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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.49

Unknown jet kills 36 civilians in Borno

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INSIDE

Life&

TIMES Thursday February 19, 2015

The art of

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Ayo Fayose

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breaches protocol L2 P

Skuki’s ‘peteru’ unexplained Marriage Clinic

The foundation of an ideal home

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No security, no C Ɛ è Ƒ Əƈ ƑƏ Ɔ election – Jega ƍƏ ƕƆƏ Lent:

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CBN stops auctioning of Dollars to save Naira

INSIDE SIASIA

needs balance in U-23 team

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BLATTER blasts X8 racist Blues’ fans Thursday, February 17, 2015

ARMSTRONG

LOSES $10M LAWSUIT

EUROPA LEAGUE:

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4 LAMBERT 5

TASKS REDS ON TITLE

CHASE

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IAAF cracks down on drug cheats X7

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial

Let there be light

A

t last, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has confirmed the fears of every Nigerian with regard to the perennial epileptic power supply in the country. Speaking recently in London, he declared that it is impossible to provide uninterrupted electricity in the near future. In fact, he put it bluntly, “nobody in the world can provide electricity continuously for 24 hours everywhere in Nigeria”.

Nebo noted that the country needs 160,000 megawatts of electricity to supply the entire needs of the country, but currently generates a pitiable figure of 4,500 megawatts.

Much as what the Minister said is already in the public domain, it smacks of abdication on the part of the government to declare helplessness in the face of the challenges posed by inadequate power in the country.

We are not oblivious of the fact that the gross under-supply of electricity in the country did not begin with the present administration.

But it does not absolve this government of lacking the political will and blueprint on how to solve this embarrassing conundrum. What the declaration by the minister amounts to is lack of seriousness to tackle the problem. For decades, the total power generation in Nigeria with a population of 170 million has never gone beyond 5,000 megawatts. Contrast this with South Africa that generates 48,000 megawatts for a population of 50 million.

It is on record that the Olusegun

Obasanjo administration spent a whopping $16 billion ostensibly for power supply from 1999-2007. In the end, there was no power to show for all the money spent. The Jonathan administration went ahead to privatise the sector but one year on, the electricity situation has remained the same.

It is not enough for government to bemoan the lack of adequate electricity, while ignoring the vast potentials for generating power that abound in the country.

For example, the Minister admitted that Nigeria needs 20,000 megawatts to ensure constant power supply to major cities in the country. Surprisingly, he seems to be lost on how to make this come to reality.

It is well known that Nigeria is situated along the Equator with abundant sunshine all year round. It also has vast reserves of coal and also sugar cane. These natural resources can be exploited for electricity generation, as is done in other energy-hungry countries.

Nigeria’s over-reliance on gas and hydro for power generation has been responsible for the continuing impasse. The citizens are tired of being told of the cost implications in building more power plants within the shortest possible time frame. They are aware that the cost of governance gulps more than 70 percent of the country’s revenue. This should be drastically reduced and the money channeled into building power stations and supplying uninterrupted electricity.

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Calming the troubled waters of Rivers Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏThere is no gainsaying

the fact that Rivers State, popularly called the ‘Treasure base of the nation’, has of late been getting national attention for the wrong reasons.

This notoriety came to a head on Tuesday when explosions and gunshots rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Okrika, the home town of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The explosion and gunshots carried out by yet-to-be identified persons left a security personnel dead, wounded many and brought the rally to an abrupt end as many scampered for safety.

It would be recalled that since the onset of the electioneering campaigns, the state has witnessed several bouts of politically- motivated violence, leaving many to wonder what will become of the state come Election Day. There is no doubt that these episodes of violence are at the behest of political gladiators in the state who do not mind the state going up in flames in the bid to realise

Words On Marble :

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their ambitions. While they publicly distance themselves from the actions of their foot soldiers these gladiators, in secret, continue to arm their foot soldiers to ensure that the waters of Rivers State remain perpetually troubled.

These bouts of politicallymotivated violence need to stop. All well-meaning persons within and outside the state must speak up to calm the troubled waters of Rivers State. It is also imperative that the political gladiators in the state curb their desperation, rein in supporters and leave the citizenry to freely choose those to rule them in a peaceful atmosphere.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects

Chief Commercial Officer

Deputy Editors

Noel Anosike

Doyin Awomosu

Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Tunji Okegbola

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Celestine Okafor

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Editorial Page Editor

Business Editor

Sports Editor

Head ICT (Shared Services)

Segun Adio Okay Osuji

Andrew Ekejiuba

Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo

Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

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

Sule Lamido

Fela Anikulapo-kuti

Awolowo

Obasanjo is our baba, even up to the president…He’s angry with us, but then what do we do?...when Nigerians were fighting us, he stood for us.

To be spiritual is not by praying and going to church. Spiritualism is the understanding of the universe so that it can be a better place to live in.

Those who desire to reach and keep their places at the top in any calling must be prepared to do so the hard way.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Unknown plane kills 36 civilians in Borno NLC Lateef Ibrahim and Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏAbout 36 civilians were re-

ported killed on Wednesday when an unidentified airplane bombed a Nigerian border village. It was on a day that 300 Boko Haram militants were killed in military operations to clear 11 communities of the Islamist insurgents.

Two military officials in the town of Bosso, where soldiers from Chad and Niger are massed in preparation for operations against Boko Haram, said the incident occurred in a village across the border in the Abadam

area of Borno State.

“We don’t know whose plane it was. We understand that the victims are residents who were gathered for a funeral ceremony but who were mistaken for terrorists. Around 30 people perished,” a military source said.

However, spokesman for Nigeria’s Air Force, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, denied knowledge of the incident. “There has not been any report from our people of such an incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, military operations to clear eleven communities in the North Eastern part of the country in the past 48 hours have

begun to yield result as over 300 terrorists have been killed in the exercise.

Two soldiers however died in the operations, while 10 others were injured.

Several weapons and equipment were also captured or destroyed.

The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, confirmed these in a statement yesterday.

Olukolade said that five different types of armoured fighting vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun, about 50 cases of packed bombs and eight different types of ma-

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) (middle); his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right) and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi during the 2014 4th Quarter Budget Performance Review Session at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja… on Wednesday.

No security, no election – Jega Celestine Okafor & Sunday Isuwa, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Chairman, Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday, said he can’t risk the lives of thousands of ad-hoc staff for election conduct, saying it will be impossible to hold elections without security.

Jega stated this when he appeared before Senators at plenary and briefed them on the circumstances that led to the change in election dates and the present level of preparedness of the commission.

The INEC chairman and his staff also took time to demonstrate the effectiveness of the newly introduced card readers for accreditation during election, assuring that with the use of Permanent Voters Card (PVC), it will

be impossible to manipulate the elections.

Jega, who disclosed that about 800 to 1 million PVCs are yet to be produced, added that 6 million have been received by the commission from contractors while collection is still ongoing.

“With proper security, we can prevent human problems.

We rely on security. We’ve been working closely with the security agents and looking at other alternatives. We can’t send thousands of ad-hoc staff to conduct election without security,” Jega said.

Jega, while responding to Senator George Akume’s question on whether the May 29 date of handing over is possible, said it is a difficult question for him to answer.

“That question should be directed to the appropriate authority.

Senate leader, Victor NdomaEgba, had earlier moved a mo-

tion that the Senate admit INEC chairman and his entourage into the chambers which enabled Jega to inform them why the elections were postponed.

“On February 5 in response to advice, after I appeared at Council of State with progress report, we were advised to conduct more consultations concerning the elections. The summary was that although, not 100 percent ready for the February 14 election, we received a letter from Service Chiefs, requesting for a shift by six weeks. We accepted the advice and rescheduled the elections.

“On February 15, we met, reviewed and took a decision on how we can add value in this six weeks of the election postponement. Even though it caused some pains, it was to enable INEC Continued on page 6

chine guns, five rocket-propelled grenades, 49 boxes of various types and calibres of ammunition as well as 300 motorcycles were destroyed in the fighting.

He added that six Hilux vehicles, including those mounted with anti-aircraft guns, were also destroyed.

Noting that the cordon and search operations was continuing with aggressive patrols by troops who now dominate the cleared communities, Olukolade listed the communities as Monguno, Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Zuntur, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso Wanti, Jeram and Kabrisungul.

The press statement by Olukolade reads, “Mopping up operation of some of the communities, where terrorists have been cleared in the course of ongoing air and land operations against terrorists, has indicated massive casualty inflicted on them within the last two days of the counter terrorists operations.

“Over 300 terrorists were killed while a few were also captured.

Several weapons and equipment were also captured and some destroyed.

“It has been confirmed that five different types of armoured fighting vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun, about 50 cases of packed bombs and eight different types of machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade, 49 boxes of various types and calibres of ammunition as well as 300 motorcycles destroyed in the fighting.

reschedules its election for March 12 Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏThe botched election of

the Nigerian labour Congress (NLC) will now hold on March 12, 2015, it has been revealed.

This decision was reached after about eight hours meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Union yesterday.

The NLC NEC also reconstituted the credential committee that printed the controversial ballot papers for last week’s failed election, with but Comrade Nasir Fagge was retained as chairman of the committee.

With this development, the tenure of the present NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar is extended by three weeks in line with the provision of the Congress’s constitution, which will enable him conclude the electoral process that will produce his successor.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the NEC meeting of the congress in Abuja, Comrade Omar said the meeting with major stakeholders and contenders was to provide opportunity for the aggrieved parties to reconcile with each for the peace, unity and progress of the party.

Obasanjo, Jonathan rift ‘ll soon be settled – Yoruba Obas Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏThe

Yoruba Obas’ Conflict Resolution Committee has said that the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would soon disappear.

The monarchs, who met at the home of their chairman, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, on Wednesday in Alakia, Ibadan, said Nigerians should not panic over the crisis.

According to the traditional rulers, “the two leaders are friends and they know how to settle their differences”, Akinruntan said adding, “You know we don’t dabble into politics.

“They have been friends for

ages, they would settle their differences. If you see them fighting on the pages of newspapers, it doesn’t mean they are enemies.

If any of them hosts any event now, don’t be surprised to see the other turning up.”

He said the heartbeat of the committee was to witness a very peaceful general election.

The traditional ruler said the committee had succeeded in checking provocative utterances that could further fan the ember of disunity among Yoruba Obas.

He added that the efforts of the committee had paid off because it was difficult to see either the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi or the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade atContinued on page 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

5 News

CBN moves to save Naira: Stop RDAs, WDAs Ugochukwu Onyeocha

ÏÏÏThe Central Bank of Nige-

ria (CBN) has closed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAs) and Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAs) Foreign Exchange window in a bid to stabilise the nation’s currency.

The apex bank made this known in a statement signed by the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, in Abuja on Wednesday. ``We wish to inform all authorised dealers and the general public that, with effect from the date of this press release, the RDAs/WDAs foreign exchange window at the CBN is hereby closed. ``Henceforth, all demand for foreign exchange should be channelled to the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market,’’ it said.

According to the statement, all authorised dealers and the general public should note.

It assured that the CBN would continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market to meet genuine and legitimate demands.

It said the managed float exchange rate regime, which

CBN had adopted, following the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, had been successful in ensuring exchange rate stability in line with its mandate. ``In recent times, with the sharp decline in global oil prices and the resultant fall in the country’s foreign exchange earnings, CBN has observed widening margin between the rates in interbank and the rDAS window. ``This has engendered undesirable practices, including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents, ’it said.

According to the statement, this has continued to put pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves with no visible economic benefits to the productive sector of the economy and the general public. ``In view of the foregoing, it has become imperative that appropriate actions be taken to avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.’’

FRSC to partner NRC on safety ÏÏÏThe

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to partner the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on public enlightenment so as to ensure safety on railway level crossings.

This was disclosed by the FRSC Unit Commander, Assistant Corps Commander Ayodele Ajadi, during a courtesy visit to the Divisional Manager, Western District of NRC, Engr.

Folorunso Gbadamosi.

Ajadi was concerned with the number of crashes on railway level crossings in and assured his host that that urgent steps would be taken to ensure safety of lives.

He warned motorists to desist from staying on rail lines, especially, during traffic gridlocks in order not to endanger their

lives and those of other road users Ajadi warned motorists to desist from over-speeding, dangerous driving and overloading, adding that anyone caught in such act, would have such vehicle impounded.

He said his command had intensified its special patrols in order to reduce the rate of crashes while the rescue team is on 24-hour stand-by to save lives on the roads.

While welcoming Ajadi to his office, Gbadamosi commended the FRSC in its efforts to reduce road crashes in the country.

He said NRC would partner with the FRSC and everything possible would be done to ensure safety of lives on railway level crossings in the district.

The Special Adviser to the Kuku mourns ÏÏÏ President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kuku, has described dead Bayelsa Kingsley as tragic, the road accident that the lives of 11 female female politicians claimed politicians from Bayelsa State on February 14.

L-R: Pro- Chancellor, Adamawa State University, Major General Haldu Hananiya( retd); his wife Rhoda; Wife of the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Chidinma Chidoka; wife of Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Mrs. Yemisi Oyeyemi; her husband, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; representative of Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria , Mr. Ferdinand Agwu; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; Minister of State for Works, Mr.Adedayo Adeyeye; Chairman, FRSC, Mr. Felix Chukwu and Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service , Mr. David Paradang during the FRSC 27th anniversary in Abuja… on Wednesday PHOTO:TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Land tussle: Benin prince threatens to sue Oshiomhole Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏThe

former chairman, Caretaker Committee of Oredo Local Government Council and a prince of the Benin Kingdom, Prince Ekpen Erediauwa, has threatened to go court over alleged harassment by Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, over a piece of land he duly acquired from the Federal Government.

The controversial land, situated at Okoro Otun area, GRA, Benin City, was said to have been acquired by the prince many years back.

Prince Erediauwa, however,

stated on Wednesday, that the controversy was nonpolitical as he still belonged to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Meanwhile, Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has described the governor’s alleged harassment as blatant desperation and an abomination to the Benin Kingdom.

State party chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, speaking with newsmen, gave the state governor a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw from the land issue, while calling on well-meaning people to call the governor to order.

When Daily Times contacted

Oshiomhole

the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Peter Okhiria, on phone, he said the State Government would respond to the allegation soon.

Arik Air disowns plane involved in jet A1 deal Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo management of Arik Air has disowned an aircraft, with registration 5N MID, allegedly involved in siphoning Jet A1 (aviation fuel) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

A statement by the Manager, Corporate Communications of the airline, Mr. Ola Banji, said, according to investigation, Arik Air had no such aircraft in its fleet.

“Investigations have revealed that the three people caught at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos in the early hours of Sunday, were siphoning Jet A1 (aviation fuel) from a fuel truck and not from an Arik Air aircraft, as previously reported in a newspaper.

Furthermore, the airline does not have an aircraft with registration number 5N MID in its fleet”, the statement said.

The suspects were arrested by

the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, after illegally draining fuel from the truck, belonging to one of the major oil marketers at the ramp.

“Arik Air management, hereby, absolves the airline of any complicity in the theft. The airline has an excellent safety record and will continue to operate with the highest safety standards it is known for”, it stated.

Kuku, who is also chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, said, in a press release, signed by his Special Assistant/ Head, Media & Communications, Daniel Alabrah, that he received the news with shock and a deep

sense of loss.

He commiserated with the Bayelsa State Government, the people of the state and the bereaved families, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family in the state.

“This sad news came at a time

everyone was working hard to ensure victory for the PDP in the general election. The positive contribution of these women to the development of their state and the country will be sorely missed,” he said.

ÏÏÏThe

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

INEC wants to disenfranchise Ogun voters – Amosun Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏGovernor Ibikunle Amosun,

has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), of plotting to disenfranchise voters in Ogun State.

He alleged that the commission brought over 600,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) belonging to other states to Ogun.

Amosun, who levelled the accusation in Abeokuta, on Wednesday, after holding a two-hour closed door meeting with the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Timothy Ibitoye,

at the INEC office in Abeokuta, insisted that the 600,000 PVCs brought to the state did not belong to Ogun.

His words, “if you have been following the happenings to the build-up to the 2015 general election, you will notice that it had been postponed for several reasons, two of the major reasons, according to INEC, were because of the security and for it to distribute the PVCs. “Reading the newspapers and, even, watching the television, you will notice that in Ogun State, we just managed to, probably, collect about 40 percent of the cards, it was, initially, about

36 percent.

The governor added that “I have been meeting with INEC, we have written a letter to the INEC Chairman in December, informing him of the state’s complaint, noting, however, that the electoral body was yet to respond to the complaint, they don’t have a very good story to tell us.

“Let me tell you, somebody, somewhere, I don’t know who, doesn’t want us to vote in Ogun State, they want to make sure that, at least, about 40 percent, or even more than that, don’t vote in the state.

Speaking further, he said “I will explain what I mean by that.

In the last election, we had about, maybe, 1.8/1.9 million cards, ‘they’ they said there was double registration and a lot of anomalies that they said they noticed, they took away about 500,000, and reduced Ogun State voters to about 1.3 million.

“Even at that, I said no problem, there will be opportunities for people to re-register, which they did. Indeed, when we did that registration, from their record, it was almost 450,000 voters that were recorded in the new exercise, now, if you add that figure to the 1.3million, of course, it gives us about 1.5/1.9 million, thereabout.

“But, as we speak today, we have two or three issues to contend with, the first is that the cards they brought to us, about 1.1million, in November, on my honour, about 600,000 of those cards do not belong to Ogun State and that is the problem.

“I remember when the INEC National Commissioner, Professor Olorode, came here, he said INEC had our cards, but, I told him that those cards were

Obasanjo, Jonathan’s rift’ll be settled Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha (3rd left), with members of state chapter of Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria during their visit to the Governor in Owerri... on Tuesday

– Yoruba Obas

not our own. Indeed, we have sent our people to all the polling units, but, they don’t even know those names (on the cards), they don’t know them”, the governor lamented.

Amosun, to corroborate his allegation, explained that INEC had not given a single permanent card to voters in Asasi Ward 11, where he and former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came from, among other places.

He said that even with the shift in election dates, INEC had continued to be slow with the distribution of the PVCs, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not support the postponement.

Responding, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, said Amosun’s claim may be far from the truth.

He said, “I do not know the details of what he discussed with you, but INEC has no interest in any state or section, we will study his grievances and respond appropriately”, while he advised the governor to always crosscheck his facts well.

Continued from page 4 tack each other again.

In attendance at the meeting were Oluyari of Iyari, Ondo State Oba Daodu Joel Sunday; Jowe of Irukorogha, Ondo State, Oba Matthew Olasheinde; Gbaluwe of Igbotan Kingdom, Oba Ajayi Adeniyi; Sabigana of Iganna, Oyo State, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez; and Oba Sikirulahi Adelani from Ogun State.

Why card readers must be used, by Jega Continued from page 4 to conduct a free, fair and credible election,” Jega said.

The INEC chairman told Senators that they have gone through some stages and conducted field and Headquarter evaluations and would further conduct a comprehensive evaluation on February 24, which will include reports from security experts.

“On March 4, we will hold a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners so that every loophole is blocked. The collection of the PVCs has received wider discuss. We are giving regular update and as at today, we

have improved to 79.4 percent. We will organise more tests for the card readers in each zone,” Jega said.

“We will use the opportunity and identify polling units that we can conduct a mop exercise. We have conducted tests with experts in the USA and they confirmed that the machines are normal and functioning well, Jega added.

The INEC boss also disclosed that they will carry out more training for Ad-hoc staff while they will compel all RECs to intensify arrangement and effect the MoU they signed with the Nigerian Road Transport Workers.

While responding to some people calling for the use of tempo-

rary voter’s car, Jega said the use of the permanent voter’s card is in accordance with the Electoral Act. “We introduced the card reader based on power given to INEC in the Electoral Act. This section, 16(8) requires that anyone intending to vote should present his or her card and the card reader will verify it before a ballot paper is issued. Card readers add value to credible election. The card reader is not electronic voting machine but just for accreditation purpose,” Jega said.

The INEC chairman while responding to questions from Senators said it is an offence not to use the card reader during accredita-

tion.

“We do not envisage that staff and the security agents will succumb to non-use of card readers.

The card readers itself saves information but we will want the information sent immediately and if there are no network in the polling unit if they reach the collation centers, they can send,” Jega revealed.

On the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Jega said the commission has done its best by ensuring all IDP camps get their PVCs, adding that the Electoral Act made provisions by giving powers to INEC to create centers for the displaced to collect cards and vote.

Senate President, David Mark, said all they want is a credible election and that was why they invited Jega to brief them on preparation for free and fair elections.

“All the Senators here want to return with a credible, free and fair elections conducted because May 29 date of handing over is sacrosanct”.

Also at plenary, Senators adopted a motion by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, for Abdullahi Aliyu Shinkafi to be confirmed as Federal Character Commission member, a request

by President Goodluck Jonathan in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday February 19, 2015

Ex-Gov Nyako petitions NJC over arrest of judgment Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer

governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, of arresting the judgment of the fundamental human rights suit he filed in Yola.

Nyako, who was impeached last year by Adamawa State House of Assembly, alleged that the judgment was fixed for delivery on February 12, by Justice Bilkisu Aliyu of Adamawa Division of the Federal High Court before the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, suddenly seized the case file, based on a petition by one of the parties that he was not given fair hearing.

Nyako, who addressed a press conference on Thursday, in Abuja, through his counsel, Olukoya Ogunbele, appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to direct Justice Auta, to immediately release the case file to Yola division of the Federal High Court, to enable it deliver judgment, in the interest of justice.

Ogunbele, said that withdrawing a case file few days to judg-

ment date by any judicial officer is in bad taste and should not be condoned.

However, in a swift reaction to the allegation of case file withdrawal, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mrs. Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie, dismissed the allegation stating that it was not true.

She stated that a counsel in the suit, Festus Keyamo, representing the Chief Judge of Adamawa state, Justice Ishaya Banu, had petitioned Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, on ground of denial of fair hearing and forwarded same to the Chief Judge.

Mrs Oghoghorie added that as a tradition, Justice Auta had to

eign Direct Investment (FDI) into the non-oil export sector, got a boost on Tuesday, as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), agreed to deepen their collaboration to promote trade and investments in the sector.

The partnership is sequel to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between both agencies of government. The event was held in the conference room of NIPC Head office, Abuja.

The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, while commending the Execu-

Assassins kill party chieftain in Adamawa Wale Akintunde, Yola

ÏÏÏPalpable fears have enveloped

Adamawa State ahead of the 2015 general election as the Ward Chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), has been killed by unknown gunmen.

The State Secretary of the party, Rev Iliya Aguwa, on Wednesday said that Mr Haziel Othaniel, a Ward Chairman of Boron in Demsa Local Government Area of the state has been murdered.

He said the dastardly act took place at the wee hours of the night when the assassins broke into his inner room and shot him twice on his chest.

Rev. Aguwa explained that the assailants did not take away any valuable from his house, neither did they harmed any member of his family which has raised suspicions that the killing may be politically motivated.

Electricity: PTFP urges Nigerians to safeguard against vandals

The Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Mrs Saratu Umar (left), and the Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Mr. Segun Awolowo, at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in Abuja... on Tuesday

NEPC, NIPC synergise to stimulate investments in export trade ÏÏÏEffort to attract For-

call for the case file to ascertain the genuiness of the allegation of denial of fair hearing and also forwarded a copy of the petition to the trial judge for her response.

She, however, added that up till date, the trial judge is yet to respond to the petition against her and that the CJ is still awaiting the response.

7 News

tive Secretary of NIPC for the initiative noted that the partnership would provide a platform for synergy with other relevant stakeholders in the sector.

The platform will proffer strategies for diversifying the nation’s productive base from oil to non-oil, particularly in the wake of dwindling revenues from the former.

Mr. Awolowo, stressed that there was need to direct the FDIs to the manufacturing sectors as it is the only way to create wealth and employment adding that the Council was working on a tripartite agreement between the Council, NIPC and Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA),

that would stimulate investments and industrial production clusters for export.

“All these partnerships are targeted at easing the process of export as well as attracting investments in the sector. Now more than ever, it is critical for both agencies to fast track the diversification of the economy in line with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan” , he added.

The NIRP, he said identifies 13 National Strategic Export Products (NESPs) that will replace oil while it will be supported by two key NEPC initiatives – the One State One Product (OSOP) and Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX).

280 illegal aliens arrested in Adamawa Wale Akintunde, Yola

ÏÏÏThe Adamawa Com-

mand of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 280 illegal aliens in Adamawa State.

While parading the suspects Tuesday in Yola, the state Comptroller, Mr Ubi Ikpi, said the arrest was part of the command’s renewed efforts to rid the border state of illegal aliens and enhance security.

“It is imperative that we get rid of miscreants from Adamawa State because it is very possible they can compound the security situation in the country since they neither have valid papers

nor did they have identifiable places of abode”, Ikpi said.

Ikpi said those arrested were from niegbouring African countries, adding that they would be documented and screened for subsequent deportation.

The comptroller, however, called for more support and cooperation of the public particularly community leaders in identifying and reporting illegal aliens and criminals in the society to the authorities.

He commended the working synergy among the various security outfits in the state and urged for its sustenance to ensure adequate security in the state.

Nebo

Mathew Dadiya

ÏÏÏThe

Acting Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power Engr.

Clement Adeyinka Oke, has advised Nigerians to desist from engaging in any act of vandalism or plans to vandalize power, crude oil and gas infrastructure so as to enable the power sector to meet up with the demand for steady electricity supply in the country. mes Engr Oke, in an an exclusive chat with Daily Times recently, said that the expectation of the PTFP is to create a business environment with privatisation which would be selfsustaining and beneficial to investors in the power sector.

He appealed to Nigerians to endeavour to pay their electricity bills honestly while efficiently using the power to ensure money flows back to the service providers for additional investment along the fuel to power chain.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday February 19, 2015

Urhobo Youths slam Buhari, Osinbajo Joe Ogbodu, Warri

ÏÏÏA pressure group, the

Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda (left); Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (right) with others praying during condolence visit to the emir over the death of his younger sister, Mrs Zainab Suleiman, in Bauchi… on Tuesday

Jonathan vows to flush B’Haram out of N’East Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, said that his administration would not rest on its oars, until insurgents in the north-east zone of the country were flushed out, peace restored and a new lease of life given to every victim of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

He said this at Fufure, in Adamawa State and maintained that his administration was poised for the anti-terrorism mission, as it was concerned with the plights of the victims

and hence the presidential initiative in the north-east through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The president, who was represented by one top government official, Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, expressed regret that Nigerians were refugees in their country, which also informed the Federal Government making frantic efforts toward ensuring that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their homes.

He pledged that the provision of relief would be a continuous exercise until

normalcy was secured in all the trouble areas, adding that the materials should not be regarded as a compensation for their losses, but to cushion the effects of their hardship, adding that, in as much as the victims were anxious to go back home, this could only be actualised if only the insurgents were flushed out.

Over 8,500 bags of grains were distributed to the IDPs, who are mostly from Madagali, Michika, Girei and Fufure Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

The Head of Service, the Fufure Local Government,

Alhaji Gidado Galadima, who represented the chairman of the council, thanked the Federal Government for the initiative, adding that the relief materials would reach the targeted IDPs. The Permanent Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, Mallam Hamman Haruna Furo, also lauded the presidential initiative in the north-east.

He called on the Federal Government to set up a special funds for assistance to the zone, because of its peculiarities in terms of terrain and growing number of victims of terrorism.

Coalition of Urhobo Nation Youth Leaders and Stakeholders (CUNYLS), has allegedly accused All Progressives Congress (APC), Vice- Presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, of plotting coup d’état to subvert and overthrow Urhobo leadership.

The group alleged that Professor Yemi Osinbajo acting the script of General Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Rotimi Ameachi, the Director- General of his campaign came down

Group wants reappointment of Oron Maritime Academy rector Eno-Obong Okon, Uyo

ÏÏÏA

youth group in Akwa Ibom State, the Oron Patriotic Movement, has called for the re-appointment of the Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Mr. Joshua Okpo.

According to the group, Okpo’s tenure, which would expire in June, had facilitated tremendous transformation of the academy and, therefore, deserved an extension.

The leader of the group, Mr Clinton Emene, said, in Oron, on Wednesday, that

ÏÏÏThe Tiv community in

Taraba State, under the aegis of Tiv Cultural and Social Association, has asked the state government to declare a state of emergency for the return of over 500, 000 Tiv people, who were displaced from their settlements following incessant attack on Tiv farmers by Fu-

lani herdsmen.

The President General of the Association in Taraba State, Hon. James D. Nungwa, who made this appeal at a press conference, in Jalingo, pointed out that the settlements of Tiv people had been taken over by Fulani herdsmen with their crops harvested in their absence.

According to him: Some of our areas were taken over by herdsmen, with some people moulding blocks on

the settlements of the Tivs.

Some of our crops are being harvested”.

Nungwa, alongside the executives of the association, decried what he described as nonchalant attitude of some Tiv people on the sorry plight of their brothers, while they were more concerned with endorsing the candidature of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state, Chief Da-

vid Sabo Kente, (DSK).

He stated that the displaced Taraba Tiv people in Benue, Nasarawa and other places should be allowed to return, with their Permanent Voter Cards given to them, to enable them participate in the forthcoming general election.

He described the Tiv Cultural and Social Association as the only authentic mouth piece of the Tiv people of Taraba State.

given the rector’s performance, he deserved to be reappointed to continue his good work.

Emene stated that since Okpo assumed office in 2011, there had been remarkable changes in affairs of the institution, adding that the endorsement Okpo for a second term followed his visionary leadership style.

“We want his re-appointment because of his credibility and the way he runs the academy.

“To us, he is the best Rector the Maritime Academy has ever had since its existence in 1976,” Emene said.

Elections: Bauchi State govt supports INEC

Tiv people call for state of emergency on IDPs Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

to the heart of Urhobo nation to endorse a failed coup d’état to subvert and overthrow through the unconstitutional means, the legitimate and legal leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union, led by Olorogun (Engr) Joseph Orode Omene.”

“This failed coup d’état and conspiracy perpetuated by a certain Pa Tuesday Onoge, and given muscle by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, was hatched in order to divide the Urhobo people and its over one million votes.

Jega

Daniel Jolly, Bauchi

ÏÏÏAhead

of the upcoming general election, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, has assured the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) of his administration’s co-operation, so as to make the forthcoming election a clean one.

Yuguda gave the assurance on Wednesday, while addressing a team of INEC officials in the state, who paid him a courtesy call at Government House.

“We, in Bauchi State, since 2007 have had a history of credible and transparent elections, because we believe that the will of the people should prevail.

On distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Yuguda revealed that 84 percent success had been recorded in its distribution.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

9 News

Stay away from politics, HURIWA tells Nigerian military Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏAs Nigerians continue to re-

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (middle); Leader of the delegation, Chief Chijioke Nwakodo (5th left), Abia State Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba (fifth right) and others during a courtesy visit by Abia State Sure-P board to the Governor in Umuahia… on Tuesday

Niger PDP hails House for declaring defectors’ seats vacant Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the state House of Assembly for declaring vacant the seats of two defectors.

The House had, on Wednesday, declared vacant the seats of Hon. Mohammed Bashir Lokogoma from Wushishi and Abdulahi Mohammed Nazeer from Rijau for decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

State PDP acting chairman,

Hon. Umaru Musa Ma’ali, in a statement, said “The decision of the Niger State House of Assembly to declare the seat of two members of the House, who defected to the APC, vacant, will encourage discipline and engender moral virtues among politicians. I am very pleased with what happened, it will help prevent the shameful trend of decamping, which had become a trend among politicians.

“We must understand that once politicians realise they will lose their seats, they will not decamp anymore. It is, indeed, a good tid-

ing for democracy as Niger State House of Assembly has set the record straight on the constitutionality of decamping, which stipulates that such seat should be declared vacant.”

Ma’ali called on politicians in the state to always consider the interest of the people, urging them to shun parochial interests. He said politicians’ desperation was responsible for their regular decamping, adding that it was not, politically, healthy and has negative implication on national peace and development.

act to the dramatic exit of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Head of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria [HURIWA], Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, has said that the Nigerian military must keep a safe distance from selfish politicians so as to preserve its integrity.

Onwubiko, in a statement, made available to the Daily Times, said the military chiefs should amend their ways and avoid involvement in partisan politics if their institution must recover the rapidly vanishing respectability it earlier enjoyed globally.

He said: “Every Nigerian of good conscience worldwide, must have felt ashamed at the political

Ogbe urges Nigerians to support INEC for credible polls Monday Osayande Asaba

ÏÏÏThe Chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), Mr Moses Ogbe, has urged Nigerians to support INEC and the various security agencies to conduct a peaceful, credible, free and fair general election.

Ogbe stated this in Asaba at a forum organised by the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Southern Zone.

Bombings: Atiku Lagos doctors begin three-day warning strike calls for calm, after the strike action,” the state- embarked on strike between May, says democracy Lara Adejoro ment read in part.

2012 and July, 2014, with many of Other specific issues include, the strikes lasting far longer than must prevail ÏÏÏMedical doctors in the employ of Lagos State Government, have embarked on a three-day warning strike. According to the Chairman, Medical Guild, Lagos State chapter, Dr ‘Biyi Kufo, the decision was taken after several appeals, ultimatum and notices to the state government were to no avail.

“The Guild had been in discussion with the administration on these issues for more than two years, following a strike in April and May, 2012, when the No Work, No Pay policy was applied to members of the Guild, despite the fact that the circular, backing the policy, was written two months

the continued engagement of doctors as casual workers, (young doctors just commencing employment, with no career path); the suspension of the training of resident doctors in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH); and the retrospective and selective application of the administration’s No Work, No Pay policy to members of the Guild.

Kufo said, “The No Work, No Pay policy was not applied to any of the groups, ASUU; ASUP; teachers; magistrates; judiciary workers and the Joint Health Sector Unions, (JOHESU) who

the Guild’s strike. It was, however, applied again when members of the Guild joined a national strike of the Nigerian Medical Association in July and August, 2014.

“It appeared as if the administration intended to push the Guild into a strike, a situation we wanted to avoid, as we believed such an action would only affect the less privileged and the general public, whom we serve,” Kufo added.

The Guild, however, directed that a three-day warning strike, to press home these demands, should commence at 8:00 am Wednesday, February 18 to 8:00 am on Saturday, February 21, 2015.

Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer Vice President of Ni-

geria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to be calm, following Tuesday’s bombings during which several people died in Yobe State, and several more were injured in an explosion at the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial campaign rally in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the Atiku Media Office on Wednesday, the APC chieftain pointed out that Nigeria’s democracy was on trial, adding that, no matter what efforts

intervention by the top brass of Nigeria’s military in the current ‘fratricidal’ political squabbles in People’s Democratic Party, particularly, with the dramatic exit of Olusegun Obasanjo, erstwhile Chairman, Board of Trustees of PDP and three-time President of Nigeria and Commander-inChief of Nigeria Armed Forces”.

“The reprimand issued to OBJ, by a far junior officer (army general) Olukolade”, Onwubiko said “is, to say the least, despicable and shameful”.

“Obasanjo, as a former top General, doesn’t deserve this type of abysmally disrespectful reprimand, from a man, who was still a toddler when General Obasanjo became a senior military officer. OBJ hasn’t committed any crime for, simply, exercising his constitutionally protected freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.

While expressing confidence in INEC, Ogbe said the commission had been doing its best to ensure a successful general election.

On the recently conducted local government polls in the state, Ogbe said the results of four wards in Ndokwa East and two wards in Udu Local Government Areas were withheld pending the outcome of the court cases.

The Local Government election was conducted April 25, 2014, seven years after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was sworn in.

Earlier, President of the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, Southern Zone, Chief Dafe Okreka, noted that there was a remarkable improvement in the last local government election conducted in the state by DSIEC. were applied to the contrary, Nigerians should never give up their desire for change.

“Nigerian democracy can and must withstand terror,” Atiku said. “Whether the terror is from insurgents or from desperate politicians, in the end, democracy must prevail.”

The former Vice President called for a strong bipartisan approach against those who were willing to sacrifice the nation for political gains.

Atiku

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Feburary 19, 2015

Church urges Nigerians to pray for spiritual, political rebirth Remi Oladoye

Protesters carrying placards urging the senate leadership to confirm Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as minister in Abuja… on Tuesday

Lent: Jonathan, Buhari urge Christians to pray for peaceful polls Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏAs

Christians in the country enter into the Lenten season, President Goodluck Jonathan has urged followers of Christ to use the holy period to pray for the Nigeria, especially in the case of the rescheduled Prresidential elections.

The president’s message was contained in a release issued by his Special Adviser of Media, Dr. Reuben Abati. The President also admonished political leaders in the country to rededicate themselves to the commitment they made with respect to peaceful campaings and elections.

Also, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Bu-

hari (rtd), in a separate release, called on Nigerians to use this season of lent to reflect, meditate and pray to God for peace and the rebuilding of our nation.

Buhari, made this appeal in a Lenten message to Nigerian Christians, as they joined other Christians worldwide in observing the annual period of repentance, sacrifice, fasting, prayers and almsgiving for the forgiveness of sins and spiritual revival.

“My dear brothers and sisters, as we pray daily for mercy from God, let these 40 days be for us, a greater opportunity to change our ways and our hearts so that God can heal our land; which is in dire need of leaders and citizens who will show love and care for the poor and the rejected in our midst, for whom, Jesus Christ,

also sacrificed and died for.

“Let us abhor discriminations in our country on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender and political orientation and work for a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria, where few men and women will no longer have the pleasure and privilege to deprive the majority of our common wealth.

“As you observe this very important spiritual exercise, I will also join you in prayers to God for the strength you need to go through this season and for the forgiveness of the sins we all have committed against God and humanity.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in its Lenten message, charged Christians to use the period to pray for the

peaceful conduct of March 28 and April 11 general election.

The party gave the charge in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The PDP also told the Christians that only peace-loving persons get elected during the elections. According Metuh, “We must use this year’s Lent to reaffirm values that bind us together as a people.

“The fact that the March 28th Presidential and National Assembly election fall within this solemn period, which is universally dedicated to fasting, prayers, penance and charity, is of great significance, even as it provides us an ample opportunity to re-commit our democracy and dear nation to the Almighty God”, he said

Ex-Senator accuses Jega of trial-and-error exercise Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏA

former member of the Senate from Ekiti State, Senator Bode Ola, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, of allegedly turning the 2015 general election into trial and error, particularly over doubtful workability of the card reader machines.

Ola, who is a chieftain of PDP in Ekiti, expressed dismay that Jega, who was planning to use the smart card readers to authenticate the Permanent Voter Cards during accreditation, had failed to test the usage of the machine in any election, despite having four years to prepare for the polls.

The ex-senator, also advised exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo to stop desecrating presidency by his comments and actions, adding that his quitting the PDP could only be likened to attention-seeking antics that won’t have any negative effect on the party.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, over the controversies surrounding the suspended poll, Ola, who represented Ekiti Central Senatorial district between 2009 and 2011, said he expected Jega to have tested the workability of the card reader machines to test its reliability and workability.

INEC says it has introduced card readers as mechanism for detecting impersonating voters. Quite a good idea to foster credibility in elections. However, it has not been

physically tested to know if it will fail midway or not, in the heat of the usage, in long duration at the polling booths, because it is battery powered.

“It takes more than the made – for-television display of the working mechanism of the card reader machines as openly demonstrated by the Edo State INEC Commissioner, Mr Mike Igini last Sunday, to prove its efficacy.

“INEC, open display of the working on television does not guarantee that it won’t fail under pressure of servicing hundreds of voters at each polling unit on that day”, he said. He also lambasted those shifting blames on President Goodluck Jonathan, over the postponement of the poll from February 14 to March 28.

Ibadan ÏÏÏAs Christians all over the world commenced the Lenten Season on Wednesday, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan and Apostolic Administrator of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, has charged Nigerians to dedicate this period for spiritual, economic and political rejuvenation of Nigeria.

Archbishop Abegunrin, in a release signed by the Presidents of Catholic Media Practitioners in Ibadan and Osogbo dioceses of the church, Messers Tope Abiola and Wale Idowu, said “the Lenten season is a period of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, when spiritual rehabilitation is expected to take place in our individual lives.”

APC women urged to use PVCs to vote out bad leaders Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏAdamawa State All Progres-

sives Congress (APC), Presidential/Governorship campaign director, Madam Faith Jam Pukuma, has urged female members of the party to strive to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

This, she said, would ensure replacement for bad leadership in the country, and in general.

Madam Pukuma said the call became imperative as some women who were internally displaced (IDPS), are beginning to return to their local government areas in the state while charging them not to be tired in making sure they make all effort to get the PVC.

Onaiyekan urges politicians to shun violence Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Catholic Archbishop of

Jega

Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has charged the nation’s politicians to avoid all acts of violence and promote those ideals that would bring about better living conditions for the people.

Onaiyekan, equally harped on the need for Nigerians to eschew violence and work towards entrenching service to humanity.

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, noted that since by providence, the general election has fallen in between the Lenten and Easter periods, the nation’s politicians should avoid all acts of violence.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Obasanjo’s exit from PDP marks end to impunity - Ondo APC ÏÏÏ The All Progressives Con-

gress (APC), in Ondo State, has said the exit of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marks an end to ‘impunity’, which allegedly became rampant under the current administration.

The party stated this in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, on Wednesday, in Akure, the state capital.

Obasanjo had, on Monday, announced his exit from the ruling PDP, after he had torn his membership card.

Abayomi said that those opposed to the sudden exit of the erstwhile president from the umbrella party were only expressing frustration at his ‘positive change’ movement.

“This action, coming from

a personality like him (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo), is unstatesmanlike. His exit marks an end to impunity, unemployment, infringement on human rights, insecurity, corruption and economic backwardness and sabotage, chaired by the ailing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and to those who are opposed to this positive change. They see it as a mere display of frustration from Obasanjo.”

He opined that Obasanjo quitting the PDP had a grave implication on the embattled ruling party, whose fold it claimed was now in shreds, adding that incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan had already bitten the finger that fed him.

“The implications of the action of Obasanjo is that the PDP has been wrecked and this marks its end in the country. It is no news that Obasanjo was

the pioneering president of the PDP, and after his eight years of rule, he single-handedly installed the late Yar’Adua, and made President Goodluck Jonathan from Deputy Governor to Governor of Bayelsa State, and from Vice-President to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, sequentially.

“President Jonathan soon after ascending power forgot the finger that fed him. He listened to sycophants surrounding and decided to turn deaf ears to the golden advice of the old man, believing he can do it all alone”, he said.

While urging Jonathan to ensure a credible general election, the party advised that it would be in the interest of the PDP government to start preparing a handover note for the next government of the country.

“If I were Jonathan, I would

do everything possible to promote free and fair 2015 general election and foster unity among Nigerians, and in the remaining days to the expiration of his government, he should diligently be preparing a handover note to General Muhammadu Buhari, honourably, to avoid a hostile reaction from the international community”, the statement added.

Obasanjo

Enugu NASS candidate disowns newspaper interview Doris Nnabuenyi Awka

L-R: Nema Assistant Director, Training and Team Leader, Mr Musa Zakari; Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammad Tahir; Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Musdafa and Minister of Youths, Mr Boni Haruna, guring a visit to Lamido on assessment and resettlement of victims of insurgency in Yola recently.

Forum promises Jonathan Jigawa votes Dutse Mohammed

ÏÏÏThe Jigawa State chapter of a

political movement, the President Goodluck Jonathan Youth Vanguard for Continuity, has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of winning 25 percent of the votes from state.

The assurance was given in Dutse, the state capital, on Wednesday, by body’s co-ordinator, Mr. Awwalu Abubakar Ringim.

He said the body was backing Jonathan for continuity’s sake and the growth and development

of the nation’s nascent democracy.

Said he: “Our floating this movement was informed by the laudable achievements of President Jonathan, notably in areas of educational development, entrenchment of social justice in the country, agricultural transformation, provision of road networks, among other laudable feats.

On alleged disbursement of fiveN5 billion to states to sway voters, buy voter cards, all for Jonathan’s sake, during forthcoming general elections, Ringim said all of it was unfounded.

He contended that the support for Jonathan was not for material gains, but chiefly in respect of his position as the country’s first citizen.

Ringim said: “We have every right to support our president’s goals to achieve his presidential ambition for continuity in governance.” The maiden meeting of President Jonathan Vanguard for Continuity, which was held at the conference hall of Jigawa State library, was attended by representatives drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state.

ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Assembly candidate for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Mr. Dennis Amadi, has alleged a plot by his political opponents to scuttle his ambition in the forthcoming general election.

He said that a publication in a national newspaper, not the Daily Times, attributing some statements to him was designed Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

Abia State Government has intensified its effort to transform cocoa farming into a prominent sub-sector in its agricultural advancement programme.

It has, therefore, distributed over one million cocoa seedlings, free of charge, in the past two years, to farmers in the state.

These facts were made known by the Secretary to the Abia State Cocoa Committee, Mr. Sam Odoemenam, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Times.

Odoemenam, who is also an

11 News NIMASA denies ejection of NSDP cadets from Philippines school

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Maritime Ad-

ministration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has denied media reports that beneficiaries of the Nigeria Seafarers’ Development Programme (NSDP) in the Philippines, under its sponsorship, have been ejected from their various schools over school fees.

“Nothing can be further from the truth than this assertion. To put the records straight, the school fees and other allowances of the NSDP beneficiaries, in all the institutions of their studies, are not only budgeted for, but are also paid up to date with all the students in the various institutions undergoing regular trainings uninterrupted. Journalists may therefore wish to contact the University of Perpetual Help Laspinas, the University of Lyceum and the University of Cebu, directly, for the correct position of these cadets should they require further clarification,” Head, Public Relations of NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi, said.

to score a cheap political point.

Amadi said the story, written by one Dickson Okafor, in a national newspaper could not to have referred to him as he never met the said Dickson Okafor nor granted interviewed to him.

“In the said interview, I was quoted as having expressed my gratitude to one CEO of Moonlight Logistics Ltd,. Mr. Hyginus Agbo, for his role in my victory at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primary election for Udi/ Ezeagu federal constitution.

“Much as I would not want to join issues with the said publication, it is imperative to state categorically that I never granted any interview to the said Dickson Okafor.

Abia govt harps on cocoa farming for youths

agriculturist, with the state Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed that the intention of government is for the jobless youths to replace the ageing farmers, thereby making a living for themselves.

He emphasized that the youths, themselves, were interested in going into cocoa farming rather than seeking for nonexistent white collar jobs.

According to him, the state

Africa 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

S’African leaders divided after parliament fracas Protesters of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party confront riot police near parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, recently

ÏÏÏIn the space of

four short hours, South Africans witnessed their stable 20-year old democracy unravel amid scenes of chaos and violence in Parliament.

Since then, many political observers and analysts are lamenting a system broken by the very political leaders elected to preserve it.

“You now live in a brand new country,” wrote journalist Richard Poplak, “one that’s ensconced in a deep and very serious political crisis.”

The occasion was President Jacob Zuma’s annual State of the Nation Address on February 12 -- a long, clunky speech that included such rhetoric as “we have developed a plan which involves both short, medium-term and long-term responses” -- accented

by Zuma’s customarily stilted, oddly cadenced delivery.

Zuma’s speech was never going to be easy.

He has become increasingly unpopular over a long-running corruption scandal in which he is accused of spending about $23 million in government funds to upgrade his personal home.

The speech also was held against the backdrop of almost daily nationwide power cuts, accusations of government corruption and incompetence, and anger over growing poverty and inequality.

It wasn’t the speech itself that grabbed attention, but the runup. It started with widespread outrage over phone-jamming inside Parliament; progressed to a shouting match led by radical

MPs that in turn led to a scuffle with armed security; which then prompted an angry outburst and a mass walkout by the official opposition party.

And then, as commentators tell it, both sides dug in their heels.

Over the weekend, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete took to name-calling -- skewering the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters Party, Julius Malema.

“If we don’t work, we will continue to have cockroaches like Malema roaming all over the place,” she said. Cockroaches, many commentators were quick to note, were what pro-genocide Rwandans called their victims.

On Tuesday, the opposition had its chance to speak in a

parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation address.

And speak it did, in a barrage of pointed invective aimed squarely at the president.

“Honorable president, in these very chambers, just five days ago, you broke Parliament,” intoned Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane, who last week led his party’s walkout from the speech after Mbete called in armed guards to remove EFF members who challenged the president by asking him about the scandal.

“Please understand, Honorable president, when I use the term ‘honorable,’ I do it out of respect for the traditions and conventions of this august house,” said Maimane, while looking squarely at a smiling Zuma.

Togo shuts schools after student protests

the temporary shut-down as the demonstrations were “capable of endangering the security and lives of pupils, their teachers and the population”.

The closure affects all schools in both the state and private sector with immediate effect “until further notice”, it added in a statement.

Services in education and health in the west African nation have been hit recently by walk-outs by labour unions demanding a salary raise for about 50 000 public sector workers.

The central labour movement has called for a fresh 72-hour strike beginning on Wednesday.

Gambia marks 50 years of self-rule

dium.

But preparations have been clouded by growing accusations from political opponents and international rights groups of enforced disappearances, torture and the muzzling of journalists.

The anniversary comes six weeks after the presidential guard put down a bid to seize power blamed mainly on ex-servicemen from the Gambian and US armed forces while Jammeh was in Dubai.

There has since been a wave of arrests, detentions and harassment targeting family members of those suspected of involvement, relatives and right groups have said.

ÏÏÏTogo has, temporarily, shut

all schools in the country, with the exception of universities, after a protest by students, over repeated strikes by teachers, the government said.

Students poured onto the streets of the capital, Lome, calling for the resumption of classes and urging the authorities to meet the demands of educators.

The government, on Tuesday, said it had decided to impose

ÏÏÏThe

Gambia prepared to mark its 50th year of independence on Wednesday, with festivities overshadowed by growing complaints over its rights record and the regime increasingly seen abroad as a pariah.

President Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled the former British colony with an iron fist since seizing power in 1994, was due to launch three months of celebrations with a parade at the national Independence Sta-

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Libya ÏÏÏThe

United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency session on the crisis in Libya, a country that has struggled for political stability while militia groups and an internationally backed government battle for power and territory.

The government in neighboring Egypt directed its attention on the situation this week after Islamic State militants beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shokry Selim told reporters Tuesday in New York that Arab diplomats are working on a resolution that would include measures to halt the flow of weapons to the militias that have persisted since the 2011 ouster of Moammar Gadhafi.

“The legitimate government is in dire need of support whether politically or militarily in the provision of equipment that have been restricted by the Security Council so that it can undertake its responsibility to defend the Libyan people and third nationals on Libyan territory,” Selim said.

Mugabe plans $1m birthday bash

ÏÏÏZimbabwean President Rob-

ert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF Party says it is planning to raise about $1m for the veteran leader’s birthday bash set for later this month.

According to New Zimbabwe. com, the ruling party’s youth secretary for finance, Tongai Kasukuwere said the party had already sourced more than half of the money and “companies and individuals are promising to contribute”.

Zimbabwe has one of the weakest economies in the world, but this has never stopped its nonagenarian leader from hosting lavish birthday parties year after year, the report said.

Mugabe

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

13 World Turkish lawmakers in free-for-all as debate deadlocked ÏÏÏTurkish

parliamentarians threw punches and two were taken to hospital late on Tuesday after a debate over a bill aimed at cracking down on violent demonstrations descended into a brawl, local media reported.

Five people were injured in the evening session debate, Dogan news agency reported. It said Ertugrul Kurkcu of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) suffered a head wound and a photo showed him with a dressing on his head.

Four Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies were hurt, and two of them were taken to hospital, after clashing with members of the ruling AK Party, Dogan added.

Ukrainian troops appeared weary and dirty as they withdrew from key town of Debaltseve

Truce: Ukrainian troops retreat from key city ÏÏÏUkrainian

president has said that his forces are making an “organised” withdrawal from the embattled town of Debaltseve.

Petro Poroshenko said 80% of Ukraine’s troops left on Wednesday morning, with more to follow. Fighting has raged over the transport hub, with pro-Russian rebels seizing control of most areas, despite a ceasefire deal.

Russia’s foreign minister said Ukrainian forces had been encircled and were forced to battle their way out.

“I’m reckoning that common sense will prevail,” said Sergei Lavrov as he urged the rebels to provide troops who surrendered

with food and clothes.

Earlier, US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of violating the accord, agreed in Minsk last week. Mr Lavrov told reporters that the rebel attack in Debaltseve did not violate the ceasefire agreement, because the town was part of the rebel-held area at the time the peace deal was signed.

Eyewitnesses saw dozens of tanks and columns of weary Ukrainian troops retreating from Debaltseve on Wednesday.

Ukrainian servicemen ride on a military vehicle as they leave area around Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine near Artemivsk, 18 February 2015 The Ukrainian troops

appeared weary and dirty as they withdrew An elderly woman sits in the local Palace of Culture which is used as a bomb shelter in Mironovka village, near Debaltseve of Donetsk area, Ukraine, 17 February Some 7,000 civilians are said to have been trapped in the Debaltseve area during the recent fighting “This morning the Ukrainian armed forces together with the National Guard completed an operation for a planned and organised withdrawal from Debaltseve,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement before travelling to the frontline in the east.

“As of now we can say that 80%

of our units have left,” he said.

“We are expecting another two columns (to leave).”

Kiev has admitted that some soldiers were taken prisoner in Debaltseve, but gave no details on how many were seized. Meanwhile, rebel military spokesman Eduard Basurin said hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers there had given themselves up.

The withdrawal comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine’s troops in Debaltseve to surrender.

Mr Putin is due to speak by telephone later to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, France’s Francois Hollande and President Poroshenko.

China, Myanmar relations worsen over border tension ÏÏÏThere is increasing concern

Sein

over fighting in Myanmar’s Shan state, where, on Tuesday, a Red Cross convoy, carrying civilians to safety, came under fire. Myanmar’s President Thein Sein soon after declared a state of emergency in the region, imposing martial law. An estimated 50,000 people are said to have fled violence, many crossing the border into neighbouring China.

The convoy of Red Cross trucks carrying over 100 displaced people away from a conflict zone to safety was attacked despite prominently displaying the Red Cross flag.

Dr. Thar Hla Shwe, the Myanmar Red Cross Society’s president, said it was still unclear who, exactly was responsible for the attack. He said there were no Myanmar military operations in the area at the time. “Two of our volunteers got injured one in the head and one in the abdomen and both of them have been looked after in the township hospital and the condition they say is stable but we really regret having our volunteers coming under fire because we are simply carrying out humanitarian work because they have on the vests, the red cross

vests, I think they should have been protected,” said Dr. Shwe.

The ministry of information of Myanmar, also known as Burma, has blamed insurgents for the shooting, and presidential spokesperson Ye Htut has asked Beijing to reign in any local officials who may be helping the rebels.

The offensive began February 9, when an alliance of armed groups, including the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), attacked multiple Myanmar military positions in an effort to regain land lost in a 2009 conflict.

Peruvian president reshuffles cabinet ÏÏÏPeru’s

President Ollanta Humala reshuffled his cabinet late on Tuesday in a bid to placate an increasingly powerful opposition bloc as palace scandals mount and his popularity dips.

Humala swore in Rosa Maria Ortiz, the head of a government committee that grants environmental permits, as his new energy and mines minister. Ortiz is also the former head of state energy agency Perupetro.

He also replaced his ministers of justice, interior, labor, and women but left in place his sixth prime minister, Ana Jara, whom he appointed in July.

Opposition lawmakers affiliated with former Presidents Alberto Fujimori and Alan Garcia have called for Jara to step down, arguing her leadership is ineffectual and divisive.

While they lack the votes to force her from power, defections from Humala’s congressional bloc have eroded his ability to push through legislation and defend already-passed reforms.

Humala’s government is struggling to contain a slew of scandals, from a former campaign manager detained on corruption allegations in Bolivia to an investigation into first lady Nadine Heredia’s finances recently reopened.

Humala, a former military officer who turned to the right after being elected 2011 on a leftist platform, has denied any involvement in wrongdoing.

He has dismissed criticism of his government as part of the political noise ahead of presidential elections next year.

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Democracy and ticking time bomb

I

Franklin Otorofani

n the face of troubling portents regarding the rescheduled Nigerian general election, I have decided to share my inner thoughts with the public about the political systemunder which this whole political construct is presently unravelling.

It’s a fairly detailed expose, which should task the staying power of the reader albeit guaranteed to provoke some thoughts in him or her. It is in a way an extended appraisal of democracy in practice as opposed to democracy in theory.

And for those who would graciously excuse my indulgences they will come away armed with a fresh perspective as to what democracy truly represents in our world, totally different from what it has been made out to be.

A word of caution here though for those who might have contrarian views which I respect and to which they’re entitled: With that said, I must confess that I have not come out here to save democracy but

to crucify it. And if per chance you happen to have a problem with that, I will be most honoured to show you the exit door before any damage is done to your political sensibility and allegiances.

Setting its lonesome sail in turbulent waters like the brave so-called discoverers of European antiquity, arrogant and haughty democracy, having lost its aging and decrepit compass and thus uncertain of its essential bearings, barrels on unperturbed and undeterred by the waves and tempests threatening to sink it in high seas.

And craving elusive perfection in its own friendly soil, it seeks footholds and perfection in hostile foreign lands. In search of friendly ports to berth and prosper, it finds itself moored on hostile shores and left at the mercy of the tides and the elements from which it must extricate itself or else perish. Such is the fate that has befallen the foredoomed democracy project in foreign lands. To live another day in foreign lands, however, it must be propped up and its gods offered blood sacrifice.

Aggressively and gratuitously pushed by the tyrannical, all-knowing, never-wrong, omniscient western imperialist zealots with proselytising fervor on unwilling and unprepared nations as the cure-all panacea to all their problems, it’s a matter for regret that democracy has not lived up to its over-hyped billing as the cureall elixir for all developmental problems and the almighty formula of social cohesion and national unity.

On the contrary, it has demonstrably proven itself in the course of its ill-fated journey around the globe, as the ultimate dysfunctional social construct of the West urgently in need of reinvention or outright replacement with a superior system suitable for the 21st century and beyond. Otherwise, it will self-destruct and be consigned to the dustbin of history as relic of bygone medieval era.

Yet, believing in its messianic mission, it has refused to quit the stage when the ovation is loudest, like its communist counterpart did two decades ago and now reinventing itself,

thereby becoming a huge albatross and liability on nations whose social environments are culturally at odds with democracy and therefore has no chance of making out alive in those nations.

Yet we are harangued with platitudes about all peoples wanting the same things for themselves and what applies in the West equally applies in the rest of the world. No it doesn’t, necessarily. People don’t necessarily want the same things for themselves otherwise there would be no Al-Qeda, ISIS or Talibans or Boko Haram.

Otherwise there would not be different religions and cultures and everybody will speak the same language, eat the same food, drink the same beverages, wear the same clothes and dress alike, be in the same professions, learn the same things, and act the same. People are different and have different tastes, likeness, tolerances, cultures and personalities. Why should western standards be applicable to all in all places? What makes the western culture superior to others?

Are all our leaders corrupt?

I

Adebola Adebola

n a country where people believe in religion and the country that has large number of Muslim and Christian leaders in the world.

Is Nigeria truly corrupt? Yes. Corruption is about dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery and also can be described as the process by which a word or expression is changed from its original state to one regarded as erroneous or debased.

When you look at the country today, it is unfortunate that most of our so call leaders are not free from corrupting acts as defined.

It is our belief that the ambition of all our politicians is either to enrich themselves, to remain relevant or influential, to dodge under immunity to avoid prosecution or extradition.

But some of them genuinely had interest of the masses before going into politics but immediately they are into the system they get corrupt.

Although corruption cannot

be eradicated but must be dealt with immediately without been condoned by those in power. But it is unfortunate that all our system is built on corruption for the purpose of protecting their interests or to remain relevant in power or politics.

Nigeria is a country where an ex-convict becomes a dictator in politics, where someone with a criminal case in court and without been cleared contests and wins election. It is a country where an ex-governor becomes an empire of wealth, where the legal system is controlled by cabals and security agents are used to witch-hunt political opponents. If we agree that all our leaders are corrupt, can we ever grow and can corruption be eradicated?

A nation can be classified as a company in term of leadership, management and administrative system. If Wal-Mart were to be a country, its revenues would on par with the GDP of the 25th largest economy in the world by, surpassing 157 smaller countries.

For instance, there are 25 major American corporations whose 2010 revenues surpass the

Our billionaires do not add value to our nation. Rather, they only create NGOs for selfish interest, which ordinary citizens will never benefit from

2010 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of entire countries.

Some U.S. firms can best even some countries such as Norway, Thailand, and New Zealand. In Nigeria, we can use Dangote group as an example of a company run by Nigerians. But why is it difficult for Nigerians to successfully manage their country that is blessed with natural resources, human capital and talented individuals.

It is disappointing to see

Nigeria as a country where few wealthy individuals control all the wealth, power and politics.

For example, the collective wealth of Nigerians on the rich list compiled by ‘Ventures Africa’, a business magazine that “champions African capitalism”, stands at $77.7bn (£49bn), more than double that of South Africans and almost as much as the rest of the continent’s billionaires combined.

But if we have so many wealthy people, what is the implication of all this money in economic development, job creation, security, healthcare and support to education? But our own billionaires only focus on buying flash cars and jets for themselves and their children, looting the country’s treasury through oil subsidy meant for the poor citizens, evade taxes and enrich themselves through the oil blocs. Our billionaires do not add value to our nation. Rather, they only create NGOs for selfish interest, which ordinary citizens will never benefit from. The only value they add is to distribute bags of rice, kerosene, garri and other foodstuffs during elections.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

15 Opinion

Buhari v Jonathan: The poverty of leadership

I

Olu Omoyele

t is perhaps no wonder that a country cobbled together and compelled into forced cohabitation by colonialist Britain, continues to struggle against itself half-acentury since apparent political independence. It is after all, a foetal nation, conceived in the imagination of interlopers, raised by soldiers and run for much of the past four decades by a very small cabal of self-serving gangsters. Presidential elections have become war-like, and temperatures habitually rise to such an extent that it is impossible to pretend that the candidates or their sponsors and supporters aspire to office either to serve the public good or at least to do a job as set out in the job description or employment contract.

The 2015 elections are no different and it has been as polarising as ever. Reason has departed many of us; although perhaps that is a permanent condition for a sizeable number of us. There are a multitude of candidates as usual and, unsurprisingly, two are considered front-runners: the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and perennial challenger, Muhammadu Buhari.

As usual, the public debate has

been poor with only a handful of sensible debates going on. Even the typically impressive input from the former central bank governor, Chukwuma Soludo only managed to elicit an uncharacteristically disjointed rant in response from the office of the finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

In the five years that he has been president, Jonathan has shown neither the mental fortitude nor the courage needed to lead this, admittedly complex, country. Now that the time has come to explain what he has done so far and justify why anyone should believe in what he might do in future, he has predictably come unstuck. Jonathan, like Olusegun Obasanjo before him, has developed the arrogance of incumbency which, coupled with the collective self-delusion of the ruling political party has made him vulnerable and weak to political attack. His inability, or unwillingness, to decisively address the issues of electricity, oil and gas, Boko Haram and rampant unemployment, as well as his cavalier attitude towards public perceptions of public-sector corruption means that he has failed to deliver on what he promised. And even in the areas of infrastructural development,

industry, privatisation as well as agriculture (where he has made but only token progress), he has been utterly unable to make a case for himself.

Instead of seeking to assert what he has done, admit the numerous errors he has made and state what he plans to do, he seems to always be responding from a defensive position. Jonathan fails to understand that he appears to lack urgency in the very matters on which the public demand the utmost urgency.

He simply fails to lead decisively and fails to listen to the led.

The offence that really affects the emotional consciousness of the Nigerian populace has been the story of the shocking kidnap of hundreds of schoolchildren, by Boko Haram. Although, there were, and are, many political forces at play with regards to this tragic issue, Jonathan’s hapless non-strategy for dealing with the problem has made him appear consistently helpless to confront it.

On his part, Muhammadu Buhari is incomprehensibly ambitious, desperate for an office for which he is clearly incapable. He has been head of state before so we know exactly what he is capable of.

But, like Obasanjo and Babangida,

he wants to make a triumphant return. The voters have said No three times but, still, he asks again, despite declaring in 2011 that he would never do so.

Like Jonathan, Buhari has done what most politicians do: make empty promises.

Promises without a credible way to pay for them or a workable plan to execute them are nonsensical at best! Buhari appears a thoroughly poor choice for any political leadership position. Should Buhari win in March, it would only confirm that Nigerians agree with him that leadership requires no preparation, no pertinent skill sets, and no rational policy underpinning.

That an un-educated, ostensibly unintelligent, former soldier with no discernible experience of employment or entrepreneurship can, for a fourth time, ask us if he can be president of a ridiculously diverse 180m people, $500bn-plus economy, and receive our assent.

And apparently, his only qualification is a disastrous 20-month stint as a heavy-handed, authoritarian military head of state - a position he acquired by forcefully aborting the democratic government of Shehu Shagari and subjugating the constitution (an act of treason no less).

on the advice of his astrologer. Mr. Rajapaska lost to a broad coalition of opposition parties in a well engaged electoral process, in which more than 80 percent of Sri Lankan voters turned out.

As with its Sri Lankan counterpart, the ruling party may have widen the scope of the disaffected and consolidated the ranks to the angry ones, leading to a margin of victory for the opposition that would be wider than if the polls have held on its original date of February 14th.

While it is difficult to understand the real game plan of the authors of the polls shift, it would be suicidal to believe even for once the reason they adduced for the postponement. The reason that no soldier would be available for election duty because they would all be engaged in a battle to liberate the North-East states is as ludicrous as it is no brainer. As the days roll by, more desperate actions by authors of polls shifted will be apparent. A man who is suppose to know and know quite a lot, former president General Olusegun Obasanjo have resorted to any available forum to draw attention to the schemes of the PDP. Former president Obansajo

is well grounded in the ruling party desperate shenanigans for his observations and views to be taken lightly. In 2007, former president Obasanjo organized the most scandalous election in which the chief beneficiary, the former late president, Mr. Yar, Adu’a considered it, a substantial poisoned chalice that he instituted an electoral reform panel to improve future processes. In 2011, former president Obansajo led the electoral charge that gave Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, his first ever electoral victory. Obasanjo current charges that the government he helped, bring to power are in dangerous and desperate maneuver to hang to power by all means should never be taken lightly. Instead Obasanjo explosive outrage at the deadly manipulation of his party and its government should alert and guide the nation to the critical brink to which 0ur collective destiny and the quest for peace and security is currently hovering. As a bull in the Chinese shop, the ruling party and its government would not mind if everything in the shop come crashing down but like the shop owner, Nigerians must with determination and single minded focus, guide the bull out of the shop.

Bumpy road to March 28

L

Charles Onunaiju

et no Nigerian and even the world come under any illusion that the fear and paranoid that informed the desperate and hasty postponement of the earlier scheduled presidential polls for 14th February would substantially abate before the March 28, re-scheduled date. The assurances from President Jonathan, his national security adviser, Col. Sambo and the military hierarchy, notwithstanding. Let it be clearly understood that it is not so much the date for the election that matters, but keeping the process away from interference, intervention or even complete disruption. A key element in sustaining the sanctity of the electoral process which is even more important and sacrosanct than the hand over date of May 29th 2015, is the non-inference in the institutional integrity and the credibility of the election management body, the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Jonathan in his recent media chat flew a kite that, even though he has no intention to

interfere in the institutional integrity of INEC but can do so by the alleged inherent powers conferred on him. Swiftly, the civil society group told him that he has no such powers. The denial of any plan to foist interim national government by minister of justice, Mr. Adoke Mohammed because it has no place in the constitution should not make any one go to sleep with two eye closed.

Eternal national vigilance and sustaining the momentum of current pressure with a clear and explicit message of dire consequences should any form of interference be applied in the process leading to the election on the 28th of March and 11th of April respectively is key to realising the democratic promise of the two dates. The sixweek interval between the original and the new dates for election does not offer any scope for relaxation.

However, the postponement of which was induced by the paranoid of the ruling party that it was headed to a huge defeat may even be self-fulfilling. Early in January, the government of the Sri Lankan strongman, former president Mahinda Rajapaska called a snap election two years ahead of schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE 16 AGULERI JUNCTION TIMBER DEALERS ASSOCIATION AGULERI

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

UDUDONKA AGULU WORSHIP CENTRE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

Trustees.

1. Mr Romanus Okagbue.

- Chairman.

2. Mr. Christopher Anekwe. Secretary.

3. Mr. Udekwe. Okechi.

4. Elder Davison Chodozie.

5. High Chief. Emmanuel. Eziagulu.

6. Mr Nwabunwanne Edochie.

7. Mr. Udoba Anekwe 8. Mr. Igboanugo Emmanuel Okagbue.

9. Mr Emmanuel Okeke.

10. Mr. Boniface Ozoemene.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Chief (Dr.) Martin Ogwumike-Patron 2.Chief (Dr.) Sunday Okoli-Chairman 3.Chief (Dr.) Nwafor Muobiukwu-Vice Chairman 4.Mr. Otugo Nathan Ikejiaku-Secretary

Aim and objective.

1. To promote the welfare of members.

2. To promote. Peaceful co- existence among members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Barr Basil iwunor.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.To promote positive good tradition and culture of our religious practice in Agulu as a whole.

2.To encourage the education of the members of the assembly especially through the adult education programmes of the government and through the award of scholarship to the brilliant children of our members and nonmembers.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

THE TREE OF LIFE REDEEMED EVANGELICAL MINISTRY. This is to inform to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “c” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Andrew Joseph Omayeka.

2. Gift Adrew Joseph.

3. Solomon Oyakhilome Uduebor. Esq. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To preach the gospel of the lord Jesus Christ.

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

SIGNED: MR. OTUGO N. IKEJIAKU. (Secretary)

Signed: ISOLOMON OYAKHILOME UDUEBOR.( ESQ)

AFRICAN INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS VOICE FOUNDATION

CENTRE FOR PEACE, EMPOWERMENT & GOOD LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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1. Akintunde Gideon. - Chairman.

2. Mr Yinusa Olabintan.

3. Yusuf Mojeed Olasunkanmi.

4. Akintunde Sarah.

5. Apanisile James Oluwatoyin.

Trustees.

1. Dr. Jinmi Adisa.

2. Mr. Joseph Chilengi.

3. Mrs. Margaret. Omolara Adejumo.

4. Mr Oluwatobi Ogunbayo.

5. Mr Kehinde Moyosore.

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2. Mr. Joseph Chilengi.

3. Mr Oluwatobi Ogunbayo.

4. Mrs. Margaret. Omolara Adejumo 5. Mr Kehinde Moyosore.

Aim and objective.

To reaching out to the less privileged.

Aim and objective.

To create good CENTRE FOR PEACE, EMPOWERMENT for the betterment of good LEADERSHIP

CHRIST VICTORIOUS ARMY CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL

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MAMA ELIZA UTAZI DISCOVERY FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Body has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 2004.

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1. Ike Goddy Utazi Esq. - Chairman.

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3. Esther Ugochukwu Goddy-Utazi. -Trustee.

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To render assistance to the indigent members of the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: Barr. Udoku Peter Uche. (Esq)

THE BLESSED TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees.

1. Pastor Festus Oyebadejo Adeyeye.

2. Pastor Mrs. Abimbola Mary Adeyeye.

3. Bro. Wesley Odafe Osumoro.

4. Sis. Adesola Aminat Komolafe.

5. Bro. Olugbenga Stephen Adeyeye.

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Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: SOLOMON OYAKHILOME UDUEBOR. (ESQ).

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The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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1. Pastor Owojori Olukunle. Joseph.

2. Mrs Owojori Victoria Adekunle.

3. Mr Olorundahunsi Sunday.

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1. Yakubu Aliyu.

2. Choma Bagu.

3. Rev. Onwa Franklin Ejiofor.

4. Bosede Eitokpah.

5. Charles. Ayoade Oni

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1. To propagate the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.

2. To preach the gospel to the whole world.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: Popoola o. David - ESQ. Dignus chambers, Suite A14 zampoles plaza Gwagwalada – Abuja

GOD OF SIGNS & WONDERS SOLUTION CENTRE

Aim and objective.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication Signed: SOLOMON OYAKHILOME UDUEBOR.(ESQ)

THE TOUCHPOINT MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part c of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part c of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Prophet Elijah A. Akpasue 2. Apostle Ifeanyi Eze-Akpasue 3. Prophet Chinedu Eze-Akpasue 4. Elder Murphy Ede 5. Princess Mabel Eze-Akpasue 6. Mother Ego Tessy Andrew -

Trustees 1 Pastor Kehinde Akintayo Akinola 2 Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Eyitemi Akintola 3 Engr. Babatunde Ayodeji Oni 4 Mr Folayemi Anifowoshe 5 Pastor Olabanji Micheal Oladipo 6 Rev. Abiodun Simeon Ipinmoye -

Founder/General Overseer General Secretary Member Elder General Mother Women Leader

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To propagate the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ 2. To give hope and bring back the lost sheep to god almighty Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: R.B. Imoru Esq. Bolakale & Company Law Chambers Legal Practitioners 121 Isolo Road Mushin, Lagos.

-

chairman secretary Member Member Member Member

Aims & objective 1. To establish and maintain a place of worship with God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost and fellow believers 2. To obey in our capacity the great commission (Matt 28: 18-20) 3 To Equip faithful men and women for the work of the Ministry by teaching spiritual truths imparting Bible Knowledge and grounding them in the message of God’s unconditional Love and grace.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Pastor Kehinde Akintayo Akinola - Chairman Dr. (Mrs. ) Ibijoke Eyitemi Akintola - Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Politics Sullivan Chime

Governor, Enugu State

Governor Chime is arrogant -Ezeugwu

17

s Willy Ezeugwu is the Secretary General Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Enugu State and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Enugu North senatorial zone election. In this interview with MOSES OYEDIRAN, he speaks about the adoption of Ugwuanyi as the governorship candidate APGA in the state saying he will donate 50 percent of his salary if elected senator for his zone.

Why do you want to become Senator?

My people have been shortchanged by their representatives in the past 16 years of PDP rule in the zone. They have proven that they were not elected but appointed by the powers that be.

That is why they keep denying the zone the basic amenities due to the people. The House of Reps member who is representing our constituency once told me that after all I did not vote for him. This shows those representing us are

there for their selfish interests and come around only during election years to share salt and rice and the moment elections are over they disappear into thin air. My opponent in PDP has been in government for years and has nothing to show for it.

The comparison is there. Look at Enugu North senatorial zone in its entirety, all our representatives at the National Assembly have failed. They can’t point at CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

AKINFENWA

Why Awo’s political dynasty is in disarray Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa is the National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was elected Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in 1999. Akinfenwa who has remained in the AD since its formation, despite defection of other chieftains of the party in this interview with MICHAEL BAMIGBOLA in Osogbo bore his mind on national issues. Excerpts: Not much has been heard about Alliance for Democracy (AD) in recent past. Why? Though we are not on ground and moving but we are acting like a silent burner preparing for a greater future which has now come. You all know what happened to AD in 2003 when our former governors who were elected under the platform of the party defected and went to another political party. But I re-

Awolowo

KADUNA

No vacancy in Government House -Hassan Hyatt

Hon. Felix Hassan Hyatt, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister for State (Aviation), is the Director, Campaign Organisation for the return of Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State. In this interview with VICTOR JIBRIN, Hyatt says Kaduna is and will remain a PDP state. According to him, the gover-

nor has performed and the people wish him to continue, hence, no vacancy in Government House, Kaduna. EXCERPTS: You have been in the field for the 2015 general elections, what is your assessment?

Well, we have been in the field moving from one part of the state to the other. I have even gone round

fused to leave AD because it has a root. I have been in politics for a very long time since the days of papa Awolowo, Ajasin, Adesanya and Bola Ige. They were all strong members of the Awolowo political dynasty.

Action Group (AG) gave birth to Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and UPN gave birth to AD and that root is there and I don’t want that chain to break. That is the reason why I stood my ground to ensure that AD remains. It was a very difficult time.

Don’t forget that six Governors of AD except late Chief Adefarati deserted AD to form another political party which has no root whatsoever with the Awolowo political dynasty. They may be deceiving you, those who formed the political party, many of them were papa Awo’s enemies and opponents. I decided to remain and nurture AD for generations coming to belong to that political the state earlier than now heading the campaign team to assess the situation. From experience, I can say: so far, so good. I do not have any doubt in my mind that we are expecting positive outcome of the elections in Kaduna State. I have the confidence that things will work out as we expect. You must realise that even though there

chain, to that political dynasty. It was a very serious crisis, not that all other political parties have crisis, the PDP have their own crisis even the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) have its crisis but our own was a very strong crisis because those who were governors, leaders of AD then used their influence and their money to fight AD. They deceived the public, they lured our people but they have now seen the light. They deceived the people and told them that AD is dead, AD is not dead. AD is alive. By the grace of God, AD is going to win and we believe in it very strongly.

Most of the Awoists, the likes of Ebenezer Babatope, Bisi Akande and others are either in PDP or APC, do you fill betrayed by their action?

They betrayed that political CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

seems to be a strong opposition now compare to the earlier time, the truth remains that whoever is to be reckoned with politically in the opposition camp, is a product of PDP. We have worked together and so we know the strength and weakness of each and every one of them. We are not afraid of anyCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

‘Too late to sack Jega’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

any projects as their achievements and this is why am asking my people that they now have option of change in me. Let’s have a change. PDP in Enugu State is now in disarray, they conducted three different primaries for the governorship position. That is why people like us who are activists have decided to come in and see how we can help our people.

As the Secretary General of CNPP, I can’t remember attending any stakeholders or town hall meeting organized by any of our NASS members. No one has organized any such in the past years of PDP rule in this zone. The overall assessment of our NASS members is zero; they can’t point at any project they executed in any part in this zone.

What is your relationship with the Senator representing your zone like?

My relationship with Senator Ayogu Eze is cordial but would have been better if he had given the zone qualitative representation by way of bringing development to our area. Presently, he is running for the governorship seat. He is not my opponent in the coming election because if he is, I would have easily coast home to a landslide victory.

What is your chance of winning?

Remember that I have never held any political office before now, but as a grassroot politician, my chances of winning is high and with APGA as my party, judging from the performance of incumbent Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State and former Governor Obi, my people can’t wait to cast their votes for me. I

Chime

have also pledged in the presence of the Bishop Godfrey Onah of Nsukka Catholic Church to give 50 percent of my monthly salary if elected to help the needy in my senatorial zone. My joy is to put happiness in the faces of my people. Often time when I go on campaign I weep seeing the level of poverty and what people suffer to get their daily bread.

My experience in politics and in charity work is what this senatorial zone needs to advance in terms of infrastructural development which the zone presently lacks. I will sponsor bills which will help alleviate the sufferings of the entire citizens of this country and turn around our standards of living.

How will you react to Governor Chime’s pronouncement that PDP is not collaborating with any political party in the state?

Governor Chime is an arrogant person, why did he not object to the adoption of President Jonathan by APGA at the national level? I am a member of APGA’s Board of Trustees and at the same time CNPP Secretary General and I have not heard where such statement of Chime was made. If APGA can adopt Jonathan at the national level, I don’t see why APGA cannot adopt Ugwuanyi as its governorship candidate for Enugu state. APGA did not endorse PDP; it is the candidate that APGA endorsed.

APGA is running in all the other elective posts in Enugu state. We did not endorse PDP, it is Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North senatorial zone whom we believed have gained the support of 80 to 90 percent votes of people of the state that we endorsed. If

“Governor Chime is an arrogant person, why did he not object to the adoption of President Jonathan by APGA at the national level?”

Ezeugwu the governor says APGA did not endorsed PDP he is right, it is their candidate that APGA endorsed just as it was done at the national level.

Are you among those calling for the sack of Prof. Attahiru Jega?

I cannot be on the wrong side of the law. The President will be making a grave mistake by attempting to sack Jega. Jonathan cannot convince Nigerians on why Jega should be sacked. He will not do any such thing unless he wants to throw the country into chaos. You don’t change a goal post when the match is already on; it is too late to think of sacking Jega.

Your advice to the people of

“My opponent in PDP has been in government for years and has nothing to show for it. The comparison is there.”

“The president cannot convince Nigerians on why Jega should be sacked. He will not do any such thing unless he wants to throw the country into chaos”

Enugu north on next election?

I’m happy my people have realised it is no longer party that wins election but an individual.

Assessment is based now by one’s previous achievements. This is why PDP is seriously campaigning in the state. A PDP candidate was asked his party’s achievement in this senatorial zone and he replied “I don’t know”. You can imagine a candidate of a party who couldn’t assess his party based on what was on ground.

Candidates are being judged by whom they are. This is no longer time for party politics; no one from another senatorial zone should come and dictate for you whom to vote for.

Jonathan

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

19 Politics

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

dynasty. You are all aware of this.

Don’t let us shy away from the truth, AG gave birth to UPN and UPN gave birth to AD, AD has not given birth to any political party.

AD still remains AD, those who deserted AD betrayed AD and one significant thing I want you to know today, all these governors who deserted AD are receiving their pensions under the name of AD today, and they said AD is dead, and they are receiving dead money. If AD is dead then they should stop receiving their pension as AD governors that is the truth of the matter.

Before now, AD was well rooted, but the reverse is the case now. Do you think that ladder is still there to assist your members that will contest the coming elections?

The truth is going to overcome falsehood. Many of those that have deserted AD have been calling and visiting me that they want to come back home because they have seen the truth, they have seen the difference between AD as an offshoot of a principled party and many of them are coming back. Deceit will fail and fall at any given time that truth emerges and truth is emerging now.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered UPN, is it the same AD that is back as UPN? This UPN is not Awolowo’s UPN, let it be very clear to everybody. I was one of the founding fathers of UPN, my number was 1178 that of my wife was 1179. We have many of our leaders today who are founding fathers of UPN none of them is in this UPN. This UPN is founded by people who have no connection with Awolowo and, no knowledge of UPN at all.

They don’t know the focus, they don’t know the manifesto. They are completely ignorant of UPN. AD has no fear about UPN. Tell me who among the prominent founding fathers of the original UPN or followers is in today’s UPN. Do you see Reuben Fasoranti, Olaniwun Ajayi, Adebanjo or any of their followers there? The party was founded by people who want to

leadership posture of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the Yoruba Nation?

A true leader doesn’t buy leadership, but emerges. None of our leaders had spent money to buy leadership, they only emerged.

Papa Awolowo emerged, Papa Ajasin emerged, Adesanya emerged, Bola Ige emerged, none of them gathered people and pay them to be leaders. No, leaders emerged, leadership is never bought.

Several years after the demise of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his name still stands out. How pragmatic are you to ensure that you maintain the democratic principles of this late sage?

Many people say today that they are Awo children or they are Awo followers. By their governance, by their administration, they are not executing what Awolowo stood for. Awolowo stood for the good

Akinfenwa

‘New UPN is fake’ use the name in order to make some names. They are opportunists.

Does internal democracy operate in AD like it was in those days?

We don’t impose candidates. We do everything democratically; we bring everybody on board to take decision about the party. That is the internal democracy which we inherited from Papa Awolowo, Bola Ige, Ajasin and many other leaders. We imbibe that from them, and we still maintain it and we shall continue to retain it. I am the national chairman of the party, I will never force my son or wife or uncle or my son-in-law as

a candidate of the party, the party will decide who should be what.

That is what is called internal democracy.

I am the National Chairman, I am not Gadaffi, all Gadaffi children are in his cabinet and his family members are holding one post or the other. We have such Gadaffi in Nigeria too but I am not one because we believe in internal democracy and we shall practice it to the maximum now that AD has formally come back.

Until few years ago, you were very close with the likes of Chiefs Bisi Akande and Bola Tinubu. Why did you part with them sir?

No, they parted ways with me.

I have told you earlier, I belong to AG, let me tell you one thing, I was so persecuted in the days of the woes of AG, they drove me away as a young school teacher, they drove me away from my school under oppression. I took protection in Owo, under Papa Ajasin and it was the coup that saved me otherwise I would probably have been wasted. So, it is they who parted ways with me. I am still standing on the same line that all of us belong. I stand for truth, justice and genuine democracy and that may be reasons why they parted with me.

Are you satisfied with the

“We don’t impose candidates. We do everything democratically; we bring everybody on board to take decision about the party. That is the internal democracy which we inherited from Papa Awolowo...” of the common man. By way of education, health, rural integration and agriculture, none of them is doing what Awolowo did.

There is enormous wealth in this country which they are using but they don’t use it for the common people.

Let me tell you one thing, during Bola Ige’s regime or Ajasin or Jakande, we did free education. I was the Commissioner for Education and we knew what we did for the people of the old Oyo State.

We gave them 100 percent free education. Books were bought, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

APC, all noise, no action in Kaduna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Hyatt

body’s antics, more so when PDP is already on ground. Others are only struggling to be like PDP but they cannot be like PDP. You go to some wards and ask for the officials of APC, they are all new entrants. It is only at the top you have some prominent politician whom I said are products of PDP.

When you go to the grassroots, the prominent politicians are in PDP. APC makes a lot of noise and their noise is accompanied by violence at all the programmes they have so far undertaken. When they go to PDP environment, nobody molests them, yet they will not leave that environment without destruction. When PDP goes

to their own environment they will let the world know that they are opposition with the destruction and threat to life by beating people and inflicting injuries. In a democracy, if you don’t like the government in power, you wait for the day of election to vote it out.

You don’t just unleash havoc on people to demonstrate your hatred

for a particular party.

I feel it is very unfortunate that APC does not even know what it means to be an opposition party.

An opposition party plans its own programme and manifesto as an alternative government and sell it out for people to buy but APC had perfected the means of causCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Politics 20 ‘Governors, leaders used their influence to stifle AD’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

chairs and lockers, each metal locker and chairs marked OYSG for every student. We didn’t build sentimentally prestigious schools which are not necessary.

Then our budget was N400 Million per year, yet we did what we did. A Local Government even took more than that now and there is nothing to show for it. There was what we called gainful employment when we were in government. If you are a product of Teachers Training College, all that will happen is that you will go to your local government, see your name and where you are posted to, if you are a graduate you will go for interview with the central schools board then you will just go and see your name on the notice board where you are located to.

But today it is not so and they said they are doing gainful employment; the most ridiculous is what they call OYES, what is OYES? There is no letter of appointment, no condition of service, they just waste the lives of these children for two years and throw them away. We gave our children gainful employment which Awolowo told us to do and that is exactly what we will do when we win election in any of the states in this country.

I am very sorry about what is happening in this country today

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

ing havoc. That tends to make people believe that anything about the presidential candidate of APC is negative. During the military, when he was head of state, you and I know that many civilians were locked up, properties were confiscated, shops were forced open and looted by soldiers and nobody could do nothing because the decrees outlawed the courts. Never in the history of Nigeria did we have such a situation by any head of state. He didn’t stop there, in 2011, Buhari defeated Jonathan in Kaduna State in the presidential election and even with that victory, we expected celebration from them but the supporters went round setting houses of

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

APC preaching hate politics – PDP Rep candidate Freddie Adamgbe, Makurdi Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the House of Representatives for Guma/Makurdi constituency in Benue State, John Tondo has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of preaching violence ahead of the coming elections.

“Throughout my two weeks rallies which I ended in Makurdi, we

recorded no violence. In fact it was very peaceful. But the APC has been preaching violence all through. I think they should look inward and address their problems’’, the former Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the state said.

Amidst the trading of accusations over attack on their members and structures in the state, Tondo urged the APC to look inwards and fish out the culprits responsible for the purported

attack on themselves rather than pointing fingers at the PDP which he said has embarked on preaching peace throughout its campaign rallies across the state.

According to him, APC has internal wrangling bordering on the imposition of candidates which are capable of generating deep crisis by aggrieved members and are yet to be resolved therefore they should not shift any blame on the PDP which has

no issues and is fully prepared for the March 28th and April 11, 2015 general elections.

However, the APC governorship candidate, Dr Samuel Ortom, has urged his supporters to remain resolute and undeterred by the actions of those he said did not mean well for his vision to govern the state, saying no man can thwart God’s plan for him to become the governor of Benue State come May 29, 2015.

Akinfenwa

HYATT: No vacancy in Hassan Katsina House PDP people ablaze, killing and maiming people. Is that how to reward people for voting for you?

Then he was in CPC, now he is in the APC and the same scenario is being played itself out. If one may ask, is that the kind of leadership we want in Nigeria? Is that what we are bargaining for? Is that all what democracy is all about? I think Nigerians should be wiser than they are now. There is no reason why Nigerians should be intimidated or fears created in the minds of people, such that people are beginning to relocate because of the ugly situation since 2011.

What is the way out?

Nigerians should never accept to be intimidated. Everybody in

this country has a right and that right must be respected. If I sell my property to you, I am not forcing you to buy it. Even if it is a bad product, if I market it well, you will buy it. If I have a good product and I don’t know how to market it, you will shun it. APC have started destroying people’s property now, wounding and killing people, is that the change that Nigerians are looking for? The most important thing that Nigerians are interested in today, particularly the people of Kaduna State, is peace because the ugly situation of 2011 weighed heavily in the state than any part of this country. Nobody wants to see a repeat of that.

PDP in Kaduna State is in gov-

ernment but it has not taken the advantage of its being in government to molest anybody, to molest the opposition, no. But the opposition is causing all the crisis. So, I am confident to say that there is no vacancy for APC in Government House, Kaduna in the 2015 governorship election.

Your governorship candidate and that of APC are from the same senatorial zone - Zaria. Their struggle is who will capture the Southern Kaduna which has always been the deciding factor for who comes tops in Kaduna State.

Before now, we were told that APC is highly rooted down there but its like its different from what you are saying?

There has been no party that is rooted in Southern Kaduna apart from the PDP. APC is only making effort for recognition and acceptance. And you cannot get this thing overnight, more so with the candidate that they have - a candidate that is unknown to the people, a candidate that does not know the people. The APC candidate confessed that he has never been to Southern Kaduna. So, how will somebody who claimed to be from Kaduna State, schooled in the state and rose to become a minister on account of the state tell you that he does not know a part of the state like Southern Kaduna and he wants the people to give him their votes.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Features

21

s

Political thugs go wild in Lagos: 10 injured; 20 vehicles vandalised One of the damaged APC vehicle

The wave of political rivalry in the overheated polity has assumed a new dimension. TAIWO JIMOH witnessed another clash at Ipaja-Ayobo area of Lagos and reports.

ÏÏÏThugs

marauding under one political party or the other have taken advantage of the just postponed presidential election to unleash mayhem on political opponents and inno-

cent citizens.

While residents of Ajegunle are still smarting from the attack, killings and broad daylight robbery last week by thugs of political opposing

parties, a report has reached Daily Times offices confirming that the peace of the people of Ipaja Ayobo area of Lagos State on Friday was shattered CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Making a living from the dumpsite:

The Olusosun story Besides providing a source of living for scavengers, the Ojota landfill site poses health risks to the residents, more so to those who make a living from it. LARA ADEJORO reports.

ÏÏÏThe

stench would upset anyone driving from ‘Seven-Up’ through to ‘Motor Ways’ bus stop, and on to the sprawling landmass from the entrance into Lagos along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Ojota bus stop and nearby Oregun.

This dumpsite for all manner of wastes, including solid, liquid and even industrial chemicals, calls to question the health programmes of the Lagos State Government.

The offensive odour hangs stubbornly in the air and pervades the surrounding residential and industrial areas of Ojota.

A peep through the main entrance gate reveals a signpost that ‘welcomes’ anyone to the Olusosun landfill.

The waste on the mountainous dump site include garbage, trash, rags, bottles, animal carcasses, rust irons, chemicals, heavy metals, lead, batteries and medical wastes. One can also see human wastes being swarmed by flies, rodents and roaches, etc. yet, nearby there are thousands of residential buildings and industrial firms which also generate enormous wastes that end up at the dumpsite.

Olusosun is one among the several designated as landfill after years of indiscriminate waste dumping in many areas Lagos

A section of the dumpsite INSET: Eric

State.

The vast heaps of garbage provides a means of living for some 3,000 people, including the young and the old, male and female, as well as graduates of tertiary institutions nationalities who due

to lack of employment opportunities are forced to eke out means of sustenance from such a hazardous existence.

A World Bank report in 2012 indicates that each of three billion people worldwide generates

1.2kg of wastes per day, or 1.3 billion metric tons a year. A total of 10,000 tons of wastes are dumped daily at the Olusosun landfill. This includes a considerable amount of electronic wastes (e-wastes) from the 500 container

ships that arrive every month at the Lagos ports.

According to Basel Action Network (BAN), the e-waste is equal to 400,000 computer monitors or CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Features 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

‘Some scavengers are richer than employed graduates’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

175,000 large TV sets.

Living from dumpsite Daily Times gathered that the amount of money raked in monthly through the sale of scraps by some of the scavengers is far higher than that earned by some employed graduates. However, this does not preclude the fact that it is not a life anyone would wish for.

Investigations reveal that these scavengers have formed an association known as ‘Scavengers Association of Nigeria’ (SAN) and each pays N70 (seventy naira) everyday for permit to work at the site.

The association’s officers act as intermediaries between the members and officials in charge of the landfill and also mediate in matters affecting the members.

For many of them, the dumpsite is not only a means of livelihood, it is also a home. Most live in makeshift shacks made of plywood, corrugated metal and cardboard boxes, and boasts of fairly modest furnishings picked up from the landfill.

These rickety shacks have no electricity or running water, so

“The scavengers have formed an association known as ‘Scavengers Association of Nigeria’ (SAN) and each pays N70 everyday for permit to work at the site” Scavengers searching for valuables

the occupants purchase water from vendors.

Our investigations revealed that a scavenger who lives at the dumpsite purchases at least a dozen (12) of such water sachets everyday.

Interestingly, most are abreast of the political and social events around them. They are known to organise weekend parties to socialize and also, engage in sporting activities in the evenings and weekends. They also organise annual carnivals.

One of them, Akindele Olamuyiwa told Daily Times,“We live the way other people live”.

Once the garbage trucks come in through the gate to the dump site, the scavengers mill around them to pick up anything that could be resold in the open market.

Like most of the scavengers, Abdulrasak Abubakar who hails from Sokoto, lives at the dumpsite.

Speaking in pidgin English, Abubakar who has been living

there for 25 years said, “I follow them from Gbagada. I usually sell when money no plenty for my hand. I go just go to the site, pick aluminum; copper, brass, used computers and sometimes I sell too. Most of my customers come from Ghana”.

When asked about how much he makes per day, he smiled and said, “You know say everyday no be Christmas. Sometimes, I make N5,000, N10,000 or more. It depends on the day, business here na luck.”

With the money he makes, Abubakar caters for his immediate and extended family members in Sokoto.

Non-recognition by government In an interview with Daily Times, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Ola Oresanya, said the scavengers are not recognised officially, CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

‘We are tired of these political harassments’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Wounded Babatunde

as political thugs attacked All Progressive Congress members pasting posters of their governorship candidate in the community.

No fewer than 10 persons escaped with various degrees of injuries while 20 vehicles were vandalized. Daily Times correspondent reported that even those who returning from rally were not spared of the attack.

An eye witness in the area told our correspondent the victim was pasting posters of his party governorship candidate in the community when thugs numbering about five came

out and pounced on him.

One of the victims who was identified as Disu Babatunde, alias Paparazzi, spoke with our correspondent on his hospital bed. “My colleagues and I were pasting posters at about 6 p.m. on Friday at Olude Compound, along Ipaja Ayobo road, when the thugs came out and asked me to stop. I asked why, and they said where we were pasting our posters fell in the base of their party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. “An argument then ensued between us, before I knew what was happening they had pounced on us and beat us mercilessly; they also stabbed

me on my shoulder and hands, but I was able to escape with some of our party members from the scene.”

Babatunde said some sympathizers who saw him writing in pains took him to the home of one of their party leaders who took him to the hospital where he was admitted.

“When they were beating me, one of them told me that they have been monitoring our activities in the community, and now they must deal with us, and they did.”

Though the matter has been reported at Ipaja Police Station, Babatunde also wants the Lagos State Commissioner

of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti to come to their rescue in Ipaja Ayobo, and Alimosho as a whole. “We are tired of this political harassments,” he lamented.

Another victim who sustained deep cuts and a broken rib, Alhaja Risikat Makanjuola told our correspondent that it was God who spared his life, otherwise by now, he would have been killed by the thugs.

“My party supporters and I went to Ikotun area to campaign for our party candidates; when we got to a place called Boys Town in the community on our way back to Ipaja-Ayobo, some CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

23 Features

‘I made a decision to work at the dumpsite’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

but the agency will work out an alternative place for them when the site is eventually turned to a golf course.

Speaking on the contribution of the site to national economy, he said it is more of the environment than the economy because the activities are meant to protect the people’s health.

Babatunde in hospital bed

One of the damaged vehicles

We cannot sleep with our eyes closed again CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

boys blocked our convoy with their motorcycles and started threatening us with dangerous weapons and charms.

“We tried to make a u-turn, but because we were going on a convoy, the traffic was much, but as God would help us, we saw a police van coming towards us, but the presence of the policemen did not scare those thugs.

“Before we knew what was happening they had started shooting sporadically towards

our vehicle, destroying our campaign bus and some other private cars that were on the campaign convoy.”

She said further that about ten of her supporter’s sustained injuries and their vehicles vandalized, “We cannot sleep with our eyes closed again due to the threat from these thugs.

When the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu was contacted for confirmation, his phone rang without response.

The Eric Obuh experience This Nigerian in his early 30s, who filmed a documentary tagged This is Lagos for BBC, shared his experience with Daily Times.

Better known as ‘Vocal Slender’, Eric worked at the Ojota dumpsite some years ago to raise money to pursue his musical career. “You make a decision as a man and you must accept that choice. I made the decision to work at the dump site and I never regretted it.”

A role model to many youths in Ajegunle, Lagos State, Eric said he was going from the suburb to the site until he built a shack there.

“Though they called us scavengers then, yet we worked 24 hours more than anyone to fill a gap in the society.

“For instance, when people buy newspapers, they read and throw them away, but we find those papers useful because companies come to buy and use them for production of bathroom slippers or other things. Also, when we find aluminum, they are melted to make pots and cans for drinks.

“People from all over West Africa come there to buy from scavengers. Every day, more than 50 tons of scraps are taken away from the dumpsite, yet those doing the job are never appreciated.

“Nigerians celebrate mediocrity more than excellence and hard work; they like people who are flashy.”

Talents at the dumpsite Eric recalled: “When I was there, people saw us as scaven-

Another set of scavengers at Olusosun

gers, but there were a bunch of talented people. We had university students and graduates who came there after years of endless search for job.

“There, we had footballers who played for local clubs, boxers and all manner of sports personalities. But you know, in Nigeria, there is a lot of emphasis placed on money than talent.”

According to him, he became a scavenger at the age of 17 years. “I dropped out of school in JSS 3 due to lack of money. My dad couldn’t even pay the house rent.”

On life at the site, Eric lamented there was no health related programmes for the scavengers.

“There was no sensitisation on the health implications. Some of the scavengers died sometimes of sicknesses, especially tuberculosis.”

There is widespread hepatitis B – Nasir.

A consultant and expert in occupational medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr. Ariyibi Nasir, told Daily Times that waste scavengers are exposed to a lot of work hazards.

“Waste scavengers engage in this work without any form of protective gears. Many scavenge

work with bare hands. There is no source of potable water and they buy untreated sachet water for drinking.

“I did a recent research about them; I wanted to find out what they know about blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B. Because it was discovered that aside from the general waste that end up at the dumpsite, there are also medical wastes. Though, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has a well set-up unit meant to go after medical facilities and collect their medical wastes for disposal somewhere else.

“But we realised that most medical facilities are not using this service. The scavengers, while going about their work are exposed to different hazards.

Some of them get injured by disposed needles and drugs bottles.

They work there under the sun inhaling smoke, dust as well as vehicle fumes. Some of the paper wastes are laden with chemical residues and materials with heavy metals such as lead.

“The study revealed that 17% of those who work on the dumpsite have hepatitis B and they are not aware. The results have CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

“An argument then ensued between us, before I knew what was happening they had pounced on us and beat us mercilessly; they also stabbed me on my shoulder and hands, but I was able to escape with some of our party members from the scene”

Features 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Scavengers at work

Trucks waiting to discharge at the dumpsite

Waste scavenging is a form of employment “There is no sensitisation on the health implications. Some of the scavengers die, sometimes of sicknesses, especially tuberculosis”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

been taken to LAWMA and they are making efforts to get them enlightened on the protective measures they need to take.”

Nasir further said the study involved 350 individuals.

“17 per cent of the waste scavengers tested positive to hepatitis B. A similar study by a group across Lagos in the general population was quite lower than what was found among the scavengers.

What we are saying is that they have been exposed through medical wastes that end up on that site.

“From the investigation, most of them actually confirmed they had needle stick injuries. They usually encounter cotton wool with blood, bandages; even human parts. The good thing is that LAWMA as much as possible is working on that.

“Aside hepatitis B, they are also exposed to tetanus. There are jagged metal that can injure them.

Some could come down with parasitic infections as they eat at the site without observing personal hygiene.

Ariyibi

“They are also exposed to lead poisoning because, there could be materials with lead as the constituent like paints, cans, electrical wastes with mercury. Imagine someone with no protective device working under the sun with the skin exposed, which could lead to various types of skin disease.

There is also psychological stress. Some, who act as middle-

men for the scavenged materials go there to work and by the time they are out, look haggard. They are also afraid of the social stigmatisation associated with such menial job.

“They were sensitised on the need to use personal protective devices like apron, hand gloves and boots. This is their job; it should enhance them economically not to create health problems for

“Aside hepatitis B, they are also exposed to tetanus. There are jagged metal that can injure them. Some could come down with parasitic infections as they eat at the site without observing personal hygiene”

them. If that’s the source of your livelihood, then you should do it in such a way that you’re not damaging your health.”

Medical facilities and individuals need to dispose their wastes properly. They should utilise the services provided by LAWMA”.

Is it the practice in other countries?

“In South America countries, a waste scavenger must put on adequate protective gears like apron, hand gloves and boots.

Some are vaccinated to ward off contagious diseases. Of course, we talked of the costs and this is where NGOs should come in to subsidise them.

“In the study, those who were positive were referred to General Hospitals. Others were asked to buy and put on protective gears and receive vaccination. This is where donor organisations can come in to assist by subsidsing cost for immunization.

Waste scavenging is a form of employment. The site provides employment for a lot of youths so they need to be protected.

“Those who test positive should be given treatment and those that are negative should be vaccinated. Most importantly, the medical waste should not be on that site.

What danger does the site pose to residents?

“Though in the operation of a sanitary landfill, a provision is usually made to collect and channel the waste water (leachate) generated as a result of waste decomposition in such a way it does not contaminate the underground water.

“The air pollution around the dumpsite is another problem, but this has been taken of at the dumpsite. Now there is a gas pipe borehole inside the landfilled areas designed to collect the gas that is generated due to waste decomposition. The pipes are channeled to storage tanks at the dumpsite.”

So much of the corrective measures seem to end up in the pipeline with little done to protect the general public and the scavengers. Here is hoping that the government will take measures to avoid an outbreak of epidemic, even as another rainy season draws near.

“When I was there, people saw us as scavengers, but there were a bunch of talented people. We had university students and graduates who came there after years of endless search for job”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Chronicle Today in History

25

s Cartoon from our Archives

Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1851 Angry San Francisco vigilantes take the law into their own hands On this day in 1851, an angry mob in San Francisco’s business district “tried” two Australian suspects in the robbery and assault of C. J. Jansen. When the makeshift jury deadlocked, the suspects were returned to law enforcement officials. Jansen was working at his store at the corner of Montgomery and Washington when two men beat him unconscious and stole $2,000. Another merchant, William Coleman, then decided to play prosecutor and assembled judges and jury members from a crowd that had assembled at Portsmouth Square. Fortunately for the Australian suspects, the men who defended them got three jury members to agree that Jansen hadn’t been able to see the men who had robbed him clearly. Although some members of the mob wanted to hang the alleged thieves in spite of the verdict, the crowd dispersed.

Later, however, local authorities convicted the men at a real trial in court.

Vigilantes were fairly common during the Gold Rush boom in San Francisco. One committee spent most of its time rooting out Australian ne’er-do-wells.

They hanged four and tossed

1934

1934 Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade On this day in 1934, the legendary comic actor and entertainer Bob Hope married Dolores Reade in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Their marriage would last until Hope’s death 69 years later, making it by far one of Hollywood’s most enduring unions.

Born Leslie Townes Hope in 1903 near London, Hope immigrated with his family to the United States when he was four years old. He held down a variety of odd jobs and had a stint on the amateur boxing circuit before embarking on a career in vaudeville. He began using the

another 30 out of town. In 1856, a 6,000-member vigilante group was assembled after a couple of high-profile shooting incidents.

This lynch mob hanged the suspects and then directed their attention to politics Such vigilante movements were generally popular all over the West in the middle and late 19th century. The San Francisco vigilantes were so well regarded that they took over the Democratic Party in the late 1850s and some became respected politicians.

1942 Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066 Ten weeks after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal of any or all people from military areas “as deemed necessary or desirable.” The military in turn defined the entire West Coast, home to the majority of Americans of Japanese ancestry or citizenship, as a military area.

By June, more than 110,000 Japanese Americans were relocated to remote internment camps built by the U.S. military in scattered locations around the country. For the next two and a half years, many of these Japanese Americans endured extremely difficult living conditions and

Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade stage name “Bob” in 1928 and by the 1930s was one of the leading talents on the vaudeville scene.

It was later revealed by Hope’s biographer that Hope was briefly married during this time, to his vaudeville partner Grace Troxell. In 1933, Hope landed his first substantial role in a Broadway production, Jerome Kern’s musical Roberta. During its run, Hope met Dolores Reade when she was performing at the Vogue Club. Born Dolores DeFina in 1909 in New York, Reade had taken her stage name (after the Broadway actress Florence Reede) at the advice of an agent.

Daily Times February 19, 1961 poor treatment by their military guards.

On December 17, 1944, U.S. Major General Henry C. Pratt issued Public Proclamation No. 21, declaring that, effective January 2, 1945, Japanese-American “evacuees” from the West Coast could return to their homes.

During the course of World War II, 10 Americans were convicted of spying for Japan, but not one of them was of Japanese ances-

1974

1974 Solzhenitsyn reunited with family Alexander Solzhenitsyn awaited reunion with his family after exile from Russia. Publication of The Gulag Archipelago, a detailed history of the Soviet prison system, prompted Russia to exile the 55 year-old author.

One of Russia’s most visible and vocal dissidents, Solzhenitsyn once served an 11-year prison term. Solzhenitsyn had previously been prevented by the Soviets from receiving a Nobel Prize for literature, but finally in 1978, he received the award in Switzerland

try. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to recompense each surviving internee with a tax-free check for $20,000 and an apology from the U.S. government 1984 Yarborough wins fourth Daytona 500 Driver Cale Yarborough won his fourth Daytona 500 on this day in 1984. In the history of the 200-lap, 500-mile race, which was first run at Florida’s Daytona

International Speedway in 1959 and is considered one of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)’s premiere events, only one driver topped Yarborough’s record— Richard Petty, who took home seven victories (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981).

Yarborough was born on March 27, 1940, in Timmonsville, South Carolina, and began racing cars as a teenager.

Solzhenitsyn reunited with family 1981 United States calls situation in El Salvador a communist plot The U.S. government released a report detailing how the “insurgency in El Salvador has been progressively transformed into a textbook case of indirect armed aggression by communist powers.” The report was another step indicating that the new administration of Ronald Reagan was prepared to take strong measures against what it perceived to be the communist threat to Central America.

When the Reagan administration took office in 1981, it faced two particularly serious problems in Central America.

In Nicaragua, the Reagan ad-

ministration was worried about the Sandinista regime, a leftist government that took power in 1979 after the fall of long-time dictator Anastacio Somoza. In El Salvador, the administration was concerned about a growing civil war between government forces and leftist rebels. Brutal violence on the part of the Salvadoran military--offenses that included the 1980 rape and murder of four U.S. missionaries-had caused the Jimmy Carter administration to cut off aid to the country.

In both nations, Reagan officials were convinced that the Soviet Union was the catalyst for the troubles.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Health

s

Coalition seeks quick passage of Tobacco Control Bill Lara Adejoro

o.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng

As the National Assembly (NASS) resumed Tuesday, the coalition of advocacy groups promoting the enactment of effective tobacco control legislation has called for the passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill into law before the administrative year ends in May 2015.

Made up of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) and the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), the coalition made the call at a Tobacco Control Community/Media Forum recently held at the ERA/ FoEN office, Lagos.

However, the coalition said the events around the election are slowing down the progress of the passage of the bill into law.

The Sub-regional Coordinator of the CTFK, Hilda Ochefu, conceded that though the committee of health and both chambers are working very hard to harmonise the opinions presented by the stakeholders at the public hearing on the bill and to ensure the final report to be presented at the plenary is being developed, “there has been slow progress in moving the bill forward because of all the events around the elec-

The Yayale Ahmed Committee was set up to identify the causes of the acrimony among public health workers and recommend measures that will assist the government in ensuring a harmonious work relationship among the various categories of Public Health workers in the best interest of the citizens --- President, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Dr. Steven Oluwole

Director, Corporate Accountability, Environmental Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi; Naomi Amaechi of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK); the sub-regional coordinator of the CTFK, Hilda Ochefun and the Alliance Manager of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Mr Gbenga Adejuwon

tion and we are not making much progress as expected.

“But having said that, we are being assured by the committee and the legislators we are working with that they are working very hard to ensure that they get the bill passed.”

Manager of the NTCA, Mr Gbenga Adejuwon, urged the legislators to act as concerned.

“This bill is very important to us and to Nigeria. We believe that all stakeholders are going to play a prompt role this time. We want the legislators to put all hands on deck to promptly pass this bill so

that the president can assent to it before the administrative year comes to an end.

“We hope the passage of the bill into law will be a landmark achievement for the 7th National Assembly.”

Speaking on the elections and the implications for the tobacco control process, spokesperson for ERA/FoEN, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, said, “There is election fever in the air because it’s part of what can strengthen our democracy. Election is about good governance and a very key element of good governance is actu-

ally the protection of the health of the citizenry and it’s also in our constitution that the Nigerian government shall provide healthy state of environment for its citizenry.

“So, in as much as that is constitutionally guaranteed, we strongly think that even at this period of election, our parliamentarians should not abandon what is first and foremost their constitutional responsibility which is ensuring that Nigerians are in a healthy environment,” he said.

Continued on page 27

Era of incessant strikes over, says minister The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, has said the era of reoccurring strikes by unions in the sector was over, adding that the ministry and the concerned stakeholders had agreed on the way forward on the issue.

Speaking on the suspension of the industrial strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), the minister said he was working to ensure that all health personnel work in harmony for the betterment of the sector and good of the Nigerian public.

He said: “We have had several meetings with all the stakeholders in the industry and we have

Quote

agreed to work as a team to improve the health sector. We held meetings with Chief Medical Directors of hospitals, who have had challenges dealing with the personnel under them and we asked them to be liberal in their decisions and treat all personnel without favouritism.

“We have also spoken at length with the various unions and associations in the health sector to work as a team.”

He said further: “We have all realised that nothing can be achieved if we continue in this manner. We have asked doctors, the NMA not to react negatively to the promise by President Good-

Alhassan, The Supervising Minister of Health

luck Jonathan to look into the demands of JOHESU. “Our health system is suffering due to this tactics by unions, we are losing patients in their dozens across the country, and as a system, we cannot afford that.

The goal now is to have an effective system that is centred on the care of the patients.

“All the grievances of all parties are being looked into by the President, and a lot of progress had been made to resolve them.”

He added that an agreement had already being reached by all parties to put aside their grievances and work together to improve the health sector.

Oluwole, MDCAN president

97% of Nigerians at risk of malaria Curator of the #BeatMalaria Campaign, Dr Lazarus Ude Eze, has said that many areas across the country are hotspots for malaria, adding that studies have shown that about 97 per cent of Nigerians are at risk of having malaria.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Times, Dr Eze said, the other 3 per cent with minimal risk are residents of high altitude areas of the country.

According to him, “children under-five years of age and pregnant women are usually the major victims of malaria. One out of 4 deaths among under-five children in Nigeria is caused by malaria. On the other hand, it accounts for 11 per cent of pregnancy-related deaths among women of child-bearing age.”

The public health expert however urged Nigerians to keep their surroundings clean, use insecticides (but not where you have babies) and sleep inside treated mosquito nets in order to eliminate malaria.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

27 Health

Briefs Red meat affects sperm activity - expert Dr. Moses Alao, a consultant Obstetrician and Gyneacologist, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, has said that locally raised chicken, red meat and refined sugar could prevent conception, NAN reports.

Alao said, conventionally raised chicken is full of antibiotics and hormones, which can have a detrimental effect on hormone balance and health.

“Too much red meat increases the amount of ammonia in the body, which can interfere with implantation of the egg in the uterus. Red meat can also be detrimental for men as it increases acidity and affects sperm activity. The sperm performs better in alkaline conditions.

“Too much refined sugar could lead to insulin resistance, which could lead to a condition that affects ovulation and is one of the leading causes of female infertility,” he said.

Alao said that apart from taking normal vitamin supplements, there were also foods that could boost fertility in women and men e.g banana.

Bird flu hits Bauchi State The avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has hit three local government areas of Bauchi State.

Director, Veterinary Services, in the state Ministry of Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement, Dr Bala Lucshi said, the outbreak affected five farms in Bauchi, Katagum and Toro local government areas of the state.

Lucshi said, the birds culled by officials from the ministry included chickens, turkeys and pigeons.

He, however, advised people of the state to ensure that they properly cook their poultry products before eating them.

A cross section of the youths at the World Cancer Day Youth Jamboree ....recently.

Group advises youths on lifestyles, early cancer detection In commemoration of the 2015 World Cancer Day, the Breast Without Spot (BWS), a non-governmental organization has urged the youths to choose healthy lifestyle such as avoidance of tobacco smoke, physical activity, reduction of alcohol and early detection strategies against cancer.

According to the National Project Manager of the NGO, Funmilola James, “the hope is that this World Cancer Day Youth

Jamboree 2015 put together by BWS will not only raise a generation of cancer control advocates among Nigerian youths, but will also be an opportunity for us as the youths of Nigeria to imbibe positive lifestyles that will indeed reduce our risk of cancer.”

Speaking with Daily Times, President and founder of the NGO, Professor Ifeoma Okoye, said, “What cancer control really requires is the infusion of fund worldwide to reduce the number

of cancer deaths. People should call the attention of our leaders into the issue and also create cancer centres so that people would stop going abroad for medical attention.”

BWS however showed a documentary film titled ‘A Day Without Cancer’ to about 1,000 students from College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Federal College of Education (FCE), Akoka, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka and Yaba

College of Technology (YABATECH).

The major highlight of the 2015 Jamboree by BWS include the 15-seconds ‘selfie’ videos that the students in attendance will post on instagram while tagging ‘breastwithoutspot’, where each student in attendance is filmed making a personal resolution to stop or adopt a particular healthier lifestyle that has been shown to cut the risk of cancer.

Coalition seeks action on Tobacco Bill Continued from page 26 Akinbode, the Director, Corporate Accountability, ERA/FoEN, said, in Nigeria today, there is an upsurge of cancer and medical tourism has become a very booming business in Nigeria, “people no longer trust our health system, so they are flying to Ghana or India. Every day, you see people calling for help to travel abroad for treatment but there are some of these ailments that simple government policy can help to prevent and if we have the National Tobacco Control Bill passed into law, millions of Nigerians who ordinarily would have died as a result of their smoking habit, would have been able to quit the habit, live healthy lives and be productive citizens.”

According to him, elections in Nigeria are issues-based and the issue of health should have been a very key factor in this election.

“I’ve hardly seen anybody coming out with concrete statements on their focus on health; all I’ve heard is that they are going to build hospitals, I think we need to rigorously question politicians about the promises they are making and how to deliver those promises.”

He however urged the NASS to do the right thing as they resume by using “the window of the postponement of election to pass this bill on time. Even for those who are not coming back, they can work very fast to ensure the passage of the bill so they can flag it as the legacy they have been able to leave.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing nearly six million people each year. More than five million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

It said, unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.

Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, according to the WHO.

Meanwhile, the provisions of the NTCB are to regulate the manufacturing, advertising distribution and consumption of tobacco products in Nigeria Other provisions include the comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship; accurate and visible warnings about health dangers of tobacco on cigarette labels, carrying out programmes that provide economically viable alternatives for tobacco farmers, which may be integrated into existing programmes, effective use of taxes on tobacco and integration of the ill-effects of tobacco into the curricula of health promotion in primary and secondary schools to promote greater awareness of such information.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Business Times

s FG clears 9,667 for housing scheme Michael Olatunji

L – R: Chief Executive Officer, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Nigerian High Commissioner to Singapore, Nonye Rajis-Okpara, and Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko, during a closing gong ceremony at the exchange on Tuesday in Lagos.

Without vandalism, Nigeria can generate 6,000 megawatts – Igali Tony Nwakaegho The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali, disclosed on Tuesday that power generation in the country would hit 6000 megawatts once vandalism of electricity facilities was curtailed.

Igali made this known while defending the ministry’s 2015 budget before the Senate Committee on Power in Abuja. ``The major problem still faced by the sector is that of vandals who blow up gas pipelines. Once we rise above 4,000 megawatts, people bring us down to 2000; there is no country where its own citizens go to blow up pipelines supplying gas to the power plants.

``If these vandals can allow this gas to flow, we will get to over 6000 megawatts.” He said most of the power plants had been linked to gas pipelines and that power generation was increasing by the day.

Reacting to the allegation that the Benin Power Plant was a ’complete failure’, the permanent secretary requested to brief the committee members in a closeddoor session because, according to him, the issues are very complex.

On the performance of the 2014 budget, Igali said that given its experience in revenue shortfall, the ministry would be thinking of alternative sources of income in 2015 as there was a 92 per cent reduction in its budget.

He said that out of the N59 billion approved for it in 2014, only 43 per cent of it was released.

He disclosed that all agencies of government were being encouraged to generate income for their operations and that his ministry would not be an exception. ``The ministry is going to source for funds from bilateral agreements and development partners,’’ he said.

He attributed frequent fire incidents being recorded across the country to poor quality equipment being brought into the country, stressing that the ministry would ensure that all equipment were tested before importation.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Philip Aduda,

commended the ministry for its initiative in diversifying its revenue streams.

Aduda stressed the need for all power distribution companies to carry on with all the rural electrification projects, saying that investors who were interested in rural areas might not invest there due to non-availability of power.

He urged the ministry to educate the Senate on areas where it could support it in the effort to stem gas pipeline vandalism. ``We seem to have a lot of problems with this gas, we need to know where we can help you to take care of those things,” he said.

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Caritas Nigeria Forum on Tuesday in Abuja said 9,667 people had been cleared as eligible to benefit from the Federal Government’s housing programme under the mortgage refinancing scheme.

Okonjo-Iweala said: ``Sixty-six thousand people applied for the scheme and, as at date, 23,000 have been pre-qualified and 9,700 have been cleared as being eligible, and 33 people have actually had money being disbursed to them to own a home. ``This will continue to pick up and young people like you in the audience will own a home and each house built creates jobs. So, not only are we trying to attack this issue of housing but we are also creating jobs for Nigerians,’’ she said.

According to her: ``This is the first administration that has made plans for young people to dream of owning their own homes even before they retire from service.”

She said that before, Nigeria was doing about 20,000 to 50,000 mortgages a year ``and for a country with our kind of size, it was not good enough. As we speak, we are trying to work with labour that has a big housing scheme ongoing, the NLC and TUC, to see how we can work with them to afford houses.

“And then Rent-to-Own is another mechanism by the government to help people own their own houses. We are trying to work out down the line, so that if you cannot afford a down payment, you can, after years of renting, be able to own your own home.

NSE’s expansion into Singapore gets envoy’s support Adesola Akindele

Rajis-Okpara

The High Commissioner of Nigeria to Singapore, Nonye Rajis-Okpara, has pledged total support for the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)’s planned expansion into that country.

The Singaporean envoy gave the support and congratulated NSE on the success it has at-

tained during the Closing Gong Ceremony of the Exchange on Tuesday in Lagos.

She said: “The Nigerian Stock Exchange has become a prominent exchange, while the Nigerian Financial sector has revived.

Thanks to the transformation agenda of the Government and transformational leadership of the CEO, Oscar Onyema, and his team. I congratulate the Stock

Exchange for the success they have attained, which was made possible by transparency, ethical dealings, integrity and professionalism.”

The NSE made history by becoming the first African Stock Exchange to join the Intermarket Surveillance Group (ISG) and was admitted as a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Falling global oil prices: Gainers and losers Dr Emmaunel Uche Eke

Deputy Director, Training, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State. drucheeke@yahoo.com

Oil prices in the international oil market have been on a free fall since the last quarter of 2014, courtesy of an oil glut in the market. Two main factors have been implicated to be responsible for this market oversupply.

The primary factor is the oil boom in the United States of America, the world’s largest oil

consumer. What has come to be referred to as the ‘U.S shale revolution’ has caused oil production in the U.S to increase in recent times to the point that the country is contemplating exporting oil.

The shale revolution stems from development and deployment of advanced but very expensive hydraulic fracking and horizontal drilling technologies that are making it possible to increase the production of shale oil and gas.

Another contributory factor is the disagreement among Organisation of Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) member countries on quota reduction which resulted in the organization’s surprising and out of tradition decision not to intervene by cutting supply. OPEC member countries are sharply divided into those who queue behind the ‘swing producer’Saudi Arabia and argue for retention of subsisting production levels and those who queue behind Iran and Venezuela and argue for reduc-

29 Energy

A refinery

tion in production.

All hope is not lost on price recovery anyway. After all OPEC’s refusal to cut supply may not all be in vain. OPEC’ position though contributory to the cause of falling oil prices may eventually contribute to the solution.The organization expects that at some point in time, ‘fracking business in the U.S will become a victim of its success’.

This will happen when high cost U.S shale oilproducers will be squeezed out of the market as a result of rising costs and declining revenue. It has been estimated that Fracking companies require oil prices at between $60 and $100 per barrel to break even.

Thus while OPEC continues to holds its ground not to cut supply even with oil prices at below $60 per barrel, events in the U.S are expected to pull the required trigger to reverse the spiraling oil prices. Since falling oil prices translate into dwindling revenue for oil companies, high cost shale oil producing companies in the U.S are already starting to cut

back on their capital expenditure.

This reduced investment is expected to lead to reduced production in the U.S. The International energy Agency (IEA) has noted that oil supply cuts resulting from cuts in capital investment will help put a “floor under oil prices’.

This is however not expected to happen before the end of the second quarter of 2015.

A second cause of reversal in falling oil prices may yet come from OPEC. OPEC despite putting up a bold face is under intense pressure from some of its members who are feeling the pains of low oil revenue and want the organization to cut production.

If oil prices continue to fall, this pressure on OPEC to cut supply will increase and it may be difficult for OPEC not to yield. Failure to concede may lead to the exit of some member countries, which is not an option OPEC would like to consider.

It is therefore a matter of time before either the U.S fracking boom bursts or OPEC concedes to pressure and cuts production

causing falling oil prices to rich a floor and rebound. Before then however the falling oil prices have created gainers and losers.

The main beneficiaries of the fall in oil prices are the oil import dependent nations for whom low oil prices is translating into a lot of savings in foreign exchange, low energy costs, low production costs, increased productivity and employment creation. These import dependent nations are also taking advantage of the low oil price regime to stock their oil inventory.

On the loser’s side are oil export dependent countries such as Russia, Venezuela, and Nigeria to mention a few whose economies and currencies are undergoing a lot of stress as a result of declining oil revenue. The second groups of losers are the oil companies who have been forced to starting prioritising investments, cutting back on their capital expenditure and even laying off workers.

stated that Nigeria was blessed with abundance of coal deposits, with Enugu being the hub, as its coal deposit was in three layers when compared with other parts of the country which had one layer of the resource deposited at a point, all across large stretch in eight other states.

Nebo, Minister of Power

500mw boost from coal soon - FG Augustine Aminu, Abuja Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, has said that an addition of 500MW to the national grid via coal is expected to be realised soon from the agreement with One Nation Energy Platform Ltd. He described it as a welcome

development on government’s quest for a robust energy mix that would support the nation’s aspiration for development of the power sector.

The Minister also noted that the coal-power project will also provide stable power, devoid of challenges of sabotage from vandals who were determined

to frustrate the present administration’s effort at providing adequate and reliable power to all Nigerians.

The Minister, who was speaking at the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 500MW coal-fired power plant in Enugu by One Nation Energy Platform Ltd,

Interview 30 Capital market investors urged to remain positive

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Adesola Akindele As Market indices on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) climbed for the second consecutive day this week to close at 28,452.60 points All share Index (ASI) and Market CAP at N9.5 trillion, Fakrogha Charles, Chief Executive Officer, Foresight Securi-

ties & Investment Limited, a stock broker with the NSE, has urged investors to exhibit patience and develop a positive attitude towards their investments in the capital market.

He stated that excellent managers are in charge of handling the various companies listed on the NSE and, despite the uncertain-

ties caused by various economic and political changes, there would be cause for investors to smile home in the long run.

He further advised stakeholders and investors on the viability of long term investments, and to buttress this he quotes: ‘‘If I cannot own a stock for ten minutes, I should not own it for ten years.”

Fakrogha

Background checks crucial for economic devt – Olugbodi Mr. Kola Olugbodi is the Managing Director of Background Check International (BCI) and prominent background screening expert in Africa. His organisation pioneered professional employees and business partner’s background checking, amongst other innovations. In this interview with Business Editor, EMMANUEL OGBONNAYA, he offers insight into managing companies’ recruitment exercises and the imperative of information verification in the pursuit of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). Excerpts: What is your assessment of the impact of Background Check International (BCI) in the past couple of years?

BCI has continued to own the high grounds in entrenching the culture of background check in all our businesses and employment dealings in Nigeria. We’ve also been conceiving and introducing some innovative products and services that will assist in reducing and checkmating fraud and deceit that the nation is grappling with on both the domestic and external fronts.

We have also been embarking on lots of educational and awareness programs sensitising individuals and corporate organisations to desist from employing staff without conducting thorough and effective background screening. Since experience has shown that hasty recruitments could expose organisations and individuals, including families to losses, deceit, incompetence and fraud.

There are speculations that it is on the decline, what is your take?

This is not true at all. On the contrary, more and more local and multinational organisations are making background checking of employees, partners and associates part of their procedures and policies; and it is my belief that corporate organisations will

continue to outsource such delicate and time consuming task to background screening professionals like BCI that are structured and equipped to carry it out. This will also help eliminate distraction from such organisations’ core competencies.

What factors make it necessary for organisations to subject employees to continuous background checks?

Workplace violence and insiders’ abuse, collusion and sharp practices are part of the factors that make background check pertinent. It is believed that 70 per cent of the revenue losses that companies incur are due to these nefarious acts of some employees.

The main thing BCI is doing as regards this, is to keep enlightening organisations on what they stand to gain if they run checks on their prospective and current staff, and what they are likely to lose if employment check is neglected.

Employers need to note that employees now take companies to court due to companies’ negligent hiring of violent staff that batter either co-staff or embarrass the companies’ clients or representatives.

Companies must ask questions if it is observed that a staff is living above his means. To a large extent, change in lifestyle is usually an indication of unseen fraud. It is very easy for a company to be defrauded in many ways.

As I said before, fraud and insider abuse are causing many firms to embrace background check. To address that also, it is important that people (employees) be taken care of, or they will take care of themselves.

What in your opinion influences sharp practices among job-seekers?

Today, job seekers find the prevailing global unemployment competitive; and as a result, it is

‘‘It will amaze you to know that many of the so-called foreign investors are not as genuine or exactly what they claim to be based on some of our findings’’

Olugbodi a survival of the fittest situation.

While some resort to distorting details or even lie about aspects that are important for gauging how well they would perform as employees, others falsify education records, exaggerate work history experience and refuse to disclose their criminal conviction statuses.

Organisations must always endeavour to minimise the chances of fraud and dishonest traits by restoring pragmatic standards of integrity and decency in corporate governance.

Pre-employment background checks are therefore necessary as they will assist organisations mitigate risks resulting from employees’ sharp behaviours such as criminal activities, fraud, embezzlement and abuse.

Background check help organisations in making informed de-

Fraud and insider abuse are causing many firms to embrace background check cisions as well as forestalling negligent hiring. Background check also helps organisations detect prospective staffers that have criminal or fraudulent tendencies. It also curtails revenue loss due to employees’ involvement in internal fraud, theft activities and collusion with outside forces.

With regards to Foreign Direct Investments, what is BCI’s role in the promotion of investors’ confidence in the country’s economy?

It is common knowledge that many would-be foreign investors are still scared due mainly to lack of, or limited knowledge and information about their would-be local partners. This sad situation is traceable to the battered image and reputation which the country has unfortunately acquired over the years, due to the activi-

ties of some people.

As a company however, BCI has been in the forefront of professionally carrying out due diligence on prospective investment partners. We assist foreign investors in ascertaining the credibility and true personalities of local associates and vice-versa.

It will amaze you to know that many of the so called foreign investors are not as genuine or exactly what they claim to be based on some of our findings. It is sad that Nigerians have ways of just about believing anything or persons coming from foreign lands so.

Another thing is that online businesses and e-commerce is now the way to go worldwide. Almost everything can now be sold or purchased via the internet; cars, books, electronics, jobs etc.

In as much as lots of the businesses and transactions that happen online are genuine, not all are. So it’s now imperative that net surfers and buyers get background information on unknown and suspicious sites before parting with their money and credit/ debit card information.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

31 Brands & Marketing

Political stakes and dynamics of branding (2) GODWIN ANYEBE takes a look at the equities of the two major political brands; the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressive Congress (APC), delving into factors that would help or mar their chances of connecting with their target audience through their various campaign strategies.

Experts held that if there is anything that worked for the PDP candidate in the last presidential election is the way and manner the handlers of the brand repositioned their brand and as well reached out to their target audience. In 2011, they

used communication content such as; their candidate went to school without shoe and bag, among other things. Branding is about communicating a message that is rooted in emotion. Every successful brand has some kind of emotional appeal. Emotion is the human element that gets attention of consumers. Most of what the consumer encounter every day is routine, predictable and, worst of all, boring.

Speaking against this backdrop, a brand analyst, Mr. Samuel Ajayi told Daily Times that: “PDP is like the proverbial endangered brand but also like the proverbial cat with nine lives.

One thing going for it he said, is

CBN EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 16th February 2015 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

Selling(NGN)

US DOLLAR

167

167.5

168

POUNDS STERLING

256.8293

257.5983

258.3672

EURO

190.6806

191.2515

the permanence of its identity and that is very important in brand retention.

It is the only party that has not changed its name since 1999 neither has it changed its logo.

What this means is that when you see the umbrella, the brand PDP comes to mind. However, identity and consistency alone do not make the brand. Other factors usually come to play.

But where the PDP brand has failed, it has made up for it with consistency and spread. The brand has continued to make itself relevant to the extent that even those competing with it cannot ignore it.

He also spoke about APC as

a party that has cleverly woven its campaign around the word change. His words: “It has anchored its campaign on change and there is no denying the fact the message has resonated with a critical section of the voting public and the young generation. Those in the late 20s have not known any party since they were born.

They grew up into the current democratic system and the message they are being fed is that the PDP brand has failed them and is time they tried another brand. Besides, the handlers of the party have done well to sell the party after the merger that brought it about. However, the

Market Capitalization and All Shares Index Trend for Equities Day

Market Capitalization (N)

Index value

Wednesday 11/02/2015

9,583,247,950,654.20

28,721.27

Thursday 12/02/2015

9,321,157,313,972.05

27,935.77

191.8224

Friday 13/02/2015

9,204,202,190,258.88

27,585.26

9,252,040,883,990.79

27,728.63

9,493,603,556,615.24

28,452.60

SWISS FRANC

179.3

179.8368

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Monday 16/02/2015

YEN

1.4081

1.4123

1.4165

Tuesday 17/02/2015

choice of a septuagenarian former military head of state does not agree with a brand message of change. If you want change, you look at the younger generation. Besides, the fact that the party is populated by former disgruntled elements of the PDP does not speak well of a political brand selling the brand promise of change. What it means is that the difference between the two parties is SIX and HALF A DOZEN.” In another development, a marketing consultant, Oledi Emmanuel spoke on the need for handlers of major parties to position both their parties and candidates cleverly. “In marketing, a brand is the identifying image and message that separate one product or service from another. Of course, candidates are not products or services, but they face a similar and daunting task,” According to him, there is a great deal that can be learned and applied from both perspectives that is equally beneficial to the political world and business world. “In business, we’ve learned much about the power of marketing. It is most important that a candidate first comprehend the marketing task he confronts if he is going to be successful in persuading voters to vote for him on Election Day. And, yes, persuasion is the threshold objective of any candidate.

His own take on the APC and PDP brand is that the two brands are no doubt a force to reckon with in Nigeria political arena. To him, the ruling party has been in charge for more than one and a half decade now, and a chunk of the Nigerian populace does not agree that the brand has kept to its promise.

On the other hand, the major political opponent of the ruling party seems to have studied the market and the minds of the consumers (voters) very well. In a way, they almost captured the fancy of the larger society by flying their logo of change.

But among other factors that are likely to work against them is the person of the APC brand flag bearer, General mohammadu Buhari, a retired army general who is reported to have left the army for about thirty one years without engaging himself in any form of business. Many wonder how such a person could adequately fit in into this modern age.

According to those who are against Buhari and his party, Nigerians are in a digital era while Buhari belongs to the analogue, and any brand that wants to stand tall amidst its competitors must go with the trend.

ect Manager of the NGO, Fun- said, “What cancer control really Federal College of Education stop o chi State. milola James, “the hope is that requires is the infusion of fund (FCE), Akoka, University of La- er life Director, Veterinary Services, this World Cancer Day Youth worldwide to reduce the number gos (UNILAG), Akoka and Yaba cut th in the state Ministry of Animal 21 Resources and Nomadic Resettlement, Dr Bala Lucshi said, the outbreak affected five farms in Bauchi, Katagum and Toro local government areas of the Political thugs go wild in 26 Lagos: According to him, elections in According to the World Health Me Continued from page state.

Nigeria are issues-based and the Organisation (WHO), tobacco epi- of th 10 injured; 20 vehicles vandalised Lucshi said, the birds culled Akinbode, the Director, CorpoWilly Ezeugwu is issue of health should have been demicGovernor, is one of the biggest public manu ÏÏÏ Secretary General Confere Sullivan by officials from the ministry rate Accountability, ERA/FoEN, Enugu State of Nigerian Political Par a very key factor in this election.Chime health threats Governor the world has (CNPP) everin Enugu tribut State included chickens, turkeys and said, in Nigeria today, there is an candidate of the All Prog “I’ve hardly seen anybody com- faced, killing nearly six million sives Grand Alliance (APG bacco pigeons. for Enugu North senato Chime is zone upsurge of cancer and medical ing out with concrete statements election. In this interv MOSES OYEDIRAN people each year. More thanwith five Oth He, however, advised people tourism has become a very boomspeaks about the adoption on their focus on health; all I’ve arrogant Ugwuanyi as the governors of the state to ensure that they Making a living from the dumpsite: the APGAcomp in the s ing business in Nigeria, “people heard is that they are going to million of those deaths arecandidate he will donate 50 perc -Ezeugwu ofsaying properly cook their poultry no longer trust our health syshis salary if ing elected sena a build hospitals, I think we need result of direct tobacco use while for his zone. products before eating them. tem, so they are flying to Ghana to rigorously question Daily Times Nigeria politimore than 600,000 are the result and v Thursday, February 19, 2015 13 or India. Every day, you see cians about the promises they are of non-smokers being exposed to dange AKINFENW people calling for help to travel making and how to deliver those labels second-hand smoke. abroad for treatment but there promises.”

Turkish lawmakers ÏÏÏ It said, unless urgent action is that p in free-for-all as are some of these ailments that He however urged the NASS to debate deadlocked taken, the annual death toll could altern simple government policy can do the right thing as they resume ÏÏÏTurkish parliamentarians threw punches and two were takrise to more than eight million by which en to hospital late on Tuesday afhelp to prevent and if we have by using “the window of the post- ter a debate over a bill aimed at down on violent demon2030. isting the National Tobacco Control Bill ponement of election to pass this cracking strations descended into a brawl, local media reported.

Tobacco use is one of the main of tax Five people were injured in the passed into law, millions of Nige- bill on time. Even for those who evening session debate, Dogan agency reported.

It said Errisk factors for a number of rians who ordinarily would have are not coming back, they can news tugrul Kurkcu of the pro-Kurdish tion o Senator Mojisoluwa A Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) chronic including cana head wound and adiseases, phofenwa is the National Ch died as a result of their smoking work very fast to ensure the pas- suffered into t to showed him with a dressing on man of Alliance for Dem head. racy (AD). He was elected Sen habit, would have been able to sage of the bill so they can flag it hisFour cer, lung diseases, and cardiovasRepublican People’s Party motio representing Osun East Sen (CHP) deputies were hurt, and rial District in 1999. Akinfe of them were taken to hospiquit the habit, live healthy lives as the legacy they have been able two who has remained in the AD s cular diseases, according to the ary s tal, after clashing with members its formation, despite defectio of the ruling AK Party, Dogan and be productive citizens.” other chieftains aware of the part added. to leave.”

WHO. this interview with MICHA Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Features

Health

Bird flu hits Bauchi State

s Coalition seeks action on Tobacco Politics Bill s

The wave of political rivalry in the overheated polity has assumed a new dimension. TAIWO JIMOH witnessed another clash at Ipaja-Ayobo area of Lagos and reports.

Features

Thugs marauding under one political party or the other have taken advantage of the just postponed presidential election to unleash mayhem on political opponents and inno-

cent citizens.

While residents of Ajegunle are still smarting from the attack, killings and broad daylight robbery last week by thugs of political opposing

News

parties, a report has reached Daily Times offices confirming that the peace of the people of Ipaja Ayobo area of Lagos State on Friday was shattered

Making a 21 living from the Truce: Ukrainian dumpsite: The retreat The storytroops 27Olusosun Olusosun story from key city P13

One of the damaged APC vehicle

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Besides providing a source of living for scavengers, the Ojota landfill site poses health risks to the residents, more so to those who make a living from it. LARA ADEJORO reports.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

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The stench would upset anyone driving from ‘Seven-Up’ through to ‘Motor Ways’ bus stop, and on to the sprawling landmass from the entrance into Lagos along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Ojota bus stop and nearby Oregun.

This dumpsite for all manner of wastes, including solid, liquid and even industrial chemicals, calls to question the health programmes of the Lagos State Government.

The offensive odour hangs stubbornly in the air and pervades the surrounding residential and industrial areas of Ojota.

A peep through the main entrance gate reveals a signpost that ‘welcomes’ anyone to the Olusosun landfill.

The waste on the mountainous dump site include garbage, trash, rags, bottles, animal carcasses, rust irons, chemicals, heavy metals, lead, batteries and medical wastes. One can also see human wastes being swarmed by flies, rodents and roaches, etc. yet, nearby there are thousands of residential buildings and industrial firms which also generate enormous wastes that end up at the dumpsite.

Olusosun is one among the several designated as landfill after years of indiscriminate waste dumping in many areas Lagos

Politics

Why Awo’s political dynasty is in disarray World -AKINFENWA

P 17

Ukrainian troops appeared weary and dirty as they withdrew from key town of Debaltseve

Truce: Ukrainian troops retreat from key city

A section of the dumpsite INSET: Eric

State.

The vast heaps of garbage provides a means of living for some 3,000 people, including the young and the old, male and female, as well as graduates of tertiary institutions nationalities who due

to lack of employment opportunities are forced to eke out means of sustenance from such a hazardous existence.

A World Bank report in 2012 indicates that each of three billion people worldwide generates

1.2kg of wastes per day, or 1.3 billion metric tons a year. A total of 10,000 tons of wastes are dumped daily at the Olusosun landfill. This includes a considerable amount of electronic wastes (e-wastes) from the 500 container

ships that arrive every month at the Lagos ports.

According to Basel Action Network (BAN), the e-waste is equal to 400,000 computer monitors or CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

BAMIGBOLA in Osogbo his mind on national issues. cerpts:

Peruvian president reshuffles cabinet ÏÏÏPeru’s

President Ollanta Humala reshuffled his cabinet late on Tuesday in a bid to placate an increasingly powerful opposition bloc as palace scandals of our units have left,” he said.

“We are expecting another two mount and his popularity dips.

Humala swore in Rosa Maria columns (to leave).”

Kiev has admitted that some Ortiz, the head of a government committee that grants environsoldiers were taken prisoner in Debaltseve, but gave no details mental permits, as his new energy and mines minister. Ortiz is on how many were seized. Mean-Awolowo while, rebel military spokesman also the former head of state energy agency Perupetro.

Eduard Basurin said hundreds He also replaced his ministers of Ukrainian soldiers there had of justice, interior, labor, and given themselves up.

The withdrawal comes after women but left in place his sixth Russian President Vladimir Pu- prime minister, Ana Jara, whom tin urged Ukraine’s troops in De- he appointed in July.

Opposition lawmakers affilibaltseve to surrender.

Mr Putin is due to speak by ated with former Presidents Altelephone later to German Chan- berto Fujimori and Alan Garcia cellor Angela Merkel, France’s have called for Jara to step down, Francois Hollande and President arguing her leadership is ineffectual and divisive.

Poroshenko.

While they lack the votes to force her from power, defections from Humala’s congressional bloc have eroded his ability to push through legislation and defend already-passed reforms.

Humala’s government is strugvests, I think they should have gling to contain a slew of scanbeen protected,” said Dr. Shwe.

The ministry of information of dals, from a former campaign Myanmar, also known as Burma, manager detained on corruption has blamed insurgents for the allegations in Bolivia to an inshooting, and presidential spokes- vestigation into first lady Nadine person Ye Htut has asked Beijing Heredia’s finances recently reto reign in any local officials who opened.

Humala, a former military offimay be helping the rebels.

The offensive began Febru- cer who turned to the right after ary 9, when an alliance of armed being elected 2011 on a leftist platgroups, including the Myanmar form, has denied any involvement Nationalities Democratic Alli- in wrongdoing. ance Army (MNDAA), attacked He has dismissed criticism of multiple Myanmar military posi- his government as part of the potions in an effort to regain land litical noise ahead of presidential elections next year. lost in a 2009 conflict.

Migrants scattered by Morocco’s new immigration policy ÏÏÏUkrainian

president has said that his forces are making an “organised” withdrawal from the embattled town of Debaltseve.

Petro Poroshenko said 80% of Ukraine’s troops left on Wednesday morning, with more to follow. Fighting has raged over the transport hub, with pro-Russian rebels seizing control of most areas, despite a ceasefire deal.

Russia’s foreign minister said Ukrainian forces had been encircled and were forced to battle their way out.

“I’m reckoning that common sense will prevail,” said Sergei Lavrov as he urged the rebels to provide troops who surrendered

with food and clothes.

Earlier, US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of violating the accord, agreed in Minsk last week. Mr Lavrov told reporters that the rebel attack in Debaltseve did not violate the ceasefire agreement, because the town was part of the rebel-held area at the time the peace deal was signed.

Eyewitnesses saw dozens of tanks and columns of weary Ukrainian troops retreating from Debaltseve on Wednesday.

Ukrainian servicemen ride on a military vehicle as they leave area around Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine near Artemivsk, 18 February 2015 The Ukrainian troops

appeared weary and dirty as they withdrew An elderly woman sits in the local Palace of Culture which is used as a bomb shelter in Mironovka village, near Debaltseve of Donetsk area, Ukraine, 17 February Some 7,000 civilians are said to have been trapped in the Debaltseve area during the recent fighting “This morning the Ukrainian armed forces together with the National Guard completed an operation for a planned and organised withdrawal from Debaltseve,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement before travelling to the frontline in the east.

“As of now we can say that 80%

KADUNA

No vacancy in Government House -Hassan Hyatt

Hon. Felix Hassan Hyatt, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister for State (Aviation), is the Director, Campaign Organisation for the return of Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State. In this interview with VICTOR JIBRIN, Hyatt says Kaduna is and will remain a PDP state. According to him, the gover-

China, Myanmar relations worsen over border tension ÏÏÏThere is increasing concern

Sein

Paul Schemm 1 ÎÎÎNADOR,

Morocco (AP) — Precious Omoregbe, a 2-year-old with bright eyes, has lived most of her short life in a crude tent made of branches and a plastic tarp. It sits in a refugee camp on the side of a pine-covered mountain overlooking the Mediterranean that her Nigerian parents hoped one day to cross for a new life.

Her mother Happy stays in the camp while her father Osas begs for food in the nearby city of Nador. He and thousands of other migrants from sub-Saharan Africa flock to the city in hopes of finding a way into nearby Melilla, a Spanish city on the North African coast that is seen as a shortcut to Europe.

“She’s doing good, but the way we are living is very hard for my baby,” said Happy Omoregbe, as she scolded her daughter for playing with the stinging caterpillars that infest the ground. “Every day it is very cold and we have to find clothes to wear.”

But Morocco’s tolerance for the tens of thousands of African migrants living within its borders appears to be at an end, as Europe pressures it to crack down.

Starting Feb. 10, police

began sweeping through camps like this one, burning down tents and deporting migrants to cities in the deep south, far from Europe’s borders. Activists fear it may be a prelude to kicking them out of the country altogether.

Precious’ family is one of many caught in the middle as Morocco struggles for ways to cope with its migrant crisis.

The whole Mediterranean region is grappling with waves of refugees fleeing poor and war-torn homes for the wealth of Europe.

Last year, Morocco announced a groundbreaking new approach that would allow illegal immigrants to apply for residency. The flip side is that those whose bids are rejected face a no tolerance policy of camp closures and relocations. More than a thousand immigrants have been caught in the sweep, including many who had applied for legal status, according to activist groups.

“We are stunned by this new reaction, by these attacks that have been carried out over the last few days,” said Abdeslam Amakhtari, the president of a development organization in Nador. “We denounce them and demand the rights of the migrants be respected and they be given a chance to integrate in Moroccan society,” Amakhtari’s group, Asticude, had initially welcomed the new policy and worked with migrants around Nador, helping

them apply for residency and educating them about Moroccan society. But now he says the government’s new sweeps are betraying their promise to help integrate the migrants.

“You can’t have this contradiction between the laws and the practice,” he said referring to the rhetoric of integration and the recent police sweeps.

The organization also receives funds from the Ministry of Migration to buy food and supplies to distribute to the same camps that are now being raided, reinforcing a sense of conflicting policy.

One of the reasons for the inconsistency, Amakhtari said, is that while Morocco finds itself under pressure from Europe to stem the tide of illegal immigrants, it also wants to improve relations with sub-Saharan countries.

The new program of legalizing immigrants and even integrating them into society was seen as a way of balancing these priorities.

Just hours before the first police operations began, Moroccan officials

announced that of 27,000 residency applications, 18,000 had been granted, with women and children getting automatic acceptance. Those rejected would be allowed to appeal the decision.

“We Moroccans should take pride in this as we transform the nightmares of the immigrants into dreams,” said Minister of Migration Anas Birou at the press conference, explaining how the migrants would be eligible for state education and health care.

But the Interior Ministry followed up saying the camps around the Spanish enclaves would be dismantled to “free” the migrants

over fighting in Myanmar’s Shan state, where, on Tuesday, a Red Cross convoy, carrying civilians to safety, came under fire. Myanmar’s President Thein Sein soon after declared a state of emergency in the region, imposing martial law. An estimated 50,000 people are said to have fled violence, many crossing the border into neighbouring China.

The convoy of Red Cross trucks carrying over 100 displaced people away from a conflict zone to safety was attacked despite prominently displaying the Red Cross flag.

Dr. Thar Hla Shwe, the Myanmar Red Cross Society’s president, said it was still unclear who, exactly was responsible for the attack. He said there were no Myanmar military operations in the area at the time. “Two of our volunteers got injured one in the head and one in the abdomen and both of them have been looked after in the township hospital and the condition they say is stable but we really regret having our volunteers coming under fire because we are simply carrying out humanitarian work because they have on the vests, the red cross

from the clutches of human trafficking mafias.

“I don’t know what mafias they are talking about,” said Victor, a bitter Cameroonian immigrant. Like other migrants quoted in this story, he gave only his first name for fear of ruining his chances of making it to Europe. Victor stood among the ruins of a camp that had just been raided, and had been home to several hundred migrants.

As dusk fell, those who had escaped the morning sweep picked through the rubble of the camp, slowly rebuilding the tents and salvaging what was left of their food and belongings that had been set on fire by the police.

The ground was littered with scraps of tarps, torn bags of rice, shoes and muddy clothes. A mother chased after a child playing in the debris. Some migrants showed the receipts they had been given for their residency applications.

In this photo dated Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, mi-

grants cook lunch at a clandestine immigrant camp in …

Most of the migrants have spent years making their way to Morocco in hopes of crossing to Europe, then more years living in the forests waiting for their chance. So the thought of giving up and going home is just too much.

“I would prefer to kill myself than go back, I want to be able to dream,” said Joel, also from Cameroon. “With no dreams, there is no hope.”

Farther up the hill, at a camp not yet found by the police, Precious’ family sees a glimmer of hope.

Osas has been in Morocco for some six years, sometimes living in the cities, but lately in the woods to avoid paying rent — as he awaited his chance to cross to Melilla.

Fatherhood has made Osas consider staying in Morocco with his family.

“Now I have family, I can’t do that (jump the fence),” he said. “If I can get a good job here, I can put her in a good school.”

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY 19-02-2015

ABUJA

Why polit is in

KANO

MAKURDI

OSHOGBO

WARRI

Chance Tstorm

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Chance Tstorm

Chance Tstorm

34 |24 °C 94 |76 °F

36 |17 °C 96 |62 °F

37 |26 °C 98 |79 °F

33 |23 °C 92 |74 °F

31 |24 °C 88 |75 °F

40% Chance

0% Chance

10% Chance

40% Chance

90% Chance

Precipitation

Precipitation

Precipitation

Precipitation

Precipitation

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

Not much has been he about Alliance for Democr (AD) in recent past. Why? Though we are not on gro and moving but we are ac like a silent burner prepa for a greater future which now come. You all know w happened to AD in 2003 w our former governors who w elected under the platform the party defected and wen another political party. But

nor has performed and the pe wish him to continue, hence, vacancy in Government Ho Kaduna. EXCERPTS: You have been in the fi for the 2015 general electio what is your assessment?

Well, we have been in the f moving from one part of the s to the other. I have even gone ro

SIASIA

needs balance in U-23 team

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BLATTER blasts X8 racist Blues’ fans Thursday, February 17, 2015

ARMSTRONG

LOSES $10M LAWSUIT

EUROPA LEAGUE:

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LAMBERT TASKS REDS ON TITLE

CHASE

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IAAF cracks down on drug cheats X7

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Thursday, February 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

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Lambert

: E U G A E L A EUROP

t r e b m La

backs Liverpool for success HOT STUFF!

Man Utd, Gunners, Reds chase LEWANDOWSKI

Lewandowski

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anchester United, along with Arsenal and Liverpool, have been told to “break the bank” in order to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski this summer.

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Lewandowski could leave the Allianz Arena at the end of the season following his recent struggles with the Bavarian outfit.

The Poland international only played the final 15 minutes of Bayern’s 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League knockout stages

on Tuesday night, and was played out of position - on the right wing - by Pep Guardiola during the club’s emphatic 8-0 win over Hamburg last Saturday.

“If you look at Manchester United, I think they could do with a Lewandowski,” Hamann said. “At the moment United, Liverpool and even Arsenal... Lewandowski is tailor-made for them.

“He came to Bayern Munich on a free last year but if there was an opportunity to get him out I’d break the bank for him because I think he’s the best No. 9 in the world.”

ickie Lambert says Liverpool will be treating the UEFA Europa League seriously when they get their campaign up and running against Besiktas today.

Amid a difficult start to the season, Brendan Rodgers’ side dropped out of the UEFA Champions League after a third-place finish in Group B alongside Real Madrid, Basel and Ludogorets.

However, with just one defeat from their last 16 outings, Lambert feels Liverpool are a different proposition compared to when they crashed out of the Champions League.

“We’d been waiting for so many years to get into the Champions League so we were desperate to stay in it,” Lambert said.

“But we weren’t playing well when the Champions League was there. If we’d just managed to sneak through, who knows what we would have been able to do now.

“Like I knew we were going to, we’re playing at our best again now.

We’re in the Europa League and it’s something that we’ll be trying to win.

“You come into it at a good stage.

I know it’s not the Champions League but it’s still a great competition.”

Liverpool’s improved form has seen them move up to seventh in the Premier League - four points off Southampton in fourth.

BRIEF RONALDO ‘GETTING SIASIA needs BETTER’, SAYS ANCELOTTI balance in Dream Team

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eal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti argued on Tuesday that Cristiano Ronaldo’s form is not as bad as reports have suggested.

The Portuguese attacker has scored 33 goals for Real in all competitions this season, including 28 in La Liga.

Since returning from a two-match ban incurred for his dismissal at Cordoba in January, Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in two domestic outings - one of which was Real’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid.

Ancelotti claimed though, that Ronaldo impressed in their 2-0 win at home to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, despite not scoring.

Ronaldo

“He had a nice performance against Deportivo La Coruna in terms of physical skills. He showed great intensity,” Ancelotti said.

“I think he is getting better, he just needs to score a goal and I think he has a great chance to do it.”

Ancelotti said there was no motivation lacking for his side, despite having clinched the European crown in 2013-14.

“We are highly motivated, as we keep the first position in the table of La Liga, so the biggest motivation is to win La Liga,” the Italian coach said.

“It works exactly the same for this competition. We are the current holders and we will do our best in order to be European champions again.”

H Siasia

ead coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team, Samson Siasia says he is not building his side around any individual as he prepares for this weekend’s All Africa Games qualifying match against Gabon in Libreville.

Siasia has also warned the five overseas-based players called up for the game against Gabon not to rest on their laurels as any dip in standards will see the affected individual instantly dropped.

“There is no automatic shirt in this team. Anybody who does not work hard or meet our standards will be dropped immediately,” Siasia told supersport.com shortly after he named a squad of 21 players for the fixture with Gabon.

The squad are comprised of 16 domestically based players and Siasia says the Nigerian league remains an important pool for the selection of prime talent.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Anyim Celestine Okafor

Bureau Chief, Northern Operations

ÎÎÎSince

his appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim has been the quintessential man upon whom greatness is not just thrust, but who understands the difference between power and authority.

It is no wonder then that the Ebonyi State-born legislator has been a huge success at the executive arm of government as he was in the legislature.

Quite early in the life of the Jonathan administration, Senator Anyim deployed his legislative experience, contacts and influence in achieving a smooth relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive.

This was evident in the improved relationship between the two branches of government.

Anyim has equally ensured that there is stability in the leadership of the National Assembly where he was Senate President between 2001 and 2003. He has helped to give accelerated approvals to bills sent to the parliament by the executive, particularly the Senate.

At the House of Representatives, where Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal emerged as Speaker against the arrangement of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Anyim exploited his earlier relationship with Tambuwal and the Deputy Speaker, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, in ensuring that the feared opposition against Jonathan by the legislators was put in check.

At the official level, Anyim has so far proved valuable and dependable. The SGF has facilitated several reforms carried out by the government in the last four years. These reforms are evident in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government as well as at the Presidential level. It is to his credit that the seemingly intractable face-off between the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which lingered for several months in 2014 was finally resolved. The former Senate President’s mediatory potential has also manifested in the settlement of so many other industrial disputes involving the government of the federation and other labour groups such as the judiciary workers’ strike which was resolved recently.

As the head of the secretariat of the national government, Senator Anyim has continued to monitor the execution of the transformation agenda of Presi-

Anyim

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Nigeria’s bridge builder turns 54 dent Jonathan, particularly public infrastructural projects that will impact meaningfully on the lives of the people.

He supervised the recent private sector-led celebration of Nigeria’s Centenary. Anyim, and his team of planners, skillfully got the private sector to sponsor the event very successfully. The SGF was equally instrumental in pioneering the concept of the prestigious Centenary City in Abuja which is being handled

by Eagle Hills, a famous internationally renowned firm of private developers and urban renewal experts based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE).

The firm is committing well over 20 billion US dollars into the centenary city project expected to be one of the most elegant and modern cities in the world.

Anyim, as a seasoned public administrator, even prior to his entry into partisan politics at the dawn of the current democracy in 1999, is reputed to be a bridge builder. He has helped to broker so many peace deals on cases and contentious issues that would have slowed down the smooth administration of government. For instance, in the on- going war against the Boko Haram insurgency, Anyim has pivotal in the effort s by government to contain the activities of the sect. His job is neither tangible nor visible to the outside as a government scribe. However, Anyim’s office coordinates most of the government’s policy directions in seeing to the execution of the war against the insurgents.

He has proved to a factor in the revolution going on the government’s key sectors like the water resources, YouWin programme, SURE-P, and transport, which includes road and rail transformation of the Jonathan government.

Anyim’s administrative and leadership acumen was once again evident in the 2014 National Conference in which very many key reform approaches were recommended for the future management of the country to achieve a balanced, fair, equitable and more progressive Nigeria. Just when it seemed that it might end in fiasco, Anyim effectively took charge of the affairs and direction of the conference from the rear. He ensured that vital logistics for the successful conclusion of the confab were put in place including ensuring adequate security for the delegates and all those who participated in one way or the other in the conduct of the confab. He moderated the conference to the chagrin of dooms-day prophets who predicted that the exercise would at best, be a hollow ritual.

Senator Anyim, who has been described as a thorough family man and a devout Christian, turns 54 today. God willing, he has many more years of service to fatherland ahead of him.

Daily Times Nigeria

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, February 19, 2015

Thursday, February 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

ATHLETICS:

CRICKET:

A

thletics global governing body is to launch a doping crackdown on elite marathon runners after scandals involving top Kenyan and Russian stars.

Organisers of the top races in London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin have agreed to finance extra testing of top runners by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The finance from World Marathon Majors (WMM) means that the top 150 runners will face tougher testing after races and out of competition.

Failed tests by Russia’s Liliya Shobukhova, who was the second fastest women in history, and Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo, three-time winner of the Boston marathon, sullied the name of one of the original Olympic disciplines.

Jeptoo, who in the past two years has achieved the Chicago/Boston double, was one of 35 Kenyan athletes suspended over the past two years for taking banned drugs.

The WMM “offered their contribution to our programme,” said Thomas Capdevielle, the IAAF’s anti-doping manager, announcing the clampdown.

He said it “basically means systematic ABP (Athletes Biological Passport) testing at the races on all the elite field, as we have been doing for the past two years, but also urine tests out of competition.”

Drug investigators would have “more resources to follow a group of 100-250 elite marathon runners in the world,” Capdevielle added.

ICC chiefs under

probe over $69m

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ndia’s top financial policing agency is probing world cricket boss Narayanaswami Srinivasan and others over an alleged $69 million “facilitation fee” paid over broadcast rights for the Indian Premier League, an official said.

The Enforcement Directorate has issued “show cause notices” to Srinivasan, disgraced former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi, the country’s cricket board

IAAF down Shobukhova

k c a r c o t

ARMSTRONG

CYCLING:

loses $10m lawsuit

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isgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of seven Tour de France titles for doping, must pay $10 million (Dh36.7million) after losing an arbitration dispute with SCA Promotions.

The Texas firm announced in a statement that the arbitration panel punished Armstrong for “an unparalleled pageant of international perjury, fraud and conspiracy.”

The award, which SCA said was believed to be the largest sanction assessed against an individual in American judicial history, was made

Watson

Watson’s Dubai return ends in defeat

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and foreign media companies over the fee for the 2009 tournament, the official said.

Part of the fee was allegedly illegally siphoned off to unknown individuals, sparking the probe into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of which both Srinivasan and Modi were senior members, according to local media report.

“Srinivasan, Modi and the BCCI have been issued the show cause notices,” an enforcement directorate officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Former IPL chief operating officer Sunder Raman and President of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Manjit Singh were also under the agency’s scanner, the officer said.

s r e n o h t on mara

TENNIS:

ritain’s Heather Watson made a disappointing return to the WTA Tour as she lost in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Watson suffered a 6-4 7-5 straight sets defeat against world number 132 Kateryna Kozlova of

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Ukraine.

The world number 43 was broken four times in the match, with her 20-year-old opponent wrapping up victory in an hour and 37 minutes.

Watson lost in the first round of her last event, the Australian Open.

Armstrong public when SCA filed a motion with a Dallas court to have the arbitration ruling confirmed into a judgment against Armstrong.

“We are very pleased with this

result,” SCA Promotions President Bob Hamman said. “It is hard to describe how much harm Lance Armstrong’s web of lies caused SCA, but this is a good first start towards repairing that damage.”

Armstrong, 43, received $4.5 million in bonus payments from SCA for winning the Tour de France from 2001-2003 under SCA’s deal with the US Postal Service team owners.

But SCA refused to pay Armstrong a $5 million bonus for his 2004 triumph. Armstrong went to court and settled the case for $7.5 million in 2006 after swearing he had won the race without taking performanceenhancing drugs.

Armstrong’s confession of doping in 2013 prompted SCA to reopen the matter and the arbitration panel conducted a new hearing. SCA had sought $12 million from Armstrong, including legal fees.

MOTORSPORT:

Ferrari unveils concept F1 car images

F

errari has unveiled images of a concept Formula One car which it believes could be the future of the sport.

A meeting of the F1 Commission on Tuesday saw the future of F1 discussed, with potential changes being looked at for 2016 and 2017.

While those talks take place in

Geneva, Ferrari has released images of a concept car for F1 in the future.

From the Ferrari design team, the car features lower and wider wings, heavily increased aerodynamics throughout as well as low profile tyres. While still open cockpit and open wheel, the driver’s helmet appears to form part of the car’s

aerodynamics, while the rear wheels are covered at the back similar to the current generation of IndyCar. Ferrari is keen to see change in F1, with the concept car coming following the most recent meeting of the Strategy Group in which it proposed a switch to a 1.9-litre V8 turbo engine.

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Thursday, February 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

BLUES

BLUES

ARE UNBEATABLE,

O H N I R J U O M

BOASTS

Blues first choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, in action.

ose Mourinho believes no other team would have a chance if he was allowed to play both Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech.

Courtois was in inspired form on Tuesday as Chelsea secured a 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

The Belgian made a string of fine saves, including three from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to ensure the Blues hold a slight advantage ahead of the second leg.

Courtois has become Mourinho’s No.1 this season ahead of Petr Cech, but the veteran keeper has shown he can still be

relied on when called upon. Cech made a number of key saves against Everton last week to keep a clean sheet and ensure Chelsea maintained their seven point gap over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

And Mourinho admits he wishes football’s laws could be changed so he could start both players.

“If football was nine outfield players plus two goalkeepers we would give no other team a chance,” Mourinho said. “We would be phenomenal because they are both phenomenal.”

BLATTER hits out at racist Chelsea fans IT’S NONSENSE TO CALL CHELSEA F IFA President Sepp Blatter has hit out at a group of Chelsea supporters after they were filmed racially abusing a black man on the Paris Metro system.

Footage emerged Tuesday night of a group of fans blocking the man from boarding a train, while other people can be heard singing “we’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”.

The leader of world football’s governing body has now stepped in to have his say on the events.

Via his Twitter feed, Blatter said: “I also condemn the actions of a small group of Chelsea fans in Paris. There is no place for racism in football!”

BLUES target

Valencia C helsea are monitoring West Ham United striker Enner Valencia with the view to an end of season deal.

Blues are in the market for a new attacking signing this season and Valencia is under consideration.

Chelsea allowed Mohamad Salah to join the Serie A club on loan and also sold Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg.

Didier Drogba is expected to retire at the end of the season, while there is also speculation Loic Remy could leave Stamford Bridge after one season.

Valencia

‘GREAT’ –KEANE

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oy Keane says that Chelsea cannot be called a ‘great’ team until they back up their recent good form with silverware.

The Blues earned a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last16 tie on Tuesday night as they look to book their place in the quarterfinals of Europe’s elite club competition.

Chelsea are currently seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table and will face Tottenham in next month’s League Cup final.

However, former Manchester United midfielder Keane says that the Blues cannot be considered a top team until they start bringing home trophies.

Keane And the former Republic of Ireland international also criticised Chelsea’s defensive display in Tuesday’s draw in Paris.

“I think they have the potential to be a great team. Mourinho is clearly a great manager, but they’ve got to back it up with some trophies.

“To say they’re a great team at the moment is nonsense.”

After the game, Keane added: “That wasn’t a great performance.

Chelsea were very poor defensively.”

Chelsea’s next game is a home clash with Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.