Daily Times of Nigeria by Daily Times of Nigeria

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 18th March 2015.

EXCHANGE RATES Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

GAINERS

Selling(NGN)

LOSERS

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

DANGCEM

152.8

2.80

1.83%

NESTLE

800

-20.00

POUNDS STERLING

289.2176

289.9554

290.6932

OANDO

13.5

0.50

3.70%

185

-7.86

-4.25%

41.81

-2.19

-5.24%

27.78

-1.46

-5.26%

EURO

208.25

SWISS FRANC

208.7813

195.6478

196.1469

209.3125

UBA

3.84

0.10

2.60%

JBERGER

196.646

AIRSERVICE

1.72

0.06

3.49%

PRESCO

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NIGERIA

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THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.69

ABUJA

ENUGU

Low 26°C High 42°C

Low 27°C High 38°C

KANO Low 23°C High 42°C

LAGOS Low 26°C High 35°C

MAIDUGURI Low 26°C High 42°C

-2.50%

N150

P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 34°C

Emir Sanusi’s damning verdict:

Petrol sector stinks Ï d ƕ è óƈƋƋƆ Ƌ ƊƆƏ ƈ Ɔ ƑƄ ƈƗƕ ƕƆƐ Ɛ ƄƆ ƅƅ Ƒ ƐƆƗ Ƈ Əô

Segun Adio Group News Editor

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian crude oil

industry is not only oily but also crude. That was the damning verdict of the Emir of Kano, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

INSIDE

Life&

TIMES Thursday March 19, 2015

Rita Dominic On her first full Christian role

Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka still AGN president L Whither the music bands? L 4

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME About Caster Semenya

OBIOZOR

Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born January 7, 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion. Born in Ga-Masehlong, a village in South Africa near Polokwane (back then called Pietersburg), she grew up in the village of Fairlie, “deep in South Africa’s northern Limpopo province.” Semenya has three sisters and a brother, and is said to have been a tomboy as a child. She attended Nthema Secondary School and now attends the University of Pretoria as a sports science student. Semenya won gold in the women’s 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships with a time of 1:55.45 in the final. She also won silver medals at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics, both in the 800 metres. Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, it was announced that she had been subjected to gender testing. She was withdrawn from international competition until July 6, 2010 when the IAAF cleared her to return to competition. The results of the gender tests, however, were not released for privacy reasons. She however returned to competition, but nine days later Semenya won two minor races in Finland. On August 22, 2010, running on the same track as her World Championship victory, Semenya started slowly but finished strongly, dipping under 2:00 for the first time since the controversy, while winning the ISTAF meet in Berlin. Not being on full form, she did not enter the World Junior Championships or the African Championships, both held in July 2010, and opted to target the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010. She improved her season’s best to 1:58.16 at the Notturna di Milano meeting in early September and returned to South Africa to prepare for the Commonwealth Games. Eventually, she was forced to skip the games due to injury. Semenya was chosen to carry the country’s flag during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. She later won a silver medal in the women’s 800 metres of these games, with a time of 1:57.23 seconds, her season’s best. She passed six competitors in the last 150 metres, but did not pass world champion Mariya Savinova of Russia, who took gold in a time of 1:56.19, finishing 1.04 seconds before Semenya.

Poster!

walks out on Kano Pillars

CASTER SEMENYA

X4,5

PERSONAL INFORMATION

XT Exclusive

Full name: Nationality: Born: Place of birth: Residence: Alma mater: Height: Weight: Sport: Events:

President Goodluck Jonathan during his endorsement and investiture as Life Patron of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore at the State House, Abuja... on Wednesday

Caster Semenya South African January 7, 1991 (age 24) Pietersburg (now Polokwane) South Africa University of Pretoria 1.70 metres (5 ft 7 in) 64 kilograms (141 lb) Running 800 metres, 1500 metres

Achievements and titles Personal bests: 800m: 1:55.45 1500m: 4:08.01 Medal record Olympic Games Silver:

2012 London

800 m

World Championships Gold: 2009 Berlin 800 m Silver: 2011 Daegu 800 m

CASTER

SEMENYA Thursday, March 19, 2015

We northerners ‘ RONAYLDO have destroyed OBSESSED B MESSI’ ourselves 4 blasts critics! – Gov. Yero US tennis star banned for 15 years X2

BALOTELLI

BAINES wary of Dynamo X3

Okorocha has ruined 4 Imo’s economy – Ex-Gov Obi

Imams back Jonathan, Pastors support Ï ó6Ɔô ƑƇƇƆƏƈ ƇƏ ƌ ` ƅ éƍ Ƅƈ ô Buhari 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Politics Page Three

Editorial Making Nigeria’s airports safe

he recent discovery of a corpse in the main wheel of an Arik Airbus A345-500 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos calls for concern. The company’s engineers only discovered the corpse of the unknown suspected stowaway after it had started decomposing. Incidentally, they stumbled onto it while checking the aircraft’s engines in preparation for a flight to New York, USA. This scandal is coming on the heels of another incident involving a teenager, Samuel Ogundeyi, who some weeks ago was arrested after being found in the wheel well compartment of an aircraft operated by Tag Aviation. It would be recalled that in August 2013, a 15-year old teenager, Daniel Ohikhena, was arrested at MMIA, after he was spotted emerging from the wheels compartment of an Arik aircraft that arrived from Benin, Edo State. The boy was said to have told airport authorities that he had wanted to escape parental abuse at home by hiding in the undercarriage of the plane. These embarrassing incidents call to question the state of security at the country’s 22 airports and even more so that at Arik Airlines. Such lapses that allow unauthorised persons easy access to high security areas such as tarmacs and ramps harm the image of Nigeria in the world. It also calls to question the role played by those responsible for securing these sensitive places at the airports. There is all possibili-

ty that these stowaways embark on such dangerous missions with connivance of some airport officials. With international terrorism on the rise, there is no denying that a group of determined terrorists would find Nigeria’s lightly-guarded airports easy targets to attack. They could plan and execute deadly attacks from any of the country’s airports where they are found to be security deficient. Airports are the mirrors through which foreigners see a country’s image. Therefore as gateways, no efforts are generally spared in making them safe both for local and international passengers. Surely, lapses in this regard are capable of scaring away international travellers and tourists. That is why we are calling for a thorough investigation by security and airport authorities into this matter with a view to unravelling what went wrong and taking adequate measures to check the recurring menace. We also call on the government to look into why some citizens would prefer facing certain deaths in order to flee the country. Definitely, those indulging in such suicidal activities may be doing so out of pent up frustrations. They may wrongfully have believed that the only way out of their predicaments is to leave for the so-called “greener pasture” in other countries. Unfortunately, many have ended as tragic victims of such weird illusions, through such mishaps as was the case of the stoaway.

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What, really, is the matter, Obasanjo? Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏ“Boko

Haram have legitimate grievances,” so says former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He made the statement on Monday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), during a global education conference. How sad! Sad because the statement is coming from a man who was one-time Military Head of State and twoterm civilian president, who swore to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as uphold her Constitution. Sad in the sense that this is coming from a man who, when he was at the helm of affairs, never saw the agita-

tions of Niger Delta people as legitimate and did everything to crush them, including invasion and leveling of Odi, Bayelsa State by security forces. Sad also because this is coming from a man who approved the sacking of Zaki Biam, Benue State, by soldiers; a man who never saw the demands of the Movement for the Survival of Biafra (MASSOB) as legitimate while he was president of Nigeria. In fact, sad on many fronts. Indeed many Nigerians who revere the former president were taken aback by the statement as it clearly justifies a sect which has brought nothing but sorrow to Nigerians; a sect whose only known demands are complete Islamisation of

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

Nigeria and the rejection of western education. Many Nigerians are indeed shocked that the former president who was among those who fought to keep Nigeria one is by his latest statement on Boko Haram now justifying groups taking up arms, killing people and carving out territories of their own from Nigeria. So, before the blood pressure of many Nigerians who respect the former president goes beyond the normal, let those who are close to him find out what, really, the matter is. Or is it an extension of the rofo-rofo fight going on between him and his estranged protégé, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan? For the sake of all Nigerians, the former president should please come clean on this.

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

Segun Adio Okay Osuji

Sports Editor

Andrew Ekejiuba

Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo

Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

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

Maya Angelou

Marian Anderson

Muhammed Ali

If we lose love and selfrespect for each other, this is how we finally die.

“None of us is responsible for the complexion of his skin. This fact of nature offers no clue to the character or quality of the person underneath.

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Petrol sector stinks – Emir Lamido Continued from page 1 HRM Muhammadu Sanusi 11, while speaking on the Cable News Network (CNN) on Wednesday. The emir, the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), identified the unresolved controversy over kerosene subsidy as an example of what he regarded as the fiscal misconduct in the sector. While refraining from dwelling on many of the country’s challenges because of the coming general elections, so as not to be seen as supporting one candidate against another in the presiden-

tial election, Sanusi said Nigeria could not continue to be run as if it is for the benefit of a few. Former military ruler, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is squaring up against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) in the election. The emir said that he aligned with the position of General Buhari that corruption would kill Nigeria if the country failed to kill it. He said: “The Nigerian political elite must recognize that if this does not change, the country cannot survive indefinitely, we cannot

continue like this.” He spoke further: “There has to be investments in the capital, there has to be investments in infrastructure, in power, healthcare, in education. The state cannot just exist to make a few people very rich. “Corruption is an old story in Nigeria. The perception has always been bad. And I don’t think it helps matters by being in denial. I have spoken a lot about these in the past, because it’s too close to election and these matters can get into politics. But General Buhari is right, we have to do something about corruption if the country is

South west coordinator, Buhari/Osibajo Presidential Campaign, Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (left) and Elende of Eko-Endeland, Oba Rauf Adebayo Omoniyi during a campaign rally to Eko-Ende, Odo-OtinLocal Government Area… on Wednesday

Imo may go into financial distress, says Peter Obi Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏImo State, heartland of

the South East, is on the verge of bankruptcy, according to former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi. The blame for this development should be placed squarely on the doorstep of the incumbent Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obi added. In reaction the media adviser of Okorocha, Sam Onwuemeodo, told the Daily Times that Obi is suffering from “Rochas-phobia.” Obi warned that Imo State

could go into deep financial crisis if Okorocha is re-elected for a second term. Already, Imo State is bankrupt, Obi said. The former Governor who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the statement in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Wednesday during youth town hall meeting of his party. He expressed concern that in the entire South East, Imo State is indebted to the tune of N30 billion. Obi said: “Enugu is not owing, Abia is not owing Anambra is not owing. As you all know, Continued on page 6

to survive.” On his earlier allegation that $20 billion was missing in the oil sector, which a forensic investigation by a world renowned accounting firm has declared untrue, the emir said: “My position at the Central Bank was that there was this gap of 20 billion (dollars). The reconciliation between what NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) exported and what it reported to the Federation Account. “I raised a number of issues that I think have not yet been to be discussed and addressed sufficiently. One of them is billions of dollars being paid as subsidy for kerosene without appropriation by the National Assembly and against a presidential order and we don’t know who authorized those payments yet. Nobody has come out to say, ‘I authorized the payment, I made a mistake, it was tough.’ I think those issues need to be addressed. And until we address them and begin to close all the loopholes in government revenue, we are going to continue to create opportunities for extraction of rent and destruction of the economy.” He spoke further: “It could be 20 billion (dollars) at the end of the day. After reconciliation, they could account for 10 or 12 billion dollars. I do know that these issues reflect unconstitutional and illegal withholding of revenue from the Federation Account. “The country is being depressed Continued on page 6

Victor Jibrim Kaduna

ÏÏÏThe

present configuration of Northern Nigeria is causing some backwardness into the entire region. To this end, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Yero, has called for the split of the Northern States Governors Forum into three -North-West, North-Central and North-East. Governor Yero, whoc claimed that the current problems plaguing the region, was self-inflicted, maintained that once the NSGF was split, the region would be effectively managed. The governor, stated this at a dinner organised by CITAR-NGO on Tuesday night. At the event, he lashed out at northern leaders, who he accused of failing to invest in the region over the years. His words, “We must tell ourselves the truth. Myself, Yobe State Governor and one other governor, had, in the last northern governors meeting held in Kaduna, came up with this idea that the meeting should be divided into North-West, North-East and North-Central. “This is because these three areas have different peculiarities; the peculiarity in the North-West is different from the peculiarity in the North-East, so also the pecuContinued on page 6

We won’t preach sermon in the midst of poverty – Osinbajo Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏVice

Okorocha

We northerners have destroyed ourselves – Gov. Yero

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State, said that no one should urge him to preach the Gospel while poverty ravages the land. Prof. Osinbajo was speaking at a town hall meeting organised to canvass votes for the APC candidates in the forth coming general election. Said he, “Our Christian brothers should understand that they are supporting a fellow believer who is sincere and honest with other worshippers. The ruling government and PDP have adopted this sad divi-

sive and false narrative as their strategy to prevent the inevitable change that our country and people desire and require and they have succeeded in making some of us victims of the tales which they have propagated and sell as gospel truth to gullible listeners. “Our relationship must be governed by justice and fear of God toward ensuring that the people have leave in peace without Molestation ,it is the role of government to ensure that there is rule of law”. He condemned the N4.3 trillion purportedly spent in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. On the issue of Islamising Nigeria, Osibanjo said General Muhammadu has never introduced any sharia law to Islamise Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Ogun PDP chieftains held hostage over Jonathan’s largesse Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏSome members of the Peo-

ples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State,on Wednesday, went wild following the failure of some leaders of the party to release the fund allegedly meant for the state coordinators engaged for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election . The meeting, which was held at a hotel on Quarry Road in Abeokuta, was meant to sensitise the 708 coordinators, drawn from the 236 wards of the state, but, ended abruptly.

5 News L-R: Book Reviewer Sen. Babafemi Ojudu; Lagos State, APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Alhaja Adebule; Lagos West, Senatorial Candidate APC, Hon. Adeola Solomon; APC Presidential candidate’s wife, Hajia Aishat Buhari; Wife of APC Vice Presidential candidate, Mrs. Dolapo Oshinbajo; First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and Author, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu at a public presentation of a book titled, ‘Stewardship Report: A Collection of Town Hall Speeches’ held in Lagos...on Wednesday. PHOTO: OLAWALE ROTIMI

It was gathered that, the meeting started at 10:am and lasted about five hours before it climaxed into taking hostage of two party leaders, including the National Auditor , Fatai Adeyanju and South West Secretary of the party, Chief Pegba Otemolu. It was also gathered that the coordinators weare provoked when the National Auditor told them that the fund was not available at the moment. According to the source, Adeyanju explained that, the money had not been deposited in the designated account.

FG begins implementation of confab report Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏThe Federal Executive Coun-

cil (FEC) has approved the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the report of the 2014 National Conference by all Federal Government agencies. While urging state and local governments to follow suit, the Council mandated the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, to put together the recommendations that require legislative intervention and send to the National

Assembly for deliberation and approval. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said: “The National Conference Report came to Council today. You will recall that barely one year ago, Mr. President inaugurated the Conference and that at the end of their sitting, the Conference came up with a report and submitted same to him. “You will also recall that the

Orji lauds Akobundu’s appointment as Minister

ÏÏÏAbia State Governor, Chief

Theodore Orji, on Wednesday, congratulated the former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East Zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), on his appointment as the Minister of State, Defence, by President Goodluck Jonathan. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, the Governor, who charged the new Minister to be diligent, implored him to bring his wealth of experience, as a retired mili-

Gunmen kidnap Katsina Ala College Provost

Conference came up with modalities for implementing their resolutions or recommendations. And, I think, it was the high point of that effort. They not only agreed on basic measures, they also recommended to government on how to implement those recommendations and resolutions. “What happened today was for the Council to approve that those modalities be adopted in implementing the report. Recall that when the report was submitted to Mr. President, he set up a com-

mittee, under the chairmanship of the AGF, and the committee looked at the Report in its entirety. They have looked at the recommendations and they have advised Mr. President that they were implementable. “You would have heard the President promising, severally, that he was going to implement the recommendations of the Conference. So, the report coming to the Council today is the first leg of taking concrete steps towards implementing the recommenda-

tions and resolutions of the Conference. “What was agreed today in council are: One, on the resolutions and recommendations that have implications on constitutional amendment or enactment of new laws, the AGF should compile them, vet them for onward transmission to the National Assembly for enactment into law. So we expect that, in the nearest future, the AGF would have concluded work on them and they will be forwarded by Mr. President to the National Assembly.

Chibok girls: APC demands credible information from Presidency Orji

tary officer and politician, to bear on his new assignment. Orji, who described Akobundu’s appointment as well deserved, thanked Jonathan for the confidence he reposed in Akobundu, who, according to him, worked creditably as the National Vice Chairman, South East of the PDP and in other assignments given to him in the past and assured the President that the new appointee would not disappoint him.

Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏThe

Provost of College of Education, Katsina Ala, Dr. Hans Senwua has been kidnapped from his private residence by unidentified gunmen

ÏÏÏThe APC Presidential Cam-

from the Commander-in-Chief, the parents of the girls were expecting a dramatic announcement to follow, informing them about the exact location of the girls. According to him, with no news emerging about the whereabouts of the hostages, the President’s “assurance” would have no weight, in terms of bringing real succour to the families of the girls. Shehu said it was not enough to reassure parents that the girls were safe and unharmed, without providing reliable information about their fate, to restore hope to the affected families. The APC urged Jonathan to

make good on his earlier assurance that the government knew where the Chibok girls were, by bringing them safely home. It said finding the girls should be Jonathan’s highest priority, adding that rebuilding schools in Chibok was of secondary importance, compared to the urgency of finding the girls. Shehu said for anyone to assure Nigerians of the “safety” of the girls, meant that the information at his/her disposal was credible. He explained that such assurance had grave implications if it turned out to be built on vain hope.

on Tuesday midnight in Katsina Ala, Benue State. His abduction generated spontaneous reaction from the students, who went on rampage throughout Wednesday. The irate students burnt

tyres on the major streets of the town and mounted road blocks while chanting war songs demanding the release of their Provost. Houses of notable political leaders in the area, including the private residence of

Governor Gabriel Suswam, were also attacked by the rampaging students. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Austin Ezeani, confirmed the incident and that the command was making efforts to secure his release.

paign Organisation (APCPCO), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to offer more credible explanations about the fate of the Chibok girls, being held hostage, for almost a year, by the Boko Haram terrorists. A press statement by the campaign organisation said the recent “assurance” by the President that the girls “are safe” amounted to cold comfort for the families of the victims. Director, Media and Publicity of APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu, said with such “assurance”

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

NCC begins 2.6 GHz Spectrum Licensing auction Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday announced the resumption of the licensing round auction for 2.6GHz Spectrum band. Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr Eugene Juwa, who announced the recommencement of the spectrum exercise during a press briefing at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, declared that the process has been opened for bidders since March 16, 2015. Dr. Juwa however advised interested parties to look up the Information Memorandum (IM) on the Commission’s website and be guided accordingly. The IM defines the process that the Commission has decided to adopt the licensing of 2X7 Megahertz (MHz) paired spectrum available in the 2.6GHz

band. The IM also provides information on the Nigerian telecommunications market, details of the spectrum to be made available, prequalification process, the auction process and indicative timetable among others. Director, Spectrum Administration of the NCC, Engr. Austin Nwaulune, who expatiated on the proposed exercise, said the 2.6GHz Spectrum has been influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband services to subscribers in consonance with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan of 2013-2018. Engr. Nwaulune noted that the spectrum band was key for both new entrants and incumbent operators, declaring that the Commission arrived at this after wide consultations with relevant industry stakeholders to determine the best way to issue the spectrum.

In accordance with the Information Memorandum, he said, “based on these and observations of developments in the international licensing trends, the Commission has decided to license the available 2x70MHz lot in lots of 5MHz to be aggregated by applicants through the spectrum auction process. He maintained that the spectrum would be offered on technology neutral basis but for rollout basis, the Commission would follow the international Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendation setting aside Spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for the provision of Advanced Wire Broadband Services. According to the IM, the reserved price is pegged at $16 million for a lot of 2X5 MHz; while at the end of the auction each winning licensee would be issued a National Spectrum license for 10 years and would also qualify for a United Access Service License

(UASL). “On completion of the Auction Process, the Commission would issue each winner a ten year National Spectrum, the NCC would issue each winner who does not currently hold a UASL which is the operational license; would be issued one at an additional fee of N374.6 million. The exercise, which is said to be an Ascending Clock Auction, is expected to hold in Abuja during the week, on May 4, 2015. The IM further stated that, for pre-qualification, an applicant

does not need to hold any telecommunications operational license but must be independent from all other applicants under the application process, transfer an intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) being ten percent of the reserved bid price and lastly, license operators participating in the process must fulfill all existing obligations to the Commission including payments of Annual Operating Levy (AOL), spectrum and National Numbering Plan fees prior to pre-qualification.

‘Petrol sector stinks’ Continued from page 4 today, oil price has crashed. The currency has been devalued, The capital market has collapsed, government revenues are in very bad shape. Whoever wins, this government or opposition, will have to deal with these issues. The petroleum sector is a major drain on the resources of the country and this has to be addressed.” Asked about his opinion on whether abject poverty fuels insurgency like the Boko Haram, Sanusi said: “I think it is important to task governments – federal, state and local governments – on

the welfare of the people. Focus on growing an economy that will create jobs. I understand that there is a strong connection between economic deprivation and political violence. Many of these things are not just craze harebrained ideas. They are born out of political calculations to change things and create opportunities for some people and some of these things are born out of the great inequalities that we see between the rich and the poor in all regions of the country. I think whoever is in the federal government must recognize that if these issues are not addressed it will be very, very difficult to govern.”

Gov. Yero slams Northern leaders Continued from page 4 L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Legacy Pension Manager Limited (LPML), Mr. Misbahu Yola; Guest Speaker, Prof Mohammed Maiturare; A Retiree, Mrs. Winnie Omeata and Executive Director (LPML), Mr. Umaru Mairami at the LPML customers forum held in Abuja… on Tuesday Photo: Temitope Balogun

‘Okorocha has ruined Imo’s economy’ Continued from page 4 I left behind about N60 billion. Ebonyi, which receives the least allocation in the entire region, justifiably owes just a little while Imo owes a whopping sum of N30 billion. “We can all guess where the fund is because before Okorocha came into power three years ago, he had no estate but just within three years, he owns the largest private estate in Nigeria.” Obi said that the presidential candidate of the APC, Major

General Muhammadu Buhari, is incapable of handling the challenges of the office of the President in a 21st century. “The retirement age in Nigeria 65 years but the APC wants to cajole Nigerians into voting a man who has exceeded the age of retirement. We need to remind them that Aso Rock Villa is not an Old People’s Home. It is a place people go to work, not where people go to retire. How would Nigerians in this era vote and relate with a man who knows little or nothing about the

Facebook or the internet? We are not even talking about his credentials and certificates they want to gloss over. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen.” Responding to the allegations against Okorocha, Onwuemeodo who is a Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okorocha on media, sent a test message to the Daily Times which read: “There is an office in this country that has the debt profile of every state. And I am sure you know. They can help you to know the truth. Obi has “Rochasphobia.”

liarity in the North-Central is different from the other two zones.” According to the Kaduna governor, the split of NSGF will bring effective control and management of the entire northern region, where all the three zones will pool resources together and direct them to what he called central body of the North. He continued, “The governors in the South-East and South-West have such meetings, and they are progressing because they have a common peculiarity in their respective zones.” Still lashing out atleaders of the region, Governor Yero said most of their leaders were quick to pay glowing tribute to the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, but had failed to invest to move the region forward economically. “We, northerners, have completely destroyed ourselves. We

have missed the road to investment and South-West, having being in control of education over the years, is gradually taking over the political power that the North used to control. “This is because the people of the South-West are highly educated but in the North, our boys are roaming the streets; smoking Indian hemp and taking drugs, without minding to go to school. “But our girls are better, and I keep on saying that one day in the North, the female ones will go to the office, the male ones will go to the kitchen. This is the situation we have found ourselves in the North. “Our elders continue to talk of Sarduana, Sir Ahmadu Bello, without putting something on the ground to build on the development Sardauna had left behind many years ago. None of them want to invest in the North because they don’t want people to know that they have money.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

7 News

Buhari should seek Yoruba pardon, not votes – Fayose

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti

State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), should rather seek forgiveness from the Yoruba people of the South-West States, including Edo and Delta States, and not votes. The governor said: “Buhari’s

coup of 1983, destroyed the Southwest and the old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta), as it put an end to the developmental programmes of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led-government in the Southwest States of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo, as well as Bendel State.” Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and Media, Lere Olayinka,

Fayose said it was disheartening the inhuman treatment Buhari meted to Yoruba leaders like Awolowo, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and the immediate past APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, all of whom championed development and good governance in the Southwest States. The governor described Buhari’s cancellation of the Lagos

metroline project in 1985 as the greatest disservice to the Yoruba people in particular, and Nigerians in general. “If Buhari had not cancelled the metroline project out of vendetta, transportation problems in Lagos would have been solved permanently. “The metroline project would have made life easier and changed the face of transport in Lagos. But, Buhari cancelled it and even

went ahead to pay compensation to the French company that handled it. Buhari’s action cost Lagosians over $78 million then,” Fayose said. Speaking further, the governor said, “In Yorubaland, we were enjoying free education and free health before Buhari came. All that was needed to go to primary and secondary schools then was school uniform. Drugs were free.

FCT minister presents letters to four upgraded chiefs Chika Okafor Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Minister of the Federal

Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, on Wednesday, presented letters of appointment to four newly graded Chiefs of Kwali, Pai, Wako and Gomani chiefdoms, in Kwali area council of FCT. The minister had in 2013, constituted a Ministerial Committee on Kwali Chieftaincy Matter, headed by Senator Philip Aduda, towards ensuring a peaceful resolution of the chieftaincy issue in the area council. Speaking during the presentation, the minister stated that the event was a testimony of the peaceful resolution to the chieftaincy issue in the council which he said the territory’s ad-

ministration had been trying to resolve since 2008. The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary, FCT, Engr John Chukwu, stated that the chieftaincy issue has brought about the setting up of various committees by the FCTA adding that the decisions of the committee have helped resolved the issue. “Wide consultations were made across the various strata of the society, and the contributions and advice sourced in this regard also greatly assisted the administration in arriving at an informed decision on the case,” he said. The minister thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, whose commitment to resolve the issue, brought about the final upgrading of the chiefs.

Harvesters hang at the tail of light truck on Ofada Papalanto road, Ogun State recently. PHOTO: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Dislodged terrorists regroup in Bassa, rape women Chijioke Kingsley Jos

First Lady urges Kaduna women to vote Jonathan Victor Jibrin Kaduna

ÏÏÏThe first lady and wife of

President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, has called on the electorate, especially women in Kaduna State to consider giving their votes to President Jonathan/Sambo’ candidature in the forthcoming presidential election. Mrs. Jonathan made the call at a rally, which featured women and youths in the state on

Wednesday, where she lauded the performance of her husband in collaboration with his Vice, Arc. Namadi Sambo. Speaking through the wife of Vice President, Amina Sambo, who represented her, she described the working relationship between Jonathan and Sambo as a compatible pair and stressed the need for them to be given another mandate to oversee the affairs of the country for the next four years. Mrs. Sambo remarked that from all indications, President Jonathan is supposed to be voted for with a view to returning him, stressing that while the Vice president, Namadi Sambo is from Kaduna state, “their good working relationship has no doubt benefitted Kaduna state and by extension, the north, immensely.”

ÏÏÏDisplaced

Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, have been regrouping in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State and terrorising motorists along Jingre -Saminaka road. The group of suspected sect members, engaged travellers by robbing them off their properties and raping the women. One of the staff of an international NGO, Mr Lachang Kumven, while narrating his experience on

Bakassi LG boss empowers displaced persons

his way from Kano, through Saminaka road, on March 15, 2015, said their bus was flagged down by these unknown gunmen, suspected to be Boko Haram sects, while ordering all the passengers to bring out their money or lose their life. Said he: “As am talking to you now, the robbers took away everything including my credentials from GSS Langtang, University of Jos first degree and my master’s degree certificate”. A man, who lost one of his rela-

Emma Obi Calabar

ÏÏÏInternally displaced persons

of Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River, on Wednesday, received various empowerment tools from the council boss. 72 of the beneficiaries are from Adwa Ikot Eyo resettlement camp

Boko Haram

tions along Jingre road while conveying a corpse for burial, said he was also attacked when the robbers took away N50, 000 from him and the drinks meant for the entertainment of mourners were not spared.

in Akpabuyo Local Governent Area of the state. Speaking at the occasion, held in Ikot Nakanda, the council Chairman, Dr. Patrick Ene Okon, said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of those affected as well as give them an opportunity to contribute towards societal development.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Politics MAIYAKI

Ahmed Maiyaki Former correspondent of Radio France in Nigeria, is the DG (Media) to Governor, Kaduna State

Yero is transforming Kaduna

Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng

Ahmed Maiyaki, a former correspondent of Radio France in Nigeria, is the Director General (Media) to the Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. In this scorecard of his boss within the two years of his stewardship, he refuted claims by critics, of Yero’s non-performance saying he has taken steps to address the plight of the people of the state. VICTOR JIBRIN was there. Excerpts: Security and unemployment These two are very critical to development. So, government is

intensifying efforts to ensure security. So many measures have been taken by the government to address the issue of insecurity because security is one important sector that requires a lot of intervention in other sectors. One key thing discovered by government to have fueled a lot of crisis in the state is the issue of unemployment. Government is tackling that as a very important part to address the issue of insecurity. Unemployment is one key challenge that government at all levels is faced with. That has been the major reason why we

have had a number of crises in the past. Government is tackling that as fast as possible because most of the times, the youths that are being used to perpetrate evils are doing that because they are idle. In the last two years of this administration, about 17,000 jobs have been created in the state through SUREP. You will recall that 7,650 women and youths were trained and empowered recently; 2000 graduates under the graduate internships scheme are undergoing training CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

IDAHAGBON

Buhari ’ll close Aso Rock doors against his financiers after 90 days in office Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Henry Idahagbon, is confident that the APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will have overwhelming victory at the March Presidential polls. In this interview, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive member, who defected to the APC, after losing the Edo South Senatorial ticket in 2011 to Senator Daizy Danjuma, revealed that if Buhari wins the Presidential election on March 28, he will not only jail corrupt politicians, but close the Aso Rock gates against his chief sponsors after 90 days in office. Sir, there seems to be a general gang up against President Jonathan, do you agree with this? I do not know him enough to be able to come to a conclusion

Idahagbon

AKALA:

Ajimobi lacks managerial skill to govern Oyo

Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala former governor of Oyo State and governorship candidate of the Labour Party in this interview clears the air on reports that he collapsed at his party’s NEC meeting and also debunked allegations that he and his predecessor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, mismanaged state resources while in office. REMI OLADOYE was

there. Excerpts: Many people were surprised to see you campaigning because it was on the social media that you collapsed on the staircase of the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, venue of the Labour Party NEC meeting and had to be hospitalised? Nothing happened to me as you can see me. I’m ok and still very

one way or the other whether he is a good person or bad person but looking at him from a far, he seems to be a nice person, a jolly good fellow, but that is not enough to lead the country. As a leader, President Jonathan has been a failure, a total disappointment to the entire youths of this country. When fate and circumstances threw him up as the vice president, thereafter the president, there was a lot of hope because he is young and from south-south, most especially a PHD holder. All of us thought he was going to give this country a new direction, but with apology to his office, I think his government has failed this country and since I became a public person, I can say that there is virtually nothing good to write home about this administration. Again with the kind of things we are seeing today, I begin to agree with former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he

agile and you can confirm this with my schedule today. I’ve been all out with my team since morning on campaign tour, mounting podium, walking, dancing and reaching out to people in Ibadan. Maybe, that is their wish, there is nothing they can do about that. They are not my God and I wish them good luck.

once said that Jonathan never completed his PHD education. With due respect to his office, his administration has been the worst ever in the history of this nation. So the gang up against him to me is a positive one and is to save our democracy. I bet you if I were in his shoes, I will joyfully resign and go back to my town and become an elder statesman. Majority of the people that make up APC are politicians from PDP who dumped the party due to one reason or the other. Don’t you think they would push Buhari into doing the opposite if voted in? I do not think any body can cajole Buhari into doing what will not benefit the Nigerian people. There a saying in my place in Benin that when ‘a River is polluted from its source, it CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

But sir, why would your opponents wish you a thing like that? Definitely, they are jittery and I think it is their wish to get themselves out of the way, not me. I don’t need to tell you that they regard me as their only obstacle and they are praying for evil to befall CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Politics

KADUNA: Yero addresses plight of people – MAIYAKI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

in various places. While on training, they are being paid and after their training which lasts for 12 months, they are likely to be retained. Likewise, the state government in collaboration with Small Scale Enterprise has engaged another 1,000 graduates in skill acquisition training. With this arrangement, at the end of the day, they are expected to generate an employment for about 4000 people. In addition to the training packages, state government has initiated employment scheme whereby in each of the 23 local government areas, people – women and youths have been engaged for various services for a pay of N10,000 per month.

ernor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. It accumulated up to about N78million and it has been fully settled by this administration. In December last year, over N1.5billion was paid to our civil servants and teachers in our schools as a way of motivation. Conversion of Southern Kaduna University This is simply to accommodate admission seekers in the state. In Kaduna state, we have 50,000 admission seekers and Kaduna State University can admit only 5,000 to 6,000 students because there are no spaces. That gives justification for the establishment of the university.

Education Government has built the capacity of our teachers. Over 10,000 teachers have been trained. One thing that was discovered when this government came on board is that some of the teachers we have were not qualified to teach. So rather than just sacking them, they were given opportunities to go back to school. A partnership was entered between the Kaduna State government and the National Teachers Institute (NTI) so that these teachers can go back and get trained as qualified teachers. That arrangement took away the teachers and for that reasons government had to recruit 1,802 teachers to complement and replace that existing gap. Besides, unlike in other states where you have government owing about 10 months’ salary, in Kaduna state, no teacher or civil servant is owed one month salary. Teachers in Kaduna State since 2006 have been promoted on papers but that has not been commensurate in their salaries until the coming of Gov-

State of road projects This administration has completed 14 out of the 31 roads awarded by the late Patrick Yakowa. Road projects going on in Kaduna are not just the one awarded by late Yakowa but by Makarfi and Namadi. So, there are 76 ongoing roads this administration met when it came. So far, 27 of the roads have been completed fully. I will say with all sense of responsibility that this administration will continue to complete these roads in the entire state. In 2013, this administration awarded 8 roads spread across the state. In December, 2014 it also awarded 11 roads. So those 22 that are below 50% form part of the 19 that have been awarded. Kawo to Command Junction is one of the roads that have been awarded by this administration. There would be beautification, street lights and there would be one dedicated line for BRT, a Bus Scheme that would be launched by this administration to provide for the low income earners that would be plying the road. Arrangement has been concluded to establish KASTALA which is

Late Yakowa

“This administration has completed 14 out of the 31 roads awarded by the late Patrick Yakowa. Road projects going on in Kaduna are not just the one awarded by late Yakowa but by Makarfi and Namadi.”

Yero

“One thing that was discovered when this government came on board is that some of the teachers we have were not qualified to teach. So rather than just sacking them, they were given opportunities to go back to school.”

a replica of LASTMA in Lagos. Already, the law has been passed and the GM would soon be appointed. Indian Industry: One major challenge of a lot of industries in Kaduna is the issue of power supply. They have come, negotiation have been more or less concluded while some are at various stages of completion. There is a lot of expectation as the federal government completes the Kudenda 215 megawatts project. The project is above 90% completion. There are 5 turbines that are required for the project and all the 5 turbines have arrived. They are being finally installed. One of the challenges is with the Niger Delta where you have shortage of gas

“That is why it amuses one when someone asks: What has President Jonathan done? He has done so much in Galma dam, which is also going to address the issue of water problem in Zaria.”

but government is committed to completing that project by the end of this year. As soon as that project is completed, Poland firms too are coming to establish foam industry in Kaduna with an investment of over 2million dollars. A lot of companies from Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand have also concluded plans to come but the only thing that is being awaited is the 215 megawatts which will revive the entire industries. It is with this effort that we want to sincerely thank Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for doing this very critical intervention not only for Kaduna but for the entire North because that would address a lot of challenges. As you are aware, the Gurara dam is also providing about 30million watts of electricity. It’s a multifaceted project that is also addressing the issue of irrigation, water as well as electricity. The water from Gurara is the one supplying entire Abuja. Our people who reside close to the project are now into irrigation farm. That is why it amuses one when someone asks: What has President Jonathan done? He has done so much in Galma dam, which is also going to address the issue of water problem in Zaria. Before now, the Zaria water works has been conceptualized to provide 50million liters of water daily but with the Galma dam carried out by President Goodluck Jonathan, that dam will provide water for Zaria works, at 150million liters daily and not just addressing the problem of water in Zaria but also in Soba, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, Kubau, Ikara and other local government areas. About 2.5million people are going to benefit from the Zaria water works. Almajiri This people are ready tools for CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Jonathan

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Ajimobi, a bad manager of resources –Akala

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

must go round the stream, and all the people that depended on the river as a source of their drinking water will go tasty’. Any leader that surrounds himself with people of questionable character will always find himself in a mess. That is what is happening in this present administration. You see many of us that are working with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State today are from the PDP. I once worked with the PDP governor as commissioner and now I’m working with APC governor as a commissioner too and I know the difference between the two governments. It is the body language of their leader that determines things. If the followers know that there is a Billion naira involved in a transaction and the leader decides to take half of the money, the followers take theirs too and nothing will be left for the execution of the contract; that is why contracts are being abandoned in this country. But here in Edo, Governor Oshiomhole does not take money from contractors, hence, you as a follower must not because if you do you are fired immediately .Not only fired, he would ask for your persecution. This is the reason why contracts are well executed and completed in this state. Buhari is coming on a rescue mission, many of those who are campaigning and funding him today will not be able to enter Aso Rock after 90 days of his election. He will close Aso Rock doors against them. That is Buhari for you. I want you to quote me. Many of them who are raising his hands today will not come to the Villa in Abuja after he has been sworn in as President. All these people you see singing his praises will not go near him again because he would

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

them not me. The day of reckoning is fast approaching and reality is dawning on them. I’m not moved an inch at all.

Jonathan

Buhari

Jonathan, a total failure – Idahagbon not want to be associated with people of questionable characters. He will tell them yes, you assisted me, but I don’t want to see you again, because I’m not here for one person, but to serve the people of Nigeria. These same people will submit names for ministerial nomination but Buhari will reject them because he wants to run a transparent government. You sound very confident

that Gen. Buhari will carry the day on March 28th Presidential polls, what gives you that conviction? General Buhari is the man to beat. Nigerians want a change, to have that change is to vote for him. PDP has failed us in all aspects of our development. Another four years of PDP rule will mean nothing but doom for us. So I’m confident that APC will emerge victorious come March 28th.

“Any leader that surrounds himself with people of questionable character will always find himself in a mess.”

The Association of retired primary school teachers recently complained about non-payment of pension arrears and gratuities by the present administration, likewise civil servants in the state are being owed salary of more than two months, what do you think is responsible for this irregularities? When you are a bad manager of resources that is what happens. The man there (Ajimobi) is a bad manager of our resources. It is as simple as that. I learnt that he is taking quadruple in terms of federal allocation of what I earned when I was there, but he is not managing it well. That is why we are in this kind of situation. If you remember very well during my time, I had more than enough for the working class and pensioners’ as well. You just don’t give what you don’t have. The man there now hasn’t got the managerial skills to effectively govern Oyo State, if he has been doing that well, some of us wouldn’t have come out to contest again. We cannot afford to stay aloof and allow him to ruin the state. For now, there is nothing we can do for the teachers and pensioners, they have to endure and manage the situation until we get there. By God’s grace, when we come on board again, together we will look at what we have and plan on it with all sincerity. We won’t CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

‘Kaduna: Other states must also tackle Almajiri’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

selfish individuals to use during either politicking or otherwise to achieve their selfish interests. As you may be aware, Kaduna is bordered by about seven states and government has taken steps to address the issue of Almajiri in Kaduna State. The Federal government on its part has dealt with the issue of Almajiri schools. For the first time, a provision was made in the Ministry of Women Affairs to

take care of the rehabilitation of this people. The issue is so sad and that is where I want to urge the media that we have a critical role to play, because it is a major problem not only to us but to the entire nation. While they are making it look religious, there is nothing religious or Islamic about Almajiri. In fact, it is un-Islamic. It is a societal challenge. You have people coming from other states to over stretch the policy and interven-

tion of government. So, to address it easily, it must be a joint effort in the sense that when you address it in Kaduna, it should be addressed in Katsina. Some of this people are not even Nigerians. As we speak, a lot of them are being deported back to their countries. Though not peculiar to Kaduna alone, government is working with critical stakeholders such as civil society groups, Mallams and even the media to avoid wasted

effort at addressing the challenge that has become a major social menace to our society. New Millennium City project Government is looking at the basic needs of our people critically. It is not just enough to build houses but it is more important to look at the needs of our people. Though the project is still ongoing, over 600 allocations have been made to people

who have applied for plots in the millennium city. Government is also working to provide the basic infrastructure in such places. Right now, the Ministry of Lands, Works and other relevant ministries are working to provide basic infrastructure. Talk about road, the government cannot provide roads now because you cannot provide roads when people are using truck on the roads. The project is on course.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

International Politics

Israeli polls: The Arab threat Isabel Kershner and Rick Gladstone Worried that he could lose last Tuesday’s elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel lashed out at the country’s Arab voters, expressing alarm that a large turnout by them could determine the outcome. Opponents accused him of baldfaced racism. Mr. Netanyahu’s remarks, in a video posted on social media, were seen by critics as the most strident in a series of assertions he has made in recent days to rally right-wing supporters to his argument that he is the only Israeli leader who will save the country from its enemies. On Monday, Mr. Netanyahu said if his Likud faction was returned to power, he would never allow the creation of a Palestinian state, reversing a stance he had taken six years earlier. His statement was seen not only as validating Palestinian suspicions, but also risking further alienation between Mr. Netanyahu and the Obama administration, which supports a two-state solution to the ArabIsraeli conflict. Mr. Netanyahu also openly acknowledged having promoted a settlement over the 1967 lines in southeast Jerusalem in order to block the expansion of the West Bank city of Bethlehem and its connection with Jerusalem, something that critics said harmed the contiguity of any future Palestinian state. His remarks came amid assessments that Israeli-Arab citizens, whose turnout has been

“No other Western leader would dare utter such a racist remark,” Shelly Yacimovich, a senior member of the bloc, wrote on Twitter. “Imagine a warning that starts, ‘Our rule is in danger, black voters are streaming in quantity to the polling stations.’” The Joint Arab List announced that it had complained to Judge Salim Joubran, the chairman of the Central Election Committee, against Likud’s campaign clip, asking him to instruct the Likud to remove it. “A prime minister who conducts propaganda against national minority citizens is crossing a red line of incitement and racism,” said Dov Hanin, a Joint Arab List candidate. “Such a message, voiced by a prime minister on the very day in which citizens are sup-

Netanyahu historically lower than Jewish citizens in previous elections, were voting in larger numbers. They appeared to be supporting the Joint Arab List, an alliance of four small parties that together could win a significant bloc in the 120-seat Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, potentially preventing Mr. Netanyahu from gaining the 61 seats he needs to form a government. The Arab parties have maintained that they will honor their tradition of refusing to join any governing coalition. But their leader, Ayman Odeh, has indicated he would support Isaac Herzog — the leader

of the center-left Zionist Union alliance, Mr. Netanyahu’s most important adversary — if Mr. Netanyahu is defeated. “Right-wing rule is in danger. Arab voters are streaming in huge quantities to the polling stations,” Mr. Netanyahu said in the video. “The left-wing nonprofit organizations are bringing them in buses.” He exhorted supporters of Likud to vote. “With your help and God’s help we will form a national government and protect the state of Israel,” he said. The Zionist Union alliance denounced Mr. Netanyahu’s language as racial fearmongering.

“His remarks came amid assessments that Israeli-Arab citizens, whose turnout has been historically lower than Jewish citizens in previous elections, were voting in larger numbers.”

posed to be encouraged to go out to vote, is testimony to a complete loss of compass and his preparedness to smash all principles of democracy just for the sake of his own leadership.” Unapologetic, Mr. Netanyahu issued a statement hours later on his Facebook page, appealing to voters to come out and help narrow what he said was a “significant” gap between him and Mr. Herzog. He also repeated his assertions of recent days that vast quantities of foreign money had been funneled to left-wing organizations in an effort to topple him. And turning his wrath to the Joint Arab List parties, Mr. Netanyahu said their leader, Mr. Odeh, “who supports Herzog, has already said that I should not only be replaced, but that I should also be put in jail for having defended the lives of Israeli citizens and I.D.F. soldiers.” Although many Israeli analysts had predicted that the Joint Arab List could significantly raise voter turnout among Israel’s Arab citizens, it remained unclear by late Tuesday how many Israeli Arabs were voting. There are about 1.7 million Arab citizens of Israel, making up about 20 percent of the population. Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli rights activist and blogger, noted in a Twitter message that Mr. Netanyahu’s appeal to voters was echoed by his ally, Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s nationalist foreign minister. Mr. Lieberman suggested recently to Mr. Odeh that he had no right to participate in Israel’s elections.

‘Pity; they now use lanterns for operations in Oyo hospitals’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

be extravagant but consider our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the Federal Allocation and other sources of revenue and cut our coat according to the size of our cloth. But Senator Ajimobi-led APC government accused you and Senator Rashidi Ladoja of mismanaging the resources of the state while in office and therefore created problem of fund to pay salaries of workers since the inception of his administration? He is talking rubbish. He doesn’t know what he is doing. Myself and my boss were not ow-

ing salaries when we were there. In fact, my own administration left a lot of money before I left office. I learnt few days ago that the money I requested from Federal government which I used in constructing Federal roads in the state while in office, over N18Billion has been released to him. What has he done with the money? He is not a good manager, it is as simple as that. He doesn’t know what he is saying about the economy of the state. He has not managed the economy of the state very well and that is why he cannot pay workers salary. On the accusation that the administration of Ladoja/AlaoAkala destroyed the economy of the state, I want to remind him

that the same administration did not owe workers’ salary or contractors in whatever capacity. What actually happened was that their administration operated on loans. Their lenders got in touch with the Federal government, reached an agreement that the money be deducted from source. This is the reason they’re crying of meager resources from the federal government and if you cared to know, this is happening in all APC controlled states. They’ve swallowed more than they could chew. You decried the sorry state of Adeoyo hospital and lamented the dearth of health sector when your campaign train got

to Yemetu area in Ibadan, what exactly do you mean? Oh, I was sad. I made the hospital to be a world class hospital during my administration. The hospital was abandoned since 1928 that it was re-built during my time. I fixed everything. I put a lot of equipments including two big power generating sets, two boreholes to ensure water runs. I employed a retired consultant who will be permanent at the hospital to make sure the place is effectively managed and function as a world standard medical outfit. But it’s unfortunate to hear that four years after we left, they couldn’t maintain the standard. Everything has gone bad now and I learnt that they are now using

lantern in a hospital I installed two big generating sets? That is the situation we find ourselves and when you are not paying attention to what is happening around you those are what you get. Health care delivery is what our people need most and that is why I was serious about it then. Let me also state here that before I left office, I awarded contract for refurbishing and re-construction and shaping up of the new Adeoyo Hospital at Ring road, Ibadan. He didn’t touch anything and the hospital was at the same stage we left it four years ago. He has missed so many things, he didn’t get his priority right, unfortunately his time is up and we will fix them when we come on board.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Sunday Isuwa Abuja

ÏÏÏThe L-R: Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, APC Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi at a town hall meeting with security operatives in Abuja… on Wednesday

6,000 S’West pastors pray for Buhari

…As Muslim leaders, Fulani group back Jonathan Tosin Ajuwon, Akure & Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏDespite the allegation

that some pastors in Nigeria were, recently, induced with N7 billion to support the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan notwithstanding, another group of pastors in the South West is, reportedly, mobilising likeminded people for the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as President in the forthcoming general election. To achieve this aim, about 6,000 pastors, drawn from various churches, under the aegis of Christians for Gov-

ernance, Pastors for Change, have declared a seven-day fasting and prayer session. In a joint statement, the 6,000 pastors rooting for the candidacy of Buhari, declared that they were not part of Jonathan’s largesse and that nobody gave them money to support the APC candidate. They claimed that they were acting by divine intervention from God, who told them that Buhari would be the next president of Nigeria. In the same vein, Muslim leaders, under the aegis of Muslim Ummah, across the South West geo-political zone of the country, includ-

ing Edo and Delta State, on Wednesday, endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a second term in office. At a meeting convened by the South West Coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation and the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in Akure, the Muslim leaders hinged their support on the various transformational projects of Jonathan. Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo applauded the various contributions of religious leaders to the development of Nigeria.

No more polls shift, INEC assures Nigerians Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega has assured Nigerians that there will not be any further postponement of the rescheduled general election. Jega gave the assurance on Wednesday, at an interactive session with the Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of over 60 civil

society organisations, in Abuja. The INEC Chairman stated that the Commission was fully prepared for the exercise while he disclosed that 11 states have, so far, achieved over 90 per cent Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collection, because INEC maximised the sixweek extension of the polls. “We are now, adequately, prepared for the elections, which have been rescheduled to March 28 and April

11. And I want to say that I’ve not seen any indication from anywhere that there is a desire for another postponement of this election. So, we are all focused on March 28 and April 11. “Soon after we announced the rescheduling of the elections, the Commission met and decided on how best to utilise this period of extension for six weeks. We decided that the first thing to do was to do a field assessment”, he said.

Secretary General of the League of Imams and Alphas, Sheik Ahmad Aladesewa, commended Jonathan for the transformational projects he embarked upon in the country, while he decried the menace of the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram in the North East. Similarly, President Jonathan, on Wednesday, in Abuja, got the endorsement for his second term bid from Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, which also inducted him as a Life Patron of the association at a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega is avoiding a meeting with the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said on Wednesday. He said that CAN had attempted, severally, to have a meeting with Jega on the preparation and success of the general election, but was shunned. He stated this during a one-day interactive meeting organised by Think Nigeria, a Christian-Muslim movement in Abuja. He said a meeting with the INEC Chairman was arranged by the CAN General Secretary, Reverend

Jega avoiding CAN – Oritsejafor Musa Asake, based on dates given to them by the INEC boss but on reaching the airport, he was informed that the meeting has been called off. “On that agreed date, I was ready and about to travel down to Abuja, but I got a call from the CAN General Secretary that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Jega said that he could not meet with us again, because he was too busy. We asked for an alternative date, which he refused to grant us.

PDP accuses APC of planning damaging documentary on FG, Jonathan

Lai Muhammed

Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, (PDPPCO), has raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to destabilise the country through an illegal radio station. The PDPPCO, similarly

accused the APC of planning to air a documentary to run down the Federal Government. Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode raised the alarm on Wednesday while addressing a press conference in Abuja, where he said, “Our attention had been drawn to the existence of an illegal radio station called ‘’APC RADIO’’ or ‘’RADIO CHANJI’’. “This radio station has been broadcasting falsehood, propaganda and inciting comments, periodically, over the last few days and since inception”, he alleged.

I’ll complete Zaria water project, says el-Rufai Sunday Isuwa Kaduna

ÏÏÏKaduna State All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, on Wednesday, said he would complete the abandoned Zaria Water Project, if elected governor. El-Rufai, who was speaking in Zaria, his home town, during a town hall meeting with youth

leaders of Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, said he wanted to break the jinx and make water available to Zaria town and environs. “I stand here to tell you that, by the special grace of God, we will complete Zaria Water Project that has been going on endlessly. We keep on hearing billions upon billions of Naira being spent without an end”, el-Rufai said,

through a statement by the spokesperson of Kaduna State APC Campaign Council, Samuel Aruwan. Charging the youths to work hard towards a new Kaduna State, el-Rufai said, “I am appealing to you to team up with youths from Southern Kaduna, Central Kaduna and Northern Kaduna to build a new Kaduna State.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Polls: Ban Ki-moon seeks support for INEC Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏSecretary-General of

United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has harped on the need for leaders of political parties in the Nigeria to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a hitch-free and acceptable elections. He stated that from the series of meetings he held with political leaders and stakeholders in the electoral process, so far, he was convinced that the 2015 general election would be transparent,

free and credible. Ban spoke through an UnderSecretary of United Nations (Political Department), Jeffrey Feltman, after a meeting, on Wednesday, with the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adamu Mu'azu. He specifically called on leaders of parties to give all the necessary support to INEC to enable it conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election. According to Jeffrey Feltman, "The Secretary General of United Nations, His Excellency, Ban Ki-

moon asked me to come to Nigeria to join his special representative to West Africa, Ibn Chambas, to talk with Nigerians on the importance of Nigeria's forthcoming elections. "We want to determine challenges Nigeria is having and along with support from its neighbours to contain the terrorist, Boko Haram", Feltman added. He explained that he had met with political leaders, government officials, civil society groups and security chiefs, saying: "It has been very reassuring with what I have heard about the commit-

Ban

ments of Nigerians to transparent, free, fair, credible democratic elections." Feltman stated that his visit had afforded him the opportunity to compare notes with leaders of political parties.

Arik Air partners Foundation to fight sickle cell Lara Adejoro

ÏÏÏArik

Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Barr. Segun Awolowo; Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olajide Ibrahim and Permanent Sec. Ministry of Commerce And Industry, Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Umar at Integrated Workshop held in Lagos… on Wednesday. Photo: Taofeek Babajide

Abductors of ex-C’River Deputy Speaker demand N30m Emma Obi

Calabar

ÏÏÏKidnappers

of Mr. Dominic Aqua Edem, former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) and Labour Party candidate for the Calabar South/Akpabuyo/ Bakassi Federal Constituency, are demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release. Meanwhile, members of the public have risen in protest against the alarming rate of criminal activities the state. It would be recalled that a for-

mer Councillor, simply identified as Ete Ete, in Ikot Edem Udo Ward Nine, Akpabuyo Council and an associate of Edem was also, on Monday night, allegedly kidnapped and as at the time of this report, there was no information about him. Sources close to Edem’s family said the kidnappers had sent a message demanding N30 million as ransom before they would release him. Edem, who is also the immediate past Cross River State Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

was kidnapped in Calabar at about 9 p.m. on Sunday at gunpoint. His kidnap came barely three weeks after an alleged assassination attempt was made on the life of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate of the South Senatorial District, Mr. Geshom Bassey. Similarly, the State branch Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) was reportedly kidnapped about three weeks ago and about N7 million ransom was paid to his abductors before he was freed.

Air, West Africa’s largest commercial carrier, has partnered the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) to fight the burden of the disorder in the country. The support is in form of an In-Flight Donation Scheme to raise funds that would SCFN to provide necessary treatment, care and support for people with sickle cell disorder. Speaking at a media forum on Wednesday, chairman of the foundation, Prof. Olu Akinyanju, said that Nigeria had the highest burden of the sickle cell in the world because of her population. He said: "Over 150,000 children are born with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria." Appreciating the management of Arik Air, Akinyanju said: "Money for the health sector, generally, is low not to mention that of sickle cell. We are very happy that Arik Air is supporting us. There must be continuity and we hope we’ll get more funds from not just Arik but from almost everyone." Speaking on behalf of the management of Arik Air, Mr Siva Ramachandran, said sickle cell disorder was a serious condition needing urgent intervention like any other condition or disease.

13 News Igbo leader urges Ndigbo to wake from political slumber Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha

ÏÏÏA

community leader from Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Chief Livinus Obiegeonu, has charged Ndigbo both at home and in diaspora to wake up from slumber and take their destiny in their hands. Obiegeonu, who is also a former President-General of Ogboefere Market, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State, told journalists that with the low level of collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) Igbo people were yet to learn the true dynamics of politics in Nigeria. The former market boss, who spoke to the press in Onitsha on Wednesday, stated that as a veritable weapon to vote out bad leaders or elect credible ones, the state government ought to have declared a public holiday to enlighten the electorate on the need for the collection of the PVCs and expressed dismay that the PVC collection in Anambra State was a huge failure.

Ojukwu varsity VC advises students against cultism Eche Nwaobasi Nnewi

ÏÏÏThe Vice Chancellor, Chuk-

wuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State (formerly Anambra State University), Professor Fidelis Okafor, has counselled newly admitted students to avoid joining cults, warning that the authorities of the institution would not hesitate to deal firmly with anyone of them caught in the act. Giving this counseling as part of his address during the last 15th Matriculation ceremony of the university, held at the two campuses of the institution, at Uli and Igbariam, Okafor said students must particularly guard against cult groups and cultism. Said he: “Cultism is proscribed by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; membership of any cult group is, therefore, an offence punishable by law. In addition, the Federal Government had, many years ago, directed universities across the country to expel any member of any cult group and hand over such students to the police for prosecution. You are, therefore, warned to keep away from cultism”.

International 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Germany riot targets new ECB headquarters in Frankfurt

ÏÏÏ Dozens of people have been

hurt and some 350 people arrested as anti-austerity demonstrators clashed with police in the German city of Frankfurt. Police cars were set alight and stones were thrown in a protest against the opening of a new base for the European Central Bank (ECB). Violence broke out close to the city's Alte Oper concert hall hours before the ECB building's official opening. Thousands of "Blockupy" activists were due to take part in a rally. Organisers were bringing a left-wing alliance of protesters from across Germany and the rest of Europe to voice their anger at the ECB's role in austerity measures in EU member states, most recently Greece. The bank, in charge of managing the euro, is also responsible for framing eurozone policy and, along with the IMF and European Commission, has set conditions for bailouts in Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Cyprus. Police set up a cordon of barbed wire outside the bank's new 185m (600ft) double-tower skyscraper, next to the River Main. But hopes of a peaceful

Among the first targets for protesters were police cars

rally were dashed as clashes began early on Wednesday. Tyres and rubbish bins were set alight and police responded with water cannon as firefighters complained they were unable to get to the fires to put them out. One fire engine appeared to have had its windscreen broken. Activists said many protesters

had been hurt by police batons, water cannon and by pepper spray. Police said as many as 80 of their officers had been affected by pepper spray or an acidic liquid. Eight suffered injuries from stone-throwing protesters. Police spokeswoman Claudia Rogalski spoke of an "aggressive atmosphere" and the Frankfurt

ÏÏÏJapanese police are inves-

tigating phone calls threatening to kill U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and another American envoy, authorities said Wednesday. Tokyo police are investigating calls to the U.S. Embassy threatening to kill Kennedy and similar ones targeting Alfred Magleby, the U.S. consul general based on the southern island of Okinawa, an Okinawa police official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on an investigation by Tokyo authorities. According to media reports, the U.S. embassy located in Tokyo's Minato Ward received calls in February from a man speaking English who said he was going to kill Kennedy, Xinhau news agency reported. Police were also looking into the case on suspicion of blackmailing. No other details, including motives, were known.

Israeli PM wins fourth term as opposition concedes defeat

ÏÏÏ Israeli Prime Minister Ben-

Suicide blast kills seven in Afghanistan

Sierra Leonean president, Koroma, sacks deputy

ÏÏÏ A suicide car bomber at-

dent of Sierra Leone, has sacked Samuel Sam-Sumanam, his vicepresident, for seeking asylum at the United States embassy in Freetown. Sam-Sumana had requested asylum at the embassy after soldiers surrounded his residence following his expulsion from the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) last week. His dismissal had stirred confusion, as the country’s constitution stipulates the vote of two-thirds of the parliament for such decision to be taken. “I have taken note of the decision of the APC,” AFP quoted Koroma as saying in a statement. “The public will recall, and I have also taken note of the fact that Samuel Sam-Sumana sought asylum from a foreign embassy, demonstrating a willingness to abandon his duties and office as vice president of our beloved republic. “Sam-Sumana has been relieved of his duties and from the office of vice president of Sierra Leone with immediate effect.” The president said he was in

tacked a government compound in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province Wednesday, killing at least seven people and wounding 41 others. The complex in Lashgar Gah houses the governor as well as the head of the provincial council. Provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak and local district governor Haji Fatihullah were among those wounded in the blast. "I was in a gathering inside the governor's compound when the blast happened and I became unconscious," Fatihullah said. "When I opened my eyes, I found myself in hospital. I don't know how many people were killed or wounded in the blast." A suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at the back wall of the Helmand governor's compound and the adjacent residence of the head of the provincial council.

force tweeted images of a police van being attacked. They were braced for further violence as increasing numbers of activists arrived for the rally. Blockupy accused police of using kettling tactics to cordon off hundreds of protesters and appealed for supporters to press for their release.

US Ambassador receives death threats

ÏÏÏ Ernest Bai Koroma, presi-

talks with his party to “shortly” find a replacement for Sam-Sumana, his running mate in his successful 2007 and 2012 presidential campaigns. Religious leaders have warned that the “strained relationship” between the SamSumana and Koroma threatened the stability of a country still recovering from its ruinous 19912002 civil war. “We are calling on the authorities of the nation to tread cautiously bearing in mind that the country cannot afford to go back to those dark days of our recent past and that stability and security of the state are of prime importance,” the council of churches in Sierra Leone said last week. Sam-Sumana had earlier rejected calls to resign and denied the allegations that he lied about his academic credentials and religious belief. He also refuted the allegation that he created a rival political movement and was responsible for the outbreak of violence in Kono, his home region in eastern Sierra Leone.

Pakistani army kills 34 militants in air strikes

ÏÏÏPakistan's

military said it killed 34 militants on Wednesday in air strikes on a tribal region near the Afghan border as part of a major offensive against insurgents that began last year. The Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam militant groups are based in Khyber, one of seven autonomous tribal districts along Pakistan's western border, which became a hideout for Islamist militants following the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001. "In precise aerial strikes in Tirah, Khyber region, 34 terrorists were killed today," the military said in a statement. The military began its latest offensive in Khyber in October 2014, four months after a similar operation in the North Waziristan district which was triggered by a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport that sank faltering peace talks. Both conflict zones are offlimits to journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those killed.

jamin Netanyahu has said that he intends to form a government in the next two to three weeks, which would give him a fourth term as prime minister, after his conservative Likud party won convincingly in Israel's parliamentary election. With nearly all of the ballots counted, Likud captured 30 of the 120 seats in parliament, compared with 24 seats for its main challenger, the Zionist Union. Meanwhile, Israel's opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, said on Wednesday he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election victory. "A few minutes ago I spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and congratulated him on his achievement and wished him luck," Herzog told reporters.

Netanyahu

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

15 Opinion

Beyond the 2015 elections

I E.O Eke

suppose it is time to look beyond the 2015 election and focus on the problem the next government whether a PDP or APC would face. This is because election can be very deceptive as the promises of politicians can leave people with the false hope and expectation, which normally ends in disappointment. Some of the most serious problems the next government will have to confront is the need to stimulate job creation, balance the skewed economy, which at the moment, makes the North and West economic hot spots, but systematically under develops the East and South South by stifling and denying them the infrastructure needed for their economic take off and improve security particularly in the NorthEast where Boko Haram is on rampage and Middle Belt, where Fulani herdsmen are conducting ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population. Nigeria has built Lagos and Abuja with oil money and failed to develop similar cities in the East and South where the oil comes from. The resentment the East and South South feel will grow louder, if nothing is done to

placate them. The goose that lays the golden egg is restive. The next government has to pursue true free market reforms that ensure fair wealth distribution, if it is minded to be fair, by giving the sea ports in Calabar, and Port Harcourt more independence and freedom to compete and investing in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Enugu airports to bring them to international standard. In addition, there is need to build more roads like Enugu Calabar Express way and rehabilitate the Enugu Port Harcourt Express way. This would be the first honest step towards liberalising and rebalancing the economy and addressing the migration of easterners to Lagos and Abuja. Without diversification of development, Nigeria will remain unstable and ethnic nationalism will wax stronger. Sadly, none of the political parties have raised these issues and not a single regional group in East and South South have pointed out that this needs to done. It is undeniable, that the North has tended to focus only on what it wants, irrespective of how it may affect the rest of Nigeria. A ready example is the way and manner

it has been pursuing its Islamic agenda, which has culminated in the implementation of Islamic laws in the North and the attempt to extend its influence all over the country. This intransigence and insensitivity has contributed to the hardening of the position of those who believe that Nigeria is unviable in its present form and are advocating autonomy for the regions as the first step to remove the albatross of the North from the neck of the rest of Nigeria. The very unbalanced nature of Nigeria can no longer be ignored. The politics of peaceful restructuring should now begin. The East, which has borne the blood price of one Nigeria, can bear no more. Failure will give oxygen to separatists. The National Assembly must wake up to its responsibility. The Senate and House of Representatives have failed in passing legislations to make unlawful various corrupt practices in ways that are meaningful to development. The priority of the next National Assembly should include passing legislations to stop the transferring of federal and state fund into the coffers of political parties and party chiefs and strengthening ex-

ecutive accountability and probity. Future governments must be stopped from doing with their state fund what Rotimi Amaechi, Theodore Orji, Rochas Okorocha, Babatunde Fasola and others have done. Another area that needs urgent attention is the role of traditional rulers and how to hold politicians to account. It is a fundamental truth that those in power earn their respect through performing well. If they are corrupt, proud or high minded, they are despised and then opposed, for no human mind can tolerate the callous disregard of etiquette and probity in the exercise of power over them. Traditional rulers are a relic of a time, when men lived by superstition and claimed that they took their orders from God. Nigerians cannot continue to allow traditional and religious beliefs, which are hall marks of primitive societies, to dominate their thinking at a time, when the rest of the world are embracing government of reason. Religious and traditional leaders are not custodians of morality and do not have monopoly virtues or goodness as these are also part and parcel of reason and enlightenment.

Politicians as Nigeria’s biggest headache

N Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye

ow, let’s face it. Despite all the empty noise about being driven by patriotism and “desire to serve my people” that usually saturates the atmosphere at each election season, a careful, conscientious search on the political terrain can only yield about less than one percent of aspirants motivated solely by genuine desire to improve the lives of the citizenry. For the majority, the sole incentive is the golden opportunity politics offers to gain access to government coffers and cart away as much free money as one could grab. This is just the raw, plain truth. There is, however, a very insignificant few who, although also inspired by the same primitive craving for the very unfairly lucrative political jobs, are content to just go home every month with only their usually jumbo salaries and allowances. Although, they do not find the very outrageously inflated pay packets they have allocated to themselves in the

midst of widespread poverty very obscene, they are, however, able to recoil from the mad, free and fair looting that has become the distinguishing feature of political office in Nigeria. The brazenness with which the looting is perpetrated and the most revolting manner its prodigious proceeds are often flaunted underline the unmistakable impression that shameless stealing has received an official endorsement as part and parcel of governance. What makes the matter even more egregious is that these callous looters are always able to use some tiny crumbs or the usually very reliable intoxicants, namely, ethnicity and religion, to get the same shortchanged and impoverished citizenry to rise in their defense each time there are attempts to pry into their hideous activities. It is only in Nigeria that this kind of thing makes sense – that someone among the populace would want to fight and even die for an unrepentant enemy of the people. And that is why we hear our politicians always threatening blood and fire if they are “rigged” out. But the tragic irony is that

you would always find some poor, long-suffering human beings eagerly electing to be the murderous agents whose hands the out-rigged politicians would always use to shed the innocent blood of mostly their fellow impoverished Nigerians. Now, look at it this way: a man is looking for access to where our commonwealth is dumped in order to plunder and cart away huge bags of unearned wealth, but he is outsmarted in the process by a more desperate and smarter opponent. And then the pitiable victim of all the devilish scheming will foolishly lay his life to fight for one of the prospective plunderers. Is this not madness? When will Nigerians wake up from their self-induced slumber and learn? When will they cure themselves of self-inflicted blindness? When will they come into the liberating awareness that the real power lies in their hands, and that what happened was that they only foolishly and willingly relinquished it to a few heartless men and women who are now using it to oppress and impoverish them? The only election Nigerian

politicians will claim was rigged is the one in which they lost. They will heartily declare on rooftops that the same election is “free and fair” if they win. For many of these politicians, politics is just another very lucrative business enterprise from which they are hoping to reap jumbo profits. We, the masses, do not feature in their calculations at all. If you see them building any road or repainting a school building, it is either another opportunity to accumulate immense dividends from an inflated contract or something they felt they must hurriedly do to buy our support for the next elections. That is why such roads are often so substandard that the next rains would wash them off. Virtues like concern, compassion or altruism do not exist in the hearts of most Nigerian politicians. It is all about them, their relatives and friends. The whole ennobling idea about seeking to be treated fairly by history and earning and sustaining a good name are just strange, uninteresting notions that would never be able to win their admiration.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

www.bglgroupng.com

Business Times … To conduct closing gong ceremony Godwin Anyebe The recently appointed Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Mr. John O’Keeffe, will on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 lead his Executive Team and other officials of the company to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where he is expected to conduct the closing gong ceremony. The gong closing ceremony is an event that is used to signify the end of the day’s trading activities at Stock Exchanges across the globe and an invitation to beat the gong is considered by many to be an honour and an acknowledgement of a corporate’s market standing and achievement. O’ Keeffe has remarked on the import of the occasion, saying “Guinness Nigeria has been invited to beat the gong to signify the close of the day’s trade and we are pleased that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has deemed it fit to honour us in such a manner”. “Guinness Nigeria has been

New Guinness MD to visit NSE Tuesday

O’Keeffe

listed of the Nigerian stock Exchange since 1965 and we are the 7th largest company by market capitalization on the exchange. We are aware of the history that we have in this country and we are committed to implementing our strategic plans to grow within the market as signaled by major investments that we have made in areas of capacity expansion amongst others,” he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng

NCS promotes over 2,000 officers Funmi Coker The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the promotion of 2,065 officers following a directive from the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Abdullahi, that the results of the 2014 promotion exercise be released by the Custom’s board. The CGC congratulated the newly-promoted officers and charged them to amplify their efforts to justify their promotions. In a statement, spokesperson of NCS, Wale Adeniyi, said the promotion exercise, which featured a computer-based test and oral interview, were conducted at all Customs formations in October and November 2014. He said 48 Deputy Comptrollers were promoted to the rank of Comptroller, 81 Assistant- Comptrollers were promoted to Deputy Comptrollers while 112 Chief Superintendents of Customs were promoted to Assistant Comptrollers. Others include, 32 superintendents of customs promoted to

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has been called upon to examine what the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) intended to achieve with the failed bill and possibly align the desires with its regulatory framework. The stakeholders who took time to comment on the failed bill on the social media, urged the various arms of the industry to cooperate with NAICOM, whilst enjoining NAICOM to embrace NCRIB, educate and convince the body that it can achieve its aims and objectives better if both parties work together. “Some great news there that the NCRIB bill was killed. But I don’t want to believe it is over. NAICOM must listen to NCRIB and also go behind the scene to

understand the reasons for the attempted murder of the peace the Industry enjoys. I am tempted to believe that NCRIB believes it will solve a problem or gain some mileage by severing its link with NAICOM. “Either way it may be, the Commission should educate, convince and embrace NCRIB to let the body understand that it can achieve its aims and objectives better, and indeed also for all other stakeholders, if they are under the supervision of NAICOM. I am not suggesting that the Commission should beg anybody to allow it do its work but the job would be easier with the cooperation of all,” a stakeholder said. They called on operators in the industry to join efforts in making laws that will move the industry forward instead of undertaking sole decisions that will divide the fragile industry.

Daniel, NAICOM boss

Jonathan appoints Ogungbesan as FIRS Chairman Ugochukwu Onyeocha President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan as the new Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Ogungbesan’s appointment was announced on Wednesday through a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Dikko

Chief Superintendents of customs, 121 Deputy Superintendents of customs promotes to superintendents of customs, 65 assistant superintendents of customs I to Deputy Superintendents of customs and 15 Assistant superintendents of Customs II to Superintendents of Customs I. Adeniyi said a total number of 1, 591 officers benefitted in the inspectorate cadre, out of which 1, 493 are general duty officers while 98 others are support staff.

Stakeholders urge NAICOM to reconsider NCRIB’s failed bill Kayode Adelowokan

Agbaje

GTBank gets $175m loan to expand lending portfolio Ugochukwu Onyeocha The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has stated that it has lent $175 million to one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), to aid the bank in expanding its lending portfolio in Africa’s biggest economy. The IFC further revealed that the financing plan comprises $100 million for IFC’s own account and $75 million through an IFC managed co-lending portfolio. GTBank is one of Nigeria’s leading commercial lender with over 200 branches in Nigeria. GTBank, according to its 2014 full year results, increased its gross earnings by 14.8 per cent to N278.5 billion, from N242.7 billion recorded in 2013. Interest income rose by 8.2 per cent from N185.4 billion to N201 billion, while interest expenses rose by 20 per cent from N48.4 billion to N58.2 billion. In his comments on results released last week, Managing Director/CEO of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said the financial performance attested to the inherent soundness of its strategy and resilience of its earnings.

Brands & Marketing 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Colgate launches new brand of toothpaste

Ace Root, Orijin jostle for supremacy

ter is more of flavor. Adding that despite the passing of age, it’s obvious that we still maintain a strong connection with our root. Beside the initial rush by consumers to have a taste of what the drink looks like, industry analysts believe that if there is anything that is going to work for the new entrant, they are its features in terms of low level of sugar, herbal content, great value and above all the price. With the launch and the fact that Guinness has covered a large ground, the task before Nigerian Breweries may be tough. But given the dexterity of the managers of the company in the area of marketing, the journey may end up being an easy one.

The first flavour developed by Sprite in collaboration with a cultural influencer returns as Sprite LeBron’s Mix. LeBron James has proven himself one of the most transcendent figures in sports and entertainment by constantly transforming on and off the court. Introduced in 2014, Sprite 6 Mix by LeBron James, NBA superstar and cultural icon; the superstar’s limited-edition Sprite flavour also has evolved to feature a new look and name: Sprite LeBron’s Mix. “Since Sprite began its relationship with LeBron in 2003, we have worked together with the goal of creating fan experiences no other brand can offer,” said Kimberly Paige, Vice President, Sprite Brands and Flavors, Coca-Cola North America. “Sprite LeBron’s Mix is a true reflection of our mutual desire to constantly innovate and connect with fans in authentic and original ways.” “This collaboration with Sprite was all about showing gratitude to my fans by sharing one of my personal favorites — Sprite with cherry and orange,” said James. “I’m excited to continue my partnership with Sprite and bring it back this year, because sometimes things are even better the second time around,” he added.

Colgate, an international toothpaste brand, has introduced into the Nigerian dynamic toothpaste market, a unique sugar acid neutraliser technology and fluoride for treatment and prevention of cavities. Speaking at a media briefing to formally launch the product in Lagos recently, the Marketing Director, Colgate, EWA, Mr. Chris Hall, described the new product as the most advanced cavity protection for the entire family oral health. “The first toothpaste for the whole family with the exclusive Sugar Acid Neutralizer technology, it fights cavities by neutralising sugar acids right in the dental plaque.” According to him, the new Colgate toothpaste is a major breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of cavities, noting that with regular twice daily use, the product which contain Sugar Acid Neutraliser formula works to neutralise harmful acids that are formed by bacteria from sugar, to reduce early caries “Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser toothpaste has been demonstrated in various clinical studies to be more efficacious at reducing cavities than conventional toothpaste with fluoride alone,” he said. Also speaking, the Colgate Professional Manager EWA, Mr. Cheslin Twigg, said; “The fluoride in the new entrants works to reduce and prevent cavities by strengthening teeth and decreasing de-mineralisation by acids. Noting that, the technology works to create a healthy environment for the teeth by increasing the plaque and further preventing demineralisation and promoting remineralisation of the teeth. According to him, the new product works in two complementary ways. It treats the cause of cavities by targeting acid produced from sugars by bacteria in plaque, in addition to providing the conventional benefits of fluoride In contrast to traditional cavity.

and Science of Outdoor Advertising in the Age of Digital Media”, the five-day Training Event will hold from April 12 to 17, at the Department of Communication, North Dakota State University (NDSU), with Resource persons drawn from other American universities and the field of American Professional Outdoor Advertising Practitioners. North Dakota State University is ranked among the top two per cent of American pub-

lic and private universities. According to OAAN president, Mr. Charles Chijide, the curriculum for the Training Event, which was drawn up by OAAN members and NDSU Advertising Professors, shows that participants will be exposed to a wide range of topics that include business aspects and Return on Investments in Outdoor Advertising, Managing the Creative Process, Working with Governments and Public Institutions.

Chijide

Godwin Anyebe writes on the competition in the herbal drink industry following the launch of Ace Root by Nigerian Breweries to challenge the market leadership of Orijin from the stable Guinness Nigeria Plc. Though a subtle war, the ongoing brand rivalry in the Nigeria’s beer industry easily reminds followers of events of the competition between Yahoo and Google. Like Coca Cola and Pepsi, the two global web server providers have continued to do everything within their reach to upstage one and other. In the same manner, handlers of various brands in Nigeria Beer industry seems not be leaving anything to chance as they jostle for higher share of the market. It all started with Guinness Nigeria Plc when they launched Orijin drink in 2013. No doubt, Orijin a ready to drink alcoholic beverage enjoyed a tremendous reception by Nigerian consumers the moment it was launched into the market. Because Orijin was positioned as a product designed for the discerning Nigerian who wants to enjoy the best of African tradition with style, a prognosis that made it a household name in a short period. However, in what looked like a response to competition, Nigeria Breweries after tarrying a while has come out with a bang into the herbal drink market. However, unlike the early entrants that seem to aim at flavoured alcoholic drink, Nigeria Breweries appears to be playing the cool mode with the launch of Ace Root into the market. Speaking during the unveiling ceremony recently in Lagos, the sales Director NB, Mr. Hubert Eze, disclosed that they continue to change the game through innovation and consistency, noting

Outdoor advert practitioners head to US varsity

Sprite reintroduces flavour created with LeBron James

Vervelde, NB Plc boss

that Ace Root is born out of critical research. According to him, “the drink symbolises a call to action for everyone; customers and consumers to go back to their roots of true African herbs, fruits and spice extracts with Low Sugar. It’s a great innovation, one that we at Nigerian Breweries are very proud of, and we are confident our young and vibrant consumers will appreciate this game changing brand.” While reacting to issues on the difference between bitters and ready to and drink (RTD), he stressed that bitters are leaves, roots and so many things you can find from the bush that has an African heritage, while the lat-

In furtherance of their goal to give Outdoor Advertising its rightful place in the new landscape of Marketing Communications in Nigeria, members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) have mapped out a series of capacity-building Training Programmes, starting with a forthcoming Executive Education Workshop in the United States of America. Focusing on the theme “The Art

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

19 Brands & Marketing

Election: Waiting to end abuse of directional billboards Stakeholders in the advertising industry are worried about the havoc being caused by some politicians, who have suddenly defaced the directional billboards in Lagos State. Godwin Anyebe, who toured the commercial city, writes on the ugly development. All over the world, directional billboards are still widely used, especially in areas that have a lot of pedestrian and automobile traffic. While brand handlers leverage on this method of communication to connect with their target audience, it is mainly used for public utility. Demand for directional billboards has significantly increased in the developing countries since their population keeps skyrocketing every now and again, and their effectiveness have been amply demonstrated. In recent times, the use of such advertorial tools in Lagos State has been generating furore in some quarters because of its abuse. Because of lack of decorum, an initiative that ordinarily should be for public utility has been taken over by political jobbers, thereby making life miserable for people. For instance, members of the public, who are supposed to benefit from it are now suffering severely as they often miss their ways because its purpose is being defeated gradually. Daily Times check along Ahmadiyya axis along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, shows that the

billboard which runs across the expressway has been completely taken over by the All Progressives Congress political ad with the pictures of their presidential and gubernatorial candidates and their running mates boldly printed on both sides. A resident of the area, Mr. Wasiu Akanbi, a teacher, said: “We initially saw this initiative as a welcome development. As matter of fact, I have been living in this area for over a decade now and the moment this directional billboard was erected things suddenly became simple for visitors especially those coming from Abule-Egba enroute Sango Ota axis. But what brought joy to the larger society has today been reversed all in the name of political campaign.” “The question we are asking is, who is the person in-charge of this billboard? And who authorised these people to deface what was meant for public utility? There must be a body that regulates the placement of ad in every society. The question that should come to mind is which body regulates this one? I am independently convinced that a brand owner cannot just come and place an ad on what is supposed to be for public use without approval from the necessary quarter. “We urge government to fish out whoever is responsible for this gross misconduct and be brought to book. They should also ensure that the directional billboard is taken back to its former state of public utility.

Ufot, APCON chairman

Let me say something here, the poster that is displayed here belong to a certain political party, therefore the government that be in the state should come out and address this issue because they are of the same political movement”. On the other hand, report shows that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), as established by the Lagos State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law, 2006 and the Amendment thereto is responsible for regulating and controlling outdoor advertising and signage displays in the state.

The said agency is said to be saddled with responsibility for the management, regulation and control of the signage and outdoor advertising environment in Lagos State. By implication, they are responsible for managing all forms of signage and outdoor branding opportunities in the state. While this continues to generate debate among stakeholders, others are of the opinion that the said political ad that has completely taken over what was meant for public utility must have been the hand work of party loyalists who are in one way or the other seeking for favour from

the party’s higher authority. This seems not to have gone down well with some analysts as they believe that LASA cannot come out and tell the larger society that it is not aware of the ad placement. To this end, they are of the view that supposing it was an ad placed by a brand that has no LASA affiliation, the media would gone awash on this issue by now. Meanwhile, all efforts to get the view of LASA on this matter before filling this report proved abortive but a source within the agency told this reporter that the hands of the body are tied on the issue.

Quill Award open to all journalists in Nigeria- Promasidor Promasidor Nigeria Limited, organisers of the Promasidor Quill awards, has said that the Award is not meant for journalists based in Lagos State and its environs alone, but for all practicing journalists across the country. In an interview in Lagos, the company’s Head of Legal and Public Relations, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, said the information on the Promasidor Quill Awards has always been for journalists to enter and also for media houses to encourage their staff

to participate. His words: “This has not changed. We have judiciously done what we are supposed to do. It is now left for the target audience of the awards to realize that this is a credible platform with adequate rewards. If you feel that the work you have done is good enough to merit an award then, put it in. That is what it is all about – to recognise and reward excellence.” The 2015 edition of the awards was flagged off January 2015 and prospective contestants have un-

til April 30, 2015 to submit their entries. Contestants are expected to upload their entries online to participate in the awards. Reacting to query by some prospective contestants that uploading entries online has been difficult, Enahoro said, “In the unlikely event that you cannot upload your entries, you can send your entries to our PR Agency, TPT International. What we want is the word format, and a scanned copy of the published work”. Commenting on the e-platform

entry submission process of the awards, he pointed out that the reason for using the e-platform is to take care of media men/ journalists who are outside Lagos and South West. “We don’t want a situation where the scope will be limited to any specific geographical zone”, he stated. Moreover, he stated, that with the e-platform, there is an instant acknowledgement of entry. The website also has helplines and email addresses where any issues are promptly attended to.

Enahoro

Insurance 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Pension operators target subscribers via social media

Yola

Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has said that its member companies will fully adopt social media to better serve existing customers and reach new ones scattered across the country. PenOp Chairman, Misbahu

Yola, disclosed this at the justconcluded Social Media Week in Lagos, adding that pension operators were currently using Information Technology (IT) to get more people on board even as the younger generation of workers in the country do most of their businesses and transaction paperless. “We are working on that, it is going to be a channel that is unavoidable and we will adopt it”, Yola assured. Stanbic IBTC Pension Fund Managers, has being on the lead in deployment of social media to reach subscribers. The firm’s online interactions had made it one of the preferred PFAs, with fund under-management exceeding N1.4 trillion.

FUG Pensions dedicates award to clients, staff Future Unity Glanvils Pensions Ltd (FUG Pensions), winner of the 2014 Pension Fund Administrator of the year award, has dedicated the award to its clients and staff for helping the firm make giant strides and stand tall in the pension industry. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Usman Suleiman, said this at the presentation of the award to the management of the firm in Lagos. He noted that the award was dedicated to the parties for their trust and contributions which have helped the firm record giant strides since it commenced operations. “What the award presenters saw in us have also been seen by other parties home and abroad. We give the glory to God, but we dedicate the award to our clients who have supported us. Though,

we are not among the early starters, but when we started, those who signed with us have the trust and loyalty and have stayed and weather the storm with us. They are the people getting this award. “In addition, our employees who have been with us and who have also weathered the storm with us and getting us to this stage. They are the people that have really won this award. “This award is dedicated to the glory of God and these stakeholders that I have mentioned. I want to assure all those who have interest in this industry that FUG Pensions is not going to disappoint them. We are just starting, in fact, what you have seen is the beginning, we are assuring the public that this award will spur us and make us go farther than what we have anticipated.”

LASACO merges life, general operations LASACO Assurance Plc has returned to a composite structure after the merger of its Life operations with the General effective from 2015 financial year. The firm said the strategic move is aimed at running a seamless insurance business as well as positioned to deliver world class service. According to the Group Managing Director, Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi, as a going concern, adapting to market demand and

business operating environment is imperative for the success of any business outfit. He said “the decision to merge our Life outfit with the mother company was taken after a deep thought on a number of business variables and the need to chart a new course for the group”. Ladipo-Ajayi stated that business requires pragmatism approach and that the company has always been bold in taking decisions not based on sentiment or following routine.

PenCom rules out 3rd party biometric data Stories by KAYODE ADELOWOKAN National Pension Commission (PenCom) has ruled out the possibility of the pension industry adopting third party biometric data for pension administration. Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, PenCom, Director General, said the enabling law of the regulatory body does not give the commission the latitude to collect other data than the one it generated inhouse. Said Anohu-Amazu: “The enabling law for the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), Pension Reform Act, 2014 mandates PenCom to maintain a data base on contributors and retirees in a National Data Bank (NDB) domiciled in-house.” She gave the clarification on the heels of concerns that there were several government agencies and private organisations collecting biometric data of Nigerians thus the information could be shared among interested entities like PenCom. The concern was also recently expressed at the just-concluded Social Media Week in Lagos.

Anohu-Amazu

Stakeholders said they were worried about a possible information overload as a result of the multiple biometric and verification exercises that Nigerians were subjected to from the banks; Federal Road Safety Commission and others. This is besides the national identity card registration, INEC and several others. Responding, Mrs. Anohu-Amazu noted that “the pension law mandated PenCom to register, take the biometric of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders

and warehouse the information in-house.” She said the commission already had the necessary database domiciled in a National Data Bank (NDB) in-house and is currently reviewing these data to identify and correct mistakes and misrepresentations with a view to upgrading the system. The use of cards similar to the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) could be explored in the future to improve on the databank, she added.

The new Miss Insurance, Okoro Chineye Cynthia, receiving her Star Prize, Kia Picanto, from the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Bola Temowo, in Lagos recently.

Standard Alliance staff emerges 2015 Miss Insurance A staff of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Okoro Chineye Cynthia, has emerged the 2015/2016 Miss Insurance with a star prize of a brand new Kia Picanto car. Chineye was crowned at the annual Miss Insurance Dance competition organised by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in Lagos, keenly contested by seven elegant ladies from companies in the sector.

She is expected to use her reign as Insurance Ambassador to create awareness and promote knowledge on insurance. Miss Anna Ogbodo of African Alliance Insurance Plc emerged the first runner-up and would have five days all paid trip to Dubai, while Miss Isioma Isioma of Anchor Insurance Company Limited who emerged second runner-up was given a home theater. Chairman of the event, Elder

Gbenga Olowo, Chairman Golf View Hotel, lauded the efforts of the institute in engaging on researches and organising events that have really united and moved the industry forward. He added that the institute has proven that it has social intelligence, stressing that insurance business being technical, requires social intelligence to evolve products that help mitigate human risks.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19 , 2015

Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

Cartoons from our Archives

1949 East Germany approves new constitution In a precursor to the establishment of a separate, Sovietdominated East Germany, the People’s Council of the Soviet Zone of Occupation approved a new constitution. This action, together with the U.S. policy of pursuing an independent pathway in regards to West Germany, contributed to the permanent division of Germany. The post-war status of Germany had become a bone of contention between the United States and the Soviet Union even before World War II ended. The Soviet Union wanted assurances that Germany would be permanently disarmed and demanded huge reparations from the post-war German government. The United States, however, was hesitant to commit to these demands. By 1945, many U.S. officials began to see the Soviet Union

1957 In the spring of 1957, Elvis Presley was completing his second Hollywood movie, Loving You, and his first movie soundtrack album. He had two studio albums and 48 singles already under his belt and two years of nearly nonstop live appearances behind him. If his life had taken a different path, the spring of 1957 might have seen Elvis Presley filling out law school applications or interviewing for his first job as college graduation approached. But the hardworking son of Gladys and Vernon Presley was already his family’s primary breadwinner in the spring of 1957, and already looking, at the tender age of 22, to purchase them a new home for the second time. He found that home on the outskirts of Memphis—a southern Colonial mansion on a 13.8-acre wooded estate. With a $1,000 cash deposit against a sale price of $102,500, Elvis Presley agreed to purchase the home called Graceland on March 19,

as a potential adversary in the post-war world and viewed a reunified-and pro-WestGermany as valuable to the defence of Europe. When the war ended in May 1945, Russian forces occupied a large portion of Germany, including Berlin. Negotiations between the United States, Russia, Britain, and France resulted in the establishment of occupation zones for each nation. Berlin was also divided in zones of occupation. While both the United States and Russia publicly called for a reunified Germany, both nations were coming to the conclusion that a permanently divided Germany might be advantageous. For the United States, West Germany, with its powerful economy and potential military strength, would make for a crucial ally in the developing Cold War. The Soviets came to much the same conclusion in regards to East Germany.

Elvis Presley puts a down payment on Graceland 1957. It’s a special enough thing for any young man to be able to buy a house for his family, but for a young man who was as devoted to his family as Elvis was, it must have been particularly special. Elvis had already bought one house for his parents on Audubon Avenue in East Memphis, but that residential neighbourhood had become overrun with gawkers and worshipers as Elvis became a megastar. There was also the matter of the growing entourage of extended family and friends around Elvis driving the need for a larger home base. Officially, Graceland was where Elvis, his parents and his grandmother Minnie Mae lived, but unofficially, it was also the home/hotel/clubhouse for the entire “Memphis Mafia”—the ever-changing cast of childhood and newfound friends who surrounded and often drew salaries from Elvis throughout his poststardom life.

Daily Times March 19, 1961

1970 National

1999

The National Assembly grants “full power” to Premier Lon Nol, declared a state of emergency, and suspends four articles of the constitution, permitting arbitrary arrest and banning public assembly. Lon Nol and First Deputy Premier Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak had conducted a bloodless coup against Prince Norodom Sihanouk the day before and proclaimed the establishment of the Khmer Republic. Between 1970 and 1975, Lon Nol and his army, the Forces Armees Nationale Khmer (FANK), with U.S. support and military aid, fought the communist Khmer Rouge for control of Cambodia. When the U.S. forces departed South Vietnam in 1973, both the Cambodians and South Vietnamese found themselves fighting the communists alone. Without U.S. support, Lon Nol’s forces succumbed to the Khmer Rouge in April 1975.

On this day in 1999, law enforcement officials discovered the charred bodies of forty-two-yearold Carol Sund and sixteen-yearold Silvina Pelosso in the trunk of their burned-out rental car, a day after the vehicle was located in a remote area several hours from Yosemite National Park. Cary Stayner, a handyman at the lodge where the women were last seen a month before, later confessed to their murders as well as those of two other women. On the evening of February 15, 1999, Carol Sund of Eureka, California, along with her fifteenyear-old daughter Juli and their family friend Silvina Pelosso, from Argentina, were staying at the Cedar Lodge in the town of El Portal, California, near Yosemite. Cary Stayner later confessed to investigators that he entered the women’s room on the premise that he needed to fix a water leak and then strangled Carol Sund and sexually assaulted the two teens. He later killed Silvina

emergency declared in Cambodia

Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case Pelosso and put her body, along with Carol Sund’s, in their rented Pontiac Gran Prix. Stayner then drove Juli Sund to Lake Don Pedro, near Mocassin, California, where he slashed her neck. After the women were reported missing, police questioned Stayner but didn’t believe the clean-cut handyman, who had no history of violence, was involved. Instead, the investigation focused on other employees at the Cedar Lodge as well as suspicious persons in the town of Modesto, where Carol Sund’s wallet was found in the street several days after her disappearance. (Stayner would later confess to dropping the wallet there to mislead police.) On March 18, 1999, a man found Carol Sund’s rental car in a secluded area 100 yards north of Highway 108, near Long Barn, California. The following day, March 19, investigators arrived to open the car trunk, where they discovered the badly burned bodies of Sund and Pelosso.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

23 News

Fashola seeks amendment to 2015 budget

Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏLagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has sought the approval of the State House of Assembly to amend the 2015 Appropriation Law, as a result of happenings in the nation’s economy, which he said was

currently facing lean times, as a direct effect of dwindling foreign reserves and decline in exchange rate. He made this request at a special plenary sitting of the House on Tuesday. Fashola said the reality of poor power supply had been on

for a very long time and the Nigerian economy was caught in troubled waters as a result. The Governor said the situation where 70 percent is voted for recurrent and 30 percent for capital expenditure, at the Federal level, portended unease for the economy.

According to him: “Budget is a statement of intention and projected revenue based on the previous performance and IGR and also what we intend to borrow and the Independent Power Project (IPP). Oftentimes budget implementation has hovered between 70 and 75 percent. But

in the last three years, it is only this government that has been able to perform up to 80 percent. He however told the law-makers that the 2015 would be based on the revenue accruable to the treasury of the state government, in line with the economic reality.

NLC election: NANS urges Wabba to reconcile aggrieved unions Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) in a town hall meeting with professional groups and civil society organisations based in Delta… on Tuesday

Jonathan to sign Bio-Safety Bill soon – Minister nology, Abdu Bulama, who hinted at this, at the International Service for the Acquisition of AgricBiotech Application (ISAAA) 2014 launch, in Abuja, said that the BioSafety Bill had undergone all the processes at the National Assembly and now awaiting transmission to Jonathan for assent. Bulama said that Jonathan’s optimism on the bill was based on the fact that it had been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. “We need bio-technology, in our quest to feed and provide livelihoods for our teaming population. The enactment of a bio-safety law will provide the key to unlock the second gene revolution in Nigeria,’’Bulama said. He stated, further, that efforts were being made to develop hu-

man and infrastructure for biotech, emphasising that community mobilisation was key to success of bio-tech industry in the country. Maintaining that formidable team of bio-tech champions abound and synergy exited among relevant stakeholders, Bulama said: “no genetically- modified (GM) crop has been commercialised in Nigeria. Sporadic reports of GM food suspects exist. Three GM crops, including cassava developed for vitamin A, iron and zinc enrichment (bio-cassava plus) and mosaic disease, brown streak disease resistance are currently undergoing CFT, biocassava plus”, adding that commercialisation of GM crops could not commerce until the bio-safety law was enacted.

Kwara PDP Ola Yekeen The People’s Democratic absolves self ÏÏÏ Party (PDP) in Kwara State says has no hand in the alleged atfrom alleged ittack on the convoy of wife of Presidential candidate of attack on Buhari’s the the All Progressives Congress wife’s convoy (APC), Hajia Aishat Buhari,

It was alleged that the convoy of gen. Buhari’s wife came under attacks last Monday, when she was in the state in continuation of her nationwide campaign for support for her husband. Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chief Rex Olawoye, in Ilorin, declared that the allegation was “fraudulent, de-

Jonathan

Akor Ejumen Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, gave an assurance that, very shortly, he would sign the Bio-Safety Bill in to law, so that the country could enjoy its benefit, which centred on unlocking gene revolution. Minister of Science and Tech-

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Wednesday, urged the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, to make peace with the 23 affiliated unions of the Congress that rejected the results of the recent delegates’ election that produced him as presiden. The president of the factional NANS, Tijani Usman, who gave the charge during the courtesy visit to Wabba, on Monday, in Abuja, said it was necessary to draw the aggrieved members closer and make them understand the need to unite and fight as a common front in order to

Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏThe Niger State chapter of the

protect the interest of Nigerian workers. He said that the association believed in the capability of the Wabba-led NLC to settle the disagreement that arose from the just concluded election of the Congress, while appealing to the aggrieved unions to reconsider their stand. Usman said that they were at the NLC Secretariat to congratulate Wabba and identify with his leadership and equally work with his cabinet. Speaking, the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba said the visit of the association was significant in the life the Congress, maintaining that all the social partners would be accommodated in his administration.

Niger PDP campaign co-ordinator defects to APC

People Democratic Party (PDP), has lost a highly visible member. This followed the defection, on Wednesday, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), by Alhaji Akilu Ishaku Kuta, who was the 2015 Campaign Co-ordinator, Shiroro Local Government Area, for the PDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko. A former vice-chairman of the local government, on the platform of PDP, Kuta announced his defection, at the APC governorship rally, in Kuta town, explaining that he left PDP with 1,500 of his supporters. He said that over the years there had not been any development in the local governments under this administration. During the time of former governor Abdulkadir

Kure, local governments executed people-oriented projects but that is not the case now. Receiving the decampees, the state leader of APC and Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto, urged the people to vote for all the candidates of APC in the election. He advised the people not to sell their PVCs, insisting that they should shun those wanting to influence their votes with money. Addressing the rally, the state APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello promised to develop the state and the area in particular, if voted into office.

ceitful and satanic formulated to paint PDP black.” Olawoye said the entire PDP train had moved to Kwara South since Sunday for campaign and did not return to Ilorin until 9:00 a.m on Tuesday, March 17. His words, “We were far in the interior of Kwara South waxing and basking on PDP impending

victory at the polls because of the intimidating support PDP was receiving from nooks and crannies of the state,” Olawoye added. According to Olawoye, the 10 vehicles allegedly damaged were yet to be displayed by the APC chairman to the members of the public.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

PDP lauds Jonathan on electricity tariff reduction About Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the 50 percent reduction in electricity tariff in Nigeria. National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja. Metuh, in a press statement on behalf of the party, said that the reduction, which came two months after the cut in the pump

price of petrol, portrayed the President “as a listening and compassionate leader, who has the interest and well-being of his citizens at heart.” The party noted that the development had shown that Jonathan was always in touch with the people and issues having direct bearing on their economic and social lives. It added that the reduction was “a direct result of meticulous application of deliberate policies, which took full cognisance of the impact of high electricity

cost on the citizens and the economy. “This reduction in electricity tariff, has further strengthened the businessfriendly environment created by the Jonathan administration, which led to the unprecedented thriving of the private sector, our emergence as the largest economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world”. The PDP added that the step would not only translate into a better standard of living for Nigerians, but, increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) as more investments were expected to manifest, with more employment and business opportunities for Nigerians. Stating that Nigerians would continue to witness the dividends of populist policies of the Jonathan administration, PDP urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure full implementation of the Transitional Electricity Market Policy, which was designed to ensure an efficient cost reflectivity that would guarantee cheaper electricity service in the country.

SDP gov candidate promises broad govt in Taraba

Kente

Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe

governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in

Taraba State, Chief David Sabo Kente, has assured the electorate that he would run an all-inclusive government and ensure peaceful co-existence in the state. Kente, who gave the assurance at the Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN) 2015 Revival Conference held at its secretariat on Lissam Road, Takum, pointed out that long before he became interested in the governorship of Taraba State, he had been involved in philanthropy through the DSK Foundation. He said that, on assumption of office, he would restore and guarantee security, which had eluded the people; pursue peace and unite the diverse cultural structures; promote genuine reconciliation.

Lagos fire: Akinsemoyin urges monarchs to support govt ÏÏÏ A prince of

the Akinsemoyin ruling house of Lagos, Alhaji S.M. Olowonifela Akinsemoyin, has urged traditional rulers to support the state government in stopping the wave of fire outbreaks in the state. Akinsemoyin, in a statement issued in Lagos, observed that the recent increase in fire incidence in the state needed to be checked.

He suggested that traditional rulers should deliberate on how to check the trend through available means and put an end to further loss of lives and property. There have been incessant fire outbreaks in Lagos, recently, claiming lives and property, the latest being that of Ikorodu abattoir on Tuesday, when a petrol tanker caught fire claiming the lives of three people.

Niger Assembly okays new law against rapists Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏ

The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman, has said that the legislature will do everything possible to put an end to the incessant cases of rape in the state. Usman made this known on Wednesday, shortly after the Assembly passed a private member bill for a law to amend some provisions of the Penal Code Law Cap 94 Laws of Niger State 1989. He explained that by passing the bill, the Assembly had expanded the scope

of the existing penal code law by increasing areas of sexual harassment offences and punishment. He said instead of the present 21 years’ imprisonment for offenders, the new law proposed stiffer punishment to serve as warning to others. The Speaker urged parents to always monitor their wards, especially, the girl-child and advised school authorities to put surveillance measures in place to check truancy and immoral behaviour by pupils and students as a way of complementing government’s effort at eradicating rape in the society.

24Director General, Consumer Protection Council, (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki (middle); Director, Consumer Education, Alh. Aminu Kawu (left); Director, Quality Assurance and Development, Mr. Emmanuel Amlai and Director Legal, Mr. Emmanuel Ataguba (right) at the press briefing ahead of the 2015 Consumer Protection International Day in Abuja… on Wednesday Photo: Jimmy John Baba

Buhari’ll address corruption, surrogate candidacy - AG Andrew Orolua

Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Attorney General

and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State, Chukwuma Machukwu Ume (SAN), has asked Nigerians to vote massively for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to prevent the country from becoming a one-party state.

According to him, “crippling surrogacy system, corruption, leadership problems” and other vices, that have been promoted by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past 16 years, would continue to stifle internal democracy, if not checked now by voting out the PDP. Ume stated this is in a paper entitled, 'The Bane of Political Leadership since Independence', which he

delivered at a symposium in Umuahia. Copies of the paper were, however, made available to newsmen in Abuja. He said that "Democracy is rooted in plurality and the ability of the electorate to have alternative party programmes, but, "Nigeria is, fast, losing this”. Ume said that the experience had been that "Surrogacy ensures that all the ills of the predecessor are

covered by the successor. The surrogate candidate is also not under any pressure to perform, if he gets into office”. He said that the unfortunate thing about the country was that it had continued to have incompetent candidates standing for elections because their predecessors had always insisted that the surrogate successors do their bidding.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Jonathan swears-in Obanikoro, 7 other ministers Egena Egena Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?With

barely two months to the end of his first tenure, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday swore-in eight ministers and two federal commissioners. The brief swearing-in ceremony, which took place in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the president. While announcing the portfolios of the new ministers, President Jonathan

likened the new ministers to football players that were being substituted at the last minutes, saying that much was expected of them. Said he: "For the ministers, you are coming at an injury time. Everybody will want to know what you can do.Your dance steps will be watched by everybody and I hope you will dance well." In their portfolios as announced by the president, Senator Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa State) takes charge of the Ministry of Information, Senator Joel Danlami (Taraba State) was assigned to the Ministry of Labour and

Productivity. Others were Prof. Nickolas Ada (Benue State), Minister of State 1, Foreign Affairs; Col Augustine Akobundu (Abia State), Minister of State 1, Defence and Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi State), Minister of State, Health. Others were Mrs. Hauwa Bappa (Jigawa State), Kenneth Kobani (River State) and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos State) were assigned as ministers of state for Niger Delta, Industry, Trade and Investment and Minister of State 2, Defence Ministry, respectively. The two federal commissioners sworn-in were Mr. Jonah

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Madugu representing Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states in the Federal Civil Service Commission, and Mrs Abimbola Hundeyinas commissioner in the National Population Commission.

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All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has said it will petition the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan, over Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attack on residents of Lagos State by armed groups under the cover of a faction of the Oodua Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Congress (OPC), demanding the sack of National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the APC presidential campaign

spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, noted that harassing and intimidating motorists, chanting antiJega songs, indicates acting a carefully-prepared script for the truncation of the general election. The statement reads in parts: "Our investigations have confirmed that Monday's show was a dressrehearsal for the main disruption planned for the general election. Lagos, and the entire South W est, being a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been marked for massive disheveling commotion that would involve killings, maiming and kidnapping."

DSS nabs six kidnappers, impersonator in Edo

Titus Akhigbe

Lagos protest: APC to petition Jonathan Ă?Ă?Ă?The

Jonathan

Benin Ă?Ă?Ă?Officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), in Edo State, have nabbed six men said to be involved in the kidnap of a former Local Government Chairman in the state, Mr. Anselm Adima. The suspects, were also said to be involved in the kidnap of a woman, who was raped in the presence of her daughter, with the pictures of the act taken. The daughter, who was also a victim of the kidnappers, was said to have been spared the trauma of the kidnappersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; raging libido.

Another suspect, a fraudster, who impersonated the Chief of Air Staff to hoodwink his unsuspecting victims, was also nabbed. Parading the suspects before Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Wednesday, Director of the state command of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Bello Bakori, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;this group of criminals paraded were those involved in fraud, kidnapping, car snatching and robbery. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The group was involved in the kidnapping of the former Transitional Committee Chairman of Esan North East Local Gov-

ernment Area, Mr. Anselm Adima, where the sum of N3 million was paid as ransom. One of these boys is a notorious fraudster who goes about swindling members of the public and even impersonating the Chief of Air Staff. We have this one, Isaac Ogun, collecting money from the public, using the name of one Mr. Balogun and just recently, many cases have been established against him in Jos and other places and luckily he was arrested recently based on a complaint from the Air force that someone is going about impersonating the Chief of Air Staff.â&#x20AC;?

Only God can restructure Nigeria - Braithwaite

Ă?Ă?Ă?

Elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, on Wednesday, said that the upcoming general election would not usher in the desired orderly transition, noting that only God can restructure Nigeria. Braithwaite, made the declaration at a round table entitled "Discussion on the State of Lagos" organised by the Free Lagos group.

Addressing participants at the event, Braithwaite said that the potentials of Nigeria would not be achieved, just by wrestling power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). "However, hope is not lost and God will intervene in this election but from above the sky, God himself is going to rearrange and restructure

Nigeria. "Neither the PDP nor the APC has good fate about the future of Nigeria. We cannot watch while a few cabal sit over the wealth of the country while the rest wallow in poverty," he said. According to him, for any meaningful change to take place in Nigeria, the country must be restructured.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Health

‘Glaucoma is treatable, not curable’ Lara Adejoro omolara.adejoro@dailytimes. com.ng Glaucoma is a very common cause of blindness in Nigeria but, when it is detected early, it can be prevented. Unfortunately, it is asymptomatic, and the awareness of glaucoma among people is quite poor. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damages. The optic nerve carries images from the retina, which is the specialized light sensing tissue, to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibres of the optic nerve. When a significant number of nerve fibres are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Once nerve damage and visual loss occur, it is permanent. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), glaucoma is now the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataracts. Glaucoma, however, presents perhaps an even greater public health challenge than cataracts, because the blindness it causes is irreversible. Dr Abiola Oyeleye, the Vice Chairman, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Lagos State chapter, and Consultant Ophthalmologist, the Eye Doctor’s Clinic, Lagos, said: “A lot of people may have heard of glaucoma, but they just say ‘it is an eye condition’. But it goes beyond that; it is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. That means if you are blind from glaucoma, nothing can be

A patient undergoing eye-check

done to bring your sight back. “In glaucoma, you don’t have symptoms. If you go for a routine eye check and they confirm that you have it, then treatment can commence on time. Everyone is at risk of glaucoma but high risk groups are adults from age 30. Dr Oyeleye said: “Some people have glaucoma at age 10 or 20; some children are born with glaucoma but, usually, people have it when they get to the adult stage. So, one needs to go for regular eye check.” In her words, the Associate

professor of ophthalmology, Guinness Eye Centre, Dr Adeola Onakoya, said glaucoma is not just a blinding disease “but you may not know if you have it and, unfortunately, it may result into blindness if there is no quick intervention. So, it is better that from about the age of 35, you see an eye specialist, precisely an ophthalmologist, to examine your eyes in detail and then tell you whether you have glaucoma, or not. “It is only through early detection that you can prevent blindness from glaucoma and, if it is

not properly treated, could result into blindness, because it is naturally progressive.” In Nigeria, the prevalence of glaucoma amongst those that are above 40 year is put at about four per cent, and the estimate is that that age group is about 20 per cent of the population. “So, in a population of 150 million, it means 30 million people are predisposed to be affected, and of that 30 million, two million people are probably suffering from glaucoma and, out of

Continued on page 27

Brief

Lagos unveils ultra-modern cardiac, renal centre Lagos State government yesterday commissioned the MultiBillion Naira Ultra Modern Cardiac and Renal Centre at Gbagada General Hospital. Speaking during the commissioning of the event, Lagos state commissioner of health, Dr Jide Idris said the idea of setting up the befitting facility is to lessen the burden of non-communicable diseases in the state. “Proactively, the state government’s infrastructural development plan in the year 2008 was sufficiently comprehensive to address this trend and ensure that residents are able to access care for these morbidities because if it is not adequately managed, it will increase morbidity and mortality indices,” he said. According to him, the centre will serve the purpose for which it was built and as a training centre. “The construction of this threefloor centre commenced in 2008 is fully operational today, delivering 24hr service, and seven days a week to the people of Lagos State. The facility is 67 bed compliment is split into 20 beds and 14 high dependency beds, 10 intensive care and recovery unit beds and 23 dialysis patients stations,” he said. In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola noted that the project was borne out of his commitment to serve the state. “We open the Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre to serve our people as promised.”

Okenyi wins Justina Ejelonu Scholarship for Nurses

Nurses raise alarm over quackery

In fulfilment of its pledge to immortalize and honour the memory of Late Justina Ejelonu, who paid the ultimate prize in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Nursingworld Nigeria recently issued a cheque for N50,000 to Nurse Nwadozie Okenyi at the School of Nursing, Agbor. Okenyi emerged winner for the February 2015 Justina Ejelonu Memorial Scholarship award. During the presentation of the cheque, Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Veronica Osanekwu, commended Nursingworld on a job well done and prayed God to strengthen the organization.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has raised an alarm over quackery in the health sector. A zonal officer of the council, Mr Ernest Akuna, who made this known at the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) for nurses, at the School of Nursing, Agbor, Delta State, called for all hands to be on to check the trend.

Winner ( second from left) of Justina Ejelonu scholarship for nurses receiving award

Akuna said: “Majority of us work in the private sector, where quackery is at its peak. So, nurses should report issues of quacks to the state committee, which would forward same to the zonal offices and finally to the council.” He added that evidence must also back-up such reports. “We are all involved in the fight against quackery,” he charged.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19 , 2015

27 Health

NHIS to assist states develop own health insurance Akor Ejumene,

Abuja

As part of the efforts of the present administration to achieve universal coverage of health insurance, the driver of the project, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has offered to assist states to develop and implement their own health insurance programmes. The Executive Secretary of the scheme, Femi Thomas, who disclosed this at a meeting with commissioners and permanent secretaries of the states’ ministries of Health across the nation, in Abuja, recently, expressed concern that the placement of health in the concurrent budget lists had generated conflicts between the states and the Federal Government. He said his agency would turn the crisis to synergy in order to provide affordable health services to all citizens of the country. According to him: “Having looked at the issues on our relationship with the states in the past, we have come up with a reviewed position on our engagement with states all over the

country. “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees adequate health for all. Incidentally, the same constitution has put health on the concurrent lists. “But, over the years, this idea of being on the concurrent lists had been a source of conflict between the states and the federal government. But on our own side, we have found this very unnecessary. “So, the time has come for us to use the principle of synergy to move health insurance forward in the country,” he observed. Femi further explained that: “What we are saying is that instead of coming with your money to the NHIS, what we require of you will be to form your own health insurance board at the state levels, come out with your own programmes within the formal and informal sector.” He stated that making it mandatory means that all those who are working, either in the formal or informal sector of the economy, must enrol in one form of health insurance or the other, and those who are not working

must be covered through cross subsidy and some equity programmes. Instead of doing free health services for the whole state ¬– for those who are working and for those who are not working, the NHIS boss said “you can limit this free health services to the vulnerable groups, who can now benefit under the equity programme and then, the federal government through the NHIS, can continue to support the equity programme in all the states for those who are not working and the vulnerable ones.” Drawing attention to the ‘Save A Million Lives’ programme that is now maturing for launch, Femi said “We are also looking at the programme that can provide additional platform to support you through this equity programme, for those who are not working and for the vulnerable group.” He said the scheme would support any willing state to start the programme immediately, adding that the whole essence of the initiative is for the scheme to look beyond the politically motivated free health programmes. “There is no free health any-

Thomas

where, somebody must pay for it. We encourage the states to come up with this programme and put all their efforts on free

health programmes to be part of the equity programme under a social health insurance agency,” he added.

Early detection Group urges NASS to incorporate unborn babies in VAPP bill can prevent, blindness Continued from page 26 that figure, 200,000 of them are blind in both eyes. That is just under estimation. There are more people who are blind from glaucoma,” Onakoya said. However, Oyeleye said: “Glaucoma is treatable, but not curable. When you say treatable, it means you can prevent it and try to prevent it from getting worse. You can prevent it with eye drops or tablets (medication) or laser treatment or surgery, but someone who has glaucoma cannot take it away completely, that is why it is treatable, but not curable.”

The Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), a civil society group, has urged the National Assembly to include unborn babies in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill. The Public Relations Officer of the group, Ms Ijeoma Uzoma, who made the call in an interview in Lagos, said the bill did not take into consideration any form of protection for unborn babies. “The bill is actually to protect persons, especially those in the vulnerable group. Paragraph 43 of the bill explained the vulnerable group as women, children, persons living under extreme poverty, persons with disabilities, the sick, the elderly, ethnic or religious minority groups, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants. “So, it is going to be of benefit to the nation but, as good as it

sounds, it is a bit biased and it did not include all persons. “There is a group – the most vulnerable of all – that we have forgotten, and these are the unborn persons, because we have to recognise that they are also persons. “Then the individual substance of their own being, even though they are yet to be rational, because they are still dependent on their mothers, but that doesn’t mean they are not individuals on

their own,” she explained. According to her, their inclusion in the bill would protect the unborn persons against medical abortion “The bill does not define who a person is. A person is a human being and it includes each and every member of the specie (Homosapiens) at all stages of life, beginning with the earliest stage of development created by the process of fertilisation, even cloning or its functional equivalence, because those

fertilised eggs developed through IVF are also human beings, and they also need to be protected. “All I am trying to say is that these unborn persons should be included so that they will also be protected at all stages of life, because if they are not included it means the bill is giving room for the unborn persons to be subjected to violence and we know that is abortion. “That means the bill will give room for medical abortion. So, the unborn persons must be protected by this bill. If they are not protected, that means it is simply saying medical abortion is legal,” she posited. However, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Human Rights and Judiciary, Senator Dahiru Umar, assured stakeholders that the bill would be passed before the expiration of the 7th Assembly.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Features

Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. E-mail: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng

70-year-old ex-banker in hiding, alleges threat to life over family land Some true-life encounters can be stranger than fiction. Daily Times’ FRANCA OSIM reports the breath-taking story of a septuagenarian, hiding from one who should be hiding from the law. As he reclines on an old creaking armless chair preparatory to this encounter, 72-year-old Olusegun Meranda, the only surviving male child of the Delfino Anthonio Da-Meranda family presents a picture of someone in need of urgent medical attention. But his high-pitched voice and flawless English fanned revealed hope as this retired banker went down memory lane to narrate his alleged ordeal in the hands of those he described as “killers of good virtues”. For over one year now, Pa Olusegun has been in a hideout after, according to him, escaping death by a whisker, allegedly from suspected assassins in the payroll of an unnamed land-grabber identified only as ‘Pastor’. “Can’t you see me, dirty and unkempt like someone in a refugee camp?” the old fellow lamented:“This is somebody whose great grandfather owns a vast land spanning from Iwaya and Gbagada to Anthony Village in Lagos here. But now, I have no roof over my head just because somebody whose parents were beneficiaries of the philanthropy of my great-grandfather wants me dead, so that he could actualise the total seizure of the expanse of land, especially, the

one at Oke-Alo area of Anthony Village, now called Millennium City Centre.” Pa Olusegun alleged that the suspected land-grabber had forged a Power of Attorney on behalf of the family. Inspite of that,Daily Times gathered that the matter had been before a Lagos High Court. Yet,the unnamed land-grabber has allegedly allotted about five plots to the Nigeria Police Force and they are already building on it without authenticating the true ownership of the land. “The reason for giving the land to the Police was because he wanted their protection for his heinous crime so as to continue to intimidate any member of DelfinoAnthonio Da-Meranda family who dares hm.” He continued, “I had the opportunity to sit with my father and asked questions about their historical origin and it was through the information that I got that made me go into the lands, because from my experience in auditing as a banker, I have to check all these things for record purposes. It was there I learnt that this man had occupied and sold all my parents’ land from Iwaya to Gbagada, Adekunle to Anthony Village and this made us to go to court to challenge him.” “I have all the court injunctions,” he said,“But by the time we commenced legal action against him, he had made a lot of money from the illegal sale CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Pa Olusegun

Death at dusk at Maza-Maza Whether it was bad company, or fate, the result of a scuffle between two friends snuffed the life out of 23-year-old Joshua Oni at Maza-Maza in Lagos recently. ANYIM JOY NDUDI reports the chilling incident. The Osun-born resident of Maza-Maza was on his way to buy foodstuff to prepare a dinner he never had. An argu-

ment ensued between him and his friend, identified as Aniefiok Umanha on the way and the argument degenerated into a fisticuffs that ended only after Aniefiok had stabbed Joshua Oni with a knife. Although the reason for the argument is yet unknown, one of the neighbours who spoke to Daily Times in confidence claimed to have witnessed the

crime. “That night, I was sitting outside my compound; though it was dark, I could still identify people and their voices. I heard the two young men arguing about going or not going somewhere. Aneifiok was actually insisting that Joshua accompany him but Joshua refused. I also noticed there were some other boys; about three of them

who, I guess, were also waiting for Aniefiok. “The argument became louder and the next thing I saw was someone holding his neck, shouting for help. On a closer look I discovered it was Joshua and blood was gushing from his neck. And immediately Aniofiok and his friends fled the scene.” Daily Times also gathered

that Aniefork who is popularly known in the neighbourhood as Caribbean, is one of the notorious youths that had been threatening the peace of the area. According to a resident who gave his name only as Tunde, “This is not the first time Aniefiok is doing something like this. Stabbing people CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

29 Features

Meranda: We never gave anyone power of attorney CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

of the lands and was using the money to fight me and, as I speak , I am not living in the bungalow that I built, because his thugs had made several attempts on my life. “They even came for the man, Alhaji Lawal Akinolu whom the family gave the power of attorney to manage the lands, but he also got wind of their sinister motive and ran for his dear life before they got to his residence. “The fact is that this man criminally swore to an affidavit that all the children of Delfino Anthonio Da-Meranda had died and that they had given him the power of attorney to oversee their vast land. When I got wind of this, I went and made inquiries during which it was revealed that his grandfather, Mr. Remondu who died in 1914, had lived with my great-grandfather who had arrived from Brazil after the abolition of slave trade. “My great-grandfather was so rich when he returned to Nigeria, having been so blessed by his slave master because of his loyalty and hard work at his plantation. He was so generous that he was training those neighbours that lived around him in schools, and this ‘Pastor’s grandfather happened to be one of them. I was even told that some adopted his name even though he was not their biological father because of his unrivalled philanthropy. “I also got to know that he even gave the man’s grandfather a house on Lagos Island and there was an agreement to that effect dated 31st day of July 1922 between Anthonio Da-Meranda and his grand-father and I have

Police building under construction

“In his forged affidavit and power of attorney purportedly given to him by the DaMeranda’s family, dated 29th day of August 1997,it was stated that none of the family members was alive.”

the original copy with me. I also have a copy of an agreement which his grandfather and his junior entered with the buyer of the said house on Evans Street, while selling it to another buyer in 1935. “It was from these documents that I was able to know that the ‘Pastor’ was not a member of the Da-Meranda family and that he grew up in the same compound with my great grandfather. “In his forged affidavit and power of attorney purportedly given to him by the Da-Meranda’s family, dated 29th day of August 1997,it was stated that none of the family members was alive. My father was still alive then, but we didn’t know anything. He even mentioned the name of my father, Mr. Akinola Da-Meranda, and my name, SegunMeranda . He mentioned the name of my cousin, Adefarasin: all these people who signed on our behalf, we did not know them.”

He clasped his hands together in emphasis, and said: “We didn’t sign the purported affidavit; neither did we give the power of attorney to him. But the affidavit was ironically accepted in the court and that gave him the audacity to continue selling the lands, until we discovered and went to court to challenge him. It is therefore, not too clear, how he stumbled over some vital documents, cloned them before he swore to the said affidavit that he was in charge of the lands, armed with forged power of attorney purportedly given to him by the Da-Meranda’s family and continued in his criminality. “With the money he made, he was able also to surround himself with thugs and policemen. On June 16, 2005, one Mr, Nosiru Oluwalose,a banker, who rightfully bought a portion of land from the family was attacked and killed by these thugs working for him. He was arrested and

charged, but was released shortly afterwards.” While the case was on, Meranda busied himself investigating and collecting survey plans and other relevant documents relating to his great-grandfather’s ownership of the lands, Daily Times learnt. “In between time”, he continued, “My elder sister who at the time was about graduating from the university, was shot dead in cold blood by unknown persons, all in a bid to cow us. The Police came and arrested him but the family elders and members came together and called for a truce during which he was made to apologise and sign an undertaking never to venture into the land any more, copy of which I have. “But no sooner the undertaking was signed than he became more vicious and resumed selling the lands; some he gave to serving and retired police officers in order to get their cooperation.” The most worrisome aspect of all, Merinda lamented, is the fact that a portion of the disputed land at Adewale Kuku, Oke-Alo and Anthony Village,which the man has given to the police authority, is now being developed. “They are already building a police station on it without taking time to verify authenticity of the land ownership ”, he said sadly. “The building is almost completed and I know the police would want to move in immediately upon completion, unknown to them that the land does not belong to him. But because I know that the present police hierarchy could not be party to illegality, I have decided to use this medium to alert them that the land on which they are building belongs to me and not the ‘Pastor’ who gave it to them. “Also, we are more than ever prepared to do a serious legal battle with him and whoever bought from him so as to ensure that these vast expanse of land is reclaimed. An individual cannot be above the law,” the septuagenarian concluded.

Death: Hospitals refused admitting Oni CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

is more like a hobby to him. He is a wild and terrible young man; I am even suspecting he is a cultist. It is just a pity that Joshua, who is better behaved kept company with him.” Elder brother to the deceased, Mr. Tony Oni, who spoke with our correspondent on behalf of the family lament-

ed the loss. He however blamed the death of his brother on the negligence of the hospital where the deceased was rushed to. According to Tony, “Immediately Joshua was stabbed, we rushed him to a private hospital in the neighborhood, but they rejected him. We also went to another hospital, they also refused to attend to us, demanding instead for a police re-

port before attending to someone who was bleeding. “What is saving a life to a police report?” he asked. “If they had attended to us, he would not have lost so much blood and maybe he would have still been alive by now. All his dreams and plans to further his education to the university are gone. I never imagined Aniofiok could be so brutal to his bosom

friend, Joshua. I sincerely want the police to investigate as well as punish Aniofiok and his accomplices because I strongly believe he is not alone in this.” A source at the Homicide section of the Nigeria Police, Panti Division, where the case is being investigated disclosed that efforts were on to arrest the suspect who has since disappeared.

Late Oni

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Crime

s Suspected arms dealers arrested Joy Anyim Ndudi

The suspects

Diploma student, ex-banker in kidnap mess Joy Anyim Ndudi “I really regret my actions. Sincerely I was just stupid and greedy, desiring what hardwork would have given me with time.” Those were the words of one Hope Edet Okon, an ND 2 student of Uyo City Polytechnic, who, alongside others, was paraded by the Lagos State Police Command for alleged kidnapping and illegal possession of arms. The 27-year-old indigene of Akwa-Ibom State joined the said lucrative venture in 2010. He disclosed that he took part in only one of the gang’s operations, and got #800, 000 from the total ransom paid by the family of their victim. He said: “I was introduced into kidnapping as a way of making fast money in 2010. My first and only operation was when I and my gang kidnapped the mother of a rich medical doctor in AwaIbom. I only provided the vehicle used for the operation, while the other gang members contacted

the family of the victim who later paid the sum of 5 million naira as ransom. My share from that was #800,000. “I told myself I would not do it again because I felt guilty. I invested the money into a poultry business that my late father left behind. But due to mismanagement, I lost most of the birds and I had to start from the scratch again. I became a land agent in my place, connecting people who wanted to buy land with those willing to sell. I was making good money and I would make #50,000 or more as commission. “I however received a call from my gang members to partake in an operation in Lagos. I quickly jumped at the offer because from the explanation given to me the victim to be was a very wealthy and influential businessman which of course means plenty of money. “Our informant was his cab driver who kept us posted with the every movement of the supposed victim. I travelled all the

“My first attempt at kidnapping was when I led my gang to kidnap a neighbor who works with Chevron. It was, however, unsuccessful. We only succeeded in making away with his phones and some cash from which I got #20, 000 as my share” way to Lagos and lodged in a hotel called D2 in Magodo for two weeks, monitoring the activities as well as getting acquainted with the terrain. But unfortunately before we could strike; the police caught us.” The diploma student however asked for a second chance to right

his wrong. “I know I have done wrong but if I am able to get off this, I promise never to do any unlawful act, I know better now.” Another gang member, identified as Edet Ekuno, claimed he joined the gang in 2012 after he lost his job as a banker. He also alleged this was his second operation with the gang. “After I lost my job in the bank, things became uneasy. My first attempt at kidnapping was when I led my gang to kidnap a neighbor who works with Chevron. It was, however, unsuccessful. We only succeeded in making away with his phones and some cash from which I got #20, 000 as my share. “I really regret this way of life that I chose. And I know my family and especially my church where I am a music director will be ashamed of me” The other gang members who gave their names as Unagbon Isaiah and Sunday Samiga also confessed to the crime. Items recovCONTINUED ON PAGE 31

The Lagos State Police command has arrested a gang of arms dealers notorious for the illegal sale of over 200 AK47 riffles smuggled into the country from Mali. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderanti disclosed that the arrest of the suspects was a follow up on an earlier case, which necessitated further investigation and the subsequent arrest of the four gang members in Anambra and Rivers states. The gang members, led by a 50-year-old Andrew Moukwe, are alleged to have sold arms to criminals and militants in Anambra, Rivers, Baylelsa, Abia, Enugu and Lagos states. The suspects told the stories of how they allegedly got involved in the illegal trade. Moukwue the kingpin claimed he started the business in 1990 while serving his master, a licensed arms dealer, in Onitsha. “My master was a licensed arms dealer. However when I completed my years of service, I tried my hands on other things and when it wasn’t working as expected I had to go back to the business four years ago . I was getting my supply from one Alhaji Amau and Gbenga both in Ibadan Oyo state.” The father of four spoke: “I buy at the rate of #350,000 and sell for #400,000. Although I don’t have a licence, I also did not know it was illegal to sell arms without a licence. I made good money. At least, I was able to take care of my family comfortably and I also bought two cars. “I even rented a shop at the main market in Onitsha which served as a store for the arms but I also sold phone accessories as a disguise. Most of my customers did not even know me because most of my transactions were done on phone, and upon payment the arms are supplied,” he disclosed. However, 30-year-old Okpara Reginald, who happens to be a fiCONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

The arm dealers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

nal year student of the University of Port Harcourt, claims he is innocent of the allegation. He alleged he only knows one Uche Onyeali, who sold pump action guns but was never involved in transacting any of the deals. “Actually I have a mentor who goes by name Uche Onyeali, he was a Post Graduate student in my school. I met him at a cyber café in Romuolo and after much discussion we discovered we were living in the same neighborhood in Port-Harcourt and since then we became very close. Most time when I am in financial difficulty I would always run to him for help. “I did frequent his house and noticed he was always issuing out licenses for pump action guns to his many clients. On one of those occasions of my visit, when I asked him how he was able to get the licenses easily, he told me he had connection in government and that he used his con-

Suspected arms dealers arrested nections to help people obtain license for arms. I did not imagine the possibility that some of his clients could be armed robbers and criminals. “But I was unfortunate to be in Uche’s house when operatives of the special antirobbery squad stormed his home to arrest him. He was not there since he told me he was travelling to the United States. I was however arrested. Sincerely I am innocent, I know nothing about this, ” he said. Forty-two-year-old Christopher Edwin, who acted as a middleman buying from Moukwue and selling to the end users also made a confession: “I only bought 14 guns from Moukwue. I buy at the rate of #400,000 and sell for #430,000. My clients were mainly businessmen and nomads, I did not sell

guns to robbers or criminals and I tried to inquire from my customers what they wanted to use the guns for before selling to them.” Item recovered from hang include three AK47 rifles with S/NOS. AB256591, VL420219 and AX6217, two Baretta Pistols with S/ NOS. 149847 and 682304, two Brownie Pistol with S/ NOS. 42649 and 1137366. The commissioner of police also stated that investigation was still ongoing to fish out the remaining gang members as well as buyers from their hideouts in Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia states. He further stated that the battle against the proliferation of illegal arms in the state could only be won through the cooperation of security agencies and the public.

Diploma student, ex-banker in kidnap mess CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

ered from the gang include two locally made pistols and 18 live cartridges. The state commissioner of police, who paraded the suspects, stated that the cab driver was yet to be arrested and he called on the public to be careful and not

be operate with one taxi driver in their day-to-day activities, which could be dangerous. He also used the opportunity to encourage all with useful information that could aid the police in serving the state better to come forward, promising that their identities would be kept confidential.

Okon

31 Crime

tion. He was so generous that he was training those neighbours that lived around him in schools, and this ‘Pastor’s grandfather happened to be one of them. I was even told that some adopted his name even though he was not their biological father because of his unrivalled philanthropy. “I also got to know that he even gave the man’s grandfather a house on Lagos Island and there was an agreement to that effect dated 31st day of July 1922 between Anthonio Da-Meranda and his grand-father and I have

to him by the DaMeranda’s family, dated 29th day of August 1997,it was stated that none of the family members was alive.”

with my great grandfather. “In his forged affidavit and power of attorney purportedly given to him by the Da-Meranda’s family, dated 29th day of August 1997,it was stated that none of the family members was alive. My father was still alive then, but we didn’t know anything. He even mentioned the name of my father, Mr. Akinola Da-Meranda, and my name, SegunMeranda . He mentioned the name of my Times Nigeria cousin, Adefarasin: all these peo26 Daily Thursday, March 19, 2015 ple who signed on our behalf, we did not know them.”

ments, cloned them before he swore to the said affidavit that he was in charge of the lands, armed with forged power of attorney purportedly given to him by the Da-Meranda’s family and continued in his criminality. “With the money he made, he was able also to surround himself with thugs and policemen. On June 16, 2005, one Mr, Nosiru Oluwalose,a banker, who rightfully bought a portion of land from the family was attacked and killed by these thugs working for him. He was arrested and

Health

long to him. But because I know that the present police hierarchy could not be party to illegality, I have decided to use this medium to alert them that the land on which they are building belongs to me and not the ‘Pastor’ who gave it to them. “Also, we are more than ever prepared to do a serious legal battle with him and whoever bought from him so as to ensure that these vast expanse of land is reclaimed. An individual cannot be above the law,” the septuagenarian concluded.

Features

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, March 19, 2015

Politics Politics

News

‘Glaucoma is Death at dusk at Israeli PM wins MAIYAKI: Maza-Maza Health Yero is treatable, not s International 14fourth term Ahmed Maiyaki P28 as opposition transforming Former correspondent of Radio curable’ in Nigeria, is the DG (Media) US France Ambassador concedes defeat Kaduna ‘Glaucoma is treatable, not P26 curable’ LagosGermany riot targets new ECB receives death Kaduna State to Governor, unveils P8 threats ultra-modern headquarters in FrankfurtP14 cardiac, renal

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Death: Hospitals refused admitting Oni

Brief

Lara Adejoro

ÏÏÏJapanese police are inves-

omolara.adejoro@dailytimes. com.ng

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

ed the loss. He however blamed

Glaucoma is a very comport before attending to somemon cause of blindness in

the death of his brother on one who was bleeding. THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 NO.69 is more like a VOL. hobby to 1. him. the negligence of the hospital Price: “What isN150 saving a life to a poNigeria but, when it is detected early, it can be prevented. Unfortunately, it is asymptomatic, and the awareness of glaucoma among people is quite poor. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damages. The optic nerve carries images from the retina, which is the specialized light sensing tissue, to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibres of the optic nerve. When a significant number of nerve fibres are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Once nerve damage and visual loss occur, it is permanent. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), glaucoma is now the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataracts. Glaucoma, however, presents perhaps an even greater public health challenge than cataracts, because the blindness it causes is irreversible. Dr Abiola Oyeleye, the Vice Chairman, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Lagos State chapter, and Consultant Ophthalmologist, the Eye Doctor’s Clinic, Lagos, said: “A lot of people may have heard of glaucoma, but they just say ‘it is an eye condition’. But it goes beyond that; it is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. That means if you are blind from glaucoma, nothing can be

He is a wild and terrible young man; I am even suspecting he

where the deceased was rushed to. According to Tony, “Imme-

lice report?” he asked. “If they had attended to us, he would

Joshua, who is better behaved

we rushed him to a private

maybe he would have still been

ceased, Mr. Tony Oni, who spoke with our correspondent on behalf of the family lament-

went to another hospital, they also refused to attend to us, demanding instead for a police re-

tion to the university are gone. I never imagined Aniofiok could be so brutal to his bosom

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr is a cultist. It is just a pity thathttps://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR diately Joshua was stabbed, not have lost so much blood and kept company with him.” hospital in the neighborhood, alive by now. All his dreams https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts dailytimesng Elder brother to the de- but they rejected him. We also and plans to further his educa-

A patient undergoing eye-check

ÏÏÏ Dozens of people have been

and some 350 people arrestcentrehurt ed as anti-austerity demonstra-

tors clashed with police in the Lagos State government yesGerman city of Frankfurt. terday commissioned the MultiPolice cars were set alight and Billion Naira Ultra Modern Carstones were thrown in a protest diac and Renal Centre at Gbagada against the opening of a new General Hospital. base for the European Central Speaking during the commisBank (ECB). Violence broke out sioning of close the event, stateOper conto theLagos city's Alte commissioner health, Jide the ECB cert of hall hoursDr before Idris said building's the idea of setting up official opening. the befittingThousands facility is to of lessen "Blockupy" acthe burdentivists of non-communicable were due to take part in a diseases inrally the .state. Organisers were bringing “Proactively , the state governa left-wing alliance of protesters ment’s infrastructural develop- and the from across Germany ment planrest in the year 2008 was their anof Europe to voice sufficientlyger comprehensive to adat the ECB's role in austerity dress this measures trend andin ensure that states, EU member residents are able to access care most recently Greece. The bank, in charge for these morbidities because if itof managing themanaged, euro, is also responsible is not adequately it will for framing policy and, increase morbidity andeurozone mortality along indices,” he said. with the IMF and European has set conAccording to Commission, him, the centre for bailouts in Ireland, will serve ditions the purpose for which and Cyprus. it was builtGreece, and asPortugal a training cenPolice set up a cordon of tre. barbed wire outside the bank's “The construction of this three185m (600ft) double-tower floor centrenew commenced in 2008 is skyscraper, next to the River fully operational today, delivering Main. hopes of a a peaceful 24hr service, andBut seven days

Late Oni

not properly treated, could result into blindness, because it is naturally progressive.” In Nigeria, the prevalence of glaucoma amongst those that

Among the first targets for protesters were police cars

transf

Israeli PM wins fourth term as opposition concedes defeat

Hire a personal finance coach ÎÎÎIf

Tunde Oyedoyin

there’s one thing I want you to take away from this piece, it is the fact that coaching does work. And if there’s one area where it’s urgently needed, it’s in the area of personal finance. As a matter of fact, coaching can make all the difference between success and failure and between winning and losing. Tens of millions of people don’t know coaching isn’t exclusively limited to sports, otherwise we won’t have millions living below the poverty line. Until a few years ago, I was one of those who thought coaching was a sporting thing. I never knew it wasn’t limited there. But after discovering the correlation it has to success and failure, it didn’t take me more than a few seconds to embrace the fact that it is a necessity for my financial well-being. I have personal finance and success coaches. This is simply because I want to get the best possible results in those two areas. As a matter of fact, one of the best kept secrets is that top performers and those making waves in the world use personal coaches to turn their lives and careers around.

are above 40 year is put at about

four per cent, and the estimate

is that that age group is about 20 per cent of the population. “So, in a population of 150 million, it means 30 million people are predisposed to be affected, and of that 30 million, two million people are probably suffering from glaucoma and, out of

Continued on page 27

week to the people of Lagos State. The facility is 67 bed compliment is split into 20 beds and 14 high dependency beds, 10 intensive care and recovery unit beds and 23 dialysis patients stations,” he said. In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola noted that the project was borne out of his commitment to serveA thesuicide state. car bomber attacked a government “We open the Gbagada Cardiaccompound Afghanistan's Heland RenalinCentre to serve southern our mand province Wednesday, killpeople as promised.” ing at least seven people and wounding 41 others. The complex in Lashgar Gah houses the governor as well as the head of the provincial council. Provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak and local disAkuna trict said: governor “Majority HajiofFatihullah us work in the private were among thosesector, wounded in the where quackery blast. is at its peak. So, nurses should issues "I was report in a gathering inside of quacksthe to the state commitgovernor's compound when blastforward happened and I became tee, whichthe would same unconscious," Fatihullah said. to the zonal offices and finally to "When I opened my eyes, I found the council.” myself in hospital. I don't know He added that evidence how many peoplemust were killed or wounded the blast." also back-up such in reports. “We A suicide detonated a are all involved in bomber the fight car full,”ofheexplosives against quackery charged. at the back wall of the Helmand governor's compound and the adjacent residence of the head of the provincial council.

Suicide blast kills seven in Afghanistan ÏÏÏ

Okenyi wins Justina Ejelonu Scholarship for Nurses

Nurses raise alarm over quackery

Barack Obama had someone to coach him on public speaking before winning his first term as U. S. President. Of course, he wasn’t a stammerer and neither was he doing badly in his public speaking prior to that. He must have been told he needed some safe hands to guide him speak his way to the White House. Having a coach who tutored him in that art surely contributed to his journey from Illinois to his present position. We certainly wouldn’t have heard of tennis superstars, Serena and Venus Williams had it not been for their coaches – their parents. Did you know that the difference between a street footballer and one plying his trade in the Premier League is not necessarily talent, but coaching. You see, winners hire coaches who then equip them to earn top dollars, but losers take barbershop advice from every Dick , Tom and Harry and wonder why they’re not making money and succeeding . You can’t take personal finance advice from your bricklayer uncle or even your lawyer father. They may not be doing well or equipped for the job you

want them to do. The fact that they want you to do well financially doesn’t mean they know how money works and how to create it. There’re are enormous benefits in hiring a coach or coaches, so get one and experience the difference for yourself. Whether you’re an actor , singer or even a public speaker, there’re coaches in those vocations and if you’re diligent enough to find one and stick with their plan for you, the results will speak volumes. I was listening to a speaker in Central London almost a year ago and goodness me, It was so glaring this boring Abuja -based Nigerian politician urgently needed the services of a public speaking coach. There was no fire or passion in his speech. If I were to help him, I would have advised him to get a video recording of his speeches and then give same to a prospective coach. Listening to that politician was one of the most endurance tests you could ever take on a Sunday afternoon. Whatever the area , a coach should help identify your strengths and weaknesses and then come up

Winner ( second from left) of Justina Ejelonu scholarship for nurses receiving award

ÏÏÏ

Sierra Leonean president, Koroma, sacks deputy ÏÏÏ

Ernest Bai Koroma, president of Sierra Leone, has sacked Samuel Sam-Sumanam, his vicepresident, for seeking asylum at the United States embassy in Freetown. Sam-Sumana had requested asylum at the embassy after soldiers surrounded his residence following his expulsion from the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) last week. His dismissal had stirred confusion, as the country’s constitution stipulates the vote of two-thirds of the parliament for such decision to be taken. “I have taken note of the decision of the APC,” AFP quoted Koroma as saying in a statement. “The public will recall, and I have also taken note of the fact that Samuel Sam-Sumana sought asylum from a foreign embassy, demonstrating a willingness to abandon his duties and office as vice president of our beloved republic. “Sam-Sumana has been relieved of his duties and from the office of vice president of Sierra Leone with immediate effect.” The president said he was in

Pakistani army kills 34 militants in air strikes ÏÏÏ

Pakistan's military said it killed 34 militants on Wednesday in air strikes on a tribal region near the Afghan border as part of a major offensive against insurgents that began last year. The Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam militant groups are based in Khyber, one of seven autonomous tribal districts along Pakistan's western border, which became a hideout for Islamist militants following the US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001. "In precise aerial strikes in Tirah, Khyber region, 34 terrorists were killed today," the military said in a statement. The military began its latest offensive in Khyber in October 2014, four months after a similar operation in the North Waziristan district which was triggered by a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport that sank faltering peace talks. Both conflict zones are offlimits to journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those killed.

with a programme for getting better results. Whether it’s in dating or vocal training, coaches are available , so find one and pay them so that you get get paid the more. In fact, you can even get job interview coaches these days. British number 1 tennis player, Andy Murray had been in a couple of Grand Slam finals and always ended up with the runner -up trophy until he hired Ivan Lendl , who then masterminded his two Grand Slam wins. But take note, Murray had made four unsuccessful attempts at becoming a. Grand. Slam winner until he hired LendI. As mentioned earlier, perhaps the Presidency of the United States of America would have slipped out of Barack Obama’s hands without the services of a public speaking coach. Coaching works , even on musical talent shows like the X Factor and Nigerian Idol. You must have seen how coaches on those shows have taken timid wannabes and transformed them into superstars in a matter of weeks. You too can go from merely getting by to creating wealth through the services of a

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he intends to form a government in the next two to three weeks, which would give him a fourth term as prime minister, after his conservative Likud party won convincingly in Israel's parliamentary election. With nearly all of the ballots counted, Likud captured 30 of the 120 seats in parliament, compared with 24 seats for its main challenger, the Zionist Union. Meanwhile, Israel's opposition leader, Isaac Herzog, said on Wednesday he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election victory. "A few minutes ago I spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and congratulated him on his achievement and wished him luck," Herzog told reporters.

personal finance coach . I’m going to be drawing loads of inferences from sports, as one of the basics of teaching is going from known to the unknown. If you can grasp how the concept of coaching work in sports and how it transforms “also rans “ to winners, then you’ll realise why you need one for your personal finance. Double Olympic gold medalist , Mo Farah was an “also ran “ long distance runner until he hired the American coach who transformed him to an immortal athlete. Farah was concerned and worried that he was becomingIdahagbon a serial loser, so he sought help . And after finding one, the coach told him why he was numbered among the lacks “also Ajimobi rans.” The coach watched managerial his races’ tapes and knew skill to govern what was lacking. He told Mo what needed toOyo be done differently . Farah followed the programme designed for him and it has made all the difference. Because of coaching, Mo Farah became a name in Olympics and British sporting history. That’s what coaching is all about. Who says you can’t be transformed from job seeker to philanthropist ?

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

Netanyahu

AKALA:

O A Oyo Sta didate of interview that he NEC me allegatio cessor, S misman in office

Life&

TIMES Thursday March 19, 2015

Rita Dominic On her first full Christian role Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka still AGN president L Whither the music bands? L P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Rita

Thursday March 19, 2015

D o m i n i c I am sensitive about the roles I play Mutiat Alli

sent a copy of the script by Mercury Green Pointblank Pictures. And I liked -

nic is at it again as she recently -

deal and what is ex-

just Africa

Magic

What that simply means is that my work is being appreciated and that I am doing the right thing, at the right time. When your work is being considered for awards or nominations, it also implies that you need to do more work as this is what the audience and the award jury will look out for before such a selection is made.

Honestly, I never thought that I was going to win that big or even

been doing this for 17 years. This is executives, Mr. Kingsley Ogbor and my 17th year and I think it will get to a point in ones career when you just got signed to be the lead actress tive with the roles you play. You want to be in control through selection. As you get older you just want a movie First and foremost, I need to thank that will challenge you, and bring out Mercury Green Pointblank Production for considering me for the laud- feel this movie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maryâ&#x20AC;? will do for my career. the director, Afe Olumowe and the executive producer, Kingsley Ogbor and they appear to know what they are do- of next month, and we will be shooting. They seem to have a good team ing for days. and hopefully, I think we are going to come out with a very good project. I expect all the greatest fun on set and also to deliver my role perfectly. al roles as a Christian sister in one or two secular Nollywood movies, but movie would not want me to divulge in a Christian movie. the pipeline, but what I can tell you is that Mary is a Christian movie, or should I say a Christian-secular movie. More information will be revealed to you very soon, you just keep your

must confess.

Short takes on Rita Dominic

She won the Africa Movie Acadleading role in 2012 She won the City People Awards in 2004 as the most outstanding actress She is a member of the Royal Waturuocha family of Aboh Mbaise local government area in Imo State. Her late parents were medical

doctor and her mother a nursing was going to go home with something. Sincerely when I dressed up in my room to step out for the event, I looked at myself in the mirror and I was like you go girl, go Rita and all that.

will change lives the most. Like I said

two characters! This is going to be a the task. Since I started my career,

Life&

T E A M

The movie titled Mary is owned by Mercury Green Pointblank Pictures, a baby company of Danium Energy Company. I was contracted to act in

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378

stories that can stretch me beyond about the script.

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478

She is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt to kill. She has featured in over a 100 movies She owns a production company called Audrey Silver company in conjunction with her manager and business partner, Mildred Okwo.

Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday March 19, 2015

L3 Global Entertainment News

John Legend, Ed Sheeran join U.N. to

Sam Smith achieves UK music charts double

create ‘World’s happiest playlist

John Legend and Ed Sheeran have joined forces with the United Nations -

Sam Smith

Fifty Shades of Grey star, Dakota Johnson calls it quits with boyfriend

Mexicans became Hollywood’s best directors

Ed Sheeran

John Legend

Drake disavows upcoming

Alfonso Cuaron

‘Homecoming’ film

also -

last

Drake

Dakota Johnson and -

Matthew Hitt Compiled by Isaac Oguntoye and Nkarenyi Ukonu

Movie Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday March 19, 2015

Stories by: Mutiat Alli

Chioma Akpotha: Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka is still our president, council declares Fabulous @ 35 -

Ibinabo Fiberesima Egbuka

Chioma Akpotha

Van Vicker

becomes guild director Ireti Doyle

Van Vicker

Ireti Doyle returns to the set of Dowry -

Africa Magic launches Igbo Channel -

Mercy Johnson showcase curves

Wangi

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday March 19, 2015

Stories by: Opeoluwani Akintayo

I didn’t leave Timaya’s Dem Mama label - Patoranking The question whether fast rising act, Patoranking has left

label, has before now been on the lips of everyone in the last one year especially after Timaya allegedly granted an interview where he accused Patoranking of simply walk& Times got in touch with Patoranking where he debunked the story, saying he is still part of the record label. label is like family to him and that he never left the label like people thought. “There was no time I left Dem Mama re-

cord label. I am still part of the family because Timaya is my big brother. If there was any misunderstanding, why did he feature me in one of his videos last year?” Asked the reason behind the rumour, Patoranking said it was because of the deal he signed with an international record label, VP Music. “I guess the rumour started because of the record deal I recently signed with VP Music. VP saw me and recognized the potential in me. They wanted me, I anmean Timaya and I are now

I can never be jealous of Patoranking - Shank Dancehall act, Shank has equally come out to debunk any insinuations that he may success. The artiste says that he is rather happy that dancehall music has an equal platform with other genre of music in Nigeria with a growing acceptability by the mainstream in Nigeria. Patoranking enemies,” he said. Patoranking has been the poster boy of the dancehall genre in Nigeria since 2013 with singles Alubarika, Girlie O, and Girlie O remix featuring Tiwa Savage.

March 2015 ahead of her nale of the second edition of which held Sunday, March 15th 2015 at Intercontinental Upon her arrival, the Agolo and Mobolombo hit maker went on a media tour to difincluding Cool FM, Classic FM and Smooth FM. The hit maker who rendered some of her hits, was one of the major centre of at-

there is a platform for reggae artistes to be seen in the same light as any other secular act; so it is a win-win situation for me” said Shank. On envying Patoranking, he said, “I can never be jealous of him, there is no envy at all.”

“I have had my moment in the spotlight and when I was on top of my game, there was nobody around to there are a lot of people doing dancehall music and it has become a movement. person is spearheading the reggae movement. I like the fact that anybody that sings dancehall music would be listened to now” he said. Shank was the leading star of the dancehall scene with his smash hit in 2008 career has been unstable for most parts due to label issues. Shank

KSA, D’banj, Kcee, others thrill @ showbiz interactive With Mr. President

Angelique Kidjo storms Lagos for Etisalat Prize For Literature Two-time Grammy award winner, Angelique Kidjo ar-

L5 Music Gist

Sunday, March 15, will go down in history as one of those moments when politics, the Nigerian movie industry aptly called Nollywood, the music and the comedy industry, came under one roof for one cause - to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term as the President of Nigeria. Among the galaxy of stars who were present at the interactive session with the President which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, were King Sunny Ade,

traction at the award which saw South African author, Songeziwe Mahlangu, win Penumbra. He won a whopping sum of £15,000 and a high-end device, in addition to a book tour to three Afri-

Africa), Chinelo Okparanta

review of their books at the recently held book reading and signing for Etisalat Prize

Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sammy Okposo, Mr Songz, Timi Dakolo, Angelique Kidjo

Mofe Damijo, Mike EzerunOniga, Bob Manuel-Udokwu, Kenneth Okonkwo, Fred Amata, Grace Amah, Doris

Kcee performing and several others who all took turns to thrill the audience, the President and his entourage, as well as to laud the achievements of the administration of the President . Also present at the event

Oritsefemi, Duncan Mighty

Nwagbo, Alex Osifo, Chief Zebrudiah, Patience Ozokwo, Monalisa Chinda, Toyin Aimakhu and her husband, Johnson, Yule Edochie etc. Comedians who did a good job to crack some ribs were Gordons, Funny Bones, Igors, Damola and Shakul. As was the theme of the event, there was a question and answer session which was moderated by actor cum Delta Mofe Damijo.

Peter Okoye fetes lead ‘Live At Parkers’ on Comedy Central Olympic Facebook Fans of Nigerian com- event, Evert van der contest winners edy are to tune in to Veer, Head of Comedy

Basketmouth, Bovi Buchi

Five couples who emerged win-

Premium channel 122) on Monday 25th, May at 09.10pm for the monthly stand-up comedy showcase, Comedy Central;

Bovi

of the new season will combine established and rising stand-ups from the Nigerian scene, with Basketmouth at the helm and Buchi and Bovi as support, while Nigerian DJ, Master Scratcher, will ensure the fun goes on all night. Speaking about the

real delight to welcome back Basketmouth and other shining lights of the vibrant Nigerian standup scene to our monthly The evening will also feature the latest leg of the Comedy Central Open Mic Competition, with 3 up-and-coming comics selected to perform in front of a live audience, and potentially earn the chance to make day 24 September.

been treated to a special dinner with Olympic brand ambassador, Peter Okoye. Out of a total of 30 couples who participated in the contest which while holding Olympic variants, winners as a result of the numFan page. The winners include three married couples: Mr and Mrs Oyedokun David, Mr and Mrs Tijani Abidemi, Mr and Mrs Precious Okoh. The others are Aborisade Yemi with Ojediran Temitope; Isaac

L-R, Mrs. Faith Okoh with her son; Olympic Brand Ambassador, Peter Okoye; Manager, Integrated Marketing Communications, Nutricima Limited, Funsho Jacob and Mr. Precious Okoh, during the special dinner held at Marcopolo Oriental Cuisine, Victoria Island, Lagos recently for couples who emerged winners in Nutricima’s ‘My Olympic Valentine Facebook Contest. Nwobodo and Kween Patsy. Gorgeously dressed for the occasion which held at Marcopolo Oriental Cuisine, Victoria Island, ples were not only eager to savour the irresistible delicacies set for the dinner but also enjoy the memorable opportunity to dine

The multi-award winning hiphop star expressed appreciation to the winners for participating in ers of Olympic variants, assuring remains committed to providing high quality nutritious products.

Industry Issues L6

Where

are the

Mutiat Alli

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday March 19, 2015

music

bands

Nigeria has often time been called The Heart of African music because of its role in the development of West African highlife

pride of place in global music and this is as reference points and pointers to the fact

The realism of a performance from a live -

not the rip off concert that listening audiences ers to enliven band performances in the coun-

geria artistes improve on their craft to enable them return to the

Instagram updates on your favourite celebrities

Tiwa Savage Her stage performance at Uganda belied the fact that gram page:

Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth

Juliet Ibrahim

Ayo Makun aka AY

Yomi Makun aka Yomi Casual -

Gideon Okeke

Compiled by Mutiat Alli

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday March 19, 2015

L7 Music & Movie Review

Olamideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Falila Ketan: Too much obscenity! Opeoluwani Akintayo Falila Ketan

Running Time: 4:26 Directed by: Unlimited L.A

October 1

As Afolayan puts Nollywood on the Globe Mutiat Alli

Directed by: Cast:

Writer:

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday March 19, 2015

Showing on

135 BET

113 M-Net Edge Africa

01:00

00:00

Wed, 18 Mar | 16 VL

101 M-Net

118 Telemundo

Thu, 19 Mar | 16

120 BBC Entertainment

254 Channels

128 SONY MAX

L8 Television

124 E!

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME About Caster Semenya

OBIOZOR

Poster!

walks out on Kano Pillars

CASTER SEMENYA

X4,5

PERSONAL INFORMATION

XT Exclusive

Full name: Nationality: Born: Place of birth: Residence: Alma mater: Height: Weight: Sport: Events:

Caster Semenya South African January 7, 1991 (age 24) Pietersburg (now Polokwane) South Africa University of Pretoria 1.70 metres (5 ft 7 in) 64 kilograms (141 lb) Running 800 metres, 1500 metres

Achievements and titles Personal bests: 800m: 1:55.45 1500m: 4:08.01 Medal record Olympic Games Silver: 2012 London

800 m

World Championships Gold: 2009 Berlin 800 m Silver: 2011 Daegu 800 m

CASTER

SEMENYA Thursday, March 19, 2015

US tennis star banned for 15 years X2

O D ‘ RONAYL B D E S OBSES ’ I S S ME BALOTELLI X3

BAINES wary of Dynamo X3

blasts critics! X8

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

ROBBEN HANDS BAYERN FITNESS BOOST

rjen Robben is set to hand a fitness boost to Bayern Munich ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga encounter against Borussia Monchengladbach. The Netherlands international was absent from Saturday’s 4-0 victory at Werder Bremen due to a trapped nerve that saw him last just 19 minutes of the 7-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League. However, Bundesliga champions Bayern confirmed on their official website that Robben is in contention for the match at the Allianz Arena against Champions League hopefuls Gladbach. Franck Ribery, however, is set to miss out again for Pep Guardiola’s league leaders. The Frenchman was unavailable against Bremen with a sprained ankle and is making good progress, although he is not ready to resume first-team action.

Robben

Tennis: American Odesnik banned for 15 years

merican tennis player Wayne Odesnik has been given a 15-year ban after a second doping violation. Odesnik, 29, tested positive for several banned substances, including steroids, in out-of-competition urine tests in December and January. The 15-year ban means he will not be eligible to return until January, 2030. Odesnik, currently ranked 267th, was given a two-year ban in 2010 after being found guilty of possessing human growth hormone (HGH). He was stopped by Australian customs officials and found to have eight vials, each containing six milligrams of the performanceenhancing substance HGH, in his baggage. The former world number 77 has always denied taking HGH and his two-year ban was cut to 12 months after he gave “substantial assistance” to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Odesnik’s latest ban is the result of tests by the ITF anti-doping programme and the US anti-doping body, Usada, during December and January. His results at this year’s Happy Valley Challenger event, Australian Open and Maui Challenger event will be disqualified and the ranking points and prize money forfeited.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

the Clasico between to the upcoming e at gu th tri d in an tra si ex es M with Lionel d” kov added a little se ch oi es St bs o “o ist is Hr naldo arcelona legend ing Cristiano Ro al Madrid, claim est star. gg bi eir e impact on this th on Blaugrana and Re in will have a massiv ider cashing ch ns hi w co , ld ch ou at m sh s ’s nday win. Los Blanco l spoke about Su e away with the aria internationa rmer club to com fo s hi ed ck The former Bulg ba ly, he naldo. ce, and predictab istiano seems een Messi and Ro year’s La Liga ra in of form and Cr ve difference betw t e ea th gr ain a pl in ex is to t Messi He then went on her of them, bu ine is the quality of eit essi. The Argent “Nobody doubts clearly choose M I’d r. en . ne th w w g, no do in a st ay ju of pl o Ronald to be on a bit how his team is g difference with greats,” he’s playing and on. That’s the bi e er e other all-time w th ff “If I look at how to uy d Cr re d pa an m le co Pe is at si th es el M lev le operating on the red to Messi, whi t that he’s compa “Cristiano is upse he said.

Ronaldo

O D L A N O R

: O C I S A CL

H T I W D E OBSESS

I S S E M V O K H C I –STO

BAINES

FIXTURES TODAY’S MATCHES Dinamo Moskva v Napoli 18:00 Dynamo Kyiv v Everton 19:00

Roma v Fiorentina 19:00 Ajax v Dnipro 21:00 Torino v Zenit 21:05 Inter v Wolfsburg 21:05 Sevilla v Villarreal 21:05 Besiktas v Club Brugge 21:05

wary of Dynamo Rodgers Rodgers

Manenti

Parma president arrested for money-laundering

arma president Giampietro Manenti has been arrested over allegations of money laundering during his takeover of the club, according to reports. The Serie A club have been plagued with financial difficulties all season and are on the brink of bankruptcy, which has seen them deducted points twice for not paying players and staff. Italian news agency ANSA claims that Manenti, who bought the club for just 1million Euro in February, is one of several people who have been arrested following over 60 house searches across Italy. A statement from the Guardia di Finanza - an arm of law enforcement responsible for monitoring smuggling and financial crime - confirmed the arrest of 22 people “for crimes of embezzlement, conspiracy, computer fraud, use of cloned payment cards and mafia-style money laundering”.

warns United ahead of Anfield tie

rendan Rodgers has warned Manchester United that the confidence amongst his Liverpool players is sky high ahead of this Sunday’s top-four showdown at Anfield. Rodgers’ watched his Liverpool side seal a 1-0 win at Swansea City on Monday night as they kept their bid for Champions League qualification on track. The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League but just two points behind fourth-placed United heading into the final nine games of the season. And the Northern Irishman feels that his side are in good shape as they prepare to welcome Louis van Gaal’s side to Anfield this weekend. “It’s step by step,” said Rodgers.

eighton Baines expects Dynamo Kiev to be a different proposition on home soil as Everton prepares for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie tonight. Everton head into the second leg at Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex - where Dynamo have only lost two of their past 26 Europa League/ UEFA Cup fixtures - holding a 2-1 lead. Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku were on target last week as Everton overturned a 14th-minute deficit in dominant fashion at Goodison Park. But England international full-back Baines is taking nothing for granted, pointing to Everton’s most recent trip to Ukraine in 2007, when the Merseyside club came from behind twice to edge Metalist Kharkiv 3-2 in the second leg and 4-3 on aggregate in their UEFA Cup tie. “They had a really good 20 minutes but then seemed to take their foot off but, maybe, we should be give ourselves credit for that”, Baines said.

Baines

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME About Caster Semenya

Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born January 7, 1991) is a South African m ner and world champion. Born in Ga-Masehlong, a village in South Africa near Polokwane (back burg), she grew up in the village of Fairlie, “deep in South Africa’s northern Semenya has three sisters and a brother, and is said to have been a tomb She attended Nthema Secondary School and now attends the Univers sports science student. Semenya won gold in the women’s 800 metres at the 2009 World C a time of 1:55.45 in the final. She also won silver medals at the 2011 Wo and the 2012 Summer Olympics, both in the 800 metres. Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, it was annou been subjected to gender testing. She was withdrawn from internationa July 6, 2010 when the IAAF cleared her to return to competition. The results of the gender tests, however, were not released for privacy ever returned to competition, but nine days later Semenya won two mino On August 22, 2010, running on the same track as her World Champ menya started slowly but finished strongly, dipping under 2:00 for the controversy, while winning the ISTAF meet in Berlin. Not being on full form, she did not enter the World Junior Champions Championships, both held in July 2010, and opted to target the Commonw held in October 2010. She improved her season’s best to 1:58.16 at the meeting in early September and returned to South Africa to prepare for t Games. Eventually, she was forced to skip the games due to injury. Semenya was chosen to carry the country’s flag during the opening cere Summer Olympics. She later won a silver medal in the women’s 800 metr with a time of 1:57.23 seconds, her season’s best. She passed six competi metres, but did not pass world champion Mariya Savinova of Russia, who of 1:56.19, finishing 1.04 seconds before Semenya.

SEMEN

then called Pietersn Limpopo province.â&#x20AC;? boy as a child. sity of Pretoria as a

Championships with orld Championships

unced that she had al competition until

y reasons. She howor races in Finland. pionship victory, Sefirst time since the

ships or the African wealth Games to be Notturna di Milano the Commonwealth

EXTRATIME

PERSONAL INFORMATION

middle-distance run-

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Full name: Nationality: Born: Place of birth: Residence: Alma mater: Height: Weight: Sport: Events:

Caster Semenya South African January 7, 1991 (age 24) Pietersburg (now Polokwane) South Africa University of Pretoria 1.70 metres (5 ft 7 in) 64 kilograms (141 lb) Running 800 metres, 1500 metres

Achievements and titles Personal bests: 800m: 1:55.45 1500m: 4:08.01 Medal record Olympic Games Silver: 2012 London

800 m

World Championships Gold: 2009 Berlin 800 m Silver: 2011 Daegu 800 m

emony of the 2012 res of these games, itors in the last 150 o took gold in a time

ASTER

NYA

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

Wambach

: H C A B M WACANADA 2015

Abby Wambach is the undisputed figurehead and talisman of the USA women’s national team. The 34-year-old has set and broken many a record since making her debut for the Stars & Stripes back in 2001 and remains a prolific attacking threat. Her glittering career record includes 178 international goals, two Olympic gold medals and most recently another triumph at the prestigious Algarve Cup. However, there is one glaring omission in the Western New York Flash star’s personal honours collection, as she has yet to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a gap she is utterly determined to fill this year. Wambach spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about the global showdown in Canada, wounds that have yet to heal and USA’s strengths.

2014 wasn’t easy for you, as you were sidelined with a knee injury and had to adapt to a change of coaching team. What’s your take on the year? As an older player, you have to be very mindful when you put your foot on the gas pedal and when you take it off, but I am so ready for the year 2015. Yes, 2014 was difficult. I had an injury, our Algarve Cup didn’t go that well, and we had a change of coaching staff midway through the year. It was frustrating. Our standard is excellence and if we don’t perform as well as we should or could, I clock it up as a failure. The most important thing is that sometimes you have to go through hard times to get to the good stuff. That’s character building, it’s a quick reminder of how close we came to winning that World Cup in 2011. I have my silver medal in my closet and I see it very often. It’s a reminder of what I didn’t get. Sometimes when you fail it allows you the opportunity to grow more motivation and get more intense about your training. When you come to the point in time we’ve reached now, you can really go for it, play and practise as hard as you possibly can to be top of the podium at the end of the summer.

T S E D R A H E B D COUL UP!

C D L R WO

What are your impressions of working with Jill Ellis? Jill Ellis has been around the game her whole life. Her parents are from England and she and her brother came over as young children. They’ve been dedicated to this sport their entire lives. Jill has been in the national team as an assistant for many years and was a head coach for many years. She knows football, she knows how to play the game and how she wants her team to play. It’s really important that our young players understand that she has a plan. Her plan isn’t to play 11 players for 90 minutes for a full seven games. Her plan is to develop some of the younger players so they come in and make positive changes and differences in a game. That’s different to a lot of other coaches we had in the past. I think that’s what it’s going to take to get through seven games and reach the final.

a little bit reckless. I’m a little bit older now, a little more mindful of how many tackles I get into and how many miles I put on my legs during training sessions. The most important thing is being 100 per cent fit and healthy. The other part of it is that you get these younger players who can cover the field like I used to. You have to figure out how to play alongside them to make them successful. When Alex Morgan came on the scene we developed such a great connection. She’s able to run in ways I

You seem simply to follow your instincts on the field of play. Would you agree with that assessment? I think I do play instinctively. I play how I feel, according to what I see and what I think. It’s about the feel, connecting with your team-mates, your relationship with your centreback, your forwards, your midfield line and your wing players. If you can find those connections and make them solid, knowing what somebody else is going to do before they do it, you’ve got a defence beaten. Does this US team have what it takes to win the World Cup this summer? We absolutely have what it takes, but it’s going to be the hardest World Cup ever. There are more teams, more games and longer travel. Canada is a huge country. It’s going to be difficult, no matter what team you are, whether you’re number one in the world or the tenth-placed team in the world. To win a championship you have to have a little bit of luck on your side.

How do you feel your physique is holding up as you get to your mid-30s? What is your take as it seems that you’re still doing pretty well? 2014 was physically a tough year because I injured my knee, and you know how that goes with your emotions and the mentality. You ask yourself: will I ever be back playing as well as I used to? Right now I feel 100 per cent fit, healthy and excited. To win a World Cup we all have to sacrifice everything possible so we end up one day standing on top of that podium. Has your playing style changed as the years have gone by? It’s changed, for sure. When I was 25 years old I was just running around, getting into tackles and maybe being

have never been able to run. It’s very difficult for teams to defend against that great connection and chemistry because it gives us such a powerful presence up front.

Wambach

Tell us a little bit about the US team. Who should we watch for at this World Cup? We have a lot of great up-andcoming players like Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux or Christen Press. I’m very focused on our forward line. I’m the older player, kind of the mother, so to speak. I’m trying to get them all as confident as possible. There will be

games where maybe one or two of us are sitting on the bench. Tactically it’s going to be important for Jill and her coaching staff to do that to save legs. Hopefully we can do that so that once we get to the crucial matches we have players with fresh legs who can go on and not only win games by one or two goals, but decisively. That’s part of our strength. You face Sweden and your former coach Pia Sundhage in the group stage. You know each other well, so will it be a special match? It’s going to be a normal game actually. We try to normalise it as much as possible. Pia knows all of us players inside-out and backwards. But our system, our coaching and the way we’re going to play is different. And Pia has a team she’s going to be worrying about, so she won’t worry about us too much. She doesn’t need anybody to scout us – she knows us as personalities on the field. It’s always really fun. If you beat a team Pia is coaching you’ve done a good job. She’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had and I respect her. But in that specific game, I hope we beat her. Who will be the teams to beat at the World Cup? It’s hard to say. Brazil are very dynamic and dangerous. Obviously I like the chances of Germany, Japan and Sweden doing well and getting far at the tournament. France as well. There are so many options, so many great teams. On any given day anybody can win. It’s going to be the details, the setpieces, and the tactics. It’s going to be so difficult to win this World Cup. But man, am I up for the challenge.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

Azuka relishes

Bance partnership

Izu Azuka (right) unveiled by Irtyshi Pavlodar FC of Kazakhstan.

igeria forward Izu Azuka has told AfricanFootball. com he is thrilled to start his sojourn in the Kazakhstani league with Irtyshi Pavlodar and also play alongside Burkina Faso star Aristide Bance. The former Gaziantep BB of Turkey forward said he is enjoying his partnership and friendship with Bance. “I thank God that I have started my career here in Kazakhstan. I am enjoying myself here. My target is to score as many goals as possible for my team,” he said. “Well I am hoping to finish the season on a high with them, by either winning the league with them or finish in the top-three after the championship play-off. “I have an African team mate in Bance, the Burkina Faso international. I enjoy his company on and off the pitch, we are getting along well.”

R O Z O I B O O N A K S P M U D S R A L PIL

Injured Alli returns for Doncaster battle it-again Nigerian youngster Dele Alli is set to return to action for his English League One side MK Dons on Saturday against Doncaster Rovers. The Tottenham Hotspur player, who is on loan at MK Dons, was expected to return this weekend against Notts County, but the club’s head of coaching Richie Barker said that weekend’s game was too soon for Alli to return to action. “I think Dele will be close with him and it might be that him returning steps over into next week,” said Barker. “As far as I know from the last injury update we had, he was coming along OK and there had been no major complications.” The 18-year-old England youth international, who signed for Tottenham Hotspurs for £5million from Dons in January, has had an ankle injury which he suffered in a 1-0 victory at Colchester United on February 17.A

UCL:

Elderson Echiejile (left) celebrates Monaco’s Champions League quarterfinal qualification with team mates.

hristian Obiozor has walked out of Nigerian champions Kano Pillars, an official of the club has informed supersport.com. Idris Malikawa, spokesman of Kano Pillars, revealed that the striker, who joined from Enugu Rangers, left the camp of the Kano club without the consent of officials. Malikawa could not explain the rationale behind Obiozor’s shock exit from the club despite agreeing to a one-year contract with the Pillars. “Christian Obiozor just left Kano without informing anyone of his departure,” claimed Malikawa just before he travelled with the Pillars for Morocco on Tuesday midnight to face Moghreb Tetouan in the CAF Champions League. “When the chairman of the CAF Champions League Committee for Kano Pillars, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, spoke with him days back he assured he will return back to Kano, but he later sent a message to one of the board members that he is not returning to Kano without explanation. “If Obiozor has an issue with the club, he should have just spoken to us as we are ready to listen to any complaint from our players on any issues bothering them,” said Malikawa. The shock departure of Obiozor from Kano Pillars have now left them threadbare attacking-wise for the game at Moghreb Tetouan as Gambo Muhammed is still out injured from the armed robbery attack on the club earlier this month. The Kano Pillars spokesman also claimed that the club have travelled with one man short since Obiozor was among their plans for the CAF Champions League match in Morocco. “We included him in the squad and got visa for him like the other players for the trip to Morocco. Unfortunately we will travel with one man short now,” lamented Malikawa. Obiozor had hit the ground running at Kano Pillars, scoring five goals in his first seven appearances for the Nigerian champions. His form immediately cemented a first-team place for him ahead of the club’s top scorer last season, Adamu Hassan.

ECHIEJILE

delighted with Monaco’s qualification Mike Otanwa

lderson Echiejile has expressed his joy at Monaco’s qualification for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) despite losing the second leg tie 2 - 0 at Louis II Stadium on Tuesday night. With the principality side on the brink of crashing out of the competition, manager Leonardo Jardim introduced the Nigeria fullback in the 85th minute in order to solidify the defence. Delighted that the French side went through to the last eighth on the back of

their 3-1 win at the Emirates, Echiejile has urged his teammates to keep their concentration and be tougher on the next games in Ligue 1 and the quarterfinals. ‘’For us it was important to make it through to the next round. It’s now time to get focused on other tasks ahead. ‘’Great qualification looking ahead to the next round,’’ Elderson Echiejile tweeted. The 27 - year - old has appeared three times in the Champions League this season, with 185 minutes of playing time under his belt.

Siasia

Dream Team battle-ready for Zambia, says Siasia Mike Otanwa

ream Team VI coach, Samson Siasia has declared that his team are ready for the battle against their Zambian counterparts in the first leg, 2nd round game of the All Africa Games (AAG) qualifier in Abuja.

Speaking at the team’s training session after all the players expected for the game arrived camp, Siasia commended the foreign duo of defender Atanda Sodiq of KF Apolonia Fier of Albania and winger Lucky Omeruo of Birkirkara FC, Malta for beating his Wednesday deadline for all foreignbased players invited for the game. “Baring last minute injuries, I can safely say that my wards are ready to do Nigerians proud come this Sunday, as we battle to pick the first of our two targets. I know it will not be easy, but we intend to win well so as to make the return leg a mere formality,” Siasia said. “Sodiq and Lucky are in good shape, but as it is my practice they must fight for their jersey as there are no automatic jersey for anybody in my team, having in mind that my team is still work in progress.” Nigeria will secure passage to the AAG if they edge the Zambians over two legs.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME Johnson

LIVERPOOL

eyes AS Roma move

Johnson

is considering a eport has it that Liverpool defender Glen Johnson n in a bid to seaso move to Serie A side, AS Roma, at the end of the resurrect his fledging career. been speaking with a His agent revealed the England international has n. seaso next for future his host of clubs to hash out ool this season, as Johnson, 30, has been on the periphery with Liverp formation which 3-4-3 a g manager Brendan Rodgers has been utilisin been poor for has form His ete. obsol makes the natural fullback somewhat mances. perfor of l critica ly public boss Reds the with the last 18 months too, with the talk no been His contract is up in the summer, and there have on a leave to d allowe be Merseysiders currently, which suggests he could free transfer.

Mignolet

T E L O N G MGIES CALM

UR F O D A AHE E I T D E UNIT Reds rekindle Papadopoulos interest

iverpool could rekindle their interest in signing Greece international Kyriakos Papadopoulos this summer, according to report. The 23-year-old was once touted as one of Europe’s most promising young centre-backs, but his career at Bundesliga side Schalke stalled under former boss Jens Keller to the extent that he was allowed to join rivals

Bayer Leverkusen on loan last summer. Schalke’s new manager Roberto Di Matteo is a bigger fan and is keen to welcome Papadopoulos back into his squad ahead of the 2015/16 campaign. That makes it likely that there will be a three-way tussle for the defender this summer. With Papadopoulos out of contract in 2016, Schalke will be keen to tie him down to a new deal.

Balotelli hits back at critics L Balotelli

iverpool striker Mario Balotelli hit out at his detractors in an angry video published on his Instagram account late on Tuesday, telling them: “Shut up!” Speaking directly to camera in the short clip, he says: “Do you know me? Did you ever talk to me, personally? Do you know what I’ve been through in my life? You just saw me play football on the pitch, so man, shut up!” An accompanying caption read: “For those with an easy judge without knowing about others. Good night #idowhatiwant-remember!” The 24-year-old Italy international may have been responding to criticism of his performances since arriving at Anfield from AC Milan in a £16-million deal last August. Signed partly to offset the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Balotelli has scored only four goals in 20 appearances in all competitions and has found the net only once in the Premier League.

Liverpool will not imon Mignolet says ead of Sunday’s ah get carried away nchester United. showdown with Ma their fierce rivals to The Reds welcome m tory would take the Anfield knowing vic ier em Pr the o int e sid al’s above Louis Van Ga ur. -fo top ’s ue ag Le m in the EPL right Liverpool are in for ing the league since los now, unbeaten in ck in ba e tur fix e ers rev at Old Trafford in the December. d a note of caution Mignolet, has voice ep urging the Reds to ke ahead of the game, of a t ec sp pro the ite sp their composure de osphere. red-hot Anfield atm t be a huge build up, bu “We know there will t ge n’t ca we rs ye ll pla as professional footba s, job r ve to focus on ou carried away. We ha n or is three points to wi it because as a game to lose,” he said.