Dtn 26 1 16

How Metuh exchanged $2m cash –Witness Andrew Orolua,

Ï Seeks variation of N400m bail

ÎÎÎThe Federal High Court in Abu-

al Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, gave two million dollars cash

Abuja

ja heard on Monday that the Nation-

Also, on Monday, the embattled PDP spokesman approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to vary

which was allegedly part of arms purchase fund to a wealth manager to exchange into Naira notes.

Continued on page 12

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 31

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 25th January 2016.

7UP

186.7

190

3.3%

NESTLE

707.15

725.01

17.86%

NB

108

102.8

-5.2%

BERGER

9.97

9.01

-0.96%

FLOURMILL

16.93

17.75

1.02%

GUINNESS

101.85

112.28

10.43%

WAPCO

82

81

-1%

FBNH

4.5

4.27

-0.23%

Kogi: Uncertainty over Bello’s swearing-in Our stand is that the governor should not be sworn in because it is an aberration for a governor to be sworn in without a deputy much more so when the deputy did not run with the governor during the election. It is unknown to the constitution – Lawyer to Idris Wada, PDP candidate and out-going governor All I can say is that the party is fully prepared for any conceivable scenario on the issue of a deputy governor in Kogi state – John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of APC

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja, Peter Fowoyo

ÎÎÎThere was uncertainty

on Monday regarding the inauguration of Kogi state governor-elect, Alhaji YahaContinued on page 6

Buhari is driving a new vehicle with an old engine g 8 –Etukudo Police confirm arrest of suspects in Adamawa attack g12 Scarcity gB 1 of foreign exchange threatens manufacturing

Lola Maja: The extraordinary Make-up artiste g L 1

Leader, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu (left), at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is standing trial for treason… on Monday.

Ï APC will not fund party with Govt fund –Oyegun

g6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Page Three Æ s

3

Editorial Liberalising the solid mineral sector

O

ne of the highlights of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s 2016 budget proposal is the plan to diversify the Nigerian economy from its over reliance on crude oil to solid minerals.

While presenting the budget to the joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, President Buhari disclosed that the funding and implementation of the budget would be partly sourced from the solid minerals.

A recent report by the Nigerian Extractive Industries and Transparency Initiative (NEITI) suggests that “there are about 40 different kinds of solid minerals and precious metals in Nigeria with estimated commercial value of trillions of naira.” The report adds that more than 40 million tonnes of talc deposits exist in Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states, even as there are huge deposits of coal ranging from bituminous to lignite in the Anambra Basin of South-Eastern Nigeria.

In addition, there are identified deposits of lead-zinc ores within the Asaba Area of the Niger Delta, while tin, niobium, and lead, exist in Oyo and Igbeti, even as more than a billion tonnes of gypsum have been discovered in Sokoto, Niger, Ondo and Ekiti states. Studies by geologists reveal that limestone deposits are huge in Cross River, Ogun, Benue, Gombe, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Edo and Kogi states, while there is existence of magnetite in Adamawa and Kebbi states, while manganese can be found in Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara.

Moreover experts state that columbite, ilmenite, mica, barytes, pyrite, galena, limestone, sodium chloride, ephalerite, silica sand, granites, tantalite, mica, sphalerite, talc, gemstone (tourmaline, aquamarine and sap-

phire), halcopyrite, topaz, cassiterite, columbite, tantalite, emerald, heliodor, amethyst, quartz, coking coal, marble, and iron ore are found in abundance in Nasarawa State.

Industry analysts believe that Nigeria loses more than N8 trillion annually in unexploited gold alone.

Unfortunately, the inability of states to exploit these resources in their domain is traceable to the 2007 Mineral Act which vests the ownership of solid minerals on the Federal Government.

It is a fact that the new Solid Minerals Ministry is the last frontier at diversifying the country’s economy. Nigeria’s failure since independence to put in place a structure that will make the benefits of the exploitation of solid minerals available is being blamed for the lack of economic development in the country.

Presently, mining of minerals accounts for a miniscule 0.3 per cent GDP, due to the influence of oil resources. We believe exploitation and utilisation of these resources will create more than one million direct and indirect jobs and boost Africa’s intertrade, which at present stands at $110 billion. Therefore, what the country needs is a clear policy framework to create an enabling environment for the exploitation of these minerals. In doing so, Nigeria needs to amend the 2007 Mining and Mineral Act, with a view to investing the exploitation of solid minerals on the states.

However, government should also address the problem of illegal mining and the poor funding of the sector. There is no denying the fact that perceived social and political instability in the country poses obstacles to the realisation of an enduring mining regime, even as addressing these challenges would be a magnet to attracting investors to the solid minerals sector.

Daily/ Online Editor Biodun Durojaiye Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

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

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Ï Ï Ï I n c r e a s i n g l y,

Western countries have continued to stereotype Nigeria as a nation where corruption is on the loose, downplaying the role such countries, their citizens, business and social concerns play in the festering of graft in Nigeria.

Just on Friday, an official of one of such western countries, John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, described Nigeria and four other countries as countries wracked by corruption.

Kerry made the declaration in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, challenging the world to make corruption a national security issue.

Hear him: “We have to acknowledge in all quarters of leadership that the plagues of violent extremism, greed, lust for power, and sectarian exploitation often find their nourishment where governments are fragile and leaders are incompetent or dishonest.”

He said corruption is a social danger, a radicaliser used as a recruitment tool by extremist groups, and a destroyer of opportunity.

“Never forget: the impact of corruption touches everyone. We all pay for it. So we have to wage this fight collectively — not reluctantly, but wholeheartedly by embracing standards that make corruption the exception, not the norm,” Kerry added.

While Kerry’s sermon is noted, the US and other western countries

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must realise that they, their citizens, companies and social concerns cannot in good conscience exonerate themselves from the festering of corruption in Nigeria.

Fact is that many western countries till date provide safe havens for proceeds of corruption by Nigerian government officials, businessmen among others. So, beyond stereotyping Nigeria as a country where corruption thrives, the US government and her western allies should deploy more energy in stopping countries from providing safe havens for proceeds of graft. This should include implementing tougher sanctions on such countries and organisations.

This way, government officials, businessmen and others in Nigeria and other countries, will have no place to hide their loot and consequently have a rethink.

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Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Managing Editor Yinka Olujimi

The sermon by John Kerry

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Martin Luther King Jr.

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Obafemi Awolowo

“When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit to the glories of love.”

“Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it.”

“Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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How Dariye siphoned N1.2b Plateau’s Ecological Fund, by witness ÎÎÎ The trial of

a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a 23-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds, continued on Monday with the anti-graft agency presenting its witness before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gudu, Abuja.

Dariye is accused of diverting about N1.2 billion from the state’s Ecological Fund, to private companies and individuals.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the EFCC witness, Musa Sunday, a detective with the EFCC, provided details into the findings of the investigative team that probed the allegations against Dariye.

Sunday told the court that the EFCC had in September 2004, received a petition from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to wit the UK Metropolitan Police requested assistance of the Nigerian government in investigating some companies linked to Dariye.

“The petition of the UK Metropolitan Police was sent by the AGF to the EFCC, and it was subsequently referred to my team,” he said.

He told the court that the team immediately swung into action to investigate the banks – All State Trust Bank, Lion Bank (now Diamond Bank), compa-

ÎÎÎThe planned arraignment of

15 accused persons and two companies charged with N2.6 billion fraud could not commence on Monday at a Federal High Court, Lagos.

Among the accused are: Peter Harris, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo, UKabiru Bello, and J.E Eriagbon.

Others include: Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nig. Ltd, Mark Anaele, Ariyo Odunala, Peter Oriade Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba.

They are charged on 20 counts bordering on conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over N2. 6 billion belonging to

Suspected robber seeks financial assistance to start business Joy Anyim and Oguntade Ismaila

ÎÎÎDetectives

attached to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Department [SCID], Panti, yaba, have arrested a 23-year- old Ayodeji Bakare for robbery, just as he called on the state government to give him loan to stop robbery and start a business.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, paraded the suspect before journalists on Monday at the Command headquarters, Ikeja.

Owoseni said the suspect was arrested January 23, 2016 at Ebute- Meta area of the state during a stop and search by team of policemen who were on patrol of the area.

Niger APC chair impeached Pita Chikwem

ÎÎÎ Two weeks after the local govNational Publicity Secretary, People Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh (middle), arriving at the Federal High Court Abuja over corruption charges...on Monday.

nies and individuals allegedly involved in the fraud.

“At the All State Trust Bank, we discovered an account whose signatory was Haruna Dariye, but upon further investigation, we found out that the signatory was actually the defendant (Joshua Dariye),” he said.

According to him, it was discovered that the mandate of the account at the bank, had no passport photo on it, but upon interrogation of the bank manager, it was discovered that Dariye owned the account and had on opening it, requested for a waiver, which

enabled him to open it without following the due process of affixing his passport photo on the mandate form.

“We obtained the instruments used to open the account with the bank and upon forensic examination, it was confirmed that the signatory to the account was Dariye,” he said.

Report of the forensic unit, confirming the signature to be that of Dariye was accepted as exhibit by the court.

Sunday further told the court, that investigations revealed that Dariye instructed the bank to dis-

N2.6b fraud: Absence of suspects stalls arraignment Peter Fowoyo

5 News

MicMerah International Agency Ltd. The case which was fixed for arraignment of the accused was stalled on Monday, due to the absence of 16 accused persons.

When the case was called, only the first accused was present in court.

Mr Gordy Uche (SAN), announced appearance for the prosecution, while Mr. Niyi Adegbomire (SAN), announced appearance for the accused.

The prosecution then informed the court that it has not been able to effect service of the charge on the other accused. He submitted that non-service was responsible for their absence in court.

Uche, therefore, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable

prosecution serve the accused with the charge.

Following the submission of counsel, Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the suit to Feb. 9.

Buba added that the second to 17th accused should be served with the charge before the next adjourned date.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to induce MicMerah International Agency Ltd, to deliver the said sum to them, to be used for offsetting a fraudulent import finance facility scheme.

They were also alleged to have falsified documents to fraudulently secure the release of four Volvo luxury buses and two 40 feet containers from the Nigeria Custom Service.

burse the money meant for the state’s Ecological Fund, into private companies that included Ebenezer Ratnen Ventures and Pinnacle Communications Limited, instead of paying the money into the Plateau state government account.

“We studied the accounts linked to Ebenezer Ratnen Ventures with the bank, and discovered financial inflows including money from the Ecological Fund,” he said.

The handwritten instruction asking the bank to disburse N1.162 billion to the companies was tendered as exhibit in the court.

ernment election in Niger state, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Paikoro Local Government Area, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar has been impeached by the party over allegations of financial misconduct, religious bigotry and anti-party activities.

In a letter addressed to the state chairman of the party, chairmen of the party in all the 11 wards that constitute the local government, on Monday, accused the chairman of campaigning openly for candidate of opposition PDP because of religious differences.

The ward chairmen alleged that Abubakar converted several sums of money meant for the party to personal use, which almost led to the failure of the party at the recently concluded local government election in the state.

Job creation: Okowa advocates non-oil sector solution Monday Osayande, Asaba

ÎÎÎDelta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi

Okowa has called on the Federal Government to pay emphasis on Nigeria’s non-oil sector to generate employment for teeming jobless youths.

Governor Okowa made the call on Monday in Asaba when he received staff and students of Senior Staff Course 38, Command and Staff College, Jaji, who were on a training tour of the state.

According to Okowa, despite the huge revenue derivable from the oil sector which is unpredictable due to vagaries in the price of oil in the international market, the oil sector employs few persons compared to the non-oil sector.

“Oil is obviously a wasting re-

source, no doubt about that; we have lived with it as a country; we have generated a lot of money from it but unfortunately it appears that over the years we have not tried to diversify our economy and now that it has very poor prices in the international market, it is my belief that God has allowed it to happen so that as a nation we can look inwards and begin to think outside the box.

Okowa

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Uncertainty over swearing-in of Bello as Kogi gov Continued from page 1 ya Bello which is expected to hold tomorrow, January 27.

The questions analysts were asking was: could Bello be sworn in as the substantive governor of the state, given that he wasn’t on the ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the substantive poll, that he ran without a deputy in the supplementary election and got only about 6,000 votes?

Lawyers spoken to by Daily Times on Monday were

divided in their responses.

While some said this would be very unlikely, others were of the opinion that it would be appropriate given that he has been declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The lawyers who said it was unlikely argued that going by Nigeria’s constitution, someone cannot be sworn in as governor without a deputy.

It would be recalled that the APC flag bearer for the governorship position in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu

died on the day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election results inconclusive.

Following the development, Audu’s deputy, Mr James Faleke, declared himself as governor-elect and subsequently rejected a joint ticket with Bello, the party’s choice to replace Audu. He also refused to run with Bello in the supplementary election, and has said he would not be available for the inauguration.

However, the National Chairman of the party,

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said this on Monday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the party was prepared for the inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. ``All I can say is that the party is fully prepared for any conceivable scenario on the issue of a deputy governor in Kogi state,’’ OdigieOyegun said.

Already, the entire campaign coordinators of Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the Eastern Senatorial district of the

Some Nigerians on board a ‘mass transit’ lorry traveling out of Lagos on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway... on Monday

PHOTO: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

APC will not fund party with Govt fund –Oyegun

Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÎÎÎNational Chairman of

the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun has said that the party will not use government fund to enrich it as the previous ruling party allegedly did.

Chief Oyegun stated this while addressing a press conference on Monday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja in company of party Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Segun Oni and other officials.

Responding to question on whether former President Goodluck Jonathan would be called for questioning in the on-going

arms deal fraud that took place under his watch, the APC Chairman said, “It is not my job, it is the job of EFCC, wherever the train leads, so be it.”

On the perceived selective persecution of opposition leaders, Oyegun said “I don’t know where to start, but I feel it’s a judicial matter and the party absolutely has no hand in it.

“People give this impression that this government does nothing order than probe of corrupt officials but as I said earlier, a lot is happening that will bring cheers to Nigerians in the next few months. People said it was only PDP that this government is probing but for sixteen years, PDP was in control, will you arrest me in Benin over

contract issues when I was not in any way near government?

“If we want to clean this country, we must be serious about it, wherever the train goes, we must be ready to go there, and this entire attempt to divert attention from the reality will not just work”.

According to him, “The mere fact that the current leader is investigating what happened before his time is a clear indication that he is most unlikely to repeat the same mistake as the next government will investigate the current administration too.

“We must be ready to put up with the inconveniences and moral decadence this administration is trying to get the country out of.

When these prominent people start to make diversionary statements, I just laugh because this is not the time for this, we are investigating yesterday, let tomorrow investigate us, that is how this country will get out of this rot.”

On the development in Kogi state, the chairman said “as a party, we are prepared for every contingencies in the situation so, whatever happens in the next few hours, we are prepared. I am not to preempt what may happen, that is for the legal authorities”.

He said that the party would not fund her activities with illegal money and that the party had devised means to internally generate revenue to fund her activities.

State have unanimously nominated an Abuja-based publisher and politician, Mr. Gowon Usman Egbunu as their preferred deputy governorship candidate.

The nomination was contained in a six-page letter addressed to the Governor-elect and signed by Dr. Yakubu Ugwalawo, the Leader and Senatorial Coordinator, as well as Hon. Hassan Haruna , Hon. Yahaya Menyaga and Prince Isah Abdullahi, all Zonal Coordinators and nine others who are Local Government Coordinators.

In the letter, copies of which were sent to the National Chairman of APC, the National Deputy Chairman (North Central Zone) of the party, National Secretary, State Chairman of the APC, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment (who is from Kogi State) and all APC Senators from Kogi State, the Coordinators pointed out that the nomination of Mr. Egbunu was based on the fact that he is tested, matured, creative and dogged.

Mr Egbunu, a Christian, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area from Aloji ward.

The Coordinators, in the letter said, “The impasse, which characterized the issue of the deputy governorship candidate is a common knowledge and we wish to recommend a candidate for your consideration after due consultations with leaders and other stakeholders across the Senatorial District at various fora.”

In his comments on Monday, Chris Uche (SAN), who is the lawyer representing the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Gov. Idris Wada said: “We were at the tribunal today and the court refused our prayers asking that the governor-elect should not be sworn in because it said parties have not filed all necessary papers before it.

“Our stand is that the governor should not be sworn in because it is an aberration for a governor to be sworn in without a deputy much more so when the deputy did not run with the governor during the election. It is unknown to the constitution.

“Although the tribunal refused to grant our prayers, we are heading to the Court of Appeal first thing tomorrow morning because we believe a governor who had 6,000 votes cannot represent the majority of the people

that casts their votes during last year elections.

“At best you can ask the Speaker to step in for three months while this matter lasts in court so that the court can one way or the other make pronouncement on it.”

Also commenting, Mr. Yemi Okulaja (SAN) said: “I don’t think that is possible under the constitution. If they should go ahead with the swearing- in, it would be unconstitutional. The constitution does not envisage a governor without a deputy. It is wrong, it is unlawful, it is null and void.”

In his own comments, Pastor John Baiyeshea (SAN) who is based in Ilorin, Kwara state, said: “All I can say is, with all the legal scenario on ground, there is no choice other than the person declared by INEC as governor elect to be sworn in because there cannot be a vacuum.

“The tenure of governor Wada will expire at a time another governor is to step in. So, whatever happens, he would have to be sworn in and the issue of a deputy will be resolved via the tribunal or other steps taken later. That is the way I see it. It may as well be the first time we are witnessing such a situation but this is Nigeria, we have emerging scenario every time, every day things happen in Nigeria, we have to watch the event but the legality or otherwise will be pronounced upon by the tribunal.

On his part, Robert Clarke (SAN) said: “It is a matter before the court and I don’t want to preempt the court but they cannot swear in a governor without a deputy.

The law is so clear that when a governor is contesting an election he must nominate a deputy, without a deputy he cannot contest.

“The question is, did Bello contest the supplementary election without a deputy or with a deputy? Or when did Faleke said he was not going to run? All these are questions to be determined by the court. If Bello was elected a governor in that supplementary election without a deputy then the election is null and void. He has a right to a deputy because it is when INEC is informed that Faleke said he is not a deputy will it agree there is a vacancy. It all depends on evidence to be adduced in court, it is a very tricky situation, it is a very gray area of the law that has to be resolved very quickly.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Saraki assures Buhari of NASS’ co-operation Lateef Ibrahim Abuja Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Monday, gave an assurance that the National Assembly would continue to work closely with the executive arm of government to eradicate corruption and entrench accountability across all spheres of the public sector.

He gave the assurance while speaking at the National Political Summit organised by Save Democracy Group Africa in Abuja.

He declared that the days of business-as-usual were over.

His words, “unauthorised spending of government resources, unbudgeted expenditures, pro-

curement abuses and diversion of public monies for personal gains must be eradicated.

“Our people have called us to stamp out corruption, improve governance, accountability, transparency, service delivery and human right protection. The National Assembly is ready to roll out an array of reforms on, accountability, revenue management, budget processing, policing and public service performance monitor, that would see our resources better used, engender better public participation in governance, oversight and virile public service that is service oriented.

“They (the people) demand national will, cohesion, political

Buhari

wisdom, economic sacrifice and a willingness to pull together in one direction, not pull apart.

“We cannot continue to have narratives on the line of party leanings, ethnic or religious per-

suasions or such other notions that tend to divide us and make us lose focus on our main calling,” he said.

Saraki pointed out that the change demanded by Nigerians during the 2015 general elections had its own consequences.

According to him, the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came at a time a time five major development challenges were confronting the nation from every side.

“From our depleting revenues and dwindling economic outlook as a result of falling oil prices to the massive infrastructure deficit, insecurity, unemployment, corruption and terrorism all con-

7 News Kano: Council raises the alarm over fake products Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏThe

Kano State Consumer Protection Council has raised the alarm over circulation of fake Products and the increase of activities of those who forge other people’s products.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Alh. Gali Sule, said that the agency had arrested two Chinese nationals and confiscated from them some new bubble gums carrying Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Pepsi names and logo, which were actually not products of the said companies.

Gali stated that apart of false labels the said products had no certification number of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which made consuming such products unsafe.

Gov Udom hails Buhari on anti-graft fight Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: Deputy National Chairman, South, All Progressive Congress (APC), Engr. Segun Oni; National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun and National Secretary, Alh. Mai Mala Buni, during a press conference on the State of the Nation in Abuja... on Monday.

Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

N754.8m fraud: Court remands ex-NIMASA boss at Ikoyi prison Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏJustice

Raliat Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Monday, remanded, in Ikoyi prisons, a former DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and six other staff of the agency.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged stealing of N754.7 million belonging to the agency. The new charge LD/2181C/15 filed before the court bordered on allegations of stealing and forgery.

In the13-count charge, Akpobolokemi was arraigned along with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

The 1st to 5th defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Juan, Udoye) were alleged to have, between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015, within the jurisdiction of the court, converted to their personal use N346.8 million property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member

State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They were also alleged to have on or about May 28, 2015, with a dishonest intent converted to their own use the sum of N257 million, money released for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

The defendants were alleged to have, with intent to defraud, knowingly, forged a document titled “Re: Request for Payment as Consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services”, dated May 25, 2015, purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting Limited.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, on Monday, at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, gave President Muhammadu Buhari a pat on the back for the success, so far, recorded by the on-going antigraft campaign.

He simply described it as “fantastic”, adding that it deserved the support of all Nigerians.

Udom spoke in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting with the president in his office where he said some issues relating to investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom were discussed.

Udom, who is of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, pointed out that the anti-corruption war needed durable institutional structures that would let the system run smoothly.

The Akwa Ibom governor’s position came about three weeks after his Cross River counterpart, Hon. Ben Ayade, made a similar declaration at the Presidential Villa, saying the anti-corruption war was encouraging, Udom further pointed out that Nigerians themselves should throw in their support by purging themselves of insincerity and impunity as corruption was more than exchange of money between corrupt persons.

UNHCR seeks $545m for Nigeria, CAR crises victims Babajide Okeowo

ÏÏÏThe

United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency and its partners has called on donor nations for more than half-a-billion US dollars this year to help hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The two Regional Refugee Response Plans (RRRP), presented at a donor briefing in Yaoundé, Cameroon, included US$198.76 million for 230,000 Nigerian refugees and some 284, 300 members of host communities in Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as US$345.7 million for 476,300 CAR refugees and some 289,000 people

hosting them in Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo.

Both RRRPs cover needs in sectors such as protection, education, food security, health and nutrition, livelihoods, shelter, basic aid and water, hygiene and sanitation. The CAR appeal is being made by 25 organisations, including UNHCR and other UN agencies as well as non-governmental organisations.

The Nigeria appeal is made by 28 organisations. UNHCR alone is seeking US$189.54 million under the Central African Republic RRRP and US$62.33 million for the Nigeria one.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Politics

Æs

Wike: All alone as PDP members keep moving to APC Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State appears to be in serious challenge now following the continous streaming of batches of defectors from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC).

Latest defectors include, three former gubernatorial candidates, Chief (Captain) Sunday Nwankwo, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon and Engr. Beki-

nbo Dagogo-Jack, who were defeated by Wike during the PDP primaries who have now dumped the former minister thus compounding his woes after many others had left.

Dr. Diamond Tobin-West, Dr. Basoba Anga, Chief Tubonimi Wokoma, Daye Ojuka and Ibroma Kirchne are also among those who left for the opposition.

Kick-starting what appears as

the formal burial of PDP in Rivers State was Chief (Captain) Nwankwo, the Etche-born, Port Harcourt-based billionaire and former National Presidential Committee Member of PDP. The oil magnate dumped PDP and joined APC with thousands of his supporters at a colourful ceremony held at Mba in Etche CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Wike

Peterside

Buhari’s driving a new vehicle with an old engine — Etukudo Can you give a brief history of how Labour Party evolved and its current status now?

Labour Party is not a new political party, it’s about the oldest political party in this country today. It was first founded in 1950 by late Pa Imoudu and his colleagues of the trade unions. The first political activity was started by the NCNC- firstly known as National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons and later National Council of Nigerians Citizens. But they found out that they could not work effectively in defense of the working class, the downtrodden of this country, so they pulled out and found the first Labour Party in 1950. It struggled into nothingness about 1923 and was rested then. In 1953, the late Tunji Otegbeye, Wahab Goodluck, Dapo Fatogun, Chaka Nnozie, Prof Ikenna Nzemeruo and a host of others including Prof Esko Toyo founding the Socialist Work-

Magu

Ikpe Etukudo, National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party and former the editor of defunct New Horizon Magazine who has been involved in Labour Party activities for decades spoke about the inner working of the party since 1950, the intrigues, the betrayals and challenges. In this interview with AKINJIDE AKINTOLA, he also spoke about the albatross on President Muhammadu Buhari’s neck and why he may not achieve anything in his tenure. Excerpts:

Etukudo

ers and Farmers Party called SWAF. That party contested election in 1954 but when the

Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Sadiq

Buhari

Mimiko

Military struck in 1966, that political party was banned and it went underground. When

the Military, under General Ibrahim Babangida lifted the ban on politics in 1989, Labour

Buhari, EFCC must probe involvement of Airforce in airport project scam — PDP

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have again been urged to probe the involvement of a company belonging to the Nigeria Airforce in a multi billion Naira Airport project

Party was again re-launched.

But as Babangida and his colleagues found it fit, they did not register Labour Party even though it was found to be number two and the late Prof Eme Awa said it was one political party that ought to have been registered. But because of the way it went, we had to fuse into SDP- Social Democratic Party, founded by General Babangida. But then we discovered that we could not work within that organization because it was swarmed by moneybags who wasted no time to show us that what they wanted to do with the party was in no way what a Social Democratic Party should be. Then we had to pull out. Then the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi went to court and the courts agreed with CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

scam ongoing in Osun State.

The state chapter of the PDP in a statement by the Director Media and Strategy, Diran Odeyemi said it was repeating the call following frantic efforts being made by the state government to muddle up facts CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

LGA of the state.

Addressing the huge crowd, Chief (Captain) Nwankwo said: “I was hitherto a financier of PDP and the backbone of the party in Mba clan but with the turn of events in the state, with Wike exhibiting inept leadership and lack of power to govern a complex state like Rivers, I am hereby teaming up with my friend and brother, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, and others that are interested in rebuilding the

9 Politics

Wike: All alone as PDP members keep moving to APC state in APC. “I hereby promise to channel same resources to the victory of APC and all its candidates.

I, therefore, urge all my supporters in the 23 LGAs of the state to cross over to APC and ensure the success of the party

in all the re-run elections in the state.”

Receiving the decampees, Rivers APC guber candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, reminded Etche people of the numerous roads he constructed in Etche LGA when he served as

commissioner for Works and promised to do more when he is sworn in as governor of the state after the re-run elections.

Many other members of the party including the secretary of the party had earlier left the PDP for the APC.

Wike

How Labour aborted Mimiko’s ploy to fuse into PDP — Labour Party Scribe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

him that he or anybody has the right under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to found political parties of their own. That allowed us to form the Party for Social Democrats (PSD) in 2002. That party existed till 2004. At its first inaugural convention, members of the party decided to change the name from PSD to Labour Party (LP) in 2004, with the nod of NEC. But something odd happened.

Somebody who was never a member of Labour Party, who never showed interest, he was a former trade union leaderNational Union of Banks and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), found his was to become the President of the Nigeria Labour CongressGovernor Adams Oshimhole.

But since he was retired and a lawyer, he had all the time to give service to the party. the founding chairman, Sylvester Ijiofor who was an active trade unionist has no much time to combine the his job and that of managing a political party, so somebody who was never a member of the party at any level found himself becoming the chairman of the party in 2004. And from 2006, members of the party and National Executive Committee discovered that Chief Dan Nwuayanwu’s action and activities were not in consonant with what workers party ought to be. They voted to remove him, but Comrade Oshiomhole, then Congress President prevailed on

the National Executive Committee to shelve it and that was how he served from 2004 till 2014.

Was that what led to the resignation of the Secretary, Kayode Ajulo?

Let me get back a little. In 2008, no convention was held and in 2009, a new convention was held. Because of the way the national executive left, Dan Nwanyanwu had an opportunity to tinker with the National Working Committee such that in 2009 when the convention was held, the national chairman was pushed aside. And by 2010, Dan now claimed that the party was his. People waited till 2013 for another convention. Customarily, he should have served only two terms, that means by 2013, he must find his way out of the party. But in 2007, Dr. Segun Mimiko, then a Minister joined the party in order to realize his ambition of becoming governor of Ondo State and the platform of the party was given to him. He won the election. The entry of Mmiko strengthened the hold of Nwanyanwu on the party such that by 2013 when he ought to have called a new convention, he refused and crisis erupted. Members of the party insisted that he must go, but Governor Mimiko intervened and pleaded that since elections were coming up in Osun State, he should be allowed to pilot the affairs of the party till after the polls. But the moment that was accepted, Dan now decided that he was not

Buhari

going anywhere. He started manuvering for a third term.

But members of the party and the National Working Committee said no, it was not possible.

And Governor Mimiko also told him that no, he had to go.

By 2014, Governor Mimiko had used the party and dumped it, going back to his former party, the PDP. But he wanted to take Labour Party as a trophy to PDP. This was where three of us spearheaded the opposition. We were: Barrister Nelson Osagie, Salisu Mohammed and my humble self. At first, Governor Mimiko tried to befriend us so as to prevail upon us to go along with his thinking of taking Labour Party to PDP which we stoutly resisted in spite of all inducements. By this time, the NLC under the leadership of Ab-

Mimiko

duwaheed Umar, had directed that all those who are genuine labour leaders and union members who support labour Party should not go to the kangaroo conference in Akure. Because it does not make sense for somebody who had walked away from the party less than two weeks to now say come and host the convention in his domain. And he was going to sponsor all the expenses to be incurred. It was clear to anybody that this was a ploy to take the party and hand it over to PDP. So, out of 13 members of the National Working Committee, eight decided not to go. So, they went to Akure to hold the Kangaroo Convention which produced the former secretary A S Salaam as chairman and brought in, in what appears a strange coincidence,

just like what happened to Dan Nwanyanwu, somebody who was not a member of the party. In 2008, he said he was contesting on the platform of the party for senatorial seat which he abandoned saying he was kidnapped. He said he was the National Secretary, somebody who had never held an office at the ward, local, state level, not to talk of being a national officer. So, the party at that point in time broke into two. Those who agreed with the principles of the party because the party was founded by labour leaders became one. Dan Nwanyanwu was brought by Oshiomhole as National chairman became two. This is a trade union party not a syndicate party.

In other words it includes allies such as students, market women, artisans or middle class are members of this party but Dan Nwanyanwu tried to turn it around. We disagreed with him and we did not go to Akure and we wrote it in black and white that anyone who went to Akure was not a member of Labour Party. That’s why we labeled them as impostors.

The trade union recognised us and an interim leadership committee was set up under the leadership of Salisu Mohammed as National Chairman and Osagie as National Secretary and ever since the party had been moving on.

The only thing was that INEC said it was recognising what happened in Akure as normal CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

‘Buhari’s driving a new vehicle with an old engine’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

convention and we wrote back stating the facts of the matter why they should not recognise Dan Nwanyanwu’s faction as a political party. That dragged on and they gave Nwuayanwu a position that does not exist in the constitution of the party, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees. But it was convenient for them to do so because of the marriage of convenience between them.

And maybe Ajulo later discovered that they could not work together in Labour Party. But what they had was not Labour Party. it was a kangaroo of a thing. Thus Dan Nwanyanwu on July 31, 2015 did the honourable thing and returned the registration of the party to the rightful owners of the party. He came to the congress house and in full glare of everybody submitted the certificate of registration to the rightful owners. And we have told INEC that we have the certificate of registration as the electoral law says for you to be recognised as a political organisation, you have to produce the registration given to you. That is why we have issues with INEC because we are the true custodians, members and leaders of Labour Party,

the other group are just impostors. Now Ajulo must have discovered he cannot work with A.S. Salaam. Because we are on a mission to redeem the workers and the country.

But we have not met the new INEC boss and we intend to do so to present our case to him against impostors who presented themselves against the wishes and aspirations of the majority.

So, why did Oshiomhole not contest the election under the platform of the Labour Party?

After Oshiomhole worked hard to get Labour Party standing firm, I, alongside Dan Nwanyanwu and a host of others went to Benin in November 2008 to raise the hands of Oshiomhole as the candidate of the Labour Party to contest the Edo State Governorship election. And we did our best. But the problem in this country is election don’t cost peanuts.

There is a whole lot of money involved. These include advertisements, vote for campaigns while people would come into your house and eat while you also have to give them transport fares. It became clear that Oshiomhole cannot fund the election, but he became a beautiful bride because he has the support of the people. The then

Mimiko

Buhari

Etukudo

ACN wanted him, ANPP, PDP wanted him. Finally, he settled for ACN which entered into alliance with us that we shall share offices. But when he won, ACN decided they would not share anything again. So, that’s how he found himself in the embrace of ACN which is now part of APC. This has now taught us a lesson. Under no circumstances are we going to work with any party again.

How do you see the delivery of Change Mantra promised by the Buhari administration?

I pity President Muhammadu Buhari because he is riding a new vehicle with a very bad

engine. Somebody has panel beaten the body, painted it well but with an old engine. So long as he is practicing capitalism in this country, he cannot get it right it allows people to steal. In fact, the pillar upon which capitalism works is corruption. Corruption is everywhere. We see it in the United States except that in Nigeria, the level is excessive. In the US, they wait until you leave office to pay you back for what you did while in office. So, long as you practice Capitalism, corruption would be a way of life.

That’s why I pity General Muhammadu, after four years, he would be frustrated, because

he came with the best of intentions into office. When he first came into office I told him, in a letter I wrote to him that in 2011, I stuck out my neck for him which even brought me against my own family. Because it was clear to me that the crowd around him would not allow him to do what he wants to do. That because of that I was not going to waste my vote. I didn’t vote for him.

Here now, this man’s hands are being tied behind his back, he cannot do those things he wants to do. That’s why people are now saying he is only facing the opposition, he cant do it to his party members.

Civil society storms National Assembly over financial crisis Over 5,000 indigenes of Osun State under the umbrella of Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO) will today hold a peaceful rally at the National Assembly, Abuja over alleged maladministration and misgovernance of the state public funds by the government of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

In a statement by the Chairman of the group, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman, the rally becomes necessary due to the current financial mess the state is now facing over the alleged “minus-allocation” of funds being received by Aregbesola’s government from the Federation Account.

According to him, the pathetic situation is as a result

Saraki

of over N2.5 billion being deducted monthly from state allocation to service about

Aregbesola

N478billion loans received by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in

the state.

Those that will participate in the rally are members of

the Coalescing group from all the 30 local government areas of the state.

They include The Voices, KIMPACT, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, Grassroots Democratic Network, Christian Initiative for Nation Building, Christian Leadership Mobilization and Better Future Initiative.

Others are Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Nigeria (CESJEN), Development and Peace Movement (DPM), Positive Movement (PM), Good Governance Support Group, Coalition of Osun Youth Group (CSYG), Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and Christian Leadership Mobilisation Initiatives (CLMI).

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

11 Politics

APC leader calls for credible governorship primary in Ondo State With the major political parties in Ondo State returning to the drawing board to map out strategies and put machineries in place on how to outsmart one another in the next governorship election slated for October this year, one of the conditions given by one of the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is the organisation of a free, fair, transparent and credible governorship primary election.

This was the kernel of a press statement issued after a media briefing organised by Oyato Campaign Group to drum up support for APC in the state.

According to the statement signed by Mr. Olayato Aribo, there must be a primary election devoid of manipulation and imposition. According to him, those that voted PDP are now regretting ever associated with the party which he referred to as party of deceit that ‘produced a sectional governor who has concentrated only on Central Senatorial District in term of development since he became governor of the state’.

He recalled that due to the failure of the ruling party to fulfill its electioneering campaign promises, the people of Ondo State have realised their mistakes and are anxiously waiting to put an end to ‘the inglorious and misrule of government of PDP in the state’. His words: “With the reality on ground, it is very certain that the government of PDP can not fulfill 25% of its promises to the people of Ondo State. Our state cannot afford to lag behind any longer”.

According to him, “Ondo and Ekiti states are the worst states among the entire South west- Oyegun erns states. Both governors are not different from the for“As a former House of Repmer President of the country, resentatives and governorship Goodluck Jonathan who ran aspirant in the state, so many the country aground during his people have been calling on me tenure. As a stakeholder and to contest again, but all of us popular political leader in the cannot be governor at the same state, my campaign group is set time. What is more important to to mobilize support for whoever me is the collective interest of the emerges as the party’s governor- party. That is why our group has ship candidate through credible started to work across the state to primary election. I hereby call ensure whoever emerges as paron all aspirants to work for the ty’s candidate becomes governor collective interests of the party come October, 2016. at all times.

“It is high time Ondo State expe-

rienceds good governance and enjoy dividends of democracy as obtainable at the national level and across APC controlled states”, he stressed.

Mr. Oyato also urged the party leadership to play down on the issue of zoning, which is often exploited as a tool of propaganda to enable the party produce a trusted, dependable, and marketable candidate as flag bearer irrespective of the senatorial district he or she comes from saying this is the only acceptable option and condition for APC to take over the state during the next governorship election.

“Having gotten two out of three serving senators, five House of Representatives seats and some members at the state House of Assembly and more importantly the likes of the former Deputy Governor, commissioners and notable members of PDP across the state have defected to APC, indications are that our party’s chances are very bright. This achievement is unparalleled and it is enough to ginger the party leaders and members to ensure victory in the forthcoming election”, he added.

Taraba: Fresh troubles for Darius The last may not have been heard about the governorship tussle in Taraba State as the Aspirants Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has accused the party of not holding party primaries before the last poll.

In what appears as denouncing the party’s candidate and governor of the state, Darius Ishaku,the aspirants said they are throwing their weight behind Senator Jummai Alhassan, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last poll.

In a communique issued after its meeting held at Karu, Abuja, the forum alleged that the aspirants spent so much money on the primaries only to be denied opportunity to seek the party ticket at the primaries.

The communiqué, signed by its protem chairman, Riamnde Bitrus Nuhu reads: “That the PDP did not conduct any party primaries in Taraba State is a fact that cannot be hid. Considering also the quantum of financial and logistical resources expended by the erstwhile 2015 PDP aspirants at all levels before the general elections, it tasks the credulity of any right thinking in-

dividual to pretend that all is well with the PDP house in Taraba State.

“Any attempt by the masterminds of the existing Taraba political debacle to invert the truth will only play into the hands of adventurers who do not wish the peace loving polyglot Taraban peoples well. And if the unpatriotic factors intend to wish away the enormous resources deployed by aspirants across the board in the immediate past so call PDP primaries, they must understand that the aspirants are not prepared to do same, given the great injustices visited on them when candidates were imposed by fiat contrary to democratic imperatives and the principles of natural justice and fair play. The aspirants collectively view the failure of the PDP to hold party primaries in Taraba State after collecting such huge resources as an attempt to extort on a fantastic scale worthy of EFCC investigation.

“There was a dream that was Taraba, an inclusive forward looking and progressive Taraba and we must collaborate to make it happen. The fundamental objective of this new coalition therefore, is to inform the Tara-

Darius

ba political class and indeed the Nigerian people of the goings on in the Taraba political landscape, which if left unchecked could truncate government policies altogether.

“It therefore behoves on all genuinely motivated leaders in Taraba PDP to as a matter of utmost urgency, begin very serious moves to resolve the lingering contradiction by discovering “the apple of discord” who driven by hyena appetite, want to be recycled in perpetuity contrary

to democratic imperatives and all laws of mathematics and logic. ” And we ask? Under which principles of social justice and fair play do the dysfunctional party operatives expect the aspirants at all levels to forgo their hard earned monies, paid under the guise of nomination and other election campaign expenses, when they ab initio did not intend to conduct any party primaries whence they worked from answer to solution in order to handpick candidates of their choice.

“We are therefore constrained even on pain of repetition to put the records straight as follows: The dominant political truth in Taraba State today is that the distinguished Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan emerged as a rallying point in the progressive Endeavour to resolve all the hitherto inherent lingering contradictions which afflicts political governance in Natures gift to the nation state.

“She sufficed as a lightening rod in the ennobling quest for justice, fairplay, inclusivity and the democratic imperative of a level playing field. The struggle definitely continues”, the communique concluded.

Buhari, EFCC must probe involvement of Airforce in airport project scam — PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

and confuse Nigerians on the N15billion airport scam despite admitting the contract was inflated because of the fall in Naira.

“Gov Aregbesola who has no State Executive Council since November 2014 unilaterally increased cost of civil works from N4.5billion to N11billion and then added another N5.5billion for airport “components” with a specific instruction that the said components will be bought by the office of the governor therefore making a total of N15.5billion,” the PDP said.

“We wonder where the governor got the N470million he paid to the Airport contractor on Janunary 8, 2016 when workers in the state are being owed five months salary while some categories have been placed on half salary since May 2015 despite the collection of “bail out” CBN loan.

“It is sad that while the governor had sacked over 1,700 workers for lack of fund, he has been living an ostentatious life cruising around in state funded helicopter apart from funding elections and awarding contacts that are of no benefit to the people of Osun State”, the party stressed.

The PDP asked President Buhari to convince the people of the state that he is committed to his war against corruption and really wants to enthrone probity at the state level by sending a secret team to look at the site of the Phantom Ido-Osun airport on which the Osun State Government had already spent N3.3billion with nothing to show for it.

Magu

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

How Metuh exchanged $2m cash –Witness Continued from page 1 the N400 million surety and other conditions attached for him to secure the bail.

The revelation on how Metuh exchanged $2m cash was made by Miss Nneka Ararume who turned out to be the first prosecution witness after the court overruled the appearance of a principal prosecution witness whose statement / document formed additional proof of evidence that was served on the PDP spokesman on Monday in court.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, overruled twice the oral applications for adjournment by Metuh’s lead counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN) and ordered that the prosecution open his case.

In her testimony, Miss Nneka Ararume said she was a wealth manager with Assess and Resources Management (ARM) at the time in December 2, 2014 when she received a call from Metuh to meet him in his House with the financial report of Destra Investment Ltd owned by Metuh.

“When I got to his house at Princes and Princesses Estate Abuja, there were visitors sitting in the living room. He took me to his office in the house. We discussed Destra Investment Ltd portfolio after which he gave me the sum of $2 million in cash in 100 dollars bill,” she told the court.

The witness said further that Metuh told her that after converting the dollars into Naira, the sum should be paid into Destra Investment Ltd’s Diamond Bank account.

Miss Ararume said that when she got to her office, she called a Bureau de-Change

operator, Mr. Yenon Isie, who handled the exchange.

She also said that after the exchange was done, she transferred Naira equivalent of $2m into Destra Investment Ltd Diamond Bank Account and got confirmation from Metuh that he had received the alert.

At this point, the defense counsel, Ikpeazu (SAN) objected to cross examining the witness and sought for an adjournment on the ground that they had no document to enable the verification of payment and bank account number.

Defence counsel objection was however overruled by the judge who ruled that there are adequate documents including Destra Investment Ltd’s Diamond Bank account number in the proof of evidence. The judge also ruled that it is not deserving to adjourn to justify cross examination.

During the brief cross examination, Miss Ararume agreed that Metuh gave her the money to invest in Assess Resources Management. She said Metuh was not around when she gave the money to Kabiru Ibrahim, one of the Bureau de-Change operators.

Also on Monday, another witness, Yenon Isie, a Bureau de- Change operator, told the court that he sold $1m in two tranches of $500,000 each to two other Bureau -de-Change at N91m and N92m totalling N183m which was paid into the defendant account.

Trial continues today.

Meanwhile, the embattled spokesman of the PDP on Monday approached the Federal High Court to vary the N400 million surety and other conditions attached for him to secure the bail.

Metuh whose trial began

in earnest on Monday told Justice Okon Abang through his lead counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), that he was unable to fulfill the stringent conditions of the bail despite all efforts.

“My lord, it became apparent last Friday that it is impossible to get two sureties at N200m each who have property at Maitama district of Abuja,” he said.

Metuh is therefore seeking a variation in the location of surety’s property and secondly the removal of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) from list of the agents to verify and authenticate ownership of sureties property.

Justice Abang had last Tuesday while giving a bench ruling listed the terms for Metuh’s bail as two sureties with N200m each who must have landed property worth N200m situated in Maitama district of Abuja.

The genuineness of the property must be ascertained by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court and (EFCC) from AGIS as well as two year tax clearance certificates and swear to affidavit of means among others.

The trial judge has fixed tomorrow to hear the application seeking to vary the terms of the bail. It was not certain on Monday whether the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, who was served with the application at about 9.55 am in court, would oppose it. He only said it cannot be the basis for adjournment.

Metuh is facing trial on seven count criminal charge for alleged breach of trust, diversion of public fund and for laundering the sum of N400 million.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (right), receiving his National Identity Card slip from the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), (Engr.) Aliyu Aziz at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja… on Monday.

Police confirm arrest of suspects in Adamawa attack ÎÎÎAdamawa

Commissioner of Police, Mr Gazzali Mohammed, has confirmed the arrest of some suspects in connection with Sunday attack on four villages in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Mohammed who did not give the number of those arrested, said 15 people, including a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) lost their lives in the attack .

“15 people were killed including, a DPO, while among those injured were some military personnel”, Mohammed said.

Mohammed debunked speculations that the incident was an attack by Boko Haram, adding that it was purely an attack by Fulani herdsmen as reprisal over the killing of a 10 year old Fulani boy.

The early morning Sunday attack affected Demsare, Koh, Ndikajam, Ta-

bongo and Koh villages where the Principal of Government Day Secondary School Koh, Mr John Buba, was also killed.

Meanwhile, the state government has condemned the attack and called for calm.

The Commissioner of Information, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said the government had summoned an emergency security meeting to discuss the issue.

Ekweme, Mantu: No way for military coup in Nigeria again Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎFormer Vice President

in the Second Republic, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and erstwhile Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Nasir Mantu on Monday foreclosed the possibility of a military take over of government in Nigeria.

Ekwueme and Mantu

made the comments in Abuja while making their contributions at a National Political Summit in Abuja.

They however added quickly that every politician in Nigeria has a duty to save and protect the nation’s democracy.

The summit was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Vice, Prof

Yemi Osinbajo.

Dr. Ekwueme pointed said that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.

The former Vice President, who recalled the All Politicians Summit which he chaired in 1995, described military dictatorship as a form of colonialism.

On his part, Senator Mantu, who is the National Chairman of the Save

Democracy Group Africa, pointed out that the Nigeria cannot afford a relapse into military rule after nearly 17 years of democratic rule.

According to him, “Enduring democracy was elusive to Nigeria until 1999, and for 17 years, we have uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria”.

The former Deputy Senate President expressed

the fear that democracy in Nigeria may be in danger unless something is done to safeguard it.

While saying that what happened in 2015 was a cause for celebration, Mantu added that Nigeria should still aim at attaining the height of other democracies.

The Chairman of the Summit, Ambassador Maitama Sule, who said

democracy is relative to a particular country, pointed out that style of democracy of any nation should be determined by culture of the people.

According to him, “Democracy in Africa is Eurosenstive and not Africa sensitive”, recalling that the first republic leaders fought for independence and laid the foundation for Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

APC washes hands off Ondo military operations

ÏÏÏOndo state chapter of

All Progressives Congress (APC), has washed its hands off the military operations in the coastal area of the state.

Military men were said to be in search of one of the exmilitant leaders in the state, Bibopiri Ajube.

Caretaker chairman of EseOdo Local Government, Ebi Lubi, and chairman of Arogbo Ijaw National Front, Akubrisei James, had claimed in a statement that APC orchestrated the military operations to gain advantage in the coming governorship election.

The party described the allegation as ridiculous and puerile in a statement by Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, saying it was a comic relief of Shakespearean proportion.

It, however, said: “For us, ongoing military operation is the best thing that has ever happened to the riverine communities of Ondo state in the last five years, and a clear indication of the change that people voted for.

“We have always maintained that the facist regime of terror emplaced by the ex-militant

leader and his gallery security services in the riverine communities of Ondo state, with the active support of the Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and other security men in the state will only lead us to a cul-de-sac, as clearly evident in their activities after former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the Presidential election.

“We note that in recent times, unsuspecting young men are being lured with huge and mouth-watering sums of money from different riverine communities to be enlisted to carry out their nefarious and

unpatriotic acts. These young men are intended to be trained in arms and weapons already stockpiled and used in the checkpoints and platforms mounted by members of the said Gallery Security Services, traversing the riverine communities in Ondo state to Delta state.

“It is beyond doubt that the signs are ominous as seen from the recent visit of the Ministers of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani U. Usani, and the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola to the riverine communities in Ondo state.

Abuja land swap scheme transparent - Group Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏA

pressure group, Media Advocacy for Anti-Corruption has hailed the land-swap programme initiated by the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, as the solution and model for infrastructural development financing that addressed the constraint of paucity of funds in FCT. In a press statement made available to newsmen on Monday, the national coordinator of the group, Mr. James Okoronkwo noted that the immediate past administration’s commitment to the enhancement of the welfare of the people and resident of Abuja necessitated the introduction and implementation of the innovative and laudable scheme.

The scheme, according to Mr Okoronkwo, has boosted the lean finance of the FCT administration and fast-tracked development of new districts in the Federal Capital territory, thereby decongesting the overpopulated city centres.

Bala Muhammed

13 News Edo 2016: Osunbor calls for free, fair primaries Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏAhead

of the 2016 governorship election in Edo state, former governor of Edo state and now a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof.

Oserheimen Osunbor has said the “sing song” that only a Bini man can win the forthcoming governorship election in the state is wrong, asserting that he remains the best aspirant of the APC to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He urged delegates of the party to be wary of aspirants whose only credential is money, stressing the need for them to cast their votes based on the credentials and track records of the aspirants and not how rich they are or the geographical zone they hail from.

Osunbor, who is one of the APC governorship aspirants hails from Edo Central senatorial zone of the state. He spoke on Monday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Benin City.

Fiscal Commission commends NDIC Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏFiscal

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong (left), Team Leader, Curriculum Development and Doctrine, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Commodore Nnamdi Muogilim, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, in Jos… on Monday.

FCT Minister orders staff to declare assets Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏIn

line with Federal Government directives to all government employees to key in to assets declaration, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration including Agencies and Departments to declare their assets.

The Minister said the directive became imperative

in view of the need to ensure that all civil servants comply with the requirements of the law under the provisions of Paragraph 11 of the 5th schedule of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Director of Establishment and Training, Mr. S.H. Mohammed.

According to the circular, the law provides that all Public Officers should declare their Assets and Liabilities right at the point of assumption of office.

Also the declaration, should involve the assets possessed by the individual through the tenure of office and till the end.

The process according to the circular, should be within the interval of four years for public officers on continuous employment of government, and at such intervals as may be determined from time to time.

The Minister therefore directed all members of staff to fill the assets declaration form and submit the acknowledgement slip to the Office of the Permanent Secretary on or before 31st

Responsibility Commission (FRC) has commended the management of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for compliance with the submission of its audited financial statements of 2007- 2014 and prompt payment of operating surplus.

The NDIC in a statement said, the commendation was contained in a letter dated December 14, 2015 and signed by the FRC Acting Chairman, Victor Muruako Esq. The FRC report indicated that the Corporation was well above average in compliance with Sections 21- 23 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 and had fully complied with the provisions of the General Reserve Fund into which 20% of its Operating Surplus was retained in accordance with Section 22 (2) of the FRA 2007.

It also commended the Corporation’s compliance with the payment of 25% of its Gross Revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation in accordance with Ministerial Circular on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The Corporation remitted a total sum of N15.4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund during the period.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Sultan inaugurates Christian/Muslim reconciliation centre Victor Jibrin, Kaduna

ÎÎÎThe

Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Supreme Council for Islamic

Fire guts FRCN office in Umuahia Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÎÎÎA radio station called

Pacesetter FM, Umuahia, in the capital of Abia State, was on Sunday evening razed down by fire.

The radio station is a division of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) located in Amakama Umuahia Members of staff of the radio station said that they saw smoke spiraling out from the ceiling of the building at about 5p.m. and raised the alarm.

It was gathered that before the Announcer on duty who was inside the studio could find her way out, the whole building was already engulfed by the fire as smoke filled everywhere and she was able to escape through the toilet window.

Offices gutted by the fire include the Programmes, Newsroom, Accounts and Administration. Sources said some transmission equipment and some items from the office of the General Manager were saved but the entired building was wrecked by the fire as its walls were peeling off and several sections cracked.

It was gathered that men of the fire service were at the station to put out the fire.

No one was willing to comment on the incident as the embattled management and staff of the station were still awaiting the arrival of the Director-General of FRCN from Abuja.

Chairnman of Abia State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, Comrade John Emejor, who had since visited there called on the Federal and Abia State Governments, the management of FRCN and good-spirited corporate organisation and individuals to urgently assist in rebuilding the station and return it back on air.

Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday, inaugurated an inter-faith centre for documentation, peace and reconciliation, aimed at fostering peace between Christians and Islamic faithful within and outside northern region.

He explained at the ceremony, in Kaduna, that the launch of the centre became necessary in view of the importance of the two religious groups for peace and stability in the north and by extension, the entire country.

The Sultan said that “the centre is just an addition to related initiative that we have in the country. It is for peace and stability of the country” and stressed that “nobody from outside the country can force peace on us, which explains a need for us to work closely to achieve peace, because without peace and stability, there can be no development and progress.

“I want to call on our brothers to work with us to achieve results.”

Addressing newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the General Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria, who is also the Executive Secretary of the newly-inaugurated board, Reverend (Dr.) Ibrahim Wushishi Yusu, said “both Christian and Muslim consultants were hired to do the needed assessment and get views from stakeholders on how the centre would be run.

“The centre shall be a documentation centre for peace and reconciliation,

which will address issues of trauma, conflict and peace building, among many other related matters”.

For effective management and co-ordination, members of Centre’s National Governing Board include Professor D.O.S. Noibi, Rev. Dr. Ibrahim Wushishi, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Dr. Atiku Balarabe Zawiya. Others are Mrs. Uzoaku Julianah Williams, Rev. Timothy Yahaya and Hajia Aishat Ahmed Hassan.

L-R: Friend of Dubai Trip winner, Fawibe Muyiwa; Dubai Trip Winner, Akinsanya Kayode; Senior Manager, Consumer Segments, Airtel Nigeria; Mrs. Omoyeme Effiong with other friends of the winner, Oladele Aderigbe and Ajao Moruf, during the departure party organised for the second batch of winners in the Airtel Red Hot promo Season 3, held in Lagos… on Monday.

BOI: EFCC arraigns 4 over N1.4bn fraud Titilope Joseph

ÎÎÎThe Economic and Fi-

nancial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged four men – Johnson Salako, Toritseju Jemide, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus – before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly defrauding Bank of Industry (BOI) the sum of N1,424 billion.

The suspects were arraigned on five count charge. However, two of the suspects, Salako and Jemide are still at large.

The prosecuting counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki told the court that the accused were alleged to have conspired to commit felony and steal contrary

to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.

They were also alleged to have stolen the sum of N1, 424, 774, 000 property of Bank of Industry (BOI).

It was further alleged that the defendants had forged a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Lands Registry of Lagos State which was pledged as security to obtain the facility. According to the prosecution, the offence was contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court thereby ordered that the defendants be remanded them in pris-

on custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.

The matter has been adjourned till February 4, 2016.

Oloyede

FedPoly Offa Mass Comm.

Dept gets new head Alimi Ahmed

ÎÎÎThe Mass Communica-

tion Department, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, on Monday, held a valedictory meeting, which climaxed the tenure of the outgoing Head of Department (H.O.D), Alhaji Abdulateef Oyewole, and heralded the arrival of the incoming one, Mr. David Binta Oloyede.

The meeting, according to the new H.O.D, was basically the formal handing over to the new H.O.D to kick-start his days in office. He also said a change, which was the aspirations of both the students and lecturers of the department, would be a reality.

The former H.O.D in a publication recently, noted that, “Under my leadership as the H.O.D, the department ensured the tempo of training in all forms such as in graphics, was increased. All these are in conformity with the National Board on Technical Education (NBTE) syllabus.

A student of the department, Dada Peace Adurapemi, said, “I won’t say the previous administration is bad or good, but I believe each person that gets into power does their best.

Ogiemwonyi urges EFCC to probe MDAs Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎA

former Minister of State for Works under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, on Monday advised the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) to extend its investigations into other Government Ministries Department Agencies (MDAs).

The former minister disclosed this following the staggering revelation in the handling of monies meant to purchase arms for Nigeria military in the war against insurgency in the North-East.

Ogiemwonyi, who is seeking the governorship ticket to contest the 2016 Governorship Election in Edo State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress

(APC), commended President Muhammadu Buhari for exposing the huge corruption in the arms deal scam involving the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

He suggested jail sentence for those found guilty in the ongoing war against corruption noted that there must not be sacred cow in the fight against corruption.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

15 Opinion

Emefiele: Between a rock and a hard place

I Joshua Ocheja

read with interest Simon Kolawole’s article, The Parable of Dollars and Dullards, of December 17, 2015. If I had any hope that the exchange rate crisis was going to be over soon, I have since perished the thought. Kolawole’s major argument is that we are paying for the sins of yesteryears and there is no magic formula to rescue us yet. In other words, we should not expect any magical recovery except the fortune of oil changes. Unfortunately, there is no such chance for now. Big economies such as China and India are slowing down, thereby affecting the demand for oil. There is also an oversupply of crude oil in the market, which could be further worsened by Iran’s return to business.

Before I read Kolawole’s article, my view all along was that the problem with the Naira was of Mr. Godwin Emefiele’s making. I had read an article published in The Economist in which the British newspaper made fun of him for banning the allocation of forex for the importation

of toothpicks and Indian incense, among other items. They portrayed Mr. Emefiele as someone who just walked blindfolded into a shop and started picking any imported item to exclude from forex allocation. The ban on allocation of forex to bureaux de change (BDCs) also seemed to have worsened the crisis.

I s think many Nigerians now should accept that something has terribly gone wrong with the economy. If the CBN does not act to protect the foreign reserves, we may sooner than later enter into a major crisis that will require international intervention. What should the CBN do?

Can they print dollars to meet this massive demand? The answer is no.

We are not in control of dollar supply. Oil sale brings dollars into the economy. If oil revenue drops, dollar supply will drop and the exchange rate will go up.

We currently have $28 billion in foreign reserves and the reserves could soon come to zero if CBN were to meet every request for forex.

Where would that leave us? We have seen even developed countries like Greece suffer this indignity. We must manage our reserves well. It is therefore logical for Emefiele to look

at the demand for forex and decide what items are important and necessary.

If CBN has to meet every dollar demand to pay for imported goods and services, the economy would have been grounded by now.

Kolawole touched briefly on the BDC issue but I believe there is more to be said about these economic agents. Globally, BDCs are never funded by the central bank. It is not the job of CBN to allocate dollars to BDCs. Let them sweat for their money.

A third issue arising from Kolawole’s article is devaluation. Any objective observer will be very worried that the same “product” that is sold by the CBN for N197 is being re-sold on the streets for N300 or more. The incentive for arbitrage is out of this world. All you need do is divert the forex to the black market and make billions of naira.

However, devaluation will only solve one problem: arbitrage. If the rates are very close, it will not be too profitable to buy at official market and re-sell at the black market.

Devaluation will not increase the reserves. Our problem is a supply problem. For as long as oil prices

are dropping, forex inflow will drop.

If oil prices remain stagnant, forex inflow will remain stagnant. There is nothing any CBN governor can do about this. Therefore, while devaluing the naira will reduce arbitrage, it will not grow our foreign reserves.

Truth is that Emefiele is in a difficult situation. For as long as we continue to depend on imports, we will continue to pile pressure on foreign exchange. Unfortunately, he is not in charge of fiscal policy. His job is to manage the three rates: exchange, monetary and inflation. However, it is a very difficult job when you are not in control of fiscal policies. Nevertheless, since it is CBN’s responsibility to provide the needed forex, it has the duty to manage the little resources at its disposal.

We have seen the CBN governor struggle to solve a problem he did not create. The circumstances are beyond any governor’s control.

Measures taken by the CBN so far are necessary and urgent. Action is better than inaction. I am hoping against hope that oil will soon recover. Before it does, though, we must manage the little resources at our disposal. The CBN must remain pro-active.

Nigeria and the enemies within

T

Levi Obijiofor

here are so many things weighing down Nigeria that it is difficult to determine whether we are at war or at peace.

Everywhere you look, there are reasons for citizens to feel miserable rather than cheery. Those who say Nigeria is a difficult country to govern are correct. At no time is the country more difficult to govern than now.

Almost since the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation has been trapped in the national security scandal known as Dasuki-gate.

As the special investigation continues, the integrity of many men and women continues to fall. It would be interesting to see how many former senior officials of government would hold their heads high at the conclusion of the investigation. This is serious business.

We now know why the nation lost many good soldiers in the endless fight against Boko Haram.

When government releases funds to be used to acquire weapons intended to strengthen the position of national troops in the war against the criminal group, and the money is dispensed and used illegally by a few officials.

The true story of how a group of men embezzled and misused tax payers’ money will never be known until former President Goodluck Jonathan, speaks willingly and dispassionately about what he knew and what he did not know about it.

Dasuki-gate has gripped the attention of the nation. Civil society groups and anti-corruption watchdogs are ecstatically waiting for the outcomes of the investigation.

Many people in our society, whether they are of high or low socioeconomic status, have so far shown they are willing and ready to exchange their family name and status for a little pot of corrupt money. With money, you can buy unreliable officials who volunteer to render any service no matter how despicable. This is what the Dasuki-gate has opened up so far.

I have always said that the principal reason why many Nigerians fight to death to serve in government or to be elected into office is due to appeal of money. The fastest way to make money in Nigeria is through government service.

Consider how many high profile politicians, businessmen and women, pastors, and civil society leaders who held court during the immediate past administration and beyond have been caught in the net because they stuck out their

grubby hands and received money.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is on the edge of disintegration. All is not well with our country but politicians behave as if things are working satisfactorily well. We are told we are a great country. Fair enough! Of course, every country would like to achieve greatness.

However, you do not achieve that goal by mere wishes. You have to work hard in the day and at night.

Great countries are not bestowed with inefficient leadership. We are not a great country because, in our system, corruption has become the standard way of doing of business.

We are not a great country because nearly one year after gubernatorial elections, some states are still unsure of who is their governor because the position is still being contested at the tribunals, appeal courts, and the Supreme Court.

It is not a mark of greatness that Nigeria is still fighting to eliminate numerous ethno-religious organisations whose objectives are at odds with the higher objectives of the nation. We are not great because we cannot provide basic amenities, including food, clothing, healthcare, security, and shelter to a majority of our citizens.

We say we are a democracy but serious questions remain. Are we practising democracy when people who disagree with the govern-

ments at federal and state levels are seen as enemies, accused of plotting against the governments, and persecuted? When we criticise the Federal Government, are we guilty of plotting to undermine that government? Presidential assistants and advisers tell us the government has achieved wonders but when you probe for evidence, you are rebuffed with question: “If you cannot see the evidence, you must be blind”.

Apart from dealing with poverty across the country, there are many projects waiting to be executed by the government. There are too many people with no clean water to drink other than impure water drawn from boreholes. There are many universities and polytechnics in which students sit on the floor to receive lectures. There are many universities and polytechnics that lack decent science and engineering laboratories, including essential science equipment and chemicals necessary for conducting the most basic of experiments.

However, government cannot focus properly on these areas that require priority attention because too many people are ripping off the system in which, ironically, they serve as public officials. There are too many enemies within. How do you deal with such a complicated country?

16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Talabi advocates sports education at all levels Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

A

professor of Exercise and Physiology in the department of Kinetics, Education, University of Ilorin, Prof.

Adetayo Ebun Talabi, has advocated for Sports education at all levels of education in Nigeria.

Talabi, who delivered the 161st inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin at the weekend, submitted that provision of sports education must start from the home, through the primary, to the tertiary levels of Education.

His lecture was titled: ‘Heaven is far, only the fit can make it.’

Talabi said, “There is the need for Sports Education at all levels .The provision of Sports Education must start from the home, through the primary, to the tertiary levels.

“It is one of the ways to help individuals to live a healthy and fulfilling life. This is very necessary because of the poor state of our economy, infrastructure, medical systems and personnel.”

Dortmund bullish over Aubameyang’s move g 19

Page 17

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

NFF presents

Chukwueze World Cup bronze boot ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has presented Golden Eaglets’ forward Samuel Chukwueze with his bronze boot from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

Football’s world –governing body, FIFA, admitted in November that it made a mistake in naming Eaglets’ skipper Kelechi Nwakali as the winner of the bronze boot, and decided to send another one to the actual winner, Chukwueze, while telling Nwakali to keep his.

NFF Executive Committee member Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi presented Chukwueze with his prize, congratulating him for a great outing in Chile.

FIFA had explained that although Nwakali and Chukwueze finished the tournament with the same number of goals (three) and assists to be joint third best scorer, Chukwueze played less number of minutes in the tournament and therefore, is the winner.

Nwakali was selected as the Player of the Tournament.

NFF Executive Committee member Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau (left) and General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (right) presented to Samuel Chukwueze (middle) his FIFA bronze boot on Monday.

NFF condoles NSC over Akoja’s death

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with the National Sports Commission over the death, of a deputy director in the NSC’s Federations and Elite Athletes Departments, Mr. Olu Akoja.

Akoja died at the National Hospital, Abuja on Friday from complications that followed a medical operation.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, led the NFF team that included Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary); Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Ag. Director, Competitions); Mr. Ademola Olajire (Asst.

Director, Communications); Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Asst.

Director, Technical); Barr. Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer); Mr. Nasiru Jibril (Personal Assistant to NFF President) and Daniel Musa (security officer).

They were received by the Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi.

Sanusi said: “We have come to express our sorrow over the death of Mr. Akoja. He was known to be very hardworking and a gentleman to the core. Allah knows best. We pray that God will be the father, Provider and Protector of those he has left behind and also that He will grant the family and the National Sports

Commission the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Kulu-Akinyemi, who confessed that she is still finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that Akoja was gone, thanked the NFF delegation for the condolence visit.

“Akoja’s death is most shocking. We still find it difficult to believe. The Almighty God has an answer for everything, so we would have to accept it that way. He was a very energetic and efficient person who loved to take on even greater responsibilities. The NSC and Nigeria sports will sorely miss him,” Kulu-Akinyemi said.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon:

Athletes begin collection of bib numbers ANDREW EKEJIUBA

A

thletes that have registered their ambition to be part of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will from today, January 26, 2016 start collecting their bib numbers for the February 6 race, the Organising Committee have announced.

Yussuf Alli, General Manager for the Lagos race stated that athletes who have duly completed their registration forms will start getting their bib numbers form 12 noon at the Lagos City Marathon Expo Center, Omolade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Alli advised participants to come with proof of identification when coming to collect their running numbers.

He stated that peradventure, participants intend to have their running number collected on their behalf; the person collecting must come to the Marathon office with the printed out copy of the form or the final confirmation received by e-mail.

“They must have proof of their identity in order to do this,” Alli stated.

With the Marathon Expo also already going on, intending participants will also have a chance to have a feel of the Expo with the theme Hospitality, Wellness and Wellbeing.

Corporate organizations and government bodies expected at the Expo include Access Bank the title sponsor of Lagos City Marathon, GSK, Ladel’s Baby Centre, Airtel, another sponsor of the marathon, Food Clique, Oniru Family, Eko Hotel, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, SuperSport and a host of others.

CHAN 2016: Phiri ruled out of Mali clash

C

hipolopolo midfielder Salulani Phiri has been ruled out of the ongoing 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final Group D match against Mali after picking up an injury in Zambia’s 1 - 0 victory over Uganda on Saturday.

Phiri was stretchered off in the 31st minute after he went down holding his abdomen when challenging for the ball with Erisa Sekisambu following a corner.

Team physician Dr. Joseph Kabungo revealed that Phiri had a bruise on his right hip and that he would not be available to play against Mali on Wednesday.

Phiri sat out of the team’s training session on Monday at Mumena Stadium in Kigali.

“He has a right hip injury and he is undergoing treatment. He cannot play against Mali. We will continue with the treatment and we will assess his progress going into the quarterfinals,” said Kabungo.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kabungo confirmed that defender Buchizya Mfune who missed the match against Uganda due to a throat infection had resumed normal training with the rest of the squad.

Group D leaders Zambia who are already assured of a quarter final place after collecting

maximum six points from two games will play second place Mali on Wednesday at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

The other Group D match between Uganda and Zimbabwe at Umuganda Stadium will be played concurrently starting at 16h00CAT. The winner of the tie between Zambia and Mali will top Group D and will return to Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu to play the runner - up from Group C, while the second placed team will be at the Nyamirambo Stadium to face the winner of Group C. The quarterfinals will be played on 30th and 31st January.

Chipolopolo of Zambia midfielder Salulani Phiri (left) on the prowl.

18

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

EXTRATIME

CHAN 2016…CHAN 2016…CHAN 2016…CHAN 2016

Eagles

CHAN 2016:

Babangida

battle Syli Nationale for quarterfinals ticket

hope Chikatara passes fitness test

N

igeria official Tijani Babangida has said he hopes leading scorer at the CHAN Chisom Chikatara passes a late fitness test for today’s final group game against Guinea.

Nigeria needs at least a draw to guarantee a place in the last-eight, but they are sweating over the fitness of both Chikatara and Usman Mohammed.

“Both Chikatara and Usman

Mohammed trained apart from the main squad because they have some knocks,” disclosed the former international.

“It will be a massive setback if Chikatara is not available for this game. He is our leading scorer with four goals from two matches.

“They have had a look at the player and we are confident he will make the team as the medical team are

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

Chikatara working round the clock to ensure this happens.”

The 21-year-old Abia Warriors striker has been one of the stars of

t h e CHAN in Rwanda after he scored a hat-trick against Niger and followed that up with another superb strike

Cameroun humble DR Congo to top Group B

C

ameroun will face Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals following a 3-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo at Christian Ngudikama of DR Congo (right) tackled by Anthony Kevin Mfede Junior of Cameroun (left) during CHAN 2016 match played at Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda, on Monday, January 25, 2016.

the Stade Huye in Butare on Monday.

The Indomitable Lions ended as 2016 African Nations Championship Group B winners with seven points

from their three matches – DR Congo will take on hosts Rwanda in the next round; Amavubi topped Group A. Having already qualified for the knockout stages, DR Congo head coach Florent Ibenge made no fewer than nine changes to the side that beat Angola 4-2 last week, and it showed.

Cameroun dominated the firsthalf and should’ve opened the scoring in the first minute. Ngamaleu picked out Samuel Nlend who beat his marker, but failed in his attempt to find the back of the net, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy.

The breakthrough finally came on 40 minutes. Ngamaleu picked out man of the match Yazid Atouba

in acres of space in the DR Congo penalty area and the Cameroun number 10 made no mistake; firing home with his left foot.

Ibenge worked his magic at the break - The Leopards emerged a different team from the tunnel and found the equaliser through JeanMarc Mundele two minutes after the interval.

Cameroun though hit straight back, grabbing the lead once again in the 52nd minute through a stunning goal from Ngamaleu. Joseph Ngwem picked out the attacker with a gem of a cross, Ngamaleu doing the ball justice with an exquisite finish on the volley.

he Super Eagles are battle– ready to pick all three points off Guinea’s Syli Nationale today in order to make sure of top spot in Group C and guarantee qualification for the quarter finals of the 4th African Nations Championship.

On Sunday, the Eagles arrived in beautiful border district of Rubavu, venue of their clash with the Syli Nationale, after a three –hour road trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

They are lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach.

The team had its first training session in Rubavu on Sunday, and on Monday, the team had a feel of today’s match venue, Rubavu Stadium.

According to the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, all 23 players who made the trip are in excellent physical and mental shape ahead of the crucial West African derby with the tricky Guineans.

Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will put out another high -level display today.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

EXTRATIME

Mihajlovic desperate to rescue Milan’s season

B

orussia Dortmund CEO HansJoachim Watzke has made it clear that not even an offer in the region of €100million would suffice to lure Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang away from the club.

The Gabon international has been in stunning form this campaign and has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in recent months, although Aubameyang himself has routinely stressed that he has no intention of leaving Dortmund any time soon.

Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus stated at the weekend that a Premier League club could pay in excess of €100m for the 26-yearold, but Dortmund insist not even an offer in that region would tempt them to cash in

S

inisa Mihajlovic is looking to save AC Milan’s season by guiding them to Coppa Italia glory as they prepare for the first leg of their semifinal with Alessandria.

Milan have been inconsistent this term and sit sixth in Serie A after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Emploi, eight points off the Champions League places.

But Mihajlovic’s side are huge favourites to reach the Coppa final, with third-tier Alessandria standing in their way.

“Today’s match is a key moment for our season.

We have to and we are determined to go through to the final,” Mihajlovic said at a news conference on Monday.”

Aubameyang’s move

BRIEFS

B

Chelsea to make Pato decision

S

ources at Corinthians have revealed that a deal is in place with Chelsea to take Alexandre Pato to Stamford Bridge. But interim Blues manager Guus Hiddink has reservations about concluding a deal in the current transfer window.

Chelsea face competition from Sporting Lisbon of Portugal who are also believed to have agreed a deal with Corinthians, but it’s thought the player prefers a move to the Premier League.

Pepe

on the prolific striker.

“Matthaus appears to be in the know on this one...,” Watzke said.

“But in all serious, even if such an offer would come in, that would be irrelevant for us. We are simply not selling Auba.”

Aubameyang enjoyed a successful spell in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne before joining Dortmund in 2013 and PSG are believed to be keen to lure him back to France.

Nevertheless, the striker has told the reigning Ligue 1 champions that he is not interested in a move to the Parc des Princes.

“A move to PSG might have been an option last year, but not right now. I have no intention of returning to France,” Aubameyang stated.

Aubameyang, who has a contract with BVB until June 2020, has netted 27 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions this campaign.

Dortmund bullish over

Busquets, Turan miss Barca’s training

arcelona may have to do without Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final with Athletic Bilbao after the duo missed Monday’s training session due to illness. Busquets and Turan both started Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga victory at Malaga, but are doubtful for Wednesday’s clash at Camp Nou. Barca won last week’s first leg 2-1 at San Mames as they continue their quest to retain the Copa, which they won last season by beating Bilbao in the final.

19

Aubameyang

i t t e l l a p S Rossi

De defendsm w in racis raloletti has defended

ciano Sp oma coach Lu legedly racially ssi after he al Ro De Daniele ay’s Serie A andzukic in Sund abused Mario M en accused be s De Rossi ha . us nt ve Ju ith f***ing gypsy” encounter w international “a tia oa ed Cr e th of calling letti has stress defeat, but Spal 0 1of d a’s ea m ah Ro during Mandzukic as provoked by s w hi d er ld lte su fie id in m the ventus man . ding that the Ju so ad g t, in en do le cid hi in w e th s mouth l, but covered hi opponent as wel

R

Real have long road to La Liga crown —Pepe

R

I’ve desire

to play

with Messi

I

–Dybala

n-form Paulo Dybala has hinted he would like to play with Lionel Messi after a Barcelona representative was in the stands to watch the Juventus striker net the only goal in Sunday’s win over Roma.

Dybala’s clinical finish with 13 minutes remaining settled the clash at Juventus Stadium, as the Argentinian made it eight goals in his last 10 Serie A appearances.

The 22-year-old has shone since joining from Palermo in the off-season, with Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez there in person to see the game at the weekend.

eal Madrid defender Peep believes it will be a long and tough road ahead for his side as they seek to win the La Liga title.

A 1-1 draw on Sunday at Real Betis has done little to aid that cause, with Real now four points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, having played a game more than the Catalan giants.

“It’s going to be tough. The league

Dybala “To tell the truth, I did not know there were people of Barcelona in the stands,” Dybala said after the cracker.

“It makes me happy that things are going well for me and the team and we are going to show that we are able to give more in the future.”

Dybala has three caps for his country, although he is yet to feature alongside superstar Messi.

When asked by reporters if he would like to come up against his compatriot, Dybala replied: “No, I have a desire to play with Messi.”

is complicated,” the Portuguese defender said.

“We have to keep working hard and fighting. We deserved to win today, but the opponents played their part too and they must be given credit.”

The draw marks the first time Real have dropped points under new manager Zinedine Zidane and, despite scoring 10 goals in his first two games, Pepe said the team is still

coming to terms with his style.

However, Pepe suggested there was an element of luck for Betis in securing the draw.

“We wanted to win. Betis’ goal was a wonder strike, but it was very fortunate. We tried to turn it around. We pinned them back in the second half but we could only find an equaliser,” Pepe continued.

20

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

EXTRATIME

ts a a M target FA

BRIEFS Cech upbeat on title hopes

P

etr Cech believes Arsenal can make up for their defeat to Chelsea in forthcoming Premier League games against Southampton and Leicester.

Arsene Wenger’s team lost ground on new leaders Leicester as they dropped from first to third in the table over the weekend. Diego Costa’s goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 win at the Emirates and the result means Manchester City are also ahead of Arsenal now following their 2-2 draw at West Ham.

Cup glor y M

anchester United attacker Juan Mata has set his sights on FA Cup glory after Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Southampton effectively ended their Premier League title hopes.

Louis van Gaal’s men sit fifth in the table following this weekend’s results and are trailing leaders Leicester City by 10 points.

United resume match action versus Derby County on Friday and Mata is desperate to return to winning ways and move on from the Saints reverse.

“After several games without being defeated, we lost 0-1 to Southampton. And it hurts, it really

Leicester in talks to sign Eder

L

eicester are in talks with Sampdoria over the signing of striker Eder.

Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri admitted last week he was interested in signing a new forward before the transfer deadline and Eder is one of a number of targets.

It is understood Sampdoria want a fee of around £10m for the 29-year-old Italy international, who was born in Brazil.

And a three-year contract worth around £29,000-per-week is thought to have been offered to the player.

Clyne doubtful for Reds League Cup semi-final

Odemwingie

L

iverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne is an injury doubt for the League Cup semi-final second leg against Stoke City at Anfield, manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed. The right-back has played in all 23 of the Reds’ Premier League games this season, but could be missing today as they defend a 1-0 lead in a bid to reach Wembley. Klopp has recently welcomed Jon Flanagan back to fitness, but still has hope Clyne will be able to appear.

ready to lift Stoke

A

3 - 0 thrashing at the hands of Leicester City was not the ideal return to first-team football for Stoke City’s Peter Odemwingie, but the Nigerian says he is fit and ready to go heading into the second half of the campaign.

The former West Brom striker has endured an injury hit campaign thus far, while his return to the first-team has been blocked by the performances of the likes of Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic.

His substitute appearance against Leicester was his first minutes in the Premier League since October and while he understands that Mark Hughes is not short of attacking

Mata

Chelsea’s

y Rems want loan move

C

helsea striker Loic Remy is still hoping to secure a loan move away from Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline, according to reports.

It is understood the 29-year-old Frenchman remains frustrated at not getting more playing time under both Jose Mourinho and his successor; current interim head coach Guus Huddink.

does,” Mata wrote in his weekly blog.

“We have to carry on. Football doesn’t stop and now it’s time for the FA Cup. And we want to fight for this trophy. We must get better results for the fans and I hope this beautiful competition will provide them.

“We play against Derby County, a historical team in England; they got great results especially in the seventies. But as I said, I hope we can make a good game, get through to the next round and start another good run of results.

“I assure you that our only goal is to do things much better to move up the table in the Premier League and try to lift the FA Cup.”

English newspapers have reported that Crystal Palace and former club Newcastle are interested in taking Remy on loan, as well as title challengers Leicester.

But sources revealed that the Foxes, who have allowed striker Andrej Kramaric to join Hoffenheim until the end of the season because of a clutch of forward options, are not interested in taking Remy.

Remy Remy has struggled to break into Chelsea’s first team since his £8.5m move in 2014 and has made just one Premier League start all season.

Earlier this month, however, Hiddink insisted he would not be allowed to leave the club in the winter window and was needed to help the struggling Blues rise up the Premier League table.

Odemwingie options, he has pledged to be ready for whenever he is needed.

“I’m happy to be back involved.

Players are not happy when they’re not playing, but I’ve been training at my best to be ready,” he told reporters.

“You need more games to be back to your best so hopefully I will keep being part of the team and get that game time.

Wickham charged with violent conduct

C

rystal Palace striker Connor Wickham has been charged with retrospective violent conduct over an incident with Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen on Saturday.

Wickham, who faces a threematch ban if found guilty, appeared to elbow Vertonghen in the face as he was marked at a Crystal Palace corner in the 69th minute of Spurs’

3-1 win at Selhurst Park.

Vertonghen also picked up an injury in the aftermath of the incident and was eventually substituted in the 75th minute, replaced by Kevin Wimmer.

After referee Martin Atkinson took no action during the game, the incident was referred to a threeman FA panel, which unanimously agreed on the charge.

21 21

Daily Times Nigeria

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

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

We’ve no choice but to deliver, Court rules on Kanu’s bail Jan 29 Saraki tells office holders ÏÏÏ ÏÏÏSenate President, Dr.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday, said the nation’s political office holders have no choice but to deliver on their promises to the people.

Saraki who stated this in a goodwill message he delivered at the 2016 National Political Summit, in Abuja, said those who failed to deliver risk being voted out by the electorate in the subsequent elections.

He also said that the 8th National Assembly would work closely with the executive to eliminate corruption and entrench accountability across all spheres of the public sector.

In a a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, the Senate President said that discretionary spending of government resources, unbudgeted expenditures, procurement abuses and diversion of public monies for personal gains must NWADINOBI UGOCHI CHARIS

stop.

Saraki said: “The 2015 general election has changed Nigeria for good.

Its implications will continue to redefine the Nigerian political space for sometime to come. For the first time, the voice of the Nigerian people was definitive and unmistakable.

They wanted change.

“For those of us who by this election have been entrusted with shaping the destination we travel from now, there is a clear and distinct warning, the change demanded by Nigerians from the 2015 election are not without consequences.

The victory was won out of turmoil and strife. It was an election won on the belief that Nigeria, together, is our best chance of becoming the greatest of all black nations.

“This victory represents the abiding desire and struggle of the Nigerian people to build a just and decent society where the

Saraki

people matter and are the reason for government.

“This was a victory won with sweat and blood for Nigeria to turn this page.

The change Nigerians demanded from the 2015 electoral victory is based on the idea that Nigeria can be made great again through a dedicated and law respecting political class with the right political value and vision,” he stated.

He said that the present hardship is a blessing in

CHIBUIKE NENE ELFREDA

AGUODE KINGSLEY KELECHI

I formerly know and addressed as SULIEMAN UGOCHI CHARIS, now wish to be known and address as NWADINOBI UGOCHI CHARIS (MISS). All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly know and addressed as NJOTEAH NENE ELFREDA, now wish to be known and address as CHIBUIKE NENE ELFREDA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly know and addressed as AGUODE KENECHUKWU KINGSLEY , now wish to be known and address as AGUODE KINGSLEY KELECHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

HASSAN AYANNIYI ISMAIL

OSAGUNMWENRO ENAGBARE I, formerly known as PRECIOUS PAUL OSSAI now wish to be known and addressed as PRECIOUS OSAGUNMWENRO ENAGBARE . All former document remain valid. General public take note.

ADEDEJI FATIMA IFEOLUWA I formerly known and addressed as Miss OLOWOOKERE FATIMA IFEOLUWA now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs ADEDEJI FATIMA IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

HAWA TARAWALLY FINDA I formerly know and addressed as MAUREEN ONWUBARIRI HAWA , now wish to be known and address as MRS. HAWA TARAWALLY FINDA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly know and addressed as BANKE KOLADE , now wish to be known and address as OLUWASEUN OMOBANKE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly know and addressed as HASSAN AKANJI-AYANNIYI ISMAHEEL, now wish to be known and addressed as HASSAN AYANNIYI ISMAIL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

OKPALA RITA ADAOBI I formerly know and addressed as OKPALA NDIDIAMAKA STELLA, now wish to be known and address as OKPALA RITA ADAOBI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name was written in WAEC certificate June 2005 as ANISIOBI CHRISTIAN NONSO and was wrongly stated in NECO certificate 2004 as ANISIOBI CHRISTINE NONSO. And that my Undergraduate Degree Certificate 2015 at the University of Benin was written as CHRISTIAN CHINONSO ANISIOBI. That all documents bearing ANISIOBI CHRISTIAN CHINONSO, ANISIOBI CHRISTIAN NONSO and ANISIOBI CHRISTINE NONSO remain valid.

That I now wish to be known and addressed as ANISIOBI CHRISTIAN CHUKWUNONSO. The general public should please take note.

OLUWASEUN OMOBANKE TAIWO

disguise as it would definitely challenge the leaders and Nigerians at large to think out of the box and evolve innovative solutions to weather the present economic storm.

He said that the National Assembly is reinforcing its oversight role to ensure procedural and output integrity in the administration of the country.

Saraki continued: “Our people have called us to stamp out corruption, improve governance, accountability, transparency, service delivery and human right protection, and the National Assembly is ready to roll out an array of reforms on, accountability, revenue management, budget processing, policing and public service performance monitor that would see our resources better used, engender better public participation in governance, oversight and virile public service that is service oriented.

ÏÏÏThe

contributions of the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya to the development of the state have caught the eyes of the Nigeria’s monthly transparency watch magazine, Accountability Review.

“This award is in recognition of your visionary leadership, commitment to due process in governance, efficient resources management, budget discipline and implementation” a letter dated January 18, 2016 said.

Signed by the Publisher/ Editor-in Chief of Accountability Review, Dike Hopeson Dike, the maga-

POWER OF THE CROSS INTERNATIONAL CHURCH The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Arohunmolase Felix Olurinde – President 2. Arohunmolase Cecilia Fadekemi – Vice president 3. Bokoh Sunday Segbenu – Secretary 4. Bolawole Titilayo Abidemi – Treasurer THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To propagate the Gospel 2. To eradicate Biblical illiteracy all over the world 3. To Establish a new community of believers Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the bail application filed by the director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

At the assumed hearing, the judge presiding over the case adjourned for a ruling on an application filed by the accused person on January 14.

On the move for motion for the summons for bail by E. M Ekweju, Kanu’s counsel, the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Diri, said he was ready to respond to the bail application.

Ekweju told the court that section 158 and 162 of the Criminal Justice Act is a statutory right in the constitution for an accused person seeking for bail before the court.

Said he, “My lord, it is my humble submission that that the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution has not attempted to meet the provisions of Section 162 of the CJA,” Ekweju said.

But in his objection, Diri said the only material at-

tached to the application was what had happened before the Magistrate Court.

He noted that no affidavit of means was included as claimed by the defense counsel.

He also said the oral application by the counsels did not tally with his affidavit.

Diri further prayed the court to refuse the applicant bail and an order for accelerated hearing.

After hearing the submissions and objections, Tsoho adjourned ruling on bail application to Friday, January 29.

Justice Tsoho had, on Wednesday, January 20, ordered that Kanu be remanded in Kuje prison pending hearing on his bail application today, January 25.

Since his arrest in October, 2015 Kanu has remained in custody of the State Security Services (SSS).

An action which one of his counsel, Chuks Muoma argued has left him incommunicado with his family and lawyers inclusive.

Delta Speaker bags Accountability Award zine reeled out the achievements of the brilliant and charismatic Delta State Speaker, pointing to his commitment to accountability and transparency.

The magazine praised him for his dedication in the propagation of equity, fair play and justice in the Nigerian polity, especially in respect to true federation and the rule of law.

“We have carefully followed your exemplary success stories, kept a tap on your steadfastness and

your leadership proficient and found you a shining example”.

The magazine also acknowledged his contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

“You are a man of sterling qualities, endowed with rare intellectual prowess. Your courage, strength and character, doggedness, clear mindedness, discipline and fairness will always be a rich source of inspiration to other young leaders”

DAY OLD CHICKS MERCHANT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, IBADAN

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. AKINOSO SAMSON 2. MR AGUSA SUNDAY 3. DR. ANYANWU DOMINIC IFEANYI 4. MR. MORUFF OLAWALE LAWAL 5. MR LAWAL BAYONLE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity, co-operation, development and advancement of the ASSOCIATION community and Nigeria as a whole.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: AKINWALE AKINLAWON ESQ SOLICITOR

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Lagos hosts maiden AfricaBuild show Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏFourteen

countries across the globe will be showcasing the latest technologies and machineries in construction, building equipment and building materials at the first International Trade Show, AfricaBuild which is expected to run from February 16 to 18, 2016. It will feature countries like Austria, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Poland, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria.

The exhibition, which tends to showcase the latest technologies and machineries in construction, building equipment, building materials, interior finishing materials and tools seeks to expose Nigerians to the array of business opportunities in the construction sector.

The organisers of the

event also said that the exhibition became necessary as a result of huge investments in mega-projects and a strong demand for affordable housing in Nigeria, and stressed that professionals who wanted to participate in the threeday event could do so by logging in to its website, www. africabuild-lagos.com.

The Regional Industry Director, ITE Build & Interiors Divison, Mr. Darryl Pawsey told journalists in Lagos that Nigeria’s booming economy and her ever-growing construction market were some of the major attractions for international suppliers in the country, adding that the 2016 launch of AfricaBuild Lagos was intended to stimulate international investment into the country’s construction and capitalise on the lack of international players in the unsaturated and growing market.

23

Lagos govt orders re-opening of ‘gated’ streets Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏThe

Lagos State Government, on Monday, ordered an immediate reopening of all street gates and barricades in the nook and cranny of the state between 5a.m. and 12 midnight daily, just as it warned that defaulting residents or gate owners that their gates would be pulled down within the next seven days.

It has also ordered that all street gates and barricades were now only permitted to be locked between 12 mid-night and 5a.m., besides such locked gates must be manned by security guards within the period under lock and key in case of emergencies.

Addressing journalists

at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development and Chairman of Community Affairs Advisory Council, Mr. Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri, said that the decision followed a series of complaints from residents on the disturbing trend of street gates and barricades.

He said that there had been situations whereby fire fighters and police were prevented from getting to emergency scenes on time due to street gates and barricades, as well as instances where rushing patients with emergency situations to hospital were equally frustrated.

Quadri, who addressed the briefing alongside the

Ayorinde

Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon Muslim Folami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, and some Chairmen of

Community Development Associations (CDA), said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had directed that the restriction on closure of street gates and barricades be strictly adhere to, henceforth.

Quadri said information reaching government was that gates were being locked in several places throughout the day, causing much inconveniences to residents having to walk round to get to the main road, and that some gates were deliberately locked just to prevent others from using the roads, thereby aggravating traffic situations, especially in areas where such roads were meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative link routes.

We’ve achieved sustainable peace – Plateau LG boss Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏThe

L-R: Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu; Emir of Misau, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman and Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya, during the swearing-in of new commissioners in Bauchi State… on Monday.

Ekiti APC raises the alarm over Fayose’s ‘treasonable’ actions Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged security agents to closely watch Governor Ayo Fayose in his treasonable acts threatening the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

Reacting to Fayose’s seditious remarks threatening to bring President

Muhammadu Buhari’s administration down, Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a press statement, on Monday, said the governor must have been acting under psychological stress that had denied him emotional sanity.

While appealing to Nigerians to bear with the people of Ekiti State, the APC said that Fayose was being haunted by his al-

leged sordid and criminal past which is now under scrutiny “We want to appeal to Nigerians around the world to see Fayose as a special breed, with a special emotional case among Ekiti people and so he should be treated as a special man whose actions should not be equated to Ekiti standard of behaviour.

“We shall still urge the security agencies to watch

the governor over his subversive activities within and outside the country and to act now to bring him under the law to account for his actions.

“We had earlier alerted the security agencies that Fayose stockpiled arms in the Government House with hundreds of criminals already trained in handling arms. The arms and ammunition are still there.

Management Committee Chairman in-charge of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr. Ado Buba, has said that the people of Wase LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed, and that the bedrock of any society in achieving meaningful development was a peaceful co-existence among its people.

He said that “to achieve the desired change we all yearn for in Nigeria the gospel of peace must be preached and sustained, especially at the grassroots.

Teenager in court over alleged murder Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA

teen-aged boy, Andrew Ovie, has been charged to court for the murder of one Mr. Ibrahim, whom he was alledged to have hit with a bottle on the head.

It was gathered that seventeen- year-old Ovie alleg-

He told journalists that, “my team was able to achieve this through the meetings held in the community where we educate them on a need to live with one another.”

Buba also said that, “you will agree with me that peace has return to the state, and we also owe it largely to the effort of the security agencies who have worked, tirelessly, to ensure that we live in a peaceful atmosphere. But we shall not relent, as we shall continue to engage these agencies for the sustenance of this peaceful co-existence among our people”, he said. edly hit the victim, Ibrahim with a bottle during an argument.

The accused who was in SS2 at the time of the incident was said to be working in a car wash close to a brothel where the incident happened in Ogolonto, Ikorodu.

On the day of the incident, he had gone to find out the reason a crowd had gathered at the brothel, where he was worked.

It was further gathered that the deceased, (Ibrahim) had gone to the brothel with two under-aged girls.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Alleged N3tr theft: Lawmaker challenges Lai Moh’d to name suspects

Henry Omunu Abuja

ÎÎÎMinority

Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor has challenged the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to name the 55 Nigerians he allegedly accused of stealing over N3trillion from the public since the advent of democratic rule in 1999.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on the current anti-corruption fight by the Buhari administra-

tion, especially the arms deal scandal, Ogor decried the lack of transparency and the high level of secrecy surrounding the investigation of alleged corruption suspects.

While describing the recent public statement by Alhaji Mohammed in respect of the 55 persons who allegedly defrauded the country of huge sums as unfounded, he said the minister should muster the courage to name those involved.

“I have known of Lai’s antecedents, so I am not too

bothered. I am very conversant of his antecedent and I really do not want to make issues out of it. He should be able to mention their names and avoid this unnecessary media heist and the unnecessary propaganda.

“In the anti-corruption campaign, when you look at the investigation going on, the level of secrecy behind the investigation is even very worrisome to me. I think if anybody wants to be transparent, they should make the investigation open, publish

the accounts.

“Let’s look at the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal; how it was spent, who did the conversion, how much was in the account, and what was in the account”, he said.

However, the lawmaker, while commending President Buhari’s ongoing anti-corruption war and his recent pact with the United Arab Emirate to help return Nigeria’s stolen funds, Ogor advised that in prosecuting the war against corruption, “Buhari should also remember that

there is a country that he needs to run, policies that we need to maintain.

“There are challenges that are back home here. It is important that Mr. President spend some time with his economic team to look at some of these challenges that are rearing their heads,” he submitted.

He dismissed assertions that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may soon go underground, especially on the alleged plot by the current government to de-

Minister solicits artistes’ support for national rebirth ÎÎÎThe Minister of Informa-

tion and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has solicited the support of the entertainment industry to boost the Federal Government’s soonto-be launched national reorientation campaign, tagged “Change Begins With Me”.

The Minister made the appeal in Lagos on Sunday when he met with top musicians drawn from the country’s six geo-political zones.

He said the campaign, which is anchored on value re-orientation and attitudinal change among Nigerians, would solidify the Change Mantra of the Buhari Administration.

Alhaji Mohammed said the campaign would arouse national consciousness against the negative attitudes among Nigerians, such as indiscipline, loss of values, lateness and other unscrupulous attitudes that have retarded the development and progress of the nation.

“This campaign, which is a bigger and deeper version of the old War Against Indiscipline, will seek to make Nigerians realize that the change they so much desire begins with them, hence the title of the campaign ‘Change Begins With Me.’ This campaign is aimed at solidifying the Change Mantra of the present government,” he said.

The Minister urged the invited musicians to cooperate with the ministry in ensuring the success of the campaign, which is due to kick off in March.

Lai Moh’d ploy every means to muffle it, saying that instead the party has become more stronger.

EFCC arraigns ex-Adamawa NBA chair, Court Registrar for N60m fraud

ÎÎÎThe

Debris of a fuel tanker that caught fire at the NNPC Mega Filling Station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, in Abuja… on Sunday night.

Police arrest 8 over death of 65-yr-old woman Joy Anyim

ÎÎÎThe

Lagos State Police Command, on Monday, paraded some of the suspected cult members alleged to be responsible for the killing and burning of a 65-year-old woman to death at Oshinfolarin Street in the Bariga area of the state on Saturday.

The suspects’ names were given as: Afees Olaide, Nurudeen

Lateef, Richard Ewa, Richard Abayomi, Mohammed Musa, Kayode Dada, Adams Adelakun and Tanimola Ogbere.

The State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Ikeja, said they were arrested through intelligence gathering at various part of the community after they had committed the crime.

Owoseni said the deceased, Adejoke Adefuye, was burnt beyond recognition when her house located at 19, Oshinfolarin Street was set ablaze by the rival cult groups of Eiye confraternity, led by one Ibrahim Balogun, who clashed with another rival cult group known as Aiye confraternity, led by a man simply identified as Gideon in a supremacy fight at the area.

He puts it thus: “The cultists vandalized some vehicles parked along the road in the area, while two members of the Aiye group identified as Bobo and Abayomi Olubola were killed. But as a command, with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, would not allow the cultists to have a field day in places like Ikorodu, Ebute-Meta, Somolu and other part of the state.”

Plateau govt’ll prioritise projects, says Commissioner Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÎÎÎThe

newly appointed Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Plateau state, Architect Sam Galadima, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC), led

administration on the Plateau will take cognisant of the economic meltdown syndrome in the country in prioritising the state projects in other to fulfill its campaign promises.

He said only the projects that have direct impact on the masses will be giving atten-

tion, considering the limited funds in the state.

The Hon. Commissioner said government is continuous and therefore most uncompleted projects inherited by the APC led government will be given attention based on their importance as it af-

fects the common man in the state.

In his words: “Over 109 sites did not receive mobilisation from the previous administration, but we are going to categorise them to see which of them we are going to continue with”.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned the duo of Shehu Mustapha, Registrar Litigation, Adamawa State High Court, and Barrister Binanu R. Esthon, former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Yola Chapter, before Justice B.B Aliyu of Federal High Court, sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N60million (sixty million naira).

Mustapha and Esthon were docked following a complaint alleging criminal conspiracy between the accused persons and a prima facie case established against them.

A group of staff, numbering five hundred and one, were disengaged from Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited, but had their entitlements withheld by the company.

The disengaged staff, through the former NBA boss, Esthon, instituted an action against their employer (Stirling Civil Engineering Company Limited) at the Adamawa State High Court, sitting in Yola, and had the judgment entered in their favour.

According to them, Esthon, in connivance with Mustapha, the registrar of the court, diverted part of the funds meant for the settlement of their entitlements to personal use.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

25 Opinion

It’s the economy, stupid Yinka Olujimi ÏÏÏ I have no issue with the current efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to retrieve our national yams from the goats in our midst.

I also have very little issue with the fact that security operatives appear to be uncivil in their treatment of graft suspects. Of course, I share in the concern that a corruption of the way the war against corruption is being prosecuted has no other name than corruption, too. What with the President declaring on national television that the disobedience of court orders by security operatives is with his support!

These are grave matters, truly.

But, extra-ordinary times (and thefts, like the ones being reported daily these days) may require extra-ordinary measures. Punishing professional yam eaters must be given support by all and sundry, for several reasons.

One: The President has begun a process whose end no one can determine and which will one day – sooner or later – be extended to him and his party members.

The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be in power forever, and President Buhari is entitled to only a maximum of two terms

of four years. So, if this war on corruption in the opposition party will have salutary effects on the current party in power, then we should all applaud the President.

If the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could feel comfortable with its yam eaters, as well as those of the opposition party, then I can only say: “Sharraaaap! You had your chance but messed it up. If you ever have such an opportunity again, make the opposition the scapegoats for corruption trials too.”

The nation will fare better with a reduction – any reduction – in the number of yam eating goats in our public life, so it doesn’t matter that the ones being prosecuted for now are from the opposition camp.

The new sheriff in town will not condone “yam-eating” by members of the opposition, and he needs our support.

Didn’t the late Chief Sunday Afolabi and the late Chief Bola Ige give us hints that under the PDP, the rule was to “come and chop?”

Thanks to Buhari, and unlike what obtained in the past, Nigeria is now on an irreversible course by which public office holders are now held accountable for their actions.

It is therefore ad hominem to argue that the chief accuser is (or may be) guilty of the same offence. The right question to ask is: Did you eat our yams or not?

If it is proved in the court that you were a thieving goat, then you should be made to refund the yams and serve time in jail. Period.

My concern is that the President and his party do not seem to be learning anything from the George H. W. Bush saga in the United States which, in 1992, shot charismatic leader Bill Clinton to power.

Bush’s approval rating had in

Buhari

March 1991 been 90 percent.

One year later, his rating had gone south with 64 percent of Americans expressing disapproval with his job performance. What happened and how should Buhari learn from it?

Clinton, the 40th and 42nd Governor of small Arkansas, who had lost his first re-election bid and had to crawl his way back into the gubernatorial office, created an upset by beating an establishment man, a war hero, who had in a cowboy fashion so much loved

by Americans, given the then feared Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a bloody nose.

Clinton’s chief strategist, James Carville, had hung a sign in the campaign’s Little Rock headquarters, to keep the staff on their toes. The sign had three messages: Change vs. more of the same; The economy, Stupid; and Don’t forget healthcare.

The second phrase struck a

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bond with the electorate in a year of economic depression and was later rebranded as “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Like the Israelites, Americans had no qualms forgetting their dance of joy at the defeat of the Iraqi army – because, the bite of hunger is greater than the power of memories about a heroic past. The pangs of today’s hunger cannot be assuaged by talks of the buffet of last week.

The applause that accompanied the derring-do in the defeat of Saddam had receded in memory; the new day’s enemy was hunger, a development missed by the swashbuckling George Bush.

Buhari and the APC should note that 2019 is not as far away as it may appear.

Could the President multitask and not lose focus on the economy while the war on corruption is being waged?

Many Nigerians are currently applauding the government

for its war on corruption but they will need more than the jailing of convicted looters to want you in office afterwards.

For the government to keep the momentum of applause, it has to give greater attention to the economy.

Carville’s message to George Bush in 1992 was that it was stupid of Bush not to realize that the most important need of the citizens was the economy. If it was stupid of the Republican government in the US in 1992, it will definitely be more so for a Buhari administration in 2016.

If the current sharp drop in the value of the Naira is not arrested, and the prices of virtually every basic item continues to go up, it will be no surprise if Nigerians begin to desire a return to PDP rule the way many today believe that their lot was better served under British colonialists!

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was serially branded clueless and brainless. You may disagree with the motive and cost, but not few will argue that his administration vastly improved the state of the Ore-Benin expressway up to the Eastern part of the country. Or that he started a major work on the LagosIbadan expressway and that much-loathed administration of “yam eaters” built almajiri schools, renovated airports, revived the railways and ensured that every state in Nigeria now has a university.

Apart from giving Olisa Metuh the silver bracelet and keeping Sambo Dasuki and his band of suspected looters in jail even before conviction, the Buhari magic must begin to show concrete results in other yet unseen ways. The government that is speaking from one side of the mouth about a parlous state of economy and urging the citizens

to belt tightening measures should not be perceived to be living in extreme ostentation.

The kinds of obscene provisions reportedly contained in the 2016 budget could provide e-libraries for all federal universities, or be seed fund for agriculture loans to unemployed graduates.

It will be a disappointment if it is true that the Federal Government will be spending N400 million on a day symposium, the Annual General Meeting and symposium of “Shelter Afrique” sometime in June, or that a budget subhead has a provision of N79 million for barbing by the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo , or that the government plans to renovate the Aso Rock villa with N3.9 billion and another N1.7 billion on feeding.

And, why is the government still keeping the presidential air fleet left by Jonathan?

Hope somebody is not deliberately pushing Nigerians back into the warm embrace of the loathed PDP? A piece of advice to the President and his handlers: The successes currently being recorded in the war against corruption will pale into insignificance if the people do not see a significant improvement in their lives and a reduction in officially sanctioned waste of public funds, like the obscene cost of maintaining a large fleet of presidential aircraft, questionable budget provision for upgrade of websites.

If there is no money to tar roads, equip hospitals, fund food subsidies and generally show Nigeria that the good times are here, then the budget should not provide for more exotic cars for the presidency and National Assembly members.

It’s the economy. Stupid!

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Law Æ s

You shouldn’t make Judges face trial, Lawyers tell AGF

Ibrahim Magu, EFCC Chairman

Abubakar Malami, AGF

Although the war against corruption began in earnest with the anti-graft agency exposing the monumental fraud perpetrated by corrupt politicians, however, the battle ground may not only move to the courtrooms but could be a tsunami waiting to swallow corrupt judicial officers as warned by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

PETER FOWOYO writes.

The war against corruption embarked upon by this administration seems to be revolving round every sphere of the economy. While corrupt politicians are groaning under the heat put up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), chaired by Ibrahim Magu, corrupt public office holders have been assured to expect nothing less as well.

To this end, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said in Lagos last week that Judges found to have corruptly enriched themselves would be prosecuted, jailed and would lose to the state any asset they acquired with such stolen funds.

Mr. Malami, represented by his senior special assistance, Abiodun Aikomo, was the special guest at the launch of a report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) titled, “Go home and sin no more: Corrupt judges escaping from justice in Nigeria”, said Judges should be beyond reproach.

“Considering the pivotal role that they play in the administration of justice, it is important to

ensure that Nigerian Judges, like the proverbial Caesar’s wife, are beyond reproach or even suspicion. Gone are the days when corrupt Judges escaped from justice in Nigeria!

“I can assure you today that in line with the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation shall ensure that every appearance of corruption in the judiciary is dealt with among other measures through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the State of illegally acquired assets,” he said.

He added that the Buhari administration would not tolerate judicial impunity and would do everything within the law to ensure that judicial accountability in “a corruption-free judiciary which is both independent and impartial.

“The judiciary’s one and only mandate should be to deliver justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. The world over, the rule of law, and separation of powers which are inseparable components of a democratic government, presupposes the exis-

tence of an independent and impartial judiciary,” he warned.

But lawyers who spoke exclusively with the Daily Times while applauding the anti corruption war under this regime said, it is totally out of place for the Justice Minister to instil fear in the minds of judicial officers found wanting as there has been in place an internal mechanism to deal with corrupt judicial officers in the administration of justice system.

A human right activist, EbunOlu Adegboruwa said: “It was quite very unfortunate for the AGF to have made such a statement. When I heard it, I knew where it was coming from, it was a statement from Aso rock and it was targeted at intimidating the Judges. It was a statement made to send fear to the minds of the Judges having granted bail to those facing anti corruption charges and it worked because after that statement you saw the conditions of bail for Olisa Metuh. Government did that by trying to use the AGF to send fear into the minds of the Judges. You don’t need a statement that you will send corrupt Judges to prison, there is already a procedure laid down, I know how many Judges have been sacked in the past one year based on anti corruption cases, the one involving Rivers state, the one involving Kano state, everyday Judges are under trial, they are being monitored by the National Judicial Council, you don’t need to intimidate them.

The Judiciary is not the appendage of the executive. The constitution in sections 3,4,5 and 6 has laid it clearly that there is separation of power and so it is uncalled for, for the Attorney General who is the official head and leader of the Bar to come and be pointing hands in the face of the Judges to threatened them and I was expecting the NBA to rise up on behalf of Judges.

I was expecting the NBA to speak up on behalf of lawyers who are being arraigned in court for anti corruption charges and kept in handcuffs, senior members of the Bar, I expected the NBA to have raised a voice on behalf of Judges. I think the AGF should apologize to the Judges and if any Judge is caught in corruption, we could hardly find any Judge in corruption alone, the lawyers must be involved, the litigants must be involved, a politician must be involved, a high ranking person must be involved, market women don’t bribe Judges, salary earners don’t bribe Judges, it must be high profile people and so you don’t isolate Judges to say they are the ones to be sent to jail.

I don’t support any Judge who is corrupt, for goodness sake if anybody is caught who is corrupt they should be dealt with according to law, they don’t need a blanket fear because if you look at the life of Judges, they are working hard, tirelessly everyday against all circumstances, look at the Judge who will sit about 9am

till about 2 pm not rising and when he rises from there after taken evidence in long hands, he goes back to research, he has no single assistance, I think the Attorney General has not done well to Judges to try to throw fear to them just because you want to please those who appointed you into governance, that is very unfair and I respect the AttorneyGeneral, he is somebody I have known for a longtime. I think he should continue to earn his reputation the way that we have known him, not to bend to the dictates of the politicians. Judges and lawyers should have a rapport that will promote the independence of the judiciary.

Chief Bolanle Olugbani said: “ My take on the issue is a bit mixed, while I support the ongoing war against corruption, the appointment, retirement, discipline, promotion of Judges by the constitution of this country is vested in the National Judicial Council. Judges found corrupt hitherto were summarirly retired compulsorily. Those who had issues concerning the performance of their duties whether due to some form of negligence, some form of personal interest or those who gave wrongful orders where hitherto also sanctioned by the NJC by either suspension or dismissal.

Now, the position of the High Court Judge is a very, very exalted position in law and in our society. Any judicial officer, the discipline, the appointment, the sanction to be imposed upon him once he reaches that position should not be that of a circus or some form of public shaming, in the sense that the more that the authorities in anyway publicly ridicule a judicial officer while in an attempt to curb, control or stop corruption, the extent of the ridicule that may have been exacted on that judicial officer goes a long way also in not only curbing corruption but reducing the dignity of the hallowed office of a judicial officer to a point where if you now start taking the High Court Judge to an open court to face trial, I don’t think that judicial officer will command the respect and the authority which their exalted offices bestowed upon them.

It is not an excuse to support corruption but, my take is that the NJC is vested with the sole authority to appoint, to discipline and to deal with issues concerning the functions, the non performance of Judges should be left to their duty.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

27 Law

Creation of special court for corruption cases, waste of time-Adegboruwa Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa is a Lagos-based legal practitioner and rights activist. He told PETER FOWOYO, in this interview that he was not under any threat to withdrew the fundamental rights case he filed on behalf of Chief Olisa Metuh against the Federal Government. Besides, he spoke on the war against corruption, creation of special court for corruption cases and sundry other issues.

Speculations are rife that you were threatened to withdrew the suit you instituted against the federal government when Olisa Metuh was incarcerated more than the days specified by the constitution without a charge before the court. Is this true?

In the course of the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, we enjoyed thoroughly the role played by Alhaji Lai Mohammed on behalf of all opposition group and it was a sweet thing everyday to hear how he held the government accountable for all Nigerians.

We expected that after the inauguration of the APC led regime on May 29, 2015 we will be hearing another side of the sweet story also and in a way I felt Chief Olisa Metuh has played that role.

To that extent, when he was accused of being involved in corruption, we thought that if there is a charge of course, let him be charge to court. He was arrested on January 5, I waited January 6,7,8 nothing was happening. I then said we cannot allow this, if there is a case against him, let him be charge to court so I checked through the constitution and I saw that the fundamental rights application rules that we have entitle an activist, journalist, NBA, NUJ, anybody who has a record of activism to take up human right cases on behalf of others.

I then on my own approached the court to enforce his fundamental rights, I didn’t have the idea to shield him from any corruption charge he might deserve.

I filed the case on Monday January 11 and immediately I started receiving calls unofficially from some EFCC colleagues saying they are going to arraign Metuh in court. I said no, unless I see charge preferred against him there is nothing I can do. Eventually, counsel to Olisa Metuh called me that they have filed an application to enforce his fundamental

‘‘My defense of the judiciary is to ensure we get to a stage whereby once a court has made an order, you find a way to ensure that either you challenge that order or file an application to challenge it thereafter, you can make any other explanation but, not through media chat.’’

Adegboruwa

right but, the matter has not been assigned.

Thereafter, I then got a call from the lawyer assuring me that he was going to be arraigned on that Thursday. I didn’t want to give the impression that I was trying to tie the hands of the EFCC and the federal government from prosecuting Olisa Metuh for any corruption charges. I immediately approached the court to discontinue the case because the feelers I was getting from the EFCC is that the case may be a hindrance in prosecution of Olisa Metuh in court and my case was purely a fundamental right case to challenge his illegal detention whereby government was saying until he refund money, it will not release him.

I could not accept that, we have been in this battle a long time to preserve peoples liberty, right from military rule, we challenged decree 2 under General Sani Abacha, under Babangida and any other detention of people without trial. So I wasn’t facing any threat at all whether threat to life, threat of arrest or any sanction, not a single threat and I don’t hope to face any in democratic regime.

You raised alarm that Judges are under humiliation in the hands of this administration. Are you saying the Judges are being tele-guided by the

executive in the fight against corruption?

What prompted me to defend the judiciary and the Judges was the statement of the president during his presidential media chat that those who were granted bail by the court will not be released because of the fear that they will jump bail, indirectly pointed fingers on the face of the judiciary because under section 287 of the constitution everybody exercising judicial, legislative and executive powers in this country including the president must obey the order of the High Court, the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, no exception and when the president stands up as a role model to say notwithstanding any order that may be granted by the court, I will not obey it if i fear that the person who is released will jump bail.

That is an executive irresponsibility with all due respect to Mr. President. If we don’t rise up, it will begin to send fear into the minds of Judges such that even ordinary people who are arraigned for simple offences may not be granted bail or make it so difficult to grant bail as it happened in Olisa Metuh’s case eventually when he was asked to deposit exactly the amount of money he was charge which

shows the Judges are already reflecting and acting upon the dictates of the President. In that regard, it was not the business of the president to be dictating to the judiciary. If he has any problem with the order granting bail, he will, through the office of the AGF makes his complain known to the judiciary.

Again, if a president stands up during the presidential media chat to point his hands in the face of the judiciary, people will begin to lose confidence, policemen in barracks, DSS officers will begin to get themselves worked up to say we are in a lawless society now, I can arrest you and keep you, I heard what the president said that even if the court grant you bail we will not release you.

So it begin to lead to trampling on peoples right, it begins to generate to people having quarrels with their girlfriends, landlords and tenants problem and they begin to use law enforcement agents to keep people in custody without trial and that will not be good for a democracy.

My defense of the judiciary is to ensure we get to a stage whereby once a court has made an order, you find a way to ensure that either you challenge that order or file an application to challenge it thereafter, you can make any other explanation but, not through media chat otherwise, it

will go down to the lower society and they will be using the president as an example. As a matter of fact, the president is a hero, I followed him and the Vice President, they are my role model but, we must teach them aright, they must not hear the voice of only those close to them otherwise, they will be misadvised.

Also, without playing your role as the executive to take care of welfare of Judges, if you go to the court today, an average High Court Judge in Lagos state has 20 outstanding judgments, when we finish our cases and adopt our arguments in court now we don’t wait for judgment, the Judge will tell you I can’t give you a date for judgment because I have 20 outstanding judgments, we just go there and keep on adopting, the judges are over worked, the courts are congested in Lagos state there are Judges who are driving themselves, some Judges in Lagos have not received their December salary, many of them don’t have functional vehicles, I’ve attended a court whereby the Judge told me he had to drop his car on Ikorodu road and entered ‘Okada’ to attend a case because of its urgency, it doesn’t speak well.

If you compare a Judge with a Minister, you will see how many aides a Minister has, same as a Senator, there is a neglect of the judiciary and so, we cannot continue to accuse them of corruption when we have not done our own duty to ensure that the rule of law prevail in this country.

I made that statement because of what the president said during the media chat and I know Judges don’t have voice. The Bar is unofficial spokesperson of the Bench.

Do you support the creation of special courts to handle corruption cases as argued by some of your colleagues?

It is a waste of time to be advocating to create special courts for corruption cases. It will isolate some Judges from undue attention and attack. Secondly, when there is a general rot in the system, you don’t pick an aspect of it selectively and hope to settle that and leave the rot. Politicians try this, instead of looking for a way to be funding the judiciary, they took away their cases and amended the constitution saying any matter relating to election petition and public office holder, you must conclude it in 180 days, right from the tribunal to the Supreme Court, it has boomerang.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Tech Times Æ s

Shittu decries telcos poor quality of service to customers Mr. Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has decried the poor quality of services and the treatment being meted by the telecom operators on Nigerians, especially women in their quest to comply with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directive for the registration of all SIMs in use.

It will be recalled that NCC has severally threatened to deal with erring companies ever before MTN Nigeria was slammed with the mega fine of $1trillion for failure to deactivate over five million subscribers.

Shittu threatened that those erring companies will be dealt with by the Ministry henceforth.

The operators are however insisting that the Minister ought to look beyond the cultural and religious aspects, as there are several factors to be considered of the process.

Shittu through a statement issued by Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, his special assistant (Media), expressed displeasure on the process, “following the barrage of mind-boggling complaints by subscribers across the country.

“The Minister’s office had been inundated with several complaints from Nigerians, particularly women in veil, the way they were being treated, sometimes humiliated by

Shittu, minister of Communications

workers of the telecommunications’ companies nationwide,” the statement added .

The Minister listed the complaints to include “women in purdah dresses were requested to remove their veils in the public, despite the request by such women that a place should be provided out in a public glare for only female officials to attend to them,

adding that all entreaties failed but rather they were allegedly accused of being Boko Haram agents and they were refused registration after several altercation that ensued in some of the registration centres”.

Shittu who frowned at the trend, urged the telecommunications companies involved to accord maximum respects to their feminine

nature and religious dispositions, more so, since the Nigerian Constitution had guaranteed the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of all citizens and that such rights could never be violated by executive or administrative lawlessness, highhandedness and insensitivity.

The Minister said that Nigerians deserve unreserved apology from the affected telecommunications companies, adding that it is inhuman and unacceptable to treat Nigerians in a cruel manner, as it is a universal maxim that rights of even minorities are respected worldwide.

He therefore, urged the telcos to train and retrain their workforce on the right and more civilised ways of treating their customers, adding that sanctions may be applied against any erring company that refused to comply with the policies of the Nigerian Government under the “Change Agenda” of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The inhuman treatment meted out to the Nigerians in the course of the ongoing SIM re-registration exercise in the country, where subscribers were made to suffer untold hardships, mostly in the scorching sun and unbearable conditions are no longer acceptable, “ Shittu warned, adding that, “it is no longer business as usual”.

The Minister also lamented the

apathetic attitude of the affected companies in the treatment of their subscriber, blaming their conduct on the years of impunity under which they had operated without any serous checks.

“If the exercise of smaller countries like Rwanda were anything to go by, where operators play according to the rules and where infractions are usually met with stiff penalties, telecom companies in the country have to brace up or face the brunt of their inadequacies,” the Minister warned.

Engineer Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), while responding to the Minister’s statement, stated that he believes the Minister’s statement as an observation which telcos will investigate.

“Since Barrister Shittu assumed office I have viewed him as someone who is well travelled; therefore, he will not act in a manner that will disrupt the SIM re-registration. The process has to be look at holistically and not from cultural point of view.

“And, the Minister should be aware that the telcos are passing through the same economic challenges like other sectors. They are toiling daily to keep the quality of service better; while issues on forex and other industry issues have continued to bug them,” Ajayi added.

NCS urges FG to control influx of substandard IT products

By Tony Nwakaegho

Prof. Aderounmu, President NCS

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has appealed to the Federal Government to help control the importation of substandard Information Technology (IT) products into the country.

Mr Jide Awe, chairman, Conferences’ Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has expressed the fear that substandard IT products could be a threat to

the environment and people at large.

Awe urged the government to involve IT professionals, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials to ensure control and reduction of substandard products entry into the country.

“Adequate measures have to be put in place at the entry ports to control influx of substandard IT products into Nigeria.

“Most of the gadgets

imported from abroad are substandard products which can be dangerous to human and environment.

“Government should involve Information Technologists and professional bodies to guide and advise it during policy formulation.

“These IT experts can collaborate with the SON to ensure that sub-standard IT products are controlled to avoid hazards,” Awe said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

29 Tech Times

FG will not regulate online publications - Mohammed Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of information and Culture, has assured publishers of Online Media that the federal government will not regulate Online Publications in the country.

The Minister gave the assurance when he met with Online Publishers in Lagos, in continuation of his ongoing consultation with key stakeholders in the Information and Culture sector, adding that the publishers are responsible enough to regulate themselves.

Mohammed, however, told the publishers to ensure that they maintain their credibility, stressing that ‘’If the online publications suffer credibility problems, they stand the risk of losing the confidence of their readers and the advertisers who provide the lifeblood for the publications’ survival’’.

He emphasized that while the number of online publications is bound to grow in the days ahead, only the credible ones will continue to enjoy patronage, either from the readers or from the advertisers.

He said it was in the interest of government that Online Publications continue to grow in number, adding that ‘’because the more the number of such online publications, the easier it becomes to bridge the information gap between the government and the governed, and the easier it becomes for the government to carry the citizens along in the formulation and implementation of policies that touch on their lives’’.

The Minister also promised that the Federal Government would patronize the Online Publications through adverts. ‘’All we ask for, in return,

is that you provide accurate information to the people, and avoid sensationalism and partisanship,’’ he added.

He sought the Publishers’ support to ensure the success of the various campaigns that have either being launched or are about to be launched by the Federal Government. ‘’The National Security Awareness Campaign, aimed at rallying the support of Nigerians for the war on terror, is ongoing.

Also, the National Sensitization Campaign against Corruption was formally launched in Abuja on Monday, and it is aimed at rallying Nigerians against the cankerworm of corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. We are also preparing to launch a National Re-orientation Campaign, which is tagged ‘CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME’, to achieve a paradigm shift in the way we do things,’’ Mohammed stated.

Describing the war against corruption as one of the cardinal programmes of the Buhari Administration, he said: ‘’Some have said the government is dwelling too much on the war against corruption to the detriment of other areas of governance. Our response to that is that indeed, there is nothing like dwelling too much on this war, which is a war of survival for our nation. ‘’The situation is grim, very grim indeed, as far as corruption is concerned. That is why the Federal Government is embarking on this sensitization campaign. Our approach is not to vilify anyone but to use facts and figures to give Nigerians a sense of the cost of corruption.’’

The minister blamed corruption for the fact that while the country’s budget had grown consistently from just over N900

Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture

billion in 1999 to over N6 trillion in 2016, poverty has also grown almost in direct proportion. ‘’The simple reason is that appropriated funds have ended up in the pockets of a few,’’ he noted.

Giving a comparative analysis of the number of those who benefitted from the funds allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and funds allocated for the 2015 Zonal Intervention Projects, Alhaji Mohammed said ‘’the amount received by 21 individuals and companies from ONSA is more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by 2.829 billion Naira! ‘’Whereas the sum of N51.829 billion was appropriated for 1,278 projects in the Zonal Intervention Projects for 2015, a total of 21 individuals and companies benefited from the Dasukigate to the tune of

N54.659 billion as we know so far. ‘’The implication, therefore, is that the amount received by 21 individuals and companies is more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by 2.829 billion Naira!

Furthermore, the value of what beneficiaries of Dasukigate contributed to development is zero, compared to how the lives of Nigerians would have been transformed, poverty reduced and livelihoods improved by the Zonal Intervention Projects which would have cost N2.829 billion less than Dasukigate.

He appealed to the Online Publishers to support the war against corruption by ensuring that Nigerians are well informed about the evils of corruption. ‘’This is not Buhari’s war.

This is not APC’s war. This is Nigeria’s war and failure is not an option,’’ he concluded.

NCS urges FG to control influx of substandard IT products CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

The NCS committee chairman said local manufacturers needed to be encouraged and given a conducive environment to produce, adding that this would increase local investors’ patronage.

Awe also said that substandard IT products did not fit the stereotype of being long-lasting,

saying that original items made things better, efficient and effective.

“If you are using substandard equipment, it cannot last long.

“Almost everybody makes use of IT equipment for several things because it is efficient and fast,” Awe added.

Also speaking, Mr Femi Efunsanya, an IT business

owner and programmer, said substandard products were introduced into the country by businessmen who tried to cut corners to maximise profit.

Efunsanya said these businessmen did not consider the long and short time effects of sub-standard products.

He stressed that substandard products could be harmful to

people and the environment, adding that people were usually unaware of its sub-standard quality so they purchased them.

“Most importers of IT products do not consider the negative effects of substandard products.

“All they are after is how to make more profit on a particular import,” he said.

ASUS changes ZenFone C 4.5’s name to ZenFone Go 4.5 ASUS, a leading enterprise in the new digital era, has announced the change of naming of the ZenFone C 4.5 (ZC451TG) to ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZC451TG).

The company said that its ZenFone family of smartphones will have only three series; namely, ZenFoneSelfie, ZenFone Laser and ZenFone Go. In a statement made available to the Daily Times, ASUS notes that: “The new naming will be easier for end users to remember.”

ZenFoneSelfie(ZD551KL)is the ultimate choice for selfies, with its twin 13MP PixelMaster cameras and a dual-color, dualLED Real Tone flash at both front and rear. ZenFoneSelfie also features the fashionable multifaceted polygonal cover design aesthetic to the ZenFone, offering beauty and power in abundance. The great camera solutions are accompanied with top specs including octa-core 64bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, 3GB memory, 32GB storage, and 5.5-inch IPS FHD 1920x1080 anti-scratch Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 touch panel.

Available in purple, white and pink colours.

ZenFone Laser 5.5 (ZE550KL) laser auto-focus technology empowers users to capture photos with perfect clarity in just 0.3 seconds. ZenFone Laser 5.5 is perfect for the consumer who is looking for a phone with great performance and an amazing camerabecause it is equipped with quad-core 64bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor with 2GB memory and 16GB storage and 5.5-inch IPS HD 1280x720 anti-scratch Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 touch panel.

Laser 5.5 is available in black, white, red and gold colours.

ZenFone Go series with portability on the go is for end users who are looking for a stylish and portable smartphone.

ZenFone Go series comprises ZenFone Go 5.0 (ZC500TG) with 5-inch display and ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZC451TG) with 4.5-inch display.

ZenFone Go 5.0 has a quadcore processor, 2GB memory, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera and 5-inch Super Bright IPS HD 1280x720 anti-scratch Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 touch panel with glove touch support available in black, white, red, and gold colours.

ZenFone Go 4.5 has a quad-core processor, 1GB memory, 8GB storage, 5MP rear camera and 4.5-inch touch panel available in black, white, pink and blue colours.

Tech Times 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

NITDA commences tech startups forum in public sector, MDAs In line with its commitment to turn Nigeria into a technology innovation hub in Africa, the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE), a special purpose vehicle established under National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act, has commenced a strategic interactive programme among federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and ICT startups.

The OIIE was setup to nurture, cultivate and expand ICT innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria in line with NITDA Act 2007 and the National ICT policy.

In his opening remarks at a twoday event in Abuja, Arch Sonny Echono, permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, said information communication technology (ICT) is a key tool in the change agenda of the current administration.

Echono stated that President Buhari’s administration would deploy ICT to tackle youth employment, wealth creation, economic growth, efficiency and transparency in government.

The objective of the retreat, according to him, was for the OIIE to start an active

engagement between the ICT start-ups and government.

“It is expected that through these initiatives and programmes, there will be an increase in the contributions from ICT to the national GDP, which will include more jobs and wealth creation, “ he said.

National Coordinator, OIIE, Mr. Bunmi Okunowo, maintained that government the world over is a huge market for ICT entrepreneurs as there are challenges in government processes and service delivery requiring solution.

“As it’s often said, charity begins at home. There is a need to infuse new ICT innovations into government to improve efficiency in its service delivery to its stakeholders, as well as increase transparency and accountability,” he added.

Okunowo explained that there are an increasing numbers of ICT startups and entrepreneurs with government-facing technologies that have evolved over time and can solve specific challenges in government.

“We have startups like Talentbase with HR solution, Prowork with mobile-based project management app, Slimtrader, an agro-allied based app, e-Pump solution

from Africania, Wecyclers, an incentive-based recycling company, Wizitup with an educational solution and many others across the country,” Okunowo stressed.

The aim of the Government Startup Interactive Program (GSIP), he explained would be to establish networks and dialogue between the Heads of ICT in MDAs and IT start-ups towards improving efficiency in government service delivery through innovative and trendy technologies, as well as creating market opportunities for startups.

Mrs. Moni Udoh, secretary, Council of ICT Heads in MDAs, assured that the council would collaborate with IT startups in the provision of required assistance that would enable them deploy IT tools to address public sector challenges.

She revealed that though the Council was inaugurated on April 4, 2013, as an advisory body with no authority to make decisions, it could encourage ICT transformational changes within the MDAs. Udoh noted that the aim is “to promote collaboration among ICT leaders in the MDAs and organise experience, knowledge and information

Echono, PS Communications

sharing sessions to promote identification of leading practices and organisational improvement, act as agents for the diffusion and adoption of leading IT practices across MDAs, promote professionalism among IT cadre while grooming future leaders in the IT industry”.

Senior Manager, Technological Growth Platform at Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Adebola, while presenting his paper disclosed that Nigeria has emerged the sixth highest spender in the world on ICT in 2015, with USA, UK and Germany as the three top ICT spenders from 2013 to 2015.

“Outcome of the comparative analysis between USA and UK and developing countries like Nigeria, suggested that western countries spend more

on IT services, data centre system and internal services while developing countries spend more on devices and telecommunications,” Adebola said.

CEO and Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Arch. Yusuf Kazaure in his own contribution, emphasized the need for capacity building among the MDAs and entrepreneurs work in a manner that is sustainable, inclusive and contributory to the progress of the country as a whole.

The highlight of the retreat was the demo session by the ICT startups where five startups displayed their solution to over 50 heads of the council.

Some of the solutions displayed include: Prowork, Wizitup, Talentbase, Medismart and Mobi Agric.

Shittu approves Vincent Olatunji appointment as Ag. DG NITDA

By Tony Nwakaegho

Dr. Olatunji, acting DG, NITDA

Mr. Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication, has approved the appointment of Dr. Vincent Olatunji as the new Director General of NITDA in acting capacity.

The appointment, according to a statement by Hadiza Umar (Mrs.), h ead, Public Affairs, NITDA , took effect from January 20.

Olatunji was before his appointment, the Director, Corporate

Strategy and Research in the Agency.

Olatunji is from Ikole Ekiti, in Ekiti State. He holds a PhD in Geography and Planning from the University of Lagos and an Advance Diploma in Computer Science.

He joined the services of NITDA in May, 2002 where he rise to the position of Director, Corporate Strategy and Research.

He has worked for over 25 years in the Nigerian Public Service thereby rising to become a seasoned

professional with practical experience and thorough understanding of government operations in Nigeria.

He has spearheaded and successfully delivered a considerable number of vital activities such as formulating strategic goals and plans for achieving NITDA’s mandate such activities include initiation and supervision of research initiatives; supervision of the development of CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

31 Tech Times

2 Nigerian firms join Arbor to tackle DDoS attacks Networks Unlimited, leading value-added distributor, has declared that amidst increasing reports of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, two new Nigerian based companies have joined the Arbor Advantage Partner Program to provide solutions to tackle the attacks.

Networks Unlimited will distribute the Arbor’s Peakflow, Pravail and Cloud solutions to Business Connexion ICT Services Ltd, one of the largest ICT services providers in Africa, and SMSAM Systems Ltd, a leading provider of advanced enterprise IT security solutions to many of Africa’s largest financial services companies, who together service 16 countries within East and West Africa.

According to Bryan Hamman, territory manager for sub-Saharan Africa at Arbor Networks, the impact of a DDoS attack is not the same for every organisation.

“If you operate a global network, or one in which Web and application availability is a necessity for your employees, customers and supply chain partners, Arbor Cloud is your solution. With DDoS protection from Arbor Cloud and the Pravail Availability Protection

Hamman, Arbor Networks

System, enterprises can deploy best-practices defence in a single solution, with tightly integrated mitigation from the enterprise premise to the cloud,” Hamman said.

Arbor Cloud’s hybrid defense protects enterprises against a wide spectrum of DDoS attacks, including volumetric, application-layer, stateexhaustion (such as targeting firewall/IPS), blended and multi-vector DDoS attacks.

The ease of use of the onpremise Pravail solution

enables existing enterprise IT staff to maintain control of the mitigation, and gives them the ability to quickly alert the cloud when attacks reach a certain size that cannot be blocked locally.

In addition, the Peakflow solution integrates networkwide intelligence and anomaly detection with carrier-class threat management to help identify and stop network and application-layer DDoS attacks.

“Arbor Networks has more experience than anyone on the planet in fighting DDoS attacks

for complex and demanding networks, and now West African companies can protect themselves from looming cyber threats,” Hamman added.

Business Connexion ICT Services assists companies in Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’lvoire, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. SMSAM Systems services companies are in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Currently, Networks Unlimited distributes Arbor Networks’ solutions in 18 African countries.

Sunday McDisckson Samuel, CEO at SMSAM Systems commented: “We’re leveraging on the massive experience of Arbor Networks in the space of DDoS prevention and mitigation to help our customers to be more proactive at securing not just their perimeter but their investment, thereby achieving actionable return on security investment.”

“Business Connexion is excited to partner with Arbor Networks in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Chika Acha, chief solutions architect at Business Connexion ICT Services said.

IT Firm raises alarm on banks’ ATMs impending digital attack

By Tony Nwakaegho Data Recovery Specialist Limited, a Lagos based information security firm, has raised an alarm on impending digital attacks on bank’s ATMs and other self service terminals across the country this year.

Bolanle Omotosho, CEO, Data Recovery Specialist Limited who made this disclosure also hinted that as a way of preventing

such attacks, the company is embarking on the launch of an innovative solution that would address all forms of digital attack on organisations.

Omotosho said: “As a security firm, we have seen ahead and discovered that the next crime the criminals will be committing is to attack the ATM directly.”

He predicted that the banks will be experiencing so many attacks, especially as it concerns the customers’ data and money.

According to him, since the

banks have been able to halt the criminals from skimming customers’ cards and siphoning their money, the criminals have perfected the next step which is to take the money directly from the banks and not from the customers as was witnessed in the past.

He highlighted that such incidences are already being experienced in Europe and some part of America now, whereby the ATMs would be dispensing cash without anybody

inserting a card or its personal identification number (PIN).

Bolanle mentioned that the launch of the solution will be held in the first quarter of this year, and will be able to foreclose any attack targeted at the bank’s customers’ data and money.

“In the first quarter of this year, we are set to bring an innovative solution to the market that would be able to protect the ATM and other self service terminals from attack

Gartner forecasts IT spending to grow 0.6% in 2016

By Tony Nwakaegho

John-David Lovelock, research vice president at Gartner (picture) Worldwide IT spending is forecast to total $3.54 trillion dollars in 2016, just a 0.6 per cent increase over 2015 spending of $3.52 trillion dollars, according to Gartner, Inc. 2015 saw the largest U.S. dollar drop in IT spending since Gartner began tracking IT spending. $216 billion dollars less was spent on IT in 2015 than in 2014 and 2014 spending levels won’t be surpassed until 2019.

“The rising U.S. dollar is the villain behind 2015 results,” said John-David Lovelock, research vice president at Gartner. “U.S. multinationals’ revenue faced currency headwinds in 2015.

However, in 2016 those headwinds go away and they can expect an additional 5 percent growth.”

The Gartner Worldwide IT Spending Forecast is the leading indicator of major technology trends across the hardware, software, IT services and telecom markets.

For more than a decade, global IT and business executives have been using these highly anticipated quarterly reports to recognize market opportunities and challenges, and base their critical business decisions on proven methodologies rather than guesswork.The devices market (PCs, ultramobiles, mobile phones, tablets and printers) is forecast to decline 1.9 per cent in 2016.

The combination of economic conditions preventing countries such as Russia, Japan and Brazil from returning to stronger growth, together with a shift in phone spending in emerging markets to lower-cost phones, is overlaid with weak tablet adoption in regions where there was an expectation of growth.

Shittu approves Vincent Olatunji’s appointment as Ag. DG NITDA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

ICT policy for states and effectively represented the Agency in major ICT fora within and outside the country.

He has demonstrated good ability in building result oriented relationship among stakeholders in the Information Technology industry in Nigeria and globally.

Highly experienced in Team

Building, Research activities, Policy/ Strategic Planning, Project Planning/ Management and Organization of Conferences/ Workshops targeted towards sustainable development initiatives at the three tiers of Government in Nigeria.

He has served in many positions at various times which include the following amongst others: Member,

ECOWAS ICT Taskforce (2003 to 12); Secretary, National Committee on World Summit on Information Society (2003-2005); Secretary, National Committee on the development of Nigerian ICT4D Plan; Secretary National Software Policy Committee (2012); Member, National ICT Policy Committee (2012); Member, National Broadband Roadmap Committee

(2012); Member, Governing Board, Incubation Development Entrepreneurship Accelerator (iDEA); Member, National Open Data Initiative Committee, among others.

He has attended various Training Programmes, Conferences and also presented papers at various fora and effectively represented NITDA in several capacities.

John-David Lovelock

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lman a S to make case for

Fergie

at FIFA, as SAFA questions Sexwale F

IFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa would seek to use former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in an advisory role should his election campaign prove successful.

The Asian Football Confederation president is one of five men in the running to succeed Sepp Blatter in the top job of world game’s governing body, along with Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino and Tokyo Sexwale.

Blatter, assumed the role in 1998, was given an eight-year ban from all football-related activities as a result of a “disloyal payment” made to UEFA president Michel Platini on FIFA’s behalf in 2011.

Platini, who had previously been in contention to replace Blatter, was also hit with an eight-year suspension, although both are contesting the sanctions.

With the elections set to take place next month, Sheikh Salman spoke fondly of former United boss Ferguson and believes the Scot could be a valuable ally should he prevail.

“Sir Alex has made a great contribution at UEFA. Personalities like this, who have given so much to the game, it is always nice to have their advice and have them around. We want to have an open-door policy,” he told reporters.

When asked if Ferguson and Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore would be considered to be appointed to a board of advisors, Sheikh Salman replied: “Absolutely.

“They have the experience and personality. Everyone respects them and the work that they have done but there are other people around the world who will have a similar contribution.”

Meanwhile, FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale will face questions after being accused of running a “low-profile” campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter.

Sexwale is one of five men in contention to replace the Swiss at the elections on February 26, along with Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.

With the presidential race seemingly wide open with no standout favourite, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has asked Sexwale to explain why his campaign has had little media exposure.

“The NEC (National Executive Committee), which is the highest decision-making body of the association,

raised concerns about his low-profile campaign and they want him to come and explain himself,” SAFA spokesman Dominic Chimhavi said.

SAFA has asked to speak to Sexwale ahead of a meeting of the Confederation of African Football early next month, although the 62-year-old is currently out of the country.

SAFA chief executive Dennis Mumble reiterated the body’s backing for Sexwale, but underlined the need for answers about his campaign.

Ferguson

CHAN 2016:

Babangida

g 18 hopeful

Chikatara passes fitness test

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Banks reach-out to customers over daily limit on international transactions Page B3

Seplat targets $600m revenue for 2015 Page B3

Unionist advocates legislative action against casualisation Page B4

Cargo importation drops at MMIA

FG blames pipeline vandalism on greed

Ï Companies lay off staff Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Following a decline in the exchange rate of the naira, level of cargo importation into the country through the Murtala Mohammed International airport Ikeja (MMIA) has dropped drastically.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Times, the president of Association of Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria AFARN Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma, said there has been a dramatic change CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Ï Arrests eight vandals Opeoluwani Akintayo

no choice than to close down.”

He, advised the CBN to make the exchange rate system flexible so that the manufacturers could easily have access to the dollar, appealing to the apex bank to ensure the reduction of interest rate in the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting, was given to manufacturers as incentive.

“The inability of commercial banks to implement the recent reduction in interest rate and other challenges confronting manufacturing the sector have placed the operators at a com-

Federal Government has blamed the increasing pipeline vandalism in the country on greed.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, made the disclosure in Lagos on Monday at the inspection of newly discovered ‘Robert Island’ along Lagos water coast where the entire community was discovered to be involved in product theft and pipeline vandalism.

The minister who expressed his frustration at which Nigerians vandalized the nation’s assets, said that eight vandals had been arrested and handed over to the Nigerian Navy for further questioning.

According to him, this is very frustrating. This is parts of the problems we are facing. Sometimes, I wondered why would a community allowed this to happen. This is a massive operation as you can see. Over 200 trucks equivalent were being loaded here daily and transported through the Nigerian waters to be sold in other countries.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

L – R: Mr. Dakuku Peterside (Governorship Candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State, Mr. Tony Ojobo (Director, Public Affairs of Nigerian Communications Commission), Mr. Segun Ogunsanya (Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria) and Ms Josephine Amuwa (Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC) at the unveiling of Airtel Touching lives Season 2 in Abuja recently.

Scarcity of foreign exchange threatens manufacturing Friday Atufe and Charles Okonji

Scarcity of foreign exchange is threatening the operations of manufacturing companies in the country.

Owing to on-going drop in the price of crude oil and other commodities in the international market, Nigeria’s economy which is import-dependent had been contending with how to manage its foreign reserves, a development which has made the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement several policy measures to manage the country’s foreign exchange.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Some of the policies include the banning of sale of foreign exchange for 41 items, ban of sale of foreign exchange to bureaux de change operators (BDCs), cancellation of the weekly Dutch Auction System (DAS) among others.

These developments have made the dollars very scarce and expensive to by users.

Commenting on the adverse effects of the policies on the manufacturing sector of the economy, chairman of Ogun State branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Wale Adebgite, told

our correspondent in an interview that the availability of dollar has become the biggest problem confronting the economy and called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make purchase of the currency available to the real sector, especially, the manufacturing sector.

He noted that manufacturers were unable to access dollar due to the selective and discriminatory way the CBN sell to few people.

Adegbite said, “If lack of access to dollar should continue in the next three months, some of the manufacturers would have

Ease forex policies, stimulate remittances LCCI urges CBN

Joy Ekeke

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ease restrictions on its foreign exchange policies in order to stimulate diaspora remittances.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, the LCCI’s Director-General (DG), Mr Muda Yusuf, said that normalisation

of the foreign exchange market was crucial to stemming the current economic downturn, urging the apex bank to review its foreign exchange policies during the on-going Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for yesterday and today.

He said that to deepen the market, foreign exchange from Diaspora remittances, export proceeds, foreign investors, mul-

tinational companies and nongovernmental organizations, should be allowed to trade freely in the autonomous market.

According to him, a World Bank report puts Nigeria’s Diaspora remittance at 21billion dollars in 2014. He, therefore, urged the CBN to articulate policies that would stimulate and unlock the huge potential in Diaspora remittances and other capital inflows into the economy.

The DG said the adoption of the model would have a significant moderating effect on the exchange rate. He also urged the apex bank to review the 41 items prohibited from accessing foreign exchange from the official market.

“Any product that is not on the official import prohibition list of the Federal Government should have access to the autonomous foreign exchange market.

``Import prohibition is a vital trade policy matter which should be undertaken in an integrated manner with inputs from the Ministries of Finance; Budget and National Planning; Trade and Investment and the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The consequences of import prohibition are far reaching and go beyond the narrow perspective of conservation of foreign exchange.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Scarcity of foreign exchange threatens manufacturing

Cargo importation drops at MMIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

parative disadvantage with their counterparts in other countries,” Adegbite said.

Adegbite stated that devaluation of the country’s currency and the mono-product nature of the Nigerian economy have continued to trigger a higher level of inflation, stressing that it has adversely increased the cost of imported raw materials by manufacturers.

He said that the increase in the cost of imported raw material has affected the profit margins and made few funds available for the purchase of new machinery for production.

The Chairman noted that the rise in inflation has also reduced the purchasing power of the average Nigerian, advising the Federal Government to make good monetary policies that will address the problem of increasing inflation rate as well as tackling the massive infrastructural deficit in the country.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi also said the economy has not been particularly friendly for the manufacturing sector of the economy.

Adeniyi who described the operating environment as tough, remarked that “Is like the policy of the new government is targeted at frustrating the manufacturing sector.”

He said about 80 percent of raw materials of the sector is sourced outside the country, adding that even though, we have not been taken out of the foreign exchange window of the CBN, where is the forex?

According to him, before it takes a week to get an LC, but now it takes more time and the CBN has said we should make money available 48 hours before applying for the exchange.

Emefiele

Wabba

Labour to support CCT, school feeding schemes Joy Ekeke Organised labour movement in Nigeria has commended the Federal Government over plans to kick-off the proposed conditional cash transfer (CCT) and school feeding for the poor across the country, pledging to give the schemes full support.

Clarifying the position of organised labour, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Issa Aremu said labour unions would collaborate with the Office of the Vice President as directed.

Aremu stated this yesterday, while speaking during the 40th Day Fidau prayer held for his late wife, Hajia Hamdalat Abiodun. NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, led the social, religious and political leaders to the prayer that held at the Aremu’s residence in Kaduna.

The prayer session also had in attendance: Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Justice Wale Abiru of the Court of Appeal, Abuja; General Zarmani Lakwot, Major- General Lawrence Onoja; as well as Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu of PENCOM and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, both of whom were represented.

Aremu commended the Buhari administration for setting

aside N500bn for direct social transfers in the 2016 budget currently before the National Assembly.

“The Office of the Vice President as directed by the President, must work with NLC and TUC to realise this objective.

There is a link between support for those who are losing out in this country’s callous market rat race and economic growth.”

The organised labour movement is ready to assist the Federal Government to make this programme a success. “The conditional, legitimate transfers should serve as the basis for a national comprehensive social security programme for Nigeria.

“As a worthy investment in our country’s human infrastructure, not stomach infrastructure, it is as important an investment as physical infrastructure.

“I commend President Buhari for looking at the faces of absolutely 70 million poor Nigerians, who are living on less than a dollar per day and making them to access national resources as a matter of right, not of abuse as some corrupt politicians do on the eve of elections,” he said.

Aremu, who commended the school feeding programmes of some state governments, including that of Governor Nasir elRufai administration in Kaduna State, reiterated his call for gender mainstreaming in Nigeria.

in the aviation sector as cargo importation has slumped in the past few months.

According to him in 2014, foreign airlines flew in a total of 42 million tons of cargo into Nigeria while in 2015, 28 million tons were brought into the country noting, that there was a big decline of cargo importation.

Nwokoma also said that foreign carriers were not getting cargo into the country as a result of lack of economic direction and non- availability of government policy.

He explained that over five foreign major cargo airlines have stopped operations into Nigeria while their representatives in the country have sacked their workers and closed shop as a result of what he called ‘lack of activities.’

“Most companies have wound up. We have a lot of companies representing airlines here in Nigeria and because the cost of doing business is too high the airlines stopped coming.”

Nwokoma noted that with the nose diving of cargo in 2015 and the beginning of 2016, the aviation industry was at its lowest ebb, adding that importers have not felt the expected change in the aviation sector.

The AFARN president urged the federal government to create enabling environment for inves-

tors to come in and collaborate with industry’s key players.

Nwokoma remarked that exchange rate have continued to affect the industry negatively adding, that cargo owners have lost over N500million.

According to him, cargo decline in Nigeria is worse than any other country stressing that over dependent on oil has cost the country a lot.

He lamented the decrease in cargo saying it was only getting tougher in Nigeria than any other country as according to him, the decline was a worldwide thing but not as astronomical as it had been in Nigeria.

Nwokoma

FG blames pipeline vandalism on greed CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

He said he was hopeful those arrested would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. “We hope that those apprehended will soon be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent for others to desist from these nefarious activities.

It is a signal of the challenges we are facing. The more programmes and models we brought to curb pipelines vandalism, the better technology often deployed by the vandals,” he said.

He agreed that the discovery was good discovery but wondered “how many more of this do we have going on presently. It is an eye opener for us but it is very frustrating. I wish I have an immediate solution to this but clearly a lot more needs to be done.

We discovered this with efforts from contracted security personnel but a lot more effort will be channeled into forestalling such activities to thrive.”

On the challenges of ending pipeline vandalism, the min-

ister stated that “the more you secure one, the more open others become. How about the community that has been lured into this? Why will they allow this to happen. The issue of protecting Nigerian assets remains the responsibility of all Nigerians and not just that of the NNPC. “A community lives here, sees what is going on but kept quiet and hope nobody finds out after they may have collected stipends from the vandals. The job of the GMD goes beyond touring around the bushes, it is the job of security outfits to protect this country primarily. The country has huge problems ranging from militancy in the Niger Delta region to siphoning of fuel into gallons.

“We need to realize that the solutions to Nigerian problems are Nigerians. Some people will say there are Ghanaians and Togolese among them, but they thrive with the support of Nigerians,” he stated.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

B3 Business News

CPC to sanction Turkish Airlines for delayed baggage Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has given Turkish Airlines seven days ultimatum to provide detailed report on reasons for its delay of passengers’ baggage on Dec. 20, 2015 or face sanctions.

This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations of CPC, Mr. Abiodun Obimuyiwa in Abuja yesterday.

It said the decision by CPC was to further ensure the enforcement of consumer rights which it said the airline abused. It said the letter of ultimatum, which was dated Jan. 2, was signed by the Director, Legal Services of the Council, Mr. Emmanuel Ataguba.

“The council has given Turkish Airlines seven days to comply with its directive or face the full wrath of the law.” The council’s tough stance is coming on the heels of the lack-lustre approach of Turkish Airlines to complaints about its shoddy treatment of passengers of flight TK 623 of Sunday, Dec. 20.

“Their subsequent flights ar-

L-R: Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Kamanzi Stanislas, during the maiden communication sector retreat organised by the ministry of communications, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan... at the weekend.

rived in Abuja from Istanbul during the yuletide, without the baggage of passengers.’’ According to the statement, some of the passengers who traveled with minors, including those whose destinations were outside Abuja,

were allegedly subjected to untold hardships.

It noted that the passengers were forced to repeatedly check the airport in Abuja for their baggage, without any form of support from the airline. It said

Courteville issues profit warning for 2015

Azubike Nnadozie

Courteville Business Solutions Plc has notified its shareholders that its 2015 results were expected to record significant shortfalls in comparison to the 2014 financial year.

In a notification sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, the company explained that the expected shortfalls were essentially due to the deterioration in the quality of receivables,

investments and the worsening exchange rate of the naira.

To this end, the company stated that in line with the principles of prudence that it had made additional provisions and write-offs in the third and fourth quarters of the 2015 financial year, adding that “these additional write-offs amount to about N140 million.”

It noted that continued fall in the national reserves as a result of low foreign earnings from crude oil had also meant a dwindling alloca-

tion to state governments which had impacted negatively on their ability to meet obligations and had in turn impacted negatively on its business, because its clients are predominantly state governments and government agencies.

It however assured it shareholders of an improved performance based on its expansion programmes, adding that its 2016 operations would reflect any improvement in the economy during the year.

MMFB votes N201m for MSMEs

Babajide Okeowo

In the bid to diversify the economy of the country, the Acting Managing Director of The Maritime Microfinance Bank Limited (MMFB), Mr. Oluwaseyi Hamilton has said that the bank has earmarked a total of N201million for disbursement as loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in 2016.

“We have since inception focused on economically empowering micro- entrepreneurs and low income earners by provid-

ing financial services in a sustainable and ethical manner.

In this regard, we have developed a variety of loan products specifically designed for individuals running micro, small and medium enterprises.

While N120million will be disbursed as micro-loans, N81million will be disbursed by the Bank as SME loans.

“We have since inception supported the growth and development of small businesses.

We have also been consistent in providing much needed financial support and solutions to

businesses and individuals in the maritime industry and the larger economic space.

“Our processes and procedures are also tailored and customized according to the requirements of our customers.

“We take pride in providing the fastest turnaround time for processing loan applications.

Speaking further, Hamilton said MMFB, which experienced phenomenal growth within its first year of operation, would continue to deploy modern technology to provide fast and more efficient services.

that CPC requested the airline to provide it with Turkish Airline’s policy on delayed baggage, particularly as regards the compensation of affected passengers and the number of affected passengers.

Joy Ekeke United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has disclosed plans to build small scale hydro power plants in rural Nigeria.

Managing Director of UNIDO Programme Development and Technical Cooperation Division, Philippe Scholtes who disclosed this in Abuja over the weekend when he visited the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Onu Ogbonnaya in the Office said, “We made the case; we obtained funding for 2.6 million dollars to help us demonstrate the small scale hydro power to powerhouse and factories in places that have not been reached by the electricity.

“This project funded by Global Environment Facility funds is meant to help countries address environment issues that can benefit the global communities.”

He said that the investors in Nigeria would be encouraged to execute the project and expand it to disseminate the kind of technology needed.

He told the minister that UNIDO would like to strengthen its relationship with the ministry to grow necessary areas that would contribute to the growth

“CPC also requested for the number of passengers yet to receive their baggage and when same would arrive, including steps they have taken to provide appropriate redress to the affected passengers,’’ it said.

It said that the airline belatedly responded but failed to give any useful information on the issues raised by the council. It said the airline claimed to have resolved the situation completely, contrary to new complaints received

by CPC indicating that another batch of baggage failed to arrive with the passengers on Jan. 9.

Reacting to the situation, the council’s Director-General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said the airline should realise that the days of impunity, when businesses rode roughshod on the rights of consumers were over. She said apart from extant laws and regulations in the country, the operations of Turkish Airlines were bound by international standards and practices. “CPC will not allow any company to mete out to Nigerian consumers’ treatment that it will not subject consumers anywhere else in the world,’’ it stated.

The Director-General said in the current case, regardless of whatever meetings Turkish Airlines claimed it had attended, the onus was on the airline to respond to CPC.

UNIDO to build small scale hydro power plants in Nigeria of the nation.

“UNIDO will work to support inclusive and sustainable industrial development and also find a way to help Nigeria build green technology through skills development and innovation,’’ he said.

In his response, the minister thanked UNIDO for its contributions globally and in Nigeria with the partnership to grow energy and on agro-business.

He appealed to UNIDO to further increase it efforts as well toward boosting agriculture to ensure food security in the country.

The minister said that the ministry was committed to use science and technology to save the nation by growing it economy.

Money Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Banks reach-out to customers over daily limit on international transactions Stories by Motolani Oseni Commercial banks in the country are now reaching out to their customers on the new daily limit on card usage in abroad following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent directive that they should accept foreign currencies as deposits.

Some of the banks are sending text messages and emails to their customers informing them about the new daily limit on the usage of their naira cards for international transactions.

For instance, Heritage Bank Limited, in an mail to its customers said: “Daily ATM cash withdrawal now stands at $300.00 per day; while daily Point of Sales (PoS)/WEB spend is now $2,000.”

The bank, however informed its customers that for additional foreign exchange transactions, such a customer could walk into any of its experience centres and apply for domiciliary account with a dollar debit card.

According to the bank, at the

Stanbic IBTC provides digital solutions to boost SMEs NIBOR as @ Jan. 25, 2016 Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

O/N

1

-3.25 ?

1M

8.8643

0.10 ?

3M

10.6576

0.25 ?

6M

11.8162

0.02 ?

L-R:Group Managing Director of Creativexone, Mr. Doyin Adewumi; the Gionee Marketing Director, Mr. Habeeb Somoye,and the Accounts Manager of Creativexone, Mr. Woghiren Christopher, during the media Launch of M5 mini smart phone by Gionee mobile phones,in Lagos...recenly.

point of payment or withdrawal, you may give the option of paying in Naira or the currency of the merchant/ATM. “Your choice to pay in Naira

will attract an additional charge, making the total amount debited to be higher than the amount displayed by the merchant/ATM. It will be recalled that some

banks have stopped their customers from using their debit and credit cards abroad, a development they termed a ‘temporary Access to foreign online retailers

As part of efforts to ensure a strong and viable small and medium scale enterprises sector, Stanbic IBTC Bank, a member of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has said it would continue to provide digital banking support for SMEs in the country.

The bank said it has developed a unique value proposition to support SMEs with transactional products: savings and investment solutions; lending products; payment solutions and wealth protection solutions underpinned by an investment in technology, which is designed to make banking easier for its SME clients.

Apart from deploying best-inclass SMEs payment solutions such as bulk payments, the bank recently launched an internet banking offering specifically for SMEs as well as SME BizDirect,

a personalized digital banking platform.

Acting Head, SME Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinna Ukachukwu, said “the SME BizDirect is a multi-channel virtual business centre that avails the SME operator a personalized channel through which to engage the bank when the need arises. To help clients improve operations, we believe a migration to digital banking will reduce the challenges faced by customers and help them run more efficient businesses”.

Ukachukwu also added that, “Instead of spending time travelling to visit our branches, we have created a platform called SME BizDirect for customers to fulfill their banking transactions by telephone and email.”

The SME BizDirect allows businesses in the country as well as from all over the world inter-

act with the bank. The bank said the BizDirect, a virtual centre from which well-trained bankers interact with customers by telephone and email, is the first of its kind in Nigeria. According to Ukachukwu, “It is a testament to the bank’s focus on SMEs that it created a fully dedicated centre to handle enquiries, requests and all other banking needs for SMEs.” Head of Business Banking at Stanbic IBTC, Anya Duroha, says, “SME BizDirect will change how banks interact with their clients. The era of depending on physical branches to serve clients is disappearing, and technology will be the major driver of customer engagement in the future.”

According to Duroha, “Information is critical to business success. Through Stanbic IBTC SME BizDirect, operators are better informed on developments within their business environment,

CBN Exchange Rates Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

1/22/16

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

POUNDS STERLING

280.2996

281.0147

281.7297

EURO

212.3268

212.8685

213.4101

SWISS FRANC

193.6185

194.1124

194.6063

YEN

1.6583

1.6626

1.6668

CFA

0.3063

0.3163

0.3263

WAUA

270.1083

270.7973

271.4864

YUAN/RENMINBI

29.7886

29.865

29.9415

RIYAL

52.2165

52.3497

52.4829

DANISH KRONA

28.4503

28.5229

28.5955

SDR

270.3232

271.0128

271.7024

have been affected since the ban took effect on 1st of January, 2016.

Although, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had said it did not directed banks to stop the usage of Nigerian cards abroad, but a decision of each bank to control its usage based on risk and settlement obligations.

The apex bank explained that it was not a ban but temporary measure on the Naira cards, based on each bank’s ability to meet customer demand, adding that some banks allow limited amount like $1000 a month on the naira card.

“It is a banking service been abused which compelled the banks to review their position”, he noted.

However, financial analysts have said that the latest development on limit on usage of naira card for international purposes would have adverse effects on wealthy Nigerians who travel abroad regularly and use their local cards for shopping and other transactions.

Meanwhile, due to the recent reversal of the policy by the CBN banning deposit of foreign currency into domiciliary accounts, DMBs across the country are now allowing customers to transfer foreign currency cash deposited into their domiciliary accounts.

which enables them make effective planning.”

As part of its support for SMEs, Stanbic IBTC regularly organizes seminars for SME operators. Among other benefits, the seminars seek to equip SME operators with financial, marketing, and management skills that they can readily deploy to transform their businesses and grow their bottom lines.

David-Borha

Naira falls to N303 to dollar at parallel market The naira on Monday fell freely at the parallel market, fuelled by scarcity of the dollar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the naira lost N6 to exchange for N303 to the dollar, a depreciation of 2.02 per cent. It had previously traded for N297 to the dollar on Sunday.

However, the official interbank rate remained at N197 to the dollar. Traders at the market said that the recent scarcity of the greenback was triggered off by currency speculators who had to hoard it in anticipation of a policy review by the apex bank.

NAN reports that there is uneasy calm at the parallel market

in anticipation of the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the apex bank ending on Tuesday. The anxiety is also heightened by concerns of some industry watchers who believe that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may bow to currency devaluation being canvassed in some quarters.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

B5 Labour

Akwa Ibom workers reject promotion without monetary benefits Stories by Joy Ekeke Workers in the employment of Akwa Ibom State government weekend said they would not accept the recently released promotion of civil and public servants in the state because it came without the corresponding monetary arrears.

The workers asked the state government to accompany the 2011 to 2014 promotions with due arrears or withhold same.

A statement by the chairman of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Etim Ukpong, said labour at no point negotiated or agreed with the state government on promotion without ar-

Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (Nddc), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari (left), presenting to Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr Musa Kimo (Right), Keys Of The Residential Quarters Built by the Nddc for Police Personnel, in Port Harcourt on Monday. With them is Director oOf Nddc in Rivers, Mrs Akwagaga Enyia.

rears.

According to him, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council hereby states categorically that at no time whatsoever did it entered into any agreement with government nor sign any memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of the state to the effect that promotions of those years should be released to workers without the corresponding arrears.

“While the NLC, Akwa Ibom State council demands that letters of promotion to workers be accompanied with arrears of promotion as is legitimate, the NLC urges workers to disregard any insinuations to the contrary,” he added.

Imo workers to down tools over sack of 3,000

A major labour crisis is imminent in Imo state if the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) goes ahead with its threat to embark on a full scale strike to protest

the sack of 3,000 workers by the state government.

A factional leader of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, on Friday gave the hint in Lagos at a news confer-

ence, stating that the Imo State Government must recall the affected workers within 14 days or face the wrath of labour.

Ajaero said the government, instead of finding ways to pay arrears of salaries owed workers, had resorted to sacking workers.

He said: “The penchant for humiliating Nigerian workers by our leaders is becoming sad.

“It has taken a turn for the worse with an assumed belief that Nigerian workers can no longer defend themselves.

“The lives of workers and their families are at stake and if the government ignores us it is to its peril.”

Ajaero said Governor Rochas Okorocha had earlier denied that the government was planning to sack and 48 hours later, he fired 3,000 workers.

The labour chief said if the government failed to take any

Unionist advocates legislative action against casualisation

A union leader, Mr. Ola Oyegoke, has called for the sponsorship of a bill that would rule against the casualization of workers in the country.

Oyegoke, General Secretary, Shops and Distributive Trade Senior Staff Association (SHOPDIS) advocated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos recently.

“Casual labour is irregular employment or a part-time labour. It is a term of employment agree-

ment that differs from company to company,” he said.

According to him, it is time for the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria to re-strategise to tackle the problem of casual employment in the country.

He commended the organised labour for holding rallies in the past to protest against “casualization,” adding that if a bill were sponsored and passed it could

Okorocha

decision at the expiration of the ultimatum, labour would ensure that there would be no electricity supply in the state.

He said: “We will ensure that there will be no light, tanker drivers will not supply fuel, while shops and banks will not be opened for business.”

Ajearo said labour waited for various negotiations on the issue before wading in and that they would ensure that sanity was restored in the state.

He said it was wrong for the government to terminate the jobs of workers on air without negotiating with their representatives as required by law.

According to him, his faction does not have to collaborate with any other group to fight the cause of workers even if another NLC group had earlier met with the governor.

Ajaero said it was regrettable that the state government was

among those that benefited from the bailout funds from the Federal Government and yet could not pay workers.

He said it was sad that rather than create more employment, the state government was increasing the number of people in the unemployment market.

Ajaero warned that if the government failed to recall the workers and continued intimidating them without paying their salary arrears, the congress would shut the state.

The Deputy factional leader, Igwe Achese, said it was not right for workers to pay their taxes and also suffer for the negligence of some state governments.

He said workers gave government the political will to govern well through votes but the leaders had failed to use the votes to develop the nation and improve lives.

Achese advised the Imo State Government to recall the workers to avoid disruption of activities in the state.

help to curtail the problem.

He said that millions of casual workers were poorly paid and dehumanised which contributed to the increase in stealing in some companies.

“If an employer does not pay a worker well, the person could be forced to pilfer when the opportunity arises.

“Some companies have lost billions of naira as a result of internally organised robberies,’’ he

said.

Oyegoke said that the distributive union was negatively affected as a result of casual employment policy which had denied many Nigerians the opportunity to live well.

He said that it was regrettable that foreign companies had long cashed in on the desperation of many jobless people to employ them as casuals and treat them recklessly.

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Stock market report

L-R: Chairman, Jos Bankers’ forum, Mr. Mathias Kurah, Regional Education Officer, North East, Sterling Bank, Mr. Michael Nwachukwu and Representative of Plateau State Governor, Tamwakat Wehi Dinner/Award Ceremony of Jos Bankers’ Forum in Jos... at the Weekend.

Stocks sustain bullish trend The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened the week on a positive note with the market capitalisation appreciating by N47 billion.

The market capitalisation which opened at N8.198 trillion rose by N47 billion or 0.57 per cent to close at N8.241 trillion. Similarly, the All-Share Index increased by 137.14 points or 0.58 per cent to close at 23,963.64 compared with 23,826.50 posted on Friday.

Nestle recorded the highest price gain, leading the gainers’ table, growing by N17.86 to close at N725.01 per share. Guinness followed with gain of N10.43 to close at N112.28, while Seplat chalked up N7.83 to close at N164.54 per share. 7UP increased by N3.30 to close at N190 and Flour Mills appreciated by N1.02 to close at N17.95 per share.

Conversely, Nigerian Breweries topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N5.20 to close at N102.80 per share. Lafarge Africa trailed with a N1 loss to close at N81, while Berger Paint dipped by 96

kobo to close at N9.01 per share.

Northern Nigeria Flour Mills declined by 40 kobo to close at N7.73, while FBN Holdings went down by 23kobo to close at N4.27 per share.

A breakdown of the activity chart showed that Zenith Bank emerged the most traded equity, exchanging 42.89 million shares worth N521.76 million in 341 deals. UBA followed with a total of 28.18 million shares valued at N85.70 million traded in 266 deals, while Transcorp sold 23.14 million shares worth N30.52 million exchanged in 217 deals.

GT Bank traded 22.83 million shares valued at N366.77 million transacted in 472 deals and FBN Holdings exchanged 18.62 million shares worth N79.99 million in 364 deals.

In all, investors staked N2.10 billion on 215.18 million shares achieved in 3,853 deals. NAN reports that this is against 1.01 billion shares valued N1.89 billion traded in 4,229 deals on Friday.

(NAN) JNC/LAB/IA.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

23,963.64 3,853.00 215,183,967.00 2,104,880,553.01 8,241,543,684,691.53

GNI posts 26% drop in net profit in 3rd of 2015 Great Nigeria Insurance Plc has reported a profit after tax of N277.708 million on gross premium of N2.329 billion for third quarter ended September 30, 2015 as against a PAT of N377.4 million on a gross premium of N2.039 billion in 2014.

This represents a drop of 26.4 percent in net profit.

The unaudited results of the insurance firm which was submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange recently showed that its total assets rose N10.192 billion in 2014 to N10.317 billion in 2015 while total liabilities dropped from N4.874 billion to N4.721 billion in 2015.

The shareholders’ funds of the underwriter for the third quarter under review stood at N5.596 billion compared with N5.318 billion for 2014.

Great Nigeria Insurance Plc started operations in 1960 and has been in business of insurance, financial services and real estate investment.

Its more than 50 years of insurance underwriting has enabled it to master the business terrain and develop skills that give us edge over our competitors in service delivery and total customers satisfaction.

GNI is backed by adequately packaged reassurance treaty cover, providing us with a wide capacity to underwrite risks placed with us.

The company major investors are Wema Bank Plc and Odua Investment Group of companies. Its relationship with these investors have created a synergy for the growth of its business.

Seplat targets $600m revenue for 2015

Stories by Friday Atufe

Seplat has projected revenue of $550 million and $600 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

The company stated this in its trading statement and operations update in respect of its performance in the year under review to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) yesterday.

The company however advised,” The information within this announcement has not been audited and is subject to further review and amendment.

The statement said, “Revenue for full year 2015 is expected to be in the order of US$550 million to US$600 million on an average oil price realisation of approximately US$47/bbl and average gas price realisation of approximately US$2.6/Mscf. The company has put in place deferred premium puts covering a volume of 3.3 MMbbls over the first six months of 2016 at a strike price of US$45/ bbl.”

“Capital expenditures incurred during 2015 are expected to be approximately US$152 million, slightly below guidance of US$168 million. The vast majority of capex was allocated to the development of OMLs 4, 38 and 41. All future capital expenditures remain discretionary, affording the company a high degree of flexibility with respect to timing and optimisation of future spend.”

Besides the revenue target, other highlights of the update include: Full year 2015 working interest production of 43,372 bpd - ahead of guidance and up +41%

year-on-year, adding that current daily working interest production running at around 55,000 boepd – oil and gas rates both strong It said the benefit of Oben gas plant expansion was being felt with significantly higher gas sales and condensate yield – gas pricing is de-linked to oil price and that liquidity remained strong with net debt as at 31 December 2015 US$537 million (including cash balances of US$326 million).

“In what was a very challenging year for the industry, Seplat still delivered best-in-class production growth in 2015 with liquids output up 20% and gas output up 119% year-on-year, corresponding to a 41% increase overall. With a growing consensus that low oil prices are set to remain for at least the near term, we remain focused on what is in our control and steps we can take to maximise profitability. Production strength, with past investment strategies translating into the up-tick in output, provides some cushion to lower oil pricing and our gas business takes on additional importance by providing a revenue stream that is de-linked to the oil price together with revenue continuity in the event of disruptions to third party oil export infrastructure,” said Austin Avuru, Seplat’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Furthermore, our strong focus remains on protecting the business and managing for value through driving further cost reductions, optimising operations, deleveraging and strengthening the balance sheet in preparation for opportunities that will inevitably follow this current downturn,” he added.

The statement noted that 2015 was a period of notable growth and progress for Seplat’s gas business. “Around mid-year the company commissioned the new 150 MMscfd Oben gas plant which correspondingly saw deliveries into the domestic market increase sharply, with peak gross deliveries to date hitting 332 MMscfd in September 2015.”

It added that “Not only does this place Seplat as a pre-eminent producer of natural gas in Nigeria, the fact that 100% of volumes are dedicated to supplying key demand centres within the domestic market (enough to underpin over a third of Nigeria’s estimated current active power generation) makes Seplat strategically important to Nigeria’s current and future security of gas supply.”

“The next phase of expansion of the Oben gas plant is to install a further 3 x 75 MMscfd processing modules (aggregate 225 MMscfd capacity) that will take overall processing capacity up to a minimum of 525 MMscfd. The three modules have been ordered with delivery anticipated in Q3 2016 and installation and commissioning in Q4, 2016. As part of the expansion work undertaken in 2015 the Company has already pre-invested in the necessary ancillaries and space to accommodate the additional modules,” the statement said.

According to the statement, as a derivative of the increase in gas production, condensate volumes have significantly increased, adding that produced condensate is ordinarily spiked into the crude oil stream and exported via the Trans Forcados System (“TFS”).

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

B7 Capital Market

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY ( EQUITIES) 25-01-2016

Energy B8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, January 26, 2016

NigerDock delivers Sonam Topside to boost domestic gas supply

Jamarkani

Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo Nigeria’s gas production for domestic supply is set to receive a boost following the completion of the 420 million cubit feet per day gas facility of Topside Module, Sonam, by Nigerdock.

The project was fabricated entirely and fitted in Nigeria in the company’s fabrication yard on Snake Island, Apapa Lagos.

The Sonam Non-Associated Gas Well Platform Production Topside Module was delivered

as part of the Domestic Supply Obligation, DSO - MEREN Gas Gathering Compression Platform, GGCP and Sonam Non-Associated Gas Wellhead Platform project sponsored by Chevron and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Sonam is expected to deliver a combined 420 million cubit feet per day of natural gas to Chevron’s Excravos Gas project which will provide feedstock for power generation, a major demand for Nigeria’s power sector.

Chairman of NigerDock, Mr.

Anwar Jamarkani in his speech to mark the completion and loadout of the Topside said the facility would boost Nigeria’s power generation ability and provide much needed power for the country’s domestic and industrial needs.

In addition to increased power generation, he said the Topside Module would significantly eliminate gas flaring from Chevron/NNPC’s assets in fulfilment of government’s gas flaring policy.

“We recognise Mr. President and his administration’s goal of economic diversification and are fully aligned to play our own part in making it a reality,” he said.

NigerDock’s Project Manager, Mr. Christian Okoli in his speech said weighing 2,700 tons, and with a height of 28 meters, a width of 40 meters and a length of 50 meters, the Topside Module is the largest ever built in-country and significantly achieved by an indigenous company.

He explained that Sonam Topside was the final piece in the set of the structures built by NigerDock for the project.

Okoli stated that NigerDock’s scope on the project comprises of the construction and load out of flare bridges, flare towers, jacket piles, LQP deck, LQ bridge, the Meren and Sonam Jacket and the Topside Module.

Egbin Power donates engineering training equipment to four universities Egbin Power Plc, Nigeria’s biggest power station has donated specialised training equipment, Heat Exchangers, to engineering faculties of four Nigerian universities as a way of grooming engineers of the future.

Speaking recently on the donation of the facility to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Abuja, the Chairman of Egbin Power Plc, Kola Adesina, recalled that the company had made similar donations to the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Ibadan.

Adesina who was represented

by Kingsley Okotie said, “Follow-

ing the privatisation and handover of the Egbin Power Plants to the core investor, management and Board decided to overhaul the six units of the plants for ultimatum performance. As a result, certain equipments were replaced. One of them is the vessel donated to this university.”

On the benefit of the equipment to the university, he said: “It will help for practical demonstration of students in the faculty of engineering, to enhance knowledge and serve for research and development purposes.

“Once we complete the overhaul of the six units of our plants, we hope to reach out to

more universities. Some of the testimonies from the universities where these donations were made confirm our initial believe that this is the first time lecturers and students are seeing such facility live. They can now see the facility in real demonstration during training and research, unlike previously when they only relied on images in text books.”

Director, Physical Development at the University Dr. Otaki Alanana who represented the Vice Chancellor of the University said the equipment would help the university to produce the right calibre of engineering students.

NIPCO donates cylinders to Apapa teachers Nipco Plc has donated customised cylinders to staff of Apapa Primary School as a means of fuflfilling its social responsibilities to the society.

The organisation gave out some cylinders to derserving staff of the school during its sports festival held recently.

Not only that, NIPCO also gave out cash donations to the school during the sports festival.

In a letter of appreciation signed by the school’s head teacher, Olayinka Emmanuel and received by NIPCO management, the school thanked the oil and gas company for always reaching out to support the school whenever it is called upon.

“The management, staff and pupils of the above school wish to sincerely commend and ap-

preciate NIPCO Plc for your support (morally, materially and financially) to the success of the school sport festival held on Tuesday 8th December, 2015.

As a corporate organization NIPCO Plc has continuously assisted the school each time you are called upon. Let me also thank you for your kind gesture in rewarding all our deserving staff with the gift of your branded cylinder,” the letter read.

NIPCO Plc formerly called IPMAN Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (IPMCL) was incorporated by members of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria p(IPMAN) on January 8th, 2001 as a Private limited liability company to participate in the distribution of white petroleum products business across the nooks and crannies of the country.

Nigeria’s weekly energy watch #

3rd-9th jan.2016 (Avg)

10th-16th jan.

2016 (Avg)

*

Energy Generated (MWh)

96488

98167

*

Energy Sent Out (MWh)

94578

96162

*

Peak (MW)

4267

4352

*

Off-Peak (MW)

3832

3912

*

Spinning Reserve (MW)

49

50

*

Constrained (MW)

2430

2014

*

Units (Available)

71

71

*

Units (On Bars)

50

49

EVENT DATE: Sunday, January 17 2016 Courtesy: Nigerian Electricty Commission, NERC

OPEC

daily basket price

OPEC daily basket price stood at $22.89 a barrel Thursday, 21 January 2016

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Lola

Maja:

The extraordinaire Make-up artiste

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

I’m as expensive as the job requires – Lola Maja Award-winning Make-up artiste, Lola Maja Okojevoh, started doing make-up as a hobby at age 14 in London. Today, her makeup and beauty outfit, Sacred, has warmed its way into the hearts of many Nigerians including filmmakers. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Lola Maja bares it all. Enjoy…

Life&

T E A M

How did you start as a makeup artiste?

I’ve been doing it since I was age 14. So, it’s something that developed from a passion into a career.

It’s not something that I feel like I chose to do. My mum always encouraged me. I came from a family full of women and I just found that I loved make-up and then realised that I can get paid (laughs) to do it.

So, I wanted a part-time job when I was in school. I just wanted to be working. And my older sister was working as a make-up artiste. So, I went and I joined, pretending to be my older sister. I went to join some agencies. I used her details and I started working. And I’ve moved on since.

When was that?

That was when I was 14 (laughs), 1992.

Was that in Lagos?

No, it was in London. I grew up in London. I only came back like five years ago when I got married.

I went there when I was two.

So, you actually started your make-up business in London?

Yes. And from that time till now, what are some things that have changed in the make-up business?

Everything has changed. So many things have changed. The way people do eye shadows, the way people style their eyebrows, the products, and especially filming as well. When I first started film make-up, mobile phones were just being invented, now you’ve got cameras on your phones. Everybody is taking pictures with their cameras. It’s all of these things that actually affect make-up. So, you have to learn the different types of cameras, different things that they are using for filming to understand how your make-up is going to look on screen, how your make-up will look in a picture, how your make-up will look in daylight – everything. You have to understand how make-up is being affected by technology.

So, have there been times you’ve had to do trial and error?

I’ve done a lot of trial and error (laughs). I mean, there’re things that they can teach you and there’re things that you learn (laughs). I stay by the director a lot, not because he’s the director but because he has the monitor. So, you want to look on the monitor and see how your characters look on the screen. You can’t see it with your own eyes. You have to go on the monitor and see, ‘how does this person look?’ When they put it up on the big screen, the actual TV, it’s too late to change it.

Make-up has advanced to the stage where you have things like cuts, bruises and other type of special effects. Are you into all of that?

Yes. I won October 1 this year. I specialise in SFX (special effects).

My first film when I came was Kunle Afolayan’s The Figurine. That was my first time doing special effects in Nigeria. And it’s very different doing special effects in Nigeria than doing it abroad.

Why? The heat. Certain products and certain things that I would use to make a cut, because people are sweating so much or there is so much oil on the skin people have here, it (make-up) wouldn’t really sit down. I had to learn a lot of new techniques to be able to do the SFX in Nigeria properly.

Did you improvise or simply get other products?

I tried lots of different products.

And luckily, there were things I brought with me from London. But then also, you’ll have a lot of great respect for people that learnt in Nigeria because there are locallysourced materials that they can use. We need to able to survive in Nigeria by what we have available here.

You do make-up, beauty therapy, what else do you do?

I personally do make-up, I do hair and I do beauty. I’m a qualified therapist, so I have a beauty salon as well in Maryland and in Victoria Island all in Lagos State. We do facials, waxing, lashes – we do the whole range of beauty services.

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

How did you meet your husband?

I met my husband at my cousin’s wedding many years ago. And we were friends. I was actually engaged to somebody else. But in my engagement, we broke up. And then, a few years later, Tonio just out of the blues, said we should get married.

Are you sure your husband wasn’t responsible for destabilising the engagement?

He lived in Nigeria and I was in London. He was actually like my best friend. That guy that I could always confide in and tell him different things.

My husband is a Christian.

He was celibate for six years before we got married. To me, he was almost like a saint. And he was like, ‘we should get married.’ We’ve never even dated. He said it doesn’t matter, ‘we’re friends.

We know ourselves.

And I know I want to marry you.’ And we got married. We never dated.

A lot of males, even knowing you’re married with children would even want to chase.

How do you fob off such men?

I have the best husband in the world. What am I looking for?

But they’ll pressure you You can only feel pressured if you allow them pressure you. You don’t just give anybody a chance because within a few minutes of meeting anybody, you already know I’m married with two children and how much I am in love with them, what are you going to come and tell me? There’s a huge amount of trust.

How expensive is Lola Maja?

I’m as expensive as the job requires.

You pay for my experience. I’ve been a make-up artiste for 23 years.

What are some of the highlights of the job?

I’ve worked with everybody. Most of the people I ever wanted to work with in Nigeria, I’ve worked with them. From Genevive, Omotola, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh, Omoni Oboli. Musicwise. I’ve worked with Tiwa Savage, Omawumi, Davido and Banky W who is my son’s godfather. And I’m just thankful. It’s not just getting a job but it’s being able to keep a relationship. It’s very important.

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Adebambo Segun

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

L3 Music & Movie Charts

Abdullahi Zaheenab

Top 10 music chart

Top 10 movie chart

Foreign

International

1. Twenty One pilots – Stressed out 2. Ellie Goulding – On my mind 3. Mart Redman - Bless the Lord 4. Akon – Be with you 5. Selena Gomez – Same old love 6. One direction – Perfect 7. R. city ft Adam Levine – Locked Away 8. Adele – Hello 9. Drake – Hotline Bling 10. Justin Bieber – Sorry

1. The Revenant (2015) 2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3. Ride Along 2 4. 13 Hours: The Secrets Soldiers of Benghanzi 5. Daddy’s Home 6. The Big Short 7. The Hateful Eight 8. Sisters 9. The Forest 10. Norm of the North

Top 10 movie chart

English

Top 10 music chart

1. Fifty 2. Autumn leaves 3. Taxi Driver 4. Victims 5. LAPD 6. Beast of the nation 7. Dry 8. Road to Yesterday 9. The Visit 10. First Lady

Nigeria

1. LK Kuddy Ft. Wizkid x Yung6ix – With You (Remix) 2. Omawumi ft. Angelique Kidjo - Play Na Play 3. JJC - Who Be You 4. Harrysong Ft. Duncan Mighty – Akagum 5. 2Baba Ft. Phyno & Chief Obi - Coded Tinz, 6. Sexy Steel Ft. Tekno & Olamide – Sisi (Remix) 7. Eva Alordiah ft. Phyno x Reminisce – KANAYO 8. Nizzy Ft. L.A.X – Scooby Doo 9. Reekado Banks - Oluwa Ni 10. Yemi Alade Ft. Iyanya, Olamide, Tekno & Selebobo - Mama Oyoyo

Top 10 movie chart

Yoruba

1. Leyin ilekun 2. Ase 3. Bukola 4. Kuye 5. Gbewiri 6. Alayo 7. AAA2 8. Tani ole 9. Lima 10. Olu

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Eyola

eyola@aol.com

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2016 Ready-To-Wear 1ne Following New York and London Fashion Week, Italy’s fashion capital was determined to inject some good old fun into the spring-summer season.

es were a permanent fixture on Milan’s fashion runway.

Crafted in a rainbow of seaworthy colours and wave-inducing fabrics(silk and chiffon), dresses were in sheer lightweight mismatched prints – animal spots and stripes and romantic floral patterns.

2wo The oceanic life. Ropes were transformed from their once practical purpose and recreated as fastenings and trimmings for high fashion. Layers of colourful rope decorated heeled shoes at Dsquared2, while fishing knots rested on the shoulders of dresses at Bottega Veneta. Sportsmax took inspiration from fishing nets, designing a yellow oversized skirt suit with a blue abstract fishnet print splashed across it. Max Mara was more literal with its oceanic approach, with hand-drawn boats and lighthouses illustrated on simple white T-shirts.

3hree Spring’s favourite cover up. The recurrence of the sportycasual bomber jacket made it a guaranteed Spring musthave. This timeless style was reworked by many designers who put their own stamp on the classic: Emilio Pucci’s relaxed-luxe version with lace and cut out details on the collar, sleeves and hem; Versace’s elegant dark green sparkly fabric; Etro and Roberto Cavalli’s stylish transformation using lace and bright colours. All in all, the bomber jacket can be safely worn to almost all occasions this spring, to satisfy both casual and smart dress codes.

4our Nautical theme. Classic sailor stripes were at the forefront of Max Mara’s collection, complete with nautical colours, blue and white. Giorgio Armani took a more watered-down approach to the nautical theme, choosing red as his central colour.

5ive Creative stripes. The love affair for stripes triumphed in Milan. Stripes came in different colourways, widths and fabrics from Moschino’s orange and yellow striped lace dress to Alberta Ferretti’s geometric lines printed across bohemianstyle floor-length dresses to Gucci’s dramatically striped lace dress with colours black, red, yellow, purple and orange, adding anappliqué of a bird’s wings in full flight across the waist.

Clashing stripes, prints and colours is the direction to go in this spring.

6ix Sea creatures. Emilio Pucci took oceanic references seriously with a collection that covered almost all forms of sea life and tropical lands. Sea turtles, lobsters, starfish, fishnet tops and palm tree prints dominated the runway. Fausto Puglisi took the sea theme to the extreme with seashell-embellished mini dresses, cropped tops and skirts, as well as fabrics that glimmered like fish scales.

7even Animal prints. Sea creatures aside, Italy also embraced exotic wild animals and their sandy-hue desert habitat. Designers re-envisioned this classic print. Versace’s playful elegant mix of yellow, emerald, army green, black, purple and pink creatively coloured an abstract leopard print dress-coat. Missoni mixed zebra stripes with leopard spots, adding a burst of yellow for good measure. Roberto Cavalli, a brand synonymous with animal prints, unsurprisingly nailed it with zebra stripes decorating leather jackets, mini skirts and dresses.

8ight Bohemian chic. Romantic floor-length billowing slip dress-

Milan’s Spring-Summer forecast can be summed up as easy-going, fun, feminine, holiday-ready and in the wise words of The Little Mermaid’s crab Sebastian, ‘darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter…under the sea.’

L5

T

Teen World L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Abdullahi Zaheenab

ing how much we care for them or we might make our teens’ favourite meals just because.

Recognise special efforts: We mustn’t take our teens for granted. We need to praise their special efforts, such as doing well on a test, practicing hard for a game or performance, or being particularly kind to someone.

Tell them We Care: We love our children, but how often do we take the time to tell them? We need to tell our teens how much we care about them, every day. We should make it a habit!

ips for parents for building

There are several reasons why a good relationship is important in keeping teens safe and healthy.

If we, the parents are close to our teens, then they are less to getting into trouble at school, getting into trouble with things such as sex, drugs, drinking and smoking. By having a strong relationship with us, our teens are also more likely to accept our supervision, adopt our values and ideals, and follow our rules even when we’re not around.

There are many ways to improve the relationship between parents and their teens and they includeKeep in touch: We should touch base with our teens regularly, even when everything is going smoothly.

We can let our teens know what’s going on in our lives and find out what they are up to. Keeping in touch regularly with our teens is one of the most important things we can do as parents. Teens feel their parents care about them when we take an interest in what’s happening in their lives. Teens like all people don’t want to feel ignored.

Spend time together: Families are very busy these days. Between jobs, chores, and other things, there often is little time left over for enjoying each other’s company. We need to grab whatever time we can to be with our teens. It will help us occupy some of our teen’s free time, and we will get to know our teens better. It will help us build good relationships, and let our teens know we care. One mother, for example, plays basket-

good relationship with teens

ball with her teen even though she is terrible at it. Whatever it takes even if it’s just once a week. Or if it’s just a drive to the store together.

Your teen will notice if you make time.

Keep promises: If we make promises to our teens, we must keep them if at all possible.

When we are unable to keep our promises because of something that we can’t do anything about, we need to talk with our teens about it.

We need to tell them that we are sorry. Our teens need to know they can count on us to keep our word. This is an important part of gaining trust and respect. If we keep our word, they are much more likely to keep theirs.

Treat teens like teens: Although our teens are not yet adults, they are no longer children and should not be treated like them. We mustn’t talk down to our teens. We must be honest with them. Statements like, “You’re too young to know about that” are disrespectful of a teen’s ability to understand.

Be thoughtful: Remember special days. It doesn’t have to be marked with a gift or special activity. We just have to let our teens know we’ve remembered. Every now and then, we can give our teens special little surprises. We might leave a note on our teens’ beds express-

Be supportive. When our teens have bad days, we can offer a shoulder to lean on. Even though our teens want to be grown up, they still need our support. We need to listen to them sympathetically.

Avoid hurtful teasing: Sometimes we tease in a way that puts a person down. We can avoid teasing our children this way especially in front of others. It really hurts.

Use humor and lighten up: We can use humor with our teens, and be willing to poke fun at ourselves at times. Joking around encourages a positive relationship.

Appreciate teens’ special strengths: We must accept our teens for who they are. Statements like, “Why can’t you be more like your older brother?” or “Your sister never gave me this much trouble” don’t help a teen do better. Such comments only make a teen feel bad.

Every teen has special strengths. We must recognize these strengths and let our teens know it.

Involve teens in setting boundaries and making rules: As parents, we must help our kids set boundaries and live with rules. But we can give them an active role in deciding what those boundaries and rules are.

Be real with teens: By communicating openly and often with our teens, they will be able to relate to us as people who are truly concerned about their well-being.

We also need to be courteous. Simple courtesies, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” and helping out in small ways go a long way to show how much we care.

Basic good manners show caring and respect. And if we give respect, we get it back.

The most important qualities of a good relationship are: • Respect for one another • Understanding each other’s feeling • Having concern for each other’s well-being • Being able to trust each other • Knowing each other, what each other is like, what each other wants, what each other likes and dislikes In a good relationship, our teen’s show us respect, take our feelings into account, trust us, are concerned about us, and are interested in our lives. Of course, all relationships are two-way streets. So, in good parentteen relationships, we also show respect for our teens, take their feelings into account, trust them, are concerned about their well-being, and take interest in their lives.

Good parent-teen relationships include respect, understanding, trust, and concern.

We can build good relationships with our teens by spending time together, keeping promises, using humor, and appreciating their efforts and strengths.

Teens are less likely to take risks if they have good relationships with their parents.

Parenting teenagers has rewards and challenges. As our kids grow into teenagers, they gain a great deal of independence. That’s a normal and natural part of growing up. But even as they increase their independence, we need to keep our relationships as close to them as we did when they were small children. They still need us to love, guide, and have fun with them. And we can find much fulfillment and happiness through our relationships with them.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

L7 Relationship

Abdullahi Zaheenab

Dealing with love problems:

Annoyance or liberation?

Love is as complicated as a web and a relationship is prone to love problems. But the question is: Is it annoyance or a sort of liberation when you deal with it? When we are in love, we might face endless love issues and problems. How to deal with it? You might be too busy to spend time, you feel that your partner is cheating on you or he didn’t pick up your call, not replying to SMS or he/she is online on what app but not replying to your messages. It might be a little annoying but you can’t leave love behind for these petty issues. Figure out what you want in life and deal with love problems wisely.

Flowers are not too expensive and also have the power to brighten up someone’s day. Send some nicely scented flowers to his office or bring home red roses for your lovely lady it might just make their day. Never ever forget an important day. Many women complain that men forget important days. Show her that you remember she will appreciate it.

Romantic ideas to express your love

Love problems mess When we are into a relationship, it is evident that we will face certain love problems. Love is a complicated phenomenon, something that we cannot really put into words even after experiencing it. When you are in love, you will face many love problems as a relationship is prone to it. It so happens when a couple get married, the honeymoon, shopping phase lasts for a year and then things start changing. Some people are way too excited about the whole concept of marriage but have you thought about the amount of responsibility that you would have once you get into the social institution of marriage? Marriage is certainly not a child’s game and so isn’t love.

You are waiting for his call as his phone is switched off. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop, we all have heard about that, haven’t we? You are waiting and your idle mind is

thinking that he might be with some other woman sharing his bedroom secrets. When the reality is that he is busy with work and has forgotten his charger at home. Another instance could be that he promised to take you out on a date on a specific date but due to work issues he had to change the dates. To you, it might be disappointing. But for him, he might want you to extend your understanding and support.

Your friend told you that your girl was spotted with some random guy in a café. Whom to believe? Your friend who might be lying or your girl whom you are dating for years?

There shouldn’t be any confusion here as trust is the base of any relationship. If it is making you think then you are in for serious trouble.

There are lots of love problems in this world it would probably take a decade to jot down all of them.

How to gain your partners trust When you are in love, you will have little tiffs which might lead to a war but is it worth it? Sometimes it can be very stressful to be able to spend 15 out of 24 hours in a day with your

partner. The key here is to wait for your partner and extend your support. Nobody likes a nagging partner who is constantly revolving around you like satellites. There might be endless hardships in a relationship but we should always remember to show our love to our partner as that is the best way to connect. Showing love doesn’t really have to be buying an Audi or diamond necklace for your partner on every birthday but some small things like just being there for them can make a huge difference. You can always make an effort. Even if you are running short of money, flowers can do the trick!

Giving time has become a big issue. Many couples are not able to spend time with each other as they are constantly in a rat race, working hard and trying to make it big.

To be honest, love problems can be many, but giving time is the biggest problem in a relationship. It can make or break a relationship. You might be a super-busy person but never ever make your partner feel that they are lonely because that leads to cheating on you.

When our partners start finding happiness somewhere else, we assassinate their character without thinking that we are the sole reason for the same. If you give time to your partner, shower endless love maybe your partner wouldn’t even think of going to someone else to find happiness. It doesn’t matter if you do not have time, a short call in a day or ‘I miss you’ can actually make a big difference. Why do people cheat on their partners? It is because they are not finding the happiness that they should get from you. Before pointing fingers, you might just want to reflect that you might be at fault too.

L8 TV guide

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Showing on

Showing on

Movies ACTION+ Channel 106

Movies Comedy Channel 104

11:20

18:00 Tue, 26 Jan|PG

Tue, 26 Jan| PG 13

Gru, the world’s most lovable villian, and his minions are back in this Oscar-nominated adventure.

This time Gru is recruited to help bring down a bad guy. Benjamin Bratt, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, Steve Carell. (2013) Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud.

Andrew Garfield returns for a second round of web-slinging action. Dangerous new enemies and family secrets weigh heavily on young Peter Parker as he struggles with his destiny. Jamie Foxx, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone.(2014) Marc Webb

101 M-Net West

23:30 Chicago PD 00:30 The Real Housewives Of Atlanta 01:30 The Longest Week 03:00 Other Plans 04:25 Away And Back 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 MasterChef Australia 08:00 The Big Bang Theory 08:30 The Last Ship 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Begin Again 12:30 The Middle 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Code Black 16:00 Blue Bloods 17:00 Made In Hollywood 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Mom 19:30 MasterChef Australia 20:30 Chicago Med 21:30 Chicago Fire 22:30 Chicago PD

23:40 The Face Of Destiny 00:30 Elena's Ghost 01:20 Broken Angel 02:10 Broken Angel 03:00 The Face Of Destiny 03:50 Fearless Heart 05:20 Elena's Ghost 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 The Face Of Destiny 07:50 Fearless Heart 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 The Face Of Destiny 12:00 Fearless Heart 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 The Face Of Destiny 16:10 Fearless Heart 17:00 Broken Angel 17:50 Broken Angel 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 The Face Of Destiny 20:20 Fearless Heart 21:10 Broken Angel 22:00 Broken Angel 22:50 Husband For Hire

152 AfricaMagic Epic

23:17 Mary And Martha 01:01 Behind The Scenes: The Place

01:10 Royal Guard 03:13 Forest King 05:10 Twins Of The Rainforest 05:38 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room 06:03 Secret Adventure 08:43 Behind The Scenes: October 1st

09:11 Behind The Scenes: The Place

120 BBC Brit Entertainment

118 Telemundo

09:20 Igbotic Love 11:19 Igbotic Love 13:13 Healthy Snacking 13:25 Implication 15:29 Above Implication 17:50 Behind The Scenes: Next Dean 18:00 Africa Rising: Behind The Scenes 19:00 The King Is Coming 21:21 The King Is Coming

23:22 Moone Boy

11:10 Would I Lie To You?

23:47 Moone Boy

11:45 QI

00:12 An Idiot Abroad

12:15 The Cube

00:58 The Cube

13:05 Top Gear

01:46 Police Interceptors

14:15 Police Interceptors

02:33 Ben And James Versus The Arabian...

15:05 Undercover Boss USA

03:25 Undercover Boss USA

16:30 QI

04:12 Pointless

17:05 Pointless

05:00 The Cube

18:00 Top Gear

05:45 Would I Lie To You?

19:00 Youngers

06:20 QI

19:30 QI

06:55 Police Interceptors 07:40 Top Gear

20:00 Travel ManThe Graham Norton Show

08:45 Pointless

21:05 Top Gear

09:35 Undercover Boss USA

22:05 Very British Problems

15:55 Would I Lie To You?

10:25 Ducks Quacks Don't Echo

155 AfricaMagicWorld 23:15 Music On Africa Magic 00:15 Behind The Scenes: The Place 01:15 Good Morning Africa 02:15 53 Extra 02:45 Star Gist 03:15 Star Gist 03:45 Jara 04:20 Jara 05:00 Goodmorning Africa 06:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 07:00 53 Extra 07:30 Star Gist 08:00 Jara 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 Lies That Bind

10:28 Lies That Bind 10:53 Lies That Bind

11:20 Lies That Bind 11:41 Behind The Scenes: Broken 12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 13:00 Music On Africa Magic 14:05 Music On Africa Magic 15:00 Music On Africa Magic 16:00 Star Gist 16:35 Deal Or No Deal Sa 17:25 53 Extra 18:00 Jara 18:30 Tinsel 19:00 Lies That Bind 19:30 Lies That Bind 20:00 Princess Tyra 18:00 Star Gist

128 SONY MAX

23:00 Most Shocking 23:45 World's Wildest Police Videos 00:35 World's Wildest Police Videos 01:25 Enemy Territory 02:55 Sexy Car Wash 03:20 Sexy Car Wash 03:45 Video Zonkers 04:10 South Beach Tow 04:35 South Beach Tow 05:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 05:45 World's Wildest Police Videos 06:35 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 07:25 Video Zonkers 07:50 South Beach Tow 08:15 South Beach Tow 08:40 Most Shocking 09:35 World's Wildest Police Videos 10:30 World's Wildest Police Videos 11:30 Baywatch 12:30 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 13:30 South Beach Tow 14:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 15:00 World's Wildest Police Videos 16:00 Most Shocking 17:00 Top 20 Countdown: Most Shocking 18:00 South Beach Tow 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Baywatch 20:00 Extreme Reality Clips 20:30 Rude Tube 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Freakshow 22:00 Sexy Car Wash 22:30 Sexy Car Wash