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Fani-Kayode blasts Buhari in open letter

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ÎÎÎFormer

Aviation Minister and spokesperson of ex-President Good-

luck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation in the 2015 Presidential election,

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of

making assertions that are “at best Continued on page 6

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015 VOL. 2. NO. 11

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 23rd December 2015.

FO

273

286.65

13.65%

NESTLE

790

800

10%

NB

121.8

115.72

-6.08%

DANGCEM 153

MOBIL

130.2

143

12.8%

WAPCO

94

96.8

2.8%

PZ

28.31

26.9

-1.41%

GUINNESS

123

152.3

-0.7%

122.5

-0.5%

Boko Haram strikes in Borno, Adamawa

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a question mark on President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim last Thursday that Nigeria has “technically won’’ the war against Boko Haram, the terror sect on Monday struck in Borno and

Adamawa states, killing no fewer than 58 persons and leaving scores injured.

In Borno, no fewer than 28 people lost their lives in two separate early morning suicide bomb attacks in

Maiduguri, the state capital.

Also, about 30 people were killed on Monday when two female suicide bombers attacked a busy motor park in Madagali town of Adamawa State.

One of the blasts in Maiduguri occurred near a mosque in Suleimanti area behind the Central Bank of Nigeria office while the other was targeted at a residence behind an Internally Displaced People’s camp

known as Bakassi, killing all 18 members of the family.

Hospital sources said at least 75 people were receiving treatment for Continued on page 6

Naira strengthens against B3 dollar at g ƍ Ə ƋƋƆƋ ƌ ƏƊƆƐè sells at N260

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Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, gyrating with Spanish revelers at the 2015 Carnival Calabar... on Monday

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2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Nigeria and 2015 in retrospect

I

n the next 72 hours, the world and indeed Nigerians will bid farewell to the year 2015. Like all the years before it, 2015 would be remembered by many in very different ways. While some countries would remember 2015 with fortuitous glee and nostalgia, not many Nigerians would count themselves as too lucky with its embrace. The reasons are not hard to find. Majority of Nigerians would not forget in a hurry, the apprehensions and foreboding that welcomed 2015 with all the anxieties over the General Election to elect a new President and Governors, including national and state legislators. Matters were made worse by the fact that many state and nonstate actors engaged in such reckless utterances and even actions that created an overwhelming sense of siege and political insecurity all over the country. When the election came, it was simply a war. It was waged with all the logistics of crudity and barbarity of ancient traditional power mongers.

Moreover, the raging Boko Haram insurgency in the country’s northeast helped to add more fodder to an already volatile situation. The sense of anomie was compounded more by the growing poverty and unemployment among Nigerians brought about by the falling Naira and lack of foreign and domestic investments.

Happily, the elections have come and gone, even as some of these electoral victories are now subjects of litigation at the various election tribunals.

For the majority of Nigerians, the near comatose state of the economy has remained the biggest albatross weighing them down. Even at that, they are not consoled by any significant improvements now or in the future. The situation is made all

the most galling by the fact that the country is endowed with vast natural and human resources.

Yet, the paradox of a rich country but poor people has become the lot of Nigerians. Incidentally, the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to administer any shock therapy to reinvigorate Nigeria’s dwindling fortunes. About 40 percent of Nigerians are estimated to be very poor, which translates to 70 million people living below the poverty line in a country that has earned at least 1trillion dollars from oil in the past 50 years.

Incidentally, 2015 would remain a year the country failed to change it’s over dependence on oil for revenue and embrace other promising sectors as agriculture and solid minerals development. For this negligence, Nigeria has continued to suffer the consequences of the “Dutch disease”. For now, the country is stuck in the quagmire of partisan politicking between the two major parties of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) to the detriment of the citizens’ welfare.

Sadly, the enduring political developments in Nigeria have unearthed the true depth of the underlying spirit of her nationhood, even as it has also put to test, the character of our political leaders; who are supposed to be advocates of sound democratic political culture. Even in 2015, the parochial interests of the nation’s political, tribal, and religious leaders have made nonsense of the character of sound political leadership. As Nigerians await with bated breath the arrival of 2016, they would wish their leaders to embrace the spirit of statesmanship, national reconciliation, justice and service to all.

Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh Deputy Editor/Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

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

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

ÏÏÏThe bizarre shooting

to death of two brothers and their friend on Saturday at hotel in the Ketu area of Lagos State by a drunk policeman who also shot himself dead has added to the number of irresponsible behaviours among the nation’s service personnel.

The incident also highlights the urgent need for authorities of the various arms of security forces in the country to put in place measures to regularly monitor the mental health of personnel under them.

The police sergeant, Stephen James, with Force number 217884, was said to be a habitual smoker of Indian hemp, otherwise called marijuana.

According to eye wit-

nesses, Sergeant James, threatened to shoot the two brothers, who were twins, if they failed to buy him an alcoholic drink. The twin brothers, Taiwo, Kehinde, were at the hotel with their friend, Jeje. James was said to have been offended after Taiwo, Kehinde and Jeje cautioned him to comport himself as an adult and a responsible policeman.

Thereafter, he ambushed and killed the three young men, who were in their early 30s, as they stepped outside the hotel premises where they had gone to celebrate Jeje’s birthday.

The action of the late policeman is condemnable and portrays the police in bad light. It is a pointer to the fact that many policemen and members of other services act in ways that betray the trust placed on them by the nation and their outfits.

Fact is that there is nowhere in the laws and regulations guiding these

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security outfits that empowers service personnel to behave irresponsibly like being drunk while on duty among other deviant behaviours. Rather, they are expected to be at their best while on duty and epitome of good virtues. They are not expected to contemplate actions that smear the name of their services.

However, on many instances, the contrary is the case as the one carried out by late Sergeant James last Saturday has proven. This must change.

And for this to happen, authorities of the nation’s security outfits, the Armed Forces inclusive, must rise up to the occasion to instil discipline among officers and the rank and file. They have a duty to ensure that personnel sent out on duty are at their best, their behaviours inclusive. Personnel should be mentally balanced so as discourage behaviours that bring disgrace to the services.

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Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Editor Biodun Durojaiye

Irresponsible behaviours among service personnel

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Olusegun Obasanjo

Olorunnimbe Mamora

Ghali Umar Na’Abba

“It would be very difficult for the people of this country to see that certain arms of government are living in luxury, while the government is asking the ordinary people to continue to make sacrifice”.

“I believe that if some of the resolutions are implemented, they would go a long way in correcting the perceived imbalance and injustice in the country”.

“The Igbos are very hard working and enterprising. They are spread all over Africa. In Nigeria, there are over 25 million Igbos outside Igboland, achieving economic success”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Boko Haram strikes in Borno, Adamawa Continued from page 1 wounds sustained from the explosions.

The injured are mostly worshippers from the Suleimanti Mosque who were attacked shortly after the early morning prayers.

Meanwhile, the Borno Police Command on Monday confirmed the death of scores of people after a suspected bomb blast near a mosque in

Suleimanti on the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Mr. Victor Isuku, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), gave the confirmation while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri. ``I can confirm to you that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday. ``But I cannot give you the casualty figures as aid workers are still counting,’’ Isuku said.

However, some residents claimed that at least 20 persons were killed.

Mallam Bukar Idris a resident of the area said: `` I was lucky to have escaped the attack because I left the place few minutes to fetch something in my house for a friend at the gathering. ``But I lost two childhood friends, Mallam Modu Bushara and Mallam Shehu Sawab, ’’ Idris said, adding that

he counted at least 20 dead bodies before the arrival of aid workers at the scene.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had confirmed that 25 people were killed and 85 others injured in Sunday’s deadly attacks when three of 14 female suicide bombers who attempted to invade Maiduguri blew themselves off.

Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, made

L-R: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; President Muhammadu Buhari; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian pilgrims commission, Mr. John keneddy Opara; President, Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Rev. Israel Akanji and FCT Minister, Adamu Bello during a visit to the President on Christmas by Christian Residents in Abuja… at the weekend.

the disclosure at a media briefing in Maiduguri.

He said that the 14 female suicide bombers, who were between the ages of 12 and 18, attempted to enter Maiduguri with the intent to cause mayhem, confusion and panic.

Abubakar, who was represented by Maj.-General Lamidi Adeosun, the GOC, 7 Division, said that the girls were intercepted by men of the Nigerian Army on patrol.

He said that three of the suicide bombers detonated their Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in their bodies killing 25 persons and injuring 85 others.

He said that the terrorists intended to carry out massive and coordinated suicide missions through Asmari, Damboa checkpoint, Ali Dawari, Molai Kura, Baderi, Jumari villages on the outskirt of Maidugri.

Abubakar said: ``Seven other suicide bombers were gunned down by our troops, three escaped and one was arrested. ``I believe this development has averted what would have been a major disaster if they had gained entrance into Maiduguri. ``One of the girls went to a nearby house and requested

for water to perform ablution but instead prepared herself and came to a nearby mosque and blew herself off killing one person while 13 others sustained injuries,” he said.

Abubakar said that the insurgents recently ambushed Nigerian troops in Mairaria village on the MaiduguriMonguno and Firgi road.

He said that 14 insurgents and four soldiers died in the ensuing gun battle.

In Adamawa State, no fewer than 30 people were killed on Monday when two female suicide bombers attacked a busy motor park in Madagali town of the state.

A witness, Danladi Buba, said the two female suicide bombers detonated bombs at a mini market near a motor park around 9: 00 am, killing about 30 people and leaving 16 others injured.

Meanwhile, Brig.-Gen Victor Ezugwu, Brigade Commander, 28 Task Force Brigade, Mubi, has confirmed that two female suicide bombers on Monday detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Madagali village in Adamawa.

“Two female suicide bombers struck at a motor park in

wonders how we were supposed to procure arms unless we did so with raw cash on the black market.

“The alternative was to buy none at all, to do nothing and to allow Boko Haram to take Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Lagos. Perhaps that is precisely what your western friends and allies wanted but thankfully it never came to pass.

“Despite the challenges and constraints President Jonathan faced, instead of losing any more ground, he rose to the occasion and retook no less than 22 local government areas and virtually pushed Boko Haram out of Nigeria.

“The only place that they occupied by the time the election took place was Sambisa forest.

“Jonathan achieved all this with those arms that he bought with raw cash.

This is apparently what you are now complaining about.

Permit me to remind you that it is those same arms that Jonathan bought with raw cash that your army is still using till today.”

Fani-Kayode said since Buhari was sworn in seven months ago, his government has lost some of those same local government areas that were earlier recovered, adding that “despite this you keep telling the international community and the Nigerian people that we are ‘making progress’ in the war against terror.

He dismissed recent comments by Buhari and Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the Boko Haram war had been won ‘technically’, saying “sadly, two days later, on Christmas day, in what can only

Continued on page 12

Fani-Kayode blasts Buhari in open letter Continued from page 1 contradictory and at worst patently dishonest” in the on-going prosecution of war against terror.

In an Open Letter to the President, Chief Fani-Kayode, who is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the prosecution of the war against terror “is not something that any of us should play politics with”, regardless of which side of the political divide one belongs to, as “human lives are at stake and the very existence of our nation is under threat.”

Fani-Kayode said, “Your penchant for blaming your failings in this regard on the previous administration is simply nauseating and it does not serve you well.

“You continuously contradict yourself when it

comes to this matter and frankly such flip flops are unworthy of the office that you presently occupy.

“We your subjects look up to you for consistency, strength, unequivocal commitment, a firm resolve and the ‘leadership from the front’ that you promised during your presidential campaign in this war. We do not want and neither do we need doublespeak, lame excuses and buck passing.

Citing “a few examples of your contradictory assertions and your buck passing”, he said: “Initially you claimed that your predecessor in office President Goodluck Jonathan never bought any arms and that instead he squandered and stole all the money that was appropriated for the procurement of arms.

“Yet when the British Minister of Defense vis-

ited you in the Presidential Villa the other day the story changed. You did a U-turn and gleefully told him and the wider world that President Jonathan bought arms with raw cash.

“One wonders which story you shall come up with next and which one you will conjure up in the future.

“Kindly tell us what the position is: is it that Jonathan did not buy arms at all and stole all the money or is it that he used cash to buy arms? You cannot have it both ways. It is either one or the other.

“Quite apart from your glaring doublespeak on this matter there was another issue which you ought to have raised with your highly esteemed and respected British guest.

“You forgot to tell him that his was one of the countries that not only refused to

sell weapons to us during the course of this bitter conflict but that also helped to impose and enforce the international arms embargo on our country even though we are at war.

“This resulted in the unnecessary death of thousands of our people because we found it difficult to procure the weapons to protect them.

“Your guest’s country insisted on towing the American line and doing this to us even though we were fighting a war against a relentless, well-motivated, well-funded and well-armed fighting force that Global Terror Index has described as the ”deadliest terrorist organization in the world.”

“One is forced to ask: with friends like this, who needs enemies?

“Given the fact that the embargo was in place, one

Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

7 News

Ship owners call for investments in ship recycling ÏÏÏThe President of

the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, on Monday, urged investors to tap the potential of Nigeria’s shipbreaking and recycling sector.

He made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that prior to this time, ship wrecks were taken to foreign countries for breaking and recycling but the cost of moving such wrecks had made it unprofitable.

“There are many wrecked ships scattered over the waterways of Nigeria. Until the 1960s, ship-breaking was considered a highly mechanised operation concentrated in industrialised countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Germany and Italy.

“From the early 1980s, ship owners sent their vessels to the scrap yards of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and

Vietnam, where payment, health and safety standards were minimal,” Ogbeifun said.

He said people were also desperate to work.

“The aim was to maximise profit, but, today, in Nigeria, these vessels are abandoned midstream and around waterfronts within the country.

The cost of towing these vessels to other parts of the country makes it no longer profitable for ship-breaking and recycling of steel,” Ogbeifun observed.

He, however, said that some companies had started shipyard expansion to key into the sector, which had the potential for developing and giving the required service locally.

“Companies such as Starzs Marine and Engineering Ltd., operators of the Starzs Shipyard at Onne, have commenced shipyard expansion to incorporate shipbreaking,” he said.

NDLEA apprehends man with cocaine in anus

ÏÏÏThe National Drug Law En-

forcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Ikeh Maxwell Obumneme, on Boxing Day, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with substances that tested positive as cocaine inserted in his anus.

The suspect was arrested on his way from Brazil with drugs packed in six wraps weighing 120 grammes.

Another suspect, Nwakpo Tochukwu Akumma, was also apprehended while trying to export a consignment containing 1.860kg of methamphetamine sealed in tin tomato paste to South Africa NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, who

Ogun vows to reduce poverty in 2016 ÏÏÏDetermined to reduce pov-

erty and provide employment for its citizens, the Ogun State Ministry of Finance is ready to generate transactions that would lead to growth by collaborating with agencies involved in poverty eradication programmes in the coming year.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, disclosed this while fielding questions from members of the State House of Assembly during

spoke on the arrests said that the suspects, Obumneme, 40, and Akumma, 27, had targeted the festive period to smuggle drugs.

He said, “Intelligence report received by the agency indicated that the suspects specifically targeted the festive season to smuggle their drugs. Ikeh Maxwell, who inserted cocaine in his anus from Sao Paulo through Dubai on Emirates flight was caught on arrival while Nwakpo Tochukwu that hid methamphetamine in tomato paste meant for export to South Africa on South Africa airways flight was equally arrested”.

Ikeh Maxwell who hails from Oji River in Enugu State said that this was his first time of dealing in drugs. the 2016 budget defence at the Assembly complex in Abeokuta.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokeperson, Mrs. Abolanle Ogunlami, stated that the Ministry would welcome poverty eradication ideas from any agency, carry out investment appraisal of such ideas and use it to boost the economy of the state.

The commissioner, who noted that the objective of the 2016 budget was to formulate financial policy and regulation that would facilitate increase in government revenue, enhance fiscal objectives and sound management of the finance of the state, defended the Ministry’s proposed budget of N4.143 billion.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Minister for Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (left) and Dapo Oyebanji known as Dbanj, during the flag-off of the One Lagos Fiesta held at the Agege Mini Stadium, Lagos...on Sunday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Ribadu may exit PDP, holds talks with Akande Olainukan Hakeem

ÏÏÏThere

are indications that the pioneer Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, may have perfected plans to dump Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sequel to his declaration in Ila, Osun State, on Sunday, of his readiness to join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Ridadu, it was learnt, held secret talks with former Osun state governor, Chief Bisi Akande, in his residence in Ila, where the plans were perfected.

It will be recalled that Ribadu contested the last governorship

election in Adamawa State on the platform of the PDP, but lost to the APC candidate.

He was also the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), in 2011, while Chief Akande was the national chairman of the party, and Osun was the only state where Ribadu won in the entire federation at the time.

“The details of the meeting is not for newsmen, but I can confirm to you Ribadu discussed with Chief Akande about his plans to move to APC. Baba (Akande) enjoys a lot of respect of many party elders and people accord him the honour of being the first leader

of our party, even when it was not certain we would make it.

“So, coming to Ila, I believe is to prepare ground for him. Remember Baba (Akande) was the chairman of ACN when Ribadu ran for the presidency in 2011. They have a healthy relationship and that must have informed his coming to seek his blessings”, a chieftain of APC, who was in Akande’s residence during the meeting, but preferred anonymity, told our correspondent.

The source also added that Ribadu, before meeting Chief Akande, met with members of the party in one the halls in Osun former governor’s lodge.

Tambuwal promises not to sack teachers

ÏÏÏGovernor

Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has promised that his administration would not sack any teacher from the civil service.

“But we will not fail to reassign any teacher that does not have the requisite qualifications to be in the classroom,” Tambuwal said on Monday in Dogon-Daji, Tambuwal Local Government Area.

He made the promise in his address at the annual national congress of the old Boys’ association of his alma-mater, Government Secondary School, Dogon Daji.

He said: “Beginning from the next budget, government will ensure continuous training and

retraining of teachers to update their knowledge and make them conform to modern teaching techniques. Huge sums of money have been budgeted for that purpose. We do not plan to retrench any teacher working with the state government.

“In fact, we need qualified teachers to address the shortfall in numbers. What we will not condone in our schools are unqualified teachers who have nothing to offer our children. If after giving you the necessary training, we discovered that you do not have the capacity or enthusiasm to teach, we will reassign you to where your expertise is most

Tambuwal

needed.”

While commending the executive of the association for its diligence in the face of mounting challenges, Tambuwal solicited its support in government’s efforts to take the state to greater heights.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Politics

Æs

Buhari can’t run away from Confab report – Hon Odebunmi Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi is the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Federal lawmaker from Oyo State and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation. In this interview with REMI OLADOYE, he discusses the 2016 budget and why he feels the PDP is a minority party with good strength. Excerpts: Few days ago President Muhammadu Buhari presented a budget of over N6 trillion for the 2016 fiscal year. As a lawmaker from the PDP, do you

think the budget is visible?

Mere listening to the total figure of the budget, the first thing that will come to mind is how feasible the budget will be. By the present

state of economy in the country, one will definitely say the implementation is not feasible. As a human being, it is a welcome development to have a very robust budget.

Even if we can have a N10 trillion budget, it is good for the nation, and the people and most especially CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Odebunmi

How FG hopes to generate 1 million jobs in 2016 In its bid to tackle unemployment as one of its major achievements this year, the Federal Government is targeting the provision of over one million jobs.

In his 2016 budget presented to the joint session of the National Assembly last Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari emphasised his determination to tackle unemployment.

His words: “As we focus on inclusive growth, we are conscious of the current rate of unemployment and underemployment. This is a challenge we are determined to meet; and this budget is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work. I can assure you that this administration will have a job creation focus in every aspect of the execution of this budget. Nigeria’s job creation drive will be private sector led. We will encourage this by a reduction in tax rates for smaller businesses as well as subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals”.

According to the president, as an emergency measure, to address the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools across the country, we also will partner with State and Local Governments to recruit, train and deploy 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders. These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in our rural areas.

He added that the government

Buhari

Ngige

Amaechi

intends to partner with State and Local Governments to provide financial training and loans to market women, traders and artisans,

through their cooperative societies. We believe that this segment of our society is not only critical to our plan for growing small busi-

nesses, but it is also an important platform to create jobs and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Besides, he said through the of-

fice of the Vice President, the government is working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer program for the poorest and most vulnerable. His words: “This program will be implemented in phases. Already, the compilation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing.

In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme, which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions. Indeed, this will mark a historic milestone for us as a nation.

Also, Transport Minister, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, declared that the federal government will embark on a massive railway infrastructure development across the country, and that about 250,000 CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Ebonyi governor brings dividends of democracy to communities

Gov Umahi

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Nweze Umahi, has flagged off the construction of the Ivo Water Project estimated to cost over N1.2bn while also commissioning rural electricity and street light projects.

Speaking at the ceremony in Amagu Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, Umahi disclosed that the

project which was conceived when he was a deputy governor was a Federal Government-assisted project.

Umahi commended Senator Anyim Pius Anyim for his contributions towards the realization of the water project.

The governor said: “We requested for assistance from the Federal Government for this Ivo Water Project. It

was supposed to be for Ishiagu alone, but we decided to expand it to reach Akaeze community and also get to our model rice mill in Oso Edda.”

He said that 70 per cent of the money needed to complete the project was ready, stressing that the counterpart funding from the FederCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

9 Politics

Why Kingsley Kuku is in race for Ondo governorship Fresh facts have emerged on why Mr. Kingsley Kuku, a former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under the administration of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan announced his bid for the Ondo State governorship seat despite his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriation of funds while in office.

It was learnt that Kuku, who many believed may be deliberately avoiding investigators, as he is yet to honour the over threemonth old invitation is said to be receiving a deluge of messages from his admirers and supporters in far away United States urging him to come out for next year’s governorship election in the state.

In a statement in Akure, Ondo State, announcing the constitution of his campaign committee for the 2016 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kuku named Honourable Ebenezer Alabi, a former state chairman of the PDP as head of the Kuku Support Group.

Kuku, who said he has been recuperating in an hospital in United States of America after a knee surgery, said the formation of the group became imperative in order to make it easy for him to interact and interface with his supporters who have been concerned about his state of health.

“I have been overwhelmed by messages from persons at home

How FG hopes to generate 1 million jobs in 2016 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Kuku and in Diaspora genuinely concerned about my medical trip in the United States of America and trending events in our polity especially Our Sunshine State.

“By the schedule of my treatment, I am now at the concluding and very critical physical therapy stage, after which I shall return home in due course of time.

“With the messages coming from well meaning individuals, professional bodies, youths and women’s groups, associations of market women and artisans, it has become necessary for me to

Magu appreciate and recognise these persons and organise them under this platform to make it easy for me to interact and interface with them from time to time,” he said.

Kuku expressed confidence in the ability of Alabi in carrying out the task and stated that Alabi was picked as the coordinator of the group because of his political experience and said the former chairman would work with other tested and trusted hands to ensure smooth operations of the group.

“Alabi’s experience as former

Chairman of Akure North Local Government and state Chairman of PDP will in no small measure be an advantage in this task.

“Alabi is trustworthy, reliable and completely de-tribalised individual who is totally committed to the PDP in Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

“Hence, I have no doubt he will deliver on this assignment. Once again, l wish to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have demonstrated this uncommon love for me,” the statement added.

jobs could be created through works on railway lines in 2016.

The minister made the remark at the end of his tour of transport facilities and agencies in Lagos which took off last week.

During the course of the tour, the minister toured the Iddo railway facilities, the Lagos seaport, and airport facilities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and its environs.

While briefing journalists about his findings, the minister reiterated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s plan to increase the ministry of transport’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) from its current 1.41 percent contribution, stressing that the current contribution was not enough. He promised that under his leadership the ministry would do more to raise the sector’s contribution.

“The railways has suffered significant neglect even though it is the cheapest mode of transportation. The current state of railway is an indication of severe neglect and it is a chaotic situation, with government spending without any return on investment.

“Government will focus on railway to encourage mass transit and cargo freights by railway.

The current government is planning massive investment into the standard gauge which constructions will begin in 2016, with the Calabar-Lagos coastal railway”, he said.

Ebonyi governor brings dividends of democracy to communities CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

al Government was also available with the state government.

Umahi, who used the occasion to thank the people of Ivo LGA for their support during the last governorship election, assured them of the provision of roads and electricity.

“Roads are still coming, electricity will still come,” he assured, stressing that when the water project is completed, the government will be proud to say that the water need of the LGA has been solved.

Earlier in an address on the occasion, the Commissioner for

Water Resources, Engr. Francis Orji, stated that the project which has a 12-month completion period was awarded to Chap Construction Limited at the cost of N1, 203,824,347.44k.

Orji thanked Governor Umahi for his huge investments in the water sector and assured of the commitment of his ministry “to ensure that the project is started, executed and completed in the most professional manner”.

Similarly, Governor Umahi commissioned the Uburu Rural Electrification and Uburu Street light projects.

Performing the ceremony at

Gov Umahi Umunaga Agu-Ugwu and the Old Market Square, Amata Uburu in Ohaozara LGA, Umahi said, “When we came on board, we sat

down to say look it is better to start our rural electrification community by community. If we come to one community, we finish everything about rural electrification of that community.”

The governor told Uburu people to hold the Commissioner for Power, Chief Emmanuel Uguru, responsible if there was any part of Uburu without electricity.

He said, “Our agreement is for this (electricity) to get to every part of Uburu so that for years, Uburu will not ask for electricity again, and from there we will go to another community anywhere in Ebonyi State.”

The governor announced with regrets, attempt by some people to vandalize the electricity cables and directed that the suspects must be prosecuted.

He charged Uburu people to protect all government investments in their area, warning that any vandalised public utility would not be repaired.

Umahi said, “You have to guard government’s investments. This is your own dividend of democracy.

So any one vandalised will not be repaired”.

The governor thanked Chief Uguru and his team for their commitment in delivering on set goals.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Nigerians don’t expect lawmakers to use their private cars for lawmaking – Odebunmi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

a budget of about 30 percent capital budget which is very good for this nation. The budget is okay, I even see it as a budget of foundation because this is the beginning of the change government Nigerians voted for. This is the beginning of Buhari’s administration, so I see it as a budget to be tagged as a foundation budget; we want to have a solid foundation for the administration for the next four years.

Is there any need for the president to start a new foundation when some have already been built by the PDP or are you subscribing to the claims that PDP has destroy everything?

That’s not what I mean. It’s a new administration and there is a mark already. If the government of the day refused to acknowledge what we have done and where we stopped, we in PDP marked it. We know what we have done in the last 16 years of effective administration. So, Buhari is starting his own administration by continuing where we have stopped. What I mean is that the president is laying his own administration’s foundation and not for the country. So it is that foundation that he will base his government on for the next four years. Even if it is continuity as you may view it, but no one can erase the achievements of the PDP while in power. For instance, the rail projects being talked about by the government was started by Jonathan’s administration and there was a mark where we stopped and Nigerians knows that as well.

But with the way the Buhari administration-led APC government is going in rebranding Nigeria, don’t you think their achievements will rubbish all what PDP claims to have achieved in 16 years?

I don’t know what you mean, how can they rubbish what has been done in the last 16 years? Have you forgotten how Nigeria was in 1999? Don’t forget that it was the commercialization of the telecommunication sector that brought about the development we are having in ICT and GSM now. What will you say about the federal institutions built and sustained by PDP administrations? What about the International airports and others?

PDP has laid a solid foundation for the country; we succeeded in raising Nigeria far beyond where it used to be in the area of education infrastructural development and other sector including educa-

Odebunmi tion and health. Nigeria was not stagnant during the PDP, I can tell you that hardly will you see the difference between what the PDP government has done and what APC government will do, hardly will you see the difference.

But the picture APC is trying to paint is that PDP is an embodiment of corruption looking at the issue of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and other corruption cases leveled against the party leaders?

I totally disagree with your view on PDP and corruption. On the issue of Dasuki, whatever happened in the office of the National Security Adviser, I don’t see it as corruption. In the government sys-

Buhari tem there are a lot of programmes being initiated to serve as welfare for Nigerians. By the time they dig deep, you will discover that there are some misinformation being peddled about. When you say something is from the office of the National Security Adviser, does it mean that all the money in that office must be spent on ammunition?

There are a lot of emergencies you can declare on security matter that does not even go along with a gun?

Office of the National Security Adviser can go to any length in ensuring that peace reigns in the nation.

Do you see President Buhari achieving the goal of December deadline for Boko Haram?

In my own assessment, they have

Secondus met the target already and I want to commend the Nigeria Army for their effort so far. From the report available, virtually all the Boko Haram hideouts have been captured and retrieved. Even the Sambisa forest which is part of the promise, they have achieved. One cannot say that there will not be attack once in a while, it is possible because some of them who managed to escape from Sambisa forest have mingled with the people, and once in a while, they may want to strike to distract the attention of the government. The Nigerian Army has met the target.

The reaction of many Nigerians to the demand by the National Assembly to purchase

SUV for members was not favorable and that seems to have forced the NASS to be silent on the issue; can you update the public about the latest?

We are serving Nigeria, we are entitled to it because they don’t expect us to be moving with private cars while discharging our duties.

Companies do give official cars to their workers, it is not much and there is nothing wrong in that.

What is the level or relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of Nigeria?

You know the legislative arm of the government is to create a kind of check and balances with the exCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Kogi Assembly crisis: Lawal remains impeached – Factional Speaker Factional Speaker of Kogi House of Assembly, on Monday reaffirmed the position of 17 members that the embattled speaker, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal remains impeached.

Addressing newsmen in Lokoja, Osiyi said that the impeachment, carried out on Dec. 10 during plenary, through the resolution of the 17-member-signatories still stood.

He said that contrary to insinuations from different quarters, the impeachment of Lawal (PDP-

Okene II) was not influenced by anyone.

According to him, the impeachment is premised on six grounds arising from general feeling of discontentment among members. ``This includes gross incompetence and lack of capacity and confidence to preside over the proceedings of the 6th Assembly.

Lawal’s sins, Osiji added, also include insensitivity to members’ interest and plight and misrepresentation between the Assembly and the Executive for his personal

interests and aggrandizement.

Others, he said, were mismanagement of Assembly funds and other valuable resources and betrayal of trust members reposed on him.

He also listed Lawal’s offence to include high-handedness in the administration of the Assembly “as he operates like a sole administrator.”

In his defence, Lawal said that though he was not opposed to the impeachment, it ought to have followed due process.

He declared that the manner in which it was conducted contravened the House rules and procedures for impeachment.

Lawal alleged that legislators plotting his removal forged the signature of Umar Ahmed Imam (APC) the member representing Lokoja 1 constituency, as one of the 17 members that signed the impeachment notice.

Meanwhile, Gov. Idris Wada will on Tuesday, Dec.29 present the 2016 Budget to the state Assembly. (NAN)

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

11 Politics

PDP, opposition with very good strength will stage come back – Hon Odebunmi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

should be channelled through the local governments because they are closer, so if they local governments have autonomy and such money is given to them, it would also help in the development of the grassroots?

That one is different, the local government have their budget and the state have their own too to implement whatever they plan to do for the people. We in the last assembly worked hard to ensure the local government have autonomy, the same way we are championing the issue of autonomy for the state Assembly too, but it is surprising that most state assembly voted against the autonomy for themselves and without having autonomy, it will be difficult for them to be effective.

ecutive and so far so good, the present administration is having a very robust relationship with the legislature even with the judiciary. That President Buhari personally came to present the budget to the joint session of National Assembly last week is part of the respect and harmonious relationship with the lawmakers; we have also visited him at the Villa for familiarisation and we have been relating very well.

Is the PDP caucus at the National Assembly disposed to President Buhari’s style of government in reshaping Nigeria?

Why not, when we are talking about the development of this nation, nobody goes on party line; the aspect where we can go on party line is different. Even, the fight along party line which usually occurs at the beginning was just for recognition so that everybody can be seen as a stakeholder in moving the nation forward. The moment that one is done, everybody fall in line particularly in moving the nation forward. We discuss national issues and put party issue aside.

Do you see the 2014 National conference organised by Goodluck Jonathan as a waste of time and resources?

No it is not a waste of resources, before the CONFAB was organised, there were lots of prediction about Nigeria and many people think that prediction particularly about break up was going to come to fruition before 2015 as predicted. Jonathan’s plan to organise the CONFAB was applauded as everybody see it as a solution to Nigerian’s problem. We saw it as a platform where the ethnicity problem and other issues can be discussed. Because of the CONFAB which brought people from all regions together to say their mind and proffer solution to the problems. Even in moving the nation forward, if the Federal government can engage its citizens on issues that is threatening peace and security of the country, the problem will be better solved than just taking a decision without proper consultation of the people affected.

President Buhari seems not to be disposed to the report?

There is no way he won’t come back to it, this is the document of the nation, and this is the document the former administration spent resources and money to get so he won’t let it go like that. He

Odebunmi has the right to review, exclude or include or even bring another idea that is yet to be discussed, he can even go ahead to establish another conference of such to review the one available now, because that is the only way Nigeria can move forward.

As the chairman House committee on information and National Orientation how will you ensure effectiveness of the agencies under your office?

There is a laid down rule for everything, all the agencies under my office are all being supervised by the Minister and any information needed by our office can easily be got through the office of the minister. We will be working together to make sure that all the agencies under the ministries get enough fund to perform their functions so that they will be able to deliver the dividends of Democracy. Nigerians need information, information ministry is the kind of ministry that needs to do a lot because it’s a ministry that will disseminate information to the citizen. Any policy of the federal government will be gotten through this ministry and during my engagement with the Honourable Minister, I discovered that he has a lot of plans for effective running of the ministry, and we will ensure people are properly educated in all sectors through different channels.

One of the problems in Nigeria is lack of information and adequate orientation about their civic duties, as an actor in

Buhari that sector is there any form of proposal or idea from your end that will help in enhancing the understanding of Nigerians on the need to appreciate their core value as a nation, know their functions and duties as citizens and others?

In the course of my engagement with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, I realise that the agency is endowed with homogenous plans and idea for Nigerians, but the problem they are having is funding. The little the DG is doing at the National level, if our DG at the state level can do half of it, Nigerians would have been better informed. Their duty is to inform Nigeria about a lot of things, it goes beyond what they are able to do because of lack of fund. They are supposed to enlighten the public about the policy of the government, precautionary measure in case of emergency, the ethics that Nigeria demands and what is expected of an individual as a citizen and many more. So, the only thing we can do is to influence how the agencies will be funded for effective operation and information dissemination. They will be able to move to all levels to sensitise people on the need to have actions and behavior guided by moral ethics and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and if they are functioning well at all the local governments, they will achieve good results and my own idea is to have all the agencies properly funded.

and Appeal Court recently is an affirmation of the confidence reposed in you by the people of your constituency, what plans do you have for those people so that they will enjoy dividends of democracy from your end?

As a federal lawmaker, I don’t need to promise my people social amenities, electricity and others but because of the way and dimension with which we play our politics, there is need for me to do such and I promise them, I will be there for them in those areas as well. My constituency is a rural constituency, more than half of the communities in my constituency are yet to be connected to the National grid, I have a lot of challenges that must be met, and I have been taking steps to ensure they are connected also we are working on making water available for the people, I am one of the people who is clamoring for the increment of the fund given to us as constituency allowances. For instance, in Oyo State, we are 14 in number, in Bayelsa they are six, we are collecting the same amount.

The reason behind my demands for increase in constituency projects fund is that since I was born, I have never seen any direct projects from the presidency in my constituency, so it is those little thing that we were been given that make my people to feel the impact of the government. So, I will appreciate it if President Buhari can increase this money and reduce the pressure of serious monitoring as we are close to the masses.

Your victory at the tribunal

But don’t you think the money

Any plan to join APC? My philosophy about politics and political parties is a bit different and I don’t see any other thing compelling for me to be in politics if not for the calling and support of my people. I have not seen any reason for me to leave my political party which is PDP. But from the look of things it seems there is no chance for PDP in the country any more?

If it is possible for APC to move from zero level to come and rule at the federal level, I believe that PDP will still come back. Really we are minority, but a minority with a very good strength, a minority with about 200 lawmakers about 14 governors, and others, so, we are in the opposition with a very good strength. We are a very strong minority but because of our idea and philosophy of our proposal we have given Nigerians, very soon, you will see that Nigerians will return to PDP. But do you think Nigerians will still believe PDP having seen what they have done in 16 years?

PDP didn’t waste anybody’s time, what we are enjoying today is PDP, the freedom of information, development in the ICT and many others, if the citizen president can allow free and fair election to take him away out of the office, can it happen in other parties? It can never happen, I can assure you that before the end of this administration, when people start comparing the benefit of PDP government and that of the APC, then you will know that PDP is the only party to reckon with and the party that can take Nigerian to a greater height.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2016 inspires hope for better Nigeria, says Emeka Anyaoku ÎÎÎThe year 2016 inspires

hope of a real change for the better in Nigeria’s national circumstances, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has said.

Anyaoku made the remark in a signed statement made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.

He expressed hope that the pervading insecurity in Nigeria would be brought under control.

He also expressed hope that corruption which had remained the greatest bane to national development would be effectively tack-

led. ``The infrastructural deficit in power supply, transportation including roads, education and health will receive attention. ``Youth unemployment together with the widespread poverty of the masses will be productively addressed,’’ the statement quoted Anyaoku as saying.

The elder statesman described 2015 as a year of historic events which began with insecurity and devastation in the North-Eastern part of the country.

He said that the outgoing year also witnessed grow-

ing threat of destructive violence to the national electoral process with potential unacceptable consequences for the integrity of the nation. ``But thanks to the initiative by some elder-statesmen led to signing of the Abuja Accord of violencefree campaigns by the 14 presidential candidates and their political parties. ``The elections were peaceful which enabled the country to progress its evolving democracy by having for the first time a peaceful change of government from a ruling to an op-

position party,’’ he said.

Anyoku said that the challenge facing the President Muhammadu Buhari-

led administration is to work with all the regions of the country for the realisation of these hopes.

He added that the challenge also calls for collaborative response from all the citizens.

Residents of Port Harcourt express concern about carnival’s cancellation ÎÎÎSome

residents of Port Harcourt say the cancellation of the annual carnival by the Rivers Government has affected recreational and tourist activities in the state.

A carnival -- Carniriv -- used to be held every De-

cember in Port Harcourt by the immediate past administration in the state.

The residents observe that the event, described as biggest after Carnival Calabar, was cancelled by the present administra-

tion of Gov. Nyesom Wike.

The residents, who spoke on Monday, said that the importance of the carnival in the life of the people should have been considered before the cancellation.

Boko Haram strikes in Borno, Adamawa Continued from page 6

L-R: President of Chestrad International, Dr. Lola Dare; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris and Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Innocent Ujah At the public presentation of ‘I will Give’ held in Lagos… on Monday.

Madagali and detonated their devices and we lost some beloved country men,” he said.

Ezugwu, who did not disclose the number of casualties, however stated that the situation had been brought under control and that security had been beefed up in the town.

He urged the people to vigilant and security conscious.

Some eyewitnesses at the scene said the two female suicide bombers detonated their IEDs at the motor park

around 9 a.m, adding that several people lost their lives and others were injured.

Recall that President Buhari had in an interview posted on the BBC website last Thursday claimed that the Boko Haram insurgents have been technically defeated.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said last week that the Nigerian military had met the December deadline to defeat the terror sect. Despite these claims, however, the terror sect has continued its attacks.

Fani-Kayode blasts Buhari in open letter Continued from page 6 be described as an eloquent response from the terrorists, scores of innocent civilians were killed by Boko Haram in Borno state and a whole community was burnt to the ground.

“Again on Sunday 27th of December, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, came under heavy attack from the terrorists. So much for having ‘won the war against Boko Haram’, whether ‘technically’ or otherwise.

“Instead of conceding that you had told the Nige-

rian people a pernicious lie, curiously the next thing that you did was to tell them that you would ‘persuade Boko Haram to drop their arms’.

“One is compelled to ask: why would you have to persuade them to drop their arms if you had already defeated them and won the war against them?”

On the Chibok girls, FaniKayode said: “Whilst you are at it perhaps you could also persuade Boko Haram to free the Chibok girls. It is disturbing to note that despite all your campaign promises and assurances

that once you are elected President the girls would be rescued or returned, nothing has been done or heard about any of them ever since you were sworn in.

“Worst still, the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), which was essentially an appendage of your election organization, together with its distinguished leaders and conveners, appear to have gone very quiet. I guess they are busy trying to persuade Boko Haram to drop their arms too.

“The truth is that it is

time for you to free yourself from your monumental delusions and to get real. Sadly you appear to be detached from reality.”

On the soldiers at the war front, Fani-Kayode wrote: “You refused to tell the world that our military is terribly demoralized, our soldiers are suffering heavy casualties and are not being paid their salaries regularly and, worse of all, that you have failed to procure a single bullet or weapon for them to use in the last seven months since you came to power.”

He also accused the Presi-

dent of spending much energy and resources in teaching his perceived enemies, especially former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the lesson of their lives.

He further accused the President of misrepresenting these perceived enemies before the world, “subjecting them to state-sponsored tyranny and the most insidious form of persecution, violating their human rights and lying to the world that they stole and shared money that was meant for the purchase of arms.

“You have also misled and misinformed the Nigerian people about the rules and conventions that are applied when it comes to the administration of security funds and about the fact that it is the National Assembly alone that has the right to probe the use of such funds as part of their oversight functions.

“To cap it all, you have claimed you did not receive any benefit from the NSA’s office whilst Jonathan was in power. This is an assertion which we all know is, at best, questionable.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Foreign News 13

S’ Korea, Japan strike deal over sex slaves ÏÏÏJapan

and South Korea have reached a landmark agreement that both countries’ foreign ministers say resolves the longstanding dispute over Tokyo’s responsibility to “comfort women” who were forced to work as prostitutes in Japanese military brothels in World War II. In Seoul Monday, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se announced they reached a settlement that includes both financial

restitution and an official apology from Japan.

“The comfort women issue is an issue whereby many women under the then-military’s involvement bore deep scars to their honor and dignity, and from this perspective, the Japanese government acutely feels responsible,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida at a joint news conference.

South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye has repeatedly called on Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to make a “sincere

apology” and offer reparations to the 46 remaining Korean “comfort women,” who are now in their 80s and 90s.

It is estimated that 200,000 women throughout the Pacific region were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese military during Japan’s colonization of Asia and in World War II. Abe had issued statements of regret in the past regarding the suffering experienced by the “comfort women” but stopped short of apologizing. Tokyo’s position on compensation

had been that its obligations were legally settled by a 1965 diplomatic treaty normalizing relations between Japan and South Korea.

A statement released by both countries during the news conference included a message on behalf of Abe. “As Prime Minister of Japan, Prime Minister Abe expresses anew his most sincere apologies and remorse to all the women who underwent immeasurable and painful experiences and suffered incurable

physical and psychological wounds as comfort women,” read the statement.

The exact wording of Japan’s remarks on the comfort women issue has long been a source of contention. South Korea has insisted that the Japanese government has not fully acknowledged that it was complicit in recruiting women. The foreign ministers did not elaborate on details of the apology.

However, there are reports that Abe would send each surviving comfort woman victim a letter of apology.

Kishida said Park and Abe will speak by phone about the deal later Monday.

The Japanese foreign minister also confirmed that Tokyo agreed to pay 1 billion yen (over $8 million) to support the comfort women. The money will go into a South Korean fund similar to a 1997-2007 Japanese initiative called the Asian Women’s Fund, set up in to offer assistance to “comfort women.” Kishida said the funding was not compensation but rather a donation.

Burundi rivals in Uganda for peace talks-Amnesty ÏÏÏRival

Former comfort woman Kil Un-ock, forced into sexual slavery to Japanese troops during World War II, attends a rally protesting a U.S. visit by Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe, outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

S’ Sudan rebels urge President to rescind new states Decree

ÏÏÏAn official with South

Sudan’s rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar said South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s decree creating 28 new states violates the spirit of the August peace accord.

In his Christmas Eve decree, Kiir also appointed 28 new governors, all of them loyal to him.

The president’s announcement came as rebel advance teams are in Juba to work with their government counterparts on modalities for the joint implementation of the August peace agreement.

Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth is the secretary for foreign affairs of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition.

He said the rebels are urging President Kiir to rescind his Christmas Eve decree.

“Our position has been very clear. We have an agreement signed on the 17th and 26th of August 2015, and the agreement clearly states that there will be only 10 states in South Sudan for the next three years. So creating 28 states is basically not in line with the agreement that we have signed. So we are basically stating clearly that President Salva should stick to the implementation of the agreement which says 10 states for the next three years,” he said.

August agreement Gatkuoth said in addition to 10 states, the Au-

gust agreement calls for the formation of a government of national unity, reconstituting the parliament and restructuring South Sudan government institutions.

“So if you are going to operate outside the agree-

ment, definitely you are violating it. We are calling the government and the president of Republic of South Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit to implement the agreement. Two, to reverse the decision he has taken,” Gatkuoth said.

2 Dead, 3 wounded in Kenya shooting

ÏÏÏTwo people were killed

and three others wounded when Kenyan military officers opened a fire on a car travelling in Mandera County on Monday.

Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia told VOA’s Somali service that security forces suspected the car of carrying explosives before shooting the two occupants.

But eyewitness say those killed were civilians and that no weapons were found in the car. They say those injured were passersby.

Meanwhile, residents in the town said that a major security operation was underway Monday in Mandera County following an attack that left two police officers dead at Lafey area on Sunday.

Burundi factions arrived in Uganda on Monday to resume longstalled talks aimed at ending months of violence that has raised fears of a return to civil war.

Burundi’s unrest began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a controversial third term, which he went on to win in July.

The talks held in Uganda’s presidential palace in Entebbe, just outside the capital Kampala, are being chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, appointed

regional mediator.

Uganda’s deputy foreign minister Henry Oryem Okello told the governmentrun New Vision newspaper: “What we want to achieve as Uganda is to see that all forms of killings going on in Burundi - on either the opposition or government side - are stopped immediately.”

The 54-member African Union has said it will send a 5 000-strong force to halt violence and has pledged to send troops despite Burundi’s government calling the proposed peacekeepers an “invasion force”.

Twin bombings in Syria’s Homs city kill at 19 ÏÏÏTwin

bombings in the Syrian city of Homs have killed at least 19 people on Monday, with a suicide attacker detonating an explosives belt as onlookers assessed damage from the first blast.

The explosions hit the central city’s al-Zahraa district. The precise death toll remains unclear, with government-run Syrian media reporting 19 people killed and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights citing 32 dead.

Scores more were wounded.

It was the second major attack in Homs since a cease-fire deal between warring sides took effect earlier this month, clearing the way for the government to take over the

last rebel-controlled area of the city.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of three other towns has begun, following a U.N.-backed humanitarian deal reached in September between the government and rebels who oppose President Bashar al-Assad’s administration.

In an unprecedented multinational coordination, more than 120 fighters and wounded on Monday began leaving Zabadani, the last rebel bastion on Syria’s border with Lebanon. They will then fly from Beirut to Turkey before relocating to opposition-held areas in Syria, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 28, 2015

Niger PDP lambasts Gov Bello over alleged secret probe of members Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Deputy Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state, Barrister Tanko Beji has carpeted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for witch hunting its members using ‘secret committee’ which includes security

agents.

Beji made the disclosure on Monday in Minna, while speaking to Daily Times Correspondent after the party stakeholders meeting at its secretariat, saying that the present administration under the leadership of Abubakar Sani Bello is witch hunting his predecessor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s

government secretly.

“There are procedures for investigation but not through secret committee, nothing like hiding under anything like a cult, they are afraid of us, we are waiting for their antics” he said.

The deputy chairman insisted that all the APC governments in the country are complaining

that money were missing instead of embarking on meaningful projects which they were voted for.

“The APC government has not achieved anything in the state since they came on board but making all kinds of frivolous excuses, we are also keeping records that would be used after his exit” Beji added.

He noted that the meeting was to boost the morale of the party candidates for the upcoming local government elections, while urging them to be confident because the ruling party has nothing to show rather than untold hardship.

Beji assured that the PDP was fully prepared and ready for the local government elections just like before it was rescheduled, adding that the party is set with every

Gombe compensates road construction victims

Oyo govt to investigate burnt Ibadan plank market ÏÏÏGovernor Abiola

ÏÏÏThe sum of

N16 million has been paid to 23 persons whose permanent structures have been affected by the construction of a major road in Kumbiya-Kumbiya, in the heart of Gombe, the Gombe state capital.

Another set of 10 persons who have temporary structures on the same road were equally compensated with N25, 000 each, while more than N2 million would be paid PHCN as well as the State Water Corporation for their own installations, according to the Chairman of the compensation committee, Shehu Abubakar Durbi, while briefing newsmen.

The committee chairman noted that the affected persons were given one month notice to vacate the affected property to give way for the demolition exercise in the area.

He said the time given would also help to decongest traffic at the central roundabouts as well as help in the efforts towards developing Gombe into a modern city.

necessary logistics to be provided for the upcoming election scheduled for 16th January, 2016.

According to the party Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Saba, who intimated that State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled 6th January, 2016 for a meeting with the political parties as the Forum will be where they will get to know how prepared is the Commission towards the election.

R-L: Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Senate President; Sen. Bukola Saraki during the thanksgiving and reception of Ekweremadu by the people of Mpu, Aninri LGA of Enugu State… on Monday.

Fayemi, Oni’s verbal assaults on Fayose meaningless – Aide Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏSpecial

Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has described the verbal attacks on the governor by two former governors of the State, Engr. Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi as meaning-

less, saying; “the two former governors are free to continually express their anger over five electoral defeats they suffered in the hands of Fayose between 2014 and 2015.”

Olayinka, who said Governor Fayose will not dignify the former governors with any response, adding that; “as someone who worked diligently with Engr.

Segun Oni when he was gov-

ernor and out of office, I know that the same way he (Oni) described Fayose as a tragedy was the way he used to tell us then that Fayemi would end up in jail. But did he not mount the rostrum to campaign for the re-election of the same Fayemi that he said would be jailed?”

He described as more tragic, Oni’s association with the same people who humiliated him out of of-

fice and used their four years in office to destroy the economy of Ekiti state and also cancelled a full-fledged university he (Oni) sited in Ifaki Ekiti, his hometown.

“Therefore, whatever Oga (as I still call Oni) says about Fayose today, I won’t take him serious because he said more than that against Fayemi that he later mounted the podium to campaign for,” he said.

Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Monday, assured that the state government will raise a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire incidents that engulfed the Sango Alaro plank market, twice in three days, which resulted in losses estimated at several millions of naira.

He gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the market which got burnt, first on Christmas day, while another part was also razed in the early hours of Monday.

The governor was represented by the state Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Gbade Ojo, and a former Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa, among others.

Layinka, while addressing journalists after the delegation had inspected the burnt sections of the market, expressed worries that the market could record two fire incidences within three days.

Aregbesola, Ooni, PDP mourn Osun Assembly’s Minority Leader

ÏÏÏOsun

Gov Dankwambo

state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has extended his condolences to the family of Hon. Makinde Oladejo Samson.

Hon. Makinde Oladejo Samson, member representing Ife Central and Minority leader at the Osun House of Assembly, died

early hours of Sunday the 27th of December, after a brief illness.

In a condolence message by the Director of the Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of the House of

Assembly member as sudden and shocking.

The governor, who prayed for the repose of Hon. Makinde Oladejo Samson’s soul, extended his “profound condolence to the immediate family, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun,

Ife Central, and the people of Osun.”

Aregbesola then urged the Speaker, members of the state House of Assembly and family of Makinde to take with equanimity the loss of Hon. Oladejo to death, describing death as an inevitable end for every-

body.

Also, Ooni of Ile Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in a statement signed by Comrade Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s palace, expressed shock over the death Of Makinde.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

15 Opinion

Who is to blame for Naira’s depreciation?

I Samuel Onimpa Alfred

t is no longer news that the Naira has depreciated in recent weeks. This is the widest gap between the free market value and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s rate in Nigeria’s history. Who exactly is to blame for the abysmal performance of the Naira?

Many factors influence exchange rates. Differentials in inflation and interest rates, public debt, terms of trading and political stability are some of the exerting factors. High inflation and interest rates, large-scale deficit financing and decreasing terms of trade are all bound to make the Naira depreciate in value.

The recent depreciation of the naira is largely linked to the fall in the price of crude oil. The price is largely determined by the forces of demand and supply. The demand for crude has declined globally. The United States of America have become the largest producer of crude oil, hence cutting down import. Since the US market shut its doors to Nigerian crude, the Asian market has been our best bet. That has been recently threatened by Russian’s proposal to supply India, one of our major patronisers, with 10 million tons of crude oil in the

next 10 years. The coming back of Iran to oil export will only drive oversupply. They have nearly 40 million barrels in offshore tanks for sale in 2016.The failure of OPEC to stabilise the market is largely seen as a major factor affecting oil prices. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are not willing to cut down production. They are sceptical about losing their market share and indirectly benefitting their competitors. There is a perceived conspiracy theory with political undertone to it. A reduction in the supply of crude

by Saudi Arabia and subsequent resumption of oil imports by the United States of America could benefit Russia and Iran which are perceived ‘enemies’.

The availability and increased investment in alternative sources of fuel cannot be ruled out.

Increased Shale oil production and a shift to renewable energy lend credence to this. These factors have significantly resulted in the fall in oil prices recently.

As a ncountry, our demand for the dollar is absurd. We import virtually everything (despite our vast natural resources) and export little. Since the price of exports has risen by a smaller rate than that of our imports, the Naira has decreased in relation to its trading partners’ currency. Heightened

demand for the dollar has increased its price since our oil is not yielding much as before.

The recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to ban import of basic commodities are worthy of note. However, these are temporary measures which are already fighting back. As matter of urgency,the Federal Government needs to be more proactive at this time of dwindling resources. The government has to be policy driven. Governance is a continuum and well-thoughtafter policies should transcend from one government to another.

The administrative gap between the last administration and the current one left a detriment effect on the economy which resulted in the economic slowdown we are currently experiencing.

The federal government cannot control oil prices nor influence its demand. However, its swift response in times of crisis can counter any envisaged negative effect. The move to curb the ‘dollarisation’ of the economy is not a bad one. However, we should holistically look at the factors that necessitated the need to trade with foreign currencies in Nigeria in the first place. Recent moves to revamp the existing refineries and build modular ones are good steps in the right direction. The

ongoing reforms in the oil sector would definitely pay off in the long run as long as the tempo is sustained. It will always be cheaper to refine our own crude.

Saudi Arabia refines her crude at a cost price of $5 to $6 dollars per barrel. Refining our own crude oil will free Nigerians from the stronghold of oil marketers. It is within our power as a nation to be a manufacturing based economy. You cannot continue to import every raw material and remain competitive globally. Selfsustainable nations usually get it right when it comes to agriculture.

Feeding ourselves would save billions of naira annually. The private sector has a part to play but that is largely dependent on the government creating an enabling environment. Meeting the power and infrastructural needs of the private sector will significantly reduce the cost price of goods and services available to the Nigerian people.

With the current oil price below $40 a barrel and with the International Monetary Fund projections of $20 for 2016, it is imperative we diversify the economy to keep afloat. More money will be available for meaningful development and ultimately the standard of living of Nigerians will improve.

Why some PDP leaders are praising Buhari

I

Deji Adeyanju

read the press statement of Senator David Mark, commending President Buhari urging Nigerians to give him time, and I ask, when did we all become cowards in this nation?

Suddenly, David Mark, who has been a senator since the advent of democracy in 1999 and two time Senate President ,is suddenly afraid that if he does not patronise Buhari and sing his praises he might not win the re-run election for his Benue South senatorial district.

It is disheartening to read some of the comments by people who are supposed to be strong opposition figures in our nation. What these our leaders do not seem to understand is that you do not patronise dictators or appeal to them. You challenge them; you dare them to their faces. You face them squarely.

Dictators get emboldened when they see that you are afraid. It is the collective responsibility of the oppressed and the victimised to challenge every dictator and see to the quick change of such dictatorial regimes through any legal means possible and not to be begging and appealing to them.

The other day, it was senators Stella Oduah and Ben Murray Bruce who were singing the praises of Buhari over the budget presentation. A budget that failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, address core issues of the economy, unemployment and insecurity; an unrealistic budget, and a budget that has been termed a fraud by the PDP, but only for our elected senators to take a disparagingly different view from the official position of the party and turn around to praise the president. Some people have said senators Oduah and Ben Bruce have the right to express their personal opinions on the budget and other national issues but I disagree with this assertion. Will a Republican or Labour Party senator in the United States of America or United Kingdom disagree with the official position of his party on a fundamental issue such as this and make it public? The answer is no! Senators Bruce and Oduah are no longer private citizens but elected members of the National Assembly on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. They would not have become senators if not for the party on whose platform

they contested and won the election. No elected member of the PDP should publicly go against the official position of the party because this is the worst form of indiscipline a politician can demonstrate.

Since independent candidacy is not recognised in our constitution, political parties are the vehicles by which many aspirants ride to power and as such these politicians cannot continue to deride the platform on which they got to power. Have you ever seen or read of any APC member going against the official position of their party?

If you are afraid of Buhari because you embezzled public funds or have some skeletons in your cupboard while in government and cannot speak boldly like an opposition member, why do you not just go and join Buhari in APC like Rotimi Amaechi and others who today have immunity from prosecution because they defected to APC? If you really like the leadership style of Buhari why not join him in the APC? You should not be in the PDP and be demoralising their members and supporters.

The Olisa Metuhs, Ayo Fayoses and Femi Fani-Kayodes’ way is the

only way to go. Face the dictator, look him straight in the eyes and tell him to go to hell. When a terrorist group like the Boko Haram apprehends someone they believe to be an unbeliever, “kafir”, and they want to behead him, it would make absolutely no sense to start begging or appealing to them.

What is expected of you is to look them straight in the eyes and spit on their ugly faces, then face death bravely and courageously knowing full well that you are going to meet our Heavenly Father, and that angels would rejoice when they see you. It will be despicable of you to be in that ugly situation, and then you deny the faith, start appealing and accept their belief. No matter the volume of your tears, pleadings and compromise, they would still behead you.

I therefore urge the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, to henceforth, sound a clear note of warning to every elected member never to go against the official position of the party and be ready to take disciplinary measures against anyone that flouts this warning.

Political parties cannot be administered without party discipline.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

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El Salvador

soccer legend, Pacheco murdered

E

Pacheco

l Salvador’s most-capped footballer Alfredo friends when an unknown assailant Pacheco has been shot dead at a petrol station opened fire on the group.

Two people who were travelling in his homeland.

The 33-year-old was chatting with a group of with Pacheco were hurt in the attack,

which took place in Santa Ana, 66km west of the capital San Salvador.

“The attorney general’s office in Santa Ana processed the crime scene of the murder of Alfredo Pacheco at 3.30am in a petrol station,” an official said.

Defender Pacheco played for the Salvadoran sides Club Deportivo FAS and Asociacion Deportiva Isidro Metapan.

Page 18

George Akpayen

T

he year 2015 was spiced with different scenarios in Nigerian football on and off the pitch. There were moments to forget for the Nigerian football community as the country’s most successful national team, the Super Falcons, struggled to impose themselves on the continent where they have dominated for years. Unlike in 2014 when Nigerian football began the year by appearing in a major tournament in Africa, the failure of the Super Eagles meant they watched as other stars on the continent battled it out in Equatorial Guinea for the biggest prize - the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

AFCON blackout Stephen Keshi and his men, in the previous year, could not qualify from a group that had South Africa, Congo and Sudan. The Super Eagles finished third in Group A of the qualification, and four points behind the South Africans and two behind Sudan. Ivory Coast won the 2015 AFCON in the absence of the defending champions Nigeria.

NPFL clubs on the continent Nigerian clubs failed to reach the group stages of either the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup for the third consecutive year despite having Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves and Dolphins as their representatives. Two-time African champions Enyimba and Kano Pillars fell in the first round of the Champions League to debutants Smouha SC and Moghreb Tetouan respectively in April.

In the Confederation Cup, Dolphins took a disgraceful exit by being walked over after failing to turn up for their game in Tunisia to face Club Africain. Their appeal to have the game replayed was turned down by CAF. However, it was Wolves that went the farthest only to succumb in the playoff of Africa’s second tier club competition to Congo’s AC Leopards on 3-4 aggregate in May. The story of NPFL Despite the floundering of clubs in Africa, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) provided so much talking points. A number of venues had record crowd turnouts for the first time in years. The season began on a sour note when the champions Kano Pillars were attacked in March just before their opening game at Heartland, but the giant-killing performance of Nasarawa United remain a major highlight. The Solid Miners ended Pillars’ 12-year unbeaten home record in the league and brought to a halt Sunshine Stars’ six-year home invincibility.

It was not Nasarawa United though who had their names engraved on the trophy at the end of the season. Enyimba won the league title with a game to spare in November, and for a record seventh time. It was their first league title in five years.

Federation Cup throws up new champs The Federation Cup, which many still prefer to call the FA Cup, fittingly brought to an end the season in Nigeria in November.

Klopp: Benteke has huge potential!

g 20

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Nigeria football flickers

in 2015

Golden Eaglets celebrate after winning the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Sunshine Queens claimed the women’s Cup title by defeating Bayelsa Queens 3-1 on penalties after fulltime ended 1-1.

The men’s Cup final produced breathtaking goals as Akwa United were crowned champions for the first time. They defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Akwa United pair of Nnamso Edo and Abdulafeez Awakan scored picturesque goals and Nanen Imenger responded with the same off the bench though his strike proved too little, too late.

Coaching changes for Super Eagles Failure to appear in the AFCON meant Keshi’s future continued to be under scrutiny.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) finally found an alibi to throw out the former Super Eagles captain. Keshi’s misdeed was applying for the Ivorian job while still in contract with Nigeria. So his contract was terminated and in came another former Nigerian captain and international, Sunday Oliseh in July.

Barely three months into Oliseh’s reign as Nigeria head coach a row erupted in camp.

Oliseh and Lille LOSC goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama were involved in a spat that spilled

into a media frenzy in October. The crux of the matter was the Super Eagles’ captaincy, which Oliseh handed over to Ahmed Musa. At the end, Enyeama called it quits via Instagram.

Few weeks after Enyeama’s retirement from international football, Emmanuel Emenike followed suit.

Falcons crash out of Olympics August proved an unfruitful month for the Super Falcons. Christopher Danjuma and his ladies suffered defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea in the 2016 Olympic qualifier for women’s football.

The Falcons were beaten 2-3 on aggregate in Bata after a 1-1 draw in the first meeting in Abuja. The Equatorial Guineans needed an extra-time goal to ensure that their Nigerian counterparts miss out on the women’s football event of the Olympics for the second successive time. Cameroon had the honour of stopping Nigeria from appearing in the 2012 edition in London.

No joy at AAG football If August proved unfruitful for the Falcons, there was no improvement in September either as the Nigerian women failed to win a medal in

the football event of the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo. Despite a superb start in which they scored eight goals against Congo (5-1) and Tanzania (3-0), the Falcons were shocked 1-2

by Ivory Coast who won their group.

In the semis, Cameroon dumped out the Falcons 2-1 through early goals from Ninon Abena and Madeleine Ngono Mani. The Falcons, then choked in the bronze medal match on September 17 against Ivory Coast. Goals by Ange N’guessan and Fatou Coulibaly cancelled out Chinwendu Ihezuo’s effort to help the Ivorian ladies win bronze.

The Nigerian under-23 men’s team, managed

by Samson Siasia, scraped to win a bronze medal after a good performance in their group against Ghana and Senegal. However, the firepower of Burkina Faso was too much in the semifinals as Siasia’s men were three goals down inside the 64th minute before managing a consolatory goal by Daniel Etor with 15 minutes to time. Nigeria’s under-23s had to depend on the lotteries of penalties to overcome hosts Congo 5-3 after playing out a scoreless draw after extra time.

U-17s conquer the world In February, the Golden Eaglets finished in fourth place at the African championship in Niger Republic. After a good start in the group stage, the Nigerian under-17s suffered a shock 0-1 loss to South Africa and then surrendered a goal lead in the losers’ final to be beaten 1-3

by Guinea.

Croatia were the only team that defeated the Eaglets who eased past big guns Brazil and Mexico in the latter stages to set up an allAfrica clash in the final with Mali. A goal each from Victor Osimhem and Funsho Bamgboye helped Nigeria beat the African champions to reclaim their title at under-17 level. Osimhen also became the first player to score 10 goals at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. U-20s top in Africa, falter on world stage Manu Garba’s U-20s were in cruise control at the African U-20 Championship in Senegal.

They defeated Senegal 1-0 in the final through Bernard Bulbwa’s spectacular goal to emerge champions. The triumph in Senegal in March raised the hopes of Nigerian faithful of a better outing at the world stage.

On the first day of June in Christchurch, New Zealand, at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Garba and his Flying Eagles suffered a 2-4 defeat to Brazil before recovering to beat North Korea and Hungary 4-0 and 2-0 respectively. A listless performance against Germany in the knockout stage meant the Flying Eagles lost 0-1 and were eliminated from the tournament.

Bad end to FIFA ranking Nigeria’s position in the FIFA ranking in December summed up their varying displays in the year. The Super Eagles slipped out of the top 10 to sit in 14th place in Africa, and are now ranked 66th in the world.

The Super Falcons finished the year in 37th spot in the women’s world ranking. However, the Nigerian ladies remain top in Africa unlike the Super Eagles, who will seek to improve their ranking in 2016 starting with the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Culled from www.supersport.com

Tuesay, December 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

Damning verdict!

Enyimba

Ighalo

Red-hot

Ighalo nets 14th EPL goal

O

dion Ighalo scored his 14th goal in the English Premier League on Monday to finish 2015 as the most prolific scorer in England with a total of 30 goals.

Ighalo showed sheer power and athleticism to draw Watford level in the 41st minute at home against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Nigeria international has now scored in six straight games and he is now just a goal shy of EPL leading scorers Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku.

However, he was booked in the 65th minute for dissent in a game 10-man Watford lost 2-1.

Incidentally, Spurs striker Harry Kane was the second highest scorer in England for the outgoing year with 27 goals.

bosses hate me —Ikhana

V

eteran coach Kadiri Ikhana has said he was not shocked his contract at Enyimba was not renewed even after he guided them to a seventh Nigeria league championship because “some of the bosses hated my face”.

“I expected that my contract will not be extended because some of my bosses didn’t like my face,” said Ikhana, who in his first spell at the Aba club to win a first-ever CAF

Ikhana Champions League in 2003.

Enyimba won the league title in November with 70 points from 38

matches.

Enyimba are expected to soon name a replacement for Ikhana with

19

Warri Wolves coach Paul Aigbogun and the Bulgarian Mitko Dobrev formerly of IfeanyiUbah front runners for the top post.

Meanwhile, former Giwa FC assistant coach Aminu Musa has been appointed as an assistant coach to the-yet-to-be named coach at Enyimba.

Enyimba media officer Farriel Alaputa announced this: “@ EnyimbaFC has appointed former head coach of Giwa FC, Aminu Musa as assistant coach. The 46-year-old would resume immediately.”

The 46-year-old started his professional coaching career with Mighty Jets of Jos as a goalkeeper trainer before he joined Giwa FC as the goalkeeper coach.

He was elevated to the post of assistant coach at Giwa FC and later took charge after Abdulahi Biffo left the club.

Elite athletes sign for Access Bank Lagos Marathon ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

hirty one elite runners from eight countries have signed on for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon according to the General Manager Marathon, Yussuf Alli.

They are 24 men marathoners and seven women. Of the 24 men marathoners, 11 have IAAF gold label and nine of them are from Kenya. They are Abraham Kiptom, Peter Kiptoo Kiplagat, Amos Mitel, Sammy Kipkorir Kibet, Simpson

Pkanaan Limareng, Nelson Kirwa Rotich, Kipkemboi Hosea, Philip Kiplagat Biwott Kenya and Isaac Kipkeboi Kosgei. The other two gold label athletes, Mehair Fesshaye and Ali Abdosh Muhammed, are from Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Of the eight IAAF silver label men marathoners on the list, four are from Kenya; they are James Cherutich Tallem, Mathew Bowen, Linus Kipwamdok Chumba and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen.

Other silver label marathoners are Mohamed Qumaarir and Khalid

Lablea both from Morocco; the two others are Solomon Biratu from Ethiopia and Ghirmay Tukabo from Eritrea.

Three of the five IAAF bronze label marathoners that are coming to Lagos are also from Kenya. They are Ednah Kimayo, Amos Koech and Ogla Jerono. Cameroon and Bahrain complete the men’s list with Foimi Justilin and Birhanu Yemata.

Of the seven women elite marathoners coming to Lagos, four are from Kenya, two from Ethiopia and one from Uganda. Two of the

Kenyan women marathoners have IAAF gold label, they are Alice Timbilil and Leah Jebet Kiprono. The other two Fridah Jepkitel Lodepa and Irine Jeptoo Kipchumba have silver label.

The two Ethiopians have gold label.

Debele Worknesh Degefe and Qurage Alem Mokonnin, Uganda Calorine Migadde, with silver label, complete the list.

Alli, the General Manager, expects more elite athletes in the New Year.

He restated that the January 28, 2016 deadline for submission of forms is sacrosanct.

20

Tuesay, December 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

Mourinho

Mourinho

iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is still waiting to discover the full extent of Divock Origi’s hamstring injury. Origi sustained the problem during the first half of Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders Leicester on Boxing Day and was replaced by Christian Benteke, who went on to score the game’s winning goal in the second-half. The Belgium forward underwent a scan following the match at Anfield, but Klopp announced he is yet to receive the test results, leaving Benteke as his only fit senior forward.

J

United lack confidence, says Hughes

S

toke City manager Mark Hughes says Manchester United are suffering a crisis of confidence.

Hughes guided his team to a comfortable 2-0 win over the 20time English league champions and said he always knew United would fold if the right pressure was applied; such is their lack of confidence.

“We talked about their levels of confidence because you have to drain as much of that as you can from the opposition because that allows you to grow as a team,” Hughes said.

“I think that’s exactly what we did in the first half. We didn’t allow them to settle - any anxiety they had or apprehension about the game was borne out because in that opening period, we were really dominant.”

Hughes’ theory proved right and once Stoke took a 1-0 lead through Bojan Krkic after a terrible mishap in defence from United winger Memphis Depay.

The addition of a second goal in the first half after a Marko Arnautovic thunderbolt sealed United’s fate and their fourth loss in a row, and Hughes said unless United get back to winning ways soon, their lack of confidence will continue to present opportunities to the opposition.

fire Dutchman make his Old Trafford exit in the near future.

But agent Jorge Mendes insists his client is yet to make a decision over his future, with a return to Italy - where he previously managed Inter - having also been mooted.

“Right now he’s in Brazil, we’ll see what happens when he gets back,” Mendes said.

“At the moment we haven’t been talking about England, Spain or Italy.

“He only needs to be calm and not worry about anything - he’s the best manager in the world.”

Benteke

Klopp:

Benteeke has hug potential!

L

iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp feels Christian Benteke is ready to realise his potential after holding a frank discussion with the striker.

The Belgium international scored in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday – his fifth strike in 15 Premier League games this season.

Afterwards, Benteke revealed he and Klopp had a “man conversation” about his performances, which concluded with an agreement he would “run more” for the team.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp has now added his version of events, and he feels both parties are much clearer on what is expected following their chat.

“I spoke to Benteke about a

few things,” Klopp said in his prematch media conference ahead of Wednesday’s game with Sunderland.

“He knows what he has to do that is for sure. It was not too easy to come in against Leicester, but the second half was better.

“He has such potential. He is not the same striker as Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi. We have to use his natural skills and he has to try and be more involved in the game. Then we can make steps together.

“It is not possible for a player to play his own style against that of the team. Of course, a striker has to make goals. That is what we need him for. We are clear and now we can work.”

Liverpool have only scored three goals in their last five matches in all

Klopp awaits Origi diagnosis

L

still keeping options open ose Mourinho is keeping his options open when it comes to finding a new club following his Chelsea departure.

The Portuguese manager was relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge this month following a dismal start to the defence of Chelsea’s Premier League title.

Mourinho is thought to be resisting a return to former club Real Madrid as speculation mounts that he could be the man to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United should the under-

BRIEFS

competitions and Klopp is working hard to find a solution to his team’s problems in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Klopp has called for consistency from his players as they prepare to travel to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday.

A crucial 1-0 win over surprise leaders Leicester City at Anfield on Saturday was only the Reds’ fourth victory in 10 league matches since the former Borussia Dortmund boss replaced Brendan Rodgers.

Klopp now wants to put together a run of results, but urged his players not to take struggling Sunderland – who are second from bottom on the back of four consecutive defeats – lightly.

Albrighton relishing City test

M

arc Albrighton believes Manchester City are the perfect opponents for Leicester today, as the Foxes attempt to bounce back from only their second league defeat of the season. Premier League leaders Leicester suffered their first defeat for three months on Boxing Day when Christian Benteke netted the only goal of the game for Liverpool at Anfield.

But Albrighton is delighted to be facing Manchester City today, claiming a game against Manuel Pellegrini’s side provides his team with the ideal platform to recover from their Boxing Day defeat.

WBA contact Spurs for Townsend

W

est Brom have contacted Tottenham about signing Andros Townsend, according to sources. The Baggies are interested in the England international, who was dropped from the first-team squad after a row with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner in November.

It is understood Spurs are only interested in selling the midfielder on a permanent deal, with Watford also believed to be monitoring the 24-year-old.

Townsend has two-and-a-half years left on his Tottenham contract and has been playing for the club’s Under-21 squad in recent weeks.

Townsend

Tuesay, December 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

BRIEFS Schaaf appointed Hannover boss

T

homas Schaaf has been appointed as head coach of beleaguered Hannover on a deal until June 2017. Michael Frontzeck resigned from the role last week despite only taking the job on a permanent basis in May, having successfully fought off relegation when in charge on an interim basis last term. The 51-year-old left with Hannover languishing in the Bundesliga relegation zone with just 14 points from 17 matches ahead of the mid-season break.

‘Ronaldo to retire at Real’

C

ristiano Ronaldo is happy at Real Madrid and will see out his playing career at the Bernabeu, insists his agent Jorge Mendes. The 30-year-old’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, with reports of a falling out with head coach Rafa Benitez suggesting this could be his final season in Madrid. However, according to his agent, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner will remain at Real for the rest of his career before retiring in 10 years’ time.

F

Capello hails Neymar improvement

ormer Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has hailed the improvement of Barcelona star Neymar. Neymar is the topscorer in La Liga this season with 14 goals, one ahead of his Barca team-mate Luis Suarez. The Brazilian is in the final-three of the 2015 Ballon d’Or, and Capello praised his development since he made the switch from Santos to European football with Barca in 2013.

I

n-form Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has spoken of his “great joy” at comparisons with Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

Higuain has been in stunning form so far this season and has scored 16 goals in 17 Serie A appearances to leave Napoli third and just one point off leaders Inter.

The former Real Madrid striker’s form has evoked memories of the great Maradona’s performances in a Napoli shirt, the Argentina great inspiring two title wins in 198687 and 1989-90, while he also won the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup with the club.

But rather than being burdened by his countryman’s legacy, Higuain is relishing leading Napoli’s assault on the title.

“Diego Maradona?

I’m Argentinian like he is, but wearing this shirt is not a burden - it is a satisfaction,” he told reporters.

“He is an extraordinary player in the history of football and is

A

n i a u Hig th i w d e t h g i l e d Maradona comparison

loved at Napoli. Being compared to him is a source of great joy.”

Higuain also spoke glowingly of head coach Maurizio Sarri, who took over at Stadio San Paolo in June.

“There was a great feeling

lessandro Del Piero believes Paul Pogba will prove worthy of the iconic number 10 shirt at Juventus if given time.

Frenchman Pogba was handed the jersey – previously worn by the likes of Michel Platini, R o b e r t o Baggio and Del Piero himself – following the departure of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors in June.

straight away,” he added. “He convinced me to stay and I’d like to thank him along with my team-mates, the club and the supporters.

“I am happy I decided to stay, Sarri gave me peace of mind, my

Higuain head is clear and that shows on the pitch.”

On Sarri’s recent suggestion that Higuain could win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, he added: “I thank him, he is always sincere with me.”

Del Piero

backs Pogba to prove his worth Pogba has suffered a dip in form this season, supplying just two assists and scoring three goals in Serie A, but he will eventually demonstrate what is expected of a player in the famed shirt, according to Del Piero.

“I don’t know if it was right to give Pogba the number 10, but Paul is a player with a lot of

talent,” Del Piero said. “If we think the number 10 should be given to a player that impresses with his style of play then he is the right man.

“The number is more than just an expression of ability, it is more important than just that.

“However, Pogba will reach that level. He must be given time.”

Ancelotti

is world’s

aaa best coach Ancelotti

21

—Lippi F

ormer Italy coach Marcello Lippi feels that Carlo Ancelotti is

Pogba Juve have recovered from their early season struggles to sit fourth in Serie A at the turn of the year, but Del Piero believes the quality of the league has declined in recent years and he cannot foresee any rapid improvements.

arguably the best coach in the world today, ahead of other big names such as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

Ancelotti will replace Guardiola as the man in charge at Bayern Munich at the end of the 201516 campaign, following the latter’s decision not to extend his stay with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Lippi is confident his compatriot - who has won silverware at the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the past - will succeed at the Allianz Arena, despite the huge pressure.

“Ancelotti is the best coach in the world,” Lippi told reporters.

“He has won cups and domestic titles as a player and has won it all as a coach as well, both in Italy and abroad.

“His successful past helps him in his relationship with the players. He knows how to deal with big names and true champions.”

Ancelotti has been out of work ever since getting the sack at Real Madrid at the end of last season.

The 56-year-old enjoyed Champions League success with Milan in 2002-03 and 2006-07, while also conquering Europe with Madrid in 2013-14.

22

News

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

FG to build 10,000 health centres across Nigeria

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has disclosed that federal government has concluded arrangements to build 10,000 primary health facilities in the 774 local government areas across the country for effective service delivery to the people and to decongest the tertiary institutions.

He also disclosed that plans are ongoing to ensure that targeted 60 million poor Nigerians will enjoy unfettered medical care under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government within the next two years.

Prof Adewole said this on Monday at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, while commissioning 12 projects initiated and completed by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele.

The Professor of Gynaecology, said President Buhari is determined to alleviate the sufferings of all Nigerians, who contributed to his victory at the poll in the area of health by fortifying both the primary and secondary health insti-

tutions.

“The tertiary institutions are not meant to treat malaria or skin rashes, but to attend to critical issues.

We are determined to take away over 70 % of patients

from the teaching hospitals, but the heads of tertiary institutions must find a way to relate freely with these cadres for effective healthcare delivery.

“We won’t abandon

that cadres, so that the sequence of referral could be protected” Adewole said.

Miffed by incessant leadership tussle culminating in incessant strike in the federal institutions in

State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has restated his commitment to keep faith with the promise he made during the electioneering campaign to run an all-inclusive government, where every community will not be left out in the scheme of affairs.

Governor Ambode, who spoke while flagging off the ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ at the Agege Stadium, said the programme was in fulfillment of his campaign

the present occupier of the seats of CMDs. But I want to warn that they should wait for their time.

“The human factor is the most important, we should learn to put services above all other considerations in our agitations as medical practitioners because some of the cases I have handled in recent time were more of how to get more pay and not about commitment”, he said.

Gas explosion kills attendant in Minna Saka Bolaji Minna

ÏÏÏ

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem (left), presenting award of outstanding excellence performance in 2015 Hajj pilgrims airlifting to Managing Director, Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole in Lagos… on Monday.

Ambode promises equal devt across Lagos ÏÏÏLagos

recent time, the minister warned the medical personnel that the sordid scenarios are killing the sector and reducing its quality.

On the rampancy of leadership tussle and strike in federal hospitals, the minister said: “It is unfortunate that our national hospitals are better known for strikes rather than services.

“Those engaging in the fuelling of crises in federal health institutions are those fighting to replace

promise, as well as improving on what he met on ground on all fronts.

The ‘One Lagos Fiesta’, an initiative of the present administration is tailored towards ushering in the New Year, is designed to hold between December 27 and January 1, 2016, simultaneously in five locations across the state including Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Agege and Lagos Island.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ambode recalled the last time he visited Agege Stadium

IMOLE OGO AGBARA OLORUN MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration of trustees under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 (as amended).

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. PASTOR AMINU OLUWASEUN 2. ELDER POPOOLA DAVID AJANI 3 LADY EVANGELIST MARY OLUWASEUN 4 DEACONESS BUKOLA OKUWOYE OLUWASEUN 5 MR ABRAHAM ADEKUNLE AREO 6 PASTOR OLUMUYIWA AKINTOLA 7 MRS BUNMI LYNDA AKINTOLA 8 MR ABRAHAM TOPE MATHEU 9 LADY EVANG RUTH ADEBOLA ALADE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2 To maintain a strong body of Christ’s followers for the advancement of worship of the father through Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twenty eight (28)days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

during the electioneering campaign, saying he was back again to fulfill one of the promises made to the people then.

He said: “The last time I came to this stadium was during the campaign and I came with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President has been so magnanimous, he has sent us the Minister of Information and Culture to come back here and say a big thank you to all of you.

“We promised you that we are going to bring gov-

ernance to the communities; we promised you that we are going to have a government of inclusion where all of you will be included in everything that we will be doing in Lagos State.

“That is why we are here to say that ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ is about all of you and it is about the rest of Lagos. We want every youth and every parent to enjoy what others have been enjoying through the nook and crannies of the state.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PETER AMEH 3. MALISON PETER

2. CHARLES SALIFU 4. KINGSLEY AMEH

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide for the welfare of all widows and orphans 2. To provide shelter and food for the less privileged in the society 3. To train widows in skill acquisition and employment programme 4. To enlighten and educate youths against harmful practices 5. To provide scholarship for students who are qualified.

6. To create a corporate umbrella by which means we could participate and benefit from the government economic and some other means programmes.

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Gas explosion, on Monday, killed an attendant identified as Sani Adewale while refilling cylinder which caused scare among residence along Bosso road in Minna, the Niger state capital.

The incident occurred at around 12 noon but was brought under control by the combined efforts of the police and fire service.

The shop owner, who has his shop located near a second generation bank had opened for the day’s business when neighbours heard a loud explosion.

It was gathered that

while some people were scared and ran away, those who were courageous to find out what happened, later discovered the body suspected to be that of the owner of the shop scattered on the floor of the shop.

Investigation revealed that the combined security team and the state’s fire service arrived the scene and condoned off the part of the dual carriage Bosso road.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Bala Elkana confirmed the incident, saying that only the attendant was killed as the situation was quickly brought under control by the combined efforts of the police and the fire service.

Rep seeks state of emergency in Agric Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Segun Adekola, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare emergency in agriculture sector as a way to diversify the economy and bring Nigeria out of the current economic doldrums occasioned by the slumping of oil price from 115 to 38 dollar per barrel in the international market.

Adekola, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Ekiti South Federal constituency I, also predicted that

the N6.08 trillion budgetary proposal presented by Buhari would be difficult to fund, saying the dwindling oil revenue cannot sustain this staggering amount.

Speaking in Ikere Ekiti on Monday during an empowerment programme for 500 people in his constituency and flagging-off of a skills acquisition programme, Adekola urged Buhari to prioritise agriculture as a way to overcome the present economic hardship in the country.

“It was Agriculture that Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to develop the Southwest, so we have to go back to it if Buhari is very determined to achieve his focus.

UTHMAN ABDUL-SALAM BABATUNDE ABU-BARAAT

ADELODUN OLUWABUSOLA IRETIOLA

I formally known as USMAN ABDUL-SALAM BABATUNDE now wishes to be known and address as UTHMAN ABDULSALAM BABATUNDE ABUBARAAT. All former document remain valid. The general public should take note

I formally known as MOBUSE OLUWABUSOLA IRETIOLA now wishes to be known and address as ADELODUN OLUWABUSOLA IRETIOLA. All former document remain valid. The general public should take note

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

23 News

Petrol’ll soon be available –NUPENG

Niger govt takes N500m loan to settle Assembly allowances, others

ÏÏÏThe

ÏÏÏThe Niger State Gov-

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), on Monday, said that petrol would soon be available in filling stations across the country.

The South-West Chairman of the union, Mr Tokunbo Korodo, told newsmen in Lagos that there had been improvement on loading of petroleum at the depots in Lagos.

He observed that Nigerians would appreciate the present regime if it could reduce the price of petroleum.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had earlier said that a price modulation in petrol would begin by January 2016. Kachikwu disclosed this during his inspection of the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) on Christmas day.

The NUPENG chairman said that the government meant well for all and sundry, in spite of the few greedy ones, who worked to frustrate genuine intentions.

Saka Bolaji Minna

ernor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has concluded plans to take a loan of over N500 million to pay the members of the State Assembly before he present the 2016 appropriation bill,

Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioner (ANTP) in Ilorin, Kwara State, has said that it would commence the marketing of its members’ film by itself with effect from next year.

The National President of ANTP, Comrade Victor Ashaolu told the Daily Times, on Monday, in Ilorin, as the association

duced the state assembly’s monthly overhead cost, because budgetary strictures.

A development that has been frowned upon by the law-makers.

Bello’s Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said that the state government did has not taken any loan as alleged.

ÏÏÏThe Senator who rep-

People disembark from travelling at Nyanya in Abuja… on Monday.

Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Engr.

Festus Ozoemena, has dismissed a media report accusing him of embezzling N400 million meant for

ANTP commences sale of members’ films soon ÏÏÏThe

being faced by the law-makers since they assumed office about eight months ago.

The jumbo loan has doused tension in state legislature, on the part of the experienced ones, who had witnessed better times in the past years.

Reports also have it that the governor had earlier re-

Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka

ÏÏÏThe Chairman, Igbo

Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

cial claims.

Reports have it that the Bello administration is being forced to take the loan because the state’s treasury is almost empty.

It was said the loan would be drawn from one of the new generation banks, to also cushion the effect of harsh economic hardship

Nobody disqualified me from contesting Senatorial election, says Ekwunife

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

Kachikwu, GMD, NNPC

so as to ease its passage by the legislatures.

This is coming barely few weeks after an alleged impeachment process against the present Speaker, Honorable Ahmed Marafa, who was observed to be too slow to push for their demands of constituency allowances, as well as overhead finan-

turned 20 years.

The anniversary programme featured eminent Nigerians who have contributed to the progress of the association including, Mallam Salihu, Afolabi Gambari, Comrade Ibrahim Yahaya Mabolaye, among others.

Ashaolu said that the ANTP would declare 2016 as the production and marketing year because it had decided to go into mass quality production and market by itself.

Enugu LG boss denies embezzling N400m road project funds Ukehe, Ogbede, Ohebe, Aku and Nkpologwu road project.

The councilors have also said that he was not guilty of any allegation of mismanagement of funds earmarked for any road construction in the council, as alleged by a national newspaper.

The councilors, in a statement signed by the leader of the council, Hon. Titus Ejile, denied the news report credited to them, stressing that the chairman was not guilty of any alleged misappropriation of council funds.

However, the chairman has stated that the reason his administration embarked on the construction of the road project was due to the viability nature of the area in boosting the economic growth

of the council.

“This same road has been appearing in the state budget for the past 18years, but under my administration, we discovered how much the road will help in expanding the revenue base of Igbo Etiti LGA. “This is why we embarked on constructing the road and as you can see it cuts across five autonomous communities.

We took loans and also pay for the project through our meager allocations which were all disbursed to the contractors in the presence of the treasurer, DPO and other stakeholders.

“Our plan was to get to 9.8km, but, unfortunately, the down turn of the economy has necessitated that we withdraw and channel the little resources to ac-

commodate the building of a bridge, health centre and a magistrate court within the same environment.

Ozoemena wondered why he was being discredited, when he has done well as the chairman of the council.

“It would be on record that my administration was able to evenly put in place democracy dividends in all the 21 autono-

Gov. Ugwuanyi

resents Anambra Central Senatorial district, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has described the news making the rounds that she had been disqualified from the forth coming election ordered by the Appeal Court in Enugu as a cheap blackmail of Chief Victor Umeh, noting that nobody has the constitutional right to disqualify her after the order of the Appeal Court.

Speaking to journalists in her country home Nri Aniocha Local Government Area, she said that Appeal Court, after hearing the said matter brought before it by Umeh challenging her victory, had ordered as follows: “1. That this appeal succeeds and it is hereby allowed.

2. That the perverse decision of the tribunal delivered on the 9th October, 2015 is hereby set aside.

3. That the Ist Respondent herein, Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), is hereby ordered to conduct a fresh election into the Anambra Central Senatorial District within 90 days from today.

4. That there shall be N50, 000.00 cost to the Appellants.”

According to her “Victor Umeh is behind all these, because the order never, in any way, disqualified me nor PDP.

News 24 Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government has said that it would partner with states in the federation in its industrialisation policy.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enyinnaya Enelamah, stated this, on Monday, in Umuahia, when he called on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Enelamah said that there were lots of areas to synergise and co-operate with the federal govern-

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 28, 2015

FG to partner states on industrialisation, says Enelamah ment provided the consistency was there, stating his happiness that government in Abia State had created the enabling environment for public/ private partnership (PPP) to thrive.

According to him, diversification of the economy was a policy of the federal government, especially

in areas the country had a comparative advantage, pointing out it was helping states and people who were interested and willing to work, as well as encourageng people to live by example in terms of industrialisation.

Enelamah commended the industrialisation policy of the state, which, he

said, was in tandem with that of the federal government of attracting investors under PPP. He congratulated Ikpeazu on how he had been managing the affairs of the state and fulfilling his election campaign promises, stating that he was highly credible.

Ikpeazu said his gov-

ernment was investing in areas that the state had a comparative advantage over other states – including small and medium scale enterprises like shoe making, bags, belts and many others.

Abia, he said, was targeting a situation whereby it would be supplying Nigerian armed forces

and other paramilitary organisations with shoes and boots, as well as belts, pointing out that the challenge facing the policy remained harmonisation of industrial clusters, which was why the state government took some shoe and garment makers to Turkey to improve upon their skills.

Forum facilitates release of 35 inmates and prayed that ÏÏÏA non-governmental thorities the inmates would turn to organisation (NGO) in Gombe State, Gombawa Forum, has facilitated the release of 35 prison inmates in Gombe Prisons by paying their fines.

Its Organising Secretary, Malam Dahiru Saidu, said that the gesture was to decongest the prisons and give the reformed inmates a sense of belonging and the opportunity to positively contribute their quota to the society.

He explained that the body had spent N300, 000 in off-setting the fines of the 35 inmates. He said the gesture would reduce the burden on the prisons au-

be responsible members of the society.

While advising the freed persons to reciprocate the gesture through good conduct and avoid getting into trouble, Dahiru said, “We feel we should come in and help them as our own quota in contributing positively to the society and to decongest the prison.” the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Alhaji Mohammed Abba, commended the efforts of the Forum and called on other groups to emulate the Gombawa Forum in decongesting the highly crowded prison.

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his wife, Olukemi; Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo and his wife, Fatimat at the Christmas carol service held at International Events Centre, Akure, Ondo State… at the weekend.

LASU workers fault delay in choice of new VC Ismaila Oguntade

ÏÏÏThe

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have made an appeal to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to pick the new Lagos State University (LASU) Vice-Chancellor based on merit.

The unions were worried over delay by govern-

ment in announcing a new helmsman for the 32 yearold institution, since the Governing Council submitted the names of the three finalists that emerged from the screening on Wednesday last week.

It’s been said that the Selection Committee of the Council/Senate has recommended Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, from the University of Lagos, who tops the list of the chosen, ahead of Prof Hamidu

Sanni of the Islamic Studies Department, LASU and Prof Ibiyemi Bello from the Lagos State University College of Medicine, to Ambode to choose from.

Ahead of the screening for the LASU top job, ASUU and SSANU have openly told government of their determination not to work with any Vice-Chancellor who did not score first or emerge, based on merit, during the screening/interview.

We must support Buhari’s drive to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel –Engr. Otu

Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja

ÏÏÏThe new General Manager, Corporate Services, Ajaokuta Steel Company, Kogi State, Engineer Thomas Out, has called on Nigeria to rally round President Muhammedu Buhari in his quest to make the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant a reality.

Otu stated this, on Sunday, at Ogaminana, headquarters of Adavi Local Government Area during

a reception organised by Ogaminana Community in recognition of his appointment.

Out said the resuscitation of the plant would not only be an avenue to generate employment opportunities, but would serve as a boost to the internal revenue generation of the country, now that it was her quest to move away from the mono-economic dependence on oil.

“The current facelift at the company is the brain work and foresight of the

sole administrator, Engineer Joseph Onobere, and he should be commended.

“But most of all, I urged well-meaning people of Nigeria to support the President and the role of the sole administrator to realise the aim of resuscitating the plant,” Out said.

Various speakers at the occasion, eulogised Out, and they urged parents to give quality education to their children to enable them live useful lives and impact positively on the society.

Kogi factional Speaker declares support for incoming govt

Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja

ÏÏÏThe

raging crisis rocking the Kogi State House of Assembly took a new dimension, on Monday, as its factional, Godwin Osiyi, said the state

legislators were ready to work with anybody who became the governor of the state.

Osiyi, who stated this while speaking with journalists at the NUJ Press Centre, said that the impeachment of the em-

battled Speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal, was an internal wrangling and not influenced by any ‘external’ forces, as being rumoured.

Osiyi, who is representing Ogori/Mangogo constituency, said the impeachment of Lawal cannot be

reversed. “We have heard many stories that our action (impeachment) was manipulated by some outside forces. We will like to reiterate that nobody or anybody from anywhere is engineering our action. Our fight is an in-house fight and not

influenced by anybody.

“Momoh Jimoh Lawal remains impeached, as carried out on the 10th of December, 2015 in the Assembly Hallow Chamber by a resolution of seventeen members on the following grounds.

Bello

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

25 Opinion

Biafra: How Gowon, Obasanjo and Sharia fuelled agitation Chima M. Amadi ÏÏÏ Across the world, history has taught that wherever and whenever injustice and unfair treatment of a people flourish, the oppressed have always resisted against their oppressors and over time, will inevitably become a force to be reckoned with.

If this happens, just like in a human body, the whole system struggles. When everyone cannot play by the same rules in any environment, the centre begins to lose equilibrium and may consequently too lose grip.

This is actually the problem of Nigeria. Unfortunately, Gowon and Obasanjo laid this ugly foundation. When unfair treatment becomes a way of life in any society, the entire system will become a rolling bomb.

This is because one can only suppress a person or a people for some time, but not forever.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever (Isaiah 32:17.

I guess you will find similar wisdom in the Koran too. Fairness will always produce peace and its result has always been a lasting security for everyone. The whole context of righteousness, fairness, justice and equality, put simply may mean – that those who work hard should be allowed to keep and reap the gains of their sweat, but not mocked.

While those born without spoon should be encouraged to grow, to rise to the top, those born with diamond spoon should be taxed, but not deprived or completely disempowered of their God given nature. While trying

to encourage social equality, the Nigerian type of quota-system for example is evil rooted in envy. It is an example of what injustice and unfair treatment is all about.

Immediately after the Nigeria/Biafra war, Obasanjo, Gowon, Buhari, Yardua, Babangida and co, decided it was time to punish the Easterners for the war. This single decision was the architect of all the corruption in Nigeria today.

They taught themselves and their subordinates that everything could be maneouvered, all they needed were to be non -easterners. They founded quota-system, looked for and found reasons, to justify injustice and unfair treatment of Easterners.

They taught the Easterners too to mind their own business and that Nigeria is not for everyone. Sadly, Nigeria never recovered ever since.

Gowon and Obasanjo laid the foundation of corruption in Nigeria and with the help of their likes, have since watered it into a giant tree.

In Nigeria, quota-system is a part of almost 50 years of continuous punishment of the East for losing a war.

Quota-system is there to make sure that even the little kids from the East will not know justice in Nigerian classrooms. It is there to make sure they are - treated unfairly. It is there to undermine them regularly and to deny them opportunities for promotion, training and employment. Quota-system is the mother of all corruptions in Nigeria. Today, these same people pretend to be champions of one Nigeria which they actually destroyed with their unfair treatment.

The Rochas and the Amaechis are on their own and I really do agree.

Gowon

Obasanjo

Buhari

Kick the Easterners out of Abuja and kick them out of Lagos. Thanks to Sharia laws, they have been kicked out of 12 Nigerian states already and counting. How would you like to define the word arrogance? Did we all forget that the long bridges in Lagos, the dual carriage roads in Kano and almost everything in Abuja were funded with the money that comes from the East? Did we forget that the money to “reconstruct” Festac Town was donated by rich Easternes from the luxury of their wealth, few years after a war in which they lost everything? How did the reconstruction of Nigeria after a bitter civil war forget to include the battle ground and focused rather on places where no fighting took place?

Make no mistakes, the masters of the plan to defund the East, to starve them of their God given wealth are the same people who created the present Biafra agitation. There was a time to reconcile and to rehabiliate, but Nigeria laid a different foundation.

They laid the foundation

for the likes of Nnamdi Kanu to thrive, 45 years earlier. Those who introduced quota-system are responsoble for the current Biafra agitation. Those who refused to commission a seaport in Calabar or in Port Harcourt, even when Lagos is congested are responsible for the present Biafra agitation. Lets us say the truth. Let us talk 40 year of federal funded investments in Nigeria and compare it with the location of those investments, then find out where the money came from. It is all about injustice against the Easterners. How can corruption fight corruption? Do you want to know what fuels Nnamdi Kanu and those IPOB youths on the streets. They are the victims of 50 years of quotasystem, deprivation, unfair treatment and name calling from Obasanjo, Gowon, Buhari, etc. These are the people to blame, for they forgot that they cannot bully a people forever. The chickens have come home to roost.

Even as they channelled all the federal investments with oil money to Lagos, Kano and later to Abuja, , a

functional seaport in Calabar or Port Harcourt could have been enough to help the struggling Easterners boast their own economic activities. But the syndicate of Gowon, Obasanjo and co, never allowed that to happen. They choose rather to ignore the fair distribution of the oil boom; they ignored justice and economic inclusion of the East. They ignored the wisdom and the bedrock of unity, which is fairness.

Moreover, they encouraged the spread of Sharia as religious tool to fight Easterners. We all know that Sharia is not ordinary customary law or religious dogma, since the Constitution separates religion from the state. It therefore poses a danger and contradicts the idea of one Nigeria and unity among the federating units. To non Muslims, Sharia remains a dangerous weapon of the oppressors.

In fact, Sharia should have no place in Nigeria. It is better practiced in places such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen with at least 90 percent Muslim population.

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

LAGOS

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KADUNA

IBADAN

ILORIN

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Those practicing Islam is only 40 percent of Nigeria’s population. When you force religious laws on government in a multi religious society like Nigeria, you wittingly create two sets of citizenships. You also create a poisoned atmosphere for the circular state laws to function.

Those who pretend they want one Nigeria are the same people who quietly, but sincerely wish her dead - through their actions. I think they have no conscience. But it is not only Gowon and Obasanjo, but all those spitting fire and promising brimstone on pro- Biafra protesters. The problems they created with Sharia and Boko Haram is spreading like cancer across the entire length and breadth of Nigeria.

Through their arrogance, they are fueling the fires of Biafra, an ideology which should have been handled with care. They probably do not realise the harm they are causing. Again, Nnamdi Kanu, is only comparable to a shock-observer to their recklessness. Invariably, they are the ones wishing Nigeria dead.

Always remember - no time wasted, steps walked, journey covered, efforts made, no wounds and bruises sustained in the course of regaining one’s freedom of any kind is stupid and useless. Until one regains his freedom of equality, his fights can never be deemed too much or overzealous. His fight will remain dignified. In fact, the fight to regain one’s freedom is the only fight that is worth the life of the fighter. It is so, because without freedom, one has no life at all. “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” - Martin Luther King Jr.

R E P O R T KANO Low 14°C High 30°C

BENIN CITY Low 12°C High 25°C

P/HARCOURT Low 21°C High 38°C

CALABAR Low 23°C High 39°C

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Law Æ s Chief Godwin Odumu Obla, a Senior Advocate and former Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state was called to the Inner Bar in 2013. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, he spoke on his assessment of human rights, the war on corruption, the election petition tribunal in Rivers state and sundry other issues.

The world recently celebrated human right day, what is your assessment of human right in Nigeria?

By and large we need to look at human rights from the context of the African region and from the context of the West African region, if you take a look at it from that position I think we are trying although, we still have a lot of challenges. The hangover from long years of military rules is such that we have not absolutely and comprehensively articulated the total frontiers of the human rights that should be available to the citizens but in time past, even now, the judiciary has interpreted a lot of the extant legislations in favor of the enforcement of the fundamental human rights.

Thankfully too, the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act passed in the twilight of the last administration has also become handy, some days ago, I was reading the newspaper in reliance of one of the key section of that by a Judge of the Federal High Court in asking for the immediate unconditional release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the Biafran activist. I think we are making some progress but we must not kid ourselves that there are a lot of areas we are found wanting.

With the ongoing fight against corruption, how do we ensure that fundamental rights of people are not infringed upon?

Well, our laws are very clear and I think one of the fundamental aspects of our laws is, you cannot detain an individual beyond a specified period without charging the person to court. Having said that I think we should learn from countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America. When you arrest an individual on allegation of commission of crime, you should have substantially investigated that allegation quitely so that at the point of arrest, more often than not, you are ready to charge that person to court within 24 hours as required by law. As it were now, we are still making the same old mistakes, we are listening too much to the mug and playing to the gallery in ar-

rest first, investigate later and then charge to court. I think we need to depart from that particular line of action and investigate first, arrest and then charge to court. That is very important.

Do you share the view that the AGF as the chief law officer should champion prosecution in court instead of lawyers within the ministry?

No, I don’t agree. You see, the position of Attorney General is a very serious position, he is the chief law officer of the federation in addition to being the Attorney General, he is also the Minister of Justice with a lot of responsibilities. Now, the Minister of Justice has a Director of Public Prosecutions with a lot of lawyers working under the department whose job is to prosecute. Once in a while the Attorney General may, just to highlight the extent of government dispositions towards those cases make one or two appearances but don’t forget some of these cases outlives the AGF so you need persons that will be on the case and stay on the case as long as possible.

The Attorney General I can recommend in cases involving states and the federal government where the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is invoked, he is the proper candidate to lead the federal government team but to require the Attorney General to appear in every criminal prosecution is to ask for the impossible and the impracticable, it is not possible. First, we just have to have the idea of the number of cases. Let me give you a small example, the current National Security Adviser matter being prosecuted now, it would be absolutely impracticable and unrealistic to expect the Attorney General to be prosecuting all those cases, the cases are too many and that is just one leg, more cases are likely to come up.

I think he should show a personal interest how those cases are prosecuted and to ensure that mistakes are not made in prosecuting those cases. That is the much we should ask for and not to insist that he should personally appear to go and prosecute them, he cannot do that.

Delayed criminal cases have become hostage to our procedural laws-Obla

Obla

Judges must insulate themselves, they should not be seen to be pandering and they should not also be seen to be playing to the gallery to satisfy the government because the government says its agenda has a massive anti corruption disposition, no. A Judge must do what is right in the eyes of the law, no more no less.

We’ve had many high profile cases abandoned in court, what are your expectations in the ongoing alleged N32 billion fraud?

I do not think all those cases are abandoned as people may want to say from time to time, they are not abandoned. You see, they have become hostage to our procedural laws so when you go to courts, more time is wasted on rituals than on arguement of substantive laws. If for instance you want to tender a document, you waste so much time in preparing the ground to tender that document because our procedural laws require all those things, we got laws from other place they have gone ahead of us and amended those laws several times, we should spend less time on procedure and dwell more on the substance of the matter. Currently this matter involving the armsgate are making interest-

ing readings in the newspaper now, when another matter comes up that is more interesting than this, people forget about this one. Well, my expectation is this case will be dealt with timely so that the accused persons will know their fates whether they are guilty or innocent, if they are innocent their reputations is restored, if they are guilty then they serve their sentences as required by law.

What role do you think the Judges should also play in this cases?

Well, every Judge has sworn to an oath of office at the time he or she was actually sworn in as a Judge, most importantly in the life of a Judge is to be forthright, when you are forthright the next expectation is to be dutiful, court sit by 9:00am, Judges should be in court by 9:00am, they should be in control of their courts and not allow lawyers to hijack their courts with all form of shenanigans to delay trials, to truncate proceedings for whatever reason, either the prosecution or the defense. A Judge will make it clear that he is in charge of the court and will have to deal with the substance of the matter that way we will deal with most of these matters quickly and then the Judges must insulate themselves, they should not be seen to be pandering and they should not also be seen to be playing to the gallery to satisfy the government because the government says its agenda has a massive anti corruption disposition, no.

A Judge must do what is right in the eyes of the law, no more no less.

Many have suggested that the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan should be invited on this alleged arms fraud. What is your take?

Well, I think we need to be extremely careful in this country those that are asking that he should be invited cannot know more than the agencies handling these matters, don’t forget he is the immediate past president of this country and this is not the

Continued on page 27

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Continued from page 26 first time allegation has been made in relation to past presidents. In the rumour news you hear a lot about the Harlibouton scandal which they say maybe about three past presidents are involved, there is no record that any of them has been invited in respect of this matter or in respect of any other matter so, if you are going to invite the immediate past president and there is no record that allegation has been made against other past president who have not been invited, we need to be very careful, the country is in a very fragile state, we don’t need to go and cause trouble when there is none in the first place.

Some lawyers are of the view that the war on corruption is political, do you share this view?

If somebody steals, he has stolen, if there is evidence that somebody stole it must be investigated, politics is an euphemism for people to be escapist as far as I am concerned. We have a popular proverb in Africa that there is no smoke without fire. The fact that a government in power for political reason decides to investigate and prosecute actual criminal infractions by people is not a basis for anybody to say those prosecutions or those investigations should not be done, no.

The truth is, if a crime has been committed, we cannot because of politics refuse to investigate and prosecute them that would be absolutely wrong. Some of the cases we are hearing today, are to say the least, nauseating, whether they can be proven and whether they are correct or not is a different matter but those things have to be investigated and if they are investigated and they show that a crime has been committed, there must be prosecution.

Are you saying it is only politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party that have stolen?

If you find other people that are also culpable you mention their names, they will be investigated and prosecuted. Let me tell you, during the PDP time it was very interesting that most of the governors prosecuted, and I was involved in most of those prosecutions, were PDP ex-governors but, PDP government allowed the EFCC to prosecute them.

Alao Akala, was PDP, I am undertaking his prosecution and I do not expect less from this government. If APC members are found in the commission of any offences, it must be investigated and prosecuted, if they are not, the government after some time will lose this goodwill because people are watching and people know, if you commit a crime people know,

27 Law

$2.1 billion arms deal: blame our system, not senate- Obla

in your local government people know so, if they cover them, it is only for a while some day it will be exposed. Some of the people that are being investigated and prosecuted today, they never knew such a day will come but, it will surely come and don’t forget that there is no limitation for the prosecution of criminal offence so in the next 20, 30 or 50 years, we can still prosecute them.

How do you view the statement credited to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, that the Senate should be blamed for failing in its oversight functions of the National Security Adviser’s office over the alleged arms fraud?

Why should the Senate be blamed? What is the extent of the oversight function of the National Assembly in respect of security matters? Is it not the information they give to you that you have? They can refuse to give you certain information and say that because of national security they can’t give it to you, nobody should blame the Senate, we should blame the system.

The Senate should investigate themselves since they started in 1999 once they investigate themselves they will see the extent of the rot in their own system, there is so much rot, all the monies they used in buying cars for themselves and said they are buying for committees that they would distribute to their members later, all the monies that they give them for constituency projects that are diverted and things like that, all the underhand monies that are paid to them without receipt, people know about it. They should stop being more catholic than the pope, they should all know that we all know these things, nobody is a child, the simple lessons that we have learnt from this, as far as I am concerned, the source of this entire crisis is monies are being disbursed from the office of the National Security Adviser, the question to be asked is, is he not just an adviser? Why should money be disbursed by an adviser? Why should an adviser be exercising powers of awarding contracts? What are the institutions meant for this, Ministry of Defense, Army, Airforce and Navy.

They send their needs to the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Defense should have a procurement department that takes care of all their needs and distribute it, this is a new develop-

Obla

ment and it started not too long ago because there is nowhere and sadly, even the budgeting process has to change because if we are budgeting things for Ministry of Defense there should be a breakdown, office of the NSA agency’s money, these are for military equipments for Army, Navy so, we pigeon hole all these expenses and know which should go to where.

National Security Adviser has no business in buying things for the Navy, Airforce or Army, no business doing that, he is supposed to advise the president on security issues and no more. We need to make some of those positions less financially lucrative, when we make it lucrative people who have no business there will go there, if the NSA only collect his salary and do so much work and look at his salary which is not an interesting package, nobody will be lobbying to go there but when you say he can award contract then every retired general wants to go there, that is what is happening.

Rivers state appeal court dismissed three appeal filed by governor Nyesom Wike for the gubernatorial elections conducted in the state. How do you view this judgment?

Well, it is not the business of lawyers who are involved in matters to be criticizing judgments but because we are dissatisfied with that particular judgment we decided to appeal, it has nothing to do with our client per see,

I think we need to look beyond today and look at the implications of certain judgments for the development of our jurisprudence or the sustainance of that jurisprudence and that is why we are actually challenging it in the Supreme Court, there are far reaching implications when certain judgments are allowed to stay unchallenged and by the time we file our brief at the Supreme Court, the reasons will be very clear to you.

You will see why we are challenging the judgment but, our jurisprudence is not what it used to be, we no longer have consistent jurisprudence in articulating any issues of law. We as stakeholders in the justice sector need to sit down and ask ourselves whether the doctrine of staiedecisis that requires that all courts must follow the decision of the superior Court is still part of our laws and also ask the Supreme Court to be constitent in this matter so that issues of jurisprudence will also be consistent.

INEC has conducted two inconclusive elections both in Kogi and Bayelsa states, do you think the electoral umpire can conduct the Rivers state gubernatorial elections and the 2019 general elections?

Well, I think it is a challenge for INEC to acquit itself creditably but not just INEC because the whole world is looking at the security agencies too and from what we hear, the conduct of

most security agencies in Bayelsa was comprehensively reprehensive, there are a lot of the decisions of the various courts that have not been appealled against saying that soldiers should not go near polling stations but, we hear that the contrary was the case in Bayelsa. The security agencies must be absolved from the electoral process. Now, they had to deploy about ten thousand soldiers to Bayelsa for just one state. This is the only country in the world where we deploy soldiers for election, we also deploy police, we deploy DSS, we deploy Civil Defense Corps, why do we want to give an impression that we are naturally violent people when it comes to elections or that we cannot do things properly?

This is the only country in the world that after every elections security agencies are accused of being privy to malpractices in all elections, it means that leadership of the security agencies are not giving proper leadership, it means they are unofficialy directing their officials to do the untowards in elections because unless an officer has a direct instructions, he will conduct himself properly, if he does not conduct himself properly, there is no evidence that throughout these elections a soldier has been court martialed for misbehaving in the course of electoral process, not a single officer which means that their authority are condoning their actions, we would watch out for Rivers state election.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tech Times Æ s

28

Inye Kemabonta, Editor, Tech Times inye@technologylaw.com.ng

Tower rentals, the biggest cost to 4G Internet service providers Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Technology experts have said that even as it is economical compared to ownership, tower rental is now the biggest cost outlay for most 4G internet service providers (ISPs) as the major players in the space lament increasing cost of doing business.

The three major players in that space include IHS with 14,000 towers, Helios with 2,000 towers and the new entrant American Towers Company (ATC) with 7,000 towers.

Currently the 4G ISPs are charged between N3.6million to N4million per tower for a year.

This cost depends on the type of the equipment being hung on the tower as some equipment consume more power than others so does some take space more than others.

David Venn, chief executive officer, Spectranet, a 4G LTE internet service provider, said that before now, their biggest cost outlay was cost of national and international bandwidth, “but today the cost of bandwidth is coming down which leaves cost of tower rental our biggest cost of operation. Though the cost of tower rental in Nigeria is high compared to other countries I have worked, considering operational cost in this environment in terms of maintenance of the towers, it is reasonable. But in Zambia where there is also power challenge, there is no need for operators to provide security at

Folayan, president ISPAN towers as security challenge is serious,” he said.

There are three 4G LTE operators in the country which include Spectranet, Swift Networks and Smile Communications Sunday Folayan, president, Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) said that tower rental cost in the country will not be cheap as it

is determined by some factors which include number of user on the tower as well as power and security provided in the base stations.

“I’m not surprise that tower rental cost is high because the cost of powering base stations with generators is high. If we fix power problem in this country every other thing will take shape,” Folayan added.

Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), attributed two factors as responsible for high cost of tower rental in the country, which are competition and service cost.

Ajayi said “competition in the co-location business is not deep enough to bring about reduced cost. Presently, there

are few companies providing co-location facilities in the country.”

He explained that high cost of tower rental is also occasioned by service cost provided at the base stations such as power and security. “Most base stations are powered by generators and the cost of gas is high, they provide security at the towers.

These are outside the control of co-location operators,” he said.

He however, called on government to set up an intervention fund to support the growth of ICT in the country just as she did in the entertainment industry, from where small operators could borrow to expand their network.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), though agreed on local cost of services at tower as determinate factor, noted that cost of service provision in two different environments are not the same as in Nigeria and India.

“In Nigeria, tower operators are faced with problems of approval cost, multiple regulations, multiple taxations and maintenance cost. Power is a challenge as cost of diesel is high; today you buy N140 per litre tomorrow you buy it for N150. These costs are not insignificant and affect the business,” he said.

Telecom expert canvasses gov’t to encourage local content

Emoekpere, MD/CEO Anchor

Mr. Tony Emoekpere, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Telecoms has canvassed that government must encourage local content participation in 2016 to boost the telecom industry, which is hitherto contributing about 10 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Emoekpere said the government can do this by encouraging foreign companies to partner with local companies, who do not have access to the kind of funds the international companies have.

“The local companies can hardly take advantage of the opportunities that are available

to them, so rather than just allowing them to come on their own, what has happened in the oil and gas sector should come into the telecom companies as well, whereby foreign companies are encouraged to partner with local companies,” he said.

He added that there is a need for the government to also to

encourage local companies to become conglomerate, revealing that Nigeria has too many one-man business.

“We need policies that will help drive partnership, so that local companies can merge and consolidate to become entity that can compete internationally,” he added.

Tech Times 29

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Lenovo, a global leader in mobile communications, said that as part of its commitment to delivering rich mobile experiences and superior smartphone technology to Nigerians has unveiled two new members of its ground-breaking VIBE series - the Lenovo VIBE P1m and Lenovo VIBE S1 in the country.

Featuring premium design, powerful processors, full high definition displays and innovative camera technology, the new devices are designed to satisfy the communication needs of the most demanding of consumers.

The Lenovo VIBE S1 is the company’s first dual selfie camera smartphone.

The device combines the ability to take creative selfies with a fashionable exterior, with its two front cameras and attractive curved-glass back design.

Its 8-megapixel primary camera captures high quality images while the 2-megapixel secondary camera provides detailed information on images and backgrounds so users can re-focus on photographs using editing tools.

The device also houses a 13-megapixel camera on its rear side.

Other striking features of the Lenovo VIBE S1 include a 5.0-inch full HD display for an immersive viewing experience, an aluminium frame to give users a firm grip and a 2420 mAh battery that can power the device for close to 11 days in standby mode.

On its part, the VIBE P1m’s exceptional battery life lets users stay constantly connected, productive and in control.

The device boasts a longlasting 4000mAh battery, a Quick

L-R: Nggada Joshua Yakubu, head Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council; Utsalo Nicholas, senior public relations officer, Consumer Protection Council; Jude Ogaga Ughwujabo, head, Regulation and Monitoring, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (Lagos Zonal Office) and Bolade Oyekanmi, marketing manager, Smartphones, Lenovo Technologies West Africa, during the first raffle draw of the Lenovo National Promo in Ikeja, Lagos, recently.

Lenovo unveils 2 new VIBE smartphones series Charge feature and energy saving software alongside a splash-proof Nano coating that protects it from rain and spills.

It also features a manual power saver switch that instantly extends battery life as well as an OTG (On-The-Go) charging function that lets it charge other USB-connected devices such as Bluetooth headsets and portable speakers.

Equipped with highperformance processors and 4G

LTE capabilities, the VIBE P1m not only runs apps and games seamlessly, it also supports blazing-fast connectivity and smooth access to online content.

Shashank Sharma, executive director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo Middle East and Africa (MEA), reiterated the company’s dedication to fast-tracking the growth of Nigeria’s smartphone market by providing consumers with access to its latest mobile

devices.

“As lifestyles and everyday habits become more mobile, consumers today are looking for devices that can deliver both performance and long lasting battery life in sleek, stylish designs. These are some of the driving forces behind our new VIBE smartphones that offer faster processing speeds, innovative new features and extended battery life to enhance the mobile experience of even

the most demanding users,” he said.

He added that the Lenovo VIBE P1m and Lenovo VIBE S1 are already available for purchase at accredited dealers in the country.

Lenovo also announced that it has gathered hundreds of entries for its ongoing nationwide promotion tagged Lenovo National Promo, just one month after its launch. Grand CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Oracle Declares Cloud SaaS, PaaS Revenue Growth Oracle Corporation has declared its fiscal 2016 Q2 results in the report that the strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies had a significant impact on results in the quarter.

Total Revenues were $9.0 billion, down 6% in U.S. dollars and unchanged in constant currency.

Cloud plus On-Premise Software Revenues were $7.0 billion, down 4% in U.S. dollars and up 2% in constant currency.

Total Cloud Revenues were $649 million, up 26% in U.S.

dollars and up 31% in constant currency. Cloud software as a service (SaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) revenues were $484 million, up 34% in U.S. dollars and up 39% in constant currency.

Cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS) revenues were $165 million, up 7% in U.S. dollars and up 11% in constant currency.

On-Premise Software Revenues were $6.4 billion, down 7% in U.S. dollars and unchanged in constant currency.

Total Hardware Revenues

were $1.1 billion, down 16% in U.S. dollars and down 10% in constant currency.

Total Services Revenues were $861 million, down 8% in U.S. dollars and unchanged in constant currency.

Operating Income was $3.0 billion and Operating Margin was 33%. Non-GAAP Operating Income was $3.7 billion and non-GAAP Operating Margin was 41%. Net Income was $2.2 billion while non-GAAP Net Income was $2.7 billion.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Ellison, Oracle EC/CTO

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

30 Tech Times

‘Nigeria’s broadband penetration still poles apart with digital offerings’

By Tony Nwakaegho Nigeria’s broadband penetration is said to still be poles apart with digital offerings despite the presence of several submarine cables carrying about 9 terabytes of bandwidth in Nigeria.

Broadband deployment in the country, especially in the rural areas is said to be abysmally low and failing to keep pace with today’s advanced, high-quality voice, data, graphics and video offerings.

Some industry watchers and analysts have continued to blame this trend on the lack of last miles connectivity infrastructures in the country.

Like never before, the availability of data hungry devices with multiple functionalities is part of the predicament, coupled with E-commerce, social media that are all eating data.

Analysts are of the view that Broadband Internet is failing to reach the rural dwellers, which should benefit most, thereby creating a significant digital divide.

Although it been predicted that future Internet users are likely to come from less well educated, less urban backgrounds, the digital divide is still greater in the rural and semi rural area.

Nigeria boasts of MainOne, Glo1, WACS and SAT-3 submarine cables carrying huge bandwidth capacity in the last five years, but this has not actually translated into a situation where citizens can take advantage of the enormous economic and social

Venn, CEO Spectranet benefits the Internet offers at a time when proven empirical report posited that for every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration in developing countries like Nigeria, there is a commensurate 1.3 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product.

On the part of the operators, lack of demand is said to be the bane of the insufficient broadband deployment in the country.

Mainone with their 14, 000km, worth $250 million cable

Lenovo unveils 2 new VIBE smartphones series

investment from Portugal to Nigeria, which was launched in 2011 is underutilized.

According to Kazeem Oladepo, General Counsel at MainOne, cable operators in Nigeria are experiencing latent demand.

“Currently, I doubt if there is any operator in Nigeria that is exhausting up to 10 per cent of the capacity they have on their submarine cable,” Oladepo said.

At least 90 per cent of the investment is said to be underutilized, thereby undermining the operator’s

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

prizes at stake in the promotion include a brand new Kia Rio and 10 education grants worth N200,000 each.

The first in the series of the promo’s electronic raffle draws took place on Thursday and saw two winners from different parts of the country emerging as winners of the education grants.

The lucky winners include Mr. Abimbola from Lagos and Mr. Abalu Evarist from Enugu. Names of winners of consolation prizes including blenders, deep freezers and much more were also revealed at

ability to generate revenue to recover not only its cost; but also earn return on their investment.

Oladepo lamented that the biggest challenge in reality remains infrastructure to support the delivery of broadband services, adding that the availability of this infrastructure and the price of access to it are still not competitive.

“We have maintained that connecting a customer in Abuja is far more expensive than the cost of connecting Lagos to London. This will remain so until we have the appropriate regime to force anti-competitive pricing of terrestrial infrastructure down and compel open access to the infrastructure,” he insisted.

Even the 30 per cent broadband target by the National Broadband Plan 20132018 is said not to be achievable as the country has only attained 10 per cent broadband growth in 2015.

Interestingly, significant progress in broadband deployment has been made in Nigeria, due to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s intervention to support broadband through spectrum licensing and other programmes, advances in the deployment of broadband are still not enough.

According to the 2015 Broadband Progress Report, released by the United Nations’ Broadband Commission, the household connectivity figures mask strong disparities in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries.

The report shows that only 1

the event.

The Lenovo National Promo is coming on the heels of the company’s recent announcement of new pricing for its P70 and A5000 smartphones towards enabling a larger set of consumers to enjoy the optimal mobile experience that smartphones provide at even more affordable rates.

One more draw for the selection of winners of education grants will take place, followed by the Kia Rio Grand Prize draw.

To qualify for the promo, consumers can simply send a text message containing their name,

in 9 households are connected to the internet in the region, which Spectranet, one of the Internet Service Providers in Nigeria believes is as a result of the price of national circuits.

Mr David Venn, Chief Executive Officer of Spectranet, explained that pricing has a big role to play for more Nigerians to have access to ubiquitous broadband, adding that though the price is dropping on the international market, it is still expensive to deliver the service to end users which in turn result to increased broadband penetration.

“The most challenging of the cost is on the national circuit that has hindered operators like us from expanding to other cities of the country,” the 4G LTE Internet Service Provider CEO argued.

He urged the NCC to come up with regulatory policies on the pricing of national circuit required to deliver internet on the national network.

Access to information and communication technologies, particularly broadband Internet, has the potential to serve as a major accelerator of the nation’s development; therefore the country needs to increase its broadband offerings to accommodate the league of digital consumers.

The government on its part as well as the private industry must have a strong interest to get citizens online, since technology will be able to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide and to develop knowledge economy and society.

device IMEI number and model number alongside the name of the store from which their device was purchased to 33811.

Lenovo is a $46 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology.

Its portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including the Motorola brand), tablets and apps.

Tech Times 31

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

ITU Group identifies emerging demands of ‘5G’ to boost standardization Stories by Tony Nwakaegho The ITU-T Focus Group on network aspects of IMT2020 (‘5G’) has received an extension to its lifetime, with a mandate to undertake indepth studies into areas such as ‘network softwarization’ and slicing, emerging networking technologies, mobile backhaul and fronthaul, and end-to-end quality of service (QoS).

New Terms of Reference call for the group to engage open-source communities, influencing and taking advantage of their work by introducing them to the challenges that telecoms players must overcome in the development of the 5G ecosystem.

The Focus Group’s vision of the 5G era is of a highly dynamic information and communication technology (ICT) industry characterized by the entrance of new players to the networking business and new opportunities for telecoms companies.

The approach to year 2020 will play host to the emergence of new business models capitalising on the transformative effects of softwarization and the associated convergence of open-source and telecoms communities.

The Focus Group was established in May 2015 to analyse how emerging 5G technologies will interact in future networks as a preliminary study into the networking innovations required to support the development of 5G systems.

The group took an ecosystem view of 5G research of development, identifying 85 ‘gaps’ in existing standards to be addressed in the approach to year 2020, and published the

Zhao, ITU Sec-Gen. analysis in its Report.

“The analysis of emerging demands on networking carried out by ITU’s Standardization Sector is a valuable complement to the 5G standardization programme overseen by ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector,” ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao said.

“The road to the 5G era will see the ICT industry undergo significant transformation, and I am pleased to see ITU members creating an open platform to build greater cohesion in 5G innovation,” the Focus Group’s Chairman, Peter AshwoodSmith outlines ambitions for 2016 in an interview.

“Telecoms companies are calling for more softwarization.

Standards development for network-function virtualization and software-defined networking has received strong support from telecoms players hoping to introduce more softwarization and benefit from the use of generalpurpose, ‘white-box’ hardware,” Ashwood-Smith, Huawei Senior Researcher and Technical Vice President said.

In 2012, ITU established a programme on “International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2020 and beyond (IMT-2020)”, providing the framework for 5G research and development worldwide.

Recommendation ITU-R M.2083-0 defines the framework

and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2020 and beyond. The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly held in Geneva, 26-30 October 2015, endorsed Resolutions ITU-R 65 and 56-2 that establish the roadmap for the development of 5G mobile and the term that will apply to it: “IMT-2020” ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is coordinating the international standardization and identification of spectrum for 5G mobile development. ITU’s Standardization Sector (ITU-T) will play a similar convening role for the technologies and architectures of the wireline elements of 5G networks.

“The work of the ITU-T Focus Group on network aspects of IMT-2020 has met the high expectations of the ITU membership,” François Rancy, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau said.

“ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector welcomes the decision to extend the Focus Group’s lifetime, and we look forward to building on the results to emerge from the next phase of the group’s study.

“5G research and development is being driven by a great number and diversity of industry players, research institutes and standardization bodies,” Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Standardization Bureau said.

“Our Focus Group on network aspects of IMT-2020 is analysing how all the elements of the 5G ecosystem will work in harmony, a welcome contribution to the multifaceted 5G preparations being undertaken worldwide,” Lee added.

Oracle Declares Cloud SaaS, PaaS Revenue Growth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Earnings Per Share was $0.51, while non-GAAP Earnings Per Share was $0.63.

Without the impact of the U.S. dollar strengthening compared to foreign currencies, Oracle’s reported GAAP Earnings Per Share would have been 5 cents higher and non-GAAP Earnings Per Share would have been 6 cents higher.

Short-term deferred revenues were $7.0 billion, up 3% in U.S. dollars and up 9% in constant currency compared with a year ago. Operating

cash flow on a trailing twelvemonth basis was $12.9 billion.

“We’re very pleased with our non-GAAP EPS of $0.63, beating the mid-point of guidance by 4 cents despite a stronger than expected currency headwind.

“We grew our SaaS and PaaS revenue 38% in constant dollars this past quarter, and we expect that revenue growth rate to accelerate to nearly 50% in Q3 and close to 60% in Q4. This rapid increase in our cloud revenue will help drive our SaaS and PaaS cloud gross margins from 43% in Q2 to approaching 60% in Q4 and drive significant

EPS growth in Q4,” Oracle CEO, Safra Catz said.

“It was a very strong growth quarter for our cloud business, with SaaS and PaaS bookings up 75% in constant currency and billings up 68% in U.S. dollars,” said Oracle CEO, Mark Hurd.

“We did 100 Fusion HCM deals and over 300 Fusion ERP deals in the quarter. We now have more than 1,500 ERP customers in the cloud – that’s at least ten times more ERP customers than Workday.”

Oracle Executive Chairman and CTO Larry Ellison said: “We are still on-target to sell

and book more than $1.5 billion of new SaaS and PaaS business this fiscal year.

“That is considerably more SaaS and PaaS new business than any other cloud services provider including salesforce. com.”

The Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share of outstanding common stock.

This dividend will be paid to stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 6, 2016, with a payment date of January 27, 2016.

Sproxil’s mobile authentication solution surpasses 21m verification of products The pioneer owner of the solution, Sproxil said that a few years after the mobile product verification was introduced, it has surpassed over twenty one million verifications processing the authentication of products.

The company said the milestone points to the fact that the solution is globally accepted and is helping brand owners to combat counterfeit goods from reaching the consumer.

The company said in a statement signed by Paul Whalen, its Marketing Director that “We have seen an accelerated rate of Sproxil verifications over the past year which not only indicates our growth, but also the importance to brand owners and manufacturers that endconsumers are verifying that they are purchasing a genuine product. Fake products are often lower in quality and can cause human life-safety issues.”

The statement also added that counterfeited products are recognised as a multi-billiondollar problem for brand owners and manufacturers around the globe, but the Sproxil’s product verification technology is used by the consumer to verify that the product they are purchasing is genuine.

The statement urged brand owners, especially in the emerging markets to leverage on technology and protect their brand, stressing that counterfeited goods can destroy the integrity of a brand, have an impact on human safety and has led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Ashifi, Sproxil CEO

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tuESdaY, dEcEmBER 29, 2015

VOL. 2. NO.11

Price: n150

Red-hot

Ighalo nets 14th EPL goal

g 18

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Swansea Everton 3 - 4 Stoke City Norwich 2 - 0 Aston Villa Watford 1 - 2 Tottenham West Brom 1 - 0 Newcastle Arsenal 2 - 0 Bournemouth Man United 0 - 0 Chelsea West Ham 2 - 1 Southampton Today’s Match Leicester City v Man City 20:45 Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Sunderland v Liverpool 20:45

d l o h s e u l B : L EP

, s l i v e D d Reunners go top! as G

ANDREW EKEJIUBA WITH AGENCY REPORT

M

anchester United were unable to ease the pressure on manager Louis van Gaal despite a much-improved performance as they were held to a barren draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal’s future was shrouded in uncertainty after a run of four straight defeats - and while a draw offers minor relief, United were still unable to secure the victory the 64-year-old Dutchman so desperately needs.

United’s luck was out as both Juan Mata and Anthony Martial struck the woodwork

inside the first 15 minutes and only a brilliant reflex save from Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois stopped Ander Herrera from six yards after the break.

Chelsea, under the temporary control of Van Gaal’s fellow countryman Guus Hiddink, had chances of their own and United needed the brilliance of keeper David de Gea as he saved athletically from John Terry’s early header then made a double save from Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta after the break.

And as United ran out of momentum and ideas - although they were unlucky not to get a penalty when Willian handled - Nemanja Matic missed the best chance of the game when he raced clear, only to shoot hopelessly over the top.

The merchandisers outside Old Trafford may have been hawking scarves proclaiming Jose Mourinho as the next Manchester United manager, but those inside ‘The Theatre Of Dreams’ gave their embattled manager commendable support.

The final whistle was greeted with some jeers but this was more out of frustration that United could not find a winner, which also saw Wayne Rooney miss a late chance.

Van Gaal’s name was not heard in any chants but there was no groundswell of hostility towards the manager fighting for his job.

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal

Shocker! Manchester United were unable to ease the pressure on Louis van Gaal following their 0-0 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday. INSET: Arsenal players celebrate after their 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, at least for 24 hours, as they won their first league meeting with Bournemouth by 2-0.

After a tense opening, Ozil’s corner was met with a firm header by defender Gabriel for his first goal in English football.

Ozil made it 2-0 after the break from a slick one-two with Olivier Giroud.

Bournemouth showed plenty of spirit, but could not find their way through as Arsenal closed out the victory.

With Leicester not playing until today, Arsenal leapfrog them into top spot by one point.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, slip to 16th and remain only three points from danger as their six-match unbeaten run came to an end.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Naira strengthens against dollar at parallel market, sells at N260 Page B3

Direct cash settlement kicks-off Page B4 in Nigeria’s capital market

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

TUC urges FG to ensure budget implementation Page B6

Diversification of economy: Omatek chief advises FG to focus on technology sector

Glo excites subscribers as Lagos fiesta kicks-off at 5 locations

Tony Nwakaegho

Tony Nwakaegho

Chief executive officer of Omatek Ventures Limited, Mrs. Florence Seriki, chief executive has advised the federal government to focus on the technology sector in a bid to diversify the economy.

Seriki made this remark when the Minister of Commu-

Nigeria’s next generation network, Globacom has excited its subscribers by providing first-class entertainment at its stands in One Lagos Fiesta, which kicked off at five locations across Lagos on Sunday.

The One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) is a five-day end-of-year celebration put together by the Lagos State Government and sponsored by Globacom. The celebration is happening simultaneously at Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe. At the kick-off of the fiesta in Ikorodu Town Hall on Sunday, the Globacom pavilion at the venue drew a huge crowd of Glo subscribers and would-be subscribers, who wanted to be part of the fun and entertainment provided by the foremost telecommunications outfit.

From “mock-on-the spotkick,” to Snookers, Play Stations, Table soccer and other in-door games, Globacom gave more than enough fun to Ikorodu residents who thronged the venue of the fiesta.

The biggest point of attraction to the fun seekers was the Glo Man U point, where soccer lovers and enthusiasts were given the chance to play six shots at the “mock-on-the spot-kick”

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

L-R Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of finance, Alh. MahmoudIsa-Dutse, Honourable Minister of Finace, Mrs Kemi Adeosun,Accountant-General of the Federation, Alh. Ahmed Idris, Director Funds (OAGF)Mohammed Dikwa and Director Revenue & Investment, Mr Omoniyi during theFederation Accounts Alllocation Committee (FAAC) in Abuja recently

Shell to complete BG takeover February 2016 Tony Nwakaegho Royal Dutch Shell, an energy major company has said it is aiming to complete its takeover of smaller rival BG Group on February 15 next year.

The 55-billion deal announced in April has already been cleared by authorities in Australia and Brazil, as well as the European Commission.

The two energy companies are still waiting for the go-ahead from shareholder meetings

scheduled on January 27 for Shell and January 28 for BG. Due to the drop in world oil prices, Shell said it was revising down its estimate for capital expenditure next year to $33bn from the previous estimate of $35bn.The amount will be 30 percent lower than 2014 levels.

“We aim to reduce costs and capital spending once again in 2016, as we combine Shell with BG, and continue to take impactful decisions on portfolio and options,” Shell chief executive Ben

van Beurden said in a statement.

“This is to ensure that Shell can continue to finance the investment programme and the dividend, despite the downturn,” he said.

The takeover is intended to strengthen Shell’s position in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in a context of tough market conditions.

Crude oil prices have sunk more than 60 percent from above $100 in summer 2014 owing to the oversupply as well as weak

oil demand growth, a global economic slowdown and a strong dollar.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Ship owner calls for investments in ship-breaking, ship recycling President of the Ship owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, has urged investors to tap the potential of Nigeria’s ship-breaking and recycling sector.

Ogbeifun made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday.

He said that prior to this time, ship wrecks were taken to foreign countries for breaking and

recycling but the cost of moving such wrecks had made it unprofitable.

“There are many wrecked ships scattered over the waterways of Nigeria.

“Until the 1960s, ship-breaking was considered a highly mechanised operation concentrated in industrialised countries such as the U.S., U.K., Germany and Italy.

“From the early 1980s, ship

owners sent their vessels to the scrap yards of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam where payment, health and safety standards were minimal,’’ Ogbeifun said.

He said people were also desperate to work.

“The aim was to maximise profit but today, in Nigeria, these vessels are abandoned midstream and around waterfronts within the country.

“The cost of towing these vessels to other parts of the country makes it no longer profitable for ship-breaking and recycling of steel,’’ Ogbeifun said.

He, however, said that some companies had started shipyard expansion to key into the sector, which had potential for developing and giving the required service locally.

“Companies such as Starzs Marine and Engineering Ltd.,

operators of the Starzs Shipyard at Onne, have commenced shipyard expansion to incorporate ship-breaking.

“However, there is need for serious foreign partnership in terms of utilisation of the best available technology.

“There are small activities in ship-breaking by some firms down south in Calabar.

“The Indians have also indiCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Glo excites subscribers as Lagos fiesta kicks-off at 5 locations

Diversification of economy: Omatek chief advises FG to focus on technology sector

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

nications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, paid one-day working visit to the Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) plant, owned

by Omatek Ventures in Lagos recently, remarking that implementing local content policy in the IT/ICT sector remain a critical drive to stamp out unemployment.

She said: “Omatek will be 30 years by 2016 and we thus far created a solid foundation by showcasing to the world that Nigeria is a hub of innovation and creativity leveraging not just desktop hardware technology but also solar power tech solutions.”

Seriki disclosed that though many ministers have come to see what we do here at Omatek by way of showing support, there is need for government to begin to look in the direction of indigenous players in the technology industry to drive key sectors of the economy.

“But record has it that to bridge the digital gap in Nigeria, government really has to look inward. And we at Omatek have demonstrated skill, capacity and innovation to be able to handle national projects as we have exemplified in various federal tertiary institutions, banks, Ministries, Department and Agencies(MDAs) for both federal and state governments and the Nigeria Stock Exchange(NSC),” Seriki said.

She suggested that Nigeria could ditch its consumerism status, adding that “government cannot do it all, but we are ready to support if the public private partnership (PPP) model is adopted in this new government administration.”

She emphasized on the use new Omatek solar tech solution to power Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of some commercial banks in the country, stressing that Nigeria can be able to use both hardware and software for revolution of wealth, industrial collaboration and local patronage.

The minister who made the factory tour during the visit was pleased with effort on ground in the bid to make Nigeria a solution provider and technology source for Africa at large.

“I am pleased with what I saw.

I know that Nigeria as an economy has diverse areas to generate wealth and capacity building to drive away unemployment.

Oil rig

Bonga North West project wins 2 global awards Shell operated Bonga North West deep-water development has won the Engineering Project of the Year 2015 at the Platts Global Energy Awards in New York, and the silver prize for the Project Integration Excellence Award of the International Petroleum Technology Conference, IPTC, in Doha, Qatar.

The Bonga North West deepwater development project, which Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, (SNEPCo), and its partners brought on stream in August 2014, is an important milestone for Nigeria’s deep-water industry that has generated jobs and businesses.

“We are pleased that the achievements at Bonga North West have been accorded global recognition.

“Bonga North West is a testimony to an effective approach to project delivery with focus on safety, cost and an efficient contracting process,” SNEPCo Managing Director Bayo Ojulari said.

Bonga North West ties into the existing Bonga vessel, one of the largest floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) in the world. The project team safely drilled and connected new wells in a highly-challenging environment more than a kilome-

tre below the ocean’s surface.

Through close partnership, including co-venturers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and industry regulators, and the project has unlocked new energy resources to help meet the world’s growing demand.

The highlights on Nigerian content development in its fouryear shows that 90% of the people who worked on the Bonga North West project were Nigerians. SNEPCo awarded the major engineering and construction contracts for the project to companies that were either indigenous, have local staff, or possess domesticated capabilities in the country. And a number of new production manifolds, subsea umbilical systems, oil production and water injection flowlines and subsea tree systems were installed on the seabed around 1,000 metres below the surface.

SNEPCo operates Bonga North West in partnership with Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

and score three goals to win some valuable prizes.

The soccer spot-kick game became the main attraction as both the old and the young from both sexes took turn to play and their “misses” attracted hilarious laughter from the spectators.

The first to win a prize was 54year old Mr. Oluwasomi Ajayi, who scored three holes in the mock goalpost in six attempts.

He was followed by an American returnee, Mr. Julius Obelana, whose sense of perseverance saw him winning a prize.

The “striker” for the evening was lanky Laizer Juwon, who scored three goals after just four shots from the spot. The spectators cheered him endlessly as he was rewarded with valuable prizes.

Oluwasomi in his response said, “I would not have felt bad if I didn’t win anything because the mere fact that Globacom is here today with all these games is enough for me.”

At the Agege Stadium Globacom stand, 18 year-old student of Sango Senior Secondary School, Benson Belumi won the dancing competition.

Belumi beat 21-year old Veronica Chibuzor, from Delta State to the second position to win N4,000 cash, recharge card running into thousands of Naira as well as Glo branded items.

Belumi said he had been dancing since age 13 and would aspire to dance like the popular American artiste, Usher.

For Veronica, she has been dancing since age eight and would like to study Mass Communications as she aspires to be a broadcaster.

At the Bar Beach Stand of the telecom company, five-year old Chukwuemeka Chinemema stole the show by beating 10 other amateur dancers, including teenagers to go home with the winning prizes consisting of a Glo-branded bag, T-shirt, internet dongle and recharge cards.

She was so good that the audience rained cash on her while she did her thing, oblivious of the applause by the crowd.

Globacom also provided a platform at all the locations for aspiring entertainers including musicians, comedians and dancers to showcase their talents in front of an encouraging audience.

Adenuga

Ship owner calls for investments in ship-breaking, ship recycling CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

cated interest in partnership in ship-breaking with Starzs Marine and Engineering Ltd at Onne, Rivers,’’ he said.

Ogbeifun was optimistic that

investment in the sector and the readiness to build capacity in the use of the required technology would open the sector for greater number of jobs for Nigerians.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Stories by Motolani Oseni After weeks of free fall at the parallel market, the naira strengthened against the dollar on Monday at the parallel market. The currency gained N10 to exchange at N260 to the dollar after it nosedived to N270 last week before the public holidays.

Traders at the market at the parallel market stated this yesterday in separate interviews with our correspondent.

Managing Director, Abu Yaro Bureau De-Change, said the naira stood at N260 to the dollar amid expectations that the apex bank would inject millions of dollar when it resumes work today to stimulate the parallel market.

However, the last week rebound after weeks of record low at the market, was as a result of over $20 million sold to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators, who have been hitherto experiencing dollar scarcity.

At the official interbank window, the naira exchanged for N197 to the dollar, before the Central Bank of Nigeria shut down the foreign exchange trading window at the parallel market.

Traders expressed optimism that the naira would experience some stability after the apex bank disclosed that it had stimulated the market with $90 million ahead of

B3 Money Market

Naira strengthens against dollar at parallel market, sells at N260

L-R: MTN Foundation Director, Mr. Dennis Okoro, MTN Foundation Executive Secretary, Ms. Nonny Ugboma and Manager, MTN Foundation Health Portfolio, Mr. Victor Orie Ononogbu during the Endless Joy party organised by MTN Foundation for Orphanages in Lagos recently

Christmas and New Year festivities.

With analyst saying Nigeria would eventually have to devalue the naira, the CBN under the

leadership of Godwin Emefiele is doing everything legally possible to pull through the naira’s hard times. Emefiele, backed by President Muhammadu Buhari

insist that no devaluation would be carried out as regards the currency.

Meanwhile, traders at the market have equally said that

currency speculators were afraid that the naira could sell below their expectations and this forced them to release foreign exchange for sale.

Nigerian economy will remain unchanged until Q1 2016- ICEN Nigerians have been advised to be calm, exercise more patience and be more prayerful, as all economic indicators have shown that the economy will remain unchanged till First Quarter (Q1) of 2016.

Chief Registrar/Secretary

NIBOR as @ Dec. 23, 2015 Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

1M

1.0068

-0.01 ?

2M

1.4111

0.30 ?

3M

2.9132

-0.41 ?

6M

4.7512

-0.05 ?

9M

7.2261

-0.34 ?

12M

8.5042

0.06 ?

General, Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN), Mr. Peter Ikpamejo, disclosed to our correspondent in Lagos yesterday that the current economic situations in the country would remain unchanged until the Q1 of 2016 before Nigerians would begin to see changes in the economy.

The ICEN boss said that it was good that the country now has ministers to run its economy but they took over office not quite long, so it would take them sometime before they could start executing policies, which some of them have already started.

CBN Exchange Rates

According to Ikpamejo, Nigeria current economic situation is driven by its single module economy, with crude oil as its only major source of income.

But even at that, the system is really down because it is not properly constituted.

“There was a transition from old government to the new one with expectation that the government would swiftly come up with a blueprint on the economy but it did not do that.

On the debt profile of the 36 states and the domestic debts

of the federal government that stood at 5.53 trillion, he said: “There is no government, economy and business that can exist without borrowing. The amount the states and even the federal government have borrowed should not be a yardstick for any government not to perform.

The fact that there has been a sharp fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market, should not be the reason for poor performance of any government but how proactive they are in address the issues.”

Ikpamejo

External Reserves

Money Market Indicators (%) -2015

Before:

Month

January

February

March

Date

Gross

Liquid

Blocked

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.21

23.5

12.59

12/18/15

29,419,149,848

28,709,443,250

709,706,599

29,423,270,612

28,713,117,395

710,153,216

29,447,372,512

28,736,775,400

710,597,113

29,463,262,183

28,752,227,389

711,034,794

29,477,970,778

28,766,477,825

711,492,953

Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

12/9/15

US DOLLAR

195.97

196.47

196.97

POUNDS STERLING

295.4444

296.1982

296.952

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

EURO

214.058

214.6042

215.1503

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

13

13

13

SWISS FRANC

197.6102

198.1143

198.6185

12/17/15

Treasury Bill Rate

11.2

10.88

10.77

YEN

1.5982

1.6023

1.6063

2.41%

Savings Deposit Rate

3.48

3.47

3.76

CFA

0.3057

0.3157

0.3257

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.61

8.47

8.42

WAUA

270.5555

271.2458

271.9361

12/16/15

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.64

9.54

9.02

YUAN/RENMINBI

30.4813

30.5595

30.6377

2.41%

6 Months Deposit Rate

9.74

9.46

9.88

RIYAL

52.2197

52.3529

52.4861

12 Months Deposit Rate

9.51

9.37

9.52

DANISH KRONA

28.6904

28.7636

28.8368

12/15/15

Prime Lending rate

16.86

16.77

16.9

SDR

272.026

272.72

273.4141

2.41%

Maximum Lending Rate

25.97

26.33

26.61

12/14/15

Go!

2.41%

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Direct cash settlement kicks-off in Nigeria’s capital market Stories by Adesola Akindele

Gwarzo

As part of on-going initiatives to protect investors and eliminate fraudulent activities in the Nigerian Capital Market, stakeholders in the market under the leadership of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and The Nigerian Stock Exchange will, with effect from January 4 2016, commence the Direct Cash Settlement initiative, which is the direct payment of proceed of sale of securities into an investor’s nominated bank account.

This was contained in a statement released by the Steering Committee on Direct Cash Set-

tlement. The committee maintained that with the effective take-off of Direct Cash Settlement, investors in the Nigerian Capital Market would be credited directly with the net proceeds of stock market transactions which would address the illegal sale of investors’ securities.

Direct cash settlement is a process where cash proceeds from trades executed by brokers on the Exchange settles directly into investors’ bank account. It starts when a client gives his broker the mandate to sell his or her shares. Once those shares are sold, payment is made directly into the client’s account. This is in contrast to the current prac-

tice where proceed from sale of securities is paid directly into the stockbroker’s account and stockbrokers then deduct transaction fees and remit the balance to the client’s account. Historically, issues have arisen on occasions when the proceeds of sale were not remitted into the clients’ accounts, thereby necessitating the need for the initiative.

According to the DG of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, he stated that “with the Direct Cash Settlement initiative, the moment securities are sold, the consideration will be paid into the client’s account.

I am happy to report that at the last CMC, our members unanimously agreed that the Direct

Cash Settlement initiative will commence on 4th of January 2016. So, we believe this will also improve investor confidence in the market”.

As against the current general practice where the proceed of sale for investors’ transactions go into the bank accounts of the brokers for onward disbursement to their clients, the practice under the ‘Direct Cash Settlement’ would be to send the net proceeds directly from the clearing and settlement system to investors’ accounts while the existing practice of payment through brokers would only happen where clients opt not to participate in the initiative.

Kurfi urges stockbrokers to diversify to remain in business Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., Malam Garba Kurfi, on Monday urged capital market operators to diversify in order to remain in business.

Kurfi made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He advised operators to diversify into other businesses in line with the current realities, to survive in 2016.

Kurfi said that many stockbrokers recorded huge losses in 2015 due to the persistent fall in prices of equities occasioned by slump in crude oil price at the global market.

He said operators who were able to make profit were those into other financial services such as Bureau De Change (BDC), pension services and investment advisers. ``The year 2015 was bad for most stock broking firms be-

cause of the lull in the equities market,’’ the stock broker said.

He said that the capital base of most stock broking firms had also been eroded by the market downturn.

Kurfi said that the issue of insecurity in the North East, declining foreign exchange reserves and weak currency had contributed to the market downturn.

NAN reports that 743.12 million shares worth N6.59 billion were traded by investors in 8,325 deals last week, against 1.46 billion shares valued at N13.80 billion exchanged in 13,648 deals in the preceding week.

The Financial Services Sector led the activity chart with 652.87 million shares worth N3.58 billion traded in 5,226 deals.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 30.54 million shares valued at N2.08 billion traded in 1,332 deals.

Regional Sales Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Blessing Amanze; Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi and Regional Trade Marketing Manager, MTN Nigeria Mrs. Nnenna Chijioke – Udeze, at the 5th phase of MTN Foundation Disability Support Project in Enugu recently

Stanbic IBTC, UPDC unveil $50m mall in Lagos Festival Mall, a new shopping complex in Festac Town, Lagos State, developed by UACN Property Development Company Plc and financed by Stanbic IBTC Bank, under a special vehicle- First Festival Mall Limited, has started operations.

Stanbic IBTC Bank had provided a $9 million bridge facility as part funding to commence the development phase and subsequently refinanced this amount with the provision of a sevenyear $25 million medium term loan facility, representing 50 percent of the total project cost.

The mall, owned by UACN Property Development Company Plc, Africa Capital Alliance

and UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust, will have Shoprite and Silverbird Cinemas as anchor tenant sand 45 other retailers offering diverse products and services.

Lagos State Governor, Akin Ambode, who declared Festival Mall open, described the completion of the project as another illustration of where investment meets opportunity to create prosperity for the people.

The Governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Benjamin Labinjo, said the mall is a landmark project that will boost the supply chain of retail goods in the state, while bringing de-

velopment closer to the people.

But the Deputy Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle, said the bank is delighted to be involved in the landmark project, a continuation of the Standard Bank Group’s tradition of funding crucial developmental projects across Africa, bringing to bear its over 153 years’ experience and expertise in financial engineering.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Government and African Capital Alliance will in the first quarter of 2016, commission a shopping mall in Onitsha, which has been described as the first of its kind in the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

B5 Capital Market

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY ( EQUITIES) 23-12-2015

Labour B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

TUC urges FG to ensure budget implementation

L-R: Alvin Huang, Director, South Africa and English Speaking African Countries, ASUS; Simplice Zaongo, Nigeria Country Product Manager, ASUS; Rufai Oseni, On-Air-Personality, Inspiration FM and Lawrence Lin, Nigeria Product Manager(Phones & Tablets), ASUS, at the ZenFone Family Launch organised by ASUS in Lagos recently.

Stories by Joy Ekeke Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget announced last Tuesday was fully implemented to the letter.

The TUC made the statement through its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and the General Secretary, Comrade

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has said it would not support the passage of the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), because it contained anti-labour clauses.

The senior oil workers in the union also expressed worries over the plan by the federal government to retrench workers, especially employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a result of the restructuring in the proposed PIB. A statement by the union recently in Lagos argued that the planned sack was not in tandem with the change that the Federal Government promised Nigerians, especially in the area of job creation.

Reacting to the official release of the proposed draft institutional and legal frameworks for reforms in the oil and gas industry by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum

(Barr.) Musa. Lawal, stressing that if the budget were implemented things would surely get better at the end of the financial year.

“Our challenge as a country as regard national budget is not how to propose, draft or present a good budget but its implementation. We are also worried that about N1.8 trillion will be borrowed to fund the budget.

“The budget is a good one as

it has addressed major issues that could change the life of a common man but implementation is our fear. We believe if the budget is properly implemented, Nigeria is surely on the path to greatness again,” the signed statement read.

According to the TUC, the decision to recruit 500,000 unemployed graduates and National Certificate of Education (NCE) holders as teachers to curb the

escalating rate of unemployment and to ensure that all the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are captured and brought under the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) are laudable ideas.

“The move will not only reduce the burden of manual preparation of payrolls but also curb cases of sharp practices in the system and will also help to compile the list of the lessprivileged in order to implement better transfer programme. We urge that the policy be made transparent and inclusive without discrimination.

“Additionally, we are still not comfortable with the decision of government on subsidy. The Congress therefore demands for a stakeholders’ meeting which include labour to discuss the subsidy issue and why it has become impossible for us to refine and purchase fuel for as low as N50 per litre. The price of crude oil in the international market had dropped drastically meaning that the template being used to arrive at the price of fuel should be reviewed downward commensurably.

The union however was of the opinion that instead of talking about austerity measures, more money should be in the economy to enable the average Nigerians have food on their tables.

“Finally, we charge the Federal Government to. As a matter of urgency to warn the governors who want to sabotage the administration by saying they cannot pay ordinary N18,000 minimum wage. We dare them to try it,” the statement said.

PENGASSAN kicks against PIB anti-labour clauses, mass retrenchment plan Resources, who is also Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, the PENGASSAN acting General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, noted that the provisions in the proposed PIB were not only anti-labour but also not in the national interest.

The PENGASSAN scribe, who commended the renewed effort by the minister to rejuvenate the reforms after several failed attempts in the past, noted that PENGASSAN has always been in support of the reforms in the oil and gas industry but with a caveat that it must be transparently done to make sure that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry were carried along.

He, however, added that the PENGASSAN would not support any reforms that would

jeopardise the welfare of its members, noting that the restructuring will be resisted if it negatively affects the Association’ members.

On the planned to sack half of the current NNPC’s employees, Comrade Okugbawa said that the plan if carried out would further compound the unemployment situation in the country, adding that there is nothing wrong with the unbundling of the NNPC to bring about greater efficiency and effectiveness, but the unbundling and repositioning of the corporation should be done with a human face.

“We have said on many occasions that the problem of the NNPC is not the workers but the high level of political interference in the corporation and we are satisfied that the current

government has promised to give the corporation free hand to operate for better service delivery to the Nigerian nation,” the statement added.

Johnson

Kaigama

PIB passage can end subsidy debate – TUC leader Chairman, Rivers State chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chika Unegbu, has called for the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly in a bid to end the raging controversy surrounding the subsidy on petroleum products.

Unegbu, who spoke recently at the inaugural Phillip Asiodu Economic Initiative (PAE) Roundtable Conference in Port Harcourt, said, “If this is done, the issue of subsidy would have been dealt with as the legal and regulatory framework, and not an ad-hoc or administrative approach, as government is wont to do which is akin to only treating one symptom of a systemic disease.”

He noted that the present subsidy regime was import-driven and this needed to be addressed prior to any subsidy removal.

He explained that the existing subsidy and purported landing cost of petrol was driven by imported inflation as freight costs (to and fro), insurance, port charges, custom duties, high labour costs in foreign refineries, and demurrage among other factors constitute the present landing cost.

Unegbu advocated the need for incentives to be granted to encourage the development of private refineries alongside the existing ones, stressing that a framework should be articulated that will make available required crude for effective functioning of local refineries.

He noted that there was the need to compel international oil companies (IOCs) to refine an agreed percentage of crude in the country by tying upstream licensing to downstream investment.

Unegbu said refineries should be stand-alone entities independent of the proposed National Oil Company (NOC), stressing that management of each refining company should be autonomous and fully responsible for its success and failure.

B7 Energy

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

L-R: Ade Ashaye, Country Director Visa West Africa, Emmanuel Inyang, Winner of the Total Fuel with Visa Card award, Maxence Bourgoing, Network Development Manager, Total PLC and Kehinde Adekeye, Marketing Director, Visa West Africa.) at the Total fuel with Visa” campaign award ceremony held in Lagos recently.

Stories by Opeoluwani Akintayo Chevron Corporation has announced that its whollyowned subsidiary, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., has signed a non-binding liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply Heads Agreement with China Huadian Green Energy Co., Ltd. When the agreement is finalized, China Huadian Green Energy is expected to receive up to one million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG over 10 years starting in 2020.

“This is an important step in the commercialization of Chevron’s natural gas holdings in Australia and the establishment of our global liquefied natural gas portfolio,” said Pierre Breber, ex-

Researchers in the U.K. have developed a wearable energy generator powered with urine.

According to the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol, miniaturized microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been “embedded” into a pair of socks.

When a user walks, their urine is pumped, fueling the fuel cells and powering a wireless transmitter that sends a signal to a PC. The UWE said that MFCs contain bacteria that “generate electricity from waste fluids.”

“This work opens up possibilities of using waste for powering portable and wearable electronics,” Ioannis Ieropoulos, from the Bristol BioEnergy Center at the UWE, said in a release recently.

“For example, recent research shows it should be possible to develop a system based on wearable MFC technology to transmit a person’s coordinates in an emergency situation,” Ieropoulos added.

“At the same time this would indicate proof of life since the device will only work if the operator’s urine fuels the MFCs.” UWE say that the technology is “the first self-sufficient system powered by a wearable energy generator based on microbial fuel cell technology.”

A paper describing the system has been published in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics.

“Having already powered a mobile phone with MFCs using urine as fuel, we wanted to see if we could replicate this success in wearable technology,” Ieropoulos said.

“We also wanted the system to be entirely self-sufficient, running only on human power – using urine as fuel and the action of the foot as the pump.”

Chevron, China Huadian sign LNG supply deal ecutive vice president, Chevron Gas and Midstream.

“We welcome the opportunity to supply LNG to China Huadian and look forward to building lasting relationships with our customers in the region as the Chevron-operated Gorgon and Wheatstone projects move into operations,” said Roy Krzywosinski, managing director, Chevron Australia.

The Gorgon project is a joint

venture of the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3 percent), ExxonMobil (25 percent), Shell (25 percent), Osaka Gas (1.25 percent), Tokyo Gas (1 percent) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417 percent).

The Gorgon project combines the development of the Gorgon Field and the nearby Jansz-Io Field. Facilities being built on Barrow Island include an LNG facility with three processing units

capable of producing 15.6 MTPA of LNG, a carbon dioxide injection project and a domestic gas plant.

Chevron’s subsidiaries in Australia are also developing the Wheatstone Project as an LNG and domestic gas operation near Onslow, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project’s initial capacity is expected to be 8.9 MTPA of LNG. The project also includes a domestic gas plant.

terventions we have made in the Nigerian content space and an impetus for us to continue to grow indigenous capacity for the industry,” said SPDC’s General Manager, Business and Government Relations, Simbi Wabote, while receiving the award from the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Denzil Kentebe.

PETAN, an association of Nigerian indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream and downstream sectors, also honoured the former Managing Director SPDC and Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), Mutiu Sunmonu, with the PETAN Chairman’s award

in recognition of his support for in-country capacity development.

SPDC and Mr. Sunmonu were among corporate bodies and individuals who were honoured at the 10th PETAN annual oil industry awards dinner held in Lagos recently.

PETAN Chairman, Emeka Ene, commended the awardees for their efforts, and described 2015 as “a year of celebrating the industry and those who helped to move it forward.”

He said that Nigeria should continue to actively encourage the development of indigenous manpower and service providers in order to engender lasting growth in the oil and gas industry.

Krzywosinski

Nigerian weekly energy watch

SPDC wins 2015 PETAN local content operator award Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has won the 2015 Local Content Operator of the Year Award organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), in recognition of its achievements in embedding Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

SPDC was commended for many initiatives that have promoted Nigerian content including the domestication of original equipment manufacturing services; contractor funding schemes and the collaboration with PETAN on similar programmes and projects.

“The award is a strong endorsement for the many successful in-

Urine-powered wearables coming soon

13-19 Dec.2015 (Avg)

20-26 Dec.2015 (Avg)

*

Energy Generated (MWh)

93729

85099

*

Energy Sent Out (MWh)

91682

83225

*

Peak (MW)

4223

3934

*

Off-Peak (MW)

3633

3265

*

Spinning Reserve (MW)

48

51

*

Constrained (MW)

1993

2909

*

Units (Available)

65

72

*

Units (On Bars)

46

39

OPEC

daily basket price

Price as at Tuesday, December 22 2015, stood at $31.15

Features B8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Addressing challenges in Nigerian non-oil export Charles Okonji Recent development in the international oil market has proved nation’s like Nigeria wrong for concentrating on oil as the mainstay for growth, development and wealth creation at the expense of non-oil sector’s developmentand exports.

Export of non-oil products is a necessity in any economy to improve revenue, which leads to economic growth and development.

This will however increase the country’s earnings, which invariably creates avenues for growth and wealth generation, hence raising the aggregate income of the country.

Trade is one of the several catalysts of productivity that leads to growth of wealth and this is why the Nigerian economy shifted from import substitution policies to the export promotion strategies or export-led growth approach.

This export promotion strategy encourages domestic production by providing incentives for the domestic producers, and this could be in the form of tax reduction or holidays, subsidies, finding markets for such products, providing special loans, amongst others.

The exports of goods and services represent one of the most important sources of foreign exchange income that ease the pressure on the balance of payments and create employment opportunities.

It increases foreign exchange earnings, improves balance of payment position, creates employment and development of export oriented industries in the manufacturing sector and improves government revenue through taxes, levies and tariffs.

However, before these benefits can be fully realised, the structure and direction of these exports must be carefully tailored such that the economy will not depend on only one sector for the supply of needed foreign exchange, which will also save the country from experiencing what it is currently experiencing In the oil sector.

The Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) is a loan aggreement of US$27.2 million between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Federal Gov-

Cocoa beans

ernment of Nigeria (FGN).

Nigeria’s over-dependence on crude oil is undesirable for two reasons, because crude oil is a wasting asset with proven reserves which will eventually become depleted and the vagaries of the oil market has resulted in a significant decline in the earnings because of the exogenous determination of the price of crude oil.

In the 1970s, the federal government saw the need to diversify its export base, hence established various agencies and put various policies in place to improve the economic situation in the country by increasing the share of non-oil products in total exports out of Nigeria to even West African countries. Below are some of these policies.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was established in 1976 with the following mandates, such as, to spearhead national effort in export development and promotion by generating ideas, suggestions and measures designed to advance the course of Nigeria’s export trade.

To advise and assist the government in the identification of export oriented industries and to help stimulate the growth of non-traditional exports from Nigeria, to assist the government in the creation of the necessary infrastructures such as export incentives and trade information services.

In furtherance of the efforts to

diversify the Nigerian economy, the export incentives and miscellaneous provisions decree no. 18 of 1986 was established.

This decree led to the establishment of institutions and programmes and it is geared towards the promotion of exports, particularly non-oil exports. The decree provided for the establishment of three funds; Export Development. Fund, Export Expansion Grant Fund and Export Adjustment Scheme Fund (CBN, 2010).

The Nigerian export-import (NEXIM) bank (NEXIM) was established in 1991 as an export credit agency with the broad objective of attaining overall export growth as well as structural balance and diversifying the composition and destination of Nigerian Exports.

Export processing zones were established by the decree no. 34 of 1991. Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is a special enclave outside a nation’s normal custom barriers where foreign and domestic firms may manufacture or assemble goods for export without being subjected to the normal customs duties on imported raw materials and finished products present in that economy.

Firms operating within the zone are normally exempted from industrial regulation applying within the domestic economy, especially with regards to foreign ownership of firms, repatriation of profits, employments

of nationals, access of foreign exchange, etc Moreover, the federal government gave reasons for establishing various institutions and policies that have been adopted to boost non-oil exports to produced results, though, these results have been less than satisfactory.

However, crude oil accounted for over 90 percent of total export therefore all efforts directed at diversifying export from oil to non-oil products are yet to materialize.

The performance of the nonoil export sector has been dismally poor, reaching a minimum of 1.28% in 2000 and attaining a maximum of 8.84 percent in 1988.

Although the agricultural sector of the economy contributes significantly to the GDP, the mining of solid minerals has always been low and this has hindered its capacity to enhance the GDP as well as the foreign exchange earnings.

The agricultural products are the dominant exports in the nonoil subsector, and when the contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP rises, a rise in the non-oil exports is also noticed.

The Nigeria’s non-oil exports sector is structured into four broad constituents which are the agricultural exports, manufactured exports, solid mineral exports and services exports which will explain below.

The agriculture export is

mostly farm produce which are normally referred to as her traditional export commodities, which includes cocoa, rubber, oil-palm, coffee, cotton, wood products, cassava, ginger, fish and shrimps etc. However, it is important to mention that cocoa exports had pre -eminence as Nigeria’s most exportable non-oil agricultural commodity.

The manufactured exports to the international export market comprises of agro-allied and manufactured exports, which includes cocoa butter, cocoa powder, cocoa cake, cocoa paste, groundnut cake and wood products as well as furniture and fixtures etc.

An assessment of the trend in the non-oil sector of Nigeria reveals that despite the various policies, strategies and reform programmes, the contributions of these sub-sectors of this sector has been dismal and below its full potential even to West African countries.

In any case, agriculture is still characterized by low productivity which stems from parcel of land with crude and outdated farm implements to the lack of access to credit facilities, production machinery and inputs because of inadequacies of their provision. Moreover, farming in Nigeria is well-nigh-rain-fed, lacking power water irrigation.

The manufacturing industry segment is seriously groaning under high taxes and multiple taxes which has to contend with the abysmal nature of public infrastructure and unconducive policy framework instituted by government in the business environment.

The solid minerals or mining sector has no concrete policy except until 2005, which is coming at a late period and it is still being hampered by a comprehensive database of necessary information pertaining to Nigeria’s solid mineral wealth.

Business engaged in mining need concessions and incentives because mining involves huge capital outlay and investment, though, access to these is not well encouraging, some mining firms still use outdated mining technology and obsolete equipment.

The following are some of the challenges non-oil sector is faced with were highlighted in a recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) reports: inadequate and decaying infrastructure, funding/financing constraints, ineffective implementation of export incentives and support programme, near total reliance on banks for export finance resource as well as over regulation of the non-oil export among others.

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Exceptional filmmakers of

2015

Exceptional L2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Mutiat Alli

Exceptional filmmakers of 2015 In no particular order, the following are the few top Nigerian filmmakers based on local and international ratings of their active engagements, current movies at the cinemas, critical press reviews by film critics and screenings at film festivals.

Kunle

Chris Ihidero

Afolayan Omoni Oboli Kunle Afolayan gains a spot on our list of Nollywood producers who shone in 2015 courtesy of his movie, October 1, which although was released for cinematic viewing last year, still made waves this year.

And shall we begin to count the number of awards Uncle Kunle grabbed with this movie? Even as the year wraps off in few days, Afolayan new shot, ‘The CEO, is expected to come out bigger and better as it explores other parts of Africa.

Omoni Oboli is not new to producing. The actress, who also produced an initial effort, Being Mrs. Elliot, definitely had experience with producing a movie. Her latest effort, First Lady, indeed was yet another blockbuster movie earning her a box office record.

Shuga returned with a bang this year and while giving out credits, we cannot help but give some to the producer of Shuga 2015 who happens to be Chris Ihidero.

While he might not be your regular celebrity producer or a constant on red carpets, this man ensured fans of the hit show had one of the best seasons of the show on their screens this year.

T E A M

Life&

Movie & Music Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Tope Oshin is one of the big names behind the scenes in Nollywood. And even though she is mostly credited for her work as a director, the awardwinning filmmaker is responsible for producing different short films. And this year, she shone as a producer for the highly publicised movie, Fifty.

Lancelot Imaseun

Funke Akindele Funke Akindele brought her Jenifa franchise back to life on the small screen this year. And with the excitement from fans all over, it is clear that the talented actress has won again as a producer.

And for this reason, she lands on our list of Nollywood producers who shone in 2015.

Tope Oshin

Tunde Kelani

Tunde Kelani has been the most resourceful and outstanding Nigerian filmmaker from the old school who has remained very active since the 1970s to date when his contemporaries are no longer very active. He is accomplished in both celluloid and video. His notable films include Anikura, Ireke Onibudo, Pap Ajasco, Kannakanna, Ogun Ajaye, Iya Ni Wura, Taxi Driver, Iwa, Fopomoyo and feature videos, Ti Oluwa Nile, Ayo Ni Mofe, Kosegbe, O Le Ku, Saworoide and Thunderbolt and Maami.

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Sunday O. Emmanuel

Lancelot Imaseun who is the real Mr. Prolific of Nollywood, is one of the icons of the Nigerian film industry who has been there from the birth of Nollywood in the early 1990s to date and a multiple award winning director of over 200 movies so far including A Private Storm, Bent Arrows, Home in Exile and his latest blockbuster, Adesuwa. This multiple award winning best Nollywood director’s artistical touch on Invasion 1870 is second to none.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

L3 Eyola

‘Tis the season to smell

Scrumptious

1ne The Power Of Scent - A fragrance or scent encompasses far more than just a heavenly smell, it also elevates your mood, promotes confidence, evokes elegance and charm, attracts attention and different scents emit different emotions. Perfume is made up of aromatic molecules, with some molecules evaporating faster than others when it comes into contact with your skin.

2wo Fragrance Definitions - Perfume is divided into five categories according to the concentration of water vs alcohol vs perfume oils, the aromatic ingredients and other factors. The word ‘Eau’ refers to any mixture with a higher concentration of alcohol than perfume oil. The higher the percentage of perfume oil, the higher the price.

Eau Fraiche has the least perfume oil, containing 3% or less; Eau de Cologne: 2-5% perfume oil combined with a mixture of water and alcohol, making it a lighter, airy and more refreshing scent which will instantly lift your mood; Eau de Toilette: 4-10% perfume oil; Eau de Parfum: 8-15% perfume oil mixed with alcohol; Perfume has the highest consistency of

perfume is more suitable for people with dry skin, to prevent the scent from evaporating quickly. Oily skin, on the other hand, is great for perfume-wearers as it tends to retain scent for longer.

perfume oil (15-30%) which is mixed with alcohol, making it the most expensive.

3hree Fragrance Symphony - Most perfumes consist of three fragrance layers known as ‘notes’.

First/Top Note is your first sniff and first impression of the scent when the fragrance is applied to the skin, which is short-lived and evaporates after 5 to 30 minutes, giving way to the second note; Second/Middle Note is often referred to as the heart of the scent, consisting of medium weight molecules, and therefore lasts longer; Third/Basic Note refers to the final destination of the scent which will linger and last the longest.

6ix Seasonal Scent - Choose fragrances that contain citrus, green and floral notes during hot or tropical climates and wood and moss notes for colder seasons.

7even Scent Alert - Mixing too many strong scents e.g. strong deodorant, body lotion, shampoo and washing powder will interfere and alter the scent of a perfume and affect its lasting power. So choose perfume-free or mildly perfumed products that won’t overpower or clash with your chosen scent.

4our Choosing A Scent - You should always spray the perfume you are sampling on a card first, then wait for 5 to 10 minutes before you smell the scent, to determine if the scent is to your liking. Only after this process should you spray the perfume onto the skin. Bear in mind that the same perfume can smell differently on different people, because we all have unique body chemistry. The perfect time to shop for a scent is during the latter part of the day and

8ight during warmer weather, so that you can accurately smell the different scents on offer.

5ive Skin Type - A highly concentrated

Long-Lasting Scent - Experts advice that you should apply unscented body lotion to your pulse points (behind the knees, inner elbows and wrists) before applying perfume to retain the fragrance for longer and to avoid reapplying perfume throughout the day.

Seasons Greetings and wishing you all a fragrant year ahead.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

d (R) su an ara E erday.

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Members of the Fla 2015 Carnival Ca menco of Spain performing at the labar.

15 nkwo at 20 nneth Oko kwor and Ke zo O e nc diva, Patie Nollywood

labar.

Carnival Ca

Street trade booms as carnival Calabar comes to climax ÎÎÎThe residents of Calabar have cashed in on the final

day of Carnival Calabar to make brisk businesses, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey in parts of the city shows that residents have converted all available spaces along the Carnival routes to business arena displaying various items.

Canopies and chairs were also set up by individuals and groups on the streets along the carnival routes where tourists and fun seekers pay a token to relax and watch the events.

Mr Sunday Akpan said that he set up his business as early as 7 a.m., adding that people had been patronising him since then not minding that it was still early in the day.

Sunday, who came all the way from Akwa Ibom, said he had been participating in the Carnival Calabar since 2013, adding that he had made some good sales. ``I cannot tell you how much I have made this morning but I have made good money, especially from dry gin and cigarettes,’’ he said.

A food vendor, Mrs Uloma Ezike, said that she came out as early as 6 a.m. with her food and had been selling since then. ``I am about to go and cook another one because this one has almost finished. Normally on a carnival day, I cook three or four times because the food must be hot all the time. ``I have so many customers who used to come to eat.

Some buy take-away and others eat here,’’ she said.

A tourist from Edo, Mr Nelson Ighodalo, said that he was enjoying everything about the carnival. ``Honestly I am enjoying the whole thing, especially looking at the setting; people moving around enjoying themselves; relaxing, dining and wining in the open this early. ``In fact everything here is fun,’’ he said.

There were presence of security personnel and other para-military at strategic locations along the routes getting ready to maintain law and order as well as ensure orderliness by the crowd.

Revelers from the freedom band performing at the Carnival Calabar first adjud

Calabar Carniva

ÎÎÎGov. Ben Ayade of Cross River, has described th

val as the ``largest street party in Africa.’’

The governor, who made the remark on Monday finale of the 2015 carnival, noted that the festival is talents and unity among Nigerians.

Ayade pointed out that apart from promoting tale carnival had united the people of Cross River and o ``We are celebrating 11 years of the carnival; the the greatest show in West Africa, this is just the beg ``This is my first carnival as governor of the stat new innovations to make it colourful in the years a

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Membe rs Carniva of the Flag Twirlers l Calaba of Italy r.

dication point.

L5

demon strating at 2015

Revelers fr om the Sa mba band of Brazil a t Carnival Calabar

Members of the Belize Carnival Band at Carnival Calabar

al is the largest street party in Africa – Gov. Ayade

he annual Calabar Carni-

in Calabar at the grand s unique in promoting

ents and creativity, the other Nigerians. e greatest street party ever; ginning. te. We will continue to add ahead,’’ he assured.

He said that the theme for this year’s carnival is “climate change,’’ adding that the hospitality of the state had continued to attract tourists from across the world.

The governor commended the efforts of people of the state and the participants for making the 2015 carnival a success.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Gabriel Onah, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Commission, disclosed that nine countries participated in the carnival.

He listed the countries to include: Spain, France, Italy, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana and Brazil.

Onah said that the carnival had continued to produce commercial content into the state. ``Tourism is indeed our own oil. We will use tourism to market the state to

the world. ``The attention of the world is focused on Calabar today, as you can see, the state is wearing a new look,’’ he said.

A spectator, Mr Philip Ita, who described the carnival as a street party that unites the people, commended the government for sustaining it for the past 11 years.

The the 12 kilometers carnival walk commenced from Mary Slessor road, through IBB way, Marian road, MCC way, Calabar highway and terminated at the U.J Esuene stadium.

Security operatives from the Police, Civil Defence, Army, Navy and Immigration were stationed at strategic points along the route to ensure crisis free carnival.

Teens world

L6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Teens and attitude towards church, mosque Ann Izedunor We are in a “whole new ball game” as we face the complex issues affecting today’s teens in our media-driven youth culture. Christians/Muslims are discovering that the “old ways” of reaching teens with the gospel are no longer effective. Times have changed, and so must our methods of youth ministry and evangelism. An open and honest approach is essential as we face these challenges. Our response will dramatically affect the future of our churches.

Most teens sees church/mosque as a boring place. They believe that going to church is a total waste of time! Why? It is simply because they were forced to go to church/mosque.

Most teens go to church/mosque but their minds and heart are not there.

Most of them go to church/mosque just to deceive themselves and also to deceive others. Most teens see going to church as a headache!

They don’t understand the basic fact that is being attached in going to church/mosque and that’s the reason why they don’t appreciate going to church/mosque.

Most teens see church/mosque as an uncool place. They believe that their friends will laugh at them if they see them going to church/mosque.

They are ashamed of it! Most teens don’t go to church/mosque simply because of the societies they belong, like, peer group, cool gangs, etc. And that’s the point why teens don’t fancy going to church/mosque.

Most parents are nothing but bad influence to their teens. They show them bad examples and they don’t correct them when they make mistakes. Teens look up to their parents for guidance and support. So it is the duty of the parents to direct their teens on the right path and also teach them the church doctrines.

Teens don’t appreciate it when they are being controlled or commanded or even shouted upon.

Teenagers need lots of love, so parents and guardians should always endeavour to treat teens with lots of love and that’s the only way they can be able to listen and equally obey whatever you say. You can lead the way by showing good examples, showing seriousness in church activities, going to church early, reading the Bible and meditating on it.

By doing all these, your teens will definitely follow your lead. Above all, always remember to commit your teens into the hand of God. Make your teens understand the valves of going to church, and always give them listening ears when they complain on certain things.

It is so true that parents want the best for their kids; so parents should try as much as they can to see that their teens do not miss going to church. And once more, in terms of attitude, parents are advised to act according to the teaching of the Bible.

You can’t expect your teen to change from his/her bad attitude if your own behaviour is terrible! It’s a simple truth! You have to lead and they will follow. Most teens are discouraged simply because of the bad attitude of their parents. They will be like ‘’what’s the need of going to church when mum and dad are always fighting and they are always insulting each other’’. You see! That’s the point and that’s an issue. So parents and guardians are advised to show good examples to their teens and in that way they will surely understand everything and they will also appreciate the doctrines of the church or the preaching in mosque, whichever one they believe in.

Here are some interesting ways you can encourage your teen in going to church, mosque: Step 1: Model the kind of attitude about church, mosque you want to see in your teenager. You can’t expect your teen to be eager to go to church/mosque if you do not approach it as an obligation yourself. Attitudes are contagious and even if your teen doesn’t mirror your attitude right away, your example might have a better effect in the long run than anything you could say.

Step 2: Model the importance of religion in your life throughout the week. Look for opportunities to bring it up during regular conversations with your teen. Incorporate what you learn in church/ mosque into your daily activities with your teen. For example, if last week’s sermon was about the Good Samaritan, you and

your teen could look for opportunities to help others in need.

Step 3: Engage your teen in a discussion about the sermon. Ask open ended questions regarding what he thought about what the pastor said, then allow him to answer.

Don’t judge the answer. If you want to inspire your teen to go to church/mosque and actually get something out of it, it’s better to engage in nonjudgmental dialogue about what he/she thinks about the church’s/mosque’s message than to argue about whether he’s right or wrong.

Step 4: Encourage your teen to get involved with the church’s/ mosque’s youth group. Teens who go to church/mosque by choice do so for much the same

reasons that adults do, they derive inspiration and they find a community they can be a part of. When teens have meaningful relationships with people their own age at church/mosque, they might have a better attitude about going.

Step 5: Start a youth group if your church/mosque doesn’t already have one. Any layperson with a heart for teenagers can start an informal youth group. Plan for an hour and a half or so per week for a fun activity and a quick devotional study, preferably one that encourages the teens to give input and discuss the topic.

Most denominations have age appropriate devotional materials.

But always remember to put in love in everything and they will learn.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

L7 Relationship

Patience Ekanem

When your relationship go brutal!!!

Walk away Sometimes we are so reluctant on deciding when to walk away from people who have proved that they are not meant for us. We ignore the signs, we waste much of our time in that relationship thinking that things will change for the better or work out, we fight big and hard battles, we miss out on chances of good people and we waste too much of our energy. Sometimes we are abused physically but still cling unto the relationship. If you find yourself in a relationship that makes you sheds tears or in relationship that you are been abused physically and you are already seeing the signs that you don’t belong together, please don’t waste more of your time and energy on such relationship. No matter how painful it maybe, please gather up all the courage and walk away for your dear life and fragile heart. You were not meant to be in pain and

unhappy for all your entire life. You were not caged or locked there that you can’t walk away. And it’s not the end of your life. Accept it that you were not meant to be and move on.

Do not stay in the relationship because you don’t want your friends to laugh at you, you will only endanger your life in the process. If you make the mistake of getting married to such a man then my dear you in for a bigger trouble.

We shouldn’t stay in a relationship where we are the only one that tries to please our man; both parties should try and please each other. Courtship leads to marriage, so during the period of courtship, if you see any sign that you think will not be favourable to you, please my dear, flee from it so that it doesn’t take your life. I’ve witnessed a relationship where a guy abused his girlfriend physically

and the girl nearly lost her life in the process.

How do you know it’s time to walk away from a brutal relationship? Here are some of the signs to show you that it’s time to take a walk: You fight constantly: Fighting in relationships is a natural in relationships. But if you guys are constantly bickering and arguing or, more important, every fight you have turns nasty, it’s a sign to walk away. In the right relationship, you’ll still have problems, but they shouldn’t be a normal thing, and you should be able to get through them like respectful adults who care about each other but if you can’t solve the matter amicably then you have to take a walk.

He thinks you are not good for him anymore: There is no relationship without challenges, but there’s

a very big difference between feeling inspired to be a better you and feeling inadequate in that relationship, and that can be hard to spot at first. But if the guy is making you feel insecure and irrelevant, get out now.

He’s always hurting your feelings: When you started off with your partner, you both had a blossom relationship but now he sees you as a threat in his life, he does everything possible to make sure you cry, all he’s trying to do is to get you out of his life. If you are

facing such a situation, it’s time to move out from such relationship.

He uses you as his punching bag: A woman is seen as a helper to a man and not as a punching bag. A responsible man will never lay his hands on his lady. So my dear, if a guy beats you up at the slightest provocation, please run away from him. Do not stay thinking he will change as time goes on, because he will never change.

The attitude he displays during your courtship is what he will take into marriage.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 29, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

Showing on

152 Africa Magic Epic

20:58

140 Eva Channel

13:05

Tue, 29 Dec | PG 16

Tue, 29 Dec | PG16

While exploring a cave, two skiers find the body of a 400-year-old samurai warrior entombed in ice. He is brought to the United States and revived through cryosurgery. John Calvin, Charles Lampkin, Frank Schuller, Hiroshi Fujioka, Janet Julian. (1985) J. Larry Carroll

101 M-Net West

00:15 3 Days To Kill 02:15 All Is Lost 04:01 Britain’s Got Talent 04:47 Behind The Scenes: Beatenberg 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 The Big Bang Theory 06:30 Proof 07:30 Idols SA 09:13 Behind The Scenes: Delivery Boys 09:30 Resurrection 10:30 The McCarthys 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Britain’s Got Talent 13:00 State Of Affairs 14:00 Revenge 15:00 Madam Secretary 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 The Odd Couple 17:30 Britain’s Got Talent 18:30 Chicago PD 19:30 Mr. Robot 20:30 Battle Creek 21:30 State Of Affairs 22:30 Secrets & Lies

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo 00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 Cruel Love 02:10 For Love And Justice 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Husband For Hire 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 For Love And Justice 09:30 Cruel Love 10:20 Husband For Hire 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 For Love And Justice 13:40 Cruel Love 14:30 Husband For Hire 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 For Love And Justice 17:50 Cruel Love 18:40 Husband For Hire 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 For Love And Justice 22:00 Cruel Love 22:50 Husband For Hire

00:40 The Weakest Link

11:35 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:26 Luther

12:24 Top Gear

02:20 Come Dine With Me

13:20 Come Dine With Me

03:10 EastEnders

14:14 Live At The Apollo

03:39 QI

15:06 The Weakest Link

04:10 Top Gear

15:59 EastEnders

05:00 Only Fools And Horses

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:31 QI

17:10 Pointless

06:04 My Family 06:36 EastEnders

18:02 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:05 Antiques Roadshow

18:59 QI

07:57 The Weakest Link

19:34 QI

08:47 Pointless

20:08 Would I Lie To You?

09:36 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

20:42 Mr Sloane

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

21:13 Miranda Special Xmas 2014

11:01 My Family

21:53 Mrs Brown’s Boys 22:27 Mrs Brown’s Boys

154 Africa Magic Family 00:06 Star Gist 00:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 01:37 Good Morning Africa 02:37 Good Morning Africa 03:15 Music Block 04:12 Filler: Entertainment 04:37 At Home With Michelle Attoh 05:30 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 06:00 Good Morning Africa 06:36 Behind The Scenes: Secret Room 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Jonzing 08:45 Coco Bill

Aka Amaka The Village Girl. Falsely accused of a crime, a girl suffers the fate of the poor. But in a bid to clear her name, things spiral out of control for the worse. Ngozi Ezeonu, Queen Nwokoye. (2014) NonsoEkene Okonkwo

09:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 09:18 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis 09:30 Kumwesu 10:00 Good Morning Africa 10:34 Behind The Scenes: When Love Happens 11:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 12:00 Music Block 13:00 Tinsel 13:30 Star Gist 14:00 Nowhere To Be Found 14:30 Rolling With Faith History 15:04 Lies That Bind 15:30 Lies That Bind 15:49 Behind The Scenes: Nemesis

155 Africa Magic World 16:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 17:00 Kumwesu 17:30 Mashariki Mix 18:00 Katemba Mu Kkooti 18:18 Behind The Scenes: Enitan 18:30 Kakibe Ki 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Karma 20:30 Rolling With Faith History 21:00 Jara 21:33 Playing Victim 22:38 Behind The Scenes: The Kingdom

00:25 Jara 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 04:00 Jacob’s Cross 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 Soul On Fire 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 Prem 11:00 Jacob’s Cross 12:00 Jacob’s Cross 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Music Block 15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Star Gist 16:00 Star Gist 16:30 Star Gist 17:00 Jacob’s Cross 18:00 Jacob’s Cross

128 SONY MAX

00:00 Caught On Camera 00:50 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 01:15 1000 Ways To Die 01:40 1000 Ways To Die 02:05 Lock Up 03:45 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 04:35 Extreme Reality Clips 05:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 05:50 World’s Wildest Police Videos 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 Whaddyado 07:30 Caught On Camera 08:30 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:30 Extreme Reality Clips 10:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:00 World’s Wildest Police Videos 11:55 Video Zonkers 12:25 Whaddyado 12:55 Caught On Camera 13:50 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:45 Extreme Reality Clips 15:15 Stunts Unlimited 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Caught On Camera 18:00 Whaddyado 18:30 Extreme Reality Clips 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Bad Ink 20:30 Guy Code 21:00 Online Dating Rituals...

22:00 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos