Dtn 25 11 15

Looters have started returning stolen funds, says Buhari ...Vows to give power sector saboteurs a fight Egena Egena, Abuja

ÎÎÎPresident Muhammadu Buhari on

Tuesday on Tuesday said Federal Government’s efforts to recover stolen public monies had started yielding fruitful

capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at a forum with the Nigerian commuresults as some treasury looters had be- nity in that country. gun to return such funds clandestinely.

Continued on page 6 President Buhari spoke in Tehran,

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015 VOL. 1. NO. 238

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 18th November 2015.

PZ

25

26.25

1.25 %

ASHAKACEM

22.4

23

0.95%

CAP

40.95

38.93

-2.02%

OANDO

7.22

6.86

CADBURY

19.1

20.05

0.55%

ETRANZACT

2.35

2.46

0.11%

NB

120.6

120.1

-0.59%

7UP

184

183.55

-0.36% -0.45%

APC opts for fresh primary to replace Audu Ï ^#^ ƏƆƉƆƅƐ ƑƍƍƋƆƌƆ Ɛ Əƕ ƆƋƆƅƐƈ è ƅ ƋƋ Ƈ Ə 10è 9M& ƈƏô ƏƆ ƈ Ɛƈ

“This INEC, under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws. “In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands an immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process” Tom Okpe and Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will conduct fresh primary election to determine who replaces late Prince Abubakar Audu as its governorship candidate in the inconclusive Kogi election.

The party has emphasized that delegates will also determine who becomes the running-mate to the new candidate.

The development came just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed December 5 for the supplementary election to conclude the governorship poll in Kogi State, and as the Peoples Democratic From left: Children of Late HID Awolowo, Mrs. Tola Oyediran; Dr. Tokunbo Dosumu-Awolowo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (in-law to the Awolowos); his wife, Dolapo; wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, at the Christian Wake for the late Mrs. HID Awolowo in Ikenne, Ogun State... on Tuesday

Central Bank g 17 reduces CRR, MPR

Funmi Ajila-Ladipo:

I’m not g L1 yet there, despite my achievements

Kogi: g 8 Lawyers disagree over way forward

Continued on page 6

FG to start campaign against indiscipline before year end g12 – Lai Mohammed

2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Governors and Minimum wage

F

ew days ago, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) threatened to retrench government workers due to the dire financial situation now facing many of the states. According to Chairman of the Governors Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, the proposed action is informed by falling oil price in the international market, which has drastically affected the ability of many states to pay the National Minimum Wage of N18, 000. Much as we are aware of the hard times the country is passing through, we are totally and unequivocally opposed to the retrenchment of workers by any state government.

In the same vein, we welcome any action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to protect the interests of Nigerian workers in this regard. It is very embarrassing that the governors are using the present financial travails to abdicate their responsibilities to the workers, even when most of them continue to live like modern day Pharaohs. This is why the comment by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State that all state chief executives are morally obligated to pay the minimum wage is very welcome. In breaking ranks with his colleagues, Oshiomhole had denied that contrary to insinuations, the issue of minimum wage was not imposed on the states, but rather a product of agreement between all tiers of government and organised labour.

It smacks of insensitivity for any governor to hide under the current economic situation to deny workers their rights. We recall that when the issue of monthly minimum wage came up in 2010, the NLC demanded for N52, 000.

NLC stated that the demand was informed by the fact that with the rising cost of living, such amount was the least to guarantee the necessities for an average family.

Even at that, majority of the governors insisted they could only afford to pay N18, 000 as minimum wage.

It therefore beats the imagination that the present crop of state chief executives will be reneging on an agreement reached between the federal, state governments, organised private sector and NLC. Even when there were loud protests from Nigerian workers, the governors refused to yield any ground on increasing the minimum wage. Definitely, they cannot go back now. Rather than threaten to downsize the workforce, states should device ways for generating more internal revenue. We are scandalised that majority of state governors still rely on quarterly federal allocations to run their administrations.

Such financial handouts from Abuja have unwittingly created a chronic dependence syndrome that is making it difficult for them to think out other ways of boosting internal revenue. Even more galling is the fact that governors continue creating layers of bureaucracies around their office with aim of filling them with political loyalists and hangers-on who are paid munificent amounts of money monthly for doing nothing.

It is time state chief executives cut down the size of their official staff and retinue. Doing so would help save fund for infrastructure development, job creation and money to pay government workers.

We believe that workers welfare must no longer be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and comfort of state governors.

Petrol: When a nation pretends Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎOne thing that the on-

going scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol has shown is that Nigeria is a country that pretends a lot.

We fail to confront reality headlong, but love to postpone the evil day.

The petrol scarcity which is now over two weeks old has subjected Nigerians to varying degrees of hardship with no end in sight.

Though the Federal Government through the Minster of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who still doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had repeatedly said

there was adequate stock of the product and urged citizens not to panic, the scarcity has persisted.

In cities like Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Akure among others, scenes of motorists queuing at filling stations for petrol is a common sight.

Where the product is available, it is sold mostly at odd hours and at prices above the official N87 per litre.

As the scarcity bites harder by the day, Nigerians appear to have resigned to fate. The government on its own pretends as if all is well and has refused to accept that its approach to ending the scarcity had at best brought temporary relief.

Rather than remove the subsidy on the product which is the way to go, government and Nigerians continue to dodge the issue.

While those in government

Words On Marble :

are neither here nor there on the issue, those outside including labour unions, civil society organisations among others continue to insist that subsidy must remain, not minding the fraud associated with it.

However, removal of subsidy on petrol appears to be the way to go if the perennial scarcity of the product is to end. This is because since the prices of other petroleum products excluding petrol and kerosene had been deregulated, Nigerians have never had cause to ‘suffer’ to get such products.

Fact is that until government musters the political will to end the subsidy on petrol, the nation will continue to witness bouts of scarcity from time to time and investors will find it unattractive to set up refineries in the country.

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

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Muhammadu Buhari

Ebenezar Babatope

Tonye Princewill

“The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense…

Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge.”

‘’Those who love this country must drum it to the ears of the Hausa/Fulani nomads that they should kindly allow peace to reign in the Southwest. They must not take us for granted’’.

“Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a loser.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Friday, November 13, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Alleged planned deportation: Nigerians in UK may boycott British Airlines, produce Ngozi Okafor London

ÏÏÏIn a bid to press home

their demand for the release of Nigerians allegedly detained and tortured in detention centres across the United Kingdom, a group of Nigerians in that country have threatened to boycott flying British Airlines and to snub consumption of British goods.

The ultimatum of the group would expire in 13 days from today.

This position was made by a UK-based Nigerian hu-

man rights activist and also Chairman of The Commonwealth Liberation Party (TCLP), in UK, Prof. Alexia Thomas, at a press conference in London, on Tuesday.

A statement issued by the group read in part: “The United Kingdom is given up till the 7th of December, 2015, to pronounce mandate to release Nigerian citizens from Immigration Detention Centres in the UK unconditionally without compromise, or else by 9th December, 2015, they (British Government) should expect Nigerian citi-

zens to boycott British products and produce.

“The Nigerian people will refuse to patronise British Airlines and Nigerian citizens will refuse to visit British Embassy or submit applications nor pay them any fees.”

The statement continued, “The ruling Conservative Party is compelled to refund all visa fees paid by Nigerians at home and abroad for residence and visitors’ application which was declined from the year 1999 to 2015.”

The group is also demanding an immediate release

of names and profiles of deceased migrants’ records deaths since 1968 to 2015 “as compelled by law to release under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.” It claimed further that the UK Government was compelled by law to release the names of migrants (including Nigerians) who either committed suicide or died in other circumstances in that country.

The group also urged the government to compile dead victims’ dossier and send same to the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.

Lecturers more corrupt than politicians, says rector Olabisi Atobi

ÏÏÏ

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Theresa Akande, has said that searchlights should beam beyond public servants who steal the nation’s resources to the tertiary institutions if corruption and fraud were to be eradicated.

Akande said: “Lecturers, who inflate marks, interact dishonourably with students, demand sex for marks or make demands for money are corrupt; in fact, more corrupt, because they are destroying lives”.

Akande spoke in AdoEkiti, on Tuesday while

I have no doubt HID is in heaven – Adeboye

ÏÏÏ

ÏÏÏ

The late HID Awolowo

declaring open the 10th National Conference of School of Business Studies with the theme: “Anticipated Change(s) in Nigeria: The Roles of Tertiary Institutions,” and urged Nigerians to be determined to pattern thoughts towards achievement of the desired changes.

She canvassed strong synergy between the antigraft agencies and the tertiary institutions to rid them of corruption, saying: “Students who engage in examination malpractices are corrupt. Staff who report late or absent themselves willfully from work are corrupt.” ¡

FAAN screens passengers for diseases at Abuja airport

HID Awolowo for burial today

All seems set for the final burial ceremony of the Matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, in Ikenne, on Wednesday.

But the General Overseer the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Tuesday, claimed that he was confident that the late Mrs. Awolowo, was resting with the Lord.

Mama HID Awolowo died on September 19, and would be buried on Wednesday November 25, the day she could have turned 100 years.

Around 10 a.m., on Tuesday, one of the daughters of the deceased, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, led the leader of security men around, Commissioner of Police Ogun State, Abdul Majid and other security officers into the mausoleum for a rehearsal for tomorrow’s programme. Also involved was the Police Dress Team 1 and the ceremonial Police Land Rover vehicle.

The stage is also set for a special private prayer with the family.

5 News

Waiting for Kerosene at the Conoil Petrol Station at Ikeja Along Bus Stop, Agege Motor Road, Lagos… on Tuesday.

PHOTO: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

NLC mobilises for protests over fuel scarcity ÏÏÏThe on-going fuel scar-

city in the country may assume a new dimension as workers under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are getting set for a national protest against the inability of the government to bring an end to the perennial fuel scarcity.

The workers complained of worsening harsh economic condition complicated by the persistent fuel scarcity and astronomical transport fares.

It was learnt that the workers’ union executives, had been meeting to discuss the problem and mobilise members towards the industrial action and make their feelings known to the national executive council of the NLC on a need for action over the plight of workers in view of the dif-

ficulties occasioned by the fuel scarcity.

Some union leaders told journalists that if nothing urgent was done to end the fuel scarcity there would be a national protest.

The Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Waheed Olojede, described the prevailing fuel as a national calamity.

He urged the government at all tiers to urgently do something to bring an end to the perennial fuel scarcity, stating that it had almost brought the workers to their knees.

He said, “I want to see it as a national calamity and national crisis, and something urgent must be done.”

He explained that workers in the state could no longer go their offices because of increase in transport

fares and attendant effect on the economy, since they were not paid their salaries.

According to him, the union was discussing how to handle the crisis if nothing urgent was done by the government to end the suffering of Nigerians, especially the workers.

“And I think the last time I spoke with the National President of NLC, we agreed that we had to do something very urgently to let the government know what Nigerians were facing, and apart from the intervention of the NLC , the political class should begin to find a lasting solution to this perennial fuel crisis.

“I think they should also understand that the essence of governance is to bring comfort to the citizenry, and that is why I said it is not enough for govern-

ment at all tiers to fold their hands, unconcerned, about the plight of Nigerians, workers in particular.

“The position now is that government should rise up to the challenge and should do something very urgently to bring an end to this perennial fuel scarcity.

“And I think that Nigerian leaders should begin to look inward and see how best they can repair all our refineries and bring our crude oil back home for production and processing, if today a barrel of crude is $41, and back in Nigeria here we are suffering of scarcity of fuel what stops us from having a local refinery for us to have enough fuel for consumption so as to end this problem of having to sleep at fuel stations?” he demaded.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said it had intensified surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to checkmate the ‘importation’ of infectious diseases.

FAAN’s Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, who said this, on Tuesday, in Abuja, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that all agencies operating at the airport had been put on alert.

Yakubu said that the authority was working closely with the Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to ensure that all international passengers were properly screened on arrival.

She disclosed that FAAN’s medical team had been put on red alert, adding that all staff had also been cautioned on the need to maintained restraints in their contact with passengers.

According to her, FAAN has sensitised all agencies’ representatives at the airport on a need to watch out for any incoming passenger with either high fever, headache or body aches.

“The officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) etc. have all been informed about this.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

APC opts for fresh primary to replace Audu Continued from page 1 Party (PDP) rejected the decision of the electoral umpire.

Audu died on Sunday hours after INEC declared the governorship election inconclusive, following the cancellation of the results in 91 polling units from 18 of the 21 local government areas of the state.

According to the official results released by INEC, Audu was leading the PDP candidate, who is also the incumbent governor, Idris Wada, by 41,353 votes.

National Chairman of

APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun announced the decision of the party to hold a fresh primary election while speaking with journalists at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.

Chief Odigie-Oyegun said: “as a party we are going to proceed with process of organising primaries to provide a substitute candidate for the late Abubakar Audu.”

While expressing his condolences to the family of Audu on behalf of APC worldwide, Oyegun said the Attorney General of the Federation has made it public

that the APC should provide a replacement for the late govrnorship candidate.

“He has made a pronouncement to the effect that all that is required is for the APC to go through the processes of providing a substitute to our late candidate with the implication being that thereafter the supplementary elections to conclude the process of electing a new governor of Kogi state will begin to be put in place.

“The INEC is also in agreement with the views of the Attorney General because we have already received a letter from them

formally asking us to find a replacement for the vacancy that has been created by the passing on of Prince Abubakar Audu. So, that is what will engage the APC at this moment”.

When asked what will be the modalities for the fresh primary election, Oyegun said “we have only just got notification today, so we are going to go into executive session now, to know the nature, as time is not in our hands with both the Bayelsa State election and the Kogi re-run to hold on the same day, 5th December, 2015”.

On the fate of the run-

ning mate of late Audu, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the APC National Chairman said that the delegates will determine who becomes the next running mate.

INEC on Tuesday maintained that it will go ahead with the conduct of supplementary.

The Commission confirmed this in a statement signed by Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, in Abuja.

In the statement, INEC said that after due consideration of the circumstances, the Commission has decided to conclude the process by conducting election in the 91 affected polling units as announced by the returning officer.

The statement, which was pasted on wall of the INEC headquarters, said the commission has been notified by

the APC of the death of its governorship candidate in the election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

The Electoral Act gives INEC 14 days to conduct supplementary election where there is an inconclusive poll.

INEC stated that It has decided to allow the APC to fill the vacancy created by the death of its candidate.

The statement reads partly, “Accordingly, notice is hereby given to all the 22 political parties participating in the Kogi governorship election that supplementary election in the 91 affected polling units shall hold on 5 December 2015”.

However, in a swift reaction, the PDP on Tuesday rejected the decision by INEC to go ahead with the suppleContinued on page 12

Ogun proposes N200.27b budget for 2016 Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÎÎÎGovernor R-L: Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Adekumbi; , Vice Chairman, Communication Committee of the Senate, Sen. Solomon Adeola; Managing Director, Regency Alliance Insurance Company, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye and Chairman of Grand Finale, Sen. Gbolahan Dada and member, representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Hon. Kunle Akinlade during the just concluded 2015 Oronna, Ilaro Festival held in Ogun State… recently.

Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, on Tuesday, presented the Year 2016 State budget amounting to N200.27 billion which represents reduction of 4.79 per cent compared with the

Looters have started returning stolen funds, says Buhari Continued from page 1 This disclosure confirmed speculations in the media that some prominent former public office holders in the last administration had been making moves to return the stolen funds through the back doors.

In a question and answer session with Nigerians resident in Tehran, Buhari explained that those accused of corruption would have been prosecuted before now but for the need to thoroughly investigate them with a view to gathering enough evidences for their eventual trial.

He said it was easy for him during his tenure as a military Head of State in1985 to arrest and put those alleged corrupt individuals in protec-

tive custody for them to prove their innocence but the dictates of rule of law and due process has slowed him down in prosecuting corruption in this dispensation.

Buhari said: “On corruption; yes, they are still innocent. But, we are collecting documents and some of them have started voluntarily returning something. But we want all.

“When we get those documents, we will formally charge them to court and then we will tell Nigerians to know those who abused trust when they are entrusted with public funds.

“So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching.”

The President also pledged to deal with saboteurs in the nation’s power sector in order

to bring back sanity and service delivery to the populace.

Buhari, who confessed that he was yet to give any direct policy directive on the power sector before the improvement in service experienced in the country in the past few months, said his government would ensure that the needful, especially improvement of security, was done to ensure regular power supply.

He said: ``I believe if you are in touch back at home, you would have been told that already there is some improvement in power. ``We haven’t said anything to them yet. I think they only find it sensible or appropriate for them to try and improve the power.

“I’m sure you know about the privatization of the power

sector; your old friends NEPA or Power Holding Company of Nigeria have been sold to a number of interest groups.

But, the fundamental thing about us is that we remain potential in everything except performance.

“We have a lot of gas, we have a lot of qualified people but again we have a lot of saboteurs who go and blow installations.

“Those who normally steal Nigerian crude and those who blow up installations, whether they called themselves militants or whatever, they are still there.”

President Buhari also told the Nigerian community that his administration was resolute in combating the Boko Haram insurgents even as he assured them that peace

would soon return to the troubled North-eastern states of the country.

Buhari also reiterated the determination of his administration to address the decay in the nation’s educational system from the primary school to the tertiary levels.

He commended members of the Nigerian community for maintaining the good name of their country.

He said government would continue to encourage more Nigerians to study in Iran because of the level of discipline and orderliness of that country.

In his remarks, the Nigerian Charge de Affaires in Iran, Dr. Ali Magashi, confirmed that Nigerians in Iran had been recording zero-level crime rate in the past years.

2015 budget.

The budget tagged ‘Budget of Optimization’, according to Amosun is a reflection of a resolve to minimise costs and maximize capacity to generate revenues.

Amosun who also vowed not to cut the N18,000 minimum wage being paid state workers explained that the budget would be funded through the Internally generated revenue, Federation account, External loans and grants.

Said he, “Our Expenditure comprises of Capital Expenditure of N99.29Billion (49.6%) and Recurrent Expenditure of N100.98 Billion (50.4%). Personnel Cost made up of Salaries and Allowances of N61.34Billion and Pension and Gratuities of N11 Billion account for 36.1% of total Recurrent Expenditure while the balance of 14.3% (N28.6 Billion) will be set aside as Overhead Costs”.

“We placed great emphasis on capital expenditure during our first term, in line with our development objectives. Our emphasis has now shifted a little and the budget this year is balanced between capital and recurrent expenditure.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Jigawa APC talks tough ahead Feb 13 LG polls Dutse Mohammed

ÎÎÎThe

ruling party, the All Progressive Change, (APC), in Jigawa State, has declared that no amount of intimidation or threats by the opposition parties would preventing it from winning the forthcoming Local Government Council elections slated for 13 February, 2016.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Ado Sani Kiri said that, “We are not afraid of the opposition, since we believe and have faith in our principles of governance, in line with our party’s cardinal objective in restoration of social justice and good gov-

ernance, surely we would surprise our critics and beat the opposition at poll.”

Addressing a press conference, shortly after the party’s stakeholders meeting at Government House, Dutse, Kiri announced that, “very soon, our party APC will receive thousands of PDP defectors, amongst whom will be Hon. Bashir Adamu, Hon. Yahaya Big Man, Hon. Bala Sufyanu Jahum, alongside their swarming supporters.

Daily Times gathered that most of the decamped members were former aides to former governor Sule Lamido, while others

were former federal legislators, state assembly members, among others.

With this development, said Kiri, Lamido would be without his loyalist; an indication that PDP would be dead in Jigawa, “since we would have taken all the big shots of the party.”

At the meeting at Government House the party caucus leaders reaffirmed their confidence in the leadership and prudent management style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Badaru which had seen the country on the path of recovery from its almost comatose economic situation.

The caucus commended the efforts of Governor Badaru on his novel approach in initiating an inclusive budget development process that would see to a people-oriented budget in 2016 fiscal year.

The meeting called on all APC loyalists to continue to be law- abiding citizens and continue to support the ideals and objective of the government at the state and national levels, as well exercise restraints, while their elected representatives strove to steer back the country on the right track from the last 16 years of a rudderless and selfish administration.

7 News

Economic experts storm Jos for Nigeria’s growth

Lalong

Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎTechnocrats and mem-

bers of co-operative bodies on the economic activities from the 36 states of the federation, on Tuesday converged in Jos, the Plateau State capital, to fashion out new ways that could help government at state and national levels to improve upon other sources of revenue generation, rather than dependent too much on oil.

Gathered under the aegis of Co-operative Federation of Nigeria, (CFN) to mark a pre-annual national workshop, with the Theme: “Securing Reliable Co-operative Capital for Enhanced Job Creation and Employment Opportunity”, the participants said that there was a need for government to support the aims and objectives of CFN. In their remarks, Shamee Samuel, the President, Plateau State Co-operative Federation, (PLASCOFED) and the National President of CFN Engr. Jiril Bala, said the annual general meeting was aimed at discussing and identifying various ways through which co-operatives could secure and access reliable capital to grow enterprise, earn higher incomes, create jobs and provide employment.

UN reiterates commitment to children’s future Babajide Okeowo

ÎÎÎIn observance of

L-R: Wife of Igbomina West Bishop, Foluke Adebayo; Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, Revd. Nicholas Okoh; The new Bishop of Igbomina West, Ven. Timothy Adebayo and Dean Emeritus/Bishop of Lagos, Revd. Ephraim Ademowo, at the Anglican Communion Ceremony for the consecration of Adebayo as Bishop of Igbomina West, held at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos…on Tuesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Wada sacks 15 council chairmen for defecting to APC ÎÎÎGovernor

Idris Wada of Kogi State on Tuesday removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was contained in a statement issued in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr James Adedoyin in Lokoja.

The statement cited section 20 sub section ( 1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as

amended to back the action.

It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) that sponsored them.

Some of the affected council chairmen include those of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.

The statement warned

the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, directing the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.

The governor said the handing and taking over should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 25, the statement said.

One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.

They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.

Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until Nov. 23

the Universal Children’s Day, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, in collaboration with Christianah Fate Foundation and the All Nigeria United Nations Students’ Association (ANUNSA), engaged with over 150 primary school pupils from five public schools in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Kimoon, at the event, held at St George’s Primary School, Falomo, Lagos, the Director of UNIC La-

gos, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, reaffirmed the United Nations obligation to do everything in its power to enable all children to survive and thrive, learn and grow, have their voices heard and reach their full potential.

Quoting from the message of Ban, on the observance, Kayanja said: “This year, I wish to emphasise the importance of ensuring that the commitments made by the international community to the world’s children are extended to a group of children who are often forgotten or overlooked: those deprived of their liberty.”

Tor Tiv dies at 71 ÎÎÎThe

Chairman of the Benue Traditional Council and the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv, the Tor Tiv, Alfred Akawe Torkula, has passed on.

The Tor Tiv, who was installed as the fourth Tor Tiv, in April 1991, died on Monday, aged 71 years, in a private hospital, in Gboko, the traditional seat of his throne.

Confirming the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in

Makurdi, Gov Samuel Ortom said he had already paid his condolences to the deceased family.

Ortom said members of the Tiv Traditonal Council were on their way to the Government House for proper briefing and the handover of the staff of office, which was previously held by the former king.

He said details of the burial plans would be announced later.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Politics

Æs

Kogi: Lawyers disagree over way forward In an apparent new political scenario, legal luminaries around the country are presently at loggerheads on what becomes the lot of the inconclusive gubernatorial election in Kogi State even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will apply the relevant provisions of the law to address the logjam. BABAJIDE OKEOWO sought the opinions of top legal practitioners around the country and files in this report:

Mahmoud

Faleke

Audu The Gubernatorial election in Kogi State held last 21 November will for a long time be remembered, not for the keenly contested battle but for the intrigues that accompanied the election. With results from the 21 local councils of the state declared, Prince Audu Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress

was leading with 240,867 votes and was coasting to a historic third electoral victory after six attempts as his closest challenger and Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed him with 199,514 votes.

While many were waiting with bated breath for the announcement from the electoral umpire,

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the election was inconclusive, saying that there would be re-run polls in 91 polling units which have about 49,000 registered voters.

While many were still grappling with the news, there was another gory report that the

APC’s candidate had passed on.

Audu reportedly died shortly after the announcement raising questions on how the exercise could be concluded because the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act are silent on what should be done if a candidate

Why PDP may cease to exist - Gulak Former political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, has lashed out at the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) on its ongoing rebranding efforts, describing the action was a waste of time.

Gulak who expressed pessimism over the rebranding of the party ahead of 2019 following its defeat at the Presidential election after 16 years, stressed that lack of internal democracy and impunity on the part of the leadership of PDP led to its defeat by the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the former Political Adviser said that for the rebranding to succeed, the present National Working Committee, (NWC) must be properly constituted.

At the moment, following series of vacancies within it National executives which are yet to be properly filled, the NWC and the Board of Trustees are almost derelict.

It would be recalled that the former National Chairman of the party Alhaji Adamu Muazu resigned his appointment following measures put on him sequel to the disgraceful defeat of the party in last general election.

Gulak who explained that he dragged the PDP NWC to court as part of moves to right the wrong, said, “I’m from the North-east, having exhausted all internal mechanism to ensure that the constitutional CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Buhari’s deadline on Boko Haram unrealistic, says NIDO boss President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation(NIDO) in United States, Chief Obed Monago has said the December deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari to flush out Boko Haram

terrorists from Nigeria is not feasible.

Obed, who was speaking with reporters in Chicago, Illinois, United States on Sunday during the 2015 Business Opportunity and Investment Forum held at

Crowne Plaza O’ Hare Hotel, specifically advised President Buhari not to hide the truth from Nigerians.

Besides, the US automotive engineer also charged President Buhari to fashion ways of boost-

ing the economy situation of the country, saying “I will advise President Buhari not to hide anything away from Nigerians. It is a fact that he cannot completely end Boko Haram activities in DeCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Gulak

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

9 Politics

KOGI CRISIS

INEC does not have the constitutional right to cancel the election- Festus Keyamo Commiserating with the Audu family, Human Right lawyer Festus Keyamo stated that though it was unheralded in the history of the nation, it is however pertinent to understand what the position of the law.

According to him: “To state it correctly, he was said to have died AFTER the announcement of the results by INEC and after INEC had declared the elections inconclusive. Admittedly, this is a strange and novel constitutional scenario. It has never happened in our constitutional history to the extent that when an election has been partially conducted (and not before or after the elections) a candidate dies. What then happens?

“This is a hybrid situation between what happened in the case of Atiku Abubakar/Boni Haruna in 1999 and the provision of section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2010.

“In the case of Atiku Abubakar/ Boni Haruna [which is now a clear constitutional provision of section 181(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as

amended)] the Supreme Court held, in effect, that “if a person duly elected as Governor dies before taking and subscribing the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office, or is unable for any reason whatsoever to be sworn in, the person elected with him as Deputy governor shall be sworn in as Governor and he shall nominate a new Deputy-Governor who shall be appointed by the Governor with the approval of a simple majority of the house of Assembly of the State”.

“In the case of section 33 of the Electoral Act 2010 it provides, in effect, that if a person has been duly nominated as a candidate of his party and he dies before the election then the political party has the right to replace him with another candidate and not necessarily the Deputy Governorship candidate.

“Now, does the Kogi situation fit into section 181(1) of the Constitution as quoted above or section 33 of the Electoral Act mentioned

above?

“My simple position is that the Kogi situation fits more into section 181(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and as such James Abiodun Faleke automatically becomes the governorship candidate of the APC. This is because even though the election in inconclusive, votes have been counted and allocated to Parties and candidates. As a result the joint ticket of Audu/Faleke has acquired some votes already. James Abiodun Faleke is as much entitled to those votes already counted as much as the late Abubakar Audu. He has a right to cling to those votes going into the supplementary election.

“There is only one problem, though. Who nominates Faleke’s Deputy? Unlike section 181(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he cannot approach the House of Assembly of the State to approve a nomination by him of a Deputy. This is because, in reality, he is not duly elected yet. Therefore it is only reasonable to conclude that it is

APC (Faleke’s political party) that should submit the name of a fresh Deputy Governorship candidate to INEC for the supplementary election.

“This is the only position in this situation that accords with reason and good sense.

“The real question about the Kogi situation and the death of Abubakar Audu is this: under what circumstance can INEC cancel results of an election already announced or declared, even if there is no winner yet? Under the law INEC has no such powers.”

Keyamo

The Electoral Act should be Implement the doctrine of revisited – Bar. Monday Ubani necessity -John Oloyede The Electoral Act was not clear on how the process will be handled. The logical and legal thing to suggest is for the APC to substitute Audu either with Faleke as the substantive gubernatorial candidate with a deputy and conclude the election.

An entirely new election by fresh candidates will be illogical at this time.

What the party needs to do is to allow the deputy governorship candidate run as its governorship candidate while a new deputy governorship candidate is picked”.

Ubani

Another lawyer, Mr. John Oloyede while referring to the death of the APC candidate in the election as an “act of God that messed up all kinds of human projections”, noted that “for every problem, whether legal or otherwise, there is a solution”.

He recalled that major constitutional crises have been solved in the past using the doctrine of necessity and the Kogi issue would not be an exception.

“There have been questions regarding the section of the constitution (Section 181) which recommends that if an elected governor is unable to be sworn in, then his

deputy should take his place.

Mr. Oloyede said: “I don’t think Section 181 envisages the situation we have on our hands. The operative words here are ‘someone who has been declared as validly elected’ but in this situation, unfortunately, INEC in its own wisdom declared the election inconclusive.

“That means nobody has been declared a winner of the election, so Section 181 does not operate to take care of this situation.”

Wherever the pendulum swings, the incidents in Kogi calls for the amendment of the constitution.

Why PDP may cease to exist - Gulak CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

provisions are adhered to and complied with and having also neglected, failed and refused to comply with the provision of the constitution, I decided to file an action in court.

“This is challenging the continued existence of NWC without being properly constituted.

That is my case in court and it is on behalf of myself and the entire North-east zone consisting of six states that have been excluded and ignored by the Uche Secondus led committee.

“We as a zone will not accept that we are not part of PDP, we as a zone cannot be ignored by Uche Secondus and his members. We as a zone like all other zones must be part of mechanism and operations of the PDP. “The North-east zone after the elections has two PDP states, South-west has two PDP states, South-south all PDP, the Southeast all PDP except Imo state, North-west has no PDP and it is part and parcel of PDP because it has the National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary.

“The entire North-east zone has nobody in the NWC and as such the Constitution does not envisage that. We should not be shortchanged, we should not be excluded.”

Gulak who frowned at the continued vacant position of the National Chairman, said

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Electoral Violence: APC holds Black Day in Rivers

The All progressives Congress, (APC), in Rivers State has planned a special interdenominational worship session in honour of its members and other Nigerians [including security agents] who were killed and maimed before, during and after the 2015 general elections in the state.

The commemorative service is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on Monday, 30th November, 2015.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the Planning Committee Chairman, Fred Igwe, who

was the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports during the Right Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s administration in the state, announced that the event is meant to sustain the spotlight on the gory killings that bedevilled the sham elections in the state.

“You will agree with me that those who were made victims of electoral violence, be it our party members, other Nigerians and even policemen, left deep pain and gap in the lives of their family members and those who love them,” Igwe said.

Continuing, Igwe said: “The least we can do for them is to continue to remind Nigerians that the souls of the departed can only find repose when justice is done by bringing those behind those killings to book without further delay”.

Igwe called on peace loving people in Rivers State to be part of the programme and continue to remember the family members of those who were made victims of the elections in their prayer.

“I call on all people of goodwill in our dear State to participate

in the programme and to always pray for the families left behind by those who were killed. They should always pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the dead.

Again, they should pray for our leaders and those who are responsible for dispensing justice to have the political will to stand up for justice at all times,” he admonished.

The event will feature a solemn procession and an interdenominational service details of which will be announced by the committee in the days ahead.

Gulak

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25 , 2015

2019: Saving PDP from vultures

Jonathan

Dokpesi

Atiku

Mustapha Abdulahi

have been holding one conference or the other in the name of PDP – all in an attempt to seize control of the party in preparation for 2019. The recent outing of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a media mogul, under the auspices of PDP Conference Committee, fits well into this pattern of emergency party leaders and political deception.

In promoting the so-called PDP Conference, which in fact was his pet project, Dokpesi had shocked the world by “apologising to Nigerians” on behalf of the PDP for

fielding the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as the PDP presidential candidate in the 2011 presidential election. In Dokpesi’s reductionist reasoning, PDP lost the 2015 general election simply because it fielded Jonathan in 2011, thereby depriving the North their “turn” to complete the remaining years of the Umar Yar’ adua’s presidency.

Let it be pointed out that Dokpesi’s self-serving argument of the abandonment of zoning by the PDP in 2011 is not close to the reasons behind the electoral

setbacks that the party suffered at the polls this year. In any case, Dokpesi and his sponsors have failed to explain why, in spite of the zoning principle, Jonathan went ahead to defeat the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, at the PDP presidential primaries and later won overwhelmingly in 2011 presidential election when Nigerians chose to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic against a narrow party rule. Make no mistakes about it, zoning remains an integral principle to promote equity, justice and fairness in the sharing of political positions and that explains why the founding fathers of the PDP enshrined it in the party’s constitution. PDP has been faithful to that principle since 1999 until 2011 when the party was faced with a strange situation when its own constitution came in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution and the latter had its way as the law prescribed. And so Dokpesi and his co-travellers, now taking advantage of the weak leadership of the PDP and pretending to be founding fathers of the party, have nothing to teach discerning members on the principle of zoning!

Again, if one may ask, who is Dokpesi in the PDP to speak for the party? This clearly shows how low, the clueless, corrupt leadership at Wadata House has fallen

of Muazu.”

He alleged that Secondus and his committee members were working to extend their stay till next year against the party’s Constitution, warning that such impunity which led to the colossal loss the party experienced in the last election is still reigning in the party.

His words: “You are aware that on the 29th of May, 2015 the former chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu resigned his position as the party chairman and a vacancy was created by his resignation. By the constitution of the party, somebody from North-east is supposed to replace Muazu.

“I have individually and collectively with the people of North-east gone to the NWC under the acting chairmanship of Uche Secondus to present the demand of the North-east geo-political zone and all our demands and claims fell on deaf ears.

“You can also remember that Senator Ken Nnamani led a group to NWC to tell them that

the party organ especially the NWC and BOT must be properly constituted since there are vacancies created by the resignation of their former chairman.

That also fell on deaf ears.

“I have to use all the internal mechanisms of the party to address the issue because as it is today by the Constitution of the party, the NWC is not properly constituted because there’s no

national chairman and the resignation of Muazu created a vacancy in that organ and replacement from the constitution of our party must, come from the North-east.”

Secondus

Gulak

Muazu

The defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general election early this year has left the party in a most uncertain situation. Such is the uncertainty that all manner of emergency leaders, attention seekers, carpet baggers and new godfathers who are masquerading as political reformers are on the prowl, struggling to seize control of the party. At the last count, over seven different groups, pretending to a ‘reformist’ mission,

Why PDP may go into oblivion - Gulak CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

that North-east zone ought to produce the National Chairman of the party following the resignation of Adamu Muazu as the party chairman on May 29, 2015.

Rather, the zone has been marginalised by the Uche Secondus led-leadership of the party.

Gulak stressed that PDP may not make any impact in the next general elections if the right things are not done in time, adding, “Despite the constitutional provision of the party which zones the position of National Chairman to the North-east, the acting Chairman of the party has deliberately kept the post vacant six months after the exit

since it threw away the mandate Nigerians had entrusted with the party since 1999. Dokpesi is not a member of any of the principal organs of the PDP; he is not a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) and neither is he a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). Yet, in his desperation for relevance and, perhaps, to perfect his scheming with those whose drumbeats he is dancing to, Dokpesi got himself to chair the committee for the eregistration of party members, a project which he claims is geared towards returning the PDP to the grassroots members and eliminating godfathers.

And who will argue with any initiative to increase internal democracy and whittle down the overbearing influence of godfathers and mothers in the PDP, which is part of the reasons for losing the 2015 general elections?

Yet the manner, in which Dokpesi has carried on especially with his recent unsolicited and even scandalous apology purportedly on behalf of the PDP, raises new doubts about the real intentions behind the PDP e-registration being championed by him! It is more so as Dokpesi has declared his intention to retire PDP leaders of 70 years and above to make way for younger people with perCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

11 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

2019: Saving PDP from vultures

el-Rufai

Jonathan

Yar’adua

Dokpesi

Atiku

sons like him below the age of 70 as the new party leaders. For all intents and purposes, Dokpesi is not really against the presence of godfathers; what he wants is to replace the “old godfathers” with himself and his ilk. He certainly does not need to descend to an ignominious low to achieve this.

It is not curious that Dokpesi, his clownish followers and masked sponsors do not have any problems with Jonathan as the PDP candidate in 2015, the election that he lost, but are raising all kinds of issues with the Jonathan candidature in 2011. Dokpesi is simply at his sycophantic best because in the build-up to 2011

presidential race, the Agenebode High Chief was working for some northern politicians under the aegis of an amorphous group, PDP Reformers. Lest it be forgotten that the main objective of the group was to ensure that power stayed in the North even if it meant destroying the PDP by denying a sitting President Jonathan the constitutional right of seeking his party’s presidential ticket. Some of Dokpesi associates in that group like Nasir elRufai had moved on to join the opposition party then while people like Dokpesi were apparently left strategically behind to decapitate the PDP from within as was seen

in the last election. So for those who can read between the lines, Dokpesi’s purported apology is in complete sync with the hatchet job he was recruited to do by certain northern politicians some years back.

Dokpesi and his ilk flying all sorts of kites for politicians, some of whom have disowned him, are doing so because a compromised NWC that led the party to a disastrous election is still disgracefully hanging on to the leadership of the party. Apart from the fact that this NWC gave away the power that PDP had been holding in trust for Nigerians since 1999, it is undeniable that this group will

go down in history as the worst in performance, integrity and sagacity. They are more interested in sharing money and that may explain why, after losing a major election, their best thought was to pay out to themselves unjustifiable millions of Naira as allowances after destroying their party by selling tickets to the highest bidders. Apart from losing the Presidency, the loss of Benue, Plateau, Adamawa and perhaps, Taraba States, will continue to haunt Adamu Mu’azu and Uche Secondus!

PDP remains a formidable political platform and, in many senses, stronger than the ruling

APC. And that is why some forces are using the likes of Dokpesi to seek to destroy the party. There is nothing to be ashamed of by fielding Jonathan as PDP’s candidate in 2011 and in 2015. Jonathan and the PDP lost the election not necessarily because of what the President did but more for what he did not do. And this includes not keeping dangerous enemies who were pretending to be his friends like Dokpesi and a saboteur- NWC at arm’s length. The task before the real leaders of the party now is to flush Uche Secondus and his NWC out to enable the genuine rebuilding necessary for the challenge in 2019!

Buhari’s deadline on Boko Haram unrealistic, by Diaspora boss CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

cember.

“Eradicating terrorism is not just from the words of mouth but your proactive actions towards it. It seems the sect has began to gain more strength unlike the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan who was able to achieve weakening the strength of the group a little bit.”

“Buhari underestimated the power of Boko Haram, if not he would not have said he would tackle it in December. We all know that the deadline is not realistic.”

On economy, the NIDO leader criticised the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN policy on currency restrictions and regulatory head-

winds, saying the development would have a negative effect on the nation’ s economy.

“There are many ways of preventing politicians from looting without necessarily restricting collection or withdrawing money from banks. Now, you have dollars but banks cannot change it, this is uncalled for and it is not going to help Nigeria’ s economy”, he said. Dr. Monago, who also implored President Buhari not to concentrate more on the past leaders whose governments were alleged to encourage corruption, said ” When President Barack Obama took over bad economy system George W. Bush left behind, he did not talk much on it.

Rather, Obama swung into action and fashioned out measures of boosting the U.S economy.

“Mind you, I never said he should not fight corruption or probe anybody found guilty of corruption. However, President Buhari is concentrating of making too much noise on corruption. Blaming past leaders is not going to yield anything good for Nigerians; Truly it is good to recover stolen funds. If I may ask, what happens to Sani Abacha’ s money Nigeria has recovered? We don’t know where it is, including the one they claimed to have recovered. All these money should have been used to develop Nigeria rather than blame or trying

to be innocent of corruption”, he stressed.

Speaking on plans of NIDO to help Federal Government develop the country, Monago said the association would not relent in contributing to make the economy of Nigeria better. “We have been remitting million of Dollars home and we will continue to do so. What I am begging the present administration for is to give us the opportunity to work for our nation. I was a level 12 officer of Federal Government when I left Nigeria in 1988 but when I came back to the country last year, things remained the same. This is something that is not supposed to happen,” he stated.

Buhari

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Senate intervenes to end lingering petrol scarcity Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Senate on Tuesday took another interventionist measure towards containing the problem of scarcity of petroleum products across Nigeria as it mandated its Committee on Petroleum Downstream to urgently seek avenues for both the executive and the legislative arm to end the problem.

The Senate in the same vein urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders not to relent in their current efforts to address the problem, asking them to rather intensify efforts in that regard, while both the Executive and the Legislative arms provide lasting solutions.

It took the decisions after

adopting a motion moved

by Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) who called for immediate intervention of the government and its agencies in the task of ending the biting fuel scarcity across the federation.

Senator Jubril noted that the scarcity of petroleum products in major cities and towns in Nigeria has been constituting hardship on the citizens.

He said the problem, which has continued to fester by the day, is not in tune with the desire of the government to bring succour to Nigerians in all spheres of lives.

The problem of fuel scarcity, he added, has continued to remain a source of worry, stating that it was high time all hands were on deck to find practicable and

lasting solution in line with the change mantra of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the Senator, the legislative arm of government would always be ready to demonstrate the will and the capacity to work harmoniously with the executive branch to find final solutions to the fuel scarcity problem.

The Senate, however, commended President Buhari on what it described as his “Dilligence and uncommon commitment to resolving the problem of fuel scarcity and distribution of the products.

It also commended the President on efforts by his government to clean up all institutions associated with the petroleum industry, which it said are quite com-

mendable.

Commenting on the motion earlier, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, said the Upper legislative chamber must take the issue of passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) seriously if scarcity of petroleum products would end in the country.

He said that with a law regulating the petroleum industry, relevant institutions would function effectively.

He urged senators not to politicize issues relating to petroleum products production and supply as they affected the live of every Nigerian. ``Scarcity has continued to plague this country and we must find a lasting solution to this problem,” he said.

L-R: Coordinator, Northern Region, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Alhaji Yahaya Muhd’ Kyabo; National Chairman, (UPN), Prof. Bankole Okuwa and Ogun State Governorship candidate in 2015 general elections, Prince Rotimi Paseda during the farewell event in honour of late HID Awolowo held at the party secretariat, Ikenne, Ogun State… on Tuesday.

Photo: DAVID IDOWU.

APC opts for fresh primary to replace Audu Odigie-Oyegun Continued from page 6 mentary election .

The opposition PDP accused the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami and Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, of partisanship and thus called for their immediate resignation. The party has also called an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee for today.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh stated these at a press conference in Abuja.

Metuh accused the AGF of “hurrying and misleading” INEC into arriving at an unconstitutional decision to allow the APC to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive election.

The PDP, Metuh pointed out, was shocked that INEC, which supposed to be an independent electoral umpire, could allow itself to succumb to the antics of the APC by following “the unlawful directive of an obviously partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process”.

He added, “We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as

well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.”

Metuh declared that the PDP was at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timeline for such has elapsed under all the rules.

The PDP spokesman said INEC as a statutory body, has the full complements of technical hands in its legal department to advice it appropriately, and wondered why it had to wait for directives from the AGF, “an external party, if not for partisan and subjective interest.”

Metuh said, “Consequently, the PDP rejects in its entirety, this brazen move by the APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the Constitution and the Electoral Act. “The clear implication of this action of the AGF and INEC is that the APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates in the on-going Kogi election, meaning that INEC would be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate, scenarios that have no place in the Constitution of the land.”

FG to start campaign against indiscipline before year end, says Minister ÎÎÎA nationwide campaign

against indiscipline, African-time syndrome and loss of social norms and values will begin before the end of the year, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said.

Mohammed stated this on Tuesday at a strategic planning meeting he held with the chief executives of agencies and other top manage-

ment staff of the ministry in Abuja. ``You are welcome to this meeting, which I have convened to present to you the template for the massive, nationwide reorientation campaign to be embarked upon by this ministry very soon. ``Those invited to this meeting have been painstakingly selected because I believe they have the necessary

expertise to help drive the campaign. ``However, let me state unequivocally, that everyone in the Ministry of Information and Culture as well as its parastatals, is key to the campaign. ``This is because as the lead ministry, we must first buy into the campaign and own it before we can propagate it.’’

The minister said that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) would spearhead the campaign to ensure positive change of attitude, values and behaviours of Nigerians. ``As I have said on several occasions, the National Orientation Agency will be in the forefront of the campaign, because it is in line with its mandate to positive-

ly change attitudes, values and behaviours. ``Make no mistake about it, we need to change the way we do things in Nigeria. ``It is important to let our people know that they cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result. ``The impending campaign must take on indiscipline, the lack of respect for

time, loss of our time-tested values and generally lead to attitudinal change in such a way that there will be a paradigm shift in the way we do things. ``This is also in line with my vision as Minister of Information and Culture.’’

According to him, the ministry has put enormous work into the presentations that it is about to showcase.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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News14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

FG deepens diplomatic cooperation with China Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Minister

of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has reiterated the readiness of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to deepen its diplomatic cooperation with China especially in the area of Science and Technology development.

Onu made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency GU Xiaojie paid him a courtesy visit.

He also expressed the desire of the country to cooperate with the Asian biggest economy in the fight against poverty, increase wealth, and job creation in the country as well as sci-

ence and technology development.

The Minister further expressed satisfaction on the present cooperation and collaboration between Nigeria and China in the development of space technology, and disclosed that his ministry will soon come up with proposals that would be of mutual benefit to both countries. He added that

both countries have a lot of similarities and Nigeria has a lot to learn from China.

Earlier in speech, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, GU Xiaojie said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Nigeria and China’s strategic partnership.

Xiaojie revealed that the relations between Nigeria

Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo (left) receiving the SERAs Award for ‘Best Company in Health Intervention’ from the MD/CEO, Film House Cinemas, Kene Mkparu at the SERAs Awards 2015 held in Lagos… recently

You remained deposed, Akure leaders tell Prince Adesina 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏProminent leaders of

Akure on Tuesday said the reign of the deposed king, Prince Adepoju Adesina, brought untold and unprecedented embarrassment to the people of the kingdom.

The leaders at a press conference held in Akure, the Ondo state capital, also condemned the action of the deposed king of the kingdom, Prince Adesina Adepoju, over his recent attitude shortly after the resumed hearing of his case at the State High Court.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the leaders, a

foremost elder of the community, Prof. Olu Agbi, said that Prince Adesina could not live above board and continued to conduct himself in a manner alien to the culture and tradition of the community.

Agbi, a former ambassador to Greece and Australia, recalled the circumstances that truncated the reign of the deposed king, Prince Adesina Adepoju, in year 2010, while describing his tenure as disaster to the indigenes of the community.

"The palace of the Deji of Akure, which hitherto was regarded as the bastion of Akure culture and tradi-

tion and one of the most revered stools in the entire Yoruba land, became a hangout for young men of shady characters who had become guests of the deposed king.

"Pickpockets who ordinarily roam around in the old garage readily found accommodation within the confine of our pride, of course, this was a sacrilege and our people became unhappy at the turn of events" Agbi said.

He alleged that the deposed Deji desecrated the culture of the town with the introduction of the notorious "omo-onile system" to Akure and empowering

a group of brigades to go round the city on a daily basis, looking for signs of fresh developments.

"Once they discovered that someone was either on the verge of starting the construction of a building or was already constructing, the 'Palace boys' would immediately request for the payment of outrageous sums of money to be paid by whoever the developer of the building under construction was, failing which the construction or development would be stopped and you will be lucky if you did not get beaten up for not adhering to the 'Palace' instruction.

Delta leaders dismiss attack on Speaker, Ibori, Osanebi Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏDelta

leaders has urged the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Monday Igbuya not to take action against those attempting to smear his name and that of Hon. Friday Osanebi and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance and

Appropriation, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori.

They also described the report titled “Ibori’s Daughter, Other Delta State Assembly Members Quarrel over DESOPADEC contract” as the personal views of the writers.

The leaders, in a statement issued in Asaba, ex-

pressed their support for the transformation agenda of the Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya led House of Assembly.

“We are confident that the leadership is, and will commit to, improving governance and continue on a path of socio-economic and geo-political reforms”

the statement signed by the Coordinator, Delta Progressive Forum (DPF), Chief Mudiaga Okoro said.

The leaders who accused some individuals in the state of spreading baseless report, also reflected on the tasks of maintaining openness and transparency in government.

and China are characterised with mutual cooperation which has benefited citizens of both countries.

He said that Nigeria is the only African country that has so far benefited from Chinese space technology, saying that the two countries share similarities in the task of lifting people’s livelihood.

He identified science and

technology as key towards developing other industries in the country and expressed the readiness of his country to share experiences and technologies with Nigeria and other African countries.

He reiterated the commitment of China to expand cooperation with Nigeria especially in the fields of science and technology.

FG to review aviation policy -Minister

ada, from 23 - 25 November, 2015.

According to the Minister, "Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, will continue to upgrade and develop aviation infrastructure to improve aviation safety and security, thus creating an enabling environment for growth of airlines and other service providers, as well as protecting the interest of aviation end-users.”

In a keynote address, the ICAO President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu said it was a key goal for the organisation to assist member States to the fullest extent, possible with respect to the implementation of ICAO standards and policies.

ÏÏÏThe

Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has stated that the Civil Aviation Policy would be reviewed in order to accommodate the planned policies of the present government which would include a Master Plan to reform institutions, airports (domestic and international hubs) and national airlines, to provide domestic and international services.

Sen. Hadi Sirika stated this during the ICAO 2015 World Aviation Forum holding in Montreal, Can-

MSSN counters Soyinka's rejection of faith-based uniforms Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe Muslim Students'

Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, has faulted the statement made

by Prof. Wole Soyinka that faith-based uniform be disallowed in schools.

The students, in a press statement by its President (Amir), Mallam Saheed Ashafa, lamented that a person of Soyinka's calibre could make an un-informed statement on education and human right.

According to the group, Soyinka erred by failing to recognise that the current uniform worn by students in schools was already faith-based.

It said, "It should be noted that the statement by Soyinka is one sided and a calculated attack on the agitation for equality through request for the wearing of Hijab on school uniform.

It should be clearly stated

that the current school uniform in all government schools is already Christian - School uniform with beret for females and short for males as against Hijab and trousers for Muslims.

"It is obvious that Muslims are the only one denied our religious right.

Or is Soyinka trying to say that students should begin to wear their indigenous outfit, meaning Yoruba students or students studying in Yoruba land will begin to wear Iro, Buba and Gele or Agbada and Sokoto with Fila as against the faithbased uniform currently being worn? It's high time equality is granted instead of running around the bush" the statement added.

Soyinka

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

15 Opinion

Ambode and the security of Lagos

F Kayode Olopade

or a cosmopolitan state like Lagos, it is unexpected to experience a lot of insecurity as often witnessed in city-states across the world but the good news is that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has mapped out different plans to ensure Lagos is secure. Though, it is strange to hear that there is little over 30,000 policemen deployed to police the 22 million residents, that notwithstanding, efforts are being made to institute 24 hour communication channels by which security operatives can be reached for prompt response.

Against this background, I think it is too early to passing uncomplimentary remarks on a government that is less than six months in office.

Let us calm be assured that a safer Lagos, where everybody would be sleeping with their two eyes closed, is what Ambode promised us in his inaugural speech.

That notwithstanding, the Governor has decided to handle governance without any molestation and force, hence his directive to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), not to impound vehicles and to stop harassing

members of the public in the cause of enforcing laws because according to him, the residents are not animals but rationale human beings. All that the governor has been trying to do is to attest to the fact that the era of dictatorial leadership is over. The governor has stated it that he will adopt ‘continuity with improvement approach’ to governance in the state.

“All what I told LASTMA and VIS officials are to treat everybody with respect and employ rule of law to the letter.

But that doesn’t mean that the residents too should take law into their hands and be violating it. However, anybody found wanting or disturbing the public peace, would be dealt with as stated by law”, Ambode said.

The traffic situation has further been worsened by the fact that over the past few weeks, more than 3, 000 tankers visit Lagos to lift fuel, and this is where the Federal Government must really come in and do the needful.

To Ambode, everybody counts as encapsulated in his inaugural speech when he said;”As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our strength in diversity, a common national identity where everybody counts,” he said.

In essence, the job of securing Lagos should not be put in the hand of government alone, but be taken as the job of all so that collectively we all have a safer and secured Lagos.

However, the little being witnessed could just be taken as the replica of what is associated with the cosmopolitan city like Lagos where people from various tribe, nations and creed are trooping in on daily basis with different motives.

That is why Lagosians must support the government by reporting any suspicious people to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

Moreover, the aftermath of any general elections is also a contributory factor where according to statistics; all politicians usually explore avenues to put candidates of their choice in power, including procuring various arms and ammunitions for thugs. The same arms and ammunition are used by the thugs to commit crimes after the electioneering period when their services are no longer needed.

In the event that such candidate fails to win the election, he would be too busy ruminating over his loss than the recall of the procured ammunitions from the thugs.

However, we should all be aware that governance is about systematic

evolution and positive coordination.

Ambode is ready to overhaul security situation in the state where all would be involved in eradicating crime.

Recently, at Third Mainland Bridge and all black spots in the metropolis, men of the Rapid Response Squad and Lagos State Task Force, as well as the Governor’s Monitoring Team (GMT) have been combing several places suspected of harbouring the hoodlums and criminals at nights.

In an attempt to improve on the security situation in the state, Ambode recently established the Integrated Security and Emergency Control Platform to strengthen the security apparatus in the state and just before the end of November, three surveillance helicopters will be presented to security agencies to police the air and carry out rescue operation during emergency. Government has also perfected plans to boost the operation of Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy on the waterways in the state with presentation of various equipments and platforms also before the end of November.

On our part as citizens, let us also assist the government to succeed by voluntarily complying with the laws of the land and reporting any suspicious activity around us to security agencies.

Salvaging the rot in our society

N

Rowland Odegbo

o doubt our society is in decline. It may feel safe to shrug this off as mere postulation since its progressive decay is yet to assume humongous dimension. But the declining fortune is already stark and if nothing is done to stem it, a social order where erosion of every time-honoured values, may chance.

I admit of no sane society in the world. None is without its own peculiar challenges. The only difference perhaps is the degree and the willingness to deal with them.

Each time I think of the creeping decay an uncanny feeling assails me. The fear of possible implosion, evident in the impetuous actions of our youths, haunts like a dybbuk.

Recently, I was driving from Enugu through Oji River to Awka and somewhere in Oji a terrible gridlock occurred. At first it was difficult to establish the cause.

It wasn’t as a result of bad road.

It wasn’t also a case of accident because oncoming vehicles did not indicate. I alighted from my car to find out the cause - the chances of an ease and the possibility of navigating free should there be a deadlock. I was chagrined to see a

mounted column of masquerades on macabre display on the road. As we gained on them, I noticed the masqueraders were deliberately standing cheek by jowl on the road to deny free flow of traffic. Sadly, most were youths of impressionable age. Impiously they demanded and collected tolls from already frazzled motorists as a condition for passage.

Two emerging scenarios are evident here. One is the obvious waste of productive energy among youths. Two, is celebration of impunity as a way of life. I could not understand such unmitigated waste of productive energy and the temerity of toll demand. I was concerned not because what I experienced was novel, but because the rot is fast gaining acceptance.

A trip to most villages within Igbo land will expose a narrative of disorientation among youths. Daily, an appreciable number of them resign to rustic village life where they band together to indulge in such things as sipping of local gin, playing the masquerader and kissing up to VIPs at occasions. Most of them school dropouts and without clear ambition as to productive engagement.

This problem is in no way peculiar to any town or village.

It is almost widespread. My town Nteje is also guilty of the same decay. The number of unproductive youths in the village grows by the day. We are making efforts to have most of them absorbed in some of the youth acquisition projects of the government. To the credit of the administration there are efforts to take a sizeable number of them off the street. It is in keeping with youth employment that the state did not disengage over 5,000 of them employed by the previous government some weeks before disengagement.

It is my considered opinion that other governments should get down to brass tacks before we lose our tomorrow. If half of the energy dissipated on social vices by these youths is channeled to productive engagement even kidnapping would peter out. This is because some of the unwarranted violence, crimes and even death visited on society are as a result of wrong application of the teeming energy.

Why, for example, should masquerades display outside of village squares? There have been other cases of unrestrained revelries among youths which in some cases has been violence and even death.

Not long ago at Umuchu, a bucolic town in Aguata Local

Government Area of Anambra State a truck loaded with building materials skidded off the road and rammed into reveling youths. Many of them died. Regardless, that celebration was indiscreet. It did not take into account the propriety of using an esplanade. No doubt, celebrating within range of major roads has dire consequences one of which was the terrible accident.

It is time efforts should be concerted to arrest the progressive decay and channel energies of our youth to productive engagement.

Like I stated above the efforts of the Anambra State government are encouraging and should be supported by every one. Youths on their part should get the lead off their shoes and imbibe the idea of leading a purposeful life. Life is not all about reveling. There is more to it and the earlier the idea sinks deep in them the better. Otherwise, it is very easy to live the life of indulgence and intemperance which delivers to age a body permanently worn out.

I have the belief the situation can be remedied when society recognises that it needs productive youths as much as the latter a functional social order. Neither should feign ignorance for as long as the creeping social disorder remains a potential threat to all.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Business Times Æ s

CBN reduces MPR, CRR Stories by Adesola Akindele Following the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held on the 23rd and 24th November, 2015, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin I. Emefiele has announced the reduction of the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from 25.0 per cent to 20.0 per cent. In the

same vein the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) was reduced from 13.0 per cent to 11.0 per cent.

The reduction which was issued through a release signed by the Apex Bank’s governor read in part thus: “In consideration of the weakening fundamentals of the economy, particularly the low output growth, rising unem-

ployment and the uncertainty of the global economic environment, the MPC, by a vote of 8 out of 10, has reduced the MPR from 13.0 to 11.0 per cent.

“2 members voted for a retention of the rate at 13.0 per cent; 7 members voted to reduce the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from 25.0 per cent to 20.0 per cent while 3 members voted

to hold. In addition, 8 members voted for an asymmetric corridor of +2/-7 per cent while 2 voted to retain the symmetric corridor of +/-2 per cent around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

The MPC emphasized that the liquidity arising from the reduction in the CRR to 20 per cent, will only be released to the

17

banks that are willing to channel it to employment generating activities in the economy such as agriculture, infrastructure and solid minerals.

In summary, the MPC voted to: (i) Reduce the CRR from 25.0 per cent to 20.0 per cent; (ii) Reduce the MPR from 13.0 per cent to 11.0 per cent; (iii) Change the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR to an asymmetric corridor of +200 basis points and -700 basis points, around the MPR.

STOCK MARKET REPORT

Investors lose N75b as NSE ASI sheds 0.8% Adesola Akindele The equities market segment of the Nigerian Stock Market (NSE) continued on a negative trend as lead market indicators dropped by 0.8 per cent.

Specifically, the NSE All-Share index depreciated by 223.68 points to close at 27,596.81 points against 310.79 points lost yesterday to close at 27,820.49 points.

The market capitalization which opened at N9.564 trillion lost N75.2 billion to close at N9.488 trillion.

At the close of trading most of the sectoral index went south to close negative except the NSE Consumer Goods Index which closed 688.71 points, 0.3 per cent higher than its previous closing points of 686.58 basis points.

Twenty-two (22) stocks led by Tiger Branded Consumer Goods Plc recorded losses as against 13 others on the gainers table led by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc. Tiger Branded Consumer Goods Plc (formerly known as Dangote Flour) lost 9.09 per cent or 17 kobo to close at N1.70 per share, trailed by Oando Plc which dropped 5.17 per cent

or 32 kobo to close at N5.87 per share while Honeywell Flour Plc dipped 5.00 per cent or 11 kobo to close at N2.09 per share.

May and Baker Plc was down by 5.00 per cent or 5 kobo to close at 95 kobo per share, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria shed 4.99 per cent or 40 kobo to close at N7.61per share.

On the other hand, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc topped the gainers table with additional value of 8.89 per cent or 8 kobo to close at 98 kobo per share.

It was trailed by Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) with an increase of 4.95 per cent or 18 kobo to close at N3.82 per share, while Law Union and Rocks Insurance Plc added 3.70 per cent or 2 kobo to close at 56 kobo per share.

Wema Bank Plc gained 3.26 per cent or 3 kobo to close at 95 kobo per share, while Africa Prudential Registrars Plc was up by 3.20 per cent or 8 kobo to close at N2.58 per share.

In all, investors traded 176.4 million shares valued at N3.1 billion in 3,011 deals against 154.79 million shares valued at N2.217 billion in 2,663 deals exchanged on Monday.

Kayode Lawal, Executive Director; Bukola Awosanya, Group Head, Agric Finance; Yemi Adeola, MD/CEO and Abdulhadi Yau, Business Executive, North West all of Sterling Bank Plc. At the commissioning of the Labana Rice Processing mill financed by the Bank at Birnin Kebbi.

Scientists, nutritionists give new insight on beer, cardiovascular health Friday Atufe Scientists and nutritionists have submitted that moderation level of beer consumption is beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Dr. Henk Hendricks, a biologist and a project leader in the Institute for Food and Nutrition in The Netherlands, explained at a Beer and Lifestyle symposium in Lagos on Tuesday.

He explained that virtually all processes contributing to Cardio Vascular Diseases, CVD are beneficially effected. These effects, he said, substantiate the causal relation between moderate alcohol consumption and CVD .These effects, according to him, have been observed in all groups studied (young – old, men – women) According to Hendricks, some of the inherent advantages of beer include: Low percentage

of alcohol; large quantities of water; its role in rehydration; a good source of minerals; a good source of polyphenolic antioxidants; contains anti-inflammatory xanthohumoles; and a large variety of raw materials, including gluten-free’ Rich in fibers.

He averred that Beer contains low concentrations of alcohol and a large number of additional ingredients that are associated with health. These include, amongst others minerals, vitamins and polyphenols.

“Moderate beer/alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk for metabolic diseases, viz. cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

“The beneficial effects of moderate beer/alcohol consumption are mediated by improvements in lipid (cholesterol) metabolism, blood clotting and glucose metabolism,” he said. Hendricks con-

cluded that while risk reduction is additive to other healthy life style factors like non-smoking, physical activity and a healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption fits in a healthy life style Professor Emevwo Biakolo of the Pan Atlantic University Lagos, who s the Chairman of the conference, also submitted thatmoderate beer intake (as beer…) in the elderly appears to be associated with significantly longer survival in men aged 60–74 years and in all elderly women “There is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with better cognitive function in old age,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Tony Agenmomen, Senior Strategy Manager, Nigerian Breweries explained that moderate beer drinking can offer some health benefits, adding that the evidence is overwhelming.

Labour 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Economic diversification key to job creation — Senate Mr Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Sen. Committee Chairman, Labour, Employment and Productivity has said that industrialisation held the key to solving the perennial problem of unemployment in Nigeria.

Onyewuchi, sounded this at the 2015 Africa Industrialisation Day in Abuja recently with the theme: “Eradicating Smuggling, Meeting the Financial and Energy Needs of Local In-

dustries’’ According to him, there was urgent need to diversify Nigeria’s economy, through industrial activities that would add value to our raw materials rather than dependence on imports. ``I believed it holds the key to job creation. For us here, it is in line with our legislative agenda and I think the emphasises on agriculture and solid minerals should be part of the industri-

alisation strategy,” he said.

In a related development, member of the House of Representatives, Peter Akapason, Chairman, Committee on Civil Society Organisation and Development Partners, has assured workers that the Minimum Wage Act would be sustained in the light of threat by state governors to cut it down.

Akapason said the Act was a law duly enacted by the National Assembly. ``However, the message is clear that government will look at other means to generate resources to be able to fund the economy and pay the minimum wage. ``We want to assure you that the law is our own law and we will continue to stand by it,” he said.

Onyewuchi

Ngige announces plan for job creation, social security Stories by Joy Ekeke Minister of Labour and Employment Sen, Chris Ngige has said that the federal government was poised to create more jobs as well as provide social security for the vulnerable.

He stated that repositioning the Ministry to meet the challenges of unemployment and maintaining industrial harmony in the labour sector is a major agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Minister made the statement when heads of departments in the ministry briefed

Ngige

him on their activities.

According to Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press, who issued a statement to the media after the closeddoor session which also had in attendance, the Minister for State, Mr James Ocholi, the meeting was convened with a view to providing efficient labour administration in Nigeria.

The statement said the minister used the occasion to affirm government’s readiness to work with organised labour unions and employers of labour to ensure peaceful industrial environment.

It quoted the Minster as say-

ing, “maintenance of industrial peace and harmony and job creation is a cardinal point of this administration.

“We will partner with organised labour unions and employers of labour to ensure the creation of decent employment for teeming Nigerian youths.”

He said that the ministry would ensure the provision of social security to the vulnerable through the development of social security and ratification of ILO convention.

Ngige pledged that the ministry would leverage on advancement in information communication technology to resuscitate job centres for job placement.

Minimum wage: TUC, NLC ready for showdown with governors Two major umbrella bodies of organised labour in the country Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have separately condemned the proposition by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) to slash the minimum wage and vowed to put up stiff resistance.

According to the NGF Chairman, Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State,“The situation is no longer the same compared to when we were asked to pay N18,000 minimum wage, when oil price was $126 (per barrel) and continued paying N18,000 minimum wage when the oil is $41, and the source of government expenditure is oil, and we have not seen prospects in the oil industry in the near future.”

Yari added, “We will diversify our economy in the area of agriculture and mining. But at the same time, we should understand our situation where some of us (states) today are taking N100million home (monthly allocation)

and we have salaries of over N2billion to pay. “ Reacting to the governor’s comment, the TUC president Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama said, “For leaders at the level of governors not to think on how to generate wealth within, calls for worry.

How can governors spend time discussing what is not feasible.”

The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, also addressed the issue at a mass rally in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2015 Africa Industrialisation Day Celebration, warning that workers will put up a strong resistance to the NGF’s proposition. ``Therefore, we are putting them on notice that workers will not succumb to any pressure to actually eliminate the gains they have made in respect to having the minimum wage. ``In fact, the minimum wage is due for review despite the challenges in the economy.

Wabba said the minimum wage was not allocation, as it was negotiated through a tripartite system

and was a product of law The NLC President said workers were assets in any economy as they generated wealth that moved the economy in any country, stressing that workers should not be seen as the problem; but rather as the solution to challenges in the system. ``The obvious solution is for them to address the issue of ghost workers and also reduce the cost of governance. They should reduce security votes, entourage and aides,” Wabba advised.

Supporting the NGF’s position however, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State told journalists that there was no way the country could continue with a situation where expenditure was more than income. “We are faced with a situation where we either have to reduce cost through salary reduction or downsize. All these we don’t want to do but prefer to have a roundtable with the President, ministers and economists to look for means of getting out of this problem,” he said.

Wabba

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

19 Agric

Tuta-absoluta pest needs total bio-combat than chemical solutions — experts Stories by Isaac Agber The quiet demon that ravages tomato fruits and other low stem crops can only be defeated through a rigorous biological process, focusing on each developmental stage of the pest, recent investigation has proven.

This came at the height of claims by some agrochemical companies that a mere chemical solution is capable of destroying the pest in toto.

Two months ago, Syngenta Nigeria Ltd, one of the leading agrochemical companies in the country, introduced a new broad spectrum insecticide called Ampligo which, it claimed, was specifically designed for use in combating pests commonly found in forage brassica crops (vegetables) and low stem field crops.

The company’s Country Director, Nigeria, Dr. Shachi Sharma, claimed that the chemical solution had a unique microcapsule format, which could enable the active materials -- Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) and LambdaCyhalothrin -- to work only after the spray has dried on the plant in addition to having a maximum effect after rain or irrigation, adding that farmers would not bother spraying their farms repeatedly as the frequencies were significantly reduced with the efficacy of Ampligo alongside the cos.

But much to the dismay of tomato growers and other field crops, reports have emerged that the crops vampire, also chris-

tened as Nigeria’s “Tomato Ebola,” needs persistent combative biological process, which must be targeted at its three developmental stages in order to eliminate or reduce the damage it causes.

In a recent interview granted to AgroNigeria, the Managing Director, Russell IPM Ltd, Shakir Al-Zaidi, said that it was normal to have such claims as it was also true that most insecticides can kill Tuta absoluta but, according to him, “you need repeated application which will increase the insect resistance to pesticides as well as the level of pesticide residues in the crop. And eventually, the control fails and the crop destroyed.”

Shakir maintained that Tuta absoluta can only be controlled through “comprehensive program targeting all life stages.”

According to him, Russell IPM was already demonstrating the efficacy of such process in Nigeria, which had been proven successful in other African counties.

Daily Times gathered from sources that Tuta absoluta is a serious invasive pest of tomatoes and potatoes. The problems associated with the pest are its rapid population multiplication of up to 12 generations in a year, and its rapid ability to develop resistance toward synthetic insecticides like Ampligo. This resistance can develop in just a few generations.

After devastating tomato production in South America for years, it was introduced accidentally to Spain in 2006. Since then it has spread rapidly to other parts of the world. Reports of its spread

Prototype of tuta-absoluta pest socking off a tomato fruit

is already sending shock waves through the agricultural world as farmers struggle to protect their livelihoods and also to keep their prices within reach of the average consumer.

Reports have also confirmed that Russell IPM has developed a full range of solutions to halt the pest at various stages in development.

For the adult stage, a sticky fly roll called Tuta+ has been developed which incorporates pheromones to specifically attract the

pest. As with standard rolls, the yellow colour of the trap has the advantage of attracting whitefly and aphids while the incorporated pheromone attracts Tuta absoluta, with the advantage of a significant reduction and a more cost-effective control where these 3 pests are present.

Russell IPM is continually looking to improve the plight of farmers in dealing with this pest.

Newest to the Tuta range is the Tuta black, a new version of the Tuta roll which is already prov-

ing popular. Recent trials in some African countries have indicated a high capture rate and the new product is already receiving a lot of interest from farmers who want to find the most up to date and effective methods of protecting crops.

Considering the complications associated with the pest, Nigerian farmers may have to look out for the very best methods available and affordable to combat the scourge of pests. The gains could surpass the cost.

Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes to improve health of African mothers King J and Mothers Delight were the two special varieties of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) recently unveiled by the International Potato Centre. The special varieties are said to have rich potentials and veritable sources of beta-carotene and vitamin ‘A’, which are capable of improving the health of African nursing mothers and children as well as galvanizing increase in profit when cultivated.

According to the project leader of the initiative, a Kumasi Ghanaian breeder, Professor Ted Carey, the new technology is projected at improving the lives of millions of people in Africa. Countries like Ghana, Nigeria, BurkinaFaso and Malawi have all been

taking the OFSP advantages comparatively. He said that the CIP Development and Research has succeeded in involving a number of international organizations like IITA and FARA, just as the Nigeria government has also embraced its rainbow project.

Speaking at a Sweet Potato Seed System and Market Linkage in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, the CIP project manager from Tamale, Ghana; Dr. Erna Abidin said; “Through diversified market, we are commercializing and expanding the OFSP initiative. We have made Africans realize through advocacy and sensitization that OFSP is a food and nutrition security crop and now, households, vine multipli-

ers, researchers, governments and other stakeholders are joining us in repositioning OFSP as a profit generating crop”.

Explaining the nutritional advantages of the OFSP, the country project manager and M&E specialist Dr. Justus Manje said that the new hybrid of sweet potato was full of essential vitamins which were in short supply in the daily dietary intakes.

“Vitamin A deficiency is rampant in Africa and has contributed to high rates of blindness and diseases in pregnant women and children” he said.

Entering a partnership with the CIP, the National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike (NRCRI), an institute with the

mandate of conducting research on root and tuber crops in Nigeria has said it is still working on how to further improve the nutrient-laced OFSP and then roll out more varieties.

On his part, Nigeria’s agronomist CIP, Dr. Jude Njoku said that apart from having high yield, it is also disease resistant, adding that the variety was bred via a conventional means.

“We just established a root foundation which was flagged off two weeks ago at ARMTI in Ilorin and we have also sensitized multitudes at the IDP camp in Abuja. I can assure you that after generating our data from the field trials, we shall release more varieties so that our vegetable farmers can

reap bountifully from them”.

The breed is expected to take over the nation’s agro market as one of the best food crops with all the nutritional values that will boost the health of Nigerian mothers and babies.

Orange-Fleshed sweet potatoes

ICT 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Glo excites subscribers with free data, airtime in twin bash promo Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Globacom, has enhanced the network experience of its data subscribers, especially students as it excites them with juicy benefits which include free data and free airtime that subscribers can use to call all networks.

The new offer is coming on the heels of the Free Tomorrow promo which was launched recently.

While announcing the new offer, called Twin Bash, in Lagos Mrs Gladys Talabi, executive director, Legal Services, Globacom, said that any subscriber who recharges N200 data will get 200 MB of data worth N800, another N200 airtime to call or send SMS to any network and N200 airtime to call 10 friends and family. The subscriber will subsequently receive N1,200 val-

ue for a data recharge of N200 which will be valid for four days.

Similarly, any subscriber who recharges with N500 data plan will get 500 MB of data, N500 airtime to call or send sms to any network and N500 airtime to call 10 friends and family, Mrs Talabi said, adding that this is valid for 10 days.

According to her, subscribers who recharge with N1,000 for data will receive 1GB of data: while they will equally receive N1,000 free airtime to call or send SMS to any network and N1000 free airtime to call 10 friends and family, adding that this is valid for 15 days.

For a N2,000 data plan, the subscriber will enjoy 2 GB of data with N2,000 airtime bonus to call or send SMS to any network and another N2,000 free airtime to call 10 friends and family. She added that this package is valid

for 30 days.

“This is an unbeatable offer in the Nigerian telecommunication industry. Imagine paying N200 for a service and getting a value worth N1,200,” she said.

She encouraged subscribers to dial *223*pin# to enjoy the Twin Bash benefits, adding that with the new promo, Globacom has taken subscriber’s data enjoyment on the company’s network to a new height by adding bonus airtime for voice calls to every new data recharge.

“It is the novel and quintessential mobile package. You pay for data and get voice and SMS free,” Talabi said.

She explained that the company has invested enormously on network upgrade in the last one year, adding that this has led to significant improvement in the quality of voice and data service.

Adenuga

SAP & Acumen To Invest $ 40Bn In Ericsson, Airtel Nigeria to launch First VOD “Nuvu” 1Q 2016 Training Social Entrepreneurs In Africa Ericsson has formally an- integrated into the operator’s “Airtel is the perfect partner Systems Applications & Products in Data Processing, (SAP) a multi-national software company in collaboration with Acumen are set to invest $ 40 billion in training of social entrepreneurs across the continent.

The two companies made the pledge in Nairobi as they recognise those entrepreneurs who had taken part in their 100 day programme in a project aimed at supporting them to scale their businesses.

“Social enterprises can accelerate innovation, create jobs, and spur economic growth, in Kenya, we needs to create more 4 million jobs by 2020, according to a new Endeavour Insight Report.

The SAP Social Entrepreneur Fellowship gives these CEOs the opportunity to learn from business and technology experts, so they can take their business to the next level while driving sustainable growth in their countries. “Andrew Waititu, Managing Director at SAP East Africa said.

Over 40 entrepreneurs selected from seven countries in Africa took part on the 100 programme that included training on how to grow their business and also post investment fellowship to ensure that the Entrepreneurs are on the right track.

Those CEOs who were selected all from Acumen’s portfolio, traveled to Silicon Valley in July to

take part in a leadership development programme before returning to execute their plans for growth in their respective countries.

John Waibochi, from Kenya and the CEO of Virtual City was among the fellows. Virtual City is a mobile software firm that develops and delivers streamlined, cost-effective solutions to the supply chain and agribusiness industry in Africa.

John was definite that the fellowship has been impressive to him.

“We have realised that the value chains that are more complex than ours are made to run complex issues in a very simple manner in the ecosystem. We borrow a leaf from those who preceded us, some of whom had the same challenges as ours, how best to change things so that we can build simple solutions to societal problems.” Waibochi added.

The SAP fellowship was designed to address these challenges and build social enterprises to create jobs and promote economic growth throughout these emerging markets.

According to Ashifi Gogo, CEO of Sproxil, a mobile verification service that helps protect East African consumers from counterfeit medicine and other products to combat the $600 billion counterfeit goods industry.

nounced the launch of its first end-to-end subscription videoon-demand content service, NuVu, whose service it intends to be marketed in close collaboration with service providers.

In view of this, Ericsson and telecommunications services provider Airtel Nigeria are planning to jointly launch NuVu in Q1 2016 to Airtel’s more than 30 million subscribers in Nigeria.

With this solution, subscribers will have access to around 3,000 local and international TV and film titles for a small monthly fee.

They will be able to download content directly to their smartphones or tablets at no additional data cost during off-peak network times and access the content offline for up to 30 days after downloading.

NuVu’s content offering, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, will span a wide variety of genres including Hollywood and Nollywood movies, TV series, kids, music, gospel and education.

Ericsson is working with a number of leading international distributors to acquire TV and film content for its new service.

NuVu is a complete end-to-end technology and content service.

The platform, which has been developed by Ericsson leveraging the company’s extensive overthe-top capabilities, will be fully

customer relationship management and payment systems.

A core feature of the service is the built-in ability to distribute content to consumers during offpeak periods.

This minimizes data costs for both the operator and the consumer, addressing the cost challenge that has so far been an obstacle for video-on-demand uptake in the region.

The service will launch initially as an Android app for smartphones, providing subscribers with a personalised user interface, bookmarking and personal recommendations. Ericsson will continue to roll out the service on other platforms and operating systems.

Thorsten Sauer, head of Broadcast and Media Services at Ericsson, said “The launch of NuVu is a significant landmark for Ericsson and is uniquely positioned to help our operator customers to address a significant untapped market for video content. Africa has some of the highest mobile adoption rates globally with ever-increasing levels of investment and infrastructure.

“However, at present, downloading is preferred to streaming due to connectivity issues. We believe there is a huge opportunity to open up a window to a world of content through mobile devices that may not be easily accessed otherwise.

to help us launch NuVu as one of the largest operators across Africa and the third-largest mobile operator in the world. We are very proud to launch NuVu in Africa and we look forward to rolling out this service to other markets over the coming year.”

Ahmed Mokhles, chief commercial officer, Airtel Nigeria, said, “At Airtel we are passionate about putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians and this is one of the ways we achieve this goal. One of the key advantages of NuVu is that customers will have the flexibility to enjoy a variety of entertaining content, including music videos, comedy, movie trailers, cartoons, sports among others on their mobile devices anytime, anywhere they desire.

“We are delighted to be a part of this project as it also reinforces our commitment to creating real value for all our stakeholders, in line with our key objective of enriching lives and empowering people”.

The NuVu brand identity was created by the award-wining creative agency Red Bee, which is a part of Ericsson.

Red Bee has created identities for a number of leading broadcasters around the world including the BBC, DreamWorks, UKTV, NBCUniversal, RTÉ, CBC Egypt, TV2 Norway and many more.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

CBN ESTATE UTAKO MUSLIM UMMAH 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 The Trustees Are: 1. Mahmoud Kudu Umar. - Chairperson 2. Ali Muhammad Dikwa 3. Muhammad Ali 4. Bature Mohammed 5. Muhammad Aliyu Abba. - Secretary 6. Muhammad Baba Usman 7. Abdulrahman Buhari Aim and objective 1. To Propagate Islam as a Religion of peace 2. To cater for the general well-being of the members within her means 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: Olutunde femi abegunde.

ACI arb Pp olutunde abegunde $ associates legal practitioners arbitrators $ notary public Suite B10 jabi plaza jabi district abuja.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS This is to inform the general public of the loss of the original of the following documents 1. Offer of statutory Right of occupancy in favour of Ruben Abutu in respect of Plot No. 1139 of about 3,814-78m2 at kaura, Abuja FCT. 2. ALL other document in respect of the above titile document. Is missing. All efforts to trace the document proved abortive. If found please contact the nearest police station and all General public should take note Signed: Morning Dew Attorneys $ SoLicitors Suite, 23 Abuja shopping complex, Area 3. Garki Abuja.

21 Public Notice

THE LAMB OF GOD KINGDOM MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration Under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters act no. 1 of 1990

The Trustees Are:(1) Rev. (Dr.) Babafemi Adewodun – President (2) Pastor (Mrs) Olagbile Anike Adewodun – Vice President.

(3) Adedotun Daniel Adewodun – Treasurer (4) Tosin Johnson Adewodun – Secretary (5) Oluwatoyin Florence Adewodun (6) Temitope Bolatito Adewodun

The Trustees 1. Mr Ulebe Nathaniel.

2 Mrs Ulebe Evelyn.

The Aims & Objectives are: (a) To proclaim the Gospel of God’s Kingdom (b) To promote Godliness & Biblical Doctrines

LAFENWA MARKET FISH SELLERS ASSOCIATION, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

Aim And Objective: To foster closer relationship among members 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

Aims & Objective: To preach the word of God. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street. PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

The Trustees are : 1 ) Prophet Ambrose Idabana - Chairman 2) Rev. Ruth Idabana - Clergy 3) Osamu, Obera Roland - Secretary 4) Grace Idabana - Treasurer.

PROPHETIC VOICE WONDERLAND MINISTRY

5,Celecial Church Street, Idi Oyin, Araromi Area,Ibeju,Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990 Trustees Are: 1.prophet Adedeji David Adesina 2.mrs Adedeji Christy Bamidele 3.Rev Oladejo Adeniyi Samuel 4.mr Olakunle Olusola Jegede 5.Mr Osazuwa Joseph Chuks.

Aims and Objectives: 1.To bring God’s people back to his kingdom 2.To raise spiritual warriors for kingdom expansion.

3.To set the captives free from satanic bondages through the preaching of words of deliverance.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street.

PMB 198, Matiama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication Signed: Secretary

HIS GRACE APOSTOLIC HEALING WORLD OUTREACH

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 publicatio Signed: Secretary

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

The Trustees Are:1.Rev’d Emmanuel Omoniyi Oluwatobi (2.) Mrs Faith Ebunoluwa Oluwatobi (3.) Pastor Enoch-Williams Elohim-Ago Oluwafioye (4.)Mr Peter Olaposi Fadodun 5.Mr Joel Ajayi Aims and Objectives.

1.Embark on evangelical mission programmes throughout the world to win souls for the Lord Jesus christ.

2. Organise prayer meetings,establish prater camps and conduct prayer sessions on any matter at any place and for any adequate period.

3. Organise bible studies,teaching,seminars,discussions and any other programmes to facilitate the study of the bible.

4. Publish or cause to be published in any place and at any time Christian literature,including tracts, magazines,periodicals,circulars,books,as may be conducive with its aims and objective here in 5. Promote and propagate,or cause the same to be done,to the growth of christians and Christianity.

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

Signed: Secretary

LIGHT ON THE ROCK COVENANT CHURCH

CHRISTGLOBAL SAVES MISSION INT’L

The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The Trustee Are: 1 Atanda Oluwafemi Issac 2 Atanda Annette 3 Falola Mutairu Babatunde 4 Amode olumuyiwa Ibunkunoluwa 5 Gbadebo Adeyemi Aim and Objective To preach the gospel Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

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

The Trustees Are:1. Pastor Matthew Alalade (Chairman) 2. Brother Nnamdi Lawrence 3. Pastor Jana Chukwuezi 4. Pastor (Mrs) Victoria .I. Ashiri (Secretary)

Signed: Secretary

FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN OF ALL NATIONS 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

The Aims & Objectives are (I) To preach the Gospel of Christ. (ii) To promote godliness and morality i 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: Barrister Olusola Folasade Efunkomaya

The Trustees Are: 1 Yinka Elizabeth Olaiya 2 Demola Olaiya 3 Ifeoluwa Bukola Ayoola 4 Akinbowale Henry Alabi Aim And Objetcive To Help The Less Priviledges

Signed: Secretary

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 The Trustees Are: 1.Afunkulola Abisoye Tawakalitu- Pres. 2. Bayewunmi Bilikisu Oluremi 3. Obadimu Busayo Omolola 4. Akingbesote Bilkis Adunni 5. Adebiyi Wasiu- Secretary.

ROYAL HOUSE GOSPEL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990

Aims and objective: 1. To preach the gospel 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: Bar OLUSOLA EFUNKOMAYA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990 The Trustees Are: (1) Ajayi Bamidele Samuel (2) Ogidan Bolarinwa (3) Ajayi Muinat Bolanle (4) Babatunde Kikelomo (5) Ajayi Ayodeji Emmanuel

TRAUMA TECK FOUNDATION

ROCK OF GOD FOUNDATION PRAYER MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990

The Aims and Objectives are:1. To evangelize the world 2 . To teach, build and equip disciples to realize/fulfill their divine purpose.

3. To plant churches to conserve the fruits of evangelism.

4 . To render special, charitable, social and essential services to the needy as the Lord shall continue to provide and direct.

5 . To associate and fellowship with other true believers irrespective of age, sex, race, status and occupation.

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

Signed: Secretary

PATRIOTISM RENAISSANCE INITIATIVE The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the corporate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Sulayman Babatunde Kuku Dawodu.

2. Ismail Yusuff.

3. Muritala Kayode Oriolowo 4.Orgbu Nweze.

Aims And Objectives: 1. An organisation geared towards revival of patriotic values in the citizens of the country.

2. An organisation formed to promote and enhance leadership skills amongst youths in the country 3. An organisation set to promote community development projects Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent of aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary.

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

The Trustees Are:1. Sunday Okechukwu Phillip 6. Chukwu Uchenna Okorie 2. Odii Friday 7. Igwe Chinedu Solomon 3. Orji John 8. Ofia Ndubuisi Daniel 4. Franklin Odinaka Okoro 9. Okonkwo Chimaobi Emmanuel 5. Nwatu Ozoemena Celestine 10. Ogbonna Chukwuemeka Emma The Aim And Objective Is:To foster unity and progress of members of the club Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: ADENIYI ADEBISI

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Buhari’s Supplementary Budget scales second reading in Senate Olufemi Sam uel Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Senate has passed

the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N465.6 billion filed before it last week by President Muhammadu Buhari for second reading.

The Bill will be the first of its kind from the President in the 8th Senate, as indications are rife that the Senate leadership is poised to give it an accelerated passage.

The first reading of the bill took place in the Senate on Tuesday November 24, just as indications are fife

that it would be committed to relevant committees next week after its third reading.

President Buhari had proposed the Supplementary budget on the basis that the implementation of the main budget by the past government of former President Goodluck Jonathan ran into a hitch owing to dwindling oil revenue.

The main budget as proposed initially was predicated on 2.2 million barrels of oil production per day and on a bench mark oil price of $53 per barrel with exchange rate pegged at N190 to a dollar.

Leading the debate on the supplementary bill, the Senate leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume said the 2015 budget has a projected fiscal deficit of N1.041 billion and to be financed through the federal government bond of N502.1 billion, amounting to the sum of N882.12 billion.

He said the shortfall in the oil production and the falling crude oil price posed a major challenge for the implementation, just as additional funds of N71.8 billon were required to fully implement the 2015 budget.

Ndume said the emergency expenditure projec-

tion not included in the 2015 appropriation is estimated at N465.64 billion.

The extra fund, according to him are to be used for Operation Lafiya Dole

(N39.65 billion), allowances of outgone and incoming legislators (N10.62 billion), Emergency provision for subsidy claims (N413.36 billion), and provision for Prison ration and feeding for Unity Schools (N2 bil-

OYENEKAN TAIWO I, formerly known as Popoola Taiwo Oluwatoyin now wish to be lnown and addressed as Oyenekan Taiwo Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

ISIAKA ABIODUN SAFIRIU I formerly known and addressed as Isiaka Abiodun Tawaliu Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Isiaka Abiodun Safiriu.

All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

Buhari

lion) Ndume also disclosed that the government requires the sum of N1.064 trillion to redeem a portion of the domestic borrowing for implementation of the 2015 budget.

BOLA OLORUNOSEBI I formerly known and addressed as Bimbola Bashiru, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Bola Olorunosebi. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note.

IKECHUKWU JAMES

I formerly known as Nwaonah Linus, now wish to be addressed as Onah Ikechukwu James. All former document remain valid, general public take note.

IRENE FIBROID FOUNDATION

THE ETI – OSA AND IBEJU–LEKKI PLANKS AND BUILDING MATERIALS

Aims And Objectives 1. To Create Awareness And Contribute To The Fight Against Fibroid 2. Creating A Relive Platform For Women Suffering From Destructive Diseases Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Ruth A. Okeowo

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

The Trustees Are: 1. Hammed Adebisi 7. Alhaji Arikewushola Zubar 2. Adebowale Timothy Sunday 8. Raufu Adeboyega 3. Alhaji Wasiu Arikewushola 9. Akibu Akinsanya 4. Mr. A.o Adeoye 10. Salisu Adegbenro 5. Tunde Azeez 11. Nureni Edunjobi 6. Bamidele D. Buhari 12. Oseni Olasunkanmi Suraju Aims and Objectives 1. To further promote the walfare of its members 2. To cater for the Walfare of family members of Association members 3. To do such other things as are incidental to the achievement of objectives.

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

Signed: Secretary

OLUWATOSIN GREAT FOUNDATION

SHEA EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

HEALTH RESPONSE & DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

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, 1990.

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 1990.

The Trustees Are:1. Helen Oluwatosin Falode (President) 2. Temitope Michael Falode (Secretary) 3. Gabrael Lana Falode 4. Adeyemi Soboyede The Aim And Objective Is:To foster mutual relationship among members.

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

The Trustees Are:1. Mrs Mobola Sagoe – Chairman 4. Mr. Lanre Olagoke 2. Mr Kofi Sagoe 5. Mrs Sola Oworu 3. Mrs Ajuah Oyewole 6. Ms Folake Akinleye -General Secretary The aim and objective: To Empower Shea Butter Processors And Shea Nut Pickers In Nigeria Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days from the date of this Publication.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of NO I 1990.

The Trustees Are: (1) Mr. Chima, Gabriel Uko - President (2) Dr. Comfort Amah - Vice Preseident (3) Onyema Martha Peace - Finance/Admin Manager (4) Chima Bridget Uko - Communication Manager (5) Mr. Kalu Austus Limato - I.c.t. Manager (6) Mrs Ngozi Blessing Chima - Lab Technical Manager

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

NEW CREATION LIFE MANDATE ASSEMBLY This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration In accordance with the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990 The Trustees Are:1. Pastor Uchenna Peter Godwin General Overseer 2. Bro Amaugo Nnaemeka General Secretary 3. Sis. Amarachukwu Mary Godwin 4. Bro. Ogu Remi The Aims And Objectives Are:1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2.To cater for the spiritual and material welfare of our members and the community.

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

Signed: Chigozie Ohamuo Esq 1 1 Taiwo Street Ilasamaja, Lagos State

This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 The Trustees Are: 1. Jooji Tor 2. Nwokoafor Innocent Osondu – (Chairman) 3. Pastor Fabian Alake 4. Barr. Chinedu Nduka – (Secretary) 5. Godwin Eteng 6. Dr. Mrs. Oluwafunmike Patricia Ani 7. Dr. Moses Onyebuchi Ani 8. Dr. Biodun Adegoke Abolarinwa

JOYOUS PEOPLE OF GOD INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

JOHN SAMUEL CHIGOZIE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of NO I 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Samuel Mufti Oluokun 3. Moses Oluokun 2. Elizabeth Oluokun 4. Cornelius Oluokun Aims and Objectives 1. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and heal the sick, in all parts of the world.

2. To print and publish religious literature.

3. To establish branches of the church within and outside Nigeria 4. To train and educate people in order to bring progress to the nation entirely.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Rev. Samuel Mufti Oluokun

I formerly known as Osun Samuel Christian, now wish to be addressed as John Samuel Chigozie. All former document remain valid, general public take note.

NGOZI GLADYS I formerly known as Uwakwe Gladys Chinwe, now wish to be addressed as Ogbonna Ngozi Gladys.

All former document remain valid.

SULAIMON TAIWO

PEACE HENSHAW

I formerly known as Aminu Taiwo Bilikis, now wish to be addressed as Sulaimon Taiwo Bilikis. All former document remain valid.

I formerly known as Ekpeyong Rosmary Peace, now wish to be addressed as Miss Miss Peace Henshaw. All former document remain valid.

Aims And Objectives: 1. To Improve community physical, behavioral and social health 2. To stimulate the ability of society to use its asset to strengthen public health 3. To focus on improving day to day health and wellbeing of the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Shoyemi Mayowa Adebimpe

NGOZI AKPULONU I, formerly known as Ngozi Blessing Ohanaka now wish to be lnown and addressed as Ngozi Akpulonu. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

SANSA BASHIRU

I, formerly known as Sansa Bashiru Gbadamosi now wish to be lnown and addressed as Sansa Bashiru. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHIDI OCHINANWATA

MUSTAPHA TAWAKALIT AINA

I formerly known as Chidi Osuagwu, now wish to be addressed as Chidi Ochinanwata. All former document remain valid.

I formerly known as Miss Bakare Tawakalit Aina, now wish to be addressed as Mrs mustapha Tawakalit Aina. All former document remain valid, general public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

INEC erred not declaring Audu, says Bamidele Gbenga Sodeinde

Ado Ekiti A lawyer and former Lagos State Information Commissioner, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB), has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the problem in Kogi State following the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu. He argued INEC committed a grievous error by not declaring Audu the valid winner of the election, and so, Governor-designate.

MOB said that even though there stilled remained 49,000 votes in 91 units where election was cancelled, the records showed that there were 25,000 voters who had Permanent Voter Cards for which INEC ought to have declared Audu the winner of the election.

Audu died on Sunday af-

ter leading his closest rival and incumbent governor, Capt Idris Wada, in a keenly contested governorship poll that was declared inconclusive by INEC. Bamidele, who spoke in Ado- Ekiti, on Tuesday, said it would be preposterous for INEC to rely wholly on Section 181 of the Constitution, which allows the DeputyGovernorship candidate to continue in the event of an unforeseen case of this scenario or Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act, which empowers the Commission to postpone election and allow the concerned party (or parties) to substitute the candidate in case of death or infirmity.

Bamidele posited that as much as the afore-mentioned and Section 121 of the Constitution, which was applied in case of former River State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, that votes counted during elections were for

the parties and not the candidates were relevant under this context; that it would still be apposite for INEC to seek judicial interpretation to save Kogi State from political instability.

“To save Kogi State, and, indeed, the entire nation, from an embarrassing constitutional faux pas, it is imperative for the INEC to seek a prompt legal interpretation from the judiciary, before taking any further action on the purported inconclusive election, so as to avert errors that might be tantamount to setting bad precedents in the electoral law.

“In my considered personal and legal opinion, INEC committed an error in declaring Kogi election inconclusive, in view of the fact that the number of voters who have picked up their PVCs in the remaining 91 units is far less than the number of vote differ-

ence between the two political parties in the concluded election, in such a way that even if all the 25,000 PVCcarrying prospective voters are to vote for the PDP in the supplementary election, it will not make a difference in the overall result”.

He prayed to God to comfort the Government and people of Kogi State at this trying moment and also give the immediate family of Prince Audu and the APC family the fortitude to bear the huge loss. “ I wish to commiserate with the Government and the people of Kogi State, as well as the immediate family, political associates and friends of Prince Abubakar Audu, the Kogi State All Progressives Party (APC) Gubernatorial candidate in the governorship election, whose death was announced in the late hours of Sunday, November 22, 2015.

Audu

23 News

Imo pensioners bemoan humiliation Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏThe

Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Imo State, has lamented the humiliating exposure of its members to scorching heat of the sun without payment of pension arrears.

The pensioners made their feelings known in a communiqué issued at the end of November 2015 state council meeting held at the NUP secretariat located at the World Bank area of Owerri.

The communiqué which was made available to the Daily Times on Sunday and signed by the chairman, Chief Gideon Ezeji and Mr Livinus Asiegbu, the secretary respectively, appealed to government officials to treat pensioners with care.

According to them ``From November 16 to Friday, November 21, pensioners were exposed to blazing heat of the sun, payment only started late Wednesday with the payment of few local government pensioners and retired primary school teachers’’.

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT HOLDEN AT LAGOS NIGERIA ODENGENE AIR SHUTTLE SERVICES LTD VS TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT Pursuant to the Order of this Hon. Court dated 27th day of October, 2015 and endorsed writ of Attachment and sale dated 10th November, 2015, the public is hereby notified of the sale of the following Air Crafts by the Deputy Sheriff/Aviation Marshall of the Federal High Court, 24 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.

PARTICULARS OF THE AIRCRAFT 1. EMBRAER 145 JET YEAR REGISTRATION NUMBER LOCATION 2 EMBRAER 145 JET YEAR REGISTRATION NUMBER LOCATION

s above

was

s

2001 MODEL N292 – SK KADUNA AIRPORT 2000 MODEL 5N – BOZ NNAMDI AZIKIWE, ABUJA

CONDITION OF SALE 1. Interested bidders are to obtained permission from Aviation Marshall to board the vessel for inspection if required 2. Tender shall be by sealed bids 3. That the highest bidder shall be the purchaser 4. That payment shall be made in Naira 5. Aviation Marshall’s decision shall be final 6. No bid shall be withdrawn.

7. No multiple bids shall be allowed from one sing bidder.

8. The successful bidder shall be required to pay 10% (ten percent) of the bid price within 48 (forty eight) hour of notification of the acceptance of the did.

AVIATION MARSHALL

It is regrettably that primary school pensioners owed 22 months arrears are paid only three months rather than fifty percent of the arrears as announced by the governor. ``The council unanimously rejected the governor’s pronouncement to spread the remaining arrears of the arrears of pensions owed the retired primary school teachers to 36 months”.

The council members observed with dismay the missing of the names of many pensioners in the list of verified pensioners in the State and therefore, called for 100 per cent payment of all pensioners earning below N10,000 and payment of three months arrears to state pensioners earning above N10, 000.

Gov. Okorocha

Kano govt launches cattle insemination centres Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏKano state government

has established to cattle insemination centers and acquired five grazing areas as part of efforts to improve the economic condition and social prosperity of Cattle breeders.

The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje announced this during the commissioning of the Tukwi Insemination Center, Makoda local government area, which coincided with the Flag off of the 2015 Mass Animal Vaccination for Cattle, Sheep and Goats, Graduation of 170 youth from Tukwi Poultry Institute as well as the send forth of 60 youths to Turkey for training on cattle Artificial Insemination.

“This initiative would go a long way in improving production of beef and dairy products. It will also enable Fulani headsmen to learn best practices in managing their livestock on larger commercial scale”, the governor asserted.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25 2015

Alleged Ogun tribunal bribery: APC blasts PDP, Kashamu ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, over a petition by the duo alleging bribery of the judiciary by APC. In a statement, signed by its publicity secretary in Ogun State, Sola Lawal, APC warned that assault on the judiciary by the PDP was assuming incendiary proportion such that, if not checked, could compromise the integrity of the institution of justice.

In a separate petitions to the President of Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, both Kashamu and the PDP alleged bias against the state election petition

tribunal headed by Justice Ebiorieweoi Tobi, alleging a planned bribery of the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan.

Kashamu and his party called for disbandment of the appellate court.

The Tobi-led tribunal, in its October 23 judgment, had ordered fresh polls in 110 units, a decision both parties to the petition appealed with the APC insisting that its candidate, Dapo Abiodun, be declared outright winner of the election while Kashamu and PDP averred that the tribunal erred by voiding result in the 110 units.

However, in calling for the disbandment of the Appeal Court in its petition to Justice Bulkachuwa, Kashamu and his party, the PDP, alleged that the sum of N150

million had been forwarded to unnamed members of the Appeal Panel to influence judgment in favour of the APC. The PDP petition was signed by Semiu Shodipo, its secretary in Ogun State.

However, the APC pointed out that every strand of credibility of the judiciary had come under sustained attack by the PDP after losing the last general election, wondering whether it was not the same judiciary which operated during PDP’s 16- year rule in the country.

APC noted that Kashamu and PDP were only victims of morbid fear having realised the futility of their case against APC while opting for vainglorious self-help to avoid an imminent and sure ignominy in the public

space.

“It is to the credit of the crumbling edifice of Kashamu to be economical with the truth to obfuscate its actual plan of clogging the wheel of justice and further desecrate the noble temple of justice through subterfuge and archaic underhand methods.

“In their confusion, Kashamu and his party with whom impunity sits pretty well have, in futility, embarked on search for a society of Frederick Douglass’ intellectual ingenuity where justice is denied, poverty enforced, ignorance prevailed, in which any class is made to feel society is an organised conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade such that no one or property is safe.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (2nd right) commissioning the Senate President’s Suggestion Box at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja… on Tuesday. With him are, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (right); Senate Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume (3rd left); Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Sen. Uche Ekwunife (2nd left) and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Sen. Isa Galadu, and others.

Fayose intimates Ekiti of more economic challenges Gbenga Sodeinde

Ado Ekiti ÏÏÏEkiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, has said that with the continued downward trend in the price of crude oil in the international market, and except

by God's intervention, Nigerians should brace up for more challenges next year.

The governor, who spoke in Efon during his sensitisation tour of local governments in the state, said this year's budget performed poorly because it was predicated on $68 per barrel, while it sold much lower than that.

In a statement in AdoEkiti on Tuesday by the governor's Chief Press Sec-

retary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor opined that if the trend continues, there would be more financial challenges to cope with next year.

"This year's budget did not meet expectations, especially in the area of capital expenditure because of the poor revenue coming in from oil sale in the international market. The oil now sells for less than $40 per barrel.

"Without being an economic expert, one can envisage a tough economic terrain next year. You know that I don't hide things from you, the other day they said they have given out bail-out fund, I said it was not. It will

amount to sheer deception for a leader to hide the true position of things from the people.

"We are heading for a serious financial challenge next year, as there seems to be little hope for the economy bouncing back. Our administration has always put our finances in the open for all to see. We are on this tour because we need to let you know what is happening.

The power of the people is greater than the power of the leaders," he said.

The governor said in response to the observations by workers, a department that would look into their complaints and follow up on their welfare would be set

up at the Governor's Office, Ado-Ekiti.

Fayose promised that the coming Christmas period would not be bleak for civil servants in the state, saying no effort would be spared to ensure that they get their salaries.

He solicited their understanding and cooperation, adding that the state government would, within available resources, give their welfare top priority.

Fayose

Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏMinister

of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has stated that the country is at the verge of collapsing unless it shifts from a consuming country to a producing one as the dwindling price of fuel seems to continue unabated.

The Commissioner made this statement in Kano during the flag off of 2015 Wheat and Rice dry season farming programme. He said that huge sum of money spent on importation of agricultural products such as tooth pick, cooking oil, poultry prod-

Ogbeh

Ogbeh seeks more investment in Agric ucts such as eggs, chickens, Turkey, fish etc, things that ordinarily should have been produced within the country, hence creating and encouraging unemployment in the country.

According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to reviving the agricultural sector, as such programme was launched the previous week in Kebbi State by the President himself. He stated that the nutritional value of wheat cannot be over emphasised, hence the need to support its production for consumption and exportation.

Abia Assembly tasks security operatives on peace Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

security operatives in Abia State have been charged to wake up to the resurgence of criminal activities in the two major cities of Umuahia and Aba. The Abia State House of Assembly, who gave the charge in its resolution, also decried the incessant cases of car snatching, theft and report of missing persons in the state.

The resolution was sequel to a matter of urgent public importance on the resurgence of the nefarious activities of hoodlums brought before it by the member

representing Umuahia East State constituency, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo, during plenary.

Hon. Apugo enjoined the House to mandate the security agencies in the state to rise to the primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people especially during the yuletide, lamenting that the situation was becoming alarming and worrisome and should not be allowed to continue.

According to him, the security agencies in the state should use the resources at their disposal to combat the situation and save the people the nightmare that has become the order of the day.

Fuel scarcity: DPR seals 8 filling stations in Adamawa, Taraba Dan Garba Kurama Yola

ÏÏÏThe Department of Petroleum Products has sealed off eight filling stations in Adamawa and Taraba States.

Engr. Musa Sunday, Operation Controller in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, made this known in Yola on Tuesday.

Sunday told our correspondent that the stiff measures was taken to control the persistent fuel scarcity

in the state.

"As part of stiff measures to control the persistent fuel scarcity, eight filling stations were sealed off in Adamawa and Taraba States.

"The stations were sealed off after we found out that they were selling the product above official pump price and diversion" Sunday said.

He explained that, six of the sealed stations were in Adamawa State, while the other two are in Taraba State.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

So-Said Charity Centre, Okota

25

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Education Times Æ s

Lagos govt pledges to collaborate with private sector to develop education Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, on Tuesday, said that the government was ready to work with the private sector as partners in progress to develop education in the state.

Adebule said this when a delegation of the Developing Effective Private Education Nigeria (DEEPEN) paid her a courtesy visit in Ikeja.

DEEPEN is a programme sponsored by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) to support improved learning outcomes for almost 1.5 million girls and boys in Lagos.

Adebule said that the government was ready to work with the private sector to bridge the gap between public and private schools in the state.

According to her, the government is ready to partner with the private sector in the areas of rating of schools, data gathering and training.

“There have been many private organisations and groups who invested a lot of money, but they do not have the passion to drive the needed goal to improve the education sector.

“This is why the problems in the sector have been recurring, even when the state government has been doing a lot to transform the education sector. Therefore, we want to be cautious.

“We will critically study and analyse the research and proposal of DEEPEN to ensure that it is geared toward the goal of the State Government, which is to ensure access to quality education for all, “ she said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Ms Alessandra Lustrati, Private Sector Development Adviser of DFID, said they were ready to support the government to ensure affordable, yet quality education in the State.

Adebule

National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun (middle) addressing students of St George’s Primary School, Falomo Lagos, as part of events to mark the Universal Children’s Day... recently.

Buhari tasks tech varsities on economy diversification ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure President Muhammadu Buhar I has challenged the nation’s Universities of Technology to be the vanguard of the much needed technological breakthrough that would promote the diversification of the nation’s economy.

Buhari threw the challenge at the 27th Convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), the Ondo state capital, held at the weekend amidst colorful celebration.

The President, represented by Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said the need for a more diversi-

fied economy has become more urgent due to the current crisis in the oil industry.

He reiterated that the Agricultural and Solid mineral sectors are prime areas for the country to achieve the desired diversification agenda, stressing that Ondo State is rich in bio diversity and consequently in forest resources with large deposits of bitumen.

Buhari pointed out that the universities should provide the required leadership in research, production and development of the resources.

“My administration is therefore advocating a new partnership of the Federal Government, state, host/university community in this venture.

“This administration shall therefore continue to give the

necessary support to enable our universities achieve the tripodal mandate of Research, Teaching and Community Service.

“It is also expected that universities on their part, will reciprocate Federal Government’s efforts and justify the huge investments in them,” Buhari said.

The president said that the Universities of Technology should also leverage on the introduction of new academic programmes in the institutions, among which he identified as mechatronic, robotics, nanotechnology and material science, to aid growth in the various sectors of the country’s economy.

Buhari added that the country would now be able to graduate students who are entrepreneurs and employers of labour since the government is increasing its

advocacy for entrepreneurship which had already be embedded in the curriculum of the universities by the National Universities Commission.

Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, the Emir of Bauchi, who was newly installed as the Chancellor of the institution, explained that his new position would afford him opportunity to make significant contributions to the development of education in the country.

Adamu commend the university governing council for the quality of policy formulation and superintendence fostered on the school.

Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, the vice-chancellor of the university, admonished the graduating students to be good ambassadors and responsible alumni of the school.

Be wary of get-richsyndrome, desperate travel dreams, students told

Secondary school students in Lagos State have been told to be wary of get-rich-syndrome and being desperate of jetting out of Nigeria as human traffickers are capitalizing on such in enslaving children and youths these days.

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

Media Initiative against Human Trafficking and Women

Rights Abuse (MIAHWRA) is a non-denominational and nonprofit organisation which seeks to contribute to the prevention and eradication of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and abuse of children and women. The organisation’s intervention also includes changing the reality that perpetuates the exploitation of women and thus, works towards eradicating this phenomenon.

MIAHWRA’s founder, Ms. Ovuorie is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist, media trainer, local and international

speaker who dedicates her time and resources on human trafficking, women and investigative journalism related issues.

“I am not to be sold” is MIAHWRA’s maiden project on human trafficking. The organisation was founded August 2015.

Speaking to the students who were 100 in number, Ms. Ovuorie said “it’s good to dream about going overseas to further your education and for other legitimate reasons but never get desperate lest you’re taken advantage of particularly by traffickers”.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

27 Education Times

How to improve quality of education in Nigeria, by Christopher varsity VC Professor Ifeanyi Ndubuisi is of the Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos and the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State, which is being mentored by University of Lagos. In this interview with Deputy Editor, SAM NZEH, the Christopher University vice chancellor who has been at the University of Lagos for over 20 years explains the focus of the new institution, roadmap to improving the quality of education in the country among other issues. Excerpts: What difference does Christopher University aim to make or is it just one among the many private universities springing up across the country?

Well, Christopher University is a private university but it is not just one among the pack. It is a university that is meant to fill some gaps which are existent in the other universities in the country. Even though there is emphasis in management courses in Christopher University, there is a conscious attempt to merge theory and practice by the university in a kind of partnership with the private sector to make the university’s products to be more relevant to their environment. We aim to prepare our graduates to be properly equipped for the challenges of the Nigerian society as well as the global community and in doing this we are partnering with the private sector to ensure that our products are well grounded.

To what extent has the programmes of Christopher University been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)?

The NUC has accredited all our programmes and has given us the operating licence. The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has also given us candidates to take off the session with.

We are taking off with three faculties - Faculty of Business, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Humanities. In the Faculty of Business, we have four departments; in the Faculty of Social Sciences, we have three departments; and in the Faculty of Humanities, we have three departments. These are the programmes we are taking off with and they have been fully accredited by the NUC. How open and affordable is Christopher University for the average family?

The university is open to Nigerians including persons from outside the country. We don’t

discriminate. Also, our fees are affordable. We took a lot of variables into consideration before arriving at our fees. We realise that the level of poverty in the country is quite much, so we put forward fees that are affordable. We have the state-of-art equipment, Internet facilities, CCTV, classrooms with interactive boards, in fact things that you can find in most foreign universities.

Having been in the university system for long, what have observed that is wrong in existing universities that you hope to correct as you assume office as the pioneer vice chancellor of the Christopher University?

What I’ve seen wrong in our universities is that often students don’t see the university as a laboratory for acquiring academic and moral education. By the time a student is coming out of the university, he/she ought to be a complete person; able to have acquired skill to be self-reliant, not only a job seeker but a job creator. So in Christopher University, we want to be able to correct this by merging theory and practice. When students are trained to merge theory and practice, they are able to come out of the universities as selfreliant individuals who can fit well into the society.

Part of the problem in our existing universities is that most times students graduate without having confidence in themselves. They come out with the mindset that there are jobs out there for them and when they fail to secure these jobs, they become discouraged. This is the kind of impression we in Christopher University want to erase from our graduates.

Another problem in our existing universities is that most times, students just cram what they are thought and pour such out at exams. This again is what we are determined to erase in Christopher University. We want our students not just to be taught the theory aspect of

Ndubuisi

the courses; we want them to as much as possible be practical; they should be able to practicalise whatever they have studied. That is why we are creating avenues for our students to interact with the private sector; so our teaching will be partly classroom based and partly industry-based. We also plan to invite captains of industry from time to time to interact with our students, give lectures so that our students will be well grounded to face the challenges when they graduate.

What’s the nature of your faculty; do you have adequate and qualified faculty members?

Yes, we have the full complement of academic staff in all departments. We also plan to draw other good academics to join our faculty from existing universities in the country.

Such persons can join us on part time basis or full staff; we hope to take in people with PhDs or in the process of getting their PhDs. We want people that have proven themselves as good academics to handle our students.

Luckily, the Christopher University is being mentored by the University of Lagos, so we will continue to draw from their experience as we go forward.

What can be done to improve the quality of education in Nigeria?

As a people, we must realise that what we put into education will determine what we will get.

So, for the quality of education in the country to be improved, we must look at what we put the sector in terms of infrastructural facilities. Nigerian students are ready to learn if a good environment is provided for them to acquire knowledge.

There must also be the provision of up-to-date library books in our universities and other institutions if we want to see the quality of education in Nigeria improve.

Good and committed academics is another issue that has to be addressed for us to see improvement in the quality of education in the country.

Again, we must be able to take care of the welfare of both academic and no-academic staff of our institutions so that they do their jobs with little or no distractions.

We must also create very good learning environment for students including provision of recreational facilities in our schools. Students have to learn and also play; so they have to stay in a good environment.

All these things matter a lot if the quality of education of any country is to improve.

What strategies are in place to ensure that the vices that plague publicly owned universities don’t find their way into Christopher University?

The management of Christopher University has put in place rules and regulations guiding student behaviour. Once a student registers with us, he/she is given a student handbook containing the dos and don’ts of the university which he/she is expected to comply with. We have dress codes for students. We are a university where students are not just learning academics, but also learning character. We try to impact good moral virtues on our students. We insist that students be disciplined; they must behave themselves.

We will allow our students to interact among themselves to a reasonable extent and they will be monitored. All these things are in the student handbook and once a student violates any of these rules, he/she should be prepared to be shown the way out. We have appropriate sanctions for both staff and students that violate the rules of conduct of the university.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Inside Campus Æ s Day Unilorin SUG held maiden leadership summit

Speaker, Mr Nasir Abdulquadri speaking at the leadership Summit

The Students’ Union, University of Ilorin, (UNILORIN), has held the first ever Leadership Training programme in the history of Students’ Unionism on the campus with the President vowing to employ constructive decisions over popular decisions

during his administration. AFIS ODEYEMI, a 400 Level History student who attended the programme writes.

Certainly, student’s unionism has worn a new dimension at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) since the assumption of a revere leader, Comrade Idris Alao as the current Students’ Union Government (SUG) President which is evident in his many students’ structured and youth capacity building programmes his administration has embarked upon.

The latest leadership programme remained the talk of the town on the campus as a result of the massive turnout recorded at the occasion featuring students

from institutions across the country, as well as international students from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

The theme of the maiden leadership training programme: ‘Redefining Students Leadership in the 21st Century’ was particularly targeted at the youth of today in other that they may adjust swiftly to the dynamism of change witnessed around the world which ranged from politics to economy, infrastructural advancement, social welfare, capacity building among other transformational agendas.

The occasion paraded renown speakers and panelists from far and near including Nasir Abdul-

quadri (CEO D-Positive Image Consult), Mr. Toyeeb Godo (CEO, Strategist App), Tochi Okafor (Founder, Inspire Youth Africa), Mike Oladipo (CEO, Heroes World Foundation), Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji (Director Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin), Mr. Rotimi Olawale (CEO, AGES Media and S.A on Media to Rt. Hon. Razak Atunwa).

Other distinguished resource persons includes Mr. Mustapha Muh’d Jamiu (CEO, Coins Comm.

Consult), Dr. Alex Akanmu (Lecturer, Dep. Sci. Ed. Unilorin), Dr. R.G Jimoh, (Lecturer Dep. of Comm. and Info Sci. Unilorin), and Barrister Abdulkareem Alabi.

UNILAG Muslim angry at management over suspension of group’s activities Musiliu Olorunleke UNILAG Members of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) are angry over the suspension of the group’s activities.

To them, the suspension of their activities infringes on their freedom to right of association.

The school suspended the group’s activities following a petition by some aggrieved members to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Rahamon Bello.

The petitioners, it was learnt, accused MSSN leaders of corruption and urged the management to dissolve the executive council to allow for election.

The VC constituted a panel chaired by Dr. Luqman Adams of the Faculty of Science to investigate the matter. The panel did not find any of the MSSN leaders guilty of corruption. But, it abolished the Shura (consensus), a process through which members select their leaders.

The panel’s recommendations read in part: “The MSSN bye-laws should be reviewed, especially the section on the composition of the Shura. The inclusion of postgraduate students, area units and area council representatives on the Shura should be discontinued.

Representatives of the Muslim

Abdur-Rasheed (middle) with other outgoing executive members of the Society at a meeting recently.

community (Staff Adviser) and a (Muslim) nominee of Dean, Students Affairs should be included in the Shura to serve in advisory capacity.

“The current MSSN executive should be allowed to complete its tenure. However, a committee should be set up to review the MSSN bye-laws to conform to the university rules and regulations before another election is conducted.

“The current MSSN Staff Adviser, Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf, has offered to resign his position having served as the Staff Adviser since 1999. Subsequently, the position of the staff adviser should be oc-

cupied by two persons (one male and one female) who must be Muslims. Their appointment will be done in consultation with the Muslim community.”

The VC sent the panel’s report to the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof. Tunde Babawale, for action. The DSA upheld the panel’s recommendation that the MSSN’s executive council’s tenure had expired and ordered it to hand over all property in its possession.

A memo titled: “Completion of tenure of office”, signed by the Deputy DSA, Dr. A.K. Adebayo said: “The current executive members of the Muslim Students’

Society of Nigeria came into office in September 2014. By general practice and in accordance with the rules and regulations guiding students’ associations, clubs and societies in the university, there should be elections as your tenure lapsed in September 2015. You are hereby expected to forward your hand over notes to the staff advisers on or before November 9, 2015.”

It also directed that the keys to the MSSN vehicles and secretariat, including cash be handed over. It did not state whether election should be held immediately or in January when the school is expected to resume.

UNIBEN graduates 64 first class Eddy Uwoghiren and Ezekiel Efeobhokhan UNIBEN The University of Benin will be conferring honorary degrees on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, on its 41st convocation ceremony scheduled for next week.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Osasere Orumwense, made this known at a press briefing held at the Senate chambers in the administrative building penultimate Monday.

Addressing reporters, Orumwense stated that the University Senate approved a total of 11,020 results from the 2013/2014 academic session.

Giving a breakdown, the VC said 64 persons were first class, 1671 second class upper and 4346 second class lower and 3 pass. He added that 268 had diploma, 533 unclassified degrees and 541 post graduate studies. There were also 2,212 masters and 382 doctorate degrees.

“I commend the senate, lecturers and students of the University of Benin for their support thus far. Our lecturers have laboured hard to train these ones. We do not doubt our products, UNIBEN students would always contribute to the development of the polity in any area they find themselves,” he said.

Also revealing that the convocation will feature the first founder’s day ceremony, Orumwense told journalists that the convocation is the first he will be presiding over as VC. Activities lined up for the event includes an interdenominational service by 10am at the Akin Deko Main auditorium which will be followed by the formal installation of Alhaji Mohammed Saraki II Kano as the 9th Chancellor of the institution, the next day.

Other events includes awards of prizes, certificates and degrees to candidates on Wednesday.

The 41st convocation lecture will be delivered by Professor Attahiru Jega, Pro-Chancellor of University of Jos by 3pm at the Akin Deko Auditorium which will be followed by a cocktail party at the Capitol, Ugbowo campus.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

29

Features Æ s Exciting world of seafarers:

How only 1.5 million people keep world economy moving

ƈƍ ƄƆƋ ƈ Ɛ Mƈ ƆƏƈ L ƏƈƐƈƌƆ Ɨƌƈ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ Ɨ d ƇƆƐƕ Ɔ ƅƕ æM9L d ç

ÏÏÏ It is amazing that the ac-

claimed ‘engine room’ of World Maritime Industry constitutes only 1.5m seafarers globally, keeping the world economy moving through the carriage of cargo on board ships.

They work 24/7 every day allyear-round, moving cargo from one end of the world to the other on board ships of all types, shapes and sizes.

To underscore the importance of seafarers, Aisha Cole of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed in a recent report that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in 2011 set aside June 25 of every year as Day of Seafarers.

This year’s Seafarers Day across the globe, including Nigeria was set aside to sensitize youths on the need to take up career in seafaring.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in a message to the celebration held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, said seafarers were grossly inadequate especially at the officers’ cadre level.

Mr. Calistus Obi, NIMASA’s Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, who represented the Director-General, attributed the deficit to huge sum required to train a competent seafarer.

He explained that the agency’s policy of capacity building through the Nigerian Seafarers

Development Programme (NSDP) was in line with the theme of this year’s campaign.

According to him, as at today, NIMASA is fully sponsoring over 2,500 young Nigerians in various reputable maritime universities in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Romania, India and Philippines.

“There is therefore, more than ever before, the need for continuous training and retraining of Nigerian seafarers with a view to upgrading their skills and competencies.

“This no doubt will afford our nation adequate and skilled seafarers to drive the Cabotage regime and put Nigeria in good stead to achieve her goal of being the maritime hub in Africa and

indeed the world.’’

Obi, in a keynote address, urged all maritime stakeholders to take up the challenge of encouraging young Nigerians to pursue a career in the maritime sector as seafarers.

Capt. Sunday Umoren, Head of Cabotage Services of NIMASA who stood in for Obi, said the encouragement could be in form of sponsorship and improvement in working and living conditions of seafarers.

“The various training programmes embarked upon by the agency are aimed at addressing the challenge of low level human capacity development of seafarers,’’ Obi said.

He said the agency was mind-

ful of the poor welfare condition of seafarers at the local and global levels.

The director also noted the strenuous journey the seafarers embarked upon; the life of isolation they have to bear; and the associated boredom which they must withstand.

Obi, however, said he was proud to note that in spite of all these, the seafarers had remained undeterred toward the improvement of the nation’s economic prosperity.

Chief Kunle Folarin, the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board, said seafarers should be commended for handling more than 85 per cent of goods coming CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

30 Features

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

We want NASS to domesticate MLC -Folarin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

into Nigerian ports.

Folarin said the celebration of the Seafarers Day provided opportunity for awareness of the roles of seafarers, adding that seafarers were major contributors to national economy.

“In 2014, a total of 5,400 vessels called at Nigerian ports, moved by foreign crew but now we want a change, that at least 10 per cent must be manned by Nigerians.

“Philippines’ seafarers remit about eight million dollars to their government. In few months, Nigerian seafarers will do the same when they are fully employed after going through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) training by NIMASA. “The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) of 2006 was ratified by the Federal Government. We want the National Assembly to domesticate it so that people will enjoy the benefits,’’ Folarin said.

He urged NIMASA not to relent in training the seafarers as well as policing the nation’s territorial waters.

Dr Joshua Okpo, Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, said “Seafaring is rewarding and exciting.’’

NIMASA is fully sponsoring over 2,500 young Nigerians in various reputable maritime universities in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Romania, India and Philippines. There is therefore the need for continuous training and retraining of Nigerian seafarers with a view to upgrading their skills and competencies - NIMASA’s Director, Calistus Obi UK-based Nigerian student and youth advocate, Arerebo Salaco Peters Jr. (left) and some seafarers.

According to him, the remuneration is mouth-watering but Nigeria and Nigerians are yet to tap into this maritime potential.

“There are currently in excess of 50,000 merchant ships trading across the world and with the amount of international trade continuing to expand, the shipping in-

dustry must continue to expand to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“Seafaring could be a major foreign exchange earner of the country if all states of the federation and other maritime stakeholders key into the NSDP programme of NIMASA by investing in our seafarers now and reaping the ben-

efits in the near future,’’ she said.

Gunwa advised that seafarers must shun acts which might bring shame to their families and the country, like certificate forgery, pilfering, stealing, alcoholism, drug abuse and armed banditry.

Stakeholders want Nigerian youths to pursue a career ‘at sea’

in order to earn ‘mouth-watering’ foreign exchange.

They say that a country like Philippines is known to be earning huge foreign exchange by exporting seafarers to other countries. Nigeria, they say, could do so if the youths are encouraged to pursue a career in seafaring.

sion is oppression; subjugation is subjugation; marginalization is marginalization; exploitation is exploitation.

Do women suffer from these?

Yes, but in various forms, shades, shapes and magnitudes. Do these come from men and institutions alone? No, because, sometimes women are the perpetrators of these acts as primary agents or willing instruments.

So the position of Focu-Feminism is that it is not possible for

one concept of feminism to address all existing forms and that no one form of oppression, marginalization or subjugation is superior or inferior to the other.

Each should therefore be treated on its own merit.

Several scholars have diversely expounded their viewpoints on gender issues, specifically on how best to liberate the woman from perceived bondage imposed on her by men, patriarchy, tradition or culture.

FOCU-FEMINISM: A strategy for

eliminating domestic violence Focus feminism is a new brand of feminism that proposes the need for each woman to focus on herself for liberation from perceived oppression, for empowerment and to impact positively on everyone around her, irrespective of gender. This formed part of Dr. Onyeka Iwuchukwu’s presentation at the just concluded International Conference on Women and Children held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. GOD’S COVENANT SNR reports.

ÏÏÏ

Focu-Feminism argues that the idea of blaming men or patriarchy for the oppression, subjugation, and marginalization of women, their bondage and violence against them has been overstretched, so, no longer relevant in the contemporary society.

It interrogates the feminists’ ‘war’ against men while the real enemy is the woman herself. It is not combative, but seeks to empower her to be in a position to say, no or yes, as the need arises instead of hiding behind the mask of culture or convention to justify her actions.

Here, the woman is therefore enjoined to “...Journey into the self, see what fruit it bears” to really know who she is.

The hope is that knowledge will

be her true liberation. This journey into the self is expected to aid the woman’s understanding of her capabilities, accept who she is, what she wants and what the people, especially women, around her want. It is not about herding women together to fight a “just cause” but for each woman to contribute her quota from her own perspective to her empowerment and progress of her society.

In this paper, I have decided to highlight, through my plays, how has each woman dealt with domestic violence, or oppression.

It is not a literary analysis of the plays but an attempt to show that each woman can contribute to the elimination of domestic violence from her perspective.

This paper is an elucidation of

my response to Prof. Hagher’s call on playwrights to “…use their imagination creatively to give us newer visions to see us through these times”, he sees drama as “an ideal medium for anchoring policy and widening perception” on issues.

I have therefore used my plays to propagate the message of eliminating domestic violence against women. This is partly because policies and legislations have not helped and are not likely to help us because few women in Nigeria are ready to report cases of domestic violence but from the inside, they can take a decisive decision.

So, with its ability to educate while entertaining, drama can be a catalyst for social change which, here, starts from the self and if each woman focuses on herself, how to make herself better and how to make her environment better, violence against women will be eliminated.

Focu-feminism is a variant of feminism which I have been working on. It is predicated on the fact that each woman’s experience is different and should be tackled differently. It posits that oppres-

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

31 Opinion

In The Beginning

ÏÏÏThe 17th Lagos Book

& Art Festival (LABAF) took place at the Freedom Park, Broad Street from 13th - 15th November 2015.

Jahman Anikulapo, the Programme Chairman, described LABAF 2015 as ‘a feast for Dreamers & Idea Merchants’. The SecretaryGeneral of the Organising Committee, Toyin Akinosho, mentioned in his introduction that the festival (which is) devoted to reading, needs to be diverse and go beyond specific subject matter. And that was why ‘Modern and Traditional Elites in the Politics of Lagos’ written by Patrick Dele Cole (former Managing Director of Daily Times Nigeria and currently, Chairman, Airlines Services & Logistics Plc, was given a significant space at ‘this feast of the written word’.

Dr. Cole’s book was chosen as one of the materials for thought provoking debate and argument around a range of issues about the human condition.

On the last day of the festival, Lagos literati and art lovers gathered to have a Conversation with Dr. Cole on his book. Ed Keazor was the interlocutor. It’s always a pleasure and joy to listen to Dr. Cole speak on subjects close to his heart - and

these are plenty. From his reaction to the questions put to him by Ed, Dr. Cole took the gathering through the socio-political manoeuvres in Lagos of those days.

The venue, Freedom Park, which used to be Broad Prisons, was also part of this journey.

In this book, Dr. Cole writes of the communities that made up the social, economic and political strata of pre-Independence Lagos. These communities were made up of white: ‘mainly English civil servants, missionaries and merchants’, the Saros: black liberated returnees, the Brazilians: also black returnees and the indigenes: the real ‘son/ daughter of the soil’. The writer claims to ‘attempt to characterise the nature and structure of the politics of these communities by examining certain important, political and social problems thrown up by this unusual juxtaposition and by the inconsistencies inherent in a colonial situation.’

The book is the 12th in the African Studies Series published by Cambridge University Press. It’s a must-read if you want to better understand Lagosians and how the ripples of

Jahman Anikulapo

the split in Lagos politics of that era are felt in the modern politics of ‘Eko’ even ‘when the issues responsible ... are no longer salient or even remembered’.

Two months ago, I paid my elderly uncle, Hezekiah Adetunji Odetoyinbo, a visit. He’s the only one remaining in my mother’s generation. I love to sit down and chat with him. These visits are more regular since the demise of Ibirinade, my mother. At the end of the visit, Uncle Tunji gave me a copy each of the two books he edited - ILE OLOBADO, Past, Present and Future and A HISTORY OF OSOGBO PROGRESSIVE UNION (OPU). Voraciously

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I read both. It was the latter I read first because the former talks about the clan.

In fact Uncle Tunji already had ‘yarned’ me on some of the contents.

According to my uncle, the idea of writing the history of Ile Olbado was mooted in 1961 when he and other family members felt the urgency to write the family history as they realised that ‘almost all of the second generation ... had passed on’. So they decided to take advantage of the memory of the few living members of that generation so that ‘our genealogy must be exhaustively chronicled’.

Ile Olbado is the fam-

ily compound in Oogbo.

Uncle’s book explains how the name originated. And it was a shock to me that it wasn’t my progenitors who either gave it that name or originally inhabited the compound.

Olbado Compound is one of 627 traditional compounds making up Oogbo as Uncle Tunji writes in ‘Introduction’. Its rich and inspiring history captured in the book makes it fascinating. While we were preparing the funeral rites for my mother, I got to know that she was an Oyo princess from the line of Alafin Abiodun. I scoffed at this when my oldest brother mentioned it because Mama never said it to me. Not that she told me many other things recorded in ‘Olbado, Past, Present and Future’. That was not the only surprise!

From the book I also learned that Papa Oogbo (my grandfather) had four wives. He would’ve been a ladies’ man. He was very good looking - very tall and endowed with a beautiful complexion. He could pass for a fair-skinned Fulani.

I remember him wearing his kembe and danshiki. He was always clad in white.

Though Uncle now tells me he wore other colours.

I used to think that I shared more traits from my father’s side. My uncle now says I remind him so much of Iya O’ntashi (the mother who sells starch), my maternal great grandmother.

My mother never for once said that to me. Instead she said I was a spitting image of her mother-in-law (my father’s mother). Uncle Tunji’s book opened my eyes to things I knew but took for granted. I wasn’t

prepared for the surprises that this journey into the family history threw at me. So should one really be curious about one’s family history? Would the journey really help one to understand?

BBC One’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ is a programme in which celebrities trace their family trees and discover surprises from the past. There was a British celebrity who found out that in her family line were prisoners and outlaws. My own journey into the family history initially made my head spin for days on end. I even got angry at a point because I had so many questions to which only my mother could’ve given answers. Very annoying and frustrating.

I phoned to thank Uncle Tunji for the books and to say I had enjoyed reading them. He then said he had an assignment for me.

Other family members who had gone through the family history had pointed out some errors and he’d like to correct these and some more. He then asked me to edit the book. I also told him I had a confession to make. I read the books with my pencil in my hand. I’d been editing as I went through the pages.

Uncle laughed. He gave me a deadline to present the correction, suggestions or observations I might have.

In ‘Acknowledgement’ Uncle mentioned my mother among those who ‘generously contributed their time and experience by responding to questionnaires or agreeing to interviews’. I feel honoured to be assigned the role of editing the contributions of my mothers and fathers.

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WEdnESdaY, noVEmBER 25, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.238

Price: n150

TUESDAY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS BATE Borisov 1 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen Barcelona 6 - 1 Roma Arsenal 3 - 0 Dinamo Zagreb Bayern Munich 4 - 0 Olympiakos FC Porto 0 - 2 Dynamo Kyiv Maccabi Tel Aviv 0 - 4 Chelsea Zenit St. Petersburg 2 - 0 Valencia Lyon 1 - 2 Gent

s n o i p Cham : L e ag u e

Barcelona, Bayern, Arsenal, Chelsea show class E

uropean giants showed masterclass on Tuesday night in the Champions League football contest across the continent.

In Israel, goals from Gary Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Kurt Zouma gave Chelsea a comfortable victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel on Tuesday.

Cahill opened the scoring with a predatory finish from close-range in the first-half, before the Brazilian doubled his side’s advantage with a gorgeous free-kick just seconds after John Terry was stretchered off.

Oscar then added gloss to a straightforward win with a near-post header and Zouma rounded off the scoring, as Jose Mourinho’s men prepared for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham in perfect fashion.

In Munich, the Bundesliga side strolled to victory over their Greek counterparts after taking a three goal lead inside 20 minutes before Kingsley Coman added a fourth in the second half Bayern Munich ensured they will finish top of Champions League Group F thanks to a 4-0 win over Olympiacos on Tuesday.

The German side strolled to three points against the Greek visitors and could not even be slowed down by a second-half red card.

Douglas Costa put the home side in the lead with just eight minutes on the clock, with Robert Lewandowski doubling his side’s lead shortly afterwards. Then, Thomas Muller had the game tied up completely in the 20th minute when he fired in a third for the Bavarian side.

Pep Guardiola’s men suffered a set-back in the early second half when Holger Badstuber was given a straight red card, but the numerical advantage did not hinder them as Kingsley Coman emerged to head in a fourth goal from close range.

In London, victory for the north Londoners in their final group match away to Olympiacos will see them through to the knockout stages after easily overcoming Dinamo on Tuesday night Arsenal’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League are still alive after a dominant display secured a 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Gunners, who began their latest European campaign with defeat in Croatia,

inflicted revenge on the visitors to move onto six points - three behind Olympiacos, who were hammered by Bayern Munich, ahead of a decisive sixth and final group match in Greece in December.

Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a deserved firsthalf lead, latching onto Alexis Sanchez’s delightful cross to head the ball into the back of the net, before the Chilean doubled the lead after good work from Nacho Monreal.

Defending champions, Barcelona showed why they paraded arguably Europe’s deadliest strikers when they hit six past Roma in a match where Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez bagged brace each

Life&

TIMES Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Funmi

Ajila-Ladipo: The Fashion Diva

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Funmi Ajila-Ladipo:

Despite all I’ve achieved, I feel I’m not there yet Known for her passion for the fashion industry both local and international, Funmi Ajila-Ladipo doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Regalia and the National President of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN). With over 27 years of experience in the business of Fashion, Funmi-Ajila portrays an unending passion for creativity. Currently the ambassador for Culture and Tourism in Ekiti State, the Fashio diva in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, speaks about her aspirations and job. Excerpts:

Life &

T E A M

What has it been like heading FADAN? I have been the president of the association for about seven months now and the current tenure will run for a period of three years. For me, it is another level in my profession because I am leading a group of professional and creative people. Being the FADAN president has actually crowned my efforts because I have been in it for 27 years.

What did you have in mind when you set to come into the fashion business?

I have been in the fashion world for 27 years and what was in my mind was that I wanted to go into it as a business like every other person does. I have passion for a particular cut and I just went for it. I have always been a very innovative and creative person. Right now, I am doing it as a profession. I actually went to the fashion school like doctors would go to the school of medicine and like lawyers go to Law School.

How have your skills, innovation and creative mind helped in carving a niche for you in the business?

I have already carved a niche

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

for myself. If I am the President of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, after 27 years, you should be able to know that. Besides, I have my own outfit that is running and that is Regalia which has been in exisitence for the past 25 years. I am satisfied with what I do and I think being the President of FADAN is the peak of it.

What difference have you been able to effect in the fashion industry, especially in your capacity as President of FADAN? You can get that from the page of FADAN. There are so many things we have done, too numerous to start counting.

To start with, how was growing up for you?

That was like every other child. I was brought up by very loving parents and grew up in a supportive environment. I grew up in Lagos but I was born in Ekiti. I am from Ado-Ekiti.

Being a household name in the fashion world, what are the challenges?

The challenges are relative to every other fashion designer. You have the issue funding, power and

CONTINUED ON L3

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

L3 Interview

‘I know where to draw the line with my male clients, friends’ CONTINUED FROM L2 there rest. If you don’t have power, whatever you make may not give you the returns to develop your business. Practically, the challenges are common to everybody.

What we want government to do is fund the industry whereby a designer does not need to start making clothes by himself or herself.

What you do is produce a sample and take it to the production hub.

If you don’t have a factory where to produce something, you cannot have an industry for it.

How does it feel combining motherhood with business?

I just place priority on what I have to do and I do one thing at a time. I also concentrate on it to make sure it works out. I don’t mumble jumble things. I make sure that when I have to attend to something, I take my time. I work with a time-table and I make sure I adhere to it. My family members understand that this time, this is what mummy will have to do and I take care of it very well to ensure it comes out well.

If you were not a designer, what would you have been?

Hmm! Maybe I would have been a singer, an artist or a lawyer. I think I would have been a singer because I sing as well. I do that in the church and I, probably, would have been a doctor or a lawyer too (laughs). I just don’t know but I know I am a very creative person and my parents identified that trait in me and they helped me out.

My mother knew what I had the flair for and she gave me the encouragement. I think I would have been one crazy lawyer somewhere (laughs).

What do you attribute to your success in life?

It’s God. Any success in life is God because it is only the living that can praise God. It is also about being passionate about what you do and being steadfast. It is also about giving priority to what you do. Life is a learning ground and it goes from one stage to the other. The moment you understand that there are always new grounds to be broken into in

life, then you will have a great life.

We have different stuff and we can learn from each other and you just have to be humble enough to learn from each other. Passion, humility and persistence will keep you on the job, especially when you have identified you’re calling at a tender age. At the end, it may even take a long time but there will always be a return. Don’t think of chasing money, money will chase you by itself. Your work will always speak for you and that will eventually put money in your pocket. It is only unfortunate that a lot of people who pursue money do not grow and at the end of the day, they kill their job. Passion is what is basically required to succeed in this business.

You also have to be technically knowledgeable. For me, I am still growing and still learning.

You are beautiful at your age and you are even a grandmother already. What do you do to keep yourself youthful, despite the stress that comes with your business?

God naturally endowed me with natural beauty and apart from that, I eat the right food. I don’t eat anything. I also try as much as possible to do my exercise. My daughter is a nutritionist and apart from that, from the inside of me, I am a little child. Despite that I am over 50, I still act like an 18-year-old girl. I am still growing and I have not arrived yet. I have this feeling in me that makes me feel that I am still learning and growing.

How do you cope with male clients who want to play the smart game of asking for more than you can give?

I am a very friendly person and I am a human lover. When I see you are coming on that note, I simply draw the line. There is always a line to be drawn because I am a married woman. I have male friends and a lot of male business partners and that is where it ends.

I must have given you a green light for you to come close to me and to me. You are disrespecting me when you want to act funny.

How about your core values in

business?

It is being steadfast, loving God and not be a human pleaser. Be satisfied with whatever you have and don’t try to be like others at all because we all run our individual races in life.

What are your distant goals in business?

Despite all I have achieved, I feel I am not there yet and I hope that one day, I will get there and be able to give back to the society. I want to be able to help the younger ones in the industry so they can grow a very great fashion industry.

People have to stop to patronize

Dubai so that we can grow the economy. There is nowhere that is more homely than your home. I am looking forward to a time when we will grow this country. We are the agents of change of our own generation.

As the president of FADAN, what are your core demands from the government of the day?

We want proper relevance and a representation of textile and fashion in the government. They should be able to put up a production hub where the younger ones don’t need to start chasing shadows in the name of wanting to buy

heavy equipment and even chase tailors about. People can then do things properly. We need people who can represent us and speak for the industry.

In 10 years’ time, where do we hope to have you?

Hmm! In that wise, it is God that has such say. I cannot tell the future, it is only God that can tell that.

Let me leave that in the hand of God but by then, I hope to still be doing what I am doing right now – still exploring fashion and helping others to succeed. By then, maybe I would have been a minister of fashion in this country (laughs).

Fashion & Style L4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Red alert!

The new

Ijeoma Ibe

BLACK

It is time to say goodbye to black for now, as red is the new and fashionable colour of the moment what with a generous display of it at major international fashion runways and the red carpet. A hint of scarlet, a smattering of crimson or a spot of ruby on an outfit is no longer enough to make a style statement. Rather, go the whole hog in a little red dress, one of the hottest trends, currently giving the two wardrobe staples, the LBD (little black dress) and LWD (little white dress) some much needed competition.

The right shade Because it is a classic and an attention seeking colour, it is important to go for the right tone of color.

Ò During the day, choose colors that are bright and dresses with pattern. At night, opt for monotones in dark red. Ò Darker skin tones should go for bright orange reds or fuchsia reds. Ò Small structured? Wear bright reds to flatter your body. You can also wear patterns as they draw attention to your body, giving you an hour glass figure. Ò Large structured women? A darker shade of red like maroon or wine shades will draw less attention to your body, giving an illusion of a smaller body.

Jordin Spark

The cut and style Red exudes sexiness, all the more reason you should choose a modest style. Ò Simple necklines and fitted cuts are the order of the day when wearing red. Ò Be sure that it fits as well. There is nothing worse than an ill fitted red dress. Ò The fabric Ò The little red dress can be worn anytime, but it is important to check the texture of the fabric when it comes to wearing it as day or evening wear. Ò Linens or cottons would be perfect for the day. Ò Silks are best for night times. Ò Accessorizing the red dress Ò With a dress that is already high on the sexy quotient, less is definitely more. Ò Keep accessories chic and simple. Ò To make it look elegant, wear very delicate gold, silver or bronze jewelry. Ò Using a black belt on the thinnest part of the waist glamorizes the dress. Ò Contrary to common belief, black doesn’t always complement red dresses. Instead choose silver or nude shades in sandals and a matching clutch for the evening or a handbag in a neutral shade during the day. Ò You can also try the colour blocking trend. But be careful not to go for a loud colour to avoid a colour clash.

Osas Ighodaro Rita Dominic

Yvonne Okoro

Anita Uwagbale

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

L5 Fashion & Style

Kehinde Smith Miriam Adeyemi Samantha Dimka

y r u x u L e h t t a s e h c c a n F u r B y t u a e B Bolanle Olukanni

Toni Tones

...as organisers announce new alliances Mutiat Alli In its third edition, organisers of the Luxury Beauty Brunch have hinted exciting collaborations with grooming specialists like qmnail lounge, La Chae cosmetics amongst others orchestrating in the Fashion and Beauty industry.

With the theme “The Modern You - Timeless living’, speakers that includes Chef Eros enlightened guests on the timeless gourmet-perfect brunch menu. Other speakers at the event includes Buchi Akpati’s of The Buchi Akpati Company, QM Nail Lounge boss, Molly Ore, My Lash Extensionz boss, Kehinde Smith, Editor of Exquisite Magazine, Tewa Onasanya

and Assistant Editor of This Day Style Magazine, Funke Babs- Kufeji.

According to the CEO of World PR Media and Host of the Luxury Beauty Brunch, Tayo Afolabi, “our goal is to profile and provide as many stakeholders and products as we can both for our guests and our readers/ viewers and followers and these alliances illustrate our road map to achieving that”.

“It is important to note that come December, the new pages in EM will be dedicated to Beauty being Creatively Directed by Tayo Afolabi to illustrate some of the content derived through our quest to analyze the growing “trends and stakeholders” in the Beauty Industry”, he added.

Tewa Onasanya

Kayla Oniwo

Molly Ore

Tayo Afolabi and Chef Eros

Ngozi Okoli

Tayo Afolabi

Fashion & Style L6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Men’s Affair MEN ONLY Find out the essential items every man should have in his closet and learn to successfully mix and match vital pieces for a variety of timeless, stylish looks. It can only get better when a stylish man blends all necessary accessories together.

Pinstriped trousers Pinstriped trousers are classic, perfect for formal or more casual occasions. The details on pinstriped trousers will spice up what otherwise might be an ordinary ensemble.

Wristwatches Wristwatches are particularly important for meetings and appointments. There are some sophisticated ones that display the day, month and year. Some even have past and future dates. A few ones like Rolex also serve as status symbols; they differentiate between boys and men.

Black and brown shoes Black and deep brown shoes will blend with most fabrics. A man should have several pairs of shoes, but owning two pairs of black and two pairs of brown shoes is ideal.

Blazers A cool blazer is definitely a must-have item, and the styles available really give blazers a life of their own. Do not go for wild colours. Go for neutral tones that can easily be worn with jeans and as well as a dress shirt or with a printed tee underneath.

Ties

Palm or flip flop slippers

As we all know, ties are like ornaments because they bring out the best of men’s style and personality. We have to take note of the importance of putting the appropriate type of ties for the right event.

This simple and comfortable men’s footwear goes well with casuals, but some men still wear the stylish ones for their formal outings. These slippers are essential part of a man’s wardrobe. They can be used to dress up or down, depending on the occasion. And they are also good for leisure and for moving around the house.

Cufflinks They are the rave and it is for a reason: nothing gives your shirt a classier look than a nice set of good quality cufflinks.

Striped shirts

Boxers and briefs A man’s underwear is a must-have accessory.

They are the best among the different patterns of shirts around. Plain shirts always look too official and are mostly worn on suits, but striped shirts could be worn as office or ceremonial wear. That is why most designers have different striped shirts.

Striped shirts are more fitting, elegant and cool than plain shirts. For leisure, you can wear a striped shirt without tucking it in, but if you try that with a plain shirt, you will certainly look out of place. It can be worn independently with jeans, a suit or under a sweater. It is easy to incorporate into any ensemble.

Jeans Jeans can be paired with just anything. With jeans, you just can’t go wrong.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

L7 Fashion & Style

Elevate your eye lid!

Using liquid eye liner

Izedunor Ann Eye liner is one of the most important cosmetic that can give you a dramatic look without much time or effort. Whether you choose a soft line or a dramatic stroke, you can always embellish the windows to your soul by spending just a few minutes in front of a mirror with an eye liner pencil.

Eye liner is not only a way to play with colours and make a statement; it is also a perfect instrument to reshape your eye. You don’t have to go under the knife for bigger looking eyes, if you know how to wield an eyeliner brush for your eye shape.

Eye liners simply boost your makeup! Eye liners are simply the most wonderful when it comes to cosmetics. It beautifies the eye in a special way. Eye liner equally come in different shapes, it all depends on the one you choose.

When applied, it leaves the eye with a perfect result. It sparkles up the eye and makes it attractive. It’s so sad that most ladies\ women misuse this wonderful makeup. They

draw it wrongly and roughly. But for every problem, there must be a solution. Here are some steps to having a sparkling and a more attractive eye, using liquid eye liners or pencil eye liners.

Step 1: To begin, take an inch long piece of scotch tape and press it to your hand a few

times to dull some of its adhesive power. It will help it from sticking too severely to your delicate eye area.

Step 2: Place the tape underneath your bottom lashes at the outer corner of your eye and angle it towards your temple. Avoid angling the tape towards the end of your brow.

Step 3: Begin sketching at the middle of your upper lash line, which is where the liquid line should begin to thicken. Draw a stripe to the outer corner of your eye using a short dash like strokes. Make sure your place your

finger against your cheek, so as to add stability and control.

Step 4: Using the tape like a straight edged ruler, continue to draw your line along the tape past the outer corner. Don’t worry if some of the liner bleeds onto the tape, you can just clean out the mistake .when it comes to drawing a perfect eye liner, messiness isn’t an issue. While drawing, the liner gradually gets thinner and becomes more balanced.

Step 5: Remove the tape and proudly revel in your pristine wing.

Step 6: finish the line by going back to the middle of your eye and sketch short thin strokes over to the tear duct. By the time the liner reaches the inner corner, the streak should hug the lashes as tightly as possible.

Now the eye looks well balanced and more distinguished in their own right, compared to the rest of the face. And what’s more! The liquid eyeliner adds the perfect final touch to this retro inspired look!

Transform your skin with a powerful blend of cocoa oil Patience Ekanem Cocoa oil is very rich in vitamins, minerals and is good for a sensitive skin.

Loaded with vitamin E and A, cocoa oil allows the skin to maintain its elasticity and softens it. Cocoa oil is a powerful ingredient of anti-ageing skin care products, and rich in antioxidants.

It also prevents the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and nourishes the skin, it protects the skin and makes it look younger. You can use cocoa oil for your beauty requirements. Cocoa oil moisturizes and smoothens fine lines and wrinkles on the body, it also improves and brightens the tone and texture.

Cocoa oil makes your skin look fresh, and younger and gives it that glowing and firm appearance. Cocoa oil comes from the cocoa bean. It has a distinct nutty, chocolate scent which will give you a nice fragrance. Cocoa oil is a rich emollient, it leaves your skin buttery soft. It contains fatty acids which help to retain moisture

and build elasticity and also has properties which can help ease dermatitis or rashes. Cocoa oil is the best salvation for people who have sensitive skin. Cocoa oil moisturizers are good at protecting skin from heat, it also heals diseases such as eczema and other problems. Cocoa oil will definitely help keep your skin soft and supple.

Cocoa oil is a light oil specially formulated with pure Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E to help soften and soothe rough, dry skin.

Its rich formula absorbs quickly, allowing you to put on even the most delicate of fabrics immediately. Cocoa oil gives you a sparkling look.

Cocoa oil reduces aging, it also provides a barrier for the skin that will protect it from outside agents as well. The antioxidants and beneficial organic molecules protect the skin from environmental, internal, and external forces that can cause irritation or damage to the skin. Cocoa oil is very essential; with cocoa oil as your skin moisturizer, you are bound to have a radiant glamorous skin.

Television L8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

125 FOX Channel

107 M-Net Movie Romance

02:10

02:15

Wed, 25 Nov | 13SL

Wed, 25 Nov | 16SNL

‘S3/E4 - Full Moon Fever’. Bobby falls for Travis’ photography professor, but Travis refuses to introduce them. Laurie falls for a guy she’s never met when she begins a romance via Twitter.

In this introspective film, a young man has everything one could possibly want, but still isn’t happy. When he meets a woman from his past, he wonders if she is the missing piece. Rachael Taylor, Josh Lawson. (2012) Rob Sitch.

101 M-Net West

118 Telemundo

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

00:00 New Worlds 01:00 Time Of Death 02:05 Hours 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Goldbergs 06:30 Mysteries Of Laura 07:30 Grey’s Anatomy 08:30 Stranded In Paradise 10:30 Mike & Molly 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 NCIS: Los Angeles 14:00 Elementary 15:00 Chicago Fire 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Middle 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 Modern Family 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Blacklist 20:30 CSI: Cyber 21:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 22:30 Gotham 23:00 Twelve Monkeys

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 QI 23:35 Top Gear

00:20 Most Shocking 01:10 Kenny vs Spenny 11:00 My Family

01:40 Freakshow

00:25 The Weakest Link

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

02:10 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

01:15 Silent Witness

12:20 Top Gear

02:40 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal

02:10 Total Wipeout UK

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:10 Hip Hop Squares

03:05 EastEnders

14:15 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:40 Most Shocking

03:35 QI

15:05 The Weakest Link

04:30 South Beach Tow

04:05 Top Gear

16:00 EastEnders

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

05:00 Spy

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:30 Exposed

05:25 QI

17:10 The Cube

05:55 Exposed

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:20 Video Zonkers

06:30 EastEnders

19:00 Dragons’ Den

06:45 Repo Games

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

20:05 Top Gear

07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos

07:55 The Weakest Link

21:05 Hell’s Kitchen USA

08:45 The Cube 09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

22:10 Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow

08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

23:45 So You Think You’d Survive?

155 AfricaMagic World

154 Africa Magic Family

00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:30 Family Ties 02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Evanescent 08:35 Living With Trisha 09:25 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa

11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 14:30 Jara 15:00 Family Ties 15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Airtel Touching Lives 20:35 Evanescent 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 23:35 53 Extra

00:05 Noose Of Gold 00:35 Good Morning Africa 01:40 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Johnbull And Rosekate 08:35 Prem

09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara 12:30 Jara 13:00 Series TBA 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:30 So Wrong So Wright 20:00 Market Sellers 22:25 Series TBA 23:30 The Tracker

09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking 10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne 20:30 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Freakshow 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny 22:30 Tool Academy 23:20 The Real

Siasia

demands g X3 rematch with Gambia U-20

Eaglets

Imo g X3 reception called-off Wednesday, November 25, 2015

It’s wait and see for Mikel at Chelsea - Agent

Bossaoys part w With Abia War riors

g X8

: e u g a e l s Champion

n a M ted i n U V S P r o f y d a e r

g X2

g X6

depleted Juventus host City in UCl g X7 cracker

g X2 U-23 AFCON squad: Osimhen replaces Success

We thought qualification was impossible g X8 -Sigurdsson

X2

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

It’s wait and see for Mikel at Chelsea- Agent

T

he agent of Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi has said they will adopt a waitand-see approach as regards the player’s future at the Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old Mikel has been at Chelsea since 2006 and speculations were rife in the

Mikel

summer he could quit the London club with Al Ain of Dubai as well as several top clubs in Turkey.

Mikel’s agent John Shittu said Chelsea refused to sell in the summer.

“The player had offers to move at the beginning of the season, but Chelsea refused to sell because they probably have him in their plans,” said Shittu.

“Now we have to wait and see what happens.”

However, this season Mikel has only made five appearances, starting only two of these games.

The London-based agent also commented on the interest of several top European clubs for players of the victorious Golden Eaglets.

“I started this 10 years ago with Mikel and other players in the U17 team that the top clubs in Europe have to appreciate our players and so I’m not surprised that the current Eaglets are attracting such interest again,” he said.

Eaglets

n o i t p e c e r o Im V f f o d e l l ca

ictorious Golden Eaglets from Imo State will be hosted by Governor Rochas Okorocha on a later date after the Governor had to leave to Abuja on an emergency.

The Eaglets who hail from Imo State are Ikwu Ejike, Udochukwu Anumudu, Kelechi Nwakali and Christian Ebere.

This month, Nigeria won a fifth U17 World Cup in Chile when they defeated fellow Africans Mali 2-0 in the final.

Skipper Nwakali was named the MVP of the World Cup. Amuneke then assistant coach was also received by Governor Rochas when the Eaglets won the 2013 U17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi and he rewarded them with plots of land and cash.

Eaglets

Betis chase Cyprus-based Nigerian striker

T

he profile of Cyprusbased Nigerian striker Matthew Boniface is on the rise as Spanish La Liga side Real Betis have shown interest in signing him when the transfer window re-opens.

Boniface has been on good form for Aris Limassol since he joined them during the summer transfer window and his adviser, Tope Alabi Dodo, has disclosed the striker has already been watched by Betis scout while in

action for Aris.

“Boniface has been doing well for his team Aris Limassol since his move in the summer. He may move to bigger league or club when the transfer opens in January,” said Dodo.

“Two notable teams in Cyprus and one from Greece have shown interest in him as well as Real Betis. In fact a Real Betis representative watched him play and discussed the possibility of signing him in January by the

Spanish team.”

Boniface has scored three league goals, one in cup game with several assists.

He has previously played for FC Abuja and Al Hilal in Sudan.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

U-23 AFCON squad: Osimhen replaces Success Awoniyi

Stories by Mike Otanwa

S

kipper Azubuike Okechukwu and Taiwo Awoniyi have expressed confidence Nigeria will fly high at the U23 AFCON in Senegal.

The tournament, which starts on Saturday, will also serve as qualifying tournament for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Captain Azubuike said the national team gave him the platform to move to Turkey and so he is always thrilled to return to play for Nigeria.

“Even though I am a little bit tired after playing for my club over the weekend, I still see this national team all up as my little way to say a big thank you to my

Okechukwu, Awoniyi optimistic ahead U-23 AFCON country for the opportunity given to me in the past has made me become what I am today,” said the former Bayelsa United star.

On his part, striker Taiwo Awoniyi who was looking very refreshed and youthful, said: “This is work time, qualifying for the Rio Olympics is non-negotiable as we have no excuse to give Nigerians, that’s why we have to put in our best to get something out of Senegal.”

In March, Liverpool loanee Awoniyi helped Nigeria win the 2015 AYC in Senegal.

Nigeria will depart their training base in The Gambia for Senegal on Thursday and play their opening game on Sunday against Mali in Mbour.

Algeria and Egypt are the other teams in their first round group.

F

IFA U-17 goal king, Victor Osimhen has been made a late replacement for Granada striker Isaac Success on Nigeria squad to the U23 AFCON in Senegal.

Success was originally listed on the final squad submitted and Nigeria may now have to pay a fine to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for this late change.

Osimhen was top scorer at the U17 World Cup in Chile with

N

10 goals and sources have suggested a top NFF official was behind his inclusion particularly as coach Samson Siasia could not guarantee the availability of Success, who has established himself at struggling La Liga side Granada.

Osimhen is reportedly a target of several top European clubs with his agent saying Arsenal have shown the most interest thus far.

C

demands rematch with Gambia U-20 to ensure that the first half ended goalless.

On resumption of the second half, Siasia brought in Victor Osimhen for Kufre Ebong, Bature Yaro for Usman Mohammed, Zaradeen Bello for Chizoba Amaefule, Junior Ajayi for Tonbara Tiongoli, and these changes revved up the team as they took total control of the game to the admiration of all present and not long after scored goal through Stanley Dimgba, but the referee ruled it off for what he termed infringement.

The Dream Team continued their dominance and in the 53rd minute, Godspower Aniefiok was fouled while he was goal-bound by the Gambian goalkeeper and Captain Etebo converted from the spot to put the Dream Team ahead, some minutes later it was the turn of the Gambians to be gifted a penalty as Ndifreke Effiong handled the ball in his box and the penalty was tucked away.

Osimhen

Ajayi arrives at Dream Team VI camp

Siasia igeria U23 team coach, Samson Siasia has requested for a rematch with Gambia U20s after they held his team to a 1-1 draw on Monday as part of his team’s build-up to the U23 AFCON in Senegal.

Impressed with the tough opposition presented by the Baby Scorpions, Siadia requested for a rematch today (Wednesday) before the team departs for Senegal the following day.

The Nigerian team, who beat Gambian club Real Banjul 3-0 in their first test game, took the lead from the penalty spot through captain of the day Oghenekaro Etebo in the 53rd minute.

Gambia drew level also from the penalty spot converted by Pa Omar Babou after Ndifreke Effoing handled the ball inside the box.

The encounter which was very explosive saw the Dream Team dominating the game from the blast of the referees whistle, but the resolute defense ofthe Baby Scorpions held their ground

X3

S Sfaxien of Tunisia’s hit man and Dream Team top scorer Junior Ajayi is the first overseas-based professional player to hit the Flourish Resort, The Gambia camp of the Dream Team, in preparation for the 2nd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations holding in Senegal 28 November - 12 December.

The ever-smiling Ajayi arrived Banjul, capital of The Gambia aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight at about 4am (5am) in Nigeria, to the waiting arms of Team Secretary, Sirajo Hassan, who took him to the camp.

It was a surprise package for players and officials o f the Dream Team who woke up on Sunday to behold the presence of Ajayi at breakfast, hugging and backslapping each other, welcoming him to the camp.

Ajayi, who netted the goals in Port Harcourt that eventually eliminated Congo Brazzaville and sent the Dream Team through to Senegal, said. “I can’t describe how I feel any time I report for national duty. For me, it’s an honor to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, this I have come to do, God willing.

I have come to contribute my little quota in ensuring that we not only pick an Olympic ticket but also win the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.”

With the arrival of Ajayi, the number of players in the Dream Team camp rose to 24, with the other invited overseas-based professionals assuring that they will be arriving Banjul on Tuesday, 24th November to be part of the team’s last friendly game in The Gambia.

Siasia Ajayi

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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X6

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

t h g u o h t e W n o i t a c i f i l qua e l b i s s o p m wa s i

n o s s d r u -Sig I

t is without a doubt and any exaggeration to say that the last three years have been the biggest in Iceland’s football history. Within a whisker of reaching their first FIFA World Cup, the well-drilled unit from the north have just spectacularly sealed a place at their first major tournament at UEFA EURO 2016.

Arguably their chief protagonist in guiding them to France is Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea City’s rampaging-yet-elegant attacking midfielder, who has contributed goals and assists by the bucketload during this unprecedented stretch of success. So much success in fact that no team has more ranking points per capita in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking top 50, as the island nation of 330,000 will be the EURO’s smallest ever side to compete at the finals.

FIFA.com got hold of the Icelandic superstar to talk emulating David Beckham, getting a boost from the Brazil 2014 near-miss and his reaction to making history with his nation.

Can you describe the feeling at the end of the Kazakhstan game, having clinched qualification for EURO 2016?

Not really! It was an unbelievable feeling.

We obviously set ourselves a goal before World Cup qualifying, wanting to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. We just missed out in the play-offs and had to set ourselves another goal for the EUROs, which was again to qualify. Of course, after seeing our draw, with the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Turkey all in the same group with us, some of us considered it an impossible target. But then to be able to finish the job off with two games to go is an unbelievable achievement and the feeling that goes with it, to be on our way to the finals, is fantastic.

Have you had a chance to capture a snapshot of the feeling back in Iceland too?

In World Cup qualifying there was a lot of media interest with more people starting to come to games and travelling to away matches. We started seeing the interest in the team was much more than it had been for the last ten to 15 years. Then, in this competition it’s been incredible the support we’ve had, 3,000 came to see the game in the Netherlands – 1 per cent of the nation!

That’s unbelievable. To be able to finish it off against Kazakhstan at home made it all the sweeter.

Your run in trying to reach Brazil 2014 caught a lot by surprise, but now do you feel there is a new found respect for Icelandic football?

Yes and probably rightly so. We had a very tough group. Having beaten [the Netherlands] twice is quite a strange feeling for a small nation like us. Of course we want to win the group now, but all the credit we have been getting is probably deserved.

How has the journey been for yourself, having clocked up three goals against the Netherlands in arguably two of the biggest nights in Icelandic football history?

Both the World Cup and EURO qualification have been personally very good, having got those three goals against the Netherlands and a few others. So, personally it has been fantastic but if you look at the whole team as well and the results we have been getting, each and every player has been fantastic during qualifying.

Will you be heading to France with any expectations?

At the moment we want to win the group and ensure we have a higher seeding for when we get there. We will have to see what group we’re in, but there’s hardly any

pressure on us going into the tournament because we’ve achieved a lot so far. I think most of the players will be going there to enjoy the experience, but of course we’ll be trying to qualify from the group and reach the knockout stages. If that’s possible then we’ll take it from there.

In terms of trying to get to Brazil, to have got so close and have fought so hard, what was the reaction to going out in the play-offs? Did it buoy you for this campaign?

I think it did. Of course it was a great chance to get to the World Cup finals and get to Brazil but I think as well as we played throughout the group stages then, and we were one game away against Croatia, we kind of got ahead of ourselves. There was probably a bit of inexperience from the team. Not having been in that kind of position before, being so close to a major final, the maturity and experience of the Croatian side meant they were able to take advantage of us.

That feeling, in the dressing room after the game and being so close to the World Cup finals, spurred us on and that’s been in our minds throughout this competition.

Your prowess from free-kicks was a particular feature of that run, scoring a couple of spectacular efforts. Was that a skill you tried to add to your repertoire

early on?

Growing up as I kid I used to watch the Premier League and used to see David Beckham taking those kinds of free-kicks, so from a young age I was probably quite lucky to have him on the TV every week. It was something I used to practice when I was in Iceland and just kept doing it after I left. My dad played in Iceland and I think went over to Sweden for a couple of years.

He and my brother used to bring me out when I was little, and then of course just watching football [helped me hone my style]. Beckham and Frank Lampard were the ones that I particularly liked watching, and with Lampard scoring so many goals from midfield it was hard not to look up to him.

You’re set to meet Croatia again in the race for Russia 2018. How did you feel when you saw them come out of the hat with you?

Good and bad, of course. They’re a fantastic team, but we’ve played them recently which is good, as we will know what to expect from them. We’re in a very tough group again (joined by Ukraine, Turkey and Finland), which I think is down to the seeding we’ve had over the last few years. So hopefully in the next few competitions it’s going to get easier for the younger boys that are coming through.

I used to see David Beckham taking those kinds of free-kicks, so from a young age I was probably quite lucky to have him on the TV every week.Sigurdsson on where he picked up his dead-ball techinque And, off the back of competing in France, do you expect to have even more confidence amongst the team?

I hope so, yeah. The experience of a major tournament will help us and show us what it’s like to get there. Having got to the European finals we want to make it all the way to the FIFA World Cup and if we get a good start to the group it will set us up nicely.

Both Iceland and Swansea are sides which seem to get the most out of their resources, with the Swans having the best money spent to points gained in the English Premier League last season and Iceland now ranked 23rd. Do you see any similarities between the two?

In a way. The squad and the players are quite similar in the way that all the players are really good friends with no major issues in that kind of area, but the teams kind of play a different kind of football. With Iceland we play 4-4-2, while at Swansea it’s 4-3-3, so I would say it’s more personality-wise, rather than the football the teams play. With Iceland, a good core of the group have been playing together since they were 16 or 17.

With Swansea, your season so far has been a bit up and down. Any ideas as to why?

I think you’re spot on, there’s no denying it. We started really well and then in the last few games we haven’t been getting the results we’ve wanted. With the standards we’ve set this season and the season before we’re not very happy with our performances and the results we’ve been getting. We’ve been working hard for the last few weeks and we’re pretty sure that the result is going to come, so when we do turn it around and start getting a few goals things will be back to normal.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

Champions League: Man United ready for PSV L

ouis Van Gaal must have been a relieved man on Saturday evening, after his depleted Manchester United side found a way to get past Watford to see the Red Devils up to second in the table. Arsenal and Manchester City both slipped up, and United took full advantage.

However, there is some great news for fans ahead of their Champions League home tie against PSV tonight. Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, and Marouane Fellaini all missed out on the weekend’s win at Vicarage Road, but are back.

Manchester United will guarantee their safe passage into the Champions League knockout stages with a win over PSV Eindhoven today, though that isn’t to say they can afford to rest up and take things easy. They’re currently sat top of Group B, but only a point above both the Dutch champions and Wolfsburg. With United still having to play both, things could go very wrong, very quickly.

United suffered their only defeat of their European campaign to date away at PSV on the opening matchday, and will be out for revenge at Old Trafford (especially you, Héctor Moreno). However, we’ve already seen that Phillip Cocu’s side is a very capable one despite the loss of Memphis to United over the summer, and

they’re sure to be very stubborn opponents once more.

Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial both look likely to miss out after they were sidelined in the win over Watford on the weekend. If they are unavailable, they’ll join Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw -- who suffered a broken leg in the reverse fixture -- in the stands.

Young attacker Florian Jozefzoon, who played alongside Daley Blind at Ajax, hasn’t played since January courtesy of a serious knee injury.

Young full-back Jetro Willems and midfielder Menno Koch are also likely to miss out, while talented forward Maxime Lestienne, who hasn’t played since matchday two, may skip the game while he deals with personal problems.

PSV were impressively proactive in the game’s first leg, both on and off the ball. When attacking, both fullbacks Santiago Arias and Joshua Brenet advanced to support their wingers, while Andrés Guardado and Davy Pröpper scuttled industriously beside the holding midfielder Jorrit Hendrix.

Ibrahimovic’s return leaves fans confused

A

s Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to his home town today, some Malmo fans are torn over whether to support the city’s prodigal son or the team that launched his career.

On a football pitch in the immigrantheavy neighbourhood of Rosengard, where the 34-year-old Swede grew up, one of his childhood teammates sighed as he pondered where his sympathies would lie during the Champions League match between Malmo and PSG. “Both, both. Maybe for Malmo a little bit more,” Ivan Milosevic said, before laughing and adding: “I’m a ‘Malmoitian’,” referring to a term for the city’s inhabitants.

Born the same year, both players began their careers at FBK Balkan, a local club founded by immigrants from the former Yugoslavia in 1962, which the club say makes them the oldest immigrant football team in Europe.

“He was a funny character, constantly up to a lot of mischief. Nicked bicycles, came with it to practice, always had a ball, bantered with others in the team...,” he said.

“He ran around and didn’t listen to the coaches. Did what he liked to do, dribbled when he was meant to pass.”

Almost 15 years after he left Malmo for Ajax, Ibrahimovic’s maverick image remains intact as he regularly courts controversy, ranging from his recent claim that he put France “on the world map” to an offer to donate a signed bicycle to female players after the Swedish FA rewarded a male player with a new Volvo.

X7

Morata

Depleted Juventus host City in UCL cracker

D

Sterling

Rooney

Today’s fixtures

UEFA Champions League Astana

v

Benfica

CSKA Moskva

v

Wolfsburg

Malmö FF

v

PSG

Shakhtar D.

v

Real Madrid

Man United

v

PSV

A. Madrid

v

Galatasaray

11: 45

Juventus

v

Man City

11: 45

Borussia M’gla… v Sevilla

7: 00 09: 00 11: 45 11: 45 11: 45

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e p l e t e d Juventus host Manchester City tonight looking for the win that would secure their passage to the last 16 of the Champions League.

City’s 3-1 win away to Sevilla last time out left Manuel Pellegrini’s men top of Group D on nine points and, with Juventus one point behind in second, they will clinch top spot with a win in Turin.

But looking at City’s recent form, Juventus have reason to believe they can claim their second successive win over the Citizens, having stunned Pellegrini’s men 2-1 in September when Alvaro Morata hit an 81st minute winner at the Etihad, and claim top spot ahead of their final game away to Sevilla.

City are already qualified but travel to Italy reeling from a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool at the weekend that left them two points behind surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City.

The reverse came in the absence of City centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany, as well as forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri – all of whom are still sidelined through injury.

Pellegrini said his side’s performance was “not normal”, adding: “It’s very important to turn the page as soon as we can.

We have an important game on Wednesday.”

Ancelotti open to Madrid return

I

talian coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that he would like to return to coach Spanish football giants Real Madrid but “not this season”. (Carlo Ancelotti Rates English Premier League as his No. 1 Choice) “I would go back to Real, just like I would go back to Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea,” Efe quoted Ancelotti as saying.

“I had some fantastic experiences abroad, but when I left Madrid I decided to take a year off and that is how it is,” the former manager of Real Madrid said in an interview.

Ancelotti, however, defended the current coach of Real, Rafael Benitez after his side’s 0-4 defeat against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday.

The Italian tactician explained

that every coach has his ideas and applies them on the field while it is the start of the season and there is time to fix things.

Ancelotti

X8

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

NPFL WITH MIKE OTANWA

t i u q t o n e I’v r e g n e T i Lob L

obi Stars head coach, Justin Tenger has said there is no iota of truth in the report that he has quit the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side.

The Pride of Benue were stunned 1-2

by Akwa United in the 2015 Federation Cup final on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Tenger said his stand as regards to coaching is that he will not consider any contract outside Benue due to age reason.

“I must have been quoted out of context in the purported report that I have quit Lobi Stars after defeat to Akwa United in the Federation Cup final in Lagos on Sunday.

“My position has been firm and that’s I will not choose or consider any coaching

contract outside Benue because of my age.

“I have told whoever that cares to hear and listen that I’m not interested in taking up any contract away from Lobi Stars.

“I’m the first captain of Lobi Stars then Hawks of Makurdi for six years before I sustained a knee injury in 1986 in an FA Cup final against Enugu Rangers in Kano now coach of same side and I will be glad to end my career at Lobi Stars.

“Right now we need to proceed on break after the Federation Cup final clash against Akwa United to wait for management to tell us what next to do concerning next season as well as the players to drop or retain same as coaches.

“The status quo prior to the Federation

Cup final remains the same until the management says otherwise.

“We have taken the Federation Cup defeat to Akwa United in good

Bosso A

‘Cup victory, a dream come true’

myself but that wasn’t possible due to some obvious reasons.”

The former Kano Pillars handler thanked the state government, the management, supporters club and above all the media.

“I want to personally thank the chairman of the club, Emeka Inyama for his ability to manage me and the entire team. I urge the LMC to give Abia Warriors supporters an award. They are one of the few clubs in the league that did not foment trouble when t hBosso e team lost or drew matches a t

A

Edo

faith and as expected with defeat we never and there was none red carpet reception on our arrival and it was quite understandable,” said the former Akwa United coach to supersport.com.

Why Baraje vows to quit Akwa United

part ways With Abia Warriors bia Warriors Technical Adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso has parted ways with his employer, according to report.

The former Flying Eagles coach left Abia Warriors after two seasons in charge of the club.

Bosso said that he decided to call it quits after he was unable to achieve the personal target he set for the club, which is to pick a continental ticket within two years.

Bosso guided the Umahia-based outfit to 7th on the log in his first season in charge while the team ended 10th position in the just concluded season.

“I want to tell you that I have left Abia Warriors for good. I have no problem with anybody but I just think this is the right time for me to leave. I decide my future and I know what is good for me,” Bosso said in an emotional interview.

“I am leaving the club because I have not been able to fulfill my own personal target I set for the club; I had a personal target to pick a continental ticket for the state and for

Lobi stars crew

kwa United full back, Namso Edo has described as a dream come true his side victory in the Federation Cup final clash against Lobi Stars.

The Uyo-based side defeated the Pride of Benue 2-1 in the Cup final clash on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Edo said his side hard fought Cup victory has become an instant answer to the dream of showcasing

Baraje

C

oach of Nigeria Federation Cup winners, Akwa United, Zakary Baraje has vowed to quit should the club fail to sign new players and hold on to their best players ahead of next year’s CAF Confederation Cup. Akwa United shocked Lobi Stars 2-1 in Sunday’s cup final to earn them the ticket to represent Nigeria in the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup. The Uyo club are known as a selling club with the likes of Mfon Udoh and Ezekiel Bassey moving to bigger clubs from there.

But Baraje said this has to change for the club to be competitive on the continent next year.

“I won’t stay if they won’t buy players and keep the ones they have,” he said after the historic cup win.

Baraje said he is elated that he has made history with Akwa United.

“For the past 56 years, no team from Cross River or Akwa Ibom have made this history, so I’m elated to have written this history for them,” he said.

his talent outside the nation’s shores.

“I’m happy with the Federation Cup victory as it has become an instant answer to my dream to play in the continent as it will be another door for other clubs to further see my talent because I do not want to end my career in Nigeria.

“The Federation Cup has always been our answer to the unconvincing performance in the

out gone league season as we viewed the FA Cup as the shortest route to go to the continent.

“I’m just excited that in my time Akwa United won a continental ticket to represent Nigeria.

“Though this will be our first time heading to the continent we will try everything in us to give Nigerians good and quality representation even go as far as play in the final,” Edo said.