NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 10th April 2015.
EXCHANGE RATES Currency
Buying(NGN)
Central (NGN)
GAINERS
Selling(NGN)
LOSERS
US DOLLAR
196
196.5
197
SEPLAT
388.5
18.50
4.76%
NESTLE
1044.05
-5.95
-0.57%
POUNDS STERLING
291.648
292.392
293.136
NB
163.76
7.78
4.75%
TOTAL
180
-2.00
-1.11%
26.7
-1.80
-6.74%
41.72
-1.28
-3.07%
EURO
212.3268
212.8685
213.4101
MOBIL
158
3.87
2.45%
PRESCO
SWISS FRANC
203.2984
203.817
204.3356
BETAGLAS
26.11
2.42
9.27%
UNILEVER
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MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.85
ENUGU
Low 22°C High 41°C
Low 26°C High 35°C
KANO
LAGOS
Low 18°C High 39°C
Low 26°C High 36°C
MAIDUGURI
N150
P/HARCOURT Low 24°C High 34°C
Low 23°C High 38°C
APC sweeps Lagos, Yobe, Benue, 14 others Ï ^#^ ƏƆƐ ƊƆ `ƈƒƆƏ è Ɠƈ ƈ 1 ƌƄƆè j Ə Ƅ è ƆƒƆ Ɛ ƆƏ j ƌ 1 ƏƄ è 0 ƈƐ 0 ƈƐ ƇƑƋè ^ƈƐ ƈƊƓƆƌè jƈƐƑ Ɗ ƈ ƄƆè C Ɔ R Ƅ ƗƑè L Ɔ RƕƆƗƈƏ è # ƈƆƋ C ƋƋƕ ÷ #ƑƐ Ɔ L ƌƌƆƗ
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its take-over of Nigeria’s political leadership
with sweeping victories in several states at the Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections held at
the weekend. The official results of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Daily Times Leadership Forum’s advice to incoming govt...
Don’t abandon Confab report
KNOW YOUR GOVERNORS-ELECT Enugu State
Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
(PDP)
Sokoto State
Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
(APC)
Niger State
Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello
(APC)
Kaduna State
Malam Nasir el-Rufai
(APC)
Katsina State
Alhaji Aminu Masari
(APC)
Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel
(PDP)
Kwara State
Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed
(APC)
Ogun State
Gov. Ibikunle Amosun
(APC)
Oyo State
Gov. Abiola Ajomobi
(APC)
Gombe State
Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo
(PDP)
Bauchi State
Barrister Mohammed A. Abubakar
(APC)
Adamawa State
Muhammed Umar
(APC)
Lagos State
Akinwunmi Ambode
(APC)
Benue State
Samuel Ortom
(APC)
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
nEô ƄƈƗ Ɛ ƆƈƖƆ 9Ƅ Əƈô MƾÕêƣƄ ƆƐ ƄƆ ƈ Ɛ Ɨ ƕ Gé`ë dd 909 ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛè ƌƏ ƗƆ d Ƌ d Ƌ Ɗ ì Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƌƄ Ɨ Ə Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ n ƈƐƆƗ dƐ ƐƆ è ^Ə ƇƆ Ə 1Ɔ Ə Ɔ RƄƈ Ɩ Əì ƈƏƌ è ƗƆƇƑ ƅƐ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛƈ Ƌ ƌƌƈƐƐƆƆ M Ɛƈ Ƌ #ƈ Ƌ ƑƆè dƆ Ɛ Ə 0Ɔƌƈ RƊƑƏ Ƒ ƌƑ Ɨ &R Ƈ 0ƈƏ Ɛ E Ɛ Ƌƕ Ɛ ƌƌƑ ƈƅ Ɛƈ è LƏê d Ɖƈ RƗƆdina at the # ƈƋƕ jƈƌƆ GƆ ƗƆƏ ƈƍ 0 ƏƑƌ ƆƋƗ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƆƓ ƍ ƍƆƏô ƈƗƈ Ƅƈè 9ƊƆƉ è G ƇƇƈƅƆêêê Ƌ Ɛ j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕê News on page 4, full interviews on pages C1–C4 PHOTO: Bolaji Olasunkanmi
Electricity firm rejects tariff reduction
Ngozi Okafor London
ÏÏÏThe long awaited aborted legal bid by the British
government to confiscate assets worth N26.7 billion (£89 million) of former governor of Delta State, Chief James CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
25 NASS leadership: Akume, Alabi top contenders 5
2
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
s
Editorial Nigeria’s out of school children
R
ecent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) shows that Nigeria has the highest number of children out of school and one of the world’s worst education systems. In fact, Nigeria was among Pakistan, Chad and Ethiopia as the countries that are way off target on the six key educational goals to be achieved between 2000 and 2015. The key goals include enrolling all children in primary schools, halving adult illiteracy and ensuring that girls had equal access to schooling. The report blamed corruption, conflict and lack of investment as responsible for this sad state of educational development. Definitely, every well meaning Nigerian must feel scandalised by this revelation given the fact that while the country’s GNP grew between 1999 and 2012, the investment in the education sector remained very low. Matters are made worse by the fact that officials routinely steal funds appropriated for building of classrooms, buying textbooks and implementing programmes that should bring more children to school. Two years ago, some officials were indicted for stealing funds meant for Nomadic Education Commission(NEC), an agency charged with the responsibility of getting Fulani herdsmen to enrol their children in school. Incidentally, more than 70 percent of these out of school children are found in some states in the north of the country. The situation has been exacerbated by the
Boko Haram insurgency, which has displaced many children of school age there. Moreover, the ‘Almajiri syndrome’, has condemned millions of children to a culture of begging under the guise of religion. This is why the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration must take urgent and drastic steps to ameliorate the situation. The progress of any country is not measured for natural resources but by the quality of education, its citizens receive. There is no denying the fact that these out school children pose danger to the future of the country, as they could become willing recruits for any terrorist organisation. Their continued lack of education due to no fault of theirs is an indictment on the country that continues to ignore the plight of these children in need of knowledge and human dignity. It is sad that many of them end up as house helps to the wealthy privileged few and most times as street hawkers and urchins, with some becoming hardened criminals over time. To solve this problem, the incoming government must devote enough resources to education, especially for the young who are the future leaders. It is unfortunate that the acclaimed richest economy in Africa is sorely lagging behind in the education of its citizens, especially the young ones, while spending billions of naira every year for the sustenance of a lavish and venal lifestyles of a few at the helm of affairs. The country must see the wisdom in educating its children if it wants to be taken seriously by the international community.
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How come humanity got to this depraved state? Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏIf
you have observed what is happening across the world at present, especially in countries where terrorism has berthed, you will shudder at the depravity of human beings as represented by terrorists. Recall that on Thursday, April 2, 2015, al-Shabaab Islamists stormed Garissa University College in north eastern Kenya, killing no fewer than 147 persons. Add this to the daily killings, slaughtering, beheading, executions and burning of human captives by the Islamic State in Iraqi and Syria (ISIS), and Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamic sect among other terror
groups, then you will weep for humanity. How come humanity came to this sorry pass where spilling of human blood and other atrocious acts have become the order of the day? How come human beings no longer shudder at the deliberate decimation of lives in the name of religion, ideology or whatever? Poser: Don’t these terrorists who daily bombard the internet with pictures of their ‘exploits’ have blood flowing in their veins? Again, which religion or ideology justifies spilling of human blood or makes killing, slaughtering, beheading, burning and execution of captives a qualification for making ‘paradise’? In fact, the questions are endless. Fact is that every human life is to be held precious and protected, but terrorists want
Words On Marble :
dailytimesng
to reverse this. They are persuading the global community to accept that bloodletting is the way to go in enforcing their worldview. But can this really be true? Are human beings now chickens, goats and cows to be killed, slaughtered or burnt at will? No, and never! So, we all, irrespective of the climes we live in, race, religion or class must stand united in upholding the sanctity of human life. Each one of us must discourage people around us from embracing extreme and warped worldviews which terrorists are propagating. We must refrain from eulogizing the heinous acts of terrorists publicly or privately; rather we all must use every means available to us to assist those caught in the terrorists’ web to come out of their depravity and delusion.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
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Publisher
Fidelis Anosike
Group Managing Director
Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects
Chief Commercial Officer
Deputy Editors
Noel Anosike
Doyin Awomosu
Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor
Editor
Yinka Olujimi
Tunji Okegbola
Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh
Acting Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Lateef Ibrahim
Group News Editor
Online Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Business Editor
Segun Adio Okay Osuji
Sports Editor
Andrew Ekejiuba
Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo
Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde
Head Graphics King Ododoru
The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Ernest Gaines
Oprah Winfrey
Malcolm X
There will always be men struggling to change, and there will always be those who are controlled by the past.
We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are. Become the change you want to see - those are words I live by.
You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
APC wins in Lagos, Yobe, Benue, 14 others Continued from page 1 some of the states were yet to be released at press time, but the incoming governing party was sure on the path of stamping its hold in at least 18 states. A remarkable feature of the exercise was the spate of congratulatory messages to the winners by the candidates of opposing parties, in a manner that was similar to that of President Goodluck Jonathan two weeks ago, when it was apparent that he had lost to Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. President Jonathan was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Lagos and Ogun states, however, the PDP rejected the results although its candidate in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje tweeted that he had congratulated the winner, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced Ambode while Agbaje, came second. The PDP rejected the result citing “the controversial” circumstances within which the exercise was conducted. Out of the state’s 20 local government areas, Ambode won 15 to Agbaje’s five. Figures by INEC showed that the APC candidate polled 811,994 votes while Agbaje had 659,788 votes, a
difference of 152, 206 votes. However, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, in a statement by its Legal Adviser, Mr. Adeleke Adefala, on Sunday, alleged that card readers were manipulated in the areas where the APC won. But, in Adamawa, the PDP candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, conceded defeat to the APC candidate. Ribadu, who said that he had dreamt of coming back home to lead Adamawa state to greater heights after years of underdevelopment, surrendered on the ground that the voice of the majority did not give him the chance. “I take this in good faith,” he said in a press statement he personally
An APC supporter allegedly attacked and shot by suspected PDP thugs in Omuanwa, Rivers State… on Saturday
‘Don’t abandon Confab report’ Kayode Adelowokan
ÏÏÏNigeria’s march to true great-
ness can only begin with the implementation of the recommendations of the National Conference convened last year by President Goodluck Jonathan. That was the consensus of eminent Nigerians who attended the inaugural Daily Times Leadership Forum, held at the company’s premises in Agidingbi, Lagos, last Thursday. The leaders maintained that the recommendations of the conference are the surest way to guarantee equity, justice and growth in the country. At the forum were the chairman of the presidential advisory committee on the conference who was
consequently one of its members when it was eventually convened, Senator Femi Okurounmu; and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United State, Professor George Obiozor. Also present were the CEO of First Katalyst Communications Ltd., Mr Soji Odedina; and the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Comrade Olusoji Salako. The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, who was billed to attend but could not, sent her views on how the country could address its many problems. When asked about when Nigeria, a nation of great promise at birth, took the wrong turn, Com-
rade Salako identified the discovery of oil and the consequential abandonment of agriculture. The ASSBIFI President, who is also a Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said: “Agriculture was what was giving us value and we were showing dividends of that by monumental edifices that you could point at: the first TV station in Africa, Cocoa House in Ibadan, first radio station in Nigeria, Kano groundnut pyramid, coal in Enugu, oil plantation, and others. But the moment we wanted to cut corners, because we knew that so much money was coming in from oil, then we decided to abandon what we were doing right.” Continued on page 6
signed. Noting the trend of the results, Ribadu said he took “this opportunity to congratulate the winner and pray that at the end of it all the state will witness the needed progress and development it so much desires.” “I came into this race knowing full well that political contests are two-way traffics – one either wins or loses. As a man of faith, I was also aware that leadership responsibility is a product of God’s anointment,” Ribadu said. The APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), called for the cancellation of Rivers State’s results which were won by the PDP. The governor and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi described the elections in the state as a sham. At press time, INEC was yet to officially announce the result while
the APC standard bearer, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and his APGA counterpart called for the cancellation of the exercise. The APC candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello was leading in Niger State after winning 17 out of the 18 LGAs announced so far by the Returning Officer, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali. While receiving results from the Collation Officers, the Returning officer on Sunday announced that the PDP candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko, had won in only Magama, his LGA. The 17 LGAs won by the APC candidate include Munya, Rijau, Shiroro, Gbako, Bida, Lavun, Chanchaga, Lapai, Agaie, Rafi, Paikoro, Suleja, Kacha, Borgu, Gurara, Bosso and Tafa In Edo, the APC had secured 20 out of the 24-member seats in the state House of Assembly declared Continued on page 6
The bus that conveyed the suspected PDP thugs
UK moves against Ibori’s N26.7b assets Continued from page 1 Ibori, begins today (Monday) at the Southwark Crown Court, courtroom 8. Billed to last for six weeks, both the Crown prosecutors and Ibori’s defence team, have this final chance to prove to Judge Anthony Pitts, whether the former Delta State governor unlawfully acquired these benefits by dipping his hands into the coffers of the oil rich state during his eight-year tenure or that he acquired them through lawful means. But it is not just the legal teams who have everything to prove during the following six weeks, the judge himself, having revealed at the pre-hearing siting on March 30, that
he has had to put an “important surgery on hold “ because of the case, is equally keen to get the facts right in order to make an informed ruling. The hearing, which began on September 16, 2013, had been aborted twice, particularly due to the insistence of Ibori’s defence led by Ivan Krolick that the Crown must prove that the assets they want to rip off the hands of his client came directly from the funds of Delta State. While the Crown had argued last year that Ibori had no money before he assumed the position of Governor in 1999, and as such, associating his wealth to the post, and his guilty plea before Pitts, Krolick, who took the brief after Ibori had been jailed, Continued on page 6
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
5 News
Polls in Rivers, a sham, says Amaechi Faith Faithful Port Harcourt
ÏÏÏThe Rivers State Governor
L-R: Lagos INEC, Head of Department, Electoral Operations, Alh. Abiodun Amosu; Returning Electoral Officer, Prof. Isaac Adewale and Lagos State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Akin Orebiyi during the official announcement of the gubernatorial election results in Lagos…on Sunday PHOTO: OLAWALE ROTIMI
and Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, has described Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state as a sham. Amaechi said this while fielding questions from journalists after casting his vote at Ward 8, Unit 14, Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area. He said the elections witnessed thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes in most parts of the state.
Akume, Alabi, top contenders for Senate, Reps’ leadership Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏAhead of the inauguration of the incoming eighth National Assembly later this year, the struggle for the positions of the principal officers has been intensified in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The new Senate would have 64 Senators from the All Progressives Congress, (APC), while 45 are from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
The APC would also have 214 elected members in the House of Representatives out of the 360 members. The position of the Senate President, according to investigation, might have been zoned by the APC national leadership to the North-Central geo-political zone comprising; Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau State. Former Governor of Benue State, who was re-elected, Senator George Akume, is believed
to be highly favoured for the job. A former Governor of Kwara State, also re-elected, Senator Bukola Saraki, is also believed to be in contention for the Senate presidency. However, a highly placed source within the APC top hierarchy said that the current Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) case against Saraki might be a minus for him in clinching the seat. The President-elect, General
Muhammadu Buhari, it was further gathered, was said to have confided in those close to him that any Senator or House of Representatives member facing any trial in any court of law would not be allowed to hold any principal position. A former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and Professor of Political Science, Mojeed Olujimi Alabi, was reported to be favoured as the Speaker, House of Representatives by APC leaders.
Tension, drama as Nigerians in UK elect new leader
Ngozi Okafor
London It was a day of tension, disappointments and drama inside the Nigerian High Commission main hall on Saturday evening, when Nigerians in the United Kingdom elected Babatunde Loye, as the new chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK). The association is the umbrella body representing the nearly two million Nigerians living in the UK and all Nigerian groups
ÏÏÏ
Kayode Adelowokan
ÏÏÏThe Governorship candidate
of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has emerged winner, beating his close rival, Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Ambode had 811,994 votes to defeat Agbaje who polled 659,788. The APC won in 15 local government areas, while the PDP led in
and social-cultural organisations. Delegates from various groups and organisations, who voted during the Annual General Meeting, (AGM) included those from Ijaw National Congress, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nigerian Council of Elders, Association of Nigerian Academics, Imo State Union and many others, including the Nigerian Community in Northern Ireland. In the keenly contested election, which some of the past executives described as the “first of
its kind,” in that it was the first time a female (Ronke Udofia) aspirant had contested for the post and also the first time the elections were conducted over two rounds before the chairman could emerge. Loye, who contested on the platform of the Association of African Insurance Professionals UK, polled 46 votes to narrowly defeat Dr. Boma Douglas, of the Nigerian Engineering Forum, (NEF), who had 44 votes. But prior to that, the election had been a three-horse race be-
tween Boma, Loye and Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum’s (NWDLF) Udofia. Before the 94 accredited delegates, representing the various organisations were asked to cast their votes, each of the three aspirants was given ten minutes to sell themselves to the audience. Based on the overall performance delivery, Udofia’s cheerleaders were quite bullish, thinking that their candidate had nailed “it” and that history could be made if CANUK were to elect its first female chairman.
The governor said: “I think it is a sham. You noticed what happened in Omagwa, what happened was that somebody called me and said they were being attacked at a particular polling booth and I went there, the thugs were overwhelming, until another group of soldiers came to dislodge them. “Don’t forget that the report was that our people were being attacked, so I came to rescue the people who were being attacked. When we got here, you saw the thugs, so how do you stabilise the system when, already the system has been taken over by thugs?” he added.
Lagos: Agbaje congratulates Ambode
ÏÏÏTHE
governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, on Sunday, reportedly called to congratulate the All Progressives Congress, (APC), governorship candidate, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, for emerging winner of the April 11 polls. Agbaje was said to have called Ambode at exactly 6:50pm. Agbaje, who wished the Governor-elect well, said he looked forward to seeing a better Lagos under Ambode. “I just made a phone call to congratulate Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,” Agbaje said. Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, on Sunday, petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), over alleged non usage of the Smart Card Readers during the April 11 governorship election in the state. In a protest letter signed by the State Legal Adviser, Mr. Adeleke Adefala, the party called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), in Lagos to suspend the collation and release of the results pending investigation into the complaints.
Ambode wins Lagos gov poll, thanks Lagosians five. Professor Isaac Adewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, who served as the Returning Officer, announced Ambode at about 7. 30 pm as the winner of the election having satisfied all the requirements of the Electoral Act Adewole calculated the margin between Ambode and Agbaje as
152,206. He said that both parties scored above 25 per cent of all votes cast in 20 local government areas as requested by the Electoral Act. While describing the exercise as one of the most credible in the country, Adewole expressed his appreciation to INEC officials, security agencies, the Inspector Genera,
Suleiman Abba and AIG, Joseph Mbu and other security agencies for providing adequate security as there was no loss of life throughout the exercise. Representatives of each of the contesting political parties later signed the result sheets. Ambode, in a swift to his victory as posted on his Facebook wall,
thanked all Lagos residents for trusting him and promised to fulfill all his campaign pledges. He said: “Thank You Lagosians. We promise to serve you better. Thank you for trusting APC, we will work harder to serve you better.” Some results were cancelled in some polling units in areas like: Mushin, Kosofe, Agege Alimosho, Epe.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
‘Confab report’ll end Nigeria’s woes’ Continued from page 4 Professor Obiozor argued that Nigeria could not get anything right until it solved its political problems. He recalled the statement of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who said Do you agree that the President-elect should simply fix electricity and the economy and leave the rest? The truth of the matter is which economy? You mentioned Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah once said: “Seek ye first the political kingdom and everything else will follow.” Obiozor said further: “We
must all accept this fact; Nigeria is a country whose past is better than its present and its future is still in a serious doubt even by a serious nationalist. We must sincerely stop the idea of denial; countries that live in denial will always have fundamental problems. Thank God we had the National Conference; the confab is a landmark, and a place to begin the rebuilding of our nation, Nigeria.” He added: “The country must be rebuilt from the foundation. We are tired of blaming the colonialists, tired of blaming leaders; fundamentally, we must dis-
cover what is wrong. To me, what is wrong with Nigeria is structural; a defective structure that we inherited and we persisted in it.” Odedina spoke about the need for a vision and a mission as the roadmap for the nation’s growth. He said: “I take the example of the UAE, a country where every Nigerian now when we are on holidays, desire to visit. One man, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saw a vision that, ‘this island in the desert will one day become a place where the whole world will be attracted to’. Europe is no longer the centre of the world; Dubai and Abu Dhabi
are the centres of the world because that is where everybody goes now. What have they done differently? They looked at the whole world and decided to create something out of nothing. Only a single man saw the vision. What has been the vision for Nigeria since inception? The kind of business that I do, if you don’t have a vision or mission statement, your business is doomed from the beginning. It is vision that will help you to think of what you can become in the nearest future.” To Senator Okurounmu, the recent presidential election was significant because
it showed the country’s fault lines, which he warned must not be glossed over. He noted that apart from the South West and a sprinkle of the North Central which voted on the basis of a desire for good governance, the remaining part of the country was decidedly motivated by ethnic and religious inclinations. He said: “We pretend that everything is fine, we bury our noses in the sand refusing to see the problem. This election has revealed a number of problems about Nigeria which in spite of the euphoria that is being propagated by several sections of the media, I hope the President-elect will see that these are challenges ahead for him.” He said that Buhari “must see to it that he implements
all the recommendations from the National Conference.” In her contribution, sent by email, the Finnish ambassador said that free education, free meals and free healthcare were largely guaranteed in his country, but added that the schemes were provided through a tax scheme. She said: In Finland education is indeed free of charge from primary school to university level. High-quality education is available to all, regardless of where they live, or what their income level is. This allows for everybody to realize their full potential, and enables us to make the most of the talent that we have in our country. This very comprehensive system is funded through taxes.”
KNOW YOUR GOVERNORS-ELECT Continued from page 1
DESERTED: The ever-busy Ikorodu road, Lagos… on Saturday
Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN
APC claims Lagos, Yobe, Benue, 14 others Continued from page 4 at press time. In Delta State, the PDP candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was leading in the 10 councils that were officially announced at press time. Delta has 25 local government council areas. In the result announced so far by INEC state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Bio Nyananyo, Okowa had a landslide victory in his council area of Ika North East where he pulled 72,612. He also got overwhelming votes from Oshimili South and Oshimili North believed to be his stronghold in Delta
north senatorial district of the state. Okowa had won three councils in Delta Central Senatorial District, populated by the Urhobos. The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Chief Great Ogboru who had protested the votes from Ika North East and Oshimili South councils also had overwhelming votes cast in Udu local government area, which is believed to be his stronghold. In Ondo, the PDP had a resurgence after having been beaten at the Presidential election two weeks ago. The PDP had a dramatic victory, winning 19 out of
the 26 seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly. The results of the two constituencies in Ilaje Local Government were not announced following the alleged manipulation of the results after armed youths seized electoral materials and returned them later with figures. In Enugu, INEC declared the governorship candidate of the PDP, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, winner. Ugwuanyi polled 482,277 to defeat his closest rival, Chief Okey Ezea of the APC who got a total of 43,837 votes. Results from the 17 local government areas collated
and announced by INEC Returning Officer for the state, Professor Hillary Edeoga, showed that Hon. Ugwuanyi maintained an unassailable lead in all the councils. The people of the state went into jubilation immediately the result was announced by INEC Sunday afternoon expressing confidence that the state would witness another round of transformation with the emergence of Ugwuanyi. Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has congratulated the governorelect on his victory in the April 11, 2015 election.
Taraba State
Darius Dickson Ishaku
(PDP)
Kebbi State
Senator Abubakar Bagudu (APC)
Kano State
Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
(APC)
Borno State
Kashim Shettima
(APC)
Bauchi State
Barr. Mohammed Abubakar
(APC)
Rivers State
Nyesom Wike
(PDP)
Cross River State Senator Ben Ayade
(PDP)
Ebonyi State
Dave Umahi
(PDP)
Nasarawa State
Gov. Tanko Al-Makura
(APC)
Yobe State
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam
(APC)
Continued from page 4 would have none of the basis for which the Crown wanted to conduct the confiscation. In September of last year, he told the court, “he - Ibori threw down a gauntlet and it may well be that it was he who is calling the bluff of the prosecution.” Pitts himself admitted then that “it is a challenge to try and prove their - prosecution - case which they hadn’t done when he pleaded guilty.” Krolick (perhaps the reason he took the brief) seeing that the onus is on the Crown prosecutors, insisted that he wouldn’t have it any other way. He told the court then: “If they can’t show that the funds came from Delta State, then
UK begins bid to seize Ibori’s N26.7b assets they should stop saying so.” One year after, the Crown now has the chance to make connections between the assets of the former governor and the accounts of the state he ruled for eight years. Of course, they seem set to take the defence down the deep as they have refused to give direction as to which of the 66,000 page trial evidence they will be relying on in the forthcoming six weeks. The judge himself will surely want a closure on this case before his surgery. Obviously, the gloves are surely off.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
JNI denies collecting Jonathan's N12bn, threatens legal action Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏ
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has refuted the allegation that it collected N12 billion from President Goodluck Jonathan to favour his second term bid and challenged its author to provide evidence. The organisation also threatened legal action if the author failed to substantiate, withdraw the publication and apologise to JNI. This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, on Sunday in Kaduna. A copy of the statement, made available to the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN), said the allegation was published by one Obinna Akukwe, via an online medium with profetobinna2@yahoo.com as e-mail address. The statement said the allegation went viral on the social media and other electronic media platforms stating ``JNI received N12 billion largesse from the outgoing President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ``The most unfortunate part of the article was its deliberate and scantiest reference in the paragraph JNI featured, details were not provided at all, whereas, to some extent, nitty-gritties were provided for the other stated organisations," it read in part. The JNI, therefore, expressed worry over the scandalous alle-
gation, considering the various concerns raised by well-meaning individuals, as a result of the weightiness of the allegation. ``We wish to place on record, and for posterity, that such has never occurred and we (JNI) don't really understand the ill motives of those behind the release. We did not understand or is it because some other faith(s) are said to have collected the presidential largesse? ``Hence, Muslims must be asserted to have collected same? Why do they want to discredit and smear the JNI at all cost? Why is the allegation coming now, despite knowing fully that the JNI never had any political romance with the government before and or during the elections?
``It is our firm belief that the purported write-up was orchestrated to smear the name of Islam and Muslims, who suffered undue discrimination and deliberate marginalisation under the outgoing government, and to cause bad feelings among the Ummah. ``Without mincing words, JNI is proud to make it known to all and sundry that the out-going President requested for an audience with its leadership and it was turned down out-rightly by the leadership of the Muslim Ummah,’’ said the scribe. While noting that the allegation was ill-timed, the JNI said it had serious reservations about the motives behind that meeting and its impending implications.
Edo APC sweeps 20 seats, PDP wins four Titus Akhigbe Benin
ÏÏÏThe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle) jubilating with his supporters at INEC office in Umuahia, Abia State… on Sunday
Jonathan, a true democrat – Tukur
Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏ The former National Chair-
man of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a true democrat for conceding defeat and congratulating General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the last presidential election. Tukur said this after he was accredited for the gubernatorial election on Saturday at his unit 02 at Ajiya ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa
State. “Jonathan is a true democrat, his act has strengthened democracy in Nigeria, it shows democracy has come to stay, nobody has ever conceded defeat, even when the results of elections were still being counted, democracy is gaining ground in our country", Tukur said. He accused the ruling party of allowing governors to impose whoever they wanted against the general and popular demand of the electorate. "Governors turned PDP to their personal house, wanting to always do what they liked, that's
why PDP, for 16 years of ruling, was accused of having nothing to show forth, because of state governors have highjacked all the party structure", Tukur added. He also berated the All Progressives Congress, (APC) for not having the true ideology of change as it professed, saying "who will change what? Did they ever say exactly what they will change? The party is just making mere noise". He added that those defecting to APC were doing so because they didn't have good political principles and they didn't mean well the country.
All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State, has won 20 seats in the 24-member House of Assembly in last Saturday’s elections. APC won in Edo South senatorial district, Orhionmwon South, Orhionmwon East, Ovia North East 1 and 11, Ovia South West, Egor, Ikpoba -Okha, Oredo West and East and Uhunwode. For Edo Central senatorial district, where Chief Tony Anenih, Senator Odion Ugbesia and Chief Tom Ikimi hailed, saw PDP winning four seats while APC won two seats. The Speaker, state House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Ebea, lost his seat to APC. Ikimi and Ugbesia lost their constituencies to APC. The state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, also won the eight seats in Edo North senatorial district for the APC.
Oshimole
7 News
Yero concedes defeat, congratulates el-Rufai ÏÏÏ The Governor of
Kaduna State, Mukhtar Yero, has conceded defeat and congratulated Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for winning the April 11 governorship election in the state. Yero, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, called elRufai on phone at about 3:00p.m on Sunday to concede defeat and congratulate the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for winning the election. Mr. Samuel Aruwan, Media Officer of the state APC Campaign Council, who stated this in Kaduna, said el-Rufai thanked the governor for his magnanimity in defeat. ``He congratulated el-Rufai and wished him success, he prayed for peace and development of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large. "El-Rufai, in his response, thanked Yero and wished him all the best and hoped to see him soon", Aruwan said. NAN.
Navy kills two hoodlums in Ondo Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏ 'The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State, on Sunday, said one of the hoodlums that disrupted and hijacked election materials in Ilaje Local Government Area has been killed while two others were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje, who disclosed this to journalists also said the hoodlums collected personal properties of the ad hoc staff and jumped into the sea, but, they were chased by the naval officers. "The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy called me about 8: 20 pm, last night and told me that following repeated complaints from our electoral officer in Ilaje, that election materials were hijacked, they moved into the seas and were able to make some arrests", Agbaje said. He added that eight guns, five ballot boxes, six mobile phones, belonging to some of the commission's ad hoc staff were recovered by the naval officers.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Politics Comrade Sunny Ofehe Chief Executive Officer of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign
OFEHE
What gave Buhari edge over Jonathan
s
Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng
Comrade Sunny Ofehe is Chief Executive Officer of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) which has been in the forefront of campaign against environmental pollution, gas flare, pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. In this interview with JOE OGBODU, Ofehe bares his mind on why he thinks President Goodluck Jonathan lost in the last Presidential Election to General Muhammadu Buhari and the implication of the defeat
in the Niger Delta among other sundry issues. Excerpts Jonathan became the first incumbent President to be defeated in a Presidential election in the history of Nigeria, why do you think Buhari won? You know PDP is the biggest and most powerful political party in Nigeria until all the other political parties formed an alliance and APC was born. So APC became the largest opposition party in the country. That alliance gave
APC the momentum and when the choice for Buhari was announced, the momentum became even stronger. The idea of Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate was a good decision because he was not controversial that was why all the criticisms were directed at Buhari while Prof. Osinbajo, as a pastor attracted majority of Christians in the South-West. APC was also very organised during the campaign and for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
LAGOS POLLS:
Lai Mohammed, Gani Adams tango over violence The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams are in a war of words of over reported violence in Lagos State during last Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections in the state. Alhaji Mohammed had raised the alarm on Friday following the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos on the eve of the election wondering what was going on. The visit had raised concerns following President Jonathan’s meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Oban-
Rivers election result, a sham – Amaechi
ikoro and Adams. But the OPC leader described Mohammed’s alarm as unfounded saying it was cheap propaganda wondering whether it was a crime for the president to meet with citizens of Lagos. In this interviews, both spoke more on their convictions. VIOLENCE: We’ve been vindicated – Mohammed How do you see reports so far? We have reports of ballot box snatching in Ikorodu also, there was a skirmish between INEC officers and party agents and even in Oshodi, there have been some complaints as well as at Lagos Island. The last I got was from Surulere, where they allegedly went for the ballot box. Also in Ibeju Lekki, an INEC official was said to have been
found with N100,000. Comparing the governorship election with the Presidential election, Mohammed said: It depends. Most of my reports are concentrated in a few states; Lagos, Rivers Akwa Ibom, Abia and mostly about the bad ones, where the INEC people come early, nobody reports it because its not news; where materials are not sufficient and I think there is a rampant report of electoral shift. On the balance, given the concentration of this malfeasance in Lagos, one may say it’s a bit alarming. We have about 3,000 polling units and if the report is about 300 while some are not reported, I think it is bad enough. There has been
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state as a sham saying the elections witnessed thuggery and ballot box snatching in most parts of the state coupled with violence. “I think it is a sham. You noticed what happened in Omagwa,
what happened was that somebody called me and said they were been attacked at a particular polling booth and I went there, the thugs were overwhelming until another group of soldiers came before they ran away. “Don’t forget that the report was that our people were being attacked, so I came to rescue the
Lai Mohammed
Adams
“On the balance, given the concentration of this malfeasance in Lagos, one may say it’s a bit alarming. We have about 3,000 polling units and if the report is about 300 while some are not reported, I think it’s bad enough. There has been more violence, more incidence of ballot snatching than before.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
people who were being attacked. When we came, you saw the thugs yourselves, so how do you stabilise the system when already the system has been taken over by thugs”?, he lamented. He noted that the Nigerian Police failed in their responsibility to the people to provide peaceful CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Amaechi
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
9
Politics
Buhari should stop free money to militants but give them jobs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
first time in history took their campaign offshore. They paraded The General very well internationally, organised town hall meetings with Nigerians in the Diaspora, international community’s senior government officials and diplomats. With the image of President Jonathan already damaged abroad, Buhari was certain to get the support of the West and that clearly showed from the joint warning given to the government by the US and the UK few days to the elections that they must ensure that the elections were peaceful and fair. While all these were going, on the President’s media team was busy being petty! How did Nigerians in Diaspora received the news of Buhari’s victory in the March 28th Presidential election? If the election was conducted in Diaspora, Buhari would have won landslide. It was clear that the popularity of President Jonathan plummeted to a record low since after the Chibok girls were abducted. Gen. Buhari and his running mate Yemi Osinbajo spent the last months of their campaigns addressing Nigerians and the international communities of their determination and reasons why they are the best choice for the country. They engaged in constructive and productive meetings with top international politicians, government officials, and civil society organizations. Take for example the much publicised Chatham House meeting in London. Meanwhile, President Jonathan’s media moguls were busy fighting a detrimental war with the opponent. They tend to forget that the highest percentage of Nigerian political debaters on
the social media are the diasporans. Nigerians in the Diaspora can influence their families back home to exercise their votes in favor of their choice candidate. Remember, majority are the breadwinners in their family. When I observed that the popularity of the opposition was more than that of the President, I tried many times to raise this with some people I know in the government or close associates of the President but they ignored my warnings. Though there were tons of supporters for him but they had no sense of direction and real purpose. It was also very difficult to publicly defend the President on an international platform. Though he had some achievements to his credit but they were not properly publicised. Why do you think he lost the election? President Goodluck Jonathan was a very popular person among Nigerians and that reflected on his winning in the 2011 Presidential elections. I was one of the unpopular voices from the South - South who felt Jonathan should have allowed the North to complete the Yar’Adua term particularly when it became controversial and led to a national debate. The President would have positioned himself in a way that his heroic antecedent would have started from bowing out to the wishes of the Northerners and position himself as the best and credible candidate from the South-South to take over the reign of affairs. He could have still retained his position as Vice President under any Northern President. If that had happened he would have completed his constitutionally mandated two terms in office. I think he was misled by those
Jonathan
“The issue of Buhari’s certificate, the issue of his health and what he did and did not do as a military Head of State was baseless, at a time when Nigerians were hungry and unemployed, these topics became meaningless.”
Buhari who saw his Presidency as an opportunity to enjoy political affluence and wealth. It was from that moment he fell out with a few powerful forces from the North and even South-West and that played a role in the overwhelming rejection he got from the polls in those areas. On the issue of corruption, he didn’t really impose himself on it and his administration was plagued with so much corruption whereas, he was never a part of it but he never took any drastic action to convince anybody he was the answer to our quest to eradicate corruption in the country. He also made some questionable decisions that portrayed him as a president encouraging corruption. Take
a look at some of the recipients of his national award, State pardon and political appointments, you are left wondering about his intentions. Boko Haram and the abducted Chibok Girls Also the insecurity in the North-East of Nigeria caused by Boko Haram made him very unpopular, particularly after the abduction of the Chibok girls. I wouldn’t say he was affected because he didn’t defeat Boko Haram or released the girls, it was the way he managed the crisis that contributed to his loss. It took him a long time to meet the families of the girls. I never saw any Nigerian fallen soldier getting a heroic and national burial like what we saw in France after the terrorist attack that left four police officers dead. As a leader, little actions like this will restore confidence in the people you serve and draw up sympathy for you even when you are losing the battle. Also, the strategy to attack the opposition personally was wrong. The issue of Buhari’s certificate, the issue of his health and what he did and did not do as a military Head of State was baseless, at a time when Nigerians were hungry and unemployed, these topics became meaningless. There is no doubt that President Jonathan despite losing his popularity took some bold steps in the economic sector. It was in his administration that Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa, the rebasing of the economy reached an unprecedented half a trillion dollars and the agricultural sector got a massive boost while at it. You have met President Goodluck Jonathan, how can CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
“Gen. Buhari and his running mate Yemi Osinbajo spent the last months of their campaigns addressing Nigerians and the international communities of their determination and reasons why they are the best choice for the country. They engaged in constructive and productive meetings with top international politicians, government officials, and civil society organizations. Take for example the much publicised Chatham House meeting in London.” Osinbajo
Politics 10
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
We’ve been vindicated – Lai Mohammed
Lai Mohammed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
more violence, more incidence of ballot snatching than before. On the President’s presence in Lagos: Reuben Abati tried to debunk our story, but he did a very poor job because he admitted the president was in town and met with the people as we said and I don’t know where we went wrong. Whereas the President has the right to be anywhere in Nigeria, when he now comes to Lagos on the eve of the election and now met with these characters, of course, it won’t be too wrong to conclude as we did. And I think this is what is mani-
festing. Don’t forget we spoke about gun running by PDP, we spoke about money being given, reports sheet being distributed and we also spoke about violence I think we have been vindicated largely about what is happening today. On low turn out of voters: What we were told is that people were more interested in Presidential election that governorship election and since the last election had been decided in one way, they felt every other thing was academic. Governorship politics is local and there is usually more turn out because lets face it, how many people
can relate with the Presidential candidate whereas in each states there are governorship candidates and house of assembly candidates. It is strange there is a low turn out. Violence: Count OPC outGani Adams Our members have been given instruction to cast their votes and go back to their various homes. No member of OPC will be used as thugs or cannon fodders. That’s the standing instruction. What’s our interest? Our groups will not be used as thugs during the election. So, definitely, I think Lai Mohammed saw that something is coming, that is on of the reasons they are moving this unnecessary and uncalled for information. Last two weeks, they alleged that OPC members will put on army uniform to rig the presidential election in Ikorodu, but that did not happen in the presidential election. He made another allegation yesterday evening in a press statement, our editors should be very careful and balance their story when they see such statements from Lai Mohammed. Im here now, this place is peaceful, we have conducted our election, the result is out, nobody is involved in malpractices. When a principal of the organisation is not involved in rigging, who will take part, the followers will not be encouraged in rigging. Here, nobody is threatening anybody, so I don’t know where he got that information and I belief it’s a fallacy. Alhaji Lai Mohammed alleged that OPC is intimidating voters and causing mayhem
Adams
Violence: Count OPC out – Gani Adams “Our members have been given instruction to cast their votes and go back to their various homes. No member of OPC will be used as thugs or cannon fodder.” This allegation is coming 24 hours after we were shocked with an online strong allegation that Mr. President, myself, Obanikoro and Jimi Agbaje met. I belief that something is wrong with the position of Lai Mohammed because from the beginning of this election since January, Lai Mohammed has made 13 different allegations against OPC
on negative information. And 99 percent of the information is not true. I wonder how you want to depend on propaganda to win an election. When you build a house on the basis of falsehood, there is no way that house can last in any society. You can judge by yourself here now, the votes have been counted, the result is out, nobody is fighting each other. From the information at our disposal, there is crisis affecting OPC, the crisis I heard is in Idi Oro that involved street urchins. Idi Oro is den of criminals and people of questionable characters, but OPC members are not involved in any crisis in Somolu. At the same time, I would use this opportunity to appeal to the public, they should not take Lai Mohammed serious. Most of the information he disseminates to the public is false. Jonathan in Lagos? How long will you continue to harass this man? What else do CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Jonathan’s defeat, great loss to Niger Delta CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
you describe him? The President is a very good person. He is humble and very respectful to everyone irrespective of your social status. Those who have met him will attest to this. He is also a very shy person who will always smile and make friendly gesture whenever he is around strangers. Unfortunately, many people around him particularly those in his
inner circle took advantage of his simplicity. The majority of them became demi-gods, egoistic, arrogant and power drunk; their actions brought the good President many enemies even from the Niger Delta region. I have heard many people say President Goodluck Jonathan was too corrupt, I stand here to say without fear or favor that Goodluck Jonathan was never corrupt and has never been and is not materialistic either.
I agree when people say he surrounded himself with very corrupt people and the fact that he couldn’t manage them well affected the public opinion of him. People of the Niger Delta voted overwhelmingly for Jonathan; have they lost out? The defeat of Jonathan is a big loss for the region. The people would have loved the opportunity to give their candidate the second chance to complete a second tenure in office. However, it cannot
be considered to be a lost election for the region. Nigeria is a very big country with so much diversity in ethnicity and region. We should not forget that late President Yar’Adua’s administration was hailed for his handling of the region’s problems. It was in his administration that some of the policies enjoyed today by the region came into full force. We must not forget that despite the regions complain of marginalisation, the states from
the region still receive the highest share of Federal revenue allocation. Besides, it is only the states in the region that gets 13% derivation from profit made from crude oil. If these resources are well managed, our dependence on who becomes the President of Nigeria will be insignificant. The election should rather be a wakeup call for the people of the region to remain steadfast and appreciate the fact that their votes counted.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
OPC not responsible for violence in Lagos polls – Adams
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
you want this man to do for you? He lost an election, before the announcement of result conceded to you? Buhari came to Lagos on Wednesday, he campaigned for APC openly, he went to Imo, he went to about 12 states between 24 hours, so what are you talking about. Are you saying Jonathan should not come to Lagos because he lost an election? Is Lagos State not part of the Federal republic of Nigeria? Does he not have the right to come to Lagos? Does
11
he not have the right to meet his subjects again? Does he not have the right to do any activity as president? We cant be fooled. Why should you attack the president for meeting people? He has the right to summon anybody in this country to move this nation forward. in the process of handing over to Buhari, he has to consult. And what do you mean, are you saying the president should not meet the governorship candidate of APC in Lagos? Are you telling me the president should not meet Obanikoro, a minister in his cabi-
Politics net? Are you telling me as a citizen of Nigeria, if Jonathan calls me, I should not meet him? Meeting Jonathan does not mean we should be involved in crime. He is a friend, he is a brother and we have been in relationship since he was vice president. Even when he is no longer in power, I will never deny Jonathan in my life. I’m not a politician that when your friend lost and election, you will now take the winner as your friend. Anybody who relates well with me even in the past will always be my friend forever.
Election fallout: Fake soldiers arrested in Lagos, Delta Fake soldiers were arrested in Badagry Lagos State and Avara, Isoko South local government area of Delta State by security operatives during last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections. The fake soldiers were alleged to have been linked to election malpractices in the states. In Lagos, a highly placed source told Daily Times vigilant soldiers noticed the men in army uniform and a quick check on them revealed that they were not soldiers. They were immediately disarmed, arrested and taken into custody. It was the same situation in Isoko where security agents discovered the fake soldiers very early in the morning of Election Day and were immediately rounded up. There had been allegations and counter allegations by the
political parties that one group was planning to use soldiers to intimidate the other during the polls. The APC claimed to be aware of the PDP’s plan to influence the electoral process with the help of some army personnel during the polls.
“In Lagos, a highly placed source told Daily Times vigilant soldiers noticed the men in army uniform and a quick check on them revealed that they were not soldiers.” Badeh
Amaechi: Rivers result, a sham CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
atmosphere for the electoral process. “I think there must have been an arrangement between the police and the PDP for the state to be overrun by thugs and you know, the funniest part is that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) promised us over 2,800 mobile policemen. What you see is just one Deputy Commissioner of Police John Amadi, conniving with the PDP to orchestrate all these violence against APC members and Rivers people. His words: “Yesterday, Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan)
withdrew the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) Tunde Ogunsakin and ordered him to go back to Calabar just because he arrested a DPO who took out four wards result sheets and gave to militants working for PDP”. Amaechi said that thuggery, violence and hijacking of electoral materials marred the electoral process across the state. “You have been following me around and I am sure you must have seen the kind of thuggery that was on display, you have seen materials being hijacked”, he added as he noted some election officials were ambushed along the way by political thugs.
He blamed the retention of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state Gesila Khan for the election malpractices in the State. His words: “If INEC had posted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) away, we wouldn’t have been here. If the Commissioner of Police and the President had allowed the police to function properly, we won’t be here. “In the Ogoni area, you have one Area Commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, harassing people, arresting APC members. Then you have in the state, DCP John Amadi”, he added.
Amaechi
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Nigerians in diaspora blast Oba Akiolu Ben Nwachukwu Abuja
ÏÏÏNigerians
in diaspora, under the umbrella of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), have flayed the Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, over his threat against the Igbo people resident in the nation’s major commercial city. The group, who took their protest to the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague, Netherlands and Nigerian High Commission in London, stated that
the Oba’s threat of throwing the Igbo people into the Lagos lagoon should his preferred candidate. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of All Progressives Congress (APC), lose in the April 11 governorship polls, cannot and must not be swept under the carpet. The protesters described the threat as a hate speech that can be likened to that which triggered genocide in Rwanda, as well as that which led to the violence that caused the massacre of innocent members of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC) and many
Nigerians in the 2011 election and, therefore, called on the ICC to investigate it before a genocide took place. Pointing out that Ndigbo were always at the receiving end of any crises even when they do not have any form of involvement in such ugly developments, spokesperson of the group, Mazi Chris Nsoedo, the said time had come for the government of Nigeria to be proactive, in preventing unwarranted incessant attacks on the South Easterners that were predominantly of the Igbo nation origin.
He maintained that Ndigbo were known for their positive contribution to their host communities, regardless of the hostilities, as exhibited by the Lagos monarch. Nsoedo prayed the Federal Government to decisively deal with the propagator of such hatred. The TAN group, while congratulating the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, urged him to avoid seeing any particular ethnic group as his enemy, since he was not elected president of a section of Nigeria.
APGA sweeps Anambra Assembly polls Nkiru Nwagbo
ÏÏÏThe All Progressives Grand
Alliance (APGA), was, as of Sunday, leading in the Anambra State House of Assembly elections conducted on Saturday, with virtually all the former law-makers, who contested the election returning to the house. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Awka, had not announced the results of the elections, as of the time of filing this report, those already released, at the local government areas, showed that APGA was in the lead.
L-R: Senior Vice President, Babcock University, Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro; President/ Vice President, Babcock University, Prof. James Kayode Makinde; Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Bamitale Omole and Speaker of Babcock University 3rd inaugural lecture, Prof. (Mrs.) Yetunde Makinde, at the 3rd inaugural lecture of Babcock University, held at the university premises in Ilishan- Remo, Ogun State recently.
Gov. Lamido
APC ahead of PDP in Jigawa Dutse Mohammed
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 17 seats of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, while the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won four, according the result of last Saturday’s gubernatorial, State House of Assembly and House of Representatives elections. Other results released showed that Malam-Madori Kaugama Federal Constituency was won by APC candidate, Nasir Garba Kaugama with 741,810 votes. The result of Dutse/Kiyawa Federal House of Representatives showed that Ibrahim Abdullahi Dutse of the APC won with 59,645 votes, beating his opponents, Mr. Tijjani Gaya of the PDP, who scored 47,335 votes. Also released was Birnin-Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency, where Magaji Da’u Aliyu of the APC won with 57,816 votes beating his rival, Ali Tukur Gantsa, of the PDP, who won 46,993 votes.
Abdulsalami urges winners of guber PDP wins governorship polls to be magnanimous election in A’Ibom Saka Bolaji Minna
ÏÏÏFormer
Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has enjoined winners of Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections to be magnanimous enough to embrace losers, with a view to carrying everybody along, so as to sink the roots of democracy, deeper, in the country. He gave the advice shortly after his accreditation on Saturday, in conjunction with his wife, a former Nigerian First Lady, Hon. Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, at the Up Hill Polling Unit, near his country home, Minna, Niger State capital.
Abubakar, who arrived the polling at exactly 11: 02 a.m., said, in an interaction with newsmen, that he was impressed to see the accreditation of the registered voters at the polling unit going very smoothly and fast, while others, who were yet to be accredited conducted themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner. He, thereby, appealed to Nigerians to cast their votes in an orderly manner for candidates of their choice, while they should also ensure that they maintained peace, adding that the nation could only witness meaning development in an atmosphere of peace. “I also want to seize this opportunity to thank God for the relative peace in the country, es-
ÏÏÏThe
Abdulsalami
pecially since the commencement of the general election. My appeal to the registered voters is that they should vote for candidates of their choice, whom they can hold accountable for his/her stewardship in office,” he stated.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has won the governorship election in Akwa Ibom. Announcing the result of the election on Sunday, in Uyo, Returning Officer for the election, Prof. James Epoke, said Emmanuel scored 996, 071 votes to defeat his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent, Mr. Umana Umana, who polled 89, 865 votes. Other results, according to him, were Sen. Helen Esuene of Labour Party, 8,600 votes and Accord Party candidate, Mr. Samuel Akpan, 10, 598 votes.
Epoke said that Emmanuel won in all the 31 local government areas in the state. He said that the total number of registered voters was 1,548,531, while 1,158,624 voters were accredited for the election, adding that total valid votes cast in the election was 1,110,580. Rejected votes, he said, were 12, 256 and total votes cast were 1,122,836. “By the provision of the Electoral Act, Emmanuel, having scored the highest number of votes cast in the election, is hereby declared elected,” he announced.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Hundreds injured in Kenyan varsity explosion
ÏÏÏA student has died and more
than 100 were hurt in a stampede which followed the explosion of an electricity transformer at a Kenyan university. Residents of Nairobi university's Kikuyu campus mistook the blast for a terrorist attack and jumped out of hostel windows early on Sunday morning. Tensions are high among students after an Islamist attack on a Kenyan college 10 days ago which left 148 dead. Meanwhile activists criticised Kenya for ordering Somali refugees home. Human Rights Watch Africa Deputy Director Leslie Lefkow said justice for the victims of the attack in Garissa - by members of the Somali militant group al-Shabab - would not be served by forcing more than 500,000 Somalis in the Dadaab refugee camp to leave Kenya. "Instead of scapegoating refugees, Kenya is legally obliged to protect them until it is safe for them to return home and should identify and prosecute those responsible for the killings in Garissa," she said. UNHCR Kenya chief Emmanuel Nyabera described the possible relocation as a "logistic challenge". The remarks follow calls on
Somali refugees flee Yemen fighting ÏÏÏSomali
refugees in Yemen are now coming back to their wartorn home as fighting rages in the Middle East country, officials say. A boat carrying 260 Somali refugees, many of them women, children and elderly, has become the latest to dock at Somalia's Bossasso port in the Puntland semi-autonomous region. "About 420 people have arrived previously and we are also expecting many more," said Abdulahi Hashi, Puntland's deputy interior minister. According to the United Nations' refugee agency, the flow of refugees fleeing the Horn of Africa for Yemen has gone into reverse now that the Middle East country is engulfed in fighting between supporters of the president and Shiite rebels. "In the past 10 days, about 900
Saturday by Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto to close Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in Africa. Mr Ruto said UNHCR had three months to close Dadaab and make alternative arrangements for its residents - otherwise, Kenya
would "relocate them ourselves", he said. Dadaab was set up in 1991 to house families fleeing conflict in Somalia. Some people have been living at the site for more than 20 years. An aerial view shows an extension of the Ifo camp, one of
the several refugee settlements in Dadaab, Kenya - October 2013Streets in the Dadaab camp are lined with shops, hotels and factories Somali boys fetching water from a puddle in Dadaab refugee camp in KenyaAbout 2,500 children get a free education at Dadaab's Unity Primary School
13 Africa 1,000 African migrants rescued off Libyan coast ÏÏÏ
Italian navy and merchant ships rescued a group of almost 1,000 migrants from three overcrowded boats about 48 kilometers from the coast of Libya. One person died before the rescue workers reached the boats. The migrants sent a distress call by phone Friday and were being taken to the island of Lampedusa, following rescue operations conducted into Saturday. In a dawn operation on Saturday, two Albanians, ages 28 and 42, were arrested after police identified them as the smugglers in charge of a boat carrying 37 would-be Syrian and Kurdish migrants, including five women. Many asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, mostly from conflict-ridden areas of the Middle East and Africa have attempted to reach Western Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and many have died during such hazardous voyages.
S’African opposition leader, Helen Zille steps down
ÏÏÏThe leader of South Africa's
Funerals have been going on for the victims of the Garissa attacks
people have crossed the Gulf Aden to Djibouti, Somalia's Puntland and Somaliland," said a statement by UNHCR, adding that those fleeing also included Yemenis. Horn of Africa refugees accounted for nearly all of the 250,000 refugees registered in Yemen. Puntland lies in Somalia's north, where regions are impoverished and have suffered the knock-on effects of years of outright civil war further south, but are largely peaceful.
President Hadi
Chadian villagers live in fear after Boko Haram raid ÏÏÏAlmost
two months after Boko Haram raided and pillaged her village in Chad, mother of seven Zara Isenik still lives in constant terror. At the slightest strange noise, she says, she "runs to hide in the bush". The cross-border raid by the ruthless Nigerian Islamists left mental and visible physical scars on a Lake Chad village that had previously been so peaceful that Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram used to come to seek sanctuary. Many houses torched by the militants in Ngouboua have yet to be repaired. Livelihoods were ruined and fear reigns. In the early hours of 12 Febru-
ary, jihadist militants crossed Lake Chad by boat under cover of darkness and torched the village of 6,000 people in a brutal onslaught. Isenik and her children were asleep, while her husband - a Chadian army soldier - was on the frontlines fighting Boko Haram on Niger's frontier with Nigeria. "They arrived early in the morning. We heard gunfire ringing out in the night and we understood," Isenik said in a soft voice, squatting with her back against the wall of her torched home. As she fled, she says she crossed paths with a group of armed men who were "very young and were dressed in black" and carried Kalashnikovs. But they let her go and after just two hours, the assault was over. "Everything was burnt. The TV, my clothes, my jewellery and the sacks of corn I was supposed to sell on the market." The Boko Haram militants kicked off their raid by attacking a military post located at Ngouboua's entrance.
opposition, the Democratic Alliance, has said she will not stand for re-election at the party's congress next month. Helen Zille said the "time was right" for her to step aside, adding that the DA would benefit from fresh blood. She will remain as premier of Western Cape province until 2019. Ms Zille, a former journalist and anti-apartheid campaigner, has led the party since 2007. "These kinds of decisions are a long time coming, but in the end they are made suddenly," she said. Ms Zille was born in 1951 to German immigrants. She has been a staunch defender of South Africa's liberal constitution, keeping a check on the leading ANC party's overwhelming power. In the past, she has openly criticised President Jacob Zuma and led a campaign to bring him before the courts to face allegations of bribery. Mr Zuma denied the claims, insisting he was the victim of a "political conspiracy". The DA's support is mainly concentrated in the Western Cape, which has a large white and mixed-race population, but Ms Zille had tried to make inroads into the black electorate.
World 14
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Obama, Castro in ‘candid and fruitful’ talk
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, meets with Cuban President Raul Castro during the Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama, on Saturday
ÏÏÏU.S.
President Barack Obama is back in Washington, following a historic face-to-face meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro and a first meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The talks with Castro in Panama were strongly criticized by some Republican presidential
hopefuls. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said in a statement, "Keeping up a disturbing trend of this administration, President Obama is in the process of striking another very bad deal, now with the communist dictatorship of Cuba. "President Obama's approach gives the Castros exactly what
they want - economic relief and legitimacy on the international stage. ... The President said today that his unprecedented meeting with Raul Castro was a step towards the future. Unfortunately, he is leaving the Cuban people imprisoned in the past," he added. Cruz, the son of an American
mother and a Cuban father, would be the nation's first Hispanic president, if elected. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said on Twitter: "Obama meets with Castro but refused to meet w/@netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu). Why legitimize a cruel dictator of a repressive regime?" The historic talks in Panama, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, came after Obama and Castro announced in December that they would move to normalize ties between the United States and communist Cuba after more than a halfcentury of animosity. Obama characterized his meeting with Castro - the first sitdown between leaders of both nations in 50 years - as "candid and fruitful," while the White House said Obama voiced support for a peaceful dialogue between Venezuela's government and the opposition during brief talks with Maduro. The president also said he will review recommendations to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism - another step that needs to be taken before embassies can reopen in Washington and Havana.
German woman pregnant with quadruplets at 65
ÏÏÏA 65-year-old Berlin woman
who already has 13 children is pregnant again with quadruplets, German media reported on Sunday. The Russian and English teacher's pregnancy follows several attempts abroad at artificial insemination over the last year and a half, German RTL broadcaster said. The woman, Annegret Raunigk, decided to try to have
another child because her youngest daughter, who is nine, wanted a little brother or sister, RTL said on its website. The TV channel will broadcast an interview with the expectant mother, who has seven grandchildren, on Monday evening. It said the pregnancy had so far been without any major complications and that if everything went well, the babies were due in the
summer and that Raunigk would be the world's oldest mother of quadruplets. Mass circulation newspaper Bild am Sonntag also reported the four-baby pregnancy, quoting the mum-to-be as saying the news had initially come as a shock. "After the doctor discovered there were four, I had to give it some thought to begin with," Bild quoted her as saying, adding how-
ever she had not considered it an option to reduce the number of embryos. Asked about the moral implications, RTL quoted her as saying: "I think, one must decide that for oneself." Bild also reported on Raunigk 10 years ago when she gave birth to her 13th child and quoted her at the time as saying she had only initially envisaged having one.
Thailand: Security red alert after car bomb scare ÏÏÏA bomb explosion in a shop-
ping mall parking lot in southern Thailand has triggered fears of more violence targeting the country’s highly lucrative tourism industry. Police and officials are intensifying investigations into possible links to Thailand’s fragile political climate or to Muslim insurgents from nearby southern provinces. The bomb blast in the basement car park of a department store on the island of Samui came late Friday night and injured seven
people, including an Italian girl. Investigators said the improvised bomb was detonated remotely and destroyed the vehicle, which was reported to be stolen from the southern province of Yala. The attack on the resort island, 770 kilometers south from Bangkok, follows the explosion of two small devices outside a major shopping mall in the Thai capital in early February that injured two people. Security officials initially blamed supporters of the former civilian government of Yingluck
Shinawatra, overthrown by the military in May of last year. A security advisor to the government, Panitan Wattanayagorn, said the investigations were also looking into whether the attack was linked to Thailand’s bloody Muslim-led insurgency in the three southern provinces bordering Malaysia. “This is unlike the usual operations in the southern provinces - they do not often come out from the area. Even though they come out from the area from time to
time, the difference in terms of planning and execution are quite pronounced. So, as of now, there is no conclusion yet,“ he said.
Shinawatra
Saudi-led coalition claims 500 rebel deaths in Yemen ÏÏÏ Saudi Arabia said Saturday
that at least 500 insurgent Shi'ites have been killed along the SaudiYemen border since a Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes late last month against Houthi rebels seeking to gain control of neighboring Yemen. A Saudi Defense Ministry statement also said three Saudi border guards were killed in a mortar attack Friday in the Saudi border province of Najran. The statement did not provide details of how the death toll was tabulated. But a coalition spokesman earlier in the day said there had been 1,200 coalition airstrikes between March 26 and midday Saturday, including sorties on the southern port city of Aden that killed at least 22 people. The airstrikes so far have failed to stop the Houthi rebel advance across the country.
Kerry hails Clinton for repairing Us ties
ÏÏÏUS Secretary of
State John Kerry praised his predecessor Hillary Clinton on Sunday for the "terrific job" she did in repairing global ties while she was America's top diplomat. She "did a terrific job of rebuilding alliances that had been shredded over the course of the prior years," Kerry told ABC's This Week as Clinton was expected to announce later on Sunday that she would run for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 White House race. But Kerry stressed that as the nation's top diplomat he was out of politics, and it was not for him to endorse any candidates. Calling Clinton "a good friend," Kerry told NBC's Meet the Press that "she's highly qualified, and I'm confident we'll wage no matter what, with or without a primary, a formidable campaign." He also reiterated that the state department was currently sifting through hundreds of emails turned over by Clinton which she had sent during her four years as secretary of state. "We will release all the emails that [are] appropriate, based on classification," Kerry told CBS's Face The Nation adding that it was important to ensure no classified information was "inadvertently" released.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
15 Opinion
Goodluck Jonathan: Man of the decade
T Tochukwu Ezukanma
ears dripped from my eyes as I watched President Goodluck Jonathan’s nationally televised address. His speech was short but momentous. He conceded defeat, and accepted the electoral victory of his political opponent, Muhammadu Buhari. In the lawless and unprincipled milieu of Nigerian politics, that concession of defeat by an incumbent president was unparalleled, almost, inconceivable. With that speech, President Jonathan levitated from a politician to a statesman; he left a footprint in the sand of time. I wondered at my effusion of tears, which I thought was a strange reaction to a TV footage of a presidential speech. It occurred to me that the speech I watched was extraordinary. It was transcendent; it transcended selfish ambitions, arrogance of power, contempt of the popular will, etc. It subordinated personal ambitions and clique interests to the collective good of the country. It encapsulated honor, courage and patriotism. By the vindictive and vicious standards of African politics, it was hagiographic – just plainly saintly. It was the pride that that honorable act of the president evoked in me that ex-
plained my tears; they were tears of pride. I am proud of Nigeria and Nigerians. Ours is a great country and we are a great people. Democracy, the best form of government, is bringing out the best in Nigerians. President Jonathan’s concession speech was an apogee of the Nigerian best. There was at least one earlier prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015. In the weeks leading up to the presidential election, it seemed as though the Third World War loomed in Nigeria. With the tension, political desperation, partisan frenzy and the bawdy and hate rhetoric that marked the political campaigns, election violence seemed imminent. Pessimists thought that Nigeria was edging dangerously towards the predicted 2015 disintegration. Moreover, optimists thought that there would be violence –massive violence – but that it will not precipitate the dissolution of Nigeria. In anticipation of the impending doom and a total breakdown of law and order, many Nigerians made contingency plans and preparations. They stockpiled on food and other necessities. Some left perceived trouble areas for supposed safe havens. On the day preceding the election, some businesses shuttered their doors, and those that opened operated half day, so as to allow their employees enough time to scamper
home before the outbreak of the brewing violence. Refreshingly, to the credit of Nigerians, no violence attended the election. Over the years, African politicians made nonsense of elections, and showed utter contempt for the popular will. A onetime Sierra Leonean president Siaka Stevens, in his disdain for the electoral process, asked rhetorically, “How can the pieces of paper we printed (ballot papers) remove us from office”? In Ivory Coast, an incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, in repudiation of the collective will of Ivoirians, refused to accept the victory of his political opponent, Alassane Quattara. It plunged Ivory Coast into political tumult and an armed conflict. Quattara was finally inaugurated president after the motley of fighters that supported him defeated military forces loyal to Gbagbo. The then Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said that his party’s victory in the 2007 presidential poll was a do-or-die affair. Incontrovertibly, do-or-die politics is contemptuous of the rule of law and the tenets of democracy. It countenances no defeat. It disdains the electoral verdict of the people. Thus, it could not have respected the electoral triumph of an opposition presidential candidate. Therefore, it seemed paradoxical
that an incumbent Nigerian president would, so graciously, concede defeat and congratulate his triumphant political opponent. Isaiah Berlin once wrote that, “Greatness is the ability to change a paradox into a platitude.” President Jonathan literally turned a paradox into a platitude. He made that which seemed contrary to reason, and even, almost impossible, commonplace. With that speech, he restrained his crestfallen and agitated supporters, and stunned and sobered his overjoyed opponents. He made good on his earlier affirmation that (his) “ambition is not worth the life of any Nigerian”, and saved Nigeria from what would have been a protracted, gruesome and bloody armed conflict. There will always be men and women to lead Nigeria in future. For the good of the country, it is extremely important that these leaders be guided by magnificent examples. Goodluck Jonathan exemplified that Nigerian politics can be premised on the rule of law. It does not have to be a do-or –die affair; there is room for humility, honor and the spirit of sportsmanship in politics. And that no political ambition should be advanced at the expense of any Nigerian life, thoughtless, of the peace of the country. He is the Man of the Decade.
Tackling Nigeria’s problems in APC government
L
Alfred Aisedionlen
et us hope that the election of General Buhari, for the only reason of his stern leadership quality, will bring succour to the country for the next four years. Now that he has won the presidential election, not free from uncomfortable acquiescence, the true and assertive Buhari will now emerge. Those whom he tolerated before his election that dictated issues around him could be out for shock. With the evident mixed ideological bed fellow in All Progressive Congress (APC) and the squaring for share of the spoils of office, we pray that civil war shall not break out in the party sooner or later. What need to be done to make Nigeria secure, stable and take her rightful place in the international community to some people may be legion. In effect, this may not be the case. We only need to put few fundamental things in place. The rest will be generally self regulating. The APC party and General Buhari are not so far known for having concrete and sustainable national policies which Nigeria needs at these critical times. Therefore, General Buhari needs to listen to the critical media
and writers from whom he will get most of the feasible right ways forward to fine tune the policies of his Government. Also General Buhari needs to sit down, read more and not to continue to listen to the troupe of praise singers. The priorities of the President elect, General Buhari, should not be the rounding up of the past wrong doers, such as those that were behind all the rigged elections, corruption and looting of public fund of the country through various methods. There is nobody that can change the past. The wrongs of yesterday can be visited at any point in time. While from day one of General Buhari’s Government investigations on these culprits are quietly ongoing, full action should not be taken until the Government has put in place the necessary structures. The time scale for these could be between nine and twelve months. First and foremost General Buhari should immediately ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is decentralised. There should be several Independent Police Commands in the country. This is where every head of each Independent Command is accountable only in his area and responsible to the President. We are not here talking about
state or regional police forces. Fresh Police personnel should be recruited to bring the number to at least a minimum of one million police in the country. Security of a country starts from a strong Ministry of Interior or Ministry of Home Affairs with equivalent strong Minister. The Police, State Security Services, Prisons and Customs & Immigration are generally under the Ministry of Interior to enable well co-ordinated and successful law and order and security in the country. The substantive Minister would then have three Ministers of State under him. One will be in charge of the Police, the second will be in charge of Prisons and the third will be in charge of Customs & Immigration. The Minister of Interior himself will be directly in charge of the State Security Services. The current Federal Ministry of the Police should be a department in the Federal Ministry of Interior. The immediate other tasks the new APC Government should undertake behind the priority issue of security are: There should be comprehensive political restructuring of the country. The wasteful present thirty six State Government structure should be abolished imme-
diately. There should be significant economic reformation. Nigeria economy, the largest in Africa, cannot be complete without an independent currency. The Naira should immediately be restored as a convertible currency in the foreign exchanges at its realistic value. Therefore, the auction of the currency must now stop. There should be free Education for school pupils from the age of 5 years old to 18 years old. There should be free tuition fee for students in the tertiary institutions in the country. There should be fully or partially free National Health where patients shall at least be able to consult doctors and receive treatment free of charge at the public hospitals. General Buhari must avoid religious conflict of interests in governance. Dual legal systems, religion or otherwise orientated should not be entertained. What we need to rebuild the far North from its terrorism destruction will largely come from the economy of the South. This can only happen when there are peace and harmony in the country. As things are, those peace and harmony are in the hands of the far North. Although this is a different era, the pre-civil war of 1967/70 and sensitive issues must not be stoked. It should be one law for one country.
16
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Business Times
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
s
Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
13 WEF global leaders get fellowship support from Dangote
Tony Nwakaegho
Charles Okonji
Oil prices rose for the fourth straight week as reports from the United States of America revealed further closures of oil drilling rigs. Oil-field-services firm Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that the number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. fell by 42 to 760 in the latest week, the largest drop in four weeks. The number of oil-drilling rigs has declined for 18 straight weeks as producers have cut spending on new output because of low oil prices. Most of the decline was in the Eagle Ford and Permian shales, key regions for shale-oil production. Light, sweet crude for May delivery settled up 85 cents, or 1.7 per cent, to $51.64 a barrel Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices rose 5.1 per cent in the week. Brent, the global benchmark, rose $1.30, or 2.3 per cent, to $57.87 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe, posting a 5.3 per cent weekly gain. The moves capped a volatile
Thirteen from among the Seventeen Africans recognised as Young Global Leaders (YGL) in 2015 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) are to benefit from the Dangote Fellowship instituted by the Dangote Foundation. The African youngsters were part of the 187 young leaders from 66 countries honoured for leadership and service to society by the WEF. The Dangote Fellowship, created by the WEF and Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group was designed to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector. The Fellowship helps YGLs from Africa attend YGL and World Economic Forum events
Dangote
and funds the organisation of an YGL Africa Education Module. Dangote said the institution of the fellowship award was his own way of contribution to the intellectual development of exceptional young people of African descent. The YGLs come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range
of expertise to the community from across the world. Over 50 per cent of the new intake are women, half come from the private sector and half from the public sector, including academia, arts and culture, civil society, government, media and not-for-profit organizations. According to John Dutton, Director and Head of the Young Global Leaders Community at the World Economic Forum, “The World Economic Forum has announced the leaders under 40 who are shaping the future of industry and society. About half of the new class of Young Global Leaders (YGLs) come from emerging economies with 17 from sub-Saharan Africa. The list of YGLs has a strong representation from women leaders and is split 50-50 between business and nonprofit sectors (academia, arts and culture, civil society, policy and government, media and social entrepreneurs)”.
Ethiopian airlines to set up carriers for Nigeria, others Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise, East Africa’s biggest carrier by revenue, has again admitted it is in talks with Nigeria over plans to help set up national airlines in Nigeria and three other countries to expand its operations on the continent. This move is certainly going to elicit reactions from airline observers in Nigeria following failed engagements from KLM in the 1980s, British Airways in the 1990s for the defunct Nigeria Airways and Virgin Atlantic in the 2000s with the defunct Virgin Nigeria/Nigeria Eagle. The state-owned company, which has stakes in Malawian Airlines and ASKY Airlines of
Togo, has been approached by the Nigerian government about a new carrier for Africa’s biggest economy, Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam said in an interview. Ethiopian Airlines is also in discussions with the administrations of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he said, without giving further details. “We have been invited to participate and we’ve given a strong expression of interest” to Nigeria, he told Bloomberg on a private plane from Dublin to London, where he was promoting a new route to Los Angeles via the Irish capital. “As soon as the process allows then we will submit a business proposal.” Ethiopian Airlines is compet-
ing with South African Airways and Kenya Airways Ltd. as they expand routes outside their home markets to tap greater demand for travel within the continent. SAA, also state-controlled, is seeking a hub in West Africa that would also be a stop-off point on the way to the U.S. London-based FastJet Plc is trying to add routes as part of an effort to become the first pan-African discount airline. Ethiopian Airlines plans to quadruple annual revenue to $10 billion over the next decade and increase the number of international destinations to 120 from 84, Tewolde said. The company will start flights to Tokyo next month and Los Angeles in June.
17
Gebremariam
Latest statistics on US drilling rigs boost oil price week of trading, as investors continued to assess the global glut of oil that sent prices plunging in 2014. The latest rig-count data “signal that U.S. production is a lot closer to topping,” said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. “The mood seems to be shifted more toward the bullish side.” The rig count can be an early indicator for output, though producers have also increased the amount of oil they can extract from an individual well and production has continued to rise in recent weeks. Traders also eyed geopolitical uncertainties, including unrest in the Middle East and a potential final deal over Iran’s nuclear program.
Money 18
Hagen
Emerging African economies boost IT services International Data Corporation (IDC) has given an insight that growing public and private sector Information Technology (IT) spending, with maturing and increasingly competitive business environments, are driving IT services demand in Africa. This also is attributable to the emerging African economies that are increasingly embracing IT services solutions in a bid to support their growth initiatives. According to research manager for software and IT services at IDC South Africa, Lise Hagen, “while each country has different requirements, there are common themes supporting the adoption of IT services in Africa. For example, as last-mile connectivity continues to improve, Internet services are becoming more easily available over wider geographic areas at lower costs, leading to improved IT services adoption. Demand for remains primarily focused on basic implementation and support services, but larger organizations across the continent are increasingly seeking advanced solutions such as implementation and systems integration services. Early-adopter organizations are also assessing cloud technologies, specifically software as a service (SaaS) and Big Data analytics, which is creating significant opportunities for service providers.” IDC notes that the government vertical in Africa is becoming one of the biggest investors in ICT in general, and IT services in particular. “Governments in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, and elsewhere are implementing national ICT policies that are driving the adoption of technology. Governments are using ICT to enable service delivery, while eGovernment and mGovernment initiatives are high on the agenda for driving etransformation and addressing issues around rapid urbanization.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
MIGA to fast-track Turkey’s export growth Charles Okonji Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the political risk insurance and credit enhancement arm of the World Bank Group, announced Friday that it will help Turk Eximbank provide medium and long-term funds to Turkish exporters, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). MIGA is providing guarantees of US$333.0 million to a syndicate of banks, jointly led by Citibank N.A. and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale of Germany, against the risk of non-honouring of financial obligations by a state-owned enterprise on their 10-year loan facility to Turkey’s official export credit agency. Société Générale S.A. of France is also participating
in the loan facility. The twotranche facility will complement Turk Eximbank’s other funding sources. The MIGA-supported loan facility is aimed specifically at helping Turk Eximbank provide credit to SMEs to support exportled growth. Turk Eximbank is fully owned by the government of Turkey and will continue to play a crucial and expanding role in implementing the country’s sustainable export strategy. “Export-led growth strategies are an integral part of Turkey’s economic development plans,” said Hayrettin Kaplan, CEO of Turk Eximbank. “MIGA’s backing of the 250 million, dualtranche loan facility will help us provide longer-term financing for exporters at a lower cost. We are looking to expand this program in order to reach exporting SMEs that have difficulty
Honda
accessing long-term, lower-cost financing from commercial banks.” “MIGA’s coverage will help provide longer-term financing to Turk Eximbank, which will help them diversify their financing sources and expand their SME portfolio,” said Valentino Gallo, Global Head of Export and Agency Finance of Citigroup. He continued, “We’re pleased to collaborate with Turk Eximbank in achieving its mandate to support Turkish exporters, investors, and contractors operating abroad. “We’re pleased to continue our efforts to sup-
port private-sector led growth in Turkey,” said Keiko Honda, MIGA Executive Vice President and CEO. “Turk Eximbank’s increased lending capacity, based on the expanded resources realized through this MIGA-supported funding, will boost the competiveness and productivity of Turkish exporters, assisting in job creation and economic growth. MIGA is extending the guarantee under the assumption that Turk Eximbank will continue to perform a public function.” A signing ceremony for the transaction will be held in Washington on April 22, 2015.
Expert urges Buhari to reverse 85% outsourcing of maritime jobs Funmi Coker An expert in the maritime and oil sectors, Mr. Emeka Akabogu, has urged Nigeria’s President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to address challenges mitigating against the growth of the maritime and shipping sector such as operational efficiency and massive outsourcing of services to foreigners. Akabogu, who is the Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream, noted that if the two major challenges are expediently addressed the sector would become enabled to attain its full potential and make significant contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Congratulating General Buhari on his election, he pointed out that as soon as the back-slap-
ping, merriment and ecstasy of victory all subside, the PresidentElect will have to begin work in earnest, stressing that his work does not start on 29 May, but immediately. “He has barely six weeks within which to put a formidable team together and hit the ground running on inauguration. One thing is clear: for the President-Elect, there’ll be no honeymoon. I’d like to highlight some important issues and steps relating to the economy which will be useful for him to ponder as he readies for work, and I’ll limit myself to the sectors within which I work maritime and petroleum.” “Broadly, the President-Elect has to cast his eyes on the quantum economic impact of competitive port operations and procedures; and promotion of key local
shipping and maritime services. The first is easily achievable by strategic leadership through executive actions, regulatory compliance and tidying outstanding legislative frameworks. The result can be instant – increase of port service levels, fast-tracking of import procedures, huge savings on foreign exchange otherwise wasted on service inefficiency, new jobs within the import/ export logistics chain and drastic improvement in the country’s ease-of-doing-business rating,” he said. He noted that the impact of these will be immediately reflected in the entire economy, while directly putting foreign exchange in the hands of Nigerians and creating millions of multiplier jobs. “Maritime and shipping ser-
Akabogu
vices in Nigeria are currently 85 per cent outsourced out of the country despite strong existing local capacity and a ready captive market. The President-Elect must reverse this by encouraging compliance with existing maritime laws and leading the line to encourage local investment.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
19 Aviation
Airbus to offer New cockpit policy not solution to Germanwings experience – Union’s scribe more seating Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Assistant General Secretary of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Olayinka Abioye has said that increasing the number of pilots in the cockpit of aircraft is not the solution to the Germanwings experience. Recalled that a co- pilot of the Germanwings aircraft alleged locked out his pilot when he went to use the toilet and deliberately crashed the airplane in France killing the entire 150 person on board. He spoke in exclusive interview at NUATE secretariat at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, while fielding questions on suggestions by experts and stakeholders in the global aviation industry. He contended that the configuration of every aircraft entails two personnel; the captain and the first officer, adding that in some other bigger aircraft especially in the past, there is what is called a navigator within the same cockpit but that modern engineering technology has gone beyond those things. According to him, “I don’t think it is the number of personnel in the cockpit that is the matter, what matter is there mental stability before, during and after
SAHCOL boss bags African aviation award Chief Executive Officer of SAHCOL, Mr Oluropo Owolabi has been awarded as a Fellow of the African Institute of Enterprise Development and Management and certified as a Certified Professional Enterprise Manager. According to the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Basil Agboarumi, the award was given in recognition of Owolabi’s contribution to the Nigerian aviation Industry. He stated that the African Institute of Enterprise Development and Management (AIEDM) is a recognised global professional training and educational institu-
the flight because we have read stories severally about the co–pilot who locked his pilot out of the cockpit and allegedly deliberately crashed the Germanwings aircraft in France killing all the 150 passengers on board”. Abioye continued, “We have heard that he has suicidal tendency that he has been leaving and that he has also been accessing the internet on suicidal techniques .That has to do with the mentality of an average European. Suicide tends to be a taboo in this part of the world .Let us thank God for that and even when crashes does happen in our clime here, majority of the findings thereafter would say human error or pilot error.” He said that one of the things Nigeria should do is to ensure that our system are serviceable, up to date and that every airline operator should ensure that his personnel are actually and adequately taken care of. He called on airlines operators to adequately remunerate their personnel, adding that a situation where operators pay their personnel below what is due to them is an invitation to crash and calamity. “We know airlines that do not pay their personnel three months salaries in the industry, which is an indication to accident. We know airlines that pay personnel half salaries and there have no
tion registered under the CAM ACT 1990 and accredited Institutional member of the Association of Private Enterprise Education (APEE), USA. Owolabi, he said was presented with an award of Fellow of the African Institute of Enterprise Development and Management, a certificate of Professional Enterprise Manager and a plaque. The Managing Director, according to Agboarumi was recognised for his ability to provide a platform to raise strategic and innovative leaders and nurturing future global enterprise’s leaders most especially in the Nigerian aviation Industry. Delivering a lecture at the event with theme, “Security, Power and Road Infrastructure-the Answer to Socio-economic Revival for Africa”, a Director of Research and Human Capacity Building, Dr Olusegun Cole, emphasised that Africa faces a lot of challenges and problems militating against its industrial development.
options
Airbus plans to demonstrate its new cabin configurations at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. Airbus is showcasing its Airbus Comfort Economy 18-inch wide seat, and ‘Budget Economy’ seating, as well as its mock-up for the A380’s new 11-abreast Budget Economy configuration at 18inch seat width. For the A320 Family cabin, Airbus is showcasing its new pivoting overhead stowage compartment mock-up, which offers 60 per cent more stowage of roll-on trolleys. Airbus plans to offer 9-abreast for its A330s, which would be of interest to Asian airlines serving price-sensitive customers. Airbus has also indicated that there was interest from airlines for a 10-abreast A350 configuration. Mr. Osita Chidoka, Aviation Minister
excuses for this because there is no airline operating in the country that does not carry its passengers and obtain their full fare from them. There should be no excuse for any airline owing pilots, engineers, ground staff and other personnel.” NUATE, he said has warned airlines severely and severally against the casualisation of aviation personnel, adding that it is an invitation to crashes and an invitation to disaster.
He argued that an aviation employee that is supposed to earn for instance N100, 000 and his employer ends up paying him N15, 000, would be willingly to drop a bag in the aircraft or any part of the airport if people with bad intention offers him N50, 000. He urged the incoming dispensation of airline operators, stakeholders in the industry to be very cautious particularly especially with the security situation in the country.
Airbus aircraft
NCAA to lift Discovery Airlines’ suspension
Babalola
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA may soon lift the suspension of Air Operators Certificate AOC following the gradual rectification of all the problems associated with the suspension. Discovery Airlines’ AOC was suspended from operations four months ago following what NCAA called technical and safety issues associated with the airline but it was gathered that the airline was suspended as a result
of its inability to pay salaries months after starting operations. However, the workers representatives confirmed that all workers have been paid according to their arrears, while others were given post-dated cheques payable April 30 saying they were comfortable with the arrangements by the management of the airline. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Discovery Air, Engr. Babatunde Babalola said the airline has lost at least one billion since its operations were grounded four months ago. The loss of the N1billion according to Engr Babalola, included charters, scheduled operations and other relationships that would have been on-board if the airline’s AOC was still intact. He said what NCAA ought to have done was to ground its operations pending when the issues were resolved and lamented that
the suspension of its AOC had led to massive business loss for the airline. Babalola insisted that the offence of the airline did not warrant the suspended of its AOC and stressed that since the airline did not involve in an accident, its AOC ought not to be revoked by NCAA. He called for consistency in the regulations of the agency. He emphasised that the letter written to the management of the airline on its suspension ordered it to address three issues before it would be allowed to return to operations. The issues according to him are refunding of airfares to its passengers who were not satisfied with the way and manner they were treated by the airline, refund of compensation to the passengers and welfares of staff, which he said had been resolved by the airline.
Energy 20
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Experts fault NERC’s new directive to Discos on electricity tariff Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) directive to the Distribution Companies on how to fix their tariffs in consultation with consumers is been envisioned by experts as policy somersault and capable of causing chaos. Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman of NERC, on April 8, said that the DISCOs could now fix their tariffs in consultation with consumers, which would be subjected to approval by the commission. A position which has been faulted by experts in the power sector, agreeing that the directive could cause chaos because the DISCOs would over bill consumers who had no choice. Amadi has earlier in Abuja, disclosed at the end of the monthly meeting with the power generation firms and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TAN) that the new directive was due to the different operating cost of the DISCOs. The immediate past President of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers, (NIEEE), Adekunle Makinde, said NERC was deviating from its duty as a regulator. According to Makinde, “NERC is not doing its work of regulating the electricity tariff. Instead, it is giving investors free hands to exploit Nigerians and this can lead to disorder in the sector. Presently, consumers are complaining that the present tariff structure is unacceptable. It will be wrong if NERC gives one of its functions to the DISCOs. These are investors who will not stop
Refinery
Nigeria’s importation of US LPG rises in 2014 Nigeria, being the Africa’s top oil producer and largest holder of natural gas reserves on the continent imported 764,000 barrels of Liquefied Petroleum Gas,(LPG) from the United States in 2014, the first time since 2010, according to the Energy Information Administration, (EIA). Data obtained from the EIA, the statistical arm of US Department of Energy, revealed that Nigeria imported 140,000 barrels of LPG otherwise known as cooking gas in 2010. It is only in 2011, 2012 and 2013 the country did not import a Amadi
at making profit. The directive will definitely result to anarchy because the DISCOs will want something that will be favourable to them, while consumers will not want to be cheated.” On his part, the Chairman of Topean Energy Solution, Ikeja, Lagos, Yomi Kolawole, said it was not possible for DISCOs to consult consumers before fixing tariffs because it would not work. “I don’t know how they will achieve this because it is not possible to gather all consumers together and fix the price of tariffs with them. “I think NERC is not being sincere with its new directives. In March, the chairman came out to tell consumers that they have slashed the tariff by 50 per cent and now it is the DISCOs that
will fix a new tariff. This has indicated that NERC has lost focus”, Kolawole said. Again, the Assistant General Manager of Ikeja Electric, (IKEDC) Pekun Adeyanju, told NAN that DISCOs had not received a directive from NERC on that effect. “We only heard it on television and read it on newspapers. “We are still awaiting the directive. We are not part of the meeting. It was only for power generation and TCN”, Adeyanju said. The Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Division of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) Godwin Idemudia, also said that the company had not received any directive from NERC.
S/ Africa increases pump prices as Ghana maintains status quo The latest petroleum products price build-up schedule released by the Ghana Petroleum Authority revealed that Ghana has opted to maintain pump prices of petroleum products for April 2015, while South Africa has chosen to increase same for the period. Ghana Petroleum Authority sets the ex- pump price of a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (or gasoline, or petrol) at 3Cedis 5pesewas or $0.91 while kerosene is
going for GHC2.92Pesewas or $0.76 The South African Department of Energy declares that the cheapest type of gasoline, the unleaded 93 Octane will be $1.038 per litre, in the local currency (rand) or in the coastal region. In the inland region, where petroleum products cost more, South Africans will pay R12.61 or $1.066 for a litre of unleaded 93 Octane gasoline. The increases are about R1.62
($0.136) all round. Diesel will cost R11.227 (or $0.946) in South Africa’s coastal region for the month. Ghanaians will buy a kilogramme of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at 2 Cedis 64 Pesewas or $0.68. Ghana and South Africa has always maintained that they “regulate” pump prices within the dictates of market forces, notably crude oil prices and exchange rates.
barrel from the US. The genesis of biggest annual import of US LPG by Nigeria occurred following the US low import of Nigerian crude oil and subsequent growth in US shale oil production. According to EIA data, Nigeria also imported 139,000 barrels of LPG from the US in January this year. It cited other petroleum products Nigeria imports from the US to include kerosene, Premium motor spirit, jet fuel, fuel ethanol and lubricants.
Saudi oil Minister predicts higher demand for oil Ibrahim al-Muhanna, Saudi Arabia’s oil minister said the decline in oil prices is “temporary,” and crude is steadying at $55–60/bbl amid stronger global demand. The oil Minister made this remark in a speech he gave in Riyadh, adding that economic expansion in the U.S. and many developing countries together with growth in populations and middle-class affluence will propel demand for oil for the next 10 years. “I’m very optimistic about recovery of oil prices. The world’s current political, economic or petroleum problems are temporary, and their effect on the whole world system is limited”, al-Muhanna, a senior adviser to the Saudi oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, said without giving a date for any increase. It will also be recalled that Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, led the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last year in refusing to cut output in a bid to protect market share in the face of growing production from nonOPEC producers. The oil rich kingdom boosted oil output in March to 10.3 MMbpd, the highest in at least 12 years, al-Naimi said on April 5.
Brent crude, a benchmark for half of the global oil trade, has declined 45 per cent in the last 12 months. Futures were trading at $56.77/bbl, up 2.2 per cent, Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Oil consumption increased last year by 700,000 bpd, short of expectations that demand would rise by more than 1 MMbpd, alMuhanna said. Al-Muhanna noted that speculation about a price war among Saudi Arabia and other producers helped push crude lower, adding that Saudi Arabia sets its crude prices based on refining margins and not politics.
Al-Muhanna
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1997 Tiger Woods wins first major On this day in 1997, 21-year-old Tiger Woods won the prestigious Masters Tournament by a record 12 strokes in Augusta, Georgia. It was Woods’ first victory in one of golf ’s four major championships–the U.S. Open, the British Open, the PGA Championship, and the Masters–and the greatest performance by a professional golfer in more than a century. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods was born in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, on December 30, 1975. The only child of an African-American father and a Thai mother, Woods was encouraged from infancy by his father for a career in golf. At the age of two, he teed off against comedian Bob Hope on television’s Mike Douglas Show. At five years old, he was featured on the television show That’s Incredible. At age eight, Tiger won his first junior world championship, and in 1991, at age 15, he became the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. He also captured the 1992 and 1993 Junior Amateur titles, and in 1994 accepted a scholarship to attend Stanford University. That year, he came from six holes behind to win the first of his three consecutive U.S. Amateur championships. He was 18 years old and the youngest Amateur champion in history. In 1995, Tiger played the Masters, his first professional major
1861
1861 Fort Sumter surrenders After a 33-hour bombardment by Confederate cannons, Union forces surrendered Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. The first engagement of the war ended in Rebel victory. The surrender concluded a standoff that began with South Carolina’s secession from the Union on December 20, 1860. When President Abraham Lincoln sent word to Charleston in early April that he planned to send food to the beleaguered garrison, the Confederates took action. They opened fire on Sumter in the predawn of April 12. Over the next day, nearly 4,000 rounds were hurled toward the black sil-
championship. The Augusta National Golf Club, which runs the Masters, had not let an AfricanAmerican join its ranks until 1991. Woods finished 41st in his first Masters appearance. In 1996, he won the collegiate title. By this time, he was already attracting considerable media attention and attracting throngs of new fans to the sport. After claiming his third U.S. Amateur title, Woods left college and turned professional in August 1996. Playing as a pro in eight Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) events in 1996, he won a title and was named the PGA Tour’s outstanding rookie. In December 1996, he was celebrated by the magazine Sports Illustrated as its “Sportsman of the Year.” In professional play, most of Woods’ opponents were in their late 30s or early 40s. At 6’2 and 155 pounds, he was slender and athletic, and had developed a devastating swing that routinely allowed him to hit drives of more than 300 yards. He also had a reputation for mental toughness and was a superb putter and chipper. In April 1997, all these attributes came together for the most decisive victory in the Masters’ 44year history. His margin of victory–12 strokes–was the largest in the 20th century, and second only to Old Tom Morris’ 13-shot margin at the 1862 British Open. His score of 18-under-par 270 broke Jack Nicklaus’ 32-year-old Masters re-
Fort Sumter surrenders houette of Fort Sumter. Inside Sumter was its commander, Major Robert Anderson, 9 officers, 68 enlisted men, 8 musicians, and 43 construction workers who were still putting the finishing touches on the fort. Union Captain Abner Doubleday, the man often inaccurately credited with inventing the game of baseball, returned fire nearly two hours after the barrage began. By the morning of April 13, the garrison in Sumter was in dire straits. The soldiers had sustained only minor injuries, but they could not hold out much longer. The fort was badly damaged, and the Confederate’s shots were becoming more precise.
s
Cartoon from our Archives
Daily Times April 13, 1961 cord of 17-under-par 271. He was the youngest golfer by two years to win the Masters and the first person of Asian or African heritage to win a major. Never before had so many spectators come to Augusta National, and never before had so many people watched it on television. By June 1997, Tiger was ranked number one in the world. In 1999, he won eight PGA tournaments,
1990
1990 Soviets admit to Katyn Massacre The Soviet government officially accepted blame for the Katyn Massacre of World War II, when nearly 5,000 Polish military officers were murdered and buried in mass graves in the Katyn Forest. The admission was part of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s promise to be more forthcoming and candid concerning Soviet history. In 1939, Poland had been invaded from the west by Nazi forces and from the east by Soviet troops. Sometime in the spring of 1940, thousands of Polish military officers were rounded up by Soviet secret police forces, taken
earned a record $6 million, and began a winning streak that eventually tied Ben Hogan’s 1948 streak, the second longest in PGA history. In June 2000, he won his first U.S. Open title, shooting a record 12-under-par 272 to finish 15 strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. It was the greatest professional golf performance in history, surpassing even his 1997 Masters’ triumph and Old
Tom Morris’ 1862 showing. In July 2000, he captured the British Open, and in August the PGA championship. At the age of 24, he was the youngest player ever to win all four major golf titles and just the second to win three majors in a year. On April 10, 2005, he earned his fourth green sport coat at Augusta National, becoming the first person to win four Masters before age 30.
Soviets admit to Katyn Massacre to the Katyn Forest outside of Smolensk, massacred, and buried in a mass grave. In 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union and pushed into the Polish territory once held by the Russians. In 1943, with the war against Russia going badly, the Germans announced that they had unearthed thousands of corpses in the Katyn Forest. Representatives from the Polish government-in-exile (situated in London) visited the site and decided that the Soviets, not the Nazis, were responsible for the killings. These representatives, however, were pressured by U.S. and British officials to keep their report secret for the time being, since they did not want to risk a diplomatic rupture with the Soviets. As World War II came to an end, German propaganda
lashed out at the Soviets, using the Katyn Massacre as an example of Russian atrocities. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin flatly denied the charges and claimed that the Nazis were responsible for the slaughter. The matter was not revisited for 40 years. By 1990, however, two factors pushed the Soviets to admit their culpability. First was Gorbachev’s much publicized policy of “openness” in Soviet politics. This included a more candid appraisal of Soviet history, particularly concerning the Stalin period. Second was the state of PolishSoviet relations in 1990. The Soviet Union was losing much of its power to hold onto its satellites in Eastern Europe, but the Russians hoped to retain as much influence as possible.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
23 News
Gov Ahmed leads Ajibola in Kwara
PDP vows to challenge Amosun’s victory in Ogun
Ola Yekeen
Abiodun Taiwo
ÏÏÏGovernor
ÏÏÏAs
Abeokuta
Ilorin
AbdulFatah Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raced past the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship candidate, Sen. Simeon Ajibola, according to the results of Saturday’s polls, so far announced. The Returning Officer of the Kwara Governorship Election, Professor Musbau Akanji, said that Ahmed had garnered a total of 262,248 while his PDP counterpart scored 102, 911 votes from 14 of the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) results announced. Ahmed was leading Ajibola
Ahmed
with a margin of 159, 337 votes, while the results from Baruteen and Kaima LGAs were still being awaited, as of the time of filing this report. Our correspondent reports that Ahmed, who’s seeking reelection, was leading in all the 14 LGAs results so far announced and scored over 25 percent of the votes to meet the required twothird number of the total votes of LGAs in the state.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was, on Sunday, declared winner of Saturday’s gubernatorial election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has vowed to challenge Amosun’s victory at the election tribunal. In a statement issued by his campaign organisation, PDP declared the gubernatorial election as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the All Progressives Congress (APC) achieve victory. The statement, signed by Mr. Ifekayode Akinbode, Director of
Media of the campaign organisation (GNICO) said: “Whereas, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations misrepresentations, under-hand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC.” “We are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election, particularly because it was irregular in most aspects. It is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate”. “However, we must state a few
facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised Corps members and INEC staffs. This was, indeed, what happened.” GNICO also said: “On the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3p.m. we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.”
Edo Dep Speaker lauds innovation in electoral process Titus Akhigbe Benin
ÏÏÏThe
Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, has stated that the people hold political power in the new dispensation as their votes, based on the innovations brought into the electoral process, by the national chairman of the Independent National Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega. According to Edoror: “The electorate now hold power. All elected office holders must give a scorecard of their time in office. That is the new order in the country.”
He commended Jega for the improvement he has brought into the electoral process via the card reader and the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). “There is an improvement in the electoral process. Jega has written his name in gold with all the changes he has brought to bear in the electoral process. In no distant time, I see us going into electronic voting system, which will further make our election more credible,” he said. He averred that Nigerians were now adapting to the card reader, which was problematic during the presidential poll on Saturday, March 28.
Wreckage of a Toyota Hilux van conveying a DPO and 4 others during Saturday’s election. The vehicle was involved in a ghastly accident between Wasimi and Itori, Ogun State. PHOTO: DAVID IDOWU
Senator Okowa leads Delta guber race Monday Osayande Asaba
ÏÏÏSenator Ifeanyi Okowa, the
governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Delta State, is leading in ten of the 11 councils results so far announced, on Sunday, by INEC at the state collation centre, in Asaba. This was followed by Chief Great Ogboru of the Labour Party (LP), who won in Udu Local Government Area, but none for Olorogun O’tega Emerhor of All Progressive Congress (APC), as the results continued to trickle in from the 25 councils of the state. Okowa had a landslide victory in his council area of Ika North
East, where he polled 72,612 votes. He also secured overwhelming victories in Oshimili South and Oshimili North both in Delta North Senatorial District. The result are: Sapele - PDP 13,837; APC 3,627; LP 7,848, Ethiope West - PDP 31,890; APC 2,329; LP 1,678, Oshimili South PDP 47,938, APC 1,253; LP 1,218, Bomadi - PDP 51,974; APC 594; LP 594, Isoko North - 44,209, APC 4,502; LP 3,661, Ika North East APC 340, LP 66, PDP 72,612 , Patani - APC 771, LP 684, PDP 16,421, Udu - APC 3369, LP 15,857, PDP 6097, Oshimili North - PDP 19,368; APC 978; LP; 505, Isoko South PDP 30,355; APC 10,054; LP 4,023, Okpe - PDP 12,165; APC 3,706, LP 7,728.
The state Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Bio Nyananyo, who presided over the collation of the results announced that the collation would continue by 6 p.m. as the results from 14 council areas were still being expected. But, an agent of the Labour Party at the collation centre, Mr. Turner Ogboru. raised issues with the results from Ika North East and Oshimili South Councils, alleging that the results as announced by the respective local government collation officers were inflated. He protested that the results from the two councils should be set aside and properly audited, alleging that the results were not generated from the polling units.
Anambra Assembly: INEC reschedules three electoral seats race Nkiru Nwagbo Awka
ÏÏÏThe Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled three elections in the Anambra State House of Assembly seats. According to the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, the election for Ekwusigo Constituency
has been shifted to April 25. Others include one electoral ward in Aguata Constituency 1, as well as Anaocha Constituency 1 and 11 respectively. Nwatarali confirmed that hoodlums allegedly over- powered electoral officers in Ekwusigo Constituency and carted away seventy-five percent of sensitive and non- sensitive election materials. He further confirmed that Anaocha 1 and Anaocha 11 State Constituencies did not make use of the card readers, rather they did manual accreditation, which the commission did not approve of. He, however, confirmed that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had won twentyfive out of the thirty seats of the House of Assembly.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Osun: APC wins 24 seats, PDP gets two as corps members escape death Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 24 of the 26 seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the two seats for Ife Central and Ife East in the Osun State House of Assembly in last Saturday’s election. In the outgoing assembly,
APC has 26 members. The results of last Saturday State House of Assembly released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed PDP winning two seats. Those won by APC were Boripe/Boluwaduro, Ifelodun, Ila, Ifedayo, Irepodun/ Orolu, Odo Otin, Olorunda, Osogbo, Atakunmosa West and East, Ife-North,
Ife-South, Ilesa East, IlesaWest, Obokun, Oriade, Ayedaade. Others were Ayediire, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Isokan, Iwo, Olaoluwa, and Ejigbo. In a related development, the vehicle conveying some corps members was involved in a minor accident when one of its tyres burst close to LA Primary School, along Ajibande, but, there
was no casualty. During the election, there were crises in Obokun and Ile-Ife Local Government areas as houses and property were burnt in Ile Ife over the alleged killing of a PDP supporter. At Ilase, in Obokun Local Government Area of the state, there was an exchange of gun shots between suspected gunmen
and the police. The crisis escalated when one Orimogunje Dare was shot at NUD Primary School, Ilase, when accreditation of voters was about to begin. When contacted, Commissioner of Police incharge of election in the state, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, explained that police had to repel the gunmen to restore peace.
Gov. Aregbesola
Man, 38, slumps, dies at polling unit in Bauchi Daniel Jolly Bauchi
ÏÏÏThe
Bauchi State Police command has confirmed the death of a 38-year-old man, who slumped and died on a queue, at a polling unit in Bogoro Local Government Area of the state. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the incident happened last Saturday while the man was waiting to be accredited for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections. He said: "On the 11/4/2015 (Saturday), at about
15:30hrs (3:30pm), one Mr. Bulus Tsanmani, male, (38), in Bogoro LGA, slumped on the queue, while awaiting accreditation at his polling unit in Gwaranga ward. "Police patrol team attached to Bogoro division visited the scene and rushed the victim to the General Hospital, Bogoro, for treatment where he was later certified dead by a medical doctor." Mohammed said that the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary for post-mortem examination. The PPRO added that "no mark of violence and no foul play suspected. Investigation is in progress."
PDP clears 25 seats in Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde
Ado Ekiti ÏÏÏ The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won in 25 constituencies of Ekiti State, according to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the House of Assembly election held last Saturday. In the authenticated results, the PDP won in Ado Constituency 1 with 10,065 to beat APC, 3,819 and LP 1,110. At Ado 2 constituency, the PDP scored 11,770 as against APC 4,660 and LP 301. The PDP also scored 5,637 in Efon Constituency beating APC and LP with 1,320 and 135 respectively. In Ekiti East 1, PDP also won with 5,289, to beat APC 3,230. Also at Ekiti East 2, PDP has 6,601 against APC
4,302 and LP 283. The PDP also showed its supremacy in Ekiti West 1 with 6,531 against APC 3,601 and LP 1,272. In Ekiti West 2, PDP scored 2,844 while the APC scored 2,505 In Ekiti South West 1, the PDP polled 4,413, APC 2,853 and LP 1,121. In Ekiti South West 2, the PDP polled 4,118, APC 1,538, LP 1,538. In Emure APC 3,230, LP 2,674 and PDP 5,664; Gbonyin APC 5,627, LP 169, PDP 8,140; Ido Osi 1, APC 2,928, LP 461, PDP 7,365; Ido Osi 2, APC 2,269, LP 216, PDP 4,362; Ijero APC 6,759, LP 965, PDP 11,867; Ikere 1 APC 3,091, LP7, PDP 7,244; Ikere 2 APC 3,401, LP 12, PDP 6,570; Ikole 1: APC 4,421, LP 133, PDP 7,886; Irepodun/Ifelodun 1: APC 2,708, LP 158, PDP 6,652; Ise Orun APC 4,235, LP 765, PDP 9,123.
Ballot papers scattered on the floor during the disrupted election at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos… on Saturday
FRSC apprehends 357 road offenders at MMIA Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said that 357 road offenders were apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in the first quarter of the year. Assistant Corps Commandant, RS2-115 Airport Unit Command, Mrs. Vivian
Aladegbemi disclosed this recently. She said that the most prevalent offence within the three months was tyre violation, saying that ``most of the vehicles we arrested had tyre problems ". ``The people we arrested complied with our order, which is why we did not prosecute them.’’
She added that the command was facing a major challenge in the volume of traffic at the airport access toll plaza, which caused her Command to be working extra hours during peak periods, due to the few access gates. ``We have slow movement during the peak hours. Sometimes, some stubborn drivers, who do not
want to pay toll, will keep others on queue. This will extend, on occasions, from Ikeja bus stop to the toll gate at the International wing of the airport. '`We believe that if the airport authorities can expand the gates for more access in and out of the airport, the traffic situation may ease and be controllable”, she said.
PDP sweeps Ondo Assembly polls ‘Tosin Ajuwon
Akure
ÏÏÏThe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the majority of the House of Assembly seats in last Saturday’s election in Ondo State. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje, who declared the re-
sults at a press conference on Sunday, in Akure, said the PDP won 19 seats, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had five seats. Agbaje said the election was marred with low turnout of voters across the 18 local government areas. He disclosed that violence was recorded in 10 local government areas,
thereby, causing pockets of security breaches. “The election was characterised by low turn-out of voters across the state and pockets of security breaches in some local government areas of Akoko North west, Akoko South West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa, Ondo East, Owo, and Ose”, he said.
He said that the election results in Ilaje constituency I, and II were inconclusive, as the Returning Officer was made to declare the results under duress by armed thugs, adding that the violence in Ilaje local government area, led to the cancellation of results in several polling units in the coastal area.
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
25 News
Ex Speaker, Masari, wins Three guber candidates seek cancellation of Rivers result Katsina guber election Ă?Ă?Ă? Titilope Joseph
Ă?Ă?Ă?A
former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has won last Saturday's governorship election in Katsina State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Returning Officer, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, on Sunday, said that Masari polled 943,085 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Musa Nashuni, who scored 476,768 votes. Bilbis said that Peoples
Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado, got 50,361 votes, while Alhaji Umar Abdullahi of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 42,302 votes. According to the retuning officer, seven political parties took part in the election. ``Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Aminu Bello Masari of APC is declared the winner and returned elected,’’ Bilbis said.
He said that the election was free, fair and conducted in accordance with the law.
Masari
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The governorship candidates of three political parties in Rivers State have called for the cancellation of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state. The candidates are Dr. Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Charles Harry, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Rev. Minaibim Harry of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The APGA candidate, who spoke on behalf of others, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to cancel the election because it was marred by irregularities.
Bauchi
Ă?Ă?Ă? It was a resounding
victory for the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed A. Abubakar, who defeated his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Auwal Jatau, with an overwhelming gap of about 377,284 votes, to emerge as Bauchi State governor. The APC candidate was + , $ declared winner of last - $ ( $Saturday's election in the
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were made by the police of those allegedly compromising the election. Peterside of the APC said the election was characterised by widespread violence that made it impossible for the people to come out to vote. He urged INEC to cancel the election and fix a new date for a re-run. In her reaction, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Mrs Gesila Khan, said elections were successfully held in the state. She said the commission had cancelled elections in nine wards and ordered for re-run, where it was established that no election took place.
APC wins Bauchi governorship election Daniel Jolly
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Harry said thugs allegedly made away with election materials and fired indiscriminately to scare voters, so that they could manipulate the election results. ‘’In Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government, there was no accreditation because there were no election materials in place. ‘’Elsewhere, the disenfranchisement of Rivers people was taken to a level unprecedented in the history of electioneering in the state. ‘’There was intimidation, harassment and outright manipulation of the electoral process,’’ he said. Harry said they were aware that some arrests
state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The State returning Officer, Professor Mohammed K. Farouk, made the announcement after receiving all the compiled results from the 20 local government areas of the state. Farouk made the declaration at the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC office Sunday in Bauchi. The APC candidate, Abubakar polled 659,934 votes to defeat the PDP
candidate, Auwal Jatau, who got 282,650, out of the 965,838 total votes cast in the election. Jatau’s loss was so glaring even as he lost in his local government area of Zaki. It would be recalled that the commission registered 2,058,514 people for the permanent voter’s card in the state. In a similar development, APC also swept 30 out of the 31 House of Assembly seats in the state with PDP securing only one seat.
Electricity coy rejects tariff reduction for residential customers The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), on Sunday, said that the 50 per cent reduction in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) does not affect residential consumers under the R1 and R2 tariff categories. This clarification was contained in a statement issued by Mallam Ahmed Shekarau, Head, Public Affairs of the company, in Abuja. The statement said that the clarification became necessary in view of the misconceptions by some of its customers that the
recent reduction by NERC was for all categories of electricity consumers. It said that the misconception had made some customers to resist payment of their electricity bills. According to the statement, the tariff for customers in the R1 and R2 tariff class, was not adjusted in the last tariff adjustment by the NERC. It said the reduction announced by NERC was meant for commercial and industrial customers only. NERC had said that residential customers under R1 and R2 would not also see any reversal or reduc-
tion in tariff as the industrial, commercial and high-end residential consumers whose tariff was increased. NAN had reported that NERC had explained earlier on that the increase in tariff for residential consumers was frozen until June this year.
Prof Nebo
26
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
Features
s
Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. E-mail: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng
Art sector seeks more govt recognition from new regime The Society of Nigerian Artists(the parent body of the Visual Arts Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Professional Fine Artists) has cried out to the incoming government of President-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari, to address the art and culture sector and establish for them a National Museum of Modern Art among others. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reports. Since Nigeria’s political pendulum swung into the camp of the strongest opposition party since the Second Republic, ushering in former military head of state, General Muhamadu Buhari, as Presidentelect, an avalanche of demands from every strata of the nation have been coming into the office of the new government taking off officially on May 29th, 2015. The latest call demanding salvation, healing and restoration from the incoming administration is the arts sector, comprising theNigerian Society of Artists, the Visual Art Society of Nigeria (VASON) and the Guild of Professional Fine Artist, Nigeria. Addressing journalists at his studios on Military Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Friday, one of the most notable artists in the contemporary Nigerian scene and one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Arts (Lagos Chapter), Mr. Olu Ajayi,listed what the art sector expects from the government of General Mu-
hamadu Buhari. “We are expecting that the new government coming in on May 29th should address the art and culture sector, because you cannot have a vibrant economy without a vibrant culture ---because that’s what drives the soul of a country. “But if you neglect that aspect, you’ll run into trouble because you don’t really understand the people’s demand and their wishes.” A basic infrastructure which significance past governments have failed to recognise and provide, the 52 years old art consultant, administrator and curator lamented, is a museum of modern arts. Hear him: “It is a national question that the most populous black nation in the world does not have a proper museum of modern arts; which means, all we’ve been producing and contributing to global culture and advancement have nowhere to stay. That is very key. “Secondly, a government cannot be talking about promoting tourism and attracting foreign investors when it does not know what it means for a country to have a proper museum of modern arts; what potential investors want to see is part of your culture.” Stressing the dire need further, Ajayi wove a thread to link tourism, arts and culture. “Why do people go abroad? It’s not to see hotels; I’m not saying there’s
Ajayi during the press chat anything wrong with building hotels, but hotels are not tourist attraction. To people who have ordinary delight, tourist attraction would mean going to Dubai, and similar places to see buildings that will astound and challenge their architectural imagination. “See, you cannot talk about great countries of the world without talking about their arts; the Chinese, Indians, the Americans or the Greeks, etc they all have their culture vis-a-vis their arts intact, and they have museums where people go to see how far they have come and how far they are going.” Asked how a government faced with myriads of problems (poor from power supply to insecurity) can think of arts, Ajayi responded: “Art, to a large extent serves as a focal point. It will create employment, generate funds, and educate the public. For instance if I have paintings people consider to be marvelous and I place them in the Museum of Modern Art, people will want to see, they will go there every day; people will be trooping in, school children will get more educated about art and its effects, the museum will provide employment for people working there; it will also be a tourist destination and will generate more funds because the mu-
‘‘You cannot have a vibrant economy without a vibrant culture --because that’s what drives the soul of a country.’’ Ajayi with portrait of Gowon seum will now have the capacity to make publications for people to buy, and also have a café where people can mill around and have light refreshment. “In Olu Ajayi studios, for example, somebody sells canvas to me; somebody sells the paints to me; somebody sells the glass, frames, etc and these businesses are kept open because I am here, working. The galleries are open because there are paintings that are going to be supplied to them to sell. And the person who buys the paintings has his money and he enjoys his purchase just as he enjoys music. He still has a store value because if he decides to sell the paintings, he still gets his money back. So art plays a very
significant role; except that the uninitiated will not see it. “They can also fund an average hub or community; if you go to other parts of the world, you can go to a whole district; all you see there are galleries and artists practicing their trade. So we need things like that. If we’re going to have a developed and robust art sector, all of these have to be in place. “The other aspects we need especially has to do with giving artists willing to establish studios start-off grants. I am aware that in the past, some administrations gave some grants to fashion designers and eateries to start off their businesses. That can be CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
27 Features
Photo clips of Agberos at work
Inside the world of Agbero Motor park touts in Lagos operate through a vicious network, whichis a daily nightmare to commercial bus drivers and law enforcement agents, who are careful not to meddle in their affairs. JOY EKEKE reports. Agbero, a sobriquet for ragamuffins, who find solace in the motor parks, doing odd jobs, is synonymous with all social vices one can imagine. They live in Terror Land, where aggression is the order of the day. The common factor with the inhabitants of this land is delinquency. At every bus-stop, you would recognise them, some by their green and white uniform, some in mufti, while others wear reflectors. They always collect ‘dues and loading fees’ around the clock, for different unions, including operators of motorcycles, tricycles and various sizes of commercial vehicles, with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as the umbrella body. An elderly danfo driver, Nkemjika Boniface, operating from a popular terminus in Alimosho
Art sector:
‘The problem is lack of political will’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
extended to visual arts, where an artist wants to set up a studio.” Reminded that lack of government interest may be due to the fact that artists are a formidable
Local Government Area of Lagos, gave a graphic detail of the operations of the agbero. According to him, his driver was beaten, with his tee-shirt torn over a N600 ‘booking’ fee, which Boniface had to pay after the fracas. Why are they so aggressive? “It is not about them, it is the chairman that protects them, so they must show loyalty to him at all cost”, Boniface said. “Even if you arrest the agbero, before you treat the wound they inflicted on you, they are back to their duty post at the bus stop, the NURTW unit chairman ensures they are freed. That is how the system works”, he said. A mafia network Daily Times investigation revealed that the agberos run a much organised mafia-style system, with each unit chairman reigning supreme in his domain; he receives daily returns, through the week. He reports to the zonal chairman, who reports to the local chairman, who, in turn, reports to the state chairman, who is the direct link to the national chairman and along this chain, financial returns must be made on a daily basis.
Recently, our correspondent witnessed another scene that mirrors the fear of agbero in Lagos. While loading his bus at the Idimu garage, Taju, the driver, had hoped to avoid paying the garage fee, as he did not see the collector all the while he was loading. But as he hopped in and pulled out of the garage, with an unusual speed, the agbero appeared from nowhere and, with the swiftness of a monkey, sprang at the door of the bus, as the driver accelerated. Mocking the driver, he said, “So you think you will sneak away just like that, eh? Oya, Owo da?” Taju, with persuasion in his voice, said, “Egbon, let me come back, I will settle you, I swear”, but the tout was ready for that. “I don close for today; na your money I dey wait, because I dey go for naming ceremony.” Reluctantly, Taju handed him N200 without slowing down, but that posed no problem to the collector, who jumped down with practised ease and, sneered, “You think you wise, abi? I don dey for this job before you learn driving!”
body, not a force to be reckoned with, the artist replied: “I will not say artists are not together; I was Chairman of Nigerian Society of arts for six years; I am a member of the board of trustees of the Visual Arts Society of Nigeria and also a trustee of the Nigerian Guild of Professional fine artists; I have been practicing for over 36 years as an artist, so it’s improper to say there are too many factions in the arts. I think what government has failed to do is to recognise the parent body of the artists which is the Society of Nigerian Artists. “In every association, we have
various departments; people who are into to water colour, paints, canvas, etc but there is a main body, the oldest body, which is the Society of Nigerian Artists. “I will tell you something; we have made presentations; there was a time we went to the National Assembly asking that there should be an empowerment, a grant to regulate the practice, like having an Artists Registration Council or something similar, but that matter got nowhere.” “I think the real problem is lack of political will on the part of government, not seeing the positive aspect of art; not seeing
Our correspondent, however, met with one of the motor park chairmen at a social party, along Brethren Street, some 120 metres from the Brethren Church, off Iyana-Ejigbo on the MushinIkotun road. Five of the men at the roadside party, each had a gold tooth displayed through drunken laughers and each wore expensive gold accessories. Empty bottles of assorted liquor littered the place and the men boasted about their conquests of women, their cars and stuff. Daily Times learnt that the
shop which supplied their drinks and meat was owned by the wife of one of the NURTW area fathers. No cost was spared at the party; one fried snail cost N5,000 and the drinks cost thrice as much. This is a daily ritual after the NURTW chieftains collect their daily returns from their agbero foot soldiers, operating around Orioke, Iyana-Ejigbo, through NNPC to Jakande. A resident in the area, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the chairman started out as an agbero, and, gradually, rose through the ranks, to his present position, just as is the case with many others. The question agitating the minds of many Lagosians, is, how could the excesses of these ‘loading fee’ collectors be checked? Is there no way the government could streamline their operations without inconveniencing the commercial drivers and by extension, the commuters, who always bear the brunt of the callous nature of the agbero? Questions and more questions – all begging for answers.
that art is so relevant as national development. I will refrain from using the word naïve about the role of art. So the artists’ bodies are there and assuredly there is coordination. “We have made presentations to government; we stood up and made statements when the crisis about selling the National Arts Theatre came up. So this notion that artists are not organised is not correct. Artists are not individualistic; there is cohesion; it’s people that are not seeing it where it’s happening. You might say they’re not as ‘noisy’ like the Nollywood.”
“I admit there’re more movies than there are art exhibitions in Nigeria, and the galleries are even few. Then information is not as many. Also, there’s no scandal about any artist that will make you wonder what it’s all about. So I think that’s what is responsible for the situation you are seeing. But the bottomline is that all our legitimate proposals and presentations are in the archives; it’s lack of political will on the part of government that is the problem and we want the government of General Buhari to reverse that trend.”
“The agbero reports to the zonal chairman, who reports to the local chairman, who, in turn, reports to the state chairman.’’
ExtraTime 28
Daily Times Nigeria Monday April 13, 2015
CONGRATS ANDY MURRAY! The quaint town of Dunblane, Scotland and the entire tennisloving world stood still on Saturday to celebrate the wedding of tennis legend Andy Barron Murray (OBE) to his long-term girlfriend, Kim Sears. The event -- dubbed “the royal wedding of Scotland” -took place at Dunblane Cathedral, with cheering crowds spilling onto the streets to support their home-grown talent. It was a rare occasion and an event that will linger on in the memories of fans that have followed the career of this tennis icon. The grand slam and Olympic champion donned a traditional blue and green tartan kilt, while his bride dazzled in a vintagestyle gown made by British designer Jenny Packham. As a kicker, the people of Dunblane braved wind, rain and
even snow to catch a glimpse of the happy couple, having seen Murray grow from a young boy into a British sporting legend. Born on May 15, 1987, the Scottish professional tennis player is currently ranked No. 3 in the world. A peep into Murray’s career revealed that he started playing tennis at the age of three, entered his first competitive tournament at age five and was playing league tennis by the time he was eight. When he was 15 he moved to Barcelona to train at the Sánchez-Casal Academy from where he won the junior US Open in 2004 and turned professional the following year. Murray has been ranked as British No. 1 since February 27, 2006 and reached a career peak of world No. 2 on August 17, 2009.
Murray’s record speaks volume of a determined tennis star with an unquenchable winning spirit. He defeated Roger Federer at the 2012 Olympic Games in straight sets to win the gold medal in the men’s singles final, becoming the first British singles champion in over 100 years. He also won a silver medal in the mixed doubles, playing with Laura Robson. At the 2012 US Open, Murray became the first British player since 1977, and the first British man since 1936, to win a Grand Slam singles tournament, when he defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets. This title made him the only British male to become a Grand Slam singles champion during the Open Era. Aside the aforementioned, on July 7, 2013, Murray won the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, becoming the first British man to do so since Fred Perry, 77 years ago. He again beat Djokovic in the final, this time in straight
sets. Back home, Murray has remained an idol to many aspiring youths and with his heartthrob beside him, the world should expect more from the legendary tennis star. In 2009 German manufacturer Adidas and Murray signed a five-year-deal worth £30 million. This included wearing their range of tennis shoes. The contract with Adidas allowed Murray to keep his shirt sleeve sponsors Shiatzy Chen, Royal Bank of Scotland and Highland Spring. Before he was signed by Adidas in late 2009, he wore Fred Perry apparel. At the end of their contract together Adidas decided not to re-sign with Murray, and he began a 4-year partnership with athletic apparel company Under Armour in December 2014. This deal reportedly worth $25 million. According to an adage: “To whom much is given, much is expected,” as Murray has involved himself to many charitable works
with an aim of repaying back to the society that made him. Today, he is a founding member of the ‘Malaria No More UK Leadership Council’ and helped launch the charity in 2009 with David Beckham. Footage from the launch at Wembley Stadium can be seen on YouTube and the charity’s website. In June 2013, Murray teamed up with former British number 1 Tim Henman for a charity doubles match against Murray’s coach and eight-time grand slam champion Ivan Lendl, and world No. 6 Tomas Berdych at the Queen’s Club in London. The event named Rally Against Cancer was organised to raise money for Royal Marsden Cancer Charity after his best friend and fellow British player Ross Hutchins was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. The event took place following the final day of competitive play at the AEGON Championships, on Sunday June 16. Subsequently, following his victory at
the tournament, Murray donated his entire prize money pot to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. It was an action very few men with the milk of human kindness can afford to do. As if that was not enough, Murray in June 2014, following the death of Elena Baltacha, he featured in an event known as ‘Rally for Bally.’ The event raised money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis. Children from Baltacha’s academy took to the court to play alongside Murray. As a result of his various charitable exploits, Murray was awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for 2014. From the foregoing, as the world celebrates and savour the excitements that heralded the wedding of this tennis icon at the weekend, we cannot but wish him and his heartthrob well for bringing joy to many homes with his God-given talent. Congrats Andy Murray!
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
INTERVIEW
29 ExtraTime
MY JOURNEY INTO
FOOTBALL COACHING
–AKIDE
One of the first stars of women’s football in Africa, Mercy AkideUdoh was a trailblazer in more ways than one. An exciting attacking player, she starred for Nigeria in three FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic Football Tournaments and won three African titles with the Super Falcons. She was named by CAF as the first African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2002 and was appointed an Ambassador for women’s football by FIFA in 2005. She came to the United States to play in the now-defunct WUSA for its inaugural season, was named MVP of the W-League in leading Hampton Roads to the title in 2003, and she remained in the USA to coach young girls since retiring She talked with FIFA.com about her passion for football and for giving back using the sport. Excerpts: Did you suffer from discrimination as a young woman playing football? Not me, but the players in 1991 inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup broke the barrier, and then me and others came in ‘95. And people in my life really supported me. I had two brothers that always encouraged me to play with them and their friends on the street. I did have a couple of friends whose parents did not want them to keep playing or have anything to do with soccer because they felt like it was a men’s game. And they were very good players, better than me, but because they didn’t get that support, they had to quit. The only problem I had was people would say about me ‘oh look at her, she looks like a boy, she’s not a girl’. I was fit and muscular and like a tomboy, so people would talk about me, but I didn’t care. Do you think the emergence of women’s football was part of a larger social
change, and why do you think Nigeria was at the forefront of that in Africa? Number one: Nigeria is a football country. We love football, and we believe anyone who loves the game can play the game. People saw we could play, so there was encouragement. Then it became women helping women to feel good about themselves, learning that they can do anything they put their minds to. And so now you have more women in government. Before you didn’t have that. Women now are trying to not just be housewives. They might still care for their home and their children, but they realise they can do more if they want. And women’s football is catching up across the continent. What’s your reaction to this assertion? All of the teams are trying to beat Nigeria, and they are all growing and focusing on the girls. That can only help the World Cup. In Africa, there are many
different cultures. We have Muslims and Christians, and they all love the game. There are Muslims who cover their face and still kick the ball. That’s the love of the game. More w o m e n are putting in energy and time to make football a point for young girls to play.
What did it mean to you to be one of the first recognised African women playing football at a high level? I love the game, and so whenever any games were on I always watched them. They were men’s games, but then when the girls started to play, I always dreamed and thought I could become a professional player. I’m grateful I achieved that, and then I said to myself ‘I can do more’. I am so passionate about the game and wanted to give back with the talent that I had, so that’s how I got to coaching. And you have been coaching in the USA since you stopped playing? Little kids have looked up to me as a role model, and I can teach them – not just about soccer but about all aspects
of life. I’m a mom too, so I understand what a kid needs. I always knew someday I would go back home, but I felt like I had a lot to share here and there w a s more opportunity for me to get experiAkide ence. In Nigeria, we have talent but sometimes we don’t work to develop it. I would like to help the Federation with ideas on improving the standard of the women’s league because right now it’s in a bad state. How else are you thinking about helping Nigerian women’s football? I’ll be trying to help young girls earn scholarships to US colleges. That’s how I got my big break, and the time is right for me to look to help others to achieve their dreams. I have started my Play2Learn programme where I run camps for girls in high schools in Nigeria and pick those who can really play, and also have the right educational qualifications for recommendation to coaches. It will help fill a need for both sides as
the schools need talented players, and the players get a chance to get an education while playing the game. Hopefully, with time, I can spread it to the rest of Africa. There was controversy a few years ago when disparaging remarks were made about homosexuality. What did you make of that? For me, I don’t know what that was all about. After coaching and as an ex-player, with friends on my teams, I didn’t see that stuff or know anything about it. I don’t go into people’s business. It’s their life. I cannot tell you not to go and get married, or tell you to go with this person or not. I’m not in a place to judge or control anybody. You are there to play soccer, and that’s all. Did you ever suffer any other kind of discrimination? Not really. The only thing I had a problem with was that back home we’re not outspoken, and if you don’t relate to your coach sometimes they feel like you’re ignorant or not paying attention. It’s hard for Africans to come to a different culture and start talking and feel like they have some control. It’s how we treat older people: we don’t come talk to you unless you come talk to us. But then I started learning that people were just different. I used to take it wrong, but not anymore because I realised that they just don’t know my culture or where I’m coming from.
ExtraTime 30
Daily Times Nigeria Monday April 13, 2015
STARS OF YESTERYEAR
MUDA LAWAL: NIGERIA’S MIDFIELD DYNAMO Muda Lawal
Obiako Chris Okechukwu
I
f you described late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal as the renaissance man of Nigerian football, you’re not on the wrong track. For when he was junketing around the nooks and crannies of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in search of vehicles to repair (as a mechanic), nobody gave him any chance of hitting the headlines, let alone becoming one of the most talented footballers to come out of the shores of Nigeria. With 12 goals and 86 caps for Nigeria’s senior national team, Green Eagles, and an African record of five consecutive Nations Cup appearances (1976–1984), Lawal distinguished himself as a legend of the beautiful game in Africa’s most populated nation. He was a very prominent member of the 1976 IICC Shooting Stars Football Club side, which won Nigeria’s first continental trophy – Africa Cup Winners Cup. Apart from guiding Nigeria to her first Nations Cup victory in 1980, Lawal was part of the 1984 squad which came within a whisker of winning the trophy in Ivory Coast, only to be denied by Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions. During his days with IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Lawal played an important role in the squad, and was used as a winger, or even as an attacking midfielder, where he was primarily required to help his team creatively and defensively. Aside his exploits with his club side,
his magnificent performances in the colours of the national team of Nigeria were outstanding, such that on several occasions he demonstrated his work rate and versatility by playing as an attacking fullback role. The disbandment of the famous Ibadan club side in 1985 did not deter the midfield strongman, as he shifted base to Abiola Babes of Abeokuta, where he continued to hold football fans spellbound with his soccer artistry. Without doubt, the Ibadan-born soccer star was a born winner, who admitted to feeling a few nerves before a big game. Like water, Lawal had no enemy. For a man who was seen smiling and cracking jokes with opponents before the crunch 1977 African Cup Winners Cup semifinal between IICC Shooting Stars and arch rivals, Rangers International of Enugu, ‘Haji Muda’ was FIFA’s fair play personified. He approached every game with effortless ease, but ended up putting up a man-of-thematch performances. In the field of play, Lawal was an extremely fast, energetic, strong and powerful defensive midfielder, who was known for his stamina and workrate, and his accurate finishing ability in the air and with his feet was amazing! A prolific goal scorer with good technique, Lawal was, sometimes, deployed as a playmaker. Briefly during his time at Abiola Babes, he distinguished himself as an attacking midfielder and demonstrated notable tactical intelligence
and versatility. Lawal’s success story with the Green Eagles started when he played his heart out at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, complimented with superb strikes against Egypt and Zaire, which sent tongues wagging and sparks flying. After that audacious performance, he never looked back! In those days, creative and mesmerising midfielders were not in short supply. Prominent among them was Christian Madu, fondly called ‘The Master Dribbler’. Madu was so talented that he was known among football fans across Nigeria as the ‘Magician’. Yet, in the qualifier against Sierra Leone, the Rangers International’s dribbling ace watched proceedings from the bench, having been sidelined by Lawal. Such was the Ibadan stalwart’s dominance that extended to his club, where his goals not only won Shooting Stars the 1979 Nigeria League, but he scooped the highest goal-scorer award, while operating from the midfield. It was a feat only matched by another midfield player, Friday Ekpo, in 1984. The 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Tunisia at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, remained probably Lawal’s best performance in the colours of Nigeria’s national team. On a day the Eagles attackers and wingers went to sleep, Lawal exploded into life and covered every part of the field from his deep midfield role. In fact, in two subsequent Nations Cup finals, 1978 in Ghana and Nigeria 1980, Lawal’s contributions were magnificent, culminating in the 1980 triumph under Brazilian coach, Prof. Otto Gloria. Remarkably, during the tournament, which Nigeria hosted, Lawal was used in different positions between the midfield and attack. Gloria so believed in the midfield dynamo that he dropped the regular striker, Ifeanyi Onyedika, for the final match against Algeria, pushing Lawal into the striking role. The Shooting Stars ace repaid his
coach’s confidence by grabbing the third goal in the 3-0 bashing of the North Africans. Smarting from winning the 1980 Nations Cup, Lawal and teammates, led by ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, were honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). He was also awarded the national title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and was Nigeria’s first-ever Soccer Ambassador. Muda further became a very important part of the Eagles who took part in two Nations Cup finals - 1982 and 1984. He also captained the national team, a reward for his diligence, hard work and humility. Sudden Death When Lawal was trying to take his illustrious career to another level by joining the coaching bandwagon, death struck. The incident, which took place on July 6, 1991, a few weeks after his 37th birthday, not only cut short his dreams of replicating his exploits as a wonderful footballer into being a very successful coach, it dragged his young family into a state of misery. Typical of the Nigerian society which glorifies the living but discards the dead, Lawal’s contributions to the development of Nigerian football has gone unrewarded. Apart from the Asero Staduim, Abeokuta, which was renamed ‘Mudashiru Lawal Stadium’, successive governments, both at the local, State and Federal levels, have continued to pay lip service to giving respect and honour to Lawal who, in his life time, gave his all to the course of the national team. Segun Odegbami, while speaking on Muda, had these few words for soccer fans who knew little of the star performer: “Muda Lawal was a gift to Nigerian soccer. He could win balls and could distribute as well. He was a tireless player such in the mold of a Xavi. “I have tried to look at other players but Xavi seems to be the best to compare him with. He was a box-tobox player who would have excelled
at United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona…just name it. The only part of his game that was lacking was goal scoring. “I can’t imagine if he was playing abroad. He would have been among the world’s best three midfielders. Yes, am that bold, he was that good as a raw talent. “How come he never won African Footballer of the Year award? Politics, I believe. Or how would you explain Segun Odegbami and Jay Jay’s cases. Or maybe because it is difficult for midfielders and defenders to be given the award, as strikers are always first choice.” Legacy Lawal was a selfless Nigerian. He was among a few Nigerian players who laid down their lives on the line in defence of the green and white jersey. His contributions were immense. His comportment was sublime. Samuel Okwaraji also falls into this class. Lawal will not only be remembered for his potentials as a never-say-die competitor. He stands out as one of the few Nigerian players who dedicated their entire lives to the course of the Nigerian flag. Compared to the Super Eagles players of today, who are over-pampered, over-rated and over-paid, Lawal stands out as one player who puts his country first before money or material benefits. Little surprise the former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Musa Amadu, while singing the praise of the amiable former captain of the senior nation team, sent forth a clarion call: “The late Muda Lawal contributed immensely to the development of Nigerian football, being a member of the senior team for more than 10 years, and was also captain of the senior team. It is important that we recognise our heroes of yesteryear in order to encourage the stars of today.” Whether our sports authorities will heed Amadu’s ‘sermon on the mount’ is a story for another day!
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD
31 ExtraTime WITH MIKE OTANWA
UCHE
OBASI
EXPECTS TOUGH CLASH AGAINST
VALENCIA K alu Uche is expecting “a tough but special” derby contest when his club, Levante UD, battles Valencia tonight in Spanish La Liga tie at the Mestalla. The Levante attacking midfielder said the Valencia derby game apart from being tough will be “physically and mentally” demanding. But the former Almeria and Espanyol attacking midfielder believes Les Granotes have put up a good performance in their last two matches despite losing to Sevilla, and now wants his teammates to replicate same spirited display in the derby clash. “It’s a special game for the fans, and for ourselves too.
But above all, it’s important for us to keep working towards our objectives. We appreciate that it’s a derby and we have to be physically and mentally prepared for the game. “It’s going to be a tough, but special game. We’ve done very well in our last two games and didn’t deserve to lose against Sevilla. I thought we did well attacking-wise against them, and we hope to continue that against Valencia,” Uche said. The 32-year-old has scored four goals and weighed in with an assist as well in 10 league games since switching to Levante UD from Al Rayyan in January this year.
Obasi
F
Uche
EMENIKE
RE-AFFIRMS
LOVE FOR
FENERBAHCE S uper Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike has, again expressed his love for Fenerbahce even after the harsh experience of the attack by an armed gang on the team bus. Fenerbahce had defeated Çaykur Rizespor 5-1 in the Super Lig and were on their way to Trabzon for a flight to Turkish capital, Istanbul when the team bus was attacked by an armed gang. The big and energetic forward, Emenike whose goals helped Nigeria to claim the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations has at this time scored four goals after 23 league appearances.
GENT
place heavy price tag on
SIMON
The former Delta Force player expressed his love for Fenerbahce as he noted that he still has a contract with the club. “I have a Emenike contract here and I love the club. The attack is only an isolated incident and it’s not enough to make me look for an easy way out. I have put the past behind me and I am only focussing on what lies ahead. I am stronger than before,” Emenike said. Emenike’s career has seen him play in the South African, Turkish and Russian league.
G
ent have placed a hefty 20 millionpound price tag on their Nigeria wonder kid Simon Moses, according to manager Michael Louwagie. While reacting to stories about Moses leaving the club in the summer, the manager admits a bid around what it cost Everton to price Mar-
set to leave Schalke 04
ouane Fellaini will be good enough to tempt them into selling. “Initially, I want to scare the clubs that way,” he said. “But actually that amount is not excessive. The English teams won’t be shocked at that amount. “Moreover Marouane Fellaini was sold for over twenty
ormer Super Eagles forward, Chinedu Obasi, is on his way out of Schalke 04 in the summer according to reports coming out of Germany. Media reports from Germany has confirmed that the 28-year-old was told in clear terms by Schalke general manager Horst Heldt that his contract won’t be renewed. Obasi’s case has not been helped by constant injury worries that has limited him to 52 appearances with just five goals since his four million euros move to Schalke three-andhalf years ago. Schalke signed Obasi in the summer of 2011/2012 as a back up to team cult hero Jefferson Farfan, but after few games an old shin injury picked up at his previous side Hoffenheim resurfaced. He underwent surgery and missed all but seven games of that season; so far he has played just six games in the Bundesliga and his last league game was on November 11, 2014. His last goal for the team was five months ago and it came in the UEFA Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon where he scored and provided an assist in a 4-3 win. Presently injured, Obasi will be presented with a farewell bouquet before the commencement of Schalke’s last home game of the Bundesliga against Paderborn on May 16.
Moses injured in Stoke City’s draw
N
igeria international winger, Victor Moses got injured in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the English Premier League on Saturday. The winger signalled to the club’s physio in the 41st minute after firing a shot wide and pulling up badly. He was substituted just before half time with Senegalese striker, Mame Biram Diouf taking his place. Moses is just returning from an injury (hip/thigh) layoff that saw him sidelined from March 15 to April 1.
Hughes glad to see Odemwingie back
S
toke City coach, Mark Hughes, was delighted to see Nigerian International, Peter Odemwingie kick a football again, as the Potters head into the final seven games in the Premier League. Odemwingie played for Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and has been sidelined since August by a serious knee ligament injury. But according to the club’s report it looks like Odemwingie’s come back may have entered its final stage, as he has been given the all-clear to resume ball work, and Hughes hopes it won’t be too long before he is able to resume full training with the rest of the first team squad.
million, so, why won’t Moses be worth that amount?” Simon has taken the league in Belgium by storm getting picked 6 times in the Belgium league team of the week in the ten games he has played since his move from AS Trencin of Slovakia. Despite only joining the team in January, the 19-year-
old has been nominated for the Ebony Shoe Award given to the best player of Africa origin in the Belgium league. His fine form has not gone unnoticed by Nigeria’s national team selectors, as he was capped twice at senior level in Nigeria’s last two friendly games against Uganda and South Africa.
Also, he is among a list of 35 players who will battle it out for a spot in Nigeria’s 21-man squad for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
Simon
Politics
P8 Rivers election result, a sham – Amaechi P8
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015
VOL. 1. NO.85
www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr
Tony Nwakaegho
Charles Okonji
Oil prices rose for the fourth straight week as reports from the United States of America revealed further closures of oil drilling rigs. Oil-field-services firm Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that the number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. fell by 42 to 760 in the latest week, the largest drop in four weeks. The number of oil-drilling rigs has declined for 18 straight weeks as producers have cut spending on new output because of low oil prices. Most of the decline was in the Eagle Ford and Permian shales, key regions for shale-oil production. Light, sweet crude for May delivery settled up 85 cents, or 1.7 per cent, to $51.64 a barrel Friday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices rose 5.1 per cent in the week. Brent, the global benchmark, rose $1.30, or 2.3 per cent, to $57.87 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe, posting a 5.3 per cent weekly gain. The moves capped a volatile
Thirteen from among the Seventeen Africans recognised as Young Global Leaders (YGL) in 2015 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) are to benefit from the Dangote Fellowship instituted by the Dangote Foundation. The African youngsters were part of the 187 young leaders from 66 countries honoured for leadership and service to society by the WEF. The Dangote Fellowship, created by the WEF and Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group was designed to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector.
Features
Art sector seeks more govt recognition from new regime P26 The Fellowship helps YGLs from Africa attend YGL and World Economic Forum events
dailytimesng
Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise, East Africa’s biggest carrier by revenue, has again admitted it is in talks with Nigeria over plans to help set up national airlines in Nigeria and three other countries to expand its operations on the continent. This move is certainly going to elicit reactions from airline observers in Nigeria following
News
Hundreds injured in Kenyan varsity explosion P13
and funds the organisation of an YGL Africa Education Module. Dangote said the institution of the fellowship award was his own way of contribution to the intellectual development of exceptional young people of African descent. The YGLs come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range
emerging economies with 17 from sub-Saharan Africa. The list of YGLs has a strong representation from women leaders and is split 50-50 between business and nonprofit sectors (academia, arts and culture, civil society, policy and government, media and social entrepreneurs)”.
Togo, has been approached by the Nigerian government about a new carrier for Africa’s biggest economy, Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam said in an interview. Ethiopian Airlines is also in discussions with the administrations of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he said, without giving further details. “We have been invited to participate and we’ve given a strong expression of interest” to Nigeria, he told Bloomberg on a private plane from Dublin to London, where he was promoting a new route to Los Angeles via the Irish capital. “As soon as the process allows then we will submit a business proposal.” Ethiopian Airlines is compet-
ing with South African Airways and Kenya Airways Ltd. as they expand routes outside their home markets to tap greater demand for travel within the continent. SAA, also state-controlled, is seeking a hub in West Africa that would also be a stop-off point on the way to the U.S. London-based FastJet Plc is trying to add routes as part of an effort to become the first pan-African discount airline. Ethiopian Airlines plans to quadruple annual revenue to $10 billion over the next decade and increase the number of international destinations to 120 from 84, Tewolde said. The company will start flights to Tokyo next month and Los Angeles in June.
Latest statistics on US drilling rigs boost oil price week of trading, as investors continued to assess the global glut of oil that sent prices plunging in 2014. The latest rig-count data “signal that U.S. production is a lot closer to topping,” said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. “The mood seems to be shifted more toward the bullish side.” The rig count can be an early indicator for output, though producers have also increased the amount of oil they can extract from an individual well and production has continued to rise in recent weeks. Traders also eyed geopolitical uncertainties, including unrest in the Middle East and a potential final deal over Iran’s nuclear program.
Business
Ethiopian airlines to set up carriers for Nigeria, others P 17
Oronto Douglas:One of the best of my generation failed engagements from KLM in the 1980s, British Airways in the 1990s for the defunct Nigeria Airways and Virgin Atlantic in
Yinka Odumakin
ÎÎÎA friend of
Dangote
of expertise to the community from across the world. Over 50 per cent of the new intake are women, half come from the private sector and half from the public sector, including academia, arts and culture, civil society, government, media and not-for-profit organizations. According to John Dutton, Director and Head of the Young Global Leaders Community at the World Economic Forum, “The World Economic Forum has announced the leaders under 40 who are shaping the future of industry and society. About half of the new class of Young Global Leaders (YGLs) come from
Ethiopian airlines to set up carriers for Nigeria, others
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13 WEF global leaders get fellowship support from Dangote
the 2000s with the defunct Virgin Nigeria/Nigeria Eagle. The state-owned company, which has stakes in Malawian Airlines and ASKY Airlines of
about 28 years,Oronto Douglas breathed the last in the early hours of Thursday after about seven years courageous battle with cancer.That it took one of the worst forms of cancer to take him out of this world is a statement on the inner strength of the mighty man in the small frame that was left of his chubby old self in the cancerous years . He was terminally ill and we knew he was going to drop at some point but as humans we continued to pray for some divine intervention so that April 9 would not come. Anytime i saw him in the last three years of his life,I was worried by his frame but reassured by his voice and the depth of his knowledge which can-
cer could not eat up. It was Pastor Tunde Bakare who said a few hours after his death: “Oronto wore knowledge like a wrist watch” and I couldn’t agree less. In spite of the physical toll the disease had taken on him,Oronto’s mind remained very sharp and was more committed to his duties than many people who suffered no physical ailment.I have never seen a man more dedicated to his duty than OND in all my years on earth. We spoke almost on a daily basis over the last two years until our last meeting in his home on the 6th of February when I saw that he was withering and under much more intense physical discomfort. He had told me a week earlier in Lagos as we shared lunch that he was finding it difficult to talk and that he would prefer text massages,the mode I switched to and we had the last exchange on Easter Day. On April 1,he sent me
the last but one text which read “You are a dependable ally my brother.May God bless our friendship as we look into the future”. As at the time he wrote this,he was living on the 21 days his doctors in America told him was left. Yet he lived on with courage and hope. Yes he knew his physical was about to end but he was already having a peep into the spirit realm where true friendship has no terminal date. Hours after his death, a top official I broke the news of his death to forwarded to me the text he got from him the previous evening when death was less than 12 hours away which read in part “...there is a post election Nigeria event hosted by Oxford on the 14th. Oby Ezekwesili is speaking.It might be good for........... to send a rep to ensure the president’s legacy and narrative is not distorted”. That was Oronto in the line of duty even in his
dying hours.In the season when most elements were jumping ship, he was still there protecting the interest of his principal . President Goodluck Jonathan could not boast of many Orontos around him . He would sorely miss the man he was referred to as a resource person while doing his Doctorate. Oronto had by then asserted himself as an authority in environmental activism.They were to meet again in the Bayelsa State executive council in 1999 with Dr Jonathan as Deputy Governor and Oronto as Information Commissioner. By 2007,Oronto became his Special Adviser on Research,Documentation and Strategy,the position he served him till he succumbed in the battle with cancer on April 9. His friends of decades are by now preparing to recall all the good things he did while he was in physical form, when his funeral arrangements are unveiled .My full tributes
will sure come at the moment. Suffice to say here that while he was here,he was always concerned when a soul departed.Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu told me the day he died that he came ahead of the president when Chief Oluwole Awolowo died. When Anyim Osagie died I recall him telling me on phone that he was right at the residence of the deceased to commiserate with them. His excitement knew no bound after he networked to purchase a parcel of land last year to build a centre for Chima Ubani and Bamidele Aturu.He laid the plan to me in his hotel room saying “apart from memorializing the two departed Comrades,the centre will generate funds through rents to pay staff salaries and support their families.They have struggled for us to be abandoned”. There is no way the wife and two lovely young children Oronto has left behind would ever suffer
Gebremariam
or be exposed to shame as their father had sown many seeds of goodness. He told me how he raised money to build public libraries in Bayelsa and Ekiti states for other people’s children to journey into the forest of knowledge .His major concern all the time was how to better the conditions of the people .This he displayed as a student activist,environmental campaigner,a critical voice for the Niger Delta at the 2005 Political reforms conference. At the appropriate time, the full story of the behind-the-scene moves that Oronto contributed to the conception and successful convocation of the 2014 National Conference would be told for Nigerians to know the deep concerns of Oronto for the well being of this country. We shall bury what is mortal of Oronto but his memory lives with us forever. Adieu my friend and brother,one of the best of my generation !
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
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
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DAILY TIMES
LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE
L-R: Salako, Obiozor, Okurounmu and Odedina at the conference.
Daily Times leadership forum’s advice to the next govt…
National Confab report’ll solve Nigeria’s problems
The social, economic and political backgrounds of the invitees were varied, for a purpose: The session was designed to get the views of eminent citizens of different hues. Nothing of importance must be left out. The roll call was impressive: Chief Femi Okurounmu, a senator, committed advocate of a national conference; Professor George Obiozor, former Director General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NNIA), former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States and leading member of the South East at the talkshop; Mr. Soji Odedina, CEO of First Katalyst Communications Company Ltd.; and Comrade Sola Salako, the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and other Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI). The Finnish ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury had earlier disclosed that she might not attend in person. But, as an indication of her commitment to the forum, she promised to share her views online. In the end, all contributors spoke passionately, and with forthrightness, on the Nigeria Question when they gathered on Thursday 9th April at the Daily Times premises. It was the inaugural session of the newspaper’s Leadership Forum at which eminent citizens will have the opportunity to dissect national and international problems, and proffer solutions to them. The contributions, produced on these special pages, will surely add to the body of knowledge as Nigeria takes yet another step towards greatness on May 20, 2015 when a new President takes office. – Editor
Nigeria at independence raised the hopes of the black world as a great nation. However, things seem to only have been moving from bad to worse. What happened? Where did the country get it wrong? TUC Deputy President, Sunday Salako Coming from a pan-Nigerian organization, as the Deputy President 1 of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the Labour has always canvassed that what we knew and we were doing very well but on our march towards independence and
shortly after the independence, we abandoned it and everything got muddled up. Now, what were we doing right? Farming. Agriculture was what was giving us value and we were showing dividends of that by monumental edifices that you could point at: the first TV station in Africa, Cocoa House in Ibadan, first radio station in Nigeria, Kano groundnut pyramid, coal in Enugu, oil plantation, and others. But the moment we wanted to cut corners, because we knew that so much money was coming in from oil, then we decided to abandon what we were doing right. If you look at the skin (colour) of man, especially in Africa, God has really given us the colour of the
soil because that is to show that we need to till the ground before we can eat and that is not by accident. Now, we have seen what oil has done to us and every country that has depended on oil in Africa. You see what is happening in Angola even Ghana that just discovered oil is having a lot of issues now because they are following the footstep of Nigeria in exploring their oil. I think we really need to go back to the basics and invest heavily in our agriculture. We don’t have business importing some of the edibles we import into the country, because a country like Nigeria that is so blessed is importing even toothpick from China and other countries, which is bad.
“We don’t have business importing some of the edibles we import into the country, because a country like Nigeria that is so blessed is importing even toothpick from China and other countries, which is bad.”
Now, since we have decided to look for easy money, corruption has come to us in a monumental way that we cannot get anything right. So, we must deviate from this reliance on oil and go back to the basics and invest heavily in agriculture and agro-allied business, our economy will be better for it and we will not have some of the problems confronting us. Now that we have a new government and a new party in power, we don’t need another 26-point agenda. Rather, he should only have a two-point plan, which is: fix electricity and revamp the economy. Leave the rest, Nigerians are not lazy, they will fix the CONTINUED ON PAGE C2
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
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DAILY TIMES LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE C1
rest. Professor George Obiozor Do you agree that the President-elect should simply fix electricity and the economy and leave the rest? The truth of the matter is which economy? You mentioned Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah once said: “Seek ye first the political kingdom and everything else will follow.” The superiority of politics over economy is known to the academics, that is why they describe politics as the Master Science, because if you get it right every other thing will go well. We people talk about economy. As far back as 1970, there was a publication in the Times Magazine about countries that would suffer as a result of dependence on oil. Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Libya were among the countries. Meanwhile, we must all accept this fact; Nigeria is a country whose past is better than its present and its future is still in a serious doubt even by a serious nationalist. We must sincerely stop the idea of denial; countries that live in denial will always have fundamental problems. Thank God we had the National Conference; the confab is a landmark, and a place to begin the rebuilding of our nation, Nigeria. The country must be rebuilt from the foundation. We are tired of blaming the colonialists, tired of blaming leaders; fundamentally, we must discover what is wrong. To me, what is wrong with Nigeria is structural; a defective structure that we inherited and we persisted in it. Since 1960, after the independence, every Nigerian government has tampered with the constitution. The First Republic from 1960 – 1963, we had three constitutions; a constitution gave us independence and, after it was tampered with, another one gave us a Republic in 1963. Two years later, we started having problems, we started having crises, we started tampering with where the problem lay. Should there be more regions? In 1963 we had Midwest, we didn’t create Middle Belt immediately and that was the problem that led into many more problems for those who want to be realistic about the history of Nigeria. We should stop denying that we have problems, we have fundamental problem of structure; a defective structure cannot produce good leadership. The good leadership that you would have if you don’t have a good structure is to have a hero. Heroes rule by their grace and carry people along, if you have a strong man in power things will move, but this world
Odedina
Okurounmu
Salako
Obiozor
‘Implement National Confab report’ is full of ordinary people and more often in many countries like ours these ordinary people get into power. The truth about history is that individuals make history, if you can’t believe that, read history again. Let’s face it, let’s call a spade a spade. Let’s get rid of prejudices or ethnic or religious bigotry. Since Obasanjo left office, this country has known no peace. Whether you believe it or not, whether you love him or hate him, since he left office there has been no peace. We are not saying that everybody should be like him but we need restructuring in Nigeria. Thank God we have in our midst today the man who has always championed national conference, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee that recommended everything that was eventually done at the National conference and later became a member (Senator Femi Okurounmu). I was also a member of the 13 wise men committee and the Presidential Advisory Committee, and also the coordinator of the South East delegates at Confab. The country will begin by restructuring, by taking serious measures to implement as much as possible the outcome of the National Conference. The reason is that whether the country is old or new, a trinity governs the life of any country. The first part of the trinity is the military strategic importance of that country, because people must survive first; and that means national security. The second are the economic and social conditions in the country. There must be peace for other things to be develop and the third is the political diplomatic leverage the country has because no country is an island. Most of the countries in the world have friends that you can easily link with them. When you think of Britain, you think of the United States. If Britain coughs, US will catch cold; automatic
reaction. That is the kind of political diplomatic relationship we are talking about. It enhances their national security and economic development. For us in Nigeria, we are not an island so we shouldn’t ask for historical exceptionalism. We must go and look at ourselves and know what is in the best interest of our citizens as a structure and how the federation of Nigeria will go. In fact, our founding fathers got it right in the beginning; they chose a federal system that guaranteed and respected the legitimacy, autonomy and aspirations of different groups. Nigeria is nothing but an amalgam of some national groups. Whether we believe it or not, nationalism is so strong just like it was in the past. Nationalism in Nigeria is real. It is part of the disintegrative forces that are keeping Nigeria uneasy and unstable. Odedina… The Prof. already spoke about an alternative development tool for Nigeria and that when President Obasanjo was in power there were a couple of things he did very right. I remember in the build-up to the election, this presidential election, a lot of people were abusing Obasanjo, and what I said what was that even the tool that was used for the abuse was provided by Obasanjo. He brought GSM, he paid Nigeria’s debt. I tend to share the idea that we need a strong leader. I remember when President Obama came to Ghana and didn’t come to Nigeria due to reasons best known to him, he threw a shot at Nigeria when he said: ‘’Africa does not require strong leaders but Africa requires strong institutions.” I beg to disagree with him. Strong leaders have made things happen for their countries. I take the example of the UAE, a country where every Nigerian now when we are on holidays, desire to vis-
it. One man, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saw a vision that, ‘this island in the desert will one day become a place where the whole world will be attracted to’. Europe is no longer the centre of the world; Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the centres of the world because that is where everybody goes now. What have they done differently? They looked at the whole world and decided to create something out of nothing. Only a single man saw the vision. What has been the vision for Nigeria since inception? The kind of business that I do, if you don’t have a vision or mission statement, your business is doomed from the beginning. It is vision that will help you to think of what you can become in the nearest future. In everything I have seen from campaigning and the likes, the last time I saw a vision for Nigeria was during the Obafemi Awolowo years, when he came up with four cardinal programmes. Till today whatever the United Nations is talking about today, especially when talking about the human development index, is built around the four cardinal programmes because the human person is at the centre of the four cardinal programmes. Now, where are we today? Someone earlier talked about taking a two-point agenda: electricity and economy. But I think the problem goes beyond that. Even when will talk about the economy, Nige-
ria today has the largest youth population. There is a report of a new study that just came out that said one of the four countries in the world to look up to, and that will drive global growth include Nigeria(the only country in Africa), Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey. But that study was done before oil crises started. Britain just discovered oil, 100 billion barrels in reserve. So, the question is: who is going to be buying Nigeria’s oil? We better begin to look for sources where foreign exchange will begin to come from, beyond oil. Oil as it stands is no longer a commodity of value. Virtually all countries in Africa have now discovered oil. So, who is buying Nigeria’s oil? America, as we speak today, buys 0% of Nigeria’s oil. The restructuring of the Nigerian polity must cut across all indices: from politics, to economy, to social relationship, to how we see ourselves as Nigerians. After the Oba of Lagos spoke about the Lagoon and those who would swim in it, there has been a lot of hate messages on the social media. As we speak today, this country is not one. Way back when Tafawa Balewa spoke about Nigeria, he said: “God didn’t create Nigeria, the British did.” The definition has not been redefined till today, so it goes back to the question of structural deficiencies of the Nigerian nation. So, CONTINUED ON PAGE C3
“The superiority of politics over economy is known to the academics, that is why they describe politics as the Master Science, because if you get it right every other thing will go well. We people talk about economy. As far back as 1970, there was a publication in the Times Magazine about countries that would suffer as a result of dependence on oil. Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Libya were among the countries.”
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
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DAILY TIMES
LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE 3
1
2
4
5
PHOTOS
1. L-R: Salako, Obiozor, Okurounmu and Odedina. 2. Editor, Daily Times, Yinka Olujimi, Odedina, Salako, Deputy Editor, Sam Nzeh, Obiozor and Okurounmu. 3. Odedina, Salako. 4. Nzeh, Obiozor, Olujimi and Political Editor, Akinjide Akintola. 5. Group News Editor, Segun Adio, Editor, Life & Times, Nkarenyi Ukonu, Olujimi, Salako, Obiozor, Odedina, Moses Ebong, Akintola and
Nzeh. Photos: Bolaji Olasunkanmi
‘Don’t dump National Confab report’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE C2
we need to start the restructuring now. Senator Okurounmu… I think this election has reiterated the need for Confab recommendations to be implemented fully because, as Prof said, we are very fond of self-denial in this country. We pretend that everything is fine, we bury our noses in the sand refusing to see the problem. This election has revealed a number of problems about Nigeria which in spite of the euphoria that is being propagated by several sections of the media, I hope the President-elect will see that these are challenges ahead for him. If you look at the elections, apart from the South-West and then a tiny fraction of the North-Central zone, other zones voted purely on religious and ethnic lines. The South South and South East on one side, the North East and North West on the other side, the North Central was divided. It is only in the South West that we were talking about issues and performance. We still have ethnic and religious division and tension that we cannot say don’t exist in the country.
The second problem is that in a matter of weeks after this election, we are going to have a one-party state in Nigeria because the nature of the Nigerian politician is that he cannot stand opposition except in the South West where people can sustain being in opposition. In every other zone, it cannot be sustained because Nigerian politicians believe that resources should be shared. Nobody wants to be left out of the sharing so everybody wants to grab as much as possible. So, the moment your party is not in power you can decamp and join the ruling party. Before long, every politician will be in APC, which means every rogue will be APC. So, fighting corruption might not be easy for Buhari because all the corrupt people will be with him. If he wants to fight corruption, the first person to be sent to jail is Tinubu, followed by Amaechi, Saraki just to mention a few. And these were the people that promoted and sponsored him, singing they wanted change. If Buhari wants to truly bring change, then these people should be in jail because they are among the most corrupt people in Nigeria.
So, it not about high principles, it has been about old prejudices. In fact, we must commend Jonathan for conceding defeat because just by that act he has quenched the fire that would have consumed this nation after that election. If anyone looked at the election closely, you will notice that the election was prerigged in favour of certain ethino-religious group. The challenges before Buhari, he must see to it that he implements all the recommendations from the National Conference, that should not be difficult for him because his number one supporter and promoter, Bola Tinubu has always been an advocate, a financier, supporter and crusader for National Conference. It was this his immediate agenda that made him to make a U-turn when Jonathan convened the National Conference. Now, they have the conference report before them. Tinubu can now tell his man to implement the recommendations of the National Conference. If they don’t, the crusade and the agitations for restructuring will continue. Nigeria is not one we all know that. When we were talking about vision, we all knew that Awolowo
had great vision for this nation but he could not implement it because the Northerners didn’t want him. The Hausa, the Fulani people didn’t want him. That was why I said even if Jesus Christ had come with the best vision but had not come with the right ethnic or religious group, they would still not want him. Therefore, it is difficult to have a vision for Nigeria, unless the nation is divided into East, West and North. If we have been divided, I tell you, each of us would have gone way beyond where we are now. If the West was on its own, it would have been able to develop along its own vision. With the kind of vision that Awolowo had, we would have been competing with the likes of the Asian Tigers, they wouldn’t have left us behind. And I am sure that the East would not fold their hands and allow the Western region go pass them. They could even have done better so it is this idea of thinking we must be one, that is drawing us back. If we must be one, a lot of things have to be done to see that we are truly one and enough effort needs to be made to see that we are truly one. The Hausas and Fulanis were not ready to tolerate anybody
outside their zone in this last presidential election except their person, no matter the vision the person has. They believed that the presidency must come back to the North and that was quite unfortunate. Since Nigeria’s independence about 55 years ago, the North has been in power for close to 37 years, so they cannot say that they have been marginalized when it comes to presidential power whether civilian or military, they have been there. It is only the years of Obasanjo that gave the South the few years we’ve had. How can they not tolerate the minority having the presidency for eight years which the constitution stipulates, that the thing must now come back to the North? If we just brush over that thing then we are not seeing the problems of Nigeria because that is a serious challenge. What happens if the incoming government petitions CONFAB report? The confab is Yoruba belief; it is something the Yorubas have been agitating for. So, if they want to save the government, they had better implement it, else the Yorubas will turn their backs against their government too.
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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, April 13, 2015
DAILY TIMES LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE
Free education not free in Finland, it is funded by tax – Ambassador There is a new government in power in Nigeria, what areas of national life would you suggest for the government to focus on in terms of education, health. And where can Nigeria learn from the Finnish example? The challenges that governments in different parts of the world today face are often very much the same, and it is always useful to exchange points of view and experiences, even if solutions and implementation vary. Nigeria is full of ingenious potential and excellent individuals, and it is obvious that the solutions for Nigerian challenges are to be found here in Nigeria. I have been delighted to see that the leadership here very much seem to stress priorities such as education, health, women’s empowerment, good governance and security. These are vital issues for every society - and ones that are very much emphasized also in Finland. I must say that it has been particularly great to hear the strong emphasis on education. In my own country this is perhaps the single most important element contributing to our welfare, and the most important reason behind the progress that we have experienced. I notice that even free school meals are now being discussed in Nigeria - in Finland they have been part of the educational system for decades which we have always been very proud of. Health is obviously another very important issue for the population anywhere. Every country has their way of organizing health care. In Finland we have a system of universal health care, made up of a mix of public and private services. I am quite proud to be able to say that we have also developed world class expertise in this area - whether to do with maternal and newborn health, treatment of chronic diseases like heart and coronary diseases, or dental technology. The extremely tragic Ebola outbreak in West Africa has brought attention to the importance of health system strengthening. While ebola to a large extent stayed away from Nigeria - thanks to the fantastic efforts of the government - I
believe it did bring attention to this issue here, too. Does Finland operate a National Insurance Scheme as a means to guarantee free education and health? In Finland education is indeed free of charge from primary school to university level. Highquality education is available to all, regardless of where they live, or what their income level is. This allows for everybody to realize their full potential, and enables us to make the most of the talent that we have in our country. This very comprehensive system is funded through taxes. Over many years, we have also invested a great deal into a high quality health care system that is publicly funded. A statutory national health insurance scheme, based on compulsory fees is run by the national Social Insurance Institution. Some health costs are also covered by user fees. Europe generally focus on the environment. Where do you think Nigeria has failed and what can we do to get it right? I do believe that the Nigerian leadership has environmental issues amongst their top priorities. More and more these days governments all over the world take these questions very seriously. In Finland one is never far from nature. We are surrounded by lakes and forests, and many Finns love to spend their free time in the wilderness in their summer cottages. Forests have also formed a big part of our livelihood and contributed a great deal to our national economy for decades. Though forests are in constant industrial use, our forest reserves are in fact growing. This is because growth exceeds felling every year. We have taken great care to make sure that forest industry in Finland operates in a sustainable way. We simply could not afford to have this part of our environment, natural resource and heritage depleted. Apart from forests, water is another central element of our national landscape. Ten percent of Finland’s total area is water, and we have almost 200.000 lakes. My country also lies by
the Baltic Sea. A strong vision, long-term planning and good governance have been instrumental in ensuring sustainable policies and practices in managing this national treasure and resource. Promoting environmental values has also meant that ‘cleantech’ has become one of the priority areas for the private sector in Finland. We have been able to develop a lot of environmental expertise over the years that can provide solutions in many parts of the world. Renewable energy and biofuels are amongst areas with great potential. What can Nigeria do to get it right in the area of power generation? It seems to me that the leadership in Nigeria are very much fully aware of the importance of getting it right. It is a huge challenge of course, but one that is at the same time very much possible to overcome. From the point of view of business operations, power is a crucial issue, as part of the basic infrastructure that any business needs to be able to operate and to be successful. For companies thinking of investing or operating in Nigeria, obviously this is a major point. At the same time, Nigeria offers important opportunities for companies that have cutting edge expertise in this area - look at Wärtsilä, for instance, a Finnish company that is one of the global leaders in the power sector, and that also operates here in Nigeria.
Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury
“In Finland education is indeed free of charge from primary school to university level. High-quality education is available to all, regardless of where they live, or what their income level is. This allows for everybody to realize their full potential, and enables us to make the most of the talent that we have in our country. This very comprehensive system is funded through taxes.”
Life&
TIMES Monday, April 13, 2015
How to pull off the fringe look L3
Your fart, your health L7
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Fathia Balogun An Urhobo in a Yoruba world L2 P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Monday April 13, 2015
I would have loved to be a singer - Fathia Balogun Mutiat Alli
Iya
Award winning actress cum movie producer, Fathia Balogun is one of the most sought-after actresses in the Yoruba movie industry, what with her poise gives life to every role she plays in a movie. Little wonder the light-skinned actress and proud mother of two, keeps excelling, in spite of all odds, in her chosen career. Fathia who recently ie titled Iya Alalake, discloses, in this chat, why she is passionate about the Yoruba heritage, her new project and several other issues. 2015 started on a good note for you with the winning of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award for the best indigenous
of your contenders? I did not even think about winning the award because I was there just like a normal guest attending the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, a replica of the Oscars. I actually went there to catch some fun alongside my colleagues in the Yoruba sector. When the nominee list was called out, I thought to myself, that well even if I did not win at the end of the day, at least it can be counted that I got nominated for
category? Honestly, I was totally blank, I couldn’t remember anything at that moment because I could remember telling my friends that my name was wrongly pronounced and shortly after, I heard the announcement of the winner and my name was called out. I was excited that I won on the AMVCA platform and what is required of me now is to put in more efforts into my work so that more of such awards can keep coming.
Life&
T E A M
What is the inspiration behind
Well I think what makes an actor tick is your ability to blend into any role you are playing. Over the years, I have been known to act in very serious movies but this time, I decided to shoot a movie that will make my fans see another side of Fathia. That was how the comedy movie idea came in. I sat down with some group of people and we made the Iya Alalake script.
what has been the views of
I have been receiving good comments since we started showing some of my fans were of the view that I did well in the comedy role, much better than the roles I play in serious movies and have voiced out their expectation to see me act proud and honoured that movie lovers love me so much and what that ordinarily means for me is that I need to intensify my efforts in my job so as not to disappoint my teaming fans.
I just wrapped up the shoot of a traditional movie with the working title Sijuade. It features stars like Saheed Osupa, Adebayo Salami, Fali Werepe, Yinka Quadri, Muyiwa Ademola and Femi Adebayo amongst others. The movie is currently in its post-production stage and is expected to be released before the end of 2015.
Because I love everything about the culture and traditions of the Yoruba people. It is rich in history and I thought it wise that it will be good if I help with the promotion of the culture and ever since I have been doing that, it has endeared me to
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
tional movie was Asa and everybody loved it then I shot Torera and it was well accepted too. So when do we get to see you produce an Urhobo I have been putting pen on paper as my people there are really clamoring for me to shoot local dialect. As we speak, I am working on the script. I just want to assure them that I am coming back home with the project and they will love it at the end of the day. I cannot forget my lineage.
script? A good script must be balanced on all sides depending on what you are looking to get and what your audience wants. Scripts should also cut across all genres, religion and ethnic group such that each sector can have the opportunity to pick one thing or the other at the end of the day. In other words, a good script is determined by its content and person behind it.
I don’t take my kids for granted, I create time for them despite my busy schedules. When I am not working I am always with my kids.
actress? I will say I prefer to be an actress than a movie producer because producers go through various challenges especially when you are on location and you would have to attend to so many people at the same time on set. At times you feel frustrated but it is important that you attend to everybody on your set as a producer. On the other hand, as an actress, when you are on location, you get pampered and when you tell them you are tired, they begin to beg you to come back on set especially if you have so many lines to take. In all, Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
though you make more money as a movie producer, it is stressful.
Well I thank God but not it isn’t every time but most importantly, I have not lacked in anyway. I am comfortable, I am able to put food on my table, take care of my kids and my family members.
of which you are a strong
active? Sincerely speaking, I am not social media savvy but things will change pretty soon as my fans will soon get an opportunity to interact with me so well on that platform. My team is currently working on it as we speak because I don’t have a choice now than to be as active as others. My twitter account is @ fathia_balogun and I am on Instagram as well.
to produce one too? Very soon from the stables of Fathia Balogun production, you will lish movie that will be shown across the cinemas, all things been equal.
Well I stay in Lagos which is an APC state and obviously we at decided to pitched out tent with them. Apart from supporting the party, I love the people o make up the APC. That is the more reason why you see me and my other colleagues in the foundation support them.
have been in? Well I don’t have an answer to that because I have a law diploma from Kwara State Polytechnic but I
The foundation was solely created to give back to the society where we have stayed and have become accepted by the people. We celebrated our one year anniversary in February and we visited several homes and hospitals where we gave out relief materials and we hope to spread our tentacles to other places soon.
You are in your 40s and but you
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
a lawyer. So if I am not acting, obviously I would be singing because I don’t like the 9 to 5 job, where you clock in and clock out.
First it is God Almighty. It is hereditary as well. Members of my maternal family have a youthful look. Besides I try to stay healthy always and watch the kind of meal I take. I am not the gym type, I just sleep and eat well, that’s all.
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
L3 Fashion & Style
‘Fringe’ Nkarenyi Ukonu
benefits
A fringe dress screams edgy and fun giving you a brand new reason to keep twirling the night away. Here’s how to wear it and look like a cool girl and not a cow girl. Fringe tip #1: Less is more The key to wearing fringe is to wear one fringe piece at a time because a single fringe piece is enough fashion statement. Fringe tip #2: Go modern Fringe has the tendency to widen one’s
Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi
of a full piece and keep it modern with something tailored and sleek. Fringe fashion tip #3: Wear alongside other non fringed pieces.
As shorts
you can combine with other pieces that
their gaze on your jacket if you wear with a pair of plain trousers and a T-shirt to creyou won’t be competing with the fringe jacket
Zainab Ashaolu Oona Chaplin
Fringe tip for accessories Not sure if you can comfortably cessories are the way to go. It is one of the quickest ways to integrate the trend without becoming a total cowgirl. Once you start to
Fringe necklace Fringe earrings
ern’ chic with ease.
Ibinabo Fiberesinma
Elle Fringe Gucci bag
Lamb Wool Yellow Fringe Scarf Yellow
Fringe gladiator sandals
Fringe clutch
Temi Dollface
Living & Decor L4
Daily Times Nigeria Monday April 13, 2015
Contemporary
Bathroom ideas Nkarenyi Ukonu
Most people do not attach any importance to the bathroom. They don’t consider
though the bathroom is the smallest room in the house,
about one’s personality. The bathroom like the bedroom relaxing, it should be a place your bath regularly. A bathroom can be done
Traditional
al’s taste and budget. There rooms;
The right colours
cets
The cottage ant hug. Cottage bathrooms also tend to be humble and unpretentious.
The contemporary/ modern They hinge their designs -
The traditional classical elegance.
ics.
The vintage -
To make a small bathroom look bigger Some
bathrooms
are
space is, these basic things need to be included in the bathroom: a bathtub, storage, nice lighting and miring tips to help make a small sized bathroom look bigger.
your bathroom are:
Cottage
Vintage same tone/colour Paint the ceiling the same Blend the tile colour and
tegically. A great place to place the mirror is across
Tiling should be done all
bathroom. Recess your cabinets into
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
L5
Nutrition
Unearth the power of
potatoes Judith Frank-Edet
judithjudith463@yahoo.com When you think of potatoes, you probably think of French fries and potato chips, which mostly leads to obesity and increases the risk of diabetes. It is time to correct that myth. It might surprise you to know that potatoes are one of the most important food sources on the planet. They contain a make an essential staple dietary item. In fact rather than being bland and starchy, ber. Potato belongs to the nightshade family whose other members are tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tomatos. They are the swollen portion of the underground stem which is called a tuber and is designed to provide food for the green leafy portion of the plant. Potatoes are full of disease-preventing nutrients and have immune-boosting values. These health benimprove digestion, reduce cholesterol levels, boosts a healthy heart, protect from polyps, prevents cancer, manages diabetes, strengthens the immune system, reduces signs of aging, protects the skin, increases circulation, reduces blood ance, reduces insomnia, and boosts eye health. Even with all of these numerous benAccording to a 2009 survey, after sugar, carbohydrates such as potatoes, are those keeping an eye on their weight loss should eat. A cooked potato has only 26 calories and is packed with nutrients. There are about 80 different species of potatoes commercially grown across the world. In Nigeria however, there are just two species that are mainly eaten; the Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. They are mainly grown in the northern part
purple potatoes in certain food stores but they are not so common in Nigeria. Just like it is in the animal kingdom, all potatoes are equal but some species are more equal than others. While Irish and sweet potatoes are good, on the calory scale, sweet potatoes has 90 calories per 100g while Irish potatoes has 93 calories per 100g. On the sugar level, Irish potatoes are better than sweet potatoes, with 5g less sugar per 100g and on the protein level as well. However, sweet potatoes are better off than Irish poThey are higher in carbohydrates which is necessary for energy level, higher in digestive health, much more higher in vitamin A which contributes to normal growth and development and keeps the eye, skin and immune systems healthy. For health conscious adults, sweet potatoes are However if you have low sodium, low sugar level, Irish potatoes or a combination of both will do you good. Researchers at the Institute for Food Research in Norwich America have found blood-pressure lowering molecules in potatoes called kukoamines. While the precise quantity of potatoes you’d need to eat for a therapeutic effect still has to be measured, it is thought that a few good servings of potatoes a day would have some blood-pressure lowering activity. Potatoes are also a rich source of Vitamin B, folate and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron. A single cooked potato will provide nearly 12 per cent of the daily recommended
agents’ support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements, while giving a protective effect from colon cancer.
How to reduce loss of potato nutrients Avoid peeling the potatoes before cooking them. The outer shell provides a good protection against nutritional loss during the cooking process. The protein and mineral content beneath the skin is very high, so if you cook the potatoes after peeling them, most of these proteins and minerals will be lost. When you boil potatoes, boiling point and then add the potatoes. This will reduce the cooking time and help you maintain the Vitamin C content. The method of cooking or preparation is as important as the food you eat, as this can greatly impact the quality of your meals. Potatoes are no exception. Minimize frying of potatoes, as 75% of Vitamin C is lost during frying. You can use other cooking methods such as baking and steaming. You could also roast them. Steaming or baking them will improve the bioavailability of beta-carotene, making the antioxidant more accessible to your body. Selection and storage be bought in the open market and other food stores. Avoid those that feature soft in hand, have slumpy appearance, with cuts, patches and bruises. may come across greenish discoloration with sprouts over their surface. Do not buy them since the discoloration is an indication of outdated stock and a sign of formation of toxic alkaloid, solanine. should be stored in cool, dry and dark place. Exposure to sunlight and excess moisture will cause potatoes to sprout and produce toxic solanine alkaloid.
Preparation And Serving Methods Being a root vegetable, potatoes are often being subjected to infestation, and therefore, should be washed thoroughly before cooking. Fresh, cleaned tubers can be enjoyed with the skin to and vitamins. Potato dishes are prepared in many ways: Skin-on or peeled, whole or chopped, with or without seasonings. Mashed- Here potatoes are boiled and peeled, and then mashed. Whole baked, boiled or steamed. Fried in oil or chips. Cut into cubes and roasted; scalloped, diced, or sliced and fried.
Grated and prepare dumplings and pancakes. Recipe: Irish potatoe pottage Ingredients 4 Irish potatoes 1/2 of a fresh tomato 1 small red bell pepper 5 large fresh prawns Seasoning cubes Onions Beef Spinach Vegetable\ Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Cooking Instruction 1. Cut beef and prawns into little cubes and boil with seasonings of your choice. 2. Wash and blend fresh tomato, red bell pepper and onions. 3. Set pot on medium heat, add canola oil to the pot and
let it heat up. 4. Add a pinch of salt to the hot oil and add cut onions. 5. Add your blended tomato paste to the hot oil. 6. Add salt, pepper, seasoning cubes, a little water paste and allow to cook. 7. Unfortunately for pottage you have to peel the skin and cut into bite sizes. 8. Let the tomato paste cook for close to 15mins. Add more water if needed. We don’t want the paste “slappy” 9. Add your boiled meat to the stew. 10. Add your cut up potatoes. 11. Allow potatoes to completely cook then add your spinach, stir and turn off heat. Bon Appetite!
Buzz Bytes L6
Daily Times Nigeria Monday April 13, 2015
Opeoluwani Akintayo
Kaffy releases dance DVD
Timaya responds to marriage rumour As much as we love Timaya, we just think it’s time for him to grow up. Just when rumours returned strongly about the ‘Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa’ walking down the aisle with his baby mama soon, he dashed hopes of his fans ever seeing get married soon. Mid last week when pictures of the mother of his child, Barbara, having a baby shower during the Easter holidays hit the internet, it didn’t just attract much attention for nothing, she was heavily pregnant and almost about to pop. Naturally, congratulatory messages started to roll Timaya’s way, followed by rumour of a soon-to-be wedding. But Timaya who once said he wasn’t ready for
Okonkwo Uchechukwu Ethel
of two, Kaffy Shafau Ameh popularly called Kaffy, has
marriage, again, made his stand on the issue of marriage clear when he took to his Instagram page to debunk any marriage rumour. According to him, marriage isn’t on his mind, as he’s still taking time to ‘work’ on himself. “Still working on myself. I can’t commit to anyone yet…,” he wrote. His response got many wondering, after which a fan of his commented saying, “nah wah o! Poor Barbara. It must hurt to have babies for a man who isn’t even ready to put a ring on it yet.”
of works, a dance DVD titled, Ijoda9ja. She also dropped a couple of sexy new pictures which are shots from the projects she embarked on in recent months. The burn-out DVD is a dance cardio workout, which can help to keep one mentally and physically and Nigeria tunes and incorporates basic and challenging dance movement and choreography. The Guinness world record holder in dance said she initiated the
May 21, 2012. Timaya
Charter House apologises to Sarkodie
Sarkodie Events management company, Charter House Ghana, has profusely apologized to award winning rapper, Sarkodie for erroneously announcing in a radio commercial that he would be performing at the 16th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA). A statement signed by George Quaye of Charter House explained that two promotional advertisements were recorded; one with Sarkodie’s name and another without but their Media
Manager sent the wrong advertisement which had Sarkodie’s name. Clearly an error which they have totally admitted. A day after the VGMA industry awards, Sarkodie took to twitter to express his outrage at the event organizers in a series of tweets. He accused Charterhouse of taking him for granted by using him to attract audience to the show. He narrated that he had been approached by Charter House to perform at the awards show but it was later agreed that he will no longer perform because they could not afford to pay him. Despite prompting Charter House over the wrong advertisement which was running, no steps were taken to rectify the problem and the event organizers vehemently denied that the said advertisement was being aired. However, Charter House says it takes full responsibility for the mishap and promised that measures have been taken to avoid a repetition of the problem.
Kaffy projects in other to take the dance industry in Nigeria to a new height. She also said that the video was produced, so that people can discover their talents. “I have come to believe that each of us has a personal calling. The best way to succeed is to discover your talent and use it to render services to people,” she said.
New video alert! P-Square is shooting a new video, Enemy Solo featuring popular Togolese singer, Awilo Logomba. See behind the scene shots!
P-square
ON Set Mutiat Alli
Principal photography begins on Shijuwomi
Niji Akanni directs Judith Audu and Ayo Lijadu
ers. Shijuwomi is a movie riddled with love on set of yet another blockbuster shot titled Shijuwomi a cinematic adaptation of Rasheed metaphor for Nigeria as a nation and many Gbadamosi’s post colonial book, Behold my African countries whose dreams of Utopia Redeemer. The movie which is produced by after freedom from colonial powers have all but evaporated, leaving behind hopelessstars with the likes of Veteran actors, Ayo ness and frustration. Akanni has written Lijadu, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Adebayo, Olu Okekanye, Tina Mba, Jude Chukwuka and ous Twins and Playing Games, Saving Alero fast rising actress, Judith Audu amongst oth- and Narrow Path amongst others. Veteran Actor , Ayo Lijadu on set
Ayo Lijadu and Judith Audu on set
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
ON Set
Exciting Shots from Saro the Musical show
Movie title: The Guest Movie title: Produced by: Foluke Olaniyi Directed by: Christian Olayinka Cast: Rita Dominic, Femi Jacobs, Chika Chukwu, Somkele Idahlamah. Synopsis: The Guest is a story of a passionless but dedicated and faithfully married couple who takes in an old friend and that was the beginning of their problem.
Saro the Musical show must have come and gone but the memories of the night will continue to linger in the hearts of the viewers. Daily Times Life &Times brings to you some exciting shots from the show that went down at the Easter edition at Muson Centre, Lagos. Saro the musical featured talented hands like Gideon Okeke, Paolo Sisiano, Dolapo Oni, and Bimbo Manuel amongst others.
Director, Christian Olayinka take a look at the picture frames
Rita dominic on set
L7 Buzz Bytes
Femi jacobs and Somkele Idahlamah
Casts during perfermance
Casts of Saro The Musical
Wellness
What your fart says about your health Judith Frank-Edet
judithjudith463@yahoo.com It could stink, it could be loud and downright embarrassing. No matter how much you try to hide it, you fart, everybody does. Passing gas is normal, and every human being does it at least 14 to 20 times a day, consciously or unconsciously. Flatulence as it is medically termed is the release of gas from the digestive system through the anus. It is also commonly known as passing wind, or having gas. Normally humans eliminate gas through the mouth (belching) or we eat, drink or swallow saliva, we also swallow tiny amounts of air. This swallowed air accumulates in the gut. The gas within our digestive system consists mainly of nitrogen and mainly in the form of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide is released. As the gas builds up, the body will have to get rid of it. But more than being a routine activity, this “embarrassing habit” says
a whole lot about your life style and health especially with regards to your eating habits, and they may even serve as an indication of a larger digestive health issue. According to a research by Dr. Gina Sam a gastroenterologist in New York City, carbohydrates such the most gas in the colon, as they do not get absorbed as completely in the small intestine. This is why those who eat lots of vegetables tend to be counterparts. So if a person is eating a lot of beans, vegetables or whole wheat, they tend to fart more. Mostly comprised of carbon dioxtic blend of non-smelling gasses, including oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and sometimes methane. The foul smelling odor actually comes from a combination of sulfur compounds, which comprises of less than 1 percent of the gas’s composition. Many red meats and protein contain high amounts of sulfur – so while those who eat vegetables may pass gas ers may smell much worse.
The cause of that embarrassing sound that emanates when you fart is as a result of the gas passing through the rectum, causing vibrations in the anal opening. The auditory pitch depends on the tightness of the sphincter as well as the velocity of the gas being expelled. Though sometimes you can deliberately control your fart during the day by tightening your rectum, they come out boundless at night. Flatulence as a symptom ological activity, too much of it may be telling you of a pending health problem such as missing components in the intestines. According to Dr. Sam, your fart could be saying that your body may lack certain enzymes in their small intestines. A
common problem is lactose intolerance, where individuals lack the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and most dairy products. This causes diarrhea and bloating, because the sugar stays in the small bowel and causes more gas production. reveal a lack of compounds in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it can also indicate an overabundance of GI components. could be a symptom of an infection. According to gastroenterologist Dr. Anish Sheth, one of the things that make stool smell worse than it normally does is if you have a bleeding ulcer, you will not only have foul smelling stool but also foul smelling
gas. Certain infections like giardia is notorious for causing really foul by changes in stool and digestion. tuations in your digestive health, it may be time to see a doctor. To prevent excessive gas, it may help to avoid common offenders like beans, peas, cabbage, onions, whole-wheat bread, beer and other carbonated drinks. Substitute lowlactose or lactose-free varieties in your diary. Eat fewer fatty foods and try eating slowly. Going for a short walk after eating will also do you a lot of good. But otherwise, passing gas is simply part of everyday life.
Daily Times Nigeria
Monday April 13, 2015
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OBASI
SET TO QUIT SCHALKE 04 31
Poster! DAVID LUIZ X2,3 Monday, March 30, 2015
S E U L B O T R E S O L C ARE Y R O L G E L T TI
–MOURINHO EMENIKE
Akide:
RE-AFFIRMS My journey LOVE FOR into football FENERBAHCE coaching 31
29
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Sao Paulo Vitoria
Vitoria Benfica (loan) Benfica Chelsea Paris Saint-Germain
Brazil U-20 Brazil
Youth career 1999–2001: 2001–2005:
Senior career 2006–2007: 2007: 2007–2011: 2011–2014: 2014–Present:
National team 2007: 2010–Present:
David Luiz Moreira Marinho (born April 22, 1987), known as David Luiz, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain and serves as vice-captain for the Brazil national team. Primarily a central defender, he can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder. After starting out at Vitoria, he moved to Benfica at the age of 19, remaining with the club five seasons (three complete). He joined Chelsea in January 2011, winning the Champions League and the FA Cup in the following season. In June 2014 he transferred from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £50 million, a world record transfer for a defender. Luiz made his full international debut in 2010 and has since earned over 40 caps. He was a member of the Brazilian teams which won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and reached the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Luiz is a devout Christian and has named Kaka as his role model. He said: “My faith gives me the belief that I can go out and perform and improve as a player. It gives me strength and inspiration.” He later added: “Everything in life belongs to God. Our purpose has already been mapped out.”
About David Luiz
David Luiz David Luiz Moreira Marinho April 22, 1987 (age 27) Diadema, Brazil 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Defender/Defensive midfielder Paris Saint-Germain 32
Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
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DAVID
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EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME as an “important step” to hing a late win at battling QPR on Sunday helsea manager Jose Mourinho labelled snatc securing the Premier League title. target, but Cesc Fabregas’ match without registering a single shot on Mourinho’s men looked destined to end the it. summ the at al Arsen hed their seven-point lead over drilled effort two minutes from time re-establis win the league, but the to need we point less one be sed. “One point would “Our situation was positive,” Mourinho enthu h we need to win. reality is three points and it is one less matc we controlled the game very well. was ty quali best The step. rtant “It is an impo to keep calm against a side who and are very direct. We kept calm and tried rs playe erous dang have , score can ) (QPR “They were very well organised defensively. end of the game. We lost points at moments where you lose and win points at “During the season you always have these and won points in the last few minutes at QPR. the end at Old Trafford (1-1 draw in October) going to be difficult to keep a clean keep a clean sheet because it was always to rtant impo very was it ght thou ys alwa “I sheet here.” last weekend, added: “It was mask during the game after breaking his nose Goal scorer Fabregas, who wore a protective to want play football. But even in the it was windy and not the circumstances we very difficult to play. The pitch was very dry, difficult moments we played well.”
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S E U L B O T R E S O L C E R A TITLE GLORY
o h n i r u –Mo
Swansea City 1 - 1 Everton Southampton 2 - 0 Hull City Sunderland 1 - 4 Crystal Palace Tottenham 0 - 1 Aston Villa West Brom 2 - 3 Leicester City West Ham 1 - 1 Stoke City Burnley 0 - 1 Arsenal QPR 0 - 1 Chelsea
Leverkusen sack Spahic after headbutt
Mignolet tips Origi to shine at Anfield
D
ivock Origi will be ready to challenge for a first-team place at Liverpool when he joins his parent club ahead of next season, according to goalkeeper and countryman Simon Mignolet. Liverpool signed the young forward from Lille in July and immediately loaned him back for 201415 to the Ligue 1 club, for whom he has scored 15 goals in 82 appearances. Mignolet has trained with the 19-year-old during international duty with Belgium and is backing Origi to settle quickly at Anfield. “I have spoken with him a fair few times about next season, pre-season and how he is going to settle in - not only at the club, but also in the city,” Mignolet said. “He’s looking forward to next season and I think he’ll be ready for the team when he comes in.
PREMIERSHIP RESULTS
Divock Origi “He’s only a young player but I’m sure, from what I’ve seen in training with him, that he’s a very good player and will do really well for us. “He’s very quick, he’s got skill, he can hold the ball up and score a goal as well - what else do you want from a striker? “He’s got a good attitude to work hard in training, which is always important; he’s willing to learn and accepts advice. I can only speak in good terms about him.” Origi has netted seven times in 26 league appearances for Lille this season.
Bayer Leverkusen have terminated the contract of Emir Spahic after the defender head-butted a steward. The incident occurred after Leverkusen’s DFB-Pokal defeat at home to Bayern Munich last Wednesday. The Bosnia-Herzegovina international was recorded confronting the steward, with police set to investigate. But Leverkusen have opted to act decisively by sacking the 34-year-old. “Emir Spahic is an outstanding footballer, but the most recent evidence left us with no choice,” said managing director Michael Schade. “After video documents surfaced that shocked and concerned us all we could not wait for the outcome of the legal investigation or possible criminal case. “We have found an amicable solution, Emir has repented his actions and regrets them very much.” Spahic had made 36 appearances for Leverkusen this season.
“I regret my behaviour after the cup match on Wednesday,” he said. “For this behaviour I want to apologise to the victims and their families. “I know that I have caused g r e a t problems for my club. It was a great honour to be part of this team, I wish them all the best for a great future.”