Dtn 28 9 15

&ƌƈƏ d Ƒ ƈ ƌ ƏƏƈƆ ơƤéƕƏé ƋƗ Ɨ ƌ Ɠ ƍƏƈ ƅƆ Tom Garba, Ƌ

ÎÎÎThe Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sa-

nusi II, at the weekend, married Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa, the daughter of the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Bar-

kindo-Musdafa.

The 18-year old is the emir’s fourth wife.

She recently completed secondary school

dailytimesng

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

and has been enrolled for advanced level studies.

Continued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.198

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 22nd September 2015.

SEPLAT

255

12.00

4.71%

FO

231.09

2.29

0.99%

STANBIC

21.07

-0.59

-2.80%

WAPCO

97.46

-0.54

-0.55%

NB

140.02

3.62

2.59%

DANGCEM

168

1.96

1.17%

FLOURMILL

22

-0.54

-2.45%

GUARANTY

24.15

-0.35

-1.45%

z ƌ ƊƊ ë

Saraki’s removal will spark endless crises Ï zƆôƏƆ ƄƆ ƈ Ɨ dƆ ƐƆ ƍƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ – Kwara monarchs Olufemi Samuel, ƄƑƉ Ɨ Kehinde Akinpelu, 9Ƌ Əƈ

ÎÎΓA change in the leadership

of the Senate at this point in time, as being canvassed, will certainly

spark some endless sessions of rancour, suspicion, crises and uncertainty among members.

When such begins to happen, no one will be able to predict the end.”

That was the verdict of former Continued on page 6

nC j` #& 0 9`

9 ƑƏ Ɔ dL& Ɛ ƐƐ ƈ ƆƇƇƈƅƈƆ ƅƕ Ƒ ƈ 9 j B3

jƆƏƏ Əƈ Ɛ 24 Ɨ ôƐ ƏƆ ƍƆƅƐ ƏƆƋƈ ƈ è ƆƐ ƈƅ Əƈ ƈ è ƕ R ƈ Ƅ Ɖ 8 HID: j Ɔ Ɠ ƏƋƗ ƌ ƑƏ ƌ ƐƏƈ Əƅ Ƈ ƏƑƄ Ə ƅƆ

Odunayo Akinrinsola

L1 j ƍ ƄƑ ƈ Ɔ ƌ è ƏƆƒƆ Ƌ ƈ Ə Ɛ Ə ƅƆ Ɛ Əƕ

^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ LƑ ƌƌ ƗƑ Ƒ Əƈ æƌƈƗƗƋƆç ƗƗƏƆ ƈ Ɠ ƏƋƗ ƋƆ ƗƆƏ Ɛ Ɔ Ƈƈ Ƌƈ Ɛƈ Ƈ dƑ Ɛ ƈ ƄƋƆ #ƆƒƆƋ ƍƌƆ Ɛ 1 Ƌ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƣƠƐ n ƈƐƆƗ M Ɛƈ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƆƌƄƋƕ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ nM 6Ɔ ƗƎƑ ƏƐƆƏ è MƆƓ ƏƊČ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƓƆƆƊƆ Ɨ

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Politics Page Three

3

s

Editorial Exit of HID Awolowo

O

n September 19, 2015, Nigeria lost a rare gem in the person of late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo at the ripe age of 99 years. Born on November 25, 1915 at Ikenne in Ogun State, HID, as she was popularly known, was married to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo from 1937 till his death in 1987. Since her demise tributes have been pouring in from Nigerians in all walks of life extolling the exemplary virtues of an unparalleled matriarch. We join in the outpouring of obsequies for this indefatigable woman of our time. Definitely, the late Mrs Awolowo deserves all the tributes and more, given her unique role in the annals of political development in the country. HID in her nearly a century on earth walked the paths of the academia, business, nationalism, politics, culture, religion and virtually many other facets of life.

Aside her role in the life and political struggles of her late husband, she was a successful businesswoman in her own right. For example, she was the first Nigerian distributor for the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) in 1957 and also the first to import lace materials and other textiles into Nigeria. She stood in for her husband in the alliance formed between the NCNC and the AG (known as the United Progressive Grand Alliance, UPGA), while he was tried and in jail. The plans were that she would contest the elections, and if she won, would step down for her husband in a by-election.

To fulfill Awo’s dream of becoming president in the Second Republic, she toured the length and breadth of the country with her husband, campaigning. Even with the exit of her husband, Mrs Awolowo continued to raise and rally the many political sons and daughters of the illustrious family, helping to

perpetuate the ideology of the late sage well into three decades after his departure. No doubt it was her astuteness, fidelity and loyalty that led Awo to describe his beloved wife as his “Jewel of inestimable value”.

Chief Awolowo did not see his wife as a nominal member of the family, but recognised her worth and “peculiar features” with which she kept his dreams alive. It is recorded that when Awo was arrested and jailed on charges of treason in 1963, HID, rather than fade from the scene, took up the gauntlet and played an active role in the politics of then Western Nigeria. Aside being an integral part of her husband’s campaign for the presidency between September 1978 and October 1979 as well as the subsequent attempt in 1983, she also coordinated the Women’s Wing of the party and was always present at all party caucuses.

It was in recognition of her uncommon pedigree that Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the recently departed Ooni of Ife, invested on her the title of Yeye-Oba of Ife (the King’s Mother) on her 80th birthday. In the same breath, former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon had proclaimed her the “Mother of the Nation” during her 91st in 2006. HID was an integral part of Awo and she upheld the dignity and viability of that brand till the end. Her triumphs over the grief of losing a spouse and two children, and the continued contribution to national discourse whenever called upon, also holds a lesson for all. For all her contributions to national development, the late HID Awolowo deserves a fitting place in the country’s Hall of Fame. There is no great tribute that would be enough to immortalise the legacies she left behind as an epitome of virtue and resourcefulness. We commiserate with her family and wish they and the country keep her dreams alive.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Group Managing Director

Fidelis Anosike

Noel Anosike

Group Managing Editor

Chief Operating Officer

Editor

GM Operations

Molara Wood Yinka Olujimi

ÎÎÎNot

a few Nigerians were taken aback on Monday when news broke that no fewer than 35 Senators had collected $50,000 each as Sallah gift to impeach Senate President, Bukola Saraki, when they resume plenary this week.

Saraki appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday.

His appearance followed a 13-count charge preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged falsification of assets.

Saraki had since emergence as Senate president

been out of favour with the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party leadership had not hidden its desire to see him out of Senate plum job any time soon.

The alleged doling out of $50,000 each to willing senators to impeach Saraki if it eventually turns out to be true will be the latest push to shove the Senate president aside by those opposed to his emergence.

Clearly, this resort to old habits and underhand tactics, particularly monetary inducement of public officials, in this case senators, by persons linked to the Presidency or APC leadership, in dealing with a perceived political

Words On Marble :

recalcitrant, shows that despite the much touted change the party promised Nigerians, nothing has really changed among politicians.

Not a few are saddened that in spite of the fact that Nigeria is in the era of change as promised by the APC, politicians have continued to resort to the old habit of inducing public officials with monetary gifts among others to realise set goals.

This cannot be the change which Nigerians voted for. So those still in love with this old habit of monetary inducement of public officers among others should realise that they are no better those who were in power before now.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08054934941 Konnie Agu 09033765031

Adebayo Idowu gmops@dailytimes.com.ng

More info: www.dailytimes.com.ng https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

Sam Nzeh

Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription

Afie Braimoh

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

Saraki: Return to old habits?

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Olusegun Mimiko

Frederick Fasehun

Samuel Ogbemudia

“I tell you in Yoruba land that many Yoruba people will feel secure with OPC guarding their streets than the conventional police”.

‘’Education is the bed rock of national development so all of us must commit ourselves to the education of the youth.’’

“Democracy says the minority will always have their say and the majority their way but the practice in Nigeria is the reverse.

Maybe one day we will change”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28 2015

Boko Haram: APC believes three-month deadline achievable ÏÏÏThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) has again hailed the Nigerian military for its string of success in the battle against Boko Haram, saying the impressive performance had shown that the terror group could, indeed, be defeated within the time stipulated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said, on Sunday, in Lagos, that the continued push to dislodge the terrorists from their fortress in Sambisa forest and elsewhere, the dismantling of their major fuel depot and other logistics, and the rescue of

many innocent people from the clutches of the terrorists, were clear indications that the military had gained the upper hand against Boko Haram.

The party said that the mere fact that the terrorists were now surrendering in droves to the gallant troops of the Nigerian military was the clearest indication yet that the bandits were feeling the tremendous heat which had been turned on them.

The APC urged the troops to continue with their gallantry and patriotism until they had finally silenced the terror group that had caused the nation so much pain,

stressing a need to step up intelligence gathering to stop the suicide bombers.

The party also commended the Service Chiefs for their leadership, saying their personal examples, which had seen them on the battle front many times, had made all the difference in motivating their troops.

“The bigger picture of the impending Boko Haram defeat is the restoration of the much-vaunted capability of the Nigerian military and its globally-acclaimed professionalism that have vaulted Nigeria to the elite group of top global peace-keeping nations.

“The sharp turnaround in the war against Boko Haram, which had hitherto seen the terrorists gaining territories and striking at times and places of their own choosing, is also an indication of what a nation can achieve under a purposeful, committed, disciplined and sincere leadership,” it said.

The APC reiterated its appeal to all Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the troops, many of whom are paying the supreme price, as we strive to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians and the stability, cohesion and unity of the country.

Ondo: Wife of kidnapped 70-yr-old pastor sends SOS to Police, SSS ’Tosin Ajuwon

Akure The family of the abducted 70-year-old clergyman with the Apostolic Faith Church, in Ikare Akoko area of Ondo State, Pastor Japhet Obafemi, has called on the police to help secure his release.

Obafemi was kidnapped by gunmen, last week, on Akunnu-Auga Akoko, a community that shares border with Kogi State.

The wife of the victim, Mrs. Olu Obafemi, who spoke to journalists, on Sunday, at the mission house of the church, said men of the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service (SSS) should help rescue her husband.

She said the family had been thrown into sadness since the news of the abduction filtered into the community.

She said her husband was just recuperating from an ailment, when he was abducted.

She also said that her 70-year-old spouse was abducted soon after he was discharged from the hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

She feared that her husband’s condition might deteriorate if not rescued on time.

The primary school teacher also disclosed that the kidnappers had asked the family to sell its property to raise the millions of naira being demanded as ransom.

Judiciary mourns Justices Jaga, Alkali

L-R: ED & Vice Chair UN Financing for Development. (FfD) Business Steering Committee, Ms. Babara Samuels; Group Director, Coca Cola Company, William Egbe and General Manager, UBA New York, Rafiq Bengali during the panel discussion on financing for development and cross-border banking at the Africa Investor CEO Institutional Investment Summit in New York… recently

Don’t be jailed before shunning corruption, students warn leaders Sodiq Adekunle

ÏÏÏThe Muslim Students Society

of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit (MSSN Lagos) has appealed to leaders at all levels in Nigeria to reflect on the lessons of Eid-ul-Adha by purifying their minds against corruption.

It said this in an Eid-ul-Adha message by its Amir (President), Kaamil Kalejaiye, ahead of it conference planned for October.

According to him, the festival should not just be to celebrate but to reflect on ways to better our country.

He asked Nigerian leaders to emulate the life of sacrifice exhib-

Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, has expressed shock over the demise of Justice Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega and Justice M.H. Alkali of the

ited by Prophet Ibrahim (ASW), saying that that would guide them against corruption.

He said, “We give thanks to Allah for making us witness this Eid. We pray that He purifies our souls and that of our leaders to do good.

This is because it is only when souls are purified that we will genuinely understand the lesson of sacrifice. If we and our leaders are ready to sacrifice and practice it, there will be magnanimous selfdevelopment and national growth.

“With the spirit to sacrifice, corruption will reduce and the society will be a better place. Our leaders should fear the Creator and not wait to be jailed before they shun

corruption. We are of the opinion that it is only through sacrifice that good governance can be guaranteed.”

Kalejaiye called on all Nigerians to settle for peace, saying that it would help the country to attain her desired potential at a desired rate.

While adding that there was no alternative to peace, Kalejaiye added, “The entire Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, seek Allah’s blessings for Nigerians and our country on this occasion and beyond. May the country and citizens be favoured to celebrate many more in absolute peace, unity and love.”

Court of Appeal in the holy land of Saudi Arabia.

In a condolence message, Justice Bulkachuwa noted that it was with a deep sense of shock but with gratitude to Almighty Allah that the court learnt of the death of Justices Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega, presiding

Justice of the Abuja division of Court of Appeal and Justice M.H. Alkali of Ilorin Division of the court.

A statement by Mrs. Sa’adatu Musa the Head, Media and Publicity of Court of Appeal said Justice Bulkachuwab described their sudden passage as a huge

5 News

APC can’t stop my re-election – Dickson Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not pose a serious threat to his re-election bid on the December 5.

He said this in an interview with journalists at this year’s Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where he was special a guest.

Dickson, who was in the company of the ex-Bayelsa governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said the APC had only engaged in mere propaganda against his administration in the run-up to the poll.

He urged the people of the state and other Nigerians to discountenance the criticisms and allegations against his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by APC chieftains.

“For all of us in Bayelsa, we know there is no challenge, contest nor threat of any kind. All you have heard or read about us is all propaganda. There is no APC in Bayelsa to threaten us,” he stated.

On the Ojude Oba festival, Dickson, whose late mother hailed from Ijebu-Ode, commended the people for the huge investment in the promotion of cultural heritage.

The governor advised parents to always teach their children about culture and tradition, saying such would help in fostering development and nation-building.

Speaking, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, said the Ijebu people were proud of their roots and cultural heritage, adding that they would not relent in making significant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.

Dickson

loss to the Judiciary, where the deceased worked for years without blemish.

According to his Lordship, the two late Justices had never been found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities describing them as highly principled on the Bench.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

‘Saraki’s removal will spark endless crises’ Continued from page 1 governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatatakarda Wamakko, on Sunday, as he dismissed reports on plots to replace the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the strength of his case with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

This is even as traditional rulers in Kwara State, on Sunday, threw their weight behind the Senate President, alleging that Saraki was being persecuted.

Wamakko in a chat with correspondents in Abuja also described reports on plots by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the Sen-

ate as untrue.

He said such reports were mere imaginations of the authors, because according to him, the present reality on Senate matters never tallied with the reports.

Wamakko said Senators are rather meeting to strengthen the Senate under Saraki with a view to recovering the lost grounds on the legislative business under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

He said unknown to many, President Muhammadu Buhari had nothing to do with Saraki’s present ordeal, most especially his stand-off with the Code of Conduct Bureau, which

had dragged him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

President Buhari, he noted, is rather worried about the near state of inaction in the National Assembly and hence, has never been opposed to moves by the Senators to get the Senate back on a high octave in the interest of democracy.

He said: ‘’ I see Mr. President, Saraki and Senators holding a meeting very soon on how to salvage democracy which certain elements have been trying to subvert. They will find time to meet to stop our opponents from progressing with acts to sabotage of democracy.

“Once the President and the Senate leadership sit

on a round table with a resolve to re-oil the wheels of democracy for national progress, the cynics, the political rabble-rousers and those who never mean well for the APC government will go to sleep.

Wamakko said Saraki having submitted himself to the law by appearing before the Code of Conduct Tribunal had helped the case preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau, appealing to critics stop pre-empting the cause of law.

He noted that those hoping to promote discord between President Buhari and the Senate President, banking on excuses would soon realise that democra-

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, receiving his predecessor, Sen. Theodore Orji, to his office during a courtesy visit in Umuahia… at the weekend. With them is Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu.

Sanusi marries 18-yr-old Adamawa princess Continued from page 1 In addition to his first wife, Sadiya, who is the daughter of the late emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Sanusi has two other wives Maryam and Rakiya.

The secret wedding was contracted in a low-keyed ceremony in the town of Yola on Friday.

Palace sources in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, told said the wedding fatiha held inside the palace of the Lamido minutes after Jumma’at prayer.

Insiders say that Sanusi

only sent out invitation to some dignitaries across the country, as Kano government officials sneaked into Yola for the wedding fatiha to avoid journalists.

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was said to have acted as the guardian for the groom, while his Adamawa State counterpart, Jibrilla Bindow, played the role of the bride’s guardian, who gave her hands out in marriage to the monarch.

“His decision to take a new wife is in line with Islamic injunction. Islam

allows having a maximum of four wives for those who can treat all of them equally and provide for a large family,’’ said a top Kano State government official who travelled to Yola for the wedding.

A social commentator, Dan’Almajiri Ibrahim, argued that in ancient times, links between empires were tightened by marriages among royals and nobles across boundaries.

“So, the engagement of the Adamawa princess to Emir Sanusi II may also be a move to deepen royal

bond between Adamawa and Kano.

“You see, historically, both emirates have similar origins in the 19th Century Uthman Bn Fodio’s jihad,’’ he concluded.

Emir Sanusi could not be reached for comments as he is currently away in Saudi Arabia, where he is acting as leader of Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s hajj.

A highly placed palace source however confirmed the development, but said Sa’adatu would not move in with the emir immediately.

cy has advanced in Nigeria with more Senators anxious to make it work.

Wamakko appealed to the media to show deeper understanding of the situation in the Senate by avoiding reports capable of setting the Senate on fire.

He said the removal of Saraki as being canvassed by those he described as faceless groups outside the National Assembly will end up as an ill-wind that will blow no good for the Senate, democracy and Nigeria.

He said: “Majority of Senators weeks ago passed a vote of confidence in Saraki because they were convinced that his style of leadership has been broad and progress inclined.

Nothing has changed. Majority of our colleagues still believe that Saraki remains a stabilizing factor in the Senate for now.

“A change of leadership, at this point in time, as being canvassed, will certainly spark some endless sessions of rancour, suspicion, crises and uncertainty among members. When such begin to happen, no one will be able to predict the end.”

Wamakko said Saraki shares the same ideology of ‘change’ with President Buhari, stating that every step so far taken by the Senate had been inclined towards promoting the change mantra, with national progress at the core of all considerations by Senators.

Meanwhile, traditional

rulers in Kwara State, on Sunday, threw their weight behind the Senate President.

The monarchs, led by their Chairman and Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari, warned against politics of persecution, saying the trial of Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not the change mantra of All Progressives Congress (APC) Nigerians bargained for.

Sulu-Gambari, who led prominent traditional rulers in the state on a solidarity visit to Saraki’s residence in Ilorin, on Sunday, said the trial was a pointer to upset Nigerians.

The Emir of Ilorin, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, stated that “it would be unwise to disguise under political altar to cow perceived political enemy”.

He admonished Nigerians to be wary of bad elements bent on dismantling the country on account of political vendetta.

“We are here for good reasons and bring the goodwill of the Council of Chiefs, representing all the chiefs and traditional rulers of Kwara State. We come here to join our son (Bukola Saraki) with whom we are much pleased.

“We are ready to support him. We are here to see him on the various constitutional challenges, we would not call it problem, Continued on page 12

Total eclipse of the moon in Nigeria, others ÎÎÎA total eclipse of

the moon occurred in the early hours today (Monday) in several parts of the world including Nigeria.

The moon was totally covered by the shadow of the Earth for more than an hour.

This total lunar eclipse was fully visible in Abuja. The eclipse began in Abuja at 01:11am today (Monday); the maximum peak was at 03:47am; and it ended at 06:22am. The

duration was 5 hours, 11 minutes.

The lunar eclipse was also visible in Lagos. The eclipse in Lagos began at 01:11; its maximum peak was at 03: 47am and it ended at 06:22. In all. The duration of the eclipse in Lagos in the early hours of today (Monday) was 5 hours, 11 minutes.

A total eclipse of the moon occurs when the Earth casts the whole of its shadow on the moon.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Crisis rocks Ebonyi traders union Jacob Mbam Abakaliki

ÏÏÏCrisis has rocked the leadership of Abakaliki Main Market Traders Association (AMMTA) in Ebonyi State with some members of the executive passing vote of no confidence on the Chairman, Comrade Emeka Nwome.

The aggrieved members

accused Nwome of financial misappropriation, running the market alone and other allegations and called for his resignation.

While addressing the executive members at the Government House, in Abakaliki to resolve the crisis, the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Deacon Obinna Nwachukwu, condemned the vote of no confidence on

Nwome.

He noted that most of the allegations levelled against the embattled Nwome were unfounded and devoid of the market constitutional provisions, describing the actions of the executive as illegal and unacceptable.

Acknowledging that the Executives erred in nonpresentation of financial account, Nwachukwu directed them to prepare and

present three years’ account to the members of the association and report back to the government on or before September 30, 2015.

He implored the executive to shun political interest in running the association.

The Special Adviser to Governor Umahi, Chief Ali Odefa, regretted that bickering and political interest had factionalised the association.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (right); with Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari when the monarch led the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council on a solidarity visit to Saraki in Ilorin, Kwara State… at the weekend

RRS nabs LAWMA officials for stealing streetlight cables

ÏÏÏThe operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a suspected member of a twoman syndicate which specialised in vandalising and stealing street light power cable, on September 25, 2015, at about 12:25a.m around Opebi in Ikeja area, Lagos.

The suspect, Ibrahim Alli, 29, who works with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), at Onipanu, caught in the act by the RRS patrol team led

by Supo Aroge, while his gang leader simply identified as Yunusa (surname unknown) escaped.

According to the Police Public Relations officer (Joe Offor), who confirmed the arrest, “the policemen,

Ondo students beg Mimiko to pay bursary allowance ’Tosin Ajuwon Akure

Community leaders seek protection against police harassment Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏA Save-Our-Soul (SOS)

call has been made by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Ogundele, to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, urging him to caution some of his officers, who, he claimed, were being used to harass and terrorise some community leaders in the Lekki part of Lagos State over land dispute.

In a letter, written by Ogundele, on behalf of the community leaders, it was alleged that a certain Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oyinlola Adeoye of the X Squad, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, was being used to terrorise some principal members of the Dada Bakare Family of Abijo Town, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Ogundele and one Raimi Oluwaseyi Nojeen, on behalf of the family, said the action of the Deputy Commissioner of Police usually carried out by one of his of-

ficers, Prince Dose, was one of lawlessness, which was capable of leading to the breach of peace, if not checked.

The Dada Bakare family said that it was the traditional owner of a large parcel of land totalling 75,000 hectares at Abijo village, which was officially Gazetted by the Lagos State Government with No. 55 Volume 40 of 2007.

It stated that it was surprised when one Alhaji Akeeb Alarape Adams, popularly known as Adamak, a native of Lamgbasa village of the same Ibeju Lekki, brought some land grabbers to take over the land without consent or authority from the family.

It was alleged that the said Adams recruited the services of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Oyinlola Adeoye, who has been giving security backing to the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the hoodlums hired by Adams.

“Adeoye personally led a police patrol team to take

over the Dada Bakare family land at Abijo without court order or Execution of Court Order, despite a suit

by Dada Bakare family in LD/2308/2011 against Alhaji Akeeb Alarape Adams & Ors for the illegal trespass that is pending in court.

“Some members of the Dada Bakare family, including Mr. Raimi Oluwaseyi Nojeem, Mrs. Sikiratu Aduni Lawal, Chief Sadiku Noah, Mr. Kamoru Suleiman, Mr. Waheed Aluko and Mr. Sheriff Sulaimon were intimidated, harassed and arrested by the head of the X Squad team without any justification.

“Also, the rights of the Dada Bakare family members’ to human dignity, liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed

by Sections 34, 35 and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as Article 4, 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights and Laws of the Federation 2004, were curtailed and violated on several occasions.

“We have forwarded a petition to the office of the Inspector-General of Police and our matter was assigned to the Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) Department of Force CID, Area 10, Abuja and the case file of X Squad, Force CID, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Zone 2, Onikan and Area J. Ajiwe Police Headquarters were all retrieved for discreet and God-fearing investigation", they stated.

According to the family, Adeoye has continued to harass and intimidate members of their family at the instruction of Alhaji Akeeb Alarape Adams, despite the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police and after the case file was transfer of the case file.

Arase

7 News

ÏÏÏThe National Association of Ondo state Students (NAOSS), has called on the state government to pay their arrears of bursary allowances and scholarship fees.

The students made the call, on Sunday, in a statement made available to journalists in Akure, the Moses Oyediran

Enugu State ÏÏÏVice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Luke Anike, has said his administration had concluded plans to probe financial records of the immediate past administration, headed by the former Prof Cyprian Onyeji.

Anike made the remark when Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Education and Technology paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Agbani.

The Vice Chancellor also said that the probe was to ensure transparency and accountability in all financial transactions, as well as to enable the university block all leakages that his administration had identified, adding that his administration would carry out forensic audit of all accounts of the

who were on routine patrol, in the area, sighted the two men vandalising the street light power cable, which had left the entire community in blackout. As the policemen were approaching, the two of them took to their heels, and immediately the operatives made a hot chase, seizing Alli, while his accomplice escaped.

“Alli said that and his associate were in the habit of vandalising and stealing power cable, which always had adverse effect of cutting off electricity to the entire community.” On further investigation, the suspect claimed to be a native of Yola Local Government in Adamawa State, confessed to the crime, saying that greed led him to the crime. state capital.

The statement, jointly issued by its President, Charles Iwakun and Assistant General-Secretary, Olufemi Sanni, said the urgent payment of their bursary allowances would help in a way to lessening financial burden on their parents.

It said that the students were not finding life easy due to the non-payment of their allowances.

“Our cry now is that the government should commence the continuation of the payment and open the portal for registration for the 2015 bursary and scholarship,” NAOSS said.

ESUT VC to probe predecessor institution.

Said he: “We are going to carryout full audit account of ESUT from 2010 till date.

We will not overlook the disbursement of funds, including school fees and state government subventions, as well as other funds that entered into the university under the last administration. We are going into full forensic auditing of all our accounts and also look at the previous funds disbursements”, he noted.

According to the VC, “The state government subvention to the university is not sustainable; that is the reason why we, often-times, fall back on our reserved funds to execute projects.”

8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Politics

s

Winds against APC’s soul When political observers predicted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) which defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election would eventually break up as a matter of fact, not many took the predictions very seriously.

This was because the APC made up of an amalgam of many political groupings of the progressives bent which teamed up to confront the

PDP was seen as the saviour that will salvage the country from the precipice that the then ruling party had brought it.

In the struggle to save the country, the major parties that fused included the Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN) of former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) of General Muhammadu Buhari, the All Nigerian Peoples Party

Saraki

Sylva

(ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

However, as the 2015 elections drew near, following infighting within the ruling PDP over the presidential candidate, a major chunk

Oshiomhole

Odigie-Oyegun

of leaders including governors and senators of the party decamped to the APC to swell its ranks.

Besides, some of the former members of the Progressives fold who had earlier left for the PDP

Tinubu

also moved back into the APC, thus draining the PDP of some of the powerful forces from the north ahead of the election.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

HID: The world mourns matriarch of Yoruba race

Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo

Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Buhari

Jonathan

Penultimate Saturday, the tiny town of Ikenne Remo, Ogun State and indeed, the entire country was thrown into mourning with the passage of Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D. Awolowo, matriarch of the Awolowo family.

Since the passing on of the widow of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ikenne has suddenly become a Mecca of sort with the influx of prominent leaders from across the country who have been trooping to the town to mourn with the family of the bereaved.

The array of personalities and ordinary Nigerians who have been coming in their hundreds to pay condolences was reminiscent of the happenings more than 28 years ago when the late sage himself passed to the great beyond on May 9, 1987.

For the entire month that the

burial took place, the whole town was a beehive of activities with prominent people from within and outside the country rushing to pay their last respects and offer condolences.

It was just like yesterday when the widow was the chief mourner

and was welcoming people to the home. Now, the widow is being mourned with her surviving children, Rev. (Mrs.) Tola Oyediran and Dr. (Mrs.) Tokunbo Dosumu being the chief mourners on behalf of Nigerians.

Among those who have condoled

Obasanjo

with the family of the late matriarch who will be buried on November 25, when she would have turned 100 were President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangi-

da, former head of the interim government, Chief Ernest Sonekan, President of Yoruba Council of Elders, (YCE) General Adeyinka Adebayo, and former Minister of Defence, General T.Y. Danjuma.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Nigerians should hold leaders accountable – Hope Oduma Hope Oduma is Campaign Adviser, Save the Children programme of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)to eradicate all forms of poverty in Nigeria by 2030. He spoke with ADEOLA ADEKANBI on his plans. Excerpts: With the ratifying of the MDGs what are we doing today?

Basically we want to start discussion about SDGs and we think that is the only way to let Nigerians understand what they are

about; to enlighten everybody, their responsibilities; to play their own role that they also have a part to play. Nigerians should be curious to ask questions, the more reasons why things are not going on well is that Nigerians

are too quiet. It is a shame that a couple of Nigerians do not know what the MDGs stand for and it has being in existence for 15 years.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

9 Politics

The World mourns Matriarch of Yoruba Race CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

For most, it was more like an acknowledgement of the generally held view of the pre-eminence of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the leader of the Yoruba race even by many of those who had over the years refused to do so for one reason or the other.

The condolences, the tributes, the messages were more than mere testimonies of the greatness of the late Patriarch and Matriarch of the Yoruba race. No wonder then that talks have already started about the deserving of a state burial just like her highly revered husband 28 years ago.

Nigeria has lost a Jewel of inestimable value — Buhari President Buhari stated that Nigeria has lost “a Jewel of inestimable value” in Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, wife of former Nigeria’s nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The president said that late Awolowo would be remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of her late husband who was a nationalist, political leader and sage.

“On behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Buhari extends sincere commiserations to the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the “Jewel of Inestimable Value” on the death of their famed mother .The President and millions of admirers of her late, revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, joins in mourning Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo who will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the

late nationalist, political leader and sage.

A rare mother with milk of kindness – Jonathan Former President Jonathan, accompanied by his wife, Patience at the deceased’s home said the death of HID Awolowo forced him and his wife out of their “hiding” place, adding that he had resolved not to go out for one year, after leaving office.

Condoling with the family, the former President noted that the deceased enjoyed a rare privilege of living for extra 29 years, when compared to the biblical prescription of three scores and 10.

He further described her as a rare mother, whose milk of kindness, milk of encouragement as well as milk of advice Nigerians still needed.

He said, “My wife and I are not

mourning because mama has passed on. For me, we believe that it’s a rare privilege to add extra 29 years to the biblical three scores and ten; it’s not easy.

“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have been mourning but mama was a rare mother. She was a woman of virtue described in the Bible and she was a mother to all of us; a mother whose milk of kindness we still need, her milk of encouragement we still need, her milk of advice we still need and today she’s no more with us.

“We, just like the immediate children, and indeed this country, have missed her. Within this period, myself and my wife have been hiding; we don’t even go out. We thought we’ll be hiding for at least twelve months.

“But in this particular case, we cannot hide. So, we have come for the condolence and to encourage our brothers and sisters that we are together. God brought her for all of us. She just had to be the direct mother of few but she’s a mother to all. We shall mourn more than even the direct children would.”

– Hope Oduma CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Sen. Ahmed Lawan

Tinubu

Saraki

Dogara as President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives further accentuated the deepening cracks in the party as it threw spanners in the zoning arrangement of the party leadership.

Spirited efforts to redress this seeming anomaly by the party lead-

ership failed as Saraki and Dogara stuck to their guns in their defiance of the party directives.

It took the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari before Speaker Dogara could bend backward to accommodate the nomination of the party leadership for the

house majority leader as a sort of compromise. Thus, following Buhari’s mediation after all efforts had failed, former Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who had been penciled down as Speaker by the

We are starting another 15 years.

Things have to change if not, we come back to the same spot again.

What were the things that went wrong particularly with the MDGs? It is easy to point fingers that the government did not play their role. To be honest, government did what they could do probably based on the circumstances. Again, there are times that we aspirants are too quiet to pour out our minds. To a large, extent it is good to be fair and both share responsibilities.

Government could do better but we the citizens did not play our own role to ensure the MDGs are implemented.

MDGs has eight goals which are not achieved and SDGs is starting with 17, don’t you think that is too much?

No it is not too much. For the fact that the MDGs did not do well on the eight goals does not mean that the SDGs cannot do well on 17. It is not a case of the goals actually being wider, it is the case of the SDGs being detailed. And being more detailed does not necessarily mean that they cannot be achieved. The MDGs goals are big issues and the SDGs is trying to help them break it down into smaller pieces. But let them first understand what the goals is all about. It is only what you know that you can avoid, you cannot avoid what you did not know.

So, let’s know what the SDGs stand for, it is when we know what they are about that we start to know our roles to ensure the SDGs are implemented. And let use our voices, all of us may not have money or the privilege to work in the corridors of power; this is the more reasons why we should use our voice to call on our leaders; this is the key to light up our way.

Do you think with the level of corruption in Nigeria, those goals are achievable?

Yes they are achievable. We have a new government, we plead with every citizen to be patient.

Usually, before we get the right thing, you tear it apart; it might even get more difficult, but Nigerians should hold on. By the time everything is turned around, the new Nigeria is built. Everybody should be hopeful.

Some of the things that can be used to achieve these goals are be-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Obasanjo

HID should be celebrated – Obasanjo Former President Obasanjo urged the family members of Mama HID Awolowo not to be downcast because of the death of their matriarch describing her death as the passage of an icon..

Obasanjo said that Mama’s death should be celebrated because it is passage of an icon.

“Normally for all of us, it should be a mixed feeling because Mama

had lived a life that most of us will envy, but it does not matter how long our loved ones had lived, we will still want them to remain with us. Mama had lived through vicissitude of life, but she had died in peace, for her it is a peaceful exit into the great beyond.

“Mama’s life had been a joy to many as the matriarch of the

Yoruba race having been the first lady of the Western Region.

There must not be a vacuum.

Mama’s shoe is too big we have to make our feet bigger so as to enter her shoe. She would have good account to give of how far she had held forte in the absence of the late sage.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

For APC, the beginning of the end?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Thus, the APC was populated by all sorts of individuals and groups mostly believed to be soldiers of fortunes in search of greener pastures especially many of those who have been denied the chance to run for positions by the PDP through its unjust rules of imposition.

Thus, it was just a matter of time for things to come to a head as a result of conflict of interests in the ensuing political milieu.

And it didn’t take too long in coming, displaying the fragile fabrics that brought them together. It started with the leadership crisis in the National Assembly where various forces were opposed to one another in the leadership tussle.

The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu

Nigerians should hold leaders accountable

Politics 10

HID: She lived a fulfilled life

– Afenifere

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

HID uniting A stabilizing force in Yoruba Yoruba even land – Gbenga Daniel in old age — Bankole Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel described her as a “quiet contributor to the unity and progress of the Yoruba race in particular and Nigeria in general, an epitome of the best of womanhood”.

“Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo is a personification of the good wife, the caring mother and the woman with enough

deep conviction to weather the storm of life without giving up.

Indeed, she was never overawed in the face of calculated and concerted efforts to destroy whatever Chief Awolowo stood for. HID Awolowo was with her husband through thick and thin. She never wavered in her support for the good cause her husband stood for”.

Mama is a woman who stood by her husband when he was alive she has never wavered and remained the pillar of the family after the death of her husband. The Yoruba race and Nigeria will miss her may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

– Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife Mama was a blessing to Nigeria in her lifetime as wife of one if founding fathers of Nigeria. She will remain great even in death.

Rest in peace.

Oshiomhole Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described her as an avatar and a “pillar of Christian propriety and fountain of humanism, who was always eager to dispense goodwill to all.

“Mama H.I.D was a pillar of Christian propriety and fountain of humanism, always eager to dispense goodwill to all who came to her. However, much as we mourn her, we believe that

A rare mother worthy of emulation – E.K. Clark Mama is one the greatest women in Nigeria and a rare mother worthy of emulation Clark said while eulogizing her. As one of the greatest woman leader in Nigeria, God will continue to guide, protect, give you good health and all the qualities that he has bestowed on you, to make you relevant in our nation.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole commended her on her untiring efforts in bringing unity among Yoruba even in her old age.

She was an avatar, a pillar of Christian propriety and fountain of humanism

She was a blessing to Nigeria

she deserves to be celebrated in deserved tribute to her laudable life as a mother, devout Christian and an exemplary Nigerian.

“Although Mama was advanced in age, we appreciate the depth of the grief of her children and family, knowing how affectionately close and tightly-knitted the family is. Our hearts are with the family at this difficult period”.

She remained mentally sound – Gen Tajudeen Olanrewaju Former Minister of Communications, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju said Mama remained mentally sound and psychologically alert even at near 100 such

Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo

that much of the efforts leading to the new Nigeria of the moment was not any departure from her motherly blessing and regular advice.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Winds against APC’s soul CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

party leadership became house leader after he had reportedly rejected the position of Deputy Speaker.

But Senate President Saraki rebuffed all entreaties and rejected the nominations of the party leadership in what was seen as a thorough humiliation of the APC leadership led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was even accused by both feuding factions as taking sides following allegations of bribes taking.

What appeared to have stung APC members sorely was the seeming connivance between Saraki and the now opposition PDP to rubbish APC leadership a development that led to a PDP Senator, Ike Ekweremadu emerging Deputy Senate President in a Senate dominated by the APC. Such a thing which was described as anathema was unacceptable to the APC members and Saraki had to pay a hard price.

A fallout of this was the alleged

case of forgery of the house rules leveled against Saraki and other principal officers of the senate which led to an investigation by the police. The rules of the 7th Assembly was said to have been altered to the way for their being sworn in.

This was yet to be settled when wife of Saraki, Toyin was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering charges when her husband was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2007.

She was quizzed for hours by operatives of the agency for allegedly being used by her husband to launder the states resources.

In what is seen as a counter offensive, the senate also launched an inquiry into the activities of the Ibrahim Lamorde-led anti-corruption agency over alleged mismanagement of about N3 trillion recovered from some accused persons in the anti-corruption fight.

Lamorde had to go to court in

order to avoid been dragged to the open hearing of the senate committee probing the matter.

Then all of a sudden came the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) slamming a three-count charge on Saraki and dragging him to its Tribunal for false assets declaration and anticipatory declaration.

This made Saraki to begin what was seen as a battle for his soul in order to avoid being docked by the tribunal. However, all moves by him to stop his arraignment was fruitless as the court- Federal High Court and the Appeal Court which he ran to in order to stop the tribunal ordered him to appear before it. He then had no choice than to be docked like a common criminal in spite of being the number three citizen.

The whole thing was seen as a battle between the presidency and the senate with the senators queuing behind their own.

As the crisis unfolded, Saraki

who decamped from the PDP was reported to have removed the tag, member of APC from his internet account raising doubts about his continuous membership of the APC following his experiences in the party even as the number three man in the country.

Obviously, this development has opened up the cracks within the party and only God knows where it would end. Would Saraki go back to PDP, or would he remain in APC with this humiliation? Or would he step down as Senate President as obviously the leadership wanted, only time will tell And as this was still brewing, the Bayelsa chapter of the party erupted in violence as the party held its governorship primary.

A fallout of the inconclusive primary was the open enmity between the leaders of the party especially chairman of the Primary Committee and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and one of

the aspirants and former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

At the primary which turned bloody and Oshiomhole had to be Shepparded out following security concerns, Sylva was alleged to have invaded the venue with thugs who disrupted proceedings.

Oshiomhole was quoted to have accused Sylva of creating the crisis which led to the primary being declared inconclusive and later cancelled amidst allegations that Sylva’s men announced him as the winner after other aspirants who feared for their lives have fled the venue.

Oshiomhole told newsmen that he was held hostage by Sylva’s thugs who took over the whole stadium pointing that under that circumstances, his committee could not do anything alleging that even the policemen present were taking orders from Sylva and his army of CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

HID: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Our nation has lost a preeminent mother —Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki said Mama Awolowo truly distinguished herself among her contemporaries and not only because she lived longer but because she served God and humanity to the end. Even as a nonagenarian, she kept on hosting different fora and contributing to ideas on the unity of the Yoruba people in particular and Nigeria in general. She was an epitome of a good wife and mother and I have no doubt that as she reunites with her darling Husband, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, she would have good account to give of how far she had held forte in the absence of the late sage.

“We commiserate with the Awolowo family on the death of their matriarch, the government and people of Ogun State and Nigeria in general. They should all take solace in the fact that Mama lived a good life.

May her soul rest in peace”.

She was the mother of the nation —Mark

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark said that Mrs

Hannah Idowu Dedeolu Awolowo was a mother of the nation. She was an ideal mother of Nigeria adding that she consistently stood up to offer useful guidance to Nigerians especially during trying times.

“Our mama (Mrs Awolowo) was always there for us. At several challenging times, she never denied or shied away from offering tangible advice. Her counsel always saved our nation from the precipice.

“Unarguably, we shall miss her wise counsel, honesty, unwavering commitment to the ideals of nation hood, sense of wisdom and humor.

She has left a big shoe that would be difficult to fill.”

Mama’s Virtues Will Remain Indelible In Our Hearts — Ambode

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State who expressed shock and sadness over the death of Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo said he was one of mama’s many followers looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday, which was just few months away.

“It was going to be a milestone, not just for her, but for our great country. She was the matriarch of the Awolowo family, a well respected dynasty in the history of Nigeria”.

“Mama’s demise at this time is painful, especially coming at a period when Nigeria is gradually enjoying democratic bliss, which her late

11 Politics

that she was a jewel of inestimable value as Papa described her.

She demonstrated this by standing behind her husband during his political trial. She never wavered for once during Papa’s incarceration. Rather she was committed to upholding what Papa stood for. May her soul in eternal bliss with the Lord.

HID Was A Role Model of Distinction —Amosun

Ambode husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, fought for till his death”.

End of an era —Aregbesola

Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, described the translation of the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo, as the end of an era.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola said, Mama stood by her husband during his lifetime and even after his demise. We believe there will be a celestial celebration of reunion of a couple that exemplified harmony and true wedlock. There is no doubt

Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State said Nigeria has lost a role model of distinction, a highly disciplined and principled woman, a trustworthy ally and dependable politician who equally made her mark in the business world.

“In spite of the political vicissitudes of the First Republic, Mama HID toured the entire country with her husband campaigning in the Second Republic. She was a woman of valour and a friend indeed,” Amosun urged the younger generation of women to follow in the footsteps of Mama HID.

Mama has left a huge vacuum —Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said the late Mrs. Awolowo was a mother to the nation and said she has left a huge vacuum in our lives. “Late HID Awolowo will continue to be remembered for her humanitarian

and philanthropic deeds. She lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

“I pray God to give the Awolowo family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

She was an uncommon matriarch and pivot of unity —Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the late matriarch represented everything a mother and leader should stand for. “Mama HID Awolowo was an uncommon matriarch and pivot of unity. “History and posterity will always be kind to her for co-building the Awolowo brand and sustaining the unity, dignity, and political ideologies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo dynasty.” He prayed God to grant her soul a peaceful repose and support the Awolowo family and the entire nation with the inner strength to bear the irreparable loss”.

Mother of Yoruba nation —Gov Mimiko

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State expressed shock “at the devastating news of the passing of Mama HID Awolowo, the Yeye Oodua and one of the most notable icons of Nigerian history. She was a supremely intelligent, kind-hearted, loving and caring mother of the Yoruba nation.

For APC, the beginning of the end?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

thugs.

He alleged that some of the thugs arrested by his men and handed over to the policemen led by an AIG whom he did not name were later released by the police.

However, Sylva in a swift denial of the allegations described Governor Oshiomhole as a liar and mischief maker over the issue.

He described the claims by the governor that he truncated the electoral process during the disputed governorship primaries in the state as a deliberate “act of mischief”

and “lies”.

According to him, though the Edo State Governor was the Chairman of the Election Committee and had left the venue of the primaries, the election which led to his emergence as the flag bearer of the party was free, fair and without violence as claimed by the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

Sylva in a statement issued through his Media Adviser, Doifie Bukoribo, Wednesday night said “It is unfortunate that people like Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who

pretend to be incorruptible, would conduct himself in the manner in which he did in relation to the Bayelsa State governorship primary. It was clear that Oshiomhole never wanted to conduct the primary as scheduled.

“First, on his request, the primary was shifted from its earlier date of Saturday, September 19 to the Tuesday, September 22 date. The grouse of the delegates was that the primaries had been shifted once on Oshiomhole’s request. That shift caused enough hardship already.

The ‘comrade’ was again shifting the goal post, without giving consid-

eration to these hapless delegates.

It was that frustration that we were managing. It is so sad that the governor did not appreciate our effort.”

“Second, as chairman of the APC Electoral Committee, Oshiomhole knew full well that accreditation of delegates was to begin at 8am on Tuesday, September 22, but he came to the venue of the programme well past 12 noon. After he arrived at that late hour, he proceeded with a meeting with the committee members and another meeting with the aspirants. He clearly had preconceived plans about the Bayelsa APC governorship primary.

“Third, Oshiomhole cannot really say anything about the primary election because he had left the venue at the time voting commenced.

Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to commence before he excused himself on the grounds that he was going to eat, and he mandated other members of the committee to carry on without him.

“The world needs to know that the Bayelsa State Electoral Committee is made up of seven members, and of the seven only Oshiomhole left. The other six remained, conducted the primary and declared Sylva winner of the exercise.

Nigerians should hold leaders accountable – Hope Oduma CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

ing used for personal reasons by our corrupt leaders, what can you say to that?

It is a new government, so you cannot say the new government has embezzled our money; we need to give them chance, give

them time, it is too early to judge, to know what they are doing exactly. It is not only about the leaders but also the voice of the people. It is the people that hold the leaders responsible and accountable. But when we give excuse because we get little kick back, we are just as corrupt as our leaders. So, it is not

time to point fingers, let everybody wake up.

Do you think there is any excuse for national plan to make SDGs work not even with the present government but to trickle down to the grassroots?

Nigeria is beautiful when it comes to planning; we have stra-

tegic plan for every single thing.

We think about National nutrition plan, immunization plan, we have too many plans but how does that translate into action at the grassroots level. Since there are plans at every single level of government to ensure that the SDGs are implemented at the grassroots level, it

is important that we start having meeting to engage those at the lowest level, communities elected in government, social activists should all come together and let’s have a dialogue. What is their role in the society and making them understand that so far, they are elected, they can be impeached.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

We’ve begun sanitising NNPC – Buhari Egena Egena Abuja

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in New York restated his determination to fully sanitize Nigeria’s oil industry and make it totally free of corruption and shady deals.

Speaking at a meeting with President Xi Jinping on the side-lines of the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations, President Buhari said that a necessary first step in this direction had already been taken with the appointment of a new management for the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsequent reorganisation.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity quoted Buhari as saying that the prosecution of those who misappropriated the NNPC’s revenue under past administrations will soon commence.

President Buhari, according to the statement, thanked President Xi Jinping for China’s ongoing help in curbing crude oil theft from Nigeria.

The President applauded China’s interception

of shiploads of crude oil stolen from Nigeria, and which were to be sold and proceeds paid into private accounts.

“We know your stand on corruption, and we are grateful. Your continued cooperation in curbing oil theft from Nigeria will be appreciated,” President Buhari was said to have told the Chinese leader.

The statement said Buhari also assured President Xi Jinping that under its new leadership, the Nigerian military had been retrained and re-equipped, and was now making steady gains against Boko

Haram.

“President Jinping told President Buhari that China, which is already involved in Nigeria in diverse areas like railway, airports, agriculture, and in the Mambilla Hydro-power project, among others, will increase its investment in the country’s agricultural sector to support the achievement of domestic food security.

“He also promised further Chinese investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and more support for human capital development in the country,” the statement noted.

Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Special Guest, Sen. Daisy Danjuma at the 2015 Ojude Oba Festival held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State... at the weekend Photo: SEGUN FOCUS

Bayelsa: Fresh APC guber primary, a cruel hoax, Sylva groupAQ

Sylva

Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÎÎÎAs

the controversy trailing the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa State continues, the Timipre Sylva Campaign group has dismissed reports that two additional governors will be joining their Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole, to organise a fresh Governorship Primary tomorrow (Tuesday) in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Citing unnamed sources, some news outlets (not Daily Times) had reported on Saturday that Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) had been drafted to join Oshiomhole for a new primary.

The campaign organisation, in a statement

by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, described the report as a “cruel hoax”, stressing that there is no way a fresh primary can be organised on Tuesday as it would

amount to an act of “illegality.”

The Sylva campaign said: “Let us restate here that an APC candidate for the December 5, 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State has emerged and that candidate is Chief Timipre Sylva. No amount of media manipulation can change that. This is a society of law and order.

“The latest disinformation through the media goes to show the level of desperation of some people who want the APC governorship ticket through the back door. An election was conducted, Sylva won, the whole world has seen it.

“Besides, there is no way a hopelessly compromised Oshiomhole, who has also openly displayed his bias, can be asked again to go and conduct an election in Bayelsa State. Even his masters know that will be unacceptable to Nigerians.

“Similarly, as at Saturday, 26 September 2015, Tambuwal is in faraway New York attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while Amosun is attending Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Are they going to conduct a virtual election?

“Despite the orchestrated lies and disinformation, the Sylva Campaign will again urge our teeming supporters to be law-abiding, peaceful but resolute.

Victory is sure.”

Removal of Saraki will throw Nigeria into chaos – Wamakko Continued from page 6 and may God not make it a problem for us.

“It doesn’t take long for a 10- year old child to realise that our dear son, our precious son is being persecuted. The politics of persecution is not the right change for Nigeria. We want changes, we want it to be clean. He who seeks equity must come with clean hands.

“If you want equity, you yourself must do equity.

There is situation where you must come with clean hands, there is situation where you must do equity to ask for equity.

“We know there are sev-

eral stages of challenges before our leader (Saraki) in Kwara State, as such that nobody in Nigeria can ever be clean enough.

But do we want to upset the whole Nigerian community because we want beautiful change. Time and posterity will tell.

“But we want to appeal to men of goodwill that politics should not be played with bitterness. Politics should be about the unity of this country. We have come so far, we have tried many forms of political structures. The one before us now, which God has given the APC, the APC has been given straight jacket power of this country. We

want to appeal for their understanding to keep what God has given them jealously from those who are ready to dismantle them.

“We therefore came here to declare our unalloyed support, solidarity to our precious son.

“If you (Saraki) look back, you will see us in various forms, begging Almighty Allah to protect you. Nigeria should beware of destructive elements. Nobody is perfect.

We are in this scheme to make Nigeria very strong in the comity of nations.

“We have capable Nigerians, who can turn Nigeria around for good. Let us therefore face the issue

before us instead of belabouring those things that will divide us permanently.

God has given this administration leverage, God has given them all the powers.

If there is no enemy from outside, let there be no enemy from within. Enough is enough for those who are wise.

“We should learn from our lessons of the past.

We should learn very seriously, we should aim for the best. The greatest happiness of the greatest number of Nigerians is the most important thing, not the one that will create havoc and disunity.

“May God help you (Saraki) in your present

challenges. You will survive by the grace of God. The whole of Kwara is behind you. Even in the PDP, they are behind you. This is not a question of politics or political parties. I mean it is politics, but not political parties.

“This is where Kwara State has been given a chance to be part of the government of this country. We intend to retain it, we don’t want anything to preclude us.

“Therefore, you are a test case for the whole country, and if I say test case, I believe men of understanding will understand what I mean.

We should not fail, and

you will not fail. We will continue to pray for you”, the Emir of Ilorin said.

Responding, Saraki thanked the monarchs for their support and solidarity.

Said he: “I am greatly honoured and at the same time humbled to receive this visit from our royal fathers in my domain. The last time I had this honour was when I was still the governor of Kwara State.

“There is nothing more for me to add because you have spoken. You have spoken from your years of experience as a father, and as someone who has headed a very great arm of government, the judiciary.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday September 28, 2015

Migrants continue pouring into Croatia

Migrants line up after crossing a border from Croatia near the village of Zakany, Hungary, Sept. 26, 2015.

ÏÏÏ Thousands more migrants, many from Syria and Iraq, streamed into Croatia on Saturday on a journey fueled by hopes of a better life in Europe.

The influx, described by authorities as unprecedented, came a day after Croatia lifted its border blockade with Serbia, ending a weeklong standoff that had severely strained relations

between the two Balkan countries.

It also came two days after an emergency European Union summit convened to address the largest movement of humanity on the continent since the end of World War II. Within hours of the border opening, an estimated 10,000 migrants had crossed into Croatia.

Authorities in Zagreb said 65,000 migrants had entered the country of 4.5 million residents in the past 10 days.

The French news agency AFP quoted Croatian authorities as saying the government might temporarily house the new arrivals at a former Yugoslav army base in the south of the Adriatic country.

Separately Saturday, a poll in Germany showed Chancellor Angela Merkel's popularity declining in recent weeks as she has sought to welcome hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Germany is expecting to receive up to 1 million migrants by year's end.

German authorities said 200,000 asylum requests had been received in the first half of this year, with 40 percent of them filed by people from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia, fleeing unemployment and poverty in hopes of a better life elsewhere.

Friday in New York, Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar told the U.N. Sustainable Development Summit that the migration crisis required "urgent action" that addressed the "root cause" of the dilemma. Cerar said Slovenia and other European countries were striving to resolve the crisis in Europe with "humanity and solidarity, but also security.""We should pool our efforts in combating illegal migration and suppressing the trafficking of migrants and human beings," he added.

Burkina Faso freezes failed coup leaders' assets

ÏÏÏBurkina Faso is freezing the

assets of the leaders of the recent failed coup in which the president and prime minister were taken hostage just weeks before elections were scheduled to be held.

State prosecutor Laurent Poda made the announcement Saturday, saying the move will apply to coup leader Gen. Gilbert Diendere and 13 other individuals, as well as three political parties linked to former president Blaise Compaore.

The decision, which applied to financial and property assets, is part of a crackdown against the coup leaders and their perceived supporters and comes one day after the Cabinet disbanded the elite presidential guard that staged the failed coup.

The guard arrested Interim President Michel Kafando and Prime

France launches air strikes in Syria ÏÏÏFrance has carried out its

first air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.

French planes destroyed a training camp in the eastern town of

Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida on September 16. Diendere then took power, but stepped down after pressure from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, Burkina Faso's military and demonstrating citizens. Kafando and Zida were reinstalled as the transitional government on Wednesday.

Burkina Faso's transitional president Michel Kafando attends the official handover ceremony returning him to office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.

Burkina Faso's transitional president Michel Kafando attends the official handover ceremony returning him to office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.

Diendere has said he regrets the coup.

Elite guard members were unhappy that the transitional government barred supporters loyal to Compaore from contesting in the country's national election.

Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last year as he attempted to extend his 27-year rule.

FILE - Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore announced he was stepping down following violent protests demanding an end to his 27-year rule, Oct. 31, 2014.

FILE - Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore announced he was stepping down following violent protests demanding an end to his 27-year rule, Oct. 31, 2014.

Before the coup, Burkina Faso was planning to hold elections on October 11, marking a return to democracy a year after Compaore's ouster. ECOWAS leaders suggest-

ed a November 22 election date and recommended that Compaore's allies be allowed to field candidates.

Some civil society associations and political parties have come out against amnesty for coup leaders.

The prime minister said Diendere's future was still being considered and an investigation is being launched into the coup. "Justice will be served after the conclusion of these investigations,'' Zida said.

Deir al-Zour, President Francois Hollande said.

A US-ed coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.

Speaking in New York, Mr Hollande said a political solution was needed to end the Syrian crisis, but President Bashar al-Assad could not be part of it.

France, like the UK, has previously confined its air strikes against the Islamic State group to

Iraqi airspace.

The UK announced earlier this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria but has yet to fly manned operations in Syrian airspace.

Analysis: Hugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris The French air strikes in Syria reflect the shifting emphasis in the war against the Islamic State.

Before now, France said that international law prevented it from attacking targets in Syria, and it was

adamant that it would do nothing to help - even indirectly - the Assad government.

But the situation has changed.

France now says it has evidence that IS planned terror attacks against it from Syria - making air strikes against the militants legitimate under UN rules on selfdefence.

The biggest change though is that France has swallowed hard and accepted that getting rid of Mr Assad is no longer the priority.

Diendere

13 Africa Pope: God weeps for abused children ÏÏÏPope Francis told bishops

in Philadelphia that he had met with victims of clerical sexual abuse, adding that "God weeps" for them.

"God weeps for sexual abuse of children," the 78-year-old pontiff said. "Youth are protected and ... all responsible will be held accountable."

The reports of abuse and the cover-up first became big news in 2002. Victims' groups say the church has not done enough.

As many as 100 000 US children may have been the victims of clerical sex abuse, insurance experts said in a paper presented at a Vatican conference in 2012.

10 killed, 38 wounded in CAR taxi driver violence ÏÏÏTen people were killed and

38 wounded on Saturday in an outbreak of violence sparked by the death of a motorcycle taxi driver in the capital of the Central African Republic, witnesses said.

The unrest erupted after the driver, a Muslim, was killed for unknown reasons, residents said, sparking clashes in a majority Muslim neighbourhood of Bangui known as PK-5. Most of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, according to a hospital source.

In response to the shooting, UN peacekeepers and French soldiers took up positions in the district, which was the epicentre of unprecedented killings between Christians and Muslims in Bangui between 2013-2014.

CAR descended into bloodshed after a 2013 coup ousted longtime leader Francois Bozize, and the impoverished country remains prey to violence between Muslim Seleka rebels and Christian "antibalaka" (anti-machete) militias.

Residents were sent running in terror by Saturday's violence, witnesses said, though by the end of the day the numbers of gunshots heard in the area had decreased sharply.

The transitional government condemned the bloodshed, saying the "useless violence comes as Central Africa in general and the city of Bangui in particular yearns for peace and security."

Though the level of violence has fallen significantly in CAR since last year, the country still has high crime rates fuelled in part by the easy access to weapons left over from the sectarian conflict.

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Ekweremadu in Umuahia, commends Ikpeazu’s economic reforms Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia ÏÏÏDeputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, last weekend, in Umuahia, Abia State capital, commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s economic achievements within his first 100 days in office.

Ekweremadu, while speaking to newsmen after paying courtesy visit to the State governor, stated that his visit has afforded him an opportunity to express his opinion over the achievements recorded within the last three months of the Abia State governor.

Ekweremadu, who was

accompanied by the former State governor, Senators Theodore Orji, MOA Ohuabunwa, the South East National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Austin Akobundu, and State chairman of the PDP, Senator Emma Nwaka, expressed happiness over the achievements recorded by the governor within the last three months, stating, “I am aware of his plan to make Aba one of the major economic cities for Ndigbo, and I am happy that he is driving that programme, I am equally aware of other programmes he intend doing.

“I am here to encourage him to show respect and support to him and also to give him charge on the things he needs to do, not only for Abia, but also for the people of the South East geo-political zone, especially on the issue of providing access to the seaport, not only for the South East, but indeed to all Nigerians because our people are major importers of goods.

“Now that Aba is being transformed, it will increase the capacities of industries in Aba, it is important to provide a seaport to enable manufacturers to export their goods, I am happy he is

thinking towards that direction.”

Senator Ekweremadu also praised the efforts of Ikpeazu, in making the state economically viable in order to attract investors.

The Deputy Senate President also charged Governor Ikpeazu to look beyond Abia State in his plans to strengthen the economy of the people of the South East geo-political zone and to give Ndigbo a new status, while further urging him to think of increasing the capacity of Aba people and Ndigbo through his small and medium scale enterprise programme.

Former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Gen. Abacha, Major Hamza AlMustapha (middle); presenting 80th birthday gift to celebrant/Founder, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun in Lagos…at the weekend. With them is celebrant’s wife, Iyabo (left).

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Ortom urged to declare free education in Benue Freddie Adamgbe Makurdi

ÏÏÏMember, representing Kwande/Ushongo in the National Assembly, Hon. Bar Iorember Wayo, has called on Governor Samuel Ortom to declare free education in Benue State in order to fulfil his campaign promises to the people during electioneering period.

Hon. Wayo, who made the call during the decamping ceremony of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Gbe, in Kwande Local Government Area, stated that it was imperative for the APC government to fulfil its promise so as to address the

Ekiti to partner EU/UNICEF on boreholes Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏEkiti State government, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and UNICEF, is set to construct 460 hand-pump boreholes and 60 sanitation blocks across 313 locations in Gboyin and Ekiti West Local Government Areas of the state.

The State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Deji Adesua made this known in Ado Ekiti at a meeting with traditional rulers of benefiting communities and ChairAbiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏ

Lawmaker lauds Danjuma on Nigeria Chijioke Kingsley Jos

ÏÏÏA member, representing Wukari /Ibi Federal constituency in Tarawa state, Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, has commended former Defence Minister, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma for his contribution to the development of Nigeria.

Lt General T Y Danjuma was honoured with a honourary Doctorate degree by the Senate of the University of Jos, last weekend, at the JT Useni Stadium, for his positive contributions to the growth of humanity.

Hon. Shiddi described Danjuma as a great philan-

thropist whose contributions was recognised by the Senate of the University of Jos, stressing that the minister has left his foot print towards the sacrifice for progress and development of Nigeria.

He noted that the contributions of Gen. Danjuma had brought the people of Kwararafa kingdom honour, as he expressed happiness with his record of achievements.

However, Shiddi stated that Taraba State is now experiencing relatives peace, but expressed sadness that some group of miscreants were taking advantage of

the fragile return of peace to be attacking villages to forment trouble.

Hon. shiddi lamented that the crisis in Taraba state is more political than the religion colouration being painted to the general public in order to attract sympathy.

He charged politicians to forget their political differences and cooperate with one another in order to work collectively towards the development and progress of Taraba State.

He added that time has come for Taraba people to unite, saying that the way and manner politicians handled the affairs at the state

Danjuma

level is nothing to write home about.

Shiddi explained that, he was particularly happy to see Kwararafa natives, both at home and in diaspora coming together to support the iconic TY Danjuma.

He also commended the University for the remarkable achievement in building love and understanding among Nigerians.

As activities marking the 55th year Independence Anniversary celebration of Nigeria started with Church service on Sunday, a cleric, Rev Dapo Asaju of Cathedral of St Peters Anglican Church, Abeokuta, has cursed the nation leaders, both past and present who contributed to the dwindling growth of the nation, saying they would not know peace in their life time.

Rev. Asaju, while delivering a sermon titled, “Nigeria in the eyes and hands of Almighty God”, at the church service to mark the country National Day Celebration, called on the congregation to continue to say amen to the curses,

plight of the people who had supported the party, to flush out the debilitating agony unleashed on them by the PDP. He observed that though the Ortom administration is facing financial challenges, "it is imperative that he fulfils this promise and the earlier he implements it the better for the ruling APC in the state."

According to the lawmaker, "other APC controlled states have already declared a free education policy and there is no excuse why Benue state cannot do it. A promise is a promise, and must be implemented for the sake of the impoverished masses of Benue". men of the Local Government Councils.

Reiterating the commitment of the Fayose-led administration to the provision of potable water in all nooks and cranny of the state, Mr. Adesua explained that the project would be implemented under the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme [WSSRP] III, at a counterpart funding ratio of 70% to EU/UNICEF, 18% to the state government, while the benefiting LGAs would pay 12%.

The Commissioner noted that the project would be of immense benefit to the people, stressing that it would address the problem of poor water supply and access to safe drinking water.

Cleric curses treasury looters posited that, many of the so-called leaders, both former and present ought to be in jail, considering impunity exhibited in looting the nation treasury.

“All those who had stolen our common treasure will never go unpunished.

All those who have destroyed the wealth of Nigeria, putting people into problem, let me hear you say judgment of the Lord will come upon them. All those mortgaging future of our youths and children, God Almighty will punish them. The judgment of God descends on them”, he declared.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

15 Opinion

Buhari needs hard talking ministers

K

‘‘ Taju Tijani

ings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth” Prov-

erbs 16:13 KJV. President Muhammadu Buhari has 100 days of warming the highest seat of power in the land has come and gone. We still remember with nostalgia May 29, 2015 as a day of audacious magic that brought back the optimism of our collective will for a new Nigeria.

To make a success of repositioning Nigeria, Buhari must begin to love his critics.

In retrospect, it is fact that ministerial silence doomed ex-President Jonathan’s presidency. During his tenure, Jonathan was a prisoner to a cabal that refused to say the truth but rather supported many of his bad decisions.

His ministers and advisers lost the commitment to relentlessly speak out against all odds, against ex-President Jonathan’s excesses and against all entrenched privileges. There was no gesture of defiance to save Nigeria, no statement of hope to cheer the intellect, no voices in their angry cadences to speak truth to power.

As a result, Goodluck Jonathan lost all radical determination to fix Nigeria. He made no concerted effort to swing the political pendulum away from suffocating corruption. PDP governors became predators who developed demonic and covetous attitude toward the total cleansing of our commonwealth.

It was a person like OkonjoIweala who lost the moral and patriotic battle to stand up to Jonathan and make a hell of a noise about the breathtaking bankruptcy of Nigeria’s economic condition.

Rather than advise ex- President Goodluck Jonathan on the mood of the nation, his advisers fooled him with the idea that adversarial political messages against Muhammadu Buhari will swing the vote for him. Nigerians were ready to decide the Manichean struggle between integrity and banality, good and evil, freedom and slavery and the desire for change. The soul of Nigeria was left in the hands of plutocratic technocrats who swallowed our riches in one gulp.

There was stark departure of collective outcry to speak truth to power and call former President Goodluck Jonathan to order on

these excesses. This is where Mohammadu Buhari must embrace a timely lesson on governance. If indeed it is true according to the proverbs above that kings value the man who speaks the truth, then Buhari must listen more to his future outspoken aides, critics and enemies more than his flatterers who want one favour or another.

What we want is ministers who will be courageous and patriotic enough to speak truth to power if the president is going adrift in his change agenda. We want ministers and advisers who will be audacious enough to trespass their turf by articulating cold truth without fear of retribution. Pursed lips or resignation to cowardice as happened during the time of ex- President Goodluck Jonathan among his ministers and aides should be seen as a crime against the voters who voted for change. Truth telling should no longer be silenced by material indulgence. Already, there is public outcry against President Mohammadu Buhari’s lopsided appointments, selective justice on war against corruption, his religious bigotry and even militarism. He has to listen to these critics and make necessary correction. Nigerians would

prefer a listening president who will respect the opinions and sentiments of internal and external critics who speak out against aberrations that might destroy the democratic renewal and reconstruction we all have been yearning for in the past 16 years. Rather than cosy up to his flatterers, he should rather warm up to his critics and respond to constructive ones with courage and conviction and admission of wrong in the true spirit of the time. If indeed integrity and honesty are the twin pillars of President Mohammadu Buhari’s change administration, then these values must be elastic enough to accommodate dissenting voices and irritating critics who may have valid reasons to disagree with his public policy formulations. His Ministers and advisers who are closer to him must enjoy the liberty to express their mind when things are going wrong with the ship of state. The ongoing tragic emblem where appointed government officials are turn into demagogues, see no evil and speak no evil zombies should now be outdated. The President should not be blindsided by sweet talk alone he also needs hard talk.

That is the true meaning of leadership.

Nigerians, road accidents and the blood of Jesus

I

Philip Obin

sincerely think that as Nigerians, we need to embrace science and technology, study it and understand it as much as we studied and understand religion and faith.

It will do us a great deal!

I am devoted Christian, but the way we allow religion and faith kill us is amazing! You board a vehicle from a motor park, with driver, and instead of trying to check and ask questions if the driver is qualified, licensed, fit, not under alcoholic influence we’ll rather prefer to donate monies to fake preachers who board to tell you how people die on road accidents because they did not donate monies to pastors.

They preach and tell you how to cover the driver, vehicle, tyres and steering with the blood of Jesus, and we all shout a loud ‘Amen’.

Why do we derive joy in looking for witches and wizards, when we fail to do the primary things to guaranty our safety? For how long can the blood of Jesus allow decrepit vehicles convey us from Abuja toLagos?

I will prefer we have technical experts visit motor parks, instead of fake pastors, and sensitise passengers on how to spot inex-

perienced, unlicensed or drunk drivers, and what to check out for before boarding any commercial vehicle. They should advice technically on the conditions of vehicles before going on the roads. The bad side is that Nigerians are not good in voluntary assignments that do not pay and road users will not be willing to give tips to such volunteers. They prefer to give to men of God who threaten them with hell fire and dangers.

This is why I prefer to fly when on long trips, because the road transport industry and system in Nigeria is suicide mission, and has little or no functional regulatory body and so anyone can bring any vehicle and anyone as driver.

Admittedly, our airways are not as safe, however, the industry is run by highly specialised professionals who have so much at stake in the event of any accident.

Created in February 1988, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, which functions generally relates to making the highway safe for motorists and other road users, has failed and its purpose almost defeated.

A similar body, the Vehicle Inspection Office Driver and Vehicle Licensing Administration (VIODVLA) which primary aim is to

standardise drivers’ license certification process and maintain a database of certified drivers and vehicles for the enforcement of road traffic laws in Nigeria, has also not lived up to expectations.

As the rate of road accidents increase in Nigeria on daily basis, it becomes urgent that the government looks into existing regulatory bodies or create new ones and mandate them to work closely with road transport companies.

I appeal we separate religion/ faith from reality (science and technology) because if we have good vehicles, good and fit drivers and new tyres, the rate of our road accidents on our roads will reduce, while a large amount of the blood of Jesus would be saved for better things.

We all know speed is a major factor in many accidents. However, speeding causes not all accidents and not all accidents are preventable. Yet there are steps you can take to help prevent accidents. These include driving slowly when the weather is bad.

Replace worn tyres and brakes as needed. Keep windshield washer fluid full and change out windshield wipers on a regular basis.

Not only do seatbelts keep you safe in an accident, it will help

avoid accidents as well. Seatbelts will hold you in place during an aggressive manouvre.

Back off and do not tailgate or allow others to tailgate you.

Do not assume the other vehicles will stop just because the light is red.Do not drive behind an 18-wheeler on the highway.

A blown tyre can cause an accident.

Do not rely on your mirrors when making a lane change. All vehicles have “blind spots” in which your mirrors cannot see.

Do not ride in the blind spots of other vehicles.

Always keep your windshield wipers going in the rain. Defrost your windshield to keep it from fogging up. Turn on your headlights to help others to see you– this is also the law in some states.

It is always best to have a “designated driver”. Never drive after you have had alcoholic beverages. Even one beer can alter your ability to drive safely.

Always use your signal, even if you think no one is there. When changing lanes on the freeway, do not signal as an afterthought or during the lane change. Signal at least a couple of seconds in advance so others know what you are going to do before you do it.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Features CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION IN UMUAHIA:

Gov. Ikpeazu introduces cement technology over asphalt

Ikpeazu

17

s Solution to the perennial road failures in Abia State is in the offing as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has completed one road construction using rigid pavement technology, a new innovation of testing the strength of cement in place of asphalt.

SUNDAY NWAKANMA inspected the road at Udeagbala and reports.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Aba cement road

The uncharted road to blue gem of Taraba

MINING

The blue gem of Taraba and its environmental cost

The Mambilla Plateau, located in the highland region of Taraba State of Nigeria, is a potential tourist haven with its beautiful and compelling scenery which rightly depicts the state as ‘Nature’s gift to the nation.’ But the economic potential it presents also becomes a threat to environmental degradation on account of poverty driven local miners who delve into the business

without knowledge and without training. GBUBEMI GOD’S COVENANT SNR examines the implication with attendant health hazard to the natives.

The highest Plateau in Nigeria, the Mambilla soars up to an altitude of about 1,600 metres (5,249 feet) above sea level.

Mambilla is a catchment area CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Some of our brothers who are from poor background and who have nothing doing, are here (mining site) keeping themselves busy. Some of them who didn’t even have ten naira to their name can today count millions of naira.

Some of them even sponsor their brothers and sisters’ education because of the proceeds from this mining.

– Youth leader

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Young boys and girls have voluntarily dropped school for blue stone CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

from which rainfall flows into rivers, lakes and streams. It enjoys an annual rainfall of 1,850 millimetres, and the rain which flows through the many rivers on the plains below the plateau, drains into smaller streams around which the blue sapphire is often found.

Popularly called ‘the blue stone’, the blue sapphire is regularly extracted from mineral stones by local miners, many of whom derive their source of livelihood from the sale of the precious gem. The tedious process of fetching the stones however involves the clearing of vast forests around the streams, after which pits are dug. These pits reduce the flow of water from the stream to make it easier for the local miners to search for the sapphire, but the environment suffers degradation, as a result.

The reduction in the flow of water from the streams into the forests, leads to dryer forests which negatively affects the ecology of the forests. The relationship of the living organisms (flora and fauna) to the physical environment of their forest habitat is affected, which could cause a ripple effect on the broader ecosystem of the region.

Also, heaps of the sand dug out from the pits, are often washed down the stream into the rivers.

The silting of the rivers with the sand, makes the rivers shallow.

Hence, the combination of the dryer forests and the heavilysilted rivers which eventually dry up during the dry season, grossly affects the livelihoods of the na-

tives living around the area. The farmers who rely on non-timber products from the forests become victims of the effects, and the fishermen no longer find abundant fishes to catch from the silted waters. The concomitant result is that many of these farmers and fishermen have out of frustration, abandoned their occupations and joined the local miners to dig for the blue sapphire.

Equally worrisome, is the fact that many young boys and girls have voluntarily dropped out of school to seek financial gains by becoming local miners of the blue stone.

The major factors causing the massive influx of men, women, youth and children into local mining to seek for these mineral stones, are illiteracy, unemployment and poverty, in addition to the perceived lack of organisation and an adequate legal framework in the solid minerals sector of Nigeria.

Musa Gide, a youth leader who lives in Jos, described how economically beneficial the mining business has been for the locals who participate in it. According to Gide, “some of our brothers who are from poor backgrounds and who have nothing doing, are here (mining site) keeping themselves busy. Some of them who didn’t even have ten naira to their name can today count millions of naira. Some of them even sponsor their brothers and sisters because of from the proceeds of this mining.”

Many believe that mining has brought relief from poverty and reduced crime. But the prominent question on the lips of not

a few environmentalists and concerned stakeholders is, whether the economic benefits derived by the local miners supersedes the devastating trend of the artisanal mining which, if allowed to continue unabated, will worsen the already deteriorating state of the environment.

Gilbert Nyanganji, an environmentalist, reckoned that, “to find a balance between a new source of income to the local inhabitants of the Plateau and to maintain the health of the ecosystem, lies the need to employ a sustainable means of extracting the minerals.

“It would be hard to tell the people to stop the local mining.

There has to be a synergy that

the mining still goes on locally to sustain people’s livelihoods from day to day, and also put the environment as a huge priority. If we don’t checkmate the situation (the environmental impact), we could have a problem of sanitation that would flow through the rivers into the River Niger and as far down as the Niger Delta.”

In the light of the foregoing, Mr. Isaac Boyi, a structural geologist has recommended that, “the Nigerian government needs to establish an ‘independent’ entity called the Solid Minerals Development Company. The independent entity would act like the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

A young girl searching for a blue gem

The new technology is more durable, more sustainable Ikpeazu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is testing out rigid pavement technology, the innovation of using concrete cement in place of asphalt in road construction on three roads and has scored a first with the completion of the 400 metres, ENUC Road, off Udeagbala in Aba. Other roads include Omeni Drive, by Aba Owerri Road and Owerri Road, off

Okigwe Road.

In a chat with Daily Times in Umuahia last week, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Godwin Adindu, said the construction engineers are currently using a mixture of crush rock-based materials and other items to achieve a thickness fill and compaction to the level of 300mm and then cast with concrete reinforcement with 8mm to 10mm high tensile (mesh

of wires) reinforcement bars over the stabilised base-course before treatment with prime coat and asphaltic concrete.

Ikpeazu said the new technology is more durable and more sustainable and will be extended to other roads in Abia in the years ahead.

Daily Times learnt that though CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Abia State on Nigerian Map

“The artisanal miners often delve into the sector with no knowledge about safe mining practices. There is the need for the government at national, state and local levels, to organise series of trainings for the local miners, to enlighten them on international best practices for safe mining operations, so as to prevent them from losing their lives and ruining the environment”.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

It would be hard to tell the people to stop the local mining CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Corporation) in the oil sector of Nigeria. It will easily acquire federal government permit over land areas where these resources exist.

“But because it might not have the capital to be able to mine, it will enter into partnerships with capable established mining companies, just as NNPC enters into joint ventures with Shell, Mobil, and others. There woud be expertise and necessary equipment, and the resources would be extracted safely. Production will be shared according to the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA).”

Unfortunately, the weak legal system regulating the mining sector in Nigeria has given room for artisanal mining to thrive indiscriminately, to the detriment of the environment. There is therefore an urgent need for the Buhari-led administration to enact effective policies, standards and regulations to be put in place to legally guide the artisanal mining practitioners.

Also, the artisanal miners often delve into the sector with no knowledge about safe mining practices. There is the need for the government at national, state and local levels, to organise series of trainings for the local miners, to enlighten them on international

The uncharted road to blue gem of Taraba

best practices for safe mining operations, so as to prevent them from losing their lives and ruining the environment.

With the shortfall in crude oil revenue owing to the cascading price of oil at the international market, it has absolutely become expedient for the Nigerian government to diversify the nation’s oil-based economy. Government must, as a matter of priority, develop the solid minerals sector as a viable option to boost the nation’s dwindling revenue. And looking towards the development of the solid mineral sector would seem as a viable option to boost the nation’s dwindling revenue, however the exploitation of solid minerals would come at a damaging cost to the environment.

Until a meaningful plan that takes cognizance of the environmental impact of mining blue shaphire is made and a safe method of extracting this mineral is found, the dream of a poverty free Mambilla Plateau will always remain a mirage. There is no gainsaying the fact that mineral resources are exhaustible and as such, government must consider it a priority to ensure that the nation’s diverse resources are wellharnessed, to keep the economy afloat regardless of the prevailing circumstance at any given time.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

the cost of this technology is higher than the conventional construction methods, the governor has chosen to experiment on it as a measure to strengthen the load bearing capacity of some roads in Abia and boost the strength and quality of the finished works. It is believed the technology boasts of sustainability guarantee of ten to twenty years.

Stating that the cement technology will address the challenges raised by the soil examination conducted on the three roads, Ikpeazu noted that the process involves soil stabilisation which is a process of introducing materials that have properties which the routine construction materials or naturally occurring materials lack to further strengthen pavement and improve the load bearing capacity of the roads.

The Governor further disclosed that the cement technology is used in the construction of airport run-ways, tarmac and places that carry high load bearing capacity machines and equipment.

Governor Ikpeazu is convinced the idea is a good solution for achieving sustainable roads in Nigeria, as it is better and of higher value than the conventional method of using only asphalt.

19 Features

The idea is a good solution for achieving sustainable roads in Nigeria - governor

Aba Cement Road

JUST HUMAN

8.20 a.m. Ojota-Ogudu Road Junction. Human mobile coffee Shop. Photo: God’s Covenant Snr 077

20

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

We won't spare MDAs, govt officials - Osun Assembly vows Sodiq Adekunle

Osogbo ÏÏÏOsun State House of Assembly has warned that no Ministry, Department and Agency (MDAs), as well as officials of the state government, would be spared in its efforts aimed at strengthening the system to ensure that the people got the best from their commonwealth.

It said it would go deeper and be more critical beyond its usual supervision to ensure effectiveness in the governance.

The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, dropped the hint while receiving the former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye

Oyinlola, who visited him.

“Of recent, we have been beaming our searchlight on the activities of some specific agencies of government and even contractors, because we have to step up to further enhance the performance of this government.

“We are ever ready to be more critical and go deeper. It does not mean that we want to witch hunt anybody, but to ensure that everyone secure the best in terms of raising the profiles of the masses and ensuring that financial appropriation served its purpose.

“Whether you are a contractor, a worker or even po-

litical office holders, everyone must be put on his toes.

No MDA would be spared in this operation. We want to scale up our supervision,” Salaam said.

He said that the Assembly would not approve the budget of any of the MDAs without convincing it about the performance of its last budget, most especially in the area of revenue generation.

Salaam, who used the avenue to address the issue surrounding the delay in the formation of standing committees of the House, said it would not, in any way, affect the oversight function of the Assembly

on the executive.

He said the Assembly was only taking its time to have good hands at various committees, so as to be able to deliver effectively.

“There is a need to understudy ourselves and see how we can make use of the potentials in the new members and put each of them at the appropriate committee where they can perform optimally,” Salaam said.

He lauded Oyinlola for the visit paid on him, saying the gesture was a demonstration of good leadership. Oyinlola commended the parliament for playing its role towards the development of the state.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left) in a handshake with the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani (right) during a thanksgiving Mass to mark the 55th anniversary of Nigeria's Independence, at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, on Sunday. With them is Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu (middle).

Isiaka, right groups condemn arrest of Amosun's critic, Ojo Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏCampaign Organisation of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNICO) and Centre for Media Rights Advocates (CMRA) have condemned the arrest and detention of an Abuja-based blogger, Emmanuel Ojo, by the police, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the weekend, on the alleged instruction of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Ojo was said to have been arrested by the Chief Security Officer to the governor, who allegedly led some security agencies attached

to Amosun, at Ibara, Abeokuta and was detained at Ibara police station, few meters away from the Government House.

Isiaka, who spoke through the Director of Publicity of his campaign organisation, Comrade Ifekayode Akinbode, said Ojo was arrested for a story exposing the alleged quizzing of Mrs, Olufunso Amosun, in London, for money laundering.

The story was said to have been posted by a foreign-based blogger and pasted on Ojo’s Facebook wall by hackers suspected to be working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, with in-

tention to implicate Ojo. Ojo had since denied knowledge of the story and made it known to the public that his Facebook wall was hacked by his detractors, who were working to silence him because of his hard stance on Amosun.

In the story, Mrs Amsoun, who has since denied the story, was alleged of being detained by London police for being in possession of US300, 000.

Akinbode said that since the day the story was found on Ojo’s Facebook walls, he had been haunted by Amosun thugs, who were working in conjunction with police attached to the Government House.

He said, “It is unbecoming of Amosun, who has been intolerant of opposition and critics to go after Ojo and frustrate all efforts to secure his bail, since Saturday. We know Ojo as a critic of the prolifigacy and bad governance going on in Ogun State, and it is sad to note that Amsoun would think nobody will criticise and make public his various lies. If Ojo’s Facebook was hacked and the story of how Amsoun’s wife was arrested for money laundering in London was pasted there and the government has denied it, why must Amosun's Chief Security Officer still go after Ojo, harass his wife and

21 News

Army denies casualty in Adamawa Boko Haram attacks Wale Akintunde Yola

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Army, on Sunday, said no casualties were recorded when Boko Haram insurgents launched attack on three villages in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The acting Brigade Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Col. A.P.A. Popoola, noted that even though he was not directly in charge of Madagali, the Commander of the 28 Task Force, Mubi, who was in

charge of the area, told him that no casualty was recorded in the attack.

Reports over the weekend indicated that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents had attacked three villages destroying over 50 houses in Madagali.

The fleeing insurgents who were hiding around the bushes and mountains in the area located few kilometres from Borno State boarder, it was learnt, launched attack on Sabon Gari, Kafin Hausa and Dutse Biyu villages where they destroyed residential buildings.

I’ll fulfil my electoral promises, Ambode assures Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏLagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend, gave an assurance to Lagosians that he would fulfill the electoral promises he made to them, especially in the areas of infrastructural renewal.

Ambode, who spoke at the 2015 Ojude Oba Epe Festival, held at the Epe Recreation Ground, Epe, said the infrastructural renewal drive of the previous administration in the state would receive adequate attention in the course of his administration.

“One of the things that we did promise during the campaign is that we would

Ikpeazu, Otti, preach peace, unity Sunday Nwakanma

Umuahia ÏÏÏGovernor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and the governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti, during the last Sallah celebration, urged the Muslim Community in the state to pray for the peaceful and united co-operate existence of the country.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, expressed his love and that of the state government to the Muslim brethren in the state. Ikpeazu enjoined them to use the occasion to preach and promote harmony in the state and the

continue with the infrastructural development of my predecessor, and at the same time improve on it and that’s what we’ve started with areas where we feel that there are immediate palliatives that we can give.

We have done that, but more importantly, is for us to improve on the network which Mr. Babatunde Fashola had started,” he said.

Ambode said that he used the first three months of his administration to set up an institutional framework, assuring that Lagosians would begin to witness development across the state.

He also assured the people of Epe that development would also get to the area. country.

He reminded the entire Muslim community to imbibe the significance of the celebration which is forgiveness and obedience to Allah.

The governor also commended the Muslim community for partnering with the government in its effort to uphold peace and unity in the country. On his part, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April general elections in the state, Dr. Alex Otti, urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion to pray for the continued unity and progress of the country.

Ikpeazu

22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

M

y attention has been drawn to the publication in Business Day Newspaper edition of August, 12, 2015, and in The Guardian of August, 13, 2015, where a disclaimer was issued on Barrister (Mrs.) Ifeyinwa Morah by I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited (ITDBC).

The publication was made in bad faith, and it is a deliberate attempt to malign my person (Morah), having served I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited for over 15 months. The Majority Shareholders reneged on the Shareholders’ Agreement we had made concerning Biannual Profit Sharing and Account Audits. Instead of meeting with me on the terms of

A REJOINDER that Shareholders’ Agreement the Majority Shareholders conspicuously resorted to inglorious newspapers publications, rather than recourse to the Courts vested with competent jurisdiction to adjudicate on our dispute.

In March 2014, a Bureau De Change licence that had remained idle for nearly a decade was given to me to revalidate and make the BDC operational. I worked relentlessly to revalidate the licence, after which comprehensive trading commenced in May, 2014. However to do this I was appointed Executive Director of the ITDBC with 31 percent shareholding in the company, in compliance with the CBN Act 1991, the Banks and Other Financial Institutions

Act 1991 and the Foreign Exchange [Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions] Act 1995. These changes were filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at its Headquarters in Abuja and so these facts are easily verifiable upon a Search of the Company at the CAC for any party disputing the truth of them.

For the purpose of clarity, I wish to state as follows: That I am part owner and Minority Shareholder of I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited, a fact which is verifiable with the Corporate Affairs Commission. I was appointed the Executive Director/ Business Development on May 8, 2014, with a shareholding of 11,000,000 shares of the entire 35,000,000 ordinary issued share capital of ITBDC.

My mandate by virtue of the agreement and Board of Director’s Resolution appointing me was to take ITDBC with its 8 year idle licence and make it into a profitable going concern. I was in charge of the day-today trading and I received no Salary Remuneration. Instead the Agreement by the Shareholders was that I was entitled to the following: 1) Five percent commission of total business transactions of forex sales or transfers to Sifax Group of Companies/ subsidiaries. 2) 20 percent commission of total transaction forex sales to clients outside Sifax.

The Extra Ordinary Resolution of ITDBC of 8th May 2014, the Board Continued Continuedon onpage page23 ??

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Continued on page ??

A REJOINDER

Continued from page 22 of Directors’ Resolution of 9th May and the Agreement of 16th January 2015 show these incontrovertible facts.

At the end of August 2015, the business, which commenced with a working capital of N8 million, had grown its total assets in cash to N118 million. All efforts made to persuade the chairman of ITBDC to keep the Agreement (of January 16 2015) and prepare the accounts of ITBDC, audit same and pay the agreed remuneration

on half year operating income, were rebuffed. In my relentless work to reinvigorate ITDBC I was robbed and stabbed on Eko Bridge. $40,000 was stolen and my Honda Accord car smashed and damaged, and yet when I had recovered from my injuries and sought redress from the Chairman of Sifax again these fell on deaf ears.

I am a signatory to all the bank accounts, and therefore, could not have stolen money from a company I jointly own. My actions were to force the Majority Shareholders in ITBDC to come to

a round table to discuss the issue.

The false disclaimer published in both the Business Day Newspaper on August 12, 2015, and in The Guardian, on August 13, 2015, are mischievous, ridiculous and a calculated attempt to distort facts and maliciously denigrate my reputation.

I hereby request that the present management of ITBDC desist from this malicious publication forthwith, failing which I shall not hesitate to seek full redress upon the force of the law and the Courts.

23

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Terrorism, bombs don’t know religions, ethnic origins – Osinbajo ÏÏÏVice-President

Yemi Osinbajo said, on Sunday, that terrorist bombers never asked questions about the religious persuasion of their victims or their ethnic origin before causing havoc and destruction.

He spoke at an inter-denominational church service marking the country’s 55th Independence Day coming up on October 1.

“I have travelled the length and breadth of this nation, especially in the northeastern parts, in the last few months and I have seen children, women, men, who were bomb victims.

I have seen the dead, the wounded and the sick. The truth of the matter is that the bulk of all those that I have seen – Moslems and Christians – there were

those who professed no particular faith, but were all Nigerians. And one thing that united them was that they were all poor, and in camps for internally displaced persons (IDP),” Osinbajo said.

Accordingly, he urged Nigerians to stand together against terrorism and poverty, adding that “when a bomb goes off in Potiskum or in a market in Maiduguri or Gombe, it does not ask if you are a Christian or a Muslim; it does not. It never asks if you are Yoruba or Igbo, or Hausa.”

The Vice-President therefore urged religious and political leaders to emphasise only what united the people of Nigeria and not what divided them.

According to him, leaders “must understand that

terrorism is not a contest between Christians and Muslims, it goes well beyond that. It is our duty not to pursue narratives that divide us. It is our duty to do everything that unites us. We must ensure that we don’t create further divisions, but that we bind together those divisions; that is our duty.”

He lamented that Nigeria had been divided against ethnic and religious lines for far too long, calling for total unity of the country.

“That unity is so crucial; so important. It is all that will make a difference in the next few years,” he stated.

He also noted that one of Nigeria’s major problems, was that “we play politics with everything, but the

fate of over 110 million extremely poor Nigerians have not been the central concern of anyone.”

He said it is the fate of those vast majority of Nigerians, who were poor that should be our concern as a people.

Praying that, at 55, Nigeria will experience double grace, since number “5” stood for grace, the VicePresident also wished Nigerians a time of double favour in their personal life.

In a sermon at the service, Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, challenged Islamic leaders in the country to stand up in strong condemnation of perpetrators of the evil called ‘insecurity’, if Nigeria must remain one indivisible nation.

Bayelsa primary: N’Delta leaders seek Oshiomhole’s removal

ÏÏÏ Some Niger Delta leaders on under the aegis of the Niger Delta People’s Movement (NDPM), have advised Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to shun politics of witch-hunting, imposition and urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stand firmly by bringing Chief Timipre Sylva to power in December 2015.

The leaders of the group accused Oshiomhole of conniving with some aspirants to sabotage Sylva’s efforts at the party’s governorship primary.

“We respectfully request the national lead-

ership of the party to remove Adams Oshiomhole as the Chairman of the State’s Electoral Committee due to his inability to perform the duties required of him by the party.”

The leaders also pledged to support the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva for the state’s topmost political seat.

In a statement issued after the meeting by NDPM spokesperson, Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua, the leaders hinged their support for Sylva on his landmark achievements as former chief executive officer of the state.

Monarch laments youth unemployment

since he assumed the stool of his forefather a decade ago.

He said that despite the challenge and with the cooperation of the community, youth restiveness has been curtailed in his domain.

The Magaji Aare spoke with journalists in Ilorin during a special prayer to mark his 10 years anniversary on the throne.

He commended the state government for creating jobs for the people of the state, but stressed that government alone cannot do it.

Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

L-R: Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe and Deputy Governor’s wife, Nnenna at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service to mark Nigeria's 55th Independence and the 19th anniversary of Ebonyi State in Abakaliki… on Sunday

ÏÏÏA frontline traditional chief in Kwara State, the Magaji Aare of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubair has lamented the high rate of youth joblessness in his domain.

He said fixing jobless youths in his domain had been his greatest challenge

Bilikisu Yusuf, a shining light of journalism -Atiku Olatorera Dickson-Amusa Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer

Ebonyi Muslim community decries marginalisation Jacob Mbam

Abakaliki ÏÏÏLeaders of Muslim community in Ebonyi State, have alleged tmarginalisation and being discriminated against by successive governments in the state.

The traditional ruler of Muslim community in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Eze O. Ajah, made the people's feelings known when they paid sallah homage to Governor Dave Umahi.

Alhaji Eze Ajah, who decried the trend, appealed to the governor to enlarge the scope of participation of Muslims in the governance

of the state.

He noted that Muslims found their relevance only in Ebonyi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, and were being confined strictly in the board alone as if there was no other area they could perform well.

He told the governor that Muslims in the state deserved more appointments into various offices in the state.

He said: "Your Excellency, frankly we feel greatly marginalised and discriminated against because of our religious belief and it is a bitter truth that must be said.”

He stressed that no Muslim has ever been considered worthy to make Ebonyi State Executive Council since October 1, 1996 till date, saying the action was contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

Eze Aja, who stated that Muslims in the state has Doctorate degree holders, Professors, Lawyers, etc, lamented the rationale behind the marginalisation.

He frowned that Muslim faithful are usually schemed out in political appointment because of re-

ligious sentiments, bias and stereotypism.

He urged the governor to give them more roles in fulfillment of their civic obligation, knowing full well that they are obedient, loyal, and partners of his administration.

Responding, Governor Umahi, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, thanked the Muslim community for their peaceful conduct in the state, and pledged to always support them any time. He also pledged to give the requests and complaints of the Muslims speedy attention.

Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep regret and sorrow over the tragedy that struck Muslim pilgrims during a stampede in Mecca where hundreds of lives were lost, among them a senior Nigerian female journalist, and nine other victims from Nigeria.

In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, Atiku described the incident as one of the saddest accidents to have befallen Muslims in recent memories.

The former Vice President noted that such colossal loss of human life was rare and remarkably regrettable, adding that the Muslim world should be united in grief and offer prayers

to God to avert this kind of accident of calamitous proportion.

The Turaki Adamawa said life is so precious that whoever dies, the world should be united in grief because, "we are bound by our common humanity.

Atiku advised that "we learn lessons from these tragic incidents, and take precautionary measures to-

Bilikisu

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Our Heritage

25

s

Layiwola

Shyllon

Culture, tourism experts set agenda for incoming minister Agozino Agozino For the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, its 16 years of existence so far, is like one step forward, two steps backward.

Never headed by an industry practitioner, apart from the immediate past Minister, Chief Edem Duke, since former President Olusegun Obasanjo created it in 1999, the Ministry remains a weeping child swimming challenges. However, culture and art practitioners are keeping their

Buhari

announcement of a new Minister for the ministry by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is because within the 16year old Ministry, the change of guard, which had happened 13 times, had never yielded good fruits. Rather, such changes have, arguably, stagnated development in the ministry. Some who have headed the ministry since inception include, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, Ms Boma Bromillow–Jack, Amb. Frankline Ogbuewu, Dr. Babalola Borishade, Chief Femi FaniKayode, Prince Adetokunbo

Kayode, Sen. Jibril Bello Gada and most recently , High Chief Edem Duke, a practitioner in the sector, whose tenure was very worrisome. The fear of the sector practitioners is that another nonperformer or non-member of the Speaking with Daily Times, some of the practitioners urged President Buhari to ponder what the country would lose or gain with a continuation of the system where artistes never get the chance to run their ministry.

According to frontline art collector and founder of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Prince Yemisi Shyllon, in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a destination for arts and culture, “We need a practical person, who knows what the sector wants. The President should be careful in appointing just anybody to occupy the seat because arts and culture has Globally renowned artist and philanthropist, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye, advised that the new Culture and Tourism Minister should not be a petty-minded person but one who will have a listening ear and carries everyone

along. “I am happy because Nigeria is blessed with talents and creativity. So with the right person in charge, Nigeria will attract global patronage. I will like the new Minister to ensure he works with all stakeholders to move the sector forward. He should not be vindictive but look at what his predecessors did and see how to continue with it”, Okundaye advised.

Head of the Department of Creative Art, University of Lagos, Prof. Peju Layiwola, said that expectations were high on who becomes the new Minister of Culture. “You know the problem we always have is that we

someone who cannot perform.

Please I am advising the President to look very well before announcing any new name. I pray that we get the right person this time around”.

One political bigwig once in the sector when he gasped in disgust when he was named the culture minister. He, reportedly, asked those around him: “Culture ministry of all places? What does that mean? What do they want me CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26 Our Heritage

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Culture, tourism experts set agenda for incoming minister

whole. The town has also produced eminent technology expert like the one time Minister of Technology, Professor Gordon Ezekwe, among others. so much that it was believed that the gate to the Queen Elizabeth of England was constructed by an Awka blacksmith.

However, all that has change today as the once booming blacksmithing culture is gradually going into extinction. According Kenneth Nwakwo, an Awka indigene, based in Lagos, the major factor militating against neglect for the culture.

“Blacksmithing is going into extinction in Awka today because the various governments have refused to take interest in the profession. My people have been complaining that government should not leave the sector to dye but since then, nothing is Daily Times.

He added, “Many young people are also responsible for the dying blemishing culture because the young people do not want to be known as a blacksmith. Our youths are ashamed to take up the profession believing that there is no instant money in it. They will rather prefer to work in banks or oil companies where they can make Nwankwo narrated the ordeal of his cousin who took to the profession but later dropped it because he was not making quick money compared to his mates in other business. “My Cousin Jude went into the profession while we were at home. He started practicing in Awka, but we were surprised when he dropped it because of the pressure from his age mates who are making big money in other business. And we could not

Okundaye CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

to do there?”

Operators in the sector are wishing that the new person at the helm of affairs is humane enough to bend backward and learn from the practitioners rather than see the ministry as a wasteland. He must be aware that elsewhere; the industries in Culture, Tourism and National Orientation are never a wasteland because of their immense social, economic and political powers.

The operators are also awaiting the new Minister to pursue serious actions against piracy of intellectual property as well as issues on getting UNESCO recognition and endorsement for several historical sites and unique festivals in Nigeria. Importantly, the sector is praying for a minister who will help them get a better budget appropriation from the Presidency.

Presently, there is a challenge in curbing the current backward slide in general reading culture.

Children, as well as adults, seldom read.

The situation is worsened by the growing popularity of the cheap game-addiction culture which keep the youngsters glued to desktops and televisions.

Another thing that has affected the tradition according to Nwankwo is the use of inadequate tool to boost output. “The equipment for because we are no longer living in olden days. People should not be allowed to use old technology of you look around today, you will see that technology has affected almost

Blacksmithing art may go into extinction in Awka Awka, the capital city of Anamabra State is known for blacksmithing called Ikpu Uzu, no wonder even the traditional ruler of the town is knows and referred to as Eze Uzu, that is King of blacksmith.

This tradition in the olden days made the town popular as the base of technology in Eastern part of the country and indeed, in Nigeria as a

Nwankwo is therefore of the opinion that government should come to rescue the profession by way of making loans available to remaining practitioners so they can by modern equipment and technology. He said such gesture will make the once popular profession attractive to the young ones who after doing the work manually have lost interest in the job.

Nwankwo is of the view that many products that are being imported into the country today from oversea could be produced in Awka. “ I am sure that Awka would have produced many of this things people go to import from China today if government had looked into

Monday, September 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

ADI

12 Nigerian footballers detained in Ukraine

enters Portland Timbers history books

U

krainian border guards have detained a team of 12 Nigerian footballers at Kiev’s Boryspil International Airport because there was no arrangement in place to welcome them at the airport and there was no scheduled competitions for the team.

For those reasons, the guards concluded that the Nigerian team arrived their country under the guise of footballers in order to gain entry.

Ukrainian State Border Guard Service in a statement said the 12 detained Nigerians arrived the Kiev’s Boryspil International Airport aboard an Istanbul-Kiev flight on Thursday for a supposed match in Trans arpathian region in Western Ukraine without any arrangement in place to welcome neither them nor scheduled competitions for them.

According to the statement, “The citizens said they arrived in Ukraine to play in a match that would take place in the Trans-Carpathian region but became suspicious when there was no one waiting at the airport to receive or welcome the team.

Aside that, the guards also found out that the team had no means to sustain them in Ukraine while they also could not give true reasons for their trip to western Ukraine hence there was alleged to be fake footballers.

27

F

anendo Adi etched his name into Portland Timbers folklore after scoring a brace in their 2 - 1 win over Columbus Crew on Sunday morning .

His 28th and 50th minute goals took his tally this season to 12 goals and set a club record for the highest number of goals netted by a player in a single - season in the MLS. After playing 29 games in the league, the Nigerian striker has notched up four braces, the same

tally he had as at this time during the 2014 season.

Also, Adi’s pair of goals today at MAPFRE Stadium saw him surpass his personal scoring record in a single season which he set during the 2013 - 14 campaign after netting 10 goals cumulatively in the colours of AS Trencin and FC Copenhagen.

The 24- year - old and Portland Timbers will next take to the pitch on Sunday, October 4 when they face Sporting KC.

UGWUADU PANATHINAIKOS STEALS THE MIDFIELDER, HEADLINES IN AJAGUN NETS NORWAY GAME-WINNER

A

maiden goal by Onyekachi Ugwuadu saved Sarpsborg 08 from defeat in their Norwegian Premier League tie at the Skagerak Arena against Chuks Akabueze’s Odd Grenland.

While the Nigeria international lasted the distance, Sarpsborg’s new signing Ugwuadu hopped off the bench in the 68th minute in what was his second ever game as a professional.

In the first minute of stoppage time,

the 18 - year - old striker restored parity for his side after Pape Diouf had put the home team in front in the 13th minute.

Prior to today’s game, Onyekachi Ugwuadu only had a brief taste of first - team football when he came off the bench in the 88th minute in Sarpsborg 08’s 3 - 1 win over IK Start on September 13.

The Gee Lec IFA product is tied to the Tippeligaen club until the end of the 2019 season.

A

assisted Ajagun bdul Panathinaikos beat Platanias 1- 0 on game week five in the Greek Super League.

At Stadio Apóstolos Nikolaidis in Athens, the attacking midfielder registered his second goal in the league this term in the first minute of first - half stoppage time as The Greens secured all three points though they were not at their best.

Four days ago, the ex Flying Eagles skipper opened his Panathinaikos scoring account, netting after 19 minutes in the 3 - 0 win over Levadiakos.

With four wins from their first five games, Panathinaikos sit second on the table, with three points separating them from Brown Ideye’s Olympiakos.

Next Saturday, October 3, Abdul Ajagun and his teammates are guests to Xanthi.

Abdullahi Shehu happy with Super Eagles invitation

U

nião da Madeira’s Abdullahi Shehu says his invitation to the Super Eagles is a dream come true, adding that he had always harbored the ambition of playing under coach Sunday Oliseh.

There were raised eyebrows in some quarters over the invitation of Shehu , with suggestions that his call - up was fast-tracked especially as the midfielder has found playing opportunities difficult to come by in the

Primeira Liga in the young season.

But the former Kano Pillars star hopes to silence his critics next month and is hoping to get on the pitch in the friendlies against Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

“I’m really happy over the invitation for the friendlies next month, ” Abdullahi Shehu said to allnigeriasoccer.com.

“I can’t wait to get started playing under Oliseh, it has always been my dream and I’m ready to fight for my place.

“I’m very sure Super Eagles will win all the matches and I hope I will be in both games against DRC and Cameroon.”

It may be wrong to call Abdullahi Shehu a rookie Super Eagles invitee, having traveled to the United States with the national team for a pre - World Cup friendly against Mexico but he was one of the five players that didn’t get match time.

“I was in the list of players for the friendly against Mexico last year in USA but I did not play any minute, I’m on the bench,” added Shehu.

The 22 - year - old Abdullahi Shehu represented the Flying Eagles at the 2013 Fifa Under 20 World Cup before starring for the Super Eagles at the African Nations Championship the following year.

Abdullahi

SHEYI OJO EARNS COACH PRAISE AS DOMINIC IORFA CLOSES TO BREAKING DUCK

W

Iorfa

o l v e s manager K e n n y Jackett was unhappy that his side could only pick up a point when they faced Preston North End ( 1 1) in the English

Championship on Saturday.

And the gaffer went on to point out that a couple of players fluffed several scoring opportunities including Anglo - Nigerian fullback Dominic Iorfa, who would have netted his first goal as a professional but failed to convert his header.

“Iorfa had a good chance with a header, Le Fondre with a header, and

Afobe probably had three good chances which he will be disappointed he didn’t convert, ” Jackett told wolves.co.uk.

Twenty five minutes from time, Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo stepped out onto the Deepdale Stadium pitch for his ninth appearance of the season across all competitions and the coach admitted that he added more width in attack.

“We changed it around late on and tried to give it some freshness and Ojo gave us some good penetration down the left which he has done when coming on, ” Kenny Jackett added.

Nigeria international Carl Ikeme was an unused substitute against Preston while the teenage striker Bright Enobakhare did not make the 18 - man squad.

28

Monday, September 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

FEATURES

LVG:

ENGLISH CLUBS CAN PROGRESS IN EUROPE

M

anchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes the four English clubs can all progress from the UEFA Champions League group stage - although the boss admits the physicality of the Barclays Premier League might affect performance in Europe’s premier competition.

The Reds suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss at PSV Eindhoven in the opening Group B match earlier this month and hope to bounce back by defeating Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

It was well documented that City also lost their first pool match to Italian side Juventus at the Etihad Stadium before Arsenal were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Dinamo Zagreb, with Chelsea being the only English side to triumph on matchday one following their 4-0 home win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s big game against the Bundesliga club, Wolfsburg, van Gaal assessed

why the famed competitiveness of the Premier League could prove to be disadvantageous in Europe and also explained why squad rotation is perhaps the key to success.

“The Premier League is a very difficult league,” he said. “To beat your opponent every week is not easy, it is always a struggle and a battle. Then you have to play again mid-week in the Champions League and that is the difference between all the clubs in Europe. It is not predictable to say four teams in the Premier League shall overcome this group stage round, no, it is not like that. But I have to say that we have the teams to do it and we have the quality to do it.

“The difficulty is that all these players are in a rat race and that takes a lot out of the players, which is why you have to rotate and that is what I am doing now because I have to protect my players. I am unlucky because I have only one position that is not doubled and that is the

position from Luke Shaw, but I had a double because I had Blind and I had Rojo. But now who is injured? Rojo!

“Rojo has not played so much.

He has trained for three or four weeks very hard, then he played for Argentina for 70 minutes, 50 minutes against Swansea City and then 70 minutes in the last match at Southampton. It was a very good building up but he is injured; that is unlucky. We can solve the problem with other players but not a specialist like Shaw. Blind is not the specialist.

Rojo is more of a specialist because he plays that position for Argentina, which is why he played the last time there. The left full-back position demands more of the capacity of a player.

“I say we have to play SundayTuesday, Sunday-Wednesday, so between the matches we cannot recover all of the tiredness. Then we have to play against a European squad who is willing to give everything against us. They don’t

have a rat race in their competition and that is the difference.”

Wolfsburg arguably lost their best player, Kevin De Bruyne, when he was sold to Manchester City in the summer but the German club spent big on his replacement by signing Julian Draxler from Schalke on transfer deadline day. Van Gaal knows the player well and acknowledges his ability.

“He was a very young talent when I was there [in Germany, managing Bayern], so I know him,” the Reds boss said. “He has to go on a long road like [Anthony] Martial, although it could be a little bit shorter because

he has been playing longer on that level. He is a very good player.”

Like many football fans, van Gaal was also impressed when Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski scored five goals in nine minutes during a 5-1 win over Wolfsburg in midweek.

“Of course I saw, but I see also the first half and Wolfsburg were very strong. It is unbelievable that it happens in nine minutes. I have seen it when I was at Barcelona and we play Valencia and we lost 3-4 having been leading 3-0, but that was in 15 minutes. A little bit less than the five in nine minutes!”

Monday, September 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

ing l c y C

LANCE ARMSTRONG L

Armstrong

Cricket

EX-ENGLAND FAST BOWLER DIES AT 85

F

1956, and paceman Stuart Broad who took 8-15 at Trent Bridge earlier this year.

After retiring at the age of 30 with 767 first-class wickets to his name, Tyson later emigrated to Australia, where he became a successful coach, commentator and writer.

Despite his injury-hit, relatively short international career, Tyson was hailed as the fastest bowler of his era by Australian legends Sir Donald Bradman and the late Richie Benaud, as well as his rival Trueman.

Former Australia batsman Dean Jones tweeted: “Sad to hear that Frank Tyson has passed away. Ex Vic coach. I was his student for a few of his books.

Terrific cricketer. Terrific bloke.”

Hamilton overtakes Rosberg to win in Japan

M

ercedes returned to the front of Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton dominated the Japanese Grand Prix to put a stranglehold on the title race.

Uncompetitive in Singapore last weekend, Mercedes were imperious as Hamilton stroked to victory and Nico Rosberg fought back to finish second.

The German fell back after being forced wide by Hamilton as the teammates battled in the first two corners.

The manner with which Hamilton took the lead may create tension in the team.

But Rosberg fought back to pass

SETTLES £6.6M ROW OVER TOUR DE FRANCE PAYMENTS

ance Armstrong has settled a 10year dispute with an insurance firm over the repayment of $10m (£6.6m) paid to the cyclist before he admitted to doping.

The American, 44, received the money from SCA Promotions Inc in relation to his seven Tour de France victories.

He was ordered to pay it back after losing a lawsuit in February.

“I’m pleased to have this matter behind me and I look forward to moving on,” said Armstrong, who also apologised to the Dallas-based company.

FRANK TYSON:

ormer England and Northants fast bowler Frank Tyson has died at his home in Australia at the age of 85.

Lancashire-born “Typhoon” Tyson’s Test career lasted less than five years, but in 17 Tests he captured 76 wickets at a remarkable average of 18.56.

He shone brightest as England won the 1954-55 Ashes series down under.

Chosen ahead of fellow quick bowler Fred Trueman, Tyson took 28 wickets in five Tests, including 7-27 in the second innings at Melbourne.

In terms of England bowling performances in the Ashes, that 7-27 has only since been bettered by two bowlers - spinner Jim Laker, who took 9-37 and 10-53 at Old Trafford in

29

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel after his second pit stop.

Vettel’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen took fourth, by leapfrogging Williams’s Valtteri Bottas in the same phase of the race.

Hamilton’s eighth victory in 14 races extends his championship lead to 48 points with 125 still available in the remaining five grands prix.

Hamilton started from second behind Rosberg after making two mistakes on the single qualifying lap. The huge accident suffered by Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat ended the qualifiying session prematurely.

Armstrong has not revealed how much he has paid SCA as part of the settlement.

SCA initially refused to pay out money covering the bonus for Armstrong’s sixth Tour de France win in 2004.

The cyclist won an arbitration hearing against the company in 2005, after the contract between the parties stipulated the insurance money would be payable if Armstrong was the “official winner” of the Tour.

He was awarded $2.5m (£1.65m) in damages and costs, in addition to the $7.5m (£4.94m) of payments he received from SCA.

SCA demanded repayment in 2013, after Armstrong was stripped all seven of his Tour de France titles and issued with a life ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

During a 2013 television interview with American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong confessed he used banned performance-enhancing drugs throughout much of his cycling career.

After settling the dispute, Armstrong said: “I do wish to apologise to SCA, and its chief executive Bob Hamman, for any misconduct on my part in connection with our dispute and the resulting arbitration.”

Rugby World Cup 2015: Ireland 44-10 Romania

I

reland moved back to the top of Pool D after a bonus-point win over Romania in front of a tournament record attendance of 89,267 at Wembley.

Tries from Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls helped Ireland lead 18-3 at halftime with Simon Zebo excelling.

Earls’ second touchdown after the break saw him equal Brian O’Driscoll’s Irish record of seven World Cup tries.

Bowe then got his second try with Chris Henry and Rob Kearney also on target before Ovidiu Tonita’s late reply.

A concern for the Irish was an apparent ankle knock picked up by regular full-back Kearney, who had come on as a replacement, as he scrambled over for Ireland’s fifth try.

Bowe, and particularly Zebo, both

advanced their claims for involvement in Ireland’s tougher upcoming Pool D tests against Italy and France over the next two weekends.

Ian Madigan performed impressively at fly-half with Henry and Devin Toner

also very effective in the pack.

But whether the performance was clinical enough to cause Joe Schmidt to deviate from the front-line side, which started in the opening win over Canada, must be open to doubt.

WUHAN OPEN: KONTA BEATS PETKOVIC

H

eather Watson to play Jelena Jankovic not before 06:00 BST. Maria Sharapova plays Barbora Strycova, not before 11:30 Great Britain’s Johanna Konta beat German world number 17 Andrea Petkovic 6-4 7-5 to advance to the second round of the Wuhan Open in China.

The 24-year-old will meet Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after her second win of the season over the 2014 French Open semi-finalist.

World number 63 Konta has now won 19 of her last 20 matches since losing to Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon.

She is within four ranking places of British number one Heather Watson.

Watson, who like Konta came through two rounds of qualifying in Wuhan, plays Serbia’s former world number one Jelena Jankovic on Monday.

Konta

30

Monday, September 28, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

MESSI

LEWANDOWSKI

IS A GOAL MACHINE, SAYS MATS HUMMELS

B

orussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has heaped praise on former teammate Robert Lewandowski after he took his goals tally past the 100 mark.

Lewandowski, who swapped Dortmund for Bayern Munich in 2014, netted twice against Mainz on Saturday, having scored five in midweek, to take his Bundesliga scoring record to 101.

Poland international Lewandowski will come up against Hummels next weekend and the World-Cup winner insists there will be no hard feelings

at the Allianz Arena.

Lewandowski, who also scored five goals against Wolfsburg in midweek, is hounded by four Mainz players Lewandowski, who also scored five goals against Wolfsburg in midweek, is hounded by four Mainz players ‘I had an incredulous smile on my face when Lewy (Lewandowski) scored his five goals, since I don’t see the shirt or the club for which he plays, just an exceptional striker,’ Hummels told Bild am Sonntag.

‘You can enjoy his goals, even as part of BVB. He is a complete ma-

chine. No matter what he does, he doesn’t have to answer to anyone. He did something unpredictable and extraordinary a t BVB.’ Bayern currently sit top of the Bundesliga table having won all seven of their games so far this season, conceding just three and scoring a whopping 23.

MANCHESTER CITY SHIFTS ATTENTION FROM POGBA TO

Thiago made only 13 appearances for Bayern last season in another injury-hit campaign for the former Barcelona starlet, but he has been a far more regular fixture in Pep Guardiola’s side this term. And that brings up another interesting possibility.

Guardiola is the man who reared Thiago at Barcelona, and then brought him to Bayern. The former Barca boss has been frequently linked with a move to the Etihad -- despite current manager Manuel Pellegrini’s contract extension -- for some time now.

ionel Messi suffered a knee injury early in Saturday’s La Liga game at home to Las Palmas and will now face seven to eight weeks on the sidelines, according to the club.

The incident happened inside the opening stages at the Camp Nou, when Messi cut inside from the right wing, and his left-footed shot was blocked by visiting defender Pedro Bigas.

The Argentine received treatment to his left knee on the pitch, then tried to continue for a few minutes, but soon admitted he could not Messi continue and was replaced by youngster Munir El Haddadi with

just 10 minutes played.

After initial inspection in the dressing-room, Messi was quickly taken to the nearby Creu Blanca hospital for tests on the injured joint. After leaving the clinic on foot he was back at the Camp Nou by the final whistle.

Barca released a statement saying the injury was serious enough to rule Messi out of action for up to two months -making him a doubt for El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Nov. 21.

“Tests carried out on Leo Messi have confirmed that the player has suffered a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee,” the statement said. “The time out will be approximately between seven and eight weeks.”

“I’m always sad when one of my players gets injured, and even more when it’s Messi,’’ manager Luis Enrique said after the game.

“But we need to accept the challenge and understand that this is part of football and get through it.

Ibrahimovic

THIAGO ALCANTARA S ome three weeks after transfer deadline day, though, and reports suggest that Manchester City have already turned their attentions elsewhere. According to Goal, Man City have resigned themselves to Pogba departing for Barcelona next summer, and are now working to line up Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara instead.

Manchester City have begun to focus their attentions on prising Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich next summer.

out 7-8 weeks after injury L

IBRAHIMOVIC,

CAVANI

DI MARIA score in PSG win

Z

Alcantara

latan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria scored as Paris St-Germain came from behind to beat Nantes and maintain their unbeaten start.

Ibrahimovic struck after 48 minutes to cancel out a first-half header from midfielder Yacine Bammou.

Cavani headed home a Di Maria free-kick on 73 minutes, before the Argentina midfielder chipped the third from a Javier Pastore pass.

Paris travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday, before hosting Marseille in the league next Sunday.

Lyon, last season’s runners-up, trail PSG by eight points after suffering a 3-1 defeat at mid-table Bordeaux.

Former Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci scored twice as Bastia won 3-0 against Toulouse, while topflight newcomers GFC Ajaccio are still searching for their first win after losing 2-0 at Caen.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Yinka Odumakin

ÎÎÎ Now to the real deal.

I met you at the 2014 National Conference and worked closely with you at the Political Restructuring Committee which you co-chaired with General Ike Nwachukwu . Your suaveness enamoured you to members of the committee from all divides though any keen watcher could easily see how your countenance swung during contentious issues.

We also spent several nights together at the Consensus Building Group meetings hosted by High Chief Raymond Dokpesi with Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as co-convener. We used that broad coalition to build understanding around major contentious issues which were bound to tear apart an assembly of a multi-ethnic country that had lived in denial for decades.

You were a member of virtually every committee put together by the Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, whose diplomatic background helped in no small measure in ensuring that frayed nerves were calmed at every junc-

Letter to Kumalia: This March of Folly! (2) ture. In spite of attempts to blackmail him and Conference Chairman by some Northern delegates, the conference owed much of its success to those diplomatic moves.

Thus a conference that was to collapse over majority threshold at the onset was able to conclude without dividing the house once as attested to by Justice Idris Kutigi as he presented the conference report to then President Goodluck Jonathan. “Mr. President, we approved over 600 resolutions; some dealing with issues of law, issues of policy and issues of constitutional amendments. These resolutions did not deal with frivolous or inconsequential issues.

We showed courage in tackling substantial and fundamental issues.”

He added: “Not once did we have to vote or come to a division. This is a message that we wish the world to hear loud and clear. Nigerians are capable of not only discussing their differences but are also capable to coming up with solutions to these difficulties.”

Those resolutions are available at: 2014nationalconferencereports.com.

The only issue that hung at the end of the conference was the derivation formula. We already had a consensus that the 13 percent be increased to 18 percent while 5 percent of the Federation account should be devoted over a 10 year

Kumalia

period to the exploration of mineral resources in all states of Nigeria with another 5 percent of Federal Government revenue to be set aside to take care of disasters in all parts of the country starting with the North East.

You guys broke trust when Prof. Gambari was asked by Gen. Nwachukwu to present the decision to plenary and he unilaterally changed it to read that the funds should be for only North East and North West. The uproar that followed that perfidy was doused by the confer-

W E A T H E R ABUJA

31 Opinion

ASABA

LAGOS

Low 23°C High 33°C

Low 24°C High 33°C

Low 24°C High 33°C

KADUNA

IBADAN

ILORIN

Low 22°C High 33°C

Low 23°C High 31°C

Low 23°C High 34°C

ence decision to throw the issue to the President who should set up a technical committee on it.

Your call for the dumping of the reports of the last ditch effort to save Nigeria flows from the negative triumphalism and myopia some of you up North have exuded since March 28, 2015 when you achieved REGIME CHANGE (“Bring Back Our Domination”) which some folks down south who may have to ask the audience if asked to raise their left hands were hoodwinked and duped into believ-

ing was a Change for the whole country. How such people could believe that an elite that ran its own corner of the country to produce the statistics you reeled out in your communique as their harbingers of CHANGE should be the new definition of naivety.

A much sober reading of the country today should tell the enlightened of the north who should have a better appreciation than the Boko Haram that to put life back into the shell you are carrying requires implementing those decisions we collec-

tively agreed to.

I want you in the meantime to get copies of Babara Tuchman’s “ March of Folly” and Brian Hall’s “The Impossible Country: A Journey Through The Last Days Of Yugoslavia”.

I promise you a good read.

Let me close by recalling the conversation you had with me the day the conference closed proceedings. You called me aside to complain about a mail Prof. Chinweizu sent to me and copied others which was to later go viral especially in Arewa world. He sent the mail on the day Arewa delegates were poised to walk out of the conference at the beginning saying the rest of the conference should see such as a fulfilment of Orkar’s vision.

You admonished that our generation has a greater stake in the unity of Nigeria and that was the reason your children are in schools in the south. You lost me though when you went into the non-sequitur of we need ourselves “because when we talk of commerce, you give that to the Igbos, the knowledge industry is Yoruba forte while governance and leadership is the competence of Hausa-Fulani”.

Your latest endeavour now convinces me that the only thing you believed in all you said were your last words.

My last words on this? A constitution that does not bend will break!

R E P O R T KANO Low 25°C High 40°C

BENIN CITY Low 15°C High 19°C

P/HARCOURT Low 22°C High 29°C

CALABAR Low 24°C High 34°C

ENUGU Low 24°C High 32°C

WARRI Low 24°C High 31°C

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.

dailytimesng

ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. EDITOR: YINKA OLUJIMI News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.198

Price: N150

N A I R E G I S N R 2 E 1 L L A B T O N I FO D E N I A T E D E N I A R K U P.27

BILITY

CALLS FOR FIFA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE POSTPONED LANCE ARMSTRONG SETTLES £6.6M P.29 ROW OVER TOUR DE FRANCE PAYMENTS

F

ifa presidential hopeful Musa Bility has called for February’s elections to be postponed in light of the criminal proceedings against Sepp Blatter.

On Friday, the Swiss Attorney General said the Fifa president was suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation and of a “disloyal payment” to Michel Platini.

“Those in charge of Fifa are no longer fit to be the ones to organise credible elections,” the Liberian FA president told BBC Sport.

“To put Fifa through an election at this very point is to set a template for another disaster” “To put Fifa through an election at this very point is to set a template for another disaster.

“I am calling on the current leadership of Fifa to immediately host an extraordinary congress where the mandate of reform will be given to a neutral body, a neutral set of people.”

Blatter - who has previously denied any wrongdoing - has been accused of failing in his fiduciary duties when selling World Cup broadcasting rights for a fraction of their worth to discredited former Fifa official Jack Warner in 2005.

Swiss authorities also have questions about the disloyalty payment of two million Swiss francs ($2m) paid to Platini in 2011, for work allegedly carried out between 1999 and 2002.

“Concerning the payment that was effected in my favour, I want to clarify that this amount was paid for work that I carried out in a contractual manner for Fifa,” Uefa president Platini said in a statement on Friday.

“I am pleased to have been able to clarify this point with the authorities.”

Sheyi Ojo earns Coach’s praise as Dominic Iorfa closes to breaking P.27 duck

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Business Times

s

Implications of CET for Nigerian products Charles Okonji Common External Tariff (CET) has remained an issue of strong discourse and controversy in West Africa for many years, particularly since the inception of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. The ECOWAS CET is a tool for tariff setting and liberalisation which have to take care of a common market access within the ambit of regional trade and economic integration in the West African region.

The ECOWAS Heads of State took this decision in 2001 at their summit, requiring member states to harmonise their import tariffs with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

The CET was principally adopted by the eight francophone member states in 1998. Confronted with the challenges and pressure of concluding the EPA with the European Union (EU), close to five years after the 2001 summit, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS observed that nothing had been done with regard to the subject, and consequently adopted a fast tracking of the CET harmonisation in line with the UEMOA rate.2.

Basically, the UEMOA CET is characterised with four tariff categories with rates of 0.0 per cent for necessary social goods, 5.0 per

cent for essential/ basic raw materials, capital goods and specific inputs, 10 per cent for intermediary products, and a peak tariff rate of 20 per cent for final consumer goods.

Irrespective of the earlier highlighted rates, in January 2006 ECOWAS Heads of State decided to provide specific protection instruments in addition to the customs duties - such as the regressive protection tax, the special import tax and safeguard measures - to make up for the inadequate taxation of some products.

The decision further made provision for a two-year transition period (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007) to enable non–UEMOA countries to adapt to the new tariff policy and to pursue the negotiations with a view to reaching agreement on the re-classification of some products as requested by the non-UEMOA countries. Entry into force was targeted for January 1 2008.

Moreover, one important question remains; why is the CET so essential for West Africa at this stage? At this point, it is necessary to highlight the decision of ECOWAS to negotiate the EPA with the EU as a single customs union. With the scheduled timeline for the negotiation of market access in goods, the adoption of a common external tariff becomes imperative because it is on this foundation that offers could be

made to the EU. Timing is a very important factor in the pursuit of a regional CET, and it is also crucial to look at the wider world events in order to help take appropriate decisions. In a very clear term, import tariff levels maintain an inverse relationship with levels of economic development. For instance, average global tariff rates (ATR) indicates that the EU, a high income region, has an ATR of 3.5 per cent. The Mercosur, which is a middle-income region, has 11 per cent, while SACU, another middle-income region has 11.4% and CEMAC, which is a low income bloc, has 18.4%., which shows that the UEMOA CET with an average tariff rate of 12.1 per cent is, from a global perspective, out of line with the low-income status of countries in West Africa.

The UEMOA tariff structure and rates are in fact similar to CETs adopted by the middle-income countries of South America.

Though, Nigeria is among the 15 ECOWAS member-countries that recently agreed to begin implementation of CET, which is a trade liberalisation scheme that seeks to introduce uniform tariffs, customs union and economic integration across the West African sub-region as earlier stated.

But the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) had previously warned that CET and EPA would throw up fresh challenges

that will complicate the current performance of the manufacturing sector, though, the president of the association, Frank Jacobs, lamented that the implication of these trade treaty is that the manufacturing sector will be further challenged as the market would be flooded with products manufactured under favourable business environment and sold at a price that indigenous products may not be able to compete.

Looking at the present economic situation in the country, which amounts to emphasizing the obvious saying that Nigeria is currently mired in crisis occasioned by weak naira, which was recently devalued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and declining oil prices at the international market, now less than $50 per barrel, $15 less than the 2015 budget benchmark of $65. The country depends on oil for 75 per cent of its budget and 95 per cent foreign exchange earnings.

It is on this premise that the players in the economy have reservations on the perceived merits and benefits of this common tariff to the country. The key industry watchers’ fear that with uniform tariffs, revenue accruing to the Federal Government through duties collected by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) (which reached N3 trillion in 44 months preceding September 2014 and N977 billion between January and

B1

December 2014) will fall.

The trade agreement will further impoverish the manufacturing sector and non-oil export could be the worst hit as the two sectors suffer from significant problem of lack of competitiveness, while many sub-sectors in manufacturing have low capacity, non-oil export is mainly dominated by raw agricultural commodities rather than finished manufactured or semi-finished goods.

A situation where CET regime will make countries with weak manufacturing base to lose out and become a dumping ground for other economies in the subregion was anticipated, and this has a very negative implication for Nigeria.

The implementation of crossborder policies such as the CET and EPA would no doubt throw up fresh challenges that might further complicate the current lack-lustre performance of the manufacturing sector.

The fear of the real sector players in this connection is that regionalisation made possible by CET could create an avenue for the adoption of the EPA, which is a trade liberalisation agreement between ECOWAS member states and the European Union, which manufacturers believe EPA will open doors for European products that will box local commodities to a corner.

Another implication of all these for the Nigerian economy is that EPA, like CET, could lead to revenue loss estimated at $1.3 trillion by the Federal Government while the country stands the risk of being flooded with European products. As Nigerians have welcomed this initiative with its inherent benefits, it is also advised that, because of the country’s peculiar economic circumstances at the moment, it should trade with caution by avoiding what might turn out ‘mercy-killing’ to local the industries.

For the Nigerian economy to subdue inflation, the government should establish mitigating measures such as anti-dumping measures, labour market reforms, and technological support to private firms to improve their ability to compete. It could be recalled that Nigeria, at various stages in the EPA negotiation process, had voiced strong opposition to the agreement and raised concerns that the Agreement could only lead to deindustrialization in West Africa, with serious economic and employment consequences for Nigeria because of her 60 per cent share of the regional market and 77 per cent contribution to the region’s GDP.

Money B2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Traders in FCT lament extortion by government officials Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The traders association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has cried out against what they described as official extortion by security operatives, staff of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

The General Secretary of New Pan-taker Trader Association Nyanya, Mr. Sanusi Mohammed Ibrahim who made this lamentation in an exclusive chat with our correspondent also appealed to government to provide a permanent market for them to guard against incessant harassment by government agents.

He explained that these government officials have turned their market into a money making venture as each of the groups will come demanding for money from them.

His words, “We do not know

Buhari

Visa introduces EMV chip-based biometrics for transactions Tony Nwakaegho Visa Incorporated has introduced a new specification to use biometrics with chip card transactions.

The new specification can enable palm, voice, iris, or facial biometrics. This first-ofits kind technology framework is designed to work with the EMV® (Europay, MasterCard, Visa) chip industry standard to help ensure open, globally interoperable solutions.

Biometric verification is intended to prevent fraud as well as make it easier to pay securely. The architecture Visa has designed enables fingerprints to be securely accepted by a biometric reader, encrypted, and then validated.

The specification supports “match-on-card” authentication where the biometric is validated by the EMV chip card and never exposed or stored in any central databases. Issuers can optionally validate the biometric data within their secure systems for transactions occurring in their own environments, such as their own ATMs. “Because Visa’s design is built on the EMV chip standard, biometric cardholder verification can be seamlessly

integrated with the technology used by 3.3 billion chip cards around the world. Financial institutions, solution providers, and others in the payments ecosystem can rely on an interoperable and consistent infrastructure for supporting biometrics.

“There is increasing demand for biometrics as a more convenient and secure alternative to signatures or PINs, especially as biometrics technologies have become more reliable and available.

“However, to support wide adoption, it is equally important that solutions are scalable and based on open standards.

Building on the EMV chip standard provides a common, interoperable foundation, as well as encourages innovation in cutting-edge biometric solutions,” Senior Vice President of Risk Products and Business Intelligence, Visa Inc., Mark Nelsen said.

Absa Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barclays Africa Group, will be the first to use Visa’s specification to develop a proof of concept trial beginning this fall.

Cardholders will use fingerprint readers at select Absaowned ATMs in lieu of a PIN to complete transactions.

what we have done to deserve this kind of perennial extortion, intimidation and harassment from government that should ordinarily protect our interest and businesses to enable us grow.

But unfortunately reverse is the case here. Instead of encouraging us to grow our businesses, we are being hunted down.

“Most of our members are graduates, ND and NCE holders but because of lack of employment in the country, they have decided to engage themselves with this line of business but the only encouragement they get from government is official extortion and frustration.

“The Director FCT Park and Recreation approved a temporal allocation of this market to us but since the expiration of the allocation, the officials of the ministry, officers and men of the joint task force, and officials of AEPB has turned this market into money making venture. If this group is not coming to col-

lect money for fuel, it will be the other coming to arrest all our members including customers and thereafter compelling us to pay N4000 each to secure our release.

“Do they want us to take arms and become robbers or terrorists, since they do not want us to do our legitimate businesses, even when they did not provide any job for us? Our union is registered in Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the following registration number RCIT-573971; and we have over 300 registered members with over 1000 persons working for us.

Therefore we deserve support from government and not intimidation.” He grumbled.

Ibrahim also lamented low patronage in the market due to constant harassment of their customers by security operatives, but however boasted that they will not leave the temporal market unless government provide permanent place for them.

Custodian Life Assurance notches A- rating from GCR Adesola Akindele Custodian Life Assurance Limited CLA has been assigned an A- Rating by Global Credit Rating Co, the world’s leading emerging markets focused ratings Agency. An A- Rating is indicative of Strong financial security.

In assigning the A- rating to the Company, GCR disclosed that “Custodian Life Assurance Limited has evidenced robust capital growth over the review period, underpinned by strong internal capital generation capacity”.

This is immediately given credence with CLA’s shareholders’ funds growth of 36% to N4.3bn at FYE 2014, corresponding to an improved shareholders’ funds / NWP ratio of 156% (FYE13: 139%).

Furthermore, GCR explained that ‘Cognisance is taken of the sound operating performance reflected by the company, with net surpluses recorded throughout the review period. Earnings capacity has benefitted from the favourable commission recovery rates recorded over the past two years, while increasing cost efficiencies are expected to preserve margin strength over the rating horizon’.

According to Global Credit Rating Co, “the rating is supported

by Custodian Life’s established position in the emerging domestic life assurance market. Further, the insurer (CLA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Custodian

Ademeso

and Allied Plc. (“the Group”), a well-established brand in the Nigerian insurance industry”.

Reacting to the news on the GCR Rating, Mr. Larry Ademeso, the Managing Director of Custodian Life Assurance Limited expressed satisfaction that ‘the vision, contributions and commitment running through the Board to the staff and service delivery at CLA is beginning to receive deserved recognition from reputed agencies’.

He stated further that the uniqueness of CLA’s service delivery is in its ability to provide

the market with fast, efficient and highly professional market-driven services, products and operations; adding that ‘the company will continue to aim for higher feats every single day’.

The Company’s primary activity is the provision of life insurance associated with death, disability and health liability.

CLA also provides a diversified portfolio of investment solutions to its customers. Custodian Life Assurance Limited operates from its head office in Lagos, with branches and agency outlets spread across the country.

· Exhibitions

· International partnerships

· Seminars

· Products’ launch

· Raffle draw

· Entertainment

· Discount sales

. Meet Regulators

African beads make bold statement at Abuja Trade Fair

B4

P

2015 ABUJA

Chamber of Commerce & Industy International Trade Fair Digest

Monday, September 28, 2015

ACCI urges SMEs to attain efficiency using ICT Religion registers B5 presence at Abuja trade fair P

Sights from 10th Abuja International Trade Fair B6 P

FOR ADVERT LISTINGS IN ABUJA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR DIGEST Call: 07064933209, 08054934941

B4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

ACCI urges SMEs to attain efficiency using ICT Augustine Okezie Abuja As the world continues to make advancement towards efficiency and quality service delivery, it has been discovered that businesses that do not rise up to consumers’ expectation in a competitive market will sooner than later close shop as patronage dwindles and eventually fizzles out.

The Abuja chamber of commerce and Industry has therefore challenged business concerns and SMEs in Nigeria to make the best use of internet facilities to enhance both the efficiency of their business and save cost of business operations.

Prof Adesugba who is also the vice president ICT, made the call while presenting a paper at the colloquium at the ongoing 10th Abuja international

trade fair, titled: ICT a veritable tool for boosting business profitability: taking advantage of the internet, said that failure to adapt to prevailing internet services and transactions has remained the bane of several SME’s and prevented them from meeting global standards.

He said ’’globally, ICT usage has been driven by better connectivity of broadband networks which now cover a large segment of the populations, whether viaxed broadband connections (ADSL or mobile broadband technologies).’’

Professor Adesugba further maintained that embracing such technologies like the social media, using key ICT tools, pay-pals for payments, outsourcing, etc., will not only ensure global exposure, enhance company activities and contact but foster interaction with clients.

Chicason Group exhibits new products at trade fair One of Nigeria’s leading manufacturing companies, Chicason Group has unveils diverse products at the ongoing 10th Abuja International Trade fair Complex.

Speaking with the Daily times at the exhibition ground, the Head, Marketing, Research and Development, Mr Ameachi

Chukwu said that the company has been an active participant in trade fairs where it showcases most of it newly manufactured products.

He said the companies include: Promotex Industrial and Chemical Co Ltd that produces all types of Soaps, such as Dermocare, Tropicana, Flower and

Dokki white and green.

The second company which is Rimco Ltd, produces Vegetable oil extracted from palm kernel, Palm Olein, fractionized palm oil (none Cholesterol) etc.

He also said that the third one is Afro-Asia which produces all types of plastics, PVC ceiling

and plumbing pipes.

However, he said the biggest of these companies is a.z Petroleum Products Ltd, which he said it products offer an exceptional combination of superior quality and economy achieved through well researched, innovative and efficient production methods.

African beads make bold statement at Abuja Trade Fair Olatorera Dickson-Amusa, Abuja

Black is beautiful, isn’t it? At the Abuja International Trade Fair 2015 the beauty hits you in the eye almost everywhere you turn. Several stores all showcasing different items of interest and beauty, ranging from clothing items, to home decoration items vie for potential customers’ attention.

Moreover, nothing says African more than beads.

You can never get enough of beads. And at the Abuja Trade Fair, there are dozens of stalls displaying beads,

prominent amongst them being Komsy Kinky Beads, a lovely stall exhibiting beads in all shapes, sizes and colors, all different and unusual in their own right.

And as the manager of the stall was quick to point out, all at affordable prices.

The stall targets customers from all walks of life.

Chief amongst them being tourists on the look-out for unusual African souvenirs to return with to their countries. And fortunately for them, the Trade Fair is an international one, aimed at both indigenes of the country and visitors from outside.

This just goes to show that

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

the Abuja Trade Fair 2015 is another avenue for promoting inter-country relations.

All around the fairground, the wide range of indigenous products promoting Nigerian talent can be spotted. Shops advertising native wears, stalls exhibiting lovely cane chairs and many other innovative designs, all proudly Nigerian are scattered in every nook and cranny throughout the grounds.

Nigerians and indeed Africans are very talented: the diverse stands and stalls at the Abuja international trade fair displaying their eye-catching wares are a tribute to that.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

B5

New Crystal Communications offers novel printing solutions As imagination is limitless, so are New Crystal Communication’s printing capabilities according to the company which displayed their product samples at the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair.

Client Service Executive, Mr Patrick Funmilayo said that the company is into indoor and outdoor printing services that always meet their client satisfaction.

“Whether you need irregular-sized handouts to

help you stand out from the competition, specialtycut windows in your brochures and sales materials, or custom packaging and markups, we can provide the printing services you need to set your creative side free and bring your ideas to life.”

The client service executive stressed that for ideas that don’t fit nicely into predefined categories, New Communication ‘is here to help’.

Religion registers presence at Abuja trade fair Olatorera Dickson-Amusa, Abuja The hustle and bustle of a trade fair can be very exciting especially on a weekend. Your eyes and feet roam here and there, searching, finding.

There is always so much to buy, and to discover, but after a while, all that physical activity gets tiring. When the body is weak, the spir-

it also feels it. And that’s when you know that it’s time for spiritual uplifting.

And if you just happen to be at the Tenth Abuja International Trade Fair, then you needn’t look far to get spiritual relaxation.

This is due to the fact that various religious orders have taken up stalls within the Fair grounds.

Religious organizations at a Trade Fair, you may wonder. Well, this goes to show

that the Abuja International Trade Fair functions far more than just buying and selling.

Apart from spiritual guidance served on the spot, each Religious stand displays motivational literature, pamphlets, and leaflets that give you a deeper insight into the religion.

What are your religious views? Muslim, Christian, Hinduist, Eckist? Head down to the Abuja Trade

Fair grounds, and you will get your fill of it.

This is why you will find that the Eckankar Religious Order stand occupies a prominent space within one of the large showrooms. And if Eckankar isn’t your own preferred groove, just take a stroll around and find the other various Religious groups that are sure to invade the Fair-ground during the 17day Trade jamboree.

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

Weekend buzz B6

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Nigeria still learning the rules of airport concession —Pennick – CEO, Bi Courtney

Pennick

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bi Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr. Christophe Pennick in this interview with some aviation correspondents speaks on the prospects, plans to commence regional flights operations from MM2, the need to end court cases in the sector and problems of managing concessions in the domestic aviation industry and how investments in airport infrastructure can be a catalyst for economic development. CHUKUEMEKE IWELUNMO, was there for Daily Times. Excerpts On the scale of operations at the terminal The MMA 2 terminal is running very well for aeronautical and non–aeronautical operations. The activities are related but different.

We have utilised eight years of the concession agreement and we still have twenty eight more years to go, because the concession is for thirty six years, looking at what we have achieved in the last eight years, many good things have happened.

We hope for increased activities in the next twenty eight years and we are steadily growing. For now, we have five domestic carriers operating their flights from this terminal, major airlines operate from here, but a few airlines have challenges and we are supporting the carriers with difficult times.

We are looking forward to growth in the terminal capacity and we are recording about 10 per cent growth which is above the global industry average.

Assessment of airport concessions in Nigeria An airport concession is an interesting concept in infrastructure development. But, airport concession in Nigeria, seen from

B7 Interview

the point of view of public-private partnership (PPP) is still a novelty. The reason is very simple. Nigeria, until about eight years ago, has not been involved in any form of public-private partnership in airport development through the model called concession.

To a large extent, it is still very new in this part of the world. Interestingly, both parties, that is, the government through its agencies and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited involved in the concession agreement are still learning the rules governing airport concession; in this case, the concession of the new domestic terminal two of the Lagos Airport. The parties are still learning what to do about the concession and how to make it work. Although there is a document called the Concession Agreement that ought to guide the contracting parties, it is very clear that government is trying to pull the blanket under the feet of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited. This is despite that the terms and conditions of the concession are very clear in the agreement.

How does this affect the implementation of the agreement?

For us in particular, there are few issues still left unresolved as it affects the supposed hand over of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), at the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport, because it is covered in the scope of the concession agreement. Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is making it difficult for us as a company to use that aspect of the agreement, which is clearly expressed in the scope of the concession agreement. The agreement was very precise in giving us as a company right to manage the terminal, which in this case

Why should government look at the agreement in a way that suggests that if this concession it has signed with any firm succeeds, it should be looking for any way to take it back from the concessions because it is successful? refers to as the MMA 2 and GAT, and not one of the terminals as the other party to the agreement is claiming. There is a big difference. People will say this is unfair completion, but in many parts of the world, airports are supposed to be a quasi–monopoly.

Why should government look at the agreement in a way that suggests that if this concession it has signed with any firm succeeds, it should be looking for any way to take it back from the concessions because it is successful?

For instance in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to London Heathrow Airport, which has a much more developed traveling market, it was only recently that the British Airport Authority was mandated to separate and give the total management of Gatwick Airport to another company. Until recently it was one company. Do not forget that Gatwick and Heathrow are not the same airports. They are two different airports.

Here in Nigeria, the traveling market is not that developed, big enough, so I think it was an opportunity for Nigeria, without sufficient funds to engage the private sector to assist to build a decent domestic airport terminal in Lagos. I am convinced that what Bi-Courtney Services Limited has done in building and managing

the MMA2, is an example of what is to be done. The reason for this is very simple, because the terminal is best handled by the private sector in Nigeria.

What about the controversies surrounding the airport concession and its terms?

So going back to the concession and its terms, its scope, it would have been easier for government to say, Bi-Courtney you run all the domestic flights and FAAN run international flights and let us see who does it better. Unfortunately, things have gone very different today.

But, thank God we have survived, through different attacks.

And like the saying goes what does not kill you makes you stronger. But, I think that how is it to manage an airport concession and what I think about the way it has been done is to simply say we are still learning.

I think we have gone very far, in our eight years of managing a private airport terminal in Nigeria. I am convinced we are going from strength to strength.

Are there opportunities in airport concessions and management in Nigeria?

I am optimistic that opportunities still exists to get involved in more airport concessions in Nigeria. The prospects are there.

I think we are a perfect example of learning out of experience as a

company to handle such business.

Yes, we have gathered a lot of experience, not only from the operations side but, also from the legal perspective to do the business better, if we are approached for another concession agreement by government. A few concessions have gone wrong in Nigeria.

The Bi-Courtney Agreement to build and manage the MMA2 has been quite successful because as a company we have been able to defend ourselves in the various attacks. So, I will say that Nigeria could use a few other concessions, but I would say to anybody who wants to endeavor into any concession concerning airport infrastructure or reacted areas must have the experience and deal with the ignorance of some parties involved the writing and signing of concession agreements and for foreign companies that want to date into such ventures must endeavor to have a strong Nigerian partner.

Why do you think airport concessions in Nigeria are problematic?

The reasons why airport concessions in Nigeria has gone the wrong way is for many reasons.

If any public private partnership concession agreement must be signed, it should be based on the clear understanding that government and other contracting parties must see the concession as an opportunity to develop private enterprise.

In the beginning it was difficult to attract more people to do business at the terminal because of the seeming hostile relationship between tenants and landlord.

But, we have gone steps further to forge our relationship as being more than that. The existing tenants and future tenants understand that we are here to make their business thrive.

Energy B8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Total Plc records $10 million profit in Q2 Despite challenges ravishing the oil and gas industry, Total Nigeria Plc, has recorded and posted a profit of $10 million in the first half of 2015. Despite that its business has been affected by the delay in subsidy payment and scarcity of fuel which lasted for about four months, it made a tremendous bottom-line. The profit before tax increased by 8 per cent to $18.49 million while its share price closed at N143.62 last week and market capitalisation stayed at $29.6 million.

Eko Disco to install free meters for customers Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo

Chief Executive Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Oladele Amoda, has said that the company is ready to provide meter to all its customers free of charge before the end of the five-year metering deadline.

The move is in performance of the agreement signed with government by distribution companies before takeover of the companies in November 2013, he said.

He revealed this during an interactive session with customers in Lagos recently however, advising customers to make do with the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) which would allow customers to pay for meter and have the money paid for meter refunded back to them through the fixed elements

of the billing in case they are in a hurry before the prepaid meters get to their houses.

He said the refund of the meter programme would be spread over a period of time. The repayment of the money so paid Engr. Amoda said, would be with 12 per cent interest. He said the aim of the CAPMI programme, was to serve as an interventionist relief pending the full take-off of the smart metering programme of the company.

He said for vandalism of electricity equipment and other public facilities to be eradicated in the country, the existing laws regarding the criminal act will have to be reviewed to make for more strict laws and penalty against perpetrators adding, that the existing laws against vandalism of electricity equipment appeared too soft on those found guilty of the act.

He decried a situation where a convicted vandal only bags two or three months of jail term after causing incalculable damage to economic and social wellbeing of so many people who are usually affected by acts of vandalism.

The Eko Disco boss further opined that vandalism of electricity equipment and other public utility facilities is a serious act of economic sabotage and should be treated as such.

He also said sales of public power equipment such as transformers, aluminium conductors and armoured cables should be better regulated to make it difficult for vandalised electricity equipment to be taken to open market for sale. Apart from meting out stiffer penalty to convicted vandals, Engr. Amoda also advocated expedited trial and determination of cases of vandalism.

Nigeria has achieved drastic drop in gas flaring - NLNG GM, Kudo Eresia-Eke General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG Limited, Kudo Eresia-Eke, has said that gas flaring has reduced to its barest minimum in Nigeria when compared to previous years.

He made the statement during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Association Energy Correspondent (NEAC) Secretariat, Obanikoro, Lagos, last week, where he addressed quite a number of issues.

According to him, the activities of the company in harnessing Ni-

geria’s vast natural gas resources and production of liquefied natural gas, and natural gas liquid for export since its inception, has helped in controlling the rate at which gas are flared in the country. In recent times, natural gas companies, have cut down on gas wastage through flaring and its negative impact on the environment, he said On the high prices of local gas, Eresia-Eke said the prices are as a result of logistics of transporting

natural gas for refining from one location to another in the country, which at the end of the day, adds up to the prices of the products as against imported gas.

Accompanied by the company’s Head of Media, Anne Marie Palmer-Kuku, he revealed that NLNG is no longer as profitable as it used to be on the world stage. The shift in profit, he said, is as a result of the major shift that occurred in terms of NLNG’s supply of gas to the world.

Chevron Nigeria clinches $1.2 billion JV deal Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/CNL Joint Venture (the NNPC/CNL JV), has declared and confirmed that on September 17, 2015, it signed a loan agreement, in conjunction with NNPC, for the sum of up to $1.2 billion to fund a 36-well development program for the NNPC/ CNL JV. NNPC had on Monday, September 21, announced the deal, aiming at fast-tracking oil well

development in the country and boosting crude oil reserves.

In a statement, CNL lauded NNPC for recognizing the need to supplement funding of the joint venture operations to enable high impact projects that can deliver near term production and bankable cash flow for the joint venture. ‘‘We support the Nigerian government’s objectives, and are please to do what we can to help the administration succeed in its efforts to build a prosperous Nigeria’’.

Total E & P appoints Nicolas Terraz as new MD Total E & P has announced the appointment of Mr. Nicolas Terraz as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive.

In a statement made available to pressmen by the company’s board, Terraz was unveiled as the new helmsman with effect from September 17, 2015.

The 46 year-old took over from Mrs. Elisabeth Proust, who the Board said had been assigned to other duties within the Group.

According to Total, Mr. Terraz is a graduate of French engineering schools, Ecole Polytechnique, and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

He also earned a Master’s of Science in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, United States.

Mr. Terraz joined Total in 2001, after working for seven years with the French Govern-

ment, serving in the Ministries of Industry and Public Works and Transportation, respectively.

In his career in Total, Mr. Terraz has acquired extensive experience in operations and management of various projects in its affiliate companies in many countries including Myanmar, Qatar and France.

He served as Managing Director of Total E&P Myanmar and Total Group Representative in Myanmar (from 2008 to 2011) and as Managing Director of Total E&P France (from 2011 to 2013).

Mr. Terraz was appointed Vice President, New Ventures & Asset Management for Total Exploration and Production on March 1, 2014. He is coming to Nigeria from his present position as a top executive in the New Business Unit in France.

Life &

Times Monday, September 28, 2015

Odunayo

Akinrinsola Top businessman, reveals his grass to grace story

L2,3,5

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Odunayo Akinrinsola:

I was born with a Silver Spoon but not trained with a Silver Spoon Odunayo Akinrinsola is a renowned businessman turned politician. He is the Chief Executive

Do you come from polygamous family or what?

a

of life is an understatement as his You said you are a product of hardship and today we are

with Life & Times into politics and how he intends to

your company; what is the connection, how were you able to break out of hardship?

mandate of the people. Excerpts: Tell us more about your growing up years and how you but not trained with it?

Life&

T E A M

Continued on

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

Pfromfrom

L3

P

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

I had to push cart to survive, Ondo born businessman –Odunayo Akinrinsola

L3 Interview

two friends. Now it is Spid Logistics Limited. Spid was formed basically from my experience, focus about life and the target I have set for myself. appraisal, I usually ask myself that:

best logistics Company in Nigeria.

There is something about me which is so paramount – I always aim for the top. I always want to do everything in a way that people will see a distinct touch. When I was puzzled on the kind of name to give to the Company, I thought of Top, Summit, Apex, etc. But all these names have been used by some companies. The word Spid is not an English word. Spid is a Danish word that means top. So, anything we do, excellence is the key word.

Now you have everything you actually want and business wise, you are doing well. What are you doing in politics?

My growing up was so pathetic.

Many have passed through that the same again. Many are not opportune to be what I am t o d a y.

Continued from

Pfromfrom

L2

P

been in me to work for money. these horrible experiences, how did you get your breakthrough?

At a point in time, there is one thing that you must acknowledge in anything you are doing. I realised

staffed. At a point, I realised that this people were trying to play on our intelligence as a casual worker; they were looking for cheap labour that they can use to maximise their month there, I made my papers.

Fortunately for me, I was admitted

of the little savings I had, I was able for me to earn a living in order to overcome the challenges of life; because I set a target for myself have a focus. I look at my mates, I read papers, I look at people that made it through education, that have gotten to a point in life they could make a difference. I know it focused in a way that I know I have a prize. And at the end of every tunnel, there is a great shining light.

I look at it now that I went through a tunnel that was terrible, horrible. that no ordinary person can do.

Along the line, you could derail but not going to do this work for the rest of life. I want to do it to achieve a goal, a target. There was a time I was working as a casual staff in a factory on Acme road, off Agidingbi for one year while I was seeking

was withheld. There was a condition attached to the job that you must work for six months before you can be a permanent staff. After six have to do a year before I can be

to year two with the assistance I had from my elder sister. It was so interesting that most times when be given to go as far as Ife when I I know how much they spend and what they were given as pocket money. There was a time I was travelling from Lagos to Ife, I joined a truck from Lagos, I got to Ibadan and I was carrying my garri, beans and rice. When I got to Ibadan, the atmosphere was so tense that it showed that there was going to be a heavy down pour. I joined another one again. This rain started when we got to Gbongan and beat the hell out of me. When I got to Ife, at rice because it was no longer good.

I took the Beans because I can still manage it. At the back of that truck, I could only carry my palm oil and beans.

One of the challenges we have in Nigeria is that people they become successful, there reveal, What is the story behind

your success, after your graduation and NYSC? Being a young graduate, your aspiration, vision and dream is to get a white collar job, living nice and getting ready to plan for your life.

So you can shape up your ideas, challenges of life and begin a new life. That was the expectation. But was cut short. Immediately after I graduated, I did my youth service at Delta State and served at First Bank. After my service, I came to Lagos for some interviews, but at a point, it was from one interview to the other, thinking I was going whole expectation was not met and at a point, I consulted a friend to work for him voluntarily in order to keep myself busy as I hate being idle. While I was working with my friend, I applied for a scholarship in Europe which was granted. When they granted my scholarship, I scholarship anymore because of the job. But for the fact that I wanted to update myself, I went for the scholarship. While I was in Europe, I received a call for a job, then I was about rounding up my programme. I came back to begin the job and that was the beginning of my breakthrough. Immediately money came, my life changed. So, whatever you are seeing today at Spids Logistics Limited was formally Arkled Logistic Company. Arkled Logistics Company was formed by

do you want to go into politics that you know it is dirty? or less a slogan. Politics is for the people by the people. And when you say politics is dirty, who will be in the realm of affairs to govern you? When people run away from the dirty game, we have dirty people controlling the affairs of the enlightened people. Then who are you to complain, criticize. I think the time has come that we both come together. We want to use the state resources and the platform to help the people of the state. By so doing, I will be putting my experience been doing in order to spread the tentacles to reach every nook and cranny of the state. Without being told, you will realise that at the state level, there is poverty and the poverty level is at alarming rate.

And my own wealth cannot take care of the populace of the state.

Are you saying you can do better than the current Governor, Olusegun Mimiko?

When we have a functioning system where education sector is working, health sector is working, transport sector is working, Agric sector is working, etc; then you can now annex your potential on every area of the sector to get result. If you have a pipe that supplies water and peradventure a channel of the pipe is decaying, the water that the people drinking that water get infected with one disease or the order. The only approach you can use in that area is to change the pipe. We are not of the opinion of whether the present governor has done anything or not. In his own

Many are still on the streets; all they need is a little touch for their life to change. You are nothing, no matter how rich you may be, if that thing you have accumulated that makes you who you are has not been able of lives you are able to touch makes you a unique person in the society and distinct compared to your peers. I appreciate when I touch You are not aspiring to govern Lagos; you are aspiring to govern Ondo State. And most of these things you have done are outside your state. How are the people in Ondo State going to trust you; or know where you are coming from or what you can do for them, Do you even know them?

Anything I do, irrespective of your state; when you need my help, number of people from my state are under my scholarship scheme.

In my own little way, I have been able to touch lives both in my state come to play in my own case.

You are comfortable, you are wealthy, you have your family the way you have suffered, Why

believe in that continuity. The decay number of things – his corruption, self-centeredness, nepotism, insecurity etc.

Before Buhari took over the helms of affairs there some people felt Jonathan was not doing better, they wanted Buhari; these people are currently unhappy with Buhari now because of the slow pace at which his administration is moving. At times if you are not wearing the Shoe yourself, you you sure you can actually make a difference when you get there?

You know this is a new regime.

Things have changed under Buhari What should be our major concern now is the trend at which this change the slogan of our campaign as wind of change. It will be so easy for the state to experience this change as the Federal level. Everything is behind.

How long have you been in politics?

To be precise, I have been in politics from 1992 to this time. That is 23 years ago during the days of SDP and NRC. What amazed me Continued on

Pfromfrom

L5

P

Society Gists L4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Isaac Oguntoye

Femi Otedola gives back to the Society

What will be the fate of DSTV?

Forte Oil Chairman, Femi Otedola is in the news again.

For sometime now, customers have been complaining bitterly about the rate at which DSTV charges them for subscription. Prior to that, some customers have decided

entertainment career but his business. It was gathered that,

bold move marks a huge reduction in the current pump price

the country. This is in furtherance of his decision to identify hardships faced by millions of Nigerians daily. stations nationwide, Otedola will no doubt reduce the hardships foisted upon millions of Nigerian families by the prohibitive pricing of the cooking fuel.

Femi Otedola

A lot have changed about me since I became Lagos Speaker –Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa is the current Lagos House Assembly Speaker who is also a socialite. His role in societal development and ability to see opportunities where others see challenges is what set him apart amidst his contemporaries. Recently, he was asked about what has changed between being Obasa of Agege and the Rt. Honourable Speaker and the amiable politician has this to say: “well, I would say that a lot has changed, in the sense that there are restrictions in my personal activities, unlike the

past when I could do just anything without anyone raising eyebrows. All those things that I was free to do, I are added responsibilities. Now, one has to preside as Speaker of the House, you have to involve yourself in administrative exercises of the House and so many other things. It is not about you, you need to be involved even in the activities of the civil servants who are part of the House and members of the House, and the public has also become part of your responsibilities.

Then, it was about Obasa of Agege but now, it is about Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, about the government of Lagos State, about all House members, about the civil servants and about Lagosians in general”, he concluded.

Nigerian Embassy Where is Femi in Cote d’Ivoire Babalola? honours Otunba Series of questions have been Gani Adams’s OPU asked on the whereabouts of Ibadan The Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) is a pan-Yoruba organization. A nongovernmental, non-religious organization formed in 2011 to create an enabling podium for the sons and daughters of Yoruba predecessors worldwide. OPU was born

in India November 2012. On September 7th, 2013 it was launched in Great Britain and was followed by the launch in Holland on September 14th, France on September 12th, Germany on September 10th and recently Austria chapter was launched on the 16th of August 2014 at Vienna.

born socialite and businessman, Femi Babalola who has since embraced a low lifestyle following his failure to get a chance at governing Oyo State.

According to feelers, the popular politician, who became famous for his successful events centre, Jogor Centre,

the election of Gov Ajimobi for his second term. Babalola, who is one of the close allies of ex-governor, Alao Akala, seem to have stepped down on his fast rising fame as a politician to embrace an

will be launched. Ghana will be the 60th while Togo will be the 61st country. Her Excellency, Ambassador Ifeoma Jacinte Akabogu-Chinwuba, mni, New Head of Mission of the Embassy of Nigeria in

unusual lifestyle after his failure at the primaries as well as the failure of his bosom friend, Akala. Rather than align with PDP or the ruling party, Babalola is said to have recoiled to his business shell and is scarcely seen in the midst of politicians unlike before.

the launch of CONSAT.

FCMB Supports 2015 Ojude Oba Festival

“FCMB has been a major supporter of the Ojude Oba Festival for more than a decade and it has indeed been corporate citizen, we realise that globalization and social transformation, though essential, could also become a threat to the cultural identity of a people.

“We also recognise that respect for our heritage is important as a catalyst of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development”, the CEO stated. In the same vein, the Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON, the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, in a message to Ijebu people delivered on his behalf by Mr. Louis Ibe, the Head of Media and Reputation Management of FCMB, thanked and commended the paramount ruler, Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR), for his distinguished and exemplary leadership over the years.

Otunba Balogun praised all Ijebus both within and outside the country for demonstrating oneness as a people,

“should continue to bring joy, prosperity and robust health, all in abundance to the entire Ijebu race, at home and in the diaspora”. For over a century, the Ojude Oba Festival has cultural heritage on the global stage.

The Festival attracts tourists from across the globe and Ijebu indigenes in the diaspora, boosting trade and the hospitality sector in the region. It is observed that the event has remained a unique platform for the locals to promote their wares to a broad range of visitors thus connecting to economic advancement.

socialite and boss at Baba Ijebu lotto, Kesington Adebutu is not in a happy mood as the man about town is currently mourning the death of his elder brother, Chief Adegboyega Adebutu, who passed away on

traditional rulers, media crew, movies and OPU leaders warmly. The delegates were delighted and felt at home with the grand reception. Awards were also given to the traditional ruler during the august visit.

Kesington Adebutu

Otunba Gani Adams

Femi Babalola

become a battle for digital television service in Nigeria.

Continental Satellite Limited (CSL) which is owned by former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently launched a new Pay-TV platform under the brand name, CONSAT. CONSAT entrance, according to investigation, proves to be the answer to the dominance of the almighty DSTV owned by Multichoice. According to statistics, there are 40 million television sets in Nigeria and DSTV has only three million subscribers. So what CONSAT is offering is a chance to join the digital platform so that instead of having a decrease in the number of television viewers, it will have an increase. There will be 70 million television sets, from which CONSAT hopes to attract a larger percentage. In other word, cable television

Baba Ijebu Boss, Kesington Adebutu Bereaved!

age of 83.

It was gathered that the late Adebutu, a pharmacist, passed away in his Lagos home after a brief illness.

The news of the death has left the Adebutu clan most especially Chief Kesington sad since it was announced.

It was further gathered that the entire Iperu Remo community has also been thrown into a state of mourning after the announcement. Big plans are said to be underway as the billionaire businessman prepares for the burial of the late Chief.

Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

L5 Society Gists

Isaac Oguntoye

Basic Education Africa Berth In Lagos with seminar organization. The main aim of the organization is to work towards advocating for and ensuring that every child is enabled to have access to quality basic education as set out in the UN Millennium

Development Goals and stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child.

Recently at MUSON center

Change Seminar. Themed

sustainable

framework

vision for tomorrow. ZAZAII was created to theatre of retail and delivering an unparalleled customer experience.

The new location is decorated to mirror a

by

during the seminar discussed a lot of issues on education in Nigeria and promised to continue to promote access to quality education for children in Africa.

carefully edited merchandise to include With contemporary and high end African

enrich lives with fashion and an unparalleled customer experience – in store and online.

The interior and structure of the 8600 square foot space has been given a new look by a team

Oniru and the Cookie Jar Bakery.

“After three years of ground breaking

L-R; Founder/Chair BEAFRICA, Ms Abimbola Okoya, Lecilie Binoche, Mrs Akinlade Funmilayo, Cboard Of Director BeAfrica,Tunde Arogunmate, Team Management, Diana Yeside Johnson, Mrs Bunmi Oteju doing the basic education Africa lecture.

Isoken Ogiemwonyi, co-founder of L’Espace unveils her new flagship store, Zazaii

I are unveiling a new brand and a fresh visual

programme.

Interview ...not trained with a Silver Spoon –Akinrinsola Continued from

Pfromfrom

L3

P

then was when Bola Ahmed Tinubu was vying for the Senatorial seat. What I deduced from his campaign picture then was

Why do want to become the next governor of Ondo State?

I want to become the next Governor of Ondo State because I realise the state ought to have developed more than what it is today.

There should be improvement in the standard of living of every citizen of that state. I realised that the consensus of the general populace is that Ondo State is not doing so well. But we are endowed with a lot of natural resources that are not

more productive and unemployment will be a thing of the past. By so the allocation that comes from will make the state an enabling environment for investors to come

standard of living of my people and it touches me when I see people suffer and have no access to what can make a livelihood.

Can you identify those resources that can be annexed in Ondo State?

Ondo State is one of the oil producing states in Nigeria. We can annex this resources in many areas. We have number of resources that are dead which are no longer working like Romanian

this by resources management. always been in the platform. APC has been doing something like government carpeted it. If we congestion will be reduced on the road. When you have a workable

masses and they will be able to tell you if a government is performing

mill industry which has become a

without good management. This accountability and majority of the people we have in the realm Governors do not delegate because they have some shady things they What can differentiate you from other politicians who fabricate pitiable stories to inspire electorates to get their mandates and later end up not

be run as a business in a way see life in the state. How many or Abuja or Port Harcourt? If there is enough industries that can bring

indication whether or not the state is developing. Having a sea port in Iaje will improve the social economic life of the people. It will bring them more closely to the world. If we have a more employment.

Are you saying that if you are elected Governor, one of the cardinal things you will do is to establish a Port?

One of the cardinal things I want

oriented venture. But the only result that makes government being run as business different from a private business is that the end result of government must show on the people. The standard of living must which people can reckon with.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is an accountant and you are also an accountant. In what way do you think this can make a difference in Ondo State?

The major strength of any accountant basically resides in the motive of generating revenues. By

share something about the Jagaban himself – the pace setter when it comes to the issue of politics as it is in the present stage in Nigeria.

What will make you different from the: I had no shoe kind of story?

My experience so far could tell you the kind of person I am. My level

up channels to generate revenue

allocation that was withheld for get some strategic areas that is not open to people which revenue could be easily generated to complement the allocation that comes from the

and attitude could be considered as something that make me more different from the sycophants that will tell you they can do this and

people that have gone through it can feel. What you are passionate about is exactly what you have tagged yourself as part and parcel the welfare of everybody at the state. This is an avenue for me to

Akinrinsola

Society Gists L6 Isaac Oguntoye

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

OMAMULI: Displaying class in hospitality The undaunted effort put together to distinguish its services among the lots in may have been the reason Hospitality Ltd, a wholly hotel management and consultancy company, has maintained a track record since its inception, thus, adding several honours

Akinfemiwa Akinruntan and wife

to celebrate Journalists who have distinguished themselves on their beats, was also used to honour individuals and corporate organisations which equally stood out in their calling. With over 300 staff across its nine branches and four brand names, the handsome dude behind Class Hospitality has creditably consulted, played vital role in the success story of over 100 indigenous hotels in Nigeria.

Lagos big boy, Femi Obat celebrates wife’s birthday Penultimate Wednesday, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntan, the Managing Director of OBAT Petroleum threw a lavish birthday bash for his beautiful wife, Princess Folakemi Akinruntan. The Pool party took place at the prestigious Maison Fahrenheit, Adetokunboh Ademola, Victoria Island. Rasheed

Muri Okunola, Shina Peller, Jibola Fatgbems,Omobola Akinruntan,Seye Odunsi and many others attended the gig. The event was indeed a memorable one as the entire attendees were treated to a large dose of champagne and other exotic drinks, with exotic meals to please their palates.

Steve Omamuli

Rotarian

Where Is MC Olu-Omo? Chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo is a popular face on the social scene especially when Pasuma is billed to perform. Many have described him as philanthropist due to his lifestyle. Virtually all the actresses in the Yoruba movie industry enjoy his

kindheartedness. However, unlike before, MC Oluomo is hardly seen at events these days and no one could ascertain the reason.

Some said, he decided to his ambition to wrest power from the present Lagos chair of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, who is presently enjoying the support of all and sundry.

Hon. Setonji David, Hon. Folajimi Mohammed, Hon. Shola Giwa & M.D Personal Trust Micro Finance Bank, Ese M. Okhiria

100-Days in office: Sola Giwa gives back to society Its was celebration galore for members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the constituency at the prestigious Molade Okoya Thomas hall in Lagos Island, Lagos State, on Tuesday as lawmaker representing Lagos Island constituency 11 at the state house of assembly, Hon Shola Giwa gave account of his stewardship in the unveiled new projects to the constituency.

Addressing the mammoth crowd which graced the occasion, the lawmaker stated that, it was a privilege for him as a fresher on the the nomination of the newly elected speaker of the eighth

assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and contributed actively on several proceedings in the house.

Some of the new projects commissioned by the lawmaker were the launching of the zero interest Micro scale medium business, commissioning of the renovated Massey children toilet hospital, commissioning of Ambulance toll free line among others.

He also presented a cash of N50,000 each to the best three pupils who enrolled at his just concluded free Summer coaching, while he presented a cheque of N100,000 to the winning team.

Rotary Ojodu gets first female president, to raise N25million for charity In furtherance of its humanitarian mandate, Rotary Club of Ojodu has concluded plans towards raising N25 million for the execution of its projects for 2015-2016 Rotary year.

The fund raising is part of the activities marking

MC Oluomo

to its feat. The hotel management company was last week Sunday, 20th September, 2015 rewarded for quality services in Lagos at the 9th edition of Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards. It was honoured along notable individuals including, Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Bola Akindele, Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, APC Spokesman, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, MFM General Overseer, Dr. D.K. Olukoya among many others. The

Ezinne

disease prevention and treatment and they are aimed at serving humanity especially members of Ojodu community”.

Highlighting the projects, Ezinne said the idea behind the fund raising is to galvanize support of Rotarians and Rotary friends towards the

Obioha

26th of September, 2015 at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos. Rotary Club of Ojodu is one of the 84 Rotary clubs in Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria.

According to Rotarian

six areas of focus which include “basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, and Economic Empowerment and community development. resolution and prevention, Water and sanitation and

objectives for the year and beyond. She listed the projects the funds are meant for to include “The construction and equipping of a standard library, for Isheri Grammar School, Isheri, the provision of standard soccer pitch, for Ojodu Grammar School, Ojodu, sponsorship of 40 youths to Rotary International Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) programme this year and the organisation of Literary Competition amongst students of selected secondary schools in Lagos State.”

Others include: “the continuous maintenance and

equipping of Ojodu Abiodun Maternity and Health Centre, the renovation of class rooms at Ojodu Abiodun Primary School, and institution of a vocational training centre”.

According to her, the club also plans “to donate wheel chairs to the physically challenged, two bore-holes to Ojodu community, fully equipped First-Aid Boxes to 50 primary schools in Lagos, provide soft loans to selected women within

the Ojodu community and White Canes in partnership with Pachili School for the Blind” she concluded. Also intimating the media on the forthcoming awards and fund raising dinner, the planning committee chairman, Rotarian Kellynjude Anyanwu, said the event is designed also to provide a convivial platform to further introduce Rotary to people who may not have known what Rotary is all about.

Some past presidents with the President of Rotary Club of Ojodu, Rotarian Ezinne Obioha. FL: Paschal, Iwu, Ezinne Obioha, Pat-Darlens, Armstrong, and Chima.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

Last weekend, September 11 and 12, 2015, the ancient town of Sonngo in Ikire, Osun State played host to eminent personalities from home and abroad who came to join Otunba Arabambi Olusola Daniel to celebrate the life of their grand mother, Madam Mariani Aweni Oyinkanola Adekunle, who passed on in September, at the age of 105. Madam Adekunle was survived by many children, grand children. Funeral service took place at First Baptist Church, Songo, Ikire and interment at her house in Ikire. The event was attended by top politicians, chiefs and notable sons and daughters of Ikire.

L7 Events

Otunba Arabanbi

buries grand mum

Otunba Arabambi Olusola and Oluwole Ojeyinka.

Otunba Arabambi Olusola

Chairman Sun Logistic, Bola Olaniyan

Hon. Moruf Ajibola Olarenwaju

Bisola, Otunba Arabambi Olusola and Yeye Arabambi

Dignitaries at the event

Madam Stella, Otunba Arabambi Olusola and Yeye Arabambi

Members of the family

Otunba Arabambi Olusola and Yeye Arabambi with Children

X1, Ganiu Ayinde, Kayode Adesanya and Otunba Arabambi Olusola

Yeye Arabambi, Chairman Osun State Local Gov. Service Commission with Partner and Otunba Arabambi Olusola

Princess Toyin Kolade, Akeem Oladimu and Alhaja Idowu

Induction ceremony of Pastor Femi J. Kolawole at Christ Apostolic Church Lafenwa Zonal Hq. Abeokuta Ogun State.

Pastor Samuel O Omotola congratulating Pastor Kolawole during the ceremony.

Elder Olusegun Aina, Pastor Kolawole and wife, Christiana.

Pastor Samuel O Omotola congratulating Pastor Kolawole during the ceremony.

Pastor Kolawole taking the oath of induction.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, September 28, 2015

L8 TV guide

Showing on

Showing on

166 Z WORLD Channel

127 SONY Channel

01:00

02:10

Mon, 28 Sep | PG

Mon, 28 Sep | 16

opportunity to tell his Mother what Sahiba

101 M-Net West

01:30 I, Frankenstein 03:05 The Calling 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Modern Family 06:30 Blue Bloods 07:30 The Fixer

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Impostor 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 The Impostor 03:00 The Impostor 03:50 The Impostor 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me

00:35 Ten Tigers Of Kwangtung 02:05 Most Shocking

08:30 Gambit 10:00 Entertainment Now! 10:30 2 Broke Girls 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show

08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me

13:00 Nashville 14:00 Arrow

11:20 New Tricks

01:00 The Cube

12:20 Top Gear

01:45 Come Dine With Me

13:10 Come Dine With Me

12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me

02:35 Downton Abbey

14:05 Total Wipeout UK

03:30 EastEnders

15:05 The Weakest Link

04:00 EastEnders

16:00 EastEnders

04:30 EastEnders

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me

05:00 Spy

17:10 The Cube

05:25 QI

18:05 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:00 Fool Britannia

19:00 Celebrity MasterChef

21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 Would I Lie To You? 23:35 QI

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Goldbergs 17:30 The Voice 19:30 Mysteries Of Laura 20:30 Elementary 21:30 Carte Blanche 22:30 The Frozen Ground 23:00 Strike Back

10:30 The Cube 00:05 New Tricks

12:00 MasterChef Australia

154 Africa Magic Family

06:25 EastEnders 21:50 The Graham Norton Show

08:45 The Chase

22:40 Would I Lie To You?

09:30 Total Wipeout UK

23:45 Tanked

161 Mzanzi Magic

00:00 The Patient 01:10 Rovieno 02:25 53 Extra 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:10 Coco Bill 04:30 Perfect Imperfection 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Rovieno 08:40 Living With Trisha

16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 19:55 Rovieno 21:10 Family Ties 21:40 53 Extra 22:05 Living With Trisha 23:40 Music Block

00:40 Good Morning Africa 01:40 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 My Good Will 09:10 Good Morning Africa 10:10 So Wrong So Wright 10:35 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind 11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara

03:00 Most Shocking 04:00 Exposed 04:30 Exposed 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Repo Games 08:10 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:10 South Beach Tow 09:40 Most Shocking

07:55 The Weakest Link

09:30 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 14:00 Prem 14:30 Goge Africa 15:00 Family Ties

155 AfricaMagic World

12:30 Jara 13:00 Music Block 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:30 So Wrong So Wright 20:05 Revelation 21:30 Jara 22:00 Music Block 23:30 Looking In, Looking Out

10:40 Most Shocking 11:40 Video Zonkers 12:10 Repo Games 13:40 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:40 South Beach Tow 15:10 Exposed 15:40 Criss Angel Mindfreak 16:10 1000 Ways To Die 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 CB4 21:55 Sexy Car Wash 22:25 Most Shocking 23:10 Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Standup 23:30 The Real