Daily Times Nigeria Newspaper Tuesday 30th December, 2014

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2014 VOL. 1. NO.12

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Buhari won’t probe past leaders – APC

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Vice presidential candidate of the APC, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, campaigning on the street, at Obalende, Lagos on Sunday.

Skye Bank appoints Onwughalu as interim MD for Mainstreet Bank 30

Obasanjo is a terrible liar, say Osoba, Adebanjo Jonathan Eze & Ugochukwu Onyeocha

Onwughalu

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EW days after Nobel Laureate, Professor Oluwole Akinwande

Soyinka called former President Olusegun Obasanjo a compulsive and career liar, two other prominent fellow Ogun State indigenes have used similar words to de-

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Iorfa shines in English Championship

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Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, described

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QPR considers Yak option

Sportlitics

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Afelokhai eyes CAF Champions

Angry Fabregas blasts ref over yellow card offence X8

League trophy

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Page Three

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Editorial Printing of presidential ballot papers overseas

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he announcement that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has awarded the printing of 75 million Presidential ballot papers to a Spanish company is, to say the least, disheartening. This is in spite of representations and pleas by prominent Nigerians that the contract be given to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

Investigations reveal that the contract was awarded for N6 billion.

The contract, which was awarded late last year, has already reached an advanced stage, while the ballot papers will soon be delivered to the agency. Sources say that the agency opted for overseas contractors to save time and avoid any disappointment by Nigerian printers, which are said to have performed poorly in the past. Much as the commission may have its misgivings on the ability of local contractors to fulfill contract terms, we make haste to condemn the reasoning behind farming the job to outsiders.

We maintain that the action is against the interest and national pride of the country. It smacks of inferiority complex for an agency of government to prefer foreign institutions to indigenous ones in the award of contracts that can be handled internally. There is no gain-

saying that such contract is capable of compromising national security.

Moreover, it has robbed the country of the much needed jobs that would have been created for Nigerians. It is mischievous for policy makers and government agencies to complain of inability to generate enough jobs for the teeming unemployed, and yet continue to create jobs abroad. Definitely, there is no rationale for taking such a huge and security-related job outside Nigeria, when there are many local printing companies that can conveniently handle it.

If not for sinister motives, examples abound of the commission awarding printing jobs to Nigerians that were satisfactorily executed. We recall that the ballot papers used in the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun elections were printed by local contractors. Fortunately, they all passed INEC’s quality tests and security checks. No self respecting nation would consciously hand over matters bordering on its security to outsiders as Nigeria does. It is not enough aspiring to be the giant of Africa, while lacking the capability of being the top dog. It beggars belief that the NSPMC prints most of the nation’s currencies, cheque books and other highly security documents, yet INEC sees it as incapable of handling the printing of election materials.

Vice President Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo (left), receiving his voters card from the Resident Electoral Commission Alh. Haliru Tambuwal, at the Kaduna North Secretariat... yesterday.

NIGERIA: Averting a ship wreck

igeria has, evidently, fallen on bad times.

If anyone had predicted that our country would dwarf Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan concerning daily occurrence of sordid events, he or she would have been dismissed as an amateur shaman. The pro-democ-

racy struggles of the 90s, for which many of us suffered privation of varying degrees, with some paying the ultimate price, could not have contemplated the disastrous consequences of our passivity and, sometimes, active connivance. Nigerians watched with trepidation as Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a sick man and a mediocre personality on us as the President and the Vice President respectively. The man is, currently, pontificating on the best way possible to rule the country. He expresses regret, in a characteristic display of hypocrisy and mischief on the state of things in the country today.

The impostors at the

seat of power shocked the knowledgeable around the globe with a ludicrous claim that the country is the largest economy. They ignore the simple economic logic which places production at the base of any realistic economic development. A country that can hardly boast of 4,000 megawatts of electricity, which prides itself on being about the only place in the world where importation is based mainly on what is produced locally, where life is the cheapest commodity and security seems an utopian possibility, that no news is considered tragic and shocking any longer, celebrates her status as the importer of anything.

Ibrahim Babangida

Susan Rice

Wole Soyinka

Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.

Nigeria has played a constructive role in peacekeeping in various parts of West Africa. But unless Nigeria itself is democratic... it too may well be a source of much greater instability.

I am convinced that Nigeria

Analysis Lekan Akinosho

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Publisher

Fidelis Anosike

Group Managing Director

Abuja Bureau Chief

Head, Sales & Marketing

Managing Editor

Head of Operations

Head ICT (Shared Services)

Editor

Online Editor

Head Graphics

Deputy Editor

Business Editor

Deputy Head Graphics

Noel Anosike

Gabriella Osamor Yinka Olujimi Yemi Ogunsola

Bisi Abidoye

Innocent Nwankwo Adetayo Adelaja

Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

Moses Ebong

Banjo Ayorinde King Ododoru

Afeez Odeseye

The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

would have been a more highly developed country without the oil. I wished we’d never smelled the fumes of petroleum.

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

5 News

IBB, Sule Lamido in close door meeting

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overnor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State yesterday was in Minna, the Niger State capital, where he held a closed door meeting with former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The two elder statesmen met for about one hour.

Daily Times gathered that Governor Lamido arrived Gen. Babangida’s

residence about half past noon and was accompanied

by Niger State Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto as well as Secretary to the Niger State Governor, Hon. Idris Ndako Kpaki.

After exchange of pleasantries, the governor, a few minutes later, left the Niger State Government officials in one of the living rooms and entered the inner living room of Babangida, where he held the closed

door meeting that lasted over an hour.

Before leaving the elder statesman’s residence at 2:32 pm, Governor Lamido told Journalists, when asked on the purpose of his visit, that he was in Minna to greet the recuperating former military president, over his recent medical journey to Germany, and also to seek his wise counsel on political issues.

In the words of Gover-

nor Lamido, “The former Nigerian leader is also my leader and my professor in politics who also has been mentoring up till today. My meeting with him was very long and I therefore got wisdom from his advice.”

The governor reiterated that his visit wsas purely on the health of the former president, he, however, stated that “In the process he is a leader you know we figure about National issues

and some concerns in the country that is all.”

On their expectation for 2015 election, Governor Lamido says, “We are looking forward for Nigeria to be safest during the election because security of the country is very important.

This country must be united; it must be a country for all Nigerians, north and south, Christians and Muslims. There must be avenues for Hausa, Igbo and

Yoruba and to thrive. So it is about national concerns and I was educated and I was highly elated by his wisdom,” On why he jettisoned his presidential ambition, the governor said he never had the ambition to contest.

He described the issues as mere speculations, though he maintained that he was qualified to contest for the top seat of president of the country.

2015: INEC redeploys 37 RECs Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja Mr Soni Irabor Chief Executive Officer, Inspiration 92.3 fm Radio (4th right) with some guests at the 2014 Inspiration 92.3 fm Xmas family Praise Jam held in Lagos.

Those who calls for revolution will be consumed by it –Minister Jonathan Eze and Abisola Oyewole

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inister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, has warned that anyone found making inflammatory statements capable of igniting fire in the country would be made to face the full wrath of the law, irrespective of his status in the society.

To this end, the minister said that the Inspector General of Police and Director General of Department of State have been told to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday at the launch of Mr Yinka Odumakin’s book ‘Watching the Watcher’,

the Police Affairs minister said that no one was untouchable and that politicians should stop beating the drums of war.

His words: “By the grace of God, I am the Minister of Police Affairs in this Country today, and I have said and I am warning that anybody who makes inflammatory statement, who said anything that is mutinous, will be arrested and prosecuted.

“They should stop the drum of war. Anybody who calls for unholy revolution will be consumed by that revolution. Nigeria belongs to all of us. There is nobody that is untouchable.

They might have done it in the past and got away with it, but let them do it

now. Anybody who does it now, no matter how highly placed, will be arrested and prosecuted.

“Nigerians have seen and heard what they are saying. They are only trying to make up propaganda to cow the government down, and nobody can do it. They have been in government before. They have seized power in an unholy fashion before.

“I don’t know what remains for them to start ganging up and said that they want to capture power on behalf of the people who power already belongs to.

“The opposition must keep shut and watch what their utterances. In a gathering where you say people should go to the polling

center with charms, cutlasses, guns and the rest is mutinous. So, whoever says it henceforth would pay for it, I repeat, whoever. This country is established by law and the law must take its course.”

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arely two months to the general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has deployed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was confirmed in an INEC bulletin 704 released yesterday in Abuja.

The RECs were directed by a letter dated 24th December 2014 and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, to conclude all handing and taking over formalities by Wednesday, 31st Decembr, 2014.

Those re-deployed, according to the bulletin, are; Prof. O.E. Onukaogu (Enugu), Prof. Tukur Sa’ad (Bauchi), Ahmed Makama (Taraba), Mike Igini (Edo), Selina Omagha Oko (Abia), Edwin Offor Nwatarali (Anambra), Sadiq Abubakar Musa (Sokoto), Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa (Kebbi), Hussaini Ahmed Mahuta

(Kaduna), Abubakar Umar Garba Wara (Zamfara), Emmanuel Onucheyo (Kwara), Rufus O. Akeju (Oyo) and Abdullahi Umar Danyaya (Nasarawa).

Others include; Timothy A. Ibitoye (Ogun), A.L. Ogunmola (Osun) Barito Lenusikpugi Kphagih (Bayelsa), Haliru A. Tambuwal (Jigawa) and Kassim Gana Geidam (Gombe).

The rest are; Ibrahim Bagobiri Marafa (Katsina), Aniedi Ikoiwak (Delta), Habu Zarma (Yobe), Akin Orebiyi (Lagos), Hussaini Halilu Pai (Kogi), Kwanga Godwin Mbatsavbee (Plateau), Sylvester Okey Ezeani (Cross River), Minkaila Abdullahi (Kano), Lawrence Azubuike (Ebonyi), Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun (Ekiti), Istifanus Ishaku Dafwang (Benue), Gesila Khan (River), Samuel Madaki (Borno), Gabriel Ada (Imo), Jacob Shekwonudu Jatau (FCT), Baba Abba Yusuf (Adamawa), Segun Agbaje (Ondo), Nasir Ayilara (Niger) and Austine Okojie (Akwa-Ibom).

Jonathan has delivered on education, says PDP Lara Adejoro

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is proud of the numerous achievements carried out by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, particularly in the educational sector in the last four years.

The party, which reviewed the gains and challenges of

the sector against the performance of the present administration, urged Nigerians to vote for President Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election to guarantee the future of education in the country.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, in a statement issued yesterday, said the PDP has, in the last 15 years, progressively grown the education

sector as a social instrument for national development and integration through vigorous implementation of broad-based policies in keeping with its manifesto and ideology.

The PDP also saluted President Jonathan for accelerating the development of education at all levels in the last four years, noting that, “President

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Buhari won’t probe past leaders – APC Titus Eguaoje, Benin

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F he wins next year’s presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari will not probe past leaders.

This pledge was made on his behalf yesterday by the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

Rather than dig into the past, a Buhari administration will only look into

the future, Oyegun said.

The Presidential candidate of the APC has anchored his campaigns on the need to curb corruption in the country.

In another breathe, Oyegun accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of blasphemy. According to him, “God will punish them (PDP leaders) come February 14”, for comments attributed to a Presidency official, Dr. Doyin Okupe, likening President Goodluck

Jonathan to Jesus Christ.

Oyegun, who spoke to journalists in Benin City yesterday, asserted that the insinuation that a Buhari presidency will send many Nigerians to jail was false. He described such statements as blackmail being masterminded by the PDP, adding that only those who may not want to change from their corrupt practices will have the retired General to contend with.

His words: “Only people

I can think of who will fear the Buhari Presidency are those who do not want change. They are those who want to continue with business as usual, those who want to continue to profit from the level of corruption in the society. We will have no apologies for people like that. But it is clear that from the Buhari perspective and that of the APC, the future of the people of this country is too important for us to spend valu-

Passengers waiting to board the Train at Iddo Terminus...recently

able time trying to dig into the past.”

Odigie, a former Governor of Edo State, said further: “The first moments of a Buhari Presidency’s outlook is on the future.

The message will be clear, whatever you engage in before that is detrimental to the people of this country, please stop it. Change has come. It is time for change and anybody who decides that he does not want to be part of change and wants business as usual; that is his choice.”

The APC chairman said further: “We will go into a situation post-May 2015 where the law will normally take its course, not going to be any looking back. Anybody who believes that the future of this country is greater than his personal proclivities will have nothing to fear. There will be a line drawn on the sand. On one part is the past the other side is the future.

“If you are part of the future, part of change, part of changing society from all these debilitating ills that have brought us to our knees, you are our friend you have nothing at all to fear. We don’t have time to go digging into the past. The future of our people is the challenge that we have not the past.”

Warning that Nigerians would resist any attempt

by the PDP to rig the elections, Oyegun said: “The other day, we watched a Presidential spokesman running his mouth, comparing Jonathan to Jesus Christ. That is the highest blasphemous comment I have ever heard and the highest level of sycophancy. But they will be swept out by the power of the people and God. “One will hope the PDP don’t rig. Two, I hope they realize that there is a great movement for change and we hope they are wise enough, they recognize it and to allow the people’s vote to count. The international community has been sensitized, you can only rig when the people are largely on your side. I expect that they won’t be foolish enough to attempt the kind of crude and blatant rigging that can upturn the results that we expect and up turn the wishes of the people.

“I cannot predict, we are not in control of security forces, we are not in control of the police, we pray for peace, we want peace, we desire peace for the interest of the long-suffering people of this country.

But they will need to do something totally crude that any blind man can see for them to succeed in February 14, that I think is virtually impossible” he declared.

Obasanjo is a terrible liar, say Osoba, Adebanjo Continued from page 1

Obasanjo, as a “terrible liar” and one renowned for “falsifying Nigeria’s history at the slightest opportunity.”

Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, described Obasanjo as one who believes his own lies.

Osoba stated this in Lagos while responding to some claims in Obasanjo’s recent controversial book “My Watch.”

Speaking at the launch of “Watch The Watcher, A Book of Remembrance of the Obasanjo Years,” written by an activist Mr. Yinka

Odumakin, at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday in Lagos, Osoba said he would write his own account to debunk “the lies Obasanjo has written” in My Watch on how the Alliance for Democracy, AD, lost Ogun State in 2003.

According to Osoba who was the chairman of the occasion, Obasanjo had during the convocation of the University of Lagos in 2002, asked him and other AD governors who were present to meet him at Dodan Barracks.

“When we got there, he begged us to support him in 2003 to retain his seat as President in the 2003 election. But we told him it was

not a decision we could take without the involvement of the elders of the party such as Abraham Adesanya.

“So, another meeting was fixed for Ogun Government Lodge in Abeokuta. At the meeting, Obasanjo begged for our support again.

“However, two weeks before the 2003 presidential election, Abraham Adesanya accused Obasanjo of trying to use military tactics to outwit us. He failed to keep to the terms of the agreement we had with him.

“I am surprised that Obasanjo in his book denied knowing nothing about the arrangement between AD and his party,

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. I will give a full account of what happened in my book,” Osoba said.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Ayo Adebanjo described Obasanjo as a man with no conscience and a self-centred man who believes no other person matters except himself.

Obasanjo’s book, My Watch, has continued to generate reactions since it was launched, with Nigerians such as Pro. Wole Soyinka and Brig-Gen AlabiIsama, who were maligned in the book, describing Obasanjo as a compulsive liar.

Osoba, who was the

chairman at the launch, also accused Obasanjo of rigging out the AD governors in the 2003 governorship elections.

The former governor also disagreed with some aspects of Obasanjo’s ‘My Watch’.

He said: “The Watcher (Obasanjo) wrote a book on which Wole Soyinka has given his verdict. I am also going to give my verdict when I write my book.

“That he (Obasanjo) does not know about the pact with the AD governors is far from the fact. To correct him, it was July 2002, he (Obasanjo) came to the graduation (ceremony) at

the University of Lagos where we met at the office of the old Head of State.

“It was there that he almost went on his knees that we, the AD governors, should support his second term ambition.

“We (AD governors) told him that we were not the founding fathers of AD. We told the late Afenifere Leader, Abraham Adesanya, but Adesanya said he would never go to Abuja.

“Adesanya later agreed that he would meet us at the presidential lodge.

Abraham Adesanya never

Continued on page 8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

7 News

Lagos deputy governor dissociates self from false e-mail

APC raises N87m for Jigawa campaign T DUTSE MOHAMMED

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t was a naira rain in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) Jigawa State chapter launched Scratch Donation Fund for Buhari’s presidential campaign, where a whopping sum of over N87 million was raised on the spot.

Hon. Sabo Nakudu, who was made the chief

launcher on the occasion was the first to open the floor when he donated N5 million. Other donations came from friends and close associates of Nakudu, who offered N50 million cash, while Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, the Jigawa APC gubernatorial candidate, announced a donation of five million naira, his associates gave five million naira also.

Similarly, all eleven APC contestants for the

race to the National Assemblies from state donated N250,000 each to the tune of N2.7 million, Kemba Madobi gave N500,000. Senator Abdullahi Ojo, N500,000. An unidentified person gave N10 million cash. Hadejia women leader of the APC, N5,000, her Gwaram counterpart, N5,000, the Jigawa Buhari Youth Vanguard, N10,000, among others.

The chairman of the

occasion, Honourable Farouk Adamu Aliyu said the APC decided to take Buhari’s presidential campaign to the public, since his ambition wasn’t just a personal one. According to Farouk: “Ours party is different from PDP where a crop of personalities sit at a cocktail party and collect over N22 billion in a situation that is sensitive to the generality of Nigerians.”

he attention of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has been drawn to some fraudulent e-mail messages in her name to unsuspecting members of the public, particularly those on her mailing list, soliciting financial assistance from them on behalf of the deputy governor.

In a disclaimer, her Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Mr. ’Tunde Abatan said: “While the deputy governor is aware of this development and has alerted relevant security agencies, it is pertinent to remind the general public, especially those who are yet to receive such emails,

that she does not operate any e-mail that is addressed as: jokeadefuliire@yahoo.com – with kindly note the double ‘i’ in the address – and any email from this address or any other purportedly seeking assistance on behalf of the deputy governor should be ignored.”

Abatan said the deputy governor was grateful to all those who had called her attention to the activities of these fraudsters behind the fake e-mail messages, while she assured all well-meaning individuals of effort towards being made to arrest the persons behind the false e-mail messages and made to face the full wrath of the law.

A’Ibom monarch, stakeholders reject Oil-Rivers State Eno-Obong Okon, Uyo.

S L-R; Director of ICT, Ministry of Education, Mr. Orji Kalu representing the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau(CON); Head of Tax, Airtel Nigeria, Bolarinwa Akapo; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Hon, Aminu Suleiman; Chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees, Dr. Musa Babayo and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS), Alhaji Kabir Mashi during the award presentation to Airtel Nigeria, for its consistent payment of education tax at the TETFund 2014 Taxpayers Forum, held in Lagos on recently.

Ondo NMA alleges foul play in chairman’s death ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

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he Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State Chapter, has said it would resist any attempt to sweep the case of Dr. David Akintayo Oguntuase, who was found dead in his private clinic in Akure, on Christmas day, under the carpet.

The Association, through its state chairman, Bamidele Betiku, made the disclosure on Monday, in Akure while addressing journalists on

its position over the death of their late colleague.

Betiku, flanked by other executive members of the association, said there was foul play in the death of the deceased.

He disclosed that an examination of the scene of the fire incident by members of the revealed that the late Oguntuase was gruesomely murdered.

“The body was dismembered on the upper and lower limbs and the area of the silhouette was still somewhat wet and one of the small bones of

the foot was found on the floor.

“The room where the body was had the burglary of its window destroyed.

There was two empty gas cylinders which were intact. We were also reliably informed that there was no power supply throughout the night of the incident and the generator was intact,” he said.

The State NMA chairman also noted that the police report on the incident contradicted the positions of neighbors who rushed into hospital for a

rescue bid.

“The Press Release by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Command narrowed the incident to electricity surge even when the neighbours confirmed that there was no electricity supply at the time of the incident.

This indeed is very suspicious. One could have expected the police to have conducted a preliminary investigation before the PPRO issues a statement on the cause of the death of the deceased.”

takeholders of some oil-producing local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have reiterated their stance against the possible creation of Oil-Rivers state in the area.

The stakeholders, who made their stance known in a statement released to journalists in Uyo on Monday, said that such a political entity would not be in the best interest of the zone.

Agitations have, of late, been rife for parts of the oil-bearing riverine areas of Akwa Ibom, including Oron, Eket, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas, to be excised and joined with parts of Rivers state to form the proposed OilRivers State.

The paramount ruler of Ibeno local government area, Owong Effiong Achianga (JP), kicked against the moves, warning that under no circumstance should his domain be included in the planned state with headquarters to be located in Degema, Rivers state.

Achianga said it became necessary to make known his objection in view of the long distance separating the two states from their maritime boundaries.

While calling on the people to reject such proposal, Achianga, whose community hosts the American oil giant, Exxon Mobil, frowned at the proposal, adding that: “It will be unthinkable to travel eight miles across the sea with the attendant hazards posed to travellers by pirates to the proposed capital in Rivers state”.

Achianga, who said he preferred to live with his kith and kin in the state noted that: “Akwa Ibom remains within a reasonable distance; Ibeno people are comfortable with their kith and kin in Akwa Ibom with whom they share common ancestry”.

Agitations for the creation of the Oil-Rivers state, it was gathered, stemmed from alleged marginalization of some minority areas in the oil rich Eket Senatorial District, especially Oron axis that have been protesting over Governor Godswill Akpabio’s decision to scheme them out of the governorship race in 2015.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

DSS threatens reprisal over inciting comments Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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he Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday, warned all those seeking to truncate the nation’s democracy by their utterances and actions to desist immediately.

The DSS specifically declared that the service and indeed all security agencies will not rest on their oars and are committed to the successful conduct of the 2015 general election in the country.

The warning came in a statement issued and signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar in Abuja.

The DSS made particular reference to the statement of a serving governor calling on men of the armed forces to rise up in protest against constituted authority, with the intent to undermine the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It however did not name the said serving governor.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to inciting and unguarded statements

and utterances by some politicians ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Of particular interest is the statement of a serving governor calling on men of the armed forces to rise up in protest against constituted authority, with the intent to undermine the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Their actions which are intended to achieve their desires are irresponsible, selfish and against our collective wellbeing as a nation.

“It is noteworthy that similar unguarded provocative statements bby politicians in the past had encouraged violence that resulted in loss of innocent lives and property.

“It is pertinent to note that no Nigerian is above the laws of this land. Political office holders must not hide under the privileges of their offices to perpetrate and encourage the commission of acts inimical to the general interest of this nation, as this will henceforth not be tolerated.

“This statement therefore serves as the last warning to all those seeking to truncate the nation’s

democracy by their careless and obviously mischievous utterances and actions to desist and retrace their steps immediately.

“This Service and indeed all security agencies will not rest on their oars and are committed to the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria,” it said.

The Defence Headquarters had, last week, similarly warned the various political parties in the country not to incite soldiers against the authority.

Members of the Signature Initiatives, a Non Governmental Organisattion, during a Responsibility Carnival, Tagged; “Voice and Walk Against Street Violence “ held in Lagos…recently

2015: Senator Anosike sues for prayers Nkiru Nwagbo, Awka

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head of the 2015 general elections, a former Senator who represented Anambra North Senatorial District, Chief Emma Anosike has called for special prayers nationwide in order to avert breakdown of law and order.

Anosike, who expressed dismay over the level of insurgency by the Islamic fundamentalists in the North,

noted that without prayers and God’s intervention, the 2015 the election may snowball into anarchy.

Speaking while presenting his empowerment scheme to widows and the physically challenged in the Anambra North district, Anosike noted that politics should not be a do-or-die affair, adding that people should not see the forth coming election as one that their lives depend on.

“Everyone should pray

for Nigeria against violence in the 2015 general election, with the level of insurgency in the country; all that we need now are prayers and God’s protection,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the Traditional Ruler’s Council for the District and Traditional Ruler of Nteje Community in Oyi local government Area, Igwe Roland Odegbo noted that “people go into politics to serve mankind and that is the way it is.

Those that go into politics just to enrich themselves do not last in the system. But a person like Emma Anosike has always been with the people and not those that are totally disconnected from the masses. He has served as a Federal House of Representatives member and he did well. He has also served us as a Senator he did well, I want to encourage other politicians to emulate him especially from this zone,” he added.

Obasanjo is a terrible liar, say Osoba, Adebanjo Continued from page 6 met him at Abuja but at the slightest notice Obasanjo came to Abuja.

“Adesanya told him (Obasanjo) that he heard he was going to ambush us (AD governors). Present that day was Bishop Gbonigi, the Awujale and Cornelius (Adebayo),” he said.

Osoba, who is now a member of the newly registered Social Democratic Party (SDP) explained that he was shocked and surprised that Obasanjo wrote in his book that he knew nothing about the Third

Term Agenda which he claimed God would have given him if he had asked God.S Commenting on Odumakin’s “Watch the Watcher”, the former governor said : “It is an event to put the records straight. Many aspects of the book written by President Olusegun Obasanjo need correction.

“He was at the centre of all the negotiations to broker a political agreement between Alliance for Democracy and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003.

“For him to say he knew

nothing about it, I totally disagree with him “The final meeting with him was attended by highly-placed Nigerians, a highly-placed royal father, the Awujale, Pa Adesanya, Bishop Gbonigi, Bishop Ladigbolu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, all the (AD) governors and a host of others.”

Speaking further, Onabanjo said: “For him (Obasanjo) to say that he knew nothing about the arrangement between AD for which he aborted and rigged the election is totally incorrect.

“The book he wrote,

is too voluminous, I don’t want to comment on other aspects because it is a very heavy book to read.” he added.

Chief Adebanjo said that the South-West did not benefit from the eightyear administration of the former president: “For eight years, I challenge anybody to come and show what we (Yoruba) got when Obasanjo was at the helm of affairs.

“For Obasanjo, Nigeria never existed before he came to power.

“Obasanjo believes he is not corrupt. But before he

left office, he changed the constitution of the party so that he could become the chairman of the party’s Board Trustee (BOT).”

Also speaking, Prof G.G. Dara, who reviewed “Watch the Watcher” described it as a provocative book of memories.

“It is expected that the book will trigger more debates.” he said.

Dara declared: “The author was motivated to write the book to challenge exaggerated claims of heroic grandeur and accomplishments made by the former President in

his book ‘My Watch’.”

The Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, was represented by Mr Shola Ibiseni. Also present were the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adeshiyan; and FERMA chairman, Engineer Jide Adeniji.

Others are the Labour Party National Secretary, Mr Kayode Ajulo; Colonel Tony Nyiam (rtd), Col Bello Fadile, Mr Akin Osuntokun and Lagos PDP chairman, Tunji Shelle and the Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, among others.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Prison inmates’ conditions shock Obiano’s wife Okey Chris, Awka

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ife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, has expressed concern over the alarming increase of the numbers of inmates in Nigerian prisons.

Mrs Obiano, who made

the observation on Monday, when she paid motherly visits to inmates at the Nigerian Prisons and destitute homes in the state in order to celebrate Christmas and New Year with them, implored judiciary to expedite action towards decongesting the country’s prisons.

The places she visited include Daughters of Charity

Orphanage Home, Fegge, Onitsha South local government area, and inmates in Nigerian Prisons at Amawbia in Awka South, and its counterparts at Aguata council area.

The governor’s wife said it was part of her resolve to celebrate the yuletide with all, and make all Anambrarians to feel among, even as

she charged the inmates to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, as well as to be prayerful with a view to regaining their divine freedom.

She added that prison serves as place of rehabilitation, re-information, re-organization and re-integration of people into the society.

9 News

Party funding: Those accusing Ameachi are satanic-APC Emmanuel Addeh

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State on Monday described as ‘satanic’, allegations that Governor of the State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, was the major financial backbone of the party at the national level.

Chairman of the party, Dr. Davies Ikanya, noted that the rumours were without foundation and a figment of the imagination of those who invented it.

“It is based on mere suspicion because of the key role that Governor Amaechi has been playing in repositioning APC to salvage Nigeria from the grip of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“As rightly stated by Governor Amaechi on Monday during the APC Port Harcourt flag-off rally, APC is a very big party to be funded from the purse of the Rivers State Government.

“Rivers State does not have the kind of money people behind the satanic

Amaechi rumour attribute to it. Rivers is not the richest State in either the country or the APC. It is not, for example, anywhere as rich as Lagos, which is an APC State and very much committed to the progress of the party. The truth is that no single State or individual is funding APC; the party is funded by all its committed members,” the state party chairman said.

He noted that even the allocation from the Feederal Government had declined, alleging that the ceding of some of our oil wells to the neighbouring Abia and President Goodluck Jonathan’s home State, Bayelsa, had reduced the state’s financial resources.

APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; HRH Oloja of Epe, Oba Komorudeen Ishola Animashaun, and member representing Epe Constituency 1 at the LAHA, Hon Tobun Abiodun, during a courtesy call at the Oba’s Palace in Epe.

Daniel cautions Ogun PDP leaders against false information Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

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ormer governor of Ogun State and a chieftain of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed his discontent over the activities of some leaders of the party admonishing them to desist from discussing political developments within the party in the media as this negates one of the articles of the PDP constitution.

Daniel, in a release signed by his media aide, Ayo Giwa, said, “internal disagreements which are supposed to be necessary ingredients of democracy are, on daily basis, being externalised.

“This smirks of indis-

cipline and must be discouraged by all lovers of democracy especially at this crucial period when we inch towards a major election that will shape the future of the nation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has declared that there were no authorised primaries held in Ogun State as the leadership of the party had earlier on called on all stakeholders to come with a unity list of candidates encompassing all various interest groups across the State.

Tremendous progress has been made in this respect and the onus lies on the leadership to point the way forward”.

In order not to disrupt

Daniel the arrangement, Otunba Gbenga Daniel elected not to run and pulled out of the senatorial race some weeks before the so-called primaries were held.

However, at an emergency meeting summoned by the National leadership of the party on Christmas Day, Otunba Gbenga Dan-

iel was directed to run in order to enhance the success of the Party at all levels in the Senatorial district and by extension, the whole of the State.

Going by this arrangement, it is absurd for any group to call themselves delegates and make statements that will only heat up the polity and may inadvertently affect the fortunes of the Party in the State.

The position of Otunba Daniel remains that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of all the PDP candidates at the polls by mapping out campaign strategies and ways of reaching out to the masses for their block vote in the forthcoming elections.

Katsina APC ticket: Defeated aspirant drags Masari to court

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he All Progressive Congress (APC) and its Katsina State governorship candidate, former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has been taken before a Federal high court in Kaduna on allegation of certificate forgery.

Masari emerged APC candidate in Katsina state ahead of the 2015 general elections, but is facing stiff opposition from a major contender, Sen Kanti Bello.

Also to be joined in the suit against Masari is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Senator Kanti Bello said at a press conference at his Kaduna residence that the postgraduate certificate in water quality control and management presented

to INEC by Masari was forged adding that he will seek legal action for INEC to verify and if proven to be true, he should be disqualified.

“I have already ordered my lawyer to file a suit at the Federal high court this week challenging the eligibility of the former speaker to contest for governorship should it be proved that the said certificate is indeed forged” Bello said.

Senator Bello said, section 82 sub-section J is explicit on the matter of forgery on the part of any person contesting the governorship election of a state.

“Based on this portion of the constitution, I have asked my lawyer to file a case against INEC, our Party APC and Aminu Masari, on the true position of the certificate to be authenticated.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Ekiti APC raises alarm over rising security threats, petitions NSA

L-R: Author, Mr. Yinka Odumakin; Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan, and Chairman of the occasion, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, at the book lunch Watch the Watcher, in Lagos.

PHOTO: Taofeek Babajide

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El-Rufai promises free education in Kaduna Augustine Aminu, Kaduna

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over norship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has promised to provide free education if elected governor of the state.

This is just as persons with disability have endorsed him as their sole candidate in the 2015 election.

El-Rufai, during a meeting with the Joint Association of People Living with Disability, said education must be free if he is elected governor.

“Yes free education is for all, free nine years basic education from Primary to

El-Rufai Junior Secondary Schools for all children of Kaduna state and free healthcare for the disable and their ward is possible in Kaduna State if we are elected,” El-Rufai said.

Speaking further he said that “the disable constitute a large chunk of the electorate, and this kind of endorsement from the less

privilege send a very big signal to even people who are not less privilege that this is the party to go with.

“I did not support the idea of person with disability to go about on the street begging, but it is the responsibility of government and all leaders to help the disable identify their talent and ensure they are empower for better life.”

He said this is what we did in Abuja and we would do it in Kaduna if elected.

According to him, his administration would consult with leaders of the people with disability and ensure they marshaled out a plan to better their living condition.

“We are aware of the bill before the State House of

Assembly and because the PDP government is a wicked government they fail to pass it to law. I am assuring you my government would ensure that the bill is pass to law.

Julius Shamang said though the association is apolitical, but because of the desire for change in Kaduna state, which ElRufai represented, he has to personally attended this endorsement and ensure all members of the association across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state graced the event.

He urged all members of the association to ensure that they get their voters card and come out and vote for change in Kaduna state and Nigeria as a whole.

‘S’East traders yet to adopt presidential candidate’

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he South-East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATAS) said on Monday that it had not adopted any canidate for the 2015 presidential election.

The association’s President-General, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, said this at a media briefing after an emergency meeting held in Onitsha, Anambra.

According to him, the

market leaders are still consulting on the matter and that the consultation had become necessary for avoidance of sentiments and bandwagon syndrome. ``Today, we have resolved that South-East traders have not adopted anybody as their candidate for the 2015 presidential election. ``Let me assure you that by the 15 of January (2015), we will convene a general meeting of all the market

leaders and their secretaries in the South-East, we will adopt a candidate in that meeting. ``Yes, like I said before that we are not politicians, we are doing our legitimate business. So what we are saying is to create an enabling environment for us to do our business. ``So we need a candidate that would assist traders. ``We are not politicians; we are not taking issue

with any political party. ``And we are happy they have conducted their primaries free and fair and presidential candidates for different parties had emerged; goodluck to all of them.’’

The president-general said that the traders had resolved not to follow any candidate based on mere sentiment without looking at concrete achievement and track-record.

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, has petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki, alleging increase in security threats in the state shortly after Governor Ayodele Fayose was declared winner of the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

In the petition by APC State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, the party noted that although there were pockets of security breaches in the state during the electioneering campaign, the situation degenerated when Fayose allegedly led thugs to the court to beat up judges and personnel.

In the petition copied to the President, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service (DSS), Ekiti State Director of DSS and Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, the party alleged that the situation had worsened after Fayose’s inauguration.

Awe alleged a leap in insecurity shortly after “Fayose made a special request for redeployment to Ekiti State the policemen

INEC: Uproar in Ibadan over Akeju’s deployment from Oyo

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he protest against the redeployment of Ambassador Rufus Akeju as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State, Monday, continued as hundreds of people believed to be members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Accord, Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) staged a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, rejecting his

that formed the nucleus of a killer squad in Ekiti State between 2003 and 2006 as confirmed by the Presidential Security Panel Report on Political Killings in Ekiti State”.

But the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, while urging the NSA to disregard the APC chairman’s petition, described it as a calculated attempt to divert government’s attention from prosecuting Awe for the murder case in which he was standing trial.

The APC petition reads in part: “We are worried by the antecedents of these police officers when they served Governor Fayose between 2003 and 2006. Our fear is not without basis.

A cursory look at the ‘Report of the Presidential Security Panel Investigation of Killings in Ekiti’ constituted by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 succinctly leads us to the present fear, as state-sponsored terrorism rears its head again with particular reference to the same officers, who were indicted in that report and who have been recalled by Governor Fayose to his service in Ekiti State.”

posting.

It would be recalled that the INEC had announced the redeployment of the 37 RECs in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja in a letter marked INEC/ SEC/402/VOLIII/312 and directed all RECs to conclude all handing and taking over formalities by tomorrow .

While Akeju was posted from Osun to Oyo State, the outgoing REC in Oyo State, Alhaji Nasir Ayilara, was posted to Niger State.

The inscriptions on some of the placards carried by the protesters included, Akeju must go, Don’t bring back the old wild wild west, Oyo rejects Akeju; Akeju is not fit to conduct election in Nigeria, Oyo wants credible elections,; Akeju is an APC man, We reject him, as well as Akeju will destroy Oyo election.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

11 News

Emir of Ilorin denies endorsing guber candidate Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

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he Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has condemned in its entirety a story credited to him by an online medium, that he had endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial flagbearer, Senator Simeon S. Ajibola.

The spokesperson of the monarch and Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Woru Mohammed, described the story as grossly irresponsible, concocted, inciting and an attempt to drag the Emir into the murky waters of politics.

While reacting to the story, in Ilorin, Woru said the

Emir, as a father of all political parties in the state, could not slam his door against any political party, saying that reception of any political party in his palace did not mean endorsement.

Woru, who said the story was unethical, therefore, advised journalists to follow the ethics of their profession to the letter and do away with inciting stories capable of causing confusion, as the 2015 general elections drew near.

He added that the action of Magajis Forum in the Emirate, which identified with the present administration in the state, was borne out of the government’s monumental achievements, stressing that not even the

NDLEA seizes 6821.42kg of drugs, 11 vehicles in Kogi Ibrahim Momohjimoh, Lokoja

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he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State command, said it has seized a total of 6821.42 kilogramme of illicit drugs, while a total of 11 vehicles were also impounded in the out-going year in the state.

The state Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, Alhaji Idris Bello, who disclosed this on Monday in Lokoja, said that 184 suspects were arrested in connection with drugrelated offences, while a total of 16 suspects were convicted.

According to him, the command carried out a large-scale operation in the year under review in Ogori-Magongo local government area of the state, leading to the destruction of four massive cannabis farms measuring approximately 35 acres.

He further said that his command also success-

fully destroyed another 13,272.209kg of hard drugs publicly at Zango-Daji, noting that 85-drug dependent persons had undergone short intervention training, while 3 persons were rehabilitated.

While regretting that Kogi state is a drug- transit state, he noted that traffickers had always invented more ingenious means of concealing their illicit wares, but said the determination of the command to eradicate drug trafficking in the state had foiled even the best efforts of drug dealer.

Bello commended the media and other related agencies for their co-operation in the areas of publication and suspects’ transfer and intelligence-sharing, which, he said, was largely responsible for the NDLEA’s successes.

Said he: “They have been exceptionally wonderful in giving adequate publicity and creating necessary awareness.”

Emir or anybody compelled them to do so.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the Emirate to

disregard the story.

It would be recalled that Senator Simeon S. Ajibola visited the Emir Alhaji Ibra-

him Sulu Gambari during the weekend at his palace, where the Emir reportedly described “the emergence

of Senator Simeon Ajibola as PDP governorship flagbearer in the state as a sign of good things to come.

Minister of State for FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; PDP governorship candidate in Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and former minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, at the inaugural meeting of the PDP SouthWest 2015 campaign, at the Ondo Government House, in Akure.

Aregbesola blames Jonathan, PDP for Nigeria’s woes

Aregbesola

Michael Bamigbola, Osogbo

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sun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, at the weekend, launched a blistering attack on President Goodluck Jonathan, lamenting that the country, under the current administration, had been badly managed.

Aregbesola, who spoke at a book presentation to mark the 50th birthday of a frontline activist, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, said under Jonathan, Nigeria’s economy had nose-dived to the point of near-collapse and that Nigerians deserve to know the true state of affairs in the country.

He said: “Politics aside, the truth about Nigeria is that the people currently

managing it at the centre, care less about a swamping majority of the people, but themselves.”

Aregbesola also said that oil, which is the main stay of Nigeria’s economy, was being stolen from Nigeria on a daily basis, despite huge security apparatus at the disposal of the Federal Government and a security contract to that effect to an ex-militant, Government Ekpemupolo – popularly known as Tompolo.

“The Federal Government has the Army, Navy, Air Force and a security contract awarded to Tompolo, yet 400, 000 barrels of oil are being stolen from Nigeria daily and the government cannot account for the theft. What do you make of that?

“The other day, while I was discussing with Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, he told me that even if ordinary banger is thrown at the stolen oil, the thieves will flee, but nothing has been done to secure Nigeria’s oil,” Aregbesola said.

Chika Okafor

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he wife of the chairman of Kwali area council, Mrs. Abigail Daniel, at the weekend, donated gift items to widows, orphans and aged women in the area.

Mrs. Daniel said that the gesture was part of her effort to alleviate the sorrow of the less- privileged in the area.

She assured that the Council’s administration, led by her husband, was ready to carry everybody along, in order to push the Council forward, while giving widows and the lessprivileged a sense of belonging. ``The essence of this donation, today, is to show the beneficiaries love and and to let them know that they are very relevant to the society. We all know that God is the father and mother of widows and the orphans, but they also need physical support from people around them. ``I felt it was necessary to assist them with some gift items, since they have no one to assist them so that they can be happy with the society. We are aware that

FCT council chair’s wife donates gifts to widows, orphans these categories of people are forgotten during celebrations and festive periods; that is the reason we need to show them affection. ``I consider them very important in the society which motivated me to encourage them by putting a little smile on their faces,’’ she said.

Mrs. Daniel also said that skill-acquisition programme would be introduced for women in the various wards of the Council to make them self-reliant and productive.

She called on well-meaning Nigerians, including corporate organizations and civil societies, to show love and care to the lessprivileged in the country as they only have to survive through such help.

Africa 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Ivorien Court bars Gbagbo from running for presidency

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Ben Ami Ben Israel (C), spiritual leader of African Hebrews, is seen with followers at a celebration May in 26, 2010, in the southern Israeli town of Dimona.

Cameroun Air Force repels Boko Haram, kill 41

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ameroon has carried out its first air strikes against militant Islamist group Boko Haram, after it overran a military base and attacked five villages, officials have said.

The military repelled the coordinated attacks and regained control of the base, they added.

At least 41 militants and one soldier were killed, the officials said.

The Nigeria-based group is increasingly carrying out cross-border raids, threatening Cameroon’s security.

The latest fighting was the most intense, lasting for three days along several fronts, reports the BBC’s Jean-David Mihamle

from Cameroon’s capital Yaounde.

About 1,000 militants attacked five villages, including Amchide, and seized the nearby Achigachia military base, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck told Reuters news agency.

“After that, the head of state ordered the air force to carry out strikes. With the bombardment, the fighters were forced to decamp from Achigachia,” he said.

In a statement, Cameroon’s Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said the multiple attacks showed that Boko Haram had adopted a new strategy aimed at “distracting Cameroonian troops on different fronts, making

Ethiopia tightens anti-gay laws

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t is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life.

No pardoning of gays will

be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.

It is the Ethiopian council of ministers that has adopted a change to the coun-

them more vulnerable in the face of the mobility and unpredictability of their attacks”.

At least 34 militants were killed after the army raided one of their bases in Cameroon, while another seven were killed in a separate clash which also claimed the life of a soldier, Mr Bakary said, Reuters reports.

The air strikes marked “a new escalation in the Cameroonian response... to multiple enemy attacks”, he added, AFP news agency reports.Last week, Cameroon said it had dismantled a Boko Haram training camp on its territory, and had seized 84 children who were being trained there.

More than 40 of its soldiers have been killed in

fighting with Boko Haram this year, according to Reuters.

Boko Haram launched its insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in 2009, saying it wanted to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

It recruits mainly unemployed youth and has seized large swathes of territory in Borno state, raising fears that it could launch an assault on its main city, Maiduguri.

At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by the group in Nigeria this year.

The kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in April from the town of Chibok in Borno state sparked international outrage.

try’s “Pardon and Amnesty law”, which will assure that homosexuality, along with terrorism and a few other serious crimes, will become a criminal assault that can no longer be pardoned.

The Ethiopian penal code already defines sexual relations between persons of the same sex as a serious criminal offence. Article 629 of the penal code foresees

that sexual minorities are punished hard. Violation of the Ethiopian gay and lesbian sex ban will lead to a minimum incarceration of one year, while it can give up to 15 years of imprisonment. The paragraph is no longer “silent” and is being applied by Ethiopian courts.

At the same time, there is a tradition for pardoning and amnesties in Ethiopia.

n Ivorien court, on Monday in Abidjan, gave an order stopping former President Laurent Gbagbo from contesting the presidency of his party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).

The order followed a case filed by FPI’s current President, Pascal N’guessan challenging Gbagbo’s legibility to contest the position while in detention.

NAN reports that some members of the party had collected and completed nomination form for Gbagbo in preparation for the party’s congress.

N’guessan, who is also seeking re-election, is of the view that Gbagbo, who is currently in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), could not contest the position.

The court held that the completion of the nomination form for Gbagbo by some members was illegal since it did not possess his personal handwriting and signature.

The FPI, Cote d’Ivoire’s

major opposition party is facing internal crisis following moves to elect a new president.

The party is now polarised along the lines of proGbagbo and pro-N’guessan groups, with the former accusing N’guessan of plotting to support President Alassane Ouattara in the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking to newsmen, the defense lawyer, Mr Didier Botuaffon, said he would go on appeal, describing the court’s decision as unfair and against the provisions of the law.

Also reacting, Hubert Oulaye, Chairman of FPI’s Congress Control Committee said the decision signaled state’s intrusion in the internal activities of the opposition party.

Gbagbo

Displaced CAR Muslims face severe threat

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undreds of displaced Muslims trapped in a town in the Central African Republic are becoming more vulnerable by the day, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR. The agency is calling for this group of people to be relocated, and discussions with the C.A.R. government are expected in the coming days.

About 500 Muslims, mainly ethnic Peuls, have been in the town of Yaloke in western C.A.R. since fleeing there nine months ago to escape hostile Christian and animist anti-balaka militia.

In Yaloke, they have had some protection from French and United Nations peacekeepers, and have been receiving some food aid. But they are trapped in a small area and unable to move outside it for fear of attacks. Health conditions have deteriorated.

A mission led by the Roman Catholic archbishop of Bangui recently visited Yaloke to provide medical help.

The doctor with the mission, Elkana Ndwatcha, told VOA the Peuls’ situation is deplorable, and action must be taken urgently to save them. He described their living conditions as appalling.

He said 40 people in the group died between April and December. Aid agencies say that figure includes 13 children. They say it’s a far higher mortality rate than in the surrounding community, where only one death of a child was reported in the same period.

The main causes of mortality among the children have been malaria and malnutrition, said Ndawatcha. Many of the children, he said, displayed typical signs of protein deficiency - badly swollen feet, cheeks and eyelids, and emaciated bodies.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

13 World

Missing AirAsia plane likely at bottom of sea

Distraught relatives waiting for news at the Surabaya international airport in Indonesia.

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he missing AirAsia Indonesia flight QZ8501 is likely to be at the bottom of the sea, the head of Indonesia’s search-andrescue agency has said.

Bambang Soelistyo said the hypothesis was based on the co-ordinates of the plane when contact with it was lost.

The search for the aircraft is continuing a day after it disappeared with 162 people on board, but no trace has yet been found.

The Airbus A320-200 disappeared early on Sunday

on a flight to Singapore.

Distraught relatives have been waiting for news at the Surabaya international airport in Indonesia.

The pilots had requested a course change because of bad weather but did not send any distress call before the plane disappeared from radar screens.

“Based on the co-ordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea,” Soelistyo, the head of Indonesia’s search and rescue

Greek MPs reject presidential nominee

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reek Members of Parliaments have rejected the presidential candidate nominated by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, triggering a snap general election. Stavros Dimas failed to reach the necessary 180 votes, which means that parliament will have to be dissolved. Greece’s economy

has begun to recover after six years of recession.

But Greeks have endured years of austerity and the left-wing Syriza party leading the polls wants the terms of a huge EU-IMF bailout renegotiated.

The Athens stock market fell 7% as news of the vote sank in, with bank shares among the worst affected.

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outh Korea has offered to resume high-level talks next month with North Korea on a range of issues, to prepare for a “peaceful unification”.

Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said he especially hoped to discuss the reunion of families separated by the Korean War more than 60 years ago.

There has been no response yet from Pyongyang.

The North has previously seen the South’s unification plans as an attempt to take it over.

“North and South Korea should meet face to face to draw up a plan for a peaceful unification,” Mr Ryoo told a news conference.

“For this purpose, we make an official proposal for the North Korean government to have a conversation about mutual concerns between North and South in January next year.”

The minister said he hoped North Korea “responds positively” to the suggestion. He offered to meet in Seoul, Pyongyang or any other South or North Korean city agreed with North Korean officials.

The last formal high-level talks were in February, leading to rare reunions for Korean families.

agency, told a news conference in Jakarta.

Officials say they suspect that the plane is likely to be at the bottom of the sea, says Alice Budisatrijo Media reports say the families are united in their prayers, hoping against hope for a miracle.

Many newspapers have published personal stories.

One that has moved many people is about the Facebook post from the daughter of one of the pilots. It simply reads: “Papa come home.”

Some are also calling

2014 a “year of tragedies” for the aviation industry, linking it with the flight MH370 that disappeared in March and hasn’t been found yet.Beyond the emotional coverage, commentators have been asking questions about aviation safety in the region.

South-East Asia has a fast-developing aviation sector with many carriers fighting for space, observers say. Most welcome the competition, but say safety norms have to be strengthened.

The search for the plane,

Greek bond yields leapt above 9%, and bond yields also rose in Spain and Italy, two other countries hit hard by the eurozone debt crisis.

Shortly after the vote, Mr Samaras announced that elections would take place on 25 January.

“The country has no time to waste,” he said in a televised address. Mr Dimas, a former European commissioner, secured the votes of only 168 MPs, the same number he had won during the second vote last week.

Obama optimistic over Iran nuclear talks

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nited States President Barack Obama says a nuclear agreement with Iran is “possible” and would be a necessary first step in any greater diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Obama said he would be hopeful about working to

near Belitung island, was largely suspended as night fell on Sunday.

Although some ships continued the hunt overnight, the main search planes and vessels, from several nations, only resumed on Monday.

Soelistyo said Indonesia was providing 12 ships, three helicopters and five military aircraft.

Malaysia was to deploy a C-130 plane, along with three ships, with Singapore lending a C-130 and Australia also providing help.

S’Korea to resume talks with Pyongyang

improved relations under a scenario with an Iran that has a verified peaceful nuclear program, whose economy grows unhampered by sanctions and is “reintegrated into the international community.”

NPR posted a transcript of the president’s interview on its website early Monday.

Obama said Iran has a chance to “break through”

Kim Jong Un

isolation and resolve the nuclear issue, and that Iranian officials should seize the opportunity.

When asked if the United States would open an embassy in Tehran, following a move toward closer relations with Cuba this month, the president said he would “never say never.” But he cautioned that “these things have to go in steps.”

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Watch the Watcher: A Book: Watch the Watcher Reviewer: Professor G.G. Darah Author: Yinka Odunmakin

G.G. Darah

T

his is a provocative and polemical book of memories and reflections by Yinka Odumakin about General Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s military head of state (1976-1979) and elected President (1999-2007). The author was motivated to write the book to challenge exaggerated claims of heroic grandeur and accomplishments made by the former President. He hopes that the book will add to the collective memory card of Nigerians so that they do not suffer the disease of amnesia which encourages unworthy public men and women to act with impunity “knowing that there is no book of remembrance that will chronicle their doings” and atrocities in office. As the title of the book suggests, even those who claim to be watchers of society are also being watched to account for their deeds.

The years covered by the book constitute momentous epochs in Nigeria’s chequered history. For example, at the end of General Obasanjo’s despotic rule in 1979, his military junta presided over a controversial presidential election yet he managed to earn international acclaim by the fact of his handing over of power to an elected civilian regime headed

by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. That regime collapsed in four years in 1983, giving way to over a decade of terroristic regimes by military jackboots until 1999 when General Obasanjo came from prison to be elected President.

He was re-elected in 2003 and he handed over power to the civilian government of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007. For someone who rose from relative obscurity, Obasanjo’s record of ruling the world’s most populous country three times should have elevated his stature to that of an epic hero in political terms. General Obasanjo himself has written copiously and spoken tirelessly of his achievements as both military commander and political leader. His latest book of selfpraise bears the tell-tale title of My Watch (2014). However, Yinka Odumakin considers General Obasanjo as an anti-hero whose colossal image in the Nigerian political firmament is nothing short

of a disaster. In Odumakin’s words, “Under Obasanjo’s watch, Transparency International (TI) voted Nigeria as the most corrupt country in the world. The level of blood-letting under his regime remains unparalleled in Nigeria’s history, save the civil war years and Boko Haram killings”.

Odumakin spends 280 pages of commentary, testimony, and documentation to establish his case.

exposed General Obasanjo to the suspicion of being a lackey or comprador of foreign imperialist interests. His offensive offered a model for other military despots like Generals Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abacha in subsequent years.

The narrative of the book is executed in five chapters. The first one attempts a portrait of the General, digging into hitherto ignored details that raise questions about his pedigree.

The second chapter chronicles highlights of Obasanjo’s first coming as military head of state, including the mystery surrounding his role in the military coups in which he managed to be the luckiest survivor and beneficiary.

There some juicy revelations about the events surrounding the February 13, 1976, military coup in which Obasanjo;s boss, General Murtala Mohammed was killed. Odumakin also alerts the reader to re-examine how the General Obasanjo mismanaged the first oil-boom wealth of the country and his bloody suppression of the 1978 students’ uprising against the hike in education costs, otherwise known as the “Ali Must Go Saga”. Col. Ahmadu Ali, now a Senator, was the then Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Education.

The hated apartheid minority regime in South Africa operated the notorious Roben Island detention camp off the coast of Cape Town. This was the gulag where revolutionary leaders like Nelson Mandela were jailed for life. Odumakin’s remembrance of Obasanjo’s despotism recalls his setting up of the crocodile-infested Ita Oko detention camp off the coast of Lagos and the barbaric destruction of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s “Kalakuta Republic” in the 1970s.

The next chapter with the title “The Valley” is a brief one, but it is no less explosive and devastating in its revelationss. To Odumakin, Obasanjo does not qualify to “pose as Nigeria’s ultimate patron saint…His history speaks another truth. It was his army which practically waged war against this country with coups, counter-coups and constant bloodletting” (page 35) adding that “Everything which could go wrong with a country, went wrong under his watch” and that if “a man spent more time in the presidency than any other Nigerian but keeps complaining about real and imagined failures of others, who should be talking about his own failures?” (page 36).

The Obasanjo’s military junta did not only decapitate the national student movement by sacking its leaders such as the late Segun Okeowo; a kangaroo trial of radical anti-imperialist scholars and university lecturers recommended their dismissal.

They were accused of being the inspirer of the students. Among those sacked were Professors Ola Oni, Omafume Onoge, Akin Ojo, Bade Onimode of the University of Ibadan, and Laoye Sanda of the Polytechnic Ibadan. Also dismissed from their posts were Professor Jacob Ade-Ajayi, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos who was one of Africa’s foremost historians, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, and the Marxist mathematician, Dr. Eddy Madunagu, both of the University of Lagos. Dr. Bene Madunagu of the University of Calabar also lost her job; so did Bassey Ekpo Bassey, a trade unionist in Calabar. This draconian move against radical students and academics

Odumakin’s catalogue of what he calls Obasanjo’s grave failures is stretched out in gorier accounts in chapter four, “The Ogre Returns”. In mythological literature, the word “ogre” conjures the image of a blood-thirsty beast which terrorises and kills its victims. In Odumakin’s assessment, some of the victims of this political ogre are great names such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Africa’s greatest nation builders of the 20th century. All through the book, Odumakin alleges, through direct charges and innuendos, that General Obasanjo committed much of his career to the destruction of the Awolowo legacy. Awolowo’s loss to Shehu Shagari in the presidential polls of 1979 and 1983 is cited as illustrations of this sinister scheme. Chief Awolowo died in 1987 yet the demolition of his political system did not appear to cease. As a political activist and one of the leaders of the Yoruba Afenifere movement, Odumakin

is in a position to be a “watcher” over of the disabling of the best and the brightest in the Yoruba political kingdom.

The next victim of the ogre is Chief M.K.O. Abiola. He was winner of the 1993 June 12 presidential election. The results were annulled by General Babangida, the then military president. The resultant popular uprising to redeem Abiola’s stolen mandate turned Nigeria into the most dramatic scene of democratic struggles in Africa. The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was the spearhead of the struggle and movement was headquartered in the Yoruba area of southwestern Nigeria. General Abacha seized the opportunity to stage a coup in 1993; his government massacred, jailed, and terrorised all pro-June 12 persons and organisations. Nigeria and the world were polarised. Democratic nations and statesmen supported the clamour for Abiola’s mandate.

At this momentous period, General Obasanjo declared that Chief Abiola “was not the messiah”. As Odumakin observes, “Obasanjo played a very huge role in blocking Abiola’s presidency. He was right in the centre of the protracted June 12 problem. He was never brave enough to carry out his own coup, but he was always positioned to reap from others’ courage and great risk.” (p. 40).

If Chief Abiola was not the messiah, who was? This enigmatic question is answered in the second half of the fourth chapter.

The narrative is now in 1999.

By 1998 Abiola and Abacha had dead and the disgraced military regime was making frantic moves to disengage from power.

The transition arrangement throws up General Obasanjo as the favoured candidate and he wins under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Odumakin reviews the eight years of Obasanjo’s “second coming” and enters the verdict that Nigeria was no longer at ease, to invoke the title of Chinua Achebe’s 1962 novel. This segment of the account opens with a prophetic prediction by Pastor Tunde Bakare in a statement he issued on March 7, 1999, thus: “Rejoice not oh land, or your joy will be temporary”. In a follow-up message, Pastor Bakare warned that if Obasanjo were sworn-in as president, the family situation in Nigeria would collapse and economic crimes would multiply.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

15 Opinion

remembrance of the Obasanjo years Odumakin offers 30 pages of evidence to justify these inauspicious predictions. His most damning charge is the bloodchilling list of victims of “high profile politically motivated killings under Obasanjo’s regime” at pages 48-50. Some of the most horrendous cases are those of Chief Bola Ige (President Obasanjo’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice), Dr. Marshall Harry of Rivers State, Victor Nwankwo, Barnabas Igwe, Professor Chimere Ikoku (former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri), Dele Arojo, and Alhaji Ahmed Pategi. There are a few names left out in the list such as those of Chief Dikibo of Rivers State and Engineer Funso Williams of Lagos, both front liners of the PDP. None of these deaths has been investigated with satisfactory results.

Odumakin’s litany of Obasanjo’s failures is extensive. His anti-corruption project is assessed as a charade as he tended to prosecute those he perceived as his political adversaries. Other instances given by the author are the questionable manner the Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) was acquired, the funding of the Presidential Library in Abeokuta, the reckless use of Excess Crude account, the management of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund, the whimsical amendment to the Revenue Allocation Act in 2002, exploitation of the Land Use Act to acquire personal lands, scandals surrounding contracts by Siemens and Halliburton, and the privatisation of public enterprises. Under these areas of unethical deals fall the cases of the military invasion and destruction of Odi in Bayelsa State in November 1999 and Zaki Biam in Benue State in 2001. The massacres that took place caused grave embarrassment to Nigeria under a civilian dispensation. Another act of political corruption Odumakin levels against Obasanjo is the controversial “third term” gambit which brought indelible opprobrium to his second tenure in 2005.

The fifth chapter is the longest; it covers more than half of the entire book. Under the title, “What They Say About Olusegun Obasanjo”, the author reproduces opinions, comments, and letters which help the reader to have a deeper knowledge of the Obasanjo

phenomenon. Having attempted a synoptic accounting of his views on Obasanjo in the previous four chapters, Odumakin appears determined to summon more witnesses to fortify his verdict of “guilty as charged”.

In all there are 25 materials of various subject matters and temper. Perhaps the most devastating are those by members of the Obasanjo family. The first of these is the opinion published in November 2008 by Dr. Reuben Abati, then of The Guardian newspaper, being a review of the autobiography by one of Obasanjo’s wives, Mrs. Oluremi Obasanjo. The title of the autobiography is BitterSweet: My Life With Obasanjo.

The review is vintage Abati, a scintillating and graceful essay that unearths some of the murky details of the conjugal drama involving the couple. The third supplement is the purported petition/affidavit by the first son of Obasanjo, Gbenga, over allegations of infidelity against his wife. The document is already public knowledge, having been published in some national newspapers when the matter was in court. This is followed by the letter by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo to his father with the title “Your Madness is Part of Societal Madness”. The version reproduced in this book is attributed to the Vanguard newspaper of December 18, 2013. It would be recalled that this letter came in the wake of the December 2 diatribe that former President Obasanjo addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan accusing him of sundry malfeasance.

Other open letters to Chief Obasanjo reproduced in this section include the one by Professor Chinua Achebe rejecting a national honour

by Obasanjo’s government for the reason that “Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence”. Achebe cited the instance of his own “state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom.

I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.” (page 107). The letter to President Obasanjo

by Professor Niyi Osundare is no less ruthless, concluding that by “May 2007 you will have

ruled this country for a total of eleven years. That is about too much for one man to ask in a country of 120 million human beings”. Osundare was inveighing against the terror of the “third term agenda” then in vogue. From Gani Fawehinmi, the late stormy petrel of human rights, Obasanjo’s rule by 2007 was “eight years of self-centred disposition, eight years of wayo, eight years of deception, eight years of creating a few rich people….eight years of dictatorship…” Odumakin agrees with Fawehinmi in his angst against President Obasanjo’s economic mismanagement, especially as he pauperised millions of Nigerians by increasing the prices of petroleum products about eleven times in eight years. Colonel Abubakar Umar’s letter at pages 131-139 is of a similar genre.

Yet that by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark of January 7, 2014, is in a class by itself. Clark’s letter, “Let the Truth Be Told Before It Is Too Late” was a brave and peppery rejoinder to the ill-motivated one Obasanjo did to President Jonathan in December, 2013. Having refuted all the sinister allegations Obasanjo levelled against Jonathan, Chief Clark adds this clincher paragraph: “You are today one of the richest men in Nigeria if not in Africa. In 1999, it was widely reported in the media that you came out of Gasua Prison very broke. As a matter of fact, it was stated that you had N20,000 in your bank account as declared in your Code of Conduct Bureau Form.

In just 8 years, as President of Nigeria, you metamorphosed from a struggling ex-head of state into a life of opulence. You must tell Nigerians the magic behind the sudden affluence.

When corruption is mentioned, informed Nigerians know those that foisted the malady on our nation. The Halliburton bribe scandal and the Siemens case were lightly touched by President Jonathan in his open reply to you. These two high profile corruption cases happened during your tenure as President”.

Of the other thirteen documents, the interview by Chief Ayo Adebanjo deserves special attention because he is one of the few revolutionary

Awoists who has seen it all and survived it all. Asked to assess Obasanjo as a Yoruba leader as the only Yoruba to have been President, Chief Adebanjo charges back thus: “Leader of the Yoruba? Who said? Is he even the leader of Egbaland?...Have you found any genuine Yoruba person saying he (Obasanjo) left a worthy legacy? He has left a legacy of poverty for the Yoruba people…” The views of two distinguished scholars that follow are equally noteworthy, one by Professor Akin Oyebode of the University of Lagos (pages 179-182) and the other by Professor Omo Omoruyi (pages 213-240). Readers who seek further verification of President Obasanjo’s authorship of the “third term” gambit are advised to read the interview

by Senator Adoplphous Wabara at pages 195-197. The title is “I Was Offered N250m for Obasanjo’s Third Term”.

Let us take the final verdict of these supporting documents from Chief Ayo Opadokun and Chief Segun Osoba. First, Chief Opadokun, a veteran of the June 12 struggle: “The exposure of his mental gaffe and debilitation through

self-glorification, in classifying himself as one of the greats from Ogun State, while Chief Obafemi Awolowo could not count as one of them, is a further exposure of Obasanjo’s moral personality” (page 201).

Here is the judgement by Chief Segun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State: “He (Obasanjo) has not only been tamed in Ogun State, he has been caged in the entire country. The 2011 elections have put him where he belongs. It has put him in an iron cage where he cannot escape. He should now go and live the rest of his life in peace and learn to keep his mouth shut.

No more grand standing and I have my reasons for saying so…I pity him that in his life time his fraudulent political activities are being exposed…”

Yinka Odumakin’s Watch the Watcher: A Book of Remembrance of Obasanjo’s Years offers additional iron cages of morality with which the victims of President Obasanjo’s politics would want to tame and cage him. It is expected that the book will provoke more polemical debates and disclosures that will empower Nigerians to expose and cage all their oppressors in shame and silence.

Politics 16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Politics

s

2015: Fat on promises, lean on delivery Jonathan Eze, Deputy Political Editor

I

t’s a trend Nigerian voters have been used to over the years. Pre-election periods like this are characterised by sugar coated promises ranging from improving living conditions of the elec-

torates, social security and other promises that will turn the heart on like an intending male lover would to an unsuspecting female friend just to take her pride by getting down with her. But how long can the deceit last? Are gullible electorates in 2011 still gullible in 2014? This is a poser for all candidates

seeking votes to either remain in office or win one.

Convincingly, the history of Nigeria’s public life is the story of a landscape littered with broken promises and uncompleted projects. It is not difficult to see how this came to be. Elections promises are a large part of an election platform, which

includes several ideas with differing specificity. These ideas of a political platform include general policies, but politicians make sure they also include actual promises that they intend to keep once elected. They are an essential elements in getting people to vote for a candidate.

For example, a promise such as

to cut taxes or to introduce new social programmes may appeal to voters.

But would you blame a politician for making rosy promises?

Perhaps No, because there are strong pressures on them to make promises which they canCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Lagos Assembly Ikuforiji

Shape of things to come Though the next general elections in the country would not hold until February, 2015 and the life span of the current administration in the State will not come to an end till 29th of May same year, the race to the Speakership of the Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced in earnest within the APC members who are yet to win re-election.

ALADE TASONA reports

I

t is between the 40 members of the House who have secured the ruling APC ticket to contest the Assembly election in February, 2015.

Among those currently pushing to lead the 8th Assembly are the

current Deputy Speaker and the longest serving lawmaker in the State, Kolawole Taiwo, representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency 01, Funmilayo Tejuosho, representing Mushin constituency 01, the immediate past chairman of Lagos

Island East LCDA and former member of the House who had secured the party ticket to return to the House, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, if elected, will again be representing CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

17 Politics

Shape of things to come in Lagos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Lagos Island constituency 01 as well as Mudashiru Obasa who has been representing Agege constituency 01 since 2003.

KOLAWOLE TAIWO: Deputy Speaker of the House; has been a member since 1999 having been elected and re-elected for four consecutive times.

Taiwo, Popularly known as HKT remains the most experienced lawmaker in the House and this he often demonstrates by coming to the rescue of the House over naughty issues and other legislative related challenges. HKT, who is said to be a grassroot politician and mobiliser enjoys the support of party chieftains across the state as well as his colleagues in the House, especially the young and first term members who look up to him as a role model and for mentorship. Prior to the convening of the 7th Assembly in June 2011, Taiwo squared it up for the Speakership of the House and was about to defeat his opponent, the current Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji but was however, prevailed upon by the leadership of the party to allow Ikuforiji who was then the incumbent Speaker to continue to lead the House as arranged by the party leaders while he was asked to settle for the Deputy Speaker position.

However, is said to be working hard, strategising and strengthen his already cordial relationship with the party leaders while relying on his legislative experience, support base among his colleagues as well as his loyalty and commitment to the party, to secure the party nod to lead 8th Lagos Assembly come June 2015.

ADEFUNMILAYO TEJUOSHO: remains the most senior among the female members of the House having been in the

Taiwo

House since 2003 where she has been representing Mushin constituency 01. Tejuosho was the Deputy Speaker of the House between 2007 and 2009 before she was impeached. An experienced lawmaker, she is currently serving her third consecutive term in the House where she now chairs one of the very sensitive committee of the House, the finance committee. Like Taiwo, she will also be relying on her closeness to the leadership of the party, especially members of the national executive of the party from the state and few chosen friends among her colleagues in the House to clinch the Speakership position. Funmi, as Tejuosho is fondly call appears to be reserved and now takes her time since her impeachment experience as she felt betrayed by her colleagues, especially those she thought were her friends but participated in her impeachment.

Like Ikuforiji who turned down an offer of a senatorial ticket and chose to return and continue to lead the House as Speaker dropped her initial aspiration for the House of Rep with an intention to lead the 8th Assembly, she however, remains a strong contender to the Speakership position in the next Assembly.

WASIU SANNI ESHINLOKUN: was the immediate past chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA and a former member of the House. Eshinlokun who served as member of the House in the 4th Assembly between 1999 and 2003 defeated the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hakeem Masha Agboola to pick the party ticket. A prince of Lagos from the Eshinlokun ruling house, the former council boss is said to enjoy the support of Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the white cap chiefs

He is the Deputy Speaker of the House and has been a member since 1999 having been elected and re-elected for four consecutive times

Ikuforiji

The party leadership favoured Adeyemi Ikuforiji to lead the house as speaker since 1999

in the state who were said to be pushing for his candidacy as the number three man in the State and were said to have recommended him to the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as compensation for their support in the endorsement of Akinwumi Ambode, his (Tinubu) choice for the Governorship position, as result of which Tinubu was alleged to be working in tan-

She is currently serving her third consecutive term in the house where she now chairs the house committee on finance

dem with the leadership of the party in the state to zone the position to the Lagos Central senatorial district to place Eshinlokun at an advantage position for the post. However, the arrangement is said to have remain controversial as at press time.

MUDASHIRU OBASA: is another lawmaker with legislative experience having been in the House since 2003 when he was first elected and currently chairs another sensitive committee of the House, budget committee. Obasa whose poster canvassing for Speakership position were seen all over Agege area, months before the primaries that saw him emerged with a very slim margin to his closest rival as the party candidate for the forth consecutive times to represent Agege constituency 01 has since commenced lobbying party leaders and colleagues over his aspiration to lead the next Assembly even when his constituents were busy protesting his emergence as the party candidate, threatening to engage in antiparty activity by voting opposition party if the party fails to act on their protest as they claimed the primaries election that gave him the ticket were marred with irregularities.

Obasa has continued with his consultation with party leaders over his aspiration to lead the next Assembly in the State. It will be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly is a one party House as it is presently dominated by 40 members who are members of APC. As the February, 2015 date for the next general election and June 4th, 2015 date for the proclamation of the 8th Assembly draw near, Lagosians are patiently waiting and watching where these game plans and political permutations would finally end.

Tejuosho

Politics 18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

not keep. A political party that does not make exaggerated promises might appear bland, unambitious, and uninteresting to voters compared to the one that does. Sometimes this can give the exaggerating party an advantage over the truthful one. Government finances are extremely complex and promises are vague enough that the media and public can rarely say for certain that the numbers do not add up. Thus almost all parties continue to promise lower taxes, more social programmes, and most recently stomach infrastructure. These are besides broader promises to combat corruption and to ensure electricity, security and jobs.

Promises are usually based on the rosiest of possible futures, a strong economy and cooperative leaders of legislatures and sub-national entities.

Actual government planning done by bureaucrats generally plans for the worst possible future, but any politician that

...But would you blame a politician for making rosy promises? Perhaps no, because there are strong pressures on them to make promises which they cannot keep would plan in this manner would have a platform that is far less attractive than that of their opponents.

For example, President Goodluck Jonathan while wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas, promised that his administration would give security agencies the necessary support to ensure that the 2015 general elections are violence-free.

The President added that the Independent National Electoral Commission would be given the necessary assistance to conduct free, fair and credible elections. “I seize this opportunity to reassure the nation that my administration will give the Independent National Electoral Commission all necessary support to ensure that it delivers very free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in 2015. “Na-

His Promises

Electricity

Jonathan

Agriculture

Education

Water Supply Roads

Health

Security

I seize this opportunity to reassure the nation that my administration will give the INEC all necessary support to ensure that it delivers very free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in 2015

2015: Fresh season of new promises

tional security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections which should strengthen democracy in our country are peaceful and violence free. Yes, previous elections may be adjudged to be considerably fair but would that be said of after the forthcoming general elections? Nigerians are watching.

Alluding to the trend of promising without fulfilling, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola gave a detailed account of President Goodluck Jonathan’s failed CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

19 Politics

2015: Season of unending promises CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

promises at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.

His words: “My duty today is simple; yet it is one that excites me very deeply because as I welcome you all to Lagos and to the first Presidential Convention of the All Progressives Congress, I am confident that I am welcoming you to change. I welcome you to a change that is for the better. I welcome you to change that will liberate Nigeria from inefficient national management.

“I welcome you all delegates from across Nigeria, to Lagos, where the first building blocks of the country now known as Nigeria were laid. I welcome you back to the epicenter of nationalism and the home of change, where our pre-eminent nationalists forced a change from colonial government to a Nigerian government. I welcome you all back to where the promise of Nigeria was hatched, as a land of endless opportunities.

“Unfortunately, the bridge between us and our opportunities have been shattered by a series of broken promises by a party, Government and President for whom promises mean nothing.”

True to it, President Jonathan promised so much in the height of his passion to be elected in 2011 but Nigerians do not think that those promises were met. For the Southeast, he promised, among others: facilities that would boost the enterprising spirit of the Igbo; stamping out kidnapping; upgrading the Enugu airport to international level; dredging the River Niger; a dry port in Aba; rehabilitating all the main roads into Abia, and constructing all the major roads which link Anambra with its neighbors.

He promised to dualise the Enugu-Abakaliki Express Road within his first year; to convert the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki into a teaching hospital; to tackle the erosion menace; to prepare Aba for aircraft production; to complete the aero-dynamic survey of gas in the Anambra River basin; to complete the Onitsha Inland Port, and to build coastal roads and rail from Lagos to Calabar.

Nationally, he promised, among others, a holistic review of Nigeria’s education sector policy; a five-year plan to

Unfortunately, the bridge between us and our opportunities has been shattered by a series of broken promises by a party, Government and President for whom promises mean nothing

revolutionize agriculture and establish industries; a fouryear development plan that would open up the South-South geo-political zone; a five-year structure for road construction to replace annual budgetary allocations; and a five-year development acceleration plan.

These are besides broader promises to combat corruption and to ensure electricity, security and jobs. The electorates will gauge these promises and how many he has fulfilled to merit re-election.

Promises are usually based on the rosiest of possible futures, a strong economy and cooperative leaders of legislatures and sub-national entities.

Actual government planning done by bureaucrats generally plans for the worst possible future, but any politician that would plan in this manner would have a platform that is far less attractive than that of their opponents.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Cross River, Barrister Mike Igini is of the opinion that every political leader should aim at making life better for the populace. His words: “politics ideally should be guided by the rational goals for economic prosperity for the society as well as the individuals who make the society. They should tell Nigerians really how they hope to finance the programmes promised and run the economy.

“If we marry both aspects of

Buhari

His Promises Electricity Water Supply

Education

Roads

Agriculture Security Health

End to Boko Haram insurgency

the question, the goal should be co-terminal, because politics should be about leading and governing economics to better outcomes for all. In a period of declining fortunes the emphasis of leadership should be on hope and stability under uncertainty. Every economic

boom is often followed by burst or decline, the essence of political leadership the world over is to guide countries through these cycles of boom and burst, such that the impacts are marginal during burst and blissful during boom.

In the same vein, the Labour

Party (LP) yesterday urged Nigerians not to make the mistakes of the past by voting for political parties whose policies and programmes are anti masses or for politicians who will not fulfill their promise LP National Secretary, Barr Kayode Ajulo told Newsmen in Lagos that “except the Nigerian masses rises up to the situation, politicians will continue to take them for granted”.

INEC has fixed Feb. 14, 2015 for Nigeria’s general elections “Elections are around the corner and politicians have come with fake promises and gift items to hoodwink the people. The Nigerian masses have what it takes to vote out such persons or their cohorts from power.

“Power belongs to the people and all over the world, when the people rise in unison to say it is enough, they change any government they want out” the LP national secretary said.

Ajulo lamented that most states workers are owed salaries running into several months while the governors are amassing the money for politicking in 2015.

He said that any governors that whose tenures will end in 2015 must be made to pay all arrears owed to workers before their exit from office.

“These same governors though they are leaving have also devised means of foisting their cronies to take over leadership from them. This must be rejected in its totality” he said.

According to him, half of the states in Nigeria are owing workers while many have still not implemented the minimum wage.

He tasked the Nigerian Labour Congress and its affiliate civil rights groups to rise up to the issues and picket all states that are indebted to their workers.

“This is the time that civil society groups should invoke the Freedom of Information Law to get elected and appointed public officers to open their book for scrutiny.

“It is time to expose fraudulent public officers who may not be coming back after 2015 but believe they could get away with their loot” he said.

He noted that the worst ill that could befall a nation is docile citizenry saying: “if Nigerians do not rise up to say no this time, then they have themselves to blame for their indecision.”

20

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 30, 2014

21 Law

2015 Appropriation Bill:

‘Tax regime must operate within existing laws’ Although the 2015 Appropriation Bill as presented to the two chambers of the National Assembly by the Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is yet to be made available to the public, some lawyers are of the view that any hike in tax must operate within the legal framework. Others, however, feels that the new tax regime will further impoverish the already traumatized masses. Write PETER FOWOYO.

L

awyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday offered divergent views on the new tax regime announced by the Federal Government some days ago.

While some of them are of the view that the proposed tax policy should be made to align with existing legislation in order to make it work successfully, others warned that should the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration fail to rescind its decision to impose the new harsh tax policy, it would have dare consequences on the masses.

Okonjo Iweala Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while presenting the 2015 Appropriation Bill before the two chambers of the National Assembly, disclosed that the Federal Government has broadened the tax base considering the global oil price slide.

According to her, specific measures to increase non-oil reve-

David Mark nues to boost the treasury would include, among others, a 39 per cent import surcharge on luxury yachts estimated to potentially raise N1.6 billion in 2015; a 10 per cent import surcharge imposed on new private jets estimated to yield about N3.7 billion in 2015; a five per cent import surcharge on luxury cars estimated to yield about N2.6 billion in 2015; imposition of

three per cent luxury surcharge on champagnes, wines and spirits estimated to generate about N2.3 billion in 2015, and a one per cent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) mansion tax on residential properties with the value of N300 million and above which would yield N360 million.

The minister also hinted of a possible but gradual increase in

Value added Tax (VAT) only as long term measure but, in the medium term, focus will be on tax policy to see where opportunities lie to streamline and rationalize certain taxes and levies, whilst looking to boost others.

Okonjo-Iweala added that there will be a surcharge on business Continued on page 24

Boko Haram, terrorism and fundamental human rights:

Challenges that confront us CHIEF BOLAJI AYORINDE, SAN

The Concept of Human Rights

W

hen we talk about Human Rights, we do not mean the rights that accrue

to humans by virtue of their relationships with each other or their memberships of particular groups or rights that accrue by virtue of being in a particular place at a particular time. Human Rights in the context of this paper mean those rights which are extra ordinarily special and basic. They are rights that even transcend moral rights

because they are in a special category. They are fundamental and inalienable rights and they have found global acceptance and recognition as a result of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. This Declaration is to the effect that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and

rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, Continued on page 24

Ayorinde

Law 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

180 days enough to decide Mallam Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, in this interview bares his mind on the N21 billion fund donated to the President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid and concluded that there is no justification for such, when some state governors are finding it tough to pay their workers’ salaries.

Besides, he spoke about the appointment of Judges, corruption in the Judiciary; why all matters should not terminate at the Supreme Court, and sundry other issues. PETER FOWOYO met him.

W

hat is your take on the N21 billion donated to President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign effort toward the 2015 election? Does it contravene the electoral law?

Well, there are two ways of looking at the matter. Legal and social, or moral. Of course, the electoral law does not envisage that there will be donation of that kind of money to any candidate.

But having said that, even if there is no law contravened, it has offended the sensibility of most Nigerians. In a country where wants and poverty is so pervasive; where some state governments are unable to pay arrears of salaries… and going to the platform of a party to donate money that could have been used to pay such salaries, it speaks volumes about the insensibility of our leaders. I believe that they have sent a wrong signal, especially at a time when our economy is shrinking; monies accrueing to the federation account is shrinking. I think such kind of donations in the circumstances where we found ourselves amounts to a bit of obstinacy.

It was wrongly timed, wrongly done and improperly executed. If the governors were giving their personal monies, yes, it is understandable. If you want to ask, these monies, were they appropriated in the budget? Is there anything in the budget of the states that donated money to show that it was sanctioned by the law… that is, the budget law of the state? And if it is, can it be done in spite of the fact that most of the states cannot pay the salaries for their workers? It gives a very sour taste in the mouth, to say the least. The electoral law talks about the maximum amount of money that can be donated to an individual, unfortunately our law is very weak on donations geared towards political purposes and what can be spent on campaigns.

It is too weak. We must do something about it; we must know the sources where the people donating these monies get them from.

These are the issues that ought to be addressed. That is my take.

Ahead of the 2015 elections, the Chief Justice of Nigeria has warned against conflicting judgments coming from the Court of Appeal in election petition matters. What is your view?

It was a timely warning because it is avoidable in this day and age of the internet. The Court of Appeal should device a method where the judgment given, especially in political cases in a particular division, will be circulated to all other divisions, especially when it comes to the interpretations of the electoral laws. The world has moved from the days of cyclostyling judgments, now you can just upload your judgments.

So, I think it is a good thing. The CJN has called attention to it and I am sure the leadership of the Court of Appeal will do the needful to address the issue. The easiest way is such that any political matter that is decided by any division of the Court of Appeal is circulated to other divisions, so that the Justices will know the thinking of their brothers in the other divisions.

There has been outcry that the 180 days stipulated by the constitution for election petition matters to be decided contravenes the principle of fair hearing. What is your view?

It is the constitution that prescribed time; 180 days for tribunal, 60 days for the Court of Appeal. I read the interview of my brother, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, with whom I agreed on most issues, but I disagreed with him on this issue of 180 days.

Why did you disagree with him on that?

Jurisprudence basis behind legislation all over the world is to discourage people from resorting to the court.

Are you saying when people are aggrieved they should now

It is the constitution that prescribed time, 180 days for tribunal, 60 days for the Court of Appeal. I read the interview of my brother, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, with whom I agree on most issues but, I disagree with him on this issue of 180 days.

resort to self-help?

People will be aggrieved but, given the way Nigeria is and the way Nigerians carry on, people go to the tribunal for just anything.

I have said it before that before you can approach the tribunal, there must be something in the electoral law that says if you don’t score up to a certain percentage in the election, then you cannot go to the tribunal. Somebody scored 40 in governorship election, he wants to go to the tribunal. They are just congesting the courts, and my argument is that the 180 days have worked so far. We started this thing since 2011; we have to make a choice between the abuses of the past where, if it were in the past before the constitution was amended to be 180 days, some of the governorship cases would still be in court by now.

Is that not a national embarrassment? That over a four-year period we are unable to conclude

a governorship or senatorial election matters…don’t even talk about the pre-election matters. So, I am for the 180 days. If you genuinely believe that you have a case, you should do everything you can within that 180 days, that is six months. The Yoruba people have a saying that ‘if it takes you many years to prepare how to get mad, when are you going to get to the market as a mad man?’ For me, I am for 180 days. For Chief Olanipekun, I respect his views tremendously, I read the interview, but I don’t agree with him. I have always been insisting that 180 days is enough. We have been doing it.

Chief Olanipekun and a few of us have been involved in this thing.

We know we can do it if we are serious about it, because we have to chose between what was happening in the past when simple election matters take four years; the Aregbesola vs Oyinlola matter in which I was involved, took three

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

23 Law

electoral matters – Ali

and half years, were you people not embarrassed?

fend the polity itself from the ambition of one or two people.

But sir, is it not to the advantage of you lawyers because you are being paid for the job?

No, it is not. It is economically draining. How much do you charge, and then you spend three and half years that is economically a failure, even if you charge the man N50 million. In three years, you would have spent almost more than half of that to run around and you are tied down from doing other things, are you getting the point? So it doesn’t make any economic sense for matters to be lingering for so long; it doesn’t make any sense to a serious advocate because it would be an economic loss in real terms. In three years you could have treated 10 other serious matters, but then you are tied down with one. For me, I believe that the 180 days is enough.

In the United States there is less time than that. You saw what happened during the period of Al-Gore against Bush, that tells you the jurisprudence behind electoral matters, the court stopped the counting of the votes, if it were in Nigeria in fact, it may set Nigeria on fire, in the Al-Gore matter, the Supreme Court stopped the counting which clearly was showing that Al-Gore may win at the end of the day because you have to de-

Don’t you think that was an injustice to Al-Gore?

That is justice to the people, one individual cannot override over 200 million people, it is the same thing here, and how do you sacrifice the interest of justice for a few people? That is the essence of democracy; it is the rule of the majority, isn’t it? You can’t tie down the country to the ambition of one person. That is why I laugh at these people because if somebody did not win election the world will not come to an end. For me, I believe 180 days is enough, let us make best use of what we have. Is there any governorship election now left in any court, I mean the real election challenging the votes? There is none in fact, it took nearly one year to finish at the tribunal, finish at the Court of Appeal, finish at the Supreme Court and we now have pre-election matters which I also believed would be addressed definitely pre-election matters should not be more than the Court of Appeal.

Why did you say so?

Because they have congested the Supreme Court, it cannot do its normal cases now. I pity the Supreme Court, at least two

weeks ago when I was there, they listed almost 19 pre-election matters for just one day and that happened throughout the week.

The Supreme Court normally sit in chambers on Wednesday, they don’t sit in open court. In order to clear the backlog of election matters they started sitting on Wednesday, we have to appreciate the fact that they are human after all and they sit every week even before now, the Supreme Court will sit on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in open court. On Monday they would take civil matters, on Tuesday they take civil matters, on Thursday they take criminal matters on Wednesday they sit in chambers to consider non-contentious applications and on Friday they deliver judgments and there is no average week that they won’t reserve minimum of five or six judgments that will be delivered in three months.

Can’t you see the Supreme Court in the United States? Except on serious constitutional matters none gets to the Supreme Court and is there any Injustice in that? And all the nine Justices of the Supreme Court in the United States sit as one panel so all these arguments that the Supreme Court should be sitting in different panels, are they not the same set of people who will be sitting in panels even if they come

to the states, are you following me? People say it as if when they starts sitting in panels they will be able to do all the cases that is not true.

Why is it not true?

If there are one thousand cases and you don’t have more than the number of people you have there, how do you do it? And our Supreme Court is probably the largest Supreme Court in the world because there is no matter that doesn’t get to the Supreme Court.

We just trivialize serious matters in Nigeria. There is no serious Supreme Court that will be taking divorce matters. We have to curtailed the number and type of cases that gets to the Supreme Court because that is the apex court, their pronouncements are supposed to be so profound in define the laws but when you inundates them with all sorts of funny, sometimes hopeless cases, it is not the best.

Are you advocating for a Supreme Court that only constitutional matters would go to, or are you in support of a Supreme Court in the three regions of Nigeria?

No, if you want to have the Supreme Court in the states, they have it in the United States but there is one apex court in the

United States. The states have their own Supreme Courts in the United States but matters don’t end there if they are constitutional matters. It is not a bad idea to have states Court of Appeal for example, apart from the Court of Appeal that is at the federal if the constitution is amended, that was the scheme in the 1963 constitution. That was why the Western region had its own Court of Appeal up to 1976 when the Federal Court of appeal was established.

No, it is not a bad idea. For example, we can now create Court of Appeal of the states and have Supreme Court for the states which will be dealing with chieftaincy matters, land matters should end at the Supreme Court of the state.

What is so special about chieftaincy matters that when they are fighting about chieftaincy matter in Oyo or any other states you take it to the Supreme Court? I believe quite honestly that we should find a middle level, I think it is high time we have Court of Appeal for the state, Supreme Court for the state and then we ensure that some of these cases end in those places, let very serious or constitutional issues go to the Supreme Court, not the type of cases we now have that gets to the Supreme Court, divorce, a customer who is owing bank money, we fight it up to the Supreme Court.

Law 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

B/Haram: Challenges that confront us Continued from page 21 colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Everyone charged with a pe-

nal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks”.

While references to the concepts of Human rights can be traced to the Holy Bible and the Holy Quaran, traditions such as the Confucian, Hindu and Buddhist recognize the need to protect human freedom and human dignity. The earliest codes such as the Hammurabi Code in ancient Babylon around 1780 and the Roman Law notions of jus gentium (Law for all peoples) recognized universally valid principles and standards of behavior. However it is now generally accepted that the emergence of Human Rights as we know the concept today can be traced to Magna Carta and the Bill of the Rights in England. This is well described by Andrew Clapham on page 6 of his very instructive work titled “Human Rights” and published by Oxford University Press in 2007: “Early Legal developments in the area of human rights are said to

Ayorinde have emerged from the Magna Carta of 1215, a contract between the English King John and the Barons who were dissatisfied with the taxes being levied by the Monarch.

But, although this agreement guaranteed rights for a freeman not to be arrested, or detained in prison, or deprived of his Freehold, or outlawed, or banished, or in any way molested…. Unless by lawful judgment of his peers and the law of the

land, this guarantee was simply a right to trial by jury granted exclusively to property-owning men.

The rights contained in the Magna Carta were not human rights which must belong to all human beings and therefore cannot be restricted to a select group of privileged men. From a contemporary perspective, the Magna Carta turns out to be a rather unfortunate example of a human rights declaration.

Suffice it to cite one sentence, clause 54 of the Magna Carta reads: ‘No one shall be arrested or imprisoned on the appeal of a woman for the death of any person except her husband.

The English Bill of Rights of 1689 is similarly sometimes considered a stepping stone to today’s texts.

Parliament declared that ‘no excessive fine be imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishment [be] inflicted’, It also stated, however, “That the subjects which are protestants, may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions, and as allowed by law”. Like the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights was infact a political settlement; this time between a Parliament and the King [who had abused the right of Protestants], in order to vindicate ancient rights and liberties.

“It is well known that the 1776 American Declaration of Independence stated: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen followed in 1789, and its familiar first two articles recognized and proclaimed that ‘Men are born and remain free and equal in rights’ and that “The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and inalienable rights of man; these rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”. These revolutionary Declarations represent attempts to enshrine human rights as guiding principles in the constitutions of new states or polities”.

“Tax regime must operate within existing laws” Continued from page 21 and first class tickets on airlines, while the economy ticket will be free of surcharge.

But a source, Mr. Ibikunle Dada, who spoke exclusively with Daily Times, faulted the minister’s proposal, saying, it does not hold water. According to him, if airline passengers on business and first class tickets decide to buy the economy tickets, how then would the revenue be generated? Is there any guarantee that the target will be met? How effective would this be? What core rationale would drive tax collection under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)/McKinsey initiative which expects to generate N160 billion to shore up the country’s treasury in 2015? What will become of gov-

ernment revenue from Customs and Excise duties when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariffs (CET) comes into force in 2015? Is the government Appropriation Bill using its import study of the ECOWAS CET to project revenue streams?

A Lagos-based lawyer who doubles as Chairman, Capital Market Solicitor Association, Mr. Uche Val Obi, told Daily Times that the legal implication of the proposed tax policy is that it may be subjected to litigations if existing legislations governing taxes such as the VAT are not reviewed: “If we go by what government is proposing there might be a hike payable on certain top end luxury goods and services such as usage of private jets, taxes that will be levied on

things such as wines and spirits, as well as similar services itemized.

“There might be hike in VAT payable. We have to look at the VAT of the country, if what is being proposed, for instance, contradicts existing provisions of VAT, it would then mean that VAT provision will have to be suspended or amended so that the new tax regime will take effect.

“Basically, what we are saying is that whatever the government is proposing must comply with the legislative framework; the law in place regulating same subject.

And for that to have effect, that legislation may have to be amended because if you start imposing taxes higher than the rates that are already contained in the existing tax laws, it might now open such new

tax regimes or proposals to challenge in the law courts, and that might put a spanner in the wheels of the motion being proposed by the minister. So, what might happen at the end of the day is that there might be an amendment of the various tax laws and these can only be done by the various legislative houses that are saddled with the responsibility of imposing such taxes.

“However, it is not to say that the proposal of the minister is not a good one, given the fallen prices of oil which is our principal source of revenue in this country. Each country affected must look inward on ways and means of managing such deficiency which would lead to budget deficit if not properly managed, and one of the ways of looking inward is looking at some

of these taxes that are progressive, taxes that will only affect the rich and not the masses. I think it is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Another Lagos-based lawyer who is also the President and Founder of a non-government organization, Crusade for Justice, Mr. Richard Nwankwo, said: “I think first and foremost we must appreciate the fact that Nigeria is not an isolated community and that we are part of the global village, so whatever happens internationally affects us. On that premise I believe that it is only imperative that some radical measures are taken and some new rules of economic decisions are put in place to checkmate the negative effects of the fluctuation in price of crude in the international market.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Features

25

s

IJOKO OTA

A town Pitted against itself by royal fathers Some of the suspects, with their weapons of war

Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

I

joko Ota is a town in AdoOdo/ Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State with its population swelling up daily due to the mass movement of the people from

Lagos State to the town.

The town is about a 30 kilometres from Lagos. In fact, hardly would anybody know that he or she was not in Lagos State as it was just a road that separated it from the State of Excellence, hence the residents think and

behave as ‘Lagosians’.

In spite of the peace that the town was known for in years past, the recent happenings in Ijoko has thrown residents into with some of them fleeing the town.

Recently, no fewer than six

people were killed and many others severely injured when the Aworis and the Egbas engaged themselves in battle.

In the melee, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sunny Ukata, was shot in the eye by protesters.

He was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Abeokuta.

The clash, which started with a contest for the control of lands by the two groups in the Aworis led by Oba Fatai Matanmi and CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Features 26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

IJOKO OTA One town, two kings CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

the Egbas, led by Oba Lasisi Ogunseye has resulted into loss of lives and properties.

In the past, residents were attacked, maimed or killed by these thugs.

Since April 2010, several lives have been lost in mysterious circumstances. An example was Monsuru Ogunseye who has been missing since 2010. He was allegedly kidnapped by thugs suspected to be working for Oba Matanmi.

Just last week, pandemonium broke out in the town when suspected thugs set the Palace of Oba Lasisi Ogunseye the Onijoko Of Ijoko of Egbaland ablaze.

Apart from the Palace that was set on fire, properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed while several people were injured during the fracas.

Although the cause of the latest confrontation between both factions is yet to be ascertained men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Sango, were seen stationed outside the burnt palace of Oba Lasisi Ogunseye.

Lasisi Ogunseye was reportedly on a trip to Ibadan when the incident happened. Armed policemen from Odo-Eran and Ota police divisions were seen patrolling the area.

It was learnt that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had also visited Ogunseye’s palace.

Speaking to Daily Times, Prince Mohammed Ogunseye said, the hoodlums invaded the palace in a commando style destroying every properties they saw in the Palace “Documents, clothes, vehicles including that of Baales that are loyal to Oba Ogunseye were also destroyed, they also went to those Baales houses destroying their properties including a car that were parked in the compound” “Very important documents, even the king’s crown were burnt. They also injured a palace worker, Kunle. I had to hide somewhere.”

I was able to identify some of the hoodlums, they were Lukmon, Gafari, Kayode Ajala who we were able to see his voters

Card at the scene of the incident.”

Also narrating his ordeal, the Asiwaju of Ijokoland, Chief Moruf Amodu said, “We were holding our usual meeting at the palace when we heard sounds of gunshots, we had to run with some of us scaling the fence.”

A mechanic beside Ogunseye’s palace, Mr. Bolaji Idowu, said he was battling with how to raise funds to fix the windscreens of his customer’s cars that were smashed.

He said, “My colleagues and I ran away when we heard gunshots. When we came back, we met our cars damaged. Some customers have come to take their cars while others may insist that we repair theirs.”

Ogunseye was not around when our correspondent visited

his palace.

When Daily Times visited the palaces, the insigna in front of the palace of Matanmi reads, “Welcome to the palace of Onijoko land HRM Oba Abuldul Fatai Alani Matanmi, Onijoko of Ijoko ,Ota,Otutu Bi Osun 1.Government Approved’; The one in front of Lasisi Ogunseye’s palace reads “Welcome to the palace of the Alayeluwa Oba Kolapo Ilufemiloye 1, the Onijoko Of Ijoko of Egbaland.”

Reacting, Matanmi’s son, Prince Semiu, denied the attack when our correspondent visited his father’s palace, which was under construction.

Meanwhile, a detachment of Police from the Ogun State Command, Eleweran, Abeokuta has allegedly recovered a cache of arms at one of the palaces

while some suspects were arrested.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command was investigating the matter and would bring culprits to justice.

His words: “Following the recent crises that rocked Ijoko Otta town in Ado Odo Otta Local Government area of Ogun State, the OGUN State Police Command has embarked on proper investigation by pouncing on the perpetrators of the crises that lasted for days and arrested (9) nine suspects with arms and ammunition.”

It would be recalled that some suspected hoodlums had been on the rampage in Ijoko Otta area of the Ogun State in connection with the lingering Onijoko Obaship tussle and set ablaze some houses while sev-

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

27 Features

When hoodlums reign... eral people were injured.

“The crises were brought under control with the efforts of the Area commander in charge of Otta Area Command, ACP Titilayo Kayode and the Divisional Police Officer Otta, CSP Gabreal Idibe before the matter was eventually transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on the directive of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Department of Finance and Administration and Second-in-Command, DCP Haliru Gwandu, for thorough investigation.

Police teams from the DCI, Police Mobile Force, coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of

Police in charge of Department of Operations, Ogun State Command, DCP Egberebi Egbuson, to conduct search and raids on the palaces and premises of the two disputing rulers on 27th December at night during which nine suspects were arrested .

Also, 12 locally made single-barrel guns, two pump-action guns, 191 cartridges, two cutlasses, one axe, charms and masquerade clothing were recovered in the palace of Oba Montanmi and one butt of a locally made single-barrel gun was recovered in the palace of Oba Ogunseye who has also been indicted by some suspects arrested in a case of shooting and wounding that

occurred at a filling station in Agbado area of Ogun State on 26th December 2014.”

The command has invited the two obas for interrogation on their involvements in the crises that rocked the area for days.

“The suspects will soon appear in court after the investigation into the matter has been concluded with a view to finding a lasting solution to any act of violence and break down of law and order in the area and other parts of the state; and make the case to serve as deterrent to those who are fond of creating crises on OBASHIP and land cases in Ogun State,” Muyiwa addedd.

Also, some residents who spoke to Daily Times also said that Ijoko town had witnessed peace before the land speculators came to town but immediately information went round the town that the Matanmi group was around, there was confusion.

It was gathered that anytime he was in the precincts of Ijoko town, the residents are usually scared of being attacked by his thugs.

He was said to be entangled in a chieftaincy dispute with the people of Ijoko. Several cases were instituted in the courts.

But there has been no solution to the lingering communal crisis.

The town had witnessed a lot of crises since 2006 when a dispute arose over the obaship stool in the town.

The Ogun State Government had issued a statement that the coronet monarchs installed by the Olowu should stop parading themselves as Obas of their respective villages.

It was gathered that a group under the aegis of Awori Consultative Council (ACC), staged a peaceful demonstration to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s farm in Ota to express their displeasure at the happenings in the town.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Features 28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

‘Obasanjo’s intervention yielded no fruits’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

The protest later degenerated into serious crisis as many lives were lost.

The prompt intervention of anti-riot and regular policemen of the state command defused the tension while two armoured tanks with registration numbers NPF 2360 and NPF 676C were positioned at the SangoOta roundabout.

The policemen, who were led to the scene by a Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr. Wale Olokoda, were able to pacify the two groups as they appealed to them to sheathe their swords.

One Basiru Osoba, and a man said to be in his 30s identified as Idowu Olaomo, aka Coach, were found dead on the Ansarudeen Teacher Training School Road in Ota. The deaths were said to have occurred when youths clashed at Sango, Oju Ore and Joju junctions. Many others were said to have been injured during the crisis.

Some residents the of the Community demonstrated over the crisis ravaging the town.

The placard-carrying demonstrators who stormed the Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta Governor’s Office called on Governor Ibikunle Amosun to save them from “total elimination.”

According to their spokesperson, Chief Mrs. Kuburat Ajoke Sanni, an obaship tussle in the area had taken a fresh twist in the last two weeks as “many of our people have been killed.”

Sanni, who appealed to Governor Amosun to save them in Ijoko declared: “As a people, we don’t want Matanmi in Ijoko.”

In the same vein, Chief Mrs. Nusirat Bankole Majekodunmi of Ijoko, informed that the crisis has assumed a criminal dimension and that she had lost her own son, an undergraduate of the University of Ilorin, (UNILORIN) to the crisis.

She added that the perpetrators of the violence had fled the area, and listed some notable personalities killed in the crisis

to include: Chief Amodu, Baba Sotinoye and Mosuru Ogunseye, a son of the monarch and a father of four, who, according to her, was forcefully taken away and killed and his corpse was yet be seen till date.

Addressing the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa, assured them that the state government would look into the crisis, urging them to maintain peace and order to avoid another blood-shed in the town.

Adeoluwa, after receiving the protest letter from the people, added that the State government had been exploring all avenues to ensure that lasting peace was restored to the area They called on government to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in Ijoko Ota the commercial nerve centres of the state.

Meanwhile, Oba Matanmi has described the allegations against him as blatant lies saying that he remained the authentic ruler of the town.

He said: “There are series of court judgements that recognise me as the only traditional ruler of Ijokoland. The land belongs to my forefathers and

The town had witnessed a lot of crises since 2006 when a dispute arose over the obaship stool in the town.

I have documents to back it up.

He added:”In order to find a lasting solution to this crisis, we had met with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, nine times in the search for a peaceful resolution of the obaship dispute in the town.”

Matanmi, who said this in an

interview with our correspondent in Ijoko-Ota, explained that the former president initiated the meetings in September, 2009, but regretted that the peace parleys had not achieved the desired results.

Tendering a letter which Obasanjo wrote to invite him to the first meeting, Matanmi claimed that the former president had denied approving the installation of Mr. Lasisi Ogunseye as the Onijoko of Ijoko-Ota. “I was outside the country when the former president wrote the letter in September, asking for a meeting, which he said was to discuss issues of common interest. We fixed the meeting for October since he (Obasanjo) said he was travelling as at the time I would be returning to the country. Since then we have met nine times,” said the Oba-elect.

While absolving himself or any of his people of blame in the crisis, Oba Matanmi urged his people not to be violent and maintain the peace.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Money

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Capital market volatility expected until Q1 2015 Adesola Akindele

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group of capital market operators on Monday said that the equity price volatility in the nation’s capital market would persist until first quarter of 2015.

The market operators stated this in separate interviews in Lagos that the market would stabilise after the general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, a former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), said that the capital market would continue to nosedive because of cash dependent policies introduced by regulators.

Unegbu said that unfriendly government economic policies such as devaluation of the naira, brokers and Bureaux de Change capitalisation affected market growth and development.

He said that cash induced policies of the government led to loss of jobs, stressing that the nation’s unemployment rate would increase at the completion of capital market operators recapitalization.

“The capital market will continue to nosedive with cash dependent policies introduced by the government,” Unegbu said.

Unegbu said that scarcity of funds in the economy due to the 2015 general elections contributed to the development in the capital market.

He also urged discerning investors to take advantage of low

prices of equities at the nation’s bourse to increase their stake in the market.

“This is the best time to buy for people that have excess funds but investors must not borrow to invest in the market,” he said.

Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, President, Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR), said the nation’s bourse would not experience stability without increased participation of local investors.

Olugbemi said that increased participation of local investors was crucial to market growth and sustainable development, considering present realities in the country.

He said that the market should map out strategies to increase the participation of local investors to cushion the effect of foreign portfolio investors that were pulling out of the market.

Olugbemi said that many portfolio investors were bailing out from the Nigerian capital market because of naira devaluation, persistent fall in oil price, political instability and security challenges.

“There is always a problem anytime portfolio investors bail out in the market,” Olugbemi said.

The ICMR president said that most stocks were selling below fair value because of the development.

He said that the capital market would not be vibrating as expected because of political and economic uncertainties.

Oscar Onyema, NSE CEO

Shipowners’ seek new mode to sell crude oil Funmi Coker

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he Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association (NISA) on Monday called on the Federal Government to change its transaction of crude oil from Free on Board (FoB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF).

The association’s President, Capt. Niyi Labinjo, told newsmen in Lagos that the CIF mode would add more value to the business.

Labinjo said Nigeria was the only country among the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), still selling crude oil based on FoB. ``The time has come that Nigeria has to change our transaction mode from Free On Board to Cost Insurance and Freight. ``We need to do that; that way we would have been adding value because we will get value for the insurance; we would also get value for the freight. ``Before 1976, the entire insurance companies in Nigeria had only 316 employees but because of the government of the day’s position that all insurance policies must exhaust Nigerian insurance available locally before you will ship anything abroad, between that time and 2012, the business of insurance increased from N16 million to N16 billion. ‘’And from a number of employees that you can count on your finger tips to over 3 million employees. ``So we have no option; we have to encourage the growth of our own economy,`` Labinjo said.

He expressed concern about the high cost of doing business in the country, saying that ‘’the cost of doing business in Nigeria is one of the highest in West Africa’’.

IPMAN advocates new laws on national electricity conservation Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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he leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Monday called on the Federal Government to enact laws that would enhance utilisation of power-saving technology and moderate electricity wastage.

29

Mike Osatuyi, IPMAN director of Operations, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Osatuyi said that the nation’s epileptic power supply had made it imperative for government to ensure effective electricity utilisation and energy conservation.

According to him, there is

need for the government to enact a law to checkmate electricity wastage following the nation’s high demand for power supply.

He said that his company was ready to partner with government agencies to provide the technology and technologists, equipped with technical knowhow in energy conservation techniques.

Labinjo

Money 30

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Onwughalu appointed Mainstreet Bank’s interim MD

Onwughalu

Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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kye Bank Plc. has announced the appointment of Mrs Amaka Onwughalu as interim Managing Director for Mainstreet Bank.

Skye bank made this known via a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday in Lagos.

It said that Onwughalu would also oversee the affairs of the bank as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD).

It would be recalled that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) formally handed over the management of Mainstreet Bank to Skye Bank Plc on Dec. 18.

The bank also said that directors of Mainstreet Bank had also resigned their appointments on that date.

It added that the bank had constituted interim manage-

ment board that comprised of Onwughalu as managing director and Mr Dotun Adeniyi as an executive director.

The bank said that the interim management board was expected to steer the affairs Mainstreet Bank Ltd in the next six months.

It also said that the appointments would afford the bank the opportunity to pursue the integration of the operations of the two banks.

According to the notice, Onwughalu was appointed to the Board of Skye Bank on Nov. 30, 2008.

It described her as an astute bank administrator with over 27 years’ experience.

The bank added that she rose to the position of acting Managing Director of Reliance Bank in April 2005 till the merger scheme, which gave birth to Skye Bank in 2006.

It also added that she was in charge of the Treasury Group, the International Funding Group, Corporate Banking Group and International Subsidiaries of the bank in her current capacity as DMD It said that Adeniyi was also appointed to the board on Nov. 30, 2008.

It described Adeniyi as a banker with over 28 years’ experience spanning corporate banking, commercial banking, retail banking, international trade finance and banking operations.

Industrialists to set up 774 microfinance banks

Wachuku

Michael Olatunji

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he National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), has disclosed plans to tackle access to funding, through the establishment of Micro Finance banks in all 774 local government areas of the country.

The association’s National President, Chief Chuku Wachuku, said in the next couple of weeks, NASSI would be seek-

Lack of awareness hampers usage of cloud apps

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r Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee, Nigeria Computer Society, on Monday disclosed that lack of awareness was limiting the usage of cloud computing in the country.

Cloud computing, which is the storing and accessing of data and programs over the Internet instead of using a computer’s hard drive, entails using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

In an interview with the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Awe said: ``the barrier to cloud-based computing is that of awareness. People cannot utilise something that they are not aware of. ``There is a need for more awareness of cloud-based computing so that people can understand its benefits, and this is not just for the information technology world but other businesses as well’’.

Awe said that cloud computing was supposed to support business institutions, education and commercial environments and therefore, awareness should be targeted at those areas.

He said there was a need to

Awe also build capacity in terms of human capital that could support and implement cloud computing solutions.

ing investors to help float its own micro-finance banks.

He said the MFB would grant loans to NASSI members at a friendly interest rate instead of the prevailing rate of between 25 and 30 per cent interest rate.

“How do you expect a deposit money bank with share-holders funds to give you interest of nine per cent, for instance, instead of their prevailing interest rate of 25 to 30 per cent?” he asked.

While describing the N220 bil-

lion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) fund put in place by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) as a serious and commendable intervention, he expressed regrets that the problem with the fund, like similar funds in the past targeted at the sub-sector, is difficulty in accessing them.

“That (N220b MSMEs fund) is a serious intervention. But the problem with funds like that, and over the years we have had so many funds like that in place, is that you cannot access them.

So they remain a mirage. And this N220 billion has continued to be a mirage. That means you can’t touch it,” he said.

He said a memo that came up at the first meeting of the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo was access to finance, and that the Vice President realised there and then that a big chunk of the problem small scale industrialists are having is how to access finance.

“The CBN guideline as published makes it impossible for anybody to access that fund.

That is what happened to all kinds of funds that is domiciled with the CBN and other government agencies. Nobody can access them,” he lamented.

Naira gains on the dollar Ugochukwu Onyeocha

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fter weeks of constant depreciating, the naira on Monday appreciated against the dollar at both the official and parallel markets.

A careful survey conducted in Lagos showed that the naira against the dollar was traded at between N191 and N190 respectively at both markets.

Naira gained N2 to the dollar from the N193 and N192 it sold on Dec. 24.

The naira was sold at N191 to the dollar at the Bureau De Change (BDCs) from N193 on Dec. 24.

It was traded at N190 to the dollar at the black market since

last week.

The naira, however, remained stable at N168 in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since Dec.24.

It equally remained firm against the pound sterling at the official market of N260.36k.

The naira also appreciated against the pound sterling at the BDCs, trading at N292, or a gain of N2 from the N294 it sold on Dec. 24.

The naira was also sold at N293 to the pound sterling at the parallel market since Dec.24.

At the official market, it was sold against the euro at N204.48k, while exchanging against the euro at the BDCs for N235 compared with N238 or gain of N3 from Dec. 24.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Ships from Asia, subject West African ports to challenges

Stories by Funmi Coker

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ontainer ports in Nigeria, Ghana and other countries in West Africa are facing a significant challenge from the deployment of much larger box ships on services out of Asia.

It was learnt that the facilities in Nigerian ports and other port in the region were the least efficient of all global terminals.

Delegates at the TOC West Africa conference in Tenerife were informed that containerships spend several days at anchor awaiting berths and a further week discharging and loading, following the emergence of bigger con-

tainer ships in West African ports.

Several speakers warned, the congestion could get worse due to carriers cascading much larger tonnage onto the continent’s main trade lanes.

They noted West Africa’s ports were almost entirely dependent on road transport, therefore the bigger the ship the more severe the landside congestion in the surrounding cities.

The Administrator, Ports and Shipping at the OECD, Mr Olaf Merk referred to thousands of trucks bringing gridlock to West African cities as they await containers that may not have even arrived at the port, given the poor standard of communica-

tion between stakeholders.

Merk described West African port facilities as poor and the least efficient of all global terminals.

Also, the UASC Agencies line manager for Nigeria, Mr Marcus Brinkmann said that Nigeria suffered the same problems as other West African nations.

He noted that an erratic supply of electricity and chronic road congestion were the major challenges confronting the nation’s ports.

According to Victor Shieh, co-founder of Portoverview.com, which provides free-to-access status updates on African ports, congestion is still the key issue in West Africa, with the Ebola crisis having had

an almost negligible impact on port productivity.

Shieh advised that Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) plans to introduce 8,500teu ship onto its Africa Express service at Lome, in January as it was not without risk.

He noted that since MSC had commenced a hub-andspoke operation at Lome, the carrier had suffered from berthing delays, as well as a clerical strike in September.

However, Moussaka Diop, chief commercial officer, West Africa and Central Africa region, for APM Terminals, reminded delegates of the vast market represented by a continent that is growing at twice the pace of any other.

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cause of the perennial traffic gridlock being experienced around the port.

They called for an urgent need to revitalise the railway system to reduce the pressure on the roads.

The stakeholders also blamed the gridlock on the indiscriminate parking of trucks on the access road.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), John Aluya

FG approves extension of Lagos Port’s Terminal E

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he Federal Government has approved the extension of Lagos Port Complex’s berth 21 at the Terminal E concessioned to Greenvien Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL).

Already, government has asked the concessionaire of the terminal to execute the contract with a completion period of 18 months.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar who dropped the hint in Abuja explained that The Federal Executive Council had deliberated extensively and noted that the project, upon completion, would add 200 metres of quay length to the existing 510 metres, thereby increasing the total terminal quay length to 710metres for the handling of dry bulk cargoes. Also approved was a contract for the construction of the Inland River Port at Makurdi at the cost of N3 billion.

He noted: “The project will also provide direct and indirect job opportunities as well as enhance government revenues and having more efficiency and econo-

Container port, Lagos said that over 25 per cent cost of clearing goods was as a result of the gridlock along the port access road.

He noted that until the appropriate authorities adopt the call-up system whereby trucks could only visit the port when invited, it may be difficult to address the gridlock.

He added: “Over 25 per cent inflation of what we have in our goods and services today is created by this gridlock. If the port is properly organised, well positioned that we can work within 48 hours deadline of cargo delivery, we will be able to produce goods at a cheaper price.

President Jonathan my of scale which will lead to better pricing of bulk commodities such as cement, grains and sugar in the long run.

“Council approved the award of contract for the construction of the project within the unexpired term of the company’s concession period of 25 years on Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) basis, with a completion period of 18 months.”

The Minister of Information, Nurudeen Mohammed also explained in Abuja that that the Inland River Port project in Makurdi was awarded in favour of Evomec Global Services Limited with a completion period of 18 months.

African harbour masters, others for 2015 conference in Lagos

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National economic team to address port challenges he National Economic Management Team chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a technical committee to address operational challenges at the nation’s seaports.

At a meeting with the technical committee held in Apapa, Lagos, maritime stakeholders identified the poor state of the port access road as the major

31 Maritime

frican harbour masters, port engineers are among the stakeholders in the maritime industry to converge in Lagos for the 14th Intermodal Africa 2015 Exhibition and Conference in November 2015.

The two-day conference will feature 30 world-class conference speakers addressing topical issues and challenges on global transportation and logistics.

Intermodal Africa continues to be the biggest annual Container Ports and Terminal Operations Exhibition and Conference in Africa Other are a gathering of 500 senior executive har-

bour engineers, maintenance supervisors and procurement decision makers together with the region’s leading shippers, cargo owners, importers / exporters, shipping lines, freight forwarders, logistics companies, ports, terminal operating companies, railway operators, port equipment and services suppliers from countries throughout the African Union.

Also, there will be the commercial opportunity for 80 exhibitors and sponsors to network directly with the delegates at this major annual international maritime transport Exhibition and Conference trade event for West and Central Africa.

Insurance 32

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Wapic attains A.M. Best Ratings The group reported consolidated gross written premiums of NGN 3.0 billion) in 2013

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.M. Best has assigned the financial strength rating of B- (Fair) and the issuer credit rating of “bb-” to Wapic Insurance Plc (Wapic) (Nigeria), the operating holding company of the Wapic group of companies. The outlook assigned to both ratings is stable.

The ratings of Wapic reflect its developing business profile in the Nigerian market, tempered (nearterm) earnings prospects due to its high expense base and solid risk-adjusted capitalisation.

Wapic is a small insurance group that has been operating under new management since 2013, following its divestment by Access Bank. Wapic is a domestic non-life entity, which wholly owns a life insurer in Nigeria and a nonlife insurer in Ghana.

The group reported consolidated gross written premiums of NGN 3.0 billion (approximately USD 25 million) in 2013.

Under Wapic’s new strategy, rapid premium growth in excess of 25% per annum is anticipated in the medium-term as the group seeks to strengthen its competitive position by developing its profile within the corporate segment of the market and increasing its underwriting of compulsory lines.

The successful execution of Wapic’s strategy is largely dependent on the group increasing its profile in the low penetrated and highly competitive markets of Nigeria and Ghana, and requires significant development of its direct distribution channels.

As such, A.M. Best believes that Wapic faces challenges in implementing its plans and will continue to monitor the progression of this expansion over the medium term.

Despite the relatively low claims environment in Nigeria, Wapic’s projected earnings are expected to be dampened by its substantial fixed costs as the group establishes its operating infrastructure to support expansion.

L-R: Chairman, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Ephraim Faloughi; Managing Director, CODROS Capital Limited, Wale Agbeyangi, and Vice Chairman, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Oluseun Ajayi, at the signing ceremony of the proposed Rights Issue of the Underwriting Firm billed to commence in January, 2015

Insurance companies shine at Nigerian risk award

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he 2014 edition of the Nigerian Risk Awards (NRA) organised by Conrad Clark Nigeria Limited in partnership with Business Day, Thomson Reuters and the Institute of Risk Management UK (IRM) has insurance companies and operators outmuscling

themselves to win awards under different categories.

Mansard Insurance emerged as winner in the Insurance and Pensions category for the second time running, with Goldlink Insurance Plc and Africa Reinsurance Corporation as 1st and 2nd Runner-Ups respectively.

The Business Day Risk Manager of the Year was won by Mr. Adewale Akinwale of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, with Mr. Omokayode Oluwole (Mansard Insurance) and Mr. Olaniyi Olalemi (Enterprise Bank Ltd.) being 1st and 2nd runner-ups respectively. Mr. Kunle

Odetola-Odeleye of Old Mutual Nigeria carted home the Young Risk Manager of the Year award and the 1st Runner-Up was Mr. Jolaolu Fakoya of Africa Reinsurance Corporation.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Lagos, Founder, Nigerian Risk Award and CEO, Conrad

Insurers shun micro-insurance licences

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here are strong indications that none of the insurance companies or stakeholders in the country have applied for micro insurance licence from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Instead, majority of the operators only applied to NAICOM to have micro insurance as one of their products, while some creates a special department for micro insurance business in their firms.

Experts believe the non-application for stand-alone microinsurance licence may not be unconnected to the high capital base required for such businesses.

The Managing Director, Risk-

guard-Africa (NIG) Limited, Chief Yemi Soladoye, who was worried about the terms outlined

by NAICOM, suggested the use of 5-tier operational model based on capital requirement to secure widest coverage of Micro insurance in Nigeria.

According to him, those operating on a National basis should have N350 million capital base; those on regional N90 million; those on state level N40 million; local government N10 million and unit with N5 million capitalisation.

He said the unit and regional approach will reduce cost of doing business, as they build modest office, while appropriate location must all be specified per unit

Soladoye

of office outlet by the regulator.

“Since the existing Insurance operators do not need any new capital requirement to operate Micro insurance, it is suggested that the Indian model of forcedfamiliarity and the China model of conditional expansion must be explored”, he pointed out.

Soladoye noted that the first set of micro insurance operators could be generated from the smallsized Insurance brokers, weak Microfinance Banks (MFBs), and experienced agents of the existing underwriters. This approach, he said, would make room for consolidation and appropriate learning time, putting in place the necessary strategies, goals and regulatory frameworks.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Mansard may become AXA Insurance

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ndications have emerged that Mansard Insurance Plc, could become AXA Insurance, in a couple of months, following the acquisition of majority Mansard stake by AXA. In November, AXA took over 100 per cent of Assur Africa Holdings in Mansard Insurance Plc, amounting to 77 per cent stake, for a total cash consideration of 198 million euros.

This development, in most cases, usually leads to change in name of the organisation that has its majority stake acquired, and Mansard cannot be an exception.

Although, the board is yet to discuss the matter, but there are indications that this will form part of the board discussions when they meet in the New Year.

A credible source said: “AXA has operations in fifty six countries of the world. When AXA acquires a company, the company name is usually changed to AXA. The change may be immediate or after a while. For us in Mansard, there is no indication yet on the possibility and timing of a name change, however any name change will be subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.”

Lagos goes tough on building insurance

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he Lagos State government is set to fully implement the public building insurance Act, by ensuring that developers and owners of storey buildings have proper insurance cover, before they commence construction.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Abimbola Animashaun, who disclosed this in Lagos, noted that contractors would henceforth present insurance papers before they would be allowed to commence construction works.

Animashaun added that not only would construction not start without insurance papers, there must also be an approval of same by a relevant authority.

He noted that the state government embarked on this move as stipulated in “Section 48, subsections 1 to 3, of the Urban and Regional Planning Development Law, which stipulates that insurance must be in place before construction is started.”

33 Insurance

CIIN introduces kidnapping, terrorism insurance training Stories by KAYODE ADELOWOKAN

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he Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) said it is set to train students undergoing certification of the institute on kidnapping and terrorism insurance.

These, among other emerging

risks, the institute said, would be included in the academic syllabus of the institute, saying this development will open new window of opportunities to breed more professionals in these line of insurance.

The President of the institute, Mr. Bola Temowo, while stating this in Lagos, pointed out that CIIN was committed to enhancing the knowledge base

of the industry’s practitioners through regular review of the institute’s syllabus.

Saying the syllabus review has always taken into consideration, the industry dynamics and realities of global standards in human capital needs, he added that the challenges confronting the industry demand a renewed approach and depth in insurance education to equip

practitioners adequately for the tasks ahead.

CIIN, according to him, will continue to exercise its statutory responsibilities as enshrined in Decree No 22 (Now Act) of 1993, stressing that a major provision of the statute was the responsibility to continually determine the skill and knowledge required by persons seeking to become registered members of

L-R: CIIN Vice President, Mr Eddie Effeoha; NIA Chairman, Mr. G.U.S Wiggle; CIIN President, Mr Bola Temowo; Mrs Seyi Ifaturoti, and Chairman, CIIN Activities Committee, Mr S.O Oyefeso during the 2014 edition of the Annual Christmas Carol Service organized by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba.

Operators, NAICOM bicker over ad penalty fee

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nsurance operators in Nigeria have called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to ensure that advert penalty fees paid by defaulters were made public, stressing that the new law has not had any positive impact on the sector.

Operators in the country recently disagreed with the Commission on its reasons for the re-introduction of N50,000 advert processing penalty fee.

According to an operator who said that the regulator was being economical with the truth in saying that the fee was introduced to compel companies to advertise, adding that the fee may be one of the means the commission has introduce to raise its revenue.

He noted that the N50,000 meant nothing to a company that was not interested in awareness, stressing that the commission can only achieve great impact on awareness if organisations were mandated to put to use all approved advert materials.

He suggested that the commission should demand from companies’ copies of approved and publicised materials before fresh materials were approved.

Head, Corporate Affairs, NAICOM ‘Rasaaq ‘Salami, said the commission in a bid to ascertain the financial commitment made by operators towards awareness creation, observed that many of the advertorials approved were not made public.

He noted that that the commission re-introduced the advert processing fee to spur operators to advert.

He said the commission having unearthed the pranks, has adopted measures to ensure that the operators made commitment towards awareness creation, adding that one of the measures was the re-introduction of advertorial processing fee, which would spur the operators to make public advertorials approved as they would now incur cost to secure them.

He noted that because the processing and approval were made free, many of the operators took the efforts of the commission for granted and never took the issue of awareness creation serious.

George Onekhena, deputy commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Global business 34

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 30, 2014

Mozambique extends bidding round for new gas and oil blocks

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Smoke rises from an oil tank fire in Es Sider port December 26, 2014.

Libya’s crude oil fire advances price to $60 per barrel

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rent crude oil rose to $60 per barrel on Monday, supported by concern about disruption to exports from Libya, but a global supply glut kept prices nearly 50 per cent off their peak for the year.

A fire caused by fighting at one of Libya’s main export terminals has destroyed 800,000 barrels of crude - more than two days of the country’s output, officials said, amid clashes between factions battling for control of the nation..

Libya currently produces around 385,000 barrels per day

of crude oil - down from peak production of over 1 million bpd - but this is a small fraction of the global supply overhang, analysts said.

“There’s tension in Libya, but liquidity is very thin so not much is needed to move oil prices,” said Hans van Cleef, senior energy Economist at ABN Amro in Amsterdam.

Trade was sparse, with many investors away for the festive period.

Van Cleef added that the overall picture remained bearish, with traders looking for reasons to sell.

“It’s very supply driven, on the demand side, the only impact is when you see a negative change in data.”

Brent crude was up 67 cents at $60.12 by 0902 GMT after hitting $60.40 earlier in the day.

The benchmark settled down 79 cents in the previous session.

Brent is down 48 per cent since hitting the year’s high above $115 per barrel in June, weighed down by a decision by OPEC in November not to cut supply to address a slump in prices and comments from Saudi Arabia that they are comfortable with lower prices.

Copper nears four-year low as China economy loses momentum

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opper traded near a four-year low after data showed industrial profits in China fell, fuelling speculation that demand from the largest metals user will weaken.

China’s industrial profits fell the most in two years last month, according to National Bureau of Statistics data published Dec. 27. Copper also declined before a report due on Dec. 31 that is expected to show manufacturing in the country

contracted. The London Metal Exchange resumed trading today after the Christmas holiday.

Falling industrial profits data “predicts further poor demand for commodities,” RBC Capital Markets Ltd. said in a note today.

Copper for delivery in three months on the LME fell 0.7 percent to $6,256.50 a metric ton by 9:34 a.m. in London. The metal headed for the lowest close since June 2010 and is down 15 percent this year. In New York, March copper futures on the Co-

mex rose 0.1 percent to $2.818 a pound.

The final December reading for HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics’ manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for China will be 49.5, according to economists surveyed

by Bloomberg before the data is released on Dec. 31. A reading below 50 signifies contraction.

Copper stockpiles monitored by the LME were little changed at 171,850 tons, bourse data showed today.

ozambique has extended by over three months a licensing round for 15 new offshore and onshore blocks for gas and oil exploration and production, a senior government official said on Monday When the blocks were unveiled in October, the government said bids would be accepted until Jan. 20, 2015.

That has now been extended until April 30 because of the level of interest and company requests for additional time, Arsenio Mabote, chairman of the National Petroleum Institute, said.

The blocks on offer include three new areas of the northern Rovuma Basin, where U.S. oil major Anadarko Petroleum Corp and Italy’s Eni are already developing multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects.

Mozambican officials expect more than $30 billion will be invested initially in the natural gas sector to build capacity to produce 20 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with first exports due to start in 2018.

Mozambique is hoping revenue from its large natural gas deposits and its fledgling coal mining industry will help it emerge from years of poverty and aid dependence.

Subway investigates doctored expiry dates reported by China media

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.S. fast-food chain Subway is investigating media reports in China that workers at an outlet in Beijing doctored food labels and used produce beyond its expiry date, a Shanghaibased spokeswoman for the firm said on Monday.

Chinese media reports that started circulating on Friday said workers at a Beijing outlet for Subway, which operates globally as a franchise business, changed expiry and production dates on meat, drink and vegetable produce to extend their use.

“Our headquarters here is now investigating the matter,” a Subway spokeswoman said. She said the firm had not reached any conclusions. “We want to investigate what caused the labelling issue and whether or not it

was the action of a single franchised outlet.”

The issue highlights the difficulty firms have to control food quality and safety in supply chains and outlets in China, which can cause serious headaches with regulators and hit sales.

Earlier this year, a Chinabased food supplier to McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) and Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N) was caught up in a scandal over workers allegedly tampering with expiry dates, which pummelled China sales at the fast-food chains.

The Subway spokeswoman said the firm sent teams to inspect its franchises around the country each month and that it gave staff training on food safety and handling produce.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Adesola Akindele

35 Capital Market

DAILY MARKET SUMMARY

NSE All Share Index stays upbeat, records 0.68% increase

M

onday’s transactions on the equity market maintains upscale position, by resuming with a percentage increase of 0.68 after the Christmas break. The All Share Index (ASI) closed at 34,663.92 basis points rising with 235.1 points from last Wednesday’s 34,428.82.

Topping trade activity is Royalex with a sale of 231,789,265 shares amounting to N118,211,022.50, this is seconded by UTC which sold 75,545,721 shares worth N37,772 860.50. Zenith bank makes an impressive 1.05 billion naira (N1, 051,057,871.65) by selling 52,818,620 shares.

Of the 37 gainers at Monday’s market, Seplat leads with a 10.25 per cent increase gaining N33.01 to close at N355.12. Caverton and Champion follows with a 10.00 per-

cent increase each, Caverton gained N0.30, closing at N3.30 while Champion gained N0.59 closing at N6.49 from its previously recorded N5.90. An appreciation of N64.78 in Nestle shares was recorded as it closes at N995.00 from its preceding N930.22. Forte Oil also records a N13.25 gain, closing at N227.25 from its preceding N214.00.

The loser’s table comprises of 25 companies with Conoil topping the chart in a 9.74% loss. Livestock and MRS loses with 5.00%, both recording N0.12 and N2.80 loss respectively. Dangote cement is also hit with a 1.45% loss, closing at N193.79 from its preceding N196.65 In 4,606 deals, The Nigerian Stock Exchange traded a total of 620,152,278.00 shares worth 4,676,468,950.87 bringing the Market capitalization to 11,479,902,985,244.65.

Society 36

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 30, 2014

I fear failure -TY Mix TY Mix Is a notable producer who has contributed immensely to the success of some major artistes in Nigeria. His magical touche endears him to many music punters. The humble, agile and industrious producer stands out amidst his contemporaries especially when it comes to doing what he knows how to do best which is music production. He has worked with virtually all the major artistes both in Nigeria and Diaspora. In this interview with ISAAC OGUNTOYE the talented cool dude who is part of the foremost Reality TV Show, Project Fame spoke on his grass to grace story.

T

Y mix is a big producer in the industry and you’ve been there for over a decade now.

What will you say is the secret of your relevancy?

I really can’t place my hand on one particular thing but I believe some of us started this business based on passion. I’m passionate about music. I still feel excited about music as I was 10 years ago so, I think that’s one of the things that kept me up to this point. And obviously, God’s mercy.

That moment when

you feel very low on this profession,what is the driving force that keeps you going?

Just like everything in life that has its high and low moments, so is music. I had my ups and down but like I said earlier, this is one of the things that gives me joy. So my reward is not only monetary.

Music keeps me in the right state of mind even during my lowest times, music is still that thing that brings me up.

When music lovers listen to your beats, they wonder what you were thinking of while

making the beats. What usually comes to your mind while making your beats?

It could be anything. It could be the conversation I had with the artiste in terms of direction.

It could be my environment or probably the way I feel at that moment. Anything can inspire my production. It’s never one thing.

It’s always different things at different times.

They say, artistes are the most difficult people to work with. How do you handle the difficult ones in terms of

educating them on how to go about their music?

While working with an artiste; there is something that unifies you which is creativity- the process of creating music. And once you guys have that understanding, there is less friction because you guys are working towards the same goal.

No doubt Nigerian music has improved tremendously but some say we are losing that our African touch. How are you making sure that the African touch remains rel-

evant?

Music is a reflection of the society. It’s a reflection of our culture. It’s a reflection of who we are. And if you are in a particular environment, some of the things you have as inspiration are things that happen around you.

So, it’s easy to be able to maintain originality especially if you live here, you see what happens here, every now and again. We also have a listening audience that likes originality. People like to

Continued on page 37

EXCLUSIVE: How Genevieve Nnaji got chieftancy title of Amuzu Nweafor in Mbaise, Imo State over the weekend and should we say we are happy for her? Of course we jealous. Obvi-

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

G

eneveieve Nnaji is not a new face in Nollywood where she got her fame

and money from, plus all the millions of naira deals which have got her smiling to her bank always.

The beauty was bestowed with a chieftancy title as the ‘Eze Ada

Well, yes she did! And she’s now the Eze Ada of Amuzu Nweafor in Mbaise, Imo State.

Daily

Times

exclusively

ously, our Igbo brothers would

gathered that unlike some popu-

appreciate this new milestone in her life the more.

And just as some of you would have started wondering how come? You probably didn’t think that this sophisticated Genny could have accepted a title in her VILLAGE just like that!

lar and rich celebs who don’t do anything for their people, Miss Nnaji has been actively involved in some of the developmental projects in her village.

According to our source, Genny may also be eyeing a political post in her village in the next

election.

“Genevieve is the true daughter of the soil. She has a good heart and has been an active in her community. We even heard she may be contesting for a political post during the next election era”, our source said.

However, we learnt that Genny was at first reluctant to accept the tilte but was talked into it by her parents, especially her father who is also a chief in the community.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 30, 2014

37 Society

Jimmy Jatt, Praiz, Olu Maintain, other artistes support Buhari ÏÏÏ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƏƆ ƅƐ

By Opeoluwani Akintayo

A

s the general election is approaching in 2015, Nigerian entertainners have begun their own race, with different caucuses already taking sides.

Let’s not forget the drama that surrounded the aftermath

of the Presidential election of four years ago which produced President, Goodluck Jonathan.

We remeber that President Jonathan was massively supported by almost all the A-list entertainers in Nigeria. However, months into his reign, the country started witnessing continuous attacks from Boko Haram and suddenly, our entertainers

started pointing accusing fingers at each other for voting in a president who wasn’t able to bring peace and order into the country, with few quoted as saying they “regretted voting” for him.

Now that another race has started, Nollywood as headed by the President of Actor Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Ibinabor Fiberesima has flung its whole weight behind President Jonathan again, while musical artistes seems to be for Buhari.

The likes of Olu Maintain, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Skales, Azadus, Praiz and others were hosted recently by Buhari’s supporters, Nasiru Danu and Sen. Mamora at Eko Hotel in Lagos to declare support for the ex- General’s Presidential campaign.

Obviously, Nigerian would have none of this again as there have been series of backlashes against this move by the ar-

tistes.

Just like Nollywood got lashes for getting involved with Jonathan, Nigerians have spoken again after sighting these artistes voicing out for Buari.

While some blasted the crop of acts filed up to support Buari, others simply said they were sure it was for the money. Read some reactions below: Sandra said...

“Wat rubbish? I’m still not voting for any of them. Let d money choke them. I’m disappointed “ Henry said...

“What do you expect from a ****** party made up of ****** ppl....see the dead artist they invited....apart from DJ jimmy jatt, the careers of the rest are chilling 6ft....guess these are the only ppl he could convince” Yemi said...

“The only artiste dat am really disappointed @ is praiz cos his album make small sense oth-

ers are either failures or a has being. #buzz” oladiti said...

“Am very sure money is involve”.

As the negativity have started pouring out, one can’t blame the Yoruba sect of Nollywod for standing aloof.

As it has been rightly observed, the Yoruba arm of Nollywood hasn’t been actively involved in the Jonathan administration as they complained bitterly of being neglected in his policy. Even now, no arm of the Yoruba actors have been sighted taking any side... obviously, they want to play safe. Is that wisdom or stupidity? Be the judge.

But we wonder, now that the English speaking Nollywood is behind Jonathan, and the artistes are behind Buhari, what then happens after the winner is declared? Which way Nollywood.

Nigerian music schools are not affordable - TY Mix Continued from page 36 listen to songs that reflect our culture either in terms of the beat or rhythm, even in terms of the message that is being passed across.

So for me, I’m just sensitive to my environment. I’m sensitive to what I know people want to hear.

But sometimes people don’t know what they want until you serve it to them.

How long does it take you to produce one beat?

It’s very easy. I’ve produce a beat in an hour before. I’ve produced beats in 45 minute before.

And I’ve done one which took me five hours and sometimes 10 hours. It varies.

Which of the beats can you pinpoint as your fastest production so far ?

Maybe ‘Ki ni Big deal’. Although it wasn’t as if it was fast

because we were in the studio for over seven to eight hours and I wasn’t just comfortable with what we were doing at that time.

I had done several samples and ideas of beats but it didn’t just click. So, Naeto C and I left the studio and as soon as we came back to the studio after 30 to 45 minute, I had at least eight bars of ‘Ki ni big deal’ ready.

Recently, you launched your own record label. Why did it take you this long?

Yes, I just launched my record label and the name of my record label is VIVACE Records. I don’t believe there is a wrong timing for anything. It depends on when you feel you’re ready. I just feel I’m ready for it now. I feel I’m well equipped, I understand the industry better and I know how things work.

Why did you launch the re-

cord label with a Project Fame ex-contestant?

Well, the truth is that, it’s on Project Fame that I have seen the highest number of talented individuals, that’s the truth. It’s just like marriage–if you want to marry, you marry someone around you. So, these are the people I’ve seen over the years. It’s not as if I’ve not seen other people but, I’ve seen these ones and I’ve watched them grow. So, it could have been anybody.

How do you feel when you see raw talent yet to be discovered?

To be honest with you, that was one of the major reason I decided to start up a label because I see lots of talents every day. To me, they are helpless because for you to succeed in the industry, you need more than talent. So, that’s one of the reasons why I decided

to start up a record label.

How did you feel when you were first called to be one of the judges on Project Fame and do you envisage it will last this long?

The way Project Fame started, I knew it was going to be a force to be reckoned with because the production quality was on point, the content is also on point, and it was not just about the show, Project Fame is that platform that invests in lives– either you win or not, there is something you are leaving with. We don’t have music schools in Nigeria. Even the ones we have are not affordable. So, Project Fame is where you come to learn how to do things properly in terms of vocal lessons.

What will you consider as your greatest fear in life?

The fear of not succeeding.

Then again, I’ve grown to over-

come my fears. Now, I don’t even have a choice, I have to succeed.

Is there any point in your career when you felt like quitting this profession maybe because of a particular challenge?

There was no time that I felt like quitting They say life is not a bed of roses as there must be challenges. Which of the challenges is the toughest one?

There have always been challenges but because I’m driven by passion not money or what my environment dictates, it has helped me to overcome most of the challenges.

Your happiest moment on this job?

This is one of my happiest moment-– a moment when you do something and it’s being appreciated

News 38

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Admiral Babalola replaces Medani at Eastern Naval Command

A

new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) has taken over the mantle of leadership at

the Calabar, Cross Rivers state headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy. He is Rear-Admiral Henry

Babalola.

Admiral Babalola took over the command, yesterday, from his predecessor, Rear- Admiral Obiorah

Medani.

At the handover ceremony, Admiral Medani urged officers and ratings of the command to vote

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (4th left) flanked by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola (3rd left) and his wife, Janet and some clergymen and important personalities at the Thanksgiving service in honour of the governor’s wife in Erio, Ekiti State.

during the forth-coming general elections in 2015.

He said that it was the responsibility of the navy to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure hitch-free elections at state and federal levels.

Said he: “As citizens, you are entitled to vote for candidates of your choice. ``But, as uniform personnel, you must be strictly neutral in discharging whatever security responsibilities that you have been ordered to carry out in support of INEC. ``If you must vote, go through the process in mufti and without drawing any attention to your military status. ``On no circumstance must you compromise your political neutrality

in the electoral process.’’

On his achievement in the command, the FOC said that the command reduced the rate of piracy.

He added, however, that only four cases of attacks on oil tankers and services vessels were recorded.

On infrastructure, he said that the ultra-modern Vice-Admiral Jibrin Usman auditorium has been completed after being abandoned for 25 years.

He said that new vehicles had been procured for the command, while the old ones had been extensively refurbished. ``The six flats at the 1006 officer’s quarters have been occupied following the completion of the outstanding electrical works.

Group cautions Jonathan over new aircraft, N21b donations

2015: Jonathan, Buhari wooing us, says LP

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

A

non-gover nmental organization, The Muslims Rights Concerns, MURIC, said yesterday that the presidency has explanations to render to the nation’s tax-payers over the proposed aircraft that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is planning to purchase, which will be the fourth since he took office in 2010.

The NGO specifically sought to know why Jonathan is intending to buy four aircrafts in four years, when the average Nigerians are battling with poverty.

The presidency, MURIC also pointed out, similarly owes Nigerians explanations as to the veracity of the reports in the media that the President’s friends and associates recently donated staggering sums of money amounting to millions at

the launching of Mr. President’s campaign fund for the 2015 elections which netted N21 billion.

“Nigerians are worried that the presidency allowed huge donations con- Jonathan trary to Section 91(9) of tical example. Available the Electoral Act, which indices show that this is disallows donations highstill lacking in the present er than N1 million”, the leadership.

NGO said in a statement “Mr. President is not signed by its Director, Proleading us by example, if fessor Ishaq Akintola. it is true that he still wants The Muslims’ body furto buy a new aircraft. ther described as nause“The Presidency has ating the report that the explanations to render to sum of N215,635,713 was tax-payers if it is also true allegedly set aside in the that the proposed aircraft 2015 budget proposal for will be the fourth since foodstuff and catering he took office in the year equipment for the presi2010. Why must President dency.

Jonathan buy four airIn a statement MURIC crafts in four years? said: “President Jona“The Presidency also than yesterday (Sunday) owes Nigerians explapleaded with Nigerians to nations if it is true that endure the hardship exfriends and associates dopected to come with fallen nated staggering sums of price of oil. money amounting to mil“All things being equal, lions at the launching of this is a good piece of adMr. President’s campaign vice, but Nigerians are fund for the 2015 elections looking forward to a pracwhich netted N21 billion.

T

he national leadership of the Labour Party (LP), yesterday disclosed that the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), respectively, among others, are presently seeking the support of the LP ahead of the next year’s general elections.

The National Secretary of the party, Barrister Kayode Ajulo, who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists, in Abuja, however, pointed out that most of the presidential candidates, who have approached the party have failed feasibility test set by the party.

The party explained that its decision not to field a candidate for the presidential election was

not an over-sight but a strategy.

The Labour Party advised Nigerians not repeat the past mistakes by voting for political parties whose policies and programmes are anti-masses.

According to Ajulo, “Certainly, our voice will count in choosing the next president for Nigeria. We are the beautiful bride in Nigerian politics.

“We are being wooed

by President Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party and General Buhari’s All Progressives Congress, as well as other presidential hopefuls.

“As mentioned earlier, we will do the needful, we shall do the desirable, we are accountable to the people and we shall reflect their aspiration in our decision which will be made known at the appropriate time,” he said.

Continuing, Ajulo said, “LP as at the close of submission of candidates to INEC did not field presi-

dential candidate.

“This is not an oversight but part of our strategies and principles as a socialist and realist party.

“If we must field a presidential candidate, we must field the candidate to win and not to merely participate in the election as some parties are doing.

“Most presidential candidates who have approached the Labour Party have failed feasibility test set by the party.

Dan-Nwanyanwu

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 30, 2014

39 News

Lagos Govt replies Sambo on multiple taxation claim Jonathan Eze, Lagos

T

he Lagos State government has responded to Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo’s claim that people are leaving Lagos in droves as a consequence of heavy taxation imposed by the State Government.

In a statement signed by

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, said that Sambo need to be pitied as a junior partner in Nigeria’s uninspiring Presidency and as such shouldn’t speak during public engagements but make simple greetings and a few compliments instead of making non-residential claims that are lacking in

facts.

The statement reads in part: “In a manner that has become a consistent pattern with officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)led Federal Government, the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, for want of any viable message for the people of Lagos during a recent visit to the State, declared that we are over burdening the peo-

ple with multiple taxations.

“It is no surprise at all that the steadfastness that the Lagos State Government has brought to the management of its Internally Generated Revenue and the attendant improved and consistent performance over the years will continue to be mind boggling for all those who do not appreciate the need to move from the

past and adopt innovations in order to improve the lot of the society.

“The fact remains that Lagos, the economic and social hub of not just Nigeria, but the entire West African subregion, continues to attract an inflow of people like the bee to the honey, in pursuit of their means of livelihood daily. For whatever it is worth, Arch. Namadi

Sambo deserves to be pitied.

If his itinerary coming on this trip in an election year had included the inspection, not even commissioning, of any ongoing ambitious programmes or projects initiated by the Federal Government for the good of the people of Lagos State, he may have been better preoccupied and avoided the gaffe.

Ex-Gov Daniel, Buruji Kasamu clash over Ogun East PDP Senatorial ticket

F

ormer governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the South West Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mobilisation Committee, Kashamu Buruji, Monday, appeared to have renewed their hostilities over who flies the party’s ticket for the Ogun East Senatorial seat in the forthcoming general election.

While Daniel through a press statement maintained that he has been “directed” by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to run for the Ogun East Senatorial seat so as to ensure victory for the party in the year 2015 general election, the list of contestants released by the Ogun state office of

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has Buruji Kashamu as the party’s candidate.

Kashamu, a billionaire hotelier and major financier of PDP in the state, had won the PDP’s ticket for the seat in a primary conducted by Dayo Bayo - led state executive committee which was boycotted by Daniel as well as other party stakeholders which included the Dimeji Bankole Group due to a directive from the national headquarters of the party in Abuja.

Following the development, Kashamu had last Sunday in Ijebu-Igbo, vowed to “sacrifice” his blood to keep the ticket rather than surrendering it to any other person.

The Convener, Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (middle); chairman, Musical Youth Fiesta Initiatives, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (3rd right) and students of Leadership Academy for girls, at the inauguration of musical youth fiesta initiative leadership by the Oluremi in Lagos.

Gaidam condemns insurgents’ attacks, visits victims

G

overnor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe has condemned the re-

cent insurgents’ attacks on Gaidam market, police station, Gaidam Local Government Rest House

Anglican Church hails early converts in anniversary Dilionye Dilibe, Onitsha

I

t was a day of celebration for the struggle and sacrifices made by missionaries and early converts that later established what is today known as St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ugamuma, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The celebration which took place at the church premises on Sunday was

in remembrance of the establishment of the church about 120 years ago.

The establishment of St. Mary’s Anglican church, Ugamuma, Obosi, which was necessitated by the permission given to missionaries to use a parcel of land owned by the Late Ezeani 1 of Obosi, Chief Ekwulugo for evangelism.

According to the church history which was read by the great grand-son of the Late Chief Ekwulugo, Sir

Azubuike Ekwulugo, stated that though his great grand-father was a core traditionalist and a custodian of Ezeani title, he was magnanimous enough to donate his land for the establishment of the church in 1894.

He stressed the need for Christians to donate a part of their wealth for the propagation of the gospel, adding that the entire Ekwulugo’s family has recorded immense blessings

as a result of the sacrifice made in the past by his great grand-father till date.

Earlier, at the occasion, the Anglican Bishop, Diocese on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, who arrived the church with his wife, Dr. Elsie Nwokolo, gave a graphic account of the sacrifices made by the early missionaries and Christian converts and thanked the parish for organizing such a wonderful event to celebrate success.

and private house of the local government chairman.

Gaidam made the remark when he paid a sympathy visit to the victims in the town on Monday.

Addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the Gaidam Central Market, the governor described the attack as “unfortunate, inhuman, unwarranted and ungodly”.

The governor, who hails from Gaidam, said it was unfortunate that the town lost its market to insurgents’ attacks.

He said the state government would do everything possible to assist the victims of the mayhem.

He directed the State Emergency Management Agency to liaise with the

officials of the market association with a view to assessing individual losses for the assistance.

Gaidam also directed the agency to provide urgent relief materials to all the victims of the attacks.

The governor also visited Mainesorowa in Niger Republic, where most persons displaced by the attack took refuge.

He was received and conducted round the refugees camp by the prefect (Governor) of Diffa Region, Alhaji Yakuba Usman.

Usman told his Nigerian counterpart that over 4,000 people were offered shelter in the area out of whom 1,385 had been camped and fed by the Government of Niger.

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Feature

igeria is blessed with so many things.

These include a capacity for amnesia unsurpassed anywhere in the world.

Our parlous national memory rivals the depth of ruinous abuse that the rulers visit on the ruled. Some years ago, we vowed never again to be governed by the men in Khaki only to turn over governance right away to just a retired soldier. The same man who left panting in 1979 was begged back in 1999. No new leadership idea in the whole of 20 years. Two decades of standing in one spot.

Today, 30 years after the nation heaved a sigh of relief at his exit, some Nigerians insist Muhammadu Buhari is the only available solution.

This piece is however provoked by a rather different kind of symmetry.

The people who want Buhari are approximately the same guys who four years ago clamoured for Nuhu Ribadu. Only a few people saw then that the fellow was not presidential timber in any way, a prognosis he himself has proved so eloquently over time.

The major plank for Bu-

Jonathan hari’s contention is some unproven capacity for organization and personal credibility. His sympathisers point so raucously at his record in public office as a military commander, minister, head of state and head of the Petroleum Trust Fund. His lean purse is another factor. Buhari, according to the records, has no more than two houses and a few cows.

The guy is also gifted with a scraggy body build and an elegant oval face.

He must be very honest indeed. This is indeed a story for another day.

Buhari It is the 2011 contest that provokes this scripture ... Nigerians especially Yoruba sympathizers of the Action Congress of Nigeria, [now All People’s Congress], stand in danger of being accused of refusing to do a post-mortem of a most spectacular political incident. That electoral year, the first poll had already predicted an uncertain ending for the presidential race.

The incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Nuhu Ribadu seemed to be heading for a deadlocked poll that would not produce a clear win-

ner. Overnight, a meeting was held in Abuja which changed the configurations. Voters of the South West with predominantly ACN sympathy obviously on instruction, voted PDP. Osun State for some curious reason, stood out.

There must be something to be said about the conviction and credibility of people who could be persuaded to summarily abandon their candidate overnight without the flimsiest logical excuse. It stands to reason then that there must have been an overwhelming basis for the predominantly ACN voters

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of the South West to accept dumping a candidate they thought was a paragon of probity. The Yoruba man is never good at turning his back to probity.

The Monday morning agreement was certainly targeted at stopping Buhari. Today, four years later, the people who wanted to stop Buhari now want to fight to the dead to enthrone Buhari. Only in politics do you have such stupendous summersaults. However, the true state of the soul is often revealed in the heat of such anachronism.

It is sheer laziness to escape this Gordian knot by putting the factor down to horse trading. I don’t think Tinubu singularly masterminded the spectacle of 2011. And neither do I think it was a policy of the party. Indeed, my kinsmen in Osun rebelled without negative consequences against the Monday morning accord.

Who then wanted and rented the Monday morning accord? Has he changed his mind about Buhari? These are questions we must all rue and unlock. Very fast. Before the electoral officers return to their booths. Happy new year in advance.

r e h c a m u h Sce year on from ski crash ..............

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

NFF second batch elite refs set to hit London

A

second batch of elite referees, this time 20 in number, will depart Nigeria for a two-week capacity building exercise in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2015.

The delegation will be led by Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, and will also include the Chairman of Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Ahmed Maude.

Already, ARIK airline has offered to fly the 22 persons at half the fare to the United Kingdom and back, while Seina Marine Limited is bankrolling the exercise.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Seina Marine, Mr. Scot Tommey said on Monday:

“We are delighted to be a part of this because we believe in the wellarticulated vision of Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick for Nigerian football.

“He is someone who knows exactly what it will take to make positive changes to the Nigerian game and we are interested in lending a helping hand. I can tell you that apart from the support we are giving to this exercise, we are also looking at other areas in which we can partner the NFF on football development,” he said.

The twenty referees who will benefit from the second exercise are: Hadiza Musa, Bosede Momoh, Uloma Nwogu, Paul Umuago, Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Jeremiah Akure, Francis

Pinnick

Agbaegbu, Ahmed Rufai, Iheanacho Chukwuemeka, Dele Atoun, Suleiman Jimeta, Abubakar Audu, Obieze Okiridu, Ezenwanko Obiora, Ishyaku Ibrahim, Sunn y Atu, Sani Mohammed, Jibrin Isa and Mohammed Aliyu Jingi.

Those who went for the first exercise are Ferdinand Udoh, Shuaibu Abdullahi, Usman Isah, Samuel Pwadutakam, Orowole Tope, Egudia Efosa, Peter Ogwu, Musa Dung Davon, Olayinka Olayide and Ukah Ndubuisi.

Liverpool in hot chase for

Onazi Ï êRƇƇƆƏ Əƈ ƈè ùƤƌ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ Ɛƈ Ƌ ƌƈƗƇƈƆƋƗƆƏ

Onazi

E

nglish Premier League club, Liverpool, have reportedly offered out-of-favour striker, Fabio Borini and £8 million for Nigeria international midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi.

According to reports in the English media over the weekend, Onazi is now a main target for Brendan Rodgers to solve his team’s holding role in the midfield as they struggle in the Premier League this term.

The Reds are using Borini as bait in the planned bid since the Italian striker has long been admired by the Rome club.

It is not the first time that Rodgers will be linked with a move for the Nigerian midfield enforcer. In the summer, Liverpool made an attempt to hook the Lazio man without success.

Liverpool instead brought in Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen to plug the hole in their midfield, but now could make the move for Onazi in January.

Onazi has made eight league appearances for Lazio this season and has one assist.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

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Iorfa shines in English Championship

W

olverhampton Wanderers youngster Dominic Iorfa Jnr has continued to impress in England as he made another start for Wolves in their 2-1 win over Brentford in the Championship.

Iorfa Jnr, who is the son of former Nigeria international Dominic Iorfa was on from start to finish and put on a decent show.

The 19-year-old defender, who can play as right back and in central defence thwarted the Brentford at-

tack especially in the first half.

Nouha Dicko put Wolves ahead at Molineux after being teed up by the impressive Rajiv van La Parra in the seventh minute.

Two own goals in the second half from both ends settled the match in favor of Wolves as they earned a second successive win over the Christmas period.

James Tarkowski put the ball into his own net in the 71 minute and it was the turn of Wolves defender Danny Batth to do likewise at the other end as he poked

the ball past Carl Ikeme in goal for Wolves.

Iorfa Jnr was impressive alongside goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who is eligible for Nigeria and was called up by former Nigeria coach Austin Eguavoen when he was in charge but never played an official game for the Super Eagles.

Another Nigerian, Moses Odubajo was in Brentford’s starting line up and lasted the entirety of the game.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are placed 8th on the Championship table with 37 points from 24 matches.

Aiyegbeni

X3

: United States

174–26 (87.00%)

Fed Cup: W (1999)

US Open: W (1998)

Wimbledon: W (1998)

French Open: F (1998)

Australian Open: F (1999)

Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results

Career titles: 2

Mixed Doubles Career record 27–4 (90%)

(2000, 2008, 2012)

Olympic Games: Gold medal in doubles

Tour Finals: SF (2009)

US Open: W (1999, 2009)

Wimbledon: W (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012)

French Open: W (1999, 2010)

Australian Open:W (2001, 2003, 2009, 2010)

Grand Slam Doubles results

Current ranking No. 91 (May 12, 2014)

Highest ranking: No. 1 (June 7, 2010)

Career titles: 22

Doubles career record:

Olympic Games: Gold medal in singles (2012)

Tour Finals: W (2001, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014)

US Open: W (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Wimbledon: W (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012)

French Open: W (2002, 2013)

Australian Open: W (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010)

Grand Slam Singles results

Current ranking: No. 1 (September 8, 2014)

Highest ranking: No. 1 (July 8, 2002)

Career titles: 64 WTA (6th in overall rankings)

Career record: 684–120 (85.11%)

Ranking: 1st in all-time rankings

Prize money: US$ 63,500,779[2]

Turned pro: September 24, 1995

Height: 1.75 metres (5 ft 9 in)

Place of birth: Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.

Born: September 26, 1981 (age 33)

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.

Country

Name: Serena Williams

Personal Information

Personal information

X4

EXTRATIME

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Doubles Doubles Singles Doubles

Gold: 2000 Sydney Gold: 2008 Beijing Gold: 2012 London Gold: 2012 London

Olympic medal record for U.S

Hopman Cup: W (2003, 2008)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

X5

X6

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

YSFON’s rounds off 2014 activites in Kaduna

Afelokhai eyes CAF Champions League trophy

K

ano Pillars goalkeeper, Joel Theophilus Afelokhai believes the side has what it takes to win the CAF Champions League next year.

The Nigerian Champions have failed to qualify for the money-spinning group stage of the competition in recent

attempts, but Afelokhai is confident that the multiple league title winners will not only go far in the competition next term but they will also proceed to win it.

“We are going to South Sudan to play Malaika FC in the first round of the competition, and we are going there

as wounded loins because of our previous experience in the knockout stage of the competition. I know it is not going to be easy, but with adequate preparation we shall overcome them.

“We are resuming on January 4 in Kano and for me the best we can expect from our sports-loving government is to

T provide the needed fund as it has done in our campaign in the local league for us to have a good result at the continental level.

“I just hope we are able to learn from the mistake of our ouster from the championship earlier this year,” Afelokhai said.

Eduok opens negotiation with Esperance

D

olphins attacking winger, Emem Eduok, has surprisingly travelled to Tunis to open negotiations with former African champions, Esperance, supersport.com reports.

Eduok, it was learned, arrived in the North African nation on Saturday, and is expected to meet with the President of Esperance this week.

Twelve days ago, it was reported in the media that Eduok had agreed in principle to join Norwegian club on a three-year deal but it appears after lots of pressure on the winger he has decided to “sound out” the Tunisian club.

“I can confirm to you that Emem has travelled to Tunisia,” a close friend to the player revealed to on Monday.”But what he told me is that he wants to just sound them out.”

Supersport.com did report more than a week ago that Sarpsborg 08 were waiting to tie down the deal with Dolphins since they were ready to offer around 160,000 Euro to the Nigerian club as well as a sell-on clause of 50 to 60 percent.

The Tunisian club have been in touch with Eduok in the past weeks, and should an agreement be reached, he could undergo medical tests and sign for the Blood and Gold.

Already, Esperance have decided to axe their foreign players and have signed Brazilian Magno Cruz, which frees up space to bring in Eduok if a deal is sealed.

Eduok

he Kaduna State chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) on Sunday in Kaduna rounded off its year 2014 activities with the final matches of seven competitions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the final matches were played at the Kaduna YSFON Pitch and the ABS Training Pitch, both at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS).

They involved finalists from various age-grade male competitions organised by the youth sports body since January, involving a total of 140 youth football clubsides.

In the final of the U-10 competition which had 14 participants, Nationale of Tudun Ilu beat Gamji of Kaduna South 3-2 at the YSFON pitch.

Florentina beat FC Porto 1-0 at the YSFON pitch in the final of the U-13 competition, which was an 8-a-side event involving 12 teams.

At the ABS Training Pitch, Golden Boys of Igabi beat Bufa of Kaduna South 2-1 in the final of the U-15 contest which had 20 participants.

The U-17 event which had 24 participants saw Stallion beating Doka Stars on penalty kicks after a goalless draw at the ABS Training Pitch.

In the U-18 category which had 36 teams as participants, the Quarry Men FC of Kaduna North lost 0-3 to ElHaroun FC of Kaduna South.

In the final of the U-14 competition which had 18 teams, Golden Arrows beat Gamji 2-0.

The final of the U-17 competition for clubsides in the Zangon-Kataf LGA was also played on Sunday in Kaduna at the ABS Training Pitch.

Sixteen teams took part, with Dutsen-Mai of ZangonKataf taking on Amana Madauchi in the final match.

Speaking after the matches, the Kaduna State YSFON Secretary, Abdulrasaq Usman, said it was thrilling for him and the organisation to have ended the year on such a note.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

X7

Motorsport

Legendary Michael Schumacher. INSET: Schumacher’s fans around the world are urging the Formula One record breaker to keep fighting one year on from his devastating ski injury.

r e h c a Schum h s a r c i k s m o fr n o r a e y e n O

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here is a simple message for Michael Schumacher one year on from his devastating accident -- keep fighting.

Formula One’s record-breaking, seven-time world champion is continuing his recovery from the severe head injuries he sustained in a skiing crash on December 29 last year.

After emergency brain surgery in France and nine months in hospital, Schumacher has been moved to the family home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland to continue his rehabilitation.

His close family, including his wife Corinna and two teenage children Gina Marie and Mick, have maintained their silent support by choosing not to release a statement on the anniversary of the accident.

Schumacher’s son Mick, who is beginning his own racing career in go-karts, had been among the skiing party when the F1 star

fell and hit his head on a rock at the French Alps resort of Meribel.

There were expressions of support for Schumacher, however, from the German racer’s global fans and members of the F1 community, Monday.

“It has been one year already...” wrote Lotus driver Romain Grosjean on Twitter.” #KeepFightingMichael our thoughts are still with you and your family.”

Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat also marked the occasion: “#KeepFightingMichael -- I know you will.”

The Mercedes team, who Schumacher drove for between 2010 and 2012, said: “One year on, our thoughts remain with Michael, his family and friends every day.”

Although 12 months have passed since the accident, speculation about Schumacher’s condition and its rate of progress remains as intense as ever.

Former F1 racer Philippe St-

reiff, who was left paralysed during an F1 testing crash in 1989, added grist to the rumor mill in an interview with a French newspaper on Sunday.

The Frenchman claimed Schumacher “still has not regained the power of speech....but begins to recognize his own wife and children.”

Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm dismissed the story, telling the Reuters news agency: “I can only confirm that I do not know where Mr Streiff has his information from because he has no contact with us and never has.”

Given Schumacher’s fame, it is no surprise that public interest in his state of health is unabated.

The German, winner of a record 91 grand prix, was known as fearless racer who gave no quarter on track.

Fans of “Schumi” expect him to continue his fight against his injuries with the same inner steel and determination.

The difficulty with complex head injuries is that there is no predictable prognosis or timeline for recovery.

“If you look at severe head injury victims who go on to make a good recovery -- and I’m not saying all do -- it will always be a story of years,” Peter Hamlyn, a consultant neurological and spinal surgeon and expert in the field of head injuries in sport told CNN in June.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, neurosurgeons operated on Schumacher twice to remove blood clots and reduce swelling on his brain before placing him in a medically induced coma.

A statement from the family in April said the 45-year-old had shown “moments of consciousness and awakening.”

In June, it was announced he was out of the coma and would continue his recovery at the University hospital in Lausanne. He was moved to the family home in

September.

The latest statement, issued in September, read: “Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months. There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.

“We ask that the privacy of Michael’s family continue to be respected, and that speculations about his state of health are avoided.”

Kehn confirmed to CNN that there was no further update on his medical condition at this time.

Schumacher, who won the F1 drivers’ world title with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before a period of dominance with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004, will turn 46 on January 3.

While Schumacher had retired from the sport in 2012, after a second spell with Mercedes, his accident on the ski slopes still sent shockwaves through F1.

Culled from CNN.com

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

EXTRATIME

EXTRATIME

Cesc Fabregas (2nd right) angry against being denied penalty at Southampton by the referee.

s a g e r b a F y r

Ang

w o l l e y r e v o f e r s t blas e c n e f f o d r ca

C

esc Fabregas says referee Anthony Taylor had “a bad day at the office” after he booked the Chelsea midfielder for diving during Sunday’s draw at Southampton.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was furious that his team were not awarded a penalty early in the second

Rojo closing in on United return Marcos Rojo is keen to get back on the pitch for Manchester United in January after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

The Argentina defender has not featured for Louis van Gaal’s side since December 8 due to a thigh injury, but he revealed that he is closing in on a return.

United face Stoke City in the Premier League on New Year’s Day, before travelling to Yeovil Town in the FA Cup three days later, and Rojo – who has

half when Fabregas went down in the box following a challenge from Matt Targett.

Instead of awarding Chelsea a spot-kick Taylor decided the Spaniard had dived and booked him, a decision which Mourinho believes is part of a growing movement against his side.

“There was definitely contact,” Fabregas said.

“I don’t think the referee had

the best game of his life but we’re all human and a bad day at the office can happen to anyone. That’s it, let’s not talk more about it, we have to talk about football.”

Mourinho claims that Chelsea are the victim of a diving campaign which he feels is costing his team points.

“In other countries where I worked before, tomorrow in the sports papers it would be a front-page scandal because it is a scandal,” the Chelsea boss

Terry calls for ‘quiet arrogance’ from Blues

Rojo

John Terry has called for “quiet arrogance” from Chelsea as they continue their quest for a first Premier League title since 2010.

Jose Mourinho’s side ensured they will finish 2014 top of the table with a 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday, a result that sees them stay three points clear of Manchester City – who were held 2-2 by Burnley.

Chelsea needed to show

said following the match.

“I think it is a scandal because it is not a small penalty - it is a penalty like Big Ben. In this country - and I am happy with that, more than happy with that - we will just say that it was a big mistake with a big influence in the result. “ Mourinho blamed the Fabregas booking on recent accusations of diving made against Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic, who was named by Sam Allardyce in the wake of West Ham’s Boxing Day defeat at

Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea legend Ron Harris entered the debate by claiming players who are going down “very easily” are creating a “disease” in football.

Harris, who made a club record 795 appearances for Chelsea, jumped to the defence of Mourinho and Fabregas and believes they were right to feel aggrieved about the booking.

The former Chelsea captain believes Taylor made a mistake in showing Fabregas a yellow card and that Targett should be feeling “relieved” after not conceding a penalty.

Robben is a ‘perfect example’ —Sammer

Terry

Arjen Robben is a “perfect example” of how older players can continue improving, says Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer.

The Netherlands international has made 119 Bundesliga appearances since arriving at the Allianz Arena in 2009, winning three domestic crowns and a UEFA Champions League title in the process.

Robben