Dtn 20 11 15

Kogi gov poll: INEC distributes sensitive materials as IGP deploys DIG, CPs Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja

ÎÎÎ

All is now set for tomorrow’s governorship election in Kogi State

as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials for the election.

Our correspondent who was at the INEC office in Lokoja, on Thursday,

to witness the distribution noted that the materials were escorted out to various destinations amidst tight security.

In the meantime, the Inspector-Gen-

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

eral of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has deployed Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, Continued on page 6

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 VOL. 1. NO. 235

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 18th November 2015.

PZ

25

26.25

1.25 %

ASHAKACEM

22.4

23

0.95%

CAP

40.95

38.93

-2.02%

OANDO

7.22

6.86

CADBURY

19.1

20.05

0.55%

ETRANZACT

2.35

2.46

0.11%

NB

120.6

120.1

-0.59%

7UP

184

183.55

-0.36% -0.45%

Workers sack, salary cuts loom in states Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏGovernors

of Nigeria’s 36 states rose from a meeting in Abuja late on Wednesday with a strong indication that workers may have to be sacked and salaries cut, so that the states would not become bankrupt, given the current economic realities.

The governors, who met under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, expressed worry that more states may not be able to pay workers’ salaries if the revenue of the country continues to be on the decline.

Chairman of the Forum , Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara state, who indicated this while briefing newsmen on the resolutions of the meeting, said that the forum discussed Continued on page 6

“We are faced with a situation where we either have to reduce cost through salary reduction or downsize.

All these we don’t want to do but prefer to have a roundtable with the president, ministers, economists to look for means of getting out of this problem’’- Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State

Ï 1 ƒ Ƅ ƅƊ ǀêƾƄ Ƈƈ Ɔ LjM

President Muhammadu Buhari (4th right); Chairman, PAN Nigeria, Malam Munir Ja’afaru (3rd right); Managing Director, PAN Nigeria, Ibrahim Boyi (3rd left) and other members of the delegation during their visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja… on Thursday.

FG orders audit of high-profile corruption cases g6

Pro-Saraki group files petition against CCT Chair before Senate

g12

NEC boosts Sovereign Wealth Fund with $250m

g12

Tony Ojo:

Succeeding in an unfamiliar terrain gL1

TIMES

Group slamps newspaper over publication against Gov. Obiano

g12

2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Selection of Vice Chancellors

S

ome decades ago, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) gallantly fought and won the battle for the process of selecting Vice-Chancellors for our citadels of learning.

The selection process was supposed to enhance meritocracy, integrity and academic excellence. It was supposed to be devoid of partisanship, politics, manipulations and maneuvers. ASUU itself was not to have a candidate. The body was supposed to be neutral and be the watchdog or umpire in ensuring the entrenchment of excellence and integrity because the University is to ‘serve as a dynamic custodian of society’s salutary values and thus maintain integrity.’

Sadly, the situation is no longer the same. Things have gone so bad in the last half a decade.

The selection process has suddenly become an election process. In those days, VC aspirants did not have to go from house to house campaigning to win the support of members of Senate or Congregation. It was forbidden because the position of Vice Chancellor was regarded as that of the Chief Executive and therefore different from that of the Dean or Deputy Vice-Chancellors which are filled by election at the levels of Faculty Board or Senate respectively, according to regulations of the University.

VC aspirants then only had business with the Selection Committee and Council who would do a thorough job, without any inducement, and select the best candidate based on clearly defined parameters that produced the very first among equals.

The criteria were largely based on integrity, scholarship, ability to attract funds and administrative experience.

So there was trust that the selection committee was going to do a good job.

But things started going bad when it became the habit to influence who will be on the selection board to do the bid-

ding of a particular candidate.

The unfortunate truth is that the two members of Senate on the Selection Committee are now always elected on the floor of Senate based on some hidden agenda by the connivance of local ASUU executive and the aspirant and his well-wishers, often times including the incumbent VC, thereby throwing merit overboard.

Surprisingly, the whole game usually starts from the recruitment of certain members into Senate and by forming pressure groups which will be campaigning for the VC aspirant anointed by a ‘cabal’. This same scenario has played out in several universities which have had to go through the selection process for a new Vice Chancellor recently. This is clearly unethical and unacceptable, and does not augur well for the well-being of our ivory towers.

In particular, worthy of scrutiny is the last VC selection process of the nation’s premier citadel of learning, the University of Ibadan.

Indeed, the matters arising from that selection exercise are sensitive and crucial to the integrity of the University.

The Federal Ministry of Education and President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Visitor, need to take steps to stop the manipulation ‘madness’, otherwise it would spread like a cancer and consume our Tertiary Education System.

Similar intrigues are already being reported in other Universities like those in Calabar, Nnewi, Uyo and Bayero.

President Muhammadu Buhari will be doing the university’s community, and indeed those of other Nigerian higher institutions, a lot of good, by ordering a thorough investigation, so that at the end, meritocracy, integrity and academic excellence would prevail over mediocrity and manipulation in the choice of the candidate that he, as Visitor, will appoint to take over the running of the University of Ibadan from December 1, 2015 as Vice Chancellor.

The change we didn’t bargain for Segun Adio

ÎÎÎTo a discerning mind, there is change here in Nigeria but many seem to be oblivious of this fact. It is clear that many Nigerians only see the promised change in the positive way and not the other way round. The truth is change can be either positive or negative, depending from the perspective one looks at it.

As part of the change promised, the present administration plans to rid the Nigerian atmosphere of air pollution which ultimately leads to destruction of lungs and the breathing system, as they

claimed. This, no doubt, is a welcome development.

To achieve this, the Federal Government has placed a ban on the only means available to the poor for power source, the small generating set called in local parlance as I-better-pass-my-neighbour, as disclosed by the Controller, Zone ‘A’ Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Madugu Sanni Jubrin.

If the motive behind the ban could be applauded, the approach may be grossly unfriendly, especially to the downtrodden.

Nigerians took to generating sets because of the total collapse of the electricity system. In this time and age, majority of Nigerians are without electricity, which is a giv-

Words On Marble :

en in most parts of the underdeveloped world.

This is obviously the change majority of Nigerians did not bargain for.

It is expected that rather than outlaw Nigeria’s cheapest source of power generation, the Federal Government would first give Nigerians electricity. Maybe unknown to the Federal Government, it is not only I-better-pass-myneighbour generating sets that cause air pollution.

Bush burning, industrial wastes, and many big generators of the rich also evict smokes capable of causing damage to health.

So, let the Federal Government should work fast and hard to generate power needed and the story of generators would be a thing of the past.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

Group News Editor Segun Adio Politics Editor Akintola Akinjide Business Editor Friday Atufe Head, Graphics/Design King Ododoru

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike Group Executive Commercial/ Business Developement Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08086296714 Group Head Accounts & Control Samson Abiodun

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614 Ag Head Operations Segun Bamigboye Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Konnie Agu 09033765031

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Olusegun Mimiko

Lai Mohammed

“Nigeria belongs to everybody and it does to nobody; no single person or party owns our common wealth. No one!”

‘’Culture drives tourism, and both are good for creating jobs reducing crime and diversifying the economy’’.

Mahmood Yakubu “If 2015 was a litmus test of how far we have gone in our democratic journey, subsequent elections cannot fall below that bar”.

4 4

Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015 Friday, November 13, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Workers sack, salary cuts loom in states Continued from page 1 the economy and resolved to look for means to enhance states internally generated revenues as well to cut overhead cost, especially the salaries of political office holders.

The governor said the forum also resolved to diversify the country’s economy from petroleum to agriculture and mining. ``The situation is no longer the same when we are used to pay N18, 000 minimum wage when oil was 126 dollars; now oil price is 41 dollars. ``We are coming together in a roundtable with President Buhammadu Buhari and his team of ministers, technocrats, economic experts to see

how we can tackle our situation,’’ he said Yari said that the governors had also resolved to hold a roundtable with all stakeholders to articulate a robust strategy to tackle the deplorable economic situation in the country.

Also, in an interview with newsmen, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state said the economic situation was worrisome as more states would reach a stage where they would not be able to pay salaries. ``I believe that is the same situation with the Federal Government,’’ Okowa said.

He said that there was a need to look into the salaries of political office holders and other salaries.

``It is not a situation of being able to run government now. Most states are not able to pay salaries not to talk of capital projects. ``If we cannot fund capital development, then the rest of Nigerians are just shut out of government. ``Those of us in government, both politicians and civil servants are possibly not more than five per cent of the entire population of Nigerian. ``What will happen to the other 95 per cent?

What happens to infrastructure? Can we talk about industry without infrastructure?’’ Okowa asked.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on his part, said there was no way the country could continue

with a situation where expenditure was more than income.

He said that very soon many states would be technically declared bankrupt and added that there might be need for another bailout fund for states as they were running on deficit every month. ``We are faced with a situation where we either have to reduce cost through salary reduction or downsize. ``All these we don’t want to do but prefer to have a roundtable with the president, ministers, economists to look for means of getting out of this problem,’’ Ajimobi said.

Meanwhile, the governors have also thrown their weight behind the

Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) regarding the $5.2billion (about N1.04trillion) fine it imposed on MTN, and called on the Federal Government to compel GSM operator to pay up.

They commended the NCC for its strict compliance and enforcement of the law in its regulation of the telecoms sector.

NCC imposed the levy on MTN for failing to meet a deadline to disconnect 5.2 million unregistered subscribers earlier this year.

The network operator has already lost about 24 per cent of its share value since the fine was made public on October 26.

Briefing journalists,

Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of the NGF, Abdul’aziz said the forum received a comprehensive brief on the development from the commission’s acting Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

According to the governor, the forum after receiving a presentation from the NCC chairman congratulated him on his appointment and gave assurance of collaborating with the commission to assist in boosting the telecommunication industry.

As an aftermath of the fine imposed on the firm, it’s Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Dabengwa announced his resignation last week.

FG orders audit of highprofile corruption cases From Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Attorney General

Fuel hawkers in Benin City... on Thursday.

Kogi gov poll: INEC distributes sensitive materials as IGP deploys DIG, CPs Continued from page 1 Sotoye Wakama, to supervise security arrangements during election.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Force spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja on Thursday.

The DIG would be assisted by three Commissioners of Police, Isaac Eke, Peter Ogunyanwo and Sam Okaula, who would specifically su-

pervise security arrangements in the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

The distribution of the sensitive materials was carried out in the full glare of representatives of all the contesting political parties in the election.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Halilu Pai, who supervised the distribution, said that the materials included ballot papers and result sheets.

Pai said that the materials

would be taken to the INEC offices in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state from where they would later in the day be shared among the 239 wards.

According to him, the INEC is ready and committed to conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election.

He urged political parties, security agents and other stakeholders to play their roles according to the rules.

The Resident Electoral

Commissioner also gave assurances that the fuel scarcity currently being experienced in the state would not in anyway impact negatively on the process and outcome of the election.

He said that the commission had made arrangements with some filling stations that would sell fuel to all vehicles on election duty , and that the stations had been prevailed upon to operate on 24-hour basis beginning from Friday.

of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami ,SAN, on Thursday said that an audit of all high profile criminal cases would be carried out to ensure that no highly placed person facing corruption charges escapes justice.

Malami stated this in Abuja during an interactive session with senior officials of the ministry and journalists.

The minister noted that compromise on the path of government officials was part of the reasons why high profile criminal cases are lost in court.

According to him, it was either the investigator compromised the investigation or the prosecutor compromised the prosecution and delayed the case or entirely lost it.

Malami said that the Buhari administration will put an end to such compromises as it has resolved to audit all high profile criminal cases with diligent search for act of compromise, adding that officials found to have compromised case would be dealt with accordingly while such cases would be filed again.

The minister disagreed with suggestion that the gov-

ernment had disobeyed federal high court order granted the former National Security Adviser Mohammed Sambo Dasuki to travel abroad for medical treatment.

He said that a bail granted to an accused does not prevent the anti -graft agency from investigating the said accused who allegedly committed other offences.

“When such circumstances arose like we presently have, individual interest should gave way for national interest,” he said.

The AGF said that the federal government shall not flout court orders, and that government is all about due compliance with rule of law, he added.

The minister urged the staff of the ministry of Justice to regard themselves as the ‘change agents’ who must diligently prosecute the corruption cases and achieved the desired justice.

According to him, “the cardinal promises to Nigerians by the present administration are that it will quickly address the momentous challenges for our nation which are as follows: Corruption, Economy and Security.”

He assured the staff he will improve access to justice through enhanced training and welfare programmes for the legal officers and all staff in order to reduce crimes.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

ÏÏÏGovernor

Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has recorded a major boost to his re-election bid when a former governorship aspirant, Reuben Okoya, and over 10,000 others from various communities in the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District endorsed him for the December 5 election.

From one community to the other, the people, who trooped out in large numbers to receive Dickson and his entourage, pledged their commitment to his re-election, citing his performance in office in the first term.

Okoya, who vied on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that in spite of the lean resources and dwindling allocations from the Federation Account, the governor had been able to impact on the life of the people in the state, especially in the area of provision of infrastructure and

Another Biafra group emerges Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏAnother organisation whose

aim is to press the cause of the Biafra has emerged in the South East.

The group, which goes by the name, Bilie Human Rights Initiative, has been holding closed door executive meetings prior to its first public outing. With the emergence of Bilie, there are now four groups promoting the cause for the revival of the moribund Biafra.

The first and oldest is the Ralph Uwazuruike-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), from which a break-away faction, which has been trying to unseat Uwazuruike emerged.

In 2009, another rift developed within the leadership of (MASSOB) over the management of fi-

Ex-guber aspirant, Okoya, 10,000 others endorse Dickson security.

He said that although it was now too late for the other aspirants who contested against Dickson to step down for him, they should accept the outcome of December 5, 2015 election in good faith.

He, therefore, called on the other aspirants to rally round the governor as he said he was committed to his re-election for the progress of the state.

Dickson was applauded by the people for the location of the cargo airport in their senatorial district, which they reckoned would open up the area for business activities as well as generate employment for the teeming youths. nances. This led to the suspension, of one Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra, who moved out with his diaspora group to form a separate organisation they called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In an interview with the Daily Times in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, the Legal Officer of Bilie, Bar Pedro Azuogu, said that Bilie was the only legal entity in the country registered with the United Nations (UN) as an Indigenous People Organization (IPO).

Barr. Azuogu explained that “it is also an incorporated Trustee by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for the purpose of protecting, defending and advocating for the rights of Indigenous People of Bifra and all other Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities within Nigeria whose rights and freedom are violated by the Nigerian Government, contrary to the UN Charter on human rights and the African Charter on Human Peoples Rights.”

Otti files appeal against Ikpeazu Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏSequel to the Abia Governor-

ship State Governorship Tirbunal ruling in favour of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April general elections in Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday, filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the trial tribunal.

Otti’s counsel, Mr. Oracle Nwala, told newsmen in Umuahia, on Thursday, that the notice of appeal was filed at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, on Wednesday, disclosing that Otti took the measure after consulting with the leaders of the party, ma-

7 News

jor stakeholders and people of the state “who voted massively for him during the election”.

Nwala expressed the hope that the Court of Appeal would grant Otti’s prayer to be declared the winner of the poll, considering the judgment of lower tribunal, which upheld the cancellation of the results of the election in three local government areas

Ikpeazu

R-L: National leader of All Progressives Congress, (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olori Tokunbo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and and his wife, Bola during the 10th year anniversary thanksgiving service of Oba Gbadebo at St. Peter Anglican Church Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta...recently. Photo: DAVID IDOWU

N465.54bn Supplementary Budget passes second reading in House Henry Omunu

Abuja The 2015 Supplementary Budget of N465.64 billion submitted on Wednesday to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari passed second reading in the House of Representatives after a heated debate among lawmakers.

Leading debate on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, the House Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, said that in line with the constitution, it was in order that the Buhari administration forwarded a supplementary budget to the House for consideration and passage.

“The calculations went wrong and there is a short fall in the non-oil sector. There is a need to approve funds for subsidies as a responsive and responsible legislature,” he said.

ÏÏÏ

According to him, the approval of the supplementary budget would further enhance the administration’s fight against insurgency and terror.

He argued that the reasons for the supplementary budget was necessary was because the appropriation would fund the operations of the military in the North East, provide prison rations and feeding of unity schools, enable the government pay the balance of the severance, gratuity and allowances of out-gone and in-coming legislators, their aides and emergency provision for subsidy claims.

Contributing to the debate, Rep. Tahir Monguno, said that the supplementary budget, if passed, would help fund military operations in curbing the growing spate of insurgency in parts of the country.

However, the debate took anoth-

er turn, when Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, in her submission queried the implementation of the 2015 Appropriation Act by the Buhari administration.

She said that there was no need for a supplementary budget because the financial year was coming to an end, emphasising that the 2015 budget as approved had not been exhausted.

The Minority leader, Rep. Leo Ogor, towing the line of Onyejeocha was barely allowed to speak as he was accused by Rep. Gbajabiamila of misleading the House to ensure debate on the supplementary budget was not done along party lines. Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, said that the House should pursue a common good for the country.

Following the conclusion of debate on the bill, the Speaker referred the budget to the House Committee on Appropriations.

Ekwerenmadu: PDP suffering from hallucination, says APC

ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegation of the party being behind the attempt to assassinate the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as an induced hallucination.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged a plot to exterminate the life of deputy Ekweremadu and other opposition leaders, by the ruling APC. The PDP’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh, who briefed reporters at the party’s national secretariat

recently, said, “The lives of key opposition members are in danger”.

Reacting to the allegation, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, said, “It is unfortunate that the PDP has resorted to cheap blackmail and was yet to purge itself of itself of cheap and manipulative strategies that only helped escort it to the doldrums that it is in today”.

In a statement made available to newsman, on Thursday, in Abuja, Frank said it was bemusing of the PDP to adopt such cheap and

strange propaganda in its attempt to taint the change mantra the APC had sworn to press.

The APC chided the opposition party for adopting its past strategy for cheap political gains, knowing that the APC, unlike the PDP, was known for adherence to the rule of law and respect for the sanctity of life, noting that the past 16 years of the PDP’s reign saw an Honorable Minister, Chief Bola Ige, politicians like Harry Marshall and Funso Williams assassinated with no attempt to unravel the mysteries that surrounded their death.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Politics

Æs

Kogi: Wada Army Panel: Witness speaks of how hooded mocks Audu DSS officials, soldiers aided PDP in Ekiti poll as Osinbajo More startling revelations have continued to be unveiled at the ongoing Military Investigation Panel into the activities of military men during the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as well as the 2015 election.

According to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Olajide Awe, who was one of those who have given testimony at the panel, the role of the Army during the June 22 governorship election in Ekiti State was “better imagined than experienced”.

Awe was among 14 others testified who testified on Wednesday

before the Army panel of inquiry investigating the involvement of its officers and soldiers in the 2014/2015 governorship and presidential elections in Ekiti, Osun, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.

Army officers and personnel, including the famous Capt. Sagir Koli, who released the voice clip which alleged that former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musliu Obanikoro, was part of those who rigged the election in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had last week appeared before the panel.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna, who is also the President

of the panel, Maj-Gen. Adeninyi Oyebade, had on November 9, inaugurated the panel on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Gen Oyebade said the Army was deeply concerned about the alleged misconduct of its officers and men before, during and after the elections.

In his testimony, Awe told the panel that the role of soldiers in the June 2014 governorship election in Ekiti was better imagined because according to him, it was more of a battle field between the soldiers and voters.

He alleged that before the election, party bigwigs, including

former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, were prevented from entering the state for the party’s rally. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was grounded in Benin on the orders of the power-that-be.

The APC chairman said over N30 million meant for party agents and election activities were confiscated by some soldiers, whose identity, particularly their name tags, were concealed with black bands.

Awe said 36,000 security personnel, including soldiers, invaded the state on the eve of the election, harassed and arrested party lead-

Fayose

Fayemi

Buratai

Obanikoro

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

canvasses for change Barely 24 hours to the governorship election in Kogi State, the state governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Captain Idris Wada has mocked his opponent of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Abubakar Audu over the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari at its final rally in Lokoja.

Taking a jab at Audu over allegations of misappropriation of funds for which he is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Governor Wada described the absence of President Buhari from the campaign APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Prince Audu, as a sign of the current administration’s commitment to fight corruption.

Wada in a statement issued by his Chief Communications Manager, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, said Buhari’s refusal to identify with a tainted politician like Prince Audu will go a long way to send the right message to Nigerian youths that the current administration would not want to have anything CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

The rebranding PDP truly needs Umar Sa’ad Hassan A lot certainly has to change about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for it to pose a formidable opposition to the ruling APC and most importantly, take back power from the All Progressives Congress (APC). This much they appreciate and as such, convened a ‘ReBranding’ Conference to that effect on Thursday 12th November.

The party suffered from its worst leadership during the Goodluck Jonathan era that saw seven of its governors forming a faction along with some stalwarts with five of those governors eventual-

ly crossing over to the other side.

Blaming the party chairman, Adamu Muazu before forcing him to resign and publicly accusing its NEC of sharing what was left of their presidential campaign funds among themselves was how the PDP responded to its drubbing at the 2015 general elections.

It had a leader who seemed to be learning on the job. He had made his mistakes and they proved fatal. There had been little to suggest that the party was actually serious about patching up its umbrella even merely hours to the re-branding conference with the committee chairman,

Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi apologising to Nigerians for fielding Jonathan in the March 28th polls in a move that couldn’t be more reckless and a quick counter by Mr Olisa Metuh emphasising that Dokpesi was speaking for himself and nobody else. The conference itself held with absentees as notable as Jonathan, Namadi Sambo and David Mark.

This shouldn’t be a problem but there would definitely be one if other prominent members left Abuja without making certain crucial decisions in any ‘afterconference’ meeting. Decisions that would ultimately portray CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Jonathan

Mark

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

9 Politics

The rebranding PDP truly needs

Ekweremadu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

it as truly re-branded. Some of those decisions should include steps towards curtailing the utterances of members especially key ones.

The party is not loved by a majority of Nigerians and sounding petty and overzealous in criticism of the APC all in the name of playing the active opposition would do more harm than good.

Ben Murray Bruce saying Babatunde Fashola shouldn’t use generators and recommending that Chibuike Amaechi use public transport is most ridiculous.

If only Metuh would concentrate more on the constructive criticisms available and not trivialise a moment as glorious as an U-17 World Cup triumph by talking ‘APC and De-marketing’. The PDP has done a lot of damage in the last six years that would take a

Battle over Lagos Councils shifted till next year The ongoing judicial battle over the headship of local government councils in Lagos State has now been shifted till next year.

A Lagos high court had last Oc-

Secondus

Dokpesi

Metuh

lot of time to fix. Finding what to criticise in the barely six-monthold government for without coming across as being too petty shouldn’t be too difficult.

Portraying the party as seriousminded and business-like starts with regulating public utterances. A lot of people might just forget the bad governance meted out to us by them in the past and make recourse to the absence of the notable absentees at the conference as having purged its helm of bad elements.

Secondly, the party must draw up a list of all the states, political climate and capabilities of their present leaders. They stand a good chance in winning quite a number of states that aren’t theirs if they put in the right type of work ahead of time. Not a few governors are now hated for their inability to pay salaries before the

bailout by the new government.

Whether or not it is to be blamed on the mentality of the average Nigerian is a topic for another day. For instance, Kwara State.

The Senate President was stoned at an Eid prayer ground not only because he is alleged to have looted them dry but also because civil servants were being owed about seven months salaries. The governor is seen as Saraki’s ‘Yes Man’ and whoever they present next would be a hard sell. With the withering influence of ‘Jagaban’, any of the APC South West states can be captured. Even Lagos I dare say. If there is nothing spectacular about Ambode after four years considering the achievements of his predecessors, then a formidable PDP candidate like Jimi Agbaje might just clinch it.

It would take another Rochas to win again in Imo and there

are quite a number of northern states that have governors who look like they will sleep for most of their tenure.

An overdose of early preparation doesn’t kill. The ideal new look PDP would look to empower the media/publicity teams of its state chapters to ensure grievances against the incumbent governments are heard as loud as possible so as to whip up the right sentiments. This aspect is key to resurrecting the party. Staging legitimate and peaceful protests could also prove useful.

The party would seriously need to consider a new approach as regards membership. With a leaner purse to work with, targeting money bags and convincing them to stand for elections might turn out to be very productive. Many Ayo Fayose style ‘Rice Campaigns’ could just do the magic.

tober declared the appointment of Caretaker Committees for the councils by the Lagos State Government as illegal and unconstitutional, ordering the state electoral body to conduct election into the councils within 30 days.

But the state government and the electoral body appealed against the judgment and sought a stay of execution of the judgment.

Thus last Wednesday, a Lagos State high court in Igbosere fixed January 18, 2016, for hearing in a motion for stay of execution of a judgment of the court declaring the appointment of caretaker committees to manage the affairs of local government areas and local council development areas in

the state illegal.

The court will next year entertain arguments on a similar application filed by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) seeking stay of execution of the judgment pending its appeal.

The court had in a judgment delivered on October 23, 2015, granted an order of mandamus directing LASIEC to publish electoral guidelines and timetable within 30 days for election to be conducted in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission Law. The court had also declared as unconstitutional the appointment of caretaker committees as ad-

ministrators of local government councils in the state. But dissatisfied, Lagos State had immediately filed an appeal against the judgment and applied for a stay of the execution of the court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeal.

At the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice A. M. Lawal last Wednesday, Adeniji Kazeem, the state attorney general and commissioner for justice appeared for the state, while A. A Osara, from the law firms of Femi Okunnu, represented LASIEC. Osara, told the court that his client had also filed a notice of CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

It is most (un)fortunate that this wasn’t deployed during the last general elections.

The party needs the North badly and much won’t change if a lot of work isn’t put into changing the status quo. Preying on the APC’s weaknesses, exposing them and capitalising on the ‘bandwagon’ mentality of the Northern electorate is what it takes. The right buzz in the weak spots could have a lot of people jumping ship. Like I always tell people; no one reason can be adduced for the sudden volte face for Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso before the 2011 Kano guber elections other than a Hausa song urging him to return. These are probably the worst times the PDP has had to face since inception.

Only time will tell if re-branding meant gathering its people in one room or actually changing how things are done.

Ambode

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Army Panel: Witness speaks of how hooded DSS officials, soldiers aided PDP in Ekiti poll CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

ers, members and supporters.

He added that he received phone calls from party loyalists on Election Day, alleging the maltreatment soldiers were meting out to them.

The APC chairman said the whereabouts of the DirectorGeneral of the Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Bimbo Daramola, who escaped arrest in Ire, was still unknown even after the election.

Awe told the panel that there was no election in the state, noting that former Governor Kayode Fayemi accepted the outcome of that election for peace to reign in the state.

He said while he objected, Fayemi replied that “look if we say we cannot accept the election result, we will put the lives of our people in danger”.

The APC leader added that “Fayemi accepted the result in the name of peace. Some of this did not go down well with our people. We took the decision to

accept the result for the sake of peace in the state.”

Asked by Gen. Oyebade if there was a report of killing during the election, Awe said there was none.

He, however, said that in his village, several houses were razed, 15 vehicles destroyed and several people kidnapped.

“Some of these kidnapped victims were later found at Sagamu, Ogun State, with bruises on their bodies.

“Sir, there was no reports of anybody killed, but of robbery, harassment and intimidation,” Awe added.

The APC chieftain also fingered operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police in the party’s misfortunes, saying that the “DSS did a lot havoc because its officials were close to the people”.

He explained that while the DSS officials wore hoods, the soldiers covered their name tags.

His words: “Prior to the June 22, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, we were excited when told

Fayemi

that the Army will be involved in maintaining peace. A week or so after the soldiers arrived, our expectation was short-lived.

“On Wednesday, we started seeing that things were not as we thought. Thursday, we had a rally where most of our guests, especially party bigwigs were prevented from coming into the state.

“Nearly all major roads in Ekiti were blocked by the military.

The stop and search was beyond what it should be. Money meant for the party agents and other logistics were taken by the soldiers”, he stressed.

He urged the panel to allow him file photo evidence of his claim.

Gen Oyebade granted Awe’s prayer and asked him to submit the evidence within 48 hours.

But when it was the turn of the Ekiti State PDP Secretary, Tope Aluko, to testify, he pleaded to be heard behind camera. The panel members obliged him for security reasons.

Fayose

Kogi: Wada mocks Audu as Osinbajo canvasses for change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

to do with those who steal or mismanage public funds.

“It is gratifying that President Muhammadu Buhari heeded our advice and refused to identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Saturday’s governorship election.

“His decision to stay away from campaigning for a candidate that is being tried for corruption by the EFCC has reinforced the belief of the electorate in Kogi that the current administration is beginning to show commitment to fight corruption.

“Any attempt by Buhari to show public support for Prince Abubakar would not only be a disservice to Nigeria, but will send a clear signal that the wobbly anti-corruption war of the current administration is finally dead,” the statement read.

According to him, any presidential support for a treasury looter like Prince Abubakar Audu will ridicule Nigeria in the eyes of the world.

Shaibu added that for the avoidance of doubt, Prince Abubakar Audu is facing trial

for stealing money to the tune of N11bn meant for the development of Kogi State and not for his political belief even though some clowns are now saying he is the best thing that has happened to

Wada

Kogi State.

He advised the electorate in the state to send a clear message to the All Progressives Congress (APC) – through their votes on Saturday – that today’s Nigeria will not have

Buhari

a place for a party that celebrates grand larceny, corruption, greed and wastage of public funds.

However, though President Buhari was absent, prominent leaders of the party including Vice

Audu

President Yemi Osinbajo were in attendance with Osinbajo canvassing votes for Audu asking people of Kogi to embrace change and not be left behind by the change mantra

11 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Majidun: How peace accord was reached with military

Members of the House Committee with the Millitary Commanders after the peace accord

Alade Tasma The people of Majidun area in Lagos can now heave a sigh of relieve following a peace accord reached with the military authorities who have laid siege to their area sequel to activities of oil pipeline vandals.

This followed peace moves by the Lagos State House of Assembly through its Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the activities of Military Officers currently occupyıng Majıdun communıty ın Ikorodu area of the state following the activities of pipe line vandals.

The Assembly committee has fınally reached an understanding with the Military to help restore economic activities to the area as community members had fled their homes. Members of the commıttee led by ıts Chaırman, Hon. Rotımı Abıru last Wednesday embarked on assessment and fact fındıng vısıt to the communıty havıng earlıer ınvıted the Com-

Battle over Lagos Councils shifted till next year

mander of the Joınt Mılıtary Task Force to the Assembly followıng a petıtıon sent to the Assembly by resıdents of the communıty.

The residents had accused the mılıtary offıcers of sackıng some of the resıdents from theır homes, constant harassment, rape and blockage of the only entrance ınto the communıty thereby paralysing economıc actıvıtıes ın the communıty and subjectıng resıdents to hardshıp.

Following the intervention however, the lawmakers were able to get the Military and the community leaders to agree to a roundtable to work out modalities to relax security in parts of the community with a view to helping restore economic life that had been missing ın the community since the Military moved in to stop those using the community as a transit point for bunkered petroleum products.

Speaking with the community leaders led by the Bale of Majidun, Chief Jethro Abejoye, Chairman

of the Community, Prince Oloyole Megbedofo, Community Secretary, Chief Segun Omoyele and former Councilor representing the community, Hon Dairo Bolarinwa, at the Palace of the Bale in Majidun, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee and Chief Whip of the Lagos Assembly, Rotimi Abiru assured the community that the members will do all within their powers to make life bearable for them.

The community leaders had explaıned to Abiru who was accompanıed on the visit by other members of the committee including Sola Giwa, representing Lagos Island 2, Victor Akande, Representing Ojo 1 and Adedayo Famakinwa, representing Ajeromi Ifelodun 2, that though the presence of the Military has brought sanity to the place, which was hitherto used by some unscrupulous people who come from outside the community as transit for many unwholesome activities, it has however, affected

the lives of law abiding people negatively.

The community leaders sought the assistance of the lawmakers to prevail on the Military to relocate one of their camps so that vehicles providing essential services such as water, LAWMA, Sand and wood buyers and other provıders of essentıal services can have easy entry and exit from the community. They also sought the intervention of the lawmakers to prevail on the military to pick the medical bills of those who were victims of accidental discharge during one of their operations.

Chairman of the committee, Abıru promised to do everything possible to bring reprieve to them pending when the House of Assembly will take a decision on the report of the committee.

The lawmakers later met with the Commander, 9 Mechanised Brigade, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji, under whose purview is the military operation in Majid-

un, who promised to do everything possible to ease the pains of the people.

Assuring that the intension of the Military was not to make life difficult for the people, Adaji noted that for them to make success of their operation, they need the people of any community where they operate, assuring that the Majidun case will not be different.

The Commander thereafter, ordered the officer in charge of the operation to immediately arrange a meeting with the community leaders with a view to reaching an agreeable compromise to ease whatever tension that may exist between them and the community.

He also assured that the Military will pick the bills of all those affected by the accidental discharge.

Commodore Adajı also assured law abıdıng resıdents to continue wıth their legal busıness actıvıtıes as theır safety was guaranteed, sayıng they have absolutely nothıng to fear.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

requested for time to respond to the applications.

Justice Lawal observed that the counsel on record for NCP was different from the present appearance and queried how that came about.

Responding, Izima promised to regularise his position before the next adjourned date.

The court thereafter adjourned

to January 18, 2016 for hearing of the applications.

The applicant in the suit with reference number LD/318MJR/2015 is National Conscience Party (NPC), while the respondents are Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), the attorney general of Lagos and the Independent National Electoral

Ambode

appeal and an application for an injunction pending appeal/stay of execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal against the judgment.

But Kingsley Izimah, counsel who represented the applicant, National Conscience Party (NCP),

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

NEC boosts Sovereign Wealth Fund with $250m

Ï 01è Ɛ ƐƆ Ɛ ƏƆ ơǀƠƌ GM1 ƗƈƒƈƗƆ Ɨ Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe National Economic

Council (NEC) on Thursday gave approval that $250m of the $400m dividends from Nigeria Liquidified Natural Gas (NLNG) be invested in the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

This marks a tacit acceptance of the fund by the State Governors which was a source of a running battle between them and the Federal Government in the last political dispensation.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who briefed State House Correspondents after the council’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also disclosed that

the balance of $150 would be shared among the three tiers of government.

Aregbesola, who was joined at the briefing by his counterpart from Enugu, Ifeanyi Oguanyi and the deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Agara, disclosed that the approval followed a presentation made to council by the Managing Director of Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Authority.

He said: “The Managing Director of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Authority presented the status report to the council. After due deliberations on the report, the council agreed that $250m from the $400m LNG dividend be invested in the Authority to increase its capital.

“Council directed the Min-

ister of Finance to constitute an executive nomination committee and work in consultation with NEC to appoint appropriate persons to take over as board members of the NSIA. “Council resolved that the balance of $150m of the said $400m LNG fund be shared accordingly in the prescribed formulae at the Federation Account.”

According to the governor, the need to reconstitute the membership of the governing board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company was discussed and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who presided at the meeting called for nomination of new board members based on the six geo-political zones.

He also disclosed that the

Accountant-General of the Federation reported that the balance of the Excess Crude Account stood at $2.257bn and that not much had changed since the last report.

On the report of government agencies generating revenues in foreign currency but remitting naira equivalent into the federation account, Aregbesola said NEC had mandated the Ministry of Finance to investigate and report back at its next meeting.

On other issues discussed at the meeting, the governor said: “The CBN was mandated to embark on sensitisation and public enlightenment on the forex policy and relevant laws and regulations so as to guide traders and some people who en-

counter challenges regarding the movement of foreign currency across the nation’s borders. We understood that some traders particularly in the East encounter challenges at the airports when they intend to go about their businesses.

“The DG of PENCOM briefed the council on the contributory pension scheme

implementation effort and status of implementation by the states. Highlight of the briefing was on the sustainability of the pension arrangement, scorecards of the states in the implementation of the scheme, the challenges being faced by the states, opportunities and also the steps towards full implementation by the states.

Pro-Saraki group files petition against CCT chair before Senate Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÏÏÏA

group, Ajastor AntiCorruption Network on Thursday filed a petition before the Senate against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar.

The group is believed to be sympathetic to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, as one of Saraki’s loyalists, Senator Dino Melaye had had a link with the group.

Saraki had appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal about three times in respect of allegations of false declaration of assets, just as his supporters are said to be making frantic efforts to halt the process of his prosecution.

The petition against the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, was laid before the Senate during plenary by Sena-

tor Obinna Ogba representing the Peoples Deomcratic Party (PDP) from Ebonyi State.

The petition, a copy of which had earlier been filed before the House of Representatives is alleging that Danladi Umar had allegedly collected a sum of N10 million from a Comptroller of Customs, who is now retired, in respect of a case of assets declaration.

The retired Comptroller of Customs, according to the petition had paid the sum of N1.8 million into the account of Ali Gambo, Umar’s personal assistant.

Briefing newsmen on the petition, Senator Obinna refrained from commenting on the content, which he said would be made public after the petitioner had been summoned to face the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee.

Buhari reaffirms commitment to privatisation

LƆ Ƈ Ɔ ƐƏ Ƌ M ƒ Ƌ ƌƌ Ɨ Ɛ ƈƋƋƆ Ƌ ƏƆƇƈ ƆƏƕ ƗƑƏƈ Ə ƈƗ Ɛ Ɗ ƏƆ Ƈ Ə G1 ƈ ƕƆƋ dƐ ƐƆêêê j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕê

Group slams newspaper over publication against Obiano ÏÏÏThe Executive Director

of Media Rights and Ethics Group, Prince Ezekiel Anamambu has slammed the Editorial Board of The Union newspaper over a front-page story published on Thursday which alleged that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State spent N55 million on buying a golden bed.

Addressing a Press Conference in Onitsha on Thursday, the Executive Director of the media watchdog group described the paper’s cover story entitled ‘Obiano Blows N55m on Gold Beds’ as the “height of irresponsible journalism.”

According to him, it was regrettable that the newspa-

per could allow itself to be dragged into a smear campaign mounted by one of the feuding parties in the media war between two political heavy weights in the state.

Said he: “The Media Rights and Ethics Group is appalled that a relatively new publication has chosen a sensational path to announce itself in the Nigerian market at a time when the nation needs a brand of journalism that will ask serious questions about the many challenges facing Nigeria at the moment. We would have expected The Union to champion relevant causes…,” Prince Amanambu declared.

“Can the editors of the newspaper publish any reli-

able evidence to convince Nigerians that Governor Obiano sleeps on a golden bed?

Can they produce evidence of purchase of this bed with the name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture as well as the date of purchase with Obiano’s signature on the receipts?,” Prince Amanambu queried.

The rights activist, however, urged Governor Obiano to ignore publication and concentrate on his activities and programmes that are already turning the fortunes of the state around.

“We are solidly behind Governor Obiano. We have are happy with that he has cleared kidnappers and armed robbers from Anam-

bra State. We are happy with the flyovers that are springing up in Awka. We are happy with the jobs that his agricultural programmes are creating. We are happy with the investments he has attracted so far and we hope that he will continue to lead Anambra well.”

Obiano

Ï d ƕ ƈ ƆƏ ƍƏƆƌƈƑƌ ƓƈƋƋ ƄƆ ƍƋ ƅƆƗ the technical competence of bidders Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the privatisation and commercialisation policy.

The President gave the commitment at an audience with Peugeot’s Executive Vice President for Africa and the Middle-East, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari stressed, however, that greater consideration will now be given to the technical and managerial competence of prospective buyers of government-owned companies to avoid the running aground of privatized companies by ill-equipped and incapable investors.

A statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,

Mal. Garba Shehu indicated that Buhari spoke after being briefed on plans by Peugeot to stage a come back to Nigeria after the collapse of the privatization of Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited.

The president noted that privatization can only succeed and yield desired benefits if buyers of government-owned companies possess essential skills and resources, the statement added.

“Mr. Quemard assured President Buhari that Peugeot was ready to reinvest in vehicle assembly in Nigeria, provided that the right indigenous partners are found.

“The Peugeot Chief Executive for Africa and the MiddleEast briefed the President on the company’s three-phased plan to resume vehicle assembly in Nigeria with 4,000 cars next year, rising up to 10,000 cars by 2021,” according to the statement.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

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13

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20 , 2015

L-R: General Manager, British American Tobacco Foundation, Ms. Abimbola Okoya; former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Co-founder, Falcon Corporation, Audrey Joe Ezigbo and Area Head, Corporate Affairs, BATN, West Africa, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade at the 2015 CSR African Roundtable held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos… on Thursday

Court hears Dapo Abiodun's appeal against Kashamu Nov 24 Segun Adio

ÏÏÏThe Court of Appeal sitting

in Ibadan will on Tuesday, November 24, hear the cross appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun in the last March 28 senatorial election into the Ogun East Senatorial District and, in whose favour the Ogun State House and National Assembly Petitions Tribunal nullified the election of Senator Buruji Kashamu.

The National Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ogun State had, in its verdict on October 9 annulled the election of Buruji Kashamu and ordered a rerun election in 110 polling units within the next 90 days.

Dissatisfied, both Kashamu and Abiodun headed to the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, seeking various reliefs. Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his cross-appeal filed by his team player lawyers, led by Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Rickey Tarfa, Biodun Owonikoko and is praying the court to allow the cross appeal and “nullify the election in all the afflicted and affected polling units where corrupt practices, irregularities and non-compliance were proved by the tribunal”.

Abiodun is also seeking an order declaring him as the winner of the March 28 Ogun East Sena-

torial Election having polled the majority of the lawful votes cast after deducting the votes afflicted by corrupt practices, irregularities and non-compliance.

Besides, the cross appellant is praying the court in the alternative, to order that fresh election be conducted in all the polling units in which corrupt practices, irregularities and non-compliance have been found, in addition to the 110 polling units which results were nullified by the tribunal.

Abiodun is also contending that the tribunal ignored applicable judicial authorities that allows challenge to the competence of an originating process to be raised at any time and by whatever means.

Part of the decision of the election Tribunal complained about are: “Notice of cross appeal: The cross-appellants being dissatisfied with the part of the decision, more particularly stated in paragraph 2 and contained in the judgement of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, delivered judgement in October 9, 2015 by the three Judges led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi and two others, Justice Stanley A. Lawal and Justice Adamu Usman in petition no. Sen/ ABK/001/15 between Mr. Adedapo

Abiodun (MFR) & anor vs Prince Buruji Kashamu & 3 Others do hereby Cross-Appeal to the Court of Appeal upon the grounds set out in paragraph 3 and will at the hearing of the Cross-Appeal seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.

AND the Cross-Appellants further state that the names and addresses of the persons directly affected by the cross-appeal are those set out in paragraph 5.

“Part of the decisions of the election Tribunal complained of are: 1. The part of the judgement of the Election Tribunal where the learned Judges having found corrupt practices, non-compliance and irregularities proved but still failed to nullify the election in the concerned polling units, wards and local government areas.

Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling for a legislation to regulate the activities of Fulani Cattle rearers across the state.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon Aribisogan Olugboyega, who moved the motion under matter of Public Importance at the House Plenary, in Ado Ekiti, called for urgent

action to moderate the activities of the cattle rearers in view of the embarrasment and effect of their appalling activities across Ekitiland.

The motion, seconded by Hon Akinleye Ekundayo, was unanimously supported by Honourables Dele Fajemilehin, Wale Badejo Anifowose, Jeje Samuel and Akinniyi Sunday, who, also, condemned the activities of the Fulani cattle rearers.

They said the cattle rearers now

Jos

ÏÏÏThe

Assets and Resource Management (ARM) Pensions has commenced sensitisation of enrollees with information on after-retirement benefits.

Mr. Abisola Onigbogi, the Head of Business Development, told newsmen in Jos, that pension desk officers were also being trained on new challenges.

According to him the training and sensitisation of clients were in line with policies by the

VGN trains 5,000 personnel in Lagos ÏÏÏThe Lagos State Command

of Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) says it had trained and deployed 5,000 personnel for surveillance in strategic areas of the state to avert insurgency and criminality.

The Lagos Commander of the group, James Udoma, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

He told NAN that the personnel were also trained to avert other acts of criminality during the yuletide.

“We are aware of the insecurity in Lagos and the insurgency going on in the country. This is why we have prepared our men in every local government area because we are closer to the

ARM Pensions sensitises enrollees on benefits National Pension Commission (PENCOM) on how the industry should be run.

He said the training and sensitisation organised by ARM was to bring all involved to speed up its operation.

people. We have also trained our men on how to curb and manage any form of crisis.

“We have instructed our men to work round the clock and make sure they are on 24 hour surveillance in every area of Lagos State,” he said.

Udoma restated that the group was ready to work with the Lagos State Government and other security agencies to make Lagos a crime-free state.

“We are very ready to give relevant information to the police.

All these are aimed at making sure the insurgency in other parts of the country does not affect Lagos State. Our men have also been trained to apprehend criminals who take advantage of the traffic situation to rob motorists and hand them over to the police,” he said.

Udoma appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the organisation, adding that the group needed operational vehicles.

Ondo begins channelisation of Igbokoda Waterways ’Tosin Ajuwon

Akure Abiodun

Ekiti Assembly passes resolution on cattle herdsmen Gbenga Sodeinde

Chijioke Kingsley

indulged in destructions of farms and produce, robbery, molestation and rape of women during the cause of their grazing.

Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole agreed that the activities of the Fulani cattle rearers had affected not only farmers but the entire populace psychologically. He said the government could not fold its arms and pretend that all it was well, and called for urgent action through proper legislation.

ÏÏÏThe

residents of Igbokoda community at the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, would soon heave a sigh of relief, as the state government has embarked on anticipatory measures to control the perennial flooding that occasional ravages the area.

The measure, which has already began with the dredging of the Igbokoda waterways that lead to the fishery terminal would cover the channelisation of the tributary of Ofara River passing through Ominira to Ilara area into the coastal area of the Oluwa River.

Speaking during a site inspec-

tion visit, the Ondo State Commissioner of Environment, Sola Ebiseni, affirmed that flooding caused by days of torrential rains swept away homelands and threatens the socio-economic activities and the groundwater quality around Igbokoda, the coastal area of the state, thus prompting the state government to swing into action.

Ebiseni, who was accompanied by the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Oladimeji Odidiomo, said the ministry was guiding the contractor handling the project, Zokaman Nigeria Limited, to ensure a proper channelisation of the shoreline protection of Orikiti Ilu church area of the community to the Oluwa River, an area which has caused residents untold hardship.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

15 Opinion

MARRIAGE CLINIC-PART IV

The making of a God-fearing Husband

‘’But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel’’(1 Tim. 5:8)

M

Samuel Omtoso

arriage is a unique system or structure where the failure of any man as the family head will greatly hamper the sustainability and the success of God divinely instituted home.

It has been God’s ultimate desire that every marriage experience peace and harmony, but in a situation where chaos and pandemonium surround a home, it is either a man who happens to be the head has refused to assume his full responsibilities or he has been frustrated by his wife’s unruly behaviour.

Being a husband is a rare privilege and a highly esteemed role that God has entrusted with man. It is a wonderful role shrouded with untold benefits and joys. To be a biblical husband, it is manifesting Godly character by going through His spiritual moulding process..

The Word of God unfold unto us some of the biblical traits that a God fearing husband should be exhibiting that will turn around his home to be earthly paradise, which are discussed below: (1) Servant-Leadership: Christ, our model helps us to understand what leadership is; that is not acting as a boss or a master, but being able to serve those you are called to lead. Therefore, husband roles at home should not be an autocratic means of ruling but being

able to allow wife to participate. The service oriented type of leadership that husbands are to display should be sacrificial in nature and to be decisive and to take action when needed.

A husband’s role is to ensure that family is guided in righteousness.

A husband’s leadership is dissimilar from worldly leadership. As illustrated by Christ, although this may sound illogical, whoever want to become great, must humble himself. ‘’ But so shall it not be among you; but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister’’(Mark 10:43) (2) Communication skill: This is one of the significant aspect of marriage as the kind of language used for one another, determines the feedbacks from each other. That is why, when husband starts to yell or shout on his wife unnecessarily, it makes the relationship rough and sour which may ultimately end up in rearing ungodly children and broken homes “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6 A Godly home can only experience peace and progress when the atmosphere is conducive. A listening husband always benefits from his wife’s valuable ideas that will move his home forward. There are many components that make up good communication whereby both the receiver and sender will understand

each other.

(3) Sincere Love It is a grievous sin for a man who is relating with his wife in deception.

Whenever the man needs his wife’s kind attention, it is not only then he shows a lit bit of love to her. Many men only express an erroneous kind of love with a divided heart in relating with their wives.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25) A selfless and enduring commitment to one another is required by both husband and wife through the righteous, truthful, compassionate thoughts, words and actions.

As we are always being careful not to hurt our own flesh and giving it proper care, so also a good husband must learn to cherish his wife. A lasting relationship is hinged on two pillars i.e. Love and Trust.

(4) Unreserved Stewardship Stewardship is the ability to utilise and manage all resources God provides for His glory and the betterment of His Creation. Good Stewardship shows how one’s level of maturity and character are acted on a daily basis. One of the most common complaints wives have against husbands is that they are not fulfilling their obligations within their marriage.

“As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10)

Essentially, stewardship has to do with the ways of handling what God has entrusted you on earth. Within the marriage relationship, that is a lot. As husbands, God has blessed us with wife, children, money, time, possessions, and many more things that we are to steward faithfully.

(5) Selfless Service Service is humbly considering your wife’s needs before your own, always prioritising her in the relationship. A Godly husband is praying regularly for the ability to put aside his natural pride, and focusing on providing for his wife.

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:28) As was the case with the traits of leadership, Jesus is once again a perfect model for humble service.

A husband should seek to have the mindset of Christ, that is, a focus on others without a desire for recognition or approval (Philip 2:5-8). Christ was always seeking to glorify God by selflessly serving others. This is what a biblical husband should strive to have toward his wife.

In conclusion, the making of a Godly husband is not attained overnight.

It is a personal work of consistent selfless sacrifices and obedience to the divine law of ethics.

Pastor Omotoso can be reached through email: onwardforchrist2015@gmail.com or 08029531853.

Journey of love in milieu of lovelessness

L Chiedu Uche Okoye

ove is a shop-soiled word .To say that it is an overused word is to state an obvious fact. Over the centuries, poets, philosophers, dramatists, and novelists have produced works, whose thematic concern is love. Daily, young people whisper sweet-nothings into the ears of their friends in demonstration of their love. Religious teachers do exhort member of their religious groups to love other people. In addition, the bible, which is the holy book of the Christians, says a person who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the commandments. Nevertheless, to some people, love is an undefinable and indefinable emotion. One definition cannot encapsulate and capture vividly the meaning(s) of love. Love can be broadly divided into many groups, chief among them are agape love and Eros.

However, what is love?

The Longman’s dictionary of contemporary English defines love as ’’ a strong feeling of caring about someone especially a member of you family. A strong feeling of liking and caring about someone especially combined with sexual attraction”.

However, do the diverse people(s) of the world engage in deeds of love? The answer is a categorical no.

Millions of people(s) who belong to different human races are without love. So, from Syria to Israel; From Nigeria to Chad, terrorist groups, whose members are indoctrinated with dangerous religious dogmas are engaged in orgy of killings. The members of Boko Haram, Isis, Elshabab and others kill other people in the name of the Koran. No religion preaches violence and bloodshed. So those who kill other people on behalf of their God or gods are violating the tenets of their faiths. The world’s religions have doctrines that are rooted in love. In Nigeria, almost everybody belongs to a religious group. Islam and Christianity, which displaced and dethroned the African traditional religion, are the predominant ones.

In addition, adherents of the major religions in Nigeria, who occupy position in the top echelon of our super-structure, perpetrate deeds that hurt our economy. Consequently, Nigeria is bedeviled with the problem of high-rate of unemployment. But a God- fearing man with probity will not divert public money entrusted in his care into his private account .A

person, who is truly righteous and forthright, will not demand monetary inducement from job -seekers. The down –trodden, are denied those places owing to Nigeria egregious systems of doing things.

And it is not love that motivates some people to abduct and kill children for moneymaking rituals.

Love is a scarce commodity among us now. Moreover, the existence of love among us is prerequisite for our entrenchment of peace and unity in Nigeria. If love exists among every family, then Nigeria will become an oasis of peace and unity. However, we have many broken homes and families in Nigeria as marriages collapse as fast as amoebae cells break up.

When a marriage union is destitute of love, it will fail.

In African, especially Nigeria, men marry wives in order to beget male children, who will ensure that their families’ names do not go into extinction. In addition, men prefer male children to female ones as girls are thought to be chattels that will be sold off. A woman without a male child is always unhappy. Some so –called well -educated men ended their marriage unions on grounds that their wives could not begot male children.

More so, some people enter into marriage relationships because marriage confers a measure of respectability. In Nigeria, marriage is a yardstick for assessing people’s successes. Therefore, not many people have entered into the sacred union and institution of marriage for love.

Yet, any human relationships not based on love are predisposed to fail.

Do we not put up with the irritating, offensive and repulsive deeds of those for whom we profess love? Some husbands had their kidneys harvested, which they donated to their wives for organ transplant, as their wives’ kidneys were diseased. Men and women who are propelled by feelings of love do make great sacrifices in order to give joy to their partners. Any marriage union that is founded on genuine love can resist the buffeting and whiplash of marital troubles.

Being married has compelled me to learn the virtues of patience and tolerance. They are the qualities of love.

The holy bible tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. As we journey to the altar for the solemnization of our marriage union, I pray that our two souls should unite as inseparable Siamese twins, and continue to chime the same tunes.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Business Times Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

17

STOCK MARKET REPORT

Market Indices down by 0.06% Adesola Akindele

Equities trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange is yet to pick up from its negative position after the fourth consecutive trading session this week as lead indicators fell by 0.06 per cent.

Specifically, the NSE AllShare index depreciated by 16.

24 points to close at 28,203.20 points against 131.84 points lost previously to close at 28,219.44 points.

In the same vein, market capitalization declined N5.6 billion to close at N9.695 trillion compared to N45.32 billion lost previously to close at N9.700 trillion, while market activity conducted in 2,127 deals and measured by value and volume closed N1.05 billion and 174.96 million respectively.

At the close of trading 17 equities were recorded as gainers, with PZ Cussons Plc taking the lead position with a 5.00 per cent or N1.25 gain to close at N26.25 followed by Cadbury Plc which added 4.97 per cent or 95 kobo to close at N20.05, while Portland Paints Plc rose by 4.86 per cent or 18 kobo to close at N3.88 per share.

Etranzact Plc appreciated 4.68 per cent or 11 kobo to close at N2.46 and Air Service Plc added 3.83 per cent or 7 kobo to close at N1.90 per share.

Conversely, 14 equities declined in price with Oando topping chart with a loss of 4.99 per cent or 36 kobo to close at N6.86 per share, followed by CAP Plc which depreciated 4.93 per cent or N2.02 to close at N38.93 per share, while Dangote Flour Plc fell by 4.85 per cent or 10 kobo to close at N1.96.

Ikeja Hotel Plc also dipped by 4.68 per cent or 16 kobo to close at N3.26 per share while Paintcom Plc dropped 4.39 per cent or 5 kobo to close at N1.09 per share.

L - R Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission, His Excellency Simon Shercliff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Aliyu Dikko, Managing Director, Mr. Wilson Ideva, the Business Development Manager, British Standards Institute, East and Africa, Vladimir Chenry and Professor Mohammed Kaoje Abubakar, Commissioner Inspectorate during the occasion of ISO 27001:2013 Certificate Presentation to Premium Pension Limited recently. The company is the first in the pension industry to be so certified.

Dons want CBN to reduce interest rate, CRR Two university lecturers have urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce the interest rate and the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) of banks, to forestall obstacles to acquiring loans.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews yesterday in Lagos that reduction in interest rates and CRR was necessary to make funds available to investors for borrowing.

The experts spoke against the backdrop of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, slated for Nov. 23 Nov. and 24.

Prof. Sheriffadeen Tella of the Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun, said there was need for the MPC to reduce the interest rate charged by commercial banks.

Tella explained that it was becoming difficult for businessmen and investors to access funds for their businesses because of the high interest rate

charged by banks.

According to him, the MPC should also reduce the CRR of commercial banks to enable them have more funds for borrowing. ``There is need for the MPC to reduce the CRR of banks to create more money for borrowing,’’ Tella said.

On the call for the further devaluation of the naira, Tella lauded the CBN for professionally resisting the call by the IMF for Nigeria to devalue its currency.

He noted that the decision of the apex bank on the naira was worthy of commendation, adding that the forces of demand and supply should be allowed to stabilise the naira.

In his contribution, Dr Evans Osabouhien of the Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University in Ota, Ogun, said the MPC should see the stability of the economy as key consideration.

Osabouhien suggested that

the MPC should leverage monetary variables in the stimulation of the economy.

According to him, the MPC needs to do a re-evaluation of the compliance of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) to reduce the challenges encountered by bank customers.

He urged the MPC to monitor the compliance of ministries, departments and agencies of government to the Treasury Single Account to ensure transparency and equity.

The MPC was established by the CBN Act 2007, charged with the attainment of price stability and to support the economic activities of the Federal Government.

The committee, which is headed by the Governor of the CBN, is made up of 12 members.

According to the CBN, the MPC is the highest policy making committee of the bank with the following mandate: Review economic and financial conditions in the economy.

``Determine appropriate stance of policy in the short to medium term. Review regularly, the CBN monetary policy framework and adopt changes when necessary, among others.”

In the last MPC meeting, the CBN voted to reduce the CRR from 31 to 25 per cent.

It retained the MPR at 13 per cent, retained the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR; and retained the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent.

Emefiele, CBN Governor

Business News 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Union threatens industrial action over gridlock Joy Ekeke

L-R: Chairman, Save4 Shelter Savings Promo Committee/Regional Bank Head, Apapa Regional Bank, Obaro Odeghe, Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Adeyeye Adepegba, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Bank Plc., Nnamdi Okonkwo and Divisional Head, Retail Bank, Richard Madiebo all of Fidelity Bank at the 2nd Draw of the Fidelity Save4 Shelter Savings promo in Lagos on Thursday.

Airtel Nigeria restructures, compensate sacked staff ÏTo consolidates fund for Nigeria business Tony Nwakaegho Sacked workers of Airtel Nigeria are said to have been duly compensated by the firm whose reason for such exercise is to enable it to reposition the business and “reinforce its competitiveness in the market place.

A source said that the affected employees received three months’ salaries in lieu of notice and an additional one month pay for every year they had worked.

Emeka Opara, director of Corporate Communications, Airtel Nigeria said in a statement that the restructuring would focus on “aligning the company’s structure with its

operating model.”

“We wish to assure that, in accordance with best practices, a robust plan has been put in place to cushion the effect of the exercise on the impacted employees and ensure that the process is seamless.

“One of the key objectives is to create a high performing organisation, which satisfies the needs of all of our stakeholders, especially our customers, as we step into the next growth phase of our operation,” Opara said.

It will be recalled that Bharti Airtel had recently commenced final talks to sell four of its African subsidiaries to France’s Orange South Africa for $1billion in order to consolidate its

stake in Nigeria.

It was gathered that after the sale, which should be completed before the end of this year, the company planned to plough about $700m, which is more than one-third of the funds back into its investments in Nigeria.

The choice to sell the four subsidiaries in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone had to do with the Airtel’s inability to become the dominant operator since its entry into Nigeria in 2010.

It was also gathered that this had been dragging the carrier’s consolidated financials, which had kept it at a distant third behind MTN and Globacom in the telecom industry in Nigeria.

NPA removes 43 wrecks in Lagos water channel Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said it had removed not less than 43 wrecks in Lagos water channel since 2007.

Capt. Ihenacho Ebubeogu, General Manager, Public Affairs,of the organisation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the wreck-removal project would pave way for easy navigation.

The NPA spokesman said the organisation had removed

more than 12 wrecks in PortHarcourt.

Ebubeogu, also a mariner, said the organisation would soon embark on removal of 19 other wrecks in Lagos.

He said the organisation would soon commence the removal of wrecks in Calabar port. ``A wreck that is not critical today can be critical tomorrow but you have to remove it,” Ebubeogu said.

The mariner said the organisation would embark on a more comprehensive approach in addressing the deplorable condition of the ports’ access roads.

The authority’s spokesman said the organisation had been working on the rail tracks along the Lagos and Port Harcourt ports’ access roads.

He said there was the need to reduce cargo traffic on ports’ access roads and at the same time decongest the ports.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to embark on a fresh industrial action over the perennial Apapa traffic jam that is inhibiting trade facilitation at the nation’s seaports.

President-General of the union, Mr. Tony Nted, said that no country in the world had witnessed a place where government rakes in billions of naira daily left in total ruins like Apapa. He explained that the union had cried to the Lagos and Federal governments to come together and fix the roads and save lives and goods that were being lost to road accidents daily.

Oshodi-Apapa gridlock

Nte added: “We want to say it again that if this ugly situation is allowed to continue, we will call out members on a national strike and shut down ports operations.” We cannot continue to sit and watch our members and, indeed, Nigerians suffer untold hardship due to the insensitivity of government to the situation in Apapa.

“What is happening around the ports is a national embarrassment for government to intervene.”

BOI urges agro businesses to access N15bn fund before December Bank of Industry yesterday urged feed millers in agro business to access the N15 billion fund before December.

Mr Waheed Olagunju, the Executive Director of the bank, made the call during Animal Feed Workshop held in Lagos.

Olagunju said the bank was ready to support such business owners on a sustainable basis so that the N15billion lending target, lying fallow, could be put to good use. ``Funding is available to agro businesses especially those in the animal feed milling sector. ``We have the N15billion lending target for the year, but people are not coming up to access it. ``Animal feed is one of the clusters we are focusing under value chain development and we are ready to work with the agro businesses. ``The bank is ready to work with our development partners like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ’’, the executive director said.

According to him, BOI is proactive and responsive to the needs of the agro business sector. ``The bank’s interest rate is 10 per cent on the average while we have single digit interest rates in some cases,’’ he said.

He also said that the bank would open more offices for consultations across the country. ``We have opened mores offices, from seven, now increased to 15 office outlets across the country for easy access of our services. We are also planning to increase our consultants to 300 before the end of the year,” he stated.

Olagunju said that the BOI had also improved its loan processing period from minimum of six weeks to 48 hours.

He urged borrowers to be ICTinclined to fast track the processing periods of their loans.

Olagunju added that they could process their loans online, using the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) customer portal.

Olaoluwa

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

19 Real Sector Digest

Apapa gridlock

Crippling Lagos traffic pushes inflation up Siaka Momoh Traffic has become an increasing menace to inhabitants of Lagos, the 17th largest city in the world, with a population now in excess of 13 million.

A journey from Ikoyi to Victoria Island which used to take 20 minutes in 2014 is now a one hour ride.

A trip from the airport to downtown Lagos is nothing but an endurance test.

According to Financial Derivatives Company’s (FDC) latest monthly report, “Traffic” is also the name of a movie starring Michael Douglas as a body guard of a kid in Mexico City. This is a city where kidnap and ransom is a serious problem facing the elite, who need to protect their children both on the way to and from school. This is in addition to violent narcotics crime by vicious underworld gangs. The purpose of this write up is to draw a correlation between traffic congestion, low productivity and inflation; not to talk about stress and low life expectancy.

The report says urban inflation in Nigeria (Lagos) is now at 12.4%.

“This level of inflation is 3.5% higher than the national average and puts Lagos among the top 10 cities with the highest inflation in the world. Why is there increased traffic chaos in Lagos now and what is propelling this sharp deterioration in living conditions in the metropolis? To macroeconomists, the current situation is not only intriguing but also perplexing. The number of cars have

not increased astronomically especially in light of the increased tariffs and price of automobiles, neither has the population. There has been a sharp decline in national GDP growth from 6.23% to 2.3% with a more than disproportionate impact on Lagos. The GDP of Lagos is approximately 20% of Nigerian GDP at $120 billion, also the equivalent of 2 times that of Kenya, 15 times that of Ghana. It is also the largest economy in Africa.

“This is why Lagos and its economy are critical to Nigeria and whatever makes Lagos tick also has a major impact on the national economy. Lagos is Nigeria’s travel hub, controlling 60% of Nigeria’s international air traffic, and the commercial hub - all banks except for one have their head offices in Lagos. In a near satire last week, the respectable Economist magazine described Lagos as a dysfunctional city paralyzed by traffic chaos. The global ranking of countries with the highest inflation puts Venezuela at the top with a consumer price inflation of 62.2%. Caracas, the national capital is notorious for its traffic chaos. The inflation in Venezuela is not solely because of the traffic in its capital, but it is not unconnected.”

It notes that in Lagos not only is the traffic a cause of low productivity and confusion; it is also a catalyst for street crime and violence. It says in all cases, it eats into national output and helps to push up the price level. The current chaos it says is partly in-

duced by the LASTMA officials, whose gravy and bribe machine have been broken, as well as the dismantling of a system that was working.

For the company, Governor Ambode, a product of the Federal Government College, Warri, is working very hard. But his work will be better optimized if he can give more attention to this hydraheaded problem that is crippling the economy.

“Governor Fashola was able to de-bottleneck 21 areas of congestion in Lagos, thereby increasing productivity, reducing inflation and improving the well- being of its citizens. Governor Ambode is better positioned to capitalize on this foundation as he promised in his campaign.

Electricity tariffs set to increase The Financial Derivatives Company holds that electricity tariffs were set to increase this November and Nigerians are apprehensive. “There is little doubt that a significant amount of investment is required, considering Nigeria’s operating capacity remains around 4000MW-4500MW. The rule of thumb of 1MW per 1000 people implies that Nigeria should have an operating capacity close to 170,000MW (with a population size of approximately 170m).

“However, privatization has done little to ad-dress the wide disparity. Hence the hesitation around tariff in-creases, as many believe privatization has simply been another avenue to generate abnormal profits for a few minori-

ties at the expense of consumers.

The tariff increases are expected to vary across the 15 distribution and generation companies ranging from 21% - 49.9%, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The decision to adjust the Multiple Year Tariff Order (MYTO) is attributed to the extensive investments required to revamp and stabilize the power sector.”

It argues that the economic impact in the short term is inflationary and would eat into disposable income. “However, over the medium to long term, an increase in production will lead to improved productivity as households and businesses spend less on more expensive self-generation alternatives. This will down-play the impact of inflation.”

Case for increased tariffs Nigeria has one of the lowest electricity tariffs in Africa and glob-ally. According to World Bank’s Global Competitive report, Nigeria’s power sector is one of the most inefficient globally, ranking 141th out of 148 countries in 2014.The country has long sold power below its cost, thus discouraging investment in the sector and compounding chronic electricity shortages.

Says FDC, “Inefficiencies within the sector prompted the government to privatize. After privatization, a major development was the review of electricity tariffs in 2012. The MYTO tariff was introduced to reflect the true cost of power supply, taking into account the losses arising from poor

transmission and distribution infrastructure. By reflecting generation costs more accurately, the MYTO became a stepping stone to attracting the necessary private investment to revamp the power sector. However, legal challenges have obstructed the course of increasing tariffs, as demonstrated in June 2015. Legal practitioners successfully argued that prices should not be raised without a significant improvement in power supply to about 18 hours a day.

“The ruling poses a threat to the privatization process, as the imbalance between the amount charged and the returns made, ahead of that 18 hour milestone, are viewed as untenable by investors. The new electricity tariffs were created to capture the economic realities of the power distribution (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs), specifically the rising cost of financing infrastructure and debts owed to the government as well as the DISCOs. “For instance the average cost of building the simplest thermal power plant is $1.2m per MW.3 Given our current generation capacity and the capacity required to ensure stable electricity sup-ply, the industry will require an investment of about $8.4bn (N1.68trn), which excludes transmission and distribution costs. The two possible sources of funding include government funds and the private sector. Government revenues have been severely affected by the slump in oil prices, evident in the slump in FAAC allocation from 2014’s high of N755.95bn to N389.9bn. Alternative sources of finance will be the private sector, whose sole aim is to maximize profit and investment returns.

Funding such an in-vestment will require an increase in electricity tariffs to cover costs.

Who benefits in the short to long term?

It argues, “Nigeria is not alone in the bid to raise electricity tariffs. Higher tariffs are most often correlated higher levels of economic development, as can be seen from the chart below.

This is because low electricity pricing policy is only beneficial to social welfare in the short term, however in the long term, the self -generation options that replace an effective national grid are more expensive, as well as typically more polluting.

“Nigeria is no different in this case. There may be a temporary in-crease in costs, however, once there is an improvement in power supply, the net impact is positive for companies and households.

The primary forms of self-generation are diesel and fuel powered generators, which are extremely costly compared to the national grid, even with the MYTO.

Real Sector Digest with Siaka Momoh

Industry 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Inconsistent government regulations, bane of business growth in Nigeria – Edem Stories by Charles Okonji Inconsistent government regulations has over the decades adversely affected the level of business growth in Nigeria as well as several factors which stem from taxes to the multiplicity enforcers from different arm of government, thus negating the concept of government as consistent with the idea of free enterprise.

Chief Bassey Edem, National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers Of Commerce, Industry, Mines And Agriculture, (NACCIMA) stated this at the strategic public relations conference held last recently in Lagos.

He said; “A regulation is supposed to effect some improvements on businesses and job creation and with a resultant in-

crease in the standard of living.

Regulation should seek to make such improvement by changing individuals or organizational behavior in ways that generate positive impacts in terms of solving societal and economic problems including the macroeconomic challenges posed by unemployment.”

“It should gear towards achieving positive results, improved conditions and a more robust operating capacity for optimal productivity, increased revenues and higher performance through cost minimization, expansion, improved technology as well as quality human capital.”

“Government made the rules and frameworks in which businesses are able to compete against each other. From time to

Guest speaker/ VIce President, Economic community of West Africa State, ECOWAS, Dr. Toga Gayewea Mcintosh receiving an award from The President and Chairman in council, Nigeria Institute of Management, Dr. Nelson Uwaga while the Moderator, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa looks on, during the 2015 Management day lecture Titled: Nigeria post 2015 Election; Issue of leadership, National Development, Political Stability and institutional Autonomy, head at management house auditorium, V/I Lagos...on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

time the government will change these rules and frameworks forcing businesses to change the way they operate. That goes to amplify the correlations of how Businesses are keenly affected by government policies.”

He stated that the business environment entails providing enabling conditions for effective, efficient and profitable enterprise development, explaining that it is the primary responsibility of governments at all levels to provide the much needed environment, as the quality of business environment is direct-

ly linked to the quality of governance.

According to him, a bad business environment has a negative impact on not just everyone, but on the business, individuals, communities and groups, which increases poverty and reduces the nation’s global economic competitiveness.

Edem noted, “What constitutes Nigeria’s business environment is the aggregate or sum total of the business environment of the constituent parts of the federation. With the known four benchmarks for assessing

business environment, namely: Infrastructure and Utilities such as power, roads, public transportation system, water and sanitation and social welfare; Regulatory Services such as property registration, tax administration, designation of industrial and enterprise zone, contract enforcement, justice sector delivery, business registration; Business Development Support which includes access to business finance, entrepreneurship promotion, support for industrial parks and lastly security.”

Ogun MAN urges FG to stimulate real sector

Jacobs, MAN president

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State branch, has called on the Federal Government to come up with policies that would stimulate the real sector economy towards improved production, so that the proposed diversification can be achieved.

Mr. Wale Adegbite, Chairman, MAN, Ogun State who made the call at the association’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently in Ota, stated that the manufacturing sector provided the biggest opportunity for the Nigerian economy to expand and tackling the challenges of unemployment.

He said, “For this to take place, special incentives must be given to the sector. It is my strong belief that the task of repositioning the manufacturing sector is the joint responsibility of Federal State and private sector.

The state government should set goals, matched with strong political will and resources, to achieve set goals. Current im-

pediments to the manufacturing sector such as dilapidated road infrastructure within industrial estates, activities of illegal tax collectors on the roads should be quickly addressed.”

“The quest to explore the potential markets for our products outside the Nigeria is urgent because of the need to sustain and expand local companies in the face of emerging global completion which is staring us in the face and could jeopardise new and existing investments, leads to reduction in employment and reduced income to the country.”

The expectation the jobs would be created, with the introduction of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), would be a mirage if the Nigerian manufacturing sector is left to shrink.”

Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Ogun state who represented the Governor of the state noted that the dwindling oil prices have impacted

negatively on the economy, adding that the ability to carry out development programmes was hindered.

He added; “For Nigeria to position effectively in the global market, Nigerian goods for export must meet competitiveness standards, identify international benchmarks, invest in skills, technology and innovation, provide conducive and stable export policy environment, intensify Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations, address issues of market failure, partner with Bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce on export opportunities and promotion.”

“Also, engaging Nigerians in Diaspora to take optimal advantage of trade preference programmes, such as African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and others, export of value added products against commodities, simplify export producers and documents and imbibe E-commerce culture to reduce cost and time.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

21 Public Notice

INCREASED FORTUNE FOR INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVES

TAKWA-BAY BOAT OWNERS AND DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

KAOLI OLATUNJI OLUSANYA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 Trustees are 1) Mr Abolarin Alaba Aborishade - Chairman 2) Mr Orishadare Adeleke.

- Deputy 3) Mr Okoni Peter Eje - Secretary 4) Mr Egapi Godwin Edache Financial Secretary.

5) Mr Abolarin Joshua Treasurer Aims and Objectives 1) To foster unity and co-operation among members of the association 2) To create enabling environment for members to operate without fear or intimidation 3) To promote social justice and equity among members

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees Are Dr. Ayodeji Abari Dr. Pat Akumabor Barr. Ismail Olatoye Ajibola Mr. Lookman Adebola Olusanya Miss Yemi Arigbede Aims And Objectives a) To help indigent brilliant children/youths realise their dreams and aspiration by awarding them scholarship b) To create opportunities for youth to learn from achievers of our time Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 565 Ndola Square, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

The Trustees Are: 1. Obiefuna chizoba fortune 2. Nweberea Nkechi 3. Nkechinsi Ada Bliss Aims And Objectives: 1. Ensures that the out - of - school children especially the girl children are enrolled into school for quality education.

2. Provision of access to health care institutions for the inner-city communities.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees.

4) To assist and empower members of the association Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed:

A&A REHOBOTH LIMITED 10, ARIYIBI OKE STREET, BOLADE OSHODI, LAGOS TEL 08122222162, 08055141597

Signed:

A&A REHOBOTH LIMITED 10, ARIYIBI OKE STREET, BOLADE OSHODI, LAGOS TEL 08122222162, 08055141597

ETHANOL CHEMICAL SELLERS ASSOCIATION OF MUSHIN LAGOS

HEZEKIAH AND BIBLE GOSPEL CHURCH

IBY – BALSAM ANTI TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are; 1. Akinjole Omosehindemi – President 2. Bishop Okonkwo – Vice President 3. Ojikutu Yahaya Adewale – Secretary 4. Akinluwa Helen 5. Okeke Florence

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Soyoola Peter Olusola 2. Ayorinde Gbenga 3. Ajayi Leke Monday 4. Odukoya Ronke Esther 5. Shoyoola Olutola – Secretary

Aim and Objective; 1. To Foster Unity Among Members Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees.

Aim and Objective; 1. To Preach The Word Of God

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustees; 1. Ifeakadu Ibe – President 2. Ochem Charles Emeka – Vice President 3. De Emmanuel E. Okon – Secretary 4. Ifeakadu Benjamin Nwabunwnne – Financial Secretary 5. Okon Susan Edem – Treasurer 6. Ayodele Ademosu Ochem- Ass Treasurer Aim and objective To Protect Persons Against Thb Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

MESSAGE OF LIGHT CHAPEL

LIFEPATH EMPOWERMENT ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION

GOD’S VINEYARD TREASURED MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘’C’’ Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Adeoti Ibrahim - Chairman 2. Agbaje Jide Johnson - Secretary 3. Oyenuga Foluso Rosalind Adewunmi- Treasurer 4. Akanbi Olayinka - Pro 5. Egberedu Olusola - Member 6. Okeke Uzoma- Member 7. Quadri Olayinka- Member Aim and Objective: 1. To promote the empowerments, advancement and development of our people in a sustainable integrated environment.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within twentyeight (28) days of this publication.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees Are : 1. Goodnews Alphonus Ozioma.

2 Goodnews Stella Onome 3. Aaron Ifeanyi Chukwu.

4. Iwuchukwu Linus Chukwudi.

5. Agbonlahor Onome Gertrud.

6. Ifediba Appolonia Ifeyin.

7.Igbo Justine Nwachinemer.

Aims And Objectives: 1To propage the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Alleviation of poverty for Christian Faithful.

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

Signed: Eunice Ibukun Adesina. Solicitor.

The Trustees Are: 1. Erivona David Edafevbimoni 2. Babajide Olutope Daniel 3. Olaniyan Olatunde Paul Aim and Objective: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

HEAVENLY SOLUTION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

Signed: Trustees

THE GREAT SUCCESSFUL MEN’S CLUB OF NIGERIA

INTELLIGENT SOCIAL CIRCLE CLUB

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

The General public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Ufele Martin Chukwuma 2.Obi Anayo Godfirst 3.Nnebedum Ekene Jude 4.Anyanwu Kingsley Chinonso 5.Aliagolu Chinedu Kingsley 6. Onwudinjo Emeka The Aim And Objective: To assist members financially and also to contribute to the development of the society in general Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Ogundele Joseph 2. Alh Olabode Balogun 3. Omolade Dosumu The Aims And Objectives Are:1.To keep and maintain peace, unity stabilities and progress among the members of the club 2.to unite the people,develop the town 3.to guide jealously the integrity and welfare of each members Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

SUNNY LIFE FOR ALL RESTORATION CHURCH

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

PROGRESSIVE CLUB OF NSUKKA YOUTHS, LAGOS

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustees 1. Pastor Sunday Ogbonna 2. Pastor Uchechukwu Martins 3. Pastor Paul Anyim 4. Bro Elia Balla 5. Eva. Mrs Sunday Ogbonna Aim And Objective 1. To Preach The Gospel Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secertary

The General public is hereby Notified of the loss of indenture dated 28th March 1941 between Colonial Investment Limited and A.E. Alakija registered as No. 55 @ Page 55 in Volume 569 of the Lagos State Registry in the office of Lagos.

All Efforts Made to Trace the Missing document has proven Abortive.

This Notice is made to enable a possible replacement and for record purposes.

GENERAL PUBLIC AND RELEVANT AUTHORITIES Should please Take Note.

The General public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Ozioko, Uchenna Joseph Chairman 2. Ugwu Nnabuike Cyril Secretary.

3. Asogwa, Chinonye Benjamin The Aim And Objective Is:To empower members to be self-sufficient and responsible members of the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Barr.Innocent John Ukwetang. 08037978991

This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Ohaedoghasi Ikenna Peter 2. Ohaedoghasi Oluchi Georgenia 3. Ugwu Sylvanus Okwor Aim And Objective: 1.To preach the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ.

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

AKETE ARCHIVAL FORUM The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees.

1. Sarumi Idris Adeyemi 2. Daodu Ishola Olokodana 3. Kareem Olalekan Idrees 4. Lawal Noheem Abiola Amis and Objectives 1. To promote, preserver and propagate African Culture 2. To serve as a Networking platform Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

TAMUNOKURO ADOKIYE IBANIYE FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies & Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustee are 1 Tamunokuro adokiye ibaniye 2 Appolos idasefiema 3 Innocent kumanwe 4 Basoene d.j. ogaji 5 Tamunokun ige idoniboye 6 Wellington tuboalabo atubonengi 7 Daniel .a. cromwell 8 Lolo tamunokuro ibaniye 9 Konteirirobo-ofori adokiye ibaniye Aims and Objective.

1To engage in educational support scheme 2To engage in health care support outreach, 3 To give support to older people and the less priviledged 4To encourage youth development.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Area II, Garki, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Chairman

PEOPLES’ HOPE-ALIVE FOUNDATION This Is To Inform The General Public That The Above Named Foundation Has Applied To The Corporate Affairs Commission For Registration Under Part C Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 Of 1990 The Trustees Are: (a) Chime Benjamin C. - (chairman) (b) Chime Blessing Ukamaka. - (secretary) (c) Mrs Virginia Chime (d) Barr Chime T.Emmanuel (e) Mrs Virginia Aneke.

Aims and Objectives : (A) Helping widows and the less privileged in the interior communities.

(B) providing relief material and other support to victims in the society (C) Fighting the course of orphans and widows in d society.

Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Chime Blessing Ukamaka. - (Secretary)

WELFAREPLUS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION The General public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part “C” of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

METHODIST GIRL’S HIGH SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION 1974-79 CENTENARY SET

The Aim And Objective Is:Promotion of social welfare of human kind through self-help projects and capacity development Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

Signed: Secretary

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 Names of Trustees 1. Anne Aderonke Olorun-Rinu 2. Olushola Folashade Amosu 3. OLUFUNTO OMOWUNMI IGUN 4. Olanike Aderemi Denis 5. Haleemat Oluwayemisi Busari Aims and objectives of the association are: 1.Supporting the school, old girls association and alumni financially, through educational systems and socially.

2.Promoting the schools mission, vision and values through interactive engagement and advocacy.

3.Catalyst for inspiring leadership for students through training and development, mentoring, coaching and broader skills Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustee

CHRIST REMILEKUN APOSTOLIC CHURCH AGBARA ADURA

CELESTIAL PERFECTION CHURCH.IJO MIMO ALASEPEA

The Trustees Are:1. High Chief Olusesan Emmanuel Ojo - (Chairman) 2. Suraju Kehinde Yahya - (vice chairman) 3. Ademola Taofiq Ayokanmi - (Secretary) 4. Adeola Kudirat Fagbemi (Treasurer).

This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 The Trustees Are : 1. Rev Mrs. Olufunsho Abosede Deborah 2. Rev Mrs. Adegoke Susan Komolafe 3. Pastor Bolarinwa Samuel Adeyemi 4. Pastor Gbenga Komolafe AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

BROOKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named Foundation has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration Under Part C of The Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. MBOHO CHRISTIAN BEN 2. EKEOMA LILIAN CHRIS-MBOHO Aim and objectives 1 To. Promote entrepreneurial Skills among Nigeria Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: LEX HABITAE. OGHAYEI SUNDAY

This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Trustee: 1.Prophet Nelson Abiodun Faloye-Chairman 2.Prophet Nichael Oluwaleke Faloye 3.Evangelist Rufus Adeola Durosinmi-General Secretary 4.Evangelist Omoniyi Oluwaseyi Duyile 5.Prophet Olawale Abayomi Faloye 6.Evangelist Oluwasegun Adewale Okewole Aim & Objective : To Win Souls For Christ.

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

Address:no 8 Okewole Street,I.l.o Area,Sango Otta,Ogun State.

BALOGUN LANDLORDS/TENANTS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission for registration Under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters act no. 1 Of 1990 The Trustees Are: 1. Mr. Alexander Omoniyi Ajayi 2. Chibueze Theophilus Ifeanyi 3. Enemuo Theophine 4. Jideofor Christiana Chidinma 5. Ezeoke Malachy Uche 6. Amajoyi Longinus Lemchi

- Chairman - Secretary

The aims and objectives: 1. To promote peace, unity and mutual understanding between the Balogun landlords tenants of the community Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-general. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Barr Akor Dominic Friday 08068399996

WINGED-WHEEL WOMEN CHARITY INITIATIVE

GOD CHARISMATIC FAMILY CHURCH

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

The general public is hereby notified that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of The Trustees Are: 1. Mrs. Gertrude Ogbeche-President 5. Mrs. Nanu Modey 2. Mrs. Ekama Awara-Secretary 6. Mrs. Rachael Owan-Enoh 3. Mrs. Nancy Effa 7. Mrs. Uche Ndem 4. Mrs. Agnes Duke Aims and Objectives 1. To assist the unemployed and economically challenged women through enlightenment and empowerment programmes that will mould them into becoming entrepreneurs.

2. To support and empower widows through the provision of basic education and skill acquisition projects 3. To sensitize women through awareness creation as well as mentor the girlchild on good conducts and morals that will discourage violence and other social vices in the society Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Godwin Offiono Esq 07034968990

This is to inform the general public that the above named church has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration Under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990

This is to inform the general public of the loss of the original of the following documents 1. Offer of statutory Right of occupancy in favour of Ruben Abutu in respect of Plot No. 1139 of about 3,814-78m2 at kaura, Abuja FCT. 2. ALL other document in respect of the above titile document. Is missing. All efforts to trace the document proved abortive. If found please contact the nearest police station and all General public should take note

UTMOST SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named CLUB has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1.Emmanuel Egbo Okoro 2.Ebhoaye Osayi Felix 3.Ojifinni, Abiodun Raphael 4.Sidney Olufemi Esenyi 5.Osawe Henry 6.Mr. Wilson Amadasun Eguavoen The Aims And Objectives 1.To cater for the welfare of its members in particular and well wishers in general.

2.To promote peace, love and progress among its members.

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

Signed: Ishaya N. Dado 08035893802

The Trustees Are: 1. Pastor Apha Perez 2. Apha Lilian 3. Mr Tokode Olushegun Olayinka 4. Mr Nvene Okechukwu Donatus 5. Mr. Egwi Charles Ikenna 6. Mrs. Wiegmann Roselyn 7. Ngah Beviyuy Aim and objective 1. To preach the gospel of our lord jesus christ Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. Pmb 198, Matiama, Abuja Within 28Th Days From The Date Of Publication Signed: Secretary

COMFORTERS AND SAFETY HOME INITIATIVE The general public is hereby informed that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Dr.(Mrs) Comfort Aloysiuss Etok 2. Senator Aloysius Akpan Etok 3. Justice Idongesit N. B. Isua (Rtd) 4. Prof. (Mrs) Comfort Ekpo 5. Dr.(Mrs) Unyieme Daniel The Aims and Objectives 1 . To provide succor to the troubled homes.

2. To assist the poor in the society.

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

Signed: Uwemedimo Abasifreke Etok Esq :08035788328

GREAT IS THE LORD BIBLE CHURCH This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 The Trustees are: (1) Pastor Jegede Micah Miracle (2) Pastor (MRS. ) Jegede Tina Motilola Oladehin (3.) Pastor Adefisoye Aderemi Michael ( 4.) Deaconess Oloruntobi Yinka Patience (5.) Evang. Oluwasegun Yemisi Mercy.

Aims and Objectives: To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ to the whole world.

Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. Pmb 198, Matiama, Abuja Within 28Th Days From The Date Of Publication Signed: Trustees

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

23 News

20 Oyo Assembly members boycott plenary Remi Oladoye majority of members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, boycotted the sitting of the House in an apparent protest against the attitude

of the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to their welfare.

Out of the 32 members that constitute the 8th Assembly, only 12 members who included the Speaker, Hon. Michael Adesina Adeyemo, other principal of-

WALE AKINDE

AKINLABI FATIMA TOYIN

ANARI INNOCENT EGBE

BAMIGBOLA ADEWUYI LAWRENCE

BLESSINGONYEMACHI NDUKWE

MOSUNMOLATHERESAOLANREWAJU

I, formerly known and addressed as FEMI AKINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as WALE AKINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM FATIMA TOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINLABI FATIMA TOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PRINCE RINNO, now wish to be known and addressed as ANARI INNOCENT EGBE. All former document remain valid Corporate Organisation FGN, General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BAMIGBOLA ADEWUYI LATEEF, now wish to be known and addressed as APOSTLE BAMIGBOLA ADEWUYI LAWRENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NGOZI BLESSING OGBONNA, now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING ONYEMACHI NDUKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MOSUNMOLA THERESA OLADAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as MOSUNMOLA THERESA OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHUKA NNAMDI BRYAN CHIGOZIE

CONFIRMATION NAME AND D0B

SAMUEL OLUMIDE IJAWARE

NNEAMAKA MOUDLINE CHIKEZIE

GODFREY OCHONOGOR NNEOMA

ADEYEMO OLAWUNMI MORADEKEMI

I, formerly known and addressed as NNEAMAKA MOUDLINE MOJEKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NNEAMAKA MOUDLINE CHIKEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OCHONOGOR NNEOMA BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GODFREY OCHONOGOR NNEOMA First Bank of Nigeria PLC and general public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBETUSIN AINA MOROLAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEYEMO OLAWUNMI MORADEKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

DAVID TITILAYO

NWAOHA NWAKAEGO

Ibadan

ÎÎÎA

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKA NNAMDI AGBAROJI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKA NNAMDI BRYAN CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that the names YUSUF AYUBA. On the ECO BANK. AND YUSUFU AYUBA WITH GTBank are all correct as my names and for the same person, also my correct date of birth is 15th April 1957 and not 15th of july 1957. GTBank Eco Bank and the general public should take note.

OMONDIALE EDOAMEN TOHAN

KELECHI OSINACHI PATRIK MOMODU

I, formerly known and addressed as MARTHA EDOAMEN OMONDIALE, now wish to be known and addressed as OMONDIALE EDOAMEN TOHAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSINACHI KELECHI UCHEAGUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KELECHI OSINACHI PATRIK MOMODU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADESANYA ADEBISI RASHEEDAT

UNACHUKWU IZUCHUKWU PAUL

I, formerly known and addressed as ALLI ADEBISI RASHEEDAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADESANYA ADEBISI RASHEEDAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EKECHUKWU PAUL IZUCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as UNACHUKWU IZUCHUKWU PAUL . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS KERUWOLE RAFIAT ROMOKE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SHITTU RAFIAT ROMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KERUWOLE RAFIAT ROMOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

APALARA JULIET OSAHON I, formerly known and addressed as OGBEIYE JULIET OSAHON, now wish to be known and addressed as APALARA JULIET OSAHON. Anuty Ayo Comprehensive Secondary School.

Ikoyi, Lagos, TAI Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun and general public should take note

OLUSOLA EBUNOLUWA ABIOLA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKOREDE EBUNOLUWA ABIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS OLUSOLA EBUNOLUWA ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLAWUMI OLUJIMI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAWUMI SHOREMI , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLAWUMI OLUJIMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

FAITH EMPIRE MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 The Trustees Are: 1,Duyilemi francis Gbemiga 2, Duyilemi Grace Yemi 3, Anjorin Tunde 4, Babalola Joseph Oluwafemi 5, Ismail Basiru .

Aim and Objective: To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ to the whole world Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Trustees.

ficers and few members were present at the plenary.

A source said that a message was circulated some days ago to notify them of their intention to boycott the plenary but some of the members declined while a majority of those who did

I, formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM SALIU IJAWARE, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMUEL OLUMIDE IJAWARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHINEDU VICTOR BENJAMIN I, formerly known and addressed as CHINEDU VICTOR OKOLIE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINEDU VICTOR BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FASAN NGOZI ESTHER I, formerly known and addressed as OWUNNA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as FASAN NGOZI ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NWOKPO SUNDAY CHIKA I, formerly known and addressed as UJEBE MONDAY JOSHUA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKPO SUNDAY CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANOSIKE UCHECHI ETHEL I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AMECHI UCHECHI ETHEL , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANOSIKE UCHECHI ETHEL. The public and Nigeria Immigration Service should please note, all former documents remain valid

not attend the plenary were seen in their various offices at the Assembly complex, while the sitting was going on.

It was also gathered that the move to boycott the plenary was initiated by some members of the All Pro-

gressives Congress (APC) and supported by Labour Party and Accord members.

Meanwhile, Hon Segun Olaleye from Ibadan North Constituency 11 told the House that Ajimobi had ordered the payment of their

salaries Hon Fatai Adesina, a member of Accord Party, representing Ibadan South East Constituency 1, told journalists that the reason behind the action was basically about the welfare of the honourable members.

FALANA OLUWATOSIN REBECCA I, formerly known and addressed as OJO OLUWATOSIN REBECCA, now wish to be known and addressed as Falana OLUWATOSIN REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONYIA VINCENT OKECHUKWU I, formerly known and addressed asONYIA CHIEDOZIE BEN, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYIA VINCENT OKECHUKWU. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. Corporate Organization, FGN and General Public takes note.

AGNES JACOB I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EMEM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGNES JACOB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ELIZABETH NKECHI HAGGETT I, formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH NKECHI OJEAH, now wish to be known and addressed as ELIZABETH NKECHI HAGGETT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLABISI SHOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEPOJU ADESOLA KEMI I, formerly known and addressed as AKOMOLAFE ADESOLA KEM, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEPOJU ADESOLA KEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BLESSING OLAYINKA OLUBUNMI ADELOWO

I, formerly known and addressed as ONUNKWO CHRISTIANA CHINASA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAOHA NWAKAEGO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NWAGBUO NNEOMA LYNDA I, formerly known and addressed as AZUBUIKE NNEOMA LYNDA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAGBUO NNEOMA LYNDA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINFOLARIN ABIDEMI MAGRET

I, formerly known and addressed as BLESSING OLAYINKA OLUBUNMI AKAMPE, now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING OLAYINKA OLUBUNMI ADELOWO. M.F.M. church and general public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTOSHO ABIDEMI MAGRET, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINFOLARIN ABIDEMI MAGRET. The Polytechnic Ibadan, Osun state Polytechnic Iree, Atapa Community Grammar School and general public should take note

LAWAL HASIMOU ABOSEDE

ANTHONY EMEKA OBIEZE

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL NASIMO, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL HASIMOU ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY OBI, now wish to be known and addressed as EMEKA OBIEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR EDUCATORS

SMILEY RURAL HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION

This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 The Trustees Are: 1, Onamisan Ama Eresanara 2, Oluwatoyin Moboluwaji Eresanara 3, Triumphant Olorunfemi Obamoh 4, Folasade Ajibike Adeyemi.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration in the corporate affairs commission under part c of the companies and allied matters act no. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Mr. Fidelis Okeh – Chairman 2. Mr. Olebara Uchechukwu – Secretary 3. Mr. Amadi Divine Onyedikachi – Member

Aims & Objectives: 1, Training of heads of schools, teachers & other school staff 2, Educational research 3, Educational information center.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Trustees

Aim And Objective: 1. To Help The Poor And Needy Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar – General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescents, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja Within 28 Days Of This Publication.

Signed: Trustees

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Kaduna military panel: Ekiti PDP disowns scribe

Fashola, link between FG, Lagos, says Ambode

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

Oyetubo Olabimpe

ÏÏÏThe Ekiti State chapter

ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, described his predecessor and Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), as a synergy between Lagos and Federal Government that would accelerate and actualise his administration’s plans for infrastructural development.

Ambode, who said this while delivering a keynote address at the Lagos Business School Alumni Conference, noted that the state was privileged to have Fashola in charge of key federal ministries at this critical moment in its history.

He added that though building infrastructure

to improve the quality of life was a top priority in Lagos, traffic and security remained the two key priority focus areas that needed urgent attention.

He said: “Dealing with the terrible traffic problems that affect so many Lagosians daily is my key area of focus in relation to infrastructure. Our problems with traffic have to be improved.

It is harmful to the quality of life of too many people in our city.

“Lagos will continue to grow and as we are more successful, the population will of course grow more quickly, generating more demand for traffic. We are looking at the potential of rail and water-based systems, repair the roads and

work with the private sector to deliver the projects.

We are putting in place the finances we need to enable us make our plans a reality,” Ambode said.

He also informed the gathering that there would be a traffic summit in Lagos next week to address the issues by combining the perspectives of international best practice and local knowledge and experience.

The Governor also described the summit as a step on the way to a new strategy that would improve upon the life of Lagosians.

Speaking at another function, Ambode said he had nothing else to give to humanity than to uphold the tenets of good governance.

He said this while speak-

ing as guest lecturer at the Annual Lecture and Award ceremony of The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association in Nigeria.

Ambode, who spoke on the theme: “Deepening the Democratic Culture in Nigeria”, said that as a part of efforts to deepen democracy and make Lagos work for all, he has since set up the office of Civic Engagement and Ministry of Wealth Creation.

Fashola

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has frowned at the role of the expelled secretary of the party, Dr. Tope Aluko at the on-going military panel in Kaduna, over the 2014 Governorship election, accusing him of impersonating the position of the State Secretary of the party.

The party has equally warned that whatever was recorded by the military panel in the name of Tope Aluko on the involvement of military in the Ekiti election would render the whole exercise illegal and a charade.

It is no longer news that the party had been em-

Osun needs to develop industries – Assembly Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe Osun State House

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (left) in a handshake with Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawal. With them is, Sen. George Akume after Saraki inaugurated the second batch of Senate Standing Committee in Abuja… on Thursday.

Yola, Kano blasts wicked, inhuman – Dogara Henry Omunu

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has described the bomb attacks in Adamawa and Kano states as babaric, senseless and wicked.

Dogara in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, mourned the victims of the bomb blasts and prayed

for a quick recovery for the scores of people injured by them.

He urged Nigerians to be security conscious and be vigilant, so as to help security agencies with vital information about the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements in their surroundings. The Speaker also charged the security agencies to intensify efforts in intelligence gathering and sharing as the surest

way of preempting such deadly and wicked attacks.

“I am saddened by this ugly, unfortunate, dastardly and inhuman killing of innocent Nigerians by the blood-thirsty terrorists. I will urge our people not to cave in to these cowards who are all out to destroy our nation.

“I have the strong conviction that sooner than later, they shall be defeated and Nigeria and Nigerians will

win this battle because it is a war against evil and good has always triumphed over evil,” he added.

Dogara appealed to the international community to rise up to the threats of global terrorism, saying that recent happenings around the world, as seen in the attacks in Paris, France, and the downing of a Russian plane in Egypt, had shown that the world was facing a common threat from terrorists.

broiled in factional crisis, following which the Aluko faction has taken the PDP and Ekiti State Idependent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) to court alleging that the Idowu Faleye’s PDP-led faction in Ekiti State was impersonating him, while the party was presenting candidates for the upcoming Local Government election in the state.

In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, in AdoEkiti, on Thursday, the PDP said that it was ridiculous that a non-member of the party could be admitted to testify in the name of PDP despite a widely publicised expulsion of the fellow by the party on July 31, 2015.

of Assembly has said that with the current fall in the price of crude oil at the global market, there was a need for the state government to develop its industries to attract investors.

The Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Industry, Co-operative and Empowerment, Honourable Babatunde Olatunji, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the committee in Osogbo.

Olatunji said the Assembly would continue to partner with the executive arm of government to make the state an investment destination for both local and for-

eign investors.

According to him, the state could no longer depend on the federal government to fulfil its financial commitment, but needed to look inward to generate revenue for the development of the state.

“The Assembly through the committee will work towards re-enactment of the glorious days of the state as the hub of commercial activities in the South-West.

The job of the committee is a tasking one but we are resolute in playing our roles at ensuring that the government overcome the challenges in developing our industries. We want an industrial revolution; the type that will take the state to another level,” he said.

Kwara school teachers fume over unpaid salaries Kehinde Akinpelu

Ilorin. ÏÏÏTeachers in both primary and junior secondary schools in Kwara State have cried out to the state government over their three months outstanding salaries.

In a statement by the teachers under the aegis of “Concerned Teachers in Primary and Junior Sec-

ondary Schools in Kwara State", signed by its State Coordinator, Alhaji Bello Isola and Secretary, Mrs. Dorcas Iyanda, a copy of which was made available to journalists, in Ilorin, on Thursday, the teachers said that the unpaid salaries had continued to toll hard on their families.

“Most of us are unable to pay the school fees of our children”, they said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

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News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Two cops, pregnant woman, Okada rider killed in Agbara bank robbery Lukkey Abawuru and Joy Anyim Lagos

ÏÏÏAt least, two policemen, a pregnant woman and a commercial motorcycle operator, were feared killed in a robbery incident at about six banks in Agbara industrial estate on Badagry express road.

The commando-like operation, allegedly led by a middle aged lady, in military uniform, lasted for several hours without opposition from security agents.

Although details of the identities of the deceased were sketchy as at press time, our correspondents gathered that they were hit by stray bullets as they laid in the pool of their blood.

Eyewitness said the robbers who arrived Agbara waterside in

two speed boats also escaped with their loots on the same route.

A reliable police source who prayed for anonymity said the suspects blew up two of their escapevehicles, one SUV and a bus to avoid any trace.

It was further gathered that the robbers attacked six banks along Bank Road, Agbara, using dynamites to gain entrance into the bank The witness alleged that the fleeing suspects held workers of the banks hostage at gun point while others went ransacking drawers and safe in the different offices.

The robbers took over the two entry and exit routes into the road, while a Police Armored Personnel Carrier station in the area was riddled with bullets.

“They emptied all cash collected into two big bags,” a staff of one of the affected bank alleged.

"When they left, we escaped through the back door” he added.

A commercial motorcycle operator alleged that the robbers came through the waterway behind Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Ijanikin, as early as 6 a.m.

They were said to have hijacked two vehicles right inside Agbara market and drove directly towards Bank Road, Agbara.

It was also learnt that on arrival, the gang who were mainly dressed in military camouflage mounted guard on the road, pretending to be on official duty.

“Interestingly, all security personnel at the Agbara check point comprising of Customs, Immigra-

Be wary of get-richquick syndrome, students told

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left) exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Guy MurrayBruce (right); while Founder/C.E.O, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi (2nd left) and Dr. Raymond Ihuoma look on during the 2015 Humbert H. Humphrey Annual Lecture and Awards Luncheon, at the Metropolitan Club, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos… on Thursday.

Andrew Ekejiuba

ÏÏÏLagos State secondary school

students were told on Wednesday to be wary of get-rich-quick syndrome and being desperate of jetting out of Nigeria as human traffickers were capitalising on such in enslaving children and youths these days.

The advice was given by founder of Media Initiative Against Human trafficking and Women Rights Abuse (MIAHWRA), Tobore Ovuorie, at Speedladder Private School, Alagbado, Lagos State.

MIAHWRA is a non-denominational and non-profit organisation which seeks to contribute to the prevention and eradication of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and abuse of children and women. The organisation’s intervention also includes changing the reality that perpetuates the exploitation of women.

MIAHWRA's founder, Ms. Ovuorie is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist, media trainer, local and international speaker who dedicates her time and resources on human trafficking, women and investigative journalism related issues.

“I Am Not To Be Sold” is MIAHWRA’s maiden project on human trafficking. The organization was founded August 2015.

Speaking to the students who were 100 in number, Ms. Ovuorie said “it's good to dream about going overseas to further your education and for other legitimate reasons, but never get desperate.

tion and the Police went offered no resistance when the sporadic shooting started.

“First to be attacked is the APC. All the five policemen attached to it took to their heels. One of them fell as a bullet ripped through his legs. There was serious panic in the entire area as early as 7am.

"Most of the commercial drivers who parked at the Agbara motor park took to their heels while the operation went on”, a source added.

The source further said that bullets kept flying all over the place while the robbers continued to raid. As at 9 a.m., a combined team of soldiers from Ibereko and Ojo had been deployed to assist the police fight the robbers, but that was after the robbers have gone.

Unilateral withdrawals guidelines in line with Pension Act – PENCOM Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe National Pension Com-

mission (PENCOM) has said that the planned “Guidelines on Unilateral Withdrawals from Voluntary Contribution from Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs)’ by Contributors, did not negate Section 4(3), Section 10(4) or any other Section in the Pension Reform Act, 2014, since they addressed only the taxation of pension fund and not mode of withdrawal of voluntary contributions from RSAs. It made the clarification following a threat by the River State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) that it would embark on an industrial action, just in case the guidelines came into effect, with adverse effects on its members.

In a statement made available to Daily Times, on Thursday, by the

Head of Communication, Emeka Onuora, Pencom noted that Section 4(3) stated that “any employee to whom this Act applies may, in addition to the total contributions being made by him and his employer, make voluntary contributions to his retirement savings account.”

The commission noted that, Section 10(3) provided that “without prejudice to the previous provisions of sub-Section (2) of this section, any income earned on any voluntary contribution made under Section 4(3) of this Act shall be subject to tax at the point of withdrawal where the withdrawal is made before the end of 5 years from the date the voluntary contribution is made.”

According to Pencom, that there were indications that some con-

tributors may be confusing RSAs to be the same as bank accounts.

RSAs are not the same as bank accounts, so PenCom needs to discourage this practice.

Clarifying further, it stated that voluntary contributions into RSAs were meant to boost contributors’ final pension and not a savings account that could be drawn at will.

“The Guidelines will boost Government’s fight against financial terrorism and money laundering and nip in the bud the dangers that could arise should contributors decide to use RSAs to launder dirty money. The Guidelines are still a draft; the Commission will present it to stakeholders for their input in due course. The TUC Rivers State Council should harmonise its position on the issue and make useful input into the Guidelines before it is finalised. Also, TUC is represented on the Board of PenCom, so workers could use this channel to address their grievances,” the National Pension Commission added.

Enugu moves to boost revenue generation Moses Oyediran

Enugu In its determination to actualise the state government’s drive to provide basic facilities to the people, the Enugu State Executive Council has set-up an inter-ministerial committee to improve upon the revenue base of the state.

In a press briefing at the end of the Council’s 10th meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, disclosed that it had appointed a private company, Bricks Data Limited, to collect revenue on land and properties through geographic information system approach.

This was as the state Exco approved a contract for the construction of Orie-Emene-Adoration road, stressing that the move was to enhance transportation in the area.

ÏÏÏ

FMC Owerri workers resist MD's recall Val Okara

Owerri The staff of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) have said that they were against the re-instatement of the suspended Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

Daily Times recalls that Uwakwem was, three months ago, sent on a compulsory leave by the Federal Government over protests by staff of the hospital, arising from allegations levelled against her by the aggrieved staff.

A panel of enquiry, set up by the Federal Ministry of Health to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the labour unrest in the hospital, as well as the authenticity and other charges preferred against the medical Director, later exonerated Uwakwem.

The Medical Director who attempted to resume duties, on Wednesday, met a brick wall as the embattled workers who wore black attires with placards bearing various inscriptions firmly placed the main entrance gate of the hospital under lock and key.

The workers who barricaded the Owerri/Orlu road, marched through the major roads and streets within the capital city, chanted solidarity songs.

ÏÏÏ

Gov. Okorocha

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

27

Features Æ s THE COMPUTER VILLAGE STORM:

Election is the least of our priorities now - Prince Tony Nwakeze Ripples of the electioneering fever and muscle flexing between aspirants for the leadership and real stake holders of the Computer and Allied Products International Market in Ikeja, alias Computer Village has hit a deadlock.

A top member of the Elders Forum, Prince Tony Nwakeze, whose passion for the sustainability of the business hub overrides selfish political ambitions spoke to Daily Times on the genesis of the storm and the way out. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR reports.

Just when it looked like the electioneering campaign was warming up to the election proper, the Elders Forum at the Computer Village, comprising the core investors in the business empire threw a bombshell: there shall be no election, not for a long time yet.

Managing Director/CEO of Visonic Distributions Limited, one of the core pioneer investors in the business village told Daily Times he is more interested in preserving and protecting the sustainability and security of the trading centre than in politicizing its affairs. Excerpts: As far as this village is concerned, I am not so interested in over-publicising our affairs, because this is a place where people struggle for their daily bread.

You know there’s no job in this country as we speak, the economy is bad and you must have observed that tension in the country is very high, so a place where we come every day to earn a living is not where we should generate another kind of tension: it’s just not worth it; there should be no crisis whatsoever.

But the village is already embroiled in controversies over its leadership. How do you curtail that?

I think Computer Village should be allowed to operate free from politics, especially from any individual with political ambition, so that the business interest of people trading in the village should take the utmost

A central view of the Computer Village

‘‘When this business started, a lot of people, including those making noise now were not here. We that were there were preparing the ground for a better future but we never knew it will grow to become one of the biggest centres for IT in Sub-Saharan Africa.’’ priority over any selfish interest of those who want to attract political groups.

Consider for example the community or estate where you live; the first rule is that, as residents, you must try to govern yourselves because everyone there is a stakeholder. If you allow things to go wrong, it will come to affect you and your family members.

So Computer Village is like a small community; we come together every day and we are nurturing it so that we can be able to earn a living and sustain our families and this I have been involved in for over 20 years. I and a few others have been here from the very beginning.

When this business started, a lot of people, including those making noise now were not here.

We that were there were preparing the ground for a better future

but we never knew it will grow to become one of the biggest centres for IT in Sub-Saharan Africa. We all interacted from the beginning; we attended weddings of our members and did everything in common.

When the first union was registered, yes it is true that seven of our Yoruba brothers constituted the Board of Trustees in 2003.

They wanted to form a union and a meeting was called to deliberate on what we were going to do to be united so that there would be a common union to represent the interest of all the traders in the market.

At that meeting it was agreed not primarily on tribal groupings, but we looked at it this way: you (the Yorubas) were the ones that registered it, but we (the Igbos) constitute 98 percent of people doing business there.

A mandate was given to Tunji Balogun because we reasoned that he had the capacity to unite the market and move us to the next level.

That mandate was for two years, but along the line we started seeing other interests playing out in the administration, interests that we saw did not represent the interest of over 90 or even 100 percent of people doing business in the village. I still believe today that those original interests are still there.

Was an all Yoruba BoT an oversight on the part of the Ibos?

It was not an oversight; it was a genuine intention because we focused on unity and business and did not consider whether this man is Igbo or the man is Yoruba; I particularly at that time did not consider tribe or tongue as being a criteria for being a member of the BoT because our primary interest was and still is the business.

But as the days went by, a lot of things began to unfold; all these things were noted and it was agreed that the BoT should be reorganised to accommodate other interests because it is not only Igbo and Yoruba that is doing business here; we have virtually

all the geopolitical zones in the country are represented here; so we wanted the BoT to have a national outlook, a union that would be all-inclusive.

Now the mandate for that executive was for two years to achieve this, but they did not do it; the thing dragged on from two years to ten years, then a lot of protests broke out; people were agitating and asking, why didn’t they do it?. That is where we are today, from 2003 to 2015.

The Election Question The issue before us now is not election and the priority should not be election: the issue should be getting it right, not minding whose ox is gored. We need to lay a solid foundation for the union to stand because if you conduct election today and there is crisis tomorrow, what happens?

So, for people like us, we think that the first thing should come first, which is reconstructing the union, reorganising the union, structure the union to be all inclusive; get an all-inclusive constitution for the union with understanding of why we are here.

We cannot afford to have people warming up to lead the association for selfish interests, which was the problem we have CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

‘‘An all Yoruba BoT was not an oversight; it was a genuine intention because we focused on unity and business and did not consider whether this man is Ibo or the man is Yoruba; I did not consider tribe or tongue as being a criteria for being a member of the BoT because our primary interest was and still is the business.’’

Nwakeze

COMPUTER VILLAGE:

It is not only Igbo and Yoruba that are doing business here

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

been having since over 13 years ago. So I think the first thing to be done is to bring the union and put everything on the table and ask ourselves questions, like: do we really need this union?

If we conduct election today and somebody wins the election and things remain the way they are, how does that help us? The union is not even united; there are lots of divisions. If you don’t know, we have like PAPDAN, POWA and about six other different unions in the Computer Village alone. So if you conduct election and somebody wins and these other unions tell you they are not part of it, what would you do?

POWA is a union, ADEPELE is another union and many other small associations and they are all duly registered.

So what the elders of the union should do is, set up a peace reconciliation committee or a conference of stakeholders which we have actually initiated.

We talked to ourselves and said look, we need to sit down and address these issues; so that people who do not have interest in the growth and wellbeing of the market should not come here and cause crisis by dividing us along tribal lines and create crisis so at the end of the day, it becomes a Yoruba-Igbo affair. No.

We have to bring the union to the table and talk.

So the issue on ground is, do we really need this all encompassing union; and if we do, what then should we do? If you look at what has happened in the last 13 years, you will find it’s all about selfish interests; it is not about Yoruba or Igbo: it’s about individual selfish interest and the same selfish interest is still what is playing out now.

So for me, Prince Nwakeze, I have taking my time to talk to the BoT, I have taking my time to discuss with the former president and they have agreed that there is need to come together and discuss. By the time we conclude our discussions, we will then decide whether there will be an election; that is the position now.

Are you sure everyone will come to the table and talk?

The only people that will not cooperate with us are those that have selfish interests; otherwise, anybody that has the interest of everyone doing business in the Computer Village at heart would want to come to the round table and talk.

What if the agitators go ahead and conduct the election and declare a winner amongst themselves? How would the elders’ forum handle it?

Once the elders agree, they

would have no option. The elders who are the real stakeholders have started talking; we have agreed now to discuss and we have started talking.

The Elders’ Forum comprise of are the real stakeholders who have real business investments in the Computer Village. Go into the Computer Village and listen to the people; find out, what do they really yearn for? Not people on the streets who have no investments; not those who are not even real traders in the market.

The real people that owns the business are saying, let us discuss.

How many elders are there in the forum?

The real owners of businesses in the village are saying, let us get things right for the first time.

If you have an association that has run government and has not conducted election after 13 years, something is wrong.

Even the former executive was dissolved in a way that was not constitutionally right. That means there is a vacuum as we speak; it means that the union has no direction. Where is CAPDAN office, for example? There is none in the whole Computer Village. No office, no secretariat.

So for a union that has been in existence for the past 13 years without an office, no secretariat and no official address, what do

you call that union?

If you move round, find out from the people to know if they know what CAPDAN means; so you can’t be jumping about and say you want an election, you want to be the president; President of whom?

So what is the way forward now?

The first thing to do is bring it to the table, resurrect it and find out if you can really do a major surgical operation and be able to get people’s support and confidence.

What if the agitators refuse to sit round the table and talk?

What about the campaigns going on? INEC is invited to conduct or oversee the election.

If they go ahead, what will happen?

I had refused to answer any question from the press all this time because the Computer Village matter is supposed to be a close knit family affair. This should not be highly publicised because it will not do us any good. It will not portray Computer Village in good light.

Computer Village is a business community hub that should be able to deal with their problems, solve it and present to the world a better image and that will encourage and attract people who would come to do business with us and promote our businesses.

But when we create a kind of image that these people are unserious, far from united, are not speaking with one voice, interested in division; people out there will not take us serious.

Even if a government agency wants to deal with real organised; not deal with a group that don’t understand what they are doing: they want to deal with a group that know exactly what they want and how to get what they want.

So the issue of election and presidency should not be even mentioned now, it is not the problem of the Computer Village; the real issue is, what should we do to unite and speak with one voice?

Like in the family; any problem between husband and wife; if you take it to the town union, it will not solve anything because conflicting interests will escalate the small problem and scatter the family the more. But when you come together and bring the matter to the elder of the house and they discuss with one mind, they will not wash their dirty linen in the market place.

But in the Computer Village, the problem we have that I have been able to identify is, people who have pretended to defend the interest of computer village are doing it in their selfish interest, not for the growth of the market or of the people of the market and not to promote the good image of the market. And people like me is saying, at what point should we say no to this kind of thing? And I try very much to avoid the question of Yoruba or Igbo. It is not about tribalism.

My brother, Nigeria’s money, Naira and kobo don’t have tribal marks. People try to introduce tribalism in a market place when they fail in the mandate given to them!

When a man fails in his assignment he will now fall back to tribal sentiments and say it is because I am a Yoruba man or I am an Igbo man. There are things we know that are the problems on ground and we don’t splash them on the pages of newspapers.

When we sit together in a conference room, the elders will tell themselves the truth; we will tell everyone where he has erred because we know what their individual issues are and I can tell, the issues are not what people think they are. It’s not about Igbo or Yoruba because when we do business, we don’t first ask if you’re Ibo or Yoruba; I don’t ask whether you’re from Kafanchan or Kano. If you walk in here to buy anything, do I ask where you come from? When you walk into my office we discuss the business you came for, you give your money and take the product you paid for and that is good business.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Art Review Æ s ART HERITAGES SERIES Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya Renowned artist and printmaker Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya recently clocked 83 years. Onobrakpeya was born in AgbarhaOtor in Delta State. He was raised as a Christian, but also learned the traditional beliefs.

His family moved to Benin city when he was a child. He attended Western boys High School, where he was taught art by Edward Ivehivboje, among other subjects. He also attended drawing classes at the British Council Art Club in Benin City. Onobrakpeya was inspired by the watercolour paintings of Emmanuel Erabor. After leaving high school, Onobrakpeya was hired as an art teacher at the Western Boys High School (1953–1956). In 1956 he left for Ondo, where he taught at the Ondo Boys High School for a year.

The Zaria Arts Society, later called the Zaria Rebels, was formed on October 9,1958 by a group of art students at the college led by Uche Okeke with the aim of “decolonizing” the visual arts as taught by expatriate Europeans. Onobrakpeya has said that the college gave him technical skills but the Zaria arts society, a discussion group, shaped his perspectives as a professional artist. The society gave him the confidence to seek a personal expressive idiom. He elongated his figures, ignored perspective and evoked the supernatural through ambiguous decorations.

Onobrakpeya is among the most successful artists to have emerged in Africa during the 20th century, with continuing and commanding influence on the generation of artists in Nigeria, who have come to maturity in the post colonial period.

Onobrapkeya has received an honorary D. Litt. from the University of Ibadan in 1989.

He has equally received an honourable mention at the Venice Biennale. He was honoured with the Fellowship of the Society of Nigerian Artists SNA on June 6, 2000.

Onobrakpeya

29

Raji goes, Abdullahi comes as Association of Nigerian Authors gets new leader For 34 years on, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), continues to weather the storm in ensuring that issues relating to literature are not relegated to the background. And so, the writers’ body recently converged on Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital, for its 34th yearly convention. The tension-soaked meeting was filled with suspense and more, writes Agozino Agozino.

Raji

After a challenging fouryear tenure as the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), veteran writer and poet, Prof.

Remi Raji stepped down amid kudos and knocks last Saturday as a new leader succeeded him.

Raji’s reign ended with the ANA National Conference/AGM and election held at the Kaduna State University, from November 12 to 15. The four-day event, which featured book exhibitions, discourse, conference, night of poetry, a guided tour around the Arewa home of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello and the presentation of awards to persons and organisations that distinguished themselves in the service of the association, came to a climax with an election that produced Mr. Denja Abdullahi as Raji’s successor.

Problems encountered by delegates included the stress of travelling from various parts of the country, accommodation problems, the sudden change of the AGM’s venue from Arewa House to Kaduna State University. But being an election year and for love of creativity, most of the delegates kept faith throughout the event.

Welcoming the writers to

Abdullahi

the convention, held under the theme, The Local and Global Textures of New Nigerian Writings, Prof. Raji noted that the current state of the body requires a very vibrant ANA that would always respond promptly to issues that affect literature in Nigeria. He observed the pressing need for Nigerian writers to be united in moving the association forward.

Raji, who is also the author Lovesong for My Wasteland, among other poetry collections and seminal papers, added that with a united body, ANA would be well positioned to participate better in national and global affairs.

Addressing a hall filled with writers, academics, scholars and representatives of government, Raji recounted some of the major highpoints of his four- year tenure as ANA President.

“In spite of some fears, we have made positive results. All we can say today is words of appreciation to you all. As an association, we have witnessed several challenges, but, we have progressed by the quality of standards and benchmark set for our members.

We have made efforts to discipline members so that things are done properly. Above all, we have tried to reposition the image of ANA as a responsible writers’

body that every Nigerian author can be proud of,” Raji noted.

Highlighting some of the projects of ANA during his tenure, the former ANA helmsman categorised the achievements in four segments, including redeeming the association’s image, discipline, focus and moving the association forward in the last four years. Continuing, Raji said, “While I leave posterity to judge, I will mention a few examples.

We have reclaimed our land from the speculators in Abuja. We have commenced work on the Mamman Vatsa estate, which is a great achievement for us’’.

Although, he added, that his tenure was not without challenges, he noted that he had no doubt that his team had left a legacy that the new leaders will improve upon.

Professor Alexander Kure, Vice Chancellor, Kaduna State University, who was chairman of the convention, lamented a situation where many people now rely on the social media for everything.

He challenged writers to devote more time writing new books that will change Nigeria.

“We are supposed to work for that kind of a book that will eliminate barriers for a new Nigeria,’’ Kure noted, adding that writers

could also make their works better by using graphics rather than texts.

According to Prof Harry Garuba, the keynote speaker, there was a new phenomenal reception for new Nigerian writers.

But what is important today is for writers to proffer how this could help the local setting. He said the age of social media had thrown up a new reality that had produced a new age of writers in Africa. But this new reality must be judged with the way it rubs with the local reality. “The social media seems to have collapsed the world into one and this means danger to the world. We need to ask ourselves as African writers this question especially how new writing can fit into modern reality”.

He therefore challenged the audience to “proffer solution that will help writers in the age of globalism like today”.

Odia Ofeimun, a seasoned poet, speaking at the opening of the event, noted that Nigerian writers needed to unite for a common cause and to defeat imperialism.

Ofiemun said that one of the reasons why ANA was formed was to defeat imperialism. He urged them to join hands in moving the CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Art Review 30

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

One of the untitled works by A

Probing Lagos bumper-to bumper traffic with art Festus Adeyemi is set to showcase his mastery of colours in a forthcoming exhibition, writes Agozino Agozino.

A state with heavy traffic congestion, like contemporary Lagos, will need many artists, like Festus Adeyemi, to bring the problem into proper perspective through art, for the people to understand the situation better. At least, that is what his forthcoming solo exhibition; Between the Lines is all about.

Adeyemi, a principal instructor of painting at the Fine and Applied Arts Department of Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka) Yaba, is worried with the situation where the traffic starts building up as early as 6.45am. Although, the road is dualised, it is, barely, large enough to take two lanes of vehicles; the long queues of vehicles are already breaking up into three lanes. The fourth is building up spilling over to the other side of the road, facing on-coming traffic. The big, black striped, yellow buses, popularly known as molue, are very visible in the ensuing melee. They struggle, rather endlessly, with smaller black striped, yellow buses and other cars. All of a sudden, one molue stops in the middle of the

Nigeria authors get new leader

road, passengers disembark as others struggle to get on board.

Others try to maneuver to the next lane. Vehicles begin to move in all directions, some against traffic. All of a sudden, every part of the road is blocked. All these are what art lovers would see when the show opens.

Tagged Between the Lines, the exhibition, which opens at the Yusuf Grillo Gallery, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), from Friday November 27 through December 11, attempts to, visually, capture the chaotic transport and traffic system in Lagos. “ The desire to be part of the solution to this prevalent situation in Lagos State informed my present works. The traffic gridlock or what is popularly called ‘go slow’ is a known challenge to the Lagos landscape”, Adeyemi said, adding that the attendant ‘go slow’ brings untold hardship to vehicles, owners, drivers, commuters and the Lagos landscape generally.

“Really, the Lagos State government is attempting to tame this cankerworm eating into the time

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

sector forward.

The subsequent election, on the last Saturday night, produced Danja Abdullahi as the winner of the tension-soaked but peaceful presidential election that had B.M Dzukogi of Minna chapter of ANA, as his opponent.

Abdullahi, a poet, playwright, literary essayist and culture technocrat, born in Idah, hails from Agbaja in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. He has been writing poetry for over

Adeyemi

One of Adeyemi’s untitled works

and resources of residents,’’ but Adeyemi said the State’s effort is yet to exhibit the desired copious result.

Between the Lines, therefore, is geared towards lending a voice to showcase the stress being encountered daily by the residents.

This is done through the execution of mixed media and acrylic painting works that synthesize its paradigm from transportation and its attendant problems. My recent Post-Graduate exposure in Coventry University, United Kingdom, really assisted in this

direction.

According to Adeyemi, the expectation of the show is not only to draw the world’s attention to the heavy tolls of traffic challenges facing Lagos residents, but importantly, to inspire solutions to galvanise positive change in the state believed to be the commercial capital of Nigeria. The works that will go on display include paintings in mixed techniques, water colours and historical drawings.

One of the reasons behind the show is to mark Adeyemi’s 50th

birthday as a studio artist. Ondo born Adeyemi who recently came back from Coventry University, United Kingdom, where he concluded his post graduate studies said he is also using the event to thank God for His mercies over his life.

Adeyemi, who has been teaching art education at the Federal College of Education (FCA) Akoka, Yaba, Lagos since 1994, and recently completed a Post Graduate course at the Coventry University, United Kingdom, will be exhibiting 30 paintings.

20 years, since his days as a student of English and Literature at the University of Jos. Camilus Ukah, a writer and poet, is the new Vice President of ANA. Inyang Ofonime was elected the General Secretary, while Alaska Ekele of Lagos ANA was elected Assistant Secretary. Also, Olatunbosun Taofeek, of Lagos ANA was elected Publicity Secretary (South), while Abdulazeez Abdulazeez emerged Publicity Secretary (North).

Others elected as officers included Isaac Ogezi, Legal Ad-

viser, Alabi Adewusi, Ex-officio, Anele Ihuoma Auditor, Hasiya Muhammed, Treasurer and Ikechi Owabie, Financial Secretary.

The convention had delegates from Kano, Oyo, Enugu, Ekiti, Lagos, Nasarrawa, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Ogun Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers, Plateau, Edo, and Akwa Ibom.

One of the memorable events was an excursion to the house of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Some of the dignitaries at the event included Hon. Dr. Wale Okdiran, Poet Odia Ofeimun and

Prof. May Nwoye. Prof. Gerry Agada, Prof. Barcalyas Ayakoroma. The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani was also at the event. Sani who said he will host the next ANA event also promised to sponsor a bill for writers in Nigeria. It was a convention filled with events. Most of the writers who participated in this year’s convention said though the host State, Kaduna did not do everything, they were happy with the outcome of the event.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday,November 20, 2015

31 Opinion

Tales from the ‘broke’ country

ÎÎÎFor

many, poverty is not only a way of lifeforced not only by vicissitudes but by the way the resources of the state are harnessed and wealth distributed in an unequal way between classes- it is also the chain measure used for measuring the hard times they fall on.

For those who dream the greener life on the other side of the fence while they lie on their famished stomachs and face the bitter and unkind earth, they can only stare at the shoots of anxiety poked under the fence, stabbing the air they breathe, and worry about the common foe, hunger. When the poor are trapped by hunger and privations, stuck in the widening cycle of poverty, they produce and reproduce attitudes- of dependency, helplessness, ambivalence and “the other”-that perpetuate the very condition of entrapment and kill off the ability to act in any meaningful way to get out of the poverty trap. The poor are not always helpless. Poverty has a way of awakening the genius within those, who possess that overpowering desire to survive the bitter earth to make progress in life. They are the folks I described in my piece, Hunger and the

Worship of Moloch, of Friday 18 August, 2015, as “the clever ones, who turn begging into the high art of an elaborate confidence trick, who weasel out of God-knows-where with made up tales to gain your sympathy. These are the one-day-one-lie-beggars you run into in your everyday life”. Yet, they make progress.

Talking about tales, and the very condition that creates helplessness and dependency, there are those too frightened to confront the demons of poverty, too weak to fight back and too feeble to say to hunger, “get thee behind me, satan. You are a stumbling block to me”.

They depend on others for survival. Of the underfed seven years old school child who slumped in Lagos recently, here is what the national newspapers reported: “Doctors at a private hospital at IreAkari in Isolo area of Lagos state battled to save the life of a malnourished seven years old primary school pupil, Ifechukwu Jubilee, who slumped and lost consciousness in school. She was reportedly sent to school last Friday by her guardian, identified as Ngozi, on an empty stomach. One of the teachers, who spoke on condition of anonym-

Osinbajo ity, said:”she looked very pale and weak when she came to school, with her hands swollen and injuries in some parts of her body...it was when she fainted we knew something was wrong. When she came out of coma, her first words were that she was hungry and narrated how her aunt beats her with hard objects. We thank God she did not die in the school”. Here, hunger isn’t the only devil in the detail. In fact, violence is the shorthand for naming the other devil and for providing clarity to the many untold tales of the

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The impact of poverty is most profound in the violence it unleashes on children and in the area of child rights- how these rights are abused and how they become unenforceable in many places where filial relationships and culture allow children to be disciplined in sadistic and corporal ways. This complex but easy to understand relationships demand specific intervention, either by way of learning to understand the negative impacts on our future or taking ac-

count of their pathologies in order not to consign those children who have been left behind to brood at the margins of the underclass. Failure to take account or even learn to understand these relationships- blood and culture, poverty and violenceis to further compound the negative outcomes of high child-crime rate, substance abuse, poor academic achievement, school drop rate, homelessness, prostitution and poor child development that our nation is currently experiencing. Of course, it is for good reason (to eliminate some of the negative outcomes) that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 ( as amended) provides “that suitable and adequate shelter and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”. Unfortunately, the kind of democracy we practice hollows out the foundation of progressive citizenship and makes our constitutional vision baseless, meaningless and empty, to the extent that governance loses its character of representation.

There is a sordid tale I would like to render here in bringing this essay to a close. This tale is about women and teenagers who are hooked to illicit, prescription and acrossthe-counter drugs. As the Daily Trust of September 19, 2015 reported in its “Codeine abuse spikes in women and teens across North” news features,

the menace of substance abuse has assumed dangerous proportion that it demands concrete address before it destroys families and communities struggling to cope with the destructive effects of Boko Haram and to adapt to the changing times.

This is what the newspaper reported: “once the preserve of hardened criminals, abuse of drugs like codeine and others is on the rise, especially among married women in the north, as well as teenagers. Fadeela, 18, is helpless. She is addicted to Tutolin, a codeine-containing cough syrup she consumes at least once a day. Two bottles per day is what her system demands or it may shut down. This has done great damage to her life already. She has since dropped out of school and now spends time at Mami Market in the city of Sokoto”. If such abuse goes on in the conservative north, what goes on in the liberal south is best left to the imagination. God help us!

To avoid any confusion, I must stress that while the literature on poverty highlights substance abuse and school drop out ( as we have seen with Fadeela) as negative outcomes, substance abuse by married women and teenagers of the north is perhaps the negative outcome of a yet-tobe-understood malaise.

Our country is broke, perhaps, this new trend of substance abuse is either an escape from the harsh economic realities or it is an embrace of the reality that is the ‘broke’ country.

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Price: n150

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Saturday, November 21, 2015 Watford v Man United 13:45 Chelsea v Norwich City 16:00 Everton v Aston Villa 16:00 Newcastle v Leicester City 16:00 Southampton v Stoke City 16:00 Swansea v Bournemouth 16:00 West Brom v Arsenal 16:00 Man City v Liverpool 18:30 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Tottenham v West Ham 17:00 Monday, November 23, 2015 Crystal Palace v Sunderland 21:00

SERIA A FIXTURES

Saturday, November 21, 2015 Bologna v Roma 18:00 Juventus v AC Milan 20:45 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Hellas Verona v SSC Napoli 12:30 Atalanta v Torino 15:00 Carpi v ChievoVerona 15:00 Fiorentina v Empoli 15:00 Genoa v Sassuolo 15:00 Lazio v Palermo 15:00 Udinese v Sampdoria 15:00 Inter v Frosinone 20:45

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, November 21, 2015 Real Sociedad v Sevilla 16:00 Real Madrid v Barcelona 18:15 Espanyol v Malaga 20:30 Valencia v Las Palmas 22:00 Deportivo La Coruna v Celta Vigo 22:05 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Sporting Gijon v Levante 12:00 Villarreal v Eiba r 16:00 Granada v Athletic Bilbao 18:15 Real Betis v Atletico Madrid 20:30 Monday, November 23, 2015 Getafe v Rayo Vallecano 20:30

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES Today’s Match Hamburger SV v Bor. Dortmund 20:30 Saturday, November 21, 2015 Borussia M’gladbach v Hannover 15:30 Eintracht Frankfurt v B. Leverkusen 15:30 FC Cologne v Mainz 15:30 VfB Stuttgart v Augsburg 15:30 Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen 15:30 Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich 18:30 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Hertha Berlin v Hoffenheim 15:30 Ingolstadt v Darmstadt 17:30 LIGUE 1 FIXTURES Today’s Match Nice v Lyon 20:30 Saturday, November 21, 2015 Lorient v Paris Saint Germain 17:00 Guingamp v Toulouse 20:00 Monaco v Nantes 20:00 Montpellier v Reims 20:00 SC Bastia v GFC Ajaccio 20:00 Troyes v Lille 20:00 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Caen v Angers 14:00 Rennes v Bordeaux 17:00 Saint-Etienne v Marseille 21:00 EREDIVISIE FIXTURES

Saturday, November 21, 2015 AZ Alkmaar v SC Heerenveen 18:30 Roda JC Kerkrade v PEC Zwolle 18:30 Ajax v Cambuur 19:45 De Graafschap v FC Groningen 20:45 Willem II v PSV Eindhoven 20:45 Sunday, November 22, 2015 Heracles v Excelsior 12:30 Feyenoord v FC Twente 14:30 NEC Nijmegen v FC Utrecht 14:30 ADO Den Haag v Vitesse 16:45

Fed cup:

a F s o Lag Fans oF s e r u s s a y t i r u c e Fun, s a

yo Agbesanwa the Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission on Thursday assured football lovers of adequate security and fun-filled 2015 Federation Cup finals.

The finals are scheduled for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on Nov. 22.

Akwa United of Uyo will slug it out with Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the male championship while in the female category the battle will be between Sunshine Queens of Akure and Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa.

Agbesanwa said that there would also be a parade of past

stars as well as the honouring of outstanding players, including posthumous awards.

Also to be honoured are referees and journalists who distinguished themselves.

The DG said that there would also be a raffle draw where some spectators could win cash prizes.

Similarly, he said, free t-shirts would be given to first 500 fans to enter the stadium.

Seyi Akinwunmi, the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSSFA) and chairman of the organising committee said that facilities at the stadium had been upgraded.

Akniwumi, who is also First

Lagos State Football Association boss Seyi Akinwunmi

Vice-President of Nigeria Football Federation, said that N6 million would be won at the final by the participating teams and players.

He gave the brake down as follows; N2 million for male winners while the runner-up takes N1 million. In the female category the winner will go home with N1 million and runner-up gets N500, 000.

The winner of fair play winner, in the male competition, would receive N300,000, Most Valuable player will pocket N300,000 and the top goal scorer receives N200, 000.

In the female category, Most Valuable Player receives N200, 000 while top scorer receives N100, 000.

Life &

TIMES Friday, November 20, 2015

y n o T

Ojo

L2,3

Succeeding in an unfamiliar terrain P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Tony Ojo is the primemover of one of the foremost strippers’ clubs in Lagos, Club Unique. Edo State-born, Tony, who many years ago toyed with the idea became a success with it before others came in. In this interview with Isaac Oguntoye, he shares his experience running a strip club in Nigeria. Excerpts: You’re one of the top players in club business, but despite the success story, you still hide in your shell with people rarely knowing you?

That is my nature. I am a very private person, I don’t like going to places but to face my business. If you come here, you will find me around here most of the times when I am in the country.

Can you recount your the experience since you started?

In every business you start, there are always difficulties, especially when the business is not known. I must say it’s not been easy to be recognised or accepted by the society, coupled with the government….it’s not easy to start a business like this because it’s alien to the people. But we are elated today as it’s been accepted. We went through a lot of difficulties, situations. The place was raided, my staff were arrested, they were locked up and taken to court. I had to get a lawyer to get their bail. We went to the Lagos State House of Assembly and we were the first to get the operating license from Lagos State government. So, so far so good…that is it.

What keeps you going despite what you went through and the public outcry?

It’s still my nature. I don’t give up on whatever I am doing. I knew it was an alien to the people but its not a bad thing because it’s something that happens all over the world. These people do travel out and they visit strippers club outside this country. Its interesting now as they have started to accept stripers club in this country.

Life&

T E A M

What inspired you to start a strip club business?

I got the idea from outside because I actually spend most of my time abroad and I have friends who ask me if there is anywhere

Govt. not doing enough to regulate strip clubs

– Tony Ojo

they can go for entertainment whenever they come around and I know they spend a lot of money.

Therefore, I just thought it won’t be a bad idea if we could have this kind of thing in Nigeria, it will be very nice and we can provide job for people as well and that was it.

What was peoples reaction when you announced your interest in the business?

I don’t think I faced any challenge because when I want to do something, I go ahead and do it. I don’t discuss it with people. They

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

just found strippers club opened, we do advert because we are not hiding and that was it.

What edge do you have as strip clubs are now everywhere?

There are so many of them out there now but we fought the war. Now, the business is not regulated, we have the business here and there, strippers club everywhere and some of them I don’t believe they pay taxes to the government. We do pay tax.

They are actually spoiling the business but the government is actually not doing anything or the ministry or rather the agency that

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

is in charge is not doing anything to regulate it. They make it difficult now because we have to pay bills, we have so many bills to pay but they have made the business so cheap. Stripers club is not supposed to be a cheap business because its capital intensive. For now, we are just there watching and see what is going to happen while we still pay our taxes.

What steps have you taken along other members to stop the non-professionals?

What are we going to do? It’s the government that is supposed

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

to take a step. We raised the issue at the stakeholders meeting with ministry of tourism and the then commissioner said they were going to do something about it and we are still waiting because nothing has been done about it. There’s nothing we pioneers can do about it, you know how things are in this country, everyone is corrupt so even if you try to make a noise, no one will listen to you. Most of these guys are corrupt, they go there, take whatever they like to take Continued on

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P

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

L3 Interview

‘Multiple taxation killing businesses’ Continued from

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from them and that is it.

What’s the negative effects of the influx of nonprofessional into business of striping?

There are so many things. For instance, you know people like cheap things so, when they come here and they find out prices of our drinks, they say: ‘why is your own like this? Its cheaper on the road ( Allen Avenue). They obviously don’t care that we pay taxes here. Something like that affects us here. There are places they don’t even take gate fee and I wonder how you intend to survive if you don’t do that…I mean how you pay your salaries and taxes if you don’t collect gate fee.

So, these are the things that are affecting we pioneers, that do the right things and pay our taxes.

What dangers do you think are there if things continue this way?

The business will definitely be so poor, it will bring in a lot of criminals if its not regulated and the authority might one day decide to do away with strippers club if things are not checked now. There is need to look into it in the sense that there are rules set aside by ministry of tourism for clubs to meet and most of these clubs do not have a link with the ministry so they don’t know what is obtainable in the strip club. Some of them don’t even know the limits of what you could do, like the issue of underage girls and all that. For instance, we pay annual licensing fee of N500,000. How many of this beer parlor clubs that are featuring strippers can pay? Pay consumption tax per bottle of drink you sell, pay payee tax, liquor license to the local government….radio and television taxes and so many other taxes….In a year, a standard club pays over N3 million on taxes alone. That is why we are calling on the government to come in and regulate it.

The ills of the society are there also. There are certain neighborhood strip clubs should not be sighted and what we get now is that right in the densely populated areas, you get strip clubs there. They are not supposed to be in those areas.

How have you been able to live above scandals despite temptation associated with your business?

First of all, I see this place as what I do as a business; It should be strictly business and you just have to maintain your home. I

am a married man with children, although, they don’t live here but when they are around, my wife is always here helping me out… she understand the business as well and she knows I’m not messing about or getting involved with somebody else except her.

Tell us about your growing up?

So much discipline was part of my upbringing. It is about discipline. I was brought up by my parents in the proper way. We were taught about what to do and what not to get involved with. I think how you position yourself and your mind matter when you want to get into business. It’s like man who wants to sells beer and he’s already drinking it, before the customers come, he might have finish it all.

You share a great bond with your wife. What is the secret?

It’s love. It’s just love. I love her and she loves me back. She understands me very well; she understands my business…that is very important. In a relationship, when there is understanding, I tell you there’s no problem.

How long have you been mar-

ried and how do you describe married life?

I have been married for some time now. You leaving your own family, she’s leaving her own family too, you are from different background….it’s not easy and we are not perfect but we just have to learn from each other and it’s just a matter of understanding.

How did you meet and what’s the attraction?

We met in London. She’s a Nigerian British. We met in London at her place of work actually and she was very humble the way she treated everybody the first day I saw her…that actually attracted me to her. I looked at her and I said, oh, this is going to be a very good house wife. I started chatting her up…you know how it is and one thing led to the other and that was it. She knew what I was doing and she used to help get whatever I wanted to buy from England before we finally got married.

What is your view about families having influence in who their child wants to marry?

I think it has nothing to do with parents as long as both of you love each other. They have lived

their lives and in my case, my mother is a very understanding woman and no party ever got involved. It was more of like, ‘is that what you want’, we say ‘yes’ and they gave us the blessing.

Can you recount what the road was like for you before making success?

It was not easy because I was not born with a silver or golden spoon and when you are not born with either golden or silver spoon, you know how it is. You have to work hard, extremely hard. To get to where I am today was not easy. I had to work hard because my parents were not rich and that is it.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be an academician.

I think I was always admiring them; I admired them so much then. I think that was what was on my mind when I was growing up.

What comes to your mind when you remember your struggling days?

I just give glory to God. I just thank God. With all my effort and with his support, I have been able to achieve something in life, though, it was not easy but I just give glory to God.

So what are your new set goals?

I must confess it’s not easy to run business in the country so I think for now, here is enough.

Government is not doing enough to help the small business in the country, they are not doing anything…absolutely nothing unlike other countries I have been to.

You go out there, get the money, come back here to create jobs, helping government to create jobs and they are not doing nothing to support you … it’s a bit difficult so, when you have one, getting another one, to me is a big headache so I am not thinking of making such move here. Probably with the new government we will see what happens. We will see if there will be changes?

If they will support businesses to grow. Then we have issue of double taxation which there is nothing one can do about it and it’s not encouraging so, for me, what I have here is enough for now.

You are a quiet person and it’s difficult to read you, but there must be something that makes you happy?

I like to see people happy because it makes me happy. I don’t like to see anyone sad. When I see people happy, I am excited.

Society Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Rev. Edith Okubanjo’s Church of Evangelism rocks Lagos with 2015 Annual Congress

Banire

Quincy

Quincy Ayodele

Mushin Ambassadorial Award berths in Lagos As you’re reading this piece, all hands are on deck to make sure the maiden edition of Mushin Ambassadorial Awards becomes a success. The well anticipated event is scheduled to hold on 6th

Evarest

December, 2015. Dr. Banire, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Pasuma, Hon. Tejuoso and others are going to receive award based on their various humanitarian schemes in uplifting Mushin.

doles out gifts for Miss Nigeria 2015 Herbal slimmer doctor, Dr (Mrs.) Quincy Ayodele needs little or no introduction when it comes to slimming business in Nigeria.

She has not only succeed in what she knows how to do best but she has been making the country proud globally. Recently, she supported a computer science graduate of University of Port Harcourt, Miss Pamela Peter-Vigboro Leesi (22), who represented Cross River State at the just concluded Miss Nigeria 2015 beauty pageant in Lagos and won with products worth of 3.5million which was shared to guests and she presented the new queen with some of their products for her personal use.

OKOWA, OAS HELICOPTER BOSS, EVAREST SET FOR AFRICA MERIT AWARDS

The Church of Evangelism, tucked inside Ibeju-Lekki, Awoyaya, Healing Camp, opposite Green Springs School on the Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos State, has held the much awaited annual congress, with the theme: Divine Expansion.

Activities for the two-week long event commenced on Friday, 6 and Saturday 7, with Workers Retreat.

An Open Air Crusade took place between 9 and 12 of November.

The event continued on Friday,13 with a Thehila Night of Praise before thanksgiving service climaxed on Sunday, November 15. The congress, according to the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Edith Adefunke Okunbanjo, “is aimed at winning souls and to glorify the name of Jesus through healing of those who were oppressed of the devil, adding, “It is a platform by which God’s blessing will be poured out in his people”. Okubanjo revealed that the annual congress is a special instruction from God in

place of the annual conference.

In a statement, she stressed that Nigerians should not give up as God will do a new thing in Nigeria, “just as Nigerians must be prepared to get God’s grace”.

According to her, there is the need for people to enjoy God ‘s glory but believers must endeavour to embrace righteousness in all their acts and deeds. Rev. Okubanjo is the adorable wife of late industrialist and Founder/ Past Chairman, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Chief Oladotun Okubanjo. As a woman of God, she shares diligently in the ministry her vision of liberating mankind from all affliction of the devil through the teachings of prosperity, healing, deliverance and all that pertains to life.

Mummy, as she is generally called nationally and internationally, is recognised for her courage, agility and unique ability to prepare men and women for leadership, making them realize their potentials and their purpose of existence.

Rev. Edith

The Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and OAS Helicpters Boss, Evarest Nnaji are among numerous distinguished personalities, corporate organisations, and government parastatals to be honored at the 3rd Edition of The Development In Africa Merit Awards [DAMA 2015] slated for December 13th at the Rodizzio Event Place, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. A brainchild of Centre for Media and Communication of the Delta Business School, the event which is poised to witness lots of glitz

and glamour with top A-List Nigeria musician and comedians will feature exhibition and conference that will dwells on Sustaining Development In Africa. Seasoned speakers, American Daniel Levine, Erik Qualman, Jake Dan-Azumi will be giving their thought on development in Africa. The annual event, apart from awards provides forum to discuss current issues that are germane to African continent with a view to developing common grounds to help build a sustainable society.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

L5 Society Gists

Isaac Oguntoye

I am here to serve you, Tunde Braimoh tells constituents Former Chairman, Kosofe Local Government and now House of Assembly Member representing Kosofe 11 in the Lagos State House

of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Braimoh has said that his membership of the State Assembly is at the instance of people of his Constituency promis-

Braimoh

ing to always stand up forthem to get their dues in the development of the state. Speaking at his Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting that was also held simultaneously across the 40 Constituencies in the state, Hon Braimoh who is Chairman House Committee on Information said: ‘You have called me to serve and I will represent your interest to the best of my ability but I will need support of everybody’.

The event which was attended by stakeholders within the constituency including Market women, Youth Leaders, Religious Leaders, Traditional Heads, Arewa Leaders, NUT members, among many others saw every associations and groups making their requests on behalf of the group they represents.

The requests are expected to be compiled by him for onward delivery to the executive. At the occasion, the leadership of the NUT, Kosofe Branch used the opportunity to thank Hon Braimoh for his support to the union during the last World Teachers’ Day while also seeking more support in the future.

In his reaction, he assured them that all their requests will get to the executive, “we will invite leaders of some of the groups or associations on the day we are presenting it to the executive and we are sure a good percentage of them will be attended to”, he added.

House of Tara launches new corporate headquarters in Lagos Africa’s leading beauty brand, House of Tara- iconic for setting up the first make up studio and establishing Nigeria’s first make up school in 2004 launched its new corporate office located around Onikepo Akande street, Lekki Pennisula scheme I, Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday November 8, 2015. The building interior was designed

by Jumoke Adenowo’s company, AD Logistics.

The corporate office launch was hosted by Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of the Board of Directors of House of Tara. Other members of the board of directors were also present including Nimi Akinkugbe, Osayi Alile, Chukwuka Monye and Ada Iwugo who gave the welcome address. Mrs Awosika started by saying, “I have been in this building before, so I know exactly what it’s like, I also know the passion and commitment behind getting the new head office and indeed the company is ready for this stage.

“I also know the dream for the future, so for me it is the symbol of where House of Tara International is going. Today clearly represents the beginning, this dream has gone beyond coming to life, I know where we are going. To have achieved what we have achieved even at this tender age, gives you an idea of the future we are envisioning”, she said.

Mrs Fela Durotoye who launched the building along-

side Mrs Awosika was supported by her husband Mr Fela Durotoye. Other special guests present at the event to retrace the brands evolution; and the new headquarters space were, Joke Bakare (Owner of Medplus), Bolanle Olukanni, Adebola Williams, Sekou Coulibaly, Mai Atafo, Ndidi Nwuenli, Funke Bucknor, Zainab Balogun, Yvonne Ekwere, Sarah Hamman, amongst others.

Tejuoso

TEJUOSO BECOMES CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Oba Oloto celebrates 25 yrs on throne

Senator Lanre Tejuoso representing Ogun Central Senatorial District has become a powerful icon at the Senate just eight months he was elected as Senator of Nigeria.

Senator Tejuoso who is a first time legislator at the red chamber of the National Assembly was confirmed last week by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health. Tejuoso who was a former commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, has promised to bring his wealth of experience as a medical doctor to bear in the discharge of his duty.

It was celebration galore recently as Oba Ganiu Oloto celebrated his 25 years on the throne of his forefathers. The event was indeed a galaxy of stars as Commissioner for Water fall Segun Oniru, Hon. Gbolahan, Oba of Badagry, Otunba Tomori Williams, Bolaji Esho, Oba Dosunmu and many more were on the guest list. They gave kudos to the Oba, describing him as custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition. Guests were all treated to a special bash of both local and continental dishes.

A celebrant,Oba Ganiu Oloto with Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

L6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

L7 When & Where

e r e h W ‘N’ hen W What: Fifty When: December 13, 2015.

Where: Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria.

What: EAT.DRINK.FESTIVAL When: December 20, 2015.

Where: 4 Olumo street. Parkview Ikoyi What: I concur concert When: December 19, 2015.

Where: The Hub, 107 Peter Odili Road PortHarcourt.

What: Mavins concert When: December 23, 2015.

Where: Eko Boulevard, Eko Atlantic Victoria Island, Lagos.

What: Lagos Mum When: December 5th, 2015.

Where: The WheatBaker Hotel 4 Onitolo, Ikoyi.

What: AY Live When: November 20-22, 2015 Where: Lighthouse, 264274 Camberwell Rd, London & The Birdcage, Withy Grove, Manchester

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, November 20, 2015

L8 TV guide

Showing on

Showing on

166 Z WORLD Channel

127 SONY Channel

01:00

02:10

Fri, 20 Nov | PG

Fri, 20 Nov | 16

‘S1/E13 - 1/13’. Daljeet’s mother and Sahiba get off on the wrong foot. He then takes the opportunity to tell his Mother what Sahiba means to him. Ranveer finally finds a way to reach out to Sahiba.

101 M-Net West

01:30 I, Frankenstein 03:05 The Calling 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Modern Family 06:30 Blue Bloods 07:30 The Fixer 08:30 Gambit 10:00 Entertainment Now! 10:30 2 Broke Girls 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Nashville 14:00 Arrow 15:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Goldbergs 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Grey’s Anatomy 19:30 Mysteries Of Laura 20:30 Elementary 21:30 Carte Blanche 22:30 The Frozen Ground 23:00 Strike Back

154 Africa Magic Family

00:00 The Patient 01:10 Rovieno 02:25 53 Extra 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:10 Coco Bill 04:30 Perfect Imperfection 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Rovieno 08:40 Living With Trisha

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Impostor 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 The Impostor 03:00 The Impostor 03:50 The Impostor 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 Would I Lie To You? 23:35 QI

09:30 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Prem 14:30 Goge Africa 15:00 Family Ties 15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 19:55 Rovieno 21:10 Family Ties 21:40 53 Extra 22:05 Living With Trisha 23:40 Music Block

‘S1/E7 - Blazing Fury’. Nikki McPhatter had just begun a torrid romance with a man she met online. But Nikki’s love life took a horrifying turn when she suddenly went missing.

155 AfricaMagic World

00:35 Ten Tigers Of Kwangtung 02:05 Most Shocking 10:30 The Cube 00:05 New Tricks

11:20 New Tricks

01:00 The Cube

12:20 Top Gear

01:45 Come Dine With Me

13:10 Come Dine With Me

02:35 Downton Abbey

14:05 Total Wipeout UK

03:30 EastEnders

15:05 The Weakest Link

04:00 EastEnders

16:00 EastEnders

04:30 EastEnders

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:00 Spy

17:10 The Cube

05:25 QI

18:05 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:00 Fool Britannia

19:00 Celebrity MasterChef

06:25 EastEnders

20:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

21:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA

07:55 The Weakest Link

21:50 The Graham Norton Show

08:45 The Chase

22:40 Would I Lie To You?

09:30 Total Wipeout UK

23:45 Tanked

161 Mzanzi Magic

00:40 Good Morning Africa 01:40 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 My Good Will 09:10 Good Morning Africa 10:10 So Wrong So Wright 10:35 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara

12:30 Jara 13:00 Music Block 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:30 So Wrong So Wright 20:05 Revelation 21:30 Jara 22:00 Music Block 23:30 Looking In, Looking Out

03:00 Most Shocking 04:00 Exposed 04:30 Exposed 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Repo Games 07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking 10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 CB4 21:25 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 21:55 Sexy Car Wash 22:25 Most Shocking 23:10 Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Standup 23:30 The Real

Caf B-license Coaching Course begins in abuja g X2

Poster!

MOSES SIMON

g X4,5

Friday, November 20, 2015

g X3

amodu tasks nff on grassroots football development

s d U a l de Boer

i s s Me f o d a e ah o C i s a l C n r U t e r

g X7

to appeal lMC bans

Gunners put

sanchez, ozil deals on hold

Gyang, raji g X3

g X6

liverpool cut g X6 academy by 15% Benitez and the gathering storm! g X8

X2

Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

F A C Heartland -License camp boils, as Task B Force sacks management Coaching Course T begins in Abuja he Task Force Committee on Sports Facilities on Wednesday sacked the management of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Heartland and this caused great concern in the camp of the team.

This comes up three days after the management, headed

by Okey Ibe, saw off the side’s campaign to a seventh spot finish in the 2014/15 NPFL season.

The committee equally threatened to sack as many as 50 percent of the entire players’ work force.

A reliable source disclosed to Extra Time that key players of the side are threatening mass

exit due to the administrative style of the committee.

“The Task Force Committee has sacked the management of Heartland and put in place an interim management committee to run the club.

“The committee equally opted to keep only 16 players while others will be shown the exit door.

“The decision to downsize is being done without the technical input of the coaching crew.

“Heartland key players are kicking against the decision to unilaterally reduce the players’ work force and are threatening to leave the club en masse,” the source said.

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

N

FF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Mr. Shehu Dikko on Thursday declared open the two-week 2015 CAF B-License Coaching Course holding at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium Complex, Abuja.

Top among the participants are former and present coaches of the national teams, Head Coaches of Nigeria Professional Football League

teams and some ex-international players, being superintended by former FIFA Advisor on technical matters, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

Other resource persons are former national team coaches, James Peters and Kashimawo Laloko, NFF Technical Director and former Super Eagles’ coach, Amodu Shaibu, former NFF General Secretary and FIFA Match Commissioner Bolaji Ojo-Oba and FIFA advisor on refereeing Mr Linus Mba. Dikko, promised that the football

Dikko governing body is now ready to implement all aspects of Club Licensing provisions, including that which forbids coaches without CAF License working with top tier clubs.

“As from next season, coaches without the B-License will not be able to sit on the bench as Head Coaches of NPFL teams. Those who do not have a minimum of C-License cannot be assistant coaches. We will start from there and go higher in the years to come.

CAF ticket a dream come true—Dogo

N

Dogo

asarawa United head coach, Kabir Dogo has described as a dream come true his side’s continental ticket in the out gone league season.

The Lafia outfit finished the season on third spot on 63 points seven points behind champions, Enyimba and will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Dogo said the side will not add to the numbers but compete favourably when football hostilities commence next year.

“The continental ticket is something we have been looking for a long time and we are happy to nip the ticket this time around.

“We narrowly missed the ticket last season but thank God we were able to

make amend in a season nobody gave us a chance to succeed.

“Nasarawa United have been there some years back, management knows what is at stake and what it takes to be at the continent.

“We have players that can do it for us at the continent, we do not need too many recruits just few experienced players and the team will

be good to go.

“With adequate and good preparations the team will go places in the continent,” said the former ABS coach.

Dogo commended the management, coaching crew members, players, government, supporters, among others for the club’s success in the out gone league season.

Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

Amodu

tasks NFF on grassroots football development Lagos SWAN, MFM congratulate Ikem-Anibeze

AFN’s Olukayode Thomas (2nd from left) presents an award to MFM General Overseer, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya and next to the G.0 is Nneka Ikem-Anibeze (2nd from right) and Godwin Enakhena (right).

ANDREW EKEJIUBA SPORT EDITOR

T

he Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter, has congratulated Mrs. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze on her appointment as Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalong.

In a statement signed by the Secretary, Emma Njoku, Chairman of the association, Fred Edoreh, hailed the new Sports Minister for choosing Nneka, who he described as very suitable for the position considering her

wealth of experience as a journalist with a passionate bias for sports.

“On behalf of the executives and entire members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, I heartily congratulate our dear Nneka Ikem-Anibeze on her appointment as Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalong,” Edoreh began in the statement.

“This is the first time a woman would be appointed as Special Adviser to a Sports Minister, and it is an indication that the new Sports Minister, true to his name, Solomon, is, indeed, a wise man,” the statement added.

“Having risen to the enviable position of an Assistant Director,

Rivers, Oyo, others qualify for Women’s Cricket tourney

T

he Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says five states have qualified for the 6th edition of the National Women’s Cricket Championship slated for Abuja later in the month.

A statement issued on Thursday

by NCF said the states qualified through preliminary matches held across five zones of the country.

It said that Rivers qualified from the South-South zone; Anambra team picked the slot for the South-East zone, while Oyo State

Sports, with Radio Nigeria, I have no doubt that Nneka’s wealth of experience, both as a sports journalist and as manager of human resources, would be of immense value to the Sports Minister in his arduous task of repositioning Nigerian sports in line with the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration,” the Lagos SWAN boss stated.

Meanwhile, the management of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club of Lagos has congratulated Nneka IkemAnibeze on her appointment.

Chairman of the club, Godwin Enakhena expressed his appreciation to the minister for giving Nneka who is a staunch member of MFM Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos an opportunity to contribute her quota to sports development in Nigeria.

would represent the South-West zone.

The statement said that Kaduna State and Abuja would represent the North-West and North-Central respectively.

It said that the date for the championship would be communicated in due time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rivers won the last edition of the championship in 2014.

Gyang, Raji

to appeal LMC bans

G

Raji

iwa FC defender Nojeem Raji has revealed that he will appeal the fines and suspension meted out to him by the League Management Company (LMC) in the aftermath of the botched Glo Premier League

Match Day 38 clash with Nasarawa United which was abandoned last weekend.

The Solid Miners were leading the game 2-0 courtesy of Leonard Ugochukwu and Philip Auta’s goal when the Jos-based side decided to jump ship nine minutes before the break.

Amos Gyang and Raji were sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct which reduced Giwa FC to nine men before the first half ended which led the team to walk out of the game

unceremoniously.

The LMC wielded its hammer and slammed the team and the erring players with fines and suspensions.

Giwa FC were also fined N3 million for their misdemeanour.

They were also charged for abandoning the game at Nasarawa United by “deduction of three points and forfeiture of three points and three goals.”

Amos Gyang, who was also banned and fined also said he will appeal the decision by the LMC.

SAKA BOLAJI, Minna

T

he Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Shuaibu Amodu, has urged the country’s football ruling body to support grassroots football coaches across the country in order to bring back the lost glory of football in Nigeria.

Amodu who stated this at a one day seminar for coaches in Minna disclosed that the problem of football in the country was lack of adequate support for the coaches at the grassroots whom he said helped to develop the game and thereby making the job of national coaches easier.

Amodu added that he was never elated with the victory of the national U-17 in their FIFA World

Cup outing in Chile, but maintained that most of the players did not go through a grassroots developmental programme.

According to him the Golden Eaglets were in camp for almost one-and-half years which he said was too much for a national team and attributed this long stay in the camp to the neglect of age group football competitions at the grassroots which local coaches usually handle.

He stressed also that coaches at all level in the Nigerian league are passing through big challenges because the NFF have refused to key into football best practices were the Federation Cup competitions are concluded before the end of the league.

Amodu

Akwa Ibom,

Berger partner on sports academy

A

kwa Ibom Government on Thursday said it would partner Julius Berger Construction Company to establish a sports academy in the state.

The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, made this known in Uyo while interacting with Team Manager and players of the stateowned, Akwa United Football Club.

He said that the planned academy would attract coaches from Germany and other countries of the world for the development of talents in football and other sports.

Emmanuel, who commended Akwa United FC for making it to the final of the Federation Cup, urged the club to win the trophy for the state.

He charged them to strategise and play as a team to clinch the

trophy, advising that they should remain focused in their aspirations.

“Ninety minutes of the game can change your life as your performance in the tournament would expose you to foreign clubs and stardom,” he said.

Emmanuel described professional football as one of the fastest growing income earners in the world, and promised to equip talents from the state and expose them to the world market.

Reacting, Captain of the team, Otobong Effiong, expressed appreciation to the governor for improving their welfare and pledged to clinch the coveted trophy to the state.

Akwa United FC will on Sunday lock horns with Lobi Stars of Makurdi at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, in the 2015 Federation Cup final.

Moses Simon

Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon (born July 12, 1995) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as forward for Belgian Pro League club KAA Gent. He is also a member of the Nigeria national team.

Born in Jos, Simon is a product of the famed GBS

ABOUT

July 12, 1995 (age 20) Jos, Nigeria 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)

Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height:

KAA Gent 2015–Till date:

Nigeria U-20 Nigeria

2013 2015–Till date:

National team

AS Trencín 2014–2015:

Senior career

2003–2013:

GBS Academy

27 Number: Youth career

KAA Gent Current team:

Playing position: Winger

Moses Simon Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon

Name:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

X4 Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

Academy, the same football academy in Nigeria that produced Ahmed Musa. He was linked with Nigerian Premier League club Kaduna United, as many professional clubs around the world were also eager to sign him.

On May 10, 2013 it was announced that Simon had signed a pre-contractual agreement with Dutch club AFC Ajax to join them in pre-season training, having previously been linked with Liverpool F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur.

He made his first appearance for Ajax on July 13, 2013 in pre-season friendly match against De Graafschap, coming on as a substitute player and scoring the third and final goal in the 64th minute of the match, in a 3–0 away win. He made a further appearance on July 17, playing for the reserves team Jong Ajax in a pre-season friendly match against Voorschoten ‘97, scoring the second goal in the 5–0 home win.

On January 13, 2014, Simon signed three-year contract for Slovak side AS Trencín and joined his fellow compatriot Kingsley Madu. He made his league debut in a 1–1 draw against MFK Kosice starting on the rightwing alongside Gino van Kessel who was on loan from Ajax. He further made his International debut during the clubs’ 2014–15 UEFA Europa League campaign, when he was introduced during the second preliminary round of the competition, in the home match against FK Vojvodina Novi Sad from Serbia. Simon scored a hattrick on his debut in the 4–0 win at home. AS Trencín eventually got eliminated in the following round, drawing at home, and falling 2–1 away against Hull City.

In October 2014, the winger was linked with a move to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City along with a potential return to Ajax. The situation evolved into a bidding war between Dutch club SC Heerenveen and KAA Gent, with the later contractually securing Simon for three years.

He made his debut for Gent on January 17, 2015 in a 3–1 win against Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz in league play. He quickly became a key player in Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s formation and helped Gent win their first ever national Championship title in May 2015. Two months later, Simon assisted Laurent Depoitre’s winning goal in the 2015 Belgian Super Cup against cup winners Club Brugge.

Simon plays for Super Eagles of Nigeria and he received his first call-up by Coach Daniel Amokachi in March 2015 and made his debut on the 25th of the same month in an international friendly against Uganda, when he replaced Anthony Ujah after 59 minutes in the game. Simon scored his first goal for Nigeria in an international friendly against Niger on September 8, 2015, the second in a 2-0 win.

He also scored the opener against Swaziland in Port Harcourt in a second leg play-off of the 2018 World Cup qualifier which Nigeria won 2-0.

SIMON

Moses

EXTRATIME

Friday, November 20, 2015

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Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

P

remier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says gay footballers would be treated with respect if they were to go public about their sexuality.

A report from the media claims two top-flight players one believed to be an England international - are set to come out before the start of next season and Scudamore believes the reaction would be positive.

“The environment would be entirely suitable for them to come out,” he said on Wednesday.

“It would be welcomed and I

EPL boss vows to treat Gay players with respect think there would be a tolerance to it. I think the time would be right to do that.”

Scudamore is “absolutely sure” there are gay players in the Premier League, saying: “It would be very strange if there wasn’t.”

The last openly-gay player in the English game was Justin Fashanu, while former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger

Sterling

Sterling

came out after his retirement in 2014.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed last year that gay players would be unlikely to reveal their sexuality during their careers due to the media scrutiny.

“Because of media interest, maybe no one will come out,” the Frenchman said in May.

Scudamore

Gunners put Sanchez, Ozil deals on hold A rsenal are “not in a hurry” to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to new deals, according to Arsene Wenger.

Reports on Thursday claimed Sanchez will be offered a bumper five-year contract to fend off interest from Manchester United.

Similar stories about Ozil were published earlier in the week, but Wenger says there is no urgency to secure the futures of the two most expensive players in Arsenal’s history.

“We have not started to talk about that with Mesut Ozil,” he said, speaking at his press conference ahead

‘has big future’ —Clichy

R

aheem Sterling is on the road to becoming a “tremendous player for England”, Manchester City team-mate Gael Clichy says.

The forward lines up against old club Liverpool on Saturday for the first time since leaving for City in a £49m deal that made him England’s most expensive footballer.

Sterling is sure he made the right decision and his recent performances, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth and a Champions League goal at Sevilla, have convinced Clichy he is now settled in Manchester.

“You need time to adjust when you come to a new club and a new way of playing football,” Clichy said. “Liverpool is a great club, City is a fantastic club. You need time.

“Some players like Kevin De Bruyne can turn up and they are ‘on it’, others need a bit more time and Raheem was probably one of those, but the last four weeks he’s been really impressive.

“If he carries on the way he’s doing I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a tremendous player for England.”

Clichy returned to the City squad this month after injury but is yet to feature this season as he approaches the final 18 months of his contract.

“He could not come out during his career which means we still have some progress to make in our game.”

Asked about Scudamore’s comments on Thursday, Wenger said: “I believe when you watch a football player you don’t know, you don’t want to know what his sexuality is.

of Saturday’s trip to West Brom.

“Sanchez is the same situation at the end of the year they have two-and-a-half years’ contract.

“We have some time. We are not in a hurry. We want of course for them to stay in the club, and we’ll start negotiations at some stage, but at the moment we have not started.”

Ozil this month became the first Premier League player to register an assist in six straight games, while Sanchez has added seven goals this season to the 25 he scored in his first year at the club.

And former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Wenger will already be working behind the scenes to keep both players.

Liverpool cut academy by 15%

L

Sanchez

iverpool have cut the number of their academy footballers by 15 per cent in a bid to drive up standards.

In the last year the club has cut the total number of players at the academy from 240 to fewer than 200 and director Alex Inglethorpe says that the Reds are aiming for quality rather than quantity.

“The definition of academy is that it should be a place of elite.

“It should be the case that when you look a player or their parents in the eye, you think there’s a genuine chance of them ending up playing for Liverpool.

“Often it does the parents and the players a

disservice if you are taking boys just to fill up numbers. That doesn’t seem right to me. Often those boys will go to other clubs, be happy and stand a far better opportunity themselves by playing regularly.

“The changes started last season. We had around 235-240 before, it’s just under 200 boys now and that figure will head south still.”

In the first Merseyside derby of the season, Liverpool did not have a single locally-born player in the line-up for the first time since the 1986 FA Cup final.

Jordan Rossiter, Connor Randall and Jon Flanagan are recent graduates of the academy, and Inglethorpe says they need to focus on the most talented if they are to supply the first-team on a regular basis.

Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

BRIEFS

De Boer lauds

Beenhakker delighted with Ronaldo, Benzema

Messi

Bale

Bale

ready for El Clasico battle!

ahead of Clasico return L

ionel Messi can give Barcelona the Clasico edge if he makes his return from injury against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, says former Barca captain Frank de Boer.

Messi is reported to be closing in on a comeback having been sidelined since sustaining knee ligament damage during September’s 2-1 win over Las Palmas.

Fellow forwards Neymar and Luis Suarez have flourished in his absence to lead Luis Enrique’s defending champions to the top of La Liga and De Boer feels the Argentina superstar’s capacity

to complement such talents is an enduring quality lacking in his long-time Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

“For me, my personal best player is Messi because he can do almost everything and so if I have to choose one as my favourite its Messi,” he said.

“But Ronaldo, I take my hat off to him, because if you can manage to score so many goals every year and never be injured, I think you’re also one of the best.

“So it’s hard to choose, but if I have to pick one then I will take Messi. I like him more because he gives more.

“He gives 40 assists also in a

Messi year and scores fifty goals and that I like very much about him.”

De Boer faced Real Madrid nine times for Barcelona between 1999 and 2003 and is well versed in the unique intensity that comes with the fixture.

“First of all you have the history, with Catalonia – the independence they want of course,” he added.

“They are probably the two biggest teams in the world to play on one soil so it’s so massive, 90100,000 people in the stadium.

“The hatred between Real Madrid and Barcelona, you can feel the tension.“

Honda

committed to Milan K

eisuke Honda insists he will stay and fight for his place at AC Milan amid reported interest from the Premier League.

The 29-year-old has not started for Milan in almost two months and there have been reports that he has fallen out with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

However, he has denied that he has handed in a transfer request and says he is determined to succeed at the San Siro.

“I will tell you one thing clearly: I won’t leave Milan of my own accord,” he told reporters. “I came to Milan with unshakeable determination and unless they tell me they don’t want me, I’m going nowhere. I won’t run away.

“It’s more difficult than I imagined it would be at Milan, but of course I won’t give up.

X7

“Of course I have to accept my disappointing performances, but I have confidence of fighting back.

I know it will be difficult to win back my place but I haven’t given up.”

Honda’s plight at Milan, where he has cut a forlorn figure this season, has reportedly alerted Everton and Tottenham, with West Ham United also being linked to the Japan playmaker.

Italian media have reported that Honda has asked to be allowed to go, while Mihajlovic said those who were frustrated were “free to leave” after Honda recently hit out at the Serb by saying it was pointless blaming the players for the team’s current slump.

Honda

R

eal Madrid winger Gareth Bale is eagerly anticipating Saturday’s Liga encounter with Barcelona and has insisted he is ready for battle after shaking off his muscle problems.

The Welshman has completed just four matches in all competitions for Madrid due to fitness issues and sat out Wales’ international friendly against Netherlands as a precautionary measure.

Nevertheless, Bale is adamant that he is 100 per cent fit again and is determined to make an impact in Saturday’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I’m feeling strong and fit for this match. I’m ready for battle.

I think I can provide the team with my speed and my strength.

Those attributes always act as a bonus for us,” Bale said.

“We’re the two biggest sides in Spain. There is an enormous rivalry, which has been around for years, and we’re always competing with each other for La Liga, Champions League and other championship titles.

“As such we have an incredible rivalry and all of that together means there is a greater sense of pressure out on the pitch, which makes these games so unique and exciting.

“We’ve been in good form so far this season, we’ve only lost one game and I still think there is some room for improvement.

We could still be better, play better, and I’m hoping that, as the season goes on, our form continues to improve and that leads us to winning La Liga.

“Barcelona aren’t going to change their playing style and neither will we.

I’m certain you’ll see an attacking game from both teams and it makes sense that the team that scores a lot of goals will win.”

F

ormer Real Madrid coach Leo Beenhakker has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema’s willingness to track back and help their defence whenever needed. Beenhakker was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu between 1986 and 1989, guiding the club to three consecutive La Liga titles.

The Dutchman had players such as Hugo Sanchez, Emilio Butragueno and Bernd Schuster at his disposal during his time at Madrid.

Breitenreiter wants Schalke to welcome Bayern

S

chalke coach Andre Breitenreiter believes his team will need a flawless performance in order to take anything from their weekend clash with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Breitenreiter’s men are without a win for six matches in all competitions and welcome Bayern to the Veltins-Arena on Saturday on the back of a dispiriting 3-2 derby loss to local rivals Borussia Dortmund. Bayern have taken an astonishing 34 points from 36 on offer in the Bundesliga so far this season and Breitenreiter stated that any mistakes made by Pep Guardiola’s side will have to be ruthlessly punished.

Reus

Reus set for Dortmund comeback

B

orussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel says Marco Reus is ready to make his comeback in today’s Bundesliga encounter with Hamburg after shaking off a muscle injury.

The Germany international was forced to sit out the 3-2 derby win over Schalke before the international break due to the knock, but he is raring to go once more.

“Reus has trained very well and is an option for the starting XI for today’s match. It’s great that his recovery went so well,” Tuchel said at a news conference.

“I expect an intensive game against a very disciplined opponent, but I expect the team to build on our recent performances.”

X8

Friday, November 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

SPECIAL FEATURE Rafa Benitez (middle) methods have been questioned by the Spanis h media.

z e t i n e B g n i r e h t a g e h and t El Clasico:

stor m!

Adam Bate

H

e has only lost once, but Real Madrid coach, Rafa Benitez, is already under fire ahead of Saturday’s El Clasico.

Barcelona’s first defeat of the season came on August 14th - an emphatic 4-0 Super Cup thrashing at the hands of Athletic Bilbao. Bayern Munich didn’t even last that long. They were beaten in the German Super Cup on penalties

by Wolfsburg on the first day of August. Chelsea lost the Community Shield to Arsenal the next day - the first of nine defeats so far this season for the English champions.

But for all Jose Mourinho’s struggles, it’s curious that his old rival Rafa Benitez isn’t immune to similar pressures himself. Benitez’s Real Madrid were the last team in any major European league to lose their unbeaten record in all competitions when they were beaten 3-2 away to Sevilla earlier this month. Hardly a major upset against a side that recently went 35 games unbeaten on home soil.

Nevertheless, the pressure on Benitez is real. “You saw it coming” was the headline on a foreign media the day after the defeat. “Results have been

covering the deficiencies” they cried, before concluding that “something is wrong” at Real. It’s extraordinary given that Real scored 17 times this season before conceding their first goal under Benitez, but some of the underlying numbers do suggest the concerns are not without substance.

When it comes to shots faced, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid take up their customary position among the top three, Real rank among the bottom half of La Liga.

Benitez’s men have allowed more than 12 shots per game against them, even more than Granada who are only one place off the bottom of the table. It supports the view that Real have been riding their luck and relying on Keylor Navas.

The Costa Rican goalkeeper has been something of a revelation this season. Navas saved penalties against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, as well as producing a series of fine saves in the victories over Levante and Celta Vigo.

His performances have helped Real pick up points even while things have not been functioning properly at the other end of the pitch. Namely, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Soon after Benitez took

“Soon after Benitez took charge, reports of difficulties with Ronaldo began to emerge. The new coach’s perceived fondness for rigidity in attack has been identified as a potential issue particularly when Ronaldo found himself isolated as a centre forward.

Former Real sporting director Jorge Valdano suggested the Portuguese star was ‘playing under protest’ in that role.”

charge, reports of difficulties with Ronaldo began to emerge.

The new coach’s perceived fondness for rigidity in attack has been identified as a potential issue - particularly when Ronaldo found himself isolated as a centre forward. Former Real sporting director Jorge Valdano suggested

the Portuguese star was “playing under protest” in that role.

While many coaches might have prioritised t h e i r relationship with the team’s threetime Ballon d’Or winner, that’s not Benitez’s style. In fact, when Real faced Paris Saint-Germain, Laurent Blanc appeared closer to Ronaldo than the Spaniard.

But soothing egos is not his forte and there are now question marks over his chemistry with a number of the key players at the Valdebebas training ground.

Benitez claimed that James Rodriguez had “a long way to go to get back to his best” when he restricted him to 30 minutes

of action in the recent defeat in Seville. The Colombian appears to have interpreted this as a jibe given he declared “some people keep saying I’m not fit” after scoring for his country against Chile during the international break.

Perhaps even more worrying was Sergio Ramos’s reaction when criticised for conceding a penalty - saved by Navas against Atletico. “Just as people talk about the mistake I made,” said Ramos, “they will also talk about substitutions.” It was a reference to Benitez withdrawing Karim Benzema and Isco with the game in the balance. In the Madrid cauldron, these minor matters can get overblown.

But if players sense a coach’s vulnerability and feel confident enough to criticise in the current climate, it adds to the pressure. Expectations become warped. Even the draw with Atletico, for which Benitez was criticised, was still a point in the Vicente Calderon. Real lost 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season and hadn’t even scored in their four previous visits under Carlo Ancelotti.

It’s worth noting too that Real are the current top scorers in La Liga.

It’s a situation that confuses Spanish expert Terry Gibson.

“There has been far too much come out of that dressing room,” the former Manchester United forward told reporters. “I don’t see any clear evidence of this supposedly defensive system.

I don’t see any concessions, say in the last game, asking Ronaldo and Gareth Bale to do more defensive work.

“They have had a good start and until the Sevilla game they had been good.

When all the injured players are back, then will be the time to fairly criticise or not criticise Rafa Benitez.”

With James on his way back to full fitness and Bale expected to be ready for the weekend too, that key moment will soon be upon the Real Madrid coach. And the opponents are Barcelona.

Benitez might have been the last coach to lose his unbeaten record this season, but that doesn’t mean he will be the last coach to lose his job.

El Clasico looms and Madridistas demand.

Some supporters want wins, others expect entertainment. At Real Madrid, both are essential, and bizarre as it might seem - for the man with only one defeat to his name, the clock is ticking.

Culled from www.skysports.com