Daily Times of Nigeria Newspaper

CBN EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 24th February, 2015 Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

Market Capitalisation and All Shares Index Trend for Equities GAINER

Selling(NGN)

LOOSER

460

14.47

3.15%

TOTAL

140.5

-3.96

-2.82%

824.01

4.01

0.49%

OKOMUOIL

33.81

-1.77

-5.24%

US DOLLAR

198

198.5

199

SEPLAT

EURO

224.1558

224.7119

225.2879

NESTLE

SWISS FRANC

207.8958

208.4208

208.9458

CAP

39.78

3.68

9.25%

INTBREW

17.1

-0.76

-4.44%

1.6754

JBERGER

39.98

1.90

4.75%

NASCON

6.46

-0.33

-5.11%

YEN

1.6669

1.6712

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NIGERIA

WEATHER REPORT

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N150

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.53

GUSAU

ILORIN

Low 35 |17 °C High 95 |63 °F

Low 38 |23 °C High 100 |74 °F

NGURU Low 33 |16 °C High 92 |61 °F

BAUCHI

IKOM

Low 34 |18 °C High 94 |65 °F

Low 34 |24 °C High 93 |76 °F

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Boko Haram on rampage again 6

Ï EƈƋƋ ƾƤ ƈ E è ƄƆ ƑƈƅƈƗƆ ƐƐ ƅƊ US female missionary, 80, abducted in Kogi 6

INSIDE

Life&

TIMES Wednesday February 25, 2015

Style inspirations from the Oscars L4 P

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Adebayo Salami On a mind baring session Beauty tips, straight from the red carpet

XT Exclusive

PINNICK EXPLAINS LONDON TRIP X6

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Poster!

PETER

ODEMWINGIE X4,5 Wednesday, February 25, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial Addressing ASUP’s grievances

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arring any last minute intervention, there is all likelihood that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) will be embarking on an indefinite strike from today. The strike, which will affect all polytechnics across the country, is to call government’s attention to the union’s demands. According to its President, Mr. Chibuzor Asomugha, the members are aggrieved that government is yet to implement any of the demands since the suspension of their last strike.

It would be recalled that ASUP is unhappy at the dichotomy still existing between polytechnic and university graduates, especially in the labour market. Also, they are not happy with government’s non-implementation of an agreed salary structure since 2009.

Furthermore, they are calling for the immediate dissolution of Governing Councils of federal polytechnics at Oko and Ado-Ekiti in Anambra and Ekiti states respectively for allegedly creating avoidable problems in the institutions. In addition, ASUP is demanding the release of the White Paper on visitation to federal polytechnics, the implementation of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadres and its arrears as from 2009 when salary structure was approved.

It wants the non-establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission (NPC) and abrogation of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as the regulatory body for polytechnics. Added to these, ASUP is asking for more funding for polytechnics, in-

cluding the appointment of competent people into their governing councils.

Before this latest showdown, the union had two weeks ago, given notice to the Federal Government to implement an earlier agreement or face a crippling indefinite strike. We sympathise with ASUP over the latest call out of its members, we also request that the Federal Government honour all agreements it reached with the union.

It would be recalled that ASUP suspended an earlier strike in July 2014 following a plea by the then newly appointed Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, who had pleaded for a three-month moratorium to enable him look into the grievances.

Unfortunately, the time frame has been allowed to linger for long. It is sad that a very strategic arm of the country’s education sector like the polytechnics has for long been treated with disdain, especially when it is realised that the nation’s industrial and technological progress depend on them.

Time has come for the government to give polytechnics their pride of place in the education sector. It is erroneous to treat them as inferior or appendages of universities. They must be seen and recognised as equals, given that each has unique attributes that complement the other. Such attributes must be leveraged to bring the required synergy for Nigeria’s technological take-off.

The Federal Government and ASUP should come together and resolve their differences for the interest of the country.

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From left : Emeka Ugwu-Oju, President, South-East South-South Professionals of Nigeria; Liu Kan, Chinese Consul General, Nigeria and Lewis Tung, Group CEO, Wempco Group at the celebration of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Goat) organised by the WEMCO group for customers and friends at WEMCO road, Ikeja, Lagos...last Sunday.

Boko Haram: Beyond the fire fight Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏAs

heart-warming as the recent successes by Nigerian troops over the Boko Haram are, not a few believe that fire fight alone can completely put the insurgents out of circulation.

This belief became firmer at the weekend when it emerged that the sect might have imported about 100 Toyota Hilux vans from Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, through a Libyan port.

According to reports, some of the pick-ups captured from Boko Haram

were found to have passed through Agades in Niger Republic and were among 100 shipped from Dubai through a Libyan port.

The purpose, of course, was to continue the sect’s murderous activities in the North East and other parts of Nigeria which have become a nightmare for many.

Should the alleged importation of 100 Hilux vans turn out to be true, then this shows that those working in concert with the sect are determined in their quest to undermine the peace and tranquility of Nigeria, a reason all Nigerians must line up behind our troops.

This is reason we must look beyond the firefight in the bid to root out the sect

Words On Marble :

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in Nigeria. One area that must be considered is the need to unmask local and foreign sponsors of the sect. Another is to uncover the sect’s sources of funding as well as arms and ammunition.

Not until these are uncovered and terminated will Nigeria ever expect to permanently end the menace.

Doing this requires that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other intelligence organisations in the country weed out black legs among them, form a synergy as well as end whatever rivalry that exists between them. The earlier these agencies do these, the faster those threatening the peace of Nigeria will be run out of business.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects

Chief Commercial Officer

Deputy Editors

Noel Anosike

Doyin Awomosu

Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Tunji Okegbola

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Celestine Okafor

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Editorial Page Editor

Business Editor

Segun Adio Okay Osuji

Sports Editor

Andrew Ekejiuba

Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo

Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

Mugabe

Ahmadu Bello

Chinua Achebe

The land is ours. It’s not European and we have taken it, we have given it to the rightful people…

We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the Minorities in the North as willing tools and the South as a conquered territory and never allow them to have control over their future

We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. The Igbo… put it in… their proverb: Onye ji onye n’ani ji onwe ya: “He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud…”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, February 24, 2015

5 News

Obasanjo’s exit from PDP, a blessing – Scribe Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe National Secretary of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Wale Oladipo, on Tuesday said that the recent exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the party is more of a blessing.

Oladipo pointedly stated that a lot of people could have complained that they would have voted for PDP, but for Obasanjo’s membership of the party.

The PDP scribe equally said that the former President did

not tear the current membership card of the party, stressing that what was torn was the party’s old membership card, which was no longer in use.

Prof Oladipo stated these when a coalition of 36 states Presidents Association of UNIABUJA, led by Pekun Olanrewaju, visited the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, during which they endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the forthcoming presidential election.

Speaking on Obasanjo’s actions after the event, the PDP

scribe stated: “Baba is over 80 and my mother is around Obasanjo’s age and, when you reach that age, you do things that only you can explain.

“Secondly, you would see that Baba did not tear our card. He asked somebody, ostensibly, to do the tearing, and I am assuring you that the card that was torn was not the current card in use.

“The current PDP card is signed by the party’s Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and Prof Wale Oladipo. So, the card he tore was a Baraje card, which we were going to destroy anyway.

“Lastly, Baba is a very intelligent man. When Baba was helping us, he knew that a lot of people could have complained that they could have voted for PDP, but for Baba’s presence in the party.

“You know, when a big tree exits in a big forest, smaller trees can now grow. If that big tree leaves, 10 to 20 smaller ones will grow. In politics, one big tree has a vote, while 20 small trees have 20 votes, if you do the arithmetic. I am a scientist; I know that head or tail, it is a win, win situation for PDP,” he opined.

Obasanjo

Obiano commissions Awka IGR office Okey Chris Awka

ÏÏÏAnambra

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has commissioned the Revenue House, a 2-storey edifice built to house the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.

The newly completed structure, standing along Enugu/

Mbadinuju’s defection worsens PDP’s fate, says Ngige Doris Nnabuenyi Awka

ÏÏÏFormer governor of Anam-

bra State and South East All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Senator Chris Ngige, has affirmed that the level of defection from PDP to APC is an indication that PDP’s fate has continued to worsen.

To this end the entire South East members of the PDP have been advised to join the moving train early, in order to be relevant in the country’s scheme of things in the area of socio political development.

Ngige, who spoke to Daily Times in reaction to the defection of former Anambra governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, to the APC, noted that the end of PDP had come.

Mbadinuju was governor of Anambra State between 1999 and 2003, when he was stopped by the PDP-led government from going for a second tenure.

“The boat of PDP has rocked and that is the beginning of the end of PDP in Nigeria.

Onistha Expressway in Awka, was officially flagged off by Obiano’s predecessor, Chief Peter Obi, hence its completion showed that Obiano was determined to complete all the projects he inherited from his predecessor and his effort at providing conducive environment for workers.

While commissioning the project, Gov Obiano expressed optimism that the efforts of his administration in revenue drive would yield over N4 billion monthly in no distant time.

Anambra IGR, according to an official record, currently stands at over N1b per month, as against about N400m monthly at the inception of Obiano’s administration.

President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Dame Patience, and Governor Henry Seriake Dickson consoling a relation of one of the Bayelsa 11 women politicians, who died in a ghastly accident on February 14, 2015 ....on Tuesday

I never wanted to dump PDP, Aliyu replies Kwankwaso Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏGovernor

Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has refuted claims that he planned dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said at the time he led the G-7 group, the objective was to resolve leadership problems in his party.

Aliyu’s reaction is contained in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, in response to a statement credited to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, claiming that he was privy to the G-7 decision to decamp to APC. He said the aim of the G-7 was not to jettison the PDP, insist-

ing that it was aimed at bringing sanity to the party. He added that the objective of their action was proactive and the result was positive.

The governor said he would always respect members of the G-7 for their position against impunity in the party at that trying period. He, however, maintained that decision to leave for the APC was, however, not on the agenda of the group but more of individual decision of members.

Aliyu said he had no regrets in leading a group that brought sanity to the PDP, at a time the party was passing through difficulties. He said their effort was indeed nationalistic and a reflection of maturity of Nigerian democracy.

Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏThe Emir of Kano, Alh. Mu-

hammad Sanusi II, has expressed his displeasure over the attitude of Kano State government towards destitutes in the society, describing the arrests of street beggars as unfair.

According to the emir, there are beggars even in England, but they are not seen on the streets because their government has a welfare plan for the poor, the elderly, orphans, and unemployed youths.

“So if the Kano State government wants them off the streets, then it should be ready to cater for their needs, because they too are members of the society that deserve to be treated as such. Arresting them is like saying they are not wanted in the society, and this would affect their psychological wellbeing,” he observed.

The emir further stated that he was shocked to receive warning

Emir of Kano frowns at arrests of beggars from the state government that elderly women, who assemble at the palace for foodstuffs, were to be arrested. He said this he would not welcome. Although it is Islamically forbidden to beg, at the same time Islam teaches that governments and other well to do persons in the society should take care of the needy.

Sanusi advised the state government to sincerely take care of the needy in the state, rather than hunting them and taking them to court.

He said rather than executing projects that are not necessary, there is the need for the government to arrange welfare programs for the needy. The emir said he would not relent in his efforts at helping the poor among his subjects.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Boko Haram on the rampage again Ï ƐƐ ƅƊ è ƗƆ ƍƆƏ Ɛƈ Ƈ ƆƅƐ Ƈ ƅƈ ƆƔƐƈ ƅƐƈ – Presidency Yakubu Salisu, Kano & Egena Egena, Abuja

ÏÏÏSuicide bombers suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect on Tuesday struck at the Kano Line Motor Park, Kano State and Potiskum in Yobe State, killing at least 28 persons and injuring several others.

This is even as the Presidency described the suicide bomb attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Kano and Potiskum on Tuesday as desperate act of a desperate sect facing extinction.

Confirming the blast in Kano on Tuesday, spokesman of the Police Command in the state, Magaji Majiya, said it was carried out by two suicide bomber, adding that at least 12 persons were killed with several others injured. He added that the injured has been taken to the hospital.

Narrating how the incident at the Kano Line Motor Park near the State House, Kano, happened, chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Muttaka Sulema, said a vehicle, Sharon model,

came into the park and dropped two teenage boys who detonated the bombs strapped on them in front of two vehicles when they were not allowed to enter an 18-seater bus fully loaded and about to take off.

He said all the passengers and the driver lost their lives in that bus which was heading to Dutse in jigawa State. Another three, he said, died in a Golf Wagon car which was still loading. He said a lot of people died in the attack, adding that he cannot give exact figure of those who were killed or injured.

L-R: Experience Centre Manager, Ikoyi, Heritage Bank Limited, Kufretido Etim; Group Head, Cowry Banking, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Davidson Regha; founder, The Cerebral Palsy Center (CPC), Nonye Nweke and Board Vice Chairperson, Hajia Raliat Ibrahim during the donation of a brand new Hyunda Bus to Cerebral Palsy Center (CPC) by Heritage Bank in Lagos…on Teusday.

APC asks FG to account for $800m, N50bn Cabotage Fund Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏThe cocktail of

accusations and counter-accusations which has been the lot of Nigerians in the wake of the 2015 elections has continued unabated. On Tuesday, the APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) challenged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) to account for the $800 million and N50 billion of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) of which the agency was in control until recently.

And apparently unwilling to be

outdone, the second-time Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, is not relenting in his attacks on both the APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retired). The governor is insisting that the APC bought the appearance that Buhari is billed to make at the Chatham House in London on Thursday. Fayose also said that the APC must apologise for allegedly lying to Nigerians on Buhari’s health status, using pictures allegedly taken in Transcop Hilton, Abuja as studio shots in London.

A statement by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director, Media and Publicity of the APCPCO said that the cabotage “fund” was money de-

rived as 2% surcharge for all contracts under the Cabotage regime which came into force in 2004 by virtue of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage) 2003.

“The Cabotage Act, which was closely modelled after the United States of America’s Jones Act 1938, was to help develop the capacity and participation of indigenous ship owners in coastal inland trade which was largely dominated by foreigners. But, to date, that objective is yet to be achieved as seen in the depleted Indigenous Ship Owners Registry, the mass unemployed of Nigerian Seafarers, and the prevalence of Continued on page 8

Efforts to speak with the some of the survivors at Murtala Muhammad general hospital, Kano, was not successful as the victims were not in good condition to speak.

However, a relation of one of the victims, who simply gave his name as Abubakar, said he was at home when he heard the blast and was told that the blast occurred at the park where his brother works. He said he ran there and met his brother with serious wounds on his legs and back. Other relations could not say anything as they were in tears.

Also, a suicide bomber also on Tuesday rushed onto a bus in Potiskum, Yobe State, before setting off a blast that destroyed the bus and killed 16 people, leaving many others wounded.

Spokesman of the Police Command in Yobe State, Gbadegesin Toyin, said the suicide bomber who struck in Potiskum was a man, but that some witnesses had mistakenly said it was a teenage girl who was in fact one of the victims.

It would be recalled that a girl with explosives strapped to her on Sunday killed five people and wounded dozens outside a market in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Meanwhile, the Presidency described the suicide bomb attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Kano and Potiskum on Continued on page 8

American missionary, 80, abducted in Kogi ÏÏÏAn

eighty-year-old American missionary cum School Proprietor has been kidnapped from the premises in Kogi State.

The missionary, Rev. Phyllinx Sogor, was abducted from her school by unknown abductors yesterday morning. Sogor’s kidnapped was coming barely two days after a local government official was released by security agents from his abductors by the police in the state.

Daily Times learnt that the kidnappers had invaded EmiWoro village in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state, where the woman ran a Nursery/Primary School, and forcefully pulled her out of office.

The abductors were said to have jumped over the fence of the school and took Rev. Sogor away through a thick forest behind the School.

The state police spokesman, Mr Sola Collins Adebayo, while confirming the incident, however, said that police authorities had deployed its men to fortified the area and secured the school.

Adebayo disclosed that the command had appealed to the villagers to assist the security agents with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the abductors.

These nine caskets contain the remains of people dear to me – Jonathan Egena Egena & Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏPresident Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday expressed deep anguish at the death of 11 female top politicians from his state in a ghastly road crash on February 14 this year.

He said no fewer than four of the deceased were his cousins while he knew virtually all the others personally.

The president made the disclosure at a burial service held for the victims held at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Their remains were later laid to rest at the Bayelsa State cemetery, Azikoro in the state capital.

He described February 14 as a black Saturday, adding that the nine had touched him one way or the other .

“Of course we lost eight of our best. To me, it is not just that people have died, not just that Bayelsans have died but that these were people I knew too well,” the president said.

He added: “These nine caskets contain the remains of people dear to me; people that touched me in one way or the other.”

President Jonathan said further: Continued on page 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

7 News

Why I betrayed Kwankwaso, Amaechi, others – Lamido Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido on Tuesday, explained that he refused to defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), with his G-7 former colleagues, in the overall interest of the nation.

Lamido, who is the North-West zonal Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan re-election

bid, stated this while responding to the allegation by his Kano State counterpart, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso that he (Lamido) betrayed former G-7 governors, who had initially wanted to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC).

Daily Times recalled that Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Murtala

Nyako (Adamawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Abdulateef Ahmed (Kwara), had, during the PDP mini-convention in Abuja in 2013, staged a walk-out to form what they called the New PDP. The other governors, with the exception of Alhaji Lamido and Governor Aliyu, later decamped to APC. While meeting with the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu yesterday in Abuja, the

Jigawa Governor revealed that he declined to defect to APC with his former colleagues in the national interest.

His words: “Yes, I am a betrayal. Confirmed, I betrayed him (Kwakwanso). I align myself with what he said. Find out from him”.

The governor who recently played host to Governor Amaechi in Jalingo, made it abundantly clear that the meeting has

nothing to do with him joining APC. He said, “Amaechi and I are very good friends and colleagues, PDP or no PDP. And therefore, if he comes to me, we look at issues.

How could I be in APC? If wishes were horses, there won’t be APC”.

Lamido explained that he was at the PDP National Secretariat to discuss issues concerning the party with the party’s national leadership.

Jonathan to launch Abuja land swap scheme Thursday Idu Jude

All Progressives Congress (APC), gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) during a visit to Ajegunle, Lagos…on Tuesday

Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodluck Jonathan will on Thursday perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Abuja Land swap districts’ development.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who made this disclosure on Tuesday in his office, said that the flag-off will take place in Waru District, along Apo Mechanic Village road, Abuja.

Senator Mohammed further disclosed that the 15 investors are expected to expend over $2.8

Reps to invite AIG Mbu over inciting comments Henry Omunu and Augustine Aminu Abuja

ÏÏÏThe House of

Representatives on Tuesday, resolved to invite the Assistant InspectorGeneral, Mbu Joseph Mbu, over his inciting comments that the police would retaliate the killing of any police officer on election duty.

Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, while ruling on a motion sponsored by Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki, seeking to condemn the inflammatory threats of Mbu, observed that it would be unfair for the House to be prejudicial on the matter without giving the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), the opportunity to defend himself.

He said it would be appropriate for the allegations made against Mbu to be properly investigated in the spirit of fair hearing, and directed that the matter be referred to the House

Committee on Police Affairs for investigation.

Ihedioha, subsequently advised the sponsor of the motion to withdraw his prayers, urging the House to condemn the utterances and actions of Mbu, which he described as being at variance with the expected conduct of a senior police officer.

Also withdrawn, is the prayer calling on the lnspector General of Police to relieve Mbu of any role in over-seeing the 2015 general election because his utterances and actions were at variance with the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act. In moving his motion, Hon. Madaki, had drawn the attention of the House to the directive by Mbu to police officers under his command to disregard any immunity enjoyed by any governor.

Hon. Madaki said Mbu’s directive was a violation of the constitution, adding that the senior police officer had before now been

Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏAhead

Ihedioha

guilty of discharging his duties in utmost disrespect of the rule of law.

The lawmaker condemned the statement allegedly made by AIG Mbu that “if one police officer is killed during the March 2015 election, between 20 to 100 citizens would be killed in return”.

the 2015 general election, stakeholders in Bauchi State, have expressed worry over the viability of the innovation introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) card-reader machines, alleging that most of the machines used during the continuous voters registration exercise were faulty.

They decried that the machines developed mechanical fault which prevented many eligible electorate from registering, thereby denying them the privilege of voting in the forthcoming general election.

The stakeholders, which were drawn across the Northern Senatorial Zone of the state, made this known Tuesday in Zaki Local Government Area, during an interactive session with INEC officials who were on a familiarisation and card reader sensitization tour.

Daily times gathered that most

billion (about N560 billion) to provide the needed engineering infrastructure.

The Minister said that the flag off would formally enable the investors to simultaneously and fully commence the provision of engineering infrastructure in the nine brand new districts in the Federal Capital City (FCC), which he emphasised, is unprecedented.

“These nine districts of the Abuja Land Swap include Ketti North, Sheretti, Ketti, Sheretti Chechi, Waru Kpozaima, Burum, Burum West, Ketti East and Gwagwa,” he added.

Bauchi stakeholders raise alarm over INEC Card-reader viability of the stakeholders raised alarm about the viability of the cardreaders, inability of electorate to collect their PVCs, non-registration of IDPs and ballot thumbprinting by party agents to manipulate election results.

Bello Ahmed, an APC youth leader, alleged that during the past elections, some party agents usually distribute ballot papers to political parties with the intention of thumb -printing them so as to increase the votes strength and chances of their aspirants.

He said: “During the 2007 and 2011 general elections, there were allegations that some party agents were distributing the remaining ballot papers among some political parties. The aim of thumb-printing the ballot papers is to increase the chances of some candidates to win election”.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

APC asks FG to account for $800m, N50bn Cabotage Fund Continued from page 6 foreign interest in the Nigerian coastal waters,” the statement said.

“Instead,” the statement added, “the Cabotage regime breeds corruption, ranging from request of inducement and gratification from foreign ship owners through their agents for waivers processing by NIMASA and approval of the Federal Ministry of Transport by some top staff of the agency to the disappearance of the CVFF Fund meant to be accessed by the

Nigerian ship owners.”

According to the APCPCO, the website of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) shows that 90% of its 78 registered ship owners are on the brink of extinction as they are submerged in debts without the necessary CVFF to access.

Shehu argued that Nigerians deserve to know what happened to the money accumulated under the CVFF Fund amounting to some $800 million and N50 billion and that the agency should make public the list containing names

of beneficiaries and amounts from the “Fund” if any.

Shehu said that time is of the essence in publishing the list “following fears that the money may have been diverted for other purposes like campaign for the PDP presidential candidate…”

Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that the APC must apologise for allegedly lying to Nigerians on the health status of General Buhari, using pictures he alleged were taken in Transcop Hilton, Abuja and claiming them to be pictures

A cross section of NIgeria Task Force Protesters say no to violence at the National Assembly gate in Abuja ....on Tuesday

Temitope Balogun

Boko Haram kills 28 in Kano, Yobe Continued from page 6 Tuesday as desperate act of a desperate sect facing extinction.

President Goodluck Jonathan said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

He commiserated with the victims of the callous attack, assuring that that would be the last time anybody would shed tears over such incidents as insurgency would soon be history.

The President noted that the insurgents had resorted to soft targets as a desperate act because their day were already numbered as the well-equipped Nigerian military in collaboration with the multi-national forces had turned the heat against them.

The statement signed by Abati read: “President Goodluck Jonathan condemns the reversion by the terrorist group, Boko

Haram, to the callous bombing of soft targets in parts of Nigeria in the wake of the ongoing rapid recovery by gallant Nigerian troops and their multinational allies of areas formerly controlled by the sect.

“President Jonathan commiserates with all families who have lost loved ones in the bombings which continued Tuesday with attacks on Kano and Potiskum.

“The President shares the grief of all the bereaved families and is deeply saddened by the continued loss of many innocent lives at the hands of misguided and desperate fanatics who are now feeling the heat of the intense counter –insurgency operation by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“The President assures all Nigerians and the people of the North-Eastern states in particular that the days of mourning victims of incessant terrorist at-

tacks in the country will soon be over as the tide has now definitely turned against Boko Haram.

“President Jonathan further assures the people of Nigeria that the gallant, courageous and patriotic officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, supported with new platforms, equipment and logistics provided by the Federal Government will carry the ongoing operations against the terrorists through to a successful conclusion in the shortest possible time.

“He affirms that his administration will continue to take all necessary action to guarantee the success of ongoing military operations against the terrorist group and drastically reduce its ability to take and hold territory or recruit, groom and brainwash young persons to undertake suicide bombing attacks on soft targets.”

taken in London.

Fayose said: “It was interesting that the loquacious APC spokesperson, Lai Mohammed, could develop a cold feet and muscle pull in his mouth such that he suddenly realised that he could not join issues with Fayose.”

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and News Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said: “The Chatham House one-hour event scheduled for Thursday was paid for by the APC with the hope that Buhari will be well enough to appear in public briefly by Thursday.

“The Event Contact person, Chris Vandome, confirmed via phone call that the event was ‘Jointly Sponsored’ by the APC and Chatham House.”

The governor said: “Having lied so brazenly that Buhari granted interview in London, using pictures taken in Transcop Hilton, Abuja, it is obvious that the APC is a party of deceitful people that should not be taken seriously by Nigerians. If APC says that today is Tuesday, Nigerians should check the calender to be sure.”

He hailed The Guardian newspaper for being honourable enough to publish an apology on Monday, on the false picture it

used on Sunday, asking: “When is APC going to be humble enough to apologise to Nigerians?

“Hopefully, the APC expects to bombard Nigerians with pictures of Buhari’s one-hour appearance in Chatham House on Friday, using that to cover up the real reasons he travelled to the United Kingdom.

“However, we expect them to publish pictures of Buhari’s departure from the Abuja Airport, Buhari queuing at the Airport to board his flight as they claimed, Buhari being interviewed by journalists at the Airport, Buhari boarding his flight and waving at those who followed him to the Airport and Buhari being welcomed at the Airport in London.

“If actually Buhari travelled out of Nigeria under a normal condition, could he have passed through the Abuja Airport without any of the Aviation journalists interviewing him?

“So, those covering up Buhari’s health issue should know that his paid appearance at Chatham House on Thursday will not do the PR they are expecting. Rather, it will raise further questions which they can only answer by saying the truth and apologising for the lies they told,” the governor said.

Jonathan mourns Bayelsa female politicians Continued from page 6 “Whenever I remember that February 14, which is supposed to be Valentine’s Day but turned out to be a black day that coloured the landscape of Bayelsa State with the worst colour we could ever imagine. When my Aide-de Camp ( ADC) gave me the information and my personal assistant showed me the flaming bus on a phone handset, I asked myself could these people be in this flame?

“And I asked God why? When I saw that flame and imagined that these women were being burnt and roasted, I just couldn’t imagine.

Till today, it gives me migraine. I lack words to console the direct family members. The world is a stage where we have all come to play our part and go. I believe they have played their own part. I plead we reason they died in this circumstance probably so that we learn to be a little more careful.”

In her tribute, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan described the deceased as women who shared dreams and visions to make life meaningful to the people of Nige-

ria, noting that It was hard to accept “that my friends have gone without having to say goodbye.”

“Bayelsa State has lost its respected leaders, I personally have lost pillars of support,” she said.

President Jonathan also admonished the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake-Dickson to develop a thick skin to criticisms.

The Governor had disclosed at the funeral service that some people questioned the rationale for approving a state burial for the victims, instead of allowing them to be buried individually.

Jonathan was emphatic in cautioning the governor to watch out for those who claim to be his advisers and admirers.

He said from his experience as a politician, 80 percent of those who claim to his advisers were not sincere about it.

His words: “I was surprised when the governor said some people asked why state burial would be organised for the victims and I told the governor that more than 80 percent of people who come to advise him have nothing to say but just listen to them.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

9 News

NBA laments crime wave in Benue Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi Kano state Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (right) Condoling with Young Muhammad Bello the son of Government House messenger who died recently

ÏÏÏAs

criminal activities continue to rock the major towns of Benue, the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to wakeup to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of individuals across the state.

The NBA Benue chapter, which particularly lamented the brutal murder of its member, Barr. Gbetuha, on February 19, this year in front of his father’s house, located

at Katsina-Ala Street, Makurdi, by yet to be identified armed men who rode on a motor bike and also made away with his handsets, said the police should not be concerned with protecting political leaders alone.

In a released signed by the NBA chapter Chairman, Barr. Mike Assoh (KSJ), NBA lamented that “few weeks ago, Ternenge Labe, a pharmacist and also an aspiring member of the legal profession, in the final stages of his training at the Law School, was shot by armed men at his pharmacy in Gboko.”

Stop hounding Buhari, Bamidele cautions Fayose Bamidele

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏA member of

the House of Representatives, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has cautioned Governor Ayodele Fayose against dragging the name of Ekiti State in the

mud, over his consistent tirades against Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that Fayose had consistently been describing Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as too old and sick to be president of Nigeria.

Fayose also added that Buhari had been hospitalised in an undisclosed hospital, where he has been

way.

Even if, according to Governor Fayose, General Buhari had visited a hospital during his foreign trip, the reasonable question to ask, I would think, is whether or not Buhari deserves rest, or even a medical check-up after a fullfledged and most rigorous (over 30 days) campaign, during which he did not miss a single rally?

deputy commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, known as ‘Boyloaf ’, has again decried the oppression suffered by the people of the Niger-Delta from the Northerners, vowing that any attempt to intimidate President Jonathan during the forth-coming election would be met with stiff resistance.

The former warlord urged Niger-Deltans to stand up against the impunity and oppression of

the region by desperate political leaders in the Northern parts of the country.

The ex-militant leader, who stated this in his Yenagoa home on Tuesday, while addressing ex-militant leaders, who convened a meeting under the guise of ‘Presidential Amnesty Phase 2’, led by Aso Tambo, noted that it was easy to destroy, but a difficult task to build.

He maintained that their position was not a threat but, rather, an appeal to other regions of the country to see reasons why they should support the re-election of Jonathan. He reiterated that anything other than that

would be resisted.

Victor-Ben urged Niger-Deltans to shun personal interests and co-operate with themselves to actualize the President’s re-election bid, adding that this is the only time they can unite and work collectively for the progress of the country.

Aso Tambo, in his own speech, expressed sadness that despite the key role NigerDelta is playing in the region, by providing about 85 percent of the country’s economy and also ensuring its citizen enjoy the sovereignty as a nation, the area is still deprived of its rights.

other demonic acts capable of tarnishing the image of the college.

Dr. Umaru gave the warning on Tuesday, during the matriculation ceremony of 3,666 newly admitted students for the 2015/2016 academic session.

The provost, who said the institution remained zero tolerance to cultism, examination malpractices and other societal vices, warned that any student found wanting would be made to face the wrath of the college.

While assuring the students of a conducive learning environment during their stay at the college, Dr. Umaru advised them to be serious with their academic activities, which would enable them to become successful.

Akam James Yenagoa

Rabiu Doma

ÏÏÏFormer

Lafia

ÏÏÏThe Nasarawa State House

Provost urges students to shun cultism

many other illustrious indigenes whose conducts had brought unprecedented respect to the state, rather than dragging the state into public odium.

He said the statements credited to Governor Fayose, if indeed they came from him, constitute a rude invasion of Buhari’s privacy, and a rough-neck tactic to try to hound such a national figure that

Ex-militants vow to stand against impunity, oppression

Nasarawa Assembly approves N7.8bn for Education

of Assembly has approved the sum of N7.8bn for the education sector. The approval followed the 2015 appropriation sent to the state lawmakers for approval.

The House, it would be recalled, approved the amount during a budget defence by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abubakar Hussaini, at the Assembly.

receiving medical attention since he jetted out of the country last Friday, contrary to the position canvassed by APC that he was in the United Kingdom for a working visit.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Bamidele urged Fayose to continue to toe the line of civility and follow the footsteps of people like Chief Afe Babalola and

Al-Makura

The commissioner, who is also overseeing the Ministry of Higher Education, revealed that the amount covered the completion of hostel accommodation in all the tertiary institutions. He further affirmed that the state would establish digital libraries in all its four higher institutions of learning, including the Federal University.

Samson Osuo Lafia

ÏÏÏThe

Provost, College of Education, Akwanga, Dr. Rebecca Umaru, has warned newly admitted students of the institution to shun cultism and

10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Politics Dr. Williams

s LIGOM

Labour Party is alternative to PDP, APC - LP guber Candidate

Dr. Williams Iorwuese Ligom is the Gubernatorial Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Benue State. In this interview with FREDDIE ADAMGBE, the Gboko based Orthopaedic Surgeon explained that LP is the alternative to both PDP and APC and stands the chance of forming the government in Benue. Excerpts: Since the return of democracy in 1999 you have been contesting one political position or the other particularly, the Senate and now you are vying for

the Benue Governorship. Why have you been so consistent in your quest for the people’s mandate?

It is purely due to my heart desire to improve the condition of the people of Benue State. I have lived with them for many years and I feel their joys and hard times. I know what it takes to make Benue better for the interest of all. There is enough resources to make the state better than its present state. So I am seeking the

peoples mandate to contribute my quota to move us to higher heights.

What is your agenda for the development of Benue State?

My number one priority is in health Sector. I have been in the practice for several years and seen how poverty, ignorance and diseases have ravaged our communities all over the state. I think if primary Health care facilities get to the grassroots, more than 80 CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

– DR. CHUKS OSUJI

Okorocha reneges on one term agreement Dr. Chuks Osuji, a former lecturer, political scientist, public relations consultant, has cast serious aspersions on Governor Rochas Okorcha’s second term bid, saying that his government has caused a lot of disaffection among the people of the state. Dr. Osuji, former director of MAMSER in the old Imo State is worried that Okorocha is not a man of his words as he said at different fora that he was on a Rescue Mission of only one term as the state too small for him to govern for two terms. In an interview with VAL OKARA, Osuji now visually impaired said that Okorocha has failed by reneging on his pledge.

PDP’s State?

Arosanyin

Chances

in

Imo

For the first time since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the election in 2011, the party leadership has come back and they are now together.

They have re-grouped and realised that four years of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration has created a lot of disaffection among the people of the state.

There are two things that are involved in the governorship of Imo State in the present circumstance; the zoning principle and affirmation, promise and the undertaking which Owelle Rochas Okorocha entered into between Orlu and Owerri zones particularly the one reached at the country home of Chief Martin Agbaso.

At different fora, over and

Imposition of candidates, albatross of PDP, APC– Kogi PDP chieftain

over he (Okorocha) said that Imo State was too small for him to govern for two terms and that he will only govern for one term. He said that the next person to succeed him will come from Owerri zone. It is very shattering and disappointing that Okorocha is now going on political campaign for him to be re-elected as governor of Imo State for the second term.

I think it is highly reprehensible, ungentlemanly. I think that anybody that is somebody who wants to rule a state or a country, his first principle must be truth, honestly and faithfulness. As far as many people are concerned not excluding myself, Governor Rochas OkoroCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, is the technical adviser of All Farmers Association of Nigerian {AFAN] and also a PDP stalwart in Kogi State and a member of Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation. In this interview with KEHINDE AKINPELU he bares is mind on the political situation in the state.

Osuji

What is the political situation in Yagba Land?

The political situation in Kogi State has been very complicated in the last three months, with primaries in all the parties which involved all sorts of gimmicks and political manipulations as well as many challenges unfolding everyday. For example, the primary

of PDP, that produced Senator Smart Adeyemi, as against the leadership that zoned the senate seat to Yagba East Local Government which has brought about serious challenges for the party.

It has created a situation where most party faithful are rooting for another candidate from Yagba CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

11 Politics

PDP, APC have shot themselves in the foot in Benue CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

percent of our citizens will have accessible and affordable health Care services. Also some of our General Hospitals are operated only in name without drugs, funds and qualified health personnel to tackle the health challenges of our people. Even those that are qualified are not well paid, and so they always embark on strike.

But I think they should rejoice now because I am one of them and coming on board and certainly will take proper care of their welfare and the issue of incessant strike will become history.

Also in the area of education we, will ensure that the teachers’ salaries and other incentives are priorities.

Here in Benue State, we have instances where teachers have embarked on strike for more than four months.

The tertiary institutions in the state like Colleges of Education and Polytechnics have been on strike for the past six months!

We will look into the matter and promptly address it because if we don’t speedily address that, it will jeopardise the future of our children and the system will collapse.

Then the economy of the State which is blessed with all potentials and resources that if properly harnessed, we will never lack.

We will provide all the necessary farm inputs for farmers. We will go further by reviving the moribund industries our predecessors established such as the Ikyogen Cattle Ranch, Taraku Mills and many others. This will provide money for the people and there will be happiness in the state.

Your programmes are quite laudable but how do you in-

tend to implement them considering the fact that the state largely depends on what accrues from the Federation Account?

Someone in government reliably confirmed to me that what Benue realises as its internally generated revenue is quite huge only that it is not accounted for. So that is a major source of income.

If you put a reliable and God fearing person in charge of revenue generation, we can prudently use same to execute our projects. I am also told that big companies in this state don’t pay taxes. That they keep cheating on the state.

We will cause them to pay up. If we have started something positive and result oriented, I think foreign partners will develop interest by investing with us. So apart from the Federal Allocation these are some of the areas we hope to achieve our goals.

You started your contest from All Nigeria Peoples Party, you moved to All Progressives Congress, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and now the Labour Party. Why this criss-crossing?

I have been craving for a plat form to present myself to the people of Benue and get elected into political office . it was not just jumping from one political party to another, but a platform where the general public will understand me and my manifesto/ ideology. So, I got the opportunity in LP. In these days where people prefer stomach infrastructure to the execution of projects, how do you hope to overcome the bureaucracy and godfatherism bottle necks to actualise the Benue of your dream?

People are yearning for change - Osifo Osifo

Suswam

“I envisage LP coming out victorious because God is particularly involved in this 2015 general elections. It is the hand of God that has brought our party far”

Omorede Osifo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was a two-time Commissioner in Edo State, she once served as Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism and as Youth and Sports. She spoke with TITUS AKHIGBE on a number of issues affecting the polity. Excerpts: You have been working with the APC at the National level.

What are the chances of the APC in the general elections?

I see APC sweeping more states than we currently have. As of

It is very simple because I will hand over the running of Government into the hands of God. By the time I do that He will only be using me to surmount the bureaucratic bottlenecks and undue influence of godfathers as you refer to them.

Secondly, by the time God starts working through me and the people begin to see results, their emotions touched and they see reality and life coming back to the state, they will begin to sing praises and support the Government and this will dampen those who intend to impede our development strides.

That is not to say we will ignore the plight of some individuals.

How could LP which is un-

now, we have 16 states. After this coming election, I see us sweeping almost 30 states and winning the presidential election. From my interaction with people, everybody is yearning for a change and they see our presidential candidate as the change that Nigeria needs. We need somebody that will be able to stop all the things that are happening including corruption and insecurity. Nigeria is at a point where we need to make it work. Nigeria is not working. I believe Buhari is coming to make things better.

But Buhari could not raise

popular in the state withstand the intimidating influence of the two dominant political parties, the ruling PDP and the aggressive opposition APC in the forthcoming election?

I envisage LP coming out victorious because God is particularly involved in this 2015 general elections. It is the hand of God that has brought our party far. In fact, it is the hand of God that has made it possible for me to flag the ticket of LP today. The hand of God has also prevailed on PDP to my advantage in the sense that if popular gubernatorial aspirants in PDP were given the ticket in the party, certainly my voice would have been unheard of by now. But the fellow that is given the ticket is not popular in PDP. So that has boosted the chances of LP as a viable alternative party that can make a difference. The scenario has given way for the people to look elsewhere for a change because they have become tired of the old system and they are looking for an alternative and LP is the alternative.

The APC as a party has the issue of imposition of candidates which makes its supporters so disenchanted that they are also looking elsewhere. Those who have built the APC over the years have been manipulated out of the party at the dying minute, such disenchanted leaders of APC with their followers do not belief in the candidate that is being imposed on them. So you can see that the hand of God is working for the good of my party.

How could the LP under you address the insecurity in the state and its negative consequences if elected?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

half of the amount raised by President Jonathan?

Politics is a not all about money.

In the local government elections that took place here in Edo, there were candidates that spent more money but those who spent less won. Sometimes, people look beyond money. They will take the money and vote for who they want, they will vote for what will make the society work. We have gone beyond money politics. The presidency is not for sale. Buhari wants to come and serve. He has not stolen money before. He is an CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Politics 12 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

cha has failed to stand up to the test of time by trying to renege and swallow his words; this casts serious aspersion on him as a governor.

We have over flooded the issue of zoning in Imo State. The people had made their points and everybody that is somebody knows that Owerri zone should produce the next governor of the state and once that happens, the person will go for two terms. It will help to close the gap created by the incursion of the emergence of Governor Rochas Okorocha. The emergence of Chief Achike Udenwa as the governor of Imo State was peaceful and it was in accordance with the due process. No matter what Okorocha said, he is beret of the honour and integrity that will qualify him to become the governor of Imo State for the second time.

Does Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has the capacity to win the February 28 polls?

There are certain criteria you look for in somebody; credibility in a political figure comprising a lot of things: ability to deliver, structure, resources and over and above all, health. I think in these four areas whichever you use to measure as a variable; Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will pass through comfortable. And, coming to issue of structure he has a lot of structures all over the state. In fact, all along, I doff my hat for him because while serving as a Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives he impressed me. He knows how to create a lot of followers. I think Emeka Ihedioha has the charisma, the resources, and people are following him. I submit that he has what it takes to lead Imo State to greater heights.

APC in Imo State?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is dead on arrival; the party is regarded as a party of aggrieved persons as far

LP set to beat PDP, APC in Benue

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Imo PDP now poised to dislodge Okorocha

Okorocha

Osuji

“Governor Rochas Okorocha is an actor who believed in vain glory. He builds on vain glory. He had been claiming federal government projects built in the state without acknowledging the federal government”

as South East is concerned. I am telling you that President Goodluck Jonathan will win convincingly. He is going to win all the states in the South East and South-South zones. In the South West, there is no doubt in my mind that he (Jonathan) will win at least three states and other states in the North. I think President Goodluck Jonathan will win in the first ballot.

How do you describe Governor Okorocha’s style of government?

In fact, Governor Rochas

Okorocha is an actor who believed in vain glory. He builds on vain glory. He had been claiming federal government projects built in the state without acknowledging the federal government.

The most interesting thing about him is that, he understands that majority of Imo People are totally ignorant and incapable of making rationale decisions. He plays on their psyche but an American adage said, “You can deceive the people most of the time but not all the time”.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

relationship with these states we will overcome these crises.

How do you assess the government of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last six years? Do you support his reelection?

As far as Benue State is concerned, Jonathan does not deserve another term. He has not fulfilled all he promised us. He promised to construct a bridge across River Buruku and many other promises but nothing has been done, so, PDP government

under Jonathan has failed, but Labour Party will wipe the tears of our people.

Are you comfortable with the shift in the conduct of the 2015 general election?

This shift in dates has been received with mixed feelings by Nigerians. We see the hand of PDP very strongly in the development.

Every other political party and all Nigerians were comfortable with the earlier dates except the PDP. It was the same PDP that prevailed on the INEC to shift

You will agree with me that the main insecurity in our state is caused by Fulani herdsmen who are infiltrated by insurgents using our neighboring states. So the best approach is to develop a good relationship with our neighboring states. Because these herdsmen do not fly in the sky and land in Benue State. They pass through our neighboring states who collaborate with them to attack us. So if we establish good

“Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will pass through comfortable. And, coming to issue of structure he has a lot of structures all over the state. In fact, all along, I doff my hat for him because while serving as a Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives he impressed me”

the dates otherwise INEC was fully prepared. That has made us uncomfortable and we are suspicious that the PDP has a different agenda. But well, there is also a hand of God in it too because this has created an opportunity for the people to look further and possibly join the alternative LP. We are very skeptical that perhaps, there will be no election at all looking at the scenario and what the PDP is up to. All the same like I keep saying, God is in control of the situation for our good.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

honest man. People are contributing to APC campaign because they have noticed that this is the change. Anybody can spend millions because he is in charge of the federation but that does not mean he will win an election. We are not worried about PDP money. We will win with our strength.

Since you left office unceremoniously, many thought you would defect to another party, what informed your decision to remain in APC? I am not somebody that jumps from one position to another. I was approached but I refused to move. I am in a party that I believe in it’s ideology. I will not let my personal issues with anybody change my mind about the party I believe in, have confidence in.

Sometimes, you don’t take decision when you are angry to avoid taking a wrong decision. I have always learnt to be calm when things happen. I look at the issues.

I don’t see why I should leave the APC to go back to the PDP we all started years ago. APC is a party that believed in the good of the people. The APC is interested in Nigeria and making things work in the country. I saw in APC what would move my state forward. I am not interested in leaving the party for another party. This is a party I am well known both at the state level and the national level.

I don’t see why I should I leave a house I have built. This house is better than other parties.

Don’t you think the televi-

13 Politics

Nigerians have gone beyond money politics “People are contributing to APC campaign because they have noticed that this is the change. Anybody can spend millions because he is in charge of the federation but that does not mean he will win an election” sion adverts by the PDP in Edo will sway victory for the party?

Edo people will vote for the APC. PDP wants to make sure they win. They are using various campaigns but that will not make the people change their mind. The people know what they want. They know that PDP has been there for a long time, they know what APC controlled states have achieved. Nobody thought Edo State would be like this. Go to Lagos and Kano and see changes.

APC has been able to change a lot of things in the states they controlled. We have had over 80 per-

cent success in what we have done in different states. I don’t think people would be carried away by adverts.

Why do you think Buhari will win?

I know that Buhari has all the credentials to make a good President of Nigeria. I believe that when you have a sellable candidate, he has already won an election for you. Buhari has a good track record. He has been there before. He has done well. We need sanity in Nigeria. I know Buhari will make things work. Things are not alright now in this country.

Osifo Anybody apart from Goodluck is what everybody wants. An average Nigeria wants change.

Our people are impatient. Buhari will not encourage stealing.

He will create the right path for Nigeria. Whoever comes after him will know Buhari has set the standard. Four years of Buhari will take Nigeria to the next level.

Do you see more women participating in politics?

The men still need to encourage women in politics. APC gave women free ticket to contest.

Having gotten the free ticket,

the women have to work hard.

Politics has been a man’s world for so long. Women have to work harder.

Your days as a Commissioner?

I pioneered the first cultural exchange between Nigeria and Germany. I was responsible for making Igue a national festival.

Bendel Insurance was a huge problem. There was a miscommunication problem I met. They were at the lowest peak of football. The state government was able to pay seven months. We worked hard to rebrand the team.

Jonathan has scored pass mark on insurgency

Arosanyin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

West, Pastor William Toyin Akanle a former PDP aspirant who has now moved to SDP. In APC, a similar scenario happened at the primary as they did not follow the rules of the party which produced Hon. Dino Melaye, from Ijumu. It also goes against the contrary zooming arrangements that we have. Melaye and Smart Adeyemi came from the same Local Government and they have served two terms. For us to move forward as a people, as

a state and as a nation, will much encourage equity, fairness and justice.

What is your opinion about the candidates contesting the senatorial district of Kogi West, since incumbent Senator Smart Adeyemi had two terms, and the others are coming in, why not pick a candidate among then to contest against Smart since its the turn of Yagba constituency?

As I have told you, when you look at the records, Yagba West has produced a Senator, in Hon. Jestus Olu, under UPN between 1979-1983. Also Mopa- Moro has produced a senator in person of late Senator Sunday Awoniyi. It is on record that among all the Seven Local Government in the west, its only, Yagba East that has not produced a Senator.

If you consider Justice and fairplay it should go to Yagba East. If you look at these factors Kogi West has been majorly in PDP. And that was why all contes-

tants to senate came in from Yagba East. we have, General Ajibade from Ponyan, in Yagba East, we have Chief Ibiteye from Alu from Yagba East, we have Hon. T. Joseph Faniyi, from Yagba East, we also have pastor Toyin Akanle, Hon. Tunde Olusule all came from Yagba East. It is only this five that obtained form on the platform of PDP. Senator Adeyemi did not collect form, any of these 5 person could have clinched the ticket, there was nobody that took ticket in Yagba West.

Nobody took form from Mopa Moro and the leadership okayed it. The problem and challenges we have, these challenges we have were because Smart Adeyemi failed to listen to voices of Elders.

Supposing Smart Adeyemi did not pick the form, all these would have been rested. We knew that he has took form, held series of meetings with General Tunde Ogheha, who also served two terms and left honourably.

So, Smart Adeyemi has been

a challenge to the party. We had five contestants from Yagba East whereas only one person could have emerged as candidate and all these issues could have been rested. Since he has decided to stir the hornet’s nest. Most of the delegates from Koto-Karfe axis were prevented from participating, because Smart Adeyemi, went to court to use technicalities to stop them from participating.

What is your relationship with political leaders across the seven Local Government Areas?

Yes, my relationship is very cordial with them but, I’m always confused to stay because of honour. But, we have challenges like the issue of chairmanship which we did not follow procedure but, we are forging ahead together. For example, presently, I’m a member of presidential campaign committee along with other leaders so will be going about encouraging the electorate to vote for Goodluck Jonathan. So, I will say that our

relationship is cordial because all of us and leaders are serving in the same committee for PDP. How would you rate press Jonathan’s tackling of National Security Issues?

Generally on the issue of security, I rate him above average, because the nature of insurgency that is confronting us now is strange to us as a nation which will require under study. The challenges are coming and the government is putting efforts to surmount it especially banditry where armed robbers will ravage towns and villages and sack banks and other institutions is affecting the economy. Kogi and most other states of the federation are being challenged by armed robbers and this issue of Boko-Haram and the Niger-Delta challenges even though Niger Delta have been suppressed by the issue of Boko-Haram. For me, I think his approach to surmounting some of these security challenging is above average.

14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Education

s

Free university education is feasible in Nigeria- IMSU VC Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri and immediate past President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, in an interview with selected journalists to mark his one year in office, gave the secret of running a tuition-free university and the scorecard of his administration. VAL OKARA, reports.

Imo State University has become the pilot for the free education programme. What is its workability? Has it succeeded, will you advise other stateowned universities to adopt it as a model?

Free education, at the university level is possible in Nigeria, it depends on how you apply the resources. All it takes is honesty, transparency, accountability and passion.

When these are applied, free education is possible.

In Imo State, we have free education, because the state Gover nor is commit-

ted to ensuring that every child has access to university education, irrespective of social background. It is this passion and the prudent application of resources, which made it possible.

Has the programme, in any way, affected the number of indigenous students admitted by the institution or the quality of teaching and learning?

No, on the contrary, the number of indigenous students admitted in the university had, sharply, increased, since the introduction of the free education programme, because every family wants to benefit from the programme. For instance, in the 2014/2015 session, we matriculated 5,215 students, out of this number, 4,618 were from Imo State.

Talking about the quality of teaching and learning, it is the quality of leadership that determines the standard of the institution and not free education.

How will you rate the performance of the programme?

Impressive. The free education of the Imo State University is a huge success. As we speak, Commissioners of Education from other states have been coming to the university to study how we managed the programme, so that they can introduce it in their respective states.

How have you been able to manage a tuition-free university, relying, majorly, on subvention?

It has always been my candid opinion that universities should,

to a great extent, be self-sustaining, financially. I have always reiterated my plan to lay a solid foundation, upon the expiration of my tenure, which would ensure that the university would be able to generate a bulk of the entire resources for its operations, through research outlets, endowments, alumni organisations and partnerships/linkages with national and international organisations.

Upon assumption of duty, it was discovered that the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, had been focusing more on theoretical aspect than the practical aspect of its mandate. So, it was decided to put the faculty on a sound footing and ensure that it serves, not only as an institute for the propagation of knowledge, but also a major income earner for the university.

To achieve this, my administration was able to, among other things, increase the number of birds in the poultry section, to such an extent that the poultry, presently, sells eggs and birds to the university community and members of the public. We also increased the number of pigs in the piggery, and, as a result, products of the piggery section are now in the open market. We also established eight fish ponds, stocked with over 2,000 fingerlings. It is expected that within the shortest possible time, the fish ponds would prove to be major income earners for the university by attracting substantial investments.

My administration also resuscitated the moribund feed mill on campus, which had remained ne-

Awuzie

Between Boko Haram Attacks and Government Secondary Schools…

Tunde Atobatele

As US, Others donate to Nigeria’s Safe School Initiative

April, 2014, was a month of reckoning in Nigeria, particularly, in the educational sector. It was a red letter day.

A bad day it was that insurgency took another dimension, when the Boko Haram militants invaded a Girls’ Secondary

School in an area called Chibok, in Borno State and kidnapped over 213 students, who were sitting for the examinations of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The eventful development turned out to be a red–spot for the country, as all eyes were focused on Nigeria, attract-

ing the condemnation of the entire world against the illicit act, calling for the release of these young and innocent girls, which, till date, has yielded no results.

In a proactive bid to avert the repeat of the ugly situation, and

Continued on page 15

Continued on page 15

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

ASUP begins strike Tunde Atobatele The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), will soon embark on an indefinite strike action, being the fallout of the association’s recent meeting.

According the official release by the union, the proposed strike action commences today, Wednesday, February 25, 2015, if all demands were not met by the Federal Government.

Earlier, the union had embarked on an industrial strike for about five months, it took several calls from well-meaning Nigerians before it was suspended, with an understanding that the Federal Government would accede to the requests.

According to ASUP President, Mr. Chibuzor Asomugba, the Federal Government had not implemented any of their demands, since they yielded to pleas to suspend their last strike in July, 2014.

Parts of the association’s demands include dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates; poor attention given to polytechnic education and non-implementation of an agreed salary structure since 2009.

Asomugba

‘How we maintain high standards in IMSU’ Continued from page 14 glected by previous administrations and it is now performing at optimal capacity. Upon the realisation of the place of such feed mill in the drive for improved income generation for the university, my administration remains committed to its continued expansion.

In the first 12 months of your administration, as the substantive Vice-Chancellor, what have you done to transform the institution?

Upon my appointment as the acting Vice-Chancellor, by the Visitor to the university, Governor Rochas Okorocha, on November 22, 2012, I set about putting in place the relevant governance and administrative infrastructure necessary for the smooth running of the university. To this effect, I demonstrated to the Visitor, the apparent need for the urgent constitution of the Governing Council. Prior to this time, the absence of an inaugurated Governing Council had been a huge impediment to the development of a sustainable and robust governance and administrative framework for the university.

The advent of the seventh Governing Council brought in its wake, the commencement of the process for the ethical rebirth within the university community and the process for a comprehensive intellectual value re-engineering among staff and students. No doubt, my administration has made tremendous and appreciable progress in this regard as sound moral, ethical and intellectual values

Awuzie

have begun to permeate the institution’s environment.

Also, the Senate, before the advent of my administration, had uncertain days of meeting.

Under my administration, our university, like others, now has a definite date of meeting and a robust calendar for its functions, as each meeting’s deliberations are followed up with action sheets.

In which other ways have you brought your past experiences to bear in the management of the University in the last one year?

As a foremost academic and a

Free education, at the university level is possible in Nigeria, it depends on how you apply the resources.

All it takes is honesty, transparency, accountability and passion.

Jonathan is determined to rebuild all FG colleges- Okonjo-Iweala Continued from page 14 bearing in mind that another WAEC is around the corner, as announced by Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, the council’s Registrar, government had, suddenly, approved Government colleges/ schools, according to the release, “as a security measure”.

According to the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, “President (Goodluck)

15 Education

Jonathan is determined and he pronounced, publicly, to have the schools rebuilt, the plans are ready and engineers are looking at it”.

Speaking further about the security plans for the unity schools in the country, OkonjoIweala revealed that, “secondary schools have been equipped with 400 security scanners in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and other parts of the country”.

Incidentally, the Boko Haram

insurgency is getting worse and unabated, as daily reports of serial abduction is rife and seems unstoppable. The most troubling is the militants’ recent post on Twitter, vowing to disrupt the 2015 general election and, since no one is sure of their next deadly move and tactics, one could not, but, agree with the government’s latest efforts, although, stakeholders decried it as a far cry from the expected.

Militants

trade unionist, I do understand the need for the maintenance of high standards within the university community. I understand the essence of ensuring proper incentives for the staff, particularly, through regular payment of salaries and prompt sponsorship of staff and students to international and national conferences, workshops and seminars. My administration, had, in the past two years, in collaboration with the TETFund Research Fund, sponsored over 16 members of staff for MSc and PhD programmes at both international and local universities. This is considered a necessary step towards the development of a virile and robust university.

We have also employed 16 consultants at the College of Medicine and another 140 new academic staff, without increasing the wage bill. Firstly, we had to work hard to maintain peace and stability, which had helped us to work within the academic calendar. We have completed two sessions since then, graduated our students and ensured that those that are qualified went for their mandatory Youth Service.

The university has had regular Senate meetings, from 39, when we assumed duty, to 56 now. We have had panels try students for examination misconduct and those found guilty were rusticated, about 700 students have been affected. We had also set up panels on disciplinary matters involving staff; some have been completed and disposed of, while others are on.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE COUNSELLOR APOSTOLIC MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Adebowale Olusola Andrew 2) Ojopagogo Adelowo Emmanuel 3) Oki Maryanne Kehinde 4) Oteniya Raymond Babafemi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2) To pray and offer solutions to the problems of humanity.

3 To offer godly counsel to members 4 Reviving the church for rapture Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

OMOKU USOMINI IGBURU LANDLORDS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, Under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. John Achonwa- Chairman 2. Bathwell Eke Onwusah 3. Orike Chukwudi K. 4. Chibor Innocent Chukwuma 5. Eke Monday 6. Chukuemeka Usomini Nwoko 7. Ogbu Christian A.

RIVERS STATE WOMEN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA - CAC/IT/NO 70211.

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

ANJELO CHILD CARE FOUNDATION Notice is hereby given to the General Public that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for the registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts No. 1 of 1990.

Trustees; 1. Dame Judith Amaechi. - Retained.

2. Mrs. Ichechi Welendu.- Amadi. - Retained.

3. Hon Victoria Nyeche. - Retained.

New Trustee.

Mrs. Marian Reginald- Ukwuoma. .

Aims & Objectives 1. To help vulnerable and less privileged children and infants receive and access both health and social care, which most of their poor parents cannot afford.

2. To help in finding solutions to long standing health issues of the disadvantaged children and young adults whose social/health and personal developments have been compromised in life.

3. Finding and offering solutions to the physical disabilities of children, such as procuring operations in hospitals overseers for those children with orthopedics problems.

4.Procuring rehabilitation opportunities for children who are recovering from physical health challenges.

5.Working together with Nigerian social organizations, such as motherless and orphanage homes and finding support from overseers social organizations.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

Signed; Trustees.

HEAVEN TRAC OUTREACH This is to inform the general public that the above named outreach has applied for registration to The Corporate Affairs Commission under part c of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Olmude Wole-Madariola 2.Mariella Mide-Madariola 3.Arinola Abiodun Oladeji 4.Tochukwu Ugwuegbulam THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the Christianity gospel of Jesus Christ through out the world, the media internet, newspapers, radio, television, crusades, revival, church ministration, journal, visitation to hospitals, prisons and orphanages.

2. To assist the less privilege in their society to live like proper humans being with out bias to their racial or educational background.

3. To influence the society positively through empowerment programs of all kinds.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general corporate affairs commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication SIGNED: SECRETARY

ST. JOSEPHS VOCATIONAL CENTRE FOR CHALLENGED AND YOUTHS

The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Chidozie Muoneke Adulfus 2. Mrs. Azuka Chekwube Muoneke

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

Signed: Ivory Solicitors Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public 374, Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos 08037122564

SOLUTION TO ALCOHOL & DRUG ADDICTION INITIATIVE. The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees.

1. Pastor Lawrence Oji - chairman 2. Francis Onyebuchi Orji - General secretary.

3.Ogwumah Christopher - Member 4. Hogan Ihuoma Gloria - Member Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

OHAOMA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Fr. Dr. Mike Chukwuma 2. Rev. Fr. Dr. Daniel Nwafor Anih 3. Mr. Joseph Chukwuma 4. Barr. (Mrs) Mary O. Ndoeche 5. Mr. Jude Chukwuma

TRUSTEES: 1. Iroanwusi Sampson Ovudiche. - Chairman.

2. Chizenum Denis Nsitem. - Secretary.

3. Victor Chikannle. Dimkpa.

4. Oluwatoyin Susan Adeniyi.

5. Worenwu Henry Chisale. (Esq).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Provision of access and structures to better the lives of the physically challenged and youths.

2. To provide and train the challenged vocationally and educationally.

Aim and Objectives.

To create awareness on the prevalence and prevention of health threatening diseases.

Signed:Secretary

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

Signed: Secretary

WIND OF GLORY BIBLE CHURCH The general public is hereby notify that the above named has apply for the corporate Affairs commission for registration under part C. of the companies and Allied matters Act 1990 Trustees: 1. Pastor Luke Izuchukwu Ibekwe founder/ General Overseer 2. Pastor Mrs. Olive Chibugo Ibekwe 3. Elder Peter Ibekwe 4. Elder Augustine Nwaogu 5. (Hon) Deacon Wisdom U. Onyiriuka 6. Arinze Val. Maduako Aims and Objectives To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ To proclaim liberty to the captives and bring back the lost sheep to God Almighty.

Any objection to the registration should be forward to the registration general corporate Affairs commission. P.M B 198, plot 420 Tigris crescent Aguiyi Ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed Pastor Luke Izuchukwu Ibekwe Pastor Mrs. Olive Chibugo Ibekwe

OMOKU STREET TRADERS ASSOCIATION. 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.

Trustees.

1. Elder Victor Amajuoyi. Chairman.

2. Ikenna Onu. 3. Patrick Jesomba.

4. Okpara Livinus 5. Uchenna Awah.

6. Izuchukwu Ezike.

7. Okafor Donatus. - Secretary.

8 Ndubuisi Amos.

Aim and objective.

To assist members morally and financially whenever the need arises Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed; James Eleonu. ESQ. Liberty Chamber 7. Oromineke Road. D/Line Port Harcourt, Rivers State. (Tel.; 08039375898)

Signed: Barrister. (Mrs) A.N.Ogadi.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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.

Aims And Objectives :1- To Preach The Gospel 2- To Win Souls For Christ

Signed: JOHN ACHONWA

The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied for additional new trustee to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “c” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990.

Aim and objective remain the same.

This is to inform to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “c” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: The Trustees Are: 1- Ajumobi Uche - G.O 2- Ignatius Andrew Oluchukwu - Secretary 3- Ajumobi Chidinma Gift- Treasurer

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1. To promote love, unity, friendliness and peaceful co-existence of members 2. To safeguard and protect the interest of member.

SIGNED: MADUKA OKOLI ESQ. 8/10 Broad Street, Lagos

BLOW THE TRUMPET OF SALVATION AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

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

Signed ; WORENWU HENRY CHISALE.( ESQ).

SOLICITOR. Tel 08030954535.

MARIAM ABDULMUMIN I formerly known and address as Mariam Yakubu Abdulkadir now wish to be address as Mrs. Mariam Abdulmumin all former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LAWAL KEHINDE SULEMAN I formerly known as Mr. Lawal Kehinde Kunle now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Lawal Kehinde Suleman. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

JOY NKERE NSO ETIM I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Edet Unyah now wishes to be known as Mrs. Joy Nkere Nso Etim. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

ALLI LATEEF GBADEGESIN I formerly known as Mr. Alli Lateef Ebun now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Alli Lateef Gbadegesin. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

BABARINDE, OLAITAN OMOWUMI

I formerly known as Miss.

Omiyale, Olaitan Omowumi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babarinde, Olaitan Omowumi All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Features Baby-hiring syndicate exposed

A new notorious form of racketeering with infants has become a brand synonymous with the City of Excellence.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR probed into the secret thriving ‘business’ in Lagos and reports that Day Care Centres may be targets of this unscrupulous mafia-like ring.

17

s The sight of women with two or more children, mostly infants, sitting by the busy sidewalks, at major bus stops, market places, and on some busy pedestrian bridges begging for alms is no longer strange. Like a smokescreen, the operators shield their nefarious practices with a compelling humanity that calls the human conscience to question.

Our correspondent last Thursday (February 19th) spotted a dark complexioned woman around Ikeja under bridge, Lagos, with three infants; no more than three months old.

Curiously, she was not alone; a second woman sat beside her, carrying one of the kids.

When our correspondent inCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Two ‘operatives’ at Ikeja

Titles and governance in Igboland According to the traditional ruler, Nri taught the Igbo the culture of title and gave them the title of Ozo, which he bestowed on the most senior and able person in each community. It is the duty of the Ozo to oversee and take care of the market in his community because he understands that the market is the both humans and spirits congregate.

Origin of native administration

Eze Nri addressing a gathering

Ndigbo: Iconoclasts and people of subtle ancestry (I) Recently, GOD’S COVENANT SNR visited the 26th Eze-Nri, monarch over the famous ancestral homeland of Ndigbo and uncovered a link with the Mosaic rebellion, revealing a stock of humans as controversial as they are astonishing.

The acclaimed cradle and ancestral home of Ndigbo made up of six villages is spread across Anaocha Local Government Area on the West bank of Anambra State. The villages include Diodo, Uruofolo, Ekwenanyika, Uruoji, Obeagu and Agbadani; but Diodo Clan, though under Akamkpisi, stands out as the rebel in the extended family. According to

records, she has unilaterally gone autonomous in the typically unstoppable Igbo man’s way!

His Majesty, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, JP, MFR (Nrienwelana II) Eze-Nri is the embattled reigning monarch of Nri and the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. He is the 26th Eze-Nri since the civilisation started in 900 AD according to Nri history, and has been on the

“Whatever they had to do, the Ozo made the people do it through the market and that laid the structure for sound administrative leadership and control which extended to leadership in all strata of the society; the highest ranking title of Ozo in Igboland provides leadership in the society.’

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

throne of his fathers for 28 years running.

Proudly welcoming our correspondent to the famous ancestral homeland of Ndigbo, the monarch took up the treatise of his kingdom, tracing the nativity of his ancestors to the Hebrew race that left Egypt in the famous Exodus led by CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

HRM Obidiegwu Onyesoh, JP MFR. 26th Eze-Nri

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Origin of native administration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Onyesoh delineated the distinction between culture and politics.

“This is the origin of governance; we’re not talking about politics or president yet which were not there in those days, so you must be spiritually inspired to be an Ozo and it’s only the Eze-Nri that can confer the esteemed title to any Igbo.

‘So after setting these structures in place, he then occupied the position of the custodian of culture and tradition of the Igbo race - and that’s where the ancestral home pedigree came from.’

Conflicts and litigation

Sensing the incredible look on our reporter’s face, Onyesoh explained how the Igbo ancestry was linked to that lineage.

“It happened this way: In those days Egypt was the greatest civilisation and represented the whole world. After God took the newly freed slaves who were the Hebrew race through the Red Sea in Exodus 4, and they journeyed towards the River Jordan in Numbers 32, the tribes of Reuben and Eri could not wait for Moses to take them

through the Jordan River so they sought permission to opt out from continuing the journey and to remain on this side of the Jordan.

“Our own tribe – the tribe of Dan led by Eri followed the West and the tribe of Reuben followed the East. The important point to note here is that while the other 10 tribes continued and followed the divided sea, our progenitor and

But leadership tussle in the professed ancestral home of Ndigbo has been a stormy controversy; Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh’s right to reign has been the subject of protracted litigation for decades; and though the courts decided in his favour, some of the clans refused to recognise him.

Until April 2011 when Tabansi Udene died, there were two paramount rulers but they were in conflict with each in Nri, and even the demise of Tabansi sparked off another crisis when his son was made to sit on the throne against the custom of the land.

The puzzle besieging the six clans is better understood in the speech delivered by Chief S.O. Mbanefo (Ozonwayo), a prince of the Nri kingdom and Chief kingmaker of Nri land at a recent Umudiana (Adama) Day Celebration.

‘The role of the Adama in the making of Eze-Nri is a case of ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’. This is because there cannot

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

second woman hastily reached for her phone, made a quick call and lo, a blue Toyota Camry pulled out from the Computer Village gate end, made a quick u-turn under the bridge and slowed down beside the women who scrambled into the car with the infants and they sped off.

It was like a rehearsed movie script: one moment the women were there; in a few minutes they were gone; but two things

caught the eye of our correspondent: the children, all the while appeared to be sleeping, even when they were being bundled into the vehicle, none of them as much as stirred, and secondly, the driver of the vehicle screened his face off with a sunshade dark as the night, and thirdly, the vehicle number plate was not distinguishable.

Eze Nri Obidiegwu dancing with his cabinet

‘Our ancestors are from the Hebrew race’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Moses during the dispensation of law.

“Our ancestors came from the Hebrew race and our history started around 350 BC, sometime after Moses led the people out of Egypt and had crossed the river with the multitude as documented in the Holy Scriptures”.

With profound knowledge of the genealogy of God’s covenant that started with Abraham who begot

Another baby ring operative

Isaac, who in turn begot Jacob, Eze Onyesoh painted a graphic picture of the famous ancestry of the Igbo race.

‘Now, the 7th of Jacob’s 12 sons was named Gad born to him by Zilpah, Leah’s maid and the name means a troop. Gad begot Eri, our own progenitor. The children of Reuben and the children of Gad which began with Eri were great cattle herdsmen as you can read the account in the Book of Numbers Chapter 32.’

They hastened away like a rehearsed movie script

quired after the paternity of the children, how old they were and why she was out here in the sun with them, a drama of a sort unfolded: The woman immediately flared up, raining streams of words in Hausa at our correspondent who retreated and watched from a distance; the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Impatience is the nature of the Igbo man

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

his tribe-folks did not cross the Red Sea with them because they didn’t have patience, and that is the nature of the Igbo man: he does not have patience for anybody. Instead for him to have patience he would rather bribe you to just allow him go his way!’

Coming from the mouth of the monarch this narrative cannot be

faulted. He went further: “So our own tribe were the migrants who took their journey westward through the Nile Valley, passed through Ethiopia, Morocco and to Sudan from where they crossed and continued to this place; in the process he civilised all the natives inhabiting the places he passed through.

“So Eri, later modified as Nri, our progenitor who led the migration acculturated the Igbo in civil

19 Features

events, he called ‘Ndigbo’ Igbo, taught them agriculture and trade and also how to read and monitor the stars, how to study their own season and created the four market days, of Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo.

Four of these native days make one native week called Izu; then seven times four will give you 28 Izus which is one native calendar month. We employ the sun and moon in calculating our own calendar known as the lunar calen-

dar. 28 days in our own lunar calendar is one Gregorian calendar or one month; 13 lunar months make one year; 91 lunar weeks make one year, while 364 lunar days make one year.

Nri was able to calculate these using his astrologers because the latter studied and learnt the art back in Egypt. Now people talk, and if you talk and you don’t adhere to your culture you have not started.’

Network operates strictly on trust CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

A similar drama took place at the busy Iyana Ipaja two days later. Our correspondent noticed this fair woman with a laminated photo of a set of triplets in their infants and it would appear she was the woman in the photo with them.

In her arms were the triplets, all boys now about three years old; but something curiously noticeable is the state of the boys: they were looking too healthy and well groomed to have been surviving from alms

begging.

Having learnt from the Ikeja incident, our correspondent decided to tail her to her home and make inquiries from her neighbourhood, but that was not to be: an unbranded bus with two women and several children picked her and the boys up about 8 a.m. She had been there two hours and since then she never showed up there again.

A close knit network It is on police record that racketeers run child alms begging as business in conspiracy with some day care centers and women are the masterminds,

while women also are the ‘operatives’ who beg for alms with the babies for a cut.

Daily Times investigation uncovered a tripartite gang, comprising some unscrupulous Day Care Centers (DCC), middle men who act as agents and the operatives who are the beggars.

The operators of the unscrupulous DCCs calculate the hours that mothers who use their services would be at work, then release the kids out to the agents who are responsible for distribution to the beggars.

An ex-operative in the racket (name withheld) who became

born again volunteered information in the course of this investigation. She told Daily Times the network runs strictly on trust, and recruits only operatives who come highly recommended by the agents.

“It is the duty of the agents to find operatives; they also find the most likely place for them to stay and ensure that both the women and the children are safe. They are also responsible for returning the children and their respective centers at the appointed times,” she said.

Our source further revealed that the agents understand the

risks involved in taking someone’s child for alms begging and ensure that children are never sent to locations where they may be identified and some DCCs, it is believed, drug the children to make them sleep through the ‘business’ hours.

According to her, “Children from one location are taken to a far place so that chances of their parents running into them would be reduced; and also, the operatives are under watch all the time so that, if there is any sign of trouble, they would CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Features 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Conflicts and litigation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

be an Eze-Nri without the Adama.

‘The Nri tradition is there to prove that by every act of omission or commission, the Adama owns the Eze-Nri. In other words, Eze-Nri is the sole property of the Adama. This is supported by two adages of our people: the first states that Efesie Nri, Nri efee Adama. This means that after people have paid homage to the Eze-Nri, Eze-Nri in return pays homage to the Adama, that is we the Umudiana of Nri. “The second adage states says, Adama na-eri Nri ekpe. Again, this means that every wealth and property owned by Eze-Nri is owned and inherited by the Adama after the demise of the Eze-Nri. This means that not even the children of a late Eze-Nri would touch his property. We started seeing the difference when Nri Jiofo II, Tabansi Udene died’.

According to Mbanefo, there are five laid down procedures for choosing of a new Eze-Nri and this is with the kingmakers.

“The role of Adama in the making of the Eze-Nri begins with confirmation of the candidate; followed by crowning of the candidate, thereby making him the Eze-Nri. All will recall that the young boys who handle the day-today management of the palace are from the Adama stock; they cook for the Eze-Nri, while the elders of Adama acted as the king’s spokespersons and his guardian. The fourth step is officiating in the IguAro ceremony, while the fifth is the function of a regent immediately the Eze-Nri joins his ancestors”.

Lamenting the passage of this priestly process, Mbanefo reminded the people that the above roles were performed, until the process collapsed following the passage of Nri Jiofo II, Tabansi Udene.

“For the first time in history, a son of a late Eze-Nri was made a regent instead of the Adama. We could not fight back because the Adamas are a peace loving people.

Know ye, o my people, that going by the provisions of the customary rules and regulations guiding the selection and appointment, conferment and functions of the Eze-Nri,

Therisa, ‘Our land is sufficient for us’

that any one who holds himself out as the Eze-Nri without the supporting role of the Adama is fake; and I strongly implore every true son and daughter of Umudiana to stand by this right till eternity”.

While some of the prominent indigenes at the ‘Adama Day’ celebration called for action, some others counselled for caution. The following sayings by other speakers tell the state of affairs from the six zones: Nze Emma Ejike Eme Okafo (Dike Anagbaluizu). ‘We don’t have any other community except Umudiana; therefore, we cannot fold our arms and watch things go wrong. This is the time to do the right things.’

Barrister C.C. Molokwu (Ezekwesili) asked the people: “If we split as kindred, can we split as a village? If we split as a village, can we split as a town? If we split as a town, can we split as a local government? If we split as a local government, can we split as a state and if we split as a state, can we split as a nation? Therefore we have more than 1,000,000 years to live together

as Umudiana (Adama) under one destiny and one God. Collectively and individually, we have no option that to transform Umudiana (Adama) into a land of milk, honey and opportunities.’

Vice-chairman of Umudiana (Adama), Sebastine Ukwatu of Sabatex spoke on the path of unity: “Apart from present court cases in Umudiana, God is blessing our kindred; we are a united, strong, loving and caring people and with the present dynamic leadership of C.C. Molokwu, the sky is our limit.’

But Sir Alex Nwokoye (KSM) maintains that Umudiana as the clan head of Igbo land should maintain its integrity and get united because all eyes are on them.

The iconoclast of them all, Chief Frank Okeke Oraeki (Ugonabo) said with a tune of finality: “To be great is to be misunderstood; but insist on greatness and one day you will be understood; Umudiana people are born to be great”.

Reacting to the seeming irreconcilable differences from all clans, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh mused:

Some Day Care Centres drug the children to make them sleep CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

move in and take the operative and the children away. Also, the safe hours are very important because a parent must not come and not meet their wards at the centers.”

Tariff Our source also revealed that rates differ according to the season; the festive or important seasons attract higher tariffs per child. Daily Times learnt that the Centers takes responsibility for preparing and dressing the kids up for business, and the agent takes responsibility for dropping the operatives/ babies at their ‘outlets’ and returns them at the appointed time; DCCs then bathe the children and freshens them up ready for their parent’s pick up.

The age of children used for this racket ranges from one month to six months and above, depending on the prevailing circumstances, but there is always room for special arrangements.

Victims Sympathisers who fall victims to the racketeers include those women seeking what they call the fruit of the womb. Some

do so in the belief that as they continue to give for the upkeep of children whose parents are too poor to care for them, God will have mercy on them and open their womb.

A Yoruba scholar, Musiliu Shonibare at Ire-Akari Estate, Isolo, listed other people whose destiny made them victims of the pranksters.

“After doing their rituals, prophets of white g ar ment churches instr uct women with some spiritual problems to look for women begging for alms with children and bless them. Even people who consult the babalawos (herbalists) or alfa; are instructed to give specific amounts to such women on specific days,” it was learnt.

Daily Times spoke with one Mrs. Adetona who was seen giv-

ing alms to some of the operatives at Shomolu area of Lagos.

“I don’t have any reason for giving them money o; it is just that I am a mother and I have passed

through tough times. I know what a woman who has children faces when she has no money. I won’t wish that for my

enemy. Unless I don’t have money on me, wherever I see them, I give.”

Genesis of the racket Daily Times investigation revealed that the racket escalated at the height of the economic recession, following the introduction of the infamous Structural Adjust-

ment Policy (SAP) in 1986 by then military head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida.

Before that squeeze, the alms beggars visible in Lagos area, besides the visually impaired and physically challenged beg-

gars largely from the Northern parts of the country (until nonphysically challenged persons, even children became part of the ‘business’), Lagos residents were used to seeing Yoruba mothers of twins who danced in public places as well as in residential areas as a condition of keeping their twins alive.

One school mistress was said to have resorted to begging for alms because that was what she was told was the preference of her twin children! Thus, if the mother fails to accomplish the twins’ wish, the result. might be permanent sickness of the twins or their ultimate death and the belief is so strong that some twins’ mothers are accompanied by one or two drummers who use the talking drum to add colour and pomp to the ‘assignment’. Yoruba scholars believe the custom is fading out now in the advent of Christian Pentecostal awareness, though it is still being practiced in core Yoruba towns and villages.

Thus, for those who take their infants to DCCs, vigilance is the watchword while you can also do quick and unexpected checks on your kids.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

21 Opinion

2015: Nigeria at the crossroads

P

Chinedu Okoye

olitical desperadoes are heating up Nigeria with their acerbic political utterances and divisive actions in the lead-up to the 2015 general election. Consequently, millions of Nigerians fear the country will be engulfed in a civil war immediately after the polls.

But is war looming over Nigeria?

Will America’s prediction regarding the disintegration of the country come to manifestation?

No general election conducted in Nigeria since the Fourth Republic has generated so much tension as the forthcoming 2015 elections.

Now, Nigeria is an ethnically and religiously divided country that is searching for a competent and patriotic national leader. The upcoming presidential election has brought our ethnic and religious division to the fore. It is common knowledge that Nigerians are deeply conscious of their ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations. This does not make for peace and progress in a country.

General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan are the frontrunners in the presidential election. Millions of Nigerians who come from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds are queueing behind either of them. The

People of the South-south would like President Jonathan, to win for another term in office. And the people from the Northern believe the country’s leadership is their birthright. This mindset is reason for their continued agitation for power shift to the North. So our choice of national leader is predicated on the factors of geography, ethnicity, and religion.

So, can Buhari, win the upcoming presidential poll? Some political parties coalesced to form APC on whose platform he is contesting. The APC, no doubt, is a mega party with a large following. It has achieved impressive electoral results in the Southwest in the recent past. And, the Northern Muslims are routing for the candidacy of Buhari.

Unlike in the past, Buhari may stand a chance of winning the presidential election in March 2015. Are such great political tacticians and strategists as Bola Tinubu, Odigie Oyegun, Lai Mohammed, and some northern politicians not backing Buhari for the presidential race?

But does Buhari represent the change we desire in Nigeria? He has anti-democratic credentials, which besmirched and sullied his reputation. It is on record that he used retroactive laws to murder people in the past. And during his dictatorship he manifested ethnic

and religious bias by clamping Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Jim Nwobodo, Ambrose Ali, and others into jail, while he treated Alhaji Shehu Shagari and his ethnic compatriots with lenience. He suspended Nigeria’s Constitution and ruled through draconian decrees. But has Buhari transformed to a democrat? And has he lived down his unflatteringly past?

The APC apparatchik erred greatly in their choice of a presidential candidate. They should have given the presidential ticket to a younger and more cerebral politician. But Buhari’s selling point is his much-touted incorruptible nature. But can he fight corruption when a corrupt and thieving cabal surrounds him? It is well known that APC is made up of disgruntled former PDP members.

Are those political reprobates true democrats and progressives?

APC and PDP are Siamese twins, possessing the same grotesque characteristics. Members of both parties are afflicted with incurable kleptomania and political myopia.

Since 1999, the PDP has been in political leadership. But has the party transformed Nigeria to a paradise?

President Jonthan has been in power for six years,while insecurity and corruption have bogged down his administration. Belief is that ethnic chauvinists, not favourably disposed to his leadership,

are orchestrating the Boko Haram insurgency.

President Good-luck Jonathan has recorded appreciable success in the agricultural sector; and has given infrastructural development in the country a boost. But has he done very well in the past six years to warrant re-election?

No one is in doubt that the presidential contest is between General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan. They are running neck and neck; and either of them can clinch the most coveted political diadem. But will peace and unity reign in the aftermath of the election? The APC is threatening to form a parallel government, while the Jonathan’s kinsmen are preparing for war in the event that their son loses. These are portents of doom for Nigeria. But we can subsume our personal, religious, and ethnic interests under our collective good and national interests to achieve national cohesion, unity and progress. We should meditate on Hugo Grotious political dictum:” Government comes and goes, but a state remains forever.”

Some heterogeneous nation-states have disintegrated. Should we sacrifice Nigeria on the altar of selfish, pecuniary, religious, and ethnic interests?

No doubt, Nigeria is at the crossroads of a difficult political transition.

Reflection on Okorocha’s lawless demeanour

S

Austin Uganwa

ince the inception of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration on May 29 2011 it is evidently clear that his style of governance in many respects lack desirable decorum expected of a democratic government. This is instructive in the fact that civilian dictatorship, lawlessness and disobedience to judiciary pronouncements have fast become sub-structure of his government. These realities have manifestly negated the real essence of the concept of separation of powers.

Regrettably, Okorocha’s perceived lawlessness are many and varied. And naturally they constitute a huge threat to our fledgling democracy, rule of law and separation of powers.

For presidential system of government to thrive in any part of the world, the concept of separation of powers must as a matter of democratic imperative be firmly adopted by political actors and

democratic institutions.

In any country that operates presidential form of government the functions of each arm of government are well spelt out in the constitution.

Although separation of powers has been thriving appreciably at the federal level in Okorocha’s Imo state, the concept is at best alien and far- fetched. Instances abound that Okorocha has proven to be a study in disobedience to court decisions.

Courts fall within judicial arm of government and have the constitutional role to mediate conflicts and interpret laws. But Okorocha usually and clearly disobeys most of their pronouncements contemptuously. Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Imo State branch went to court in 2011 against Okorocha’s administration over his government’s decision to illegally end the tenure of council chairmen and councilors in the state. ALGON got favourable court ruling that reinstated the sacked political office holders.

Okorocha has refused hitherto to implement that court decision.

Rather, he has put in place care taker committees to administer the local councils. He has neither conducted the local council election nor allowed the care taker committees to function duly.

PDP Imo guber candidate, Hon Emeka Ihedioha observed at a rally in his honour that it was a ploy put in place by Okorocha to enable him continue to collect the over N4b monthly allocation to the 27 local councils in the state.

He promised that if elected, he would enthrone rule of law in the state’s relationship with the local councils by allowing the latter control their funds.

Besides, under the present arrangement, Okorocha pays all the local councils staff directly from the state capital and thus usurping illegally the powers of the local councils.

As he was taking methodical steps to destroy the third tier government, he brazenly floated fourth tier government he branded Community Govern-

ment Council (CGC) in a clear show of lawlessness and absolute disregard of constitutional prescription. The composition of the fourth tier is obviously against the intent of the constitution and therefore constitutes a gross misconduct.

Besides, , Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council was dethroned

by Okorocha on account of his refusal to be enlisted into the All Progressives Congress(APC). Ilomuanya went to court to seek remedy and won. Okorocha has since refused to respect the court ruling.

Rather, he set other traditional rulers in the state against him.

Similarly, the Governor also audaciously disregarded court rulings brought against him over his unbridled tendency to expropriate lands belonging to Owerri indigenes for his private use. Not a few people believe that these developments have in no small way turned Okorocha into a maximum ruler ,creating ample room to erode the concept of separation of powers and to provoke anarchy.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, Febraury 24, 2015

www.bglgroupng.com

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Jonathan, Buhari greet Shagari at 90 Ă?Ă?Ă?President

Goodluck Jonathan and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), have both congratulated former President Shehu Shagari, on his 90 birthday.

In his congratulatory message, President Jonathan, described Alhaji Shagari, as a committed patriot and outstanding leader, saying that the present administration would continue to count on him for support and solidarity.

President Jonathan expressed gratitude to Shagari for the support he had shown to the present administration, especially the on-going transformation agenda.

The birthday message signed by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati read: “It is with pro-

found joy that I write on behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, to express very warm felicitations to you. “I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty Allah for His continued guidance, protection and provision for you in the past 90 years of a life of forthrightness and outstanding leadership with which He has blessed you. “It is gratifying to note that our administration can continue to count on the solidarity and support of accomplished, highly respected statesmen and committed patriots like you, as we vigorously pursue our national transformation efforts.

In the same vein, Buhari, who personally signed the

congratulatory message to the former leader reads: “Although, I am physically unable to be present as I am abroad on previously arranged assignments, I wish to send my good wishes to former President Shehu Shagari, on his 90th birthday. “Alhaji Shehu Shagari, is now the Grand Old Man of Nigerian politics, having been in the frame of public affairs since the colonial days. “Although, my government forcibly removed his government, he has always shown me civility and much courtesy. His contributions at the National Council of State meetings which I attend have always been constructive and eloquent. “I wish the former President many more years of good health and peaceful retirement,� Buhari added.

23 News

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Chronicle Today in History

s Cartoon from our Archives

Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1964 Clay knocks out Liston On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay shocked the odds-makers by dethroning world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston in a seventh-round technical knockout. The dreaded Liston, who had twice demolished former champ Floyd Patterson in one round, was an 8-to-1 favourite. However, Clay predicted victory, boasting that he would “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” and knock out Liston in the eighth round. The fleet-footed and loquacious youngster needed less time to make good on his claim--Liston, complaining of an injured shoulder, failed to answer the seventh-round bell. A few moments later, a new heavyweight champion was proclaimed.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942. He started boxing when he was 12 and by age 18 had amassed a record of over 100 wins in amateur competition. In 1959, he won the International Golden Gloves heavyweight title and in 1960 a gold medal in the light heavyweight category at the Summer Olympic Games in Rome. Clay turned professional after the Olympics and went undefeated in

1948

1948 Communists take power in Czechoslovakia Under pressure from the Czechoslovakian Communist Party, President Eduard Benes allowed a communist-dominated government to be organized. Although the Soviet Union did not physically intervene (as it would in 1968), Western observers decried the virtually bloodless communist coup as an example of Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe.

The political scene in Czechoslovakia following World War II was complex, to say the least.

Eduard Benes was head of the London-based Czech government-in-exile during the war, and returned to his native land in 1945 to take control of a new national

his first 19 bouts, earning him the right to challenge Sonny Liston, who had defeated Floyd Patterson in 1962 to win the heavyweight title.

On February 25, 1964, a crowd of 8,300 spectators gathered at the Convention Hall arena in Miami Beach to see if Cassius Clay, who was nicknamed the “Louisville Lip,” could put his money where his mouth was. The underdog proved no bragging fraud, and he danced and backpedalled away from Liston’s powerful swings while delivering quick and punishing jabs to Liston’s head. Liston hurt his shoulder in the first round, injuring some muscles as he swung for and missed his elusive target. By the time he decided to discontinue the bout between the sixth and seventh rounds, he and Clay were about equal in points. A few conjectured that Liston faked the injury and threw the fight, but there was no real evidence, such as a significant change in bidding odds just before the bout, to support this claim.

To celebrate winning the world heavyweight title, Clay went to a private party at a Miami hotel that was attended by his friend Malcolm X, an outspoken leader

Daily Times February 25, 1961 of the African American Muslim group known as the Nation of Islam. Two days later, markedly more restrained Clay announced he was joining the Nation of Islam and defended the organization’s concept of racial segregation while speaking of the importance of the Muslim religion

Communists take power in Czechoslovakia government following the Soviet withdrawal in July of that year.

National elections in 1946 resulted in significant representation for leftist and communist parties in the new constituent assembly.

Benes formed a coalition with these parties in his administration.

Although Czechoslovakia was not formally within the Soviet orbit, American officials were concerned with the Soviet communist influence in the nation. They were particularly upset when Benes’ government strongly opposed any plans for the political rehabilitation and possible rearmament of Germany (the U.S. was beginning to view a rearmed Germany as a good line of defence against Soviet incursions into

western Europe). In response, the United States terminated a large loan to Czechoslovakia. Moderate and conservative parties in Czechoslovakia were outraged, and declared that the U.S. action was driving their nation into the clutches of the communists. Indeed, the communists made huge electoral gains in the nation, particularly as the national economy spiralled out of control.

When moderate elements in the Czech government raised the possibility of the nation’s participation in the U.S. Marshall Plan (a massive economic recovery program designed to help war torn European countries rebuild), the communists organized strikes and protests, and began clamping down on opposition parties.

in his life. Later that year, Clay, who was the descendant of a runaway Kentucky slave, rejected the name originally given to his family by a slave owner and took the Muslim name of Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali would go on to become one of the 20th century’s greatest sporting figures, as

1949

much for his social and political influence as his prowess in his chosen sport. After successfully defending his title nine times, it was stripped from him in 1967 after he refused induction into the U.S. Army on the grounds that he was a Muslim minister and therefore a conscientious objector.

Actor Robert Mitchum is released after serving time for marijuana possession

1949 Actor Robert Mitchum is released after serving time for marijuana possession Actor Robert Mitchum was released from a Los Angeles County prison farm after spending the final week of his two-month sentence for marijuana possession there.

In the fall of 1948, Mitchum, the star of classics such as Cape Fear and Night of the Hunter, was smoking a joint at a small party in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles when detectives burst in and arrested him. Mitchum reportedly said at the time, “Well, this is the bitter end of everything—my career, my marriage, everything.” In fact, it wasn’t re-

ally that bad. Mitchum was separated from his wife Dorothy at the time, but the two reconciled when she returned to support him through the scandal. And the public didn’t mind much either; Rachel and the Stranger, the first movie released after his troubles, was a box-office hit.

There is some reason to believe that Mitchum’s arrest was less than fair and designed to bring publicity to the Los Angeles Police Department’s anti-drug efforts. Although high-priced studio lawyers questioned irregularities in the case, it was later agreed that Mitchum would accept 60 days in jail and several years’ probation.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Business Times Market capitalisation sustains gain, closes at over N10 trillion Adesola Akindele The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) and the Market Capitalisation increased by 1.18 per cent, while the Year-to-Date return stood at -13.02 per cent. The All Share Index closed at 30,145.60 against the previous close of 29,793.13 while Market Capitalisation closed at 10.058 trillion against previous close of 9.941

trillion.

Volume traded decreased by 9.55 per cent from 306.631 million to 277.361 million, while the total value of stock traded increased by 25.71 per cent from 3.011 billion to 3.786 billion in 4,401 deals.

The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 164.185 million shares exchanged for 1.373 billion. Consumer Goods came next with 51.68 million

shares traded for 1.895 billion, Conglomerates, Healthcare, Oil And Gas sectors followed in that order on the activity chart.

Pz, Fbnh, Transcorp, Uba and Zenithbank were the most active stocks by volume. Cap, Access, Maybaker, Jberger and Unilever emerged the highest price gainers on the chart, while Okomuoil, Eterna, Nascon, Aglevent and Academy topped the losers chart.

s

25

Ray Echebiri joins Promasidor Quill Awards panel Godwin Anyebe Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell, Onga, Toptea and Loya and organisers of the prestigious Promasidor Quill awards has named Ray Echebiri, the immediate past Managing Director of Business World, as one of the judges that will screen entries for this year’s edition of the coveted journalism awards.

In a statement made available to the media, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, the Head of Legal and Pub-

lic Relations for Promasidor said Echebiri was picked based on his contributions to the journalism profession in Nigeria.

Enahoro stated that Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole was returned as Chairman of the Panel with Kadaria Ahmed, a veteran journalist and television personality; Joseph Okonmah, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter; and Reze Bonna, a trained Architect and celebrated photographer; as other members of the panel.

CBN threatens to bar forex dealers over “unfettered access” rules …releases guidelines for Islamic banking regulation Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to withdraw the licence of any foreign exchange market operator who flaunts its rules on unfettered access to funds in export proceeds in domiciliary accounts.

The threat of sanctions was contained in an official statement signed by Mr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, CBN’s director of trade and exchange department, after clarifying the provisions of memorandum 26, paragraph (5), and section D of the foreign exchange manual on ‘unfettered access’.

Gbadamosi said: “For the avoidance of doubt, all authorised dealers and the general pub-

Mrs. Nellie Mayshak

lic are to note that henceforth, the term – unfettered access – granted to holders of export proceeds domiciliary accounts shall be strictly construed to mean that the proceeds of exports in the account can only be used by exporters to finance eligible and other trade related transactions supported with appropriate documentation and can only be sold to authorised dealers (banks) for eligible transactions only.”

He warned that any exporter that: “henceforth utilises the export proceeds for non-eligible transactions will be barred from the foreign exchange market.”

In a related development, CBN listed guidelines for an advisory body that will supervise Islamic banking in Nigeria, becoming the latest regulator to opt for a centralised approach to the industry.

Nigeria’s advisory body, known as the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts, will be tasked with ensuring that all banking products designated as Islamic, conform to sharia principles.

PTAD assures easy pension verification processes

The guidelines which was published over the weekend, set out minimum requirements for the advisory body, which will comprise a minimum of five members including a CBN official.

Members will serve renewable two-year terms, must be qualified in Islamic jurisprudence, and are restricted from working for any other financial institution supervised by the CBN. Financial institutions that offer Islamic banking products in Nigeria are already required to have their own boards of sharia finance experts, who are limited to serving in one institution at a time.

The CBN’s advisory body will be guided by the principles of sharia governance issued by the Malaysia-based Islamic Financial Services Board.

Countries including Bahrain and Morocco have opted for such a format, which can help to limit differences between products, speed the design of new products and boost investor confidence.

Kayode Adelowokan The Director-General, Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD), Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, said her agency would continue to ensure easy pension verification and administration in the country.

Mayshak, who stated this in Ilo-

Emefiele, CBN governor

rin, Kwara State said, “The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate was established in August 2013, as a result of irregularities uncovered in the pension board. Our main objective is to create transparency in improving pension reform and establish a verified database of pensioners.

We’re also here in Ilorin to ensure

both the verification and payment process are smooth and effective.”

On the other hand, the Secretary, Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Mr. Dauda Usman, has called for continued transparency and stress-free pensioners’ data verification and pension administration in the country.

Maritime 26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

WILAT commends professionalism of Nigerian port operators Stories by Funmi Coker Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Mrs. Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba, has stressed the need for the country to deepen its relations with countries in East, West and Central Africa, adding that the actualisation of Bi-National Commission with Abidjan would strengthen the pact between both nations.

The Ambassador made the disclosure at Félix HouphouëtBoigny International Airport, Abidjan, when Arik Air commenced flight operations to the French speaking West African country.

Going by 2013 figures, Akabogu-Chinwuba disclosed that trade volume between both nations stood at CFA 300 billion ($52.1 million), noting, “they import our crude, refine and export back. So, where crude oil is involved, a lot of dollars also enters into the economy”.

She said Arik’s commencement of flight services to the country was part of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which was negotiated January 13, 2013, stressing the cooperation would bring closeness to the two nations in terms of people’s movement and movement of goods and services.

She also noted that Air Cote d’Ivoire had activated its own part of BASA by operating to Lagos with four frequencies.

Akabogu-Chinwuba said that the development would

Concept for an LNG bunkering vessel

Bunkering industry gets first LNG safety guidelines

Ali-Ibrahim, WILAT president

strengthen business interactions among businessmen and companies from the two nations.

She said: “Air Cote d’Ivoire already goes to Nigeria. Now, we have Arik, ASKY Airlines goes to Nigeria. The implication is that we now have choices. It is a good omen. We have over three million Nigerians. They have families and they have lived here for many years.”

“You know we are already into ECOWAS. There is an already economic tie between Ni-

geria and Cote d’Ivoire. There is perennial problem of fake products and having different colonial masters, facing different directions, these are problems, otherwise; there are a lot of bilateral and economic activities between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, mainly from Nigeria to this side. Many Nigerians have investments here. We have United Bank for Africa (UBA), Guarantee Trust Bank, Diamond Bank, hotels, school, churches and Sahara Oil.”

Lawyer faults NSC execution of judgment pending appeal Leading maritime lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Chidi Ilogu has said that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) cannot execute the judgment delivered in its favour against members of the Association of Shipping Line Agencies (ASLA) on Shipping Line Agency Charges (SLAC) yet because of a pending appeal.

Ilogu, who is the Counsel to ASLA said that members of the association, being dissatisfied with the Federal High Court judgment delivered on 17th December 2014 by Justice Ibrahim Buba, immediately filed a ‘Notice of Appeal’ challenging the entire judgment of the lower court.

He said the judgment is being

Ilogu, SAN

appealed on the grounds that the NSC cannot perform economic regulatory role at the ports In

Nigeria pursuant to a presidential directive which is inconsistent with the extant laws of the country Including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act and regulations made pursuant thereto; that the purported economic regulatory functions are ultra vires the powers of the NSC as presently stipulated under the enabling Act which has not been amended; and that the purported presidential directive, being Inconsistent with the NSC Act, is null and void and of no effect.

“In addition to the said Notice of Appeal, the Plaintiffs filed an application for a Stay of Execution and/or Injunction Pending Appeal.

The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has unveiled a first edition of its LNG Bunkering – Safety Guidelines publication.

SGMF said the objective of the guidelines is to “provide the bunkering industry with the best practices in order to ensure that gas-fuelled ships are re-fuelled with high levels of safety, integrity and reliability.”

The 70-page manual spells out the specific guidance on ship-to-ship, shore-to-ship, and truck-to-ship bunkering. It also covers hazards such as leaks and fires, safety systems includ-

ing personnel and command structures, and bunkering procedures.

The booklet has taken just over a year to produce and it is now freely available to members of SGMF. Mark Bell, general manager of SGMF, believed that the launch of the publication is timely for the industry to have reliable guidelines to follow.

The society is actively encouraging feedback on the new publication and is ready to revise the manual over the next couple of years as the market develops.

Port workers in Italy plan to stage strike on March 6th Unionised Italian ports workers have announced plans to stage a 24-hour strike on March 6th, 2015.

The strike, announced by union federations Filt-CGIL, FitCISL and Uiltrasporti, comes in the wake of announced reforms and ongoing dispute over the responsibilities between the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Economic Development.

The unions claim that the

A port in Italy

new reforms would compromise quality and safety of workers, sailors, and users, benefiting companies without experience and expertise.

The current system should be kept as it guarantees the stability and qualification of labour, the unions explained in a joint statement, adding that the existing regulations on nautical technical services guarantee safety at Italian ports.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

27 Interview

Jonathan brain behind remaking of PTDF’ - Femi Ajayi Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Femi Ajayi, in this interview with Augustine Aminu, speaks on the impact President Goodluck-led administration’s youth empowerment programmes and how it has contributed to the rapid progress of the agency in the past five years.

Excerpts: PTDF is about the local content initiative, how far has the Fund been used for the realisation of its set objectives, especially in terms of ensuring that local manpower takes over the expatriate’s responsibilities?

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is dedicated to the purpose of development and promotion of petroleum technology and manpower development through training and capacity-building of Nigerians to become graduates, professionals, technicians and craftsmen in the fields of engineering, geology, geosciences, management, economics and relevant fields in the petroleum and solid minerals industry. The first mandate of the PTDF is to use the funds allocated from Signature bonuses to provide scholarships and bursaries, wholly or partially in Universities, Colleges, and Institutions in petroleum undertakings in Nigeria or abroad.

So far so good, PTDF have been able to fulfil its mandate through training of Nigerians to become graduates, skilled artisans and professionals to fill the gap in the petroleum industry which mostly has hitherto been occupied by the expatriates, but is now being filled by Nigerians to satisfy the local content initiative. Also,

PTDF has ensured development of special skills acquisition and enhancement programmes in conformity with the vision and mission of the agency and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. The PTDF has gone far to ensure that Nigerians are properly trained academically, technically and professionally to fill the capacity gaps in the petroleum industry through both overseas and domestic courses. Over the years we have been able to produce more and more manpower who are experts and committed professionals for the oil and gas sector. The agency has been living up to its responsibility.

Is it really true, and if yes, what informed the decision of management of PTDF to make the overseas Scholars receive their entitlements in Naira rather than the usual Dollars that is the practice?

We’ve had to start paying our Scholars in naira equivalent, and it is not because we want to shortchange anybody. It is because of the challenges that we experienced in sourcing for foreign exchange. We found out that it would be easier, and would make life easy for both the agency and the Scholars if we just pay them in naira with a little difference

Ajayi

‘‘PTDF has ensured development of special skills acquisition and enhancement programmes in conformity with the vision and mission of the agency and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’’ on top to ensure that each person gets the hard currency he/she needs. The way it works is this, if the Scholars open naira account in Nigeria and we pay them naira in their accounts they can easily collect the pounds or dollars equivalents in their countries of study.

So individual sourcing of hard currency is not difficult but it is complicated when you are trying to procure forex for a large number of people. You go through much documentation and all that it entails, and these delay us and we think that the

trouble is not worth it. As it is, since naira has been devalued, it means that they would have to get more naira because at the end of the day their school fees and tuition will be paid in the foreign currency. So, we are not running away from our responsibilities, we are just trying to make life easy for every stakeholder. After all, management is the art of the possible.

What are your selection criteria for the scholarship awardees?

Of course you know that our scholarship awards are basically merit-based. Thank God we’ve been able to get the academic standard that we require from all the States. The reality is that for every one thousand people that applied may be we are only able to give scholarship to around five, not necessarily because they are not qualified. What this means is that in some States so many candidates are qualified and scarcely will you find any State that cannot fill its quota.

It is heart-warming that even the academically disadvantaged States have enough to fill their quota because we want to make sure that the Fund is taking care of the whole of Nigeria. And when we have distributed the slots on the basis of merit, there are some other criteria that we still use to distribute. Sometimes we will look at gender and we want to take ladies from all the different geopolitical zones. One

of the beauties of the PTDF scholarship process is that it is widely acknowledged as very transparent. Our criteria are open. If you look at our website you will see that nothing has changed because the standard is already established. What perhaps might have changed is that we have become more proactive in terms of increased number of Scholars who enjoy PTDF awards.

Recently, we had to cut the fat off one of the scholarship awards.

When I came I found out that the Ph.D. Scholars do not only enjoy benefits themselves, but the PhD scholarships also attract benefits to their wives and children; so I told myself that if we are not able to cover so many, it’s because excessive benefits are being enjoyed by few. So how can we expand the scope?

Well, I said suppose we remove some of these benefits. For instance, if you are a Ph.D. Scholar must you go with your wife and two kids when studying for three years? It’s usual before now that the agency would pay for the Scholars, wife or husband and two kids. So we decided to put a stop to that. If PTDF were to be as buoyant as it used to be, may be, I would not have bothered but PTDF is just struggling to survive hence the need to cut off the fat.

In the light of the on-going transformation agenda of the present administration, what

Continued on page 28

Interview 28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

‘PTDF now more proactive’ Continued from page 27 would you say of the PTDF, concerning the way it used to be, and the present momentum in the socio-economic welfare of the nation?

I want to say that the PTDF has become more proactive.

Now you get more value for money spent on PTDF. For your information, PTDF has trained more Scholars in the last five years than it did in the earlier ten years.

The statistics shows in the record that since the Jonathan administration in 2010 we have trained over 1,536 at M.sc and 448 at Ph.D. levels within the last five years whereas PTDF trained only 1,309 M.sc and 248 Ph.D. levels between 2001 and 2009. Again the advent of Jonathan administration, particularly its youth empowerment programme, has led to phenomenal increase in the number of youths awarded both overseas and local scholarship for technical and vocational training. For instance, in the last five years we have had the Helicopter and fixedwing Pilot training, the training of 12 fresh graduates in advanced wielding in Marseille, France, the first-ever of such training carried out by Nigeria. Also, there was sponsorship of 1,700 fresh graduates in Engineering Design Training Programme (EDTP) followed by six month post-training attachment with reputable oil companies in Nigeria. So also the training of 15 fresh graduates in Drilling Engineering carried out by the Institute of Petroleum (IFP) in Pau, France and the training of 1,220 under the Welders Training Certification programme which was done in collaboration with International Institute of Welding (IIW) and the Nigerian Institute of Welding. The products are employable

throughout the world. These innovative training schemes were given needed impetus by this administration’s Transformation Agenda.

Your tenure focuses attention on training of welders.

Have you been able to generate enough manpower in this area being a critical aspect of downstream and upstream sector?

I am just continuing the laudable initiative of my predecessors. We’ve had to do that because we see the training of Welders and other Artisans as a case of plucking low-hanging fruits and achieving quick wins because the truth is, for every Engineer in the industry you probably need about ten welders. Therefore you need to train more Welders than Engineers. It doesn’t make any sense for us to bring Welders from abroad when we can easily massproduce them in Nigeria. So, that was what informed the emphasis and increased resources devoted to training of Welders and people with fabricating skills. Of course we are still doing as much in the other areas. Thus our effort has not reduced elsewhere, it’s only that this area of vocational and technical training was neglected before; we are really working hard to close the gap that we left before. At the end of the day the industry is not supposed to be top heavy, you need more welders and if Nigeria is to achieve the goal of being one of the top twenty most advanced countries in the world by year 2020 then you need to train at least 3000 welders every two years because there are so many stages involved in the process, you have to train them in fillet welding, plate welding and pipe welding.

Ajayi

What would be your manpower projection in the next four years or more for the agency if petroleum is to be refined locally according to the projection of this administration?

The idea of local refineries has always been in the pipeline and of course you know we have some local big refineries but what we are talking about is modular refineries which are smaller ones that can easily be repaired

and managed. Yes, we are also training people in that area. And you know refining is an aspect of petroleum engineering so the people we are training for the oil and gas sector will eventually also man these areas. Of course some of the people will specialise in different areas, including refining, when necessary. We are prepared, we have people who are professionals with expertise who can key into the local refineries and function effectively in other areas as well.

‘‘What perhaps might have changed is that we have become more proactive in terms of increased number of Scholars who enjoy PTDF awards’’

E-market consortium opens office in Yaba Adesola Akindele

Zmyslowski, MD Jovago Nigeria

Africa Internet Group (AIG), has moved its office to Yaba, housing six of its ventures in Nigeria - Easytaxi, Lamudi, Carmudi, Hellofood, Kaymu and Jovago.

Speaking at the opening of its Yaba office, Marek Zmyslowski, Managing Director, Jovago Nigeria, described the move from Lekki to Yaba as highly paramount

and beneficial to all stakeholders. Namely the staff, (over 500) of whom a larger percentage commute to and from the yaba axis, as well as investors and consumers.

Since inception in 2012, Zmyslowski, disclosed that AIG has expanded to 26 countries and has created 71 companies in different verticals namely online retail, online marketplace, food ordering, car classifieds, real es-

tate classifieds, taxi hailing, online travel agency and P2P lending marketplace.

“This newly opened building in yaba; next door to the popular Ozone cinema, holds AIG’s network of companies in Nigeria which include thriving brands Carmudi, an online car site that allows you buy or list your cars online; Kaymu, an online marketplace where buyers and sell-

ers meet to obtain the best deals for products; Easytaxi a mobile app that connects drivers and passengers; Hellofood, an online and mobile platform where people can order food for delivery from the most popular restaurants in the city; Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace; ;Jovago an online hotel booking service and Jumia an online retail store,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

ISIS kidnaps 70 Assyrian Christians

29 World Gunmen abduct 30 Shi’ites in Afghanistan ÏÏÏOfficials

Protesters on Tuesday after Islamic State militants have abducted at least 70 Assyrian Christians, including women and children.

ÏÏÏIslamic State militants have

abducted, at least, 70 Assyrian Christians, including women and children, after overrunning a string of villages in northeastern Syria, two activist groups said Tuesday.

The extremist fighters swept through the Assyrian villages nestled along the banks of Khabur River near the town of Tal Tamr in Hassakeh province around dawn on Monday.

In the assault, the militants took between 70 and 100 Assyr-

ians captive, said Nuri Kino, the head of the activist group A Demand For Action that focuses on religious minorities in the Middle East. Kino said his organisation based its information on conversations with villagers who fled the onslaught and their relatives.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the abductions, but put the number of Assyrians held by the Islamic State group at 90. The Observatory relies on a network

of activists inside Syria.

Both activist groups said that most of the captives come from the village of Tal Shamiram, located some 85km southwest of the provincial capital of Qamishli.

It was not immediately clear what the Islamic State group planned to do with the Assyrians.

The militants have a long history of killing captives, including foreign journalists, Syrian soldiers and Kurdish militiamen.

Most recently, militants in Libya

Prison convoy attacked in Myanmar ÏÏÏDozens of

female prisoners were injured in a fierce firefight between rebels and soldiers in northeastern Myanmar following an attack on a government convoy, state media said on Tuesday.

The Global New Light of Myanmar said the military launched airstrikes after ethnic Kokang fighters attacked vehicles carrying local people, government workers and inmates from a nearby prison, in the latest assault on civilians trying to escape deadly clashes in Shan state.

It said 44 female prisoners as well as a staff member from the correctional department and a soldier were injured in the fighting Monday in the Kokang region bordering China.

Myanmar last week declared a state of emergency in Kokang in response to the conflict, which began on February 9 and has also sparked alarm in Beijing.

The unrest has virtually emptied the main Kokang town of Laukkai, the epicentre of the fighting, with streets in the once-bustling frontier community transformed into a battleground.

At least 30 000 civilians have fled into southwest China, while tens of thousands more are believed to have been displaced on the Myanmar side of the border.

The Myanmar Red Cross has come under attack twice in recent days while ferrying civilians from the Laukkai area towards the Shan town of Lashio outside the conflict zone. The

affiliated with the Islamic State group released a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians.

But the Islamic State group also could use its Assyrian captives to try to arrange a prisoner swap with the Kurdish and Christian militias that it faced off against in northeastern Syria.

There is a precedent: the extremists have released Kurdish school children as well as Turkish truck drivers and diplomats after holding them for months.

Gas kills workers at illegal Chinese mine ÏÏÏLocal

Ki-Moon

incidents have drawn condemnation from the United Nations.

Five people were wounded when a vehicle for the aid group, which is separate to the International Committee of the Red Cross, came under fire on Saturday; just four days after an earlier attack on a humanitarian convoy left two injured.

Chinese authorities say three people have died and six were hospitalised after being poisoned by gas in an illegal gold mine.

The official Xinhua News Agency says rescuers were dispatched to the mine in Songxian County in the central province of Henan on Saturday after a tipoff from the public.

In a report on Tuesday, Xinhua said the mine had been abandoned, but local farmers were trying to extract remnants of gold from it with the use of chemicals such as sodium cyanide. They were then apparently overwhelmed by the gasses released. Xinhua said the case remains under investigation.

in southern Afghanistan say gunmen have abducted 30 men who are members of the country’s Hazara Shiite Muslim minority group.

No one has claimed responsibility for the late Monday abduction, which officials say began when the gunmen stopped two buses on a major road in Zabul province.

An official with the bus company said the driver stopped for the gunmen because he believed they were soldiers. He said the kidnappers took the men, but left behind the women and children.

Afghan police said an investigation is under way to find out who is responsible for the abduction.

Hazaras have been the targets of bombings, kidnappings and other attacks in recent years by Taliban extremists and other Sunni extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Spanish police arrest four for suspected jihadi recruiting ÏÏÏ

Spanish police have arrested four people suspected of working to recruit jihadi militants and spread propaganda for the Islamic State group.

An Interior Ministry statement said on Tuesday two people were arrested in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla and two others in the north-eastern region of Catalonia.

There were no immediate details on the identity of the four.

The statement said the two detainees in Melilla used Internet platforms to disseminate information specially edited in Spanish about the Islamic State group. It said they also worked to recruit activists, especially women, to join the group abroad.

Spain has arrested dozens of suspected jihadi militants and recruiters in recent years, especially around Melilla and Spain’s other north enclave of Ceuta. Both cities have borders with Morocco.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Our Heritage

s A PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

Scooping lessons from Tajudeen Adigun’sMakers in Practical Journalism Book Title: Message Makers in Practical Journalism Author: Tajudeen Adigun Publisher: Emgee Publishers Limited Year of Publication: 2013 Pages: 219 Price not stated Reviewer : Agozino Agozino SOME new publications raise the feeling that the best is yet to come in the plethora of journalism books in book stores, especially in today’s age of social media where interment seems to be a threat to conventional journalism.

Message Makers in Practical Journalism, a 219page book written by Tajudeen Adigun comes across as a good companion for any person who wishes to know how journalists should practice their profession in today’s age of social and news media.

Adigun, who has traversed the gamut of journalism, as a reporter, correspondent, chief sub-editor, production editor and member of editorial board, takes his reader through a voyage he deems to be the cotemporary trends that guide message makers or journalists. The book sure has a compelling message not only for veteran journalists but also for cob reporters, especially those who would like to build successful careers in the pen profession.

The author gives clear hints of how to go about goals in the age of social media, both for electronic and print media journalists. And, Adigun equally stresses the inestimable essence

of learning the job in every cadre of one’s career. The author states the need to always understand the rules by writers in every step as they endeavor to grow and inform the public.

Through 34 chapters which include, Biased Message, Regulatory Agency, Communication, Propaganda, Master’s Voice, News Agencies, Proprietorship, Control Mind, Pandering to Audience Test, The Editor-InChief, The Leader, The Editor, Genre of Newspaper, News Editor, Handling Big Stories, The

Interview, Chief Sub-Editor, Production Editor, Electronic Editing, Interment: Threat to Newspaper, Reporters, Types of News, Factors that Make News, Quality of a Reporter, Sources, News Writing as Structure, Photo on Page, Taking the Shots, The Minefield, Adigun, a relative veteran who had worked in many newspapers, argues that it is only by first discovering what the reader wants that the journalist gets his key to overcoming and delivering good story.

A one-page Foreword written by Femi Adesina, Deputy Managing Director, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Sun Newspaper heralds the content of the book as follows: “What a didactic and delightful book. Media Message Makers will kindle the joy kiln in the heart of every journalist who reads it. It is a compendium on the journalism profession, which address wide- ranging areas like electronic and print media, message of the media, how to communicate effectively, the future of the print medium such as threat from the new media, and many more.”

And that is the kernel of the book.

Message Makers in Practical Journalism also dissects some fundamental lessons that distinguish the true journalists from the fake such as who is a reporter? What are his functions? What are his duties and how do they affect what is published or aired in the electronic media? Besides providing answers to this nagging issues, Adigun states the functions of each of the message makers or gatekeepers. “Message in the media-newspaper, magazine, radio and television is not by accident, it is designed by experts

Continued on page 31

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION

OUR COUNTRY

OUR PRIDE

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-

-

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

2014 ‘Heroes’ reality TV show ends in style After 104 days, traversing many states of Nigeria, the first batch of winners has emerged from Heroes: Back to the Roots, the first culture-based reality TV show to air in Nigeria. The winners are: Happiness Udodang (Akwa Ibom State) who clinched the first position, Luter Emmanuel Ikyobo (first runner up from Benue State) and Chelsea Chinenye Oguejiofor (second runner up from Anambra).

The first batch of contestants were admitted after auditions in the six geopolitical zones for a 10-day orientation exercise in Kaduna, from where they moved to Plateau, where they spent another 10 days which pruned the contestants to 37.

These 37 drawn from each of the states in Nigeria and FCT later moved into a camp in Niger State where for 60 days were engaged in tasks revolving around their deep knowledge of Nigerian culture.

The 2014 edition of the TV show also culminated in an event of honour to recognise individuals and institutions that have contributed in no small measure to a better understanding of Nigeria’s cultural legacies, with great emphasis on cultural tolerance among the many ethnic nationalities.

Some of those recognised are: Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (Best Supporting Governor) and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (Best Governor) among others. Speaking on the reasons behind the reality TV show, the technical director of the show, a Nollywood director, Ifeanyi Onyeabor said: “Apart from re-awakening the interest in our culture, the show also highlights the various tourism potentials abundant in the various states where the cast and crew of the show are visiting.

Omu Anioma is 2014 Anioma Man of the year The OmuAnioma, Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu has won the prestigious Anioma Man of the Year Award for 2014 edition.

The announcement was made by the Anioma Man of the Year selection committee chairman, Historian EmekaEsogbue in Asaba, Delta State.

Esogbue said the official presentation of the award will be done by the AniomaTrust Newspaper on Thursday March 12, at the OmuAnioma Palace at Okpanam in Oshimili North local government area of Delta State described the recipient as a distinguished woman who has used her office to champion the cause of the downtrodden. He noted that organisers of the event decided to honour the Queen mother because of the many projects she has initiated in the area.

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omon’Oban’EdoUkuAkpolokpol oErediauwa, while His Royal Majesty Obi Henry Kikachukwu, JP, the Obi of Ubulu-Unor Kingdom will chair the occasion.

The Anioma Man of the Year Award is intiative of thWikinson Publishing, the publishers of Anioma Trust Newspaper, a community paper based in Delta State.

A release from the organisers hints the award was established to reward excellence in community effort, philanthropy and development. It is an on-line platform since 2011, where nominees are posted for Anioma people all over the world to vote their choice personality based on their humanitarian and cultural achievements and contribution to community development.

Dunkwu

has used her office to champion the cause of the downtrodden

Lessons from Tajudeen Adigun’s Makers in Practical Journalism Continued from page 30

Udodang

31 Our Heritage

for a purpose determined by the proprietor. The designing of the message, its structure and import may not be easily discerned without understanding the imperative under which the message designer operates. The plasticity of journalism affords every colour of publisher an opportunity to fashion out a message in pursuance of his goal,” Adigun writes.

The author’s thrust is that practitioners must get their act right. Journalist both in the electronic and print media in to-

day’s world of new media must be accustomed to modern journalism trends. Being grounded will also benefit and prepares students of journalism for outof-class challenges and practice of the profession.

Apart from its beautiful cover and captivating chapters, the book is also enriched with biographical materials. These include the Acknowledgment, the Dedication, the Preface and Index among others.

Despite that online news, citizens journalism and blogs have posed a big challenge to hard copy newspapers , Adigun

argued they have not taken the wind out of the sails of journalism hence, rather than sit down and wallow in self-pity and succumb to defeat, journalists, he says, should rise to their calling.

“The need for authentication of story, fairness and respect for privacy in reporting news still make learning of journalism basic and tenets relevant.”

Message Makers in Practical Journalism is written in simple and conventional prose that enables easy reading. The book also comes with a colourful cover and appealing page designs.

From its mode of presenta-

tion, page and content, the book is set to capture the minds of its readers.

In every chapter, the author offers both logical and practical angles to issues.

Concluding, Adigun warns practitioners against the crime of plagiarism. He warns that every material taken from another person’s work must be acknowledged.

Though the author may not have solved all the issues, Message Makers in Practical Journalism, no doubt makes meaning.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Business Times Market capitalisation sustains gain, closes at over N10 trillion Adesola Akindele The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) and the Market Capitalisation increased by 1.18 per cent, while the Year-to-Date return stood at -13.02 per cent. The All Share Index closed at 30,145.60 against the previous close of 29,793.13 while Market Capitalisation closed at 10.058 trillion against previous close of 9.941

trillion.

Volume traded decreased by 9.55 per cent from 306.631 million to 277.361 million, while the total value of stock traded increased by 25.71 per cent from 3.011 billion to 3.786 billion in 4,401 deals.

The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 164.185 million shares exchanged for 1.373 billion. Consumer Goods came next with 51.68 million

shares traded for 1.895 billion, Conglomerates, Healthcare, Oil And Gas sectors followed in that order on the activity chart.

Pz, Fbnh, Transcorp, Uba and Zenithbank were the most active stocks by volume. Cap, Access, Maybaker, Jberger and Unilever emerged the highest price gainers on the chart, while Okomuoil, Eterna, Nascon, Aglevent and Academy topped the losers chart.

s

25 Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ray Echebiri joins Promasidor Quill Awards panel

Features

Nutrition

Godwin Anyebe

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell, Onga, Toptea and Loya and organisers of the prestigious Promasidor Quill awards has named Ray Echebiri, the immediate past Managing Director of Business World, as one of the judges that will screen entries for this year’s edition of the coveted journalism awards.

In a statement made available to the media, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, the Head of Legal and Pub-

lic Relations for Promasidor said Echebiri was picked based on his contributions to the journalism profession in Nigeria.

Enahoro stated that Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole was returned as Chairman of the Panel with Kadaria Ahmed, a veteran journalist and television personality; Joseph Okonmah, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter; and Reze Bonna, a trained Architect and celebrated photographer; as other members of the panel.

s

Features

A new notorious form of racketeering with infants has become a brand synonymous with the City of Excellence.

GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR probed into the secret thriving ‘business’ in Lagos and reports that Day Care Centres may be targets of this unscrupulous mafia-like ring.

The sight of women with two or more children, mostly infants, sitting by the busy sidewalks, at major bus stops, market places, and on some busy pedestrian bridges begging for alms is no longer strange. Like a smokescreen, the operators shield their nefarious practices with a compelling humanity that calls the human conscience to question.

Baby-hiring CBN threatens Ndigbo: syndicate Iconoclasts and to bar forex 25exposed people of subtle dealers over CBN threatens to bar forex dealers ancestry (I) 17 “unfettered over “unfettered access” rules access” rules

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.53

…releases guidelines for Islamic banking regulation

Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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lic are to note that henceforth, the term – unfettered access – granted to holders of export proceeds domiciliary accounts shall be strictly construed to mean that the proceeds of exports in the account can only be used by exporters to finance eligible and other trade related transactions supported with appropriate documentation and can only be sold to authorised dealers (banks) for eligible transactions only.”

He warned that any exporter that: “henceforth utilises the export proceeds for non-eligible transactions will be barred from the foreign exchange market.”

In a related development, CBN listed guidelines for an advisory body that will supervise Islamic banking in Nigeria, becoming the latest regulator to opt for a centralised approach to the industry.

Nigeria’s advisory body, known as the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts, will be tasked with ensuring that all banking products designated as Islamic, conform to sharia principles.

The guidelines which was published over the weekend, set out minimum requirements for the advisory body, which will comprise a minimum of five members including a CBN official.

Members will serve renewable two-year terms, must be qualified in Islamic jurisprudence, and are restricted from working for any other financial institution supervised by the CBN. Financial institutions that offer Islamic banking products in Nigeria are already required to have their own boards of sharia finance experts, who are limited to serving in one institution at a time.

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PTAD assures easy pension verification processes

The CBN’s advisory body will

Kayode Adelowokan

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Okorocha ISIS kidnaps on 70 Assyrian ISIS kidnapsreneges 70 Assyrian one term Christians P29 Christians agreement P 10 Titles and LIGOM

Dr. Williams

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Labour Party is alternative to PDP, APC Two ‘operatives’ at Ikeja - LP guber Candidate

Dr. Williams Iorwuese Ligom is the Gubernatorial Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Benue State. In this interview with FREDDIE ADAMGBE, the Gboko based Orthopaedic Surgeon explained that LP is the alternative to both PDP and APC and stands the chance of forming the government in Benue. Excerpts: Since the return of democracy in 1999 you have been contesting one political position or the other particularly, the Senate and now you are vying for

– DR. CHUKS OSUJI governance in Igboland

the Benue Governorship. Why have you been so consistent in your quest for the people’s mandate?

It is purely due to my heart desire to improve the condition of the people of Benue State. I have lived with them for many years and I feel their joys and hard times. I know what it takes to make Benue better for the interest of all. There is enough resources to make the state better than its present state. So I am seeking the

peoples mandate to contribute my quota to move us to higher heights.

What is your agenda for the development of Benue State?

My number one priority is in health Sector. I have been in the practice for several years and seen how poverty, ignorance and diseases have ravaged our communities all over the state. I think if primary Health care facilities get to the grassroots, more than 80 CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

– DR. CHUKS OSUJI

Okorocha reneges on one term agreement According to the traditional ruler, Nri taught the Igbo the culture of title and gave them the title of Ozo, which he bestowed on the most senior and able person in each community. It is the duty of the Ozo to oversee and take care of the market in his community because he understands that the market is the both humans and spirits congregate.

Origin of native administration

Malaysia-based Islamic Financial Services Board.

The Director-General, Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD), Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, said her agency would continue to ensure easy pension verification and administration in the country.

Mayshak, who stated this in Ilo-

s

Dr. Chuks Osuji, a former For the first time since the over he (Okorocha) said that lecturer, political scientist, Peoples Democratic Party Imo State was too small for public relations consultant, (PDP) lost the election in 2011, him to govern for two terms has cast serious aspersions on the party leadership has come and that he will only govern Governor Rochas Okorcha’s back and they are now together. for one term. He said that the second term bid, saying that his They have re-grouped and re- next person to succeed him will government has caused a lot of alised that four years of Gover- come from Owerri zone. It is disaffection among the people of nor Rochas Okorocha’s admin- very shattering and disappointthe state. Dr. Osuji, former direc- istration has created lottoofdo, ing that Okorocha is now going “Whatever they ahad tor of MAMSER in the old Imo disaffection among people the Ozo made thethe people do it on political campaign for him State is worried that Okorocha of the state. through the market and that to be re-elected as governor of is not a man of his words as he There are two things that Imo State for the second term. laid the structure for sound adminsaid at different fora that he was are involved in the governor- I think it is highly reprehensileadership andpresent control ble, ungentlemanly. I think that on a Rescue Mission of only one istrative ship of Imo State in the which extended the to zoning leadership term the stateafter too small for State circumstance; prin- in is somebody who including women and children.

Protesters onasTuesday Islamic militants have abducted atanybody least 70that Assyrian Christians, strata of affirmation, the society;promise the high- wants to rule a state or a counhim to govern for two terms. In allciple and an interview with VAL OKARA, estand the undertaking Ow- try, his first principle must be ranking title of Ozowhich in Igboland Osuji now visually impaired provides elle Rochas Okorocha leadership in theentered society.’ truth, honestly and faithfulIslamic militants said that State Okorocha has failedhave into between and Owness.Nuri As far asKino, many people ians Orlu captive, said of are activists inside Syria. by reneging on his pledge. erri zones particularly the one 18 concerned not excluding myCONTINUED ON PAGE abducted, at least, 70 Assyrian the head of the activist group A Both activist groups said that reached at the country home of self, Governor Rochas OkoroChristians, including PDP’s Chances women in Imo and Demand Chief Martin Agbaso.For Action that focuses most of the captives come from CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Osuji State?

At different fora, over and

be guided by the principles of sharia governance issued by the

Countries including Bahrain and Morocco have opted for such a format, which can help to limit differences between products, speed the design of new products and boost investor confidence.

17

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Our correspondent last Thursday (February 19th) spotted a dark complexioned woman around Ikeja under bridge, Lagos, with three infants; no more than three months old.

Curiously, she was not alone; a second woman sat beside her, carrying one of the kids.

When our correspondent in-

Price: N150

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to withdraw the licence of any foreign exchange market operator who flaunts its rules on unfettered access to funds in export proceeds in domiciliary accounts.

The threat of sanctions was contained in an official statement signed by Mr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, CBN’s director of trade and exchange department, after clarifying the provisions of memorandum 26, paragraph (5), and section D of the foreign exchange manual on ‘unfettered access’.

Gbadamosi said: “For the avoidance of doubt, all authorised dealers and the general pub-

10

Eze Nri addressing a gathering

ÏÏÏ

Emefiele, CBN governor

rin, Kwara State said, “The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate was established in August 2013, as a result of irregularities uncovered in the pension board. Our main objective is to create transparency in improving pension reform and establish a verified database of pensioners.

We’re also here in Ilorin to ensure

Ndigbo: Iconoclasts and people of subtle ancestry (I)

both the verification and payment process are smooth and effective.”

On the other hand, the Secretary, Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Mr. Dauda Usman, has Recently, GOD’S COVcalled for continued transparency SNR visited the and stress-free pensioners’ ENANT data 26th Eze-Nri, monarch verification and pension adminisover the famous ancestral tration in the country.

affiliated with the Islamic State group released a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian children, after overrunning a on religious minorities in the the village of Tal Shamiram, Christians. string of villages in northeastern Middle East. Kino said his organ- located some 85km southwest But the Islamic State group also What is the political situa- of PDP, that produced Senator Dr. Tunde is Syria, two activist groups said Imposition isation based of its information onArosanyin, of the provincial capital of Qacould use its Assyrian captives to Smart Adeyemi, as against the the technical adviser of All tion in Yagba Land?

Tuesday. conversations with Farmers villagers who of mishli. try to a prisoner swap The political situation in Kogi leadership that arrange zoned the senate Association Nigerian candidates, {AFAN] has been very complicated seat to Yagba East Local Governand also a PDP stalwart The extremist fighters swept fled the onslaught and their relaIt wasState not immediately clear with the Kurdish and Christian in the last three months, with pri- ment which has brought about in Kogi State and a member of throne of his fathers for 28 years albatross through the Assyrian villages tives. of PDP, Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign what the Islamic State group militias it party faced off against maries in all the parties which in- serious challengesthat for the . running. sorts the of gimmicks and It hasin created a situation where In this interview nestled along the banks of KhaThe Britain-based Syrian Obplannedvolved to doallwith Assyrians. northeastern Syria.

Proudly welcoming our correAPC– Kogi PDP Organisation. with KEHINDE AKINPELU he political manipulations as well most party faithful are rooting bur River near theancestral town of Tal servatory for Human Rights also have unfolding a longevhis-for another There is from a precedent: the exspondent to the famous as many challenges candidate Yagba bares is mind on the politicalThe situ- militants chieftain . For example, the primary ation in the state. homeland of Ndigbo, the monarch Tamr in Hassakeh province reported CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 the abductions, but put tory of eryday killing captives, includ- tremists have released Kurdish Arosanyin took up the treatise of his kingaround dawn on Monday . the number of Assyrians held by ing foreign journalists, Syrian school children as well as Turkdom, tracing the nativity of his anIn the the the Islamic State group at 90. The soldiers and Kurdish militiamen. ish truck drivers and diplomats cestors to theassault, Hebrew race that militants left took 70Exodus and led 100 Egyptbetween in the famous

by AssyrObservatory relies on a network Most recently, militants in Libya after holding them for months.

The significance of Jonathan’s victory this time Mrs. Nellie Mayshak

homeland of Ndigbo and uncovered a link with the Mosaic rebellion, revealing a stock of humans as controversial as they are astonishing.

The acclaimed cradle and ancestral home of Ndigbo made up of six villages is spread across Anaocha Local Government Area on the West bank of Anambra State. The villages include Diodo, Uruofolo, Ekwenanyika, Uruoji, Obeagu and Agbadani; but Diodo Clan, though under Akamkpisi, stands out as the rebel in the extended family. According to

records, she has unilaterally gone autonomous in the typically unstoppable Igbo man’s way!

His Majesty, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, JP, MFR (Nrienwelana II) Eze-Nri is the embattled reigning monarch of Nri and the custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. He is the 26th Eze-Nri since the civilisation started in 900 AD according to Nri history, and has been on the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

HRM Obidiegwu Onyesoh, JP MFR. 26th Eze-Nri

Prison convoy attacked in Myanmar ÏÏÏDozens of

female prisoners were injured in a fierce firefight between rebels and soldiers in northeastern Myanmar following an attack on a government convoy, state media said on Tuesday.

The Global New Light of Myanmar said the military launched airstrikes after ethnic Kokang fighters attacked vehicles carrying local people, government workers and inmates from a nearby prison, in the latest assault on civilians trying to escape deadly clashes in Shan state.

It said 44 female prisoners as well as a staff member from the correctional department and a soldier were injured in the fighting Monday in the Kokang region bordering China.

Bonaventure Melah ÎÎÎOn

28 March 2015, Nigerians will go to the polls and a greater majority will vote for Goodluck Jonathan, the current president of the country.

In 2011, a total of 22,195,839 Nigerians voted for Jonathan who at that time was serving out Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s term. Jonathan’s closest rival Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari got 11,897,000 votes.

It is true that the dynamics of Nigerian politics have changed from what it was in 2011. That time, Buhari contested under a little known party called Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and was able to garner close to 12 million votes purely on his personal merit which was something significant.

Today, Buhari is contesting under the banner of a much larger platform; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APC) which is a conglomerate assembled from three major parties

including the CPC, ANPP and ACN as well as a faction of APGA, among others. Added to this is the massive impetus that the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso and Aliyu Wammako, governors of Rivers, Kano and Sokoto states respectively, have added to the APC machinery having defected from the PDP to the APC. Former Vice President Atiku is also working for a Buhari presidency. So Buhari’s catchment areas have increased. The same is true of the resources that are available to the APC candidate to prosecute the campaigns unlike in 2011. What these developments come down to is that the 2015 presidential election contest is destined to be fiercer on all fronts.

However, Jonathan will still win the coming election because of many reasons. Beginning from physical infrastructure, the successful unbundling of PHCN through a transparent process is a giant step; the establishment of 14 universities and 156 Almajiri schools; the rehabilitation of the railways;

and the vibrant automotive policy for which Nigeria is now manufacturing state-of-the-art vehicles at Innoson Motors and other plants are worthy of mention. The same is true of the fixing of the Lokoja-Abuja, the KanoMaiduguri highways, the Benin-Ore, Lagos-Ibadan, Enugu-Abakaliki and several other road projects completed while others are on-going.

The victory Nigeria had over Ebola Virus Disease was due to better medical facilities following government’s intervention in the health sector which can also be attested to by the total eradication of polio from the country as well as the increase in life expectancy from 49 years in 2009 to 54 years in 2013.

Through the YouWin programme, government has made over 40,000 young Nigerians become entrepreneurs while millions of direct agriculture jobs have been created in addition to Sure-P which is empowering millions of poor citizens and helping to improve mother and child care.

Perhaps the greatest achievement of the President is the convocation of the national conference which saw to the coming together of some of the best brains in the nation who successfully articulated the aspirations of the different communities that make up the nation and made over 64 recommendations aimed at restructuring our federalism.

The President has shown that he is a true democrat and therefore most suitable to govern a modern nation. His signing of the Freedom of Information Law which his predecessors never wanted to touch is another feather to his democratic cap. There is no single political prisoner in the country despite unwarranted attacks, assaults and insults both on his person and office by opposition elements in the country. Under Jonathan, Nigeria’s electoral system has been reformed with poll results reflecting more of the wishes and aspirations of the people. At the polls, Jonathan’s age will be an added advantage.

And now, few weeks

Myanmar last week declared a state of emergency in Kokang in response to the conflict, which began on February 9 and has also sparked alarm in Beijing.

The unrest has virtually emptied the main Kokang town of Laukkai, the epicentre of the fighting, with streets in the once-bustling frontier community transformed into a battleground.

At least 30 000 civilians have fled into southwest China, while tens of thousands more are believed to have been displaced on the Myanmar side of the border.

The Myanmar Red Cross has come under attack twice in recent days while ferrying civilians from the Laukkai area towards the Shan town of Lashio outside the conflict zone. The

to the election, the Nigerian military have been so well equipped by the government that they are flushing insurgents out of our communities while displaced persons are returning to their ancestral comes. This would yield millions of votes for Jonathan in the north east.

In contradiction however, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was instrumental to Jonathan’s emergence as President in 2011 has drifted out of PDP in a dramatic but obviously shameful manner. Obasanjo tore his PDP membership card before media cameras and has vowed to see that Jonathan is defeated at the polls.

Since he left office in 2007, Obasanjo has refused to allow other presidents after him have peace of mind. He almost made Yar’Adua president singlehanded in 2007 with Jonathan as his deputy. Following Yar’Adua’s death, Obasanjo helped to make Jonathan president and four years after, Obasanjo asked Jonathan to step aside so that he can make Sule Lamido president.

Gas kills workers at illegal Chinese mine ÏÏÏLocal

Ki-Moon

incidents have drawn condemnation from the United Nations.

Five people were wounded when a vehicle for the aid group, which is separate to the International Committee of the Red Cross, came under fire on Saturday; just four days after an earlier attack on a humanitarian convoy left two injured.

Chinese authorities say three people have died and six were hospitalised after being poisoned by gas in an illegal gold mine.

The official Xinhua News Agency says rescuers were dispatched to the mine in Songxian County in the central province of Henan on Saturday after a tipoff from the public.

In a report on Tuesday, Xinhua said the mine had been abandoned, but local farmers were trying to extract remnants of gold from it with the use of chemicals such as sodium cyanide. They were then apparently overwhelmed by the gasses released. Xinhua said the case remains under investigation.

Obasanjo’s desire is to be the only man distributing power and handing the office of the president to whoever he likes. But this time around, Jonathan has said NO to Obasanjo. That is why the man is angry to the extent that he threw decency into the dustbin by tearing his PDP membership card before media cameras.

In spite of Obasanjo’s desperate efforts to stop Jonathan’s re-election in connivance with some socalled kingmakers, Jonathan has continued to carry on with his campaigns and with renewed vigour.

Should Jonathan win the presidential contest this time without the backing of Obasanjo and the so-called power brokers who feel that without them, no one can make in politics in the country, then, Jonathan would have executed a silent and civil revolution that wi;; totally redraw the political map of Nigeria, and very positively too.

Tel. 08036062975 Email: melahbonaventure@yahoo.com

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08169118913, 08075038528

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Life&

TIMES Wednesday February 25, 2015

Style inspirations from the Oscars L4 P

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Adebayo Salami On a mind baring session Beauty tips, straight from the red carpet

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Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday February 25, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday February 25, 2015

Beauty Bright, buoyant, and thoroughly transformative is what bold red lips are all about. It was one huge trend at the Oscars.

To rock this trend without looking and feeling vampish Ï It’s not special if you do it all the time. Ï Keep the rest of your make up simple Ï If you have ultra thin lips, do not wear Ï If you have uneven lip line or a crooked smile, steer clear of it Ï If you are dark complexioned, wear warmer red. If you are fair skinned, go for a cool-toned red.

Hair & Beauty

L3 Beauty Hair

Which look speaks more to you?

tips from the

Oscars

Anna Kendrick’s updo is still the pregferred hairstyle for many for events

Side, full, scanty bangs ruled the red Felicity Jones

Nkarenyi Ukonu

Chrissy Teigen

Emma Stone

The Academy Awards otherwise known as the Oscars may have come and gone with an assortment of hair styles and beauty looks. One beauty trend that stood out from Hollywood’s leading ladies, was bright, buoyant, and thoroughly transformative bold lips, all ranging from fiery red to burgundy.

With hair styles, while some kept it classic with their locks cascading down their shoulders, others kept it simple with short cuts and up dos, still yet, a few took a walk down the natural aisle.

Jennifer Hudson totally pulls off the short hair trend

Others preferred to have their hair flow past their shoulders like America Ferrera

Lady Gaga

It takes a bold woman like Lupita Nyong’o to rock short natural hair

Margot Robie rocks a long bob otherwise known as ‘Lobob’

Good facial structure is important to pull off the natural look like Viola Davis

Accessories

Lust worthy accessories at the Oscars

Scarlet Johansson proves that ear cuffs are still a trendy way to accessorize an outfit

Cate Blanchett’s makes her outfit come alive with a torquoise neck piece

Nicole Kidman gives her otherwise mute coloured gown a pop of colour by accessorizing it with a red belt

Head bands are no longer the exclusive preserve of kids or teenagers as demonstrated by Keira Knightley

Fashion L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday February 25, 2015

Sparkles, muted tones and a few bold colours rule Oscars red carpet

Baby Pink

Karolina Kukova in Oscar de la Renta

Zoe Saldana in Artelier Versace

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph and Russo

Nkarenyi Ukonu Fashion statements recorded at the Oscars red carpet are sure to still linger in our memories for a long time.

And why not? Besides fashion shows, the prestigious award ceremony is one event that sets the tone and the direction for fashion trends for the year. Little wonder it takes place almost at the beginning of the year to kick start ways you too can get inspired to incorporate these trends into your wardrobe.

Dark Knight

Fiery Red

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Kelly Osbourne Jenna Dewan in Zuhair Murad

kelly Ripa in Christian Siriano

Merryl Streep

Dakota Johnson in St Laurent

Giuliana Rancic

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday February 25, 2015

L5 Fashion

Midnight Blue

Jessica Chastain in Givenchy Haute Couture

Monochrome

Rita Ora in Vera Wang patricia Arquette in Rosetta Getty

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Julianne Moore in Channel

Snow White

Sparkle and shine

Soft pastels

Oprah Winfrey in Vera Wang Faith Hill in J. Mendel

Marion Cortillard in Dior Haute Couture

Laura Deen in Alberta Ferreti Anna Faris in Zuhair Murad

Jamie Chung in Yanine Couture Jennifer-Lopez in Elie Saab

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

Interview L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday February 25, 2015

My grouse with President Jonathan

Adebayo Salami

Opeoluwani Akintayo

The journey to and fro his house in Ikorodu town was a tortuous one; un-tarred, waterlogged and dusty. But it was worth the trouble as Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello warmly welcomed me into his home and opened up like never before. In a lengthy chat, he opens up about his acting career, the challenges of being a thespian, the roles of movie marketers and Multichoice Nigeria in the Yoruba movie industry as well as several other issues.

You celebrated your 50 years on stage last year. Has it been worth your while?

Oh yes and I say so because if you look back at the type of training I and my colleagues within my age group received, you will agree with me that were it not for the mandatory training we got, I don’t think I would still be in this profession. Unfortunately, many of the younger generations of thespians do not have the right training. Most of them and I speak about people generally, not necessarily in the industry I operate in, want to start something today and become a success overnight. It doesn’t happen that way. You have to start gradually till you make it. You can never compare the days of old to now because there has been a lot of improvements today in terms of wages, creativity and technology.

So would you say you are fulfilled as an actor?

Oh yes. But if I wasn’t an actor, I probably would have become a lawyer. When I left school, I joined the Ministry of Federal Works And Housing and was the personal assistant to the then Minister, Femi Okunu, who was my god-father. He wanted me to further my education unfortunately that didn’t happen. I was 12 years old when I began acting.

When I discovered that it was what I liked to do, I decided it was best I focused squarely on something I had a passion for besides, I was sure I would make something out of it.

How were you able to convince your parents to allow act, especially in an era when parents discouraged their children from acting?

It was tough I must say because back then, parents didn’t reckon with actors. They subjected me to so many things, to the extent that they wanted to curse me with the Quran. This was so because where I come from, in Ilorin, you are either an Arabic scholar or a trader. And being the eldest son, I was expected to follow in the same tradition. I was forced to run out of the house and I began sleeping around.

I was resolved with my determination to be an actor.

Thank God that today, nothing can be done in the Yoruba movie industry without Adebayo Salami.

Was there ever a time you felt you made the wrong choice?

No, but there was a time I wanted to get out of it

Why? Weren’t you making enough money?

Money wasn’t the issue. In fact, initially, I didn’t think about the money, I wanted people to appreciate my work first. Any time we showed our movies in theaters, what I did was to put people in the audience to listen to their opinions about the movie.

The reason I almost quit had to do with the spiritual challenges I suffered at a time, disappointments from people you least expected. Also when we travelled round the country for stage plays, our vehicles would break down and we would have to sleep in the bushes. Sometimes we went as far as Maiduguri, Sokota, Yola, Onitsha, Warri etc. But I still managed to create time for my family. There was no GSM then and so I communicated with my family via telegram. But I don’t want to think about those challenges anymore because God has blessed me and helped me to overcome those challenges. And then in 1983 veteran actor Ojo Ladipo who owned the Ojo Ladipo theatre group which I belonged to died and later, a veteran actress, Mama Mero also died. She was also a member of that group as well.

It was then that the mantle of the leadership of the group fell on me. So when Ojo Ladipo’s wife died seven years later, I decided to quit. I called my family to contribute money for me to start trading. When Baba Ogunde heard what I wanted to do, he sent for me and told me that he’d seen that I had a future in the profession and that I shouldn’t give up. That was how I continued. He was my role model. He inspired me and was there for me so I had no choice but to listen to him. I got interested in acting when I watched one of his programs in the 60s tilted, The Village Doctor.

Did you get to meet him when he was alive?

Of course, we were very close before he died.

You started acting early in life and so money and fame came early as well. How were you able to handle women who came flocking around you?

That’s a very good question but unfortunately, I was unable to manage fame and money and that’s what led me into polygamy.

But you have produced 15 graduates and two undergraduates. That is no mean achievement How have you been able to cope with such a large family?

It is all God’s grace that I’m able to go handle the challenges of polygamy and a large family. It’s not usual in a polygamous to have a setting as peaceful as mine. I was determined to make sure that all of my children got educated no matter what it takes for me to achieve it.

Four of your children are in the movie industry as well. Wouldn’t you have preferred for them to go into something else other than acting?

I didn’t choose for them to be in acting. For instance Femi who is a lawyer told me he was interested in acting. I asked if he wanted to drop his gown and wig totally, and he said no.

But he isn’t a practicing Lawyer Initially, he did practise. I think the ethics of the profession doesn’t allow popular people to appear in court. So what he does is to practice in the bar, do agreement documents and send some of his colleagues to appear in court on his behalf.

You are an actor, producer and a director.

Which do you enjoy most?

All, but I love to interpret scripts more because an actor interpret his scripts better.

What would it take to have you on location?

I have compassion for the young ones so I really don’t charge them because I want them to grow. But for those who have been in the game, I charge them and they know my worth too. But no matter what, I don’t turn down any bad production because it adds to my worth, no matter how much they offer me.

The Yoruba movie industry has been flooded by a lot of new faces. What will you say about the nonchalant attitude of some of them to movie practitioners?

They see us as illiterates because we don’t have university education. But whenever Theater arts students of universities need to do their industrial training, they refer them to us for the practical aspect. There is nowhere in the world where your certificate is required to give you a movie role. It is your talent and creativity that matters.

What kind of improvement would you like to see happen in the movie industry today?

The only thing lacking in the industry today is discipline because of the kind of training parents give to their children these days. However it’s not peculiar to the industry alone.

Some Yoruba actors sometimes venture into

the English genres. Why haven’t you tried this?

I don’t know whether my spoken English is not good enough for them. I’ve been on Super Story before but if they don’t invite me, I don’t lobby. More so, I cherish my own language because it’s more natural than English. That’s why you don’t see Tunde Kelani do purely English movies. What he does is to have a mix of both English and Yoruba, say, 60 per cent Yoruba and 40 per cent English just to carry everyone along. So if I don’t act English movies, I’ve made my name already. If I go to Abuja today, which minister, commissioner or even Jonathan will say they don’t know me. The

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Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu murielukonu@gmail.com 08029030427 Akintayo Opeoluwani a_opeson2@yahoo.com 08126223784

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Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

Graphics Austine Agbovi

2015

Style inspirations from the Oscars L4

Mutiat Alli allimutiat@yahoo.com 08115557378

Quadri Olowolagba 08029745478

February 25,

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L7 Interview

other time I and my executives visited ex President Obasanjo, he appreciated us because it’s a Yoruba thing. So, I’m proud of my culture. Some people say they are scared because they don’t know how much to pay me, well, I’m not going to lower my standard for them anyway.

to a certain stage, you just have to speak out for posterity sake. I’m not condemning government, what I’m saying is what concerns me, I’m not a politician and I don’t condemn.

As an indigene of Kwara State, are you in any collaboration with the Kwara State government?

Yes, we are doing something together.

Femi recently did a television series on Cancer for them under the project of the State’s First Lady. Mine is on the way, a 90 minutes docu-drama.

What burdens you as a celebrity?

Whenever we go out, we meet area boys who always ask for money and we have no choice but to give them because we can’t hide.

What about women?

They are my fans and I cope well with them What has been most embarrassing for you as a celebrity?

None because I carry myself well. Women want to be part of you when you are successful, especially when you are a star.

You have to know your way. That’s what happened to me when I was young and I couldn’t control it. But now that I’m older, I teach my sons not to go into polygamy.

What caused it was that at that time, we do traveling theater and we needed women on stage. So when you train a woman on stage, after she gets married, she would go with the knowledge but if you marry her, she goes nowhere, and it worked.

...On the sects, caucuses, wranglings within the Yoruba movie industry and the role of the government is reluctant to play There seem to be fractions within the ranks of the Yoruba movie industry.

What is this all about?

The fights within the association isn’t peculiar to the Yoruba section alone. There are several factions within the Yoruba movie industry. We have the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), Theatre and Movie Practitioners Association (TAMPA), which I am behind, The Actors’ Guild, Youths Movie Practitioners (YMP), owned by Saidi Balogun etc. Most of these factions are in crisis and some have court cases. Most of them want power by all means unfortunately, they do not understand what a professional body is all about. All they are interested in is the money of the association. Take for instance, the case of ANTP. Victor Ashaolu has been fighting to be the president of the body

With Taiwo Hassan for the past 12 years. During my tenure as president, he even took me to court.

We were in court for nine years. After I handed over to Jide kosoko, the problems continued and were in court for another three and half years. Ashaolu then held a kangaroo election and went to court to stop Jide Kosoko from parading himself as the president. The injunction for the election was already achieved and it was conducted.

One way or the other, the election was upheld and Ashaolu is now the president of ANTP. But in all the states where ANTP is, majority said they don’t want him because he’s been to each state to arrest them for frivolous reasons and the cases are now in court. People do not have confidence in him.

Even during my own tenure, Saidi Balogun and his cohorts took the same step they took now and came up with YMP because he wants power by all means but I killed the association because it’s uncalled for.

We must have a body to carry everybody along. This Ashaolu isn’t a practicing actor and therefore doesn’t know where the shoe pinches. If another body writes a letter for something that will be of benefit to the body, he starts to overrule and fight everybody, knowing that as a non member, he won’t have a share in it. That is why people ended up moving en mass out or ANTP. Yemi Sholade is the interim Chairman, steering committee of TAMPA and they are planning at the moment. Registration will soon commence in preparation for the body’s elections to be held.

Why can’t everyone come together

Letter to our readers

I warmly welcome you to the brand new Life and Style pullout of the Daily Times. As you may have noticed, over the past two days, there has been a subtle change of concept on the pull out, nothing major and drastic but something to keep you looking forward to each exciting edition, for the five days of the week we are out on the streets. There are a few additions to help spice things up and make reading the pullout a worthwhile experience. Therefore, we implore you to always look out for new additions, Luxury, living and decor as well as your regulars, nutrition and wellness on Mondays. On Tuesdays, we would like you to look forward to another addition, trendy male fashion together with the regular, travel and recreation. The number of fashion pages has been increased so besides a fashion page on Mondays, we will serve additional three pages of fashion midweek. For lovers of movies, music and gossips within the entertainment industry, they would do well to make it a date on Thursdays while Fridays would be strictly dedicated to society jists and events. As usual, we will endeavor to serve you interesting interviews from your favourite celebrities, socialites and important personalities. Our job as a team is to make you remain connected to us as we keep you entertained and informed. Please join me as we make progress with this new adventure.

Editor, Nkarenyi ukonu

happen for the Yoruba movie industry because the industry isn’t united It’s not as easy as you think besides if the government truly wants to do anything, they will follow up the MOPICON bill because it affects everybody and it will stand as the voice of everyone and will kill so many mushroom associations. Even if others fight themselves, we wouldn’t care because it will be clear that the government supports only MOPICON.

They set aside money for movie producers to borrow from yet, some major practitioners are yet to receive anything from it. I haven’t received anything. Even Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan haven’t received anything.

Whatever you see in the movie industry today, is as a result of Really what kind of assistance does self effort

under one umbrella?

That’s is the fault of the government.

During the tenure of President Obasanjo, the Federal Government set up a body called MPOICON, which I happened to be a part of. Tunde Oloyede was the Chairman and they drew people from Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba together. We used to hold meetings in Abuja. We did a report and sent it to Abuja for him to pass it as a law. But till date, nothing has been heard about it till date.

But the AGN president, Ibinabo took some members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan recently. Why can’t you do the same?

I already did that before she even thought of it.

But that was during President Obasanjo’s regime. President Jonathan is the one there now.

I really don’t want to talk about it.

Everyone has his or her own motive for going there. Ibinabo and her executive didn’t visit Aso Rock because of ‘God’. It’s not until we go there before we make our mark.

The way the present government regards anything that has to do with the SouthWest is different. I won’t say more than that.

You can take advantage of the members of the House of Representatives who are movie makers to ensure that your report is eventually passed into law because the general opinion is that things don’t

the industry need from them?

To me, the government doesn’t recognize the industry. They set aside money for movie producers to borrow from yet, some major practitioners are yet to receive anything from it. I haven’t received anything. Even Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan haven’t received anything. Whatever you see in the movie industry today, is as a result of self effort. Now, if the government wants to help us, they should see the industry as one that can generate revenue for the country. Go to censor’s board and see how much they make every year, it’s more than the government’s subvention. The Yoruba movie industry censor’s movie on a daily basis and the amount we make is very huge and we pay tax. What are they doing for us in return? Nothing. If there’s a cinema house in each local government, our movies will sell a lot. When I went to America for the post production of Omo Orukan in the 70s, they asked me how many copies I wanted.

I said two when in fact our contemporaries booked for 1000 copies Tell me, if you make money from 1000 copies of a movie being shown simultaneously at different times, tell me how the government will not deduct entertainment tax. They don’t look at it because they have nothing to offer us. I’ve not granted this kind of interview where I talk this much but when you get

With Prince Jide Kosoko

That means you relationship with your state government is cordial My relationship with all the SouthWestern state’s government is cordial. We are professionals and because they know our worth, they call us to do something for them and we do it because it’s our job.

They know people would listen to us and whatever we tell people, they believe it, at least 90 per cent of it.

.....On the relationship between Multichoice, movie marketers and Yoruba actors

What kind of relationship does the Yoruba movie industry have with Multichoice, owners of African Magic Yoruba?

First and foremost, African magic Yoruba has gained enough grounds all over the world but the sad thing about it is that most of our artistes have nothing to show for it.

I’m not saying it’s the fault of the marketers.

The marketers are just businessmen. If you carry your product to them and negotiate and their power of negotiation is more than yours then, the movie producers would prefer to sell their works outright. After that, the marketer takes it to African Magic to sell because it’s all about business, and at the end of the day, most artistes have nothing to show for it. I’m not included because I know how to deal with them. I always tell my people not to sell out their intellectual properties just like that but they won’t listen because if you do, what will you reap from in the future? Today, Haruna Ishola and Yusuf Olatunji’s children receive royalties on their father’s works. When I celebrated my 50 years on stage, I re-unveiled my works.

I was able to do that because I have total rights on them. I can give you rights to my movies for not more than seven years and I retrieve it again. Even if you offer me millions, it can never quantify the creativity and money of production. But as many as our movies are, it’s affecting us because we don’t control it. So African Magic is good because they publicize our works but they deal directly with the marketers

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday February 25, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

105 Africa Magic

102 EDGE

02:00

00:12

Wed, 25 Feb

Tue, 24 Feb

In this hilarious festive film, a group of travellers get lost on the way to their resort and happen to stumble upon Santa’s summer home. Daniel Bernhardt, Gary Daniels, Elijah Adams. (2012) David DeCoteau.

‘S2/E17 - Awakening’. Fans of series like Supernatural and Grimm will enjoy this show about the legend of the Headless Horseman. In this episode, Ichabod and Abbie fight to prevent the awakening of a powerful witch coven.

101 M-Net

L8 Television

118 Telemundo

120 BBC Entertainment

124 E!

00:00 Total Wipeout UK 00:30 Top Gear 01:15 Luther

00:00 Wipeout (USA) 00:30 Marvel's Agent Carter 01:30 Us & Them 02:00 Gotham 03:00 American Hustle 05:15 Made In Hollywood 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 MasterChef Australia 08:00 Young Hollywood Presents: Evolution...

08:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty 12:30 About A Boy 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Wipeout (USA) 16:00 The Lottery 17:00 Suits

00:00 Fearless Heart 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Aurora 03:00 Fearless Heart 03:50 Labour Of Love 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labour Of Love 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00 Labour Of Love 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 Labour Of Love 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart

02:10 Come Dine With Me 02:55 EastEnders 03:25 The Weakest Link 04:10 Top Gear 05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

00:00 Cheaters 00:10 Unbeatable Banzuke 00:35 Unbeatable Banzuke 01:00 Hardcore Pawn: Chicago 01:25 Poorman's Bikini Beach 01:50 Time Bomb 03:15 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

04:05 Unbeatable Banzuke 04:30 Unbeatable Banzuke 05:00 Takeshi's Castle 05:25 Takeshi's Castle

00:30 Fashion Bloggers

05:55 Count Arthur Strong

01:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians

06:30 EastEnders

02:00 Giuliana & Bill

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

03:00 Dr. 90210

07:55 The Weakest Link

04:00 Dr. 90210

08:45 The Cube

05:00 Blinging Up Baby

09:35 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:00 The Untold Story: Jason Derulo

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

06:30 A-List Listings

11:00 My Family

07:15 Celebrity Style Story

11:35 Hell's Kitchen USA

08:00 Live From The Red Carpet: The 2015...

12:20 Top Gear 13:20 Come Dine With Me

11:00 E! News

14:15 Hell's Kitchen USA

12:00 Party On

15:05 The Weakest Link

12:30 Fashion Police

16:00 EastEnders

252 Silverbird

128 SONY MAX 05:50 Cheaters 06:45 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

07:40 World's Wildest Police Videos 08:40 I Bet You Will 09:05 Most Shocking 10:05 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

11:05 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

12:05 Cheaters 13:00 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 13:55 World's Wildest Police Videos 14:55 Video Zonkers 15:20 Video Zonkers 15:45 1000 Ways To Die 16:10 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's...

17:05 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 18:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 19:00 Most Shocking 20:00 Impractical Jokers 20:30 Impractical Jokers

00:00 Fashion Bloggers

05:25 QI

253 AIT

00:00 Brights

10:30 STV Sports Café

00:00 AIT Midnight News

09:30 True Nigerian

01:00 Music Africa

11:00 Edak Willie Show

00:30 Movie:

10:00 Focus Nigeria

02:00 Boom Town

11:30 Recreazion

02:00 Allison's Stand

11:00 The Money Show

02:30 STV Sports Café

12:05 Music Africa

02:30 This Life

12:00 AIT Reports

03:00 Local Movie

14:05 Papa Ajasco

03:00 Focus Nigeria

13:00 Sports Extra

05:00 Gospel Rhythms

14:30 Artiste Zone

13:30 This Life

06:30 Insights For Living

15:00 Daddy's Girls

04:00 What Life Took From Me

07:00 STV AM News

15:30 Brights

07:30 Today On Stv

16:05 Nickelodeon

09:30 Health Monitor

17:00 Lies That Bind

05:00 Oremus 06:00 Kaakaki 09:00 Uncommon Transformation

14:00 Global Business 15:00 Matters Arising 15:30 Business/Initiative Africa 16:00 World News

XT Exclusive

PINNICK

Poster!

EXPLAINS LONDON TRIP X6

PETER

ODEMWINGIE X4,5 Wednesday, February 25, 2015

V O T A B R BE

VOWS TO DOWN

GUNNERS

CAZORLA

regrets quitting Malaga

X3

PACMAN X8

X7

unfazed over reports

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

UCL: BERBATOV vows to shoot down Gunners D

imitar Berbatov will be hoping for a goalscoring return against his former arch-enemies Arsenal when AS Monaco come to the red half of north London for their Champions League Round of 16 first leg match today.

The Bulgarian is still remembered with affection for the 46 goals he scored for Arsenal’s local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a two-year spell at White Hart Lane before a 30 million pounds ($46.05 million) move to Manchester United in September 2008.

He scored twice for Fulham at the Emirates in a 3-3 draw in November 2012 and, though he turned 34 in

January, the Bulgarian heads back to London as Monaco’s top scorer this season.

Monaco head to Arsenal buoyed by their 1-0 derby win at Nice on Friday which sees them fourth in Ligue 1 with just one defeat in their last 17 matches in all competitions.

They also won 1-0 at the Emirates last August when Radamel Falcao, now on loan at Manchester United, scored the only goal in the pre-season Emirates Cup tournament against the hosts.

But there will be very little similarity between that warm-up summer run-out and the real business of the Champions League today.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said he is comfortable with his team’s underdog status ahead of the cracker: “Everyone considered us a gift, a lucky draw, so the luck fell to Arsenal.

“It’s normal that everyone thinks Arsenal will qualify. I too think Arsenal are favourites but in football sometimes money and the favourites don’t win.”

Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger, who coached Monaco between 1987 and 1994, has warned his players not to underestimate the visitors as his current team, in the last 16 for the 15th consecutive year, attempt to end a run of four successive exits at this stage.

Injured Strootman to quit football

M

anchester United transfer target Kevin Strootman faces ‘no way out’ from his knee injury nightmare after surgery on his ligament ‘did not go perfectly’.

Roma midfielder Strootman returned from a nine-month lay-off in November, but suffered a setback early in the New Year and will miss the rest of the season.

Louis van Gaal revealed in July he would ‘wait’ on Strootman’s fitness be-

LVG S

Strootman

UEFA

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES TODAY’S MATCHES Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid 20:45 Arsenal v AS Monaco 20:45

fore deciding whether to bid for a player whom the Netherlands’ 4-3-3 formation previously hinged on.

Strootman’s absence for the World Cup caused Van Gaal to alter Holland’s system to 3-5-2, but the former Roma club doctor Mario Brozzi fears the Cyclops syndrome, a complication that emerged following surgery on Strootman’s anterior cruciate ligament, could adversely impact the 25-year-old’s career.

Berbatov

ATLETICO POSE STERN TEST FOR LEVERKUSEN

A PLAYERS, says Koeman

strikes fear into

outhampton manager Ronald Koeman has offered an insight into the working environment Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal promotes, and claimed the experienced tactician strikes fear into his players.

Koeman worked with Van Gaal as a player and a coach at Barcelona, but the duo fell out when they endured an unsuccessful working relationship as they filled the roles of head coach and sporting director at Ajax.

Van Gaal’s renowned eagerness to assert his authority on a dressing room shines through in Koeman’s words.

“When you bring Van Gaal in the house, you bring in quality, but you also bring in someone who thinks he knows everything and that will cause clashes,” Koeman said.

Koeman

tletico Madrid, tough to beat on the road in the Champions League, pose a stern test for a Bayer Leverkusen side that are in poor form and with an equally poor record against Spanish clubs in Europe.

Last season’s runners-up have lost one of their nine away games in the competition since September 2013, winning five of them, and will be confident of taking a positive result home from today’s Round of 16 first leg.

Atletico bounced back from a surprise defeat at Celta Vigo with a 3-0 success at Almeria in La Liga on Saturday and that lifted the Spanish champions to within three points of second-placed Barcelona.

Diego Simeone’s side rediscovered the intensity that had been missing in Galicia and forwards Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann showed their partnership could be the key to Atletico’s hopes of silverware this term.

Mandzukic, who knows the Bundesliga well from his stint at Bayern Munich, converted a 13th-minute penalty and twice set up Griezmann to score before Atletico eased off in the second half.

“The victory was very welcome after the defeat in Vigo,” Simeone told a news conference.

He is unlikely to have Koke available after the Spain midfielder sustained a hamstring injury in this month’s 4-0 La Liga victory at home to Real Madrid.

The Argentine coach is also aware yellow cards could prove costly for Cristian Ansaldi, Gabi and Diego Godín, all a booking away from a suspension that would seem them miss the return leg.

For Leverkusen it is a different story with the German club having never won a last-16 tie, with the competition having a second group stage when they reached the final in 2002.

X4

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

PERS ONA INFO RMA L

Full n Date oame: Place f birth: Heigh of birth: Playin t: Curre g position Numbnt team: : er: YOUT H 1994 CAREER 1995–: 1999: 1998: SENIO Years R CAREER 2000– 2002 2002 2004––2004 2007 2007 2010––2010 2013 2013 2014––2014 prese nt NATIO 2002– NAL TEAM 2008 present

TION

Peter July 1 Osaze Ode Tashk 5, 1981 (ag mwingie 6 ft 0 ent, Uzbek e 33) Forwain (1.82 m) SSR, Sovie t Unio Stoke rd n City 9

KAMA CSKA Z AS Ra Moscow cines Lagos

Team Bende La Lou l Insuranc e Lille vière Lokom West otiv Mosc Cardif Bromwich ow Albion Stoke f City City

Apps 53 44 75 75 87 15 17

Niger Niger ia ia Oly mpic T eam 65 6

Gls 19 9 23 21 30 1 5 11 1)

PETER ODEMW

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

been picked to “Luckily, I have for the nation in go and do battle I assure you that Brazil and I can e Th to the team. will give my all re the stars are he talent is there, I a family. Yes and we work as but now that I’m have been away ve my all and back I want to gi il.” do well in Braz ensure that we

–Peter Osaze Odemwingie

WINGIE

About Peter Osaze Odemwingie Peter Osaze Odemwingie was born on July 15, 1981 and is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Stoke City.

Odemwingie grew up in Russia and Nigeria and began his career with Bendel Insurance in the Nigeria Premier League. He then earned a move to European football with Belgian side La Louvière where he spent three seasons before moving to French side Lille. Odemwingie scored 26 goals for Lille which prompted Lokomotiv Moscow to pay a fee of £10 million for his services in July 2007. He scored 23 times in threeand-a-half years for Lokomotiv before leaving for English side West Bromwich Albion in August 2010. He scored 30 Premier League goals for the Baggies which won him three Premier League Player of the Month awards. A failed move to Queens Park Rangers saw him fall out of favour with Steve Clarke and he was sold to Cardiff City in August 2013 for a fee of £2.25 million. He spent six months at Cardiff before joining Stoke City in a player-exchange with Kenwyne Jones in January 2014.Odemwingie made his debut for the Nigeria national football team in 2002 and has represented the country over 60 times, including at two World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations, as well as winning silver at the 2008 Olympics.

X5

X6

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

PINNICK

Amaju Pinnick (left) with Arsene Wenger.

EXPLAINS UK VISIT

N

igeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick has moved to explain the rationale behind his planned trip to the United Kingdom to visit the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho and Manchester boss, Manuel Pellegrini.

Pinnick was in North London last week to visit the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger and many questioned

the reasons for such a visit.

The NFF boss says the benefits of such visits are latent and would impact positively on Nigerian football.

“I have heard of people saying why should I go and visit somebody like Arsene Wenger, the beauty of it is not quantifiable and in the next couple of weeks I will also be meeting with Mourinho and Pellegrini.

“The other time we wanted to call Iheanacho and we heard issues about the coach and all that but if I have a relationship with the coach it will just take a phone call.

“It is very difficult for people to come down from England and play for Nigeria looking at the terrain but by God’s grace, we have gone beyond that,” Pinnick said.

OKOCHA’S election good omen for football –EMEDUOFU Ojieva Ehiosun

F

ormer junior international, Tony Emeduofu, has applauded Delta State FA for the election of former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha as its new chairman.

Emeduofu, one -time Insurance Football Club of Benin player said Okocha’s election will usher in good things to the game in Delta and the country in general. He called on other state football associations to emulate Delta by ensuring that professionals are given the opportunity to run the affairs of the game in their various states.

“I’m very happy that Austin Jay Jay Okocha is now the chairman of Delta State Football Association, which to me is good for the overall development of the round leather game.

“The reason why Nigerian foot-

ball has refused to grow above the present level is because we parade mediocre as football administrators instead of core professionals. In a situation like that, football can never grow because the people there will not do what will move the game forward, rather they will channel the fund for development into their own pockets leaving the game to suffer. So when we have people who are mindful of the game and who take it as their source of livelihood, they would do everything within their powers to ensure that the game does not suffer neglect,” he said.

Emeduofu slammed the current management of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the delay in renewing Stephen Keshi’s contract. adding that the delay is not doing Nigeria any good, rather is dragging the game backwards.

Otigba

Otigba not bothered by Nigeria snub Mike Otanwa

S

C Heerenveen central defender Kenneth Otigba has said that he was not approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to represent the Super Eagles prior to the 2014 World Cup. And the 22-year-old has made it crystal clear that he is not bothered being snubbed by the national team coaches, saying he wants to establish himself in the first team of De Superfriezen before committing his international future to either Nigeria or Hungary. ‘’Nobody contacted me before the World Cup, I haven’t heard anything from the Nigeria Federation,’’ Kenneth Otigba said. ‘’I played in every youth team of Hungary (Under 15, 17, 19, 21) but I cancelled the last call because I want to concentrate on

Heerenveen. ‘’At this moment the situation is the same. I want to play every game in my club, and improve a lot. I am not thinking about making any decisions whether to play for Nigeria or Hungary.’’

The Heerenveen number 2 added: ‘’I have not been called up to any national team, so I don’t think I have to worry about it. Right now I am concentrating only on Heerenveen. ‘’If one national team will call me up, I will decide. Of course, it’s also a dream for me to play in a national team and represent a country. ‘’But right now I want to improve a lot. So if I will called up, I will be good.’’

The former Hungary U-17 skipper has highlighted his qualities, which have made him one of the top youngsters in the Eredivisie.

NNL SUPER FOUR: WE SHALL CRUSH KWARA UTD IN ILORIN–IBRAHIM

Mike Otanwa

I

Okocha

t is not going to be an easy ride for Kwara United at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four tournament in llorin, as Wikki Tourists defender Mustapha Ibrahim has said his side are ready to crush Coach Tunde Abdulrahman-led side without a rethink.

Abdulrahman won promotion to the Nigeria top flight for the Bauchibased side in the out gone 2013/14 NNL season, but now in charge of promoted side, Kwara United.

Both sides were losers on Match Day 1 clash but will square up for the three points in today’s final day

tie at the Kwara State Stadium.

Ibrahim said his side will use the encounter to prove to their former coach that Wikki Tourists have changed completely from the one he left behind.

“We’re happy with the opportunity to play against our former technical adviser, Tunde Abdulrahman, who is now in charge of Kwara United.

“The clash offers us a rare chance to prove to him that we’ve moved on and now quite different from the side he once coached.

“We’re determined to do it in grand style with a convincing victory right there at their backyard,” he said.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

ATHLETICS

EBOLA: N. Korea bars foreigners from marathon

N

orth Korea has banned foreign runners from participating in an international marathon scheduled to be held in the capital in April, citing fears about the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

North Korea is thousands of miles from the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and has reported no cases of the virus, which has killed more than 9,000 people.

Nonetheless, its borders have remained closed to foreign tourists since last October, for fear the virus might spread, and it imposes a strict 21-day quarantine for foreign aid workers and diplomats, who have been told to stay in embassy compounds.

“Our North Korean partners in Pyongyang contacted us this morning with news that the 2015 Pyongyang Marathon has - as of today - been closed to amateur and professional foreign runners,” Nick Bonner, director of Koryo Tours, said in an emailed statement.

Pyongyang, the isolated and secretive country’s capital, has held an international marathon most years since 1981 but last year was the first time foreigners had been allowed to compete.

“We were told that this is due to the ongoing precautions that the country has put in place in relation to fears held there over the Ebola virus,” said Bonner.

GOLF

Pacquiao

BOXING

PACQUIAO UNFAZED OVER FIGHT REPORTS

IKOYI NOT IN COMPETITION WITH ANY GOLF MOTORSPORT CLUB –IWERE F

Mike Otanwa

T

he outgoing Captain of the Golf Section of Nigeria’s foremost golf destination, Ikoyi Club 1938, Ted Iwere has stated that the Club’s primary concern is not in increasing its membership figures but getting its facilities up to date, and consistent with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

With the recent emergence of a number of golf clubs across the country, some of which can boast of modern facilities in line with the rate of technological advancements, it has become challenging for some of the established golf clubs to retain old members, or attract new ones, which, in turn, affects their chances of raising much-needed capital to maintain and update their facilities.

Iwere, whose tenure as Captain expires at the end of this week’s Annual General Meeting, is however not in the least perturbed about this development, insisting the challenge before him and the Club’s

incoming Executive Committee is making the Club’s facilities world-class.

“Our problem is not membership,” said Iwere. “If you ask me, I’d say we have too many members, and I seriously mean that because in the Golf Section alone we have over 3,000 members. So our challenge is not to get new members, our challenge is to make our facilities world-class. We have enough members to play on this course.

“As it is I don’t know of any other course that is busier than this course, and I have played in many courses all over the world.

I have not seen a course that is this busy.

“In a day we get over 300 people teeing off, so our problem is not membership; our challenge is how to keep our facilities in peak condition.”

He added: “Apart from the course, we have the Club House, and we need to make the Club House more comfortable and more pleasurable so that people can spend quality time. That way when they get on the course and play the game of golf, they would enjoy it. That is our challenge.”

ernando Alonso has been given the all-clear after a heavy crash during testing in Barcelona, but will remain in hospital for 24 hours as a precaution.

The 33-year-old’s McLaren-Honda left the Circuit de Catalunya track at Turn Three and hit the wall side on during the final day of the Formula One pre-season test.

Alonso was moved to the circuit’s medical facility by ambulance after the accident and later transferred to hospital by helicopter.

McLaren issued a statement saying the two-time world champion was conscious and had spoken to doctors, and racing director Eric Boullier was later able to give a positive update on Alonso’s condition.

Boullier said: “He is very well.

Obviously he had an accident at Turn Three and we just sent him to the medical centre to check and then decided, as per normal protocol, to send him here to the hospital for further checks. “He had a CT scan and MRI scan and everything is fine. Just to be precautionary he will stay here for 24 hours.”

F

ilipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is unfazed by the news coming out of Las Vegas that he has been installed as the underdog for his May 2, mega-fight against undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. “I’m excited for that,” he said.

Mayweather has spoken of his physical advantages over Pacquiao, noting that he is taller and had a longer reach than the “Pacman.” Mayweather has also touted his defensive skills and versatility, which he believes will serve him well come May 2.

But Pacquiao shrugged off Mayweather’s physical edge, saying: “I have Jesus.”

“I have God. I have God with me. I believe God will deliver him to my hands,” said Pacquiao.

Mayweather also pointed to his undefeated record and claimed that all he knows to do is win, while Pacquiao has suffered losses as recently as 2012.

Again, Pacquiao is unfazed. “Really?” he said when informed of Mayweather’s words. “I told you – I have God. God is with me.”

Alonso

ALONSO DOING WELL AFTER HORROR CRASH

X8

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

ARSENAL

F

ormer Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the current squad lacks the killer instinct to emulate the success he enjoyed at the club back in the late 1990s.

Petit, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, achieved the Premier League and FA Cup double at Arsenal in the 1997-98 campaign.

Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph last season was their first trophy for nine years and, ahead of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco, Petit says there are a lack of “killers” within the squad.

“You have to remember the defence that we had,” Petit, who also lifted the Ligue 1 title with Monaco, said.

“You could rely on David Seaman, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, etc.

“We knew how to travel. When we had to play, we knew how to do that too. But today, you have to be more direct and pragmatic. You see that with Germany or Real Madrid.

“Arsenal have very pretty players but there are not ‘killers’ in this team. At that time, we were tough, we did not play to look good.”

Wenger

MONACO REUNION HOLDS NO ROMANCE FOR WENGER

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K C A L L A ARSEN T I T E P – ’ S R E L L I K ‘ LACK

GUNNERS CRUSH BECKHAM’S SON SOCCER DREAM

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rooklyn Beckham’s dream to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a professional footballer has suffered a setback as it emerged that Arsenal will not be offering him a scholarship.

The 15-year-old son of England and Manchester United legend David Beckham and pop star turned fashion

designer Victoria Beckham has been enrolled at the Gunners’ Hale’s End academy.

However, the club have opted not to retain the teenager this summer.

The young Beckham appeared to be enjoying life at Arsenal, posting pictures with teammates while a video of him hitting the cross bar during an U-

16s game also went viral.

His 39 year-old father was photographed at Liverpool’s Melwood training facility last week watching Brooklyn play for the Arsenal junior side.

Brooklyn appeared to channel his father’s talent earlier this month when he posted a video of this screaming shot on his Instagram account.

enger made his name as a manager during a successful seven-year spell at Monaco, which included leading them to the Ligue 1 title in 1988, winning the French Cup three years later and finishing as runners-up in the 1992 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Yet, since leaving the French Riviera after being sacked in 1994, Wenger, now in his 19th year in charge at Arsenal, has rarely come into contact with the team where he spent his formative years as a coach.

The Gunners were beaten by Monaco in a pre-season match before the current campaign, when a goal from Radamel Falcao, now on loan at Manchester United, gave Leonardo Jardim’s side a 1-0 victory in the Emirates Cup. But this last 16, first leg clash at the Emirates Stadium will be Wenger’s first competitive clash with Monaco, prompting questions about whether he has fond memories of his time at the Stade Louis II. Wenger’s response made it clear romantic reflections on his past relationships came a distant second to keeping his players focused on their battle to finish in the Premier League’s top four had been consuming all his waking hours.

“I have enough experience to know that the most important game is this one, after, you think about the next one, so it has not been hard,” Wenger said after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace lifted Arsenal to third in the league.”

CAZORLA REGRETS DUMPING MALAGA

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rsenal star Santi Cazorla has admitted his regret over the way he left La Liga outfit Malaga back in 2012.

The Spaniard joined the Gunners for £16.5 million, but ultimately angered the Malaga faithful for the way he departed the club.

However, despite apologising for not being able to say a proper goodbye, the playmaker has insisted that he only departed the club because

they needed the money.

“I left because the club needed money,” Cazorla said “Arsenal was a good opportunity, but Malaga wasn’t stable and it wasn’t clear where they were headed.

“I know that in Malaga lots of people haven’t forgiven me for the way I left. When I signed for Arsenal, everything happened so quick, I had to go to London.

“Arsenal had already started their

pre-season and I had to go over there for a medical, and then I had to go to Holland to start to train with the squad.

“That all meant that I couldn’t go to Malaga to hold a press conference to say goodbye to everyone face to face.”

Clearly, then, Cazorla’s transfer was a fairly rushed process, however he insisted that it still bothers him that he wasn’t able to leave the club in the right way.

Cazorla