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NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 13th April 2015. GAINERS
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US DOLLAR
196
196.5
197
GUINNESS
147
7.00
4.76%
NESTLE
991.85
-52.20
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286.4736
287.2044
287.9352
NB
169.99
6.23
3.66%
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33.02
-0.98
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11.14
-0.60
-5.39%
9.02
-0.47
-5.21%
EURO
206.78
207.3075
207.835
MOBIL
162.93
4.93
3.03%
CCNN
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199.2883
199.7966
200.305
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NIGERIA
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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.86
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I wrote Imo result – INEC official at gunpoint 4
Ï Ƅƈ ƑƄƆƏ ƍ ƋƋ ƗƆƅƋ ƏƆƗ ƈ ƅ ƅƋƑ ƈƒƆ
6
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Oando Nigeria Plc., Mr.Wale Tinubu; All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governor-elect for Lagos State, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote; and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the celebration of Ambode’s victory in Tinubu’s house at Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi…on Sunday Photo: Rotimi Olawale
Ambode: My govt’ll record great successes
4
Ibori’s UK assets forfeiture suit adjourned to June 2016
Supreme Court rules on Fayose’s eligibility today
PDP, APC 6 govs abused powers during polls 5 – EU
5 Chibok girls sighted in Gwoza
6
2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
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Editorial Compelling rich tax defaulters to pay
D
ays ago, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States, Ambassador Michel Arrion raised a pertinent issue regarding Nigeria’s economy, which he said is skewed in favour of the rich at the expense of the poor. According to him, Nigeria is in a serious situation regarding its public finance and budget since it has no control over the international price of oil, which is the main revenue earner for the country. He therefore advocated a better tax and fiscal system that will make rich defaulters pay commensurate taxes. Arrion lamented as unfair a situation where the poor are made to bear disproportionate tax burden in relation to some rich Nigerians who evade tax. While we commend the diplomat for such candid observation and advice, many people had for long known that some rich Nigerians hardly pay tax. Even when they do, the amount is so measly that it does not reflect the true state of their incomes. Reason is that, the large chunk of the country’s economy is still sustained through political patronage rather than commercial or industrial productivity that can be easily measured. Here is a country where some of the rich lack visible sources of
income. Rather, they are known to live at the expense of government handouts due to closeness to the corridors of power. Such hidden sources of income make it difficult for the authorities to tax them accordingly, while much of the wealth is stashed away in foreign banks. For long, the country has depended on the sale of crude oil to spend its way out of any shortfall emanating from low tax receipts. Even when tax payment is mandatory, much of the burden had always fallen on the few rich, including the poor and diminishing middle class. Now that the economy is facing hard times following decreasing income from oil sales, it is important for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration to cut expenditure by plugging all leakages while improving on its revenue sources. This it can do by taxing some of the luxury and expensive items they consume. Some of the richest in the society are virtually on tax holiday paying pittance when convenient. It is a pity that tax administration is still on those in formal employment under the PAYE Scheme, leaving out some of the rich. We insist that everyone be brought into the tax net and to make everyone pay commensurately as their fair burden of financing the state, as is done in other more organised societies.
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Any end in sight to political prostitution? Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏIf
there is anything that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded general election has brought to the fore, it is the level of political prostitution among Nigerian politicians. It is not that political prostitution is new in the country. The worry is the speed with which politicians who were once the movers and shakers in the polity on the platform of the PDP are now jumping into the APC. Something, many say, is definitely is wrong with the way politicians in the country behave. So, will political prostitution in Nigeria ever
end? Take a look at the roll call: Few days after losing his bid to return to Senate, former Deputy Majority leader in the Senate, Senator Jonathan Zwingina, who was the PDP candidate in the Adamawa Central Senatorial district in the March 28, 2015 poll, decamped to the APC along with former Minister of External Affairs, Idi Hong, and two serving Senators, Bello Tukur and Ahmed Barata among others. Again, few days to the April 11, 2015 governorship and State Houses of Assembly election, former Governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and former governorship aspirant of the PDP in Kwara State, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, also jumped into the
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APC. On and on the list goes. In fact, in the coming days, it is expected that more and more members of the PDP as well as other parties will be jumping into the rave of the moment, the APC. No doubt, all the decampees have adduced one reason or the other for their actions, but the real reason behind such carpet-crossings is the desire by the politicians to benefit from the spoils of office by the APC. Apart from the fact that these movements by politicians do not augur well for a plural democracy like Nigeria, it clearly shows that the motives of the politicians involved are just material gain. Such persons, many say, are opportunists and accidents in the nation’s march to greatness.
STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER
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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.
Frederick Douglass
Benjamin Franklin
Karl Marx
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.
Anyone who knows anything of history knows that great social changes are impossible without feminine upheaval. Social progress can be measured exactly by the social position of the fair sex, the ugly ones included.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
‘I wrote Imo results at gunpoint’ Ï ^#^ ƅƅƑ Ɔ #Ɔƍé1 ƒ Ƈ Ƅ ƋƋ Ɛ Ƅ Ɣ Ɛƅ ƈ Ï ƑƐ ƍƏ ƐƆ Ɛ ƆƋƆƅƐ Ə Ƌ ƇƏ ƑƗ Val Okara Owerri
ÏÏÏAn Electoral Officer for Oru
East Local Government Area of Imo State, Mrs. Emmanuela Okpala shocked the audience at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Owerri, Imo State, on Sunday, when she alleged that she and her colleagues wrote results at gun point, to favour a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). On the same day, at a different forum, the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
accused the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, of carting away electoral materials in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, while the PDP youth wing protested the alleged electoral fraud on Monday. Mrs. Okpala, who made the revelation while presenting the results from the area, accompanied by the local government Collation Officer, alleged that some APC leaders from the area, abducted her and the other official to a private home, forced them to write the results in favour of their party. According to her, they were asked to allocate 11,189 votes and
1,878 to the APC and PDP candidates respectively. Her shocking revelation became public knowledge when the State Returning Officer, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, asked her to produce the ward collation officers to authenticate the results. According to her, the environment was very hostile to them and the ward collation officers had to disappear. The PDP governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and his APC counterpart and incumbent Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, were running neck to
Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio (left) and Peoples Democratic Party’s Governor-elect for Akwa-Ibom State, Dr. Udom Emmanuel celebrating after INEC declared Udom as winner… on Monday
Ibori’s UK assets forfeiture trial adjourned to June 2016 Ngozi Okafor London
ÏÏÏHopes that the jailed former
Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori , will soon regain his freedom and return to Nigeria this year may have been dashed. Hearing in the confiscation of his £89m assets in a United Kingdom court, scheduled to last for six weeks, has been adjourned till June 6, 2016. Ibori’s defence team, led by Ivan Krolick , had only asked for a week or 10-day adjournment to prepare well, saying he had been instructed by his client not to ask for any adjournment.
However, the court had little option due to Ibori’s case being intertwined with that of his former solicitor and co-defendant, Brandresh Gohil . The application for an adjournment was moved by Gohil’s solicitor, Mr Kamlish, who argued that it would be unfair to proceed with the hearing on Ibori’s case because his client has another trial --- linked to his involvement with Ibori --- and would be disadvantaged if he were to represent himself. Another reason for the adjournment was the application and argument by Feder, counsel to one of Ibori’s accomplices, Udoamaka Onuigbo, that his client
had wanted to be in court to contest the realisable benefits said to have accrued to her and which the Court of Appeal had not only given her the right to challenge, but also found to be inflated. Onuigbo , who has completed her jail term and is at present in Nigeria, is also contesting that she had no realisable benefits during Ibori’s eightyear reign and that the £2million she was made to pay before being deported to Nigeria in April 2012, is to be challenged based on a ruling by the Court of Appeal. Feder then told the court that Onuigbo had applied to the Continued on page 6
neck on the votes’ table before the State Returning Officer ordered for the recount of the results from Ezinihitte Mbaise on the advice of the State Resident Commissioner, Mr. Gabriel Ada. The Commission reportedly reduced the votes from Ezinihitte Mbaise from 48,844 votes for PDP to 29,677 alleging that some regularities were dictated on the result sheets. Declaring the governorship election inconclusive, the Returning Officer said that elections would be held in some areas where results were cancelled due to violence or irregularities. Ibidapo-Obe, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Ebonyi State, disclosed that APC scored 385,671, PDP 306,142 and APGA 28,238 votes, but, listed Ahiazu Mbaise, Ideato North and Ezinhitte Mbaise as areas that rerun would not hold. The state chairman of PDP, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, had at a press briefing on Sunday, after INEC had declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive, alleged that the Deputy Governor and APC thugs were involved in ballot box snatching in the stronghold of the PDP governorship candidate, Ihedioha. He also alleged that “The APC candidate and Governor of Imo State, Chief Ethelbert Anya Okorocha, embarked on a scheme of cajoling, intimidating and threatening assigned officials of INEC in their duties to help sal-
vage his predicament.” Later on Monday, a large crowd of PDP youths, blocked Okigwe Road, Owerri protesting that the elections were marred with alleged ballot box snatching, intimidation of INEC officials and violence allegedly unleashed by APC supporters. The placards displayed by the protesters read, “INEC, release the real results from the wards. Imo needs Ihedioha as our governor, Rochas must go, you have overstayed”. Bring back our 53,000 votes from Ezinihitte Mbaise”. Addressing the youths, Anyaehie urged them to remain calm as the leadership of party was addressing the issues raised by them. According to him, the party was shortchanged by APC and its agents as he called on the electoral body to investigate the allegations raised by the party. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, stated that APC caused extreme provocation by rigging the election in different polling units and wards across the state. She alleged further that the state government doctored some election results and urged INEC to look into the results of the Orlu LGA. The Minister described the inconclusive gubernatorial polls as unacceptable, and urged the Imo State Government to accept defeat because it lacked morals and integrity.
Ambode: My govt’ll achieve supersonic success ÏÏÏLagos
State Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has pledged that his administration will run a transparent government. According to the former Accountant General of the state, the blueprint of his economic agenda will be anchored on economic development, infrastructural development, social development and security as well as environment. In a chat with Daily Times, Ambode noted that his administration would run a government that is accountable to the people and thereby bring about positive change in infrastructure, employment and other social services. He said: “There are two things
Mutiat Ali that government is expected to do: to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the citizenry. We are going to have a safer Lagos; we are going to have a Lagos that would make more people more prosperous. That’s the essence of governance and that’s what the APC stands to give the people of Lagos.” Giving kudos to her husband for his doggedness, a joyful Abolanle Ambode described her husband as a fighter for democracy who is ready to serve his people and bring smiles to the faces of the
Continued on page 6
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Obasanjo meets Sudanese president over instability in Africa Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta
ÏÏÏ
Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has met with the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, in Khartoum, where he expressed concern over the growing insecurity and instability in Africa, declaring that he was ready to do everything possible to check the situation. Obasanjo, who was in the
North African country to discuss insecurity and instability in Africa, especially the crisis in Libya, which had adversely affected other parts of on the continenet, told newsmen that the session provided both leaders an opportunity to examine peace and security issues in Africa, particularly the situation in North Africa. The two leaders agreed to pursue peace and ensure that there was stability in the region. “Peace, security and sta-
bility, which are fundamental to the development of any nation, must be our preoccupation. “We must do everything possible to ensure that all over Africa, and, particularly, in North Africa, efforts are made to guarantee peace, security and stability, no matter where the need arises. “My brother (President alBashir) and I have agreed to work together with other partners to ensure that stability is achieved in the region and across the continent,” Obasanjo,
Chairman, Dantata Group of Companies, Alh. Aminu Dantata (left) and Presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), when he paid a courtesy visit on Buhari in Daura, Katsina State… on Monday
Supreme Court rules on Fayose's eligibility today Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏ There was uneasy calm in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, as the news made the rounds that the Supreme Court would deliver judgement today (Tuesday) in the disputed gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, held on June 21, 2014. While the state Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, in a recent state broadcast, asked residents to maintain the peace and go about their lawful duties, factional Speaker of the state's House of Assembly, Mr. Dele Olugbemi, warned that nobody must do anything to plunge the state into chaos. Fayose, who thanked the people for voting overwhelmingly for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the last state As-
sembly election, said their action had further proved that what he was enjoying was a genuine mandate and not a stolen one, as being peddled by his detractors. Olugbemi raised the alarm that the 'Plan B' of the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers against the governor was to engage in activities that would ultimately lead to the declaration of a 'State of Emergency' in the state, should they fail in their impeachment bid. He also accused some elements in Lagos and Osun states of luring him into joining the ranks of those promoting Fayose’s impeachment. Although he did not mention those involved, he disclosed that he had accepted to play along by holding nocturnal meetings with them in Lagos. “They want me to turn against
Fayose by thinking I would resign my current status as Speaker, so that their man, Dr. Adewale Omirin, would automatically step in as Acting-Governor, immediately, the governor is removed, and I will retain my position as Speaker. “But I, along with my patriotic colleagues on the side of truth and justice, have vowed that we would rather 'sail or sink' with Fayose, whose interest we are ready to defend with the last drop of our blood,” he said. He warned that Omirin and other pro-impeachment lawmakers, including their sponsors, would be courting trouble should they go ahead with their planned impeachment or any other antidemocratic move that would not make the governor complete his four-year term.
who chairs the African Union’s Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan and has been a leading advocate of peace and security in Africa, added. In the 1990s, he initiated the Conference on Security, Stability Development and Co-operation in Africa (CSSDCA), a policy development process created to function within the framework of the African Union and adopted at the 36th Session of the Assembly in Lome, Togo, in July 2000.
Union protests NECO registrar’s appointment Pita Chikwem Minna
ÏÏÏ
A few days after a new registrar was appointed for the National Examination Council (NECO), the Academic Staff Union of Research and Allied Institutes (ASURI), NECO branch, has said that due process was not followed in the appointment of the Registrar. The position of the union was contained in a letter signed by the Chairman, Comrade Agwu Arisa, addressed to the minister of Education and made available to newsmen in Minna, on Monday,. “For the avoidance of doubt, may we remind you that since the inception of our institution (hereinafter refereed to simply as 'NECO'), there has been two registrars/chief executive officers to wit: Professor Dibu Ojerinde, who was the pioneer registrar, from the South West region of Nigeria, and after serving out his full term, the outgoing registrar, Professor Okpala, from the South East region of Nigeria was, thereafter, appointed, who has now, not only served out his term, but enjoyed a period of extension of tenure, without due process being complied with,” the letter read. According to the union: “In the present circumstances, and bearing in mind the principle of federal character, it would only be fair and reasonable to expect that the next appointee to the Office of Registrar should come from the Northern zone of the country."
5 News Hoodlums attack Ondo deputy governor's convoy Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏ The convoy of the Deputy
Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was, on Monday, attacked by suspected thugs. Daily Times gathered that the thugs pelted his convoy with stones, as he was on his way to the Government House in Akure, the state capital, while a side mirror of one of the black jeeps was smashed. A source at the scene of the incident said that: "The deputy governor was coming from his home town in Supare Akoko and just entering Akure, when the hoodlums attacked and pelted his vehicle with stones. "The hoodlums, numbering about 50, were armed with stones and dangerous weapons, which they used in hitting the vehicles in the convoy. However, his security details tried to save the situation by shooting into the air to scare the attackers away," the eyewitness added.
PDP, APC misused incumbency powers during polls – EU Mathew Dadiya Abuja
ÏÏÏThe European Union Election
Observation Mission, EU EOM, on Monday, alleged that the two major political parties in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) misused incumbency powers in states under their control during the April 11, 2015 governorship and state House of Assembly elections. Chief Observer of the Mission, Santiago Fisas, raised the alarm during the presentation of the EU EOM’s second preliminary statement at a press conference in Abuja. He said state representatives and candidates of both PDP and APC were seen to misuse incumbency, adding that breaches of campaign regulations and inducement of voters were also observed. He attributed the APC victory in the presidential and National Assembly elections as factor that prompted some political realignment. The Mission noted that: “Following APC’s presidential election success, media coverage of the party has notably increased, including in state outlets, resulting in overall a more balanced coverage of political actors.”
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Chibok girls ‘seen with Boko Haram in Gwoza’ ÏÏÏMore than 50 of the over 200
female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014 were seen alive three weeks ago, a woman has told the BBC. She said she saw the girls in Gwoza, Borno State before the insurgents were driven out of the town by regional forces last month. Recall that Daily Times on March 19, 2015 reported that a 67-year-old Boko Haram escapee, Maryamu Bala, claimed that she has an idea of where the kidnapped Chibok girls were being kept in Gwoza. The woman, who lived under
Boko Haram’s rule in Gwoza, told the BBC she saw the girls in Islamic attire, being escorted by the militants. “They said they were Chibok girls kept in a big house,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals. “We just happened to be on the same road with them,” she added. Three other women also told the BBC they had seen the girls in Gwoza. Nigeria’s military, backed by troops from neighbouring countries, recaptured the town last month. The militants were suspected to have fled to the nearby Mandara Mountains, near the border with Cameroon.
It is unclear whether the girls are with them there. Another woman told the BBC she last saw some of the girls in November at a Boko Haram camp in Bita village, also in the northeast. “About a week after they were brought to the camp, one of us peeked through a window and asked: ‘Are you really the Chibok girls?’ and they said: ‘Yes’. We believed them and didn’t ask them again,” the woman said. “They took Koranic lessons, cleaned their compound, cooked for themselves and they braided each others’ hair. They were treated differently - their food (was) better and water clean, “ she added.
INEC declares Abia guber poll inconclusive Sunday Nwakanma & Ifeanyi Onwunme, Umuahia
ÏÏÏThe
April 11 election in Abia was on Monday evening declared inconclusive. Announcing the result of the election, the state Electoral Officer, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba said that the winning margin of 83, 053 is less than total number of voters in areas where elections were not held or cancelled and which amounted to 179, 224 voters. Earlier, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had floored the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) with 83,053 votes to capture the governorship seat. This was in the aftermath of a keenly contested election, marred with allegations of rigging, violence and box-snatching by the contestants. According the result, the PDP scored a total of 248,459, while
APGA polled 165,406. The All Progressives Congress (APC) came a distant third with 10,065 votes. However, APGA won in nine out of the 17 local government areas in the state, while the PDP won in the remaining eight. The nine APGA local government areas include, Umunneochi, Arochukwu, Bende, Umuahia South, Aba North, Ikwuano, Isuikwuato and Ohafia, while PDP won in Isiala Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Obingwa North, Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and Ugwunnagbo. The Returning Officer, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka, explained that there would be a rerun in five local government areas before the eventual winner would be declared. INEC is, however, yet to announce the date of the elections.
‘We’ll make Lagosians more prosperous’ Continued from page 4
Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on a road show round major streets of Benin City to thank the people of Edo State on the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s Assembly election… on Monday
masses. Abolanle also saluted the courage of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, for congratulating her husband even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announced the final results. Among those present at the cel-
ebration ground were the APC national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi; Ambode’s running mate, Dr Oluranti Adebule; Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osibajo and his wife; Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; the APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed; Dele Alake, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Mr Wale Tinubu of OANDO and Aliko Dangote among others.
Ibori’s UK assets forfeiture trial adjourned to June 2016 Continued from page 4 United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA), in order to get a visa and come to testify in court, but was refused. He said his client wanted to be physically present in court to contest the benefits figure she was alleged to have received. With the order of the Court of Appeal granting her the permission, Feder said he might ask for the assistance of the judge in getting Onuigbo to the UK, but the judge didn’t appear to want to oblige. A mildly heated dialogue en-
sued between the judge and Feder: Feder: Your honour, she wants to be here she wants to fight her corner and I may seek your honour’s assistance in this respect. Judge: Are you not in a position to deal with the benefit figure? Feder: I hear what your honour says, but she wants to be here. Judge: I understand she can’t be here through no fault of her own, I wonder why you can’t deal with the issue on your own? Feder then threatened to apply for a stay of execution of the hearing, if the judge wanted to go ahead and disobey the order of
the Court of Appeal. This seemed to have angered the judge, though. With Gohil’s situation and Onuigbo’s absence, the case looked heading for an adjournment . Krolick, meanwhile, told the judge he only asked for a week or ten days adjournment to prepare well for the case, accusing the Crown of just sending the list of exhibits and witnesses they will be using the Wednesday before Easter. He also reasoned that if the aborted hearing lasted for three weeks with just two witnesses
--- Nuhu Ribadu and Detective Peter Clark --- last year, now that the Crown had indicated it will be calling 61 witnesses, there was no way he could do a good representation at just about three weeks’ notice. Despite that, he made it clear to Judge Pitts, “I am specifically instructed not to seek any further adjournment.” This is even after also accusing the Crown of just writing to the defence on Sunday night, asking that they --- Ibori’s team --- state the “grounds for objection on any of the 61 witnesses.” He
then argued : “So, your honour, even if Mr Ibori were the sole defendant, it is not possible,” to finish the case in six weeks . After arguments back and forth, including an adjournment of about ten minutes , the judge adjourned till June 6, 2016. However, Onuigbo’s matter continues on Tuesday. Ibori, who was jailed in April 2012, for 13 years, but is to serve less than four years, should be due for release sometime this year. It is unclear now whether he would be kept in prison till June next year.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
INEC fixes April 18 for Ekiti supplementary poll
L-R: Former vice president and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar; Governor-elect, Adamawa State, Sen. Umar Bindow, and his Deputy, Mr. Martin Babale, during the acceptance speech by the governorelect at the APC party secretariat in Yola, Adamawa State… on Monday
ÏÏÏ
The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has said that supplementary election would hold on Saturday, April 18, in 22 polling units affected by crisis in Ilejemeje Constituency, during Saturday’s Assembly poll in the state. It stated that there were cases of disturbances in the council area. The commission added that the affected polling units included one in Obada, 11 in Iye I, four in Iye III, three in Iludun I and three in Iludun II. It stated: “Consequent upon the crisis that engulfed the conduct of the state Assembly election in Ilejemeje constituency in Ekiti State on Saturday, April 11, 2015, the election remains inconclusive. Therefore, the commission has decided to hold a supplementary election on Saturday, April 18, 2015, in 22 poling units affected by the disturbance. “These polling units include one in Obada registration area, 11 polling units in Iye I, four polling units in Iye III, three polling units in Iludun I and three polling units in Iludun II, making a total of 22 polling units,” it added. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party had won 25 seats already declared in the 25 state constituencies across 15 local government areas in the state. The state House of Assembly is a
Metuh queries Abia INEC on observers ‘interference’ Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia
ÏÏÏ
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Olisa Metuh, has queried the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on why it should cancel any election in Abia State. Briefing newsmen in Umuahia, Metuh said international observers had no right, under the Electoral Act, to dictate to INEC to cancel elections or withhold results. He questioned what powers the resident electoral commissioner had to unilaterally cancel elections, pointing out that the Constitution was straightforward on the matter. Metuh, who noted that the election in Abia State was devoid of any electoral violence, was unhappy with the develop-
ment in the state, especially the over-zealousness of security agents and INEC officials which, according to him, portend danger to the country’s democracy. He expressed dissatisfaction that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) agent, Ahamdi Nweke, would disrupt the announcement of the governorship results to the full glare of security agents, and go scot-free. Metuh said that contrary to insinuations that he ordered INEC to reverse its earlier position, he never had opportunity to talk to the INEC officials, saying that except for the intervention of Governor Theodore Orji, who addressed the crowd at the INEC office, there would have been a breakdown of law and order. Similarly, the Obingwa Local Government Area’s Collation Officer in the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections the state, David Nwan-
Metuh
heole, and his Isiala Ngwa North counterpart, Remijus Osuji, have said that elections in the two LGAs were peaceful, free and fair. Briefing newsmen in Umuahia, they stated that the polls, which recorded massive turnout of voters in the two areas, were credible and devoid of any electoral malpractice.
NIPR advocates leadership with integrity, good governance Nduka Uzuakpundu
ÏÏÏ
The intention by President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to combat corruption and stop years of distortion and drain of the country’s economy, should be the core of a long-standing political mantra. Speaking at the Fourth Convocation of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Lagos, late last week, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, dean of the College of Social and Management Sciences, Caleb Univer-
sity, Imota, Lagos, alluded to the fact that such a herculean task would require ‘leadership with integrity’, as one of the firm traits ‘for good governance’. He said that the Buhari team, as the head of a democracy in transition, would have to “operate differently, with an effective leadership style, realistic economic policy directed at meeting the aspirations of the masses on the basis of truth” in consonance with global template. Owens-Ibie offered that the
Buhari administration should have little quarters for the army of PDP elements, who had decamped to his APC, basically because such characters, however influential, might not have reliable qualities of leadership and integrity required in fighting a legacy of corruption and squandermania. On the same occasion, when graduands were awarded either diplomas or certificates, Owens-Ibie, alongside the VicePresident and Chairman of Council, NIPR, Mr. Mukhtar Z.
Sirajo, and NIPR President, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, applauded the promising signs of sportsmanship, as exhibited by President Goodluck Jonathan, when he congratulated Buhari as the winner of the March 28 election. All three tended to agree that for Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Buhari, at the extremes of defeat and victory, their conduct, which raised hope for the country’s transitional, democratic dispensation, was an unrivalled exercise in public relations.
7 News
Mass PDP defection to APC worries Bauchi senator-elect Daniel Jolly Bauchi
ÏÏÏ The newly-elected Bauchi
South Senatorial candidate on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Wakili, has described the recent trend of defections by politicians as worrisome and not healthy for the nation’s political development. Wakili, who spoke to newsmen at his home town, Lere, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, shortly after casting his vote, advised those defecting to the APC to, instead of cross carpeting, form a formidable opposition to enrich the nation’s democracy, saying that it’s not good for a party to rule without a formidable opposition to keep it in check. “The recent defection saga happening in our political arena is worrisome to me, I call on opposition party members of PDP defecting to APC, just because they lost out, that it’s not good for our nascent democratic political development,” he warned.
14 political thugs arrested in Kano Yakubu Salisu
ÏÏÏ
As the Nigeria Police continue to investigate cases of electoral violence in the justconcluded April 11 election, the police have arrested 14 persons in Kano State for allegedly snatching and destroying ballot boxes and papers. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Magaji Majia, said the suspects were apprehended in KauranMata village, after destroying the materials meant for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the area. He said the police were on the trail of five other persons suspected to be involved in the incident.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Politics
s
PDP has a bright future
Muazu
– BOT Secretary
Contrary to speculations that with the massive loss of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last General Election, the party will die a natural death, Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, (BOT), Mallam Walid Jibrin has said the party still has a bright future. The PDP lost the presidency and quite a number of the states to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded elections
making political observers to conclude the imminent death of the party. Besides, with the loss of the party at the centre and in many states, a lot of the party’s bigwigs have been decamping to the opposition APC, a development that further heightened the fear that the party would soon collapse like a pack of cards. But speaking with newsmen in Nasarawa, Jibrin, expressed optimism that the party will
soon bounce back, urging chieftains not to dump the party. His words: “I want to tell you and the whole world that the various PDP governments since the inception of the party, had done a lot in fighting poverty, hunger, unemployment and youth restiveness as well as empowering women. “Also promoting peace and boosting the socio-economic development of the country. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Ambode: The burden of victory Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako
My arrest by EFCC is political Nyako’s son
Ambode
For Akinwumi Ambode, Governor-elect of Lagos State, victory did not come easy. Since his name cropped ever before the race started, there have been stiff opposition to his candidature, even within his own party- the All Progressives Congress (APC). Up to the last 24 hours to the polls, court cases were still hanging on his neck acting as impediments to his victory. The cases
Tinubu
brought by fellow aspirants in the APC who lost out in the party primaries were disposed off by the judge almost on the eve of the elections. In the days leading to the election, there were more dramatic revelations which almost scuttled his victory. Top of the dramatic escapades was the controversial meeting the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu had with the Ndigbo in Lagos.
Agbaje
The Oba, an unrelenting supporter of Ambode was quoted to have threatened the Igbos to vote for Ambode or face the consequences which included death or dispossession of their properties they made while in Lagos. The issue drew a lot of flaks for the Oba across the state threatening the large population of Igbo voters. It took the intervention of prominent citizens including the national leaders of the APC, Asi-
waju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Igbos could be pacified. Even at that, there were many Igbos who stayed away from the voting zones on Election Day to avoid casting their votes for Ambode, a development that accounted for the virtual low turnout in the gubernatorial election compared with the presidential polls. Another reason that was reCONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Those who destabilised Adamawa will soon be exposed First Son of former Governor of Adamawa state, Rear Admiral Murtala Hamman Yero Nyako, who recently won the central senatorial seat of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rtd Commodore Abdul’Aziz Murtala Nyako spoke on a wide range of issues with our correspondent, TOM GARBA in Yola. He spoke on his plans for Adamawa people in his legislatives duties, why he was arrested by EFCC, why his father was impeached and other topical issues. Excerpts: You are certainly going to be one of the youngest senators from Adamawa State, how do you feel? I feel honoured for the respect accorded me by the good people CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
9 Politics
Ambode’s victory: matters arising CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
sponsible for the low turnout of voters in Lagos was the involvement of the Asiwaju in the process that threw up Ambode as candidate within the ruling APC. Many Lagosians believed that with Ambode having the backing of Tinubu, he would end being another lackey panding to the whims and caprices of Tinubu. For them, if Ambode eventually wins, it will be a continuation of the present situation in Lagos where the state is regarded as a personal estate of one man. Indeed, the opposition PDP claimed in its campaign just before the election that Ambode did not retire voluntarily from the services of the Lagos State Government but was forced out at just 52 years of age by the current state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. They alleged that it was Tinubu who ensured that compulsory retirement or sack was converted to voluntary retirement owing to the fact that he assisted Tinubu a lot when he was Accountant General of the State. But Fashola debunked all these allegations saying he never sacked the governor-elect but that he retired with his honour and integrity intact. This was to set the stage for a test of grits between the opposition PDP and the ruling APC to determine who blinks first. A log of people wanted a change, that enough was enough. That it was time that Lagos was
Tinubu, flanked by Ambode, left and Fashola, right
freed from the stranglehold of one man, hence many decided to vote for Jimi Agbaje of the PDP who was once within the progressive camp of Tinubu himself. Others who couldn’t vote for Agbaje preferred to abstain from voting altogether.
Thus the burden of Ambode is large. How does he come out of the shadow of Tinubu? How does he prove that he is no man’s lackey but a man of his own? How does he prove that those who voted for him and his party have not made a mistake by voting him?
How does he prove himself that inspite of the misgivings that a lot of people have of his candidature, he would be able to take Lagos to higher heights and things would not deteriorate instead? Indeed, this is the burden of leadership hanging on Ambode.
Those who destabilise Adamawa will be exposed soon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
If you are given a choice in the red chambers to select your committee, which one will you prefer? All my life, I have been a military man under the Nigeria Navy, shouldering many responsibilities at one time or the other. Haven gone through military discipline in my life, right from
Nyako
Abdul Aziz
nursery to up to Nigerian defence academy (NDA), i also received
international military training with the British Naval train-
– BOT Secretary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
My brother you can see that I am a full blown military Man
“ Besides, President Jonathan had transformed the education, agriculture, economic, health, judicial, commercial sectors, the electoral system, among others. “His transformation agenda had touched and improved the lives of every Nigerians positively. Nigerians have seen what the PDP government had done in terms of establishing and equipping secondary and tertiary education, creating job opportunities, provision of infrastructural facilities, tackling insecurity and , prompt payment of workers’ salaries, among others.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
CONTINUED on PAGE 10
ing and USA. When I discovered things were going arbitrarily during my father’s administration, I retired as a Commodore from the Navy and his Royal Highness, the Lamido Adamawa gave me a traditional title of Sarkin Matasa (Youth leader) of his Emirate. I began to educate and enlighten youths in the Emirate on the negative effects of all the social vices most especially the serious dangers embedded in drugs abuse. I reawaken them from their giant sleep to, discover that they are the present leaders we need.
of Adamawa State who found me capable and worthy for this noble course. I cannot thank them enough and I promise them a good representation that will sharpen my constituency and the country at large.
PDP will rise again
Politics 10
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
‘We have serious challenges of insecurity in North East’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
a military man, you still look soft and gentle?
and full blown civilian Man. To answer your question properly I want to tell you that I love to be in a committee that has to do with security in the national assembly where I can fit in to pass laws and bills that can tackle the issue of insecurity which has been a big challenge to our government; insurgency had badly affected my immediate constituency. I will work hand-in-hand with my serving friends in the Navy who presently are wearing the ranks of Brigadier to cut off all the problem of insurgencies in Nigeria especially the north east.
Laughter! Considering what I’m doing now, meeting people and listening to their complaints on a daily basis, some will hurt you and some will encourage you, and you still have to go along with them, so having a virtue of vegetable as a politician is an added advantage to help you meet people’s needs. Everybody needs those qualities to succeed in whatever thing one’s is doing. Now that i have the traditional structure as Sarkin Matasa and the new office as a senator,I have to marry the two in a more organised way to help my people
You dedicated the success of the past election to your father, attributing it as victory for a Adamawa people. Does it mean you are placing your father first before the people of Adamawa central? Many people will tend to get it wrong. I am trying to appreciate my father for being the best father in the whole world. I know if my father today were a labourer or a wood hewer, he will still be a good father. My father had done so much for me. Since I was young, he made sure he allows you to do what you are doing to the best of your knowledge. I remembered when I passed out from Nigerian Defence Academy and needed him to around to decorate me with my rank but he refused saying: ‘my son you did alone, I was not there; you got all the praises from me. I thank God I was not knelling down to beg you to do that. From that day, I realised my father does not interferes with your choice of life or whatever you are doing, all he says is to be the best you can in whatever thing you are doing.
PDP will bounce back
How did you see your contest with a female opponent? I thank God for A’ishatu Binani, she gave me a good fight. In fact, I respect her for the good policies, pet projects and she is maintaining a good working relationship with the electorate. Binani is a big name in our senatorial zone. I came to discover that she is more of a sister to me only that along the line, we pitched our tents in different political platforms. With the kind of courage she has in politics, the sky is going to be her limit. Nyako I am trying to let you understand that my father is out of the game in this my new assignment. Thank God the people of Adamawa central voted me without him being around that some would even say he influenced my votes. Without him, the people spoke, so I owe them all it takes to bring change to the state.
What exactly led to your arrest in Gombe by EFCC?
I love to be in a committee that has to do with security in the national assembly
Despite your discipline as
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
“In spite of the defeat our great party, PDP, suffered during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections, losing the presidential seat to APC, PDP will not and will never die. It will continue to exist and we will win all positions in future elections”, he
stressed. He had this to say about President Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat to PAC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 presidential election: “For President Jonathan to accept defeat when he lost his second term presidential ambition to the All Progressives
Don’t worry, I am preparing for that, when the set time comes, I am going to expose my father enemies, my enemies and those behind my father’s impeachment. Do you have plans of arresting your political enemies? No! I cannot do that, I’ve left all things to God to vindicate me.
UN holds 13th Congress on Criminal Justice Doha, the capital city of Qatar, will play host to the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice between April 12-19 The conferees will discuss regional and international cooperation in the field of preventing transnational organised crime and the promotion of criminal justice, comes up every five years. The theme of the congress will be: “Integrating crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider United Nations agenda to address social and economic challenges and to promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and public participation”. During the seven day event, policy-makers, civil society, academia and experts in crime prevention and criminal justice, will be gathering together to forge ways on criminal justice system for the promotion of the rule of law, including within the context of the post 2015 development agenda. According to the organizing committee during a news conference, Heads of state, Premiers, Attorneys General and Ministers of Interior and Justice have been invited to address the event on topics on the agenda, which include comprehensive and balanced approaches to prevent and adequately respond to new and emerging forms of transnational crime, as well as national approaches to public participation in strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice. Other issues that will occupy the front burner are successes and chalCONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Congress (APC) has accorded him great respect from all Nigerians and even from the international community. “This shows that President Jonathan is a true democrat who has the interest of Nigerians at heart and we will continue to pray for him and other newly elected leaders, to enable them to succeed.” Muazu
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
11 Politics
Opposition breaks 16-year-old jinx in Benue Former Minister of State for Trade and Industries, Dr. Samuel Ortom of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has been declared winner of the Benue State governorship election held on Saturday, breaking long years of jinx against the opposition in the state. Returning Officer for the state, Prof. Istifinus Dafwang, said Ortom polled 422,932 votes to beat seven other contestants. The results showed that Ortoms’s closest rival in the contest, Mr Terhemen Tarzoor of the PDP scored 313,878 votes, while Mr Caleb Abahnif of APGA had 649 votes, Mr Boniface Umele of ACPN polled 1,431 votes. Others were, Mr Oglekwu Shadrack of APA, who polled 1,595 votes, William Ligom of the LP with 2,653, Helene Ode of NNPP scored 767 votes and Samuel Gar of SDP polled 589 votes. The results, however, showed that the PDP would retain its dominance in the state legislature, having won a total of 15 seats as against 14 by the APC and one by the Labour Party. APC had won two out of the three senatorial seats and a majority of the federal constituencies in the state.
Suswam
This is the first time that the opposition is defeating an incumbent especially the progressives beating the conservatives
Ortom
in the state. The victory came in spite of the overwhelming odds against his candidature in the PDP since
the warped primaries which made him to defect to APC as well as different court cases to stop him.
13th UN Congress on Criminal Justice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
lenges in implementing comprehensive crime prevention and criminal justice policies and strategies to promote the rule of law at the national and international levels, and to support sustainable development and international cooperation, including at the regional level, to combat transnational organized crime. The UN Secretariat intends to carry out preparations pertaining to the structure and conduct of the Thirteenth Congress, also taking into account the deliberations of the Commission at
previous sessions. Further, consideration will be given to the inherent nature of the Congress as the only major United Nations conference in its field, constituting the largest and most diverse gathering of a broad range of policymakers and practitioners in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice. The Qatar Congress which marks the 60th anniversary of the Crime Congress, will consider how best to integrate crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider UN agenda. The United Nations Crime Congress is the world’s largest
and most diverse gathering of governments, civil society, academia and experts in crime prevention and criminal justice. For 60 years the congresses have had an impact on criminal justice policies and strengthened international cooperation against the global threat of transnational organized crime. The First United Nations Congress was held in Geneva in 1955. Sixty years later, this tradition continues with the Government of Qatar hosting the Thirteenth United Nations Congress in Doha. Banki-Moon
Before his emergence as the fifth democratically elected governor of Benue State, Chief Ortom served as the elected chairman Guma local government on the platform of Social Democratic Party, (SDP) from 1991-1993. He later defected to the PDP and in 2000 he was elected State Secretary of the PDP from 2003 to 2006. Chief Ortom also won the State Vice Chairman of the PDP in 2006 to 2007 before he was elected PDP National Auditor, a position he held until he was appointed Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, desirous of leading Benue, Chief Ortom resigned in February this year and joined the 2015 gubernatorial race on the platform of PDP but lost to Mr Terhemen Tarzoor during the December 2014 primaries. Not deterred, Chief Ortom quickly defected to the leading opposition APC and was unanimously accepted as a consensus candidate. Though there were the usual political grievances within the ranks and file of the APC but he overcame them and triumphantly emerged as the governor-elect.
News 12 Bindow promises govt of unity in Adamawa Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏ The newly Governor-elect
of Adamawa, Senator Mohammadu Jibrilla Bindow, has promised to carry everybody along, while declaring that he would be a governor for all, irrespective of religion, political or tribal affiliations. Bindow made the declaration in Yola in a state-wide broadcast at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat. “I thank the people of Adamawa, particularly those who stood by us and brought me here. I assure the people of Adamawa that I will be a governor for all, irrespective of tribe, religion or party affiliations,” Bindow said. He also extended a hand of fellowship to members of other political parties in the state, in order to move the state forward. Those in attendance during the briefing included former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Dahiru Bobbo, Boss Mustapha, Senator Ahmed Barata, Dr. Jonathan Zwingina, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba Jimeta, Senator Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, Senator Binta Masi Garba, Senator Abubakar Moallahyidi, Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama, Alhaji Abdulrazak Namdaz, amongst others.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Polls: PDP questions conduct of INEC officials, security Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏ
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the conduct of some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections. The national Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said this through a statement on Monday in Abuja. The party regretted that the elections were characterised by
widespread irregularities, with the support of some INEC and security officials, to the advantage of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). The PDP wondered if such officials were intimidated by APC’s blackmail and propaganda to deliver its candidates in the polls. According to the PDP statement: “Evidence abound of widespread irregularities across the country, with INEC rejecting results from the strongholds of PDP candidates for no just cause, while accepting the figures of the APC. “In Lagos, Adamawa, Plateau,
ÏÏÏThe
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pleaded before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja to adjourn sine die (indefinitely) a ruling that was filed on an application involving a former managing director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, seeking to quash the theft charge preferred against him. According to the application filed by counsel to the anti-graft agency, Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN), on Monday, before Justice LateefLawal Akapo, it urged the court to adjourn the ruling, pending the outcome of its appeal against the Court of Appeal judgement of November 21, 2013, at the Supreme
after they have been announced by the returning officers, the PDP would have been robbed of its welldeserved victory in those areas. “As a responsible party committed to national unity and democracy, our members have remained peaceful and orderly; our candidates have been conceding defeats in the interest of peace, while we elect to channel our protest to the appropriate quarters.
Ex-PSC boss criticises Oba Akiolu’s hate statement Eche Nwaobasi
Nnewi A former chairman of the Police Service Commission and an Igbo elder statesman, Chief Simeon Okeke, has criticised Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos over his recent statement against the Igbo resident in Lagos State, stating that it was unfortunate that a man so highly placed should make such reckless statement to a major tribe in Nigeria. While addressing a crowded press conference on urgent national issues in his home town in Amichi Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, he noted that “This statement, coming from the Oba, is absurd and unfortunate, it is inciting; condemnable and capable of igniting hatred, confusion among Nigerians. The Oba should be advised not to play ethnic politics”, he said.
ÏÏÏ
L-R: Chairman, PDP Delta State, Chief Edwin Uzor; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Governor-elect, Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith celebrating as INEC declares result of the gubernatorial election in the State… on Monday
EFCC seeks adjournment of Atuche’s theft case Titilope Joseph
Benue, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Imo states, there are proofs of electoral manipulations ranging from underage voting, ballot stuffing and intimidation of PDP supporters to alteration of some aspects of the process in favour of APC. “In Abia State, but for the outcry of the people and the timely intervention of the INEC headquarters, which rejected the illegal cancellation of results from three local governments and strongholds of the PDP by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), even
Court. Earlier, the appellate court had, in the judgement, struck out the theft charges against a former managing director of Finbank Plc., Mr. Okey Nwosu and others, for lack of jurisdiction. Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth, and a former chief financial officer of Bank PHB, Ugo Anyanwu, were being prosecuted for allegedly stealing N25.7 billion from the bank. The former bank chief had approached the court for the quashing of the charge, arguing that like Nwosu’s case, the state High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), counsel to Atuche, had maintained
PDP’ll be a stronger opposition party – Gulak Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏ
Atuche
that the cases were similar because they also emanated from capital market transactions. “The appellate court held that such capital market-based matter was an exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court,” he added.
The former special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will come out stronger than ever. According to him, the party had been plagued by crisis of confidence that led to many members defecting to other parties, and he promised that PDP was going to come out stronger to be a true opposition party in order to checkmate the ruling party. “PDP, at the national level, is a house divided against itself. Even at the state level, the party has been experiencing much decline in her
activities, defection everywhere, as a result of high level of impunity by our party officials, especially our state governors, who were bent on deciding who was to be what,” Gulak said. He also criticised Senator Jonathan Zwingina, former minister of Health (State), Dr Idi Hong and Senator Ahmed Barata, of being unfair to PDP, the party that made them popular, regarding them to be politicians without ideology and principles. “Zwingina and friends are a disappointment to PDP, because they forget easily what the party had done for each of them, their defection to APC showed that they are not true democrats working in the interest of the common people,” Gulak added.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
14 killed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula bomb attacks
Hundreds of people gathered around the police station in El-Arish to examine the damage
ÏÏÏ At least 14 people have been
killed in separate bomb attacks in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, security forces have said. Eight people died and 45 others were injured in an explosion outside a police station in El-Arish. At least six soldiers lost their lives and two were wounded in an attack on an armoured vehicle, near the northern town of Sheikh Zuweid. Militants from the Sinai Province group, affiliated to Islamic State, have said they carried out the attacks. Hundreds of people gathered around the police station in El-
5, 600 boat migrants rescued off North Africa
ÏÏÏAt
least nine people died when an overcrowded migrant boat capsized off the coast of Libya and 144 more were rescued, the Italian coast guard said on Monday, after another heavy weekend for maritime rescue services operating off North Africa. A spokesperson for the Italian coastguard said 5 629 people were rescued from 22 different vessels in the three days between April 10 – 12. Vessels and aircraft from the Italian coast guard and navy as well as merchant ships and an Icelandic patrol boat assigned to the European Triton border protection operation were involved.
Arish to examine the damage Sinai has become increasingly lawless since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011. Insurgents have intensified attacks since his Islamist successor Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013. North Sinai has been under a state of emergency and a curfew since October, when an attack on a checkpoint killed dozens of soldiers. In El-Arish, residents said the neighbourhood shook as a bomb was detonated outside the police barracks. "Those at the other end of town heard the explosion. It was hu-
mongous. It terrified us," said one resident who lives near the police station. Witnesses said the vehicle drove through security barriers and rammed the building despite being fired on by security forces. The three-storey building was badly damaged and nearby homes were also destroyed, with doors ripped off and windows shattered. In a statement on its Facebook page (in Arabic), the Egyptian interior ministry said a suicide bomber driving a pick-up truck was behind the attack. "Forces opened fire at the vehicle, which consequently explod-
ed," it added. The death toll - which included five soldiers and a civilian - rose from six to eight as bodies were pulled from the rubble, officials said. Earlier in the day, a roadside bomb struck an army vehicle at Sheikh Zuweid. The military said the attack killed an officer, a sergeant and four soldiers - revising an earlier death toll from seven to six. A statement on a Twitter page attributed to the Sinai Province group read: "An armoured personnel carrier for the army of the apostates was destroyed... killing and wounding all aboard."
Sudan’s elections umpire assures free, fair polls amid boycott ÏÏÏThe chairman of Sudan’s In-
dependent Electoral Commission said the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections will be free and fair. Mukhtar Al-Assam said all candidates are allowed to have their representatives present at each polling station and stay with the ballot boxes until results are announced. He said 3,500 candidates representing 45 political parties were competing for 1,300 seats. Sudan’s main opposition parties are boycotting Monday’s vote, saying it would not be free and fair because President Omar al-Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party controls everything.
Al-Assam said Sudan is under a constitutional mandate to hold the elections because President Bashir’s term ends in April 2015. “It is free and fair because all candidates are allowed to have their representatives in the polling stations to stay with the ballot boxes until the results are announced. So, there is no way that this election is going to be not free,” he said. Al-Assam said the elections had been scheduled since 2010, and opposition political parties boycotting the vote have the freedom to do so. “Those political parties, all of them understood since 2010 that there was going to be an election
in 2015. And as I told you, I don’t of know any means by which a government can extend its term of office,” Al-Assam said. He said Sudan is under a constitutional mandate to hold the elections.
President Omar al-Bashir
13 Africa Violence erupts in Gabon after death of opposition figure ÏÏÏOpposition
supporters in Gabon have set fire to the embassy of Benin and burnt cars on the streets of the capital Libreville. Reports say the violence came after the announcement of the death of senior opposition figure Andre Mba Obame. The 57-year-old died after a prolonged illness in neighbouring Cameroon earlier on Sunday. Mr The former advisor to longtime President Omar Bongo lost that election to the president's son Ali Bongo. But Mr Obame said that he was the rightful winner and legitimate president. His National Union (NU) party was dissolved by the government as a result, and Mr Obame was accused of treason. Mr Obame was defeated in the 2009 election by President Ali Bongo Ondimba The ban on the NU party was lifted in February. The NU announced Mr Obame's death in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde but did not give a cause of death.
ISIS claims Libyan, Moroccan Embassy attacks ÏÏÏMilitants claiming loyalty to
ISIS have claimed responsibility for two attacks on foreign embassies in Libya, the terror group said on Twitter. A bomb exploded at the gate of the Moroccan embassy in the Libyan capital early on Monday, causing some damage but hurting nobody, a security official said, only hours after gunmen attacked South Korea's mission in Tripoli. It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the claims. Islamic State militants have exploited chaos in the North African country where two governments allied to a host of armed groups fight for control four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. The bomb damaged the gate and a residential building next to the Moroccan embassy located in the up market Ben Ashour district, a security official and Reuters reporter at the scene said. Nobody was hurt by the blast early on Monday, the official said. On Sunday, gunmen fired shots at the South Korean embassy in Tripoli killing two local security guards and wounding a third person, South Korean and Libyan officials said.
World 14
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Sectarian war looms in Yemen ÏÏÏ
Three weeks of fighting across Yemen may be pushing a country where Sunnis and Shi'ites have prayed in the same mosques for centuries toward a sectarian war. Most combatants deny they are motivated by religion in the conflict. Iran-allied Shi'ite Houthi rebels say they are leading a just revolution and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia contends it has been bombing the Houthis to protect the Yemeni state. But there are signs that the sectarian hatred that has engulfed the Middle East since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 is creeping into Yemen's war, fueled by a rivalry between regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran. Conflict and power struggles are not new to Yemen, one of the most heavily armed societies in the world. But the sectarian trend was captured on a video shared by Yemeni Facebook users. A teenager sits blindfolded and cries, pleading to his captors that he is only 13. He was detained by militiamen while fighting for the Houthis in the southern city of Aden. “Why did you come here?” a Sunni gunman shouts. “We're here to defend our religion in jihad against the apostates... you're not people, you're animals!”
After nearly three weeks of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Gulf neighbors who see the Houthis as Iranian puppets, Yemen risks being carved up along religious lines. “This scenario is likely if the war goes on. If young men continue to die, towns are invaded and homes shelled, the appeal of extremist religious groups will only grow,” Mahmoud al-Salmi, a history professor at Aden Univer-
sity said. Houthis have been fighting what they call marginalization by the state for over a decade. But the militia is now also motivated by a desire to eliminate the hardline Sunni al-Qaida from Yemen. As the chaos spreads, there is a danger that all sides will exploit their religious beliefs while settling old scores. The formerly independent and socialist South has long felt aggrieved by the North,
not because it is home to the Zaydi sect of Shi'ite Islam, but because Southerners felt shut out of politics and oil resources that benefited northerners. “There's a strong feeling of oppression and humiliation that Northerners are invading. But since there's no leadership and no army, the armed groups lack discipline and this anger on regional lines could turn sectarian,” al-Salmi said.
A Houthi Shi'ite rebel with Yemen's flag painted on his face chants slogans during a rally in the capital, Sana'a.
Scandals, gaffes could haunt Hillary Clinton’s Presidency bid
ÏÏÏHillary Clinton looks ahead
to 2016 as the year Americans may finally elect their first-ever female president, but her past is freighted with blemishes and gaffes that could compromise if not sink her campaign. Clinton intends to draw on her wealth of experience as first lady, US senator and globe-trotting secretary of state to convince voters she is the best person for the job. But the Republican National Committee is already labelling her past as a "decades-long record of secrecy and scandal." Here's a look: President Bill Clinton's sexual indiscretions have long dogged the superstar Democratic couple.
S’Korea, Japan discuss Pyongyang’s nuclear threat
Arkansas employee Paula Jones sued Clinton for sexual harassment. The president testified in 1998 that he had intimate relations with former reporter Gennifer Flowers. Years earlier, he had sat next to Hillary and insisted on CBS's "60 Minutes" that accusations of a Clinton-Flowers affair were false. But the truly explosive scandal was the relationship Bill had with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, and the subsequent December 1998 impeachment of Clinton by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstructing a federal investigation. He was acquitted by the Senate, but the episode is a scab that
ÏÏÏDespite
strained relations over territorial disagreements and historical disputes, South Korea and Japan will resume security talks this week. These talks are not so much a sign the two neighbors are resolving longstanding differences but instead a recognition that they need to work together to curb the growing nuclear threat from North Korea. The meeting between senior
Iran suspends hajj trips to S’Arabia
ÏÏÏIranian state television is re-
porting that the Islamic Republic has suspended all minor hajj trips to Saudi Arabia amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The report Monday said Iran's Culture Ministry made the decision over alleged abuse suffered by two male Iranian pilgrims travelling through Saudi's Jeddah airport in March. The alleged abuse, the details of which authorities have not publicly discussed, has sparked unauthorised protests at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. Some 500 000 Iranians visit Saudi Arabia each year for the minor hajj, which involves pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina, two of Islam's holiest sites. Tensions between Shi’ite power Iran and the Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been strained amid Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen targeting Shi’ite rebels known as Houthis there.
Germanwings' victims remembered in Barcelona
ÏÏÏThe
might be peeled back over the next 18 months. "It's not Hillary's fault," Republican Senator Rand Paul, himself a likely presidential candidate, said last year about Bill's trysts. But Paul said the affair should now be fair game, and warned of the damage of sending a philanderer back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as first husband. Arkansas was a mixed blessing for the Clintons. They launched their political dynasty there, but it was also scene of a land-development scandal involving the Clintons while Bill was governor. He and Hillary teamed up with Whitewater Development Corporation partners Jim and Susan
McDougal on a business venture that soured in the 1980s. Amid disputes over loans, shady deals and charges of fraud, the McDougals went to jail.
Hilary
foreign ministers of Spain, France and Germany have attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Barcelona's airport in memory of the 150 victims of the Germanwings plane crash last month. Spain's Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, France's Laurent Fabius and Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier joined government officials from the regional government of Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona to lay three wreaths in a silent ceremony Monday outside the airport. The Germanwings flight took off from Barcelona on 24 March and was bound for the German city of Duesseldorf but crashed in southern France. Most of the victims were German or Spanish.
foreign ministry and defense ministry officials will be the first high-level security dialogue to take place between Japan and South Korea in more than five years. Baek Seung-joo, the South Korean Vice Minister of National Defense said the talks they are hosting will focus specifically on improving intelligence sharing to assess and contain the increasing
number of North Korean missile tests and the development of its nuclear weapons program. He said South Korea and Japan basically share and maintain political values and national interests. With regards to security in Northeast Asia, he said what threatens the security and stability of Northeast Asia is North Korea’s nuclear development and its challenging and adventurous
military policy. But this bilateral security meeting as well as a recent trilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan does not mean Seoul and Tokyo are any closer to resolving their differences. Relations have grown tense between these two major U.S. allies in Asia over sovereignty and history.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
15 Opinion
The Obiano and Obi show
A Igboeli Arinze
t first it seemed that the transition was one made in heaven, all for the progress for Anambra they claimed,in their manner Dim Ojukwu in his grave had ordained it, Bianca and Victor Umeh had endorsed it, it was for the people of Anambra to buy into it. No expense was spared, billions of Naira found its way into the system, it found its way into useful arenas, and as we, all know money talks in these climes. Then came the November 16, 2013 polls and Nigerians have knowledge of what transpired, the anointed one from Aguleri was declared the winner despite the cries of foul play. The plotters rejoiced, for reasons best known to them, the Agulu to Aguleri change of baton was perfect and the so-called gains, which they claimed that Anambra had made, would be consolidated. March 17th came and Obiano the new helmsman took the mantle of leadership, under the watchful eyes of Obi, his predecessor, who boasted that his own predecessor was not on hand to pass the baton to him, now
here he was doing that to Obiano. He was to have no business in any matter affecting the business of governance in Anambra, far from it! But not too long, not even three months after the handover, did we the onlookers begin to notice that all was not well with the duo. At first, many dismissed this as the lazy machinations of the market trader in Eke Awka to compensate for the lack of business activity; for some believed that this was too early for the honeymoon to be over. Given the Nigerian trend, it normally takes an average of a few years for godson to part with his godfather and since that of Chris Ngige with the Ubas was an exception, Anambra couldn’t be that lucky or unlucky to experience such a schism twice. But soon the rumors began to give way to silent musings in certain quarters and soon the bubble burst, when the former governor resigned as the APGA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chair before defecting to the PDP. While it is not clear on what matter or matters made both actors go their different ways, I believe that these matters do not boil down on good governance and when rumours and social media
talk about the repayment of a loan that was raised for an election, or about who was to run for senate in Anambra Central or some form of meddlesomeness or a shortage of funds claimed to have been left in the treasury by his predecessor, I have studied them and believed that there is some truth in them. For example as the Obiano-Obi impasse enters the rofo rofo phase, many have traced the fight to the N86 -13824, Obi claimed he left behind for the Obiano administration. This is also including monies that Obi claimed were saved in the purchase of local and foreign denominated bonds and other businesses like the Sab Miller brewery. Now whilst Governor Obiano has not come out to say how much he met in the state’s treasury, his body language and talk by some of his trusted aides suggest that the situation was the otherwise. Now if it is true that former Governor Obi never left any monies in our public until, then the question is why has Obiano not come out to state things as he met them? Why the quiet murmuring? Why is the matter assailed in the social media and yet the man who knows it all is quiet about the matter? Why are
text messages from the governor’s supporters to my phone suggesting that there were no funds in the treasury? If it is true, that Ex Governor Obi didn’t leave the specified amount it is for Obiano to tell but if he chooses to do otherwise he should then save ndi Anambra the trouble and go on with the business of governance. The state has a lot of pressing issues to deal with, there are schools to be built, roads to be constructed, the quality of life in Anambra needs to be raised, surely we cannot invest such time needed to move this state forward in settling what may be the petty squabbles between the duo. Anambra is surely bigger than them. However, if tomorrow the battle between the duo is one of ideas and ideology, on how to make governance work, on how to move the state forward then the fight will be worth its pitch and persons like myself will then tune in. However, for the now, the Obiano and Obi show isn’t worth my while and it isn’t worth the time of ndi Anambra too, whatever their sychophants tell them or fail to tell them. Anambra is a land of giants, I advise the duo to start acting as such.
as soon as he takes the helm of leadership. His performances for the next four years will determine very largely Nigeria’s political destiny come 2019. The weights on his shoulders are no doubt quite daunting and one only hopes that he fully understands the extent of the damage awaiting him. Buhari has just four years to untangle the myriad of problems that have bedevilled this nation for over 50 years. The political reality in Nigeria now means that the proletariat are determined to remain vigilante long after casting their votes which means government’s chicanery and debauchery can no longer be tolerated. The new political vista in Nigeria has created scores of activists who are prepared to maintain and orchestrate change at every possible stage in the political process. Buhari’s waiting period before the assumption of office on May 29th must be judiciously utilised to further understand the extent of Nigeria’s peculiarity as well as use the time to draw up a list of capable hands that will help drive his vision for the nation. He cannot afford to dillydally come May 29 on matters that should have been long settled during his waiting period. He must at all cost avoid the kind of unnecessary time wasting methods that
characterised President Umaru’s tenure, as well as the early part of President Jonathan’s reign. Dilettantes and political charlatans must never be allowed to infiltrate the Buahri camp in this new dispensation. How Buhari tackles corruption and its accompanying malaise remains to be seen. The high expectation of Nigerians in this regard remains to be satisfied. What processes and methodologies that will be deployed will definitely be intriguing for observers. This period is crunch time for him and how he navigates through the labyrinth of filth, dregs and dross strewn across every facet of our national life requires dexterity, manoeuvrability and avant-garde techniques. Mere clichés and high sounding rhetoric are no more marketable under present realities and at the same time intolerance for legal principles can no longer be acceptable. Insurgency is another sore thumb that will definitely require immediate attention if the President-elect is to stamp his relevance early enough. The extent to which he exerts his experience and professionalism in stamping out the Boko-Haram menace, to that degree will Nigerians and the international community believe his determination for change.
It is not yet Eldorado
A
Paul Thomas
fter a long time of persistent unsavoury news about Nigeria around the world; the recently concluded presidential elections gave the country a phenomenal upward push amongst civilised nations. Nigerians unequivocally demonstrated their political maturity and markedly improved penchant for rational, logical and civilised post election deportment; a far departure from previous animalistic and demonic display of post election violence, especially when the results are not in tandem with the anticipation of the losing party as evidenced in the 2011 post election crisis that saw the maiming and mindless killing of scores of innocent Nigerians. Another school of thought however argues that the absence of post election violence was not because of the political maturity of the plebs but as a result of power shift from one regional bloc to another. In other word violence would still have been perpetuated had power not shifted from the South to the North; especially in an election that saw the opposition defeating an incumbent. Whichever way one looks at the just concluded elections, one can-
not but give kudos to all involved. However the greatest winner in all of this is President Goodluck Jonathan; his concession of defeat and the auspiciousness of the timing cannot but be applauded. Jonathan kept his political masterstroke until the very end. By his adherence to wise counsel from his political strategist and allies, the exiting president has acquired for himself a political mileage that catapults him into the genre of a statesman. His lackadaisical and lacklustre performances in the last six years were completely overturned in one fell swoop through political adroitness that will continue to reverberate around the world for a long time. With President Jonathan exiting in a few weeks by which time the euphoria and jollity of Buhari’s victory would have calmed and Nigerians would now be anxious to see the much-anticipated change that had become the mantra of Buhari’s campaign in the last few months. The enormities of the challenges awaiting the Presidentelect are truly real and palpable. Buhari must understand that a new vista has been accorded him and no excuses will be entertained if the expectations of Nigerians are not met in the shortest possible time. His clamour for governance since 2003 will be truly understood
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
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Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
Navy counter pirates’ ambush on oil vessel in Lagos Funmi Coker
L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry Ltd (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, vice president, Nigeria Academy of Engineering, Mrs Johanna Maduka and the Academy president, Prof. Raifu Salawu, during a visit of the engineers to Bank of Industry in Lagos. 13/04/2015.
BoI sounds alarm over outdated production technologies Emmanuel Ogbonnaya The Bank of Industry (BoI) has warned that industrial development will continue to be impeded if majority of Nigerian manufacturers continue employing dated technologies in their production processes and called for a synergy of innovative researchers and industry owners. Addressing members of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers, who paid a courtesy visit to the development bank in Lagos, BoI’s Managing Director, Rasheed Olaoluwa, stated that there was a direct correlation between the level of technology in a society and the level of development there. “The rest of the world through artificial intelligence and robotics are moving at a tremendous pace; Africans need to close the gap – things don’t need to get so bad before we start looking for solutions,” he said. He assured that BoI, will continue to promote the linkage between centres of innovation and the industrial sector. “Last year we visited a number of research institutes, because to engender our nation’s development we need to bring industry and research together. I believe
that we still have a long way to go but we are beginning to take the right steps,” he said. He noted that no country will like to release its patented technology to another country and urged research institutes in the country to intensify efforts to solve Nigeria’s industrial sector needs in terms of technology. “We will continue to give the right support like we are doing, through agro-processing – adopting technology from research institutes to transfer to agro processors in the country,” he said. He urged researchers in the country to advance reverse engineering, by looking at what has been done and how it can be adapted to suit the demands of the industrial sector. He stressed that technology was absolutely critical to the way things are being done, noting that today, analogue technology has been integrated with software to change them into smart devices. Other advancements in technology which he noted were defining how things are being done now, include, drones, 3D printing, DNA genomics among others. He said as a development bank, BoI was committed to supporting the advancement of commodity
industrialisation through agroprocessing; Solid minerals beneficiation and crude processing. Earlier, the president of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers, Professor Raifu Salawu, informed the BoI boss of the willingness of the body of engineers to collaborate with the industrial sector. He lamented that most researches being done in the country were not end-user oriented: “there is a need for those in industry to sit down with researchers so that the end product can be tailored to their specific needs thereby making them easily useable.” He added that most researches should be development oriented rather than cutting-edge oriented, because the major need for technological innovation are in the areas of economic development through industrialisation. He said the body through its fellowship has been assisting Ph.D. students to go abroad for further learning, as well as giving grants to post-graduate students to make paper presentations at conferences overseas. “We will continue to assist in domiciling researches for local industries and we are ready to work with BoI to move this nation forward,” Salawu said.
The Nigerian Navy personnel of the Western Naval Command (WNC), countered an attempt by 10 suspected pirates to hijack a refined petroleum-laden vessel sailing into Nigeria. The pirates, who were said to have been in two boats, had intercepted the foreign ship, MT IMAS, on the waters within the WNC area of responsibility. The gang had already succeeded in overpowering and boarding the ship, when the naval ship stormed the area and arrested one of the suspects. The pirates had opened fire to resist arrest but were overpowered by the superior firing power of the navy. Confirming the incident, the WNC Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, said the naval vessel was able to respond speedily because they were also deployed for the elections. He said: “As part of our preparations and actions for the just conducted election, we deployed our ships to cover the inland waterways and also to protect the ships and patrol the territorial water. “Fortunately for us, one of the ships, MT IMAS, raised the alarm around 0120 that it was under attack by pirates, and one of our patrol boats that was close
Nigerian Navy commandos on patrol
by went immediately to her rescue. “They saw two boats with suspected pirates and there was an exchange of fire. We managed to dislodge the pirates from the attack. “We injured a few of them and we also captured one of them whom we brought here for proper investigation. “Their intention was to board the vessel and either kidnap the foreigners on board or steal the products, or take the ship as hostage and sell the product somewhere. “But the alarm was raised through the distress channel which we all have, and foiled their attempt. This is part of the measures we are taking to assure Lagosians and Nigerians in general that the Nigerian navy is very much ready for the security of the waterways. “And if there are any miscreants or hoodlums who think they can use the waterways to cause any harm or damage, we want to let them know the navy is very much ready and up to the task to prevent them from doing that.” In his confession, the arrested suspect identified as Shola Sama, denied ever being a pirate. Rather, he said he was a businessman who was going about his business when he was arrested.
Manufacturing 18
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
world’s first methanol powered ferry
Dangote cement: Advancing backward integration in Sub-region Charles Okonji The quest for countries in the sub-region to be self-sustaining in areas of competitive and comparative advantages, has gained real impetus with the investments of African cement manufacturing giant, Dangote Cement Plc. Such countries include, Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroun, where the company has not only established state of the art cement plants, but has also taken its campaign for the production and proper application of high quality cement grades to the right type of structure. After creating much awareness on the need for Nigerians to adopt the right cement types in 2014, which led to some global standards being made mandatory in the country, Dangote cement has extended the campaign to Nigeria’s regional neighbours Senegal and Cameroun. The impact that the new development has made can be attributed to the commitment of Dangote to invest in the backward integration concept, this further has helped Nigeria a one-time importer of cement to become a net exporter of the commodity, due to expanding production capacity led by the Dangote cement group which produces 20.25MMTPA, of the country’s total capacity of 28mmt.
Dangote Cement’s current total production capacity in Nigeria from its three existing cement plants namely Obajana (10.25MMTPA), Ibese (6.0MMTPA) and Gboko (4.0MMTPA) is 20.25MMTPA, however the company has also revealed plans to escalate Nigeria’s total capacity to 37mmt with expanded capacity soon. The Dangote cement company has been praised for its success in crashing the market prices of cement in Cameroun and its neighbours , when it rolled out 42.5 grade cement from its newly built $150m Douala cement plant with 1.5 million metric tons per annum capacity. The company’s ex-factory price is the cheapest in Cameroun when compared to other products in the Cameroun market, Dangote Cement is even cheaper than the most common 32.5 grade sold in the open market as stated by the company’s general manager, Engr. Abdulahi Baba. The company which rolled out its product massively into the Cameroun market also assured the host country that it would help shore-up local production of the vital product following the ban on importation of cement into Cameroon. Dangote Group who saw the ban as an opportunity for the growth of the cement sector in the country, has put in place ex-
pansion plans, which would enable the company attract more foreign earnings across the neighbouring countries, as local demands of the product would easily be surpassed when in full capacity. The assurance was given during the formal launching of the Company’s high grade 42.5 cement type into the Cameroonian market after a successful inauguration of the company’s 1.5m MTPA capacity cement plant in Douala. Expressing gratitude, the management of the company commended the government of Cameroun for taking a bold step by banning importation of the product, stating that the ban was a vote of confidence on the ability of cement manufacturers in the country, especially Dangote Cement, to meet and surpass local consumption demands. Baba stated that with the company’s 1.5m MTPA, the three manufacturers of cement in the country are about surpassing local consumption demands, explaining that Dangote management is already looking towards export prospects to neighbouring countries. “Cameroon with a consumption growth of eight per cent, and with a local production of 2.9m MTPA, the Dangote management was looking at export potentials in Chad, Central African Repub-
lic, Garbon, Equitorial Guinea and Togo even as the Company considers future expansion,” Baba stated. He explained that the plant has one of the most recent facilities of ensuring that there are no dust emission during production, which is in line with the world’s best practices. The General Manager stated that the company has put strategies in place to achieve 30 per cent market share, noting that there was also plans of achieving 30 per cent export of total production. “The demand is growing every day because of the infrastructural developmental efforts of the government. We will take the advantage of the ban on cement import here in Cameroon. We have structured distributorship system. Our route to market is very clear and defined. We are building a jetty so that we are not held down but have smooth distribution during congestion at the ports.” “We are set to achieve stability of operations in 2015 Q1, pursue aggressive market penetration and consolidation through appropriate above the line and below the line activities. 170 distributors have been selected after the interview process. 85 distributors will start, while the number will gradually increase with increasing production.” “Mines at Tombel has been
opened up and it is under exploitation. The Mines at Batoke would soon become operational. Exploration licence for Foumban deposit has also been secured. EIA and other activities for securing mining lease are being processed. About 5,000 MT of pozzolana is stockpiled at the living area.” Baba stated. During a media tour of the plant, a distributor, Fonoggi Serge, Managing Director, ETS Limited, attested that the product was of a very high quality and sold at a very affordable rate. “Consumers and other dealers are already making demand for the commodity. I sell 20 tons daily and the acceptability of the product is rapidly increasing and it goes for between 4,000 – 4,500 CFA.” He stated. Also, a block maker, Kamdoum Rodrigue, certified that the product is very good, stressing that it takes a shorter period to dry. “Before now, we used to stay for one week waiting for the blocks to dry, but with this new product, we only stay for two to three days and our blocks are ready for supply. Now we meet our customers demand earlier than it used to be,” Rodrigue stated. Last month in Senegal the Dangote Group also rolled out products from its $300 million Cement Plant there amidst excitement by the country’s government for creating 5,000 direct employment. The giant stride of Dangote in the establishment of the cement plant marked the single largest investment by an African in Senegal. The new plant located in Pout district of Senegal, about 75 kilometres East of Dakar, the country’s capital, has a nominal capacity to produce 4000MT per day and 1.2MT per annum and with the capacity to create 5,000 jobs. Indeed Dangote Cement became an instant hit in the market because of the 42.5 high quality grade. Luke Haelterman, the Country Head of Dangote Cement, noted that Dangote Cement offered the best choice for consumers as it is the only 42.5 grade high quality cement available in Senegal market, adding that the commencement of production will boost the housing sub sector of the Senegal building industry. Haelterman noted that the entrance of Dangote cement into the Senegal market has altered the equation in the cement market, saying that the company has targeted the exportation of its product to Mali with the tune of two million tonnes per annum. With a dedicated commitment to investing in the growth of the African continent, Dangote cement has truly proven to be the pride of Africa, the Sub-region and most of all Nigeria.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Fear of Globacom LTE dominance, MTN targets Visafone Kayode Adelowokan Competition is the name of the game in the business world; more so, on the mobile phone horizon in Nigeria as everywhere else. Nigeria’s National Carrier, Globacom, acquired the 700 MHz from the Nigerian Communications Commission. That gives it the capability to do LTE (Long Term Evolution), which is obviously the next big area, thereby laying the foundation for reality on the broadband. Globacom is the only operator that has the licence on the 700 MHz spectrum. Not wanting to be beaten to second place in the LTE offering, MTN now wants to acquire Visafone’s licences, that is, the 800 MHz and the 700 MHz, the latter which is LTE-compliant, to also quickly latch on them and begin offering LTE in Nigeria. LTE is a wireless broadband technology designed to support roaming Internet access via cell phones and handheld devices. Because LTE offers significant improvements over older cellular communication standards, some refer to it as a 4G (fourth generation) technology along with WiMax. With its architecture based on Internet Protocol (IP) unlike many other cellular Internet protocols, Long Term Evolution supports browsing Web sites, VoIP and other IP-based services well. LTE can theoretically support downloads at 300 Megabits per second (Mbps) or more based on experimental trials. However, the actual network bandwidth
available to an individual LTE subscriber sharing the service provider’s network with other customers is significantly less. Long Term Evolution service is only available in limited geographic areas, but telecommunications providers have been actively expanding their LTE services. It will be recalled that MTN bought VGC Communications; a private telephone operator whose services were seen as very reliable, although it was almost a Lagos-based operator. MTN acquired the company due to its spectrum and the fibre ring it has across Lagos. This was
also another proactive move by MTN to prepare itself for landline telephony services, especially as Glo has licence and apparent capability to offer landline telephone service. VGC Communications Limited (VGCCL) was bought for $70 million (N9.3 billion) in 2006, by MTN Nigeria. VGCCL was licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to provide cabling and radio telephone services nationwide and had laid extensive fibre optic cables, and internet service provision.
Continued on page 20
19 ICT
Apple scales up production to meet watch preorders Tunji Makanjuola
Apple Inc is likely to quickly ramp up production of the Apple Watch after strong pre-orders outstripped limited supply, analysts said on Monday. Apple’s website lists shipping times in June for some models, and four to six weeks for others, suggesting the company is straining to meet demand. However, analysts said Apple could sell between 2.3 million and 4 million watches in the quarter ending June.Apple was widely expected to disclose preorders on Monday, following its usual pattern after a product launch. But Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said this may not happen this time because of the supply issue. “Overall we view the trends over the weekend as an indication of solid demand paired with very limited supply, with supply being the most significant limiting factor,” Munster said in a client note. Munster, who thinks Apple will sell 2.3 million watches in the April-June quarter, expects the company to ramp up production between mid-May and June. Estimates by shopping data firm Slice Intelligence and brokerage Cowen and Co pegged bookings on Friday, the first day of pre-orders, at about 1 million in the United States. For comparison, about 720,000 Android-powered smartwatches offered by companies including Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Sony Corp were shipped in all of 2014, according to market research firm Canalys. Analysts at brokerage Pacific Crest said their checks showed that Apple appeared to be ordering components for the watch that would allow it to make well over 20 million this year.
UBS estimates that Apple will sell 16 million watches in fiscal 2015 ending September and 40 million in fiscal 2016. The watch, which allow users to check email, listen to music and make phone calls when paired with an iPhone, goes on sale officially on April 24. BofA Merrill Lynch expects Apple to ship 4 million smartwatches in the quarter, while Cowen expects 3 million. The watch is Chief Executive Tim Cook’s first new major product launch and the company’s first foray into the personal luxury-goods market. Despite mixed reviews, which generally praised the watch’s styling but criticized its lessthan-spectacular battery life and slow-loading apps, people flocked to Apple stores to get a close-up look. Apple booked pre-orders for about 4 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models when they were released in September.
Munster
LCCI picks Kaymu MD to speak at ICTEL 2015 Expo
Wiles
The Lagos State Chamber for Commerce and Industries (LCCI) has named Managing Director, Kaymu, Evangeline Wiles, as one of the speakers in the upcoming ICT and Telecommunications expo, (ICTEL Expo 2015). The ICTEL Expo will attract the largest gathering of stakeholders in the ICT industry on four days of innovation, information and empowerment beginning from 15th to April 18th
2015 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. Wiles is to address the audience at the official opening ceremony of the event on “The Role of ICT in Improving Communities and Standards of Living”. ICTEL Expo 2015 is an information, communication, technology and telecommunications trade show that is aimed at encouraging conversations, sharing opinions on innovations, pro-
viding an excellent networking platform for business decision makers, innovation managers, start-ups, ICT academics, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s), venture capitalists and other players in the ICT sector and including the organizations in other sectors that find ICT very relevant in their business activities. Other speakers at the event include the Chief Executive Of-
ficer (CEO) of Mainone Cable, Funke Opeke, CEO of Connect Technologies, Chris Uwaje, CEO and Co-Founder of CCHUB, Bosun Tijani, Vice President VAS Airtel, Francis Ebuehi amongst others. ICTEL Expo 2015 is organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Established in 1888, the LCCI is the premier chamber of commerce in Sub-Sahara Africa.
ICT 20
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
5G: Ericsson collaborates with universities on research Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Ericsson has commenced its collaboration with two universities, King’s College London and Technische Universit Dresden (TU Dresden) with focus on 5G research, addressing both the technical implications and the societal challenges of implementing the next generation of communications technology. The collaborations with the two universities will further build on other leading European research institute and university such as those with the Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology
and Lund University in Sweden collaborations in the 5G sphere. Ericsson Head of Region Western and Central Europe, Valter D’Avino, said “The collaboration with King’s College London and TU Dresden will accelerate the momentum around smart sustainable cities, the Internet of Things and evolved industries powered by 5G in UK and Germany. “They underscore Ericsson’s ongoing commitment to innovate in Europe and develop 5G with relevant partners as the basis of a networked society and of digitized economies in the next decades.”
Ericsson is also leading the EU project METIS (Mobile and wireless communications Enablers for 2020 Information Society and has been a driving force of 5G Infrastructure PublicPrivate Partnership, (5G PPP) in which vendors, operators and players from industries such as the automotive, utilities and automation sectors are working closely together. 5G is expected to begin its commercial rollout in 2020, by which time Ericsson believes that there will be up to 50 billion connected devices in the world, mainly in machine-to-machine communication.
D’Avino
Using multiple service providers can compromise security— Accenture report may or may not work in some locations. Thus it may be wise to employ the services of more than one SP in order to be within reach at all times,” Loozen added. On his part, Group Managing Director Accenture Digital, Jim Bailey, at the 2015 MWC opined also that “with the potential of digital technology to transform business and thus the economy at large, a unique partnership with mobile manufacturers
Loozen
Despite the fiery competition among mobile telecommunication operators in their quest to garner more subscribers in the Nigeria market, consumers are still bent on using more than one service provider to meet their communication needs, which according to an Accenture 2015 Digital Consumer Survey is not a popular trend globally. According to the Accenture 2015 Digital Consumer Survey report, globally, consumers engage the use of a single service provider to manage communication and entertainment products because they believe that this aids security. Accenture’s Managing Director, Tom Loozen said at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress (MWC) that Consumers’ preferences for a single, trusted provider also place
Service Providers in the spotlight, adding that “ this can be a distinct advantage for Service Providers(SPs), because they can combine their expertise in building and managing IP networks with their increased capabilities to develop and deliver new, customer-focused services that incorporate data analytics for highly personalized services. As a result, SPs are positioned to do well in the digital ecosystem.” “However, in Nigeria this is not the case as individuals and organisations use different SPs on their different devices. Businesses may stand on the fact that the use of different SPs makes it easier to connect with their customers. Also connected to this is the issue of signals in different areas in Nigeria. Due to the terrain of the country, the networks provided by some SPs
and service providers should be considered. Though it may seem like the functions of mobile manufacturers and service providers are clearly different in the business of digital technologies, collaboration with both parties can transform not just individual lives but the face of business. “Mobile manufacturers should continually design, manufacture and sell wireless technological equipment that allow
for seamless business transactions and interactions. And on the other hand, service providers should ensure that information is efficiently and effectively transmitted. The benefits of this partnership are innumerable with some including the ability to create new revenue opportunities, increase product and service development speed, an increase in customer engagement and also help create new markets for business.”
GLO, MTN battle for LTE dominance Continued from page 19 The company was established in April 1995 with the primary objective of providing all the communications related services required by the residents of Victoria Garden City and Ikota shopping Complex area of Lagos state. Now, here is how the MTN’s Visafone deal would have to be wrapped up sooner than anyone might guess: Globacom has set a deadline of June 1 to launch LTE services. The company only recently held series of meetings, taking presentations from all the leading vendors and network equipment companies, among them
Huawei, ZTE, Nokia Networks, Ceragon, on launching LTE services on June 1. In fact, the company has already hired a leading international technology consulting company on this area for the purpose. Glo’s plan is to launch LTE services in six cities of the country in the first phase of the planned nationwide launch. And, as the planned take-off of Glo’s LTE services on June 1, continues to gain momentum, MTN is not leaving anything to chance; hence, the race to finalise the deal for the purchase of Visafone as soon as possible. Visafone also has the spectrum for the operations of LTE,
just like Glo; MTN’s calculation therefore is to quickly acquire Visafone and put itself in good stead for real showdown with Glo come June. Meanwhile, Nigeria government has declared year 2015 as the Broadband year and for mobile operators, the most technically advanced technology for broadband offering is the Long Term Evolution, hence the race to acquire the necessary but scarce spectrum to enable them roll out services and offer broadband. Currently there are 279 commercially launched LTE networks in 101 countries and 482 LTE network commitments in 147 countries. (GSA March 2014).
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
s
Cartoons from our Archives
1865 President Lincoln is shot Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln at a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Five days earlier, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered his army to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. The war was nearly over, although there were still Confederate forces yet to surrender. The president had recently visited the captured Rebel capital of Richmond, Virginia, and now Lincoln sought a relaxing evening by attending a production of Our American Cousin starring Laura Keene. Ford’s Theater, seven blocks from the White House, was crammed with people trying to catch a glimpse of Grant, who was rumored to be in attendance. In fact, the general and his wife had cancelled abruptly for an out-of-town trip. Lincoln occupied a booth above the stage with his wife;
1775
Henry Rathbone, a young army officer; and his fiancée, Clara Harris, daughter of New York Senator Ira Harris. The Lincolns arrived late for the comedy, but the president was in a fine mood and laughed heartily during the production. At 10:15, Booth slipped into the box and fired his .44-caliber single-shot derringer into the back of Lincoln’s head. Rathbone rushed Booth, who stabbed the soldier in the shoulder. Booth then leapt from the president’s box to the stage below, breaking his leg as he landed. He shouted, “Sic semper tyrannis!” (“Thus ever to tyrants!”–the Virginia state motto) and ran from the stage. There was a pause, as the crowd initially thought the unfolding drama was part of the production, but a scream from Mrs. Lincoln told them otherwise. The stricken president was carried from the box to a house across the street, where he died the following morning.
First American abolition society founded in Philadelphia
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first American society dedicated to the cause of abolition,was founded in Philadelphia on this day in 1775. The society changes its name to the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage in 1784. Leading Quaker educator and abolitionist Anthony Benezet called the society together two years after he persuaded the Quakers to create the Negro School at Philadelphia. Benezet was born in France to a Huguenot (French Protestant) family that had fled to London in order to avoid persecution at the hands of French Catholics. The family eventually migrated to Philadelphia when Benezet was 17. There, he joined the Society of
Friends (Quakers) and began a career as an educator. In 1750, Benezet began teaching slave children in his home after regular school hours, and in 1754, established the first girls’ school in America. With the help of fellow Quaker John Woolman, Benezet persuaded the Philadelphia Quaker Yearly Meeting to take an official stance against slavery in 1758. Benezet’s argument for abolition found a trans-Atlantic audience with the publication of his tract Some Historical Account of Guinea, written in 1772. Benezet counted Benjamin Franklin and John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, among his sympathetic correspondents. He died in 1784; his funeral was attended by 400 black Philadelphians. His society was renamed in that year, and in 1787, Benjamin Franklin lent his prestige to the organization, serving as its president.
Daily Times April 14, 1961
on cargo ship 1944 Explosion 1986 U.S. rocks Bombay, India bombs Libya
The cargo ship Fort Stikine exploded in a berth in the docks of Bombay, India, killing 1,300 people and injuring another 3,000 on this day in 1944. As it occurred during World War II, some initially claimed that the massive explosion was caused by Japanese sabotage; in fact, it was a tragic accident. The Fort Stikine was a Canadianbuilt steamship weighing 8,000 tons. It left Birkenhead, England, on February 24 and stopped in Karachi, Pakistan, before docking at Bombay. The ship was carrying hundreds of cotton bales, gold bullion and, most notably, 300 tons of trinitrotoluene, better known as TNT or dynamite. Inexplicably, the cotton was stored one level below the dynamite, despite the well-known fact that cotton bales were prone to combustion. In the middle of loading, smoke was seen coming from the cotton bales and firefighters were sent to investigate. However, emergency measures, such as flooding that part of the ship, were not taken. Instead, about 60 firefighters
tried to put out the fire with hoses throughout the afternoon. Unfortunately, the TNT was not unloaded during the firefighting efforts. Eventually, the firefighters were ordered off the ship but kept dousing the fire from the docks. Their efforts were in vain; the TNT was ignited, and at 4:07 p.m., the resulting explosion rocked the bay area. The force of the blast actually lifted a nearby 4,000-ton ship from the bay onto land. Windows a mile away were shattered. A 28-pound gold bar from the Fort Stikine, worth many thousands of dollars, was found a mile away. Everyone in close vicinity of the ship was killed. Twelve other ships at the docks were destroyed and many more were seriously damaged. Fires broke out all over the port, causing further explosions. Military troops were brought in to fight the raging fires and some buildings were demolished to stop it from spreading. The main business center of Bombay was not safe for three days after the explosion.
On April 14, 1986, the United States launched air strikes against Libya in retaliation for the Libyan sponsorship of terrorism against American troops and citizens. The raid, which began shortly before 7 p.m. EST (2 a.m., April 15 in Libya), involved more than 100 U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft, and was over within an hour. Five military targets and “terrorism centres” were hit, including the headquarters of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi. During the 1970s and ’80s, Qaddafi’s government financed a wide variety of Muslim and anti-U.S. and anti-British terrorist groups worldwide, from Palestinian guerrillas and Philippine Muslim rebels to the Irish Republican Army and the Black Panthers. In response, the U.S. imposed sanctions against Libya, and relations between the two nations steadily deteriorated. In 1981, Libya fired at a U.S. aircraft that passed into the Gulf of Sidra, which Qaddafi had claimed in 1973 as Libyan territorial waters.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
23 News
Anambra PDP, Accord Party candidates accuse INEC, APGA of irregularities Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha
ÏÏÏ
Unhappy with the outcome of Saturday’s House of Assembly election in Anambra State, candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
and subverting the wishes of the people. Reacting to the outcome of the election in his constituency, Accord Party candidate for Onitsha North Constituency, Mr. Iduu Okosi, expressed anger over the results of the election, describing it as a sham. He accused APGA agents of inducing voters with cash to influence the voting pattern. He, however, declined to comment on whether he would challenge
the result in the tribunal. In Onitsha South I Constituency, Fegge, Onitsha, the PDP candidate and a former lawmaker in the state, Mr. Chinedu Mokwue, accused APGA of recruiting thugs to manipulate the election in his ward, which he claimed was his traditional stronghold at Immaculate Heart Church polling centre. During the accreditation, it was gathered that thugs, reportedly doning brown caps and
allegedly recruited by APGA, arrived in two buses and intimidated Mokwue out of the polling centre, while the APGA candidate, Mr. Patrick Aniunoh, stayed in a black jeep with an armed police escort, to observe the event. However, bloodbath was averted at the polling centre, when PDP supporters escorted their candidate out of the area. Aniunoh was also spotted in same jeep at Oraifite Hall poll-
ing unit, Onitsha. All attempts made by this reporter to speak with him proved abortive, as he refused to lower his vehicle window. The election was generally peaceful, except at Okija Town Hall, Fegge, Onitsha, where some thugs belonging to a particular political party allegedly carted away a ballot box from the polling unit, which caused confusion among the voters and INEC electoral staff.
Niger guber: INEC declares APC candidate, Sani Bello, winner Pita Chikwem Minna
ÏÏÏ The INEC Returning Of-
ficer for Niger State, Professor Abdulganiy Ambali, has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello as winner in the state’s governorship election, after scoring 593,702 to defeat Alhaji Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 239,772. While announcing the results, the returning officer, in the early hours of Monday, said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko, won in Magama, his LGA, after garnering 20,036 votes, leaving the APC candidate with 18,864 votes. The All Progressives Congress
Jega
Kano Water Board generates N247.4m in 3 months
(APC) candidate won 23 out of the 25 LGAs, as announced by the returning officer. Prof. Ambali, however, gave breakdown of the results as follows: Tafa LGA, APC 11,505 votes, PDP 7,267 votes. Bosso LGA, APC 29,777, PDP 7,187. Gurara LGA, APC 15,211, PDP 7,921. Munya LGA APC 12,636, PDP 7,542. Suleja LGA, APC 27,886, PDP 9,293. Also, in Paikoro LGA, APC 25,959, PDP 10,023. Rafi LGA, APC 31,307, PDP 8,937. Chanchaga LGA, APC 44,050, PDP 14,863. Kacha LGA, APC 20,175, PDP 7,488. Shiroro LGA, APC 26,478, PDP 8,862. Bida LGA, APC 38,055, PDP 7,345. Lavun LGA, APC 25,497, PDP 10,713. Others are Rijau LGA, APC 21,093, PDP 11,880. Gbako LGA, APC 22,629, PDP 8,902. Borgu LGA, APC 25,006, PDP 7,798. Lapai LGA, APC 27,114, PDP 6,790. Agaie LGA, APC 20,101, PDP 9,189. Magama LGA, APC 18,864, 20,036. Furthermore, Prof. Ambali said in Wushishi LGA, APC had 16,049, PDP 8,387. Mokwa LGA, APC 27,880, PDP 8,097. Kontagora LGA, APC 39,295, PDP 11,196. Agwara LGA, APC 7,472, PDP 8,751. Mashegu LGA APC 22,634, PDP 8,734, Mariga LGA, APC 24,653, PDP 10,437. Enagi LGA, APC 12,326, PDP 11,1
Yakubu Salisu
ÏÏÏ
The Managing Director, Kano State Water Board, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal, has revealed that the water board generated N247.4 million within the last three months. According to him, the amount was part of the board’s target rev-
Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi (2nd right) at a meeting with Permanent Secretaries in the State public and civil service after his re-election in Ibadan… on Monday PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Ayade emerges Cross River Governor-elect Emma Obi
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as Governor-elect for Cross River State at Saturday’s gubernatorial election. Ayade scored a total of 342,016 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Odey Ochicha, who polled 53, 983 votes, and the Labour Party candidate,
Mr. Fidelis Ugbo, who got 36,918 votes. The state’s returning officer, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, who is the vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo, declared Ayade winner in the early hours of Monday. Meanwhile, the PDP has also won 23 out of the 25 state House of Assembly seats that have been declared so far. Two sitting lawmakers of the state Assembly lost their seats to the candidates of the PDP.
Dr. Alex Irek of the APC, who represents Obubra I state constituency, polled 4, 238, while Mr. Gabriel Okpechi of the PDP scored 5,741 to defeat the sitting APC lawmaker. Similarly, Hon. Ernest Eki of APC, who represents Boki I State constituency polled 8,354 votes, while Dr. Itam Abang of the PDP scored 13, 253 votes. Elections were inconclusive in Yakurr and Biase state constituencies.
enue of N1.9 billion for the year. ‘’We plan to collect N1.9 billion this year as our target revenue, hence our decision to intensify efforts toward ensuring that people pay their bills promptly,” he said. Muhammad said the board also planned to complete all the projects, which it initiated in
2014 with a view to ensuring effective service delivery. The water pipelines being laid in Tsanyawa town, according to him, would be completed within the year. Other projects may come in when the new government is inaugurated,” The managing director said the board had introduced a
number of measures aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability among its revenue collectors. Finally, he said the board was also planning to introduce new system of paying bills, to reduce the hardship being experienced by customers when paying their water bills.
Calabar
ÏÏÏ Prof. Benedict Ayade of the
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14 2015
Bayelsa monarch appeals to FG to save coastal settlements
ÏÏÏ The paramount ruler
of Olobia Community, Koluama, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Howells Levi, has appealed to the Federal Government to protect their settlements from extinction. Levi told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, at Yenagoa, that a violent surge had, in July 2014, rendered hundreds of Koluama residents homeless, as their homes were washed away by the Atlantic Ocean. The monarch explained that the coastal community, located along the Atlantic
coastline in the state, had lost substantial territory to marine erosion and tidal surge, forcing residents to retreat. According to him, the Federal Fishing Terminal, constructed by the Federal Government, has been washed away by the violent Atlantic tide, which is still threatening to submerge the remaining settlements. ``Koluama is being threatened by erosion, so serious that within the next five years, from what we see there, the name Koluama may no more be in the history of Bayelsa State.
Promotion: NSITF pledges fairness to staff Akor Ejumene Abuja
ÏÏÏ As the jostle for pro-
motion became the order of the day at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the leadership of the fund has pledged fairness to the staffers but urged them to be dedicated to duty. The promotion fever between old and new staff appeared to be assuming a dangerous dimension, as the in-house union has pitched tents with some of the staff, and this has resulted in the formation
of fifth columnists, who are alleging favouritism by both the board and management of the Fund. Reacting to the unhealthy development, while receiving an award on behalf of the Fund from a coalition of 40 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in Abuja, the Managing Director of NSITF, Munir Abubakar, said promotion of staffers has never been lopsided, as it was done in strict compliance with the principle of federal character, equity and fairness. His words: “Our promo-
Gov Ahmed dedicates victory to Kwara people Ola Yekeen Ilorin
ÏÏÏ
Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described his victory in last weekend's election as victory to the entire people of the state. Governor Ahmed said this on Monday, while speaking with newsmen at
the Government House on the outcome on the governorship election. “This victory is the victory of the Kwarans, who have decided to be part of the change process aweeping through the country,” he added. According to the governor, his victory would not only bring good gover-
nance, but also dividends of democracy to the generality of the people of Kwara. He pledged to run an allinclusive government in the interest of the people of the state and called for the cooperation of everybody to move the state forward. Dr. Ahmed, therefore called on everybody, irrespective of political or reli-
gious leanings, to come together, put heads together and move the state forward. He said his campaign was different from the past one as he has made him to be closer to the grassroots. The governor promised not to disappoint them as he pledged to deliver on his campaign promises.
tion is executed based on government policy, which means we are guided by Federal Character. If we don’t, we would answer to the National Assembly. It is possible some people have some grudges but, in everything we do, we must ensure equity and balance.” While admitting that it would be difficult to satisfy all staff in the promotion exercise, Abubakar, however, debunked insinuations of usurpation of management powers by the board. “The Act establishing us names us as managementboard. Whatever I do as MD, or someone does as an Executive Director, we have the mandate of the
board. We are a management board, and not like other organisations. The board members are parttime, so they cannot always be here. We act on their behalf,” he added. The managing director also explained that the appointment of collection agents is backed by law, and that their mandate is different from that of staff. “Let me correct an impression. We have not recruited thousands of workers. It is true we have employed some workers in the last few months, but appointing of collection agents is a requirement of the law and how the scheme operates.
ALLAH-EMMA TRANSPORTERS CLUB This is to inform the general public that the above name ALLAH-EMMA TRANSPORTERS CLUB. has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for CHANGE OF TRUSTEE Registration under part c of the Companies and Allied Matter Act l990. THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : l. Taoridi Lasisi 2. Amidu Rasaki Opeolu. 3.Jimo Alimi 4. Adunbi Christopher 5. Surat Omolabake 6. Kehinde Lawal 7. Adeyeye Dada 8. Mudashiru Adedeji
NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Taoridi Lasisi 2. Amidu Rasaki Opeolu 3. Kehinde Lawal 4. Adeyeye Dada 5. Mudashiru Adedeji 6. Olakunle Folarin
AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To promote unity among the members. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar – General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication. Signed: Omoniyi Olanrewaju
FAITH OF THE SON HERITAGE ASSEMBLY The general public is hereby notified that the above named assembly has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. Jatto Joseph (Chairman) 2. Hassan Danladi Olajide 3. Odiah Clever 4. Jatto Tamilore (sec) 5. Emeka Patrick Duru 6. Orhaga Eunice.
GLOBAL HOPE INTEGRAED AND EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. Kusimo Rhoda Olurunfunmibi Oluwagbemisola. 2. Kusimo Abigail Olamide. 3. Kusimo Joanah Olufunke.
Aims and Objectives 1. To propagate the Gosple of Christ 2. To promote and sustain the Biblical faith amongst believers. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B 198, Garki Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Aims and Objectives 1. To provide education and health welfare to the disabled and vulnerable 2. To assist the less privileged. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B 198, Garki Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Signed; Jatto Tamilore (sec).
GREAT VESSELS REVIVAL MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied for Registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.
Signed; Secretary
WHITE STARS BROTHERS CLUB OF NIGERIA This is to inform the General Public that the above named Club has applied for Registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under part C of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. The Names of the Trustees are:1. Chibuike Olubuogu 2. Okoli Chijioke 3. Obasi Amaechi 4. Okafor Hyacinth Ejike 5. Uwaekwe Chukwuma Linus
THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Odubona Tijani Olayinka - Pastor /Chairman 2. Moore Aderonke Odunayo - General Secretary 3. Shotala Temitope Oluwato - Treasurer 4. Victor Ile Musa - Member 5. Babatunde Kehinde Aduraa - Member 6. Oladehinde Olayemi Oluwaseun - Member 7. Odeshola Sanjo Felix - Member THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To cause a revival both in churches and campuses 2. To spread the good news of christ across the nation 3. To involve in all kinds of evangelism through schools, prison, hospital and crusade 4. To be involved in film shows and drama ministry Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication
SIGNED BY:- CHAIRMAN
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To promote peace and unity among friends. 2. To promote high degree of mutual understanding, co-operation and good relationship among members. 3. To provide a link between the club and other social club locally as well as internationally. 4. To represent in a beneficial capacity in functions organised by members. 5. To promote moral uprightness, financial soundness and strong family ties. 6. To enhance interest of members. 7. To protect interest of members. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of publication SIGNED BY:Barr. Victor Enemali
WINDING UP!
WINDING UP!!
WINDING UP!!!
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
Special Resolution Of The Members Of Ibadan Gas Company Limited Notice Of Members Voluntary Winding Up And Appointment Of Liquidator (Pursuant To Section 458 And 491) At the Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the above named Company duly convened and held at its registered office on the ……1st…. day of ……APRIL….., 2015, the following resolutions were proposed and duly passed as special resolution: 1. “That the Shareholders are satisfied that the Company can no longer continue its business and consider it advisable to wind up the business, and it is hereby resolved. 2. That the company be wound up voluntarily in accordance with the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 3. That Mr. Tolulope Akinfire of 12, Oyeelegunde Street, Beckly Estate, Abule- Egba, Lagos be and is hereby appointed as liquidator for the purpose of the winding up.” DATED THIS…1ST………….. DAY OF ……………APRIL……………………….2015 DIRECTOR PULAK SEN
DIRECTOR VICTOR EBURAJOLO (MNI)
OYEWOLE AANU BISOYE
OLUWOLE PHILOMENA ONEISI
I formerly known and addressed as Miss Morakinyo Aanu Bisoye, now wish to be known as Mrs. Oyewole Aanu Bisoye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formely known and address as Miss Okofu Philomena Oneisi now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwole Philomena Oneisi. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.
YAKUB KAFILAT ABIDEMI
BANKOLE-OBADINA JANET OMOBOLANLE
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedeji Kafilat Abidemi now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yakub Kafilat Abidemi. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service should please take note.
I, formely known and addressed as Miss Obadina Janet Omobolanle now to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bankole-Obadina Janet Omobolanle. Former documents remain valid. General public take note
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
It's time to unseat Dickson and PDP from Bayelsa —APC Akam James Yenagoa
Ă?Ă?Ă?
The All Progressives Congress (APC) party chieftain in Bayelsa State, on Monday, rated as 'commendable' the performance of the party in the Presidential, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in the state, declaring that the party was ready to unseat the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, in next year's gubernatorial
Polls: Army uncovers arms cache in Rivers Ă?Ă?Ă? The
Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has uncovered arms cache, linked to suspected political thugs in Rivers State, following a mop-up operation. Brig.-Gen. Koko Essien, the commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said this while presenting six suspected political thugs to newsmen, on Monday. He said the operation was conducted in Ahoada East, Ogbakiri community of Emohua and Buguma town in Asari-Toru Local Government areas, respectively. ``In continuation of operation to mop up arms and ammunition in 2 Brigade’s area of responsibility, we conducted series of operations before and during the April 11 elections in Rivers. ``On April 10, we got information of a stockpile of weapons at Samroyal Hotel in Ahoada East, and soldiers carried out a cordonand-search operation on the hotel,� Brig.-Gen Essien said. According to him, two suspects were arrested with two Pump Action guns, 41 machetes, 55 cartridges and the sum of N300,000 at the hotel. He said the suspects intimidated the electorate and threatened to disrupt the election in the area.
election. According to the APC, though the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was characterised by electoral fraud, police intimidation, manipulation and rigging by the ruling party in the state, the show of acceptance of the 'Change' advocated by the APC, through massive voting for its candidates, has affirmed the readiness of the party to defeat the PDP in the forthcoming governor-
ship election in the state. The party, in a position presented by Comrade Godwin Sidi, stated that the party had called on the INEC not to be biased and allow the political parties to have a fair contest during the governorship polls in 2016. "We are ready to unseat the PDP in 2016, and we call on INEC to allow a level playing field during the governorship election. "The noticeable cases of resistance by the people of the state to cases of
electoral fraud by the PDP, during the Presidential, National and State Assemblies elections, was commendable. We won in some places but were rigged out through electoral fraud. “We want to thank the President-elect and the people of Bayelsa for the show of commitment to the party and the 'Change'. We have alerted the INEC not to be bias during the governorship election in Bayelsa State, come 2016," Sidi said.
C’River APC guber candidate concedes defeat, congratulates winner
Ă?Ă?Ă? Gubernatorial candi-
date of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday's election in Cross River State, Mr Odey Ochicha, has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Prof. Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ochicha, in a congratulatory message made available to journalists in Calabar, on Monday, however said that his gesture would not prevent the party from meeting to consider the outcome of the election. ``This morning, I called on my opponent, the PDP gubernatorial candidate and the winner of last Sat-
urday's governorship election in the state, Prof. Ben Ayade, to congratulate him on his victory. ``I praised him for carrying the fight to the end and winning the election. I advise that he be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along in your administration. ``Besides, I enjoin you to live up to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state," Ochicha said in the message. Ayade scored 342,016 votes to defeat his rival, who scored 53,983, while the Labour Party candidate polled 36,918 votes to place third.
6We did our best for Niger
$ 3 & # # 0 % ( ( % ! 4 5 3 &&
2
25 News
State, Gov Aliyu Saka Bolaji Minna
Ă?Ă?Ă?
Niger State Governor, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, on Monday, took a retrospective look at his almost eight years rule and concluded that "we did our best" in the service to the people of the state. "Let me restate that you deserve the appreciation of our party, for giving us the chance of serving you and + , $ #$ doing the job in the last 16 years, even though it was - $ ( $ % ! & tough. # )$ ' "I believe we did our best, given the circumstances, . . ( ) *
and we succeeded in mov $ ) ing Niger State away from % ! & where we found it in 1999. # % In fact, you deserve my /0
1 ( ) ) deepest personal gratitude for giving me the opportunity to win your trust by electing me as a two-term governor since 2007," Aliyu !!! " stated. Governor Aliyu’s remarks were contained in a broadcast to the people of the state on Monday, dur# " ing which he congratulated $ % the Governor-elect of the & " "' (" ) * + $,- , . state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani /" " + /. " Bello of the All Progressive 0 1 2, ) " 3 ,0 4 Congress (APC), who was /" declared winner earlier on Monday morning by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Abubakar had defeated the Peoples Democratic
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Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko. He said the outcome of the election, which threw up the APC candidate as his successor, come May 29 this year, "demonstrates the entrenchment of democracy in our country, in which the people have the ultimate say in determining their leaders." Governor Aliyu continued in the broadcast that "I remain grateful to you and assure you that I will continue to give my best in the service of Niger State, in whatever capacity I find myself in the future." He charged the governorelect and his supporters "to rejoice with what Allah has done for them, but remember to focus on the attainment of the collective development aspirations of Nigerlites, as governance is a continuous and unending process," he concluded. In the same vein, he called on the members of the PDP, ‘not to be despair with the outcome of the elections as Allah gives and takes power at will’.
Aliyu
Law 26
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Law
s
ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL:
Judges should be careful relating to politicians -Ali Mallam Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate in this interview gave an assessment of the presidential election held on March 28 and came to the conclusion that ‘Nigeria is maturing in terms of democratic advances and practices.’ Besides, he spoke on the election petition tribunal, the ineligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the election and assessment of his four-year tenure in office, the anti-graft agencies and sundry other issues. PETER FOWOYO, met him. As a senior member of the Bar, what is your assessment of the presidential election? Well, let me talk as an electorate and as an observer at the election. I was an observer on the platform of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). I voted and I went round so many polling stations in Ilorin on the day of the presidential election. From what I saw, the elections were very credible, orderly, at least devoid of fighting in all the places I visited here and I visited quite a large number of polling stations. Of course, there were little problems at the beginning of some late arrival of the electoral officials, card reader problem, in my own polling station the card reader did not work immediately but I discovered from my going round that the level of proficiency of the electoral personnel was responsible for the none functioning of some of those card readers. Some of them didn’t quite
get their hold on how to use it. So it may not be the problem with the card reader, maybe it was because of the human element or the inability to operate it. But, by and large, from what I saw here and from the reports our other colleagues who monitored the elections in other places told me, I know the elections were credible which should be the acid test for other elections. INEC should deploy their men to review how the elections were conducted and for the first time, there were security men, civil defense and police men but, nobody was carrying gun at the polling stations which is very, very instructive and the soldiers who were around were only patrolling, they were visible, you will see them moving round, they didn’t disturb anybody. I hope that is what happened in other places in Nigeria, if that is exactly what is replicated everywhere all over Nigeria then, we have arrived when it comes to the conduct of elections but, I am not sure that was what happened. From my own perception, I think on a general level and what I read later from other international observers, the elections appears to have passed the acid test. I think it is good for us and my own thesis is, what I’ve always been telling people, is that if elections were credible, the number of election petitions will reduce drastically and it happened in 2011 and I think it will also happened now that we are not likely to have many election petitions which for me is good for our democratic development. It also shows that politicians are learning now that
Ali
“If you do not perform up to their expectations Nigerians are now capable of changing their leaders through the ballot boxes. So, the impunity of any political party to think they can be there no matter what they do even when they are not doing well for me, that is the most important thing.
you don’t win all the time, you win some, you lose some. That is the way the world is. If the ruling party had won this election would you have seen the election as credible? If it meets all the criteria I’ve displayed, what I saw in Kwara, if that is the way it was all over the place of course, I won’t say otherwise. I am not a politician; I am interested in the Nigeria project. I am not a PDP person, I am not an APC person and that is why as I am working for some people who are in APC, I am working for some people who are in PDP, I am just a professional but as a Nigerian I have a stake in the country as to whether the country is properly run or not. For me, on a general level, the outcome of the election, one I am sure Nigeria is maturing in terms of democratic advances and practices, number two, it has send signal to the political class especially the politicians that Nigerians are now finding their voices and their feet. If you do not perform up to their expectations Nigerians are now capable of changing
their leaders through the ballot boxes. So, the impunity of any political party to think they can be there no matter what they do even when they are not doing well for me, that is the most important thing. For the first time in our life as a nation, we are getting to a level where the voters would say we don’t want A to be in power and that wish will come to pass through the instrumentality of the ballot box. It will reduce impunity, it will promote good governance. Those who are elected would now know that it is a challenge that if they too, turn out not to do well, what happens to the party in power now will also happen to them in the future and to me, that is the most important thing. It is not about a particular party especially for me, I don’t see any difference between APC and PDP when it comes to issues of ideology, there is none. Many people in APC were formerly in PDP, some people in PDP now were formerly in APC so, the ease with which people cross carpet CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
will tell you there is no difference between the parties. What are your expectations from the election petitions tribunals set up by the president of the Court of Appeal? My expectation is the same that I always expect from any court of law, justice according to the law. They should be careful about the way they relate with politicians while sitting in judgment; they should avoid anything that will bring the name of the judiciary in disrepute. I will be happy if we don’t have all the vociferous voices of oh we gave money to the tribunal, I hope it will not come up this time around, I pray so even if it is not true, it is not good for the image of the judiciary that such allegations are ever made at all. To some of us, we believe that the judiciary is a temple for the gods as it were; it should not be desecrated in any forms. Those who will be serving in the tribunals should not do anything knowingly or unknowingly that will bring the image of the judiciary that will attract negative thing to the image of the judiciary, the judiciary as we have known is not only the last hope of the common man, it is the last hope of all of us including the high, the low, the mighty and the weak. My expectation is that the tribunals will perform better than the past, they will improve on their performance and that nobody will do anything that has the tendency to desecrate the name of the judiciary. What is the situation of a suit you filed challenging the eligibility of President Jonathan in contesting the 2015 election? Well, a team of lawyers were briefed by concerned Nigerians that we should look at the constitution whether or not President Jonathan was eligible to contest and after brainstorming for weeks, we came to the irresistible conclusion that he was not eligible and so we filed the case in court. We have argued the case, judgment has been reserved I think sometime this month, we are likely to have the judgment delivered by the
court. When the judgment is given, whichever way it goes, lawyers don’t act on their own, if we succeed, so be it, if we don’t, if our clients want any other steps to be taken under the law, we take such steps. Why was the suit filed? It was because those Nigerians felt and it was a pan Nigerians case that involved all the major ethnic groups in this country as parties, the same thing with representations, there were lawyers from the South-West, lawyers from the North, lawyers from the South-South, lawyers from the South-East involved in the matter, it was a Pan Nigerian matter and those people were convinced after getting legal advice that they should go to court and test the provisions of the constitution vis-à-vis time president Jonathan has spent in office and his ambition to spend additional four years. Their contention is simple, that look, you have spent about six years, if you contest now and you win then you will spend another four years, as far as they are concerned, their own interpretation is that look, the constitution does not envisaged any individual spending more than eight years in office but, the matter is in court and we can’t start to talk about it now, let’s wait for the judgment. But the constitution speculates two terms of four years and he has not spent two terms of four years so why would he not qualify to run? I am not going to talk about the constitution now because those were the arguments we canvassed in court and I am not going to re-argue the case before you because I am not going to get paid for that. The one I got paid for, I’ve argued it in court, let’s wait, whether we are wrong or right, the court will tell us. How will you assess President Goodluck Jonathan’s socio-economic, political and religious performance in the last four years of his administration? I have said this from the beginning. Well, you don’t need a soothsayer to let you know that the economy is in trouble except for those who have access to gov-
“I have said this from the beginning. Well, you don’t need a soothsayer to let you know that the economy is in trouble except for those who have access to government fund, I am not sure of any hard working person whose lot has improved economically in the last four years.”
27 Law
‘No political party can hold Nigerians ransome anymore’
Ali ernment fund, I am not sure of any hard working person whose lot has improved economically in the last four years. I am not basing my assessment of economy on the rebasing of economy, my own argument is, how many more people have gotten jobs in the last four years, how many graduates have been employed, how many of the legion of unemployed people have gotten jobs, has the quality of life of the average Nigerian improved because the tendency is, if you start to look at it from your own point of view then, you’re likely to run into trouble. For me, I do not see apart from the micro and macro economy that OkonjoIweala and her people are pro-
pounding, I’ve not seen the translation of economy boom in the lives of Nigerians. If the economy is doing very well, it has a flow down on everybody. When you have money, you buy properties, when you buy properties you engage lawyers for the documents, you engage surveyors, if you buy a piece of land and you want to build you engage architect, you get engineers, you get artisans, most artisans don’t have work to do because there are no new things going on even government that is giving jobs to people, contractors have not been paid otherwise you want to ask the Lokoja-Abuja dualisation
why is it taking this long to be completed, I was made to understand that contractors on this site are being owed some billions of naira, their certificate of work done has not been paid, those are the issues. On the issue of corruption and the fight against corruption, I’ve said it several times that there has been no serious war against corruption, none. But will you blame the president for the war against corruption when there are anti-graft agencies responsible for that? It’s his government, the bulk stops on his table. The anti-graft agencies need political will to do their work and I can’t see any political will displayed. Let me give you an example, when Obasanjo was the president, people said oh, the master plan of Abuja has been distorted, he got el-Rufai as minister, very powerful people’s buildings were pulled down, el-Rufai on his own couldn’t have done that, he needed the president to back him and that was why the man was able to do it so it is the same thing with the anti-corruption agency and there is no political will to fight corruption. Go and do investigative journalism and find out how many private jets were in existence in 2011 and how many do you have now and who are the owners and let them tell you the visible means of their livelihood. I made some discreet enquiries in Abuja at the portion where they parked private jets, I was told that on an average of daily basis they parked 50 there and if you go there now they are expanding the apron to accommodate more and who are the owners, what do they do for a living, we are not talking of Lagos, that is the issue for me.
“Go and do investigative journalism and find out how many private jets were in existence in 2011 and how many do you have now and who are the owners and let them tell you the visible means of their livelihood.”
28
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
EXTRATIME
MADRID SEEK TO BREAK ATLETICO JINX
R
eal Madrid will aim to turn around a recent dismal record against city rivals Atletico Madrid when the clubs meet in the quarter-finals of the Champions League tonight. Since overcoming their neighbours
to lift an historic 10th European crown last May, Real have failed to beat Atletico in six attempts. A 1-0 defeat at the Vicente Calderon in August gave Atletico a 2-1 aggregate triumph in the Spanish Super Cup, and Diego Simeone’s side
won by the same margin over 90 minutes when the teams met at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga three weeks later. A 2-0 win on home turf for Atletico led them to a 4-2 victory across two legs in January’s Copa del Rey tie, and a 4-0 Liga humbling followed for Real in February. The latter result and a haphazard negotiation of the Champions League last-16 encounter with Schalke served to increase discontent among the Real faithful with Coach Carlo Ancelotti. Nevertheless, there could still be a glorious conclusion to their season after Barcelona spurned a two-goal lead over Sevilla on Saturday to leave the door ajar in La Liga’s title race.
REF TO EARN £6,800 IN MAYWEATHER, PACQUIAO FIGHT
T
he referee for Floyd Mayweather’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao will earn the sum of $10,000 (£6,800) for officiating the biggest fight since the turn of the millennium. Mayweather and Pacquiao are expected to pocket £82m and £54.5m respectively from the fight which is reportedly worth an estimated $300m (£205m). If those figures are accurate, undefeated Mayweather will earn
over 12,000 times more than ‘the third man in the ring’ for his night’s work. $10,000 is the standard amount the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) pays referees for big fights. The referee for the bout has not yet been decided but the NSAC are expected to make an announcement this week. Kenny Bayless and Tony Weeks have emerged as the front runners to be given the nod.
MUNGARA BREAKS WORLD MARATHON RECORD TODAY’S QUARTER FINAL MATCHES Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid 19: 45 Juventus v Monaco 19: 45
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015 Sergio Ramos on the prowl for Real Madrid.
FC Porto v Bayern Munich 19:45 PSG v Barcelona19:45
K
enneth Mungara, 41, set a new masters world marathon record of 2:08:44 on Sunday as he won the Milan Marathon. The Kenyan’s time is two seconds faster than the previous record, set in 2003 in Berlin by Andres Espinosa of Mexico, the IAAF reports. Mungara, a late bloomer, now has ten career marathon
victories, including four at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. On Sunday in Milan, he was in a pack of five runners before he separated himself with a kilometer remaining and won by 11 seconds over Cyrian Kotut, the younger brother of Martin Lel, a three-time London Marathon champion and a World Marathon Majors series winner.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
EXTRATIME
FEDERATION WATCH
With Osaretin Emuze
W
Super Falcons line up before a match.
Canada 2015:
FALCONS
yet to commence adequate preparation
ith less than 60 days to kick-off of the 7th FIFA/ Women World Cup in Canada, the Super Falcons are yet to begin meaningful preparation for the biggest and best women’s tournament despite the fact that Nigeria is drawn in ‘The group of death’ that included USA, Sweden and Australia. A cross section of the sport writers in Lagos expressed sadness over the lackadaisical attitude shown towards Falcons’ preparation for the Women’s World Cup scheduled to begin in June in Canada. Nigeria is drawn in Group D and these countries have intensified their preparations since January this year. USA had played over six friendlies and lined up other four before the tourney takes off in two months’ time. In February USA defeated France 2-0, beat England 1-0, and stunned Norway 2-1 in an international competition. Also in March USA also whitewashed Switzerland 3-0, drew 0-0 with Iceland and humiliated France 3-0 in a friendly. Sweden on the other hand had played five top ranked friendlies between January and now. They beat Norway 3-2, spanked Finland 3-0, humbled Germany 4-2, lost to Brazil 0-2 and lost the final of that competition to Germany on March 15. Australia too are not left out as
N
OKPEKPE race attracts 3000 runners
O
ver 3000 runners are expected to participate in next month’s 3rd Okpekpe 10km Road Race scheduled to hold in Okpekpe, Auchi in Edo State, organisers of the race have confirmed. Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Yusuf Alli, said a lot of entries have come from across the world for the race. “We are expecting over three thousand runners for this year’s race which will hold on May 16,” reveals the former Nigeria track and field international. Alli added that runners are expected to submit their registration forms with medical certificate of fitness and they are expected to sign a waiver form to acknowledge among other things the
risks inherent in running a 10km race unfit. He further revealed that the race will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). “IAAF Road Race Label Regulations will also apply to the Okpekpe Road Race 2015 which has been certified by the IAAF as a bronze label road race,” said Alli. The Okpekpe 10km road race is organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing, a leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and rights acquisition business in Nigeria in conjunction with the AFN and Edo State Government.
igeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Engineer Habu Gumel has congratulated the president-elect General Mohammadu Buhari (Rtd), for winning the March 28 presidential election in the country. He said NOC has tipped General Buhari to revamp the sporting fortune of Nigeria at major international and continental sports championships. In a congratulatory message to the president-elect, Gumel extended the warm compliments of the board and members of the Olympic family in Nigeria, said it was a privilege and honour to warmly congratulate his Excellency on his remarkable victory at the Presidential elections held on Saturday, March 28. “Your ultimate triumph at the hotly contested polls is no doubt a reward for your resilience and passion for Nigeria, which was widely acknowledged by the electorates nationwide. “We in the Olympic Movement rejoice with the president-elect on this joyous occasion, which is no doubt a progressive landmark for our democracy. We are therefore optimistic that your Excellency would bring to bear your wealth of experience in governance to steer the ship of this nation to greater heights, both economically, politically and sports-wise,” the statement read.
they have been playing friendlies and participating in women tournaments across the globe. Based on the opponents’ avalanche of results in prepaAration towards the world cup, concerned sport journalists based in Lagos voiced out their bitterness over Super Falcons lack of activities despite the fact that NFF gave Falcons a tall order to get to the semifinal of the women’s world cup. Veteran sport journalist Tony Ubani revealed that it is very sad that up till this moment nothing is being done to prepare the Super Falcons for the world cup. George Aluo another sport journalist frowned at the lip service the NFF is paying towards Falcons preparation. He urged the Amaju Pinnik-led NFF to wake up from their apparent slumber and send the Falcons out of the country now to make good use of the remaining time for preparations. Female soccer analyst Oluchi Tobechukwu said it is criminal not to prepare the Falcons well before sending them to play against Sweden, USA and Australia; three of the best teams in the world. The Super Falcons will kick off their FIFA Women World Cup group matches with Sweden on June 8, Australia on June 12 and USA on June 16 at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
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Gumel felicitates with Buhari
Action at the previous edition of Okepekpe Road Race.
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Quadri
op Nigeria Table Tennis Star Aruna Quadri will lead Team Nigeria to 2015 ITTF QOROS World Table Tennis Championship (WTTC) taking place in Suohou, China, from April 26 to May 3. Sources close to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said Aruna will be joined by Ojo Onoalopo, Kazeem Makanjuola and Segun Toriola in the male category, while Funke Oshonaike and Edem Effiong are the two Nigerians in the female category. 310 male and 238 female players from well over 100 countries are expected to feature at the tournament. All eyes will surely be on Quadri in the six-day championship. The Nigerian super star was crowned the World Table Tennis Player of the Year in 2014. He has moved from the 30th position he was ranked at the end of last year to 38th in the first quarter of this year. This was however due to the defeat Quadri suffered from his Egyptian rival Oman Hassan in the ITTF tournaments held in Egypt and Lagos respectively.
WTTC: QUADRI LEADS TEAM NIGERIA TO CHINA
30
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
EXTRATIME
INTERVIEW
I’M A BIG FAN OF
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
–COOKSON The President of Union Cycliste International (UCI), BRIAN COOKSON, has opened up on his love and passion for the English Premier League. Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com he revealed the similarities between cycling and football and further stressed the benefits of sport on two wheels. Excerpts: What commonalities do you see between football and cycling? I think both football and cycling are both very popular sports worldwide. They’re quite easy to get into seriously and on an amateur basis. There’s lots of commonality between us. Do you follow football? I do. I don’t have a lot of time to follow football, but I’m a big fan of the English Premier League, obviously. My hometown is Preston, in the north of England, so Preston North End which is a very historic club that’s been there for many, many years, would be my first team. How did your passion for cycling start? I’ve been cycling all of my life. My very first memories are of riding my tricycle around the garden at home. Cycling is a sport that I got into in my teenage years. I joined a local club and had a small amount of success. I was never good enough to be a professional or anything like that, but I really enjoyed it. As I became older and had a profession and a family, I began to realise I didn’t really have the time to keep training as much as you need to do to compete. I then began to move more into the organising and administering of the sport. This is something I worked hard at behind the scenes and ultimately became president of the British Cycling Federation for 16 years. I put a lot of time and effort in there and worked with a lot of great people and we managed to make the sport quite a big and successful sport in Great Britain. Did you have a cycling role model when you were growing up? I had a lot of idols. Some of the
great riders from that era. One of my idols was Tom Simpson who sadly died as a result of the exhaustion and doping in the Tour de France. This was something that informed my view of the sport. But over those years I also used to follow the greats like Eddie Merckx. He was the king, of course. I also followed some of the other great Italian, French, and Belgian riders. It’s a wonderful sport and it’s great to follow. What are some of your goals with the sport? One of the things I feel we really need to do with our sport is to restore the reputational damage that’s been done by the controversies of recent years. Obviously most noticeably around doping. We’re trying to work very hard, carrying on the work that my predecessors have done in that. But I think we’re trying to expand and improve the anti-doping processes. We’re looking at proper independent investigation into the allegations of the past and we’re looking at trying to learn the lessons from that past, so we don’t fall into the same traps again as a sport. As you mentioned, obviously doping is a topic in your sport. FIFA is following the steps in the sense that a biological passport is used in football, which has also been the case in cycling. Do you think this is the way forward to fight against doping? Absolutely. Cycling is a sport that’s been blighted and had many problems as a result of doping. But I don’t believe cycling is the only sport. If there are sports out there that think they don’t have a doping problem, then they are deluding themselves. Frankly, there will always be people who try and find ways of cheating. We have to keep
fighting against that. We are doing a lot in our sport. I think other sports are doing quite a bit as well. I’m sure football is trying very hard as well, from what I hear. I want to extend that and work with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), work with our partners to make sure that we learn any lessons from other sports and other sports can learn lessons from us as well. Are you satisfied with what you have achieved so far in your eighteen months of presidency? Governance of sport, administration, leading sport is not a 24-hour thing, there’s no magic switch you can flick and everything will be okay from then on. But I’m pleased with the progress that we’ve made. I think we have a good setup at the UCI now, we have some good vice presidents, good management, and good committee. We have excellent members of staff working really hard behind the scenes. I think most of the things that we’ve done in the first eighteen months of my presidency have been very well received. And I think we are rebuilding the image of our sport.
“I’m a big fan of the English Premier League, obviously. My hometown is Preston, in the north of England, so Preston North End which is a very historic club that’s been there for many, many years, would be my first team.”
We’ve got a beautiful sport and pastime that is very, very popular despite all of the problems that we’ve had, and it’s a great sport that anyone can take part in. You don’t have to have carbon fiber. You don’t have to have Lycra clothing. You can go out and buy a bike at your local bike shop and really enjoy yourself riding around the countryside and wherever you live. If you want to take part in it at a serious level then you can do that as well. It’s a wonderful sport and pastime, it’s good for your health, it’s good for the environment, it’s
good for transport, and I think the future for our sport is very bright. Is it not strange last year for you as a Lancastrian seeing the first Tour de France of your era starting in fact in Yorkshire? Yes, I think it’s fair to say there’s always been strong rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire. But you know the Wars of the Roses were about 500 years ago, and we’ve stopped fighting now, so it was a friendly rivalry which was a great sight to behold.
Cookson
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
EXTRATIME
31
DANAGOGO
congratulates Falcons, U-23 team Stories by Andrew Ekejiuba
S
ports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has congratulated the female national team, the Falcons and the national U-23 football team for posting superlative victories against their opponents last weekend. While the Falcons hosted their Malian counterparts in the second leg of the All Africa Games qualifiers at the Abuja National Stadium Friday, the U-23 side, tutored by Samson Siasia, engaged their Zambian counterparts in a make or mar second leg also in the All Africa
Games qualifier in Lusaka. According to the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Patrick Omorodion, Danagogo was full of praises for both teams, especially the U-23 side who had a more difficult nut to crack after they drew 0-0 with the Zambians in the first leg of the qualifier decided at the Abuja National Stadium a fortnight ago. “Most people had given up hope of the team qualifying but like the typical Nigerian who never gives up until it is over, they went to Zambia and played their hearts out and came out victorious. They must be commended for their team spirit and determination to succeed.
“The Falcons were not left out too as they rose to the occasion and showed that the 1-1 they played earlier in Mali was not a true reflection of what makes them the champions of Africa. “They were business-like and didn’t want to leave anything to chance. So, I commend the efforts of both teams and their technical crew for the wonderful performance and urge them to redouble their efforts as they prepare for the competition proper,” the Minister said, stressing that “We at the National Sports Commission will play our own part to ensure they get all they need to represent our country creditably.”
VICTORIOUS DREAM TEAM ARRIVES TODAY
T
he victorious national U-23 men’s football team, Dream Team will be touching down today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 10.40am. According to the travel schedule of the team, the delegation will depart its Golden Peacock Hotel Lusaka by 12midnight Lusaka time which is 11pm Nigeria time, for their Kenya Airways flight from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka at about 02. 35am. The delegation will arrive Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport at
06.15am where they will transit for about 1hour, then take off for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The Dream Team it will be recalled qualified for the football event of the All Africa Games by beating their host Zambia 2-1 in a game played at the National Heroes Stadium, to qualify on a 2-1 aggregate having been held to a 0-0 draw in Abuja three weeks ago. Dream Team, will be jostling with Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and host Congo-Brazzaville for the gold medal of this year’s All Africa Games men’s football event.
BEACH SOCCER: SUPERSAND EAGLES FEAR NO FOE –EJO
A
Samson Siasia, Dream Team coach.
EX-INTERNATIONALS CLASH IN MTN BEST 11 PROMO
F
ormer Super Eagles players, especially those of the USA ’94 and Atlanta ’96 fame, teamed up with sports writers, music stars and other On Air Personalities (OAPs), for a rare appearance in a football match recently, at the Campos Mini Stadium, in Lagos Island. The novelty match was organized by Nigeria’s leading telecommunications and ICT Company, MTN, to commemorate its launch of the MTN Best 11 Promotion, an initiative that enables subscribers who tap into the new MTN Trutalk proposition, stand a chance of winning eye-popping prizes ranging from houses to cash gifts. Speaking on the rationale behind the MTN Best 11Promo, MTN’s Chief
Marketing Officer, Bayo Adekanmbi stated that the Company introduced MTN Trutalk, a value proposition that enables subscribers to register 11 numbers and make calls to those numbers at 50% discount. Speaking further, Bayo said, subscribers on the MTN Trutalk proposition will therefore qualify for the MTN Best 11 Promo, where one winner will become a landlord every week and 24 winners will win N11, 000 every hour daily for the next 11 weeks. The promo is also extended to non TruTalk customers on the MTN network; customers who continue to use their phones regularly to make calls and customers who consume the 11MB data also stand a chance
Danagogo
of winning these exciting prizes in the promo. To enjoy the MTN Trutalk proposition, subscribers are to dial *400# or send 400 to 131. The match which attracted a sizeable crowd featured notable exinternationals like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West, Jonathan Akpoborie, Peter Rufai and a host of others. Also featured were topmost football analysts, MTN musical ambassadors and TV presenters such as Charles Anazodo, Wole Opatola, Frank Edoho, Harry Iwuala, Praiz, Sound Sultan, Doctor Sid and Harrysong.
head of his team’s clash today with the host nation in the opening match of the 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship, Coach Audu Adamu Ejo has declared that Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles have tremendous self-belief and will not play any team with trepidation in Seychelles. The eight–team finals taking place in the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles also serves as the African qualifying tournament for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal. “We have prepared very well for this championship, with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban early March was a good competition for us; it helped us to
identify weak points and our areas of strength. “We have played all the teams that are here at one time or the other, so none is strange to us. We are fit and confident, and we believe we can go all the way,” he said. Nigeria takes on Seychelles at the Roche Caiman Sports Complex, Victoria from 5.30pm Seychelles time (3.30pm Nigeria time) today. They also play Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A. Ghana (who lost 5-2 to the Supersand Eagles at the Power Horse event), Madagascar, Senegal and Morocco make up Group B. Only the two finalists will fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal in July.
L-R: Lanre Fasasi (Sound Sultan), Nigerian Hip-hop Artiste; Kanu Nwankwo, former Super Eagles captain and Wahid Akanni, Nigerian ex-international at the launch of MTN Best 11 Promo at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos recently.
Interview
Nigerians lack a viable reading culture L2 TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015
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Rivers of blood, bullets … and votes
Tonye Princewill
ÎÎÎ As expected, the 2015
Door to door campaigning became door to door shooting and everything from dynamite to beheadings became the order of the day.
election for Governorship has come and gone but the bitter taste it has left will not be forgotten in a hurry. With hindsight, the outcome could have been predicted long ago but many of us were fooled into thinking that things would be different, card readers would be invaluable and elections, no longer business as usual. As a voter here in Rivers state told me yesterday, “The greatest trick INEC ever pulled is making us believe that in 2015, our votes would actually count.” While I think this view may be a little harsh in many states, that frustration is understandable here. Where without the presence of INEC officials or material in some areas, results were declared in the very same areas as if elections actually did hold. What kind of message are we sending? Can the people who experienced this ever have faith in politics or the electoral process again? This process was neither free nor fair and it certainly was
Wike not credible. But in the end INEC felt otherwise. I will come to that. It is no doubt understandable that some will celebrate this exercise, while my party and others will in most parts condemn it. But I prefer to bring to our attention the lives that were lost in this orgy of violence that was occasionally interrupted by voting. Door to door campaigning became door to door shooting and everything from dynamite to beheadings became the order of the day. The number of bullets expended exceeded the number of voters. If we seek
Peterside to govern in peace, we really must sanitise and demilitarise our political process. This message applies to both parties and to INEC. As I said after the Presidential elections, “What goes around comes around.” The person beheaded in my community was a well known member of the PDP. The very deep anti Amaechi sentiment within and outside the creeks backed by guns and an equally well armed pro-Amaechi lobby was always a recipe for chaos. Buguma the headquarters of my dear Kalabari Kingdom, was a sitting duck. The Labour
party and the good people of the land, innocent bystanders. Was this war really necessary? No. But it was inevitable. The signs were there. Let me use this opportunity to thank my team and all our supporters for their sacrifice. I want to assure you that it will not be in vain. You believed in a different kind of Rivers state and you worked and toiled, many times without appreciation, just to achieve it. We didn’t have the kind of money others had, but you moved mountains regardless. I am proud of you. Rivers people are
proud of you and we will deliver for them one day by His grace. My happiness is that we lost no one during either our campaign or our elections and we embodied peace all the way. For that I thank God and I further dedicate my life to Him. As for my next steps and what the party will do going forward, my Deputy and I will be meeting within the party and outside the party over the next few days before we take a decision. We will examine the weight of evidence gathered on the field and talk with our legal team. If 2007 taught me anything, it is that the interest in our matter is bigger than just the Labour party. This decision is not for me alone to make. ...Princewill, the Rivers State Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in last weekend’s election, issued this statement on Monday on the outcome of the exercise which was won by Nr, Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic
Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528
Life &
TIMES Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Omena Daniels A versatile media personality L P
Stain and odour solutions for clothesL P
How to tell if he’s cheating on you L P
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Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 14, 2015
Nigerians lack a viable reading culture
– Omena Daniels Nkarenyi Ukonu
Call him an all round media personality and you won’t totally be wrong. Meet Omena Daniels; writer, brand architect, motivational speaker, lawyer, publisher, script writer, host of ‘The Lounge,’ CEO avenue3media and executive director, OUCH., a wholly indigenous Nigerian fashion brand. He opens up on a few of his passions, chief of which is his decision to re write the history of Delta State via his DELTA 100 project.
Life&
T E A M
What is the DELTA 100 project all about? It is basically part of the commemoration of 100 years of Nigeria. The centenary celebration got me thinking about doing something unique to equally celebrate Delta State indigenes who have been outstanding in their various endeavors in the last 100 years of the existence of Nigeria. We started the process of DELTA 100 over two years ago and suddenly developed cold feet because we felt that Nigerians may not totally value the essence of what we plan to do as we lack a viable reading culture. But we eventually got round to kick starting it. Instead of making a history book, we decided to make a documentary and a photo book since Nigerians like to look at pictures. So rather than run lengthy interviews with these selected 100, we plan to run a short interview of not more than 200
or 300 words and just splash pictures of their growing up years till date. Basically focus on their lives and how they have been able to make something of themselves. Why focus on only Delta State? Because I am from there. Delta for me is home, my father is Isoko while my mother is from Itsekiri. Even though I was born in Lagos, I have had cause over the years, to constantly interact with people from all the tribes in Delta. I feel that I should bring development to my home state. Yes it is a cliché that home is the best place but I have since found out that if I put all of the abilities and skills that I have garnered over the years and use it to beam light on Dellifelong passion. There is a saying that it is only a bastard that looks back and insults his father’s house. If I see anything about my homestead that I believe I have the capacity to improve on, as a son of the soil, why not?
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
What are the criteria for coming up with 100 Delta state indigenes to showcase in a documentary and photo book ? We have a nomination process which is still on-going. Anyone irrespective of whether you are from Delta State can nominate whoever they think is worthy of being showcased and my crew takes a thorough look at the person’s background with authenticity or otherwise of some of the claims by the person. Thereafter, the name, goes on a preliminary list if it meets the standards of the editorial crew. At the end of the day, we merge the nominations from online and those from traditional rulers to the vetting process where historians, people who have a fair knowledge of the goings on in Delta State and art enthusiasts, further prune down the list to 100. Members of these vetting process do not necessarily have to be Deltans because we want to give vour. Thereafter, we will now commence with putting together articles on the successful 100. You mentioned earlier that a documentary will be part of the project Yes we are doing a malected 100 Deltans. It will focus on their lives and times. There will be two other short documentary called ‘Unity in Diversity’, focusing on the different ethnic tribes in Delta State and how they have been able to synergize into one state. The other will be called, ‘Possibilities beckon’ and it will be about the tourism and business potentials of Delta State.
How has it been trying to get all of these done
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
because it is obviously a lot of work? It is quite tasking. I have been back and forth in Delta State for over a year, talking to government agencies, government functionaries, getting the government to endorse the project because Delta State is large and we would need help from the government to get all of these accomplished. Also, putting in place an event team, a production crew, a research crew domiciled in Delta State to carry out editing and research, a logistic team which interfaces with the traditional rulers and teams in Lagos working on corporate sponsor-
Is this project like a spring board to your eventual foray into politics? Well if politics is about position, ofof having a sense of entitlement as a leader, then no, I am not interested. But if politics would put me in a position to deliver dividends to the people of Delta, to enrich and develop them, to bring people who before now were relegated to the fore, then yes, I think I would want to go into politics. Your write ups have graced the pages of newspapers, magazines and books, inspiring both young and old. Why did you dump the wig for the pen? I have always wanted to be a writer, to build on my innate skills to write and talk but every other person felt I would be better off studying law including my parents. My personality satisfy my father. Do you hope to dust up your No, I won’t be needing it.
You were once a publisher draining. The challenges are huge of a lifestyle magazine called - Bloke which you aptly called a tual outcome of the project. ‘bible’ on men for women. What happened to it. Has it been With such a humongous project rested? to execute, what exactly is in it It is still closest to my heart and no for you? it hasn’t been rested. It is now on line For me as a Delta State indigene, I but with plans to publish a bumper will say I am a visionary and as a writ- edition of all the on line editions every er, being able to chronicle a part of year. The reading culture in Nigeria I history is outstanding alone. Cooking must reiterate hasn’t improved hence the need to go on line. But I must add As a person, it has suddenly made that Bloke was ahead of its time. me feel like a walking encyclopedia of Delta State. But most important, I And you write seamlessly on am only interested in giving back. It relationships yet you aren’t is my hope that 50, 100 years down married. What gives you the line, there will be a crop of young the authority to talk about relationships? project which will also include sumI started writing about relationmits and leadership programmes ships at age 15 for church journals, and who I would expect to carry on working with singles fellowship and from where I stopped. I expect to till date, I have compiled over 200 have successors because there is no relationship quotes. Besides, my fasuccess without a successor. ther is a Bishop and I have heard him talk about marriage and relationships All through the process of on countless occasions. I grew up collating names, meeting with among women from whom I learnt fellow Deltans and travelling quite a lot about their opinion on men the length and breadth of Delta, and what they expect of their men. what would you say was most So I learnt the female perspective outstanding for you? about men from a young age even What I have learnt and still learning before I learnt that of men. Let’s just is that as diverse as they are, Deltans say that I have a very robust relationhave very similar traits. The average ship background. Deltan is strong but also laid back. Laid back in the sense that nothing What would you say must have is too important to him. The average Deltan knows how to laugh, have a who you are today? good time but isn’t a push over irreSeveral things. From a very young spective of his economic status or age, I was very much into putting up educational background. An average a show. I was a shy kid but all that Deltan works hard and cannot be shyness disappears when you put a over looked, he strives to be on top microphone in my hands or place me and even when you try to relegate in front of an audience. I was also a him, he ensures he creates his own go-to - ideas person. I grew up wanting to do all these things and that is are generally happy people. basically why I am who I am today.
Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday April 14, 2015
L3 Relationship
Is he straying in your marriage? Ngozi Ndubisi
ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com Husband: As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, “You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you stayed right here. When my health started failing, you were still by my side... You know what Martha?” Wife: “What dear?” she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to
4. He criticizes you at every turn with you you do. Your marriage is one of the most important things in your life, and looking for signs your husband is cheating is devastating. So why look for what will hurt you? Instead of looking, if you suspect your man is cheating on
Comparing new with the old: comparing past relationship with your marriage, even your friend’s marriage with yours. Pride and ego: Carrying oneself with so much pride that he tramples on others emotions.
and re-establish your love and care for each other. Don’t allow another to reap where you have sown in tears, sweat and blood.
Unhealthy association: Knowledge is good, but what we do with it is what could lead one to cheat or either make or break a home.
Why do people have affairs?
Inviting a Third Party: A bad friend or advice could lead a spouse to cheat and destroy his home.
Husband: I’m beginning to think you’re bad luck.
When a man or woman cheats, it is hardly ever just because they have met someone they cannot resist, there’s often a hidden meaning
What do you have to say to him? Email: ngozindubisi2013@yahoo. com
examine some common reasons for cheating and the chances for recovery:
The cheating husband
Gary Neuman a marriage therapist for 23 years has this to say on cheating husbands; “92 per cent of men who cheat are sexually satischeat because they want more physmissing an emotional connection at home, so they cheat on their wives. Surprisingly, 77 per cent of husbands who cheated had best friends who also cheated on their wives. This means that your husband’s friends have a very real, direct effect on your marriage. If your husband’s best friend is cheating, then the chances are that your husband may cheat on you.”
Signs your husband is cheating
A woman’s intuition is the most important indicator that a man is cheating, but if you are experiencing mixed signals from your instincts, it’s because this is an extremely emotional subject! So how would one know for sure that he is cheating outside your intuition? 1. He avoids physical and emotional contact 2. He’s not as interested in physical intimacy as he was before 3. He stays away from home
Other reasons why married couples cheat
Dissimilarity: This is a situation when one or both partners won’t argue. They skirt around differences rather than work through them. As they are not sharing everything, they won’t feel as close, which leads to loneliness, so they seek out closeness elsewhere. Vulnerabilities: To some couple, the fear of letting down their guard and showing their vulnerability, and admitting their dependence and need of their partner, frightens the life out of them, that they prefer to argue. Their goal becomes to see and hear the other is at fault. Unable to handle reality: In this case, with the culprit, when the honeymooning is over and the day to day married life demands hits him or her, it becomes too complicated for them and they tend to blame the other spouse for whatever is bugging them and this sometimes leads to affairs and their subsequent break-up. Sexual addiction: Like every adcraving leaves a feeling of emptiness and the need to go outside the marriage to satisfy the addiction becomes a do or die affair, but it never really lasts. Wanting to eat his cake and have it: This is when the cheating partner wants it all. He (it’s usually the he) wants his wife and family but wants a mistress as well.
Unguarded utterances: When a spouse continues being at the receiving end of abuse or belittling comments, at a point there will be a rebelmove on. Class differences: Couples carry their family pride into the marriage to the detriment of the union and the family also bears down on the unequal spouse. What we all need for our bliss is a little giving and a little bending backwards.
Men who don’t make good husbands
Some men are great fun to date, but are not just it when it comes to marriage. For whatever reason, they are not just husband material. These category of men are: The guy who broke your heart and never really apologized Just because he is all you desire of a man, and he gives you all the green lights, does not make him a material for long lasting marriage when he keeps hurting you over and over with no apologies. He will leave the marriage before you say Jack. The cheat It’s not the matter of “Once a cheat always a cheat,” but if you were cheated-on, time and again, why think he will change when you marry? Why enter a marriage where trust is an issue from the onset? The I, before others man If a guy is too preoccupied with be more of that in marriage, where he is the lord and master of the home. If they deny you little, little things you love; think before you leap sister!
The con artist If your man connives to dupe and spend money lavishly on you, sorry sister, your guy just showed and proved he cannot be trusted. Even if he never does the same to you, conmen are shady characters, and you never can tell what he’ll do next that may land you in police net or worse. The workaholic Being ambitious is admirable. But working so late “week in, week out” calls for a rethink, he’ll never be there when you need him. Maybe when he’s just starting out and it’s the only option to get ahead it is okay, but after that, be wise...
for now and you don’t mind, you see him doing what no other could do as sign of his love for you. Your stay at home man should contribute in some way to making your home a happy one. It’s either he cooks, cleans, or cares for the kids. Frustration awaits you on the other side. Stop, think, before your ‘I Do.’ The can’t-handle-tough-times man Sorry to say this, but there is a reason for the ‘for better or worse’ phrase in a marriage vow. A man who shuts down when the going gets tough won’t be there for you when you need him the most. Honestly, You don’t need a husband you can’t count on when the chips are down.
House –husband (Mr. lazy) Maybe you are the breadwinner
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Fashion & Style L4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 14, 2015
Natural solutions for removing stains and odours from clothing Eyola
eyola@aol.com
Prevent and remove sweat stains
Those horrible stains and yellow discolorations on the armpits of your favourite white T-shirt (or shirt) need not distress you anymore. Fill an empty spray bottle with water and lemon juice, spray the mixture on the sweat stain and rinse before washing.
Remove lipstick stains Odourless trainers
Spray lipstick stains with hairspray and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the garment.
To remove (and prevent) bad odours from your trainers after an exercise workout, or after wearing them casually for some time, pour a little baking soda inside the trainers to eliminate bad smells and to soak up sweat.
No stain-souvenirs left on suede. Say goodbye to red wine stains
Red wine is notoriously known to permanently ruin whatever surface or clothing it comes into contact with. Need a simple solution? Just pour some white wine over the red wine stain, preventing the stain from setting.
Undo chewing gum disasters
Being a casualty of chewing gum stuck on clothing can be a cause of frustration. An easy method for removing gum from clothing, furniture, your hair or anywhere else is using ice. Getting the gum as cold as possible hardens it, making it easier to scrape off.
To get rid of any surface dirt from your suede shoes or clothing, remove the crust from a loaf of bread and allow it to become stale. Gently rub the edge of the stale bread over dirt and stains and watch them magically disappear.
Removing water stains on leather
As for watermarks on leather boots, a few drops of vinegar in a bowl of cool water does the trick. Just dip a soft bristle brush in the mixture and gently scrub the stains until they are no more. Finally, let your leather boots dry naturally outside in the open air
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday April 14, 2015
L5
Kiddies World L6
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday April 14, 2015
Nkarenyi Ukonu
Know your heroes/heroines Inspiration
Herbert Macaulay
Send them outside! Most 21st Century parents believe it’s safe and much healthier to have their kids play only around the house and in their backyards. Wrong! Studies have shown that it isn’t all the time that kids should be subjected to in-house fun alone. Letting them go outside to play with friends, buying them footballs, jump ropes and other outdoor fun things go a long way to make your child grow into a healthier kid. So, send them outside and stop the backyard fun.
Ways to motivate kids to help with chores members need to help each other. drive to get chores and other boring tasks done. themselves but for others also at the table. help put household utensils scattered around the house in their rightful places. chairs and furniture. One thing parents should know is that their kids imitate them whenever they see them do things around the house. So, asking you girl or boy to help with dusting those tables won’t be much of a bother for the kids.
When kids are involved in the day-to-day running of the household, they will feel like they are a part of something larger than themselves. Chores show kids that families are built on mutual obligations and that family Herbert Macaulay Olayinka Macaulay Badmus was born in Lagos on November 14, 1864 to Thomas Babington Macaulay and Abigail Crowther. They were children of people who were captured from what is now present day Nigeria. They had settled in Sierra Leone but eventually returned to present day Nigeria. Thomas Babington Macaulay was one of the sons of Ojo Oriare while Abigail Crowther was the daughter of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the ritory. Thomas Babington Macauondary school in Nigeria, the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. Herbert Macaulay was an unlikely champion of the masses and tionalists and for most of his life, a strong opponent of British rule in
Nigeria. In 1908, he exposed European corruption in the handling argued successfully for the Chiefs whose land had been taken by the British in front of the Privy council in London. As a result, the colonial government was forced to pay compensation to the chiefs. In retaliation for this and other activities of his, Macaulay got jailed twice by the British. He co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC, together with another nationalist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and became its president. The party was designed to bring together Nigerians of all ethnic and religious groups to ask for independence. Herbert Macaulay later died and was buried at Ikoyi cemetery in Lagos on May 11, 1946.
Rich or not We all have got Chances in lifetime To live quite sublime
More rich people become richer And the majority poor more poorer It’s not how much money brings boost But having enjoyed life not its cost
Healthy body makes an active mind Once sick can’t make good things rewind Beware of taking too much of everything Good health is wealth and the best thing
children to do chores!
Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore in your kids Take note. Whenever you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor Symptom #1: High fever: A fever that’s 100.4F or higher in a baby younger than 3 months; higher than 101F in a baby 3 to 6 months; or higher than 103F in a child 6 months to 2 years. Symptom #2: Long-lasting fever: A fever that doesn’t go down with treatment, or that lasts more Symptom #3: Fever with headache: A fever that’s accompanied by a stiff neck or headache or a rash that’s either bruise-like or looks like tiny red dots. Call your doctor, these can be signs of meningitis and need immediate attention.
Signs your child is a video game addict Some people are wired to become addicted to the unique stimuli provided by video games. See checklist of signs parents should watch for.
Does your child … Play almost every day? Play for extended periods (more than three or four hours at a time)? Play for excitement? Get restless and irritable if he or she can’t play?
Poem: Health
preparation is also another way. There, they can watch how meals are being cooked and can also help pass cooking ingredients to you. This helps them learn but, make sure they’re not there at the time you want to light the gas! Some kids are experimental in nature. They can also help out with laundry, bed-making, etc.
Play instead of doing homework? Try in vain to limit playing time? Seem to be losing interest in real-life activities? If your child exhibits some or all of these signs of addiction, or you just want to help prevent them, consider the safeguards for video game play. In order to diminish the adverse effects that video games may have on your child, consider the fol-
lowing safeguards:
Set time limits. Make sure your child completes his chores and homework before play. Be intimately involved in choosing the games your child plays. Remember: you are the grown-up! Model good viewing and gaming habits yourself. self-control. Monitor attitudes and behaviors with your child when he plays with friends or siblings. Encourage your child’s friends to play at your house. Watch for signs of addiction to video game play, particularly with boys.
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday April 14, 2015
L7 Teen’s World
Parents-children relationship
What’s the appropriate curfew for teenagers? Ngozi Ndubisi
ngozindubisi2013@yahoo.com Teens come with a whole new set of parenting concerns, more so now, no thanks to foreign exposures. Once upon a time, our teenage children behaved as expected and were happy to abide by their parent’s rules. Yes there maybe one or two naughty ones, not too many to raise a national panic. Today, the reverse is the case, some children are so bad behaved, while some are out rightly unruly and we are supposed to wave it off with “oh, it’s just a teenage thing” Whatever that means, I am yet to fully understand. Most Teens think setting a curfew and dress code are detrimental to their social developmental graces. stubborn as possible. My dears, it is not true, if anything, it’s to produce the highest principled child who can withstand any obstacle and come out the victor. Know this also that parents worry a lot when you go out especially in this our trying time and being in
a country where security is next to nothing like in Nigeria. Because they love you so much, they need to monitor your movement just in case of any eventuallity. Teens curfew: How to set limits Giving your children the freedom and independence they need to make their own choices does not mean you have to stop being a concerned or involved parent; in fact the opposite is the case. It means being even more involved in your child’s life, but in a different way. A way that allows your children to know you are still there for them and they are still answerable to you, but are free to experience life. Involve your children in setting their night time boundaries: Reach an agreement together as to a curfew time that is age-appropriate for each child. Compromise if necessary but not to be seen as weakness on your part. You don’t always have to be the “winner.” Communicate clearly what the agreed upon times are, through written and verbal reinforcements. Execute the consequences of bro-
ken rules. When a child is late, give them a chance to freely comment and explain why they broke the rule. together. If a teen still breaks the curfew rule, let the agreed-upon consequences fall into place. (Withhold something they love from them).
If your teen has missed curfew because drinking or drugs were involved, then the consequences are more serious. You must carry out a more serious punishment (than withholding) that have been agreed on and more where absolutely necessary.
Please teens adhere to these rules for yours and your parent’s peace of mind. Do you have any question you want answered, or advice on any subject? email: Aunty on ngozindubisi2013@yhoo.com and you’ll be glad you did.
Teenagers
Music & Movie Chart Opeoluwani Akintayo and Mutiat Alli
Top 10 music chart
Nigeria
1.Wizkid-Ojuelegba 2.Kiss Daniel – Woju 3.Falz Ft. YemiAlade- Marry Me 4.Iyanya- Finito 5.Mavin- LookuLooku 6.Phyno- Yayo 7.Korede Bello- God Win 8.Olamide- FalilaKetan 9.M.I Ft Moti- Bad Belle 10.Charass Ft. Davido& Phyno- Coco Butter
Top 10 music chart
International
1.Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars Uptown Funk 2.Ellie Goulding Love Me Like You Do 3.Maroon 5 Sugar 4.Wiz Khalifa Feat. Charlie Puth See You Again 5.Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney FourFiveSeconds 6.Ed Sheeran Thinking Out Loud 7.Rihanna Bitch Better Have My Money 8.Omi Cheerleader 9.Hozier Take Me To Church 10.The Weeknd Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)
Top 10 movie chart
English
1.October 1st 2.30 Days in Atlanta 4.Apaye 5.Head Gone 6.Tango with me 7.Devil in the details 8.Flower Girl 9.Mirror Boy 10.Champagne
Top 10 movie chart
International
1.Furious 7 2.Home (2015) 3.Cinderella (2015) 4.Get Hard 5.The Divergent Series: Insurgent 6.It Follows 7.Kingsman: The Secret Service 8.Do you believe? 9.The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 10.Run All Night
Daily Times Nigeria
Tuesday April 14, 2015
L8 Television
Showing on
Showing on
131 LifetimeChannel
104M-Net Movie Comedy
19:00
12:14 Tue, 14 Apr | PG
Tue, 14 Apr | Family
In this heart-warming sequel to the hit musical comedy, the sisters call on singer Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg) to help teach music to a group of students whose school is doomed to close. Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy. (1993) Bill Duke
A woman begins to suspect her husband is cheating on her. While trying to save her marriage, her mysterious past begins to emerge, making her paranoid, delusional and violent. Heather Locklear, Max Martini. (2011) Jeff Renfroe
101 M-Net West
01:10 The Fault In Our Stars 03:15 Made In Hollywood 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Modern Family 06:30 The Blacklist 07:17 Behind The Scenes: Step Up: All In 07:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 08:16 Behind The Scenes: Chef 08:30 Justin And The Knights Of Valour 10:02 Behind The Scenes: The Boxtrolls 10:14 Behind The Scenes: Planes Fire... 10:30 Two And A Half Men 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 NCIS: New Orleans 14:00 The Newsroom 15:00 The Fixer 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 2 Broke Girls
120 BBC Entertainment
118 Telemundo
00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Aurora 03:00 Fearless Heart 03:50 Labour Of Love 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labour Of Love 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00Labour Of Love 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 Labour Of Love 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart 20:20 Labour Of Love 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:00 Forbidden Passions
00:05 The Cube
11:15 My Family
00:50 Top Gear
11:50 My Family
01:45 The Musketeers
12:20 Top Gear
02:40 Come Dine With Me
13:15 Come Dine With Me
03:35 EastEnders
14:10 Celebrity MasterChef
04:05 Top Gear
15:05 The Weakest Link
05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
16:00 Casualty
05:25 QI
18:00 The Cube
05:55 Would I Lie To You?
19:00 New Tricks
06:30 EastEnders 07:00 Antiques Roadshow
20:00 Michael McIntyre: Hello Wembley!
07:55 The Weakest Link
21:00 Dragons’ Den
08:45 QI
22:05 Live At The Apollo
09:20 Would I Lie To You? 09:50 Hell’s Kitchen USA
21:45 My Family: Christmas 2007
10:35 Deal Or No Deal
22:20 Live At The Apollo
17:00 The Chase
155 AfricaMagicWorld
155 AfricaMagic Family
00:00Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:15 Star Gist 01:42 Making Of A Mogul 02:10 At Home With Michelle Attoh 03:05 Good Morning Africa 04:07 Channel O: Volt 04:33 Channel O: Volt 05:00 The Comedy Club Live In Lagos 05:53 Behind The Scenes: Invasion
06:00Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 A Dead End 08:42 Living With Trisha 09:27 The Comedy Club 10:20 Good Morning Africa 11:17 Tinsel 11:43 Star Gist 12:10 Channel O: Volt 12:37 Channel O: Volt 13:05 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:02 Through The Eyes Of An African 14:37 Fashion Coast 15:00 Making Of A Mogul 15:30 Coco Bill
00:00 Noose Of Gold 00:30 Good Morning Africa 01:25 Nemesis 01:40TheDzigbordi Show 02:37 Good Morning Africa 03:38 Good Morning Africa 04:35 Noose Of Gold 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Foot Prints
06:30 Foot Prints 07:00 Star Gist 07:30 Star Gist 08:00 Lies That Bind 08:18 Nemesis 08:30 Lies That Bind 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Affections 11:30Jara
12:00 Jara 12:30Katemba Mu Kkooti 13:00 Music On Africa Magic 14:00 Noose Of Gold 14:30 Noose Of Gold 15:00 Deception 15:30 Foot Prints 16:00 Foot Prints 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist
128 SONY MAX
00:15 Unbeatable Banzuke 00:40 Unbeatable Banzuke 01:05 Guy Code 01:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:55 Return To The 36th Chamber 03:35 Hole In The Wall 04:00 Hole In The Wall 04:30 Unbeatable Banzuke 05:00Ninja Warrior 05:25 Ninja Warrior 05:50 Video Zonkers 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Hole In The Wall 07:10 Hole In The Wall 07:40 Most Shocking 08:40 What Went Down 09:10 Repo Games 09:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 10:40 Video Zonkers 11:10 Video Zonkers 11:40 Most Shocking 12:40 Hole In The Wall 13:10Hole In The Wall 13:40 What Went Down 14:10 Killer Karaoke 15:10 Killer Karaoke 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Hole In The Wall 17:10 Hole In The Wall 17:40Video Zonkers 18:05 Video Zonkers 18:30 What Went Down 19:00 Most Shocking 20:00 Tattoo Nightmares 20:30 Tattoo Nightmares 21:00 Hip Hop Squares 21:30Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Tech Times
s
TT 1
Inye Kemabonta, Editor, Tech Times inye@technologylaw.com.ng
INSIDE
Nigeria rank 2nd in broadband affordability index-A4AI PAGE TT 3
The physically challenged and the Director General,NITDA, Mr Peter Jack in Abuja, recently.
Why public servants must undergo computer literacy tests It is trite to say that every profession or vocation requires some level of computing skills today. Indeed, the concept of literacy has long since been redefined to mean abilities in the 3Rs plus computing. But what has not actually caught on is the pervasive application of the new definition in employment circumstances. It is perhaps only in jobs described as ‘white collar’ jobs that HR practitioners sometimes bother to consider the computing skill of candidates as an advantage. In other words, ‘illiterate’ persons (by the new definition) may be hired in public and private corporations but they stand a better chance if they are literate! Strange as this may seem, it is indeed what goes on today in employment situations where
candidates are not subjected to computing proficiency tests before employment. Worse still, a lot of ‘illiterate’ persons are promoted daily in public service and even in the private sector because the new definition of literacy is hardly considered a factor or criterion for promotion or career advancement. Many Permanent Secretaries and Directors have retired from service without booting a computer. Many still rise to those positions without any kind of test to determine their computing literacy levels. Of course, there are efforts by individual corporations to encourage their staff to become literate in computing but the efforts are purely dictated by caprice. There is no national standard against which to
Jack, DG NITDA
benchmark the training. There is no national guideline or regulation to guide or direct the efforts of corporations and their employees. It is gratifying though that NITDA has shown examples in the past and in the current time. Between 2002 and 2006 NITDA embarked on extensive training of senior government officials including legislators. At that time the ECDL (European Computer Driving License) or the ICDL (International Computer Driving License) as it is known outside Europe, was the curriculum recommended and used for the NITDA public sector trainings. Recently, NITDA took a bold and commendable step to insist on the retraining of its entire workforce. This time the curric-
ulum was the IC3 (Internet and Computing Core Certification) by CERTIPORT, the US-based certifying body. Both the ICDL and IC3 are acclaimed world class standards. The action of the IT Agency is quite auspicious. The knowledge age is upon us, and no one can be competitive without being literate in the new definition of literacy. Besides, the current ubiquity of e-commerce, e-services and indeed, e-governance demand the emergence of a population and workforce that is literate, computer literate. This imperative is heightened by the fact that every business is now going online, every service now has an online access. Government is being reformed all over the world. In fact some CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 2
PAGE TT 2
UniAbuja, NITDA host FCT Students on Robotics Technology
African SMEs under pressure toPAGE TT 3 use technology more effectively- Blundell
18 students set to commence Etisalat ETEP internship PAGE TT 4
Tech Times TT 2
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
UniAbuja, NITDA host FCT students on Robotics Technology
AFRINIC appoints Alan Barrett as CEO Tony Nwakaegho
Adikwu
Tony Nwakaegho University of Abuja played host to hundreds of Students at the inaugural FIRST® LEGO® League Competition held to stimulate the use of technology in education among young students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Coderina Day held recently at UniAbuja with the visionary leadership of Professor Michael Umale Adikwu, vice-chancellor of the University whose passion in stimulating young students’ interest in Science and Technolo-
gy knows no bound as he offered support to the organisers, making hundreds of students around the FCT turning up to compete in the inaugural FIRST® LEGO® League program at the University library. The FLL program is a global initiative of a US organisation FIRST® and® LEGO® the Educational toys giant. The program has an Abuja Based NGO Coderina Education & Technology Foundation as its Regional Operational Partner. FIRST® LEGO® League is an innovation and robotics pro-
gram, designed to get children excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and teach them valuable employment and life skills. Tech Times gathered from Mr Olajide, a director at Coderina what is interesting about the FLL, and that which sets it apart from every other robotics program, is that it encompasses other elements such as Project where kids carry out actual research work to find innovative solutions to real life issues and it also hems-in Core Values – making kids responsible individuals
as well as team players. The world has become a global village with problems growing at tremendous rate, but there is limited resources and dearth of professional engineers to solve some of these problems globally. “Since the mission of FIRST is to inspire students to learn, there exists a symbiotic relationship between FIRST and engineering colleges and universities. In short, FIRST excites students and universities educate students. “The event at Abuja followed another hugely successful one CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 2
NITDA develops literate workforce CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1
countries have moved from the e-government concept to M-government (mobile government, accessible to citizens on the go) and U-government (ubiquitous government, available to citizens anywhere). Technologies to support the drive are also evolving. Today, mobile and hand-held devices are replacing traditional desktops PCs to satisfy the needs of a highly mobile population. Broadband infrastructure are being erected to meet the ubiquity of e-services. A manager or CEO can manage his whole office or do just about everything on his handheld device while away from the office. Distance and time are no longer barriers to business. This is why NITDA must go on to ensure that the nation’s workforce is ready for the global trend. The time to act is now because technology is so fast-paced that every passing day counts. However the ubiquity of the Internet and digital technology poses ethical and security challenges, among others. This is why the
acquisition of computing skills cannot be a haphazard venture. The business of governance and the management of corporations cannot be left in the hands of poorly trained computer users. The risks are too high. There is a compelling need for standards which cover the field, from ethics to security. What NITDA must do. Having retrained its entire workforce on an international standard, NITDA stands on a moral high ground to propose the same to other MDAs. Indeed it is an obligation conferred on it by section 6 of its enabling law. What is required however is a clear national standard and entry point. Gladly, NITDA has experience with both the ICDL and the IC3. A regulatory intervention along the following lines would be well worthwhile. First, there is the need to adopt both IC3 and ICDL as national standards, to give citizens freedom of choice. International standards are domesticated by either adoption or adaption. There is no need, and no time,
to ‘re-invent the wheel’. So ICDL and IC3 satisfy the broad needs of the nation. They can be tweaked in the process of adaption to ensure that any specific national aspiration is covered. There is therefore no reason why NITDA cannot make an immediate regulatory proclamation of both certifications as national standards and entry levels for literacy in Nigeria. It has the power to do so, and should exercise it forthwith. Second, a similar regulation that makes the acquisition of either certification as a require-
ment for employment or promotion in the public service is necessary. Again, such a regulation is within the mandate of NITDA. The idea has been mooted over the years, but an outright regulation is the right and conclusive step to take. This will officially begin the process of developing a literate workforce ready for the knowledge economy, its characteristics and challenges. Such a step by NITDA is not only desirable now but also a fulfillment of its mandate. Inye Kemabonta. Email: inye@technologylaw.com.ng
Director General NITDA, Mr Peter Jack ( right) donating a set of working tools to a corps member in Abuja, recently.
The African Network Information Centre’s (AFRINIC) Board of Directors has appointed Alan Barrett as AFRINIC’s new chief executive officer. AFRINIC said Barrett who replaces AFRINIC’s founding CEO, Adiel A. Akplogan would assume the position of the CEO as from the 20th of April 2015 for an initial three-year term. AFRINIC Board Chair, Mr Sunday Folayan said “After a long recruitment process, we are delighted to announce that Mr Barrett will be coming on board to take this role. “Mr Barrett has been an integral part of the development of AFRINIC and Africa’s Internet since 1989, is a long-standing member of the AFRINIC community, and is a familiar and well-respected face on the global Internet scene. With Mr Barrett as CEO, we are ready to take AFRINIC to the next level of its evolution. “Oh behalf of the Board, our members, the AFRINIC staff, and the local and global Internet community, please join me in congratulating Mr Barrett. We wish him all the best in his new position”. Barrett had been involved with the Internet since 1989 as a lecturer in the Electronic Engineering Department at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. In 1990 and 1991, he played a key part in the transformation of the South African universities network to the TCP/IP protocols and in its connection to the global Internet. He operated the primary name server for .ZA at that time and, in 1993, was a co-founder of South Africa’s first commercial Internet service provider. In 1997, he was one of the four authors of the proposal to form AFRINIC, and served on the AFRINIC Board from its inception until 2009. Barret is currently a member of the Consolidated RIR IANA Stewardship Proposal (CRISP) Team, which drafted the number resource community’s response to the IANA Stewardship Transition Coordination Group’s (ICG) request for proposals. He was also one of the founding members of the South African Chapter of the Internet Society, and a founding member of Namespace ZA, an organisation that was intended to oversee the .ZA ccTLD before that role was taken over by legislation.
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
TT 3 Tech Times
Nigeria ranks second in broadband affordability index-A4AI
Blundell
African SMEs under pressure to use technology more effectively- Blundell Stories by Tony Nwakaegho African Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are said to be under growing pressure to use technology in more complex ways to meet the expectations of their customers, reduce costs, and stay ahead of growing regulatory and tax compliance demands. General Manager for Sage Pastel Accounting, Daryl Blundell who made this assertion, noted that it is more important than ever for SMEs to educate themselves about the latest technologies. “With the growing pace of change in society, business and technology, SMEs must integrate technology into their business to remain competitive. Their customers are online and demand even small businesses to have the ability to serve them using digital channels. Regulators and tax authorities demand prompt and accurate reporting. And in an uncertain economy, it’s more important than ever for smaller businesses to be lean, agile and smart in the ways that they do business”, Blundell said. Today’s technology empowers small businesses to access new markets, drive costs out of their businesses, and improve relationships with their customers – helping them to boost their
revenues and profits. Research such as a recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study commissioned by Microsoft shows that ICT gives smaller businesses an edge, whether they are in developing or established markets. The study of 4,000 SMEs in the US, Germany, China, India, and Brazil found that entrepreneurs who were early technology adopters increased their annual revenues 15 per cent faster than their competitors. According to Blundell, the challenge for SMEs is that they often don’t have in-house ICT resources to investigate and drive new technology opportunities for them and also lack the capital to build substantial in-house IT infrastructures adding that this leads to a misconception among SME owners and managers that technologies such as social media, analytics and the cloud are too expensive and complex for their businesses. But the reality, he said is that powerful enterprise business applications, collaboration tools, reporting tools, and digital platforms are more affordable than ever before, no thanks to the rise of cloud computing, as SMEs can choose from a wide range of affordable solutions that help them compete with large companies with big IT budgets.
“The industry shares some blame here because some vendors have focused too much on selling the technology and not enough on the underlying benefit. SMEs want solutions to business problems, such as keeping accurate financial records, getting visibility into business trends, and reaching new customers. The cloud puts affordable solutions to these business problems within their reach”, he added. Blundell explained that “the flexibility and simplicity of the cloud are among its most significant advantages for smaller organisations as it enables them to buy business applications as a service they pay for per month, rather than them needing to invest in software licences, servers and an IT department to keep everything running smoothly. It also gives them the ability to access their applications and data anywhere they have an Internet connection and mobile device or computer. “This eliminates much of the risk and complexity SMEs have come to associate with IT.The cloud lets SMEs focus on the business outcomes technology enables, rather than the plumbing. Given their limited budgets and access to IT skills, every SME can benefit from technology that is simple to implement and use”, he commented.
The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) in March 2015, at Barcelona, Spain at the Mobile World Congress, ranked Nigeria number two on the recent Broadband Affordability Index in its 2014 Affordability report. This is sequel to the international communities’ commendation for the successes attained in repositioning her technology space, through the broadband initiative and research covering 51 countries based on its current penetration, usage rates, policy and the regulatory environment put in place that could lead to additional progress. To advance the cause of affordable access to both mobile and fixed-line Internet in developing countries, the A4AI, which is a global coalition of private sector, public sector, and civil society organisations, came together from different countries of the world to work. A4AI therefore works to catalyse policy change in order to drive down the cost of broadband and unlock rapid gains in Internet penetration rates across the globe, by partnering governments, companies, policy makers to deliver open competitions and innovative broadband markets. Sonia Jorge, executive director of A4AI, expressed her pleasure with the strong leadership and regulation of the Nigerian broadband industry in Nigeria, especially on its robust broadband strategy, effective competition in the telecommunications sector,
efficient spectrum allocation, universal access to rural and underserved population, and infrastructure sharing, among others. According to Sonia Jorge who read the report, “Nigeria comes second in the Affordability Index’s ranking of developing economies, scoring higher than other African developing economies like Kenya, Morocco and Uganda, and higher even than some emerging economies, including Mexico, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia. “The backbone infrastructure in Nigeria has improved significantly over the last decade, with multiple players, including Phase 3, Glo 1, Suburban Telecom, Multilink and MTN, building fibre networks that crisscross the country. “The Telecommunications’ regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), plans to award seven licenses to regional infrastructure companies to extend broadband infrastructure nationally.”
Omobola Johnson
African Union of Broadcasting tasks members to collaborate on digital migration Senegalese Secretary of State for Communications, Yakham Mbaye has tasked African Union Broadcasting (AUB) members to collaborate more in order to promote experience sharing as the continent move towards digital migration this year. Mbaye made this remark to the delegates attending the 8th Ordinary session of the General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) which took place recently in Dakar, Senegal. The General Assembly of the AUB, Daily Times learnt, saw the gathering of 23 organisations from 40 member countries
including partner-organisation s, such as Vatican Radio represented by Mgr. Joseph Ballong, formerly Head of the French Africa department at Vatican Radio, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Radio France International (RFI) and European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The Assembly extended the President of the AUB, Algerian Tewfik Kelladi’s term of office until the next ordinary General Assembly, deliberated on sundry matters including the AUB General Assembly recommendation on the programme production project by the end of this year.
Tech Times TT 4
Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, April 14, 2015
NOTAP decries turning Nigerian institutions into IT imported consumers’ hub Stories by Tony Nwakaegho National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has decried the practice where Nigerian institutions of learning, including 129 universities, polytechnics and research institutions have been turned into IT imported consumers’ hub. Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Engineer Umar Buba Bindir, made this statement during the recent launching the Technology Storyboard initiative of the Office and unveiling of the Technology Storybook, stressing that NOTAP for the past five years, has been facilitating the linkage between the industry and the academia. He added that the registration of technology transfer agreement, gave NOTAP the opportunity of constantly interacting with both bodies which availed NOTAP the opportunity of knowing the challenges of the industry as it affects demanddriven research. He said the storyboard initiative was targeted at “catching the school pupils young” to begin to develop enduring interest in science, technology and innovation development which is the engine that steers socio-economic growth of every nation. Bindir said no Nigerian child will pass through the pictorial product production/manufacturing processes through primary and secondary schools without
developing interest in science and technology. The NOTAP boss pleaded with Federal and State Ministries of education to collaborate in ensuring that these storybooks are distributed in all Nigerian Schools. Earlier, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama who was represented by Dr. Saidu Mahammed, director general of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), commended NOTAP for the launching of the Technology Storyboard initiative of the Office and unveiling of the Technology Storybook, adding that Nigerians should embrace the initiative to leap-frog technology development in Nigeria. Bulama explained that with the Technology Storyboard initiated by NOTAP, Nigeria was at the threshold of demystifying Science and Technology and to promote a rapid technological revolution by an efficient assimilation/absorption of foreign technology, concerted development of indigenous technological capability through a proactive commercialization and promotion of locally motivated technologies. He reiterated that NOTAP by this laudable initiative has demonstrated commitment to ensuring that science and technology which is globally the engine that steers development is demystified through a simplified pictorial representation of products production/manufacturing processes.
Thorium car, drives for 100yrs before refuelling
Dikko
18 students set to commence Etisalat ETEP internship Etisalat Nigeria is set to commence the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Program (ETEP) internship for the second group of 18 students from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Programme was launched in 2013, and is the first MSc in Telecommunications Engineering programme in West Africa. The 18 students are the second set of intakes in the programme and they are expected to commence their four weeks internship on the 20th of April, 2015. Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, disclosed that the goal of the internship is to further broaden the students’ practical understanding of telecommunications engineering as well as part of the long term plan of creating
New Thorium Car
Robotic aids students in research work CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1
Bindir
a critical mass of highly skilled telecommunications specialists in Nigeria. He explained that during the internship, the students will have full access to insights that have made Etisalat the most reliable network in Nigeria. “At Etisalat, we believe that the right education has the potential to impact every aspect of life, so education remains central to our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions. With this four-week internship, we want to build local manpower with regards to telecommunications technology skills.” Dikko said. The first set of intakes to ETEP at ABU concluded their programme in 2014 and the three best graduating students of the postgraduate programme were sponsored to Etisalat Academy, Dubai for training.
Laser Power Systems has created a new Thorium car which is completely emissionfree, turbine-free, and is electricity generated. It’s one of the new sustainable-powered engines to show just how unnecessary modern day propulsion engines are and also offer an exciting alternative. Fuelled by nuclear thorium lasers, this engine only needs eight grams of fuel every 100 years. Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Connecticutbased company, Charles Stevens, confirmed the claims that one gram of thorium yields the energy of 7,500 gallons of gasoline. Harnessed by heating the energy from an external source, the energy becomes so dense the molecules produce heat. A vehicle that needs refilling once a lifetime. It seems many countries and military agencies have been experimenting with this type of energy to power vehicles for a number of years. And now with designs to create a car for the public, those who find their gasoline budget a sensitive topic may find relief in this model. The car will be released into the open market by 2018.
that took place at the indoor sports hall of the University of Lagos on the 14th of March 2015. “These competitions are wildly exciting, energetic and motivating. They have been described as ‘part robot-festival, part music-concert and all around fun, ” Ajayi said. Teams from seven Public/ Government Schools, University of Abuja Staff School and four private Schools made up the 12 competing teams with each team parading ten team members and two mentors. Highlight of the students com-
peting in project, robot game, robot design and core values. After three rigorous rounds, two teams, NITDA Techno Group and NITDA Spiders emerged to compete in a best of 2 rounds finals. With the finals concluded and a review of results of other components by the head judge, Judge Advisor and the Lead judges NITDA Techno Group was unanimously crowned as the overall champion. Principal of University of Abuja International Secondary School, Mr. Audu Sheidu was commended for his interest and motivation of his students, in getting them involved in the pro-
gramme. Other awards recipients include NITDA Spiders (Great Heights Academy Abuja) – Gracious Professionalism; NITDA Lion (Hillside School Abuja) – Robot Tech; NITDA Techno Group (Tudunwada Secondary School) – Robot Performance; NITDACrown (University of Abuja International School) – Judges Award; NITDA Crystallite (Government Secondary School Area 10 Abuja) – Project Award; Outstanding Volunteer Award went to Bello Saliu of Government Secondary School Area 10 Abuja and Outstanding Coordinator Award – Mrs Bankole of Banky’s School.
OKPEKPE 29 RACE ATTRACTS 3000 RUNNERS
Poster!
ROBIN VAN PERSIE X2,3 Tuesday, April 14, 2015
YOUNG BLAMES
TOURE
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DANAGOGO
congratulates Falcons, U-23 team
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PERSONAL INFORMATION Full name:
Robin van Persie
Date of birth:
August 6, 1983 (age 31)
Place of birth:
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height:
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position: Striker Current team: Number:
Manchester United 20
Youth career 1997–1999:
Excelsior
1998–2001:
Feyenoord
Senior career 2001–2004:
Feyenoord
2004–2012:
Arsenal
2012–Present: Manchester United National team 2000:
Netherlands U-17
2001:
Netherlands U-19
2002–2005:
Netherlands U-21
2005–Present
N A V
O R Netherlands
E I S R E P N
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
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MANCHESTER CITY
CITY FANS EJECTED FROM OLD TRAFFORD
A
handful of Manchester City fans were ejected from Old Trafford for allegedly mocking the Munich Air Disaster during Sunday’s 4-2 derby defeat by Manchester United. Stewards threw out the group who were said to be attempting to taunt home supporters by making airplane wings in a sick reference to the 1958 tragedy. A total of 23 people perished after a plane carrying Matt Busby’s talented young side crashed during a take-off attempt from Munich after
refuelling following a European Cup clash against Red Star Belgrade. Among the death toll was former Manchester City goalkeeper Frank Swift, who was covering the match as a journalist. However, a minority of visiting supporters were accused of performing the gesture and were quickly thrown out by stewards. Police praised the ‘overwhelming majority’ of supporters at the clash after just eight arrests were made.
YOUNG
BLAMES
TOURE
FOR DERBY LOSS M
anchester United wide man, Ashley Young, believes Yaya Toure failed to do his job in keeping tabs on Marouane Fellaini throughout the Manchester derby on Sunday. Young and Fellaini were instrumental as the Red Devils claimed a 4-2 win over Manchester City to move four points clear of the Sky Blues. United, along with Arsenal, are now favourites to finish second in the English Premier League this season with a faltering City eager
Toure
MAN CITY’S NEXT MATCHES
Zabaleta
ZABALETA: CITY FACE FIGHT TO STAY FOURTH!
M
anchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta accepts the fallen champions are facing a battle to finish in the top four. Zabaleta admits confidence is low with Sunday’s derby loss at Manchester United having continued a dismal run which has seen City capitulate in the Premier League title race. Manuel Pellegrini’s men crashed 4-2 at Old Trafford, a sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions and a result which leaves them fourth and clinging onto a Champions League place. It is a far cry from the situation on New Year’s Day, when the defending champions pulled level with Chelsea at the top
with a 3-2 win over Sunderland. Having been eight points behind just over a month earlier, City appeared to be clicking into gear - but all has suddenly gone wrong. They now trail the leaders by 12 points, having played a game more, and their form continues to offer encouragement for the likes of Southampton and Liverpool below them. Zabaleta said: “It is time to analyse what we are doing wrong and try to improve for the next few games. There are still 18 points to play for and we must be honest with ourselves and start to push hard, play better and win games, so we can get in the top four.”
to keep hold of the final UEFA Champions League spot. Young equalised for the hosts before setting up Fellaini for the second and Chris Smalling for the fourth in a comprehensive showing by Louis van Gaal’s men at Old Trafford. Toure, who has been lambasted by several UK television pundits throughout the season, had another ordinary showing for the Citizens and Young insists the Ivorian had job to do on the inform Belgium target man, Fellaini.
April 19: Man City v West Ham April 25: Man City v Aston Villa May 3: Spurs v Man City May 10: Man City v QPR May 17: Swansea v Man City May 24: Man City v Southampton
PELLEGRINI TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DERBY LOSS
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anchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he accepts full responsibility for his side’s 4-2 derby defeat at Old Trafford and that he was concerned by the way the team collapsed. After being joint top of the table in January, City now find themselves in fourth position, 12 points off the summit having played one more match than leaders Chelsea.
Pellegrini
Rather than fighting for the title, they could now face a battle just to finish in the top four, and Pellegrini said after the loss to Manchester United: “I always think it is my responsibility, always.” There has been speculation about Pellegrini’s job for some time, but he said: “The only way we can change this is by winning games. I am not talking about my position. It is not important.”