Dailytimes of Nigeria

Buhari blames past leaders for spike in oil subsidy claims ÏÏÏPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Tues-

Egena Egena ƄƑƉ

day blamed past administrations for the current situation in which Nigeria is forced to

spend billions of Naira yearly on supposed subsidy for petroleum products.

According to him, the escalation of petro-

leum subsidy payments in recent years is due to the deliberate neglect of the nation’s refinContinued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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N150

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.178

GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 25th August 2015.

STANBIC

18.2

0.20

1.10%

FIDELITYBK

1.26

0.06

4.76%

NB

112.12

-5.88

-5.24%

JBERGER

41.15

-2.16

-5.25%

FIDSON

3.3

0.09

2.73%

ACCESS

4.5

0.03

0.67%

GUINNESS

113

-3.00

-2.65%

PZ

25.59

-1.34

-5.24%

Pregnant woman, five others bombed in Yobe

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The bombed car in Damaturu ... on Tuesday.

Power generation 17 to hit 6,000MW

by Dec., says NERC

Photo: vibes247.com

Gbonigi, Ekwueme, others fault Buhari’s anti-graft war

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Orubebe: Oshiomhole is a Villa sychophant

12

FG demands total elimination of oil theft, piracy, 6 others 7

Arik Air hostess arrested in UK over drugs

7

2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Rising to the challenge of flooding

T

wo days ago, the Lagos State Government alerted residents in the coastal and lowline areas to the looming flooding due to the release of water from the Lagco Dam in the Republic of Cameroun. According to the government, such warning became necessary following directives by the Federal Ministry of Environment for states to prepare flood management strategies to deal with any untoward consequences. We welcome the warning as it is not only timely but would allow residents and other potential victims ample time to leave disaster prone areas for safer grounds. Even at that, the Ministry disclosed that excess water from the dam is likely to affect the Benue River Basin, Adamawa and states in the Niger Delta region. We recall that in 2012, the opening of the dam as well as heavy rain led to huge flooding along the river, the main waterway in eastern and central Nigeria.

Incidentally, this year has already occasioned extreme weather with attendant loss of life including the displacement of persons and damage to critical infrastructure, leading to disruption of socio-economic activities, among others. This is not the first time the country will be witnessing heavy flooding. In 2001, Abia, Adamawa and Akwa-Ibom States saw heavy downpour and rainstorm that affected more than 5,000 people.

In the same year, more than 12,300 persons were displaced by torrential rain, which destroyed farmlands, damaged property and submerged buildings in Zamfara State. Similarly in 1999 and 2001, Bayelsa and Delta states experienced heavy floods that affected hundreds of people, even as in 2005, Taraba State suffered massive flooding that rendered over 50,000 homeless.

Perhaps, what should worry us is not fear of the impending flood but the proverbial apathy and apparent insouciance with which such warnings have been received in the past.

For example, the sudden collapse of the Cameroonian and Guinean dams and associated rainfall between May

and September 2012, led to flooding in 20 states of the federation, with more than 370 people losing their lives and over two million rendered homeless.

Yet, that event did not come without a warning. There is no denying the fact that increasing urbanisation, inadequate urban planning laws, lack of drainage facilities and erection of structures in flood plains, exacerbate flooding disasters when they occur.

It is therefore imperative for governments at all levels to create awareness on the need for communities to maintain safe environmental ethics and refrain from conducts that tend to foster flooding. On their part, the states and federal government should expedite action on the construction of major embankments on rivers such as Benue to keep off floodwater. In addition, construction of the Kasambilla Dam should be intensified to ensure that excess water released into the river is absorbed.

Incidentally, technology is coming to the aid of governments in combating the consequences of flooding. We therefore expect the Federal Government to erect defences to prevent rivers from busting their banks whenever pressure due to rising water level occurs. Moreover, coastal defences such as Tide-gates, Sea walls, dykes, culverts and barrier islands should be constructed in regions like the Niger Delta to curb flood occurrences there.

Pathetically, the Emergency Management Agencies in most states have failed woefully in mitigating the negative effects of flooding whenever they occur. Many of them are not equipped with the right logistics to take on the onerous task of combating disasters, including the institutional framework to manage them, thereby leading to escalation of the damage. The failure of the country’s intervention strategies to satisfactorily ameliorate the sufferings of flood victims and speed-up the recovery processes justify the need for the adoption of a more efficient and innovative response plan to tackle flood emergency conditions in the country.

Will good counsel fall on deaf ears?

Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎQuite

unexpectedly, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Tuesday advised President Muhammadu Buhari to drop the idea of negotiating with the Boko Haram, a piece of advice many pray will not fall on deaf ears.

The advice came on the heels of a similar admonition to President Buhari by the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon to Buhari, on Monday, and the

pledge by the global body to support Nigeria’s fight against the terrorists.

The ACF position and the stance of the UN scribe are the third time in a month that Buhari would be advised to jettison plans to dialogue with the terrorist group which has not only killed, maimed and displaced thousands of citizens in the past six years but also destroyed property running into billions of naira.

It was the Chadian President, Idriss Deby, who earlier in the month that counselled the Buhariled Federal Government against negotiating with the insurgent group.

Since then some promi-

Words On Marble :

nent persons have come out to throw their support to the President’s disposition to negotiate with the terror group. Though those rooting for dialogue with the terror sect have their reasons, the counsel of the ACF, the UN scribe and the Chadian president among others have now made it imperative for the President Buhari to make a U-turn.

This is because as the ACF put it, negotiating with the terror group may be an exercise in futility since previous attempts did not yield the desired results. The war on terror must be won, but not by dining with the proverbial devil.

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Olusegun Mimiko “It will be a disaster to confine the report of the (national) conference to the dustbin of history.”

Femi Falana

Ibe Kachikwu

“Under the current political and legal system, the rich are never harassed”.

The reality is that we cannot afford to wait any longer for change in the petroleum sector because of the delay in the passage of PIB, things have got to start happening and that’s exactly what we are doing”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Buhari urged to promote skill acquisition for youths Ibrahim Obansa Lokoja

ÏÏÏ As a panacea to corruption

and unemployment, President Muhammed Buhari, has been urged to concentrate his administration's energy at making skills acquisition and training attractive to the youths.

The Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Lokoja office, Ali Isa Mai, made the appeal on Tuesday, at a one-day interactive forum with stakeholders in the state.

The area manager noted that unemployment of the youths, caused by inappropriate skills to be competitive in industrialised world, is responsible for the

PSC, IGP move to withdraw Policemen from VIPs

myriads of social and economic restiveness that have plagued the nation.

According to him, the nation should revamp the education of her citizenry through technical and skills acquisition towards making them self-employed and to create wealth for others.

"I urge Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, to create enabling environments for our youths to embrace skill acquisition and training.

"The root of social and economic corruption in the country is traceable to unemployment and the only solution, is for the youths to learn modern skills that will give them desirable employment" Mai advised.

In a lecture titled, “The relevance of skill Acquisition in Rescuing Nigeria from the Threat of Youth Unemployment; the role of the Industrial Training Fund", a lecturer, Mallam Shehu Ishiaku, recommended the Asian tigers' skill acquisition model for the country, as a panacea to the endemic corruption and social disorder plaguing the nation.

The lecturer disclosed that it was the skill and technical training adopted by South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China in the early 70s, that have transformed them from the odd world to a first world , advising the nation to toe the same direction.

He stated that the country is already living in a curious environ-

ment of armed robbery, kidnapping, bunkering and prostitution etc, stressing that unless technical and skill training is appreciated by the youths, parents and government, the change that the administration professes will not come.

He lamented that while the GDP is growing, unemployment rate has tripled leaving over 60 million of youths within the age 15-35 without jobs, a trend he asserts, has put the nation in a tight corner.

According to him, it was the over dependence on the few ones that are employed that breed corruption in our social and economic life in their bid to go extra miles to satisfy their dependents.

CITY WATCH

ÏÏÏAs part of

measures to enforce the presidential directive on the immediate withdrawal of policemen from some Very Important Personalities (VIPs) who are not entitled to their services, the Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Inspector General Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, said they have concluded arrangements to deploy a high level monitoring team to the nation’s airports, highways and other public places.

Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Signed by the commission's Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the statement quoted Okiro as saying the monitoring team will have the powers to stop VIPs’ on the highways, airports and other public places for confirmation of their status and that of the policemen attached to them.

According to Okiro, any erring VIP or policeman caught in such unauthorised beat would be prosecuted.

Okiro

5 News

MOSOP condemns police extortion on Eleme-Bori road ÏÏÏThe

Kingdom Coordinators and Chapters Leaders Forum of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) have condemned in strong terms the increasing rate of police extortion on the Eleme-Bori axis of the East-West road.

MOSOP chapter leaders, in press statement signed by Frank Jonah, Chairman, MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum and made available to our correspondent, noted that the situation has become embarrassing and shameful for the reputation of the Nigerian Police.

The Coordinators Forum further condemned the activities of the security personel who have chosen to take advantage of innocent Ogonis plying the East-West road by extorting money from them while neglecting the key responsibility for which they have been posted to the area (security).

“We particularly note the notoriety of the activities of the Federal Highway Patrol teams on the Eleme-Bori road whose focus have almost shifted to looking for avenues for extortion rather than providing security on the EastWest Road.

FCT Perm Sec urges prayer for Nigeria in holy land Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Passers-by on along the failed portion of Moloney Street, Obalende, Lagos… on Tuesday

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Ooni stool: Royal families await letter of notification Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏAbout a month to the death

of late Ooni of ife, Oba Sijuwade Okunade II, royal families are awaiting a letter from kingmakers to notify them on the next family to produce successor of the Ooni stool.

Earlier, Daily Times reported that two families, Lafigido and Giesi have shown strong interest in the position.

However, a declaration exclusively gotten by our correspondent revealed that the Giesi family was next to produce the next Ooni of Ife. When contacted, members of the two families said they have got no letter yet according to tradition.

Prince Peter Adetola Ogunleye,

83-year-old lawyer from the Giesi Ruling house explained that the letter was supposed to be sent 14 days after the announcement of the vacancy.

He said, "We are already expecting a letter of notification from the state government. Because the chieftaincy acts guiding the selection and appointment of the Ooni of Ife states that 'the Secretary of the competent council shall not later than 14 days after the occurrence of the vacancy announce the name of the ruling house entitled according to customary law, to provide a candidate or candidates as the case may be to fill that vacancy.

"We are yet to receive the letter from the relevant authority, but we are expecting the letter knowing full well that it is now our turn to produce the next Ooni of Ife."

While stressing that it was the turn of the Giesi family to produce the next Ooni in all regards, the Prince noted that consultation of Ifa was only necessary after the family produces their candidates.

He added, "The first stage is that the government writes to the next ruling house to present candidate or candidates as the case may be.

After this stage, the family will meet and agree on the candidates and later send the name or names of the candidate or candidates to the kingmakers. The name or names will later be forwarded to the state government.

"The kingmakers will later present the name or names to Ifa priest because the Ifa oracle is a confirming authority in the selection of an Ooni of Ife. In fact, consultation of Ifa oracle is a condition precedent in the selection of the Ooni of Ife.

FCT Permanent Secretary, Engineer John Obinna Chukwu, has charged the FCT contingent to the 2015 Hajj Operations in Saudi Arabia to pray for peace and security in the country.

The Permanent Secretary gave this charge on Tuesday, while bidding farewell to the 2015 intending Muslim Pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia at the FCT Permanent Hajj Camp, BassanJiwa, Abuja.

Chukwu urged the pilgrims to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari led- administration, so that it would overcome the numerous problems confronting the nation, especially insecurity and corruption.

The Permanent Secretary challenged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country by abiding with the rules and regulations covering Hajj Operations in the Holy Land. His words: “I must remind you that each pilgrimage comes with its peculiarities, consequently, I urge you to abide by the flight schedules, because due to the new arrangement, whoever misses his/her flight stands the risk of missing the Hajj.”

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Pregnant woman, five others bombed in Yobe ÏÏÏA

pregnant woman and five other persons were feared killed on Tuesday as suspected members of the Boko Haram sect launched two suicide attacks on Yobe State.

The attacks came barely 24 hours after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon pledged to help Nigeria root out the violent group.

A “young girl” approached a bus station in Damaturu, the state capital around 7:00am. She refused to be searched by security guards at the gate, then blew herself up.

“A private taxi… drove out of the park. As soon as the car came close, she detonated the explosives.

Six people in the car were killed. She was also killed,” bystander Sani Dankamasho told Agence France

Presse (AFP).

The police told AFP that the bomber was aged around 14 but Dankamasho and other witnesses said she looked closer to 12.

The attack came just hours after United Nations chief Ban Kimoon wrapped up twoday a visit to Nigeria during which he hailed the country’s”greater stability and peace” under its new leader as he commemorated a deadly 2011 attack on the global body by Boko Haram militants.

Police and witnesses reported a second attack 10 minutes after the bus park bombing, in which a suicide bomber managed only to kill himself and slightly wound a bystander on the outskirts of Damaturu.

Security forces transport with a blanket the remains

of some of the eleven victims of a double blast …

“There were two suicide blasts in Damaturu today.

The first one happened outside the motor park and the second one occurred in Pompomari on the outskirts of Damaturu. But only the bomber has died in the second blast,” said Toyin Gbadegesin, a spokesman for Yobe state police.

“In the first blast outside the motor park, six people were killed and 42 others were injured by a female suicide bomber. The injured are receiving treatment in hospital,” he said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bus park bombing but it bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has in recent weeks used young women to carry out bloody suicide attacks in the res-

tive northeast.

“The dead have been evacuated to a mortuary while the injured victims are currently being attended to by health and emergency workers,” local government spokesman Abdulahhi Bego said in a statement.

Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in Yobe and two other states in its northeastern bastion since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29 raising hopes he could tackle the worsening security situation.

The Islamists have also carried out deadly ambushes across Nigeria’s borders and in recent weeks suicide bombers, many of them women, have staged several attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.

The fresh wave of vio-

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lence has claimed more than 1,000 lives over the last three months, dealing a setback to a four-country offensive launched in February that had chalked up a number of victories against the jihadists.

An 8,700-strong MultiNational Joint Task Force, drawing in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Be-

nin, is expected to go into action soon.

Military spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar said the chief of defence staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, had met regional military chiefs in Chad’s capital N’Djamena. He gave no date for the meeting but Continued on page 12

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Ï z Ə 01 ƈ Ɛ Ƌ ƍ ƈƗƆƗ ƍƍ ƈ ƐƌƆ Ɛ ‘Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏAfter a lull, leaders of

ethnic nationality groups spoke on national issues on Tuesday.

Those in the south berated President Muhammadu Buhari of “politicizing” the war on corruption and spoke of “lopsidedness” in the recent appointments by the new administration.

Their counterparts in the North fired verbal shots at Igbo leaders for allegedly keeping mute over secession calls by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (BIAFRA).

The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) met in Akure, the Ondo state capital, while the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) held a press conference in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital.

The chairman of the SNPA, Bishop Bolanle Gbo-

nigi, who spoke on behalf of the southern group, said the fight against corruption being preached by the Buhari government is being seen by majority of Nigerians as one-sided.

Gbonigi, who acknowledged the effort of the incumbent administration in fighting corruption, added, however, that there must be transparency in dealing with the cankerworm.

He appealed to the President to be total and nonselective in his fight against corruption by going after corrupt persons in all political parties, not sparing even his closest associates.

“Justice and the rule of law must reign supreme if the fight against corruption must be won”, he said.

The Anglican Bishop described the pattern of political appointments by the Buhari government as lopsided, advising that no secContinued on page 12

Buhari blames past leaders for spike in oil subsidy billions ... RMAFC may cut political officers pay Continued from page 1 eries, oil pipelines and other related infrastructure so that the importation of petroleum products and corruption could thrive.

Buhari made the declaration during a meeting with the chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in Abuja.

A statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu quoted Buhari as expressing huge disappointment with the way Nigeria’s oil industry had been run since he left office as Petroleum Minister and Military Head of State.

He was also quoted as pointing out that if the development of the country’s domestic refining capacity

and petroleum products distribution network had kept pace with national demand, there would not have been any need for the huge subsidies currently being paid to importers.

“They allowed the infrastructure to collapse so that their cronies can steal by bringing in refined products from overseas,” President Buhari said.

The President, the state-

ment added, urged the chairman and members of the RMAFC, who availed him of their view on the vexed issue of petroleum subsidy payments, to go “back to the drawing board” and come up with more humane proposals to rescue ordinary Nigerians from the “wicked manipulation” of the country’s oil industry by corrupt operators.

President Buhari also

warned that severe sanctions would be visited on any individual or organisation that violates the directive on the payment of all national revenue into the Federation Account, according to the statement.

“The President said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Nigerian Ports Authority and other MDAs which previously relied on the laws establishing them to retain all or part of revenues collected

by them, did so illegally and must now comply with the Nigerian Constitution by paying all revenues to the Federation Account,” Shehu stated.

He said President Buhari, who also chided the RMAFC for approving excessive remunerations for some political office holders, urged the commission to seek a proper interpretation of its powers and address the public outcry against the unreasonably high payments.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26 , 2015

7 News

Sokoto to criminalise out-ofschool pupils, punish parents Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer Speaker of the House

of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto State, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that his administration would criminalise and punish parents whose children are nabbed outside during school hours.

Tambuwal disclosed this, on

Tuesday, while speaking at the ongoing 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), taking place in Abuja.

He said he would implement fully the Child Rights Act, stop child labour and other child abuses, adding that the services of lawyers were crucial to national development and that lawyers were needed more in the legislative arm of government.

MNJTF deploys two command posts in Nigeria, Cameroon Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Chiefs of

Defence Staff from the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) member countries said, said on Tuesday, that the operation at the Force Headquarters of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) had commenced.

Consequently, officers seconded to the MNJTF in N’Djamena were ordered to report immediately to their post.

This was contained in a statement by Col. Rabe Abubakar, Act-

ing Director of Defence Information. He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who joined other regional military chiefs in the deliberation had ordered that all those deployed should report immediately.

The meeting finalised arrangement on the modality for deployment of about 8,700- strong MNJTF. The chiefs, who met in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic, also worked out and details of deployment of a joint force to fight Boko Haram, which has sworn allegiance to ISIS.

Wike asks tribunal to reject Peterside’s reply Andrew Orolua

Abuja The Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has asked the Justice Muazu Pindiga-led Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, to strike out the petitioner’s reply to his reply to the petition filed on June 18, 2015.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), and its candidate in the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election in Rivers state, Dakuku Peterside, had petitioned the tribunal challenging the declaration of Wike as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At a resumed sitting, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), appeared for the petitioner (APC) and Dakuku Peterside); Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) represented the INEC (1st respondent); Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) announced appearance for Wike (2nd respondent) while Chris Uche (SAN) came for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (3rd respondent).

Ukala, in urging the tribunal to accept his application dated August 13 and filed on the 17th,

ÏÏÏ

recalled that “at the beginning of the pre-hearing session, when we were making a list of motions to be moved, I did indicate that apart from the motions listed on our answer sheet, that we were in the process of filing other motions which will be taken in the cause of pre-hearing session”.

“By giving that notice, we assumed that this tribunal had taken cognisance of the notice such as this one, which was not filed seven days before the pre-hearing session.

“If we were however wrong in our assumption, in the interest of justice, devoid of technicalities, we formally seek the admission of the motion within this pre-hearing session.”

Wike

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with the visiting President Boni Yayi of Republic of Benin during Yayi's one-day official visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja …on Tuesday

FG seeks elimination of maritime illegalities Segun Adio

ÏÏÏ

The Federal Government has called for a more robust engagement among the navies of the West African sub-region to ward off maritime criminals.

This, it was said, would bolster the economies of affected country by checkmating the billions of dollars being frittered away by the criminal elements.

The government’s position was made know by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, at the opening of a two-day 2nd Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) Africa Conference 2015, organised by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) and the Nigerian Navy in Lagos, on Tuesday.

Aliyu also said that the increasing spate of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea had led to

the loss of billions of dollars in revenue to the economies of the countries of the region.

The two-day conference has as its theme: “Facilitating Cooperation Across Africa and Focusing on Naval Systems and Coastal Surveillance to Enhance Maritime Security.”

Aliyu said that maritime security was not only essential to maintaining the flow of revenue, but also impacted greatly on the region’s economic development.

He said that maritime resources, such as fish, aquaculture and an intact ecosystem, directly contributed to the livelihood of many Africans.

Said he: “There is a need to increase domestic efforts in addressing the challenges by resurrecting the Gulf of Guinea security protocol. “It is, also, extremely important that Gulf of Guinea coun-

tries and their allies collaborate to police the sea lanes as it will go a long way in addressing the maritime security issues,” he said.

Also at the event, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said that his administration was ready to support the Nigerian Navy to end the activities of pirates and oil thieves in the African maritime domain.

Ambose, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said the maritime sub-sector was key to any economy, as it was the main means for transporting goods and services internationally.

In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said that Africa’s maritime domain had been persistently challenged by myriad of threats that mitigated safe and secured maritime activities.

Arik Air hostess nabbed in UK with drug as NDLEA orders probe Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏA member of Arik Air cabin

crew was, on Monday night, arrested at Heathrow Airport, London, by the U.K. Border Force, in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

In a quick reaction to the arrest, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has ordered investigation into the operations of Arik Airlines.

The airline said it was still carrying out its private investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.

Arik Air Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Banji Ola, said the airline would also be co-operating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the airline to the fight against trafficking in illegal drugs and illicit substances and would not tol-

erate the use of any of its aircraft or crew to ferry banned items and substances.

Said Banji: “Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents. Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”

8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Politics

s

Ajulo: Buhari violating Nigerian constitution The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Barrister Kayode Ajulo, has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari has been continuously violating the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking during the 2015 ongoing Nigerian Bar Association conference in Abuja, Ajulo said that the fact that the

President was yet to appoint ministers was a direct violation of the provision of the Nigerian constitution.

“The fact that three months after his inaugurations and five months after his election as President, President Buhari CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Ajulo

Buhari

Justice Mahmoud Muhammed

NLC to Senators: Cut your pay or we’ll force you Ahmed

PDP cries foul over Ahmed’s N5 billion loan for councils

Saraki

Dogara

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has called on members of the National Assembly to reduce their salaries and allowances in line with the present economic reality in the country.

NLC President Mr Ayuba Wabba, who gave the advice in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said a situation where a worker receive N18, 000 as minimum wage and a Senator or member of the House of Representatives get N46, 000 daily as newspapers allowance was unacceptable.

He said all public office holders must conform to the change being preached by President Muhammadu Buhari, as most Nigerians were desirous of change.

“If you are collecting N46, 000 as newspapers allowance daily and somebody is working almost

every day but collecting N18, 000 for 30 days, I think it is unacceptable.

“We want change in this country and everybody must conform to the change; the National Assembly must be ready to make sacrifices,’’ he said.

The NLC president said that if the executive could sacrifice 50 per cent of its salary, the National Assembly should also toe the same path by making sacrifice for the country.

“The executive which is one arm of government has made sacrifice of 50 per cent of its salary, the NASS should not be an exception; they should cut their jumbo pay,’’ he said.

Wabba warned that if the legislators refused to see reason and slashed their salaries and allowances, Nigerians would force it down their throat.

Ayuba Waba “If they are not ready to do it through due process and slash their jumbo pay, then Nigerians will force them; we will approach them by force to do it,’’ he said.

He said it was time Nigerians took their destiny in their hand by ensuring that the legislature toed the line of change and begin to work for their interest.

Efforts to reduce the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly on Aug. 12 did not succeed as senators failed to agree on pay cut.

The National Assembly budget for 2015 is N120 billion. (NAN).

However, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi dismissed calls for part-time legislature in the country, saying that those making such calls were ignorant of the workings of the National Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the calls were

made at the backdrop of huge remuneration being taken by the legislators ‘’without commensurate productivity’’.

Utazi, representing Enugu North Senatorial District told NAN in Abuja, that the clamour for part-time legislature to reduce salaries and allowances of lawmakers was uncalled for.

According to him, the legislature is one of the active arms of government and the lawmakers work all through their stay in the National Assembly, including holiday periods. ‘’Lawmakers engage in oversight of agencies and parastatals as well as committee meetings, even during recess,’’ he said.

He said that as a growing economy, Nigeria should be allowed to run a full-time legislature to

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has cried out over the state government’s decision to borrow five billion naira to pay the arrears of local governments’ staff salaries, querying the rationale behind action.

The state Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Rex Olawoye, who made the observation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin challenged, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, to explain what the monthly Federal Allocations to the councils have been used for.

He maintained that the N3.5 billion Federal Allocation to the 16 local governments in the state for the month of June was adequate to offset the three months arrears of salaries allegedly owed council staff adding that this was aside the state statutory allocation of N5.2 billion from the Federation Account for the same month.

“Once an organisation resorts to borrow to pay salaries, such

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Utazi

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

9 Politics

Lawmakers should cut their jumbo pay – NLC

PDP faults Ahmed’s N5 billion loan for councils CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Saraki

Dogara

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

functions, adding that “Nigerians should not be fast in saying “we are not a serious group”.

He added that though most of the lawmakers were new to the National Assembly, they were well informed about the challenges facing the country.

He said that the legislators were ready to sponsor motions and Bills that would help in cleaning up the rot in the system and reposition the country.

(NAN) Meanwhile, the Organised Labour, under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign in the country.

This is contained in a statement signed by ASCSN National

avail lawmakers the opportunity of contributing meaningfully to its development.

“You cannot do this job on parttime; the people saying we should run on part-time are either ignorant or have a dislike for us. “ I am sure they have said that we fight and throw banters instead of carrying out our duties as lawmakers but that perception is wrong.

“In 1992, the same issue of parttime legislature was debated and I laughed. It is people who do not know our responsibilities as lawmakers that are saying this,’’ he stressed.

Utazi assured that the 8th National Assembly was poised to make a difference in legislative

Ayuba Waba President, Bobboi Kaigama and its Secretary General, Alade Bashir- Lawal in Lagos.

According to the statement, corruption is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the country and the President needs the support of Nigerians to get rid of it.

The statement said it was sad that the money alleged to have been looted from the treasury was put at more than N11 trillion.

“This is not only outrageous but scandalous. There is the need to reduce corruption to the barest minimum if not completely eradicated in the country’’.

It said that if corruption was wiped out, trillions of naira of public funds that was diverted into private pockets would be deployed for national development.

Utazi It urged that the stolen money should be retrieved and those who looted the collective wealth of Nigerians should be made to face the law.

It advised President Buhari to ensure that the anti-graft war was comprehensive and not selective while all recovered funds should be pooled together in a special account.

“The funds should be used for identifiable projects such as electricity supply, good road network, potable water, improved health care, affordable decent housing, functional refineries, free and qualitative education and light rail system’’.

It also said that the Government should close all avenues of leakages through which public funds are stolen.

organisation should be counting its days of collapse or bankruptcy.

“As much as it is good to pay salaries with borrowed money, how do you pay back the loan with the interest? Borrowing to pay salaries means postponing the evil days,” Olawoye said.

Olawoye challenged Ahmed to tell the world what happened to the June allocations that should warrant his borrowing money for salaries.

The spokesman gave breakdown of the June allocation to each of the 16 councils to prove why it was needless for the APCled state government to raise bond to pay salaries.

He said that Ifelodun got N266 million in June only paid N65 million as monthly salaries.

He said even if the local government spent N195 million to offset three months arrears, it would be left with balance of N71 million for other services.

Olawoye said Asa got N202 million; Baruten, N323 million; Edu N253 million; Ekiti, N156 million; Isin, N157 million; Ilorin East, N232 million; Ilorin South, N234 million and Ilorin West, N279 million.

The others were Irepodun, N200 million; Moro N208 million; Kaima, N258 million; Offa, N186 million; Oke-Ero, N157 million; Oyun, N178 million; and Pategi, N213million. (NAN)

Violation of constitution is abuse of human rights – Ajulo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

is yet to appoint ministers to oversee the affairs in the various ministries is in itself a mockery of the Constitution. Without any resort to sentiments, discerning persons across the nation have continued to wonder why the president is going about his governance and administration of the nation in such a counterproductive and archaic one-man show manner.

“Nigeria is a nation founded on law and the president’s approach to governance is fast becoming a travesty. What makes it even more ludicrous is the fact that that the Constitution which

the President has treated with such flagrant disregard is the very same document that creates, upholds and protects his office,” he said.

Ajulo however hailed the President’s anti-corruption war and ask that it should not be selective. He stated, “while I totally agree with the President that corruption is an abuse of human rights, he needs to know also that our Constitution is our right to governance, therefore any violation of the constitution is a violation of our rights as Nigerians.

He also asserted that there are cogent reasons why the Constitution made room for the ap-

Ajulo

pointment of ministers.

“The drafters of the Constitution envisaged the enormous responsibility of the office and the burden of governance and hence made provision for the appointment of ministers to ease the burden and to ensure effective governance and administration. This present resort to a solo voyage by Mr. President under the guise of shopping for competent hands is an unacceptable aberration that should be resisted by well-meaning Nigerians.

“Uncritical praise-singers of the president may want to argue that the Constitution never specified the dates on which ministe-

rial appointments should have been concluded. However, the truth is that a 4-year mandate is what Nigerians have given President Buhari, and the questions on discerning and objectiveminded persons are ‘At what point and time will the president come to terms with the reality of his emergence as president, and commence the serious business of governance and administration of the nation?’ and ‘Does the president even realize that an attempt to bear the burden of governance and administration of the nation may be detrimental to his health, given the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Bayelsa: APC aspirants dropping Buhari, Obasanjo’s names – Group

Buhari

Obasanjo

Sylva

Alaibe

A socio-cultural group, Ijaw Patriotic Front (IPF) has accused some aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of dropping names of party bigwigs like President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to garner influence and money for their campaigns.

According to the group, the way they are using the name of President Buhari and ex-President Obasanjo to raise funds was in a manner that could embar-

rass the two leaders.

According to the IPF, many of the aspirants (names withheld) have been allegedly going round to some top executives in the banking and financial sector, soliciting for funds on the guise that both Buhari and Obasanjo had promised to back his governorship ambition.

Spokesman of the group, Sotonye Amachree, said in Yenagoa that this action was likely to offend the sensibilities of the two leaders because it amounted

to dropping their names in a bid to get some influential persons to buy into his governorship aspiration.

He said feelers from some highly placed persons in some quarters had already decried such behaviour which it said was not approved by both leaders.

Amachree said, “Now, this is unbecoming and it’s unacceptable. We frown at this deceptive posturing which for all who are close to the incumbent and former president will certainly

raise objection to it because it is an embarrassment to their esteemed personalities. Of course, it all shows their desperation and unbridled quest for power.

“It is really a serious issue because in a situation where some respected persons in the society have drawn our attention to the fact that they were approached by them with the story that they was being supported by former President Olusegun Obasanjo CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Kogi, Bayelsa Polls: INEC begins preparation for voters registration Ahead of the governorship elections slated for later in the year in Kogi and Bayelsa states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the Continuous Voter Registration in Kogi and Bayelsa on Sept. 2 through Sept.

7.

According to the commission’s daily bulletin issued on Monday, the registration exercise will take place at the local government areas in the states from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

It is for people who are 18 years old and had not previously registered to vote and persons who had previously registered before the last general elections but their names are not in the register.

The commission, therefore, urged prospective voters in both states to turn out and take advantage of the exercise to register in order to vote in the forthcoming elections.

The election in Kogi has been scheduled for Saturday, November 21, while that of Bayelsa will hold on Saturday, December 5.

Buhari violating Nigerian constitution, says lawyer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

fact that he cannot be described as young and agile?’ ”, Ajulo said.

He dismissed the argument that the president was still evaluating the situation on-ground, stating that the argument that the president needed a time for honeymooning was a mischievous one which was not in the best interest of the common man in Nigeria.

“Honeymoon? Is that what we are talking about now? We all know that the nation is in dire straits and it strikes you as intentional mischief when you hear people whom you thought should know better arguing that Nigerians, who have suffered from misrule for so long, should exercise patience while the president enjoys his honeymoon period.

Other societies that can afford such luxuries have experienced a tradition of good governance for

Ajulo

Buhari

decades so there is no urgency or emergency to their political process or governance. This is not the case in Nigeria,” he stated.

Ajulo also alleged that the nonappointment of ministers by the president was stifling national

development and putting Nigerians through unnecessary hardship.

“What we have at the moment across the nation is a case of arrested development. This non-appointment of ministers and the

president’s obstinate insistence on making do with the permanent secretaries of the various ministers has put the nation in a stranglehold as development has been stifled across board.

“The permanent secretaries have designated roles of administration while ministers have their own roles. It is also a known fact that these roles of the secretaries have limits; there is a limit to what they can approve. The vacuum imposed by the president’s refusal to appoint ministers has cost the nation a lot in terms of development and national growth. This is actually a betrayal of the millions who gave President Buhari their votes in the hope that he would hit the ground running as promised,” he asserted.

Ajulo also warned that the recent appointments as announced by the Presidency portended a grave danger for the nation in

that it was booby-trapping the ministries for impending crises when the ministers are appointed.

“Nigerians should also wake up to the fact that the present spate of appointments of heads of government parastatals and MDAs are in essence time-bombs for inevitable crises which would emerge whenever the ministers are appointed, if ever.

“It is known that under due process, such appointments are made after extensive consultations with the ministers in charge- particularly those that concern their ministries. This is often done to ensure harmonious relationships between the office of the ministers and the various MDAs in the ministries.

Now, different crises are imminent with the high handed manner in which President Buhari CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

11 Politics

APC aspirants dropping Buhari, Obasanjo’s names in Bayelsa, says group CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

for governor and only to find out that it was a false allegation was so embarrassing. It totally negates everything we stand for as Ijaw people” The group has therefore, cautioned them to desist from such behavior which it claimed was capable of “inflicting irreparable damage to his reputation and by extension the reputation of the average Ijaw man”.

Amachree added: “The Ijaw nation is known and respected for its courage, uprightness and always standing for justice and truth. A highly placed Ijaw leader like them should know better not to denigrate these high principles and ideals that we hold dear”.

In a similar development, Niger Delta leaders have warned former factional chairman of the APC in the state, Richard Kpodo against provocative statements, reminding the people to be careful of those working for the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leaders also accused Kpodo and his associates of hatching evil motives aimed at dividing APC, destroying the solidarity and possibly provoking crises in the party.

In a statement issued by the Director of Communications of the Niger Delta People’s Move-

Buhari ment, Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua, the leaders described as irresponsible the campaign of calumny by Kpodo.

The leaders who praised Chief John Odigie Oyegun for his honesty and bravery in the management of the party as well as his inclusive strategy, advised the national chairman of the party and former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva to look away from Kpodo and his friends and get on with impor-

Obasanjo tant matters.

“In any system, there are always destroyers. Oyegun and Sylva should look away from these destroyers. Kpodo and his co - travelers are just executing a carefully designed plan to discredit Sylva and destabilize the party to further their selfish ends” the leaders said. . On calls to oppose the leadership of Sylva in the state, the leaders not only described Kpodo’s views as a display of out-

Sylva right malice and envy against Sylva but said Kpodo and his associates do not mean well for the party and the state.

“This is callous. This is certainly a provocative act. Bayelsans must condemn the evil machinations of Kpodo, his highly contagious anointing to lie and the satanic grace to mislead the people”.

The leaders also thanked the people for the confidence reposed on Sylva.

“We thank the good and peace loving people of Bayelsa State who have refused to be hoodwinked by the tissues of lies and propaganda being woven and dished out by desperate politicians and their sponsors” the statement said.

“Bayelsans are sick and tired of leaders whose only interest in politics is their pockets and that of their crooked and fraudulent clique at the expense of the masses” the statement added.

Violation of constitution is abuse of human rights – Ajulo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

has appointed heads in some of the MDAs recently, without any form of consultation with the ministers who are supposed to have been in charge if he had appointed them promptly. Nigerians should brace themselves for the spate of crises that is primed to erupt when the president eventually announces his ministers, if ever,” he said.

Ajulo charged lawyers not to relent as they go about their duties contributing their quota towards the rebuilding of Nigeria.

“Lawyers are social engineers and as such, they have a critical and indispensable role to play in the onerous task of nationbuilding. I hereby charge my learned colleagues not to relent in their quest to build a just and

Ajulo

Buhari

Justice Mahmoud Muhammed

equitable society, and to remain undaunted as they resist parochial and primordial perspectives and interests who would, if they could, keep the nation in a stagnated state.

“Let us continue to uphold and observe integrity as the bedrock of our noble profession, as we champion the cause of justice for a peaceful society,” he said.

Ajulo however lamented the

fact that it appeared that some persons within the legal profession seem to have compromised their stance for pecuniary gains.

“It is somewhat alarming and depressing that certain figures

who one would have expected to be vocal in insisting on the observance of the rule of law in the conduct of governance and administration across the nation have largely switched into a form of ‘silent mode’ even in the face of glaring aberrations in the dayto-day conduct of governance within the presidency.

“It is unfortunate that at this critical time which will inevitably set the tone of governance for the next four years- ultimately determining whether Nigerians would experience the gains of democracy, some of our esteemed colleagues have elected to adopt the ‘siddon look’ posture and take a neutral position perhaps in hope of clinching juicy appointments from the presidency, instead of speaking up on the side of truth and equity,” he said.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Oshiomhole is a Villa sycophant – Orubebe Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer Minister of

Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe on Tuesday lashed out at the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole over the latter’s constant criticisms of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the immediate past administration.

Orubebe described the Governor as a “villa sycophant.”

The former minister, who met with some journalists in Abuja, described the Governor as someone who is willing to switch allegiance to whoever is in power at any

point in time.

He chastised the Edo governor for speaking against Jonathan whom he called a great leader.

“Oshiomhole is an ingrate and a popular villa sycophant who is quick to switch allegiance to whomever is in power,” Orubebe said.

While thumbing down the governor for disrespecting the former President, Orubebe advised President Muhammadu Buhari to watch out for the likes of the governor, who according to him, will choke Buhari with acclamations in a bid to have inroad and access to dip his hands into the nation’s cake.

Orubebe further described

Oshiomhole as a problem and major sycophant under the immediate past administration as the Chief Adviser on Economic and Labour matters and particularly on subsidy removal to Jonathan.

Noting that human memory is so short, the former Minister said it was unfortunate that Oshiomhole, who should talk like a governor, is today, biting the fingers (of Jonathan) that fed him.

He added that the Edo State Governor appears to have forgotten in a hurry that he once cried around former President Jonathan for assistance and recognition.

The former minister reit-

erated that 99 percent of Nigerians, particularly those in government, are sycophants.

He pointed out that history has proven Edo state born Captain Hosa right, as he had earlier warned Jonathan that Nigerians would ultimately hold the former President responsible for whatever damage Oshiomhole inflicts on the nation.

His words, “Mr. President Sir, I want to attest to the fact that there is reasonable sanity in the villa, but I want you to be wary of popular Villa sycophants.

“This is because Nigerians will hold you responsible for their atrocities and not these sycophants.

“Mr. President Sir, I will unravel more secrets in my about-to-be published book titled; ‘Presidency and Nigeria Sycophancy.’

The former minister also spoke on rivalry between Rivers State Governor Wike and his predecessor, Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, describing the former Governor as a good man with reference to Amaechi’s support for former President Jonathan during the 2011 general election.

He however advised the duo to sheathe the sword and work together to restore Rivers State to its lost glory.

Pregnant woman, five others bombed in Yobe Continued from page 6

Wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi (4th right) in a group photograph with members of National Association of Women in Colleges of Education in Nigeria who paid her a courtesy call in her office… on Tuesday

On the ongoing political crisis in Bayelsa state, Orubebe cautioned Governor Seriake Dickson to embrace humility, like he did when he first indicated interest in the position, swallow his pride and embark on house to house reconciliation mission to those he has offended.

Orubebe further reminded Bayelsa state leaders that what is before them is not about Dickson who has erred, but their integrity as a people.

He appealed to them to embrace peace as a way, of delivering the State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

said the generals “finalised details of deployment”.

Buhari has vowed to destroy Boko Haram, and replaced his military leaders earlier in August, ordering his new chiefs-of-staff to end the jihadist bloodshed within three months.

The military under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan was heavily criticised for its poor handling of the insurgency and its failure to free more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from the northeastern town of Chibok in April last year.

The “Bring Back Our

Girls” campaign will on Thursday mark 500 days since the girls were captured and is due to meet the country’s new chief of defence staff Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin later on Tuesday.

“I want to reiterate my support for the Chibok girls, and so many other innocent abducted girls and boys, whose names and fate remain unknown,” Ban said before leaving for France late on Monday.

“It is intolerable that their lives and schooling has been disrupted in this way. The whole world has been moved by their fate.”

Gbonigi, Ekwueme others fault Buhari’s anti-graft war Continued from page 6 tion of the country should be over-patronized at the expense of others.

He said: “It is our sincere hope that the lopsidedness in the appointments made by Mr. President to date is not an indication of the trend of future appointments.

“The constitution must be respected and the diversity of Nigeria must reflect in all appointments to guarantee stability, unity, peace, and progress.”

Gbonigi continued: “A situation where the President, Senate President, House Speaker and Chief Justice are from the North is not acceptable. The south is not

subservient to the North and (a) situation in which only the deputies are zoned to the South is not acceptable”.

He decried the upsurge in the activities of the Boko Haram which he noted had increased since the assumption of office by Buhari.

Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said that the Buhari government could not afford to jettison the recommendation of last year’s National Conference report which proffered solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the country.

Mimiko, who belongs to the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that contrary to the

insinuations from the APC that his party underperformed in the last 16 years, its greatest achievement was the stabilisation of the country’s political process, leading to the laying of a foundation for credible election.

He also said that President Buhari must correct the impression that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might not be independent in the new dispensation by addressing all irregularities on the electoral body’s leadership vacuum since the expiration of its former chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.

In his remarks, the leader of the South-South geo-

political zone, Chief Edwin Clark, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration must apply the principles of equity, fairness and justice in all appointments.

Clark, who observed that at 89 years, he does not belong to any political party, reiterated that the campaign against corruption must not be limited to perceived political enemies or to score cheap political popularity.

“It is my strong, irrevocable view that the fundamental state directive principles and federal character shall not only be respected but must be seen to be adhered to by government for the overall, interest and good of

all Nigerians”, he said.

The leaders commended Buhari for setting up the Professor Itse Sagay Presidential Advisory Panel on the anti-corruption campaign and asked for the quick implementation of outcome of the National Conference for the benefit of Nigeria.

Other prominent leaders at the meeting included Chief Alex Ekwueme, General Akin Aduwo, Senator Ngod Denton-West, Senator Femi Okunronmu, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Ndogesit Ekang.

However, the ACF also on Tuesday accused Igbo leaders of supporting MASSOB, noting that Igbo leaders had not been observed to have

condemned the pro-secession activities of the group.

The Chairman of the forum and former InspectorGeneral of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, who addressed a news conference in Kaduna, tasked Igbo leaders to speak out on the group, especially the controversial Radio Biafra which has continued to operate and air anti-Nigeria views despite being pulled down by the government.

The former Police boss described the calls by MASSOB for secession, 45 years after Nigeria’s bitter civil war, as worrisome, wondering why Igbo leaders had not been heard cautioning the group against its activities.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday August 26, 2015

13 International

North, South Korea reach deal to avert war

South Korean presidential security adviser Kim Kwan-jin (right) in handshake with Hwang Pyong So, North Korea's top political officer for the Korean People's Army, after meeting at the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea...on Wednesday

ÏÏÏ

South Korea turned off its propaganda broadcasts into North Korea on Tuesday as part of an agreement reached earlier in the day to defuse the latest tensions on the Korean peninsula.

South Korea’s national security adviser, Kim Kwan-jin, announced

New Burundi govt retains key ministers ÏÏÏBurundian President Pierre

Nkurunziza Monday announced a new government following his re-election to a controversial third term. Observers note several key ministers from the ruling CNDDFDD party have been retained.

They include Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe, who told VOA recently Nkurunziza is ready to form a more inclusive unity government.

Innocent Muhozi, general manager of the banned independent Renaissance Radio and Television Network of Burundi, said the return of Alain Guillaume Bunyoni as Public Security minister suggests Nkurunziza wants to continue the crackdown on his critics.

“This new government, for me, is not a surprise because it includes the main figures of the former government, including the foreign affairs minister, the defense minister, and the finance minister. Then, there’s also the comeback of the former security minister, Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, who in the Hutu days was seen as one of the main figures

the joint agreement at the presidential “Blue House,” saying Pyongyang met Seoul’s key condition that it apologize for the recent provocations.

"North Korea has expressed regret over a landmine blast on the southern side of the DMZ that in-

of the ruling party and the government. So, it seems that it is a government of non-inclusion, but may be willing to fight against those they will have to confront,” he said. The new government includes Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye as Defense Minister, Madame Aimee Laurentine Kanyana as Justice Minister, Tabu Abdallah Manirakiza as Finance Minister and Pascal Barandagiye as Interior Minister.

At his inauguration earlier this month, Nkurunziza promised a more inclusive government of national unity. He also said he would welcome a review of Article 129 of the constitution, which excludes parties with less than five percent of the vote from being part of a national unity government.

Muhozi said there is nothing inclusive about the new government. Instead, he said, the new government has become more repressive. “I don’t see anything inclusive in this new government.

As has been said by many observers, if you look at what is going on every day, people are arrested, people are tortured, people are disappearing and many people believe the police or the intelligence agency are responsible for those things. It is quite clear that what is going on is just a continuation of what has been going on,” Muhozi said.

jured South Korean soldiers,” Kim said.

Seoul agreed to Pyongyang’s key demand to halt cross-border anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts.

“Unless unusual incident occurs, South Korea has decided

Turkey's President calls new elections ÏÏÏTurkish

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called new parliamentary elections, after a deadline passed for forming a government with the opposition.

The move, announced in a presidential statement Monday, was widely expected after two months of coalition talks failed to produce a new government.

The statement did not say when the new election will be held, but government officials have previously said it likely will take place November 1.

Government officials say Erdogan is expected to meet with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday, to ask him to form a temporary power-sharing government until the new elections are held.

Erdogan's Justice and Development Party lost its parliamentary majority in June for the first time since 2002, forcing it to enter talks with the opposition to try to form a coalition alliance.

Opponents of Erdogan have accused him of trying to derail efforts to create a coalition alliance so that he can give his party the

stop all loudspeaker broadcasting along the military demarcation line ... on August 25,” he said.

The diplomatic breakthrough occurred following three days of emergency talks that were hastily arranged Saturday after a Pyongyang-issued deadline expired for Seoul to halt cross-border audio broadcasts into the North or face military attacks.

The two sides have agreed to pull their militaries back from the brink of war after recent border incidents escalated tensions.

The current crisis began August 4 when landmines planted by Pyongyang on the South’s side of the demilitarized zone detonated and injured two soldiers. Seoul responded by resuming antiPyongyang cross-border broadcasts for the first time in more than 10 years.

Last week, the two Koreas exchanged artillery fire in the DMZ near a loudspeaker tower; there were no casualties or damage reported from the attacks. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un subsequently declared a “quasi-state of war,” and both sides quickly increased troop and armament deployment in preparation for a possible confrontation.

chance to win back its majority and rule alone.

Turkey's political uncertainty, along with battles with Islamic State insurgents on its borders and violence with Kurdish militants at home, has caused the lira currency to drop to record lows.

Erdogan, who has championed a more powerful presidency, said last week that he had no intention of giving Turkey's opposition leader — Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the second-placed Republican People's Party — the chance to form a coalition government.

The president's ruling AKP lost its 12-year majority rule in June elections mainly due to the success of the newly created proKurdish HDP.

Erdogan

5, 000 migrants rescued off Libyan coast ÏÏÏ

Around 5,300 migrants, mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa, were rescued in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast last week, EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday.

Most were rescued over the weekend, plucked from wooden or rubber boats, in one of the busiest three-day periods since the Frontex-co-ordinated operation Triton was launched in November 2014.

"Thousands of migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast this weekend and I am proud to say that vessels and aircraft funded by Frontex helped save more than half of them," said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.

"We have never had so many people on board before," said Lise Dunham chief commander of a Frontex-deployed Norwegian vessel. "We had many challenges on Saturday as there were so many boats in need at the same time.

We are so happy that we had no casualties," said Lise Dunham chief commander of a Frontexdeployed Norwegian vessel.

South Sudan President to sign peace deal ÏÏÏSouth

Sudanese President Salva Kiir has agreed to sign a peace deal aimed at ending his country's 20-month-old civil war.

In a letter obtained by VOA's South Sudan In Focus program, the East African bloc IGAD says the agreement will be signed Wednesday in Juba, South Sudan's capital. IGAD has been mediating talks to end the war between Kiir's government and rebels led by his former deputy, Riek Machar.

Machar signed the agreement in Addis Ababa on August 17, but Kiir refused, saying that peace under the deal could not be sustained.

The United States has threatened sanctions against leaders on both sides of the conflict unless they make progress toward ending the war.

The conflict has displaced an estimated 2.2 million South Sudanese from their homes.

The French news agency, AFP, quoted Kiir spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny as saying the government still has reservations about the deal, even if Kiir signs it.

The Kiir government objects to power-sharing provisions, calls to demilitarize Juba, and seeing foreigners in charge of a commission that would monitor implementation of the deal.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

National ID will complement voter registration, says Buhari Egena Egena Abuja

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President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, admonished those who wanted their votes to count in the next general election in the country to endeavour to participate in the National Identity Card registration currently going on.

He said the scheme would necessarily complement the voter

Enugu Speaker inaugurates committee Moses Oyediran

Enugu The Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, on Tuesday, inaugurated the House Committee on Information with a charge to its members to work towards boosting the image of the legislature.

The Committee which is chaired by Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, member representing Nkanu East Constituency, has Okenwa Paul

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Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏMembers of the Association

of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON), on Tuesday, took to the streets of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, protesting against the National Pension Commission, National Housing Fund and National Health Insurance Scheme, over alleged discriminatory treatment.

The police retirees started off from the Government Day Secondary School (GSS) round about to Pencom and National Housing Funds offices, state House of Assembly, Government House and ultimately, the police headquarters to register their grievances.

The placard-carrying retirees urged the authorities to “either redress this injustice or refund the balance of our money that is being managed by pension funds administrators.”

I’ll pay backlog of deductions soon, Amosun assures workers ÏÏÏ

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Tuesday, assured workers in the state that his administration would soon remits the backlog of salary deductions owed the state's workforce soon.

registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to check underaged voters and the likes that had impugned on the integrity of past elections.

The President spoke shortly after being registered by officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari told State House correspondents after the registra-

tion: "I think this exercise is very important to confirm our population and those who are entitled to vote; that is those who are 18 years and above. It will complement the exercise of the permanent voters’ card.

"So for those who want their votes to count from whichever party or constituency, they should ensure that they and their families are properly captured."

In his remarks, the Director

General of NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, said, the exercise "is not a one off thing in the sense that there is no time limit.

"It is a continuous exercise. So every enrollment centre that we have established remain open forever, they are like branches of banks.

We are taking deliberate steps to ensure that enrollment centres are opened in each local government." He added that in collabora-

tion with MDAs, the exercise was being extended to universities and other tertiary educational institutions.

The NIMC boss also disclosed that only about seven million had so far been captured in the scheme so far. "On our data base, we have a record of seven million.

In collaboration with other agencies, in the next three months or so, we hope to quadruple that number," he stated.

Obinna, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu (House Leader), Aniagu Iloabuchi, Ezeani Ezenta, James Akadu and John Kevin Ukuta as members.

Inaugurating the committee, Hon. Ubosi said the job of the committee on information was a sensitive one since it has to do with managing the image of the house.

He charged the committee to ensure that it carries out its functions effectively, pledging to support the members in the discharge of their functions.

He advised the committee to cultivate cordial relationship with all the media houses to ensure that the activities of the House were well publicized.

ARPON protests against National Housing Fund Addressing Journalists in Ilorin, the state Chairman ARPON, Yakubu Abdul (CSP) retired, said: “The non-refund of contributions into National Housing Funds after either 60 years of age or 35 years in service is quite worrisome.”

“Some of our members who retired in 2010, 2011 and 2012 till date are yet to receive their legitimate refund. All necessary documents have been processed through the Nigeria Police Force which made deductions at source. Now that we have retired before collection of housing loan advance, why the unnecessary delay in refunding our money?”

Amosun restated this while receiving the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Bala Kaigama, in his office in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Noting that the success or otherwise of any government largely depends on its relationship with its workers.

Amosun emphasised that his administration is determined to continue to provide better condition of service for civil servants in the state, stressing that all the

L-R: Executive Director, Women Advocates Research, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi; Human Right Officer, UNAIDS Nigeria, Mianko Ramosoron and Deputy Director, Nigeria MacArthur Foundation, Dayo Olaide during Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Lawyers Alert on Engendering Law and Development Discourse held in Abuja ... on Tuesday Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Drop Osun judge husband-snatching petition, CJN told Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo The Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO), has described the National Judicial Commission (NJC) involvement in the marital matter of Justice Folahanmi Oloyede as unfortunate and shocking.

It would be recalled that Mrs. Emily Richard-Obire had sent a petition to NJC, claiming that

ÏÏÏ

monies owed the workers will soon be remitted to the appropriate quarters in order to motivate and ginger them to give their best for the state.

"The totality of the deductions owed the workers is equal to one month salary payment for the workers, but we cannot afford to let other sectors suffer. Should we concentrate on paying salaries alone, we won't be owing any money but we can't afford to render other sectors comatose," he said.

Justice Oloyede snatched her husband.

The group, in a statement, expressed displeasure that the Chairman of the judicial body, who is also the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, treated the petition in the first instance.

The statement made available in Osogbo on Tuesday, was signed

by CSCEO Chairman and Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman and Rev. Theophilus Ayodeji respectively.

The group said going by the query dated July 28, 2015 to Justice Oloyede, it appeared that the NJC was falling into the antics of politicians by turning the NJC into a customary court where marital issues are being settled.

It added, “Is it not an irony that several serious issues and many petitions bordering on judicial misconducts against many judges across the country are before the NJC unattended to, yet, the NJC

had all the time to intervene in a marital matter of Justice Oloyede.

“Justice Oloyede has the right to love and marry whoever she wants under the law and has the right to practice her religion without any hindrance. We wonder how many family matters NJC will need to settle among several judges in the federation."

The group further alleged that the petition was a tactics by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to punish the judge for exposing misappropriation in Osun State.

Recall that Oloyede had earlier written a petition to Osun House of Assembly alleging Governor Aregbesola of corruption and misappropriation.

The group said, "If this matter had been on with Justice Oloyede since 2011 as claimed by Mrs Emily Obire, why was she coming out now in 2015 to send a petition to the NJC and at a time she was fighting this battle with Mr. Rauf Aregbesola?

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

15 Opinion

War on Corruption: Buhari should cast first stone

N Elias Osaghae

igeria has actually found herself on a precipice of hypocrisy such as the children of God found themselves in the days of our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 8 of John verses 1-7 describes where the Pharisees and preachers brought a woman caught in adultery and asked Jesus what to do to her. When they insisted on getting answer to the question, Jesus told them …He amongst you without sin let him cast the first stone”. The marauding hypocrites knew they were sinners and none could cast a stone at the woman. Today, Nigerians are in the same situation-- a corrupt society chasing after sinners to stone them.

Conscience is a virtue with a potency to save, deliver and cause true repentance from deadly endeavours.

It was conscience that delivered those Pharisees from the wrath of God. If they had stubbornly refused to listen to voice of their conscience and cast a stone at the woman, perhaps there would have been an instant justice from Heaven.

Who knows, fire and brimstones would have rained on them from the Heavenly cherubs. Conscience plays a role in the every day life of man to steer him to safety. Many times, we

intend doing something wrong and conscience dissuades us. However, an average Nigerian still seems to damn this vital virtue when it comes to ego trip. We pay deaf ears to the voice of our conscience, plunder the national treasury and resultantly send the innocent to an early grave.

This is why everyone in positions obeys the loud and destructive voice of graft, thievery and oppression.

Everyone knows that corruption is bad and retards a nation’s development; at least the still silent voice within us always says so but because we are terribly worse than Pharisees.

Many Nigerians daily seek antidotes to permanently counteract the menace of corruption. The visible and seemingly antidote is probe, prosecute and retrieve stolen monies from culprits. It is a laudable idea for any new administration, to attempt these deterrents, but fears are predicated on the attendant danger.

Is there any Nigerian, honest and not tainted with corruption to probe, prosecute and retrieve stolen monies from others? Truth is that there is none? So the latest exercise is an exercise in hypocrisy and political brigandry.

A judge who committed robbery yesterday and comes to court the next day to convict another robber is a hypocrite shrouded in

legal gown and wig. In addition, any Nigerian leader who wants to probe, prosecute and retrieve stolen monies must first account for past deeds, especially when rumours of corruption are surrounding him.

As a matter of integrity, President Muhammadu Buhari must first prove that what people are saying of corruption about him is not true.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari first came to public attention in 1976 when he became the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources under General Olusegun Obasanjo. The first dent to his public office career came in 1977 when $2.8 billion Nigerian oil money disappeared from account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, (NNPC) Midland Bank, London under his watch.

After pressure from civil society groups, the press and musicians, for thorough investigation into the disappearance of the oil money, the Senate, appointed Late Dr. Olusola Saraki to head the Committee to trace the money. The money was traced to Midland Bank, London branch, not in NNPC account but in the account of Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who was head of NNPC at the time. The Committee’s report was presented to the Senate and Presidency. The Senate decided to deal with the matter and expose

the rogue head of the NNPC after the 1983 elections. Unfortunately, the Shagari’s administration did not live beyond December 1983 to deal with the matter. General Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the government and became Head of State.

According to the online Nairaland Forum of February 23, 2011, “the late head of State, General Sani Abacha invited Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to serve as head of the newly created Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) in 1994. Buhari agreed on condition the he must be Executive Chairman, and must have a free hand to run the Fund as he deem fit. without any interference from anyone. Buhari got his way and immediately and unilaterally appointed a a consultant, Afri-Projects Consortium (APC), as the sole adviser to the Fund. Afri-Projects Consortium was given the exclusive power to initiate projects, assess their cost, approve the costs, execute the projects, and assess the quality of execution.

Till date billions of naira siphoned from the Petroleum Trust Fund conduit pipes – all under the watch of Major General Muhammadu Buhari has been swept under the carpet. Nigerians need to know more on the PTF deals to ensure that their leader is coming to equity with clean hands.

Fighting corruption in Nigeria

A

Airaodion Augustine

ccording to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (New 8th Edition), corruption is the act or effect of making somebody change from moral to immoral standards of behaviour. It is a dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority. Corruption has affected every aspect of Nigeria. It is visible in politics, business, profession, and in the church. Many people have concluded that corruption have come to stay while others believe the war against it can be won in Nigeria.

Over the years, several administrations have paid lip service in the fight against corruption. Many agencies of government have become involved in financial scandals. There are daily reports of officials fraudulently appropriating millions of dollars from the treasury. There have been unimaginable scandals in almost all sectors of the economy, and more often than not, indicted officials get easy bails when arraigned in court. On bail, it is almost impossible to be convicted later. In instances, plea bargains are ensuring those who stole millions of dollars walk away after paying very little fines.

Corruption is the reason why millions of Nigerians do not have jobs and cannot afford even descent clothes. It is reason many Nigerians are dying in road and air accidents; it is also reason many retirees are unable to get their pension and gratuities. Corruption is reason why the average Nigerian cannot rent accommodation or buy a descent home. It is reason many government hospitals are now mere consulting clinic and citizens die from minor medical problems. It is reason why public schools are no longer properly funded, making it impossible for children from poor homes to get qualitative education.

It is reason many students spend up to 10 years in the university and still do not graduate with Bachelor’s degree. It is reason workers stay in the same position for years without promotions. It is reason a junior staff will head a department above seniors. Corruption is reason more than 100 million Nigerians live on less than one dollar a day. It is reason pastors sleep with members in the name of deliverance and reason there is power tussle in the church.

It is reason many youths want to travel abroad in search of greener

pasture. It is reason why stable power supply has not been guaranteed and reason Nigerians are subjected to humiliation and scandalous search and scrutiny at foreign embassies. It is reason spouses do not know each other’s salary and allowances and why you want someone close to you to occupy a vital position to aid and influence selfish decisions. It is reason leaders seek only what concerns them and neglect their followers and also why fake and sub–standard products are being sold in Nigerian markets. Corruption is the reason why Nigerians reduce their age to stay longer in the civil service and why politicians want to get to power.

It is clear that over the years, the Nigeria system and structures have broken down. For every disaster or incidence, the same template is used for investigations to recommendations. There never seems to be any implementation until the white paper turns brown or another disaster happens. More often than not, investigators uncover massive fraud in the system but end up also committing their own fraud. In the aviation sector, it seems anyone with access to airplane can set up an airline without stringent regulatory oversight. This

type of corruption has led to many avoidable plane crashes in Nigeria.

Many unnecessary losses of lives have occurred because regulators do not do their jobs and they wait for gratification. Many lives could have been saved if emergency rescue equipment were quickly at the scene of accident.

Corruption has become the norm of most public and private organisations. Corruption, more than insecurity has the potential of truncating Nigeria’s unity as a nation. There is compelling need for on the part of present crop of Nigerians and government officials to fight corruption. Many people have generally lost faith in the ability of the anticorruption agencies. There is a need for a change in attitude by Nigerians to corruption and accountability.

Corruption is a cankerworm that destroyed by government alone.

Let every one-fight corruption anywhere we find it. It will reduce to the barest minimum. The fight against corruption can be won if everyone is conscious of and avoid it by all means. Nigeria can be free of corruption but it has to begin with you.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Timessearch e-mail: oyin_K@yahoo.com 08055103156

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would be happy if the TIMESEARCH could help put a finishing touch to the issue of the NigComSat which an undergraduate of Port Harcourt University Rivers State (names withheld) complained about September last year.

However, my own question is based on NigComSat Tele-medicine service alone.

When will this be ready for use and of what use is it to the country because I am not a scientist as the other complainant, but I am a Nigerian and I am interested in knowing more about how telecommunications and information technologies can provide clinical health care service from a distance

Sarah ODEDE

as was heard from some reliable sources.

Before now, I heard so many things concerning the NigComSat telemedicine, but to date, I am yet to know the outcome of it, and how it would function in the years to come, and that is if it would ever be so, judging from the time it had been in existence to date as nothing concrete is known about it.

Please help shed more light on this issue and educate Nigerians like me, who have been following the development and if it is true that there is something like the tele-medicine like NigComSat tele-medicine.

Thank you and God bless the Daily Times of

Nigeria for this investigative and problem solving column for the masses of this country.

Folahanmi Osuolale 124 Maiyegun Street Okokomaiko, Lagos State At the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat) Abuja, an official who was said to be the only competent official to comment on the enquiry of Folahanmi Osuolale told the TIMESEARCH that the NigComSat was ready to provide tele-medicine services to improve the health status of Nigerians if people believe it or not, judging from the enquirer’s letter to the press.

The official produced a bulletin during this interview to the TIMESEARCH

When will my pension be paid? ÏÏÏI would be happy

if the TIMESEARCH could please use its good offices in contacting the Military Pensions Board Office Abuja to know when my pension would be ready for payment.

I was retired in 2010 at 2 Division Ibadan and after my retirement, I was meant to understand that my pension money would be paid the following month of my retirement.

I was happy when I was informed by my division of this development. To my surprise, the day I called on the Pension Office Abuja, I was told about so many processes that I have to go through before I could come for the collection of my pension.

Based on this information from the Pension Office, I started taking part in the verification exercise but to my greatest surprise, I am yet to be informed about the stage of my pension money if and when it would be ready.

I also have some arrears to claim from the

Nigerian Army, and nothing was said about this issue the last time I contacted the Pensions Office. I am afraid if the Army authority is ready to pay retirees this money or not; please do not forget to help me find out from the Army Headquarters or the Pension Office to enable me know how to table my complaints with the Military Pensions Office.

I am tired of travelling from Awka to Abuja every month and I am not even sure when payment would be ready.

Many of my colleagues have benefited from the intervention of the TIMESEARCH hence I am forwarding this letter for your perusal.

Please help me contact the Pension Office, and let me know when to expect tangible information concerning my pensions, and when I would be qualified for payment.

Retired Lance Corporal Johnson Nwakpa P.O. Box 77522 Awka, Anambra State At the Military Pensions

Board Office, Kubuwa Abuja, the issue of Lance Corporal Nwakpa was taken up with an official who craved anonymity on hearing the nature of the complaint.

The official did not hesitate to tell the TIMESEARCH that since the complainant claimed he has been contacting the Pensions Office on monthly basis, but wanted to know what stops him from forwarding his complaint to the Board instead of going through the press.

The complainant was told to contact the Public Relations Department with the following telephone numbers: 07031172384, 08075338283, and 08080916302 when next he calls on the office.

Efforts to make the official comment further on the issue failed.

The complainant was however advised to use the above numbers to contact the Board for further action.

Advising however, the official told the complainant to produce all the necessary information about him while in service to enable the Pensions Office know how to look into its records.

Is NigComSat telemedicine service real? which showed that the services would make healthcare available to the citizens and timely too.

Asked what tele-medicine was all about, to buttress his statement, the official had this to say: “Tele-medicine is the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care services from a distance.

“It helps eliminate distance barriers and improve access to medical services that will often not be consistently available in distant rural communities.

The NigComSat official further stated: “Nigerians will be capable of staying in any remote part of the country where the service is offered to seek medical as-

sistance from any medical expert located in any part of the country.

“Medical assistance can be gotten through this means even outside the country, and it will equally help medical experts to do cross consultation among themselves without having to travel out of their locations.”

The NigComSat official added that the firm’s satellite would provide more robust and resilient capacity to the banking industry, making it to offer seamless services.

As for the satellite, the official revealed that the satellite would make it easier, faster and more efficient for Nigerians to handle banking transactions.

He did not stop there, as he added that: “Online banking services are going to become a common place in Nigeria because the launch of the satellite will provide the much needed capacity to ensure a highly reliable online banking system.

“It will also save the country millions of dollars being transferred out of the country as fees for leasing huge capacity from other international operators.

The official in conclusion said: “We can proudly say that we are self-sufficient in that aspect in our dear country.

Isn’t that so, he asked the TIMESEARCH while beaming with smiles.

What’s the benefit(s) of Pension Reform Act? ÏÏÏIt would be a relief

if the TIMESEARCH could help throw more light on the issue of benefits under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 and the benefit payments since the inception of National Provident Fund/Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Scheme.

From all indications, this enquiry is quite challenging, because many retirees like me who have been monthly contributors to the defunct NPF/NSITF before the Pension Reform Act 2004 would no doubt want to know the rationale behind the Pension Reform Act 2004.

Apart from the above, there are many more pressing issues such as wanting to know the NSITF benefit administration before and after the new contributory pension dispensation.

This information is very vital for workers and retirees like me who have been regular and monthly contributors of the above schemes.

So much have been observed since the introduction of the Pension Reform Act 2004 by the Federal Government and to date, many retirees are ignorant of it.

I have been following the publication of the TIMESEARCH column for quite some time and have found it to be very educative and informative.

This I do on weekly basis; so please let me know the benefit(s) of the Pension Reform Act 2004 by shedding more light on biting it.

Mr. Kolawole Olaide 162 Abule Okuta, Street Bariga Lagos State At the Social Insurance Trust Fund Abuja, an official who was tracked down as regards the enquiries of Mr. Olaide told the TIMESEARCH that the enquiries were quite surprising because according to the official who craved anonymity, “it must be mentioned that the Pensions Reform Act 2004 has redefined the status and functions of NSITF as an organisation.

Sections 42 and 71 of the PRA 2004 have summarily removed from the purview of NSITF as an organisation, all such functions as stated above, but enabled it to function as a Social Security outfit, engaged mainly in short term benefits other than Pensions.

However, in accordance with Section 8 of the same law, NSITF still processes Benefit applications from

insured members who are exempted from the new Pension Scheme, who are members who had three years to retire as at July 2004 when the Pension Reform Act 2004 commenced.

This group is expected to exit the scheme by June 30, 2007.

This implies that by July 1, 2007, NSITF is expected to completely hands-off the defined Benefit Scheme highlighted above.

It is pertinent to note that members who contributed to the NPF/NSITF schemes have now been grouped into three groups viz: Insured members who are already enjoying NSITF Scheme Pensions; Insured members who are exempted by Section 8 of the Reform Act 2004 that is members who statutorily have three years to retire with effect from July 2004; Insured members whose contributions have been transferred embloc to Turstfund Pensions Plc, the PFA statutorily charged with the responsibility of opening Retirement Savings Account for such members, pending the expiration of the period of five years stipulated in Section 42 (3) of the PFA, 2004 when each of the affected members would be free to select a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) of his/ her choice.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Business Times

s

17

L – R (IMG 0153 JPG) shows Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, Chairman Dangote Group; Dr Oba Otundeko, CFR, Group Chairman, FBN Holding Plc; Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); and Mr. Jim Ovia, MFR, Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc at The NSE premium board launch in Lagos Tuesday.

Nigeria hosts summit for money transfer stakeholders Adesola Akindele A two-day event, for money transfer stakeholders to be hosted by Mobile Money Africa, that would attract more than 200 delegates and 65 industry stakeholders from about 25 countries, will hold in Nigeria in November, the organisers have said.

The 2015 RemitAfrica Conference is being organised for remittance providers and

stakeholders, including money transfer operators, mobile financial services providers and regulators.

Mr Emmanuel Okoegwale, Communications Officer for Mobile Money Africa disclosed this in a statement made available to Daily Times in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the statement, a competitive market space is required to foster technology innovation, access and drive for the expansion necessary

to reduce cost and reach underserved areas, noting that the formal market for international and cross border money transfer to Africa was still young and faced typical emerging market challenges when compared to more established markets.

Quoting a recent report by the World Bank, it said that the growth of remittances to SubSaharan Africa was projected to slow to 0.9 per cent in 2015, amounting to 33 billion dollars.

``Globally, it is expected to reach 586 billion dollars in 2015, though at a slower growth rate of 0.4 per cent due to economic conditions.

The development is expected to accelerate again to reach an estimated 636 billion dollars in 2017, the statement said.

It explained that the technological revolution in mobile telephony in Africa had yet to drive down costs in remittance markets.

The statement said that the

conference would discuss the barriers to cost-reduction, challenges and opportunities in the African remittance market. ``It will also discuss improving efficiency at the last mile, the role of non-bank financial institutions and the emergence of digital remittances such as mobile money and online transfers. ``Also crypto-currencies in lowering remittance cost for Africans,’’ the statement said.

Power generation to reach 6,000MW by December – NERC

Matthew Dadiya, Abuja

Nigerians have been promised an estimated 6000 megawatts of electricity by December 2015, by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, made the pledge at a two-day workshop organised for stakeholders in the sector to chat a way forward in Abuja on Tuesday.

Amadi said the workshop

was to ensure that generation and transmission companies improved on their services by providing adequate power to Nigerians.

According to him, the main problem of electricity in Nigeria today is scarcity of supply. ``We saw in June, how generation capacity went as low as 2000mw, but later went up to 4.700mw. ``We set a bench mark of at least 5000mw but today we are at 5000 mw or more hoping to reach 6000mw before Decem-

ber,’’ he said.

He said the essence of the workshop was to ensure that stakeholders in the industry reinforced their technical capacity on the grid in order to accommodate more energy.

The chairman said the workshop was to brainstorm with stakeholders by showing them the template designed by NERC to enable them deliver effectively and on time.

He said distribution, transmission and generation companies were faced with challenges,

hence the need for the commission to organise the workshop to find ways of surmounting these problems.

Amadi said performance management and poor project management were major factors affecting the energy industry.

He gave another challenge facing the sector as miss-procurement, whereby officials procured equipment or awarded contracts that were not delivered.

Amadi said poor budgeting had also posed a major chal-

lenge in the power sector. `` For instance, if TCN proposed a budget of N50 billion but government approved N30 billion and releases only N10 billion it will stall the implementation of projects in the sector. ``There is nowhere in the world where projects can be completed with this type of budget provision,’’ he said.

Amadi further said the failure by the National Integrated Power Projects to deliver on their projects hindered power generation in the country.

Aviation 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Aviation fuel, not charges major problem of airline — Experts

The skyrocketing price of Jet A1 otherwise known as aviation fuel in the local parlance has been identified as a major challenge confronting Nigerian airline operators and not charges collected by the agencies.

An aviation stakeholder, Grp. Capt. John Obakpolor (rtd) told reporters in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMIA, Lagos that Jet A1 costs 49 per cent of the airlines’ overhead and called on the Federal Government to device a means of reducing the cost to about 15 per cent.

He insisted that if such drastic reduction was carried out by the government, the airline operators would be able to expand their scope and employ more technical personnel.

He recalled that some few years ago, a litre of fuel was sold at N40 per litre and had shot up to between N145 and N165 per litre in 2015.

He said, “The so called aviation experts have been proffering solutions that should not even be mentioned, but the problems of the operators in the country is not taxes and other charges, but the fuel is too exorbitant.

“It costs 49 per cent of their overhead cost, reduce that one to 15 per cent and they would make profit whether they pay tax or not. What was costing N40 before is now N145 per litre. How can you breakeven with N40.00

to N145.00? How many percentage increases? That’s about 365.5 per cent. Tackle that and let the refineries work at optimal level because it is the same kerosene, but the Jet A1 is just one step higher. You will be killing two birds with one stone.”

Also, the Chairman of Airlines Operators of Nigeria, AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison, said the issue of high cost of aviation fuel had been a recurring issue that must be addressed in the country.

Meggison declared that aviation fuel takes substantial percentage of airlines operating cost, but said that the high cost of aviation fuel was affected by a chain of supplies.

He maintained that the current problem started in Nigeria on January 16, 1996, during the regime of late Gen. Sanni Abacha when the pipeline supplying aviation fuel to the airport was shut down.

Meggison said the pipeline may have corroded 26 years after it was shut down by the military for no reason and called on the Federal Government to look into the issue as it would do airlines a lot of good.

The AON boss decried that 26 years after the pipeline was shut down, there are now 200 to 300 fuel tankers at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, road claiming to be supplying

fuel to the airport, which he said also contributed to the increase in price of aviation fuel in the country.

He urged the government to order the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to revive the pipeline to put a stop to the current challenge in the industry.

Reacting on the scarcity of the product in the local market, the Head Research, Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said that airlines in the country needed to develop an initiative on the issue and pass such to the Federal Government.

He insisted that the solution to the increase in the price of the product did not lie with the government only, but with all stakeholders involved in the lifting, distribution and purchase of the product.

He said, “I do not think the solutions lie with government alone, the airlines need to push initiatives to government such initiative should break the present oligopoly otherwise cloned as deregulations. I also expect the airlines to introduce some of the operational strategies used by airlines world over to reduce fuel cost.

“These policies and initiatives are numerous; some involve the use of software while others are in conjunction with other service providers.”

Airline share prices rally 4% in July Airline share prices rose 4 per cent in July compared to June, outperforming the broader market according to the International Air Transport, IATA. The association however said that airline share prices were in decline throughout Q2 as a result of investor profit-taking, particularly in the United States, as well as the strength of the US dollar, which was placing upward pressure on US-dollar denominated costs for non-US airlines.

The July rally in airline shares was buoyed by a fall in fuel prices as well as the release of strong profit results for Q2 2015 in all major regions. Initial Q2 financial results show strong profit improvement in all major regions.

A sample of 25 airlines showed

that the industry financial performance improved significantly on the year ago period at the operating and net profit level.

The increase was driven by North American airlines, where consolidation and lower fuel costs had resulted in a significant boost to profitability. Airlines in Asia Pacific and Europe also showed gains on a year ago, supported by cost cutting measures as well as easing fuel cost pressure.

IATA in the statement noted that crude oil prices fell below $50/bbl in January, the lowest price seen for the past six years and added that since then, there had been two small rallies while the most recent was a 15 per cent increase in May compared with the prior low in March.

Etihad appoints manager for Africa Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Etihad Airways, the national airline for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the appointment of Bradley Edwards as its new Regional Business Development Manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa & Indian Ocean region.

Based at Etihad Airways’ new offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, Bradley will oversee key sales strategies across seven countries in Africa with the objective of accelerating the growth of Etihad’s revenues through expanded distribution and segmentation strategies which increase awareness of

the airline and its market share across the region.

Maurice Phohleli, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Africa Sub-Sahara and Indian Ocean Islands, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bradley to our regional team. Our growing commitment in Africa has seen our regional team grow in order to serve our customers and partners even more efficiently.”

An alumni of Henley Business School, Bradley completed his Master of Business Administration in 2013. He also studied Tourism Management at the University of South Africa and Technikon Witwatersrand.

Bradley has worked in the tourism sector for over 15 years.

Prior to joining Etihad Airways, he held various managerial positions at Comair Ltd, British Airways PLC Group and South African Airways, driving sales strategies and ensuring route profitability.

On taking up his new position, Brad said: “I’m honoured to be joining Etihad Airways’ regional team. The increase in regional demand presents some exciting opportunities for the industry and I look forward to engaging with various stakeholders to meet this growth.”

Bradley will report to Maurice Phohleli, and work very closely with the local South Africa team headed by General Manager, John Friel.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

NCS wants IT professional as CommTech Minister Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint one of their own as the minister of Communications Technology.

President, Nigeria Computer Society, Professor Sola Aderounmu who made this solemn appeal, said in a statement that “We also want to unequivocally assert that a major bane in under performance by some ministers lies in the choice of non-professionals to serve as ministers especially in some key ministries that require some level of technical expertise and understanding of the industry.

“We therefore call on the President that in the choice of Minister for Information Technology and Communication, consideration should be given to a professional in the field of IT who has clear understanding of the challenges of the industry and ways to move it forward for the greater good of the

Aderounmu

country”.

He explained that such person must not only be a practicing IT professional but must possess among other qualifications, membership of local relevant IT bodies which include Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

According to the NSC President, the retrogressive culture of putting square pegs in round holes must end with this admin-

istration and called for the replication of what is being done in Ministries of Health and that of Justice, where a Medical personnel and a lawyer are appointed as ministers respectively.

“We wish to bring it to the attention of the President that IT ministry, if well managed, is able to resolve the job crisis and further create wealth for the nation similar to the ICT revolution going on in India and the rest of Asia,” he added.

19 ICT

Pan-African Science Olympiad competition kicks off in Abuja Pan-African Science Olympiad 2015 competition has kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria as Seventeen African countries who have indicated interest are expected to participate in this edition.

The Olympiad, which began on Saturday with registration of participants saw the arrival of participants from eight African countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and the host country, Nigeria for the event that will formally opened today at the ECOWAS Secretariat Abuja, Nigeria, and will run till Saturday, August 29.

The 17 countries expected to compete in the event are Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tu-

nisia and Uganda.

The Pan-African Science Olympiad is a competition slated for gifted and brilliant secondary school students in the sciences with each participating country being represented by six students comprising three male and three female students.

The programme which is organised by the National Mathematical Centre helps to identify very talented children early; develops them swiftly in one or more subject areas for national and international competitions.

The National Mathematical Centre in Nigeria trains and develops high level personnel in Mathematical Sciences, including Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, and Theoretical Physics for Nigerian and African institutions.

Samsung 307,000 workers manage $196b annual sales

Kim

Samsung has said the company has over 307,000 people across 84 countries in its payroll and makes annual sales of US $196 billion.

This disclosure was made at the unveiling of the Samsung Electronics novel flagship device, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ at an unpacked event in New York, August 13, 2015 and subsequently in Nigeria at a media event in Lagos.

It was gathered that the device, which is the most attractive in its category in the market, has sleek ergonomic edge design, and a stylish, slim and light body made from metal and glass. The look and feel of the S6 Edge+ design,

portrays sophistication and excellence. The sleek phablet has a gorgeous, curved design and the beautiful harmony of metal and glass combined for durability. The glass includes a reflective surface to highlight colour characteristics, which creates unique effects and depth definition when reflecting light. The device is available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.

Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa Mr. Brovo Kim said that dual edge display technology has been taking many notches higher with the new Galaxy S6 Edge+. “At Samsung, we pride ourselves at being the first

in developing the newest technology that improves the way we live, communicate and shape the world. We pioneered large display phones and then led the way with curved glass technology. Today, we are bringing these two technologies together, by offering a device that is intuitive and efficient with a bigger screen, allowing consumers achieve more with their smartphone,” Kim explains.

On his part, the Director of Hand Held Products for Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas described the S6 Edge+ as an entertainment power-house, intensifying multimedia experience with a big beau-

MultiAd releases app platform to push last minute sales Stories by Tony Nwakaegho MultiAd has released LOCALprices, a deal/offer platform for media companies to help local merchants swiftly push last minute deals and offers to shoppers using mobile devices.

MultiAd said that the new platform includes a newspaper branded mobile app and webbased software to help newspaper easily manage their mer-

chants and offers.

According to MultiAd, LOCALprices allows merchants to promote and sell their goods fast as some goods are perishable and need to be sold by the end of the day while sometimes customers return products or cancel appointments.

Merchants, it stated can create an offer in minutes with a photo, heading and description with start and stop time details allowing customers to book and pay for the offer directly

from their mobile phone.

LOCALprices allow shoppers to browse and purchase with no waiting period, no minimum purchase, no coupons or codes to scan.

Aside this, newspaper can also recoup revenue lost to direct mail, digital coupons and group buying sites and puts more money back in the pocket of the local merchant.

LOCALprices allow newspaper to assemble a strong and loyal community of merchants.

LOCALprices

tiful screen.

“Two years ago, we took a decision to deliver a superior display technology, great camera and bestin-class design, which led to the coming on stream of the S6 Edge.

Now, we are bringing everything you love to a big screen by improving on the features and design.

The display is sharp, brilliant and the curve creates an added sense of depth. Due to the high definition screen, the colours are deep, rich and vibrant,” Revmatas added. Samsung is also said to be leading in the Internet of Things (IoT) space through, among others, Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives.

Money 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Indian delegation arrive Nigeria on investment drive Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

L-R Head, Strategic Brand Management Skye Bank, Nduneche Ezurike, Priority Banking Officer, Skye Bank, Joseph Udo, the proud winner of N1million category, a Civil Servant at the Lagos State Secretariat, Mr. Kazeem Adewale and Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Nkolika Okoli at the presentation of cheques to winners of the on-going “Reach For The Skye Millionaire” Reward Scheme held in Lagos today- 25th August, 2015.

In a bid to explore the business opportunities in Nigeria, about 250 members of the Indian business community have arrived in the country for the Indian Show 2015 in Lagos.

The Indian High Commissioner, Ajjampur Ghanashyam in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said that the delegation was the highest Indian business delegation ever to any country in Africa.

Mr Ghanashyam explained that the positive developments in Nigeria since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged the large delegation of the business community.

According to him, this is perhaps the first time in the history of India-Nigeria bilateral economic relations that such a large delegation has arrived in Nigeria.

The envoy noted that such a large Indian delegation may not have visited any country in Afri-

ca, not even Nigeria before now.

“India and its industries have been watching the developments in Nigeria closely; they have taken note of the free and credible elections in Nigeria earlier this year and the objectives of security and stability, efficiency and transparency and economic development and employment.

“India and Nigeria not only have deep-rooted relationship that goes back to World War I but also have complementary comparative advantages which can potentially open many opportunities to integrate the factors of production for the mutual benefits of the peoples of both countries,” the envoy stated.

Ghanashyam said that the purpose of the India Show 2015, holding from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 at Eko Hotel, Lagos, was for the Indian business delegation to search for investment opportunities.

He added that the 250 Indian business persons are in Nigeria to search for potential Nigerian partners and possible projects and programmes that are mutually beneficial.

The good and the bad of TSA Tunji Andrews The proposed unified structure of government bank accounts that gives a consolidated view of government cash resources has continued to receive wide commendations even as reports have begun to emanate of concrete gains from the implementation of the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

Even though the TSA became operational in 2012, when a pilot scheme was rolled out involving 217 ministries, department and agencies (MDAs); it wasn’t until last year that the implementation was extended to all MDAs outside Abuja.

Remita, an indigenous software system, developed by Systemspecs, was employed to harmonise all federal government related payments via an electronic payment platform.

The TSA is a unified structure of government bank accounts that gives a consolidated view of government cash resources. It is a system whereby all monies belonging to the government are domiciled in one account with

the Central Bank of Nigeria; with payments out and collection into the account done via an electronic platform.

The consolidation into a TSA paves way for the timely capture and payment of all due revenues into government coffers without the intermediation of multiple banking arrangements. This prevents leakages in terms of revenue loss and mismanagement by operators of all revenue-generating agencies.

The bad Indications have, however, shown that the TSA could lead to the closure of over 10,000 multiple bank accounts operated

by MDAs in commercial banks, which would also lead to costcutting measures taken by these banks to manage the loss of revenue from multiple bank charges.

With TSA, government can also easily quarantine its revenues, with intended consequences including forcing interest rates to naturally nose-dive, since no serious business should be ready to borrow at such double digit rates when the economy is struggling at between 4% and 5%.

Questions have also been asked about the ability of the TSA to avoid the usual challenges accustomed to good policies in Nigeria, especially as it isn’t a new idea. The concept of the TSA has been around since the days of the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration; then regarded as the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, however, took it forward by ordering all accounts closed by the end of February 2015. The Jonathan administration had run the TSA at the pilot stage and even claimed to have saved some sums of money in the mid-term report of the Transformation Agenda. So, why was it not rolled out as a proper government stance until now?

It appears that prior to the current President Muhammadu Buhari administration, there has been a lack of political will to push the reforms through the entire system; and even now, many await to see how resolute this administration would be to the push-back from MDAs. If this hurdle is overcome, the chances

of successful implementation will be great.

The second challenge on the horizon for the TSA would be the response to specific agencies which have had a free reign on their accounts. The likes of the Nigerian Customs Service and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), amongst others, who have been accused of running multiple accounts, which has made transparency very poor, may find it difficult to fall in line.

The NNPC, for instance, is a big corporation with big tickets and challenges and issues that need responses on a day-to-day basis. It may be imperative to work out special rules and conditions to guarantee that they comply with the TSA. The reactions Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been quoted as saying that: “When the policy came in the past, we were exempted because of the nature of the work we do. We are selfaccounting like other aviation parastatals. We have not put anything in place yet, but meetings are taking place on the issue.”

Chief Executive, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, agrees that the TSA is necessary for government to determine what comes into its coffers at every given time. “Prior to this time, many government agencies had the autonomy to receive money on behalf of the federal government or on behalf of the federation account and they had the liberty to spend part of the revenue because they were only required to remit only a fraction of the amount that they declared,” he said.

It must, however, be noted that the TSA does not affect profitoriented public corporations or business enterprises such as the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Nexim Bank and the government’s holdings in Transcorp.

While deposit money banks may have lost out to holding these funds for MDAs, they still have a role to play. They are to provide multiple channels of collections with prompt and quality service to payers, while ensuring prompt remittance of all collections online real time to the CBN.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

21 Public Notice

TUESDAY ELITE CLUB OF OJOKORO

ALAWIYE FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAP C 20, LFN 2004.

THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOUNDATION ARE:1. Tijani Sheu Hamza 2. Alawiye Basheer Hamzat 3. Salau Suebat Oyenike 4. Alawiye Ibrahim

GOODNES&MERCY ORPHANAGE HOME

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

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Pastor Stephen Marius (2) Evagelist Lilinan Marius (3) Evagelist Prisca Chukwemeka (4) Bro Chukwu Emeka (5) Elder Simeon Marius (6) Pastor Solomon Godwill (7) Pastor Vicent Chukwuemeka (8) Sis Mercy Emmanuell (9) Evang Angela Korie (10) Evang Okechukwu Mbagwu (11) Bro Ikechukwu Mbagwu (12) Ugochi Chimezie

THE TRUSTEES OF THE CLUB ARE:1. Chief Sunday Olumuyiwa Ogundipe – President 2. Engr. Kunle Akinyemi – Vice President 3. Mr. Folorunsho Oyeyinde - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To aid Educational advancement of Nigerians 2. To help overcome the challenges of societal ills in Nigeria 3. To contribute to the development of the Nigerian nation

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To bring about unity and progress among the members and society.

Any objection to the Registration should be sent to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: OLATUNJI OSIKOYA ESQ (Solicitor0 69, Ayangburen Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

08035775881

Any objection to the Registration should be sent to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To bring unity, love, and togetherness among the members.

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

SIGNED: OLUSEGUN TAIWO MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Aim and Objective: 1. To promote the playing of polo game and to undertake all activities incidental thereto.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 Tigris crescents off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Apostle Prophet Abiodun Agbonyin

2. Deborah Adepeju Akinpelu.

3. Apostle Miracle Tunde Gabriel

4. Mr Oluwafemi Ifeoluwa Amigun

5. Samson Etonghaye Smart

6. Elizabeth Adetutu Oyenekan.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary.

plot 420 Tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days

TRANSFORM-A-LIFE INITIATIVE

GOD’S POWER HOLY GHOST PRAISE PRAYER & HOLINESS MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named initiative has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of No. 1 1990.

2. Segun Opebi 4. Stella Ladele

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To encourage and motivate both students and teachers in the learning processes by creating a conducive environment.

2. To provide educational materials and resources for the disadvantaged students so as to give them opportunities to engage in activities that will allow them practice what they have learned.

3. To facilitate and promote appropriate technology and local handicrafts that would help raise the economic base of the people.

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

Signed: THE SECRETARY

SURE MERCY INT’L CHURCH

IMOLE AROJAH SPIRITUAL CHURCH OF CHRIST ALADURA WORLDWIDE This is to notify the general public that an application has been made to the Corporate Affairs

This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied

Commission for the registration of IMOLE AROJAH SPIRITUAL CHURCH OF CHRIST ALA-

for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

DURA WORLDWIDE, situate at No1,Sopa Road, Olorunsogo, Kobape, Ogun State, under Part. C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990

applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the

2. Dayo Adeyemi.

4. Adebola Sanyaolu.

TRUSTEES: 1. Olukayode Ladele 3. Ayobami Omotoriogun 5. Segun Adelaja-Olufolaji

The trustees are: 1. Brig. Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd) 2. Mr. Omololu Audley Alakija 3. Dr. Tomi Asuni 4. Chief Babajide Olatunde- Agbeja.

5. Prof Jide Owoeye 6. Engr. Bankole Oyeniyi

This general public is here by notified that the above named MINISTRY has

Aims and Objectives: 1. To build a complete man, making him a model in the society.

2. To serve as a social support group for bonding of members.

3. To improve the financial, business and social status of Members.

4. To promote the welfare and interest of members.

5. To promote peace, unity and good relations among members of the association.

6. To function as an association for the improvement of social-economic and general living conditions of members.

IBADAN POLO CLUB This general public is here by notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

BLAZING FIRE CANTONMENT MINISTRY WORLDWIDE

This general public is here by notified that the above named CLUB has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

The trustees are: 1. Toye Olutayo.

3. Bola Obidiya.

5. Joel Osebor.

TRUSTEES: (1) Olabode Olayinka Morakinyo (2) Olagbemi Joshua Gbenga (3) Olagbemi Sunday Michael

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

SIGNED: Trustees

NETWORK 89 BUSINESS CLUB

ROYAL UNIFIED OF CHRIST ORGANIZATION This is to inform the general public that the above Christian organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part Of C Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act No 1, 1990.

AIM (1) To defend the poor and orphans (2) To do justice to the afflicted and needy

Aim and Objective: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Oyedeji Ibidapo Ola 2. Pastor Oyedeji Seun Adebola 3. Ayewo Ogen Samson 4. Dr. Adeniyi Kafidiya AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

x

ABIODUN ESSIET INITIATIVES FOR GIRLS

73 OKO ROAD EJIGBO , OSUN STATE This is to inform the general public that the above named initiative has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. Pastor Osuolale Israel Olaoluwa - Senior Pastor

The underlisted are the Trustees of the church:1. Superintendent Apostle Solomon Alani Majekodunmi (Chairman)

2. Pastor Mrs Osuolale Deborah Oluwabunmi - Secretary

2. Evang. Oluwafisayomi Erinfolami (Secretary)

3. Pastor Adeboye Timothy Olajunwonlo - Adviser

3. Mother-in-Israel Abosede Majekodunmi

4. Deacon Alade Ademola

4. Senior Leader Lekan Erinfolami 5. Lady Evang. Hanna Majekodunmi

Aims and Objectives

The following are the aims and objectives of the church:-

To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ within the nation and internation-

A. The propagation of Christianity

ally

B. Advancement of religious activities C. Winning of souls for Christ and the kingdom of God

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,

Objections to the registration of this church are hereby invited and same should be forwarded to Corporate Affairs Commission within 28 Days of this publication

Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

SIGNED BY:- Trustees

TOP CROWN SHAREHOLDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIG 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 NO.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Ebenezer Olasunkanmi - President 2. Abiodun Idowu Lewis - Secretary 3. Joseph Wole Nejo - Treasurer 4. Taiwo Sofoluke - Financial Secretary 5. Olawanle Samson - P.R.O THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To protect the interests of members and their investments 2. To organize forums for members 3.To educate and enlighten members on the mechanism and operations of the financial and investment industry Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission,plot420,Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication.

SIGNED BY: SECRETARY

NEWSMILE FOUNDATION PRISONS, COMMUNITY WELFARE & HEALTH SUPPORT This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Dr (Mrs) Mary-Theresa Niemogha 2. Mrs. Grace Ebehireme Akpojiyovwi 3. Mr. Afeimhoikike Paul Oyaletor (KSJI) 4. Mrs. Pateinece Onagagemue 5. Mrs. Justina Agbi AIM & OBJECTIVES: To give health, social and academic support to prison inmates and community.

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: OYALETOR AFEIMHOIKIKE PAUL

THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. Mrs Essiet Abiodun Omowunmi 2. Mr Essiet Victor Udoeka 3. Miss Onyinye .A. Edeh AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote the sexual wellbeing of young women/Girls 2. To support and advocate policies that will favor marginalized girls 3. To empower and develop young women 4. To support Teenage Mother Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

OINOBOMHENDE SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Iyenlenye Cobina 3. Saturday Oahimire 5. Timothy Ayemere

2. Arebun Ewalenfoh 4. Wilson Okoduwa

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: Co-operating towards the social development of and financial supports to club members and humanity.

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: OYALETOR AFEIMHOIKIKE PAUL

Public Notice 22 FRIENDS UNITY CLUB

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXCELLENT SAVIOR ASSEMBLY

PASEDA LEGACY FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Nweze Ikechukwu Jude 3. Utazi Tony Okechukwu 5. Madu Raphael

TRUSTEES: 1. Olofinte Felix Akinroluyo 3. Odedele Oluwole Samuel 5. Olaoye Samson Herald

TRUSTEES: 1. Mrs. Olushola Adenike Olufunke - President 2. Otunba A. Idowu Oshinoiki - Treasurer 3. Barrister Victor O. Ogoli - Secretary/ Legal Adviser

2. Egwuonwu Nnamdi 4. Udewulc Chukwuemeka 6. Ugwu Osita

2. Olofinte Iyabode Florence 4. Mosaku Gbadebo Olamipekun

AIM: 1. To promote the spirit of oneness and brotherhood 2. To encourage members to assist are another positively and advance together while still pursuing their respective legitimate businesses and other endeavors 3. To encourage self development among members

AIM & OBJECTIVE: 1. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To preach, develop and practice the teaching of Jesus 3. To follow the documentary of the new testament church 4. To encourage the development of spiritual power 5. To encourage fasting and self denial for attaining holiness 6. To develop absolute faith and confidence needed for effective prayers

AIM & OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote sustainable welfare standards for the people of Omu-Ijebu in Ogun State, Nigeria 2. Create and promote grassroots entrepreneurship 3. Promote and advance the political agitations of the Omu-Ijebu people of Ogun State, Nigeria

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Secretary

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Sao Nominees

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Onyeabor Ogoli & Associates

IGWEBUIKE EMPOWER FOUNDATION, ABUJA

THE RIVER OF GOD REVIVAL CHURCH

ROSDRAM MINISTRY

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

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

Trustees.

1. Johnson Amaobi Kalu.

2. Onyemechi Omeiheka Joseph.

3. Kalu John Okorie.

Trustee.

1. Pastor Olufemi Festus - President 2. Pastor. Mrs Olabisi. Modupe Ojo. – V. President 3. Deacness Oyetunde Jumoke Grace. - Secretary 4. Pastor Rufus T. Olukayode 5. Deacon Olusola Olaniyi Johnson. Member

Aim and objective.

1. To engage in charitable activities and provide succor to the less privilege and the needy through scholarship.

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

Signed. Barr. C. Ochu. Solicitor.

08035908527

Aim and objective.

1. To preaching of our lord Christ all over the world.

2. To. Support the privilege people in the society.

3. To win the lost. Soul to the kingdom of God.

ST’ LUKES GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

INIOBONG JOSHUAS’ MEDICAL FOUNDATION This general public is here by notified that the above named foundation has applied to the corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act NO1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1. Mr. Taiwo Banjoko (Chairman) 2. Mrs. Shade Akinsanya (Vice) 3. Mr. Biodun Fawehinmi 4. Mr. Anthony Ibesim.

The Trustees are: 1. Emem Essien - Director 3. Alice.T.Thomas 5. Mfreke-Mfon Lnyang

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

SIGNED: Trustee

IYE MOUNTAIN TOP WORSHIP ASSEMBLY This is to inform the general public that the above named assembly has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Salami Adeoye Michael 3. Adeoye Ademola Emmanuel 5. Adegunsoye Marcus Akinto 7. Olanipekun Kayode Raphael.

2. Adeoye Adebo Christopher 4. Arowolo Folorunso Charles 6. Alo Segun Olayemi

2. Catherine Okpon 4. Aniema Umoh

Aim and Objective: 1. Advancement of medical education and Patient care.

2. Improve medical professional’s way of practice 3. Contribute to a greater understanding of the causes of diseases and treatment Options.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general plot 420 tigris crescent off Aguiyi ironsi street, Maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

RESCUE HOUSE CHRIST CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Apostle Martins Olufemi Adeniyi 2. Pastor (Mrs.)Martins Phebe Rabietu 3. Deacon Odumosu Emmanuel Adebayo.

AIMS: 1. To propagate the Gospel of Christ To the entire world.

2. To bring Back the lost souls into Christ Kingdom 3. To enrich the world with the undiluted Word of God. 4. To deliver the oppressed,heal the sick and set the captive free and establish faith clinic.

AIMS: 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To encourage and promote the worship of God Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Trustees

MUFTAU BELLO JUMOKE

ENOGIERU UNICE UKPOMWAN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olunloyo Bello Jumoke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Muftau Bello Jumoke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Idugboe Eunice Ukpomwan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enogieru Unice Ukpomwan.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEBAMBO ADEKUNLE BADEJO

OBI CHIDINMA NITA

I, formerly known and addressed as Bambo Adekunle Ogunbadejo now wish to be known and addressed as Adebambo Adekunle Badejo.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I Formerly known as Miss.

Mbah Chidinma Nita now wish to be known as Mrs. Obi Chidinma Nita. Former document remain valid, general public note.

the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees; 1. Mr. Matthew Ayorinde Alake.

2. Pastor Mrs. Elizabeth Abosede Ayo-Alake 3. Mr. Ebenezer Akinbuli.

Aims & Objectives.

1. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Christian.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-

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

Signed. Barr G O. Moses. 08062433488

This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To support the school authority in providing facilities for the students 2. To give scholarship to the deserving students.

The general public is hereby notified that the above body has applied to

Any objective(s) to the registration of the ministry should be forwarded with 28 days of this publication to the Registrar General, Cooperate Affairs Commission. Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Signed: Secretary

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: secretary

YOUTH NETWORK FOR CHANGE This is to inform the general public that above-named Association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies and Allied Matters of Act 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Osho Itiayo Abraham 3. Akande Akinbode 5. Keku Olugbenga Olawunmi

2. Osho Odushola Oluwakemi 4. Ayoola Oyewale Amos 6. Osho Bukola Hannah

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To empower the youth educationally and economically Any objection to this registration should forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

NORTHERN CITIZENS ORPHANAGE HOME This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Okonti Juliet 2. Okwuokenye Loveth Chika 3. Azike Chukwudi The Aims and Objectives Are: 1. To help the less privilege children in the society Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Trustees

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Catholic Bishops reiterate stand against gay union Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe

President of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria and the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has reiterated that it was shameful, barbaric and madness on the part of those calling for same sex marriage.

He said the Bishops’ Forum in Nigeria had taken a stand to resist what he described as “un Godly and evil for anybody to abandon the standard of God as regards marriage.

Kaigama said this during the 13th General Assembly of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, with

the theme, “Pastoral Challenges To The Family In The Context Of Evangelism”, held in Jos. He said the culture of same sex marriage was new to the Catholic faith, “so we are not in support and we are firm on our stand to renounce it,” he said.

The eminent cleric called on Christians in Nigeria to form the habit of reading the Bible and invest more in the religious life of their families.

Kaigama noted that there was a lot of sacrifice by Christians towards supporting the work of evangelism. “We must guide against anything that is threatening to destroy the family.”

However, Chairman of the occasion, Mr. John idoko, in his opening remark called for a need to declare a state of emergency on attack against the Church, which is the family of God. He expressed sadness with the happenings around the Church with reference to the high number of those who have lost their lives, while worshipping in churches on Sundays.

He called for capital punishment for those who were perpetrators of such a heinous act against their fellow human beings in the name fighting for a particular religion.

Idoko also condemned the practice of gay marriage which, he

said was not part of the Church.

He urged Christians to be more informed about the issue related to God, in order to differentiate between good and evil.

Kaigama

Community, NGO sign MOU on crime prevention Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

DPR seals 28 filling stations in Adamawa, Taraba Tom Garba

Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Controller of Operations, Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR), in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, Mr. Ali Zoka, said 28 filling stations have been shut down for irregularities.

Zoka, who made this known to newsmen in Yola, said the filling stations were sanctioned for violating the government official pump price.

“In the month of August, after cross inspections by our Technical Operational team, a total of 28 filling stations in Adamawa and Taraba were found selling above N87. They were slammed with a fine of N100, 000 with immediate effect, in addition to being sealed off,” Zoka said.

He added that the DPR also faulted about 50 filling stations in the two states for violating the rules and regulations guiding the operation of filling stations.

Police murder: No parts of body mutilated, says Ihedioha

ÏÏÏCommunity

leaders in Ebonyi State have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a non-governmental organisation - Cleen Foundation, to partner on crime prevention in the rural areas.

The MoU was signed by the two parties during a seminar organised by the foundation at Ugbodo, in Ebonyi State.

Addressing over two hundred community leaders, who attended the workshop, the Programme Officer of Cleen Foundation, Mr. Ifeanyi Anyanwu, called on them to avoid discrimination against women on matters of security in their localities.

He regretted that women whom he said were endangered were sidelined whenever community leaders discuss security issues, describing it as unfortunate.

“Women should be allowed to participate in security matters in their areas. We learnt that some communities don’t allow them to discuss security issues and that is why we are here.

“We want the leaders to allow the women to always allow them to join insecurity meetings.

Women are special people and are very close to children than their husbands and, as a result of this, inculcate moral values in the children,” he said.

Earlier, the Divisional Crime Officer of Ugbodo Police Division, Mr. Godwin Atumah, said security was everybody’s business.

He called on the people of the area to always volunteer useful information to on the activities of hoodlums.

23 News

Val Okara

Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (Right) presenting the state's plaque to the South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mokgethi Sam. Monaisa during the visit of the ambassador to the Governor's Office in Abeokuta... on Tuesday

Ministerial appointment: Varsity don wants honest politicians, technocrats Moses Oyediran

Enugu ÏÏÏAs Nigerians await the appointment of ministers by President Mohammadu Buhari in September, a don has called on him to appoint only honest and patriotic Nigerians.

Prof. Jonah Onuoha, Head of Department Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, told Daily Times, in Enugu, on Tuesday, that the caliber of ministers would determine the success of the administration.

He said for the administration to succeed in the fight against corruption only politicians, technocrats and civil servants with enviable track records should be appointed as ministers irrespective of their political party affiliations.

“Mr. President should know that Nigerians and the international community are waiting to

see those that will make his ministerial list as that will determine if he will be able to fight corruption or not.“The quality of people appointed as ministers will also assist security operatives to end Boko Haram insurgency, as well as reducing other crimes in the country to barest minimum,” he said.

The political scientist advised Buhari to look beyond his political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) in selecting such ministers, as what was important were those who would help him realise his dream of building a new Nigeria that would be respected by other countries of the world.

“I am not saying that party members that meet the standard should be appointed but compromising standard in the name of satisfying party members will be a minus to his administration.

“The ministerial list must be of

men and women that have been tested and trusted in past appointments. Where the person comes from, religion as well as political party affiliation should not be criteria but the level dedication and patriotism that the appointee is sure to bring to bear on his/her post,” “he said. Onuaha urged Nigerians to give the Buhari maximum support in his current bid to recover the looted funds.

“Nigerians should all give maximum co-operation to the Buharit administration to recover looted public funds, as it will help the country recover its lost image before the international community.

“My advice is that there should be no sacred cow, all those who have looted government money entrusted in their care should be brought to book, even if they are members of the ruling party,”he said.

Owerri ÏÏÏThe former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has described as untrue and wicked media report purporting that parts of the body of a Police Inspector, Mohammed Useni, allegedly murdered at his residence was mutilated by his assailants.

Ihedioha, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, in Owerri, on Tuesday, regretted that the life of a police officer, who was performing his duty was cut short stressing that, none of his body parts were removed contrary to media report.

“It is wicked and most regrettable that the life of the policeman who was performing his duty would be taken in such a gruesome manner, but it is important to note that none of his body parts was removed, contrary to reports in the press; the body of the late police was not mutilated. It would not be wrong to say that the reporters of the story obviously may be acting a script and as such might be of great assistance to the police in their ongoing investigation of the incident,” he said. Ihedioha tasked the police and other relevant agencies not to relent in their effort to investigate the killing with a view to arresting the assailants and bringing them to justice.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

I didn’t mastermind petition against Lamorde – Saraki Olufemi Samuel Abuja

ÏÏÏSenate President, Bukola Saraki, has dismissed reports that he masterminded the petition leading to the planned probe of alleged diversion of recovered funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde.

Saraki made this known on Tuesday through his me-

dia team.

In the same vein, Chairman Senate's Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, in a statement said the allegations were the handiwork of enemies of the 8th Senate.

According to Sen. Melaye, "The attention of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity has been drawn to media reports to the extent that the Senate

is allegedly divided over the invitation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

"This Office wish to state categorically that the allegation is false and that it could only have emanated from the imagination of those who do not want the 8th Sen-

ate to succeed.

"The Committee also wishes to state that the Senate will not be blackmailed into abandoning its constitutional mandate which includes but not limited to investigating any issue brought before it."

The senator said for the avoidance of doubt, Order 103 of the Senate Standing Orders specifically states that "In the exercise of the

General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria (FGC), Rev. Felix Meduoye (3rd left); Chairman, Board of Directors, McPherson University, Deacon Afe Mayowa (right); District Overseer, (FGC), Ikeja District, Rev. Dayo Adewunmi (2nd right); District Overseer, (FGC), Ifako District, Rev. Paul Fadayini (2nd left) his wife, Deaconess Remi during the FGC, Ifako District 5th Convocation Ceremony, with theme: 'in time like this', held at Ifako, Lagos…recently Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Rivers NASS members petition Buhari over politicisation of DSS Henry Omunu & Augustine Aminu

Abuja ÏÏÏNational Assembly members from Rivers State have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over what they alleged is the politicisation of the activities of the Department of State Security (DSS) under the present administration.

The lawmakers, under the aegis of the Rivers State National Assembly Caucus, comprising of Senators and House of Representatives members, all of whom belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged in the petition that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, is conniving with the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Army to criminally perjure and corruptly subvert the course of justice in

the state using the might of their offices.

A copy of the petition made available to our National Assembly Correspondent on Tuesday, in Abuja, levelled serious allegations on the Army under General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, the Auwal Musa Daura-led Department of State Security (DSS), as well as the Police under Solomon Arase.

The petition reads in part: "We hereby, for ourselves, and the entire people of Rivers State, draw your Excellency’s attention to the surreptitious acts of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, in connivance with the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Army, to criminally perjure and corruptly subvert the course of justice using the might of their offices.

"Kindly recall our earlier petition to you dated 23rd July, 2015 against the Director State Security Services (SSS), who arrested and detained several staff of INEC based on a prearranged petition by the governorship candidate of the APC, who is a petitioner before the Election Petition Tribunal.

It took the intervention of the Senate to make the SSS realise that they were acting ultra vires their powers under the National Security Agencies Act Cap. No 74.

They admitted and indeed, under the enabling statute, they have no business interfering into electoral matters, particularly when there is a pending litigation.

"The same issue has resurfaced as one Magnus Abbe, an APC Senatorial Candidate and a petitioner in Petition No. EPT/

NASS/S/01/2005, whose main claim at the tribunal is that there was no election in Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

"Whilst, witnesses are already testifying at the tribunal, the petitioner caused another petition to the SSS on the same subject matter and the Director General of SSS has sent his men to Port-Harcourt to investigate whether election took place or not. The sole aim is to concoct a security report during the pendency of litigation to the effect that election did not take place.

This is in the face of the fact that the same Magnus Abbey’s senatorial district produced an APC House of Assembly seat in the state out of the same process. The Director SSS should for the umpteenth time be called to order", the petitioners said.

powers conferred on the National Assembly by Section 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Senate shall have power to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into any matter."

However, Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, said has said his committee would go ahead with

the proposed probe of the EFCC Chairman Sen. Anyanwu said this when addressing Senate correspondents in Abuja.

He was reacting to an earlier position taken by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the probe of Lamorde was sheer witch-hunt, just as the PDP members dissociated themselves from the of probe.

Nkiru Nwagbo

NDLEA tasks

Awka

ÏÏÏThe

Anambra State Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Sule Momodu, has challenged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to uphold the ethics of their profession.

Momodu made the call when he received a team of PSN led by its State Chairman, Pharm Uchem Chisom in his office on Tuesday.

While explaining the ugly effects of wrong dis-

Pharmaceutical Society on ethics pensation of drugs, he urged them to be cautious in dispensing controlled drugs without prescription.

He recalled that the State Coordinator of People Living with Sickle cell, Mr. Aishat Edward, had complained to the agency that the people living with the ailment are dying in great numbers while some are running mad following the usage of the drug.

Ekiti govt appoints 12 Executive Secretaries Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has approved the appointment of 13 Executive Secretaries in the State public service.

A statement from the Office of the State Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, explained that the new Executive Secretaries were among the 105

substantive Directors that participated in the examination and interview organised by the state government last month.

The new appointees include, Mr. Ale James Agbelusi, Mrs. Owoeye Mopelola, Mr. Jeje Abiodun, Mr. Akinola James, Mr. Longe Abayomi, Mr. Olatilu Olubunmi, Mr. Akinbolawa Taiwo, and Engr. Adeola Johnson.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

25 News

Two jailed, 100 arraigned for traffic offences in Oyo Remi Oladoye

ÏÏÏTwo drivers have been jailed

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje (right) condoling with the children of APC activist, Hajiya Salamatu, who died in a a ghastly accident on their way back from Birnin Kebbi … on Tuesday

Oil spill: Ilaje communities protest lack of compensation Ahmed Alimi

ÏÏÏThe coastal communities of

Ilaje Local Government in Ondo State have protested against the composition of the committee set up to compensate affected communities and other persons following the Bonga oil spillage that occurred on December 2011 in the Niger Delta.

The compensation was expected to have been paid two weeks after the oil spillage.

The protest was contained in an open letter to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, frowning upon the non-inclusion of representatives of the affected communities in a stakeholders’ meeting, held at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

The letter, which was signed by the General Secretary of Abereke Community and Secretary on Oil

Matters, Aiyetoro Community, in Ilaje Local Government Area, Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, and Apostle Jackson Honmane, respectively indicated that none of the communities had been paid compensation since the oil spillage occurred in December, 2011.

Among the affected coastal states are Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo and Rivers.

The letter reads: “…order that the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) to pay compensation of $3.6 billion, (N604.8 billion) to the communities and fishermen affected by the Bonga oil spill of 20th December, 2011, in the Niger Delta, within two weeks through National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). We are aware that on November 26, 2014, there was a stakeholders’ meeting at the

National Assembly, Abuja, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, without including the representatives of Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State, due to complaints to SNEPCO; NOSDRA; the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR); the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); your office, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Presidency, since the oil spillage till date.”

While imploring President Muhammadu Buhari to take a cue from what his United States counterpart, President Barak Obama, did in the same circumstance, the letter pleaded that Ilaje shoreline communities be officially invited to subsequent meetings, so as to be among beneficiaries of the compensation.

and over one hundred traffic offenders arrested and prosecuted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for traffic offences in Oyo State.

The State Sector Command, Mr. Yusuf Kolawole Salami, disclose this while explaining the efforts of his command in ensuring safety and enforcements of traffic rules on highways during a familiarisation visits to the secretariat of the Oyo State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

According to him “within the last one month, when we started

Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏNo

fewer than 30 primary school pupils from Udubo Central Primary School have benefited from Oando Adopt-A- School Initiative (OASSI) in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The State Co-ordinator of the Implementing Partner, Maigodiya Centre for Youth Development (MCYD), Mr. Aliyu Tukur, said that the scholarship was aimed at encouraging pupils to study, as well as ameliorate the hardship faced by parents in sponsoring their wards in school.

He explained that OASSI was committed to empowering com-

Titus Akhigbe

Jacob Mbam

ÏÏÏA

but need funds, for instance, to construct a regional market in the state, which would be different from the international market.

He noted that the state hoped to construct large warehouses inside the market to attract importers across world to invest in the state.

“The government intends to inaugurate micro-industries, to provide employment to the teeming unemployed people in the state, mostly youths.

He frowned upon the poverty level in the state, describing it as unacceptable.

The leader of the U.S. delegation, Mr. Thomas Hines, said that the team was touring the southeast states and recognised the fact that the U.S and Nigeria were like brothers.

“The key factor in the co-operation is ways of assisting Nigeria in attaining its economic and social objectives, as we had fruitful discussions with the Ebonyi government,” Hines said.

He noted that the US team assessed ways of intervening in the state’s problems, as both countries had several economic, social and cultural ideals in common.

Umuahi

39 pupils benefit from Oando scholarship in Bauchi munities through education.

“The Objective of OASSI is transformation of the primary education system by creating conducive learning environment, provision of educational resources, teaching aids, provision of scholarship, facilitation of community participation in school governance and deployment of a teacher /student capacity building programme for effective learning.

Edo police parade 36 suspects for various crimes

Ebonyi govt seeks US assistance to tackle street-begging Abakaliki ÏÏÏThe Ebonyi State Government has called on the government of United States of America to assist it to combat the problem of street-begging and hawking experienced by its people in Lagos State.

Governor Dave Umahi said this in Abakaliki when the Political and Economic Section Chief of the United States Consulate General in the country, paid him a courtesy call.

Chief Umahi noted that a state like Akwa Ibom had similar problems but succeeded in driving their residents from the streets of Lagos State.

“We have wisdom to achieve this objective and even surpass,

the enforcement of the law that guides their operation, we have been arrested and proecuted111 tanker and trailer drivers for dangerous driving".

He said further that the command was also fully ready for create awareness and sensitise the public on the need to be more cautious during the “ember” month, our officers have been duly equipped and trained to enforce and ensure compliance.”

“In the metropolis, we are also working towards curbing the abnormal behaviour of the Micra drivers and motorcylce riders popularly called Okada. We’ll make sure they comply with the usage of safety helmet and shun overloading.”

Benin

lot of people in were shocked, on Tuesday, when the Edo State Police Command paraded a 67-year-old man, Chief Felix Adebayo, among 35 suspects out of 117 arrested between July and August by the police for various offences.

Adebayo had defiled a ten year old girl after he forced his finger into the innocent minor’s private part on August 20, in Ubiane community, near Aviele town, close to Auchi Etsako West Council Area.

The unsuspecting girl was sent by her relation to collect a cell phone from Adebayo when she was defiled.

This was as a 27-year-old exstudent of the Nigeria Military School, Mr. Hope Obasuyi and an indigene of Uhunmwonde Coun-

cil Area in the state has been arrested for armed robbery and impersonation as an army officer.

He was said to have been dismissed from the military training school Zaria for being unable to become an efficient officer and for sneaking along with others out of the training school without permit for a night party, where they spent four days but were caught by the commandant who booted them out of the complex.

Obasuyi was nabbed after his gang member, identified simply as Julius, went to sell a handset he robbed from a suspect and for serial indulgence in robbery activities within Benin metropolis.

Adebayo who has three grandchildren and a wife said it was the devil’s handwork that made him to sin against God and pleaded for forgiveness.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Features

s

Group photo of PwD members at the workshop. Photos by Taofeek Babajide.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Winning the discrimination war slowly but steadily

Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PWD) has come up to the legislative arm of government in Lagos State. Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Mr. David Anyaele, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) revealed the contents of the bill at a one day workshop held in Lagos recently. STEPHEN ADENIRAN reports.

For those living with one form of disability or another, living a meaningful life could be mere wishes given the plethora of discriminations they encounter daily; abandoned by friends and families, they depend on goodwill of the public to survive.

A bill prohibiting discrimination against Persons with Disabilities now before legislators at the Lagos State House of Assembly is seeking to change all that and indications are that the law makers are poised to pass the bill soonest.

From June 24, 2016, it will be unlawful for any public or private organisation, to reject persons with disabilities. I am urging them to do it now as the cost of effecting the required modification to buildings will be far costlier later — Ekugum

Details of the bill under the Special Peoples’ Law (SPL) were discussed at a one day workshop held in Lagos recently by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD); some of the sections of the bill include: Section 21 This section of the law provides that no ‘Person with Disability shall be discriminated against on the ground of his or her disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstances whatsoever.’

No Person with Disability shall be subjected to prejudices or harmful practices included those based on sex, work, age or tradition in any area of life.

Person with Disability shall have rights to sue any individual, corporate body or Government and its Agencies for damages in the event of the violation of their fundamental rights.

Government shall be required to provide free legal aid without condition to Person with Disability through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) when required.

Another part of the law makes certain provisions for these special people, to enhance their quality of life; Section 18 provides that: Every public transport service shall operate in a way that would guaranty usage and allow for accessibility of Person with Disability.

All transport service providers shall make available and mark appropriately 1 (one) out of every 10 (ten) seats in a public bus for the use of PwDs. Chairman, Disability Policy and Advocacy Initiative (DPAI), Mr. Barth Uche Ekugum, in a chat with Daily Times revealed that the aim of DPAI is to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are given equal opportunity to be someone in life.

“Persons with Disability should be given equal platforms to succeed in life and be discrimiCONTINUED ON PAGE 27

In Edo, talent-hunt dream becomes reality For many talented young Nigerians who nurse the dream of becoming superstars and aspire to fame and fortune, a new music talent hunt project has been born. LARA ADEJORO reports that the platform will take away youths in Edo State from the streets and give them a worthy career to focus on.

The talent hunt show tagged SOO Live-the-DreamTalent Hunt, which is the first edition is aimed at giving life to the aspirations of music-oriented youths between ages 18 to 30 from Esan North-East/SouthEast Federal Constituency of Edo State.

This platform is sponsored by the Honourable member

representing Esan North-East/ South-East Federal Constituency, Honourable Sergius Oseasochie Ogun.

Scheduled to hold from 17th to 20th September, 2015, the talent hunt is aimed at introducing an array of innovations in talent hunt that will give the participants a chance of a lifetime to kick-start their careers in singCONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Edo youths admiring SOO-Live-the-Dream’ t-shirits

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26 2015

27 Features

People with disabilities should be given equal platforms — Ekugum

Edo youths get chance at living their dreams

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

nated against,” he said.

On the war against discrimination, Ekugum is confident that the war is being won, though slowly but steadily. He rates the compliance level at about sixty percent.

He also shared with Daily Times some successes recorded so far, which include one Ejiro Okotie, a Person with Disability who is currently on internship with an organisation in the United Kingdom.

He also lauded the response of some corporate organisations in complying with the Person with Disability law in Lagos, naming Guaranty Trust Bank and First Bank as some of the organisations that have complied with the law. Shell Petroleum is also an organisation that is regarded as an equal opportunity employer.

However, Ekugum called on all infrastructures to be PwD compliant before June 23, 2016 to avoid the frenzy that will follow.

“As from June 24, 2016, it would become unlawful for any public or private, state or federal parastatals to reject persons with disabilities. I am urging them to

Ogun CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Dr Babatunde; Mrs. Bolaji Dada and DPAI Chairman Barth Ekugum during the One Day workshop.

do it now as cost of effecting the required modification to building will be much cheaper now than later when there will be the mad rush to comply with the law at the zero hour triggering off the forces of demand and supply,” Ekugum said.

Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Mr. David Anyaele, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has called on the Federal Government to assent to the PWD bill now in the House of Assembly.

In his words, “we are living in

a society that is designed without consideration for persons with disabilities, we are living in a society where government, state and non-state actors conduct their services, render their services in such a way that people with disabilities are completely excluded.

“This is why President Muhammadu Buhari must assent to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Bill into an Act so that this problem of continued discrimination against people with disabilities will be removed.”

JUST HUMAN 11.08 a.m. at Arts Corner between Ikeja along and Total gas station, Ikeja. Photo by God’s Covenant Snr... recently

ing and music production.

Speaking at a press conference and unveiling of the talent hunt, Ogun said the concept of the programme is to bring young people into the limelight and engage them in useful and profitable careers.

“Every fortnight, many young people leave this community for Libya and most of them perish in the sea. They believe they have to go to Europe to have a means of living. However, rather than criticise them, we have the responsibility to create something for them. We want to create a positive platform that will provide worthy means of living for them through entertainment.

“One of the sectors that have really shown some inspiring growth in Nigeria is the entertainment industry, and the youths are the energy behind this sector, that not only brings recognition and honour to the country but also adds a lot of value to the economy,” he said.

Speaking further, he noted that one of the promises he made to his constituency is to empower the youths and SOO Live-the- Dream is one of the platforms that will be used to launch the careers of the next super stars in Nigeria and Africa.

The project is organised by Dihoo Records Ltd. With thousands expected to take part in the competition, singing their hearts out to prove their mettle in different genres of music, a super select Panel of Judges, comprising Muyiwa Asenuga a.k.a Nomoreloss, Sydney Shocker, Monique D Vibes and Elcee McEdwards would be saddled with the task of complimenting and criticising the contestants in their search for true talent.

With a unique strong compelling voice and her over seven years’ experience as an OAP, Monique D Vibes will be looking for that artiste that will rock

her mind and make her give a nod to their ambition of joining the stage with Tuface, Davido and P-Square.

“The task will be enormous; finding that super star will involve looking at every detail, their voice, performance, energy and charisma,” she said.

To participate in SOO Livethe-Dream, eligible participants are required to pick up free entry forms from any of the designated collection centres or visit the SOO Live-the-Dream website at http://soolivethedream. com/ to download the entry form online.

The form can be collected free from Ubiaja Post office, Edo State. Hon. Barr. Sergius Ogun secretariat at 67 Market Road, Ubiaja, Uromi Post Office, Edo state; 19, Mission Rd, Kuddy Ranky, Opp. 1KD Supermarket, Uromi.

52, Old Agbor Rd, After Iyere Plaza, Uromi, Edo State. Cooperative Fast Food Restaurant, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma.

Auchi Poly, Esan Students Meeting Ground, Opp. ManO-War Base, Unicafe Business Centre, Shop 1, Shopping Center Uniben Main Gate.

Auditions will take place on Thursday and Friday, 17th to 18th September, from 8 a.m. prompt. by the audience who would be guided to choose their three favorite contestants from the remaining thirteen.

The grand finale will see the emergence of the winner of the competition and prize presentations by the initiator of the project, Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun.

The grand prize winner will clinch a cash prize of N200,000 and an all-encompassing record deal with Dihoo Records, while the 1st and 2nd runner-up will get a promotional contract that would see each of them recording two singles that would be promoted locally along with cash prizes of N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Education Times

s

UBEC boss tasks govs on accessing matching grants Augustine Okezie Abuja

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Suleiman Dikko, has urged state governors who are yet to access their matching grants allocated to state governments for the implementation of Universal Basic Education programme to quickly come forward to do so.

Dikko, who further lamented that over 40 per cent of the Federal Government’s matching grant allocated to state governments for implementation of Universal Basic Education programme has not been accessed, noted that most of the state governments were unable to access their allocations during the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan because of failure of their governors to pay the requisite counterpart fund.

Dikko made the appeal in Abuja where he was conferred

with a gold medal award for his excellent performance and the presentation of National Certificate of Credence to UBEC in recognition of the commitment to work ethics by the staff of the commission.

He disclosed that the commission has held several meetings with the new governors of some the affected state governments and that many of them have expressed willingness to access their allocations.

It would be recalled that as part of the Federal Government’s contributions to the development of basic education in Nigeria, two per cent (2%) of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) is dedicated to supporting states through UBEC to improve quality outcome of the subsector. Since 2010, over N126 billion has been disbursed to states through this intervention.

But over N39 billion of the grants have not been accessed by some of the state governments leading to the observed

L-R: Vice President, Association of Investment Advisers & Portfolio Managers IAPM, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni; President, IAPM, Dr. Olufemi Oyetunji; Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mrs. Folashade Ogunnaike; Guest Speaker, Prince Abimbola Olashore; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adebuji-Onikoyi at the induction of new members into IAPM held in Lagos... on Monday

dilapidated infrastructure and lack of effective teaching and learning facilities in schools of many of the affected states.

The UBEC boss, however, said following intensive advocacy by the commission, about 60 per cent of the allocations have now been accessed leaving about 40 per cent yet to be accessed.

FG to set up foundation for national research, development Augustine Okezie Abuja The Federal Government has disclosed plan to establish a National Research and Development Foundation as part of effort aimed at speeding up the economic and social development of the country.

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of a two-day stakeholder’s interactive meeting on research and development in Abuja.

She noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) had in 2014 created the R&D Department to promote research and development in order to enhance the global ranking of Nigerian universities.

She said in direct response to the availability of the fund, Ni-

gerian academics have taken cue and started engaging in serious research work. ``At the last call for submission of proposals, more than 800 proposals were received from researchers across the country. `This shows that Nigerian researchers are ready to develop the country through science and technology but the major challenge will be funding to carry out intensive and result-oriented research. ``In the light of this, the ministry through TETFund advocates establishment, by law, of a National Research Foundation and mandatory commitment of about 0.5 percent of the turnover of all registered enmities for the purpose of research and development.’’

Hajia Abdullahi further urged managers of tertiary institutions and academics to drive the advocacy for the establishment

of such foundation to fast-track national development.

In his presentation, TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, said it had become imperative to set up such foundation where both profit and non-profit making outfits would contribute to research.

He added that such foundations had been in existence in advanced countries for a long time.

He said: ‘’The establishment of R&D foundation in Nigeria has become imperative. TETFUND will engage stakeholders on an advocacy drive to this effect.

Inadequate funding will be addressed by a national R&D foundation; it has been established by competitive nations. ‘’There should be an enabling law through the National Assembly to compel profit and nonprofit making establishments to donate 0.5 percent of their earnings to the foundation,’’ he said.

Pathway to lasting peace in LASU, by ASUU Sam Nzeh The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has identified milestones that need be attained for lasting peace in the Lagos State University and called on Governor Akinwumi Ambode to put in place machineries to actualize them.

Addressing newsmen at the Ojo Campus of the university recently, Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Lagos zone, Dr. Adesola Nassir, identified the milestones as the establishment of a visitation panel, implementation of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2012, constitution of a Governing Council and immediate commencement of the process for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for LASU. Nassir, who was flanked by other executives of the zone including the union’s chairman in LASU, Dr. Adekunle Idrisi; Dr. Laja Odukoya, ASUU chairman, University of Lagos; and Dr. Deji Agboola, ASUU chairman, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State among others, noted that apart from the fact that the institution of a visitation panel in LASU is statutorily due, the silence of the office of the Visitor to the institution regarding the establishment of the panel “is already being misconstrued to the point that the Vice Chancellor and his cohorts are on the verge of using students particularly from outside to alter the graveyard peace in the university while thinking that such move will ensure his second term.”

The ASUU Lagos zone coordinator while bemoaning the continuing delay the implementation of

Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2012 in LASU, called for its immediate implementation.

“In plain terms, it (the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2012) is the chief ingredient in the process of promoting Academic culture and related practices expected in the university,” he said.

On the constitution of a Governing Council for LASU, the ASUU Lagos zone coordinator said it should consist of experienced men and women of deserved honour arising from proven integrity and above all, with clear headed understanding of the purpose and operations of the university system, adding that this is the first step towards lasting peace in LASU. Nassir who noted that the process of appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for LASU is already late, advised that the process commence immediately and without interference.

He blamed the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor John Obafunwa, for the intractable crisis in the institution, adding that his inability to institute peace on campus, incompetence and institutionalisation of patronage and inability to sustain the erstwhile modest complementation of government funding are major issues at the heart of the crisis in LASU which also make him (Obafunwa) unfit to continue in office.

The ASUU Lagos zone coordinator condemned clandestine moves to unleash student groups outside LASU to foment additional crisis in the institution and called parents and guardians to advise their wards not to allow themselves to be used for selfish purposes.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

29 Education Times

WAEC will continue to grant credit facilities to state govts— Eguride Stories by Augustine Okezie Abuja The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will continue to grant credit facilities to state governments including those earlier indebted to it as a demonstration of its commitment to national development and growth.

The organisation’s head of National Office, Mr. Charles Eguride who made this declaration in Abuja while fielding questions from Educational correspondents tagged ‘’ECAN Forum’’, said the council has the belief that the state governments will reciprocate this gesture by honouring their side of the bargain.

On the earlier decision to suspend the release of the 13 indebted states, and later ordered the release of same, the WAEC boss maintained that they were compelled to do so by threat from creditors.

He said: ‘’We were under threat by creditors, and when we cried out there was public opprobrium.

We are not profit-making organisation but an examination body.

We were compelled by our conscience to respect the opinion of Nigerians; we have no reason to doubt that these indebted governments will soon pay up.

On the introduction of the computer based testing (CBT) method

in the conduct of its examinations, Eguride maintained that WAEC cannot afford to deceive Nigerians through the practice.

He said: “We are practitioners in the assessment knowledge; the purpose of education is to prepare people for life and not just to pass their examinations. I can’t see any Educational expert that can measure the psychomotor domain with the CBT process.

WAEC examinations are based on cognitive domain, continuous assessment, and psychomotor domain’’.

He further maintained that it will be ‘’intellectually dishonest to Nigerians’’ for anyone to use the CBT to conduct certificate examinations.

Eguride

Pastor Niyi Oshinubi (2nd left); Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikeja Branch, Comrade Adekunle Alase (left);Tutor General/PS Education District II, Mrs. Anifowoshe Amidat (2nd right) at the commissioning of the building renovated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Israel Assembly, Lagos Province… on Tuesday Photo: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE

Plateau to address shortage of primary schools teachers — SUBEB Chair The new Executive Chairman of Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Mathew Sule, has disclosed that the state was poised to address the noticeable shortage of teachers in its primary schools.

Sule addressed its members of staff on Tuesday in Jos, and said the deficiency was palpable and had affected the standard of education in the state.

According to him, this has influenced the rate of out of school children in the state from one per cent in 2013 to two per cent in 2014

/2015 session. ``This implies that the board has to engage in sensitising and mobilising parents and guardians to understand the importance of education, ``he explained.

Besides boosting the staff strength, he said training programs would be organised for staff of SUBEB and the teachers in the system to reposition them to deliver. `` I enjoin you to partner with me to restore the past glory of public schools in Plateau; we

want to make the public primary school outstanding for all public officials to bring their wards, `` he said.

Mr. Joseph Mallum, the Director, Personnel Management, also promised that the staff of the board would partner with the new Chairman to improve the value of education in the state.

He noted that apart from the deficiency in the number of primary school teachers, most of the pupils still study in makeshift accommodations due to insufficient classrooms.

‘UBEC committed to public sector accounting standard’

Suleiman

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Dikko Suleiman, has said that the commission will be at the forefront in the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

Suleiman disclosed this at the opening of a 5- day training workshop for members of SUBEB Staff in Kaduna.

He said the management of UBEC has approved the governance structure for the IPSAS implementation in the commission.

According to him, preparation and presentation of financial statements is not new in

public sector accounting system but what is new is ensuring that the financial statement prepared and presented comply fully with the relevant provisions of IPASA. The Executive Secretary, who was represented by a director in his office, Alhaji Aliyu Kardi, said the Federal Government has directed that the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Accrual Basic in Nigeria should commence in 2016.

He stressed the need for unified accounting standards as being the primary driver of the International Public Sector Ac-

counting Standard for public sector financial reporting.

The UBEC executive secretary noted the commercial entities across the world are running towards International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) and governments are harmonizing with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

He said the workshop was necessitated by the directive of the Federal Government following the approval that the country adapt the provision of the International Public sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) for private and public sectors respectively.

Education Times 30

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

FG to introduce security awareness education in schools Augustine Okezie Abuja The Federal Government is to introduce Security Awareness Curriculum for schools to sensitize children and teeming Nigerian youths on the dangers imposed on the nation by the practice and membership of insurgent terrorist groups, as part of the effort aimed at stemming Boko Haram activities in the country The acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, who gave the above hint in Abuja while receiving a book titled, ‘’Effects of terrorism on Children’’ written by a 9-year-old pupil of Unique Blossom School, Mai-

tama, Abuja, Splendor Joe King, urged parents to encourage the innate talents in their children by affording them proper opportunities to explore their challenges.

She said: ‘’As Children, they need our support, counseling and guidance. We will officially and unofficially support you to the best our abilities. We will do the needful to ensure that the book gets to peers like you in every nook and cranny of this country’’.

She further directed the department of Educational Planning and Research to forward the book to NERDC to screen it with the view to recommending appropriate readership levels.

Earlier while making her pre-

sentation, the author of the book, Splendor Joe King, called on government to take adequate care of the victims of terrorism, particularly those in IDP camps and to promote Child Education, adding that the children may be at risk if not properly educated.

She said: ’’The purpose of this visit to bring to your knowledge this material which I have developed for child education on terrorism. Through this book the future of children born by rescued women that are pregnant for the terrorists will be saved. I am championing the crusade of child education on the subject of terrorism because I believe that children are the grass root solution to the fight against terrorism’’.

Buhari

Boko Haram: Teachers in southern Borno to begin indefinite strike Tom Garba Yola

Olukoya, NUT president

Education Ministry loses Quality Assurance Director The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the death of one its foremost technical staff and director, Dr. Chimaroke Ogbonna Ubani, who died after a brief illness.

A statement released in Abuja and signed by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Hindatu Abdullahi, said the entire ministry is presently in grief over the loss of the retired director and wishes the families of the bereaved God’s consolation and protection.

Teachers in Askira Uba, Biu, Chibok and Hawul Local Government areas in Borno State are to embark on an indefinite strike over non-payment of N18, 000 national minimum wage.

The teachers, who are from the worst hits Local government areas in southern Borno with incessant attacks by Boko

A foremost Educationist and technocrat, Dr. Chimaroke Ogbonna Ubani, was seen by many including members of staff of the Ministry, those of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja and Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) as hard working and transparent.

Prof. Godswill Obioma, the erstwhile Executive Secretary of NERDC, whom Dr. Ubani served as special assistant, described him as trustworthy and dedicated.

A statement by the family noted that he died on August 12, 2015 after a brief illness.

Dr. Ubani was a retired Director, Quality Assurance Department of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja and a former Special Assistant to the immediate past Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja, He is survived by wife and six children and is expected to be buried on September 12, 2015.

Haram sect, also decried how they have been marginalised and discriminated in the state’s teachers’ salary scheme.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Biu Local Government Area chapter of Borno State, Comrade Habu Suleiman, and made available journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, he said the union’s members were not satisfied with the way and manner the new minimum wage is paid.

Ahmed Alimi The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Israel Assembly, Lagos Province, on Tuesday, commissioned the newly renovated Agidingbi Junior Secondary School building.

The renovation, according to the programme initiators, is part of the effort to implement the adopted policy of the church to lay increased emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, which is one of the cardinal visions of the church.

In his speech, the Pastor-inCharge of Ikeja Zone of the RCCG Israel Assembly, Pastor Dapo Awosika, emphasised the tenacity of the CSR policy.

He said: “The aim of this policy is to make the church more relevant to every community in which it operates, and to positively affect the lives of the people.

The Agidingbi schools are the main public secondary schools in the immediate vicinity of our church, and have been a key focus of our CSR efforts.

Speaking to newsmen, Pastor Dapo also underscored the im-

Comrade Suleiman further explained that” despite being in the same state and Primary Education Board, teachers are discriminately paid where some LEAs are receiving 60%, some 40%,some 30%, some 20% and some 0% while their counterparts in the state ministries are receiving 100%”.

Habu also lamented that the effected LGAs were always on routine verification since 2011 to 2013 but the committees could not okay their new sala-

RCCG commissions renovated school building in Lagos portance of education under a conducive learning environment, saying it cannot be underemphasised.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Fadeyibi Oluyinka expressed gratitude over the renovation and what it will attract to the school.

She said: “The building used to be a dilapidated one, in which teachers are not encouraged to operate. But with this (development), I’m sure we will have a better performance from the pupils.”

She also explained that the Lagos State Government had also assisted and contributed to the development of the school through Eko Project, by repairing furniture in the classrooms and through other means.

ries to be implemented only to sack many teachers; many others run into months of unpaid salaries, serious deduction of their yearly increment, all their leave grands and promotion were totally seized.

He reiterated that insurgency could not retard them to work even as they are in the high threat of the attacks, adding that only Chibok and Askira Uba schools were totally closed because of unending attacks by the insurgent sect.

JICA’s intervention, a major boost to Nigeria’s education system — UBEC boss The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Dikko Suleiman, has said that the intervention of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in the basic education sub- sector is a boost to Nigeria’s educational system.

The Executive Secretary disclosed this at the flag off/earth breaking ceremony of construction of additional classrooms by JICA in selected thirty public primary schools in Oke-Olola, Oyo State recently.

He explained that between 2004 and 2011, the agency constructed 807 classrooms, 654 toilet booths, 17,010 sets of pupil’s furniture, 762 teachers’ tables and chairs, 13 head teachers’ offices and also provided 19 boreholes in the states namely Niger, Kaduna, Plateau and Kano.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Inside Campus Pandemonium in IMT over cult war

Monday, August 17, 2015, started peacefully at Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu, Enugu State. No constant rain associated with rainy session, no moody cloud, and no sign of the danger looming. But midway into the usual hectic academic activities, blood-hungry boys visited and the once peaceful environment turned to Olympic field where all present tried their athletic prowess to save their lives; size and age barrier was waved off as even respected lecturers raced to overtake their students.

An eye witness recounted that the cultists’ target was a final year student of Mechanical Engineering department. He said that all the students around never understood what was happening until the cultists pulled out their gun.

He told our correspondent that most of the students on the ground floor just noticed some three boys that should be in their 20s beating one muscular final year student of Mechanical Engineering department from his classroom upstairs till they got to downstairs.

He described the victim as looking dreaded as he always had no hair in his head but had much bears and mustache.

Downstairs, he continued, one of the suspected cultists opened his black casein bag and pull out his gun, aimed at the boy and fired but the gun only clicked

UNIBEN marks world hepatitis day Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN

A Consultant Gastroenterologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Casimire Omuemu, has called on the Federal Govern-

ment to declare a state of emergency on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

He made the call at the Akin Deko Auditorium of the university during the 2015 World Hepatitis Day celebration last week Tuesday.

s

but refused to fire.

The people who were mustering energy to confront the three boys, at the sight of gun scampered for safety. As some persons where running away, others who didn’t understand what was happening ran forward, and at the sight of gun took to their heels.

Some male students who felt trapped upstairs started jumping from the back side of the one-storey building. Some of those who took the jumping flight sustained various degrees of injuries. While the jumping continued, many girls who couldn’t take the rout got trapped and forced to subconsciously watch the horror scene.

One of the girls who were trapped added that the assassins aimed at their victim’s head and fired severally but when the gun refused to produce any sound,

two of the cultists continued beating the boy while the other one tried to do a quick service of the gun. When he was done, he waved at the other two and they paused the pounding session and he tried severally again to shoot at their victim who was now bleeding on the ground but the gun still refused to produce result. Sensing that much time has been wasted without achieving the aim of their mission, they had to abandon the boy and escape.

One of the victim’s classmate who spoke in confidence noted that their school security should be held accountable should the cultists have their way inside the school.

According to him, “the cultists visited exactly a week earlier. When they arrived in our class, they brought out a gun and ordered everybody to bend down, after a while they ordered us to seat up. They looked at all our faces, being satisfied that the person they were looking for was not in the class, they left.

After one week, they came again and even after their whole delay, our school security operatives were nowhere to be found.

“They abandoned the boy when their gun refused to shoot and walked gradually till after the AfriHub building where they entered the taxi coloured vehicle they came with and drove out quietly as if nothing happened. Where were our security operatives?” he queried.

Another student who didn’t want his name in print because of fear of victimization added that “it wasn’t until after more than 20 minutes the guys left that our school Man of War personnel started harassing us and searching our bags when they were very sure the real cultists were already gone”.

His friend jokingly added: “How do you want our school security to bring out that their one round gun and start servicing it now when you know they only

service and use it once in a year during SUG election”.

However, investigation revealed that assassination attempt is not a new thing in IMT. A lecturer of the institution who simply gave his name as Mr. Ugwu noted that a student of Banking and Finance was shot dead in front of Mass Communication Department in 2010.

Further finding revealed that the murder of the boy was as a result of cult clash.

Few old students who revealed the ‘behind the scene’ actions that ended the boy’s life in 2010 noted that the issue started when the deceased and his elder brother who was also a cultist of another group invited their cult colleagues to their father’s burial. During the burial, argument ensued between the two groups who ended the burial outing in fiasco.

Unsatisfied with their verbal threats and sporadic shooting during the burial, they started killing themselves one after the other. Both the boy and his brother were killed during that mad escapade.

An old student recounted that the killed student in 2010 tried various tricks to avert his death but failed. The deceased student who was of Banking and Finance department sensing the looming danger stopped going close to his department. He even started wearing the uniform of Mass Communication Department (which is black and sky blue shirt), adding that the day he was shot dead it was in front of the department while he was putting on the department’s uniform.

It would be recalled that Enugu State government had declared full hostility on any form of cultism recently after some suspected cultists murdered someone in Nsukka zone.

The radio jingle of ‘operation wipeout cultism’ is still ongoing in the various stations in the state.

Dr. Omuemu, who bemoaned the lackadaisical attitude of Nigerians towards regular medical checkup, said it was a factor affecting the spread of the disease.

He observed that HBV which is a viral disease is 40 times more infections than HIV, destroys the liver cells and among leading cause of death worldwide.

He stated that unscreened blood transfusion is one of the ways of getting the virus, just as he decried the high prevalence of the

disease and said late manifestation of the disease makes it hard to control.

In his recommendations, Dr. Omuemu called on the government to help subsidize the vaccine for the HBV and engage in more public awareness of the disease.

He further encouraged Nigerians to vaccinate themselves against the virus and ensure that before accepting blood, it is properly screened.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Director of Health Services of the university said the centre decided to organise the lecture with a view to educate the University community about the disease. She stated that the University management has concluded plans to organise a free vaccination for staff and students of the institution and encouraged other institutions to emulate the ways UNIBEN is set to combat the disease.

Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu

Death was miraculously averted at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu recently. The assailants had their victim red handed but their gun disappointed them while shooting.

Emmanuel Ahanonu reports.

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In Edo, talent-hunt WAEC will continue to Turkey’s grant credit facilities to President calls dream becomes state govts— Eguride reality new elections

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NLC to Senators: Cut your pay or we’ll force you

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Say it loud… ÎÎÎ I might have battled with religion just as some other people battled with their sexuality. Not that I don’t believe in the Almighty. Not that I don’t acknowledge Jesus as the Master.

I just don’t do religion the way they do it over here. I remember asking so many questions while I was a child. Some I voiced out. I was forced to keep plenty bottled up within me when Mother Dearest, who might’ve been overwhelmed by my questions bordering on blasphemy, threatened to padlock my lips. I found it difficult to understand the Holy Trinity - how the Father could be the Son and the Spirit.

Remember the catechism classes - God is a spirit, though I don’t see Him, He sees me and He knows everything and He can do everything. Sounded so easy until I brought in the Trin-

ity and started to decipher it. It was very confusing to me. At an early age, I would see ‘ebo’ - sacrifice - in the terracotta. I saw some on the T-Junctions en route to my primary school in Ebute Metta. Many more I saw well positioned by the main gate of the Church we attended. What used to interest me in the pot were the bronze kobo coins with which one could buy some roasted plantain or some fried yam. The fear of being pursued by the spirit to whom those coins were offered, quenched the temptation. O bring back our yesterdays!

Growing up I could also notice double standards on those proffering to be ‘committed to’ His service.

I started getting interested in my tradition and culture. What’s a man without culture? Many of my close friends are Christian. Very zealous ones

for that matter. But we all can’t lie down facing the same direction.

I lost a cousin recently. I attended his wake and decided to give a tribute. He was a big brother, a pleasant soul and I wanted to share sweet memories of such a jolly good fellow.

Those who came out to pay tributes at the wake spoke of how born-again he was, how close to Christ, how tight to his chest he clutched the Bible… I developed a complex. How could I come out with my own tribute which would have started like this: - Brother was a jolly good fellow, a lover of life, a rascal but a very harmless rascal… ?

I kept my hands in my lap. What my cousin was to me was different from what he was to the congregation. To each his own.

How long are we going to continue this charade?

Would the missing link in the society be the lack of respect for the traditions handed down to us? What are we leaving behind for the coming generations?

In the heart of Lagos is a place where our traditions and cultures are being revived and celebrated - Freedom Park. It was there I saw a young Ger-

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man, clad in ankara agbada and sokoto ‘dobale’ - prostrate - for Jimi Solanke. It’s there you hear Oyinbo speak good Pidgin English and some Yoruba as well. A once-upon-atime prison is now a hub of cultural activities. We should be grateful to our own WS (Wole Soyinka) and all those who came up with the idea of Freedom Park. It’s a place where we get freedom from the shackles of bigotry.

There’s bigotry in the religiosity in the land.

A friend told me of a lady who quaffs two bottles of Gulder before going to fellowship with Christian ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’? I can hear you say ‘O ti de, alasodun!’

You think I’m exaggerating! Calm down now.

Though she camouflages the beer odour by eating an onion, she’ll surely be spirit-filled at the meeting. And when her ‘Alleluyah’ soars higher than the other members’, people will say she surely worships the Lord in truth and in ‘spirit’. What name do you give to that? Nothing but hypocrisy. Do you remember James Brown’s ‘Say it Loud, I’m Black and Proud’? There was a cartoon in one of our dai-

lies in the 70s in which a lady singing the JB’s song had in her hand a tube of Ambi cream. There’s a problem somewhere and I’m sure those who went through the Swinging 70s could spot it. We’re like the bat that is neither bird nor rat.

‘Culture consists of all the items in the life of a group of human beings which make them to feel (sic) belong to one another and distinct from any other group around them. It comprises their language, their religions, their dresses, their social system ......’ wrote the late emeritus professor of History, Prof. Akinjogbin, in his ‘Milestones and Social Systems in Yoruba History and Culture’.

What’s a man without culture? Let’s return to our roots. Let’s return to that which makes us who we are. Let’s show pride in our languages. Our language is our identity. Most of our children who go to school outside the country really want to share our languages with us.

When they’re among their mates, they want to have one-on-one conversation with us. They do not want to speak with us in that language that others can

understand.

Why would there be prophets in other religions and there wouldn’t be any in my traditional religion? Why should there be saints in some religions and there wouldn’t be any in my traditional religion? It’s high time we woke up from our reverie.

Missionaries discouraged us from worshipping in our traditional ways.

They took away our artefacts many of which now adorn private museums and homes. They claimed the natives donated them.

How could I donate my heirloom? Ok, I donated in ignorance. Ok you tricked me into donating them. But I believed that you were going to burn them as promised. You didn’t keep your word. I kept mine and what’s the result? My children are in total confusion - Things really fell apart.

We can put things back together. Let’s start picking the pieces. Let’s go back to our roots. Our history is rich with exploits of warriors, kings, queens and notables. Bring back History to the classrooms.

The young ones must know where we’re coming from. Who will teach them? You and I.

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Life&

Times Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Chidinma

Ukonu Consistent and humane

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

I would rather see people empowered than manufacture my own brand –Chidinma Ukonu

Nkarenyi Ukonu Long before the sudden rage about makeup artistes, Chidinma Ukonu was one of knew early on about the huge potentials in makeup artistry.

Looks makeup, talks about how

utmost importance to her.

How did make up start for you?

Makeup for me started as a hobby.

Why make up and not something else?

I have always loved seeing people look good. so when I realized it could be a career, I gladly followed.

How did you get trained to become a makeup artiste?

I never trained, grew on the fashionable when it started off.

Did you have any inkling whatsoever that you could eke a living from this trade be a makeup artist?

I had no idea whatsoever. It was a pleasant surprise when events started unfolding.

You are one of the earliest makeup artists in Nigeria, How do you feel seeing the large number of people who

manufacturing their own launched me into limelight per see. What actually did was an interview a television programme had with me many years ago. It was anchored

by Iretiola Doyle. Shortly after that interview aired, I could no During the interview, I had to do a live demonstration with a blemished face, and after applying makeup, it came out on a pedestal I never expected.

What are some of the jobs you have done that looking back now, you feel proud of yourself? done have made me very proud. I have been the lead makeup artist for NATIVE &VOGUE FASHION WEEK in Port Harcourt, where very top international models are usually in attendance. I am elated to have led the team of makeup artists for the show that has been running for two years now.

What are some of the challenges you have faced while on the job and how were you able to overcome them?

Most of the challenge I face now is getting clients to understand the difference between what I offer in terms of quality and what most other MUA offer. I end up doing a lot case before.

it a good or bad thing?

Well, expansion and increase good to have many MUA in the as the sky is big enough to accommodate everyone. The only problem is when we are not well represented due to the

Would you consider this your greatest achievement in life so far?

Not exactly because I also sing and to me, leading people to their creator through songs is my greatest achievement.

industry to regulated and weed out the chaff from the wheat?

There is a makeup industry. We are working at putting things right.

Who do you look up to in the makeup world, who did you aspire to be like starting out and why?

I had a very good relationship with Banke Meshida of BM Pro when I was starting out but I had no one I wished to be like.

Life &

T E A M

What job launched you into limelight?

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu Music Correspondent n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng Akintayo Opeoluwani 08029030427

are open to?

On the makeup brand, I had the intention of getting my own brand manufactured sometime in the past but I decided that putting up empowerment programs will give back to the where I am now.

with combination skin, they are practically safe because their skin accepts basically all kinds of powder bases.

Do you run a training school like some of your colleagues do?

I do run a training school and so far, over 150 students have passed through my training school.

what are some of the most essential make up items that up bag and why should they have them?

The essential items that should I believe are; pressed powder, blotting papers, to help keep the shine at bay and a tube of lipstick. This is because the average black woman has oily skin, so one needs the powder to dab onto the skin after you would have blotted out the shine with blotting papers.

Lipstick too because you may have eaten or drank as the day progressed so one needs to retouch the lips.

How long have you been in the industry and how are you able to update your knowledge of the industry? professionally for 15yrs. I do a lot of internet research and reading. That helps me keep in line.

What else do you do besides makeup?

I did mention that I sing. I am currently working on my debut album. I also do interior farming.

What make up tip would you give to a woman with oily, or dry or normal skin?

Any woman with oily skin should exfoliate as much as possible, and use an before makeup. If you moisturizer and primer to keep your makeup on and use oil based foundations. For people

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Training in session Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

L3 Global fashion and beauty news

Nkarenyi Ukonu

L’Espace co-founder, Wonuola Okoye quits After three years of ground breaking success at its Street, Victoria Island, concept new location still on Victoria island but without one of the co-founders, Wonuola Okoye, leaving only Isoken Ogiemwonyi, the creative director at Obsidian fashion to solely run the fashion store.

No reason was however given business they both started over three years ago as one Dakore Akande

Dakore Akande

becomes brand ambassador of fashion outlet, Mobos Actress, MC, and producer, Dakore Akande many pies as she has just been named the brand ambassador for

Victoria Roberts (VR) by Mobos.

This is the second endorsement deal the actress will be bagging after being named a few months ago as the brand ambassador of Pampers, alongside fellow actress and activist, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.

Herve Leger executive sent packing

store which launched in 2011, was co-founded by both Wonuola Okoye and Isoken Ogiemwonyi, a winner of the 2012 MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week/British Council Young Creative Entrepreneur store evolved from Le Petit Marche, a monthly Nigerian designers market dedicated to Nigerian fashion design, beauty and lifestyle, creating a solid platform for both emerging and established brands which bridges the fashion retail distribution gap in Nigeria.

chest should not wear the famous dress. Furthermore, he said that,

and women who wore underwear that was too small.

bandage dresses, is no longer associated with the company as he has since been shown the way out. The former UK managing director of MJH Fashion, the

so-called because it is made from strips of stretchy fabric like bandages wound around the body, was pioneered in the 1980s and has since been worn by a host of celebrities from around the world.

graduating students and awards given to outstanding students one of whom was 16 years old UK based Tumisola Ladega. Even though she was not in the graduating year, she was one of the two students prize for outstanding work in Fashion and Design and for making such remarkable progress in the short time she joined the school for her A levels. Tumisola who runs the fashion label Tumiila which she founded in 2012, has had her individual designs featured in competitions since the age of 12, with most of them gracing the catwalks of major fashion shows and fashion weeks in places such as Miami, Maryland USA, Nigeria, South Africa and of course London. As a developing label, Tumiila touches all areas from high end couture to urban, and from evening wear to ready to wear.

Rap artiste, J. Cole is expanding his portfolio and is now designing footwear for men.

The North Carolina rhymer has partnered with Swiss luxury brand, Bally to launch its Fall/Winter 2015 collection. The capsule includes limited-edition hiking boots, as well as high-end backpacks.

The boots come in a variety of colors including black, wheat, olive and snakeskin in sizes 7 to 12.

Recently, he traveled to Jamaica

Couderc had lamented that the skin-tight bandage dress, imitated countless times by cheaper high street brands, had become a victim of its own success, with too many now seen on wrong-shaped customers. He also talked down on older women who insisted

Patrick Couderc, the fashion executive who made damning comments over the weekend

It was the annual 2015 graduation ceremony for the students of the International School for Creative Arts and honorary president of the school, Professor Jimmy Choo, a prominent and international

J. Cole teams up with Bally to launch footwear collection

London-based licensee of the Herve Leger brand, had said over the weekend that, voluptuous women and those with very

Patrick Couderc

Youngest Nigerian designer, Tumisola Ladega, wins Jimmy Choo’s bursary prize

promote the footwear collection.

Wonuola Okoye

titled , a song off his 2014 LP, features Cole disconnecting himself from technology and embracing the analogue world.

J. Cole

Fashion & Style L4

Men’i

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Nkarenyi Ukonu

Like to be a bit edgy? Then do keep your

inspired fashions has been a trend for years

Eunice Efole

and hair are easy areas to add a

Chalya Shagaya

Monalisa Chinda

Vivian

L5 Fashion & Style

’s wear inspired Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

look

Beyonce Susan Peters

Alexander Nwokedi

Rihanna

Janelle Monae

Fashion & Style L6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Fashion

face off Nkarenyi Ukonu Nollywood actress Rita Dominic rocked, the wine coloured long sleeve

celebration which happened same day wore the same dress to the Martell 300 event about two weeks ago. You decide who wore it better.

Ankle straps: Zina Anumudu

Rita Dominic

A closet necessity

Nkarenyi Ukonu The ankle-strap sandal is always revived each year for the very good reason that it is the most practical of bare shoes. Shoes with ankle detail are tricky to wear, but the

Lilian Onachukwu

Dakore Akande

heels will provide you with support and allday stability while also giving you a feminine and sensible look. There is no other shoe that will offer you comfort like the ankle strap heels. They are an alternative to the traditional high heels. Strappy heels blend elegance and fun for a completely classic look. You can wear them to both formal and informal events and will keep you just ahead of the fashion radar, because they come in a variety of colors and designs. They are simply designed to command attention.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

L7 Fashion & Style

Trend alert! Knuckle rings and ear cuffs Nkarenyi Ukonu

Edgy is knuckle rings

How to wear them?

Make a style statement with ear cuffs

Global fashion and beauty news HALLERO FASHION BOSS, ALERO FAFOWORA JOINS LIST OF MALL OWNERS

Joan Smalls

lands matte lipstick collection with Estée Lauder

Joan Smalls, Estée Lauder

Joan Smalls

Read her lips: Kylie Jenner expands business empire, set to launch lip kit

Kylie Jenner

Alero Fafowora

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, August 26, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

150 Africa Magic Showcase

140 AMC Channel

06:00

00:05

Wed, 26 Aug | PG13

Wed, 26 Aug | 18

A special military unit ventures into the Demilitarised Zone of Korea to destroy a North Korean nuclear power plant slated to start producing nuclear weapons. Adrian Paul, Michael Biehn, Mark Edward Anderson. (1997) Stephen Milburn Anderson.

101 M-Net West

118 Telemundo

on African and international celebrities. The show also features the latest news and takes you behind the scenes of magazine, movies and music video shoots.

120 BBC Entertainment

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Plastic 02:00 Crush 04:00 The Voice

02:10 Labour Of Love

00:25 Most Shocking

12:00 The Voice 14:00 Elementary

01:50 Rude Tube

05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me

15:00 Chicago PD 17:00 The Middle

10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me

19:00 Two And A Half Men

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

17:10 The Cube

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 07:00 Antiques Roadshow

06:15 Video Zonkers

15:20 Part Of Me

06:40 Video Zonkers 08:45 The Cube 22:00 Live At The Apollo

18:40 Labour Of Love

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

155 AfricaMagic World

08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:05 South Beach Tow

22:50 Labour Of Love 12:05 Video Zonkers

154 Africa Magic Family

Patrol 11:00 Tinsel 15:05 Most Shocking 12:00 Music Block 00:00 Music Block

12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

14:00 Jara

17:00 Video Zonkers 02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA

00:00 Tinsel

02:00 Music Block 04:00 Music Block

16:00 Prem

18:00 Meet The Adebanjos

04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 06:00 The Bleeding Heart

19:00 Tinsel 20:00 Airtel Touching Lives 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA

16:00 The Dzigbordi Show

18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 18:55 Kumwesu 19:25 Kumwesu 20:00 The Mastermind 22:05 Music Block

19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

21:00 Rude Tube

SALAMI EAGLES

Mozambique fall X3

HAILS OLISEH’S IMPACT IN

X2 X4,5

Fasuba

OLUSOJI FASUBA

Olusoji

Poster!

9.85 (100m) 20.52 (200m)

Athletics

Olusoji Fasuba Nigerian (age 31) July 9, 1984 9 in) 175 cm (5 ft 70 kg (150 lb)

OLUSOJI FASUBA

MULLER s for

s e l e c i r is p m h a L s y a s , n r Baye

M A H T S E W D’Tigers E S A H C plot

S E S O M

X7

X7 EXTRATIME

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Richard Thompson, Gay and Martial Mbandjock.

After a poor start to 2010, he was not selected to defend his 60 m title at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships as Sunday Bada of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria stated he was not in form.

m at the 2007 World Championships with 10.07 s.

Fasuba won the World Indoor Championships 60 m sprint on March 8, 2008 in a time of 6.51 s. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing he competed at the 100 m and placed second in his heat after

to be banned from the Nigerian team following a misunderstanding.

chose him as the Nigerian Male Athlete of the Year.

He won two gold medals at the 2007 All-Africa Games, winning in the 100 m and 4×100 m relay.

season, Fasuba defended his regional title at the 2006 African Championships. For his 2006

athletics.

almost a foot shorter than many other sprinters, he

Championships and second at the Commonwealth Games. He then established a new African record with 9.85 seconds from the Doha Grand Prix in May,

Olympic bronze medal as part of the 4×100 m relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The following year he competed in the 100 and 200 m at the World

He closed the year with a win in the 100 m at the inaugural Afro-Asian Games. In 2004, he went on to win at the 2004 African Championships in Athletics,

the Nigerian team.

Fasuba had his breakthrough year in 2003, starting with the 2003 national trials. He was selected for the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2003 World

but also the high jump and long jump.

Fasuba

or basketball player and, as a result, he managed to attend Merit Mixed Secondary School through

Fasuba was born in Sapele, Delta State in Nigeria and the eldest of three children. Sprinting was part of his family life as his mother, a Jamaican, was a runner in her youth and is the cousin of Don Quarrie, a 200 metres Olympic gold medallist.

His parents encouraged him to run from a young age and he was so fast that secondary schools would ask him to compete for them, though he was of primary school age.

About

Olympic Games 2004 Athens (4x100 m relay) Bronze medal: ips Championsh (60 m) World Indoor 2008 Valencia Gold medal: (100 m) All Africa Games 2007 Algiers (4x100 m) Gold medal: 2007 Algiers Gold medal: (100 m) Afro-Asian Games 2003 Hyderabad Gold medal:

Personal best:

Name: Nationality: Born: Height: Weight: Sport:

Personal on Informati

X4

EXTRATIME

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

X2

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXTRATIME

Salami Mike Otanwa

W

arri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami is delighted to be part of the Nigeria squad being coached by former Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh.

Former Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax midfielder Oliseh had an illustrious international career during his playing days, participating in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups for his nation, as well

hails Oliseh’s impact in Eagles

as being part of the 1996 Olympic gold medal winning team.

The 40-year-old took over coaching the Nigeria national side after Stephen Keshi was eventually sacked from the role last month.

Oliseh had his first training session with the squad last week and Salami, who scored in the 1-0 friendly win over an academy team, admitted his delight at being coached by someone he holds in such high regard.

“I must confess it’s a great privilege to be working under Coach Sunday Oliseh,” Salami enthused.

“As a young boy, I watched him play for the Super Eagles and he was one of my favourite players in the team then.

“I have enjoyed my time in camp and also like his coaching methods.

“The spirit in camp is good and we hope to qualify for the AFCON this time around after missing out the last time.”

ALLEN ASSURES ON SHARKS

S Salami

harks head coach, Festus Allen, insists the club will not be relegated to the second tier following their 1-0 win over Bayelsa United at the Oghara Township Stadium on match day 25 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Blue Angels have now amassed 25 points from 24 matches following the impressive road victory on Sunday but still

remain in the relegation zone as they currently sit in 18th spot on the 20-team NPFL standings.

Allen can however dare to dream and says Sharks will remain in the top flight at the end of the campaign with 14 fixtures still to navigate.

“Sharks will not be relegated; it is not possible. We are too good to go down and I am sure we will save ourselves before the end of

the season,” he said.

He then took the time to praise goalkeeper, Henry Ayodele whose heroics helped the Blue Angels claim maximum points in Oghara.

“The goalkeeper was the hero of the game against Bayelsa United and deserves all the accolades he receives.

“He was instrumental and pivotal in us winning the game,” he said.

NEVILLE BLASTS WENGER’S TRANSFER POLICY A

rsene Wenger bristled when he was informed of Gary Neville’s stinging criticism of Arsenal’s “naive or arrogant” transfer policy in the 11 years since they last won the Premier League title.

But the Gunners manager would be

better off taking Neville’s criticism on board and examining it in more detail - because the former Manchester United defender is spot on with his assessment.

Arsenal still have 35 matches to correct their shaky start to the season,

but in their first three games Wenger’s side have looked miles away from winning the title.

Neville’s argument is that Wenger falsely clings on to a belief that Arsenal can return to the top with only technical players and that they have never

replaced the physical dominance of the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto.

Few Arsenal fans could disagree having watched so many lightweight performances since the ‘Invincibles’ tore opponents apart on a weekly basis in 2003-04.

In the interim, Wenger has tried to copy the model of Spain and Barcelona by relying on flair players.

When it clicks, it looks brilliant, yet they cannot grind out results in the same way as their more physical title rivals like Chelsea and Manchester City.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXTRATIME

D’Tigers

plot Mozambique fall N igeria men’s basketball team D’Tigers side with America’s Will Voigt at the head of the technical crew will have to take all her possession and turn them into goals against the Southern African nation, Mozambique that also have a rich basketball history.

Against Tunisia, the team looked ordinary, fell behind from the opening tip-off and never clawed their way back into the game.

Many experts point to Olumide Oyedeji, who with Diogu did not provide the cover of a big man. Others claim the team was too individualistic.

Against Mozambique, the Nigerian side will have to be weary of the Matos brothers who between them are top scorers for their team. In Mozambique’s last game against Morocco, Pio Matos-led his side with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals and also led with 18 points

against Senegal with 4 rebounds D’Tigers and 5 assists.

Olumide His brother Oyedeji Augustos had 27 points against Angola and rated very efficient in scoring.

While Nigeria is ranked 24th in the world by FIBA, Mozambique is listed at 66.

Nigeria have beaten Mozambique in all 3 previous meetings 1985 in Ivory Coast (88-77), 1999 in Luanda ( 82-43) and in Antananarivo in 2011 ( 78-63).

MELAI TALKS TOUGH AHEAD OF LOBI, SHARKS CLASH

L

obi Stars goalkeeper Terkaa Melai and Sharks striker Bode Daniel have engaged in a war of words ahead of today’s rescheduled Week 24 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

The game could not hold as earlier scheduled due to Lobi Stars involvement in the Federation Cup. Melai said that his team is aware of the recent form of the hosts Sharks but said his team are in good shape too and ready to win in Port Harcourt.

“It’s going to be a tough game because both teams will be motivated

by the recent forms and results.

“Sharks is a good side but I am confident we will surely get the 3 points at stake in the game,” Melai said.

Sharks striker Daniel said that there won’t be hiding place for Lobi Stars as the three points is not negotiable by Coach Festus Allen-led team.

“We are preparing for a win against Lobi Stars. That’s the points we needed for now to complement our last victory against Bayelsa United.

Victory is not negotiable today,” the former Crown FC top scorer stated.

Melai

X3

AGU

excited with players’ return Mike Otanwa

S

uper Eagles assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu has expressed delight at having players return to the team’s camp after featuring in games over the weekend for their respective clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

As at the last count, seven of the players had returned from representing their clubs to the Eagles camp, and Agu says it is a good thing the players have returned early so they can continue with their preparation for the game against Tanzania.

“I’m happy the players are coming back from their clubs. It is important we continue our program and preparation because we do not really have much time again.

“We have a very important game against Tanzania next month and against Burkina Faso in October, so we have to prepare the boys.

“It’s a different setting now and we have to get the boys to understand what we want,” he said.

Agu has been working with only Femi Thomas of Enyimba and Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars, following the injury to David Obiozor of Heartland, which ruled him out of the team.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars

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l a n o s r e P n o i t a m r Info

X4

EXTRATIME Wednesday, August 26, 2015

a b u s a F

i j o s u l O

OLUSOJI FASUBA

Richard Thompson, Gay and Martial Mbandjock.

After a poor start to 2010, he was not select ed to defend his 60 m title at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships as Sunday Bada of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria stated he was not in form.

m at the 2007 World Championships with 10.07 s.

Fasuba won the World Indoor Champions hips 60 m sprint on March 8, 2008 in a time of 6.51 s. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing he comp eted at the 100 m and placed second in his heat after

to be banned from the Nigerian team follow ing a misunderstanding.

chose him as the Nigerian Male Athlete of the Year.

He won two gold medals at the 2007 All-Af rica Games, winning in the 100 m and 4Ă—100 m relay.

season, Fasuba defended his regional title at the 2006 African Championships. For his 2006

athletics.

almost a foot shorter than many other sprint ers, he

Championships and second at the Commonwe alth Games. He then established a new Africa n record with 9.85 seconds from the Doha Grand Prix in May,

Olympic bronze medal as part of the 4Ă—100 m relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The following year he competed in the 100 and 200 m at the World

the Nigerian team.

He closed the year with a win in the 100 m at the inaugural Afro-Asian Games. In 2004, he went on to win at the 2004 African Championships in Athlet ics,

Fasuba had his breakthrough year in 2003, starting with the 2003 national trials. He was selected for the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2003 World

but also the high jump and long jump.

Fasuba

or basketball player and, as a result, he mana ged to attend Merit Mixed Secondary School through

Fasuba was born in Sapele, Delta State in Nigeria and the eldest of three children. Sprinting was part of his family life as his mother, a Jamaican, was a runner in her youth and is the cousin of Don Quarrie, a 200 metres Olympic gold medallist.

His parents encouraged him to run from a young age and he was so fast that secondary schoo ls would ask him to compete for them, though he was of primary school age.

About

(4x100 m) Gold medal: 2007 Algiers Gold medal: ames ad (100 m) Afro-Asian G 2003 Hyderab : al Gold med

EXTRATIME

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

X5

X6

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXTRATIME

Critics brand Hamilton insensitive

rt

spo r o t o

M

C

ritics have taken a swipe at Lewis Hamilton. This week the Formula 1 star had to swiftly take down a clip of himself firing a gun at some targets.

He can be seen wearing a black top and a backward baseball cap aiming the semi-automatic weapon – thought to be an assault rifle – into a barren wasteland and firing at will.

Lewis deleted the footage after critics started pointing out how insensitive it was to upload a video of a live machine gun days after a gunman was arrested onboard a train in France.

The gunman was suspected of plotting a terrorist attack on the train but was foiled by a number of passengers who overpowered him.

Lewis himself claimed a friend of his uploaded the video to Instagram at the weekend, but quickly took it down when ordered to by Mercedes boss Niki Lauda.

“I went to the shooting range, shot some fun targets. It was a lot of fun,” he said of the controversy.

KYRGIOS s

i n n e T

N

ick Kyrgios faces a further fine and a 28day suspension if he transgresses again, following his offensive comments directed at Stan Wawrinka in Montreal a fortnight ago.

The Association of Tennis Professionals, which runs the men’s tour, announced that it would fine Kyrgios an additional $25,000 and ban him for 28 days if he does not meet certain conditions over the next six months.

Kyrgios was originally fined the on-site maximum of $10 000 after a court microphone

Kyrgios

at the Montreal Masters picked up his post-match comments to Wawrinka in which he claimed that Thanasi Kokkinakis, his Australian Davis Cup colleague, had “banged your girlfriend”.

He was also fined $2 500 for unsportsmanlike conduct following a comment made to a ball person during the same match.

The ATP inquiry concluded that Kyrgios had committed a “major offence”.

The world No 37 will be ordered to pay the additional fine and serve the ban if he incurs any fines for verbal or physical abuse or

m o m s d n e f e d n i G at l cs i t e l th A from heckler S tanding on the podium after receiving his 100-meter silver medal Monday at the IAAF World Championships, the American sprinter Justin Gatlin gestured toward a heckler who was bothering his mother in the stands.

He scowled and pointed in the direction of the offender.

“I was like, ‘Hey, chill out with that. Be a gentleman,’ ” Gatlin said.

Gatlin has been a controversial figure in the sport since his return from a four-year doping ban in 2010.

After losing to Usain Bolt in a tight race the night before, Gatlin was asked over and over if

Golf

he thought his loss was good for sprinting. There were some who portrayed his race with Bolt as “Good vs. Evil.”

That, he can handle.

But this, he insisted, crossed the line.

“No one has to talk disrespectful to anybody,” Gatlin said. “We’re just here to run. They pay tickets to see us run. Let us run and do what we do.”

Gatlin made eye contact with his mother just before receiving his medal from IAAF president Lamine Diack. He seemed perturbed and his eyes wandered into the stands as Diack approached to place the medal around his neck.

accumulates fines totalling more than $5 000 for any offences at ATP tournaments over the next six months.

Gayle David Bradshaw, executive vice-president of the ATP, said that the incident had “reflected poorly on our sport”. He added: “Nick has expressed regret and the best result would be that he learns a lesson from this incident and that he understands he is responsible to the tour and to fellow players for both his actions and his words. It is with these factors in mind I feel he should have the opportunity to ‘earn’ his way out of additional sanctions.”

Gatlin

I’m confident during championships,

says Lahiri A

Lahiri

FACES FINE OVER MISCONDUCT

nirban Lahiri has revealed that he no longer feels intimidated when playing at the major championships.

The Indian star indicated that his self-belief has improved exponentially this season, thanks mainly to his two breakthrough wins on the European Tour.

The Pune-native won twice in

February, first at the Maybank Malaysia Open and then at the Hero Indian Open after a playoff.

“Every time you win, it contributes but it’s about getting better,” the 28-yearold said.

“The goal has to be to become a better golfer. Drive the ball better, chip better, putt better. Think when you are on a golf course, have strategies.

“If you can improve, your quality as a golfer will reflect in your game.

Ultimately you have to shoot five or six under or make birdies. If you can make birdies that’s all what matters, it does not matter who you are playing with or where you are playing.

“The biggest difference this time was my self-belief, it has grown a lot, exponentially over the last 18 months.”

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

EURO TRANSFERS

MULLER

is priceless for Bayern, says Lahm

P

hilipp Lahm says Thomas Muller is priceless for Bayern Munich amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United .

Reports in Germany over the weekend claimed United had tabled an €85 million bid for the Germany international as they look to secure a

marquee signing before the end of the transfer window.

Lahm, however, has underlined Muller’s importance to Bayern and does not believe the 25-year-old will be moved on.

“Thomas is one of those role models who you can’t attach a price-tag to.

He lives for Bayern, he is a very, very

important player for us,” Lahm said.

Bayern have already allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to move to Old Trafford this summer, prompting further accusations that Pep Guardiola is changing the club’s core identity, following the departure of Toni Kroos in 2014 and the signing of Brazilian Douglas Costa.

Moses

West Ham chase

MOSES W

Muller

United ready to hijack Bruyne

M

anchester United are reportedly trying to pip rivals Manchester City to the signing of Kevin De Bruyne.

Having lost out to City in their pursuit of defender Nicolas Otamendi, United want to get one

over on their neighbours by making a late swoop for the Wolfsburg midfielder.

According to report, the Red Devils are willing to stump up a fee of around £55m for De Bruyne as Louis van Gaal attempts to add

one more big-name signing to his ranks.

City are still interested in the Belgian international but may have to return with an improved offer if they are to get the man they have been chasing all summer.

Balotelli

to sign Milan loan deal

L Balotelli

iverpool misfit Mario Balotelli will return to AC Milan on a seasonlong loan deal thrashed out by the clubs on Monday, reports in Italy said.

Italy international Balotelli’s career has hit the skids since he joined the English Premier League club following last year’s World Cup and he has not played for Italy since.

But with the European

Championships in France next summer, the 25-year-old striker is now set for a dramatic return to the club he left only just over a year ago.

The report added there was no clause in the deal that would allow Milan to buy Balotelli outright at the end of the season.

The majority of Milan’s fans, meanwhile, appear to be against Balotelli’s return.

est Ham have made an inquiry about signing Chelsea winger Victor Moses on loan with a view to a £6million permanent deal, according to media reports.

After suffering two successive home losses to Leicester and Bournemouth, manager Slaven Bilic has earmarked the Nigeria international as his top priority with a week of the transfer window remaining.

Moses scored four goals in 23 appearances on loan at Stoke

City last season, but has returned to Stamford Bridge to find his first-team opportunities further restricted by the arrival of Pedro from Barcelona.

He has yet to feature for ‘The Blues’ this season and this has not been helped by an injury he suffered in training recently.

Chelsea value the 24-yearold at £10m, but the arrival of the Spain international last week could persuade Jose Mourinho to consider a loan deal involving a knock-down fee subsequently.

ADOMAH

puts in transfer request

G

hana winger Albert Adomah could be set to leave Middlesbrough ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, according to multiple reports.

Adomah has been one of Boro’s best performers in recent years, since joining from Bristol City in the summer of 2013.

The 27-year-old signed a new long-term deal at the end of last year when he was rewarded for his fine form, but now relations between himself and boss Aitor Karanka have become increasingly strained.

Now after being dropped for the match against Bristol City at the weekend, Adomah is now understood to have made his feelings known to the club’s hierarchy.

It was confirmed that Adomah

has put in a transfer request, and no club has yet to make any contact with Middlesbrough about a possible deal - although that is set to change in the next 24 hours.

Adomah

X8

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

INTERVIEW

I’M IN FANTASTIC SHAPE TO CRUSH ROSSY

—BRYAN

H

ow would you say your career is going?

My career is going great.

I can’t wait for this great heavyweight fight. Rossy is a guy who is on his last leg and I’m a young fighter coming up who is trying to take the old dog out of his misery.

What type of role did your amateur career play in preparing you as a professional?

My amateur career played a huge role in my development as a boxer. Attending all the national tournaments and fighting against top athletes from all over the world played a big role in my professional career. I have seen all different styles of fighting. I also went to several sparring camps in my amateur career and have sparred against Wladimir Klitschko and Guillermo Jones, among other champions.

Some people chalk up your undefeated record to the fact that you haven’t faced any tough opposition. That will change when you face battle-tested veteran Derric Rossy. How are you preparing for the

toughest test of your career?

I’ve been doing everything that is physically possible to get ready for this fight. I stay in the gym and work hard.

I have a great work ethic and have a great team around me. I feel confident and know that I will come out with the victory. The hours that I have put in the gym will pay off. I am in fantastic shape, I let my hands go. I have one of the best jabs in the division. I’m ready to show the world what a wonderful fight this is going to be.

Although you won your last fight against Stacy Frazier, you were knocked down for the first time in your career. What did you learn in that fight?

I touched the canvas for the first time in my career. It was a great learning experience for me. We know that it only takes one punch in the heavyweight division. I went into the fight with confidence. I threw a punch and was off balance, he countered me with a great shot and it woke me up and reminded me that it only takes one punch to end a fight.

I learned to not play around, but

instead to set the pace and see if my opponent can hang with me in the ring. The great champions are the guys who get knocked down and are able to get back up and finish the fight.

I feel like I am world championship material. I learned a lot in the Frazier fight and I’m going to make sure that this will never happen again.

How did you get into boxing?

I was originally a football and basketball player. I came from a tough area in Albany, N.Y., and I never had any guidance growing up. I owe my career to my amateur boxing coach who was the hall monitor at the middle school I was attending. From day one he looked at me and said that he saw a champion in me. Every single day from then on, he tried to get me in the gym to train. This was when I was 11 years old; I was very arrogant and didn’t understand why I should be fighting in a ring when I could instead be fighting in the streets. That’s the mentality I had.

One day I decided to go in for a workout and it was the greatest workout I have ever had. I was so

tired after that workout that I had to call my mom to have her pick me up, I was so fatigued. From then on I have been in the gym every single day, and here I am today, a product of all my hard work and perseverance. I have a dream for myself that I want to be world champion and I’m not going to stop until I get it.

What is it like being promoted

by Don King knowing his history as a promoter, especially with his success with heavyweights similar to yourself?

Don King is the greatest promoter in the world. He is not going anywhere.

He started this boxing thing and I want to be a part of that history. The first time I met him he gave me a pamphlet of all the world champions he had.

From that day on I knew I wanted to be involved with him.

He has told me to work hard and not expect anything to be given to me.

Do you look at an American heavyweight like Deontay Wilder as an inspiration? What type of impact does someone like him have on you and your career?

Promising up-andcoming heavyweight, Trevor “The Dream” Bryan (15-0, 11 KOs), will put his unblemished record on the line when he faces his toughest opponent to date, experienced Derric Rossy (30-9, 14 KOs), in the 10-round heavyweight matchup on Friday. Bryan is looking to establish himself in the heavyweight division after a standout amateur career in which he won five national championships in just 60 bouts. Since his debut at 22 in November 2011, the 6-foot-4 heavyweight, who recently turned 26, has registered 10 of his 11 knockout victories in three rounds or less. Excerpts: Deontay is definitely an inspiration for me. I knew him in 2008 when I was getting him ready for the Olympic Games and just to see him from that point to now being a world champion; it definitely gives younger heavyweights the inspiration and extra desire.

It’s hard to get there, but it’s even harder to stay there. No offence to Deontay, but there’s a young heavyweight coming up that’s hungry just like him—me. We will see how long he is able to hold the title. It is great to once again see an American heavyweight back on top.

How did sparring with veteran, former champions like Guillermo Jones help you?

Guillermo Jones had so many different styles and different things he was able to do in the ring. He taught me that I couldn’t be one-dimensional and it was great to have that experience. I knew that for me to do my best, I must be able to do different things. He was bringing it to me and I had to harness all my strengths in order to compete with him.

You are making your ShoBox debut, what does that mean to you?

It’s mind-blowing. I finally have my chance. For me as the heavyweight to be the main event, it’s a dream come true. I’m ready to show people what I’m doing in my reality. I do not take this opportunity for granted, I have trained so hard and I’m ready to go.

Your prediction?

After I lay that big jab on him during the first three rounds, I think I should loosen him up by the fifth or sixth round. We’ll see if it goes past the sixth round. Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ ƓƓƓêƄ Ɣƈ ƾƿƣêƅ ƌ