DTN 28-5-15

EXCHANGE RATES AS AT 26th May 2015.

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central (NGN)

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 27th May 2015.

GAINERS

Selling(NGN)

LOSERS

US DOLLAR

196

196.5

197

TOTAL

159

6.40

4.03%

NESTLE

860

-11.00

-1.28%

POUNDS STERLING

302.0556

302.8262

303.5967

BETAGLAS

39.97

1.87

4.68%

CAP

41

-0.50

-1.22%

149.56

-0.44

-0.29%

4.43

-0.23

-5.19%

EURO

214.2868

214.8335

215.3801

DANGCEM

180

1.00

0.56%

MOBIL

SWISS FRANC

206.882

207.4098

207.9375

PRESCO

32

1.00

3.13%

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g4

Probe all ex-leaders How did you allocate our oil wells, oil fields, marginal wells and all that; did you follow our laws? All these should be probed – President

A cross section of pupils during the 2015 Children’s Day celebration parade and rally at the Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja, Lagos… on Wednesday

Aregbesola floors Omisore at S’Court

Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Bayelsa Buhari 5 g PDP expels returns eight 6 g today Jonathan’s from UK men g 12 Electricity supply drops to 847.97mw g6 President may okay amended constitution g12

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Celebrating Children’s Day

Y

esterday, May 27, was marked as World’s Children’s Day. In Nigeria, the day is usually set aside to celebrate the country’s children and their place in the society both as the future generation and leaders.

Children are the pride of every country and family and that is why societies set very high premium in protecting them against domestic violence and other dangers resulting from wars and other forms of strife.

It is a truism that the future of any society depends on the quality of the upbringing of their children. There is no gainsaying that social, economic and technological gap between nations is a function of the quality of children’s upbringing in the respective countries.

Unfortunately, while the developed societies of the West and developing countries of Asia and Latin America are investing huge resources in the education of their children, those in the Third World, including Nigeria, continue to treat the issue of children education, with levity and even disdain.

The problem is compounded by the fact that many of the children are from poor homes and thereby forced to become bread winners at very tender age. A cursory look at our streets and highways reveals the presence of thousands of children some as young as five years hawking wares while meandering through traffic to avoid being knocked down by vehicles. In the end, some still get knocked down

while others fall victims to rapists and ritualists.

Even within the country’s geopolitical zones, it has been discovered that majority of the children in the North East and North West are out of school and roaming the streets as Almajiris begging for alms as part of religious obligations. Fortunately, some are now in school courtesy of President Goodluck Jonathan’s crusade of building schools for such deprived children. Even the homes are no better as some families now sell their children or rent them out as house helps. Children bear the biggest brunt of the insurgency by Boko Haram in the North East, with the conflict having severely constrained full scale provision of health services, thereby threatening their right to survival.

Sadly, in Borno State, children have not been to school for more than one year. According to United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), more children and women have been used as suicide bombers in in the first five months of this year than during the whole of last year. It was gathered that since July 2014, nine suicide incidents involving children aged between seven and 17 years - all of them girls have been reported. Without the protection of their families, these children are at greater risk of exploitation by adults, and this can lead to involvement in criminal or armed group activities. That is why the government must enact laws to protect the rights of children in all spheres of human endeavours. Children are our heritage and everything must be done to protect them.

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Is NDLEA now an outlaw?

Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏImagine a government

agency which over the years has been taking suspects to court, prosecuting them and securing several convictions suddenly waking up one day not only to refuse to obey a court order, but subtly questioning the rationale for such ruling.

That is exactly what the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) did on Tuesday when it refused to obey an order by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos asking it to vacate the Lekki- Lagos residence of the Senator-elect for Ogun East senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu.

Justice Ibrahim Buba,

who gave the order, also barred the agency from arresting Kashamu pending the ruling on a fundamental enforcement action which he filed before Justice Okon Abang of the same court.

But the NDLEA would have none of that as its spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, in a statement, on Tuesday, shortly after the ruling, described the order as trivial and an attempt to prevent it from performing its statutory functions. He insisted that the NDLEA is acting within the confines of the law and will continue to maintain presence at the residence of Kashamu.

Granted that the NDLEA has the backing of the Act setting it up in the discharge of its duties, not a few are worried that the decision to disobey the order to vacate Kashamu’s

Words On Marble :

dailytimesng

residence is a dangerous precedent. It paints the agency in bad light, with many asking: Is NDLEA is now an outlaw? Fact is that no agency can on one breathe elect to stand and bow before a court and in on another breathe refuse to obey the verdict of the same court.

So, the NDLEA should be reminded that no matter how dissatisfied it is with the present court order, it does not have the powers refuse to obey it. As it is often said, no matter how bad a court ruling is, it must be obeyed until set aside by a superior court. This is what the NDLEA should do in the case between it and Kashamu. Therefore, the NDLEA must do away with this grandstanding. It is unnecessary and a dangerous precedent.

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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.

Amilcar Cabral

John Quincy Adams

Theodore Roosevelt

Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures.

Claim no easy victories...

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

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5 News

S’Court affirms Aregbesola’s election victory Andrew Orolua Abuja Okonjo-Iweala

Oshiomhole

Fuel subsidy: Oshiomhole tackles Okonjo-Iweala Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏGovernor

Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, of feeding Nigerians with half-truths in the management of the nation’s economy.

He said this in a review of Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure.

He maintained that she ran the Excess Crude Account (ECA) like a one-man show, saying her recent outcry that oil marketers were falsifying subsidy claims might have been done in fear of the incoming administration.

His words: “The Minister of

Tragedy on Children’s Day: Thunderbolt kills four girls in Kwara State Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

2015 Children’s Day celebration went sour, on Wednesday, when a thunderbolt killed four female children in Gure, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The thunderstorm was said to have struck during a downpour between midnight and 1a.m.

Besides, many others were rendered homeless.

A source in the town said that three of the children were of the same parents, while the fourth one was visiting.

It added that the thunderbolt that broke into the wall of the house led two children into a state of unconsciousness while some others were are hospitalised as a result of injuries.

The remains of the victims were said to have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites on the day.

Finance cannot stop at simply shedding crocodile tears about fraudulent claims by oil marketers. Having found her voice, thanks to the fear of Gen. Buhari, it is very necessary that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala takes one more crucial step at full disclosure.

“She must disclose to the nation the full details of subsidy payments made to oil marketers in the last four years, including the parameters used to calculate the subsidies. This also must include how much of the subsidy was paid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it is also being accused of making the same fraudulent claims.”

The killing of the children was among other havoc caused in the area as roof of many other houses were blown off.

The chairman of the local government, Mallam Mohammed Omar-Bio, who confirmed the incidence, said it was pathetic.

Omar-Bio, however, used the opportunity to condole with the family of the victims with a plan to send a delegation to the community.

Meanwhile, he has appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other disaster management agencies to provide relief materials to the victims of the disaster.

Omar-Bio, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer of LGA, Mr, Jubril Masene, said that with the development, the number of rain disaster victims in the area had risen more than 200.

ÏÏÏThe

Supreme Court, on Wednesday, affirmed the return of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the winner of the governorship election, held on August 9, 2014.

It dismissed the two appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the election, Iyiola Omisore, and allowed the cross appeal filed by Aregbesola,

who contested the election as the candidate of All Progressives Congress.

In a unanimous decision, the seven-man panel of the apex court said it found no reason why the concurrent findings of the lower court and Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal should be disturbed because “contrary to the petitioner’s complaint there is no merit in the petition.”

Justice Chima Centus Nweze, in the lead judgment of 71 pages, said that he had no difficulties

in upholding the findings of the lower court and, in effect, Aregbesola’s election, in the absence of creditable evidence.

Nweze said that after a thorough re-examining of the 380 exhibits and testimonies of 17 witnesses called by the petitioner and 19 other witnesses of the defendant, he agreed with the lower courts that the petitioner was unable to establish a case of substantial violation in any of the 13 local government areas that he had complained of irregularities.

L-R: Chairman Wheelers Club Abuja , Mr. Nwafo Chigbo; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; and Mr. Emmanuel Abe, when the minister rode a bicycle to the last Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja… on Wednesday PHOTO : TEMITOPE BALOGUN

Constitutional Amendment: Jonathan may sign amendment Bill as S’Court strikes out suit Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly, on Wednesday, resolved their differences on the fourth alteration Constitution Amendment Bill raising hopes that the amended Constitution may be signed into law

today.

The Supreme Court had struck out the suit filed by Jonathan, who had sought to stop the National Assembly from overriding his veto on the bill.

The matter was stepped down from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. by the Supreme Court after the plaintiff ’s counsel, Bayo Ojo (SAN), informed the court that he in-

tended to brief Jonathan about the term of settlement after the national executive meeting.

The suit was struck out, after the representatives of the President and National Assembly, Ojo and Chief Adegboyenga Awomolo (SAN) respectively informed the court that they had settled their differences out of court.

Coalition lauds Jonathan for signing Tobacco bill Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏThe

Jonathan

National Tobacco Control Bill Coalition, on Wednesday, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the National Tobacco Control Bill, calling it an extra-ordinary public health legacy.

In a statement issued by the coalition comprising the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Environmental Rights Action /Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) and Nigeria Tobacco Control Coalition (NTCA), the group also commended members of the 7th National As-

sembly for fast-tracking the bill process, in readiness for Jonathan’s nod.

CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the presidential assent, was a remarkable step in efforts to protect the Nigerian people from the dangerous effects of smoking.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Jonathan to Buhari: Probe all of us Egena Egena Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said anybody contemplating a probe of his government should be thorough and extend its scope to his predecessors.

He said the probe would only make sense if it covered such areas as how oil blocks were allocated by successive administrations, huge judgement debts that had accrued over time and sundry issues.

Jonathan spoke at the valedic-

tory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja where cabinet members took their turns to eulogise him.

Jonathan was reacting to calls on the incoming government of Gen. Muhammed Buhari by some Nigerians to probe the out-going administration.

He said: “Some people are even calling for the probe of this government, I agree in Nigeria there are a number of things that we will probe, very many things.

Even debts owed by states and this

nation from 1960 up to this time they say it is Jonathan’s administration that is owing all the debt.

“I believe that anybody calling for probe must ensure that these probes are extended beyond the Jonathan administration, otherwise to me it will be witch hunting. If you are very sincere, then it is not just the Jonathan administration that should be probed.

“A number of things have gone wrong and we have done our best to fix them. The Attorney General is aware of massive judgments debts. If we aggregate all of them is almost going to $1 billion.

L-R: Member House of Representatives, Mr.Femi Gbajabiamila;his Lagos counterpart,Mr. Yakub Balogun; and another members, Mr. Mohammed Monguno, during the members support for Gbajabiamila for the speakership Aspirant in Abuja... on Wednesday Photo: Temitope Balogun

Buhari arrives today ahead of inauguration Ngozi Okafor London

ÏÏÏPresident

- elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, will be fully recharged when he arrives in Nigeria today, concluding a short trip as a private citizen before assuming office.

His flight was scheduled for Wednesday night at the Heathrow Airport in London.

An official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) UK chapter, who spoke with the Daily Times on Wednesday afternoon, disclosed that Buhari , who had been in London since last Friday, would be seen off at the airport by the High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Dalhatu Tafida.

When asked whether the President - elect actually refused entering the official car that the High Commission arranged to welcome him at Heathrow last Friday, the official who sought anonymity dismissed the media report ( not the Daily Times ), as

mere speculation, saying, “don’t believe all those reports.”

When asked if Buhari came in the company of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the President he overthrew about 30 years ago, the APC top shot in the UK said: “Don’t forget it is a private visit, so I don’t know,” Buhari, meanwhile, has been causing uneasy among the top echelon of the APC and a Daily Times source revealed on Wednesday how Buhari allegedly humiliated a leader of the party, who had paid a visit to the President-elect along with the Vice -President elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at his Abuja residence about two weeks ago.

“Buhari told the leader to wait aside and let Osinbajo come him first. He said Osinbajo is the one elected as Vice-President,” the source said.

Another source in the UK expressed disappointment that Buhari shunned the party leaders since his arrival in London.

“He (Buhari) came for something and has no time for anyone,” the APC UK official said.

Asked if he and some executives who organised support for Buhari before and after the Chatham House visit of February and for the March 28 presidential election had seen the Presidentelect, the official said: “He didn’t meet with anyone. Only professional people. “ Continuing, the official said: “Don’t forget that he’s now the President in waiting, so he can choose those he wants to see.”

Asked how he and others were feeling, considering the preChatham House event that they organised for Buhari at the Everlasting Arms Church on Old Kent road, and other rallies opposite the Nigerian High Commission as well as the rally outside Chatham House itself during Buhari’s famous visit, the Daily Times source simply shrugged.

Continued on page 12

“How did we come to this kind of huge judgment debts? These issues should be probed. How do you allocate our oil wells, oil fields, marginal wells and all that; do we follow our laws? All these should be probed. And I believe all these and many more areas should be looked at”.

The outgoing President posited that in spite of the fact that his administration had so many challenges, like terrorism and industrial actions, to contend with, it was able to raise performance and accomplishments comparatively.

He dismissed the persistent criticisms of his government as unjust and politically-motivated, saying that his critics should compare what his government had done with those of his predecessors.

“As a cabinet, we have tried our best, I believe we have done well under a very difficult situations.

“There are a lot of criticisms, people say different things at different times. Some of those who make some statements know there are purely political.

“I always insist that we have been here for five years and some months including the time I was an acting president.

“I have always thrown the challenge that those who criticize us should compare what we have done in the various sectors to what others have done,” said Jonathan.

He went further to list some achievements of his administra-

tion in various sectors, including transportation, petroleum and agriculture.

His words: “I may not need to enumerate but if you look at the rail system and what we have done within this period; the oil sector where there has been so much attack, one good thing we did was the Nigerian content law that revolutionized the oil industry. There were a lot of fabrications going on in Lagos and other places but it was never like this before. Nigerians are playing key roles in the oil sector, people sometimes forget this. ”Even with that maybe, we have offended some people but the Nigerian local content has really helped so many Nigerians, to play big in the oil sector.

“The agriculture, power sectors and maybe in foreign relations like the Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned, from 1960 to date we have been members of the Security Council as non-permanent members five times out of these five times, two times was with the five years of our administration.

We have been in the United Nations security council as non-permanent members five times, two within this administration. That shows clearly that the rest of the world appreciate our little contributions to global issue.

“In education, the road system, Continued on page 12

Electricity supply drops to 847.97MW ÏÏÏElectricity

supply has dropped from 3,000 megawatts to 860.47 megawatts, the Daily Times has learnt.

Of the figure, about 847.97 mw is being sent out while the remaining is used to stabilize the system, according to the Presidential Task Force on Power.

The nation’s peak demand forecast is 12,800.00mw.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has also noticed with concern the acute shortage in power supply and the attendant hardship Nigerians are passing through.

In the last couple of months, electricity supply has been generally poor on account of increase in vandalism in the run up to the April 2015 elections. But this bad supply condition has worsened in the last few days.

At present, 18 out of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to generate electricity due shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants with one of the hydro stations faced with water

management issue. This has led to loss of over 2,000 megawatts in the national grid.

This situation is further compounded by the recent industrial actions embarked upon by workers in the oil and gas industry, a development which is taking toll on other sectors of the economy. Gas supplies to the thermal plants have been further constrained by the industrial actions of workers in the oil and gas industry.

The Commission had proactively engaged the gas supply companies and its licencees when two weeks ago discussion was held on how to firm up gas supply in order to increase power supply.

Unfortunately, not much progress was made through this meeting as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and its subsidiary Nigeria Gas Company, disclosed of high incidence of vandalism in some areas that were relatively peaceful along its pipeline networks.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

200,000 Nigerian refugees in Neigbhouring countries Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe

United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has said that over 200,000 Nigerian Refugees from the north eastern part of the country are currently taking refuge in the neigbhouring countries of Republic of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The Regional Representative for West Africa Liz Ahua, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Bauchi, on Wednesday, said the refugees were displaced due to activities of insurgents that has ravaged the region.

She said the refuges are willing

to return to Nigeria but fear uncertainty is preventing them.

She added that these refugees are traumatized due to the activities of insurgency, saying over five million people are traumatized.

She said the Commission was so concerned over the traumatized state of both the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and refugees in the neighboring countries.

She said: "We work with partners to support the refugees with education and medical facilities because they are no more living in their country of National, so we have to give them adequate support.

"We have the responsibility to

support them by providing physical and legal protection for them.

We have been providing capacity building to assist them and we working on providing more shelter for them. Though in Bauchi, where most of them live within the community, we are proud of the host community for the care given to them.

"We spoke with many of the IDPs and the women and children were crying due to hardship.

They told us their needs which are education, shelter and health needs. Some of them came from Yobe, Adamawa, Borno among other states and they have to treck for more than two months to get to where they camped

"The women complained of education because their children are out of schools and they want them to go back to school. They also complain of school materials, furnitures, to enable the children learn in a good environment.

"They also complained of means of lively hood because many of them were into trade before they were displaced so the women need to be empower to be able to take care of their children," she said. Liz Ahua assured that the Commission would ensure that both IDPs and refugees would be given adequate attention especially in term of food items , clothing, shelters and empowerment as well as modalities

70-yr-old woman, son, arrested for robbery in Ogun Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏA

Cross section of Remilekun Nursery and Primary School during the 2015 Children’s day held in National Museum, Lagos... on Wednesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Jonathan commends CAC as Zenith Bank, others get Citizens’ Award Tom Okpe and Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏ

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday commended the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) for advancing the process of business registration and the introduction of modern techniques to meet global based standard while actualizing the vision of the Commission.

Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated this while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Citizens’ Awards organised by the CAC in Abuja.

According to him, the Commission needs to be reminded that it is at the hub of Mr. President’s transformation agenda of creating an enabling environment for

business growth and attracting foreign direct investment.

Aganga, who expressed satisfaction at the criteria for the award, noted that the main purpose of the awards was to promote the culture of good statutory compliance in Nigeria by recognising and honoring corporate citizens who have distinguished themselves in the conduct of their business and must have complied with all statutory requirements and best practices of corporate governance.

The minister said it was gratifying to note that the guiding principles for the award was to create a conducive environment, ensure greater efficiency, openness and transparency in business adding that the overall commitment was to change the focus in doing business in Nigeria with a view to stimulate the growth of Nigerian

economy.

“I am particularly delighted that the corporate citizens’ awards started and materialized during my tenure as the Supervising minister of the Corporate Affairs Commission. At the Ministry of Trade and Investment, we have given the issue of conduct of business very serious attention with a view to creating the requisite environment for rapid economic growth and development,” he added.

Zenith Bank Plc alongside three other banks, a microfinance bank, insurance firm, Brewery company and an investment and security company were the nine indigenous companies that were honored at the maiden edition of the corporate citizen’s award held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

In the awards categories, Stan-

70-year-old woman, her son and two others had been arrested by the Ogun State Command of Nigeria Police for alleged armed robbery in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The woman, Moninola Lateef, was arrested along with the gang members for allegedly assisting his 35-year-old son, Modiu Lateef who sustained gunshot injuries during an operation, to get treatment from a herbalist.

The 70-year-old woman and the gang of suspected armed robbers was said to have been terrorising Abeokuta, for some time were arrested by SARS operatives last week Tuesday.

Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) for Ogun State Command, Muyiwa Adejobi said that Modiu Lateef, 35; Wale Okukenu, 30 and; 28-year-old Fatai Osho had been on the wanted list of the police and were eventually tracked down by the men of SARS. Adejobi said that a locally made pistol was recovered from the members of the robbery gang.

Further more he said that septuagenarian Moninola Lateef, who is the mother to one of the suspects, Modiu Lateef was arrested along with the robbery suspects for allegedly taking her son to a herbalist for treatment to extract the bullets and pellets lodged in his body when he was shot during a robbery operation.

7 News

Judicial workers seek unconditional release of Justice Obayomi Akor Ejumene Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Judiciary Staff

Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has called for the unconditional release of the Kogi State High Court Judge; Justice Samuel Obayomi, who was abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday in Okene Local Government Area of the state.

National Publicity Secretary of JUSUN, Comrade Kayode Agbarago, who spoke with reporters, said the union viewed the abduction of his lordship as unfortunate, considering the fact that Justice Obayomi who suffered a ghastly motor accident is just resuming work when the ugly incident occurred. Comrade Kayode warned that if something urgent is not done to decisively deal with the situation, other judges handling high profile cases may be intimidated to hand off such matter.

Agbarago however urged security agencies to live up to expectation by ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book so as to serve as deterrent to others.

While emphasising on the need to totally overhaul the security apparatus in the country, the JUSUN PRO urged Federal Government and the Kogi State government to fish out those holding the judge.

Bauchi Judges urged to ensure quick dispensation of justice Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏBauchi

State Judges have been urged to work towards ensuring quick dispensation of justice in the state.

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said this while swearing-in the new state grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal and three High Court Judges in the state on Wednesday in Bauchi.

He commended the judiciary for ensuring smooth and cordial working relationship with the executive arm of Government during the last eight years of the outgoing administration in the state He used the occasion to call on the judiciary in the state to extend same gesture of cooperation giving to his administration to the new incoming administration.

The newly sworn-in Grand Khadi, Khadi Dahiru Abubakar Ningi, had been on acting capacity as grand khadi of the state since December, 2014.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Politics

Æs

Politics Editor: Akinjide Akintola Email: akinjide.akintola@dailytimes.com.ng

Why APC should be fair on NASS leadership

Saraki

Akume

Gbajabiamila

The positivity of Nigerians, massively voting for change in the just concluded elections was not just try-a-luck phenomenon nor financial inducement by the party leaders. The outcome of the elections shows the confidence and faith the Nigerian populace have in the leadership composition of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), whose manifestos ex-

plain in details, the believe in the execution of the project Nigerian.

The election campaigns were not based on issues, but more of character assassination and falsehood which was more from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP). The preformation of the APC which saw the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All

Buhari/Osinbajo can’t afford to fail – Baiyeshea

Buhari

Osinbajo

He is a combination of many virtues, an erudite scholar, accomplished Pastor and a legal luminary. John Olusola Bayeshea, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has been in the bar for about 33 years. He is a simple personality but a bundle of talent and of course a leadership potential which is hard to come by in Nigeria. In this interview with KEHINDE AKINPELU, he spoke extensively about the incoming regime of General Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and their chances of turning things around in Nigeria. He expressed a new hope for Nigeria and prayed for the new President to succeed.

Excerpts.

Few days to inauguration of General Muhammadu Buhari as the President, Nigerians have very high expectations, what are your views?

The expectations of the people are legitimate because the people have invested so much in the hope that the ‘Change’ Slogan or mantra of APC would not be a mere slogan.

People are really yearning for a

Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and part of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which later joined after the 2011 elections coming together to form a major alliance. The project failed at the inception because, major issues like zoning of major positions from the party down to elective and appointive positions at the federal and state levels where not ironed out.

Thank God, that all the isCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Lagos Speakership race hots up as Abiru leads pack of five

change.

Too many things have gone wrong in the country; it is as if Nigeria has been damaged beyond repairs and here comes General Buhari, who had been one time Head of State.

Though the dynamics are now very different, personally, I am just praying for him so that he would not lose the goodwill he enjoys nationally

As the race to the Speakership seat of the Lagos State House of Assembly gathers momentum, the current Deputy Whip of the House and the only principal officer who made it to the 8th Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Lateef Abırı appears to be favoured over and above other four hopefuls. The other four aspirants include; Honourables Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, representing Mushin constituency 1, Mudashiru Obasa, Agege 1, Lanre Ogunyemi, representıng Ojo II and Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun who is representing Lagos Mainland II. Investigations revealed that apart from the zoning sentiment which may not likely be a considerable factor in the choice of who leads the next Assembly, the Ikorodu, Lagos born deputy whip is rated far above other contestants in leadership skills, cool headedness, charisma, team player orientation, moral integrity, sincerity of purpose, party loyalty and ability to deliver with a strong support base among his colleagues both returning and newly elected members.

Findings across members who are currently undergoing an induction workshop at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos in preparation for their legislative activities revealed that Abiru’s candidacy remains the popular lyrics of the tune coming out from majority of members and echoed by large number of the senior staff of the Assembly who believed in the leadership quality of

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

9 Politics

We are on the way to true democracy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

and internationally and all over the world.

If you are opportune to be a member of agenda setting committee for the President-elect, where would you want him to start from?

I would put the eradication of corruption on the front burner; I would want a situation where he would personally lead by example, because once the ideals of the society are defined and embodied in the character and integrity of the head, being the President it will run down the ladder. Once he sets the tone of zero tolerance for corruption in Nigeria, that is why this former Prime Minister of Singapore, the founding father of Singapore, who died few weeks ago, was able to excel. He started by outlawing corruption, a case of zero tolerance for corruption and with that he had funds through which he turned Singapore from a tiny British outpost, a small port city to a wealthy global hub.

The people stood by him not creating any obstacle to his plans. So Buhari would need to partner with the Judiciary and the Legislatures because come to think of it, the people had gone deep into corruption and taking benefit of it and these are people in high places. I know that he cannot do it all alone because the damage is too much but he has to set the tone.

Then he must find a way to deal with youth unemployment because youths are the engine room of any economy or nation; so the youths must be well placed in the scheme of things; then he has to deal with power, electricity, which has gone so bad. Infrastructures, the roads are too bad, railway, not the noise making slogan or propaganda we have on now, these things must be seen to be working; even our so called international airports are not international in the real sense of it.

If you have travelled very well, you will know, the first way to know how serious a nation is starts from their airport, people coming in for the first time, even investors. Same goes for our sea ports; visitors should be able to determine what your nation is up to from that point of entry.

That is why the economy must not be left in the hands of dubious people; he must not allow himself to be led to run a black market economy.

You will not believe that our foreign exchange system as it were now lies in the hands of black marketers. No serious nation does that. And then security of lives and properties is another matter that must be tackled seriously. His military experience should be an advantage as to guide him in making the military to work

Buhari and achieve results. Our military for now is a bunch of; I don’t want to say disgrace to the nation but is an embarrassing situation. Can you imagine the Nigerian Army cannot curtail the activities of a rag tag army.

If we labour this much over Boko Haram, what if it is an external aggression from a well organized army from other nations, is that how we will be complaining?

At the approach of a rag tag army, Our soldiers ran away, it is strangely embarrassing, in fact our image is at the lowest ebb.

We now have to rely on Chad, Cameroun and neighbouring countries to save us from imminent defeat by Boko Haram, so security must be a priority area. There are many things to prioritize but let him just start from these ones.

There are insinuations that corrupt people surround General Buhari, how will he be able to cope with them while embarking on these reforms?

I quite agree with you, we all have this concern about people around him who we can say had destroyed this nation one way or the other but my own impression is that God can use anybody, by the time he starts work, if the steps are false we will know but I pray he doesn’t. All he needs let people know is that there is no special treatment for anybody and that he would follow the real tenets of the rule of law.

One of the major factors in rule of law is equality; there will be no preferential treatment. That is why I said, once he sets the tone for zero tolerance for corruption, those other people around him will take a cue else they would get bloody nose too. So he must specially develop the will and determination to carry out this mission.

But in partnering with the Legislators and Judiciary, will the separation of powers not be jeopardized?

It will not, in fact this will make the separation of power work better. Because once they have a meeting on the fundamental objectives on how to move the nation forward, the heads of each of the units will carry the message down to their constituency and this will foster cooperation. Separation of power does not banish cooperation. The fact is, there must be cooperation for the separation of power to work effectively because none of the arms of government can work as an island on its own. For instance, the President must be able to make example of the madness going on in Ekiti now, where a governor heats up the polity because of his rashness and unreasonable style of governance. Imagine a situation where state house of Assembly with 26 members but the governor chose to recognize seven as his majority while the rest 19, the real majority is thrown away, not even allowed to function. Funny enough, the secu-

rity apparatus of government are being used to project this illegality. So the President must be able to tell them that he wouldn’t tolerate this kind of illegality after all he would be the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, so he would be able to tell the police and the Army to check the trends over there. No reasonable government would allow what is going on in Ekiti to continue, so in essence he would talk to the legislators and the police too would not allow their men being used, unlike now that the executive gave them both police and Army protection as they perpetrate the illegality; it means that the Army has become politicized too.

Also he would tell the Chief Justice of Nigeria how to deal with corruption cases and take definite stance.

These people are just going about as if they are above the law. Judges would hold meetings on how to judge corruption cases.

But you lawyers are the ones who create bottlenecks obtaining injunctions and other tools of legality in defending those facing charges of corruptions?

It is true, but the Judges too can stand their grounds.

You mean Judges should work against the law?

No, no not against the law, but within the law! The judges know what to do. Somebody cannot commit human wrong and come and apply to use human rights sentiments in his defense. The courts know

where to draw the dividing line.

Our Judges know it but many of the judges too are compromised, that is the truth of the matter. They stretch the rule of law and human rights issues too far. I was reading in a paper yesterday where a worker with Lagos State Judiciary who was said to have stolen one Million naira or there about was sentenced to three years imprisonment without option of fine, whereas these people steal billions and they go home scot free; they’ve been walking the streets and the society even give them applause. You see, something is fundamentally wrong.

Now in this era, would you say Nigeria has arrived at real democracy - a government of the people by the people for the people?

Well, we have not arrived yet but we are on the way to true democracy.

Definitely we are not where we were yesterday; with what happened in the just concluded election, though not the best, not the most perfect but it is a step forward. I earlier mentioned how the mentality of the head affects the followership; Professor Jega simply refused to be used and that is the success story in this election that we just had. One way we could say it is the hand of God but the story would have been different if he allowed himself to be used like Maurice Iwu, the whole place would have been messed up.

But Jega committed himself to transparency and even if we have not achieved one hundred percent perfection, we have gone a long way.

Imagine the introduction of card reader against the cacophony of rejection and criticisms, he insisted and that alone saved us. If not for isolated cases in places like Rivers, Akwa Ibom and few others where they claim that there was no voting and votes were said to be allotted; Jega cannot be everywhere because he is not a spirit, anyway and he is not God, so if not for those pockets of bad news, we have moved a little further into true democracy. For the first time in the history of Nigeria an opposition party beats an incumbent President, it has never happened before because they won’t let it happen. They won’t agree, they won’t allow it; but God has intervened and even the incoming APC would know that the way the people voted PDP out of power, they too can be voted out in future if they fail to perform. In essence performance is now the index.

The elites are beneficiaries of most governments but they hardly vote during election, did you vote on election days?

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Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

APC and national assembly leadership CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

sues that hindered the merger in 2010 where resolved with leaders of the merging parties shifting ground by putting the interest of Nigeria in mind, which gave birth to the change Nigerians are yearning for, with the new merged political party which has an easy symbol of the broom. Major stakeholders in the polity never gave the party a chance because they believed it was a gathering of strange fellows, they faulted the marriage even before it began. At a point, the APC was addressed as a religious (Muslim) party and it’s presidential candidate a religious fanatic which made the party to lose at the polls in the South East which is predominantly a Christians zone.

With the recent development of the party’s victory at the polls which saw David defeating the giant Goliath, the party is back into the ring for leadership position of the 8th National Assembly with all the geo-political zones in the country interested, thereby putting the leadership of the party on their feet to avoid a major crack in the ever developing party. The media have been awash with statements from party leaders and various support group from all the zones in solidarity of one candidate or the other, with claims and counterclaims coming in from the party about zoning and not zoning.

The Progressive Youth Ambassadors (PYA) after a careful study of the situation and the body language of party leaders and a critical analysis of their past actions and inactions in the party’s internal activities noted the need to resolve the burning issues and fact

Ndume about the zoning of key sensitive positions across the zones to avoid any rancor in the incoming APC administration.

The country is divided into six Geo-political zones, whose purpose is for fairness, equality and even distribution of resources for rapid development across the regions. The incoming administration has the President from the Northwest and the Vice President from the South West while the party chairman is from South South.

The North West is predominantly Muslims, while the south west is a 50-50 situation between Christians and Muslims. The North West is dominated by Hausa/Fulani which extend to the North East,

which is one among the major tribes and ethnic groups in the country. The South West which is predominantly Yoruba is another power block in the country’s political space with whose strong support the incoming government rose to power. The South East is predominantly Igbos and Christians which is another major tribe and ethnic group in the country but unfortunately they where caught off guard because all its eggs where in one basket of the PDP and all sank in the politics of second Niger Bridge and Islamization brouhaha. The political leaders of the South East called the APC leaders in the region betrayers and treated them like outcast,

voted out Ngige and plotted to vote out Rochas Okorocha as Governor of the only south east state under APC. Today, the disgruntled elements as they where called, that the Igbos rejected are the bridge builders from 28th April. The South east has no senator representing the region on the banner of the APC in the red chambers while the Green chambers of the house just got two members both from Imo state. The south east is the most reliable zone of the PDP since 1999.

The North East is just like the North west that is dominated by the Hausa/Fulani but a slight difference in the religion domination of 70% to 30% between Muslims and Christians. Most part of the region is known for its opposition roles in the current and previous administrations. The region played a vital role in the formation of the APC by contributing three serving governors into the merger from its party the ANPP. The leaders of the party in the region through their relentless effort rescued power from the PDP in two states, Bauchi and Adamawa states.

North Central: the region is the major hub of minority tribes and ethnic groups in the country, where part of the majority tribes in the country are also indigenes (Hausa / Fulani from the North, Yorubas from the south west and Igbos from the east) the religion concentration is 60% to 40% between Christians and Muslims?

The region is another strong hold of the PDP and has produced three chairmen for the party. Until the last elections, the APC has only two senators, one from Benue and the other from Nasarawa State.

The relentless effort and guts of both party leaders and members despite the financial challenge, confronted the ruling PDP in the midst of intimidation and financial inducement to blackmail and dump the APC was resisted by willing and loyal members of the party because they believe in the manifestos and the project Nigeria of the party. This cause of project Nigeria was clearly demonstrated in the just concluded elections where the hard work of the party leaders and members manifested by defeating PDP in five of the six states that elections were conducted thereby giving the APC the region in next administration, making it the only region that did not vote based on religion nor tribal sentiment but for the believe the electorate have in the party based on the orientation of the party leaders in the zones.

The South South: The region is populated by minority ethnic groups in the country and is a Christian dominated zone, which is also a PDP strong hold that houses the seating president.

They meted the same treatment the south easterners treated those who identify with the APC. The zone has only one APC senator from the Comrade Governor’s state, Edo and a first timer in the red chambers.

Party development: The four regions have demonstrated their believe in the party by cooperatively marshaling out plans from the onset to dethrone the ruling party from it strong holds and gain power at the center which purpose have been achieved. To consolidate on the party’s electoral gains, CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Abiru leads the pack of contenders for Lagos speaker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

the lawmaker and his ability to consolidate on the achievements of the out-going Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji as well as complement the effort of the state governor in meeting the needs of the people of the state “You are here now and you can at least read the mood of majority of members you have spoken with as to what direction they are most likely to go as far as who occupies the Speakership seat is concerned.

Even though they have not been categorical by mentioning a particular candidate, but i’m sure if you put all that have been said together, you will draw a reasonable conclusion as

Rotimi Abiru

Funmi Tejuosho

to where they stand, ı rest my case”, a third term lawmaker who appears to be rooting for Abiru stated.

Views sought on the chances of other contestants into the seat revealed that Tejuosho, for instance,

does not enjoy an impressive popularity among her colleagues and members of staff of the House who perceived her as being arrogant and not accessible.

However, the female lawmaker remains a consis-

tent and laudable voice on the floor of the House.

Mudashiru Obasa though, experienced but is said not to be cool headed to lead a House that comprises 40 members from different background and orientation in addition to not being creative minded enough to be able to consolidate on the achievements of the out-going Speaker and may not be able to lead the House to the next level.

Lanre Ogunyemi, though, still very young in the parliament, is said to be cool headed and enjoys reasonable support among his colleagues.

He is being appreciated for the fantastic way and manner he contributes to issues and debates on the floor of the House but the lawmaker

is however, said to be too reserved to lead a House of 40 different characters, in ideology and political affiliations.

Olanrewaju Oshun is equally said to be too reserved and does not has a support base among his colleagues to boost his aspiration of leading the next Assembly.

Oshun, apart from zoning consideration, which is a mere unwritten political sentiment, his eight years experience and perhaps his educational exposure, appears not to be having any of the considerable variables to throw him up as a contender, he remains a pretender who only wishes a better deal for himself in the next Assembly than his current status.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

11 Politics

Why APC should be fair on NASS leadership CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

certain facts need to be made known to serve as a reminder to all concerned in the APC leadership. In all the geo-political zones, the South west and the North east has played a key role in the opposition and the party in government has made an inroad into the mind set of it citizens. So it was very easy for the merge party (APC) to be accommodated and accepted by its citizens in the zones. Likewise the Four remaining regions were always dominated and controlled by the ruling party PDP, the formation of the APC which saw a strong alliance between the North and the south west.

Two regions which are strong hold of the ruling PDP were dismantled by the wind of change, the North West and the North Central. The North west was successful because they have the Presidential Candidate who is a Muslim of Hausa Fulani origin, a dominant ethnic group from the North, while the North central had nothing to their advantage.

The region has uncountable ethnic groups, the religion factor is a 60/40 situation which made the

APC not to have much hope and not to consider the region in the power sharing arrangement, believing that the PDP will always have its way in the region. But the leaders of the party (APC) led by Senator George Akume, Senator Bukola Saraki and others pulled out their limited resources to mobilize all leaders and members in the zone to ensure the victory of the party at all levels. The victory of the party in states like Benue, Niger, Kogi, Plateau were shocking to the party leaders because they were only sure of victory in Kwara and Nasarawa states. The voting in the region was not based on any agreement reach between the APC leaders in the Zone and the National leadership, for there was none. The region is the only zone that worked for the victory of the party without any agreement reached while the PDP has already assured all the stakeholders of various positions and senate presidency if the region votes for the party. What is the reward for hard work? What hope will the people of the North Central have in the leadership structure of the APC? Will it be Hausa Fulani plots or Yoruba scheming out the mi-

Tinubu

nority group of the North Central from the APC Government? Will that be a just party of fairness and equity?

Economic importance: Every part of Nigeria is richly blessed with abundant natural resources which also need the cooperation of each other. The North central has been a stabilizing factor in the political and economic development of our country Nigeria given its strategic location. The region is usually called the traditional headquarters of the minority ethnic group in Nigeria, with almost equal religion representation which indigenes are predominantly farmers. Will the Hausa Fulani ethnic group not be asking for too much if the president and the senate president is given to the ethnic group? Yes it is a known fact that the sitting senate president is from the north central, and it’s also a fact that he is not Ijaw man and from a different region.

Therefore the Progressive youth ambassadors pleads with the leadership of the party to think deeply before zoning the leadership of the 8th Assembly for it may make or mar the credibility of the party structure and may weaken the

zones that gave the party their best in the last elections. For too much concentration of power in the far north will be pointing toward the already acclaim campaign that the APC is a Muslim party and the GMB administration intend to Islamize Nigeria. For fairness and adequate representation of both religions, majority and minority ethnic groups in the incoming government, it will define the modus operandi of the APC administration.

As it stands today the core north have the president-elect, the Chief Judge of the Federation, the President Court of Appeal and if the Senate president is giving to the core North, what will be the fate of other regions and ethnic group in the country? Will it not be a one sided affairs?

The decision of the APC leaders today will define how Nigerians will judge the GMB administration and the voting pattern in subsequent elections. Let the party leaders also know that the way the APC reaped from the misfortune of the PDP, so are others waiting to reap from its misfortune if proper measures are not taken to quench the burning fire.

How compromised judges abet corruption CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

rian factor; the failure of the system. My wife and I were duly registered but couldn’t get our PVCs and it was just absolutely impossible to register us afresh. I even tried and went to other places. I went to Abuja to see if we could be registered at Lugbe but it was not possible till the end of the ultimatum given, so all I did was pray for Nigeria that all will be well. So it may interest you that I cast my vote in prayers, I prayed for the candidate of my choice.

A Muslim President, man of indisputable integrity and a Vice President, a devout Christian, man of integrity and sound legal background, can we safely say that we now have a balanced capable leadership in Nigeria?

Ordinarily speaking, we have a combination that should generate integrity, probity and accountability; with their style of living, we should have good progress and governance and this will make the greater number of Nigerians happy in the government. Though they cannot please everybody but as tone of the cardinals of democracy it’s not just the slogan ‘government of the people, by the people for the people but that majority of the people

of the country should be happy; At least for once, let’s be happy people in Nigerian. We hope for the best, God forbid that they would get it wrong, it will be very bad. They have so much at stake, their integrity and the promises they made; as a stake holder on issues of Nigeria, I believe they would not fail and they cannot afford to fail; and as a man of God, I am saying as a matter of prayer that they will not fail.

We hear of gentleman agreement that the incoming Buhari government should not probe the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan, what is your view on this?

I don’t believe so but at the same time, he should not get bogged down or busy himself with the issue of probe that could slow him down.

But I believe that when he settles down after looking at the affairs of Nigeria, there are areas where people would be called to question and I am sure he would not fail to do this. People who commit robbery and blue murder on our economy cannot be allowed to go scot free, they must be exposed. Corruption has been too much, terrible in this country; Babangida even said it that people used to accuse his regime of corruption stating that if what is

happening about corruption in Nigeria is anything to go by then he is a saint’. When people who have the opportunity and privilege to sit on the affairs of men will turn out destroying the economy and expect to go scot free, God can catch up with them of course. No one does any wrong and goes scot free. The law of God would not permit that and even the law of man too must catch up with them.

With the sweeping of so many states across the country, APC is tending to turn Nigeria into a one party state, is this healthy for our democracy?

No, APC is not turning Nigeria into one party state because even in the last dispensation, that was how PDP swept almost all the states. Are Nigerians so short sighted or our memory so short? PDP won in all the states that APC just got now and that was how people were shouting about becoming one party state then. At a time, only Lagos State was left during Obasanjo’s regime, the entire south west was swept

by PDP, only Lagos refused to be a conquered territory, so we are not tending towards one party situation. The only thing is that PDP has never been in opposition before so they may not know how to practice

opposition politics but whether they know it or not, they have to learn it because they would be in opposition for some time and they have to work themselves back into the heart of the people. May be by then, the crop of people making things so bad in the party would have been weeded away, before the people can consider them for any thing or entrust their lives into their hands in any future election. I would rather say we are tending towards two party state because other parties didn’t have a good showing in the last election, in fact I don’t know why they still remain in the political calculation of this country.

Don’t you think Capitalism aids corruption in Nigeria; will it be better if we go socialism or welfare-ism?

If we continue like this whether you practice socialism of capitalism; it is not any of those isms that is the problem, Nigerians are Nigerians. As long as Nigerians occupy those systems, those style or principle or ideologies or whatever, there must be attitudinal change in this country, there must be direct affront against corruption and that can only be done if we have a President that believes it is a worthy course to pursue; otherwise, lets forget about

change. No system is insulated against corruption, look at Communist China, look at Russia, there are pockets of corruption there but the difference is that in those places, any one who is caught is speedily put to trial, and sentence passed quickly. In South Korea, in China it is death penalty or life imprisonment as the case may be. Nobody jokes with the issue of corruption in those places because they know it is a cankerworm that destroys the economy. Look at Nigeria, really we have no business with poverty for God’s sake, Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. Look at the poverty index, Nigeria ranks so low; one of the poorest nations in the world but one of the richest in terms of human and material resources, very low per capital income in the quality of life of its citizens, haba!

Imagine that N21 Billion was raised to fund the Presidential campaign for Mr. President; that in itself is terrible, so bad and what we are hearing now is that it is N2 Trillion; even if they say it is not true, a sizeable amount was involved and youths are perishing, no jobs, we don’t have power supply, Nigeria is in darkness, but God is beaming his light.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Bayelsa PDP expels eight Jonathan’s men Akam James Yenagoa

ÏÏÏAhead of

the gubernatorial elections coming up later this year, the Bayelsa State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday went for broke and announced the expulsion of eight political associates of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Among those axed was the head of the Directorate for Research and Documentation of the Presidential campaign committee of the party in 2015, Senator Nimi Bariagh-Amange.

Also expelled were former Deputy Governor and State Coordinator of the Transformation

Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Nestor Binabo; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Hon. Waripamowei Dudafagh. The others are Hon. Osom Blackson, the Personal Assistant to Senator Emmanuel Paulker, former Woman leader for the PDP, Apostle Joyce Fuyuowei and Chamberlin Ikedi.

The Acting Chairman of the PDP, HRH King Serena DokuboSpiff, while addressing members of the State Executive Committee after a closed-door meeting to deliberate and adopt the report of the disciplinary committee of

the party, said they were expelled based on the gravity of the offences under anti-party activities and disrespectful attitude to the party in the State.

The State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly were present at the meeting held at the state party secretariat.

According to Dokubo-Spiff, “the decision came after careful deliberation of the report and unanimous adoption through a voice vote. Some were expelled and others suspended. While some were reprimanded and others exonerated. The committee worked

diligently and in accordance to the party constitution. Those invited by the disciplinary committee were adequately invited and great many turned up. But those expelled shunned the committee sitting.”

The Acting PDP Chairman, Serena Dokubo-Spiff, announced that the recommendations of the Committee on the suspended party chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba and the Senator Representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Paulker have been referred to the National Working Committee of the Party for action.

Legislators should pick their leaders, says Buhari Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

A cross section of pupils at the play zone centre, Ikeja City mall, Lagos… on Wednesday

Photo: Olowolagba Quadri

president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his willingness to work with any leader of the National Assembly that the process throws up, irrespective of what part of the country he or she originates from.

Buhari, in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, said that this has become necessary in view of the continued namedropping in some circles linking his name to some candidates.

“I am prepared to work with any leaders that the House or Senate selects,”, Buhari had said an the earlier statement two weeks ago.

He added, “It doesn’t matter who the person is or where he or

‘Probe oil block allocations by my predecessors’ Continued from page 6 we have added Kasambilla to our dams, we have done wonderfully well in sports within this period, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and of course the financial inclusion within this period is more than ever before.

I can go on and on and mention almost all the sectors. So I believe we have done our best and Nigerians will continue to assess us.

“Even though we operated under an extremely difficult situation, maybe because politics in Nigeria is just maturing, we witnessed the longest ASUU strike I don’t think we have ever witnessed a strike that lasted for six months and we believe that that strike was partially politically motivated, otherwise lecturers cannot troop

out for six months. There were the terror attacks, we know Boko Haram predates this administration but immediately after the elections, I believe because of local and external factors, they became very vicious, extremely destructive, killing people and destroying properties.”

On the current fuel scarcity, the out-going President attributed it to sabotage, as he wondered how oil workers should be asking for pay rise under a situation of falling oil prices and production.

He insisted that the whole crisis relating to fuel shortage was orchestrated by those who had vowed to ensure that his government was brought on its knees even at its twilight.

According to him, “Even this last fuel scarcity, to me one can

clearly say it was an act of sabotage. This government has few days to go; that is definitely not the time you expect massive strikes, using marketers and unions, unions asking for increase in salaries at a time oil price have dropped and volumes have dropped.

“None of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) is increasing salaries but our unions wanted 11 per cent increase in allowances and so on and so forth and went on strike.

“There was 21 days reserve in this country, it’s not as if we had no products but they just refused to lift. Diesel was deregulated long ago, so the issue was not the product but people who felt they must bring this government to its knees even when they know that we had

“This was done on account of the constitutional provision on the positions held within the Party.”

Dokubo-Spiff also announced that a Contact and Reconciliation Committee had been set up by the leadership of the party to reach out to those genuinely aggrieved and bring them back into the fold of the Party. “The committee will reach out and bring them back into the family. The PDP is a responsible and responsive party. We cane on one hand and reprimand with the other. If they showed genuine remorse and turn from their bad ways, the PDP will embrace them.

few days to leave.”

He urged the cabinet members to be grateful to God that they were not leaving government as a result of any threat to democracy other than that their party lost an election.

He said the cabinet which has less than 48 hours would be dissolved at a later date, urging the ministers to remain on their posts in the meantime.

Earlier, members of the cabinet in their individual contributions at the valedictory session hailed Jonathan for being a visionary leader through whom peace had prevailed in the country.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim led the ministers at the session that lasted over three hours.

she is from.”

He went on to point out that “there is due process for the selection of leaders of the National Assembly and I will not interfere in that process.”

General Buhari added that the media and the public should begin to get used to no more “business as usual.

“Nigeria has indeed entered a new dispensation,” he said.

“My administration does not intend to repeat the same mistakes made by previous governments”, he added.

Buhari arrives today from UK trip Continued from page 6 Alluding to a report (not in the Daily Times) that the APC’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and outgoing Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi were not having enough access to Buhari and had to travel to the UK for that purpose, the UK official said: “It is no big deal if we can’t have access to him, if people like Amaechi and others cannot see him in Nigeria and are struggling to catch up with him here, then we can’t really complain.”

Though the address where he stayed was kept secret, the Daily Times learnt that he was around Green Park.

“He only came with one person from Nigeria, but others made their way here to come and see him,” the source revealed on Wednesday.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Al-Shabab recruits Kenyan youths ÏÏÏ

The al-Shabab militants who have long battled for control of Somalia also have recruited thousands of young people in Kenya, leaving many families bereft.

Al-Shabab recruiters roam Isiolo town, targeting idle youths.

Al-Shabab recruiters roam Isiolo town, targeting idle youths.

In the Kenyan town of Isiolo, a key target of a new al-Shabab

recruitment drive, there is agony, fear and lost hope.

At a relatively quiet open-air restaurant three kilometers outside Isiolo, several women meet to talk about their fears, their struggles to get loved ones back from the Somali militant group al-Shabab, and how to keep others out of the hands of recruiters.

Her son left home May 1 for

what she thought was to be an Islamic retreat. A week later, she received a phone call.

"I lost my son. One day he disappeared, he left here on the first day of this month. He was with four other boys," she laments.

The caller told Hashi they were in Liboi, a town on the KenyaSomalia border. When she asked why her son hadn't phoned, the

Red Cross staff console a woman in Nairobi after she viewed the body of a relative killed in al-Shabab's April 2 attack at Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya.

Gambian govt arrests relatives, friends of coup plotters ÏÏÏTwo

rights organizations have accused the West African nation of Gambia of illegally holding dozens of friends and relatives of people accused of involvement in a coup attempt late last year.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said Wednesday that Gambia has detained the friends and relatives without making clear their locations, and that elderly parents and a teenage son are among the detainees.

“Gambian authorities are ignoring basic human rights standards by detaining people

Hamas committed war crimes in Gaza Strip - Report

incommunicado, raising grave concerns of enforced disappearance,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

The rights groups urged Gambia to reveal the locations of the detainees and either charge them with an offense or release them.

The detainees are all linked to a failed attack on the Gambian State House in the capital, Banjul, on December 30, 2014.

Friends, relatives, and associates of the attackers were detained in the days following the failed coup and have not been seen since January, according to Human

ÏÏÏAn

international rights watchdog says the militant group Hamas committed war crimes by kidnapping, torturing, and killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during last year's conflict with Israel.

Amnesty International said in a report Wednesday that some 23 Palestinians were shot and killed and dozens more arrested and tortured by Hamas, the controlling force in Gaza, during the armed conflict. The report says the Palestinians targeted were

Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Relatives have told Human Rights Watch that they have been threatened with arrest if they continue seeking information about those who have gone missing.

In March, Gambia tried six of the participants in the coup, sentencing three to death and three to life in prison. The rights groups say they do not believe the suspects got a fair trial. They also note that the families of three men killed in the coup attempt have yet to receive the bodies of those men. either political rivals of Hamas or people accused of cooperating with Israel.

The report highlights one incident reported to have taken place on August 22, in which six men were publicly executed by Hamas forces outside a mosque in front of hundreds of spectators, including children.

The report says Hamas used the war to settle scores "ruthlessly," in actions designed to exact revenge and spread fear through the Gaza Strip.

caller responded that Kenyan security forces had arrested the boys and that her son was afraid but fine. A week later, her teenage son and three others were still in custody in Liboi, she says, accused of trying to cross the border to join al-Shabab. Hashi seeks comfort and advice from Halima Hassan, another woman who says her own teenage brother has been with al-Shabab for eight months.

She says before he left, he asked for about $40 for a school trip and that was the last time her family saw him.

Three weeks later, he called home and told his family that he was with al-Shabab, was fine and was making a lot of money.

"There is no way he can be found. He has become a criminal who has no sympathy and kills people. Even if he came back, he would bring that criminality here," Hassan says, adding she "will pray for God to guide him."

Each time Hassan sees her brother's schoolmates, she feels bad and cries, she says. Hassan has yet to understand why he chose a gun instead of a pen and a book. Al-Shabab has intensified its recruitment of the mostly Kenyan youth and other pastoralist tribes from the larger Isiolo County to beef up its ranks.

Madagascar's parliament sack president ÏÏÏMadagascar's

parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to dismiss President Hery Rajaonarimanpianina for alleged constitutional violations and general incompetence.

The Indian Ocean Island’s constitutional court will now decide whether the decision to dismiss Rajaonarimanpianina can be enacted. The motion was backed by 121 of the 125 lawmakers who voted, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required.

The parliament's speaker, Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, said after the votes were counted: "It is officially declared that everyone accepts that the request of dismissal can be submitted to the constitutional court." When Rajaonarimanpianina came to power in elections in December 2013 - the first democratic vote since 2006 - it was hoped Madagascar was finally emerging from a deep political and economic crisis. The country had been plunged into chaos in 2009 when Rajaonarimanpianina's predecessor Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in a coup.

13 Africa CAR, French leaders hail judicial co-operation on child abuse ÏÏÏFrance and Central African

Republic justice authorities are co-operating in ongoing investigations, the leaders of the two countries said on Wednesday, amid allegations that French soldiers sexually assaulted children while stationed in CAR. "The heads of state have found a perfect co-operation between the justice [authorities] of the two countries in the conduct of the ongoing investigations," the leaders said in statement issued by the Elysee Palace.

Earlier in May, the Paris prosecutor opened a judicial inquiry into the sexual assault case. This built upon a preliminary investigation by French officials, begun in July 2014, after they saw a UN report outlining the allegations, made by four boys aged between 9 and 13. When opening the judicial inquiry, the prosecutor said the "hierarchy" of the UN had made it difficult to obtain information about the case. The French troops had been stationed in Bangui as part of a peacekeeping mission.

CAR's interim president, Catherina Samba Panza, met with French President Francois Hollande after a conference in Brussels on Tuesday aimed at drumming up financial support for the conflict-torn country.

During the conference, European countries committed $414m for humanitarian and budget support. Samba-Panza hailed the aid as CAR gears up for critical elections in 2015, for which she has said she will not run.

CAR has suffered sectarian violence since Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew president Francois Bozize, a Christian, in March 2013.

Thousands of people have been killed and about 1 million displaced due to the conflict.

Hollande

World 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Obama, NATO chief condemn Russia’s 'increasingly aggressive' posture ÏÏÏ

U.S. President Barack Obama cited Russia’s “increasingly aggressive” posture with respect to Ukraine Tuesday, as he and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the challenges facing NATO as it works to protect alliance members.

The NATO chief’s visit to the White House came on the same day that thousands of Russian troops and hundreds of Russian warplanes began a massive exercise in the country’s northwest that coincided with NATO’s longplanned maneuvers in the Arctic region.

President Obama and Secretary-General Stoltenberg on Tuesday discussed the situation in Ukraine, with respect to Russia, including the steps NATO has taken to ensure the security of alliance nations, particularly frontline states.

"I was pleased to hear that not only the United States but also our other NATO allies have been doing what’s necessary to make sure that we have positioned the resources and assets necessary to protect all NATO members," said President Obama.

Both leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty

Queen Elizabeth lays out agenda in traditional speech ÏÏÏBritain's

Queen Elizabeth has made a formal speech before Parliament to lay out the agenda for the Conservative government, including a promise of an in-orout popular vote on European Union membership.

The queen appeared before the lawmaking body Wednesday, at the State Opening of Parliament, in full regalia, as is the yearly tradition by the British monarch.

She read a speech outlining the goals of Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party, which include a promised referendum on European Union membership. Cameron has said he favors EU reform rather than Britain's withdrawal, but will not rule anything out. In her speech the queen

and called on implementation of the peace agreement reached in Minsk. Stoltenberg urged Russia to stop supporting separatists and remove all its forces from eastern Ukraine.

The NATO secretary-general also noted the creation of the alliance’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force following last year’s

summit in Wales, and said the alliance is prepared to confront new threats coming from both the east and the south.

“This is the biggest reinforcement of our collective defense since the end of the Cold War. And we are also setting up commandand-control units in all the eastern ally countries, underlining that

NATO is present, NATO is there to protect and defend all allies," said Stoltenberg.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Tuesday Russia’s most recent military exercise was not a particular surprise, but that the United States would keep a close eye given the current situation in eastern Ukraine.

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, May 26, 2015.

promised the government will "renegotiate" British membership in the EU. The speech also included promises to cap welfare benefits and freeze some taxes for five years. Since the May 7 election, Cameron presides over the first British government in decades to have a full Conservative majority, rather than a coalition.

The State Opening of Parliament is a yearly event held with members of Parliament and the royal family in full formal dress, repeating traditions that have been in place for centuries.

Queen Elizabeth wore a fulllength gown, ermine cape, and a crown weighing nearly a kilogram. Her husband, Prince Philip, son, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla, accompanied her for her appearance Wednesday.

Queen Elizabeth

US to Seek China’s Help in Pressuring North Korea on Nukes ÏÏÏ

High ranking diplomatic envoys from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan met in Seoul Wednesday to discuss how to respond to North Korea’s continued efforts to develop its nuclear program.

U.S. allies in the region want to increase pressure on Pyongyang but also maintain support from China and Russia to make Korea a nuclear free peninsula.

After meeting with South Korean Special Representative Hwang Joon-kook, and Japanese foreign ministry envoy Junichi Ihara, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim voiced concerns over the North’s recent claims that it successfully tested a submarine launched missile and built a miniaturized nuclear warhead

small enough to be mounted on a missile. “I don’t want to comment on intelligence matters but I think whatever that may have been, it is of great concern to us that the North Koreans are continuing to pursue such capabilities. I think the intention is clear. We should be concerned,” said Kim. North Korea’s claims have not been independently verified and many analysts say Pyongyang is still years away from deploying these new weapon systems.

Still, they do indicate that North Korea is moving steadily to develop the capability to strike the U.S. mainland or anywhere in the world with nuclear weapons, in defiance of United Nations imposed restrictions and despite international sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently said that the U.S. and its allies were not even close to resuming negotiations with Pyongyang and the other regional players Seoul, Washington, Tokyo, Beijing and Moscow. The six party talks about dismantling the North’s nuclear program in return for economic assistance and security guarantees have been on hold since 2008.

Vatican slams Irish gay vote ÏÏÏ The Irish vote to allow same-

sex marriage was a "defeat for humanity", a senior Vatican official has said in the first high-level reaction from the Holy See to last week's landmark referendum.

"Not a defeat for Christian principles, it was a defeat for humanity," Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in comments quoted by Vatican Radio late on Tuesday. "I was very saddened by this result."

Parolin, Pope Francis' most senior Vatican official, added that the referendum result showed the Church needed to improve the ways it preached the Christian message. "The Church must take account of this reality, but in the sense of reinforcing its commitment to evangelisation," he said.

The comments by the Italianborn cardinal, a veteran Vatican diplomat, underlined the shock created by the landslide vote in traditionally Catholic Ireland to allow homosexuals to marry.

After the vote, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin told Ireland's RTE radio that "the Church needs to do a reality check".

Pope Francis has struck a more sympathetic tone towards homosexuals than many conservative Catholics, famously commenting soon after taking office: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?".

20, 000 evacuated after World War II bomb discovery in Germany

ÏÏÏAbout

20,000 people were evacuated on Wednesday in the west German city of Cologne after a 1 000kg bomb dating back to World War II was discovered in the city's north-east.

The inhabitants of a retirement home and a home for disabled people had to be evacuated, and the zoo and local schools were closed after the unexploded ordinance was found during maintenance work on an underground heating system.

The bomb is expected to be defused in the afternoon. In the meantime, road, rail, boat and air traffic in the region have been blocked.

Finding unexploded Nazi-era bombs is an almost regular occurence in Germany, where millions of tons of bombs were dropped towards the end of World War II by Allied and Soviet Forces.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

15 Opinion

Task of reinventing parliamentary democracy in Nigeria

I

Comrade Edwin Uhara

n propounding “Separation of Power” as a political philosophy, late French Philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu stated that for there to be checks and balances as well as accountability in governance; government powers should not be fused or be concentrated on one arm or body, instead, he advocated that each of the three organs of government should be independent of one other.

This is to say that, the executive should not interfere with the functions of the legislature, while the legislature should not interfere with the functions of the judiciary. It was this idea that was incorporated in to the Presidential System of Government that Nigeria practices today.

But, sadly, the country has not being fair or faithful to the concept of this political philosophy in the selection process of the principal officers of the National Assembly.

However, with the successful conduct of this year’s general election, new political realities have emerged.

As a result, new thinking and strategies are required to arrest some of the unfolding negative political tendencies. According Albert Einstein, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It is in accordance with this line of thought, that

change agents who are opposed to business-as-usual in governance and are determined to redefining the destiny of Nigeria have decided to come together under the auspices of ‘The Patriots’.

The Patriots is a bi-partisan assembly of both returning and newly elected House Members committed to a transparent and improved process of leadership selection in the Green Chamber. It is an organisation that believes that the current change in the country is not enough until it is reflected in the democratic governance of the nation. Hence, there is the need for credible parliamentary democracy in the third organ of our government. To actualise this challenging but surmountable task, the group seeks to facilitate the emergence of a responsible and dynamic House leadership truly committed to the security and well being of Nigerians.

Accordingly, it is also the belief of the group that, the 8th National Assembly must be able to strike structural balance in the House, ensure effective constituency representation, facilitate dynamic law-making process that will arrest any act of social disorder, promote efficient over-sighting of laws and policies, build an institution that provides full access to information about its internal systems and procedures to

all constituents and stakeholders in conformity with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

Other tasks to achieve are; to birth the National Assembly that is sensitive and responsive to public needs and demands, to engender a legislative arm of government in which internal democracy is its strongest asset, to discharge the delicate and complimentary role of the executive arm of government without compromising the character of legislative independence, to reinvent a legislature that can be relied upon to initiate and enact legislation for regulating its conduct with a view to preserving the dignity and responsibility of its members.

It is however incumbent on all would-be members of the 8th National Assembly to produce leaders who have strategic problem solving and consensus-building abilities by themselves without the interference of the outsiders. Such a leader must have proven track records of integrity in governance and otherwise.

He must be knowledgeable enough to command the respect and admiration of House Members. The person must be reliable and dependable at all times and in all matters; not only in cases that affects the members of the Green Chamber, but also in matters that concerns the well being

of all Nigerians irrespective political affiliation, religion, tribe and ideology.

Since all Nigerians cannot be involved in the process or act of law-making, but must do so through representation which is indirect form of democracy, the next leadership of the House must be made up of people who are accessible to all and sundry!

The era of master-servant relationships in the leadership of the House are over. Hence, those who are aspiring to lead the 8th National Assembly must be people who are accessible, approachable and believe in wide consultation as part and parcel of decision making processes.

Finally, like the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Oyegun rightly said at an event to welcome new APC governors and bid farewell to outgoing ones, “The whole world was with us when we started the struggle for change… Therefore, you must sit down to fashion out ways of tackling the responsibilities or the burden change has put on our shoulders.” In lieu of this, I dare say that members of the 8th National Assembly must roll up their sleeves to tackle the challenge change has brought to its doorsteps fairly and squarely by electing credible leaders in to principal positions”.

A good omen For the Bench

R Adewale Kupoluyi

ecently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, disclosed that the era of appointing persons considered unfit, questionable and improper as judges had gone. He said the National Judicial Council’s newly revised guidelines of appointment of judicial officers had provided for a more detailed, robust and transparent method of appointment in the Council’s new Extant Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.

The Nigerian constitution generally provides that a person shall not be qualified to hold the office of head of the respective courts unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a certain period of time.

In the new NJC guidelines, Rule 4 (i) (a) specifically provides that the candidates seeking to be appointed as judicial officers must be of good character and reputation, diligent, honest, hardworking, and versed in the knowledge of law and consistently adhering to professional ethics.

Justice Mohammed added that

the new guidelines would ensure that only best legal minds with high moral standards serve as judges.

He described the guidelines as merit-based, adding that appointment would no longer be based on sentimental reasons, because the guidelines in force would provide a mechanism that would ensure only qualified, intelligent, astute, morally sound, meritorious and deserving candidates were appointed as judges.

Due to the uniqueness in the duties of judges – administration of justice and interpretation of the laws – their mode of appointment has remained one of the most debated issues in the legal profession.

Hence, selecting men and women of integrity, who would sit at the Bench to interpret the laws, uphold the rights and frameworks within which the state functions, should certainly attract more than a passing interest.

To say the least, judicial corruption desecrates the temple of justice, undermines the rule of law, allows impunity to flourish, and leads to unfair trials and makes fighting of corruption herculean. Routine perversion of the course of justice has been damaging to the image of the judiciary.

It has been argued at various forums that the Nigerian judiciary

has been compromised largely due to alleged corruption, lack of autonomy and the over-bearing influence by the government. The executive both at the federal and states levels – has been largely accused of suppressing judicial independence in spite of the principles of separation of powers enshrined in our constitution.

Above all, the one of most serious devastating problems facing our Bench is corruption. This comes under various shapes and sizes in a bid to pervert justice. Nothing could be more criminal and damaging to a society than having a situation when justice is purchased by the highest bidder. Not only that, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar in 2013, had decried the prevalence of indiscipline in our courts, saying “some judges didn’t deliver up to four judgements in a year. Some even travelled abroad without permission”. Similarly, some retired senior members of the Bench, who cannot practice as lawyers again, under the guise of being “legal consultants,” allegedly became middlemen between the litigants and tribunal members, for monetary gains.

No doubt, there are many hardworking, respected and honest judicial officers in the country. still,

many people still believe that the image and reputation of the Nigerian judiciary may not be the best at the moment. That is why the decision of the NJC to allow ordinary Nigerians to contribute to the appointment of judges, is appropriate. At this time as this would reduce the likelihood of allowing questionable characters from infiltrating our Bench. This idea is not going to be peculiar to Nigeria alone but also it is operational in other climes and democracies like the United States of America.

Beyond public advertisement in the appointment of judges, there is the need to embark on an overhaul of the system due to these observed lapses. It is not a secret that litigants still undergo excruciating delays despite the fact that they are in the courts to seek succor and be lifted out of their nightmares bearing in mind that justice delayed is justice denied. The CJN should do his best to fast-track and revive our justice delivery system. The advent of digital technology is meant to help courts around the world to deliver rulings in record time. It is imperative to modernise the system to be current with. The judicial system needs to adopt integrated technology network that will aid the judges in discharging their duties.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Business Times Æ s

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

CBN yet to conclude screening for N300bn real sector facility Ugochukwu Onyeocha

L – R shows Head, Corporate Communications, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Olumide Orojimi; Student, Queen’s College, Lagos, Miss Ikpeme Esther Redarokim; Student, Oxbridge Tutorial College, Lagos, Miss Inegbedion Igwehi Pamela; Student, Oluwole College, Lagos, Master, Obiagha Great Obinna; and Student, Lagoon School, Miss Dantsoho Fatima at the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration of Children’s Day Celebration at the Exchange yesterday.

NUPENG, PENGASSAN threaten to down tools over OML divestment Joy Ekeke

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are threatening to embark on industrial actions if the transfer of OML 42, OML 40 and OML 30 to Neconde were not reversed.

The two oil and gas unions on Wednesday warned that due process must be followed in the divestment of Oil Mining Licences (OML) to avoid crisis.

The President of NUPENG, Mr Igwe Achese, told a news conference in Lagos that his union was not against divestment but that due process should be followed.

Achese said that the divestment should be transparent

AFDB Presidency: Reps Urge FG, ECOWAS to back Adesina Augustine Aminu, Abuja House of Representatives yesterday in plenary called on the Presidency and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to continue to support the candidacy of Akinwumi Adesina for the position of the African Development Bank (AFDB) President.

In a motion raised on the floor of the house by Munir Dan’ Agundi entitled “Need To Support The Minister Of Agriculture And Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina For The Candidacy Of President Of African Development Bank” noted that the leadership of the bank if not carefully chosen may not bring about the needed eradication of poverty in the next decade.

He extolled the sterling and academic qualities of the minister

of agriculture and rural development coupled with his experience of working in Francophone and Anglophone countries and his tremendous passion to help eradicate poverty through reduction of unemployment among Nigerian youths.

Agundi explained that it was through the African Development Bank that great inequalities like poverty on the Africa continent can be addressed.

The Kano law maker noted that this decision of the bank to elect a new President is one of the most important decisions for not only the institution but the continent as a whole.

The House further called on the President Elect, Muhammadu Buhari and the international community to support the Agric Minister in becoming the next President of the AFDB.

and that the company involved should be an outfit whose operations Nigerians should know about.

He said that every divestment should represent the interest of workers and Nigerians, noting that global standards should also be followed.

Achese warned that workers would resist any plan to transfer the divestment without proper

procedure.

The President of PENGASSAN, Mr Francis Johnson, suggested that the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) should operate OML 42, based on NNPC’s 55 per cent equity.

According to Johnson, NPDC has grown the production level of OML 42 to its current 27,000 from 14,000 bpd at take over.

Ciroma quits as NIWA’s MD

Ciroma

Funmi Coker The Managing Director of the National inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hajia Inna Ciroma, on Wednesday tendered her resignation letter, with effect from May 28.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Tayo Fadile, the authority’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, and made

available to newsmen in Lokoja.

The statement quoted the information from her Letter of resignation addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

It stated that the former Minister of Women Affairs, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, for giving her the opportunity to serve in that capacity.

“It will be recalled that Ciroma assumed duty as the Managing Director of NIWA on May 13, 2013 following her appointment by the President.

“Ciroma, who is also a former National Women Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), said her decision to resign was honourable and the right thing to do,” the statement said.

It quoted her as thanking the management and staff of NIWA for their cooperation throughout her tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of the authority.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that rigorous screening is still being conducted for would be beneficiaries of the N300 Billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF).

This is contained in a statement issued by Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, on Tuesday in Abuja. ``We are appraising the over 200 applications received in respect of the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF),” it said.

It added that the appraisal of the applications by Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises for the N300 billion facility was still in progress in strict compliance with the eligible criteria for the fund.

According to the statement, as soon as the appraisals are concluded, recommendations will be made to management of the bank for approval and subsequent disbursement. ``Applicants are also urged to exercise patience to enable the bank conclude the appraisals,” it said.

The statement noted that the policy objectives of the facility was to provide long term and low interest financing intervention in support of the real sector of the Nigerian economy.

It further said the intervention would increase output, create jobs and conserve foreign exchange.

Daily Times reports that members of the organized private sector have complained of the strict conditions for accessing the funds and have made series of appeals to CBN to review some of the criteria.

Emefiele, CBN Governor

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

17 Brands & Marketing

APCON’s uphill task in enforcing ethical advertising

Akinwunmi, APCON chairman

The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has come under serious criticism in recent time, following the unrestricted breaches of the code of advertising ethics by politicians and the mass media during the 2015 electioneering campaigns. Godwin Anyebe writes.

Advertising is certainly an essential segment of any economy that strives for growth and development as it serves as a vehicle that promotes the economy and expands its frontiers for business in all sectors. To this end, analysts believe that any economy of the world that craves for growth and development must pay special attention to its advertising

industry.

For this segment of the economy to attain its full potential and as well safeguard the larger society from the activities of unregulated campaign and other self-serving interests, various countries of the world adopt various forms of regulations with the overall objective of protecting consumers and citizens from the effects of unhealthy campaign.

However, the Advertising Practitioner’s Council of Nigeria (APCON), a body that is saddled with the responsibility of regulating advertising activities in Nigeria is still engulfed in some critical challenges. The body has in time past called on the National As-

sembly to help find a lasting solution to the unbridled increase of quacks in the advertising sector of the economy. It has also appealed to the lawmakers on the urgent need to protect local advertising business from total invasion by foreign practitioners.

The plea by the advertising industry regulators on how to protect local advertising from total invasion by foreign practitioners seems to be just a part of their challenges, as the body also cried out on the issue of inadequate technology to monitor campaigns efficiently which can easily be overcome when there is adequate funding.

Though it is believed in some quarter that the body has not lived up to its expectations, others are of the view that, advertising in all ramifications in Nigeria has not received adequate attention by the government which is required for its effective performance as a regulator of such a critical function as commercial communications.

Speaking on this issue to the Honorable Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashike, during a familiarisation tour to APCON Head Office recently in Lagos, the APCON registrar, Alhaji Bello Kankrofi said; “we are all witnesses to the unrestricted breaches of the code of advertising by politicians and the mass media during the 2015 elec-

tioneering campaigns. A properly empowered APCON would have been able to stem the ugly tide that it saw. It is essential that before we go into the general elections in 2019, something is done to equip the regulatory agencies to prevent such decent to scurrilous communications that undermine the country’s democratic choice”.

Among other things, the registrar stated that, with the way and manner television and radio stations are springing up every now and again in the country, APCON is finding it difficult to monitor every campaign. And for the council to effectively monitor advertising on different medium most especially, the electronic space, there is a need for the body to acquire latest technologies to facilitate that.

While lamenting on how the body has been neglected by government, the registrar disclosed that, “if government had appreciated the enormity of power wielded by commercial enterprise – big and small, organisations, institutions and sometimes, individual who sponsor and benefit from advertising as well as the media organizations who provide the platforms for exposure of advertisements in return for the revenue that sustain their operations, it would have appreciated the amount of investments in infrastructure and human-resources as well as

legal framework required to adequately regulate and police the advertising environment”.

According to him, the time has come to revisit the law establishing APCON with the view to correcting the fundamental flaws that delay or hamstring enforcement of appropriate sanctions against of the law and code of advertising.

He however called on the ministry of information to come to the aid of the council, as this is not first time the council is reiterating these challenges to the government and hope that this very one will yield a positive result. A child does not stop shouting until what is discomforting him is removed. He added.

Responding to the council’s pleas, the Honorable Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, said she thought APCON being a body that is surrounded with multinational and viable sectorial bodies will always have help when the need arises.

Nonetheless, the minister promised to do everything within her disposal to ensure that the incoming regime will take into cognisance these challenges of an organisation that is no doubt doing a great job in Nigerians as it always try to ensure that the citizens of this great nation are not deceived by unwholesome campaign.

Media Fuse Network raise stakes with global partnership Full-service media independent agency Network, Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Limited a partnership between an indigenous and an international brand has officially announced the launch of its services in Nigeria to a cross section of the media recently in Lagos.

Incorporated in 2013, Media Fuse Limited launched its services in the Nigerian market in January 2014 under the leadership of Emeka Chris Okeke, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the agency as an indigenous national media agency having obtained a national operating license from APCON. The firm’s operations received

a boost with the keen interest shown in the business by global player Dentsu Aegis Network resulting in acquisition of equity interest in the business in July 2014 and subsequent change in name of the company to Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Limited.

Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 110 countries worldwide with over 23,000 dedicated specialists.

The investment will enable the provision of specialist services from Carat and Vizeum (both full service communications strategy and planning agencies) Posterscope (specialist out-of-home me-

dia services) Isobar (digital strategy creative and production) and I prospect (digital performance) as well as skills transfer driven by access to tools, training and systems such as the Consumer Connection Studies, Dentsu Aegis Network Academy, Route 500 etc. and also position the country as a veritable destination for foreign investment in the marketing communications sector.

Dawn Rowlands, Chief Executive Officer Dentsu Aegis Network in sub-Saharan Africa had this to say about the partnership “Dentsu Aegis Network is making an investment in Media Fuse based on our belief in Nigeria and the ability of Emeka Okeke

and his team to bring our unique operating model to life in Nigeria. Our partnership with Media Fuse enables us to launch our unique and proprietary tools like CCS and Convergence Planning, which will help local and our global clients grow the value they derive from media significantly.”

Commenting, Emeka Okeke, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network, said “this merger marks the dawn of a new era in marketing communications in Nigeria with a young indigenous media agency getting the attention of a global network in foreign direct investment with full access to tools, capacity building,

specialist agencies offerings in digital marketing, digital performance, OOH specialist offerings in strategy and planning; as well as convergence planning through the flagship power brands of Carat, Vizeum, Isobar, I-Prospect and Posterscope.”

Okeke

Brands & Marketing 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday,May 28, 2015

Africa’s Largest ‘Orijinal’ Drum unveiled

by Guinness Nigeria Stories by Godwin Anyebe Guinness Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewing company, has once again demonstrated its leadership in the industry as the company unveiled the largest drum ever built in Africa at an event in Lagos.

The Orijinal drum, a cultural icon, is an extension of the Orijin ideology of celebrating the contemporary African culture.

The brand recently received the endorsement of Royal Fathers across Nigeria as the drink of heritage for Africans. The drum located at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu Lagos, distinctly stands at a vantage point; a pride for all Nigerians.

Speaking at the unveil, Portfolio Director, Larger and RTD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Eyitemi Taire, said “the Largest African drum is another landmark in our journey as a business and eulogizing Orijin as the original drink for Africans”.

“A drum announces the presence of the royals and the revered; it represents everything African. It is the single identifier that cuts across all African cul-

tures. It represents the vibrancy, energy, uniqueness, and interconnectivity of Africans which perfectly reflects the essentials of the brand’s originality” Taire said.

On Orijin as a drink of culture and heritage, Taire explained, “we recognize the value of our culture and will do everything possible to keep our heritage.

Orijin connects with our people at this level just in the same way a drum connects. Where ever there is a drum there is celebration. And wherever there is celebration, you can be sure there is Orijin, the drink of tradition.”

“This drum we just unveiled is representative of both traditional and modern cultures that abide in Africa. We have high hopes that this drum will stand as an inspiration to Orijin lovers nationwide.We are proud of our achievement here today. The drum is clearly the largest and that underscores the ingenuity of Africans” Taire enthused.

In his comment the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Abdulfatai Ojora, represented by Chief Joseph Ogunmola, commended Guinness for producing an iconic

drink like Orijin.

Speaking about the drum, Chief Ogunmola said, “The drum represents our vibrancy as Africans. It is an important part of our cultural heritage.

This largest drum in Africa is a great innovation from Guinness Nigeria and we thank them for showcasing and taking our culture to the next level”.

Reassuring consumers of continuous quality, Taire said the production of Orijin attests to Guinness Nigeria’s leadership position in innovations in the alcoholic beverage industry.

“The company’s track record on product innovation in the past eight years has been very impressive. The advent of Orijin into the Nigerian market is a result of thought leadership

by Guinness Nigeria. As a company, we are continually looking for new ways to satisfy our consumers and Orijin is another attestation to this resolve. We have been in the fore front of innovation particularly now with the largest drum in Africa. We encourage all our consumers to enjoy their Orijin responsibly always” Taire informed.

L – R picture show the Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo; Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Martin Uden; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Economist, Middle East, Africa & Energy Team, Economics Unit , Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, Mr. Simon Murphy on a courtesy visit to The NSE on Tuesday.

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Obinnia Abajue; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; General Manager, Metrofile Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Glenton Swift; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Dr Demola Sogunle; at the Stanbic IBTC Corporate Golf Day 2015 which held at the Lakowe Golf Course, Lagos, Saturday May 23, 2015.

As always, we are grateful for your support over the years.

Analysts score Chivita 100%, Manchester United’s deal branding high

Bhattacharya, Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing,

Brand partnerships between Nigeria’s fruit juice flagship brand Chivita 100% and English Premiership side Manchester United FC has continued to generate massive interest within the sporting community and consumers of the brand.

According to a marketing communication consultant Adewale Okoya, “seven months after the partnership was signed, the management of Chi Limited seems to be doing an excellent job of projecting the partnership and the benefits to its numerous consumers. The communication tactics deployed to create awareness for the Chivita 100% fruit juice and Manchester United partnership has been so effective that both brands have become synonymous with each other in the consciousness of Nigerian consumers” In another development, a sport marketing consultant, Kanayo Nwosu, pinted out that the partnership between Chivita 100% and Manchester United was unique because it was the first time a Nigerian fruit juice brand is partnering with an Eng-

lish Premiership side. “For every pack of Chivita 100% fruit juice I purchase, I am reminded of how this effective partnership has further endeared the brands to millions of soccer fans and consumers across Nigeria” he said.

For Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, the journey has so far been rewarding for both brands.

He stresses “we appreciate the feedback we are receiving from our numerous consumers and soccer fans. We are also excited that efforts to publicize this partnership are paying off from the huge awareness it has created.

Our consumers should rest assured that they will continue to enjoy the best of refreshment from Chivita 100% side by side with quality football from Manchester United; a unique offering that this partnership promotes”

From left, Chief (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, CON, Vice President & Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), His Excellency, Amb. Ali Ocheni, Consul General, Consulate of Nigeria in Shanghai, China and Mr. Ubelejit Renner Ikuru, Consul, during the LCCI’s consultative meeting with Officials of the Consulate in Shanghai, China ion the forthcoming 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair.

L-R: Andre Andrade, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network Iberia & Sub-Sahara Africa; Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network Sub-Sahara Africa; Emeka Okeke, CEO, Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network; Bevis Hoets, COO, Dentsu Aegis Network Sub-Sahara Africa and Bruce Burgess, Development Director, Postercope Sub-Sahara Africa at the media launch of Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network in Nigeria.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Health Æ s

19

Email: omolara.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng

Quote Persons with sickle cell anaemia must guard against dehydration. They need to drink plenty of water every day - at least eight (8) glasses/cups of water a day--------Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria

Obstetric fistula linked to inadequate access to basic health care

A young woman suffering from obstetric fistula

Stories by Lara Adejoro omolara.adejoro@dailytimes. com.ng The need to provide universal access to reproductive health and uphold the fundamental rights of women has been stressed as key in the prevention of obstetrics fistula among girls and women.

This year’s International Day to End Obstetrics Fistula aims at restoring women’s dignity through actions targeted at ending obstetrics fistula.

Obstetric fistula, which is a hole in the birth canal, accounts for up to 6 per cent of all maternal deaths. And more than 2 million young women live with untreated obstetric fistula in Asia and subSaharan Africa with 50 000 to 100 000 women developing obstetric fistula worldwide every year.

The World Health Organisation

(WHO) says it is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth where there is prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.

The NOTAGAIN Campaign, shares a global view that obstetric fistula as well as maternal deaths and morbidity still exists because the health care systems have failed to provide adequate and accessible quality maternal health care, including family planning, skilled care at birth, basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care, and affordable treatment and delivery.

In his message on this year’s International Day to End Obstetrics Fistula, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon urged global leaders to fulfill commitments to improve maternal health and women rights.

“We have a moral obligation, as a global community, to complete the unfinished agenda of eradi-

cating fistula. Together, let us keep our promises to support universal human rights and ensure the health and dignity of women and girls everywhere” he said.

However, WHO recommends three approaches including; delaying the age of first pregnancy, elimination of harmful traditional practices, and timely access to obstetric care.

In addition, the National Coordinator, Accountability for Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria (AMHIN), Dr. Aminu Magashi, expressed the need for access to antenatal and basic quality health care for adolescent girls and women as a way of preventing obstetric fistula.

He said, “all women that are at risk, like those with small age, small height and those diabetic women should be fully monitored throughout the pregnancy so that if there is any potential complication, it’s going to be averted by a competent

’Fund for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria inadequate’ Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has said that, the fund provided by Nigerian government is grossly inadequate to close the treatment gap in the country.

The Country Director, Dr Bi-

lali Camara, made this known during the training workshop on the ambitious 90-90-90 treatment target organised by the organisation in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in

Continued on page 20

Dr. Camara

skilled medical personnel”.

The Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin in a message for the International Day to End Obstetrics Fistula 2015, expressed optimism that obstetric fistula could be ended with increased political and financial commitments to maternal health care.

“With the right combination of political will and leadership, financial commitment and scaling up of evidence-based, costeffective, quality interventions, ending forced marriage and ensuring girls education as well as voluntary family planning, we can end the needless suffering of millions of women and girls,” he said.

Furthermore, the NOTAGAIN Campaign team urge improved commitment of relevant stakeholders to improve quality of maternal health care services

Continued on page 20

Defence Intelligence gets dialysis centre In its bid to provide homodialysis services to the military and security services, President Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Dialysis Centre.

Commissioning the centre in Abuja, President Jonathan said the centre would bring respite to the frequent reports of kidneyrelated diseases in the country.

He said, “It is expected therefore that the military hospitals should be well equipped.”

In his opening remarks, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) Rear Admiral Gabriel Okoi, said the well furnished facility has four machines and is manned by 10 staff at inception, but “as kidney dialysis require long term man power increase, and huge sums of money to operate, it is our hope that centre would improve on its staff strength and run for 24 hours in order to provide broader services.”

According to him, the initiative is informed by the rising number of people expected to go through the initial kidney treatment, even as the “the World Health Organisation statistics predicted that by the year 2020 the burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease would have increased by 130 per cent in Africa alone.

However, Okoi said, the centre would be regarded “as our corporate social responsibility to our immediate community. The services to be provided would be extended to the security community in particular and the Abuja community at large.”

Health 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

World Health Assembly plans to tackle immunization gaps, malnutrition

Delegates at the World Health Assembly meeting.

Delegates at the World Health Assembly have agreed to improve access to affordable vaccines and address over- and under-nutrition.

The Assembly agreed a resolution to improve access to sustainable supplies of affordable vaccines – a key issue for low and middle income countries aiming to extend immunization to the entire population.

In 2012, the Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan, a commitment to ensure that no one misses out on vital immunization by 2020.

A report from WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization, warns, however, that progress towards the Action Plan’s targets is slow and patchy.

The resolution calls on WHO to coordinate efforts to address

gaps in progress. It urges Member States to increase transparency around vaccine pricing and explore pooling the procurement of vaccines. It requests the WHO Secretariat to report on barriers that may undermine robust competition that can enable price reductions for new vaccines, and to address any other factors that might adversely affect the availability of vaccines.

The resolution also highlighted that immunization is a highly cost-effective public health interventions, playing a major role in reducing child deaths and improving health. It recommends scaling up advocacy efforts to improve understanding of the value of vaccines and to allay fears leading to vaccine hesitancy.

Last week, on the margins of the Health Assembly, the Secretariat brought together high-level representatives of 34 countries with low immunization coverage to discuss challenges and explore solutions to overcome them.

Also, delegates approved a resolution endorsing the Rome Declaration on Nutrition and a Framework for Action which recommend a series of policies and programmes across the health, food and agriculture sectors to address malnutrition.

Governments had previously agreed both documents at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), organized by WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in November 2014.

The Health Assembly called upon governments to implement commitments to make policy changes and investments aimed at ensuring all people have access to healthier and more sus-

tainable diets.

Member States agreed a set of indicators to monitor progress for global nutrition targets set in 2012 when the World Health Assembly endorsed a comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. The plan listed six global targets to be achieved by 2025 on stunting (low heightfor-age), wasting (low weight-forheight), overweight, low birth weight, anaemia, and breastfeeding.

The decision called upon Member States to begin reporting on most indicators from 2016, and others from 2018. They recommended a review of the global nutrition monitoring framework in 2020.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.

The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.

The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

‘Inadequate access to basic health care linked UNAIDS decries poor funding to obstetric fistula’ of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria sue in pragmatic way,” he said. diagnosed HIV infection will re-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Abuja.

According to Camara, Nigeria needs$1.2bn (N236.4 trillion) for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the country.

He said the foreign donors provide 600,000 US dollars (N118.2 million), which represent 50 per cent of the funds required for the treatment programme, while Nigeria provides 25 per cent of the funds required.

The Country Director said Nigeria needs more domestic funding to effectively tackle HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country.

He added that the governments had not shown enough commitment in the area of resource allocation to fight the disease.

“There is lack of leadership at state level to address the is-

He said that the workshop was organised to sensitise health correspondents and other stakeholders on the target, which aims at fast tracking the HIV response.

“Our intention is to ensure that journalists reporting HIV/ AIDS keep on helping the public to understand and support the drive to achieve the target by 2020.

“The participation of representatives of people living with HIV will give us an opportunity to get new ideas that will keep Nigeria on the path of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030,’’ he said.

The country director said the target would ensure that by the year 2020, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.

“90 per cent of all people with

ceive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral load suppression,’’ he said.

Mr Edward Ogenyi, the National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN), said when people living with HIV understand the 90-9090 target and drives the process it will send the message down to the communities.

“It will also ensure that more Nigerians will be tested for HIV and the ones who need treatment will access it.

“The target motivates those who are already on treatment to adhere to it so they can suppress the virus and continue to live a healthy and productive life,’’ he said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

by investing in antenatal care coverage, family planning, essential life-saving commodities, and emergency obstetrics care.

This is expected to contribute to improving the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 5).

Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without treatment.

The condition typically leaves women incontinent, and as a result they are often shunned by their communities. Sufferers often endure depression, social isolation and deepening poverty. Many women live with the condition for years – or even decades – because they cannot af-

ford to obtain treatment.

The Campaign to End Fistula, launched by UNFPA and partners in 2003 is now present in 50 countries across Africa, Asia and the Arab region.

Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal caused by prolonged labour without prompt medical intervention, such as a Caesarean section. An estimated 2 to 3 million women and girls in developing countries are living with obstetric fistula.

May 23 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, which promotes action towards treating and preventing obstetric fistula, a condition that affects many girls and women in developing countries.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is:’End fistula, restore women’s dignity.’

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Wakili endorses Saraki for Senate president

Ekwunife replies Umeh’s election petition

Daniel Jolly Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe senator-elect represent-

ing Bauchi South on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), Malam Ali Wakili, has said that the North-east region is the most poverty ravage zone in the country.

He, therefore, said the position of the Senate Deputy President and the post of the Speaker House of Representatives be allotted to the North east, as some form compensation for all it has suffered on account of insurgency.

Wakili, who was speaking with journalists in Bauchi, on Wednesday, endorsed the candidature of Senator Bukola Saraki for the Senate President in the 8th Assembly.

He said: “The issue of National Assembly leadership is about integrity, competence, discipline and leadership skills and not about fixing of candidates just for mere horse-trading.

“Our stand is about electing a senator, who eventually becomes the chairman of National Assembly and relates with the executive on behalf of Nigerians, fellow Senators and the National Assembly as an institution.

Abia SUBEB documents Orji’s education legacies

Nkiru Nwagbo Awka

ÏÏÏThe

Queue at the Total Filing Station, Zone 3, Wuse Abuja… on Wednesday

Aliyu leaving N56b debt to incoming govt, says APC Pita Chikwem Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Transition Committee set up by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger State, on Wednesday, disclosed that the outgoing government, led by Governor Babangida Aliyu was leaving a huge debt of N56 billion.

The committee headed by the Deputy-Governor-elect, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso, made this known when he presented its report at the Presidential Lodge, in Minna.

The Governor-elect, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, while receiving the report said: “I believe each and every one of us is concerned about the situation

in Niger State, as it is today. It is not about what we will get as individuals but how we position ourselves for the future.”

“There is a need to establish new means of generating funds, new ways of managing resources.

We do not have much money to spend for the committees because like you said, we are inheriting over N56 billion already as a government. We have to be very prudent in our new way of spending and we have to cut costs.”

Bello said besides that “I will go through your report, and I will engage people to go through it as well. We will look at it, and probably do some more work to see how we can understand it better.

We want an in-depth analysis

Aliyu

with a view to coming up with solutions.”

However, Ketso said the committee ascertained five sub-sectors, namely; political and governance, finance, economics, social and infrastructure.

Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏAbia State Universal Basic

Education Board (ASUBEB), has handed over to Governor Theodore Orji a pictorial compendium of his projects in the education sector in the state.

Handing over the compilation titled: “Theodore A. Orji: Giant Strides in Basic Education Delivery in Abia State (2007 -2015)”, the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Chief Micah Onyebuchi, said that Orji’s legacies in the education sector, especially in the delivery of basic education to all Abia children were, indeed, a clear evidence of his uncommon transformation of the state and unparalleled achievements in governance, which had taken the state to its well-deserved zenith in the country.

21 News

Kashamu: Uwazurike berates NDLEA over refusal to obey court order Sam Nzeh

ÏÏÏLagos-based lawyer, Chief

Goddy Uwazurike, on Wednesday, berated the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over its decision not to obey the ruling of a Federal High Court, in Lagos, to the effect that it should vacate the Lekki-Lagos premises of senatorelect for Ogun East Senatorial District, Mr. Buruji Kashamu.

Recall that the NDLEA, in a statement, shortly after the order by Justice Ibrahim Buba on Tuesday, described it as ‘diversionary and inconsequential,’

while it insisted that the agency’s operatives would continue to lay siege to the residence of Kashamu.

However, condemning the NDLEA over the decision, Uwazurike, said the agency had no choice in the matter and it must obey the court order.

“The agency is bound to obey the order of the Federal High Court asking it to vacate the residence of the senator-elect in question,” he said.

Uwazurike, who is also the president of Aka- Ikenga, an Igbo socio-political think tank, reiterated that the NDLEA can-

not extradite anybody, except in accordance with or in obedience to the order of the court. He noted that there was no order of the Federal High Court in support of the extradition of Kashamu.

He warned that if the people in NDLEA persist in the path they had chosen to go in refusing to obey the court order, all of them would be affected.

“Why will they stand up and bow to the court when they are not ready to obey? Why will NDLEA charge suspects to court if they are not ready to obey the ruling of the court?”, Uwazurike asked.

Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the March 28, National Assembly election, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has filed her reply to the petition brought against her victory to the Election Tribunal in Awka, by Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Umeh, who was the National chairman of APGA and the candidate of the party in the election, had, shortly after the election, dragged Ekwunife to the tribunal, asking it to declare him the winner going by the booth-by-booth result of the election obtained by his agents in the field.

After submitting her reply to the secretary of the tribunal and signed the necessary columns, Ekwunife told journalists that Umeh had asked the tribunal to declare him winner by deducting some figures from the results credited to her and add about 1,000 votes.

She described the claim as wishful thinking, because according to her, she was the person who won the election.

“I won. He is asking the tribunal to deduct some of my figures and add 1000 to his figure and declare him the winner. Have you seen Ngige, the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), here? He is not here because he knew I won the election.

“I submitted the polling unit result. He is not the only one that has a calculator, I also have one,” she said.

She further said that she had faith in the tribunal to do justice to the matter, which she said is not complicated, adding that the figures are with the members of the tribunal and that she was not expecting them to manufacture new figures.

Umeh

22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Today in History Æ s Compiled by ‘Tunji Okegbola

Cartoons from our Archives

1937 Volkswagen is founded On this day in 1937, the government of Germany--then under the control of Adolf Hitler of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party--formed a new stateowned automobile company, then known as Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschemark Volkswagens mbH. Later that year, it was renamed simply Volkswagenwerk, or “The People’s Car Company.”

Originally operated by the German Labour Front, a Nazi organization, Volkswagen was headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. In addition to his ambitious campaign to build a network of autobahns and limited access highways across Germany, Hitler’s pet project was the development and mass production of an affordable yet still speedy vehicle that could sell for less than 1,000 Reich marks (about $140 at the time). To provide the design for this “people’s car,” Hitler called in the Austrian automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche. In 1938, at a Nazi rally, the Fuhrer declared: “It is for the broad masses that this car has been built.

1940

Its purpose is to answer their transportation needs, and it is intended to give them joy.” However, soon after the KdF (Kraftdurch-Freude)-Wagen (“StrengthThrough-Joy” car) was displayed for the first time at the Berlin Motor Show in 1939, World War II began, and Volkswagen halted production. After the war ended, with the factory in ruins, the Allies would make Volkswagen the focus of their attempts to resuscitate the German auto industry.

Volkswagen sales in the United States were initially slower than in other parts of the world, due to the car’s historic Nazi connections as well as its small size and unusual rounded shape. In 1959, the advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach launched a landmark campaign, dubbing the car the “Beetle” and spinning its diminutive size as a distinct advantage to consumers. Over the next several years, VW became the top-selling auto import in the United States. In 1960, the German government sold 60 percent of Volkswagen’s stock to the public, effectively denationalizing it.

Belgium surrenders unconditionally

On this day in 1940, after 18 days of ceaseless German bombardment, the king of Belgium, having asked for an armistice, was given only unconditional surrender as an option.

He takes it.

German forces had moved into Belgium on May 10, part of Hitler’s initial western offensive.

Despite some support by British forces, the Belgians were simply outnumbered and outgunned from the beginning. The first surrender of Belgium territory took place only one day after the invasion, when the defenders of Fort Eben-Emael surrendered.

Disregarding the odds, King Leopold III of Belgium had tried to rally his forces, evoking the Belgian victory during World War I. The Belgian forces fought on, courageously, but were continually overcome by the invaders.

By May 27, the king of Belgium, realizing that his army was depleted and that even re-

treat was no longer an option, sent an emissary through the German lines to request an armistice, a cease-fire. It was rejected.

The Germans demanded unconditional surrender. Belgium’s government in exile, stationed in Paris, repudiated the surrender, but to no avail. Belgium had no army left to fight. In the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill defended King Leopold’s decision, despite the fact that it made the British troops’ position, attempting to evacuate Dunkirk, in northern France, more precarious.

King Leopold refused to flee the country and was taken prisoner by the Nazis during their occupation, and confined to his palace. A Belgian underground army grew up during the occupation; its work including protecting the port of Antwerp, the most important provisioning point for Allied troops on the Continent, from destruction by the Germans.

Daily Times May 28, 1961

1961 Appeal for Amnesty campaign launches On this day in 1961, the British newspaper The London Observer publishes British lawyer Peter Berenson’s article “The Forgotten Prisoners” on its front page, launching the Appeal for Amnesty 1961--a campaign calling for the release of all people imprisoned in various parts of the world because of the peaceful expression of their beliefs.

Benenson was inspired to write the appeal after reading an article about two Portuguese students who were jailed after raising their glasses in a toast

to freedom in a public restaurant. At the time, Portugal was a dictatorship ruled by Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Outraged, Benenson penned the Observer article making the case for the students’ release and urging readers to write letters of protest to the Portuguese government. The article also drew attention to the variety of human rights violations taking place around the world, and coined the term “prisoners of conscience” to describe “any person who is physically restrained (by imprisonment or otherwise)

from expressing…any opinion which he honestly holds and does not advocate or condone personal violence.”

“The Forgotten Prisoners” was soon reprinted in newspapers across the globe, and Berenson’s amnesty campaign received hundreds of offers of support. In July, delegates from Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland met to begin “a permanent international movement in defence of freedom of opinion and religion.”

1965 Mine explosion kills hundreds in India Methane gas caused a mine explosion near Dharbad, India, that killed 375 people and injured hundreds more on this day in 1965. The blast was so powerful that even workers on the surface of the mine were killed.

The mine was located 225 miles northwest of Calcutta near the town of Dharbad and employed hundreds of miners. On this day,

a spark ignited methane gas in the mine and caused a huge explosion. Coal dust was sent miles into the air and an entire section of the large mine completely collapsed. Two hundred and seventy-five miners never made it out alive. The explosion also killed approximately 100 workers who were above ground but near the mine and destroyed several

homes in the area. A fire in the mine shaft raged for many days after the blast.

Methane gas is a common hazard in mining. It is lighter than air so it usually rises out of the mine shaft. However, significant pockets often get trapped underground and, when it combines with coal dust, the gas is extremely combustible.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

23 News

Ekiti kingmakers uphold Adejimi Oba-elect Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏAs

the crisis over the selection of a new king, in IkereEkiti, the second largest town in Ekiti State, drags on, eleven out of the 14 king-makers in the town have said that they were in support of Prince Samuel Adejimi Adu as the Oba-elect, with a claim that his selection followed

due process as stipulated by the extant laws on chieftaincy affairs in the state.

The king-makers, who flayed media re-port which claimed that the screening process into the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti stool, which became vacant after the demise, recently, of Oba Samuel Adegboye, was fraudulent, insisted that the exercise was carried out through the consul-

tation of the Ifa oracle and voting in the presence of two representatives of each of the royal houses and a government representative.

At a press conference, in Ikere- Ekiti, on Wednesday, where 10 king-makers were in attendance, the head of the king-makers, the Sao of Ikere-Ekiti, Chief Omotosho James, who noted that the appointment of an Oba

is a sacred matter, condemned the spreading of falsehood in some newspapers by some disgruntled elements within the town in order to wrestle the vacant Ogoga stool.

He said such a move was satanic and aimed at truncating the existing peace in the community for selfish reasons.

“Fighting a sacred war which one has failed to win through the

due ‘process’ by hiring the media is an insult to our tradition and this belittles our revered throne before the whole world. lf someone is boasting of any media affiliation, that person should use such connection to recruit our teeming unemployed youths into the media rather than using the media to steal his way into a position God has not given to him,” James said.

el-Rufai appoints SSG, media aide, others

Executive Director, UBA Plc, Dan Okeke Executive Director, (left), receiving the Best in ‘Extensive Compliance Category’ Award from Chairman, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Otunba Funsho Lawal during the maiden awards ceremony organis ed by the CAC in Abuja recently.

Sunday Isuwa

Ebonyi tribunal orders INEC to allow petitioners inspect materials

Insurgency: Reps seek FG action in liberated areas

Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏThe Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC), Ebonyi State has been ordered to allow seven petitioners and candidates in the 2015 general elections, their counsel or any forensic expert retained by them to inspect, scan and take copies of electoral materials used in the election.

The body has also been ordered to issue to the petitioners or their counsel, certified true copies of all ballot papers,

UNIABUJA signs agric pact with Isreali firm

ÏÏÏAhead

of his inauguration as Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Wednesday, announced the appointments of key officials in his incoming government.

El-Rufai named Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He further said that Malam Salisu Suleiman had been appointed Principal Private Secretary, while Mr. Abu Musa Sheyin would serve as Private Secretary to Mr. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, the deputy governor-elect.

El-Rufai also announced the appointment of Hon. Bala Yunusa as deputy Chief Of Staff (Legisla-

result sheets, voters register, accreditation, incident forms, the entries and data in the INEC Card Reader machines, electoral material receipt and return forms among others on payment of required fees.

Chairman, National and State Assembly of the Election Petition Tribunal, Justice J. O. Agya, gave the order, following exparte motions filed by the lead counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Victor Ozioko.

The petitioners, Chief Elechi Nnanna Elechi, Ebonyi Central Senatorial candidate of the La-

bour Party (LP), Chief Peter Ogeali, the North Senatorial candidate of the party, Chief James Aro Nweke, Mrs Helen Nwobashi and Chief Emmanuel Nwobo, House of Representatives candidates of the Labour Party and Mr Ndubuisi Nwokporo of All Progressive Congress (APC) are challenging the declaration of the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as winners of the election.

The tribunal has fixed June 1 for commencement of hearing of the substantive suit.

Augustine Okezie

ABUJA Agric City, which will include the participation of university staff and students in the various farming operations.

Providing a further breakdown on the agreement, the Chairman of the University Ventures, Professor Paul Idris said under the arrangement, the university was expected

Abuja

ÏÏÏThe management of

University of Abuja-owned University Ventures Limited, has entered into a joint partnership agreement with an Isreali firm: Agric City Development Company Limited, for the establishment of UNI-

Augustine Aminu and Henry Omun

el-Rufai

tive Affairs) and Samuel Aruwan as his Special Assistant, Media.

The appointments take effect from Friday, 29 May 2015.

Lawal, a former lecturer, served as Chief of Staff when El-Rufai was minister of the FCT. He was a director in the Nasir El-Rufai Campaign Organization and currently chairs the Kaduna State APC Transition Committee.

House of Representatives, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to commence the reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities which were recently liberated by the Nigerian military through the Victim Support Fund (VSF), Presidential Initiative for the North-East (PINE) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The motion, raised on the floor of the House by Abdulrahman Terab entitled: “Motion On The Need To Commence Reconstruction And Rehabilitation Of The

Communities Under Insurgents Which Are Fully Recaptured And Liberated By the Military”, noted that the internally displaced camps (IDPs) were over-stretched facing challenges of space and resources.

“Most of the internally displaced persons whose communities have been fully liberated are physically and psychologically desirous and determined to return to their liberated communities in order to free up the camps and allow more space for some incoming IDPS that are recently being rescued,” Terab, who is representing Bama/ Ngala/ Kala Balge Federal constituency, in Borno State, said.

to apportion farming lands from its land mass to potential farmers, including the teaching and non-staff and students, while the venture partners were expected to provide backup credit facilities and technical guidance as well as training to ensure the success of the agreement.

The Vice Chancellor of the

University, Professor Michael Adikwu, praised the agreement as capable of boosting food production in the country The chief Executive officer of the joint venture partners Mr. Chigozie Oguine assured of best practices and the realisation of a whole city springing up from the varsity.

ÏÏÏThe

Children's Day 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ebonyi public schools teachers, pupils shun rally Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏ

It was drama galore on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, when public schools teachers and pupils stayed away from the Children’s Day activities.

Teachers, pupils and students in public schools in Ebonyi State had been directed not to participate in the Children’s’ Day celebration with a high powered taskforce put in place to ensure full compliance.

In a statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of Nigeria Union of

Teachers (NUT), Comrades Nweke Joseph and Macks Nnaji, the union warned that any teacher who failed to comply with the above order would have himself to blame as the sledge hammer of the union would definitely fall on the person.

The union regretted that government has reneged on agreement with the Organised Labour in the state when it suspended its one month strike in April this year following the refusal of the government to fully implement the Minimum wage and pay the September 2011 salary it refused

to pay the workers for embarking on strike in that year.

It would be recalled that four industrial unions in Ebonyi State - Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Radio, Television and Theater Art Workers Union (RATTAWU), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU) had embarked on an indefinite strike over the refusal of the state government to pay them.

On the part of RATTAWU, it said it embarked on the industrial action

over the weigh-in allowance, a special salary package for workers of the state radio and television which was removed by the government in 2012 and later restored following the series of strike by the workers with the arrears not cleared by the government since the restoration early this year.

Chairman of the union, Comrade Chukwuma Onwe, remarked that the state radio and television will not transmit and Theatre Arts workers will not perform during events until the demand of the workers are met.

Mimiko frowns at violence against children 'Tosin Ajuwon Akure

ÏÏÏ As Nigeria marked the 2015 National Children's Day on Wednesday, the Ondo State government has condemned the acts of violence against children in the society.

Speaking at the event, held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, in Akure, the Governor of Ondo State,

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, frowned at the number of children traumatised daily and made vulnerable due to incessant conflicts.

The focus for this year’s celebration is ensuring adequate protection for all children with the theme"Violence against Children: Addressing the Challenges".

Represented by his Deputy, Lasisi Oluboyo, the Governor, regretted how some children in the country were being subjected to violence and sexual exploitation by unrepentant adults who ought to care and protect their right.

Group tasks FG on care of children with special needs Idu Jude

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government has been called upon to make concerted efforts in caring for children with special needs so as to help integrate sufferers and give them sense of belonging in the society.

This call was made on Wednesday in Abuja by a coalition of Non-Governmental organisations to mark the 2015 edition of Children's Day celebration with special talent shows.

The talent show organised by Patsilver Foundation in collaboration with Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation and David's Center for Children

with Special Needs supported by Helpline Foundation for the Needy was aimed at social inclusion and community integration for persons with special needs.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the programme, the president and founder of Patsilver Foundation, Ms. Evelyn Mensah, observed that persons with special needs are usually faced with stigmatization based on their weaknesses, what they cannot do, their delayed milestone, denied activities and experiences, noting that with the right platform, support and encouragement, their weaknesses are often accompanied by amazing strengths.

Aregbesola prays for deliverance of Chibok girls Sodiq Adekunle President Goodluck Jonathan (middle), Vice President Namadi Sambo (7th left) and others in group photo at the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council, at the State House, Abuja… on Wednesday

Children's Day Tragedy: Mother stabs 3-yr-old son to death Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏTragedy

struck at Sango area of Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday when a woman allegedly ran amok and stabbed her 3-year-old son to death.

The incident, which occurred a day the nation was marking Children's Day, took place at the Ogunso area of Sango Ota. The suspect identified as Funmilayo Adeyanju was

said to have committed the alleged crime at about 4:00pm, stabbing her child, Emmanuel, several times on the head and other parts of the body with a knife.

The innocent child was said to have given up the ghost after much pain and rolled in his blood for a short while as his berserk mother dealt him multiple knife-cuts. Although no one could ascertain the cause of the alleged crime committed by Funmilayo, our correspondent gathered

that the child was a product of an alleged incestuous relationship between the woman and her own biological father, which occurred about three years ago.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that policemen from Ota Division had visited the scene of the crime and taken the corpse of the child to the mortuary.

Adejobi also disclosed that the woman who was immediately arrested by

the police put up some strange behaviours when questioned about the alleged crime.

The PPRO said: "The police have been to the scene to recover the body of the child. The woman has been acting strangely like a person who is of unsound mind. The police would carry out proper investigation.

"The police will work on the state of mind of the woman and we'll have to seek the help of an expert to know her mental state."

Osogbo

ÏÏÏOsun

State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has joined thousands of Nigerians to pray for the deliverance of the over 200 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

Aregbesola spoke at the 2015 Children's Day celebration with the theme: 'Violence against children: Addressing the challenges,' held at Osogbo township stadium on Wednesday.

The governor prayed for the return of the kidnapped students and succour to the family of the girls.

He reiterated that violence against children has increased globally and that children are easy targets of kidnap-for-ransom.

Aregbesola, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye Tomori, explained that the nation was still distraught by the tragedy of the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped by terrorists in their school hostel in Borno State on April 14, 2014.

He said: "We are asking parents and the law enforcement agencies to provide greater protection for children against physical abuse, rape and torture.

Aregbesola

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

25 News

NOWA donates food items to sick patients, orphanage home

Ondo Assembly extends council caretakers’ tenure by six months

Segun Adio

Akure

Ă?Ă?Ă?The

���The Naval Officers’

Wives Association (NOWA), in line with the ongoing 59th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy, in Lagos, on Wednesday, donated food items to patients and orphanage home.

The naval officers’ wives visited the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Ojo to donate provisions to the sick patients.

The association which was led by the Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Regina Ango also paid a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango.

Mrs. Ango said the courtesy visit, which was the association’s first official visit to the command, was to appreciate the endless effort of the FOC’s contribution to the growth navy and the country.

The Commander of the hospital, Surgeon

Ondo State House of Assembly has extended the tenure of the Interim Caretaker Chairmen of the eighteen local government areas of the state by another six months.

Ă?Ă?Ă?President Goodluck

Jonathan has approved the establishment of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

This is sequel to his assent to the Bill for the establishment of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), which was sponsored by the Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Power.

The NEMSA Act, 2015, which took effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2015, is expected to scale up the Technical Regulatory (TR) regime in the power sector via pre-testing, inspection of electrical

The extension followed the expiration of the six month tenure of the Caretaker Chairmen which lapsed early of this month.

Moving a motion for the extension, the House Committee Chairman on Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Afolabi Akinsiku, representing Ondo West Con-

stituency I, said there cannot be a vacuum in the governance of the third tier of government, and so a justification for the move.

The motion, seconded

by Mr. Oyebo Aladetan, representing Ilaje Constituency I, noted that the elongation would afford

people at the areas to gain unhindered access to good governance.

Ruling, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Jumoke Akindele, charged the Caretaker Chairman to justify the extension of their tenure by deepening democratic system of governance at the grassroots.

Buhari condoles with Obasanjo over sister’s death Lateef Ibrahim Abuja Vice Admiral Usman

Ă?Ă?Ă?The

Crdr. Ekanem Nesiama, appreciated the donation made by the association, adding that it was a good innovation from the association.

The Director of the orphanage home, Dr. Gabriel Oyedeji thanked the association for visiting the home. “We are very grateful for your donations, in spite of the hardship in the country. “God bless you, the association, the Nigerian Navy and Nigeria as a whole,� he said.

Gloworld unveils Care centre in Benin

Jonathan approves establishment of NEMSA Andrew Ekejiuba

Tosin Ajuwon

equipment for grid, certification, meter testing, monitoring and evaluation of all equipment/electrical materials before they are used on the Nigerian grid value chain.

The President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Kola Olubiyo, said the NEMSA Act, 2015, was expected to reduce, to the barest minimum all manner of impunity and dumping of substandard electrical materials in Nigeria and all forms of technical operational gaps prevalent in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has extended his condolences to former President

Titus Akhigbe

Olusegun Obasanjo on the recent death of the latter’s younger sister, Madam Aduni Oluwasola EwejeObasanjo.

Buhari, in a statement issued in Abuja by his Head

of Media Team, Malam Garba Shehu, expressed sadness that Madam Eweje-Obasanjo died at a period when her wisdom would be sorely missed.

He asked former Presi-

dent Obasanjo to take heart and bear the loss with equanimity and faith, praying that God who knows all things would strengthen and comfort him, and other relations of he deceased.

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operator of the Glo mobile and internet services, on Wednesday, officially commissioned a world class Glo care centre, at the prestigious cinema and entertainment Kada Plaza, in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the centre situated on the busy Benin-Sapele Road, Glo National Sales Co-ordinator Mid-West territory, Augustus Offor, said locating the Gloworld shop in the Kada entertainment plaza was part of the efforts by Globacom to bring worldclass customers care services to the doorsteps of its esteemed customers in the Benin City.

Chairman of the event and Ovia South West Local Government Counci Chairman, Morrison Ogunrovia, commended Globacom for the innovation stressing it will further boost its products and services.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Crime Æ s

Bus driver dupes woman of N1.5 million

An LT bus driver identified as Patrick Abaleke has been arrested for allegedly duping one Miss Chinasa Nwokenem of the sum of N1.5 million.

The case which was reported at the State Criminal Investigation and Interrogation Department is currently being investigated.

Daily Times gathered that Patrick had convinced Chinasa, a mother of one, to invest in the transportation business; but unknown to her, the suspect had an ulterior motive. The victim

Photos and Stories by Anyim Joy Ndudi Email: ndudijoyanyim@gmail.com

claimed she paid the said amount at different times. And when the victim tried to question the said investment, Patrick threatened to kill her. It was at this point that she ran to the police for help.

The victim who runs a hair salon tells how she fell into the trap. “We live in the same neighbourhood at No 39 Iganmu road.

I know him as an LT driver but I noticed he no longer goes to work.

On one of those days, I called him to find out what the matter was, and he told me his vehicle had de-

L-R: Taiye Muraina, Olatunji Oladeji, and Habeeb Ibrahim.

SPORTS BETTING:

Three teenagers nabbed for murder over

N2,000

Three teenagers, Olatunji Oladeji 16, Taiye Muraina 20, and Ibrahim Habeeb 18, are currently been interrogated at the State Criminal Interrogations and Investigations Department (SCIID) Panti, over the death of one Ibrahim Musa, who was allegedly stabbed to death during a brief disagreement over N2000 in Pelewura market, Lagos.

Our correspondent gathered that on the 24th of May 2015, Habeeb allegedly gave Tunji N2000 for safe keeping. But a day after when Habeeb requested for his money, the young Tunji had already spent the money on sport betting, so Habeeb became furious.

Late Ibrahim who was there at the time of the argument tried to make peace and at the end, a fight ensued between him and Taiye, an elder brother to Habeeb who was alleged to have stabbed the deceased with a broken bottle on the head and hand.

Daily Times gathered that the deceased was rushed to different private hospitals within Pelewura Market but was refused treatment

veloped some fault. I asked him if the fault was beyond repairs and he said he didn’t have the money to do the repairs.

“He first told me N200, 000 would be enough and out of pity, I gave him the money. After about two weeks I inquired from him the state of the bus since he had still not resumed work. He said the money I gave him was not enough to affect the repairs as the mechanic also identified some other faults for which will CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

for security reasons. Before they arrived at the general hospital, he had lost so much blood and was confirmed dead.

The Oyo born Tunji who resides at No. 26 Abukuru Street, Ajegunle, narrated how what started as a casual disagreement resulted in the death of one. “I am a student of king Ade High school, Lagos Island. The reason why I am here is because Taiye and Ibrahim fought and injured themselves and in the process, Ibrahim died. I am not the one who fought. I was arrested because I was the cause of the fight.

“I owed Habeeb N2000, which he gave to me for safe keeping. I however spent the money on playing sport betting at their shop but I did not win. So when he came asking me for the money, I told him I will give it to him in the night. But Habeeb will not hear of it; he held me by the waist, insisting he must collect the money now.

“I pleaded with him to be patient that I will give him the money later. Ibrahim whom we all respect as an elder person intervened and told Habeeb to be patient with me; that after all, it was his (Habeeb’s) business that I spent the money on. When he will not listen, Ibrahim started beating Habeeb, saying that he should let me be since I have promised to pay back later in the evening. Habeeb insisted that he needed to prepare his account that his boss would soon arrive.

“During this argument, a friend of mine who was also there, borrowed me the N2000 and I settled Habeeb and the matter was resolved. I do not know why Taiye and Ibrahim started fighting again and injured themselves.

Ibrahim was terribly hurt with a broken bottle and when he was rushed to the general hospital, he was confirmed dead.

“Since Ibrahim is like a tout, some of his squad members around who saw him with blood came after Habeeb and I, claiming we were the cause of the fight. But

Patrick

the Pelewura market security arrived just on time to save us from the hands of the touts. That was how we were taken to the police station.”

Tunji was full of regrets over the incident. He however has this advice for lovers of sport betting.

“I really regret collecting the money from Habeeb to hold it.

But my most regret and advice to young boys out there who play sport betting is to desist from it as it is a bad way of life. You will end up spending all you have on what is not valuable.”

18 year old Habeeb Ibrahim also gave his own account of the tragic incident. “I work as an agent in betnaija. It was after my secondary school education that I came to help my elder brother who owns a sport betting business because there was no money for me to read further.

“This problem started on May 23, 2015 when a friend of mine, gave me N2000 to keep for him.

Knowing that I am very careless with keeping money, I gave it to Tunji who is a bosom friend.

The next day, when the owner of the money came for it, I started looking for Tunji to get the money back from him. “Shortly after, Tunji came to our shop. I requested he gives me back the money I gave to him because the owner had already come for it, and since I did not see him; I had to take out of my boss business money to settle the owner of the money. I told Tunji I needed the money to balance my account for the day.

But Tunji started behaving funny, so I held him by the waist.

The next thing he said was he did not have the money, that he had used the money to play sport betting in our shop and that after all, it was on our business that he spent the money on. It was at this point that Ibrahim Musa intervened; he did not come in as a peacemaker but supported Tunji CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Tricycle operator murders 18 year old in cold blood ÏÏÏ dƈ ƅƆ Ɔ ƊƈƋƋƆƗ ƌƕ son, he should also be killed – Mother If only the dead can speak for themselves, then late Emmanuel Jacob would have been able to tell the actual cause of the fight which led to his sudden death in Dejioworo Street Alapere, Lagos.

It was learnt that on May 18, 2015, at about 9 pm, a fight ensued between the deceased and one Benedict Oghenovo over accepting to be initiated into some ‘Eye’ cult group. Benedict, who is a tricycle operator was said to have hit Emmanuel with an iron which ultimately led to his death. The case was promptly reported to the Alapere Police Division and later transferred to the State Criminal Interrogation and Investigations Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba.

The 22 year old suspect who claims he lives with his elder brother and hails from Delta State told Daily Times how a little scuffle ended up in the death of his 18 year old friend.

“It happened on Monday when I was coming back from work, and I saw my friend, Emma. While we were exchanging greetings, he told me he wanted to drink, but I told him I did not have money to buy drinks because my tricycle

Benedict

was faulty so I could not work. I told him if he had money I would follow him.

“So we went to a nearby shop where they sell drinks in our street. He bought me a bottle of star drink and he also took same.

While we were drinking and discussing, Emmanuel brought up an issue he has been disturbing me about for sometime which is about joining Eye cult group. I turned him down as I have always done.

“My refusal to be initiated has always caused a rift between me and Emmanuel. I know too well that cultism is evil because I know of a tricycle operator who was involved in it and he later died. While we were still discuss-

ing and, maybe as a result of the drink he had taken, he pushed me, I also pushed him back. We started fighting. People around thought we were joking because they know we are friends.

“When Emmanuel discovered his strength could not match with mine, he picked up an iron which was at the corner of the shop and attempted to stab me.

“I quickly grabbed his hand, collected the iron from him and while we were still dragging the iron, I stabbed him with it on the neck. Immediately he ran forward and fell to the ground. I rushed to him, got a tricycle and took him to three different hospitals but he was rejected. He gave up and the police came and ar-

rested me.”

He lamented that Emma was his very close friend. “He is not someone I would want to kill for anything. He is one person that helps me when I do not have money and I do same for him too. We were like brothers. I am pleading with the government to please help me; I am still very young to go to jail. It is not intentional.”

But the 40 years old mother of the deceased, who gave her name as Mary Jacob, debunked the claim of Benedict. She claimed her son had always told her about Benedict who was luring him to get initiated into the Eye Cult group. She even alleged that the matter was brought before her Pastor who discouraged Emmanuel from such act and to also stay away from such fellows. She maintained her son was never a cultist.

“I was not there, but someone who was there told me that Benedict asked Emmanuel to follow him to a place where they drink.

Emma did and when he tried to leave because it was getting late, Benedict would not let him go. He tried to collect my son’s cap but my son refused to let go. Benedict started beating my son. He picked an iron and stabbed Emma with it. I feel it is an intentional act and Benedict should be punished accordingly. Since he killed my son, he should also be killed,” she said between tears.

The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, DSP Ken Nwosu who was called severally to confirm the story was not responding to calls as at press time.

I don’t know who stabbed him on the head— Taiye Muraino CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

not to pay back the money since he spent it on our business.

“I didn’t like what Brother Ibrahim said. I told him not to encourage Tunji not to pay the N2000. While I was talking to him, I pushed him on the shoulder. He gave me a blow and beat me up in the shop. After the slight misunderstanding between I and Ibrahim, Tunji just came in with the N2000 and gave it to me. I do not know where he got it from. We then settled the matter and I went back to attend to the customers in the shop.

“Suddenly, someone rushed into the shop to call me that Taiye who is like an elder brother to me and Ibrahim Musa were fighting outside over the same issue we have settled. I and Tunji rushed out and to our surprise, we saw Ibrahim’s arm bleeding seriously. Ibrahim ran after me, I fell; Ibrahim was holding a bro-

ken bottle which also fell off his hand.

“A friend of Ibrahim stopped him and told him I was not the one who stabbed him. Some of his friends then came around and tried to attack me. But thanks to the security men around who rescued me and Tunji. It was the security men that took us to Adeniji Adele Police where we heard Ibrahim was dead.”

Taiye Muraino who is alleged to be responsible for stabbing Ibrahim, denied the allegation.

He sluggishly told our correspondent he is not responsible for stabbing Ibrahim. “I was just telling Ibrahim that the way he intervened in the case was not the best, especially as he is the eldest of us all. I asked him if he was in Tunji’s shoes, how would he feel? We started arguing and Ibrahim broke a bottle on my head. I ran away. I am not the one

that stabbed him. I don’t know who stabbed him on the head and his arm.”

The Lagos State Police Public

Picture of late Ibrahim.

Relations Officer (PPRO); DSP Kenneth Nwosu was called to confirm the story, but could not be reached as at press time.

27 Crime ‘He convinced me to invest in the bus business’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

cost another N250,000. I was surprised, but I asked to know if the extra N300,000 will put the bus on the road he gave a positive response with assurance to repay.

“After I gave him the money, he did return with the LT bus after some days and said it was fit to start work. He did work with the bus for about a month, before the bus broke down again. It was at this point that he approached me with his plan of buying a new bus. He convinced me to invest in the new bus project which was put at the cost of N1 million as it would be a very viable source of income for us.

“Since I saw the opportunity as one that would be profitable, I gathered my saving and gave to him. I gave him the money and we reached an agreement on how would be repaying the money. Little did I know that he is a scammer out to dupe me.”

Before I knew what was happening, he disappeared from the neighbourhood. I asked a few people if they had seen him and they said no.

“I tried to reach him on phone, but he wouldn’t pick my calls.

I sent him messages but he wouldn’t respond. On one occasion when he responded he asked me to stop calling him and when I asked of my money he threatened to kill me. I decided to go to his house unannounced. I met him at home, he was surprised to see me and refused to respond to my questions and about my money.

“I then demanded a refund of the whole money I have given him since he did not buy the bus.

The next thing I saw was that he stood up and started beating me.

I fought back but he overpowered me and stripped me naked in the public, he was shouting that he will kill me if I keep asking him of the money.

Out of fear and not knowing what to do, I went to my uncle’s place to report the matter to him and he advice me to report the matter to the police.”

A source at SCIID however stated that the suspect is been interrogated. and if found guilty, will be charged to court possibly for conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and threat to life.

28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Features

ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND:

New IG Arase promotes unlawfully demoted officers

Æs

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

There was jubilation recently at the Anambra State Police Command when visit of the new Inspector General of Police ended with promotion of officers, among other surprises. OKECHUKWU ONUEGBU reports.

It was jubilation galore at the headquarters of the Nigerian Police, Anambra State CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Police IG, Solomon Arase

Pastor caught second time with neighbour’s wife It was shortly after Sunday service. Pastor Solomon (other names withheld), Founder and head pastor of a church on Abaranje Road, Ikotun, told his wife that he was going for evangelism. She didn’t quite believe him, because it was a bit odd; so soon after a long Sunday worship. Why not rest a little? she advised, but Solomon gave some excuses and hurried out.

Thereafter, Pastor Solomon was well in the cozy company of

his mistress, Mrs. Anike Oludare (real names withheld), who is also one his neighbours, at Igando Junction, where they had agreed to meet. Solomon’s mistress is a friend to his wife. From Igando Junction, Solomon and his mistress headed for a hotel on Ifesowopo Road, off Igando-Isheri Road. They did not emerge again till late in the evening. The affair had lasted about four years before the cat was let out of the bag.

To nourish the adulterous rela-

tionship, Solomon is regular customer at Anike’s shop, about 50 metres from his Church. , Anike’s unsuspecting husband, had met him at the wife’s shop many times and assumed he was only coming around for evangelism or some gospel talks; they would shake hands, share gospel messages and crack jokes, etc. Unknown to onlookers, that was the cover, under which the duo carried on their immoral affair.

But Oludare’s observant 17

years old son brought word to his father. “Dad, I think there is something going on between mummy and that pastor,” he said, with a palpable touch of premonition.

A secret watch was set up and just the following Sunday afternoon, Pastor Solomon and Anike were tailed and traced to the hotel.

A neighbour who was part of the secret watch, Mr. Makinwa told Daily Times he wouldn’t have believed it, if he had not seen

them physically.

“Many times, Pastor Solomon had preached to Anike’s husband; the two had often discussed the Bible. Unknown to Oludare, the “man of God” all the while, was having a steaming affair with his wife,” Makinwa said.

Other pastors who knew Solomon were called in; the pastor confessed, apologised and begged for pardon from the husband, and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

29 Features

I admit I fell, it’s the Devil’s work - Randy Pastor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

he was forgiven. But that was later discovered to be Part One of the episode.

Makinwa told our correspondent that the matter would not have got to the press, had Pastor Solomon repented.

“Even though Oludare had firmly instructed Solomon never to call him on phone, or come to his house for any reason and never to speak to his wife again, Solomon could not restrain himself.”

Word came to the husband again that Pastor Solomon had not stopped bothering his wife.

Indeed, it was the woman herself who had to report Solomon to her husband. According Oludare who spoke to the press, last Friday, at his residence in the same neighbourhood, “the kind of words that issued from Solomon’s heart is filthy, and unacceptable from a man, who professes to be a man of God. I find him unworthy of forgiveness, if such an area boy statement can proceed from the kind of man he claims he is.

“The Pastor looked at a married woman and said, ‘I asked for coke from you yesterday, and you did not give me. Those cokes on your breasts are what I will drink.

“And this is a man who has been caught with my wife, not even long ago. He once begged for forgiveness and was forgiven, especially because his fellow pastors in the same area intervened.”

Daily Times learnt that the thoroughly angry Oludare called the two pastors again and with his own wife, confronted Solomon in his Church; this time Solomon’s wife was there. According to Oludare, Solomon first denied he said anything to Anike. But visibly angry, Anike flared up and queried the Pastor: “why are you denying it?”

“It was then that Solomon said shamefacedly, “I didn’t say it that way; what I said was that, you refused to share coke with me, that we have shared what is more than coke before,” Oludare said.

Still, shocked that Pastor Solomon could even defend himself, he told our correspondent:

Solomon

“That he thought that a defence in the presence of his wife, the two pastors and my wife and myself, confirms the man has a spiritual problem; a reprobate mind.”

How did Solomon’s wife react to the drama?

Oludare said, “His wife could

“This story might not have got to the press if Solomon had repented as he had promised.

But he did not. Like a dog, he went back to his vomit. - Oludare

not help but plead for her husband. She agreed that I have every right to be angry. She asked her husband: ‘what if someone has done that to me, how will you feel’?”

When Daily Times met PasCONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Anambra: I am allergic to corruption - Arase CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Command recently as newly confirmed Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon E. Arase, paid a courtesy call, which led to the promotion of eight officers and reprise to officers meted with injustice Among the promoted officers were Paul Igwedinma, Emmanuel Eze, Victor Okere, Kingsley Eze, Alhassan Ibrahim, Uzoma Emmanuel and Daniel Edili, whose parade performance during the visit attracted the IG to move for their immediate promotions to Corporal and Sergeants respectively.

The IG also returned the ranks of Corporal to Corporal Obot Okon, previously demoted and redeployed to a remote area, Anaku in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State for alleged involvement in an unethical act.

In a chat with Daily Times during the celebration, Corporal Okon, while admitting for his sins, lamented that his demotion was due to be reverted after he had tendered letters of apology, and faced other disciplinary actions,

My office has been informed that Anambra Police Command are notorious for marcantile policing in the south eastern states. But i promise a new poilce vision. Arase but reverse was the case, as an undisclosed authority in the command sat on it, insisting that he must pay a sum of N10, 000 bribe before it could be effected. Not even the order given by former Anambra State Commissioner of Police, now AIG Usman Gwari for restoration of his rank was heeded before he left the state.

Similarly, another officer, Oshogbo Onyishi, previously attached to NNPC, recalled how God saved his life after he was comm. Caught in inferno and his other colleagues CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Some of the promoted officers promoted for exceptional parade

Features 30

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

Anambra: Officers must maintain high level of professionalism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

burnt to ashes during a petrol explosion. “I cried for help to undergo plastic surgery but all my supplications resulted to nothing as both the force and NNPC refused to grant him permission and the needful resources, even after a court ordered that he should he assisted.

After listening to diverse complains of illegal demotions and corruption in the police, IG Arase ordered the instant restoration of the rank/entitlements of Corporal on Obot Okon, and it was done immediately, while Oshogbo Onyishi’s surgery was approved and was directed to visit Abuja for immediate action.

The IG promised he would investigate allegations of impropriety in the force so as to bring the culprits to book.

In his address, Arase bemoaned that his office has

been informed that Anambra, among other police commands in the Southeastern part of the country are notorious for mercantile policing, but promised that under him, a new police vision and mindset will be established.

Arase, who noted that he is allergic to corruption and as such poised to restore the dignity of the police force, sternly warned his colleagues to eschew the habit of setting up road blocks around the state with the hope of extorting monies from motorists.

He equally called for the withdrawal of all policemen on non-assigned postings. At most, he said, two policemen are to be attached to legally approve public officers and barred immediate cessation of the practice of carrying bags or doing other domestic duties for civilians, including politicians while on duty.

On the commercialisation

of bail, the Inspector General of Police announced that he has set up intelligence policing at Enugu to train them on how to gather information, arrest, and the need to keep away from intervention on land matters as well as adopt alternative dispute resolution when they embark on arrest.

IG Arase stressed that the police cannot grant permit on land transaction as that is the sole responsibility of lawyers, even as he advocated for international best practices to be adopted as it would them lead them to criminal actions against suspects. He charged officers to maintain a high level of professionalism in discharging their duties.

While encouraging police officers to acquire requisite knowledge as it is the prime thing that would determine how far and well they fare in CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Sam

Randy Pastor: I find him unworthy of forgiveness - Oludare CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

tor Solomon in his rented upper room church, he confessed his escapades: “I did not just stumble; I fell. I won’t say it was Satan’s work. All I can say is that I had sex with the woman. I have begged her husband for forgiveness…”

But is it true that after other pastors had pleaded on your behalf and the husband forgave you, that you still went back to harass the woman?

No. She was the first to greet me after that, when my wife (who is her friend) gave birth. I started calling at her shop after that.

Is it true that you lately called at her shop and asked her to share with you the coke she was drinking?

Yes, but she refused.

Is it true that you returned to her shop the following day and told her; ‘You refused to share your coke with me yesterday, but I will surely drink the one in your breasts?’

Pastor Solomon did not respond immediately. He cleared his throat in obvious embarrassment, stammered a little, then said: “I did not say exactly that; I only said we had shared more than a coke ....”

More than a coke?

Solomon

Sorry—I mean I did not mean that we should continue the affair.

But Oludare, the aggrieved husband, did not see it that way. He told the Daily Times that any pastor who could still say that kind of thing to a married woman after being pardoned the first time does not deserve forgiveness.

“He’s only an ‘area boy’, masquerading as a pastor. The Body of Christ should not allow such fake men of God to remain in its fold.

“My wife had been reporting his fresh advances to me. This is a man who begged and prostrated the first time before other senior pastors who had intervened, before I reluctantly heeded their entreaty.

“So, when I heard his latest harassment, I called the two pastors, who pleaded for him, in the past, as witnesses. One of the senior ministers, Pastor Mustapha, is a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikotun

branch. We went to Solomon in his church to confront him in the presence of his wife. I have his confessions on tape. At first, he denied, probably because his wife was there, but he later confessed and started another round of begging.”

Reliving how the pastor had pretended to be a friend of his family, while sleeping with his wife, he said bitterly: “Solomon was always shaking hands with me whenever we met and smiling

like a man of God. And we would discuss the Bible. He even invited me to his programmes, which I never attended. Though, I, sometimes, meet him in my wife’s shop, I assumed it was one of those harmless ‘soul-winning’ mission.

How wicked can man be to a fellow man? These are the criminals who pass as men of God today.”

Daily Times also gathered that traces of romantic text messages between Pastor Solomon and Anike had put her husband on red alert. Oludare told our correspondent how he intercepted part of Pastor Solomon’s text messages to his wife: “The whole affair first blew open late last year when I discovered romantic text messages from Pastor Solomon in his wife’s phone. One of the texts read: ‘Can we see tonight?’ To which my wife replied: ‘I am already at home. I can’t go out again. Our new place is dark, not like the former place.’

“Pastor Solomon initially denied the crime claiming that it was a message sent by a woman to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, which he only forwarded to Anike.

“But, in the course of interrogation, in the presence of other pastors and Anike’s brother, who is, also, a pastor, Anike confessed: “Seeing the secret was out, SoloCONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, May 28, 2015

31 Features

Anambra: I will restore the dignity of the police force CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

their profession, the IG vowed that his administration shall encourage any policeman that shows interest in furthering his education by posting such to a place where he/ she can be studying as well as practicing.

In a welcome address, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police (CP) Hosea Karma commended Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on his assistance to the command, including the donation of over 100 patrol vehicles, prompt payment of allowances to men on special internal security operation, donation of horses and others.

On the challenges facing the force in Anambra State Police Command, Karma stressed that due to lack of a befitting headquarter in the

state, the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Senior Officers, Inspectors and rank and file quarters/barracks accommodation are basically non-existent, noting that the challenges have affected the morale of the personnel vis-à-vis, their general performance and rapid response mechanism/ deployment directly and indirectly.

Highlight of the courtesy call was commissioning of Joint Operation Control Room built in the command and another edifice at Enugwu-Ukwu.

Our correspondent reports an earthquake of jubilation at the command during and after the Police IG’s visit, as officers and relatives living within came in to celebrate God remembrance of their beloved through promotions.

Beware of your wife’s pastor – Oludare

Some police women on the dance floor

JUST HUMAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

mon also confessed. He, however, kept claiming it was Anike, who started it all. Anike denied it, claiming it was the Pastor Solomon, who did by fondling her whenever she went for prayers,” Oludare concluded.

A former member of Pastor Solomon’s flock, also disclosed to Daily Times that it was a similar scandal that drove Solomon from his former church venue at Alagbada, also in Ikotun area. But

Pastor Solomon’s Church

Solomon denied this.

When Daily Times met Anike, she was very reluctant to talk. She only vowed she was a changed person and she would never fall into such a sin again.

She said that was why she reported the pastor’s fresh moves to her husband.

It is hoped by all the parties that this really would be the end of the adulterous relationship between Pastor Solomon and Anike.

11.20 a.m. Acme Crescent, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

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Children’s Day in Nigeria

The 27th of May marks the celebration of another Children’s Day in Nigeria...another day of wasteful, yearly jamboree without lasting impact on Nigerian children.

The truth is that no amount of Children’s Day celebrations can make up for the fact that successive governments since Independence have basically ignored the plight of Nigerian children.

Year in, year out, new issues are arising that help to further complicate dayto-day living for the average Nigerian child. Perhaps one of the most devastating news to come out of Nigeria in early 2015 was the report of a 10 year old girl-child strapped with explosives and made to blow up herself and other people in a market in Maiduguri.

This terrible act of using children as suicide bombers is a new dimension in the catalogue of abuse and exploitation that children in Nigeria experience on a daily basis.

Yet, in almost all of the manifestos of the key political parties that contested the recent general elections in March 2015, very little mention was made of the welfare of the child and what concrete steps would be taken to make Nigeria a better place for children.

Nigeria remains one of the few countries in the world with a near absence of structures and effective systems to ensure the safeguarding and protection of children. Nearly all institutions that deal with children in loco parentis – schools, hospitals, the criminal justice system – have little or no structures at all for ensuring the safety and protection of children who come to their attention and care.

Yet in other countries around the world, the notion of child safeguarding is a key agenda pursued and implemented in the best interests of children.

By this I do not mean coun-

tries in the West alone.

Many African countries are making strong efforts to domesticate and fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by creating local laws and regulations, effective structures and systems to ensure they are able to meet their obligations towards children. Nigeria too has made some efforts in enacting a Child Rights Act in 2003.

Some of the states have domesticated the law locally.

However, unfortunately only 26 out of 36 states in Nigeria have passed this law.

For those who have passed the law, there is minimal evidence on the ground of any strong efforts at implementation.

So what impact does this have on children in Nigeria? According to the UN, Nigeria is one of the worst places on earth to be a child. There are more children out of education than in any other country in the world. Nigerian children, more than other children in Africa are at risk of human trafficking and exploitation. We are of course still reeling from the shock of the abduction of over 200 school children in Chibok,

Borno State. Other children have been abducted by terrorists in this area. Terrorism poses a special threat to Nigerian children – they are indeed the worst victims.

They are orphaned, made homeless and displaced.

They are sexually abused and exploited, with many falling pregnant as a result.

They are unable to attend school and are left psychologically traumatised by the effects of the violence and devastation they have experienced and see happening around them. They are victims in other ways too. So many children have been attacked and killed in their own school dormitories by the terrorists. The mantra: “Western education is a sin” means schools are targeted by Boko Haram – leaving many children injured, harmed and killed.

Of course there are many other indices that show the Nigerian child in dire strait. Education standards are falling and very poor; yearly examination results are a key indicator of this.

Many children cannot attend school because their parents cannot afford to send them hence they are

engaged in street trading and other forms of hazardous labour – which can also lead to them being abused in other ways. The health care system is obsolete in many parts of the country – meaning children needing medical care might not have access to it. Early marriage continues to be a problem in some parts of the country. Girls who should be at school learning and playing like other children are being sexually and emotionally abused as “wives”.

Harmful cultural practices like branding children as witches are a problem – exposing children to unwarranted abuse and harm.

Child poverty is a major challenge in the country and while the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari has promised free school meals to all children in primary schools across the country, it is not clear if this electoral promise can be fulfilled with the dwindling income accruing to the federal government from the sale of oil. With his government due to take over power in a couple of days, one would hope that buhari’s government will give some priority to the is-

sue of children. If this does not happen, and the government chooses the path of past regimes, then it would indeed be a missed opportunity to move forward and be on a par with the rest of the world, where children are concerned.

Nigeria does not need to hold tokenistic events every year to celebrate its children. Rather, more concrete efforts should be put in place to ensure their welfare, protect their innocence and secure their future. Only then do we merit the right to celebrate each and every Nigerian child, be proud of who they are and encourage them to be prepared to contribute their quota to the betterment of their country.

This article is an edited version of the one published

by The Sheet online newspaper on 19 January 2015 titled: “Cry The Beloved Children”..

Ariyo OBE is Chief Executive of AFRUCA UK (www. afruca.org) a charity promoting the rights and welfare of children, and a postgraduate student in public administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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 Hotline: 08086296714

Life&

TIMES Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Ayo

Olaniyi On discovering talents L2 P

Old acts making a come back in 2015 L3 P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 28, 2015

Seto records will

take over the music scene

Mutiat Alli

Born Ayo Olaniyi Olufemi, the Ondo State born’s passion for music necessitated the setting up of Seto records to help budding musical artists in the promotion of their work and handling of artist’s welfare related issues. The final year psychology student from Indiana Police University, India, disclosed in this chat, his aspiration for budding artistes and why Seto records will eventually become a force to reckon with in the nearest future.

Considering the fact that there are so many record labels in Nigeria, what sets yours apart from the lot?

If you watch discovery channel, you will find out that watching the ocean, there are a million if not billions of fishes but somehow, you still will be able to recognise one shiny one no matter how small it is. That’s how much I believe in Seto Records.

It is small but I believe that in a couple of years, it’s going to become golden because I believe that if you do the right thing and follow the right path and meet the right people, we will scale through.

You did say that setting up the record label is also part of giving back to society. In a situation where an artiste needs promotional support but doesn’t have the money to do so, will your label assist?

Definitely my label will support such an artiste. It is the duty of good record label owners to assist budding musicians because you don’t know

which of the artiste you will sign on will shine and bring forth glory to your label. At Seto Records, we are open and willing to support musicians with talents. We just want to build a global community that is loving and caring with the little we have.

Do you intend taking contracts with your artist beyond the shores of Nigeria?

Absolutely. , I live in America but the company decided to bring the record label to Nigeria. Gradually I would be stable here because I have to monitor the business. I will take my artist abroad so that they can showcase their talent. And that’s my dream and prayer for my artistes.

Did you discover establishing a record label or was it the other way round?

Well I won’t say I discovered it, you know when you fall in love with something you crave for it and it’s something have been craving for, for years and just waiting for the right time to manifest. As I told you, I am a final year student so I have little work load now. Which is why this is the right time for me to start this.

In Nigeria we get to see situations where artistes signed on to a record label leave in search of greener pastures after the record label may have spent money promoting the works of the artiste.

What are your plans to ensure that your artistes remain strictly with your label?

First and foremost it boils down to building a good working relationship.

I don’t like when people cheat me, but personally I will build a relationship with my artistes but also ensure

that there are boundaries. I will treat everyone equally. I want my artistes to be successful and still maintain a cordial relationship with them outside of the contract. Having studied so many big companies and little ones, I think I understand what it takes to work with your artiste and keep it working.

How many artistes have you signed on?

Right now we have so many artistes on ground and we are making our selections on who to work with.

At an official event coming soon next month, the record label will unveil its artistes and some of the singles recorded.

Do you also have the intention of making your artistes collaborate with other artistes?

Absolutely. I believe in diversifying and dynamism. We already have our eyes on some notable artistes to work with.

support of what you are doing?

My parents are supportive of whatever I do because they believe in me. I was a good soccer player and that was the only thing my father never supported me because when you play soccer, you won’t have time to study. They are very supportive because they know the kind of child I am and they know now that the money is coming in.

What was growing up like for you?

I am grateful for what God has done for me. I was born Yoruba but spent over seventeen years in the East; my dad was a solider

so I was born into a disciplinary but Christian home. All those things helped me while growing up. I am very jovial and friendly person that relates with people easily.

Any memorable moment you would like to share while growing up?

That will definitely be when I was in nursery school. I was gentle. One day some friends were making jest of me and I picked up a stone and threw it at them and it hit one. They came to my house to report me.

When they left, my dad talked some sense into me and since that day, I have never laid my hands on anyone. I am saying with all sincerity, I have never slapped or had a street fight.

Where do you see your record label two to three years from now?

I want to see it beyond the label. I want to see Seto Record label have a subsidiary that would do media publishing. I want the label to get to the point where it can sell other brands. In so doing, we create employment.

Ayo

Are your parents in

Olaniyi

Life&

T E A M

Olufemi Editor Nkarenyi Ukonu n.ukonu@dailytimes.com.ng 08029030427

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani o.ogunjimi@dailytimes.com.ng 08126223784

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli m.alli@dailytimes.com.ng 08115557378

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye i.ogundoye@dailytimes.com.ng 08069489893

Photography Quadri Olowolagba q.olowolagba@dailytimes.com.ng 08029745478

Graphics Austine Agbovi a.agbovi@dailytimes.com.ng 07060402397

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 28, 2015

L3 Industry Issue

Old acts making a comeback in 2015

Azadus

Ajasa

Opeoluwani Akintayo 2014 was a year filled with many surprises in the entertainment industry. Hot and controversial issues sprang up; marriages were conducted, entertainers went into politics, acts we didn’t expect to see blossom rose to the peak of their career in terms of popularity and the expansion of their bank accounts, Of course, old timers who saw the wave of change sweeping through the entertainment industry are making all the efforts they can to take back their pride of place in the industry. 2015 is here, and we sincerely hope they succeed in translating their shelved talents into what the world wants to see and hear again.

Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo aka Blackface He was part of the defunct boy group, Platashun Boiz which had the trio of Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia and Chibuzor ‘Faze’ Oji. But of the three, Tuface has been the most successful while Faze hasn’t quite hit the ‘it’ button successfully, he is at least still a force to reckon with, what with being currently drafted to perform at the inauguration ceremony. After going underground for years, Blackface made attempted to come back in 2013 with singles, See You Move and In This Love Is Forever, yet, the songs failed to register in the minds of music lovers. He finally got himself signed unto a N52 million naira contract with Franchise Events in 2013 but still hasn’t been able to do anything significant. He’s likely going to be doing more in the coming months.

Olusegun Osaniyi aka Lord Of Ajasa A graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, he’s one of the foremost indigenous rappers of this generation. But he soon went underground after a few hits, making it possible for youngsters like Dagrin, Olamide and others to take over the scene. He released a rather unusual kind of rap beat tonic titled Ota Lenu in 2014 but fans didn’t really enjoy the flow. 2015 will be a challenging year for him as we see him struggling to catch up with time already wasted .

Queen Ure Okezie She is banker turned pastor turned singer. In the course of her career, she met Soul E, a younger songer whom she fell in love with, got married to and she decided to put on hold her singing career so he could help him grow his. However, their union couldn’t stand the test of time. It crashed. Ure is now back on stage and has since released singles like Get Down. Although Get Down wasn’t really what we expected, yet, her body language and beauty were factors that endeared the song to many. Let’s hope she steps up her game this year.

Azeezat In the 90s, her hit such as Hold On, ruled the air waves. Her dexterity at singing earned her the title, queen of soul music but just when she was beginning to become a force to be reckoned with, marriage beckoned with her manager, Seyi Allen. Apparently, Azeezat couldn’t manage the challenges of both her marriage and her career. She soon went off the stage and got involved in COSON activities. She later floated a magazine called Hair’volution, with her trade mark hairstyle as inspiration.

Unfortunately, that didn’t succeed either. Later, news filtered in that she was in the studio but all she could drop was the remix of Hold On which really didn’t appeal to the youths.

Then there was My Valentine which most people didn’t really like as well.

The latest is that she’s been going from one radio station to another, trying to create awareness for impending return. Goodluck to her.

Olalekan Fadeyi aka Azadus Obviously someone somewhere is trying to convince him he can still be relevant. Azadus who was the rave of dancehall/reggae music during his time with hit singles like You Is The One, got back into the studio three years ago after a long break. Since then, he’s dropped singles like See Trouble and Ile Aye in 2014 unfortunately, they didn’t quite fly but hands are still crossed and the information currently going round is that he will come out stronger this year.

Eedris Abdulkareem He it was who made rap music more acceptable to Nigerians but he soon dropped out of the scene after he released the controversial single, Jaga-Jaga which landed him in deep waters with ex president, Olusegun Obasanjo. He then got into a fight with American rapper, 50 Cent and it seemed the odds were just against his career.

He sometimes goes on a twitter rant on who should get the title of the king of Nigerian rap as well as who should be pioneers of contemporary music in the country. He also got himself some backlashes when his wife accused him of battery. His new singles like I Go Whooz Yo u and Moringa didn’t pull the expected effects in 2014. We wish him luck in 2015.

Majekodunmi Fasheke aka Majek Fashek He was known both home and abroad. His singles like Send Down The Rain, Little Little Patience and others were hits that got us all singing and dancing. But the excessive marijuana he smoked and hsi heavy bingeing on drinks messed up his life and career. He took asylum abroad but later returned to the country where he’s currently under rehabilitation with the hopes that he gets his career back on track. Since he got back into the country, he’s been working on an album which is yet to materialize. But one thing you cannot take away from him is his sonorous voice. We hope his album drops this year.

Idris Abdulkareem

Majek

Azeezat

Ure

Music Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 28, 2015

Opeoluwani Akintayo

AFRIMA President, Mike Dada to address AU Congress

Femi Kuti set for U.S tour As you read this, all is set for the King of Afro Beat, Femi Ku ti to begin his U.S tour next month. Th e son of late Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, unve iled the tour dates and cities he’s billed to perform and his United States fans are already booking tickets to the show.

The tour will kick off on June 5th at the Ridgefield Playhouse, after which the train will move to Helsinkihudson, Hu dson, New York on the 6th of June. On the 8th of June, the band goes to Parad ise Rock Club, Boston, MA and then on the 9th, the concert moves to World Ca fé Live, Philedelphia, PA. Brooklyn Bo wl, Brooklyn, NY, will play host to the team come June 10th and 11th, after which on the final day, 11th, the band would leave for DC Jazzfest, Yard Park, Washington DC.

Femi Kuti

Fuel scarcity …Iyanya postpones Liberia Ebola concert Kukere crooner, Iyanya, has rescheduled his Liberia Ebola free concert billed to have held on the Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Miami Beach. The music act took to social media, Twitter, to nag about his canceled flight which ought to have left the country on Friday, May 22nd. According to him, he could neither leave on Friday nor on Saturday due to the ongoing national fuel scarcity.

The concert has since been shifted to an indefinite date.

“I was meant to perform today in Liberia for the Ebola Free Concert, was due to travel on Friday that didn’t happen, Saturday no way.... All this was caused by Flight cancellations by one of the Airlines. Now the show has to be rescheduled for a later date. #sad”, he tweeted.

The President and Executive Producer of The All Africa Music Award, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, has been invited as a distinguished speaker to address the 4th Pan Africa Cultural Congress (PACC4) holding at Sandton International Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa from May 25th to 27th. The congress is organized by the African Union Commission under the theme: “Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development as Mr. Dada will be presenting a paper on the “AFRIMA Project” under the topic: Creative Economy: From Policy to Practice. According to the African Union Commission, “The purpose of the 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) is to provide a platform for cultural experts, policy makers, private sector, civil society organizations working in the art, tourism and culture sector to take stock of the challenges and record good practices on harnessing cultural diversity to enhance policy development on the theme. Heads Of State and Ministers of Culture, Youth and Tourism as well as cultural enthusiasts are expected. The 4th PanAfrica Cultural Congress is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa as part of the Africa Month Celebrations, which is aimed to foster the African Renaissance vi-

sion as e n -

capsulated in the charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the African Union agenda for 2063. Speaking on his invitation, Mr. Dada, a Public Relations and Brand Management professional who is also the Managing Director of PRM Africa, a Lagos based International Public Relations and Brand Communication agency is excited by his invitation, “I feel honored by this opportunity to share with and address the Pan African Cultural Congress on the mission of AFRIMA of achieving a desired Africa where poverty is reduced and a new positive narrative is built through the instrumentality of music and creativity.

This will only go a long way to spur us work harder in taking the AFRIMA project beyond Africa.”

MTV Base announces MTV Africa Music Awards 2015 … Awards to hold In Durban, South Africa

Iyanya

Efa headlines Industry Nite

Last week Wednesday will go down as one of the most memorable Industry Nite events in the history of the renowned weekly performance showcase. That’s because it delivered on great performances from upcoming acts, seasoned vets and rising star and headline act, EFA. DJ Spinall kicked off proceedings with crowd pleasing mixes before the stage was opened for performances by host Jimmie who introduced upcoming acts to prove their mettle. Now Muzik signee Romeo, YC and Eclipse, impressed and were applauded by the crowd. Other guest performers to take the stage were Rocksteady, Pasha, Mr. 2Kay, Pasha, Pelli and Ese Peters. The star of the night Efa took to the stage escorted by four bodacious models and quickly got the crowd hyped when he kicked of his performance with a Efa cover of Bobby Shmurda’s hit Hot N*gga. Not your typical performer EFA thrilled the crowd for about an hour with several songs from his impressive catalog taking fans back to hits such as Open & Close, Over You, before rounding up with the fan favourite Fall in Love.

Producer Bigfoot who handled the music also thrilled the crowd by producing beats live on stage as EFA invited members of the crowd to join in the fun and freestyle to the beat. Notable celebrity guests present were Naeto C, Blackfacenaija, Dammy Krane, Uti Nwachukwu, Tee-Y Mix and Ghanaian artiste Stonebwoy.

Mtv 10 years after bursting onto the world stage, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), will again celebrate African music, creativity and achievement at the fifth MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), holding at Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), KwaZuluNatal, South Africa on Saturday 18 July 2015.

The announcement, which was made on Friday, May 22nd simultaneously in South Africa and Nigeria, had top celebrities in attendance, taking “evolution” as its theme this year. It will continue with its effort at recognizing and rewarding musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture over the last 12 months. The ceremony will celebrate African talent across 17 award categories and special categories for Best Lusophone and Best Francophone acts as well as Artist of the Decade, MAMA Leadership Award and Personality of the Year. The nominations for the awards will be revealed on 11 June 2015. In addition to these, the awards will continue celebrating the pan-African scope of the MAMA and organize stunning surround events

featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs to be held in Durban (27 June), Lagos (3 July) & Kenya (1 August). In addition to these, MAMA will continue celebrating the pan-African scope and organize stunning surround events featuring MAMA nominees and superstar DJs to be held in Durban (27 June), Lagos (3 July) & Kenya (1 August).

Notable guests present at the exclusive reveal include M.I, Audu Makori, Steve Babaeko, Seyi Shay, Iyanya, Naeto C, Yemi Alade, Pariz, Kiss Daniel, Jesse Jagz, DJ Xclusive, DJ Spinall, Anita Isedeh, Noble Igwe, Ruby, Ubi Franklin, Olisa Adibua, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbagi, Maria Okanrende, MTV Base VJ, Ehiz, Dammy Krane, Lola Maja, Stephannie Coker. Patoranking was also present at the Announcement in Durban, South Africa. The MTV Africa Music Awards2015 will broadcast live on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) on Saturday 18 July. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms from 18 July.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 28, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Alex Ekubo, Tonto Dikeh, others, nominated for Golden Movie Awards

Stephanie Linus

debuts with reality show Through the Glass star actress, Stephanie Linus has announced the debut of her much talked about reality show tagged Make Me Fabulous which already began airing on Africa Magic Showcase last Sunday. According to the award winning actress, the reality TV series features real married couples who are in the midst of drifting apart, trying to rekindle their relationship with the help of an expert team. Unscripted, the 13 couples which would be featured through the course of the series, are selected from Stephanie Linus’s own blog, Stephaniedaily.com.

Stephanie Linus

Olu Jacob gushes about wife

Joke Silva

L5 Movie Gists

Veteran actor, Olu Jacob has described his wife, Joke Silva as the best thing that has ever happened to him as his love and affections continue to wax more days in day out for the actress whom h e met over 30years ago. The duo of Olu and Joke are one of t h e most admirable and respected couples in the entertainment industry having maintained a high level of maturity in their marriage and careers. Olu disclosed in a recent interview the secret behind their success.

“She has not let go her loving and charming self.

She still makes her hair, does her make-up, dresses well and still looks beautiful.

That is the staying power. I am her last mirror. My wife does not go out without my last comment. After dressing up and looking at herself in the mirror, she still believes in me. She turns to me and asks how she looks every time she has an event and I just look at her and tell her she is smashing.”

Olu Jacobs The pair met at a stage play audition at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos where, according to Olu Jacobs, he immediately knew she was going to be his wife.

Top Nollywood celebrities like Tonto Dikeh, John Dumelo, Nse-Ikpe Etim, Joseph Benjamin, and Nadia Buari are part of the few celebrities who have clinched nominations at the upcoming Golden Movie Awards billed to hold in Ghana before end of the year. The nomination list which was reeled out last Thursday at a high octane event held at the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra had in attendance some of the nominees and fans. The event is expected to feature musical performances by Offie Kudjoe, Adomaa, Irene Logan and a host of other Ghanaian musicians. According to the jury vice-president, Mr. Amba Mpoke-Biggs, the Golden Movie Awards boast of 32 categories with cognizance to the AfTonto Dikeh rican Women in film award categories.

The event is expected to serve as a gathering for those in the movie making business.

Alex Ekubo

Bob Manuel returns to movie set

Omotola Jalade’s son produces new song It all season of entertainment in the household of award winning star actress and ONE ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde as her kids are stepping in her shoes as regards showbiz. First it was her daughter, Meraiah who clinched an endorsement deal with Unilever, makers of Knorr Seasoning cubes and now her son MJ, who has turned out to be a music producer. He produced a single featuring popular songstress, Seyi Shay and Verchi on the new beat. Omotola posted the album cover via her twitter and Instagram account as the said single is billed to be released on May 29th, 2015. Sources also disclosed that the single is coming out of the actress’ R e d h o t record label.

Vincent, Zack Orji and Bob Manuel

Joke Silva

Omotola

With the elections gone, actor turned politician, Bob Manuel Udokwu has returned to his first love, acting, as he stormed the location of wretched Money alongside veteran actor, Zack Orji. The movie which starred actors like Ken Erics, Rita Edochie, Princess Okah, Barbara Ossai, Juliet Adolphus, Tim Ebuka and Mike Odiachi is expected to hit the market soon. Produced by Rockcelly Resoruces Film Limited, Wretched Money is a movie project that was written and directed by popular director, Vincent D Anointed.

Wretched money movie ex-rays the suffering of a family whose only hope of survival was dashed by their wealthy brother who abandoned the family after achieving wealth and fame.

Music & Movie Gists L6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday May 28, 2015

Mutiat Alli and Adedotun Okesola

New video alert!

Tee Blaq- Vasashi Teeblaq has unveiled a new music video titled, Vasashii following the release party which took place recently in Lagos, Nigeria. The visual was shot in South Africa and Lagos, and directed by Unlimited L.A. The video mirrors the relaxed and playful vibe of the record itself.

TeeBlaq

Tolu Oniru’s ring does not cost 2.8m The internet has not stopped buzzing about On air personality with Beat Fm, Tolu Toolz Oniru’s engagement to Captain Tunde Demuren who she has been dating since 2012.

Tunde Demuren who has business interests in aviation and in the music industry gave his bride to be an engagement ring, a modified diamond ring with an elegant band. The ring was first identified as a Tiffany Soleste creation said to be worth $14, 400 (N2,846,490).

Well Toolz’s engagement ring is not a Tiffany Soleste. According to Tunde Demuren, Toolz’s ring was made by Rebecca Noff Fine Jewelry

by Luxury Bespoke Fine Jewelry.

“Thank you @rebeccanoff - one word -Amazing. She loves it. Cc @toolzo” wrote So Toolz’s ring is not worth N2,846,490 Tunde in the caption of his photo of Toolz’s ring but hey it still surely looks expensive. on his Instagram page.

Seyi Shey apologises to winner of her instagram competition

October 1st to get Nollywood Week Paris screening Organizers of the prestigious Nollywood Week Paris has hinted that this year’s edition of the Nigerian film festival will hold at the Cinema l’Arlequin come June 5th-7th , 2015 to commemorate its third edition of the event.

According to the organizers, Haitian actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis, will serve as the festival ambassador for 2015 while movies that include Thy Will Done, October 1, Ojuju, Love or Something Like Faces at the 2014 edition of the Nollywood Week Paris That, Gone Too Far, Dazzling Mirage, The Last Three Digits and A Mile From Home. The festival is expected to hold for three days after which it would round off on Sunday, June 7, 2015 with the last of the 10 Nollywood flicks scheduled to for screening. According to organizers, the directors of all the films will be present to discuss their films as well as several Nigerian star actors .

Foluke Daramola reveals she lost her virginity through rape Yoruba movie actress Foluke Daramola has said that she lost her virginity through rape.

The actress who has just launched a foundation ‘Passion Against Rape in Africa’ (PARA), a PAN World Global rape foundation disclosed this in an interview with a tabloid.

“I had it at either 16 or 17. I had even started acting. I just started with my teenage talk show. And because it was first experience, it was nasty. So, my own belief about sexual intercourse was bad. I felt frightened anytime I have a reason to do it” said the actress.

She disclosed that because of the incident she had a negative attitude towards sex and relationships. “ So, I just had to cope through it. And by the time I came out of it, I came out a better person. It even affected my psyche Foluke Daramola and confidence because I was always so afraid. When a man discusses relationship with me, I see it like there is trouble. So, at the end of the day I can say conveniently that I have put it behind me. And the person I married today has helped me because I speak about it. If I don’t speak about it, there’s no how I would come out of it like that.”

Photo speak

Cossy at it again. Uses breast to hold a wine glass.

What a talent she has!

Seyi Shey Popular singer, Seyi Shay has issued an apology to Debbie who won her Instagram competition last week. Seyi Shay initially ruled out Debbie from the competition because she suspected she bought ‘likes’ to win. Later that day after a bit of controversy on Instagram, Seyi Shay announced Debbie as the winner.

Today, the music celeb has issued a formal apology to Debbie which reads in part

Darling Debbie, @debbie_veren Please accept our apology for the insinuation of dishonesty to you entering the #myjangilovacompetition. Let me start by thanking you for embracing #JANGILOVA as “yours”.

Debbie, kindly accept our apology and the first prize as the winner of the #myjangilovacompetition. You are a fan, with a great voice and passion. We do apologise for the embarrassment this has caused you, your family and friends.

Yours Sincerely, Seyi Shay #teamseyishay Cossy Ojiakor, 2nd left

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 28, 2015

L7 Music & Movie Review

Mutiat Alli and Opeoluwani Akintayo

JASON DERULO: Want To Want Me

…all about sex appeal First of all, we know Jason Derulo to be one of the artistes who know how to hold their own. Looking at him from when he started his musical career with hits like ‘Riding Solo’ and the likes, Derulo has always been the ladies’ man…he sure knows how to hold you down with those love notes.

This 3:47 sec video which already had over 32 million views as at press time, was published just 2 months ago! Wow, impressive!

The song was released on March 9, 2015 as the first single from his upcoming fourth album Everything Is 4.

Derulo co-wrote the song with Sam Smith, Lindy Robbins, Mitch Allan and Ian Kirkpatrik; the latter is also the producer. The song has so far peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Derulo’s sixth top 10 single on the chart.

The video opens with images of him sleeping on a bed inside an untidy room, leafs on the floors, water dropping inside a bucket from the roof…obviously, he was dreaming of a love tango with this girl who was also asleep in another room.

He goes old school in the beginning, something way different from the style he’s been known for. This shows versatility.

He goes from the room scene onto a kinda creative stage with leafs flying around, broken furniture, tiny lights, growing grasses, an abandoned drum set…it’s just him on the stage.

Turns out the room he was in and the one his crush was in, were part of the stage…just a demarcation… very creative.

With something like snow falling, he unites with his lover and they get lost in the passion of the moment… nice body he got there.

God use of props…like the old small fan, outdated landline, leafs, bucket and dropping water, stage design, different lights, wall painting, broken furniture, old fashioned television, Not too much costume but enough for the picture he was trying to paint…bedroom stuff.

Good voice range for the song…he conveniently pitched even the highest note in the song…cool.

Known for his excellent dance moves, he was able to combine both singing and breakdancing which is good.

I think the major selling point of the song is its sex appeal- the world likes sex. No wonder it already had 32,280,519 views on Youtube in just two months.

I score him 8/10.

ARTISTE: Jason Derulo RUNNING TIME: 3:47 DIRECTOR: Collin Tilley

Gone too far:

...And finally we got a funny piece of OC Ukeje When the buzz of the movie Gone Too Far stormed the cinema across the nation, I was amazed knowing full well that with award winning actor, OC Ukeje’s picture taking centre stage on the movie poster, it was worth the viewing and stress.

Written by British playwright, Bola Agbaje and directed by Destiny Ekaragha, Gone Too Far is a classic comic-drama movie centered on a one-day life of Africans living in the UK. It preaches self respect, oneness of the black race and love for the black race and identity.

Gone Too Far gave cognizance to traits which are traceable to the African culture which includes respect for the aged, disciplinarian nature of a typical African woman amongst others.

AMVCA award winning actor, OC Ukeje with a professional touch played the role of Ikudaisi the zombie in the movie whose first major arrival to London from Nigeria was comical in nature from his dressing to his first approach on sighting his brother (Yemi) whom after many years of being separated.

Posh as we always think OC was, Yemi finds out his brother Ikudaisi’s (OC) fashion sense is terrible and apologetic, overconfidence and accent deeply annoying with Ikudaisi refusing to blend to the lifestyle over there.

Yemi’s love for Armani goes sour after discovering that Armani was mere a façade and his brother’s struggle was for his interest having discovered that Armani has tagged Africans racist.

At the end of the 120minutes movie, Yemi later came to terms with his brothers’ resolve of self respect and apologized for all his wrong doings.

It however important to give more praise to OC Ukeje for his finesse and poise of doing justice to the role through the interswitching of language giving us a clear cut of how a typical original Nigerian man will believe on his first arrival in a new city and his ability to continue in the same trend. O.C Ukeje nailed this comic role, as his attempt at Yoruba was superb and funny to say the least.

The movie was on point with the funny scenes as they got everyone in the hall laughing. A particular scene where a hairstylist was waylaying passersby to come make their hair got me laughing really hard. It reminded me of Naija’s very own under bridgeIkeja and Yaba hairdressers.

From crispy picture quality to appropriate costumes, lightning to Ikudaisi’s socks on palm slippers could not have been better.

It a 8/10 movie rating

Cast of the movie

Gabriel Afolayan in a scene

L8 Television

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday May 28, 2015

Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

162 MAGIC WORLD Channel

07:24

08:00

Thu, 28 May | 16

Thu, 28 May | PG13L

Aka Sorrowful Child. A woman is rejected by her father because of the circumstances surrounding her birth, raped and dejected she finds love with a Good Samaritan who rescues her. Chacha Eke Faani, Clems Ohameze. (2014) Okey Zubelu Okoh.

‘S5/E96 - 5/96’.Apanel of news and entertainment personalities, who are also mothers, examines topical events, contemporary concerns, family issues, celebrity gossip and personal stories.

101 M-Net

00:00 Road To Paloma 01:45 I, Frankenstein 03:30 Young Hollywood’s Greatest 04:00 The Voice 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Middle 06:30 NCIS: New Orleans 07:30 Chicago Fire 08:30 Spud 2: The Madness Continues 10:30 The Goldbergs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Carte Blanche 14:00 The Blacklist 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Two And A Half Men 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Mike & Molly 17:30 The Voice 18:30 The Fixer

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:55 Top Gear

120 BBC Entertainment

00:25 The Weakest Link

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

01:15 Silent Witness

11:00 My Family

02:10 Come Dine With Me

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:00 EastEnders

12:15 Top Gear

03:30 QI

13:15 Come Dine With Me

04:05 Top Gear

14:10 Dragons’ Den

00:15

05:00 Spy

15:10 The Weakest Link

01:05 Kenny vs Spenny

05:25 QI

16:00 EastEnders

01:35 Freakshow

06:00 Fool Britannia

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

02:05 Poorman’s Bikini Beach

06:25 EastEnders

17:15 QI

02:35 Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne

06:55 Antiques Roadshow

17:50 Would I Lie To You?

03:05 Impractical Jokers

07:55 The Weakest Link

18:25 Hell’s Kitchen USA

03:35 Most Shocking

08:45 The Cube

19:15 Downton Abbey

04:30 South Beach Tow

09:35 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:15 Blackadder II

05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak

20:50 Mrs Brown’s Boys

05:25 Exposed

155 AfricaMagic World

Most

05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 07:10 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

07:00 Star Gist

09:10 South Beach Tow

07:30 The Patient

09:40 Most Shocking

08:40 Living With Trisha

10:40 Most Shocking

09:30 The African Child

11:40 Video Zonkers

10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 00:00 Tinsel

12:00 Music Block

00:30 Living With Trisha

13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

Shocking

06:40 Repo Games

154 AfricaMagic Family

01:30 Family Ties

128 SONY MAX

00:05 Noose Of Gold

10:30 So Wrong So Wright

00:35 Good Morning Africa

11:00 Lies That Bind

01:35 The Dzigbordi Show

11:30 Lies That Bind

02:30 Good Morning Africa

12:00 Jara

03:30 Good Morning Africa

12:30 Jara

12:10 Repo Games 12:40 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Circumstances Unknown

02:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh

14:00 Prem

04:30 Prem

13:00 Music Block

14:30 53 Extra

05:00 Good Morning Africa

14:00 53 Extra

03:00 Good Morning Africa

15:00 Family Ties

06:05 The Mastermind

14:30 53 Extra

04:00 Music Block

15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh

08:05 Star Gist

15:00 Kakibe Ki

08:35 Prem

15:30 Noose Of Gold

16:30 Living With Trisha

09:00 Good Morning Africa

16:00 Foot Print

19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol

17:30 Comfort Zone

10:00 So Wrong So Wright

16:30 Lies That Bind

20:00 The Boondocks

05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa

18:00 Jane And Abel

16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow

20:30 Rude Tube

Dad tips Iheanacho to emerge World Cup MVP g X2

Poster!

ISAAC SUCCESS g X4,5

FIFA bombshell

!

Seven arrested in Zurich, 14 indicted g X3

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Mourinho taunts rivals with funny speech g X6

g X8

French Open: Sharapova romps into 3rd round

X2

Thursday, May 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

Keshi happy with draw, optimistic of progress

Eagles set to hire

Obuh

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has expressed confidence that his home-based players will continue to improve despite playing out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Nigeria National League side, Spotlight FC in Katsina on Tuesday.

The ‘Big Boss’ said he would not read too much into the scoreline because that was his team’s first official practice game.

“The game ended goalless but that was not all I wanted to see,” Keshi said.

“Don’t get me wrong, I like to win

as coach Mike Otanwa

T

here are very strong indications that former Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, will soon be named a second assistant coach of the Super Eagles according to report.

“Obuh will be soon be announced as an Eagles assistant coach, it could even be as early as next week,” a top source disclosed.

“The proposal is for him to work with Stephen Keshi and his first assistant Salisu Yusuf, who replaced Daniel Amokachi.”

Casillas warns de Gea of fight for starting spot

Obuh led Nigeria to win the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa, two years after he guided the Golden Eaglets to the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria.

His last job was as coach of Nigeria premier league Enugu Rangers last season. The oneyear contract was not extended.

Obuh was on a recent trip to London for a course with the NFF technical study group led by former Eagles skipper Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.

He was widely linked with

I

Obuh several league clubs this season including Akwa United and Wikki Tourists, but he is currently a league overseer for ambitious Gabros FC. He is known for giving youngsters a chance and he lays a great deal of emphasis on physical conditioning.

ker Casillas has warned David de Gea that he will have to fight for the number one jersey if he joins Real Madrid this summer.

The Manchester United goalkeeper’s contract runs out next summer and he is yet to sign a new lucrative deal with the club, which has led to speculation surrounding his future at the club.

Real Madrid are knocking on Manchester United’s door for the Spaniard and believe he is the ability to become the long term successor to Casillas.

The veteran shot-stopper is open to the idea of De Gea joining Real Madrid and said competition for places is always a good sign at any club.

every game but at this stage of our preparation I was looking for a lot more.

“I wanted to see my players’ reaction in true match situation, see their application of all the tactical trainings we have been doing, see their movement, how they keep the team shape when attacking and defending as well as what they do with and without the ball.

The Super Eagles will resume training at the National Stadium in Abuja today after returning from Katsina.

Dad tips Iheanacho to emerge World Cup MVP Mike Otanwa

Kelechi Iheanacho will shine bright at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and take the world by storm, according to his father, James.

18-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho has been in fine form for the Manchester City U-21’s, after recovering from an ankle injury which initially threatened to rule him out of the World Cup, and he’s expected to be one of the stars of the competition.

His father, James, has said that his son will be the shining light at the

competition.

“I told you when you asked me before if he would make the World Cup and I said yes. And I must tell you that he won’t just be a squad member at the World Cup, my son will shine so bright and become the best player at the tournament because I know his talent,” James Iheanacho said.

“He’s a young boy that has a lot ahead of him and his future is bright.

And I can tell you that this will be the beginning of great things for Kelechi, just as he has shown at Manchester City,” Iheanacho Snr. said.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

X3

BUHARI:

Briefs

appeals for support towards sanitising sports

Nigeria and Liverpool striker, Asisat Oshoala, has been congratulated on her deserving victory as the winner of the BBC women’s footballer of the year award by Aderonke OgunleyeBello, a Sports Journalist.

The Abuja-based women’s football development advocate expressed her joy over Oshoala’s award.

“I am full of joy at her success. I can’t measure the joy in my heart on behalf of Asisat Oshoala. She is in a class of her own, in fact I’m so happy she won it because she deserved to win,” Ogunleye-Bello said.

Lulu

Andrew Ekejiuba

F

ormer NFF President Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has appealed to Nigerians to support the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to eradicate the country of various vices. The former NFF boss who spoke in Kaduna on Tuesday, where he played a novelty table tennis match with the Kaduna State Governor-elect Mallam Nasir ElRufai at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, said the sporting sector in country would thrive if the zeal with which the incoming administration is approaching things is sustained.

Lulu was appreciative to the Kaduna State football stakeholders for putting together such a programme which was meant to usher in the new administration in the state.

In his statement, the Kaduna State Governor-elect, El- Rufai, promised to build upon the successes the state recorded in the past and to empower more youths in the state through sports.

He said Kaduna State which produced the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida, Garba Lawal among other great players that have won laurels for the country, would consolidate on that to produce more players and empower them to ensure that they play for various great clubs in Europe.

The Governor-elect however warned the youths to ensure that they remain disciplined and avoid any sort of indiscipline and violence as his administration would not tolerate any of such.

El-Rufai featured in a novelty table tennis match with the former NFF boss, Sani Lulu Abdullahi, and also played in the football match between the Kaduna State selected side against the veteran footballers from the state.

Ogunleye sings Oshoala’s praise

Blatter

FIFA bombshell!

Seven arrested in Zurich, 14 indicted Mike Otanwa

Z

urich’s Baur au Lac, the preferred hotel of FIFA executives, was raided in the early morning hours of Wednesday and seven FIFA officials were arrested in a joint U.S.-Swiss probe into corruption and bribery to the tune of $150 million in bribes and kickbacks.

The Department of Justice issued a statement early on Wednesday

Those charged included the current and former presidents of Concacaf (Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner) and Conmebol (Eugenio Figueredo and Nicolas Leoz).

Also charged were current or former presidents of the Brazilian (Jose Maria Marin), Costa Rican (Eduardo Li), Nicaraguan (Julio Rocha) and Venezuelan (Rafael Esquivel) federations and a Concacaf advisor (Costas Takkas, an Englishman from the Cayman Islands).

Otu, Ifidzhen shine in CBN tennis Andrew Ekejiuba

T

homas Otu and Melissa Ifidzhen emerged winners in the male and female categories respectively of the just concluded 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Open Tennis Championship in Lagos.

Otu, in the Men’s singles, came from one game down, to beat Michael Moses, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to emerge champion, while unseeded Russian-born Nigerian sensation and tournament new revelation, Ifidzhen outclassed

the women defending champion and tournament’s top seed Christy Agugbom in straight sets of 6-2, 6-4, to emerge as the ladies champion.

Speaking after winning the title Ifidzhen said she is indeed fulfilled and gave God all the glory.

In the men’s doubles event, the pair of Albert Bikom and Sunday Maku, emerged champion when they defeated the combination of Moses Michael and Christian Paul 6-2, 4-6, 17-15, while Melissa Ifidzhee paired with Sarah Adegoke beat the pair of Aminat Quadri and

Aanu Aiyegbusi 6-3, 6-1 to lift the women’s doubles trophy.

For the wheel chair category, Nigeria’s No.1 seed Alex Adewale was outstanding as he defeated Jelili Ishola, 6-0, 6-3 to emerge winner, while Remi Basanya maintained her high rating in women’s wheel chair tennis when she defeated Foluke Shittu 5-7, 6-7, 6-1 to clinch the top prize.

Speaking after the tourney, CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Mu’azu, said the apex bank is fulfilled with the standard of the championship.

NSC DG tasks athletes on performance Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja

D

Buhari

(yesterday) that accused nine soccer officials and five marketing executives of participating in a “24year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer” to the tune of $150 million in bribes and kickbacks.

A 47-count indictment was unsealed early Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn, charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies

irector-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhassan Saleh Yakmut has charged the numerous youths of the country to aspire for the best in their desire to serve the country in the area of sports.

Yakmut who made this assertion at a media briefing to usher in the commissioning of the 53 rooms high performance hostel in Abuja noted that the centre would not only expose the athletes to best of facilities, but also eliminate unnecessary spending.

The DG noted further that NSC had

in the past spent more in the payment of hotel bills for camping, but added that with the High Performance Centre in place, the money meant for preparing athletes would now be channelled towards payment of their allowances and welfare.

He disclosed that the Centre will not only serve as a hostel rather it will equally afford the NSC to monitor the athletes adequately and ensure they are free from performance enhancing drugs.

He disclosed further that the Centre will be open for commercial purposes, but added that the teams and athletes on national assignments would not pay to use the place.

NSC boss, Alhassan Yakmut.

Success, Simon join Flying Eagles in camp

Granada striker Isaac Success and Moses Simon from Belgian champions Gent will join the rest of the Flying Eagles camp in New Plymouth Thursday (today) ahead of the U-20 World Cup, officials disclosed.

“Both Success and Moses are on their way to New Zealand after they set out from Frankfurt, Germany, Monday night. They will stop over in Hong Kong before they fly into New Zealand,” said Flying Eagles team secretary, Aliyu Auwal Ibrahim.

Moses on Hughes’ transfer radar

Super Eagles striker, Victor Moses, who was on loan from English Premier League champions, Chelsea, to Stoke City, is still a transfer target for manager Mark Hughes.

Moses, who was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the Super Eagles, struggled to impress at Liverpool during his loan move to Anfield two seasons back but the former Wigan winger impressed during his loan move to the Britannia last term and Mark Hughes is considering signing him permanently.

The Nigeria international played 19 Premier League matches for Stoke City but a hamstring injury ended his season earlier than he planned and had to return to Chelsea. Hughes, however, hasn’t ruled out either a permanent acquisition or second loan signing of the powerful winger.

Ighalo opens up on Chad invite

Watford striker, Jude Odion Ighalo, has spoken of his delight at getting another opportunity to impress in the colours of Nigeria, after his invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of June’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Le Sao of Chad.

The 25-year-old had an impressive season with Watford in the English Championship, scoring 20 goals as the Hornets returned to the Premier League.

He was rewarded with a call-up to the Eagles for two friendly games against Uganda and South Africa in March, and he says he’s delighted to have been handed another call to the team.

“I will say that I am very happy getting another call-up to the Super Eagles,” he said.

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Succ Isaac

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Mourinho taunts title rivals with funny speech C

helsea boss, Jose Mourinho, was once again at his best during the Blues’ end of season awards dinner, poking fun at his title rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United with a “fictional story”.

Mourinho, who is well known for his mind games and controversial speeches, went on to tell a “fictional story”, as he called it, which was supported by illustrations about this year’s title race.

“This is a football pitch with two goals, one ball, but there is one team that would like to play without goals,” he said at the start, mocking Manchester United.

“That team plays really well and the ball goes and goes and goes, and the quality of the ball possession is really beautiful, but no goals.

“And they ask the international board of FIFA to play like this, but they were told that it was not possible, that the bigger percentage of ball possession doesn’t win matches and they were not champions.

Then, in direction of Manchester City: “After that there was another team that were less radical and they asked to play only with one goal.

Mourinho

I’ll retire at Barca

–Pique B

arcelona defender, Gerard Pique, ruled out any chance of him leaving Camp Nou by stating “I can’t see myself wearing any other shirt”.

Gerard Pique declared he would retire next season rather than leave his boyhood club Barcelona as he aims to complete a “perfect season” by winning the treble.

The Spain centre-back has become one of the most respected defenders in the game since returning to Barca seven years ago following a spell with Manchester United.

Barcelona-born Pique has enjoyed a glittering career with the Catalan giants and could complete a second La Liga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey treble next month.

The 28-year-old has another four years on his contract with the Spanish champions and has no intention of moving on to pastures new before he ends his playing days.

“I’ll retire at Barca. I don’t know when - the older I am, the better. I’m sure about that; I can’t see myself wearing any other shirt,” he said.

Pique

Milan not giving up on Ancelotti

A

C Milan are to continue in their quest to convince Carlo Ancelotti to become their coach next season, in spite of the Italian’s insistence that he is going to take a year out.

Ancelotti was relieved of his duties as coach of Real Madrid on Monday, but reaffirmed in an interview with Il Giornale that he now intends to take a break and cure a back problem.

Milan are still keen on appointing him for a second spell in charge, though, and general manager Adriano Galliani dined with the 55-year-old on Tuesday evening.

Until he receives a positive answer from the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach, Galliani says he is not going to be returning to Milan.

Suarez L back in training ahead of Copa final

uis Suarez trained with Barcelona team-mates on Wednesday but remains a doubt for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has returned to full team training following a hamstring complaint, raising hopes he could feature in the Copa del Rey final this weekend.

The Uruguayan was withdrawn at half-time in the second leg of

Suarez Barca’s UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich earlier this month.

Suarez subsequently missed La Liga clashes against Atletico Madrid and Deportivo la Coruna, with doubts as to his availability for Saturday’s Copa final against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou. However, the former Liverpool forward was among a full complement of players involved in

training on Wednesday.

“After having a day off on Tuesday, Barca trained on Wednesday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on the Tito Vilanova field,” the club stated on their official website.

“With the cup final against Athletic Bilbao the main priority, the full team was present, including Luis Suarez, who has yet to be given full medical clearance.”

Thursday, May 28, 2015

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for success too. We’ve always had a very good blend of young and more experienced players within the squad and a fantastic team spirit. Of course we’ve had a little bit of luck along the way too, and we’re hoping for some more of that this year.

When you compare Germany with other countries, can the team learn anything from their rivals?

I think that it’s always been extremely important to test yourselves against strong opponents. That began with the Algarve Cup and is now continuing with preparation games that enable teams to work on the finishing touches. It all depends on a side’s form on the day. Each World Cup tells its own story and that means everybody can beat anybody.

Every World Cup tells its own story

–Jones

As president of the Local Organising Committee, Steffi Jones was the face of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011, bringing her enthusiastic and open manner to the role to ensure that the finals were a huge success. The end of the tournament heralded a new chapter in Jones’s life as she was appointed director for women’s and girls’ football at the German Football Association.

Capped 111 times for her country, the retired defender’s next challenge is already lined up after it was announced that she will replace Silvia Neid as national team coach in September 2016.

For now, though, her focus is solely on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. Unsurprisingly, this tournament, as well as newcomers, old acquaintances and youth development work were all on the agenda when Jones spoke exclusively to FIFA.com recently.

How excited are you about this World Cup? Very excited, because you can now really sense the emotions and anticipation that the event is right around the corner. The fact that there will be eight more teams there this time around is just fantastic for the sport’s development.

What do you believe will be the greatest differences between the last World Cup in Germany and the upcoming tournament in Canada?

Having 24 teams and playing in a much larger country across great distances and several time zones are all much more significant factors. Some of these aspects have presented Canada with a real challenge.

Eight teams will be making their first appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. How difficult will it be for these debutants?

Some of the sides, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and Spain, have already featured at European Championships or youth World Cups, so in that respect the experience won’t be anything new.

Now they’ve reached a new level at which to test themselves; going up against the best teams in the world is fantastic for the development of these countries.

Apart from the usual suspects, do you think there will be a surprise package among the teams, and who do you think that might be?

There will certainly be some of those. There are the favourites, and our national coach has already named nine or ten teams in that

category alone. We’re top of the world rankings, so in that respect we’re among the title contenders, but I think the Netherlands, Spain and perhaps even Thailand could spring a surprise. Who knows?

How will Canada fare as a host nation?

Extremely well; I have absolutely no doubts about that. They gained plenty of experience from the U-20 World Cup in 2014 and were able to learn from that, so they know what’s coming. This time they have even more teams to look after. I’m looking forward to it and I think they’ll do a great job. I also hope their team goes far; it’s always great for the organisers if the home side performs well.

You mentioned that having 24 teams in the competition is important for the sport’s development. What exactly makes that so vital?

It’s the fact that the sides are competing internationally and have an opportunity to play at this level.

It’s crucial that they’re able to show their associations: “We need this support to get us through a World Cup.” That’s the first step to opening doors – for the youth too. You need good young players coming through

Jones

the ranks to continue fielding a national team.

How would you rate Germany’s chances in Canada?

[Laughs] All the teams have similar chances. They’ve got to prepare for the conditions and climate out there.

We’re under a bit of pressure as we’re going to the tournament as the top-ranked side and are keen to go a very long way – that’s our aim.

The team made a surprising exit from the 2011 competition at the quarter-final stage. Does that provide the players with a special incentive to show the world that this is their year?

2011 has definitely been scrutinised but it’s now been put to one side. We won the European Championship in 2013 and we’ve continued to develop the side since then. It’s something we don’t want to hear about anymore. We’re keen to look ahead to a fantastic World Cup against some huge sides.

The men’s team led the way in Brazil in 2014 and have repeatedly said that their greatest strength was team spirit. How important is this quality on the way to the title and how can you conjure it up?

That has always been our recipe

After the 2011 Women’s World Cup and 2013 European Championship, several vastly experienced players retired, including Birgit Prinz, Inka Grings and Kerstin Garefrekes. How tough is that kind of upheaval?

We never really experienced any radical change because we have always integrated promising youngsters into the squad. It’s a fact of life that sometimes players retire, but then others break through. It’s really not that noticeable because the newer members of our squad have already played at an extremely high level thanks to the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. They face similar international competition in the Women’s Bundesliga and are used to that kind of environment, so in that respect there’s really no great upheaval at all.

Would it be fair to say that Germany have so many talented footballers to choose from that as soon as one player retires, another takes their place?

I wouldn’t put it quite like that.

It’s worth emphasising that we take special care to ensure that our young players reach the level of the women’s national team at a relatively early stage. That’s a philosophy of ours, a common theme that begins with the U-15s and is carried through to the senior side. It’s an important part of our work and we’re extremely pleased with it.

FIFA also organises youth competitions such as the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cup. How important is it for a player to gain international experience at a young age and develop their skills at these tournaments?

I think it’s incredibly important for us to have these opportunities and enable the players to test themselves on the international stage early on in their careers. It also demonstrates that many countries receive far more support because these events exist, because it’s recognised that if you’ve got a women’s team, you also need to build a foundation for it – and those competitions are superb for that.

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Bolt T

N

ico Rosberg admits he needs to up his game in order to beat teammate Lewis Hamilton to the 2015 title.

The German was ecstatic on Sunday after winning a third consecutive Monaco grand prix, and it was also his first ever back-to-back win in his long career.

On the fact of it, Rosberg is right back in the game following his early-season slump; psychologically buoyant and now just ten points

ATHLETICS:

he world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, cruised to victory in the 200 metres race at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava, as the Jamaican star prepares for the World Championships after a season marred by injuries.

Facing rain and cold at the IAAF World Challenge event, Bolt had

behind the championship lead. But in his column for the major German daily Bild, Rosberg also called Sunday the “luckiest day” of his decade in formula one.

Beaten to the pole on Saturday, he only inherited the win late in the day after Mercedes badly bungled Hamilton’s pit strategy. Rosberg admits: “Lewis was faster than me on every day of the weekend. So for him it must have been a horrible feeling” to lose because of a team error.

FORMULA ONE:

back in business

the slowest reaction of all the sprinters, his traditional problem.

“It was one of my slowest reactions in a long time,” Bolt said. “For me, it was not a perfect day. It wasn’t a perfect curve.”

Still, the six-time Olympic champion came out of the bend slightly ahead and breezed unchallenged to victory, crossing

Hamilton Bolt

the line in 20.13. Isiah Young of the United States finished second in 20.35 and Lykourgos Stefanos Tsakonas of Greece was third in 20.62.

“The shape that I’m in and I’m coming back, I don’t really know what to say is a decent time or not,” Bolt said. “I think I just need races, need to run a lot.”

BOXING:

will come back stronger

–Rosberg

Robinson

Don’t include my province in Bangsamoro

–Pacquiao

W

orld boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is opposing the inclusion of his province in the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region.

Pacquiao said he joins the nation in its quest for peace in Mindanao but he does not want Sarangani to be part of the Bangsamoro territory.

“The inclusion of Sarangani and other parts of Mindanao may cause instability and further complicate our search for lasting peace in the region,” Pacquiao said.

He said there is relative peace and order in his province.

“I recognize the need to pass a law that will govern the area to ensure peace, which is the key to economic prosperity and development in the region and throughout Mindanao,” he said.

Pacquiao is part of the 75-member House ad hoc committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The panel has approved the draft but the lawmaker was not present during the voting.

Robinson CRICKET:

needs kidney transplant

H

igh blood pressure is often known as “the silent killer” and former cricketer Tucoma Robinson considers his own experience a case in point.

Long out of work because of his illness, Robinson finally has a chance at a kidney transplant but needs the community’s help in covering the bill.

Now he hopes that his appeal for assistance will also prompt others to get their blood pressure checked.

“I used to be extremely fit — that’s how I knew something was wrong,” said Robinson, who has spent the past decade getting dialysis.

As a player for Southampton Rangers and Somerset Cricket Club, he could bowl ten overs without difficulty but found himself losing stamina and tiring quickly. I didn’t know I had high blood pressure; I didn’t have any symptoms, so I didn’t find out until it was too late,” he said.

TENNIS:

French Open: Sharapova romps into 3rd round

D

efending champion Maria Sharapova moved easily into the third round of the French Open with a 6-3 6-1 defeat of fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko on Wednesday (yesterday).

The world number two, wearing a long-sleeved top despite the warm temperatures on Court

Sharapova

Philippe Chatrier possibly due to the cold she has been suffering from, took a while to get into her stride but romped away from her 91st-ranked opponent.

Sharapova, who has won two of the last three French Opens and was beaten by Serena Williams in the 2013 final, broke serve in the first game but a double fault gifted

Diatchenko a break back to 2-2.

Diatchenko then coughed up two double faults in the next game to hand the advantage back to Sharapova and another double fault brought a lukewarm first set to a conclusion.

Sharapova then powered through the second set in 35 minutes, offering up few errors.

Rosberg