Dtn 24 11 15

$2b arms deal: FG asks court to revoke Dasuki’s bail Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏA new dimension was added

to the trial of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Moham-

med Sambo Dasuki (rtd) on Monday as the federal government asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to revoke the bail it granted him on September 1, this year.

The federal government said that intelligence has revealed that Dasuki had concluded plans to take advantage of the court order to travel abroad to escape justice

and temper with investigations.

Dasuki, who is facing charges of unlawful possession of fireContinued on page 6

dailytimesng

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

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 VOL. 1. NO. 237

GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 23th November 2015.

CAP

37.78

38.5

0.72 %

PZ

26.25

27.13

0.88%

GUINNESS 128.24

121.84 -6.4%

ETI

17.13

16.5

7UP

83.55

184

0.45%

PORTPAINT

3.88

4.05

0.17%

NB

115

WAPCO

90

89.5

120

-5%

N150 -0.63% -0.5%

How we’ll conclude Kogi gov poll –INEC

Ï ^ ƑƄƆƏ ƅ ƗƈƗ ƐƆ ƄƑƏƈƆƗ ƌƈƗ Ɛ ƐƆ Ə Ï 1 ƒê z Ɨ ƗƆƅƋ ƏƆ ƣéƗ ƕ ƌ ƑƏ ƈ Ï Ƒ Əƈè d Ə Ɗƈè ^ ƒ è Ɛ ƆƏ ƏƆ ƅƐ Ï RƊ Ə ƅ ƗƆ ƈƆ ƅƅƑ ƈ jƈ ƑƄƑ Ƈ ƅ ƌƍƋƈƅƈƐƕ Egena Egena, Olufemi Samuel, Tom Okpe, Akor Ejumene, Abuja and Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja with agency reports

ÎÎÎThe

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said it would apply available legal provisions on the recent development over Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, died in his hometown, Ogbonicha, on Sunday, shortly after the electoral umpire declared the election between him and the

A cross section of dignitaries at the burial of late Prince Abubakar Audu in Ogbonicha, Ofu LGA in Kogi State… on Monday. (INSET) The remains of Audu being carried by pall bearers.

Bayelsa polls: Questions over eligibility of Sylva g6

Calabar Carnival 2015: Cross River woos investors g12

Ooni Ogunwusi crowned, concludes g12 rites

ƈ ƇƏ ë 01 ƆƅƑƏƆ ƏƗƆƏ Ɛ ƗƆƐ ƈ E Ƒ Ƈ Ə ÖƠ Ɨ ƕ

Grace g L1 Amah: Nollywood needs to be reinvented

g12

Continued on page 6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

SUITES

HOTEL

GARDENS

Plot 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, PMB 12724 Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, Tel: +23412772700-5 (ext,6124) +23414606100 -29 Fax +234 1 2704071 sales@ekohotels.com, reservation@ekohotels.com banquet@ekohotels, www.ekohotels.com

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Nigeria’s stifling business climate

R

ecently, the World Bank listed Nigeria among countries where starting a business has become more cumbersome in the last one year.

According to “Doing Business”, an annual report by the World Bank Group that measures the regulations that enhance business activity in 189 economies and those that constrain it, Nigeria’s business climate has witnessed serious decline since 2014. For example, its ranking on ease of starting a business saw Nigeria moving down 8 places from 131 to 139; access to credit also moved down 7 places from 52 to 59; while access to electricity moved 1 place down from 181 to 182.

It also stated that government bureaucracy hampers the process of starting a new business in Nigeria, with people resorting to third party agents to help facilitate the process of business registration. In addition, it highlighted unstable power supply and lack of access to credit facility as factors hampering business start-up in the country. More alarming is that Nigeria rated the 21st worst country to do business in the world, even as she placed 39th among African countries listed in the report.

We are not surprised, even though embarrassed at the report. For long, Nigeria has become a byword for bureaucratic lethargy and overwhelming officialdom, which are responsible for the snail speed of doing business in the country. It is an open secret that in spite of the country’s huge natural and human resources, foreign investors have continued to avoid Nigeria. Reasons for keeping away are well known and they include overregulation, high taxes, lack of infrastructure, corruption

and unstable power supply.

It is a shame that in the 21st century, Nigeria’s physical infrastructure has remained a major drawback against new and growing businesses. Incidentally, the anaemic state of electricity supply in the country has forced the majority of businesses to rely on private generators for power. This has resulted in backup generators forming a key part of any business’s assets, at a significant additional operating cost.

There is no denying the fact that the cost of capital charged by Nigerian banks and investors is so high as to impede profitability.

This situation has made it impossible for small businesses to have access to loans and other financial instruments. We believe the World Bank report is a wake-up call for the Buhari administration to rein in the monsters frustrating business growth in Nigeria. It is imperative that the administration brings down those barriers, given that a major part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign centred on job creation, promoting development and fighting unemployment.

The government must therefore look into the issue of cumbersome regulation as they affect businesses.

Much as we believe that no modern economy can function without regulation, it is imperative that they are not held hostage to private interests and bureaucratic skullduggery.

If Nigeria is to become a modern developing country, the authorities must address the multitude of deficiencies highlighted in the World Bank report. Moreover, our public officials should understand that their role is to facilitate job creation through creating enabling environment for business to thrive.

Before the pro-Biafra protests go awry Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎFor

some time now, several cities in the South East and South South geo-political zones of the country has been rocked by pro-Biafra protests, eliciting varied reactions from stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

Except for one or two incidents, the protests carried out by the members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have been largely peaceful.

The protests were sparked off by the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra,

Nnamdi Kanu, by the Department of State Services (DSS) despite a court order that he be freed. He is accused of operating an illegal radio station, Radio Biafra, and using same to subvert the Nigerian state.

The Radio Biafra director’s continued detention appears to have been what emboldened the MASSOB and IPOB loyalists as they in addition to demanding his release added a separate Biafra republic as another demand.

Both demands have now brought the protesters on collision course with the Federal Government with President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday warning the agitators to have a rethink, saying the Federal Government would not fold

Words On Marble :

its hands and allow anyone plunge the country into crisis.

Also, the Nigerian Army recently warned in strong terms its resolve to resort to use of minimum force if called upon to do so.

Clearly, the Federal Government and the Military are duty bound to ensure maintenance of public order in any part of the country, including defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity. However, in doing this, there is need for caution in the use of force to confront the protesters who till date are not armed.

The protesters on their side should learn to express their grievance or disaffection using peaceful and democratic means since the government is not averse to such.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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

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

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

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

More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele Doyin Okupe ‘’It is for the court to decide whether a person is corrupt or not. Until a person is adjudicated corrupt by the court I don’t think anybody can be labelled as corrupt.’’

“Certainly, history will treat Goodluck Jonathan as one of the greatest heroes of this generation of African leaders; definitely not an error by any stretch of the imagination.”

Col. J.O.G. Achuzia (rtd) “A people must have a proper identity.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Fly Arik,

arrive with a

Special 9th Anniversary Give-Away From November 4 2015 to January 30, 2016 fly Arik Air and you could touch down at your destination with any of the incredible gifts on board; iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Beats By Dre headphones, laptops, cameras, 3D Smart TVs and 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema systems. #ArikCares

Nigeria and West Africa’s Leading Airline

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

5 News

Niger Delta is no conquered territory, Group tells Buhari Segun Adio

ÏÏÏFollowing

an emergency meeting of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) National Working Committee, the People of the Niger Delta have stated categorically that the Niger Delta is nobody’s conquered territory, whilst reiterating their solidarity with the best of the stated goals of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

In a statement, signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Uranta on Monday, UNDEDSS NWC resolved

that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), must put behind it the rancour of political campaigns, and should immediately start being perceived as truly open, more inclusive and more nationalistic in outlook, and less exclusive, sectional or partisan; “The FGN should urgently devise ways for it to begin to establish itself as more accessible, less militaristic, and more ready to deploy rule-of-law mechanisms to impartially interface with all persons or groups it perceives as being opposed to it;

“The Executive should show contrition for all its past recent acts of nonrespect for the Powers and Independence of the Legislative and Judicial Arms of the FGN, and, immediately cease the frighteningly increasing culture of impunity such as evidenced in its constant refusal to comply with orders on it by the Judiciary, and the Legislative and Judicial arms should reciprocate, all for the general good of the Nigerian citizenry; “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be very visibly

impartial, and must, in tandem with an impartial civil security structure, ensure that All future Elections be free of the kind of violence and shenanigans that threatened to mar the Kogi gubernatorial elections, and that seriously threaten to set the Niger Delta ablaze even in advance of the Bayelsa gubernatorial elections; “The FGN needs to know that should the Bayelsa gubernatorial elections be seen to not be truly free and fair (solely based on “One Person, One Vote!), UNDEDSS foresees a not-easily manageable breakdown of Law

and Order in the Niger Delta, that will do nobody well, especially with regard to Nigeria’s already-beleaguered Oil and Gas Economy; “The Fighting Forces of Nigeria must be expeditiously and comprehensively equipped with the best affordable material and training, regardless of source, must be shown its limitations in a democracy, and must cease to see itself as an instrument of internal coercion against Nigerian citizens, instead of being rightly identified and revered, by law-abiding citizens of this Democracy, as last-bastion defenders of the

Arrest, prosecution’ll discourage crime, police boss

Ex-Daily Times MD, Emmanuel Adagogo Jaja is dead ÏÏÏ

ÏÏÏAssistant

Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, Bala Hassan has said that certainty of arrest and prosecution of criminals in the country would discourage the perpetrators.

Hassan made the assertion on Monday in Lagos while speaking on the arrest of some armed robbers and measures put in place to secure the waterways and make the Yuletide crime-free. ``When there is certainty of arrest, prosecution and punishment, people will be deterred from committing crime. That is our philosophy. ``The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Solomon Arase, has also strengthened the legal department so that when we are constructing such cases, we will use our own lawyers. ``We have a superintendent of police who is in charge of the legal department. ``He is experienced to ensure that we appear in court at any given time the case is adjourned to and when we do that, criminals will not be let off the hook. ``We know the importance of such cases because if we do not prosecute diligently, they may be let off the hook. We must prove our cases beyond reasonable doubt”, he said.

nation’s integrity and space against armed incursions, insurrection, terrorism and the like; “The legitimate duties and responsibilities of the Civil Security Agents (including the Police, the Department of State Security [DSS] et al), must not be hijacked by any other agencies of the FGN (including the Armed Forces!) in controlling civil security flashpoints, including the monitoring, interfacing with, or control of non-armed persons or groups exercising their democratic Rights and Freedoms;

L-R: Deputy Director, (Dams), Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja, Mr. John Ochigbo; Deputy Director, Pollution Control, Oyo State, Mrs. Adebisi Akande; Managing Director/Chef CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NBP), Mr. Nicolas Vervelde; Keynote Speaker, Mr. Phillip Bankole; Guest Speaker, Dr. Grace Oloukoi; Representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. David Tommy and Technical Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Henk Wymenga at the Stakeholder Workshop on Water Stewardship in Nigeria organized by NBP and UNIDO held in Lagos… on Monday. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Ooni Ogunwusi crowned, concludes rites ÏÏÏThe

new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was on Monday crowned by the 201 deities in Ife land at Oke Ora, the spot where Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race first wore the crown.

The epoch-making event at Oke Ora, a community located between Ife and Osu town, took place around 1:00pm at Olokuta, a hill of about 50 feet high, when the crown was invoked by Olojudo of Oke Ora. Though newsmen were prevented from taking pictures of the scenes, but shortly after the crown was invoked out of the

hills, Oba Ogunwusi received and held it on the tip of his fist.

He later moved to a spot near the hill where another set of rituals were observed, after which he acknowledged some traditional rulers that accompanied him on the journey.

According to some traditionalists who accompanied the monarch, Oba Ogunwusi could not wear Are crown because it is worn once in a year during Olojo festival.

They added that the Are crown, which is also called Ade Oduduwa, had left Ife town on the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuade.

It was also learnt that an

Ooni is never crowned by any individual as the practice is in many Yoruba towns.

One of those who accompanied the monarch from Giesi Ruling House, who does not want to be named, told our correspondent that, the Are crown, at the demise of Ooni is kept by the 201 Ife deities and can only be released to another monarch succeeding the departed one.

As early as 5 am, the monarch began the rites that would last all day by wearing Seseefun crown, otherwise called Ade Obatala and began spot to spot rituals across Ife town.

The monarch, who was

dressed in all white lace material, was accompanied by members of Isoro cult, some Ife traditional high chiefs, and many indigenes of the town.

As the monarch and his party moved round to town, gun shots were fired amidst drumming and dancing by the people of the town.

At Walode compound, Oba Ogunwusi entered an old building and was received by some women and he spent few minutes there.

When he emerged from the building, a ram was slaughtered and the blood of the animal was sprinkled on the floor.

Emmanuel Adagogo Jaja, a former managing director of the Daily Times of Nigeria, has died aged 80. He was born on November 20, 1934.

Mr. Jaja was appointed Managing Director of the Daily Times of Nigeria in March 1980 after serving as Group Deputy Chief Executive and Acting Group Chief Executive during 1975 and 1976, after the Federal Government acquired 60% of its equity.

The late Jaja served in the above capacity until his retirement in 1984 and subsequent reappointment as Director on the Group Board of the Daily Times in January 1988 in recognition of his past services to the company.

Emmanuel Jaja was born in Opobo, a member of the King Jaja dynasty from Queen Osunju Jaja House Opobo Town. The son of Emmanuel Jaja and Hannah.

The late Adagogo

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

How we’ll conclude Kogi gov poll –INEC Continued from page 1 candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Captain Idris Wada (rtd) inconclusive.

The late Audu, a former governor of the state led Wada, who is the incumbent governor of the state, by 41, 353 votes.

INEC’s position was disclosed by its Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Dazang, however, said that the APC was yet to inform the commission of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, adding that the party has to “do

proper notification, and accompany it with the certificate of death issued by a medical doctor’’.

He said that INEC would apply relevant laws and make a pronouncement on its position on the election immediately it received official notification of Audu’s death from his political party.

He said that there were legal provisions to address such incidence in the country’s electoral process. ``When something like this happens, the party on which platform the candidate contested will need to notify the commission; of course, we have heard and read like everyone else

but we need to be notified. ``Once the commission is notified, it will look at relevant clauses of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and also the Constitution of APC itself. ``All these relevant laws will be looked at with a view to determine what to be done to ensure that whatever is done subsequently is done within the ambit of the law. ``INEC as a law-abiding body will do everything prescribed by the law. `` Thankfully we have a consortium of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) that provide counsel to the commission. We also have

a very vibrant legal service department, headed by a SAN,’’ Dazang said.

He said that before the report of the death of Audu, INEC, on the directive of its chairman, was already making provision for a supplementary election.

He said that the commission would follow the Constitution and not the opinion of people on the election, saying there were legal provisions for such incident.

Dazang assured that because of the urgency of the issues involved in the supplementary election, INEC would prepare itself to commence consultation.

Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Babatunde Savage (middle); Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ndegwa (left) and Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobolwale, at the company’s pre-Annual General Meeting conference held in Lagos… on Monday

According to him, INEC will not fold its arms in a very serious incident like this.

He expressed hope that the commission would come out with its position about the election before the end of the week, saying that the Electoral Act prescribed 14 days for the conduct of supplementary poll.

He declined comment on whether the commission would proceed with a supplementary election or conduct a fresh poll in Kogi State.

Dazang, however, said that whatever the situation would be, Kogi State election would not affect that of Bayelsa State as the commission had the capacity to handle the two elections. ``Assuming the two states’ elections coincide, the commission has the resource to conduct them.

Don’t forget we have conducted national elections before and we are just talking about election in two states,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the remains of late kogi State governor was on Monday laid to rest at 1.30pm at his country home in Ogbonicha.

The body of the late Audu was lowered to his grave after two rakat islamic rite amidst tears, wailing, as women were crying uncontrollably, saying their hope has been dimmed.

Aged 68, Audu was survived by a wife and many

children.

As early as 6.00 am sympathisers,friends political associates from far and near thronged the his residence to sympathise with his family.

At about 10 .00 am, there was mild drama and wild jubilation when the news of resurrection of the political icon rented air again.

The drama started when a 22-year-old lady self-acclaimed pastor came and told the security personnel that God sent her to pray for Audu, noting that he was not dead.

As soon the door of the house was opened for the self-acclaimed pastor, jubilation rented the air again and the entire premises was turned into a prayer ground for resurrection of Audu as both muslims, christians and traditionalists engaged themselves in series of prayers that lasted for two hours.

It was another jubilation when the lady pastor came out and told crowd that she had prayed and Audu was back alive, and the crowd were in happy mood again as the pastor was surrounded by admirers.

However, reality would soon done on the crowd when some Islamic cleric came with coffin and entire scenario changed and the sympathisers burst into tears.

Efforts to speak with dignitaries proved aborContinued on page 12

$2b arms deal: FG asks court to revoke Dasuki’s bail Continued from page 1 arms and money laundering, had had his Abuja residence besieged by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) since November 4, a day after he was permitted by the court to travel abroad for three weeks for medical care.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Diri, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister

of Justice at the resumed hearing on Monday also queried the absence of Dasuki in court.

According to the federal government application, which is seeking to revoke Dasuki’s bail pursuance to section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and inherent powers of the court, doing so would offer opportunity to question Dasuki in relation to fresh money charges which he has allegedly re-

fused to answer.

The defendant is undergoing investigation by the committee auditing procurement of arms/equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector from 2007 to date.

The government also said that its Interim Report indicated that the resources running into over Two Billion USD was allegedly embezzled and the investigation is unfolding further facts that require the presence of Dasuki to

assist in investigation.

More importantly, the federal government has ordered the arrest of all those indicted by the report including Dasuki based on the interim report.

Diri also stated that while the investigations of alleged money laundering are on-going there are fears the investigation might be tempered with if Dasuki travels abroad.

He said that ailment on the basis of which the

court released Dasuki’s passport can be treated at the National Hospital, Abuja and other teaching hospitals in Nigeria.

Diri also complained that for three consecutive sittings of the court on this criminal matter the accused (Dasuki) was not court. He wondered why he would be absence without specific court order.

In his response, counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Daudu (SAN) said he would argue their objection to the

federal government application first even as he insisted that the federal government shall not be granted audience until it purge itself of contempt.

He said there is explicit permission given to the accused by section 266 (d) of (ACJA) to be absent during the hearing of interlocutory matters.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned the matter to 26 and 27 November to take all pending applications and the trial.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

ÏÏÏGovernor Adams Oshiom- Audu’s death, rude

hole of Edo State has described the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 gubernatorial election in Kogi State as a rude shock.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the Governor said: “I received with shock, the sad news of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, candidate of our great party in the Kogi State gubernatorial election.

“I was with Prince Audu just a few days ago, at the mega rally

L-R: Prof. A.B.O Oyediran; Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo -Dosunmu; Rev. (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan during the prayer session for the late H.I.D Awolowo held at International Stadium Sagamu, Ogun State… on Monday. Photo: DAVID IDOWU

shock — Oshiomhole of our great party, where we marketed our party’s manifesto to the electorate and he looked hale and hearty as he dished out his plans to restore the glory of his state.

“His death, coming just as we were getting ready to celebrate his unassailable lead at the polls, is a sad reminder on the transience of life.

“There is no doubt that Kogi State has lost a gentleman, a certified performer whose legacies as a first-term Governor remain unmatched in the state.”

We collected N1m ransom from kidnapped boy’s father -Suspects Abiodun Taiwo

Abeokuta The four suspects who kidnapped a four-year-old boy, Steve Kanu, in Abeokuta, two weeks ago, have confessed that a ransom N1m was paid before the men of the Ogun State police command swooped on them at Nsukka, Enugu State and rescued the boy.

Steve was kidnapped at his parents’ home at Laderin Estate, Abeokuta, on Monday, November 2, and was rescued alive last Friday.

Dr. and Mrs. Mucipay Kanu, beamed with smile when they appeared with their son at the Ogun State police command headquarters, Eleweran, on Monday, when the suspects were paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali. The suspects were Kenechukwu Amoke (21), Anayo Amoke (35), Oluchi Asadu (20) and

ÏÏÏ

Aregbesola unveils N750m Wole Soyinka school ÏÏÏOsun

State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday, inaugurated a N750-million- worth Wole Soyinka Government High School, in Ejigbo.

It was the first of its category in the mega schools series under the education reform programme of his administration.

The Nobel Laureate described the school as an emphatic rejection of what Boko Haram insurgents preached, as he called a situation in which the country, till date, could not account for the missing Chibok girls as a shame.

The school is a 3,000-students capacity complex with 72 classrooms of 49 square-meters, each capable of sitting 49 students and has six offices for study groups.

It is also equipped with six laboratories, 18 toilets for ladies and 18

Maureen Uchenna (25).

Maureen, who was a staff nurse under in Dr Mucipay Kanu, for three and half years, but resigned in July this year, hatched the abduction with her boyfriend, Obinna Amoke, who is currently on the run.

The nurse said she regretted being part of the kidnapping ring.

"I learnt that Dr. Mucipay Kanu paid N1m ransom before the police detectives swooping on us at Nsukka in Enugu, and rescued the boy, and arrested two of us.

"I regret my action; it was my boyfriend who wanted to travel abroad and he wanted to pay my bride price that pressurised me into committing this crime.”

The commissioner while parading the suspected kidnappers said the manhunt for the kingpin Obinna was on, and he would definitely be arrested.

others for gentlemen, one science library, one Arts library, facility manager’s office, a bookshop and a sick bay.

Soyinka enjoined leaders in the country to ensure that children were brought up with a feeling that one religion was not superior to the other.

He stated that all hands must be on deck to see to it that children in schools were not differentiated along religious line for a better Nigeria.

Aregbesola

7 News

Buhari seeks review of Supreme Court powers Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏ

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, took a swipe on the judiciary, by that its reputation has been blemished by delays in the administration of justice.

He also said that the Supreme Court needed to be streamlined to enable it focus on constitutional issues, novel questions of law and current areas of its original jurisdiction.

He said the grounds for granting leave to appeal to the Supreme Court should also be reviewed while we discourage the practice of appealing interlocutory matters to Supreme Court.

Speaking through Vice- President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the opening of a week-long all Nigeria Judges’ Conference holding at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, said in his keynote address

that as an institution dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, the judiciary must go the extra mile to sanitise itself and improve its capacity to act independently, courageously.

“There is both local and international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. Delays in the trial process have damaged the international reputation of the Nigerian judiciary, even amongst its international peers” Buhari observed.

“Unfortunately, our justice system currently has a reputation for delays, usually occasioned by a combination of endless adjournments, incessant interlocutory applications and overwhelming caseloads” the President stated.

“This situation is a huge disincentive for businesses. It is not surprising, therefore, that Nigeria ranks near the bottom on the

ease of doing business index. We are currently ranked 143 out of 189 countries by the World Bank Group’s Enforcing Contracts Indicator.”

Citing an instance of condemnation of the judiciary Buhari noted that the World Bank had it that “it takes about 510 days on average to enforce a contract at the level of a court of first instance in Nigeria.

In Singapore, the top ranked country on the index, it takes 150 days on average to enforce a similar contract” “The ability to enforce contractual obligations and resolve disputes is an essential consideration for intending investors, both local and foreign, in deciding where to put their money.”

Buhari said that the issue of delayed trials had become so high in cases involving the affluent.

Rural electrification: NASENI offers new solution

Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏInadequate power supply in

Nigeria no doubt has assumed a worrisome dimension. Not only because sufficient power supply makes life comfortable for the citizenry, but constitutes a life-wire for any meaningful industrial advancement to take place in any nation, amongst other several benefits. Poised to be a major player in ensuring that the nation was taken out of darkness, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has developed a local power generator called Propeller Turbine technology.

A pilot of propeller turbines project produced by NASENI, tested and running is presently installed at Awara Dam, Ikare, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State and was

inaugurated at the weekend by the Executive Vice- Chairman/ Chief Executive, NASENI, Engr. Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna.

Propeller Turbine is not an imitation of any known technology anywhere in the world, but wholly a product of ingenuity of the crop of NASENI engineers at the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure – one of the agency’s development institutes.

Haruna, who led a team of Managing Directors/CEOs of nine (9) NASENI development institutes to the pilot project site, expressed delight in the commitment of the engineers, who worked on the project, noting that it was a rare commitment as they worked assiduously to ensure that the project was transmitted to fruition.

The idea behind Propeller Turbines technology model is

to improvise where there are no waterfalls. Haruna explained further that “even if you do not have heights, this technology enables water to be controlled through certain channels to propel the turbines that will generate energies, which will eventually be converted to power or electricity. It is a simple technology, easy to handle or maintain and it is appropriate for rural electrification or the actualisation of ‘operation light up rural communities’ project by the Federal Government”.

“The propeller technology can work wherever there is any type of water flowing from certain works, cooling systems in industries, steel rolling, wherever there are water-works conveyors, instead of recycling; it can generate power from there, so there are different ways the technology can be applied”, he explained.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Politics

Æs

Bayelsa election: Questions over eligibility of Sylva Barely two weeks to the Bayelsa State governorship election, fresh questions arenow being raised on the eligibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Timipre Silva.

Sylva was a former governor of the state between 2008 and 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Godspower Keku, the party contended that the inherent issues contained in the advertorial were subsisting and had cogent foundation to render Sylva’s candidature null and void Truth Movement of Nigeria had in the said advertorial signed by its Publicity Secretary, Fred Amakom, posited that though Timipre Sylva has been nominated as candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election but that he was ineligible on account of having been elected twice as governor in 2007 and 2008.

Citing constitutional and legal precedents to back its argument, the body noted that Sylva having been elected twice was no longer eligible to contest as doing so would be at variance with provisions of Section 182 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which states that “No person shall be qualified for election to the office of governor if “he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections”.

To do otherwise, it claimed, would amount to a breach of the constitution as Sylva would be serving more than the stipulated maximum of eight years in office.

Day Tejuosho accused Lagos speaker of victimisation Alade Tasma

Sylva It clarified any supposed ambiguity in the interpretation of this section of the constitution in relation to the state governors’ suit in the matter in 2007 in which Sylva was one of the respondents and that based on the Supreme Court judgement on the case, it was well established that all the governors including Sylva were deemed to have contested the re-run election and as such he had been

Dickson elected twice and no longer eligible to re-contest the third time.

“Chief Timipre Sylva has previously been elected twice as governor of Bayelsa State namely in 2007 and 2008. The 2007 election was nullified by the Court of Appeal and Chief Timipre Sylva contested and won the re-run election where upon he was elected the second time and served for about a cu-

mulative period of four years and seven months as the governor of Bayelsa State. He now seeks to be elected a third time as the governor of Bayelsa State in the said forthcoming elections.

“But the Supreme Court clearly recognised the earlier nullified election of Governor Timipre Sylva as having led to CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

A rankıng female member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adefunmılayo Tejuosho representıng Mushın constıtuency 01 has accused the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashıru Obasa of tryıng to vıctımıse her.

Tejuosho stated thıs on the floor of the House recently whıle rejectıng the chaırmanshıp of the House commıttee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC as announced by the Speaker.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashıru Obasa shortly before announcıng the names of the commıttees and theır chaırmen had appealed to members to see theır selectıon ınto the House and theır status ın varıous commıttees of the House as a prıvılege and therefore, be commıtted to theır legıslatıve assıgnments especıally theır oversıght functıons to justıfy the mandate gıven to them by theır respectıve constıtuents and subsequently went ahead to announce the commıttees and ıts chaırmen as follows: Selection Committee of the House to be chaired by Speaker Obasa Mudashiru Ajayi; Business Rules and Standing Orders chaired by Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade; Ethics, ProtoCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Biafra: Igbo control Nigeria’s business space- Olapade Agoro Dr. Olapade Agoro, former Presidential Candidate, National Action Council (NAC) has described the ongoing protests for a state of Biafra as the activity of pranksters saying Igbo currently control Nigeria’s business climate.

Kanu

Ojukwu

According to him, anybody with good common sense will be able to discern the current socio-economic developmental events today and will realise the fact that the Igbo are

not only there visible but just too good leaders in firm control of entire business climates of Nigeria particularly Lagos, the nation’s business nerve center and “as well sprawling all over Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, Ilesa, IleIfe et al.

“They are all over there as visible game masters dealing in common house hold daily needs marketing (i.e. electronics, shoes, clothing, food, furniture), the almighty oil and CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Tejuosho

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

9 Politics

When Tejuosho accused Lagos speaker of victimisation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

cols and Privileges to be chaired

by Rotimi Abiru; House Service to be chaired by Rasheed Makinde; Public Accounts (State) to be chaired by Moshood Oshun; Public Accounts (Local) to be chaired by Bisi Yusuff; Agriculture to be chaired by Kazeem Raheem; Economic Planning and Budget to be chaired

by Rotimi Olowo; Education to be chaired by Lanre Ogunyemi; Science and Technology to be chaired by Nurudeen Solaja; Establishment, Training and Pension to be chaired by Adedayo Famakinwa; Energy and Mineral Resources to be chaired

by Folajimi Mohammed; Waterfront Infrastructure Development to be chaired by Gbolahan Yishawu; Physical Planning and Urban Development to be chaired by Setonji Davide; Transportation to be chaired

by Fatai Mojeed; Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives to be chaired by Oladele Adekanye ; Women Affairs and Poverty alleviation to be chaired by Moji Lawal; Works and Infrastructure to be chaired by Tobun Abiodun; Wealth Creation and Employment to be chaired by Sola Giwa; Finance to be chaired

by Yinka Ogundimu; Health to be chaired by Segun Olulade; Home Affairs to be chaired by Olayiwola Olawale; Tourism, Arts and Culture to be chaired

by Desmond Olusola Elliot; Youths and Social Development to be chaired by Kasunmu Adedamola; Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions, LASIEC to be chaired by Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.

Lands to be chaired by Bayo Oshinowo; Housing to be chaired by Ibrahim Layode; Information and Strategy to be

chaired by Tunde Buraimoh; Central Business District to be chaired by Victor Akande; Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations to be chaired

by Sokunle Hakeem; Local Government and Community Affairs to be chaired by Kazeem Alimi.

Immedaıtely the Speaker rose and was takıng a walk out of the chamber havıng earlıer adjourned the sıttıng of the House, Tejuosho, ın a dramatıc manner attracted the attentıon of her colleagues when she rose to reject the chaırmanshıp of the commıttee.

She saıd: “Mr. Speaker, before you rıse, ı want to turn down the chaırmanshıp of the commıttee, I feel that there ıs no regards for me ın thıs House, ı wıll not be vıctımısed,” she protested as she walked out from the chamber.

A source close to the fourth term and former number two lawmaker ın the State however, claimed that what happened on the floor of the House regardıng the announcement of the commıttees by the Speaker was a delıberate attempt by the leadershıp of the House to harass, ıntımıdate and vıctımıse Tejuosho who was saıd to have had an understandıng earlıer wıth the leadershıp of the House that sınce Obasa, one of the three most senıor members has become the Speaker, the remaınıng two fourth term members, Tejuosho and Bayo Osınowo popularly known as ”Pepper” should retaın the chaırmanshıp of the commıttee they held ın the last Assembly.

It however, became shockıng and an embarrassment when ıt turned out that only Osınowo was made to retaın the land

Obasa

Tejuosho commıttee chaırmanshıp, the status he has been enjoyıng sınce he became member of the House ın 2003.

Speakıng to journalısts shortly after the drama, a member of the House who does not wısh to be named attrıbuted what happened to a fall out of the struggle to lead the 8th Assembly whıch began ımmedıately after the electıon ınto the House.

Tejuosho who was the chaırman Fınance commıttee ın the 7th Assembly along Obasa and fıve other members had aspıred to become the Speaker of the House ın the current Assembly before Obasa whose

aspıratıon to become the Speaker was spearheaded by Bayo Osınowo who ıs also being referred to as the ”JAGABAN” of the Lagos Assembly eventually emerged.

Obasa was alleged to have rewarded the lawmakers who supported hım durıng the struggle to lead the House wıth ”juıcy” commıttees at the expense of perceıved opponents.

The matter generated hot a argument and emotıonal outpourıng among the lawmakers at the next legıslatıve sıttıng of the House as members alleged that Tejuosho’s actıon ran foul of the rules and orders of

the House as well as brought the House ınto rıdıcule ın the face of the entıre world and thereby, deserved to be sanctıoned.

Some members however, pleaded with the House to be lenıent on the approach of the matter whıle askıng Tejuosho to appologıse for her ”unruly behavıour” to the House especıally to the Speaker.

Tejuosho ın her statement though apologısed to the House for the alleged ”unruly behavıour” but saıd has no apology for her convıctıon on the reason for turnıng down the chaırmanshıp of the commıttee announced by the Speaker.

Bayelsa election: Posers over eligibility of Sylva CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

his first election. Thus his success in this re-run election was obviously his second election and has thus barred him from contesting again having been previously elected twice”, it stated.

On this legal ground, therefore, the PDP scribe said in the statement that allowing Sylva to contest in the next election would be an assault on the constitution of the Federal repub-

lic and a clear impunity which he noted could create constitutional crisis.

Keku called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu to wade in urgently in order to ensure the sanctity of the constitution is protected and justice was done in the interest of the

nation.

“Democracy is founded on the rule of law and anything outside it is tantamount to impunity. This is why we believe resolutely that based on the Supreme Court judgment, Timipre Sylva is not eligible to run in this election and our convictions are already being shared by the public as this body’s penetrating insight into the matter vindicates our earlier position”, he stated.

Dickson

Sylva

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Biafra: Igbo already control Nigeria’s business space- Agoro CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

communication industries, hotel and hospital management, automobile business management, transportation in air, roads and seas management; music industry, and Nollywood, the entertainment industry, print and publishing industry and motor spare parts suppliers just to mention a few.

“These Igbo people, if real facts must be faced are just too good business gurus without set boundary limitation and it is to their credit that for now, there appears nothing they cannot do unless that of turning man to woman and or walking on the sea.

He said it is therefore bewildering to find some youthful pranksters mimicking the last ode of Biafra, dead and buried since 1970, adding that “Incidentally, the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu the great and colourful character that attempted seceding Biafra as a nation out of Nigeria (19671970) sooner than expected like a great leader retraced his way back, to end up an hero the type found only among the greats of the world.

“His widow Bianca at a time

not too long ago to be soon forgotten meritoriously served as an high caliber Nigerian Ambassador to an European country.

“It therefore brings to fore the need to ask the salient question the wise would be tempted to ask: why some Igbo rabble rouser youths, who knew nothing about the hell on earth, we, the elderly now in age group 60 and above went through between 1967-1970. Like hiding in damn hot caves and holes during the Nigeria- Biafra war, will just like prophet Ezekiel in the Holy Bible, like to see lives given back to dry bones when our world currently has more than enough problems than we can conveniently cope with.

He commended the intervention of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo saying “the nerve soothing intervention Chairmen, Forum of seven Igbo speaking states Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo –cultural organisation comprising highly respected Igbo elders who distanced themselves from the activities of dead Biafra State agitating pranksters”.

He added that this was not

Kanu

Ojukwu only enough a direction to peace and peaceful living among the well meaning nationalities of Nigeria, we all need now but was enough a signal that the mad dogs are on their own rampaging to self destruction.

He observed that though agitation by humans serving noble causes and particularly human rights causes pleading and pursuing is an opium in the life of a nation guided by rule of laws, he added that this “cannot be com-

pared to anything worth touching by those now engineering madness and attempting to uselessly to put flesh on dry bones that will at any rate end up in gamesmanship of running mad in the circle of low mentality”.

Tinubu: Audu’s death, a wrenching loss

Audu National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu as sorrowful and shocking saying he

Tinubu died before his time.

“This is a wrenching loss that saddens me greatly”, he said in a statement.

Full text of the statement reads: “Prince Audu’s death re-

minds us of our mortality. None of us are on this earth forever.

While here, we must make positive impact. We must strive towards good.

“I first knew Prince Audu

Abubakar roughly 30 years. He was a good friend. A good man.

Some may not have known this but Prince Audu was a renowned financial expert well known in banking circles before his entry into politics. From banking to politics, Prince Audu became a dominant feature of our national landscape. He was an industrious man and a determined, hardworking leader with few equals.

He was consummate in the art of politics. Yet, Audu was also dedicated to the betterment of his people. He was an honorary title holder of Lagos, honored by the late Oba of Lagos, Oba Oyekan.

“Very kind, generous and at ease with his friends and with the people, Audu wanted to make his state a better place. That was his driving concern. His people loved him because of this and he loved them in return. He was a man of great vision, committed to the Nigerian project and committed to the well-being of his people. He loved Kogi passionately.

“As was his character, Prince Audu gave his all during this

election campaign because he wanted to move Kogi to a better place.

His death is painful and has stunned us his friends, political associates and particularly his family.

“My heart reaches out to his loved ones. My prayers are with them. May God comfort them as only He can during this sad period. And may they take solace in the fact that Prince Audu was an outstanding figure and great leader of men. They have a right to be proud of who he was.

“We must serve his memory well by continuing to serve the people and by carrying on as he would want us to do. We celebrate his life and times. Both his deeds and dreams will outlive him no doubt.

“I sympathize with the people of Kogi State on the passing of their illustrious son, who was such a colorful and progressive politician. Whenever the history of Kogi politics, nay Nigerian politics, is written it will be remembered that a Prince of the Niger was once here”.

11 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Why royal fathers should not be partisan - Oba Adekanmbi He is a traditional ruler, a first Class Oba in Ifo Local Government, a member of Egba traditional council and also a member Ogun State council of Obas. His Royal Majesty Oba Nurudeen Adekanmbi Olubiyi II Olofin of Isheri in Awori, spoke with OGUNTADE ISMAILA on various issues concerning the state and nation. Excerpts: Sir, when did you mount the throne and how has it been today?

I ascended the throne when the instrument of appointment and staff of office was presented on 17th of April, 2004. Since I became the traditional ruler of this community everything has been going on smoothly and my ascendancy about 11years ago has no doubt brought in a breath of fresh air to the community. It is indeed a new dawn for the people of Isheri Adimula land. So, it is part of my effort to reposition the community and place it on the development.

What is your greatest challenge in overseeing your domain?

Well, as a matter of fact there is no way one will not encounter challenges in every area of life, but I thank God I can manage every challenges that comes to my way. Most times I have issues with some of my subject who believed that their major business is to criticise and antagonise my leadership, but I used wisdom and God intervention to handle every situation with the people of my community. And the government at that time has been supportive by considering some of our requests, if not all, at least we are able to get little out of our

requests aacepted.

What are those things the community lack and you want government to intervene?

Presently, as big as the town is, the community does not have a secondary school and access road right from Ibadan Expressway to the palace. We have sent our request severally to the government to assist on basic infrastructure on Education to prevent our children from going out of the community to school in other state, because having a secondary school will improve the standard of the community.

We are also using this medium to remind our amiable father, the governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun to please look into our problems and save our community from flood disasters.

How do you combine Christianity and Islam with your traditional practice?

Isheri Olofin is the source of Awori land, even in Lagos State.

We have Muslim, Christian and tradition practice. So, as far as am concerned, we live as family in the community. By birth, am a Muslim and I honoured invitations of any religion. So, as a Royal father, I belong to everybody for the peace and progress of our community and the na-

tion in general.

Many monarchs participated in Jonathan politics, was this right?

Anyway, I have not heard that.

It is forbidden for royal fathers to involve in partisan politics.

We are fathers of every political parties, though, party leaders may come with their candidates to the palace for blessing during electioneering campaign but that does mean we should descend so low and participate actively in politics. So, any monarch found in such act, is doing it at the detriment of his position. But when the winners emerged, then we continue to support the government of the day.

How do you address the issue of Coronet Obas in the traditional council that regards themselves as second Class Oba in their local government?

Yes, the coronet Obas were created under the law according to the Chief Judge of Ogun State and it is acceptable by people and the community. So, when they were installed, some of them decided to process it to be second class while some are not. It is a gradual process to attain the stage of the highest class of Oba.

Oba Adekanmbi

Bills: Lagos lawmakers on war path with Attorney General

Ambode

Alade Tasma Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem to appear before ıt. The summon was sequel to the let-

ter sıgned by the commıssıoner and forwarded to the Assembly orderıng the lawmakers to halt further actıon on number of bılls ınherıted from the last Assembly.

In the letter read on the floor of the House by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Ganıyu Abiru, the commissioner listed 15 Bills which the lawmakers should stay actıon.

The Speaker said that it was important to have a meeting with the Attorney General since he was new on the seat.

The commissioner’s letter was however, faulted by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who explaıned that the commıssıoner by the letter, had contradıcted hımself, havıng earlier forwarded a letter through the Clerk of the House calling on the Assembly to revive the pending Bills from the executive.

Agunbıade maıntaıned that the latest letter was contradictory to the first one and that it was wrong for the commissioner to have even called for the suspension of the bills.

“The call was unnecessary because there is room for the executive to make amendments ınto the bılls during public hearings that would be called by the House on the Bills. We cannot stop work on the bills as asked by the Attorney General. So I will suggest that we should continue working on them,” Agunbıade stated.

The posıtıon expressed by the majorıty leader enjoyed overwhelmıng support of the lawmakers who took turns to condemn the audacıty of the Attorney General as expressed ın the letter.

Contrıbutıng, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, condemned the process ad-

opted by the Attorney General sayıng ıt was wrong, adding that the lawmakers should be allowed to do their job wıthout any ınterference.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu representıng Etı-Osa constıtuency explaıned that the executive could forward any additions to the Bills to the House rather than calling for the suspension of works on them.

The Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, ın hıs contrıbutıons explaıned that each arm of government has its own responsibilities.

He emphasised that the making a law ıs a process, and that if the executive wanted to make any amend they could send it to the House during public hearings.

Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi who faulted the ınclussıon of Ibile Oil and Gas among the bılls sayıng

ıt has already been passed and sınce become law of the State, therefore, shouldn’t have been part of the bills suggested for suspension by the commissioner.

He explaıned that the Attorney General did not have the power to ask the Assembly to suspend actıon on the Bills and the fact that he had earlıer requested for the revival of the bills made the latest request unnecessary.

In his view, Hon. Moshood Oshun said government ıs a contınuum and that the letters were contradictory: “We should continue work on the bills. The letter is an insult to the House.

He does not have the power to write us such a letter. The Governor ought to sign such a letter, and the executive should wait for public hearings on the bills and come up with any amendment,” he maıntaıned.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

How we’ll conclude Kogi gov poll –INEC

Continued from page 6

tive as they looked confused over the untimely death of APC candidate.

Among the earlier callers were former governors, senators, APC stalwarts, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Senator George Akume, former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, former Niger State governor, Alhaji AbdulKadiri Kure, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Jibrin Usman, Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi.

Other dignitaries were

the National Chairman of the APC , Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Dino Melaye, former Acting governor of Kogi State, Clearence Olafemi, House of Representatives member representing Lokoja, Koton-Karfe constituency, Hon. Buba Jibrin, the son of immediate past governor, Mohammed Idris, who represents Ankpa/ Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Governor Idris Wada, who confirmed Audu’s death on Monday in a state-wide

broadcast also declared a seven-day mourning during which the national flag would fly at half mast and office activities scalled-down.

Wada condoled with the family and people of the state over the demise, describing the late Audu as a man of the people who laid solid foundation for the growth and development of the state.

He then declared Monday as public holiday to enable the people, especially the civil servants to attend the burial and pay their last respect.

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Tehran expressed shock over Audu’s death.

Buhari, who is attending the Third Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran, made his feeling known in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu. ``We are obviously devastated at the loss,’’ the statement quoted the President as saying.

He described the late Audu as a ``talented politician, a family loving head,

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (middle); President/CEO, ABB Group, Dr. Ulrich Spiesshofer (2nd left); Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi (left); Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander (2nd right) and Head, Africa Programme, Mr. Tobias Becker during the group’s visit to the National Assembly, Abuja… on Monday

immensely courageous and a respected community leader’’.

President Buhari condoled with the family of the late governor, the government and people of Kogi as well as all APC members, who stood with the deceased in his bid to return as governor.

The president noted that the deceased ran as the favourite in the election as the early results had clearly indicated.

He, therefore, prayed to Allah to repose the soul of the deceased and to give his family, the people of Kogi State as well as the APC members across the country the fortitude to bear this loss.

The Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also on Monday described as painful and shocking, the demise of the former Kogi State governor.

Saraki said the late politician died a dogged and visionary leader.

The Senate President in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed deep sadness on the news of Audu’s death and hence condoled with the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Kogi State, national and state executives as well as members of the APC over the irreparable loss.

Saraki said: “He was selfless, steadfast and pa-

triotic in his services to the people of Kogi State and beyond. He was a visionary and patriotic party faithful. All his life time, he lived for the people.

“His death is extremely painful but we cannot question the will of the Almighty Allah in the present sorrowful circumstances.

In the same vein, the All Progressives Congress Governors Forum has described Audu’s death as one of the most tragic anti-climax in contemporary Nigerian politics.

A statement signed by the chairman of the forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, made available to newmen on Monday said: “It is with great shock that we received the news of of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Kogi State governorship election that took place on November 21, 2015. The death of Prince Audu Abubakar is indeed one of the most tragic anti-climax in contemporary Nigerian politics.

Also, a chieftain of APC and former Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has described the demise of the former Kogi State governor as a great loss to the party, the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Biafra: FG secures order to detain Kanu for 90 days From Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

A Wuse Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja heard on Monday that the Federal Government had through the Department of the State Security Service (DSSS) obtained an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja to detain Mr Nnamdi Kanu, sponsor of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for another 90 days.

The 90 days was granted the security agency on November 10, by Justice Adeniyi Ademola via an ex-

parte application to enable investigation into the allegation of acts of terrorism and terrorism financing levelled against Kanu.

Counsel to the DSS Mr Moses Idakwo disclosed this at the resumed trial of Kanu yesterday in Abuja before Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman.

The counsel also urged the Chief Magistrate to discontinue the charges of criminal conspiracy and belonging to unlawful society filed against him at the Magistrate.

The suspect, who was in court in compliance with last week order of

the Chief Magistrate that he must be brought to court, was accompanied by heavy security escort.

Counsel to the accused person, Mr. Vincent Egechukwu Obeta vehemently opposed the application to discontinued the trial before the magistrate.

According to Obeta, the bail granted the suspect on 19th October that was perfected on 20th October despite its stringent conditions had not been obeyed as the authorities refused to release him.

The defense counsel said that the DSS also refused to comply with the

chief Magistrate’s order which transferred Kanu from DSS custody to the Kuje prison.

He insisted that the bail earlier granted the accused person must be first complied with before any application for transfer of the case to a federal high court can be entertained.

Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman has reserved ruling on the discontinuance application till December 1, 2015.

The Magistrate Court had last week ordered the Department of the State Security Service (DSSS) to produce the leader of

the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu unfailingly before the court on Monday to answer criminal charges brought against him by the federal government.

Chief Magistrate Shuaib Usman gave the order following the absence of the accused in court when the trial was to commence.

Kanu is standing trial on criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society and criminal intimidation contrary to Section 97, 97B and 397 of the penal code.

According to First Information Report, Kanu

was accused of forming an unlawful society with the purpose of bringing into being a Republic of Biafra.

He was alleged to have proclaimed himself as the leader of the Republic of Biafra and established a Radio of Biafra.

Kanu was also alleged to have appointed himself Commander of the Loyal Forces of Biafra and was broadcasting to the whole world the dire consequences of the government and people of Nigeria will surfer should they attempt hinder the actualization of the Republic of Biafra.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday November 24, 2015

Mali mourns after 19 killed in hotel attack

ÏÏÏMali

began three days of mourning Monday for the victims of Friday's attack on a luxury hotel in its capital, Bamako, that killed 19 people.

Neighboring Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea are also observing mourning periods.

Two gunmen were killed and Malian authorities are searching for at least three suspects they believe are connected to the attack.

A police official said investigators are following several leads in the case and have recovered evidence in the hotel from the more than seven-hour siege.

A representative from northern Mali separatist groups said the assault on the hotel was an attempt to derail its fragile peace accord signed in June with the Bamako government. The hotel where the attack occurred was preparing to host the latest meeting on implementing the pact.

Two West African militant groups - al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and its affiliate El Mourabitoune - claimed joint responsibility for the attack. A U.S. defense official called AQIM the "leading suspect" in the assault.

Several Malians were among those killed. Six Russians, three Chinese, two Belgians, a Senega-

6 Sudanese found dead near EgyptIsrael border

ÏÏÏThe bodies of

Soldiers from the presidential guard patrol outside the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali, in anticipation of the president's visit, Nov. 21, 2015.

lese, an Israeli and an American were also victims. The American has been identified as international aid worker Anita Datar.

U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the attack, calling it "appalling" and vowing a "relentless" pursuit of the killers.

Speaking at a summit of regional leaders in Malaysia, Obama said

the attack will only stiffen U.S. resolve to combat terrorism.

In remarks broadcast on state television, Mali President Keita said his government will do everything it can "to eradicate terrorism in Mali."

Keita visited the scene of the attack Saturday and told reporters that Mali cares about people’s lives

and “will do everything we can to protect them but everybody also has to be watchful."

“We care about your lives and will do everything we can to protect them but everybody also has to be watchful. I wanted to convey to you my esteem and regards and that's why I stopped here to talk to you," he said.

300 arrested in Paris since attacks

Burundi denies gun battle near Presidential Palace

ÏÏÏFrench security forces have

dian President Pierre Nkurunziza has denied media reports there were overnight shootings near the presidential palace in the capital, Bujumbura.

Media reports quoted residents as saying five people were killed following a gun battle near the presidential palace late Saturday.

But senior presidential adviser Willy Nyamitwe says insurgents aiming to create chaos have been engaging in gun fights at night and then spread rumors of the country’s political crisis on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

“We are dealing with a lot of [untruths] that are being spread through social media. But near the palace nothing happened.

Three or four days back, a small shell was dropped, but since it was during the night, it sounded like it was near, so this is what people are trying to sell,” said Nyamitwe. "The insurgents in Burundi [have] adopted a new strategy and that is to shoot during the night so that ambassadors and journalists who are staying only in Bujumbura can think all [of] Burundi is on fire.

Bujumbura is a small city, so

made nearly 300 arrests in the Paris region since the attacks of November 13, police chief Michel Cadot said on Monday.

A total of 298 people have been placed in administrative detention, as well as 71 people under house arrest, Cadot said.

He added there were 10 200 police and 6 400 soldiers deployed across the region that includes the capital, prioritising stations, airports, large public spaces, government buildings, cultural sites, media companies and hospitals.

"The threat level remains raised," said Cadot.

"We see a number of messages from Daesh [an alternative name for ISIS] being broadcast on the Internet and which clearly target France."

He said there had been a small number of racist or anti-Islamic attacks, but praised the largely "responsible and Republican" response of the French public.

Under the heightened security alert, schoolchildren will not be allowed to take part in the UN climate conference which starts next week just outside Paris, he added.

13 Africa

ÏÏÏA senior advisor to Burun-

shooting over the night makes a very heavy noise.”

Burundians expressed concern about growing violence following the decision of Nkurunziza to seek another term.

The opposition and civil society groups accused Nkurunziza of violating the constitution as well as an accord signed in Arusha, Tanzania that ended Burundi's civil war.

Nyamitwe says in an effort to reduce the violence security agencies, including the police, have been peacefully disarming people who possess illegal weapons, despite concerns the move could worsen the crisis.

“The disarmament process is going on, so far it has been successful. People were spreading rumors that the government is going to bring [about] genocide or mass killing if the police go to disarm civilians, but so far everything is going smoothly. The government, the police and the local administration, and some civil society members as well as observers from the African Union are going to those neighborhoods to disarm the civilians,” said Nyamitwe. "Some civilians prefer to throw their weapons in the streets and they run away. What

is important in our country is to get all these weapons that are killing innocent people ... And the government can assure the international community that everything is done professionally, and we do hope that this crisis is going to end.”

Meanwhile, civil society groups say the government is violating the constitution by clamping down on their activities. They say the administration has frozen their bank accounts, after accusing them of being part of a May attempt to overthrow the government. The groups deny the charges.

Nkurunziza

six Sudanese migrants who had been shot dead were found in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula near the Israeli border on Monday, security and health officials said. Eleven Sudanese were also wounded by gunshots as the group attempted to reach Israel, officials said. The circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear. The Sinai Peninsula, where Egyptian authorities are battling a jihadist insurgency, is a major route for African migrants trying to reach Israel.

On November 15, the bodies of 15 African migrants were found near the Israeli border after they were shot dead.

Egypt border police often shot dead and wounded migrants at the border as they tried to cross into Israel between 2009 and 2011.

The northern part of the peninsula has been the stronghold of a jihadist insurgency since the military overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Hollande, Obama to focus on IS, Syria ÏÏÏFrench President Francois

Hollande will meet Tuesday with U.S. President Barack Obama as part of a multi-nation tour seeking to spur action against Islamic State militants and push for a political settlement to Syria's civil war.

The White House said the two leaders will discuss "further cooperation" as part of the U.S.-led coalition that has been conducting airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria for more than a year.

French warplanes have been part of that effort, and officials told Reuters the desire for greater action does not include expanding the operation to include ground troops into Syria. Hollande said Monday his military will "intensify" its Syria strikes.

France sponsored a U.N. Security Council resolution passed last week that urges all able countries to work to "prevent and suppress terrorist acts" by Islamic State and other groups, and to "eradicate the safe haven" they have carved out in eastern Syria and northern and western sections of Iraq.

The measure, which condemns Islamic State attacks this year in France, Egypt, Tunisia and Lebanon, says the militants represent a "global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security."

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

CDS tasks military on Plateau crisis

…Warns personnel on taking sides in conflicts Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe Chief

of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, has admonished members of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), deployed to restore peace on the Plateau to adhere strictly to the Rules of Engagement and not to take sides when combating conflicts.

He stated this while on an operational visit to the Operation Safe Haven Headquarters in Jos recently.

Said he: "You cannot do too much but you can do very little with great impact to achieve lasting peace", stressing further that troops presently taking part in internal security across the country need to be neutral when dealing

with factions involved in conflicts.

While charging troops to work within the rules of engagement, code of conduct and the standard operational procedures, he said "don’t take sides with any faction, be a mediator, if you have to bring them to a round table for dialogue, make sure you do that and if by the rules of engagement and code of conduct, you have to apply force, then apply the relevant and minimum force to ensure that you bring the warring factions into peace".

While answering questions from Journalists on the issue of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, the Army Chief said, the military are moving to ensure that they wrapped up the operations on Boko Haram terrorists,

maintaining that the December deadline by the Presidency is realisable.

In his words: The Nigerian Army is working assiduously to ensure that we comply with the Presidential directives on the operation against Boko Haram. Our troops have taking over the areas that were initially taking by the Boko Haram terrorists and we are moving to ensure that we wrap up the operation soonest".

The CDS, however, stated that he appreciated the initiatives put in place by the OPSH Commander, Major-Gen. Tagbo Ude, for his peace initiative in the state, stressing that if the application is sustained, the desired peace that Plateau has long yearned for, will in no doubt return to the state.

'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏA federal lawmaker, repre-

senting Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, vying for the governorship seat has promised to rebuild the state through industrialisation.

Ayorinde, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the promise on Monday at a press conference to herald his political campaign, in Akure, the state capital, He said his desire was to see every local government areas of the state witnessing industrial growth that would provide jobs

Bills: Lagos lawmakers condemn AG’s affront Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏLagos L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Chellarams Plc, Mr. Aditya Chellaram; Founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos and Music Director, SPAN, Mr. Bright Gain, during the grand finale of SPANFEST 2015 held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos… on Sunday

State House of Assembly, has summoned the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem to appear before it. The summon was sequence to the letter signed by the commissioner and forwarded to the Assembly ordering the lawmakers to halt further action on number of bills inherited from the last Assembly.

In the letter read on the floor of the House by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru, the commissioner listed 15 Bills to which the lawmakers should stay actıon.

The Speaker said that it was important to have a meeting with the Attorney General since he was

Ogun names estate, school after HID Awolowo

SITEI to sustain extractive industries

Abiodun Taiwo

Mathew Dadiya

Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe Ogun State government,

on Monday, named the Plainfields Estate, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and the yet-to-be completed government-owned Model School in Ikenne after the late Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

The estate and the model school named after the late matriarch, are part of the projects embarked upon by the current administration in the state in the past four years.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun announced the decision of the state government at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, venue of one of the programmes specially designed and lined up for the funeral of the late HID Awolowo.

Also, former Head of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan,

has described HID Awolowo as a virtuous woman, while quoting from Proverbs 12:4, to describe her husband.

"She a great pillar of support to her husband, especially during his political travails," Shonekan said.

Amosun in his keynote address at the programme tagged "Ogun Celebrates HID Awolowo" said that naming the two projects after the late matriarch was part of the moves to immortalise her.

The governor said that the two projects named after her would preserve the memories of the late matriarch of the Awolowo family.

"The state Exco met today and we agreed we'll name some projects after Mama; the ones that will be lasting," Amosun said.

He described the late Mama Awolowo as a rare gem who played a vital role in the stability of the Awolowo family and Yorubaland

Speaking in the same vein, a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, noted that Yorubaland and Nigeria at large would miss her greatly.

Also, the former military administrator of Ekiti State, General Adetunji Olurin (retd) said that the free education policy initiated by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1955, enabled poor Nigerians to have access to basic education.

Olurin, however, noted that the support and backing given the late sage by his wife, HID Awolowo contributed greatly to the success of his programmes.

He further described her as "a strong housewife, a diligent supporter of her husband. Our Mama was a very strong-hearted woman; very dedicated to the society and her community."

Abuja

ÏÏÏMinister of

State for Solid Minerals, Abubakar Bawa Bwari has said that over the years, SITEI has provided a platform for progressive thinkers and thought leaders to discuss pertinent issues that affect the extractive industries in Nigeria and ultimately, the economy.

Bwari, noted that this year was no different as key stakeholders came together to discuss the boundless, yet untapped potential that evidently lies fallow in these industries, especially with regard to Nigeria’s abundance mineral resources.

The event, held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, was organised by CSR-in-Action, Nigeria’s premier business and ethical networking platform and consultancy

I'll Industrialised Ondo – APC guber aspitant for the unemployed persons.

The governorship aspirant noted that under his watch, if given the mandate to serve the people of the state, his government shall build infrastructure that would benefit the status of the oil producing state.

"My core programme is industrialisation. Every local government shall witness industrial growth that will provide jobs not only for our people, but also to attract foreigners" Ayorinde said. new on the seat.

The commissioner's letter was however, faulted by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who explained that the commissioner by the letter, had contradicted himself, having earlier forwarded a letter through the Clerk of the House calling on the Assembly to revive the pending Bills from the executive.

Agunbıade maıntained that the latest letter was a contradictory of the first one and that it was wrong for the commissioner to have even called for the suspension of the bills.

"The call was unnecessary because there is room for the executive to make amendments into the bills during public hearings that would be called by the House on the Bills. We cannot stop work on the bills as asked by the Attorney General. So I will suggest that we should continue working on them," Agunbıade stated. for sustainability, in partnership with the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) - the Nigerian government chapter of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

It was a convergence of national leaders, public sector officials, industry captains from the private sector, and civil society representatives at the 4th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) conference.

He said the conference would proffer actionable solutions in line with the theme, “Unlocking the Hidden Potential in the Extractive Industries”.

Bwari

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

15 Opinion

Detention without trial incompatible with democracy

N

E.O. EKE

namdi Kanu continued to languish in a Nigerian jail, without being arraigned with the charges against him. Meanwhile, the death toll from social unrest his arrest ignited continues to rise worsening the political dynamics of Nigeria.

The security agencies are killing unarmed Biafra protesters and, this is a crime against humanity. There can be no justification for firing at unarmed people protesting peacefully.

The bedrock of any true democracy is respect for due process and the rule of law. Once these are undermined, no matter the reason, the country is on one way to anarchy and cannot claim to be a true democracy.

No developed country can sleep right; when it has people in detention without trial, and it’s security agencies kill in cold blood and act with impunity. This is why, Guantanamo prison and rendition has been such hot political issues in the United States.

Sadly, Nigeria continues in the league of countries that are reticent about human rights, liberty and the rule of law. Such countries argue that liberty is relative and find reasons to imprison people without

trial.

However, as the closing of Guantanamo prison has shown that there cannot be any acceptable reason to deprive a human being of his liberty without trial. This is tyranny at its worst order.

Liberty is important because it underpins human development. When King George III was asked why America was such a great success within a short time. He said it was due to Liberty. He said that when people are free they work harder, earn more and innovate, which makes them wealthier and able to save and invest.

There is no way a man whose liberty has been taken away can think beyond freedom. A slave thinks of freedom. A rich man thinks of his money and free men think of how to change the world while marginalised people fight for justice Biafra is a problem that will never go away. No people can be expected to accept injustice forever. Injustice, as the book of proverbs says makes a man mad. A time comes when a people must fight for justice or nothing else. At that point, they are ready to accept death, rather than life of servitude.

I suppose a significant percentage of Igbos and other Nigerians have come to that point and Nnamdi Kanu is one of them. This is why the

Nigerian government must do more than sending soldiers and police men to shot unarmed protesters and locking up those who have the courage to speak out.

I know Nnamdi Kanu. We met after Boko Haram started killing Igbos in northern Nigeria and organised a protest in London. He was further enraged by the failure of Igbo leadership to respond appropriately. This led to a conviction that he needed a means to communicate directly and Radio Biafra was the answer. In essence, poverty of leadership in Igbo land, discrimination and marginalisation of Igbos and the continued pogrom against Igbos in Nigeria are the reasons for the position he has taken and what he is doing with Radio Biafra.

Even though I condemn his method, I believe and share the justice of the struggle.

It would be a monumental mistake and missed opportunity for the federal government to think that because Igbo leaders are afraid to stand up that it can crush the agitation without addressing the reasons that informs it.

If the federal government fails to address the Biafra issue with the honesty and seriousness it deserves, soon, for every day Nnamdi Kanu spends in detention, 1000, more Igbos will lose faith in Nigeria and see

Biafra as the “Promise Land”. The longer it goes on, the more attitudes harden and peace becomes more elusive, making separation inevitable.

It is for the Federal government of Nigeria, which is solely responsible for the marginalisation of Igbos to show leadership, by releasing Nnamdi Kanu.

What the world would support are those who wish to exhaust existing democratic option to achieve the best possible good government and autonomy, which enhances peaceful coexistence.

Scots and Catalonians are leading the way in how to exploit existing democratic dispensations to achieve devolution and possible independence. To ignore them is either naivety or ignorance.

I have no doubt in my mind that Igbos and Nigeria government should consider either the Scottish devolution option or any other option that gives degree of autonomy for Igbo land. I believe the British government would be willing to help Nigeria achieve a functional degree of devolution that would guarantee peaceful coexistence.

Nnamdi Kanu is a prisoner of conscience and the federal government of Nigeria should release him and address the injustice that compels him and many others who cry for justice.

Buhari as Minister of Petroleum and unanswered questions

A First Baba Isa

few days ago, I wrote on the unconstitutionality of the proposed move by the President to have ministers without portfolios. In that piece I pointed out strongly the fact that the President is surrounded with lawyers and they cannot afford to allow him commit such grave constitutional and political errors.

Therefore, when on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Buhari swore in 36 Ministers and gave all of them portfolios, many people were surprised but I was not. Buhari is a shrewd tactician and I believe he should know the consequences of such a proposed action. I am glad he heeded the voice of reason and the constitution.

Many people are already voicing concerns about having a President who says one thing and does the other. I agree that this sort of prevarication is not presidential. I think we have got a President who is not afraid of turning back when he finds out he is on the wrong path.

Many leaders will be too proud to make a public statement and go back. However, as earlier noted, the concern of those who think the

President prevaricates is justified.

We do not want to have a President who looks to the whole world as if he talks before he thinks.

One day the President says he will have ministers without portfolios and the following day he swears in ministers and assigns all of them portfolios.

The issue is we should have a president who means what he says and says what he means. We do not want the President talking and people go like “Are you sure?” “Just leave him alone, he will do something else later.” I cannot pretend I want a president who speaks before he thinks.

In fact, this presidential word and action tug of war is generating a lot of debate and confusion as it concerns the Petroleum Ministry right now. First Buhari says he will head the ministry; he later recanted and then he inaugurated the cabinet without a Petroleum Minister but he appointed a Minster of State for Petroleum Resources, which is a deputy minister.

So, is the President right now the substantive Minster of Petroleum Resources? If yes, is this constitutional? Can a president double as a substantive minister? Let us turn

to the constitution to answer these questions.

Section 147(1) of the 1999 constitution says, “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.”

This section begins with a “Shall” and ended with a “May”. That is to say, it mandates the President to establish offices of Ministers of the Federal Government but the number of such offices is left to the discretion of the President. In other words, we must have ministers and ministries but the numbers of ministries (offices of ministers) are left to the President to determine.

Section 147(3) has already mandated the President to nominate at least one Minister from each of the 36 States of the Federation; so, he very well has no choice in that.

Whether he decides to have five ministries or offices of Ministers, which he has powers to determine, he must have 36 ministers.

Section 148(1) empowers the president to give any office, ministry or portfolio to a minister as he likes or deem fit. In other words this section is saying that the President has the discretionary powers to say Minister “A” should be the Minis-

ter of Defense while Minister “B” should be the Minister of Agriculture. The framers of the constitutional, surely, did not envisage any president using this power to make himself a substantive minister.

So these sections clearly debunk the claim held by some persons that the President can decide to have ministries/ministers or not. The President lacks such powers. He only has powers to determine the number of ministries and which minister heads any particular ministry.

Section 138 says “The President shall not, during his tenure of office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.” Being a minister is clearly an executive office and a paid employment.

I therefore submit that it is unconstitutional for the president to double as a substantive minister of any government ministry.

For a political party that rode to Aso Rock on the promise of diversifying the economy and doing things differently, shouldn’t the President be paying closer attention to the ministry of Agriculture?

Why should a particular ministry be even more important?

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

IPOB protest paralyses activities in Onitsha Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka

ÎÎÎThe

protest by the members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Monday, paralysed activities in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The army of protesters with their banners and placards marched on the ever busy Onitsha-Enugu expressway for over two hours.

They were protesting against the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.

Though, they were peaceful and non-violence, in their agitation for the actualisation of Biafra, and the release of Kanu, they dared the military, the police, and other security out fits.

The IPOB members marched from Niger Bridge Head entry into Anambra State, where the plaque of former Biafran warlord, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was built, to Naval Outpost, Atani Road Ogbaru Local Government Area.

They also, went back to Uga Junction, where they again joined the Onitsha, Asaba-Enugu expressway, down to Upper Iweka flyover.

At the Upper Iweka flyover bridge, they danced for about 30 minutes and prevented vehicular movement before their leaders directed that they should allow the vehicles to move, but slowly.

Some of the placards had inscriptions as “Nigeria is a lawless land, and a terror-

ist state,” “Biafra is a nation not a society,” “Free innocent man, Nnamdi Kanu or there will be no peace”, among others.

On their march towards Zik Roundabout, they stopped in front of the Onitsha Military Cantonment on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway, danced, chanting anti-Federal and Anambra State Government and Military songs, demanding the release of Kanu.

Furthermore, they warned that if anything happened to him, they would make Nigeria ungovernable, before they left for Zik Roundabout.

The group also stopped at Inosi Onira, the home of First president of Nigeria, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, to pay homage to Zik’s plaque built at the

roundabout, and addressed reporters.

According to the group’s spokesmen, who gave their names as Emma Powerful and Sunday Igbokenyi, from Okija, IPOB wondered why Kanu should still be in detention after the court had granted him bail.

They alleged that a ban had been place on all the imported goods the Igbo were major importers so as to humiliate them.

They added that IPOB was a non-violent group and its members should not be treated like criminals, when Federal Government was petting the Boko Haram members.

Igbokenyi said that the people, who claimed to be leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo branches in the Igbo-speak-

ing states, were political jobbers, who had been benefiting from contracts and settlements from the Federal and State governments.

IPOB insisted that such people could not represent Ndigbo with their comments.

According to them, “whether the Ohaneze Ndigbo, South East Governors and Igbo traditional rulers and prominent Igbo who talk from both sides of the mouth are castigating and calling them names or not, we are determined to achieve our objectives” The IPOB members took their protest to Ogbunike Toll Gate from where they turned and marched to Awka Road and Old Market Roads in Onitsha where they stopped vehicular movement.

Fibroid, cancer hospital unveiled in Lagos ÎÎÎSuccour has come to

Nigerians suffering from fibroid and women with breast cancer as a specialist hospital that will take good care of such ailments within short period has been commissioned in Lagos.

The hospital, CEDARCREST Medical Centre, established in 2008, in Abuja, with records of curing ailments and successful surgical operations, has now debuted in Lagos, with modern equipment and competent medical personnel to address the dreaded ailments at fairly affordable cost.

Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Felix Ogedegbe, told journalists, in Ikeja, that patients with fibroid could now be cured with a special needle within a month without travelling abroad.

He emphasised that the needle would be inserted into the patient body and the special fluid in it would tour all the body and kill all the virus without taking any other drug.

Greenworld to reward outstanding workers Mrs. Fatima Bamigbetan, representative of the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd right); Mrs Theresa Ibas, National President, Naval Officers’ Wives Association (2nd right); Rear Admiral A.A Osinowo, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command (left) and Mrs Vivian Ezeoba, a former President of NOWA, during the association’s 50th anniversary programme tagged ‘A Day with Widows and Orphans’, at NNS QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos... on Monday.

Nigeria ready to lead Africa in aviation, says Amaechi Idu Jude Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government of Nigeria, on Monday, reiterated the need to play brotherly a role among all Africans to help build the sub-region economically.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, made this known, while receiving a member of the World Meteorological Organisation Mr. Roberts O. Masters, who paid him a courtesy visit, on behalf of the world agency, to ascertain the position the Fed-

eral Government on citing the African version of the World Meteorological Organisation in the country.

While responding to the request made by the visitor, Amaechi, pledged the Federal Government’s readiness to play a leading role in Africa, stating that Africa was actually lucky to have a country like Nigeria in the region.

His words: “I am actually happy to see you make this visit in having the Nigerian Government’s consent in vying for this office. I know, as much as you do, that this

country is playing a leading role across all sectors, in Africa, and I am assuring you that this will not be left out.

I am going to present this issue before the Federal Government and to ensure that such office is cited here.

The Director General, National Meteorological Agency, Dr. Chijioke Anthony Anuforo, pointed out the importance of the WMO office being sighted in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria having attained the International Standard Organisation (ISO) certification, that she stood a better chance

of getting the office ahead of other African countries, who have declared interest in having the office.

According to Anuforo, there were other benefits, like educational opportunities, such aviation schools, facilities, creation of employments for Nigerians, as well as playing hosts to other African nations, which would be a major boost to the country’s aviation industry and the economy in general.

Anuforo said that Masters’ visit would be followed by the WMO inspection

team that would soon be in the country to inspect the level of internet provision, road network, land mass and electricity provision.

Amaechi

Remi Oladoye, Ibadan

ÎÎÎThe management of

Greenworld a multinational organisation that manufactures food supplements and drug will reward its outstanding workers in Nigeria.

Items to be distributed on the occasion, scheduled for November 28, 2015, at the University of Ibadan, includes cars, international trip tickets and many others According to a release signed by the South West Co-ordinator of the organisation Mr. Joseph Opaleye, the company’s President, Demming Lee, and VicePresident, Mr. David L. Zhang, would also be around to interact with members of the public.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

17

Business Æ s FG pledges 100% digitised TV penetration by 2016

Tony Nwakaegho Federal Government has pledged to ensure strict adherence to the plans for 100 per cent digital television penetration by 2016.

President Mohammadu Buhari made the pledge at the 35th anniversary of the Silverbird Group in Lagos on Sunday, adding that Nigeria will be the biggest nation in Africa with digital stations by the next five

years.

President Buhuri who was represented by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of Information said the present administration was committed to building a vibrant media industry and would use digital switch to diversify the provision of channels and local content for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“It will not be an exaggeration to describe Silverbird as an iconic company in our media and entertainment industry going by what it

has achieved in the last 35 years” he added.

He said Silverbird has keyed into an important aspect of the government’s agenda of creating jobs especially for Nigeria’s increasing youth population, thus helping to minimize crime and enhance security.

“We are still counting on a stronger cooperation with this company, the entire media industry and this government, to ensure attitudinal change among Nigerians to fight

terrorism and corruption” he declared.

According to Buhari’s projections Sub-Sahara Africa will have 46.46 million primary digital television homes by 2020 with Nigeria to be the largest nation on the continent with an estimated 9.7 million users.

Silverbird established in 1980 is a multimedia agency dedicated to holdings in radio, television, cinemas and real estate.

Cross River woos investors …promises new innovations in Carnival Calabar 2015

Friday Atufe Cross River State Government is wooing investors both local and foreign into the state to unlock the vast potentials inherent in the state.

Some of the projects that the new administration in the state is putting forward are six-lane super highway, modular refinery, cement factory, agriculture, among others.

The governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade told members of the Nigerian business community in Lagos yesterday to support him to move the state forward particularly now that his government is committed to the realization of the dredging of a deep sea port as well as the construction of a six-lane highway to enhance evacuation of goods from the sea port when completed.

The governor said from the outcome of the foreign road shows he made, the state has got significant number of investors who are interested in investing the sea port, adding Ayade who said the future of Nigeria is in Cross River state, said a consortium of investors, Broad Spectrum Industrial Services, has raised 500 million Euros for the financing of the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport.

He said another set of investors are interested in acquiring 1,000 acres of land in the sea port for bonded terminals among others.

The governor also said he had received some investors from China in his office in Calabar to help develop electricity for the state, adding that Kwa Falls was projected to generate 30mw, Agbokim

30mw while the canalisation and channelisation from either Ikom, Calabar and Itigidi Rivers would generate 30mw, bringing the total output to 90mw.

He said the state would assist potential investors with feasibility studies and has also enhanced the purchasing power by granting them waivers.

Earlier, Mary Ephraim, a consultant on the Carnival Calabar said there were new innovations for the 2015 edition. She said there would old school and back to the future, biker show, power bike displays, wonders on wheels and urged every tourist to this year’s edition to endeavour to plant a tree.

She highlighted some of the benefits of sponsorship of the carnival by corporate bodies to include exclusive right to display and sell brands on certain designated routes as well as premium hospitality.

She also said corporate sponsors would have the opportunity of reach out to more than one million revelers during the one month span of the festival.

The carnival is a unique display of Africa heritage showcased through music, dance, drama and visual creativity which is reflected in the design of floats, costumes and make-up. Despite the fun and relaxed atmosphere around the carnival, a great degree of thought, creativity and discipline goes into the interpretation of the carnival theme under a strict adjudication process. The result is pure magic- an outpouring of colour, sound and spectacle, unmatched by anything else on the continent.

L – R shows: Mr Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Mervyn King, Chairman, The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC); Mr Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Service Division, NSE at the Closing gong ceremony held recently at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

WA show cases varied consumer confidence levels Nielsen West Africa has said West Africa sub-region seemed to be wavering when it comes to the consumer confidence levels reflected in the latest Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) noting that although it increased by five points in Ghana (99) in the third quarter, it decreased five points in Nigeria (127), the first decline since inception of the CCI in quarter 3 of 2014.

Managing Director of Nielsen West Africa, Lampe Omoyele said,

“The confidence score in Nigeria, while still overwhelmingly positive, is likely a reflection of the more recent moderate economic outlook driven by currency devaluation, declining oil prices, food inflation, and dwindling consumer disposable income. This has led to reprioritization of where consumers spend money, with a greater focus on staple foods and basic necessities and saving any leftover Naira for a rainy day.”

The Nielsen consumer confi-

dence index measures perceptions of local job prospects, personal finances and immediate spending intentions among more than 30 000 respondents with Internet access in 61 countries. Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria were added to Nielsen’s measurement of consumer confidence in the third quarter of 2014 using an innovative mobile survey methodology. Consumer confidence levels of above or below a baseline of 100 indicate degrees or optimism and pessimism, respectively.

Maritime 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

l-r: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; President/Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Otunba(Mrs) ‘Debola Osibogun; The Consul General of Germany, Mr. Ingo Herbert; and GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, at the 49th Annual Bankers Dinner, held in Lagos recently.

Investigation: Customs aids smuggling of rice, frozen chicken in Ogun Funmi Coker Despite the boast of the Federal Operations Units of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of recording massive seizure of rice and frozen chicken, there are indications that smugglers collude with Customs officers of the Zone A command to smuggle banned and restricted products into the country through the land borders.

The FOU Zone A is the enforcement arm of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled and vested with the responsibilities of suppressing smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade in the five South Western states.

Also, it would be recalled that the Comptroller General of the Service, Col. Hammed Alli (retd)

had lifted ban on the importation of rice through the land borders saying importers ready to pay correct duty could bring in the product but importation of frozen products had been banned outright by the Customs.

Investigation by our correspondent has shown that despite the hard stance of the CGC on smuggling of rice and frozen chicken through the land borders the contraband still flood Nigeria market especially Sango market and Osi in Ado Odo Ota Local government.

A visit to Sango market showed that frozen chicken flooded the market with traders selling and displaying the products but how its massive presence got to the market had been a source of concern to the buying public .

However, further investigation

had shown that Customs Officers especially from the FOU Zone A had allegedly been accused of colluding with smugglers to smuggle the banned products into the country.

A visit by our correspondent to Sango Market showed rickety vehicles that brought in the products from neighbouring Benin Republic lined up at the entrance of the market discharging their products (imported rice and frozen chicken) in the full glare of Nigerians and without let or hindrances by Customs officers or other security officers.

Speaking exclusively with one of the smugglers, he said there was no way the CGC can stop smuggling unless the officers stop colluding with them.

He said, “Before we come out of our hideout to move to the hin-

NCS PAAR Project emerges winner of NITDA 2015 Best E-Governance Project The Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), a clearance tool introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2013 has emerged the 2015 winner of Best e-governance project for the year.

The Service also emerged Runner up in the Best MDA Category of the year.

The award, organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency, in collaboration with NIHILENT was presented to the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs during the E-Governance and Long Service Awards 2015 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

It was in recognition of the project’s overall capacity to address the needs of stakeholders, demonstrate efficiency, and benefit the masses over a long period of time.

The Comptroller-General of Customs who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General, ICT, Comptroller Funsho Adegoke said, “We are delighted to have won this award and we want to assure Nigerians that we will continue to fine tune the PAAR system and improve on it in order to meet global standards.”

Since its official kick off in February 2009 and eventual launch in

December 2013, the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report continues to be a robust and dynamic platform for facilitating Pre Arrival processing in line with Nigeria Import process and global best practices recommended by WCO. The platform has embedded risk and intervention mechanisms, fast tracking of compliant traders, building of a single and integrated risk management engine and entrenching a culture of transparency, professionalism and quality control into the system thereby further upholding ecustoms agenda and eliminating human contact.

terland, we communicate with customs officers on the roads who give us information about when to move and when not to move.

“The rice and frozen chickens that were seized are from smugglers that may not want to settle the customs officers on the road

but for those who settle, there is no way they can seize our product.

The anonymous smuggler also said that except for special operations, it was difficult for customs operativees to seize products of ‘loyal’ smugglers.

Maritime Academy in N13b controversy Concerned about the way and manner the rector and management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron have been misinforming the public over release of the statutory 5% of NIMASA’s collection to the institution, management of NIMASA has written to the Presidency that the agency has given the academy N13.5tr billion between 2013 and 2015. An official of the agency who pleaded for anonymity also noted that the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) equally gave N1 billion intervention fund to the Academy and wondered what the maritime Academy has to show for the N13billion it has collected in the last three years efforts to get Joshua Okpo, rector of the academy to speak failed as his two phone numbers were switched off. Meanwhile, a staff of the academy told this magazine that the academy spent N10 million to organise Christmas jamboree last year immediately NIMASA released over N700m to the academy last year as part of the agency’s statutory quarterly allocation to the academy. Aside this, our source revealed that

the academy rector is always on a spending spree whenever the academy gets money from NIMASA. The source revealed that the academy rector also favour some contractors when it comes to payment “When he has finished the money from NIMASA, he will start running to NIMASA for allocation even the short courses that the academy is expected to make money from, nobody is asking them what they are doing with the money. He equally established centres in Calabar and Port Harcourt where so much money is spent to run the centers yet no money is being made from them.

We are wasting government money in this academy”, the source revealed Already, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), policy appears to have negative effects on the academy as the rector cannot spend money the way he used to.

However, some persons told the magazine that Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation should ask the rector to give account of the N13 billion allocation in addition to the N500 million intervention funds he got for the academy 2 months ago.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Dornier aviation services introduces business jet

Dornier aviation services had rebranded with the introduction to the world, the Dornier aviation Bombadier challenger 604 business jet for its charters flights.

Established three decades ago, the airline said it was repositioning its operations to offer quality, flexible and efficient services to its clients.

According to the business development manager Ainoje Adumaza Joseph while speaking on the introduction of the challenger 604 jet in its fleet said the aircraft was exquisitely designed to offer an unparalleled flying experience for customers.

Ainoje said the jet, a ten seater passenger cabin built with

19 Aviation

an interior providing a five star comfort, has full multimedia entertainment system.

He explained that Dornier aviation with its restructuring, was set to embark on any chattered business across the globe adding that it now has four aircraft including the Dornier 228 in its fleet based in Kaduna.

Ainoje who noted that char-

tered business was nose diving in the country today said, Dornier has remained focused with the direction of government in power to diversity and prepare for the future.

He urged government to check the excesses of some charter operators that have not lived up to expectation in terms of services delivery.

Regional integration will save airlines Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo For regional airlines to break even, there is need for them to embark on regional integration and bridge the infrastructural gap to meet targets.

Mr. Gabriel Olowo, President, Aviation Round Table (ART) gave this assertion at the weekend in Accra while delivering a paper titled, ‘Building strong Carriers in Africa A case study of Nigeria’ at the

tenth African air transport safety and security summit.

Mr. Olowo noted that while the mega carriers were making profits annually, African airlines have continued to nose dive as a result of stand alone by operators.

According to him, the aviation industry is characterized by decreasing operating airlines citing that number of airlines in Nigeria went down from 14 in 2010 to 06 in 2013 while fleet decreased to 39 in 2013 from 54 in 2010 with variation

percentage of 57 and 28.

Olowo gave some of the reasons for airlines declines in the country to include insolvency, distress, downturn among others.

He however said the future was bright for the African continent with 7 out of 10 fastest growing economics in the world emerging from Africa improving perception and growth in projects and large young population will bring about the attractiveness for growth.

Mr. Olowo posited that there

must be on time, real time scheduled integrity and delivery with competitive pricing, efficient and seamless services devoid of monopolistic tendencies for strong African airlines to emerge.

He condemned the absence of merger in the country and urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA to force two or three airlines to merge while applying for recertification as the only way to ensure competition with the mega carriers.

L–R: Consul General of Germany, Mr. Ingo Herbert; Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Sarah Alade; former Governor, CBN, Chief Joseph Sanusi; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun; and Mr. Jude Monye, Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Heritage Bank Ltd. sponsors of the event during the 49th annual Bankers Dinner at Oriental Hotel in Lagos recently.

NUATE tasks Buhari on aviation wrath President Muhammad Buhari has been advised to call a meeting of stakeholders to fashion out a well structured policy for the Aviation sector.

Agenda should also be set for such a gathering that will take a cursory look at all the facets of the industry and come up with recommendations that will shape the

industry by sending it to the presidency from where it will be studied and forwarded to the National Assembly for promulgation into law.

The advice was given by the Secretary General of the National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE), Comrade Olayinka Abioye during a chat on the recent developments in the

industry, especially the appointment of a Minister of State for the industry with the Transportation Ministry as the overall supervisory Ministry.

Abioye said as a result of shortcomings, several handling companies have been engaging in unethical practices which ought not to have happened, Abioye pointed

out, adding that worst of all, security agencies that were supposed to be in-charge of documentation cum profiling of passengers were even under-cutting themselves.

All the notable rots in the industry, according to Comrade Abioye was unhealthy and it was because NCAA has not been given autonomy in its true sense.

Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation

Nigerian airports set for yuletide holiday traffic upsurge The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has assured members of the public, especially passengers and airline operators, that necessary operational and security measures have been put in place at all our airports to ensure hitch-free passage of passengers and cargo during the forthcoming yuletide holidays.

Mr Yakubu Dati general manager corporate communications in a statement said apart from the statutory security and safety measures already in place at the airports, members of the Bomb Detection Unit of the Nigerian police Force have also been deployed at the airports, to compliment the effort of our Aviation Security Personnel at the security screening points.

Dati said passenger facilitation at all our airports has also been enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors adding that expansion and modernisation of all the airport terminals now provide better ambience and more space for restaurants at the terminals, as well as newly opened duty free shops.

He advised air passengers to make early arrangements for their travels and to leave home early on their travel dates, in order to complete their boarding facilities in good time.

Energy 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Seven Energy secures first gas deal in Nigeria …as MIGA invests in company Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo Independent integrated oil and gas development, production and gas distribution company, Seven Energy, has recently secured its first gas deal in Nigeria’s gas sector.

The project was made possible with its $200 million gas development deal with the World Bank.

Already, Seven Energy’s processing facility and pipelines have

started delivering gas to three power stations and two manufacturing plants under the deal.

The financing pact is expected to make positive significant impact for Nigeria which has suffered from severe energy shortage due to the lack of infrastructure to bring gas to the domestic market.

MIGA is providing a guarantee of $200 million against the risk of expropriation to Seven Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Accugas.

The investment has a strong

environmental profile, as Seven Energy’s operations will reduce gas flaring and displace morepolluting fuels such as diesel and biomass.

MIGA’s backing of Seven Energy forms part of a new generation of jointly developed World Bank Group solutions.

In addition to MIGA’s insurance, the World Bank supports the country’s sector reforms, while the International Finance Corporation (IFC), another unit of the World Bank Group, as well as an IFCmanaged fund, has jointly invested in Seven Energy.

“MIGA’s involvement is an important part of the financial security package that enables us to invest for the long term in Nigeria’s gas sector, a decision that we expect will be good not only for our business, but also for Nigerian citizens, companies, and the economy as a whole,” said Phillip Ihenacho, chief executive officer of Seven Energy.

MIGA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer, Keiko Honda, said Nigeria was at “a crossroads” regarding energy.

“MIGA is very pleased to be part of the country’s efforts to reduce

its negative impact on climate change by moving toward cleaner energy and reducing gas flaring,” she said.

Most international oil and gas companies in Nigeria are focused on offshore oil, while gas is often considered a byproduct and reinjected, liquefied for export, or flared.

Despite the country’s enormous natural gas reserves, only one third of power is supplied from the national grid. Those connected to the grid face multiple daily power cuts, and 55 per cent of the population have no energy access.

Bayo Ojuri becomes SNEPCo new MD Bayo Ojulari has taken over as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) from Tony Attah with effect from November 1, 2015.

Bayo Ojulari’s appointment continues a long-standing tradition which has seen Nigerians man all the Shell operating units in Nigeria.

As Managing Director of SNEPCo, Bayo will superintend over the operations of a company which pioneered deep-water oil and gas production in Nigeria when it commenced output at the Bonga field in 2005. The project increased Nigeria’s oil capacity by 10% at the time. At full output, Bonga has the potential to add more than 200,000 barrels of crude oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas to Nigeria’s daily production. Mr. Ojulari is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering with over 24 years of work experience in Nigeria, Europe, and the Middle East in Process Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Development, Production Engineering and Health Safety and Environment (HSE).

He is a member of the Board of

Trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and was SPE Nigeria Council Chairman in 1998/99.

Bayo has written several technical papers and received several awards in the field of engineering and leadership.

Meanwhile, Tony Attah, former Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), has moved up to the Group Integrated Gas business as Senior Projects Advisor. He will be working on projects in The Netherlands and Singapore.

The likes of Forte Oil Plc, and Total also had new exchange of hands recently.

The Board of Forte Oil Plc approved the appointment of Anil Dua as a non-executive director of the company, sequel to the resignation of Mrs. Korede Omojola from the Board of the Company. The resignation and appointment took effect from 30 October 2015.

Also, Total Nigeria Plc recently notified The Nigerian Stock Exchange of the appointment of Ms. Christie Hein as a director of the company with effect from 28 October 2015.

L – R shows: Mr Oscar N. Onyema, OON, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Dr Abraham Nwankwo, Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO) at the Closing gong ceremony held on Monday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Panoro Energy completes well operations in Nigeria …as first oil to flow January 2016 Norway-based Panoro Energy has completed well operations at the Aje field in offshore Nigeria, and the first oil from the field is expected to early January, next year. The Aje-4 well on the OML 113 licence

was previously drilled in 2008 and has now been completed as an oil production well. The latest development follows the previously completed Aje-5 production well. According to the company, both wells have been perforated

in the Cenomanian oil bearing zones with positive indications of well productivity. Panoro Energy installed subsea trees on both wells, which are now suspended and ready for tie-up with the oil production facilities before they begin production. The Saipem Scarabeo 3 drilling rig is currently being demobilised. Panoro

Energy CEO John Hamilton said: “We are very pleased to have now successfully concluded the well operations phase of the Aje Cenomanian oil development and are encouraged with the reported well results. “We have achieved a major milestone to de-risk the project and are looking forward to starting commercial production

towards the end of January 2016, following which we can begin generating positive cash-flow.” OML 113 is operated by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum with 60% interest. The remaining 40% is owned by a joint venture of Chevron Nigeria Deepwater, Vitol Exploration Nigeria, Panoro Energy, Energy Equity Resources and Jacka Resources.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, AugustNigeria 18, 2015 Daily Times Tuesday, November 24, 2015

21 21

Daily Times Advert Rates Sizes

Rates

Vat

Sizes

F/PAGE

532,350.00

26,617.50

H/PAGE

303,439.50

15,171.97

Q/PAGE

163,431.45

14”X5

Colour Rates

Vat

Sizes

Rates

10”X6

505,732.50

25,286.62

6”X3

114974.83

5,703.74

10”X5

324,252.34

13,780.72

6”X2

76,049.94

3,802.49

8,171.57

10”X4

421,528.04

21,076.40

5”X5

158,437.36

7,921.86

516,379.50

25,818.97

10”X3

337,222.43

19,861.12

5”X4

131,839.81

6,591.99

14”X4

268,517.34

13,425.86

10”X2

131,839.81

6,591.99

5”X3

95,062.36

4,753.11

14”X2

296,551.80

10,327.59

9”X6

455,159.25

22,757.96

5”X2

63,374.94

3,168.74

FPS 6”X3

873,388.02

43,669.40

9”X5

379,375.23

18,968.76

4”X2

50,699.95

2,534.99

FPS 6”X2

582,257.81

29,112.89

9”X4

303,500.18

15,175.00

3”X3

43,874.94

1,864.68

BPS 6”X3

861,432.81

43,071.64

9”X3

21,0126.15

10,056.30

3”X2

29,249.98

1,243.12

BPS 6”X2

565,621.87

28,281.09

8”X6

404,666.92

20,233.34

2”X2

19,499.98

828.75

ROP2”X6

198,096.61

9,904.84

8”X5

337,222.43

16,861.12

1”X2

9,749.99

414.37

FPS 2”X6

582,257.82

29,131.09

8”X4

269,777.95

13,488.89

1”X1

4,875.00

207.19

BPS 2”X6

565,621.87

28,281.09

8”X3

186,801.63

9,340.08

BPS 2”X2

349,354.69

17,467.73

13”X5

479,495.25

23,974.76

8”X2

124,522.05

6,226.10

13”X2

164,774.84

8,238.74

7”X5

295,069.63

14,753.48

EARPIECE 2”X2

365,990.62

18,299.53

11”X5

463,680.84

23,184.04

7”X4

206,551.80

10,327.59

CENTRE SPREAD

1,497,234

74,861.71

11”X4

370,424.87

18,521.24

7”X2

88,724.91

4,406.24

DOUBLE SPREAD

1,330,875.00

66,543.75

11”X2

139,424.87

6,971.24

6”X4

186,801.62

9,340.08

DOUBLE SPREAD (1/2)

665,437.50

33,210.97

Black & White

Vat

Sizes

Rates

Vat

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

16

10”X2

124,611.09

6,230.55

31

6”X2

44,240.63

1,880.23

11,473.80

17

9”X6

343,369.19

17,168.45

32

5”X5

119,813.65

6,990.68

6,244.75

18

9”X5

286,789.47

14,339.47

33

5”X4

94,554.69

3,133.71

390,511.26

19,525.63

19

9”X4

229,536.51

11,476.82

34

5”X3

55,300.74

2,350.28

312,409.60

15,620.48

20

9”X3

155,328.68

7,766.43

35

5”X2

36,867.18

1,566.86

14”X2

157,994.09

7,899.79

21

8”X6

306,019.70

15,300.98

36

4”X2

29,493.75

1,253.48

13”X5

362,617.60

18,130.88

22

8”X5

204,028.39

10,201.46

37

3”X3

33,180.45

1,410.17

13”X2

124,601.51

6,230.07

23

8”X4

204,032.45

10,201.62

38

3”X2

22,120.32

940.11

11”X5

350,647.44

17,532.37

24

8”X3

141,263.20

7,063.16

39

2”x6

48,173.99

2,047.39

10

11”X4

281,818.05

14,090.90

25

8”X2

76,631.55

3,831.57

40

2”X2

14,746.87

626.74

11

11”X2

105,440.15

5,272.00

26

7”X5

223,003.40

71,115.12

41

1”X2

7,373.44

313.37

12

10”X6

383,460.20

19,123.01

27

7”X4

157,994.09

7,699.67

42

1”X1

3,686.72

156.69

13

10”X5

320,067.93

16,003.39

28

7”X2

51,614.05

2,193.60

14

10”X4

255,041.86

12,752.09

29

6”X4

173,871.36

4,618.40

15

10”X3

191,666.80

9,583.34

30

6”X3

66,360.90

2,820.34

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

1

F/PAGE

402,589.59

20,129.47

2

H/PAGE

229,476.11

3

Q/PAGE

124,895.04

4

14”X5

5

14”X4

6 7 8 9

S/N

Political

Colour Rates

Vat

Sizes

F/PAGE

532,350.00

22,624.88

H/PAGE

303,439.50

12,896.18

Q/PAGE

163,431.45

6,945.84

Sizes

PHOTO SPLASH 100,000.00

4,250

Pictures & Captions 1

F/PAGE

35,437.47

1,506.09

Classified Advert 1

Classified

3,675.00

1

Per 1000 copies

24,500.00

1,041.25

2

Handling charges for the 1st 50,000 copies

71,662.50

-

(LAGOS) IFEANYI - 08086296714 (ABUJA) FEMI - 08033550468

DOUBLE SPREAD

774,210.94

32,903.96

44

DOUBLESPREAD(1/2)

387,105.47

16,451.98

Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Black & White)

Black & White

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

Rates

Vat

1

F/P

341, 583.13

F/PAGE

402,589.69

17,110.06

2

H/P

206,155.46

10,307.77

H/PAGE

229,476.12

9,752.74

3

Q/PAGE

112,334.62

5,616.73

Q/PAGE

123,595.04

5,252.79

4

10”X2

55,476.05

2,357.73

5

8”X2

44,380.56

1,886.17

6

7”X2

38,832.99

1,650.40

7

6”X2

33,282.11

1,414.49

8

5”X2

27,736.42

1,178.80

9

4”X2

22,187.85

942.98

Rate for Computer & IT/Educational Property/Vacancy/Home & Décor (Color)

S/N

Sizes

Rates

Vat

1

F/P

451,680.17

22,584.00

2

H/P

272,602.27

13,630.14

3

Q/PAGE

146,822.62

7,341.13

Colour

-

Loose Insert

43

10

PLEASE CONTACT

11

3”X2 2”X6

17,079.15

16,640.27

707.21

33,283.03

471.54

(BOTTOM STRIP)

12

2”X2

11,094.96

471.54

13

1”X2

5,547.58

235.77

14

1”X1

2,773.79

117.89

OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

NOWA to empower 200 widows, orphans Segun Adio

ÏÏÏNational

President, Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs Theresa Ibas, on Monday revealed that the association was empowering 200 widows and orphans.

Mrs. Ibas made the disclosure speaking at a lecture entitled, ``A Day with Widows and Orphans’’, organised by NOWA in Lagos.

The lecture, part of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the association, was held at the NNS QUORRA auditorium, Naval Training Command, Apapa, Lagos.

According to Ibas, a day

out with widows and orphans was a programme which her predecessor, Mrs Vivian Ezeoba, started in 2013.

Her words,``Ezeoba put smiles on the lips of about 100 widows and orphans. ``This was notably followed up in 2014 by my immediate predecessor, Mrs Lami Jibrin, touching the lives of about 150 widows and orphans. ``This year marks the third edition of the programme and as part of the humanitarian service to our immediate environment and the nation, we target about 200 widows and orphans,’’ she said.

Mrs. Ibas said the increas-

INCREASED FORTUNE FOR INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVES This is to inform the General Public that the above Named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Obiefuna Chizoba Fortune 2. Nwauzor Ebere Nkechi 3. Udonsi Ada Bliss Aims And Objectives: 1. Ensure that the out-of-school children especially the girl children are enrolled into school for quality education 2. Provision of access to health care institutions for the inner-city communities Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

ing rate at which women were made widows and the suffering of children rendered homeless was becoming worrisome.

She assured the women that arrangement had been made for skills acquisition programme at the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) training centre in Abuja. ``We are also trying to get ourselves under DEPOWA to visit two IDP camps in Maiduguri before the end of December as part of the 50th celebration. ``We also appeal to the Lagos State Government to consider our widows in its skills

acquisition programmes,’’ she said.

The NOWA president said that she wished to complete the standard skills and acquisition centre in Navy town, Ojo, Lagos. ``This is to upgrade not only the widows but women who are willing and able to improve their lives one way or the other to assist their husbands or families with income generation,’’ she said.

One of the guest lecturers, Mrs Ngozi Chibuzor, who lost her husband as a Lieutenant in 1994, advised the women to look unto God for support instead of going around begging for money.

REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED FORENSIC INTELLIGENCE AND CRIME ANALYSTS CAC/IT/NO 81144 This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Removal of a Trustee, under the companied and Allied Matters Act, 2004 Part “C” Change of Trustee: Retained: Removal: 1.Dr. Abiola Anthony Allen. 1.Dr. Abiodun Osiyemi 2.Olawale Saeed Olaoye Aims And Objectives:remain The Same Reasons For Removing A Trustee: Dr. Abiodun Osiyemi as a result of other engagement that will not enable him to function in the Association.

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

Signed: BARR. BUKOLA OSHUNKEYE 08036122387

Audu: Dons advocate fresh election in Kogi Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏThe

Dean, faculty of Law, Law Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Frank Asogwa and a Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Aloysius Okolie have said the best option for INEC in the event of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu in Kogi State was to conduct a fresh poll to enable APC fill a new governorship candidate for the election.

In the words of Asogwa, “By the death of Audu, in the eye of law the election process has been aborted.

“The deputy governor-

ship candidate could have been sworn-in if INEC has declared Audu winner before the unfortunate death.

“But in this case where INEC declared the election as inconclusive, which means the process has not been completed, so the only option will be for INEC to fix a new date for fresh lection. “The PDP candidate who is a runner-up in the election cannot also be declared winner as he did not get the highest votes in that election,” he said.

The law expert maintained what happened was not contemplated either the constitution or electoral act so INEC had to conduct a fresh election in the interest of fairness to all parties involved in the election.

OLUFOFO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named Association ihas applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part c of the companies and allied matters act no. 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Abdullahi Haruna. - Chairman 2. Idris. A. Suleiman. - Secretary 3 Alfa Sale 4 Amana Benjamin Aim and objective 1 To co - operate to fullness degree with all members in fostering the spirit oneness amomg members 2 To foster fellowship and positive co-operation and understanding among members of the association Any Objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: IDRIS. A. SULEIMAN, - SECRETARY

LAKEVIEW HOMES PHASE II RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

TOTAL NUCLEUS FOUNDATION FOR HUMANITY DEVELOPMENT

SAVE THE CULTURE INITIATIVE AFRICA

The General Public Is Hereby Notified That The Above Named Body Has Applied To Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja For Registration Under Part “C” Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act, No. 1 Of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Mr. George Ufot - Chairman 2. Mallam Hamza Adamu 3. Mr. Jude Igwe 4. Alh. Yusuf Lamuwa 5. Mallam Mohammed Babdul Yakasi 6. Mallam Babayo Ibrahim 7. Hajia Husaina Seidu 8. Nima Salman Mann 9. Mallam Ahmed Nuhu, Mni 10. Mrs. Chinwe Jane Okereke - Secretary Aim and Objective: To Protect The Interest Of The Members.

Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded To The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.m.b 198, Garki Abuja Within 28 Days Of This Publication.

Signed: Barr Nkechi Chukwuemeka 08037789542

This is to inform the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Trustees are: Mr. Olaide Adesanya Mr. Olanrewaju Ere Barr. Ibilowo Afolayan.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named body has Applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of The Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Trustees 1. Egbe Esther Nnenna 4. Jethro Ter Ormuye 2. Okoro Osita Maxwell 5. Hon Sam Orun 3. Benjamin Ukwueze

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

The Trustee Are: 1. Dr. (Mrs) Ladokun Temilade 2.Rev. Owolabi Emmanuel Olumuyiwa 3.Chief Emmanuel kehinde Jacob

Aim and Objective: To render welfare services to members of the organization Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: ELIAS RILWAN ADEBIYI

OJERINDE OMODESOLA I formerly known as Mr. Abati Omodesola Happiness, now wish to be addressed as Ojerinde Omodesola Happiness. All former document remain valid.

HAKEEM LASISI

Aim and Objective: 1. To empower women in order to eradicate poverty.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

Aim and objective 1. To protect, promote and preserve the african culture.

Any Objection To This Registration Should Be Forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th Days From The Date Of Publication

I formerly known as Hakeem Odutayo, now wish to be addressed as Hakeem Lasisi. All former document remain valid.

AKINOLA OLUWAPELUMI I formerly known as Akinyemi SamueL, now wish to be addressed as Akinola Oluwapelumi Ologunaga. All former document remain valid.

AMISU OLUWASEUN

I formerly known as Babatunde Seunfunmi Mariam, now wish to be addressed as miss Amisu Oluwaseun. All former document remain valid.

Signed: Barr. David OLasupo

UDONSE AKPAN I, formerly known as Ekong Udo Akpan now wish to be lnown and addressed as Praise Udonse Akpan. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

SEMEPLAY OLUWAKEM I, formerly known as Samuel Oluwakemi Jumoke now wish to be lnown and addressed as Semeplay Oluwakemi Jumoke. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

RECTIFICATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public of the Rectification of name, that I, formerly known as madam Comfort Makilo now wish to be called Mrs. Comfort Adewunmi of No. 6 Okrika Close, SW. Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria. All former documents remain valid.

SA R O F

LE

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

New Iwo monarch sets high target Oluwaseyi Fadoro.

ÏÏÏThe new Oluwo of Iwo land,

Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has assured the people of the town that he would improve their living condition.

Speaking with newsmen in Iwo the monarch expressed appreciation to God and the people of Iwo land for their support during his three years of litigation in court.

While saying that the growth of Iwo land remained paramount in-

Some supporters of Nnamdi Kanu stormed Abuja on Monday in a solidarity protest for their leader who was arraigned in Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, Abuja… on Monday

Nigeria needs trained technicians for industrialisation – Ex-Ekiti Speaker Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏThe

former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Tope Ademiluyi, has advocated continuous training of specialised technicians, in order to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Ademiluyi disclose this while delivering the10th annual alumni lecture of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, entitled “The Privatisation and Democratisation of the Nigeria Education Sector: The Dangers Ahead.”

Ademiluyi, who was also a former governor of the state, posited that. “It is time our universities of technology and polytechnics were encouraged to produce graduates in line with the concept that led to

their establishment.

“We must have mechanical engineering graduates, who can’t fix faulty cars. “Our agricultural universities must produce graduates, who will take artificial insemination of animals in their strides in the regular day job. Students, who choose to go into these schools, should be encouraged with incentives like grants and scholarships.

The National President of the school’s alumi association, Mr. Babajide Bewaji, said that construction work on the proposed alumni civic center was ongoing, assuring that “members of the association would collectively proffer attainable solutions to problems affecting students and fellow alumni members alike, as we fight the scourge of unemploy-

ment with creative innovations.”

According to him, “Nigeria, at the moment, is at a crossroads with insurgency and internal terrorism, deflating economy, massive corruption in low and high places, deficit infrastructures, leadership cluelessness in strategic sectors, cybercrime outbreak, brain drain just to mention a few.

Sincerely, as an incurable optimist and firm believer in God of possibilities, I am very hopeful that we are due for greatness.

“Though very disturbing that at 55years of post-independence, our education sector remains a crawler. Our concern is stems from the recently released scorecard when none of our over 100 publicly and privately owned universities is rated among the best 500 in the world.

Missing Chibok girls issue a shame to Nigeria - Soyinka Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo ÏÏÏNobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has described the failure to completely rescue the missing Chibok girls as a shame to Nigeria.

He said this at the commissioning on Monday of a N750 million Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo.

The Nobel Laureate described the school as a emphatic rejection of the what Boko Haram insurgents preach; describing the situation in which the country till date could not account for the missing Chibok girls as shame.

Soyinka enjoined leaders in the country to ensure that children are brought up with a feeling that one religion is not superior to

the other. He stated that all hands must be on deck to see to it that children in schools were not differentiated along religious line for a better Nigeria.

Prof. Soyinka commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for doing a great job with the construction of the school, saying he was elated that such honour was bestowed on him, pledging that he would not hesitate to frequent the school to see how it is faring.

Said he, "It is a shame that the nation can not account for over 200 girls in Chibok, I sympathise with the religious policy of governments in schools, children must not be brought up with a feeling that religion inhibits knowledge.

"In schools, we need not distin-

guish our children, the fatalistic religious holiness and the holier than thou attitude must be reduced among our students". The Nobel Laureate stated.

The Governor earlier stated that the cost of the High school though huge, considering the lean resources of the state is an investment worth it.

Aregbesola said that within the first quarter of next year his government would also commission for use another set of schools in the same category.

He stressed that no government can overspend on the education of the people, saying education is human development and primary way any family can get a lasting benefit from government.

23 News terest to him, he assured the people of bringing his wealth of experience he acquired in Canada to promote the growth of the town.

In his words: “Iwo town is very significant in the history of Yoruba land. That is why all and sundry should support me in moving the town forward.”

The monarch also promised to invite investors to the town, with an assurance that in the next two years Iwo town would be the food basket of the state.

The Oba used the occasion to appreciate God and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for allowing true justice to prevail in the state, describing the governor as “a man of peace and sincerity.”

Gombe police return 400 youths back to school ÏÏÏThe

Gombe State Police Commissioner, Mr. Austin Iwar, says the Command was taking pro-active measures at preventing crime as it initiated a programme of returning over 400 street miscreants back to school.

According to the Police Commissioner, this initiative was taken based on the fact that policing was not all about punitive measures or incarceration but also helping criminals make meaning out of life through being responsible citizens.

Gombe State is known for the

activities of the notorious Kalare political thugs who are mostly school drop-outs or youths who never went to school. They are gangsters who maim, steal, terrorise and even kill innocent persons as they make major towns in the state insecure.

He stated this, on Monday, during his second periodic stocktaking meeting with senior officers of the Command and major stakeholders to review strategies, evaluate achievements, challenges and determine next course of action.

Benin High court stops Eze Ndigbo installation ÏÏÏA Benin High Court has or-

dered the Edo Commissioner of Police to prevent one Chief Luke Abbas from being installed as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo State.

Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga gave the order following an exparte motion filed by Chief Fecus Ezekwere and two others on behalf of Igbo Community Union in Benin City.

In the High Court enrolment order on Monday in Benin, the Judge granted the interim injunction restraining Abbas from presenting himself to Eze Nwosu Ibe for installation as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo The Judge also restrained Ibe and his agents from installing Abbas as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The court additionally restrained the state Commissioner of Police from permitting or allowing Ibe and Abbas to assemble at Abbas’s Gapiona GRA residence

for the purpose of installing him as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State.

Edodo-Eruaga adjourned the case to December 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Gov. Oshiomhole

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Akiolu tasks FG on insurance premiums for domestic airlines Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏThe

paramount ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has called on government to enact favourable policies for airlines in the country as part of efforts to strengthen them, stating that one way to do so is to reduce premiums charged the local operators which he described as too high. Oba Akiolu made this statement in London when the management of Med-View Airline hosted

key players and travelling agencies in the airline business in United Kingdom.

Currently, there is a local content law from National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) that states that airlines must get their insurance premiums from the country, despite the fact that some of these airlines have to pay over four times the average premium charged by main insurers outside the country.

The monarch further

appealed to government to look into the insurance premium debacle currently faced by airlines if these airlines are to survive and become economically viable.

He argued that since aviation was global, Nigerian carriers should not pay higher premiums on equipment than their counterparts in Europe and America.

He declared that Nigerian market was very prof-

itable with high demands adding that there should be no reasons why brokers should charge them higher than their counterparts.

“The insurance brokers make their money in our country and that is why I want to appeal to them that wherever you make much profit, you should also endeavour to return some back to the country. They should see how they can reduce their premiums in the best interest of commercial

environment,” he said.

The monarch also called on government to assist indigenous carriers with soft loans, in form of aviation intervention fund to boost their businesses.

He said if the airlines access these soft loans, it will increase their capacities especially in the area of acquisition of brand new aircraft, assuring that with well-trained personnel and good equipment, Nigerian airlines would succeed in

their operations and reduce major incidents and accidents to the barest minimum. He also insisted that such loans to the operators would aid in improving safety and air travelers would have more confidence in the operations of indigenous carriers especially when these loans are put to the right use.

Oba Akiolu hinted that it was necessary for the government to assist airline operators.

Anambra govt trains 150 youths on road maintenance Nkiru Nwagbo

L-R. Barr. Lawal Alade Pedro; President Rotary Club of Oregun District 9110; Rotarian Mufutau Adelotan and Chairman, Infogem Limited, Otunba Ayo Olumoko during the fund raising and installation ceremony of 31st President of Rotary Club of Oregun District 9110 held in Lagos... on Sunday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

NCAA, unions end rift as agency prepares for March 2016 Audit Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

regulatory body officials are already in country.

The NCAA had in the wake of this labour crisis sought out means to calm fray nerves and told Nigerian Flight Deck that all is well in the agency as staff in regional offices had been interviewed and are awaiting promotion letters once the exercise is completed.

Acting General Manager Public Affairs, Sam Adurogboye who spoke to our reporter, said, “We seek and engender an atmosphere of peace. However, we have resolved our union crisis. The interview has commenced, those in Out Stations or what we call regional offi-

cers have been interviewed and we are conducting for Lagos right now, and this exercise will end tomorrow.

“As soon as the process is concluded, letters of promotion will be issued to beneficiaries. Certainly, it will be done before the new year,” he explained. Recall that a fortnight ago, there was a rumour about closure of the Nigerian airspace over an unrest instigated by some unions who wanted to go on strike over federal government policy which mandated that for promotion to take place the affected staff needed to write an examination, a policy that was initiated last year.

Anyim Hoodlums arrested Joy ÏÏÏThe Seme Border Patrol of Nigeria Police Force for smuggling 20 have arrested two hoodlums, Ismaila Aliu, aged 28 bags of years and Edwin Igwe, aged 39, for smuggling 20 bags of marijuana

Indian hemp (Marijuana) from Ghana to Nigeria.

Parading the suspects on Monday, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone II Onikan, Lagos, Bala A. Hassan said the arrest of the

ÏÏÏThe

looming unrest at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) may have come to an end as unions have sheathed their plans of protest over interviews for promotion of staff.

Investigation showed that the contested interview meant for staff elevation has commenced despite initial agitations from unions seeking not to undergo the process.

This peace initiative is coming at the heels of the regulatory authority’s preparation for the March 2016 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Audit, of which the world aviation

substance suspected to be

Awka ÏÏÏThe Anambra State government has trained over one hundred and fifty youths on road maintenance as well as to repair failed road portions across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state under its zero-tolerance-for-pothole project.

Flagging off the project in Awka, the state capital, Governor Willie Obiano assured that the operation-

fix-every-pothole project of the state government would soon commence, disclosing that the exercise would be sustained with the crop of trained personnel and machinery already mobilised for the project.

The governor further disclosed that the 150 youths trained would be used to commence the first phase of the project and expressed confidence that more Anambrarians would be employed as soon as other phases of

the project begin.

He urged Ndi Anambra to imbibe the culture of cleanliness, adding that it is an offence to dump refuse in drainages or other unauthorised places in the state.

The governor charged local government chairmen in the state to identify roads that needed palliative measures in their various council areas for necessary action as well as take ownership of such road projects to ensure sustenance.

Ajimobi laments death of Ibadan chief Oluwaseyi Fadoro Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the death of the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye, as depressing to Oyo State and Ibadan land in particular, coming on the heels of the passing of the Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Sulaimon Omiyale.

The governor lamented the death of the two most senior members of the Olubadan Advisory Council in quick succession, which he said marked a sombre moment in the annals of Olubadan chieftaincy and Ibadan land in general.

A statement by the Office

of the Secretary to the State Government said that the solace for the state government, sons and daughters of Ibadanland, as well as the Olubadan Advisory Council was that the two most senior high chiefs died at ripe ages.

While High Chief Omiyale died on November 7 at the age of 91, High Chief Kuye joined his ancestors on November 19 at the age of 87.

The governor prayed that Allah grant the souls of the two illustrious sons of Ibadan land Al-Jannah Firdaus and to give their families, loved ones, and the entire state the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Describing Chief Kuye

two suspects was one of the plans of the zone to reduce the activities of criminals in the area, as the substance is one of the things that make them to indulge in violent criminal activities, including cultism and armed rob-

bery He said their arrest was as a result of reliable information that the hoodlums were smuggling the goods from Ghana to Nigeria and the area they were operating.

AIG Bala also revealed that

ÏÏÏThe Governor of

as urbane and affectionate, the governor said that his simple lifestyle was a lesson in humility despite his accomplishments as a distinguished career federal civil servant and heir apparent to the enviable Olubadan stool.

Ajimobi

the substance would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the end of their investigation and that efforts are at its peak to get those still at large arrested.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Law Æ s

25

AGF must address problem of undue delay in administration of justice – Daramola Olu Daramola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is the deputy head of chambers of the Afe Babalola & Co (SAN). In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, Olu, who was called to the Nigerian Bar over two decades ago speaks on the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Law, mis-application of Rules in PreTrail Conference, the Supreme Court pronouncement in the case of the Senate President, Olusola Saraki and other sundry issues.

How do you see the decision of the Supreme Court that halted Saraki’s case before the Code of Conduct of Tribunal (CCT) despite the existence of Administration of Criminal Justice Law that abolished stay of proceedings in any criminal case instituted in a federal court in the country?

I was surprised by the decision of the Apex Court. The proceedings before the Code of Conduct Tribunal are governed by the Administration of Justice Act 2015.

As you rightly noted, that law expressly abolished stay of proceedings in criminal cases. Since the duty of a court is to interpret and not to invent law, the Supreme Court should have dismissed the application for stay. Unless the provision of the law, which abolishes stay of proceedings is upheld it may be difficult in this country to prosecute criminal cases because all you need to do as a defence counsel is to challenge the charge and then file an appeal and an application for stay of proceedings if the challenge fails. Given the perennial delay in the administration of justice in this country, it may take up to 10 years before the challenge travels up to the Supreme Court. By the time the challenge is resolved in favour of the state, witnesses may no longer be available and as such the accused may escape justice.

I hope the Supreme Court will seize the opportunity of the substantive matter to make a clear pronouncement on the issue. The provision in the Administration of Justice Act abolishing stay of proceedings was deliberately inserted by the legislature to address the problem of using application for stay to frustrate criminal trials.

The Supreme Court is bound to uphold the law.

What agenda will you set for the new AGF especially as it affects the administration of justice system in the country?

The greatest problem facing the administration of justice in the country is the undue delay in the determination of cases in the various courts. It is not unusual for a case to take up to five years to be

Olu Daramola determined at the High Court. In some instances, it took up to 20 years for a case to be finally laid to rest at the Supreme Court. The AG must address this problem by initiating legislations that will ensure speedy and efficient dispensation of justice. He can look up to some countries like Singapore, Malaysia and United Kingdom where the problem of delay has been effectively dealt with. A situation where a civil or criminal case takes up to five years to be decided by the High Court is not good for the country.

It will scare away genuine foreign investors from coming to the country to do business. Therefore, this problem must be squarely ad-

dressed.

He must also ensure that the Federal Government obeys court orders. Government must lay good example in this regard because a government that fails to obey court orders made against it lacks the moral right to enforce law and court judgements on its citizens. He must ensure that government briefs are properly handled. To achieve this, he needs to strengthen the prosecutorial capacity of the DPP’s office.

The Civil Litigation department must also be staffed by competent lawyers. He must address the ugly situation where government briefs are farmed out to external lawyers.

This constitutes a serious drain

on government lean resources because they have to pay the lawyers.

In the past, the ministry of justice and not external solicitors handled most if not all government briefs.

It is cheaper for the government to recruit good lawyers into the Ministry of Justice who can handle all its briefs.

Do you support the suggestion that the office of AttorneyGeneral should be separated from that of Minister for Justice?

To me separating the two offices is not really the main issue. After all when you separate them you will still assign human beings to the offices. If you like, fragment the

office into 10 and put 10 persons, if they are not doing the right thing, it will still not work. In this country, we always like to experiment with all kinds of things. If there are problems associated with that office, what they should do is to address the problem. For instance, look at the war against corruption, as we speak there are so many laws dealing with corruption to the extent that we have some laws conflicting with other laws and this is impeding smooth prosecution of cases.

For instance, if you look at the Criminal Code all issues that relate to corruption are there. So, making new laws at times is not what is needed but enforcing the existing laws to serve the people. For me, it is a distraction to separate the office of the AGF from that of the Minister for justice. Most of the people are not coming from the moon and those that have the power to appoint them are the politicians. And the resultant effect of this is that government will now be paying two persons doing the job of one person and in term of service delivery, nothing would have really changed.

Election Petition Tribunal nullified the election of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on the grounds of widespread violence that took place during the election. Are you comfortable that no person has been charged to court with electoral violence?

I am deeply concerned that none of the perpetrators of the violence has been brought to book. This is clear indication that the law enforcement agents are not doing their work properly. The election of Rivers State was nullified not on the ground of widespread violence alone but also for irregularities. It is rather unfortunate that elections which should be seen as festivals of democracy always turn out to be marked by violence and killings.

This is scaring good people away from politics. The security officers deployed to maintain peace and order during the election ought to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Law 26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Conflicting laws often impede speedy prosecution of cases – Daramola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

held accountable for the violence because they ought to have foreseen and made adequate preparation to forestall it. Violence is a criminal offence and as such the perpetrators ought to have been arrested and prosecuted. There is no way a free and fair election can be conducted in an atmosphere of violence.

Is it constitutional for the President to assign more than a ministry to a Minister?

There is nothing unlawful in the President assigning more than a ministry to a minister. There is no law that says that a Minister cannot hold more than one portfolio in the Federal Executive Council. The President has the prerogative to determine the number of ministries.

The constitution only requires him to appoint ministers from all the states of the federation but he has the prerogative to determine the sharing of the portfolios.

Some have suggested that Federal Character should be expunged from the constitution.

Do you agree?

I do not agree that the Federal Character should be expunged, as Nigeria is not ripe for that. Even in America, there is what is called Affirmative Action through which the government ensures that all the races are represented in public schools and appointments. A multiethnic society like Nigeria cannot do away with federal character.

Even with federal character, people are talking about marginalisation.

Removal of federal character from the constitution at this time will create further problems for the country.

There is a general disrespect in the international community, especially the United Kingdom for our maritime administration. Why is this so?

England is the hub of international commercial litigation and arbitration. The reason is simple.

Many people around the world go to London to settle their commercial disputes because England has facilities for quick and efficient resolution of disputes. In Nigeria, we have good Judges but the reason why many will not come to Nigeria to resolve their disputes is because of inordinate delay in the dispensation of justice. No commercial man would like to spend 10 years pursuing a case that should not take more than six months. You may

then ask, why can’t such people do arbitration in Nigeria? The reason again is that arbitration being a private dispute resolution mechanism needs the support of the court in many areas like appointment of arbitrators, where the parties are not cooperating in making the appointment, challenge of arbitrators, summoning witnesses who may not want to appear etc.

I was involved in an arbitration that lasted over 10 years. After the first sitting, the respondent challenged the composition of the arbitral panel even though it appointed one of the three arbitrators. The challenge was refused and he proceeded to court and sought an order of court for stay of proceedings. The sitting of the arbitrators had to be postponed to await the decision of court in the matter. It took four years for the matter to be disposed.

The arbitration resumed immediately and again he filed another suit which took five years in court.

The arbitration again was suspended for the five years. We eventually concluded the arbitration in 2010 and an award was rendered.

The respondent again filed a suit to challenge the award and it was only after the suit was dismissed that they entered into negotiation with us. We then filed the terms of settlement in court and adopted it as the judgment of the court. As I am talking to you, my clients are yet to reap the benefit of the judgment as the respondent for no just cause has refused to pay. We are again in court seeking to enforce the consent judgment. You will agree with me that no commercial person, if he has other options will want to take his matter into a jurisdiction where it will take eternity to resolve. The challenge before us in Nigeria is to remove the causes of delay in the administration of justice.

As a senior member of the Bar, how would you assess the standard of the legal profession in Nigeria?

The standard of legal practice in Nigeria is very good and indeed comparable with what obtains in the Western World. The only thing that is just evolving is partnership.

In Nigeria, the prevalence of one -man firm is the only draw-back in the profession. The reason is that many seniors in the profession do not want to share their income with their juniors and many juniors do not want to be under any

Olu Daramola person. In this era of globalisation, Nigerians need to tap the benefits of partnership where you have lawyers specialising in different areas of law within the same firm.

Despite the fast track procedure introduced to speedup hearing of cases in Lagos courts, cases are still being delayed. What do you think is responsible for this?

What is responsible for delay in Lagos is the misapplication of the Rules with respect to pre-trial conference. It is rather unfortunate that some Judges insist that all cases must go through the pre-trial conference procedure including matters commenced by originating summons or under summary judgment procedure. The Rule as to pre-trial conference should only apply to cases commenced by writ of summons and which require trial.

Apart from this, the other cause of delay is frivolous applications usually filed by lawyers who know that their clients are not likely to win on the merit. Once the application is refused, he proceeds to appeal and then file a motion for stay of proceedings.

There is a need for all the stakeholders; that is the judges, lawyers, and litigants to recognise that justice delayed is justice denied.

Courts should sit on time and

should refuse frivolous applications for adjournment. The government must create enabling environment for the judges to work.

By this, I am referring to regular supply of electricity to the court rooms, provision of air conditioners in the court rooms, recording facilities and judicial assistants should be appointed to assist judges in conducting research. I believe one of the reasons why Nigeria is not attractive to foreign investors is that they lack faith in our judicial system due to delay. No foreign investor would want to invest his money in a country where it will take up to 15 years to resolve a commercial dispute in court.

In Singapore, it takes just about six months to conclude the hearing and determination of a case in the high court. The appeal will also not last for more than six months. If the case turns out to be frivolous, heavy cost is usually awarded. But in Nigeria, a person who owes billions will rush to court knowing that if he eventually loses the case, he will pay little or no cost. One of the reasons why corruption is very rampart in the country is the delay in adjudication of cases. Most of the cases of corruption preferred against governors who served between 1999 and 2007 are still in court. In many, trials have not even

commenced.

What role should lawyers play in creating a better Nigeria or more specifically, a corruption- free Nigeria?

Honestly, there is very little lawyers can do to stem the tide of corruption in Nigeria. Mind you, a lawyer is a professional plying his trade to make a living. Corruption affects all strata of the society and there is very little lawyers alone can do to stem the tide. You need political will to fight corruption. I doubt if you can point to any country in the world where lawyers alone stopped corruption. What lawyers can do is to aid the government in the fight by supporting measures put in place to attack the menace.

I am aware that many lawyers have been involved in campaigns against corruption but unless the government takes the battle seriously, nothing can be achieved.

Imagine a school where the principal and most of the senior teachers are very corrupt, one teacher shouting against corruption in that school cannot achieve anything. He may even be framed up and victimized. If you have a government that has zero tolerance for corruption, everybody would sit up and toe the line including public servants, lawyers, doctors, engineers and so on.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

Supersport to partner sports ministry

and of Youth Minister arr. Solomon Sports, B Dalung

ANDREW EKEJIUBA Sport Editor

S

uperSport Africa has revealed plans to partner with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to promote grassroots sports development in the country.

The Head of SuperSport Africa Andre Venter made the remark when he paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung.

On the occasion, Andre who was accompanied by the General Manager Strategies, West Africa, Felix Awogu said there was need to key into the vision of the new Sports Minister to empower Youths through Sports.

Speaking on the occasion, the head of strategies West Africa Felix Awogu emphasized the readiness of SuperSport to work together with the Minister to bring about the much needed change in the Sports sector.

“As sponsors of the National Team, the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), SuperSport will want to understudy whatever vision the Minister has for Sports and see how we can support that vision,” he said.

Responding, the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports said his major assignment was to sanitize the sports industry in order to make it more attractive to investors.

According to Dalung, “Any company putting

funds for sports development in Nigeria must get value and satisfaction for their investment in Sports.

Other countries do not depend on government for funding, so we will understudy the success stories of other countries to find out how they succeeded in generating and managing their funds and resources.”

Barrister Dalung also promised to win back the confidence of investors which was lost due to corruption in the sector and ensure that sports in the country becomes self-sustaining.

Lagos SWAN @50 commemoration hots up

Nwakali

Bale’s agent signs Nwakali, other Eaglets

T

he 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup MVP Kelechi Nwakali and his Eaglets team mates Samuel Chukwueze, David Enogena and Joel Osikel have joined the stable of Stellar Group, arguably the world’s leading football agency who manage the careers of the world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale among others.

Others in the Stellar Group are England international stars Joe Hart, Luke Shaw, Connor Wickham and Jonjo Shelvey. They also handled exEngland internationals Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Nigerian-born Nedum Onuoha and Carlton Cole and many other big stars in football.

According to Errol Olowu, the head of Africa of

Stellar Group, unlike most agents who only care about their commission and transferring their players, Stellar Group care for their players around the clock.

Speaking further, Nigerian sports lawyer Johnny Precious Ogbah said,” Stellar Group have shown great professionalism in the way and manner they have gone about their businesses here.

“The future of these Eaglets are secure in the hands of Stellar Group and I can confirm that many offers are on the table for these players and we are studying all of them to choose the best ones for their development.”

ITA sends players for overseas coaching

T

NTF boss clears air on athletes’ abuse

T

A

he International Tennis Academy (ITA) has sent a second batch of players for internship and training at the Clark Francis (CF) Tennis Academy in Dubai.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

It said that the players, who left recently for the academy, included Innocent Offikwu (Kaduna), Lawrence Idoko (Abuja), Pekun Akinwande and Michael

NTF boss, Grand Master George Ashiru

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Dada Samson ll is set for Lagos SWAN commemoration of SWAN @ 50 as scheduled for Thursday, November 26, 2015, at the Lagos SWAN Secretariat.

The event builds up to National SWAN celebration of half centenary anniversary of the foundation of SWAN which may come up next year. Already, National SWAN has set up a committee in that regard.

To commemorate SWAN @ 50, Lagos SWAN shall conduct the investiture of its Grand Patron, His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

According to Lagos SWAN Chairman, Fred Edoreh, the organization will also honour a number of its members who have distinguished themselves in the profession of sports journalism, media entrepreneurship, as well as in industry, service to sports and service to humanity.

Lagos SWAN shall also use the platform to appreciate its patrons and friends - individual and corporate - who have supported it through the years.

Confirmed to be in attendance are Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; NFF President, Amaju Pinnick; LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko; NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi; MD, Multichoice and others.

27

Eludoyin (Lagos).

According to the statement, they are expected to join Bolaji Olawepo, Kehinde Alade, and Samuel Omoile (Lagos) and Ambrose Adoga (Kaduna) who left in 2014.

“The players, who are being trained as coaches, are expected to gain enough experience to come back as high performance coaches.

“They are expected to take the junior talents that are coming up to the next level.

“We need to collaborate with the Nigeria Tennis Federation for a holistic development of tennis.

“We are lucky we can use our network and goodwill from friends and ex-staff of the ITA in the CF Academy to facilitate this,” it quoted Godwin Kienka, Director of the academy as saying.

“We are also looking forward to having similar support programs with academies in the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the near future.”

he President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Grand Master Geaorge Ashiru, has cleared the air on the alleged athletes’ abuse during the camping exercise of the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Ashiru who is also the Vice President of the Commonwealth Taekwondo Union, revealed that the clarification become very necessary, so as to prove that the athletes are part of the integral part of the Taekwondo family and are never at any time relegated to the background.

“My attention has been drawn to several media reports bordering on athletes abuse during the All Africa Games camping.

“I would like to state categorically that, Taekwondo family is one unified body and has progressed tremendously in the past few years.

Our sport has grown in leaps and bounds by the positive actions of all members of the family at every level.

“Like all organizations and groups we also have a few misunderstanding and all such issues have been receiving the required attention by the appropriate organs of the NTF,” Ashiru stated.

Speaking further on the state of Taekwondo, Ashiru affirms the commitment of the board to take the combat sport to the next level.

“Taekwondo remains a leading sport that has brought glory to Nigeria as one of the only three sports that have won Olympic medals for Nigeria in 1992 and 2008.

“This year alone we have a plan to stage six major tournaments as well as a dozen technical training programmes in all the zones of Nigeria.

“I would therefore like to appeal for calm, patience, and understanding by the Taekwondo family and our friends,” he concludes.

28

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

Injured Coquelin out for two months

Coquelin

A

rsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is out for at least two months with a knee

injury.

The 24-year-old, along with Mikel Arteta, limped out of the 2-1 Premier League defeat at West Brom on Saturday.

Coquelin was replaced by Arteta after just 14 minutes at The Hawthorns, before the Spaniard was taken off himself just four minutes into the second half.

Coquelin underwent scans on Sunday and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on Monday he will be out at least until the end of January, when Arsenal face Chelsea.

Wenger said: “I’m always a bit cautious because we had lots of bad surprises on the scans, but it is at least two months.

“I can’t say more than that but certainly for the next two months we will play without Coquelin.

“We have players who can play in this position like Mathieu Flamini, but also Calum Chambers, who has been educated as a central midfielder. So this is a good opportunity for other players to show us they can do the job.”

Arsenal already have a string of injury problems with Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky all sidelined.

Aaron Ramsey returned to training on Monday and is in contention for the Champions League clash at home to Dinamo Zagreb today.

UEFA ‘accepts doping’ —Wenger

Wenger

A

rsene Wenger believes UEFA ‘basically accepts doping’ and has called for an urgent change in the rules for football’s drug policy.

Wenger strongly criticised the current system, describing it as “strange”, but feels he is unlikely to receive much public support after seeing UEFA’s doping team visit the Gunners’ training ground shortly after his recent comments.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan

C

helsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the lack of respect shown to teams in bad form amid the growing pressure on Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez.

Benitez has come under fire following Madrid’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in Saturday’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid are now six points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Mourinho is no stranger to the pressure of being in the hot seat at Madrid, having coached the club from 2010 to 2013 before returning to Chelsea for a second spell in charge.

But asked for his view on the Clasico in a media conference ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Mourinho said: “I left Chelsea in 2007. I was waiting eight

Ademi was given a four-year ban for providing a positive sample after the Croatian side beat Arsenal in the Champions League in September.

Ademi played the full 90 minutes of the game in Zagreb, which Arsenal lost 2-1, and the teams meet again at the Emirates Stadium tonight with Wenger’s side knowing they must secure a victory to stand any chance of getting out of their group.

Wenger has been outspoken

o Mourinih cs for blasts crit disrespecting Real

months to work again when I went to Inter.

“During that period, I gave zero interviews. I closed my mouth for eight months.

“In this moment, I see so many people speaking especially about the clubs in trouble, it’s amazing the lack of respect.

“I speak about Real Madrid

Depay thanks Giggs for help M Depay

anchester United winger Memphis Depay has thanked assistant manager Ryan Giggs for helping him return to form.

Dutchman Depay had been struggling to recapture the prom-

against doping on several previous occasions, and has repeatedly questioned why UEFA rulings means there is no way of disqualifying a team from continental competition unless more than two players fail a test.

The Frenchman believes the rules need to be altered but admitted he did not know how much public backing he would receive.

ising start he made since joining from PSV Eindhoven in the summer.

The 21-year-old scored for the first time in six games in Saturday’s victory at Watford and he revealed he has been working

when they are winning, not when they are losing. So words about the Clasico zero.

“I don’t smile with defeat from other teams, I smile with my victories, that’s why I don’t smile a lot in the last few months.”

closely with Giggs in training.

“I think every young player goes through these things but I keep training and enjoying it,” Depay said.

“The stuff I am learning has stuck with me and Ryan Giggs has given me good advice. I’ve been working on some things with him.

“You need that backing and you need to back yourself and train well, and of course all the help is great to get through difficult times.

Mourinho

“I like to score goals. It was important for me to score when I got a chance. I was happy.”

The win on Saturday lunchtime saw United briefly move top of the Premier League before they were leapfrogged by Leicester by 5pm, and Jesse Lingard believes United have made another statement of their intent to win the title.

United, who top their Champions League group, face PSV at Old Trafford on Wednesday in their fifth Group B fixture.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

B

arcelona coach Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi needs time to rediscover his match sharpness, having returned from a knee injury in the 4-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Argentina captain came off the bench in Barca’s Clasico success at the Santiago Bernabeu, having been kept out of action following the injury he sustained in September against Las Palmas.

Messi’s return came amid plenty of excitement and anticipation but, when quizzed on a potential start against Roma in the Champions League, Luis Enrique offered a reminder of the need for the star forward to ease his way back to full match sharpness.

“I thought he looked very good, I am very happy for all Barca fans and the club to see him back,” the coach told reporters.

Briefs

“He’s been training and playing but now we need to give him time to get his legs built up and charge his batteries, then we can enjoy the best of Messi once again.

“It’s nothing different to anyone else coming back from an injury of two months.

“I always have positive relationship with most of players if not all of them and I’ve always had a good relationship with Leo. “As for my conversation with him, why is that important? That is between him and me. I don’t announce things like that unless I think it’s important.”

Javier Mascherano will miss the Champions League clash at the Camp Nou today after suffering a knock to his thigh, with Luis Enrique eager to keep improving despite their convincing victory at the Bernabeu.

UCL: No Marcelo, Ramos for Real, Shakhtar tie

S

Enrique calls for patience over Messi fitness Alves blames Ronaldo for Real defeat B

arcelona full-back Dani Alves says Cristiano Ronaldo should expect to take most of the blame for Real Madrid’s Clasico humiliation.

Barca cruised to a 4-0 success at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, piling the pressure on coach Rafael Benitez, as well as president Florentino Perez and Ronaldo.

But Dani Alves refused to offer any sympathy to Barca’s fierce rivals, suggesting criticism comes with the territory for big-name players such as the Portuguese star.

“He’s still Cristiano - a top quality player.

Perhaps that’s the problem,” he told reporters.

“How can I say this? He’s such a character, he likes to be the protagonist. If you want to be like that, when you win they speak about you and put you in the limelight but, if you

Ronaldo

Zidane ‘not ready’ for Real job

29

Z

lose, you must take the flak.

“If the team doesn’t get things right or win it’s going to be your fault “But we have enough to worry about ourselves without Cristiano. To be honest, I don’t care what Cristiano does.”

Plenty have pointed the finger at Perez for appointing Benitez during the close-season, with the Bernabeu crowd voicing their discontent at Saturday’s performance.

“I don’t care what happens at Madrid as long we’re doing well,” Dani Alves added, “It’s a competition and, if your opponent is weak, you need to be strong and make sure they don’t have an option.

“It’s not our problem. The secret to winning El Clasico is to have a good team, one with balls, personality and ambition and that’s what we have.

inedine Zidane has played down speculation that he could replace Rafa Benitez as Real Madrid head coach.

Benitez’s position appears to be under threat after the humiliating 4-0 El Clasico home defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.

Zidane is currently in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, and has

been tipped as a future firstteam boss.

However, speaking on Sunday, the French legend said he is not yet ready for the role.

“I am the manager of Castilla, Benitez is the manager of the first team, and things are fine like that,” Zidane commented.

“I have a long way to go, and, anyway, a manager is never really fully formed.

ergio Ramos and Marcelo have been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Both absences were expected particularly Marcelo’s with the club releasing a statement explaining the Brazil full-back has an adductor muscle problem sustained in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in El Clasico. The situation surrounding Ramos is less clear. The Spain defender dislocated his shoulder in the reverse fixture against Shakhtar last month and aggravated the joint again in the act of scoring in the 3-2 defeat at Sevilla on November 8.

Neuer wary of Olympiacos crunchy clash

M

anuel Neuer has cautioned his team-mates against the threat posed by Olympiacos in their Champions League Group F match.

Bayern were in rampaging form last time out in the competition, thrashing Arsenal 5-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Pep Guardiola’s side return to their home stadium today to face the Greek champions, who have won both matches on the road so far in the group to lie level on nine points with Bayern after four games.

UCL:

Guardiola

primed for Olympiacos ‘final’ showdown

B

ayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has labelled the Group F UEFA Champions League (UCL) showdown with Olympiacos as “a final”.

The Bundesliga champions will guarantee top spot and a seeded place in the draw for the round of 16 with victory at the Allianz Arena today.

Bayern’s only defeat in 20 matches across all competitions came against Arsenal in the Champions League - a result they emphatically avenged with a 5-1 win last time out - but Guardiola believes his players are in for a tough challenge against an Olympiacos side he identifies as being defensively sound and possessing pace in attack.

“We know how strong Olympiacos are,” he said. “They play good football.

“This game is a bit like a final for us. We can qualify for the next round as the top side in the group.

“They will not allow us much

30

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD WITH MIKE OTANWA

Adi’s Portland

Umar

makes Serie A debut N

stun Dallas in Conference final

igerian starlet Sadiq Umar on Saturday made his Serie A debut for AS Roma in the 2-2 away draw at Bologna in a highly entertaining game.

The 18-year-old came on for Juan Iturbe in the 89th minute as the home side forced AS Roma to a draw at the 35, 000 capacity Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Adam Masina had given Bologna the lead in the 14th minute of the game but a Miralem Pjanic penalty in the 52nd minute drew the Rome side level.

Adi

F

anendo Adi’s Portland Timbers recorded a 3-1 win over FC Dallas, who paraded fellow Nigerian Tesho Akindele on Sunday in the first leg Western Conference MLS Cup final.

The second leg comes up on November 29 at Frisco, home of FC Dallas.

The overall winners after the two legs face the Eastern Conference winners in the final of MLS Cup 2015.

Adi was on parade for Portland Timbers for 85 minutes before he gave way to Nicolas Urrutti, while Tesho Akindele, a 85th minute substitute for FC Dallas, almost scored with his first touch on the ball but he couldn’t direct his header in the 86th minute well for a goal.

Liam Ridgewell opened the scoring in the 23rd minute to give Timbers a 1-0 lead. Dairon Asprilla made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute, before David Te x e i r a took it 2-1.

N

Success

Edin Dzeko then put Roma ahead with yet another spot kick in the 72nd minute but Bologna replied with a penalty 15 minutes after Dzeko’s goal to tie the game at 2-2.

Umar’s debut comes after making six match-day squads for the Giallorossi this season and being an integral part of their Primavera squad that took part in the Uefa Youth League.

The Kaduna-born player has been in good form since his move from AC Spezia to AS Roma. Umar has scored three goals in four Uefa Youth League games with two assists.

He has eight goals in 13 games for AS Roma in all competitions this season and is tipped be to be an integral part of the Rome side in years to come.

i l l A banned

from Chelsea clash S

purs midfielder Dele Alli will miss his team’s EPL clash against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday due to an accumulation of bookings.

Alli

Success shines in Granada victory igeria striker Isaac Success scored his third goal for La Liga side Granada before heading off to the U23 AFCON in Senegal, which begins on Saturday.

Success underlined his current form when he doubled Granada’s lead against Atletico Bilbao after 59 minutes for his third goal of

Umar

the season on Sunday.

Success, who has represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels, is one of four foreign-based pros who have made the final cut for the U23 AFCON in Senegal, which will serve as qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The others are Taiwo Awoniyi (Germany), Azubuike Okechukwu (Turkey) and Junior Ajayi (Tunisia).

This season, the 19-year-old striker has made 11 appearances for Granada, who have climbed to 16th position with 10 points from 12 matches.

Last season, Granada barely escaped relegation from the Spanish top flight.

Iheanacho dropped from Dream Team

Iheanacho

M

anchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho has been ruled out of the 2015 African U23 Championship in Senegal, coach Samson Siasia has revealed.

The forward who was part of the Super Eagles squad that silenced Swaziland in the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier will not join the Dream Team VI as they hope to secure a place in Rio 2016.

“The initial plans I had with the player and his representative was that he would join us at least five days to the competition and also help the team till the semi-finals stage which he agreed but later he told somebody very close to me that his club Manchester City is not convinced to release him again

Alli, 19, was handed his fifth booking in his club’s comprehensive 4-1 win over another London club West Ham on Sunday.

And as a result of these bookings, the Nigerian-born star, who has won three caps and scored a goal for England, will be suspended for the Chelsea clash.

Alli has made a most impressive transition from the English thirdtier league with MK Dons to the EPL. This season, he has made 12 appearances for the high-flying Spurs, starting nine of these games.

He has scored twice and assisted a goal.

The box-to-box midfielder is the top Spurs player on dribbles, fouls won and tackles won.

Spurs are fifth on the table with 24 points from 13 matches, 10 points clear of champions Chelsea, who languish in 15th place after a nightmarish start to the season.

since he was dumped on the bench at the last Fifa U20 World Cup under Coach Manu Garba.

“So as it is right now I don’t think Kelechi Iheanacho will join us again,” Siasia said.

“The good news is that Junior Ajayi who is based in Tunisia has since Sunday joined us and we are expecting the team captain Azubuike Okechukwu and Taiwo Awoniyi to arrive today so that we can have a full house to concentrate on for the tournament.”

The former Super Eagles’ handler confessed that his team still finds it hard to score goals, but vowed to do his best to ensure that the players convert at least two or three of five chances created in matches.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

31 Opinion

The perils of an infamous alliance ÏÏÏAt a church event,

Tochukwu Ezukanma

a then serving president said that he honored the church’s invitation because the pastor of the church routinely prayed for him and e-mailed him the transcript of the prayers. To pray for your president is magnificent, but to email him the text of the prayer was expedient: a self-serving act (most likely) aimed at getting the attention, and currying the favor, of the president. Pastors, especially, of new generation, Pentecostal, mega churches in Nigeria desperately desire to hobnob with presidents, governors and other members of the power elite. The power elite appreciate the ingratiation of these pastors, and though rarely prophets, pastors or preachers, they relish being thrust before church audience to pray, preach and exhort. There is a symbiotic alliance between the Nigerian power elite and religious elite. They need each other in their determined exploitation of the Nigerian masses. Over the years, the Nigerian power elite reduced Nigeria to a blundering and floundering country, considered a failed state in some international circles. Their corruption, irresponsible governance and anti-people policies consigned a disproportionate percentage of Nigerians to raw-dirt poverty and stupefacient ignorance.

Their moral bankruptcy and lawlessness promoted avarice, aggressiveness of wealth and culture of impunity – essentially – a moral and ethical collapse

of the Nigerian society.

Ordinarily, the Nigerian men of God should been unrelenting in their condemnation of these rulers.

The ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, enjoined his followers to “criticize an erring ruler fearlessly in behalf of the common good”. Yes, it is a moral, spiritual and social obligation to censure an errant leader. Criticisms are most helpful to rulers.

They remind them of their frailties and limitations, that, in spite of the loftiness of their positions and expansiveness of their powers, they remain as fallible as an abased destitute. It humbles and sobers them. And sobriety and humility are necessary qualities for responsible leadership.

The bible states that, “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God”. Accordingly, earlier men of God like Samuel, Elijah and John the Baptist boldly reprimanded leaders that ruled unjustly and without the fear of God. Modern history is also suffused with instances of pastors taking resolute stances against bad leadership, social injustice and wicked government policies.

Black American preachers like Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young, and Jesse Jackson played pivotal roles in getting America to live up to her creed that, “…all men are created equal”. During the Apartheid era in South Africa, Desmond Tutu and Allan Boesak among other clergy men played pivotal roles in dismantling that unconscionable, institutionalized racism.

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

LAGOS

Low 20°C High 40°C

Low 25°C High 36°C

Low 27°C High 35°C

KADUNA

IBADAN

ILORIN

Low 21°C High 37°C

Low 24°C High 34°C

Low 24°C High 39°C

Their corruption, irresponsible governance and antipeople policies consigned a disproportionate percentage of Nigerians to raw-dirt poverty and stupefacient ignorance.

Their moral bankruptcy and lawlessness promoted avarice, aggressiveness of wealth and culture of impunity

But, unfortunately, in Nigeria, preachers, for the most part, do not question the abuse of power and the bad policies of the power class, most of who rule unjustly and without reverence for the law, respect for man or fear of God. This is because the pastors, mostly, of the one man owned Pentecostal churches, are as greedy and venal as the most

morally degenerate of the political elite. With their Prosperity Doctrine and its inherent distortion of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they ignore the motifs of Christianity (repentance, righteousness, love for others, etc) and dwell on the false doctrine of sowing seeds and prospering. The object of Prosperity Doctrine is not to make Christians more Christ-like but to line the pastors’ pockets, maintain their swanky lifestyles and enlarge their financial empires. Preaching their false doctrine with the flippancy and smoothness of a con artist, they badger and browbeat their members into emptying their pockets into the offering boxes as offerings, tithes and seeds. While a considerable proportion of their members live in poverty and squalor, the pastors, with their tax-free wealth, dwell in mansions, possess fleet of luxury cars, own private jets and indulge their other fantasies. Consequently, they do not only lack the moral authority to reproof our amoral rulers, they need the protection of the rulers.

The political class are obliging them this protection because they need the pastors to brainwash Nigerian Christians into political passivity. Therefore, the pastors can continue with their convolution of the Christian doctrine and exploitative amassing of wealth but, in return, preach passivity and docility to their members. With the level of disillusion and frustration among the masses, the pastors’ role

is to dissuade a populace enraged by the excesses and evils of the power elite from questioning their leaders and demanding accountability and retribution. So, instead of using their enormous powers (inviolability of the pulpit, moral authority of the word of God, unction of God and a mesmerizing grip on the minds of their members) to demand a more responsible and principled exercise of power by our leaders, they are using them to douse the political vehemence of the masses.

As such, from the pulpit, Nigeria pastors exculpate the power elite from the havoc they are wrecking on this country and indict the masses for the offenses of the leaders.

They preach docility, servility and tolerance (for the intolerable) to their members; insinuating that it is sinful to criticize your leaders. They urge them not to complain about the desperate poverty that mars their lives; the pigsties and hovels they inhabit; the trash strewn, festering, oozing and vermin infested neighborhoods they live in; etc; but to just pray for their leaders.

With their perversion of the Gospel, the religious elite dispossess the people.

With their corruption and thievery, the power elite ravage the country, destroy her institutions and impoverish the masses. The two elite groups need to cover each other’s flanks. Thus, there is a symbiotic alliance between them. It continues to thrive at the economic strangulation of the Nigerian masses.

R E P O R T KANO Low 20°C High 38°C

BENIN CITY Low 12°C High 23°C

P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 32°C

CALABAR Low 24°C High 33°C

ENUGU Low 24°C High 35°C

WARRI Low 24°C High 35°C

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

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

Published by folio communicationS ltd, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.

dailytimesng

ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. GROUP EDITOR: Biodun duRoJaiYE news Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. advert Hotlines: 08086296714

tuESdaY, noVEmBER 24, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.237

Price: n150

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES TODAY’S MATCHES

BATE Borisov v B/Leverkusen 18:00 Barcelona v Roma 20:45 Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb 20:45 Bayern Munich v Olympiakos 20:45 FC Porto v Dynamo Kyiv 20:45 Maccabi Tel Aviv v Chelsea 20:45 Zenit St. Petersburg v Valencia 18:00 Lyon v Gent 20:45

WEDNESDAY, NOV 25, 2015 Malmoe FF v PSG 20:45 S/ Donetsk v R/ Madrid 20:45 CSKA Moscow v Wolfsburg 18:00 Man United v PSV 20:45 FC Astana v Benfica Atl. Madrid v Galatasaray 20:45 B. M’gladbach v Sevilla 20:45 Juventus v Manchester City 20:45

Sepp Blatter (left) and Michel Platini claim to have made a verbal contract over the payment under investigation.

FIFA opens gainst a s g n i d e e proc

Blatter,Platini F

ormal proceedings have been opened against FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini, the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics committee has announced.

The proceedings relate to a payment made to Platini by Blatter in 2011, and are based on the final reports submitted to the independent body by the ethics committee’s investigatory chamber.

A decision is expected to be made next month, with the adjudication being chaired

by German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert.

Platini and Blatter, who has revealed

he was “close to death” after collapsing earlier this month, are currently suspended from all footballing activities for 90 days, although both deny any wrongdoing and say there was a verbal contract for the payment for Platini’s work as Blatter’s presidential advisor from 1998 to 2002.

A statement from FIFA read: “The adjudicatory chamber has studied the reports carefully and decided to institute formal proceedings against the two officials.

“For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of innocence until proven

guilty, the adjudicatory chamber will not publish details of the sanctions requested by the investigatory chamber in its final reports.

“In the course of the proceedings, both parties will be invited to submit positions including any evidence with regard to the final reports of the investigatory chamber (art. 70 par. 2 of the FIFA code of ethics) and they may request a hearing (art. 74 par.

2 of the FCE).

“The adjudicatory chamber intends to come to a decision in both cases during the month of December.”

Based on similar cases of wrongdoing, Platini and Blatter could face bans from all football of up to seven years if they are found guilty.

Investigators are understood to have called for suspensions based on four potential ethics code breaches: mismanagement, conflict of interest, false accounting and non co-operation with or criticising the ethics committee.

Korea’s former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-Joon was banned for six years last month and the allegations are at least as serious as those he was sanctioned for.

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Grace

Amah:

Impactful screen goddess

L2,3

P

Interview L2 Ebonyi State-born actress, Grace Amah, who began her acting career as a child actress, in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, opens up on her journey into the world of make believe as well as other details many of her fans have been yearning to know about her.

Excerpts:

Life&

T E A M

As a young lady going into the world of make believe, how did your parents take to your choice of career?

My parents were not favourably disposed to my going into the acting world. They preferred I was a medical doctor or lawyer and I made attempts to read law but the urge for the acting profession did not allow me concentrate. However, my parents have come to embrace and support my career choice and they are happy with the outcome. It is only natural that parents would react negatively to things they do not understand but when they see the positive dividends of such work, they will appreciate and give their support.

So did you get your parents blessings to act?

Not initial but later, they gave me their blessing and support and have since been a great source of strength in the profession because I owe all I do to their prayers and counsel.

Sojourn into acting, how did it all start for you?

That was over a decade ago after I wrote JAMB. While awaiting result, I decided to go after my passion, acting. I went to Winnis guest house somewhere in Surulere and met two wonderful personalities, Aunty Ayo Adesanya whom I have always admired on screen and Frank Ubaka, a movie producer and screen writer.

Seeing Ayo that day was like winning a jackpot. I approached them and shyly told them what I wanted and as God would have it, they listened to me. Fortunately, Frank Ubaka called me a week later to tell me about a role for a 13-year-old in the movie, Chains, produced by Louis Isikaku.

The movie was directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun. I was over 13 years then but could fit in perfectly for the character, so I went for the casting and got the role. Thus began my journey into acting.

Which movie gave you your major break?

It was Elastic Limit produced and directed by Teco Benson and the popular television series, Super Story (One Bad Apple), by Uncle Wale Adenuga

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

What I consider before accepting a script — Grace Amah How would you rate the influence of the television series, ‘Super Story’ and your participation in it on your career?

‘Super Story’ (One Bad Apple) brought out the best in me and made me an instant icon in the industry.

Every producer sought for me. It was the greatest moment I had at the beginning of my acting career which brought the creativity and potentials in me that later helped me in the industry.

How long have you been in the acting game?

Over a decade.

Where do you think is your area of core competence, soaps or movies?

Both. But while soaps brought me out and exposed my talents, movies were the harvest avenue in terms of acting prowess and greater maturity in handling stardom.

What do you look out for before accepting scripts?

First my fans. Actors are role models so any script that would end up as a source of education to fans and a pointer to certain issues in the society by way of correction and giving new direction in the way things should be done would be wholly accepted by me. I consider the positive influence any script would have on people before I take it up. In your over a decade in the movie industry, what would you say has been the industry’s biggest moments?

Nollywood has been acknowledged by government as the second highest contributor to the economy and that should be a source of pride to any member of the industry. Secondly, at a point in the past, Nollywood was the only source of entertainment to Nigerians because we produced what many people saw as a panacea to certain ills in the society as many societal issues were addressed.

Unfortunately, the story is no longer the same. I do hope that the movie industry would return to those glorious days when practitioners were known for creativity and not this mad chase for money at the expense of good work. Nollywood should earn respect from viewers

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

and fans and not to be seen as an organisation of loose women and men, drug addicts or home destroyers. All over the world, the movie industry is an entertainment sector and it is respected based on its productivity. Nollywwod can do better.

Do you think Nollywood has arrived?

Yes, in terms of scope and a wide range of involvement in different departments of government. I would say Nollywood has arrived but I insist that Nollywood needs to address issues that make people have a negative perception about the industry. First, the government must address the issue of piracy so that those who work hard would not lose their hard work and Nollywood itself should develop a code of ethics to guide members on and off screen.

You haven’t been featuring much in movies these days. Many assume you have stepped aside.

I was away from the industry for about four years to attend to family issues and nurse my baby but since I returned back to the industry, I have been featuring in movies. Only recently, I was in Enugu for some movies and I have also been on other locations. When the producers begin to bring out the movies, my fans will reconnect with me.

Would you say you faced challenges to get to where you are today?

O f course, in every profession, there will always be ups and downs. I had my challenges but I thank God, I am moving on well.

People complain that there are cabals in Nollywood, how true is this?

CONTINUED ON Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

L3

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Top ten music and movie charts

Nigeria

Abdullahi Zaheenab

chart

1. FA ft. Chidinma – Desire 2. Aina More – Afrikan Lady 3. AKA – Baddest (Remix) ft.

Fifi Cooper, Rouge, Moo zlie & Gigi lamayne 4. Ruggedman – U.T.I (Under The Influence) 5. Techno ft. Flavour x Phyno – Duro (Remix) 6. Skales – Mu Jo 7. Ola Dips – Hello (Adele Cover) 8. BOJ ft. Runtown – Phantom 9. Kelvin king ft. MC Galaxy – Shame on you 10. Baba Dee & Terry G – Wey The Money

L3 Movie & Music Chart

English

Foreign Yoruba movie

1. Adele – Hello 2. Drake – Hotline Bling 3. Justin Bieber – sorry 4. The Weekend – The Hills 5. Shawn Mendes – Stitches 6. Justine Bieber – What do you mean?

7. Fetty Wap Featuring Remy Boys – 679 8. Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams 9. Megan Trainor Featuring John Legend – Like I’m gonna lose you 10. Elle King – EX’s & OH’s

movie

Foreign

Ohun Ikoko

1.

Spectre

2.

Baba Oba

2.

The Peanut Movie

3.

Fowora

3.

Love the Coopers

4.

Obinrin

4.

The Martians

5.

Kurukuru

5.

The 33

6.

Okansooso

6.

Goosebumps

7.

Oju Eledumare

7.

Bridge of spies

8.

Ayinde OniPafu

8.

Hotel Transyvania 2

9.

July 1st

9.

The Last Witch Hunter

10.

My All American

Shadow

First Lady

2.

Dry

3.

Taxi Driver

4.

Lunch Time

5.

Dazzling Mirage

6.

One Night in Vegas

7.

Dark

8.

Anger

9.

Unforgiveable

10.

Silence

movie

1.

10.

1.

Adele

Interview CONTINUED FROM

L2

I don’t know about cabals. But Nollywood needs to be reinvented.

We need to reposition the industry and act as one. There are different groups that do not want to be under the Actors Guild of Nigeria led by Ibinabo Fiberesinma. They operate on their own. Some other groups also came up with funny names and operate the way they want. There is no way the industry can achieve expected result if we are divided.

The question of cabal comes from the fact that some people feel they have the resources and control funds from government subventions and so decide who gets what, where and how. Apart from that, what I think the industry needs is a strong leadership with a code of conduct and every other thing will fall in place. Every profession has its own code of conduct; lawyers, engineers, even in the civil service, they have their own code of conduct or rules guiding their operations. It is only in Nollywood that people come in without following the rules. People get into it when a producer or director feels you can give him/her what he/she wants in whatever form. The repositioning of the industry will be-

‘Nollywood needs to be reinvented’ gin when we start to define rules to guide actions of members so that those who come in will feel that they have to be checked and not behave anyhow. The fault is in ourselves.

Also, dividing ourselves into groups with different interest will only further showcase the industry in the manner you have described, cabals.

How can one have a scandal free career in Nollywood?

Everyone who goes into any profession has a reason for doing so.

Those who come into the industry to develop their talents would not have any reason to have scandals because they are focused and dedicated to what they have come to achieve. But those who see the industry as a shortcut to cheap fame will naturally have scandals because their life will be out of tune with the standards required in the profession. People may create scandals for themselves through the way they behave, while some others may

have scandals, perhaps by those who attempt to discredit good works.

So, for one to have scandal free life in Nollywood, one has to be focused, dedicated and determined in the pursuit of one’s objective in the industry.

Nollywood should not be seen as a cheap source of fame and organisation for loose women.

How has being a single mother impacted on your career?

Being a mother whether married or otherwise is a good thing. It brings joy and satisfaction. I have not regretted it one bit. I am a happy woman with my son and his presence posses no challenge to me. I have coped with him and the acting profession effectively. One cannot be an actress forever and not have a family. There is no reason why having a family should be a challenge to working because both of them complement each other. You need to work to feed the family and you need your family to complete you.

How do you think the private sector can partner with Nollywood to grow it like its counterpart in the western world?

Nollywood is like any other aspect of human development such as football and other aspects of sports. Investors all over the world look for such organisations to invest their money in when they know that they will have return on investments. Like I stated earlier, when Nollywood is properly organised with proper code of conduct for members and good leadership, investors would naturally

want to identify with the industry.

But when it is divided as we are presently, people may not want to invest their money. However, with government intervention recently, there is hope for the industry. The way and manner we manage what government gave will determine and give hope to intending investors but first the industry must be organised.

Have we seen the last or best of you in Nollywood?

Of course not. Nollywood is up and coming and Nigeria will benefit more in due course.

Eyola L4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

ONE

1ne The Victorian era is a period in British history I find most extraordinary, so much so that it inspired my women’s wear label Eyola; eyola.com. Rules of propriety governed almost every aspect of a Victorian’s life from fashion to socializing. Strict codes were applied to dinner and ballroom parties among the most popular forms of entertainment - and most of the dinner-table etiquette associated with this era still applies today.

2wo As soon as you sit at a table, the napkin should be placed on your lap. Avoid elbows resting on the table, fidgeting and slouching.

You may start eating when everyone at the table has been served.

Mind your

table manners

3hree

Hold your knife firmly without touching the blade. When used with a knife, forks should be held in the left hand and one must never cut food with the side of a fork. When used alone, forks (and spoons) should be securely held in the right hand. When eating, the fork (or spoon) should be brought to the mouth. Don’t lower the head down towards the plate.

NAPKIN

Forks should sit on the left side of the place-setting, knives and spoons to the right. Work from the outside in. Begin with the outer fork and knife for the starter and then move your way in, course by course. Dessert spoons and forks are either above the place-setting (for informal dining) or brought out after the main course has been cleared from the table. Use dessert forks for dense desserts (e.g. cakes and pastries) and teaspoons for ice cream and jelly.

4our

SPAG

5ive Never overstretch your arm to reach for butter, salt etc. Politely ask your fellow diners to pass it along. Never talk with your mouth full and take small mouthfuls, eating at a relaxed pace. Avoid making noises with your mouth (e.g. slurping) or cutlery (e.g. scraping a plate). In between bites, quietly rest cutlery on the plate or bowl.

6ix Canapés should be eaten in one mouthful, without overfilling your mouth. Spaghetti should be eaten with a fork. Pizza can be eaten using your hands, held at the crust on informal occasions and with a knife and fork on formal occasions, including dining at restaurants.

7even Pips, stones and bones (from

THREE

olives, fish, chicken etc) should be discretely removed from the mouth the same way that it went in. For instance when an olive is eaten using a fork, the pip should be deposited onto the fork then placed on the side of the plate. Anything eaten using your hands should be silently removed by covering the mouth with your left hand. Unless you’re at a barbecue, food should be eaten with a knife, fork and/or

spoon. An exception is bread rolls which should only be broken apart and buttered with a bread knife each time you’re about to eat a mouthful.

8ight When you’ve finished eating, place your cutlery side by side facing upwards at the centre of the plate. When you leave your seat, place the unfolded napkin to the left side of the plate.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

L5

Teens world

L6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Teens and their

Patience Ekanem

challenges Self-Esteem and Body Image Teenagers undergo and have to cope with numerous body changes.

Some teenagers feel too fat, too skinny, too tall, too short, etc. This feeling leads them to spend time wishing they were not too skinny, too short etc.

The problem with this feeling is that it affects their self-image. As a teenage boy or girl’s body changes, so does the self. When they do not like something in themselves, they have self-esteem and body image problems. They also perceive others, particularly schoolmates, to view them as they view themselves. They can suffer more from these problems when they have trouble adjusting.

Hormonal changes have huge effects on the general growth and mood of the teens. Puberty changes tempt teenagers to compare themselves with people around them and when they find they do not match their standards, they feel low. Most youths’ ability to develop positive self-esteem is affected by family life and parental criticism. Teenagers who experience negative comments about their appearances, the way they talk etc also develop poor self-esteem and body image.

Bullying Bullying is one of the worst teenage problems and affects millions of youths. Bullying causes fear in the minds of kids, and makes them nervous going to school each day. The adults do not always witness the bullying in their lives. The teenage children may be subject to heavy bullying as they may not understand how extreme it can get. Any form of bullying is relentless, causing the affected teenagers to live in a state of constant fear.

Two of the prime reasons teens are bullied are their appearance and social status. Bullying has caused many serious and life threatening problems for bullied teens. As they get bullied often in school, their academics, and mental health suffer. Bullying can be cruel when it becomes physical, some

bullies attack their targets physically while others repeatedly use verbal insults, affecting the psychology of the affected teens.

Depression Depression is one of the worst problems that some teenagers suffer from and it can lead to more problems in the future. Depression may arise from poor self-esteem and body image problems. If that is the reason of depression in a teen, then parents should talk to the teen, listen to their child, comfort him or her, and accept their child for who they are. It is crucial that teens feel validated in their feelings and thoughts because what they are going through is a real part of their lives. Parents and guardians should not judge or criticize their feelings or thoughts. They should tell the teen how important it is to have high self-esteem and be comfortable in their body. Depression symptoms in teenagers may be exhibited in various ways. Changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, declined interest in normal and healthy activities, dropping grades in school and college, and preferred isolation are all signs of depression.

When teenagers displays one or all of these symptoms parents should intervene immediately. If teenagers begin talking about their depression, then they should be allowed to express their feelings, and parents should confirm their feelings by listening to them without interrupting the conversation.

Drugs and Alcohol Teens who drink, put themselves at risks for many problems. For example, they face problems with the law, at school, with their parents, and peers. Drug abuse is a major problem affecting millions of teenagers, along with their parents and families. It is of importance, if parents, schools, media, etc, educate the young children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and how drugs affect their bodies. If they are taught properly, then they will be able to make an educated choice.

Cyber Addiction The Internet offers undeniable benefits in developing a teen’s ability to grow with modern technology, technical ideas, knowledge and other skills.

However, using the internet, particularly the social networking websites, unsafely puts the teenagers at very high risk for many problems. When children spend more than enough or agreeable time online they tend to be cyber addicts. As they spend more time on social networking, gaming, and other websites, they suffer from cyber addiction.

Cyber addiction can be just as harmful as addiction to drugs or drinking alcohol. Teenagers who spend unhealthy amounts of time on the Internet or online suffer from a condition recognized as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). Those who have IAD conditions may experience distress, withdrawal symptoms including obsessive thoughts, tremors, and other mental and physical problems. Cyber addiction impairs the quality of their lives. Parents should talk to their children and agree on a list of rules that clearly say when to use the internet, which sites they should visit and what safety measures they should follow.

Teachers can also ensure safe browsing of the web at schools and colleges for teenage students.

Parents, teachers and other guardians should be well aware of the problems faced by our teenagers today and be prepared to eliminate the problems to the best of their abilities. The sad fact is, even in solid and stable family units, teenagers are faced with uncertainty, confusion and wrong directions in their lives. Those who have witnessed and experienced broken homes, unsafe sex, alcohol, drug abuse, and bullying issues, show themselves differently in the community they live in. Proper parenting is vital, especially in the very formative years of the children, so that they can grow up with the manners and teachings taught by their parents.

Teenagers face real problems on a daily basis during the most awkward growth stages of their lives; between the ages of 13 and 19.

During this time, teens are exposed to some overwhelming external and internal struggles. Teens go through, and are expected to cope with hormonal changes, puberty, social and parental forces, work and school pressures, as well as encountering many conditions and problems. Teens feel overwhelmed when faced with unprecedented stresses concerning school and college, and career confusion situations. Those who have lost their parents are exposed to more unfavourable states of life. The issues that teenagers face today vary but these issues can be dealt with easily if parents and other guardians can understand the symptoms of their problems. Parents need to approach their teens, who have been suffering from one or more teenage problems, carefully and in a friendly manner to discuss the problem (s). Many teens feel misunderstood. It is vital that their feelings and thoughts are validated and that the validation comes from their parents.

These are some of the most common problems encountered by teenagers today: Self-Esteem and Body Image Stress Bullying Depression

Cyber Addiction Drinking and Smoking Teen Pregnancy Underage Sex Child Abuse Peer-Pressure and Competition Eating Disorders surprisingly, all of these problems are connected to one another, like a chain reaction. When the teens face self-esteem and body image problems, they can become frustrated, resulting in eating disorders. The teens start feeling stress when they are exposed to peer-pressure and competition at school, or child abuse at home.

Many teens take to drinking and smoking in order to relieve the stress. Many may run away from home, play computer games, and start chatting online with strangers.

Computer games and online chatting can result in addiction. Many teens feel further stress when they get bullied online. Others may become easy targets of online predators and once treated badly, they turn to more harmful practices.

Those who cannot find love at home or support at schools start to build relationships with friends in school or local areas, resulting in unsafe or underage sex, and possible teen pregnancy. Many become addicted to drugs and harm themselves when they cannot get results. Many teens resort to crimes once they feel they cannot get any help or support.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

L7 Relationship

Agboola Oluwarantimi

Is arguing a natural part of every

relationship?

Can you genuinely remove arguing from a relationship or do you belief arguing is a natural part of a healthy relationship? What happens is you find arguing detrimental but your partner finds it natural?

There is a belief that regular arguments spell the end of any relationship and that if those argument didn’t occur, then everything would be perfect. We never equate romance and true love with a couple who argue. We imagine perfect couples to never have a single disagreement to be in constant harmony with each other, agreeing at every twist and turn. Arguing shouldn’t always be seen as a negative element of your relationship, in fact compared to a couple that never argue, it could be that your relationship is actually in better standing.

In a relationship where there is barely a heated conversation, it could be that one or both parties don’t feel safe enough to express

themselves. They doubt whether they can be honest about their feelings and be heard, respected and still loved. A lack of argument can also signal a lack of commitment, if you just don’t care about the longevity of your relationship with someone, you might just keep your head down and ignore anything that comes up because ultimately it won’t matter in d end.

The fact is that blending your life with another person isn’t always going to go smoothly, it takes work and there will be times when differences comes between you . The most important thing is to learn to navigate these times so that you can come out the other side feeling more secure, intimate and respected in your relationship. There is usually no standard instruction on how to deal with the myriad of possible arguments we might get into with someone we love, but knowing how to argue well is one of the best tools for a long term relationship.

Below are some hint on how to argue well with your partner: Ò Choose an appropriate time to raise your issue with your partner. Ò Raise your issue with your partner early and address it while it is still relevant. Ò Try to stay on point and don’t refer to the past. Ò Leave everyone else out of it. Ò Remain respectful and calm. Ò Listen to your partner side of the story. Ò Don’t fight to be right. Ò Don’t walk out on your partner So next time you are arguing with your partner, don’t forecast the end of your relationship. It takes practice but with time and commitment, you will soon find that not only do you have less argument, but you have better quality argument that actually deepen and strengthen your love.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

20:58

140 Eva Channel

13:05

Tue, 24 Nov | PG 16

Tue, 24 Nov | PG16

While exploring a cave, two skiers find the body of a 400-year-old samurai warrior entombed in ice. He is brought to the United States and revived through cryosurgery. John Calvin, Charles Lampkin, Frank Schuller, Hiroshi Fujioka, Janet Julian. (1985) J. Larry Carroll

101 M-Net West

00:15 3 Days To Kill 02:15 All Is Lost 04:01 Britain’s Got Talent 04:47 Behind The Scenes: Beatenberg 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Big Bang Theory 06:30 Proof 07:30 Idols SA 09:13 Behind The Scenes: Delivery Boys 09:30 Resurrection 10:30 The McCarthys 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Britain’s Got Talent 13:00 State Of Affairs 14:00 Revenge 15:00 Madam Secretary 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Odd Couple 17:30 Britain’s Got Talent 18:30 Chicago PD 19:30 Mr. Robot 20:30 Battle Creek 21:30 State Of Affairs 22:30 Secrets & Lies

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 Cruel Love 02:10 For Love And Justice 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 For Love And Justice 17:50 Cruel Love 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 For Love And Justice 22:00 Cruel Love 22:50 Husband For Hire

00:40 The Weakest Link

11:35 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:26 Luther

12:24 Top Gear

02:20 Come Dine With Me

13:20 Come Dine With Me

03:10 EastEnders

14:14 Live At The Apollo

03:39 QI

15:06 The Weakest Link

04:10 Top Gear

15:59 EastEnders

05:00 Only Fools And Horses

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:31 QI

17:10 Pointless

06:04 My Family 06:36 EastEnders

18:02 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:05 Antiques Roadshow

18:59 QI

07:57 The Weakest Link

19:34 QI

08:47 Pointless

20:08 Would I Lie To You?

09:36 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:42 Mr Sloane

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

21:13 Miranda Special Xmas 2014

11:01 My Family

21:53 Mrs Brown’s Boys 22:27 Mrs Brown’s Boys

154 Africa Magic Family 00:06 Star Gist 00:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 01:37 Good Morning Africa 02:37 Good Morning Africa 03:15 Music Block 04:12 Filler: Entertainment 04:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 05:30 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 06:00 Good Morning Africa 06:36 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Jonzing 08:45 Coco Bill

Aka Amaka The Village Girl. Falsely accused of a crime, a girl suffers the fate of the poor. But in a bid to clear her name, things spiral out of control for the worse. Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Nwokoye. (2014) NonsoEkene Okonkwo

09:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 09:18 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis 09:30 Kumwesu 10:00 Good Morning Africa 10:34 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 11:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 12:00 Music Block 13:00 Tinsel 13:30 Star Gist 14:00 Nowhere To Be Found 14:30 Rolling With Faith History 15:04 Lies That Bind 15:30 Lies That Bind 15:49 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis

155 Africa Magic World 16:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 17:00 Kumwesu 17:30 Mashariki Mix 18:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 18:18 Behind The Scenes: Enitan 18:30 Kakibe Ki 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Karma 20:30 Rolling With Faith History 21:00 Jara 21:33 Playing Victim 22:38 Behind The Scenes: The Kingdom

00:25 Jara 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 04:00 Jacob’s Cross 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Soul On Fire 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 Prem 11:00 Jacob’s Cross 12:00 Jacob’s Cross 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Music Block 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Star Gist 16:00 Star Gist 16:30 Star Gist 17:00 Jacob’s Cross 18:00 Jacob’s Cross

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Caught On Camera 00:50 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:15 1000 Ways To Die 01:40 1000 Ways To Die 02:05 Lock Up 03:45 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 04:35 Extreme Reality Clips 05:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 05:50 World’s Wildest Police Videos 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 Whaddyado 07:30 Caught On Camera 08:30 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:30 Extreme Reality Clips 10:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:55 Video Zonkers 12:25 Whaddyado 12:55 Caught On Camera 13:50 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:45 Extreme Reality Clips 15:15 Stunts Unlimited 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Caught On Camera 18:00 Whaddyado 18:30 Extreme Reality Clips 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Bad Ink 20:30 Guy Code 21:00 Online Dating Rituals...

22:00 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos

TT1

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Tech Times Æ s

Inye Kemabonte

Editor Tech Times inye@technologylaw.com.ng

Omobola Johnson to declare open A4AI-Nigeria Coalition

Johnson

The Honorary Chairperson of Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)-Nigeria Coalition and the immediate past Minister of Communication Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson, would on Tuesday, November 24, declare open (A4AI) stakeholders meeting in Lagos.

In a press release by the Com-

munications Officer, World Wide Web Foundation, Lauran Potter, Dr Johnson said that the Internet and the access to information and services that comes with it has become a key component of everyday life in many countries.

She spoke preparatory to her opening a meeting of stakeholders working to increase access

to affordable Internet in Nigeria.

The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)-Nigeria Coalition will convene at the Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce broadband prices in the country, and to deliberate best practices for overcoming key obstacles to improved affordability.

Dr Johnson will be joined at the meeting by Dr Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian National Communications Commission (NCC), who presently serves as the National Coordinator for the A4AI-Nigeria Coalition.

CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 2

Shittu, others call for consolidation of IT in electoral process Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has described Information Communication Technology ( ICT) as an indispensable tool in achieving a successful and credible electoral system in the country.

Shittu who was speaking at recent eNigeria Forum in Abuja, organised by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that given the high expectation of Nigerians for meaningful change and development in the electoral system, the IT/ICT industry should marshal out new plans that would strengthen the nation’s electoral system through the deployment of technology in line with the world best practices.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while delivering a keynote address called for consolidation and expansion of the scope of the use of technology in future elections in the country.

Jega said there was the need for a strong stakeholder alliance and consolidation as well as expansion of the scope of technology adoption in the Nigerian electoral process, adding that it would engender greater transparency and effectiveness in delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in the country. ‘‘As the 2015 general elections clearly illustrate, Nigeria has come a long way in the improved effectiveness of its electoral processes.

From an unwholesome situation of a series of poorly conducted elections which created apathy and

Peter Jack flanked by other dignitaries at eNigeria Forum skepticism amongst the citizenry. ‘‘We are beginning to see the culmination of determined reform efforts into better managed

elections, with renewed or revived hope amongst the citizenry that their votes are beginning to count in electing their leaders.

‘‘What remains to be seen is how better elections would translate into good democratic governance, but the prospects are bright. When

votes count, politicians sit up and listen; and begin to take into acCONTINUED ON PAGE TT 2

Broadband to catalyse Nigeria’s economy into the future – Adewusi

Adewusi

For Nigeria’s economy to compete favourably with other global economies, managers of the nation’s economy would need to pay priority attention to the delivery of broadband technology, as this would

catalyze Nigeria’s economy.

According to the spokesperson of the organiser of the annual Africa Digital Forum and Awards, Mr. Tayo Adewusi, broadband has become a priority of the 21st century economy.

“Its power to transform and catalyze economies and social growth cannot be overemphasized. Broadband is an essential tool for empowering people, CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 3

TT 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

GSMA seeks Gov’t support for co-primary allocation of sub-700MHZ spectrum Tony Nwakaegho John Giusti, chief regulatory officer, GSMA, seeks governments support as he reiterated the benefits of agreeing to a co-primary allocation for mobile and broadcast in the sub-700MHz spectrum band at the just concluded World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva.

“The sub-700MHz UHF band (470-694MHz) could prove a critical tool for governments seeking to expand access to high quality, wide area coverage for mobile broadband services for their citizens, whether they live in dense urban areas or remote rural communities. Critically, as many governments seek to identify the band at WRC-15 for potential future use for mobile, it offers the opportunity for spectrum harmonisation, which would drive economies of scale and reduce the cost of devices for consumers around the world.

“Today, the UHF band is lightly used for terrestrial broadcasting in many countries. By implementing the latest technologies, these legacy services could be maintained in a smaller amount of spectrum, maximising the use of this valuable spectrum resource by allowing both mobile and broadcasting below 700MHz. Adding a co-primary allocation in the sub-700MHz band at WRC-15 would offer governments the flexibility to meet the changing needs of their citizens, who are increasingly accessing video content via ‘second screen’ mobile and tablet devices, and expand the well-established socio-economic benefits generated

by mobile broadband.

“There is much misinformation being disseminated. To be clear, the GSMA is not advocating for an end to traditional broadcast television. Co-primary allocations to mobile and broadcast already exist in many parts of world, notably throughout the Asia Pacific region.

There is no evidence that the existence of a co-primary allocation to mobile has had a negative impact on broadcast investment in the region. Indeed, investment should remain strong as long as there is belief in the market for broadcasters’ services and in the ability to reach citizens over the terrestrial broadcasting platform.

“In stark contrast, a ‘no change’ vote for the sub-700MHz UHF band at WRC-15 would put unnecessary constraints on the ability of governments to choose how best to meet the needs of their citizens over the coming decade. Taking into account the WRC cycle, it would likely not be until at least 2023 before governments could revisit allocations in the sub-700MHz band, with a further five to ten years before it would reach the public in the form of new and innovative services.

“As mobile data continues to grow at an exponential rate, we need to act now to safeguard the future of the mobile internet.

The GSMA encourages governments at WRC-15 to support a co-primary allocation for mobile in the sub-700MHz band to ensure they have the flexibility to respond to the requirements of their markets and their citizens.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1

Omobola to declare open A4AI-Nigeria Coalition

“The importance of expanding access to affordable broadband so that all Nigeria’s citizens can come online cannot be overstated. I look forward to working with the A4AI-Nigeria Coalition to ensure that we develop and advocate for the policies needed to ensure Internet for all,” she said.

Low levels of affordability remain a significant barrier to Internet and broadband access in Nigeria, where just over 42 per cent of citizens are online. A recent study by A4AI – the world’s broadest technol-

Peter Jack

Shittu, others call for consolidation of IT in electoral process CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1

count with seriousness the needs and aspirations of the voters. They ignore the voters at their own electoral peril. ‘‘The 2015 general elections point to the direction of enhancing the use of technology for greater effectiveness of the electoral processes.

Use of technology is not without its challenges. Indeed, the challenges could be enormous. But they are not insurmountable, and they in no way diminish the need for improved and increased use of technology in our electoral system. ‘‘INEC has had to grapple with all these in past five years or so, as it deployed technology in the electoral process leading to the 2015 general elections. No doubt, in the years to come, as we strive to consolidate the discernable gains of the use of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and Card Readers, in the Nigerian electoral processes, a lot of attention needs to be focused on addressing these challenges,’’ he added.

He advocated that the issue of security of data and staff training should be taken more seriously to enhance the credibility of the system.

Giusti

ogy sector coalition working to bring down the price of broadband – revealed that Nigeria does not meet the UN target of entry-level broadband priced at 5 per cent or less of average income for those living in poverty.

The A4AI-Nigeria Coalition comprises over 100 stakeholders from across Nigeria’s public, private, and civil society sectors, who are working together to tackle barriers to affordability in Nigeria, including pricing transparency, infrastructure sharing, and consumer awareness. This meeting will mark the group’s third since the Coalition was formed in March

2014, and will be opened by DrOmobola Johnson, who was recently appointed Honorary Chairperson of A4AI, Ndukwe said, “The A4AI-Nigeria Coalition has been hard at work since March 2014 debating the primary barriers to increased Internet access and affordability in Nigeria and the best ways to overcome these challenges. We have worked with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Nigerian Communications Commission to monitor TV white spaces trials and develop appropriate policy recommendations; drafted a document that spells out the

benefits of the Internet to sensitise users and non-users; and developed policy recommendations to improve infrastructure sharing and the use of open access across Nigeria.

“Yet much work remains to make affordable Internet across Nigeria a reality. This meeting will allow us the unique opportunity to assess our progress to date, and to determine priorities and next steps for our work going forward. We look forward to sharing our conclusions with you after the meeting, and to continuing our work toward the important goal of universal access,” he concluded.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

3 TT

NBC picks Paywizard for Nigeria Digital TV Switchover Paywizard, the specialist in subscriber management for pay-TV, said that it has been picked by Inview, the broadcast and OTT software and services specialist, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of Nigeria, to support the national digital TV switchover project.

Working with Inview, Paywizard’s AgileXtraTM platform will manage all customer data, subscriptions and billing, including voucher code/scratch card transactions.

Paywizard’s platform will be integrated with Inview’s set-top boxes (STB) and Nagra’s conditional access (CA) system to allow subscribers to sign up to and access the content of their choice.

Paywizard’s tailored services will also provide Inview with contact centre support, service automation, DTT and digital switchover insight.

“While the pay-TV market across Africa is growing rapidly and demand is high, the switchover process is challenging .We were looking to work with proven partners, such as Paywizard and Inview, who have lots of experience and industry knowledge to guide us as we

Mba move towards going digital,” Emeka Mba, director general of NBC Nigeria said.

With NBC introducing a digital access fee, a key challenge was to consider how customers could subscribe to the service in a market where traditional payment mechanisms are not widely adopted.

“Vouchers were the obvious route of pre-payment for NBC Nigeria subscribers, allowing them to sign up, pay, and enjoy their new digital TV service seamlessly,” Nick Markham, chairman, Inview said.

“We’ve worked with Paywizard on a number of opportunities across the world, predominantly

Coders4Africa to host African Coders Conference in Abuja end of November Coders4Africa, a network of African software developers, said that it is hosting its first conference on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 at the National Open University of Nigeria in the Abuja campus.

According to the organisers, all software and application developers, techies, technopreneurs and com-

puter science students are invited to register and attend.

The goal of Coders4Africa’s first Nigeria conference event is to explore the many opportunities that exist in Nigeria’s growing coding and tech space.

The conference will include development sessions in web, mobile, and cloud technology as well as dis-

cussions centered on drone tech and blockchain.

Sponsors and partners include IBM Cloud, African Technology Foundation, Pluralsight, tiphub, DroneCast, and Creative Tech Works.

Building on successes such as Hotels.ng (accommodation booking), Fashpa (fashion e-commerce),

in the DTT and digital switchover market and with the complexities of a market such as Nigeria; they were the obvious choice of partner to work with us”.

“For over 5 years, Paywizard were instrumental to the successful rollout of digital TV in the UK, which means we have the knowledge and experience to support NBC Nigeria.

“Transitioning to a digital service opens up opportunities for revenue growth but is fraught with challenges and pitfalls. We believe with our proven knowledge and expertise we are well placed to help, support and advice operators transition to digital,” Jonathan Guthrie, CEO, Paywizard said.

Following on from its recent funding of £3.5 million earlier this year, the African pay-TV market is key to Paywizard’s international expansion.

The African pay-TV market is growing at 15% year-on-year and the deal with NBC allows Paywizard to expand its international presence and help local service providers’ profit from the new TV landscape.

Jobberman (jobs), and Paga (mobile payments) and Nigeria’s 170 million plus population–Coders4Africa see a possibility to scale–as the country is attracting startup founders among locals, diaspora, and foreigners alike.

Founded in 2009, Coders4Africa is a full-service software and consulting startup with 1400 members in the United States and across the African continent.

The company specializes in software development for both web and mobile platforms and provides the resources needed to power the next generation of African IT professionals.

Ngcaba

Ngcaba tasks Africa to take tech lead, ownership to leapfrog in 5 years Andile Ngcaba, the chairperson of Convergence Partners said that Africa is grown above the level of being referred to as just a consumer of technology anymore as the continent’s telecommunications market could become bigger than that of Europe in the next five years.

Ngcaba made this notion while speaking at the just concluded AfricaCom 2015 in Cape Town on a panel of discussion on how new technology will transform Africa, adding that it’s time that Africans switch their mindsets to creating technology standards rather than adopting them from other regions such as Europe.

Africa is forecast to have over one billion mobile phone subscriptions by 2021, according to networking technology firm Ericsson in its 2015 mobility report.

“If you go back in the telecoms world, we almost never were included or involved in standards making.

I think the critical issue for me is that when we talk about digital Africa…it is about us designing our CONTINUED ON PAGE TT 4

Broadband to catalyse Nigeria’s economy into the future – Adewusi CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT 1

create an environment that nurtures the technological and service innovation and trigger positive change in business processes,” Adewusi said.

Defined as the technology that enables high-speed transfer of data, according to him, broadband is linked to the emergence of the Internet. Broadband is at the heart of the economy and

covers support services, electronic billing, Wi-Fi, electronic monitoring, inventory management and web security. Other areas are device configuration, project management, e-ticketing and installation.

How the broadband would catalyze the country’s economy into the future would be focus of the dignitaries that would converge at the Africa Digital Forum and Awards on November

29, 2015. Themed “Broadband: Catalyst for tomorrow’s economy today”, the forum would have among other speakers Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Nigeria Communication Commission [NCC] Prof Umaru Danbatta, Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Emeka Mba and MD/CEO, Galaxy Backbone, Mallam Yusuf Kazaure.

Adewusi explained that an in-

crease in the adoption of broadband in the country would drive and support several services and applications in the economy.

“But the broadband needs to be affordable for users”, he said.

He averred that the availability of broadband infrastructure and broadband-enabled applications would assist ICT regulators, policy-makers and stakeholders in the ecosystem to ensure the technology play a

vital role in Nigeria’s economy beyond the 21st century. ITU has expressed the need for developing economies to focus on the provision of affordable broadband services.

As broadband grows, “we need to build knowledge for our economy so that it can thrive and evolve into the future. These are some of issues the dignitaries would delve into at the forum and award night”, he added.

TT 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, November 24, 2015

NOTAP DG solicits international support for Nigerian researchers Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, director general, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP)(picture) Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, director general, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) is soliciting international support for Research and Development (R&D) efforts in Nigeria.

He made the appeal when he received a visiting delegation from the Congressional Black Caucus of the State of Georgia U.S.A who paid a courtesy call on the Management of NOTAP at the Office headquarters in Abuja.

Dr. Ibrahim disclosed that in the process of delivering on its mandate, NOTAP has realised that the research and development activities in the country is at a very low ebb because of poor funding and for Nigerians to be able to access the numerous international funding outside the country they need to write bankable proposals that can compete across the globe.

He recounted that NOTAP has in the past partnered with organisations like UNESCO and ISESCO to train Nigerian researchers on writing proposals that can compete across the globe.

“NOTAP through this process had trained over 300 researchers with quite a number of them beginning to access global funding and patents have started emerging

Ibrahim which is the future for Nigeria. We don’t have any option than to see all efforts put to materials in improving our R&D efforts because that is the future of the country and we are not under any illusion that the multinationals will come into the country to develop the country, it is our responsibility to develop our country,’’ he buttressed.

Dr. Ibrahim expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed on

NOTAP by the Black Caucus, and stressed his belief that it is the capacities of the individual Nigerians that will determine the future of this nation and wants to see if there are other opportunities where NOTAP can partner with the Black Caucus, particularly to expose Nigerian researchers to source of funding facilities so that they can undertake R&D that can move Nigeria forward.

Earlier, Hon. Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler, leader of the delegation and Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus said the visit to NOTAP was predicated on the excellent work the Office is doing in science and technology development which was identified by the science department of the Georgia Assembly.

She pointed out that the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus has therefore extended an invitation to NOTAP DG to meet the General Assembly with the offer of a Georgia ordinary citizenship for the efforts by the agency and service to humanity. ‘’There are so many partnership that we can do with Nigeria and its lawmakers because our system is similar especially at the state level.

We can help on ethical training, leadership policy democracy and now that Nigeria has a new government with a change mantra we are waiting to see how this plays out because Nigeria is the leading economy in Africa and one of the greatest economies and Nigeria is the next frontier, but I believe that Nigeria has always been the frontier and that our brothers and sisters here know how to utilize the abundant resources for the benefit of the black people,’’ Dawkins-Haigler stated.

The visit of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus U.S.A was under the support of the African Leadership Magazine published by Dr. Ben Giami.

NiRA intensifies campaign on .ng, lists steps for choosing domain name The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has continued to intensify its campaigns for the promotion of .ng on Facebook and Google AdSense and also listed the essential steps to follow when choosing a good domain name.

In an e-newsletter endorsed by Sunday Folayan, NiRA’s President stated that “With this move, we plan to create more online awareness of the .ng domain strings and increase the uptake. Since we placed these advertisements online, we have witnessed remarkable interests in the .ng brand. We now invite you to be a part of the social media campaign, by sharing these contents and commenting on our pages, liking us on Facebook or retweeting our tweets on Twitter”.

According to the statement, the essential steps to follow when choosing a good

domain name are: Choose a unique name; Keep it short and simple; Stay away from numbers and dashes; Pick a name that is easy to spell and memorize; Avoid using any copyright or trademarked names; Use keywords that are relevant to your topic; Consider your target audience before choosing a name; Name your website after your business; and always try to register “Your Name” if it’s available, for blogs.

Folayan revealed that one’s choice of a domain name can affect the potential success of the online presence.

“It is important to note that millions of domain names are already registered most especially on all the gTLDs such as “.com, .org, .net e.tc”. To get good domain names on these TLDs, you must be a bit creative with your name or buy it at a very high cost.

“The good thing about those domain

names you love to register and that had been taken on the gTLDs is that most of them are still available on other TLDs like .ng and will function very well irrespective of the TLD you choose to register on. The ‘.ng’ domain extension will allow you target your customers effectively, set yourself apart with your brand name and brand product.

“Be wise in the choice of your domain name for your website; Where to Register Your Domain Name and Hosting,” he added.

He further expatiated that domain names and web hosting are completely different though these services can be obtained from the same service provider.

NiRA, the Registry of the .ng ccTLD, has been working with many different Registrars that offer domain name registration and web hosting services.

Folayan

Ngcaba tasks Africa to take tech lead, ownership to leapfrog in 5 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE TT3

own technology, taxonomy,” Ngcaba said.

He explained that even though Africa still needs a lot of technology infrastructure but noted that a lot had been achieved with the laying of subsea cables such as Seacom to Africa’s shores.

As a result, Ngcaba said that Africa’s technology market has lots of room to grow among its almost one billion strong population – a phenomenon that could change the global telecoms space.

“People in Europe see us as a market. In the next five years or so we will be bigger than Europe as a market. We are no more a colonised Africa. We need to think of ourselves as people to produce technology and take it to other parts of the world,” he enthused.

Meanwhile, other participants in the panel discussion said that Africa’s technology market has great opportunities but that it still experiences challenges.

Andy MacDonald, Cisco’s vice president for sales in the Middle East, Africa and Russia said lack of skills is one of those challenges, adding that growing Africa’s technology market with “scale and speed” but “without strategy will lead to problems”.

Alves blames Ronaldo for Real defeat

Poster! g 29

GLORIA ALOZIE

g X2,3

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

g 27 g 28

Mourinho

Supersport to partner sports ministry

blasts critics for disrespecting Real Enrique calls for patience over Messi fitness g 29

Alli

banned from Chelsea clash g 30

UEFA ‘accepts doping’—Wenger

g 28

GLORY Alozie

Glory Alozie Oluchi (born December 30, 1977 in Amator, Abia State) is a Nigerian-born Spanish track and field athlete competing mostly in hurdling.

The world junior second placer from 1996, she went on to have a successful senior career, although she has never won a major international event. While representing Nigeria she became African champion twice, and she still holds the African record and Commonwealth record at 100 metres hurdles.

On July 6, 2001 she officially became a Spanish citizen.

Achievements (representing Nigeria) Year Competition Venue Position Notes 1995 African Junior Championships BouakĂŠ, Ivory Coast 2nd 100 m hurdles 1996 World Junior Championships Sydney, Australia 2nd 100 m hurdles 1996 African Championships YaoundĂŠ, Cameroon 1st 100 m hurdles 1998 Grand Prix Final Moscow, Russia 3rd 100 m hurdles 1998 African Championships Dakar, Senegal 1st 100 m hurdles 1999 World Indoor Championships Maebashi, Japan 2nd 60 m hurdles 1999 World Championships Sevilla, Spain 2nd 100 m hurdles 2000 Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 2nd 100 m hurdles 2000 Grand Prix Final Doha, Qatar

ABOUT

X2 Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

Athletics (hurdles)

Sport: Olympic Games Silver medal:

World Indoor Championships 1999 Maebashi (60 m Silver medal: hurdles) 2003 Birmingham (60 m Silver medal: hurdles) 2006 Moscow (60 m Silver medal: hurdles) European Athletics Championships 2002 Munchen (100 m Gold medal: hurdles)

World Championships 1999 Sevilla (100 m Silver medal: hurdles)

2000 Sydney (100 m hurdles)

Glory Alozie Nigeria/Spain December 30, 1977 Amator, Abia State

Name: Nationality: Date of birth: Place of birth:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

100 m hurdles

Alozie

Glory

Achievements (representing Spain) 2002 World Cup Madrid, Spain 3rd 100 m hurdles 2002 World Cup Madrid, Spain 5th 100 m 2002 European Championships Munich, Germany 1st 100 m hurdles 2002 European Championships M u n i c h , Germany 4th 100 m 2002 Grand Prix Final Paris, France 4th 100 m hurdles 2003 European Cup Florence, Italy 3rd 100 m 2003 World Indoor Championships Birmingham, Alabama 2nd 60 m hurdles 2003 European Indoor Cup Leipzig, Germany 1st 60 m hurdles 2003 World Athletics Final Monaco 2nd 100 m hurdles 2003 World Championships Paris Saint-Denis, France 4th 100 m hurdles 2003 European Cup Florence, Italy 1st 100 m hurdles 2004 European Indoor Cup Leipzig, Germany 2nd 60 m hurdles 2004 World Athletics Final Monaco 4th 100 m hurdles 2005 European Indoor Championships Madrid, Spain 4th 60 m hurdles 2005 World Athletics Final Monaco 5th 100 m hurdles 2005 European Cup First League (A) Gävle, Sweden 2nd 100 m hurdles 2005 European Cup First League (A) Gävle, Sweden 1st 100 m 2005 Mediterranean Games Almería, Spain 1st 100 m hurdles 2006 World Indoor Championships Moscow, Russia 2nd 60 m hurdles 2006 European Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 4th 100 m hurdles 2009 Mediterranean Games Pescara, Italy 4th 100 m hurdles

2nd

EXTRATIME

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

X3

X4

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

EXTRATIME

Tasks before Solomon Dalung!

(SMS only)

I

t is no longer news that the Nigerian sports industry needs total overhaul following decades of misrule as a result massive corruption that took the industry by the jugular. The most annoying of the entire scenario is that the administrators in our sports industry are only after what will line their pockets, while our sportsmen and women suffered immensely by bearing to a breaking point the brunt of their administrative excesses.

These athletes who sweated under the blistering sun to win medals for the country in the international arena only got mere handshakes, and finally left in the cold!

To say the least, government which is the last hope of these shortchanged athletes never helped matters as they kept appointing inexperienced politicians who never had the knowledge or interest of taking sports to the next level to head the industry. In-between

all these administrative shortcomings, our athletes maintained a never-say-die spirit in competitions which somehow kept the name of the country on the lips of fans from other sports-loving nations.

As kicker, corruption is one major problem that has continued to hinder the development of Nigerian sports.

From the administrators, referees, coaches and even to an extent the athletes, the story remains the same as this hydraheaded monster continues to torment and eat deep into the fabrics of our sports industry.

The most pulsating aspect of this hydra-headed monster is that the relevant anti-graft agencies are not doing enough to end this cankerworm, thus the need for a new ‘Biblical Moses’ to help set the sports industry free.

It is also on record that the Nigerian sports industry is one key sector of the economy that has direct positive impact on

Nigerians. Aside the fact that the industry has continued to be a rally point for the unity of the diverse people of Nigeria, sport plays an important role in promoting nation-building, social cohesion among various ethnic groups and a healthy lifestyle among the athletes.

However, it is shameful that this sector has been neglected for too long by past governments!

Plagued by massive corruption, mismanagement of funds, infrastructural decay and clash of interest in various boards of the sporting federations, the newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung may have his hands full.

A peep into the sector reveals big challenges ahead, but how the Sports Minister would surmount them will go along in immortalizing himself, years after leaving office.

From corruption which has eaten deep into the fabrics of the sporting authorities to visa racketeering among some secretaries and administrative officers in the National Sports Commission, the stage is set for yet another attempt to sanitize the ailing industry.

The good news is that, as a victim of the exploitation in the past in the sports industry, Dalung has revealed his drive

Dalung to stamp out corruption in the sports sector and all hands must be on deck to actualize this herculean task.

The 51-year-old retired attorney disclosed on assumption of office that he was swindled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in 2002. On the financial fraud suffered, he said his team were shortchanged by the NFF after travelling along the federal government delegation to the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, getting $400 instead of the promised $7000. His story sums up all that he wants to stamp-out in the dare-devil sports industry.

“I am a victim of all those frauds they do in the sports industry. I went to Mali in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations on a federal government delegation.

I was told in Abuja here that I was entitled to $7,000 (an estacode) but I was given $400.

“I have to metamorphose from a refugee in Mali to organising international launch for my friends to safe me to be able to survive and return to this country.

“Meanwhile there were children of people in government playing with dollars. Why we lost that match in Mali was because of the tradition of a player making some concession of $2,000 from his allowance of $5,000 to the team before he will be featured.

“Those who did not comply were denied appearance for that match. I don’t know if Jesus Christ or Mohammed has touched them to change.

Corruption has indeed destroyed everything we do in this country and that is why we think that the best way to approach it is to come out and wage war against it,” Dalung said with a tinge of regret.

On the way forward, Dalung needs to actively engage the best technocrats whose duty will be to help curb the aforementioned obstacles in

the NSC in order to ensure that we progressively improve as a nation in sports.

Just as he promised, Dalung must see himself as a true Minister of Sports and not football alone. And in doing so, he must pay special attention to the development of school sports. The reason being that it is in schools that future Olympians can be discovered at tender ages and trained to stardom.

The advantage of catching them-young is enormous since it enables a young athlete to take to instructions. Therefore, Dalung must commit enough funds and time to help develop sports from the grassroots, especially from schools.

He should also ensure that the era when sportsmen and women are used, neglected or dumped never happens again!

Athletes’ welfare and good remuneration culture must be of paramount importance in the new dispensation.

HT strongly believes that journey of a thousand miles begins with a bold step and as an activist, a former Local Government Chairman, a lawyer, a champion of the ‘truth’ and an ‘incorruptible’ Nigerian, all eyes are on Dalung to give Nigerian sports a new lease of life by sanitizing the ailing industry.