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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.74

ABUJA

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PDP plans to bomb Lagos, Rivers, Kano, others – APC Ï Rƍƍ ƈƐƈ ƍ ƏƐƕ ƕ ƄƑƋƋƈ ƒ Ƒ ƆƗ Ɛ ƄƏƈƄƆ ^ ƋƈƅƆ Ƅ Ɔ Ï Fani-Kayode: Allegations insulting, are fairy tales Segun Adio, Group News Editor & Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏA

series of allegations of plots to manipulate the general elections

which begin tomorrow was on Thursday levelled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Booby traps in registered voters’ list? 4 INSIDE

Life&

INSIDE X4

XT Exclusive

ENYEAMA TO MISS UGANDA CLASH

TIMES

Friday, March 20, 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

X5

QUOTES BY

“

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Poster!

Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number: Youth career 1995–2007:

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

It’s one thing looking in from the outside, but when you come to Real Madrid - it’s something else entirely. I always considered Real Madrid to be a big club, but now I’m on the inside; it’s the biggest club in the world.

That is football, sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. You always have to have a winning mentality. We put pressure on them and tried to score. It was an unfair result. The referee always tries to make fair decisions but in the end it was a little wrong.

I and my wife always dance. As soon as in the house the music is playing, we dance to it, especially when we have friends in the house. You can see it when I celebrate the goal. I think that separation from the ball is important. For me it is the best way to relax.

–James Rodriguez

”

Envigado

Envigado Banfield Porto Monaco Real Madrid

Colombia U-17 Colombia U-20 Colombia

JAMES X4,5

X2

James Rodríguez James David Rodríguez Rubio July 12, 1991 (age 23) Cucuta, Colombia 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Attacking midfielder/Winger Real Madrid 10

Senior career 2007–2008: 2008–2010: 2010–2013: 2013–2014: 2014–Present: National team 2007: 2011: 2011–Present:

“Yes, I heard that James signed yesterday. And to be honest I think he’s a fantastic player. Real Madrid also bought Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich, so I think they’ve invested very well. They will be a great reinforcement for the team. I’m looking forward to playing with them.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

RODRIGUEZ Friday, March 27, 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

Neymar

can’t equal me – X8Pele

Ezinne Akudo L7

P

A charitable beauty Wealthy parents, L2 superstar kids

P

TT O C L A W ‘BUST-UP’ R GE EN W ES NI DE X8

Injury-prone

Harrison RIO 2016:

Team Nigeria

receives boost X3

retires !

X7

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and his main challenger, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the signing of a new peace agreement by the duo at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja… on Thursday Photo: Temitope Balogun

UK reopens case to confiscate Ibori’s £89m assets Monday

4

2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial As Nigerians go to the poll

T

omorrow, March 28 will mark another milestone in Nigeria’s democratic life.

It is a day when 70 million eligible voters will be going to the polls to elect the President, Senators and House of Representatives members for the next fours years. If all goes well, it would mark the fifth time since 1999 that the citizens will be witnessing another peaceful transfer of power from one elected government to another.

That calls for celebration given that no democratic dispensation since independence in 1960 has come this far.

Before now, Nigeria was a byword for military adventurism, dysfunctional politics and a laboratory for all manner of political atavism.

Even when the country is yet to arrive at the safe harbour of political stability, there is cause for cheer at the little progress so far made.

While the celebration is going on, there is every need to warn on the impending danger to the polity brought about by the tension of the past few weeks through the actions of some prominent political actors.

Incidentally, tomorrow’s election is coming at a time the country is not only polarised along ethnic and religious lines but also threatened by the raging Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. There is no doubt that the entire world is intensely watching the outcome of the poll. There is every reason for this. Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy and what happens here will have an impact well beyond its borders.

That is why we are calling on INEC,

the political parties, security agencies, as well as other stakeholders to make conscious and prayerful efforts for a successful election. As the first in the series of other elections, tomorrow’s poll has been so scheduled to test the resilience of Nigerians in the event of any outcome.

At this time of our nationhood, only free, fair, transparent and credible polls will make the difference between the all-pervading fears in the land today and the accolades that will follow a successful exercise. There is no doubt that tomorrow’s election was initially scheduled for February 14 but postponed for another six weeks following security concerns in the North East,where hundreds of thousands have been displaced by insurgency. Part of the reason also was to give these internally displaced parsons the opportunity to vote after the insurgents would have been routed.

So, the poll offers Nigerians an opportunity to tell the world that the country has become a mature democracy that is capable of conducting its affairs without foreign interference.

But that can only be true if all the political actors and citizens pledge to keep the peace during and after the poll, whatever the outcome. There is every reason to remind all that Nigerians do not have any other country than this. It would therefore be foolhardy to destroy it in the pursuit of personal aggrandisements or ethnic and religious irredentism. Elections are part of democratic rituals which are always held at constitutionally prescribed times. We must therefore not destroy the country in the name of winning at all cost.

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President Goodluck Jonathan (third from left); Chairman, Corporate Forum, Otunba Funso Lawal (third from right); Amb. Greg Mbadiwe (left); Chief Moses Agoh, Chief Akin Taiwo and Chief Francis Kudaya during a courtesy visit of the Forum’s executive to President Jonathan in Aso Rock ... recently

INEC: Curiouser and curiouser...

Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏAs about 56,431,255 Ni-

gerians who were fortunate to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) go to the poll on Saturday, it is pertinent to spare a thought for millions of other citizens who, due to no fault of theirs, could not lay hands of their cards as at Sunday, March 22, 2015 when the PVC collection exercise ended.

Many Nigerians in this category had, since late last year when the distribution of the PVCs commenced, visited their polling units, Ward collation centres,

INEC local government area offices on countless occasions without sighting the cards.

At first, INEC in states like Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Abia and FCT among others said the laptops used to register these Nigerians crashed. As a result, they were asked to register afresh in January, 2015 and they did, hoping that INEC would thereafter, not disappoint.

Unfortunately, when the distribution of the PVCs commenced later, nothing changed. Visit upon visit to polling centres, ward collation centres and INEC local government area offices failed to yield any fruit.

The excuse INEC that officials at the places visited gave was that the cards

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

were being expected from Abuja and that these Nigerians should keep visiting the INEC offices weekly to see if anything had changed.

Again, for the love of country, these Nigerians at great cost in terms of time, money and stress kept visiting the INEC offices. Sadly, they were not able to lay hands on their PVCs as at March 22, 2015, when the PVC collection exercise ended.

Guess the excuse by INEC officials: No new cards have been received from Abuja since the past three weeks and up to Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Their counsel: None! Meaning that these Nigerians cannot vote come March 28 and April 11, 2015.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects

Chief Commercial Officer

Deputy Editors

Noel Anosike

Doyin Awomosu

Group Managing Editor Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Tunji Okegbola

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Acting Bureau Chief, Northern Operations Lateef Ibrahim

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Editorial Page Editor

Business Editor

Segun Adio Okay Osuji

Sports Editor

Andrew Ekejiuba

Head of Operations Innocent Nwankwo

Adetayo Adelaja Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Head ICT (Shared Services) Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

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

Ed Royce

Albert Einstein

Swami Vivekananda

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. If Nigeria succeeds at democratic governance it will be an anchor for all of West Africa.

Africa needs a strong Nigeria.

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.

News 4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

PDP to bomb Lagos, Rivers, Kano, others, says APC Continued from page 1 (PDP).

In response, the PDP described the allegations as insulting and fairy tales, told by practised liars.

The APC, at a press conference addressed in Lagos State by its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alleged that the PDP plans to cause heavy upheavals during the election by throwing a series of bombs in states like Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Imo and Edo. It also accused the Directorate of State Security (DSS) of harassment and intimidation and claimed by Commissioners of Police were on Wednesday night

bribed with huge sums using a bullion van.

Mohammed said that his party was “very concerned by the increasingly-desperate plan by the ruling PDP to rig the elections at all costs, as well as the growing cases of harassment and intimidation of our members across the country by PDP officials and candidates, using the security agencies, which are supposed to be non-partisan and professional.”

On alleged rigging plan, the APC said: “Out of the desperation to win the elections at all costs, the PDP has perfected a number of strategies to rig the

elections, especially in the North and in the South-west.”

It continued: “In one last desperate move, one Alhaji Sani Musa, the owner of ACT Technologies, the company that supplied the PVCs and the Card Readers, has been arrested and detained

by DSS officials since Tuesday.

Perhaps, the agents of the ruling party believe he may have the codes for the Card Readers, which is preposterous. Alhaji Musa has also been accused of colluding with the APC to rig the elections, which is totally false because we at the APC do not subscribe to rigging under any guise.

“Another strategy is to deploy

Probate section of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory affected by fire in Maitama, Abuja... on Thursday Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

bandits in uniform to polling units to disperse voters by force, after voter accreditation must have been completed using the Card Reader. While that is going on, armed police and soldiers will then come in, ostensibly to chase away the bandits and evacuate INEC officials and voting materials. After evacuating them to ‘safety’, they will then coerce the electoral officials to allow them, security agents that is, to cast all the ballots in the particular unit.”

On the alleged plan to engage in bombing spree in what it called “opposition strongholds,” the APC said: “Plans are afoot to carry out a bombing spree in the major towns and cities in APC-controlled states of Rivers, Lagos, Kano, Imo and Edo, with a view to scaring away voters from the polling units. Ekiti and Ondo have also been earmarked for Card Reader disruption. We are therefore using this medium to alert the general public and the international community to these evil machinations.: It cited a report in a newspaper (not the Daily Times), where former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa had allegedly affirmed plans by the PDP to rig.

The opposition party accused Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, of instructing thugs to lay siege to the state, reporting that a House of Representatives member Eniolorunda Omosule, was arrested for no reason.

On the allegation of bribery, Mohammed said: “we have also Continued on page 6

Booby traps in card reader for polls?

Monday Agu Jnr

ÏÏÏAs Nigerians prepare to elect

their president and National Assembly members for the next four years, fears have continued to mount over the card reader system that will be used to for the exercise, as well as the preparedness of the stakeholders.

Could it be true that some polling booths have just one registered voter, while several others have below 10 eligible voters?

Several instances of such figures in Lagos State, triggering fears that there could be many more across the country.

Traditionally, one polling booth has a maximum of 500 registered voters, but it was learnt that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised the top limit to 750 for the purpose of this election and that is the number that has been configured into a card reader.

Continued on page 6

Jega

UK reopens suit to confiscate Ibori’s £89 million assets Monday Ngozi Okafor London

ÏÏÏThe rescheduled hearing on the confiscation of assets of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, kicks off on Monday, at the Southwark Crown Court in London.

Although the full hearing will not start until April 13, Monday’s date is technically part of the proceedings, as the court and lawyers for both the Crown (British government) and Ibori, will agree on the timetable.

One of the investigators disclosed the planned start of the proceedings to the Daily Times, saying: “it is due to start on the 13th of April,” adding: “it may last for six weeks. However, there is a mention listed on the 30th of March , regarding the timetable and presentation .”

Though it is not yet clear if the former governor will be ordered to appear and give evidence this time round, considering how the case was terminated by the Judge in April last year, after about three weeks of hearing, the chances of Ibori opting not to give evidence

are quite limited.

When asked if the convicted former governor would give evidence at some point during the hearing, the Police detective told Daily Times: “it is a matter for Mr Ibori and we will have to wait and see.”

He added: “I would suggest that he cannot hide behind his counsel if he wants to fight this litigation .” The situation may however be clear on Monday during the pre-hearing if the Crown tells the judge that they certainly need him in court to testify.

What is also not very clear, but which may also be evident on

Monday, is if the current Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, will be asked to come and give evidence in person.

Before the hearing ended abruptly last year, the Crown’s Sasha Wass told the court that Lamorde and others could have come alongside former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to give evidence, but their visas could not be issued.

It is very unlikely that they would not have secured his visa if they still need his evidence for the hearing this time.

Ibori is due for release this year,

as he got his 13-year jail term slashed by a third when he was jailed at the same court by Judge Anthony Pitts a few years ago.

However, the Daily Times source disclosed that the former Governor may still be kept behind bars, unless he sorts out any order that the court gives at the end of next month’s hearing.

Asked for Ibori’s release date, the source said: “I have no idea. But should a confiscation order be imposed upon him, it is very likely he will receive a 10- year sentence in default, unless he pays the money within a certain period of time.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

5 News

Ondo dep gov dumps PDP for APC Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏThe

Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, on Thursday made a shocking switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection came barely two days to the presidential and National Assembly elections holding on Saturday.

Olanusi’s defection became glaring when his absence was noticed at the monthly State Executive meeting, held at the Gov-

ernor’s Office, in Akure, on Thursday.

Daily Times correspondent, who was at the Governor’s Office, observed that Olanusi’s convoy was grounded while he immediately moved with a chopper at the Akure Airport to Lagos to announce his defection.

He had earlier announced his defection through his Chief Press Secretary, Daisi Ajayi, on a private radio station based in Akure.

Olanusi said his defection was to “chart a new course” for his teeming supporters, who had looked up to him for direction.

In his statement, he said: “In the unfolding political development in our country today, and in Ondo State in particular, it is increasingly clear that I need to chart a new course for majority of my followers, who look up to me for direction and leadership and who have watched helplessly in the last six years years, the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.

“While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming sup-

porters and well-wishers into the All Progressive Congress (APC) where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty; the APC being the party to which majority of our kith and kin in Yorubaland belong.

“I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South West and the Nation.”

Olanusi, an indigene of Supare Akoko, in Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state

Polls: Jonathan, Buhari renew accord Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodlluck Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, restated their commitment to violence-free polls.

Popularly referred to as Abuja Accord, the violence-free polls agreement requires the presidential candidates in Saturday’s election, their political parties and supporters to shun acts of violence before, during and after the elections.

Thurday’s meeting of the two

political gladiators was arranged by the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, to get their commitment to respect the outcome of the elections.

The peace committee was set up after the Abuja Accord signed by both Jonathan and Buhari.

The two leaders, along with other presidential candidates had on January 14, signed the Accord.

Thursday’s meeting, at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, was to restate their commitment to the accord, to reassure Nigerians and the international community that they were disposed to free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

General Abubakar said his committee had been working round the clock to assist the parties and Nigerians to ensure that there was peace and harmony before, during and after the elections this time around.

He thanked Jonathan and Buhari for finding time to meet with the committee, and the party chairmen for the support received in trying to send the message of peace.

“I’m happy that both parties, the contestants are committed to free and fair elections, free of violence,” Abubakar said.

The renewed accord read by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah

Awka

ÏÏÏLess than 48 hours to the Jonathan

Buhari

harped on the need for the parties concerned to respect the outcome of the elections as would be declared by the INEC in order to stem the tide of post-election violence.

ÏÏÏA

A cross section of cars burnt during the fire outbreak at Ascon Filling Station, Ajah, Lagos… on Thursday

Polls : IGP redeploy senior police officers

Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏIn

furtherance of its repositioning for a successful conduct of the 2015 general election, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, has redeployed senior officers to the field.

Police kills five kidnappers in Anambra Doris Nnabuenyi

16 opposition parties back Buhari in Ekiti State group of 16 opposition parties in Ekiti State on, Thursday, adopted the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The parties, which said they were looking forward to the resounding victory of Buhari in the election, hinged their support for him on his ability “to break the yoke of insecurity and corruption in the country.”

At a press conference, in Ado Ekiti, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chairman, Prince Tunji Ogunlola, said the parties “have thrown their weight behind General Buhari in the interest of all Nigerians to salvage, liberate and rebuild the country.”

The parties lamented the high spate of insecurity and corruption in the country since independence in 1960.

had been having running issues with Governor Olusegun Mimiko over suspicious allegations of impeachment.

He became the deputy governor of the state, in 2009, on the platform of the Labour Party before he officially decamped with Mimiko to the PDP in October 2014.

Reacting to Olanusi’s defection, the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, said they party were happy receiving the deputy governor into the fold of the party, adding that he was a skilled politician.

Part of the redeployment, contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer is as follows; Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Dan’Azumi Doma– Coordinator South East Zone 2, DIG Mamman Tsafe – Coordinator South-South Zone 3.

general election in the country, kidnap and armed robbery suspects have laid siege to Anambra State.

In a gun battle, on Thursday, in Onitsha and Eziowelle communities, between the kidnap suspects and the state police command, five of the suspects were killed.

Also, over two hundred thousand fake naira notes were recovered from them ,including two AK-47 rifles, four AK magazines, 117 rounds of ammunition, 30 live cartridges and a pump action gun.

A computer science student of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU), formerly Anambra State University (ANSU) Anyaegbunam Anthony, was arrested snatching hand bags, phones and other belongings at gun-point at Upper Iweka.

Apart from the student, 17 other persons were also arrested by the police command for various offences ranging from robbery, rape, false information, diversion of goods, to murder.

Others are DIG Hashimu Argungu – Coordinator South West Zone 4, DIG Christopher Katso – Co-ordinator North West Zone 5, DIG Hilary Opara- Co-ordinator North East Zone 6, DIG Adeola Adeniji – Coordinator North Central Zone 7, AIG Kalafite Adeyemi – Asst Co-ordinator South West Zone.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Robbers invade banks in Ondo, kill manager ‘Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏArmed robbers on Thursday

invaded Owo town, in Ondo State and shot dead a bank manager with the Wema Bank Plc. The robbers, about eight, also raided another two banks in the town and injured several residents who were trying to scamper for safety.

Daily Times gathered that the bandits stormed the bank around 5pm and forcefully gained entry into the premises, shooting spo-

radically.

It was gathered that the armed robbers came into the town through the Abuja express road and divided themselves into groups to attack the banks.

A source in the town said the robbery was bloody as many innocent citizens who were killed while trying to safe their lives were soaked in pools of bloods from gunshots.

The source told our correspondent that Policemen manning strategic locations in the banks flew the scene as a result of the sophisticated guns handled by the

robbers.

Although, the robbers carted away huge sums but the amount could not yet be ascertained as at press time.

It was gathered that the armed robbers escaped arrest despite the presence of Police officers at the scene of the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Wole Ogodo who confirmed the incident to Daily Times said men of the state Police command had been deployed to the town to enforce orderliness and added that details of the incident were still sketchy.

Traders around the Oshodi market after a bloody fracas in Lagos State… on Thursday

Booby traps in card reader for polls?

Continued from page 4 But some polling points have more than 750 voters, necessitating the provision of more than one polling point in such wards.

For instance, according to informed sources, Agege Ward 4, Booth No. 049 in Lagos State has three voting points because the number of registered voters is 1167. It was learnt on Thursday that the same is the case with Agege Ward 5, Booth No. 027 which sources say has 1018 registered voters and three voting points.

Alimosho Ward 1, Booth No. 051A has two voting points although the number of registered voters is 1061, while Alimosho Ward 2, Booth No. 032 has 1430 registered voters. Alimosho Ward 03 Booth No. 049 has four voting points with 1627 registered voters.

The configuration generates alarm with the discovery that Alimosho Ward 04, Booth 037A has eight registered voters, whereas Booth 037 has 1789 registered voters. In the same Ward 04, booth 083A has 10 registered voters, booth 099A, five; Booth 100A, 16; Booth 1088, one, just as Booth 009C. When the figure is higher and the remainder is up to between the 500 and 750 mark, it forms another polling unit. A much lower figure that spills into another polling unit is called the satellite unit.

Lagos State has 8,462 polling booths, but because some polling points have between 1,500 and 2,000 registered voters, there are 12,114 polling units. As a consequence, there are 12,114 card readers.

“Security operatives are on the alert to checkmate possible electoral fraud in satellite units where

instead of between 500 and 750, there may be just 200 voters. The challenge now is to check fraud using satellite units,” a security source told Daily Times.

The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Akin Orebiyi, admitted on Wednesday that the commission was yet to receive 200,000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). When contacted for clarifications, Kayode Idowu, the spokesman of the INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, referred Daily Times to the Lagos office.

The state Public Relations Officer of commission, Mr. Femi Akinbiyi, referred the newspaper to the REC on the inquiry. When spoken to on telephone, Orebiyi requested for details of the inquiries through a short message service (sms).

He had not responded to the sms at press time.

A resident of the Alimosho area of Lagos State, Koko Gbadamosi, told Daily Times that the commission was yet to make adequate preparation for his area as at Thursday afternoon.

Gbadamosi, who said that he belonged to Ward C1, said that many residents were yet to get their PVCs, adding that the required booths were yet to be created.

He said: “In my ward, the polling booths that are yet to be created include 061, 062, 067, 081 and 087.”

He listed those that were yet to be created at press time in Akowonjo Road to include 021 and 027.

Gbadamosi also urged security agencies to pay special attention to what he called flashpoints in his area. These, he said, include Araromi booths 045, 047, 078 and 080.

PDP to bomb Lagos, Rivers, Kano, others, says APC Continued from page 4 just been told that all Commissioners of Police in the Southwest were yesterday invited to a secret meeting in Ibadan, where they received a Presidential bribe delivered in bullion vans as incentives for them to scuttle the elections in the region by acts of intimidation, unlawful arrests, and turning a blind eye to all irregularities and illegality that the PDP may perpetrate during Saturday’s elections. The Minister of Police Affairs, Abduljelili Adesiyan, one of the star actors in Ekitigate, also attended the meeting.

Fani-Kayode, dismissed all the

claims.

The PDPCO spokesman, in a press statement declared: “This is yet another preposterous story.

It is like Shakespeare once said: it is a tale told by an idiot full of sounds and fury, signifying nothing.

Fani-Kayode continued: “Lai Mohammed has degenerated to a point of no return and he and his party, the APC, have lost their self-respect and their dignity. The truth is that they have lost touch with reality.

“To suggest that we are planning to rig the election on Saturday is not only absurd but it also down right insulting.

“You do not rig when you are

confident of winning. It is only the APC that indulges in rigging, in lying, in cheating and in fabricating fairy tales.

“The gentleman by the name of Sani Musa is one of their greatest fans in Nigeria and he is a man that loves General Buhari and has the pathological hatred for President Jonathan.

“How a man like that managed to win a contract to supply Card Readers for the 2015 election and how he managed to hold on to a copy of the Master Key to these Card Readers need to be explained.

“It is our view that this man’s plan was to use that Master Key to the Card Readers to rig his

mentor Buhari into power. We are not in the position to confirm whether or not he has been arrested but if he has, then we believe it is a very good move.

“The suggestion by the APC that he has been arrested so that the security agencies could get the code of the Master Key from him and then use it to the advantage of the PDP on Saturday is childish and nonsensical.

“Instead of coming up with these fantasies on daily basis, Buhari and the APC should tell us what their link is with Boko Haram; what their views are about same sex marriage; what their views are about homosexuality; what Buhari’s role was in the

mass murder of many people of Eastern origin before the civil war; what Buhari role was in the Asaba massacre of 1968; what his role was in the introduction of the political sharia in the North; What is the connection with Al ‘Qaeda, ISIS and ISIL is really is; and whether he has a certificate or not and whether he ‘s properly educated or has certificate or not.

“These are the issues of the day and these are the questions that need to be answered by the APC. If they refund to answer them before Saturday, by the grace of the living God, they should prepare for the greatest humiliation and defeat of their lives at the polls”, he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Aliyu mismanaged N1trn in 8 years – APC Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏ The All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) has accused the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, of mismanaging over N1trillion in the past eight years of his administration.

APC state chairman, Mohammed Imam, while briefing newsmen at the party's secretariat in Minna, on Thursday, noted that Aliyu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had derailed in governance.

Mohammed said: "We have all the records of how he has been spending the state money. In the past eight years, he had spent over N1 trillion. If you go to the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance, if it has been keeping records, you will see.

"If you are spending over N1 billion in a month, it is a lot of money. It will take me eight years to spend N1 billion, because, if this amount was, judiciously, utilised, it could have changed the face of Niger State.

"Since I was born, if I was spending N1 million monthly, I won't have been able to spend up to N1 billion. It is a lot of money”, he added.

Imam stated further that "the desperation of the PDP and, indeed, that of Governor Aliyu, have reached a deplorable level that the governor had resorted to cheap blackmail and outright lies against the governorship candidate of the APC, Abubakar Sani Bello”.

He said: "In a recent meeting, ostensibly, convened to brief directorate staff of Local Govern-

ment Ministry, Aliyu said that our candidate resigned from his cabinet because he (Aliyu) declined to accede to unmerited request for financial reimbursement.

"The truth is that, our candidate left his cabinet, after a few months because of the governor's derailed goal, initiated in his manifesto”, he said.

He added that the PDP was gripped with fear of defeat and had devised sinister plans to coerce security agencies to arrest some prominent APC members.

"It is an open secret that the ruling party planned, with security agencies, to arrest some of our party members and unleash wholesome intimidation on our supporters before and during elections.

"The recent unwarranted ar-

rest of some stakeholders in Kacha, Edati, Munya, Lavun, Bida, Mokwa and other places were dressed-rehearsals”, Imam said, adding that all members of the APC should undertake a fasting and prayer session for a peaceful general election.

Aliyu

Petrol tanker fire injures 3, burns 10 vehicles in Lagos

Abia police nab two kidnappers, three robbers Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia ÏÏÏThe Abia State Police command, on Thursday, paraded two suspected kidnappers and three car snatchers, with a warning that the state was no longer safe for criminals.

Parading the suspects at the premises of the Umuahia Central Police Station, state Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, said that following a report from a resident in Aba, on March 21, 2015, the police recovered a Honda CRV vehicle belonging to one Rev. Father Chisom of Umuohiri, stolen from where it was packed in Ihitte Uboma in Imo State.

The CP disclosed that three suspects were arrested with the help of a location tracker in the vehicle, while another Toyota Camry and Mercedes Benz 190 E were also recovered from them.

He also paraded two kidnap suspects arrested on March 25, following a report that one Gold Njoku, female, was kidnapped while on an evangelism outing in Okpuala Ngwa. The victim was later rescued in a bush in Umuihe village in Osisioma.

Court restrains COAS from arresting Tinubu

ÏÏÏThree persons were injured

and 10 vehicles burnt when two tankers, loaded with petrol, exploded at the Ascon filling station in Lekki area of Lagos State on Thursday.

The injured persons, it was gathered, were trying to put out the fire, before fire fighters arrived at the scene. The fire was said to have begun around 2.00pm and spread to adjoining areas, and several cars parked within the fillingstation.

But for the timely intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service men, who arrived the scene a few minutes later, the situation could have been worse.

“What we learnt was that the fuel tanker caught fire and spread across the road to an empty land.

The fire was raging, but the fire fighters succeeded in bringing it under control,” said an eye witness, identified as Ugochukwu.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, said the fire involved two tankers fully loaded with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS), 10 other vehicles and two motorbikes.

Fadipe said the three injured persons were treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

7 News

ÏÏÏ The Federal High Court in

Residents travelling out of Abuja for election ... on Thursday

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Polls: Anambra widows back Buhari, Ngige Doris Nnabuenyi Awka

ÏÏÏ Widows, in their thousands,

in Anambra State, have declared support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The event was held at the premises of the Last Word Ministry at Umusiome Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area, where the widows had gathered for a fasting and prayer session for the two candidates.

The prayer session was tagged "The liberator of Anambra, it shall be well with you".

Moved by the action, Lady Bene

Nwachukwu, a lawyer, organised wrappers, bags of rice, cartons of soap, bags of salt, towels, T-shirts for the the widows, who in tears, removed their shoes and prayed for the success of Ngige and Buhari in tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections.

State coordinator of the widows, Hon. Hope Nwandu, told Daily Times that their support for Buhari was based on principle, adding that Nigeria had gone through pains and hunger.

She alleged that the empowerment of widows by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was just a deceit, adding that the items were shared to members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.

Another coordinator of the widows in Idemili North, Florence Obiefuna, told our correspondent that both APGA and PDP administrations had “not done anything for them in the state, while items were given to those who did not deserve them”.

For Franka Obidinma from Oraukwu, in Idemili South Local Government Area, “God will never forsake Ngige and his party, APC, as they go into the elections in Anambra State”.

Also touched by the prayers of the widows, an APC House of Representatives candidate for Idemili North and South, Hon. Chibuzor Obiakor, donated about 20,000 bags of rice through his foundation, to the widows.

Lagos has granted an interim injunction, restraining the Chief of Army Staff, his privies, agents and servants from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Tinubu had approached the court on March 25, 2015, through his lawyer, Femi Falana, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

In the restraining order, granted by presiding judge, J.T. Tsoho, the interim injunction also barred the Chief of Army Staff or his privies, agents and servants from further laying siege on the home of Bola Tinubu, situated at 26, Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Furthermore, the military or its agents were restrained from preventing him from participating in the 2015 general election.

The determination of the motion on notice in the matter was adjourned till March 31.

In the past two weeks, news of the planned arrest of Tinubu had circulated in the media.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Politics Gani Adams National Coordinator of the Odua Peoples Congress, (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams

s

Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola E-mail: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng

ADAMS

Jonathan is our man

National Coordinator of the Odua Peoples Congress, (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams opens up on last week’s protest against INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega in Lagos. Excerpts: What do you have to say about the controversial rally you led?

It is the opposition that is controversial which is condemning the rally. I don’t know how they are feeling pains about the rally

which is not against them. The rally was specifically to register our displeasure about the activities of Professor Atahiru Jega on the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), the shortage of PVC. Right now, South West has not gotten up to five million PVCs and the election is just 10 days away. In some parts of the South East, they haven’t gotten up to 80 per cent of their PVCs, likewise South-South. In the North East where you have the Boko Haram

crisis, more than 90 per cent of their PVCs have been given to them. In the entire South-West, it is only Ondo State that has gotten up to 70 per cent of their PVCs and you want to run an election 10 days from now.

Second is the issue of registering of under aged people in the North. Many underage people were registered in the North, and we saw different pictures about the registration on the inCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

2015: Why PDP is combative Akinjide Akintola

Jonathan

Mu’azu

TIV people did not marginalise Benue

Indications have emerged on why the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been very aggressive in its campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Contrary to insinuations that the ruling party is mortally afraid of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), hence its combative campaigns against it, the PDP is not afraid of APC one bit, it has been learnt.

Reliable sources close to the top hierarchy of the party in Abuja told Daily Times that the aggressive nature of its campaign was dictated by the unusual approach of the main opposition party in its propaganda to blackmail the ruling party ahead of the elections.

According to the source, what also informed the massive na-

Buhari

Oyegun

Awunah Pius Terwase Benue State has been marginalised by the group of political elites, comprising Tiv, Idomas, Igedes and other tribes that constituted the state. Each tribe or ethnic group in the state has persons representing her in various Benue offices, both politically and nonpolitically.

But the so called representatives that are supposed to be working for the interest of their people have decided to work for their own selfish interest, taking those things that belonged to their people for themselves, diverting the public funds that are meant for the development of the various parts of the state into their private pockets.

The marginalisation in Benue State is done collectively. Meaning; the Tivs’ political elites, Idomas’ political elites, the Igedes’ political elites and all other political elites of ethnic groups in the state have to be blamed for marginalising the poor Benue citizens.

During the apartheid policy in South Africa, where the whites

ture of its campaigns was the fact that a lot was at stake in this election.

“Despite the fact that we know that we are stronger and with more spread in the country that the opposition, we did not want to take anything for granted in every aspect of the electioneering campaigns and the wooing of the voters across Nigeria,” the source said.

This, he said accounted for the deployment of everything at the disposal of the party to counter the opposition whom he described as a virus capable of destroying the stability of the country if it comes to power.

“Essentially, when it comes to the preservation of the unity of the country, no responsible government would take it light with anything like to threaten it, hence, all the steps being takCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

marginalised the blacks, who were the original inhabitants of the country, all the good positions in the government were given only to the whites, and the whites were not suffering, only the blacks were being treated sadistically, and were left in a state of despondency.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

9

Politics

Adams: We are not against APC, but I can’t vote for Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

ternet, and Jega has not made a categorical statement about it.

The third is the issue of 30 per cent polling units illegally created by Jega. Why are you creating polling units with just two months to the election? If you remember about two and half months ago, the Afenifere issued a statement that Jega should not create more polling units. The Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly too, did the same and other organisations lend voices to that issue but Jega systematically created those polling units and that was the beginning of rigging, it is as if the election has been rigged before it is held.

So, the only way to have peace and tranquillity in any country during and after election is by free and fair polls. Where there is injustice, violence is inevitable and I am just sending signals to the whole world. Our experience in 1993 is still fresh in our memories. We know how the 1993 incident happened and we do not want something like that to happen in this country again. If anything like that happens now, I don’t believe Nigeria can survive it. So, we must do everything to avoid crises, so that we can remain a nation. That was the reason for the rally. The platform we used was not only OPC, but a coalition of concerned Nigerians, coordinated by me. We cannot call it an OPC affair because we had a lot of Nollywood Stars.

Most of them were from Igbo land, South-South, South-West and so on. They were more interested in that protest more than we in OPC. I don’t know why APC is re-

Lai Mohammed

ferring to it as an ethnic mission; they went to the internet and brought the picture of protest that was held by Dr Fredrick Fasehun group on 8th of December 2011. They sent it to media that OPC carried guns during the protest. What kind of propaganda is that? After all, APC was not the target; we were not protesting against APC, so, why are they defending Jega? What is their interest to sustain the position of Jega?

They are sending a signal that the allegation made against them by the ruling party that they held a meeting in Dubai with Jega to support them.

I’m a freedom fighter. I started this struggle at a younger age, at the age of 23. If you choose propaganda and go to the internet, you will meet us there, go to the print media, you will meet us there. I’m not contesting election but we own this country together. I have a responsibility to protect the interest of good people of Nigeria and my people as a Yoruba race and I have the responsibility to defend the interest of six million members of my organisation. You can not intimidate everybody because you have the media power.

The rally was a huge success.

What they are doing is to puncture the success of the rally.

We all know that APC has very good propaganda machinery but I want to tell them that I’m not PDP, I’m beyond that, and I’m not contesting.

APC is not our enemy; they are our brothers and sisters.

Not believing in APC as a party, not adopting Buhari as a Fulani should not make me an enemy. You can’t shout Jonathan much in the North; they

Don’t you think the removal of Jega can trigger off crisis?

God forbid, assuming anything happens to Jega few days to the election, wouldn’t somebody else take it up to finish the election? We should not fool ourselves. I’m not praying for that, the election must move on. The Heaven would not fall.

He has shown that he has already connived with the opposition party. What is the business of Jega about Military? He should have allowed the parties to be fighting it out. If we agree not to use military, what of the North East, can anybody come out to vote in the North East where there is no Military?

Can you organise election in Yobe, Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa without the Military?

You cannot, who will come out?

They would be slaughtered and even in Kano. I think the man is confused because I do not know why he is joining issues about military or no military.

Adams

“APC is not our enemy; they are our brothers and sisters. Not believing in APC as a party, not adopting Buhari as a Fulani should not make me an enemy.”

“It is unfortunate that somebody at the age of Lai Mohammed can issue a statement he cannot substantiate. How can you mention a figure without concrete evidence?”

would burn your house. What are you talking about? We own this country together; you can’t be intimidating those that support Jonathan in the North and be intimidating those of us who support Jonathan in the South. What is the sin of Jonathan that Tinubu has never committed?

What do you want from Jega now?

Jega should reverse the polling units. If Jega does not reverse the units, we don’t have confidence in him. He should not tell us that he should not be sacked. Is he the best person we have in this country?

“Jega should reverse the polling units. If Jega does not reverse the units, we don’t have confidence in him. He should not tell us that he should not be sacked. Is he the best person we have in this country?”

There is a rumour that you were offered N9 billion gratifications by the government?

It is not a rumour; it is a statement from APC Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed. It is unfortunate that somebody at the age of Lai can issue a statement he cannot substantiate.

How can you mention a figure without concrete evidence?

One of the reasons Lai issued that statement 12pm on Sunday was to put our protest on hold.

By alerting the public that we have collected N9 billion, most of the people who wanted to join the protest would be weakened that it has economic interCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Jega

Politics 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

en by our party to ensure victory at the polls.

“It is not that we are afraid of losing, but a lot is at stake including the unity and stability of the country. We owe the people the responsibility of ensuring the continuous preservation of the country as a united entity, so we have to take any step deemed necessary to achieve this, otherwise, our country could be doomed,” he stressed.

This is the first time in the history of this nation that it appears that the opposition is capable of obtaining victory in an election over an incumbent government at the federal level which has accounted for the unusual nature of the campaign by the parties.

This is moreso when the ruling party had once described itself as the biggest party in Africa with the capacity to continue to rule Nigeria for the next 60 years.

But the reality has now dawned on the PDP that it is possible that the opposition can snatch victory from them in this forthcoming election especially with the united and aggressive nature that the opposition has taken it on in the last few years.

The beneficiary in all of these scenarios has been the electorate that has in the last six weeks received a lot of attention and consideration from both the opposition and the ruling party which nobody ever believed was possible.

“We owe the people the responsibility of ensuring the continuous preservation of the country as a united entity.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Why PDP is deploying every arsenal against APC

Suswan

Mark

Akume

Ortom

TIV not marginalising Benue CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

But alas, the so called Tiv people that marginalised the state as being claimed by many, are they not suffering? When the whites marginalised South Africans, were the whites still suffering? How can your people marginalise a place but yet, you will also be suffering together with those that have been marginalised? What kind of marginalisation is that?

My point is this, the rich people in Benue State, most especially; our political leaders are the ones that are marginalising the poor in the state by taking what belonged to everybody for themselves. As I mentioned earlier, those political leaders (elites), are: The Tivs, Idomas, Igedes and others.

However, what is happening in Benue State is the same thing

Jonathan

that can be found everywhere in Nigeria.

Permit me to use this medium and call on all the people of Benue State to collectively join farces together to fight the so called political elites in the state and get what is supposed to be ours to better our condition and our future at large. Also, I call on all Nigerians to stand up, walk to the so called political elites, and sing: ‘enough is enough’ with action by using all that we have to get what they (political elites) have stolen from us (Masses).

According to US President, Barak Obama, “a change is brought about when ordinary people do extraordinary things.

We, the poor are the ordinary people; let’s do extraordinary things to bring the change we need in our beloved state and country at large.

Atayese calls for unity in Yorubaland A summit of eminent and concerned citizens of Oodua nation recently assembled under the auspices of Atayese, a Yoruba self-determination group at the Development and Policy Centre, Ojetunji Aboyade House, Agodi G.R.A., Ibadan and urged the Yoruba people to stand firmly with the Yoruba nation in its demand for regional autonomy in a

truly federal Nigeria.

This followed their in-depth and comprehensive discussion and deliberations on various issues, ranging from our fledging democracy and freedom of choice; the imperative of maintaining peace and progress in the south-west; to ensuring the place of constitutional monarchy in Yorubaland, while making of a case for Yoruba region

in a federal union of Nigeria.

They urged the Yoruba to remain true to the Kiriji vision of peace, progress, and prosperity or its modern equivalent of life more abundant as of right.

Besides, they also encouraged all eligible voters not to sell their votes but use them as an assured key to a good life and freedom from poverty.

They reminded all that the Yoruba nation is in the final analysis driven by Omoluwabi values that is, honour and integrity in private and public life, and will defend free and fair election.

The group, led by Mr. Tokunbo also Ajasin appealed to Yoruba of all divides to stand united and protect Yoruba interests at all times.

Ajasin

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

11

Politics

Vote Peacefully, PCRC urges electorate Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Meiran Division, Agbado / Oke-Odo LCDA, Lagos State held a sensitisation March aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of electoral violence in the country.

The rally, which took PCRC members to every nook and cranny of Meiran, Agbado / Oke – Odo LCDA, commenced and terminated at the Meiran Police division.

Speaking during the occasion, chairman PCRC, Meiran division, Prince Adebisi Osideinde called on the electorate to participate fully and peacefully in the March 28 and April 11 general elections, to ensure they get the leadership they desired.

Osidehinde said, the campaign with the theme: “Security Awareness for Peaceful Elections was aimed at urging Nigerians to eschew ethnicity, tribalism and nepotism in the choice of who governs them, calling on the electorate and politicians to draw inspirations from the national anthem of the country, to arise and serve diligently and faithfully.

“This election is for and by Nigerian people and it must be free, fair and held in such a way that it will deepen the nation’s democracy such that at the end

“This election is for and by Nigerian people and it must be free, fair and held in such a way that it will deepen the nation’s democracy such that at the end of the electoral process, Nigeria must be the winner.”

of the electoral process, Nigeria must be the winner. We call on Agbado / Oke – Odo LCDA residents to eschew every form of violence”, he said, adding: “the prevalent do-or die attitude is unnecessary, unhelpful and unhealthy for our system of democracy. We must all say: “no” to violence before, during and after the elections”.

Voters queue to vote

Adams: Our vote is for the president CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

est. That was the reason. The pipeline contract is ordinary security, even the utility and some of the pipeline packages have not been included in the proposal, because they just gave the three months duration to secure it. After then, they would package it as a contract.

That was what the NNPC did.

You can imagine how much we are losing to vandals. What we lose to oil theft in a year is more than N1.3 trillion, the money that would be given to secure these pipelines will not be up to N4 billion in the six places they are vandalizing in a year.

The contract is another way of empowering the youth. It is a way of job creation. We gave

our leaders mandate to bring 4,000 persons per section, we asked them to bring 3,500 from Lagos and Ogun, the remaining 5, 000 from other states. Do you know many people that got to my house that day? More than 15,000 people. It was like a war. After we tactically dispersed them, we couldn’t cope with the registration on that day, we got the data of 3,500 but we don’t know how to cope with the remaining 500. Do you know how many calls we have received since them? People that are ready to do that job are more than 250,000. So, you can see the level of unemployment in the country. I was the one that criticised the ruling party that Jonathan did not create jobs and you can imagine how

many people this petty contract would employ.

The government has used various security agencies and they have failed. What they decided now is to use the community policing. The engagement of OPC is because OPC has structure in all the communities in the South West.

The instruction given to OPC is to make sure that we employ those who belong to the community where the pipeline passes through. It does not reflect to OPC per se.

I have been in this struggle for the past 22 years, we are in the South West and the South West governors shut their doors against us. We have been promoting the culture of the Yoruba people, sustaining it, to the

extent that we formed another organisation in 55 countries abroad, Oodua Progressive Union (OPU). It is not as if I’m working against APC, but am telling the whole world that I’m not supporting Buhari, I’m not casting my vote for Buhari and my group is not casting their vote for Buhari. Our vote is for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some riff-raffs have been paid to say that they are pioneer members of OPC, I do not have their names among the nine of us that formed OPC. It was nine of us that formed OPC, we lost four of them and five of us are still alive and out of five of us that are still alive, two of us are still in OPC. The remaining three have gone to other businesses.

Adams

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Aregbesola warns against intimidation

L-R: Publicity Director, Jimi Kolawole (JK); Otunba Adeleke Adenuga; Coordinator, Video Rental Operators, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Kayode Owoeye; Chairperson, I Believe Agbaje, Queen Blessing Ebigieson; Secretary of the association, Mr. Olaitan Olusola, and Kehinde Akinyemi, during the endorsement of Lagos PDP governoship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, by Video Rental Association, held in Lagos, recently.

Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏOsun State Governor, Rauf

Aregbesola, has admonished people not to be intimidated, harassed, subjugated, cowed or provoked to do something rash during Saturday’s election.

He said this in a state-wide broadcast, as the state also declared Friday a public holiday.

Aregbesola also counselled people to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the Saturday Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

While enjoining people to walk freely to polling units with their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to exercise their civic responsibilities, Aregbesola told them to pray for a peaceful election.

He said: “What is required of you on Saturday and in subsequent elections is to march majestically to your various polling stations, armed with your Permanent Voter Card and exercise your God-given power to determine your leader.

“Do not be intimidated, harassed, subjugated, cowed or provoked to do something rash on that day. You have defied tyrants, despots, masked gunmen, attack dogs and other intimidating apparatuses of dictatorships in the past and have triumphed gloriously.”

One shot, others injured at Ogun PDP rally Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏAs political parties round

off the Presidential and National Assembly rally, tragedy struck on Wednesday, when the political rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial District turned bloody, as security operatives attached to the convoy of the party’s senatorial candidate, Buruji Kashamu, allegedly shot one of the onlookers.

The victim, identified as Bembe-Bembe, was later rushed to Babcock University Teaching

Hospital in Ilishan-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area, for treatment.

A source at the event, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that the incident happened in Okun Owa Ward 3, near Sabo market, in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

According to him, the campaign team of the senatorial candidate was done with the campaign when a vehicle in the convoy allegedly hit a passer-by who sustained injuries.

People in the area reportedly reacted to the incident and attempted blocking the convoy but

Edo PDP, Oshiomhole trade words over polls

Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏThe leadership of

the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of amassing dangerous weapons to attack targeted leaders and members of the party during and after the March 28 and April 11 elections in the state.

Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who raised the alarm during a press conference, in Benin, the state capital, appealed to the security agencies to ensure the safety of life and property of the members of the party and Edo people during the polls.

His accusation came as the state government said on Wednesday it had uncovered plans by the PDP to clone the voice of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, which would then be used to send out messages in support of the PDP presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The Special Adviser (Media Affairs) to the Governor, Prince Kassim Afegbua, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin, urged the people of the state and across the country to ignore such message as Oshiomhole was solidly behind the Presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari and, indeed, all other candidates of the party.

The statement read: “It has just

were repelled by security operatives and personal security men attached to the politician.

The security men, it was learnt, started shooting sporadically to scare people away and in the process hit the man in his stomach.

A lot of people took to their heels as Buruji’s asoociates, who were wearing black vests, started shooting sporadically into the air.

The Director-General of Buruji’s Campaign Organisation, Otunba Leke Adekoya, said nothing of such happened during the campaign.

Ifeanyi Onwuneme

ÏÏÏAbia

come to the attention of government and the All Progressives Congress in Edo State that in a show of desperation, the PDP in the state has concluded plans to clone the voice of the Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, by telling people, especially members of the APC, to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

... As passengers besiege airports Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says the country’s airspace remained open to flight operations.

Its acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Jumoke Adetona, in a chat with Daily Times in Lagos said NAMA operations remained opened.

She urged the public to disregard the rumours that airspace would be closed to flights operations.

Osita

Abia police charges security agencies to be alert Umuahia

Oshiomhole

Polls: Airspace remains open –NAMA

State Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, has charged security agencies in the state to ensure that they were fair to all during the elections, but at the same time tough in their decisions of maintaining law and order during the period.

The charge, he said, became necessary in view of the fact that the 2015 general election would commence on Saturday, March, 28, 2015 and the role of the security agencies would be crucial to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Addressing a joint team of security agencies in the state

including, the Police, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Prisons, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Road Safety Corps and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Central Police Station field, in Umuahia, on Thursday, Joshak warned that the integrity of the election should not be compromised by any misdemeanour of security agencies.

He also ordered them to arrest anyone that committed electoral offence or whose conduct was unhelpful for a peaceful conduct of the elections, saying that 12,000 security personnel would be deployed across the state for the elections.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Somali pirates return, seize Iranian fishing vessel ÏÏÏ Pirates have seized an Ira-

nian vessel fishing illegally off the coast of Somalia in the first successful hijacking in almost three years, officials said Thursday, raising fears that the scourge of Somali piracy may be returning.

"An Iranian vessel, fishing illegally in Somali waters, was hijacked earlier this week," said Alan Cole of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

At its peak in 2011, Somali pirates were responsible for the hijacking of 28 vessels and 237 incidents, but international navies and armed guards on ships reduced attacks.

Until the Iranian vessel was seized off Ceel Huur in the Mudug region this week, there had been no successful hijackings since May 2012, according to the UNODC. In the past, Somali pirates justified their attacks saying they had to defend their fishing grounds from illegal trawlers. The reduction in piracy has been met with

an increase in illegal fishing with many vessels brazenly trawling waters less than five miles off the Somali coast, where the Iranian vessel was seized.

"These are the conditions that started piracy in the first place," said Cole, warning that a resurgence could be on the horizon.

Initial reports on Monday suggested that local maritime police had arrested the illegal fishermen and impounded their vessel, but a senior official in the Himan and Heeb administration has denied their forces were involved.

Two South Korean vessels, currently known to be fishing along the Somali coast close to where the Iranian trawler was seized, are thought to be at risk.

"This was not Himan and Heeb police, but criminals and pirates using the excuse of illegal fishing to take a vessel and crew with the object of holding them for ransom," said John Steed, a retired British colonel who has negotiated the release of many hostages.

"There is a huge amount of illegal fishing going on right now."

President Charles Taylor has been ordered to serve the rest of his jail term in the UK, after losing a request to be transferred to Rwanda.

He had argued that he was being denied his rights to a family life, because his wife and children had not been granted UK visas.

The judges rejected this argument, saying they had not properly applied.

A UN-backed court convicted him of war crimes over his support for rebels who committed atrocities in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone's rebels were notorious for cutting of the limbs of civilians As well as complaining about not being able to see his family, Taylor argued he was being held

"effectively in isolation" because he was "too much of a target and too vulnerable" to be kept with other inmates of the Frankland prison in the northern English city of Durham.

He further said he wanted to be on the African continent, where people would share a "cultural affinity" with him.

However, the court found that the rejection of his wife's visa was "due purely to his wife's failure to comply with the United Kingdom visa requirements and her ignoring the assistance offered to her [by the registrar's office] to reapply".

It further stressed that prisoners did not have the right to choose their place of incarceration.

The Special Court for Sierra

Guinea govt urges dialogue after opposition protest call

ÏÏÏThe government of

Ebolahit Guinea, on Wednesday, urged a dialogue after the three main opposition leaders called for renewed protests against President Alpha Conde over upcoming elections.

"I would like to repeat the government's desire to find ways to restore confidence in the electoral process and to respect the

Sudan confirms joining Saudi-led Yemen operation

ÏÏÏSudan confirmed on Thurs-

day that it had joined a Saudi-led intervention in Yemen to push back Shiite rebels advancing on the Aden stronghold of embattled President Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi. "Sudan is taking part in the military operation in Yemen," the Sudanese armed forces press service said in an SMS sent to journalists. The military gave no further details of its role in the operation but said its spokesman would give a statement "shortly".

Saudi warplanes launched strikes on Huthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday, as the kingdom said it had assembled a coalition of more than 10 countries to check the rebels' advance and prevent the fall of Hadi.

The rebels and their allies within Yemen's armed forces had been closing in on main southern city Aden where Hadi has been holed up since fleeing the rebel-controlled capital Sanaa last month.

23 suspects held over Tunis museum attack

A Somali pirate

Ex-Liberian President, Charles Taylor to stay in UK prison ÏÏÏEx-Liberian

13 Africa

ÏÏÏTunisia

Leone trial was held at The Hague on the agreement that he was jailed elsewhere.

The overseas venue for the court case was chosen in case the trial sparked renewed unrest in West Africa.

An act of parliament was passed to allow for Taylor to serve his sentence in the UK, at the cost of the British government, following his conviction.

Taylor was sentenced in 2012 and arrived in the UK last October, having unsuccessfully challenged the decision to be detained there.

Taylor was convicted on 11 charges including terrorism, rape, murder and the use of child soldiers by rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the

1991-2002 civil war, in which some 50,000 people died.

The former Liberian leader was found to have supplied weapons to the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in exchange for so-called blood diamonds.

Taylor

said on Thursday that it had arrested 23 suspects in connection with last week's jihadist massacre at the country's national museum.

"Twenty-three suspects including a woman have been arrested as part of a terrorist cell" involved in the attack, Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli told journalists, adding that "80% of this cell" had been broken up.

All of those arrested were Tunisians, he said, adding that another Tunisian, two Moroccans and an Algerian suspected of being members of the cell were on the run.

The Tunisian, Maher Ben Mouldi Kaidi, was previously identified as a suspect and is alleged to have provided the automatic weapons to the two gunmen who shot dead 21 people - including 20 foreign tourists - at the Bardo Museum in Tunis on March 18.

constitution. But especially to preserve social peace," government spokesperson Albert Damantang Camara told a press conference.

In a joint statement signed on Tuesday in Paris, former prime ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo, Sidya Toure and Lansana Kouyate accused Conde of repeated rights violations and said he had

"lost all legitimacy".

The opposition boycotted parliament earlier this month in protest over the timetable for presidential elections, accusing Conde of using the Ebola epidemic as an excuse to postpone voting and refusing to enter into a dialogue over the timetable.

The former premiers called on demonstrators to support their

demands, especially the call to bring forward local elections due in March next year.

"The election schedule has been decided by an independent body. If part of the political class does not agree with the program we can discuss it, to identify the real problems it poses and find real solutions," the government spokesman said.

Foreign 14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Germanwings co-pilot deliberately crashed plane, says prosecutor

French prosecutor of Marseille Brice Robin, flanked by General David Galtier (R), speaks to the press on Thursday in Marignane airport near the French southern city of Marseille.

ÏÏÏ A French prosecutor said

Thursday that the co-pilot of the Germanwings passenger jet that crashed in the French Alps this week made a "deliberate attempt to destroy the aircraft."

Marseilles prosecutor Brice Robin said the co-pilot, 28-yearold Andreas Lubitz, locked the pilot out of the cockpit, leaving

himself alone in control of the Airbus A320. The prosecutor said Lubitz then "accelerated the descent" of the aircraft, flying it at 700 kilometers an hour and crashing it into the remote, snowy mountains in southeastern France. All 150 people aboard were killed.

"The descent could only have

been done deliberately," Robin said at a news conference. "In all circumstances, it is deliberate."

The prosecutor said "there is nothing to suggest a terrorist attack, but we'll see the circumstances of that person."

Robin said investigators, after listening to sounds in the aircraft from the flight's last moments

Thailand toughens human trafficking penalties ÏÏÏThailand’s National Assem-

bly has passed amendments to anti-trafficking laws with harsh penalties. The legislation comes as American media reports put spotlight on slave-like conditions on Thai fishing vessels triggering calls for Thailand to crack down on labor exploitation, especially in the seafood industry.

Thailand’s tough new measures to combat human trafficking were passed overwhelmingly Thursday by the military-backed National Legislative Assembly, allowing prosecutors to seek life prison terms for those convicted of human trafficking.

The amendments to the antitrafficking laws will open the way for more robust factory and industry inspections, especially in the fishing and seafood industry, which could lead to suspension of operating licences.

Thailand is under intense international pressure, especially from the United States, to curb human

trafficking and abusive labor practices for migrant workers.

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai says the government is serious about a crackdown on the multi-million dollar human trafficking and smuggling networks.

“We are very, very confident that from December until now we have done a very good job, a good enough job. Not just structural change but also the new Act, the legislation with the new measures could take care of the concerns of all parties,” he said.

Thailand’s migrant worker population numbers around three million, especially in construction, agriculture and manufacturing, many of whom are undocumented workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The international spotlight has been thrust back on Thailand this week with publication of a detailed report by the U.S.-based news agency, The Associated

Press.

In the report, the AP says hundreds of men are working in slave like conditions in the fishing industry and trapped on a remote Indonesian island. The news agency later tracked seafood caught by the men to Thai exporters and fish processing plants.

Pramudwinai

that were recorded on the plane's cockpit voice recorder, heard increasingly desperate knocks on the cockpit's locked door from the captain, whose name has not been disclosed, as he tried to get back into the cockpit.

But Robin said Lubitz refused to open the door and had no audio contact with air traffic controllers in the final minutes of the flight. It was bound from Barcelona, Spain, to the German city of Dusseldorf, with 144 passengers on board and six crew members.

Robin said that based on the sounds on the cockpit voice recorder, passengers only realized at the very end that the plane was about to crash.

"We hear some screams only at the last moment," he said. "Death was instant."

Robin declined to call Lubitz's actions a suicide.

"I don't call it a suicide when you have 150 people behind you," he said.

The prosecutor said Lubitz had flown the A320 "a few months," about 100 hours "on this type of plane," compared with 10,000 hours of experience for the pilot.

Robin said he met with families of the victims before disclosing his conclusions about the flight's demise.

"The families were in shock," he said. "They found it difficult to believe."

Pakistani militant denies death rumour ÏÏÏA

spokesperson for Pakistani militant group called journalists on Thursday to assure them he was alive after Pakistani intelligence officials claimed he was among 30 fighters killed in air strikes in the north-western Khyber region.

The intelligence officials said air force jets had targeted militants belonging to Lashkar-eIslam, which announced an alliance with the Pakistani Taliban earlier this month, and they named the group's spokesperson, Salahuddin Ayubi, as one of the fighters killed.

"I wanted to talk to you and other journalists and prove that by the grace of Allah Almighty I am alive," Ayubi told Reuters.

"I would request our journalist brothers to check news about the killing of our commanders before reporting it to the media."

Three arrested for recruiting Islamist fighters in Italy ÏÏÏ Police arrested three men

on Wednesday for allegedly setting up a network in Italy to recruit Islamist fighters to be sent to Syria and Iraq, Italian authorities said.

One was a 20-year-old Italian of Moroccan origin, who faces charges of encouraging terrorism via the Internet, a police statement said.

The other two were Albanians accused of actively seeking recruits. One lives in the small Balkan country while the second, his nephew, lives near the northern Italian city of Turin.

The Italian man is believed to be the author of a 64-page document in Italian promoting the Islamic State militant movement that was widely distributed on social media networks.

Saudi Air Force planes pound Yemeni rebels ÏÏÏSaudi

warplanes bombed key military installations in Yemen on Thursday while leading an offensive, involving Gulf Arab allies and others in the region in support of internationally backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The airstrikes targeted sites around the main airport in the capital, Sana'a and damaged homes in the area.

Riyadh's rival Iran denounced the assault on the Houthi militia group, which it backs, and made clear the kingdom's deployment of a Sunni coalition against Shi'ite enemies would complicate efforts to end a conflict likely to inflame the sectarian animosities fuelling wars around the Middle East.

Map of Yemen locating the alAnad air base, seized by Houthi forces from defenders loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Wednesday.Map of Yemen locating the al-Anad air base, seized by Houthi forces from defenders loyal to President AbdRabbu Mansour Hadi on Wednesday. Houthi health officials say at least 18 people were killed and 24 others wounded in the Saudi airstrikes. A VOA freelancer, Jacfar Kukay, said unconfirmed reports say at least three Houthi leaders were among those killed or wounded. Kukay said local media reported Houthi leader Mohamed Ali al-Houthi was injured after his home was hit, but his spokesman denied the report.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

15 Opinion

Turkey: Beyond an incorporated company

T Umaru Ibrahim

he recent remark reportedly credited to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the effect that Turkey should be administered like an incorporated company is, to say the least, uncalled for.

Besides the fact that the administration of the state and that of the running of an incorporated company are two different things and systems, it is worrisome when leaders think less or nothing about the implication(s) of their public utterances.

For clarity, it must be stated that there is a great deal of difference between a state and a company. Whereas a state (which is also known as a country) is considered to be a definite entity where law and order are maintained within a defined boundary by a supreme authority; a company, on the other hand, is defined according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary as “a business organisation that makes money by producing or selling goods and services.”

In view of the above, it is clear that President Erdogan’s reported pronouncement that Turkey should be administered as an incorporated company is completely misplaced.

Therefore, if that Erdogan’s thinking that Turkey be administered as an incorporated company, owned by a collection of certain number of persons (known as the shareholders), is to be construed from the prism of power politics, would it be wrong to say that his motive is imbued with something sinister? Better still, will it be a misplaced perception to submit that Erdogan’s continuous advocacy for Turkey to adopt a presidential system of government is not devoid of his personal intent to acquire more powers?

Whatever the answers, they can hardly cease to be contentious too.

However, bearing in mind that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely, there is no doubt that getting Turkey to embrace either of these propositions by Erdogan would not augur well for the country.

Hence, for deputy chairman of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party parliamentary group, Oktay Vural, what President Erdogan’s proposition that Turkey be run as a business outfit portends is that the country should be governed as a family enterprise. And regarding his motive for adoption of a Presidential system, Vural believes that Erdogan merely wants to acquire and exercise absolute power.

For Haluk Koc, the depuy Chairman of Republican Peoples Party, what Erdogan wants is for the people to give him the whole of Turkey to be run like a business outfit in order to hijack all sources of revenue in the country, according to Today’s Zaman Newspaper report of March 16, 2015.

But beyond the foregoing, the concern is: looking at the high rate of violations of human rights abuse allegedly being perpetrated by President Erdogan’s government, what will be the fate of Turkey should the Presidential system of government be ultimately adopted?

Truth is that there appears to be no fundamental difference between Erdogan’s concept of running the country along the line of a company and his understanding of Presidential system of government. Unarguably, it is Erdogan’s belief that the current parliamentary system of government in Turkey does not allow for quick decision-making and so creates room for what he calls “multiheadedness” in governance.

But then, it is unlikely that creating real executive powers of the president in Turkey as engendered in the presidential system would augur well for the citizens in the exercise of their inalienable rights. The reason for this is not far-fetched. For

instance, if the Turkish journalists could be so arbitrarily arrested and detained as is being reported in the media, then clamour by Erdogan and his Justice and Development Partyled government for the adoption of a presidential system leaves much to be desired.

In fact, this raises more concerns considering the AK Party and President Erdogan’s preference for a unicameral legislature to a bicameral chamber. This mainly accounts for why analysts strongly believe that adopting a presidential system of government in Turkey now or in the nearest future is capable of breeding a conducive ground for a switch to a more authoritarian regime.

What is more, it is obvious that administering Turkey as an incorporated company will definitely undermine the whole essence of democracy which avails the people that periodic opportunity to decide on what is good for them. Incidentally, this same democracy provided President Erdogan and his AK-party access to power.

And since democracy allows for the will of the majority to prevail as opposed to a company where the will of the shareholders holds sway, Turkey cannot therefore be administered as a company.

Why Jonathan should be re-elected

M Ismail Adedeji

any people have in the past few months being in a foggy state as to who should be voted Nigerian president on March 28, 2015 as citizens at this weekend go to the poll.

Their confusion is as a result of heated campaigns and debates between the two leading political parties in the country; the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates; Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

President Goodluck Jonathan, no doubt has proven to Nigerians and the global community that transforming the country is indeed feasible; thus the necessity to bring him back for a second term to consolidate on the legacies of his administration. The PDP led presidency has been doing marvelously well at ensuring that the Nigerian economy is transformed in line with the advanced world development trend. Nigeria today is being acknowledged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world due to the transformation policy of President Jonathan in the last five years.

Since the inception of his government, President Jonathan has allowed the private sector to thrive; yet he did not abandon the under-privileged of the society. While the private sector is encouraged to invest massively in agriculture, power, aviation and other strategic sectors, he is also building Almajiri schools and expanding access to tertiary education by establishing 9 new federal universities in states that previously had no federal degree awarding institution, and issued 14 licenses for new private ones.

Jonathan is proactively investing in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and providing productive engagement for our young ones in agriculture, ICT and the creative industry.

Perhaps, many can acknowledge the fact that, Benin-Ore-Shagamu expressway is witnessing massive rehabilitation, the Lagos-Kano rail lines which have been moribund for over 18 years, is now working, while there is remodeling, beautification and standardisation of airports across the country. In addition, aircraft from Nigeria can now fly directly to the United States of America rather than go through Amsterdam and some other European cities. EnuguAbakiliki expressway, Onitsha-Owerri highway and most parts of the Enugu-

Port Harcourt expressway have been rehabilitated. Also, construction of the second Niger Bridge is ongoing. I am convinced that the hands of Goodluck Jonathan that started these good works will surely complete them.

The President is working for the future of Nigeria, as he has always reminded the youths that they are the ones to take the country to the moon.

He is a very honest leader based on his admission of the fact that his generation has failed, during one of his speeches he said, “I believe that the young Nigerians are the future, we are finished. We believe that the youths will be the ones that will take us to the moon, my generation has failed because we could not take Nigeria to the moon.”

The war against corruption is one of the salient achievements of Jonathan’s administration but many seemed not to appreciate the effort in making sure that all the loopholes through which funds are siphoned are completely blocked. In December when workers were not paid salaries, the APC, politicised the issue spreading rumours that the country was broke, but what actually happened was because of software used for processing salary packages.

The administration of President Jonathan’s has recorded successes

in combating corruption in the agricultural sector through fertiliser distribution. He is doing everything possible within the ambit of the law to prevent people from touching taxpayers’ money and this is what every responsible government should do if it is serious in the fight against corruption.

Again, women in politics have been given more prominent roles in the present administration. Some of the appointees are: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Miriam Aloma Mukhtar, former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, Diezani Alison-Madueke; Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s representative at the United Nations; Sarah Jibril; and Viola Onwuliri among others.

These are also the values that have resulted in the unparalleled milestones recorded in every sphere of our national life. The quality of legislation and policies under this administration has continued to transform the nation into a destination for progress. The strict adherence to the rule of law, the guarantee of personal freedom, passage of the Freedom of Information Act, ensuring greater transparency in governance, the electoral reforms and policy of wealth transfer, leading to the unprecedented thriving of private enterprises, are some of the achievements of President Jonathan.

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

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Business Editor: Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Email: emmanuelogbonnaya@dailytimes.com.ng

FG to obtain $2bn loan from World Bank, AfDB Ugochukwu Onyeocha

L-R: Council member, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Mrs. Ada Chidume Okoro; President, ICAN, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu and Council member, Alhaji Haruna Yahaya, at 50th Anniversary press Conference of ICAN in Lagos…recently. Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Collection of charges by terminal operators illegal – NSC lawyers Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Legal representatives of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Messrs. Olisa Agbakoba and Babatunde Ogungbamila have declared that the collection of charges by terminal operators in spite of the pending appeal in the courts was illegal.

In an official statement, the attorneys stated that by the judgment of the Federal High Court, the continued charging and collection of the charges have been declared illegal. The Supreme Court, in Okafor v. Nnaife[1987] 4 NWLR (P. 64) 126 at 138, has held that a party whose conduct has been declared illegal in a judgment is not entitled in law to a stay which will empower him to continue with the illegality pending an Appeal.

“It is trite that the Terminal Operators cannot continue to impose and collect illegal charges on the pretext that they have refiled an application for stay at the Court of Appeal. Our attention has been drawn to Newspaper publications by Messrs Femi Atoyebi SAN/Ayo Olorunfemi, claiming that the Federal

High Court “clearly acted without jurisdiction” in dismissing the Terminal Operators application for stay of execution and advising members of STOAN to continue with their normal business activities of charging and collecting the illegal charges pending the determination of the Appeal,” the lawyers said.

According to NSC lawyers, “Messrs. Femi Atoyebi SAN/ Ayo Olorunfemi claimed that the Terminal operators have the licence to continue the collection of the illegal charges because the dismissed application for stay of execution of the judgment has been refiled at the Court of Appeal. In essence, Messrs. Femi Atoyebi SAN/Ayo Olorunfemi are saying that the refiled application and the Appeal empower Terminal Operators to disobey the judgment.

We disagree with this position.

“It is now firmly settled that an application for stay of execution only prevents the beneficiary of the judgment or order from putting into operation the machinery of the law or the legal process of warrants of execution. Pending the determina-

tion of the stay application the Judgment debtors, the Terminal Operators, are required to obey the judgment and desist from any act that will undermine the integrity of the subsisting judgment. The mere fact that there is a pending application for stay and an Appeal does not remove the effect of the judgment. “ The NSC legal representatives further stated that in any event, the application to compel the Terminal operators to comply with the judgment and to immediately refund the sum of N150 Billion illegally collected in disobedience of the judgment pending before Mr. Justice I.N Buba has now been transmitted to the Court of Appeal. Stressing that: “We will seek accelerated hearing of the application at the Court of Appeal.”

The attorneys noted that Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the economic regulator of ports will continue to perform its statutory functions by ensuring that ports regulations are enforced for the overall general good of the Nigerian Economy.

The federal government has announced plans to secure a $2 billion loan from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in a bid to aid the implementation of its policies and programmes for the year.

The federal government made its plans known during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja organised by the minister of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, the loan was part of the approved 2012-2015 external borrowing plan of the federal government and was in line with its efforts to strengthen the naira. “We have entered negotiations with international financial institutions, specifically, the African Development Bank and World Bank.

You know they have some resources for us already programmed, which is in the borrowing plan,” she said. “We have asked them to turn these resources into budget support for us. We are negotiating for $2 billion that will come in foreign exchange.

“Remember that the terms

Okonjo-Iweala

of this loan from the AfDB are quite reasonable at 3 to 4 per cent compared to what you can get outside, and this is money that they had committed aside for us and we have decided to draw on it, and use it in form of budget support to come in form of foreign exchange.

“It will come in two tranches.

It will bring in the needed foreign exchange that will help our private sector people to have access. So, it will alleviate the situation. It’s something that we are working on.”

According to analysts, the $2 billion loan in foreign exchange will enable government regulate the high demand of the dollar locally and stabilise the exchange rate of the naira, which fell due to lower government revenue in dollars caused by low oil prices.

The minister added that the loan would pose no undue burden on the nation as it was a concessionary loan, despite the continuous reduction in the nation’s external foreign reserve.

However, she encouraged Nigerians to reduce their desire for imported goods, and patronise made-in-Nigeria products in order to conserve the available reserve for more productive uses.

Money 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Port reform will favour strong companies – Bello Funmi Coker The Executive Secretary (ES) of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, has said that the ongoing reforms at the nation’s ports will be favourable to strong companies in the maritime sector.

He disclosed this in a meeting with the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, in Lagos, stressing that NSC would remain committed to the training of freight forwarders.

Bello said “the more you train them, the more they can negotiate with the service providers themselves. If we have a strong freight forwarding practice, this country would be self-regulatory in years to come.”

Concerning the issue of consolidation, the (ES) of Shippers’ Council said the elimination of the one-man-business would be put in place. He went further by saying “strong companies ought to come together because there is a reform going on in the maritime industry, we are advocating every day for robust automation in the industry, and freight forwarders must be prepared for that reform because it is a necessity. We want them to have offices where the necessary technology would be put in place, to aid interaction.

“We do not need to be at the port before our goods can be

cleared, we need people to be educated, and we also need knowledge to channel service providers.” He added.

To facilitate trade, Hassan Bello said he would create supervision and equilibrium to drive effective operations. He also added that if the ports become efficient, shippers would not divert to neighbouring port.

The National President of ANLCA , Prince Olayiwola Shittu, concluded by saying that ANLCA is looking to Improving the level of networking at senior levels with the Government, its agencies operating at the ports, port service providers, and other organisations which interface with the freight forwarding and customs clearing industry.

Bello

President Goodluck Jonathan congratulating some of the NIMASA NSDP graduates at a reception held in their honour in Lagos recently.

President Jonathan tasks graduate seafarers on global excellence Funmi Coker President and Commander in Chief, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has tasked graduates of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to showcase their excellence on the global scene.

President Jonathan also showered the graduates with accoladesin Lagos at a reception hosted in their honor by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum.

The President, who ensured the placement of the young Nigerians in reputable maritime institutions across the globe, admonished the beneficiaries of the programme to exhibit great professionalism when they take on the global challenges in the maritime sector, after the completion

of the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which they are currently undertaking.

President Jonathan emphasized that the human capacity development for young Nigerians is critical to the growth and development of the country.

“As a nation, if you must prepare for the future of the country you must invest in the younger generation of the country, and as a nation you do not go back but move forward,” he concluded.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi said the graduates had made him proud, as they made top grades at the final examinations in Egypt and the United Kingdom.

“This motivation will aid continuation of the scheme. We thank Mr. President for his support in seeing to the success of this programme and for keeping

us on our toes in the discharge of our duties in NIMASA to realise the objective.” he said.

The DG also appreciated the Honourable Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar for his support in human capacity development drive.

The beneficiaries of the NSDP graduated from the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt and the South Tyneside College, New Castle, United Kingdom. They studied various courses such as; Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Naval Architecture amongst others.

In all over 2,500 beneficiaries of the programme are also undergoing maritime related courses in the Philippines, India and Romania.

Stakeholders harp on training innovators for economic diversification Charles Okonji Stakeholders are calling for the restructuring of the educational sector to accommodate specialized training of innovators to drive economic diversification.

Speaking at the 2015 Verdant Zeal Innovention Summit held in Lagos, foremost economist, Professor Pat Utomi, noted that education and culture were critical to developing growth and development through innovation.

He said, “When we look at the value chain and the resources of every part of this country, you will see that with innovation,

we would achieve the required growth and development. Right now, we have the population, but what we need is the right educational policy.”

Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, Chairman, Verdant Zeal stated; “We are bringing innovation in terms of human capital, human capacity building, everything that has to do with job and orientation. It is about how we can change the existing structure and offer full confidence to investors, Nigeria being the giant of Africa.

That is what we do.”

He noted that innovation would do a lot in terms of policy issues and advocacy, stressing: “Innova-

Utomi

tion is about changing mind set and doing old things in new ways, we don’t regenerate if we don’t do things that are contemporary in terms of timing and development thinking. We are focusing

on education, technology, agriculture, the people, the passion you have in doing things, integrity and change of orientation. Once you have that change of orientation, you can have that national growth and development that you desire.”

He assured that the white paper would be turned it into a communique which would be sent to the federal government, irrespective of who wins the forth coming election.

“It is very clear that we have been facing some obvious challenges. Revenue is not what it used to be and It is obvious that the oil price has continued to go

down, there is infrastructural decay and it is as if inflation has continued to be on the upward stream. What we have seen so far is that everything has been very strenuous and we are trying to build a system of innovation that would move this country to the next level, irrespective of whoever wins the election. Omojafor noted.

Lere Baale, Director Business School, Netherlands, noted that production innovation has been encouraged by the ability to recognise opportunities, stressing that when a problem is described in a positive way, opportunities would be seen.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

19 Brands & Marketing Nigerian marketing professionals mourn Moemeke

Mahlangu emerges winner of 2014 Etisalat literature prize South African writer, Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at a grand event held in Lagos in recently. This marks the 2nd year of Africa’s most prestigious literary prize. The 29-year-old, who was presented with a cash prize of £15,000, clinched the number one slot for his book Penumbra, ahead of his contemporaries, Nigerian Chinelo Okparanta, author of ‘Happiness, Like Water’ and South African, Nadia Davids, author of ‘An Imperfect Blessing’.

The winner will also embark

on the Etisalat Fellowship at the University of East Anglia under the mentorship of multiple- award winning author, Professor Giles Foden, which affords him the opportunity tenet work with other writers and publishers and provides him the time and resources to work on his next book.

In another development, Neema Komba of Tanzania was announced on the night as the winner in the Flash Fiction category of the Etisalat Prize. She won a cash prize of£1,000 for her entry ‘Setting Babu on Fire’.

The runners up, ChinuaEzen-

wa-Ohaeto, writer of the short story I saved my marriage and Irabor Justin Ikhide, writer of the short story ‘These words I do not speak’, were presented with cash prizes of £500 each.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said that Etisalat is committed to helping Africans tell their stories and is doing so through the Etisalat Prize for Literature, an initiative designed to recognise and reward debut writers of fiction with African citizenship.

Moemeke

Godwin Anyebe The nation’s marketing professionals have expressed shock at the demise of the first chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Sylvester Moemeke, describing him as a thoroughbred professional who has left his indelible mark in the sands of time.

In a statement issued by the

National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), the umbrella body of marketing professionals in the country, and signed by its president, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, the NIMN boss described the death of the late Chairman / Managing Director of Lintas at 82, as rather unfortunate; since he had continued to play a major role in the task of enhancing the growth of the nation’s marketing communications industry.

Kaymu kicks-off ‘next big entrepreneur’ contest to empower SMEs Adesola Akindele

L-R: Iyaoge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson; Judge, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Jamal Mahjoub; Chair of Judges, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Sarah Ladipo Manyika; Winner, 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Songeziwe Mahlangu; and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher at the award ceremony of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island recently.

Nigerian Breweries rewards trade partners Godwin Anyebe To further consolidate the motivation of its trade partners, Nigeria Breweries appreciated distributors with series of rewards for their commendable performances and efforts in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the event, Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Mr. Hubert Eze, affirmed that partnership with key distributors and transporters was a major factor in the company’s success story which has also contributed to grow in sales volume. He stated that the merger with Consolidated Breweries Limited has further strengthened the company’s business.

According to him, “The theme of this year’s distributors’ award is ‘Partnering for Progress.’ We are in it together – for a long time and not just to make profit. Despite the challenges in 2014, we recorded a growth in volume rolling out new brands and re-launching existing brands. We thank our key distributors for their support and all that have worked together for the success of the company.”

He motivated the distributors to continue to stock and sell NB products as the company continue to expand its portfolio with products that consumers crave.

In another development, the Managing Director, Mr. Nico-

laas Vervelde, who gave the overall scorecard of the company in 2014, appreciated the key distributors and transporters for their undaunted partnership during thick and thin. “In second half of 2014, the market was tougher but our partnership with key distributors made it possible that the company maintained its leadership position.”

The awardees among others include; Ifeoma Chukwuka Ligeria Limited, who went home with a trophy and a brand new Mercedes Diesel Truck to further enhance its business, Ken Maduakor and Magulf Enterprises went home with a Mitsubishi Canter Truck and trophies each.

In furtherance of its commitment to tackle the challenges faced by budding SMEs in Nigeria, leading online market community, Kaymu has launched the Next Big Entrepreneur campaign to teach entrepreneurs about the online business and give them an opportunity to win startup capital.

Kaymu’s Next Big Entrepreneur is an initiative spearheaded by Evangeline Wiles, the Managing Director of Kaymu to harness entrepreneurship amongst youths.

Speaking on this, Wiles stated,”Most businesses fail within their first five years of

existence. Inadequate startup capital and proper training are two of the biggest reasons for that failure. With this initiative, Kaymu will not only provide training but will also give the best applicant the initial investment capital.”

“This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs in Nigeria to start an online business.

We want to help nurture and grow the future of the Nigerian ecommerce market”, she added.

To register for the next big entrepreneur contest, participants are expected fill a registration form after which a select group of the best applicants will be contacted a certification training.

Star introduces ‘Football Superfans’ Opeoluwani Akintayo Nigerian Breweries, manufacturer of Star beer, has introduced a new football platform called Star Football Superfans, which is set to recognise, celebrate and reward the passion of football fans and winners for decade.

Sponsored by Nigeria’s premier beer, Star Lager, the campaign is set to run in selected bars across the country as well as on the radio, online and TV. Over the course of 14 weeks, it will reward football fans across Nigeria over with N28m in cash

and other consolation prizes.

Popular social networking sites are already abuzz with heightened fans’ expectations at the prospect of being rewarded handsomely for their knowledge of the beautiful game. While some fans are excited at the prospect of winning the attractive prizes, other fans are overjoyed at the opportunity to showcase their football knowledge as well as their passion for football.

Edem Vindah, Nigerian Breweries Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager had this to say regarding Star Football Super Fans:

Insurance 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

NAICOM lists regulatory concerns for insurance firms

L-R: Ganiyu Musa, Group Managing Director, Cornerstone Insurance plc; Sunday Thomas, Director General, Nigerian Insurers Association; Gus Wiggle, Managing Director, Linkage Assurance plc; Segun Balogun, General Manager, FBN Insurance Limited and Adeyinka Olutungase, Chief Finance Officer, Goldlink Insurance plc during the burial ceremony of Sunday Thomas Mother’s in Ogidi, Kogi State

Sanctions on ‘untouchable’ firms reinforced claims payment – NAICOM Stories by Kayode Adelowokan Fola Daniel, Commissioner for Insurance, has said that sanctions meted on two insurance companies, which hitherto were considered untouchable, compelled insurance operators to improve on claims settlements processes.

Daniel, who disclosed recently in Lagos that the sanctions given two months after he took over leadership of the industry’s regulatory body, sent correct messages to insurance practitioners that it was no longer going to be business as usual.

“Two months after I took over, we sanctioned two insurance companies, which hitherto were considered untouchable and that

sent the correct message to insurance practitioners that it is no longer going to be business as usual and they were compelled to improve significantly on claims settlements processes,” he said.

He noted that the commission’s quest to protect policy holders is succeeding, adding that when he came on board in 2007, on average on weekly basis, the commission received 15 to 20 complaints from members of the public against insurance companies. And to address the needs of the public, NAICOM, then reinvigorated the Complaints Bureau.

“We engaged more professionals and strengthened the Bureau.

We thought these complaints would have quadrupled but because of the measure we took.

“We are not done yet because we believe that insurance companies must engender the kind of confidence that you find in insurance industry in United Kingdom, US and South Africa.

Therefore we said, even though we saw some improvements, we still decided that we still need to keep on with the pressure.

“What we did next was to set up a Call Centre which receives complaints from members of the public real-time. We also believe in self- regulation therefore we are working with the Nigerian Insurers Association to self -regulate as much as possible in the area of consumer confidence.

“The collaboration with NIA culminated in the setting up of an Ombudsman under the Chair-

Pension assets hit N4.6trn in 2014

Yola

Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has said that pension assets managed by the Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians as at the end of 2014 financial period reached N4.6tn.

Misbahu Yola, PenOp Chairman, at a meeting on developments in the pension industry with operators in Lagos said that presently, more than half of the funds had been invested in Federal Government of Nigeria’s bonds which were developmental bonds.

According to him, there has to be certain safety criteria before

the funds could be invested because the money does not belong to the general public but belongs to only the contributors.

He assured that despite the lull in the economy and visible challenges, the pension assets had remained safe and well protected because the operators have not lost any money.

Presently, he said the operators were working on a framework to bring the informal sector into the scheme, because there was an obvious gap between workers working in Nigeria and those that the operators had registered under the CPS.

manship of a retired appeal court judge who is a very reputable gentleman. You will recall that since last January, we have been repeating a publication in newspapers asking insurance consumers that are aggrieved due to denial of genuine claims or delay in settlement to come forward and lodge complaints,” he added.

Daniel maintained that though insurers generally find the pressure on prompt payment of claims discomforting, the commission is happy about it because it has yielded accelerated attention.

He said NAICOM will continue with this drive until the commission is able to achieve zero case of complaints for delayed settlement or denial of genuine claims.

We only need a framework that will enhance identity, and be able to educate the artisans so that they would understand pension as opposed to savings, which would enable them to appreciate the essence of saving for retirement.

Yola also said there was also process of introducing the minimum pension guarantee which aims to guarantee minimum pension for retirees.

He however said it requires funding because the law has said that it will be funded by the government and PenCom and operators but that, the specific ratio of funding had not yet been worked on for the operators.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that the total assets and the IFRS model of measuring the land and building at every reported financial period is the commission’s major concern.

The Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Fola Daniel disclosed this recently during the commissioning of NEM Insurance new head office in Lagos that as a prudential regulator the quality of total assets maintained by insurance institutions was its concern.

According to him the regulator is concerned especially as it affects maintaining adequate liquidity position at all times, in meeting financial obligation to policyholders when the benefit becomes due.

He noted that high portion of an insurer’s total asset in assets that cannot generate cash may adversely impact on the liquidity position; especially when there is a high obligation to meet or where the economy has financial difficulty.

He added that prudential regulators establish various regulatory requirement and limits as to the extent of company investment or involvement in land and building, that may be used either for operational or investment purpose. Most important is the extent of investment of the policyholders’ fund in real estate.

He also said that the commission is concerned about the valuation model under the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) adopted in measuring the land and building at every rotting period in the financial statements.

The NAICOM boss explained that the model adopted should to a reasonable level give a true and fair view of the value of the assets as at reporting date.

Daniel

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Today in History Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

s

Cartoons from our Archives

1865 Lincoln, Sherman and Grant meet On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln met with Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman at City Point, Virginia, to plot the last stages of the Civil War. Lincoln went to Virginia just as Grant was preparing to attack Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s lines around Petersburg and Richmond, an assault that promised to end the siege that had dragged on for 10 months.

Meanwhile, Sherman’s force was steamrolling northward through the Carolinas. The three architects of Union victory convened for the first time as a group--Lincoln and Sherman had never met—at Grant’s City Point headquarters at the general-inchief ’s request.

As part of the trip, Lincoln went to the Petersburg lines and witnessed a Union bombardment and a small

1923

skirmish. Prior to meeting with his generals, the president also reviewed troops and visited wounded soldiers. Once he sat down with Grant and Sherman, Lincoln expressed concern that Lee might escape Petersburg and flee to North Carolina, where he could join forces with Joseph Johnston to forge a new Confederate army that could continue the war for months.

Grant and Sherman assured the president the end was in sight. Lincoln emphasized to his generals that any surrender terms must preserve the Union war aims of emancipation and a pledge of equality for the freed slaves.

After meeting with Admiral David Dixon Porter on March 28, the president and his two generals went their separate ways. Less than four weeks later, Grant and Sherman had secured the surrender of the Confederacy

Poet Louis Simpson born

On this day in 1923, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Louis Simpson was born in Jamaica, West Indies.

Simpson, of Scottish and Russian descent, was the son of a lawyer. He emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 17 and began studying at Columbia University in New York City. However, World War II interrupted his studies.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945, in France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. After the war, he studied and lived in Paris.

Simpson published his first collection of poetry, The Arrivistes: Poems, 19401949, in 1949, while living in France. His early work followed conventional poetic forms, relying on traditional rhyme and meter. However, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, while working as a book editor in New York and pursuing a Ph.D. at Columbia, Simpson began experimenting with free

verse. Influenced by the works of Walt Whitman, Simpson embraced the belief that poetry should reflect the poet’s inner life and should be expressed in a natural and spontaneous format instead of adhering to conventional structure. His 1963 collection, At The End of the Open Road, Poems, reflected his new aesthetic, and won him the Pulitzer Prize for poetry that year.

Simpson also published several acclaimed critical studies of poets, including Three on the Tower (1975), a study of Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot and William Carlos Williams, and A Revolution in Taste: Studies of Dylan Thomas, Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell (1978). Simpson, who lives in Setauket, New York, has published 17 poetry collections and won numerous prestigious awards including the Prix de Rome and the Columbia Medal for Excellence.

Daily Times March 27, 1961

1977 Jumbo jets

1990

On this day in 1977, two 747 jumbo jets crashed into each other on the runway at an airport in the Canary Islands, killing 582 passengers and crew members.

Both Boeing 747s were charter jets that were not supposed to be at the Los Rodeos Airport on Santa Cruz de Tenerife that day.

Both had been scheduled to be at the Las Palmas Airport, where a group of militants had set off a small bomb at the airport’s flower shop earlier that day. Thus, a Pan Am charter carrying passengers from Los Angeles and New York to a Mediterranean cruise and a KLM charter with Dutch tourists were both diverted to Santa Cruz on March 27.

The Los Rodeos airport is known for its sudden fog problems and was not a favourite location for pilots. At 4:40 p.m. on a typically foggy afternoon, the KLM jet was cleared to taxi to the end of the single main runway. The Pan Am jet followed behind it and was to wait in side space while the KLM jet turned around to begin take-off.

The U.S. government began the operation of TV Marti, which broadcast television programs into communist Cuba. The project marked yet another failed attempt to undermine the regime of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

TV Marti was put together under the auspices of the Voice of America, the U.S. radio and television broadcasting system established in the 1940s to beam news and propaganda throughout the world, particularly directed toward communist nations. The new addition to this propaganda arsenal, TV Marti, was primarily the result of intense lobbying by CubanAmerican interest groups and a handful of senators and representatives from south Florida and New Jersey (areas with large Cuban-American populations). TV Marti programming tried to give Cubans an accurate look at American life.

The legality and effectiveness of TV Marti were immediately issues for debate. International

collide at Canary Islands airport

TV Marti begins broadcasting to Cuba law forbade the transmitting of television signals sinto another nation if the transmission interfered with regular programming. TV Marti representatives argued that the signal was being sent on unused channels in Cuba. As for how effective it was, Cuba immediately worked to jam the signal as soon as TV Marti launched, so only a few people on the outskirts of Havana could conceivably see the broadcasts.

The first day’s programming included some footage of old World Series games, music videos, and replays of the old “Kate and Allie” sitcom.

TV Marti was a powerful indication of the strength of Cold War animosities and the CubanAmerican lobby in the United States. The United States and Cuba had been locked in a diplomatic war since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, and the United States resorted to a number of different schemes to try to unseat the dictator during the following decades.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Jonathan is best man for the job, says FCT minister Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏMinister

of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has described President Goodluck Jonathan as the most qualified person to lead Nigeria to a greater glory.

Speaking on Wednesday before a crowd, at a town hall meeting, organised by political and civil society groups in the FCT, under the auspices of Goodluck Support Group, where President Jonathan was unanimously endorsed, he hailed Jonathan as an educated,

young, cool, calm and calculated Commander-in-Chief, who had successfully launched Nigeria on the path of greatness.

An estimated 50,000 supporters of Jonathan and the PDP National Assembly candidates in the FCT filled the National Women Centre, Abuja, and its precincts chanting pro-Jonathan songs.

Mohammed listed some of the achievements of the Jonathan administration in FCT, which included affordable and social housing, rail mass transit, construction of the airport and Kubwa express roads, the land swap

programme, the Abuja Town Centre project and the Jabi Lake Resort project.

He commended Jonathan for reequipping the army and building a multi-national coalition that is on the verge of stamping out the lingering crises of insurgency and terrorism from the country.

Mohammed also referred to the achievements of the present administration in rebuilding and repositioning Nigeria’s economy as the largest in Africa and one of the 25 largest economies in the world.

He said the achievements, un-

Henry Omunu Abuja

ÏÏÏDeputy Leader of

the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Okuweh Ogor, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of illegally substituting the SDP candidate for the House of Representatives election in Isoko North and South Federal Constituency.

In a two-page petition to INEC, he alleged that the substitution done by SDP was not only invalid but added that the party committed perjury when it falsely claimed that the authentic SDP standard-bearer, Godwin Oruakpor was dead.

The lawmaker stated that: “not only is the winner of the SDP primary alive and well, but the inva-

23 News Rep accuses INEC, SDP of illegal substitution lidity of the said substitution also rests on inconsistency of information and identity of the winner of the primary.

“I write to unequivocally bring to your notice that Godwin Oruakpor is the candidate for the Isoko Federal Constituency duly submitted to INEC headquarters, in Abuja, by the SDP, but that there is a subtle and surreptitious attempt by SDP officials to substitute Oruakpor with Joshua Uturu on the pretext that the substantive candidate is dead.

’80 percent Borno voters ready for elections’ Bodunrin Kayode Maiduguri

ÏÏÏAn estimated 80 percent of

L-R: Vice President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIM), Mr. Rotimi Olaniyan; President and Chairman of Council (NIM), Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye and a cross section of inductees during the conferment of fellowship held in Lagos… on Thursday PHOTO: TAOFEEK BABAJIDE

Poly workers to down tools over Bsc, HND dichotomy Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe Senior Staff Association

of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has directed its members to begin an indefinite strike in all its branches nationwide.

SSANIP, which rose from an emergency General Executive Council Meeting, held in Abuja on March 19, 2015, ordered that a nationwide industrial action should begin from March 24, 2015 until further notice.

A release issued in Abeokuta by its National Public Relations Officer, Adebanjo Ogunsipe, was to the effect that: “the Council resorted to this action, because of attempt by the verification

committee of the Federal Government to deny its members from further benefiting from the migration exercise already approved by the government and a calculated attempt to strengthen the dichotomy between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.

“The Association observed that some forces are at work to compel the Federal Government to reserve the migration exercise for HND holders, thus making B.Sc. holders the only beneficiaries and promised to fight the battle with all strength”.

SSANIP, therefore, solicited the co-operation of its members in all polytechnics in Nigeria by staying away from work.

Kano Police bar Karota, Hisbah operatives on elections days Alex Momoh Ogwemoh Kano

ÏÏÏThe Kano State Police Com-

mand has banned the Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA), other local security agencies and vigilante groups from wearing uniforms on election days.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who made this known at a press briefing, on Thursday, in preparation for tomorrow’s presidential election, said no state government security agency such as Hisbah, KAROTA, vigilante, boys scout, Man-o-War, to mention but a few, would be allowed to put on their uniforms on election days.

He said there would be no interstate movement of vehicles like motorcycle and tricycle, neither would any persons be allowed to carry political party symbols or banners on the election days.

eligible voters in Borno State have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

These include those of the controversial Maisandari Ward of the Maiduguri metropolitan area who could not pick theirs since the first batch came in from Abuja.

Spokesperson of INEC, Tommy Magbuin, commended the development, adding that the agency had moved slowly but surely to ensure that the elections were

ÏÏÏThe Police have warned vot-

ers to beware of certain electoral offences on the election days.

The warning is contained a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Thursday.

The offences include casting of votes twice or more, announcing false election result, stopping any other person from voting and revealing information on a ballot paper of another person.

The others are being in possession of another person’s voter card, disorderly behaviour at polling unit, canvassing for votes at polling unit and shouting slogan of a political party at polling unit.

The statement also said that being armed with guns, sticks, stones or any other dangerous weapons at polling unit and loitering or walking about in a poling unit were offences.

It listed the other offences as using siren at a polling unit, snatching or destroying ballot boxes or card readers, holding

held in all the internally displaced camps in the state capital.

He said that only about eleven units PVC’s were outstanding in the state, adding that such cards would surely get to Maiduguri, even after elections, since they would still be useful for future elections.

Apart from Maiduguri metropolitan council, where elections would be held in almost fifteen camps, local councils like Bayo, Kwayakusar Shani, Hawul, Bui, Chibok, Damboa, Jere, Mafa and Magumeri, would have theirs on their soil, because INEC staff had been assured of adequate protection.

Police list electoral offences public meeting during election hours on election day.

It also listed wearing or carrying badge or poster of a political party and inflicting or threatening to inflict injury on any person or persons at a polling unit as the others. ``The Nigeria Police Force advises the public to avoid trouble, as any offender will be arrested and prosecuted,’’the statement read.

Abba

Public Notice 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Ogun Police ban OPC, vigilance groups from election monitoring

ÏÏÏOgun State Police command, on Thursday, ordered members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and other unauthorised security outfits operating in the state to stay away from election monitoring exercise on Saturday.

This was contained in a

statement, issued in Abeokuta, the state capital by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi.

The PPRO explained that the state Commissioner of Police, Valentine Ntomchukwu, reiterated the ban on any unauthorised security outfits

ASSOCIATION OF AKWACROSS INDIDENES, NIGERIA

from participating in election duty during a meeting of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, held at the command’s headquarters in Eleweeran, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

According to Adejobi, those affected were members of the Vigilante Service as

well as outfits that were yet to be accredited by the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, for election duties.

“They are Vigilante Groups or Services, Man O War, Scout, Boys Brigade, Sheriff Guards, Oodua Peoples Congress and any other uniformed outfits that have

NEW OLUYOLE GOLDEN CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C ‘ of the Companies And Allied Matters Acts 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Nsobom Aniefiok Essien -B.T.O Chairman.

2.Ete Ekpenyong Etok -Vice Chairman.

3. Elder Nkereuwem Obot -General secretary.

4. Akparawa Ubong Umoh -Financial Secretary.

5. Mr. Mbey Matthew -Member.

6. Ete Bassey Samuel -Treasurer.

7. Elder Emma Jackson -National Adviser.

8. Elder Umoh Okon -National Adviser.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Mallam Muse Popoola 2) Elder Emmannuel Lasun Kolade Jp 3) Barrister Sarafadeen Alli 4) Chief Jubril Alaga 5) Chief Rasaki Laoye

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

Signed: General Secretary

RECONCILIATION PROOF COVENANT MINISTRY The general public is hereby informed that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are:1. Prophetess Ekeoma Augusta Chimezie 2. Apostle Peter Chimezie 3. Elder Innocent Obias The Aims and Objectives are:To preach gospel to the world and do charity to the needy in the society Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrargeneral, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY: - Joe Ohakpo and Co

CHRISTS’ INTERDENOMINATION BIBLE MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Pastor Oluwatosin Kolawole Oladoke 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Rhoda Omobola Oladoke 3. Pastor Olusesi Johnson Osibote 4. Pastor (Mrs.) Oluwaseyi Rachael Apena 5. Deaconess Felicia Omotunde Bolaji

President

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost souls.

To plant churches and create missionary outreach worldwide.

To establish a central prayer centres to mobilize leaders of ministries and saints interdenominationally to pray for a continued monumental global evangelism.

This is to inform the general public that the above named club has applied to the CorpThe general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990.

(1) Revd. Samuel Arua Anaga -President.

(2) Pastor Mrs. Favour Ugoma Samuel.

(3) Deacon Obinna Aguwa.

(4) Ibe Onyedikachi - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVE.

1. To preach the Word of God. 2. To reach the unreached through evangelism

SALVATION BY GRACE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Abdul Azeez Bamidele- Leader 2. Lukman Mutairu Adebanjo - Chairman 3. Adejumo Olukunle Hazan - Secretary 4. Mufutau Oladokun Biola - Treasurer 5. Sikiru Afenifere 6. Jimoh Akinwonmi 7. Rauf Kabiru Ola 8. Akolade Musibau 9. Safiriyu Akano Ajani 10. Sumolia Sheriff Kazeem

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Timothy Olusegun Mulero 2. Mrs. Mulero Felicia Daderhie 3. Mr. Akinjide Akinlabi 4. Deacones Mathew Omolara Esther 5. Deaconess Adedeji Deborah Bolanle 6. Mr. David Ojabecha Aims and Objectives:To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Aims and Objectives:To proclaim the Muslim wright.

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

Signed: Secretary

TREASURE MIND CLUB

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Omoniyi Lanre

THE NEW COVENANT BAPTIST CHURCH AKUTE

The general public is hereby informed that the above named club has applied to the Corporate Affair Commission for registration under part “C “ of the companies and allied matters act 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are:1.Chief Kokumo Johnson Babatunde - President 2. Dr. Ajayi Olu - Secretary 3. Alhaji Ogunbadejo Babatunde Yusuf - Member 4. Otunba (Engr) Oluwanishola Olaofe - Member 5. Alhaji Smith Kayode - Member The Aims and Objectives are:1. To promote unity and fraternity among members.

2. To work towards the general upliftment of members.

3. To contribute towards the improvement of members and general public.

AL-JAWAIRUL-L-ISLAMIYAH DAWAH ORGANISATION

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: BARR. EZINWA B. UKOWA Suite 306 Anbeez Plaza wuse Zone 5 Abuja 08033577077

THE BIRTH PLACE OF GREATNESS CHURCH

HIKHWATUN DEEN ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

Add: Hikhwatundeen (Central Mosque) Mesan Village, Via Iju Ota, Sango, Ogun State

ASSOCIATION OF TELECOM DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS, NORTH

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To protect the interest of members

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeusi Ajoke Abiodun , now wish to be known as Mrs. Olatomide Oluwafunmilayo Abiodun. All documents documents remain Valid. The general public please take note

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY: - Olu Ayodele & co 08088281819 , 08033765383

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ezenwa Ndukwe 2. Sulaiman Aliyu Muhammad 3. Abba Shitu Sharubutu 4. Daniel Ogbini 5. Nmaduaburochukwu Nmaduka 6. Emmanuel Mamidu 7. Nwaigwe Solomon Nwaigwe 8. Nkiruka Chinedu Chukwuemeka

NKEONYELU STEPHANIE AGU

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar- general, corporate affair commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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

Signed: Trustee

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

NKEONYELU STEPHANIE AGU I formerly known and addressed as Konnie stephanie Nnachetam , now wish to be known as Nkeonyelu stephanie Agu. All previous documents remain Valid. Thank you.

TRUSTEES ARE :

AIMS OBJECTIVES 1) To promote THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS 2) To foster unity among members 3 To acquire administer, hold and deal with assets for the furtherance of the association

Aims and Objectives:To assist Members in time of need.

not been permitted by the law for this purpose,” Adejobi said.

PPRO also explained that members of the forum which included the Police, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (SSS), Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs, Prisons Services, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others had been mandated to arrest anyone that violates the order for possible prosecution.

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

This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1. Pastor Zekeri Musa M.P. - Chairman 2. Pastor Abikiaje, Abel Ibrahim 3. Mr. Ayodele Talabi - Vice Chairman 4. Mr. Emehinola Olukunle Omolebi 5. Mr. Adetona Benson Ade 6. Mr. Ayeni Babatunde Oladimeji 7. Mrs. Okonye Cordelia M. 8. Mrs. Olokode Adenike Margaret 9. Mr. Adebola Oluwaseun Samuel - Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To build a church family that is a family love and a people trained to brothers’ keeper.

3. To grow a people fit for heaven and who are heavenly conscious.

4To train a missionary minded people who partner with the missionary God to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached people across the nations.

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

Signed: Trustee

MOBILE PLANET AFRICA INITIATIVE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES.

Trustees. .

1. Engr. Tajudeen shittu.

2. Ibrahim muhammed awwal.

3. Alh. Yusuf mustapha abdulrahman.

1. Stephen Achenyo.

2. Imaze Kedron Omosigho.

3. Tejiri Patrick Mayone.

4. Samuel Chibueze Egbelu.

5. Somefun-Tella Ajebowale.

AIM and Objectives.

1. To offer moral assistant young and old Muslims, widows and widowers .

2. To organise a forum for the purpose of carrying out Islamic teachings, learning and research.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Secretary.

Aim and objective.

To empower the Africa youth through the use of internet.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed; Barr. Somefun Adebowale

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

EFCC charges Edo APC chieftain, 3 others with theft Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?The

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman and three others on charges of conspiracy, stealing and receiving of stolen goods.

The accused are a businessman, reportedly, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central senatorial zone, Chief Francis Inegbeneki; Chief Executive Officer of Omo-Jay Nigeria Limited, Mr Jerome Itepu; Omo-Jay Nigeria Limited and Ine Oil Limited, owned

by Inegbeneki.

The suit, numbered A/ EFCC/1c/2015, yet to be assigned to a trial judge, was filed in the High Court, Asaba, Delta State, on March 24, 2015, by A.J. Arogha, Esq. and U.R. Ewoh, Esq. on behalf of the EFCC Chairman.

The accused were charged with “conspiracy, contrary to, and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006.�

The accused, sometime in 2009, at Warri, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of the court, allegedly conspired to “commit felony, to wit: stealing and,

thereby, committed an offence.�

They were alleged to have committed the offence of stealing, contrary to section 383 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006, which is punishable under section 390(4)(c) of the same law.

According to the particulars of the offence, they allegedly stole about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil loaded in a vessel, MT Akuada a.k.a. MT Kua, valued at N384 million in 2009, being property of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The third count indicated that the accused also

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Youth groups back Jonathan’s re-election Ben Nwachukwu Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?Two

groups, the NEPAD Youth Initiative and Pen Alliance for Electoral Awareness, have called on Nigerians to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan in tomorrow's presidential election.

Speaking on behalf of the groups at a press briefing in Abuja, Director of Information and Mobilisation, Prince Clement Enweremadu, said NEPAD’s interest was to ensure continuity as the Jonathan administration had done well in empowering the youths.

He said NEPAD had, in 2014, trained 120 youths from across Nigeria and

Jonathan

that the re-election of Jonathan would actualise the blueprint of training 5,000 youths every year.

Enweremadu added that the Jonathan administration’s youth-friendly programmes would eradicate unemployment and youth dependence, thus, the need for youths and all Nigerians to vote for him."

INEC engages over 17,000 ad-hoc staff in Jigawa Dutse Mohammed

Ă?Ă?Ă?The Jigawa State Resi-

allegedly stole about 4,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, loaded in a vessel, MT Hope, valued at N128 million, being property of the Federal Government.

Inegbeneki, the second accused in the charge sheet, was also charged with allegedly receiving stolen goods contrary to, and punishable under section 427 of the Criminal Code Law, CAP C21, Laws of Delta State 2006, having allegedly received from one Jerome Itepu (first accused) and Omo-Jay (third accused), about 12,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, knowing same to have been stolen.

25

dent Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halliru Aliyu Tambuwel, has disclosed that about 17,000 ad-hoc staff, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), university lecturers and others have been employed in the state.

Addressing a press conference at INEC’s secretariat, shortly after a stakeholders’ meeting, Tambuwel said the commission had taken delivery of all sensitive materials for the elections from Abuja, which have been dispatched to all the 27 Local government ar-

eas in the state.

On the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), Tambuwel said “we were able to distribute over 97 per cent of PVCs, in addition to over 4,000 card readers to be used in 4,085 polling units in the state�.

He also said that about eight registered political parties were expected to participate in the general election.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 security men, including policemen and Civil Defence corps members, are expected to partake in the general election, according to the Jigawa State Police Command's Public Relations Of-

ficer, ASP Abdul Jinjiri.

About 3,000 were officers and men of the state police command, while the remaining 2,000 were members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Gov. Lamido

NLC to picket Post Master-General’s office Akor Ejumene Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to picket the Office of the Post Master-General for what it described as unlawful and illegal diversion of the check-off dues of members of National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE) to another union without the consent of NUPTE.

President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, who disclosed this in a communiquĂŠ issued at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, said the action of the Post Master-General violated the Trade Union Laws and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees freedom of association.

Wabba, did not, however, give the exact date for the picketing.

He also frowned at the situation where workers were being owed salaries for many months, and said that NLC had set up a task force on unpaid workers’ salaries, across the zones, with the mandate to ensure that “governors pay workers up-to-date before vacating office�. He urged workers to perform their civic duty by turning out en masse to vote and defend their votes in the general election.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Tourism

s

Tayo Adelaja Email: t.adelaja@dailytimes.com.ng

NTDC, Cote d’Ivoire to partner on tourism, economy ÏÏÏ Ɔ ƅƕ reactivates information desk at Abuja airport Tunde Atobatele The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the Cote d’Ivoirean embassy in Nigeria are set for a strategic partnership on tourism and economic development.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Madam Toure Nee Kone Maman, gave this assurance recently when she paid a courtesy call on the NTDC Director-General, Mrs Sally Mbanefo.

The ambassador noted that Nigeria is immensely blessed in tourism and acknowledged that its economy is fast improving.

She added that Cote d’Ivoire is also fast developing economically and tourism, “hence, it is expedient for the two countries to synergise to propel the development of the duo.”

Reacting to the Cote d’Ivoirien’s speech, Mbanefo gave assurance that Nigeria’s achievement in tourism would double by 2017, noting that “the fall in the price

of oil in the global market has propelled an encouraging shift of focus from oil to tourism.”

Mbanefo said: “Presently, tourism contributes about four per cent to our GDP, but it would have increased to about eight per cent in the next two years.”

The NTDC boss reiterated that the focus of her administration is on domestic tourism, whereby Nigerians are encouraged to travel within the country and foreigners are encouraged to travel to Nigeria.

Ambassador Maman, who described Cote d’Ivoire as the first exporter of cashew nuts and largest producer of cocoa, said the synergy would explore every aspect of tourism that the two countries share, which, according to her include, religious, business, beach, eco and cultural tourism.

In another development, the NTDC, in continuation of its bid to present a better image of Nigeria to the international community and improve domestic tourism in the country, has unveiled the Tourism Information Desk at Abuja International Airport.

The Tourism Information portal came alive at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Monday when the Director Gen-

eral unveiled it, saying that the information desk would assist tourists with the general knowledge of tourism industry in Nigeria.

She noted that launching of the information desk was part of the corporation’s efforts to promote domestic tourism and enhance gathering and collating the data of tourists entering Nigeria.

In her remarks, the head of FAAN Communication, Mrs Yakubu Henrietta, lauded the NTDC initiative, saying that the information desk at the airport would go a long way in promoting Nigerian culture.

“This stand that has been opened today by NTDC is truly great. This desk will promote Nigeria a lot; any foreigner coming into the country will, through this stand, get useful information about Nigeria’s tourist sites, which hotel to visit and other necessary details. This will really promote our culture.

“I am happy that this stand is located in a very strategic place in the airport; it will allow anybody coming either from the international or domestic side get useful information. This is a very good development,” she said.

Mbanefor

Saheed Osupa excites at Oke ‘Badan for Glo Tunde Atobatele

Middle, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Are Alaasa of Ibadanland introduces the Aboke of Ibadanland, Chief Ifasola Ifamapowa to Fuji musician, Osupa Saheed(right) at the Globacom Musical Fiesta which was a feature of the recent Oke ‘Badan Festival sponsored by Glo in Ibadan

Popular Fuji artiste, Saheed Osupa was the guest artiste at the musical event last weekend in Ibadan. It was organized as part of the activities lined up for this year’s Oke ‘Badan festival and sponsored by national telecoms carrier, Globacom.

Trans Amusement Park, venue of the event was filled to capacity by guests who came to witness the live performance.

Students, artisans, and people from different parts of the state were entertained by the scintil-

lating performance of the Fuji crooner. Ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka anchored the show which lasted till the early hours of the following morning.

A cross section of guests who spoke to our reporter at the event revealed that the show was entertaining and fun-filled.

An indigene of Ibadan, Mojisola Arogundade, praised Globacom for its sponsorship of the festival and for putting together such a musical show. She described the event as enjoyable and exhilarating. She noted, “with Globacom’s sponsorship,

we have come to see that Oke’ Badan has potentials for tourism in this part of the country.

Indeed, the festival has succeeded in congregating all the sons and daughters of the land to discuss about our future as a people”.

Kabir Adepoju, a student, said that the sponsorship of the event by Globacom, shows a total commitment to the development of tourism and entertainment not only in Oyo state but in Nigeria as a whole. He enthused that the atmosphere at the event

Continued on page 27

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

27 Tourism

Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa – Venue of Indaba 2015

INDABA 2015: Soul of the African tourism industry Tayo Adelaja Indaba is an important conference held by the izinDuna (principal men) of the Zulu or Xhosa peoples of South Africa.

(Such meetings are also practised by the Swazi, who refer to them using the close cognate indzaba.)

These indabas may include only the izinDuna of a particular community or may be held with representatives of other communities.

The word- Indaba comes from a Zulu language word, meaning “business” or “matter.

A number of ‘indabas’ take place annually in South Africa; these include the design, tourism and “baba” indabas. The Design Indaba is an annual cultural conference held in Cape Town in late February or early March. It has also been referred to as the ‘Conference on Creativity’.

Design Indaba was established in 1995 and runs alongside a design expo of South African design, a film festival and a series of other workshops, parties and functions, organised by Design Indaba. Design Indaba is the largest event of its kind, and in 2013 contributed R326-million to the country’s GDP. The attendance of Design Indaba 2012 (including the conference, expo and subsidiary events) was over 50 000.

Since 2006 the ‘Baba Indaba’ baby and parenting expo has attracted tens of thousands of new parents to exhibitions in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and Bloemfontein. The name ‘Baba Indaba’ has been derived from the Afrikaans word ‘Baba’ meaning baby and ‘Indaba’ The Tourism Indaba is a gathering of all those involved in the African tourism industry. The Tourism Indaba is one of the top

three tourism marketing events on the global calendar and the largest in Africa and it attracts thousands of delegates, visitors and media representatives from across the globe. This Indaba takes place in Durban every year.

INDABA 2015 is expected to be the biggest travel and tourism trade show on the African continent as more than 900 meetings has already been scheduled using the INDABA Business Matchmaking Programme.

With less than 60 days to go, buyers and exhibitors are gearing up for INDABA 2015. Key to these success factors is the INDABA 2015 Online Diary and Matchmaking System. This service is already giving buyers and exhibitors (INDABA delegates) a platform to plan their INDABA meetings and extract optimal business value from the trade show.

These tools enable buyers and

exhibitors to view and select companies they would like to meet, and confirm their meetings before the event kicks off on 9 May 2015.

At INDABA every moment is a chance to make new connections, pick up handy tips on how to better market your travel and tourism product, and learn how to take advantage of social media and other digital platforms to do all the above.

“INDABA is the soul of the African tourism industry. It is the single most important event in the year to drive the industry, and the continent forward. The INDABA 2015 Online Diary and Matchmaking System have, over the years, proved to be key platforms in linking exhibitors and buyers that are serious about maximising their time at the show,” says South African Tourism CEO, Mr

Thulani Nzima.

Both the Matchmaking and Diary components of the system are available at no additional cost to all exhibitors, delegates and visitors. Users need to set up a profile that includes detailed information about their company and meeting requirements. This information is then used intelligently to match their profile to the right individuals. A private online report is generated that enables the user to view companies matching their profile and use it as a basis to set up meetings.

“Last year, 19 399 meetings were set up using these tools. This is proof of just how valuable this digital platform is, and its critical role in INDABA’s success. Taking into account user feedback, these tools have been further optimised for INDABA 2015,” Mr Nzima says.

Fun galore at Oke ‘Badan festival

Continued from page 26

was gleeful and exciting and urged the telecoms operator to continue to do more in the state.

Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Alaasa of Ibadanland who was also at the event said “the musical fiesta is the icing on the cake of the sponsorship as it brings both the young and the young at heart together to hobnob, dance and be merry”. He lauded Globacom for

the initiatives that it had added to the festival.

Globacom is sponsoring the cultural festival for the first year of a three-year agreement that was struck last year with the custodians of the festival.

There were also plenty of freebies in form of branded Tshirts, fez caps, carrier bags and bandanas won in singing and dancing competitions which attendees gladly took part in. Olalekan Akinkunmi, who won the

The musical fiesta is a highlight of its sponsorship of the festival strengthened the bonding and camaraderie in the community.

singing competition, was given the opportunity of performing alongside the guest artiste, Saheed Osupa.

Middle, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Are Alaasa of Ibadanland introduces the Aboke of Ibadanland, Chief Ifasola Ifamapowa to Fuji musician, Osupa Saheed(right) at the Globacom Musical Fiesta which was a feature of the recent Oke ‘Badan Festival sponsored by Glo in Ibadan

28

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Features

s

Features Editor: Gbubemi God’s Covenant Snr. E-mail: gbubemi.godscovenantsnr@dailytimes.com.ng

Pleasant surprises await Nigerians…

To the brand of men who can look into the womb of time and see which seeds will grow, the presidential poll tomorrow is already lost and won.The Founder and General Overseer of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke-Afa, Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele Babatunde belongs to that breed. He spoke to YEMI OGUNSOLA who now reports what is publishable… for now.

He knows the next president; and he mentioned names. But of course, that is not for public consumption --- yet.

It is true though that a prophecy loses much of its respectability when it is disclosed only after it has allegedly come to pass.

The primate however, advises that the announcement of the results be delayed for two or three days to let tension go down.

But won’t that heighten tension the more?

He did not think so.

He warned too that if care is not taken, President Goodluck Jonathan, may be the last presi-

dent of Nigeria: “Nigeria will break, he added,“but not now.”

Perhaps to avoid being alarmist, he gives a long time frame of “within the next 50 years.”

Reminded that that time frame hardly qualifies as “prophecy” since within such a long time, many things are naturally expected to happen, his response was that the fulfilment of such prophecy can come any moment from the time of prediction.

“Qui sera sera” (What will be will be), he said, cryptically.

Insisting repeatedly that he has no opinion of his own other than what God tells or shows him, he declared:“I am not a politician, I don’t dabble into politics but as a prophet, God has shown me a lot about Nigeria.

It is what he shows me that I say,” But he was emphatic that the “next” president will surprise Nigerians with very positive actions that will gladden the hearts of the citizenry.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Primate Elijah Ayodele Babatunde

Security on Saturday: Police talks tough The Commissioner of Police, Lgos State Police Command, CP Aderanti yesterday unfolded his security plans to curtail election violence in the State. KWASU ALHAMDU and ANYIM JOY NDUDI were at the conference. Photos by TAOFEEK BABAJIDE. In preparation for the 2015 general elections, a total of 36,204 security personnel drawn from all the security and emergency response agencies have been deployed into Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderanti disclosed this at a press briefing organised by Lagos State Police

Command and heads of other sister agencies in the State. According to the Commissioner of Police, “we have embarked on a show of force on land, sea and air to demonstrate our readiness to confront and contain any irritation that may arise from anywhere. Therefore, we most solemnly pledge to be neutral, non partisan and very firm in all our dealings and operations before, during and after the elections.”

In the area of logistics, 500 patrol vehicles, 100 buses, 100 motorcycles, 7 trucks, 3 Black Maria trucks, 1 luxury bus, 3 Armored Personnel Carriers, APC (one in each Senatorial

Zone), 5 gun boats to man the waters and two helicopters for aerial surveillance and patrol.

CP Aderanti also stated that based on the provisions of section 129 of the 2010 electoral act as amended, it is prohibited to do any of the followings in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of the polling unit: “No person shall on the date of the elections canvass for votes, solicit for the vote of any voter, persuade any voter not to vote for any particular candidate, shout slogans concerning the election, be in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or have any facial or

other decoration which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters.

Furthermore, no person is permitted to exhibit, wear or tender any notice, symbol, photograph or party card referring to the election, use any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of any political party by any means whatsoever, loiter without lawful reason after voting or after being refused to vote, snatch or destroy any election materials and blare siren.

“No person shall within the vicinity of a polling unit or collation centre on the day of which an election is held or convened, hold or attend any public

meeting during the hours of poll as may be prescribed by the commission, unless appointed under this act to make official announcement, operate any megaphone, amplifier or public address apparatus, wear or carry any badge, poster, banner, flag or symbol relating to a political party or to the election.”

CP Aderanti also declared that any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for 6 months for every such offence. He added that CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

29 Features

‘The presidential system of government may be dropped’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

“But in that regime, many issues will crop up that will lead to agitations…the presidential system of government may be dropped.”

Far ahead, the prophet sees a revolution that will be heralded by another major confab.

“I am seeing a revolution that will take us to the next level; that will make everyone have a sense of belonging, but I don’t know when it will happen.”

Nigeria, he said may not begin to work optimally until it is partitioned into regions as opposed to the states that we have now.

The Boko Haram menace will end, but it’snot going to be easy, adding however, that: “There is a purpose for terrorists in Nigeria.

“There is a lot of lessons to learn from it. It’s a global problem.” He urges Nigerians to pray fervently against attempts to take the insurgency to the South-West.

According to him, he had been in prayers over Nigeria for 45 days and would continue till April 11. He had not bathed in the last seven days and that state would extend to another seven days. On account of what he considered his unkempt look, he refused to be photographed indicating his overgrown beards, and “tired” attire.

Jonathan

Voters being accredited for election

“I am seeing a revolution that will take us to the next level; that will make everyone have a sense of belonging, but I don’t know when it will happen...

There is a purpose for terrorists in Nigeria... There is a lot of lessons to learn from it. It’s a global problem.”

Jega

That, he says, is what it takes to be a prophet.

“A prophet is different from a pastor or evangelist or deacon,” he added with a hint of pride.

On the naira and oil price, Primate Ayodele’s prophecy are heartening. There will be marked improvements in both.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he said was in his last lap in Nigeria’s politics.

The regular accompaniments of Nigerian elections--- rigging, pockets of clashes--- will be there alright. But they will not be as violent as feared.

“The elections will hold, though there will be re-runs in some areas.”

He warns about the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, “He must be carefully watched because he has a mission…”

36,204 security personnel deployed all over Lagos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

any person who snatches or destroys any election material shall be liable on conviction to 24 months imprisonment.

The police boss used the occasion to assure Lagosians of their safety and appealed to the people to troop out en mass to vote for candidates of their choice and shun any act of violence. He pointed out that the law on the restriction of movement will take effect from 6 am to 6 pm.

Present at the occasion were, the Brigadier-General Ahmed Sabo, Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja; the Com-

manding Officer, NNS Beecroft Navy Command T.D. Ikoli; the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Airforce Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Osayintolu; the State Director Department of State Security Service, Mr. Achu Ben Olayi; the Commandant, Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, ably represented by his Deputy, Deputy Commandant of the Corps, P.E. Mba; the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Mr. Akin Odebiyi, the Controller of Prisons Lagos state, Vincent, Controller Immigration and Customs.

The CP also appealed to distinguished members of the press to be fair and just in the

reportage of the developments in the course of these elections.

“We all have a role to play to ensure the sanctity and credibility of the process. Sensationalism should be replaced with objectivity, partisanship should be replaced with neutrality. Patriotism should be our guiding compass.

“Together, we shall overcome all the obstacles and deliver a peaceful election.”

Let me sound a note of warning to anyone who may be nursing any idea of causing violence in any part of the state to immediately perish such thought as we are able and ready to deal with such persons.

L-R: Orebiyi, CP Aderanti, DSSS Olayi and Brig-Gen Sambo

News 30

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

95% of Sokoto registered voters’ll participate in election - INEC

Works minister commissions road project in Bayelsa

ÏÏÏ The Independent Na-

Abuja

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that only 95.4 percent of the total registered voters in Sokoto State would participate in Saturday's presidential election while the remaining 4.6 percent would be disenfranchised due to their inability to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

Out of the total 1.659 million registered voters in the state, only 1.572 million were able to collect their PVCs while 87,000 without their PVCs, would not be qualified to vote, Head, Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in Sokoto,

Mallam Muhammad Musa, told Daily Times, in an exclusive chat at the state headquarters of INEC, in Sokoto.

Speaking further, the INEC spokesman said it was not possible to have 100 percent registered voters to participate in an election, while adding that it was natural after voters registration for people to pass away, some to relocate due to either education pursuit or take up new jobs among other reasons.

Speaking on the card readers, Musa said the state received 698 more card readers than the number required in Sokoto. This, he said, was to prepare for any

eventuality.

Said he: "Yes, we have taken delivery of 4,230 card readers and our requirement here in Sokoto is about 3,532 card readers. That shows that we received about 698 over the required number and that is why we have 4,230 card readers.

"Well, the excess we received is for eventuality purpose. If any card reader develops fault and fails on the day of election, it will be quickly replaced. That is why we have surplus and in each ward of the state, we will send surplus there as standby. So as soon as a card reader develops a problem, it would be replaced with a

new one immediately".

Speaking further, Musa said the commission had trained over 20,000 ad-hoc staff, majority of whom are servicing corps-members, who will be in charge of the election. He stressed that a better security arrangement had been put in place to ensure the safety of all electoral officers on duty.

Musa, who gave assurance that all persons engaged in the conduct of the election would be neutral and conduct themselves according to the rules. He added that the commission had administered an oath of affirmation, making the ad-hoc staff swear to be neutral and work according

Victor Jibrin Kaduna

ÏÏÏAhead of

Ihedioha unfolds manifesto to Imo people

Owerri

ÏÏÏ

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has said that if elected the governor of the state, his administration would establish a medical village using the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, as nucleus for its activities.

Ihedioha, who made the disclosure at the formal presentation of his manifesto in Owerri, stated that

Gov. Wamakko

Akor Ejumene

ÏÏÏMinister

of Works, Mike Onolememen, has commissioned the Mbiama – Yenagoa road maintenance and expansion project executed by Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in Bayelsa State.

Addressing the representative of Bayelsa State Governor, Taford Ogodo, Chief of Staff, Government House Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Onolememen stated that prior to the execution of project by FERMA, the 4.2km stretch between Mbiama on the East – West road to the Bayelsa State border was a single carriageway fraught with several failed portions and eroded shoulders.

He said that on that account, the stretch was a drag on dualised 25.8km section from Yenagoa to the Rivers State section.

Guber poll: Southern Kaduna endorses LP Adamawa CAN denies pushing candidate

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal; beneficiary of farm inputs, Tripple M Farmer, Ifako-Ijaiye, Mr. Muyiwa Michael and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State, Dr. Yakubu Olajide Basorun, during the presentation of inputs to beneficiary in Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos...on Thursday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Val Okara

to the rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, all political parties in Sokoto State, especially the two major parties of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been adopting different strategies in their last minute campaign.

his government would also establish three specialist centres, to be located at Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, that would be developed as Centres of excellence in various fields of medicine.

According to him, the new government would within the first 100 days engage on critical assessment of all health institutions in the state, with a view to rehabilitating the health sector, based on World Health Organization (WHO) framework and specification.

He further disclosed that Governor Rochas Okoro-

cha’s administration engaged the services of three medical consultants, 30 resident doctors, nine pharmacists, 11 medical laboratory scientists and 220 nurses, servicing 19 General Hospitals in the state as at 2014.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, regretted that out of the three medical consultants in the state, one was promoted to Permanent Secretary while the other two retired from the public service in February this year.

He said: “Our government on assumption of of-

fice will immediately buy into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as a means of making health care affordable to Imo people. We will equally domesticate the recently passed National Health Act to ensure free maternal and child health programmes.

“We will ensure that highly trained health professionals and consultants are attracted into the health sector and well-motivated with appropriated conditions of service to stimulated enhanced result and best practice”.

the April 11 governorship election, the people of Southern part of Kaduna State, have decided to support one of their own, Mr. James Bawa Magaji, the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party to win the race to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

A group known as Concerned Citizens of Southern Kaduna, under the leadership of Dr. Yusuf G. Magaji, Chairman and Mr. Gabriel Tukura, Secretary, announced their decision in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting organised to choose from the list of candidates standing for governorship race in the state.

With this decision, the people have resolved to dump the seating governor, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero in his bid to succeed himself, as well as the All Progressives Candidate (APC), Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, who is banking on the people to win his political ambition.

for Christian candidate Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Chairman, Adamawa State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Mike Moses, has refuted the rumours making round that the Christian community is working hard to give Mr Marcus Gundiri, a bloc votes in the forthcoming April polls.

Moses, who spoke with our correspondent in Jimeta, Yola, said that those making the rumours were unaware of the complexity of the coming election, where all the parties are fielding strong and credible candidates with their vibrant Christian running mates, as the case may be.

"We as a Christian body, don't have any candidate we are sponsoring or supporting. We are not a political group and for anybody to say that we are giving a bloc votes to a particularly candidate is just making his own personal analysis.

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Election 2015: Learning from Mitt Romney Modupe Debbie Ariyo

ÎÎÎI still remember the 2012 US Presidential Election, the two key candidates being Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

That election was a veritable lesson in humility which followers of politics in Nigeria and elsewhere must learn from.

Obama was coming to the end of his first term.

The economic situation in America was deteriorating.

Unemployment was rising, manufacturing was collapsing and businesses were closing down. The housing market had crashed and people were losing their homes en masse. The price of goods was rising and there was a growing level of poverty and inequality not seen in the country in a long time.

All Barack’s promises of “change” seemed to have evaporated.

Coupled with the above, the tea party was at its apogee, calling for the head of this “clueless” “socialist”, “stupid” leader. It was definite that Obama would lose the election. All opinion polls clearly showed Mitt

Romney leading his opponent. A few declared the election was too close to call.

Mitt Romney was very sure of becoming the next President of The United States (POTUS) and Obama seemed consigned to the annals of history. Romney and his followers became cocky, arrogant, conceited and even started acting like he had already won the election. Romney’s body language at the election debates was condescending to his opponent Obama who he was so certain would lose.

On election night, as the results trickled in, Romney seemed to be in the lead. His supporters started to celebrate the end of Obama as champagne flowed. As the night progressed however, the story changed.

Barack Obama was actually winning! Media organisations started to project him the winner and all of a sudden, the narrative changed.

At the end Barack Obama won the election his re-election into office

as POTUS. Normally his opponent is expected to demonstrate civility by conceding and congratu-

was so sure of winning that he only prepared an acceptance speech. The possibility of losing the

lating the winner. Mitt Romney refused to call Obama to congratulate him.

Finally he appeared on our TV screen, eyes red, looking confused and defeated. He had to quickly re-write his speech - he

election did not occur to him at all.

Barack Obama won the election and was declared the winner. Today he is able to consolidate all the policies he started in his first term. Unemployment has fallen and is

still falling, manufacturing is rising, new jobs are being created, the housing market is improving.

America is experiencing a boom and renewed vitality. The country is rising again.

There is a strong message here for the Nigerian presidential election candidates. The election is not won until all votes have been counted and a winner is declared. Celebrating an election win before voting has even started is evidence of human conceit. Members and supporters of the opposition need to take it easy. Abusing everyone who does not support their candidate, or who draws out a particular flaw or irregularity in the candidate is an act of conceit. Calling your opponent all sorts of names from “clueless” to “failed President” is direct abuse and encouraging or not discouraging your supporters from doing the same is a gross act of human conceit.

The Mitt Romney lesson is a lesson for all

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

Life&

TIMES Friday, March 27, 2015

Ezinne Akudo L7

P

A charitable beauty Wealthy parents, L2 superstar kids

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

I’ve learnt to keep my enemies close

Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo Issac Oguntoye Known by his stage name, Blackface Naija, he is a dancehall artist and song writer best known as one third of the defunct boy group, Plantashun boys and the co-writer of the hit single, African Queen with 2face Idibia, a song made famous by the latter after it appeared on his debut solo album, Face 2 Face in 2004. The Festac town based singer who has been AWOL from the music industry opens up about his musical career and what he has been up to these past few years.

You suddenly went on AWOL from the music scene without notice. What has been happening to you?

The reason why I have not been on the mainstream music scene like every other musician is because I have been trying to get all my songs ready. I just wanted to take sometime out to see the direction the industry is going. And I’ve been doing that quietly. The album I want to put out now is titled The Defender and I have a video out there called Ikebe Super. I also have some singles like, Love2love U, Mr DJ and Big Pale.

In the album, there will be variety of songs to listen to. In fact, by the time I stage a proper come back, my fans won’t even remember that there was a time that there was no Blackface.

A lot has changed while you were away. Judging by what is now obtainable in the industry,

Life&

T E A M

If you remember, I came into this game when the industry had no face or vision, so to speak. I know what the game was and I know what the game is like now. The difference right now is that, when I wanted to change the game back then, I was doing it with a couple of friends. But now, I’m doing it alone.

After your solo album, everyone had expected you to come up with something bigger than your debut album but it has not been forthcoming. What actually happened?

When I dropped my debut album, Getto Child, everybody was like, “oh this is a new style” and all that. After that, I dropped Evergreen and everyone was still feeling it. My third album was titled Jungle Fever which was also a huge success. And the reason why people don’t get to hear my song these days like every other artists is that, there is a lot of politics going on and I cannot control the politics. First, my songs are you don’t expect radio stations to play most those tunes because they will tell you it is against the government. I don’t sing about Hennessy so naturally, you will expect me to be at the receiving end of those kind of marginalization. It is the system but if the system is well structured that they appreciate the artists for their art and play the songs regardless of who he or she is, the industry will move forward. Another thing is that, some of the artistes have the money to pay for airtime, and with that, they get to play their songs whether the songs are good or not. I’m not that kind of person that is going to say, “Oh DJ, I have some money to give you, play my song on the radio. My own is DJ, this is my song, if you like the song, play it. That is how it should be. If everybody starts giving money to DJs, Nigerians will listen to anything and I can’t be part of that. This is also one of the reasons why I had to sit back and watch.

There is this belief that, you are full of yourself and that is the reason why you have gone under musically No, that is not true but then, everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion. But you have to know one thing, since I started this game, I’ve

Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784

Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo never been dependent on anyone.

I’ve always been independent from the beginning till date. Some of them get favours by being under someone who is more or less like their cash cow, who helps to push them but I never had that. I’m even more popular than most of them and people still value my music more than them. So, I don’t want to worry about that. I know my position and I know what the game is like. People can say whatever they like about me to make me look bad but that doesn’t have anything to do with why I am not too active in the music industry. I know I am still myself and when you meet me one-on-one, you will get to know my kind of person. I’m not as

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378

arrogant as they have tried to paint me. I’m a humble person anytime, any day.

You’ve tasted both the good and the bad of the industry.

What have you learnt so far from it?

Well, I’ve learnt to keep my enemies close. In this game, the person whom you feel is going to have your back is the one person who doesn’t want you to see you get to the top at all. So, it is better for you to just have an open mind and pray to God to give you the insight to see what they don’t want you to see, that’s just the game. And always practice your craft because

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478

they can’t take away the talent that God has given to you but they can pay the media to write false propaganda about you.

Is adding Naija to your stage name part of your re-branding effort?

No, I’ve always been Blackfacenaija. If you search on the internet, there are several Blackfaces and I don’t want people to mistake me for another person. But Blackfacenaija is just one if you search from now till tomorrow. I’m from Nigeria and the best way for people to know me is to know that my name is Blackfacenaija.

Continued on page 7

Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, March 27, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Where is KWAM 1’s exmanager, Percy Ademokun?

Percy Ademokun King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal is in the news again. This time around, it is about his former manager, Percy Ademokun who served him faithfully for over 17 years before being replaced by a younger manager in the person of Adebayo Olasoju who was one of his personal assistants. The news making the rounds about KWAM 1 is the whereabouts of his erstwhile manager who has been missing in action on the social scene. Ever since the duo severed their working relationship, little or nothing seems to have been heard about Percy and the question on the lips of many is what may have become of the man who was once synonymous with the social scene

L3 Society

Sifax group donates bus to OAU medical students Sifax group, one of Africa’s fastest growing multinational corporations with diverse interests in maritime, aviation, haulage and logistics, oil & gas and hospitality, has donated a brand new Toyota Hiace 18-seater bus to the medical students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife under the aegis of Ife University Medical Students Association (IFUMSA).

At the presentation ceremony held on the university campus, the Head, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Sifax group, Oliver Omajuwa, in his address, said corporate social responsibility is at the core of the company’s business philosophy which is to positively impact on the society. According to him, the company is not only about ment of critical areas such as education. From primary school to the university level, Sifax group has been an ardent supporter of institutions through various avenues, especially in the provision of infrastructure and equipment.

Prof. (Mrs) Ebun Adejuyigbe, Mr Oliver Omajuwa, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, Prof. Nora Akinola, Mr Muyiwa Akande

Showbiz big boy, Femi Aderibigbe Opens Uptown restaurant and lounge The ever-busy area of Ogba has been witnessing some transformational development as investors now see the suburb as a conducive area for investments. The latest investor on that axis is one of Nigeria’s veteran broadcasters and contents provider, Femi Aderibigbe, popularly known as Kwame who is planning to launch his multi-million naira restaurant and lounge called Uptown. How-

Bukola Saraki

Gbemi Saraki

Family holds remembrance prayer for late Dr. Olusola Saraki A prayer session was held at the Ile-Loke residence of the late strong man of Kwara politics, Olusola Saraki, for the repose of his soul, penultimate Friday. The late Waziri of Ilorin Emirate was a Senate leader during the second republic and while he was alive, was the ultimate king maker in Kwara State.

So powerful and revered was he politically that he single handedly installed House of Representative member before switching over to the Senate. He breathed his last in Lagos in 2012 at his Ikoyi home.

Femi Aderibigbe

About Princess Toyin Kolade’s choice for shedding weight

Princess Toyin Kolade In case you’ve not noticed or seen her lately, the CEO of Fisolak Global Resources, Princess Toyin Kolade, a notable socialite and friend to many in the entertainment business, has shed some considerable weight such that she looks a tad bit unrecognizable. According to inside sources, the erudite freight forwarder is said to have made a particular brand of slimming pills her companion, hence the new look. In fact, it is on good authority that this particular brand of pills may have been recommended to her by one of her younger friends in the entertainment business, to help her keep in shape. There has been disquiet in her camp over her new look; while some say clothes now look better on her, thus boosting the drastic transformation, which wasn’t so bad.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mother lies in paradise Who says there is no class in the cemetery? Or who says everyone will eventually lie six feet below the ground? If you have ever visited Vaults and Gardens, the foremost rest haven for the wealthy’s departed, you would understand better how and why there is a social status even among the dead. One of such people is late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Not only was she passed on, her resting place at vaults and gardens is a palatial for kings and queens, that one is tempted to think that she may not have been buried six feet below the ground.

Abibatu Mogaji’s resting place

Society L4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Nigeria’s money bags whose children are in showbiz

Some of Nigeria’s reigning artistes are not new to the good things of life, while some are born with a silverspoon, others have had to toil and work hard to attain some level of comfort.

In this piece, we unmask some artistes who didn’t have to go through the rough paths of life to make it.

Naetochukwu Chikwe aka Naeto C

Naeto C and mum, Kema Chikwe It was like a pat on the back for award-winning rapper, Naeto C, when his mother, a former aviation minister and the Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland, in addition to being the PDP woman leader, heaped Praises on the rapper saying that he is even more popular than her. No doubt a talented rapper, he once confessed that his mum wasn’t in support of his career initially until he was able to churn out hit after hits of rap singles. He said, “My mother wasn’t really in support of my music career because she thought it was just a passing phase. She wanted me to really focus on school. I had to work extra hard to prove to her that it was what I wanted to do and that it wasn’t a career for never-do-wells.” The married father of one us one of the few artistes who holds a Masters degree.

Damilola Afolabi aka LAX

Abimbola Fernandez and dad, Deinde Fernandez

Abimbola Fernandez Femi Aderibigbe and dad, Taiwo Afolabi There’s something fascinating about a smart artiste who singer and songwriter, LAX, so interesting. He is hardly your run of the mill artiste. The son of billionaire business mogul, Taiwo Afolabi, the Chairman of SiFAX Group and Sachol, LAX is currently with Wizkid’s Starboy records and there is no gainsaying that he is doing tremendously well. According to him and quite unlike most fathers, his father supported him

Ifeoluwa Florence Otedola aka DJ CUPPY

Ifeoluwa Florence Otedola and dad, Femi Otedola Ifeoluwa Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy has worked her way to becoming a household name in recently became a graduate of the prestigious King’s college London is not taking any rest from studying as she has been admitted into New York University for her second degree program in Music Business. Her father is Femi Otedola, the CEO of Forte Oil Plc. Ever since, Ifeoluwa made her intention

Prince Adeyemi Adetona aka Tillaman

Deinde Fernandez and naturally doesn’t need to aspire to a life of wealth and luxury as she was born with silver spoon. Abimbola took up music after mother, Aduke, died as a way to pay tribute to her late mother. Unlike other billionaire youngster, she’s still working tediously to hit the mainstream. Born of royal blood but not money, Deinde Fernandez is a retired UN ambassador who has businesses scattered all over the world. Abimbola has every reason to thank God as her father believed in her dream and supported her with everything within his capacity.

Folarin Falana aka Falz

Folarin Falana and dad, Femi Falana He is the son of popular is a singer and an entertainer. human rights lawyer, Femi When asked how he was able Falana and is among the gen- to convince his father to allow eration of young adults who him drop law for music, he reare ready to change the face plied of showbiz in the country. His “Initially my parents were name might not ring a bell but never in support of me chooswhen you link that name to ing music over law, but with the legal luminary, Femi Fa- time when they started hearlana. In contrast, Folarin isn’t ing my music, they had no anything like his father even choice but to support my decithough he read law too. He sion.”

Chukie Edozien aka Lynxxx

David Adeleke aka Davido Prince Adeyemi Adetona and dad, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi This handsome young man is actually a real prince, his faOyo State. In his songs, he calls himself as the real Omo Oba, describing any other prince in the industry as fake. A very tal-

David Adeleke and dad, Deji Adeleke Better known by his stage name, Davido or Omo Baba Olowo (OBO), the recording artiste, performer and record producer became an instant favourite of Nigerian music fans with his the country. Along with his elder brother, Adewale Adeleke, Davido is the co-owner of HKN Music, a record label home to Sina Rambo, B. Red and DeeKay. His father, Dr. Deji Adeleke, also called Elder Deji Adeleke is a successful businessman who is the founder and pro-chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede in Osun State. Davido’s uncle, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is a former Governor of Osun State. The At the beginning of his career, the award winning artiste’s father never wanted him sing but destiny has a way of manifesting.

Chuks Edozien and dad He is undoubtedly, a hunk and has the attention of ladies. His deputy governor of Delta state. As the kast born in a family of six, no wonder he has all his wishes, including being a musician, granted.

Ozonna Soludo

Oziomachukwu Favour Mojekwu aka Ozzy Bosco This music prodigy has already won the heart of several despite his young age.

He is only eight. His mother, Elizabeth Nonye Mojekwu is a popular business woman in the real estate sector and is well-known in the society.

Ozonna Soludo and dad, Charles Soludo He is the son of former CBN governor, Charles Soludo. The graduate of Contemporary Music from the London Institute of

Ozzy Bosco and mum, Elizabeth Nonye Mojekwu

video for his single, Me and you on top. With an album release billed for this year, he hopes to become a more recognizable

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, March 27, 2015

All the glitz and glamour at the City People Awards for Excellence, 2015 Issac Oguntoye

The 18th City People awards for excellence 2015, to reward and celebrate outstanding Nigerians who have excelled in their various areas of endeavors, must have come and gone but the memories of the events will continue to linger in the hearts of attendees, especially the winners. Held on Sunday, March 22, at The Summit Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. The black and white gig which paraded dignitaries from all walks of life, was anchored by comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka.

Why Summit event centre won over Balmoral and other top event centres Without mincing words, any City People magazine events are considered major such that big players in various industries always look forward to being a part of. As a result, organizers of City People magazine events are always on the lookout for suitable event centres to host their guests. This time,

Summit Event Centre, which is right beside New Fela Kalakuta Shrine was the choice venue for the awards ceremony. Even though the events centre is a story building, the state-of-the-art is needed to accommodate a teeming crowd.

Metro FM GM, Cordelia Okpei bereaved Just before the beautiful General Manager of Metro Fm got her award as the Radio personality of the year, she got news of the passing away of her dearly beloved uncle. She dedicated the award to him.

Governor Allen Onyema’s Air Amosun was Peace honoured represented Senator Ibikunle Amosun was also honoured for his contribution and the development of Ogun State. Though, he missed the award, he was ably represented by ex-banker, Bimbo Ashiru, the Commissioner for commerce & Industry and the Gbobaniyi of Odogbolu, Chief Dayo Adeneye, better known as D1.

Sir Shina Peters on the bandstand

Sir Shina Peters The veteran musician otherwise known as SSP, who has received numerous awards and recognition for his unparalleled prowess was on the band stand and almost stole the show with his dexterity on stage despite his age, which kept guests asking for more.

Who is Paul Akinola?

That was the question on the lips of several of the guests. Paul who carted home the award for the Young Entrepreneur of the year is the CEO/President of Possible and Affordable Furnishing Solutions in Nigeria.

The young CEO has not only touched lives through his company but he has also provided a platform for other creative Nigerians to exhibit their God-given talents.

Muiz Banire, a loyal supporter

Muiz Banire and Otunba Dayo Adeneye If you call Muiz Adeyemi Banire a notary public and erudite legal scholar, you’re not far from the truth as the politician of note has contributed immensely to the growth and development of grassroot politics. He was not among the awardees but he was there to support some of his party members who were honoured at the event.

Chris Najomo and Allen Onyema

Events

Tony Elumelu’s HEIRS foundation honoured The Tony Elumelu Foundation which recently announced the setrepreneurs for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) was honoured with the best supporting entrepreneur of the year award. Quite unlike most busy executives who are represented at events, the debonair Chairman of UBA was who physically present to receive his award, praised the organizers for recognizing his effort in encouraging entrepreneurs.

Hon. Funmi Tejuosho and Princess Toyin Kolade’s love for Shina Peter Even though Hon. Funmi Tejuosho and Princess Toyin Kolade have both done notably well in their respective endeavors; as a lawmaker and a business woman respectively, one thing these socialites both have in common is their love for Shina Peters. Aside the fact that, Hon. Funmi was honoured with the best female politician of the year the duo did not hide their affection for Juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters’ music as they both got busy on their feet swinging their waist to the rhythm of his songs.

Henry James, MD CEO of Unity bank wins big

Just as the quality of air service that he provides through his airline, Air Peace keeps improving and garnering accolades, so is he also being applauded for his good works. The chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema who had earlier in the month received an award from Global Excellence magazine during their recognition awards, also got an excellence award from City People magazine as well.

Kemi Otegbade, Sir Shina Peters and Toyin Kolade

LT and Toby Grey serenaded the audience The two youngsters, LT the son of popular Nollywood yoruba star actress Henrietta kosoko and Toby Grey, the lady who remixed Kiss Daniel’s popular hit song, Woju serenaded the crowd with their sonorous voice.

L5

According to the popular saying, nothing comes easy, and behind every success are hours of hard work. This notion is what best describes Mr Henry James Semenitari’s achievement at the City People awards for excellence as he was conferred with both the best Bank CEO of the year while his bank was honoured with bank of the year. He was unavoidable absent but the award was received on his behalf by Mr. Bonaventure E. Okhaimo.

Madam Kofo and publisher, City people magazine, Seye Kehinde

Hon. Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Ogun State, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru

Chief Olu Okeowo & Wife Charles Aigbe, Cordelia Okpe and Gbenga Adeyinka

Photos: Quadri Olowolagba

Global Fashion & Beauty News L6 Nkarenyi Ukonu and Mutiat Alli

Top Model, Adeola Ariyo Becomes Brand Ambassador for Elizabeth Arden

Arden brand of cosmetics took place ready, top model, Adeola Ariyo has been announced as not only their brand ambassador in Nigeria but in all of Africa. Adeola who has been in the modeling Industry since the age of 13, having been signed on to one of Europe’s leading agencies, Models1, began her modeling career in 2005 when she entered the Nokia Face of Africa competition which was held in South Africa and represented position. Adeola who stayed back in Cape Town after the competition has graced runways in Europe and Week, Cape Town Fashion Week, Johannesburg Fashion Week, Arise Fashion Week, to name a few. She has also been in almost every single Fashion Magazine in South Africa including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Marie etc and has also done major campaigns for American Swiss, Ackermans, Woolworths, Edgars, and Mr movie, Doomsday, directed by Neil Marshall, and acted alongside A list actors such as Bob Hoskins, Adrian she was chosen as the only black model to appear in Sports Illustrated South Africa, a swimwear magazine

Adeola Ariyo that has featured fellow models, singer, Beyonce. Currently signed to Boss Models in South Africa and had a very successful modeling career and plans to coach and guide other aspiring models who have the potential of becoming a great success in the modeling industry.

Zainab Saleh becomes 58th President Of International Women’s Society In celebration of International Women’s Day, which was on Sunday the 8th of March, International Women’s Society (IWS) on Tuesday, 10th of March, held an Investiture ceremony for Hajiya Zainab dent of IWS. The event which also doubled as a fund raising one took place at Terra Kulture in Victoria gerian National Council of Women International Women at the Hague in the Netherlands, the IWS is a a gious and non-governmental asso-

Friday, March 27, 2015

Miss Nigeria floats foundation As part of an initiative to give back to society, Miss Nigeria, Ezinne tion she calls ‘The Eight Foundation’ tilted towards the girl-child. This was made known at a media parley held yesterday at the new operational ofdress noted that establishing a foundation like this has always been her topmost objective even before she entered for the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, a brain child of Daily Times Nigeria, now published by Folio ter she won the crown in 2013, had worked towards ensuring its emergence and functionality as her own way of rendering assistance to the girl-child. She disclosed that the ‘The Eight Foundation’ is committed towards empowering women and children across the continent and also raising general awareness on rape and sexual abuse in the society.

“We at the foundation will be providing medical and social rehabilitation to female victims of sexual violence and we also hope to establish a shelter in the nearest future, called the half-way home for victims”. She said The Eight Foundation is supported by Easy Taxi who will be providing transportation services to victims from the mainland to the island, lic Defendants, the Mirabel Centre amongst others. Guests were taken round the different sections of the unveiling were the Marketing Manager, Easy Taxi Nigeria, Fajemisin

Ezinne Akudo

Director, Chioma Nwigwe, Counsellor, Ngozi Okonkwo, Counsellor, Bolanle Ajiboye, Founder, Ezinne Akudo & Director OPD, Mrs Rotimi

Children and adult counselling rooms

Ajiboye, the Founder of the centre,

Rotimi.

Talk show host, Wendy Williams introduces apparel line Talk show host of the Wendy Williams show, Wendy Williams is getting ready for her HSN collection debut which she introduced during a fashion show on her talk show.

Wendy who put into consideration three things; fashionable, easy and affordable, while designing says the collection would be avail-

ciation, embracing women from all over the world was founded in 1957 by public spirited women of all nationalities who had a common goal to foster cooperation and interaction between women and to uplift the situation of women and children.

The investiture ceremony was well attended by members and supporters of IWS, including; Maiden Ibru, Marlies Allan, Mariam Bello, Yusuf Tuggar, Bayo Adeola, Gbemi Sasore, Nkiru Anumudu, Ekua Abudu,

able on hsn.com and would feature 22 silhouettes from size XS to 3X. The collection is divided into work wear, weekend wear and loungewear, and every item retails for less than $100.

The line includes wrap dresses, pencil skirts, tops, sweaters, pants, leggings, jackets and outer wear.

Supermodel, Jordan Dunn turns to designing

Atilade, Nikki Khiran, Richard Sheidu and several others elite

Wendy Williams

L-R: Hajiya Mariam Bello, Ms. Rashida Saleh, Hajiya Zainab Saleh, Hajiya Amina Saleh, Hajiya Aishatu J Isa & Mrs. Iyabo R MacGregor

Daily Times Nigeria

Supermodel and face of Maybelline New York, Jourdan Dunn, is venturing even further into the fashion world as a designer but not into the world of Haute Couture or Readyto-Wear. The British born model is combining her knowledge of the fashion world and being a mother, to create a kids and young adult line with her 5-yearold son, Riley, and her love for kids clothes as her inspiration. She will be

partnering with British licensing agency, Fluid World which will result in at least two collections, featuring jeans, T-shirts, jumpers

and a c cessories.

Jordan Dunn

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, March 27, 2015

L7 Mixed Grill

Interview

I’ve learnt to keep my enemies close Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo Continued from page 2

No, I can’t regret that. They actually wanted to signed me on but I told them, I was with the boys and I couldn’t leave them. I’m so glad that I’ve been independent from time. I can beat my chest that I am a self made dude. I made it despite all odds. Anybody who wants to put my name down because they want to sell somebody else, is just wasting this or her time because once I catch them on stage, their career is over.

We’re just there. They are cool.

And they are doing their own music and I’m doing mine. I don’t have any problem with them and I don’t think they have any problem with me.

I think, it had to do with the structure and the planning of the album.

Ego was also part of the problem because ego is the worst thing that can creep into a group.

Why would they say that? Is it because of the propaganda thing they put out. It is still all about the propaganda because that’s what they want people to hear. How will I be the one to break up the group when I’m the one telling them what to do and what not to do? They just want to put me in bad light. I told them, I’m black already they can’t change me to another colour.

We’re improving with the photography, the cinematography and some of the artistes are highly creative. Some artistes are trying to create real music while some are still copycats. The industry is growing at its own pace. I want to commend those artistes that are doing good music and those who are trying to create a style for themselves but all those ones that always want to copy other people songs, I say, everyday for the thief, one day for the owner.

you’re doing they would always say, “We hope he doesn’t continue in that light. But it’s a joke, many are called but few are chosen, I know I am one of the chosen few that God has said to go speak to my people. Use your music to talk to them. Try to give them some education with your mu-

sic. I know that’s my calling but that doesn’t mean, I’m not going to be doing my love song, dancehall, R&B and other genre of music.

Abdukareem is my friend and he

has been my friend from way back.

For now, I don’t know. Plantashun boiz is for three people and there used to be a time where I could de-

You think you know Blackfacenaija?

Did you know that...............

-

-

-

I’m never going to deviate from my old style because people don’t want to see you succeed. Anything

Mixed Grill

e r e h W ‘N’ hen W

Crossword solution

Grill &BBQ festival @Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, April 5th, 2015 Print the puzzle grid and of V use your compass directions B is north of T and west of E C is west of Y and south of G for the missing letters of the E is west of S and south of J alphabet. When you have F is west of O: G is east of P completed the grid, see if you H is east of J and north of O can discover the hidden city, I is east of U: W is east of B country, river or mountain.

L is south of B: M is north of Y N is north of U: O is east of A North or south means P is north of T: Q is west of V any location along the same R is west of C: Z is north of F column.

S is east of V and north of I East or west means any K is south of J and east of T location along the same row. Y is east of T and south of V A is south of E: D is south

Golden Easter Boat cruise @Ilashe Private Resort, Lagos April 5th, 2015 Gidi Culture Festival @ Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, April 4th, 2015 AY Live concert @Eko Hotels and Suites, April 5th, 2015

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L8 Television

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, March 27, 2015

Showing on

Showing on 106 Movies Action

124 E!

23:25

01:00

Thu, 26 Mar | 16

Fri, 27 Mar | 16

‘S6/E6 - Secrets And Skirmishes’. Are you a woman looking for Mr Right? The ten contestants on this reality show are, and they’ve agreed to have their dating habits made over by enduring a tough love boot camp.

‘S5/E9 - Lord Disick In The House’. Khloe lands a hosting job on The X Factor that turns out to be more stressful than she thought. Scott decides to give Lord Disick a royal Miami introduction.

101 M-Net West

00:00 Perception 00:30 CSI: Cyber 01:30 Elementary 02:30 The Spectacular Now 04:05 Romeo & Juliet 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 MasterChef Australia 08:00 2 Broke Girls 08:30 Chicago Fire 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Oz: The Great And Powerful 12:35 Modern Family 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 15:00 Blue Bloods 16:00 The Fixer 17:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 MasterChef Australia 20:30 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

00:00 Fearless Heart 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Aurora 03:00 Fearless Heart 03:50 Labour Of Love 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Aurora 07:00 Fearless Heart 07:50 Labour Of Love 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Aurora 11:10 Fearless Heart 12:00 Labour Of Love 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Aurora 15:20 Fearless Heart 16:10 Labour Of Love 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Aurora 19:30 Fearless Heart 20:20 Labour Of Love 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Aurora

253 AIT 00:00 AIT Midnight News 00:30 Movie: 02:30 Nowhere To Be Found 03:00 Focus Nigeria 04:00 What Life Took From Me 05:00 Oremus 06:00 Kaakaki 09:00 Giant Strides 09:30 Making Of A Chef 10:00 Focus Nigeria 11:00 The Money Show 12:00 AIT Reports 13:00 Sports Extra 13:30 Films & Stars 14:00 Gbedu On The Move 15:00 Matters Arising 16:00 World News 16:30 Nickelodeon 17:30 NAFDAC & Your Health 18:00 Jonathan: Work In Progress 18:30 Shakatawa

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

19:00 Amazon 20:00 AIT News Hour 21:00 Primetime Africa 22:00 What Life Took From Me 254 Channels 19:30 Taste Of Love 20:00 Pepsi Chart Show 20:30 The Dragons 21:00 Ay’s Crib 21:30 Omotola: The Real Me 22:00 STV News @ 10 20:00 Goal Diggerz 20:30 Making Of A Star

00:00 The Cube

10:40 Deal Or No Deal

00:20 Top Gear

11:20 My Family

01:10 Call The Midwife

11:55 My Family

02:05 Casualty

12:25 Top Gear

02:50 EastEnders

13:20 Come Dine With Me

03:20 The Weakest Link

14:15 The Cube

04:05 Top Gear

15:05 The Weakest Link

05:00 Mr. Bean

16:00 Casualty

05:25 QI

17:00 The Chase

06:00 Miranda

18:00 The Cube

06:30 EastEnders

19:00 Silent Witness

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

20:00 The Graham Norton Show

08:00 The Weakest Link

21:00 QI

08:50 QI

21:35 Would I Lie To You?

09:20 Would I Lie To You?

22:10 Live At The Apollo

09:55 Hell’s Kitchen USA

252 Silverbird

00:00 Health Monitor 00:30 Boom Town 01:00 Music Africa 02:00 Boom Town 02:30 STV Sports Café 03:00 Local Movie 05:00 Gospel Rhythms 05:30 Dig Your Well 06:00 Symphony 06:30 Insights For Living 07:00 STV AM News 07:30 Today On Stv 09:30 De Market Place 10:30 STV Sports Café

254 Channels 00:00 News Track 00:30 Movie 02:00 Sunrise Daily 04:00 News Track 04:30 Health News 05:00 News Track 05:30 Channels Beam 06:00 News Track 06:30 Turning Point 07:00 Sunrise Daily 09:00 News Track 09:30 Sports This Morning 10:00 Business Morning 11:00 News Track 11:30 Almond Finance & Wealth 12:00 News Track 12:30 Health News

11:00 Triple M Show 11:30 Nowhere To Be Found 12:05 Music Africa 14:05 Tales Of Eve 14:30 Footprints 15:00 Excite On TV 15:30 Brights 16:05 Nickelodeon

13:00 News Track 13:30 The Beam 14:00 News Track 14:30 Network Africa 15:00 News Track 15:30 Channels Book Club 16:00 News Track 16:30 Earth File 17:00 News Track 17:30 The World Today

17:00 The Benjamins 17:30 Video Wheels Lifestyle 18:02 MTV Base 19:00 STV News @ 7 19:30 Taste Of Love 20:00 Pepsi Chart Show 20:30 The Dragons 21:00 Ay’s Crib 21:30 Omotola: The Real Me 22:00 STV News @ 10

X4

XT Exclusive

ENYEAMA TO MISS UGANDA CLASH

Friday, March 20, 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

X5

QUOTES BY

“

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Poster!

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

James Rodríguez James David Rodríguez Rubio July 12, 1991 (age 23) Cucuta, Colombia 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Attacking midfielder/Winger Real Madrid 10

Youth career 1995–2007:

Envigado

Senior career 2007–2008: 2008–2010: 2010–2013: 2013–2014: 2014–Present:

Envigado Banfield Porto Monaco Real Madrid

National team 2007: 2011: 2011–Present:

Colombia U-17 Colombia U-20 Colombia

That is football, sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. You always have to have a winning mentality. We put pressure on them and tried to score. It was an unfair result. The referee always tries to make fair decisions but in the end it was a little wrong.

I and my wife always dance. As soon as in the house the music is playing, we dance to it, especially when we have friends in the house. You can see it when I celebrate the goal. I think that separation from the ball is important. For me it is the best way to relax.

–James Rodriguez

”

JAMES X4,5

X2

Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:

It’s one thing looking in from the outside, but when you come to Real Madrid - it’s something else entirely. I always considered Real Madrid to be a big club, but now I’m on the inside; it’s the biggest club in the world.

“Yes, I heard that James signed yesterday. And to be honest I think he’s a fantastic player. Real Madrid also bought Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich, so I think they’ve invested very well. They will be a great reinforcement for the team. I’m looking forward to playing with them.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

RODRIGUEZ Friday, March 27, 2015

Neymar can’t equal me – X8Pele

T T O C L A W ’ P U T S U B ‘ R E G N E W S E I N DE X8

Injury-prone

Harrison RIO 2016:

Team Nigeria

receives boost X3

retires !

X7

X2

Friday, March 27, 2015

EXTRATIME

ENYEAMA M

Andrew Ekejiuba ajor partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and official telecommunications sponsor of the national teams, Globacom, has enjoined Super Eagles not to be discouraged by the result of the last friendly match against Uganda which ended 0-1 against the Eagles in Uyo on Wednesday.

The Eagles tried to level up after Uganda took the lead to no avail in the match from which Nigerians expected victory.

“While the loss was not impressive, particularly on the home turf and to a lowly rated team, we want the Eagles to pick up the pieces and play the remaining friendly matches designed to keep the team in shape, with zeal

TO MISS

EAGLES, BAFANA

CLASH S uper Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Vincent Enyeama, will not travel with the rest of the Nigeria squad to South Africa for Sunday’s international friendly against the Bafana Bafana after he was ruled out through injury.

The Nigeria captain, who recently notched up 100 games for the Super Eagles has been ruled out due to a backache.

Enyeama was in goal for Nigeria on Wednesday when they lost 0-1 to the

Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly, which marked his 100th game in Nigeria’s colours.

But according to reports gathered from the camp of the former African champions, the 32-year-old has been ruled out due to a back problem.

And in his place, stand-in coach, Daniel Amokachi has called up Warri Wolves’ Daniel Akpeyi.

Enyeama is now Nigeria’s second centurion, after former captain, Joseph Yobo.

Look beyond Uganda loss, Glo tells Eagles and determination so as to achieve the results that will enable them to win their way back to the heart of Nigerians,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

The Company advised the Daniel Amokachi-led technical crew to marshal a new plan towards defeating South Africa in the next match to placate football-loving Nigerians.

“This is the best opportunity for the Eagles to return to reckoning and we want the team to work hard and ensure victory against Bafana Bafana,” Glo stated further.

NFF ratifies Sanusi’s appointment

T

Enyeama

he Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally ratified the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Sanusi as the General Secretary of the Federation.

At a meeting in Uyo, NFF President ,Amaju Pinnick, presented Sanusi before the executive board for formal endorsement. The former NFF Director of Competitions, who had been appointed following the resignation of Barrister Musa Amadu on March 18,

was unanimously endorsed.

Also the sitting president of Nigeria Colleges of Education Games Association and a member of several local and international bodies on sports management, Sanusi has tremendous experience in sports administration through active roles in FIFA World Youth Championship Nigeria 1999, Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and 2003 All Africa Games organizing committees, and had been in charge of NFF’s Competitions Department for the past eight years.

Friday, March 27, 2015

EXTRATIME

Federation Watch

X3

With Osaretin Emuze

DANAGOGO Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo

S

ports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has charged the national teams that have qualified for the U-20, U-17 and Women’s World Cup this year to go all out and conquer the world.

He urged the various national teams to take their exploits in Africa to the world stage.

“We are proud of you for qualifying for the various world cup tourneys and the battle will not end until the three trophies are here in Nigeria. Go, destroy the world and be rewarded greatly,” he said.

The Rivers State-born minister had during the week commended both the Flying Eagles and the national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers for their performances last weekend, stressing that Nigerians are proud of them.

The Flying Eagles emerged champions of the just concluded African Youth Championship in Dakar, Senegal, beating the hosts 1-0 in the final to clinch their seventh title in the competition, while the basketball team led

by Olumide Oyedeji were winners of the 4-Nation Invitational Tournament in South Africa.

“The victories posted by our teams have proved that talent abound in our country and if properly harnessed and given adequate preparation and support, they will always conquer,” Danagogo stated.

He added that it will be more respectable for the Flying Eagles to win

TASKS NATIONAL TEAMS ON GLORY

the FIFA U-20 World Cup later in the year as African champions and reiterated that their victory in Senegal will serve as a boost in their quest to conquer the world.

According to a press statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Patrick Omorodion, Danagogo, reiterated the resolve of the National Sports Commission to pursue Mr.

NOC: Team

NAFED ratifies patrons’ appointment

Nigeria

receives boost

T

T D’Tigers Stan Okoye (right) in action

Gumel

congratulates D’Tigers, Flying Eagles

T

he President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) ,Engineer Habu Gumel, has congratulated the D’Tigers for qualifying for the All Africa Games at the expense of Burkina Faso and for winning the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in South Africa.

In a congratulatory message sent to the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Gumel said the

board and members of NOC congratulate them on the feat the basketball team, D’Tigers, performed last weekend.

Gumel also commended the Flying Eagles for winning the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal. He extolled the qualities of the players and urged them to go all out and win the elusive FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later in the year.

eam Nigeria’s quest for medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil received a boost during the week when Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) received the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for 12 Nigerian elite athletes to benefit from the Rio 2016 scholarship for athletes programme.

Secretary General of the NOC, Hon. Tunde Popoola, said that the scholarship for the athletes was a good incentive that would allow the athletes to prepare well with the best facilities and challenge for medals in Brazil.

The beneficiaries would also be paid an unspecified amount of money from now till the Rio Olympics.

One of the athletes was later dropped on grounds of being involved in doping.

The eleven approved beneficiaries include speedster Blessing Okagabare (athletics), Nneka Reginald (athletics), Ese Brume (athletics), Christian Amechi Morton (athletics) and Divine Oduduru.

Others are Maryam Usman (weightlifting), Victoria O. Adesanmi (weightlifting), Aruna Quadri (Table Tennis), Edem Offiong (Table Tennis), Jonathan Akinyemi (Canoeing/Kayaki) and Adekuoroye Odumayo (wrestling).

President’s Transformation Agenda in taking sports to the next level, as well as ensuring that our athletes post podium performances at both continental and world levels.

Blessing Okagbare, one of the beneficiaries of Rio 2016 scholarship for athletes programme

Nine Nigerian elite athletes also benefited from the London 2012 Olympic Scholarship for athletes.

The Nigerian athletes were selected through the nomination of the Nigeria Olympic Committee with their various sporting federations.

he Board of the Nigeria Archery Federation (NAFED) has ratified the appointments of some patrons for the Federation. The rectification was made at an extra-ordinary board meeting of the NAFED held last week inside the boardroom of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in Lagos.

The President of NAFED, Felix Okugbe, said the board ratified the appointments of the following persons as Life Patrons of the Federation: Engineer Habu Gumel, president, Nigeria Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee; Dr. Ade Abolurin, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Deacon Famous Enearu.

Other patrons ratified according to him are Chairman and CEO of the Cynergy Group of Companies in Lagos; Hon Godfrey Kabiru Gaiya, Chairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee on Sports; Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, Chairman, Kano Pillars Sports club and ex-president, Nigeria Football Federation; Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, President General, Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club and Prince Wole Madariola, President, Nigeria Shooting Federation.

Okugbe said that a date would be fixed very soon for a formal investiture ceremony for the Patrons.

X4

Friday, March 27, 2015

EXTRATIME

QUOTES BY

“

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Full name: Date of birth: Place of birth: Height: Playing position: Current team: Number:

James Rodríguez James David Rodríguez Rubio July 12, 1991 (age 23) Cucuta, Colombia 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Attacking midfielder/Winger Real Madrid 10

Youth career 1995–2007:

Envigado

Senior career 2007–2008: 2008–2010: 2010–2013: 2013–2014: 2014–Present:

Envigado Banfield Porto Monaco Real Madrid

National team 2007: 2011: 2011–Present:

Colombia U-17 Colombia U-20 Colombia

It’s one thing looking in from the outside, but when you come to Real Madrid - it’s something else entirely. I always considered Real Madrid to be a big club, but now I’m on the inside; it’s the biggest club in the world.

That is football, sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. You always have to have a winning mentality. We put pressure on them and tried to score. It was an unfair result. The referee always tries to make fair decisions but in the end it was a little wrong.

I and my wife always dance. As soon as in the house the music is playing, we dance to it, especially when we have friends in the house. You can see it when I celebrate the goal. I think that separation from the ball is important. For me it is the best way to relax.

–James Rodriguez

”

JAMES

RODRI

Friday, March 27, 2015

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“Yes, I heard that James signed yesterday. And to be honest I think he’s a fantastic player. Real Madrid also bought Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich, so I think they’ve invested very well. They will be a great reinforcement for the team. I’m looking forward to playing with them.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

RIGUEZ

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Friday, March 27, 2015

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Interview

BARRIOS: Good things come to those who wait, as Lucas Barrios would surely attest.

Fresh from a training session with Montpellier on March 10, the Paraguayan striker answered his telephone for a pre-arranged interview with FIFA.com, only to cut short the conversation. “I’m sorry, but can we speak again in five minutes?” he asked, the joy and excitement obvious in his voice. “I’ve got the national coach on the line and he’s just selected me.”

The call from Ramon Diaz had come out of the blue, but this was precisely the news that Barrios had long been hoping for. After three years in the wilderness, the player who made his name with Colo Colo and Borussia Dortmund was back in the Paraguay fold.

Those three years were largely spent coping with injuries and occupying the bench at Guangzhou Evergrande in China PR and Russian outfit Spartak Moscow, where he seemed to suffer more fitness problems than he scored goals.

When he spoke a little later to FIFA.com, Barrios shared his thoughts on his renewed form, his return to the national side and his optimism for Paraguay’s future under new coach, Ramon Diaz. Excerpts:

Lucas, what has happened to your twin brother – the player who looked just like you and wore the same shirt, but did not score a single goal for Montpellier until December?

It’s true that the first few months were tough. I arrived at the end of August and the time it took me to integrate into the team, move from Russia to France and get used to French football cost me a lot in terms of adaptation. By the end of November, I started to feel better, and in the first few games in December I started to play more regularly and began scoring again. Since then, my luck has returned in front of goal.

Was it easier working to get back to your best at Montpellier than it might have been at a big club, with lots of pressure?

For me, it’s difficult to say there’s no pressure. When you’ve achieved things in football in the past, people obviously have expectations.

Montpellier expected a lot from me, and right from the very first months. They wanted the Lucas who played for Dortmund. I went through a difficult time – everyone was asking why I’d chosen Montpellier and told me I could’ve chosen a better club.

But I made this choice because first and foremost they chose me and had faith in me. I played with that pressure on me and I managed to get through that slightly tricky period.

Were you afraid that you might never get back to your best after those difficult times and the injuries you picked up in China and Russia?

The only thing keeping me away from my best level was a lack of consistent playing time. I came over from Russia without having played much, and that interrupted my rhythm.

But I played in China, scored lots of goals and contributed to us winning the championship. After that I had to deal with an injury, which cost me my place and caused me to lose momentum. You can lose your rhythm, but you mustn’t doubt your ability. I didn’t forget what I

was able to do.

I’M A

GOALSCORER

FOR LIFE!

support my team without bitterness.

Right now, though, I have another chance to help directly, and my only goal is to take the national side back to the level it deserves to be.

You have just been called up by Ramon Diaz for the games against Costa Rica and Mexico on March 26 and 31. What did that mean to you after three years out of the squad and missing the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil?

It’s a huge joy because I’ve worked hard to get back into the squad after some difficult years. It was painful not to be there when the team needed all its players. This call-up is a reward for my efforts, all the work I’ve put in over the last half a year, the tough times I’ve been through and my renewed form in front of goal, thanks in part to Montpellier’s help. I’m happy to have made it, and now I need to show that I can be consistent at that level and that I deserve my place in top-class European football, as I’ve shown in the past.

Do you see Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay as favourites once again for the Copa America in June, or are you expecting a more open tournament?

Let’s not forget our history just yet – people in South America know all about Paraguay’s quality. We’re a strong team that only missed out on qualifying for the World Cup because we had to implement some big changes.

Unfortunately, they didn’t work, but you mustn’t forget that Paraguay were runners-up at the last Copa America.

It’s true that no one would back Paraguay to win the Copa America, but, whatever the competition, we’re a team that’s never easy to play against.

Given the quality we have, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Paraguay fighting to win the tournament once again this year.

Paraguay are traditionally renowned for their defensive strength. With a former forward now serving as coach, do you see the team’s style of play changing?

Ramon coming in with his ideas and experience can be beneficial to the side.

For us forwards, it’s an advantage to know we have a coach who was an important player in our position. He’s also someone who has won titles and has experience at national and international level. He’s a real boon for Paraguay, and he gives us more of a chance of having a great Copa America.

His vision of the game as a striker could change our style, and at the very least it will give us extra options, but we can’t turn our backs on what’s been our major strength: Paraguay have always been a difficult side to beat and we need to stay that way.

Diaz recently told FIFA.com that he is hoping for a lot from experienced players based in Europe. Is that not a perfect description of you?

Exactly, yes (laughs)! Myself and the other experienced players are always available to help the national team.

Barrios

Despite not being called up for two years and having turned 30, I never gave up on the idea of playing for the national side again and helping out.

Ramon understands that he needs

people – both players and staff – who’d never hesitate to make any sacrifice to help the national team, given the difficult years we went through. If I don’t get called up, I can accept that and

Will it be special for you to play in Chile, where you are still idolised by Colo Colo fans, and against Argentina, who are in Paraguay’s group?

You can never know who the coach will pick, but if I manage to make it into the squad I’ll feel at home in Chile.

There are a lot of people who like me there. The Colo Colo fans will support me, and since half the country follows the club, that could mean a fair few supporters for Paraguay (laughs). The game against Argentina will be special because my dad and my family are almost all Argentinian and I was born there, but that’s as far as it goes. I’m 100 per cent committed to Paraguay and on that day Argentina won’t be my second country – they’ll just be a team we need to beat. My mother, the woman who gave me life, also gave me Paraguayan blood and the opportunity to play for the national side. They’re the team I chose and the team I’ll defend to my death.

Friday, March 27, 2015

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Audley Harrison (right) won Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000.

N O S I R HARR ETIRES

Boxing

A

udley Harrison has retired from boxing for a second time after revealing he is suffering the effects of head injuries. superOlympic 2000 The he says heavyweight champion nce bala and n visio now suffers from . problems, moodiness and irritability His decision was prompted by research into concussion and brain injuries, and after seeing medical specialists.

“After years of denial and sticking of to my guns, I’m finally getting out 43. , ison Harr my own way,” said “I’ve suffered a few traumatic brain k injuries (TBIs) and will have to wor cts effe the of hard to reverse some taking punches to the head has brought about to my overall health.

“I have vision problems, vestibular injuries that lead to balance of disturbances, and have bouts that ss dine moo and bility irrita serious come with TBI recovery.”

Harrison also revealed he is now “likely to file for bankruptcy”.

Harrison, who suffered seven s, defeats in his 38 professional fight r afte 3 201 l first quit the sport in Apri in er Wild ntay Deo losing to American rn 70 seconds, only to make a U-tu ht shortly after. But he has not foug

since.

The Londoner had challenged for n the world title against fellow Brito David Haye in 2010 but lost in the third round.

And his career looked to be over in October 2012 when he was knocked out in the first round by another Briton, David Price.

But he won a Prizefighter to tournament the following year briefly revive his hopes of one day winning a heavyweight world title.

OVER BRAIIN ES INJUR Cycling

Armstrong: WADA boss laments charity ride ‘ambush’

L

ance Armstrong should not “ambush” this year’s Tour de France by taking part in a charity ride, says the directorgeneral of the World Anti-Doping Agency, David Howman.

Ex-footballer Geoff Thomas has asked Armstrong to join a ride along the race route, despite his lifetime doping ban.

Thomas is hoping to raise £1m to help fight blood cancer.

“It’s disappointing Armstrong should take centre stage in an event which he cheated in so often,” Howman said.

“He’s welcome to try to save lives. I don’t think he should be ambush marketing an event which is far superior to what he is doing.”

The charity ride will follow the same route

as the Tour, a day ahead of the race.

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour titles and banned from most organised sport for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) in 2012.

He later admitted on US television that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during all of his Tour victories.

Thomas was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003, a year after he retired from a 20-year football career, and visited Armstrong’s home in Texas to persuade the 43-year-old to take part.

But the move has drawn criticism in cycling circles, with International Cycling Union president Brian Cookson condemning Armstrong’s plans.

Australian cricketers celebrate after defeating India to reach final

Cricket

Cricket World Cup: Australia beat India to reach final

A

ustralia powered into the World Cup final with a 95-run victory over defending champions India in Sydney.

Steve Smith struck a fluent 105 from 93 balls and Aaron Finch 81 as Australia posted 328-7, the highest score in a World Cup semi-final.

India made a solid start to their reply but lost four wickets for 32 runs and fell well short on 233 despite captain MS Dhoni making 65.

Australia will meet fellow co-hosts New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Melbourne.

They will do so looking for their fifth World Cup crown - no other team has more than two - and on the back of a seventh semi-final win in as many attempts.

For India, the defence of the trophy they won on home soil four years ago and a run of 16 consecutive wins in major one-day tournaments - the World Cup and Champions Trophy - is over.

They can reflect on how their top order fell apart after openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put on 76 inside 13 overs, but perhaps Dhoni’s biggest mistake was calling incorrectly at the toss.

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Friday, March 27, 2015

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Walcott denies Wenger row

T

heo Walcott has described as “complete nonsense” reports he had a training-ground bust-up with Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal forward has started just once in the Premier League since returning from an 11-month injury lay-

off in November, although he did miss the whole of December with a separate injury.

Walcott’s lack of action has been linked by some to his contract situation - the England international is inside the final 18 months of a deal which took

months to agree before he eventually signed in January 2013 - and there were claims this week of a row with his manager.

But those reports have been flatly denied by the player, who wrote on twitter: “I don’t normally comment on

false stories about myself, but reports about contract demands and bust-ups with the boss are complete nonsense...

“There have been no contract talks as yet and my current focus is not on contracts but on doing my best for Arsenal FC.”

Wenger has frequently referenced the difficulty of negotiating with Walcott’s representatives and, when asked recently about any talks, the Arsenal boss joked that “the first contacts have been established with the embassy”.

Theo Walcott (left) has revealed that there are no talks yet on new Arsenal deal

: E L E P

R A M Y E N !

E M E C A L P E R CAN’T P

Khedira

confirms Real’s exit

S

ami Khedira has confirmed that he will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer, but says he is not yet sure where he will go next.

The Germany international has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Schalke.

But, in an interview with the media, the 27-year-old said he has not

decided where his next move will be.

“I want to find new challenges for my career and continue to grow as a player,” he commented.

“I don’t have an agreement with any club nor any preferences as to who I would like to join.”

Khedira arrived at the Bernabeu in 2010 from Stuttgart and has made more than 100 appearances for Los Blancos since.

ele believes his status as Brazil’s greatest player is secure, with not even Neymar able to challenge him.

A three-time World Cup winner and the scorer of more than 1,000 goals in a glittering career, the former Santos and New York Cosmos striker has already seen off plenty of challengers to his mantle since retiring, including Ronaldo and Romario, who earlier this

Injuries have limited him to just 11 league appearances this campaign but he says he will look back on his five-year spell in the Spanish capital fondly.

“It’s not a decision against Real Madrid,” he said. “For me, it was a magnificent moment in my life in a magnificent team. I will do everything I can to continue helping the team during the forthcoming weeks.”

month backed Neymar to surpass Pele’s tally of 77 international goals.

Whether or not the 23-year-old Barcelona forward is able to do so remains to be seen, but Pele is not worried about the challenge of his fellow Santos graduate.

Asked on Wednesday in Melbourne if Neymar can replace him as Brazilian football’s favourite son, he said: “I think not.”

“I think to be the new king, the new Pele, is impossible. Because my mother and my father closed the machine. I think he’s a good player, an excellent young player and he’s going to be a big star, no doubt.”

While Neymar is Brazil’s great hope, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - playing at a higher tempo than ever before - have proven worthy challengers to the all-time greats in recent years.

But Pele insisted he would still have been a force of nature in the modern game.

Appearing in Australia for a series

of speaking engagements, Pele - in his capacity as the unofficial ambassador of Brazilian football - could not avoid inevitable questions about his country’s shock 7-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-final on home soil last year.

Watching on while the hopes of a nation were shattered, what was he thinking as goal after goal flew in during that nightmare game in Belo Horizonte?

“I didn’t think - I cried,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that the two World Cups played in Brazil, in 1950 when I was nine years old, we lost. And now we lost again. This is something noone can explain.”

The Brazilian Football Confederation’s response to the debacle was to hand Dunga - who coached the South American nation at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - a return to the national team hot seat following Luiz Felipe Scolari’s departure.

Quizzed on whether or not Brazil can win a sixth World Cup in Russia in 2018, Pele said: “I hope so.”