that President Goodluck Jonathan as usual will honour them when they return with the trophy.

“The team have prepared well going by the level of training they received as well as the friendly matches put together to fine tune them for the big task ahead. I urge them to remain focused all through the competition until both the world cup ticket and the trophy are won.

CHUMA pledges future to Nigeria

E

Chuma

x Valerenga striker Chuma Anene has issued a comeand-get-me plea to coach Samson Siasia after admitting he would love to represent Nigeria at senior level instead of Norway if given the opportunity.

Born in Oslo 21 years ago to parents who are Nigerians, Chuma has highlighted that he’s proud of his African heritage, saying he fraternizes a lot with Nigerians. ‘’Adapting to the Nigeria setup would be something that just comes naturally, I think. My blood is Nigerian and my culture is both Nigerian and Norwegian. ‘’But it would probably not be the hardest thing seeing as I am sur-

rounded by Nigerians a lot of the time,’’ Anene said.

However, football’s governing body, FIFA, must approve his one-time international allegiance switch, having represented the youth teams of Norway in competitive matches, including the Euro qualifiers. ‘’It is something that I have thought about many times. It would be an honour for me to represent my father and motherland,’’ Anene said. ‘’By God’s grace if I am so blessed to do so one day, that would make me very proud. I don’t think there has been any contact with the Nigeria Football Federation that I know of.’’

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4

Full name: Born: Place of birth: Nationality: Listed height: Listed weight:

Kobe Bryant August 23, 1978 (age 36) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania American 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 212 lb (96 kg)

CAREER INFORMATION High school: Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pennsylvania) NBA draft: 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall Pro career: 1996 to present (Los Angeles Lakers) CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS 5× NBA champion: 2000–2002, 2009–2010 2× NBA Finals MVP: 2009–2010 NBA MVP: 2008 17× NBA All-Star: 1998, 2000–2015 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2002, 2007, 2009, 2011 11× All-NBA First Team: 2002–2004, 2006–2013 2× All-NBA Second Team: 2000–2001 2× All-NBA Third Team: 1999, 2005 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team: 2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2011 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2001–2002, 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion: 1997 2× NBA scoring champion: 2006–2007 LOS ANGELES LAKERS ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER Naismith Prep Player of the Year: 1996 MEDALS IN MEN’S BASKETBALL Olympic Games Gold: 2008 Beijing Gold: 2012 London

KOBE FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP Gold: 2007 Las Vegas

BRYA

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

QUOTES

“I’ve played with IVs before, during and after games. I’ve played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious in the first place.”–Kobe Bryant “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.”

–Kobe Bryant “The people who truly know me know what I’m like. There have been people who try to say things that aren’t fair, and I check them. And then they don’t like me because I checked them.”–Kobe Bryant

ANT

X5

X6

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

BALE can

challenge MESSI, RONALDO in future!

Bale

Every football club has its celebrity fans, often with tenuous links and a less than impressive attendance record. But there are also genuine, dyed-in-the-wool supporters who just happen to be celebrities. Jim Kerr has his feet planted firmly in the latter camp. The 55-year-old has been the lead singer of Simple Minds since 1977, yet his love affair with Celtic predates that musical adventure by over a decade and has remained just as constant. In the late 1990s, Kerr even fronted an unsuccessful attempt to buy his beloved club, and six years later would be found recording a song with Jimmy Johnstone, the Bhoys’ greatest-ever player. This passionate fan will again hit the road with Simple Minds, playing old favourites such as ‘Don’t you forget about me’ and ‘Alive and kicking’ on a tour that, not for the first time, begins in Lisbon.

This, of course, is the city in which Celtic became European champions, and that 1967 triumph was among

–KERR

several subjects discussed by Kerr as he reflected on his experiences as a supporter and issues relating to Gareth Bale. Excerpts: Jim, most boys grow up dreaming of being in a band or becoming a footballer. Were you always set on the former?

My thought was, ‘I’ll do music first and give the football a go later’. In my head, that’s still the plan!

And how did you become a Celtic fan?

I had no choice in the matter really.

Like most boys in Glasgow, I was taken along to games by my father as a wee boy and I grew up with Celtic surrounding me. The club’s been with me and part of me ever since.

Tell us about the first Celtic game you attended: a 4-1 win over Manchester United in 1966. How was it?

It was just amazing. People talk about the atmosphere at Celtic

Park these days, and I take great pride in hearing many of the world’s greatest players saying they’ve never experienced anything like it. But back then it was even better. The crowd was more animated, the songs were non-stop, and for a boy of six or seven standing in the Jungle (Celtic’s famously atmospheric stretch of terracing), I was just awestruck.

And then there was the team on the park - a side with so much style and swagger. It was a fantastic combination and that game, friendly or not, was very competitive against a superb United team with Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, George Best and the rest. It also came very shortly after Charlton and a few of those other United players had won the World Cup with England, and yet Celtic were so obviously better than them.

But as well as the team played that day, I don’t think anyone there could have envisaged the success that was to come over that season - or over the

next decade. The club had just come out of a long, lean period of finishing in mid-table and winning nothing.

But I was lucky in that my timing was perfect. I grew up in the greatest Celtic era there has ever been, with nine straight league titles, two European Cup finals and many more quarter and semi-finals. It was such an exciting time. Growing up with the Beatles, the first man on the moon and, above all, with Celtic, I couldn’t have had it any better.

Although that United game was your first taste of Celtic Park, it wasn’t the first football match you attended. You had already experienced the World Cup by that point, hadn’t you?

That’s right. My dad happened to be working in the north-east of England during the summer of 1966, so he took me along to watch the Soviet Union play North Korea at Roker Park in Sunderland. We’d been staying nearby in Whitley Bay and I

remember my mum saying to my dad, who was a real socialist, ‘You’re just going to cheer on those Commies!’

My big memory of it was seeing Lev Yashin. He was seen as the ultimate goalkeeper back then and I remember seeing him all decked out in black, looking pretty majestic. It was all very exciting.

A year later, you’d be watching on TV as Celtic won the European Cup by beating Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon.

What do you remember about that experience?

I remember so much about it.

My teacher at the local school was called Miss Kelly and she was pretty fearsome. But I remember that day when we were saying our prayers, Bernard Rudden - who’s still one of my best pals - spoke up and said, ‘Miss Kelly, can we say a prayer for Celtic in Lisbon?’ And she just looked up and said, ‘Of course, Rudden’. So the prayers were said and, better still, we were all given the afternoon off school to watch the game. I remember all my family coming round to our house to watch the game and having a sense even then that something extra-special was taking place.

I had never seen people celebrate to the extent they did that day. I remember the pride above all, but also the fear when Inter scored that early goal. And it seemed for a long time, as we pummelled and pummelled them that the ball just wasn’t going to go in.

But once we equalised, I knew we’d win it.

Simple Minds actually started our last world tour in Lisbon and, as a Celtic fan, there was no way I could be there without visiting the Estadio Nacional. These days, it’s only used once a year and it just sits there the rest of the time. But when we asked the security guard if we could take a look at the pitch, his first question was, ‘Are you Scottish?’ When we told him we were, he let us in and, miracle upon miracles, there was a ball just sitting there on the pitch. So, needless to say, on we went and had a kickabout, trying to recreate the goals.

You once recorded a song with one of those European Cup-winning Lisbon Lions, Jimmy Johnstone, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting in 1967. What was that experience like?

Fantastic. I remember Jimmy telling me, ‘Big man, right, I’ve got the song’.

I said, ‘Great! What is it?’ And he says, ‘Bon Jovi - Bed of Roses!’ I told him there was no chance that it had to be something timeless. But he gave us a rendition that, I have to say, was fantastic. All the same, we went with ‘Dirty Old Town’ and I really love his version. It was great to do it with him and, needless to say, he blew me out of the park.

You and one of your more famous pals, Bono were involved in a failed takeover attempt at Celtic in the 1990s. Were you disappointed that didn’t succeed?

Certainly not in hindsight. The right thing happened in the end because the fans took the initiative and now own a large percentage of the club.

We were serious about it, but in retrospect I’m not sure it would have been the best thing had it come off.

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

FEDERATION WATCH

With Osaretin Emuze

P

ATHLETICS

aralympian, Alan Oliveira wants Oscar Pistorius to return to competitive action when he is released from prison.

Pistorius was last year jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, although he could be let out this year.

A member of the 28-year-old South African’s legal team claimed he was expected to serve a sixth of the sentence - around 10 months - in jail before being held under house arrest.

Pistorius was banned from all disabled competitions for five years following the conviction by the International Paralympic Committee, irrespective of whether he secures an early release.

However, Oliveira wants to see the six-time Paralympic champion compete again, saying: “I wish he’d come back and we could run more times together.”

Pistorius made history at London 2012 by competing at the Olympics and the Paralympics, where he won two gold medals, but finished second in the 200 metres behind Oliveira.

OLIVEIRA

wants

Pistorius

X7

PISTORIUS back in action

WOODS bemoans poor form

A

fter the worst round of his career former world number one Tiger Woods has said that his current form is “unacceptable.”

Woods shot a career-worst 82 to miss the cut in the Phoenix Open by 12 shots earlier this month. He was playing poorly at Torrey Pines when he withdrew after 11 holes because of tightness in his back.

The American has admitted that he is having physical therapy every day

GOLF

and feeling better.

“The last two weeks have been very disappointing to me, especially Torrey, because I never wanted to withdraw,” Woods said. “Unfortunately, lately injuries have made that happen too often. This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery.

Woods has declared that he will not return to the PGA Tour until he feels he can perform somewhere near his best.

“Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me.

“My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back,” he assured.

(L-R): Lanre Tanimowo, BH Sumanth, Akinsanya Akindele, Sonari Jack on Hole One at Ikoyi Golf Club during the DOAMF Charity Golf.

GOLF

TANIMOWO, OKORONKWO

shine at DOAM Charity Golf Mike Otanwa

L

anre Tanimowo topped the list of winners at the 5th Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF) Golf Tournament which ended at the golf section of Ikoyi Club in Lagos over the weekend.

Tanimowo, a six handicapper returned a brilliant 68 nett score at the one-day meet to edge out Michael Anukwuem to the runner up spot.

A feat which he confessed he has looked forward to since last year.

“I have been working hard for this event and looked forward to winning it. So I practiced hard for it,” Tanimowo said during the presentation ceremony.

Ted Iwere, Captain of the golf section of Ikoyi Club in his remark also referred to the DOAMF Charity Golf event as one event that has gained the interest of members and good-

TENNIS

NADAL

up for

Rio defence

Nadal

will of sponsors. “I think it is because of the laudable cause the event pushes,” he added.

The event was supported by spirited corporate bodies and individuals that included; Diamond Bank Plc, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Global EVC Ltd, PESLEY-PBTG Group, ARM Pension Managers, Caritas Communication, Arik Air, Apartment Royale, Cappa & D’Alberto PLC, Radial Circle Group, Channels TV, Nigeria Bottling Company, Seplat, Mobil Producing, Grand Oak, SIMS, CMCL Golf Tours, SPAR (Park ‘n’ Shop), Zenith Bank, Protea and Sheraton Hotels.

In the ladies category, Pat Okoronkwo, fended off challenges from Stefanie Erles and Cathy Fischer to pick the top ladies prize with five strokes advantage shooting 69 nett at the event. The duo settled for runner-up and third place respectively.

T

he Rio Open begins on Monday, but Rafael Nadal arrived early to learn about the carnival and get a feel of the energy in the colourful city.

Nadal is to defend his title at the Rio Open but also to experience firsthand “the incredible energy” of the city’s world-famous carnival.

“I really want to learn about the carnival in Rio. It has an incredible energy, carnival here is like a religion,” the world number three from Spain told reporters shortly after his arrival.

“I was always fascinated by the carnival and was eager to see it live.

It will be a show,” said Nadal, who will join a parade on Sunday with compatriot David Ferrer and Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten.

HEWITT in court over rape charges

A Wood

ustralian-born former tennis champion Bob Hewitt who is standing trial for rape and sexual assault in South Africa allegedly told one of his victims “rape is enjoyable”, a court heard on Wednesday.

The woman told the court Hewitt, 75, assaulted her during a private

tennis lesson when she was a teenager in the early 1990s.

“At a private lesson, he was quite jovial... we were discussing tactics, and he said to me ‘rape is enjoyable in all cases and if I rape you, you need to lie down and enjoy it’,” she said.

“I would try to pull away from him,

he would get angry. I could feel him rubbing himself up and down behind me,” she was quoted as saying in evidence to the Johannesburg court.

The former doubles champion, whose wife has attended court with him, is facing two charges of rape and one of indecent assault during the 1980s and 1990s.

Hewitt

X8

Friday, February 13, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

BARCELONA

MESSI is Barca’s penalty specialist –ENRIQUE H

aving seen Neymar fail to convert a penalty, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Lionel Messi was still his first-choice spot-kick taker.

Enrique was unsure why Neymar took his team’s penalty against Villarreal on Wednesday, but despite the Brazilian’s missed spot-kick, Barcelona claimed a 3-1 win in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

Enrique said Neymar must have decided with Messi to take the penalty, but had no doubts the Argentina international was still his main man from the spot.

U E I H T A M Mathieu

“Normally, Leo is the guy who shoots the penalties. Neymar is the second in the list. After, the players have the main role,” he told a media conference.

“I don’t know how it happened. I guess, Neymar asked the permission to shoot the penalty and they have the final decision.

“I really believe, as a player I was, it’s very important the feeling of each player. If they trust themselves and they talk each other I give them all the credit.

“They are both of them the first choices in the list, but you know that Leo is the guy who is in the top.”

ENRIQUE not carried away with Villarreal win

A C R A B at

A

Enrique’s side and impressed during their 3-1 victory over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

“From the beginning I felt very comfortable in the team,” said the 31-year-old. “At some point I lost a little confidence, but in practice I try to give 100 per cent.

“I’ve had a bad time but now I’m back to my level. I’m happy with my

Manu Trigueros had cancelled out Messi’s first-half goal, but strikes after the break from Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique saw Barca take a huge step towards the final.

Enrique however said Barca would still head to the Estadio El Madrigal looking for a win.

“Overall we had a good performance against a team which was more defensive than we expected, but brilliant team at the end of the day,” he said.

“The score is good but it’s not decisive. It could be better if we wouldn’t have miss the penalty but its nice score.

COPA DEL REY

e n i h s o t y read

fter his initial struggles to adapt to life at Barcelona, Jeremy Mathieu is ready to repay the faith shown in him by Luis Enrique.

The France international defender agreed a four-year deal at Camp Nou after leaving Valencia, but injuries hampered the early stages of his time at Barca.

Mathieu has since settled into Luis

Messi

game against Villarreal.”

Meanwhile, Mathieu says Barca must not start dreaming of the final just yet with a tough second leg at El Madrigal on the horizon on March 4.

“Villarreal have a good team and are very strong collectively,” he added.

“Our team has incredible patience, though, and we will move to contain them.”

Enrique

B

arcelona head coach Luis Enrique admits his side still have work to do to reach the Copa del Rey final.

The Catalans secured their 10th consecutive win in all competitions as they beat Villarreal 3-1 in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg at the Nou Camp.

Barca’s advantage could have been greater going into next month’s return leg at El Madrigal had Neymar not seen his second-half penalty saved.

Barca, who are looking to lift the Copa del Rey for a record 27th time, face Villarreal in the return leg on March 4.

“This result is not going to change our approach at Villarreal,” Luis Enrique said.

“We will try to mentally prepare the players that over confidence can kill you. My players are intelligent and already know that.

“I predict a very difficult return leg. Our aim will not be to score a goal there but rather to win the game. I’m certain Villarreal will make life difficult for us.”

Barca returns to La Liga action on Sunday when they host Levante.