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197
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145
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181
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32.3
-1.70
-5.26%
32.26
-1.69
-5.24%
EURO
207.8972
SWISS FRANC
208.4276
195.2775
195.7756
208.9579
UNILEVER
33.88
0.23
0.68%
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196.2738
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6.1
0.10
1.64%
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PDP plots to frame us with dollars – APC 4
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From left: Ambode, Amaechi, Tinubu, Buhari and Fashola at a Town Hall Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with tradesmen and artisans in Ikeja, Lagos. .. on Thursday Photo: Bolaji Olasunkanmi
L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi Ii Ibn Umar El-Alimin El-Kamemi and Vice President Namadi Sambo during the visit of the president to the emir’s palace in Damaturu… on Thursday
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Boko Haram slaughters own 4 Ï C Ɛ ë zƆôƋƋ ƏƈƗ wives, attacks Gamboru Nigeria of insurgents FG obtains $1bn facility for MSME Bank
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Politics Page Three
3
s
Editorial Nigeria’s malnourished children
I
n a society where millions of citizens are finding it difficult to put food on their tables everyday, it becomes easier to ignore the health and wellbeing of the children who are the most fragile and vulnerable segment of the population. There is every truth that a country’s development is never measured in the volume of its industrial output but in the way it looks after and nurtures its children. This is why the recent observation by Head of Cooperation, European Union (EU), Mr. Bran O’Neil that more than 11 million children in Nigeria are suffering from stunting growth should give room for concern. Bran O’Neil had decried a situation where too many children are not only suffering from stunting growth but are also victims of chronic malnutrition. The EU official said the availability of food did not translate into accessibility to many poor people, even when Nigeria has the limitless capacity to feed her people and the entire African continent. Corroborating this assertion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina admitted that over 23 million out of 66 million children that go hungry in the world are from Africa, including Nigeria. This is not surprising. But it is definitely a crying shame that Africa’s biggest economy and sixth largest producer of crude oil still finds it hard to feed its children. This state of affairs is compounded by the presence of very many ignorant parents, who are not conversant with healthy diets for growing chil-
dren. There is no doubting the fact that long years of the neglect of agriculture following the discovery of oil, widespread poverty and the ongoing insecurity occasioned by Boko Haram’s insurgency, have hampered the capacity of families, especially in the North to feed their children. This situation is unacceptable because children need good nutrition, even more than adults. Incidentally, the quality of nutrition available to a child in early age determines his or her development and health later in life. When the statistics from malaria infection and other childhood killer diseases are added to that of malnutrition, it is easy to see why infant mortality in Nigeria is among the highest in the world. We believe that malnutrition, which manifests in some children as kwashiorkor, and affects their cognitive ability, to learn in school, can be tackled successfully Nigeria. This can be done through sustained awareness campaign, whereby parents are made to be aware of protein sources like beans and Soya milk, which are known to provide good nutrition intake for children. On its part, government has to intensify the campaign on nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants in the early period of their lives. Finally, it should encourage families to space their children adequately with a view to keeping them at proportionate size. This will not only help them to raise healthy children, they would find it easier to cope mentally and financially.
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2015 polls: Global attention, in whose interest? Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏNigeria currently is a country in focus by the global community, all because of the 2015 general election which holds in a few days. From almost every continent, people are streaming into Nigeria, ostensibly to monitor the election. The Americans are here; same with the Europeans and the Asians. Of course, Africans are here under the auspices of African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Even, international non state actors like NGOs, faithbased organisations, etc., are also here. These people are all in
Nigeria to monitor the 2015 general election, arguably the fiercest since 1999 when the country returned to the democratic path. But wait for this: Are they all altruistic? Not at all. In the open, they make it look as if their interest is nothing but free, fair and credible polls, but when you probe deeper, you find that these groups have their agenda. And that is to protect their interests. Most irritating is the way some of these countries and observers have been carrying on since the poll was shifted. Irritating also is the way some of these countries and the election observers have been ‘lecturing Nigeria and Nigerians’ in the run up to the poll. On several occasions, they speak as if Nigeria and Nigerians are their subjects.
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Just on Thursday, the US government through its vice president, Joe Biden, raised its interference in Nigeria’s 2015 poll a notch higher when it backed the use Permanent Voter Cards and Smart Card Readers in the election. Other countries have also covertly been interfering in the poll, something clearly an internal affair of Nigeria. While to the non-initiate, nothing is wrong with such interference, discerning Nigerians know that if there was nothing in it, these countries and observers would not have shown much interest in the poll. So, while these election monitors are welcome, Nigerians must be wary of these monitors as they are in Nigeria to do the bidding of the countries and organisations they represent.
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The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.
Amilcar Cabral
John Quincy Adams
Theodore Roosevelt
Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories...
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
‘PDP plots to frame us with dollars’ Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday said it had uncovered a plot by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to link its leaders to the importation of huge amount of United States dollars by some unknown persons who would in turn claim that they were hired as cash couriers by APC leaders. National Publicity Secretary of
the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, levelled this allegation in a statement in Abuja, adding that the funds were to be ferried into the country through the Seme or IdiIroko, or any other border posts, anytime from now. But in a swift reaction, the PDP, described the allegation as another set of lies fabricated by the APC, and asked the opposition leaders to get ready to face the music if they violated any law. The APC said those who orchestrated the planned importa-
tion of the raw cash from a West African nation had also tipped off the security agents at the border posts to watch out for those who would be bringing in the colossal amount in U.S. dollars. ‘‘Their plan is that once the couriers – who have been coached on their assignment – are arrested by Nigerian security agents, they will point accusing fingers at some top APC leaders who supposedly commissioned them to bring in the money to be used for the forthcoming elections.
L-R. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Head of Department, Voters Education, Mrs. Ijeoma Igbokwe; Director International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade and Deputy Director, Nigeria Press Council, Mrs. Stella Jibrin at the presentation of media reporting of election by IPC held in Lagos… on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
‘‘The plotters of the evil plan will then order the arrest of the leaders, with a view to damaging their credibility and destabilising them ahead of the elections,” the party said. The APC said that as many evil plots as were being hatched by desperadoes who were bent on setting the country ablaze just to realise their naked ambition would be exposed, because Nigerians themselves, within and outside the government, had decided to be extra vigilant. Mohammed stated: ‘‘Let’s be clear: Our leaders, who have been the targets of unprecedented mudslinging as well as physical and psychological threats will not be intimidated into abandoning their epic struggle to save our country from a rapacious administration. ‘‘Therefore, let those who have been unrelenting in threatening them and also painting them black, using every means imaginable, desist, because their game is up. The people of Nigeria have repudiated their primitive tactics,” it said. The APC said those who would, in their usual manner, rush to deny this plot must remember that despite their denials in the past, all the alarms raised by the party had either come to pass or been checkmated by their exposure. ‘‘Let us remind them that we Continued on page 6
Boko Haram kills wives to make paradise ÏÏÏIf
reports by acclaimed witnesses are anything to go by, dozens of women who were forced to marry Boko Haram fighters may have been killed by their “husbands” at the approach of government troops in the town of Bama on Thursday. Scores of bodies were also reportedly discovered by troops inside wells. The report came as President Goodluck Jonathan also assured people of the North-East of his government’s determination to completely rid the region of Islamic terrorists. Five witnesses who recounted the massacres to AFP said the Islamist militants feared they would be killed by advancing soldiers or separated from their wives when they fled the town. They killed the women to prevent them from marrying soldiers or other so-called non-believers, they added.
“The terrorists said they would not allow their wives to be married to infidels,” said Sharifatu Bakura, 39, a mother of three. Boko Haram forcibly married scores of women in Bama after seizing it in September. The town was recaptured on Monday. Witnesses who were taken under military protection this week to Borno’s capital, Maiduguri, 73 kilometres away, said the killing of the women began 10 days before Bama was liberated. The Islamists said “if they kill their wives, they would remain pious until both of them meet again in heaven, where they would reunite”, said Salma Mahmud, another witness. A vigilante who fought alongside the military in the battle to retake Bama, Abba Kassim, said he saw “dozens of women corpses” in the town. While other witnesses reported
a similarly high casualty figure, the numbers could not be verified. Fanna Aisami, 52, also in Maiduguri after escaping Bama this week, said the executions followed a warning from Boko Haram’s top commander in the town. “He informed them of the situation and the consequence of the takeover of the town by the advancing troops. “He warned them that when soldiers killed them, they would take their wives back to the society where they would be forced to marry and live with infidels,” the mother of seven said, speaking by phone to AFP in Kano. The commander “said it would be better for them to kill their wives and send them to heaven,” Aisami added. A number of women were shot dead in front of the commander’s house, she further said. Yagana Mairambe, 58, reported
similar details but told AFP that “some Boko Haram men refused” and fled with their wives towards neighbouring Yobe state. In another development, a large number of dead bodies, were discovered in wells in Bama. The bodies were apparently those of some of their hostages or those who resisted them, unconfirmed reports have said. Others were said to have been executed on the River Bama Bridge as the terrorists fled the town. Civilians who have been cooperating with troops also narrated horrendous tales of the brutality of the terrorists while they held sway and ruled with iron hands, executing their own version of religious jurisprudence. An intelligence officer confirmed that the cordon and search Continued on page 6
NNPC berates Emir Sanusi over kerosine subsidy ÏÏÏThe
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has condemned the latest claims of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, that the issues surrounding the missing $20 billion oil money have not been adequately, addressed by the Federal Government. Sanusi had told CNN’s Christine Amanpour, in an interview on Wednesday, that the level of corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector was still high. NNPC, while reacting to the claim, through a statement issued on Thursday by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said that the respected traditional ruler got it wrong again. It stated that one of the issues raised by Sanusi was the billions of dollars being paid as kerosine subsidy, stressing that after exhaustive deliberations and investigations, the Senate Committee on Finance, in a report, recommended that the Executive should prepare and present to the National Assembly a supplementary budget. The budget, according to NNPC, was “to cover the expenditure in the sum of N90.6 billion for premium motor spirit subsidy in 2012 and N685.9 billion for kerosine subsidy, expended without appropriation by the National Assembly”. It said PriceWaterhouseCoopers, an international auditing firm, also observed, in its recent forensic audit report, that “regarding the issue of subsidy on kerosine, the Presidential Directive of 19 October, 2009, was not gazetted and there is no other legal instrument cancelling the subsidy on DPK. “The Senate Committee had also concluded that all that was now required was for the (Federal Government of Nigeria) FGN to propose appropriation for the unappropriated subsidy for the period in a supplemental budget”, NNPC added. The statement further noted that the corporation was, “therefore, at a loss as to what Sanusi meant by his statement that issues surrounding his allegation of unremitted $20billion, especially, regarding kerosine subsidy, have not been adequately addressed.”
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
5 News
Declaring parallel results is electoral offence - IGP Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏInspector-General of Police,
L-R. Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and former Chairman, Confab committee, Sen. Femi Okunronmu at a Post-National Conference Summit, ‘Tomorrow Begins Today’, held in Lagos… on Thursday PHOTO: OLAWALE ROTIMI
Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏIf
anyone believes that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have an easy ride in this year’s general election, that person may be living in a fool’s paradise. National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has told anyone that cared to listen that the party would not have a smooth run at the polls, though he believed that the PDP would still emerge victorious at the end of the day. He said if his party would win at the polls, it would
Mr Suleiman Abba, yesterday, warned politicians against declaration of parallel results during the forth-coming elections. Abba maintained that doing so is an electoral offence. Rather that cause chaos in the country, the police boss advised politicians who might feel aggrieved on the outcome of the election to approach appropriate tribunal for redress. The police boss stated this while briefing the 107 local and
Polls: Mu’azu rules out landslide victory for PDP not be with a wide margin. Alhaji Mu’azu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tony Amadi, yesterday, also assured that President Goodluck Jonathan would declare a Marshall Plan to rebuild the North East geopolitical zone affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, if reelected. The statement says, “Our party
has this programme on the top of our agenda in the next four years. That will be the right way to wipe away the scars of war among the people of that area”. Mu’azu also expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the Nigerian military and their international collaborators in the war against insurgency in the Northeast, as well as the current
mop up operations to flush away the insurgents out of the country. The PDP national chairman, gthough believed that the contest for the Presidency would be a “tight two-horse race,” he was optimistic that this oparty would win the presidential election, as well as winning majority in the National Assembly and also win many more states.
Yoruba leaders divided over Jonathan, Confab Kayode Adelowokan and Kwasu Alhamdu
ÏÏÏSupport for the re-election bid
of President Goodluck Jonathan has pitted prominent Yoruba leaders into two camps – one in support, the other against. As they gathered separately in Lagos and Ibadan on Thursday, both camps expressed different opinions on the topic and the agelong emotive issue of national conference for the ethnic nationality. Those who gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, on the auspices of the Yoruba Assembly, accused President Jonathan of maginalising the region and argued that the 2014 National Conference failed to address issues germane to the establishment of true federalism. Their counterparts in Lagos lauded the President for the conference and its resolutions. They also expressed support for the President’s re-election. The theme of the Pan-Yoruba Summit in Ibadan was: “Yoruba people: our aspirations and A communique issued by them after the
summit listed what they called “minimum demands from the central government of Nigeria.” They argued that the alleged marginalisation of Yoruba people had reached the status of deliberate policy of the Federal Government. Present at the forum were the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Eddy Oyewole, who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana; and the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi. Also in attendance was the Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; convener of the event, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd.); former Ekiti State governors Chief Niyi Adebayo, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; eminent lawyer, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), among others. The communiqué further expressed the concern of the Yoruba elders, over “calculated attempts to invade and subjugate Yorubaland, through covert, disguised and even
official policies of the Federal Government.” The communique read in part: “This was seen in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, where fake and hooded combatready militants were deployed under the cover of official security operatives, including the Directorate of State Service, police, and the Nigerian Army. “Also, in the name of job creation, Nigerian youths are being trained and used for partisan political purposes in Yorubaland.” In Lagos, the Afenifere restated its commitment to support the candidacy of President Jonathan. A communiqué issued at the end of the grand finale of the post national conference summit resolved that the Yoruba nation fully backed and would work for the re-election of President Jonathan in the presidential election as the only guarantee for the implementation of the Confab recommendations. The communiqué was signed by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chairman of the summit and Afenifere leader; Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of
Ondo state and convener; Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Minister of State for Works; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (2). The list also included Chief Reuben Fasoranti, National Leader of Afenifere; Chief Olabode George, PDP chieftain; Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Secretary of Afenifere; Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chairman, President Advisory committee on the National conference; Dr. Kunle Olajide, Yoruba unity group and secretary of Yoruba Delegation to confab; Prof Dupe Olatunbosun, Yoruba Leader; Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, National Chairman, Unity Party of Nigeria and founder of the Oodua People congress (OPC); Otunba Gani Adams, OPC National coordinator, and others. In their communiqué, the Afenifere said: “Mr. President has demonstrated his commitment to the implementation of the Confab resolutions as evinced by the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the 2014 Confab report at its meeting of Wednesday, March 18, 2015.
international observers accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the general elections. Mr. Abbah disclosed that information at his disposal has it that some politicians are planning to declare parallel result of elections by themselves. According to the IGP, “We hope that this does not happen but I want to warn those involved to desist from that, as such is an invitation to anarchy. “In civilised societies they do not take the law into their hands, but they resort to tribunal” Abba said.
Court strikes out suit against Obanikoro Titilope Joseph
ÏÏÏJustice Kazeem Alogba of a
Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on Thursday, struck out a suit meant to bar Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, from contesting for any electoral office in Nigeria. Sen. Obanikoro was recently appointed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II by President Goodluck Jonathan. The suit, which was filed by three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was dismissed by the judge base on the fact that the basis of the summons lacked merit and was defective. The suit was filed on November 2014 by Babatunde Ogun, Suleiman Saheed and Wasiu Adeniyi Odusan; all PDP members. Joined in the suit as respondents were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP. The ex parte motion which sought to stop Sen. Obanikoro from taking part in the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, which was eventually won by Mr. Jimi Agbaje, had already been dismissed by the court earlier. However, moving the substantive application, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, argued that Obanikoro was not eligible to contest for any political position in Nigeria. He said this was based on the provision of Paragraph 4 (a) of Part iv of the Electoral Guidelines for primary Elections, 2014 of the INEC.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Boko Haram kills wives to make paradise Continued from page 4 of the town was continuing while some persons in the town are also being interrogated by troops. Military and security said as troops advanced on Bama the terrorists embarked on a killing and maiming spree. Military medical teams and emergency workers have been attending to survivors and evacuating internally displaced persons as screening continues in the town. When contacted, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, declined comment on specific atrocities by the terrorists. Olukolade said specific details will only be given after thorough search of the town and its environments is concluded. Meanwhile, President Jonathan yesterday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital assured the people of
the North-East that the federal government was committed to wiping out the Boko Haram sect completely from the zone and the country. The president who was in the state for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign rally explained that the reason the country was not completely save from activities of the insurgents was that some of them were living among the people. Speaking when the PDP campaign train paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashemu II, Jonathan condoled with the people of Yobe and families that lost relations to insurgency. He said, “We are not yet completely save from the hands of these criminal elements because some of them are living with us. They can sneak in and with their improvised explosive devices cause damages, especially at soft targets.”
“But we are working day and night, both the security services and the intelligence services. to make sure that we continue to clean our country until we get this Boko Haram menace behind us.” Explaining why the campaign train had cancelled its campaign in the state during the presidential campaigns, Jonathan said since the elections had been extended for six weeks, it was agreed that Yobe State should be kept until when it was getting close to the elections as part of the party’s final activities.” Fortunately, we are here today. So, thank you for the patience and thank you for the reception. For me, I am a member of the Emirate council as a title holder; I am in my palace,” he stated. Later at the conclusion of his presidential campaign rally to the 36 states of the federation which took place at the Yobe Township Stadium, Jonathan said it was un-
L-R: Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; his deputy, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim; wife of Jimi Agbaje, Mrs. Abiola Agbaje and First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan during the PDP Women rally at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos...on Thursday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI
fortunate that a few individuals took the law into their hands to wreak havoc on the populace. He said, “Let me also convey the sincere condolences of the federal government and our empathies to you on the number of deaths that have been caused by the excesses of the Boko Haram.” It is regrettable that some Nigerians were so fooled by few people to take to such a callous act, killing men, women, children, innocent people and destroying properties. But we thank God that at
least their main bases have been cleaned up by soldiers.” You know that they have been sneaking in to do havoc but the security services and the intelligent services are working day and night to make sure that that also stop. Security is key because without security you cannot develop”. The Emir of Damaturu, Hashemu, had thanked Jonathan for citing a federal university in Gashua, for his good leadership and for waging a successful war against terrorism.
‘PDP plots to frame us with dollars’ Continued from page 4 raised the alarm over their plan to postpone the elections and it came to pass. We raised the alarm over their opposition to the use of card readers and now all Nigerians can see. We raised the alarm that the OPC will demonstrate against Jega in Lagos and it was accurate to the day. We will continue to expose the plotters of evil,” the party said. Meanwhile, Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, while dismissing the allegation on Monday, asked APC leaders to get ready to face the full wrath of the law if they violated any law. Fani-Kayode, who described the allegation as another set of lies fabricated by the APC, said the APC leaders should let the people know if they were planning to bring in some hard currencies into the country with a
view to using it for the coming election. He said: “Once again, the APC has come up with a litany of lies and falsehood. It is clear that whatever affliction has befallen them, it is getting worse by the day, it is irreversible and it is terminal. They are a party that manufactures one lie every minute and seek to sell it to the Nigerian public. “If they are planning to smuggle large amounts of cash from outside the country because they are broke, they should just say so. “Whatever the case, if they violate the laws of the land, by trying to smuggle in the proceeds of ill-gotten gains from foreign land, we shall meet them at the borders of our nation, we shall confiscate the cash and we shall prosecute them fully, according to the law. “We do not need to frame anybody up because we know who the real criminals are. May God judge them for their lies”.
Mark visits war-ravaged Benue community Celestine Okafor (Bureau Chief, Northern Operations)
ÏÏÏSenate
President, David Mark, has lamented the devastation and wanton killings at the war ravaged Egba community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State which was invaded by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen recently. Mark, who was in the community for on-the-spot assessment
of the wreckage on Thursday, expressed shock and sadness over the rate of damage which he likened to genocide. He said the action of the perpetrators was nothing but absolute criminality which must be addressed as such. His words: “This is absolute criminality. All those involved in this barbaric killings must not go unpunished. Government will not tolerate this and all the security networks would be deployed to fish out the perpetrators.”
Mark told his heart-broken constituents that the National Security Council had met over the incident and hinted that President Goodluck Jonathan was already putting measures in place to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the killings with a view to finding a lasting solution to it. He therefore counseled the people to continue to maintain peace, as government has enough apparatuses to deal with the situation in a way that would bring justice
to all concerned. The Senate President added that security has been beefed in the area to forestall a repeat of the ugly incident. He commended the emergency medical team led by Oyaji Suleiman that is assisting the injured and undertook to pay the medical bills. Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, John Ngbede, who hails from the war- ravaged community, pleaded with the Federal Government to police
the boundary between the state and their Nasarawa State neighbours. Ngbede lamented that the porous boundary between the Agatu community and Nasarawa State was giving the invaders unhindered assess to attack them and easily find escape route. Said he, “If there is anything the Federal government can do for us at this critical time, it is to help us police and protect our boundary with Nasarawa state,” he stressed.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
By wooing Atiku, Jonathan plans to divide APC, says Fayemi Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏFormer Governor of
Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said that the alleged moves to woo former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by President Goodluck Jonathan is to factionalise the All Progressives Congress (APC). He added that it is also aimed at dimming the chances of the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during the March 28 election. Fayemi, while speaking on
Thursday on a private television station in Lagos said that the declaration of support for the reelection bid of Jonathan by some groups within the Turaki Vanguard, won’t yield any fruitful result. He said that the rumoured attempt to sack the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, could only be tenable, if done in accordance with the 1999 Constitution. Fayemi, who is the Director of Policy, Research and Documentation of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, said
Atiku remained a committed leader of the party, whose utmost preoccupation now was how Buhari would win the election. He said: “Anybody can just pick some people on the streets and call them members of Turaki’s group. Though, I am aware of the surreptitious plans to divide us, but wooing Atiku back to PDP will, certainly, not work, because he is committed to this project." The former Governor said further: “Atiku is still in APC and he has come out boldly to denounce these groups. It was a
fact that he offered himself to be president but the delegates acted otherwise by voting for Gen Buhari." He added: “I don’t foresee that he will walk away from APC on the basis of this, because there is nothing on ground to make him do that. He has remained consistent for Gen. Buhari and he is committed to APC”, noting that the entire Nigerian populace would query the government if sacked Jega, a few days to the general election. “Such attempt could bring suspicion that would do the country no good," he said.
Again, Okorocha absent at peace accord session Val Okara
ÏÏÏGovernor
Okorocha
Court reinstates sacked 180 NSCDC officials, eight years after Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
National Industrial Court (NIC) has reinstated 180 officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that were sacked about eight years ago. Justice Oluseun Adefolake Shogbola, who gave the order on Thursday, also directed the organization to return the employment letters to all the affected staff members. The court also ordered it to pay their salary arrears, totalling about N1.2 billion, while it restrained the organisation from further tampering with the employment of the claimants, who were sacked in 2007. The NSCDC had argued that there was no valid contract of employment with the claimants, adding that they were never shortlisted and that no appointment letter was given to them, adding that their purported letters of employment were fake.
Pipeline security contracts’ll benefit communities - Kuku
Owerri
Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was absent at the signing of a peace accord organised by the state Police Command for all governorship candidates and party chairmen. The ceremony was held at the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, with 11 governorship candidates and 19 chairmen of political parties in attendance. The signing of peace accord was the second Okorocha failed to attend. While the signing of the agreement was going on, Okorocha was attending a prayer summit at the Imo International Conference Centre (IICC) a few metres from the police headquarters. The state deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere, who represented him, was not allowed to sign the peace accord because it was designed for governorship candidates and their party chairmen.
7 News
Joy Ekeke
ÏÏÏThe Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left); Convener, Yoruba Assembly Forum (YAF), Gen. Alani Akinrinade, (2nd right), Oyo State Governor, Sen. Isiaka Ajumobi (right) and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Koyode Fayemi, during meeting of (YAF) Agodi, lbadan, Oyo State… on Thursday
UNIABUJA plans debate for Jonathan, Buhari Augustine Okezie Abuja
ÏÏÏ The University of
Abuja will host the two major presidential flag bearers, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a debate on March 25, 2015. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Director of the Sultan Maccido Institute of the university, and Chairman of the seven-member debate committee, Uwakwe Abugu, said the exercise would serve as a “platform,
on behalf of the over 60 million registered voters in Nigeria, who are craving for templates for good governance from those aspiring to lead them, in order to assist them in making an informed choice.” Abugu said in the world today, universities had remained the natural domicile for presidential and other national debates, adding that the Institute planned to build a 1,000-seater auditorium to be named Centre for National Debate, to host all future political and national debates and conferences. He informed that the political parties had been notified of
the debate and expressed hope that all presidential candidates would participate, which is the first to be conducted by any institution of tertiary learning for candidates vying for the office of the President in Nigeria. “The decision of the Institute to embark on this first ever effort by any institute or any university in Nigeria, is to discharge the patriotic burden upon us, as a catalyst for stimulation, generation, exchange and dissemination of ideas, issues and debates, especially, with respect to good leadership and responsible and responsive governance.
Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has said that the award of pipeline security contracts in the Niger Delta by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will enhance community participation and human capacity development, if properly handled by the beneficiary companies. Kuku, who is also Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), stated this in a press release by his Special Assistant/Head, Media and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, following the controversy that trailed the award of the contract in Bayelsa State. “The communities cannot bear the effect of oil exploration activities and vandalism of pipelines and not benefit from securing their communities and environment. This is a step in the right direction by the NNPC, as it will foster peace and security in the region,” he said.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Politics
s
Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng
BENT
Jonathan
How Jonathan reconciled feuding Adamawa PDP leaders
President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday had a closed-door reconciliation meeting with aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Adamawa State at Government House, Yola. After the marathon session, one of the aggrieved stakeholders in attendance, Senator Grace Bent had an interaction with select journalists. WALE AKINTUNDE was there. Excerpts: You are one of the key players in Adamawa State
politics, how will you describe the reconciliation meeting you had with Mr. President? Mr. President has been travelling to cities in Nigeria where there seems to be trouble in PDP, trying to put the house in order. Adamawa State happens to be one of the very bad cases where the PDP has done what I call gross injustice; what I referred to as a deadly blow to the teaming members of the party in the state. Since democratic inception in 1999, Adamawa State had
always been in the PDP and I think Mr. President having that at the back of his mind decided to get himself involved in the reconciliation. I must commend his magnanimity, despite his very tight schedule, he was able to come and listen to us. What really thrilled me was the fact that he insisted on hearing from the aggrieved aspirants. The PDP has totally dismembered and a lot of its members have abandoned the party for no CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
YORUBALAND
OPC raises the stakes in Presidential polls Akinjide Akintola Ahead of next week’s presidential elections, the stakes are beginning to get higher in Yorubaland which is now split between the two major presidential gladiators, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Last Monday’s protests by members of the Odua Peoples Congress, (OPC) in Lagos in support of the presidential aspirations of President Jonathan further raised the stakes in the commercial centre of the country which is regarded as one of the major flash points of violence ahead of next week’s elections. Before Monday’s protests which reverberated across the state hitherto thought to be the stronghold of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the opposition APC, Presi-
MARCH POLLS:
Why military should be involved
– Oduoye
dent Jonathan himself has been in and out of the state in the last five weeks since the postponement of the polls, trying to garner support of not only Lagosians but the entire Yorubaland. With the exception of Ondo State, the entire Yorubaland was under the control of APC snatched from PDP through all forms and means and it was only last year that the PDP was able to retrieve Ekiti back into its fold. Thus, for the forthcoming elections, Yorubaland appears to be epic centre for the political war game ahead. Lagos, which has the larger population of voters in the Yoruba nation and currently under the control of APC is the target of both parties. Indeed, 12 hours before the OPC protest, the President was in Lagos in an interactive session with notable musicians and artistes in the entertainment industry in the country, many of whom later joined the protest. Barely six hours after he
left, the OPC led Nollywood actors and other supporters of President Jonathan in protest demanding the sacking of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, before the March 28 elections. Carrying placards under the banners of Coalition of Concerned Nigerians (CCN), they started out from the 7UP/Toll Gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway towards Ikorodu road enroute National Stadium chanting anti-Jega and proJonathan songs. They were led by OPC National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams. Though they claimed to be protesting against the INEC chairman, it was apparent that the march was against the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Lagos who had organised a march through Lagos for their presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari bare-
Son of former Military Administrator of Niger and Ebonyi states, Chef Simeon Oduoye, Kayode joined Politics since the days of his late father, but little was heard about him until few years ago when he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Scion of the Oduoye dynasty of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Govern-
ment Area of Osun State is the candidate of PDP for Ifelodun/ Odo-Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency of the state. He spoke to MICAHEL BAMIGBOLA in Osogbo on next week’s elections and his programmes for his constituency amongst others. Excerpts:
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
What’s your political ante-
Adams
cedents and why are you jostling for House of Representatives seat? I joined politics way back in 2001 and I was playing a supportive role for my late father, Senator Simeon Oduoye when he declared his intention to serve. Over a period of time, I was able to gather a lot of experience
and get myself packaged. Since then, I have been with my people within my locality and my constituency. As a politician, I can serve my people in any position. Representing my people will enable me present laws that will facilitate development in the three Local Government Areas CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
9 Politics
Bent: Apart from Jonathan, we can’t guarantee victory for other candidates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
fault of theirs .They have gone to other parties to seek solace. Now, we have very strong five political parties on ground. In other words, there are four opposition parties which PDP has to contest with. I think Mr. President may have done some independent investigations and found out that all is not well with the PDP in Adamawa State and has come to put the house in order. I am more than aggrieved. I have been so cheated; I am so bruised politically as a very strong member of the PDP and a very popular candidate for that matter; a grass root politician and was marginalised. I think PDP has been so unfair to us. I told Mr. President that anything built on falsehood will never stand. I am precisely talking about the Kangaroo primary, the sham election that was said to have been held in Abuja, it is totally unacceptable to us. We voiced out all these grievances to Mr. President and he felt for us and he admitted that Adamawa case was particularly painful to him because he knew the kind of votes he got in the state in the 2011 presidential poll, over 68 percent of the total votes, running to 550,000 above. And we are actually thinking that 2015 will be a special case for Mr. President but the people that are poised to destroy the PDP messed up the whole thing. For what the president has said today, let us see how we can work around it and then give Mr. President some good votes. If we cannot do better than what we did for him in 2011 presidential election we should not go below. How will you situate the reconciliation meeting with Mr. President, can you call it
a successful one as the elections is fast approaching? Reconciliation is a process. It is not something you achieve at a goal. I believe Mr. President will still despite his tight schedule, invite some prominent stakeholders in the state who are crowd pullers and still talk to them. I think the reconciliation is a good start because it is coming from the President. The national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, was completely sober at the meeting. Do you think this reconciliation will have impact on your party since the election is less than two weeks considering the crack between the party stakeholders? I wouldn’t say the reconciliation will not yield desired result, but if you want to quantify the result, it might be a bit difficult. I want to say its a 50/50 thing because I cannot speak for everybody; but for those who attended the meeting, seeing the body languages of everybody, there is a thing to be done. It was learnt that during the reconciliation meeting you congratulated Senator Zwingina? It’s is a lie. I fought Zwingina because he lied in the presence of Mr. President. Zwingina is a man that has a credibility problem. I sometimes wondered why somebody that had been a distinguished senator of Nigeria will carry out certain things that are questionable. Technically, PDP does not have candidates in Adamawa State, if we go by the rule of the party and election guidelines of 2014. It is very clear, it stated that all primaries elections must hold at the party constituency. In other
words, for the Southern Senatorial should have taken place in Numan for the Governorship it should have taken place in Yola. APC had elections without rancour from the state House of assembly to the governorship. PDP had the state assembly here without rancour. It is because people like Zwingina who know they do not have a base here took the election to Abuja. He wouldn’t have won a primary that is free and fair here. People say the whole unfavorable political scenario in the PDP is caused by party’s primaries in which Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and others emerged, will you join their campaign train? It will be unkind of me to tell you that I will follow them in their campaign train without consulting my team members. The president has spoken to us today, what I intend to do is to go back to my constituency and meet my people and inform them about the president’s message. The issue is not about me, politics is about people. One
Muazu
“I think the reconciliation is a good start because it is coming from the President. The national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, was completely sober at the meeting.”
“The president has spoken to us today, what I intend to do is to go back to my constituency and meet my people and inform them about the president’s message.”
BENT should understand that people have power to make or mar you. If I take decision on my own without considering my teaming supporters, it will affect my future political ambition. How far can Mr. President’s intervention in the PDP crisis assist the party’s candidates which the electorate see as un-marketable? That is the major challenges before us. If one looks at the line up of the candidates fielded by the party, one will be confused as to how possible they will scale through. For instance, Senator Silas Zwingina is so unmarketable. He is not a product one can sell. I told the national chairman that I can’t see myself campaigning for Senator Zwingina. I can go out and campaign for Mr. President, I know my people will vote for Mr. President because he means well
“Senator Silas Zwingina is so unmarketable. He is not a product one can sell. I told the national chairman that I can’t see myself campaigning for Senator Zwingina.”
Aggrieved over congress held in Abuja for this country and he has all it takes to move the country forward. But there are certain people one cannot campaign for. Politics in Nigeria is revolting. It is not about party again, it is about individuals, so if the party carries political liability as candidates, it should blame itself. There are certain places I can’t go to campaign for Senator Zwingina because I will be stoned. If anything happens to me, Zwingina will move on with his life. He will celebrate that one of his enemies or political arch rivals has gone. So the party must take cognisance of that. if you know the calibre of candidates that left PDP to other parties who are sellable, that you don’t even have to tell people to vote for them because by their fruits you shall know them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Zwingina
Politics 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
ly two weeks earlier. What made it clear as anti APC rally was that campaign boards belonging to the APC were destroyed and people who had the party’s emblems on their vehicles were humiliated even while the heavily armed policemen who provided security for them watched helplessly. Surprisingly, the OPC members wielded guns, cutlasses and pocket knives among other weapons, which they used in harassing some motorists and passers-by. The police escort was joined by Task Force officers of the FERMA in their all-black attire The message was unmistakable, Lagos was no longer under the stranglehold of APC, the PDP, and President Jonathan now have a stake. Lagos must be taken from APC at all costs. Even though no life was lost in the protest, the political implication of the development was not lost on political watchers in the state. With the armed OPC on the side of PDP, anything can happen on Election Day as the APC-controlled state also has its own army of supporters across the state. Already, the fresh development has engendered a lot of sharp reactions across Yorubaland especially as a lot of Yoruba leaders and groups had earlier endorsed the candidacy of President Jonathan. This has started to pitch people and groups against each other. Political commentator and social activist, Kayode Ogundamisi, said: “OPC was strictly a self determination group until Dr Fredrick Fasehun swallowed General Obasanjo’s ‘apple’ that led to the break up and factional crisis.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Lagos is theatre of militia war “The message was unmistakable, Lagos was no longer under the stranglehold of APC. The PDP, and President Jonathan now have a stake. Lagos must be taken from APC at all cost.” “History is repeating itself again in 2015. Goodluck Jonathan is ‘donating’ more apples into the OPC leadership and it is only a matter of time the followers would ask both leaders for a ‘just share’. “I would just advice both Dr Fasehun and Gani Adams that whatever assignment they are carrying out for President Jonathan, they should do so within the laws of the land. Today’s attack on innocent citizens in Lagos and destruction of oppo-
Tinubu
Jonathan
Buhari
sition party posters, beating up of members of the public with APC flags is uncalled for. We can not return to the dark days of lawlessness and brigandage. Dollars don’t last forever, but the Yoruba race will outlive all us,” he added. Already, the protest has created a serious break in the ranks of the OPC as about 50 pioneer members of the OPC have accused Gani Adams of betraying the Yoruba People.” Speaking on behalf of the
group, Comrade Shina Akinpelu said, the National Coordinating Council of the OPC, the highest ruling body of the organisation, dissociated itself from what he called “the shameful, destructive, violent and reactionary activities of the Gani Adam” describing the actions of the protesters and their leader as “the highest level of political violence sponsored and funded by certain elements in the Jonathan government. “Gani Adams is on his own
and does not enjoy the support of a large size of our membership spread across the country,” Comrade Akinpelu said. “He is working for the sponsors of violence against our people who want the March 28 elections not to hold. Unleashing terror on innocent citizens and killing them is not the way of democracy. It is not our idea of a people-oriented advocacy. “Gani Adams is on dubious CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
‘Muazu, other PDP bigwigs behind Adamawa crisis’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
What is your reaction to the allegation that Mr. President and the national chairman were responsible for Adamawa PDP crisis based on their individual interest considering the process that brought up Malam Nuhu Ribadu as the party’s flag bearer? I want us to exonerate Mr. President from the PDP crisis in the state. We met Mr. President a couple of times when this thing was going on. I want the buck to end at the table of the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. He and some PDP bigwigs were the masterminds
of the crisis. We had a meeting with them, with Mr. President where Muazu was told that sanity should prevail in Adamawa PDP. And that he should stop his plan because it will cause deep wound for the PDP in Adamawa State. Muazu went ahead and dispense with our advise after Mr. President had told him Adamawa and Taraba states were critical to him as the two places can guarantee PDP victory. But the National Chairman went ahead to run the so call primaries against the party guideline. Do you think the elections will be violence free? We are praying for peace. I don’t want to be a pessimist as a
Christian. All I want to say is that God will take control. Of course, you cannot have perfect elections even in an advance country like America. A lot of people have been saying there will be violence. I don’t want to subscribe to that, all I want is peace. I want Nigerians to know that God will take control. What will you say about the card reader introduced by INEC? This is a new invention. Because its new there will be reactions. We know that it was used in Ghana and South Africa. The advantage we have which may equally be a disadvantage is our population, but you see change is
always resisted because it is new to us. I will say that INEC need to do a lot in terms of sensitisation on card reader. I know we cannot continue with the old way of doing thing, life is dynamic. INEC needs to take cognisance of our illiterate population especially those in the villages how can they adjust to it. But I think for starters, we should give INEC the benefit of doubt. If stakeholders of the PDP in Southern Zone fail to deliver Zwingina don’t you think this will affect your future political ambition? If somebody loses an election, are you going to say Grace Bent loses? It does not have anything to
do with Grace Bent, the bottom line is the beauty of democracy. I am a party person to the core but that does not mean I should take the electorate for granted. If I tell them to vote for PDP and the candidate messes up with them, It is going to affect my political future because they will say I am the one that told them to vote for the candidates. What can you tell those people who are aggrieved, if one tells them to sheath their swords, surely they will do that but when they go to cast their votes in a secret ballot, will I follow them or tell the person to go and vote for a particular candidate which he or she may not vote for. I can canvass for votes but the electorate has the final say.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
11 Politics
Oduoye: Change those clamouring for change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
that make up my constituency. My belief is service above self and that I want to do, hence my involvement in politics and aspiration into the House. Barely a week to the election, what is your own perception about your acceptability by the people of your constituency and how prepared are you? If we are to go by the feelers we have from all the nooks and crannies of my constituency and even the state at large, I can tell you that the election is a walk over for me. The reception is well encouraging and warm; the support is overwhelming as well. I’m sure that with this and other factors when we go to the poll come 28th of March, I will definitely emerge victorious. I strongly believe that the people of my constituency are with me and God is with me. Politics is all about people and it’s about number. I am sure majority of our people are by my side, so there is no cause for alarm. I will surely emerge victorious. With APC in government in Osun State, don’t you think that the power of incumbency can work against you? There is nothing like the power of incumbency. Incumbency can only work when the party ruling the state is doing well. The issue of rigging or forcing their way through could only be done if they have done well and the truth is that they don’t have the majority on their side. If you are close to the people at
the grassroots, you will deduce that there is no way these people can force their way in. People at the grassroots are clamouring for change, they are the people who we need to change as they are clamouring for change. So, I can speak convincingly about what we have done in terms of good philanthropic gesture for the people. In the cause of interacting with the people we discovered that they are really tired of APC. Come 28th of March and 11th April, the PDP will emerge victorious in all the polls. If elected, what are your programmmes for your people? My first and primary assignment is to give them good, functional and better representation, and that I can assure them. I will ensure that I impact positively on their lives and I will enhance a better living condition for my people. There is this insinuation that your immediate community (Ikirun) does not support your ambition, how true is this? There is no crisis about my choice in my home town contrary to the rumours being peddled around. I am well accepted by all and sundry even beyond my federal constituency. What I think we have is a man kicking against the bricks which will amount to wasted effort. Some are panicking about my emergence which will put an end to their greed and non performance. The dynamic has changed, those that don’t know before have been enlightened
“The issue of rigging or forcing their way through could only be done if they have done well and the truth is that they don’t have the majority on their side.”
Oduoye and educated so, the people of Ikirun are speaking with one voice that Kayode Oduoye must emerge victorious come 28th of March 2015, anything outside that is fallacy, null and void. What’s your take on the introduction of Card Reader by INEC? Whether you use Card Reader or not, in as much as there is a level playing ground and the electioneering process is free and fair, we are not bothered. So, let us allow the electorate to free-
ly choose their representatives, card reader or no card reader can not determine my election, my people are well determined to vote, and I strongly believe that nothing can stop them in exercising their civic right. What’s your view on the involvement of military men in the election process? If you check our constitution very well, military men are to protect and safeguard the sovereignty of our country; that does not mean that their job is limited
to the borders. We all know that election in this country in recent times calls for security personnel to forestall crisis and violence. The essence of the military presence is to ensure peace and we all know peace is an essential thing. So, I don’t see anything wrong in involving our military men in election process so far their job will be limited to maintaining peace and order on the road and not at the polling booth. They are to protect the nation’s sovereignty, unity and peace. What advice do you have for the electorate? I want to assure them that as hours go by, minutes go by and seconds go by, we are moving towards our celebration time. At the end of the counting of ballots on 28th of March, 2015, we will all dance to a song of victory, so they should persever the more, be determined and focused. Surely, victory is ours.
As Gani Adams is accused of betraying Yoruba ... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
project. He is using the Pipeline contract from the Jonathan government as a ploy or excuse to recruit people to work for Jonathan and PDP in the South West. Gani Adams is acting against Yoruba interest. The compromises he has made amounts to selling the Yoruba to the present government for a piece of Pipeline contract to line his pockets. OPC is not about Pipeline contracts or any other contracts for that matter. The Yoruba interest
is beyond contracts. We seek justice and fairness from the current government,” he added. The Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and APC senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Hon. Adeola Solomon, said the protest led by Gani is akin to going on a slave errand. Speaking to the Conference of Ward chairmen of APC in his office on the protest and support for Jonathan, Hon. Adeola said the protest by a faction of the ethnic militia was against the
interest of Yoruba people in the South West, adding that no true Yoruba son or daughter would support any administration that completely excludes its people from all the commanding political positions in the running of the affairs of this nation. He recalled that during the travails of the factional OPC leader under military rule and PDP led Federal Government before his new found pipeline security contract, leaders of the progressives in Yoruba land had come to his rescue in sev-
eral life sustaining ways adding that it is now clear that Adams is pursuing his personal interest against Yoruba interest as attested to by many founding members of OPC who have dissociated themselves from his personal economic pursuit. The National Coordinating Council of OPC also called on all “true Yoruba leaders, sons and daughters to stand with us in totally condemning Gani and his anti-democratic tendencies. We must renounce him and remind him he cannot sell the Yoruba
race to Jonathan and PDP so cheap. He also has no authority to speak on behalf of the Yoruba people. We pity those who rely on him to win votes. They will be sorely disappointed. Their investment is a bad one already. We reject today and always any attempt to use our organisation and its members for narrow and selfish partisan purposes. “We call on our people to be vigilant politically at this time. Nigeria needs a new leadership, a new direction and a country that works,” they said.
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Buhari’s wife to First Lady: Don’t be afraid of jail Titus Akhigbe Benin
ÏÏÏHajia
Aishat Buhari, wife of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, threw a verbal punch at First Lady, Dame Patence Jonathan on Thursday, Hajia Buhari said there were no plans to jail President Goodluck Jonathan or if her husband wins the coming
general election. Mrs. Jonathan, had reportedly claimed that General Buhari would jail his political opponents, if elected President in the March 28 election. All that Nigerians want, according to Hajia Buhari, is a change in the manner the country is being governe Speaking with women, in Edo State, Mrs.Buhari said that the Peoples Democratic Party’s attempt to paint her husband black, on religious
issues, was a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people. She said: “Each zone of the country has its peculiar problems. For me, in this zone, girl-child trafficking should be considered one of our problems. Unemployment is the major factor that contributes to brain drain and also the girl-child trafficking. General Muhammadu Buhari is a leader, who led Nigeria some decades ago and he is coming back
now to sanitise the system.” Hajia Buhari added: “For those who are campaigning, saying that he is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is. But they shouldn’t be afraid, because we are all yearning for change. The insecurity in the country, the very poor healthcare system, lack of education and other basic necessities are reasons for which, I believe, Nigerians need somebody like General Muhammadu Buhari now.”
L-R: APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (left) and Bishop Joha Katung during a Town Hall meeting with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja… on Wednesday PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN
Imo guber: Owerri group, monarchs back Ihedioha Ihedioha
Val Okara Owerri
ÏÏÏA group, the Owerri
Peoples Assembly (OPA), has adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, for the April 11, 2015 election. The OPA, an umbrella organ for Owerri indigenes, both at home and in diaspora, demanded that, in line with justice and equity, the next governor of Imo State should come from the zone. Briefing newsmen, on
I’ll not join issues with parasites - Gani Adams Kayode Adelowokan
ÏÏÏFollowing
sure equity in the polity, in line with the PDP’s manifesto and visions of our founding fathers. “We strongly believe that the implementation of this report that covers the views of all segments of the populace is also expected to help in addressing some sociopolitical challenges in the land, guarantee harmonious living among the people and boost economic growth across the country.” Metuh also noted that the
approval, coming shortly after the reduction in electricity tariff and cut in the price of petrol, clearly underscored President Jonathan’s commitment to the well-being of the people and development of the nation. The PDP, therefore, charged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for Jonathan and demonstrate this by voting for him and other PDP candidates in the March 28 and April 11 elections.
a reaction from a Council member of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) to its rally on Monday, the National Cordinator of the group, Otunba Gani Adams, on Thursday, said he had decided not to react to a ‘faceless’ parasite. Gani Adams disclosed this, while briefing reporters, at the post-National Conference Summit, held in Lagos, and that the protest had shaken the entire structure of the All Progressives Congress, adding that: “They were confused and were looking for any rabble rouser to say any negative thing against me.” “My personality is beyond where you can sponsor a parasite to make negative comments against me. I never built myself; God did. No man can destroy God’s
Tom Garba
the North-East. He made this known, on Thursday, at a town hall meeting, in Yola, for Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas. The two are among the seven local governments ear-
lier taken over by the Boko Haram terrorists. The military has, recently, recaptured them from Boko Haram terrorists. Ngilari said that Jonathan had had several sleepless nights in making efforts that
PDP lauds Jonathan, FEC over approval of Confab report Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for Wednesday’s approval of the final report of the 2014 National Conference. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, made the commendation in a statement, on
Thursday, in Owerri, the President-General of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, disclosed that a committee was set up to examine the capacity of each governorship candidate from Owerri Zone, which latter recommended Ihedioha as the best option for the race. The OPA expressed serious concern over the large number of candidates from Owerri contesting for governorship of law state and that unless Owerri people united and supported a single and credible candidate, the governorship may elude Owerri.
Thursday, in Abuja. He said “The development shows that the President and the PDP government are sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian people as encapsulated in the report. “This move, which has been positively received by Nigerians, is in keeping with President Jonathan’s avowed commitment to strengthen the unity and stability of the nation, plug waste in the system and en-
Ngilari absolves Jonathan of blame over Boko Haram
Yola
ÏÏÏGovernor Bala Ngilari
of Adamawa State has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is not party to the nsurgency that is ravaging
structure. “I will not join issues with parasites. I will not join issues with wings who do not have a foundation. “I will not join issue with a faceless individual, who issued a press statement without showing himself, but called himself a council member.” He added: “If you have issue with me, face me, don’t use a parasite against me. If you can’t compete with me, go and put yourself where you belong.”
Adams
the military won the war against insurgency. He noted that Jonathan got his highest votes in the 2011 election and wondered how he the president destroy the communities that gave him victory.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Warri NBA sues Jonathan, PDP, others over card readers Omon Esene Warri
ÏÏÏThe
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch, has filed a suit, over alleged attempts to stop the use of Card Readers for the forthcoming general election. The suit is at a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, with President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) as defendants. Also joined in the suit, registered as FHC/WR/CS/40/2015, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The NBA wants Justice Abubakar Shittu to “determine whether any of the parties to the
suit has rights to interfere with the use of the Voters’ Card Reading Machines (VCRMs) for the polls”. The plaintiffs, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, Chairman, Mr. Othadua Okpakpor, Secretary and Mr. Olukunle Edun, Chairman, Public Interest Litigation Committee, all of NBA Warri branch, joined Jonathan, PDP and APC as 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, respectively. They also seek a court injunction restraining the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from interfering with the functions of the 1st defendant, INEC, particularly, with regards to the usage of the VCRMs in the forthcoming elections. The claimants are also asking the court to give an order com-
pelling INEC, either by itself, servants, agents and privies to use the VCRMs in the 2015 general election and subsequent elections. According to the plaintiffs, since the National Assembly appropriated money for the purchase of the VCRMs in the 2014 Appropriation Act and was duly assented to by the President (2nd defendant), the respondents could not turn around to oppose same. The claimants argued that the cancellation of the use of the VCRMs would amount to a violation of the 2014 Appropriation Act, fundamental rights of the citizens and credibility of the elections. Subsequently, the plaintiffs, among others, asked the court to declare that: ‘’the 1st defendant
L-R: Advisory Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr Chiagozie Nwizu; Chief Executive Officer, Gate & Shield Global Concept Limited, Mr. Austin Olu; Chief Executive Officer, ECCOH Trends Realty Company Limited, Mr. Charles Ojo; Business Manager, Diamond Bank Plc, Mrs. Uloma Jide-Afonja and a consultant, CLM Consulting Limited, Mr.John Ekpikhe, during the 49th BusinessXpress Seminar of Diamond Bank Plc in Abuja… on Wednesday Photo: Temitope Balogun
FG making progress in employment generation – SURE-P 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏThe Project Director of the
Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Mr. Peter Papka, has said that effort of the present administration at empowering the youths in the country to reduce widespread unemployment has begun yielding results. Papka said this on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State, at an interactive forum to get feedback
from the interns. He added that as a result of the success of the scheme, the country was witnessing the birth of new Small and Medium Scales Enterprises (SMEs) and cooperative societies. "As a government, we can boldly say that the purpose of setting up the GIS, which is for them to acquire employable skills is being achieved", he said. He disclosed that over 22,000 graduates have been deployed while about 500 secured jobs through the initiative, thus, becoming employers of labour.
"Two of these have won YouWin grants to expand their businesses, using GIS stipends and many have set up cooperative associations, which may transform into SMES”, Papka added. He noted that in order to consolidate on the success recorded so far and in line with the Federal Government's resolve to diversify the economy of the country, the GIS keyed into the non-oil sectors. "This is with a view to developing capacity and skills required to complement the oil and gas sector of the economy", he added.
(INEC) cannot be subjected to the control and influence of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants. ‘’That the voter’s card reading machines, being part of the operations and activities of the 1st defendant, the 1st defendant cannot, therefore, be compelled by the 2nd, 3rd , and 4th defendants to withdraw the use of same in the 2015 general election or direct its usage.
13 News Oyo Accord Party members defect to APC, tear cards ÏÏÏHundreds
of Accord Party (AP) members in Oyo State, on Wednesday, publicly tore their membership cards, while leading members of other opposition parties defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Theycited lack of internal democracy and integrity among party leaders for their action. The defectors from Accord, Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and KOWA Party, who were in their thousands, were received into the APC fold by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and state party Chairman, Chief Akin Oke. The followers of a late Accord Party stalwart, Mrs. Bola Amole, who died mysteriously on the eve of her planned defection from the party to APC, led by Alhaja Sola Olasunkanmi and Alhaji Salawu Taiwo wept bitterly as they announced their exit from the party.
Jonathan
Judge’s absence stalls EFCC trial of Saraki's cousin Ola Yekeen Ilorin
ÏÏÏThe trial of the Kwara State
Commissioner for Information, Prince Tunji Morounfoye and Mr. Ope Saraki, a cousin to Senator Bukola Saraki, before the Ilorin Federal High Court could not hold on Thursday. The case, assigned to Justice Olayinka Faji, could not be mentioned on Thursday because of the judge’s absence, a situation that got lawyers, who had filled courtroom as at 9.15am, disappointed when informed by the court clerk that the court would not be sitting. Lawyers to both the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Joseph Uzor and that of the accused persons, Dr. Kayode Olatoke (SAN) later agreed on April 23, 2015 as the new date. Morounfoye was a Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to former Governor Bukola Saraki, while Ope Saraki is the current Special Adviser on the same MDG to the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The two were accused of money laundering, abuse of office, corruptly enriching themselves.
Osinbajo urges FCT indigenes to fight land injustice Idu Jude Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory have been advised to fight the injustice of the land policy, which denied them the benefits in the Abuja Master Plan. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who gave the advice while speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday said that the time had come for the FCT indigenes to rise against the orchestrated distortion of the original land policy and master plan of the city, which many administrators, past and present, exploited to feather their nests. According to him, the Abuja master plan, had, in the past, been distorted to suit several needs, without considering the plight of the people. He said "No administration is going to fight for your right, except you. It is obvious that many things have gone wrong in the past years through the actions of past leadership. Not even the incoming leadership of the APC would do it for you. Please arise and fight, ask them for your rights. "The FCT needs a pragmatic change driven by activists, who can initiate the move to liberate the people from the shackles of injustice," he added.
International 14
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
China, Japan hold first security talks in four years
Abe shakes hands with Xi Jinping (R), during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
ÏÏÏ China and Japan are holding their first high-level security talks in four years, following recent tensions over territorial and historical issues. The meeting in Tokyo among officials comes ahead of trilateral talks with South Korea on Saturday. The last round of talks was in 2011, before ties worsened over a row over islands in the East
China Sea. China also claims Japan has failed to adequately atone for aggression in World War Two. But the BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing says relations are slowly improving and at the top of the meeting's agenda is the establishment of a maritime communication hotline. There have been fears that a clash - accidental or otherwise - between Chinese
and Japanese paramilitary vessels patrolling waters around the disputed islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, could trigger a conflict. Japan's deputy foreign minister told reporters that both sides hoped to "especially discuss intentions and thoughts behind each other's defence policy." His counterpart, China's Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Ji-
anchao, said that China hoped that the two countries "would develop a mind to face history squarely and look into the future". Thursday's meeting is seen as a continuation of work to improve ties in recent months. In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Co-operation summit in Beijing, where world media captured the two leaders frostily shaking hands. Besides territorial concerns, China has also taken issue with Japan's defence policy changes under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Japan has defended its reinterpretation of its pacifist constitution to allow it to use force to defend allies under attack, which it calls "collective self-defence". China in turn has previously accused Japan of "remilitarising". China, along with South Korea, has also accused Japan of whitewashing wartime atrocities in schoolbooks and raised objections when ministers, including Mr Abe, visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine which honours Japan's war dead as well as war criminals.
Abbas: Two-state solution impossible with Netanyahu
ÏÏÏ A two-state solution to the Middle East conflict will be impossible with an Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Thursday. "Netanyahu's statements against a two-state solution and against a Palestinian state... are proof, if correct, that there is no seriousness in the [future] Israeli government about a political solution that will lead to the establishment of two states," he said a day after the Israeli leader snatched an upset election vic-
S’Sudan warlord allows abducted boys Finish exams
tory. In a last-ditch appeal to Israel's far right just hours before polls opened on Tuesday, Netanyahu ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state and pledged to build thousands of new homes for Jewish settlers in annexed Arab east Jerusalem. Abbas said the Palestinians would continue to "demand international legitimacy", in reference to their attempts to achieve statehood through the United Nations and other international bodies. "It is our right to go to anywhere in the world to achieve
ÏÏÏA South Sudanese warlord,
who abducted about 89 boys from their school, has offered to let them return to finish exams as long as they are then given back to him to fight, United Nations global education envoy Gordon Brown said on Wednesday. "The whole world should be protesting as we did over Chibok about any child that is abducted from their school and any child that has been kidnapped ... as is happening to so
international legitimacy," he said. The Palestinian leader also pointed to the likely inclusion in the new Israeli government of Avigdor Lieberman, head of the ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, who waged a virulent election campaign against both the Palestinians and Israel's Arab minority. Abbas said Lieberman had made "racist calls to kill Arab Israelis", a reference to reported comments earlier this month in which he said any Arabs who were disloyal to the Jewish state should be beheaded.
many children in South Sudan," Brown told reporters at the United Nations. Brown was referring to the kidnap of more than 200 girls by Boko Haram militants from Chibok, Nigeria. Boko Haram, which is fighting to carve an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, attacked the girls' secondary school almost a year ago at exam time. The abduction led to a global campaign to find them.
Netanyahu Helmand governor Mohammad Nahim Balouch was not at the compound at the time of the attack.
In South Sudan, the UN Children's Fund Unicef said in February that gunmen kidnapped the boys in oil-rich Upper Nile State while they were sitting exams. Brown, a former British prime minister, said they were aged between 12 and 15. Brown was starting a campaign for the world to guard schools from military use and attacks and give them the same protection as Red Cross hospitals.
DR Congo, rebels in violent clash ÏÏÏViolent clashes have erupt-
ed between the army and a militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, forcing many civilians to flee their homes, officials said on Thursday. Government forces have been fighting rebels of the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign DRC (APCLS) in the Masisi territory west of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. "The rebels attacked last night," an army officer told AFP from the front line. "We have already managed to push them back. We will continue to chase them until we have cornered them all." The number of casualties remained unclear but government officials told AFP one child had been killed. Emmanuel Balume, a resident of Nyabiondo village in North Kivu, described the situation as "very serious". He told AFP that "bombs" had been dropped overnight, and that people were seeking refuge at the UN base in Goma.
Four suspects arrested in Tunisian terror attack ÏÏÏFour
people have been arrested for direct links to Wednesday's gun attack in Tunis that left 23 people dead, including 20 foreign tourists, the Tunisian presidency says. The army would also be deployed to major cities, the presidency added. One of two gunmen involved in the Bardo museum attack, Yassine Laabidi, was reportedly known to the authorities. Laabidi and his accomplice, Hatem Khachnaoui, were killed as security forces stormed the museum. Tourists from Japan, Colombia, the UK and other European countries were killed in the attack and more than 40 people were injured. The suspects arrested on Thursday were not identified and it was not clear what their alleged involvement might have been. In a statement, the presidency said Tunisia was facing "exceptional circumstances", adding that "terrorist operations have now moved from the mountains to the cities". "After a meeting with the armed forces, the president has decided large cities will be secured by the army," the statement added.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
15 Opinion
Buhari and burden of forlorn expectations
R Chris Osa Nehikha
ather than cast this discourse in the mould of a ‘rejoinder’ to Dele Momodu’s BUHARI AND THE BURDEN OF EXPECTATIONS in his PENDULUM on March 14, 2015 this piece should be read from the perspective of a ‘reminder’ of the inevitability of a Goodluck Ebele Jonathan victory over the forces of vile propaganda, cant and morbid desperation. It is not hard to decipher where Dele Momodu is coming from, given his prominence as a majordomo in the All Progressive Congress’s bilious propaganda machine that has virtually awarded the 2015 Presidential diadem to his principal, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) even when votes are yet to be cast and counted. We must remind ourselves of certain elements of any electoral contest that many people, often take for granted. No election offers a consolation prize. You either win or lose. There is no grey area. You either savour the sweet aroma of victory or marinate in the foulness of failure. In spite of the foregoing, those who want to hallucinate are free to do so but should be ready to adjust!
In contrast to the all-conquering scenario being painted by Dele Momodu , serious and dispassionate followers of the trending political tide in Nigeria see the fortunes of the APC and its presidential candidate gradually ebbing, whittling and fizzling away, by the day, in many areas hitherto thought to be impregnable fortresses under Buhari or Tinubu’s imperial subjugation. Momodu’s piece gives the impression that there exists a Tabula Rasa (or virgin land) in Nigeria that is traceable to the lack of initiative by the Jonathan Administration that has resulted in a state of arrested development in many areas of governance, which only a reinvented Muhammadu Buhari can set aright. This messianic illusion has driven Buhari and the unwary and brainwashed horde of party ‘faithful’ that has been fed on a sour staple of his “super human and divine mission” in the 2015 General Election. The only credit Buhari possess is that he is the current local champion who is wearing the toga of a “liberator” and the “Defender of the Faith” in a region groaning under the weight of impoverished youngsters who eat from the crumbs that drop from the rich
tables of the elites. The kernel of Momodu’s predilection for a dream Buhari victory is that whether the “baboons and the foxes” like it or not, the APC “must” triumph and they will be “soaked in blood” if it does not come to pass as predicted. Momodu was not fair to his principal as he failed to regale Nigerians of Buhari’s numerous “achievements and strides” that qualify him for the 2015 Presidential Election, in the first place. These ‘achievements and strides include: a) the overthrow of the democratically-elected government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari on December 31, 1984 b) Selective incarceration and treatment of political detainees (especially Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Cheif Adekunle Ajasin, Mr Ebenezer Babatope, Ayo Ojewunmi, Mr Sam Mbakwe, Mr Jim Nwobodo, Prof Ambrose Alli, etc) in the course of stabilising his dictatorial junta c) Truncation of the Lagos Metro line Project d) Institution of draconian restrictions on the Nigerian Press, civil society groups, trade unionism and the general populace e) the illegal air-freighting of 53 suitcases of currency by his ADC, Major Mustafa Jokolo, into Nigeria in breach of an ongoing restriction ordered by Buhari himself . It is
common wisdom that the All Progressive Congress (APC) manifesto has no substance but premised on a matrix of a vaguely-interpreted mantra of change” built around a phalanx of political dinosaurs and celebrated economic blood-suckers poised to unfurl, like mambas, as soon as a Buhari victory is attained – a forlorn hope, thought and expectation; that will NEVER come to pass! It beats the imagination of well-meaning political pundits on the aspects of Muhammadu Buhari political make-up that will give him an edge over a Goodluck Ebele Jonathan with a trailer-load of authenticated, verified and people-friendly giant strides in good governance, prioritised policies, programmes and projects that past administrations have either glossed over or never thought of at all. Momodu’s inference that Buhari is an experienced hand at curtailing insurgency, with a specific reference to his much-hyped role in routing the Maitatsine Sect, is mortally defective. Nigerians are not fooled by Buhari’s contrived metamorphosis and constant window-dressing as a “committed democrat” from his well-known template as a morbid and rabid hater of politics, politicking and politicians.
Beasts of our nation
“A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” - Albert Camus
A
M.B.O Owolowo
beast can be described as a contemptible or crude person, a brute, savage or an animal. How do you identify a beast? The easiest method of is by their actions. Through empirical evidence, some beasts exhibit traits of plotting ill-conceived schemes, and non-existent considerations for the consequences of criminal activity. Such characters posses a general lack for a sense of moral responsibility or socialconscience.Some of their other characteristics include,a negligence for laws and social mores, total disregard for the rights and privileges of others, failure to feel remorse for lawlessness or corruption, a peculiar selfishness with narcissistic undertones and tendency to react harshly to criticisms. A good example of reacting harshly to criticism is the “I don’t give a damn” outburst by the president on his non-compliance for asset declaration in 2012. His irruption during the presidential media chat was a solemn reminder of the sort of individual we have in power. The
president was actually revealing his true nature to us, but many failed to take heed! If he didn’t give a damn then, he surely doesn’t give a damn now, all his political theatrics are solely about his personal ambition - he just wants to remain in power! President Jonathan is trying to make history; he wants to be reelected without the full support of the electorate in 2015. He was so confident of his re-election bid, he paid little attention to the public mood, or maybe his worst enemies – his political associates, were just deceiving him. Such political associates advised the president to play politics with the Boko Haram menace - as it only affected the North, to initially ignore the Chibok girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, to stage a belated compensation for families of the victims of the immigration job mishap, to associate private jet ownership with economic development, to make statements about not being consulted by the Service Chiefs before election postponement, to withhold the release of the full NNPC Audit Report, to beguile on the diplomatic phone call with Morocco’s King, just to mention a
few. Generally, the president has been associated with prevarication on so many issues. Through their unethical conduct, the president’s political associates have done his ambition irreparable damage over time. Also, a major part of their problem was the selling of their candidate, as there was really nothing to sell! To counter this impediment, the president’s campaign team devised a convenient but banal political strategy: the character assassination ploy against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari. Instead of constituting an issue-based campaign, they chose the vile path of dividing the electorate ethnically and religiously. Some of Jonathan’s political associates are despicable fellows without an iota of scruples. A Femi Fani Kayode that had frequently lambasted the president and the PDP in the past, only to volteface and become the official mouthpiece of Jonathan’s campaign. A Doyin Okupe that is so cocksure Buhari “will never be president”. A recent video footage showed him shouting at the top of his lungs
against Buhari’s candidature. He associates with those who prefer the military scuttles our democracy, than allow a peaceful democratic transition to a Buhari administration. There are other beasts in the Jonathan camp, including the Niger Delta militants lead by the Asari’s and Tompolo’s – vociferously threatening fire and brimstone if their clansman isn’t re-elected. These apparent incitements to violence are threats against the state and national peace. These acts clearly violate the electoral peace accord Jonathan co-signed. More worrisome is fact that the president in particular hasn’t condemned such utterances that threaten our fragile existence, hence, why he has been accused of tacitly supporting these threats. Evidently, the president’s associates have something in common; the fear of Buhari has practically driven them insane! This is the situation with the corrupt and contemptible. The president’s associates thought they bought advantageous time with the 6-week election postponement, but in reality gave the APC more time to win over more supporters.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
bringing it all together www.bglgroupng.com
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Features
17
s
Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. E-mail: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng
Edo State Police Command in mystery murder TITUS AKHIGBE in Benin City reports the grief of a family whose 26 year old bread winner died under mysterious circumstances as they are demanding justice. The family of 26 -year old Chibuike Edeh, a staff of highbrow Protea Hotel, in Benin, the Edo State capital, located a
few metres to the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command, are calling for justice over the death of their son at the hands of the police. A staff of the hotel for three years, Chibuike died under suspicious circumstances while under investigation for alleged theft at his place of work. Daily Times learnt that the
previous evening, a phone call was put through to the family that the youngster was having an issue with his employees. The hotel’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) who made the call was said to have accused Chibuike of stealing N48,000 belonging to a guest at the hotel. The deceased’s mother, Mr.
Christiana Edeh who called the police action ‘misplaced justice’ told Daily Times that her family deserves justice on the mysterious circumstances that led to the death of her son. “My family deserves justice. Chibuike was our bread winner. His cannot be killed like that without justice.” A member of the Edeh fam-
ily told our correspondent that the way the Edo State police conducted themselves revealed that they are hiding something from the family. “When we got to the hotel, we were directed to the Police Area Command, Benin City, where Chibuike was detained and the case incidented. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Spread over 16 countries, the culturally diverse yet fiercely homogenous Fulani are – in the classic Winston Churchill conundrum – a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma.
24 hours with herdsmen (1) GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR spent 24 hours with herdsmen at the Kara Cattle Market in Lagos and brings you the first in a series on their trials and pains as well as the cross-cultural and business conflicts with their host communities, among others. Abdul Jubril Muhammed is a survivor of the Jos 2004 massacre of over 150 families of Fulani herdsmen. Muhammed had adopted the name as a youth when he took refuge in Gumau, a remote village in Magama Local Government Area of Bauchi State, about one hour drive from Jos, the Plateau State capital. Besides his reluctance to talk about the pains of his birth and growing up in the bush before he lost his parents and siblings, Muhammed could not communicate in English, having had no education. But through an interpreter, he relived a life worth much less than the cat-
tle the family labour to graze. Muhammed’s ordeal started with his birth in the bush at Mai’adua in Katsina State, along the borders with Niger. “It was the days when my father used to graze cattle in the forests of Mai’adua. He used to drive his cows to Lokoja, then after, like five months, (towards the end of May) when cropping would be starting, he would move back. I cannot count all the bushes we passed through when I was growing up.” With little recall of what the circumstances of his birth was, Muhammed recounted the birth and death of the two girls his mother had after him, and said he was lucky to have survived infancy. “I was the first born, but when my sisters were born, I saw the problems of being born and raised in the bush, and I know I was lucky to survive the infant CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Jibril (middle) with hired grazers
Features 18
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
‘Chibuike was tortured by the Police. He had bruises all over his face, neck and even legs’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
“But when we saw him, he denied stealing any money. He told us that he was being forced by the police to confess to stealing the money, and we believed him. Furthermore, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) told
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
stage of my life in the bush.” How did his sisters die? “Two of my sisters died not long after they were born. The first one was during the rainy season. The cold was very bad, the rain did not stop for many days; we were far in the bush away from any village and we had no cover. Our clothes were all drenched for all the days the rain fell and there was no sun to dry them, not even to make us warm. “We were all shaking with cold, but we had to go on. I remember the baby turned blue colour while my mother was using some native medicine she made from leaves. My small sister began to shake (convulse) and then she died. There was no treatment. I didn’t know about
us to bring the money in question before we can secure his release from cell. “When we got there on Saturday afternoon to secure Chibuike’s release, the IPO was nowhere to be found; and to prove our suspicion, we were shocked to hear from a female police of-
hospital, feeding bottle or baby food until I saw them in Jos. “My second sister’s body was very hot even though it was harmattan, and everywhere was dry; the breeze was dry, and covered us with dust. The baby died on my mother’s back while we were crossing over to another bush after we could not make fire to keep us warm.” What is the camp like, especially when it rains? “Very bad, especially in the rain. No matter how we patch the top, the wind will blow the rain inside and many times throws the camp over. It is really very bad and painful. Wind in the bush, especially in the hills can push you backwards, so whether in the camp or on the move, we have no cover against rain or wind.” Where do you sleep?
ficer that Chibuike has been granted bail. “You see, we found out that Chibuike was tortured by the police. He had bruises all over his face, neck and even legs. We want the management of Protea Hotel and the police to tell the world what happened to our
“Chibuike denied stealing any money. He told us that he was being forced by the police to confess to stealing the money, and we believed him.” brother.” Denying any complicity on the part of the police, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Joseph Edogiawerie regretted the incident, saying
that the Command is investigating the matter. Responding to the sudden death of the young employee,
“There was a time we don’t have rubber mats, so we just clear the ground of stones and sticks and lay. That’s what my mother and the girls do. Like my father, I can lay on rocks, sometimes on fallen trees or anywhere I can stretch out.” You never slept on a bed? ”I saw bed and mattress for the first time in Jos; when they told me they were for sleeping, I touched it, and I wondered about so many things. I saw pure water in Jos too, and I remember that we drink the same water as the cows, sleep in the same bush with them and actually live our lives to care for them.” Which would you consider as the worst time of the year in the bush? “Life is hard in the bush no matter the time of the year, but the cold hamattan and the rainy
season are the worst. When we are moving in the bushes in the day and at nights and it is raining, the experience is very bad. When it is rainy season, we wish it is dry season; when the dry season comes, the weather becomes very hot and dusty and grazing becomes difficult because we walk long distances through the bush in search of grass and water for the cows. “Many times I wondered what the difference between me and the cows was, because my father is closer to the cows than to me; he worried about the health and condition of the cows, but he never once looked me over or asked after my health.” Now in his late 40s, Jubril still remembered when his feet was swollen from the long trek through the bush when green grass was scarce and far between. “I was about seven years old that time and we were in the bushes around Lokoja. We had been walking for many days and I was tired. The donkey was carrying our mats and stuffs so I couldn’t use it. “I think on the fourth day my legs began to swell; my mother was very concerned but she couldn’t carry me and the baby. I started to cry when I couldn’t go further and my mother insisted we should rest the night let me catch some sleep while she treated me with some native medicine. My father was impatient and said I was lazy; that I am a Fulani and will get used to it.” It was said that every herdsman is a herbalist. Daily Times asked Jubril how much of an herbalist he is. “I am not so good with herbs because my mother took care of that. Although as we go from
“I saw pure water in Jos too, and I remember that we drink the same water as the cows, sleep in the same bush with them and actually live our lives to care for them.”
Fulani herdsmen
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
19 Features
Cattle trading at Kara market
‘My father taught me to watch for snakes and be quick to smell dangers’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
be quick to smell danger.”
bush to bush, my father and mother always show me leaves, trees and fruits that can be used to treat so and so illness. “I remember my father asked me to look around and bring him the leaf that is used to cover open wound, or the one that can stop bleeding if there is an accident, and because he has used them before, I learnt to recognize them. “He also taught me not to be idle; whether we are migrating, or the cows are grazing or resting, he taught me to have my eyes on bush animals I can catch, watch out for snakes and
What kind of food do new born babies eat in the bush? The children live on breast milk for about two years, sometimes longer because the mother is never in a hurry to wean the child. I think the baby only stops sucking when the breast milk does not hold him anymore. But after a few months, whatever the family is eating is what they give to the baby, from cow milk or fura to leafs because we eat a lot of vegetables; there are some leafs we chew and swallow its water because it is very good medicine for the body.”
As a birth attendant, is there any difference in the way the herdsman midwifes his wife and the cow in labour? (The question drew some laughter, but it provided good information.) “You know that cows don’t need much birth attention; they deliver on their own, but the herdsman will be there to take the calf away and clean it up and in a few days, sometimes the very next, day it is already walking and it lives on its mother’s breast milk until it begins to graze. Chief security officer Because the herdsman has to
play many roles as a husband, a father, chief security officer over his household (which includes his cows) and a sound business man, Daily Times learnt that the safety and confidence of a herdsman depends heavily on his staff, called Sonda. He must also be very sensitive and intuitive about impending dangers besides knowing every cow’s state of health. Sonda is ordinarily a suitable stick cut from any live tree, basically to direct, restrain or discipline the cows as the case may be, but myths and esoterism have been woven around the sonda for many generations. Said Abdul who has wit-
nessed some feats his father achieved with his staff before he was killed. “My father, before he climbed to a tree top from where he would watch over us, he would draw a circle in front of our camp; then he will draw another around the tree before he climbed up. “Although we never faced any danger even in the thick forests, my father told me that if an intruder or intruders stepped into any of the circle, they would not be able to find their way out of it.” Alhaji Kolo, the current CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Features 20
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
‘It’s tough being a herdsman’
Chibuike confessed after watching the hotel’s CCTV footage – Police CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Edogiawerie said that Chibuike had confessed to stealing the guest’s N48,000 after watching the hotel’s CCTV footage which showed how he carried out the crime. “It was when he was taking detectives to the place he hid the money that he suddenly bolted across the road and a Toyota Camry car hit him and ran over him. The suspect has been arrested and the car is in our custody,” the state PPRO said. However, Daily Times request to see the ‘offending’ driver and car that the police claimed to be in their custody met with a brickwall as they said the matter is still under investigation. Late Chibuike before the torture.
The Herdsman’s children’s life begin and end in the bush CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
Chairman of the Kara Cattle Dealers Association, in Lagos is an indigene of Goneri village, in Gujuba Local Government Area of Yobe State, Kolo who started as a cattle breeder from his youth told Daily Times that the Fulani have their own medicine and charm. “One way they protect their cow is that if a cow thief tries to steal their cow, the cow will not be able to move; it would just lie on its side, and you know that cow is heavy, the thief cannot carry it and run away.” Daily Times recalls that
such phenomenon is not unheard of. In the rural areas of the South-East, the Middle and the South-West, radical herbalists have been known to gain notoriety with such feats. One non-denomination cleric who spent much time as a miner in the hills of Bauchi, Abraham Adewale-Wilhelm told Daily Times the sonda becomes a lethal weapon in the hand of the herdsman in an emergency. “If the herdsman hits or throws his sonda at the beast, it is said that the animal would be mesmerised, that means the beast would become blank and
all its natural instincts and abilities suspended or demobilized momentarily. “Until cattle thieves began to carry modern weapons, it was very rare for a thief to carry a Fulani herdsman’s cow. For a thief to meet a Fulani man inside bush? The thief could be the next cow in his fold.” Wale declared. In part II in the series, Daily Times brings you the sacrificial life of the Fulani wife; her pregnancy and childbirth in the bush, the future of the herdsman’s children, exciting times of Fulani marriage ceremony in the bush among others.
Late Chibuike after the torture.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20 , 2015
Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
s
Cartoons from our Archives
1915 Britain and Russia divide future spoils of war Just two days after its navy suffered a demoralizing defeat against Turkish forces at the Dardanelles, the British government signed a secret agreement with Russia regarding the hypothetical post-World War I division of the former Ottoman Empire. By the terms of the agreement, signed on March 20, 1915, Russia would annex the Turkish stronghold of Constantinople, the Bosporus Strait (a waterway connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and marking the boundary between the Asian and European halves of Turkey), and more than half of the European section of Turkey. Britain also promised Russia future control of the Dardanelles (the crucially important strait connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean)—which the British navy had unsuccessfully attacked two days earlier—and the Gallipoli peninsula, the target of a major Allied military inva-
1928 James Packard, co-founder of the Packard Motor Company, a pioneering American automaker, died at the age of 64 on this day in 1928. During Packard’s heyday in the 1930s, its vehicles were driven by movie stars and business titans. Packard was born in Warren, Ohio, on November 5, 1863, and graduated from Lehigh University in 1884 with a mechanical engineering degree. In 1890, Packard and his older brother William (1861-1923) founded the Packard Electric Company in their hometown and manufactured electric light bulbs and other electrical equipment. In 1899, the Packards built their first vehicle, a singlecylinder, single-seat roadster. In 1903, the Packard Motor Car Company moved its operations from Ohio to a 3.5 million-squarefoot plant in Detroit, Michigan. James Packard served as the company’s president until 1909 and was chairman of the board
sion (which would also result in failure) launched late the following month. In return, Russia would agree to British claims on other areas of the former Ottoman Empire and central Persia, including the oil-rich region of Mesopotamia. The Anglo-Russian agreement of March 1915 illustrated the vast degree to which traditional relationships between nations had been changed by World War I. The agreement represented a complete turnaround from past British policy toward Russian control of Constantinople, which they previously thought threatened the British dominance in the region that had been achieved through its colonial administration of India. As part of a coalition including France, Sardinia and Turkey, Britain had in fact gone to war with Russia in the Crimean Peninsula in 1854 (a conflict known as the Crimean War) to prevent Russia from claiming Constantinople and the strait.
Auto pioneer James Packard dies until 1915. By the mid-1920s, his initial investment of several thousand dollars in the company was reportedly worth millions and the Packard brand had come to represent quality and style. In March 1921, Warren G. Harding, reportedly the first U.S. president who knew how to drive before taking office, became the first commander-in-chief ever to ride to his inauguration in an automobile--a Packard Twin Six. In 1937, next to the Ford Motor Company, Packard was considered by Fortune magazine “the most valuable name in the auto industry,” according to “Packard: The Pride” by J.M. Fenster. Fortune wrote of Packard: “For a generation its luxurious cars had never carried lesser folk than rich invalids to their airings, diplomats to embassies, gangsters to funerals, stars to the studios, war lords through Chinese dust, heroes through ticker tape, heiresses across Long Island and Grosse Pointe.”
Daily Times March 20, 1961
1953
Khrushchev begins his rise to power
The Soviet government announced that Nikita Khrushchev has been selected as one of five men named to the new office of Secretariat of the Communist Party. Khrushchev’s selection was a crucial first step in his rise to power in the Soviet Union— an advance that culminated in Khrushchev being named secretary of the Communist Party in September 1953, and premier in 1958. The death of Joseph Stalin on March 5, 1953 created a tremendous vacuum in Soviet leadership. Stalin had ruled the Soviet Union since the 1920s. With his passing, the heir apparent was Georgi Malen kov, who was named premier and first secretary of the Communist Party the day after Stalin’s death. This seemingly smooth transition, however, masked a growing power struggle between Malenkov and Nikita Khruschev. Khrushchev
had been active in the Russian Communist Party since joining in 1918. After Stalin took control of the Soviet Union following Lenin’s death in 1924, Khrushchev became an absolutely loyal follower of the brutal dictator. This loyalty served him well, as he was one of the few old Bolsheviks who survived Stalin’s devastating political purges during the 1930s. In the 1940s Khrushchev held a number of important positions in the Soviet government. Yet, when Stalin died in March 1953, Khrushchev was overlooked in favor of Malenkov. It did not take long for Khrushchev to take advantage of the mediocre Malenkov. First, he organized a coalition of Soviet politicians to force Malenkov to relinquish the post of first secretary—the more important post, since it controlled the party apparatus in the Soviet Union. Malenkov publicly stated that he was giving up the position to encourage the sharing
of political responsibilities, but it was obvious that Khrushchev had gained a crucial victory. To replace Malenkov, the party announced the establishment of a new position, a five-man Secretariat. Even Western journalists noted that in announcing the five-person position, Khrushchev’s name was always listed first, while the others were in alphabetical order. It was soon apparent that Khrushchev was the driving power in the Secretariat, and in September 1953, he secured enough backing to be named secretary of the Communist Party. In February 1955, he and his supporters pushed Malenkov out of the premiership and replaced him with a Khrushchev puppet, Nikolai Bulganin. In March 1958, Khrushchev consolidated his power by taking the office of premier himself. Officials in the United States, including Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, badly underestimated Khrushchev.
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
23 News
I’ll expose those behind my father’s forced exit –Aziz Nyako Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏThe first son of the former
governor of Adamawa State, and an aspiring Senator, on the platform of All People’s Congress (APC), Commodore Abdul Aziz Nyako (rtd), on Thursday, promised to expose those who were behind his father’s ouster from
office. These also include those using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to witch-hunt him from becoming the next senator., he added. Aziz disclosed this on a Hausa radio programme “Demokaradiyya Ayau”of Radio Gotel. According to him, his main
aim of contesting the senatorial seat was to appease his father, who was illegally removed from office, in what he described as gross injustice in the judiciary system of this country. “I assure you of a full dossier of those who engineered the illegal removal of my father. I will also give you the detail of the peo-
ple using the EFCC against me, so that I will not become a senator,” Aziz said. The younger Nyako also reminded and cautioned all legible voters to desist from selling their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) because it is the only weapon they have to fight the bad leadership in place. He promised to give the
Aziz
people of Adamawa State a good representation for their support.
Niger INEC trains electoral officers Pita Chikwem
Minna In an effort to achieve a credible, free and fair election in Niger State, the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, commenced a refresher training of supervisory officers for the March 28 general election. The INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Madaki Wase, who made this known, in an interview with our correspondent, in Minna, said the training would last for two days. He said that the refresher training of the supervisory officers was to equip them to re-train pre-
ÏÏÏ
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right) speaking with Ogoni Chiefs during his ward to ward campaign rally in Khana Local Government Area of the state… on Thursday
NLC to sanction unions over Lagos congress Akor Ejumene
Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to sanction any affiliate union that attends the special congress slated for March 21, 2015, in Lagos. The Lagos congress is believed to be have been convened by some elements, who were not satisfied with the recent delegates’ election, which produced Comrade Ayuba Wabba as the NLC’s president. The congress also warned all industrial unions under the con-
Four Adamawa guber candidates drop ambition for Ribadu
Akor Ejumene Abuja
ÏÏÏ The United Progressive Par-
gress and any other member not to fall prey to what it described as the current inordinate and misguided antics of the Joe Ajaero, Igwe Achese and Issa Aremu-led so-called “NLC”. It described their actions as clearly unlawful, unconstitutional and a nullity. Reacting the trio’s plan to elect another executive of the congress, the NLC said they lacked the capacity to convene the Central Working Committee and National Executive Council meeting of the Congress, allegedly held on March 14, 2015, or any time thereafter.
The NLC’s General-Secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson, said the so-called CWC/NEC meeting allegedly held on March 14 2015, was not recognised or valid within the provision of Article 7 and 8 of the Constitution of the Congress 2011, which is extant constitution of the Congress, both in terms of notice, attendance and quorum. The statement warned that anyone who attends the jamboree being contemplated by the trio and what it described as “their co-travellers” would be wasting his/her time and resources.
ty (UPP) has denied supporting the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammudu Buhari, in the coming election. The party was reacting a news item in some of the national dailies (Daily Times not included), that the UPP had joined the league of parties that were supporting Buhari. UPP in a statement on Thursday described the news item as inconceivable, malicious and wicked political blackmail, designed to tarnish its name. The statement of the party, signed by the Director-General of the Chekwas Okorie’s Presidential
Wale Akintunde
ten governorship candidates declared their support for Mr. Nuhu Ribadu – an ex-captain of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The backing for Ribadu was made known, at a press conference, held at the Jireh Suites, in Yola, the standard-bearers of
the KOWA, Mega People’s Progressive Party (MPPP), National Conscience Party (NCP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). According to the spokesperson of the group, Abdulnasir Hamman of the MPPP: “Our decision was compelled by our
Yola
ÏÏÏThe
hope of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate emerging victorious at the coming April election got a big boost, on Thursday, in Yola, when four out of the
siding officers and assistance presiding officers for the forthcoming election. “The reason behind the refresher training became necessary due to the postponement of February 14 election.” “We also embarked on an intensive enlightenment programme in respect of the card reader, colour of ballot boxes and ballot papers,” he said. Wase also said that INEC had so far recorded 88 per cent distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, adding that all non-sensitive voting materials had been sent to the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
UPP denies supporting APC Campaign Organisation (COPCO), Ugorji O. Ugorji, said the party had tried to avoid hate-speeches, campaign of calumny, denigration of elder statesmen and public office holders, and the use of acerbic language likely to heat up the polity in all its campaigns up till this time. The statement said the party had nothing against any group or party wishing to support any of the foremost political parties, but added that it smacked of political misconduct and criminality to drag the name of the party into a conspiracy it knew nothing about.
desire to put in place a credible government that Adamawa people can be proud of.” “It is because of the quality we found in Mr. Nuhu Ribadu,” he said, “that the leadership of our various parties decided to work with him in the forthcoming election.
Public Notice 24 NNOKWA PROGRESS UNION LAGOS BRANCH
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
FAITH IN CHRIST LIBERATION BIBLE MINISTRY
THE REFORMED CHURCH FOR CHRISTIANS IN GOD
The general public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.
This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part c of the companies and allied matters act 1990.
This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under ‘Part C’ of the Company And Allied Matters Act,1990.
The trustees are: 1. Onyeanusi Ody Basil. 2. Mbaegbu Louis Ifedibaluchukwu. 3. Ezeagwu Charles Ikechukwu. 4. Maduabuchi Emeka Anthony. 5. Anthony Ogbonna Nwandu. 6. Chukwuka Anthony Obiora.
The trustees are: 1. Ajala Isaac Adeleke. 2. Ajala Dare Lateef. 3. Olaniyan Lucia Olajumoke . 4. Ajala Bose Comfort. 5. Ewuji Johnson Owolabi.
THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Adebayo John Bolajoko 2. Deaconess Binawari Bodise-Ere Bolajoko 3. Pastor (Mrs) Bunmi Oladejo 4. Deaconess Funke Ogunsanya 5. Barr. Taiwo Paul Iyanda
Aims and objectives. 1. To foster unity, peace and progress amongst citizens of nnokwa resident in Lagos and environs. 2. To promote understanding and instill discipline amongst the members. 3. To help one another in areas of good purpose.
Aims and objectives. 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. To raise Disciples of Christ through sound biblical teachings.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from this publication. Signed. Trustee.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street Maitama’ Abuja within 28days of this publication. Signed. L. Ogaga - Sandy & co.
CHRIST GOSPEL PROCLAIMERS DELIVERANCE CHURCH
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication. SIGNED BY: - TRUSTEES
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Emeka Ichoku 2. Collins Obulor 3. Chris Isiodu 4. Richard Wokocha 5. Dennis O. Masi AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To seek and promote unity and brotherly love among members. 2. To protect and project the good image of Ogba Nation. 3. To initiate and support developmental projects that would enhance the educational, economic, social and cultural life of members and Ogba Nation in general. 4. To act as a body through which meaningful negotiations and dialogue between the people of Ogba Nation and any organization, body, etc could be achieved. Any Objection(s) 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: EMEKA ELEANYA
EGBEMO-ANGALABIRI AND AGBIDIAMA CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under Part “C” of Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
THE TRUSTEES ARE:
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Olugbor Peter 2. Ekpetun Stephen
2. Mr Olayinka Falana - Financial Secretary 4. Mr Adegoke. A.Oke - Chairman 6. Mr Onyema Eze 8. Mr Olatunji Adegoke 10. Mr Monday Ad Esina
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To promote unity among it’s members. Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Secretary
THE OCEANIA DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
SIGNED BY:BARR TAIWO PAUL IYANDA
MUNATARE BUTCHERS ASSOCIATION
OBA IWA ASSOCIATION OF BAMBOO & PALM TREES MACHANTS
1. Mr Bolaji Oke 3. Mr Adebowale Adeyemi - Secretary 5. Mr Joseph Udoh 7. Mr Pius Okeke 9. Mr Lamidi Gafari - Treasurer
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja,within 28 days from the date of this publication.
OKA-IWU FORUM
Address: 17, Okunola Street, Sango Otta, Ogun State.
The general public is hereby informed that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Elder Liadi Akanni Adeyemo - President 2.Lady Evangelist Florence Abimbola Adeyemo -Vice President 3. Mrs Esther Modupe Awakan - Secretary 4. Mr Adefemi Adeyemo - Financial Secretary. 5. Elder Adeshina Bamig Shobukola - Treasurer 6. Deaconess Victoria Adenekan - Member 7. Mrs Iyabo Elizabeth Adebayo- Member 8. Mr Ajayi Raphael Adalumo - Member 9. Elder Reuben Dada - Member The Aims and Objectives are:1. For Evangelism and Build Church for Christ. 2. To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ and show the people way of salvation. 3. Formation and information for capacity building with respect to moral, and spiritual for populace.
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations 2. To share message of faith, hope and restoration to the people
THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Alhaji Bala Katako - Chairman 2. Alhaji Umar Kekere - General Secretary 3. Abubakar Garba - Treasurer 4. Alhaji Ali Gezawa - Member 5. Malam Isa Rabo - Member 6. Alhaji Umar Agyara Dukga - Member AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To foster unity and cooperation among members. 2. To contribute to the welfare and progress of members. Any Objection(s) 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: Secretary
ODIDI/KANTU COMMUNITIES HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Kelly Esuku 2. Akori Joseph
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To pilot the contractual affairs of members of the association 2. To ensure fair distribution of available opportunities 3. To assist members financially in time of need 4. To protect the operators from marginalization from the company of their employment.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To harmonize the activities of members. 2. To assist members financially in time of need 3. To protect the members from marginalization.
Any Objection(s) 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:ERDOO ASEMA (ESQ.) 08039664534
Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed:ERDOO ASEMA (ESQ.) 08039664534
BISHOP OKOROTIE RESCUERS MISSION
SOULWINNERS CHARISMATIC INTERNATION CHURCH
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named mission has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
Names of trustees. 1.Hon. Benibo Stanley 2.Mr. Benibo Tamunoina Stanley 3. Mr. Benibo Cömmander Stanley 4. Miss Benibo Amanda Stanley 5.Miss Benibo precious Stanley.
Trustees. 1. Bishop Okorotie Ezouga Victor. 2. Pastor. Benwari Tonte Vivian. 3. Pastor Onduku Thompson. 4. Elder Lovinah Ogini. 5. Deaconess Amida Princess. 6. Pastor Wikimoh Augustine. 7. Evang. Okpodoko Anthony.
Trustees. 1. Pastor Chukwuebuka Patrick Johnson. - Chairman. 2. Pastor Mrs Onyinyechi Jane Johnson. 3. Ukwuoma Ikechukwu. 4. Uchenna Emmanuel Johnson. - Secretary. 5. Amadi Ujienwa Christian. 6. Ogbonna Erondu Samuel. 7. Oguejiofor Okechukwu Samuel.
Aim and objective. To help the less priviledge in the riverine area.
Aims and objectives. 1. To preach the gospel of Christ. 2. To cater for the interest of the needies.
Any Objection(s) to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication. Signed: Secretary
Any Objection(s) 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.
JESUS POWER & PRAISE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
THE TRINITY ACTS OF THE APOSTLES EVANGELICAL MISSION INT’L
The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Revd. Moses Olukolade-Chairman 2. Alimi Olukayode 3. Engr. Benson Ikuni-Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. To preach the words of God as in the Holy bible Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: OLUTUNDE FEMI ABEGUNDE ACIArb (SOLICITOR)
Aims and objectives. 1. To preach the gospel of our lord and savior Jesus Christ to the whole world. 2. To make disciples of all nations. 3. To prepare souls for the kingdom of God 4. To minister healing, deliverance and restore freedom to the captives. 5. To impact live through the instrumentality of God’s word for the fulfillment of destinies.
Signed: P. I. OYEWOLE. (ESQ).
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act,1990. The Trustees Are 1. Oladipupo Emmanuel Tunde - Chairman 2. Kazeem Kadri Gbolahan - Secretary 3. Olorunfemi Rebecca Funmilayo - Treasurer 4. Oladipupo Rachael Excel 5. Omojirheye Emmanuel Diemiruaye 6. Alayande Deborah 7. Aaron Anefiok 8. Oladipupo Favour 9. Oladipupo Surprise Aims and objectives are 1. To worship God in spirit and in Truth 2. To preach the word of life for the salvation of the soul Men’s and the total liberation of man from all negative forces (Mark 16:15- 17) Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: TRUSTEES
Any Objection(s) 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: SECRETARY
ADESIPE MULIKAT TEMITOPE
KASHAAM ALABA KAZEEM
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alamu Mulikat Temitope now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adesipe Mulikat Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Oshodipe Kazeem Alaba Moriola now wished to be known and addressed as Kashaam Alaba Kazeem. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Polls: NYSC DG assures corps members of safety Chika Okafor
Ă?Ă?Ă?The Director General of
the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen Johnson Olawumi, has assured corps members serving in Bauchi State of their safety during the forthcoming election. Olawumi, who was speak-
ing during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, stressed the need for the corps members to strictly abide by the rules governing the conduct of the election and to equally shun material inducement from politicians. He stated that the visit was part of strategies put in place
in order to forestall a recurrence of the 2011 incidence in which some corps members lost their lives. Olawumi called on the Emir to help in sensitizing the people of the state especially politicians to support corps members that would be deployed for election duties and to ensure that no harm
was done to any of them. He said that the corps members had been fully trained and sensitized on the need to abide by the provisions of the law as regards their duties as election officials with particular emphasis on the need to ensure neutrality in the course of the assignment.
5,000 Anambra APGA members defect to PDP Doris Nnabuenyi Awka
Ă?Ă?Ă?At
least, over 5,000 members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, on Thursday, defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Among the APGA members that defected to the PDP, include aggrieved chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, whose names were allegedly changed with those that did not contest in the party primaries. In a mega rally held at Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area, Mr. Peter Obi’s (former governor) home town, all the executive members of his cabinet also joined PDP as well as the former Director General of Governor Willie Obiano Campaign organisation, Mr. Jeo Martins Uzodike. Speaking during the rally, organised by the former members of APGA, in honour of the PDP senatorial candidate for Anambra central senatorial zone, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, the former APGA State women leader, Mrs. Edith Nwokedi said they defected because of the noticeable ills bedeviling the party. Mrs. Nwokedi further said that their decision to dump the party was informed by the undemocratic posture of the leadership of the party, adding that with the recent development in the party, they decided to go the way of PDP, which she described as the mainstream of Nigerian politics. “We decided to dump
APGA because it has become very clear that the party has no vision and has lost its value. The leadership of the party has been seriously bastardised and we have also seen in Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, a woman with passion to bring developmental stride to the people of the zone�
Mrs Nwokedi said. In his own remarks, the former Director General of Governor Willie Obiano campaign organization, Chief JoeMartins Uzodike said the leadership of APGA has made the people of the state to lose interest in the party, hence the mass
defection. He said due to the lingering crisis in the APGA, it was no longer healthy for anybody to stay in the party, adding that the party has suffered for so long in the hands of the national leader, whom he accused of using the party to enrich himself.
6
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Adoration Ministry of Enugu based priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, on Thursday, raised fresh alarms over alleged plans to assassinate the fiery cleric before the March 28, 2015, general election. Ike Maximus Ugwuoke, the media officer of the Ministry, claimed that Mbaka had been marked for death before the presidential election. In a press statement entitled: “Jonathan wants me dead before the 2015 election�, the Adoration Ministry warned that if anything happened to Fr. Mbaka, Jonathan’s government would be held responsible. The statement read: “It is with a deep sense of concern that we are constrained to make this statement on the continued threat to the life of Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, over his 2015 New Year message titled “From Goodluck to Badluck. “The issue of threat to
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Church raises the alarm over threat to Mbaka’s life Fr. Mbaka’s life became a public knowledge that it formed the headline of the Daily Sun news publication of 5th January 2015, “My Life in Danger�. The Sun reported that, ‘Enugu Catholic priest and the founder of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, yesterday raised alarm that he has been receiving threat messages following his New Year eve message’. “Two days later, 7th January 2015, Vanguard also reported that the Enugu State Police Command has refuted claims by Fr. Mbaka that his life is in danger.� The Ministry added that, “On the backdrop of the above, one begins to wonder whether the alarm raised by Fr. Mbaka on an alleged plot to kill him was a mere rhetoric as the police had made it to appear merely because there has not been an official report.�
APC condemns insecurity in Cross River Calabar
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Moses Oyediran
Emma Obi
25 News
All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River State chapter, has condemned the recent surge in insecurity and politically motivated violence in parts of the state urging politicians involved in such tendencies to desist. The APC said ‘’no man’s life and blood is worth the ambition of anyone’’ stressing that “violence is the only option left of a man who is bereft of ideas.’’ APC governorship candidate, Mr Odey Ochicha, in a statement in Calabar and made available by the State Campaign Council, said the recent surge in politicallymotivated violence on some unsuspecting members of the public especially the political class is unacceptable adding that such tendencies are perpetrated by those who have nothing to offer the people they seek to represent. ‘’If politics is about ideas that can move a system forward, where then does the man who is bereft of ideas,
a brigand fit in,’’ the statement queried. According to Ochicha, ’’in the last few weeks, we have heard of alleged assassination attempt on a candidate at Ekorinim, Calabar Municipality. We have been told of the killings in Ekori, Yakurr Local Government Area. We have had cases of unlawful arrest and detention of some persons in Calabar South, on trumped up charges; we have also gathered that violent attacks have been unleashed on candidates during campaigns and so on‌but in all this, we are saying that there are no basis for violence. It speaks the opposite of our nomenclature –�the peoples’ paradise. It is unacceptable and I condemn it in its strongest terms.’’ The APC governorship candidate maintained that politicians must put the interest of the state above personal interest adding that only a free, fair and credible election, devoid of violence and injustice will guarantee a peaceful society for all Cross Riverians.
26
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Tourism
s
Tayo Adelaja Email: t.adelaja@dailytimes.com.ng
Gani at Oyotunji village, USA
Tourism renaissance in U.S. states Tunde Atobatele The conscientious efforts of Otunba Gani Adams, chief promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, at exploring and enhancing the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race as a tourism brand, particularly outside Nigeria, has earned him an award by a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora. Applauding the cultural/ tourism initiative of Otunba Adams through the activities of Olokun Cultural Festival Foundation calendar, the All Africans Heritage Association, the Yoruba Cultural Heritage Coun-
Discovering a different South Africa
cil, which promote and protect the cultural integrity of Yoruba in the USA, on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Buka Restaurant, 2 Lounge Riverdale Street, Atlanta Georgia, honoured Otunba Adams with the award of ‘Yoruba Man of the Year’. In an elaborate ceremony packed with exhibition of Yoruba dances, folk songs and poems, which showcased the rich cultural heritage of the race, Dr Babs Onabanjo, president, Martin Luther King Foundation, USA, who presented the award to Otunba Adams, remarked that “Your being here this night to be worthy of this award of
Tope Ogbeni-Awe My first trip to South Africa was sometime in 1994, shortly before the revered icon Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected Black President of the country. I had gone on a oneweek FAM trip sponsored by the defunct Air Afrique airline for their selected top selling travel
Gani receiving his award in Atlanta
‘Yoruba Man of the Year’ is not because you are the most intelligent of all the Yoruba, neither was it because of your wealth or influence, but you are worthy of this award and eminently qualified for it because of your strident and consistent effort at exposing our culture not just for the merry making, but showcasing it as a tourism brand, which no one has ever thought of in Nigeria. “Our culture is beautiful, ex-
citing, alluring, delectable and raw. We have it in us and as values, but you have taken it beyond the mere concept of being a normative heritage appreciated only in its raw form but has applied ingenuity by enhancing and packaging them in a calendar format, making them a tourism brand, which you have not localised but internationalised. Hence, we in the US and in the Diaspora found your effort as not only worthy and commend-
agents. I was chosen in my capacity as a travel journalist to accompany the group. We spent two days touring Johannesburg and its suburbs and travelled by road for about two hours to Pilanesberg Games Reserve, near the famous Kruger National Park, where we slept overnight in tented camps, before we made our way to the
scenic Sun City, where we spent days in revelry, soaking in the sun, enjoying the exotic scenery and attractions of the famous family holiday hotspots. I have been fortunate to travel back and forth to South Africa since 1994 till date, travelling on FAM trips and VFR (visiting
Continued on page 27
able but which must be acknowledged with this award of ‘Yoruba Man of the Year’,” he appraised. He further pointed out: “Your Yoruba cultural risorgimento through the Olokun Festival Foundation and the inauguration of Oodua Progressive Union all over the world has not only added value to the race in the comity of culturally awak-
Continued on page 27
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
27 Tourism
Discovering a different South Africa
Beach front, Cape town
Continued from page 26 friends and families) with different categories of Nigerians - mainly travel journalists and travel agents. During the course of my numerous travels to South Africa, I have repeatedly visited the ‘three must visit’ principal cities of Johannesburg (Jo’Burg), Durban and Cape Town (the Mother City). Each visit left me with a nostalgic feeling for a return trip. Majority of the more than 60,000 Nigerians that annually travel to South Africa mostly visit these three principal cities. If you visit any or all the three cities, you will erroneously believe you have seen South Africa in all its touristic totality. But there is much more to see in other villages, towns and cities in South Africa than what Jo’Burg, Durban or Cape Town has to showcase. If you had not ventured to see or experience other parts of the country,
Oyotunji in US plays host to Yoruba ambassador
Entrance to Robben Island
you have missed a lot and ‘you haven’t seen nothing yet’. This much I discovered during my last and recent trip, in which I was part of a delegation of stakeholders and business partners hosted by the trio of South African Tourism, South Africa Airways and South Africa Consular-General in Lagos, Ambassador Mokgethi Monaisa. The best and most comfortable way to travel to South Africa is the less than six-hour direct flight on South Africa Airways (SAA), their national flag carrier. We flew on SAA’s gigantic skybird Airbus A340-600, seating in business class and enjoying all the on-board fine cuisine, wine and pampering available to front cabin passengers. Though we arrived and departed from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, the major gateway to South Africa, the plan was for us not to enter or tour the city, and all we saw of the ‘City of Gold’ was from the
airport, as we connected straight away to George, the heartland of the Garden Route, on South African Express (SAX) – a low cost carrier owned by South Africa Airways. The purpose of the trip was ‘to forge relations among our partners but also to allow you to experience South African leisure offering’. So read the invitation letter to all delegates from Hloni Pitso, Regional Manager: West Africa, South African Tourism. Apart from our three distinguished hosts, Ambassador Monaisa, accompanied by his adorable wife, SAA’s Country Manager Nigeria, Thobi Duma, and SAT Regional Manager, West Africa, I was in the company of A-list entertainers, media gurus, top corporate executives and travel professionals like Folusho Phillips, chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group/ Chairman, Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce; Richard Iweanogie, MTN GM, Consumer
Marketing & Strategy Division; Rapper MI Abaga, Actor/TV host, Joseph Benjamin, and TV host/producer, Faith History Nsa. Others include media impresario, Alex Okosi of MTV Base; Publisher of Inside Watch Africa, Oluseyi Adegoke-Adeyemo; golfer/businessman, Dr. Fred Igbinedion; travel agencies’ association (NANTA) president, Alhaji Aminu Agoha; Publicity Secretary Ngozi Ngoka of Zigona Travels, and Tour Operators’ Association (NATOP) President, Nkewereum Onung. The six-day, five-night FAM trip took us to George, a major tourist centre on the famous Garden Route stretch staying at the picturesque Oubaai Golf and Spa Resort, where we undertook a crash lesson on playing golf, pampered with a platonic spa and massage treatment to soothe our travel-weary nerves, after which we went on a Garden Route boating adventure and
wrapped up the day with a dinner on the Kynsna Lagoon. We awoke the next morning to beautiful skies and warm weather, which was very perfect to drive to Kynsna to visit the Elephant Park for an amazing walk, touch, feel and cuddling of the animals, after which we undertook a scenic drive to nearby Plattenberg Bay for lunch, and the day was rounded up with a sunset dinner cruise around the lagoon with a close and penetrating view of the Kynsna Heads. We departed from George on a 55-minutes flight to Cape Town on another low-cost carrier, South African Airlink (not owned by SAA), where we were joined upon arriving Table Bay Hotel, our abode for three days, by amiable Evelyn Mahlaba, SAT’s Regional Director, Africa, and Alex Okosi of MTV Base. A trip to South Africa will be incomplete without visiting idyllic Cape Town, known as the ‘Mother City’.
Continued from page 26
In his response, Otunba Adams, who expressed his gratitude to the association for considering him worthy of the ‘Yoruba Man of the Year’ said, “If I say I am not elated, I would be deceiving myself. I am not only elated and grateful for this award, but I must thank your association for taking note of the effort, which Olodumare has en-
ergised me to expend on Yoruba culture.” He pointed out that “If I tell you again that it is my own inspiration at inaugurating the Olokun Festival Foundation with the aim of promoting, enhancing, polishing and salvaging Yoruba cultural heritage from extinction, and branding it as a tourism tool for economic
empowerment of our people and country, I would be telling a lie. The inspiration is not my own thinking but of Olodumare, who planted it in me and raised people like late Ambassador Segun Olusola, Professor Sophie Oluwole and many others to support the dream, this event would not be held now,” Otunba Adams revealed.
ened nations, but has shored up the image of Nigeria as a country, Nigerians as a people and the Yoruba in the Diaspora. It has affirmed to all that Yoruba culture is not only expansive but can never go extinct. We thank you for this gesture,” Onabanjo eulogised.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Business Times
FG obtains $1bn facility to establish MSME wholesale bank
s
Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
Business images
Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Federal Government has announced that it has secured one billion dollar loan for a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wholesale Bank to aid the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises sector. The loan is also expected to boost job creation and reduce poverty across the country. The proposed MSME Wholesale Bank is due to be launched in a fortnight. Unveiling the plan of the Federal Government at a meeting with business owners in Abuja on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated that the proposed initiative would help to actualise the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises sector in the country. According to the minister, the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan had supported the sector with over N115 billion to enhance job creation and poverty reduction in the past four years. “Over the last four years of this administration, the Bank of Industry disbursed about 115 billion Naira to MSMEs across the
L – R: Managing Director of Bayswater Industries Ltd, Mr Piyush Nair, presenting a Hyundai Accent saloon car prize to Minna-based Mr. Chef North Central Zone distributor, Alhaji Abubakar Mahali, in Suleja, Niger State recently.
Dangote Cement Cameroun comes on stream
Aganga
36 states of the federation, representing 544 per cent increase over a four year period before then. It is over what we did between 2007 and 2010. “On funding, we as a government, has secured about one billion dollars for a new MSME wholesale Bank that the Presi-
dent will be launching within the next two weeks,” Aganga said. MSMEs in Nigeria have long canvassed for improved access to funding in order to grow and expand their businesses and further contribute to the growth of the economy which is rated as the biggest in Africa.
The first set of Dangote cement rolls out of the Dangote Cement Cameroun plant on Tuesday for market distribution.
BoI lent N780 bn to real sector in 2014 Emmanuel Ogbonnaya The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI), on Thursday, disclosed that disbursements of intervention funds and loans from the Bank to the nation’s real sector and other key sectors have hit N780 billion as at the end of 2014. Speaking at the yearly conference of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Osogbo, Osun State, Olaoluwa explained that the bank has increased its intervention to critical sectors of the economy within the last five years between 2010 and 2014. He said: “BoI has become impactful within the last five years and at least 1.8 million jobs have
created through such efforts. Before 2009, the level of intervention was below N30 billion, but we have been able to improve access of customers to the funds as well as increase their capacity in the utilisation of such facilities. “We are doing a lot of things to ensure that we can provide that comprehensive support to our small and medium enterprises. We are reviewing our regional status to state offices in order to be able to serve our customers better”. He also tasked members of the institute on the need to adhere to strict professional ethics adding that valuation of assets remain a critical aspect of financial intermediation that is often fraught with malpractice.
According to him, it is often times discovered that false values are placed on assets and this practice is prevalent in an industry where professionals have decided not to adhere to ethical guidelines. “Development and financial institutions most times discover that the value placed on some assets does not represent the reality and this is affecting financial intermediation by development finance institutions. Estate valuers play a critical role in the society as they are at the centre in placing value on assets. As a bank, we depend on their judgment. The institute needs to task its members on the need to embrace fair and ethical practice while performing their duties.
L-R: Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, O’lorogun Sonny Kuku; Managing Director, Mr. Jibril Aku; Group Executive, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan and former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Olusegun Aina, at the launch of Ecobank SME Club in Lagos …on Thursday.Photo: TAOFEEK BABJIDE
Daily Times Nigeria Friday,March 20, 2015
29 Agric
Stimulating cottage, industrial palm oil investments Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Investments in production and processing of palm oil has been identified and proven to be a veritable tool of poverty reduction and economic diversification. From being the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil in the 1960s, Nigeria has fallen to being a net importer to meet rising domestic demand. Largely, demand is primarily driven by the household consumers who prefer to consume the technical palm oil (TPO) because of its flavour profile, and its indispensability in most traditional menus. Household demand is also complemented by an increasing demand for the special palm oil (SPO) which can then be fractionated to meet the needs of industrial processors. Though domestic production is nearly 900,000 tonnes, there is an estimated overall gap in Nigeria of between 150 and 300,000 tonnes of TPO and 200,000 tonnes of SPO, much of which is currently met today through imports. All of the wild grove harvest is moving through traditional channels which use rudimentary technology, but there is increasing investment in smallholder production with integration into processing. Most of the private small holders, where the economically active poor dominate, are producing for the TPO market segment. For the any meaningful transformation to occur, interventions especially from government should first of all target small
Cottage palm oil industry
commercial or cottage industries which processes most of the TPO. There should also be an increased investment in re-planting and upgrading the varieties of existing palm plantations with newer higher oil content varieties, and enhanced linkages between the processors of SPO and the private farmers. This is currently being addressed under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Oil Palm Transformation Value Chain targeted at bridging the gap in national vegetable oil production, estimated at 350,000 mt through the establishment of a total of 240,000 ha from 2012–2015 by smallholder farmers and estates, and enhancement of yield. The implementation of the Oil Palm Transformation Value Chain is being carried out in 24 oil palm producing states namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross-river, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Benue, kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna (Southern Kaduna). Seedling Production Some of the achievements of the scheme include seedling production/distribution – raising nine million improved tenera seedlings obtained from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). According to the ministry, under the first phase in 2012/2013, four million nuts were procured and raised into mature seedlings capable of planting
26,666.7ha. The seedlings were distributed to farmers in the following states: Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Delta, Cross River, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Abia, Osun and Enugu. The Second phase of the seedlings production in 2014/2015 involved raising of five million improved seedlings by; 67 Public/Private Nursery Operators in 24 states totaling two million seedlings; 25 Estate Nursery Operators in 15 states totaling two million seedlings and six Mega Nursery Operators in six States totaling one million seedlings. Investment Support Local, private and foreign Companies have enlisted in various oil palm investment activities following the enabling environment created under ATA. Activities being undertaken include production, processing and marketing. Many local investors are planting new farms, expanding existing ones, as well as establishing and expanding processing outfits. BoI Funding In 2014, the Bank of Industry launched the N5 billion Cottage Agro Processors (CAP) Fund which has been welcomed by stakeholders as a veritable platform for expanding and sustaining wealth creation in cottage industries across the country. Under the CAP fund, two oil palm processing cottage industries in Osun State have been commissioned to ease most farmers challenge at the stage of processing, which inadvertently affects the price of their palm-oil. Speaking on the development,
Adesina
Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Agric and Food Security, Festus Agunbiade:“If we don’t take care of processing facilities, then we would just be producing for wastages and if you are sure that your commodities would be processed, you will be encouraged to add more value. From today, in Osun State you can be assured that farmers would be encouraged to grow oil-palm because they are sure that their incomes will increase as wastages are being drastically reduced”. He also noted that the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, understands perfectly the challenges of farming and the farmers through his efforts which has resulted in the increase of production capacity. “We are also witnessing a better approach to the issue of funding by BOI because they have come down to the real issues; farmers can no longer bear the high costs of commercial bank facilities, it is very good that BOI has now come down to its real mandate and is financing agriculture by charging single digit interest rates. I will advise them that they increase their monitoring activity so that such facilities will be well monitored,” Agunbiade added. On his part, Barrister Bola Adebowale, Company Legal Secretary to one of the beneficiary cottage industries, E99 Oasis Integrated Services Ltd, commended the initiative as a worthy one un-
der the ATA championed by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. “Let me sincerely thank the Bank of Industry for the support provided on this project. This is a clear indication of a financial institution building strong support in the actualisation of agricultural programmes, especially in the oil palm cottage processing mill. “Today’s commissioning is a great event and a milestone in the annals of the history of farm E99 which was established to aid food production in the country as well as enhance stable food availability to the people. With this Mill, I am sure palm oil produced in the farm will meet the international standard quality,” he said. He stressed that it was heartwarming to note that the problems facing the producers and farmers of oil palm will soon fade away, as it was now possible for farmers to get their palm-oil produced without the body-aching old and unhygienic system. Fabricator and installer of the machines at the industries, Victor Olomo, CEO Process Concepts and Technologies Ltd, explained that the machines will be used to process palm-oil from harvested bunches from the oil-palm plantation. “The idea is that we want to produce palm-oil that is of high enough quality that can be safely consumed, used by industries and meet export specifications and this facility here meets the requirement,” he said.
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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Agriculture needs more funding – Ogundoro Charles Okonji An agriculturist, Mr. Olalekan Ogundoro, has advised government at all levels to allocate more funds to the agriculture sector in this year’s budget. Ogundoro gave the advice in Ikole, Ekiti State, stressing that the fall in the price of crude oil has made it necessary for the government to strategise in looking for additional revenue
to meet the country’s developmental needs. According to him, pumping huge money to the agriculture sector would provide employment opportunities, boost food security and reduce poverty to the barest minimum. “It is well known that agriculture played significant role in the nation’s economy during 60s and 70s; it is time for government to face the reality and in-
vest huge money into the sector. “This is the only way the country can revive the dwindling economy and bounce back as a leading nation in Africa with a vibrant economy,” he said. Ogundoro urged politicians to provide farm incentives such as interest-free loans for the youths, rural dwellers and farmers to enhance agricultural production.
Olaoluwa
BoI boosts aquaculture investments in Ogun with 7% interest loans Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
Diseased maize
Digital certificates to boost plant pests and diseases control Lara Adejoro The creation of a new global electronic certification system that will help curb the spread of plant pests and diseases through international trade in a more secure and cost-effective way has been approved by representatives from 181 countries. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention, agreed to develop a global system of electronic phytosanitary certificates, known as e-Phyto, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said on Thursday. The decision means that the complex, bureaucratic process whereby millions of paper phytosanitary certificates are created, printed, and exchanged between countries each year, will eventually be replaced by an online electronic system. The current paper certificates serve to reassure importers that plant products including food have been inspected and found to be free of the kinds of pests that
could devastate their local economy by harming agriculture or the environment. It is an essential effort, but costly in terms of time and resources. e-Phyto is designed to eventually replace paper certificates entirely. Envisaged at its heart is a central hub, which will receive on a voluntary basis certificates from National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) in exporting countries and makes them available to the NPPOs of importing countries. The hub provides a simple and secure method for exchange, eliminating the need for countries to negotiate exchange protocols bilaterally with each and every trading partner. “Security and confidentiality are crucial concerns that have been thoroughly addressed in the system design,” Peter Thomson, the IPPC’s Bureau lead for the e-Phyto development, told CPM participants meeting in Rome this week. “Secure electronic exchange of certificates between NPPOs will eliminate problems some
countries currently experience with the use of fraudulent certificates by importers or exporters,” Thomson added. The hub model is expected to be a lot less costly than existing paper-based methods and will significantly strengthen global harmonization and adherence to the IPPC standards for phytosanitary certification. “There’ll be one set of rules,” Thomson said, “and one way to interpret them.” e-Phyto is expected to simplify and reduce the cost of global trade, increase the ability of countries to identify items that pose a high risk and reduce the potential for fraud and hence collateral damage. A staggering $1.1 trillion worth of agricultural products are traded internationally each year, with food accounting for more than 80 per cent of the total. The CPM has also endorsed a request to the Standards and Trade Development Facility of the World Trade Organization to provide funds for the initial establishment of e-Phyto.
Aquaculture development in Ogun State has received a boost from the Bank of Industry (BoI) with the disclosure from the development institution of a disbursement of N123 million, at seven per cent to cooperative societies and enterprises in the sector. According to the bank, the single digit interest facility forms part of a pool of N1.0 billion for on-lending to MSMEs in the state under the matching fund arrangement with the Ogun State Government. The bank explained in a statement that in pursuance of its mandate of transforming the Industrial sector of Nigeria, the Matching Fund concept was evolved in partnership with various State Governments, in order to provide access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in all states of the federation. “The Matching Fund Scheme entails the State Governments providing funds that are matched equally by BoI, in order to increase the quantum of funds available to MSMEs in the states in support of their economic activities geared towards job and wealth creation. “Ogun State is one of the seventeen (17) states currently collaborating with BoI in the Matching Fund arrangement. The Ogun State Government contributed the sum of N500 million which was matched by BoI to create a pool of N1billion for on-lending to MSMEs in Ogun State at a single digit interest rate of seven per cent per annum. “The Matching Fund has been deployed towards funding entrepreneurs engaged in aquaculture, livestock and fish feed milling, cassava flour, garri, bakery, water bottling, textiles (batik/tie and dye), polyethylene products, block making among others”, it
added. Under the arrangement, the bank stated that a total of N123 million has so far been disbursed to 21 aquaculture cooperative societies and enterprises engaged in the production of cat fish in eight (8) Local Government Areas of Ogun State namely: Abeokuta South, Yewa North, Ijebu North, Ijebu South, Sagamu, Odogbolu, Abigi and Ijebu-Ode. It explained that the 21 cooperative societies and enterprises however currently produces 1,890 tonnes of fish, which only meets 2.4 per cent of the estimated demand of 79,000 tonnes of fish per annum in Ogun State, reflecting an indication of the great opportunity that exists for investment in aquaculture in the State, as well as for value addition activities in fish processing for production of smoked fish, fillets, among others. The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Bank of Industry, Rasheed Olaoluwa, in assessing the aquaculture development programme, declared: “I am indeed very happy that BoI is creating such a remarkable economic impact in Ogun State, which is evident in the almost 2,000 jobs (500 direct and 1,500 indirect) created under the programme, coupled with the linkages established between the fish farms and off-takers such as restaurants, hotels, food processing companies, as well as with suppliers of fish feeds and other inputs”. On his part, the Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbola Ashiru said: “It was the widely acknowledged importance of fish as a rich source of dietary protein that prompted the Ogun State Government to collaborate with the Bank of Industry in promoting aquaculture in the State under the Matching Fund Scheme”.
Auto31
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, February 27, 2015
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that are secretly carscool ’Niyi Omo-Okiri
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Let’s face it: there are some cars that are just simply more appealing than others. While looked down upon by some, these cars all have some hipster appeal. They look like they are made by Fischer-Price, but these cars are built to last and built to crush obstacles. If you’ve ever had to climb a hill in the snow or drive through washed-out dirt roads in a puddle jumper, you will surely appreciate the power and execution of the pack. A mixture of the rugged, old and new, the presentations would more than satisfy the needs of discerning minds. And the welcome surprises in this line-up are the vintage Ford ThunderBird, the over three decades-old Volvo 240 and Volkswagen Rabbit, followed by the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Honda Element…even the Smart Car. However, the wonder of the whole pack is the Vespa Scooter. Though with a new/modern design, it was the toast of the Hausas of the North, reigning through more than three decades, as long as I know…probably still so to date. It was probably designed for the women folk, with its easy boarding and disembarking access, but it also quickly became the men’s favourite, especially when they don their popular ‘Babanrigas’ and their ‘Hulas’. The Vespa Super was an Italian made motorcycle that cuts through age differences and is affordable by the poor and the rich, especially of the northern Nigeria. And with good management and proper service schedule, this little wonder that came with 150cc two-stroke engine could serve their owners very well for over 10 years.
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1. Volvo 240 2. Honda Element 3. FJ Cruiser 4. Ford Thunderbird 5. The Smart car
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6. Volkswagen Rabbit 7. Vespa Super 8. Pink Stretch Hummer 9. Kia Soul 10. Nissan Juke
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Friday, March 20, 2015
Politics Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
‘It’s tough being a herdsman’ VOL. 1. NO.70
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Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng
BENT
Jonathan
spirits and no one could guess which one would jump out. I never ever suffer fools gladly. Today PMAN is a ghost of itself, no permanent address, no fixed leadership, like a ship without a captain. Being PMANs President is a sacrifice, a
politics, how will you describe the reconciliation meeting you had with Mr. President? Mr. President has been travelling to cities in Nigeria where there seems to be trouble in PDP, trying to put the house in order. Adamawa State happens to be one of the very bad cases where the PDP has done what I call gross injustice; what I referred to as a deadly blow to the teaming members of the party in the state. Since democratic inception in 1999, Adamawa State had
always been in the PDP and I think Mr. President having that at the back of his mind decided to get himself involved in the reconciliation. I must commend his magnanimity, despite his very tight schedule, he was able to come and listen to us. What really thrilled me was the fact that he insisted on hearing from the aggrieved aspirants. The PDP has totally dismembered and a lot of its members have abandoned the party for no
You are one of the key players in Adamawa State
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 20, 2015
DR Congo, rebels in violent clash
MSME wholesale bank P28
P8
talks in four years
Akinjide Akintola
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Edogiawerie said that Chibuike had confessed to stealing the guest’s N48,000 after watching the hotel’s CCTV footage which showed how he carried out the crime. “It was when he was taking detectives to the place he hid the money that he suddenly bolted across the road and a Toyota Camry car hit him and ran over him. The suspect has been arrested and the car is in our custody,” the state PPRO said. However, Daily Times request to see the ‘offending’ driver and car that the police claimed to be in their custody met with a brickwall as they said the matter is still under investigation.
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Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Federal Government has announced that it has secured one billion dollar loan for a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wholesale Bank to aid the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises sector. The loan is also expected to boost job creation and reduce poverty across the country. The proposed MSME Wholesale Bank is due to be launched in a fortnight. Unveiling the plan of the Federal Government at a meeting with business owners in Abuja on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated that the proposed initiative would help to actualise the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises sector in the country. According to the minister, the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan had supported the sector with over N115 billion to enhance job creation and poverty reduction in the past four years. “Over the last four years of this administration, the Bank of Industry disbursed about 115 billion Naira to MSMEs across the
dent Jonathan himself has been left, the OPC led Nollywood acin and out of the state in the last tors and other supporters of Ahead of next week’s presi- five weeks since the postpone- President Jonathan in protest Violent clashes have eruptdential elections, the stakes ment of the polls, trying to gar- demanding the sacking of the anchao, said that China hoped ed between the army and a miare beginning to get higher ner support of not only Lago- Chairman, Independent Nationthat the two countries "would litia in eastern Democratic Rein Yorubaland which is now sians but the entire Yorubaland. al Electoral Commission, (INEC) With the exception of Ondo Prof. Attahiru Jega, before the develop a mind to face history public of Congo, forcing many split between the two major presidential gladiators, Presi- State, the entire Yorubaland March 28 elections. squarely and look into the fu- civilians to flee their homes, officials said on Thursday. Carrying placards under the dent Goodluck Jonathan of the was under the control of APC ture". Government forces have been Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) snatched from PDP through banners of Coalition of ConThursday's meeting is seen as and General Muhammadu Bu- all forms and means and it was cerned Nigerians (CCN), they a continuation of work to im- fighting rebels of the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign hari of the All Progressives Con- only last year that the PDP was started out from the 7UP/Toll prove ties in recent months. L – R: Managing Director of retrieve BayswaterEkiti Industries Mr Piyush GateNair, endpresenting of the aLagos-Ibadan able to backLtd, into gress (APC). In November, Chinese Presi- DRC (APCLS) in the Masisi terriHyundai Accent saloon car prize to Minna-based Mr. Chef North Central Zone distribuexpressway towards Ikorodu fold. Last Monday’s tor, protests by its dent Xi Jinping and Japanese tory west of Goma, the capital of Alhaji Abubakar Mahali, in Suleja, Niger State recently. North Kivu province. Thus, for the forthcoming road enroute National Stadium members of the Odua Peoples Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met "The rebels attacked last Congress, (OPC) in Lagos in elections, Yorubaland appears chanting anti-Jega and proon the sidelines of the Asiasupport of the presidential as- to be epic centre for the political Jonathan songs. They were led Pacific Economic Co-operation night," an army officer told AFP Dangote Cameroun comes on stream by OPC National Coordinator, war game ahead. Lagos, which pirations of President JonathanCement summit in Beijing, where world from the front line. Otunba Gani Adams. further raised the stakes in the has the larger population of "We have already managed to media captured the two leaders Though they claimed to be commercial centre of the coun- voters in the Yoruba nation and push them back. We will continfrostily shaking hands. protesting against the INEC currently under the control of try which is regarded as one of Besides territorial concerns, ue to chase them until we have the major flash points of vio- APC is the target of both parties. chairman, it was apparent that China has also taken issue with cornered them all." Indeed, 12 hours before the the march was against the All lence ahead of next week’s elecThe number of casualties reJapan's defence policy changes OPC protest, the President was Progressives Congress (APC) tions. under Prime Minister Shinzo mained unclear but government Before Monday’s protests in Lagos in an interactive ses- leaders in Lagos who had orAbe. Japan has defended its rein- officials told AFP one child had which reverberated across the sion with notable musicians and ganised a march through Lagos terpretation of its pacifist consti- been killed. Emmanuel Balume, state hithertoAbe thought to be the artistes in the entertainment in- for their presidential candidate, shakes hands with Xi Jinping (R), during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People. tution to allow it to use force to a resident of Nyabiondo village Gen. Muhammadu Buhari barestronghold of Asiwaju Bola dustry in the country, many of in North Kivu, described the defend allies under attack, which Ahmed Tinubu, national leader whom later joined the protest. China and Japan are hold- China Sea. and Japanese paramilitary ves- it calls "collective self-defence". situation as "very serious". He CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Adams Barely six hours after he of the opposition APC, Presiing their first high-level security China also claims Japan has sels patrolling waters around China in turn has previously ac- told AFP that "bombs" had been dropped overnight, and that peotalks in four years, following re- failed to adequately atone for ag- the disputed islands, known as cused Japan of "remilitarising". ple were seeking refuge at the along with South Kocent tensions over territorial and gression in World War Two. Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in andChina, packaged. cedents why are you jos- and get myself Osun State is the Son of former Military ment Area of UN base in Goma.Since rea, has also accused Japan of historical issues. the BBC's Celia Hatton in ofChina, trigger a conflict. tling for House of Represen- then, I have been with my people candidate PDP could for Ifelodun/ Administrator But of Niger and Ebwhitewashing wartime atrocities among says relations slowly Japan's deputyConforeign minis-seat? dent will be launching within theThe meeting in Tokyo within my locality and my contatives Odo-Otin/Boripe Federal onyi states, Beijing Chef Simeon Odu- are in schoolbooks and raised objecof Kayode trilat- joined improving and since at the top of the of ter reporters next two weeks,” Aganga said. officials comes aheadoye, joined politics way back in stituency. As a politician, I can stituency the told state. He spokethat to bothI sides Politics tions when ministers, including eral talks with Souththe Korea agenda is the establishhoped to "especially in- I was 2001 and playing a support- serve my people in any position. MICAHEL BAMIGBOLA in Os- discuss daysonof meeting's his late father , but MSMEs in Nigeria have long Mr Abe, visited the controversial Saturday. ment of a maritime communicatentions and thoughts behind little was heard about him until ogbo on next week’s elections and ive role for my late father, Sena- Representing my people will encanvassed for improved access Yasukuni The last round of talks inagotion hotline. There been each for other's ." Simeon able me present laws that will tor Oduoyeshrine whenwhich he honours his programmes his defence constitu-policy few was years when he joined the have to funding in order to grow and Japan's war dead as wellfacilitate as war 2011, before ties worsened over fears that a (PDP). clash - accidental His counterpart, As- his development in the declared intention to serve. ency amongst others. Excerpts: China's Peoples Democratic Party criminals. a row over islands inScion the East otherwise - between Chinese sistant Foreign MinisterOver Liu aJiexpand their businesses and furperiod of time, I was able three Local Government Areas of the or Oduoye dynasty of What’s your political ante- to gather a lot of experience Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Governther contribute to the growth of
36 states of the federation, representing 544 per cent increase over a four year period before then. It is over what we did between 2007
MARCH POLLS:
thankless job, if you have the time and a passion to fix things. You must have to fight for the benefit of the people first, even when they don’t appreciate it in the beginning. The fight for more money and respect for Naija artistes became more heat-
and 2010. “On funding, we as a government, has secured about one billion dollars for a new MSME wholesale Bank that the Presi-
Why military should be involved
– Oduoye
Abbas: Two-state solution impossible with Netanyahu
the economy which is rated as the biggest in Africa.
The first set of Dangote cement rolls out of the Dangote Cement Cameroun plant on Tuesday for market distribution.
ÏÏÏ A two-state solution to the
Emmanuel Ogbonnaya
edChibuike when I theinsisted Late before torture.
created through such efforts. Before 2009, the level of intervention was below N30 billion, but we have been able to improve access of customers to the funds as well as increase their capacity in the utilisation of such facilities. “We are doing a lot of things to ensure that we can provide that comprehensive support to our small and medium enterprises. We are reviewing our regional status to state offices in order to be able to serve our customers better”. He also tasked members of the institute on the need to adhere to strict professional ethics adding that valuation of assets remain a critical aspect of financial intermediation that is often fraught with malpractice.
tory. In a last-ditch appeal to Israel's far right just hours before polls opened on Tuesday, Netanyahu ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state and pledged to build thousands of new homes for Jewish settlers in annexed Arab east Jerusalem. Abbas said the Palestinians would continue to "demand international legitimacy", in reference to their attempts to achieve statehood through the United Nations and other international bodies. "It is our right to go to anywhere in the world to achieve
international legitimacy," he said. The Palestinian leader also pointed to the likely inclusion in the new Israeli government of Avigdor Lieberman, head of the ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, who waged a virulent election campaign against both the Palestinians and Israel's Arab minority. Abbas said Lieberman had made "racist calls to kill Arab Israelis", a reference to reported comments earlier this month in which he said any Arabs who were disloyal to the Jewish state should be beheaded.
Helmand governor Mohammad Nahim Balouch was not at the compound at the time of the attack.
A South Sudanese warlord, many children in South Sudan," who abducted about 89 boys from Brown told reporters at the Unittheir school, has offered to let ed Nations. them return to finish exams as Brown was referring to the kidlong as they are then given back nap of more than 200 girls by Boko to him to fight, United Nations Haram militants from Chibok, L-R: Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, O’lorogun Sonny Kuku; Managing Director,Nigeria. Mr. Jibril Boko Haram, which is global education envoy Gordon Aku; Group Executive, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan and Brown said on Wednesday. "The fighting to carve an Islamic state former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Olusegun Aina, whole world be protesting in BABJIDE northeast Nigeria, attacked the at the launch of Ecobank SME Club in Lagos …onshould Thursday.Photo: TAOFEEK as we did over Chibok about any girls' secondary school almost a child that is abducted from their year ago at exam time. The abducschool and any child that has been tion led to a global campaign to kidnapped ... as is happening to so find them.
In South Sudan, the UN Children's Fund Unicef said in February that gunmen kidnapped the boys in oil-rich Upper Nile State while they were sitting exams. Brown, a former British prime minister, said they were aged between 12 and 15. Brown was starting a campaign for the world to guard schools from military use and attacks and give them the same protection as Red Cross hospitals.
Middle East conflict will be impossible with an Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas According to him, it is often said on Thursday. times discovered that false values statements are placed on assets and this prac- "Netanyahu's against a two-state solution and tice is prevalent in an industry against a Palestinian state... are where professionals have decided proof, if correct, that there is no not to adhere to ethical guidelines. seriousness in the [future] Is“Development and financial raeli government about a politiinstitutions most times discover cal solution that will lead to the that the value placed on some asestablishment of two states," he sets does not represent the realsaid a day after the Israeli leader ity and this is affecting financial snatched an upset election vic-
BoI lent N780 bn to real sector in 2014 The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI), on Thursday, disclosed that disbursements of intervention funds and loans from the Bank to the nation’s real sector and other key sectors have hit N780 billion as at the end of 2014. Speaking at the yearly conference of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Osogbo, Osun State, Olaoluwa explained that the bank has increased its intervention to critical sectors of the economy within the last five years between 2010 and 2014. He said: “BoI has become impactful within the last five years and at least 1.8 million jobs have
ÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏ
Aganga
Oh Our PMAN! (II)
Charly Boy
President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday had a closed-door reconciliation meeting with aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Adamawa State at Government House, Yola. After the marathon session, one of the aggrieved stakeholders in attendance, Senator Grace Bent had an interaction with select journalists. WALE AKINTUNDE was there. Excerpts:
Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
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How Jonathan reconciled feuding Adamawa PDP leaders
28 Business News Features Politics Business Times s Chibuike confessed after YORUBALAND: Edo State Police FG obtains $1bn China, Japan YORUBALAND OPC raises facility to holdimages first Command in watching the hotel’s CCTV Businessraises OPC the stakes International 14 FG obtains $1bn mystery murder establish MSME security talks in the stakes in facility to establish in Presidential Presidential footage – Police P14first fourJapan yearshold pollspolls P17 wholesale bank China, security Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015
s
Netanyahu
Four suspects arrested in Tunisian terror CONTINUED attackON PAGE 11 ÏÏÏ
Four people have been arrested for direct links to Wednesday's gun attack in Tunis that left 23 people dead, including 20 foreign tourists, the Tunisian presidency says. The army would also be deployed to major cities, the presidency added. One of two gunmen involved in the Bardo museum attack, Yassine Laabidi, was reportedly known to the authorities. Laabidi and his accomplice, Hatem Khachnaoui, were killed as security forces stormed the museum. Tourists from Japan, Colombia, the UK and other European countries were killed in the attack and more than 40 people were injured. The suspects arrested on Thursday were not identified and it was not clear what their alleged involvement might have been. In a statement, the presidency said Tunisia was facing "exceptional circumstances", adding that "terrorist operations have now moved from the mountains to the cities". "After a meeting with the armed forces, the president has decided large cities will be secured by the army," the statement added.
that PMAN would not tolerate any more foreign acts on our soil if corporate bodies didn’t cooperate. I was locked up for three (3) weeks in Abuja when Ja Rule came to perform in Nigeria because Festus Odimegwu, the then MD
of Nigeria Breweries and ÏÏÏ his crew were S’Sudanscared of warlord allows what the union or Charabducted boys lyboy wouldFinish do. But hey, exams sometimes, that is what a leader has to endure for the good of his people. So between Kevin Luiciano and Pretty, who should we be supporting?
Who says they can’t come together. But first, all the witches, riffraffs, expired products still hanging around on both side of the divide must be finally put where they belong, in the trash can. Oginidi. Shame to bad people.
to sit on the fence. It is called Siddon Look. I no go lie, I tire. Hoping that the favour of God will see us through all this. My heart goes out to the suffering masses and the youths of this country, who have no dreams to dream anymore, no leaders to follow and no values to aspire to. The youths of this country are dying in the quicksand of hopelessness and frustration. The few good people left are finding it extremely difficult to hang on to the values they grew up with that defined their character, because this is a country where honesty is looked at as stupidity and integrity, as being mumu-rized. See how greed, selfishness and corruption have eaten up every sense of reason; every sense of responsibility. Many young people have been aban-
doned by fathers who are madly engaged in the losing battle of survival; many mothers have been pulled away from their natural hearts of compassion, family values and love in confusion. They wonder constantly, tempted by promises made by heartless and ruthless men drunk on blood money. Oh God, who will bell the cat? This is all a bad dream; I wish I could wake up! Ohhhh Naija! It is hard to imagine the level of deception and power drunkenness within our government and leadership. Round after round of unimaginable afflictions poured out on the people like vials from hell’s darkest parts. No compassion on the poor, suffering masses. Jesus! Where we dey go?
Untold poverty from the south to the north, through the east to the west, even in this poverty, we stand disunited, why? What proof do we still need to ask questions about our destination and to start to remedy the mistakes we have made through our insane greed, as we sing, clap and dance for those riffraff ’s responsible for this iniquity? God go punish dem. Kai! Naija, where nobody send anybody! Government chop alone, masses on their own. My God, I need to wake up from this nightmare that has held me paralyzed in my dream! What can take this pain away, what can sanitize our decayed minds, what can make it well for us again? Which way Naija? Someone, please say something before I craze....
intermediation by development finance institutions. Estate valuers play a critical role in the society as they are at the centre in placing value on assets. As a bank, we depend on their judgment. The institute needs to task its members on the need to embrace fair and ethical practice while performing their duties.
CONCLUDED
Nightmare CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY
ÎÎÎSince
are weak with fear and the past two guilty of inaction. weeks my phone has been No day passed without Even though I’m aware The Herdsman’s children’s life begin and end in the bush ringing off the hook. My the mention of PMAN in of Buhari’s antecedents, associates friends are CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 dailies. such phenomenon is not un- and all its natural instincts and the national From I don’t believe he can pull heard of. In the rural areas of abilities suspended or demobishocked at what was purthe National Assembly to Chairman of the Kara Cattle the South-East, the Middle and lized momentarily. this off. Obviously I beDealers Association, in Lagos is the South-West, radical herbal“Until cattle thieves began to ported as a Muhammadu the Villa, our presence was an indigene of Goneri village, ists have been known to gain carry modern weapons, itlieve was that age will lead him Buhari’s endorsement by felt. All this happened in Gujuba Local of Government notoriety with such feats. very rare for a thief to carry a to compromise on many Area of Yobe State, Kolo who non-denomination cler- Fulani herdsman’s The Brand, Charly Boycow. . For a under my watch forOne only started as a cattle breeder from ic who spent much time as a thief to meet a Fulani man infronts and that’s not what Haba, who dash them? his youth Daily of Times thatyears. onetold term two Inthe hills miner in of Bauchi, side bush? The thief could be is needed at this time, aside the Fulani have their own medi- Abraham Adewale-Wilhelm the next cow in his fold.” Wale Looking at the camtime, members became cine no and charm. told Daily Times the sonda declared. the fact that some wolves “One way they sothe far, IInam pained becomes a lethalpaign weapon in partso II in the series, Daily proud of protect theirtheir union and are in bed with him. Will cow is that if a cow thief tries to hand of the herdsman in an Times brings you the sacrifiand ashamed of how a few inches taller. stealwalked their cow, the cow will not emergency. cial life of the Fulani wife;he herbecome the sheep? be able to move; it would lie low we sunk.and It’s no in the the herdsman hits have or pregnancy childbirth However, itjust wasn’t a“Ifbed As for Goodluck, I know on its side, and you know that throws his sonda at the beast, bush, the future of the herdsmore about the issues that roses. There wasit a sect cow of is heavy, the thief cannot is said that the animal would man’s children, exciting times he is a jolly good fellow carry it and run away.” mesmerised, that means thethe of future Fulani marriage threaten of ourceremony who believed that be PMAN Daily Times recalls that beast would become blank and in the bush among others. who really doesn’t want Late Chibuike after the torture. youths and our country was their ‘thing’ majority stress but has allowed but the obnoxious, petty, came from the west, as Lahimself to be surrounded childish mudslinging of gos was the headquarters by very funny characters the parties trying to outdo and the melting point of who have no interest of the themselves. Kai! entertainment. They were country at heart but their In the article that I quick to form useless and own bottomless pockets. Is personally posted on my uncoordinated opposition Luck running out on him Facebook, I talked about that always fell like a pack or this is another governa benevolent dictator, one of cards. I had a terrible ment magic in making? who would come and kick habit of Ass Kicking, after As for me Charly Boy, some ass of all the people all I send dem? I was ever these are very miserable responsible for our pitiful ready to deal with this opchoices and for that reason situation because quite position by fire, force and for once in my life, out of frankly, we the followers of cause the anointing. I deep frustration, I prefer was filled with different
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Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528
Life&
TIMES Friday March 20, 2015
Foluke Daramola
On finding peace, love and contentment L2,3 P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
Destiny brought my husband and I together - Foluke Daramola Isaac Oguntoye She can righty be described as big, bold and beautiful. A mother of two children, she has been in the movie industry for over a decade and still strives to remain relevant. Articulate with a charming personality, Foluke Daramola who also doubles as a movie producer is married to renowned educationist turned activist, Olukayode Ezekiel Salako, both of whom are in their second marriages which they consider blissful. They both bare their minds on a myriad of issues in this interview.
Would it be right to say that your love for politics is what actually endeared you to Change Agents of Nigeria, a group formed by your husband? -
For some time now, little or nothing has been heard about your acting career. Any particular reason for this?
Is it wrong then for celebrities to endorse politicians? -
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You recently celebrated your 2nd wedding anniversary, what went through your mind on that day?
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The fad these days is for celebrities to endorse a politician of their choice.
What is your love story?
Do you plan to delve into politics soon?
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Foluke and husband, Kayode Salako
What do you love most about him?
seen endorsing any? -
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Life&
T E A M
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
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Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893
Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478
Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 20, 2015
brilliance did it for me. And he is romantic as well.
that you will talk about such things. -
learnt so far when it comes to marriage?
You have your own kids and he has his, how do you cope with the pressure of bringing them up together? Obviously, because his kids are
very happy. And like I always say, you agree to disagree. If God had
because his wife will not allow it but I have a good relationship with them.
individual and I am an individual. And while we were married, we shared fond memories, so I will just like to leave it at the fond memories
a hurry to get married because my friends were getting married and I wanted to be married. But after I left my ex-husband, I had to see a Psychiatrist. I realized that before I got married to my ex, I was frigid and it affected me but because of what everybody will say about keeping my marriage and all that, I tried to hold on but it was obviously not working out. And one thing about me is that
But my kids love him, they see him as their father. Your ex-husband recently remarried. What is the current state of our relationship with him?
like this. If he has found love some-
lady. So, I just wish them all the best. Now in your second marriage,
has his own issues, I have mine. I gret any of it because it is beyond regret when you have children involved.
L3 Interview
What advice will you give to anyone who is of marriageable age? Do not be in a hurry. If you noible or that his traits will not work
When you see a guy you like, weigh the bad and the good but let the good outweigh the bad. Also make your relationship or marriage value based. Get married to impact that marriage because you want to collect money, you will be disapgive, that person will see you as an asset.
And to your fellow celebrities, what will be your advice? one who has too much of your time. Find someone that will truly take you for who you are. There will be lots of distractions. At that time when
sort of things but they are not deep. from the scratch and you know each enjoy better companionship than for someone that just sees you as star. looking at the fact that he could ever ing it because he was a married man at the time we met but destiny brought us together.
Marrying Foluke is like a dream to me
– Olukayode Ezekiel Salako Some people see you as an educationist, others, as an activist, still others prefer to relate with you as a businessman. How will you describe yourself? By profession, I have been an educationist for over 24 years. I run a group of schools called Bosworth College International. In 2007, I saw the need to appreciate what the Lagos State government was doing under Governor Babatunde Raji fore that time, I had always been a disciplinarian and a business investor but nobody knew me despite the
to facilitate our meeting and on the day we met, I observed that I was at peace, my mind was open. It was as if we had known each other before then. We soon began working together on the platform of Change Agents of Nigeria, and gradually, we started liking each other unconsciously. We were just good friends and very fond of each other. You know, sometimes when two people meet and both have corresponding attributes they like in each other, they just click. I had been having problems in my marriage before I met Foluke and nobody knew bea sudden, my wife left, not because
of two social clubs and that was how I was living my life until I started Fasholamania campaign project. And that was what brought me into social advocacy. You must be a such a busy man. How do you create time for yourself and family? The bible says, there is time for everything. Living in that consciousness, I know that I must balance my time to be able to meet up with my responsibilities. I try to apportion time for everything and I try to manage it to satisfy all aspects of my life. So, I never done anything that will affect my responsibility to my wife. How did you meet your present wife? Through the activist group I started, Change Agents of Nigeria. When I started it, I needed celebrities that I could work with to help me drive the project since it is a national project. I discussed with a friend who is very close to Foluke Daramola. I had always known Foluke to be an actress, an activist, a social commentator, a human rights crusader, so I loved the choice. Luckily, the lady was able
the world the reason why she left. While I was still begging my wife, all my Pastors started calling me to say that my wife leaving the house was an act of God and that I have a person is my wife. I gave them the name of all my female friends includthem said, Foluke is my wife, that I should go and marry her. And that was why I had to marry Foluke in a my wife left the house. Naturally, a lot of people thought I was mad. They ing but I believed in what God said. There is nothing I do in my life that parents about my plan and they went So, that was why on the day of our wedding, everybody that mattered in our family were present to endorse it. So, I got married to her and since then, we have been living peacefully. Although she can be troublesome at rying her.
again? lie to you but the kind of affection and love I share with Foluke is deep, unprecedented and unique. The bond between us is so strong that I rate. Nothing is going to happen to this marriage because the two of us know why we must continue to sustain it. And we must continue to love each other. So, I feel so great about her. Your ex-wife is a Deaconess and every man prays to marry spiritually inclined women. What actually went wrong? She has been a woman of God since inception and there is no man who will not want to have such womdetails of what happened between us. But one thing I know is that, it is not Foluke Daramola who sent her out of house. It is God himself. Even my ex-wife knows that she had to go when she left. Is your relationship with your ex wife cordial? with my ex-wife because we are living on her own but because she has three children for me, there is no way we can continue to be en-
...endorsing Daily Times Newspaper
wife. So, my children have a good relationship with me because they have always loved me. How many children do you intend to have with Foluke Daramola? I have told Foluke that all I want from her is just a set of twins; a boy and a girl. If she can give me that, I will continue to love her more and to buy her a car, if she can give me a set of twins. How will you describe Foluke? She is a down to earth woman who is highly principled, not wayward, not materialistic. The day I got married to her and journalists were asking me whether she got married to me because of my money, I told them that I am just an average person; not poor not rich. So, if it is because of money, can count over a hundred men who are far richer than me asking her out.
she left home. I want the whole world
my Blackberry messenger and I am still responsible for the upkeep of my children. I talk to my children and sometimes, I go to her house to pick the children and take them out, so that when people see me with the dumped Foluke Daramola for my ex-
the side of value. Anything that has to do with value and integrity, Foluke will want to identify with that. If you are to advise me about marriage based on your experience, what will be your advice? vinced is your wife. And because
out about who they want to marry before they go into it anymore. They get carried away with love and they end up regretting it at the end of the day. If you want to marry a woman
tually convinced about. For any marriage to work, both parties must have understanding, tolerance, perseverance, communication, respect and for beauty but for tomorrow. Most
dropping them for second wives be-
out of sentiments, maybe when they were struggling and there was a woman who was there for them, out of sentiment, they marry her. When I until three years after. But I was convinced I had to go into it and we lived for 13 years. Can we both conclude that you married Foluke for tomorrow? I did not marry a woman for tomorrow. God married a woman for in my life that I could marry her. It is still like a dream to us.
Society L4
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
High society marriages that have bitten the dust Nkarenyi Ukonu
Tundun Abiola and Atamah Attah
Mohammed Babangida and Umma Wali
Mohammed Babangida
Tundun Abiola
Umma Wali
Thousands of marriages break up every year, not a sweet fact though. They start out great, but something happens along the way. It could be almost immediately that the signs begin to show, that one or both mates are unhappy or it could even take years before the cracks start to appear. Money, careers and egos are often behind these break ups. But whatever the reason for the split, it is never easy when a marriage supposedly consummated on the altar of love comes to an end because whether you like it or not, your whole world can turn upside down and trigger all sorts of painful and unsettling feelings. But a few personalities have managed to end theirs, albeit, without the attendant
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side of the divide. One other thing these few have in common? They all come from well heeled families.
Mina and Jite Okoloko
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Bimbo Okoya and Urey
Atama Attah -
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Jite Okoloko
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Mina Bimbo-Okoya
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Funke Fowler and Abii Kuku
Folake and Folorunsho Coker
Funke Fowler and Abii Kuku Folorunsho Coker
Folake Folarin
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Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 20, 2015
L5
Society
Isaac Oguntoye
Kwakwanso, Tobby Otunba Debasco Anumaka and Sifax wins Amosun’s heart group honored It was encomium galore when the Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Chief Tobby Anumaka, a distinguished philanthropist and APC chieftain in Imo State were both honored t the 11TH Excellence Recognition Awards organized by soft sell magazine, Global Excellence. The event which took place last Saturday in Lagos attracted lots of dignitaries from all walks of life. The awards ceremony was designed to honor distinguished personalities in the public and private sectors of the economy as a way of rewarding the efforts of recipients and nominees. While the Governor of Kano State was honored with the Governor of the Year award,
APC senatorial candidate, Adeola Olamilekan Solomon
About Yayi’s omnipresent army
Rabiu Kwankwaso Chief Anumaka who is also the CEO of SKYDROP Nigeria, was bestowed with a special recognition award in business and politics. Other awardees of the day were, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Dr Taiwo Afolabi of Sifax Group, Dame Abimbola Fashola among others.
Coscharis motors boss, Dr. Cosmas Maduka’s one hour with SLASON
Babatunde Onakoya and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun Socialite and politician, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya fondly referred to as Debasco and who is also the Chairman, Mobilization Committee for Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun seems to have won the heart and respect of the governor, what with how far and well, he has been able to garner the trust and loyalty of the electorates in Ogun State for the governor. So much has he exceeded the gova recent government function in Abeokuta, the governor credited him alongside
members of his committee for a job well done and complimented the zeal with which he discharges his duties. It would be recalled that, in just three weeks, Otunba Debasco has been able to welcome two different political groups back to the party, APC, to declare their support for the incumbent for a second term. Besides Amosun, he has also played pivotal roles for senatorial aspirants, Dapo Abiodun and Lanre Tejuosho for Ogun-East and Ogun-Central respectively on the platform of APC. What has helped made his job easy is the fact that he is a grass root mobilizer.
If you are a close political watcher, you will agree that Lagos West APC senatorial candidate, Adeola Olamilekan Solomon popularly known as Yayi, is one aspirant who is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to represent his constituents at the Upper chamber. Not only are his posters in every nook and cranny of Lagos state, miss an opportunity to express his desire to go to the senate at any gathering he ner with which he doles out money and other relief materials to woo voters is a story for another day. He recently got people talking when he
beefed up security around him with hefty looking bodyguards who now restrict the interactions with members of his constituents. His reason too long ago, his campaign known thugs who went as far as shooting sporadically on the day of the attack. Even though a few bullets and pellets were recovered in his prompting many to assume that the perpetrators would was eventually done, making the aspirant to take his personal security more serious.
About Princess Toyin Atobatele’s eatery
For you to engage Dr. Cosmas Maduka, the chairman of Coscharis Group of Companies and sole distributor for BMW in Nigeria for an hour in an unproductive environment will be tantamount to losing a million dollars in a Casino. Wherever you see business development about to or already happening or something that will be of imis going on. One other way one can get him engaged for hours on end is if he is sharing ideas on how to become a success in life to youths. That is how important time is to him. Penultimate Monday, the Society of Landscape Architecture Students of Nigeria (SLASON) succeeded in gathering not just tertiary students but also secondary school students and corporate bodies to enlighten them on environmental sustainability. Luckily, Dr. Cosmas agreed to be a guest speaker and in the over one hour he spent with the gathering, he was at his best. He gave reasons why we need to defend the existence of man and the relationship with his biotic and abiotic environment. He also expatiated on the reason
Cosmas Maduka why Nigerians must prepare for the worst when it comes to environmental sanitation, adding that it is a very important cause, a noble cause that affects our future. According to him, “Many of us think we can get away with cutting trees and not properly dispose of waste. Cans that are already discarded in European countries are brought here which has been causing pollution within the it through the atmosphere. We have seen uncontrollable rain situations. These young people have gathered themselves, seeing what is going on and crying out to say please help us save the environment and place for unborn generations.”
Hajia Habiba Abubakar
Where is Hajia Habiba Abubakar? For sometimes now, multiple-award winning strategist and a United Nation Peace Ambassador, Hajia Habiba Abubabar has not been on AWOl both from the social media and from social functions. Some of her followers on Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp have been asking series of questions on her whereabouts. The re-
spected woman of essence we scooped has been busy traveling from one country to another, trying to discover new things that will be of ben-
us that, she has not been active on social media but very busy with businesses. In fact, she promised she would soon bounce back in style.
Toyin Atobatele For fun seekers who like to enjoy the best things in by Princess Toyin Atobatele is the best place to be. The Eatery which boasts of all an A-class eatery, is tucked inside Omole area of the Lagos metropolis. Ever since it threw its doors opened to its teeming customers, the place has been enjoying unprecedented patronage from all
and sundry. According to the business woman, the eatery called Wendy, is just a way of diversifying into another business. The graduate of Political Science from the University of Ibadan is many things rolled into one. She is also a beautician, a clothier, an events management expert and above all, an excellent outdoor caterer who has been involved in so many parties of notable celebrities.
Events L6
Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 20, 2015
At the showbiz interactive session with
President Goodluck Jonathan Opeoluwani Akintayo and Nkarenyi Ukonu
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Tit bits from the event
Liz Benson stages come back Besides the fact that the veteran actress turned evangelist who had gone on an evangelical sabbatical has been staging a subtle come back to the movie industry, the ageless beauty proved that she was still a notable part of Nollywood when she graced the interactive session. She led the gathering in prayers which was laced with subtle hints of her support for the President.
Liz Benson and Zack Orji
Sir Victor Uwaifo turns poet
Sir Victor Uwaifo
Yes he is a sculptor and a musical instrument inventor but not many people are aware that the former Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Edo State, under Lucky Igbinedion, is also a poet. The Guitar Boy crooner thing near his 74 years, took time to herald each song he sang, with a poem, connecting the audience to his experiences behind each of the songs he belted out.
That moment when the President danced
Chris Mba TY Bello: The sneaks in President’s quietly favourite photographer quite take note of at the event was veteran musician, Chris Mba. The Jerry curl wearing crooner who ruled the airwaves in the early 80s with one of his popular singles, sat quietly at a corner of the hall savoring happenings at the events. Chris who had been away from the music scene for years nursing injuries on his two legs which left him at a point, bedridden, looked hale and hearty.
vourite photographer is not in doubt. Theirs is a relationship that was formed in the early days of his tenure and one that has blossomed over the years. As usual, the diminutive singer who recently welcomed twin boys after nine years of marriage was at the event, strategically clicking away with her camera.
Funmi Ajila-Ladipo dazzled at the interactive session
Earl Osaro Onaiwu made an appearance Even though he is based in Abuja and hardly comes into Lagos, Osaro Onaiwu otherwise known as the Earl, made sure he made it to the interactive session, full of life. Perhaps, the Edo State born public relations strategist and image consultant was there in his capacity as the secretary and administrator Before his current appointment, he was the special adviser to the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on governors and government.
The song with a standing ovation
One of the best musical performances of the night was the rendition of You lift me up by Bayelsa State born Timi Dakolo, winner of the maiden edition of Idols West Africa and Reuben Studdard, popular American R&B/Soul singer who won the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for his single, Superstar. To say that they both connected well as they sang, would be an understatement.
The 51 year old President of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria was there in her capacity as a representative of the creative industry, fashion designing precisely. Accompanied by some of her executives, her presence spoke volumes about her endorsement of the President for a second term. What however begs for answer is why her bosom friend, Hon. Abike Dabiri who is a staunch supporter and member of the opposition party, APC, has been unable to woo her to her camp. Funmi Ajila-Ladipo
Entertainers entertain the president
Nollywood and its army of soldiers
Danja, King Sunny Ade, Waje, Kcee, Raskimono, Oritz Wiliki, Righteous Man, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sammy Okposo, Duncan Mighty and Nikky Laoye. Gordons, Funny Bones, Igors, Klint D drunk etc did their best to crack some ribs.
Besides comedian Ayo Makun and actor cum Comissioner, Richard Mofe Damijo who both handled proceedings before and after the arrival of the President, there were quite a number of artistes who entertained the President, his entourage and the audience. There was
Roll call of notable entertainers, politicians and members of the corporate world
President Goodluck Jonathan dancing with Orits Wiliki, Righteousman and Ras Kimono President Goodluck Jonathan was at his best at the session and proved to all that he was truly a lover of reggae music. During the performance of a reggae number by the three reggae musketeers; Righteous Man, Orits Wiliki and Ras Kimono, he danced to the beat of the song to the admiration of all present.
Ibinabo Fiberesinma with Nollywood ‘army’ Guild of Nigeria, led by its president, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Ebuka, mounted the stage dressed in a jersey top, the colour and design of the NiPresident Goodluck Jonathan.
Onyeka Onwenu, Alex Usifo, Ali Baba Akpoborome, Ngozi Ezeonu, Rachael Oniga, Bob Manuel, Kenneth Okonkwo, Fred Amata, Chika Okpala, Patience Ozokwo, Jimi Agbaje, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Ifeanyi Uba, Musiliu Obanikoro, ex-governor, Gbenga Daniel, ex cha, Governor Godswill Akpabio, Florence Ita-Giwa etc. Photos: Olawale Rotimi
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 20, 2015
L7 Events
When Lagos politicians and socialites stormed Adesegun Oniru’s 50th birthday party Isaac Oguntoye
Quite unconventional but he chose to throw a party on the day his birthday fell on which was a Wednesday, rather than to wait to do so on a weekend. Trust Lagosians, they all trooped out in their numbers to honour the Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, in a party he organised at the Eko Hotel and Suites. The civil/structural engineer, from the Oniru dynasty, made sure to fete his guests who all adhered strictly to the white dress code, with all of the ingredients that makes for a good party; sumptuous food, choice wine and spirits, good music and an unforgettable side attraction
On Oba Saheed Elegushi’s social preference If you refer to him as one of the most handsome monarchs in Nige-
Dame Abimbola Fashola and Senator Oluremi Tinubu represent husbands
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Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Yinka and husband Segun Oniru, First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Chagoury
Tolu Oniru, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi & Hon. Funmi Tejuosho
And the original cast of Mo’Hits crew thrilled guests -
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The Mavin crew not left out -
KWAM 1 as a guest and not a performer Roll call
Terry Waya, Musa and Caroline Danjuma Photos: Quadri Olowolagba
Mixed Grill Game
MURDER MYSTERY
Muiz Banire, Senator Gbenga Obadara and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo
Quick Crossword
Word search
e r e h W ‘N’ hen W British Council Enough is Enough March, 20th, 2015 @ Kolanut conference center, Barracks road, Calabar, Cross River State.
Across
Down
Afropolitan Vibes March 20th, 2015, @ Freedom Park, Hospital road, Lagos Island. 3rd Edition Bayelsa Media Awards March 21st, 2015 @Teriel Event Centre Yenagoa, 16th Kennis Music easter fiesta April 3rd-5th, 2015 @Elegushi beach,
Daily Times Nigeria
Friday, March 20, 2015
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AYC:
Poster!
DANAGOGO
STEVEN GERRARD
TASKS F/EAGLES ON TROPHY
X4,5
X2
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAF boots out Dolphins X3
, A C R A B L A E R O C I S A L C L E R O F T SE X8
MONTSHO to appeal doping ban X7
X2
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
DANAGOGO TASKS F/EAGLES ON AYC TITLE Andrew Ekejiuba
S
ports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has congratulated the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, for qualifying for the final of the Africa Youth Championship (AYC) holding in Dakar, Senegal after their 2-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Satellites. The minister, however, cautioned the Manu Garba-led side not to rest on their oars but to put in extra effort until the final is won, stressing that it would be more honourable if they go to the FIFA U-20 World Cup later in the year as African Champions. “The Flying Eagles have done Nigeria proud by not only qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup but also qualifying for the final of the Africa Youth
Championship. Their qualification for the final is also remarkable as they beat our perennial rivals, Ghana. “What remains now is for them to go all out and redouble their efforts and ensure they win the cup so that they go to the World Cup as African Champions. Their performance so far shows that their World Cup triumph at the U-17 level two years ago was no fluke as they have now matured into a formidable side,” he stressed. According to a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Patrick Omorodion, Danagogo has therefore called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the team to accomplish the task in Dakar, Senegal by winning the trophy, stressing that as usual, the Federal Government shall appreciate their effort when it officially receives them.
Weekend Fixtures Saturday, March 21, 2015
La liga
Premier League
Alt. Madrid
v
Getafe
Rayo Vallecano
v
Malaga
Man City
v
West Brom
Levante
v
Celta Vigo
Aston Villa
v
Swansea
Athletic Bilbao
v
Almeria
Newcastle
v
Arsenal
Granada
v
Eibar
Southampton v
Burnley
Stoke City
v
C/ Palace
Tottenham
v
Leicester
Deportivo
v
Espanyol
West Ham
v
Sunderland
Villarreal
v
Sevilla
Real Sociedad
v
Cordoba
Barcelona
v
Real Madrid
Sunday, March 22, 2015 Premier League
Sunday, March 22, 2015 La liga
Sunday, March 22, 2015 Serie A
Liverpool
v
Man Utd
Hull City
v
Chelsea
Empoli
v
Sassuolo
QPR
v
Everton
Juventus
v
Genoa
Cesena
v
Roma
Lazio
v
Hellas Verona
Parma
v
Torino
Palermo
SSC Napoli
v
Atalanta
Cagliari
Sampdoria
v
Inter
Udinese
v
Fiorentina
Saturday, March 21, 2015 Serie A Danagogo
Saturday, March 21, 2015
ChievoVerona AC Milan
v v
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
N
igeria’s flagbearers in the CAF Confederation Cup, Dolphins, were ejected from the competition on Thursday, after the CAF Interclubs Organising Committee decided the Garden City boys have no case in their contention against being walked over by Club Africain FC of Tunisia. The Nigerian representatives had arrived in Tunis three hours to kick-off of their first round, first leg match at the Rades Stadium last Saturday, but then were held up for hours in the processing of visa-on-arrival and lack of transport from airport to stadium. When a bus eventually surfaced, the team was driven round Tunis and eventually arrived at the Rades Stadium one hour after scheduled kick-off time. However, the CAF Interclubs Organising Committee decided there was no case of force majeure, and fined the Nigeria Football Federation the sum of $2,000, while ejecting Dolphins FC without prejudice to other financial sanctions that may be taken against the club.
CONFED CUP: CAF THROWS OUT
DOLPHINS AAG qualifier: Zambian delegation arrive today
Dolphins of Port Harcourt
T
he delegation of the U-23 National Team of Zambia for an 11th All Africa Games (AAG) qualifier against Nigeria’s Dream Team will arrive today in Abuja. The Zambians, who reached the final round of the qualifiers without kicking the ball, following the withdrawal of Madagascar, will fly into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by mid-day aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight.
Sanusi assumes office as Ben Nwachukwu Abuja
ollowing the impromptu resignation of Musa Amadu as the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday night, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed has assumed office with promises of addressing the sporting media today. Mohammed, former director of Competitions and International Department before the promotion, said he will work in harmony with the media and members of staff of the federation in order to move the country’s football forward.
He assured members of staff during his meeting with the management that he will run an open door policy and all inclusive administration, noting that he will ensure better workers welfare. Some staff who pleaded anonymity told Extra Time that the assumption of office by Mohammed is a sign of good things to come to the staff in particular and football administration in general. Amadu was said to have resigned after a misunderstanding between him and the NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick over the $3.6 million intervention fund given to the federation by the federal government to settle players
Samson Siasia’s wards turned back Gabon’s U-23 side 6-1 on aggregate in the first round and expect to bag a handsome win to make the return leg in Ndola in two weeks a less difficult task. The first leg of the final fixture, which guarantees a spot in the Men’s Football Tournament of the 11th All Africa Games, will take place at the National Stadium Complex, Abuja on Sunday, starting from 4pm.
Rio 2016: Firm stages talent hunt in S’East
NFF scribe
F
X3
A Former NFF Sec. General, Musa Amadu and officials’ allowances at the last FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014. It was gathered that the House Committee on Sports had ordered the federation not to refund the money to the federation account adding that such fund was part of 2014 budgetary allocation.
head of Rio 2016 Olympics, a Lagos-based athlete’s development outfit, “Making of Champions” has begun a twoday talent hunt for young grassroots athletes in the South East of Nigeria. The event, according to the initiator of the programme, Bambo Akani, is aimed at discovering scores of young talented athletes in parts of South East Nigeria, especially at the rural communities. He said the organization is poised towards reviving and grooming athletes between the ages of 16-25 that would feel the gap created by the exit of some ex-internationals such as Deji
Aliu, Gloria Alozie, Uchenna Emedolu, Francis Obikwelu, amongst others. The event which is scheduled for Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, between March 20—21, will feature some of the aforementioned legendary athletes. Briefing the media yesterday on the programme, Bambo, alongside Alozie, Emedolu and Obikwelu, called on youths of the zone to embrace the audition. Emedolu, in a brief comment took a swipe on the Athletes Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the unfriendly manner it had been treating ex-internationals.
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
PERSONAL INFORMATION
X4
QUOTES BY
Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:
Steven Gerrard Steven George Gerrard May 30, 1980 (age 34) Whiston, Merseyside, England 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Midfielder Liverpool 8
Youth career 1987–1998:
Liverpool
Senior career 1998–present:
Liverpool
National team 1999–2000: 2000–2014:
England U-21 England
“
STEVEN GERRARD
Even now I can say I’d love to finish my career here, and then stay in the game after that.” If you don’t play well, you have a bad game or a nightmare you know that the amount of coverage is worldwide. I was always determined to make it as a footballer, but if things hadn’t worked out, I’d have maybe followed my dad into the building industry. –Steven Gerrard
”
A R R E G
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
“He’s a fantastic statesman; he has been unbelievably successful with this football club with what he’s done, the amount of games he has pulled out the mire, and the general way he conducts himself.”
“He is undoubtedly one of the best midfield players in the world.”
Carlo Ancelotti
Kenny Dalglish
“I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique, but he is powerful as well. Stevie can do anything. It’s going to be very difficult to find another player like him in the future.”
Mario Balotelli
D R A STEVEN
X5
X6
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
NPFL
With Mike Otanwa
Oni makes history in NPFL
H
eartland’s new boy, Jimoh Oni, entered the history books of the Glo Premier League when he made a goal scoring debut at newly promoted Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) during the week.
The former Court of Appeal forward was introduced in the second half and justified his inclusion with the goal that earned his side victory over the age long rivals. After scoring his goal at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Oni ran towards
club gaffer, Erasmus Onuh for cheers. “I ran to my coach because he gave me the opportunity to make my debut in the Premier League. I didn’t expect to play on match day because I spent close to 15 minutes warming
up by the sidelines. “I was the last substitute for Heartland and I stepped onto the field determined to make an impact. Interestingly, my teammate Collins Nwaneri, played the ball towards the goal area and I moved ahead of the
goalkeeper and defender to make contact with the ball,” he said. Oni, who finished as top scorer to help Nigeria Nationwide Division One side, Court of Appeal, gain promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) dedicated his goal to God.
E El-Kanemi Warriors line-up before a match
EL-KANEMI BOOST SQUAD AHEAD WARRIORS’ CLASH Match Day
3
Weekend Fixtures Sunday, March 22, 2015 Enyimba
v
Bayelsa Utd
Taraba
v
Lobi Stars
Sharks
v
Akwa Utd
Gabros
v
Rangers
Giwa
v
Sunshine
Dolphins
v
Wolves
El-Kanemi
v
Abia Warriors
NPFL TABLE Team
P
W
D
L
Pts
1
Taraba
2
2
0
0
6
2
Kwara
2
1
1
0
4
3
Sunshine
2
1
1
0
4
4
Kano Pillars
1
1
0
0
3
5
Heartland
1
1
0
0
3
6
Gabros
2
1
0
1
3
7
Wolves
2
1
0
1
3
8
Nasarawa
2
1
0
1
3
9
Rangers
2
1
0
1
3
10
El-Kanemi
2
1
0
1
3
11
Wikki
2
1
0
1
3
12
Lobi
2
0
2
0
2
13
Enyimba
2
0
2
0
2
14
Abia Warriors
1
0
1
0
1
15
Dolphins
1
0
1
0
1
16
Sharks
2
0
1
1
1
17
Akwa
2
0
1
1
1
Wikki
v
Kwara Utd
Heartland
v
Nasarawa
18
Bayelsa
2
0
1
1
1
Shooting Stars
v
Kano Pillars
19
Giwa
2
0
1
1
1
20
Shooting
2
0
0
2
0
l-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Babakura Ali, and striker Tammy Tams, who came in from Sharks of Port Harcourt, have joined the Desert Warriors in Kano. Both players trained with the main squad on Tuesday in Kano. The Media Manager of El-Kanemi Warriors, Anthony Obaseki, disclosed that both players have joined the team in Kano ahead of their Sunday’s home match against Abia Warriors. “We have a full squad here, both Tammy and Ali who weren’t available last week trained with the team on Tuesday, both players were excluded from the last trip to Kwara due to injury but they are back,” Obaseki said. New signing from Sharks of Port Harcourt, Tammy Tams spoke confidently after training in Kano. “I’m back and better but I must give kudos to my team mates and the management for their support to me since I joined El-Kanemi Warriors and I believe it’s time for me to deliver. I’m fit to go,“ said Tammy. El-Kanemi Warriors who aren’t playing at their traditional home due to security issues will host Abia Warriors in Kano in a Week 3 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match on March 22.
Osanga joins Enyimba after overseas spells
F
ormer Nigerian youth international Osanga King has reached an agreement to feature for Nigeria Federation Cup holders Enyimba. Osanga, who last featured for Belgian second division club White Stra Bruxelles, has been in Aba since last week. He said he will be registered to play for ‘The People’s Elephant’ when the transfer window opens in Week 9 of the Nigeria league. “I am with Enyimba now, we have agreed verbally that I will play for them this season,” Osanga said. “I resumed with them after the registration had been completed, so I have to wait till Week 9 when the transfer window reopens. They have applied for my ITC which we are waiting for.” He further said: “I decided to join Enyimba after my contract with my Belgian club expired. I
don’t want to stay idle, I need to be active.” The 24-year-old winger has represented Nigeria at U-17 and U-20 levels. He has played for Akwa United, Heartland (all in Nigeria), Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia), Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya) and Sochaux (France).
King Osanga in action for Flying Eagles
Ashworth tasks Sunshine on hard work
S
unshine Stars head coach, Paul Ashworth, whose team’s pedigree will come under test when they play away against Giwa FC this Sunday has charged his players to keep working hard and pay attention to details as the season progresses. The Owena Waves have taken four points out of six in their opening two matches, including a 2-1 win over newly-promoted Gabros, but Ashworth is not carried away by their performance so far. The Englishman though happy
with the team’s impressive start so far, told the players to “keep working hard and pay attention to details.” “Yes we are happy with the progress so far but that is not to say that we are nearing perfection. We need to keep working hard and pay attention to details in our overall thinking and how we do things on the pitch, working hard all the time to regain possession as quickly as possible and take the right decision at the right time,” he said.
Friday, March 20, 2015
X7
EXTRATIME
O H S T N O M L A E P P A TO
Athletics
DOPING BAN F
ormer 400m world champion Amantle Montsho has revealed she will appeal against the two-year ban handed down to her for doping after testing positive at last year’s Commonwealth Games. The 31-year-old from Botswana tested positive for the stimulant methylhexaneamine after the 400m final in Glasgow, where she finished fourth. Her “A” and back-up “B” samples both returned positive results. The 2011 world champion has indicated she will appeal and has a deadline of Wednesday, March 25. The ban was decided on by a disciplinary committee at the end of last month and sent to governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) before being made public. In 2010 Montsho was the first Botswana athlete to become a Commonwealth champion and a year later won her country’s first world championship gold.
clash in Shanghai
T
he world’s two leading one-lap runners will go head-to-head for the first time in 2015 at the Shanghai IAAF Diamond League meeting on May 17. World 400m champion LaShawn Merritt and Olympic champion Kirani James will clash at the second meeting on this year’s IAAF Diamond League calendar with important bragging rights to be won ahead of the IAAF World Championships this August. These two athletes have been swapping global 400m titles since Merritt won the Olympic gold medal in 2008. The 28-year-old US sprinter went on to clinch the world crown in 2009 before James – the young talent from Grenada – emerged to claim both the world title in 2011 and the Olympic gold in 2012. Meritt became world champion again in Moscow in 2013 and will be keen to retain his status in Beijing this summer.
Merritt
MAYWEATHER
hires $1,000-per-plate chef
U
Mayweather
champion said. Chef Q revealed that she doesn’t usually charge $1,000 per plate, but Mayweather “felt my dishes were worth that much.”
James, Merritt
Montsho
Boxing
nbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has reportedly hired a private chef who charges $1,000 per plate to handle his meals as he prepares for his May 2 mega-fight against Manny Pacquiao. It was reported that Quiana Jeffries, also known as “Chef Q,” is on-call anytime of the day for Mayweather. “I am here for him any time; 24 hours, seven days a week. If he needs me at 3 a.m., I am there cooking up breakfast,” she said. A video posted on Chef Q’s Instagram page shows Mayweather saying: “I’ve never had a chef like this in my life.” “This is the best of the best. I don’t care where you’re at around the world. If you want her to cook for you, it’s $1,000 a plate. You know me, I’m getting a discount,” the American
Athletics
Franklin
Swimming
NO REGRET TURNING PRO –FRANKLIN
I
n the two-plus years since Missy Franklin won five Olympic medals, she has taken hip-hop dance classes, and spent all-nighters studying with her teammates in the Cal library, fueled by coffee and cornbread. She has dabbled with spinning and pilates as supplements to her swimming regimen, but has not endorsed a single product or taken sponsorship money from even one corporation. Aside the aforementioned, she has not earned a penny for the swimming skills that have made her famous. In a few days, all that will change.
Franklin is competing in her final collegiate meet this weekend, the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. In the coming weeks, after just two years of college life, the 19-year-old will choose an agent and will decide where to live as she ramps up her training for the 2016 Rio Olympics. And she will not regret her decision to bypass millions of dollars in endorsement and sponsorship money that could have been hers had she opted to begin her professional career immediately after her 2012 London success that included four gold medals.
X8
Friday, March 20, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME e ked up the importanc ngel di Maria has tal ing om thc for United’s of Manchester y top-four rivals as the ir the th wi clashes for g kin Sunday afternoon loo travel to Liverpool on a top-four g rin cu se to r se clo p a victory to take a ste . ish fin lowed field is promptly fol The showdown at An d Chelsea Manchester City an by games against Arsenal in a home clash with next month, before May. stake” that “everything is at And Di Maria admits
A
ish in the side as they bid to fin for Louis van Gaal’s in charge n aig mp man’s first ca top four in the Dutch at Old Trafford. mes t a number of big ga “We are all aware tha ll be wi on as corner, and the se are just around the id. sa tures,” Di Maria decided by these fix games out these upcoming ab all “We know about g thinking and talkin and we have been that n ow kn time now. We’ve them for quite some riod pe al fin s thi er at stake ov everything would be of the season.”
Di Maria
A I R A M I D RAISES D L E I FM N A ALAR
Messi
Ronaldo
BARCA, MADRID gear up for mouth-watering Clasico
T
he eyes of the footballing world will be locked firmly on Camp Nou this Sunday as Barcelona host rivals Real Madrid in a crucial 170th Liga Clasico contest. Arguably the biggest match in domestic football, it will attract a reported half a billion viewers worldwide. It’s a game that’s always filled to breaking point with emotion, noise, cultural symbolism and, best of all,
supremely talented players at the peak of their careers. Every time these two teams meet, they give fans moments worth reliving and remembering. The encounter promises to be an intriguing contest, regardless of the context. But with just one point separating La Liga leaders Barca from second-placed Real, the mouth-watering fixture has plenty of extra spice.
Clubs in hot chase for Onazi
azio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has admitted that he has been approached by several clubs who are interested in buying him. The Nigeria international, aged 22, is wanted by Liverpool and West Ham, though he hasn’t confirmed whether the Reds or the Hammers are among the teams to have made contact with him. But he says more than 10 clubs have lodged enquiries about his availability. Onazi also indicated that he is in no rush to quit Stadio Olimpico, despite having fallen out of favour with Lazio boss Stefan Pioli in recent weeks. According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Onazi said: “I was approached by more than 10 clubs, but I am a Lazio player. “I’m still young, I want to grow and play in European competitions. In life you have to take one step at a time.” Onazi played for Nigerian sides ElKanemi Warriors and My People before moving to Lazio in 2011 following an impressive showing at the 2009 U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
WENGER demands end of away goals rsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, is adamant there is no crisis in English football and has once again called for the away goals ruling to be abolished after his side were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. Arsenal failed to reach the latter stages for the fifth consecutive season after they were eliminated from the competition by the away goals rule following their 3-3 aggregate draw with Monaco this week. The Arsenal manager says he was not in the mood to analyse why no English teams were able to reach the quarter finals after Manchester City and Chelsea were also beaten at the same stage of the competition. But he does feel there could have been a different outcome for both Arsenal and Chelsea if the away goals ruling had not been there. Wenger has urged UEFA to have a major re-think over the structure of the competition and feels the rule should only come into consideration after extra time. Wenger said: “Two teams have gone out on away goals, which I think should be questioned because it’s a rule that is outdated now and that has to be changed. I’ve fought for that for a long time.” Wenger