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ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government on Wednesday said it would stop the importation of rice in the next two years, stating however that the policy would not be

FG to ban rice importation in 2 years enforced until it has developed local industries to produce maximally for local consumption.

Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, disclosed this to dailytimesng

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

State House Correspondents after a joint Continued on page 12 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.209

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 28th September 2015.

NESTLE

859.7

39.70

4.62%

NB

146.04

5.97

4.09%

SEPLAT

249.9

-5.10

-2.04%

UNILEVER

45.13

-0.87

-1.93%

FO

250

10.01

4.00%

UACN

31.5

1.50

4.76%

JBERGER 41.88

-2.20

-5.25%

ZENITHBANK

17.52

-0.59

-3.37%

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Senate confirms Fashola, Dambazau, 16 others

Ï Ƒ Əƈ ƓƈƐ ƗƏ Ɠ 9ƄƆƐ ô ƌƆ ƇƏ ƌ Ƌƈ Ɛ Ƈ ƌƈ ƆƆ Ï ƌ Ɔƅ ƈè d ƈƐƐƑ ƅƏƆƆ ƈ ƋƗ Ɛ Ɨ ƕ Olufemi Samuel, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎThe Senate on Wednesday con-

firmed eighteen ministerial nominees for appointment into the government of President Muhammadu

Buhari.

The nominees were in the list of 21 submitted by President Buhari to

the Senate on September 30. They appeared before the Senators on Tuesday and Wednesday for screen-

ing.

Continued on page 6

Nigeria needs a National Carrier, says Sen. Sirika Segun Adio 1Ə Ƒƍ MƆƓ &ƗƈƐ Ə

ÎÎÎOne of

the ministerial nominees confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, Senator Hadi Sirika, says there is need for the reintroduction of a national air carrier.

According to him, the reintroduction of a national air carrier would Continued on page 6

Ekiti boils as NURTW members clash g24

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Savouring a rebirth

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial World Hand Washing Day

T

oday, October 15, the international community will be marking ‘Hand Washing Day’ as an advocacy day for increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap to prevent diseases. Also, the day is an opportunity to learn, design, test, replicate, and share creative ways of encouraging people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.

This year’s theme is “Raise a Hand for Hygiene”. The imperative for creation of a strong social norm of good hand hygiene becomes more relevant against the background of taking the message to individual homes, schools and health care facilities. Moreover, the day has been set aside to sensitise people on the need to reduce childhood mortality rates related to diarrhea and respiratory diseases. It is fact that the simple washing of hands as basic hygiene procedures is still poor among Nigerians. This lack of procedures is more pronounced among the country’s health workers who are unmindful of the fact that acquired infections could be reduced when they wash and disinfect their hands with antiseptic solution between patient contacts. It is important to turn hand washing into a habit, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Such an ingrained habit has the potential of saving more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention.

Incidentally, hand washing with soap may seem like a simple behaviour, but it is rarely practised in Nigeria. This is due both in part to lack of resources as well as it not being a habit. According to survey, simple hand washing with soap can save a million lives per year, while it can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by approximately 50 percent. Moreover, mothers who wash their hands with soap can reduce the risk of newborn death by 44 percent,

even as hand washing with soap can reduce the number of pneumonia-related infections in children under the age of five by 50 percent. The survey also discovered that providing soap in schools could reduce absenteeism among pupils due to diarrhea by 30 percent.

Children acting as agents of change, take the good practices of hygiene learned at school back into their homes and communities and thereby effect behavioural change. Hand washing is the simplest thing we can do to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy. We are aware that our hands encounter many things throughout the day, from the telephone, blowing the nose with a tissue, shaking hands, using the toilet and digging in the dirt.

These are all opportunities for germs to get on our hands, and washing them is the best way to stop those germs from spreading. There is no gainsaying the fact that hand washing with soap helps prevent the risk of catching or spreading bacteria that can cause food poisoning. This is especially important when handling raw poultry, eggs, meat or seafood, even as proper hand washing reduces the risk of catching or spreading infectious diseases like salmonella and Hepatitis A. Our soap dodging has some unsettling repercussions. Studies reveal that, one in six mobile phones is contaminated with fecal bacteria, which can survive for hours on hands and surfaces and in between, we are touching the doorknobs, water fountains and each other. Also alarming is the fact that fecal bacteria spread easily, reproduce quickly and can lead directly to illness.

We therefore enjoin Nigerians to take seriously the issue of hand washing with soap on a daily basis, especially when they come in contact with objects and persons. Only in this way can the incidence of communicable diseases be drastically reduced and in return make Nigeria a nation of healthy citizens.

Ministerial screening: Why all the noise?

Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎAfter

much noise by the Senate that the screening of ministerial nominees submitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari will not be ‘business as usual’ but rigorous, the exercise which began on Tuesday turned out to be nothing but a repeat of the past.

Senate spokesman, Senator Dino Melaye, on more than one occasion before Tuesday had insisted that the exercise this time around will be rigorous and a break from old tradition of ‘take a bow’.

Hear him: “Screening of the ministerial nominees will no longer be business

as usual. The era of take a bow is gone.

Melaye’s position was re-echoed by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, at the weekend when he led a delegation of Senators to Ikenne in Ogun State to condole with the Awolowo family on the demise of their matriarch, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awololwo.

However, the exercise turned out to be far from being rigorous when it began on Tuesday. A number of the nominees including Senator Udo Udoma, Lai Mohammed, Amina Mohammed, Audu Ogbeh, and Chris Ngige among others were asked to ‘take a bow’.

In fact, many of the Senators during the exercise on Tuesday became virtually impatient to hear out some

Words On Marble :

of the nominees. Many of them chorused the ‘take a bow’ slogan for some of the nominees. There was hardly any rigour in the exercise, no feathers were ruffled and nothing extraordinary took place. The exercise turned out to be a repeat of the past. All the nominees were applauded by the senators at the end of their presentations, an obvious sign of approval.

So, why all the hype by the Senate that the exercise this time around was going to be rigorous and not ‘business as usual’?

Going forward, it would be wise if the Senate as well as other arms of government and institutions stop making promises they cannot keep. Otherwise, their posturing will be nothing but hot air.

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Babatunde Fashola

Ibe Kachikwu

Muhamadu Buhari

“The unfortunate thing about money is that it often raises suspicions even among brothers.”

“All the sun shine was given to us (Nigerians) by God for a reason.”

“My administration was called upon to clean up the mess and rebuild the institutions that corruption has ravaged over the years.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

5

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Senate confirms Fashola, Dambazau, 16 others Continued from page 1 However, the Senate deferred the screening of two nominees, that of the former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and one from Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Shittu.

Amaechi’s screening was differed till Thursday (today) because the Committee of Ethics and Privileges who attended to a petition against him told the Senate that report on the probe of the petition was not yet ready.

There are reports that the screening of Adebayo Shittu

had to be delayed because the Department of State Security (DSS) was yet to get through with his screening.

Those finally endorsed by the Senate include Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Lt General Abdulrahman Dambazau, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and Amina Ibrahim Mohammed.

Other nominees cleared by the Senate include, Engr.

Suleiman Adamu, Ibrahim Usman Jubril, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Ukachukwu.

The remaining nominees are Abubakar Malami (SAN), Dr. Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Iisha Jumai Alhassan, Barrister Solomon Dalong, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Senator Hadi Sirika.

There are indications that Amaechi and the nominee from Oyo State, Barrister Shittu, would be cleared on Thursday (today) along with other nominees to be announced by the Senate.

The Committee on Ethics and privileges had suspended the probe of petition against Amaechi siting Senate Rules, which forbids that of any

matter pending in in court should be entertained.

President Buhari had, however, withdrawn the nomination of Ahmed Ibeto, a nominee from Niger State from the list of nominees being screened by the Senate.

The President did not give a reason for striking out the name of Ibeto from the list of nominees being screened by the Senate.

Senate President on opening the plenary read a letter from the President, which indicated that the nominee from Niger State had been withdrawn, while a replace-

ment was yet to be provided.

Daily Times leant that strong protest from the government of Niger State was responsible for the President’s action.

Meanwhile, all the nominees so far screened had given good account of themselves as they demonstrated good grasp of issues on economy, politics, human rights, aviation, international relations and others.

Senate President after the plenary commended the Senators for job well done, as he entreated them to always be prepared to hold the ministers to be accountable, declaring, ‘there will no longer be business as usual.”

He equally urged Senators to continue to give support to the administration of President Buhari on his mission to establish good governance in Nigeria.

In a related development, a

chorus of protest on Wednesday the submission of Mallam Muhammad Bello as the ministerial nominee from Adamawa State by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for screening.

Bello is among the second batch of Ministerial nominee submitted to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly on Monday.

While describing the nomination as suicidal and a big political blunder, capable of making the party to lose future elections in the state, the Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Mallam Ahmed Lawal, said as a party, the state chapter neither knows the appointee nor was consulted before his name was forwarded.

“As a party, we don’t know the nominee because as the Continued on page 12

Nigeria needs a national carrier, says Sen. Sirika Continued from page 1

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, FIDSON, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae; Chairman, FIDSON Plc, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei; Company Secretary, Mr. Abayomi Adebanjo and Director, Emmanuel Imoagene during the Annual General Meeting of the company at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja Lagos...on Wednesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Why Buhari won’t allow removal of fuel subsidy now – Kachikwu Ï d ƕ è M ƍ Ɔ Ƈ ^9 ƅ Ɛ Mƈ ƆƏƈ MƢƐƏ ƕƆ ƏƋƕ ÎÎÎThe

Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday, said President Muhammadu Buhari would not allow removal of petroleum subsidy until full measures are in place to cushion the effect of such removal.

Kachikwu made the revelation when he appeared before the Senate for screening as a ministerial nominee.

He stressed that President Buhari can only entertain discussion on oil subsidy removal when all necessary palliatives are put in place.

The NNPC boss disclosed

that some people in the private sector were insisting on the removal of the subsidy, an idea that the president had rejected.

He added that when he and the president discussed the issue of subsidy, Buhari was particular about palliative measures in health, education and transportation.

The NNPC GMD stressed that he totally agreed with the president stance, saying unless there are necessary palliatives, there would not be need for the removal.

He also revealed that Nigeria is losing in excess of N3 trillion annually to lack of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“The investment that

we are losing on an annual basis because of the lack of PIB, is in excess of $15b (N3tr) a year, and the reason is simple”.

“It would have been better that you didn’t start at all, then announce very flamboyantly that you were going to do PIB then step back from it, because it increases the level of uncertainty that no international investor wants to grapple with.

“So I would urge this very revered Senate to very quickly come to terms and find a way of working with us, to go ahead and pass those elements of PIB where there is no much contention.”

He allayed fears of scar-

city, reiterating that Nigeria has refined fuel to last the country for 40 to 50 days to say the least, with no plans to reduce PMS pump price.

“Refineries today are operating at about 25, 27 percent capacity. I know there have been numbers bandied about with performance level of 65 percent. That’s not true and I have advised His Excellency as such.

“When I joined, the first thing I did was to put a clarion call to all the managers of the refineries, and I said the success of your job depends on these refineries and how you work.

“If we can’t run them, then we need to get out, make adequate arrangement, privatise them and take them out.

enable Nigeria reciprocate the many bilateral agreements it entered with other nations.

Senator Sirika stated this in response to a question on the desirability or otherwise of proposed national carrier when he appeared before the Senate for screening as a ministerial nominee.

Sirika was the last to be grilled by the senators and was a former member of the Red Chamber.

A pilot himself, and being touted to head the Aviation Ministry, Sirika admitted that he was one of the proponents of a national carrier.

Following the liquidation of the Nigerian Airways in 2002, Nigeria has not been able to utilize the 48 bilateral air service agreements (BASAs) it signed with various countries.

Experts say the BASAs have been mismanaged by the Aviation Ministry to the detriment of the indigenous airlines thereby giving foreign airlines undue advantage.

Responding to the question from Senate President Bukola Saraki on the issue, Sirika said having a national carrier would equally crash prices of flight tickets in the country.

He noted for instance that Nigerians pay twice flying from Abuja to London than flying from Accra (Ghana) to London whereas Accra to London route is farther than Abuja to London’s.

He said: “Over 90 per cent of the international market has been taken by international airlines that come from other countries and most of them are either state-owned or partly state-owned.

“Second reason is the fact that most of these bilateral agreements that we signed with nations that are into this aviation also become lopsided because more or less Nigeria cannot take advantage of those because we do not have a national carrier or any designated carrier to do that job”.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October15, 2015

ÏÏÏChairman,

Nigeria Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government would ban importation of rice into the country in the next two years.

Yari spoke shortly after a meeting on the new policy on agriculture and food sustainability held at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with State House Correspondents, Yari explained that discussion at the meeting focused on how to boost rice production and put policy in place on how rice importation would be banned in

FG plans ban on rice importation in two years the country.

According to him, Nigeria has the human resources as well as the arable land to grow rice and even be self-sufficient.

Yari said, "In the next two years, we will not need to bring rice from outside Nigeria. We are going to ban it.

"It is only in Nigeria, a country of millions of people, that there is no food security", he added

Car hire operators ground operations at Lagos airport Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏActivities were grounded on

Wednesday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following the down tools of limousine operators and car hires over the re-routing of the former by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Our correspondent gathered that the car hire operators had complained to FAAN that the limousine operators (users of the Toyota Camry car) regularly “hijack” their passengers, rather than the allocated route of Airport to Ikeja axis.

As a result of the complaint, one of the limousine operators, who doesn’t want his name in print, alleged that FAAN re-routed the limousine operators (Toyota Camry car) to Hajj camp from Ikeja while the Sienna users were re-routed to the international wing of the airport from their usual hajj camp at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc. The down tools, however, led to passengers being stranded at various bus stops from Ikeja under bridge to hajj camp, and interna-

SON decries proliferation of fake engine oil Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Director General of Standard Organisation (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has decried the increasing rate of proliferation of fake and substandard engine oil in the country.

Addressing members of Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN) in Abuja, Odumodu disclosed that market surveillance carried out by SON indicates that there were many fake brands of engine oil imported into the country, while accusing some members of LUPAN of involving in the illegal business.

According to him, the incessant

7 News

tional airport car parks.

For many hours, passengers who intended to use the airport walked many hours from their various destinations. The ever busy road suddenly became light of traffic.

There are no fewer than 500 limousine and Sienna car hire operators registered with FAAN at the airport, but, they all insisted that they would not comply with the rerouting as directed by FAAN. A source close to the car hire operators told our correspondent that the leadership of Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria (ACHAN), had protested to FAAN, over the re-routing of the limousine operators (Toyota Camry) to hajj camp from international airport, while the Sienna operators were requested to move to international wing, which was approved by the agency.

However, our correspondent learnt that the re-routing of the limousine operators did not go down well with them and decided to down tools, which led to the hardship faced by commuters on the route yesterday. use of base oil as engine oil have reduced the life span of engines nationwide.

He said, “Base oil imported into the country is from Dubai. We will have a strong collaboration with Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) who is responsible for issuing out import permits to companies. We found out that these companies import more base oil than they have capacity to blend."

Odumodu noted that market statistics, intelligence and analysis, show that at least 300 metric tons of base oil is imported annually into the country for lubricants production, while the total plants production capacity utilisation nationwide is about 240 million metric tons, which he said, reveals a surplus of 60 million metric tons that do not go into the plants.

L-R: Former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN; Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo; Majority Leader House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Ismaila Kawu after the screening of Fashola in Abuja… on Wednesday

Polls: PDP accuses APC of inciting violence in Kogi, Bayelsa Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday alerted Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is inciting violence in Kogi and Bayelsa states with a view to causing confusion, frustrate the electoral process and possibly impede the forthcoming governorship elections in the states.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement by its National Publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja.

The opposition PDP stated that the APC, having realised that it does not have the support of the electorate in the two states, especially given its unpopular candidates, is now employing devious machinations, including violence to terrorize the people, disrupt and eventually truncate the elections.

The party alleged that the im-

prints of the APC could be felt in the sudden militancy in Kogi as well as the growing cases of political violence in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 21 and December 5 governorship elections in the two states respectively.

The PDP said: “The APC has perfected a heinous plot to inject crisis in Kogi and Bayelsa, ostensibly to frustrate the electoral procedures within the constitutional time frame, so as to prevent PDP candidates, Governors Idris Wada and Seriake Dickson from being re-elected into office.

“We invite Nigerians to note that the build up to the militancy in Kogi has been long started by the APC and its candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, who has been fouling the state’s political environment with hate and inciting utterances, including threats to lives of PDP supporters and perceived political opponents.

“Intelligence information available to us indicates that the APC has been training and arming thugs to unleash mayhem and destabilize the state ahead of the election.

“Recall that earlier this month, Prince Abubakar Audu directed these thugs to attack and “kill” PDP supporters and those perceived to be opposed to the ambition of the APC in the state. Nigerians should therefore not be surprised at the sudden militancy in Kogi State.

"We know that the aim here is to infuse confusion, truncate the electoral process and eventually rig the poll in favour of the APC. “Also, in Bayelsa State, the APC in its desperation for power has been heating up the system and arming thugs, apparently to cause crisis in the state polity, frighten the electorate and possibly derail the election to their advantage.

We'll end Boko Haram by December, Buhari insists Hussenat Ohize

ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari, on Wednesday, said that he remained fully confident that by the end of this year, Boko Haram's ability to attack, seize, ravage and hold any Nigerian territory would have been completely obliterated.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke at an audience with the Commander of United States Africa Command, General David Rodriguez.

The President noted that with greater support from his administration in terms of improved

training, equipment, logistics and welfare, the Nigerian Armed Forces were now well positioned to meet the December deadline which they have been given to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

Buhari used the opportunity of Rodriquez's visit to restate his appreciation for the support of the United States regarding Nigeria's efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

"We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident.

"Structured attacks by the in-

surgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organised fighting force", the President said.

Buhari, however, appealed for greater cooperation from the United States in securing the Gulf of Guinea through which stolen Nigerian crude oil is shipped abroad.

Decrying the severe revenue losses which Nigeria suffers from crude oil theft, Buhari said that his administration was determined to end the criminal practice and would welcome more support from the international community in this regard.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Politics

Æs

Saraki

Buhari

Saraki: Senate as engine room of Buhari’s democratic change c

Olumide Abimbola Barely five months in the saddle as President of the 8th Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki is surely setting the standard as the busy engine room of the Buhari’s democratic change.

Indeed, not in recent times has much attention been directed at the happenings in the national assembly as setting the tone for the actions of the executive arm of government.

And now, it’s almost rolling to five months that Saraki took over

the reins of leadership in the Senate and against all odds and through his effective and efficient leadership, he has continued to win more antagonists as well as admirers both within and outside the Senate chambers.

Diezani

On the streets, a lot of Nigerians now relate with the business of legislative practices because they could see radical changes and departures from business-asusual in the 8th Senate.

To aptly drive home his qual-

ity and high standing moral, the Senate President when constituting some of the ad-hoc committees of the Red Chamber, ensured that its not only members of his CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Cameron

UK: Those who looted Nigeria will be exposed, punished Akinjide Akintola The United Kingdom, UK, would no longer be a safe haven for looters of African resources and treasury, the UK Minister for Africa and Department For International Devel-

opment, (DFID), Rt Hon Grant Shapps has declared.

Shapps said corruption, money laundering and culture of impunity have done incalculable damage to Africa development so much that the UK government has to protect the integrity of

its financial system by exposing those who want to cart away the resources of the continent.

Consequently Rt Hon Shapps said the UK government would provide all the necessary support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for

taking the lead in fighting corruption in the continent.

Rt Hon Shapps disclosed this at Government House, Kaduna, at the launch of a 100 million pounds public sector accountability and governance programme initiated by the UK gov-

Involve parties in INEC boss selectio, says 2015 EU observers

The 2015 European Union Observer Mission for the 2015 General Election have asked that all the parties in the country be involved in the selection and approval of the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

The EU observer team in its report also recommended among others that the INEC should be strengthened to tack-

le complex electoral challenges.

Presenting its report the EU led by the Chief Observer, Mr. Santiago Fisas called for a more inclusive parliamentary mechanism for cross-party involvement in the selection and approval of the INEC Chairperson and National Commissioners be adopted.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who received

the report said it is the duty of the Buhari administration to guarantee free and fair elections in the country.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, the Vice President, said “it is our duty to ensure that the electoral system guarantees CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

ernment to support Nigeria in its development agenda.

“Corruption in Nigeria also affects the UK directly. Where we have evidence, we will continue to take action to protect the integrity of the UK’s financial system CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Osinbajo

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Senate to collaborate with Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

‘Like Minds Senators’, who were in the vanguard of his emergence that got the privileges of becoming chairmen of these committees.

Notably in this regard, Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), who was a strong supporter of Sen. Lawan, was appointed as the Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business.

In the business of legislative practice, the Senate under Saraki gave due diligence to the passage of motions that have positive impact on the livelihood of an average man on the street.

Taking interest in the efficient supply of electricity to Nigerians with the intent of alleviating the plights of their constituents, the Senate under Saraki passed a motion that led to the review of electricity tariff by the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC). In this regard, the Dr. Sam Amadi-led NERC, has abolished the concept of bulk metering for consumers, just as the commission, through the senate’s intervention, removed the mandatory N700 fixed rate charged on consumers by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Another novel effort by the Saraki-led senate was the deci-

sion by the lawmakers to personally see and listen to the tales of woes of Nigerians in the trouble states Borno and Adamawa for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation and plight of residents in the insurgency ravaged area.

Although Senator Lawan turned down his nomination to be part of the delegation set up by the Senate President to visit the troubled Northeast, a six-man delegation to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was eventually led

by Saraki, while other members on the trip include Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; Deputy Chief Whip; Francis Alimikhena; Danjuma Goje; Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Hassan Mohammed; Abubakar Kyari and the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Isa Galaudu.

During the visit, Saraki assured Borno people that the entire country was solidly behind them in their trying period. He said: “We have come to feel your pains, to hear what you have been going through first hand. To seek to understand the severe bloody struggle you have had to endure and go through emotionally, physically, financially and in many other ways which can hardly be put in words”.

Following up on the Borno visit, the Senate made another

Olusola Saraki visitation, but this time to New York, United States, where a delegation-led by Saraki attended the 4th United Nations International Conference for Heads of Parliaments. The three-man delegation which included Dino Melaye and Andy Uba, during the bilateral meetings with delegations from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, reiterated the need for international support for Nigeria in her bid to end the carnage in the North-East and resettle the people.

Though the 8th Assembly is still in its morning days, regardless of the statutory breaks and vacations, the Saraki-led senate has shown signs of becoming one CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

9 Politics

Barely two months to the governorship election in Kogi State, an advocacy group in All Progressives Congress (APC), Positive Transformation Ambassadors (POTRAM), has condemned the alarming rate of infrastructural decay in Kogi State, with a call on Kogites to make a statement with their voter cards by rejecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the organisation which is advocating better governance, the last 12 years under the PDP had not been good for the State.

The President of POTRAM, Mr. Yunusa Ikojo, said that time has come to rescue Kogi State by voting for a result-oriented former Governor Abubakar Audu, “whose achievement is yet to be equalled by successive governments.”

He said after a careful analysis of the problems in the state, POTRAM has resolved to the candidacy of a former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu.

Ikojo said that Kogi State was sick and needed urgent medical

Wada

Kogi 2016: Time to rescue the people - Group attention, adding that Prince Abubakar Audu held the solutions to the maladies bedeviling the State.

He said, “Kogi State at the moment is just like a sick patient lying in coma. She needs a doctor with the medical expertise and experience to provide the remedy to her severe ailment. The alarming degree of economic morbidity and socio-political devastation in Kogi today requires a pragmatic and visionary leader like Prince Audu to salvage it from its present predicament”.

POTRAM also laid emphasis on Audu’s milestone while he was governor of the state, a feat, it said, has remained unbeaten till date.

Audu

EU observers seek transparency in choice of INEC boss CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

free and fair elections, where the opposition can win if voted for by the people.”

While thanking the EU for participating actively throughout the electoral process of the country before, during and after the polls, and making useful recommendations that could improve the process, he assured that the Federal Government would study and consider the recommendations as soon as possible.

He said that while some of the recommendations require action by the National Assembly, he assured the delegation that the executive arm of government would consider the ones within its powers to implement.

Commenting on some of the recommendations of the EU Observer Mission, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the recommendation on independent candidacy was deliberated upon by the National Assembly and rejected prior to the 2015 polls but added that

Osinbajo the issue could be re-opened following the recommendation by the EU. He recalled that he had been active in election litigations and some of the EU recommendations on time limits for electoral petitions had been of concern, saying specifically that regarding the timing “there are huge

Zakare questions around that.”

The Vice President explained that the response of the National Assembly regarding the time limits was to legislate that election petitions be completed within 180 days.

“The reaction of the National Assembly then was to fix 180 days but getting evidence alone

can take six months,’’ he said.

According to Osinbajo, a lawyer who had been active in election petitions before the 2015 polls, of the many petitions he argued, the cases in Osun and Ekiti States were the defining ones.

“I litigated for three and half years before the mandate for the

current governor of Osun was restored and for almost two and half years in Ekiti before the former governor, now a ministerial nominee, could regain his mandate.”

The EU observer team in its report recommended among others that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be strengthened to tackle complex electoral challenges and that a more inclusive parliamentary mechanism for cross-party involvement in the selection and approval of the INEC Chairperson and National Commissioners be adopted.

Other members of the delegation included the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion, Deputy Head of EU Mission, Mr. Richard Young and Pauline Torehall, EU Mission Head of Political Section.

The Vice President said the federal government is extremely grateful for the support and great work of the EU Observer Mission.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

‘Looters of treasury will be punished’

Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

and prevent its use for money laundering purposes”, Rt Hon Shapps who was accompanied by top British Embassy officials including its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright said.

He said the United Kingdom government was committed to assisting Nigeria in increasing its security, stability and prosperity by ensuring that the war against corruption which President Buhari is waging is given maximum support.

He assured that the UK government would further assist in building Nigeria’s vital institutions to fight corruption and insecurity, stressing that no efforts would be spared in bringing punitive measures against those who are bent on carting away the nation’s wealth.

Addressing the gathering which includes the representatives of Kano and Jigawa state governments, the Minister said: “Nigeria matters to the UK. The UK is fully committed to helping Nigeria increase its security,

Diezani stability and prosperity. Tackling corruption is imperative to that.

We share and support President Buhari’s stated commitment to rooting it out.

“We will continue to provide capacity building and technical and investigative support to Nigeria to tackle corruption and are scaling up this support”, noting that “we have an opportunity now to develop a comprehensive partnership across these areas; I hope that we can work together to quickly drive this forward”.

While stressing on the 100 million pounds Public sector accountability and governance programme support by the British government, Shapps said that the programme, “first is to build institutions that are accountable and able to meet citizens needs.”

He also stated; “to enhance scrutiny of public expenditure through parliamentary oversight and citizen engagement to hold government to account; and thirdly, to increase evidence of what works and what does so officials and citizen can make informed decisions about government’s activities”.

Shapps argued that; “to fight

Cameron poverty you need lots of things . You need to end conflict. You need to make sure medicines and health workers are there. You need to ensure people have food.

You need to ensure you have jobs”.

“But for all these things to happen, you need to end corruption.

You need to make sure that the money is used well. That public services reach citizens-including the poor. You need to ensure that you have an environment that allows businesses to invest their money and create jobs-without unnecessary red tape. You need public institutions that make it easy for citizens to access services without having to pay bribe”.

The British Minister however noted that; “none of this can happen where corruption is allowed to thrive”, adding, “Corruption is bad for development, bad for poor people and bad for business”.

“Corruption takes away public trust in public officials and government institutions. Corruption distorts competitive markets and lead to reallocation of resources. If not tackled, corruption on a grand scale, and those that practice it, will ultimately

destroy Nigeria.”

He pledged that the British government will continue to close collaboration with Nigerian authorities to ensure that the menace is eradicated, while insisting that “this programme will help government to open up and be more transparent.”

Shapps further stressed that the British government will continue to expose those Nigerians that carted the nation’s resources away to its territory illegally as punitive measure will be taken against them.

He said: “corruption in Nigeria also affects the UK directly.

Where we have evidence, we will continue to take action to protect the integrity of the UK’s financial system and prevent its use for money laundering purposes.

“We will continue to collaborate closely with Nigeria authorities on this. There will be no impunity on our side and we will take action fairly and promptly against anyone commitment criminal offences in areas under UK jurisdiction. Where assets are recovered, we will take them to Nigeria as soon as we can so they can be used for the proper

benefit of Nigerian development.

“We will ensure that British businesses operating in Nigeria do so in full compliance with the provisions of the OECD antibribery convention and the UK Bribery Act. We are committed to rigorous enforcement and expect the highest standards of business integrity from British business operation in Nigeria.

This is the only right for good business but also should heal Nigerian business and authorities clean up their acts and meet the highest standards of business integrity.”

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasril El-Rufai lauded the British Minister and his entourage, saying that the coming of the Buhari’s government in Nigeria was a divine intervention to correct all the ills that had plagued the nation in the past.

El-Rufai also commended the British Government for its role in ensuring a peaceful election in Nigeria, saying the present government in Nigeria would not let the international community down on the issues of development in the country.

“The coming of the Buhari’s government in Nigeria was a divine intervention to correct all the ills that had plagued the nation in the past”.

El-Rufai

Buhari

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

11 Politics

Buhari’ll need Senate to succeed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

of the most productive legislative sessions in recent years, owing to the nature and relevance of motions and bills that pass through the chamber during plenary.

Among the many impactful motions that have been moved, debated and appropriate resolutions to in the general interest of Nigerians by the 8th Senate are: Managing the Challenges of the Raining Season by Sen. Andy E. Uba (Anambra South); Fuel Tanker Tragedies on Nigeria’s Highways, by Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East); Motorable State of Obajana-Kabba-Isanlu-East-Ilorin Road- Kabba-Iyara IyamoyeOmu-Ekiti Road, by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi West); The State of Disrepair and Total Collapse of the Ikot Epkene-Itu-Calabar Federal Highway, by Sen. Bassey A. Akpan (Akwa-Ibom North East); Landslide in parts of Isikwuato (Isu 3) and Arochukwu Local Government Area in Abia North Senatorial Zone, Abia State and other areas within the country where gully erosion is prevalent, by Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North); and the Immediate Rehabilitation of the Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi Federal Highway, by Sen. Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North).

Others include: The State of the Economy: Naira Depreciation and its Implications, by Sen. Nazif Suleiman (Bauchi North); Flood and Erosion Disasters in Awka, Isuanaocha, Obosi and other Communities of Anambra

Bukola Saraki Central, by Sen. Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central); The Ban on Nigeria Agricultural Exports Products by European Union (EU), by Sen. Francis A. Alimikhena (Edo North); Land and Water Resources Crisis and the Menace of Typha Grass in Hadejia-Jama’are-KomaciugaYobe Basin, by Sen. Muhammed U. Shittu (Jigawa North East); Danger posed to rural bank customers by the bank verification exercise, by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South); Unfair trade practices of Electricity Distribution

Olusola Saraki Companies (Discos) in Nigeria,

by Sen. Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North); and Harassment of the Senate, Senators and their spouses and National Assembly Management by security agencies of government, by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), among others.

Keeping an eye on the economy, the Senator Rafiu Ibrahim’s motion, entitled: “Indiscriminate Use and Abuse of Waivers for Rice Importation”, triggered the constitution of an Ad hoc Committee chaired by Senator

Adamu Aliero, to investigate and determine the extent of the illegality perpetrated by the immediate past administration in the import of rice and to suggest ways through which the Federal Government can recover the humongous amounts lost to the unwholesome practice. The committee is already sitting and taking evidence from witnesses.

Sensing the leadership grip and legislative shrewdness of Saraki, foreign ambassadors, government institutions, corporate bodies, various groups and associa-

tions have been paying courtesy visits on the President of the Senate since the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly on June 9.

In one of the visits, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, pledged his country’s support for the Nigerian Senate, led by Bukola Saraki, stating that the British government would offer necessary assistance to support the federal parliament in addressing its shortcomings.

Clearly, the radical move by Nigerians to shed the old order of imposition and godfatherism is paying off and even in the midst of the intrigues and shenanigans to bring down the leadership of the senate, Saraki has sufficiently demonstrated that he is imbued with the political, mental and psychological acumen to lead a culturally and politically diverse but focus eighth senate. As time will unveil, those opposed to him initially have started appreciating his legislative wizardry.

Indeed, this has been clearly apparent in the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari where the senate has become the cynosure of all eyes especially with the matured manner the senate is handling the situation.

Of course, it could not have been otherwise as a two-term former governor and a chip off the old block whose father Senator Olusola Saraki, (Oloye) had been senate leader in the second republic.

State governors synergise on financial challenges Governors from the 36 states of the federation under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have met on how to find lasting solutions to some developmental issues that are calling for attention in their domain.

The meeting, which was held at the old banquet hall in the Presidential Villa, was said to have been initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari to keep the governors abreast of the goings on in the government departments and agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said that the briefings were designed to encourage synergy.

“The Group Managing Direc-

Oshimhole tor of NNPC, Ibe Kachukwu, has given us a very interesting presentation of the reforms that are going on in the NNPC. ” We all have renewed con-

Ajimobi fidence that we would have a national corporation that is run like a business outfit with good corporate governance and transparency that people can see

through its operations.

“Having listened to all the presentations, we are very excited that the President is providing the right leadership and the

GMD is at home with the issues and he’s dealing with all the impurities and the result is already manifesting,” Oshiomhole said.

Giving his view about the outcome of the meeting, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said, “I think for the first time in the history of me being a Governor, this is a very commendable effort. We discovered that many states can now partner with NNPC in the area of dam stream, business activities, distribution activities and refining activities.”

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, added, “We’ve learnt a lot of things today and I think everybody will go back to his state, more informed and more aware of what is presently happening and how we can move forward.”

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Recession: Govs opt for regional integration, cooperation Augustine Okezie Abuja

ÎÎÎState

Governors attending the ongoing 21st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Wednesday advocated regional integration and cooperation as a viable alternative capable of addressing the current economic downturn being witnessed in most states and the federation.

According to them, regional economies are better placed to address the economic well-being of their immediate population.

Most governors from the South West geo-political zone including Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State, Rauf Aregbesola from

Osun State, and Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, while admitting huge disparity between their internally generated revenue and receipts from federal allocation accounts, said they have initiated cooperative moves to encourage member states in the region to explore their comparative advantages especially by concentrating on the commercial production of their most popular products.

Other Governors at the summit who canvassed other viable sustainable options including Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Willie Obiano of Anam-

bara State, maintained that exploring other revenue generating investments like Agriculture, Mineral resources, Education and the overhauling of the civil service structure in their respective states, will in addition to regional integration, strengthen the state’s economy. Okorocha further advocated the decentralization of the management of Nigeria’s economy, empowering the three tiers of government in a participatory development structure.

He said: ‘’Over concentration of economic power at the hands of the Federal Government does not encourage equitable economic growth. If the Federal Government can remove

their hands and allow me to have control of gas, I will not come to Abuja for money’’.

Earlier in his presentation titled, ‘’Increase competitiveness through Public Sector Reforms: the Georgian case’’, a Georgian expert, Mr. Nika Gilauri, noted that restructuring the civil service and ensuring that it remains efficient and proactive is essential for sustainable growth.

Also in his presentation at the plenary, titled, ‘’Leveraging on Nigeria’s Competitive advantage’’, the CEO, National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, Matthias Chuka Mordi, noted that diversification of Nigeria revenue earn-

L-R: Founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos; Vice-Chair of SPAN, Mrs. Olufunmi Olajoyegbe; Jazz Artiste, Helen Isibor and Coordinator, Indomie Fans Club, Mrs. Faith Joshua during a press conference announcing SPANfest 2015 in Lagos… on Tuesday

Senate okays Fashola, Dambazau, 16 others Continued from page 6 organising secretary of the party who is in charge of registration of members, I doubt if Bello is even a card carrying member of the party.

“We were not consulted before his name was sent.

He was never with us during campaigns that ushered in APC as the ruling party and we don’t know how his name got there,” he said.

He added that when an active member of the party in person of Babachir David

Lawal was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), no one complained as his effort towards the victory of the party was well acknowledged, adding that the same cannot be said about Bello.

“If people that worked for the victory of the party are side-lined, the party will forever remain stunted,” he said.

Also commenting, a stalwart of APC and former interim National Vice Chairman North East, Dr. Umar Duhu, described the appoint-

ment of Bello as the height of injustice as he worked against its victory in the build up to the presidential election.

His words: “Bello was the immediate former chairman of National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) whose support for the former ruling party was an open secret and worked against Buhari’s candidature.

“I have to state in categorical terms that the president was not fair to some of us who were in the opposition since 1999.

“I was even the one who registered former Vice President Atiku Abubakar into the party and therefore it is a great disservice for the president not to consult with any one of us in Adamawa before Bello’s name was submitted.

“I wouldn’t have complained if any of the politicians was given the appointment because he would have carried all the other politicians along knowing who among them worked for the success of the party”.

ings is acutely imperative.

He said: ’’Nigeria needs to increase oil production to

122 million barrels per day and as well promote speedy diversification.”

We’ll ban rice importation in 2 yrs – FG Continued from page 1 meeting with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the permanent secretaries of federal ministries at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Yari stated that with the emerging political will power of the present government and the availability of arable land, Nigeria can sustain itself with rice production.

He regretted that so much money had gone into rice importation which he said could be produced locally.

His words: “The meeting was on the new policy on agriculture and food sustainability. We discussed how we can boost rice production in Nigeria and start thinking about how we are going to put policy in place on how rice importation will be banned in the country.

“We have the potential. We have the human

resources. We have the arable land to grow rice.

In the next two years, we will not need to bring rice from outside Nigeria. We are going to ban it.

“It is only in Nigeria, a country of millions of people, that there is no food security. We discussed the policy with the relevant permanent secretaries and CBN governor.

“The policy is going to be in place and we gave our commitment that we are ready to support the government policy in ensuring that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in food production in the next two years.

“Nigeria is currently a major importer of rice.

Now, the political will is in place to stop it. We in about nine states are going to be seriously engaged in massive rice production.

“We are hoping that in the next two years, rice importation into Nigeria will be banned. We are committed and the political will is in place”.

Multiple explosions kill 7 in Borno ÎÎÎThe Police Command in

Borno State on Wednesday confirmed the death of seven persons, including three suicide bombers, in Tuesday night’s explosion at the outskirt of Maiduguri.

This is even as the Army said ten members of the Boko Haram sect were killed during an exchange of gunfire with soldiers in Yobe state on Tuesday.

The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, made this confirmation while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, the state capital.

“At about 7.41 pm on Tuesday, there were Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion in three locations at the outskirt of Maiduguri.

“The locations are Gidan Shanu behind Bakassi estate, Sajeri and Bulumkutu,” Opadokun said.

“Seven people, including three suspected suicide bombers, died, while eleven persons were injured.

“All the casualties have been removed from scene and taken to the hospital and normalcy has been restored,” he said.

Meanwhile, ten members of the Boko Haram sect were killed during an exchange of gunfire with soldiers in Yobe state on Tuesday.

Sani Usman, spokesman of the Nigerian army, announced this in a statement, saying the suspects who attacked a military location in Geidam, Yobe, last week, have been arrested.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday October 15, 2015

13 International

US, Russia holds talks on Syria

Six killed in Burundi clashes - police ÏÏÏAt least six people were killed

ÏÏÏU.S.

and Russian defense officials are holding more talks Wednesday via videoconference on safety procedures for their crews flying missions over Syria.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the discussions are progressing and that he expects an agreement "in very short order" to help prevent a potential mid-air disaster involving U.S. and Russian aircraft.

"Even as we continue to disagree on Syria policy, we should be able to at least agree on making sure that airman are as safe as possible," Carter said at a news conference in Boston Tuesday. "Russia must act professionally in the skies over Syria and abide by basic safety procedures."

Russia's Defense Ministry issued a statement Tuesday saying it had prepared suggestions and was sending a draft to the Americans.

Carter also said the U.S. mission to bomb Islamic State targets in Syria will not change, but he urged the Russians to give up what he called their "failing strategy," saying it is "wrongheaded and strategically shortsighted."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that the U.S. declined to take part in broader talks about coordination

Pope Francis apologises for recent scandals ÏÏÏPope Francis has offered a

rare, if vague, apology for scandals involving the Roman Catholic Church, after several high-profile gaffes that were linked to the church or its clergy.

Speaking in Rome at the beginning of his weekly general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis said he asks forgiveness in the name of the church "for the scandals that have recently hit Rome and the Vatican." He did not offer details on what scandals he meant. He added, "It is inevitable that scandal happens, but woe to the man who causes [them]." His last phrase was a quote from the Bible.

The pope's comments drew applause, but also confusion about which scandals he might have meant. The Vatican has not addressed questions about what the pope was referencing.

On October third, the day before Pope Francis opened a meeting on family issues, a Vatican monsignor publicly announced he is gay, introduced his male partner to the media, and denounced the Church's stance on same-sex relationships.

This photo from the Syrian official news agency SANA shows Syrians rallying in front of the Russian Embassy in Damascus to show their thanks to Russia for its intervention in Syria, Oct. 13, 2015.

in Syria that would have involved either country sending a high-level delegation to the other's capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the proposal at a forum on Tuesday, saying his side would have been led by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev and included military and security officials.

Meanwhile, U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is pushing a

separate effort to get the U.S. and Russia on the same page in working toward a broad political resolution to the crisis in Syria. He met with officials Tuesday in Moscow and is due to hold talks Wednesday in Washington. Russian airstrikes have helped Syrian government troops regain territory, while the U.S. has criticized its campaign as targeting mostly rebel fighters and

not Islamic State militants.

Reuters quoted two senior regional officials Tuesday saying the Syrian army will soon launch an offensive on the northern city of Aleppo along with Russian air support and fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Iran. The officials cited a "large mobilization" of Syrian troops and thousands of Iranians.

US Democrats focus on Syria, China

ÏÏÏDemocratic

candidates focused heavily on the roles of the U.S. and Russian militaries in Syria as they discussed foreign policy during their first debate Tuesday night, while one presidential hopeful singled out China as the "greatest strategic threat" to the United States.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton advocated a coalition no-fly zone for Syria as a method of helping push Syrian ally Russia to engage with others in the region and work toward a political solution. She said the U.S. needs to stand up to what she called "bullying" by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I think it's important too that the United States make it very clear to Putin that it's not acceptable for him to be in Syria creating more chaos, bombing people on behalf of Assad, and we can't do that if we don't take more of a leadership position, which is what I'm advocating," Clinton said.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said he thinks Putin is going to regret Russia's recent actions and is already doing so when it comes to Crimea and Ukraine.

"I think what he is trying to do now is save some face," Sanders said. "But I think when Russians

get killed in Syria, and when he gets bogged down, I think the Russian people are going to give him a message that maybe they should come home, maybe they should start working with the United States to rectify the situation now."

Sanders also called the prospect of a no-fly zone in Syria a "very dangerous situation" that could lead to problems, and said the U.S. should not consider sending ground troops there, something Clinton and President Barack Obama have also opposed.

"We should be putting together a coalition of Arab countries who should be leading the effort," he said.

Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, who polls far behind the front-running Clinton and second place Sanders, also said imposing a no-fly zone right now would be a mistake that with Russian planes in the area could lead to an accident and escalation.

President Obama took office in 2009 with a pledge to end the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With U.S. troops still in both countries in advisory roles and fighting continues, most of the candidates expressed reservations about sending American troops

abroad.

Former Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee called "the chaos in the Middle East" the biggest national security threat and said it began with the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

"We've got to stop these wars," he said. "You have to have a new dynamic, a new paradigm."

Sanders called the Iraq war the country's worst foreign policy blunder, while O'Malley said it was one of the worst. Sanders said he does not support the U.S. taking unilateral action and would rely on coalition efforts when the country or its allies are threatened. O'Malley said military action should be "the last option" for a president.

Putin

in clashes in Burundi's capital on Tuesday, police said, the latest violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza won a third term in power.

Police spokesperson Pierre Nkurikiye said one policeman was among the dead and another was seriously wounded in clashes with "insurgents" in the Ngagara district of Bujumbura.

The clashes are the latest in months of unrest triggered by Nkurunziza's successful bid to win a third term in office.

Opponents said the bid breached the law and the terms of a peace deal that ended a 13-year civil war in 2006.

Residents said the clashes began when soldiers stormed the neighbourhood.

They accused the troops of "executing" at least seven civilians.

The UN warned last month that Burundi risked sliding back into civil war after a dramatic rise in killings, arrests and detentions, with almost 200 000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring nations.

Vanuatu's acting leader pardons self from bribery charges

ÏÏÏVanuatu's President Baldwin

Lonsdale said he was "deeply sorry" and vowed to clean up the government after the country's acting leader pardoned himself and 13 other parliamentarians on bribery convictions, media reports said.

Parliamentary speaker Marcellino Pipite reportedly issued the pardon as acting president on Sunday, while Lonsdale was overseas in Samoa, after the 14 were convicted for bribery by the Supreme Court on Friday. Pipite said he had done it out of the national interest rather than for personal benefit, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. "I decide to make such orders to maintain the peace, unity in this country," he said.

Lonsdale, who was reportedly visibly shaken when he addressed the nation on Monday after he returned on Sunday, said "no one is above the law" and called Pipite's actions unlawful. "There exists a backyard, which needs to be cleaned," Lonsdale said, Vanuatu's Daily Post reported.

"I am considering my options as to how to clean up the mess after consulting with state law office.

"Vanuatu's credibility has been tarnished throughout the world, and as head of state, I am deeply sorry to see this because national leaders have contributed significantly to it."

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Igbo short-changed in federal appointments, says chieftain Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe President of

Anambra State Welfare Association in Plateau State, Barr. Achike F. Onochie, has lamented the exclusion of Ndigbo in key strategic appoints in the Buhari administration.

Recall that the pan-Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has said that it was not surprised at the way the appointments of President Muhammadu Buhari were going, insisting that it had shown the president’s deep

rooted hatred for the Igbo nation.

According to Onochie “at the initial stage we were shortchanged considering the way the President’s appointments were going. But with the turnout of recent events in respect to the ministerial lists that was sent to the National Assembly, it looks like the Igbo are being shunned.”

Onochie also observed that, “We have no place in the Army, Special Assistance, permanent secretaries and any appointment, as regards the office of the President; the Igbo are nowhere to be found.

As number two, in terms of population in this country, we do not deserve to be treated shabbily”, he said.

Onochie questioned the appointment of Service Chiefs without any Igbo officer being represented.

“He appointed five Service Chiefs and there is no Igbo man, even though Igbo have qualified people to occupy the positions,” the Igbo chieftain said.

Onochie stressed that the Igbo people were being treated this way simply because of the pattern of their votes in the just concluded

general election, which went the way of the People Democratic Party (PDP), but emphasised that the president is the leader of all Nigerians and not a sectional President. Whatever happened during the elections, the president has emerged and he is supposed to be the father of all,” he added.

"Truly speaking, the Igbo people have not been integrated into the mainstream of governance in this administration because ministerial appointment is not enough to pacify the Igbo people,” Onochie said.

Akpabio wins at tribunal Ogunyemi Esther

ÏÏÏThe National Assembly Elec-

tion Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Chief Inibehe Okorie, which challenged the election of Senate Minority Leader, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, as the duly elected representative.

In a judgement, which lasted about one hour thirty minutes, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Goddy Anunihu, with other two justices, dismissed the petition, describing it as baseless and lacking in merit.

Okorie had claimed that due to a clerical error Akpabio was not the candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, a position the judges said was untenable as it was only the party which sponsored the candidate that could determine who its candidate was.

The tribunal held that the error in the nomination form was not enough reason to nullify the election. According to Anunihu, the nomination of a candidate was the domestic affairs of the political party and the court could not interfere with it.

The Judges also held that the petitioner failed to prove that the alleged violence on the day of the election could be linked to Akpabio, and dismissed an uncertified computer print-out of accredited voters, since it was not known to law. The Judges dismissed the case in its entirety and awarded a fine of N2, 500 against the Okorie.

Akpabio

L-R: A guest from Brazil, Iyanifa Ifadayiisi IFatoun; students of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja Cantonment, Adebusola Oseni; Esher Olugbenga; Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams and school teacher, Miss Oluwatosin Oyebo during the 2015 Olokun Festival Yoruba Quiz Competition in Lagos…on Wednesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Governance’ll be difficult without taxes –Aregbesola ÏÏÏOsun

state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday, said the need for the state to be less dependent on its rather insufficient monthly allocation from the federation account, had made it important for people to pay tax.

Besides, the governor noted that the nation had reached a stage where nothing works without taxes as the allocation to the state remained insufficient to cater for the numerous government obligations.

He said the development that Osun State had seen in the last five years of his administration could only be sustained, even in the face of the dwindling resources from the federation account, if people support government by paying taxes.

The governor stated this while giving his remarks at the 1437 Hijrah, the New Year Calendar

celebration of Muslims held at Osogbo Government Technical College.

He said that his administration had been able to pilot the affairs of Osun as expected, adding that the state cannot remain overdependent on federal allocation as there was an urgent need to be independent as an autonomous state.

“Payment of tax is a civic responsibility of all adults. We enjoin our people to see reasons in our agitation as we promise that their tax will continue to work for them,” Aregbesola said.

Speaking further, Aregbesola, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, said Hijrah the celebration was very significant to Muslims and that any serious government conscious of good governance, would see a need for the promotion of neutrality and

balance among all the existing religions.

Earlier, the Mufasir of Osogboland, Alhaji Maru’f Ishola, charged Nigerians to complement government efforts through the prompt payment of tax.

The Islamic scholar described regular tax payment as the only panacea that can cushion the current economic mess, which, according to him, has impeded the growth and development of the nation.

Aregbesola

NESG: Dangote urges FG, States to adopt use of concrete roads ÏÏÏFor Nigeria to achieve her

long-desired infrastructural development, she must embrace the use of concrete for road construction and other construction works.

This was one of the views expressed at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Speaking at the on-going 21st Summit, at Transcorp Hilton, the Executive Director, Stakeholders Relations and Corporate Communications, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, said it was a choice that Nigeria must make.

His comment was against the backdrop of the theme of the Summit: “Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability.

Ahmed also moderated the discussion session comprising of the Governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue and Kogi where he urged them to collaborate in the provision of infrastructure for their people.

He said concrete roads makes more economic sense for a country like Nigeria, as the use of Asphalt has left the roads in deplorable conditions.

Ikpeazu submits commissioners list to Abia Assembly Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, on Wednesday, submitted his list of commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly.

Reports had it that the list in a sealed envelope was submitted by the Chief of Staff, Chijioke Nwakodo, and the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Mr. Chinedum Elechi.

When contacted, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Martins Azubuike, acknowledged the receipt of the list, assuring that the House of Assembly would do the needful so that the commissioner-nominees would be attended to.

According to him, “the House will also ensure that the state government puts square pegs in square holes, so that the development standard of the state governor will be complemented.”

He also assured that the commissioner-nominees would be screened in line with parliamentary rules and procedures.

ÏÏÏ

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

15 Opinion

Fashola: It will be transformation galore

O Benedict Audu

n March 2, 2013, The Economist of London, published a special issue on Africa, a followup to its “Africa Rising” series run in 2011. Entitled “Governance in much of Africa is visibly improving, though progress is uneven”, the magazine cited two Nigerian governors as outstanding.

One was Kayode John Fayemi of Ekiti State,the other Babatunde Fashola for his stunning work in Lagos State.

Said the conservative weekly: “Lagos, (Nigeria’s) commercial capital, long a byword for chaos and skullduggery. Already home to 20m people, the city is expected to double in size within a generation. When most of the infrastructure was built in the 1970s, the population was perhaps 2m. However, help is on the way. The governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has begun an impressive campaign to clean up the city. The Chinese are building a vast modern rail network. Public buses are assigned separate lanes. When the governor heard they were used by unauthorised vehicles, he strode one morning and made a citizen arrest

of a colonel. The transformation of Lagos is worth trumpeting. Tax revenue has increased from $4m to $97m a month in less than a decade.

Interestingly, both Fayemi and Fashola have been nominated to become ministers. It shows that the forthcoming cabinet is most likely to work in a way that will impress not just Nigerians but also the international community. There is a general belief that Fashola will be the next Minister of the Federal Capital territory. No southerner has ever headed the FCT Ministry. He will break a major political taboo in Nigeria, thus casting the new president in the image of a true nationalist. Yet, it would seem that Buhari’s reason for wanting to send Fashola to the FCT is not so much to break any political taboo as to make Abuja a truly international territory.

If Fashola is deployed, he will go fully prepared, as Professor Chinua Achebe said of Nigeria’s current literary star, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

No one should be surprised at the transformation Lagos underwent under Fashola’s leadership. Right from the day he took to law practice, Fashola, who had all his life been too playful, decided to turn a new leaf by putting all his mind, heart and soul

into everything he set out to do.

Fashola approached his work as Lagos State governor with unusual fervor; he felt challenged and inspired by the examples of global transformational leaders. Fashola also studied From Third World To First: The Story of Singapore from 1965 by Lee Kuan Yew. He went on a study tour of these phenomenal cities. He actually took time out during the International Bar Association conference in Singapore in 2008 to have a private meeting with Singapore’s founding prime minister, the legendary Lee kuan Yew, on leadership. Therefore, when Fashola began the project to turn Lagos into a megacity, he meant business.

The result today is out for all to see.

International Crisis Group, one of the world’s most respected research organizations, honoured him as one of the seven outstanding personalities around the world for tackling security, economic and social challenges in a very imaginative way.

Fashola came into office with concrete ideas about high public office. He never used siren, most unusual of a Nigerian state governor.

He never moved in long motorcades, with security detail relating menacingly to the public. He never accepted any chieftaincy title. He rejected the

award of honorary doctorates from different universities and politely turned down a high national honour from Dr Goodluck Jonathan when the latter was the president. He is convinced that it is not right for public office holders to accept all manner of awards while in office. After all, we have seen high public officers fall from grace for scandalous conduct.

As has been pointed out several times, Fashola’s stellar performance helped to revive the dying progressive politics of the South-West. He was from 2007 the only Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Consequently, the considerable number of states under its control made it possible for the ACN to play a decisive role in the emergence of the APC, which made history last March by defeating, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a ruling national party.

Mallam el-Rufai, the current governor of Kaduna State, displayed courage and vision while serving as the FCT minister from 2003 to 2007 during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. If Fashola assumes leadership of this ministry, Abuja will in not too distant future begin to compete with world cities like Dubai. It will be ceaseless transformation all the way.

Mark my word.

Independence: What next after celebrations?

S Toyin Adinlewa

ince independence from colonial masters in October 1st, 1960, Nigeria, as a nation, has remained under selfdelusional leadership with no clear agenda to move beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and religion diversity.

Little was known that the colonialists had succeeded in breeding an internal structure, with strong colonial orientation to further the collateral damages they had done to our cultural orientation and the polarisation of the divisions that ought to serve as our uniqueness and hence our bride.

Without delay, after the first Republican government- the government of Tafawa Balewa (NPC) and Nnamdi Azikwe (NCNC), the evidences of selfdelusion kind of independence started playing out which cumulated in several military coups and the decimation of some of the then nationalists who fought for independence. Rather than going forward, Nigerians were dragged backward leaving the masses hopeless and helpless.

One thing that characterised that period was the popular but few elements of colonial breeds that continue to dominate Nigeria polity with no mercy for the masses. It was a rule of power in place of authority; a rule of the few for the few; a rule of imposition with no room for opposition.

It was in that era that Nigeria was

battered and shattered with the ripple effects now manifesting even with the coming of democracy.

With the return to democracy and the disengagement of military rule in 1999 when General Abdulsalami Abubaka handed over the government to Olusegun Obasanjo, it was a relief, at least to those who had witnessed the rule of scorpion and rod.

After the two terms of Obasanjo administration, it was hard to draw a distinction between the military rule and democracy. Opinion of people hardly counted. Journalists were bullied and treated gruesomely and people’s freedom, was trampled upon. The slogan of power to the people in actual demonstration was power to Obasanjo and his big boys and girls.

Whereas it was hard for anybody, to discountenance the fact that some monumental infrastructural and economic developments were recorded,even as our democracy stagnated and manipulated to favour a few.

Following the resistance of third term ambition by the press the then Vice president, Atiku Abubaka, and opposition from all well meaning Nigerians, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became the president with mixed reactions from Nigerians claiming the election was rigged. PDP’s power played out and Yar’Adua, acknowl-

edged it so much that he promised to vacate the presidency should the tribunal say so.

However, the events that later unfolded, many Nigerians were particularly buoyed that PDP, unwittingly, was charting the course for development with the sincerity of purpose, patriotism and firmness that Yar’Adua exhibited.

Even though Nigerians’ experience was short-lived by the demise of Yar’Adua, the advancement of our democracy paved the way for the current change mantra. There was rule of law with judicial independence.

The agitation with which Nigerians shouted NO to Jonathan-second-time in office at the poll and subsequently PDP as a party was because his administration sharply contrasted with that under Musa Yar’Adua.

So many things went wrong with the economy under Jonathan’s watch.

In fact, it was a downward journey with scarcity of petroleum, naira devaluation, corruption and insecurity as the common experiences. It was the government of the greedy, by the greedy and for the greedy.

Today, with the 55th independence anniversary, some analysts have continued to question such celebration emphasising that little or nothing has changed.

It is true, however, that the 16 years of democracy in Nigeria under PDP was nothing to write home about, but

it is noteworthy that colonial masters left on October 1st, 1960, which marked the beginning of self-rule that our heroes past fought hard for.

As we celebrate 55 years of independence we should be more joyful that, we defied ethnicity and religion to vote for Muhammadu Buhari which, no doubt, was a demonstration of development and advancement in our nascent democracy.

With the change mantra and the steps taken so far in building Nigeria’s image, the fight against corruption, the improvement in power sector, availability of petroleum, readiness of civil servants to do their job and the maximum support the administration is enjoying, our joy should not just be on the celebration of independence but should also be buoyed that things are finally taking new shape with power really belonging to the people.

Nigerians cannot be shouting change when we all know in a race; those behind need to run faster to win. With the enormous resources available, government should therefore focus on nation building by drafting and driving policies that will bring back our pride as a nation, force the anticipated change in all ramifications, resurrect the economy, ensure stable power supply and impact citizens positively.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Business Times Æ s

17

First Bank Launches Gambia Branch Adesola Akindele First Bank Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings has expanded its foot print across Africa with the launch of FBNBank Gambia, formerly registered as International Commercial Bank (ICB).

This unveiling comes following the agreement reached by FirstBank and International Commercial Bank Financial Group Holdings Ag (ICBFGH) for the acquisition of a 100% equity interest in ICB Gambia.

Speaking at the launch recently, the GMD FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya said, “The launch of FBNBank Gambia is yet another milestone achievement in our ambition to steadily broaden and build a more diverse footprint across Africa.

We are committed to developing a multi-local business model that broadens our geographic revenue base while providing enhanced service delivery to our new customers and equity participation to local investors.”

The unveiling further consolidates FirstBank’s position as the largest corporate and retail banking financial institution in subSaharan Africa with presence in Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Senegal as well as presence in the UK and Representative Offices in Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi and Beijing. The expansion represents FirstBank’s strategic objective to maintain significant market share, expand its pan-African footprint and diversify earnings while delivering value to shareholders.

FBNBank Gambia is strategically positioned to foster greater collaboration and provide better service for the country’s public and private sector clients, and the general public at large. The Bank leverages FirstBank’s international network, business expertise, which is part of the diversified synergies of the FBN Group to offer innovative, convenient and secure banking services to its customers and better seize the emerging opportunities in the local market. Commenting further Ag. Managing Director, FBNBank Gambia, Uloma KingsOlikagu said “Having built value for Nigeria over the last 120 years, FirstBank through FBNBank Gambia is poised to do even more in the Gambian financial market.

L-R: Banjo Adegbohunge, Group Head, Corporate Operations, Access Bank Plc; Titi Osuntoki, Executive Director, Business Banking; Barr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, Director, Trade & Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ojini Olaghere, Executive Director, Operations & IT, Access Bank, and Roosevelt Ogbonna, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank, at a Customer Trade Forum organised by Access Bank in Lagos recently.

NLC threatens Imo Govt over harassment of workers Joy Ekeke

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would resist alleged use of police by Imo State Government to chase out workers from offices, especially, parastatals in order to concession them.

In a statement, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, General Secretary, of Ayuba Wabba led faction of NLC, in Abu-

ja said “It has come to our attention that the government of Imo State is using the members of the Nigeria Police Force to chase out workers from offices, especially, parastatals in order to concession them. In the course of this, we have been reliably informed that scores of workers have been arrested, brutalized and tear-gassed.

“We would want to condemn, in strong terms, these unwholesome

tactics in pursuit of a dangerous agenda by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

We will resist the use of the police to deal with an issue that is purely industrial.

The NCL urged the Inspector General of Police, to immediately call to order the Imo State Police Commissioner to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order.

“Accordingly, we urge the In-

spector General of Police to immediately call to order the Imo State Police Commissioner in order to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order. We assure on our honour that if the police persist in the brutalization and forceful ejection of workers from their offices, the Nigeria Labour Congress will mobilize its workers to protest against this brutality,” the congress said.

Analysts recommend long-term position in cement stocks … NSE ASI drops 1.3% Friday Atufe and Adesola Akindele Stock analysts have recommended long term position taking in the cement sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), because valuations suggested that the constituent stocks are currently trading at discounts to their target prices.

The analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, who examined the short to long term prospects of the Nigerian cement Industry in a report titled “Nigerian Cement Industry…Hinged on a Delicate

Balance” made the recommendation against the backdrop of the steady rise in cement supply on the back of increased capacity and improved utilisation rates amidst slowing economic growth and thinning cement demand.

They observed that, “We expect more global and local mergers in the cement space as industry dynamics continue to shift in favour of companies with large asset bases, diversified business models and extensive distribution networks.”

“The key drivers of industry growth for 2016 and beyond include Nigeria’s favourable demography, persistent infrastructural deficit, and a long term positive growth outlook for sup-

porting industries of the cement sector. Also, we note possible drags to industry growth such as declining oil prices, weakening government fiscal strength, intermittent electricity supply, low gas supplies, insurgency in the north and a possible cement glut owing to relatively slower growth in cement demand against supply.”

They said geographical and product diversification would foster growth of the Nigeria cement industry as DANGCEM and Lafarge Africa continue to invest heavily in expansion of business operations in a bid to engender sustained growth in revenue despite expected slowdown in cement demand.

They however noted that they “expect the higher cost environment to drag profitability in the short term, nonetheless we see improved production efficiency and internal economies of scale cushioning the impact of higher production and operating costs.”

Meanwhile, transaction on the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed the day on a negative note as the NSE ASI declined 1.30 per cent to close at 29,667.24 points compared to 0.57 per cent lost in previous trading session to close at 30,058.40 points.

Likewise, market capitalization declined by N134.4 billion to close at N10.196 trillion compared to N22.659 billion gained previously to close at N10.330 trillion.

Brands and Marketing 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

IIDA 2015: 3 winners emerge, get N2.25m reward Stories by Godwin Anyebe Three children who demonstrated outstanding courage and bravery have been adjudged winners of the 2015 Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria. The three winners; Abbas Naifarya Ibrahim 13, Innocent Yamawo 7 and Naja Nuhu 12 emerged first, second and third place respectively. The three winners carted home the sum of 1M, 750,000 and 500, 000 respectively.

The winners were presented with their awards at an elaborate event at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was graced by top government officials, captains of industries, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps, celebrities as well as students.

The Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA) is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative from Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of one of the leading noodles brand, Indomie Instant Noodles. The award which began in 2008 and is in its 8thedition is geared towards recognising children between the ages of 1 and 15 who have exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger or societal challenges.

In his welcome address, Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Deepak Singhal, reiterated the company’s commitment to positively impacting the Nigerian child. He said, “As a company, we believe that in every child lies the seed of greatness. This is inconsonance with Indomie’s core values. We believe that in the Nigerian child lies the qualities of excellence. This award mirrors the importance and belief of our company in the extraordinary qualities of the Nigerian child

Nunu supports down syndrome foundation ÏEncourages mothers to fortify kids with milk for adequate mental growth

L-R: Senator Gbenga Ashafa; winner 2015 IIDA, Abbas Nafarya Ibrahim; Former CBN Governor, Chief Joseph Sanusi and Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Deepak Singhal at the 2015 IIDA event held in Lagos.

which must always be celebrated”.

Speaking further, Mr. Deepak said, “Not only are we encouraged and inspired by the stories of courage and selflessness of these children, as a company, we also take delight in the fact that we are able to positively impact these children so they can be empowered to achieve greater things in life”.

Renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur and Founder, LEAP Africa, a non-profit organization that focuses on encouraging leadership and development initiatives for youth and business owners in Nigeria, Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli MFR, delivered the keynote address at the event.

In her keynote speech titled, The Nigerian Child: The Hope of a Nation, Mrs Nwuneli, empha-

sised the need for the empowerment of the Nigerian Child. She said, “It is apparent that for any nation to develop economically there is need to improve the nation’s human capital by investing heavily on education”.

A serving member of the National Assembly, Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), who was present at the event, commended Dufil for the IIDA initiative. impressed by the heroics of the 2015IIDA winners, Senator Ashafa in his personal capacity, donated the sums of N300, 000, N200,000 and N100, 000 for the three winners respectively.

First place winner, Abbas Naifarya Ibrahim, a 13 year old SS2 student of Federal Government Girls College, Kazaure emerged 2015 IIDA overall winner and was rewarded with N1M schol-

arship. Nairfaya, an indigene of Kano state, was awarded for the courage and exemplary act she performed when she alerted authorities of a suspicious object she noticed beside a mosque. Her actions and sense of responsibility saved scores of people from an imminent bomb blast.

Commenting on the award, Naifarya who was overwhelmed by emotions, said, “I feel extremely happy and very proud of myself. I thank Dufil for finding me worthy of this award. I intend to go to the American University of Nigeria, Yola to study medicine. I want to become a medical doctor so I can help people.”

Innocent Yamawo, a seven year old boy whose story of heroism evoked compassion from the audience was adjudged second place winner. Innocent, in a bold

attempt to save his baby sister from an inferno which engulfed their house, sustained third degree burns which has left him partially deformed. Although he was able to bring the sister out of the inferno, she was long dead as a result of excessive smoke.

Young Innocent who says his dream is to become a Pastor, was awarded a scholarship grant worth 750, 000. In addition to the grant, Dufil also announced that the company would provide funds for Innocent to have a reconstructive surgery. In the 3rd place is 12 year-old Naja Nuhu whose brave heroics and courage saved her family and led to the arrest of armed robbers who had invaded their house. Naja was rewarded with a scholarship grant worth 500, 000 for her show of courage in the face of grave danger.

As the world celebrates the Down syndrome awareness week, Nutricima Limited, makers of premium Nunu milk brand has once again demonstrated its commitment to creating awareness for Down syndrome in Nigeria. This year’s theme tagged “Accept, Educate, Inspire” is in line with Nunu’s “Grow everyday” campaign.

Over the years, Nunu has been at the forefront of good nutrition and nourishment for Nigerian children while also advocating effective physical and mental growth associated with their everyday development. Speaking at a meeting with members of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria in Lagos, Category

Marketing Manager Mrs Charity Adeniji, said the physical and mental growth of children in Nigeria, including thoseaffected by Down Syndrome, is dear to the brand; hence the continuous supportthey have given to the foundation over the years. “At Nutricima, we are constantly looking for credible platforms through which we can showcase our excellent corporate values, and our ‘Grow Everyday’ campaign is one of such. We recognize that every child has the right to be properly developed in their journey to adulthood, and it is to this end that Nunu has been supporting the Down Syndrome Foundation, and this year is no exception. We will continue

to show our friends in the foundation that we are a brand that cares; despite their challenges, we are committed to ensuring that they grow healthily every day” Mrs. Adeniji said. In the spirit of accepting, educating and learning, the brand has donated a desktop computer as a teaching aid for the children at the Foundation with the hope of assisting them to be computer literate. “The world has gone digital, enabled by the advancement in computer technology.

Our friends in the Foundation cannot be left out on this global trend. They are very intelligent children, whose daily growth has been consistently supported by the nourishment provided by

Nunumilk. With this computer, we are sure they will further be exposed to the digital world, exploring and exhibiting their potentials. We believe that these children should not be discriminated as they constitute a vital part of the society” Mrs. Adeniji explained.

Mrs Adeniji also encouraged mothers to fortify their kids with the nourishment that Nunu milk provides. “Studies have shown that most Nigerian kids are deficient in iron and zinc and vitamins like B2 which ensures the formation of strong bones and teeth. Nunu contains all these essential vitamins and has been specially formulated to enable children grow everyday.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Ettah

Stories by Godwin Anyebe In the effort to promote corporate social responsibility initiatives in the country, one of the foremost cement manufacturer in Nigeria, Lafarge WAPCO Plc, one of the leading fast moving consumer goods, (FMCG) company, Nestle Plc, and one of Nigeria’s leading quick service restaurant, UAC Restaurants operators of Mr. Bigg’s have thrown their weight behind the Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria, BJAN, 2015 annual conference scheduled to hold between November 19 to 21 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

With the theme: “Challenges and Prospects of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, in Nigeria- the Roles of Organisations, Government and the Media”, the conference will feature

seasoned industry practitioners who will gather August conference to proffer solutions to the growing need for CSR sustainability in Nigeria.

Speaking on the conference, president of BJAN, Mr. Goddie Ofose, said the 3rd BJAN conference has been designed as part of efforts to, among other things provide platform for discussion on serious issues, engender opportunities for bonding between brand journalists’ and the private sector as well as other critical stakeholders.

He explained further that the conference will also provide refreshers for brand writers on critical and emerging issues in global sustainability as well as affording brand writers the opportunity of sharing ideas with stakeholders in the industry.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Com-

19 Brands and Marketing

Lafarge, Mr.Bigg’s, Nestle support 2015 BJAN summit

munication, Mr. Femi Adesina, would be chairing the event, while other guest speakers include the Chief Executive Officer of Tru Contact, the organiser of the annual CSR Award in Nigeria, Mr. Ken Egbas, the Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON and Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Ufot Udeme and the Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Wale Sadiq, among other distinguished industry professionals.

Besides, the conference will present opportunity for BJAN to appreciate outstanding brand reporting in Nigeria as it will be awarding the best brand reporter of the year. Recall that BJAN, in the effort to galvanize professional excellence in brand reporting, has since 2013 organised annual conferences to stimulate industry discussions

on national issues. The theme for its maiden edition was “Repositioning Centenary Brands to Align with Modern Realities was held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital. While in2014, the theme dwelled on “Tourism Marketing as Catalyst for Economic Development was held in Oshogbo, Osun State.

This year, as experts in the CSR industry and related gather to brainstorm on various aspect of sustainability, it is expected that grey areas in sustainable reporting, sustainable corporate practices, and sustainable environment, among other local and global issues will be addressed.

The Association however called on corporate organisations to support the event, which has become one of the reference points in the integrated marketing communication industry calendar.

MTN boss to discuss social marketing at ADVAN Awards The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki would be speaking at the 2015 Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Marketing Excellence Award on the theme ‘Unlocking Growth through Sustainability/Social Impact Marketing”.

The event, which is expected to be attended by Chief Executive Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, heads of government/ regulatory bodies, CEOs of Top Media Organisations and heads of advertising agencies in Nigeria would hold on October 31, 2015 at Muson centre, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Highlighting the essence of the awards in the marketing industry, the ADVAN’s Executive Secretary, Ediri Ose-Ediale said,“ The objective of the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence is to recognize organisations that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that demonstrate innovative marketing strategies and execution.”

The awards has evolved over

the years in response to new developments in marketing theory and practice, to reflect the growing appreciation of the critical role of marketing as the vital source of value creation for business, said Ose-Ediale.

While speaking on the choice of theme for the ADVAN 2015 awards, the Chief Executive Officer of Web Talent, Mike Canerelli said “rather than emphasizing the organization’s occasional donations, community building projects or charitable events, asocial impact strategy should focus on the company’s day-to-day contributions.”

According toCanerelli “Social impact strategies are designed to improve an organization’soverall mission -- not just its brand identity. They serve as concrete and measurable plans that have quantifiable business outcomes and definitive societal impacts.”

Ose-Ediale said this year event is focused on highlighting the role of marketing in societal advancement and the Association could

Ikpoki

not have picked a better person than CEO of MTN Nigeria, the largest telecommunication company in sub- Saharan Africa.

Some of the categories for this year awards include Innovation, Consumer Insights, CSR, Consumer Promotions, Brand of the year, Campaign of the Year, New Brand of the Year, Digital Marketing, Experiential, Brand Manager of the Year, Future Leader of Marketing and Brand Journalist of the Year In accordance to this year’s

theme the ADVAN’s Executive Secretary said “we will be giving out an honorary award to a deserving individual in our ‘Icon of Impact’ Category.”

It was gathered thatthe ADVAN Awards Committee is chaired by Mrs. Patricia Jemibewon, Marketing Director Coca-Cola Nigeria and other committee members such as Gerald Osugo, Head of Marketing Etisalat, Mr. Wasiu Abiola Senior Media Manager Nigerian Breweries Plc and OseEdiale.

Ogunsanya

Airtel promotes culture, unity at Banana Island cultural festival The cosmopolitan nature of Banana Island, a high-end mixeduse development located in Ikoyi, Lagos came alive recently in Lagos as one of the leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, in conjunction with other sponsors backed the 2015 Banana Island Cultural Festival.

Families, friends and guests of Banana Island residents were treated to mellifluous music, great-tasting intercontinental cuisines and beautiful works of art at the colourful event.

The Banana Island Cultural Festival is a yearly occasion that avails residents in the estate to know one another and also come together to celebrate their cultural diversity of the estate.

Residents of the estate from India, France, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South-Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Jamaica, Nigeria among others represented their individual countries and also showcased their rich culture through the unique dressing, cuisine and music at this year’s Banana Island Cultural Festival.

Each country represented at the event was assigned a booth to display their food, traditional attires, accessories, artwork and other items. The smartphone network, Airtel Nigeria, also showcased it offerings at the event. The highpoint of the occasion was raffle draws conducted by Airtel Brand Ambassador, Ik Osakioduwa.

Some of participants won Airtel devices and other giveaways such as bicycles, microwave, return ticket to United Kingdom and other gifts donated by other sponsors.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Chairman, BananaIsland Property Owners/ Residents’ Association (BIPORAL), Mr. Chudi Ubosi including former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa were also spotted at the event.

Insurance 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Lloyd’s hits record on waiting list of underwriting firms

L – R: National Customer Marketing Manager Activation, Mr. Olufemi Folarin; EMMOB lucky winner of one hundred thousand naira, Mr. Ajibade Olawale and Marketing and Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gavin Pike, during the week 3 cheque presentation in the ongoing Guinness “Every Minute Made of Black” Football Promo in Lagos.

Finaccord predicts $24.59bn premium surge in global energy insurance by 2018 Stories by Isaac Agber

ond largest energy and power insurance market in the world with US$1.77 billion in premiums in 2014.

In the research, titled “Worldwide Review on Global Energy and Power Insurance,” Finaccord found that energy and power insurance premiums worldwide, including businesses handled by captive and mutual insurers, amounted to approximately $23.56 billion in 2014.

This increased from about $21.48 billion in 2010 – equivalent to a compound annual growth rate in nominal terms of 2.3 per cent.

In 2014, this total market segmented between approximately $14.16 billion from energy insurance premiums and about $9.40 billion from power insurance premiums, with the United States “by far the largest market at around $8.38 billion, followed

by Canada at $1.77 billion and China at $1.45 billion,” Finaccord said in a statement.

With particular regards to energy insurance premiums, the breakdown ranges from $7.15 billion for upstream insurance, $2.17 billion for midstream insurance to around $4.84 billion from downstream insurance.

Brokerslink Conference to address risk management in insurance

Management” The Conference is a three-day event, comprised of two days of technical and educational sessions and a social program. It also includes plenary presentations and breakout sessions, addressing both risk and management-related issues.

Brokerslink was created in 2004 as a global network of independent brokers. Since then, it was integrated with bestin-class risk expert firms to become strong alternatives to the mainstream models in the insurance market. Brokerslink was recently incorporated in Switzerland to become an integrated Global Broking Company with shared equity among members.

Experts have predicted that Global energy and power insurance premiums are likely to soar to an estimated value of $24.59 billion under a low oil price scenario segmenting between $14.14 billion in energy insurance premiums and around $10.45 billion in power insurance premiums in 2018.

Results of a recent research carried out by Finaccord, a market research, publishing and consulting financial services company, indicated. According to the forecast, Canada was sec-

Brokerslink, the global network of independent insurance brokers all over the world, will commence its 2015 conference from 15 to 17 of October, 2015 in New York, United States. The conference is aimed at brainstorming on new and more effective ways of managing risk in the insurance industry.

The league of underwriting brokers, which recently transformed from a non-profit organization to a profit making company, moved into Africa just last year (2014), starting from Ni-

geria, Morocco, Egypt and two other African Countries. Currently, this largest independent insurance broker organization manages premiums in 76 countries across the globe.

The 2015 Brokerslink conference will take place at the Convene located in New York Financial District. The Convene brings together, in one very central location, a set of on-site integrated services which will allow a successful conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Insurance and Risk

The waiting list for an insurer to get a spot on the underwriting floor of Lloyd’s of London hast is 327 years, the longest in history. This indicates a record demand for access to the insurance market far above other firms.

According to a report, Lloyd’s has requests for about 160 socalled box seats, where underwriters and brokers negotiate policies face-to-face, from insurers seeking to join or expand as the market moves into more countries. “It comes even as surplus capital places pressure on reinsurance prices in one of the past decade’s quietest years for catastrophe losses,” the report read.

Meanwhile, an analyst exclaimed that “The Lloyd’s brand is very powerful.” Barrie Cornes, an analyst at Panmure Gordon & Co. in London, was quoted. According to him, “Distribution is a very big attraction, along with the access to business you get whilst sitting in the Lloyd’s building.”

Gaining access to Lloyd’s has helped drive acquisitions this year and counters suggestions

from some brokers that the world’s oldest insurance market should update the way it operates, largely unchanged since the 17th century. The industry is no longer a “shoe leather business,” John Cavanagh, chief executive officer of Willis Re, said last month in Monte Carlo.

Lloyd’s underwriting room is spread across four floors in the iconic Richard Rogers-designed building on London’s Lime Street with 2,900 seats for insurers. Chairman John Nelson said in an interview in Monte Carlo last month that the “huge pressure” for more seats has raised questions of whether they should expand onto a fifth floor.

This comes as Lloyd’s pretax profit dropped 28 percent in the first six months of 2015 to 1.19 billion pounds ($1.8 billion). The combined ratio, a measure of underwriting profitability, also rose to 89.5 percent from 87.4 percent, indicating deterioration.

Today, insurance brokers at Lloyd’s can still walk up to an underwriter with their client’s details recorded on a slip of paper.

Okunoren to become 18th NCRIB President The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) will, on Thursday, October 15, 2015, witness a change in baton as Emmanuel Kayode Okunoren becomes the 18th President.

The Assistant Manager Corporate Affairs, Dele Ayeleso, said the event would hold in Lagos.

According to him, other top notch that may emerge to run the council for the next two years are Shola Tinubu will emerge as

Deputy President while Mrs. Bola Onigbogi, will become Vice President.

The statement noted that Okunoren, is a consummate insurance professional that is expected to provide dynamic and foresighted leadership for the insurance brokers’ body to play prominent role in the insurance industry.

He is a long standing holder of the Fellowship of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and Nigeria by examination.

In a statement, credited to the Chief Executive Officer, Jose Manuel Fonseca, the integration of allied companies will allow the company to achieve the potential growth and generate new revenue by executing global business strategies along with the centralization of services and managerial capabilities.

“We have strengthened the team in the business development and risk management areas. Our entrepreneurial spirit remains unchanged keeping the organization lean to stay flexible and responsive to our clients and business partners.

“As a global insurance brokerage & risk management services organization, we strive to

provide clients with a superior experience in managing their risks from beginning to end with a solid industry expertise, a broad range of in-house experts, and an easy access to the teams around the world.

Fonseca

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

21

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(LAGOS) IFEANYI - 08086296714 (ABUJA) FEMI - 08033550468

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Hijra: Lagos Speaker urges Nigerians to renew focus nationhood

Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏThe Speaker of the La-

gos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, has admonished Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves towards living a posıtıve life to enable them achieve the purpose of their creation.

Obasa, who gave this advice in his message to usher in the new hijrah (the New Islamic year 1437AH), observed that many people, including the leaders and followers in the polity needed to take a flight from evils, malpractices and activities capable of retarding spiritual growth and national

Group makes case for office of First Lady Akor Ejumene

Abuja ÏÏÏA non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to women empowerment and poverty alleviation, known as Arc Development Initiative, has joined the league of women activists clamouring for an enactment of a law giving legal backing and assigning constitutional role to the office of the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Addressing a gathering of women activists in Gwagwalada area council Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and judiciary to review the electoral act.

In a press conference to address burning national issues as they concerned Abia State and the country at large, the National Chairman of the party, Victor Ike Oye, said that, in the Nigerian judicial system, the way the electoral act was skewed and designed, favoured the respondent and put the petitioner in a serious disadvantage.

He, therefore, noted that the electoral act should be subjected to a strict scrutiny, because, it is not possible for any petitioner to win a case, stating that the law is subjected to undue technicalities.

Oye said that following

development to embrace enviable virtue and deeds that could turn the country to a great one.

“Muslims and non-Muslims , particularly in Nigeria are enjoined to migrate, as performed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad, from evil and run towards where there is peace and tranquility, Obasa stated.

He argued that taking a flight from activities that were injurious to faith, and national stability and development were highly recommended now, especially when efforts were being made to rebuild the nation. of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Wednesday, the Director of Public Awareness of the Arc Development Initiative, Suffiya Abubakar, said that her organisation has embarked on a nationwide awareness campaign and mass mobilisation of women to press home their demand that the National Assembly should enact a law to give legal recognition and constitutional backing to the office of the First lady.

Abubakar disclosed that her NGO was currently discussing with other women groups across the country how to sponsor a bill at the National Assembly towards actualising the lofty objective.

APGA seeks review of electoral laws the judgements of the tribunals, “there is anger all over the place and people are not happy with some results at the tribunal. As law-abiding citizens, APGA members will take it to its logical conclusion,” he said, adding that “it is not in APGA character to disparage the judiciary. We as political party, though not happy with some of the electoral judgement, we are going to pursue them up to the Court of Appeal.”

Buhari

Emission scandal: SERAP asks Buhari to investigate Volkswagen ÏÏÏA

non-governmental body, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to investigate Volkswagen’s business in Nigeria, to see if cars sold to Nigerians rigged carbon emissions data and potentially in breach of human rights including the rights to life, health and a general satisfactory environment.

“Unless the Nigerian government urgently intervenes as requested, SERAP will take appropriate legal action to hold both the government and Volkswagen accountable for breaches of constitutional

and international law,” the group said.

The letter dated October 14, 2015 and its Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, reads, in part: “SERAP notes that the Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), recently, revealed that your government has no position on the Volkswagen, VW emission scandal.

Yet, SON has stated that Nigerian citizens were at risk. Even Volkswagen has admitted wrongdoing for breaching the public trust and stated that that about 11 million of its cars worldwide were fitted with the technology dubbed defeat device.”

“SERAP is concerned that while other countries are carrying out investigations on the problem and sanctioning Volkswagen for the serious breaches to the rights to health and environment, the Nigerian government has so far taken no action on the matter.”

“SERAP is also concerned that breaches by Volkswagen may violate Nigerian Consumer Protection Act, in addition to constituting human rights abuses. Suppression of emission controls can lead to serious health problems such as asthma, and contribute to premature death, especially among the most vulnerable sectors of the

population like women, children and elderly.”

“The Nigerian government has an obligation to respect, protect, fulfil and promote the rights to life, health and a general satisfactory environment, including by protecting Nigerian citizens from pollution and in particular certain chemicals and agents that can cause disease and undermine citizens’ human rights. Accordingly, the government has an obligation to ensure that automobile manufacturers like Volkswagen are not allowed to operate in a way that will undermine effective enjoyment of human rights by Nigerians.”

Tribunal sacks Imo lawmaker over forged certificate Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏ The Election Petition

Tribunal, sitting in Owerri, on Wednesday, nullified the election of Mr. Ikechukwu Amuka (APC) representing Ideato South constituency in Imo State House of Assembly. The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue certificate of return to Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the position.

Delivering the judgment, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice P.I. Idong, affirmed that Amuka presented forged West Africa Examination school certificate result to INEC to contest the April 11, 2015 election.

The tribunal further or-

dered the speaker of Imo State House of Assembly to immediately swear-in Ugwu as the genuine winner of the April 11, state legislative election for Ideato South.

Reviewing evidence and submissions by the parties, the court noted that the photocopy on the original WAEC results tendered by the deposed law-maker was that of one Kevin I. Amuka who attended St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala.

It maintained that subjects claimed to have been written by the respondent was doubtful, noting that the respondent failed to prove to the panel that he at the time of the said election was qualified by law to contest.

The court stated that after comparing the picture and the physical appearance of

THE NEW COVENANT APOSTOLIC CHRIST CHURCH INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

Old Trustees 1. Prophetess. A. O. Akindele - Late Founder 2. Pastor .H.A. Akindele - Late President 3. Pastor H.A. Dairo - Late 4. Arch, Prophet .A.A. Ladipo.

5. Eld. M.A. Araromi, New Trustees 1. Rev, Dr.Andrew Abolade Ladipo - Gen. Overseer, 2. Rev. Dr. Matilda Iyabode Apampa- Deputy Gen. Overseer.

3. Rev Mathew Sunday Akindele - Gen. Secretary, 4. Patron Ayoola Oluseyi Odunowo.

5. Matron Felicia Idowu Olatunde.

6. Elder Michael Adejoro Araromi.

the first respondent, it was clear that the picture on the result does not belong to the first respondent.

“With the evidence before this panel, we are convinced that the first respondent presented forged certificate to INEC and therefore lied on oath and should be prosecuted for perjury and forgery by INEC.” The court also ordered that the majority votes which the first respondent claimed he had scored to win the election be declared null and void, while the said miserable 3,392 votes scored by the petitioner be taken as the valid votes.

“Accordingly, the tribunal orders that the petitioner be issued certificate of return

by INEC, while the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly is also ordered

to swear in the petitioner as duly elected member for April 11, 2015 election for Ideato South.”

Zakari

OLAYINKA OLUWAFEMI ABIMBOLA I formerly known and addressed as Babalola Olayinka Abimbola now wish to be known and addressed as Olayinka Oluwafemi Abimbola. All the documents bearing my former names remain valid, Authorities Concerned and General Public should please take note.

AYO ALAAFINORUN FANS CLUB INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notify that the above name club has apply to the corporate affairs commission for the registration under part ``C’’ of the company Allied Matters Act 1999 TRUSTEES 1. Hon. Samson Ayodele, Abiola Samson, 2. Arowosafe Adeshina, 3. Solomon Odia, Adetayo Tosin, 4. Akinteye Emmauel, 5. Olaniyi Ayo, 6. Adejowo Akeem, 7. Abiodun, Daniel, 8. Sulimon Ramon, 9. Bankole Adeola

THE CHURCH HAS ALSO AMENDED ITS CONSTITUTION ACORDINGLY.

AIMS To foster unity among members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

H.O. TOBALESI TOBALESI & CO. solicitor to the church

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

Signed: Trustees

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Audu’s N10b fraud trial stalled Andrew Orolua

Abuja ÏÏÏThe trial of former governor of Kogi State and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Abubakar Audu, for alleged N10.9 billion fraud was stalled, on Wednesday, due to the absence of the trial Judge, Justice A.O. Adeniyi of the FCT High Court, who was said to be on an assignment as a member of an election petition tribunal.

Many observers who had stormed the court to witness the trial were disappointed when it became clear to them that the trial would not take place.

Many questioned the decision of the APC to field a candidate facing a billion-naira charge in court.

Audu is being tried – alongside a former Director General of the Directorate of Rural Development in his administration, Alfa Ibn Mustapha.

They were arraigned on March 18, 2013 on 36-count charge.

Audu and Mustapha is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for offences bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.

One of the charges reads: “That you Prince Audu and Alfa Ibn Mustapha between 2000 and 2002 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, while being the governor of Kogi State and

Director General of Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development, respectively, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregated sum of N2,877,487,690.88 meant for rural development in Kogi State, committed a criminal breach of trust, in respect of the said sum which you falsely claim to be payment made to Aresanmi Technical Industries Limited in respect of the contract allegedly awarded by Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development to the said Aresanmi Technical Industries Limited and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.”

23 News

Youth empowerment, part of my agenda –Hon. Sokunle Okeowo Babajide

ÏÏÏApparently

miffed by the perception that people have about Oshodi-Isolo and its environs as a criminal haven, the law-maker representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Hakeem Olusola Sokunle, has promised to change the orientation of youths in the area by engaging them in empowerment programmes.

This much he revealed while declaring open his constituency office and a state-of-the-art Information Technology (ICT) centre for members of his constituency.

While addressing newsmen,

Two charged to court over N17, 000 theft Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏTwo

men, Gbolahan Osho and Ayomide Sikiru, have both been charged before a magistrate court, sitting in Ikeja, by Lagos police, for alleged involvement in criminal offence.

The 32-year-old accused persons were alleged to have stolen an INJOO F1 cell phone worth N17, 000, belonging to one Oloriegbe Grace.

The defendants were said to have committed the offence sometime in September 2015, at Alausa

Sokunle said that the need to be closer to the people, to feel their pulse and be easily accessible to those who voted for him was behind his decision.

Citing the need to carry out a reorientation of the youths to enable them be useful to themselves, he assure the youths that he had their interest at heart. “I can assure the youth of Oshodi-Isolo that I have their interest at heart and I have put in place programmes that will benefit and empower them. This ICT centre is opened to empower youths in the area and it is open to all youths in the area irrespective of the party they belong to,” the law-maker said.

Secretariat Bus-Stop, Ikeja Lagos.

The charge brought against the duo before the court, presided over

by Chief Magistrate (Mrs).Y.O Aje Afunwa, was a four-count charge which included conspiracy, felony and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Samson Ekikere, informed the court that the offence committed was punishable under Section 409, 285(1) and 326(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty of the charges.

Both men were granted bail by the court in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ondo NSCDC refutes officer shot colleague Human Resource Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Ms. Diana Ussher (2nd left); Director, Enterprise Business, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Charles Ojei (2nd right); Student’s Samsung Engineering Academy, John Jesse (left); Okafor Nkem and Columbus Favour during the company’s Employee Volunteer Programme, held at Samsung Engineering Academy, Agidingbi, Lagos… on Wednesday

APC leaders urged to intervene in Saraki, Tinubu feud Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been urged not to allow the face-off between the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu degenerate.

A former Senate deputy minority leader, Alhaji Ishaq Adebayo Salman made the call during an interview with the Daily Times in Ilorin, on Wednesday.

Salman, who represented Kwara Central in the Senate between 1999-2003, said the APC leadership’s intervention was necessary, so that the APC-led federal government could realise its noble objectives.

He suggested that Tinubu, Saraki and other leaders of the party should engage in a dialogue to resolve the impasse.

Speaking on the recent public

confrontation between the two leaders, Salman said that the APC would be the worst hit if the political friction was allowed to fester.

Salman, who said that the ruling party should be careful with the way it handled the current political disagreement, added that Nigerians had high expectations from the Buhari administration.

Stressing the danger of factionalising the APC, as a result of the Saraki-Tinubu crisis, Salman noted that much development and progress would be achieved with unity among individuals and institutions.

He said that the APC had made some mistakes in the process of electing the Senate President, adding that the attempt to impose leadership of the Senate was against the rules of the Senate.

He also said that the alleged imposition of the Senate President by the executive, in 1999, and in subsequent years, caused frequent

changes of Senate presidents, adding that leadership stability was later achieved in the Senate, when members were allowed to choose their leaders, without external interference.

He, therefore, advised the party and its chieftains to stop the political friction and move ahead with governance, stressing that the emergence of Saraki could be a divined intervention to save the APC from embarrassment.

He emphasised that Saraki’s election as Senate President followed due process, noting that,

Saraki

'Tosin Ajuwon Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has refuted allegations that one of its officers was, on Monday, accidentally shot a colleague.

Rather, the Command said the officer was shot by some criminals sympathetic to a wanted fraudster suspected to have been duping innocent residents of the state of their money.

State Commandant of the Corps, Fasiu Adeyinka, made the

denial, on Wednesday, in a chat with journalists at his office in Akure, the state capital.

During the Monday incident, sources told the Daily Times that the suspected impostor attempted to disappear with his vehicle immediately he sighted officers of the NSCDC who were after him.

Adeyinka said that the wounded officer of the command was shot by the loyalists of the wanted suspected fraudster, Fatai Abiodun, during the brawl that broke out between the residents around Araromi area of the state.

“it was done after the President’s proclamation letter was read and the Senators in attendance formed the required quorum.

“The PDP Senators, based on their, strength could have gone ahead to elect one of their members as Senate President, if Saraki had not signified interest. Therefore, Saraki had, by that singular action, saved APC of a monumental embarrassment,” Salman stated.

He pointed out that senators do not usually discuss issues based

on political party affiliations but that “political party affiliation was only for convenience in the Senate.”

Salman urged the APC leadership and the people of Kwara State to give Saraki the necessary support to succeed in his new assignment.

He reminded Kwarans that the benefits that could come to the state, because of the influence of the Senate President, are many, ranging from infrastructure to employment opportunities.

Akure

ÏÏÏThe

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Confusion in Ekiti as NURTW unleashes terror on citizens Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe

fragile peace in Ekiti State was interrupted on Wednesday as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), unleashed terror in many parts of the city of Ado Ekiti over union politics.

The NURTW members, who were armed with machetes, cudgels, clubs, broken bottles and other missiles driving danger-

ously on the major roads of Ado Ekiti, were said to be protesting against the directive of the national executive of the union to harmonise the state executive with a view to integrating the aggrieved members.

Many residents fled on sighting the union members who were clutching Indian hemp, cigarettes and bottles of dry gin.

The NURTW members moved around in convoy of vehicles chanting war songs and attacking in-

nocent members of the public, while unleashing terror at Ojumose, Old Garage, Matthew Road, Odo Ado, Ijigbo, Ajilosun, Ikere Road, Okesa, Poly Road, in the state capital.

They also barricaded the Ado-Ikare Road with logs of wood and held up traffic for about 45 minutes and vandalised bikes belonging to the commercial motorcycle operators, otherwise known as Okada.

The state NURTW office along the route was sealed

off with disused vehicle at the time of filing this report.

Our correspondent gathered that source of the crisis could be traced to the polarisation of NURTW in the state into two factions, with one faction led by caretaker chairman, Clement Adekola, while the other faction allegedly marginalised, is led by Kunle Babatope.

Adekola has been in office since July 22 last year and was supposed to be in

office for three months in line with the union constitution, with other faction calling for a state congress to elect a substantive exco to run the union affairs.

Peace was brokered by the national body after the two factions were summoned to Abuja and it was resolved that the Adekola group should produce 10 members, while the Babatope group should produce 5 members for the new state.

The sharing formula, ex-

pected to be implemented at all the local branches throughout the state, did not go down well with members already holding union positions.

A union member, who asked not to be quoted, said over250 members are having sympathy for Babatope, because they have been barred from loading passengers at motor parks and this has rendered them redundant since July last year when Adekola took over.

Ambode, Amosun call for investment in tourism Remi Oladoye

ÏÏÏAs

L-R: Vice Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola DavidBorha; Senior Partner, Banwo and Ighadolo, Mr. Asue Ighodalo and CEO, Kainos Edge Consulting, Mrs. Wonu Adetayo during the 21st Edition of Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja… on Wednesday

HURIWA condemns FESTAC robbery attack

ÏÏÏA

non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned Tuesday's armed robbery attacks in the FESTAC area of Lagos metropolis which resulted in the killing of a mother and her baby.

HURIWA described the

incident as one 'horror movie' too many, which mustn't be allowed to repeat itself given that this type of organised crime has happened like five times in less than three months in different parts of Lagos metropolis.

The Rights group therefore called for the adop-

Lalong constitutes board on state's property Moses Ikyaa-Gba Jos

ÏÏÏThe Plateau State Gov-

ernor, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has constituted the Technical Board of the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company (PIPC).

In a press statement, issued Wednesday by the Director of Press and Publications to the governor, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, said the action was in line with

the recommendations of the transition committee report submitted to government.

According to the statement, the Secretary to Plateau State Government, Hon. Rufus Bature, inaugurated the Board on behalf of the state government, even as he lamented that PIPC has suffered neglect for the past decade, hence the need to re-focus and reposition the company to

tion of national anticrime strategies which must include the setting up of a joint military/ DSS/police anti - robbery task force, to work in synergy to combat the rising trends of armed robbery and check the incessant killings of civilians by armed robbers.

ensure that it achieve the objectives of its establishment.

"APC government in the state is determined to create the enabling environment for business to strive in the state and PIPC would be granted full autonomy to make it a profit oriented company answerable to government" the governor said.

He added that with the autonomy, the company will raise its money, pay her staff, maintains her assets and property without resorting to government.

the campaign for the diversification of the economy from the non-oil sector rages on, Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun have called for more investment in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The governors, who were guests at the Maiden 2015 Business retreat of the South West branch of the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, in Abeokuta, maintained that the potentials in the tourism and hospitality sector still remain underutilised.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun, said "our economy is undergoing a serious challenges in Nigeria

and it is imperative on us to divert into the non-oil sector which tourism, art and hospitality can offer.”

While seeking cooperation of hoteliers in the state, the governor stressed the need for compliance with the law of the state, adding, “it is not just about registration and certification but having a harmonious relationships that will enhance the smooth operations of the business environment".

He, however, assured that the governor is determined to make Lagos State safest prime destinations in Africa" Amosun, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Aderonke Tokunbo-Peters, said the state government, which is tourism friendly, will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in developing the sectors.

In his speech, the presi-

dent of the association in the south west, Chief Adoroh Jerome said the retreat is being put together to enable hoteliers and critical stakeholders from the south-west come together and deliberate on issues affecting the industry, and find solutions on how to move it forward using the platform of a virile strong and development association.

Amosun

Kaduna Chiefdom commends el-Rufai over appointment Sunday Isuwa Kaduna

ÏÏÏBajju

Chiefdom in Kaduna State has commended the state governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad elRufai, for appointing one of their own, Hon Ezekiel Baba-Karik to head the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

In a congratulatory letter signed by the Agwam Bajju, Malam Nuhu Bature, and delivered to the SEMA Executive Secre-

tary, the Chiefdom said they are confident that Baba-Karik will perform even beyond the governor’s expectation.

The commendation letter, which was delivered by Chief Anthony A Didam, Majindadin Bajju, urged Baba-Karik to ensure that he continues with the good spirit of being a good ambassador of the Bajju nation.

“We are at SEMA to congratulate Hon. Ezekiel Baba-Karik on his deserved

appointment. We are also here to commend the governor of our dear state, Malam Nasir Ahmad elRufai for appointing a Bajju son into this office.

“The message of our Royal Highness is that Baba-Karik should continue to be an Ambassador of the Bajju nation and work harder and carry all his staff along. The job given to him is hectic, but with prayers and dedication, success will be on his side” Didam said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Perms Sec reads riot act on occupational safety, health

L-R: Regional Operations Director, South region, Airtel Nigeria, Veronica Onoja; Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurohbo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Rivers State, Mrs. Julia Jumbo at the Airtel Premier customer forum held in Port Harcourt… recently

Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Secession: Call YCE to order, group tells Buhari Egena Egena

Abuja ÏÏÏThe North East Solidarity Forum, has described as treasonable, recent threats of self-determination and secession by some South west groups.

The forum listed the groups threatening the country with secession as Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Oodua Foundation, Afenifere, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Coalition of Yoruba Autonomy (COYA), Oodua Democratic Coalition (ODC), Ominira Yoruba Apapo, and Agbekoya Organisation.

In a communique issued on Wednesday after its meet-

ing in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, the forum accused the Yoruba elders of inciting the general populace, especially the people of the South West region of the country to violence and bloodshed.

The forum said it noted with apprehension, the ethnic dimensions and utter recklessness attributed to the kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation by the elders in the region, that are supposed to work with the government of the day and the security agencies to unravel the remote causes of the kidnapping with a view to bringing the culprit to justice.

"We have gathered here today to critically examine the recent unguarded and unwarranted vituperations that emanated from the Summit of Yoruba Elders in Ibadan, Oyo State capital and wish to state unequivocally that the threat to secession in the South West must not be taken lightly nor ignored by the Federal Government. It must be properly investigated by the security agencies and all actors in the summit must be brought to book," leader of the group Usman Abdulkadir said.

The group reminded Nigerians of Boko Haram insurgency that has been ravaging the North East

and the various kidnappings taking place in different parts of the country, and questioned whether the Yoruba Elders would have threatened to secede if the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae were Igbo or from other tribes in Nigeria. "We believe the threat of secession by the Yoruba Elders has a hidden agenda which must be unravelled urgently by the security agencies because of the weighty nature of their statement, and we know that if any region is to make such call, it should have been from the North East due to the ruin the region has witnessed in the last four years" the communique said.

Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti

State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday, said his performance in the last one year he assumed office has been satisfactory, just as his wife, Feyisetan, donated a model school to the Erelu Angela Adebayo Children’s Home in Iyin Ekiti, to give education to the children in the motherless home. Speaking in Ado Ekiti while inspecting some projects, Fayose said considering the lean resources available to the State due to huge debt incurred by the immediate past administration, he has been able to achieve success within one year.

“I have said that I will leave no project uncompleted during my 4 –year term.

It is my duty to ensure that all Ekiti residents feel the dividends of democracy.

Though, we have paucity of funds and within the little resources we have, I think I have satisfied my conscience and done creditably well” Fayose posited.

While performing the foundation laying ceremony of the school donated to the orphanage, Fayose donated a sum of N5 million to ensure that the school has all the necessary facilities like computers and will ensure that it is completed on time.

“These children have suffered enough by being abandoned by their parents and

we should not allow them to lose anything again. So, I will ensure that this school is fully automated with modern technology facilities, so that they can get the best quality education” the governor said.

Mrs. Fayose, who described education as the best way for the children to be fully reintegrated into the society, said the project is at no cost to the state government.

The governor’s wife assured that nothing will be spared by the present government to attend to the psycho-social and educational needs of the children, to brighten their future and make them children that could raise their heads tall

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh has affirmed his ministry’s readiness to sanction employers of labour that violate Factories Act Cap F1 LFN 2004 on Occupational Safety and Health at work places.

While bemoaning the recurrent issue of preventable fatal industrial accidents that resulted in injuries and death of Nigerian workers at Hong Xing Steel Company Limited, Illoh revealed that the federal government has instituted

Fayose

in the future.

“This gesture is a demonstration of Fayose’s commitment to fully revamp education sector in the state.

These children deserve all the care and love and we have to give it to them “Whatever they may be today, circumstance make them what they are. I appeal to the well-meaning Nigerians and the corporate bodies to donate to this orphanage and bring out the best out of these children" Mrs. Fayose stated.

a high level enquiry into the issue at stake.

He said the top management staff of Hongxing Steel Company has been invited for a crucial meeting slated for Monday, 19th October, 2015, in Abuja, aimed at concluding investigation into the immediate and remote courses of the accidents with a view to ensuring full compliance to the Factory Act 2004 and give the company time frame to rectify all contraventions and recommendations, as well as ensure adequate safety and health of employees, including compensation to the victims of the industrial accidents.

Caleb varsity holds 5th Convocation Saturday

ÏÏÏCaleb

University, Imota, Lagos State, will on Saturday (October 17, 2015) hold its fifth convocation ceremony at its main campus in Imota from 10:00am.

The event, which will hold at the university’s multipurpose hall, will have 291 graduating students from the 13 degree programmes in the three colleges of the university.

Speaking with newsmen at a pre-convocation press conference to herald the convocation of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, disclosed that the first set of products of the University’s College of Postgraduate Studies, will

Alaafin's son dedicates victory to Oyo people

Fayose scores self high in Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde

25 News

Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏFollowing

his victory at the tribunal, the lawmaker, representing Oyo federal constituency in the federal House of Representatives, Hon (Prince) Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi has dedicated his victory to his constituents.

An elated former Chairman of Atiba Local Government, who spoke immediately after the tribunal affirmed his victory, said that though the precious time of the court was wast-

graduate nine with MSc. degree in Architecture, 13 of the graduands are in first class, 113 with second class upper division, 119 with second class lower division, while 41 with third class would be awarded with certificates at the convocation ceremony.

Highlighting the activities slated for the convocation, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, said the event would commence on Thursday (October 15, 2015) with a pre- convocation dinner for the graduands, while there would also be a convocation lecture and the presentation of awards and prizes to deserving graduands on Saturday. ed, hearing a case without foundation, he, however, reiterated his belief in the law as the hope of the common man.

Ousted two term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mudasiru Kameel Akinlabi, now one of the aides of the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, had petitioned the tribunal to nullify the election of the youthful lawmaker and declare him winner following allegation of malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral act.

In a judgment given on Wednesday, the 3-man panel dismissed the case in its entirety, having overruled all the prayers of Hon. Kameel who contested under Labour Party (LP).

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Features Æ s ONE STAPLE FOOD ... THREE BRANDS

Togo Gari at war with Gari Ijebu, other But the easiest way to lose weight is to eat Gari Ijebu – Nutritionist The days when Ijebu and Delta gari enjoyed total dominion in Lagos markets are over. MARIA ANIFOWOSHE reports that another brand of gari from neighbouring Togo is gaining popularity with many Nigerian families.

The staple foods market in Southwest Nigeria has been dominated by Ijebu gari and Ibo or Delta gari for decades; but a recent market survey revealed the entrance of another brand of gari from Cotonou, the Togolese capital and some housewives are already in love with the brand.

A big time raw foodstuffs merchant in Idumu, Alimosho LGA of Lagos State, Mr. Sunday Onomoh confirmed to our correspondent that a foreign brand of gari “has been around for some time and customers are really preferring it over Ibo gari especially.”

He told Daily Times a 70kg bag of Ibo/Delta gari currently sells for between N4,300 to N6,000. Ijebu gari sells for N7,000, while the foreign Cotonou gari sells for N8,500 now. He said of the differences: “I feel the Cotonou brand is very dry and contains no oil, so it is self preserving. Ijebu gari also can last for many months without going bad, but the Delta gari is difficult to preserve long enough to sell off, not to talk of keeping a bag at home. That’s why I don’t sell much of it.”

Chinonso Isama from Imo State feels it is a free market and everyone is entitled to their choice.

Brands and marketing of gari

The fibre content in Ijebu gari is less than what you have in semovita or Ibo brand of gari. Ijebu gari especially is light and helpful to people who easily put on weight naturally and is recommended for those who really need to watch their weight. — Dr. Maduka “Everybody has his or her own taste and this determines the brand of gari that sells more in the market. Until we came to Lagos, our own brand of gari was suitable for drinking and for making eba. Now some of us choose

to drink Ijebu gari but prefer our own brand for eba.”

Yetunde Lateef from Abeokuta is a lover of Ijebu gari any day.

She told Daily Times the uniqueness of the brand.

“If you want gari that is sour in

taste, Ijebu gari it is; the uniqueness of Ijebu garri is its sour taste.

In fact they now call it ‘killer’ because of its sour taste!”

Yetunde confessed she had never tasted another brand of gari since she was born. “Even if gari is imported now from London or anywhere, I will prefer to eat and drink Ijebu gari for as long as I live.”

On the health content of all three brands now in the Nigerian markets, a consusltant-nutritionist attached to St. Michael’s Hospital in Abule Oja, Lagos, Dr. Michael Maduka discussed the difference between Ijebu gari and Delta gari with our correspondent at his office last weekend.

In his analysis, Maduka revealed that the food values in both

UN-POLAC CHAIRMAN, OTHERS LAMENT:

Igbos are architects of their failures The Country President and Chairman, South-East Zone of the United Nations-Polac Peace Programme in Nigeria, His Excellency, Prophet (Dr.) Ramas Okoye Asuzu Amb.P., FCON (Isimmili na Nri, Ezeoba Akajiofo Ndigbo) over the weekend lamented that Igbo people are the architects of their own failures worldwide. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reports.

Drawing a line from the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu who had continually warned Ndigbo to come home and invest in their towns and villages,

Ramas told our correspondent in this exclusive interview of his tears and pains at the colossal losses of Igbo people in Nigeria, especially in the Northern states

since independence.

“I was present when the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was invited to the commissioning of the International Trade Fair on Badagry Road in Lagos. The business community and core investors in the complex being mostly Igbo people, they had thought Ojukwu will sing and praise their efforts, but Ikemba cried and told the Igbo people to their faces that CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Dr. Ramas seated at his temple

brands are worlds apart.

“Ijebu gari has the same wheat content as you have in elubo, which is ground dried cassava, or amala which is a favourite of the Yorubas in the Western part of the country.

“Its sour taste is the result of heavy degree of fermentation over longer period on high temperature which converts its starchy and sugary content into alcohol.

“As a result, its fibre texture is less than what you have in semovita or the Delta or Ibo brand of gari. Ijebu gari especially light and helpful to people who easily put on weight naturally and is recommended for those who really need to watch their weight.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

27 Features

RAMAS: Core investors at Lagos Trade Fair mostly Igbo Continued from page 26 he was totally disappointed in them.

Garri

Dried cassava for elubo, amala, etc

Local gari at the mercy of Togo gari Continued from page 26 “On the other hand the yellow gari which is the main staple food of Niger Delta and the Eastern part of the country is heavy on starch though its starch-content can be reduced during production according to choice.

“Because it is rich in fibre, it aids weight gain and highly recommended for patients living with stomach ulcer. Either way both foods are staple; it’s a matter of choice for the individual.”

Barrister G.P. James of Citadel Chambers, Ajao Estate reacting to the presence of imported gari into Lagos markets said if any staple food is to be imported into Nigeria, it shouldn’t be gari. But of the competing Nigerian brands in the market, he recalled his late learned friend who got entangled with Ijebu gari.

“My senior learned friend, Kehinde Sofola (SAN) was from Ikene; he believed that the best way to control your weight, particularly at old age is to eat Ijebu gari, because it is starch-zero and that’s what nurtured him at his old age. No matter how much of it you take, whether as eba or you drink it, you won’t add weight.

The fermentation is not a worry because the more it ferments the less acid it contains; so since the alcohol you have in cassava is starch, the fermentation takes away the starch.”

The lawyer affirms that the debris in Ijebu gari is the beauty of it. “The debris is the beauty of it; it confirms the degree of fermentation. It should not be poured out except perhaps just to remove dust it gathers if you buy it from the road side; but if you buy directly from Ijebu you should just enjoy it 100 percent.”

A 400 level student of economics at the Covenant University Sango, Edidiong James still recalls with some displeasure the first time mom brought Ijebu gari

Processing cassava for gari.

home.

“It was too sour, and it slapped my mouth when I first tasted it. It was difficult to adapt to it but after a while I got used to it and now I actually enjoy it, although always I add milk to it and still drink I with groundnut. Now I’ve grown to like it, even if mom brings yellow gari back to the house I will still prefer Ijebu gari.”

Her immediate junior also in the same school, Emmanuel Ukobong interjected that he prefers Ijebu gari for soaking but yellow gari for eba.” But if Ukobong a 200 level student of computer engineering can soak the yellow gari, what’s difficult in using the same for eba?

“Ijebu gari is sour, that’s why.

I add sugar to it and soak it with cold water, that’s how I’m able to enjoy it, but with eba, no matter how you make it, the sour taste is always there.”

Would the young ones introduce Ijebu gari to their household when they marry?

Ukobong doesn’t think so because, he says, “There’re other alternatives like semovita, wheat, elubo, amala and so on.”

Our correspondent gathered that the foods department at the Covenant University provides only Ijebu gari for their students in campus so they are all forced to adapt to it. “Nobody has a choice”, said Ukobong, “It’s what we see

that we eat.”

In a sharp reaction to the question, Mrs Chikanwanyi Maduka waived her right hand over her head and said, “Tufiakwa, God forbid bad thing. What will I do with Ijebu gari? I beg, ask better question, biko. Of all the gari under heaven, that gari is the worse: it smells, it is sour, tasteless and carries lots of dirty nyamanyama rubbish mixed with it.”

Mrs Biodun Oku is a Deltalite and resident of Ajegunle for 34 years. A wife and grandmother, Biodun says she has no reason whatsoever to eat or drink Ijebu gari.

“It’s not our kind of food whether to drink or make as eba.

It smells; looks dirty and funny and tastes sour, so why should I bother with stuff like that?” Her husband, business man, community leader and socialite who has been in Ajegunle since 1973 says he doesn’t mind Ijebu gari for smoking (drinking) once in a long while. I know my people don’t particularly like it but I am a Lagos man and I run with anything Lagos.”

Mrs Annah Eluchie Chineye, born in Irete Omuoyo village Umungwu-Nnakoroche; Owerri in Imo State of Nigeria is a mother of six boys (no girls!), a fashion designer and a minister. She narCONTINUED ON PAGE 28

“He warned them that in the end, they will regret all these investments they are pouring into Lagos State because in a matter of time, only with a pen through one legislation will Lagos State legislators will write off their property. They will forfeit all their homes and investments they have sunk into Lagos State and they will go back home and start struggling again in their old age until they die. Ojukwu had told them it happened before, and it will happen again.

“Since the past ten years I have been talking to Igbo people in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to look back home, to move their massive investments, industries, commerce, even intellectual properties to their own people, but nobody is listening; the successful Ibo business class think only them know how to reason, that only them have first class brains, but let us borrow a leaf from the former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio.

“Apapa wharf is not the only hob of business in the country; there is also the Warri wharf and the Calabar Wharf where Ibos can go and invest and I tell you, both wharfs can be as good as Lagos tin can. I don’t know what so attract Igbo people that they commit all that they have into Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria without remembering that they have towns and villages lying empty with youths and elderly people languishing in poverty. My people should adhere to the adage says, East or West, Home is the best.’

Ramas pointed to some five star hotels and estates owned by Igbo business men and lamented that the spirit of Lagos has taken everything away from his people.

‘Rock View Hotel in Apapa, Lagos, for example, was built by the owner of Young Shall Grow transport; yet this man is one of those who made the building of our Anambra State airport impossible till today. All those transporters, according to my personal investigation, are the brains behind infrastructural failures for decades since Anambra became a State, so much that we could not build even an aerodrome where a helicopter or small planes will land in the State.

“Since I was in Lagos in 1980, I heard about Ogbar airport, but till this moment, there is no clearance and no progress; there is another airport they are trying

again but nothing has come out of it. Igbo transporters as well as those generator merchants that sabotage power flow in Nigeria believe there is no development coming to Anambra, so they enrich other states and kill their own fatherland.”

The industrialist and traditionalist also frowned at the slow pace of his own state government in grassroots development.

“I left Lagos city and returned home to develop the grassroots; helping my native people and developing my community; helping the widows, people abandoned in hospitals in the state and outside, championing the course of youths and empowering both young and old, yet the state government does not even acknowledge efforts of people like me.

“What is the hope of our future generation if all our labour becomes the prosperity of other states and other nations? Look at all the years Anambra spent in litigation fighting autonomy in our local government areas in our own Nri kingdom; it is only recently government yielded to that demand after some 22 years! Freedom is sweet; freedom is development, like the Local Government for example, because its creation will now usher in development to the grassroots.”

Ramas is not alone in this view; the overview of a unified Ndigbo as a people or Nigeria as a nation as assessed by a member of the highly esteemed Enugwu-Ukwu Traditional Council and lecturer at the Madonna University in Anambra State, Dr. M.C. Nwafor, falls far short of optimism.

“You can see that there nothing united in this nation at all, except perhaps, the game of football which itself has been politicised and tribalised; now players have to be brought in from all the geo political zones, which is not the spirit of soccer. The fate of this country as one nation is as good as anyone’s guess.

Ramas

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Why import gari into Nigeria?

Continued from page 27

rates her encounter with Ijebu gari.

“My first encounter with Ijebu gari was at Festac town in 1989 when I just got married; I was 23 years old then. We were living in 1st Avenue, 541 Road, Block 7 Flat 10; there were some Yorubas living in that our area. My immediate neighbour was a Yoruba and we had this old woman called Mama Kayode who sold gari tied in small, transparent nylons; that was where I came in contact with Ijebu gari for the first time. Soon I found myself buying it but only for soaking and drinking.

“I confess I didn’t enjoy it that time because it had a sour taste compared to the normal gari I knew from home; but it was something I couldn’t help because it was sold right under my nose at the corridor of my residence; then everyone were drinking it, even drinking it with their hand, not with spoon.

“Well, just seeing them drinking it all the time like that, I decided to try it too, and from there I joined the wagon and started drinking it little by little, savouring its funny taste, and eventually I began to like it. That was how I got hooked.”

Hannah makes a point about Ijebu gari as food in her home.

“It’s not part of our menu being that Ijebu gari is not part of

our food when you talk about native foods, but the children grew up to like it; not that I introduced it to them, but when I buy it to drink, they used to drink it with me. If you have to buy gari for your household, do you buy Ijebu gari?”

The first time she served her husband Ijebu gari, Hannah recalls there was a mild drama at the dining table.

“Ah, when he tasted it he commented that this gari is sour; I said yes, that it is Ijebu gari and he just summoned up courage and ate it.”

Furthermore Hannah has some civil, noble and philosophical reasons for allowing herself continue with Ijebu gari.

“You know that if you’re living with people of another tribe, if you’re eating their kind of food, it makes them feel that you’re one of them; that you don’t discriminate, and that is a godly way of living together as one. As a true Nigerian, you’re supposed to eat all Nigerian foods wherever you find yourself.”

Deaconess Christiana, a civil servant from Akwa Ibom State is a resident of Lagos. She is a passionate promoter and lover of Ijebu gari. She explains why.

“I like Ijebu gari because of its fermentation and I like it especially for sipping and drinking. If it doesn’t ferment well, it’s not origi-

vvvvvvvvvv

nal. I used to drink it with cold water and groundnut but I soon noticed that without groundnut I’m flowing with it; afterwards I don’t drink it without anything. I just enjoy it; I also love the aroma which is very interesting. If you have drunk it you will understand what I am saying; it will bite or sting you inside of your cheeks and that I find exciting. I’ve been eating, drinking and relishing Ijebu gari for about five years now.

“I am not saying it is better, but I prefer it. It’s a matter of choice.

The yellow gari is starchy and

JUST HUMAN

8.20 a.m. Ojota-Ogudu Road Junction. Human Mobile Coffe Shop. Photo God’s Covenant Snr/088

makes one to put on weight.”

Have you seen where they produce Ijebu gari?

“I have not seen; I only wash it clean like any other gari. I know it has a lot of particles because when I soak it all the particles float up and I throw them away and drink or make it with hot water and eat as eba. I found that if you throw the first water away, the fermentation will be less, but also because of the dust that comes with it, soI soak it in water and throw that first water away.”

Madam Titilola Oladokun, a 58 year old is from Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State has been selling Ijebu gari since her young days. At her shop in Mende, Maryland Titilola said she cannot think of anybody not liking Ijebu gari.

“It is the food to eat whether you are young or old or whether you are fat or thin. If you have problem with weight or you are always having fever your best staple food is Ijebu gari. I have been selling Ijebu gari since my young age before I got married in 1985 and I am still selling it.

Anybody who doesn’t like Ijebu gari don’t know what good food is. Elubo and Amala are good foods for people who want to live long because you will not fall sick anyhow if you eat these Ijebu foods.”

An indigene of Gboko in Benue State, Mrs Samuel Takpa Ali said she hears of Ijebu gari but had never had tasted it. She explains why it is so.

“It is very rare in our side; we have lots of yam and pounded yam is our staple food. There is no hotel you enter in Benue that you don’t get pounded yam ready to eat, but gari, especially this one you call Ijebu gari, is not common to come by.”

Still on the subject, Deaconess Christiana who is a mother of

Ijebu gari brand

three discusses the similarity in both gari even though their finishing and colour are different.

“Even this yellow gari you talk about, there’s a way they fry it in the village; they fry it very dry indeed so that the same aroma I enjoy in Ijebu gari is what I perceive in it too. I remember I used to enjoy it in those days back in the village. One time I visited my in-law’s house in the village immediately after I married; the house was filled with the aroma of that dry gari, I think they just fried it, and I said I must take it some back with me to the city and that was because of the wayit was both fermented and fried; so whether it is yellow or white, I think it is the level of fermentation that gives that aroma. If someone gives me real Delta gari and Ijebu gari, I will prefer Ijebu gari any day.”

While the Deaconess throws away the particles in Ijebu gari before drinking it, Anna Uwechie doesn’t throw away any part of it.

“The joy in Ijebu gari is the many particles that come with it. Even up till now, I don’t remove it. Even If I’m drinking the normal gari, I don’t remove it. If you remove the particles you’ve spoiled it, you would have adulterated the Ijebu in the gari.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Health Æ s

29

‘How I lived with Cerebral Palsy’ Salako

NGO calls for more awareness, funding for cancer treatment Lara Adejoro A non-governmental organization, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre has decried huge communication gap in the awareness of cancer in the country.

The Executive Director of the NGO, Dr Omolola Salako made this known at an event aimed at raising breast cancer awareness to over 3 million Nigerians, tagged ``#12KLLP’’ recently in Lagos State.

Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre is an organisation committed to reducing cancer scourge in Nigeria.

She said lack of information and culture of routine screening had led to the death of many breast cancer patients in the country.

“Most lives lost to cancer were as a result of late presentation and detection of the disease in the body, but this can be prevented by early detection,” Salako said.

“We are here to sign a cancer appeal so that our government will know the necessity to increase funds for cancer treatment and the inclusion of it into the National Health Insurance Scheme. People must realise that it is much more expensive to treat cancer than to prevent it.”

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Oyegbile Oluwakemi, a cancer survivor said surviving cancer is divine and not human making; it also depends on individual being positive about the treatments.

“Cancer patients need to be positive in their condition this will elongate their survival, what is important to any cancer patient is family support. Cancer patients need care, support and encouragement; we need quality care in Nigeria, for instance there is no adequate bone scanning machine in Nigeria. The only one available is at Ibadan, which cannot serve all the cancer patients in the country and there is need for accessibility of medical facility.”

Mrs Clara Folake Lawal

It isn’t easy raising and caring for a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP), but that doesn’t mean you are helpless. Mrs Clara Folake Lawal spoke with LARA ADEJORO on how she raised her daughter with CP, who is at the University of Pretoria, South Africa for her Ph.D. Tokunbo was not the first child in the family of Mr and Mrs La-

wal but they didn’t have any experience of dealing with disability and weren’t prepared for what lay ahead. “But being a nurse really helped me and I know that even if others try, they will also succeed,” Mrs Lawal said assuredly.

The beginning Mrs Clara Lawal who is also a lecturer at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State had her baby (Tokunbo) in 1981 in India and the doctors didn’t recognize

that Tokunbo had any problem.

“In fact, I was the one that was treated, they said I was an anxious mother. They were giving me drug but I knew something was wrong.

“My baby was not sucking well, she would sleep through out but I recognised something was wrong; even though the doctors and my husband didn’t recognize that. So, I had to come back to Nigeria where I know they will know that child has a problem and that was how we started.”

Mrs Lawal took up the courage of taking her daughter to LUTH to see a woman who does exercise for babies immediately they are born, according to her.

“Like mine, my child had asphyxia at birth. She didn’t breathe immediately she came out, she was completely blue because I was in labour and I didn’t shout so they didn’t know I was ready. They said they want to take me to another place, so as they were pushing me along, immediately we got there, my baby was ready to come out. So she must have breathed inside.”

Discovery The woman at LUTH couldn’t take Tokunbo because she was already 11-months-old, “but I continued with what I know, which was exercise, and making sure that she eats. Luckily for me, I went for my grandmother’s funeral where I met Dr Mrs Odiakosa. She cares for children with special needs. She recognised my daughter and sent for me and that how was how the journey started, it was not an easy journey but I endured,” she said.

Continuing, Mrs Lawal said, “one Dr Mrs Majekodunmi took

Experts urge Nigerians on healthy diet, positive lifestyles Christian Oparaugo Medical authorities call for concerted and proactive efforts of all stakeholders to address the nation’s health challenges.

They made the call at the 23rd National Annual General Meeting/ Scientific Conference of Guild of Medical Directors in Lagos with the theme: Combating burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria through life-

style changes.’

Speaking, a public health expert, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said, “If we have a country battling with communicable diseases and at the same time plagued with non-communicable disease, then, we are having a dual epidemic.”

Osibogun said, “This is as a result of the emerging new world where the world has turned to a global village, which means Nigeria is now adopting westernised CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Osibogun

me to Lagos Island and we started physiotherapy for Tokunbo but the most important thing is that, it is something you have to do almost every 24 hour, you have to teach her how to crawl, smile, hold her hand up and that we continued everyday. We taught her how to do everything, it was not easy, and it’s labourious. After two years, she started walking,” she said with a smile.

Coping with the educational system “She wasn’t doing well while in school. In fact, the principal said I should come and take her. The doctors said she wasn’t going to do well and advised having another child. She was my second child, I had 3 of them and she’s the second. I wanted to have only two children but I had the third child because of her. I prayed to God to give me another girl so she would look after her because boys don’t look after children and luckily, I had another girl and all of us together looked after her.”

Fortunately, one her teachers would ensure Tokunbo participated in everything every other student does, even though others gave up on her.

“The teacher took it as a personal responsibility to ensure that she did what every other person was doing and I thank God that she’s reading her Ph.D in South Africa. She went to secondary in Abeokuta, had her university education at Babcock and had her masters in Britain. She’s doing well, happily married and blessed with a baby girl.

“It was not an easy experience but when you love your child, you would do everything for that child CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Health 30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Rotary offers free healthcare to Nigerians Lara Adejoro No less than 150,000 Nigerians benefited from the free health services organized recently by the Rotarians for Family Health and AIDS prevention (RFHA) of Rotary International.

The free health services which wrapped up weekend included HIV testing, family counseling, diabetes and hypertension screening and education, breast and cervical cancers screening, polio immunization, malaria testing and provision of long lasting insecticides nets, condom distribution, eye and dental checks, among others.

Speaking at the launch programme of the Rotary Family Health Days 2015 at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, Director, West Africa Operations, RFHA,

Olowu

Rotarian Olugbemiga Olowu, said, the vision and mission of RHFA is to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families by mobilizing Rotarians and partner organisations globally in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The agenda, according to Olowu is to develop a strong Public/Private Partnership programme in response to the needs of people, which is in view of Africa’s high mortality rate from either infectious diseases or noncommunicable diseases.

“The Rotary Family Health Days are a comprehensive, holistic offering of free healthcare for parents, children, grandparents, friends and all family members in over 130 sites from Kano, Gombe, Jos, Kaduna, Abuja to Enugu, Owerri, Yenogoa, Calabar, Benin down to Akure,

Cerebral Palsy: ‘It was not an easy experience but...’

Continued from page 29 and with determination, I knew she was going to be okay and I showed her love. I told her that, if they look at her, she should look at them back because when you see her you will know she has cerebral palsy. I was able to take care of myself and the child and my husband was supportive too in the ways he could.”

According to a Consultant Paediatrician and Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences at the University of Lagos, Professor Afolabi Lesi, a recent statistics indicate that 700, 000 children suffer from CP in Nigeria.

He said, between five and 10 children per 1, 000 as against the between two and four children per 1, 000 in the United States are sufferers.

Though, CP is classified into three spectrum: mild, moderate and severe, Lesi said, about 60 to 80 per cent of the cases in Nigeria would have seizures, intellectual disabilities and others.

Looking at the number of people who make a family in Nigeria, he noted that five people are often affected when a relation has cerebral palsy.

“So if 700, 000 people are affected, about 3.5 million people are directly affected including 1.4 million parents,” he said.

The exact causes of most cases of CP are unknown, but many are the result of problems during pregnancy in which the brain is either damaged or doesn’t develop normally. This can be due to infections, maternal health prob-

lems, a genetic disorder, or something else that interferes with normal brain development. Problems during labour and delivery can cause CP in some cases.

Premature babies — particularly those who weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1,510 grams) — have a higher risk of CP than babies that are carried full-term, as are other low birth weight babies and multiple births, such as twins and triplets.

Brain damage in infancy or early childhood can also lead to CP. A baby or toddler might suffer this damage because of lead poisoning, bacterial meningitis, malnutrition, being shaken as an infant or being in a car accident while not properly restrained.

A non-governmental organisation, Cerebral Palsy Center, Lagos, has called on the government to provide management centres for children with cerebral Palsy (CP).

Speaking at an organised event by the NGO to commemorate the World CP day, the founder of the Center, Nonye Nweke said, children with CP need treatment centres where they can be taken in order to have the appropriate therapy they should have.

“The government know these children are here and they count, so they need provide facilities for them. Most of them are not able to go to schools because there are no schools for them. They say there is a school for them in Lagos but the environment is not conducive.”

CP is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and

symptoms vary between people.

Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking.

Often babies with cerebral palsy do not roll over, sit, crawl, or walk as early as other children their age. Difficulty with the ability to think or reason and seizures each occurs in about one third of people with CP.

Ibadan, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Lagos and many other villages, towns and cities in 27 of the 36 states of Nigeria.

“Approximately, about 1950 Rotarians and Rotaractors will reach around 15,000 people. The goal for Africa is over 400,00 people,” Olowu said.

Also speaking, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare urged the people to imbibe preventive medicine by embarking on regular diagnosis to ascertain their health status.

Bakare said, Rotarians are providing comprehensive health care and cautioned against consumption of alcohol.

Olowu however noted that, it is the vision of RFHA, Rotary leaders and our partners to continue to expand this health event each year across Nigeria, especially to states not currently covered because of security reasons.

‘People need to engage in physical activities’ Continued from page 29

Tokunbo and her family

lifestyles. ``We now include in our diets all manners of junk foods and fast foods which are foreign to our system. These foods contain high cholesterols and fatty oil dangerous to health. All these are the risk factors of non-communicable diseases we are talking about in the society.’’

He said Nigerians consume less of vegetables and fruits, which are beneficial to their health, instead they consume what could aggravate the risk of non-communicable diseases.

According to him, “What we need to do is to modify our behaviour and also pass the information to all on the need to have healthy diet and engage in physical activities.”

In his remarks, the National President of the Guild, Dr Tony Phillips, Nigerians to change their lifestyles to live healthy.

He added that, the body was ready to partner with the Federal Government in in stemming the rising incidence of medical tourism.

“Medical tourism should be stopped because we have the personnel in various degrees of specialty capable of solving all manners of health challenges.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

31 Opinion

Why can’t Delta pay salary? ÎÎÎ As at September 2015,

a scandalous number of 27 states of Nigeria were looking to the federal government for financial bailout to enable them pay their staff salaries. Delta is one of them! Delta State Government is seeking a Federal Government bailout in the sum of N10,936,000,000 (10.9 billion naira), to pay staff salaries. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa wrote to the State House of Assembly asking lawmakers to approve for him to raise altogether N50.2 billion to settle the state’s indebtedness. On its part, the Delta State House of Assembly, as required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has endorsed Governor Okowa’s application for a bailout in the sum of N20.9 billion from the Federal Government to offset outstanding salaries of public servants and to execute capital projects.

Before going further into the state’s challenge with paying her workers’ salaries, a little bit of official statistics and demographics is useful: Delta State is situated along the coast of the Niger-Delta in Nigeria with a coastline of about 163km.

It occupies a total land area of about 17,440kmsq. Delta State has a population of 4,098,291. The major ethnic groups are Urhobos, Igbos, Ijaws, Isokos and Itsekiris.

The vegetation ranges from mangrove swamps along

the coast to rainforest in the centre areas and a derived savannah in the northern extremes. It is a petroleum oil-producing state. Delta State has been seriously degraded (land, air and water bodies) as a result of oil exploration and exploitation.

The state is also experiencing an increase in ambient temperature due to climate change.

Let me start by saying that it is baffling that Delta State is struggling to pay staff salaries. It is scandalous. Delta State is not poor.

Delta State should not be poor. Its federal allocation from Abuja for September 2014, by way of example, was 14,884,561,011.30 (14.9 billion). N95.7 billion was its income for the first 6 months in 2014. For 2013, it was N209 billion altogether.

Why would such a state go cap in hand to the federal government for 10 billion naira or any amount whatsoever? Delta State, monthly, receives more money from the federation account than almost every other state in Nigeria. What happens to all that money?

If Delta needs federal bailout with all its income, what does that tell us about the leadership of the state?

What investment is Delta involved in? If oil dries up, what would happen to Delta State?

25-year -Delta State is in debt to the tune of about 640

billion naira as at June 2015.

This is made up of revenue bond and indebtedness to commercial banks totalling 100 billion naira and other outstanding contractual obligation of about 540 billion naira. Its external debt is about US$16 million as at June 2015. Some might say that Delta’s debt explains her inability to pay her workforce. Obviously one cannot agree with that line of thinking. It is true that income from the federation account to Delta had dipped from a previous high of 20 billion naira a month to about 8 billion naira a month. But one cannot use current income to judge good financial management. One should use the incomes of the past. It is the past financial management or mismanagement that shapes the present and the future. Even if Delta state was not receiving any federal allocation at the moment (which is not unthinkable as there was a time when there was no single kobo paid to Delta

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State for its oil; not to talk of a sum as high as 8 billion naira) Delta should still not be in the embarrassing financial position in which it has found itself. There is nothing in commonsensical financial thinking that says you must spend everything you earn and then mount up debt to 700 billion naira. It is not wise.

Delta government leaders have mismanaged her incredible prosperity. In their hand, money has truly missed road.

One is obviously not saying that taking loans per se is bad financial judgement.

All that is being emphasized is that the business of government, like any other business, only uses loan to leverage development, growth and profitability.

One would weigh rate of internally generated revenue (IGR) to federal allocation to justify the viability of a state government business.

A high percentage of IGR would justify taking loans to further enhance the IGR. For example, Lagos State’s

IGR, minus VAT, is almost 5 times its federal allocation.

That is a strong business/ economy. One would support their seeking credit, where necessary, to further enhance their IGR. Delta State’s IGR is less than one quarter of her federal allocation. That figure, or rather, that performance does not support Delta taking loans. She is underperforming. Delta’s wage bill is 7.4 billion naira. The net available fund of N5.4b is insufficient to offset that monthly wage bill, not to talk of overhead costs or new capital projects. The financial spine of Delta State is indeed in terrible shape. But I repeat that this is avoidable given better financial management.

One hopes Governor Okowa remains focused on financial fundamentals.

The gentleman appears to deeply understand the mistakes of past leadership. More importantly, he appears to sincerely want to give Deltans a new lease of life.

Next week, we shall further explore the financial spine of Delta State given its recent inability to pay salaries.

Meanwhile, I would like to underscore that the goal of this series of essays focusing all federating states of Nigeria is to understand why not less than 27 of these states of Nigeria are seeking federal bailouts, which they are seeking primarily to pay salaries. One strongly believes that understanding this fundamental problem would enable us understand the federation of Nigeria as a whole. For the federal government of Nigeria itself, we shall be analysing holistically her Vision 20_2020.

Again, the goal of all the series on Nigeria and its constituent states is to proffer a realistic way forward.

One that would ensure that the ordinary Nigerian peoples move from unnecessary poverty to the natural prosperity that is their lot given the wealth the country has sat on for thousands of years unexplored. We would do our analysis in the background of the notorious fact that, globally, the Nigerian brain is phenomenal: we no dey carry last. If leadership is courageous to embrace the people towards leveraging with equity the wealth of the land, Nigeria would very soon give America a run for her money. But it would take courageous leaders. It would take leaders with integrity. It would take leaders that love fair dealing among and between Nigeria’s various peoples.

It would take leaders who believe in justice. Most importantly, it would take leaders that would not eat the led. Only bad shepherds rejoice in emaciated sheep.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.209

Price: N150

L A E C N PRI HUSSEIN

MOURINHO banned, fined £50,000

by FA – X6

RAISES THE R E V O M R A AL S N O I T C E L FIFA E F

IFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan believes delaying the February 26 elections would further harm the credibility of the organisation.

Football’s governing body has been embroiled in crisis following a host of allegations against FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The 79-year-old is subject to criminal proceedings by the Swiss Attorney General’s office, while Blatter and other top FIFA officials have been suspended amid the investigation.

But Hussein insists FIFA requires stability and should press ahead with elections for a new president as planned.

He said: “Recent events at FIFA have shown us that no one is above the law. The Ethics Committee must now be allowed to do its work in a robust and timely fashion.

“With FIFA’s crisis deepening, the organization needs to move beyond interim leadership and elect an accountable president.

“Delaying the scheduled election would only postpone needed change and create further instability. It would tell the world that lessons haven’t been learned, that the same backroom deals that have discredited FIFA in the first place continue.

“Members of the FIFA Executive Committee should remember that Football Associations, players, coaches and fans the world over are watching.

“The EXCO should not interfere with an ongoing process that was put in place by the ad hoc electoral committee. The election date of February 26 was set three months ago with a clear procedure that meets all of FIFA’s statutory requirements.

Candidates have had plenty of time to declare and still do. The rules should not be changed after the game has started.”

FIFA INVESTIGATES MANGALA’S TRANSFER

– X6

AYEW FIT FOR STOKE CLASH – X6

NFF STOPS CASH FOR EAGLES BONUSES – X3

Life& TIMES Thursday, October 15, 2015

Julius

Agwu:

Savouring a rebirth

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Now, all I’ve procrastinated about gets my attention – Julius Agwu Fresh from a successful surgery in the United States of America (USA), popular comedian, Julius Agwu, is bubbling with life again as he recently recorded success in the 10th anniversary edition of his ‘Crack Ya Ribs’ show held in Abuja. The multiple award winning comedian held a Thanksgiving Service in Lagos to celebrate God’s faithfulness in his life. The compeer, actor cum singer in this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, opens up on the surgery, his near death experience, the reckless life lived by entertainers, among other pertinent issues. Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

After a successful surgery, how do you feel to be back on your feet?

I don’t know where to start from. The truth is that it is really good to be alive and I thank God for everything. I owe Him all the praises for giving me this opportunity. I think it is a challenge that I really need to work more and that is basically what I have decided to do. I have to use my talent as an instrument to be able to impact more on my society.

The truth is that I can never take this opportunity for granted.

At some point during your ailment, was there any moment you pondered about giving up?

Yes, I won’t lie. This is very exclusive. There was a day I got back home and at some point I noticed I was going down, lost my appetite and I wasn’t feeling too good. You know how people will tell you different things and also form opinions. I just told my wife places where I kept vital documents for her to keep.

She simply asked me ‘where are you going to’? I replied her that I don’t know what is happening and if in case anything happens to me, she can go on from there. She wasn’t shocked and even replied me that I am not going anywhere.

The truth about it is that a lot of people just walk around and do not know what is inside of them.

Some people do not know what others are passing through and this has given me a renewed challenge.

There is the need to be very careful and this goes to all of us especially those in entertainment.

You mentioned during your speech in church that the entire experience is another shot at life.

What prompted that statement?

It is actually like a rebirth. I saw death and God brought me back to life. It is a rare opportunity because not too many people survive this and come back normal. Look at me, I have danced and given thanks to God because it’s truly a miracle. I am a living testimony that God really works. Some people are of the opinion that God is partial in some ways, but if He is truly partial in my case, then I have to give Him all the glory. I thank Him so much and I really don’t know where to start from in giving Him thanks.

Would you say entertainers do not give the required attention to their health?

All we do is hustle, work, and some other things without bothering to check our health. I just realised from this experience that we are more of colleagues and not even friends because nobody really cares about you. When it happens, it is just you and your family. I knew a lot of people who reached out to me and I appreciate them but really, it’s funny. What are we really hustling for? The true joy is your happiness and family because that is what life is about. Just like

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

all the people who stole money, how many would they spend? Once you die, that is the end.

Aside all the challenges, what kept you going during the trying times?

The prayers, concerns, the tears of family, friends and those who truly care kept me going. There are a lot of my fans who reached out to me and had me in their prayers.

Even on social media, there are some who were praying for me daily that I will be well. Also, the fact that I still have more in me kept me going because this is just the beginning and I have more to give. Right now, everything that I have procrastinated about gets my attention. I call it a rebirth, but trust me, now I know life has to be lived with ease. A lot of things have happened, but I will rather leave it that way.

What was the support like from friends and colleagues in the industry when these all started?

The truth about it is that when it happened, we didn’t have the true situation of what’s going on until we got to the US before we confirmed what was happening.

My doctor here in Nigeria actually advised that we should do a MRI when we get to America which was done and it was revealed that I had tumor in my brain.

So many people were on my case seeking God’s help on my behalf so I can return to my normal state. God also knew that I needed to be alive to get some things done.

I might not be the best of man, but in my heart, I know it’s pure and that

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Continued on

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

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L6

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Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

L3

Music Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Music London Afrobeat Collective brings Fela to Nigeria For fans of late Afrobeat icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, these are exciting times as the spirit of Abami Eda will be channeled by the award-winning London Afrobeat Collective in their first-ever tour of Nigeria tagged Pride of Culture.

Incorporating the energy and high-spirited stagecraft of Fela, the tour which is organised by Zmirage brings the vast immaterial wealth of Africa, personified by Afrobeat to the fore.

Playing four dates, the band will perform at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta today, Thursday, October 15, Wheatbaker Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, October 16, La Campaigne Tropicana, Akodo, Lagos on Saturday, October 17 and final performance on Sunday, October 18 at Felabration, Africa Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The 10-man LAC band is a UK-based ensemble of Afrobeat enthusiasts who aim to inspire more of Fela-like ingenuity not only in the area of music but other professional facets of life.

AFRIMA 2015 to hold in Lagos The international Committee of AFRIMA and the Africa Union Commission, AUC, have unveiled Lagos, Nigeria, as the host city for the 2015 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, putting to rest high expectations among AFRIMA stakeholders about the Nigerian city to capture hosting rights from November 13 -15, 2015. It will at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.

Announcing the host city, the Director of Communication and Sponsorship, AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotsetsi, said “following the recce and inspection of facilities and infrastructure of four states in Nigeria namely, Akwa Ibom State, Cross Rivers State, Lagos State and Rivers State by the African Union Commission and AFRIMA production team, Lagos has been chosen to host the continental awards ceremony this year”.

Matlou Tsotsetsi

2face Idibia’s biography for public presentation ‘A Very Good Bad Guy: The Story of Innocent ‘2face’ Idibia’, the biography of Nigerian pop icon, 2face, will finally be released on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.

The book launch, according to NET publisher and Idibia’s former publicist, Ayeni Adekunle, will hold at Terra Kulture in Lagos.

The 460-page book will contain a wide range of materials on Idibia’s life and times, including accounts from his mother, his wife, siblings, colleagues and mentors. It will also contain selected lyrics and discography, as well as editorial materials dating as far back as 2005.

The biography, done in commemoration of the singer’s 40th birthday, is a first-of-its-kind for any pop star in Idibia’s category, and the first by any contemporary Nigerian media platform.

‘It’s the first of many’, Ayeni says,

adding ‘Already confirmed for Idibia’s book launch are the duo of Tee A and Ali Baba who will serve as event host and book reviewer respectively.

The event will also feature a live conversation between book editor, Ayeni Adekunle and 2face Idibia.

In an emotional tribute in the book, Idibia’s wife Annie writes ‘Innocent is an extraordinary being. I remember when we were so young. He was 24, I was 15.

And I still see the same man when I look at him…’

The 2face Idibia biography is the second installment in NET’s Book Series, following the

New Artiste Alert: Fast rising musical artiste, Christopher Chimela, popularly known as Kristo C is one of the classiest Nigerian R&B and hip hop singer with captivating voice. Apart being a singer, this handsome dude is also a producer.

Tuface

publication of Chris Ihidero’s ‘Wanderings of a Rapidly Degenerating Mind’ earlier this year. The book project is projected to replace the company’s weekly print newspaper which has in recent times been epileptic and is already scheduled to go off the stands later this month.

Having recorded his first single titled ’I love you’ in 2010, Kristo C is not leaving any stone unturned as he recently released his major shot ‘Eziokwu’ with the visual shot in Nigeria and part of South Africa as produced by Potta.

In a recent chat, Kristo revealed that he can’t wait to meet Flavor who doubles as his mentor.

Kristo C

New wedding Alert:

Darey drops ‘Naked’ album Few days after his supposed nudity hit the social media, Nigerian R&B singer, Darey ArtAlade, has finally released his 4th studio album titled ‘Naked’.

The album was earlier scheduled to drop in August 2015 but was postponed. ‘Naked’ is a 13-track album that features collaborations with Asa, Olamide and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Some of the tracks on the new album includes Delilah, Orekelewa, Aya Mi, Champion and others.

It would be recalled that Darey’s previous album includes From Me To You (2006), unDAREYted (2009) and Double Dare (2011).

OAP Tosyn Bucknor to wed next month A few months ago, OAP Tosyn Bucknor got engaged to her French Lover, Aurelien.

Source hinted that their wedding will be coming up this November in Lagos.

New video Alert Hit the ground records presents Sunkanmi with another hit/ street anthem. She call this Marry Joanna featuring one of the hottest rapper in the game, CDQ. This is definitely another lamba from Sunkanmi sitting comfortably on this genre.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

L5 Movie Gists

Mutiat Alli

Dayo Amusa professes love in Aye Mi

Dayo & Oritsefemi

Yoruba actresses are fast embracing music and they are doing it big. While Lizzy Anjorin is set to drop a new single, ‘Owo’ which features Pasuma and Qdot, her colleague and Amzadol production boss, Dayo Amusa is currently on set of her new musical video. The video which is for the remix of her popular single, ‘Aye mi’ features self-acclaimed musical Taliban, Oritsefemi.

The actress who was captured wearing a flowing black gown was styled by Tiannah Styling. Aye mi remix is produced by Da Beat while the video drops on today, October 15, 2015.

Dear Mandela movie tours Nigeria Award-winning South African documentary, Dear Mandela, is on a three city tour of Nigeria.

The Nigerian tour is being facilitated with support from Amnesty International Nigeria, The Ford Foundation and CMAP as part of a cultural exchange programme and will screen in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos to raise awareness about housing rights issues and forced evictions as well as their impact on lives while telling the stories of communities struggling with this gross violation of their human rights.

Directed by Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza,

Caroline Danguma’s Stalker gets 12 GAIMA nominations

Dear Mandela, tracks what happens to three friends who refuse to be moved from their shack in Durban’s vast shanty towns when the South African government makes good its promise to ‘eradicate the slums’ and begins to evict shack dwellers far outside the city.

Explaining their involvement, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Housing Rights Researcher, Morayo Adebayo said: “Our objective at this event is to highlight the human rights issues evoked by forced eviction while sensitizing stakeholders on their obligations and rights, through human rights education and discussion sessions.

Caroline Danjuma

Davido makes acting debut Just like few musical acts who have delved into acting, in the same line, HKN leading musical act, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, makes his debut in acting and movie producing in a new Nollywood movie titled John Zerebe.

The new movie jointly produced by HKN and Viral Entertainment also stars popular screen names like Gloria Young, Ikey Ojeogwu, Kanfui Danku, Emma Blag, and Mimi Orijiekwe among others.

The movie ‘John Zerebe’ tells the story of the son of modest middle income Pentecostal pastor.

John is a smart and daring young man whose desires in life are a sharp contrast to the doctrines preached by his father from the pulpit every Sunday. John’s lust for wealth and material abundance forms the pivot upon which this drama unfolds.

Stalker, the movie produced

by Caroline Danjuma and Moses Inwang has amassed 12 whooping nominations in major categories ahead of this year’s Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA).

Caroline Danjuma was nominated for best supporting actress and it happens to be the first movie she ever produced.

Stalker scoops nomination in categories that includes Best motion picture, best film, best actor, best actress, best supporting male and female, best director, best producer, best screenplay, best costume, best on screen duo and best new actress.

Stalker features brilliant actors such as Nse Ikpe Etim, Jim Iyke, Madam Kofo, Emem Inwang and many others and was directed by Moses Inwang.

GIAMA is an annual award aimed at celebrating the very best of African entertainment and cultures through film. This year’s ceremony will hold on October 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas, USA.

Rita Dominic unveils new website Nollywood screen diva and The Meeting star actress, Rita Dominic remains excited about her recently launched website and has shared her first official post.

The ageless beauty in her first blog titled ‘Welcome to Zamunda’, explained the meaning of the term and what to expect from her website.

‘Zamunda? What is that? It is just a state of mind for me, a place where everything is all lovely and peaceful. I’ve been using that word for years to describe a place where my fans and I reside, chat and do the things that makes us happy. No time to hate in Zamunda but doesn’t mean that if you bring it we won’t give it back to you a hundred fold.

So I will blog about everything and anything that comes to my mind for my Zamunda citizens. We will learn, laugh, beef and grow together. Don’t expect me to be rigid in my writing because this is not that kind of blog. Some days will just be my random thoughts,’ Rita wrote.

Rita Dominic

Interview L6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

Now, all I’ve procrastinated about gets my attention – Julius Agwu Continued from

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won’t change or stop. The support from friends, families, fans and all those who care was good. I thank everyone who reached out and also showed concern for their support.

I appreciate them for showing me love because when you are in trouble or facing tribulations and serious challenges, and the hurdles which we all go through, that is when you realise who your true friends are. That is what life has thought me.

How were you able to keep it away from the media?

I left social media and some other things I was doing at the time so that people do not know what was happening. I didn’t want it to get out there without being sure of what it was. News started trickling out after the surgery about me being ill and there were different gist from every corner.

What exactly did the doctors point out as the cause of the tumor?

Like I said, it was discovered after an MRI scan was conducted on me when we got to America.

The doctors had to place me on the required drugs before the eventual surgery. I am only grateful to God for keeping me alive.

Few weeks after you were discharged from the hospital, you had the 10th anniversary of ‘Crack Ya Ribs’ In London…….

(Cuts In) The funniest thing is, a lot of people didn’t want me to do the show. They were bothered about my health but I told them, I will do it because God wanted me to so as to announce my rebirth. We had it on the 30th of August and there was a coincidence. I didn’t even know that the Abuja edition is also in its tenth year until someone I handled her wedding free of charge called me while I was in America to thank me on her 10th wedding anniversary.

She never knew I had a surgery and she reminded me I had the first edition of ‘Crack Ya Ribs’ in Abuja the day after her wedding.

It was then that I decided we were going to have the 10th edition also

in Abuja to celebrate Nigeria’s independence. As the country clocked 55, we were in a period where so many things happened at a go. So we had to celebrate the rebirth in our own way.

What is the next big project you are working on?

Trust me; I have so many things lined up. There are lots of projects in the pipeline and nobody will vandalize this pipeline. Until then, my followers should watch out for a new me and the series of activities that will follow.

How do you view life now?

It wasn’t an easy experience.

Some people have the same ailment that I survived and they never had the opportunity of been rushed to the hospital. I had a seizure and God brought an angel, my wife who was wise enough to rush me to the hospital. It is rare for people to have such opportunity, such grace and the privilege to survive what I experienced. So, for what God has done in my life, my perception of life entirely has changed.

Do you know!!!!

• Julius hail from Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

• He is fifth child of the family.

• Julius was once social prefect and president of the Dramatic, Debating and Cultural society in school.

• Julius was the best graduating student in the graduating class of the year in 1997.

• Started a programme on NTA called ‘laugh line’ and later changed to ‘Humour on Ice’.

• Crack Ya Ribs started in Lagos in 2001.

• Crack Ya Ribs was first exported to London in 2005.

• Julius released his first musical album ‘Okombo’ in 2000.

• Julius second album ‘My style’ was released in 2003 • Third album was christened ‘D’Genius’ and was released in 2010.

• Julius was a member of the traveling troupe owned by Innocent Ohiri in 1985.

• He has featured in movies that includes Paradise Park, Rattle Snake, End of the River, and The gods also cry amongst others.

• Julius is the MD/CEO of Reellaif Limited, a music and movie production.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

L7 Reviews

Di’ja ft Patoranking

Falling for you

Hussenat Ohize ‘Falling for you’ was posted September 28, but was not officially released. It was officially released on October 3 and the views on Youtube for the video were up to 36, 878,241.

That’s a nice try; I was not expecting Di’ja to have that kind of views maybe because Patoranking was featured with her.

Who would believe Di’ja and Patoranking would sing a love song together? The song is a nice song but Di’ja songs are always fading after three months because the chorus is always too much.

The dancers are much and one can’t see the movement of the dance, we can’t know if it is interesting or okay for the music. The video is a clear one and nice shots at that but there were some shots in the video where we didn’t see Di’ja and Patoranking clearly.

I was actually expecting better video

from Di’ja and Patoranking because they are in the music industry and that was to be a very big one and also the talk of the town. If the video is a love song, why should they be dancing like that when it is not reggae?

The video is a 4 minutes, 4 seconds video. It should have been a complete love video; the video would have been nice if Patoranking is not making it look like reggae. Dija’s voice is a very good one. She has a lovely voice from the beginning, but one always gets tired listening to her songs because the same words are always repeated over and over again.

For me, the video is 4/10, voice 5/10, choreography 3/10. The video is a very good one, everyone loves it but I hope it last long for people hearing.

The background is a very good one.

Next time if Di’ja and Patoranking wants to sing together again, I should be expecting a better one from them.

Divergent: More than just a movie Hussenat Ohize This movie is just like a game, the society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intellectual). The remaining population is the Factionless, who has no status or privilege in the society. When children reach the age of 16, they undergo a serum-induced psychological test which indicates their best-suited faction, then are allowed to choose any faction as their permanent group at the subsequent Choosing Ceremony. Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) was born into Abnegation, which runs the government. Her father, Andrew Prior (Tony Goldwyn), serves on the ruling council along with the head of Abnegation, Marcus Eaton (Ray Stevenson). Beatrice takes her test with a Dauntless woman named Tori Wu (Maggie Q) as her proctor. Her results show attributes of multiple factions, meaning she is Divergent. Her divergence includes Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless. Tori records her results as Abnegation and warns her to keep the true result a secret, saying that because Divergents can think independently and the government therefore cannot control them, they are considered threats to the existing social order.

The next day at the Choosing Ceremony, Beatrice’s brother Caleb Prior (Ansel Elgort) chooses Erudite, while after some hesitation, Beatrice chooses Dauntless.

After the ceremony, Beatrice meets Christina (Zoë Kravitz), Al (Christian Madsen), and Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes), three other initiates from other factions who also chose Dauntless. Christina and Al are from Candor and Will is from Erudite. The initiates’ commitment and fearlessness are immediately tested, and Eric Coulter (Jai Courtney), a brutal Dauntless leader, makes it clear that anyone not meeting Dauntless’ high expectations will be expelled from the faction. Beatrice is the first to volunteer for a leap of faith from a tall building into a dark hole, landing in a net. When Four (Theo James), a transfer initiates’ instructor, asks her name, she decides to shorten it to “Tris.”. Tris initially struggles in Dauntless training, ranking far below the cutoff after the first evaluation, but slowly improves. Eric matches her against her nemesis — Peter (Miles Teller) in a fight. Tris is soundly defeated and ends up in the infirmary. When she discovers that she will miss the most important test, Capture The Flag, she breaks out of the infirmary and joins the other initiates, secures her team’s victory, and makes the final cut.

In the next phase of training, the initiates are subject to psychological simulations where they face their worst fears. Tris’ divergence allows her to excel at the tests, defeating them in unusual ways, but Four warns her to hide her abilities and solve the challenges as a normal Dauntless would. Divergents can also manipulate tests and serums. Tris visits her brother Caleb, who tells her that Erudite is planning to overthrow Abnegation and become the ruling faction. On her return to Dauntless headquarters, Tris is attacked by Al, Peter, and Drew before being rescued by Four. The next day Al pleads with Tris for her forgiveness but she refuses, calling him a coward. He later kills himself by jumping into “The Chasm” rather than face failure.

To prepare her for the final test, Four takes Tris into his own fear simulations, where she learns that his real name is Tobias Eaton, the son of Marcus Eaton. After the simulation, they kiss. Tris then passes her test and is officially initiated into the Dauntless. The rest of the Dauntless are then injected with a serum supplied by Erudite which is supposedly for tracking, but is actually for mind control.

The next morning, the Dauntless prepare to execute Abnegations by the orders of the Erudites. Divergents are unaffected by the new serum, so Tris must blend in to avoid suspicion. She finds Four, who reveals himself to be a Divergent. While the Dauntless move to raid the Abnegation, Tris and Four separate from the group and attempt to locate Tris’ parents, but Eric sees that Four is not under control and captures the two. Four is taken into custody while Tris is ordered to be executed. Her mother Natalie (Ashley Judd) appears and saves her but is shot and killed as they try to escape.

The wonderful movie deserves 9/10.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, October 15, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

141 Eva Channel

150 Africa Magic Showcase

23:00

23:31

Thu, Oct 15 | PG13

Thu, Oct 15 | PG13

‘S1/E58 - 1/58’. Alejandra threatens to kill Edmundo. An obsessed Fernando looks for clues amongst Alejandra’s things to help find her.

Meanwhile, Javier gets valuable information regarding Manriquez’s multiple estates.

‘S9/E9 - 9/9’. Michelle Attoh chats with Ameyaw Kissi Debrah, known professionally as Ameyaw Debrah, a Ghanaian celebrity blogger, freelance journalist and reporter.

101 M-Net

00:00 Sniper: Legacy 02:00 Veronica Mars 04:00 The Voice 05:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 06:00 The Middle 06:30 NCIS: New Orleans 07:30 Chicago PD 08:30 Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes 10:35 The Goldbergs 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 The Blacklist 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Entertainment Now! 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 Mike & Molly 17:30 The Voice 18:30 The Fixer 19:30 Hawaii Five-0 20:30 NCIS: New Orleans 21:30 CSI: Cyber 22:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

00:45 The Weakest Link

11:00 My Family

00:25 Most Shocking

01:30 Silent Witness

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:20 Sexy Car Wash

02:20 Come Dine With Me

12:20 Top Gear

01:50 Rude Tube

03:10 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me

02:20 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

03:40 QI

14:10 Dragons’ Den

02:45 Jerks With Cameras

04:10 Top Gear

15:10 The Weakest Link

03:10 Impractical Jokers

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

03:35 Most Shocking

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

04:30 South Beach Tow

05:55 The Thin Blue Line

17:15 QI

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

06:30 EastEnders

17:50 Would I Lie To You?

05:25 Exposed

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA

05:50 Exposed

07:55 The Weakest Link

19:15 Downton Abbey

06:15 Video Zonkers

08:45 The Cube

21:00 Mrs Brown’s Boys

06:40 Video Zonkers

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

21:35 Miranda

07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:10 Live At The Apollo

08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

155 AfricaMagic World

09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers

154 AfricaMagic Family

12:05 Video Zonkers

11:30 Star Gist

12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos

12:00 Music Block

13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

14:35 South Beach Tow

14:00 53 Extra

15:05 Most Shocking

14:30 Family Ties

00:00 Music Block

14:00 Star Gist

16:05 1000 Ways To Die

14:30 Star Gist

02:00 Music Block

15:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas

01:00 Good Morning Africa

16:30 Video Zonkers

02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA

15:00 Star Gist

03:00 Good Morning Africa

17:00 Video Zonkers

16:00 Prem

03:00 Music Block

15:30 Lies That Bind

04:00 Music Block

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos

16:30 Living With Trisha

04:00 The Dzigbordi Show

16:00 The Dzigbordi Show

05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

18:30 South Beach Tow

17:30 Mary Slessor

05:00 Good Morning Africa

17:00 So Wrong So Wright

06:00 Good Morning Africa

18:00 Jane And Abel

06:00 Angels In Hell

17:30 So Wrong So Wright

19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

07:00 Star Gist

18:30 Jane And Abel

08:05 Last Angel In Hell

18:00 The Dzigbordi Show

20:00 The Boondocks

07:25 The Peace Mission

19:00 Tinsel

09:00 Good Morning Africa

19:00 Kumwesu

20:30 Rude Tube

08:35 Living With Trisha

19:30 Star Gist

10:00 The Dzigbordi Show

19:30 Kumwesu

21:00 Rude Tube

09:25 Mashariki Mix

20:00 Star Football Superfans

11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

20:00 The Heart Of A Shepherd

21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

10:00 Good Morning Africa

20:35 Separate Lives

12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

21:45 Jara

22:00 Sexy Car Wash

11:00 Tinsel

22:05 Living With Trisha

13:00 Music Block

22:15 Music Block

22:30 Most Shocking

NSOFOR WILL EXPLODE IN GERMANY —LETTIERI g X3

Poster!

OFFIONG EDEM g X4,5

Thursday, October 15, 2015

FORMER SAFA OFFICIAL

KIKA

g X2

BANNED BY FIFA

O C N n I w V RONALDO o to retire O d I k s at Real! G n y i l a l p rca a B g X7

g X6

X2

Thursday, October 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

CHILE 2015: EAGLETS LAND IN SANTIAGO Andrew Ekejiuba

C

up holders, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, have arrived in Santiago, capital city of Chile as one of Africa’s four flag bearers at the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, which is to be hosted by Chile 2015 between October 17 and November 8.

Nigeria has the competition won a record four times with the last being two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The defending champions flew into Santiago from their pre-World Cup camp base in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Wednesday, aboard a Lan Airlines flight.

Speaking to the media on arrival, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and striker Victor Osimhen were upbeat about the

chances of the Eaglets successfully defending the trophy.

“We are here to defend the trophy,” said Amuneke.”We are here with new players who want to write their own history and we are looking forward to our first game against the United States of America, which is very important for us.”

Osimhen echoed the sentiment of Coach Amuneke, adding that they have been psyched up for the expected challenges as the defending champions.

“We are here to win,” said Osimhen who is Golden Eaglets’ top scorer with 39 goals in 71 cumulative international and local matches.

“Just as the coach said, we are here to write our own story as a team and players.”

NLO chiefs to meet La Liga officials in Dubai

I

n its quest to entrench good organization in the lowest tier of the nation’s football Leagues, through synergy with established Leagues across the globe, the Chairman of the Nationwide League One (NLO), Alhaji Ahmad Kawu is set to lead a four man team to Dubai to meet with officials of Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional.

The team which also includes the

Executive Secretary of NLO, Mr. Olushola Ogunnowo, Alhaji Yarma Farouk and Marinze Cassandra Ijeoma will depart the shore of the country on Sunday, October 18 for a meeting scheduled for Monday 12:00 am in Dubai.

Mr. Ogunnowo said that the aim of the visit is to discuss ways and modalities to find the synergy between the NLO and the La Liga.

FORMER SAFA OFFICIAL

KIKA

BANNED

BY FIFA F

IFA has banned former South African Football Association (SAFA) official Lindile Kika from football-related activity for six years following an investigation into friendly matches in the country.

The investigation against Kika was opened in 2014 and centred on a number of international friendlies played in South Africa in 2010 - the same year the nation hosted the World Cup. “The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, chaired by Hans-

Joachim Eckert, has banned Lindile Kika, a former official of the South African Football Association (SAFA), from all football-related activities at national and international level for six years,” read a FIFA statement.

“The ban is effective immediately. The investigation was led by the chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, Dr Cornel Borbely, in collaboration with the FIFA Security Division.”

The decision follows Monday’s 90-

day suspension for former FIFA Executive Committee member and president of the Thailand Football Association Worawi Makudi for “a breach of the Code of Ethics”.

Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA counterpart Michel Platini have also been suspended following a corruption scandal that has rocked world football.

Blatter and Platini deny any wrongdoing and have appealed the decision - the former accused of making a “disloyal payment” to the Frenchman in 2011.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

Home-based Eagles, Burkina Faso clash Oct 17

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the 2016 African Nations Championship final round, first leg qualifier between the Home–based Senior National Team, Super Eagles B, and the Etalons of Burkina Faso, will now take place on Saturday, Oct 17.

Venue remains the Adokiye Amiesiemaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, with kick –off scheduled for 4pm.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Boubou Traore from Mali as referee for the encounter. Traore’s compatriots Bobo Yomboliba, Boubacar Kinta and Harouna Coulibaly will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively.

Mr. Pedro De Morais Neto, from Angola, will be match commissioner.

Meanwhile, a total of 25 players are battling for shirts in Port Harcourt under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coaches Salisu

Yusuf and Alloy Agu. There are goalkeepers Femi Thomas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, David Obiazor and Okemute Odah; defenders Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Kalu Orji, Solomon Kwambe, Idris Aloma, Samson Gbadebo, Jamiu Alimi and Stephen Eze; midfielders Abdulrazak Aliyu, Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed, Bature Yaro and Osas Okoro, and forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Chisom Chikatara, Tunde Adeniji, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi and Dayo Ojo. Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two editions of the competition reserved for senior players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league, but won bronze medal at the third edition held in South Africa early last year.

The winner over two legs between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will be eligible for a place at the 4th African Nations Championship taking place in Rwanda early next year.

Nsofor will explode in

NFF STOPS CASH FOR EAGLES BONUSES Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo on the prowl.

P

layers of the Super Eagles will no longer be paid their win bonuses by cash beginning from next month’s World Cup qualifier.

Players of the country’s team have been directed to open accounts with a particular local bank, where their win bonuses will now be paid.

“We have been asked to open foreign currency accounts with a bank where

our bonuses will now be paid,” a player who wants to remain anonymous said.

This directive comes on the heels of a new financial policy pertaining to foreign currencies adopted by the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This arrangement is one of the measures contained in a players’ code of conduct NFF president

SIASIA FURIOUS AS Germany—Lettieri INVITED PLAYERS M SHUN DREAM TEAM CAMP SV Duisburg manager Gino Lettieri has described Nigeria striker, Victor Obinna Nsofor, as a “rocket” who will explode when he is fully fit.

Nsofor fired a brace to help the German Bundesliga 2 side comeback from 3-0 down to end the game 4-4 against a fourth division side Viktoria Cologne.

“If Victor is fit, he goes off like a rocket,” Lettieri said.

He has scored a goal in three league games for the struggling team.

Duisburg a r e

Nsofor

bottom of the 18-team Bundesliga 2 with five points after 10 rounds of matches.

AJAYI N

igeria U-23 star Junior Ajayi is proving to be a good bargain for Tunisian club CS Sfaxien after he scored in a 3-0 spanking of Avenir de La Marsa on Wednesday.

C

oach Samson Siasia has expressed disappointment that only 10 of his 30 call-ups have reported to a training camp in Abuja ahead of next month’s Africa U-23 Nations Cup. The U23 championship in Senegal will be the qualifying tournament for next year’s Olympics in Rio. “I am not impressed that most of the players I called are yet to report to camp. They have preferred to stay back at their clubs,” lamented Siasia after training camp opened on Monday.

“We only have 10 players in camp now as most of the other players I called up are staying away with their clubs.”

Siasia revealed that plans are now underway for more players to be called up to the training camp.

Nigeria are drawn in Group B at the U-23 Nations Cup along with Egypt, Mali and Algeria.

The top two teams will advance to the knockout stage of the competition with the best three teams qualifying automatically for Rio 2016.

SHINES IN SFAXIEN BIG WIN

CS Sfaxien top the league table with 15 points from five games.

The former Shooting Stars striker scored in the 90th minute of the game.

He has now scored two goals in three games since his summer move to the club.

He scored on his debut for the club on September 27 in a 3-1 win over EGS Gafsa.

Siasia

Amaju Pinnick announced will soon be implemented.

The Eagles as well as the various national teams have thus far been paid their bonuses in cash.

Last year, the country’s former sports minister Tammy Danagogo had to fly with a presidential jet to Brazil with over three million US dollars to pay the team appearance bonuses for the World Cup.

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Offiong Thursday, October 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

Edem

Thursday, October 15, 2015

EXTRATIME

PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Offiong Edem Nationality: Nigeria Born: December 31, 1986 (age 28) Place of birth: Calabar, Nigeria Weight: 64 kg (141 lb) Sport: Table Tennis Medal record All Africa Games Gold medal: 2007 Algiers (Doubles) Gold medal: 2007 Algiers (Team) Gold medal: 2011 Maputo (Singles) Gold medal: 2011 Maputo (Doubles) Gold medal: 2011 Maputo (Mixed Doubles) Silver medal: 2011 Maputo (Team)

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Thursday, October 15, 2015

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PREMIERSHIP

LIVERPOOL FEELING KLOPP’S IMPACT, SAYS LUCAS

Klopp

J

urgen Klopp’s impact is already being felt at Liverpool as the German seeks to establish a new intensity and aggression within his side, according to Lucas Leiva.

Klopp’s appointment as Brendan Rodgers’ successor was met with widespread approval from the Anfield faithful, with the former Borussia Dortmund boss having garnered a reputation as one of Europe’s elite coaches.

A two-time Bundesliga winner with Dortmund, thanks partly to the energetic pressing game instilled at Signal Iduna Park, Klopp will make his Liverpool bow at White Hart Lane against Tottenham on Saturday.

“So far, so good. Monday was our first day on the grass with the new manager in charge. It has been very positive.

“There is a lot of information and as players we need to listen a lot now, and learn and try to put everything he asks us to do onto the pitch and off the pitch as well. It has been very good, very positive and hopefully it will keep going like that.

“He seems to be very passionate – he likes to put in everything that he has and

he asks the players for the same. Be very intense, be aggressive with yourself, is what he has been saying.

“Always try to be better, always give 10 metres more, because that will be the key to success. That is what he has been saying to us in the last couple of days. He seems to be a very open manager and someone that likes to be close to the players but very straight as well. That’s what I’ve learned from the last couple of days and I think it was a positive way to start,” Lucas said.

Lucas was part of the Liverpool side that beat Dortmund in a pre-season friendly prior to Klopp’s final campaign in charge of the club.

FIFA investigates

Mangala’s transfer

E

liaquim Mangala’s transfer to Manchester City from Porto last year is being investigated by FIFA amid suggestions the switch contravened third-party ownership rules.

Mangala moved to the Etihad Stadium from the Primeira Liga side

in August last year - Porto receiving €30.5million for their 56.67 per cent of the player’s rights.

While third-party ownership was banned by FIFA in May, private equity fund Doyen Sports had invested in Mangala prior to his departure for England.

Mangala

“We are looking into this,” a FIFA spokesperson told reporters when asked about the transfer.

Third-party ownership was

Mourinho

banned, fined £50,000 by FA

J

Mourinho

ose Mourinho has been given a suspended one-match stadium ban and fined £50,000 by the Football Association.

The charge comes after the Chelsea manager admitted a breach of FA rules in relation to post-match media comments.

Mourinho was charged for misconduct following the game against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday October 3.

It was alleged his remarks constituted improper conduct in that they alleged and/

or implied bias on the part of a match official or match officials and/or brought the game into disrepute.

After the home defeat to Southampton, Mourinho said: “When we are at the top I understand that there is quite a big pleasure in putting us down but when you are down I think you need to be a bit honest and to make clear that the referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea.

“The result [was] 1-1, there is a huge penalty and, once more, we don’t get. A penalty is a crucial moment in the game with the result 1-1.

“I repeat, if the FA want to punish me, they can punish me, they don’t punish other managers, they punish me - it’s not a problem for me.”

particularly common in Portugal, with Doyen having also invested in Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo - formerly of Sporting CP.

AYEW

fit for Stoke clash S

wansea expect Andre Ayew to play against Stoke on Monday Night Football.

The forward pulled out of Ghana’s match against Canada on Wednesday after picking up a knock to his knee in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham last time out.

Ayew scored and completed 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium but did not fly to the US for the game in Washington - which finished 1-1 - as a precautionary measure.

But he is in line to return against Stoke next week as the Swans look to arrest a run of five games without a win in all competitions.

Ayew has impressed since signing on a free transfer from Marseille in the summer, scoring four goals in his eight appearances so far.

The 25-year-old has 66 caps and 11 goals for Ghana since his debut in 2007.

BRIEFS

Kompany relishing Bournemouth test

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insists he is fit to return to Premier League action against Bournemouth on Saturday. The 29-year-old defender has missed a month’s worth of City games with a calf injury but came through an hour of Belgium’s 3-1 European Qualifying victory over Israel unscathed on Tuesday night.

Watford hopeful over Anya

Watford are hopeful Ikechi Anya will recover from a calf injury in time to face Arsenal on Saturday. The 27-year-old felt tightness in the muscle following the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, forcing him to withdraw from the Scotland squad last week. Anya has been everpresent for the Hornets so far this season, starting seven of their eight Premier League games and an appearance as a substitute in the other.

Sampaoli hails ‘instrumental’ Sanchez

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli paid tribute to striker Alexis Sanchez after the Arsenal man inspired his country to a 4-3 win over 10-man Peru in qualification for the World Cup. Sanchez scored twice and assisted Eduardo Vargas’ second in Lima as Sampaoli’s men made it two wins from two in their bid to reach the tournament in Russia.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

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EURO

BRIEFS

Ronaldo eyes Euro 2016 title

Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to end his wait for an international trophy at the Euro 2016 finals in France. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner has won the league and Champions League with Real Madrid and Manchester United in a glittering career to date, but has failed to land a major title with Portugal. Ronaldo was part of the side that lost the Euro 2004 final to Greece on home soil, but the 30-year-old is confident there is enough young talent within the squad to challenge next year.

FA charged over Vilnius trouble

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against England and Lithuania after crowd disturbances during Monday’s European qualifier in Vilnius. Scuffles broke out just before kick-off in an area behind one of the goals, but police quickly intervened. The stand in which the trouble occurred was one that England fans were advised not to buy tickets in, as it is where the local “ultras” would normally congregate. The cases will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on October 22.

RVP: I won’t quit Netherlands

Robin van Persie insists he will not retire from international football, despite the Netherlands failing to qualify for Euro 2016. The 32-year-old Fenerbahce striker scored his 50th goal for his country on Tuesday in Amsterdam, but it was in vain as the Netherlands suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic.

REAL MUST DECIDE

RODRIGUEZ future, says agent

R

eal Madrid must be clear with their plans for attacker Jese Rodriguez, the player’s agent has said.

The 22-year-old has found firstteam opportunities difficult to come by under Rafael Benitez this season and has been linked with a move in January, with Inter reportedly keen on his signature.

Agent Gines Carvajal admitted his client is becoming increasingly frustrated and called on Real to give him more chances in the side or permit the player to leave.

“He has to play more, playing more helps to raise the morale of the players. It’s very complicated and so the club will have to make a decision,” he said.

“He’s good, he’s training well, he’s

C

ristiano Ronaldo says he hopes to retire with Real Madrid after winning a record fourth Golden Boot.

The 30-year-old moved to the Bernabeu in 2009 from Manchester United and has recently become the club’s all-time leading scorer.

There has been speculation that he could return to Old Trafford in the future, but he told reporters that he is determined to win more trophies at Real.

“My dream is to retire at Real Madrid,” he said. “If you take care of yourself you can play until you are 40.

“I want to keep going for another five or six years. I feel good and useful in Madrid and I want to win here.”

The Portuguese scored 48 goals in 35 La Liga appearances last season to win the Golden Boot for the third time at Madrid, with his other triumph coming during the 2007/08 season at Manchester United.

He is the first player in the

Ronaldo

RONALDO

to retire at Real! awards’ illustrious 47-year history to win the accolade four times.

But he added: “I am not satisfied, I want more. I’m the only one that has four but I want the fifth and the

sixth.”

Ronaldo will be looking to add to his tally of five for the season in La Liga when Real host Levante on Saturday.

GIOVINCO plays down Barca link T

Rodriguez

strong, but when he doesn’t play... we see that others are uncomfortable when they don’t play. He has to seize the opportunity when they give it to him.”

oronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco is “happy” in MLS amid reported interest from Barcelona.

Spanish and European champions Barcelona are thought to be monitoring Giovinco, who has taken the MLS by storm with 21 goals and 15 assists in his first season in Canada.

The 28-year-old, however, is in no rush to leave Toronto, having only departed Juventus in February.

“No, I’m happy where I am,” Giovinco said when asked about the link to Barcelona.

“I only just changed club, so let me enjoy this adventure first.”

Giovinco was speaking after Italy’s 2-1 come-frombehind win over Norway in Tuesday’s final Euro 2016 qualifier.

The second-half substitute played 28 minutes in Rome.

UEFA TO DISCUSS PLATINI’S FUTURE

M

ichel Platini’s future in football will become clearer today when UEFA members meet in Switzerland to discuss his role as president and his bid for the FIFA presidency.

The Frenchman faces losing the backing of a number of European football associations in the wake of his £1.3m payment from FIFA president Sepp Blatter as he seeks to become head of world football’s governing body.

No written contract for the payment, received by Platini with respect to work undertaken for Blatter, was provided to FIFA’s

ethics committee, which has provisionally suspended UEFA president Platini and Blatter for 90 days pending a disciplinary hearing.

The deadline for nominations for the FIFA presidency is October 26 and a formal meeting of UEFA’s 54 member associations will meet today to discuss the matter.

That will follow a full executive meeting, minus the suspended Platini, to consider his future as the head of UEFA. Sources close to Platini believe lawyers representing him will address the meeting

to offer a full explanation of the current situation.

They will hope member states then continue to support Platini, but a number of executive committee members still want absolute proof from Platini’s lawyers over the £1.3m payment he received from Blatter in the form of a written contract.

If they withdraw that support, Platini could be forced to stand down as UEFA President, with head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Angel Maria Villar in line to take over, at least on a temporary basis.

Giovinco

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EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

Emmanuel Amuneke (MFR) was an assistant coach the last time Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was promoted as the team’s Head Coach early March 2014 and successfully secured Golden Eaglets’ ticket for the 16th edition of the global cadet competition which Nigeria has won a record four times in 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013. On the eve of the team’s departure from their training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the World Cup finals, Amuneke sat with media officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, in a special interview where he discussed everything about the Golden Eaglets quest. Excerpts:

I

t has taken you a long road to be here, and the moment of truth is here for you...how do you feel that you will be leading Nigeria to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile?

First and foremost, I want to thank God that has been there every step along the journey since we started in 2014. I consider it as a privilege to serve the country in another capacity and we have done so with all sense of responsibility. I was clear in my thoughts about what I needed to do by assembling a team that would be able to secure a ticket through the African qualifiers. It was not easy initially because we had to build the team from one stage to another and eventually we qualified for the African U-17 Nations Cup in Niger and eventually, we also qualified for the World Cup in Chile.

We are set for the World Cup and I would be delighted if the players can put on display all that we have taught them in Chile; and we are optimistic that we are going to have a good tournament.

Many people were of the view that you struggled to qualify for the World Cup by coming fourth at the African U-17 Championship in Niger Republic. Has this in anyway affected your confidence?

With all modesty, I think we have done reasonably well looking at our circumstances. This process has been long; we started with a lot of players and along the line we were unable to use some of them in Niger Republic because of one reason or the other. In fact, some of our key players were affected by the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Test two weeks to the tournament in Niger Republic and we had to just work with the rest of the group to ensure that we qualified for the World Cup in Chile as the defending champions. I think we did our best in Niger bearing in mind that of all the four teams that represented Africa at the last World Cup in the UAE were in Niger Republic. We are the only one going to Chile and that to me, this is an achievement.

We are hopeful that the new players we have added to the team would give us what we want; and add more value to what we already have on ground by the time we get to Chile.

So what has changed since Niger 2015 in February and what is the difference between the team you took to Niger Republic and the team you have picked for the World Cup in Chile?

As I said earlier on, we actually lost most of our key players especially due to the MRI Test going to Niger and that

affected our overall performance. We missed the quality of several players in the attacking midfield and defence, but all that is in the past now because we were still able to qualify for the World Cup in Chile, which was our sole objective going to Niger. People might feel our best was not good enough in Niger but I think the players gave their best though their best was not enough to win the tournament. The World Cup in Chile is here and we are mindful of the fact that we are going to play our first game against the USA on October 17, hopefully, the image we gave at the African championship would be very different from what we are going to see in Chile and I’m positive that we are going to do well in Chile.

What gives you this kind of confidence going forward to Chile?

I have always believed in myself and in my team; I believe in the players that I have and in what I’m doing.

I have constantly transmitted the same confidence into them so that they can have the same self –belief in their abilities in order to represent the country very well. We have some good players in this team, but what is important to me is how to see them play as a team and function effectively.

Why the emphasis on team work?

My belief is that a team must play collectively because we have passed the era whereby you rely only on one player to carry the team. Even those who are sitting on the bench are part of the project and as such, I always want to look at the totality of my team and how each player in different positions would function. Though you must have two or three quality players in a team, essentially, I always want the players to function as a team rather than as individuals.

Most Nigerians usually compare your team with the 2013 World Cup-winning team of which you were an assistant coach. What is the difference between that team and the present team you are taking to Chile?

Frankly, I don’t always want to go into this kind of argument or comparison because it is difficult to change what people believe particularly for those who lack the wisdom to know that no two teams are the same. Though many people would not give us credit, this team has performed creditably well under very peculiar circumstances that I don’t even want to talk about. But this is a team that has been competing right from the beginning of our campaign in 2014; and any decent follower of the team will appreciate what we have done.

Of course, we are always proud

Eaglets can defend U-17 World Cup

–AMUNEKE of the kind of players we had the last time, but are we going to approach the tournament in Chile with the same philosophy with different set of players, but our emphasis now is to ensure that we function as a unit because the kind of attention we are going to get in Chile would be different from what we got in 2013 in the UAE. What kind of history do you want to write with this team?

We want to defend the Cup we won in 2013 with the best of our abilities; but in the process, we want to see the team play very well and for the players to really enjoy themselves in Chile.

A lot of players have passed through the process since you started in 2014, so what factors determined the final 21 players you picked to represent Nigeria in Chile?

We picked players basically on what we called Three As: Ability; Attitude

and Approach. Apart from that; we also looked at their vision; intelligence and above all; you know a player must also be eligible by passing the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Test before he can even be considered.

We looked at what players that were available can add to the team and we have selected these boys in all fairness.

Though I’m the Head Coach, it was a collective decision when picking the players and we were objective and open-minded in our approach.

What does it mean to you that you are leading a team to the World Cup as a coach after playing at the World Cup as player in the 1990s?

This is another privilege and I’m always grateful that I was given the opportunity to represent the country as a footballer. And many years after, I have also been given the responsibility to represent the country as the coach

to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

But it is also a huge responsibility.

I’m hoping for good results in Chile because we have worked very hard along the way.

Does your being a former African Footballer of the Year an inspiration to your players or is it a burden because of your high demands?

It is never a burden because I don’t see myself as a former African Footballer of the Year before my players. I’m just their coach; and with the other officials, we are like fathers to these young boys. As such, we have to bring ourselves down to their level and my thought is to help these boys to write their own story. We have to encourage them and when the need arises, we have to also discipline them because in the final analysis, we want them to be good human beings and good footballers too.