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196
196.5
197
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154
3.00
1.95%
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880
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304.4076
305.1842
305.9607
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154.6
0.60
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186.99
-2.00
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34.67
-1.71
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30.69
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-5.25%
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217.9128
218.4687
219.0246
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21.5
0.50
2.33%
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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.111
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Jonathan leaving – Osinbajo N12tr debt Ï ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ ƑƏ Ɔ Ƌ Ƅ Ƌ Ƒƍƍ ƏƐ Ƈ Ə ƈ ƅ ƌƈ Ɨƌƈ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ Egena Egena ƄƑƉ
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Gé`ë ƈƋƗƏƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ƌ ƐƆ dƆ Ɛ Ə nƅ Ɔ ƑƊƓƑƌƆƏƈƉƆè #ƈƊƆè ƈƊ è EƆƋƆƅ ƈ Ɨ ƖƑƊ è ƇƐƆƏ Ɔ ƈ ƈ ƈ ƑƏ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ `ƆƗ ƌƄƆƏ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ M Ɛƈ Ƌ ƆƌƄƋƕ ƈ ƄƑƉ Č zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕ Photo: Temitope Balogun
Mu’azu, Anenih resign
Fulani g 6 herdsmen kill 14, torch 4 116 houses Ï Mz Ɨ ƑƄƐ 0 ƈéE ƕ ƗƆô ƌƆƌƄƆƏ ƈƍ Ƈ ^#^ g Ï 1&C ƌ ƕ ƄƆƅ ƌƆ j ƅ ƈƏè dƆƅ ƗƑ ƒƈ ƈƐ ` ƅƊ in Plateau
Vice Presidentelect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, put the Nigeria’s local and international debt profile at about N12 trillion ($60 billion). Also on Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja solicited the support of the global community as well as Nigerians for the incoming administration General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Osinbajo made the disclosure at the opening of a twoday policy dialogue on the implementation of the incoming government’s “Agenda for Change,” noting that with CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Warri g5 refinery shut over strike
2
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
3
Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Ban on police illegal checkpoints
A
mong Nigerians, the issue of police checkpoints on the country’s highways has always evoked popular anger. Reason is that contrary to what the police will want people to believe that it is a very useful tool in the fight against crimes and criminal elements, the end has served to harass pedestrians and motorists into parting with their hard earned money. No day passes without tales of woes by lawabiding citizens who have been brutalised at these checkpoints by police personnel forcibly demanding money from them. Many Nigerians have been shot and killed in the process of resisting such brazen extortions. Even at that, some innocent citizens have been crushed by oncoming vehicles after being stopped at these checkpoints. Unfortunately, these checkpoints have become an enduring nuisance even on city streets, where they are employed to slow down vehicular traffic to allow the police demand for illegal levies from motorists and motorcyclists. A common feature is not only in their nuisance value, they are indiscriminately mounted at road junctions and arteries without regard to traffic rules and regulations. That is why we welcome the recent directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase for the enforcement of ban on roadblocks. Before now, the former IGP, Mohammed D. Abubakar banned police personnel all over the country from erecting checkpoints under any guise. That directive came after mounting outcries by the public at the nefarious use which the roadblocks are being put. To most people, the removal of those
checkpoints represented one of the few visible aspects of positive transformation of the police which helped restore the erstwhile lost freedom of road users as well as gave meaning to their entrenched constitutional freedom of movement across the country. For many years, the unfortunate impression was given that the police have been surreptitiously authorised to augment their salaries by forcefully collecting money from commuters. For example, a journey from LagosOwerri that normally take from six to seven hours allowing for the bad roads was turned into a suicidal obstacle course lasting anywhere between ten and twelve hours due to the numerous police checkpoints along the way. It was therefore cause for concern recently when, following the retirement of IGP Abubakar, the roadblocks returned to an unusual extent. Sadly, the immediate past IGP,Suleiman Abba made only tame efforts to stem the tide, leading to accusations that his administration permitted the return of these illegal checkpoints. Checkpoints have become so lucrative that there were more 4,000 of them all over the country at a time with the highest numbers found in the southeast of the country where the police force in the zone could be found massed at every 50 metres along the Onitsha-Owerri Road, thereby causing untold hardships to travellers. We therefore call on the police authorities to permanently keep a lid on these checkpoints. That would make travelling a safe and pleasurable experience. We advice they employ more technological advanced methods in fighting crimes and criminals in the society.
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Jonathan’s sack episodes: Revenge or booby traps? Sam Nzeh
ÏÏÏLately, President Good-
luck Jonathan appears to have developed love for sacking high ranking officials of government agencies, heightening suspicion that he is either on a revenge mission or deliberately setting booby traps for the incoming administration of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Just on Monday, 11 days to the end of his administration, Jonathan sacked the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs. Saratu Altine Umar. As in previous
cases, no reason was given for Umar’s sack but she was immediately replaced by Mrs. Uju Aisha HassanBaba, as the new Executive Secretary/CEO NIPC. The rank of officials given the boot by Jonathan has continued to swell since he conceded defeat in the March 28 presidential election. Those in this category include former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba; former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas, former Executive Secretary of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Mrs. Sharon Adefunke Kasali; former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi; for-
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mer Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Management Development Board (NCDMB), Mr. Ernest Nwapa, among others. No doubt, Jonathan has the constitution on his side with respect to the appointment and dismissal of top officials of government agencies, yet these actions coming in the twilight of his administration are clearly suspicious. Many are baffled that Mr. President had to wait this long to boot out such officials even when those under them had long protested their continued stay in the agencies. So, unless Mr. President wants to prove that there is more than meets the eyes, he is free to continue the sack exercises even till his last day in office.
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A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when it comes to its close, that it was helpful to humanity.
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.
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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.
News 4
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Muazu, Anenih resign J O N A T H A N Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
ÏÏÏThe National Chairman of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih, have both resigned their positions. While Muazu cited medical reasons, Anenih attributed his action to the prevailing situation in the party. Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP Deputy National Chairman has replaced Muazu in acting capacity, while the Secretary of the party’s BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, holds the fort pending the election of a new BoT chairman. Mu’azu, a former Governor of Bauchi State, who is currently undergoing medical treatment abroad, was said to have tendered his resignation letter through the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP. The resignation of Mu’azu, political analysts believe, is not unconnected with the crisis that has engulfed the PDP since it lost the last general election to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While answering questions from journalists on the issue yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, disclosed that Mu’azu hinged his decision on
health, consultation with family members and friends. Metuh added that the NWC of the party was already in possession of the resignation letter and had acknowledged receipt of the letter. According to him, “I can confirm that we have received the resignation of the party’s national chairman. “The national chairman, who had health challenges, stayed on for the party’ primaries, the campaigns and the elections after which he travelled abroad for medical treatment. “Upon his treatment and after consultations with his family and on personal interest, he has decided to resign as national chairman. “This party commends him for the sacrifice during the campaigns in spite of his health and commends him for the love and dedication and commitment he has for this party,’’ Metuh said. Metuh pointed out that Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP Deputy National Chairman would step in as Acting National Chairman in accordance with its constitution, pending when another chairman would be elected from the South-East. It would be recalled that some key members of the PDP, among them the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose and the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP
Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi FaniKayode, had at different times, canvassed either the resignation or sack of Mu’azu and other members of the NWC of the party over its dismal performance during the last elections. Fani-Kayode had, during an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, accused some members of the NWC of sabotaging the effort of the presidential campaign organisation. Consequently, Oladipo has directed the Osun State Chairman of the PDP to investigate the membership of Fani-Kayode. According to him, “If he (FaniKayode) is a registered and financial member, proper disciplinary actions should be meted against Femi FaniKayode through his ward for engaging in acts contrary to section 58 (1) b of the party constitution. “If not a member, you are to reprimand him as an usurper. “All actions taken should be communicated to the NWC”, he stated. President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the national leader of the PDP had held two meetings with NWC members at the Aso Rock villa. Few hours after taking over the leadership of the party, Secondus met behind closed-doors with President Jonathan in his office.
sion for all Nigerians that leaves no one behind in the pursuit of a prosperous and fulfilling life. He said the goal of the policy dialogue is to interrogate the positions and propositions before a wider audience and to lunch a robust public conversation on policy directions and priorities that will help inform the incoming administration’s approach in the next four years. He further explained that the forum exemplifies the sort of consultative and consensual approach to policy-making that the APC and the new administration intend to model in office. The Vice President-elect also declared that sessions during the dialogue would explore a wide range of policy priorities including the diversification of the economy in the wake of dwindling oil revenues. In order to achieve this, Osinbajo said, the administration intends to engender job-led growth through the revitalisation of agriculture in pursuit of job creation and food security, improving the regulatory frameworks in the most strategic sphere of economic activity. Earlier, former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr. Peter Mandelson, who represented former
British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, advised the incoming administration to take advantage of its current level of public support to take hard decisions. He explained that with the current state of affairs, the task ahead of the incoming administration was indeed a daunting one. Drawing from the experiences of the Labour Party in Britain, Mandelson said the first rule of governance is “Be true to your word; be true to your mandate.” He urged the Buhari-led administration not to be afraid to take hard decisions but that it must remain mindful of the timing of such decisions. Meanwhile, soliciting the support of the global community as well as Nigerians for the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Jonathan noted that this is necessary for Buhari government to deliver on its promises. He made the call while receiving members of the African Ambassadors Group, who were on a farewell and solidarity visit to the State House, Abuja. ``The President-elect is not new to
A LEGACY OF REFORMS May 29 this year will be epochal in the chequered history of Nigeria and its years of social engineering. That day, the country will turn a new page as President Goodluck Jonathan leaves office a hero, with a bag-load of legacies. He leaves legacies for which the nation will eternally remain grateful. These include electoral reforms, giant strides in the economy, particularly the automotive and agricultural sectors, as well as infrastructure. As Nigeria’s newspaper of record, the Daily Times will on May 29 publish a special report to put the Jonathan enigma in proper perspectives, highlighting the significance of the handing over from one political party to another, as well as the innumerable giant strides of his outgoing administration. To participate in the ground-breaking event, kindly contact: OLUYINKA OLUJIMI, Editor: 08033009648, y2olujimi@yahoo.com IFEANYI EMEFU, Special Projects: 08086296714, ifeanyi642001@yahoo.com
Military evacuates 275 Jonathan is leaving N12tr debt – Osinbajo rescued Sambisa women, children to unknown place
Continued from page 1
the debt, Nigeria’s economy is in its worst shape in history. The event ends today. According to him, the nation’s dwindling oil revenues have made it difficult for two thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states to pay salaries. He said: “We are concerned that our economy is currently in, perhaps, its worst moment in history. Local and international debts stand at US$ 60 billion. “Our debt servicing bill for 2015 is N953.6 billion, 21 per cent of our budget. On account of severely dwindled resources, over two-thirds of the states in Nigeria owe salaries. “Federal institutions are not in much better shape. Today, the nation borrows to fund recurrent expenditure.” This, Osinbajo explained, is against the backdrop of a highly unequal society in which, by some reckoning, the largest percentage of the benefits of our national wealth accrues to a small group within our population. The Vice President-elect said the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress offers a vision of shared prosperity and soci0-economic inclu-
Continued on page 6
Wale Akintunde Yola
ÏÏÏAll
the 275 women and children rescued from Boko Haram insurgences in Sambisa forest and taken to the Malkohi camp in Yola, Adamawa State, on May 2 have been relocated to an unknown destination. When our reporter visited the camp, where the displaced persons were being housed, he met the place empty. No reason was given by military authorities before the evacuation was effected. A source said: “Soldiers came with buses and started packing them yesterday afternoon in a hurry and when we asked the motive for their action they said it was an orders from above.” The source added: “They hurriedly took them to Yola International Airport where a military aircraft was awaiting.” Impeccable sources at the camp told Daily Times that the action of the military might not be unconnected to specula-
tions that some of the women in the camp were communicating with Boko Haram members in the night. “Some women in the camp were allegedly communicating with Boko Haram members and fears were heightened that if the activity was left unchecked, the issue might degenerate into a serious security threat,” a source told Daily Times. However, another report claimed that the women and children were taken away on the orders of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) for trauma therapy. When contacted, the Senior Information Officer of NEMA Sani Datti said he was aware of the development but could not comment further, noting that the issue was a complete military affair. Efforts to contact the Army Spokesman of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Captain Nuhu Jafaru, also proved abortive as calls directed to his GSM could not connect.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
5 News
Court nullifies House of Reps-elect’s election Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏFew
BUHARI’s DATE WITH
HISTORY
In a time of great turbulence and challenge, Providence always throws up certain individuals to calm the waters and sail the ship to safety. It always places the task on one man, one team leader. Fate has just placed Nigeria on the broad shoulders of the Daura, Katsina State-born Major General Muhammadu Buhari who will begin to steer the ship of the country from May 29. As Nigeria’s newspaper of record, the Daily Times plans a special report on The Man, Buhari. To be published on June 1, as he takes office, the report will weave the past and the present with the future on the nation and the incoming leader. It will be a collector’s item. To participate in the publication through congratulatory adverts, kindly contact:
OLUYINKA OLUJIMI, Editor: 08033009648, y2olujimi@yahoo.com IFEANYI EMEFU, Special Projects: 08086296714, ifeanyi642001@yahoo.com
Constitution Amendment: Reps move to override Jonathan’s veto Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu, Abuja
ÏÏÏFollowing
the withholding of assent by President Goodluck Jonathan to the amendments of the 1999 Constitution, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, amended its rules by introducing and empowering the 8th National Assembly to override the veto powers of the president. Moving the motion, titled: “Amendment of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives: Order XIII, Rule 98”, Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Rep. Sam Tsokwa, and 22 other lawmakers, noted that while Order XIII provides the procedure for altering the 1999 Constitution, the alteration of the House rules seeks to ensure that where the President withholds assent to a bill that has been passed
by two-thirds majority of the House as required by Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, that Bill will become law. In unanimously passing the resolution to approve the amendment, the House also said that when all requirements of sub rules (1) - (10) have been met and the President withholds his assent or fails to communicate why the assent was withheld probably at a close of an assembly, the succeeding assembly may commence the process of veto override under section 58 of the constitution. “Notwithstanding the provisions in these rules, the process of passage of a constitution alteration bill shall continue from one session to another and from one assembly to another,” Tsokwa said. He added: “The final copy of the clauses in the Bill that received the support of two - thirds majority of the state houses of assembly shall be compiled, and if passed by a concurrent resolution of the house, shall thereafter be transmitted to the president for assent.” It will be recalled that President Jonathan refused assent to the Fourth Alteration Bill 2015 due to various reasons, a matter which is pending in the Supreme Court.
days before the resumption of the 8th National Assembly, scheduled for next month, Christian Abah, a House of Representatives-elect for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, has had his election nullified. A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the certificate of return issued to Christian Abah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The court also ordered INEC to issue certificate of return for election held on March 28, 2015 to Mr. Hassan Saleh, in respect of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. Justice Adeniyi Ademola gave the order while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Hassan Saleh, challenging Abah’s eligibility to stand for the election. The judge held that the allegation of certificate forgery levelled against Christian Abah, by the plaintiff, Mr. Hassan Saleh, had been established to be true.
Abah, the court stated, had forged an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate in Accountancy, purporting to have been obtained from the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, in 1985. Justice Ademola said his findings revealed an earlier judgment of the National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, delivered on September 6, 2011, and a letter by the Registrar of the polytechnic, Mr. Suleiman Buba, affirmed that the certificate presented by Abah to INEC, was forged.
Mu’azu’s resignation, best thing to happen –Bode George ÏÏÏFormer
Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has described the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as “the best thing to have happened to us”. George, a member of PDP’s National Caucus, said the resignation has proved that “PDP is made up of people with integrity”. He also described the setting
aside of zoning by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for national offices such as the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as ‘dangerous’. In his reaction to Mu’azu’s resignation, he said: “It is in our party’s interest. It is the best thing to have happened to us. It shows that PDP has a strong norm and culture and it will allow us reposition our party. “We are happier than before be-
cause PDP will become stronger to face the challenges ahead. As from May 29, we will become the opposition party at the national level. We need to restrategise. “He (Mu’azu) has done the honourable thing to do and that is why PDP is different from other parties. Mu’azu is a foundation member of the party, a founding governor. He has followed the path of honour like President Goodluck Jonathan. I wish him the best of luck”.
Warri refinery shut over NPDC strike Joe Ogbodu Warri
ÏÏÏWarri
Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) was, on Thursday, shut down, in solidarity with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), who are on a three-day strike over Federal Government’s sale of Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 40 and 42 to Elcrest and Neconde, respectively. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), had earlier announced that it would join their counterparts in the NPDC (the operating subsidiary of the state hydrocarbon company, NNPC, which took effect from yesterday. Daily Times learnt that PENGASSAN and NUPENG had directed its members from all the NNPC business units, including the Products and Pipelines Mar-
keting Company (PPMC), the three refinery companies, the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), the National Engineering and Technical Company Limited (NETCO) and the Nigerian Gas Company, to join the strike. It was further gathered that the refinery was shut down in the early hours of Wednesday, after a meeting held between officials of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), at the refinery. Sources said that PENGASSAN and NUPENG branch in the refinery also shut the refinery gates to prevent movement of workers and visitors, thus crippling every activity at the refinery. Refinery worker, who simply gave his name as John, said that the shutdown was in solidarity with protesting NPDC staffs. Meanwhile, security have been
beefed up around the refinery vicinity with fierce looking soldiers conducting and stop and search operations on vehicles plying the route leading to the refinery and fuel depot. Earlier shut down by NPDC staff in most of the oil fields in four acreages were: OMLs 40, 42, 30, 34 and 26, as they began full scale strike action on Friday, May 15, 2015. The workers also shut in the flow station at Batan in OML 42, but the Odidi field on the same acreage is in production. The strikers also shut down production of all oil fields in OML 30 (around 32,000BOPD), OML 40 (about 3,000BOPD) and OML 26 (~6,000BOPD). It was learnt that NPDC staffs were unable to shut in the Utorogu field in OML 34, because the staff of Lee Engineering, the contractor running the Utorogu station, said they were not part of the strike.
News 6
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Herdsmen kill 14, torch 116 houses in Plateau Chijioke Kingsley Jos
ÏÏÏSuspected
Fulani herdsmen are back on the rampage in Plateau State, descending from the mountains to wreak havoc on local communities. On Wednesday, a rampaging group of the herdsmen attacked some villages in the Barkin Ladi area of the state. By the time the dust settled, 14 persons lay dead and 116 houses had been torched. Police authorities confirmed the development but pledged to fish out the perpetrators. The herdsmen had on Monday killed a 27-year-old Dafour Lamba Gyang in another Barkin Ladi village while returning from work. The Commissioner of Po-
lice in the state, Nasiru Oki attributed the development to an unresolved long-drawn issue between the Fulanis and the natives of the state, and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also gave assurance that his command would contain the situation and restore lasting peace between the warring communities. He told the Daily Times: “We are putting all machinery in place to ensure that permanent peace is restored and all those who are behind the killings are brought to book”. The Police statement read: “On Monday, 18/5/2015 at about 6.00hrs, unidentified gun men (now at large) suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen as reported by the villagers, attacked and killed one Dafour Lamba Gyang 27
years old of Sho village in Barkin Ladi while he was returning from work, where he worked as a night guard. “Similarly, on Wednesday, 20/5/2015 unidentified gun men carried out another attack in Jong, Zim, Lobirin and Rabuk villages all of Ropp district in Barkin Ladi. As a result of the attacks, 14 persons were confirmed dead while 116 houses and huts were razed down. An eyewitness said that the men came in large numbers from the top of a mountain situated near the villages, with sophisticated weapons shooting, killing and burning houses.” The Police Commissioner said he had deployed more of his men to beef up security in the affected communities. He also said no arrest had been
made but added that the force was working hard to track down the perpetrators. He reiterated that irrespective of the attacks, his command is fully ready to Police the state against hoodlums and insurgents during the handing over ceremony come 29 May 2015. He said: “My men have al-
‘Jonathan is leaving N12tr debt’ Continued from page 4 governance in Africa so I want you to show the same commitment to him as you have to me. The Presidentelect knows that our commitment is always to project Africa. I am urging you to extend the same warmth and
President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Vice-President Namadi Sambo (4th left); Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro and others in a group photo during a courtesy visit of African Ambassadors at the State House, Abuja… on Wednesday
FG upgrades 4 COE, medical college to varsities Egena Egena Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the conversion of four Federal Colleges of Education and a medical science college to full blown universities. The institutions include the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo and the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri to be henceforth known as Adeyemi University of Education and Alvan Ikoku University of Education respectively. The others are the Federal College of Education, Zaria and the Federal College of Educa-
tion, Kano which will now assume the status of universities. Also upgraded by FEC is the Medical College of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi which is located in Otukpo, Benue State. The Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, who briefed State House correspondents on the resolutions of FEC after its Wednesday meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the Medical College had been converted to Federal University of Health Sciences. All the four Colleges of Education had been awarding B.Ed degrees in various fields for the past three decades.
According to the minister, the upgrade is informed by the need to improve the quality of teaching in the country. According to him, “these colleges are part of the 21 federal colleges of education that have been awarding degrees of B.Ed, B. A and B. Sc. in different fields for the last three decades and Council considered the need for further quality in the teaching service. “We have come a long way. The main teaching qualification in the 1960s from Grade III to Grade II up to Grade I teachers and currently the minimum teaching qualification has been National Certification of Edu-
ready been tutored on the forthcoming event. We have mapped out strategic flash points like hotels, the stadium and other places where we are expecting visitors for the coming event so that unwanted guests will not coming in and take us by surprise. We are fully prepared against any form off attack”.
cation (NCE), but gradually as a result of improvement in the system and the demand for further qualitative teaching service, we are heading towards getting more graduates into the teaching profession and the earlier this is done the better and we are getting these universities to produce more of graduates.” The Minister said further: “Besides, they have been running degree programmes for the last three decades under close supervision of the affiliated universities, and they are so mature enough now to have their own autonomy to award degrees of B.Ed. B. A ( Ed) and B. Sc. Education.
solidarity you have shown to me to him,’’ he said. Jonathan further enjoined African leaders to encourage trade within the continent by building infrastructure and institutions that promote trade and relationships. The President recalled that he had worked extensively for more than five years with other African leaders to forestall crisis in some African countries, especially in the West African sub-region, and also leading peace efforts in some of the countries like Cote ‘d’Ivoire, Mali and Guinea Bissau. ``I have been involved in solving many problems in African countries for more than five years and I know the enormity and cost of conflicts, especially on the citizenry. We cannot afford that in Nigeria. ``If we were to have a political conflict in Nigeria, I am not sure the sub-region will be able to accommodate our citizens. My commitment is to always put the country before my personal ambition and that is what I have demonstrated,’’ he said. Jonathan, who said he would always be committed to strengthening democracy in Nigeria and Africa, noted that his decision to concede victory was to show example to the world that democracy can survive and thrive in Africa without conflicts. ``I believe that character matters in leadership. And it is not just about who becomes the president of a country, but somebody has to be there and the person needs the support of all to succeed. I made a choice to keep the country away from conflict. ``I have always advised other African leaders that we will need to have a country before we can have the ambition to become presidents. We don’t have to expose our people to deaths because we want to stay in power. Some people hold on to power, may be, for fear of the unknown,’’ Jonathan added. Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria, His Excellency Oubi Bochir, in his remarks, commended Jonathan’s high sense of patriotism, statesmanship and transparency in the last general election, saying that he won the heart and minds of all Nigerians and Africans after the elections.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
7 News
Three feared dead as Hausa, drivers clash in Ekiti
Oshiomhole moves to boost Edo IGR
Gbenga Sodeinde
Benin
Ado Ekiti
ÏÏÏCommercial
activities were, on Wednesday, paralysed, in Ado- Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, following a violent clash between Hausa people and road transport workers An unconfirmed report had it that no fewer than three persons were feared dead, while several others, who suffered different degree of injuries, during the melee, were hospitalised in an undisclosed hospital. Most shops and bureau de change outlets were vandalised and looted.
As at the time of filing this report, both vehicular and pedestrians movements at the state capital had been paralysed as the popular business areas of Ado Ekiti such as Ajilosun, Okeyinmi, Okesha, Irona, among others, had become no-go areas. No fewer than five vehicles were vandalised, while close to 15 houses and offices rented by the Hausa operators of bureau de change were either burnt or vandalized, just as the situation forced banks shut down. Anti-riot policemen and other security agencies have been drafted to the scene, blocking all major roads that lead to all the
affected areas. According to eye witness accounts, trouble started in the night of Monday, when a bag, belonging to the wife of a chieftain of road transport workers, was snatched by unknown persons on the ever-busy Ijigbo-old garage area. Sources revealed further that said cases of bag snatching had for long been a recurrent crime in the Atikankan area, where the Hausa people are settled mainly in Ado Ekiti and which also harbours the miscreants, fraudsters, hard drug dealers and some of the jobless persons who are notoriously noted for pick pocketing
and advance fee fraud. The situation was said to have degenerated when the husband of the victim allegedly went to a part of the market where pickpockets hold sway, and demanded that the snatcher of the lady's bag, said to contain N36, 000, be produced. Sources disclosed further that the futile effort of the drivers to apprehend the alleged thief led to a disagreement and subsequently, a clash between them and Hausa butchers who are said to be the main traders in the area on Tuesday night which later developed into a full blown fracas.
NLC pickets NIPOST headquarters Akor Ejumene Abuja
ÏÏÏActivities
Queue along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos…on Wednessday
Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE
Nyanya bombings: Court orders 'trial within trial' Andrew Orolua Abuja
ÏÏÏ
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered ‘trial within trial’ after Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche and five other accused persons facing terrorism charges objected to the tendering of their confessional statements saying they were made under duress. The complaint of the accused’s counsel temporarily halt the trial, particularly the testimony of PW1, a staff of the Department of State Service, who had identified the two statements of each of the accused persons written in Hausa and English languages. Prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, had, on Tuesday, laid
foundations for the tendering of the confessional statements of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, Ahmed Abubakar, Mohammed Ishaq, Ya’u Saidu (alias Kofar Rama), Anas Isa, Adamu Yusuf and Nasir Abubakar, allegedly responsible for the April 14, 2014, Nyanya bus stop bomb blasts that killed over 78 Nigerians. But at the resumed hearing on Wednesday, defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) objected to the tendering of Ogwuche voluntary statement. Counsels for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th accused persons, Abdul Mohammed, Laura Oviawe, Abdulhamid Mohammed and Haroun Eze, respectively, also objected to tendering of their voluntary statements on the account that the accused had in-
formed them they made the statements after they were severely beaten and tortured. In his brief ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed said that it was the rule that “whenever an accused person raised an issue that he was forced to make a statement, the court shall order trial within trial. “This court directs that a trial within a trial should be conducted to ascertain whether the confessional statements were made voluntarily by the accused persons,” He adjourned further hearing to June 2nd and 3rd 2015. The six accused persons are facing eight counts terrorism charges under Sections 1(2a), 5, 8, 16, and 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (amendment) Act, 2013.
at the headquarters of Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), were paralysed on Wednesday, as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in their thousands picketed the premises over an alleged violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as regards right to association. The protesters led by the congress president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stormed the corporate headquarters of NIPOST at about 7 am and blocked the entrance to the NIPOST premises. With this action, workers were prevented from attending to their official duties. It would be recalled that the management of NIPOST has been in a running battle with NLC over allegation of transferring over 4000 members of National Union of Postal Employees (NUPTE), through an executive fiat to the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC) NIPOST chapter. The management was reported to have written the office of the Accountant General of the Federation in November last year, to henceforth divert the cheque-off dues of all level 07 staff of NIPOST to SSACTAC. This has generated controversies following which the labour body served NIPOST management a picketing notice about two weeks ago.
Titus Akhigbe
ÏÏÏGovernor
Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has taken a practical step to boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state, which has continued to dwindle by inaugurating the Edo State Internal Revenue Service Board. Speaking while inaugurating the Board in his office, on Wednesday, the Oshiomhole said there was a need to build strong institutions rather than strong individuals, were the country is to make progress in the comity of nations. Members of the Board are Chief Oseni Elamah, Chairman; Mr. Emmanuel Usoh, Mr. John Obazee, Chief Felix Isoku, Mrs. Vera Obadan, Mr. Samuel Akpata, Mr Mike Iyekekpolor and Mr Julius Aihie. Others are Mr. Ambrose Eberenkhae, Charles Eralamen, Mr. David Ehidiamen, Victor Okugbe, Mr. Anthony Okungbowa and Kingsley Odagbe.
We want credible NASS Speaker – Rep-elect Tom Garba Yola
ÏÏÏA
member-elect, who will represent Ganye,Toungo Jada and Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State, in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Abdulrazak Nambas, has said that the next National Assembly was in need of an experienced member, who will be good in handling the over 300 law-makers in the green chambers. This is coming amidst much political struggles by various political zones in the country to get the speakership position, making the new and old elected members to form all manner of pro and anti-groups. Nambas, who got elected in the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), beat his opponent from People's Democratic party (PDP) because of his political prowess and previous records, revealed that there was much of politics in the National Assembly and so he would make sure he sustained a good political will to lobby for federal government’s presence in his constituency.
8
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Politics Timipre Sylva
Æs Sylva
My encounter with President Jonathan is a very sad chapter of my life
Chief Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State, Chieftain of All Progressive Congress, (APC) and Co-Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee for the May 29 Handover ceremony said the corruption charges filed against him by the EFCC is vindictive and aimed at smearing his image. Sylva told AUGUSTINE AMINU and MATHEW DADIYA that there was no shred of evidence against him on the charges de-
claring that he will be vindicated at the end. He added that Nigerians are lucky to have Gen Muhammadu Buhari as President describing him as patriotic. The former governor also talked about his experience with President Goodluck Jonathan labeling it as ‘a sad chapter of his life.’ Excerpts: Before now, many thought that your political career was over considering the incidents that played out in
2011/2012, but today you seem to have bounced back even better with your party winning the general elections. What has been your source of inspiration and strategy? You can see that they were mistaken, those who thought that I have come to the end of my political career. They didn’t factor God in at all, that was the only mistake they made. But on my own what I did was that, everything I went through, I realized that I had to reCONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Adamawa Assembly Crisis: Two speakers in endless war Tom Garba,Yola As the saying goes ‘when two elephants fight, the ground suffers’. This is not really different from what is happening to the people of Adamawa State who have unwittingly become victims of the ongoing war over the speakership of the state house of assembly. The battle for supremacy between Hon Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri and Hon Jerry Kundisi is now turning into an endless war of two elephants with devastating effects on the entire people of the state.
Mohammed
Ikuforiji
The question one is bound to ask is who then is the speaker? Fintiri or Kundisi? Umaru Fintiri seems to have the public support and appears to control the house at will because of his pragmatic style of leadership even when he had the opportunity to be the governor of the state in acting capacity. However, Kundisi, the longestserving member in the house is no doubt receiving and enjoying the support of Governor Bala Nggilari whom the governor officially announced and endorsed as the new leadership of
FCT: Paucity of funds has stunted development, by Minister’s aide
the house. Other questions agitating the minds of the people are whether either of the two fighters are not really aware and conscious of the limited time they have as the house would wind up for the in-coming lawmakers; Don’t they have serious matter to discuss at the house plenary instead of the endless war? Many are of the opinion that the behaviour of the lawmakers-gladiators lack common sense as they do not appear to defend the people of the state CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Chief Emmanuel Ikemefuna Awodu is Senior Special Assistant on Administration to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed. A retired Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensions Board (CIPPO) Director, he spoke with journalists on the administration of Abuja
Nyako
and other issues. AUGUSTINE AMINU and MATHEW DADIYA were there. Excerpts: Sir, you have worked with the FCT Minister for many years, how would you describe him? Senator Bala Mohammed, CON has always been a very kind and
humane person who abhors injustice and can go out of his way to ensure that justice is done to those treated unfairly. As a goalgetter, the distinguished Senator is a lover of people irrespective of their status, political leaning and religious beliefs. How many projects have CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
9 Politics
Sylva: A lot of people don’t understand Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
strategized and reinvent myself so that I can come out again. I felt that my political career was still very much underway; and I saw that there was no opportunity of growth in the PDP anymore because of the impunity and lack of commitment to the rule of law that was pervading the PDP, so I decided that I have to find another platform, and I found APC. I found a kindred spirit in the APC and my political career of course has kicked start more or less with the victory of President Buhari. You’ve single handedly led and represented the APC in Bayelsa State to this historic national victory at the polls irrespective of the fact that the incumbent president is from your place, what were the challenges you faced during the electioneering processes? There were a lot of challenges because nobody in Bayelsa or not many people thought we were doing the right thing. In Niger Delta, a lot of people were against us, writing all kinds of things about us and saying all kinds of things about me that I am enemy number one in the Niger Delta and of the Ijaw people. But I was very clear because I realized that President Jonathan wasn’t taking us to the right destination and as Niger Delta, we have not benefited much from his presidency and we needed something new and I kept saying that you cannot hinge the destiny of the whole Ijaw people on the destiny of one man. Whether we like it or not one day President Jonathan’s tenure will end how then will we continue in this country? That was the question I asked many times and today, I have been vindicated. Soon after your party won the presidential election, you happened to be the first person ever to be appointed by the President-elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari to chair his Transition Committee, along the line you reneged the ap-
pointment many are wondering what happened? No, I am still a functioning Chairman; I am the co-chairman, Inauguration Committee. The inauguration committee is different from the transition committee. The Transition Committee is the committee that is taking over the Handover Notes from the outgoing government; while we, are planning the inauguration to making sure that we have a proper inauguration. So they are two different committees and I am functioning quite perfectly. The only thing is that it is not a committee that is in the public glare. We are just quietly planning and carrying-on. Maybe soon, you will get your invitation. Chief, you are facing a 42-count charge by the EFCC over an alleged embezzlement of N19.2 billion while in office, how would you describe this allegation? In fact, it is a very strange allegation and it is very sad that people would do everything to try to tarnish the image of somebody. The unfortunate thing with Nigerians is that, they are quick to accepting falsehood, because they are very gullible. As soon as they hear that you have a count-charge, the Nigerian public would almost convict you before the court would. If not, frankly speaking, we shouldn’t be discussing this matter at all because there is no shred of truth in what they are talking about. If you look at it, first they instituted a charge of N2 billon embezzlement against me and two others; along the line they discharged the two others leaving only me. It tells you very clearly that they are just after me. For example, my Commissioners for Finance, my Accountant General were discharged from the matter, leaving only me because it was only me they are after. And if you know how government works you will know that a governor cannot have access to a treasury of a state without the Accountant
Buhari
‘‘I felt that my political career was still very much underway; and I saw that there was no opportunity of growth in the PDP anymore because of the impunity and lack of commitment to the rule of law that was pervading the PDP’’
General or the commissioner for finance. How come in this case, I am the only one being charged? Now, when they found out that, that charge could not go anywhere, they tried all forms of tricks because the EFCC to be fair, (from what I heard) were under a lot of pressure from the (Presidential) Villa. Of course, they tried again, and they say look, why haven’t you found a way of getting this man jailed. And of course, they went to work again, at some point the EFCC went to town to say I owned all the houses in Abuja. Every house in Abuja was owned by me. It was such an unfortunate situation. They went to my friends’ houses and said I owned even those houses. And of course, when they went to court all my friends went to court to challenge them that those houses don’t belong to him and had to
prove it and the court discharged that matter. That was a very embarrassing situation. You can imagine the extent they have gone in search of evidence to prosecute me. The truth is that there is no shred of evidence in that matter and I believe that when justice finally takes it course I will be vindicated just as I have been vindicated politically. Talking about public opinion sir, some persons have it that this issue is as a result of your fallout with the outgoing president, how true is that? Well, I am sure it’s not too far away from that; I don’t really like to dwell on it because so many things happened between myself and the outgoing First-family, I don’t want to discuss too much on this question because I don’t want to go into all that happened between myself and the First family but I can only round it off by saying that it was a relationship that I’ll rather put behind me because it was not a pleasant one at all! It was a very unpleasant relationship that I had with the outgoing president (Goodluck Jonathan) and his wife. It is a very sad chapter of my life and I am only willing to close it, I’m not ready to open it again. You have governed Bayelsa state as governor for five years, what can you tell Nigerians was your success story? It was a very great opportunity for me and I think I used it maximally. When I was going into Bayelsa, there was only one issue in my mind at that time, I think it was also the paramount issue about Bayelsa in the minds of most Nigerians and that issue was insecurity. The militancy was at its peak when I became governor of Bayelsa; five years down the line when I was leaving Bayelsa you would agree with me that there was no more militancy in the state and that was due to strategy and what we did as a government, and I take credit for it with all sense of modesty. For me, that CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
‘‘In Niger Delta, a lot of people were against us, writing all kinds of things about us and saying all kinds of things about me that I am enemy number one in the Niger Delta and of the Ijaw people. But I was very clear because I realized that President Jonathan wasn’t taking us to the right destination and as Niger Delta, we have not benefited much from his presidency and we needed something new and I kept saying that you cannot hinge the destiny of the whole Ijaw people on the destiny of one man.’’ Jonathan
Politics 10
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Adamawa suffers pains of two parallel assemblies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
whom they represented. Fintiri is highly hailed with celebrated names and generally known and referred to as the “Man of the moment, ATM or Fintiri Ikon Allah” because of his unrelenting spirit in the fight and support for the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako that paved way for him to become the acting governor of the state. He gained the confidence of the people by immediately completing many projects and settling accrued salaries of the state civil servants running into many months. This act gave him an edge over Jerry Kundisi whom some other people of the state want as speaker. Fintiri succeeded in having the loyalty of most of the lawmakers because of his shrewd political astuteness. These qualities of his made his faction to be more formidable against the faction of Jerry Kundisi which they nicknamed “Government House” Speaker. He locks and unlocks the assem-
I have one more tenure in Bayelsa — Sylva
‘‘He gained the confidence of the people by immediately completing many projects and settling accrued salaries of the state civil servants running into many months. This act gave him an edge over Jerry Kundisi whom some other people of the state want as speaker.’’
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
was my most important aspiration and I achieved it as governor; apart from that the rest of course, were routine things that any government should achieve like building internal roads, building schools, building health centres and all those things that we did. Frankly, as far as I’m concerned, a government should not pride it-
Ngilari
Fintiri
bly hall at will and decides the activities of the house because of the support he enjoys from his colleagues and other politicians outside the corridors of the state power. But Kundisi who has some few lawmakers with him enjoys the undisputed endorsement of Governor Nggilari with Government House as venue of their plenary meetings. Being a long term serving member in the state assembly and a legal practitioner, he is known to be a controversial lawmaker who does not believe in dancing to the tune of anybody but does things according to the provisions of the constitution. He is much aware of the tricks and intrigues of what is happening in the house since 2003, probably the only lawmaker that has the wherewithal to convince others to face the other faction as he is fearless and will all the time call a spade a spade no matter what happens. But many people see Jerry’s camp as not receiving the general acceptability of Adamawa
people because of the involvement of the state governor whom they label as “slow governor”. The governor is seen as a tight-fisted man that hardly dashes people money, and if he does at all, is not something to write home about. This habit he shares in common with Kundisi makes them the two uncelebrated politicians in the state. Before now, there has been a suspicion of enmity brewing between Nggilari and Fintiri over who controls the Madagali politics, their LGA of origin. It is as a result of this that he is scheming his way to form a faction against Fintiri. Kundisi also employs the political fracas between Ngilarri and Fintiri to hit at Fintiri who has been a serious barrier of his dreams as the next speaker in the House of Assembly. He had described Fintiri as a pompous speaker who has been short changing members from the state statutory allocation and constitutional allowances they receive from the state government. At one point
he cooked up a story of Fintiri planning to impeach Nggilari who initially wanted to scheme his way to the Government House when he got the opportunity of impeaching the former Governor of the state, Admiral Murtala Nyako. At this stage, the people of the state expect more of synergy between the executive and legislature, unity and among the serving members to have a peaceful transition and a remarkable hand over to the newly elected lawmakers as most of the serving members did not win in the last elections. At the moment, no serious thing is virtually taking place at the house plenary sitting, bills are not passed, no oversight function is being done because of the struggle between the two houses who have been embroiled in a fight that is clearly shown to be a personal and selfish fight that does not have the interest of the common people.
self of doing any of those things because they are just being a matter of facts. And we were able to impact on Bayelsans that is why I am very happy today because I am one of the most accepted past governors in Bayelsa. If I go to Bayelsa today, I feel very happy that the people appreciate what I did. Do you have any intention to contest the governorship elec-
tion come 2016? If yes, and if given the opportunity again what wrong would you want to correct? Let me just say this, I am very conscious of the fact that I have one more tenure in Bayelsa, but whether I will run, I have not decided I must tell you because a few things are still fresh in my mind and also there are few opportunities for service that I have seen
around the country that I believe are just as good as serving Bayelsa State. But if I do decide to go back to Bayelsa State, I will not be going on a clean slate because I have already done quite a bid; I have laid all the foundations and I will be hitting the ground running. There were few things that I really wanted to do in Bayelsa because what I have done in BayCONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
been initiated and executed by Sen. Bala administration? In line with the thrust of Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which was predicated on first ensuring completion of projects abandoned by past governments, Senator Mohammed first concentrated on completing such projects in the early stage of his Administration before embarking on new ones. These included the rehabilitation and expansion of the 10-lane, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) and Murtala Muhammed (Kubwa Road) Express Ways. The ultra-modern Abuja airport expressway and the AYA-KubwaZuba expressway are verifiable. These roads have added economic values to the lives of the residents of the FCT apart from its aesthetic value to the Territory. Their completion has drastically reduced travel time on these expressways. The level of accidents on these major entry and exit routes of the nation’s capital hitherto due to bad condition of the roads and over congestion have also been reduced. Another landmark project that
11 Politics
Bala Muhammed’s landmark steps in Abuja, by aide
Awodu is fast going, at about 40 percent completion is the construction of the 37-floor, multi-billion naira Abuja World Trade Centre, which has, like the others, provided employment opportunities for our people. You may recall that development of the Abuja Light
Rail, flagged off in 2007, only commenced after Senator Bala Mohammed became Minister of the FCT, barely two years ago and today has reached appreciable completion stage. Before his assumption of office, most of these projects that
were no where completed or ongoing were almost practically stalled due to either paucity of funds or administrative bottlenecks. Under water supply, Senator Mohammed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources completed the Gurara Water Transfer Project. He also completed and commissioned the Phases 3 and 4 Water Treatment Plant at Lower Usuma Dam with production capacity of 20,000 cubic meters per hour. Today, we enjoy water supply while Tanks 1 and 6 in Dawaki, along Kubwa road, with twin storage facilities of 20,000 cubic metres each, totaling 40,000 cubic metres have been achieved. As a result of this, many places like Gwagwalada, Airport among others that did not have pipe borne water in Abuja and environs before the coming of Senator Bala Mohammed have this vital commodity. His leadership has reformed the Abuja land administration,
removed racketeering and speculation, thereby restoring dignity to our land titles. During his tenure, public schools in the FCT have continued to win local and international laurels. The phase three of the National Assembly complex is now being expanded; this is in addition to the resurfacing of roads in the Central Business District, Wuse I and Garki I Districts that were constructed about 30 years ago. Like I said earlier, the list is inexhaustible, and all the achievements are there for everyone to see. Why is it so? There is no time in the history of the FCT that concerted efforts have been dedicated to cleaning the 250 square kilometers of the Federal City and even the satellite towns than now. And in my opinion, kudos should be given to the Hon. Minister for achieving this stride. We all know that Nigeria did not experience the unfortunate security challenges in those days as what we are experiencing today; so the demographic indices of the FCT was still reasonably manageable by then. Presently, Nigerians and foreigners alike see Abuja as a safe haven; so many people of different classes come into Abuja.
With Buhari, no more Boko Haram, milatary— Sylva CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
elsa was to put down all the dots, unfortunately I was not given the opportunity to connect those dots. We have done a lot of things; I have completed all the old uncompleted projects, I have completed all the internal roads, I then, wanted to do the legacy things: things that people would have remembered me for, but I was not given that opportunity. If I have the opportunity of going back again now, those are the things I will do. I will do things that will make the people to remember me forever as past governor of Bayelsa State? Considering the vigour with which Nigerians voted for your party the APC, how hopeful should Nigerians be of the change mantra as propagated by APC because many people are doubtful of the possibility of this ‘desired change’? The problem with Nigerians is that you are always doubtful. I don’t blame Nigerians because over the years, there is a breakdown of trust between the people and government. But whether we like it or not there must be trust before a country can grow. As long as there is this distrust between the people and the government, we would not be able to share the same vision and unless the people
share the same vision with the government, the country cannot grow. If you go to an average Chinese, the average Chinese shares the same vision with the government. They share for example, the vision of a great China, everybody shares that vision even the man that is sweeping the road shares that vision and that is why he does it with all his mind and all his strength to make sure that he contributes in his own small way to the greatness of China. Unfortunately in Nigeria, the people don’t really believe in the vision of the government. Frankly, we must get to that point. Having said that, his (Gen Buhari) government of course, definitely stands on the platform of change, and will bring about a lot of change. We have told you the areas we are going to concentrate; there are three main areas: fighting corruption (Transparency in governance), security (making sure that the country is secured) and the third are is employment and opportunities for Nigerians. Once we are able to achieve these three things I believe that Nigeria would have moved to another level, and that is what we expect you (Nigerians) to expect from us. But of course, you must also give us some benefit of the doubt. You can see that we are taking over
power with an empty treasury, the economy is in shambles. So we are almost starting on ground zero, in some instances we are starting on minus zero. So if we are going to start on that kind slate, Nigerians must give us a little bit of time not that from day-one you expect us to build all the skyscrapers. We must really be given time to study the rotes, the actual nature of the rotes so that we can find a way out of the rotes. And that is why Nigerians must build that trust in the government and if they don’t trust somebody like Buhari who by himself personifies transparency and modesty, I don’t know who else they will trust. Nigerians are lucky at this time that we have somebody like Buhari, somebody that we can at least collectively trust. You can say anything about Buhari, but nobody will say that Buhari is corrupt; nobody will say Buhari is not patriotic; nobody is going to say that Buhari doesn’t lead by example. Somebody that is leading by example I believe he is going to make a lot of difference. So, all we need from Nigerians is trust and some benefit of doubt. Some Nigerians view that the President-elect is a dictator and may not be able to carry his party members along, having worked with him for some
time now, how would you describe him? I find him a very patriotic Nigeria and somebody who means well for Nigeria and is ready to work with anybody that means well for this country. I don’t think, if you have any personal interest and you are disappointed at that personal level; Buhari himself does not look at things that will benefit people on personal level most of the time. He looks at things from the benefit of the general good most of the time and that is what I think makes all the difference. A lot of people don’t understand him because he looks at things from the general good. Sometimes, what is good for everybody may offend some vested interests and those vested interests of course, can start a whole campaign of calumny; you know how this country works. I think that as far as the general interest of everybody is concerned he (Buhari) is the best person; I don’t want to look at it from a personal point of view and I don’t think anybody should look at it from personal point of view. We’ve all supported a good cause, we’ve supported General Buhari, and we have to allow him to govern at this time and in governing, even I expect him to look at the general good before he look at my
own personal good and interest. Sir, being a right hand-man of the President-elect, given the state of the Nigerian economy as it stands today; if you are to set an agenda for him what would you tell him? I have already told you the three things that I expect him to concentrate on: corruption issues, let there be some transparency in Nigeria; that is what is going to bring a lot of investors and will translate to a lot of things, it’s going to blocked all those leakages, free up a lot of money to be deploy into development and the country will become more wealthier. Then, he should look at the issue of security, because without peace there can be no development; and last but not the least; he must look at the unemployment issue especially among the youth, and the poverty issue which results from unemployment because without poverty and unemployment, I don’t think there would be Boko Haram, I don’t think there would be militancy. It is only poverty and unemployment that make people vulnerable and make people being able to recruit them for the things that really they shouldn’t be doing. That is why we have militancy, Boko Haram, Kidnapping and all forms of social vices.
News 12
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
NANS decries states’ inability to pay workers’ salaries ‘Tosin Ajuwon Akure
ÏÏÏ
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has decried the inability of some state governments to pay civil servants’ salaries. In a statement issued to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, by the association’s Vice President (National Affairs), Comrade Timileyin Ayenuro said the non-payment of workers’ salaries have caused many students, who depended on their parents, not to be able to pay their school fees. Ayenuro said a large percentage of the Nigerian students depended on the income of their parents/guardians to survive, mostly for paying their tuition fees. He added that the situation has brought untold hardships to many of the students, forcing them to resort to menial job to survive academically. “The current situation has made sustenance hard for many of us, due to non-payment of our parent’s and workers’ salaries. It is NOT a privilege, but a mandatory obligation, because it is the sweat of their labour. “So, it is disheartening, pathetic and sad for some state governors like Osun, Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Bauchi, Rivers, Cross Rivers,
A Covenant University Mass Communication graduate, Miss Brenda Evbodaghe, has won the maiden edition of the Miss Bold and Beautiful pageant, sponsored by Globacom, to make corps members’ stay at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, memorable and fun filled. Commenting on her victory, 21-year-old Brenda Evbodaghe enthused: “I feel so happy winning this contest. I never expected to emerge winner. It’s a very happy moment for me. This crown, I’m sure, will spur me into giving my best during the service year. I will use this contest as a springboard to achieve my dream in the wider society.” The event, held last weekend, was well attended by corps members and Glo officials, while ace
Daniel Jolly Bauchi
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All arrangements have been concluded by the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Maiduguri, Borno State, to release the first rain-fed wheat varieties in Nigeria in June this year. The Executive Director of the institute, Dr. Oluwasina G. Olabanji, disclosed this on Wednesday, during the 2015 in-house review meeting and the north-east Refils workshop, organised by the Institute, in collaboration with Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), held at Awalah Hotel, Bauchi.
Armed robbers invade SilverBird TV’s office in Anambra Nkiru Nwagbo Awka
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R-L: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (first right); Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Sam O. Worlu (first left) and other guests, during the wedding ceremony of Chief Dele Alake’s son, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
Imo and Abia to owe six, five months salaries. “The non-payment of salaries and wages is also coming at a time that the tuition and other related fees in the tertiary institutions are becoming more outrageous and expensive. “Students, nowadays, run
helter-skelter and engage in menial jobs to enable them pay their school fees,” he said. While calling on the Federal Government to intervene on the matter, Ayenuro advised the governors to utilise the resources in their capacity, through the internally generated revenue (IGR).
“State governors should also use the internally general revenue (IGR) for the sole aim of improving their states. “They should explore and exploit natural resources in their states, rather than seeking comfort and relying on oil revenue from the national coffer,” the statement read.
Covenant varsity graduate wins Glo’s ‘Miss Bold and Beautiful’ pageant ÏÏÏ
Institute to release rain-fed wheat variety in June
comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, thrilled the audience with witty wisecracks and anecdotes. Glo ambassador and iconic hip-hop act, Burna Boy, also entertained the audience with his popular songs like ‘Check and Balance’ and ‘Denge’, which gingered the
Glo NYSC’s ‘Miss Bold and Beautiful’
event and raised expectations. Then, came the ultimate moment of the night, the declaration of ‘Miss Bold and Beautiful’. All the young and dashing ladies pre-screened for the competition indeed had the potential to win. They had the endowments to lift
the coveted crown, but only one winner must emerge. The contestants all took their turns on stage to sell their candidacy. They appeared on stage in three costumes: Full NYSC regalia, evening gowns and native wears. They danced in well-choreographed steps and later appeared on stage after the dance routines to answer a few questions from the anchors. Their poise, splendor, intellectual depth and elegance showcased Nigeria’s abundant talents. Brenda, the Mass Communication graduate from Covenant University was declared winner by a unanimous decision from the judges, comprising Glo ambassadors Bez, Ego Ogbaru, and other NYSC Camp officials. She won an iPhone 6, with 4.5 GB data and N5,000 worth of Glo airtime.
Unidentified gunmen invaded the premises of SilverBird Communication’s office (STV), in Awka, on Wednesday morning, and carted away some of the station’s property. Items taken away by the robbers included laptops, radio equipment, head phones, recorders, motorcycle and other valuables estimated at over two million naira. Just few days before that, another set of burglars also invaded cyber café offices at Arroma Junction, and others numbering over 10, and made away with valuables worth over N5 million, unchallenged.
More groups join APC in Kogi Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja
ÏÏÏ As more groups continue to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Idera De Political Movement in Kogi State has directed all its members to move to the APC. The spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Ayo Daudu, disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja on Wednesday, after a meeting of the organisation, held at Isanlu Town Hall in Yagba-East Local Government Area of the State. The group, made up majorly of members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other organisations, also appointed its senatorial candidate in the last election, Pastor Toyin Akanle, to champion the course of the association and their political movement into the APC.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
13 Africa
Tensions, as Burundi delays election by a week
Malawi arrests four persons over albino murder
ÏÏÏ Burundi's President, Pierre
ÏÏÏMalawi police, on Wednes-
Nkurunziza, delayed parliamentary and local elections until June 5, following protests and a coup attempt. The elections were originally scheduled for May 26, but with Burundi still in a state of political crisis, they have now been postponed until the following week.
Presidential spokesman, Willy Nyamitwe, said the delay is at least partly a response to both domestic and international pressures. “Politicians from the opposition have asked the government to delay elections. And the second reason is that head of states from the region, and the U.N., the A.U.
and E.U. have urged the government to delay the election. And the third reason is that the president got a proposal from the electoral committee,” Nyamitwe said. He said there has been no decision on whether to delay presidential elections, which are scheduled to be held June 26. Burundi has been racked by vi-
Demonstrators climb on a container they moved to use as a barricade in the Cibitoke neighborhood of Bujumbura in Burundi....on Tuesday.
Merkel insists on invitation to Egyptian leader ÏÏÏGerman Chancellor, Ange-
la Merkel, insisted, on Wednesday, that she would go ahead with a meeting with Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, despite opposition from within her government. "The invitation to al-Sisi stands," a spokesperson for the government press office said in reaction to an announcement on Tuesday by parliamentary president, Norbert Lammert, that he would not meet al-Sisi, owing to
the human rights situation in Egypt. al-Sisi is scheduled to visit Germany on June 3 and 4. Lammert, who is the equivalent of the speaker of Germany's lower house or Bundestag, informed the Egyptian embassy in Berlin of his decision in writing. "Instead of the long-awaited setting of a date for parliamentary elections, we have experienced for months a systematic persecution of opposition groups with mass arrests, convictions to many years in prison and an unfathomable number of death sentences," the Bundestag press office quoted Lammert's letter as saying. The letter added that Lammert did not see any basis for a conversation with the Egyptian head of state. An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced deposed president Mohammed Morsi and more than 100 others to death for orchestrating a prison escape during the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
Cholera death toll in Kenya rises to 65
olence and unrest since late April, when Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term. Thousands of protesters took to the streets, saying the move violates a two-term limit in the constitution. But the president’s supporters say that since he was elected by parliament, not voters during his first term, he should be allowed to run again. Nkurunziza survived a coup attempt last week, but the violence has continued. On Tuesday police fired tear gas and beat protesters, who vowed to keep protesting until the president steps down. Human rights groups said at least 20 people have died in the unrest so far. While attending a session of the Pan African Parliament in South Africa this week, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta told a local television station that regional leaders want the presidential elections postponed. “We first and foremost said that it was necessary, given what was going on, that the elections be postponed, but within the constitutionally allowed mandate of the current government, in order to give us time for us to be able to work together with all parties to see how we can get to a situation where we get an amicable solution," Kenyatta said.
blamed on heavy rains in the capital and Rift Valley region that have polluted drinking water supplies, although cases have also been reported in the coastal city of Mombasa. Cholera, a highly contagious intestinal infection, is transmitted by water soiled by human waste. The disease leads to diarrhoea, dehydration and death if untreated.
ÏÏÏAt least 65 people were con-
firmed to have died in a nearly five-month-old cholera outbreak in Kenya, with infections also continuing to rise in the capital, Nairobi, health officials said on Wednesday. Health Minister James Macharia said 326 new cases have been reported over the past week nationwide, a nearly 50 percent increase over the previous week and bringing the total number of cases to 3,223. Five new deaths have also been reported in Nairobi over the past week. The rise in cases has been
Macharia
day, said they had arrested four people suspected of murdering an albino man five months ago to sell his bones for witchcraft. Symon Mukota was abducted from his village at night, in December, with police accusing his suspects of killing him, removing his bones and burying his remains in a riverbed. The four men were arrested on murder charges, following a tip-off after "they failed to find a market for the bones", police spokesperson Patricia Sipiliyano told state television MBC. "The four suspects were found with bones believed to be those of an albino who went missing in December," Sipiliyano said. Six albinos have been killed since December, according to the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi. Albinos, who are very pale due to a hereditary genetic condition that causes an absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes, are sometimes killed for their body parts in parts of Africa. Malawi police have been ordered to target criminals who kill albinos to sell their bones for witchcraft.
Tunisians begin strike over economy, jobs ÏÏÏ
Four cities in Tunisia's southern 'mining basin' area, the main producer of its phosphate exports, began a general strike on Wednesday to protest against unemployment, residents and officials told Reuters. In the towns of Metlaoui, Om Lrayes, Mdhila and Redayf all public institutions and most shops were closed. Hundreds of residents began to assemble in the streets for protest marches demanding jobs. Tunisia's state-run Gafsa Phosphate had already suspended production after sit-in protests by unemployed youths demanding work halted deliveries at the start of the month. The protests are a major challenge for the government following the 2011 uprising that overthrew autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and the transition to democracy and a new constitution.
World 14
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Iran to deny UN access to scientists, military sites
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (centre), during a visit to the Imam Hussein Military College in Tehran....on Wednesday.
ÏÏÏIran's
Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Tehran would not accept 'unreasonable demands' by world powers during negotiations over its disputed nuclear program. He would also deny international inspectors access to his country's scientists or military sites.
Palestinian driver runs over Israeli police officers ÏÏÏIsraeli police says a Palestin-
ian attacker in a vehicle has run over two police officers in Jerusalem. Police spokesperson, Micky Rosenfeld, said Wednesday's attack took place in a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem. He said officers on the scene opened fire at the attacker and wounded him critically. The two police officers were lightly wounded and evacuated to a hospital. Israel has seen several isolated vehicular and stabbing attacks in Jerusalem in recent months, raising fears of a renewed wave of Palestinian violence like the one that gripped the country a decade ago. The most serious recent incident came last month when a Palestinian motorist intentionally rammed his car into a group of Israeli Jews near Jerusalem, killing one man and seriously injuring a woman.
A fact sheet on the framework accord issued by the U.S. State Department said Iran would be required to grant the United Nations (U.N.) nuclear agency access to any 'suspicious sites'. But Khamenei indicated that the U.S. is increasing its demands that international inspection of Iran's military sites and inter-
views with Iranian scientists be included in the final deal. “The impudent and brazen enemy expects that we allow them talk to our scientists and researchers about a fundamental local achievement, but no such permission will be allowed,” Khamenei told military commanders in Tehran on Wednesday, in remarks
broadcast on state TV. “No inspection of any military site or interview with nuclear scientists will be allowed.” Khamenei, who has the final say for Iran on any deal, said, "We will never yield to pressure. We will not accept unreasonable demands." Negotiators from Iran and a group that includes Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany have been working on the details of a final agreement to scale back Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran reached a tentative deal with the powers on April 2 to allow U.N. inspectors to carry out more intrusive, short-notice inspections. But there have been sharply differing interpretations from both sides on the details of that access. Negotiators have given themselves until June 30 for the final agreement. The talks are continuing Wednesday in Vienna with experts from both sides. Iran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful with applications for medical research and power generation, but not developing nuclear weapons.
N. Korea’s isolation grows with cancellation of Ki-moon’s visit
ÏÏÏNorth Korea said on Wednes-
day it has the capability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon, shortly after announcing that Pyongyang had canceled United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's planned visit there. Kim Jong Un’s recent provocative and withdrawn behaviour is undermining any efforts toward reconciliation, and further distancing Pyongyang from the international community. After planning a visit to the Kaesong Industrial Complex, located just across the border in North Korea for over a week, Ban was surprised by Pyongyang’s sudden cancellation. "Early this morning, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea authorities informed us, through their diplomatic channels, that they were reversing their decision for me to visit the Kaesong Industrial Complex. No explanation was given for this last-minute change,” Ban said. The Kaesong Industrial Complex is one of the few remaining remnants of South Korea’s Sunshine Policy of engagement that
a decade ago tried to build trust with the communist North by providing unconditional aid and support programs. Other South Korean aid programs were halted and sanctions imposed against North Korea in 2010 after Seoul accused Pyongyang of sinking a South Korean warship and killing 46 sailors. Ban had stated he wanted to promote reconciliation and stability on the Korean peninsula. He said the visit to Kaesong, where more than 53,000 North Korean workers are employed by about 120 South Korean factories, would highlight the benefits of engagement and cooperation. Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byung-chul also voiced regret and reached out to Pyongyang. He said his government once again urges North Korea not to move toward the way of isolation, but to come to the way of peace on the Korean peninsula. After the cancellation was announced, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported Pyongyang now has the capability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon.
If confirmed, this capability would allow Pyongyang to mount a nuclear warhead on a long- or short-range missile. Chinese nuclear experts recently warned that North Korea has 20 nuclear warheads. North Korea has conducted a submarinelaunched missile test that could soon give it the capability to strike anywhere in the world. This is not the first time North Korea has claimed to be able to miniaturize nuclear weapons. Following its third nuclear test, in 2013, Pyongyang declared it used a "miniaturized and lighter nuclear device."
Ki-moon
Indonesia, Malaysia to provide shelter for stranded migrants ÏÏÏIndonesia and Malaysia have
agreed to provide temporary refuge for the thousands of migrants and human trafficking victims stranded at sea. The breakthrough was announced on Wednesday, following a meeting between the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand – countries that had expressed a reluctance to assist the migrants. Under the deal, Malaysia and Indonesia will 'continue to provide humanitarian assistance' to the estimated 7,000 stranded migrants, Malaysian Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, said. "We also agreed to offer them temporary shelter provided that the resettlement and repatriation process will be done in one year by the international community," he added. The foreign minister also called on other nations and NGOs to assist in the mission. Human Rights Watch's Phil Robertson said the agreement "should mark the end of the region's push back policies" under which Southeast Asian governments forced the migrant boats back to sea. But Robertson said it was unfortunate Thailand did not agree to also provide shelter for the boat people. "Let's hope that this failure of Thai leadership is temporary, and that Bangkok recognizes that it should urgently revamp its stance and join with Indonesia and Malaysia to save these people on the high seas and provide them with humanitarian shelter and assistance ashore," he said. Nearly 3,000 so-called boat people have been rescued or made their way to shores of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. But rights groups warn thousands more are likely stranded and running out of supplies. The crisis began earlier this month when Thailand disrupted longstanding human trafficking networks that targeted Rohingya. The people smugglers fled, leaving thousands of boat people adrift at sea. Myanmar, which has received international criticism for its role in Southeast Asia's migrant crisis, said earlier on Wednesday it is also ready to help the stranded boat people. A Foreign Ministry statement said Myanmar is deeply concerned "with the sufferings and life-threatening fate" of the boat people, mostly minority Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
15 Opinion
Governors must source money to pay workers salaries
T Folorunsho Saburi Bello
o the chagrin of the international community, some state governments in Nigeria owe their civil servants about five month salaries, thus violating the Declaration of Fundamental Principles & Rights at Work, adopted at the 86th International Labour Conference in 1998, with this country as one of the signatories. Economic scholars had persistently proved that most international economies are derive’ economies, and Nigeria is no exception. Succinctly, if a factor of survival or production is amiss, it clogs the survival life cycle. Non-payment of salary will certainly clog the progressive wheel of governance and bring disaffection to the civil servants. Lack of salary to the civil servants by the state governments from the three angles, negates the avowed symbiosis between state governments, civil servants; and the society. Government works will suffer setbacks as civil servants become perfidious and nonchalant in providing their professional services, a hungry man, they say, are an angry man. This done, government will not be able to deliver projects on schedule, while the public conse-
quently buffets the said government for failing in its promise. How about the skewed ness on the side of the civil servants – Of course, there will be no cash to meet their daily needs: shelter, clothing, cleansing and transportation etc. They visibly become tattered, shattered, debt-ridden, pauperised and dejected. Such situation betides a country like Nigeria that flows with milk and honey, that can afford to pay any past President, N23 million a month as pension. What skewed toll is it taking on the side of the society? Society is the end consumer of cash disbursed by the state governments to the civil servants. The civil servants go to the marketplaces to procure whelps of essential and less essential commodities; they also save and invest some portion of the salary for the rainy days. Nonpayment of the cash, you will not agree less, tantamount to a colossal meltdown, as both economic and commercial activities tend to ebb low. Again, the public will resort to tongue-lash the state governments for failing in their primary responsibility of securing the citizens and taking good care of their welfare. Where is the cash? What had really gone wrong? Our Excellencies (including Fashola for the first and
the last time ever), failed to excel when they allowed the Federal Government team to sweet-talk them on converting the excess crude revenue (escrow account) into the sovereign wealth fund to be managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). They should have insisted on the status quo ante, that is, share the revenue among the three-tiers of government (Federal, states, and local governments) to serve as additional income and decide with the members of cabinets on how to dispense with the fund, either on budgetary expenditure or on investment and/or savings. Conceding to the federal government as their chief investor against the rainy days is a mother/child kind of subterfuge. Now, the rainy days are here, salary is in deficit, go to the federal government to bail you out through NSIA. If the FG would not bulge, it is advisable the governors besiege the National Assembly to get the Bill that enacted the NSIA repealed. It may sound radical, but it is the best alternative in the present quagmire. It is imperatively instructive that civil servants must receive their salaries as at when due. In any case, state governments should not even be borrowing to meet their wages obligation. Quoting from a frontline
Egba chief, the Parakoyi of Owu Kingdom, M. Ola. Yusuf FCCA. during professional service in his firm, “He who go borrowing, go sorrowing”, so, Folorunsho, do not borrow in order not to go sorrowing. He often counseled. In a clime, it is a fact, but in contemporary financial exponent, it is not necessarily so. Why? Coming on the heel of the first advise above, is this one that says human being is the primary purpose of government. Having said this, state governors should first secure the salary of the civil servants before allocating funds to other projects. In our own case, it is a converse literature. Thirdly, governors should prevail on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to increase their allotment to 45 percent. The National Confab had recommended 35 per cent. I think it is open ended, something can still be done through conviction, after all, and the outcome of the confab is at the consensus and compromise levels, not yet a Constitution. However, its transformation into a Constitution is not compulsory, but it is absolutely recommended so to be. •Folorunsho Saburi Bello is a Financial Management expert
Buhari’s choices in combating insecurity in Nigeria
N Dr. Tandia T. Vernasius
igeria’s President-elect Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to pursue peace in terror troubled Nigeria first by crushing Boko Haram militarily, and then taking steps to boost education needs an urgent audit. For long, a commercialized governance system of “get-rich-at all cost” has abased the oil rich nation into an epicenter of pain and rage, especially for the youth that toil and hawk the streets all day for bread. It is within this backdrop that Boko Haram developed, prevailing as one of the world’s most ruthless Islamic terrorist groups whose mayhem has within a little less than five years claimed the lives of some 13,000 people and displaced over 1.5 million. While his cleave for a more robust military and more strategic alliances may be significant, retrospection into the dynamics that have over time leveled a breeding ground for radicalization could offer better clues as to how to develop a truly workable and effective strategy in dislodging Boko Haram and diminishing insecurity. Naturally, if relative deprivation from endemic corruption and high levels of unem-
ployment – currently 23.9% (cause) liaise young people with death squads (consequence), a policy that seeks to annihilate the foe before discouraging the friend from the source of the foe’s wrath could prove tedious and may end up being counterproductive. Rather, pursuing the foe with a high hand on one hand and disconnecting the plug that triggers people to radicalism on the other hand may be a viable option to peace. This means waging a fiercer war against endemic corruption first, which has lured many into this senseless slaughter, yet stymied the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. Last year, outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged this, expressing concerns that the group may already have infiltrated his government. US officials likewise, though not having directly engaged with Nigeria on Boko Haram have lamented that high levels of corruption obstructs supplies as basic as bullets and vehicles from reaching the frontlines in the struggle against the group. Corruption breeds inequality and contempt. It illegitimates government’s efforts against terrorism and erodes social stability. It casts shadows of bleakness over the future of the youth and expands their
vulnerability to shrewd radical Islamic manipulators who approach them with instant financial relief and lofty promises of wealth in the new world of jihad. In fact, despite a decade long condemnation Nigeria continues to trail Transparency International’s list of the most corrupt countries in the world with a recent ranking placing it 136th of 175 most corrupt countries on earth and 3rd most corrupt in West Africa. Good enough, Nigeria’s soon be to Commander in Chief this far demonstrates understanding of how efforts against terrorism are doomed with corruption alive. He recently blamed military failure to subdue Boko Haram on the misappropriation of resources meant for weapons procurement. This problem of all needs urgent attention for any efforts to yield real results. This is where the combat should kick off. Aggressively taking on it would take a very strong political resolve given the complexity and stake some within the business and political elite seeks to promote through covert support to Boko Haram. Intelligence must seek to track and neutralize bribery and corruption networks through which the group receives much of its funding, especially in the police, customs, banking and civil administration
sectors. Indeed, lest the people plunge into another agonizing ride, an initiative making transparency and accountability non-negotiable should be advanced as an anecdote to boosting employment. Such a “clean up campaign” will revive trust and start decreasing the heat in the urn of frustration in which many Nigerians are locked today. With this in progress, the task of subduing Boko Haram militarily and diminishing radicalism across the nation could be more attainable. Sustainable success would come faster first with education, not an intensive military rhetoric. The political process that is leading to the peaceful transition in Africa’s most populous country (Nigeria) has been hailed across the world and the sagacious race for diplomatic ententes has begun. Decisively taking on corruption, enhancing counterterrorism accountability, boosting education and redressing youth unemployment must be central to any strategy, engagement and alliance and must precede any repressive military bid in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. Doing these could among other opportunities help shrink the support base for Boko Haram and terrorism and simply be a pleasant shortcut to sustainable peace.
16
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
At Acorn Petroleum, we remain committed to delivering unrivaled products and services to our customers. Acorn Petroleum Plc., your new energy
Business Times Æ s
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
17
Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng
L-R: Scott Taylor, Director, African Studies, Georgetown University, Ade Adefuye, Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Tony Elumelu, Founder Tony Elumelu Foundation and David Thomas, Dean Georgetown Business School when Elumelu delivered the lecture on Entrepreneur -led Development; A new model for Africa’ at Georgetown University in Washington DC recently.
Elumelu advocates entrepreneur - driven model for Africa’s growth Emmanuel Ogbonnaya To further advance efforts at promoting the entrepreneurial potential abounding on the African continent, Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu has proposed a new entrepreneur-led development model for Africa at two high profile events in Washington DC. Mr. Elumelu, who is Chairman of United Bank for Africa, and Founder, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, spoke at a White House event hosted by United States President Barack Obama on May 11 to celebrate emerging entrepreneurs around the globe. The
Ado Bayero family has no interest or stake in Intels – NPA
event was a prelude to Obama’s scheduled trip to Kenya this summer for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. During remarks to announce the Summit and his plans to participate, President Obama thanked the global coalition of entrepreneurship organizations that collaborated with his administration to launch the Spark campaign for global entrepreneurship, a campaign in which the Tony Elumelu Foundation is a founding member. The President went on to say to the entrepreneurs present, “Entrepreneurship empowers people to no longer be subject to aid agen-
cies, but to be part of something to pursue their dreams. Entrepreneurs like you can change the world one idea at a time.” During his comments at the White House event while participating on a panel moderated by United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Mr Elumelu championed the cause of African entrepreneurs as the primary drivers of Africa’s transformation. In closing, Mr Elumelu provided the following advice to global entrepreneurs, “Entrepreneurship is a long term journey. Great entrepreneurs are not made overnight. Dare to dream, implement your dream, and stay
focused.” Accompanying Mr Elumelu to the White House was Shadi Sabeh, a young Nigerian entrepreneur from Sokoto State who is a mentee of Mr Elumelu and a past winner of the Tony and Awele Elumelu Prize for Economics from Usman Dan Fodiyo University. Following on the White House event, Mr. Elumelu delivered a lecture at Georgetown University in Washington DC on May 12 on the topic ‘Entrepreneur-Led Development: A New Model for Africa’. The lecture was attended by a large audience including students, faculty, and alumni of
Georgetown, as well as members of the US and African private sector, diplomatic core, and international development sector. “I was honoured to speak at these high profile events in the US,” Tony Elumelu said. “As a successful entrepreneur, I will continue to communicate to the world the need for supporting and empowering African entrepreneurs as the most impactful and sustainable approach to Africa’s development. My mission is to share this message on a global scale, and inspire more African business leaders and global investors with an interest in Africa to take action.”
Opeoluwani Akintayo
of Kano nor his estate holds any subsisting equity in Intels Nigeria Limited, as the family already disposed of the equity of the late Alhaji Ado Bayero in Intels Nigeria upon his demise. The transaction was said to have been effected over six months before President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Lawyer Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as managing director of
the Nigeria Ports Authority. Stating further NPA said its present stand over the matter, can be verified from the Corporate Affairs Commission or the concerned Intels Nigeria Limited. “Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero is committed to best practice standards in corporate governance as he guides the af-
fairs of Nigerian Ports Authority. He would not breach such standards for any reason, given his noble antecedents and experience in company administration. He is committed to leading Nigerian Ports Authority to oversee port regulation as a neutral arbiter without bias to any interest or stakeholder,” it read.
The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has disassociated itself from news making the rounds that the Ado Bayero family has a stake in the Port’s operating firm, Intels Nigeria Limited. According to the statement signed by the Management of the NPA, neither the late Emir
Money 18
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Nestle’s turnover hits N143bn, plans N4.6bn Abuja factory Stories by Adesola Akindele Nestle Nigeria Tuesday declared a turnover of N143.32 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, which also, represents eight per cent increase over N133.84 recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. Speaking at the company Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr. David Ifesulike told shareholders that the food and beverages giant, would soon commission a N4.6 billion state-of-the-art factory in Abuja. According to him, the facility which occupies14.13 hectares reflects more than just an investment, which could also broaden the company’s operations. On the results, he explained that the company has delivered on its short-term commitment,
while continuing to strengthen the foundations of future growth. The company declared a final dividend of N17.50 kobo ordinary share from the pioneer profits, in addition to the interim dividend of N10.00 per share already paid, translating to N27.50 kobo per share. This also represented an increase of eight per cent over N25.50 paid in the previous year. Looking ahead, the Chairman assured shareholders that the company would continue to put the right actions in place to face regulatory headwinds in 2015 and more so, to deliver results in both short term and long term investments. The National Coordinator, Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Timothy Adesiyan, having lauded the company’s
Transcorp posts N8bn pre-tax profit
Nnorom, Transcorp Group President
Unilever reviews fiscal strategy as profit slumps 49%
Unilever Nigeria on Tuesday said the company’s top line and bottom line dropped due to the devaluation of naira and collapse of crude oil prices. The company’s profit for the year fell 48.9 per cent to N2.42 billion in the review period, from N4.72 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2013. Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr. Nnaemeka
performance in the last one year, expressed appreciation for the support of all shareholders and reiterated the commitment of Nestle in sustaining the leadership and dominant position on the continent. While affirming the company’s commitment to strict adherence to the best practice in corporate governance, he expressed satisfaction with dividend policy and payout proposal in the current financial year. The National President, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie raised investor’s hope of subsequent increments in dividends payout and additional benefits that may be accrued to them. “Shareholders should however expect higher dividend in future”, he said.
Ifesulike
Transnational Corporation of Nigeria has announced a profit before tax of N7.7 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. A statement from the company Wednesday, said its gross profit stood at N27.6 billion for the financial year, while group operating profit also grew from N10.2 billion to N13.6 billion in 2014. The company explained in the statement that the results has shown it is on track to deliver on its growth and expansion plans, in spite of a sizeable exchange loss on foreign currency loans in the power business, capital market volatility, and lower average occupancy in the hospitality business. The statement quoted the Chairman of the company, Mr. Tony Elumelu, as saying that shareholders approved the annual account and the re-appointment of retiring board members.
Elumelu, who spoke in Abuja, highlighted the operational excellence that has guided the company’s turnaround from takeover in 2010, to super performer in the years following under the current leadership. According to him, the gross earnings increased from N18.8 billion to N41.3 billion in the review period, a reflection of the first full year of earnings from the power business. He explained that based on the result achieved in 2014 and in view of the positive business prospects for the current financial year, a dividend of six kobo per share was also approved. Transcorp Group President, Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, stressed that the story of Transcorp is a standout among conglomerates in Nigeria and one that gets better each day. “Our focus early on was turnaround and stabilization and this year’s results reiterate this
commitment. Now, our focus is on growth. From hospitality to power, agribusiness to energy, we are blazing a trail in the sectors in which we operate and our ability to deliver in the face of strong economic headwinds, as we witness more stability in the economy, we will be able to perform ever better.” He pointed out that shareholders are generally long term shareholders, who might have lost money in the past. “We have our work cut out for us to help them recover that money and our focus is on planting seeds to grow the company through re-investment of profits among other measures. “We have achieved consistency in dividend delivery and corporate stability and now we are turning our focus to growth. This AGM reiterates our commitment to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders,” he added.
Achebe, who is also the Obi of Onitsha, noted that business environment will be more daunting in the current financial year if the collapse of crude oil prices, high foreign exchange rate and overall political environment, are anything to go by. But having taking significant learnings from 2014, he said, the company will be more aggressive about driving down costs and actively finding savings throughout
all facet of its value chain. According to him, the company’s ambition is to continue to deliver value to all shareholders and positively affect its commitment by leveraging on sustainable living plan. He said, “The Company exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currencies exposures, primarily with respect to the Euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised as-
sets and liabilities. “The company managed the risk mainly by hedging foreign exchange currency contracts. At December 31, 2014, the unhedged financial assets and financial liabilities amounted to N1.2 billion, compared to N3.9 billion in the same period of 2013.”Analysis of the result showed that its revenue stood at N55.8 billion, from N60.0 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Features Æ s
19
Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. E-mail: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng
Erosion overruns communities in Anambra With the rains just warming up for its 2015 season, some erosion-prone areas of Anambra State have suffered a swipe from the first few rains of the season. NKIRU NWAGBO in Awka reports that families in some local government areas
have been driven to neighbouring towns and villages. Erosion menace in some communities in Anambra State has compelled residents of the area to vacate their homes for fear of being submerged by the disas-
ter. This is the fate of some residents of Nkwo-Igboukwu market area in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State where erosion has chased families out of their homes, forcing families to be squatting with
relatives in neighbouring towns and villages. Speaking with Daily Times on the pitiable situation, the traditional ruler of the Igboukwu kingdom, HRH Igwe Dr. Martin Eze, described the situation as CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Despite a river under the runway...
Asaba airport is safe and secure
Ï ƌƌƈ ƈ ƆƏ Ƈ Ə 9 Ƈ Əƌ Ɛƈ Ï01 ƏƆƋƆ Ɔ MǀƄ Ƈ Ə ƅ ƐƏƑƅƐƈ Ƈ ƆƓ ƏƑ Ɠ ƕ Following the recent downgrading of Asaba Airport by the Federal Government, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, explains the difficult topography and other factors that led to the incident among others. MONDAY OSAYANDE reports from Asaba. In an exclusive interview with Daily Times in Asaba over the weekend, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, admits that the airport’s runway was constructed over a river which is now challenging its foundation. “It is true that we have issues with some parts of our runway because of the very difficult topography on which the runway was built. You people will not understand that there is a river under that runway and there is a hill on the other side. “So, that topography is very challenging, yet that is the only place we could manage to build this airport. These things have to go systematically; it is not a rush job because government is a continuous administration. The airport is such a world-class project that will be there for all times for everybody. Wherever this government stops, the incoming government will continue to sustain, maintain and up-build as each case arises.” Relieved that the problems are identified and nothing else is lurking in the dark, Ogeah explained the reason for the downgrading. “What they mean by ‘downgrading’ is that the structure constitutes some risk to bigger aircraft, but if you took note, the airport has been working; there
is nothing wrong with it. Smaller jets have been coming and going out in their hundreds. This airport, I must say, is perhaps the most viable airport in the region because it serves about seven states. Our concern now is how to wrap up the volume of passengers and of traffic in and out of the airport. “All we need to do is upgrade the cargo section, because that is where it will be very useful to us in as much as Onitsha, which is a commercial hub, is just 10 minutes from Asaba. So, you can imagine that those commercial merchants are eager to see our cargo section from where they will haul their cargos in and out of Nigeria. “Then, you can imagine how buoyant the airport will be. The runway will be done but don’t forget that there are so many runways in the country that have difficulties and which have been shut down at different stages as a result. I was working at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport when the runway was shut down to facilitate its upgrading. So, downgrading a runway is no big deal in the aviation industry.” Contrary to public outcry that the development is an embarrassment to the state, Ogeah defended the government’s action based on technical reasons. “It is not an embarrassment; what is involved here is a difficult topography which can be corrected, and steps taken to receive fund from FG take time before they can manifest. If you don’t apply due process, the same people will shout that government is just dipping its hands into public funds, and doing what it likes in and
0Ə Ɛ ƒƈƆƓ Ƈ Ƅ ƈƏƍ ƏƐ
ƈƊƆ
around the airport. “Therefore, we made sure due process is followed and until that is done, we cannot mobilise any contractor to commence work. “That sum of N5 billion is for the upgrading of the runway and taxi runway. There is no safety issue with the current operations going on. The airport is, as I speak, fully operational.” It would be recalled that the FG had recently downgraded Asaba
International Airport over undulated runways, perimeter fencing, safety and security. The government, in a release, had said it could not at the moment guarantee the safety and security of air travellers using the Asaba Airport in Delta State. As a result, the government barred the airport from being used for commercial flight operations. The release further said the airport’s safety and security alert was due to the failure of the Delta State Government to fix the key infrastructure at the facility because the state government refused to comply with directives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) mandating it to fix some of the airport’s facilities such as the undulating runways, perimeter fencing and other issues. The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, was quoted in the release as saying that “the downgrading was carried out in the
public interest because the FG places very high premium on the safety and security of air passengers and will never compromise set standards for whatever reason.” Reacting to the above and the subsequent downgrading of the airport, Ogeah admitted it was the least expected from the Aviation Ministry. “It came as a surprise to us because the FG, via Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Delta State Government have been having discussions on these things for over a year. “On our part, we kept saying that airport is a permanent structure in any state and it is not unusual for the regulating body which is NCAA to come up with issues from time to time. Of course, you are aware that government owns and operates all airports at this time.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
Features 20
terrible, lamenting that many families have fled their homes. Igwe Eze observed that the absence of catchment pits in the area have worsened the situation. “The only major road connecting the entire AnambraSouth Senatorial District has equally been overtaken by erosion. “Governor Willie Obiano had intervened on the said road, but the intervention was too little too late. It is to no avail as the heavy downpours recently have caused a lot of problems in the area.” The monarch also pointed out that Governor Obiano had flagged off the construction of Nnewi-Igboukwu-Ekwulobia Road shortly after assuming office, but the road project, according to him, has not been completed and now “the rain is currently causing so much havoc in the area.” He implored the state and federal government to proffer practical solutions to erosion in the area. Similarly, the Traditional Ruler of Oko community in Orumba-North Local Government Area, Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme, said the erosion menace in his
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Erosion overruns communities in Anambra Ï`Ƅ ƕƄƍ Ǝ Ə ƕ ƊƄƉƄ own community was getting more severe by the day. Igwe Ekwueme, who also spoke with Daily Times in an interview recalled that a company called Ronasco had to stop its remedial works in sensitive areas of the erosion-prone ground because it had not been paid by the government. “The federal government has also done nothing to salvage the situation. For so many years in the past, the FG claimed to be negotiating with one Rhyno Construction firm and several other meetings were held with
JUST HUMAN
other companies but all have come to nothing. “Now, the rains are just beginning and we don’t know whether we are going to survive this rainy season or not.” Igwe Laz Ekwueme stated that Obiano had visited the erosion site in his domain to assess the situation, but lamented that rather than find lasting solution to the erosion problem, the Governor said he would ‘make the erosion site a tourist attraction’. The monarch lamented that his own home is on the verge of being submerged by erosion.
Asaba airport is safe and secure CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
With air travellers worried over the downgrading but no visible construction work has been seen to be going on at the airport, the Commissioner said. “We will respond to the issues, but we are going through due process, and I can assure you that the move is on now. Don’t forget that we are talking about government business, and the due process for getting these things approved follows a tradition of conducting an executive meeting to get things ratified before the money is made available. “However, it is important to reiterate that government has been aware of this issue before the Ministry of Aviation jumped into the matter. I questioned the role the Aviation Ministry’s is playing in all of these because this is clearly a matter of safety and security which is clearly in the purview of NCAA. “But be that as it may, they have identified those things that should be done by government and we have, over time, let them know that these things have been done. Yes, they may be a little bit slow, because it is not like the private sector where decisions are taken just like that. But the Aviation Authorities have issues that they are supposed to address, which have not been done.” Unwilling to list the ‘issues’,
the minister said the bottom line is that the government of Delta State is getting speedy attention from the FG. “As I speak, the memo for those jobs has been ratified by the Executive Committee. These are some of the reasons why work has not taken off at the pace they expect it to and, by the grace of God, Delta Airport will be privatised in due course. When the Airport is privatised, it will run in such a way that people will understand that it is really a business founded on permanent structures. All over the world, governments don’t run airports anymore. “I have a strong aviation background; I know that this is a very good airport, maybe the best in the South-South and South-East zones of the country. “We sent about 20 personnel to Lagos for training, and we have been carrying out this training in batches. Let me tell you, this airport is very much secured. Its security has to do with the protection of the infrastructure. You know we cannot build an airport like that without securing it. What we do is to ensure that the personnel there from time to time go for training in an approved Aviation Training School. So be rest assured that we do not have issues about that. The Asaba Airport is very much secured and operational according to international standards.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
21
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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Today in History Æ s Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola
Cartoons from our Archives
1881 American Red Cross founded In Washington, D.C., humanitarians Clara Barton and Adolphus Solomons founded the American National Red Cross, an organization established to provide humanitarian aid to victims of wars and natural disasters in congruence with the International Red Cross. Barton, born in Massachusetts in 1821, worked with the sick and wounded during the American Civil War and became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” for her tireless dedication. In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln commissioned her to search for lost prisoners of war, and with
1901
the extensive records she had compiled during the war she succeeded in identifying thousands of the Union dead at the Andersonville prisoner-of-war camp. She was in Europe in 1870 when the Franco-Prussian War broke out, and she went behind the German lines to work for the International Red Cross. In 1873, she returned to the United States, and four years later she organized an American branch of the International Red Cross. The American Red Cross received its first U.S. federal charter in 1900. Barton headed the organization into her 80s and died in 1912.
Connecticut enacts first speed-limit law
On this day in 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law regulating motor vehicles, limiting their speed to 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. Speed limits had been set earlier in the United States for nonmotorized vehicles: In 1652, the colony of New Amsterdam (now New York) issued a decree stating that “[N]o wagons, carts or sleighs shall be run, rode or driven at a gallop” at the risk of incurring a fine starting at “two pounds Flemish,” or about $150 in today’s currency. In 1899, the New York City cabdriver Jacob German was arrested for driving his electric taxi at 12 mph. The path to Connecticut’s 1901 speed limit legislation began when Representative Robert Woodruff submitted a bill to the State General Assembly proposing a motor-vehicles speed limit of 8 mph within city limits and 12 mph outside. The law passed in May 1901 specified higher speed limits but required drivers to slow down upon approaching or passing horse-drawn vehicles, and come to a complete stop if necessary to avoid scaring the animals. On the heels of this landmark legislation, New York City intro-
duced the world’s first comprehensive traffic code in 1903. Adoption of speed regulations and other traffic codes was a slow and uneven process across the nation, however. As late as 1930, a dozen states had no speed limit, while 28 states did not even require a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle. Rising fuel prices contributed to the lowering of speed limits in several states in the early 1970s, and in January 1974 President Richard Nixon signed a national speed limit of 55 mph into law. These measures led to a welcome reduction in the nation’s traffic fatality rate, which dropped from 4.28 per million miles of travel in 1972 to 3.33 in 1974 and a low of 2.73 in 1983. Concerns about fuel availability and cost later subsided, and in 1987 Congress allowed states to increase speed limits on rural interstates to 65 mph. The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 repealed the maximum speed limit. This returned control of setting speed limits to the states, many of which soon raised the limits to 70 mph and higher on a portion of their roads, including rural and urban interstates and limited access roads.
Daily Times May 21, 1961
1924
Leopold and Loeb gain national attention
Fourteen-year-old Bobbie Franks was abducted from a Chicago, Illinois, street and killed in what later proves to be one of the most fascinating murders in American history. The killers, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, were extremely wealthy and intelligent teenagers whose sole motive for killing Franks was the desire to commit the “perfect crime.” Leopold, who graduated from the University of Chicago at age 18, spoke nine languages and had an IQ of 200, but purportedly had perverse sexual desires. Loeb, also unusually gifted, graduated from college at 17 and was fascinated with criminal psychology. The two made a highly unusual pact: Loeb, who was a homosexual, agreed to participate in Leopold’s eccentric sexual practices in return for Leopold’s cooperation with his criminal endeavours. Both were convinced that their intelligence and social privilege exempted them from the laws that bound other people. In 1924, the
pair began to put this maxim to the test by planning to commit a perfect murder. They each established false identities and began rehearsing the kidnapping and murder over and over. Loeb stabbed Bobbie Franks (who was actually his distant cousin) several times in the backseat of a rented car as Leopold drove through Chicago’s heavy traffic. After Franks bled to death on the floor of the car, Leopold and Loeb threw his body in a previously scouted swamp and then disposed of the other evidence in various locations. In an attempt to throw police off their trail, they sent a ransom note demanding $10,000 to Franks’ wealthy father. But Leopold and Loeb had made a couple of key mistakes. First, the body, which was poorly hidden, was discovered the next day. This prompted an immediate search for the killers, which Loeb himself joined. The typewriter used to type the ransom note was recovered from a lake and, more important, a pair of glasses was
found near Franks’ body. When the glasses were traced to Loeb’s optometrist, police learned that the optometrist had only written three such prescriptions. Two were immediately accounted for and the third belonged to Nathan Leopold, who calmly told detectives that he must have dropped them while bird hunting earlier in the week. This explanation might have proved sufficient, but reporters covering the case soon discovered other letters from Leopold that matched the ransom note. When confronted with this evidence, Leopold and Loeb both confessed. Clarence Darrow agreed to defend Leopold, and the trial soon became a national sensation. Darrow, who didn’t argue the boys’ innocence, directed one of his most famous orations against the death penalty itself. The judge was swayed and imposed life sentences. Apparently unsatisfied with the attorney’s work, Leopold’s father later reneged on his contract to pay Darrow.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
23 News
Insecurity: Ekiti govt advises health workers, public against strike Gbenga Sodeinde Ado-Ekiti
ÏÏÏThe
Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, has urged the organised public sector in the state to drop the option of work-boycott in their desire for an improvement in the security situation, against the backdrop of the recent hostage-taking of some public servants in the last three weeks. Faseluka spoke while addressing the Ekiti State Council of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), who staged a peaceful rally to the Governor's Office, Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday. He described work boycott in the prevailing circumstance as panicky,
unprofessional, unwholesome and counter-productive. Strike action, he said, “could buoy the tendency of intimidation on the part of the crime perpetrators and boost their capacity for more devastation. Instead, this time calls for incisiveness and collaboration on the part of all in our aggression against their own.” Faseluka regretted that most of the victims of the hostage-taking were public servants from the academia and the medical and health sectors and wondered why innocent and low-income public sector workers should be held to ransom by people who were looking, with a criminal touch, for huge money.
According to him, this dimension to criminality deserves a clear examination and study as to cause and effect, such that lasting solutions could be found to the ugly development. He assured that the Fayose administration was sparing no effort in ensuring the safe release of those held captive. He was of the view that since preliminary investigations revealed that none of the abductees was kidnapped from the workplace or during the work hour, it may be hasty to conclude that particular professions were being targeted. Faseluka said that: “The State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has been working round the clock since
his assumption of office to ensure adequate protection for the state, especially by instituting a security trust fund, via which logistics had been provided for joint security for the military, the police and other security agencies.” Earlier, the State Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Raymond Ade-Adesanmi, had said that the peaceful action was to protest the kidnap of health workers. Ade-Adesanmi said if the trend of insecurity continued without the release of the abducted workers, the health workers would be forced to embark on an industrial action.
Wike
Titilope Joseph
ÏÏÏ Human rights lawyer,
Mr. Festus Keyamo, has hailed the directive issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to the effect that the Rivers State Governor-elect, Mr. Nyesom Wike, should be sworn in by the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State. It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has refused to appoint a substantive Chief Judge for the state, heightening fear that Wike, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Par-
Keyamo supports AGF's directive on Wike's swearing in ty (PDP) and the winner of the last governorship election in the state might not be sworn in. Keyamo argued that “it must be noted that by virtue of the provision of Section 185 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, the following officers are empowered to administer the Oaths of Office and Allegiance on a Governorelect -- Chief Judge of the state, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the state, President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the state, and anyone appointed to do so, who also performs the functions of those officers in any state.”
Fulani group wants FG action against illegal cattle markets Sunday Isuwa Abuja
ÏÏÏ
Former vice president and chieftain of APC, Atiku Abubakar (r); Speaker of the House of Representatives and Governor-elect of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal (c), and Zamfara State Governor, Abubakar, at the pre-inauguration retreat of APC governors at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday
FCTA begins on-line tracking of buildings Idu Jude Abuja
ÏÏÏThe
Mohammed
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration, through the Department of Development Control, has begun the process of on-line tracking of all on-going building developments in the area. The scheme, which is known as Development Control Information System (DevCIS) and Mobile Apps for an on-line transfer of Site Assessment Reports
(SAR) is to ensure total computerisation of all the development control activities. The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (CON), while launching the scheme in Abuja on Tuesday, directed that all land-related departments in the FCT must work together to further reduce business time of developers. Mohammed reiterated that the closer collaboration between the Development Control, Urban & Regional
Planning, Land Administration, Survey & Mapping, as well as the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), would go a long way in fast-tracking development of the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the FCT. The minister insisted that this collaboration had become necessary to reduce friction and man hours wasted on ironing out issues related to land application, building approval and development in the FCT.
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani sociocultural association, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to curtail the existence of illegal cattle markets in the country. National Secretary of the association, Mr. Saleh Alhassan Kubuh, made the call during a meeting with Fulani leaders, at their national headquarters in Nasarawa State. He said the existence of illegal cattle
Chijioke Kingsley Jos
ÏÏÏ In its efforts to reduce
the housing deficit in the Greater Jos Master-Plan, the Plateau State Government and Mamak Nigeria Limited have gone into a public-private partnership to build 3,500 houses for its civil servants at the cost of N29.3 billion. The contractual agreement was signed on Tuesday at the new Government House, Rayfield, Jos, by the state’s Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr. Sylvanus Dongtoe, while Mr. Odia Femi
markets contributed to the increase in cattle rustlers across the country, adding that if the government did not regulate it, the Fulani pastoralists would continue to face loses every day. Kubuh called on the security agencies to monitor the cattle markets, in order to identify the existence of illegal ones and deal with those stealing the Fulani cattle. He appealed to Fulani herdsmen to always obey the rule of law and shun any act that would create crisis, because they were a peaceloving people.
Plateau govt set to reduce housing deficit Emeya and Prince David Yilbel signed on behave of Mamak Nigeria Limited. Yilbel said: “We are to build 3,500 houses, out of which 1, 750 would be 3-bedroom flats and the remaining 1,750 would be 2-bedroom flats.
News 24
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Tribunal orders substituted service on Ebonyi gov-elect
Chidoka commissions aviation equipment
Jacob Mbam
Idu Jude
Abakaliki
ÏÏÏThe Chairman, Governor-
ship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Justice Theresa Aladi Ikoje, has ordered substituted service on the state Governorelect, Chief Dave Umahi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the petition filed by the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the April election, Chief Edward Nkwegu, challenging the declaration of Umahi as the winner of the poll. Justice Ikoje gave the order, following an ex-parte motion brought before the tribunal by the lead counsel to Nkwegu, Mr. Kenneth Ogodo.
In her ruling, Justice Ikoje ordered that the originating processes of the substantive matter be served on Umahi by pasting it on his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area. The tribunal also ordered that the originating processes be served on the PDP – the second respondent to the suit – by pasting the court processes on the gate of the secretariat of the party located by Abakaliki/ Enugu highway. Ogodo said it was difficult to effect service on the respondents. Nkwegu is seeking, among other things, a declaration that the election of Umahi as the winner of the governorship election
was marred by widespread irregularities and substantial noncompliance with the Electoral Act 2010 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2015 election guidelines. He is also praying the tribunal to declared that the first respondent (Chief Umahi) was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast. Nkwegu is further urging the tribunal to nullify the election and the return of Chief Umahi as the winner and instead declare that he was duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the April 11,2015 governorship election or alternatively nullify the entire governorship election held in all the polling units in the state and conduct fresh polls.
of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, on Tuesday, inaugurated the installation of tele-presence equipment in his office. The inauguration and demonstration of the aviation equipment is aimed at improving the correspondence between the ministry’s head office and the chief executive officers of the parastatals of the ministry. Chidoka said the ministry’s quest to leverage on information communication and technology (ICT) and to enhance delivery of effective and efficient service within the ministry and its agencies necessitated the idea of the tele-presence equipment. He said the device would allow the minister, permanent secretary and directors of the ministry to sit in the
Val Okara Owerri
ÏÏÏThe activities at the Federal
You lied against us, aggrieved medical doctors tell Osun govt State Association of Medical and Dental Officers (OSAMDO) has described as total falsehood statement credited to the Osun State Government that it had reached an agreement with the government over unpaid seven months salaries of its members. Besides, OSAMDO, in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Dr. I.A. Adekunle and Dr. O. S. Subair, respectively, noted that their members fully supported all actions tak-
ÏÏÏMinister
Chidoka
comfort of their offices and hold meetings with the chief executives of the ministry’s agencies across the country, thereby reducing the rate and cost of travelling for meetings.
Protests rock FMC Owerri
L-R: Imam Shefiu Majemu, Prof. Dai Morre, and Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot, at the presentation of Certificate of Attendance to Uzamot at the Havard University, Boston, USA... recently.
ÏÏÏOsun
Abuja
en, so far, by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), over the issue of non-payment of salaries and other allowances by the state government. “The NMA is an umbrella body for all medical practitioners in private and public service and we will abide with any further directives made in pursuant of improvement in welfare of our members”, OSAMDO stated. According to the association, the statement by the government spokesman in reaction to NMA’s appeal to the state to re-
evaluate its priorities in the disbursement of resources was not only divisive but also false. “The breakdown of our unpaid salaries as at press time is as follows; 60% November, December, January, February, March, April and now May salaries,” the body said. The association did not deny that several meetings were held with OSAMDO by the state government and all centred on welfare of our members, saying that its members had no pact with the state over the unpaid salaries.
Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, were temporally paralysed on Wednesday, following a peaceful demonstration embarked upon by the staff of the hospital over planned privatisation of the establishment. The protesting workers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), alleged that the management of the hospital had concluded plans to privatise the hospital, under the guise of private public partnership (PPP) before the expiration of the current administration in
the country. The aggrieved staff who marched to the hospital boardroom where the board members were holding meeting, to press home on their demands, carried placards with different inscriptions. Some of the placards read: “With privatization, our jobs are at stake”, “Hospital is not profit making company”, and “This privatization is fake,” Speaking to Journalists at the hospital premises, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health, Professionals, FMC Owerri branch, Mr. Clifford Ezeugwu described the FMC Owerri as the most expensive Federal Government-owned hospital in the country.
May 29: Kwara inaugurates 21-member committee Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin
ÏÏÏKwara
State Government has set-up a 21-member committee to oversee various programmes ahead of the May 29, 2015 inauguration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s second term in office. The body, which is headed by
a former House of Assembly member, Alhaji Kola Yusuf, has six days to put all necessary things perfect before democracy day celebration. While addressing journalists in Ilorin, Yusuf said the celebration would be far from elaborate, due to financial situation and mood in the country.
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
25 News
Nigeria’s religious leaders urged to promote peace, unity Abdulrasaq Pedro
Ă?Ă?Ă? Religious leaders have
been charged to use their vantage positions to promote peace and unity in the country. The Chief Executive Officer of the Strength in Diversity Development Centre, Lagos, Imam Shefiu Abdulkareem Majemu, gave the charge at the just-concluded international workshop on Religion, Conflict
Don wants Buhari to redirect academic curriculum in varsities Moses Oyediran Enugu
Ă?Ă?Ă?Former
Head Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Aloysius Okolie, has called on Presidentelect, General Muhammad Buhari, to refocus the country’s academic curriculum to reflect domestic needs in order to make graduates employable. Okolie, while presenting the 92nd inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria titled� “Global Political Economy and Development of Underdevelopment: Different People, Same Market and Glorification of Poverty�, said such refocusing would mobilise in-
Prevention and Good Governance, at the Religious Literacy Centre of the Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. He said that the workshop was organised to build capacity of the participants in the critical area of religious understanding and literacy. Majemu stated that religion was a tool that could be used to prevent ethnic violent and enhance
good governance in the country. The cleric stressed the need for religious leaders to always direct their sermon on peace and harmony as preached by the two major religions practice in the country. He added that Strength in Diversity Development Centre, Lagos and the Islamic Platform Society of Nigeria decided to collaborate with Harvard University in America to
sharpen the knowledge of selected religious leaders in our nation. In his remark, the Executive Director Information and Strategy of the Islamic Platform Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot, noted that religion was negatively used by some selfish politicians during the last generals in the country. Uzamot, a broadcaster, stated that the workshop
ternal expertise, skills and endowment to generate the required local content to move the education sector forward and fast-track the economy. “There is a need to reformulate and refocus the academic curriculum in the
country to reflect needs, so as to get efficient manpower. “Impact factor content attuned to addressing externalised needs and values is a disguised strategy for advancing of academic imperialism and deepening the incidence of self-repu-
diation and self-delusion,� he said. He said in order to break the umbilical cord of underdevelopment, developing countries must believe in themselves and prioritise development strategies based on traditional values.
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was also an avenue to prevent such negative use of religion in future elections. He, therefore, challenged the newly elected politicians in public offices to deliver their electioneering campaign promises to the electorates. Uzamot added that social justice on wellbeing of the people should be accorded priority by the in-coming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan
'We were attacked in Delta while trekking for Buhari' Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja
Ă?Ă?Ă?Two
men, Mohammed Zaraku Hassan and Sunday Anthony, who were trekking from Bayelsa to Abuja, in honour of the president-elect Muhammadu Buhari, have told journalists in Lokoja that they were attacked by hoodlums. The men, who said they are friends, were at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), press centre, in Lokoja, where they disclosed that they were attacked at Abuloma a village in Delta State. According to them: “When we got to Abuloma, two weeks ago, over 10 boys stopped us and asked where we were going. We told them we were trekking for Buhari. They called more boys who beat us up. But we still did not give
up on our voluntary movement�. They said their aim of trekking was to show support to the president- elect and, most especially, remind him of the need to urgently address the high rate of unemployment in the country. Mohammed said: “I am a National Certificate on Education (NCE) holder but I sell Islamic herbs because there is no job. In 2013 I bought the military form to join the army but wasn't taken. That is why I am saying that our new president must do something about the issue of unemployment, which is the change we need,� On his part, Sunday who also echoed to need for massive job creation, said he was educated up to O’level, but had to sell oranges on the streets of Bayelsa, in order to put body and soul together.
OPC’ll be stronger after Jonathan Kehinde Akinpelu Ilori
Ă?Ă?Ă?The Odua Peoples Con-
gress (OPC), in Kwara State, has insisted that after the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, it would continue to wax stronger. The body, which condemned the claims of the a group, under the guise of Agbekoya, that it would phase out the OPC and Af-
enifere in the Yoruba land, said the group lacked a sense of history and did not remember most of odd periods both the OPC and Afenifere had passed through in Nigeria. The OPC’s Co-ordinator, Comrade Abdulsalam Maruf, noted that the groups were faceless and could not claim to have had any developmental project for the Yoruba people.
26
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Health Æ s
Email: omolara.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng
WHO commends Nigeria’s efforts against polio
Governing Board, Mrs Tolulope Animashaun; Permanent Secretary, Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr Segun Oshinyimika and the General Manager of LASODA, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje at the middle.
Stakeholders task Nigerians on sign language acquisition Stories by Lara Adejoro Stakeholders have called on Nigerians to acquire skills on sign language in order to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing impairment and members of the public. They made the call at a two-day workshop on communication in sign language organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) for selected officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Lagos State Government. The workshop was tagged: ‘Towards Achieving An Inclusive Society In Lagos.’ Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr Segun Oshinyimika, said, “This training workshop will produce ambassadors to propagate the need
for more people to understand sign language, and they can be deployed to different places and even hospitals to help people with hearing impairment. “It is good for everyone to take advantage of this unquantifiable opportunity. People function well when people can relate well with themselves but it will be frustrating if the people around you don’t understand you. The trainees can afterward make money with the skill acquired because many institutions need the help of sign language interpreters, even hospitals inclusive.” In his welcome address, the General Manager of LASODA, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje, said, the training would help people, particularly public officers on how they can have better communication with people with hearing impairment in the course of their official duties.
“The accessibility of the people with hearing impairment and deafness is related to communication and this helps reduce communication barrier. The trainees can now become ambassadors after the training. It is essential that everyone understands sign language so we can communicate well with people who are deaf or people who have hearing impairment,” Awelenje added. The Chairman, LASODA Governing Board, Mrs Tolulope Animashaun, in her remarks said, the training was towards an inclusive society in Lagos and the workshop would break the barrier among members of the public and those with hearing impairment. In an interview with Daily Times, the Assistant Chief State Counsel and member of LASODA, Barrister Bada Emmanuel, said the Ministry of Justice in the
state has been up and doing in its responsibility towards providing a level playing ground for people with disability in the state vis-avis the creation of the Citizen Mediation Centre and Office of the Public Defender aside from the legal back-up given to LASODA. “The state, by extension, has always been a trailblazer in ensuring that people with disability are given the necessary sense of belonging in the state.” Emmanuel said, it was essential that people knew more about sign language “and every state should inculcate this in their curriculum for better communication among those with disability and members of the public.” One of the participants at the workshop, Mrs Bukola Olusanya, from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, thanked the state government for the rare opportunity to learn the sign language.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Nigeria’s efforts in ensuring that polio becomes history in the country. The director general of the organisation, Dr. Margaret Chan, gave the commendation in her address to the Sixty-eighth Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Chan said, Nigeria had not had any reported case of the disease in the past nine months. She said, “The situation in Nigeria looks extremely encouraging.” She further stated that overcoming the polio virus disease “is one initiative that must not fail.” Chan pointed out that Afghanistan and Pakistan have both made great strides despite severe challenges. Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus. Approximately 90 per cent to 95 per cent of infections cause no symptoms.
Chan
ERA/FoEN takes anti-water privatisation campaign to US Congress
Akinbode
The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has taken its campaign against water privatisation to the United States Congress as part of efforts to build international support. ERA/FoEN Director of Corporate Accountability, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in a week-long
visit met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and several congressional staff, explaining why members of the US Congress should add their voices to the local campaign against water privatisation in Lagos. Besides, Oluwafemi, along with activists from Corporate
Accountability International (CAI) also met with Senior officials of the World Bank, including its Nigeria Country Director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly. ERA/FoEN launched a massive campaign in October 2014 tagged This Is Lagos: Our Water , Our Right aimed at stopping the Lagos State Government
from the planned privatisation of water infrastructure in the state. The group has worked with labour unions and professional bodies to escalate the campaign locally. Oluwafemi’s trip to Washington D.C. is expected to raise the international profile
Continued on page 27
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
27 Health
Unilever reiterates commitment to curbing anaemia in women, children
Guest lecturer from University of Ibadan, Dr Folake Samuel; Managing Director, Unilever Nig Plc, Mr Yaw Nsarko; President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Nnam; Mrs Toyin Saraki; Actress Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde and daughter, Global Senior Vice President Knorr, Unilever Plc, Mrs Cathryn Sleight.
Lara Adejoro Unilever Nigeria Plc, has reiterated its committed to educating mothers and their daughters on the importance of iron-rich diets to combat deadly anaemia. The Managing Director of the company, Mr Yaw Nsarko, made the assertion at a forum, titled
‘The Prevalence and Impact of Iron Deficiency in Nigerian Women and Teenagers’, organised by the company in Lagos. “To champion nutritious cooking, we have launched a deliberate agenda through one of our home product, Knorr cubes, to ensure healthy living. This product will help drive a behavioural change via an intervention programme ‘The Green
Anti-water privatisation war goes to us CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
of the issue and further mount pressure on the Lagos State Government. Oluwafemi said that, “We believe the support from members of the US Congress in halting the privatisation of water in Lagos will checkmate the enslavement of 21 million people in Africa’s most populous city. If the privatisation of water is not halted, it will be replicated across Africa, thereby denying
its people the right to water.” He noted that the visit to the Congress was part of a host of activities aimed at garnering international support for the campaign to get the Lagos government to back down on the plans. ERA/FoEN is also engaging allies across the African continent and across the globe to halt the planned privatisation being vigorously pursued by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC).
Food Step.’ “The programmed is focused on educating mothers and their daughters on the importance of iron rich diets by influencing their cooking habits. Unilever through one of its main brands, Knorr will be providing a social mission agenda titled ‘Fork, Farm, Fortune.’ “The fork will ensure that cooking is more desirable and
easy to understand through green food step, providing ironrich diets which will be piloted in 50,000 women in Lagos. “Farm will partner with the International Fund for Food for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to provide local farmers skills in sustainable agriculture and equip them with opportunity to become part of a long term sustainable food supply.” Contributing, Dr Folake Samuel, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, said, “In 2008, it was estimated that almost 25 per cent of the world’s population suffer from Anaemia. “The prevalence of anaemia is highest in Central and West Africa with 49 per cent of women of reproductive age having anaemia. Nigeria is the fourth on the list of maternal mortality in the world with the prevalence of anaemia and also records a loss of 4.5 Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “A national survey also revealed that majority of the women and adolescent girls did not meet the iron requirements stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO. On the focus on women and adolescent girls, Samuel explained that they were the major group in dire need of iron because of the activities in their bodies. “During pregnancy, the amount of iron needed is trippled compared to that of adult men because iron is required for increasing haemoglobin mass and blood volume of the mother and fetal growth. “It is challenging to meet these iron requirement through
diet alone, therefore iron deficiency anaemia is common in pregnant women. “In addition, when young women get pregnant, their iron requirement increase even further and risks associated with anaemia are greater, with consequences for birth outcomes. “On this premise, people should be sensitised to change their diets and modify the family cooking and eating traditions. “This requires powerful methods of behavioural change through consuming iron- rich foods which are vegetables and fruits less commonly consumed by Nigerians,” she said. Popular actress and UN Ambassador, Omotola Jolade Ekeinde, on her part remarked that, “This is coming at an appropriate time when there is intensified campaign for improved well-being of women globally and this intervention on anaemia is a right step. “I hope Nigerian women tap into this and make proper use of the opportunity to debate on the disease that may endanger their existence,” she said. Speaking, the wife of Sen. Bukola Saraki, Toyin, advocated more attention to mothers’ welfare in the scheme of things, especially as regards combating the scourge of anaemia. “This fight against anaemia should be a fight by all and sundry, we will not stop here but continue in the advocacy until anaemia is reduced to the barest minimum. I encourage more fight against this deadly disease,’’ Saraki said.
Rotary club offers free eye surgery Hundreds of patients with cataract eye problem will next week benefit from the Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate free eye surgery. Thousands had been screened on April 18, 25, May 1, 2, 9 and 16 at the club’s premises: 1, D’Alberto Road, Palmgrove Estate, Ilupeju, Lagos, in preparation for the surgery that will take place at the General Hospital, Marina, Lagos. Speaking with Daily Times, the past president of Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, Mr Mukesh Bhatt, said, the Rotar-
ians have the humanitarian duty to help people who cannot afford eye treatment in private or government hospital. “Statistics have it that about 1.2 million people are suffering from what is known as preventable blindness. If they are not treated on time, they are likely to become blind permanently. “We know that cataract can be corrected, operated and the person can start seeing again. So, we as Rotarians have that humanitarian duty to help people who cannot afford treatment in
private or government hospital and that is why we take it upon us to do free cataract operations.” According to him, the cub has carried out 20,000 such operation and every year, 1500 people benefit from the free operations. Bhatt added, “This year, we have screened about 4,000 patients and out of that number, we have found over 400 patients who are ready for cataract operations. These people who have been identified will go for blood test and after that, we will start the operation on the 25th of May.”
28
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
UCL Final: Chiellini plans to cage Messi, Suarez, others
Family row almost made me to commit suicide
J
–Adebayor Mike Otanwa
E
mmanuel Adebayor is back with more craziness as he continues to reveal the dark secrets of his estranged family, by posting another stinging Facebook attack on his family – insisting the issues almost forced him to commit suicide. The Tottenham Hotspur striker – who has made just one first team appearance in 2015 – shocked his
fans last month when he took to the social media website to air his family problems. This time, he slams his brothers Kola and Peter and accuses them of failing to support their mother, brothers, sisters and daughters. Adebayor also says they held a knife to his throat as he slept in his French home. And he admits the torture from their fractured relationship almost drove him to commit suicide.
Adebayor
Garba defends Flying Eagles World Cup list Mike Otanwa
F
lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has said that he selected his 21 players for the FIFA U-20 World Cup based on merit, and not on sentiment. He announced his final squad to the competition in New Zealand last Friday, with the only top casualty being Alhassan ‘Muazam’ Ibrahim, but Garba says he has done his selections based on what the players
have been able to do for the team and for their clubs. “I have always said it that we would select our players based on merit and not on sentiments,” he said. “We have been with the boys for some time now and we have selected them based on what we have seen of them. “If it were possible I would have selected all of them because they’re all very good players but we only have to pick a specified number and we
have selected only the best of them at this minute.” The former Nigeria U-17 coach also spoke on why he selected some of the overseas based players who aren’t with the team in Germany. “None of those boys (overseas based) got selected because they play abroad. We understand their clubs couldn’t release them and you can’t blame the boys for that, but we monitored their progress for their clubs and we are satisfied,” he added.
uventus defender Giorgio Chiellini explains how he plans to deal with FC Barcelona’s Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar in the UEFA Champions League final. The player, who was the victim of a bite from Suarez in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, explained that he has no bad blood with the striker and stated that he will be prepared for the Uruguayan, as well as his strike partners Messi and Neymar. “It’s hard to choose between Barca’s three strikers,” he said. “As I said last week, I don’t have any problem with Luis Suarez. “I’ll be marking Suárez just as I did to Benzema, I’ll do the same with Messi as I did with Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar will get the same treatment as Bale.”
Chiellini went on to say that Juventus aren’t yet thinking about their European final against the Spanish giants, saying that the Bianconeri are taking the final stretch of the season game by game. Chiellini and Suarez infamously clashed in the 2014 World Cup, when the Uruguayan bit into his shoulder in an off-the-ball incident. After Suarez received a fourmonth ban for his action and underwent a tough couple of weeks in Spain, the former Liverpool forward firmly cemented his starting place in the Barcelona team. Suarez has scored 24 goals from 41 games in all competitions this season, while he’s also assisted a further 23 times. Chiellini
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
MORGAN, CAXTONMARTINS CLAIM MTN GOLF CHALLENGE TOP PRIZES Andrew Ekejiuba
T
he duo of Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan, Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi and Toyin Caxton-Martins, Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA has emerged tops in the male and female categories respectively at the just concluded MTN Golf Challenge. Golfers and enthusiasts of the sport were treated to an impressive and exciting tournament sponsored by Nigeria’s leading ICT Company, MTN Nigeria at the luxuriant Lakowe Lakes. The 18-hole world class championship Golf Course is situated along the Lekki–Epe axis in Lagos. The one-day MTN Golf Championship featured captains of industries, technocrats and administrators such as Uyi Akpata, Senior Country Manager, PWC; Kate Iketubosin, Managing Director, Stern & Kay Consulting Limited; Obinnia Abajue, Executive Director, PBB, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Demola Mumuney, former captain of the Ikoyi Club Golf section, among many other distinguished personalities. Speaking at the event, Mike Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to the development of the game of golf in Nigeria. According to him, “Our sponsorship of golf is not just a unique opportunity to connect our high-value stakeholders but equally reinforces our role as an enabler of socio-economic development across several fronts in Nigeria. It is in furtherance of these goals we have created a bouquet of innovative products and value-adding services such as Diamond Y’ello Account, MTN Wifi Roaming, MTN OneBox, MTN App Store, MTN Xtra Time, MTN SME Plus and MTN Smart Number. These services are designed to empower business men, executives and leaders to achieve new heights in their individual and business aspirations,” he added. At the exciting competition, the male Net category, saw Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan, Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, who played off Handicap 18, carded an impressive score of 91 gross and 73 net to finish tops, ahead of 14 handicapper, Shina Luwoye, who came second with 88 gross and 74 net, and Mukoro Voka, a 13 handicapper, who was third, with 87 gross and 74 net. Playing off Handicap 30, Toyin Caxton-Martins, Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, won the female net category, after carding 102 gross and 72 net. She was followed by 25 handicapper, Linda Obieze with 106 gross and 81 net and Olabisi Luwoye,
a 22 handicapper with 106 gross and 84 net. For their efforts, the winners received an all-expenses paid golfing weekend in George, South Africa, plus a trophy and three months data subscription bundle while the runners up were rewarded with a trophy as well as a golfing weekend at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo and free one month data subscription. In the Gross Men category, Peter Eben-Spiff, a two handicapper, came tops on the course with 79 gross and 77 net while in the women category, Kate Iketubosin, a 26 handicapper took home top honours with 101 gross and 75 net. Both winners went home with a trophy and all-expenses paid golfing weekend in Fancourt, George, South Africa’s premier golf resort with a free three months data subscription bundle. In the Longest Drive to the Hole, Gui Zhi won in the male category while Kate Iketubosin came tops after lots were picked in the female category. Edward Egesi won the Nearest to the Pin competition. As part of this maiden edition of the MTN Golf Championship, nonplayers of the game were treated to a clinic where they were taken through the rudiments of golf. They also competed among themselves for honors in the Longest Drive, Nearest to the Pin, Bunker shot and Approach shot categories.
Overall winners, male and female categories, MTN Golf Challenge, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan (left) and Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Toyin Caxton-Martins.
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Oshoala assures on Falcons attack Mike Otanwa
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ollowing their departure to Canada on Tuesday night via Paris for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has argued that if they can blend enough as a team, they will have the best attack at the tournament. The 20-year-old Liverpool Ladies forward is expected to make the final cut, alongside Desire Oparanozie, Iniabasi Umotong, Courtney Dike and Francesca Ordega, and believes they will potentially have the deadliest frontline in Canada. “We have a very good attack and I think that is one thing that will work for us if we blend properly as a team,” she said shortly before their departure. “I don’t know if all of us (attackers) will make the final squad but if we do I think we will have the deadliest attack at the World Cup.” The Falcons will play Sweden in their opening fixture and Oshoala is expected to lead Nigeria’s forward line but she says it will be a team effort and not just her. “I’m not the only one on the team, I have teammates and it’s going to be a collective effort,” she stated.
CBN Tennis: Ifidzhen creates major upset Andrew Ekejiuba
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ussian-born Nigerian tennis player, Melissa Ifidzhen yesterday created a major upset at the on-going 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Open Men and Women Senior Tennis Tournament when she defeated women’s second seed, Sarah Adegoke 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the second round of the competition to send her packing from the tournament, thus qualified for the quarter-finals which comes up today. Speaking after the game, Ifidzhen who had earlier beaten Ebere Fortune in her game on Tuesday, said she is indeed happy to have sent Nigeria’s No. 2 seed out of the competition. Describing her victim as a good player, Ifidzhen confessed that her
power-play coupled with consistent attack which is her greatest weapon, gave her victory over Sarah Adegoke. She equally commended the standard of the championship which she said is comparable to those played elsewhere and gave kudos to the management of Central Bank of Nigeria for the sponsorship. Women’s singles defending champion and tournament top seed, Christy Agugbom also cruised into today’s quarter-final as she beat upcoming junior sensational player, Angel Mcleod 6-1, 6-4, while her mother, Beauty Mcleod made up for her loss by defeating Beauty Oghenekevwe 6-2, 6-0 to move to the quarter-finals.
Desire Oparanozie (left) is expected to support Asisat Oshoala in the Super Falcons attack at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
NNPCNAPIMS Table Tennis tourney holds in Lagos Andrew Ekejiuba
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agos State Government, through the State Table Tennis Association, will hold a two-day table tennis tourney tagged “NNPC-NAPIMS Open” today and tomorrow at the Indoor Hall of Molade Okoya-Thomas, Sports Hall, Teslmi Balogun Stadium, Surulere. Chairman of the Association, Architect Femi Sokoya, who disclosed this recently stated that the tournament, also known as Chairman’s Cup, is opened to Lagos State ping pongers, adding that over 100 players are expected to compete in various categories including Men and Women’s Singles, Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Singles, among others. “This competition is organised to improve the level of the game in the State as well as discover talent. Don’t forget that Lagos is regarded as the ‘home’ of table tennis in Nigeria and we want to leave nothing to chance to ensure that we live up to the name by giving our players good ground to exhibit their talent,” he said. While stating that prizes would be given to winners of various categories, courtesy of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Sokoya enjoined all Lagosians and lovers of ping pong game to come out in their number to Rowe Park, Yaba to watch the two-day of exciting table tennis action from the young players.
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Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
BASKETBALL EXTRA
With Phillips Tayo
D’Tigress faces fresh coaching overhaul
Brown hails Nigeria’s basketball talent
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member of the scouting team at the ongoing Samuel Oguche organized basketball camp, Greg Brown, is already in love with the abundant natural talent that abound in Nigeria when it comes to the slam and dunk game. According to Brown: “I see a lot of athletes, a lot of kids that are ready to learn.” He cautioned that people should not be in a rush to expect immediate results from the kids in the camp as some of them are at the beginning stages in their basketball development and are in camp to learn, while others are in their formative year to actualize their full potential, which has gotten him really excited. Speaking on the driving force in making the trip to Nigeria, the world famous scout based in Florida, USA, said: “Years ago, I came for camp in Nigeria and I got to know a lot of players and coaches, coupled with the drive they have and the willingness to listen to me. “Years ago, when I took the kids to the United States, they performed well in the classroom and on the court which has encouraged me to come back and find more kids.” He thanked the former Lagos Islander and national team player, Samuel Oguche, for affording the kids the opportunity to showcase their talent as he described it as the right recipe to develop basketball in Nigeria. Reacting further, he said some of the indigenous coaches are also using the week long camp sponsored by Bullet Energy Drink as a learning process from their foreign counterparts which will help their respective teams at the long run when they return to their base. Brown affirmed that since Nigeria have already registered their presence at the Olympics and basketball world championship, developing kids from the grassroots will help them have the basic fundamental knowledge about the game.
D’Tigress team.
NBBF set to hire American coach for D’Tigress
F
ollowing the recent disbandment of the D’Tigress team led by the Kano Pillars’ handler, Ahmed Sanni, which took many basketball pundits by surprise in view of the fact that he qualified the team for the AAG and FIBA Afrobasketball Championship in Tunisia later in the year, Basketball Extra learnt authoritatively that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is planning to hire a foreign coach for the squad.
ability to galvanize each department of the squad for better prospects. His argument seems to have caught the attention of his colleagues who gave their nods to such idea. The main problem now is getting the finance and getting prospective persons to hold talks with in this regard,” the source said. Also, it was learnt that Coach Sanni and his erstwhile assistants will be given roles in the new technical framework to accommodate their local experience.
RESULTS OF DSTV BASKETBALL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE Oluyole Warriors 62-86 Lagos Islanders Customs 54-50 Kwara Falcons Police Baton 52-68 Union Bank Dodan Warriors 52-42 Delta Force SAVANNAH CONFERENCE Kano Pillars 80-48 Plateau Peaks Kada Stars 53-49 Immigration Bauchi Nets 61-85 Gombe Bulls Mark Mentors 89-58 FCT Rocks
Lagos
agog for DSTV Basketball
tourney
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Oguche
A reliable source revealed to our correspondent that NBBF is eyeing the appointment of an American collegiate coach as the head coach of D’Tigress, while Sanni and his erstwhile assistants may likely be recalled to help in tinkering the team. “The main agenda now is that the board seems favourable to hiring an American collegiate coach for the D’Tigress. “One of the board members who mooted the idea supported it on the premises that such coaches have the
igeria senior women’s national team, D’Tigress faces fresh coaching reshuffling as the board’s technical committee is planning to put forward new names of two reputable female clubside coaches on a permanent basis for the prosecution of the continental qualifiers. D’Tigress camp has been a beehive of intensified training sessions penultimate Sunday with a host of home-based players and four foreign players undergoing training under the watchful eyes of Coach Remi Adewumi. It has been speculated that three coaches, a male and two female assistants, may be offered the job soon.
he annual DStv Basketball All Star Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Basketball lovers across the country and DStv subscribers will also be treated to an exciting blend of live basketball games. Speaking on the upcoming basketball All-Star Weekend, Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, said that the decision to hold an All Star Weekend was to mark the mid-point
Lagos Islanders Basketball Club coach, Lateef Erinfolami (4th from the left), having a pep talk with his players during their match against Oluyole Warriors Basketball Club of Ibadan penultimate week. of the basketball season, and also to encourage the growth of the game among Nigerian youths: “It is a way of celebrating the mid-point of a tournament, and re-energizing for the forthcoming games. The game this year will be better and bigger than last year’s event.” Last year’s All Star Weekend Jump off was won by the Savannah team. This year’s All Star Weekend will kick off with DStv All Stars vs Nigeria Basketball Legends All Stars, and it will feature notable players from both the Atlantic and Savannah
Conferences. Benjamin Uzoh, Jason Ebie, Tunji Awojobi and others will represent Team Atlantic, while Usman Abubakar, Stanley Gumut, Abdul Yahaya to mention but a few will play on behalf of Team Savannah. Mabutho highlighted that one of their major focus is sports development. “We know that basketball is a lifestyle sport, which is highly entertaining. It is that excitement that we want to bring to Nigeria. We want basketball to be associated
with fun, excitement and family time,” he said. The President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Mr. Umar Tijani, while commending MultiChoice Nigeria for the sponsorship and support MultiChoice has given to the Federation over the years, urged lovers of the game to come out to watch the thrills of the all-star weekend as fans will be excited to watch the 3-point shooting contest finals, slam and dunk contest finals and many other side attractions.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
31
Tennis:
Paris pay homage to
Nadal P aris has decided to pay homage to Rafael Nadal by honouring him with the ‘Grand Vermeil’ medal, the highest office in the city. The honor will be delivered directly from the Mayor of the French capital, Anne Hidalgo. Nadal, Roland Garros nine times winner, will receive the prestigious award during a ceremony at the City Hall today.
However, Robin Soderling is sick of being the answer to a favourite quiz question... and that’s the question which asks who is the only player to beat nine-time champion Rafael Nadal at the French Open. That is why he will be happy if the Spaniard’s vulnerability on his beloved claycourts continues when the tournament begins at Roland Garros this weekend.
Nadal boasts an incredible 66-1 record at the claycourt Grand Slam, stretching back to 2005 when he won the title on his debut, the Spaniard’s only loss coming against Swede Soderling in 2009. Soderling went on to reach the final, losing to Switzerland’s Roger Federer, and he made the final again a year later when Nadal took his revenge.
Nadal
Basketball:
I derive joy encouarging kids to achieve their dreams
Golf:
McIlroy:
–Oguche Phillips Tayo
I want to be best of my generation
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s more Nigerians continue to fashion out the way forward for the growth of basketball in the country, former Nigerian basketball international, Samuel Oguche, has expressed joy at the immense talent still available in the country and added that he derives joy seeing kids achieve their dreams by participating in the sport. Speaking at the end of Day 1 of the Samuel Oguche Basketball Camp sponsored by Bullet Energy drink, the former Dodan Warriors of Lagos player said the sport gave him the opportunity to be where he is today, hence, the need to give back to kids out there. “While I was young, I never had the opportunity and now I feel it is good we invest in grassroots basketball so that the future of basketball can be brightened in Nigeria,” he said. Reacting to the issue of age limit as a yard stick for the camp currently taking place in Abuja with over 300 youngsters in attendance, Oguchi further said: “We want to invest our time in kids we can help to junior colleges and prep schools in the United States, because if we get them out at that tender age, their prospects will be a lot better and that is why we are having age limit to the camp this year.” He thanked the United Kingdombased company for keeping to their word after speaking to them on the need to give back to Nigerian kids which happens to be their largest market in Africa. He ruled out monetary motivation as the primary reason for the annual camp because mere seeing these kids getting the opportunity go to schools either in Nigeria or outside the country gives him so much happiness which has translated to fulfilment of lifelong dream.
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olf’s world No. 1 Rory McIlroy says he wants to be “the best player of my generation”. The Northern Irishman, 26, won his third tournament of the year on Sunday, recording a seven-stroke victory at the Wells Fargo Classic on the PGA Tour. In an ominous warning to his rivals, McIlroy has pledged to get even better. “I think I’m pretty close to playing my best golf. I’m definitely able to feel more equipped to win now,” he said. Although McIlroy believes his exceptional form is down to being happy away from golf, he revealed he has considered quitting at 40.
“If you’re happy off the golf course, you’re going to play better on it,” he added. “I’m playing well on it, so it must mean that everything is going well off it.” McIlroy, who won the WGC Match Play title two weeks ago, now has six top-10 finishes in his past eight PGA Tour starts. But he is surrounded by a talented field of young challengers, including Masters champion Jordan Spieth, 21, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler, who responded to suggestions he was overrated with victory at the Players Championship.
“I feel like I’m in a generation with a lot of young guys that are coming up and I want to be the best of this generation,” said McIlroy. “I want to win a lot more tournaments, I can win a lot more majors. I haven’t put a number on it because I don’t want to put that burden on myself. I just want to be better than everyone else. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past 12 months, just working that little bit harder, just those tiny little differences that separate a top-five finish from a win.” McIlroy, who already has four majors
Tola, Dibaba on line for Bogota marathon Athletics:
Rory McIlroy recorded a seven-stroke victory at the Wells Fargo Classic on the PGA Tour.
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adese Tola, Ethiopia’s 2013 IAAF World Championships marathon bronze medallist, and his compatriot Birhane Dibaba, the 2015 Tokyo Marathon winner, will be on the start line of the 2015 Bogota International Half Marathon slated for Sunday, July 26. Biwott, an accomplished marathon runner with a best of 2:04:55 when finishing in second last year, and also the fastest half marathoner in 2015 having run 59:20 to win the City-Pier-City race in the Dutch city, and fellow Kenyan Kiplimo Kimutai, the three-time runner up in Bogota in 2008, 2013 and 2014, will also be bidding to finally stand on top of the podium. The other elite runners in the men’s race will include USA’s Jeffrey Eggleston, 13th in the 2013 IAAF World Championships marathon, and France’s El Hassane Ben Lkhainouch, who was 20th in last year’s IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. Among Dibaba’s rivals in the women’s race will be her compatriot Amane Gobena, second in this year’s Paris Marathon in a personal best of 2:23:30. USA’s Janet Cherobon and Kenya’s Mirriam Wangari will also be in contention for a place on the women’s podium.
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years ago, when former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was launching the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation , OOF, at one of the prestigious five-star hotels on Park Lane, West London, yours truly was one of the guests at that glittering event of Who is Who. The dinner attracted a few African presidents, governors, models, British politicians and you name it. That hotel was the place to be seen and have your photograph taken that memorable night. Our outgoing President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, gave a keynote speech and I remember hearing him talk about the importance of education. He said something like, “if not for education, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” He was right. Without education, you are toast in this world. It may be costly, but far more costly than illiteracy. Suffice it to say, the education that the President was referring to on
that occasion is not the type I’ll be talking about over the next couple of weeks. Jonathan was of course, talking about the type of education we are all familiar with. There’s more than one kind, though. Education , education and education, was what one British Prime Minister said he was going to focus on during his term in office and he must have delivered on his promise, otherwise, he couldn’t have got elected back to 10 Downing Street for a second term, much less a third one. Tony Blair, the last Labour leader to get elected as PM, was referring to academic education in that legendary speech and he did exactly that. Academic education is very important and as at the last count, is enshrined in the constitutions of many countries as a fundamental human right. Irrespective of ether it is categorised as a first, second or third world, almost all countries are signatories to
International conventions and organisations -like the United Nations, United Nations Children’s Education Fund, UNICEF - that make it mandatory for them to give all their citizens academic education. When you hear anyone say they are from an educated family or that they are educated themself, academic education is what they are referring to. Please get as many of it as possible, as you almost certainly can’t go wrong having an education. As important as academic education is, it can only take you thus far. It may get you positions, but not necessarily the lifestyle you want. That is why you see many academics struggling to earn a decent living. Some no longer have a means of livelihood to start with. Before going on to tell you what financial education is and why you owe it to yourself to take personal responsibility to acquire it, have you come across people with
university degrees who have been queuing on the labour market for many years? Unfortunately for some, the queue is so long that you’ll discover that many graduates have been unemployed for half or even the same number of years it took them to acquire their degrees. In other words, these graduates and school leavers have acquired academic education, thinking that that was all they needed, until they graduated and came face to face with the real world where you can’t buy a recharge card with your academic qualifications. If only half of the unemployed youths and graduates in Nigeria had just three months of financial education, tens of thousands of them wouldn’t need to wait till graduation day to start earning some income. Lack of financial education isn’t just a Nigerian problem, though. It is equally almost a universal problem. Even in the United States and in the United Kingdom. The lack of financial
education is the reason for the last global financial crisis of 2007 to 2008 and thereabout. If only people were told to invest in their own financial education the same way emphasis was placed on academic and physical education. So, what is financial education or financial literacy? I’m going to start by telling you what it is not. Financial education isn’t buying shares. That reminds me of a conversation with a moderately prominent member of the Nigerian community at a charity event at Shoreditch Town Hall a couple of years ago. We got talking during the break and somehow veered in this direction. He had invested in shares and had been fleeced. He bought high, perhaps and wasn’t told anything until the share certificates were no longer worth the papers on which they were printed on. ...To be continued. Yours truly
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Life&
TIMES Thursday, May 21, 2015
At the 2015 Billboard Music Award L6 P
Tope
Osoba Ditches dancing shoes for allure of the camera L2 P
Industry Issue How Nollywood portrays women L6 P
Interview L2
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 21, 2015
I was in an abusive relationship Mutiat Alli Having danced for music stars like Rasqie, Pasuma, Adewale Ayuba, Olu Maintain Weird MC amongst others, Abeokuta born actress, Temitope Osoba has finally made the transition from being a dance queen to not only an established actress but also a movie producer. World Famous as she is popularly called, Tope who made her debut in the movie world in the movie, Ijoya actress has so far remained consistence with her resolve to become an accomplished actress. Known for her action packed movie roles, the graduate of Business Education from Olabisi Onabanjo University recently premiered her first body of work, ‘Single ladies’. She speaks on her acting prowess and other issues. How do you feel premiering your first movie? I feel excited and happy that against all odds, my first body of work will be out pretty soon and I also I want to give all glory to God almighty for making it possible. To my entire cast and crew, I want them to know that I appreciate them so well . After several years in the industry, why did it take you so long to come out with your own movie? Like the popular saying, nothing good comes easy, I was just taking my time to make sure I satisfy my fans and don’t fall short of what they expect from me. It took so long to get this work done properly considering that there were hiccups somewhere along the line but the most important thing is that I am out now with my movie and I just believe it is the right my time and much more should be expected from me.
Life&
T E A M
What inspired the title Single Ladies? A lot of things happening around me informed the title most especially relationships with the female gender being at the receiving end. The main
Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427
Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784
focus of the movie is tilted towards every single lady or single mothers who have relationship problems . They should not push themselves to the wall but they should rather, stand up for themselves and move on with life .I am just trying to portray different kinds of relationships people have through the movie. The experiences; the good, the bad and the ugly. I am also appealing to men not to hit their women no matter what. Why did you decide to shoot a relationship-themed movie? I will attribute that to the little experience I have in my relationship. Things around me inspired me to choose that particular story line about relationship. I had a particular experience which I will like people to learn from. Are you trying to tell your own story? Well maybe, maybe not but the fact still remains that we make mistakes and we are not always right . Also we tend not to handle things in right way and sometimes things won’t just work the way we want it to. What really happened? It wasn’t just working. He wasn’t supporting my career; there was abuse, no true love, there was trust issue and I was thinking I could hold it down. Dating him dragged me down, affected my life and career negatively. I couldn’t help but to let him go. I was too weak to keep the relationship, but at the end of the day, I thank God I was able to regain my strength. Are you in a relationship now? Of course yes. And the relationship is the sweetest ever. The love in my life now is my childhood friend and I guess God has a plan for everything. So I will just say God is working.
Is it an English speaking movie? No. Single ladies is a 70 per cent Yoruba language and 30per cent English speaking movie so as to cut across to everyone. What challenges did you face in the cause of producing the movie? A lot. I missed lectures, exams, tests just because I was trying to bring out a message to members of the public. Financial constraints, locations, electricity and a host of others but thank God all is well now. The movie ought to have been premiered on March 28th. Will you say the shift in date was worth the wait? It was worth the while because that was like God working for me. I did not have enough time because there was a lot of pressure on me. Then the election was moved to that same date and I became very confused but thank God it all came out well. How did the journey into acting start for you? I never had any interest in acting. I started out as dancer and what I knew best was dancing and singing. So, I guess acting chose me because I never liked acting. I could recall one day, coming from school, I dropped at Berger bus stop. I was tired but I decided to go to Adeniyi Jones where we used for our dance rehearsals. That was how I saw some actresses rehearsing for Ijoya by Laide Bakare. When I entered, Seyi Ariyo (She Baby) quickly pointed me out to the director who requested to see what I have done in the past. I showed them clips of a dance session with Weird MC and they fell in love with it. That was how I got my first script.
Tope
Osoba
Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378
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
Thursday May 21, 2015
L3 Movie Gists
Afolayan to release October 1st DVD
Mutiat Alli
All for Single Ladies premiere
Despite the rate at which pirates have flooded the streets of Lagos with pirated copies of Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan’s latest work titled October 1st’, Afolayan has intensified work on the official release of the movie into the Nigerian market Kunle Afolayan anytime soon. In a twit via his social media platform, Afolayan commended the efforts of his fans and colleagues on boycotting pirated copies of the award winning flick. He said “My dear fans and friends, thank you so much for your kind messages on piracy and for boycotting the pirated DVD of our films. We are currently working hard to ensure the original copies of the DVD are released into the market soon.
Over the weekend, celebrities stormed the popular Time Square event centre in honour of budding actress, Temitope Osoba, for the premiere of her first major work titled Single Ladies. Although the event started behind schedule but the duo of Ronke Oshodi-Oke and comic actor, BabaTee, as comperes, held the crowd and kept them occupied until the event took off. Several of Tope’s colleagues did well to grace the purple affair. People like Dayo Amusa, Iyabo Ojo, Liz Da Silva, Ayo Adesanya, Kemi Korede, Bimbo Success, Fausat Balogun, Mide Martins, Afeez Owo, Foluke Daramola-Salako, Adekola Tijani, Soji Omobanke, Kelvin Ikeduba, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Wazo, and Tope Bali amongst others. Tope Osoba’s joy knew no bounds as she expressed gratitude towards a successful and hitch free premiere despite the change of date from March 28th which coincidentally was an election Tope Osoba day. To further spice up the events, there were performances from Jahbless, the Oganla dancers, Small Doctor and Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma who got all the guests dancing. Single Ladies is expected to hit the Nigerian market soon with an intriguing lesson centered around the struggles and pain every single lady both home and abroad passes through.
Nadia goes into diaper production
T1 Daya Amusa & Iyabo Ojo
Game of throne beckons on DSTV
HBO’s hit TV series, Game of Thrones which premiered on Nigerian screens on Monday, May 18, 2015 courtesy cable TV, DStv has been enjoying massive views by Multichoice subscribers across the country. The much anticipated Game of throne, season one is expected to end on Friday 22nd May, 2015 with the next series of season two to five to commence airing between May 25 to June 19th, 2015. Speaking on the launch of the series, Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said, Game of Thrones is a series that displays nudity, sex, violence and strong language. We were required to meet specific regulatory and censorship criteria before introducing it in Nigeria. It is as a result of this that we have positioned the series to air between 10:00pm to 12 midnight for its duration. We also strongly encourage parents to activate the parental control feature on their decoders.”
Aremu Afolayan co-produces with DJ tee Months after the official release of Antique movie in cinema, Nigerian Filmmaker, DJ Tee has joined forces with Aremu Afolayan for the production of his new project titled Happily Never After which has commenced shooting. The movie crew began shooting scenes from the upcoming movie a few days ago after a thorough cast call was completed. A cinematic project, the movie parades stars like Aremu Afolayan himself, Funky Mallam, Gloria Mba, Seun Aremu Afolayan Kentebe and a host of others
DJ tee
Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari has joined top celebrities with big brands with the official launching of her diaper line called Nadia baby diaper, making her the first star to own a diaper line. Announcing the new project, Nadia wrote, “We are ready... ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to introduce to you, the latest baby diaper. My diaper line, ’Nadia Baby Diaper’. Gorgeous mothers out there, look out for the diaper in a supermarket or pharmacy next to you” According to the actress, the diaper comes in different ranges and sizes suitable to all kids as it is comfortable and very easy to use. Recall that Nadia was off the movie scene for a while before the arrival of her twin daughters.
Why I reject English roles…Madam Saje
Veteran actress, Fausat Balogun known by her teaming fans as Madam Saje has disclosed why she often rejects roles from the English speaking movie practitioner. Madam Saje in a recent interview noted that although she didn’t complete her education due to her love for acting, she is unable to express herself fluently in English language. In her words, ‘Yes, I believe completing my education would have helped my career but I thank God for where I am today. There are a lot of people that are well read but have not achieved what I have achieved today. If I had completed my education, I probably would be a regular face in English speaking movies. I can speak English and I also get offers to feature in English speaking films but I reject them most times. I don’t want to do a job I would not be proud of. I thank God for where I am in life though”.
Fausat Balogun
Music Gists L4
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 21, 2015
Opeoluwani Akintayo
Coke Studio season 3 launches
Harrysong has reasons to smile
Five Star Music act, Harrysong, now has every reason to be happy. That’s because telecommunication company, MTN, has renewed his ambassadorial contract with them for another year. The music act, dressed in an urban head gear and cloth wrapped around him, got to the studio, where he had a series of warrior-themed photo shoot. This is following a remarkable performance since his break out hit Beta Pikin and then most recently, Ofeshe. Harrysong who used to be signed to Questionmark record label has won several awards including one form the the Headies, for the most downloaded caller tune for his ‘Mandela’ tribute song. He then went on to record the default MTN caller tune song titled ‘Y’ello Africa.’ Mr. Songz as he is popularly called by friends, is putting finishing touches to his forthcoming album, which would be released later this year.
Harrysong
Yaw, Olamide, others for Yaw’s ‘YOU’ Come May 31st, the likes of Davido, Olamide, M.I and others will storm the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites for this year’s Yaw Live on Stage. With this year making it the seventh year of the show, it will feature Okey Bakassi in a play titled YOU, as others acts like Cynthia Morgan, Korede Bello and Kiss Daniel will thrill the audience at the show. YOU is a two-man satire written by Obi Martins and directed by Emma Uduma. The play deals with the past, present and future of the socio-political and socio-economy status of Nigeria. The play was written in view of the happenings in the country without being offensive to anyone, group of people or government of the day. Other acts to perform include Reekado Banks Lil Kesh, DI’JA, Runtown, Skales, Adekunle Gold and top comedians of the Federal Republic.
The Coca-Cola Company, in partnership with Kenya Airways, has announced the return of its flagship African music show for a third season. The show, unlike other music programmes that focuses on the emergence of a winner, is a non-competitive format which seeks to bring together and showcase the diversity of African musical talent. It also gives upcoming artists the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. The new season will feature artists from Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania a n d for the first time these artists will collaborate in a unique format of mashups - the latest trend in the global music industry. “A celebration of African music” being its core element, Coke Studio Africa’s new season will feature performances and collaborations from popular artists who have made a mark on their local music scene and the up and rising stars. This season, one of Nigeria’s biggest music super star, Tuface Idibia will be performing for the first time alongside other Nigerian artistes including MI, Flavour, Olamide, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay, Chidinma, Yemi Alade, Eva and Di’Ja. Other African acts billed for the show are AVRIL, Wangeci and The Unstoppable Elani from Kenya; Dr. Jose Chameleone and Keko from Uganda; Ali Kiba and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania; Neyma and Dama Do Bling from Mozambique. Grammy Award winning musician and producer, Zwai Bala of ground-breaking South African Kwaito group, TKZee, will be the show’s music director. Brett Lotriet, a renowned International TV director and producer, will be working as the Coke Studio Season 3 series producer. The musicians and the house band will present new tracks each week which will be produced by both local and international producers. Some of the producers include Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft and Chopstix from Nigeria, Jaaz Odongo, Eric Musyoka and Kevin Provoke from Kenya, Owour Arunga from USA, Nahreel from Tanzania and Silvastone from the UK.
New album alert!
A-Q’s Son of John 2 A-Q will be releasing a new album today, Thursday, 21st of May. The album which is a sequel to the mix tape released earlier titled Son of John, would see the forthcoming project as an online/digital album. The 13 tracker (plus intro) album, features a handful of rappers including Eclipse, PayBac, Lord V, Teeto Ceemos among others. With most of the production handled by BBJN, Who also features on two of the tracks, The album opens with an intro from the legendary Nigerian DJ, Jimmy Jatt.
Yaw
Yemi Alade rocks blue hair at Star Trek, Awka
PHOTOS OF THE DAY Davido puffing away at a cigar
The Johnny crooner, Yemi Alade took a cue from the Star beer color and rocked an electric blue high fish tail wool hair.
Tiwa pregnant: Tiwa Savage celebrating baby shower inside Femi Otedola’s yatch
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday May 21, 2015
L5 Global Entertainment News
At the 2015 Billboard Music Opeoluwani Akintayo
Awards
Taylor Swift
With former Swimsuit illustrated model and wife of singer, John Legend, Chrisy Teigen and rapper turned actor, Ludacris, the Billboard Music Awards which took place in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, 2015, was a pot pourri of live performances, fashion hits and misses as well as acknowledging the hard work of many this past year. Country music singer, Taylor Swift, who is currently on world tour for her 1989 album carted home eight awards. Controversial singer, Chris Brown got people talking when he walked into the venue with his daughter while Australian born rapper, Iggy Azalea dazed all with her new look. She got her chin slimmed. After a long absence from the scene to help nurse her sick husband back to health, it was good to see Celine Dion back on the scene.
Zendaya Cole
Celine Dion
List of winners TOP ARTIST Taylor Swift TOP NEW ARTIST Sam Smith TOP MALE ARTIST Sam Smith TOP FEMALE ARTIST Taylor Swift TOP DUO/GROUP One Direction
Hillsong United TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM Taylor Swift, 1989 TOP SOUNDTRACK Frozen TOP R&B ALBUM Pharrell Williams, G I R L TOP RAP ALBUM J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive
TOP COUNTRY ALBUM TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt Taylor Swift TOP ROCK ALBUM TOP HOT 100 ARTIST Coldplay, Ghost Stories Meghan Trainor TOP LATIN ALBUM TOP DIGITAL SONGS ARTIST Enrique Iglesias, Sex and Love Taylor Swift TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me John Legend TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM TOP TOURING ARTIST Lecrae, Anomaly One Direction TOP HOT 100 SONG TOP SOCIAL ARTIST Meghan Trainor, All About That Bass Justin Bieber TOP DIGITAL SONG TOP STREAMING ARTIST Meghan Trainor, All About That Bass Iggy Azalea TOP RADIO SONG TOP R&B ARTIST Sam Smith, Stay With Me Pharrell Williams TOP STREAMING SONG (AUDIO) TOP RAP ARTIST John Legend, All of Me Iggy Azalea TOP STREAMING SONG (VIDEO) TOP COUNTRY ARTIST Taylor Swift, Shake It Off Florida Georgia Line TOP R&B SONG TOP ROCK ARTIST Pharrell Williams, Happy Hozier TOP RAP SONG TOP LATIN ARTIST Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, Fancy Romeo Santos TOP COUNTRY SONG TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC Jason Aldean, Burnin’ It Down ARTIST Calvin Harris TOP ROCK SONG Hozier, Take Me to Church TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
TOP LATIN SONG Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, Bailando TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONG DJ Snake & Lil Jon, Turn Down For What TOP CHRISTIAN SONG Carrie Underwood, Something in the Water BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG GALAXY (FAN-VOTED) Taylor Swift.
Estelle
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Guiliana Rancic
Jennifer Lopez
Rita Ora
Lavernne Cox
Iggy Azaelea and Britany Spears Kendall Jenner
Mariah Carey
Ludacris
Kylie Jenner
Industry Issue L6
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 21, 2015
How does Nollywood portray women?
Mutiat Alli The entertainment industry has witnessed the successes and roles played by women who mirror the society. From the roles women play these days, it is obvious that women have now taken up the challenge of producing and directing, quite unlike their stereotyped roles. Life &Times ex-rays how Nollywood portrays the woman in the light of the different roles they act and as a role models for the African society. Films according to Ryan and Keller (1988) transpose the discourse of social life into cinematic narratives. They play a notable role in the placement of particular ideologies and values into social thinking and debate. In other words, films, as a popular cultural form, can, as Kuhn (1990) suggests, be regarded as a gauge of social attitudes and change. Hollywood cinema, through its prolific production and overwhelming synergetic marketing, operates to legitimate dominant institutions and traditional values. Indeed, several schools of thought have argued that most Hollywood films tend to versions of the American dream and dominant America myths and ideologies is that money, success and patriotism are important values. Issues relating to sex, nudity and crime may be dominant in Hollywood movies, the Americans sure possess a different psychology that appears to suit their history. Attempts by Africans to tow the same line via western influence have often led to alarming consequences on the part of the youth. This is more so because the two traditions don’t blend well. However, Bollywood, the Indian film industry has an uncommon bias for nudity and semi-nudity are very much biased in the favour of men. Some experts in sociology who differ on this ground feel that males are no better off in regards to nudity and sex exploitation than women. They argue that men are regularly stripping in clubs and now in movies and in advertisements. Of course, Calvin Klein for instance, modeled by Djimon Hounsou, uses the male sex appeal to sell. With such debate about the changing face of culture, Bollywood, it appears will continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in the cinema and with nudity becoming part of everyday life, it is sure to become more prevalent at the box office. The challenge will be how to draw the line between nudity and obscenity. How has the Nigerian film industry impacted the sensitivity of the society on the symbol of the African woman? Has the movie industry been able to influence the mind set of the people and facilitate the acceptability of the woman
into public offices and positions? Have the movies portrayed the women folk as responsible business leaders, enviable career persons and successful home managers? Without doubt, the answer cannot be loud in the affirmative. Women have continued to be a sensitive part of the society that should be adequately protected. This stems from the sociological point of view of what the family unit contributes to the society, and in terms of civic responsiveness, decency and sense of traditional values. In this regard, who is believed to be at the most vantage position of a child’s upbringing (they say mothers are closer to the children) The film medium is considered so sensitive in this regard because people tend to believe more in what they see than what they hear. It becomes imperative therefore to assess the content values of most Nollywood movies and see if the woman is portrayed in the light of a role model for the African society. It is generally believed that an average woman in top position is high handed and often abuses her biblical obligation of ‘submissiveness’. What we see in the film entitled Bank manager is a woman who abandons her husband and children due to tasking official duties. Also in Emotional Blackmail, the protagonist refuses his wife to work because he believes she could not control her sexual feelings. When she protested and was eventually allowed to pick up a job, her husband’s fears become justified as she falls in love with a younger man. As much as these are fictions meant to reflect some bad eggs, understood as inevitable in any society, there is little or no effort on the part of the Nigerian filmmaker to balance the attitude of a film character by educating the viewer on the propelling factor, leading to the character’s action. Often times, a character’s attitude is not convincing because obviously, little or no research was done. Such characters in the Bank manager and Emotional Blackmail are the kind of women we see, and that is where the story is not about a widow who is made to lick sour of barbaric tradition. This is not to say that some Nigerian film-
makers are not making efforts to portray the African woman in leading light. In Agbara Obirin, a Yoruba language flick on politics, an attempt was made. This film explains the society’s disposition to women in politics, exposes the risks and complexities involved while appealing to the understanding and support of the husbands to shun the believe that such women are objects of sex to political leaders. Women’s cot, by Dickson Iroegbu also tried by pitching the ‘good’ woman with the ‘bad’ ones in their struggle to alleviate the problems of the widow. Another movie, the Mourning After, by Jimi Odumosu, shows women from their different professional backgrounds taking their destinies into their own hands. Without the common conflict resolution in the Nigerian movies where by a woman resorts to the pastor, Imam or a native doctor , we see how women who are schooled and traditionally inclined employing the tools of wisdom, resilience, and knowledge of the law to resolve conflict and coming out victorious. Tunde Kelani’s movie, entitled Arugba is another of such flicks that suggests that an undergraduate can preserve her virginity because the tradition in her is never lost to the alluring ambiance of the ivory towers, youthful exuberance or peer group influence. There cannot be a better encouragement for girls of school age. Other than the few movies mentioned is a prostitute, second fiddle, gossip, spendthrift, flamboyant, and materialistic personality. The man on the other hand is often strong, corny and ritualistic. Nigeria is a country with a peculiar culture and sense of traditional value. It is for this reason that our movies should not be seen as another version of Hollywood style. Effort should be geared towards our sense of national unity and cultural identity. Our movie should as much as they entertain, also educate. They be capable of molding opinion at the national reorientation. Perhaps this is one reason that the film industry in Nigeria is placed under the Information Ministry; a ministry that is led by professionals to be able to change the image of the country, which in the view of foreigners is a nation of fraudsters and voodooists. Let our movies promote unity in diversity; let our movies portray us as a people with a cultural of national pride; a people with sense of shame; a place of succor for women and children, and a land where men are hardworking, protective and patriotic.
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday May 21, 2015
L7 Music & Movie Review
Mutiat Alli and Opeoluwani Akintayo
Davido FT Uhuru & DJ Buckz- The Sound Published on music channel, Youtube on January 3oth, and directed by our very own Sesan, Davido’s ‘The Sound’ features South African music duo, Uhuru and DJ Buckz. The 3:46 sec. video was shot in a dessert far away in Dubai, so it wasn’t a surprise to see Davido and his crew all dressed up like the Arabians. As the Omo Baba Olowo (O.B.O), Davido had enough money to flaunt hired sport and posh cars, private helicopters, go on parachute diving…the stunts…cool. The video opens with more like a fake drama between Davido and Uhuru. Too fake. Although the song, as at press time, already had over 1million views since it was uploaded in January yet, I see nothing really special about the song. That’s probably why it hasn’t been receiving much airplay in Nigeria. The song especially the chorus, has more of the South African kinda feel. It could have been made to appeal more to Nigerians since Davido’s largest fan base are Nigerians yet, unfortunately, I doubt it does. Aside the show of wealth which is common with Davido, nothing really catchy since it was even shot in the desert. Apart from the crew, the fair-skinned girl walking to and fro and winding her waist, posh cars and then the air diving, nothing else…that should do for a dessert scene though. Even at the scene when they landed in the club, there was nothing lively about it, no clubbers (extras) except Davido and few others ... With the kind of standard already set by Sesan and Davido, at this stage, we expected more from them. I’m sure those who have taken the pain to watch it on Youtube first did that with the excitement that Davido of all artistes, had just dropped a new song. Clean video, good lighting, clear sound and props usage was at its lowest ebb especially at the club scene, the costume at the desert was perfect but the choreography was imperfect. Nice beat though but, a more vibrant dance moves could have added more live into it. I score it 5/10. ARTISTE: Davido RUNNING TIME: 3:46 sec
Antique:
DJ Tee makes a commendable effort As the only heir to the throne lies at death’s door, Godo Kingdom is in pandemonium therefore, an innocent girl must journey to a land where mortals are forbidden, in search of an antique. But will she return? As directed by Darasen Richards and cinematography by DJ Tee, the movie Antique is not the regular film you will want to watch more than once but it gives it a shot into the Nigerian market creating an impression of aspect missed out by filmmakers during production. The Antique’ is a fictional story, inspired by events of the Southern Nigeria people in the 19th Century. The only heir to the throne is close to death and a young girl Uki must embark on a deadly mission to get back the antique which was taken away some decades by intruders. The absence of the antique has caused the land to witness several death, feminine, sicknesses amongst others Filled with intrigues, seduction, betrayals, struggle, the movie boast of the best hands in the industry with the likes of veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, Kiki Omeli, Gabriel Afolayan, Funsho Adeolu, Ricardo Agbor, Bimbo Akintola, Comic actor Akpororo amongst others Providing appropriate-looking costumes for this type of film is always a challenging task for costume designers but the costumier survived without suffering a thousand cuts to the throat. In terms of performance, the cameo appearance portrayed by veteran actor, Olu Jacobs did not really take centre stage as the little stars appearance outshine his roles making him a filler in the movie . While there are loops hole in some aspect of the productions, it is pertinent to give kudos to the heroine, Oge Indiana whose role synced well with Kiki Omeli who portrays the role of a seductress The Antique is Richard’s first foray into filmmaking and of course, DJ Tee is known more for the music videos he directs than Nollywood flicks. So, baring these in mind, it is not too surprising to spot a few artistic flaws in the project. As funny as Akpororo is as a comedian, there is a massive gulf between comedy and movies. Generally, the entire production is a nice try with credence to good use of costume, smooth sound and characters matching up with roles. Although it is not the regular movie you want to rush to the cinema to see; hence epical as it is, you can keep copies for reference purposes. It a 6/10 grade point.
Cast of the movie
Gabriel Afolayan in a scene
L8 Television
Daily Times Nigeria
Thursday May 21, 2015
Showing on
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Thu, 21 May | 18VL
‘S9/E11 - A Merry Little Christmas’. During the holidays, Harm prepares to petition the court to become Mattie’s legal guardian. He’s also asked by Admiral Chegwidden to investigate claims that Turner showed racial bias in a case. David James Elliott. (2003) Bradford May.
‘S2/E2 - Ourselves Alone’. Acclaimed Emmy nominated drama starring Steve Buscemi (Fargo) as a powerful and corrupt Atlantic City politician. Margaret makes a play to protect Nucky and his business interests in this episode.
101 M-Net
00:00 A Single Shot 02:00 Winter’s Tale 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Middle 06:30 NCIS: New Orleans 07:30 Chicago Fire 08:30 Foster 10:30 The Goldbergs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 The Blacklist 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Two And A Half Men 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Mike & Molly 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 The Fixer 19:30 Blue Bloods 20:30 NCIS: New Orleans 21:30 CSI: Cyber 22:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver 23:00 House Of Cards
118 Telemundo
00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:55 Top Gear
120 BBC Entertainment
00:40 The Weakest Link
11:00 My Family
01:30 Silent Witness
11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA
02:20 Come Dine With Me
12:20 Top Gear
03:10 EastEnders
13:10 Come Dine With Me
03:40 QI
14:05 Dragons’ Den
04:10 Top Gear
15:05 The Weakest Link
00:15 Most Shocking
05:00 Spy
16:00 EastEnders
01:05 Kenny vs Spenny
05:25 QI
16:30 Deal Or No Deal
01:35 Freakshow
06:00 Fool Britannia
17:15 QI
02:05 Poorman’s Bikini Beach
06:25 EastEnders
17:50 Would I Lie To You?
02:35 Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne
06:55 Antiques Roadshow
18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA
03:05 Impractical Jokers
07:50 The Weakest Link
19:15 Downton Abbey
03:35 Most Shocking
08:40 The Cube
20:15 Blackadder II
04:30 South Beach Tow
09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
20:50 Mrs Brown’s Boys
05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak
10:20 Deal Or No Deal
21:30 Miranda
05:25 Exposed
155 AfricaMagic World
05:50 Exposed
07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol
08:50 Living With Trisha
09:10 South Beach Tow
10:00 Good Morning Africa
09:40 Most Shocking
11:00 Tinsel
10:40 Most Shocking
11:30 Star Gist
11:40 Video Zonkers
12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Prem 00:00 Tinsel
14:30 53 Extra
00:30 Living With Trisha
15:00 Family Ties
01:30 Family Ties
15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh
02:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh
16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone
04:00 Music Block
18:00 Jane And Abel
05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh
18:30 Jane And Abel
06:00 Good Morning Africa
06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Repo Games
154 AfricaMagic Family
03:00 Good Morning Africa
128 SONY MAX
19:00 Tinsel
07:00 Star Gist
19:30 Star Gist
07:30 Love, Lies And Alibi
20:00 Star Football Superfans
12:10 Repo Games
00:10 Noose Of Gold
11:30 Lies That Bind
00:40 Good Morning Africa
12:00 Jara
01:40 The Dzigbordi Show
12:30 Jara
02:30 Good Morning Africa
13:00 Music Block
03:30 Good Morning Africa
14:00 53 Extra
04:30 Prem
14:30 53 Extra
05:00 Good Morning Africa
15:00 Kakibe Ki
06:00 Soul On Fire
15:30 Noose Of Gold
09:00 Good Morning Africa
16:00 Foot Print
10:00 So Wrong So Wright
16:30 Lies That Bind
10:30 So Wrong So Wright
17:00 Lies That Bind
19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol
11:00 Lies That Bind
17:30 Star Gist
20:00 The Boondocks
12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Circumstances Unknown 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow
20:30 Rude Tube
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
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NCS Journal Æ s
Dear Reader, I welcome you to another edition of the NCS Shipping Journal. Sometimes Last year I was scheduled to deliver a paper on Vessel Acquisition and Financing. However, due to the Ebola scare, the conference was cancelled. Not too long ago, I came across a piece by a Leasing Association (ELAN) which highlighted one of the means of financing the acquisition of vessels, I found it quiet interesting and I hope you will too. Some developed countries have employed shipping investment as a deliberate strategy to stimulate growth in their national economy. Asides waiting for the CVFF funds, Government intervention and Bank loans, Shipowners can utilize the option of Leasing as it has overtime proved an efficient source for acquisition of vessels in the absence of the requisite funds. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is one of such board set up to ensure nationals who have vessels that meet the set requirements are engaged in the industry. Thus indigenous ship operators in the oil and gas industry are advised against indiscriminate acquisition of vessels without specification. The advocacy for local content is to ensure that vessels procured by Nigerians which meet the Cabotage requirements are engaged with contract so as to guarantee the viability of the investments, optimize employment and keep the money earned in the Nigerian economy. There has been a commendable interest from most Nigerian banks seeking to understand t0-he opportunities and participate in marine vessel financing. Some Nigerian banks have participated in funding of acquisition of ship however there is still room for improvement. The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping organized one of such trainings to sensitize Banks and other Financial Institutions on the investment opportunities embedded in the Maritime sectors and how to entrench themselves in the process. Nigeria is a leading maritime nation with enormous natural resources and a major hub for local and international trade in Africa. The use of Support Vessels is on the rise with the new oil and Gas Exploration & Production projects coming up across the region (Going Deep Offshore). Vessel owners and operations are looking to upgrade their fleets with newer vessel, fitted with advanced technology and also high security capabilities owing to the rising oil demand globally. Thus we are faced with an opportunity to secure new markets and increase production. There is need to take a closer look at technologies being used globally for offshore and Subsea Operations to stay ahead technologically and leveraging off this. Happy Reading!!! Ify Anazonwu - Akerele Director General Nigerian Chamber of Shipping
Opportunities in Nigerian maritime sector for lease operators
This study is aimed at providing members and stakeholders with insight into the Nigerian Maritime sector with the view to identifying investment opportunities and equally assessing the level of lease penetration in the sector for effective engagement and participation of lessors in the sector Nigeria is a leading maritime nation with enormous natural maritime resources and a major hub for local and international trade in Africa. The maritime sector is cardinal to Nigeria’s economic life contributing sig-
nificantly to the Gross domestic Product (GDP). In recent years the sector has been witnessing a lot of reforms to position it to achieve efficiency, growth and the overall developmental objective of Government in the sector and the economy. Part of the reforms is the liberalisation and deregulation of the sector and other policy and regulatory initiatives such as the shipping policy and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act. These reforms have increased the level of activities in the sector, throwing up opportunities for private investment in all areas of the
sector including, port infrastructure, terminal facilities, vessels financing, haulage, and packaging and other logistics services. The maritime industry is capital intensive and there is a wide financing gap in the various segments of the industry. A major challenge posed by this development, is how to meet the huge demand for capital equipment. Operators rely on the traditional financing method mainly bank loans to finance their assets, leasing counts for only 20 per cent usage rate. The implication is that the equipment needs of the indus-
try are largely unaddressed. The low penetration rate of leasing can be attributed to the low level of consciousness on the benefits of leasing among operators. It is important therefore for the leasing industry to create the necessary awareness and develop appropriate strategy for the effective engagement and participation in the maritime sector. It is also essential for lessors to understand the industry terrain such as operations, regulations and other compliance issues to be successful in the maritime sector.
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NCS Journal N2
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
World’s largest port in Shanghai
The maritime market: Transcending regional dominance The maritime sector is very significant to the development and sustainability of the Nigerian economy facilitating local and international trade. The sector has a variety of investment Potentials cutting across mining, manufacturing and service industries and its structure is composed mainly of the port industry, shipping and ancillary services, offshore services, ship building and ship
repair, marine services, bunkering services, etc. The port industry is relatively the most developed area in the sector, while the rest are sub optimally developed as a result of a combination of factors, including economic, techno-managerial and technological constraints. Nigeria as the largest market in Africa and the biggest economy in sub-Sahara Africa, counts for over 65 per cent of total seaborne traffic in volume and
value in West Africa and Central African sub-region. The major players in the maritime sector are; 1. Ship owners 2. Port /Terminal operators 3. Freight forwarders/handlers 4. Regulatory bodies e.g. Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Customs 5. Service, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). 6. Shipping service providers 7. Financial institutions e.g. Banks and insurance companies. The size of the market ranges between US Dollar 25billion – US Dollars 2trillion with annual contribution GDP of 35-40 per cent which is second to Oil & Gas sector. The maritime sector is expanding and the growth expectancy is highly premised on the following developments: 1. Export processing zones, development of new and modern port/terminal infrastructure, 2. Enactment of essential maritime industry support Laws such as The Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act and
Local Content Development Act etc. 3. Port trade from and to dominant economic regions of the world 4. The expansionary trends at the macro level of the economy from industrial activities in manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications and power generation Investment Opportunities The robust activities in the sector and continuous growth premised on the above developments, present enormous opportunities for investors. For instance, the deregulation and liberalization of the port sector has given additional impetus for private initiatives in terminal operation. Investment in the provision of port infrastructure, super structure and terminal facilities for container operation is available for private interest through different public–private sector interest such as leasing, Build, Operate and Own (BOO), Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) in the different segments of the port sector. Generally, Nigerian ports lack modern cargo handling plants and equipment, infrastructure and service facilities. Investment in the provision of these operational and service
facilities are essential and therefore constitute viable investment options. Apart from terminal operation, another area of investment is in fleet acquisition. Vessels represent a major segment of assets in the sector where tanker and cargo vessels are very popular. The Nigerian investors usually buy used vessels because of the huge capital outlay involved in purchase of new vessels. It has been estimated that a minimum of 20 vessels will be needed as take off to efficiently improve the transshipment of import and export in the next five years in Nigeria. Other assets that are required in the sector include cranes, reach stackers, haulage vehicles, heavy duty handling equipment, forklifts etc. Part of the findings revealed that on a monthly basis, over 200 units of trucks will be needed for distribution of goods from ports to their final destination.
» Page N3
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Nature of investment challenges in maritime sector Like any other productive sector, the maritime sector has its challenges. Some of the major challenges include, infrastructure challenges including poor
access road, poor transportation system, poor port infrastructure. Other challenges are inadequate funding, Government policies, foreign domination and inadequate
Infrastructure challenges in the industry Table: 1
Other challenges facing local players Table: 2 Response
Variables
Percentage
Funding
80
40
Inadequate Man power
50
25
Government Policies
40
20
Foreign Domination
20
10
Others
10
5
Total
200
100
Funding is a major challenge with 40 per cent, followed by inadequate manpower, 25 per cent, Inconsistent & instability in government’s fiscal policy/Sharp practices, 20 per cent, foreign domination 10 per cent while others take 5 per cent.
Table: 3 Response
Variables
Percentage
Tanker Vessels
90
60
Cargo Vessels
40
26.7
Others
20
13.3
Total
150
100
Diagram: 3
Response
Variables
Percentage
poor access road
50
33.3
poor transportation system
40
26.7
power supply /port infrastructure
30
20
Technical Training & Equipment
20
13.3
Others
10
6.7
Total
150
100
Diagram: 1
N3 NCS Journal
Tanker vessels constitute 60%, Cargo Vessels 26.7% while others are 13.3%
Âť Page N4
NCS Journal N4
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 21, 2015
Equipment financing issues and leasing Various financing options are used by players in the industry, though leasing is known to maritime practitioners, it has low penetration in
the sector. Most of the financing is through bank loans. Accounting for 60 per cent while leasing usage is only 20 per cent.
Table: 4 Response
Variables
Percentage
Bank loans
60
60
Leasing
20
20
Others
20
20
Total
100
100
Diagram: 5
Table: 6 Often
20
20
Non-use
70
70
Lack of processing skill
10
10
Total
100
100
On usage; 70% do not use leasing as a financing option, 20% often uses it while 10% do not know how to process leasing.
Regulatory Issues
Table:5 Response
Variables
Percentage
Leasing (Chartering)
25
25
Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund
37.5
37.5
Outright purchase
37.5
37.5
Total
100
100
Diagram: 5
The last few years have witnessed a progressive revolution in the Nigerian Maritime Sector that has changed and continues to change the way business is done. The Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, port reforms, increased security standards, processes and innovations in maritime training, have all served to influence the content and direction of maritime investment in the country. The maritime sector is under the direct supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transport, all activities with the sector fall under the control of five statutory bodies namely; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA),the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA),the Nigerian Shippers Council(NSC) in charge of protecting shippers interests , the Nigerian Inland water ways, responsible for all activities within the inland waters in the country and the Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC) responsible for all forms of maritime related labours which has currently been absorbed into NIMASA. In addition to the general legal frame work governing invest-
ment in Nigeria, there are specific laws for the maritime sectors. These covers largely ownership structure engagement of personnel, cargo carriage right, maintenance and repair of ships and administrative incentives, the laws are encapsulated in two main policy documents. There are, The National Shipping Policy Act and the Coastal and Inland shipping (Cabotage) Act. The Cabotage Act restricts use of vessel in domestic coastal trade to vessels owned, operated and crewed by Nigerians as well as built and maintained in Nigeria. Recommendations and Conclusion The maritime sector is an essential part of Nigeria’s economy. In recent years, the sector has been witnessing transformation to make it more vibrant and responsive to the needs of country. Government commitment to the development of the sector through various reforms including the enactment and formulation of relevant laws and policies such as the Coastal and Inland shipping (Cabotage) Act has created a platform for increased private investment in the sector. The financing gap in all segments is a major challenge to the sector and this pres-
ents immense opportunities to lessors. Essentially, the leasing industry can play a major role in the provision of vessels, terminal facilities and equipment, port infrastructure, haulage and other logistics equipment. Indeed there is a huge demand for capital equipment in the sector; the list of leasable assets is almost inexhaustible. No matter the level, there is something for every lessor in this lucrative sector. Lease practitioners should however not lose sight of the various regulatory and other compliance issues such as registration with relevant authorities (if required) to be successful players in the maritime sector. The strategic response of the leasing industry to the numerous opportunities is very important. One key aspect is the need to raise the level of lease consciousness in the sector and encourage the utilisation of leasing as a viable financing alternative that can facilitate the smooth acquisition of capital assets. ELAN and its members should work with stakeholders in the maritime sector to ensure that this is achieved. Article Contributed by Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN)
Canada 2015:
Poster!
Oshoala assures on Falcon’s attack g 29
WILLIAN BORGES DA SILVA
g X2,3
Thursday, May 21, 2015
r o y a Adeb considers suicide over family row g
28
Paris
honours Nadal g 31
Blues set to offload Oscar, Cuadrado g X4
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
Borges
da Silv a
Willi an
X2
ÏzƈƋƋƈ ƈ Əƈ Ɛƈ Ɨ ƌ ƏƏƈƆƗ Ɛ y Ɔ Martins. He has two daughters who are twins: y ƋƆ Ɛƈ Ɨ L ƑƆƋƋ ê
ÏR L ƕ ƣè ƾƠơƿè zƈƋƋƈ Ɠ ƆƋƆƅƐƆƗ ƍ ƏƐ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƾƢéƌ ƎƑ Ɨ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƾƠơƿ 090 z ƏƋƗ Ƒƍê 6Ɔ came on at half-time in extra time of the Round of 16 match against Chile in Belo Horizonte for his Chelsea ƐƆ ƌƌ ƐƆ R ƅ Əè Ɨ Ɛ Ɗ ƍƆ ƋƐƕ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɛ ƑƐ which he put wide of the goal, although Brazil advanced nonetheless.
ÏR M ƒƆƌƄƆƏ ơƠè ƾƠơơè zƈƋƋƈ ƌ ƗƆ ƈ Ɔ ƈ Ə debut for Brazil in a friendly match against Gabon and on November 16, 2013, he scored his first international goal in a 5–0 win over Honduras in Miami, Florida.
Ï9 ƾƠƠƣè Ɔ Ɠ Ƌ ƆƋƆƅƐƆƗ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ 090 néƾƠ World Cup, but Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Spain.
Ï ƍƆƆƍ Ɛ ƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ Ɛƈ Ƌ ƅ ƏƆƆƏ ƓƆƗ Ɛ Ɛ member of the U-20 Brazil team, he made his debut in the 2007 South American Youth Championship against Chile on January 7, 2007, which Brazil went on to win.
Ï6Ɔ Ɛ ƏƐƆƗ ƈ ƅ ƏƆƆƏ Ɛ Əƈ Ɛ ƈ è ƄƆƇ ƏƆ Ɖ ƈ ƈ Shakhtar in August 2007 for a fee of 14 million Euro. After six years at the Ukrainian club, he briefly signed Ƈ Ə Ɩ ƈ L Ɗ ƅ Ɗ Ƌ ƄƆƇ ƏƆ Ɖ ƈ ƈ ƆƋ Ɔ Ƈ Ə ùƢƾ million.
commonly known as Willian is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for English club Chelsea.
•Willian Borges da Silva (born August 9, 1988),
Borges da Silva
Brazil U-20 Brazil
Corinthians Shakhtar Donetsk Anzhi Makhachkala Chelsea
Willian Willian Borges da Silva August 9, 1988 (age 26) Ribeirao Pires, Brazil 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Winger Chelsea 22 Corinthians
About Willian
2007: 2011–Till date:
National team
2006–2007: 2007–2013: 2013: 2013–Till date:
Senior career:
Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career:
Personal Information
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
X3
X4
Thursday, May 21, 2015
EXTRATIME
EXTRATIME
CHELSEA
C
Cuadrado
a e s l Che
helsea are prepared to offload Oscar and Juan Cuadrado in order to fund a big money move for Liverpool star Raheem Sterling. The Blues believe that if they cash in on the South Americans they will be able to raise around £50 million, which is likely to be enough to land Sterling. Oscar has been heavily criticised by boss Jose Mourinho for his performances this season, leading to him being benched on several occasions, while Cuadrado looks like being the new Mohamed Salah having only managed three starts after struggling to fit in. Sterling, meanwhile, looks certain to leave Liverpool after the latest installment of the soap opera with him feeling the Reds have “bullied” him in their attempts to get him to sign a new contract at Anfield. He is said to be unhappy with leaks from the club about the progress of his contract situation, including previous offers he has rejected. Manchester City and Arsenal are both following developments but Chelsea will also be firmly in the
ready to offload Oscar, Cuadrado
Remy
hoping for triumphant finale
J
Remy
ose Mourinho’s champions suffered just their fourth loss in all competitions on Monday night, falling to a 3-0 Premier League defeat at The Hawthorns as West Brom ended their 16game unbeaten run. Chelsea, who had Cesc Fabregas sent off, struggled to rouse themselves for the contest with the title secure, but the Baggies had no such trouble as a Saido Berahino double earned them victory. The loss means Chelsea can no longer reach the 90-point mark, but France striker Remy wants the Blues to finish on a high against Sunderland on Sunday before the trophy is presented and the west London victory parade the following day. “Next season every team will really want to beat the champions, as West Brom did, and we have to prepare ourselves for this kind of game,” Remy said. “Next season will be even more difficult than this one because of that. “Now we have one game coming at home, the last game of the season, and we really want to win it in front of our supporters.”
Cech keen on Arsenal, PSG move
C
helsea goalkeeper Petr Cech would like to join Arsenal, Manchester United or PSG according to his agent Viktor Kolar. Czech Republic international Cech has spent 11 years at Chelsea, helping them lift four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League, but has slipped behind No. 1 Thibaut Courtois this season. Kolar revealed on Twitter that the 32-year-old goalkeeper would like to join
one of the three clubs when he leaves Stamford Bridge this summer. Arsenal have been linked with a move for his services, while Kolar said last week that Turkish club Besiktas are in discussions over a potential deal. He said: “Petr has a valid contract with his current club, however, I can confirm that we have been ‘permitted’ by Chelsea to negotiate with interested parties and Petr has confirmed his interest to play regularly at a top club.”
Brown
It’s my dream to play for Blues, says Brown
C
helsea forward, Izzy Brown, believes he will improve faster if he stays at Stamford Bridge next season rather than becoming part of the west London club’s loan brigade. The 18-year-old academy starlet made his Premier League debut during the Blues 3-0 defeat against former club West Brom on Monday night, and now that he’s had a taste of playing for Jose Mourinho’s side he’s hoping there’ll be more opportunities to come. Brown received a hostile reception on his
return to The Hawthorns as Baggies fans still haven’t forgiven him for leaving in 2013. However, the England U-19 international explained it’s always been a dream to play for Chelsea - the club he supported as a young boy. He denied his transfer was motivated by financial reasons and said that the opportunity to work day-in day-out with world-class talent gives him the best possible chance of forging a successful career in the professional game.