Daily Times Newspaper For Tuesday 29th September

Lƕ Ƈ ƌƈƋƕ ƍ ƈƗ Ə ƌ Ƈ Ə ƌƕ ƏƆƋƆ Ɔ – Falae ‘Tosin Ajuwon, ƊƑƏƆ

ÎÎÎFormer

Secretary to Government of

the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, on Monday, admitted that his family paid ransom to his abductors before he was freed on

Thursday.

However, he failed to disclose the actual amount paid.

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This is even as former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade, on MonContinued on page 6 www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 VOL. 1. NO.199

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 28th September 2015.

NESTLE

859.7

39.70

4.62%

NB

146.04

5.97

4.09%

SEPLAT

249.9

-5.10

-2.04%

UNILEVER

45.13

-0.87

-1.93%

FO

250

10.01

4.00%

UACN

31.5

1.50

4.76%

JBERGER 41.88

-2.20

-5.25%

ZENITHBANK

17.52

-0.59

-3.37%

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Dismantle safe havens for proceeds of graft Ï RƏƗƆƏ M 6 RM Ɛ ƅƅ Ƒ Ɛ Ƈ Ə Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƍƈƋ Əƈƌ 6 ƉƉ Egena Egena, ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎPresident Muhammadu Bu-

hari on Monday in New York, United States called on the international community to urgently

redouble its efforts to strengthen mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corrup-

tion.

Also, President Buhari on Monday ordered the National Hajj

Commission and the Nigerian Continued on page 6

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Mƈ ƆƏƈ gB3 ƅ ƗƑƅƈƒƆ Ƈ Ə ƌƈ ƆƏ – ACCI Miners

L-R: Agric Trade Group with president of ACCI Tony Ejinkeonye, Ogo Ifeoma Akabogu (state officer Bank of Industry) Vice President Agriculture Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Fisho-Oridedi at the 10th

Lagos PDP crisis: 9Ɛô ƌ ƐƐƆƏ g8 Ƈ ƐƈƌƆ Ƈ Ə d ƆƋƋƆ Ɛ ƄƆ ƈ Ɛ Əƕ – Olorunoje

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

3

Politics Page Three Æ s Editorial Monitoring the bailout funds

I

f rumours now circulating are anything to go by, it looks like the recent lifeline extended by the Federal Government to some states as bailout funds may not serve the purpose.

There have been loud accusations by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and state government employees that some governors are now diverting them to serve other unintended purposes. As the money starts making its way to the various state coffers, it stands the risk of being hijacked.

For instance, some banks have reportedly seized some of the money because some of the states have been defaulting on huge loans they collected, even as some of the indebted state governors have been erecting frivolous billboards and embarking on massive contract awards to gain applause and legitimacy among the populace.

For this, the NLC has directed the leadership of its state councils to be on the lookout and immediately report any attempt by some state governors to divert their share of the N338 billion bailout funds. We are in support of the NLC in this regard and caution that any attempt to delay the payment of state government employees and pensioners would be stoutly resisted. It is not only absurd but also the height of insensitivity for any state chief executive to deny the famished workers of their dues and other financial entitlements no matter the reason. It would be recalled that the Federal Government decided to extend the emergency lifeline to the 27 affected states for the sole purpose of meeting the financial obligations to their workers and pensioners. It is fact that many of these states owe salaries and pensions of up to eight months in some cases.

Curiously, these states governors are not only indifferent to the plights of their starving workers but are behaving in a manner that reeks of callous insensitivity. We reiterate that the bailout funds be spent

specifically for the purpose they are meant, which is the payment of salary arrears of public sector workers.

In this regard, we welcome the move by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor the funds and how they are dispensed in all the states that benefitted. Definitely, Nigerians are alarmed at the wanton ways of some state governments and officials who still engage in frivolous projects while their workers go unpaid for months. There is no gainsaying the fact that the bulk of the debts were accumulated during the last general elections when many state chief executives spent outlandish sums of money on campaigns and other non people related objectives. In the end, they accumulated huge debts which pose a threat to the financial health of their respective states. It is even more reprehensible that most of the funds were diverted to personal businesses and other private projects in and outside the country.

So, while the state government workers are waiting for their salaries, the governors are busy gallivanting across the globe in search of choice properties in Europe, America and Asia. Ironically, while the states are heaving under the burden of impecuniosities, the affected governors are busy stashing away their loots and laundering monies on exotic projects. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to monitor the governors to ensure that the bailout funds are not put to wrong use. Also, the various State Houses of Assembly must wake up to their oversight functions and ensure that governors who fritter away the funds are brought to account according to the law. All Nigerians must come on board to ensure that the bailouts are not diverted under any guise.

The interest of starving workers must not be sacrificed at the altar of financial recklessness and political expediency.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Group Managing Director

Fidelis Anosike

Noel Anosike

Group Managing Editor

Chief Operating Officer

Editor

GM Operations

Molara Wood Yinka Olujimi

Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714 Ifeoluwa Isijiola 08054934941 Konnie Agu 09033765031

Adebayo Idowu gmops@dailytimes.com.ng

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Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎThe campaign against

early marriage in Nigeria appears not to be making the needed progress going by recent events.

This, at least, is what the marrying of an 18-year-old secondary school leaver at the weekend by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has proven.

The 18-year-old girl, Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa, is the daughter of the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo-Musdafa, and the third wife of the Kano monarch.

Justifying the action, a top Kano State government official who travelled

to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, for the wedding, said Emir Sanusi’s “decision to take a new wife is in line with Islamic injunction,” adding that “Islam allows having a maximum of four wives for those who can treat all of them equally and provide for a large family’’.

Before Emir Sanusi, several other persons particularly from the north, had taken teenagers as wives.

One of such persons who made headlines within and without Nigeria is former Zamfara State governor, Ahmed Yerima. Yerima, a Senator, had in 2013 caused a stir when he divorced the 17-year-old Egyptian bride he married three years before to marry a new 14-yearold girl.

Granted that Emir Sanusi’s action and others before

Words On Marble :

him who married teenage girls are sanctioned by Islam, still it is doubtful if marrying a teenager is a virtue recommended in Islam.

The question is why is it that these Nigerians who marry new wives often go for teenage girls? Are there no other older ladies aside teenagers that they can marry?

This practice only goes to show how bleak the future of the girl-child is in Nigeria but particularly in the north.

It also shows that those who are not in support of the campaign against early marriage are not about to give up.

Fact is that no nation which takes the development of all sections of its populace seriously will look the other way when its teenage girls are married off early. So, can our teenage be allowed to grow up to proper adults?

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

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Campaign against early marriage, a lost battle?

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Femi Okunrounmu

Tunji Braithwaite

Ayuba Wabba

“Ninety per cent of politicians declare assets falsely, so the law should go after all the people that are guilty of such false declaration of assets, try them and bring them to justice’’.

“We have heard a lot of noise being made about attacking corruption. What has Buhari done about attacking corruption four months after he was sworn in?

“By our laws, the mere allegation that somebody has committed an offense, we don’t judge the person as guilty until it is pronounced by a court of law”.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

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This find has already caused a surge in foreign investment and development, a boost which is anticipated to significantly accelerate.

PAFILIA PROPERTY DEVELOPERS Pafilia House, 33 Nicodemou Mylona street, Marina Court P.O. Box 60159, 8101 Pafos, Cyprus, Tel: +357 26 848 800, Fax: +357 26 934 910, Email: info@www.pafilia.com, www.pafilia.com, www.minthishills.com NIGERIA Tel. No. Direct: 08172770374, Email: nigeria@pafilia.com

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

5

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

‘Dismantle safe havens for proceeds of graft’ Continued from page 1 Embassy in Saudi Arabia to urgently account for all Nigerian pilgrims in the aftermath of last Thursday’s stampede at Mina, Mecca.

Addressing world leaders at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations, Buhari also urged his counterparts to do more to return stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s determination to frontally confront the twin evils of corruption and illicit financial outflows while stressing that corruption, cross-border financial crimes, cybercrimes and human traffick-

ing are major challenges of the 21st century which the international community must work collectively to overcome.

“Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross-border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth, and the realisation of the well-being of citizens across the globe.

“Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption.

“In particular, I call upon

the global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin,” the President said.

Buhari also proposed the adoption of peace as a seventh essential element of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted last Friday by world leaders in New York.

He noted that the Secretary General of the United Nations grouped the SDGs into six essential elements which include Dignity, Prosperity, Justice, Partnership, Planet and People.

“As a prerequisite to these and as we look at history and remember the terrible events that gave rise to the birth of the United Nations in 1945, I would like to propose a seventh: Peace.

“Peace is close to the hearts of Nigerians, as we are in the front line in the war on terror. Boko Haram’s war against the people of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon may not attract as much worldwide attention as the wars in the Middle East but the suffering is just as great and the human cost is equally high.

“This is a war between progress and chaos; between democracy and the rule of law. Boko Haram

celebrates violence against the weak and the innocent and deplorably, they hide behind their perverted interpretation of Islam. Boko Haram is as far away from Islam as anyone can think of,” Buhari said.

The President assured the global community that his administration was doing all within its powers to quickly overcome the challenge of terrorism and insecurity.

“The new Nigerian Government which I have the honour to head, moved with dispatch to put in a bold and robust strategy to defeat Boko Haram. Nigeria and her neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger plus Benin are working together to face this common threat within the regional framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

“We have established a multinational joint task

force to confront, degrade and defeat Boko Haram.

We have driven them away from many of their strongholds, killed or captured many of their operatives or commanders and freed several hundreds of hostages,” Buhari told the General Assembly.

The President reassured the international community that rescuing the Chibok girls remains one of the major objectives of his administration, stressing that his government was working to ensure their safety and reunion with their families.

Buhari also condemned the new and dangerous dimension which human trafficking has assumed in the world.

“We in Africa are grieved to see hundreds of our able bodied men and women dyContinued on page 12

APC, Bayelsa chapter on collision course as fresh primary holds today Tom Okpe, Abuja and Akam James, Yenagoa

ÎÎÎThe

L-R: Past President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Abdul - Lateef Owoyemi; Awolowo’s daughter, Dr. Tokunbo Dosumu-Awolowo; Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Commitee, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; and Awolowo eldest daughter, Rev. Tola Oyediran, during the Olugbo’s condolence visit to Awolowo family in Ikenne, Ogun State… on Monday

Falae: How I was abducted, tortured Continued from page 1 day, described Falae’s abduction as a big insult to the Yoruba nation and called the Federal Government to find a solution to the incessant activities of kidnappers which are gradually using the South west as an abode.

Also, on Monday, a group, Akure Youth Coalition (AYC) condemned the rising cases of kidnapping allegedly being orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State and threatened to confront them should there be a repeat.

The former SGF made the

disclosure when the former Chief of Defence Staff visited him at his Oba Ile residence, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

He said the kidnappers only freed him after they received payment, adding that he trekked for 15 kilometres before he was picked up by the police in Owo, several kilometres from Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Falae, who was kidnapped and released last week, provided shocking details of his ordeal at the hands of his abductors, narrating how he was deprived of food and

made to trek several kilometres to freedom.

The Afenifere chieftain said he was kidnapped by six Fulani herdsmen last Monday at his Ilado farm in Akure.

Falae, who spoke to journalists in his home in Akure, said the armed hoodlums threatened to kill him every 30 minutes until they received information that money had been given to them as demanded.

He said: “There were six of them with three or four guns and every half an hour or so they will say, ‘Baba we

are going to kill you, if you don’t give us money, we are going to kill you.

“On Wednesday, one of them came and said ‘look we are going to leave here on Thursday morning. Since we cannot leave you here alone, if we don’t get what we want, we are going to kill you.”

“And they said they gave me until 3pm and if at 3pm they don’t get the money, they would execute me. I thank God that at 21 minutes to 3pm, one of them came Continued on page 12

National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Bayelsa State chapter of the party are set to clash over the fresh gubernatorial primary election scheduled to hold today (Tuesday).

While the APC National Headquarters on Monday said the process of its rescheduled primary election in Bayelsa State begins today (Tuesday) and told the acclaimed winner of the cancelled election, former Governor Timipre Sylva, to go to court if he was not satisfy with the decision, the party chapter in the state on Monday vowed to stand by the victory of former governor.

National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, told newsmen on Monday at the end of the party’s National Working Committee meeting at the party secretariat in Abuja that the NWC sees it as a duty to provide a level playing ground for all those who aspire to offices in this party, adding that

the process that led to last Tuesday’s primary could not meet the standards which the party has set for itself.

When asked to respond to the threat by the former governor of Bayelsa State and one of the aspirants seeking the ticket, Chief Timipre Sylva, who claimed to have won the last primary election, the APC national chairman said that Sylva “can go to court because that is what the court is meant for.”

However, Bayelsa State chapter of the party on Monday vowed to stand by the victory of former governor and leader of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva, at the governorship primary held last week Tuesday.

The leadership of the party in the state, through its Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Monday, insisted that the primary had been won and lost, noting that the rumour of cancellation of the election was baseless and unfounded and there will never be another primaries in the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Air Chief restates commitment to tackle insurgency Wale Akintunde Yola

ÏÏÏ The Chief Air Staff,

Air Marshal Sadique, Abubakar, has reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces would tackle the insurgency problem with every seriousness, it deserved.

In view of this, he assured that new military hardware would continue to be acquired until the battle against the Boko Haram

was won.

The Chief of Air Staff, who spoke, in Yola, today while inspecting two newlyacquired aircraft at the Air Wing of the 75 Strike Force, added that the aircraft would certainly enhance the zeal and determination to prosecute the fight against the insurgency.

He explained that the two aircraft were equipped with the facilities that would boost the morale of not only the Air Force

personnel but the entire military prosecutors of the anti-insurgency fight.

He explained that the aircraft had, among other things, facilities to evacuate and treat victims before sending them to hospital.

He appealed to the people of the North-East to avail the Air Force with intelligence reports, emphasising that there was nowhere, in the world, that fight against insurgency was won without the

participation of the people.

According to him, “Whatever intelligence report the people supply will go a long way in assisting the military to identify where the criminals are hiding, because, at times, the terrain is always difficult for our military to penetrate.”

However, he said, it was also difficult for an aircraft to identify a 13 years old girl carrying explosives except with the people around her.

7 News

Army lied, Rivers election was violence-free, says INEC Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Independent Na-

tional Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, accused the Nigerian Army of lying on oath before the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja.

The electoral commission alleged that the Army authorities, in a bid to discredit the outcome of the April 11, 2015 governorship election it conducted in Rivers state, sent some army officers that gave false evidence before the three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Justice Ambrose Suleiman.

Army officers who tes-

tified before the tribunal had in their separate testimonies insisted that the governorship election was marred by widespread violence.

However, at the resumed hearing on the petition that was lodged by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, INEC produced eight witnesses that debunked the evidence by the Nigerian Army.

The witnesses called by INEC were all Presiding Officers that conducted the governorship election, who told the tribunal that election was peaceful, successful and devoid of any form of violence.

US Congresswoman advocates collaboration on energy ÏÏÏ United States legisla-

Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Special Guest, Sen. Daisy Danjuma; Globacom Business Director, Ogun State, Mr. Ayo Ogunranti and Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson at the 2015 Ojude Oba festival held at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State… at the weekend Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI

Police lost 435 personnel in six months - IGP Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ The Inspector Gen-

eral of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, on Monday said that no fewer than 435 officers have been lost to insurgency and other related criminal activities across the country in the last six months.

Arase said this while paying a one day official visit to Osun State.

While addressing men and officers of the Command, he gave an assurance on his commitment to eradicate all activities that may tarnish the image of police on the highways.

He described the road block and bribe as unprofessional conduct, saying the police would no longer

allow any behaviour that can tarnish their image.

He also assured the police of adequate promotion, adding that process of decentralisation of cooperative societies were ongoing.

Arase noted that he was in the state to express appreciation to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for supporting and co-operating with the police and called on members of the public to assist the police in ensuring a safe and peaceful society.

He emphasised that the police was awake day and night to ensure that Nigeria was safe.

The IGP was accompanied on the visit by the AIG Zone 11, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi and Commissioner

of Police Osun State, Mr. Kola Sodipo.

During an interactive session with the State Chapter of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) members, traditional rulers, civil groups, market men and women and other stakeholders, Arase urged members of the communities to be friendly with the police.

“Community police is a panacea to the eradication of crime in the society. There are now more widows and orphans to be taken care off by the police authorities, because of the high number of officers that have been lost; up to 435,” he added.

The IG, who lauded Aregbesola for his support to the police, noted that the

numerical strength and logistics to the police were inadequate, and called for the collaboration with the police for effective policing.

His call came as Aregbesola advocated a synergy between the police and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) for effective policing of the entire country.

Arase

tor, Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee, has called for international collaboration to address energy issues, with the purpose of exploring domestic opportunities and ongoing efforts to recruit, train and retain workers for jobs in the energy sector.

The Congresswoman made the call recently during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 45th Annual Legislation Conference held in Washington DC. At the international meeting, some experts brainstormed on the importance of the creation of a

more inclusive and diverse workforce; identifying barriers to entry into available and future energy jobs; and delineating strategies to eliminate or minimise these barriers to careers and jobs in the energy sector.

Lending his expertise in the second panel discussion on “Economic Development in Energy” was Fidelis Anosike, Solar Kiosk Partner, FoioSKN and Publisher, Daily Times Nigeria, who took time to inform the international audience on ways to bring sustainable development to Nigeria being the largest market on the African continent.

Senate may get Buhari’s ministerial list Wednesday ÏÏÏ

The list of ministerial nominees, to constitute the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari, may be sent to the Senate on Wednesday.

There are indications, however, that Buhari, who is currently attending the 70th United Nations General Assembly, in New York, had concluded work on the list. It was further gathered that Presidential liason to the Senate, Ita Enang, had been handed the list for onward passage to the upper chamber for appropriate

action before the expiration of the end of September timeline set for himself by the President.

Buhari, who was inaugurated as President, on May 29, had promised to name members of his cabinet in September.

Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, told reporters in New York, on Monday, that he would not be surprised if the list was ready.

He said it was within the timeline given by the President himself.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Politics South West marks 58th anniversary of self governance

Æs

For the South West region of Nigeria, it is time to roll out the drums as it celebrates the 58th anniversary of self governance in the region.

Precisely 58 years ago, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo took over from the colonial masters, becoming the head of government of the then Western Region which now comprised eight states and parts of Kwara State.

Awolowo

In commemoration of this history date, Atayese, a Yoruba self determination group is holding a Public Lecture titled: The Awo legacy and the challenges of political leadership and governance in present day Nigeria. This is part of activities to mark the 58 anniversary of self governance in Western Nigeria.

All governors of South West State are Special guests of honour

while High Chief Adebayo Akande is chairman of the event holding at Premier Hotel. The guest Speaker is, Emeritus Professor Akin Mabogunje.

Convener of the group, Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin who confirmed that the ceremony is holding today, Tuesday, 29 September said it was to honour the beginning of good things in Western Nigeria which the APC governors are replicating.

Lagos PDP crisis:

It’s a matter of time for Shelle to be history – Kamaldeen Olorunoje Despite the reinstatement of Captain Tunji Shelle as the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Executives of the Party, Vice Chairman (Lagos-Central) of the party in the state, Kamaldeen Olorunoje in this interview with OKEOWO BABAJIDE maintained that no individual is bigger than the party. He said as far as the State Working Committee is concerned Tunji Shelle remains suspended. Excerpts: What is the state of things in Lagos PDP? As far as I am concerned, the party belongs to the people, the only problem the PDP has in Lagos State is Shelle and his godfather. The party needs rebranding and in the game of politics, it is all about the majority, you cannot militarise the polity. We are following the step according

to the constitution, the National Working Committee has said there are some things we didn’t do right which we have corrected, what we should be talking about is the suspension of Tunji Shelle as our state chairman. Initially, the national thought it was an impeachment and I have always been quick to tell the world at every given opportunity that it

Obanikoro

wasn’t an impeachment but a suspension. And as far as the 35 state executive members is concerned, Tunji Shelle still remain suspended. He has been going around parading himself as the authentic chairman, we have a State Working Committee (SWC) made up of 14 members, the non SWC members which are 15 in number and 20 local government chairmen that made up the executive members of the party.

Present at the meeting he called were just four SWC members, two non SWC members and about seven local government chairmen which is not even enough to form a quorum. On the day he called the meeting, we decided

not to attend the meeting because we didn’t want to create problem as the National secretariat has advised us to maintain peace in the interest of the party which is what we are doing, and he is trying to lure us out so there can be violence. It is a forgone issue, he remains suspended, and we don’t have to get violent, we are treading cautiously according to the constitution, we have lodged another complaint to the national committee which is being looked into it is just a matter of time before Shelle is history. The day-to-day running of the secretariat is a responsibility of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

I’m still the chairman – Tunji Shelle Captain Tunji Shelle (Retd) chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in this interview with OKEOWO BABAJIDE stressed that he remains the chairman. Excerpts: What is responsible for the crisis rocking the PDP in Lagos State?

There are three categories of people who want to push me out of the PDP; those who want my job, those who want to unseat Chief Bode George as the

leader of the party and the third category are those who are not happy with the emergence of Jimi Agbaje as the candidate.

I will trace the genesis of my problem to the fact that some people didn’t like the choice of Jimi Agbaje as our flag bearer at the last election and that was the beginning of the crisis in the party. Let me state categorically here that, if I have to do it all over again, I will still back Jimi Agbaje in any election.

There are allegations of financial misappropriation leveled against you, what do you have to say to this?

Bode George

I am telling you categorically and with all sense of responsibility that no election funds passed through my office except those who assisted us in one way or the other. I am challenging whosoever is making the allegations to come out and shed light on it, they should tell the whole world who gave the money, how much was given, when it was given. The money for the governorship election, the national assembly was given directly to him, go and find out from him, I was not even invited. They dealt with candidates directly. We were to launch the

campaign flag-off and we didn’t have money to do it, I had to rush to a minister for assistance, the minister initially told us to go out and borrow money before eventually giving us some money, we were able to raise N20 million which was shared in the secretary’s office for the flagoff. When any money comes in like the presidential campaign fund, and I am not a member of the presidential campaign team; they have their coordinators and assistant coordinators which I had no influence over, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

9 Politics

Majority will have its way while minority will have its say – Olorunoje CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

SWC which we are in control of; we have the majority of the members, nine to be precise while he has only has four in his camp, the quorum to call a meeting is eight.

Can you clarify the stand of the state working committee on the controversy surrounding the true position of Tunji Shelle?

There is no time the party has said he is not the party chairman, reinstatement is not the word. We said he was suspended, the National Working Committee said we should inform them so necessary actions can be taken. That a National Executive Committee (NEC) member cannot be suspended by the State Executive, we as the state executive committee did not suspend a NEC member, we suspended our own member as a state executive council. If he commits an offence at the national level then he can be punished at the national level, we are not alleging any crimes he committed at the national level; the allegations are based on crimes he committed at the state level.

You cannot say because you are

Obanikoro a member of NEC and you commit a crime at the state level and the NEC which does not know the gravity of the crime that has been committed will now say we have no right to carry out a suspension. If the Constitution needs to

Olorunoje be amended, then the NEC will have to do that. It is all about the majority, it is simple and what we did was the right thing by suspending him. What he is saying that he is the chairman and that he got a letter from the na-

tional legal adviser reinstating him as the chairman whom we don’t have is that we don’t have the right to suspend him and that what we need to do is to act properly and inform them which we did initially. After that letter, we

have done it the way they want it, we have written the acting chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, we also copied all the NWC members on the various allegations leveled against him which had been acknowledged and the NEC has written back that they will look into the allegations and further action will be taken as nobody is above the law. He is still under investigation.

What are the elders in the party doing to resolve this crisis?

One of our leaders tried to reconcile us but had to stop because Shelle could not defend the corruption charges leveled against him, rather he was busy calling him names. We have gone a long way to resolve this issue in the interest of the party. What he is doing is a charade, he is being used by his godfather, Bode George who wants to remain the alpha and omega of Lagos PDP. We cannot remain with such a man. I am the acting chairman of the party and when the congress comes around, I might not even be the chairman if the people so wish.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Why they want me out, says Shelle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

and these people making these allegations want me to bring in the money for sharing without minding who the money is for. If Chief Bode George gets some money, they expect me to go and collect it and bring it here for sharing, if Jimi Agbaje gets money from friends and associates, they want me to go and bring it for sharing. I was happy because money didn’t come in through me directly; the little money that came in was accounted for. Some money came in from Abuja as commissions for forms sold to aspirants and before you knew it, I was asked to go and bring the money so we could share it and I refused. I told them we have to pay staff salary, so many people are coming to the secretariat that wants to decamp, we encourage them by giving them campaign materials and

Shelle some money. All they are interested in is sharing of money and that was not my agenda for the party, I wanted to win

Bode George the elections. Those are the categories of people who are after me and they are all interested in blackmailing me. You can

imagine someone who wants to take over from another person and he didn’t invite the whole executive committee, the finan-

cial secretary was not invited to a meeting they were taking over the office, the deputy was not invited, the organizing secretary was not invited the legal adviser was not invited, four or five of them who were paid and sponsored by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and I have to say this so that the devils in this party can leave so that people of good conscience can run this party. They think blackmail can push me out of this party, they cannot stampede me out of this party. I have a date till March next year when I will hand over honorably to whoever wins at the congress.

What they want to do is to stampede me out of the party and install their own structure as a prelude to 2019. They want to install Obanikoro’s people to take over the party structure from Chief Bode George and push out Jimi Agbaje to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

At 80, Fasheun takes cue from Bamanga Tukur, retires from Politics Barely two weeks after former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur retired from partisan politics, another octogenarian has followed suit.

He is Dr Frederick Fasehun, founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) who announced his retirement from partisan politics on the day he clocked 80 to become a statesman.

Fasehun who helped to nurture the Unity Party of Nigeria and campaigned for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, made this announcement during his 80th birthday in Lagos at the weekend.

“I give up placard-carrying; every Nigerian is my brother, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and others.

“All of us should be committed to bridge-building; henceforth, I will be an advocate of peace to all, he said.

“We have not noticed the possible aspect of change but 100 days is too short. We want Nigerians to be patient; we want to advise President Muhammadu Buhari

Fasheun

to concentrate on governance,” he said, adding that he would like to take up the role of Elder Statesman.

Fasehun said his birthday celebration was organised to build bridges as it brought different ethnic groups in Nigeria together.

“Our country needs to be re-organised and that is why I feel very happy that many ethnic nationalities are here because we want to use this opportunity to start bridge-building in this country,” he said.

Fasehun urged the Federal Government to show commitment to improving education of youths so as to promote unity and curb insecurity. he said that we have been agitating for free education at all levels; it is the right of all youths.

“Education is the bed rock of national development so all of us must commit ourselves to the education of the youth,” he stressed.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption, he however, warned against “selective probing”.

Bamanga Tukur

It’s a matter of time for Shelle to I’m still the chairman – Tunji Shelle be history – Kamaldeen Olorunoje CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

There are claims that you are being used to push him out of the party?

Let’s assume that Olorunoje is being used, then Olorunoje has become a general. If Olorunoje is being used, are the other 34 members of the executive committee being used as well? His phobia and his master’s phobia is Obanikoro I want to say that neither Shelle’s master nor Obanikoro can use Kamaldeen Olorunoje. I am a founding member of the PDP, when Chief Bode George was joining the PDP, it was my honor then to issue him a membership card, was I being used then? Was I being used when I supported Chief Bode George against more senior members like Chief Dapo Sarumi, Chief M.M Ashorobi to become

Obanikoro the south-west leader? He should go and learn about the history of the party.

Chief Bode George called what we did as a coup, can someone please explain to him that we are in a democratic era and not a military regime; the word coup does not exist. They should go for political science training and educate themselves. It is about the rebranding of the party and moving the party for-

ward.

What is the way out of this log-jam?

It is simple; Democracy.

The majority will have its way while the minority will have its say. There is no way where in democracy the minority will have an edge over the majority unless we are changing the meaning of democracy. All efforts to resolve the issue amicably has been thwarted by Shelle, so the only way out is for the law to take its due course which is what was relayed by the national secretariat. Definitely, you will soon hear the pronouncement from the National secretariat, we are ready to defend our allegations; he should be ready to defend himself. The House of Assembly members are ready for him as well, there is a lot of issues to be thrashed out, and he has been given a copy of the allegations to go and study.

pave way for Obanikoro’s emergence as governorship candidate in the 2019 election.

A report said that there must be a letter from the national working committee to reinstate you as chairman and they are yet to receive such what do you have to say to this?

Which letter? I am the chairman of this party in Lagos State, when did they remove me? They didn’t have the power in the first place to remove me, so how can they reinstate me when they didn’t even have the power in the first place to remove me. I was never removed, I was attending meetings in Abuja, I was attending national working committee meetings with my other colleagues in Abuja, where was this man? Was he ever invited to any meeting in the capacity of

Bode George the chairman? They don’t even have the power to remove me as chairman; they should go and read the constitution of the party very well.

Why did you vacate your office and how were they able to gain access?

They were able to gain access because Obanikoro is a friend to the former commissioner of police in Lagos and if I fight back,

there will be bloodshed, which was why I had to restrain myself, I am not a thug, and I have proper education and upbringing. That was why I stood aside to see how far they could go, but now, they have come crashing to the earth. I have decided not to enter the office because it is polluted and it needs sanctification. It needs cleansing because evil people have stepped into that office. There are other offices in the secretariat that I can use.

Why is it that the national secretariat has not been able to prevail over them?

It is because they are reckless, they are undisciplined. All entreaties that the matter be resolved amicably was unsuccessful, the national secretariat has invited us on three different occasions, the first time I wasn’t in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

11 Politics

Why they want me out, says Shelle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

country and I wrote the party asking for a new date to be fixed, but because they knew that the decision of the national secretariat was not favorable, they didn’t show up. A letter was sent to them which were copied to the commissioner of police and the Inspector General of Police with the inclusion of the party’s constitution authenticating me as the valid chairman of the party. The party told them to go back home and work with their chairman and that if there are any allegations the party will look into it. They broke into my office, held series of meeting there, even Obanikoro held a meeting with them here in my office. Is that how to run a party? I have the interest of the party at heart that is why I have been silent, but now that they are impugning on my integrity I have to speak out.

They should come out and tell the whole world what money is missing. At this point I will advise some of the party leaders to be cautious because they are part and parcel of the game plan to rubbish Chief Bode George and take over leadership of the party from him (Cuts in) can you be specific?

Well, some of them are even interested in becoming the chairman of the party as at today. We are talking about leaders who are in their seventies and who are interested in becoming the party chairman, they now sponsor miscreants like one boy in the house of Assembly who didn’t have a job before going to the house of assembly; this is a boy that the party packaged and after winning an election, the first thing he did was to issue a press release that he is looking for his N25 million.

But, there are allegations that the sum of N25 Million naira was released for each of the 40 House of Assembly candidates and that the money is missing, what happened to this money?

Where will the money come from? Are they not embarrassing the party by mentioning such an amount of money?

Where did the money come from and when was it given. That boy, Hakeem Bello (The Minority Leader) will be arrested very soon and he will lose his seat for blackmail, spreading of rumors that is unfounded and for bring-

Shelle

Bode George

Jimi Agbaje

Obanikoro

ing the party into disrepute.

What do you think this portends for the party?

Don’t worry. It is still part of politics; PDP in Lagos was not like this 10, 15 years ago, we have made tremendous progress if people like me are given ample opportunities to run the party, there are genuine people who can take over from where I would step aside, but, not miscreants. It happens in politics because it is a game of wits about who can outsmart each other. But, when it comes to the issue of integrity, I will not compromise. PDP will bounce back very soon; we will articulate our position and be a viable and credible opposition not fighting each other.

Are you seeking redress in court over the various allega-

tions leveled against you?

I am seeking advice from my lawyers on the step to take, but, on the other hand, I am being careful so that the party will not feel betrayed that I have not justified the confidence reposed in me. A characteristic of leaders is to manage crisis and not escalate it, if these people come back tomorrow, they will go back to their offices.

Some election results are in court and you have expressed optimism of still winning some more seats at the tribunal, with this crisis in the party how will you be able to achieve that?

They just want to distract us; none of them has been going to the court room. There are people we could approach for assistance on funds to prosecute the

cases but could not because of the crisis. All this will be corrected. I am touch with those who can help us on this. I have taken over and soon things will kick into gear.

The Local Government Election is around the corner, will both factions be presenting candidates for the elections?

We have just one party, if they have a candidate they should present the candidate to test his popularity at the primaries.

Anybody can sponsor a candidate; there is nothing wrong with that, but you can’t impose candidates on us.

Lastly sir, what do you make of the ruling party?

The ruling party that I see is not really a ruling party. PDP has a stronger hold on the struc-

ture of the power in the country.

If you look at the senate president, he is a product of the PDP, the deputy senate president is a PDP candidate, Tambuwal that defected and became the governor of Sokoto State is a product of PDP and we can go on and on. I don’t know where APC gets their pride from and most of the people who defected to the APC are beginning to realize their mistake. PDP will bounce back stronger while APC will split into the different parties that made it up in the first place. They will soon break up; the leadership is not in charge and there is so many wrangling going on within the party concerning the appointments made so far which are favourable to a section of the country against the other.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

PDP: Hawks around Buhari out to derail nation’s democracy Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Peoples Democrat-

ic Party, PDP, on Monday, called on Nigerians to be on the alert and resist those it called “hawks around the Presidency” from derailing the nation’s democracy through their divisive, parochial and anti-democratic actions and interests.

The opposition PDP equally raised the alarm on some disturbing political trends in the country since the emergence of the President Muhammadu Buhari-

led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at the centre.

The party, while addressing journalists through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, warned that if such trends are unchecked, they portend high risk for Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.

Metuh said: “Again, we have called you to this very important press conference today (Monday) to let you into some disturbing political trends in our coun-

try since the emergence of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at the centre which, if unchecked portends high risk for our hard earned democracy.

“In the last 120 days under the APC, some elements in the euphoria of their unexpected victory are now moving our dear nation from democracy to autocracy and attempting to impose a sole administratorship in all spheres of the polity, with its attendant

consequences and embarrassments to the President and our national image.

“The recent case of the absence of Nigeria at one of the key listed meetings at the 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the issue of humanitarian crisis arising from the insurgency in Lake Chad countries including our country was the main agenda, further asserts the ineptitude of the handlers of the President on national and international issues.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right);State Chief Judge, Olufunmilayo Atilade (2nd left); Diocesan Bishop of Lagos & Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Dr. Adebola Ademowo (left) and Lord Bishop of Badagry, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Adeyemi during the 2015/2016 Legal Year Service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, on… Monday

‘Pull down safe havens for proceeds of corruption’ Continued from page 6 ing in the desert or drowning in the Mediterranean.

“We condemn in the strongest terms these people traffickers and will support any measures to apprehend and bring them to justice,” he said While stressing that the world was witnessing a dreadful increase in conflicts fuelled by availability of small arms and light weapons, Buhari called on the international community to work towards the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty to ensure that small arms and light weapons can only be legally transferred.

Buhari called for the urgent resolution of the question of self-determination for the people of Palestine and Western Sahara while reminding the global assembly that peaceful coexistence and self-determination were among the key principles that led to the establishment of the United Nations.

“The international community has come to pin its hopes on resolving the Palestinian issue through the two – states solution which recognises the legitimate right of each state to exist in peace and security.

“The world has no more excuses or reasons to delay the implementation of the

long list of Security Council resolutions on this question. Neither do we have the moral right to deny any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and blockade,” the President said.

Also, President Buhari on Monday ordered the National Hajj Commission and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to urgently account for all Nigerian pilgrims in the aftermath of last Thursday’s stampede at Mina, Mecca.

This Presidential directive followed conflicting reports on the number of Nigerians that died or injured in the tragedy which claimed over 700 lives.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, said Buhari was worried that days after the unfortunate incident, some Nigerian families were still grappling with painful uncertainty over the fate of their relatives who travelled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

“The President expects the National Hajj Commission to work with the various state pilgrim boards, Islamic organisations and private travel agencies involved in Hajj operations to speedily provide a confirmed and verifiable reContinued on page 14

Falae narrates abduction ordeal Continued from page 6 and said, ‘the money don complete’.”

Giving details on how he was kidnapped, he said: “When the hoodlums came, they slashed me with their cutlasses, they said I was not cooperating. And they dragged me barefooted into the bush.

“After dragging me around for about two hours, they stopped somewhere for us to rest and there they asked me to phone my wife and tell her that I have been kidnapped and taken out of Ondo State by car which was a lie.

“It was about 2.30pm on Monday. We started walking with very few stops until

2am the following morning. I suspect that I must have covered a minimum of 15km.

That morning I did not take anything. So all day I had no food, no water and I walked close to 15km. How I survived I cannot really remember. I had no food in my stomach, I had no shoes, and my clothes were torn to shreds.

“At some point, one of them gave me a rubber slippers. We walked until about 2am. At some point they called for an Okada. At about 2.30am, the Okada man took me way down I had no clue where we were going. Finally, they dumped me somewhere, where I was until I was released on Thursday.

“In that place, we all slept

on the floor on leaves, unfortunately the rain came in the night and I was thoroughly drenched where I was lying down. One of them brought a small umbrella to cover my head, my head was covered, but the rest of my body was not covered.

“They offered me bread, but I told them I could not eat it. I demanded for a bottle of coke, which was what I drank every day to have the requisite strength to survive and to continue on the march, because they were permanently moving.

“They were changing locations at two to three times a day. I suspect because they did not want the police to succeed in tracing them”.

He noted that although the confirmation of the payment of ransom was made on Wednesday afternoon, he was not allowed to go until Thursday morning.

“So the following morning, they said I should go.

One of them took ropes to stitch my buba which was already in tatters, so that it could at least stay on me and I wound not look like a lunatic while leaving that place,” he explained.

“So when I came out of the bush, I was able to find an Okada, a man riding bike, who gave me a lift to Owo. “The place was about 10km from Owo town. The place was between Owo and Ifon. And I walked most of

the distances between my farm to that place and as the farrow flies, that is about 25km that we had to trek.

“As I said miraculously I was not tired, I was not hungry and I was not afraid of them at all. Each time they said, ‘Baba we will kill you,’ I will tell them, ‘no, insha Allah, you will not kill me’.

“I did not break down, but I want to tell you that when I got back home, I became completely exhausted. But I am now 80 per cent fit and I know in the next few days I will be up again.”

The 77-year-old warned that such attack should not be allowed to happen again as it could result to even graver consequences.

“It is not because of me.

As for me, I am a very humble person, but by virtue of what God has made me and the status God has given me, it is an insult to our race that a man like me could be abducted by a bunch of hoodlums,” he said.

“By the way, one of them told me, he said, ‘Baba, if after you leave us you talk nonsense, I will come and catch you again’. That is the kind of insult I received.”

Asked if the kidnappers were illiterates, he replied: “Only two of them could speak some English. They were between the ages of 25 and 35. They were Fulani, Continued on page 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday September 29, 2015

13 International

Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq to share intelligence on ISIS ÏÏÏIraq says it will share mili-

tary intelligence and security information with Syria, Iran and Russia to fight Islamic State.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the intelligence group will focus on "monitoring the movements of the terrorists...and degrading their capacity."

No details on the new arrangement were made available, but it is a clear sign of growing Russian influence in the region.

Moscow has sent fighter planes and other equipment to an air base in Syria in what U.S. military officials say looks like an effort to protect its own assets that are already there. But Secretary of State John Kerry has said Russia's true intentions in Syria are still unclear A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State in Iraq, Colonel Steve Warren, says the U.S. objects to Syria being part of the intelligence-sharing group. "We recognize that Iraq has an interest in sharing infor-

ÏÏÏIndividuals

Masked Sunni gunmen pose during a patrol outside Fallujah, Iraq, April 28, 2014.

mation on ISIL (Islamic State) with other governments in the region who are also fighting ISIL. We do not support the presence

of Syrian government officials who are part of a regime that has brutalized its own citizens," Warren said. In New York. Secretary

Kerry said efforts to fight Islamic State need to be coordinated and that the new group is not there yet.

Putin, Obama speeches take centre stage at UN ÏÏÏAddresses by Russian Presi-

dent Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama were set to take centre stage at the United Nations on Monday.

It is the Russian leader's first speech before the General Assembly in a decade, and comes as Moscow's relations with the West have sunk to a low unprecendented since the Cold War. Putin is expected to meet with Obama later in the day. The conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, two flashpoints in US-Russian ties, could be on the agenda. It has been nearly a year since they last met.

In his speech, Putin was expected to emphasise Russia's efforts to resolve the Syrian civil war and combat the Islamic State extremist group, contrasting it with the US-

led military campaign in Iraq and Syria.

Moscow has hosted numerous Middle Eastern leaders in recent weeks as it builds its role a mediator in the Syrian conflict while simultaneously providing military support for the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Russia has justified its backing for Assad, a longtime ally, because he is the elected leader of the country and is a main fighting force against Islamic State.

"There is only one regular army there. That is the army of Syrian President Assad. And he is confronted with what some of our international partners interpret as an opposition. In reality, al-Assad's army is fighting against terrorist organisations," Putin told US

broadcaster CBS in an interview aired on Sunday.

The United States is leading a coalition against Islamic State that is facing domestic scrutiny for being ineffective.

Washington initially planned to train 5 000 local fighters to fight the Islamic State. But this month a US general told the Senate that only "four or five" Syrian fighters trained by the US were actively battling the terrorist group.

Putin cited this in the interview, saying "the rest of them have deserted with the American weapons to join ISIS".

Putin's popularity rose internationally in late 2013 when Russia negotiated a deal to dispose of the Syrian military's chemical weapons, but months later Russia's

annexation of Crimea critically damaged Putin's reputation on the world stage.

The United Nations estimates that 250 000 people have died in the Syrian conflict. More than half the country's prewar population of 22.4 million has been internally displaced or fled abroad.

Putin

Sierra Leone begins new Ebola 42-day countdown ÏÏÏA Sierra Leone official said

the government is cautiously optimistic the country will successfully complete a new 42-day countdown to be declared Ebola-free without any setback.

The country began the new countdown Saturday after discharging its last two known patients from the International Medical Corps Treatment Center in Kambia District.

Sierra Leone’s hopes of being declared Ebola-free were dashed last August when a 67-year-old woman

Pope backs conscientious objection to gay marriage

died in Kambia days after it began the first 42-day countdown.

Abdulai Bayraytay, national publicity and outreach coordinator in the office of Sierra Leone’s government spokesman said the government is intensifying its appeal to the public not to compromise on the measures intended to contain the Ebola virus.

“We are very much cautiously optimistic that we will graduate into the 42-day without any relapse but we are intensifying – as a government and medical people -- that

we must not compromise the medical measures that will contain Ebola for its eventual eradication,” he said.

He said Sierra Leone has now gone two days since Saturday into the 42-day countdown to be declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization.

“We discharged the last two patients from our treatment facility – that is International Medical Corps Treatment Center in Kambia District on Saturday, and since that day we are now two days,”

Bayraytay said.

Bayraytay said the country is hopeful because no one out of the more than 700 people who have been quarantined in Bombali District has shown any symptoms of the Ebola virus.

“Since the incubation period for the disease is usually 21 days, so those people have now appreciated over 10 days into their quarantine period. And so far we are very lucky nobody has shown any symptoms for the virus,” Bayraytay said.

have the right to refuse performing tasks that violate their consciences, Pope Francis said Monday, in apparent support of a U.S. county clerk who was jailed for withholding marriage licenses from homosexual couples."I can say that conscientious objection is a right and it is part of every human right. It is a right. And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right," Francis said on a return flight to Rome after a 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States. "Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right, a human right."

The pontiff made that remark after a reporter in the press pool asked whether Francis supported individuals who did not "discharge their duties as government officials" because of personal beliefs.

His reference was to Kim Davis, clerk of Rowan County in the central southern state of Kentucky.

She was jailed for several days in early September, on order of a U.S. District judge, after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Probe Darfur ambush, Ki-moon tells Sudan authorities

ÏÏÏOne

South African peacekeeper was killed and four wounded when a convoy they were escorting came under fire in Sudan's Darfur region, the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission said on Monday.

The attack took place on Sunday near Mellit, in North Darfur state, and resulted in an exchange of fire, the mission said.

The UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and called on the Sudanese authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible, his spokesperson said.

Darfur erupted into conflict in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels in the western region launched a campaign against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government, complaining of marginalisation.

President Omar al-Bashir unleashed a brutal counter-insurgency using Arab militia as well as regular troops.

Rebels and militia alike have since splintered into a myriad of factions patrolling their own turf.

In recent years, insecurity has deepened further with rising criminality and inter-tribal conflict over land and resources.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Plateau PDP condemns intimidation of election tribunals Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎThe Peoples Democrat-

ic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has alleged that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was using the Court of Appeal to intimidate the governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, by dictating to it what evidence it should reject or accept in determining its ruling.

The allegation is coming on the heels of the Appeal Court’s ruling on the application filed before it by the APC to prevail upon the tribunal not to rely on the forensic evidence and other

documents presented to it by the PDP in determining the case before it.

The State Organising Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Michael Dachom, described the ruling of the Appeal Court as unacceptable by the party, saying the party would go to the Supreme Court. He said that the APC was afraid that with the forensic evidence before the tribunal, it would lose the case, so it quickly ran to the Appeal Court to urge it to stop the tribunal from using the forensic report.

He however said there were other sufficient evi-

dences that would nail the APC at the tribunal.

The PDP had presented forensic evidence to the tribunal to back up its claim that APC massively rigged the April governorship election that brought in Governor Simon Lalong as the Governor of the Plateau State.

But the APC, at the tribunal, contested the acceptance of the report of the forensic expert by the tribunal, arguing that it was not part of the material that was filed at the beginning of the case. But the tribunal went ahead and accepted it.

The APC became dis-

satisfied and, therefore, approached the Appeal Court to stop the tribunal from relying on the forensic report, which many believed would strengthen the PDP’s case before the tribunal.

Discussing with newsmen on the ruling of the Appeal Court, a counsel to PDP and Gyang Pwajok (the governorship candidate of the PDP), Mr. Niri Darong said: “The learned Justice of the Court of Appeal read the decision in summary and said they were going to avail us of copies of the ruling after the Sallah break (i.e.) on Monday,

L-R: Director, Human Resources, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Gbemiga Owolabi; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Oscar Onyema and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, during a courtesy visit of Onyema to Airtel Headquarters, Lagos… on Monday

28 of September, 2015. So I have not yet seen the copy of the judgement as at now.

But from the summary read by the Justice that delivered the lead judgement, we the respondents at the Court of Appeal believe that the Justice should not have relied on the statements of coun-

sels but on the decisions of the court.”

Darong is quoted to have said “At the tribunal, during the pre-hearing section, we had informed the Justices that we were going to rely on forensic report, and had listed A O, which stands for Adeola Olayewola.

‘Dismantle safe havens for proceeds of corruption’ Continued from page 12 port on the status of every Nigerian pilgrim in Saudi Arabia.

“President Buhari has also directed the Hajj Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to give all necessary assistance to Nigerians who are still receiving treatment for injuries suffered in Mina,” according to the statement.

It added that the President had continued to pray that “Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the dead, comfort the bereaved families, heal the injured and bring all surviving Nigerian pilgrims safely home.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Abdullahi

Mukhtar, on Monday, at a news conference put the number of Nigerians who died in the Mina stampede at fifty-four.

Mukhtar stated this at a news conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, adding that 61 other Nigerian pilgrims were injured during the incident. He said 42 of the deceased pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia by state Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, while 12 came through Private Tour Operators.

He said the deceased were from Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Cross Rivers, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, Taraba, and Zamfara.

The NAHCON chairman also said that out of the injured 61 pilgrims, 16 were transported by Private Tour Operators and the remaining 45 by state Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies.

Akinrinade disclosed that Falae from his experienced in the bush where he had spent four days in the hands of his captors without drinking water was shocking and traumatized.

“This is a big insult to the Yoruba nation. Chief Olu Falae was roughed off and traumatized in the hands of these hoodlums. This is a gentle man who is making farming for a living and very contended with his family.

Meanwhile, a group of youths under the umbrella of the Akure Youth Coalition (AYC), has condemned the rising cases of kidnapping allegedly being orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State.

At a demonstration in the

palace of the Deji of Akure Kingdom to register their displeasure on Monday, in Akure, the state capital, the youths said the kidnapping cases of people in the state is becoming worrisome.

The youths said the activities of the Fulani herdsmen had resulted in serious breach of peace in the state, thereby, making their host to live in perpetual fear of possible unprovoked attack.

They were armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Chief Falae Deserve Respect from All”, “Stop Nomadic herdsmen now”, “Akure Youth Say No to Kidnapping”, Don’t turn our land into a fearful kingdom” among others.

President of the Akure

Falae narrates abduction ordeal Continued from page 12 they spoke Hausa.”

Falae however said it was plausible that his ordeal was closely connected to his conflict with Fulani herdsmen who consistently grazed at his farm.

He said: “The cattle rearers have been giving me a hard time for the past two or three years. Because I have a dam on the farm, so they like to bring their cattle there to drink water, then they eat other people’s crops”.

“This time they ate up my maize farm, two hectares. We took pictures, and it was videoed, the police went there. They were asked to pay compensation, they

begged and paid half of what we claimed and we accepted it.

“That was about two months ago. Whether it was one of them who went to bring his brothers to come and deal ‘with this wicked man’, I don’t know. It is plausible. Absolutely plausible.

“My view is that this is my home. I have not gone to farm in any other person’s territory. This is my home where I was born. I have every right to farm here and live in peace here. So, this is totally unacceptable.

“I once told the Commissioner of Police that if he cannot protect us and protect my farm, that I will protect myself. There will be self-help if government fails

to protect its citizens.

“It would have been unfortunate if that were to happen. The IG met me and gave me assurances that they will give us protection. I hope that we as a community in Ondo State and in Yoruba land as a whole must go into consultation to ensure that we enhance our protection.

We cannot be slaves in our own territory.”

The former SGF said he was not surprised that the police could not trace and arrest the kidnappers because of the manner of their movement and operation.

“These fellows were permanently on the move. Day and night they were walking. Through farm lands, through water, through

swamps…they were scared, they knew they could be traced with GPRS, that was why they were running around all the time,” he said.

“I was not surprised at all that the police could not trace them before they decided to let me go.”

Speaking when he visited the former SGF, on Monday, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade, said the Federal Government should rise up and find a solution to the incessant activities of kidnappers which are gradually using the southwest as an abode.

He said the recent abduction of Falae was a deepest part of insult not only to the Yoruba race in the southwest but the Nation as a whole.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

15 Opinion

Nigeria @ 55: Independence in chains

“ Okay Osuji

Man is born free, but everywhere in chains”.

This epistemological saying by French political philosopher and thinker, Jean Jacque Rousseau captures the present state of Nigeria and her citizens 55 years after flag independence from imperial Britain.

Next Thursday, October 1, Nigeria would be celebrating another Independence Day with all the official speeches and commemorations.

However, behind the veneer of such bucolic acts lies a tempered reality and sense of hapless resignation that the country has continued to punch below its weight.

In fact, Nigeria’s political and economic odyssey has been one of torments and tribulations with no triumphs in between. Her history has been a monumental dirge of mourning and miseries for majority of the citizens. When on Independence Day in 1960, the citizens were giddy, effusive and full of expectations having been freed from the shackles of colonialism by brutal and rapacious imperialism, they and their leaders saw history beckoning to not only to make the country great, but also take it to dizzying heights of human development and civilization as an epitome of what the black race can achieve if

left alone.

Those heady days infused in Nigerians not only pride but moreover patriotism that they can at last chart through the tricky waters of international politics while building a civilization rivalling, if not surpassing those of their colonial masters. Those dreams at the time looked realisable because the country’ citizens were united under a common vision of a brighter future irrespective of tribes and tongues.

However, like a benighted people, it did not take long before the old curse returned. Akin to a bad dream, we all saw our leaders, who earlier were smiling and hugging each other like enthusiastic school children before the ecstatic and exuberant crowds suddenly turning themselves into implacable enemies even before the Union Jack was finally lowered into its grave.

All their proverbial unity in the struggles for freedom evaporated, as vicious contests to run political opponents out of town took the centre stage. The internecine conflicts were so ferocious as to melt any seeming iota of camaraderie that ever existed and which in turn affected the relationships among political and ethnic groups in the country. The situation has remained the same until this day.

The January 15,1966 military coup,

ostensibly to end the growing feud was perceived by some sections to be a jihad of imposition of an ethnic agenda on other Nigerians. Such loss of innocence and faith led to a devastating 30-month civil war that shattered the dreams of an entire generation and sowed the seeds of distrust, mistrust and ethnic irredentism that continue to plague the country.

Matters did not help by the fact that succession of military coups added more fodder to an already combustible milieu. Today, the chickens have come home to roost, as the destructive legacies are now haunting the very soul of the nation. It is a shame that decades after independence, the gulf between the various ethnic groups has not only widened they are turning to chasms of irreconcilable differences on every thing under the sun. Shamefully, the country’s politics has degenerated to a zero-sum game where the gains of any group become a loss to the others.

Nigeria has turned into one vast cauldron of contending forces trying to corner the country’s resources for their ethnic and geopolitical zones.

This mortal combat has made it imperative for ethnic and religious bigots to impede the progress of others perceived as rivals and even enemies. The consequence is that Nigeria continues to retrogress on all fronts of human development. While the dreams at

Independence are not only vanishing, they are slowly being replaced by the Byzantine demagoguery of a vociferous few who see the country as their oyster. It is therefore not surprising that Nigeria’s politics have become militarised in both form and function. Whenever one watches the proceedings in the National Assembly, you come to terms with our legislators turning themselves into military caricatures in civilian uniforms.

In addition, state chief executives now see themselves as mini Pharaohs driven more by zeal to conquer and subjugate those who elected them rather than render service.

That is why in 55 years of political sovereignty, Nigeria has become a byword for corruption and violence on an overwhelming scale, and this is in spite of official platitudes and noises to fight the twin evils.

Curiously, fear is that with the Muhammadu Buhari administration now in office, that document may not see the light of the day given the hawkish stand of some northern politicians now ganging up against its implementation. Unfortunately, the non-implementation of the recommendations would signpost a future tragedy that may likely befall the country. We believe the time to have a rethink is now.

Another look at Buhari’s wish list to the West

T

Oke Epia

here is no gainsaying that Muhammadu Buhari’s ascensionto the presidency on May 29 this year brought some delight and dignity to the perception of Nigeria in the international community. I have said this much previously and concluded that Buhari’s honeymoon with the west ought to be quickly maximised for national benefits.

Now I have cause to warn again at the risk of sounding alarmist that the President’s foreign forays are yielding less and less returns.

It is true that diplomatic engagements sometimes require time and patience to yield results but the fact is that Nigeria is nibbling at thehuge international goodwill gained at the turn of a successful political transition from a ruling party to the opposition. I premise this submission on the embarrassing lack of policy direction bedeviling the Buhari administration four months into its life span.

H is recent diplomatic shuttles to Cameroun, Niger and Chad are no doubt relevant especially towards addressing the cross-border menace of Boko Haram terrorism.

However, while there is yet the

urgent need to articulate a clear foreign policy framework for the administration. No country commands sustained respect and serious attention without a clear-cut foreign policy agenda with which it engages the rest of the world.

Thus if the Buhari administration has yet to articulate a clear domestic vision and mission then it cannot advance a foreign policy agenda. Forget the antics of publicists who are forced to rationalise this unfortunate situation on the assumption that things are shaping up in the country. The narrative is that improved electricity supply, resumption of production atthe hitherto moribund petroleum refineries, and the sudden reawakening ofanti-corruption agencies among other tangibles and intangibles of the administration so far are attributable to the aura of the president.

But truth is that no country can grow its economy in a sustained and systematic manner based on the body language of its leader.

It is even absurd to assume that diplomacy and foreign relations can be undertaken on such opaque mystique.

Recall that British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond had extolled the successful transition that

brought Buhari to office and invited him to bring a wish list before Western powers to help bring Nigeria up to higher plains.

He visited Germany at the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel to participate on thesidelines of the G7 Summit where he held bilateral consultations. He was guest of President Barack Obama of the United States of America on a state visit that was hyped to high heavens.

He recently returned fromFrance on the invitation of President Francois Hollande.

Presidential publicist,Mallam Garba Shehu had said the three-day visit to France focused onsecurity around the Lake Chad Basin area.

He also spoke vaguely about the pursuit of foreign investments and strengthening Nigeria-France bilateral relationship. Notably, Mr. Shehusaid further that his principal would prevail on his host to get his colleagues in the G7 to actualise the wish list with respect to assisting Nigeria with intelligence and military hardware to battle Boko Haram, helpin the reconstruction of the ravaged North-east, and the battle against corruption. This is pretty much the wish list of Buhari.

But a wish list is not enough. It is expected that a leader canvassing support from foreign friends must

tell in clear andmeasurable terms how he intends to tinker with the economy; explain indigenous initiatives to tackle insecurity; advance intentions to strengthen the political and electoral process; as well as commit in words and deeds to entrench respect for human rights, promote justice and fairplay in a multi-ethnic system like Nigeria’s. Much doubt exist that President Buhari is doing these or truly committed to doing them.

It is noteworthy that the President’s delegation in nearly all of his overseas trips tells much of a lack of clear objectives sought to be achieved. For instance, the inclusion of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, the EdoState governor on the president’s state visit to the US in July was of anything but a nuisance value added. What Nigerians can remember about Oshiomhole’s role in the trip was his controversial claim that a StateDepartment official had told the Nigerian delegation that a minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administration stole $6billion of public fund? Nigerians also recall the controversial comment of President Buhari himself during one of his outing during the visit.

News 16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Lagos House rebukes gender-based violence, says Obasa Tobi Dada

ÏÏÏThe Speaker of

the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Monday, reiterated the House’s opposition to gender-based violence in the country, at a stakeholders’ conference in Lagos.

While addressing the people, Obasa appreciated the organisers’ effort at engaging in a nation-building programme, while also assuring them of the implementation of a policy that would be beneficial to their activities.

In his words: “As fellow labourers in the vineyard of nation-building, we, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, promise you not to relent in our support for

women, as we strive together in building the country of our dreams, where the dignity of every citizen is protected and promoted.

“On the theme of this event, I must applaud the organisers for seeing the need to revisit the Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence and Young Persons in Nigeria.

It shows that you are aware of one of the most nagging problems we face as a country,” he asserted.

He, however, said that: “It has been observed that policy implementation is a very tedious process that requires a careful and critical analysis before it is embarked upon. It is a process of converting human and materials inputs, including

information, technical, human, demands and support into outputs in the form of goods and services. Therefore, a critical evaluation of all the elements of impending policy should be studied for proper implementation.”

He continued: “But beyond that, these laws cannot work by themselves except we create the framework that enforces our laws.

That is what we stand for; and in that respect, we talk about issues that relate to sexual and gender violence.

It is not a perfect piece of legislation. But it is a good beginning. To proffer a broad-based solution, this gathering is hereby challenged to make further rec-

ommendations on improving national awareness for women legislation in Nigeria as a whole,” he advised.

Meanwhile, the organiser of the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Joe Okei-Odumakin, the president of a non-profit organsation, the Women Arise for Change, established the relevance of the youths in the nation-building process, and so the importance of efforts at reducing the incidence of gender-based violence.

“The Nigerian youths represent the future of this country and there must, therefore, be concerted efforts to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence among young persons in Nigeria,” she advised.

L-R: General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William F. Kumuyi (middle) on his arrival with Lagos State Moderator of DLBC, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi (right) at the Just Concluded Lagos City-Wide Crusade organized by DCLM in conjunction with (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN)held at Surulere National Stadium, Lagos… recently

Govs hail WHO for de-listing Nigeria from list of polio nations Lateef Ibrahim

Abuja ÏÏÏThe Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), on Monday, hailed the de-listing of Nigeria from polio endemic countries by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The NGF specifically described the decision of the WHO as a historic feat.

The Acting DirectorGeneral of the Forum, Alhaji Abdulateef Shittu, pointed out, in Abuja, that the NGF Chairman, Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State, acknowledged the contribution of all stakeholders

both at state and local government levels, who played key roles that resulted in Nigeria scoring this historic goal.

“Every parent that has made their children available for polio vaccination in the past years should be proud of this achievement.

Their action has guaranteed a polio-free Nigeria for the unborn generation,” Shittu said.

The NGF Chairman, therefore, felicitated with his fellow governors and their deputies for the vanguard role they played in ensuring the eradication of polio in their states, es-

pecially in ensuring that the immunisation “get the desired political leverage and demonstrating leadership by example.”

The governors, Shittu noted, made out time to supervise the supplemental polio campaigns, as well as hosting polio meetings and ensuring that needed counterpart funds were available.

He recalled the decision of the Forum in 2012 to deploy deputy governors to take charge of the dayto-day running of the polio programme in their states and maintained that it remains even more commit-

ted to its earlier decisions.

Shittu, however, warned state governors of the dangers of complacency as such might result in Nigeria losing her newlyacquired global status on polio.

The NGF appreciated the co-operation and support of the traditional and religious institutions, health workers, volunteers, international development partners and the federal government and calls for continued commitment and concerted efforts to get Nigeria certified polio-free in another 24 months from now.

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, a public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence celebration.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Abubakar Magaji, made the declaration on behalf of the government, in a statement signed by Yusuf Isiaka, the Ministry’s Director of Press.

The statement was made available to journalists in Abuja, on Monday.

Magaji, while congratulating Nigerians both at home and abroad, thanked them for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari in his

Gombe owes retirees N3b ÏÏÏThe

Government of Gombe State has given reasons behind owing retirees about N3billion. Head of the State Civil Service, Alhaji Ahmed Usman, disclosed that this was as a result of accumulation of gratuity and pensions allowances following non-payment over the years by previous governments.

He said that the state government was working hard to ensure that it settled the

FG declares Thursday, Oct. 1 public holiday efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.

He urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Buhari

accumulated benefits of retirees as soon as funds were made available.

He told newsmen, in his office, that Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, felt disturbed that the entitlements of the retirees had not been paid for such a long time.

He said the Government has been trying its best in the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and explained that it was the desire of the Governor for all other benefits to receive the same attention, but for the backlog that had accumulated so high.

Kogi: Wada’s aide kicks against choice of Falele as Audu’s running mate

ÏÏÏThe Senior Special As-

sistant on Debt Management to Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, Pastor Femi Obalemo, has kicked against the choice of Hon. James Faleke, as the running mate to the All Prgressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, in the November 21 governorship election in the state, saying it was an insult on the Okun Yoruba ethnic nationality.

Obalemo told journalists, at weekend, that it was improper and against natural law for a candidate to be appointed as the number two citizen in the state, without any input from the leadership of the ethnic group that such person wanted to represent or the state chapter of the APC. Such an approach, he said, was an imposition.

He said in the last APC party primary, over seven candidates from Okun Yoruba extraction, who were eminently qualified to be

the governor of the state, contested for the governorship race, but regretted that none of them was deemed qualified to be considered as the running mate to Audu, but only for somebody in another state to impose a candidate on the people, saying it was unacceptable.

He stressed that gone were the days that somebody could just impose a candidate on the people without the people raising an eye brow, demanding: “why must it be James Faleke, who is currently serving as a federal legislator, when there are so many other qualified candidates in the area?” If the issue of power shift, in 2019, must be realizable, it must be within the context of those who are in the struggle; those who have spent their energy and resources for the struggle and not a ‘foreign mercenary’ that will end up servicing his god-father in Lagos,” Audu added.

Business Times Æ s

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

17

L-R: Council Manager, IkoyiObalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Bashiru Kaffo; Director, Corporate Communications and Community Social Responsibility, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Oparah; Executive Secretary of the Council, Hon. Toyin Caxton-Martins and Head, Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Adefemi Adeniran, during the courtesy visit of the Executive Secretary, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA to Airtel Nigeria on the proposed first Economic Summit of the Council in Lagos…yesterday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Dangote to grant scholarships to the physically challenged

UBA’s Oduoza wins CEO of the Year award in New York

Stories by Charles Okonji

Adesola Akindele

As part of his efforts towards empowering the less privileged in the country, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group, has expressed his readiness to award scholarships to physically challenged persons that desire education.

He said, “The Dangote Foundation would henceforth look into the areas of provision of assistance to the brilliant ones who have interest in going to higher institutions, but have one disability or the other that

may impair them.”

The business tycoon made this promise in Lagos when he received a physically challenged, Kayode Ogendengbe, a blind, who came to present his B.Sc. certificate to him, to formally notify him that he had finished his first degree which was sponsored by the richest man in Africa.”

Dangote who spotted the potentials of Ogedengbe through Teens Empowerment and Salvage Initiative (TESI), a NonGovernmental Organization, during a programme in Lagos, volunteered to fund his univer-

sity education when Ogedengbe got admitted into University of Maiduguri, Borno state.

He stated that one of the things that the rich could do to impact the society positively is to help the physically challenged persons to realize their dream pointing out that after all everyone has one challenge or the other even if not physical but that God has been the one helping everybody.

“I think we owe these people some help to help them achieve their dream. This is one of the ways we can give back and appreciate God because we may

not be physically challenged, but everyone has one challenge or other and God has been our helper.

“I am going to instruct the Foundation to work with TESI and see how we can collaborate and provide some scholarships to the deserving ones among them and by so doing we will making the society more satisfying and pleasurable for all to live in,” he said.

Ogedengbe expressed his happiness for not disappointing Alhaji Dangote, stressing that he finished with second class upper division from the university.

Plateau residents laud ITF over re-equipped staff school

The residents of Plateau State and its environs have commended the efforts of the Industrial Trust Fund (ITF) under the leadership of Dr. Mrs. Juliet Chukkas Onaeko, over the newly renovated staff school owned by the Fund.

According to some of the residents that spoke with journalists in an interview in Jos, the Plateau State capital recently; the renovation, upgrading and reequipping of the ITF staff school has restored hope to the students in the state in their quest to acquiring qualitative education.

The beneficiaries commended the ITF DG and her management

team for considering the staff school worthy for upgrading, despite the fact that the previous leadership of ITF abandoned the institute to dilapidate since its establishment in September 1992.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Otun Falase, Proprietor, Roots Global Academy, commended the decision to renovate the institution by Dr Mrs Onaeko, stressing that the ITF staff school is now set to hatch a pool of well-groomed students in the areas of cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains that can compete favourably students from the best schools across Ni-

geria and the world over.

He said; “Just like the vision of the school explains, the newly renovated staff school can now serve as a model institute in the Jos area and beyond. It is capable of providing qualitative education through the use of a crop of very well motivated and inspired staff in a conducive environment for learning that is equally stocked with modern learning facilities and equipment.”

While eulogizing the DG and her team for their effort, he pointed out that the objectives of establishing the school which were to support and compliment the efforts of Federal Govern-

ment in providing qualitative and affordable education for Nigerians was now being fulfilled.

He added that the move will also assist in developing a sustainable avenue for quality manpower and a self-reliant economy.

Mrs. Serah Dangwon, a parent and also a resident, noted that it was obvious and clear for everyone to see that the of staff of the school are now well motivated and inspired to provide quality education for the students and positively impart them, stressing that ITF staff school can now favourably be compared to any other high end schools in Nigeria and beyond.

Group Managing Director and CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza has emerged the 2015 Ai Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) 30 CEO of the year at this year’s 8th annual Ai CEO Investment Summit. This is the second time he is winning the award after winning it first in 2013.

He was named the winner from a long shortlist that included Nassef Sawiris, CEO, Orascom Construction Company, Sifiso Dabengwa, CEO, MTN Group, SA, Guillaume Roux, CEO, Lafarge Africa, Segun Agbaje, CEO, GT Bank, Graham Clark, GMD, Dangote Sugar and Ben Kruger/Sim Tshabalala, Co-CEOs, Standard Bank. The event took place in New York at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Africa investor (Ai), is a leading international investment and communications group based in South Africa. Every year it organises the institutional investment summit as a platform for public and private sector leaders in Africa to dialogue with global counterparts on ways to invest and grow businesses in Africa. As an integral part of the summit, Ai also hosts the investment and business leadership awards to reward exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa, whilst recognising the institutions and individuals improving the continent’s investment climate.

Maritime 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

There is inconsistency in Nigeria’s maritime administration— Okwuashi – Rector CIS these issues. There is lack of adequate professionals, poor profitable display index on maritime balance sheet and lack of financial support from banks and government institutions.

How do you think Nigeria can use the maritime industry to boost the nation’s economy?

First of all, we have to look at the complete importance of shipping in maritime. It creates employment, there is development of road, rail, and other related infrastructure and business. Nigeria can also use the maritime industry to boost the nation’s economy by making contributions to GDP and National income and balance of trade and foreign exchange generation.

Food products

Stakeholders lament rejection of Nigeria’s food export The rejection of some of Nigeria’s exported food items by the European Union is not only detrimental to the agricultural sector, but is also counterproductive to the economy, stakeholders in the science and agricultural sectors have warned.

According to them, plans to make the agricultural sector a major revenue earner for the country may suffer a setback if produce from the industry are being rejected by foreign countries.

The stakeholders’ views were made public in Abuja during an international symposium on mycotoxins in nuts, dried fruits and cereals, organised by the International Society for Horticultural Science in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.

The symposium, with the theme: ‘Minimising mycotoxin contamination in food and feeds,’ had over 140 national and international participants from the academia, industries, research institutions, farmers’ associations, entrepreneurs, government ministries, departments and agencies as well as private sector investors.

In a communique issued at the end of the symposium, participants at the event noted that Nigerian agricultural export produce were facing some level of rejection internationally.

According to them, the development may lead to poor revenue generation and may reduce the sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product if not addressed quickly.

About two months ago, the EU placed a ban on Nigerian foods like beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips and palm oil. The union stopped the export of these commodities into its markets till 2016.

Okwuashi

Prof Alex Okwuashi, the Rector of the Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CIS) in this interview with FUNMI COKER reviews the challenges of the maritime industry, the potential and suggests the way forward to get the best out of the sector.

What is your assessment of the maritime industry in the last three quarters?

The industry has a lot of challenges because the Nigerian Maritime Industry is still in its nursery stages, despite several years of organised shipping sector and ageless maritime activities. The assessment of the industry resources and its relevance to National Development indicates the need for functional maritime administration, lack of maritime domain awareness-environment, safety and security, economics/ business opportunities and under exploration of our marine re-

sources like fish, oil and gas, and marine exploitable resources.

Can you explain why maritime administration is not effective in Nigeria?

First of all, there is a problem of inconsistency in the leadership of maritime administration.

There is poor infrastructural development, which is slow pace of capacity building. There are frequencies of Anti-maritime activities, piracy, illegal bunkering and smuggling, also, environmental degradation, massive pollution of the seas and creeks.

The government has to look into

What is your school doing to improve capacity building in the sector?

We all know that Nigeria is a country that does not have adequate number of maritime institutions, this is what triggered some of us who have worked in the sector for a while to think of a way to help the government bridge this gap in the maritime education of this country. After many years, I saw this black hole, so I decided to work hand in hand with a few persons to establish the college, so that we can fill that gap in the maritime industry.

How do you think government can assist the private maritime institutions in Nigeria?

The maritime industry is capital intensive and institutional infrastructures are very expensive.

In our engineering workshop, we have to buy machines and these machines cost millions and private individuals might not have the resources but if you are determined, you will start from

somewhere.

Can you explain why Nigeria is still operating FoB term of trade?

Answer: It is one of the biggest tragedies that happened to the shipping sector. When the 1986 shipping policy came, government tried to come up with a shipping policy, but there was a clause that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation can sell its oil on FoB biases. Whereas this was supposed to be a protectionist policy but yet, there was a great gap in that policy. I don’t see why it should be that way. Other countries of the world make policies to favor their people but this one was a suspect, because if we had that policy saying that we could sell oil at CIM, our local insurance company would make money as well as the shipping industries, which would make money from freight. It would have a lot of multipliers effect, but this FoB (Free on Board) is very dangerous, it would not make us build capacity to compete in that market. If the government wants to arrange another shipping policy, that area must be taken care of.

What kind of advice will you offer the president to move the maritime sector forward?

First of all, they have to build institutions and then train the human capital, and this has to be in the critical areas like Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture and so on, because you cannot build a ship without these people, so the government should catch them young, it is not late because in the next 10 years, they can bring out the first set of graduates that are core professionals in the technical areas so that the issue of ship building would be taken care of.

Police moves to boost port security over fresh Boko Haram threat Stories by Funmi Coker The Commissioner of Police in charge of Western Ports, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harisson has advised port users on the need to be more security conscious and alert following a recent warning from the United States of America Embassy of a possible terror attack by the dreaded Boko Haram sect on the seaports in Lagos.

It is not the first time such a warning would be made concern-

ing the seaports.

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, claimed responsibility for two explosions that rocked Folawiyo jetty in Apapa, Lagos on June 25 2014.

In a video released by the group on Sunday July 13, 2014, Shekau said: “A bomb went off in Lagos.

I ordered (the bomber) who went and detonated it.”

“We are not taking the threat lightly at all and we encourage all stakeholders who visit the port to

keep their eyes and ears open in case of the activity of the sect,” Ibifuro-Harisson who was represented at a public function by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of administration, Salem Machree said.

Against the background of the latest threat, the Western Ports Police Commissioner said, “Persons doing business at the port have been sensitized to be security conscious and our patrol has also been

CP Ibifuro-Harisson

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

19 Labour

NLC urges FG to give priority to mining sector

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has advised the Federal Government to give special attention to the mining sector rather than rely solely on the export of crude oil as major foreign exchange earner.

NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said “Nigeria is endowed with various mineral resources such as gold, tin, coal, and precious stones among others. ``We have large deposit of mineral resources which are not tapped because we have found free money from the sale

of crude oil. ``We (labour) are of the view that the mining sector has not been exploited for quite some time; we need to tap into our solid mineral resources to create employment for Nigerians. ``We need to have clear cut vision on how to tap these resources for the benefit of Nigerians.’’

Wabba urged the government to exploit these mineral resources in order not to give room for individuals to illegally mine them.

He said that as Nigerians look forward to the celebration of the country’s 55th Indepen-

dence anniversary, it was imperative for the government to revive the country’s rail system.

He expressed concern that policies formulated in the past two decades to revive the railways had not achieved the desired results. ``It is our position that it is possible for us to revive our railway system. Globally and in some African countries, the rail system has been providing efficient transportation services for the people,’’ he said.

Wabba noted that the revival of the railways would facilitate transportation of petroleum products as well as other goods and services at affordable rate and in large volume since it is efficient and fast.

He urged the government to provide the necessary infrastructure for the development of the railways like standard gauge and partner with the private sector to buy locomotives. ``This has been the practice elsewhere, especially in Europe; government provides the infrastructure and bring in other partners to provide the locomotives,’’ he said.

Wabba urged the incumbent administration to response to critical challenges in the economy and address the unemployment challenge by working with congress to create the much needed jobs.

TUC bemoans death of Hajj pilgrims

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed shock over the reported thousands of deaths and hundreds of injured pilgrims recorded during a stampede that occurred at the ritual ‘Stoning of the Devil’ during the Hajj outside of the holy Muslim city of Mecca.

In a statement by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal, the congress lamented that it was so painful that while “we were yet grappling with the over a hundred people

killed in Mecca when a construction crane fell on the crowded Grand Mosque another one is happening.”

According to the congress, record has it that the last time a tragedy of this magnitude befell pilgrims was in July 1990, when 1,426 pilgrims perished in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites near Mecca.

It was the ninth in a string of such incidents since then; and we had thought that by now Saudi government should have addressed the cause of such avoid-

able deaths. It just does not make any sense for people to die in places of worship, especially at an occasion as important as Islam’s most important feast and day of the stoning ritual.

“Apart from the 1,426 pilgrim that died in 1990, 350 pilgrims also died in 2006 which eventually prompted Saudi Arabia to employ some remedial measures.

We do not expect this kind of colossal loss at this time and age again. It’s just too grave to bear,” added the TUC. The Labour Centre said that

the Saudi Arabia government must accept responsibility for this catastrophic loss, and as a matter of urgency order an investigation and a review of the kingdom’s plans for annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The chief workers appealed to families of the bereaved and affected countries to accept their condolences, stating that the Almighty God knows why we all have to suffer such a grave loss at a time terrorists are also killing and destroying properties and economies all over the world.

The Medical and Health Workers’ Union (MHWUN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set machinery in place for the commencement of negotiation for the review of its salary structure - the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The President of MHWUN,

Biobelemoye Josiah, stated this while responding to questions from journalists in Abuja, on Thursday.

He noted that the negotiation became necessary considering that the salary structure was due to be reviewed.

It would be recalled that the issue of CONHESS salary structure

has been a source of crisis in the health sector in past few years.

The MHWUN further advocated for a minimum wage for workers in the country.

Josiah: “We recall that the need for the review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) is due and would appeal to you (the President) to put machin-

ery in motion for the negotiations to commence.

“Similarly, we want join our voice for the call for a minimum wage which must be a living wage. It is impossible to totally stamp out corruption when the take home pay of an average worker cannot take her or him home.”

Wabba

Stories by Joy Ekeke

Health workers tell Buhari to review salary structure

Union seeks probe of automobile industry The Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the sale of automobile firms by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), carried out years ago.

They are asking for a review of the privatisation process, claiming that due process was not followed in the sale of the companies.

The National President of the Union, Elijah Adigun, in his address, at this year’s Annual Industrial Relations Conference in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, urged the Federal Government to set up a probe panel to look into the sale of automobile industries and to determine why the guidelines provided for in the Privatisation Act, to the effect that the controlling shares of these companies should be sold to core investors, was not followed in the sale of these companies by the BPE. He insisted that for President Buhari to succeed with his agenda of creating jobs, he should take a second look at the privatisation

by BPE, as no company privatised in the iron and steel industrial group is doing well.

“For instance, Anammco Limited, National Truck, Steyr Nigeria Limited, Leyland Nigeria Limited are companies sold to auto traders instead of core investors who have knowledge, expertise and skills of vehicle manufacturing.

The labour leader noted that before the privatisation of the auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly 7,000 compared to about 300 workers they now have, cumulatively.

“It will interest you to know that before the privatisation of these auto plants, they had a combined workforce of nearly 7,000 compared with about 300 workers they have now,” he stated.

“Clearly, the figure here is an indication that the privatisation of these companies has brought economic woes and wastages to the country, rather than the blessing envisaged by the Federal Government. Even salaries are hardly paid to their workers,” he said.

He called on the government to grow the economy by exploiting other natural resources to create wealth and generate employment, adding that government needs to look at other areas apart from oil sector.

Agric 20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

FAO sets zero hunger agenda, achievable 2030 Stories by Isaac Agber The transmutation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gives priority to eradication of hunger and poverty using agriculture as the linchpin.

Over the weekend, member states of the United Nations adopted a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the three-day UN Sustainable Development Summit. The new goals replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and expire this year.

The UN’s Director-General of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Jose Graziano Da Silva, believed that food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture are key to achieving the entire set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

“We have given ourselves an enormous task that begins with

the historic commitment of not only reducing but also eradicating poverty and hunger in a sustainable way,” he said during his speech at the summit.

Fourteen of the 17 new SDGs adopted at the summit are related to FAO’s historic mission, the Director-General noted. The second goal – which is “to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” - must be urgently pursued as rapid progress on that front is the key to the other goals, he added.

“We can only rest when we achieve zero hunger,” Graziano Da Silva said.

According to FAO, the SDGs were set to aggressively target at reducing hunger and improving the condition of nearly 800 million people still suffering from chronic undernourishment.

A majority of the world’s poor and hungry live in rural areas, and improving their livelihoods is the core challenge, Graziano Da

Silva said. Doing so will require promoting inclusive growth and making responsible investments that address the needs of the world’s poor, he said.

“We need to build more sustainable agriculture and food systems, that are resilient to stresses and better able to cope with - and respond to - climate change impact,” he added.

Investing in environmentally sustainable agriculture on its own will not suffice, and well-designed social protection systems will also be required, Graziano da Silva added.

He reminded world leaders that in the next 15 years, an additional investment of 160 dollars per year per person living in extreme poverty is needed to end hunger.

They opined that job creation in agriculture would alleviate poverty and governments should promulgate laws that will give right to food as a basic human right with a view to ensuring freedom of hunger before 2030.

FG to implement fertilizer quality control system The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has resolved to develop a regulatory framework for quality checks and enforcement to ensure that farmers access quality fertilizers.

The Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Sonny Echono, represented by the Director, Farm Input Support Service Department of the Ministry, Akinbolawa Osho, disclosed this at the launch of a soil project on the Establishment and Implementation of fertilizer Quality Control System in Nigeria, fully supported by the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) at the ministry’s Headquarter in Abuja.

Echono stated that the legal and regulatory framework for fertilizer quality control would enable federal government inspectors to undertake periodic quality control at fertilizer production plants, ports of discharge and market outlets. He said that fertilizer samples would be drawn by inspection officials for laboratory analysis.

The permanent secretary further said government has identified

some violations in the sub-sector which include plant nutrient deficiencies, misbranding, adulteration, short weight of bags, bagging quality, operating without certificate of registration or with expired certificate of registration.

He however condemned the activities of some unscrupulous players who have been ripping off farmers the benefit accruable from their investment in fertilizer.

Echono stated that a Draft Fertilizer Bill that the ministry sent to the National Assembly has passed the first reading and would ensure it is passed into law soonest. He maintained that the present administration’s drive in the agricultural sector of the economy which is geared towards employment generation, food security and poverty reduction. In the goodwill message of AGRA, delivered by Mary Yaodze, technical assistant to the soil health programme, she expressed the confidence the organisation reposed in the ministry and pledged their continued collaboration, which she said would improve production, quality of fertilizer and its control.

Tantalizers offers returning pupils bumper meal packs One of Nigeria’s leading indigenous Quick Service Restaurant chain, Tantalizers Plc., is welcoming back Pupils in Nursery and Primary Schools to the new session with its special “Back to School Packs.”

The Deputy Managing Director of Tantalizers Plc, Mr. Gbolahan Labinjo, stated that the special “Back to School” Pack includes the Tantis Kids’ meal with its ac-

companying kids drink, a beautiful water bottle, a 30g Minimie chin-chin and a 500ml PET Drink.

In addition, Mr. Labinjo stated that this special package goes for only N1, 000 making it very affordable for many families.

Tantalizers introduced Tantis kids’ meal to the Nigerian Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market in mid 2014. This children dedicated meal comes in six variants

which ensure wide variety of the meals among children. Also the meals are very delicious and nutritious. Another added value of the Tantis kids’ meal is that each comes with 200 to 250ml packed size drink at no extra cost to the parents. The packaging material for the kids’ meal is very attractive featuring carton elements which the kids love.

Labinjo revealed that Tantaliz-

ers is partnering with Minimie to include a 30g pack size of the product in all its Tantis Kids meal to the end of the year starting with the “Back to School” season.

In addition Tantalizers is partnering with 7-up Plc for the inclusion of PET Pepsi and Mountain Dew in the Tantalizers “Back to School” Packs and therefore welcome other beverage partners in order to make the pupils settling

down in the new season an enjoyable one. Considering the value inherent in the Tantalizers “Back to school” packs, many nursery and primary schools have already signed on to be part of the program as the pupils resume for the new session.

The “Back to School” pack is being offered in all Tantalizers 53 outlets in the country and signedon schools.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

21

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OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS DTN COMPLEX LATEEF JAKANDE ROAD, AGINDIGBI, IKEJA, LAGOS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 44 ADETOKNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT WUSE 2, ABUJA

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

World Rabies Day: Group to immunise 1,000 dogs in Abia Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏAs Abia state joins oth-

ers throughout the world to celebrate 2015 World Rabies Day, TrustLink Guards And Dogs Institute says it is targeting a minimum of 1, 000 dogs for immunisation against rabies in the state.

Speaking while on a courtesy call on the state Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila, the Managing Director of the dog institute, a subsidiary of TrustLink Ventures, Dr. Chukwunazom Cyra Obi, said his organisation was carrying on sensitisation on the dis-

Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏSchools

in Abia State have reopened for the 2015/2016 academic year with teachers having mixed feelings. Reasons: they are dissatisfied with the one month salary paid to them on resumption out of the arrears owed them.

They grieved that the one month salary paid them was insufficient to meet their responsibilities and huge debts.

Turn-out in schools visited by Daily Times was generally low. This was attributed to the inability

Don advocates devt of tourism Remi Oladoye

Ibadan ÏÏÏA university lecturer, at the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Prof. Gbolagade Lameed, has called for the adoption of tourism as a development strategy form balancing economic and conservation objectives.

He disclosed this at the World Tourism Day celebration themed ``One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities’’ held on Sunday at the University of Ibadan Hotel’s Conference Centre.

The event was organised

by UI Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management and Young Professional Program, a student arm of Africa Travel Association (ATA).

He said tourism was an ingredient that had not

ease virus, which had also endangered the lives of human beings.

Obi, who is also the chairman of TrustLink Ventures, said to mark the occassion, his dog institutes planned to immunise a minimum of 1,000 dogs, as well as to alert the society on the need to be creative by volunteeting information to the police for a safer environment.

Habila, who spoke through his second in command, Anthony Ogboji, thanked Obi for the sensitisation, promising to partner TrustLink Ventures in crime fighting in the state to keep the society free from crime.

Abia teachers protest one month pay

NDLEA declares two officers wanted, stops salary

ÏÏÏThe

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ordered the stoppage of salary of two officers said to have absconded from duty since August, 2015. The officers – Superintendent of Narcotics (SN) Daniel Goska and Chief Narcotic Agent (CNA) Ndubuisi Ughor – have been declared wanted following their sudden disappearance after a drug suspect was nabbed with 74.4kg of narcotics at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Mr. Ah-

madu Giade, said that the agency believed in the rule of law and would treat anybody indicted under the law equally. “The agency has taken necessary steps by stopping the salaries of the officers and declaring them wanted. Winning the war against illicit drugs demands that, while dislodging drug cartels, we must ensure that members of staff comply with best practice at all times. Efforts are on-going to charge the officers in line with the rules of engagement. The agency is moving forward and will continue to purge

itself of undesirable persons who are deficient in discipline and integrity,” Giade stated.

He added that no act of indiscipline and misconduct would go unpunished stressing that the body had made remarkable progress in drug control, as well as in respect for the rule of law, and would resist any attempt to reverse the wheel of success.

Preliminary investigation has indicted the officers for conspiracy, aiding and abetting. They absconded from duty following the arrest of a

suspected drug trafficker, Dayson-Eddie Ifeanyi Chukwu and three others, who are being held for unlawful exportation of 74.4kg of narcotic drug.

The officers were last seen on their duty on August 7, 2015. According to the NDLEA rules, absence from duty for twenty-one days is punishable by dismissal. While reiterating its commitment to a drugfree Nigeria, the agency called on members of the public with useful information about their whereabouts to report to the nearest office.

of parents to procure uniforms and books for their children.

The parents who mostly were civil servants blamed this on the non-payment of salaries by the state government for several months.

It was learnt that many teachers had taken to petty trading in markets in urban centres to make ends meet.

Some others had taken to farming, beauty care and fashion designing in a bid to fend for their families. been optimally harnessed in some part of Africa, saying tourism had the power to drive inclusive development.

Lameed, who said the celebration of world tourism day commenced in 1980, described the types of tourism as religious, cultural, sports, health, city, beach, sex/gender, sustainable, nature and non-ecotourism and ecotourism. He said that tourism was becoming more recognised among the world’s decision makers, as evident in the G-20 countries backing tourism to face up to global economic challenges.

“Worldwide tourism grew phenomenally from 25 million arrival in 1950 to 808 million in 2005 (UNWTO, 2006) with annual growth rate of 6.5%. Tourist arrival in Africa is 37million (5% of the world) as compared to 55% in Europe, 19% in Asia / Pacific, 16 % in America and 5% in Middle East,” Lameed said.

Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (middle) signing the condolence register when he paid a visit to the family of former Governor of old Cross River State, late Senator Donald Etiebet in Abak recently

Ikere floats N2b Institute ahead Oba’s coronation

Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe

second largest community in Ekiti State, Ikere Ekiti, has concluded arrangement to float a N2 billion entrepreneurship institute to mark the coronation of the newly installed Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu, as part of the efforts to check youth restiveness and increase the human capital development in the town.

At a press conference, on Monday, the Chairman of the Coronation, slated for Saturday, October 2, Mr. Adeyemi Olawumi, said the endowment fund for the commencement of the institute, would be officially launched on the day of the

ceremony.

The new Ogoga received the instrument and staff of office from Governor Ayodele Fayose on July 6, 2015, to replace the late Oba Samuel Adegboye Akaiyejo, who died August 22, 2014.

Adeyemi said the institute would assist the jobless youths in the second largest town in Ekiti to acquire training in any vocation of their interest, “after which they will get funds from the town’s endowment to set up a business that would make them financially independent.”

He stated that the dream of the town was to nurture the planned institute to a university status, where youths could acquire higher certificates in the nearest

future.

He stressed a need to eschew acts that could stall development in the town, adding that Oba Adu had commenced the process to build a museum, a Hall of Fame, a mini in-door sports centre and library in the town, to increase modern facilities that would launch Ikere to its befitting status.

“We did not reject the education university. The government then only politicised the whole thing and created serious tension before it was later scrapped by the government of Fayemi. We only fought against the relocation of the existing College of Education.

We believed the two could co-exist.

“But our dream now is

to establish this institute and nurture it to university status, so that our youths could have a place to acquire training and higher degrees”.

Adeyemi, however, commended Oba Adu for rebuilding, unaided, the existing ultra-modern palace in the town, which he said had reached advanced stage.

Fayose

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

NRCRI refutes Union allegation Ifeanyi Onwuneme Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

Executive Director of National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, Dr Julius Okonkwo, has refuted the allegations levelled against him by the Non- Academic Staff Union (NASU) on the issue of withholding allowances of the workers, pointing out that they were added to the basic salary and paid as lump sum.

L-R: President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; A victim, Mr. Sunday Godwin; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Miss Blessing Godwin at the 2-day sensitization meeting on gender based violence in Nigeria held in Lagos…on Monday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

Confusion mars Enugu LGs verification exercise Moses Oyediran

Enugu ÏÏÏThe Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Edward Ubosi, has given reasons as to why the 11-man Staff Audit and Biometric Capture Committee hurriedly left the staff verification exercise in Nsukka Local Government Area, on Monday.

The Committee was set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for the 17 local government councils’ staff, with the objective of fishing out ghost workers.

Ubosi who led members of his committee to the headquarters of the council, on Monday, told Daily Times, in a telephone interview, that, “When my committee arrived the council we discovered that the council boss, treasurer and the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) were at loggerheads and we cannot carry out the exercise where there is bitterness.

He also added: “The council did not provide for security for us to

conduct the exercise; so we have no option than to leave since our security was not guaranteed.

“The hall shown to us to conduct the exercise was very small and more so no public address system to use.

“From every indication the HPM, treasurer and council chairman do not have good working relationship,” he said.

The Speaker however assured workers that the exercise would now hold, on Wednesday, as he had instructed the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman, chairman and local government commission to resolve whatever problem in the Nsukka council before Wednesday.

“They are expected to report back to me before the end of work Monday. I am optimistic that before Wednesday all obstacles would have been removed,” he said.

Reacting to the incident, the

Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Nsukka Local Government, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, described the inability of the Nsukka council to put adequate arrangement for the verification exercise as unfortunate.

“Workers are not happy with the manner the council handled the issue that made the committee to leave abruptly owing to inadequate preparation. Primary schools and local government offices are closed today because of this exercise,” he said.

When contacted Mr. Charles Ugwu, Nsukka council chairman, said that the council provided a hall for the exercise and “we did not know they needed security presence but the committee said the hall was small for that exercise.

“The committee said Nsukka government field will be better; we will make arrangement for them in that place on Wednesday.

No going back on anti-vandalism war – NSCDC Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Commandant General of

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has expressed satisfaction with the security situation across the country as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, avowing the NSDC commitment to fight against vandals.

Speaking to journalist, in Abuja, Muhammadu thanked God for a hitch-free celebration and the peace recorded nation-wide.

He declared that “no going back

on anti-vandalism war”, stressing that the activities of economic saboteurs were geared towards selfishness and self-interest without taking into consideration the adverse effect on the society.

He said the corps was prepared to ensure that vandalisation of oil pipelines, electricity cables and equipment, telecommunication installations and other infrastructure was stopped.

Nigeria, he said, had lost billions of naira to the activities of vandals, and most worrisome was the cost of repairs of the vandalised equipment.

According to him, the money meant for developing and improving the economy to the benefit of citizens as dividends of democracy, was being channelled towards repairing and replacing vandalised items.

He, therefore, urged citizens to contribute their quota in the fight against vandalism and other social vices, adding that he and principal officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been involved in the patrol as a way of assuring Nigerians of the security of life and property during the festive period.

23 News Okonkwo in a statement made available to Daily Times, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, stated that the leadership of the NRCRI NASU was misled in demanding payment of an allowance already built into their basic salary as if the payment was made from the institute.

He further stated that “No fund is sent to NRCRI for payment of salaries and allowances,” stressing that, “salaries are paid by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (IPPIS Dept) directly to staff bank accounts.”

He maintained that he did not determine what Federal Government pays each staff.

Adamawa APC: Girei LG members back Elisha as chair Wale Akintunde Yola

ÏÏÏMembers of

the All Progressives Congress (APC) Girei Local Government Chapter, Adamawa State, have declared support for Mr. P.P Elisha’s candidacy as the state chairman of the party, which has been vacant since the last occupant, Senator Binta Garba Masi stepped down to contest for the senatorial seat of Adamawa North, which she won.

While addressing a press con-

Ambode affirms commitment to legal reforms ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday reiterated his commitment to carry out legal reforms in the state, just as he assured that his administration would continue to lend support to the development, enthronement and quick dispensation of justice.

The Governor, who spoke during a church service to commemorate the beginning of 2015/2016 Legal Year held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, said the synergy of the Executive and the Judicial arm of government was key to the success of any administration, just as he assured of his continuous support for the legal profession.

“I sincerely congratulate you on the beginning of another legal year. Let me say that both the Executive and the Judiciary are partners in progress and I wish to restate my commitment to always support the Judiciary,” he said.

The Governor also expressed appreciation to the church for continuously praying for the suc-

ference, in Yola, the party chairman in the area, Alhaji Hussaini Yusuf, said that party members area were in full support Elisha’s candidacy as state chairman of the party.

Yusuf said Elisha, who stepped down for Masi in the last Election, had what it takes to make the party tick.

He condemned those claiming that Elisha was not an APC member, adding that Elisha was one of the five pioneer members of the party in the area.

cess of his administration, urging them not to relent as his administration would not let them down.

Earlier, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev, Dr. Adebola Ademowo, said Ambode was the first Governor to grace the programme commemorating the beginning of a new legal year since inception.

He referred to him as indefatigable, resolute, listening, God fearing and people-oriented governor urging him not to relent in his efforts to move the state forward.

Ambode

News Public24 Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Wednesday, September 23, 2015

DPC urges INEC to provide level-playing field to politicians Olatorera Dickson-Amusa Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

National Chairman of the Democratic People’s Congress, (DPC), Rev. Olusegun Peters, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field in elections, it being the umpire saddled with the responsibility of

conducting political elections in Nigeria.

He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to specify his policy on job creation, insecurity, and power outage across the country.

Peters spoke to Daily Times at his party’s head office, in Abuja, reiterating a need for the electoral umpire to be carrying out its

duties strictly in line with the extant law.

He restated his party’s commitment in the political process of the country, urging the electorate to vote massively for his party in the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections.

He said that if voted-in during the governorship elections in the two states,

his party would provide the desired change Nigerians had been yearning for, boasting that his party was the third largest party in Nigeria.

Peters said that the DPC’s strength and acceptability would be tested in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states. “I am calling on Mr. President to not only make

Lack of continuity in economic policy, bane of national devt – Reuben Abati Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

Immediate past Special Adviser to former oresident Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ruben Abati, has identified lack of continuity in policy formulation and implementation as a major factor that worked against development of the country.

While recommending agriculture as the main panacea to Nigeria’s economic challenges, Abati said agricul-

Abati

ture that leads to industrialisation remained solution a crude oil-based Nigerian economy.

Abati, who delivered a lead lecture at 2015 Press Week of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, in Abeokuta, on Monday, disclosed that it would be more beneficial and profitable for Nigeria under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to a cue and sustain ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s investment and policy on agriculture.

Speaking on the subject: “Media and Economic Renaissance”, Abati explained that the economic realities, which the country undergoes at present, coupled with the achievements of

Jonathan and Akinwunmi Adesina, the former Minister of Agriculture on agriculture and agricultural value chain growth and development, Buhari should make use of the template on ground.

He said, “I expect the present administration would lay emphasis on agriculture because agriculture is the major employer of labour and if we are talking about diversification of the economy, we cannot do without agriculture.

“One of the things that came out of the Jonathan administration is not just about agriculture, in the aspect of producing commodity, it is agriculture that leads to industrialization change; agriculture along a value chain change.

“The Jonathan administration was highly praised; the minister that was there has been well acknowledged and today he is the President of African Development Bank (AfDB); that is a commendation for the efforts of the Jonathan’s administration and personal dynamism of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.”

He declared that most of the past economic policies put up by successive governments failed due to lack of dedication and sustenance on the part of public officeholders.

Abati tasked journalists to always, through their reports, make public office holders accountable to the people, since they are holding office in trust for the people.

education accessible to the youth, but also empower them and create job opportunity for them, because the hope of a nation lies in the proper education and empowerment of the youth.

“It is time to provide dividends of democracy; the president does not need a century to effect the change he promised Nigerians,” he stated.

Jacob Mbam

Abakaliki ÏÏÏEbonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, has ordered the suspension of the October salaries of some of the state Executive Council Members, including some Special Advisers over lateness to state function.

Umahi also said that those affected would also forfeit their September overhead.

They were late to the school debate on government anti-corruption crusade and its internally generated revenue drive, held at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Center Abakaliki, as part of

The Federal Government of Nigeria Company and Allied Matters Act. LFN 2004 Company Limited by Shares Member’s Voluntary Winding -up JONACO INTEGRATED SERVICE LTD (RC NO: 793528) NOTICE OF MEETING FOR THE FINAL WINDING-UP Notice is hereby given to the members and creditors of JONACO INTEGRATED SERVICE LTD (‘The Company”) that the meeting for the final winding-up of the company shall be held on the 16th NOVEMBER 2015 at 24/26 BOYLE STREET, ONIKAN LAGOS by 10am prompt.

The object of the above meeting shall include: a) To lay here the Books/Accountants of the Company b) To repay the Shareholders the balance on their Capital Account Of any).

Please, endeavour to attend as this is the final meeting before the final winding-up.

CONSTANCE EZENWANYI UKOH Liquidator

BODIJA ESTATES AND ENVIRONS MUSLIM COMMUNITY IBADAN The general public hereby notified that the above named Muslim Community has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Change of Trustees/Amendment of Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. Cap 59 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao - Removed 2. Alhaji (Baale) Rasheed Adeniyi Adesokan - Retained 3. Professor Lateef A. Salako - Retained 4. Professor Rauf A. Sobulo - Removed NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alhaji (Chief) Lasisi Bello Giwa - Newly Appointed 2. Alhaji Zakariyau Adisa Owolabi Akinwale - Newly Appointed 3. Alhaja Silifat Sobulo - Newly Appointed 4. Alhaja Fatima Adedolapo Dele - Newly Appointed The aims and objectives of Muslim community remain the same.

The community takes this decision pursuant to provision of Article 10(b) of the Constitution of Bodija Estates and Environs Muslim Community 2009.

Signed: Chairman.

Signed: Secretary

WIDESPREAD DIVINE INTERVENTION MINISTRY The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE NAMES OF THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1). Superior Snr. Evangelist (Pro) Ejechi Kenachor Moses - President/Snr Pastor (2). Emenike Bunmi Victoria (3). Titilayo Moses-Ejechi - Women Leader (4). Ojo Ali James (5). Azinmagba Elizabeth - Treasurer (6). Princewill Moses Ejechi (7). Ademola Kemisola Georgina - Secretary (8). Sarah Chinyenum Ejechi THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ as it was from creation 2. To use divine intervention to reconnect mankind with the creator 3. To use the gospel to change man attitude to worldly affairs Any objection to the registration of this MINISTRY should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR ISRAEL LAGBAMUE

Umahi suspends exco members’ salaries over lateness the events to mark Independence Day celebration.

Those affected include, Deputy Chief of Staff, Prof Fidelix Okpata, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Clement Nweke, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Moses Ogodo Ali, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Charles Akpuenika and that of Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Sabinus Nwankwegu

MRS. DOSUNMU HALIMAT ARINOLA

MRS. FOLASADE NIFEMI ADEWALE

I formerly known and addressed as

I, formerly known as Miss Folasade Samuel Akonko now which to be known and address as Mrs. Folasade Nifemi Adewale, all formal document remain valid, NYSC and General public take note.

Miss Adeoti Halimat Arinola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dosunmu Halimat Arinola.

All

former

documents

remain

valid. NYSC and general public, please take note

JONACO INTEGRATED SERVICES LTD

Buhari

SABI-HEALTH 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, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Dr. Barbara Nwanaka Onyia 2. Engr. Ijeoma Ezinwanne Anadu THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To engage in research, education, support, and consultation on public health matters.

2. To promote detection, prevention and control of infectious diseases.

3. To promote the quality and accessibility of health care services.

4. To provide instruction and training for public health care workers and communities.

5. To partner with relevant agencies to develop and propose sound public health policies, and implement prevention strategies.

6. To provide cutting edge and economical preventive health awareness initiatives.

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

Signed: LAUD CHAMBERS 2 St. Rita House, Collosus St., Etal Avenue, Off Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Tel: +234 1 2950 397 | +234 807 8787 809 Email: laudchambers@yahoo.co.uk, Website: www.laudchambers.com

LIVINGROCK POWER ASSEMBLY

OGO YORUBA FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990

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, 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. Nuhu Emmanuel Macjones 3. Agbata Plus Obiesie 5. Momoh Edeh Victoria.

2. Harunna Blessing 4. Adewumi Micheal Segun

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the word of God to all nations 2. For the salvation of mankind through the name of Jesus 3. To reach the lost and equip the saints for the work of the ministry 4. For the deliverance of humanity from satanic harassment and strong holds of evil forces 5. To be member of and co-operate with either Christian bodies or associations in propagating the Gospel.

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

Signed: SAO Nominees

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Ajayi Oluwatoyin Otolorin 2. Olubunmi Akanbi Solola THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To manage and improve the affairs of Ogo Yoruba Foundation.

2. To raise funds through donations from individual, Corporate and Governmental bodies’ to support the agenda and programmes of the association.

3. To enhance community cohesion, promote social inclusion and re- skilling vulnerable people to live independently through a process of empowerment and improved life chances.

4. To cooperate with other bodies and foundation to empower members of the foundation and to achieve the objectives of Ogo Yoruba Foundation.

5. To do anything within the law which promotes or helps to promote the objectives of Ogo Yoruba Foundation Any objection to the registration of this FOUNDATION should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: OLUBUNMI AKANBI SOLOLA CHAIRMAN

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Law

25

Æs

Mr. Eyitayo Jegede , a Senior Advocate is the Ondo state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, he bares his mind on the laws that need attention of members of the National Assembly and other sundry issues.

What laws would you want the lawmakers to enact and why?

I have had the privilege of working with some of my colleagues; Attorneys-General of various states across the federation to do a quick review of constitutional provisions and suggests amendments. Two areas I would mention. The first has to do with power; one of our major problems in this country is our inability to generate sufficient power for the country, and this issue of transmission, for as long as these problems are not addressed, then we continue to grapple with our challenges of development.

Unless you amend the constitution to allow the states to legislate on generation, distribution and transmission we will continue to grapple in the dark, I mean dark in terms of lack of electricity or darkness and in terms of lack of direction. Under the constitution, the subject of generating electricity and distribution and transmission is under concurrent legislative list which means that both the federal government and state governments can legislate but the House of Assembly of a state can only legislate in respect of areas not covered by national grid, there is no area in the country that is not covered by national grid.

What is national grid and how has it insertion in the constitution hinder electricity supply?

National grid is just a system of connection of electricity or electricity network designed by the federal government; it is the area of coverage in terms of transmission, lines and the rest of it. As we speak, there is hardly any place in this country that is not covered by national grid so when you now empower the House of Assembly to legislate on generation and distribution of powers in respect of areas not covered by the national grid, all you have done is to give them something by the right hand and take it away by the left hand because of the restriction imposed by the constitution itself.

Until and unless those offensive words in the constitution are removed, and there are about five or six words that limits the power of the state House of Assembly to legislate on generation and distribution of power, those words should be taken out they are “in areas not covered by national grid” under item in concurrent legislative list.

Eyitayo

EPILEPTIC POWER SUPPLY:

Eyitayo pushes for Legislative intervention Various states are struggling under this restriction, no amount of regulation or licensing will help, it is like scratching the surface.

Despite all the efforts of the various states of the federation in providing Independent Power Projects, trying to generate electricity, trying to device means to transmit, the federal government has remained the hindrance to power generation and distribution, we only create more bureaucracy.

The reason is simple. For as long as there is a restriction, no matter the megawatts that we generate in any state, you will continue to operate under regulation imposed by the federal government. In other words, you cannot operate on your

own even when you generate, you channel to the national grid, in most cases because that is what the law and regulation demands.

So for me, there is need for legislative intervention, all that need be done is to remove from paragraph 14b the words:” the areas not covered by the national grid system” and you give freedom to the states to provide their own regulations and make their own laws in respect of generation and distribution after all, all of us now generates electricity in our houses because you and I have generator and we transmit, because we connect from generator to our sitting room, to our bed room, etc, we are already generating, we are already transmitting so why should

we pretend and not give that powers to the states to do so under laws made by Houses of Assembly of different states.

Don’t forget that some of the countries in Africa are not even half the population of Lagos, they are not as big as Ondo state yet, they generate and distribute why restrict the states from generating and distributing? Let us relax and loosen the system just like in the communication sector and open it up, let those who want to invest, invest and make money, the electricity sector is over regulated.

Is there any other area of the constitution you would like the lawmakers to amend?

The other area which I think the National Assembly should look at and this is about judiciary has to do with the finality of the decision of the National Industrial Court. The NIC by virtue of the third alteration would now have jurisdiction in respect of employment matters, allowances, union matters and so on yet, by the provisions of the law that we have now, we do not have a right of appeal generally as of right to enable aggrieved litigants appeal to the Court of Appeal in areas other than those affecting or touching on fundamental rights. There should be unrestricted rights of appeal from final judgments of National CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Law 26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Industrial Court on all judgments of the court, where the court is sitting as a court of first instance.

Section 241 which allows a right of appeal from final decisions in any civil or criminal proceeding before the Federal High Court or High Court of a state sitting at the first instance, should apply to decision of that court sitting as a court of first instance to the Court of Appeal.

What is your take on the need to separate the office of Attorney-General from that of the Commissioner for Justice?

I believe that what we have in our constitution now is not only defensible, it is meant to insulate the office of Attorney General from political control. The only recommendation I have is that this office should be further strengthened, if indeed the Attorney General should exercise his powers without directions from any quarter, especially the power of prosecution.

Under the law as it stands, you need to be the Attorney General before you can be Commissioner for Justice. If the unification of this office will reduce conflict when you have different persons occupying the two offices you need to define the duties of the Commissioner for Justice and that of the Attorney General in the context of our politics and governance. The clamor for the separation of the two offices in my view is unnecessary.

What are the challenges facing your ministry as you carry out these judicial functions?

Well, the challenges are institutional challenges, the position of the Attorney-General as a member of the executive that serves as a bridge between the executive and the judiciary. So much is expected from the AG from the judiciary while the executive in some instances see the AG as one of its own. Where conflict exist you need to put your foot down because as a lawyer, you are a slave to the law, you are expected to say it the way it is and interpret the law especially to the executive because you’re the chief law officer, you’re expected to interpret the law clearly to your principal that is the chief executive and also to other stakeholders within the executive. Don’t forget there are three arms of government, one arm is noted for being over bearing, the other is silent but vested with a lot of powers, you as the AG, you’re in the middle of these two powerful institutions. You belong to both. That in itself is a challenge.

The area of conflict most times is the funding, because funding is very critical to both the executive and the judiciary, they all draw from the same pool of fund that comes to the state and of course, because there are constitutional provisions that would ordinarily safeguard the access to those funds those provisions require and demand total obedience, you need to advise as honestly and as fearlessly as possible and ensure

Separation of office of Attorney-General from Minister of Justice unnecessary that the arm of government which you belong to majorly, does not trample on the rights of other arms of government. Your loyalty and obedience is first to the constitution, because you’re also a stakeholder in the judiciary, as a member of the Judicial Service Commission in the state and as the chief law officer.

The second challenge has to do with making the business of the AG’s office to run seamlessly within the protocol of the civil service yet, ensuring that you perform optimally and efficiently as a law firm which the AG’s office is and as a law chambers that is out there to compete with other lawyers from private offices who are not restricted by protocols and bureaucracy because when it comes to issues that has to do with court proceedings, no advantage will be given to you simply because you’re from the establishment or what we call official bar, and the competence that is required is also not in any way discounted because you’re from a bureaucratic set up.

You know civil servants resume work by 8a.m. and close by 4p.m. A private law firm works from 8a.m. to 7p.m. in most cases including weekends.

The challenge is how to make your colleagues in the ministry of justice remove the garb of civil servants and do the job as a professional. That is why I believe that the AG chambers should operate outside the rules in the civil services for optimum performance Because you work for government does not exempt you from the rules dealing with computerization of time. The rules of court enjoin you to file your papers the same time as other private law firms, the rule bind all of us. As a lawyer within the ministry, you are expected to operate as efficiently as lawyers who are in private establishment.

That in itself sometimes pose a challenge, because even to assess funds to file your process is not just opening your locker bringing out money and say go and file, you’re to go through a process of request, approval, auditing, release and such other bureaucratic expectations that would slow you down when ordinarily, you should be able to put your legs forward.

You mentioned the issue of funding as one of the challenges but the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) through a court judgment asked that the judiciary should be autonomous. How did Ondo state resolve the crisis?

The dispute between the members of JUSUN and the various governments of the states and the federal government had to do with the implementation of the provisions of the constitution in respect of funding of the judiciary.

The issue of funding is related to

–Eyitayo

Eyitayo

“Where conflict exist you need to put your foot down because as a lawyer, you are a slave to the law, you are expected to say it the way it is and interpret the law especially to the executive, you’re expected to interpret the law clearly to your principal that is the chief executive and also to other stakeholders within the executive.”

the independence of the judiciary, but that is not all. Funding should be part of the necessary and indisputable requirement to have an independent judiciary. But then, it is more than that. Independence of the judiciary basically has to do with the freedom of our Judges to dispense justice without fear or favour. This is aside the need for an enabling environment for our judicial officers to independently and fairly adjudicate on disputes before them.

So if you starve them of funds, they may not be able to live up to the constitutional expectations and responsibility. So coming to your question, we transferred the funds due to the judiciary directly to them, on the basis of funds released to the state from federation account.

Remittances therefore are first charge but such remittances are moderated by the quantum of funds released to the state. It is an improvement on the old order.

The issue of funding has been a problem all along, not caused by this administration or the previous administration but caused essentially by the inability and none readiness of critical office holders to comply fully with the provisions of the constitution relating to funding of the judiciary. That of course, led

to the JUSUN strike that affected the entire states of the federation including the federal courts.

It is not a problem that is peculiar to a particular state, it is a problem that affected all the states of the federation including the federal government and if you ask me, I would say it is because all along the executive arm for whatever reason has not, and I say this with all sense of responsibility, been able to accord the judiciary the respect and the recognition that it deserves.

There has not been, and again, I say this with all sense of responsibility, a faithful implementation of those constitutional provisions that ordinarily are enshrined as a guarantee to ensure the independence of the judiciary.

I do believe that given what happened, all the states of the federation have now taken a second look again at those constitutional provisions and have taken steps to ensure that where there is need to adjust and correct any non-compliance, such corrections are being effected The problem had been with us for a long time now, the solution will not likely be found in one day, the judiciary itself needs to continuously assert its independence.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

Confed Cup: Cairo’s ‘Dream Final’ Hopes Up In Smoke

E

gyptian dreams of ‘dream final’ between Al Ahly and Zamalek went up in smoke after the results of this weekend’s CAF Confederation Cup semifinal first leg matches.

The Red Devils will still have strong belief in their chances of overturning a 1-0 deficit against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, but the White Knights will need a football miracle if they are to recover from the 5-1 thrashing they were given

by Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.

Ahly dominated large portions of their match in Soweto on Saturday evening, but an early goal from Thamsanqa Gabuza took the Buccaneers to a narrow victory.

However, Eric Tinkler’s side will have their work cut out in the return match in Suez next Sunday evening, especially as their last trip to Egypt saw them crushed 4-1 by Zamalek.

As for the current Egyptian league and cup champions, their hopes of a treble are in tatters after suffering a mauling at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse on Sunday evening.

Marouane Tej was the inspiration behind Etoile’s sublime performance, scoring twice to see the Tunisians claim an emphatic 5-1 win. Barring a complete meltdown, they will surely secure progression into the final when the return leg is played in Cairo on Saturday evening.

The winners of each tie will meet in the final which is scheduled to be played on the weekend of November 20-22 and 27-29.

CAF Confederation Cup semifinal, 2nd leg fixtures: Saturday 3 October 2015 Zamalek v Etoile du Sahel – 20h30 CAT at Petro Sport Stadium Sunday 4 October 2015 Al Ahly v Orlando Pirates – 20h30 CAT at New Suez Stadium.

Today’s fixtures Tuesday Sept. 29 EPL Brentford

v Birmingham

Fulham

v Wolves

UEFA Champions League Barcelona

v B. Leverkusen

BATE

v Roma

Bayern München v Dinamo Zagreb Arsenal

v Olym. Piraeus

Maccabi Tel Aviv

v Dynamo Kyiv

Porto

v Chelsea

O. Lyonnais

v Valencia

Zenit

v Gent

Ligue 1 Lille

v Nantes

EAGLES COACH HINTS AT CALL-UP FOR RANGERS TRIO Stories by Mike Otanwa

S

uper Eagles’ assistant coach Jean Francois Loscuito has hinted on call-ups for three Rangers stars led by Osas Okoro who shone against Kwara United at the weekend.

Rangers came back from a goal down to win 2-1 in Enugu with Loscuito watching the game from the stands.

WENGER A rsenal are out to avoid another Champions League slip-up against Olympiacos today following defeat in their opener at Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsene Wenger says today’s Champions League visit of Olympiacos is a “must-win” game for his side’s hopes of progressing from Group F.

27

According to sources close to Rangers, Belgian coach Loscuito was impressed with Osas Okoro, who was the man of the match after he assisted both Rangers goals scored by Chisom Egbuchulam and Bobby Clement.

Defender Etim Matthew, who has trained with the Nigeria U23s, and midfielder Chinedu Udeagha were the other players who caught the eye of the Eagles coach.

Osas

PREPARED FOR ‘MUST-WIN’ OLYMPIACOS TEST

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Dinamo Zagreb in their opening game of the competition earlier this month and welcome the Greek side to the Emirates Stadium in need of points ahead of a difficult clash with group favourites Bayern Munich in October.

Following a 5-2 success against Leicester City at the weekend,

Unstoppable

confidence is high among Wenger’s squad, with Francis Coquelin in line for a return from his knee injury.

Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are doubts however, as Wenger prepares for a crucial clash in north London.

“It is already a must-win. You sum it up well,” he told reporters.

“We have to win at home to qualify,

as simple as that. we cannot afford to drop points at home now.

“Both teams will always try to go forward. At home, teams try to regroup and you have to be clinical.

“Coquelin has been back in training since yesterday. He looks alright.

Flamini and Arteta have slight muscular problems.”

OBAFEMI

Nets 14th Goal N

igeria striker Obafemi Martins continued his impressive goal-scoring form in the Major League Soccer (MLS) when he scored in Seattle Sounders 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City.

He has now scored 14 goals in the MLS this season, just three goals shy of a club record he set last season.

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara is the leading scorer in the MLS with 22 goals for Columbus Crew.

Former Inter Milan striker Martins

scored the opening goal of the game at Kansas City in the 32nd minute.

Seattle Sounders are fourth on the Western Conference table with 46 points from 31 games.

They are four points behind leaders LA Galaxy.

HON. KWANDE HAILS PLATEAU UNITED PROMOTION

T

he Rwang Pam Stadium will enjoy even more top flight Nigeria League action next season. While Giwa FC remains the only club offering Jos fans NPFL action this season, Plateau United have secured NPFL ticket and will make a come back next season.

Member House Rep, Honourable Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, representing Jos North/ Bassa

Federal Constituency Plateau State, has expressed delight to see Plateau United back to the premiership.

Honourable Suleiman YahayaKwande who is an executive member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) couldn’t hide his joy as he spoke to News24. Plateau United several attempt to make a comeback since the club relegated in 2010 hit the rocks as the Jos

base team were always close but last day result has ensured that Plateau United will have to try again but finally promotion to the elite league came and this will give the home fans some bragging right; the one time Nigeria Federation Cup winner in 1999 secured the ticket with a 1-2 win on the road against Katsina Spotlite to beat closest rival, Adamawa United to the sole ticket in the group.

While congratulating the entire Technical Crew, led by Coach Bitrus Bewarang and the people of the state for the patient and the support they have shown to their team while playing in the lower league, Hon Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande however assured the team, Plateau United of total support coming from the Executive Governor of the state Simon Lalong whom he said is a Sport loving Governor.

28

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

SHAQIRI INTERVIEW

IN SEARCH OF FRESH MOMENTUM As the man they call the Kraftwürfel (‘Power Cube’), Zauberzwerg (‘Magic Dwarf’) or Shaq Attack, Xherdan Shaqiri boasts not only a remarkable array of nicknames but phenomenal skills on the pitch. The Swiss international’s lively and agile play and adept dribbling are known and loved by his country’s football fans, and he has been a key member of coach Vladimir Petkovic’s starting line-up since almost singlehandedly firing Switzerland to the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with an impressive hat-trick.

By contrast, the 23-year-old has endured a challenging period in his club career in recent years. Although his 2012 move from Basel to Bayern Munich was greeted with much fanfare, he never completely established himself with the German giants. After spending half a season in Italy with Inter Milan, Shaqiri – whose honours during his stint in the Bavarian capital include the UEFA Champions League and three Bundesliga titles – headed for the English Premier League and Stoke City in search of fresh momentum.

Y

ou can now call the Premier League home after spells in the Bundesliga and Serie A. What is it that makes each of these top leagues so strong?

The key element in Germany is discipline. The Germans are very focused on playing disciplined football. Football in Italy was very tactically oriented, and now here in England I can sense a real emphasis on attacking play. The football here is tough and spectacular, and I’m enjoying it. Although I’ve only played a few matches in the Premier League so far, I feel I’ve arrived in the best league in the world.

You have played for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and now Stoke City – but there is no doubt that Stoke have yet to achieve the same level of international recognition as your previous two clubs.

What appeals to you most about this new challenge?

Yes, although it’s true that Stoke don’t yet have the same kind of international reputation, the club is pursuing ambitious targets. They want to establish themselves in Europe and that’s what tempted me here. Stoke are offering me the opportunity to continue developing both as a player and as a person. Above all I want to play, perfect my game and move forward with the team.

Having featured at the last two FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014, you are now a constant presence in Switzerland’s starting line-up and are undoubtedly among the national team’s top performers. What characterises your play and does La Nati’s footballing ethos suit you particularly well?

We played great football under Ottmar Hitzfeld. He made the breakthrough by utilising plenty of young players and throwing them in at the deep end; I was one of them. This confidence in youth helped to push Swiss football forward.

We’re playing high-quality, attractive and attacking football, and that fits my style perfectly. We’ve succeeded in setting new benchmarks in recent years, with many young players making a name for themselves with exceptional performances not only for the national team but also for their clubs. As a result, many of them have made the leap to the Bundesliga or are playing for other foreign sides.

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, you and the Nati progressed past the group stage and were only narrowly beaten 1-0 after extra time by eventual runners-up Argentina.

What do Switzerland still need in order to overcome the world’s biggest sides such as Germany, Argentina or Brazil?

Yes, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was an unforgettable experience. We made it to the Round of 16 and were then edged out by big opponents in Argentina, who were aiming to lift the trophy. The match itself was an extremely emotional experience, and we very nearly managed to win it. I would say that it wasn’t luck but efficiency that made the difference.

If you want to succeed against teams like Argentina, you have to be able to take advantage of every opportunity you get, no matter how small. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to do that and that’s what made the difference. The Argentinians were simply more ruthless and made the

most of the chances they got.

Scoring three goals in one match is always special, but how did it feel to bag a hat-trick at the World Cup, the biggest stage of all?

The game against Honduras was our third group match in Brazil, and after a 2-1 win over Ecuador and a 5-2 defeat

by France it was clear that only a win would be enough to take us to the Round of 16. As players, we were extremely focused at this stage and were always convinced that we could progress to the next phase of the tournament in Manaus.

We already knew that the media and others had asked many questions after our resounding loss to the French, but we were determined not to let it drive us crazy and remain focused on our job.

Although my hat-trick was probably the most obvious statistic from that match, we showed what we could do as a team. I managed to score three goals because of the excellent support I received. Although the match ball still serves as a reminder of that success, we did the same thing afterwards as we had after losing to the French: forget about it and focus on the challenge ahead. Only by doing that were we able to deliver such a strong

performance against Argentina.

Vladimir Petkovic took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld as national team coach after the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while first-choice goalkeeper Diego Benaglio also announced his retirement from international football. What changed as a result and how did you deal with it as a team?

After all, EURO qualification has gone well for you so far despite some initial difficulties.

Yes, there were some changes. A couple of players retired and others are no longer part of the squad. The core has remained the same but a couple of new young players have come in as well. We’re fortunate in Switzerland that many promising youngsters are already playing in the Super League or have made their breakthrough at foreign clubs. These players have integrated perfectly; they not only play great football but also have personalities that fit with the team.

That, combined with a new coach who has been trying out a few things, has sustained our national team’s success, and I think that’s apparent in the current EURO qualification campaign.

Looking ahead to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, what do you think the team can achieve? Will they qualify again and could they even top their 2014 result?

Every team wants to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, including Switzerland, but there’s still a long way to go. EURO 2016 in France is currently our main focus. In any case, our aim is to qualify for every tournament and I’m very confident about our chances.

We’ve shown in the past that we can do it. We’ve got a great mix of experience and youth in our team - a team that can still bring plenty of joy to the Swiss fans.

If you believe the ratings in the EA Sports game FIFA 15, then your strengths are acceleration (92), dribbling (86) and shot power (84), while defending (57) and heading (37) are among your weaknesses. Would you agree with that? (laughs) Yes, I’d already noticed that!

It’s definitely true that my strengths are dribbling, shooting power and acceleration, and yes, heading is one of my weaknesses – but I’d give myself a higher score for defending. Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ 090 êƅ ƌ

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

Golf

SPIETH

s

i n n e T

wins $10m FedEx Cup W ith his victory at the season-ending Tour Championship Jordan Spieth claimed the FedEx Cup and, in doing so, capped-off one of the most historically great seasons in golf history.

Of course, winning the race for the season-long FedEx Cup also carries with it a $10 million bonus prize, which means Spieth’s 2014-15 season doubled as the most financially lucrative in history. Asked after his round how he felt about the winning all that money, Spieth, true to form, said that he was going to share it with the people he cares about: “What it allows me to do is, it allows

29

me to now even more so, take care of the people that have given me this position and allowed this to happen.

Like I always say, it is a team effort. A lot of behind the scenes work goes in when we’re at home, when we’re in the early stages and on course here.”

He continued: “It’s fantastic. I have an opportunity now, with a year like this and a bonus like that, to celebrate and to share it with the people that have made it possible. And that’s kind of the plan.

Our team did an unbelievable job this year. Everything was exactly how we needed it to be to peak at the right times. If we can continue to do that, then we’ll have more seasons like this.”

Spieth

NADAL

NOT SURE OF WINNING ANOTHER GRAND SLAM

F

ourteen-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal said he is not sure if he will win a major tournament anytime soon and add to his tally.

Nadal struggled to rediscover his best form lately and his dominant reign at the French Open came to an end during a barren year without a major triumph. He has won two Wimbledon, nine French Open, two US Open and one Australian Open titles to cement his place among the greats of the game.

But last year his form dipped alarmingly, following an injury, enduring

a Grand Slam-less season that saw his world rankings dip to No.7.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if I can win another Grand Slam. I believe yes. I don’t know if I’m going to do it, but I can do it,” Nadal was quoted as saying.

“I’m going to work hard to create more opportunities in the next couple of years so let’s see if I’m able to relax, to control my emotions again and if that happens, and I believe it will happen soon because I feel much better, I’m going to find my level of tennis,” the Spaniard said.

Nadal believes he is approaching 100

percent fitness, but admitted he also had to overcome mental scars on his return to competitive action.

“It was a tough year in terms of everything because I was playing with too much anxiety, especially at the beginning of the season,” he said.

“Now I feel much better. Not 100 percent fit but much better. Close to being 100 per cent fit and I am enjoying it again. I’m enjoying being on the tennis court, enjoying, practicing and enjoying the competition because I don’t have that anxiety anymore,” the 29-year-old said.

RED BULL FACES £330M PENALTY FOR PULLING OUT OF F1 FORMULA ONE:

R

ed Bull is seriously considering quitting Formula 1 according to various sources, including team principal Christian Horner and owner Dietrich

Mateschitz, after finding itself without a power unit for 2016.

However that could come at a huge cost according to respected journalist Joe Saward, who reports that the team has an agreement with Formula One Management to remain in the sport until at least 2020.

Boxing

PACQUIAO,

KHAN Negotiating Fight In Las Vegas

Should it quit sooner than that, it would face huge financial penalties amounting to £330 million ($500m).

“Dietrich Mateschitz has been walking in the Austrian woods and has been considering pulling out of F1 but that is unlikely to happen because, in exchange for large sums of extra prize

money from the Formula One group, Red Bull agreed to stay in the sport for 10 years (until 2020) and there is believed to be a penalty scheme, which means that the penalty for pulling out reduces from $1 billion by $100 million per year,” wrote Saward on his blog.

“This means that Red Bull can walk

away from the sport if the company is willing to pay the Formula One group $500 million.”

Saward goes on to suggest it would be a wiser decision to stick with it, reap the marketing benefits and avoid backing itself into difficult situations like it has with current supplier Renault.

M

anny Pacquiao is locked in discussions over a Las Vegas fight with Amir Khan in 2016, with promoter Bob Arum confirming “negotiations” with the Brit boxer were ongoing.

The Filipino has not fought since losing to Floyd Mayweather and his subsequent shoulder surgery, but his comeback could be against Khan next year.

The Top Rank chief is currently exclusively discussing terms with Khan over a potential fight in either February or April with the possibility of the bout taking place in Duabi, though Nevada is expected to host the event. Welterweight Khan’s last fight saw him beating Chris Algieri in May, and he has long campaigned for a meeting with Pacquiao.

Amir Khan vs Manny Pacquiao

“We were planning for Manny Pacquiao to fight at the end of February, or at the latest, the first two weeks in April,” Arum said.

“March is out of the question because of a big college basketball tournament in the United States.

That gets all the ink at the time.

“I’m in the process of having negotiations with Amir Khan’s uncle and his lawyer, Robert Davis, and those negotiations are ongoing. I know there was a report that Khan was coming here to make a deal with Ruslan Provodnikov, but he assured me that was not the case.

30

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Transfers…Transfers…Transfers…

BOLASIE LACAZETTE HITS OUT AT AULAS OVER signs new Crystal CONTRACT LEAKAGE

A

lexandre Lacazette was hurt and disappointed with his Oympique Lyonnais president after Jean-Michel Aulas unveiled details of their contract negotiations during the close season, the France international has said.

In June, Aulas said he was offering Lacazette a contract extension with a gross salary of four million euros ($4.48 million) a year, adding the figure would make the striker the club’s best paid player.

Lacazette, whose contract was due to expire in 2018, signed a one-year extension and now earns 4.2 million euros a year. It was not what he and Aulas had discussed in September 2014.

“I was expecting something (then).

He had told me that it was too much after just one full season but that if I confirmed, we could discuss on that basis,” Lacazette, who scored 27 league goals last season, told sports daily L’Equipe on Monday.

Aulas, however, had not changed his position when talks started at the end of last season, according to Lacazette.

Lacazette “I would have preferred that he did just like in any negotiation. He could have told me ‘it’s too much’, simply. He should not have used that method (of disclosing the offer),” he explained.

“It hurts. His behaviour hurt me and

disappointed me,” added Lacazette, who also regrets that his coach Hubert Fournier did not support him.

“It affects you. You want to think about something else but you just can’t,” he said.

Palace deal C rystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie has agreed a new three-anda-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old was the subject of speculation over his future during the summer, with Tottenham heavily linked with his signature.

But boss Alan Pardew insists there was no bid for the player despite some sparkling displays since his switch from Bristol City in 2012.

And Bolasie, who has made 119 appearances for the Eagles and scored seven goals, has been rewarded with a bumper new deal at Selhurst Park.

“This is a good news story for the club, to secure this guy,” Pardew said. “Not only is he an exciting player who our fans love, but he’s a great guy, a great character,

unspoilt by fame and success. I’m really pleased.

“I’ve said all along that this guy needs to deliver the final moment, and when he does that he won’t be here in three and a half years.

“So my first priority was to secure him, and develop him. If I can develop him and take this club forward, that’s great. Then if a big club comes we use that money to take the club forward. Simple equation.

“There was no bid for Yannick.

But we know, if he was available for £5 million, we’d have a queue from here to wherever. He’s a lot more money than that, and now we’ve got three and a half years he’s a lot more money.

“If I can make him even better then that’s good security for the club.”

United considering

I’M NOT PLAYING SHAW replacement FOR MONEY

– SAKO S

says

Sako

peaking to the media about why he chose Crystal Palace, Mali winger Bakary S a k o h e

rejected big money offers as he chased his English Premier League dream.

The Eagles international revealed that he turned down crazy money offers from the Middle East in order for him to play in one of the biggest leagues in Europe.

Sako joined Alan Pardew’s side from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer at the start of the

season and has been a revelation thus far having netted two goals.

The 27-year-old said that at his age he’s not playing for money and the Eagles are an attractive side in the EPL. “I could have gone to Qatar or Dubai for crazy money, but I actually came here for less because I wanted to play in the Premier League,” said the Malian.

“At my age I am not playing for money. This is an attractive team that plays football that suits me. This club gave me my chance and I want to do well for them.”

Pardew’s men are comfortably sitting at position six in the Premier League with 12 points from their opening seven fixtures this season.

Meanwhile, their upcoming encounter is against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday at Selhurst Park as they’ll be targeting another three points.

Shaw

M

anchester United are considering a replacement for longterm absentee Luke Shaw, according to report.

The 20-year-old left-back was stretchered off during his side’s 2-1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, having suffered a

broken leg.

The club’s first fears were realised, and it was announced that the former Southampton defender would be out for at least six months.

United are now short of players in his position, and Charlton Athletic left-back Morgan Fox has been cited for a move to Old Trafford to replace Shaw.

Welsh defender Fox is a graduate of Charlton’s academy, and has enjoyed a monumental rise in the last 12 months.

He is now a mainstay in the Championship side’s back-four, who are developing a reputation for bringing young players into the first-team.

His club are keen on tying him down to a new contract to stave off potential admirers.

The 22-year-old has also attracted the attention of other top-flight clubs, with Aston Villa also looking at him along with West Ham United and Newcastle United.

United manager Louis van Gaal has drawn up a shortlist regarding a replacement for the injured Shaw, with West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell and Leeds United defender Charlie Taylor also believed to be on the list.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

31 Opinion

Child marriage, an act that requires no applause Jeff Okoroafor

Yerima

ÎÎÎ

You probably may have heard of child marriage before, particularly in Nigeria. But you may not know how serious the consequences are for women or how prevalent the practices are in low and middle income homes. Let me give you the shocking statistics first. In 2012, the United Nations reported that one third of all girls in developing countries are married before their eighteenth birthday. One out of every nine girls will be married before they reach the age of 15. Isn’t this a staggering report that begs for serious attention? Early marriages come with massive levels of abuse, rape and pregnancies before girls attain sexual maturity. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reports that at least one million girls under the age

Sanusi

of 15 give birth each year in most developing countries.

I have spoken on this issue of child marriage times without number.

Earlier this year, precisely in February 2015 when Malawi passed a natural law banning marriage to girls under 18, I spoke about it. In 2010 when Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima picked a 13-year-old child from Egypt as a wife, during the nationwide #ChildNotBride campaign, I also did speak about it. My hope then was that the cry of many Nigerians and that of the global community would have deterred these men from further engaging in such uncivilized and endangering practices. It is painful that I find myself speaking on this issue once again, no thanks to Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former governor of

the Central Bank, who at the age of 54, has taken an 18-year-old Adamawa princess, just shy of childhood, as his fourth wife.

I began this discussion on the social media and as usual, many have taken the side of religion and culture to defend the act. Let it be clear that every Nigerian has full liberty to choose whatever religion he or she wants to practise. I have no problem with that. This also, has nothing to do with religion, or even culture as the case may be. But it does have everything to do with a child’s own rights and freedom. No thirteen-yearold girl will tell you that all she wants is to be married to a 60-year-old man.

Or an 18-year-old girl, filled with energy and perhaps may have a boyfriend, will be interested in marrying a 54-year-old man who no

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longer has any youthful vibrancy in him and probably has a daughter whose age equals hers. This is not to insinuate that I approve of girls engaging in promiscuity but can’t approve them marrying an old man if it keeps them away from sin. That part of morality rests on the shoulders of proper parental upbringing.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has always been presented as a man with an amazing level of sophistication.

I can’t argue with that.

Many from his region judge him to be a change agent. I also can’t argue with that. But if this individual is truly as sophisticated as phonated, and a change agent as sounded, shouldn’t he know that the cause and consequence of child marriage is pioneered by gender inequal-

ity? Significant factors in determining a girl’s risk of becoming married as a child include the society’s level of protection of girls, cultural fear of loss of virginity before marriage and related family honour, and the provision of stability during unstable social periods. Statistics show that child marriage is most prevalent among the most impoverished groups in society.

From a health perspective, girls forced to marry at such a young age fall pregnant before their bodies and reproductive organs have fully matured.

Poverty and malnutrition contribute to stunted growth of particularly the pelvic bones, which can contribute to obstructed delivery.

Consequently, many women and girls die from complications during

pregnancy and childbirth. I shouldn’t need to be telling Emir Sanusi these things, he practically ought to know them. The dangers of marrying a child as a wife is huge and these people that engage in such practice can’t tell me they don’t know this. While debating this issue with a Muslim friend who claimed that his “religion” approves such marriages, I asked if he can boldly give out his13 or 18 year old to a man of 60 or 54, and his response was an emphatic NO. Still he goes on defending the act and dragging religion and culture into it. Isn’t that a hopeless case?

I saw many of our Muslim brothers and sisters defending Senator Yerima in 2010 when he picked a 13-year-old as a wife. Right now, I am also seeing a majority of them defending Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on this same issue of child marriage. Whatever the case is, let us know that child marriages are globally dropping and it would be good if we can join in.

Let’s think of education for them. Let’s think about their future because for a young girl whose mind isn’t divided between making babies and owning their future, the world can easily be changed by their touch.

Jeff Okoroafor is a United Nations Summit Award recipient and the founder of OpinionNigeria.com

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

VOL. 1. NO.199

Price: N150

, PACQUIAO KHAN ING NEGOTIAT LAS FIGHT IN VEGAS P.29

USING DIGITAL TO DRIVE COMMERCIAL SUCCESS FOR FOOTBALL

REWENGER P R ‘MUSTPARED FO PIAWIN’ OLYM P.27 COS TEST

By Mike Otanwa

D

UNITED CONSIDERING

SHAW replacement Blatter: I won’t quit as FIFA president

S

epp Blatter says he will not stand down as FiFA president because of the criminal proceedings opened against him by Swiss investigators.

The Swiss, 79, is suspected of signing a contract that was “unfavourable to FIFA” and making a “disloyal payment” to UEFA president Michel Platini.

Blatter, who had already said he will stand down in February 2016, claimed he “had done nothing illegal or improper.”

P.30

P.27

Unstoppable

OBAFEMI

Nets 14th Goal

igital holds many opportunities for football clubs; not least of all, the chance to generate additional income from existing and emerging revenue streams that supports their on-going ambition to be competitive both on and off the pitch.

However, the fast-paced world of technology and increasingly sophisticated online behaviour of consumers - including football fans - means clubs currently face the difficult decision of knowing what their next move should be.

Digital requires investment in both internal and external resources, so how do you ensure it delivers the short, medium and long-term results you require? In the next 6-12 months, the majority of professional clubs will be asking themselves this very question and, at Ripple effect, due to our extensive experience in football, we believe we have the solutions they are all seeking.

We’ve worked in football for over 12 years and in digital for over 15. In that time, we’ve seen club remits expand from simple microsites to all-encompassing digital strategies that incorporate websites, mobile, apps, social media, search, data, ticketing and email as well as more general information and important two-way fan communication.

We don’t just produce well-designed and -developed websites for our football partners, we help them create digital experiences they and their fans can be proud of; but which, crucially, have a big impact on their off-the-field objectives, such as ticket sales, merchandise, hospitality, sponsorship and community interests. This has led to several awards, including winning the Sport category at the Online Retail Awards for Liverpool and the UK’s Best Sport’s Website for Arsenal.

Fans who regularly feel valued, heard and rewarded are more likely to become advocates a n d influencers, part of a group of ‘the most loyal’ supporters who are regularly prepared to part with their hard-earned cash. Research by Gartner reveals that 80% of an organisation’s revenue comes from just 20% of their audience, so the value of engagement cannot be overestimated.

· Exhibitions

· International partnerships

· Seminars

· Products’ launch

· Raffle draw

· Entertainment

· Discount sales

. Meet Regulators

Lawmaco Group showcases its ACCI 2 products at 10th Abuja Trade Fair P

2015 ABUJA

Chamber of Commerce & Industy International Trade Fair Digest

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

L-R: Agric Trade Group with president of ACCI Tony Ejinkeonye, Ogo Ifeoma Akabogu (state officer Bank of Industry) Vice President Agriculture Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Fisho-Oridedi at the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair on Monday

Nigeria a conducive haven for miners – ACCI, Miners Perfecin Herbal urges people to guide against Infections ACCI 3 P

Sights from 10th Abuja International Trade Fair ACCI 4 P

FOR ADVERT LISTINGS IN ABUJA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR DIGEST Call: 07064933209, 08054934941

ACCI 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Lawmaco Group showcases its products at 10th Abuja Trade Fair The Lawmaco Group, major dealers on lubricants and autocare products have joined hundreds of exhibitors to participate at the historic 10th Anniversary trade fair of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce taking place at its complex along airport road, Abuja.

Speaking to Daily Times at their exhibition booth, the Marketing Executive, Mr Ekene Ejeckam said though they have participated at other trade fairs across the federation, it was the first time the company was taking part at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair de-

scribing it as very unique.

Ejeckam said the Lawmaco Group deals on automatic fluid, auto battery and many other products.

He maintained that “the Abuja would have been very encouraging if the management had put more emphasis on publicity, the complex would not have contained the people but you can see the turnout is low, it is not encouraging.”

Many people in town are not aware that a trade fair of this magnitude is going in Abuja, so the organisers have to put more effort on adequate publicity in future event.”

Ghana displays cultural heritage at 10th Abuja Trade Fair Olatorera Dickson-Amusa, Abuja Are you in love with life’s finer aspects? Then welcome to God’s Wisdom Artifacts, a colorful stall located right in the heart of the Abuja International Trade Fair 2015. Displaying amazingly beautiful items such as Kente designed clothing, Artifacts, carvings, traditional beads, woven bags, slippers, the entirety of the stall’s display says, “predominantly Ghanaian”.

Some of the most fascinating items on display within God’s Wisdom are the carved artifacts. A beautiful mother and child carving, pieces’ depicting traditional Ghanaian settings, lovely masks- and

Nigeria a conducive haven for miners – ACCI, Miners Nigeria has been identified as a conducive destination for miners given several reforms of the federal government.

This point was validated by the Vice President (Mines) Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (ACCI) Arc Chidi Okoli and the National President of miners association in the country Alhaji Shehu Sani at the ongoing 10th international Trade Fair.

According to the experts, Mining in Nigeria is over

2,400 years old with initial mining taking place in the form of artisanal mining by communities in search of materials such as Gold, Clay, base metals for sculptures, while organized mining started in 1902 resulting in Nigeria producing and exporting columbite and Tin and Coal.

By 1940s, Nigeria became the 6th world largest producer of columbite, Tin and coal with over 120 foreign mining companies in Nigeria.

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

The country officially recorded gold production started by 1913 and peaked in the period 1933-1943 when about 1.4t of gold were produced. The gold production declined during the Second World War period and never recovered as mines were abandoned by mostly colonial companies.

Major operators included Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria Ltd, Exlands Nigeria Ltd, Gold & Base Metal Mines of Nig. Ltd and Nigeria Coal Corp.

Royalties, fees and rents formed significant part of the national revenue and job opportunities What really makes Nigeria tick as a potential hub of mining is the Establishment of Policies, Legal and Regulatory Frameworks & Institutions Minerals and Mining Act, in 2007.

Also worthy of note is the Minerals and Metals Policy, 2008 Minerals and Mining Regulations; 2011 Privatisation of moribund Government Parastatals; NGSA

the list is long and varied.

The stall’s manager Mrs. Celestina Osei Bonu pointed out a carving she called a unity stand, a pretty piece depicting people upholding an intricately carved pot.

What about the clothing and accessories? These are actually the major features of the stall. Original Kente Prints and woven versions of the material, which are somewhat similar in texture to the Nigerian Aso-Oke, occupy prominent positions in and around the stall.

A less known but equally beautiful Ghanaian clothing material called Akosombo also makes its presence felt in the stall.

And if you are wondering how you are going to get matching accessories to

suit the diversely colored materials, then good news!

This awesomely unique store offers woven bracelets, woven bags, and wonders of all wonders, woven necklaces in all shades and colors!

Sadly, Mrs. Osei Bonu has bemoaned slow trickling in of customers, stating that the Trade Fair hasn’t pulled in as much profit for her as she hoped it would.

Still haven’t visited the Abuja Trade Fair 2015?

What are you waiting for? Hurry and you might catch up with God’s Wisdom Artifacts and their wonderful array of Ghanaian surprises, which is just another evidence of the International quality of the afore-mentioned Fair.

enhanced geoscience data generation capability; Digital Mining Cadastre system; Establishment of an autonomous Mining Cadastre for the administration of Mining titles and Establishment of Policy Departments.

According to the experts the reforms were necessary to address the departure of the major mining companies from the country due to unfavorable policies and neglect of the sector by successive Governments.

The situation led to no tax levies being collected;

limited contribution to the economy and high Investor perception of risk- due to poor Governance Sector.

The experts in their presentation noted that recent exploration activities have indicated the occurrence of 44 solid mineral resources made up of: Energy minerals- coal and tar sand (Bitumen) Different types of metallic minerals – Iron ore, copper, gold, lead-zinc , Manganese Array of exotic gemstones and dimension stones Industrial Minerals- Limestone, clay, Feldspar, Kaolin, Marble and Gypsum.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

ACCI 3

Nipost enlightens visitors at Abuja Trade Fair 2015 Olatorera Dickson-Amusa, Abuja

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) is definitely making its presence felt at the Abuja International Trade Fair 2015.

The Agency has occupied a large portion within one of the largest tents on the Fair-ground, educating passers-by, students and enquirers on the varied services offered by NIPOST. Contrary to popularly held belief by Nigerians that NIPOST only function as a letter delivering body, the Agency revealed that it also doubles up as a delivery service helping carry parcels and heavy cargo across long distances, intra-country.

It also lectures students about the importance of

reviving the rapidly dwindling art of letter-writing, which seems like an almost forlornly lost hope in this new computer age of e-mails, and instant textmessaging.

According to NIPOST Postmaster–General Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba has said that the essence of the NIPOST publications and publicity attempts is “the need to adequately inform and enlighten the generality of the public on the innovations and extensive range of its portfolios on offer”.

Nigerians, let us do our possible best to save the educational quality of the Nation by encouraging the art of letter writing amongst the youth, while tapping into the various services on offer by NIPOST.

Perfecin Herbal urges people to guide against Infections Mathew Dadiya, Abuja One of the leading herbal companies exhibiting products at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair, Perfecin Herbal has advised people to guide against diseases by going for check-ups to ascertain their health status and using good medica-

tion like the Percin Herbal Capsule.

Executive Manager of Great Harbal Centre, Mrs Rachael Olaoluwa told our correspondent at the trade fair complex, that Perfecin Herbal was different from other herbal products because it cures diseases once and for all.

According to Mrs Olaoluwa, the Percin

Herbal Capsul is the best solution for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (U.T.I), Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Staphylococcus Aereus.

The Executive Manager boasted “Our herbal capsule also treats other ailments like Blood in Urine, and Pain during sex.

Those who have used our products can testify.”

She said though their business office is located at Gwagwalada, this was their first time of participating at the trade fair, adding “the level of turnout is not very impressive but the responses have been very impressive and many customers who patronised us promised to come again.”

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

ACCI 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

S I G H T S F R O M D AY 1 1

ACCI International Trade Fair Digest

Life&

Times Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Ugovinna Making a success of all kinds of music

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Nigeria is basically a ‘singles’ selling market for musicians

–Ugovinna

25-year-old Nwaokobia Ugochukwu was one of the contestants of the MTN Project Fame 7.0 competition. Although he was not listed among the top winners, Ugovinna as he is fondly called, has sure had a fair share of his musical career as a professional guitarist and a former back-up singer for some top Nigerian artistes with the likes of Ego, Djinee and MI amongst others. The Delta State born artiste began his musical career with the release of his first single ‘Walankolombo’ featuring Ice-prince. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, the Rain on me crooner, reveals why he won’t be releasing an album yet among other sundry issues.

You were part of the winners of MTN project fame 7.0, what has been your experience?

It’s has been nice, it is good to have an audience for one’s music finally. I’ve been in the industry for a while; what I went for was to win, and I won so many hearts.

So, I’m glad that Project Fame has taken me from where I was to a greater level. So, it is like I’m starting my career all over again but from a different level, I will get celebrated and step forward.

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You released your single, Rain on me, shortly after the end of the competition; what has been the reception of people towards the song?

music; Christen has put out music, they are just grinding. I think that’s what the industry is about; I think we are a different set of project fame contestants.

It’s been very good. I hear people say we still have good musicians in Nigeria as my song is different from the regular music other artistes sing about and more importantly, the reception has been better than expected.

Presently, I am working on the remix with some big shots in the industry; we have produced and already started recording.

Although I did not win the first price, so much more because of Rain on me, I’ve been able to win a lot because people recognise the song. It is something I took away from the project fame experience; I felt a lot when I came out of the academy that I have won a lot than have lost.

Do you still have relationship with past winners?

We are all good friends, from this set of contestants of project fame, they have been a lot of good things said about the set.

We have stayed together the more than any other set, we have put out more work after the academy than any other set, so am appreciating all the work that all my friends are doing. Jeffery just put out new music; Debby just put out new music; Melody has put out music; Coco has put out

Music Correspondent Akintayo Opeoluwani

Movie Correspondent Mutiat Alli

So when do we get to hear a collaboration from all the 7.0 contestants?

We are currently working on the collaboration, we are making an album together. The first song will probably be the project fame team song, that’s the first song you going to get form us; you are also going to get individual songs from all of us, and you going to get different boxes of us with different branches because we putting an album together. Just wait for it, you are going to see Ugo and that person, even Shola and Ugo. A lot of music is coming very soon, before the new set of project fame ends, people would hear from us.

In the past, you have worked with several artistes, how was the experience like?

Yes, I worked as an Online Publicist for MI in 2010 and moved on to work on Waje’s management team as her PA. Then also I have worked as backup singers for Djinee, Ego, MI and a host of others. Sincerely while working with them, I developed full interest in music and I was determined to purse the dream and ever since then God’s blessing have been reigning on me.

What is your own definition of music?

Music is melodic interpretation of feeling. What I do as musician is not any different from what a

Society Correspondent Isaac Oguntoye

good musician does when he sings a good song or what a footballer does when he plays good football, it is an art. Music is a way of life, it’s a form of expression. I can say don’t let another man confuse you in his speech; I can then add melody to it and it becomes music, so for me music is the ultimate form of art.

So what should we be looking out for from Ugovinna?

Expect all sorts of music; am like a shirt that gives all kinds of colour.

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was nice. I grew up in Ojota, Lagos. I grew in face me and face you house on Victory Street in Ojota, and music for me did not start until my early brother picked up music; he was the first person that picked up music in my family. He started playing the guitar and singing, and as life progressed, he moved off to other stuffs and I just picked it up. So growing up for me was really nice; we are six children in the family and three boys are musicians. They are the glitteriest and all my sisters too.

That means your family is trying to create another Michael Jackson family?

My father is a pastor, my mother is an interpreter, so growing up in the church gave me a kind of solid background that I needed to be a musician and this is something I love doing.

So I picked up five instruments; I played guitar, piano, drum and the first instrument I ever picked up was the recorder including my

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Luke Utomi

voice too as an instrument and all of it was available for me because of the church. You would always find me in the church; that where I got all the musical instruments that I played. Growing up for me as a musician there was a very comfortable environment for me.

My elder brother was the first person to pick up musical career then I was actually the last of them all to get it.

Three years from now where do we see Ugovinna?

My music career is going slowly to catch up on people; in two years from now, my music will be everywhere. I’m going to have lots of videos everywhere, the awards

by God’s grace will start coming.

When do we get to have your album released?

I’m not releasing any album for now because in the Nigerian entertainment industry, the singles dribble into the market fast.

Chidinnma doesn’t have an album; she came into the industry in 2009 and she didn’t really realise her own album until 2013. Davido has just one album; the reason why he has one album is because his singles are making it than the album. Fact is that Nigeria is basically a ‘singles’ selling country, and the industry is drifting into a ‘singles’ industry; so before I realise my album which already has a name by God’s grace, my singles got to make waves first. Just to let the cat out of the bag, the name of my first album will be called A thousand voices; the idea of the album is to try my hand in all sorts of music, to give them balanced diet of music; of lyricism and of pure artistry.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

RE: FALSE D

PUBLISH

I.T. BUREAU DE CHANGE I

(A MEMBER OF

My attention has been drawn to the publication in Business Day Newspaper edition of August, 12, 2015, and in The Guardian of August, 13, 2015, where a disclaimer was issued on my person

by I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited (ITBDC) a member of Sifax Group.

Re: False Disclaimer

The publication was made in bad faith, and it is a deliberate attempt to malign my person, having worked as a director with I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited for over 18 months.

PUBLISHED BY

“The disclaimers mentioned above described my person as an Operations Manager who is no I.T. BUREAU DE CHANGE INTERNATIONAL longer a member of Staff (A of I.T . Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited”. I wish LIMITED to state that I was MEMBER OF SIFAX GROUP ) never a Staff/ Employee of I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited but a Director with Shareholding.

A REJOINDER

My has been drawn to publication inDe Business Day Newspaper edition of that August, 12, Inattention March 2014, athe Bureau Change licence had remained idle for nearly a decade was given 2015, and in The Guardian of August, 13, 2015, where a disclaimer was issued on my person by I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited (ITBDC) a member of Sifax the Group. BDC operational. I worked relentlessly to revalidate the licence, to me to revalidate and make

after which comprehensive trading in June, 2014. However to do this I was appointed The publication was made in bad faith, and it is a deliberate attempt tocommenced malign my person, having worked as a director with I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited for over 18 months.

Executive Director of the ITBDC with 31 percent shareholding in the company, in compliance

“The disclaimers mentioned above described my person as an Operations Manager who is no longer the Act 1991, the Banks Other Financial Institutions Act 1991 and the Foreign awith member of Staff CBN of I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited”.

I wish toand state that I was never a Staff/ Employee of I.T. Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited but a Director with Shareholding.

Exchange [Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions] Act 1995. These changes were filed with the

In March 2014, a Bureau De Change licence that had remained idle for nearly a decade was given Affairs Commission (CAC)to at its Headquarters in Abuja and so these facts are easily toCorporate me to revalidate and make the BDC operational. I worked relentlessly revalidate the licence, after which comprehensive trading commenced inof June,the 2014. Company However to do this Iat wasthe appointed verifiable upon a Search CAC for any party disputing the truth of them.

Executive Director of the ITBDC with 31 percent shareholding in the company, in compliance with the CBN Act 1991, the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 1991 and the Foreign Exchange [Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions] Act 1995. These changes were filed with the Corporate Affairs (CAC) at its Headquarters in Abuja so theseto factsreiterate are easily verifiable a ForCommission the purpose of clarity , Iandwish asupon follows: Search of the Company at the CAC for any party disputing the truth of them.

For the purpose of clarity, I wish to reiterate as follows:

1) That I am a Director and Shareholder of I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited, a fact which is

1) That I am a Director and Shareholder of I.T Bureau De Change (Int’l) Limited, a fact which is verifiable withAffairs theCommission.

Corporate Affairs Commission. verifiable with the Corporate

2) That I was appointed the Executive Director, Business Development on May 8, 2014, with a shareholding of 11,000,000 of the entire 35,000,000 ordinary issued share capital of ITBDC. 2) That I was shares appointed the Executive Director, Business Development on May 8, 2014, with a 3) That the Extra Ordinary Resolution of ITBDCshares of 8th May 2014 the entire Board of Directors’ shareholding of 11,000,000 of and the 35,000,000 ordinary issued share capital of Resolution of 9th May 2014 show these incontrovertible facts. “...Res ipsa loquitur... - the facts speaks for itself”.

ITBDC.

By end of July 2015, the business, which commenced with a working capital of N8 million, had 3)theThat theExtraOrdinaryResolutionofITBDCof8thMay2014andtheBoardofDirectors’ Resolution grown in total assets in the excess of N280 million Naira. All efforts made to persuade the other of 9th May 2014 show these incontrovertible Directors/Shareholders to prepare the Bi-annual accounts of ITBDC, audit same, convene facts. a meeting “...Res ipsa loquitur... - the facts speaks for and pay the agreed on half year operating income, were rebuffed.

itself”.

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

By the end of July 2015, the business, which commenced with a working capital of N8 million,

In law, the onus is on he who asserts to Prove... “Semper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui had in total assets in the excess N280 Naira. All efforts made to persuade the agit - thegrown necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges”. of Therefore the million other Directors/Shareholders of ITBDC ought to prove how I was the to “Operations Managerthe - at best a mere other Directors/Shareholders prepare Bi-annual accounts of ITBDC, audit same, convene a staff”.

meeting and pay the agreed on half year operating income, were rebuffed.

In the circumstances, Parties herein discussed have been PUT ON NOTICE...

Forthwith, I demand a Formal Apology and Retraction of the disclaimers to be published not later than 7 days from this notice of my Rejoinder, failing which I will seek redress by the appropriate The fallacious disclaimers published in both the Business Day Newspaper on August legitimate means, at the Nigerian Bar Association and the Law Courts.

12, 2015, and in The Guardian, on August 13, 2015, are mischievous, ridiculous and a calculated attempt to distort facts and maliciously denigrate my reputation.

In law, the onus is on he who asserts to Prove... “Semper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui agit - the necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges”. Therefore the other Directors/Shareholders of ITBDC ought to prove how I was the “Operations Manager - at best a mere staff ”.

In the circumstances, Parties herein discussed have been PUT ON NOTICE...

Forthwith, I demand a Formal Apology and Retraction of the disclaimers to be published not later than 7 days from this notice of my Rejoinder, failing which I will seek redress by the appropriate legitimate means, at the Nigerian Bar Association and the Law Courts.

SIGNED:

BARRISTER (MRS.) IFEYINWA MORAH

A REJO

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

DISCLAIMER

HED BY

INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

F SIFAX GROUP)

OINDER

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Mutiat Alli

British Council welcomes British artist, Laura Aldridge to Nigeria …launches cultural season in Abuja The British Council has welcomed Laura Aldridge, British artist, popularly known for her works across art forms such as photography, screen print, ceramics, fabrics and cement, to Nigeria for the Go Woman Go! Project.

In advance of the workshops, the official launch of the UK/Nigeria 2015— 16 seasons in Abuja, saw many arts entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and creatives alongside government and other private sector guests gather at the British Council office, in Maitaima, Abuja.

Go Woman Go! is the first project in the programme which spans September 2015—April 2016 to take place in Abuja.

“We are delighted to have Laura Aldridge in Nigeria”, said Louisa Waddingham, Director Programmes,

Louisa Waddingham, Director Programmes, British Council Nigeria

British Council Nigeria. “Her work over the years has been incredible and we look forward to the exchange of knowledge and perspectives between her and participants in the Nigerian arts industry. It is my hope that each of the projects in this season creates new collaborations and strengthens the relationships between Nigeria and the UK.” The Abuja Season launch also featured a make-space facilitated by the Nike Arts Centre Abuja even as DJ Lambo, popular female DJ, treated the guests to some delightful music.

The year-long season aims to create increased access to the arts as well as facilitate creation of new digital work, innovation and working with young people.

Future Awards extends nomination date ...As town hall meeting continues The Central Working Committee (CWC) for The Future Awards Africa has announced the extension of the call for nominations for the awards.

The nominations which were previously supposed to end on the 11th of September have been extended till 30th of September, 2015.

This development is to give room for more credible nominations from all across Africa.

“The nominations we have received so far have been awe -inspiring and as the team goes

around Africa conducting town hall meetings and hearing of the innovation and leadership being shown by young people in various communities around Africa, it has been decided that it is imperative to extend nominations to capture more of what the youth have to offer in solving their continents biggest problems”- said Mfon Ekpo, Executive Director, The Future Project Africa The awards seek nominations from the general public, of young Africans between the ages of 18 and 31 who have been able to

create incredible impact and well documented accomplishments within their community or globally in the last year. These achievements should revolve around their results, potential for growth and the ability to inspire other young Africans.

Highlighting the theme for this year’s10th anniversary “Imagine Africa!” the search continues for young achievers fulfilling the promise of the continent. TFAA is proud to demonstrate the richness and variety of positive change catalyzed by these young ideas.

New Video Alert

Nigerian indigenous rapper, Reminisce has released yet another official video titled, Alagbara, featuring Sossick of his 3rd album, Baba Hafusa. The video has a hustler ambition story.

9ice, others for WCI London conference

9ice

Popular Nigerian music stars including Abolore Akande, a.k.a 9ice, will be performing at the Metropolitan University in London on October 9th at the World Changers International and Metropolitan University organised event to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary with the theme ‘The Role of The Youth in Diaspora in National Development’.

The event is part of the activities to celebrate Black History Week 2015.

Black History Month, (also known as African-American History Month in

America) is an annual observance in the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African People in the Diaspora.

To precede the concert on October 8th, also at the premises of Metropolitan University is a well anticipated conference that will have several distinguished personalities as speakers.

Some of the speakers expected to make inspiring and remarkable contributions at the conference include Olorogun Oskar Ibru who is the chairman of the

event, Dr. Rotimi Oladele (President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Aare Afe Babalola (Founder of Afe Babalola University), Mr. Tony Elumelu (Chairman, Heirs Holdings), Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa (Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly) and other influential personalities.

According to the organisers, “this programme has become imperative in light of the continuing brain-drain and ever increasing population of Nigerian youths in Diaspora.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

L7 Buzz Byte

Mutiat Alli

ON

Set

Movie Title: Ikedi the Blind Warrior Directed by: Richard Okoronima Nifeipiri Continuity: Paul Jnr. Cast: Emeka Enyiocha, Mercy Macjoe, Chigozie Okolie, Sam Ode, Franklin Onuoha, Charles Anglex, Helen Ikeh Location: River State

Charles Anglex and Emeka Enyiocha

Mercy Macjoe and Continuity man, Paul Jnr

Chigozie Okolie and Mercy Macjoe

Gift, Emeka Enyiocha and Mercy

Mercy and Emeka

Movie Title: As crazy as it gets Produced by: Shittu Taiwo Cast: Apel Oduen, Omoni Oboli, Chuks Chyke, Synopsis: A man who is about to propose to his girlfriend has his plans thwarted when a heavily pregnant woman shows up at his doorstep, demanding that he takes care of his responsibilities.

Apel Oduen and Chyke

Chuks Chuyke Close up shot on Omoni Oboli

Omoni Oboli at a super market scene

Movie Title: Romance is overrated Produced by: Belinda Yang-Agedah Cast: Omowunmi Dada, Judith Audu, Godwin Osakwe, Oyekunle Oluwaremi, Mofe Duncan, Keira Hewatch, Bryan Okwara Location: Lagos &Calabar

Omowunmi Dada gets make-over Keira and few cast studying script

Bryan Okwara and Kiki Omeli

Keira Hewatch

Mofe Duncan and Belinda Yang-Agedah

RO cast and crew

Movie Title: Delude: A Fool’s Tale Produced by: Grace Edwin-Okon Directed by: Dipo Abdul Cast: Kiki Omeili, Kenneth Okolie and Kunle Oluwaremi.

Camera frame

Delude preview of script

Kenneth Okolie

Kiki Omeli all glamed up

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

L8 Television Showing on

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125 FOX Channel

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Tue, 29 Sep | 13SL

Christian Bale heads up a star-studded cast in this crime drama about two brothers - and the cruel twist of fate that lands one in jail and the other in trouble with a crime ring.

Zoe Saldana, Christian Bale, Casey Affleck.

(2013) Scott Cooper.

‘S8/E12 - Hope For The Hopeless’. Richard performs his 10 000th surgery on a pair of bickering sisters. Derek and Lexie take on a neuroblastoma case that was previously deemed inoperable.

101 M-Net

01:30 The Story Of Luke 03:15 Caught On Camera 04:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Two And A Half Men 06:30 Arrow 07:30 Celebrity Masterchef South Africa

08:30 The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale 10:00 Entertainment Now! 10:30 The Middle 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 MasterChef Australia 13:00 Elementary 14:00 Mysteries Of Laura 15:00 Grey’s Anatomy 16:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show

17:00 2 Broke Girls 17:30 MasterChef Australia 18:30 Chicago Fire 19:30 Gotham 20:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 21:30 The Fixer 22:30 CSI: Cyber 23:00 The Following

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:15 QI 23:45 Top Gear

154 Africa Magic Family

00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Living With Trisha 01:30 Family Ties 02:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music 05:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:25 Save The Day 08:35 Living With Trisha 09:25 The African Child 10:00 Good Morning Africa

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music 13:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 14:00 Prem 14:30 Ise Dale 15:00 Family Ties 15:30 At Home With Michelle Attoh 16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Comfort Zone 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Save The Day 21:10 Family Ties 21:40 Jara 22:10 Living With Trisha

128 SONY MAX

00:35 The Weakest Link

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

01:20 Silent Witness

12:20 Top Gear

02:15 Total Wipeout UK

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:10 EastEnders

14:10 Total Wipeout UK

03:40 QI

15:10 The Weakest Link

04:10 Top Gear

16:00 EastEnders

05:00 Spy

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

05:25 QI

17:10 The Cube

00:25 Most Shocking 01:15 Kenny vs Spenny 01:40 1000 Ways To Die 02:05 1000 Ways To Die 02:30 Lock Up 04:15 Most Shocking 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:30 Exposed 05:55 Exposed

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

06:20 Video Zonkers

06:30 EastEnders

19:00 Big School

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

19:35 QI

07:55 The Weakest Link

20:05 Would I Lie To You?

08:45 The Cube

20:40 The Graham Norton Show

09:35 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

21:35 My Family

06:45 Repo Games 07:15 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:15 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:15 South Beach Tow 09:45 Most Shocking 10:45 Most Shocking 11:45 Video Zonkers 12:15 Repo Games

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:10 Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow

11:00 My Family

23:45 Gold Divers

155 Africa Magic World

00:00 Noose Of Gold 00:30 Good Morning Africa 01:30 The Dzigbordi Show 02:30 Good Morning Africa 03:30 Good Morning Africa 04:30 Prem 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:05 Golden Moon 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 So Wrong So Wright 10:30 So Wrong So Wright 11:00 Lies That Bind

11:30 Lies That Bind 12:00 Jara 12:30 Jara 13:00 Series TBA 14:00 53 Extra 14:30 53 Extra 15:00 Kakibe Ki 15:30 Noose Of Gold 16:00 Foot Print 16:30 Lies That Bind 17:00 Lies That Bind 17:30 Star Gist 18:00 Star Gist 18:30 Star Gist 19:00 Prem 19:30 So Wrong So Wright 20:00 Johnbull And Rosekate 22:35 Series TBA 23:00 Switchin’ The Script

12:45 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:45 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:45 South Beach Tow 15:15 Primal Force 16:40 Video Zonkers 17:05 Repo Games 17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal 20:30 Hip Hop Squares 21:00 Freakshow 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Kenny vs Spenny 22:30 Tool Academy 23:20 The Real

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tech Times Æ s

TT 1

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

L-R: Ayotunde Coker, managing director, Rack Centre Ltd; Sunday Folayan, president, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA); Pius Okigbo (jr.), president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON); Peter Jack, DG of NITDA and Prof Sola Adewumi, president, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), at DEMO Africa 2015 held in Lagos, recently.

NITDA DG, others laud techpreneurs @DemoAfrica2015 Tony Nwakaegho Peter Jack, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said that Agency is delighted by the resilience of African technology entrepreneurs (techpreneurs) to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions.

Jack made the remark at this year’s DEMO Africa, saying that “our pride is particularly in the large numbers of entrepreneurs that continue to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions.

This is an event where African startups and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to show to Africa and the rest of the world their innovative product that are addressing specific challenges within our continent and perhaps with potentials for export to other parts of the world with similar challenges.

Africa is a blessed continent of hope of over 1.2billion people.

It possesses the great market potential for trade and investment, a huge opportunity for

growth and improvement, and our youths are beginning to rise up to explore the power of ICT to create a new life style for themselves. As you all know IT offers a tremendous opportunity for jobs and wealth creation, building the value chain that will deliver this end results has become or should become the collective responsibilities of many players across the world” .

The NITDA chief also urged DEMO Africa on value creation as 30 startups were given opportunity to launch their businesses in front of an audience of investors. Nigeria and Kenya are best represented with eight startups each. South Africa has three representatives, while Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Zimbabwe each have two. Uganda, Tanzania and Ivory Coast are represented by one startup each.

There was a record considering the number of applications for this year’s event, which is sponsored by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Legatum Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship and Microsoft.

Jack congratulated the startups and welcomed them to Nigeria for the event.

“We are excited at the opportunities that technology has presented to our African youths in creating jobs and wealth. This is a great moment in the history of Africa, steadily rising to establish its digital footprint in the world,” he said.

The Executive Director, Demo Africa, Harry hare, said that since the journey started in 2012, the event has witnessed significant strides in the quality of technology startups emerging across the Continent, adding that a growing number of startup founders are building world-class products, introducing important innovations, and tapping new market opportunities.

The Chairman Local Organising Committee Demo Africa, Yele Okeremi commented that “Africa has come of age, Africa is a continent of hope and Africa is a continent of opportunity.

We have the Cultural Revolution and even the industrial revolution and what we are doing today

is technological revolution. It is my belief that Nigeria and Africa is going to be the major driver of this new wave that we are witnessing now.

“To the young startups, it is a beautiful journey so far. I commend you, out of 600 applications only 30 of you are here. It shows that you are the best and I want to appreciate you. It is the beginning of the journey, as we are releasing you to the world and you become what you are to become, I want you to remember that Africa has given you the platform.

Please come back to Africa and let’s develop Africa together.

Let’s make Africa great.”

On his part, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Communications Technology, Dr. Tunji Olaopa maintained that government cannot afford to ignore the geese that lay the golden egg, that is the ICT innovators, the software and hardware developers, adding that these are equally not complete without the entire ecosystem of investors, the entrepreneurs, the mentors and academia which they will continue to nurture through

enabling environment and platform such as Demo Africa with the right policy and legislative frame work that will support their growth.

“We believe that Demo Africa has begun to yield positive result in the Africa countries that has participated since inception. For instance, since we started participating in Demo Africa in 2012, Nigeria has witnessed the emergence of at least 26 ICT Startups, 4 in 2013, 14 in 2014 and 8 launching this year, creating jobs, raising funds to grow their businesses and expanding the frontier of technology,’ Olaopa added.

Aside from the startup launches, there are plenty more happening at DEMO Africa. There were investor summit, while a number of top industry players, including Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, Jorn Lyseggen, founder of Ghana’s Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), Tomi Davies, president of the African Business Angels Network (ABAN), and iROKO TV chief executive officer (CEO) Jason Njoku, led the discussions.

Tech Times TT 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Smile Releases Nigeria’s First LTE Voice Service on Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband provider of choice, in partnership with Samsung Electronics West Africa, has launched LTE voice over broadband service on smartphone, first in West Africa.

According to Smile, the giant stride is in line with Smile’s vision of providing superfast and reliable internet service to Nigerians leveraging Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.

Managing Director, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar, while speaking recently at the service and product launch in Lagos, described the partnership as historic and will benefit millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers.

Buitelaar said after securing US$365 dollars funding, Smile is repositioned to transform Nigerians’ telephony experience.

“This partnership is significant to us in an effort to transform subscribers’ telephony experience. It’s is going to change

the face of broadband to assist Nigerians in their different endeavours.

“With the US$365 dollars funding, we are ready to double our network output; spread to different cities and continue enhancing our network capacity by next year. So, we are excited to work in partnership with Samsung which invests in R&D, understands the market and has unleashed the first LTE compliant smartphone in Nigeria,” he said.

Smile Communications Nigeria is not only the first authentic 4G LTE provider in Nigeria but the first to go into this performance enhancing partnership with Samsung; a global technology giant.

On his part the Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas, underscored the need for both companies to enhance the customer experience through their product propositions, adding that the Galaxy S6 edge has the world’s first-ever dual curved edge display, which distinguishes the device as the ultimate pre-

L-R: Emmanouil Revmatas, director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa; Michiel Buitelaar, MD, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited in a warmth handshake with Brovo Kim , MD, Samsung Electronics West Africa while Alero Ladipo, chief marketing officer, Smile and Tobe Okigbo , chief corporate Services Officer for Smile, watch during the announcement of a partnership between the two companies held in Lagos, recently.

mium Smartphone.

“This partnership with Smile on S6 edge is the first of its kind in Nigeria, offering consumers the opportunity to drive productivity with a unique smartphone

coupled with the 4G experience that Smile LTE network offers.

“Our collaboration with Smile on the Galaxy S6 Edge LTE launch is a staunch affirmation of Samsung’s drive for

novelty in the smartphone market globally. Samsung is committed to continuously engaging in partnerships that highlight innovations that create an impact in the life of consumers.

NITDA meets OEMs, resolves to assist industry achieve growth

Jack

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has met with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Lagos, the assemblers of IT product in Nigeria to see to their problems and know how NITDA can develop interventions to assist the OEMs in the country.

There were four main issues on the agenda: the first one was the quality of product assembled by our local OEMs, second was the capacity and third was the standard certifications and forth

is NITDA initiatives to assist the manufacturers.

The issue of quality NITDA noted that there were so many complaints on the standard of the products assembled by our OEMs, but after a careful discussion it was found out that some of these qualities of products which are compromised are not actually from the OEMs as they come from third parties who fake or counterfeit the products assembled by the third parties. NITDA took it very seriously that it is going to ensure

that from now any MDAs that is going to look for IT products such as computers, desktops, and so on should see to it that they get it from the original manufacturers who are in this country. They should not go to a third party because the third party is likely to fake them.

The issue of capacity They also discovered that there are a times they will place an order for equipment and they don’t get it in the quantity and at the time that they want.

But after a careful discussion and hearing from the OEMs it was discovered that most of the time, contracts from the supply are not actually given to them to supply and so it depends on the third party and the third party may not give them the correct specification and the correct quantity that they want and that is where the problem lies. NITDA agreed to take steps to see to it that the OEMs are given the opportunity to make the direct supply and by so doing it will enhance their productivity.

On the issue of standards and

specification, the OEMs accepted that there is the need for them to have a uniform standard so that whatever specification that NITDA comes with they are going to comply with. They also said that NITDA must take steps to protect the OEMs from those who are faking their products.

The issue of local content The OEMs disclosed that 65% of their products were locally sourced and that they are ready to raise it to 80% and NITDA appreciated their efforts and is ready to assist them to achieve their local content initiative.

Resolutions that were taken One of the resolutions that were taken was that there should be synergy between NITDA and the OEMs that they should meet more frequently, at least every quarter so that they will be able to discuss the issues that affects that industry. Another resolution that was taken is that this meeting should be institutionalized in such a way that there should be periodic review ,to monitor what is happening in the industry and refer same to NITDA,

which Agency as the regulator will know the type of step to take.

The third resolution was the enforcement of government circular which mandated all MDAs in the country to patronize and make use of locally assembled products, that is to say that in their IT procurement they should give priority to local enterprises who are the OEMs. The fourth resolution is that NITDA should use its position to see that to it the OEMs are brought into some of the procurement of computers and IT products done by states and local governments there was need for them to be brought into the general scope. It was resolved that NITDA should take steps to ensure that states and local government patronize product that are assembled locally. The meeting was organized by NITDA DG, Mr Peter Jack who was represented by the Director of office of the National Content (ONC) Mr Inye Kemabonta with six local companies, Zinox, Omatek, Brian, Computer Warehouse and RLG that was certified about two months ago.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

TT 3 Tech Times

DemoAfrica alumni raise over $11m Seedfund in 4 years Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Demo Africa alumni have raised over $11million in seed funding, business value and acquisition deals in just four shirt years.

Executive Director, Demo Africa, Harry Hare, disclosed this at this year’s Demo Africa held in Lagos, adding that since the journey started in 2012, the event has witnessed significant strides in the quality of technology startups emerging across the Continent.

Hare said that a growing number of startup founders are building world-class products, introducing important innovations, and tapping new market opportunities, while older alumni continue to succeed as well.

“In just four shirt years, our alumni have raised over $11million in seed funding, business value and acquisition deals.Examples from last year’s cohort include Valuraha, Trafficbytes, Space-pointe, Irofit, Cube and

Hare

the Pearl Dream company. All have made significant progress and broke headlines and their accomplishments since their public launch on the DEMO Africa stage.

“For example, Weza Tele, a DEMO Africa 2012 Alumnus, that was acquired by AFD for $1.7million in May 2015. This exit has been listed among the most successful in the African

technology scene and hints to the many success stories now in the making. Indeed, we are witnessing the birth of many new products and services that are serving both local and global markets.

“The success of these individuals and their endurance and drive to succeed, are an inspiration for all of us to push forward. We are seeing more investor interest than ever before, and from both local and international investors. We are seeing a growing amount of support from corporate sponsors and increased engagement from African governments. The continued commitment of these stakeholders is the cornerstone to the growth of our innovation and entrepreneurship driven activities across the continent,” he said.

Also speaking, DirectorGeneral, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Peter Jack said that Agency is delighted by the resilience of African technology

entrepreneurs (techpreneurs) to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions.

Jack commended the entrepreneurs saying, “our pride is particularly in the large numbers of entrepreneurs that continue to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions.

The NITDA boss also urged DEMO Africa on value creation as 30 startups were given opportunity to launch their businesses in front of an audience of investors.

Nigeria and Kenya are best represented with eight startups each. South Africa has three representatives, while Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Zimbabwe each have two. Uganda, Tanzania and Ivory Coast are represented by one startup each.

There were a record number of applications for this year’s event, which is sponsored by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Legatum Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship and Microsoft.

NBC to improve access to Digital Television Emeka Mba, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has revealed that about 22million households in the country does not have access to digital television as the country look forward to a new deadline of June 20, 2017 migration to digital broadcasting.

Mba affirmed that there are 37.3million households in the country out of which 26million has television and 4million with digital television subscription, adding that the Commission has acquired 500,000 set-top boxes for its digital broadcasting pilot in Jos, Plateau state.

“Nigeria will require about 30million set-up boxes in the next three years in covering the country, we have now coordinated another agreement with our West African neighbours and have agreed on a new deadline of June 20, 2017 to complete the digital switchover and achieve analogue switch off.

“When it became obvious that

government could not spare the money, and in order to avoid missing another deadline, we began to consider other options. Our broadcast frequency, which is to eventually form part of the digital dividend after the DSO, had portions of it laying fallow while our broadcasters were still using parts of it. We therefore proposed and got proper permission from government to license part of our spectrum laying fallow and to use the proceeds to finance the DSO.” “We have successfully licensed MTN Nigeria Ltd to use a part of the 700 MHz to provide digital pay TV broadcasting services.

We have thus raised 34 Billion Naira, slightly less than 50 per cent of our budget. Through this singular move, Nigeria has once again pointed the way for other African countries struggling with the effort of finding financing for their own digital switchover programmes,” he said.

He explained that, the use of the band 470 – 862MHz solely for

UHF Television Broadcasting Service on a primary basis in Nigeria predates both the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“As a matter of fact most administrations in ITU region 1 use the entire 470 – 862 MHz for UHF Television Broadcasting prior to ITU WRC-2007 conference. In 2006, ITU planned the entire 470 – 862MHz frequency band for Digital UHF Television Broadcasting for ITU Region 1 to which the Nigerian Administration belongs.

As a matter of fact, the planning of 470 – 862MHz frequency band for Digital UHF Television is referred to in the ITU circle as GE-06 Plan and after the Signing of the Agreements resulting from this Plan it is now referred to as the GE-06 Agreement.

This should clear any doubts as to where these frequencies belong until after the completion of the digital switch over,” NBC boss said.

MTN Nigeria acquires Pay-TV license from NBC

MTN Nigeria is scheming into Digital Pay TV services as the company has successfully acquired digital pay TV broadcasting rights from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for a sum put around N34 billion .

Although there is no official Press information from MTN,

the Director General of the NBC, Emeka Mba made this known during his world media briefing last week in Lagos.

According to reports, the move is beneficial for both parties as MTN will use part of the 700 MHz spectrum to provide pay TV services while the NBC has an-

Mba

He underscored the Commission’s plans for the switch over to include off-shore mass production and delivery of initial subvented set-top boxes for Jos pilot project is envisaged to be completed by end of October, while the local manufacture of the set top boxes is expected to begin in April 2016.

Commenting on the Signal Transmission Infrastructure,

Mba said that, the critical activities for this segment include publishing the Request for proposal( RFP), concluding the National Signal Mapping, awarding the transmission Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs), designating the ITS for Jos and beginning live digital transmission; and we plan to be done with these by the end of December, 2015.

nounced the fund will be used in funding the digital switch over.

The amount received from the MTN accounts for about 50 per cent of the initial estimated budget of N70billion naira.

The fund raised will be channelled towards Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over and should help in

getting the plan back on course since the June 17, 2015 deadline elapsed.

However, the NBC in alliance with some West African countries has set a new deadline of June 20, 2017 as the time it should be able to guarantee digital switch over and achieve analogue switch off.

Tech Times TT 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Africa still lags behind the world in internet access — ITU

L-R: Dr. Mrs. Ronke Bello NCS; Prof. Sola Aderounmu, President NCS; Yusuf Kazaure MD/CEO Galaxy Backbone and Mr. Kole Jagun, NCS during a courtesy visit to Galaxy Backbone by President of Nigeria Computer Society, recently.

NCS extols Galaxy Backbone’s world class offerings, standards Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, president of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has extolled Galaxy Backbone Ltd, a leading ICT infrastructure and services company based in Abuja as “the true builder of a digital, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria”.

Prof. Aderounmu made the assertion when he paid a courtesy visit to the management of Galaxy Backbone, adding that Galaxy has continued to make its mark in internet penetration in the public service despite the harsh operating environment.

“Galaxy has stood out and driven significant improvements in the Nigerian economy with world class offerings and standards.

Your deployment and application of technology has been most fruitful and outstanding. NCS commends your efforts so far and urges you to do even more in the present digital gaps,” he said.

He said that NCS is the nation’s

foremost Information Technology network with membership strength of over 10,000 comprising of IT professionals, interest groups and stakeholders having footprints in business, government and academia.

The objectives of NCS amongst others include to promote information technology education and training, IT research and development; fostering integrity and professionalism of computing; and advising members, governments, competent authorities and the general public on national and international policy matters affecting the industry and profession.

NCS president listed the Society’s accomplishments to include the passage of Act No. 49 of 1993 establishing Computer Professionals Registration Council (CPN), the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Ministry of Communication Technology.

He stated that these were

achieved working with the Federal Government and other stakeholder, adding that NCS is on the board of several national policy making, development and technology focused institutions such as NITDA, CPN and the Broadband Council.

Prof Aderounmu solicited Galaxy’s support for the National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA) which he described as the most important and recognized award ceremony in the IT community because the award is a recognition and reward for excellence in the industry.

Yusuf Kazaure, managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Ltd commended the NCS leadership for reaching out for the support of industry stakeholders in the public sector.

He recounted Galaxy’s corporate philosophy of partnering with its stakeholders towards the achievement of its corporate objectives and national development.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) new data released reveals that 57% of the world’s population still lacks access to the internet, with Africa performing as the worst region globally in terms of levels of connectivity.

The 2015 State of Broadband report has been released in the lead up to the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit to be hosted by the UN, at which new developmental targets will be set for the period up to 2030.

The report estimates that by the end of 2015, 3.2 billion people will be online, equating to over 43.4% of the total world population - up from 2.9 billion, or 40.6% of the population, in 2014.

However, this means that by the end of 2015, there will still be 57% of the world’s population will still be offline. Further, the existing Broadband Commission target of getting 50% of the developing world online by 2020 is unlikely to be met, the report finds.

In Africa 10.7% of households have internet connection - the lowest regional figure and below global averages. The world average is 46.5%, while in the developing world the average figure is 34.1% of households.

Individual user internet penetration in Africa is 20.7 per 100 inhabitants - again, the lowest regional figure. The world average is 43.4 per 100 people, and the developing world average is 35.3 per 100 inhabitants.

Indeed, the lowest levels of internet access are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa, with internet available to only 1.7% of the population of Guinea; 1.6% of Somalia’s population; 1.4% of Burundians; and only 1% of Eritrea’s population.

A breakdown of the types of internet connections available shows that Africa has 162 million

Focus Hub opens doors to startups in Niger Delta October 1 Focus Hub, a new incubation hub starting from October 1 will open in Niger Delta as a go-to for all things, social entreprenuership for both early stage and growth stage startups solving local community problems using technology.

Focus Hub, aims to give entrepreneurs access to leading mentors, venture capitalists and tech industry experts to help them follow their tracks and become big success instead of re-inventing the wheel and failing on their own. The hub is also promising a

huge pool of talent from its volunteers, interns, engineers among others to help them with their technical or business skills needs.

Of course, Focus Hub will also give startups access to a comfy office space with superfast internet, coffee, meeting rooms and printing services as well as networking sessions with investors to access funding, legal help from Internet Protocol (IP) officers among others.

Focus Hub aims to change the Niger Delta by being the launch pad of the regions startups and as

their partner to success countrywide and globally.

Daily Times gathered that for a startup to be incubated at Focus Hub, it has to come from one of the Nine Niger Delta states, their business idea should be able to solve a social problem in the Niger Delta, the idea should be technologically viable and the startup should have maximum of three individuals working on the idea fulltime.

However, no ideas but only working prototype or Minimum Viable Product will be accepted.

Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor

mobile broadband subscriptions, accounting for 5% of the global total. This is a similar percentage figure to the Arab region, and the CIS region.

However, on the contrary, Africa has only 4 million fixed broadband subscriptions, which accounts for 0.01% of the global total - by far the lowest regional figure.

“The UN Sustainable Development Goals remind us that we need to measure global development by the number of those being left behind,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, who serves as co-Vice Chair of the Commission with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

“The market has done its work connecting the world’s wealthier nations, where a strong business case for network roll-out can easily be made. Our important challenge now is to find ways of getting online the four billion people who still lack the benefits of Internet connectivity, and this will be a primary focus of the Broadband Commission going forward,” Zhao said.

The ITU highlights the importance of connectivity and technologies in bringing about socioeconomic development across the world, and said providing universal access to the internet should be a priority in the period to 2030.

“The 2030 Agenda recognises the power of new technologies to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide, to develop knowledge societies – we must do everything to support States in reaching these goals, especially developing States,” UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova said.

“This calls for stronger efforts by governments and all actors, in ensuring access, use and affordability – it requires also greater work to build the capacities of all women and men to make the most of all new opportunities.”