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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.33

Afenifere endorses Jonathan “Restructuring is what will let us out of jail and allow us to develop at our own pace.

The man who will do it is the one we are supporting, not the man who will kill it”.

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L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Segun Mimiko at Fasoranti’s home in Akure… on Tuesday.

No going back on election dates

INSIDE

Life&

TIMES Wednesday January 28, 2015

– INEC, parties

Who broke up Mo’ Hits? L4 P

Take a tour to the Savannah Zimbabwe L5 P

Muna for burial Feb. 3

Gay wedding: Sharia police arrest 12 in Kano 6 FG pays Ghana $10m over botched gas deal

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Photo: Tosin Ajuwon

INSIDE Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Special Report Presidential amnesty programme: The silent revolution..... Page 14

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s Top French firms employ amnesty programme trainees..... Page 20

Ending Boko Haram the Niger Delta way Kingsley Kuku is Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty Programme. In this interview, he spoke about the roles of the Niger Delta leaders in ending militancy in the region saying the same process could be employed in putting an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. Excerpts.

There are accusations levelled against President Goodluck Jonathan that he is clueless in solving the insurgency/ terrorism challenges in Nigeria, how do you react to that?

Well, I want to say that in the first place, we really need to deal with this concept of cluelessness of a sitting president. For me, it is even insulting, self-insulting for any Nigerian particularly those

who would also love to occupy this office to refer to a sitting president as clueless. Clueless could literally mean not knowing what you love to do or what you really need to do but you cannot tell a man elected by a vast majority of Nigerians as clueless.

In anyway, we are now moving towards the 2015 general election and we really need to place side by side, who could be clueless with the concept of governance in 2015.

I want to deal with it in the concept of February 2015. Is it a man who has verifiable certificates? A first degree in Zoology, a masters’ degree and a Ph.D.? He’s not a native doctor, a Ph.D. from the University of Port Harcourt.

You can go to all these schools and find it out. A man who has won elections. A man who has

Kuku been a director in ecology at the OMPADEC of those days. Go for those records, they are so transparent. A man who has been deputy governor, who has been acting governor and who has been governor? A man who has been Vice President, a man who has been acting President and now President. Is that the man you

“Nigeria with about 170-200million people cannot elect anybody whose certificates cannot be verified” call clueless?

Juxtapose him with the candidate of the APC. I can’t find any verifiable record that can match these academic records. Nigeria with about 170-200million people cannot elect anybody whose certificates cannot be verified. General Buhari, for good conscience and with respect and regards

to the generality of Nigerians, would really need to tell Nigerians what certificates he has to run for the office of the President. Military rule is different from civilian rule. The Constitution is the grand norm and we must respect it. There is a minimum qualification for anyone to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Does he qualify? Has INEC verified his certificate? If they have not, the question of disrespect by the military authorities that APC raised sensationally that they cannot find the original copies of his certificate which must be submitted to INEC. So, INEC should tell us which of the original certificates has been submitted. Is it the primary CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Politics Page Three

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Editorial

Time to end health workers strike

H

ealth workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sectors Union(JOHESU) have expressed willingness to end their ongoing strike if the federal Government releases the circular on their demands. That should be a welcome news.It would be recalled that members of JOHESU embarked on an indefinite strike since October 16,2014 to protest nonimplementation of collective bargain agreement and Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) it had with the Federal Government.

Some of the demands include; non-promotion of the union members from salary CONHESS 14-15 as directors having stayed for between four and 15 years on the same salary level without promotion. Also,it is demanding the immediate release of circulars on adjustment of salary since January 2014 and payment of arrears. The union also is requesting the immediate release of the circular on extension of retirement age and for it to be backdated to February 2014 when the issue was presented to the Federal Government,as well as full payment of all manner of arrears that have also to be backdated.

According to Chairman,Senior Staff Association of Universities,Teaching Hospitals,Research Institutes and Associated Institutions(SSAUTHRIAI),K ehinde Adegoke,the union is ready to shift grounds but uncertainty on the

part of the Federal Government has been the major cause of the setback in the quick resolution of the crisis.

But that should no be so,especially when both parties are not oblivious of the fact that the indefinite strike is gradually leading to the collapse of the country’s fragile health care system and with it, the avoidable deaths of thousands of Nigerians in the various federal hospitals in the past four months.

That is why we are calling on both parties to take another look at the issues at stake with a view to reaching immediate and acceptable solution.

The country can least afford the muscle flexing that has so far characterised attitudes on both sides.

While the Federal Government has been accused of recalcitrance, the strike by JOHESU unfortunately has been largely driven by its long time rivalry with medical doctors.

It is inconceivable that an arm of the medical profession should be so self centred over demands for welfare as to feel less concerned for the lives of fellow citizens who are lying helpless and seeking medical attention at the various hospital wards.

They should be reminded of their Hippocratic Oath that requires they see their vocation as a call to serve humanity at all times.

We are saying this with all sense of patriotism and altruism,given that every human life is precious and should not be sacrificed on the altar of transient pecuniary consideration.

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Beware friendly foes Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎOnly persons and in-

stitutions not sufficiently skilled in evil do evil consistently. Skilled ones punctuate evil with goods to confuse the signals.

And confound the unwary.

As Nigeria gets set to take a major step in its destiny with next month’s elections, Nigerians will do well to watch out for “friendly foes”. Those who watch Nigeria do not sleep; neither do they slumber.

Sometime in 1981, reports leaked to the Nige-

rian press of a plot by the United States’ CIA to assassinate both Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The Nigerian Tribune carried the news on its front page, with the picture of the alleged executor of the plot, a balding fellow, Thomas Pickering. The alleged reasons for the plot was that Abiola was no longer useful to “them” and that the policies of Chief Awolowo were “not in America’s interest.” Of course the plot was denied by the US. Then about 17 years later…

Shortly after Abacha’s demise in 1998, foreign envoys began trooping to Nigeria. Purportedly for the sake of our democracy.

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

It was a lie.

A plot was afoot: Suddenly, Abiola died in the midst of foreign envoys. Remember Pickering?

He was among them…

Professor Wole Soyinka on pages 39 & 40 of his book, You Must Set Forth At Dawn, discloses how, weeks before the murder, urgent messages were sent by fax to alert him of the plot to murder Abiola.

Unfortunately, the globetrotting prof did not assess the message until after the deed was done.

So much for foreign lovers of Nigeria’s democracy Another election looms.

Now the envoys are regathering…

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

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Sports Editor

Head, Sales & Marketing

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head of Operations

Head ICT (Shared Services)

Group News Editor

Online Editor

Noel Anosike

Yemi Ogunsola Sam Nzeh

Managing Editor

Bisi Abidoye

Gabriella Osamor

Editor

Yinka Olujimi

Editor, Standard, Archives and Special projects Tunji Okegbola

Segun Adio

Editorial Page Editor Okay Osuji

Andrew Ekejiuba Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

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Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Moses Ebong

Banjo Ayorinde

Head Graphics King Ododoru

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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.

Olusegun Obasanjo “Has Bishop Oyedepo spoken out to condemn the legalised looting of billions of dollars taking place under the watch of President Jonathan?”

Goodluck Jonathan

Remi Bello

“Nigeria our dear country will not be held hostage by rice importers.

There will be no sacred cows under my watch. All those owing Nigeria on rice import duties must pay.”

“When the oil price was high, the argument was that landing cost was high, but now that … oil price is low, we no longer incur landing cost … so, subsidy should be totally eradicated.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

5 News

Jonathan stepped on powerful toes, Buhari too old - FERMA boss Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

President Goodluck Jonathan might have offended some powerful elite, who may want to stop his re-election, South West Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign, Engr Jide Adeniji has said.

According to him, some policies introduced by Jonathan in agriculture and

Segun Adio

ÏÏÏ

Two policemen (One Sergeant, one Corporal) and one other civilian, were gunned down in Lagos Monday evening by suspected Ijaw illegal bunkerers.

Daily Times gathered that about 50 heavily armed bunkerers attacked the Owutu Police Station in Area ‘N’ Area of Responsibility at Agric, Ikorodu in the state.

A reliable source at the station, but who wished not to be mentioned, informed Daily Times that the attack on the station came at a time when many personnel there were retiring from their various postings in the area.

According to the source, “Around 4:30pm that fateful day, a detachment of personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had arrived at the area and parked their Hilux van in front of our station and proceeded to the stream area where the bunkerers always pass. Moments later, we got a report that there was a shootout with some bunkerers.

“I think two of the bunkerers were arrested and taken away, but their people

Igbo language may go into extinction – Minister

transport sectors, meant to benefit the masses, in another way, blocked the means of enrichment of other people.

The Chairman of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), spoke at a programme organized by the correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Osun State council.

He said, “Jonathan actually stepped on toes of

some powerful people who had for long benefited from the old ways of doing things in Nigeria. Gradually power is improving and many people are still dealing in generator importation. These people would not ordinarily like him to continue in office.

“Before Akinwumi took over the Ministry of Agriculture, few people had made several billions through fertilizer distribu-

tion scam. This category of people would not like Jonathan. Also, those involved in haulage, whose trucks would no longer have constant patronage because rail services are now available in every party of Nigeria will not want Jonathan back”.

Adeniji, however, urged Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the President by voting for him on February 14.

“However, Nigerians that are enjoying these infrastructure should be able to rise behind Mr President and ensure he returns to office on February 14,” Adeniji added.

Commenting on the chances of PDP winning the election, he said All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), does not have the mental capacity to

Two policemen, one other killed by suspected bunkerers in Lagos thought they were brought to our station. But around 9:00pm, about eight motorcycles and a fully-loaded Vanagon bus with their members stormed our station shooting indiscriminately.

“In the end, two of our men were killed and another civilian was also shot dead.”

The source blamed the remote cause of the attack on activities of sister security agencies who often come to the area without recourse to the supervising police station there. He maintained that once sister security agencies come like that, they would try to engage the bunkerers who most of the times are more armed than they.

Lagos State Police Command spokesman Mr Ken Nwosu, whuile confirming the incident, mainta8ined that efforts are being made by the command to unravel the remote and immediate courses of the incident.

Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏ

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, on Tuesday said that the failure of Ndi-Igbo to teach their children Igbo language

lead Nigeria.

He also Buhari’s role in coups and denial of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

He added, “I respect Gen. Buhari; he is an elderly man, but Buhari does not have the mental capability to rule Nigeria. Some people ruled Nigeria and did not build anything, they did not do anything to uplift the standard of education.”

President Goodluck Jonathan (left); in handshake with Emir of Lafia, Alhaji (Dr.) Isa Mustapha Agwai I during presidential campaign to Nasarawa…on Tuesday

Jigawa budgets N162b for 2015 Dutse Mohamme Jigawa State Government has budgeted the sum of N162.963.000 for 2015 fiscal year.

The joint proposal comprised of N99, 950.000.000 for State and the 27 local government finances, of N63, 013.000.000 less thirteen per cent of last year’s budget.

Presenting the budget on the floor of the Jigawa

State House of Assembly, Governor Sule Lamido said the proposed budget will be funded through various sources such as internally generated revenue, N8, 048.000.000, statutory federal transfers of 48.572.000.000, among other sources.

The budget proposal has recurrent expenditure of 92.26 billion, and capital expenditure of N40.6 billion seventy six size of the total

estimates.

He stated that IGR projected that for the period 2015-2017 about 267 billion Naira would be accrue to the state from various sources less than 2014-2016 projected incomes by five per cent.

According to the governor it was envisaged that a greater proportion of the capital investments during the year would be in the CDF with particular atten-

tion to Education, Health, Women and Social Development.

“As I mention from the onset, the agenda we have pursued in the preceding years have now established development of the state, a path which I believe is sustainable. Concrete policies have visibly impacted in transforming the lives of the people for the better” the governor said

contributed to the gradual deathdearth of the language in the country.

Onwuliri who stated this while addressing the Association of Heads of Federal Ministries and Parastatals in Owerri, noted that rather

than speak Igbo language to their children and wards, most Igbo families prefer to speak foreign language.

She said that researchers have expressed the fear of the possible estimation of the Igbo language if the average

Igbo family refused to change their attitude towards the language.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs regretted that Igbo language authors have lamented the poor attitude of Nigerians in reading books

written in Igbo.

She however hinted that outside the authors, foreign countries no longer offer Igbo courses in their higher and tertiary institutions because students hardly declare interest in the course.

ÏÏÏ

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Afenifere endorses Jonathan ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ“Restructuring is what

will let us out of jail and allow us to develop at our own pace. The man who will do it is the one we are supporting, not the man who will kill it”.

With those words, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has endorsed the re-election bid

of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group’s leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, hosted President Jonathan to a private meeting on Tuesday evening after which the formal endorsement was announced.

Earlier in the day, the Afenifere had met at Fasoranti’s Akure, Ondo State home, where it announced

support for “the party that would implement the decisions of the National Conference.”

The conference, which was organized last year by the Jonathan administration, was strongly opposed by the leaders of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The convocation of a

national conference where the problems of Nigeria would be tackled at the fundamental level had for ages been a major demand of the Afenifere, particularly after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The spokesman of the APC presidential campaign, Alhaji Garba Shehu, in an interview with the

L-R: Representative of former Vice President, Amb. Ibrahim Maisule; former, Attorney General of the Federation, Alhaji Abdulahi Ibrahim; Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor, Barr. Akingbolahan Adeniran and former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Honouree, Justice Muhammad Uwais, during the public presentation of the Justice Muhammad Uwais book, Enduring Contributions to Nigeria’s Constitutional Democracy, in Abuja... on Tuesday Photo: Temitope Balogun

Gay wedding: Sharia police arrest 12 in Kano Yakubu Salisu

ÏÏÏFor allegedly planning a

gay wedding, 12 young men in Kano are now in the net of the Islamic law-enforcement agency, the Hisbah.

The suspects, mostly teenagers, were detained on Monday at a popular resort on the outskirts of the city, the head of the Hisbah, Aminu Daurawa, said.

Homosexuality is banned in Nigeria, where last year new legislation was passed outlawing same-sex marriages.

In the northern states, where Sharia runs parallel to the state and federal justice system, homosexuality is punishable by death, although the sentence is rarely enforced.

“We have 12 men in cus-

tody, including the bride. We arrested them at the venue of a planned gay wedding,” Daurawa told AFP. “We got information of the wedding four days earlier and our men stormed the venue while the wedding was about to start,” he added.

Many guests escaped during the raid, he added.

But one of the participants, 18-year-old Faruk Maiduguri, told reporters at the Hisbah office that he and his friends were only celebrating his birthday.

“It was my birthday party, not a gay wedding,” he said in tears.

Daurawa said the suspects, who came from Kano, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Bauchi, Ibadan and Osogbo, “looked and acted feminine”, which

prompted their arrest.

It was not clear whether they would be charged to court, but their families had been summoned, he added.

In January last year, over a dozen men suspected of organising a gay wedding were arrested and charged in Bauchi by the Sharia agency.

Some of them were discharged while others were released on bail.

Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act carries penalties of up to 14 years in jail for anyone confirmed to be in a gay union.

The government said the legislation reflected public opinion.

This is despite the protestations of rights activists in the United Nations and Western countries, including the United States.

Daily Times faulted the decision of the Afenifere.

He queried: “What gave the Afenifere leaders the impression that an APC government will not implement the decisions of the conference? How did they arrive at the conclusion that the APC will not implement the decisions reached by that congregation of Nigeria’s eminent thinkers?”

President Jonathan held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Afenifere ahead of Wednesday’s campaign rally in the state.

The President, in company of top national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the compound of Chief Fasoranti at about 7: 30 pm. Also with him was the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

When the meeting ended, the Presidenttold journalists that the entourage only came to pay a courtesy visit to the Afenifere leaders.

“We came to pay respect to our leaders who are the leaders of the Afenifere and we had a fruitful discussion”, he said.

Speaking further on behalf of the President, Mimiko who is also the

southwest campaign coordinator of the PDP, said that the Afenifere group had ‘unequivocally endorsed’ President Jonathan as the next president of the country.

He said: “What Afenifere has done today is unequivocal endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan and for the records, let me also say that President Jonathan will be the first President that Afenifere will visit in office.

“They paid a courtesy call on him sometime in 2013 and they endorsed him. Afenifere, by tradition, by antecedent and history of this country, is perhaps the most principled and most committed sociopolitical group in Nigeria.

“In their endorsement, they particularly noticed that the transformation agenda of Mr. president is not a fluke; that it is systematic, consistent and they think that it is the root for the transformation of Nigeria. Importantly, they also noticed that Mr. president had the courage to convoke the National Confab and for them especially Continued on page 7

No going back on Feb. polls, say INEC, parties Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja; & Sunday Isuwa, Kaduna

ÏÏÏSHOULD

the coming general elections hold in February as scheduled in view of the challenges being associated with the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs)?

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, said the challenges were surmountable and expressed firm commitment to the election date.

However, the controversy is yet to abate, as calls for a shift in polls continued to be met by stiff rejection.

Representatives of political parties, who met with INEC on Tuesday flatly rejected any shift in the timetable. In Kaduna, elder statesman Alhaji Balarabe Musa expressed support for the shift. A similar view was expressed by other el-

der statesmen at a meeting of the Afenifere Renewal Group. Among them were the leader of the Afenifere’s parent body, Chief Reuben Fasoranti; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae and Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

In his keynote address at the meeting with the political parties in Abuja, INEC’s chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted on the use of PVCs for the elections.

According to him, the PVCs is the best way to authenticate the electoral process.

He said the meeting was an opportunity not only for INEC to brief the parties on its preparations, but to also listen to their concerns and observations so that INEC can take them into account in its final preparations for the polls.

INEC said only persons with Permanent Voters Card would be allow to vote in the election.

The parties rejected any attempt to postpone the elections and demanded concrete statement from INEC that the elections hold as scheduled.

The representatives of the parties warned, sternly, that they were not ready to accept any excuses on the postponement of the polls.

A representative of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, who spoke on behalf of others, warned that no one should interfere with the date for the conduct of the elections.

He said: “First of all, we want INEC to make a statement, a very clear statement, that the dates-14th and 28th are sacrosanct.

Continued on page 7

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

7 News

Afenifere backs Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 in terms of restructuring, that is where Nigerians should be headed and they believed that if he’s reelected he would be able to carry it through”, Mimiko said.

Also, the publicity secretary of the Afenifere Renewal Group (AGR), Mr. Yinka Odunmakin who addressed journalists said the group supports the president Jonathan’s as long as he would implement the report of the National Conference.

“It is a courtesy visit on the leadership of the Af-

No going back on Feb. polls, say INEC, parties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 No one should interfere with the conduct of the election on the 14th and 28th of February. We want INEC to double its efforts to make sure that all voters get their PVCs before the elections.

“We want INEC to improve on voter education but we will play our role. And I hope other parties will also do the same thing”, he stated.

Baba-Ahmed, who is a former INEC Secretary, added: “We want to partner with them (INEC) in resolving some of these challenges”.

The Chairman of the Inter Party Committee (IPAC), Dr. Yunusa Tanko urged the Federal Government to declare a three-day public holiday for collection of PVCs. Tanko reasoned that this would enable registered voters go out to collect their cards.

The first elected governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe called for a shift of the elections.

Speaking at the launching of four books written by the 1st National Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu in Kaduna, Balarabe Musa said next month’s elections should be shifted to allow INEC prepare very well.

enifere and the leader in his speech made it very clear that the president, having convoked his own National Conference in 2014 which has set Nigeria on the path of autonomy through federalism; that, for as long as he stands on the outcome of that report, he has the support of Afenifere. Full endorsement” Odunmakin said.

When asked about the response of President Jonathan to the group’s endorsement, Odumakin said: “He (Jonathan) made it very clear that Afenifere was an important pillar in the

pushing for a National Conference and that initially he was a skeptical about the conference. But he said the group must be thanked because being a southwest mouthpiece they (Afenifere) were very instrumental to the success of the conference. He further explained that he was committed to implementing the report but the reason he is taking his time is that some issues in the report are being politicized but the report will be implemented within 12 months”, he added.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic

Party (SDP) and an Afenifere leader, Chief Olu Falae said: “What is most crucial for the Yoruba race is the restructuring of Nigeria and since the president is already doing the restructuring, convoking the National Conference and starting to implement the programme, Afenifere supports him so that he can complete the implementation. That is the purpose of his visit.”

Falae added: “Restructuring is what will let us out of jail and allow us to develop at our own. The man who will do it is the one we are

supporting, not the man who will kill it”.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to address supporters of the party today (Wednesday) at the Democracy Park in Akure while a public holiday has been declared in the state for civil servants.

Earlier in the day, the Afenifere had called on Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate that would implement the outcome and report of the 2014 National conference.

In a communique read to journalists by Odunma-

Jonathan denies sanctioning Maku’s defection to APGA

L-R: Secretary to Anambra State Government, Chief Oseloka Obaze; speaker, State House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinwe Nwebili; Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano; Nasarawa State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Mr. Labaran Maku and National chairman, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, during Maku’s visit to Anambra… on Tuesday

Kwasu Alhamdu

ÏÏÏ

Kuku explains Yenagoa meeting of ex-militant leaders ÏÏÏThe Special Adviser

to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, said last Friday’s meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was held to douse mounting tension in the region, and not to threaten any political party, presidential candidate or any section of the country.

Kuku explained in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Tuesday that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the meeting was attended by leaders of former agitators in

kin after an emergency meeting held in Akure, the group said that Nigeria might be put in the reverse gear if the report of the National conference was not implemented.

It urged Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate who is committed to faithfully implementing the report of the 2014 National conference.

Pa Fasoranti, Chief Falae, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Supo Sonibare and Chief Iyiola Omisore, were among the dignitaries at the meeting.

the region, as well as youth leaders from other ethnic groups in the Niger Delta and the South East.

“It was not a meeting of only ex-militant leaders like Tompolo, Boyloaf and others. Rather, there were youth leaders from the Ijaw, Urhobo, Igbo and other ethnic groups. It was a peace meeting chaired by the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

“The purpose was to quickly douse the tension arising from the attack on President Jonathan’s campaign convoy in some states in the North. The President is from a region

and his people are worried, given the kind of reports in the media about the attack during his campaign in the North. So, we needed to quickly nip in the bud any reprisal that could occur in the Niger Delta.

“President Jonathan’s people are solidly behind him and it is natural for them to express concern when the hate campaign against him was beginning to manifest in violent attacks,” Kuku said.

The presidential aide dismissed the call for his sack by the Buhari campaign organization over his presence at the meeting, saying

it is laughable.

“I am the President’s Adviser on Niger Delta and such meetings fall under my purview. Even if somebody issued a threat, how is that my position or that of the President?

“I advise the APC and its candidate to focus on election issues and how to get a certificate for General Muhammadu Buhari, and not provoke another round of violence in the country.

“President Jonathan remains focused and will continue to work not only for the peace of the Niger Delta, but also for the unity of the whole country.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims that he approved the defection of former minister of Information under him, Labaran Maku, to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The President said this yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, while continuing his nationwide campaign towards the February 14, 2015 presidential elections.

It would be recalled that the former minister had allegedly informed his supporters that he had the approval of the President to move into another party to actualize his ambition.

Maku is APGA’s gubernatorial candidate for Nasarawa State in the forthcoming elections.

According to President Jonathan: “I was told that former minister of Information said I asked him to join another party. You know I cannot play games with my party. PDP is my party and anybody that wants to help us should come back to PDP and work for PDP, so that the party would have victory in Nasarawa State,” he said.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Itsekiri lists conditions for supporting Jonathan Joe Ogbodu Warri

ÏÏÏBarely a week after

President Goodluck Jonathan visited Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Itsekiri nation on Tuesday declared that Jonathan doesn’t deserve their votes.

Arising from the palace of Olu of Warri, Itsekiri people under the auspices of Itsekiri Legacy Rebirth (ILR), led by Dr Alex Ideh said they would vote Jona-

than out because, according to them he is a ‘promise breaker’.

For instance, the group said that Jonathan disappointed millions of Nigerians not just Itsekiri people or Deltans when he reneged on his promise to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone (EPZ) last November.

According to the group, President Jonathan had failed to keep his promises, saying that besides the

President’s disregard for faith keeping, he personally does not see him as one with capacity to lead Nigeria right.

Ideh said that he considered it a duty to enlighten Itsekiri people to vote against Jonathan while maintaining that his people’s votes would go to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“My position has always been very clear about this; Itsekiri will do APC this time around, very certain

about that, Itsekiri will do APC, so if you see many of our members being APC, it’s just coincidence.

“I don’t see this President as someone who has capacity, I think Buhari will do a better job, I have said so times without number without mincing words and it’s in my place to guide my people and guide them right.

“The several postponement of the EPZ ground breaking ceremony is one of the reasons we say the

Cleric blames northern elite for Boko Haram menace

L-R National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu during their visit to Atiku’s residence in Abuja… on Tuesday

Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The General Overseer of Christian Victory Prayer Ministry, (CVPM) Enugu, Pastor Dan Obinegbo, has alleged that Boko Haram insurgency is the creation of the Northern elite, who hide under political arena to sponsor the perpetrators.

The cleric, who stated this while addressing newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday on some burning national issues in the country, posited that Fr. Mbaka was not fair in his assessment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Fr. Mbaka, had during his New Year eve insisted that Nigeria needed a change in 2015, going by the alarming dwindling economy of Nigeria under Jonathan’s watch.

He noted that things had already gone sour in the country before the president assumed office, stressing that Jonathan’s emergence was divine, and he should be allowed to complete his second tenure.

He blamed the Northern elite for the present insecurity challenges confronting the nation, especially in some parts of North.

President does not keep his words. This is a President who promised in the presence of millions of Nigerians that he’s coming to do the ground breaking.

“He broke his promise, not only to Itsekiri, but to the people of Delta state and to the whole of Nigeria, the whole of Nigeria would have benefitted from that project. Slowing it down was not the best and there was no reason for him to have done that” Ideh maintained.

Group sensitises public on violence-free elections ÏÏÏ

A political group, Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), on Tuesday in Ilorin sensitized the people of the state to participate and ensure a violence free 2015 general election.

The state Coordinator of the group, Moshood Bakare, said at the inauguration of the group that “a peaceful Nigeria is far better than the interest of anyone” hence the need to ensure a violence-free election.

He told the gathering that the group is working for the success of the presidential ambition of Gen. Mohammedu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bakare called on Nigerians to see now as a period of change, asking them to participate in the democratic process that can bring thechange they are yearning for.

Oyo Muslims support Ajimobi’s re-election ÏÏÏ

Taking away people’s mandate is tantamount to coup, says Akpabio Eno-Obong Okon Uyo

ÏÏÏ

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Dr. Godswill Akpabio has said that anyone who plans to take away the people’s power through violence is planning a coup.

Akpabio, who made this known in Uyo on Tuesday at a stakeholders forum, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the power of the people was their votes and anyone who took away that power did not mean well for the country.

According to him, peace-

ful elections in Nigeria required the collective contribution of all Nigerians, adding that citizens must say no to electoral thuggery and ensure that every vote counted.

“We must say no to electoral thuggery, we must say no to electoral violence and we must ensure that our votes count. This can only be achieved through peaceful elections, which is the beauty of democracy.”

Akpabio stated that whoever seized power through violence would have to defend the power by same means, and emphasised that anyone who got power without the consent of

Akpabio the people would not need their consent to govern and so would not care for the people.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Austin Okojie, at the forum

told the stakeholders that INEC in the state had taken delivery of 3,813 card readers to be distributed to all polling units in the state.

He said the number received was not enough and the commission was still expecting more card readers to complement the number of polling units in the state.

According to him, the card readers would help INEC to check electoral fraud and make every vote count, adding that so far, the commission has attained 91.4 per cent success in the distribution of Permanent Voters Card in the state.

The Oyo State Muslim Community has thrown its weight behind the second term ambition of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, whom they described as a promise keeper.

The umbrella body for all Muslim societies in the state, expressed the support during an interactive session with the governor, at the Bodija Central Mosque, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, and the Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria, Prof. Dawud Noibi, spoke on behalf of the Muslim societies at the occasion.

Sanni hinged the group’s support for Ajimobi’s reelection on what he called the unprecedented achievements of the governor since he came on board in 2011, which the body said had transformed the state beyond their expectation.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

9 News

PDP to APC: Stop making empty promises to Nigerians Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democratic Par-

Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, unveiling a plaque at Itamerin Comprehensive High School, Oru-Ijebu in Ogun State, built

by Senator Gbenga Kaka (left) in honour of Osoba.

ty (PDP) on Tuesday, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), of dwelling on propaganda, political mudslinging and empty promises to the public.

The PDP noted that APC is hypocritical in its claim of issue-based campaign.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, pointed out that, while it had been showcasing its numerous achievements, in all the sectors of national life, the APC had, on the other hand, dwelt on propaganda, political mudslinging and empty promises to the people.

According to the party, “It is rather hypocritical for the APC whose campaigns and press statements have centered only on insults, blackmail and attempts to caricature office holders, especially President Godluck Jonathan, to now turn round to accuse others of a despicable conduct for which it has become notorious.

“It is, indeed, public knowledge that the PDP campaigns, press releases and utterances about our officials have always focused on issues that promote the development, unity and prosperity of our dear nation. This cannot be said of the APC which dwells on abuses, promoting of violence and posting of lies, ostensibly due to its lack of manifesto”, the party said.

Niger PDP, APC in Ogun commissioner urges cross defections teachers to call off strike Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏIt was decamp galore in Ni-

ger State as about 2,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Suleja, decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), just as 3,000 PDP members in Lapai, joined the APC on Tuesday.

Leader of the decampees, Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman, who was, for a fairly long time, chairman of Suleja council, said they had to leave the APC because the party had no direction, adding that they were also made to swear by the Quran to abide by rules and directives from the party.

Also speaking at the APC rally on Tuesday, in Lapai, the council party chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tauheed Ebwa, noted that the 3,000 decampees cut across various wards of the local gov-

ernment. They were officially received at the beginning of the rally, which, he said, points to likelihood of the success of the APC at the February polls.

The PDP decampees, in Lapai local government, included the immediate past council vicechairman, Isah Ismaila Zago and its speaker, Ibrahim Angulu Edzu, who, in their remarks, accused the ruling party of not doing enough in providing the gains of democracy to the citizenry.

According to Suleiman, ‘’APC is the only party that will make you swear with the Quran to abide by rules and directives of the party, which we did but when we discovered that it is all deceit, we had to leave it and return to the PDP.” Meanwhile, a member House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Ebbo, who recently dumped the

ATEN clears air over NITEL, M-TEL staff pension Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Association of Former Telecoms Employees of Nigeria (ATEN) has debunked media report alleging that staff of NITEL and M-TEL had been fully settled through a five-year negotiated buy-out plan by the Bureau of Public Entreprise (BPE).

In a press statement signed by its Secretary- General, Comrade Makinde Olusegun Michael, it

said only mad pensionable staff would accept a five-year buy-out plan, when they were entitled to pension for life.

Rather, Michael explained that: “Apart from the authority that was conferred on the BPE to settle NITEL/M-TEL as of 2005, whose residual are still lying with BPE, any settlement of entitlement owed by the Federal Government to NITEL/M-TEL retired, pensionable/disengaged and casual staff ,are to be settle by Liqui-

PDP for APC, noted that the way and manner former Governor Abdullahi Kure led the party was quite different from the last eight years of the present administration, which was characterised by deceit, injustice and oppression.

He said there was, therefore, a need for a change, in order to move the state forward.

Sulieman stated that he was not financially induced to return to the PDP, adding that he returned because of his conviction that PDP has better things in stock for the people of the state.

Speaking after receiving them into the PDP, Governor Babangida Aliyu said most people who returned to the PDP felt that the popularity of the APC was about to wane, because it was a party revolving around one person, which was why they had returned the to the party they were used to.

dator, Otunba Senbore Olutola, whose ownership of NITEL/MTEL have been legally transferred to the government through a competent court of law with reference to CAMA 1990.”

Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

Ogun State Commissioner for Local Govermnment and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, has appealed to striking teachers to call off their industrial action.

Oladipo, who made the appeal, while fielding questions from journalists in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said that the government was taking every necessary steps to meet with the teachers and consider some of their demands in a bid to end the impasse and save the future of education in the state.

He said that the teachers in the state usually took a large chunk of the state’s allocation, so as to meet the pressing demands.

Oladipo, however, pointed out that, for the past fifteen months, the allocations from the Federal

SURE-P: Yero releases 25 buses for students Sunday Isuwa

ÏÏÏKaduna

Senbore

Government had been dwindling and this had affected the state government’s ability to meet some of its statutory obligations.

“In spite of this, the teachers were not being owned any salary, they receive their salaries when due.”

He further said that the challenge was compounded by Federal Government’s ban on states from obtaining loan from banks, without taken express permission from the Minister of Finance.

Oladipo said that, in spite of the financial challenges the state was battling with, it had continued to pay salaries of its workforce regularly, saying that the State Government was not resting on its oars, but pressing its determination to meet its obligations, as it has began effort to further increase its internally-generated revenue (IGR), so as not to depend too much on federal allocation.

State Government, on Tuesday, distributed 25 units of 14-seater buses to convey students from their homes to school at subsidized rate.

The government said the gesture was to cushion the suffering of students’ commuting in the state.

At the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House venue of the distribution,

Yero said the state government spent the sum of N149 million to purchase the buses. He said the money was proceed from buses, tricycles and taxes gathered in the 2012 and 2013 SURE-P. The Governor said the distribution of the buses was one of several efforts been put in place by his administration to improve the standard of education of the state to acceptable and competitive standards.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

NDE empowers 50 youths in Imo Val Okara Owerri

ÏÏÏ

National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has empowered 50 youths with various skills in Imo State, according to the Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, who handed over the “resettlement items” to the youths at Enyiato Development Centre, Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise local government area.

The equipment included generators, hair drying machines, cooking gas stoves, kitchen utensils,

Akoko Development Group gets new executive Tosin Ajuwon Akure

Ï Ï Ï

A k o k o Development Group (ADG) has sworn-in its new executive council members.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the president of the group, Dr. K. B Shaba in Akure, said the council was inaugurated after a keenly contested election held at Ikun Akoko.

Shaba said that

Onitsha gets ultra-modern diagnostic centre Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha

ÏÏÏUltra-modern

diagnostic medical equipment installed by a United States-based medical practitioner and Managing Director, Sun Medical Diagnostic Centre has been commissioned in Onitsha General Hospital.

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, while showering encomiums on the Managing Director

decoration chairs, and satellite dish installation equipment.

Mohammed, represented by the State Director of NDE, Mr. Jaja Isichei, observed that the gesture was necessitated by the annual increase of unemployment.

He said the beneficiaries were trained in various skills ranging from hair dressing, confectionaries, decorations, satellite dish installation and tilling under the Community Based Training and Resettlement Scheme of the Directorate. the new executive members would ensure the completion of all ongoing projects in Akoko land, especially, at the female students’ hostel of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and promised that the group would not relent in developing the potentials of Akoko land.

Publicity Secretary of the group, Barr. Fola Amure appealed to the state government to beef up security in Akoko area where armed robbers killed over 20 people adding that this move would restore peace and security.

of the diagnostic centre, Dr. Paul Lewis Ezeukwu, stated that the aim of involving private investors to partner with the state government in the health sector was to give the citizens who have the capacity to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

Dr. Ezeukwu said he was motivated to invest in the diagnostic centre because of the need to give the best and affordable health care services to the people.

He noted that the death of his father, due to inaccurate diagnosis prompted him to establish the centre to prevent further loss of lives occasioned by inaccurate laboratory tests.

L-R: Director of Socials, Association of Enugu State Development Union (AESDU) Engr. Mbaeze Alex; Secretary, Women’s wing, Mrs. Oby Eze, President, Barr. Martin Nnebedum and President, women’s wing Lagos, Mrs. Gloria Chukwu at the press briefing on the state of Enugu and adoption of Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the PDP governoship candidate for Enugu State in Lagos… on Tuesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI.

Suswam vows to pay owed salaries before tenure expires Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏ

Benue State governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam has assured civil servants, who are being owed four months’ salary that the arrears will be paid before the end of his administration on May 29, 2015.

Speaking at Adikpo, Kwande local government area of Benue State on Tuesday, after commissioning a renovated office of the Local Government Education Authority, the governor insisted that the

inability of his administration to pay salaries was due, largely, to the global economic recession that affected government and business activities. He added that about 24 states were experiencing the same problem.

He disclosed that the monthly federal allocation to the state in January, 2015 was N3.5 billion, while the state government borrowed N200 million from financial institutions to make up the required N3.7 billion for salaries.

While refuting allega-

tions that he diverted the monthly allocation for his political ambition, Suswam condemned the politicisation of the issue saying his administration was religiously committed to the welfare of the state workers.

The governor appealled to the people, especially, Benue North East Senatorial District and Kwande to support his aspiration for the Senate in the forthcoming February polls promising to protect their interests and attract federal projects to the district.

Suswam

‘Don’t deny us voting rights’ Michael Bamigbola Osogbo

ÏÏÏ

People living with disabilities (PLWD) in Osun State have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant organs of government not to disenfranchise them in the forthcoming general election.

Some of them, who spoke at an election awareness programme, organised by Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI) in

collaboration with INEC, urged the electoral body not to deny them the right to vote during the polls.

Speaking at the awareness programme held in Ile-Ife for the people of Ife Central, Ife South, Ife North and Ife South local government areas of the state, chairman of the state chapter of Association of People with Disabilities, Mr. Onitiju urged INEC to give special consideration to the blind and lame persons to exercise their voting rights during the elec-

tions.

He said many members have been denied the right to vote during previous elections through frustration by politicians and victimisation by security agents at the polling centres adding that those with disabilities should be the first to be attended to by electoral officers during elections.

Onitiju also appealed to security agents to treat disabled people with compassion during elections, saying “previous experi-

ence had shown that our security personnel have no respect for us. It is important that we are treated with care, because our people suffer different disabilities.”

In his remarks, Director, HFDI, Mr. Stephen Aremu who sensitised people with disabilities on the need to troop out to vote for candidates of their choice during the forthcoming elections, urged them to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) before the deadline given by INEC.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

11 News

Jang tasks Jonathan on PVCs Chijioke Kingsley

ÏÏÏJos, the Plateau State

Capital was at a stand still Tuesday when the Presidential Campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan found its way to the Jos Township Stadium venue of the Presidential rally.

While addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the stadium, Governor Jonah Jang appealed to the President to see to it that INEC did not disenfranchised the people of Plateau as a result of the poor Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) exercise that was conducted

in the state in December last year.

“Mr President Sir, if you don’t do something about the PVC, Plateau will not be able to deliver the targeted 2million votes we have promised to give you” Jang said.

President Goodluck Jonathan in his speech did not comment on the issue of PVC but assured the people of North Central Nigeria of his resolve to continue with his good work, if elected as the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The President stated his reasons for adopting the Continuity and Consolida-

Jang tion slogan as the theme for his manifesto to the people of Plateau.

“It will be wrong to deviate from the tempo of development already in motion in the area of agriculture, road construction and youth

empowerment through Sure P”.

While thanking the people of Plateau state and party faithful(s) in supporting Goodluck /Sambo candidacy and for finding him worthy to fly the party’s flag in the coming presidential race under the platform of People’s Democratic Party in February election, Jonathan said he is committed to do more.

“The fact that the state has witnessed uncommon transformation and massive infrastructural development under Jang administration, we assure you that PDP will

Benue Pharma Society condemns killing of member

Most Rev. Lucius Ugoji, Catholic Bishop of Umuahia (middle) flanked by Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (left); his wife Mercy, displaying an award of excellence received by the governor during the dedication of St Thomas Aquina Catholic Chaplaincy built and donated to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike,

by Orji in Umuahia, recently

Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏ

The Leadership and membership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Benue State chapter, has expressed complete shock and utter disbelief over the gruesome murder of its member, Pharm Cletus Ternenge Labe in Gboko by yet to be identified assailants in his Medical Store, located around Bristow Round about.

The PSN in a statement signed by its chairman, Pharm Phil Ingah and Secretary, Pharm Num Ayila Joseph respectively and made available to Daily Times said ‘’the act is incomprehensible, reprehensible, repugnant and complete violation of the laws of man and God’’.

The Society noted that ‘’ this act of cutting short the life of Pharm Ternenge Labe in his prime who by virtue of his training had been equipped to render pharmaceutical care in order to save lives and improve the quality of lives and was doing just that is a rude shock and crude assault on our collective sensibilities as human beings’’.

IBB’s children join PDP campaign train in Niger

continue to raise the bar of development in the state” he said.

“Our party has performed well in Plateau state that is why it’s easier for us to convince the people that we will do even much more if giving the second chance.

“It is much easier for us to come out and vote for PDP from top to bottom so that we can return Plateau to the home of peace and tourism that is known for.

We are grateful to the governor, Jang, because of the tremendous goodwill he has brought to the state,” Jonathan said.

Bala Tahir is Adamawa dep gov Tom Garba Yola

ÏÏÏ

The much anticipation of politicians in Adamawa State, since the inception of Bar. Bala James Ngilari as the Governor of the state for the last three, months on who will be his deputy has been laid to rest, as the banquet hall of the Government House was full with supporters of Sa’ad M.C Tahir, to witness

Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏ

Two of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s children, Mohammed and Halima have joined the campaign train

his swearing-in ceremony as the new deputy governor of the state.

Tahir, who is a former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, represented the Yola South, Yola North and Girei LGAs in the green Chambers and was the chairman, Committee on Defence and a member to so many committees.

When administering the oath of office by the Permanent Secretary Ministry

of Justice, Barr. Suleiman Shelleng, Tahir promised to defend the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as mended).

While given his message to the gathering, Barr Bala Ngilari said he knew the coming of Tahir was timely and divinely ordained by God as many had thought it was going to be a woman or a different person all together.

“The experience of my deputy governor has given

him an advantage of his presence office despite much competition from all corner, I know God’s hands are working behind the scene to have chosen him to be the deputy governor” Ngilari said In his acceptance speech, the new deputy governor promised to work closely with his principal to move Adamawa forward as the state is already lacking behind.

of the People’s Democratic Party in Niger State.

Mohammed and Halima were visibly present at the gubernatorial campaign of Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko at Kampala, in Bosso

Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

Mohammed, who has earlier been named as the Director of the Finance Committee of the Governorship campaign was on

the podium with the candidate but did not speak.

The joining of the campaign team of the PDP put paid to speculations that their father is not sympathetic to the PDP.

Anambra PDP NASS candidate frowns at defectors Dilionye Dilibe Onitsha

ÏÏÏ

PDP flag bearer for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in the forthcoming National Assembly Election, Sen. Annie Okonkwo has warned politicians who contested and lost primaries under the PDP to stop parading themselves as the authentic candidates of the party as the PDP has finally chosen him as the party’s candidate after emerging victorious in the keenly contested party primaries last December.

Reacting to a question at a public function in Obosi recently that other PDP aspirants whose names did not not appear on the INEC final list were still campaigning for the election.

Sen. Okonkwo thundered, “There’s no other candidate that will be flying the flag of PDP in the Anambra Central Senatorial Election other than me, Senator Annie Okonkwo.

Any other person going about campaigning is doing that for the party and not for himself as the party and INEC have known whom the real candidate is”.

Irate mob lynches suspected robber in Calabar Emma Obi, Calabar

ÏÏÏ

An irate mob on Tuesday in Calabar, Capital of Cross River State, lynched a suspected robber who was eventually burnt to death.

The incident took place at about 9pm at Ibesikpo area of Calabar.

The suspect, who was dark in complexion and in his early 40s, was merely identified by his first name, Eteka.

Eye witnesses alleged that the suspect has been a notorious thief in the neighborhood, and that he was caught snatching a GSM handset from a woman who live in the area.

In an interaction with Daily Times, one of the eye witnesses who refused to identify herself simply said; “Last week he was caught and beaten for stealing a huge sum of money.”

International 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Obama warns India over religious divisions ÏÏÏUS President Barack Obama

warned India on Tuesday it would not succeed if it splintered along religious lines, sounding a note of caution after two days of mostly upbeat talks with the country’s Hindu nationalist leader.

Obama told an audience of

mostly young Indians that everyone should be able to practise their faith without fear of persecution, recalling that the mainly Hindu country’s constitution enshrined freedom of religion.

“Nowhere is that more important than India, nowhere is it go-

ing to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld,” he said. “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along lines of religious faith.”

India is a secular country, but its history is marked with outbreaks of religious violence, no-

Michelle and Barack Obama were greeted at Riyadh’s airport by King Salman

tably against its sizeable Muslim minority.

The issue of religious freedom has become particularly contentious since the election last year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a fervent Hindu nationalist.

The United States blacklisted Modi following anti-Muslim violence that left at least 1 000 people dead in Gujarat, where he was state chief minister before winning last year’s election.

Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denies any wrongdoing and the Indian courts have cleared him of all charges.

But the failure of his administration to control the violence and his refusal to apologise have left a legacy of distrust and suspicion.

Modi has also been heavily criticised for failing to speak out against a BJP lawmaker who recently called for Hindu women to have at least four children to “protect” their religion and supported a recent spate of ‘re-conversions’ to Hinduism.

11 dead in Greek plane crash ÏÏÏA

French serviceman who was severely injured when a plane crashed at a Spanish military air base on Monday died in hospital in Madrid on Tuesday, bringing the death toll from the accident to 11 people, a ministry of defense spokesman said.

“A French serviceman died this morning at La Paz Hospital,” said a spokesman. The accident occurred at a base used for NATO training when a Greek F-16 fighter plane crashed after taking off in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, about 250 kilometers south-east of Madrid. The plane hit French and Italian planes and service personnel in the parking area.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed condolences to the loved ones of the victims of Monday’s crash. “This is a tragedy that affects the whole NATO family,” Stoltenberg said.

Thousands march for Mexican missing students ÏÏÏThousands

Nine soldiers killed in fresh Ukraine clashes ÏÏÏFighting in east Ukraine over

the last 24 hours has killed at least nine soldiers and wounded 29, the military said on Tuesday, as rebels fought to secure more territory in the war zone.

The focus of the fighting remained the area around the city of Debaltseve, located halfway between the rebel strongholds of Donetsk and Lugansk and where the pro-Russian separatists have launched attacks.

Ukraine’s military said the rebels had fired 120 times at its positions over the past day.

“Nine soldiers were killed and 29 injured in the [war zone] during the last 24 hours,” military spokesperson Vladyslav Seleznyov said.

Clashes have intensified as a September truce has unravelled, with the main rebel leader in the Donetsk region last week announcing he would no longer take part in peace talks and planned to

seize more territory.

International concern has mounted over the conflict and Russia has faced pressure to rein in the separatists it is accused of arming and backing with troops. Moscow firmly denies the accusations.

A rocket attack on a residential area in the strategic port city of Mariupol that killed 30 people at the weekend has drawn particular worry.

Rebels distanced themselves

from the attack in Mariupol, the last major city in the country’s two separatist provinces still controlled by Kiev and located away from the immediate front line.

However, a senior UN official told an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday that the deadly rocket barrage came from rebel-controlled territory and deliberately targeted civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law.

Castro reacts to US-Cuba diplomatic thaw ÏÏÏFormer

Cuban leader Fidel Castro appears to have given tacit approval to the recent decision by Cuba and the US to restore diplomatic relations.

In a letter, he wrote: “I don’t trust the policy of the US, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a peaceful solution to conflicts.”

These were his first comments since December’s historic move by Cuba and the US after decades of

hostilities.

In the letter published by the state-run newspaper Granma, Mr Castro wrote: “We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries.”

The 88-year-old appeared to be backing decisions taking by his younger brother Raul - the current Cuban president who succeeded him in 2008.

The Cuban president, the letter stated, “has taken the pertinent steps in accordance with his prerogatives and the powers given to him by the National Assembly the Communist Party of Cuba”.

It was hardly a ringing endorsement of US-Cuban rapprochement but nor was it a rejection of the decision to re-establish political ties with the great enemy to the north, the BBC’s Will Grant in Havana reports.

Castro

of people have taken part in demonstrations in Mexico City to demand a full investigation into the disappearance of 43 students four months ago.

The trainee teachers went missing after taking part in a protest in the south-western town of Iguala on September 26 .

Prosecutors say they were seized by local police and handed over to a local gang, which killed them.

Those marching included the families of the missing students.

They started their journey from four different suburbs of Mexico City and headed to the city’s main square, the Zocalo.

More than 100,000 people have been killed or have disappeared in Mexico.

But the BBC’s Katy Watson in Mexico City says the case of the 43 students has galvanised Mexicans angry with high levels of corruption and collusion between local authorities, police and criminal gangs.

Relatives of the 43 trainee teachers are sceptical about the official version of their disappearance. March for missing students, Mexico City, 26 Jan 15 The missing students were last seen being bundled into police vans in Iguala

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Special Report Presidential amnesty programme: The silent revolution..... Page 14

13

s Top French firms employ amnesty programme trainees..... Page 20

Ending Boko Haram the Niger Delta way Kingsley Kuku is Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty Programme. In this interview, he spoke about the roles of the Niger Delta leaders in ending militancy in the region saying the same process could be employed in putting an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. Excerpts.

There are accusations levelled against President Goodluck Jonathan that he is clueless in solving the insurgency/ terrorism challenges in Nigeria, how do you react to that?

Well, I want to say that in the first place, we really need to deal with this concept of cluelessness of a sitting president. For me, it is even insulting, self-insulting for any Nigerian particularly those

who would also love to occupy this office to refer to a sitting president as clueless. Clueless could literally mean not knowing what you love to do or what you really need to do but you cannot tell a man elected by a vast majority of Nigerians as clueless.

In anyway, we are now moving towards the 2015 general election and we really need to place side by side, who could be clueless with the concept of governance in 2015.

I want to deal with it in the concept of February 2015. Is it a man who has verifiable certificates? A first degree in Zoology, a masters’ degree and a Ph.D.? He’s not a native doctor, a Ph.D. from the University of Port Harcourt.

You can go to all these schools and find it out. A man who has won elections. A man who has

Kuku been a director in ecology at the OMPADEC of those days. Go for those records, they are so transparent. A man who has been deputy governor, who has been acting governor and who has been governor? A man who has been Vice President, a man who has been acting President and now President. Is that the man you

“Nigeria with about 170-200million people cannot elect anybody whose certificates cannot be verified” call clueless?

Juxtapose him with the candidate of the APC. I can’t find any verifiable record that can match these academic records. Nigeria with about 170-200million people cannot elect anybody whose certificates cannot be verified. General Buhari, for good conscience and with respect and regards

to the generality of Nigerians, would really need to tell Nigerians what certificates he has to run for the office of the President. Military rule is different from civilian rule. The Constitution is the grand norm and we must respect it. There is a minimum qualification for anyone to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Does he qualify? Has INEC verified his certificate? If they have not, the question of disrespect by the military authorities that APC raised sensationally that they cannot find the original copies of his certificate which must be submitted to INEC. So, INEC should tell us which of the original certificates has been submitted. Is it the primary CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Special Report 14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME

The silent revolution In just four years of its implementation, Nigeria’s home-grown Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) component of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, under which 30,000 former agitators in the oil-rich Niger Delta region were enlisted, has attracted global recognition and applause.

This is against the backdrop of similar United Nations-piloted DDR interventions in Africa, some of which were initiated since 1992 but have yet to attain full demobilization despite robust financial and technical assistance from the world body and other international partners.

The programme in Nigeria under the leadership of Hon. Kingsley Kuku is at the critical reintegration phase with 13,145 youths already graduated in various skills acquisition fields while 4,698 are currently undergoing skills acquisition training or formal education within and outside the country in career choices ranging from marine, heavy duty operations, welding, diving, agriculture and boat building. Others include oil and gas technicians, automobile technology and aviation.

Among the 13,145 youths who have graduated from vocational training are 169 in Agriculture; Automobile Mechanics (331), Welding & Fabrication (4,095), Entrepreneurship (2,028), Carpentry, Plumbing & Pipefitting {287), Electrical Installation/ Maintenance (442), Information & Communication Technology (249), Crane/Heavy Duty Operations (1,269), Health Safety & Environment (80), Music/Fashion/ Entertainment/Catering (838), Oil &Gas/Maritime (1,768), Aviation (177) and others (310).

A total of 2,535 of the 4,698 currently in training are in formal education, with 1,440 delegates offshore and 1,095 onshore, studying courses such as Law, Political Science, Business Management, Mass Communication, International Relations, Public Administration, Accountancy, Information & Communications Technology, Medicine, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Radio Electronics, Building & Construction Technology, among others.

In the same vein, 477 youths out of 2087 delegates deployed

Hon. Kingsley Kuku flanked by the Chairman/CEO of Schneider Electric, Mr. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, MD Schneider Nigeria, Mr. Marcel Hochet, Dr. Albert Okorogu of the Federal Ministry of Power and some of the delegates at Schneider’s Isaac Boro Technical College in Grenoble, France.

Cross section of 160 delegates under the Special Scholarship Scheme during their presentation to the media in Lagos before they departed to the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

for vocational training are offshore, of which 110 are engaged in specialized training. These include 22 at the prestigious Lufthansa Flight Training Institute in Frankfurt, Germany, undergoing Instrument Rating, Type Rating and Fixed Wings courses; 9 at the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Kinglington, United Kingdom, also participating in aviation Type Rating courses; 30 being trained in Power Generation & Management Process/ Machine Management at Schneider Electric in France; 40 studying Geo-Sciences, Reservoir

Engineering, Gas Exploration, Production, Refining, Engines and Hydrocarbon Utilizations, at the Institute of French Petroleum (IFP], also in France, and 9 undergoing helicopter training at the Airstar Flight School, Italy. Remarkably, 29 of the 139 delegates deployed for specialized training have graduated in Drilling Engineering at Schlumberger Technologies in Melun, France.

The delegates in training are spread across 153 universities, 22 skill acquisition training institutions in 28 countries, while

Commercial Pilots produced under the programme.

onshore they are in six universities, including the Benson Idahosa University, Igbinedion University, Novena University, Lead City University, Niger Delta University, and Redeemers University. Delegates in vocational training within the country are spread across 19 training institutions in eight states.

Indeed, the success story of the amnesty programme is bolstered by spectacular feats in the education and aviation sectors, with 138 delegates graduating with Masters, Post-Graduate and First Degrees. A breakdown

of the figure shows that 43 graduated with M.Sc, MBA, M.Sc Engineering and LLM at Coventry University, and 3 at Portsmouth University in the United Kingdom.

Others are Cranfield University (1); BPP University (7); Salford University (3); Bradford University (1); University of Liverpool (2); University of Manchester (1); University of Reading (1); University of Newcastle (1); University of Swansea (13); Anglia Ruskin University (4); Murdoch University (6), and CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

15 Special Report

Northern leaders can stop Boko Haram if…

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

school leaving certificate, is it secondary school leaving certificate, basic certificate, what kind of certificate has been submitted? What grades were scored?

These things are vital to us. The military turned round to now say oh! ‘We’ve found them’, but we need to know what did they find. Maybe photocopies. Who put them there? Maybe they put them there the day before yesterday which nobody can really tell. Nigerians needs a properly educated and certified Nigerian to run the affairs of this country.

You need to understand our economy, he needs to understand the economy vis-a-vis the economy of the sub region West Africa, Africa and also see what Nigeria’s economy would be today, tomorrow in tandem with world economy. So if you are not properly educated, it is people like that who end up being advised wrongly and you come up as if they know with very wrong economic policies.

The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a Ph.D. holder, quite humble, quite unassuming but he is well certified and he can never be clueless. He is only doing it differently from what Nigerians are used to and Nigerians would definitely understand it one day that they had a president so humble, unassuming, enlightened, who did not want to shed blood, who didn’t want to kill while others would have loved to kill. He is not a clueless president.

In any case, it is a dangerous president that the APC would love Nigeria to have. It is very, very dangerous. Even when he was young in his late thirties to early forties that he ran the affairs of this country, he was the most clueless person and not now that he is in his 70s that they now want to re-present that person to run the affairs of this country.

If anybody is clueless, it is the candidate of the APC that Nigerians would see no longer today and tomorrow and even during the course of this campaign how clueless he is. Nigerians would see how clueless he is during the presidential debate. That is my concept of the word clueless.

It seems to the opposition that the president is unable to properly address the insurgency chal-

lenge. The question now is how come the president who was able to handle the crisis in the Niger Delta seems unable to tackle the same challenge in the North.

Well, the answer is simple.

The Nigerian military did not solve the insurgency of the Niger Delta. The Nigerian Military could not militarily address the Niger Delta insurgency. The Niger Delta insurgency was not solved militarily. For a long time because of the fear of coup d’états by successive military administrations, former leaders consciously destroyed and weakened the Nigerian military.

Particular leaders destroyed the Air force, others destroyed the Army. They specified the areas to destroy that they thought would keep them safe in power and in office and nobody from General Buhari’s time till now, nobody except when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan came did anything for the military.

It was not until the time of late President Umaru Yar’adua when the military started getting the right support in terms of equipping. It is the administration of President Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan at this time of insurgency that the military is receiving the best funding and that the military is getting the free hand to source for the right equipments that the Nigerian military in modern times would need.

Why was it difficult to stop the Niger Delta crisis by the military? It wasn’t because our army, even the amphibious one was not there; it wasn’t because the navy was not capable because people kept on complaining about the terrain. The amphibiously trained military men are supposed to deal with any form of crisis in that terrain but that was not the point. They truly also did not have the right kind of equipment at that particular time. They never had. So the military didn’t solve the Niger Delta crisis. So also, it would be difficult for the military as it were before Jonathan took over except for this new ways and means that the federal government is consciously implementing a policy of equipping the military no matter the cost, except for that, with the security situation that we are faced with today. If the

Niger Delta crisis had continued beyond the time it ended in 2009, the government of Yar’adua and Jonathan would have had cause to completely and sincerely equip the military to deal with that crisis.

But you see, we the Niger Delta people came out; Pa Edwin Clark, a former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former federal minister, a lawyer, a strong advocate of minority rights; he does not like any form of oppression even if it is taking place within his family. That great man, that father of mine has spent nothing less than 60 of his years on earth to struggle for people. That man led the Ijaw people, he led the Niger Delta people to camp five and other militant camps at the time to talk to the Niger Delta militants that it was time to stop. He told them that what they were doing was destroying the Niger Delta and not Abuja or Lagos. The struggle was automatically destroying the Niger Delta environment and so our people, community, religious and political leaders rose and in unison they got some of us; you would recall that I was at the house of assembly at that time and immediately I left the house, I was asked to come and create a framework to resolve this crisis.

“The Niger Delta insurgency was not solved militarily.

For a long time because of the fear of coup d’états by successive military administrations, former leaders consciously destroyed and weakened the Nigerian military”

President Yar’adua then, through the able leadership of Goodluck Jonathan who was then his vice inaugurated a presidential committee where I was secretary to move round all the militant camps, bring data and talk to them and see how this problem can be solved. We submitted our interim report and the process started. That was how a

Kuku

committee of the federal government and nominated persons by the Niger Deltans ex-militants started the talks which led to the Ledum Mitee talk which now led to the amnesty proclamation. As we are talking, it was the Niger Delta people that solved the Niger Delta crisis and not the miliCONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Special Report 16 CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Linton University College (53).

Apart from the last two universities which are located in Dubai and Malaysia respectively, the other 12 institutions are based in the United Kingdom.

Six of the 53 students who graduated from Linton University, Malaysia, were awarded First Class Degrees in their respective courses, just as 24 of the 40 students deployed to the Alabama State University, USA, made the Honours’ Roll by scoring a CGPA of 3.5 and above in their first semester examinations, a feat that was also achieved by 10 of the 21 students deployed to the Alabama A&M University in USA too.

Other milestones in the education sector included the placement of 180 students with the Kaplan International College, Lagos, and 50 students with Westfield College, also in Lagos for foundation pathway programmes, and the deployment of two students to the University of Victoria and Ottawa University of Canada, both in Canada.

Interestingly, 160 of the 180 students placed on foundation training with Kaplan International Colleges graduated on May 19, 2014, and have commenced undergraduate studies in various courses in the United Kingdom and USA. The foundation training, tagged United States Pathway Programme

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Jonathan stopped militancy, he’ll end insurgency (USPP), was localized for the Niger Delta youths by the Kaplan International Colleges, United States, to enable them undergo the foundation programme in Nigeria preparatory to departure overseas for their degree programmes. 138 of the students have commenced their education in science, management and the arts in 10 universities in the United States while the remaining 22 will start their programme next month at the Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.

“Some 180 students started the (foundation) programme; 160 are progressing to the university, which is 89 per cent progression rate. We are so fascinated that we got 100 per cent visa acceptance. We started late and had to play catch-up. We had classes through March and

“From the creeks of Nigeria’s oil-rich but impoverished Niger Delta region, the sky is now domain for 127 youths currently undergoing training in the aviation sector”

April, sometimes up to 10pm.

The students had all these challenges, yet came out successful,” Mr. Guy Doughty, Principal of the Kaplan International College, Lagos, said during their graduation ceremony at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Cognizant of the pedigree of institutions the students were offered admission and the antecedents of previous beneficiaries of the special scholarship scheme, Nigeria’s Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, who chaired the occasion, was visibly elated, as he appealed to authorities of the United Kingdom and the USA to allow the students return home at the end of their studies to enable them contribute positively to national development.

“We know that in America, wherever you see young people

that are good, you call unto them. Please do not call unto these ones; they are all we have.

When they finish, let them come back. Train them well and we will continue to fund this programme,” he assured.

Perhaps, the success story of the amnesty programme echoes louder in the aviation sector.

From the creeks of Nigeria’s oil-rich but impoverished Niger Delta region, the sky is now domain for 127 youths currently undergoing training in the aviation sector. They comprise pilots for airplane, helicopter, and delegates for aviation maintenance engineering in five reputable training institutions, namely: Jetstream Aviation Academy, Athens, Greece; Royal Jordanian Air Academy in Jordan; CAE Aviation Academy, Oxford, Eng-

Nigerian Railways have been revived as the nation’s purse became bigger after Niger Delta militancy was brought to an end by the Jonathan administration.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

17 Special Report

Good roads, improved transportation, following improvement in national coffers, thanks to the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis by Jonathan administration.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

APC states are benefitting from huge oil sales, thanks to Jonathan

tary.

Without the Niger Delta political, community and religious leaders co-operating, walking hand-in-hand to solve this crisis with the military, the military could not have solved the crisis in the Niger Delta by themselves.

In the same vein, no matter how we equip the military which is good because of external aggression and the need to protect this country from external attack like Boko Haram insurgents, we must resist and also because of international engagement which Nigeria is used to like peace operations which Nigeria is known for in the world. That is one thing you can always give credit to General Obasanjo as Head of State, General Abacha and even Babangida for their interventions in countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and other countries. These things are on record.

Under President Jonathan, you can remember what we did in Mali. Mali would have had a rogue state by now and anyway that is one of the reasons why militants there are aligning with forces in North East Nigeria to

attack Nigeria because we did not allow them. We joined hands with France to stop the establishment of a rogue state in Mali. So, only the people can solve crisis in their environment.

The political leaders of the northern Nigeria and not North East alone. The entire northern Nigeria must come together.

Political leaders, military both serving and retired leaders of the north.

Would that not be achieved if we have a northern president?

No. it doesn’t solve it. That cannot be achieved because we have a northern president. In any case, who now told you that if a northern president comes, the Niger Delta crisis would not start again? It doesn’t help this country. Who says that the election of a northern president is what would bring peace to Boko Haram? Was he the one behind Boko Haram? If he is the one behind Boko Haram then they should openly say it. He cannot campaign or say that unless I am elected President of Nigeria, that Boko Haram or bloodletting or insurgency cannot stop. If that

is the case, what with automatically happen is that if we get a president from the north in February, there will be insurgency in the southern part. How will Nigeria progress? That would obviously not be good for the entire country and that is why we hear from people that if Buhari is not elected, there would not be peace in Nigeria. Who says if Jonathan is not elected that there would be peace because that is what you would be pushing the people to Niger Delta to say.

I was watching the APC rally just this afternoon and I saw a lot of Niger Delta people there? …Cuts in. Nooooo, the people you see in the APC rally from the Niger Delta are hired crowd.

They are a totally hired crowd.

Yesterday (Thursday), we were here and you saw the crowd of people that came out here. These are real human beings with a desire. People who stayed from morning till afternoon and not what you see there. Let me also tell you, what you find in most places where APC holds their CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Special Report 18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

‘Jonathan enriched Nigeria’s purse’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

land; Lufthansa Flight Training Institute, Frankfurt, Germany, and the Fujairah Aviation Academy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In fact, 30 of the 127 delegates who had already possessed the Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) are presently undergoing Jet/ Type Rating courses at the Lufthansa Pilot Training Institute and CAE Aviation Academy, with a view to enhancing their career opportunities.

“We are in a hurry to dominate Nigeria’s airspace, and this can be achieved after our graduation from Jet/Type Rating courses.

Presently, about 65 per cent of pilots flying in Nigeria are foreigners. So, we will be able to secure jobs in Nigeria since a lot of airlines are springing up. We are overwhelmed with joy because the Amnesty Programme is a huge success; it has produced its first female pilot, it has worked marvelously. We are now role models to others,” said Bassey Henshaw.

Focused and determined to keep the flag flying, Hon. Kuku, the man driving the wheel of progress at the Amnesty Office, crowns it all: “We have done our bit. The mandate of my office is to give you first-class training and to ensure you secure globally acceptable pilot certifications. We have achieved this mandate with the full support of our dear President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. However, I wish to as-

sure you that after your jet/typerating programme, you will not have problems securing gainful employment in Nigeria, given the sweeping reforms currently going on in the nation’s aviation sector.”

On April 13, 2013, in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Afrika Union Aviation Academy, Capt.

Allan Roebuck, poured encomiums on 16 delegates who graduated from the institution. He said they all completed 37 flying procedures to merit the award of Commercial Pilot License.

“As you are decorated as commercial pilots, your career has just started; it is a long road to success… With the certificate, they can work anywhere in the world as commercial pilots because the aviation industry is a global brand,” said Roebuck.

In terms of post-training engagement, the Amnesty Office has developed various initiatives with the creation of a full-fledged Post Training Department headed by a former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Freeman Mologe.

Among others, 151 delegates who trained in Electrical, Mechatronics, Specialized Welding, Marine, Underwater Welding, Oil & Gas Drilling, and Pipeline Welding, have gained employment in about seven companies, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria; Samsung Electronics, Century Group, Samsung

Jonathan

“...The success of the amnesty programme would not be fully appreciated without a peep into the economic impact of the Niger Delta crisis preand post-2009”

Heavy Industries, Bradama International Skill Works, and Todco Res. Also, 50 Welding & Fabrication delegates were offered employment by the Proclad Group, Dubai, UAE, on completion of their training programme with the institution, just as 49 delegates trained in Marine Mechanics at Scuola Edile Genovese, Italy, have been engaged, while 14 delegates trained in Mechatronics and Welding were employed

by Samsung Electronics.

Besides, a total of 3,250 delegates are currently undergoing Business Set-Up under the entrepreneurship scheme. Several other youths trained under the amnesty programme have been recruited and commissioned into the Nigerian armed forces and paramilitary services.

Instructively, beyond the gains recorded in the area of human capital development, the success of the amnesty programme would not be fully appreciated without a peep into the economic impact of the Niger Delta crisis pre- and post-2009, when the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua proclaimed amnesty for the armed agitators. At the peak of the crisis, production and construction firms which were working in the area, including Wilbros, Michelin, Julius Berger as well as small and medium scale enterprises laid off their workers in the Niger Delta and pulled out of the region, a situation that led to the stalling of the East-West Road

project for over two years. These had disastrous consequences on the nation and its citizens as several other multinational companies relocated not only from the area but also from Nigeria.

The country lost billions of naira that would have accrued from oil revenue to the Federation Account, even as Oil and Gas companies which remained in the region with a resolve to weather the storm were compelled to cough out a whopping $3billion annually to secure their facilities and installations, as critical infrastructure, especially pipelines, became targets for serial attacks. Again, this propelled the slamming of an outrageous $90million per annum premium Marine War Risk Insurance for cargo into Nigeria.

Thus, the circumstances leading to the proclamation and implementation of the amnesty programme is a story of corporate, communal and individual losses, pain, agony and eventual reprieve. It is a tale of lost billions of US Dollars in oil revenue, spilled blood, kidnappings, lost opportunities, and the battle to restore hope, peace and security in the Niger Delta through efficient and effective management of the programme.

Four years on, the amnesty programme has no doubt enthroned a new dawn in Nigeria’s socio-political and economic realm. It is a success story that will remain evergreen in national and global history.

Nigeria needs educated, certified leader CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

rallies are the same faces. Some are even PDP apologists. They appear there, they pay money for people to come to their rallies.

We don’t pay money for people to come to our rallies. They give some N10,000 and others N20,000 to come to their rallies. They take it and come back to tell their people at home that ‘this APC rally, I went oo and this was what I got.’

We don’t do that because our people are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country.

Leave what you see on the television. Musicians are there and so people are bound to dance. Comedians are there and so people are bound to laugh. There is nothing wrong with that. Rivers State

is PDP. Nobody, I bet you that APC cannot get twenty per cent of the Rivers state vote. Wike is a strong enough candidate. Wike knows the nooks and cranny of the entirety of Rivers State and Governor Amaechi knows that too.

They were together, they have been friends, they are brothers and they have worked together in the past. It is in Wike that you can see a governorship candidate who knows every local government areas in Rivers State; he knows every ward and if you are not careful, Wike knows every unit in Rivers State and he knows the name of one person he can hold responsible for victory or loss. That is how elections are run. People don’t just come to say that this candidate is not good

enough or that this candidate is upland while this one is riverland. We have moved beyond those sentiments. If you want to win elections and you don’t do your homework early enough, you are likely not to get to where you are going. Wike started very early and he is getting it right and we are solidly behind him.

The president is going to win overwhelmingly across the country and so would Wike do in Rivers State. APC is like leprosy in Rivers State. Forget the media hype. APC has nothing to do in Rivers State. Whatever Governor Amaechi was able to do there, he did as a PDP governor. For personal anger and dissatisfaction, he is just doing APC. If you look at Governor Amae-

chi, you will realize that his body language is PDP. He is only mouthing APC. His body and soul is still PDP. He does not fit in to APC. Ego or anger whether justifiable or not will not allow him as it is today to stay in PDP and that is a gimmick but what is key is that Wike is going to win the governorship of Rivers state on February 28 and President Jonathan will win the presidential elections overwhelmingly on February 14. He will win by over eighty per cent and defeat General Buhari and other candidates.

Would it then be said that Jonathan will retire Buhari from politics?

Well, I believe verily that this is going to be the last time that

General Buhari is going to contest the elections as president or as a presidential aspirant. This is certainly going to be his last time. He has a family and I believe that they won’t allow him to do this again because beyond this he is going to be 76 or 78 years old.

The concept of Abraham Lincoln that people read, Abraham Lincoln was not doing this at 74 so he can’t work and so I believe that this is going to be his last contest and God willing, he is going to be alive and be healthy and sane to see President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan complete his tenure.

In 2011 after President Jonathan was declared president, CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

19 Special Report

Kuku: Jonathan is pan-Nigeria, committed to all sectors “APC knows that they are going to lose and so they are threatening violence. Let them not waste Nigerians sweat, let us all come together and endorse GEJ come February 14, 2015”

Kuku CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

there was real bloodletting. Can Nigerians be told that they would be safe this time around?

Well, I want to agree with you not just that it happened but even before the elections, they boasted all over and even General Buhari was even quoted to have said that if Jonathan wins in that elections, they automatically believed that they were rigged out and cited malpractices.

Lai Mohammed was quoted and even some others too were quoted with statements that undermined the sovereignty and corporate entity of this country. And true to kind, Jonathan won overwhelmingly. Every reasonable person the way the votes came saw to it that Jonathan was the preferred candidate in 2011 and then there was real rampage, killings of all manner of people. Youth corps members serving in the northern part of the country were murdered, killed, maimed and several lives were lost. From that moment till now, Nigerians should ask General Buhari or go into the archives to find out which day did he condemn for once, those killings. General Buhari did not condemn for one single day the killings that took place as a result of 2011 presidential victory that took place for Presi-

dent Jonathan.

It is therefore insulting to the psyche of Nigerians, it is under-mining to the psyche of Nigerians and that by 2015 again; they have predicted that ‘in 2015, if so, so, so and so happens, if they don’t win, the baboon and the dogs will be soaked in blood’.

Well, it could be a proverb in their area but in our area, it shows great bloodbath and for us southerners with the kind of enlightenment that we have and even northerners so enlightened who do not believe in those orchestrated system of violence in the North East, the North West and the North Central because there are a lot of northerners whether Christians or Muslims that do not believe in things like that and who also believe in the concept of one Nigeria, so therefore with the way they are going, it shows that they are also getting self-defeated.

Every time you see them campaign like what Governor Fashola was doing in Benin and talking about this is what they are planning to do to rig in this manner. If you see their vice presidential candidate talking in Akure, you would hear him say that we would resist rigging, Governor Amaechi is talking about forming a parallel government. If they know that they cannot run this election fairly and squarely against President Jonathan, let them save Nigerians the stress. Let Jonathan be declared unopposed in 2015. By 2019, they can prepare to run against the PDP. Nigerians are tired of this threats and Nigerians are truly getting really worried and scared if this is what they would do in the northern part of the country? Is it the youth corps members they are targeting? Are they targeting Christians again?

Are they targeting Muslims who will vote for Jonathan again? This was what they did in 2011; is that what they intend to do again in 2015? If this what they intend to do, then automatically they do not mean well for Nigeria.

Anyway, we are not scared of them nor their threats. We will continue to

“Anyway, we are not scared of them nor their threats. We will continue to campaign for Jonathan and we will vote for Jonathan because Jonathan represents Pan Nigerianism” campaign for Jonathan and we will vote for Jonathan because Jonathan represents Pan Nigerianism. He is not one of them and he does not believe in shedding the blood of anybody for that matter. He does not believe that winner takes blood.

Jonathan does not want blood shed for his victory. Jonathan would love fairly and squarely to run an electoral process, if he wins he will take it, if he loses he will take it but Nigerians are talking, Nigerians are understanding that there are two principal teams and persons in this contest. Team A is fair and humble and dealing with issues and Team B is already preaching violence and appears already defeated and preparing for violence. I just pity them and pray daily that these elements whose children are mostly not in this country will not plunge this country into an avoidable bloodbath where violence and bloodbath will envelope a greater part of this country because of their utterances, their body language and the way they are going about their campaigns. Their campaigns are implicative and is showing that even when they know that they have lost fairly, they will not accept it and will prefer a bloodbath ahead of peace and that is not the government Nigerians want. In any case, nobody has the monopoly of violence and if they do that, Nigerians from the North, South, East and West will resist them.

They are the ones talking about violence, they are the ones talking about bloodbath, they are the ones talking about rigging and upon all the noise and holier than thou attitude, they are still the ones that have been found wanting and caught with the habit of cloning voters cards.

If you listen to General Obasanjo and let me say this clearly, General Obasanjo is one man, one Nigerian who truly is a Pan Nigerian. He believes strongly in this country and does not want anything to happen to this country called Nigeria.

When I listen him, well I don’t want to take the things which he said the things he said

Tompolo

which I don’t like. He’s an elder statesman and I would want him to be a statesman to the extent that he will be at home or in his library advising Presidents both current and those that are coming and they would all come to him and honour him. Even when he has programmes, Nigerians will honour him and where a government is not doing well, he has a way and manner of reaching out to them and advising them and telling them how to make things right.

That is what a statesman does.

He did say that he has almost lost his life for this country and that he would not mind losing it again. That is the statement of a statesman and a Pan Nigerian. I join him in saying that I am a Pan Nigerian and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has shown for the period he has run the affairs of this country that he is a Pan Nigerian. There is nobody that is more Nigerian than President Jonathan and President Obasanjo too is one you must give it to. He is one who believes in this country and he has said it that 2015 will come and go and Nigeria will not disintegrate. Nothing will happen to this country.

APC knows that they are going to lose and so they are threatening violence. Let them not waste Nigerians sweat, let us all come together and endorse President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan come February 14, 2015.

Special Report 20

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Top French firms employ amnesty programme trainees Globally renowned energy solutions provider, the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP), has offered immediate employment to 14 of the 40 Niger Delta youths who just completed their training at the IFP Training School in Paris, France.

Of the 14, IFP offered direct automatic employment to the best graduating Nigerian student, who will take up full time employment at IFP’s headquarters in France.

The French firm also confirmed that it will facilitate the placement in full employment the other 13 youths that also excelled in character and in learning in two of its partner firms in Nigeria, namely Total Nigeria and Halliburton.

Of the 40 trainees deployed

to the French school by the Amnesty Office, 20 delegates had advanced training in Geosciences, Reservoir Engineering while the other 20 delegates were trained in Oil & Gas Production Engineering.

At the formal graduation event of the 40 delegates in France, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, lauded IFP for its quality training.

He said the Amnesty Office has since keyed into President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision of providing three million new jobs for qualified Nigerians in the next 12 months.

“In line with Mr. President’s vision and directive, my office will no longer give training

jobs to any firm that would not guarantee the gainful employment of a minimum of 50 per cent of the persons they trained. We have long gone beyond training our youths for unemployment,” Kuku said.

“It is on this note that I want to thank IFP for finding 14 of the Nigerian youths that we gave them to train worthy in character and in learning for immediate employment. We are grateful and I shall speedily communicate this good news to my boss, Mr. President”, an elated Kuku enthused.

The Special Adviser however urged IFP to also help facilitate job placement for the other delegates who graduated alongside the 14 that were offered jobs.

In his remark, the Director-

General of the IFP Training Centre, Mr. Jean-Luc Karnik, praised the Niger Delta youths for being exceptional students.

“All the reports available to me indicate very glaringly that these students, all 40 of them, were exceptional during their training at the IFP training centre and because they excelled all round, we did not have problems securing jobs for 14 of them immediately. Other than the ones that we have found jobs for, IFP feels very proud to recommend these graduates to potential employers. They got the very best of training here,” the IFP Director General said.

A few months ago, another French firm, Schneider Electric Industries of France, also facilitated the employment of the 29 Niger Delta youths that

completed their training in power generation in one of the firm’s training facilities that was recently named after the late Nigerian nationalist, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, in Grenoble, France.

Of the 29 youths, 15 were offered direct employment by Schneider Electric to work in their facilities in Nigeria while six of them were placed in gainful employment in firms currently partnering with Schneider to execute projects in Nigeria.

The remaining eight, who voluntarily chose to become entrepreneurs, are being assisted

by Schneider through the firm’s internal micro-credit scheme to become contractors and services providers in the critical power sub-sector.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Politics Kyari Gujbawu

21

s GUJBAWU

Elections may not hold in Borno

Hon. Kyari Gujbawu represents Maiduguri Municipal of Borno State in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he speaks on the insurgency in the state, the February elections and other sundry issues.

HENRY OMUNU was there.

How would you react to the INEC position that election may not hold in Bornu State considering the fact that many areas have fallen under the control of insurgents and

elections are barely a month away?

It is now obvious to everybody and its an open secret that sadly, more than 70 per cent of Bornu State is no longer accessible to any government agency be it security agencies, INEC, federal or state government agencies. And if Jega said that election cannot hold in the state which is a position I have been concurring with as a matter of fact. You see, insurgency or terrorism that we are now faced with is a new form

and shape of warfare. It’s not a conventional warfare for which our military had been trained to address as it obtains anywhere in the world. So it is so difficult for you to predict and think of how to arrest it as is the case with conventional warfare. Obviously, there are a lot of fears that you see people express, especially those of us who are from there. I heard the chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters speak on the floor CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

CHIEF RICHARD AKINJIDE

Jonathan will beat Buhari hands down

An elder statesman, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide was a former Minister of Education in the First Republic and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in the Second Republic when he propounded the 122/3 theory that brought in former president Shehu Shagari for his second term.

He spoke with Political Editor, AKINJIDE AKINTOLA in his office in Lagos. Excerpts.

There are fears that the general election next month may witness some violence; as an elder statesman, how can this be averted?

I don’t agree with you that there are fears of violence all over the country. It is not true.

There are no fears and there

Fintiri

won’t be any violence. The fact that one or two persons say something does not represent the view of all Nigerians. I don’t like that analysis. Election will come peacefully, its going to be orderly and people will win and people will lose. And everything will come out well and normal.

But the north is claiming that it is their turn this year to produce the presidency and if Buhari does not win there will be crisis, likewise the south-south people are that Jonathan must get the second term otherwise blood will flow?

I don’t accept that there is anything called the north again. We had the north, the west, and the east and since then, we created

Adamawa: No regret for my 90 days in office – Fintiri

many states and then 19 states, now 36 states. I don’t accept that there is going to be violence, everything will be peaceful and people will win, and people will lose, and we will continue our democratic process as law abiding citizens.

Are you saying the north has no power again?

I say there is no north. They’ve created 36 states. You can no longer talk of north or south or east or west in that context, certainly not. Now, there are states in the north or south or east or west where a party will win and a party will lose. So forget all these old colonial mentality of north, south, east or west; that era is gone forever and will never come CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Tom Garba,Yola The former acting Governor of Adamawa State and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri has recalled the good days he spent in office as a transitional Governor of an election that ought to have taken

Akinjide

place on the 25th September, 2014 but was cancelled by an Abuja court which brought Bala Nggilari as substantive Governor of the state.

Fintiri said his 90 days in the Dougeri Government House was full of good memories and could never be forgotten describing those days as fulfilled days

of great achievement adding that records have shown that the days though few touched people’s lives in most significant ways.

He was speaking shortly after he visited the state PDP secretariat with some of his colleagues in the house of AsCONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Politics 22

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Insurgency: Invoke Section 135 to address Borno electoral dilemma CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

of the House and he said there would be a stakeholders’ meeting between the committee, INEC and officials of the three affected states. I guess at that meeting, we will suggest ways that will help us look for a practical solution.

It is impossible to conduct free and fair elections using the extant electoral law that will return people as elected representatives or office holders.

From all indications, if elections do not hold in Borno State for example, what does that translate to?

The constitution is very clear about the tenure of office of the governor and House of Reps members which is for four years.

The House of Reps that I am part of is winding up on June 6, 2015.

Although, I am not contesting for any office this time around for personal reasons but if nobody is returned to represent the people of my constituency or any other constituency for that matter because elections could not hold, that means there won’t be 10 House of Reps members and three senators as required by the constitution; then there won’t be representation from my state. In fact, the National Assembly to a very large extent depends on the inputs from the representatives of constituencies to guide and shape debates as well as reaching informed resolutions, including advising government on appropriate actions to be taken.

So if elections are not held and representatives from that part of the country don’t come to the National Assembly, this will not only amount to unequal representation but a total alienation of the people of Bornu State from participation in the gov-

Mark

that elections should go on elsewhere all over the country, but for us in Borno state, we are currently in a quagmire.

ernance of the nation. It is tantamount to yielding the entire state to terrorists where we will have no voice at all at the federal level. However, there is a section of the constitution which can provide some relief or window to this constitutional quagmire the nation is now faced with.

I am talking about section 135 which empowers the president to delay election for a period of six months subject to the resolution of the National Assembly, where the country or parts of it thereof is physically involved in war such that elections are impossible to be conducted. If the president can invoke that section of the constitution to allow for the comprehensive resolution of the conflict, it would be good for everybody. Such a situation would allow all sections of the country have a voice at the federal level.

Now the Electoral Act is being amended by the House to try to ensure that Internally Displaced People are captured in the elections. What would you say to that?

Well, we are trying everything possible to make sure that IDPs within Borno and other states are captured during the elections. So INEC must find the means to create polling units for them to cast their votes.

But, the internally displaced people in the IDP centres in Maiduguri are about 10 per cent or less of the voting population in the affected areas. Now, most of the inhabitants of these places and local governments under siege by terrorists are still trapped in the territories captured by the Boko Haram. So except and unless, INEC conducts an election in the captured territories, it will be difficult to return an elected senator, governor or members of the House, even if the amend-

“I am talking about section 135 which empowers the president to delay election for a period of six months subject to the resolution of the National Assembly”

Gujbawu

“Well, we are trying everything possible to make sure that IDPs within Borno and other states are captured during the elections. So INEC must find the means to create polling units for them to cast their votes”

ment passes. So we are desirous of having the meeting with INEC and stakeholders and hope the government finds a way of navigating through this constitutional crisis in less than 30 days.

As a lawmaker in the 7th House, how have you acted to ensure that this electoral dilemma is tackled?

Well, as a National Assembly member and as a House, collectively we have tried to give INEC the necessary tools with which to carry out its mandate. They have asked for amendment which we are doing it. Jega, I understand is also handicapped. Because, whatever advice I have to give him, I have to be fair to him. He is also conscious about what he needs to do and what he will be able to do.

It is a sad situation. I will agree

“Well, as a National Assembly member and as a House, collectively we have tried to give INEC the necessary tools with which to carry out its mandate.”

Mr. President has said that elections will hold in all parts of the country and that all eligible voters will cast their ballot. Do you think he’s being sincere considering the sentiments you just expressed?

Well, I really share in Mr. President’s sense of optimism, leadership and patriotism that elections should hold in all parts of the country. That is why the 7th National Assembly has been cooperating with Mr. President in the last three and half to four years now. And that was why we quickly set aside some of our rules to make sure that even displaced people who would have otherwise not voted in the election under the extant Electoral Act are captured during the process with the new amendment. However, that is a mere wish. If wishes are horses, the President would have his way in the situation. But, the reality on ground does not seem to favour what we desire to have in the next 30 days or so. The National Assembly will wish that all the places in the country participate in the elections. So let’s wait and see what happens within the next 30 days. If the security situation is brought to normalcy and the people are allowed to go back home, and INEC, and the security agencies take charge of the process with the people having the assurances of a safe and secure exercise, then we can heave a sigh of relief. Everybody would wish for that. But the reality is that, elections are less than 30 days away and we are talking about recapturing, and deploying men and electoral materials in an area that is more than the size CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Jega

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

23 Politics

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

back.

I want you to assess the two main challengers in the presidential race- Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan. Which of them do you think will take us to the promised land?

I don’t know how many people are contesting the presidential election but I do know that the two you mentioned- Gen Buhari and President Jonathan are contesting. And after a thorough analysis of the election and from my experience- I contested election into the parliament twice and I won both times; and on two occasions, I have served the federal government, first as Federal Minister of education and later as Attorney General of the Federation. I have reasons to believe that people are more interested in peace than in violence. There wont be any violence at all.

Do you want to assess the two major gladiators, President Jonathan and Gen. Buhari?

I don’t believe that there is any problem amongst them; each of them will make political statements, they will campaigns and then will face the polls and then the results. And I have a very strong believe that President Jonathan will win again. Really, I’ve made a thorough analysis of elections in the country and there is no part of the country I’ve not travelled to. I don’t believe in what many magazines and many newspapers are shouting just to sell their papers. On the grounds that when the time comes, you will be surprised that PDP will win hands down.

But many people are saying President Jonathan has not delivered on his promise hence, the call for change?

What is the promise?

The promise of power supply?

The power we have in the country now is better than anyone we had in the past 15 years. I believe he has delivered. Power supply is very good. I don’t accept that anal-

GUJBAWU: Gale of defections undemocratic

Akinjide

‘Election will be devoid of violence’ ysis. Anyone that is saying that is talking rubbish. The opposition controls a lot of the newspapers, radio and television and they are shouting all these. And they are telling lies, but the public will not accept it at all. I have very many reasons to believe that President Jonathan will win the elections hands down across the major part of the country.

How about the insecurity occasioned by Boko Haram insurgents. It appears that the Nigeria Armed Forces in there are incapable of stopping them?

“There is no fear.

There is nowhere in the world where there is no crisis... but we like to make noise to create the impression that there would be chaos”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

of some zones in the South East or South South.

My constituency in Maiduguri alone is like the size of a state in some parts of this country. And Maiduguri is now reduced to one large refugee camp. That is the case now. Many of our people are in Chad or Niger as refugees.

It is not their wish to be there.

There is no fear. There is nowhere in the world where there is no crisis. Many areas are in tormoil; India, Indonesia, France Iran, but we like to make noise to create the impression that there would be chaos. No, there won’t be chaos.

Corruption appears to be at all-time high now compared to your era?

No, I don’t accept that at all.

Initially it used 10 per cent but now its about 200 percent?

I don’t believe it, if you talk of 100 percent, it means when you talk of N100, they will be taking N200. I don’t accept that; don’t damage the reputation of your paper. If you publish something like this, people would not have respect for your paper.

So, the issue of corruption is not a problem now?

I will not say we don’t have issues with corruption but to say it is universal everywhere, corruption here, corruption there is rubbish; we have the local governments, you know how many of them, we have the state governments, you know how many of them, we have federal govern-

But terrorism is an unfortunate global phenomenon that we have been faced with. And we are now having our own bitter share of it.

Nigerians would want to hear your reaction on the gale of defection that is ultimately affecting the majority status, which the PDP has enjoyed since 1999 to the opposition APC?

ment, do you expect the president to be everywhere? Rubbish. We’ve had military rules in this country, we’ve had civil rules, so many people have passed judgment on them.

As an elder statesman, is Nigeria as it is today your dream of a country you labored for?

We have achieved a lot. We have a railway system, we have the airlines, the airports, we have the universities, secondary schools and I have reasons to believe that we shall achieve more. We should be grateful to God, go to other countries, you will discover that their condition is worse than our own. I will not worry too much, I thank God for what we have achieved.

You entertain no fear that we going down the precipice or the Rwanda way?

No, there is no fear at all. I don’t believe all that.

I’m amazed at your optimism sir?

And I’m amazed at your pessimism?

I must say that I am shocked by it. Because, I don’t think it reflects an ideal democratic situation. I’m surprised by the kind of politics we play in Nigeria. That you did not win today does not mean that you won’t win tomorrow. People should learn how to be good winners and losers. That you lose this time does not necessarily mean that you should move to another party just so you could

Its not that I’m a pessimist, I just raised the issue for proper analysis?

I’m happy that we are of the same view.

Because of the situation of things in the country, many people including prominent Nigerians have for a revolution, some even for an interim government.

What’s your view on all these?

I don’t believe in all these, its undemocratic, it will not help our democracy.

In 2011, before President Jonathan could be picked for the Presidency, the Yoruba people played a pivotal role but four years back, they Yorubas are nowhere to be found in the political hierarchy of the country; how do you see this?

Has President Jonathan been fair to them?

He has been extremely fair. It’s a matter of numbers. The Yorubas were supposed to hold the Speakership, but some leaders in Yorubaland worked in tandem with others to give it to another person. So, how can you blame Jonathan for that?.

get a ticket. I for one, I voluntarily refused to run for any position for good reasons, even when every member of the National Assembly was given an automatic ticket by our party in Borno. So I don’t encourage this politics of convenience that our people engage in just because they want to remain in power. This will hardly deepen and develop party politics or our democracy.

Politics 24 Exclusive Mirror poll shows everything is to play for in the lead up to the vote on May 7, with Tories only having a slender lead.

With 101 days to go to the May 7 general election, the Tories are on 31%, Labour 30%, UKIP 23% and the Lib Dems 7%, according to our first monthly survey with pollster Survation.

But Ed Miliband faces a battle to prove he is the right candidate to run the country with fewer than two out of ten people saying he would make the best Prime Minister.

The survey, conducted on Sunday, shows Nigel Farage has not been damaged by a string of embarrassing stories including the defection of MEP Amjad Bashir to the Tories and his reported support for a paid-for health system.

Our poll puts the anti-European party up three points since last month, with the Tories up two, Labour down two and the Lib Dems down four.

Labour will be relieved that the despite reports of a surge in Green support, the environmental party is on just 3%. However, the SNP is up 2% on 5%.

A third of voters may change their minds Labour will also take heart from the fact that nearly a third of voters (31%) say they might change their mind between now and polling day.

And four out of ten people say they are worse off now than when the coalition came to power in 2010.

But the challenge facing Mr Miliband to secure the keys to No 10 is starkly underlined by the fact that only 18% of voters think he would make the best Prime Minister, compared to 34% for Mr Cameron, 12% for Mr Farage and 5% for Nick Clegg.

Who will make the best PM? Worringly for the Labour leader more than 40% of Labour voters don’t think he’s up to the job with only 58% saying he would be the best person to run the

Fintiri: I enjoyed my 90 days in Adamawa Govt House

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Cameron

GENERAL ELECTION ON A KNIFE EDGE

Poll shows Labour one per cent behind Tories “Mr Cameron’s approval rating is -2% (35% approve, 37% disapprove), Nick Clegg -18% (19% approve to 37% disapprove), Nigel Farage +5% (34% to 29%) and Green leader Natalie Bennett +9% (17% to 8%)” country.

By contrast 85% of Tory voters say Mr Cameron would make the best PM and 54% of UKIP voters name Mr Farage.

And just 23% of those surveyed think Ed Miliband will be PM in May compared to 41% for

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

sembly to pledged their loyalty to the party leadership under Chief Joel Hammanjoda Madaki who has been restored back as the substantial chairman of the state chapter of PDP and was removed by National working community (NWC) “Initially we were invited by the party hierarchy especially those that want to contest and re-contest, I felt as a loyal party man to show my solidarity to my colleagues that are going to

David Cameron.

The Labour leader has an approval rating of -15% (with 22% approving of his leadership, compared to 37% saying he’s doing a bad job).

Ed Miliband has lead Labour to within just one percentage

contest, as a group and as people we want to see how we will move our party forward in the which is aim of our visit to the state party secretariat.” Ahmadu said.

When asked the authenticity of Chief Joel Madaki as the number one party man in the state, the speaker inferred that there was nothing to worry about because the Chairman himself is working in consonance of the party’s constitution “I think there is no prob-

point of the Tories Mr Cameron’s approval rating is -2% (35% approve, 37% disapprove), Nick Clegg -18% (19% approve to 37% disapprove), Nigel Farage +5% (34% to 29%) and Green leader Natalie Bennett +9% (17% to 8%).

Mr Miliband also lags behind in a series of personal questions.

Asked which party leader they trust most to pay back a tenner, 25% name Mr Cameron, 17% Mr Miliband, 15% Mr Farage and 11% Mr Clegg.

Mr Farage would be the most popular dinner guest on 26%, with 20% naming Mr Cameron, 14% Mr Miliband and 10% Mr

lem with the issue because the whole thing is working with one purpose which is for PDP to win elections in the state and we are still pleading with the party’s hierarchy to reinstate Chief Joel Madaki back. Before that happens as a people and as a state we have to move forward, the person that has been there is one of us and has been deputising for Madaki which are one and the same people so they serve the same thing and purpose”.

He added

Clegg.

And asked which leader would be most likely to help with the washing up 20% name Mr Clegg, 17% Mr Cameron, 16% Mr Miliband and 15% Mr Farage.

One in four of voters (26%) rate immigration as the most important issue, followed by the NHS (20%) and the economy (15%).

The majority of voters (34%) trust UKIP most on immigration compared to 17% each for Labour and the Tories.

Ukip Leader Nigel Farage has better personal ratings than David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.

Also the former acting governor cleared the air on the speculations of his re-contesting the governorship seat in the elections as against his ambition during the stopped by election “I am cool and happy I am out to help my party achieve success in 2015 particularly member colleagues who are out to get voted in 2015;with those other five members who are vying for the house of representatives. For 2015 I can tell you now I don’t have any ambition”. He said

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Today in History

25

s

1915 Germans

sink American merchant ship Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola 1915 Germans sink American merchant ship In the country’s first such action against American shipping interests on the high seas, the captain of a German cruiser ordered the destruction of the William P. Frye, an American merchant ship.

The William P. Frye, a fourmasted steel barque built in Bath, Maine, in 1901 and named for the well-known Maine senator William Pierce Frye (18301911), was on its way to England with a cargo of wheat. On January 27, it was intercepted by a German cruiser in the South Atlantic Ocean off the Brazilian coast and ordered to jettison its cargo as contraband. When the American ship’s crew failed to fulfil these orders completely by the next day, the German captain ordered the destruction of the ship.

As the first American merchant vessel lost to Germany’s aggression during the Great War, the William P. Frye incident sparked the indignation of many in the United States. The German government’s apology and admission of the attack as

1964

1964 Soviets shoot down U.S. jet The U.S. State Department angrily accused the Soviet Union of shooting down an American jet that strayed into East German air space. Three U.S. officers aboard the plane were killed in the incident. The Soviets responded with charges that the flight was a “gross provocation,” and the incident was an ugly reminder of the heightened East-West tensions of the Cold War era.

According to the U.S. military,

a mistake did little to assuage Americans’ anger, which increased exponentially when German forces torpedoed and sank the British-owned ocean liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915, killing more than 1,000 people, including 128 Americans. The U.S., under President Woodrow Wilson, demanded reparations and an end to German attacks on all unarmed passenger and merchant ships. Despite Germany’s initial assurances to that end, the attacks continued.

In early February 1917, when Germany announced a return to unrestricted submarine warfare, the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with the country. By the end of March, Germany had sunk several more passenger ships with Americans aboard and Wilson went before Congress to ask for a declaration of war on April 2, which was made four days later. The first American ships arrived in Europe within a week, marking a decisive end to U.S. neutrality.

1958 Killer couple strikes the heartland Charles Stark weather, a

Soviets shoot down U.S. jet the jet was on a training flight over West Germany and pilots became disoriented by a violent storm that led the plane to veer nearly 100 miles off course.

The Soviet attack on the plane provoked angry protests from the Department of State and various congressional leaders, including Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, who charged that the Soviets had intentionally downed the plane “to gain the offensive” in the aggressive Cold War manoeuvring.

19-year-old high-school dropout from Lincoln, Nebraska, and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, killed a Lincoln businessman, his wife and their maid, as part of a murderous crime spree that began a week earlier and would ultimately leave 10 people dead. The killer couple’s deadly road trip, which generated enormous media attention and a massive manhunt, came to an end the following day, when Stark weather and Fugate were arrested near Douglas, Wyoming. The crimes later inspired a slew of books, movies and music, including Terence

1986

Challenger explodes

1986 Challenger explodes At 11:38 a.m. EST, on January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Christa McAuliffe was on her way to becoming the first ordinary U.S. civilian to travel into space.

McAuliffe, a 37-year-old high school social studies teacher from New Hampshire, won a competition that earned her a place among the seven-member crew of the Challenger. She

Malick’s 1973 film “Badlands,” starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 song “Nebraska.”

Growing up, Charles Stark weather (1938-1959) was bullied and did poorly in school. He later idolized James Dean and identified with the actor’s rebellious, outsider image. Stark weather committed his first murder on December 1, 1957, when he robbed a gas station and killed the attendant. Reportedly, an attendant at the station had previously refused Stark weather’s attempt to buy a present for Fugate (1943- ) on credit.

Stark weather turned serial killer on January 21, 1958, when he shot Fugate’s stepfather and mother after arguing with them at their home, and strangled Fugate’s two-and-a-half-year-old sister. Stark weather and Fugate remained holed up at the scene of the crime for several days, before taking off in Stark weather’s car and murdering three more people--a farmer and two teenagers--on January 27.

On January 28, the couple killed another three people--the Lincoln businessman, his wife and their maid.

underwent months of shuttle training but then, beginning January 23, was forced to wait six long days as the Challenger’s launch countdown was repeatedly delayed because of weather and technical problems. Finally, on January 28, the shuttle lifted off.

Seventy-three seconds later, hundreds on the ground, including Christa’s family, stared in disbelief as the shuttle exploded in a forking plume of smoke and fire. Millions more watched the wrenching tragedy unfold on live television. There were no survivors.

In 1976, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) unveiled the world’s first reusable manned spacecraft, the Enterprise. Five years later, space flights of the shuttle began when Columbia travelled into space on a 54-hour mission.

Launched by two solid-rocket boosters and an external tank, only the aircraft-like shuttle entered into orbit around Earth.

When the mission was completed, the shuttle fired engines to reduce speed and, after descending through the atmosphere, landed like a glider. Early shuttles took satellite equipment into space and carried out various scientific experiments.

The Challenger disaster was the first major shuttle accident.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

Our heritage Cascade films festival begins 25th year with Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda

The Cascade festival of African films, the longest-running African film festival in the United States, opens Friday, February 6 with a screening of Half of a Yellow Sun, an adaptation of the popular novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The movie stars Thandie Newton and Chi-

wetel Ejiofor, who featured in “12 Years a Slave” and is directed by Biyi Bandele, who will introduce his movie for screenings at the Hollywood Theatre.

The festival is celebrating its 25th year with a 34-film schedule that runs through March 8.

Ten visiting directors will come to Portland, in Arizona State, to discuss their work and almost all movies will be shown free of charge at the campus.

The festival will celebrate Black History Month and Women’s History Month, and has a wom-

Hitler didn’t write Mein Kampf , says Rivera Agozino Agozino THERE is an unanswered question on who actually wrote the book Mein Kampf, which is generally credited to Adolf Hitler. Did the Jesuit priest, Fr. Staempfle write it for Hitler?

But the story around the book is not as intriguing as the antics or otherwise of the man who said Hitler did not write it.

There was a renegade priest, who claimed that his job, while he was in priesthood, was to infiltrate and destroy Protestant ministries. His name is Alberto Rivera. He claimed he was privy to sensitive Vatican briefings and documents revealing the Jesuit role in backing Hitler.

He said he was told by one Cardinal Augustine Bea that Nazi gold was deposited in Vatican accounts in Swiss banks. According to him, a fellow Jesuit, named Fr. Staempfle, wrote Mein Kampf, as the stage was being set for World War II. Rivera was a rare species, being a former Jesuit priest, who decided to be a whistle blower against the order. He claimed that most other Jesuits have remained silent, because they know that the implication of such action is death – especially if such a person tries to expose the secret.

“No Jesuit can leave the Order alive, if he knows the real truth and talks about it.” Rivera said.

The former priest claimed that because of his sensitive work, he was given special Vatican clearance to the secret underground catacomb libraries where, according to him, the true history of the world remains buried for

only a few, who are under oath, never to reveal the contents.

He claimed that his journey to freedom started after reading how the Church manipulated history – in its drive to rule the world. “One very fortunate day for mankind, I decided to alert

the world and place my faith in Christ alone, while leaving behind the Jesuits and the Catholic Church” Being released from his vows, Rivera claimed he, then, married, started his own ministry and tried, until death, to spread the truth; but he died in curious cir-

cumstances in 1997. He passed his message through a series of four colourful comic books entitled, Alberto, Double-Cross, The Godfathers and The Force.

Rivera claimed that the Church helped start World Wars I and II. His stories also gave an almost persuasive impression that the Church was involved in the birth of Islam, which later turned against the Pope in rebellion – as well as in the making of the policies of America.

He also claimed that he learnt many hidden things about Vatican in Germany, but none were more important than the story behind Hitler’s rise to power.

Rivera writes in The Godfathers: “In 1923, Germany was in a downward spiral. The monetary system was teetering on the brink of disaster and the German people were sick. The German people blamed the Kaiser for the whole thing and had him and his government thrown out of office.

“The communists were fighting to take over and the new government was very weak. Some men wanted the German people to run their government like they did in France and were attempting to make Germany a republic.

The Pope was outraged and with that the Republic was doomed to failure. Two things the Vatican despises are Protestantism and Democracy. The Jesuits were, then, called upon to stop this new Weimer Republic. Two men then destroyed it: One was Franz Von Papan and the other was Pacelli, who later became Pope Pius XII.” Rivera further claimed that he read in the secret materials that

Continued on page 27

en-film-makers’ week with four women directors coming to PCC USA to discuss their work. A programme on the rise of Nollywood, the thriving Nigerian film industry, will be held, and there are student and family programmes.

E-mail Please do not hesitate to send us your feed back: agozinoagozino@yahoo.com

Arty quote ‘‘Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.’’

Victor Hugo

Midweek poem

Unforgettable

By Emmanuel Chukwudi Katule, Nigeria My heart! Beats rapidly as I Heard that she was gone; For my queen chaste and fairLie in a coffin as I mourn.

Eh! My heart is heavy as a stone, My tears they fall like rain!

For the one which my heart was Betroth, I’ll never see again!

Farewell! Oh!! Queen of my life; For all in Cape Town will miss you!

Farewell! Oh!! My African queen Nile, I know! You feel the same way too, Your cheerful smile remains unbeatable, That’s why! The memory of you! Will, Remain unforgettable.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

27

A collector’s item A collection of poetry by Biko Agozino transports its readers to Nigeria’s leadership woes. Moses Kadiri reviews the new book His career is academic.

His passion is writing and teaching. With the release of his new poetry book, entitled, Today na Today, an anthology of poems written in Naija langwej (pidgin English), a waning sub-sector of Nigerian literature gets a vent.

In the work, veteran academic and criminologist, Prof. Biko Agozino, serves a collection of poetry that adds, meaningfully, to the growing body of literary works in pidgin English. The anthology is a mirror of society, with a view to building new bridges for a brighter future.

In the 97-page book, divided into many titles, such as Them Them, Dialectical Dialogue, Yabbis, Capital Offence, Ego Trip, Poor People Pay More, Fire the Devil, Pepper Soup, Too Much General, Na Wetin?, Coconut Crown, To be Human etc., the scholar-poet and Director of African Studies at the Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America (USA), shows that he is in touch with his roots in his native Nigeria.

Agozino comes across as a voice to reckon with in capturing the bitter pills, which Nigerians and other African society, have passed through for years.

The writer weaves the lost dreams of the masses in the fratricidal Nigerian civil war in the poem entitled “Forgive (Nigerian Civil War)”. In it, he raves for Nigeria, where past hurts are kept behind to build a good future. Through it, the author’s versatility in polemics, finds some expression.

Hitler and Mein Kampf Continued from page 26 Vatican helped set the stage for Germany’s Roman Catholic star, Adolf Hitler, to emerge as the nation’s leader. He hinted that a Jesuit priest, named Fr. Staempfle, actually wrote Mein Kampf – as the book was actually the master plan of the Jesuits to launch Hitler to take over Germany.

“Another great inquisition was about to begin. Instead of wearing Dominican robes, they

Biko The anthology somewhat aggregates the writer’s vast scholarship experience, as a researcher, who has taught in such renowned institutions as Liverpool John Mores University, London, Indiana University, in the United States and University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, leaving the reader in no doubt about his grip of socio-political realities.

The poet lampoons the failure of dreams and expectations sometimes associated with democracy, especially among the elites.

One of the poems in the collection, “Black for Black”, is dedicated to blacks in South Africa. It evokes images of black humiliation during the era of apartheid, in South Africa. The beauty of the poems lie in the universal ethos and natural phenomenon they bring to the reader’s mind, especially the oppressed.

Agozino writes like a PanAfricanist, who has been left forlorn by a system of colonially-inherited injustice that is reaping from where it did not sow.

were wearing Nazi uniforms. Hitler’s Brown Shirts, called Nazis, backed by the Vatican, used the same tactic as Mussolini, beating and bullying all opposition into submission – including Catholics. Bloody street battles between Catholics, who were Nazis – and Roman Catholics, who were communists took place. The prize being Germany,” the rebellious, expriest wrote.

The symbol for the new inquisition was the swastika, which, of course, was a masonic symbol.

According to Rivera’s research, Hitler was the Vatican’s choice,

just like Lech Walesa, in Poland, and the George W. Bush regime, which he dubbed the “new American neo-con regime.”

With the Jesuit powerful backing, Hitler was destined to triumph as his close associates all had one thing in common: They were all Roman Catholics and loyal to the Vatican and according to Rivera, “all had Jewish blood in their veins, including Pacelli, the man who later became Pope Pius XII. When it became known that Pope Pius XI1 supported Hitler, the Roman Catholic vote swept Hitler into power in 1933.

Our heritage TIME SEACH Federal Civil Service failed to promote me I would be happy if TIMESEARCH could help find out from the Federal Civil Service Commission Headquarters, Abuja, what it takes to be promoted these days while in the civil service.

I ask this question because I was last promoted six years ago, despite the fact that I upgraded my curriculum vitae two years ago, at least to boost my present position.

In August 2013, the ministry I am serving, (names withheld) promoted some staff but to my dismay my name was not included in the promotion list of other colleagues who joined the service with me the same time.

Years ago, when a civil servant upgraded his/her curriculum vitae, he/she would be enlisted for promotion whenever it was time for such, but it appears the reverse is now the case.

I would therefore want to know what it takes to be promoted in the civil service today.

Christopher Agu, P.O. Box 6624 Abakaliki Eboyin State At the Federal Civil Service Commission Headquarters Abuja, the enquiry of Mr. Christopher Agu, was taken up with a top official in the Administrative Department. The official blamed the enquirer and said without hesitation that he was not a civil servant as claimed in his letter of enquiry to the Press.

The official, who craved anonymity, told TIMESEARCH that since four years ago, the ministries had been advised that promotions and appointments in the civil service would no longer be based on number of years spent on a position but on performance, productivity, competence and integrity. “So what is this civil servant insinuating,” queried the official.

He continued, “This enquirer should note that the conditions for promotion in the civil service is part of this present administration’s resolve to strengthen the civil service like other institutions of government. We did not take the laws into our hands as regards the issue of promotion.

“It is a directive from the President, and there is nothing the ministries could do in this aspect.”

The complainant was advised to work harder to merit promotion and not just upgrade his CV, the official concluded.

Kifasi, Head, Federal Civil service

Zulu Sofola (June 1935 -1995)

Sofola Zulu Sofola was the first published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist. Sofola was also a university teacher and became the first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa.

Sofola was born in Bendel State to parents who were Igbo from Issele-Uku in Delta State. Spend-

ing her adolescence and early womanhood in the United States of America (U.S.A.), she studied at Southern Baptist Seminary, earned a B.A. in English, at Virginia Union University, and an M.A. in drama (1965) from The Catholic University of America.

She returned to Nigeria in 1966, and was a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, where she obtained a PhD. She also taught Drama at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, where she was appointed Head of Department for the Performing Arts. Sofola was a singer, dancer, as well as a prolific play-wright.

She wrote and directed many plays for stage and television – including her own work: King Emene.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Money

s

Why multinational firms don’t register foreign techs- NOTAP Tony Nwakaegho The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) said that the liberalisation policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) into the nation’s banking system is the reason why 60 per cent of multinational

Bindir, NOTAP boss

companies operating in the country don’t register the foreign technology imported into Nigeria.

NOTAP’s Director General, Engr. Umar Buba Bindir, made the disclosure in Abuja when he played host to the top management staff of Bank of Industry

(BOI) led by the Managing Director, Mr. Olaoluwa Rasheed.

Bindir said: “When CBN used to have the total control of foreign exchange it was easy for NOTAP to effectively control the registration of foreign technology being imported into the country.’’

State of payment infrastructure, threat to liquidity management – CBN Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is developing appropriate macroeconomic policy coordination platform that would ensure that government’s cash management was consistent with the CBN’s overall liquidity management, stressing that the current state of payment system infrastructure was a challenge to managing liquidity.

Mr Moses Tule, Director, Monetary Policy Department, said this at a three-day National Treasury Workshop organised

by Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke on “Issues, challenges and opportunities in managing Nigeria’s monetary and fiscal sector”.

Presented by Mr Jibrin Musa of same department, he said that maintaining relatively stable exchange rate was critical for both internal and external balance and growth of the economy.

According to him, the state of the existing payment system infrastructure is another challenge to liquidity management in Nigeria.

He said that existing infrastructure had limited reach, depth and credibility, adding that bank branch and population ratio were inadequate for effective flow of liquidity in the Nigerian economy.

“The financial system in Nigeria is largely structured along the dividing lines of urban and rural and formal and informal dichotomy.

“This, in addition to low level of financial literacy, impedes the responsiveness of marketbased liquidity management initiatives,” he added.

He noted that the apex bank, in spite of the challenges, had constantly fine-tuned operations of the financial system, to ensure that it provided a platform for the transmission of monetary policy.

This, he said, brought about improvement in the interbank and foreign exchange markets and thus, created competition among banks.

He added that CBN was developing appropriate macroeconomic policy coordination platform that would ensure that government’s cash management was consistent with the CBN’s overall liquidity management.

On challenges with the fiscal sector, he said oil price slump and threat to fiscal revenues; fiscal leakages, insecurity, infrastructure gaps and uncooperative attitude of tax payers were major challenges.

“It also includes reaching the population in rural areas that previously had no access to banking services through financial literacy advocacy, cashless policy, mobile and agent banking framework.

SHORT NEWS

Madueke, Petroleum minister

Nigeria pays Ghana $10m for botched gas deal Tony Nwakaegho Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has said that Nigeria paid Ghana the amount of $10 million as penalties for defaulting to deliver the quantity of gas spelt out under the West African Gas Pipeline project.

According to GhanaWeb reports, the president also said that the power plants that rely on gas from the West Africa Gas Pipeline have been shut down as a result of Nigeria’s failure to provide enough of gas in accordance with the contract.

Nigeria was expected to provide at least 120 million cubic feet of gas daily in accordance with the contract but it has consistently defaulted.

The failure of Nigeria to meet its contractual obligations to Ghana has led to a protracted power crisis in the country.

GhanaWeb recalled that officials of the Ghana Grid Company recently indicated they have been forced to shed between 400 and 600 megawatts of power due to the inconsistent and reduced supply of power from the local power generators who also blame their inability to generate more power on the insufficient supply of gas from Nigeria through the West African Gas pipeline.

Global commodities Nine commodity indices expected to fall

Emefiele, CBN governor “This helps to spread technology and financial services to non-banked areas,” he said “ In Nigeria, there is widespread apathy towards the payment of tax, particularly in situations where the tax payer is expected to file such returns himself.

“The Pay-As-You-Go system

has greatly enhanced tax collection among corporate organisation’s and a few registered businesses. “ This situation is worse in the large informal sector where enormous tax revenues could be obtained but has not been adequately captured in formal records,” he said.

price

Energy -40.5 per cent Metals -5.3 per cent Grains -3.7 per cent Fats & Oils -7.1 per cent Other food -1 per cent Beverages -5.6 per cent Raw Materials -6.0 per cent Fertilisers -2.1 per cent Precious Metals -2.9 per cent

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

29 Money

Port Harcourt refinery, Rivers state.

NNPC adopts new strategy to resuscitate refineries Tony Nwakaegho Group Executive Director, Gas and Power Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. David Ige has said the corporation has adopted a new refining strategy that is focused on making sure that it progressively improve the refineries as needed over time.

Ige dropped the hint in Lagos, adding that it requires significant cost investment in order to upgrade and improve the refineries, hence the new strategy.

He said: “The time is an 18 months programme where we are dedicating our resources with the support of the government to improve the refineries.

The Port Harcourt refinery has a new power unit through a private public partnership (PPP).

We are improving the Port Harcourt refinery and there is an investment in alternative crude supply.

“The refinery is an operation that should run 24 hours every day a week, but when you interrupt the crude supply the refinery will be brought down. When you incessantly bring down the refinery and bring it up, it’s like shutting down your car and starting it, certainly the car will go bad and this is the situation NNPC finds itself. The refinery cannot well when pipelines are vandalised because the refineries were designed with the

crude supply system, integrated with the storage system and the distribution network. So when this happens the systems come down and damage the equipment.

Ige noted that there is a new model that the corporation is upgrading, but it will cost money, adding that when the entire system does not achieve the cost recovery then there is a problem and that money has to be source somewhere.

“Government has been generous enough to pay for this, but there is no sustainable plan to continue depleting the resource of the state. All these plans are to achieve the level of

cost recovery and you can only do that through appropriate pricing. The present refineries are placed on the model that is based on monthly basics and money is devoted to it to address all the critical elements.

“It will be assisting the refineries go bad again if we don’t address the problem of crude supply that is plaguing us at the moment. Vessels now bring crude to Warri and Port Harcourt and all these cost money.

Somebody has to pay and it is the government that is paying.

We need to ask the citizen why it is necessary to break pipelines and create environmental chaos,” Ige added.

GES Bill will secure farmers’ future- Adesina Augustine Aminu, Abuja Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the Growth Enhancement Support, GES, Bill will secure the future of Nigerian farmers and sustain the agricultural sector.

Adesina stated this in Abuja at a one day stakeholders meeting on the draft bill for the consolidation of the GES scheme.

The Minister, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Dr. Martins Fregene, said that bill aims at facilitating GES programme at the federal, state and local government levels.

According to Adesina, it will facilitate direct purchase by farmers of agricultural inputs across the country.

ANTM commences permanent registration for members Charles Okonji

Tyre shop

One year after shifting its operations from Enu- Owa Idumota in Lagos Island to African Tyre Village inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Express Way, the Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers (ANTM) said it has commenced a systematic accreditation and registration of its

permanent members.

The exercise which will take cognisance of the various contributions and commitments by the individual traders to the success of the association, will serve as a useful instrument for rewarding loyalty and good followership among its members.

President of ANTM Alhaji Mohammed Issa Akanbi, who announced this during the associa-

tion’s first anniversary celebration to mark one year of their relocation to the multi-billion international shopping edifice, used the occasion to appreciate all his members for sharing and identifying with the visions of his administration.

“If anyone calls himself a leader with no one following him, such a person is merely taking a walk,’’ he said.

Adesina

Labour 30

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Global unemployment: Sub-Sahara Africa maintains stability Stories by Joy Ekeke The International Labour Organisation has said in a recent report that unemployment rate in Sub-Saharan Africa will remain stable in 2015 through to 2016, but the outlook for most regions across the globe were not so positive.

“Sub-Saharan Africa continues to record strong growth rates, despite infrastructural weaknesses and institutional challenges,” the report stated.

It noted that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest labour force participation rate of all regions, estimated at 70.9 per cent – compared with a global average of 63.5 per cent in 2014. In addition, unemployment, at a rate just under 8 per cent in 2014 is expected to remain stable through to 2016.

The youth-to-adult employment ratio is 1.9 – the lowest of all regions worldwide.

The report stated that in Europe, labour markets will be increasingly be affected by economic and political turmoil.

“Recovery remains uneven and fragile. The recent turmoil in financial markets will complicate the task of bringing unemployment back to pre-crisis

rates.

Latin America Following the region’s initial uptick after the crisis, the pace of growth has slowed significantly, affecting labour markets.

For 2014 (and 2015), GDP growth is forecast to fall below that of advanced economies – for the first time since 2002.

Unemployment has resumed an upward trend for the region as a whole, especially in countries most dependent on exports of natural resources. The prospects for reducing the incidence of informal employment have deteriorated.

East Asia In East Asia, the slowdown in China is affecting the region’s growth prospects, exacerbating the demographic challenge.

Economic growth in China, the largest economy in the region, is estimated to have slowed to 7.4 per cent in 2014, compared with 7.7 per cent in 2013. The deceleration of growth in East Asia has led to a slow but steady rise in the unemployment rate.

Vulnerable employment is forecast to be reduced in the region from 50.2 per cent in 2007 to 38.9 per cent in 2019.

South and South-East Asia

In South Asia jobless growth persists – with high informal employment and working poverty.

Likewise, large exporters of natural resources may face increasing difficulty in boosting decent work opportunities.

Middle East and North Africa Difficult socio-political transitions continue to weigh on em-

JUSUN strike: Panel to monitor compliance to court ruling coming- FG The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has pledged Government’s commitment to comply with the Jan. 13, 2014 judgment granting financial autonomy to the judiciary.

Anyim made the pledge at a meeting with the National Executive Council of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Abuja.

Anyim said monitoring committees would be set up to ensure compliance with the judgment at both federal and state levels.

He said that members of the committees would be drawn from the SGF’s office, states, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Office of the Chief Registrars of Courts (CRs), NLC and JUSUN.

Ayim, SGF

He said the committees would be headed by chairmen of NBA in states while the Chief Registrars in states would serve as secretaries.

He commended JUSUN for fighting for the future of the judiciary in the country.

Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN), the President of NBA, commended JUSUN for taking action in the interest of the entire judiciary. ``I want to say that the strike

by JUSUN is unusual; JUSUN did not go on strike to seek increase of salaries but to enforce compliance to court judgment. ``The action is commendable because it is not for personal gain but for the benefit of the whole judiciary system to be well funded and we will continue to support them”, he said.

ployment prospects of Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

GDP growth in the region is expected to have remained tepid in 2014, at around 2.6 per cent, slightly above the 2.3 per cent registered in 2013. In 2015, GDP growth is forecast to reach 3.8 per cent. However, projected economic growth will not be sufficient to reduce high unemployment rates. Domestic con-

sumption will continue to drive growth among oil-importing economies, which are expected to grow on average by around 3 per cent in 2014 and 4 per cent in 2015. Below-average GDP growth in 2014 is expected in Egypt and Lebanon, while Morocco and Tunisia should have grown by 3.5 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively.

Edo teachers to get 27.5% special allowance The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has approved the payment of 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Allowance and implementation of other demands of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the state.

Also, the governor has approved the payment of the November and December, 2013 salaries of over 322 teachers of Ovia North East Local Government area.

The other approved demands of the NUT which were presented on their behalf by the Nigeria Labour Congress include payment of 10 per cent salary relativity increase and the consequential 27.5 per cent TSA there from and payment of financial benefits of the last set of promotions approved for Primary School Teachers.

Meanwhile, the governor also directed the payment of the monthly salaries of workers of Edo Line Transport Company

Oshiomhole with effect from January 2015.

Oshiomhole directed that full implementation of all the approvals must be done with immediate effect and not later than the last day of January, 2015.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

31 Companies & Assets

Four biggest stocks to watch Adesola Akindele Following overall economy setbacks such as massive depreciation of the Naira as a result of falling global oil prices and recent happenings in the country, which have led to dynamic trends in the NSE, JBERGER, DANGCEM, GUARANTY and ACCESS has been identified by analysts as stocks to be watched closely this week.

Kibsgaard, Schlumberger CEO

Schlumberger declares 7% revenue growth Tony Nwakaegho French oilfield engineering group Schlumberger has declared seven per cent revenue growth in the full-year results for 2014 that the firm’s CEO described as demonstrating the resiliency of its business portfolio.

Schlumberger reported that its revenue increased by seven per cent last year to $48 billion while the firm’s pre-tax operating income was 13 per cent greater at $10.6 billion.

In a statement, Schlumberger CEO, Paal Kibsgaard, explained that the firm’s North American operation was a key growth driver as the North American revenue increased by 16 per cent in 2014, while the firm Middle East and Asia Area revenue saw growth of four per cent.

“The strength of these results demonstrated the resiliency of our business portfolio in the face of activity challenges in

PZ Cussons first half profits fall by 8%

2014 in Brazil, Mexico, and China; reduced spending in deepwater, exploration and seismic activity; unrest in Libya and Iraq; international sanctions in Russia; and the accelerating fall in the price of oil toward the end of the year.

“The combination of these headwinds reduced revenue growth by more than $1 billion, or two per cent, yet revenue still increased seven per cent as a result of strong tailwinds in Argentina, Ecuador, SubSaharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and North America that combined with market share gains, drove overall performance.

“Schlumberger’s record revenue performance in North America was thanks to continued efficiency improvements and new technology uptake from clients using pressure pumping as well as the recovery of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico,” Kibsgaard said.

Ugochukwu Onyeocha The management of PZ Cussons Plc has stated that the environment in Nigeria for the rest of the financial year, which includes next month’s presidential elections, will play a big part in the Group’s overall performance Nigeria, which is PZ’s largest market according to the company, plays a prominent role in the fortunes of the company and the forthcoming election amidst

Julius Berger The leading Construction company closed at under N45 last week, hitting its year low. In the short to medium term, this price is rather attractive and has quite a level of potential.

Grounded on the current happenings the stock is probably worth between N45 and N50 using conservative estimates. According to the report, post volatility, this stock should be worth N60 – N65 again. Long term under N55, short term under N47.

Dangote Cement Africa’s largest cement company, Dangote Cement has been under a lot of selling pressure following the sell-offs that began at the end of 2014. Over the last two weeks, hitting a price between N150 to N160, this stock

now carries a 10-20 per cent upside. Long term buy under N165, short term under N160.

Guaranty Trust Bank Nigeria’s largest lender by market value, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc traded under N18 two weeks ago, hitting a year low.

However the stock closed last Friday at N21, a 17 per cent gain already. According to the report, this stock is headed down as another sell-off beckons, with long terms under N21, short term Under N19 and sell short term above N20.

Access Bank With Access Bank Plc is set commencing their Rights Issue this week. At a current price of N4.99 an instant upside in price may be a little risky. After UBA began its rights issue, its share price surpassed the right issue price of N4 before dissolving out and falling below N4. This could also be the case for Access Bank if care is not taken. According to the report, there probably is a 10-15 per cent short term upside of the existing price; long term under N8, short term under N5.

Other stocks to be noted include; NASCON, PZ, International Breweries, Seplat, Custodian and Allied Insurance, UBA.

Orjiako

Seplat takeover offer for Afren extended till January 30 Tony Nwakaegho Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (Seplat) said it has received an extension from the UK Takeover Panel that it now has until January 30ß to either declare a firm intention to make an offer or declare that it does not intend to make an offer for Afren.

Afren had formerly issued a statement, followed by Seplat, saying that Afren had received a “highly preliminary approach from the Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc regarding a possible combination with Afren.”

Seplat was initially given a January 19 deadline to make a firm offer but remained undecided. It requested an extension of time and now, in accordance with the rules of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”), it now has until 5pm on January 30 to make a decision.

The new deadline can still be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code. Both Afren and Seplat have stressed that there is no certainty that offer will be made or the terms of any offer.

Dangote

a couple of other events will help determine the prospects of PZ Cussons for the remainder of the financial year.

The company said that firsthalf profit fell by 8.2 per cent, hurt by continued unrest in northern Nigeria and devaluation of the currency naira.

PZ Cussons further continued by saying that it saw continued “challenging trading conditions” in Nigeria, hurting its revenue from Africa, which fell 6 percent to 156.2 million

pounds.

The company also added that the Ebola outbreak also contributed to the drop.

Despite that, the company raised its interim dividend by 3.2 per cent to 2.61 per share.

Chairman Richard Harvey said the environment in Nigeria for the rest of the financial year, which includes the February presidential election, will play a big part in the Group’s overall performance.

Harvey

28

and tunics available at all Twice as Nice stores in Lagos and nationwide i.e. especially, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja, launched to the admiration of Akure, Ibadan etc.

Leveraging on thedon’t giantregister foreign techs- NOTAP a guest list that included Why the multinational firms SHORT NEWS strides of the brand to grow companies operating in the (BOI) led by the Managing Diinternational Afro-soul singer; Tony Nwakaegho country don’t register the for- rector, Mr. Olaoluwa Rasheed. into substantial prominence eign technology imported into Bindir said: “When CBN used The National Office for Teni, Afro-hip-hop/highlife singer; Nigeria. to have the total control of forTechnology Acquisition and the NOTAP’s Director General, eign exchange it was easy for Promotion within (NOTAP) said that fashion industry, NoMoreLoss, publisher of Acada Daily Times Nigeria the liberalisation policy introEngr. Umar Buba Bindir, made NOTAP to effectively control 12 Wednesday, January 28, 2015 having showcased at all major duced by the Central Bank of Magazine;Biodun Caston-Dada, the disclosure in Abuja when he the registration of foreign techNigeria (CBN) into the nation’s played host to the top manage- nology being imported into the localis and international fashion banking system the reason CEO of Nu’World Africa; Muyi’ ment staff of Bank of Industry country.’’ why 60 per cent of multinational Bindir, NOTAP boss Madueke, Petroleum minister Olaitan and other guests. It was, shows, the merger would Nigeria pays expand the fashion brand to indeed, an evening of cocktails.

Ghana $10m for GUJBAWU Kyari Gujbawu The new partnership would access a cross-section of high botched gas deal Elections have the Kola Kuddus kaftans profile consumers.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Money

Ace designer and couture expert, Kola Kuddus has teamed up with urban clothing retail chain brand, Twice as Nice to enhance the sale and distribution of his kaftan and tunic line, to a larger savvy consumer audience.

Recently, at the Twice as Nice store, Ikeja City Mall, the new partnership was

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King of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a.k.a KWAM 1 is in the news again. This time, the ever-busy musician had discharged his hefty security guard, who, usually, threatened his fans at events. Penultimate Sunday, KWAM 1 was billed to perform at an album launch by Taiwo Hassan a.k.a Ogogo and people were surprised to see him driving himself to the event centre. Some people blamed his idea of driving himself to the uncultured behaviour of his security detail, which had generated a lot of brouhaha between Alhaji, as the ace musician is fondly called, and his close associates.

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2011 when Rochas Okorocha was handed the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on a platter, he said he was on a mission to rescue Imo. Nearly Four years down the line, Imo State and its people are now in real danger and therefore need a messiah to rescue them from bad governance and total destruction. Rochas has not only misgoverned Imo, but also turned the state into a pariah. Imo is currently despised both at home and ‘abroad.’

In Abuja, the seat of Nigeria’s central power, Imo is not mentioned when the national cake is being shared. Although Rochas has always been notorious for political harlotry, it is still a mystery why he decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), of all political parties. At home, Rochas does

Hon. Kyari Gujbawu represents Maiduguri Municipal of Borno State in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he speaks on the insurgency in the state, the February elections and other sundry issues.

HENRY OMUNU was there.

21

elections are barely a month and shape of warfare. It’s not a away? conventional warfare for which It is now obvious to everybody our military had been trained to and its an open secret that sadly, address as it obtains anywhere more than 70 per cent of Bornu in the world. So it is so difficult State is no longer accessible to for you to predict and think of any government agency be it se- how to arrest it as is the case curity agencies, INEC, federal or with conventional warfare. Obstate government agencies. And viously, there are a lot of fears A French serviceman who How would you react to the if Jega said that election can- that you see people express, INEC position that election not hold in the state which is a especially those ofwas us who are severely injured when a plane may not hold in Bornu State position I have been concurring from there. I heard the chaircrashed at a Spanish military air the fact for thatthat with as a matter of fact. You see, man,Muslim House Committee on Elecing toconsidering be more necessary tably against its sizeable Monday died in hospital many areas have fallen under insurgency or terrorism that we toral Matters speakbase on theon floor foundational value to be upheld,” minority. the control of insurgents and are now faced with is a new form CONTINUED PAGE 22 on Tuesday, bringing inONMadrid

liquidity management – CBN management Ugochukwu Onyeocha The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is developing appropriate macroeconomic policy coordination platform that would ensure that government’s cash management was consistent with the CBN’s overall liquidity management, stressing that the current state of payment system infrastructure was a challenge to managing liquidity.

Mr Moses Tule, Director, Monetary Policy Department, said this at a three-day National Treasury Workshop organised

by Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation on Tuesday in Abuja.

He spoke on “Issues, challenges and opportunities in managing Nigeria’s monetary and fiscal sector”.

Presented by Mr Jibrin Musa of same department, he said that maintaining relatively stable exchange rate was critical for both internal and external balance and growth of the economy.

According to him, the state of the existing payment system infrastructure is another challenge to liquidity management in Nigeria.

He said that existing infrastructure had limited reach, depth and credibility, adding that bank branch and population ratio were inadequate for effective flow of liquidity in the Nigerian economy.

“The financial system in Nigeria is largely structured along the dividing lines of urban and rural and formal and informal dichotomy.

“This, in addition to low level of financial literacy, impedes the responsiveness of marketbased liquidity management initiatives,” he added.

He noted that the apex bank, in spite of the challenges, had constantly fine-tuned operations of the financial system, to ensure that it provided a platform for the transmission of monetary policy.

This, he said, brought about improvement in the interbank and foreign exchange markets and thus, created competition among banks.

He added that CBN was developing appropriate macroeconomic policy coordination platform that would ensure that government’s cash management was consistent with the CBN’s overall liquidity management.

On challenges with the fiscal sector, he said oil price slump and threat to fiscal revenues; fiscal leakages, insecurity, infrastructure gaps and uncooperative attitude of tax payers were major challenges.

“It also includes reaching the population in rural areas that previously had no access to banking services through financial literacy advocacy, cashless policy, mobile and agent banking framework.

– CBN

28

Funlola Emefiele, CBN governor “This helps to spread technology and financial services to non-banked areas,” he said “ In Nigeria, there is widespread apathy towards the payment of tax, particularly in situations where the tax payer is expected to file such returns himself.

“The Pay-As-You-Go system

P12 hands down religious Borno –Richard divisions

Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has said that Nigeria paid Ghana amount young of $10 Indians that evUS President Barack Obamathe mostly million as penalties for should default-be able to practise warned India on Tuesday it would eryone ing to deliver quantity gas not succeed if it splintered alongthe their faithofwithout fear of perse- he said. “India will succeed so spelt a out under West African religious lines, sounding note of the cution, recalling that the mainly long as it is not splintered along Gas of Pipeline caution after two days mostlyproject.

Hindu country’s constitution en- lines of religious faith.”

According GhanaWeb re- of religion. upbeat talks with the country’sto shrined freedom India is a secular country, but ports, the president also said Hindu nationalist leader.

“Nowhere is that more impor- its history is marked with outthe power that rely Obama told an that audience of plants tant than India, nowhere is it go- breaks of religious violence, noon gas from the West Africa Gas Pipeline have been shut down as a result of Nigeria’s failure to provide enough of gas in accordance with the contract.

Nigeria was expected to provide at least 120 million cubic feet of gas daily in accordance with the contract but it has consistently defaulted.

The failure of Nigeria to meet its contractual obligations to Ghana has led to a protracted power crisis in the country.

An elderrecalled statesman,that Chiefoffiwon’t be any violence. The fact many states and then 19 states, GhanaWeb Richard Osuolale Akinjide that one or two persons say now 36 states. I don’t accept that cials of the Ghana Grid Compawas a former Minister of something does not represent the there is going to be violence, evny recently haveview of all Nigerians. I don’t like erything will be peaceful and Educationindicated in the First they Republic Attorney-General of the Fed-400 that analysis. Election will come people will win, and people will been and forced to shed between eration and Minister of Justice and 600 megawatts of power duepeacefully, its going to be orderly lose, and we will continue our in the Second Republic when he and people will win and people democratic process as law abidto thepropounded inconsistent reduced theory that will lose. And everything will ing citizens. the 122/3and supply of in power from the brought former president She- locome out well and normal. hu Shagari for his second term.

Are you saying the north cal power generators who also He spoke with Political Editor, But the north is claiming has no power again? blame their inability to generAKINJIDE AKINTOLA in his that it is their turn this year I say there is no north. They’ve ate more power onatthe insuffioffice in Lagos.

Excerpts. to produce the presidency Michelle and Barack Obama were greeted Riyadh’s airport

by King Salman and created 36 states. You can no loncient supply of gas from Nigeriaif Buhari does not win there ger talk of north or south or east There are fears that the gen- will be crisis, likewise the or west in that context, certainly through the West African Gas eral election next month may south-south people are that not. Now, there are states in the pipeline. witness some violence; as an Jonathan must get the sec- north or south or east or west

ÏÏÏ

KWAM 1

Bonaventure Melah

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Features Politics News s Politics 11 dead in Obama warns over KWAM 1 turns State of payment Jonathan will Obama warns India PGreek 21 plane State of payment infrastructure, beat Buhari crash may not India over driver religious divisions L2 infrastructure, threattoto hold in threat liquidity Tony Nwakaegho

turns driver VOL. 1. NO.33

International

Buzz

KWAM 1 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

s

CHIEF RICHARD AKINJIDE

Jonathan will beat Buhari hands down

The issue of religious freedom has become particularly contentious since the election last year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a fervent Hindu nationalist.

The United States blacklisted Modi following anti-Muslim violence that left at least 1 000 people dead in Gujarat, where he was state chief minister before winning last year’s election.

Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denies any wrongdoing and the Indian courts have cleared him of all charges.

But the failure of his administration to control the violence and his refusal to apologise have left a legacy of distrust and suspicion.

Modi has also been heavily criticised for failing to speak out against a BJP lawmaker who recently called for Hindu women to have at least four children to “protect” their religion and supported a recent spate of ‘re-conversions’ to Hinduism.

ÏÏÏ

the death toll from the accident to 11 people, a ministry of defense spokesman said.

“A French serviceman died this morning at La Paz Hospital,” said a spokesman. The accident occurred at a base used for NATO training when a Greek F-16 fighter plane crashed after taking off in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, about 250 kilometers south-east of Madrid. The plane hit French and Italian planes and service personnel in the parking area.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed condolences to the loved ones of the victims of Monday’s crash. “This is a tragedy that affects the whole NATO family,” Stoltenberg said.

Thousands march for Mexican missing students ÏÏÏ

Thousands of people have elder statesman, how can this ond term otherwise blood will where a party will win and a taken part in demonstrations be averted? flow? party will lose. So forget all these I don’t agree with you that I don’t accept that there is any- old colonial mentality of north, in Mexico City to demand a full there are fears of violence all thing called the north again. We south, east or west; that era is investigation into the disappearover thecommodity country. It is not true.

Nine price had the north, the west, and the gone forever and will never come ance of 43 students four months There are no fears and there east and since then, we created CONTINUED ON PAGE 23 Akinjide indices expected to fall Fighting in east Ukraine over Ukraine’s military said the reb- seize more territory. from the attack in Mariupol, the ago.

The trainee teachers went has greatly enhanced collec-has killed the lasttax 24 hours at least International concern has major city 2014 in the place onlast the 25th September, of country’s great achievement adding Tom Garba,Yola Energy -40.5 els perhad centfired 120 times at its posiafter taking part in a probut wastwo cancelled by an Abuja that still records have missing shown that tion among corporate organisanine soldiers and wounded 29, the tions over the past day . mounted over the conflict and Russeparatist provinces conMetals -5.3 per cent The former acting Gov- court which brought Bala Nggi- the days though few testtouched in the south-western town of tion’s and a fewmilitary registered saidbusion Tuesday , as rebels faced pressureState to rein in the byGovernor Kiev and away Grains -3.7 per“Nine cent soldiers were killed and sia has lari as trolled substantive of located people’s lives in most significant ernor of Adamawa and Iguala on September 26 . nesses. fought to secure more Fats territory in -7.129per the state. ways.line. injured accused of arming from the immediate front Speaker it of is the state House of & Oils cent in the [war zone] during separatists Prosecutors say they were Fintiri said his 90 days in the He was speaking shortly afHon. Umaru Moscow Ah“ This situation is worse the war zone. in thecent last 24 hours,” military spokes- and Assembly backing, Rt. with troops.

However, a senior UN official Other food -1 per state PDP madu Fintiri has recalled the Dougeri Government House ter he visited theseized by local police and handed the large informal sector where The focus of the Beverages fighting re--5.6person Vladyslav Seleznyov said. firmly denies the accusations. an emergency Counper cent of good memories andSecurity secretariat with some of his good days he spent in office as was fulltold over of to Asa local gang, which killed enormous tax mained revenues be forgottenon describcolleagues transitional Governor of an could never thecould area around city -6.0 Rawthe Materials per centhave intensified as a Clashes A arocket attack on a residential cil meeting Monday that in thethe house Fintiri be obtained but not beenlocated them.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 ought to have taken ing those days as fulfilled days Fertilisers -2.1 per centtruce has unravelled, areaelection of has Debaltseve, halfway September in thethat strategic port city of deadly rocket barrage came from adequately captured in formal Those marching included the Precious Metals -2.9 per between the rebel strongholds of with the cent main rebel leader in Mariupol that killed 30 people at rebel-controlled territory and derecords,” he said.

Donetsk and Lugansk and where the Donetsk region last week an- the weekend has drawn particular liberately targeted civilians, in vio- families of the missing students.

They started their journey the pro-Russian separatists have nouncing he would no longer take worry. lation of international humanitarfrom four different suburbs of launched attacks. part in peace talks and planned to Rebels distanced themselves ian law.

Mexico City and headed to the city’s main square, the Zocalo.

More than 100,000 people have been killed or have disappeared in Mexico.

But the BBC’s Katy Watson in Mexico City says the case of Former Cuban leader Fidel hostilities.

The Cuban president, the letter the 43 students has galvanised Castro appears to have given tacit In the letter published by the stated, “has taken the pertinent Mexicans angry with high levapproval to the recent decision by state-run newspaper Granma, Mr steps in accordance with his preels of corruption and collusion Cuba and the US to restore diplo- Castro wrote: “We will always de- rogatives and the powers given to between local authorities, police matic relations. fend cooperation and friendship him by the National Assembly the and criminal gangs.

In a letter, he wrote: “I don’t with all the people of the world, Communist Party of Cuba”.

Relatives of the 43 trainee trust the policy of the US, nor have including with our political adverIt was hardly a ringing endorseteachers are sceptical about the I exchanged a word with them, but saries.” ment of US-Cuban rapprochement official version of their disapthis does not mean I reject a peaceThe 88-year-old appeared to be but nor was it a rejection of the depearance. March for missing stuful solution to conflicts.” backing decisions taking by his cision to re-establish political ties dents, Mexico City, 26 Jan 15 The These were his first comments younger brother Raul - the current with the great enemy to the north, missing students were last seen since December’s historic move by Cuban president who succeeded the BBC’s Will Grant in Havana being bundled into police vans in Castro Cuba and the US after decades of him in 2008. reports.

Iguala

Global commodities Nine soldiers killed in fresh Ukraine clashes ÏÏÏ

Adamawa: No regret for my 90 days in office – Fintiri

Can Emeka Ihedioha Rescue Imo?

Castro reacts to US-Cuba diplomatic thaw ÏÏÏ

not attend the South East Governors’ meetings, even when matters of grave consequences like the raging insurgency in the North East are being discussed by Igbo leaders.

APGA was the darling of Imo people in 2011 when Rochas indicated interest to contest office of the governor. And because Imo people said they wanted Ohakim out of office by all means as according to them the man ‘beat up a Catholic priest’ (an allegation that turned to be a pure lie), APGA leaders and other power brokers in the state and from Abuja decided to bring in Rochas, funded his campaign and made him governor. The attraction then was that Rochas was a philanthropist and therefore would govern well. But Rochas has left only the taste of ash in the mouth of both those who put him in office and especially Imo

citizens who have been fed with nothing but propaganda and razzmatazz.

Today Imo, people prefer to call Rochas ‘Emperor’ because of his negative carriage and the arrogance that envelops his total being. His speech lacks minimal finesse and coming from a governor of an Ibo state, such overbearing mien cannot last for too long; reason being that Ibos by their republican nature would suffer no bully long.

The above apart, instead of providing solid infrastructure like water, accessible roads, basic health care among others, Rochas has been building conference halls and event centres mostly in Owerri, the state capital as well as painting and decorating streets, all meant to create artificial fancy to deceive the people that work is in progress.

The so-called free education Rochas introduced

has collapsed because, like the other programmes, Rochas initiated it in a hollow foundation. How would you sustain scholarship when your only source of revenue is monthly oil rent from Abuja?

Among other failures of Rochas is the abandonment of projects started by his predecessor and for which billions of Naira had been invested, example being the great Oguta Lake project.

Socially, Rochas scored zero from the day he took over office in Owerri.

First he sacked 10,000 Imo youths that Ohakim employed in the state, sacked all the chairmen and council members in all the local government areas in addition to committing abomination by his move to rubbish traditional institutions in the state through dethronement of leaders of communities with impunity. These were in addition to the dubious impeachment of his deputy on trumped-up allegations of fraud for which EFCC has exonerated the former Deputy Governor.

As the 2015 governorship election draws nearer, Imo people are ‘on the march again,’ looking for a rescuer. Luckily, the state boasts of many cerebral technocrats and experts who have excelled in their different professions. Dozens of them had earlier declared interest to replace Rochas in the Douglas House. After months of intensive politicking, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) now has Captain Ihenacho as its candidate; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has incumbent Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Emeka Ihedioha while Rochas is standing for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A few weeks ago, the PDP family in Imo was in tatters. Most of the aspirants that sought the party’s candidate were angry after losing to Hon. Ihedioha.

But something historic has happened in Imo. For the first time, almost all prominent men and women in the state are united under the PDP and the roll call has former governors, serv-

ing senators and House of Representatives members as well as the who is who in the business community.

Only two days ago, immediate past governor Ikedi Ohakim pledged allegiance to both President Goodluck Jonathan and Ihedioha, urging Imo people to vote for the two leaders.

Back home, everybody is talking of Ihedioha and the excitement is rising by the minute. Apart from Ihedioha’s educational background and high level of integrity, he has conducted himself well as a politician, keeping cool head even as the de facto number four citizen of Nigeria. His loyalty to President Goodluck Jonathan and friendship with Senate President David Mark has helped to attract federal projects to Imo while Rochas is busy deconstructing the state and reversing its fortunes.

It is therefore hoped that Ihedioha, a Knight of Saint Mulumba would take Imo back on the path of progress and development when he eventually wins the governorship election in a few weeks time.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY 28-01-2015 ABUJA

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34 |24 °C 94 |75 °F

38 |20 °C 100 |68 °F

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36 |23 °C 97 |73 °F

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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 Wednesday January 28, 2015

Who broke up Mo’ Hits? L4 P

Take a tour to the Savannah Zimbabwe L5 P

Muna for burial Feb. 3

L3

P

Buzz Byte L2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

DJ Jimmy Jatt drops new video Glasses Up

Iconic entertainer, DJ Jimmy Jatt has released the video to the song entitled Glasses Up. The video is from his latest album, The Industry Volume 1.

The video serves as the anniversary theme song of Jimmy Jatt’s 25 years as a disc jockey and producer in the music industry.

Teaming up with the legend, in the TY Mix-produced track

include pop singer, 2Face Idibia, Sound Sultan, Burna Boy and fast-rising act, Naija Ninja’s first lady, Young GreyC. The Afro pop-inspired single video takes the viewer through different scenes of Jatt’s silver celebration and album launch of The Industry Volume 1. It also features cameos from MTV Base VJ, Ehiz, Mode 9 and Shaydee.

“Glasses Up takes my musical work a notch higher befitting my silver jubilee in the industry,” said Jatt. “The choice of 2Face, Sound Sultan, Burna Boy and Young GreyC was to ensure that we delivered a truly special song for my ardent fans through this years”. The dancehall video was shot on set in Lagos and directed

by Patrick Elis.

Jimmy Jatt

Kola Kuddus,

to celebrate 10th year on stage

Nollywood star, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi resurfaces For some time, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi has been missing from the movie industry and the social circle.

Recently, the one-time Nollywood superstar resurfaced at the Silverbird Galleria for a movie premiere entitled The Department. Although, she refused to grant any interview as she claimed she was only out to enjoy herself but not to be interviewed. Trust us, the ever-radiant actress still looked gorgeous and stylish in her long black gown. In case you don’t know much about her, the vivacious broadcaster shot to limelight several years back as an actress with her role in The Violated. This was quickly followed with a role in The Palace and a weekly soap that ran for about a year on AIT.

Ace designer and couture expert, Kola Kuddus has teamed up with urban clothing retail chain brand, Twice as Nice to enhance the sale and distribution of his kaftan and tunic line, to a larger savvy consumer audience.

Recently, at the Twice as Nice store, Ikeja City Mall, the new partnership was

launched to the admiration of a guest list that included the international Afro-soul singer; Teni, Afro-hip-hop/highlife singer; NoMoreLoss, publisher of Acada Magazine;Biodun Caston-Dada, CEO of Nu’World Africa; Muyi’ Olaitan and other guests. It was, indeed, an evening of cocktails.

The new partnership would have the Kola Kuddus kaftans

and tunics available at all Twice as Nice stores in Lagos and nationwide i.e. especially, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Akure, Ibadan etc.

Leveraging on the giant strides of the brand to grow into substantial prominence within the fashion industry, having showcased at all major local and international fashion shows, the merger would expand the fashion brand to access a cross-section of high profile consumers.

KWAM 1

turns driver King of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a.k.a KWAM 1 is in the news again. This time, the ever-busy musician had discharged his hefty security guard, who, usually, threatened his fans at events. Penultimate Sunday, KWAM 1 was billed to perform at an album launch by Taiwo Hassan a.k.a Ogogo and people were surprised to see him driving himself to the event centre. Some people blamed his idea of driving himself to the uncultured behaviour of his security detail, which had generated a lot of brouhaha between Alhaji, as the ace musician is fondly called, and his close associates.

KWAM 1

Funlola

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, January 28, 2015

L3 Cinema

Stories by: Mutiat Alli

Head Gone,

comical side of a bad society After making his first directorial debut in the movie The Tenant, Dare Fasasi took time to experiment with his brother, Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan) with the production of a star-studded movie entitled Head Gone.

The 110-minute movie is a satire that mirrors our society where corruption and incompetency have eaten deep into our societal fabric, which signifies the very thin line between madness and sanity.

The sight of Sergeant Robo, the madman who steals a police uniform and mounts a road block (incidentally, he is a policeman who was charmed with insanity by a pensioner because he demanded a bribe) is a direct shot at the Nigeria Police Force, the police roadblock being an eternal symbol of frustration and exploitation that every Nigerian relates with and abhors.

The movie is centered on a busload of patients being conveyed to a mental institution, who find their paths crossing with unsuspecting ‘sane’ people, when their bus breaks down, and the hilarious hijacks that follow. The movie is a proof of the mantra that “it doesn’t have to be exotic and expensive to be good.” The movie was low budget, but that did not, in any way, affect its production quality, the sound was good, and the camera was on the average.

However, the strength of the movie is in the characters which include 2Face Basketmouth, Akpororo, Ali Baba, Peter Fatomilola, Zach Orji, IK Osakioduwa, Yomi Obileye, Tunde Obalana, Eniola Badmus, Hafeez “Saka” Oyetoro.

AGN out with Muna’s burial plan National President of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo FiberesimaEgbuka has released the guild’s burial arrangement for one of their own, Muna Obiekwe, who died on Sunday, January 18, 2015. The burial of the star actor kicks off on Sunday, February 1, 2015 with a candle light procession that holds at Marshall Roundabout, Surulere, Lagos. The process will start from the roundabout to O’Jez Restaurant and bar, located at National Stadium. The dress code for the process is white, while T-shirts will be provided at the venue.

The late Muna Obiekwe will be buried on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Umudioka, Anambra State.

Ibinabo

On Set

IK Ogbonna, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chika Chukwu on set of True Love.

Produced by: Chika Chukwu Directed by: Ike Nnaebue

PDP gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje flanked by 4NL team.

Alex Okoroji, Femi Branch, others support Jimi Agbaje Top Nollywood actors, producers, scriptwriters and music artistes led by Alex Okoroji have expressed support for Jimi Agbaje, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through the 4NL (For New Lagos) campaign project.

Other members of the 4NL campaign team include John Njamah, Femi Brainard, Yemi Blaq, Ego Ogbaro, Wale Adebayo, Kalu Ikeagwu, Grace Amah, Segun Obe, Bayray Mcnwizu, Mayowa Adewale, Ronke Odusanya and Tokunbo Coker.

Okoroji,speaking at a town hall meeting of the candidate, said that the 4NL campaign team, which was flagged-off last year, is a non-governmental organisation

which stands for a new Lagos, with the sole objective to agitate, re-orientate and motivate all progressive Lagosians, not only to dream or see the possibility of a New Lagos, but, to, actually, be challenged to take effective action.

Femi Branch, on the other hand, noted that the entertainers involved were not out to make money out of it, “We are all doing well in our various professions; the impression that we are doing it for the money involved should be erased. We believe in the New Lagos and that’s why we are here. I want the Lagos of my dream and that I see being actualized through Jimi Agbaje.

Issue L4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

D’banj Should we Mo’Hits break-up

believe him?

Have a hangover?

Opeoluwani Akintayo Talking about the rancour between Don Jazzy and D’Banj, the questions, among others, begging for answers are: Who broke up Mo’Hits and how did the misunderstanding come about?

Accusing fingers point at D’banj, because he was the more outspoken of the two, but, could Don Jazzy not also have had a share of the blame? Just thinking.

Of course, people knew the problem started after the Kanye West G.O.O.D Music deal and many blamed D’Banj for allegedly having an insatiable appetite for fame and money. Well, could that be true or could Don Jazzy also have been scared of breaking new grounds to get new challenges?

Sources alleged that D’Banj was becoming, slightly, overconfident and efforts to curb him had been difficult. He, simply, wanted to experience what it felt like to mingle with the giants in the industry and when it comes to music, American artistes rule the world. Since he left Mo’Hits, many people have openly taunted his inability to churn out hits as it was when the going was good with Don Jazzy.

Well, it’s quite correct that D’Banj’s musical prowess and influence had plummeted since he left Don Jazzy, yet, there is no sin in trying to conquer new grounds. So, in order to let out the whole truth behind the friendship-gone-sour affair, D’Banj got on Olisa Adibua’s The Truth.

In trying to clear the air, D’Banj didn’t really spill the beans, but, challenged Olisa on why he didn’t invite Don Jazzy so they could both be there to answer the nagging

questions. Such face-off would have been a great idea.

D’Banj, however, actually, said it was Dr. Sid who broke up Mo’Hits and not him, seriously?

I remember that time when Dr Sid complained bitterly that Don Jazzy didn’t put in more energy into his career like he did with D’Banj’s, thus, making the latter a shining star. So, how did this contribute to the break-up of Mo’Hits?

Back to why the group broke up, D’Banj said he and Don Jazzy started having different views after the Kanye West deal was struck.

According to him, he was the one who pioneered the deal with Kanye and that he decided to bring Jazzy into it as his producer, so, they, eventually, got two deals; one for each of them.

After the deal, both of them were shuttling between Nigeria and the US just to fulfill their part of the deal. According to the Koko Master, he saw an opportunity to break into the international market, but, Jazzy complained that the US was too expensive and that they were spending too much money on the trips, thus, their contrary views kickstarted their break-up.

So, who broke up Mo’hits?

According to D’Banj, Don Jazzy stuck to his guns and, eventually, he told him one day that he didn’t want him (D’Banj) anymore. In other words, Don Jazzy broke up Mo’Hits!

Now, what does Jazzy have to say?

“Jazzy said he and other members of the group weren’t interested in the deal. Then later, he called me that he doesn’t want me as a partner again”, D’Banj said.

So, would you blame D’Banj for leaving? He was alone in that view!

Everybody else was against him!

However, many people don’t believe him, because to them, D’Banj looks too smooth to be real, but it would be nice to hear Don Jazzy’s version of the break-up too for their fans to know the full story.

D’banj

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

L5 Travels & Recreation

Visit the

Savanah Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, officially, the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo River.

It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. The capital is Harare.

Zimbabwe achieved de jure sovereignty from the United Kingdom in April, 1980, following 14 years as an unrecognised state under the conservative white minority government of Rhodesia, which, unilaterally, declared independence in 1965.

The name “Zimbabwe” is based on a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, an ancient ruined city in the country’s southeast whose remains are now a protected site. The country is, mostly, savannah, although the moist and mountainous east supports tropical evergreen and hardwood forests.

As one of Africa’s most beautiful destinations, Zimbabwe has been off the mainstream tourism radar for years. Tourism collapsed when white farmers were driven from their land, and famine and

hyperinflation ensued.

Since adopting the U.S. Dollar as its currency in 2009, economic healing has slowly begun, with foreign investment driving much of the recovery.

Now, the country’s stunning natural and cultural attractions are recapturing the attention of both foreign travelers and investors keen to capitalize on that interest.

Here are some spots that have attracted tourists the most in the last five years Harare Harare is a busy working African city, but, it’s also a city that is attractive and well designed with wide avenues and numerous open spaces and parks. Flowers, shrubs and trees are in abundance and when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom (September and October) the city is full of purple blooms. Situated high on Zimbabwe’s central plateau the air feels crisp and clear and whilst many will not want to spend extensive time in the city, it is certainly pleasant for an overnight stop.

Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe is located southeast of the town of Masvingo and is one of the best preserved stone cities in subSaharan Africa. The site itself is 722 hectares and the name is derived from Shona words meaning houses of stone.

The ruins have been the subject of heated debate over the years from the early Europeans believing Africans could not have built them to Cecil Rhodes attributing the ruins to the Phoenicians. Historians believe that the first structures were erected around AD1100 and these were added to up until the 15th century with the purpose being more religious and political rather than for fortification.

Lake Kariba By volume, Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world; it is over 140 miles long and up to 20 miles in width.

It is located on the Zambezi River, about halfway between the river’s source and mouth, about 800 miles upstream from the Indian Ocean, and lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A particularly atmospheric and beautiful lake, Lake Kariba will, no doubt, enchant you with spectacular sunsets and dramatic vistas.

Victoria Falls The small town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is less than two kilometres south of the Zambezi River and the border to Zambia. Until Zimbabwe’s political problems surfaced, it was the place to stay to see the waterfalls and the town was buzzing and vibrant.

Whilst the past few years saw troubled times for the country, Victoria Falls Town was one of the few areas that managed to retain a semblance of a tourism industry.

The town has a number of hotels, including the famous Victoria Falls Hotel which was always was, and still is, the place to have tea on the terrace. You can walk to the Falls from many of the hotels and enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the rainforest pathways with the backdrop of chattering monkeys.

Hwange National Park Hwange National Park is

the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. Located on the border with Botswana, its 1.4 million hectares are home to a rich variety of different habitats, vegetation and wildlife.

The park’s mopane and teak woodlands, grasslands and scrub areas provide a true wilderness experience and some fantastic game viewing opportunities. Hwange was proclaimed a national park over 75 years ago and is known for its herds of buffalo and elephant and a huge diversity of over 100 different mammal species.

Black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, baboon, porcupine, aardwolf, spotted hyena, caracal, leopard, African wildcat, lion, southern giraffe, hippo, warthog and Burchell’s zebra are all found in Hwange to name just a few. The large numbers of plains game and antelope in the park provide a rich source of food for the predators.

Mana Pools National Park On the middle reaches of the Zambezi River, a hundred kilometres below Lake Kariba is the Mana Pools National Park situated in the heart of the

Zambezi Valley.

It is a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, floodplains, the tree canopy and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment over the border in Zambia. The park covers 2000km² and much of it is inaccessible except of foot making it a truly unspoilt habitat.

This stretch of the Zambezi River is famous for its four pools: Main, Chine, Long and Chisambuk, which are remnants of channels of the river which stopped flowing years ago.

These and smaller seasonal pools dotted further inland hold water all year round, drawing a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife. Riverine forest fringes the river and pools and huge old acacia trees provide a shady canopy for the vegetation below.

This beautiful area is Zimbabwe’s second world heritage site.

The area is renowned for large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the dry season when they concentrate along the river.

Nutrition L6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

Having a hangover?

Here’s food to help!

We can’t shy away from the fact that some people can’t do without painting the town red, especially, on weekends, they gulp everything and then find it difficult to get next morning.

Typical hangover symptoms — nausea, sensitivity to light,

headache, aching muscles, diarrhoea, and decreased motor skills — are caused by changes in body chemistry, including hormones, chemical reactions within the body, and the toxic chemicals in alcohol.

Should you find yourself in such a situation, here are some

simple homemade foods and drinks that help.

Drinks that help: Water: This should be your number one priority after waking up with a pounding head. In fact, drinking some water before going to bed

prevent some painful hangover symptoms, but grabbing the water bottle in the morning doesn’t hurt either.

Coconut water: Aside taking sports drinks, try some coconut water, which has five of the electrolytes found in human

blood.

Fruit juice: Pour a glass of apple or cranberry juice to start the recovery process.

The fructose in sweet fruity drinks gives the body some instant energy, and help boost metabolism to get rid of those gnarly alcohol toxins.

Foods that help: Bananas and spinach. These are rich in potassium and electrolyte that is often depleted due to alcohol’s diuretic effect.

Eggs Eggs are full of amino acids like cysteine and taurine.

Taurine boosts liver function and prevent liver disease. Cysteine breaks down acetaldehyde, the yucky headache-causing chemical that’s left over when the liver breaks down ethanol.

Chicken Noodle Soup. This can restock sodium and water levels in the body. Chicken and some vegetables contain cysteine, which give the liver the much-needed boost.

Crackers or Toast with Honey. Crackers are filled with preservatives, so get a 100 percent whole-wheat variety.

Crackers and toast have bland carbs that raise blood sugar without upsetting the stomach.

Add some honey to help the body burn off alcohol faster.

Oats A hot bowl of oatmeal has plenty of essential nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Oats can neutralise acids in the body and raise blood sugar levels.

Tomatoes Take the tomato juice. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body. Tomatoes also contain fructose and vitamin C to give the liver a boost.

Avoid Greasy food Coffee Orange juice: Sour citrus, like orange and grapefruit, can irritate an already sensitive stomach.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

L7 Fashion

Fashion fast forward

One thing that exists in the fashion world is the ability to prophesy about some styles that have existed and may likely make a come back, and of course, those never-seen styles that are bound to come around.

It’s just like we are in a movie world and you could customize your own 3D and 4D printed dresses with web applications called Kinematics. These kind of dresses swing to your steps and adapt to your body shape. Printed in just two days, they cost a whooping $4,000 to make!

Wow, never have we thought technology can be adapted into what we wear but hey, it’s truer that we ever can imagine!

Take a glimpse.

They are prevalent more on the runway, music videos, musical/fashion events, foreign movies- they definitely haven’t been brought into Nigeria because our people aren’t yet prepared for such.

However, peradventure these dresses hit the stores, can you rock them?

MBGL holds Mainland audition Austine Agbovi

The Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos (MBGL) pageant, Mainland audition, has been held at the Hub Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.

It was a moment of fun last weekend as 29 contestants showcased their talents on the runway and only 12 of them were selected by the judges to battle for the coveted crown.

The judges included Roy Edozie, CEO, Royhills Fashion House, Brendan, President, Mr & Mrs Nigeria International, Santiago, President, Miss Tourism Nigeria & Mr Universe Nig, Alex, Manager, Miss Tourism Nigeria, Joy, CEO, Links & Glitz Magazine, Bola, Miss Africa, New Zealand and Daniel Martins, an international model.

Roy Edozie, organiser of the pageant, in his remarks, said the event was meant to help

Roy

young people showcase their talents in modeling which, would, consequently, put them at a vantage position to be employed by designers to model their products.

The next Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos Island audition registration is still on and can be done by visiting www.delotech.com.ng/form. Date is set for the 21st of February 2015 at the Slick Bar, VGC, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday January 28, 2015

Showing on 135 BET

Showing on 140 amc

02:25

18:00

Wed, 28 Jan| 18

Wed, 28 Jan|13

Inspector Vidocq investigates a series of unexplained murders at a Grand Guignol-type theatre where the players have suddenly become real-life victims.

‘S1/E147085- 1/147085’. New York DJ, syndicated radio host, TV personality and best-selling author Wendy Williams discusses celebrity gossip and news events.

101 M-Net West

00:00 The Last Ship 00:30 Marvel’s Agent Carter 01:30 Hollywood’s 10 Best 02:00 Gotham 03:00 The Bourne Legacy 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Masterchef Junior USA 08:00 Mom 08:30 Perception 09:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:30 Chasing Mavericks 12:30 About A Boy 13:00 Masterchef Junior USA 14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:00 The Lottery 17:00 Olive Kitteridge 18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 The Middle 19:30 Series TBA 20:30 Modern Family 21:00 The Millers 21:30 Olive Kitteridge 22:30 CSI

161 MAISHA MAGIC 00:00 Quierto Amartel/Loving You Is All 01:00 Kona 01:30 Mr And Mrs Singh 02:00 Tujuane Plus 03:00 The Wild 03:30 Nose Of Gold 04:00 Mkasi 04:30 Prem 05:00 Sumu La Penzi 05:30 Beyond The Beat 06:00 Wakilisha 07:00 Sparkling Girls 08:00 Quierto/Amartel/Loving You Is All 09:00 Kona 09:30 Mr And Mrs Singh 10:00 Tujuane Plus 11:00 The Wild 11:30 Noose Of Gold 12:00 Mkasi 12:30 Prem 13:00 Sumu La Penzi 13:30 Beyond The Beat 14:00 Wakilisha 15:00 Sparkling Girls 16:00 Quierto Amartel/Loving You Is All 17:00 Kona 17:30 Kanuni 18:00 La Majer Del Vandavel/The Lady 19:00 The Wild 19:30 Noose Of Gold

Vz 120 BBC Entertainment

00:00 Fashion Bloggers 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 01:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 02:00 The Drama Queen 03:00 Dr. 90210 04:00 Dr. 90210 05:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 06:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 07:15 Celebrity Style Story 08:00 The Drama Queen 09:00 Live From The Red Carpet: Screen...

11:00 E! News 12:00 Fashion Bloggers

120 BBC Entertainment

00:00 Total Wipeout UK 00:25 Top Gear 01:15 New Tricks 02:05 Come Dine With Me 02:55 EastEnders 03:25 The Weakest Link 04:10 Top Gear 05:00 Fool Britannia 05:25 QI 05:55 Spy 06:25 EastEnders 06:55 Antiques Roadshow 07:50 The Weakest Link 08:40 The Cube 09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

10:15 Deal Or No Deal 10:55 My Family 11:30 My Family 12:00 Top Gear 13:30 Come Dine With Me 14:20 Hell’s Kitchen USA 15:10 The Weakest Link 16:00 EastEnders 16:30 Deal Or No Deal 17:10 The Cube 18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

19:00 Top Gear 20:10 Top Gear’s Top 41 21:15 Hell’s Kitchen USA 22:05 Live At The Apollo

L8 Television

12:30 Fashion Bloggers 13:15 Celebrity Style Story 14:00 Live From The Red Carpet: Screen...

16:15 Celebrity Style Story 17:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 18:00 E! News 19:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The Hamptons 20:00 Fashion Bloggers 20:30 Fashion Bloggers 21:00 Fashion Police: The 2015 Screen...

22:15 Celebrity Style Story

253 AIT 00:00 AIT Midnight News 00:30 Movie: 02:00 Allison’s Stand 02:30 This Life 03:00 Focus Nigeria 04:00 What Life Took From Me 05:00 Oremus 06:00 Kaakaki 09:00 Uncommon Transformation 09:30 True Nigerian 10:00 Focus Nigeria 11:00 The Money Show 12:00 AIT Reports 13:00 Sports Extra 13:30 This Life 14:00 Global Business 15:00 Matters Arising 15:30Business/Initiative Africa 16:00 World News 16:30 The Eagle 17:00 Cartoon 17:30 S.U.R.E.-P TV 18:00 Sports Today 18:30 Shakatawa 19:00 So Wrong So Wright 19:30 Necter 20:00 AIT News Hour 21:00 Desperation 21:30 MTV Base 22:00 What Life Took From Me

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Cheaters 00:20Unbeatable Banzuke 00:45 Unbeatable Banzuke 01:15 Rude Tube 01:45 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 02:15 Brave Archer And His Mate 04:00 The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s...

05:00 Takeshi’s Castle 05:25 Takeshi’s Castle 05:50 I Bet You Will

06:15 Cheaters 07:05 World’s Most Amazing Videos 07:55 The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s...

08:55 I Bet You Will 09:20 Killer Karaoke 10:20 The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s...

11:15 The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s...

12:15 Cheaters 13:15 World’s Most Amazing Videos 14:15 World’s Wildest Police Videos 15:15 Video Zonkers

15:40 1000 Ways To Die 16:10 The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s...

17:05 World’s Most Amazing Videos 18:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 19:00 Killer Karaoke 20:00 Impractical Jokers 20:30 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny 22:30 World’s Most Amazing Videos

XT Exclusive

EXTRATIME

AFCON 2015:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Poster!

USAIN BOLT

Congo game more than a Derby – Ibenge X3

EXTRATIME

“ Full name: Nickname: Nationality: Date of birth: Place of birth: Residence: Height: Weight: Sport: Events: Club: Personal best:

3rd 0 0 0 0 0

Olympic Games Gold Gold Gold

100 m 200 m 4×100 m

Gold Gold Gold

2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing relay 2012 London 2012 London 2012 London relay

CAC Championships Gold

I’ve learned over the years that if you start thinking about the race, it stresses you out a little bit. I just try to relax and think about video games, what I’m gonna do after the race, what I’m gonna do just to chill. Stuff like that to relax a little before the race.

“I really want to try soccer after I retire because I’ve watched football over the years and I think I could be a good contender.

”

“He is an icon. He is the best sprinter of all time.”

“There is no athlete that can compete with him...he’s a global superstar.”

–Track & Field legend Michael Johnson

USAIN

BOLT 2005 Nassau

Commonwealth Games Gold 2014 Glasgow relay

X4,5

The sky has no limits...neither do I...

–Ex-Olympic President Jacques Rogge

100 m 200 m 4×100 m

World Championships Gold 2009 Berlin 100 m Gold 2009 Berlin 200 m Gold 2009 Berlin 4×100 m relay Gold 2011 Daegu 200 m Gold 2011 Daegu 4×100 m relay Gold 2013 Moscow 100 m Gold 2013 Moscow 200 m Gold 2013 Moscow 4×100 m relay Silver 2007 Osaka 200 m Silver 2007 Osaka 4×100 m relay

BOLT

–Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt Lightning Bolt Jamaican August 21, 1986 (age 28) Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 94 kg (207 lb) Track and field Sprints Racers Track Club 100 m: 9.58 WR (Berlin 2009) 150 m: 14.35 WB (Manchester 2009) 200 m: 19.19 WR (Berlin 2009) 300 m: 30.97 (Ostrava 2010) 400 m: 45.28 (Kingston 2007)

Men’s athletics medal record (Jamaica) Event 1st 2nd Olympic Games 6 0 World Championships 8 2 CAC Championships 1 0 Commonwealth Games 1 0 Total 16 2

QUOTES ON

200 m

4×100 m

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

ZIDANE URGES REAL TO TIE DOWN ANCELOTTI

Copa del Rey

, o c i t Atle n i a Barc

e i t y h c cr un

Murray

through to semi-finals

X8

INTERVIEW

X2

X7

Rodriguez: Real is world’s biggest club!

X6

X2

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

Copa del Rey BRIEFS Osun Sports Council extols Abdullahi’s virtues Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo The Osun State Sports Council (OSSC) has urged coaches in Nigeria to emulate the good virtues of late Musa Abdullahi.

The former Flying Eagles coach who died on Sunday, also handled the national U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, before being hit with stroke in 2007.

General Manager of the Council, Akin Adio, said the late coach death was painful, adding that his experience at different times as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles was mostly needed at this moment.

Lionel Messi (left) is expected to lead Barca’s attack against Atletico, while Fernando Torres is expected to start from the bench for Diego Simeone’s side.

Atletico, Barca

battle for semi-final ticket

T

he Copa del Rey serves up another tantalising encounter between two of La Liga’s bighitters today.

After edging the first leg 1-0, Barcelona will travel to the Vicente Calderon

to face Atletico Madrid for a place in the semi-final.

The explosive encounter between the two highly regarded La Liga sides promises to be action packed. The Catalans head to the Vicente Calderon with the

Raiola

M

ino Raiola has decided to pull out of the race for the FIFA presidency after Dutch FA (KNVB) chief Michael Van Praag announced that he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the position.

The controversial agent - who represents the likes of Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Balotelli and Henrikh Mkhitaryan announced his candidacy last week, claiming world football’s governing body is in

aim of protecting the most slender of leads against the La Liga champions, after Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the close encounter last week.

Barcelona will be feeling confident after their 6-0 thumping of Elche on Sat-

urday extended their winning streak to six games, a run which has seen them score 23 times and concede just twice.

Barca coach, Luis Enrique, faces a dilemma over whether to recall Luis Suarez after Messi and Neymar both grabbed a brace at the weekend.

The Uruguayan was rested on his 28th birthday alongside fellow regulars Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets - all of whom are expected to return to action tonight.

Fernando Torres is likely to start on the bench with Atletico boss Diego Simeone set to continue with top-scorer Mario Mandzukic, while key defender Diego Godin is unavailable due to suspension.

Meanwhile, the action continues on Thursday with Villarreal looking to hold a one-goal lead at Getafe, Athletic Bilbao hosting Malaga with all to play for after a goalless first leg, and Sevilla attempting to overturn a 3-1 deficit at home to Espanyol.

pulls out of race for FIFA presidency

desperate need of a change of leadership.

However, Raiola has now conceded that Van Praag - who announced his own intention to run for the position on Monday - is the better candidate and has offered the Dutchman his support.

“Running for the Fifa presidency was not about me, but about having a good candidate to challenge Blatter. We have a good candidate now,” Raiola said.

“Van Praag is someone with a better network, with more patience and who is a bit more of a natural when it comes to politics.

“I’m happy to make way for someone like him.”

Raiola’s withdrawal means Blatter now faces competition from four candidates, with Jerome Champagne, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Van Praag and David Ginola all looking to dethrone the 78-year-old Swiss.

Raiola

NFF mourns Agbonavbare Acting President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has expressed deep grief of the Federation and the entire Nigerian football family at the death of former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare.

Agbonavbare’s affliction with cancer was reported a couple of weeks ago, and the news was broken that he died in the early hours of Tuesday in Spain.

Toriola

Nigeria’s Toriola chairs ATTF Athletes’ Committee One of the Africa’s most decorated table tennis players, Nigeria’s Segun Toriola has been named as the chairman of the newly constituted Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Athletes Committee.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, the committee is made up of players from the seven zones across Africa including the continental representative in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Athletes Committee, Egypt’s El-Sayed Lashin, who will serve as ex-officio in the committee.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

AFCON 2015

NE MWEE UT RULES O ZAMBIA RETIREMENT

Action recorded during DR Congo and Tunisia Group B clash in Bata at the ongoing 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

CONGO GAME MORE THAN A DERBY

–IBENGE C

oach of the DR Congo national team Florent Ibenge says facing Congo in the AFCON 2015 quarterfinals is more than just a derby.

Ibenge’s DR Congo qualified for the Nations Cup finals as the best third placed team during the qualifiers and would not have been a favourite to reach the knockouts in Equatorial Guin-

ea, but they did.

“We are reaching the quarters with difficulty, exactly like during the qualifiers when we were the 16th team to qualify.

Everybody was expecting us to be the first to leave AFCON and we are in the top 8, we are still there,” the coach said.

Asked about facing neighbours Congo, who have surprised everybody by winning Group A under the leadership of Claude

le Roy, Ibenge said: “Congo are a mighty opponent with a more than experienced coach.

“We hope not to suffer the same scenario where we concede first and have to react.

“We want to act first. It will be more than a derby, it will be a family match which is going to be very tight, and we hope that it will be even tighter for them.”

Chikhaoui rallies Tunisia against hosts

T

unisia captain Yassine Chikhaoui has rallied his team to brace up for their AFCON quarterfinal clash with hosts Equatorial Guinea in Ebebiyin on Saturday.

Chikhaoui expects the Equatorial Guineans to get the backing of the 12th man which is why he is calling on his teammates to give undivided attention to the quarterfinal game if they intend to “go far in the tournament.”

Chikhaoui

But the Tunisian midfielder also spoke on his team’s performance against DR Congo in their last group match in Bata.

He said that though the Carthage Eagles made it through to the last eight on the strength of their 1-1 draw with DR Congo, he admitted that it was not the best of performance from the team.

The FC Zurich man however thumbed up the physical input of his team against Congolese.

Z

ambia number one Kennedy Mweene has disclosed that international retirement is not part of his plans.

The 30-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper has just completed his sixth AFCON tour of duty following Zambia’s first round exit from the 2015 edition currently taking place in Equatorial Guinea.

Mweene hinted that he was looking forward to a seventh successive AFCON appearance in 2017 and also leading Zambia in the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“I am just 30, unless my legs cannot take it anymore,” Mweene said.

“I still have the energy and I am still available for the national team anytime, any day.”

Mweene has been Zambia’s number one since Chipolopolo beat Bafana Bafana 1-0 in their final group game at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt when he replaced George Kolala.

BRIEFS

Possible venue change for hosts’ quarterfinal Hosts Equatorial Guinea’s quarterfinal with Tunisia at the AFCON on Saturday could be moved from the small Estadio de Ebibeyin to a bigger venue, the Confederation of African Football said on Monday. The recently-built 5 000-seater stadium is patently too small for the expected turnout as the small country rides a euphoric wave after their surprise victory over their neighbours Gabon in their last group game on Sunday.

Mweene Meanwhile, Mweene said he was disappointed with another group stage exit for Zambia coming on the back of their 2013 preliminary phase elimination when they failed to defend their 2012 crown.

“I think as a player I am very disappointed by not going through to the quarterfinals,” Mweene said with a tinge of regret.

Mweene and Zambia now switch their attention to the 2017 AFCON qualifiers that will kick-off in June.

AFCON RESULTS Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Congo Burkina Faso 0-2 Gabon Zambia 1-1 RD Congo Tunisia 1-1 Cape Verde Ghana 1 - 2 Senegal Algeria 3 - 1 South Africa Cote d’Ivoire 1 - 1 Guinea Mali 1 - 1 Cameroon Equatorial Guinea 0 - 0 Burkina Faso Gabon 0 - 1 Congo Zambia 1 - 2 Tunisia Cape Verde 0 - 0 RD Congo Ghana 1 - 0 Algeria

Gabon shocked by poor officiating Gabon are out of the AFCON 2015 and they are smarting at what they feel is atrocious officiating. The country, which borders Equatorial Guinea, were left furious by a spot kick decision awarded the hosts when they met on Sunday. That goal was the turning point as Gabon never recovered from the shock.

South Africa 1 - 1 Senegal Cote d’Ivoire 1 - 1 Mali Cameroon 1 - 1 Guinea Gabon 0 - 2 Equatorial Guinea Congo 2 - 1 Burkina Faso Congo DR 1 - 1 Tunisia Cape Verde 0 - 0 Zambia

TODAY’S MATCHES Cameroun v Cote d’Ivoire 19:00 Guinea v Mali 19:00

X3

X4

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full name: Nickname: Nationality: Date of birth: Place of birth: Residence: Height: Weight: Sport: Events: Club: Personal best:

Usain Bolt Lightning Bolt Jamaican August 21, 1986 (age 28) Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 94 kg (207 lb) Track and field Sprints Racers Track Club 100 m: 9.58 WR (Berlin 2009) 150 m: 14.35 WB (Manchester 2009) 200 m: 19.19 WR (Berlin 2009) 300 m: 30.97 (Ostrava 2010) 400 m: 45.28 (Kingston 2007)

Men’s athletics medal record (Jamaica) Event 1st 2nd Olympic Games 6 0 World Championships 8 2 CAC Championships 1 0 Commonwealth Games 1 0 Total 16 2

3rd 0 0 0 0 0

Olympic Games Gold Gold Gold

100 m 200 m 4×100 m

Gold Gold Gold

World Championships Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold Gold

2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing 2008 Beijing relay 2012 London 2012 London 2012 London relay

100 m 200 m 4×100 m

Silver Silver

2009 Berlin 100 m 2009 Berlin 200 m 2009 Berlin 4×100 m relay 2011 Daegu 200 m 2011 Daegu 4×100 m relay 2013 Moscow 100 m 2013 Moscow 200 m 2013 Moscow 4×100 m relay 2007 Osaka 200 m 2007 Osaka 4×100 m relay

CAC Championships Gold

2005 Nassau

USAIN

BOLT Commonwealth Games Gold 2014 Glasgow relay

200 m

4×100 m

N

T

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

“

QUOTES ON

BOLT

The sky has no limits...neither do I...

I’ve learned over the years that if you start thinking about the race, it stresses you out a little bit. I just try to relax and think about video games, what I’m gonna do after the race, what I’m gonna do just to chill. Stuff like that to relax a little before the race.

“I really want to try soccer after I retire because I’ve watched football over the years and I think I could be a good contender.

–Usain Bolt

”

–Ex-Olympic President Jacques Rogge “He is an icon. He is the best sprinter of all time.”

“There is no athlete that can compete with him...he’s a global superstar.”

–Track & Field legend Michael Johnson

X5

X6

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

Interview

Rodriguez:

s ’ d l r o w s i l a e R biggest club!

It is no exaggeration to say that James Rodriguez has had a year he is unlikely to forget. The man from Cucuta, Colombia, who is still only 23, achieved things that many top players can only dream of. First he dazzled at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he finished top-scorer, then he secured a dream move to Real Madrid. The winner of FIFA Puskás Award for best goal of 2014 revealed that the accolade of playing every week with Cristiano Ronaldo and his longing for a homeland he left as a teen are among the topics the Merengue attacking midfielder discussed with FIFA.com. Excerpts:

Y

ou could hardly have had a better 2014. Could you have imagined a year like that 12 months

ago?

You’re always thinking of making strides and I dreamed I’d get to where I am today.

But now that I’ve achieved this and got to play for a club as big as Real Madrid, all I can think about is continuing here for many years.

What’s surprised you about joining the club?

Its one thing looking in from the outside, but when you come here you understand the real scale of things – it’s something else entirely. I always considered it a big club, but now I’m on the inside, I can tell you it’s the biggest club in the world, no question.

So much is said and written about Cristiano Ronaldo and his personality, but how is it to actually share a dressing room with him and be teammates?

Cristiano is excellent, both on and off the pitch. For me, he deserved his Ballon d’Or victory for what he achieved in 2014, yet he is totally modest. We have a very good relationship. Out on the pitch, everyone knows how valuable he is, but it’s impressive to watch how he trains and works off the pitch. That’s where you see the real Cristiano, and you understand why he is where he is.

Have you got used to living in Madrid?

Madrid is a charming city, with things to do all day every day. Everything is open! It offers everything you could possibly want.

Both my family and I are very happy here. It couldn’t be any better.

Having left Colombia as a teenager, what is it you miss most about your homeland?

You miss everything about it: your people, your food... However, I have to say I’m getting used to living away, as it’s been six or seven years since I left – even if you always want to be near your friends and family.

Back home, many people will be wondering if they’ll see you playing in Colombian football one day. What your reaction to this?

It’s not really something I think about, but if it happens, well and good! If not, we’ll have to wait and see. It would be nice to wind down my career in Colombia, although obviously I have a long way to go before then.

Returning to 2014, if you had to single out just one moment, what would it be and why?

That’s hard, but if I had to choose, I’d say the World Cup in Brazil. It’s something that will always remain with me – and a lot of Colombian people. Everyone back home was following our every move, hoping we

could make history. We’d never reached the quarter-finals before, which is why it will always stay with me.

And there was the small matter of your goal against Uruguay winning you the Puskás award…How about that?

Yeah, that made me very happy. I began thinking about that award right after I scored, and thank God it came to pass. The fact that the public voted for me also made it special – it was an open vote. I only have words of gratitude for them. It will be difficult to match that goal, coming as it did in the Maracana and at a World Cup, but I’ll keep on trying!

that was the one I liked best. It was a long through-ball I ran on to, after which I managed to round the last defender with a feint and dink it over the keeper. Apart from the one I scored against Uruguay, this is the one that I found most pleasing from a personal standpoint. This one required more technique than the Uruguay one, where I had my back to goal and volleyed it from way out. This one required a delicate touch to finish it like I did, which made it more complicated.

Were you following the vote?

The other goals from Stephanie Roche and Robin van Persie were also really good, so I knew it would be a hard fought competition. I dreamt about winning it and luckily that dream came true.

Colombia’s World Cup adventure came to an end against hosts Brazil.

Looking back now, what do you remember about that game?

It was an unusual game, with a lot of fouls and bickering. They began really going in hard on me, but it’s all in the past now.

What matters is that we made history and that we have a young group who can continue to do so. This group has huge desire to do things right and win a lot of things.

At Brazil 2014, you scored another magnificent goal – the one against Japan; how was it from your perspective?

Of all the goals I scored at the World Cup

Maybe you can exact revenge at Russia 2018?

No, it’s not about revenge, but rather improving every day. If we run up against them again, it would be just chance.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

X7

EURO LEAGUE

Coppa Italia: Allegri wary of Parma’s backlash J

uventus will not allow Parma’s poor league form affect their focus ahead of today’s Coppa Italia clash, says Massimiliano Allegri.

Parma are enduring a torrid season in the league, with a record of only three wins from 20 matches leaving them bottom of the table, but the cup has provided a modicum of relief.

Roberto Donadoni’s men knocked out Cagliari in the last round, but their task is much tougher in the last eight, with Serie A leaders Juventus travelling to Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Allegri will not be taking victory for granted, though, saying Juve must focus if they are to end their 20-year wait to lift the cup.

“Today’s game is a quarter-final,

we have an obligation and a duty to try and make the semi-finals,” he said.

“I believe its 20 years since Juventus won the Coppa Italia, so this should be one of our main goals with the league and the UEFA Champions League.

“We must not think that we’ll go to Parma and find an easy game, because it’s an important game for them too, to try and make it into a semifinal.

“It will be difficult, very difficult, so we must not underestimate the commitment that will be needed tonight.”

Juve could welcome back midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo from illness for the clash, while Andrea Barzagli is nearing a return to the first team following a foot injury.

Ancelotti

ZIDANE URGES REAL

Allegri

Barca overhauls youth system

A

fter being hit with a transfer ban for breaching rules at youth level, Barcelona have pledged to make changes to their system.

The club are prevented from making any signings until 2016, after FIFA found them guilty of breaking the rules regarding their dealings involving youth players.

Barca appealed the embargo, but that was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in December.

It has since been announced that former assistant at first-team level Jordi Roura has been appointed to oversee Barca’s youth system, as the Catalan giants pledge to change their strategy.

Jordi Roura

TO TIE DOWN ANCELOTTI R

eal Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has urged President Florentino Perez to tie head coach Carlo Ancelotti down to a long-term contract.

Since arriving at Santiago Bernabeu in 2013 the Italian has won four trophies, including last season’s historic 10th UEFA Champions League.

The Italian is halfway to ending a twoyear wait for a Liga title with Real sitting

top of the table by one point, with a game in hand over second-placed Barcelona.

The 55-year-old’s current deal lasts until June 2016, but Zidane - who coaches Real’s ‘Castilla’ second team - believes that should be extended before other clubs come calling for his services.

“Carlo is very important to the team and is the best possible coach for Madrid,” the former France international said.

“I’m not surprised at how he has gone about things because he’s very professional and knows what he wants.

“I’d renew his contract right now because he is someone who gets on with this group of players very well.

“He has a clear vision and handles the players well, which is the biggest challenge these days. He knows how to get things across and talk to people.”

X8

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME Murray

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Murray through to semi-finals

Beats home favourite Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3

B

ritain’s Andy Murray ended the run of home favourite Nick Kyrgios with a brilliant display to reach the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday.

Murray, 27, outsmarted the 19-yearold to win 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 and set up a clash with Tomas Berdych on Thursday.

Kyrgios threatened a comeback in the second set tie-break but two superb lobs helped the Scot to a crucial lead.

The sixth seed is through to his fifth Australian Open and 15th Grand Slam semi-final.

In the last four he will take on seventh seed Berdych, now working with Mur-

ray’s former coach Dani Vallverdu who left the Briton’s team in November.

While Berdych enjoyed a landmark win over Rafael Nadal in his quarter-final, Murray overcame the great new hope of Australian tennis - and a packed and expectant crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

“I didn’t go into it obviously thinking like that,” said Murray about facing the home favourite.

“I was just trying to win against Nick, which was tough because he has an exceptional serve and makes it very difficult for you when he’s serving.

“And it was very tricky conditions as well, so I was quite happy with the way I handled everything tonight.”

The dominant force from the outset, particularly on serve, Murray used a variety of spins and angles to keep Kyrgios off balance.

When Kyrgios did suggest a fightback, the Briton was able to find a big serve or a winner to halt the momentum.

Two terrific lunging returns set up a break point in game six and a sliced backhand drew the error when Kyrgios went for too much.

On a cold and breezy evening, the home crowd needed their man to bring a bit of heat to the contest and, after saving an early break point in the second, he worked his way into the match.

A tie-break was required and Kyrgios

Sharapova

brushes aside Bouchard

M

aria Sharapova brushed aside seventh seed Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets to set up an all-Russian Australian Open semi-final in Melbourne.

The 2008 champion, seeded second, won 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 18 minutes at a cool and blustery Melbourne Park.

Tenth seed Ekaterina Makarova beat third seed Simona Halep 6-4 6-0 also in Tuesday’s opening match.

Tomas Berdych upset Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-0 7-6 (7-5), while Andy Murray

beat Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

Sharapova, 27, took her record against Bouchard, 20, to 4-0 with a clinical performance as the Canadian made 30 errors in 78 minutes.

“I thought I had a really good start,” the Russian said. “I kept my focus throughout the whole match. I didn’t feel that I had too many letdowns, which is important.

“When I did have a few slips I was able to come out with great first serves or really powerful returns.”

looked likely to take it when he turned around a 2-0 deficit to lead 4-3 with a break, but Murray played a magical forehand lob to wrestle back the initiative.

The Australian had a half-chance facing a second serve at 5-5 but could not make the return, and Murray produced another winning lob off the backhand to clinch the set.

A furious Kyrgios risked a point penalty when he smashed his racquet, having earlier been warned for an audible obscenity, but at least escaped that punishment as he faced the prospect of recovering from two sets down for the second time in three days.

Murray further tightened his grip when

he made it a hat-trick of unplayable lobs on the way to breaking for 4-2 in the third, only to slip up with the finish line in sight.

It took nearly two hours for Kyrgios to earn a break point but he converted his second when a distracted Murray netted a backhand, and the crowd came to life.

Murray needed to snuff out the danger quickly and he did just that, thanks in part to a poor line call at 30-0 down which he capitalised on with two thumping cross-court forehand winners.

It left the British number one serving for the match, and there were no alarms this time as he sealed it with a smooth forehand winner down the line.

Armstrong blasts ICU boss over unfulfilled promises

sions Cookson has made in his first year, he would have been lynched,” said the disgraced cyclist.

“Do we like what we have got so far?”

Armstrong cited the decisions to “rush” through Team Sky’s request for Chris Froome to get emergency steroid treatment for asthma after the Tour de Romandie’s prologue and Cookson’s handling of the Astana affair as failures to signal a new direction at the top of the sport.

Astana, the team for which Armstrong rode during his second comeback in 2009, have been mired in controversy ever since five riders in their system failed drugs tests in a matter of months last year.

Many observers expected the UCI to revoke the team’s WorldTour licence but after weeks of speculation the Kazakhstan-based outfit were given another chance in December.

L Sharapova

ance Armstrong believes Brian Cookson has not delivered on his campaign promises since taking over at the International Cycling Union (UCI).

Cookson, the ex-head of British Cycling, beat Ireland’s Pat McQuaid in a bitter election in late 2013.

But Armstrong is unimpressed with what he has seen of the president so far.

“If McQuaid had made the same deci-